#it's kinda far away and not what i fucking wanted 😤

[glooomtownbrats]

.

[fullsunised]

ɴᴄᴛ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ¹³ : ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ʙʏ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ's ɴᴀᴍᴇ

. ★彡 genre: fluff

. ★彡 trigger warnings: swearing like usual

. ★彡 requests open

. ★彡 a/n: bro hyuck I'm kinda disappointed, but I hope he learns. anw, it's a great day, and I have no ideas whatsoever. 😤😮‍💨. one piece is so good yall, I'm watching like a lot in one day bruh so FUCKING GOOD.

❝ 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒊 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 ❞

╰─▸ ❝ 愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐋𝐄𝐄 ] ࿐ྂ

"hyuck, can you hand me that water bottle?"

his eyes drift to where you were pointing at, and he does hand it to you, but with a frown on his face. you were busy making lyrics on your laptop that you, for a moment forgot who was in front of you. 

he's clear his throat multiple times resulting in you looking up and widening your eyes. a series of apologies leave you rapidly. mark just smiles shrugging it off, considering how he called you with someone else's name a lot of times, especially with haechan's.

╰─▸ ❝愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍 𝐇𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐆 ] ࿐ྂ

"Jaem, pass me that salt"

he's so adorable, anyways, he's gonna take that salt into his hand and wait. you look up, eye brows furrowed confused as to why the salt was taking so much time when you realise what you did. 

he has his eyebrows raised waiting for you to correct yourself. you apologise, making sure to ask him again with his name, and that's when he forgives you. not really actually because you'd have to drown him in kisses- we love a soft renjun :(

╰─▸ ❝愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐎 𝐋𝐄𝐄 ] ࿐ྂ

"renjun, hand me that paper"

jeno has wide eyes, and a huge pout. he's gonna still give you what you want because how can he say no to you? he doesn't mention it, and you forget it. for the whole day, he's gonna be pouty, and clingy.

you'd ask him what's wrong at the end of the day and he finally reveals what has happened. you'd apologise but laugh at him for being so adorable. 

╰─▸ ❝愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐄 ] ࿐ྂ

"mark give me that book please"

boy is overdramatic asf. like not even kidding. gonna be making them offended gasps and shit, would even go as far to throwing that paper away. would definetly have a hand on his heart, and pretend like he's dying cause in a way he is (me fr)

looking up from where you were sitting, you'd widen your eyes, while he whines constantly, resulting in you rolling your eyes and offering to do something for him as an apology.

╰─▸ ❝愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐀 ] ࿐ྂ

"jeno, would you mind giving me that brush?"

you were busy doing your hair, running late for your schedules which is why the fact you didn't know or for a moment forgot who was next to you, watching you get dressed.

jaem is pouting, but still complies because he doesn't want you to run late. if you realise your mistake it's okay, if you don't he'd probably text you a bit later which results in you coming back home and drowning him in apologies and kisses.

╰─▸ ❝ 愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐋𝐄 𝐙𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆] ࿐ྂ

"ji, what are we having for dinner?"

your eyes were on your phone scrolling through twitter catching up with your fans, and looking at what was going on in the world. without looking up, you'd ask the question. chenle is squinting his eyes at you, boy is gonna be sassy asf.

acting like you did the worst crime ever. would not even eat dinner with you, if you don't apologise asap. you'd pay as an apology, and he's gonna make sure you promise that you won't hang out as much with jisung.

╰─▸ ❝ 愛 . . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ 𝐉𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 ] ࿐ྂ

"le, would you mind if I eat that?"

shocked. man is gonna have them wide eyes, but he's still gonna nod letting you have the last piece of the cake you bought. he's still watching you waiting for you to say something, and when you do he's gonna pretend it's fine, but you know he's thinking about it.

will be bothered by it for the rest of the day, a bit awkward with his actions which is the reason why you notice his shift in personality. you'd probably then apologise and tell him how you'd been busy with a lot of stuff and all. he's gonna forgive you, cause you loves you so much.

FULLSUNISED.

[the-obnoxious-sibling]

do u think there is a possibility more characters will join up with cross guild? im manifesting the current amazon lily residents because it feeds into my remaining roger pirates reunion wish (and would also be a way for the narrative to force both Crocodile and Mihawk to be more civil to Buggy without either of them having to grow fond or tolerant of him. they just can't beat him up anymore cause his super strong pirate dad is here). Also Boa and Buggy together would be hilarious.

hmm. i don't know, i honestly hadn't thought about it! that group seems pretty crowded with strong personalities as it stands, adding more could make things kinda messy.

it would be funny if cross guild ended up collecting all of the former warlords who aren't, yknow. in jail, or already aligned with other factions, or what have you. and there's a simple enough way to pull one of them in: perona! if she manages to get moria away from blackbeard's island alive, i don't think either of them are gonna be in great shape, and who else would she go to for help but her old roommate?

the amazons, though… i don't know. buggy's crew is something like 90% male ex-felons, and the one woman we definitely know about (alvida) is very protective of her position as Most Beautiful Woman You've Ever Met. i don't think anyone comes out of an attempted union of these groups happy.

(except maybe rayleigh, since he gets to see buggy and is probably not super concerned about petty personality clashes after the life he's lived.)

…however.

if it's not a willing union, but more of the "needs must" chaos that's driven cross guild so far… i think that could be very, very funny. especially hancock and buggy! because one, yes, that's a man, grr argh; two, i would be very surprised if her petrification powers did anything to him; three, her second favorite man on the planet raised him! surely that counts for something!

& while i would love a roger pirates reunion at cross guild or literally anywhere, oda p l e a s e, i can't decide whether i think buggy would actually want rayleigh interfering on his behalf.

on one hand: i have my pride, damn it! 😤 i'm forty fucking years old, i can take care of myself! 😤

on the other: …no i can't 🥺 please make the mean boys stop hurting me mr rayleigh 🥺

i flip-flop on this, and tbh i think so would buggy.

[dirtyvulture]

😎 I talked to my sister today on the phone and that made me so happy because I have been missing her terribly ( she had recently moved really really far away with her husband ) . But that has me thinking about SB and their sister, probably her SO and all of that ( with dear Nat mixed in as well. Now that she realizes that she’s in love and nearly lost SB she isn’t going anywhere) . So after the siblings reconnected and the birth of sisters baby ( and not to mention SB VERY NEARLY DYING) Sister and her family moved to be near SB and better able be in SB and Nat’s ( Nat may not see it yet but Sister and her family fully view her as wholly part of the family and basically views her and SB as practically married as they can clearly see how in love they both are and that the relationship is clearly going in that direction. Even when and especially when Nat and SB can’t see it) lives. So when SB was in the hospital and when they came home Sister was always there to help take care of SB , the sister is also a nurse(*) and was teaching Nat all the essential things that she needed to know in caring for SB. Because there is no way in hell after Nat was taught the necessities she was going to let nurses or doctors ( unless it was truly necessary to do so or if that nurse was SB’s sister) take care of HER BEEF 🥩 😤. Sister and Nat really bonded ( they already had an understanding and the start of a good relationship) and their relationship really solidified.

I am in love with the idea of Sister coming over and leaving her baby and SO to SB so She and Nat could have a girls night out together . And the SO and Beef already knew each other for a very long time before hand and do enjoy each other’s company so it isn’t awkward at all and of course SB is just loving on the baby. (*) The sister and her SO have been together since they were teenagers and are high school sweethearts. Beef is absolutely loving the fact that their two girls (Subject to change based on if vulture makes the SO or the sisters baby a girl. Or if vulture makes SB have a good relationship with their mom.) are together and get along so well. SB would NEVER call Nat their girl out aloud ( they have some self preservation and they are a himbo, not outright stupid) .

I am now asking about one Miss Yelena( fuck that middle name , I will butcher it) Belova because as we all know in any universe that Yelena is Nat’s sister. Nat loves that girl more than life it’s fucking self ( MCU’s Nat certainly did ) . Is Yelena in the Sergeant Beef Universe and is she Nat’s sister( biological or adoptive) ? Are Melina and Alexei her parents (biological or adoptive ) and what is that home life like ? I am in need of more background information like this so I can fully and more accurately formulate more thoughts on these things. If Yelena is still Nat’s sister is she still the younger sister and is the age difference still the same ( in the MCU Nat is five years older than Yelena) . I know in the comics they weren’t sisters and they had a more antagonistic relationship and were much more rivals than anything.

(* This is kinda based off my sister a bit . My sister is a nurse and she has been with her high school sweetheart husband since they were teenagers. So I have known her husband for a long time and I love him dearly as my brother in law. We enjoy each other’s company.)

Aww this is such a happy, cute headcanon. Loved this one. :)

I think once Nat warms up to SB's sister, they're truly going to be the bestest of friends. I feel like Nat doesn't have a lot of female friends, so until she meets the sister, she doesn't really have anyone who will go to a spa with her, or take her to get her hair done, stuff like that. And Nat doesn't realize how much she's wanted to do stuff like that until SB's sister happily takes her out. 🥺

Once Nat learns how to be a nurse, the entire hospital staff is forbidden from entering SB's room. 😂 I feel like there was one incident where a pretty nurse was helping wash SB, and SB was getting a little "excited" about it (not that they can really control that) and Nat saw and got so jealous. 😅😂

I think SB would be so happy too that Nat is getting along with their sister. Nat really does need friends/people to take her out of her work, and the sister is perfect for that.

Omg, I love Yelena! I've never given her any thought in this AU, to be honest lol. I suppose that is another thing to be explored, but for now all I can confirm is that Yelena does exist in the Sergeant Beef AU, and they were both adopted by Melina and Alexei basically from birth. Yelena also serves in the military, but not in the Army branch like Nat and SB. More to come. :)

And that's such a coincidence with your sister! My brother also moved far away from home, and he too is a nurse!

[billkaulitzwife]

Okokok this is kinda based off ur darrell getting cheated on post but MORE PAIN 😤 plz do some hcs of what dar and sodas relationship would be like if darrys girlfriend cheated on him with soda, like would he ever forgive him?? I MUST KNOW PLZ ADDI

omg i hate you sm rn. also i decided im gonna try and get thru all my asks/ drafts so im not bothered anymore. :)

You're Still My Brother.

(Soda, Darry, F!Y/N)

Sodapop's POV

It was December 27th, 1965.

I was walking home from the DX when Darry's broad came up to me from behind.

"Hey, Soda! You walking home?"

"Uh- Yeah. Why? You coming over?"

"Well.. no. Uh... me and Darry broke up so I dunno if I'm allowed back there."

I was taken aback. I looked around slightly, my eyes pretty wild.

"Whoa.. whattya talkin' about?! Darry loves you with his whole life!"

"I guess not. I just wanted to talk about it before you headed home."

I looked at her and took a deep breath. I nodded slightly and sat down in the grass with her.

Y/N's POV

Sodapop is such a dumbass. As I sat in the grass with him, my façade didn't fade at all.

As I cried to him and told him the whole story, I had rolled my sleeves up enough so he could see the makeup I had put there.

"Y'know, Soda.. I really love him.. We were having a conversation but we didn't realise the twins were home."

I honestly don't feel anything in the moment.

"Addie burst in trying to tell Darry something and she ruined the whole thing.. She lied to him and told him that I was cheating on him."

"Addie? As in my sister?? She would never lie about anything!"

"Sodapop she's with Dallas of course she lies!"

"No she doesn't. Neither of the twins would lie. They love you like your their own sister!"

"Maybe not. Darry believed her over me. I tried telling him I didn't but he just didn't believe me."

Plan is ago. He looked at my arms.

"Y/N what's that."

I pulled my sleeve down so it seemed I didn't want him to know.

"Y/N is your Dad beatin' on you again?"

"...No. It was Darry and Pony."

His face softened with concern.

"What.."

God he's fucking gullible.

"No, no, Y/N.. a-are you sure?!"

"You ain't a woofin.. Addie tried but I guess she was too weak."

Darry's POV

I was wondering where Sodapop was.

He was supposed to be home 10 minutes ago.

"Twins?" I called out. I didn't know if they were with Johnny Cade or not, so I had to check.

"Yeah?" Addie called back, walking out of her room putting a jacket on.

I smiled at her, "Where's Pony?"

"In the shower." She smiled back and grabbed a leftover Christmas cookie from off the table. "Pony! Hurry it up we gotta go meet Johnny!" She yelled into the bathroom.

"I'M HURRYIN' QUIT GABBIN'." He called back.

"Addie, you know where Sodapop is at?"

"As far as I know he should be at work." She said, shoving her cookie in her mouth. "Why?"

"He shoulda been home 'bout 14 minutes ago."

"Oh.. Well I'll be on the lookout for 'im on the way to the lot." I nodded and waved goodbye as she walked out onto the porch waiting for Pony.

God I missed Y/N.

Soda's POV

Would my siblings really do this?

I mean there's obvious bruises, but.. Darry? The twins..?

"Oh my god.. Y/N... I'm so.. I'm so sorry.."

She had tears running down her face and I didn't know what to do or say.

Next thing I knew she was on top of me and kissing me.

I grabbed her waist, pulling her in a little more. She were warm and her hands were so soft against the back of my neck.

"Y/N, Stop.." I murmured.

She stopped and I sat back up.

"Wha-- Why??" I muttered in shyness.

"Because you understand and listen, Soda."

"Oh.. Hey, Listen.. I oughtta get home so they aren't too worried about me. Ion wanna get put in no boys home."

"Alright. I'll see you around."

"Yeah. Bye." I got up and walked away towards the house.

"Goodbyee"

GOD DAMMIT. I HATE THIS HOW DO I TELL DARRY.

Addie's POV

Pony had finally gotten dressed and walked outside when I saw Sodapop approach the house.

"Hey, Soda! How was work?"

"It was fine." He said, walking straight inside and to his room.

"He's home!" I said before I walked down the steps and out the gate.

"Hey, Ads. Something was off about Sodapop, don'tcha think?"

"You ain't a woofin'. He looked pretty Red- and pale, too.." I stopped walking towards the lot in realisation of something.

Sodapop had lipstick all over his lips.

"Ads, you alright?"

"He picked up a broad!" I smiled and hugged Pony in happiness.

He hugged me back and I jumped up 'n down.

"Ohhh my god ohmygodohmygodohmygod!! We'll have another sister!!"

Pony smiled and shook his head, laughing. We had almost reached the lot in about 4 minutes.

"Hey, Johnny!" I called out to the dark-haired boy I saw about 20 feet away.

Mine and Pony's dark hair had grown a LOT since August. His hair was just below his ears like before, and our blonde and grown out so our roots had came in some.

I ran towards Johnny and tackled him onto the couch, Pony following suite.

I told Johnny everything that had happened once we left and how we suspect a girl.

Darry's POV

"Oh, thanks Ads. Heya, Soda. I'm just makin' dinner."

"Cool." He said as he rushed to the bathroom to wash off his face.

Why? I'm not sure. I didn't think much of it.

"Darry can we talk? It's about Y/N. I'd prefer to sit down.."

"Alright..?" I lowered the stove to low and sat down at the kitchen table.

Soda sat down and took a deep breath. "Um..."

Third Person POV

Soda told him everything. The kiss, the lies, EVERYTHING.

Darry had tears forming in his eyes and he lowered his head onto the table.

"Darry I'm so sorry. I tried to believe myself but I just- I couldn't. I don't know why, Darrell plesse forgive me."

"Hey, Soda, this ain't your fault."

"But I feel so bad.."

"Don't worry. You're still my brother. You had nothin' to do with this. It's her fault, not your's."

. . . . . .

Pony noticed the streetlight turn on.

"Addie, time to go home."

"Ooh right. Dinner time! Johnny you wanna eat with us?"

"..Yeah sure!" Johnny replied.

The three walked to the Curtis'.

They entered and saw Darry and Soda hugging eachother.

"Woah.. what's happened?" Pony asked.

"Just sit down in the living room, I'll bring out the soup. Welcome in Johnny, y'all are just in time."

Sodapop wiped his eyes and grabbed Addie after she took off her jacket. He hugged her tight. "I'm sorry we didn't talk after I came home, I'll explain in a minute."

"Hey, Addie, Mickey's on TV!" Pony yelled to Addie after her and Soda hugged.

"It's all good, Soda. Love ya big brother."

"Love you too kid sister."

Darry had brought everyone a bowl of soup (JOHNNY INCLUDED), and he and Soda explained to the young teens.

Addie had broke into tears and Pony was left in shock. Johnny was just devouring his soup, but was shocked too.

"Soda.." Addie said, crying.

"Man.." Said Pony, his jaw dropped.

"Huh?" Mumbled Johnny.

They lived in harmony after they all dropped Y/N because she's a stuck up piece of SHIT.

[mrkis]

WHEN I TELL YOU I THREW MY PHONE AWAY SCREAMING AT THIS 😭😭😭 I knew it was a moment of realization to him. I just knew it.

The whole chapter pulled on my heartstrings and I felt for him, the ptsd from his past relationship, the being cautious of letting anyone in - I get that. 🥺 Honesly, I can see the growth in his relationship with mc, and I love it. Also, the fact that he wants to speak to her and clear shit up, but thats just easier said than done, especially when both of them have trouble speaking out their minds and hearts. Especially, considering how complicated their relationship is because they feel like they are crossing boundaries when they aren't.

Eunbin... that selfish, egotistical, manipulative bitch .... 🙃 I swear to god she is the most unreasonable person ever. I had a friend like her. Constantly making herself the victim of her own decisions, and feeling like its all justified because she felt like it was alright. Honestly, how the hell did she think its okay to leave and that they are fine after having a fight then some stupid make up sex without discussing it with him further??? Jesus thats so selfish and self-rightous behavior 😤😤🫥 He blocked her ass and she still thinks they are fine??? What in the actual fuck?? How is that even an option?? I hate Eunbin with every part of me even more with each next scene ... 🙃🙃 And I bet my ass she would feel like everything is okay after this talk they had and she hugged him ..🤦‍♀️ the audacity tho, he clearly doesnt even want to be around her and she goes ahead and hugs him??? BITCH NO. Step away and get your nasty hands off of him. 🙂 I guess him letting her hug him makes her think she can win him over and they are "fine" now ...jesus... I want to blame Jaemin, for letting her think that, but a part of me realizes he is also very affected and its all happening too fast for his liking. I just hope he is okay after mc leaves him in chapter 5 cause this must be some bad ass trauma. And I hope they finally get to talk it out properly eventually in be it pt3 or chapter 7. But they NEED to talk, like asap.

And to end this on a happy note - JENO BEST BOY ❤️ I swear to god he is everything, the support and understanding - immaculate 🥹🙏❤️ Now if he can get mc and Jaemin to be truthful to each other and clink their heads together so they can finally act normal and SPEAK, I would just kiss him all over. ❤️

THANK YOU CAS, FOR ANOTHER GREAT CHAPTER 😭❤️ I would totally say I cant wait for the next part but ofc take all the time you need but just know I will cry when it drops. 😭❤️ I love twlg so much. Its literally my comfort story which is weird cause it makes my emotions go into overdrive with all the stuff happening but it is. 🥺❤️

the line is one of my favourite lines :> i'm kinda proud of that one! i'm happy that it gave you that type of reaction.. i love it. jaemin is very cautious! i'm happy you mentioned that! he only lets certain people into his personal space, even though he's got a group of friends surrounding him. it was always jeno that was the only one that could come close to him and burst that personal bubble, letting jaemin show his truth feelings and emotions... but that appreciation scene just shows how far him and mc have come and how open (ish lol) he is with her :(

they still need to learn how to have a proper conversation... but i'm lowkey loving how they avoid it because angst <3 annoyance <3 confusion <3

eunbin is...... a tricky character for sure. but she's so fun to write and i'm enjoying including her in more scenes (very excited for pt.3 because there's so much eunbin) she is, however, definitely the type that is able to get what she wants all the time because she has that sweet face and sweet personality that everyone adores. she can come across as very selfish and oblivious which, yet again, i love LMAO. her bringing the angst is just everything. angst is what i like best.

but ah..... i can't wait for you to see how jaemin reacts when he realises mc had left him. it's almost like deja vu.... but yeah! jeno is literally the best. he's so comforting and understanding, he's literally the bestest friend. i want him.

thank you for enjoying twlg and thank you for all the compliments :( i'm very very very grateful

[echowithpain]

Alright. I know this is like super fucking late but I can ✨explain✨:

I got sick 😘

ANYWAY IM LESS SICK NOW 💃 SO HERE WE GO!!!!

Before we get into the breakdown of the episode, one question that popped into my head that I never got to type out is "How are the body cams gonna work if they're in a fire?" I know it's been a bit since the 118 has responded to any 5 alarm fires and had to go inside, but were the cameras heat proof or fire resistant?? What if the footage got burned up or you couldn't see anything because the lenses got smoke damage? Even though they never acknowledged that possibility in the show (besides the "you break it you bought it" line)/the body cams might never come back, I just wanted to bring it up

Okay! Captain Asshole taking Buck "under his wing" was funny as fuck and I loved how uncomfortable Buck looked through the whole thing 🤣 Oliver Stark is one hell of an actor 🥰

Next, the male cheerleader being ass backwards storyline was actually great for Eddie. The kid as he's getting wheeled away telling his mom not to call his dad before passing out, and for the first thing he did when he woke up was ask for his dad 🥺🥺🥺 Eddie needed to see that. To see that even though the kid was saying he didn't want to see his dad, he didn't really mean it. Just like how Christopher acts like he doesn't want to talk to Eddie, he just doesn't know how to after what happened (also fuck that storyline last season wtf), and being with his grandparents isn't helping that either

For the Hen and Karen storyline: Fuck that councilwoman 🖕🤬🖕 (also fuck the writers) I'm glad they were able to fuck over the councilwoman and get Mara back, but can we please finally have a break from these kinds of storylines for the lesbian couple? First the cheating, then Karen not getting pregnant, losing Nia, having Denny meet his biological father behind their backs, and then losing Mara and getting their foster care license revoked. Please let it end.

You know what I wanna see more of? I think it was the FOMO episode in season 5 when someone stole Karen's purse that was in their car and was using Hen's credit card that was in it. They tracked down the person to a club and ended the night dancing. THE ENTIRE TIME THEY LOOK LIKE THEYRE HAVING A BALL!!!!

GIVE US MORE OF THE WIVES BEING FUN AND HAPPY GOD DAMMIT!!!!!!!! 😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤

*sigh*

Anyway moving on to the tiger storyline, OH MY GOD IT WAS SO CUTE!!!! 💖🐯💖🐯💖🐯💖 I don't know if it was the lighting or just because tigers are naturally beautiful, but all shots with the CGI tiger were really pretty! I wanted to pet it 🥰 especially when it was a cub 😭💖😭💖😭💖

Also real quick, why didn't Maddie tell the woman to move away from the bathroom door? I know she told her not to open it, but I'm talking about earlier when she was telling her how to stop the bleeding in her leg. Why not say "make sure you're as far away from the door as possible"? I know Maddie probably didn't know she was right up against it, but you'd think she'd say it anyway because in case first responders need to break it down, you don't wanna be in the way of that. -1 point I guess?

Now, I feel like I need to clarify this. When I said this I meant I accepted Gerrard's "apology" for talking shit about Hen with the councilwoman. He's still a bigoted racist misogynistic asshole as shown in the previous episodes and the golf scene. He hasn't done anything to attone for that, and the fact that he gets to be comfortable in an easy job with his man crush is unfair. I understand he switched jobs with Bobby so the 118 could have him back, but still, feels like he was let off easy. Kinda like how some people are ignoring the fact that T*mmy acted the same way because they think he's hot 🤮

-1 point for unfairness

.

.

.

Was that all? I think that's all. Oh wait, I loved Bobby and Athena going house hunting and Athena not liking any of the homes. I was a bit worried when we could clearly see Bobby wasn't on board with rebuilding the old house, but they quickly eased my mind when he sat her down and explained that the old house was for her and Michael and they agreed to build a new house together 🥰💖🥰💖🥰 Love them 💖

Also Maddie and Chim are still amazing and I need to see the 118 + co playing paintball with each other. Maybe they go to a place and everyone has fun and there's some humor only for something to happen to one of the other teams and they have to help. Idk, I'm not on the writing team, but I will say this: Athena, Eddie, and Chim need to be on a team and absolutely DOMINATE everyone. That is all. 💖

Episode Rating: 🐯7/10🐯

-1 point for Maddie not telling the woman to move away from the door (she could've told her earlier and the woman easily could've moved back to it when the tiger was trying to get in), -1 point for Gerrard getting off easy and being comfortable in a job he likes, and -1 point for vibes. Idk man but something's keeping me from rating this an 8/10. I can't figure it out now cause again, still sick, but once I do I'll come back and yell it into existence lol

I'd say I'm excited for the next episode (I mean, I am), but I'm worried about what might happen to Denny 🥺

Guess I'll find out in a few hours 🤪

Thanks for reading and I'll see y'all for my liveblogging 😘✌️✨

[ddeongies]

wow, should i be surprised to absolutely love chap 11? probably not, that’s the usual feeling after reading all of your works, i have a hard time trying to put into words all my thoughts about this chapter (english it’s not my first language 😿) but i’ll try cause i feel it’s the least i can do

god ryu is soooo fucked (no pun intended), her being nervous to finally see yeji after a month and after the kiss but at the same time wishing it happens sooner, damn ryu really fell harder, btw those pictures were indeed for YOU ryujin !

reading the “yeji is sweet” line, made me remember the first time i came to ur blog confessing about trying to read the word count kajskdjd, that line made me so happy 😭😭

and ryu planning everything 😭😭 as an anxious person i get her soooo much, that would be so me, also she’s so smart like killing to birds with one stone, her assignment and getting the girl, brilliant

i don’t think i have said it before but i just love the way you write the characters, it may be cause i find so easy to relate to them, to feel what they are feeling even through words, i was probably in the same nervous level as ryujin during her whole plan, shes stronger than me tho, yeji naked on her bed ??? yeah no drawing would be done on my side

it does kill me the fact that they both want the exact same thing but they think the other doesn’t 😭 and they are so respectful about it like, ‘i’ll take anything the other would give me’ 💔💔

i have a question, i don’t know if it’ll be answered later but it’s been bugging me since i read the chapter, did they hold each other after they finished? 🥺 i know they both think they’re casual, but they are also friends so, i just need to know 😭😭😭

thank u for another amazing chapter, i’ll patiently wait for the next one and also choreo epilogue and new fic (???) omgggg

ps: to the anon who said something about yeji in lingerie, how am i supposed to do anything productive with that thought on my head now ????

-🍬

i am finally here.... catching up with my asks.... thank you for your patience it's been a time 🫠🫠🫠

hank you for liking the chapter (and the fic and my writing and everything 😭😭😭)

ryu is so fucked but at least yeji is too. like can it really be “ryujin falls harder” when yeji is how she is LOL they’re just the same at this point (and yes every single picture yeji posted over break was for you ryu LMAO)

omg yes the infamous “yeji is sweet” that you caught during the brief yunjin drama lmaaoooo so observant. every time i screenshot my wordcounts i’m like “what are people gonna manage to catch in the background here”

and yessss ryu is such a planner. i think she likes to really think things through and attempt to have control of a situation especially when it’s scary or she feels vulnerable. and also she’s just a smarty lol like whose plans have gone better so far 🤔

thank you for saying that! i’m really glad i can write people in a relatable way :) i just want these two (and the side characters) to feel real and to have a realistic relationship. it’s just more fun that way for me as a writer and as a reader

the way they’re on the exact same page but in a kinda bad way like…. you like each other the same way AND you’re being idiots in the same way??? please 💀

omg yes okay they’re def cuddling after and there will be onscreen cuddling in future chapters i promise you 😤 very good question thank u

im writing far too many things at once rn lakdjfl so thank you for the patience with me answering this very very late

ps: not the yeji in lingerie thoughts agin i’m running away now BYE 🏃🏽

[ittybxttykxttytxtty]

guess who's back with her bulllshiiiiiitttt 🥹 its me, hi

Once back home with empty hands there was nothing but more chaos. Blame turned into a hot potato game of who was the culprit of your apparent rebellious phase. Neither of them wanted to assume that none other than unrealistic and absurd expectations from them towards you had been the spark that started your emancipation fire.

oh no, not the clown on clown violence 😩 clowns are a dying breed 😩

But never a truthful He got her pregnant, claims to love her and now they live in their own home away from this mess trying to live honestly.

My daughter got dicked down and wifed up by a well respectful man - there, clown#1.

Miguel had ruined her plan of getting you married off to a rich and wonderful man named Sergei Kravinoff.

okay, be honest...did you take a peek at my tumblr search history? istg, the kraven x reader tag was there on its own 😩😩😩

And now it was his time to protect you, to stood his ground like you had done for him.

...i am soft 🥹🥹🥹

He'd die before something happening to you.

no no no no no NOOOOOOO

A mental slap came to his mind upon such though. If he died there was none else to look after you.

good boy..

For all he knew your parents could have sent them to spy you.

one of them is a traitor, omg omg omg. i can feel it 😭😭😭

Mary, the big sister was two years older than you, she had been one of the few that approached you with genuine friendship back at home, her sister, Susan was your age, even though she was on the quieter side, she was disciplined enough to keep herself busy and out of trouble. Always doing something. However her eyes kept wandering to Joseph.

so susan....im worried for joseph but mary??? id keep my eyes on her..i don't trust her, she could be nice before but theres a time where she stayed at hacienda of clowns, a deal could happen..a certain exchange...

Even though they had spark, Vicky observed them with hard eyes, trying to decipher their true intentions. And so far she had found nothing.

idk, vicky...i still dont trust em..i'll apologize of im wrong but rn... big suspish

But he didn't let go that easy the fact that from all the horses remaining, Luis was the only one that was being properly taken care of.

they're planning something, either with ladies who or with the horse. im onto those clowns 😤🔪

"Miguel, all of these renovations are coming off your pocket. We are a team now, I know somehow it will work out. Let me help you."

🥹🥹🥹 what a fucking woman 🥹🥹🥹

thats how it should be, a team, a partnership 💖💖💖 you have no idea how refreshing this is, so many fics i've read where its always the man doing this kinda shit (which is okay, btw. sometimes we need to baby girl our way through stuff, go ahead) but a woman who actually acknowledges that her man needs help??? in love 💖 you dropped your crown, queen 👑

also love the fact that miggy wasnt a big baby about it, he knows he needs help and he accepted said help from his baby 💖 king shit right there 💕

oh lawrd, what a power couple 💖✨

"Thanks for not giving up on me, Miguel."

"Thanks for being my wife, Cerecita."

accepts help from each other ✅

emotionally supports one another ✅

appreciative of each other's flaws and strengths ✅

istg, if something happens to these two, that will be the start of my villain arc 😭😭😭😭

Mi Dulce Cereza (Pt. 7)

Ranchero! Miguel O'Hara x Reader

WARNINGS: Telenovela coded drama, emotional distress, Strained Relationships, unexpected visits, mild angst, relationship building, fluff towards the end, Miguel being a softie for his wife.

Summary: Even in darkest times, love shines through.

A/N: Hope you like it :') .

Intro:

"It's your fault." Rosaura's venomous tone didn't go unnoticed by her husband.

"My fault?! I did nothing but raise her well in the Lord's path. I didn't spoil her. If anyone here is at fault is you."

William's voice was ever serene, but his words were vitriolic.

"Me?! How dare you say such things!"

Once back home with empty hands there was nothing but more chaos. Blame turned into a hot potato game of who was the culprit of your apparent rebellious phase. Neither of them wanted to assume that none other than unrealistic and absurd expectations from them towards you had been the spark that started your emancipation fire.

A fire that was shining too brightly for their likings, consuming everything they had known and had taught you. Appearances were unable to be kept any further as your mother was confronted by her friends. Asking her if the rumors of you eloping with the farmer boy were true. It would be always a:

"That wicked man manipulated my daughter. We are trying to get her back, but his lies are convincing enough to keep her by his side."

or a "I'm sure he has her against her will, my little dove would never run away like that. I know her!"

But never a truthful He got her pregnant, claims to love her and now they live in their own home away from this mess trying to live honestly.

The rumors of you getting pregnant had made them another mirror to the single youngsters in town . Rosaura could hear the people talking ill about you and them. How they didn't work hard enough to keep you on check, how they never were firmer and stricter in your upbringing, and how they had been too stupid to actually let the devil in their own home and corrupt you.

It was enough shame to convince her husband and start looking for you. She had been embarrassed enough thanks to your naive games of love. And Miguel.

Her mouth scowled in disgust, heart heavy with resent. He would definitely pay. How dared he to lay his sinful eyes on you? How dared he to lay with you? Even worse, How dared he to take you for himself, impregnated you and call you his wife?

Bold and stupid.

Miguel had ruined her plan of getting you married off to a rich and wonderful man named Sergei Kravinoff. One of the best foreign clients the estate had. He was an avid hunter and collector, that upon seeing your picture was delighted and charmed.

But how was she to explain to him that her only daughter had ran off with the farmer boy? And was now pregnant with his child?

"If you wouldn't pester her with so many dating prospects maybe this... whole mess would have been avoided and she'd be under our roof. Following our rules!"

"Would you shut up?! You let that lowlife to intimidate you. I don't care if he's build like a tree. I want him down, chopped off from the root from her life."

"He's clearly done something to her. Did you see her yelling at us? I'd never seen her like that."

"Hormones make you stupid. And pregnancy hormones make it even worse"

"Just like you when you were pregnant of her. At least he will suffer a little more with that. Once she reaches the second trimester-"

"No no. that's where you're wrong. I won't let her to ruin her life. Sergei wants her!"

"I will have to stop you there, Rosaura. A child life is sacred. Innocent."

"Oh, the wretched child you're always complaining about is now an innocent life?"

"Don't tempt my ire, woman. I know you despise the man. And as much as this situation angers us, that's going too far. That's her punishment for giving in temptation. Let her bear with it."

"You're such an hypocrite. Do you know who Sergei is?"

"I do. Nor care. All I want is my daughter back. There are other ways to break them apart."

"What are you thinking?"

"Confronting them only brings them closer. I fell for her lie of loving him for a minute, but I know it's fear speaking for her. We'll let them be for now."

"No!-"

"And just when they think they are safe, it will be the time for us to step in. Let them have a little sense of security. I'll allow them to finish the place."

"You are waiting too long!"

"Rosaura. Enough. I know what I am doing. I know you hate waiting. But it will be worth it. I know so. Can't let the man that embarrassed me and my family, and tarnished my reputation to go unscathed with my daughter."

"You better keep your promises, William. I hate being lied to."

------

Miguel could barely get a glimpse of sleep during the night. Just when he thought his body would actually give in to the somnolence, he'd startle and remain awake. Pushing the sleepyness away as his mind raced with the many insidious thoughts about last night.

How had your parents found you? With their influence he was sure that they've got the address, they were known through the whole county by their horses business mainly, church was a secondary feat.

His hand ran through his messy hair. You had been put to sleep by Victoria, something he was thankful for. He was no baby expert but it was a commonly known fact that too much stress led up to bad things, and the least he wanted was something else happening. Specially to you or his child.

What had he gotten himself into, this time? He knew your parents were difficult, but this was something completely different from what he expected. He was not only dealing with them, but their direct threats as well.

Not that he wasn't regretting everything that had happened between you two. Had he been too rushed into marrying you? Of course not. He also didn't marry you because you'd be the future mother of his child. He had snatched you away for himself because he loved you. He loved you to bits and pieces and as a whole.

You were too much of a woman to be married to someone else that would treat you badly and wouldn't take his time to actually get to know you. You were too much for the rest of men that never made a step further in their conquer and we're satisfied with little, such as little glances or smiles from you.

He was ambitious, and had wanted it all. He went through so much to get you, still was. But knowing you loved him and even stood your ground against your parents, one of the reasons of his ongoing headache, made it all worth it.

He couldn't quite explain it. At first it was mere lust his body was filled with upon meeting you. The need to corrupt you had proven extremely difficult for him to keep himself at bay. That's why he was always so tempting, so forbidden, so inviting to give in around you.

But you were too sweet and pure. Always being concerned about him, ever attentive and gentle. A stark contrast with his demeanor. He had taken the job since his place needed renovations once and for all. He owed that to himself. He owed that to his old man. Vicky's late husband.

And then he had met you, for real. At first he thought of you another gorgeous spoiled, and dumb city girl if he was honest, but as time kept on passing, he was proven wrong in so many ways he felt the need to apologize to you as soon as you'd wake up later.

You were smart, not a genius but smart enough to be a fast learner and help your father with the finances, heavenly cooking skills and so eager to be more than a bimbo wife, a life most of your old friends had settled for. You had gone to college, just like him. You cared for those around you even if that meant to face your mother, just like him. You both were so alike in so many ways it'd be foolish to let you go.

What got him grovelling at your feet was your innocence and your will to make something out of your life even if your parents sabotaged you. The strength in you, the perseverance and hard work you had shown him even to this very day was the deal maker. And soon enough you'd make him a father.

You weren't only making his most precious dream come true, but were in tandem helping in making your love nest.

Investing all of your energies in building your forever home. Your own sanctuary and safe place with him.

And now it was his time to protect you, to stood his ground like you had done for him.

The room was filled with a warm and golden orange and yellow hues, basking the place in a gentle light, as if the universe was telling him 'Everything will be fine'. A hopeful thought to his already rattled mind. He was exhausted.

Exhausted of hiding and running away only to be harassed later. But that wouldn't stop him from working, no. There was still so much left to do around the hacienda.

With a deep breath he looked your way. A small tug on his heart sent a painful stab kn his chest at your expression. Frowning brows, hands clutched to the sheets and pillows, probably pretending it was him and puffy eyes that served as proof of your cries last night.

Your rage was something else. It made his tired smile to soften into a more admiring one. He hoped to never face it, cause he was sure he'd be on his knees, asking for forgiveness if you wished, even if it was over something so silly and irrelevant.

With a soft croak, you stirred and he embraced you gently. You were scared and asking for him last night, something he regretted to not have fulfilled sooner. But you and his child's safety was the main priority.

He'd have to talk to Joseph and Paco about new rounds done through the day. He couldn't install the safety cameras yet cause his area would take a lot to cover and it wasn't finished yet. If only he'd have some sort of superpower to make everything faster.

But the only power he had right now was to provide comfort to your heart and head. He'd die before something happening to you.

A mental slap came to his mind upon such though. If he died there was none else to look after you.

Even his mind needed a break. Birds chirped merrily, announcing the six am. But his body felt heavier and more sluggish than usual, his mind unclear as a fog came over his thoughts. He wasn't used to pull all-nighters. You turned on your side and curled in his chest, finally taking a hold of him. Eyes fluttered open, relief etched to your features.

Your arms embraced him so desperate it quickly had your eyes all glossy and teary again.

"Hey..." He mumbled with a lip tight smile.

You sobbed in his cradling arms.

"I'm so sorry, Miguel."

A gentle shhh came from him. His calloused fingers ventured through the strands of your hair, caressing with such care he'd thought you'd break.

"Why are you apologizing, cariño?"

"For everything that happened last night. You don't deserve this."

"Last night wasn't good for anyone, you specially, mi amor. But you are safe here. "

"It's not about that... I'm... scared. My father knows where we live now. And he could-"

"Cerecita, mi reina. Look." He sat on the bed and took a hold of your hand, to then kiss softly at the back of your palm, "Your father can make all the threats he wants, hell... He can even tear this place down if he wants to, but he won't take me away from you."

Your hand trembled in between his. You wanted to sit, but he laid back again, draping the sheets closer to you, making sure you were warm. Like a cocoon in his arms.

"It's not about that. You don't understand Miguel. My father is a man of word-."

"So am I." His fingers grazed your cheek softly, "I promised you that we'd be happy. And we will. I don't know how and I know it's scary for us, but as long as we are together, we will."

"I don't want you to get hurt. I... I couldn't stand something happening to you just cause my parents are too petty to acknowledge I married you."

"The only thing that would kill me? Is you leaving through that door and never come back. "

The sheer thoughts brought tears to your eyes. Hormones had also woken up to make a riot on your mind.

"Don't say that, please."

He kissed the top of your head and stared down at you.

"I know this is far from over, and trouble might keep coming. The only thing I am asking from you, is to stay strong. Can you do that for me, preciosa?"

"I can try"

"Good. That's all I'm asking, really. If you're strong, I'm strong."

You gave another silent sob while he peppered your face in gentle kisses. Soothing your worries away.

But he was scared too. Not a childish sort of fear, but something deeper. He knew that your parents were dense, if not denser than water itself. And would try things to keep you on edge, or worse try and mess with his estate.

Fear tactics won't make him lower his head and coward. Not when his pregnant wife was next to him crying, stressing and feeling guilty. Your fingers however traced his face gently, his tired lids drooped, as his eyes stared at you, curious yet fearful.

"Did you get some sleep?"

He chuckled bashfully, "I look that rundown?"

"No. But you do look tired. You're not used to stay up past twelve."

A tired and airy chuckle flared out his nose, his fingers took yours to then kiss the knuckles.

"I know."

Sleepiness had weighed him down completely, body made out of lead and muscles sore. Begging him to catch a break and sleep.

"You'll get grumpy" your hand slipped away from his and went to his face again, caressing and holding onto him. Grounding his wandering thoughts towards you. Anchoring himself in your loving and preocuppied stare.

"You need sleep. I'm sure Vicky will understand. Please?"

"Can't say no to you."

Doting arms embraced his neck, pulling him closer to your chest, it was your turn to protect him. He was always making sure you had everything, that you were alright. A giver by nature.

Just like you. This time you assured he'd cuddle in your chest, sharp cheeks rested on your mounds, ear pressed against you; allowing the steady beats of your heart lull him to sleep while you played with his hair.

Vicky didn't knock the door to awake you.

-----

You both awoke around 11 am, past breakfast. Vicky had instructed the construction workers where to keep building, guiding them in Miguel's absence. Victoria knew the plans her son had, so it was relatively easy to give orders. Some days more and the barn would be completely ready to then move to fencing properly the land.

It was a bit more money, but after much thought, a vynil fencing would be perfect. It not only offered privacy, but the chances of someone sneaking in would be less than 0, unless you knew the property like the back of one's hand.

To your dismay you had only seen the first part of it. If Miguel wished, he could start selling his own produce in the farmer's market. But right now, the soil was covered in weeds, and other invasive plants and thickets. It would be the final part of the renovations.

Vicky knocked the door, Miguel opened to reveal his mother with trays of food and some tea for you. She had heard the retching from the outside door. Stress was making your morning sickness worse and having an empty stomach didn't help either.

"Got you some things that will help you, and you too."

Vicky beckoned Miguel to help her, The little coffee table inside the room was used as support, brunch was served.

"Thank you Vicky" She patted your shoulder gently, as she served some flowery smelling tea.

"Don't you worry about it. You're making me a grandma soon."

The sweet smell and taste of the steamy liquid made your stomach settle gradually. Then you started eating with ferocious appetite. Miguel had his big cup of coffee, and ate as well, but his appetite was little.

Vicky smacked the back of his shoulder softly.

"Deja de preocuparte y come." (Stop over thinking and eat.)

Your hand slid into his and squeezed.

"Miguel?"

"Hm?"

"I'm scared too. But I also know that having us demoralized and afraid won't do good for us."

He pulled you closer and kissed your head for the umpteenth time, comfort and love were words you could use if you'd get asked what his hugs felt like. Despite his rough and cold demeanor he was one of the sweetest and gentle man you had ever encounter, even if his actions spoke volumes for him.

His head remained out of his hat, the piece had suffocated him enough through a good chunk of the previous night.

"That's exactly what those cabrones want. No offense, dear"

You chuckled and shook your head.

"Vicky is right. Whatever comes, we will face it together. As a family."

His eyes softened as you placed his hand on your belly.

"One day I'm sure this will be one of those stories you'll tell your kids when they get older and wanna know about family drama"

Miguel couldn't help but snort at Vicky's insinuation. But deep down he felt grateful. Thankful enough that two of the most important people in his life were reassuring him. His devoted and short tempered mother, a crucial part of his heart and now you and his growing child. All around him, promising they'd all be fine.

He needed to believe it. This wasn't one of the moments he was allowed to flank. He needed himself strong, steady with his head high. Ever vigilant and ready to face everything that came his way. He was an O'Hara. And O'Hara's endured.

That was his own mantra, bestowed and honored by previous generations.

The brunch and Victoria's presence had helped you both to ease the rising nerves and the subtle anxiety that undermined your head with unhealthy and raucous thoughts. Instead, even if a temporary distraction, work in the estate kept going. After all, it would take so much more than just a threat to break your spirits.

---

Miguel had tended to the barn and foresaw the fencing advance. Construction materials would be brought over the weekend to immediately start making his private property even more secluded, away from prying eyes and anyone stupid enough that tried to venture within the hacienda.

And after yesterday's fiasco, Miguel had come up with a new plan about security rounds until the fencing started. Just as he was about to explain, Joseph called him, a bit concern etched into his face.

"What now?"

"It's not the people from yesterday, but they claim to know your wife, Boss."

"How many of them are there?"

"Just three. Two women and a man."

He nodded and put his hand on his neck, trying to ease the tension that refused to leave his body despite the many attempts of cheering his spirits up.

"Where's my Cerecita?"

"Uh, with Vicky in the orchard."

"Right. Stay here in case there's trouble."

Joseph nodded and stood his ground, as he watched Miguel leaving.

Who would be this time? He wasn't armed this time, so whoever that had ill intentions with him would have to face the might of his fists.

But the silent threat remained as nothing but that. The only noises around were him, the gravel crunching underneath his boots, the subtle wind that played tag between the trees, little birds here and there and finally, the voices of people he knew, but didn't remember their names or faces .

A cool gust of wind threatened his hat to be blown off his head, but he secured it with a hand. Upon arriving, his surprise couldn't be hidden.

The two ladies were the one that helped you pack and were deeply saddened at your leaving. He always saw them around you, laughing and sharing whenever your mother wasn't around to shoo them away from you. And the man, one of the helpers back at your parent's barn.

"Mr. O'Hara? Im really sorry to bother, and showing up like this after what happened."

One of the women spoke. Miguel was cautious, and so far his intentions of opening the door didn't ring a bell on him. For all he knew your parents could have sent them to spy you.

"We quit. That Rosaura lady slapped my sister and it was enough for us. We were planning on leaving the estate even before the Miss left with ya."

But that definitely sounded something his beloved mother in law would do.

"I know you have zero reasons to believe us, but trust us. None back at the estate really liked the missus's parents either. We could only hold up for so long before everything came down. But we needed the jobs."

"I understand." With a sigh, Miguel opened the door and allowed them in.

A little rounds of thank yous echoed behind him before he guided them back at the main estate.

"Will you let us stay? Just for the night of course. "

"You'll have to talk to La Patrona." (The boss)

He chuckled upon you coming to his mind, "My wife I mean."

A little of hushed yet excited whispers trailed him along some 'I told you!' 'She did it!'.

The reunion was loud as he had expected. Loaded of hugs, heartfelt congratulations and of course them rubbing your belly.

Mary, the big sister was two years older than you, she had been one of the few that approached you with genuine friendship back at home, her sister, Susan was your age, even though she was on the quieter side, she was disciplined enough to keep herself busy and out of trouble. Always doing something. However her eyes kept wandering to Joseph.

They had asked your permission to stay overnight before returning to their hometown the next day. Of course you agreed.

They helped you to prepare everything, letting Vicky to rest for a bit. Even though they had spark, Vicky observed them with hard eyes, trying to decipher their true intentions. And so far she had found nothing. Not even in the man that quickly established a conversation between Paco and Joseph.

And soon all of you sat down at the table that seemed smaller.

"Like I was telling Mr. O'Hara, you mother was livid after you left."

"She was like a child throwing a tantrum, telling Pastor William to do something"

"Yeah, that's sounds like mom" An awkward smile came to your face as they spoke.

"But after last night, it was enough for us. She slapped Susan in the face when she got her the wrong dress."

Vicky couldn't hold back her gasp and contempt

"Dios mío, esa mujer ha enloquecido" (My God, that woman has gone mad)

"I'm really sorry it had to come to this point."

"Ya can't blame yourself, darlin" Mary spoke, letting her southern accent shine through for a second, "Ever since ya left people have been leaving, only to be replaced within some days."

"No wonder why they came in so pissed" You mumbled with a little giggle.

"How's... Agustín?"

Their faces fell and the man, his old helper James spoke.

"Pastor sold him to a guy. Joaquín is kinda sick and Luis, is the only one they actually pay attention to. You know, Joaquín is old so..."

Miguel could only nod with a saddened yet expected smile. It was a matter of time for Agustín to be sold.

"Do you know by chance who he got sold off to?"

"Some russian named Kravi- Uh... Kravinoff?"

"I see." Miguel’s shoulder slumped for a moment. At least he wasn't sent off to the meat market, "Hopefully that man knows how to treat him."

"He seems into animals a bit too much, sir. A bit eccentric with his fur coats. But apparently the man is a collector and the missus's parents best client."

Of course. Agustín was a purebred friesian stallion after all. His worth was over 20k.

You slid a hand on Miguel's thigh comfortingly. His subtle blue mood contagious. A lot of details you both were missing were spilled in the table.

Even though Miguel wasn't one for gossips, hearing your parents struggling to keep the appearances had definitely put a smile on his face. It served them right after all the unhinged things they had done. But he didn't let go that easy the fact that from all the horses remaining, Luis was the only one that was being properly taken care of.

Your horse.

A little hope shone in his darkened by fears heart. He didn't care if he was called a dreamer, but sometimes he pondered how would be his relationship with your parents would've been if they had a completely reaction to him.

Would they tolerate him? Would they be excited for being grandparents? Would they be happy for you instead of being petty and spiteful about it? He didn't know.

And he was tired of thinking over and over. Vicky's words remained closer to his heart.

If isn't your stubbornness, it's your love that will convince them.

But that was a very distant and utopian thought. All that mattered in his present was you and his new growing family.

The guest cabin was taken by the ladies and James joined Paco and Joseph.

Vicky drew you a warm bath to ease the remaining tension off your body. Miguel had been watching you. The changes in your body suited beautifully. Plump breasts, hips and thighs, gorgeous sudsy skin that had some flower petals adhered to it, enhancing it's beauty. You were the purest form of art before his eyes. The mother of his children. His wife.

He marvelled at the way you smiled upon rubbing your belly. The illusion of being a mother surely took you by surprise, but with Miguel's reassurance, you were excited even to meet your child. The ultimate physical form of love between you two.

Puppy and rusty brown eyes fixed on you as you let your hair down, letting the strands to cover your back to wash them next.

He stepped in. With a kiss on your temple and a bashful smile he sat behind you.

"Mira nomás qué chulada." (Look at that, so beautiful)

He pried gently the shampoo bottle off your hands and poured some on his hands to then lather your scalp with it. The lovely smell of cherries wafted in the air as foam appeared in your head while he massaged your scalp adoringly.

You hummed in approval at the careful and soft movements of his fingers. Inducing a relaxed state over you.

"Miguel?"

"Yes, Cerecita?" His voice matching his fingers.

"I don't ever regret marrying you."

His fingers faltered for a moment before resuming his washing. It was as if the doubts on his heart had secretly found a way to your ears and you were now reassuring him.

"You've the best thing that has shown up into that old house. Still are."

"Gotta be thankful to your parents for creating you, preciosa. Unbearable as they are"

The both of you chuckled, ignoring the looming dark skies that blended within the night's mantle.

"I'll take in Mary and Susan. I'm sure they'd be wonderful help around here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I will pay them of my own money I've saved. So don't worry"

"No, no, let me take them in."

"Miguel, all of these renovations are coming off your pocket. We are a team now, I know somehow it will work out. Let me help you."

He accepted his defeat with a little slump in his shoulders and lazy smile.

"Alright, as you wish, mi corazón."

"What do you love the most about me?"

His hands took the bathtub's head shower and rinsed your hair. Water splashing on his skin, like the sudden question.

"Your bravery, empathy towards others and loyalty. And you're drop dead gorgeous too."

Your cheeks warmed up with a little flush on them as he spoke.

"What about you, Cerecita? What does my wife loves about me?"

"Since you snatched the words off my mouth, I'd say loyalty, honesty and resilience." You took his hands in yours, weaving your fingers between his and smiled, "Many would've given up on me at this point because of my parents but..."

Another kiss, "Hearing you calling me your wife makes me all happy and the good kind of dumb. I know we won't have good days, or that we will be far from perfect but, You've taught me so much about myself is wonderful. "

His hands secured yours as another kiss on your temple was given.

"Thanks for not giving up on me, Miguel."

"Thanks for being my wife, Cerecita."

Your smile disarmed him. And that night your wish of being asleep in his arms came true. There was no horrors that lurked in the shadows.

[ruki-mukami-dl]

Admin,which song do you think describes Ruki's relationship with his wife/girlfriend? I thought the song lolita by the veronicas describes well what Ruki would be like in a relationship because the song talks about possession and obsession. 🖤

(( Hello my love~

First, I would like to explain something regarding obsession and possessiveness and my way to portray Ruki.

In Ruki's More Blood Vampire Ending, he said the following words to Yui:

"I'm a Vampire after all. I don't plan on spouting words 'I love you' like humans do, nor do I feel that way."

"I won't deny it if you were to call this pure obsession and possessiveness."

"I want to choose you even over that man who saved my life. That is one thing I can say for sure."

"I will betray that man."

Later in his More Blood After Story, he gained new views on 'love' and explained the following:

"Back then...When I lost my family, when I lost everything. I thought I'd never be able to believe in anything ever again."

"I couldn't fathom ever feeling love for another human being again."

"But these feelings are undoubtably love."

Only at the very end and in other games, Ruki said the words 'I love you' to Yui.

The vampire who did not want to use the words 'I love you' made a development and changed his mind and also his behavior. He understood that he was able to love and that it was not just obsession and possessiveness.

I like to portray Ruki as the sadistic vampire who thinks he cannot feel emotions like 'love'. That is why my Ruki so often is talking about obsession and possessiveness when it comes to the topic 'love'.

Now about your question. 😤

I did not know the song before, but I listened to it and translated it exactly for better understanding. 🙈

The following lyrics immediately caught my eye.

I'm your Lolita

La Femme Nikita

When we're together

You'll love me forever

You're my possession

I'm your obsession

Don't tell me never

I'll love you forever

Related to Ruki... If I understand the line of the lyrics ('You're my possession') right, he would be the possession of the woman here. That fact would be wrong because the woman is always his possession. 🤔

So far, that is the only thing that does not fit. Other than that, I do not think your choice is bad.

And of course, I apologize just in case I misunderstood the song. 🙏🏻

Oh! And I like the song very much~ 😏😍

Well, now to the choice of my songs.

I have two songs in mind that remind me of Ruki.

'Call Me Master' from Blood on the Dance Floor 😏

What you need is just a little discipline

And I got a heavy dose of a right medicine

I'm dominant by definition

I'm turned on by your submission

The dark side is how

We′ve been living

Let me show you

What you′ve been missing

You, you, you are

You are my slave

My little fucking disaster

I, I, I am

I am your god

Call me

Call me

Call me your master

The song 'Call Me Master' is kinda my picture of Ruki in a 'Master-Livestock' relationship. Of course, without deeper feelings. Here we are back to obsession and possessiveness.

'Save Me' from Morandi 🥰

When I'm with you

Everything seems better

Now I know

I see it all today

We were ment to be together

I'm in pain when you're away

Come on and save me

I'm loosing my touch

Day after day

Cause I miss you so much

Come on and save me

I'm loosing my mind

Waiting and waiting

For you to be mine

This song is pretty much about 'Ruki in love' for me. He wishes to be saved and loved. I think the lyrics describe his thoughts and feelings towards his wife/girlfriend very well. 🥺❤️

But that is just my opinion. I am open for new song ideas. I would like to know other opinions as well. 😊💕 ))

Translations More Blood: @dialovers-translations

[jinkicake]

Trying to pull for my counterfeit joestar and he’s just not acting right😔 BUT YOU ARE SO RIGHT BUTING THAT STAR WOULD MAKE HIM BLUE SCREEN AND THEN ABSOLUTELY DESTROY YOU😩 I was just reading a thing about his clone fucking everywhere he can, like imagine albedo just muttering away at his desk and you come to bring him food bc fucking remember to eat and not overwork yourself 🙄 and he’s like “ that you I appreciate it, by the way can you help me with something?” And it’s him testing new potions on you😔 like if your the traveler he will be constantly dragging you into your teapot bc he can fuck you as loud as he wants there👀 I feel like he has a nice dick idk he was scientifically made to be perfect so his dick gotta be the same nice length with a good girth that makes you stare in shock like “ this mf was just hiding that??” I do adore unhinged possessive albedo who will fuck you in-front of his clone to show that your his and into he can fuck you like this…. BUT IM FOR THE STREETS SO IM PLACEING MYSELF INTO HIS AND KAEYA’S CAPABLE HANDS🥰 like they’re so mean bc kaeya likes to tease you and albedo is like how can He make you unravel the fastest. Like kaeya telling bc you how good you are and how well your taking him and albedo using his mouth to absolutely break you and he is gunna stare you dead in the eyes the whole time he sucks at eye contact any other time but when he’s fucking you he wants to see evey face you make. This mf the type to a look at you and slide it in slow

“ your doing so well for me love,just keep taking it for me.”

Like he makes people flustered on purpose bc he’s brutally honest and doesn’t get social cues so your teasing himself like “awwww you starring pretty hard, you like what you se😏” he will look you DEAD IN THE FUCKING EYE without missing a beat and be like

“ yes I do, seeing you like this makes me want to take you over that table right now and make you cum until your crying 😐”

And you’re sitting there slack jawed like,,,, hello?? And when you turn into a human tomato he’s like “??? You asked??? Is it not appropriate to talk about my desires?” DGDHDJ like he’s so open and honest you don’t need to guess what he’s thinking bc he will just say shit. Rip if you try and seduce him bc he will either not get it, get it and completely ignore you to see how far you will go, or sigh, get up from his desk and put your legs over his shoulders and just keep going until your begging him to slow down trying to grab his hands that are gripping your waist for dear life and this little shit will just smile and say” isn’t this what you asked for? You’ll take everything I have to give you” like possibly a breeding kink??👀just more about filling you up and watching it drip out of you. Like albedo is NASTY I can tell oh my god my chest hurts😭 he will do shit that has you covering your face bc where tf did he learn that?? Once again inviting Kaeya over to help you go dumb, like he knows Kaeya has the height so you can have a size kink as a treat🥰🥰 but since he’s not coming home I’m just gunna eat out sucrose infront of him while he’s like tied to a chair like nah you can’t get get anything bc your bad😤😤

omg how many wishes have you spent already? YOU STILL HAVE TIMEEEEEE!!!

theres just something abt albedo and his clone mmmmm,,,, hehehe like yes to fucking the clone and super yes to albedo getting jealous and hate-fucking because of his jealousy of the clone.... yeah! (that kinda reminds me of the xiaos..... kinda need to get raw dogged by both of them tbh)

DO NOTTTTT COME HERE TALKING TO ME ABOUT FUCKING KAEYA AND ALBEDO AT THE SAME TIME bc i will become the nastiest person on the planet..... there's just something about them sighhh

your albedo is so cute, i honestly never thought too much about him other than his ties to khaenriah but now im starting to understand the albedo love.... i truly am... from an albedo lore stan to an albedo love stan..... wow

nawrrrr albedo is NASTY i know he enjoys finishing inside and he literally cums buckets LMFAOOOOOO like it would be everywhere and he'd be so fascinated w it and probably would end up fingering it back into you.... you know,,,, for science~

also i knowwwww hed probs lose his mind in that chair LMAO like RIP the ties and break it.... ooooooh-

[gumayusi-seonsu]

T1 vs HLE: August 4, 2022

I would like to start this little series by stating that I cannot hear, I cannot see, I cannot feel, I cannot taste, nor can I smell after witnessing the dumpster fire (on my end) that is the second match between T1 and Gen.G for the summer regular season. I do understand what I have done wrong, especially in the tweet that I have posted prior to that match*. A number of you have responded to me that I was not specific in what I wish could have happened in that series. So as a response, I have created this page so I can be as excruciatingly  specific with whatever I manifest without the restrictions of the word count Twitter implements on their website.

*The cursed tweet as mentioned

Moving on to the main topic at hand, in the upcoming game T1 shall be facing Hanwha Life Esports. If you have asked me days prior, I would say that this series would be an easy win for T1. However, I had also watched the aforementioned T1-Gen.G match that has lowered my morale, as well as the match between Evil Geniuses and Immortals which has shown me that literally anything is possible (EG won but holy shit it dragged on more than it should). I still believe that T1 can win 2-0 against HLE especially since I have a feeling they will be extra pissed off since it was their first time to lose 0-2 against an LCK team in 2022; with T1, they get better when they're extra mad so I don’t mind (also they’re kinda hot when they’re mad). To quote the words of Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme’s barber: “nononono, never underestimate your opponent 😤”.

Now the main question for this match: what does Maxi want to see in this match?

As of now, I want to see a Master Yi pick from T1’s end with my only reasoning being the fact a team will get stomped by T1 in 2022 with such a dogshit champion that is Master Yi. I also do not want T1 to pick Nidalee just because I find it funny how Oner would still push for her and the whole team ignores him. 

Will Oner fans get angry at me? Yes. Will I laugh? Absolutely. 

Since yesterday, I’ve been wishing for no penta kills whatsoever and so far, it’s working surprisingly well. So well to the point that I was watching a game recently and there was a Jinx who had a penta kill angle up until the enemy Poppy ulted his Jinx away (the Jinx did nothing wrong, this is all my fault so blame me). I wished for a penta kill very hard only because Minhyeong “Gumayusi” Lee had gotten a penta kill as Zeri against KT Rolster and I wasn’t able to watch it live. But my wish backfired on me when Jaehyuk “Ruler” Park flipped me off and also got a Zeri penta kill on T1. It was so bad for me that I gagged and stayed quiet for the entirety of the match, that exact moment made me hate every single penta kill that has happened this year because for some fucking reason, shit like this don’t like being in my favor.

Up next, I do not want to see Ryze ever again. That purple Walter White variant makes my blood boil no matter whose side he’s on and I would like to start a petition to delete his ass. Also, I do not want to see Ahri outside of solo queue, I do not want to even bother listening to other people’s opinions about Ahri unless it’s Star Guardian-related. I do, however, want to see Faker play Zed again only because I want to shout  “Look at the cleanse! Look at the moves! Faker, what was that?!” when I watch him play the said champion. If Faker does pick someone else, in meta or not, I wouldn’t mind as long as we get that win.

I have nothing much to say with top lane except that I HOPE THE ENEMY TEAM STOPS GANGING UP ON ZEUS!!!!! I  AM VERY TIRED! THEY KEEP FINDING HIM AROUND THE MAP AND KILLING HIM! HAVE MERCY ON THE BABY! I don’t know much about the top lane meta (and for any position except for ADC) so I’ll just wait for him to lock in a champion and wait for other people to say it’s a good pick so my mind can be at ease.

Lastly, our lovely bot lane. They better fucking ban the Zeri. Even though Zeri is my favorite champion in the game, it gets boring to see the meta surrounding her and teams having a bigger chance of winning with her. I want drama, I want suspense, I want to see Draven again because they keep banning him and I wanna see his axes go wirwirwir. I have nothing for support because I wholeheartedly trust Keria with anything, like he’s the type I would leave my drink with. He can pick any champion and I’ll trust him with it (except for that one Camille pick because eh). As long as it brings us the win, I’m good.

I really hope they win 2-0 especially after their last game, and that their match against Gen.G pushed them to fight harder and smarter. With all my efforts in writing all of this down, if I still managed to jinx T1 in any way, I will go private on Twitter.

[borathae]

OMGMGM MY GIRLLL I AM SO !!!!

Did I just spend 30 minutes trying to decide what to reblog for my review? Yes. No, no idea what you're talking about. F Tumblr for forcing you to separate the story in 2 parts 😤

IT STILL PISSES ME OFF SO FUCKING BAD YOU HAVE NO IDEA 😡

I was so happy to see Queendom! Tae again! I know he is not the focus of the story but I cannot not talk about him! You already know that the Queendom serie was my introduction to your blog and that JK's part was the first I read, well Tae's was the second! So it kind of throw me back to the time I discovered your blog and you had no idea I existed cause you know talking to new cool people is scary 🥺

aaah!!! it always makes me so excited to read about how people found my stories!! this is actually so great!! also listen. queendom!Tae is why this series even exists, I saw a random fanart which inspired me and now we are here <3 he will always be special to me <3

I was so happy to see that Tae has adjusted to his new living place so well! And his relationship with Hoseok is so cute! I love that when Hobi barged in his room Tae first looked at him to make sure he was okay and then he looked at the flyers.

THEY'RE BEST FRIENDS!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!

He did let his insecurities get to him for a moment but I think it's a very normal reaction since he is already far away from his home he doesn't want to loose more tie to his childhood and Hoseok is the biggest one he can loose at the moment.

yes gosh :(( poor boy, I probably would have been sad as well in his situation :( I also love that they talked about it <3 my healthy kings <3

To be honest, at that moment of the story I thought that the school was in another city all together but when later it was said that the school was in the same city, I was like "Guys .... that was a little bit a dramatic reaction you had there" 😂

BAHHAHAHAHHAH THIS IS SO TRUE THOUGH AHAHHAHA they're so dramatic and for what?? HAHHAHAHA

But I loved how supportive the royal family is! The Queen herself ended up involving the whole court in support and that was so heartwarming!

I feel like this Queendom is just filled with kind people (except the rude students) like I love the Queen, she is such a legend <3

I also noted that the magic they discuss about when going to the librairie is kinda futile, it's more aesthetic related than anything else and it show the place they have at the court at the moment. They don't seem really involved in the politics and diplomacy of the court

ooooh I love this take!! it's definitely true 👀 I feel like the magic rn is more needed to heal and grow food and help people with their problems rather than to use it for fighting. However I wanna say (because I love talking lore) I think if war should ever happen, magic would have to become more involved OR OMG IMAGINE THE COURTS WANT MAGIC TO BE INVOLVED BE THE WITCHES SAY NO WE'LL STAY NEUTRAL IN THESE WARS LIKE!!!

but the Princess reaction to Hoseok's dream show that she is involved in this world. She is supportive but she still make sure Hoseok knows it's going to be difficult. She is the realist and Tae is the dreamer in their relationship but by their interactions with each other you can see it works well for their couple!

100% I agree this is so them!! she definitely has a more "realistic" view of the world while he is a dreamer. I would wanna say it's becuase she was raised to be a leader one day while he was raised to be a good husband, so he was always more involved in mastering arts, languages etc. while she had to learn about politics GOSH I LOVE LORE

I like Mistress Qela, for some reason she reminds me of Professor McGonagall! I'm not sure why but I had to say it x)

oooh I love this <3 honestly Mistress Qela is such a slay I love her <3

Hobi and Tae's arrival at the tower was really funny, not because Hoseok was nervous but because you describe a beautiful place and Tae is just there commenting on the windows 😂 I'm glad he still find joy in such mundane thing, it's really endearing!

lmoaoaooa Tae has his priorities sorted the FUCK OUT HAHAHAH

You didn't trick me with the old woman scheme! The moment she appeared in the fic I was like "wait a minute 🤔" because I knew you said you took most name from elden ring but Selen is a variante of Selene the name of the first goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology before Artemis takes her place and if there is one trick the greek gods like to play it's the old person in need of help! So I was like, it's either Selen in disguise (very probable) or one of the other teachers! And I was right!! I cheered when she revealed the trick in front of the whole class!

I love when you involved history I AM SO HAPPY RN BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A SECRET HINT I GAVE YOU AND YOU GOT IT!!!

Speaking of Selen, she gives me big teacher vibe! Like how a teacher is supposed to be, compassionate, caring and who inspire respect by their behaviour and actions. I don't know if you played Hogwart Legacy but she reminds me of Professor Weasley!

yes yes yes!! I love her so much!! she is so accepting!! istfg I love her. I never played Hogwarts Legacy though hehe

Also I expected some staffs, applicants and students to be rude but it still rub me the wrong way when it happened ... Leave my sunshine alone you nasty people!

FOR REAL LIKE HE IS JUST A LIL POOKIE >:(

I love OC though! It feel a bit weird to talk about her for the first time this late in a review but she is so nice and accepting! Even with only one interaction it's easy to say they will go well with each other!

yes gosh :( I love her too :( she is such a pookie too :(

I know I shouldn't have but the interview between Selen and Hoseok made me laugh and I felt a bit guilty because poor baby was in panic and sure he messed up but I mean, at least he made an impression? Also from Hoseok finding her words familiar, and her line "something important you say", you can guess she already know who he is and why he is sweaty during his interview! Poor baby though he was so sad and I was feeling so bad for him. I was so happy when he got his letter of acceptance! And everyone in that castle is so sweet, they all celebrated his achievement together!

hahaha he was so chaotic during the interview fdajfjs while Selen was all like "I already know that you're in, don't worry" ahahhaha

Selen's line "someone had to have the first hangover" made me laugh so hard! Just imagine that poor person, hurting and confused because the alcohol was really good but you wake up with the worst headache and now I wonder how alcohol became popular? Like why drink something that hurts you? But then I remembered that I drink and I had bad hangovers but I still drink so I probably answered my own question 😂

felt FASJDFJA this was me when I had my huge wine hangover. I swore to never drink again. yeah nah, I'm still drinking wine sometimes JFADSHAH

At first I thought Ciri and Cintra might be a reference to the witcher universe but Sorceress Ciri is mean to Hobi later on and I unilateraly decided it wasn't because my baby angel wouldn't be mean to Hobi just because he is a man who try his best to fullfill his dream. 😡

I must confess that I actually got the names from the witcher universe (I love you for getting it <3) BUT Ciri is definitely NOT inspired by our pookie because she could never 😡 she would definitely support him (and get in trouble with the teachers fjadjfj)

The relationship between OC and Hoseok at the end of part 1 is so cute but so frustrating! Hoseok saying to Taehyung that OC is not interested when she invited him to spend time with her already!

LIKE WAKE UP AND MAKE OUT!! (you get me? not wake up and break up but wake up and make out JFJADFJ)

Hoseok struggling with his magic is so sad but seeing how OC encourage and motivate him is really heart warming!!

she is such special and important to me :(

I'm stopping here and I'll review the part 2 in the part é reblog because I don't like not having the source material attached to my review! It will be shorter than this though but you'll have my global impression too! 💜💜💜

SERIOUSLY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REVIEW!! AND FOR GOING INTO DETAIL ABOUT EVERYTHING AND WRITING IT AND GOSH :( I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH!! 💜💜💜

“Being a sorcerer has always been Hoseok’s dream. So when a well-known and powerful sorceress sends out letters informing the young minds of the city of an upcoming position as her apprentice, Hoseok takes fate into his own hands and applies. The only problem is that learning the arts of magic is reserved for women. He is convinced however that hard work and effort can charm the sorceress’ heart and get him the position.”

Pairing: Magic Student!Hoseok x Magic Student!Reader

Genre: Fantasy!AU, Magic School!AU, s2f2potential lovers!AU, Romance

Warnings: lots of plot, 90% of this is written from Hoseok’s POV, Queendom!Tae being the bestest friend, they’re both so adorable, the students are mean to him at first :(, except for reader heheh she is a sweetheart <3, also idk if this is important but i got inspired by Elden Ring as far as some names are concerned istfg best game <3, this will have a second part where reader’s pov plays a bigger part and the romance is gonna be bigger as well <3, for now this story is very magic & Hobi’s journey to magic centered, but also some romantic tension is present as well hngngn, istfg i love this universe

Wordcount: 17.8k of 24.3k

✴ Part One of Two ✴

Hoseok stumbles into Taehyung’s room without knocking. The young prince startles slightly, gasping in surprise.

“Tae! Tae, I have news!” Hoseok calls out and stumbles to his friend.

“What is it? Are you feeling alright?” Taehyung asks. 

He was in the midst of painting with some tea for sipping on the side, when Hoseok interrupted him. The latter lets himself fall down on the chair next to Taehyung, taking out a flyer from his chest pocket. He slams it on the table, looking at Taehyung excitedly.

Taehyung scans his eyes over his friend first. His long white hair is ruffled as if he ran quite some distance. His chest is heaving up and down quickly and his flushed face carries a thin layer of sweat. So he really must have been running.

Taehyung looks at the flyer next. It is of yellowish paper with purple ink soaking the fibres. The message is rather short. Short, but effective. 

New Apprentices Wanted. Come to Sorceress Selen’s tower if interested.

“Oh? The sorceress seeks an apprentice?” 

“Yes, indeed she does. Do you have an idea what that means?” 

Taehyung furrows his brows in thought.

“Perhaps that there will be a new sorceress soon?” 

“A new sorcerer you mean.”

Taehyung widens his eyes, gawking at Hoseok.

“Yes”, Hoseok says and nods his head excitedly, “I am going to become her apprentice.”

“Are you having a jest with me?” 

“I am not. I will go to her tower and prove to her that I am fitting for a magical student.”

“But…you are a boy. No boy ever learned magic before.”

“This isn’t true. There are sorcerers.”

“Yes, perhaps in faraway lands but not here.”

“Well, then I am going to be the first one from these lands”, Hoseok says and grins. 

Taehyung needs a few moments to regain his thoughts. Such news are of great surprise to him. He knew of Hoseok’s wishes to learn magic, but to truly have him act on them is shocking. No boy has ever tried what he wants to try. Oh, Taehyung is truly flabbergasted by his friend’s plan.

“But what about your life here? At court? As my lord-in-waiting?” Taehyung asks.

Hoseok falters.

“Do you not want to be my lord of court anymore?” Taehyung asks and pouts sadly. 

Hoseok lowers his eyes, “but my dreams”, he whispers.

“Is it your really dream to become a sorcerer?”

“It always has been. You know that it has.”

“You always talked about moving the stars one day. Even when we were just little.” 

“Exactly. Oh Tae”, Hoseok takes Taehyung’s hands, “I know I sound as if I have lost my mind, but I truly think that I could convince her to take me as her apprentice. I want to take this chance, perhaps there won’t ever be another like it.”

“And if you do and she agrees, you won’t forget me, will you?” Taehyung asks with great insecurity on his features.

“Of course I won’t. Oh Tae, why would you even worry about such things? You are my best friend. No, you are more than that. You are my brother and I won’t ever forget you.”

Taehyung smiles shyly, “that is so good to hear. I want you to accomplish your dreams. My dream has always been to paint and write poetry and sing songs and these days, I can do all these things and more. It would be unfair of me to stop you from achieving your dreams. Forgive me for my initial distaste.”

“No do not apologise, I understand your grievances. I will miss my life here. I love being your lord of court.”

“I love it as well. I love our conversations in the orange gardens and sharing chocolates after dinner”, Taehyung says and giggles.

Hoseok giggles as well, nodding his head in agreement.

“And swimming in the lagoons”, he says to which Taehyung agrees with a scrunch of his nose.

Their laughter dies down naturally. Hoseok lets out a loud sigh, sagging his shoulders.

“Maybe nothing will change in the end. Oh Tae, I am terribly nervous. What if the sorceress refuses to even hear me out?”

“I am sure that you will do great. We could practice your speech together.”

“You would really help me? I do not know where to start or what I need.”

“Yes, that is true. Me neither”, Taehyung says and tilts his head to the side. He scratches his chin. Suddenly his eyes light up.

“What did you think of?” Hoseok asks excitedly.

“Shall we look in the library? Perhaps we could ask Mistress Qela if she knows how to write applications”, Taehyung suggests.

“Yes, what a wonderful idea. We should go this instance.”

The two young men leave Taehyung’s recreation room, chatting about the endless possibilities once Hoseok mastered magic. They talk about making flowers with his fingers and giving oranges a sweeter taste. They dream about making pretty shells appear on shore and of Taehyung’s paints never running out again. All the great, revolutionary spells they do not speak for their minds never wandered there.

Mistress Qela is sitting by her desk, surrounded by scriptures and books and with her silver haired cat keeping her company.

“Mistress Qela?”

The elderly dwarf lifts her head upon being called. She fixes the reading glasses perched atop her nose and places her writing feather aside.

“Young prince Taehyung”, she says, standing up to bow at him.

“Please stay comfortable.”

Despite his words, she finishes her bow before sitting down again. She runs her eyes over the young prince first, then his young servant by his side.

“What brings you here, Sire?”

“Show him the letter, Hoseok.”

Hoseok takes out the flyer and places it on the table. Mistress Qela scoots to the edge of her seat and begins reading with a loud clear of her throat. She is running her fingers through her greying beard as she does, keeping her bushy brows furrowed.

“It seems that the sorceress Selen is seeking new apprentices”, she concludes.

“Yes indeed and Hoseok wants to fill the position, but we do not know how to write an application. Mistress Qela, could you help us?”

The dwarf runs her eyes over the two young men, carrying a stern expression on her face. Seconds pass like this where she stares and they allow her to do so nervously.

“Very well”, she says in the end and slides from her chair, “follow me, young ones. There are books in these halls which will help you”, she says and stomps away. She won’t comment on Hoseok’s dreams for it wasn’t her right to do so. She is aware how possible some impossible dreams are. She herself was called a foolish girl by her tribe for wanting to be become a librarian instead of a miner. She will always offer understanding for the dreams of young people even if others might call them foolish.

The books they seek are on the second floor in a high shelf where a window next to it allows sunlight to enter. Just a few shelves down, there is a desk with chairs and candles for light. It is currently empty.

Mistress Qela points at the shelves which are just out of reach for her.

“You will find what you are looking for here. Do not hesitate to ask me for help however. Have a good read, my young ones”, she says and turns to stomp back to her scriptures.

“Thank you, Mistress Qela!” Hoseok and Taehyung call after her.

Soon the dwarf disappears down the stairs.

“So, where shall we start? Shall we look for books each?” Taehyung suggests.

“Yes, that is a very good idea”, Hoseok agrees.

The young men spend the rest of their day in the library. They read books, scriptures and writings. They compose practice applications and note down new knowledge whenever they stumble upon it. They discuss the important parts and exchange possible phrases to use.

They are so lost in their research, that they do not hear the dinner bell, nor witness when Mistress Qela leaves for her bedchambers. They most definitely would have continued to be lost if Taehyung’s wife, the princess of the Sand Queendom, hadn’t looked for them.

“My darling one?”

Neither Taehyung nor Hoseok hear her and the princess has to try three more times before they finally lift their heads.

“Oh? My darling one”, Taehyung gasps, stumbling from his chair to hurry to her. He takes her hands, guiding them to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

Hoseok is standing as well, bowing his head deeply.

“What are you doing here?” Taehyung asks her.

“I could ask you the same thing. You were missed at dinner and it is way past our bedtime. I was worried.”

“Forgive me, my darling one but I am helping Hoseok with his application”, he says.

“Application?”

He guides her to the desk, showing her what they have been working on. The flyer of the sorceress is also on the desk.

“The sorceress is seeking a new apprentice and Hoseok wants to apply. We spent all day on perfecting his application”, Taehyung explains, “look. What do you think of it?”

The princess looks at Hoseok, ignoring the papers her husband is trying to show her.

“You want to leave your position as lord-in-waiting?” she asks.

“Yes, your highness”, he says, lowering his head in respect, “please forgive the sudden news. I planned on telling you and the Queen tomorrow. Please forgive me.”

“But men are forbidden from learning magic.”

“I know, your highness”, he lowers his head even more, “I thought that I could try. At least. Perhaps it could work.”

“I see”, she says and finally looks at the paper. She sits down where once Taehyung sat and picks up a writing feather, reading through the application. The two men watch her in silence. She nods her head sometimes and fixes mistakes, she also praises some parts whilst correcting others.

“It reads well”, she finishes the letter, “I shall ask mother to write you a letter of recommendation and I believe that with it and this application you will have good chances.”

“What?!” the two man exclaim at the same time.

“You have no problem with his plans?” Taehyung gets out.

“You aren’t angry at me?” Hoseok blurts out.

The princess chuckles, shaking her head.

“Why should I? I know that you dream of being a sorcerer and you are my friend as well. I want to support you”, she says.

“Oh my darling”, Taehyung says and pulls her up just to hug her tightly.

She laughs, accepting it with closed eyes.

“You are truly the most wonderful person”, he says and kisses her cheek.

“You are adorable”, she says.

“Thank you so much, your highness. You do not know how much this means to me”, Hoseok says, bowing so deeply he almost folds himself in half.

“Please do not thank me too soon. We will still have to get you through the part trickiest, which is getting her to even hear you out.”

“But with the Queen’s letter of recommendation it could work, couldn’t it? Oh! I could write one as well. So two people of power speak highly of him. You could write one as well, my darling one.”

“Fine, I shall write one as well. But first, you two need to have your dinner and then get your sleep. You have bodies to nourish besides your research”, she says and begins pushing them away from the desk gently.

The Queen agrees to the letter without hesitation. She is quite taken by the idea that the first sorcerer of these lands could be one of her servants. She tells the court on the same day and soon talk about Hoseok’s dream is heard in every corner of the castle. Excitement is grande. Young master Hoseok will be the first ever sorcerer and Castle Sandrock will be known as his once loving home. So the people talk. The Queen even lets her trusted dressmakers create a most elegant gown for him so he could look his best and offers one of her carriages for him to take to the tower so he didn’t have to sweat through his new dress. One week later, Hoseok has everything he needs for the most compelling application and the day of his attempt can no longer be postponed.

The courtyard is busy with life on his day of leaving – even if he will return by nightfall again, it is after all just a conversation – and the day has been good till now. There were celebrations in the servant wing during breakfast and good cheers in the court room during lunch. Hoseok accepted it with burning cheeks and constant confessions that he feels unworthy of such support. Nobody acknowledged him and the celebrations continued. The Queen and her husband are standing by the carriage. Taehyung and his wife are beside them.

“I shall pray for your success”, the Queen says.

“I believe that you will be successful”, her husband says.

“Thank you so much, your highness. I do not know how to be worthy of such support”, Hoseok says, bowing deeply.

“Just come home with good news.”

“I will, my Queen. At least, I hope I will.”

The Queen laughs fondly, “I am most certain that you will.”

The princess presses a piece of fresh cake into his hands. It is wrapped in a silken handkerchief and still warm from the stone ovens. The faint smell of butter and vanilla comes with it.

“Fresh pearl cake for you”, she says, “I find its sweet taste calms me down in nervous moments. Perhaps it can aid you as well.”

“Thank you, your highness”, Hoseok says, bowing in gratitude.

“May the goddesses be with you.”

“Thank you, your highness”, Hoseok says, bowing deeper.

Taehyung doesn’t say his goodbyes because he promised to come with Hoseok. The two friends get into the carriage together and accompanied by music and cheers, they leave the courtyard for the tower.

The drive through the city is calm. The day is still young, but life is already busy. The merchants are promoting their fresh goods with loud calls and chants, the seagulls fly high above the painted roofs in search of an easy snack and many people use the sunny morning to get their shopping done. Hoseok doesn’t feel his nerves in the city because he has something to look at and listen to.

The tower of the sorceress is in a calmer area of the city, passed the two inner most walls and at the end of a steep road. It is walled in, but its gates are always open, and consists of not only the high tower but two buildings as well, which are used as housing for magical students and work rooms, as well as a shop which sells magical goods made by the students. Behind the high walls, a luscious garden offers everything the eyes and nose desire. Fruit trees and vegetable beds are always rich with their bearings, offering nourishment to people who might struggle with hunger. Flowers are always in bloom, filling the air with their sweet scents. Old trees offer shade to anyone who might need it and the big fountains offer clear water, which never runs out.

The carriage comes to a stop. Big formations of purple crystal sticks out from the ground, glimmering in the light and on the shop porch cats are napping in the warmth. Glimmering clouds of purple magic traverse the air, giving everyone who might walk through such a cloud a sensation of clarity. 

“It seems that we have arrived”, Taehyung says, studying the tower with wondrous eyes. Magic keeps the garden healthy and rich despite the hot weather and rainless days. The roof and window frames are coated with golden paint, reflecting the light and in the high above chambers purple curtains sway in the breeze.

“This looks beautiful”, he says, “you have windows here as well. Oh and they are so big.”

Hoseok can barely hear his friend’s excited words for he is too occupied with gawking at the stream of excited girls and young women flooding the tower gates with dreams of a brighter future. So many people came today.

Hoseok closes the curtain and gulps.

Taehyung reaches over to pat his knee.

“Nervous?” he asks.

“Frightened. Have you seen all these people? How should I even stand a chance?”

“You stand a chance because you are you and you deserve it.”

“Shall we turn around again? Let us turn around again.”

“No”, Taehyung shakes his head vigorously, “no, you have worked so hard for this. At least try. If it fails, you can say that you tried your best, otherwise you will already have failed.”

Hoseok gives in with a sigh, “you are right. Oh Taehyung, I am so nervous.”

“Don’t be, you will do wonderful in there”, Taehyung assures him and stands up to hug his best friend, “if you get too scared, think of me. I will wait right here outside these walls and think positive things about you.”

Hoseok smiles, “thank you. This makes me feel better.”

“Now go in there and show everyone why you deserve to study magic”, Taehyung says and smiles.

Hoseok frowns in dedication, “I will show everyone, yes I will.”

“That is the spirit! I am cheering for you”, Taehyung says and stays by the carriage while Hoseok leaves for the gates. He waves his friend until the masses swallow him. He releases a sigh of contentment, turning to his guard, “what say you? I saw a small shop filled with art down this road. Do you believe that we have time to visit it?”

“I believe we do, my lord.”

“Very well, then I want to go there.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Hoseok clutches his bag with both hands, trying not the look left and right in fear of seeing the judgemental eyes of others. He can feel them surround him, shrinking him more and more the closer to the tower he gets. He is aware that he is wrong here, but it still hurts to feel it so obviously. Most of the people are too busy with their own nervousness to care however. 

“Leave me alone, you old hag!”

A loud voice calls Hoseok’s attention. An old, clearly weak woman tried to seek support on an arm of one of the women storming into the castle. The latter is slapping her hands away, calling her an “old hag” once again.

Hoseok stops in his steps. None else does. He watches for a few more moments to see if the situation resolves itself. The young woman storms off with her friends, leaving the old woman stranded by the wall. She looks helpless, trying so very hard to pick up herself up, but failing miserably as her own age betrays her. People pass her, but nobody helps.

Hoseok furrows his brows and runs to her.

“Forgive me, do you need help?” he asks, stretching out his hands to her.

The old woman lifts her head slowly, squinting her eyes to see better.

“Oh? Young boy, you come at my lowest times. I walked along these walls before I felt the sugar in my blood sink and now I have also dropped my bags. I cannot get up. Oh, these aren’t good times to see me, young boy.”

Hoseok squats down beside her

“Please, worry not”, he assures her, “may I place my hand on you to support you?”

“Yes, young boy.”

Hoseok does it gently and carefully, rubbing her arm slowly.

“Worry not, we will just sit here for a while until the drowsiness passes”, he says and offers her his waterskin, “please drink something. Clear water, collected just this morning.”

“Oh? Oh goddesses be pleased, thank you”, she accepts it.

Hoseok helps her drink from it. Next he offers her all his pearl cake.

“I couldn’t.”

“Pearl cake. It contains sugars. I wouldn’t want you to lose consciousness.”

“Are you certain, young boy? I have already robbed you of your water, I do not want to steal your food as well.”

“I wish to give this to you. You need it more than I do”, he says and smiles. When she still hesitates, he breaks off a small piece, offering it to her.

“Oh, young boy. You are too good to me”, she says and accepts it. She eats it, chewing it with the little amount of teeth she still has left, “oh it is wonderful. So sweet and very delicate on my teeth”, she says and smiles to show off her gums.

Hoseok laughs fondly, “you have a bright smile.”

“It was brighter in my youth”, she jokes, making him snicker.

“I am sure it was.”

“Thank you, young boy. You can go now if you wish to. I can manage on my own.”

Hoseok however dismisses her with a shake of his head, “I would feel terrible if I left you like this.”

“Oh, young boy you are too good to me.”

Hoseok and the old woman chat until she has finished the pearl cake and water. She tells him how she is on her way home from the market and that she bought all her food for the week. She looks ashamed when she tells him that she began to feel weak, but Hoseok assured her that there was no shame in it and that the days have been exhaustingly hot lately. She agreed with a nod of her head and a curse to the heavens for heating up the earth so much. Then she drifts off and begins telling stories from when she felt better and that she has a barely studied disease the doctors call diabetes. Hoseok asked for more information, but all she could tell him is that she can’t eat too many sweets as this could be dangerous, but also not too little as this would make her faint. He didn’t quite understand it, but she assured him that the doctors didn’t either yet. Then she asks if Hoseok had somewhere to be.

Hoseok looks over his shoulder. The roads are empty. His heart skips a panicked beat. How much time has passed? He looks back at the old woman and her innocent curiosity in her eyes.

“The sorceress’ tower”, he says and sighs in defeat, “I want to apply as her apprentice, but I do not know if this is even a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because I am a boy.”

“Well, you should still try.”

“You believe so?”

“Yes I really do”, she says and begins standing up with grunts.

“Wait! Let me help”, Hoseok says, stumbling to his feet hastily so he could support her.

“Oh, thank you young boy, thank you. Oh, my old bones aren’t what they used to be. Oh, aging is a curse”, she says and then tries to reach for her bags.

“Please, allow me”, he says, picking them up instead, “where is your home?”

“No, no I couldn’t. You need to go to the tower, not help an old woman carry her food.”

“I couldn’t leave you alone like this. What if the sugar in your blood sinks again?”

“Would you truly do this for an old hag?”

“You aren’t a hag. I wish to help you. Life is easier this way”, he says and offers her his arm to hold on to.

She takes it gladly, pointing west.

“My house is this way. It isn’t big, but it keeps the heat out. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Then we shall walk there together. If you need to take a break, please let me know.”

They leave the tower gate behind in slow steps. Time still passes, but Hoseok can’t think about it right now. He really wants to help this woman, he doesn’t care how long it will take.

“Do you live close by as well, young man?”

“I live in this city, but I’m not from here.”

“You aren’t?”

“No, I come from the Snow Isles.”

“The Snow Isles? Oh this is so far away. What brings you so, so far away from home?”

“My best friend married a woman from here and I followed him.”

“A woman you say?”

“Yes, he was promised to her and I…” Hoseok falters. He doesn’t like to tell people who he really is because most people begin to feel inferior once they do. He doesn’t want people to feel as if they were less than him and so he lies, “…I came with him because he was scared to leave home. He is one year younger than me and we have been best friends since he was only eight months of age.”

“Eight months of age you say? And how old are you now?”

“I am twenty and three of age. He is still twenty and two. We have been here for more than two years now.”

“Oh, then you have known each other for a long time.”

“Yes, we have. He feels like a brother to me. He is still a little naïve sometimes, but his heart is at the right place. He supports me in my dream even if it is foolish.”

“And why is it foolish?”

“Because no boy was ever allowed in this school. We aren’t meant to learn magic.”

“Well, times can change. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, I do agree, but it is also a foolish thing to think.”

“No it isn’t. I do not know you, but I believe in you.”

“Thank you, this means a very lot to me.”

The woman lives quite far from the school. Hoseok doesn’t complain, supporting her until she is sitting safely in her own home. She talks about dizziness again and so Hoseok offers to cook something for her which will raise the sugar in her blood again. She refuses more times than not, talking about how she already stole too much of his time. But he didn’t care. He helped her. He put the food she bought aside and cooked a healthy meal for her. He stayed with her until she ate and then helped her relax her swollen feet. He would have also helped her in setting up her bed, but she managed to send him away before that, stuffing money into his hands for all he did.

“I couldn’t”, he refuses, shaking his head vigorously.

“Take it, please I insist.”

“But, this is your money. I couldn’t take it.”

“I wish to give this to you. The only thing I need from you is your name so I can include you in my prayers from now on.”

“Hoseok. My name is Hoseok, but please keep your money.”

“Hoseok”, she smiles, “I shall remember your name, Hoseok”, she says and pulls her hands away so he can’t attempt to place the money back into them.

Hoseok gives up with a sigh, bowing deeply.

“Thank you, I will spend the money well”, he lies, “perhaps we will see each other again. I will pray for your health as well.”

“Yes, I believe that we will see each other again”, she says and looks at him with a knowing glint in her eyes. Perhaps the light deceived him, but they looked purple for just a second. He shakes away the funny feeling and bows one last time.

Then he leaves, letting her think that he took the money. He slips it and one of his rings back under the door once he closed it, leaving before she could notice. He feels good about helping her until the hall of prayer close by reminds him of the time with loud calls of bells. Two hours. He spent two hours with this woman. The applications only last another hour.

Hoseok jumps into a full sprint, running back to the school even if the distance is grande. He has to be punctual! He has to get there in time! If he loses his chance because he didn’t run fast enough, he will forever blame himself! Quick! Run! Quick, quick, quick!

He arrives, heaving and panting. His clothes are soaked in his sweat, his head is just a little dizzy. The sun has never felt more punishing than it does right now.

He comes to a stop in a stumble, supporting himself by leaning his hands on his knees.

“What brings you here?” the guards ask him.

“I…am…here…for…the…appli…cations”, he is heaving out his words, barely managing to breathe.

“The doors are closed.”

“What?” he gasps, “no”, he shakes his head, “no, please allow me to enter. Please.”

The guards exchange an annoyed look.

“The doors are closed.”

Hoseok feels like crying. He came too late.

“Please”, he begs, “please I promise to be quiet, please.”

“Leave, boy. The doors are closed.”

Is it because he is a boy? Is that the reason?

“Is it because I am a boy?”

She curls her lips in distaste. The glimmer in her eyes lets him know that it truly was because he was a boy.

“No. You simply came too late.”

“But-”

“Leave before we make you”, she warns, flashing her eyes purple.

Hoseok takes a cautious step back. Anger, frustration, sadness, helplessness. He feels all of it. He is going to fail not because he came too late or didn’t impress the sorceress enough, but because the guards are cruel sexists.

“Please.”

“No. You-”

“Wait! Please wait!”, a girl stumbles next to Hoseok, coming to a stop with a squeak. She must have been running as well because sweat pearls have collected on her forehead, “forgive me, oh forgive me I arrived too late. Are the doors still open?”

The guards grind their teeth in annoyance. Hoseok stifles his victorious smile.

“Yes”, they press out and step aside.

“Thank you, oh thank you”, she says and hurries inside.

Hoseok follows her, looking over his shoulder to send the guards the smile he was hiding. He did it. Now nothing can stand in his way anymore.

There aren’t many people left in the waiting room. They all look at him as he passes the threshold. Whispers begin instantly, but Hoseok doesn’t care. He is too busy with recovering from the intense run. So much for taking a carriage so he wouldn’t ruin his new clothes. He looks as if he took a dive in the ocean. He reaches for his waterskin. Empty. He grunts, dropping his head against the wall in exhaustion. He is going to die in these halls.

Three other girls enter and leave the hearing room until Hoseok finally somehow recovers from his run. He scoots up the seats with the remaining girls, finally feeling ready to look around. They are staring at him. The girl which also arrived too late is missing. She must have already left.

One of them scrunches her nose at him in distaste.

“Why are you here?” she asks.

“The same as you”, he answers her snappishly because he recognises her. She was the one who abandoned the old woman.

“You aren’t allowed to be here.”

“Yes, I am.”

“No you’re not. This place is for girls only.”

“No, it is not.”

She scoffs in distaste. Others are chuckling quietly. Hoseok stands his ground, staring her down. She curls her lips.

“You are sweating, it’s revolting”, she says.

“That is because I just ran quite the distance and it is hot outside.”

“Well, I don’t like it. You look ugly.”

“Not as ugly as you.”

She gasps. The others around her do as well.

“Excuse me?” she hisses.

“I watched you abandon the old woman outside the walls. Your ugly soul makes you the ugliest here”, he says and turns his head away.

“How dare you! You come in here and insult me? Who do you think you are?”

Hoseok ignores her.

“I’m talking to you”, she hisses and reaches over to slap his arm harshly, “I said, I’m talking to you.”

Hoseok sends her a deathly glare and stands up to walk closer to the door.

“What’s your problem, why are you ignoring me?” she spits and jumps up to attack him again.

The door opens. The girl, who was just inside, stares as the scene unfolding. The guard by the door does as well and far in the back the sorceress is watching it happen. The rude woman with the ugly soul stops her attack on Hoseok and presses herself past the girl coming outside.

“It was about time, I was wait…” the door falls closed and silences her.

Hoseok finally releases the nervous breath he was holding in, rubbing the spot the rude girl hit multiple times. It hurts.

“Are you hurt?”

Hoseok looks at the girl who just came out of the hearing room. She was the one who also running late.

“I am fine. How did it go inside?” he asks her.

“Oh, I do not know. I felt so nervous that I kept messing up my words.”

“I understand you so well. I feel so nervous as well.”

“So you are also here to learn?”

“I am.”

“But you are a boy. Are boys allowed here?”

“I want to be the first sorcerer in this school.”

“Oh? I see. You must be so nervous then.”

“I am. I really am.”

“I can see that. You look very hot. Are you sure that you are fine?”

“I am. I ran and have no water left to drink”, he says and chuckles nervously, “I hope that my throat doesn’t constrict inside.”

“Do you want some of my water? I already drank from it, but if you don’t mind.”

“Would you really? I hate to beg, but I ran so far.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t mind. Please”, she says and offers her waterskin.

Hoseok accepts it with a deep bow, drinking from it almost greedily. Oh it feels so good to drink. He felt so close to his end.

He tries not to drink all of it, handing it back to the girl.

“I bless you. This truly saved me.”

“I am just glad that I could help”, she says and smiles, “I wish you luck. Maybe if you succeed, my brother could too one day.”

Hoseok feels warm in his chest. He is already inspiring people. He nods his head vigorously.

“Yes, yes indeed. I believe that he will.”

She bows her head at him, “perhaps we will see each other again at school.”

He bows his head at her, “perhaps we will.”

She leaves then, looking over her shoulder one last time before she crosses the corner.

Hoseok takes a deep breath. Now that he finally had some water to drink, his head feels clearer. He needs to prepare. He takes out his application from his bag and begins reading.

He doesn’t notice when the rude girl comes back out, neither does he notice her poisonous glances until she talks to him.

“You are still here”, she spits, making herself big in front of him.

Hoseok lowers his papers, looking down at her.

“I wasn’t in the hearing room yet, so yes I am.”

“You should leave now. You won’t ever stand a chance.”

“We will see about that.”

She scoffs and slaps the papers out of his hands.

“Hey!”

She turns and stomps away.

Hoseok squats down, picking up his papers with shaking hands. This hurt him. He is already nervous beyond recovery and now he was treated like garbage. He is too emotionally vulnerable to be bullied this way. The papers are out of order. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Everything is going wrong. His application is a mess.

“You.”

Hoseok lifts his head.

“You’re next.”

“I, I haven’t sorted my papers yet.”

“You can do it inside. Time’s ticking”, the guard says.

Hoseok feels dizzy, scrambling to pick up his papers.

“Hurry up.”

“I am, please.”

The sorceress Selen lifts her head at the noises by the door. Her guard is talking to one of the potential students. Like always, she has a harsh tone going on. Whoever she is rushing, seems to be quite upset about it. Second later he stumbles into the room. The sorceress Selen widens her eyes in surprise. A boy? This is new.

Said boy is busy with sorting papers. So busy in fact that he doesn’t even notice her presence until she greets him.

He lifts his head, “oh? Oh, heavens. Please fo-forgive me”, he bows deeply, dropping his papers again, “no! Oh no, my application! Not again!” he exclaims and falls to his knees to sort it out.

She stands up so she could see past her desk. His hands are trembling uncontrollably as he is picking up the papers.

“Are you alright?”

“Pl-please forgive me. I, I am sorry. I d-dropped my application. I- please forgive me, please”, he stutters, working hastily to fix it, “foolish Hoseok. You are foolish.”

He seems to be talking to himself. Poor boy.

With pity in her heart, she rounds the table to help him.

“No please you, you do not have to help I, I- oh god.”

“Don’t worry. I wish to help you. Life is easier this way.”

Hoseok falters. The words seem familiar to him, but he cannot remember where and if he heard them before. He lowers his head after meeting the sorceress’ purple eyes.

“Thank you. I-I am not usually that clumsy.”

“Worry not”, she assures him and hands him the finished papers, “there you go.”

“I thank you. My deepest gratitude, truly.”

She stands back up and rounds the table. She sits down, waiting until the young man sat down as well. He sits as straight as possible, holding his head high even if he can barely keep up eye contact. He looks very obviously hot. As if he ran quite the distance. She studies the papers he is clutching, then looks back into his eyes.

“Are you feeling alright? You look quite hot.”

“I had to run quite far.”

“Overslept?”

He shakes his head vigorously, “no, my lady sorceress, I have been awake with the first ray of sunlight, preparing for today.”

“Indeed?”

He nods his head.

“So why were you running?”

“I…” Hoseok could tell her about what he did, but he doesn’t want to come off as if he was boasting. He didn’t help this old woman because he wanted to boast, he helped her because he wanted to be kind. He decides against telling her, “…I had something important to do, which took me quite far from this school. So I had to run back again in order not to miss the hearing.”

“Mhm, something important you say. Very well then. Now, your name is Hoseok?”

“Yes, indeed. I am Hoseok.”

“And why are you here, Hoseok?”

“I want to become one of your students”, he says and slides over the papers, “I know I am not your usual candidate, but I am a hard worker and a diligent learner. I wrote an application and, and there are also letters of recommendation.”

“You wrote an application?” she asks, lifting up the papers with the help of magic.

“I did yes. I, I had no idea how to, so I spent all day reading books about it and practicing until it was as perfect as it could be.”

“You researched how to write applications?”

Hoseok’s cheeks light up, “I, I meant- I didn’t- I mean I did, but I- I wanted it to be perfect.”

“I see”, she says and looks into the papers. She skims her eyes over them, but does not begin reading them yet, “I shall read through them later”, she says and fixes the heap into one neat stack.

Hoseok gulps nervously, ogling the papers. He does not know what this means meant. Oh, his heart might give up in his chest.

“I thank you for coming here. You will hear from me soon.”

“You have no questions for me?” he gasps.

“I have everything I need to know.”

“But”, Hoseok stops his lower lip from trembling, “I truly want this position.”

“I am certain that you do. So do many other young women however.”

“I, I dreamt of being a sorcerer ever since I could think and, and I know that I-I am a man and that it, it isn’t tradition in these lands for boys to learn magic, but I know that I could do it. I, I want it and I will work so very hard for it. I will work so, so hard until my fingers are sore and my mind foggy. Please. You could count on me, my lady sorceress. I work hard and well and I do not break under pressure. I am also very cleanly and punctual and I fulfill each task to perfection. I, I can also read and write and I enjoy studying. Please my lady sorceress Selen, give me a chance. Please, I wouldn’t disappoint you.”

The sorceress Selen listened to his nervous babbling with a tinge of fondness in her heart. The passion burned in his eyes and the love for his dream was obvious in his voice.

“Thank you young master Hoseok, for your passionate words. I shall consider them.”

Hoseok panics. He said too much, came off as rude and obtrusive. He stands up quickly to apologise with a bow. He bows so vigorously that he hits his head on the desk. It is loud, forcing a squeak out of Hoseok as well. He stumbles back, touching his aching forehead.

“Oh! By Razula!” the sorceress exclaims, jumping up in shock, “are you hurt?” she gasps, reaching for him to hold him by his shoulders in case he loses his consciousness.

Yes, it hurts. He feels dizzy and his skull is pulsing, but nothing hurts more than the shame Hoseok feels. He made a fool of himself. Now the sorceress won’t ever consider him.

“I, I am not hurt”, he stutters, bowing again because the shame sits too deep, “please forgive me. I, I took too much of your time. Please forgive me.”

His face literally feels as if flames were melting off his skin. He is so ashamed that he wishes for the gates of Helva to swallow him whole. He feels tears in his eyes.

“Please forgive me, please”, he pleads and turns to run away.

“You-”, the sorceress does not get to finish her sentence because Hoseok left the room before that, slamming the door accidentally.

She allows the situation to sink in with her mouth open in shock and her body stiff in surprise. This was the most peculiar situation which has happened to her in a long time.

Hoseok almost throws himself into the carriage, falling around Taehyung’s neck before the young prince could even say his first word. He drops his sweet ice cream from the impact, grunting.

“Oh? Did it go so well?” he asks, hugging his best friend back.

Hoseok sobs heartbreakingly just as the carriage begins to move.

“Hoseok”, Taehyung gasps, tightening the hug, “what happened?”

“I made a fool of myself”, Hoseok chokes out and wails painfully.

“Why? What happened?”

Hoseok tells Taehyung how the sorceress didn’t even read his applications nor ask him questions and how he acted obtrusive only to completely embarrass himself by hitting his head on her table. He barely gets the words out as he cries as if he just lost every person dear to him. And Taehyung listens to him, trying to comfort him without any sign of success.

The castle welcomes him back with music and cheers, but that soon dies down when Hoseok leaves the carriage and runs straight to his chambers. Taehyung tells everyone what happened and no one truly knows how to behave once they know. A deep grieving is shared however.

Hoseok doesn’t leave his chambers for days. Taehyung is the one to make sure that he eats and drinks, but Hoseok never allows him to enter. The young prince has to put the tray of food in front of his door and come collect the empty one, hours later. He tries to talk to him, but the only thing he gets are mumbled “leave me alone”s or “go away”s. Hoseok is grieving, there is no denying that.

Taehyung huffs out air in frustration. He was painting in the orange gardens when he thought of his best friend again. He looks at his window. The curtains are drawn closed. Another huff of air shows how helpless Taehyung feels. He doesn’t know what to do to make Hoseok feel better again. His heart got shattered and Taehyung has no idea how he could glue it back together.

“Young prince Taehyung?”

Taehyung looks at his servant.

“Yes?”

“The letters of today.”

“Letters?” Taehyung stands up to get the heap of letters from the silver platter. The servant bows his head at him, watching the young prince sort through them.

Most are of royal duty, some are from his family back home and some are merchants attempting to advertise their expensive goods. Taehyung will read through them later. He reaches the end of the heap, widening his eyes.

A purple envelope with golden lettering spelling Hoseok’s name. The sorceress’ wax sigil keeps the letter closed. It is a dark purple colour.

“Is this…” his servant asks.

“It is”, Taehyung confirms, exchanging a shocked look with him.

“Your highness, did he do it?”

“Perhaps? Come, we have to give it to him.”

The young prince and his servant leave the orange garden, running to Hoseok’s chambers.

Taehyung doesn’t bother to knock, entering Hoseok’s room by calling his name.

The latter is lying in bed, lifting his tired head. He is squinting his eyes. His silver hair is messy. The air smells old.

“Hoseok! Hoseok, I have news!”

“I am not interested, just leave me alone”, Hoseok grumbles and buries his face in the pillow.

“You will want to know these news”, Taehyung says and jumps onto Hoseok’s bed, “Namgil, please open the curtains.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“No. No light. Just leave me alone”, Hoseok whines and pulls the blanket over his head.

Taehyung drags the blanket away. Hoseok fights him weakly, whining his name.

“Look. Hoseok, look”, Taehyung insists, waving the purple envelope in front of Hoseok’s face.

The heartbroken man peels his eyes open groggily.

“What?”

“Look.”

“Huh?”

Hoseok shoots up instantly, ripping the letter out of Taehyung’s hand. He moves it closer to his face, squinting his eyes to make sure that they aren’t deceiving him.

“What?” he presses out.

“It arrived earlier. Look, this is the sorceress’ sigil and, and this is your name”, Taehyung says, bouncing on the mattress as he points at them. He is so excited that he can barely contain himself.

“This can’t be”, Hoseok whispers and rips the sigil to unfold the latter.

Namgil sits down next to him, trying to steal a glance. He is just as excited as Taehyung.

“And? What does it say?” Taehyung stresses, “tell us please. We are dying in curiosity. What does it say?”

Hoseok lowers the letter, staring at Taehyung.

“What is it? Did you get the position?”

“I did”

“You did?!”

Hoseok nods his head.

“Yes! You did! Hoseok, you did!” Taehyung screams in excitement and falls around his best friend’s neck.

Hoseok is stiff and silent at first. The shock sits too deep. But as Taehyung’s laughs and sobs and cheers continue, the realisation of his situation begins to seep in. It isn’t long until Hoseok is sobbing and laughing as well, hugging Taehyung as if his life depended on it.

“I did it!”

“You did it! Hoseok, you did it!” Taehyung says and pulls Hoseok to his feet so they could jump on the bed together. Namgil joins as well. The three men hold hands and cheer loudly, so loudly in fact that soon guards peek inside the room asking if everything was fine.

“Tell everyone that Hoseok managed to get into the school”, Taehyung tells her with sparkling eyes.

“Oh! By the goddesses! Congratulation, Hoseok! I will tell everyone!” she exclaims and hurries away to spread the news in the castle.

The celebrations about Hoseok’s success last until the early morning hours. Dance is plenty, food delicious and wine most intoxicating. Hoseok, Lord of Court of Sandrock Castle will be the first sorcerer of these lands! Oh the news couldn’t be any sweeter.

But where sweetness lies, bitterness follows and only two days later, the moment of his goodbye has come. The court is excited for his future and yet terribly sad to part ways. His fellow servants already said their goodbyes to him with tears and a basket of fruits they saved up for together. The Queen and her husband said goodbye with white dresses he could wear at school and the promise that he will always be welcome at the castle. The princess is holding her husband, who has been sad ever since the morning.

The carriage is packed. There is no reason for Hoseok to stay any longer.

“So, I believe it is time for me to go”, Hoseok says.

“We wish you luck”, the Queen says.

“Thank you, your highness. Not only for your kind words, but also for your support. I am but a mere servant and you didn’t have to be so kind to me. So thank you”, Hoseok says, bowing until his chest touched his own thighs.

“We are all equal. You may have served my son in law, but you are also his dearest friend and his lord-in-waiting. Do not thank me for my kindness, I am happy to give it to you.”

“Thank you, your highness”, Hoseok says and straightens up. He looks at the princess, “you will have to take care of him for me.”

She laughs, “I will gladly do so. Good blessings, dear Hoseok.”

“Thank you, your highness”, Hoseok bows his head, then looks at Taehyung.

The latter pouts sadly, throwing himself around his neck in a tight hug.

“Please promise to write as often as you can”, he murmurs into him.

“I will. I hope that you write as well.”

Taehyung steps back, nodding his head vigorously.

“I will. Oh, you will get tired of me. I will write so many letters.”

The two men giggle, holding hands.

“And you have to visit on the weekends. Please, we need to talk in the orange gardens and swim in the blue lagoons.”

Hoseok nods his head vigorously, “I will visit whenever I can. I promise.”

“Good”, Taehyung says and falls around his neck, “I will miss you so much.”

“I will miss you too”, Hoseok says, closing his eyes as he enjoys his best friend’s hug before he can’t feel it for quite some time.

“Please be happy and successful. I will think of you each night.”

“Me too. Be happy as well and never stop painting.”

Taehyung laughs, but it sounds just a little like a sob. The two men hug each other tighter, laughing eventhough they are secretly crying.

“I won’t.”

“Good. That is good.”

The goodbye is bittersweet. The life they once knew and grew up with ends and a new one begins. It hurts. But they will each follow their dreams and will only be apart an hour by foot. It lessens the pain and gives both of them happiness. They will be apart, but still close. They won’t live their old lives anymore, but will finally follow their dreams. The goodbye is bittersweet. It truly is.

The streets in front of the school are calm today, which allows the carriage to drive all the way to the front steps of the student housing.

Hoseok steps out of the carriage, thanking the royal guard for helping him. He is conversing with her, blind to the shocked looks the magical guards send him. They are aware what the sigil on their armour meant and the realisation of who they were rude to just weeks ago sits heavy in their stomachs. And while Hoseok is talking to the guard, the servants he once commanded, carry his luggage to the student housing. They ask the guards where they must go and the latter tell them with nervousness in their voices.

“I wish you good blessings”, the guard says.

“Thank you Nepheli, I wish you good blessings as well”, Hoseok says, looking over his shoulder, “did Namgil disappear with the cases already?”

“It appears so.”

“Oh, well I see”, Hoseok gives Nepheli a smile, “we will see each other again.”

She bows her head, “most definitely we will.”

Once Namgil and two other servants return from Hoseok’s new chambers, it is time for the carriage to return to the castle. Hoseok waves to them until they disappear outside the walls. He lowers his arms and takes a deep breath. His heart is racing, but it isn’t for an uncomfortable reason.

He is excited.

His new life lies behind these doors.

He will finally study the arts of magic.

Hoseok contains the dance of happiness he wants to do and turns around. His eyes meet those of the guards. The judgment of once is gone. Nervousness replaced it.

They bow their heads at him, “my lord, I see that you were successful.”

Hoseok blinks his eyes in confusion. Why are they bowing their heads?

“May we help you with anything?”

“No, uh”, he clears his throat, “well, uh, where do I have to go?”

“Please, follow me, my lord.”

“Very well?” Hoseok follows her confusedly.

They have walked quite some time when he finally talks.

“Excuse me?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Why are you calling me this way?”

“Well, are you not from the royal court?”

“Oh”, now he understands. They must have seen the royal crest and thought that he was of royal blood. Hoseok touches the side of his neck, flustering slightly, “some could say that I am.”

“My lord”, she bows her head, “I hope that our behaviour last time carries no consequences. You must know, we only followed our duties.”

Hoseok doesn’t like to feel superior. Again, he never tells people what his profession once was. But he also likes the sense of victory their apology gives him. They weren’t following duties last time, they were being sexist. Hoseok decides to let them boil in their misunderstanding a while longer.

“I understand. I had already feared that this school was guarded by a bunch of sexists.”

She laughs awkwardly, “no, my lord. Of course not. Everyone is welcome here.”

“Good. I hope it stays this way.”

“Yes, my lord”, she bows, then points at an open door, “the first lecture is here, my lord.”

“Thank you”, Hoseok says and walks off without bowing. His heart might actually fall out of his ribcage. He never felt more nervous before than he did right now. This was the first time he left a conversation without having to bow. Oh he is such a liar. This will have consequences for sure.

And while Hoseok thinks of his own actions, he scans his eyes over the classroom. It is high up in the tower with windows on six of the eight walls. Only the wall with the teaching board and the door have no windows. Two of the windows are facing into the hallways while the other four show the outside world. It is a sunny day, so the class room is flooded with natural light. Big chunks of purple crystal reflect the rays and on most wooden desks, young women were sitting. Small groups of chatting women have already formed. Their conversations die down when Hoseok enters the classroom. Whispers, which aren’t very secret, run through the room. Questions if “this” was a boy, wonders why he was here and rude comments about how he is wrong here all meet Hoseok’s ears.

He swallows down his nerves and lifts his hand to wave at the group of judging women.

“Good day, I am Hoseok. How are you all doing?”

All their heads turn away in sync and Hoseok is left without getting an answer. It stings, as much as it embarrasses him. He probably would have felt like crying when a sweet voice hadn’t called his name. He turns his head.

It is her. The girl, who also came too late and who saved his future back then. She is sitting with two other girls, waving her hand at him.

Hoseok jogs to her with a smile on his lips.

“You made it”, she says.

“You made it as well”, he says.

“I did. Oh, I am so happy to see you. Not only because I know nobody here, but because you made it.”

“I know nobody either. My name is Hoseok”, he says.

“I know, I heard. My name is ___.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, ___.”

“The pleasure is all mine”, you say and continues with a shy gleam in your eyes, “do you want to sit together?”

“Yes, I would like that”, Hoseok says and sits down by the desk next to yours. His heart is fluttering. He is making friends. He doesn’t have to spend his entire academic career as an outsider. He turns his knees to you and gives you a smile.

You retort it.

“How are you doing?”

“Excited. I couldn’t sleep at all because I knew what today would bring. You?”

“Excited as well. And nervous”, Hoseok confesses, “I don’t think that I am very welcome here.”

You scan your eyes over the room. The conversations have become significantly quieter ever since Hoseok is in the room. Confused and judgemental looks meet his direction every now and then.

“It is the first time that a boy is learning magic. I believe that they are all just very confused.”

“I want to believe this as well”, Hoseok agrees and shifts his eyes to the two girls behind you, “nice to meet you.”

One of them has hair as red as fire, while the other has silver hair just like Hoseok. They both looked surprised to be addressed.

“Oh? Oh, uhm. Nice to meet you”, the silver haired girl says, “I’m Becca.”

“I’m Ash, nice to meet you”, the fire-haired girl says.

“Are you three friends?” Hoseok asks.

“No, we have only met today”, you say.

“I see, so we are all in the same boat.”

“We are”, Becca says, “are you really a boy?”

Hoseok nods his head.

“Are you actually allowed here?”

Hoseok shrugs his shoulders, “I managed to get in, so I must be”, he grins, “I am going to become the first sorcerer of these lands.”

“Woah”, Ash gasps, exchanging a look with Becca, “are you allowed to do that?” she is whispering the question as if it was a forbidden secret.

“I decided to rather ask for forgiveness than permission”, Hoseok whispers as well, making the girl snicker and hide their mouths behind their hands. A sense of excited glee washes over their faces. As if they are now part of a secret plan to change the world.

Hoseok smiles proudly, relaxing back into his seat. He feels relieved to know that he won’t be such an outsider here. That was truly his greatest fear.

Hoseok would have continued to chat with his new friends, hadn’t sorceress Selen entered the room, announcing herself with a clear of her throat. The classroom grows silent instantly.

A plethora of sorceresses enter the room behind her, lining up along the front of the classroom.

“Good morning, class”, sorceress Selen says loudly.

“Good morning, sorceress Selen”, the class answers back.

“As you all may know, you are the very few lucky ones who have impressed me. Some more than others”, she says, meeting Hoseok’s eyes long enough that the rest of the class notices. The jealous looks are instant. Hoseok feels hot under them, sinking deeper into his chair in hopes of hiding away.

Sorceress Selen breaks eye contact, scanning her eyes over the class as she talks.

“Remember that there has been a first for anything on earth. Someone had to take the first swim, the first run, someone had to taste sugar for the first time and someone had to have the first hangover. There will never stop being firsts and I ask of you to show the respect I see in every single one of you. Understood?”

It is obvious to all that she meant Hoseok’s presence in these halls. This is a first. Never before was there a boy studying magic in this school. 

“Yes, Sorceress Selen”, the class answers hesitantly.

“Very good. Now, my name is, as you all know, Sorceress Selen. I am the headmistress of this school and I will also be your teacher of glintstone magic”, she says and steps back to allow another sorceress the spotlight.

“My name is Sorceress Zenith. I will be your teacher of magical potions.”

The next sorceress calls herself Ceva, introducing herself as the class’ teacher of magical literature.

Sorceress Ciri will be the teacher of magical history and Sorceress Cintra will teach the ways of magical transformation. The first year will only have five courses, but they promise that the students will have a lot of work to do and that five are very much enough.

“Now that we introduced ourselves, we would like you to do the same. Go on, stand up and introduce yourselves to the class. Be kind, you will spend a lot of time with each other.”

One by one the students stand up and introduce themselves. Hoseok listens intently to all of them, trying his hardest to memorise their names. The class is a good mixture of all social stands, races and nationalities. Hoseok is surprised at how many girls from other queendoms come to this school to learn. He likes it however. It makes his Snow Isles heart feel less alone in being so far from home. He feels his pulse increase the closer to his turn the introductions come and by the time it is finally his turn, his cheeks have started to heat up.

He stands up, looking around the room. All eyes are on him.

“My name is Hoseok, I come from the Snow Isles and I am here to learn magic just like all of you are, I believe, hah”, he says and laughs.

Nobody else laughs. Some even look at him angrily.

He clears his throat nervously, straightening his back.

“I know that you all must be very confused why I am here. A boy here in the school of magic, I know you must want to curse me and call me wrong. I do not blame you, but I want to say that if you need help, I am always willing to help”, he says and smiles, “I want all your very bests”, he says and bows, “thank you”, he says and sits back down.

The eyes linger on him just a little longer before you steal the attention by standing up loudly.

“I am ___. I was born and raised here and I live by the docks with my family. I am here to learn magic just like Hoseok already said”, you say, sending him a playful look, “that is all. Thank you.”

You sit back down, leaning closer to Hoseok to whisper. He leans in as well so he could listen better.

“You stole my joke”, you say and snicker.

“Forgive me, I panicked.”

“It’s alright. It was a good joke.”

Hoseok grins, agreeing with a nod of his head.

The students have free time for the rest of the day. Most use it to move into their chambers. Hoseok does as well. The chambers consist of one small shared room and two connecting bed chambers with a small washing chamber connecting as well. Hoseok arrives last at his shared room.

“Oh, it is you.”

Hoseok is greeted by you, Ash and Becca.

“Are you my new chamber mates?”

“Indeed we are. We were already wondering who might be our fourth chamber mate. Are all of these things yours?”

Hoseok looks at the heap of packages in the middle of the room. He wasn’t even aware of how much he packed.

Hoseok blushes shyly, “yes, they might be mine.”

“Forgive me for asking, but are you a prince?”

“A prince? Me?” Hoseok laughs, shaking his head, “oh goddesses no, I am no prince. I…” he stops himself. He almost exposed that he served Taehyung, prince of the Snow Isles and future queen consort of the Sand Queendom.

“But these are golden hinges. Only those of royalty can afford golden hinges on their travel cases.”

“Well”, Hoseok touches the side of his neck shyly, “I might have served a prince before coming here.”

“A prince?!” his chamber mates all gasp in unison, inching closer as excitement overtakes them.

“Who did you serve?”

“Do we know him?”

“Where is he now?”

“Who is it?”

“We can keep secrets.”

They bombard him with questions. Ash even grasps his lower arm to shake it in excitement.

Hoseok takes a careful step back, lifting his hands in defeat.

“Very well, very well I will tell you”, he gives in.

“Oh this is exciting.”

“I want to know everything.”

“Tell us, please.”

They babble and chat, sitting down on the shared seating to listen to Hoseok. He sits down as well, blushing heavily when they all gather around him with minimal space between their bodies. Their excited eyes are glued to his face.

He clears his throat, “I left the Snow Isles as a servant. The prince I served was promised to a princess and as his lord in waiting it was my duty to follow him and serve him in his new home.”

“But…when you served a prince and he was promised to a princess from these lands, that means…” Becca’s eyes widen as realisation sets in, “that means you are serving prince Taehyung! You were a servant at Queen Ranni’s court!”

They gasp loudly, throwing their hands over their mouths.

“Is it true?”

“Did you truly?”

Hoseok nods his head hesitantly, lowering his eyes shyly.

“By Frenya!”

“This can’t be!”

“Oh this is mindruining!”

You take his lower arm and shake it excitedly, “how is it living at court? Is the Queen as kind as it says she is? Is the princess truly beautiful beyond compare? And prince Taehyung, is he truly such a wonderful soul as everyone says?”

“Yes. Yes, I would say that all of these things are true. The Queen and her daughter supported me in my dream of becoming a sorcerer. They didn’t have to do so and yet they did. And Taehyung”, Hoseok smiles fondly, “Taehyung is my best friend. He didn’t have to support my silly dreams, but he was the first to dream with me. He is the kindest soul you will meet. He truly is.”

“So the sayings are true. The royal family is kind hearted.”

“Yes, they are. They are kind people”, Hoseok says and smiles, “that brings me to something to give me”, he says and stands up, “the princess insisted that I bring presents for my new chamber mates. She must have feared that I would be hated here, so she gave me something to bribe your hearts”, Hoseok explains, making his chamber mates laugh.

He feels good about it. People only laugh at jokes when they like the person telling it. The princess’ worries were useless. He still wants to give them their presents however.

“It isn’t much, but I hope that you will enjoy it nonetheless”, Hoseok says and hands each of his chamber mates a hand woven basket filled with oranges from the castle garden, chocolate from the castle’s kitchen and sweet wine from the royal vineyards.

“These are expensive things. I couldn’t take them”, you refuse, shaking your head.

“No please, the princess insisted that you each get something. It will rot otherwise, so please enjoy it.”

They each accept the gift with shy gleams in their eyes.

“And what about you? What have you done before coming here?” Hoseok asks.

“I worked in the mountains”, Ash says, “I never thought of coming here, but then I discovered my magic by accidentally lifting a stone and my mother encouraged me to seek education so that perhaps one day I can return to the village as a sorceress.”

“I also discovered my magic by sheer luck”, Becca says, “I live by the sea not far from here. One day I helped a fish come to life again. That is when I knew I had to seek help from sorceress Selen and now I am here.”

“Oh your stories are both wonderful, I discovered my magic through stubbornness”, you say with a chuckle on your lips, “each day after waking up, I tried to move my candle until one day I finally did. I told my family and days later sorceress Selen’s letter arrived. I knew I had to take the chance and here I am.”

The girls giggle, but Hoseok can’t find it in himself to laugh. They all know how to do magic already? He believed that all of them are like him, that this school is supposed to awake the magical powers within them.

“What about you? How did you discover your magic?” you ask him.

Hoseok gulps nervously, “I…uh….”

“You have discovered it, haven’t you?”

“Uh..I..uh..”

“You haven’t”, you gasp, exchanging a shocked look with Becca and Ash.

“But how do you know if you even have powers inside you?” Becca asks.

Hoseok touches the side of his neck in soothing. He never thought of that.

“What if you aren’t meant for magic? Not everyone is”, Ash gasps.

Hoseok feels his stomach twist. He never thought of that either. He believed that everyone can learn magic through hard work. He believed that magic slumbers in every person and that through hard work and proper education, they will awake.

“I thought that”, he begins, gulping down the nervous lump in his throat, “I thought that…that it would awake once I am at this school.”

“But how did you get through the application process?”

“What do you speak?”

“How did you manage to perform the spell without magic?”

“What spell?”

“The spell we had to perform to prove that we have magical abilities.”

“I, I didn’t have to perform a spell”, Hoseok stutters.

“So how did you get in?”

“M-maybe she saw something in me?” Hoseok says shyly.

“Alright”, Becca says and scrunches her nose.

Hoseok can see it in her eyes, her once friendly nature is gone. She looks at Ash and you. Ash’s face is cold as well.

“Shall we see if we can meet other people?” Becca asks.

“Yes we shall”, Ash says and stands up.

“That sounds like a good idea”, Hoseok says and stands up as well.

“Not you”, Becca says and drags Ash away from him.

“Oh”, Hoseok stops, feeling his chest sting.

They leave the room without looking back.

Hoseok lowers his head sadly, feeling a deep, deep pain in his heart.

“Well, that was just mean.”

Hoseok turns, studying you. You are frowning at the closed door.

“Are you feeling fine?” you ask him.

Hoseok shrugs his shoulders, pouting sadly.

“I am sorry they treated you this way. I’ve also only met them today, so this surprised me quite a lot.”

“You don’t have to be friendly with me if you don’t want to. I know I’m wrong here and that it seems as if sorceress Selen made a mistake.”

You furrow your brows, “but I want to be kind to you.”

“Oh.”

You pat the spot next to you. Hoseok hesitates at first, but takes it in the end. You turn your knees to him, giving him a sweet smile.

“The trick with magic is that you have to visualise it”, you say and lift one of the oranges Hoseok gifted you, “take this orange for example. Visualise how it floats from my palm”, you explain and demonstrate.

Hoseok gasps, staring at the floating orange in awe.

“It is floating”, he says, meeting your eyes. They changed to a purple colour, “your eyes”, he gasps.

“That means that I am using my magic”, you explain and drop the orange again. The purple glow fades away, revealing your natural eye colour.

“The glow stopped”, Hoseok says, “how did you do this?”

“I practiced a lot. I didn’t always have my magic either, so don’t beat yourself up too much. Not everyone discovers their magic as easily.”

“But how did you manage to discover it? You made an orange float, that is beyond impressive.”

You laugh softly, “it is barely a proper spell.”

“Well, it is more than I can do”, Hoseok says and huffs out air in impatience.

“Try it. Visualise how the orange floats.”

“Alright, alright I will try”, Hoseok says and focuses on the orange in your hand. He tries so very hard. He really, really does but the orange stays unmoving. He gives up after a few tries, sagging his shoulders in defeat, “I cannot do it.”

“Don’t give up already, practice each morning until it finally works”, you encourage him and peel the orange, “come, let us eat oranges for now. I have always wondered how royal oranges taste.”

You break it in the middle as best as possible, handing him the second half. You bite into your own half as if it was an apple, spilling juice down your hands. You slurp it up, humming loudly at the sweet taste.

“So sweet”, you exclaim, giving him a smile, “I love oranges so much. My mother grows an orange tree in our garden. I would like to argue that our oranges taste just as sweet.”

Hoseok feels good in his chest upon receiving your smile. It feels genuine.

“Do you like oranges?”

“Yes”, he says and finally bites into his orange as well, “I love them as well. We don’t have them on the Snow Isles.”

“I can imagine. Your home must be so cold.”

“It is, but I must confess that I miss it a lot.”

“Oh, I can imagine that as well. It must be hard to leave your home and your family.”

“Taehyung is my family, so it wasn’t that hard”, Hoseok says and sighs sadly, “I did leave him now however. I hope he is fine.”

“I am sure that he is. He is the prince, he must have everything that he wishes.”

“Yes, I do believe you are right”, Hoseok says and smiles, “thank you for being so kind to me.”

“Please, don’t thank me for that. Here, do you want to share the chocolate as well?”

The next day starts early, but Hoseok doesn’t mind. He is used to waking up earlier than other people. Work at the castle was always endless and it is the servants’ duties to prepare breakfast before the royal family wakes. Hoseok is used to early mornings, enjoying the calm morning hours. He washes himself in the washing chambers, then uses the hours before class to practice on an orange. Becca and Ash come out of their rooms as he practices.

“Why are you here?” Becca asks.

“Because this is my room as much as it is yours, so we can either make this comfortable for all of us by being grown-up enough to attempt to get along or make it uncomfortable by being childishly hostile. I know what I want to choose”, Hoseok throws back.

She doesn’t know what to say to that and so she drags Ash away to the washing chamber. Hoseok concentrates back on his orange. Visualise it. Visualise it. Come now Hoseok, visualise it.

Becca and Ash leave for breakfast soon, paying Hoseok no mind. Good. Complete neutrality to each other’s existence works for him as well.

“Good morrow.”

Hoseok looks over his shoulder, bowing his head at you.

“Good morrow.”

“You are practicing already? Oh, it is too early”, you grumble and drag your sleepy feet to the washing chambers.

Hoseok concentrates on his orange again, but with no results. You come out of the washing chambers before he could make it float.

“And?”

“I have been practicing for so long, but nothing”, Hoseok says, sighing defeated, “I think it won’t work today.”

“Then you will try again tomorrow”, you say and point at the door, “shall we leave for class?”

“Ah yes, the class”, Hoseok’s eyes light up, “can you believe that we will be taught magic?”

“No, it sounds surreal.”

“It truly does.”

Hoseok and you take the seats you took yesterday. Becca and Ash aren’t by their seats, spreading gossip with some girls in the front. Their chatter dies down when Hoseok enters the classroom and soon one of them walks up to him.

Hoseok lifts his head to look at her.

“I heard that you haven’t found your magic yet”, she says.

Hoseok sends a glare to Becca and Ash. They don’t dare to meet it, seeming oh so innocently shy all of a sudden. Gossiping wenches, Hoseok thinks and looks back at the girl in front of him. It is her. The rude girl from the application day.

“And if I haven’t?” he challenges her.

“Then you are wrong here.”

“Settle down, will you?” you warn, but the girl doesn’t listen.

“This is a school for women who know how to do magic, not spoiled boys who had the queen buy his way into it.”

Hoseok is a peaceful person and a slightly nervous person who doesn’t enjoy confrontation. Which is why it is quite surprising that he also cannot stand to be disrespected. He gets up from his chair, stepping closer to the rude girl until he towers over her.

“How about you tell me your name first before you go around insulting me for no reason whatsoever”, he hisses.

“Caria”, she says with confidence in her eyes.

“Caria”, Hoseok repeats calmly, “thank you, I will make sure to include it in my next letter to the Queen.”

Caria falters, “w-wait.”

“I jest”, Hoseok says and shows her an icy smile, “go back to your seat. Caria.”

Caria scurries off with panic in her eyes. Hoseok sends Becca and Ash a glare until they understand what he is implying, then sits back down again.

This is starting to properly anger him. He knows that he is the first boy attempting to learn magic, but these jealous girls are going too far.

“Don’t let them bring you down”, you whisper to him.

“I am not”, Hoseok says and shifts his eyes to the movement by the door.

He straightens up in shock, gawking at her with widened eyes. It is her. The old woman he helped outside the tower walls.

“Good morrow, class”, she says, dragging her old feet to the middle of the room, “go to your seats now, hop hop.”

Confused chatter goes through the room. Some seem to recognise the woman, while others are asking themselves who she could be. Hoseok is confused as well. Why is the old woman here? Why is she acting as if she was the one to teach?

She scans her eyes over the class, lingering on Hoseok just a little longer. She gives him a nod of her head and a knowing smile. It speaks to him, “I told you that we would see each other again.”

Hoseok feels himself bowing his head at her.

“Now very well, you are all seated”, she says, “how have you accommodated in your chambers? Is all well?”

Hesitant nods let her know the answer.

“That is good to hear. Ah yes, that is good”, she says and touches her lower back, “oh my old bones. Can one of you be so kind and get me a chair?”

Hoseok stands up instantly and hurries to get an empty chair. He carries it to her, helping her sit down by holding her hand gently.

“Oh thank you, dear Hoseok. Thank you.”

More whispering. He knows her? How does she know his name? She notices the whispers as well.

“I see that there is great confusion present in this room”, she says, “some may wonder where they have seen me before, some may wonder why I am here and some may wonder why I have addressed one of our worthy students by their name.”

She straightens her back. She seems healthier by the second.

“The secret is dear students, not all is always as the eyes tell us.”

Her spindly fingers age backwards, her once grey hair gains dark colour again.

“Not every person is simply a person one meets.”

Her once wrinkled face smoothes out. Her clothes, once of poor condition, change into that of obvious wealth.

“And not every test of worth is always based on skill.”

The once old, weak woman has morphed into sorceress Selen. Strong, healthy and with magical youth surrounding her. The girls, who noticed the old woman outside the castle walls gasp in horrid realisation that the old woman had been a test they all failed to pass. The girls, who didn’t notice her, gasp at the wonder of transformation unfolding in front of him. Hoseok doesn’t gasp. Hoseok gawks with widened eyes, unable to accept that this truly happened. This is why sorceress Selen’s words were familiar to him. It is because she said the words back to him he told her mere hours before as he helped her in her disguise. That is why the old woman’s eyes gleamed purple for but a moment. That is why he is here and why she didn’t ask him any questions. He had already passed the test without knowing that there was a test to pass.

“Now that the truth is out there, I assume that it is obvious to all why I kept you waiting for so long during the applications”, she chuckles mischievously, “I must apologise dear students, but I had to wait for the person worthy to pass my test and that person, my dear students, was Hoseok”, she says, pointing at him.

Hoseok gulps under the attention, feeling his cheeks heat up. 

“Congratulations, Hoseok”, she says and gives him a nod of her head.

He bows his head shyly, keeping his eyes lowered because otherwise his cheeks would have been red as cherries.

“And as I have gathered from some of your shocked whispers”, she continues, “some have not passed my test. Caria, Becca, Heva and Toph I ask of you to go back to your chambers and pack your belongings.”

“What?!”

“Yes you have heard me. This was but a lesson for you. A lesson in kindness for I do not accept cruelty in my school.”

“But…what does this mean?”

“It means that you are not worthy of this school.”

“So why did we get in? Why did you send us this joke of a letter?”

“Why I told you. This was but a lesson for you”, sorceress Selene says, “take from it that you need to grow and work on yourselves. As for the rest of my students, take from it that your position in this school is not set in stone. Many have the potential to harbour magic, but not many are worthy of having it. And that this worth is not solely based on skill. Remember this, my young apprentices.”

“So why is Hoseok here? He doesn’t even know if he has magic inside”, Caria spits, making his heart race in panic.

Sorceress Selen’s features darken.

“Have you no functioning ears to listen? I just told you that worth is not only based on skill. Oh you disappoint me, child.”

Caria closes her mouth.

Sorceress Selen clears her throat and continues, “I get the feeling that Hoseok isn’t the only one who still needs to discover his magic. A barking dog often intimidates those more timid to silence”, she says and she looks at a few girls who seem incredibly shy all of a sudden. Almost as if they were scared to be found out that they neither know how to access their magic. Sorceress Selene looks at Caria and Becca, “wouldn’t you agree?”

“Sorceress Selene, I would like to apologise”, Becca says.

“Oh there is no need. Come back again once you are worthy”, Sorceress Selene says and with a snap of her fingers, makes the four girls she called out disappear.

Loud uproar goes through the room.

“Have no fear, they are just fine. I merely helped them with returning to their rooms. They will have all the time in the world to pack their belongings”, she says and stands up from the chair, “now let us truly begin the lesson. Who of you hasn’t mastered their access to magic yet?”

Hoseok lifts his hand, looking around the room. He is the only one. A deep pit of despair begins to open in his stomach until suddenly, very timidly a girl lifts her hand as well. Ash. She lied in fear of being found out. Another soon lifts her hand after her. Then a third and a fourth until six people including Hoseok and Ash have their hands raised.

“As I have figured”, Sorceress Selene says, “well done, my dear students. Honesty will bring you further than deception. Now, can any of you tell me what gives us our magical abilities?”

“The planets?”

“That is a good answer. Any other ideas?”

“The ocean?”

“Oh most definitely. The ocean can be a powerful source.”

“So many things can be used as a source?”

“Now you are asking the right questions. Indeed they can. However there is one thing which combines them all, which infuses them with magic so we could harbour it”, she says and lifts a purple crystal.

Whispering again.

“Yes, yes indeed. You recognise these crystals, they grow all over these grounds and are often found on our beaches. Glintstone. It is found all over this continent and has been here long before we came.”

You lift your hand.

“Yes dear ___?”

“Where does it come from? Did time form it?”

“Oh no. No, time merely preserved it and allowed the magic in it to become more potent. Long before the age of life, there were the dragons. Not dragons as we know these days, but dragons as big as entire continents. They were beings outside time and created the lands we walk on today. One of these dragons, Razula, was sick. While other dragons breathed ice, fire and molten earth, she breathed glintstone. With each breath she passed, new crystals formed and allowed her magical essence to crystallise. Her illness killed her in the end as the glintstone solidified her flesh. She died where, these days, our Glass Mountains range.”

Ash raises her hand.

“Yes, dear Ash?”

“Does this mean that the Glass Mountains are made out of her corpse?”

“Yes, indeed it does.”

Shared gasps of wonder go through the room.

“She must have been so big.”

“Indeed she was. Our very own mountain, the one catching the ocean and holding this very city secure is part of Razula. The very end of her tail to be more exact.”

Another round of shared gasps.

Hoseok lifts his hand.

“Yes, dear Hoseok?”

“Does that mean that the glintstone she breathed soaked our continent with magic, so we could harbour different elements for magic these days?”

“Very good, indeed it does.”

“So why can we harbour the planets?”

“That is a very good question. You see, our planet isn’t the only one formed by the dragons. Many more are children of them, which is why we have access to their powers.”

“So there were more dragons like Razula?”

“Why would you wonder this?”

“Because glintstone is what gives a source its magic. There must have been more dragons like Razula, otherwise we couldn’t harbour the planets.”

Sorceress Selen smiles proudly. She nods her head.

“It is not with certain proof, but yes it is said that there were more dragons like Razula, who infused the planets with their glintstone and who made it possible so that we can harbour them these days.”

You ask the next question, “why is it not with certain proof?”

“Because travelling between planets or even universes has not been achieved yet.”

Agreeable nods go through the room. This answer sounds logical to all. Sorceress Ciri, the teacher for magical history, enters the room then. She carries a flat wooden box.

“Oh, Ciri! The perfect time! Now dear students, I have a small present for each of you”, sorceress Selen says as sorceress Ciri begins handing out small glintstones, “your very own glintstone. Take great care of it, practice with it and feel its magical properties. That is my task for you.”

Ash lifts her hand.

“Yes, dear Ash?”

“How do we feel its magical property?”

“Oh that is a complicated question. How does one feel anything? Feelings must be felt, they cannot be conceptualised. But very well, to make it easier for you, my young students, magic gives the very tips of your fingers a warm tingle to it. Try to find this tingle and you will have taken yet another step into the right direction.”

A warm tingle. Hoseok looks down at the purple glintstone in his palm. He closes his finger around it. A warm tingle. That is what he needs to look out for. A warm tingle and then he will finally feel worthy of being here.

The weeks are spent practicing with the glintstone sorceress Selen gave each student. During the early hours, the students learn about magic, its history and what can be achieved with it and during the later hours, the students are meant to practice and study in the grande library. Hoseok enjoys his time. He wakes up excited each day, he pays utter attention in the lessons and practices until late into the night. The other students stopped avoiding him now that Caria and Becca weren’t present anymore. Ash and two other students even practice with him each day, exchanging frustrations when the warm tingle never comes.

Hoseok lifts his head upon hearing yet another cheerful exclaim of one his fellow students.

“Sorceress Selen! It is floating!”

“Very good, dear Ainar. Continue this connection”, the sorceress praises and continues her rounds through the classroom.

Hoseok looks at his fellow students. Ainar was one of the people who always practiced with him. Three other people also already learned how to connect to their inner magic. Only he and Ash are still struggling.

“Sorceress Selen! I am doing it!”

Hoseok looks at Ash and the floating glintstone before her.

“Very good, dear Ash. Keep practicing.”

“Good job Ash, you’re finally doing it”, Ainar encourages her with excitement in her eyes.

“You’re doing so well”, Hoseok tells her, earning himself a proud grin.

“Thank you, oh look at me.”

“You are like a proper sorceress now.”

“Yes, yes I am”, Ash giggles.

Hoseok breaks his eyes away from her, trying to hide his disappointment. He is happy for his fellow students for finally finding their powers, but he also can’t deny that he feels like an utter failure himself.

“Hoseok?”

He lifts his head upon being called, meeting sorceress Selen’s eyes.

“Yes?”

“Why are you not practicing?”

“Forgive me, I just took a quick break”, he says and looks at the stone.

“Don’t give up. Yes?”

Hoseok nods his head and takes a deep breath, lifting his hands to continue practicing. He will not be able to lift the stone during the lesson.

They have the weekend free this week and most students use it to finally visit their homes again. Hoseok does as well. He leaves in the early hours of the morning, cradling the glintstone in his pocket and with an orange from the tower gardens to give him energy. He feels happy at the thought of finally seeing Taehyung again, but also a sense of tread because he won’t return as a sorcerer already. He feels like a failure. Why is it so easy for anyone but him to find their magic? Was Caria right? Is he truly not meant to be a sorcerer?

“Hoseok!”

He stops in front the tower walls upon being called, looking over his shoulder. You are running to him, waving your hands.

“Wait up!”

He does. He waits until you reach his side.

“Are you visiting prince Taehyung?”

“I am. Are you visiting your family?”

“Indeed I am”, you say and point at the road, “do you have to walk this way as well?”

“I do.”

“Do you want to walk together?”

“Yes, I would like that”, he says and gives you a smile.

One you retort.

So you and he wander down the road side by side. You pull out two oranges from your pocket.

“I have oranges. Do you want one?”

“Oh?” Hoseok pulls out his own orange, “me too.”

“Oh? Look at us”, you say, having to laugh.

Hoseok laughs as well.

“These oranges are just too delicious.”

“Indeed they are.”

“Ah”, you sigh happily, lifting your head to look at the golden roofs above your head. The sun reflects off the colourful houses and paints the streets in lively colours. It will be a very hot day today, the air smells of it.

“I think I might swim in the ocean later”, you say.

“Yes, that sounds like a good time”, Hoseok says.

“And you? Are you going to practice even during your free time?”

“I am.”

“Oh, Hoseok you work too hard.”

“I am not. You have it easy, you even found your worth in magic already. I still haven’t found my connection to it. I am two steps behind”, Hoseok says and sighs in defeat.

“It will come one day. I promise.”

“Maybe”, he says and sighs again, “can we talk about something else?”

“Of course. What are your favourite beaches to go to?”

“The blue lagoons by the castle.”

“I should have figured. They must very beautiful.”

“They indeed are.”

“You know my brother really likes to swim.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, I am most certain that he will ask me the moment I come home. We always go swimming together.”

“That sounds like a special time for you and your brother.” 

“Oh yes it is. He is already ten and three of age, but knows how to swim since only three of age.

“Truly?”

“Yes, I was the one who taught him. I was the age he is now when I taught him. I think that is why it is such a special time for us these days.”

“It sounds very special. I am glad that you have such a deep connection with your brother. I could never form such a deep bond with my sister.”

“You have a sister?” 

“Yes, she is older than me by ten years. Just like you and your brother”, Hoseok says with a grin.

You retort it.

“We played a lot when we were younger but when she grew of marriage age, she wanted to spend her time socialising, instead of playing with her childish brother. She is already married and has children these days and I am happy for her. We write a lot of letters to each other, but I never had such special moments with my sister when I was in adolescence. Thank you for being such an older sister to your brother, he might not show it all the time, but those moments mean the world to him.” 

“Thank you for saying this”, you say, feeling incredibly warm in your chest, “I truly love my brother. You know, he dreams of being a sorcerer.”

“I know.” 

“How do you know?” 

“You told me.” 

“I did?” 

Hoseok nods his head, “the day of the applications. You witnessed Caria slap my arm and then asked if I was hurt. You offered me your water skin and told me about your brother and his dreams.” 

“I did, now I remember again. You remembered all this time?” 

“I did. If I may be blunt, I remember you quite vividly from this day. You ran late as well and were sweating just as much as I did.”

You laugh. 

“It is because of you that the guards even allowed me entrance.” 

“Truly?”

“Yes, they refused at first because I am a boy.” 

“No. Truly?” 

“Yes, sadly.”

"Oh, how rude. This wasn’t their right to do.” 

“Worry not, I already paid them back.” 

“You did?” 

“I pretended to be royalty on the first day because they saw the royal carriage I came in.” 

“And they believed you?.” 

“They even apologised.”

“Oh”, you let out and laugh loudly. 

Hoseok laughs with you. 

“Serves them right. Nobody should be refused access just because they are a boy.”

“Yes, I agree.” 

You and Hoseok converse until the conjuncture where you have to go your separate ways.

“I have to go this way”, you tell him.

“I have to go this way”, Hoseok says and points in the opposite direction.

“So I believe that this is where we have to say our goodbyes.”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Do you want to come with me for a bit? I would love to introduce you to my family.”

“I feel beyond honoured, but I truly have to go. Knowing Taehyung, he is already waiting impatiently.”

“I see”, you sag your shoulders in defeat but shake it off quickly, giving him a smile, “there will be a next time.” 

“I believe so. I will bring chocolates then.”

“Oh, they would love them so much”, you say with sparkling eyes. 

“Very well then. I will see you again next week”, Hoseok bows his head at you, “have a good weekend.”

“You too. See you soon”, you say and leave with a wave of your hand.

Hoseok watches you skip down the street. You turn when some distance is between you and him, searching for him. Your face lights up when you see him. You lift your arm to wave at him one last time, doing so until Hoseok finally waves back. You turn with a big smile on your face, skipping happily until the crowd swallows you and Hoseok cannot see you anymore. He smiles to himself and turns to take on the road to the castle. It isn’t far anymore.

Taehyung is waiting by the gates, jumping into a sprint the moment he notices Hoseok. He calls his best friend’s name, falling around his neck with such vigour that Hoseok stumbles from the impact. He even wraps his legs around his waist, knocking a belting laugh out of Hoseok, who is destined to carry his weight.

“You are such a rascal”, he laughs.

“I missed you. I missed you terribly!” Taehyung tells him in excited yelps.

“I missed you as well”, Hoseok says and drops him gently. He hugs him back as tightly as he can, “I was so excited for today.”

“Me too, oh me too.”

They hug for some time, breaking apart only because hugging for an entire day is rather frowned upon by the public for a prince and his servant to do. 

“How have you been?”

“Good. You?”

“Good, just so incredibly bored without you. I keep rereading the letters you sent me and everything you describe sounds so interesting”, Taehyung babbles as the two men walk to Taehyung’s leisure room. 

“The school is wonderful. I keep finding myself pinching my own skin because I cannot believe that it is real.”

“I can imagine. Is it really true that there is glintstone everywhere?” 

“Yes, it is everywhere. Look”, Hoseok says and shows Taehyung the small glintstone. 

Taehyung gasps, widening his eyes in curiosity. 

“Sorceress Selen gave each of us a glintstone to practice magic on. It grows everywhere.”

“Is it true that it makes the faintest sound when you brush your hand against it?”

“It does. Even air makes it sing.”

“How wonderful”, Taehyung gasps, “can I touch it? Please?” 

“Yes, once we are sitting down. I do not want to lose it.”

“I understand. It must be very precious, mustn’t it?” 

“Yes. It is supposed to help me find my connection to magic.” 

Taehyung and Hoseok have reached his room, sitting down by Taehyung’s painting table.

“Are still having troubles with it?”

“Sadly I do”, Hoseok says, “I do not know why it is so terribly hard for me, but it is.”

“Do not lose hope yet. I am certain that it will come to you very soon.”

Hoseok gives him a smile before lifting the stone into his vision.

“Do you want to hold the stone now?”

“Yes. May I truly?” 

“Yes. Open your palm.”

Taehyung rests his hand palm side up on the table, watching with curious eyes as Hoseok places the stone into his palm carefully.

“It is cold.”

“It is. I have been carrying it in my pocket all day.”

“How is that possible? You should have warmed it.”

“Indeed, but glintstone never warms up unless its magic is channeled. Isn’t it wonderful? It stays cold no matter how much you warm it.” 

“This is remarkable”, Taehyung whispers, caressing it gently, “and it is truly a dragon’s breath?” 

“Yes. Razula. She existed long before our time with the other dragons.”

“I know. Her body makes up the Glass Mountains these days. Oh Hoseok, you have no idea how often I reread your letters. I learn so much about this continent because of you. It is so fascinating. We are walking on the creation of dragons. Dragons so big they form entire mountain ranges and countries. I cannot believe it, yet it is true.”

“It is beyond fascinating, isn’t it?” 

“Yes. I feel so excited each time a new letter arrives. Your chamber mates sound so wonderful as well.”

“They are. We didn’t get along at first because they were weary of me because I am a boy, but we talk a lot these days.”

“That is so wonderful to hear. The girl you share a chamber with sounds very kind.”

“Yes ___, she is the kindest person. She paid me company when nobody else did. She is very kind”, Hoseok says and blinks his eyes dreamily.

“Beautiful as well?”

“Oh yes, quite beautiful actually”, Hoseok says. He sees no weirdness in Taehyung’s question as the young prince calls many people beautiful. He is an artist after all and sees beauty in all shapes and forms.

“Do I sense a hint of affection in your voice?” Taehyung asks, sending sudden nervousness to Hoseok’s chest. The mischief in Taehyung’s eyes only strengthen Hoseok’s coyness.

“What? No, not like this. Oh, I would never disrespect her in such ways”, Hoseok insists with flushed cheeks.

“You keep mentioning her in your letters.”

“Yes, well. Well, that is because…Taehyung no, I would never. She shows no signs of interest. How disrespectful would it be of me to see her in such a light? She is merely a very good friend.”

Taehyung grins knowingly, “very well, if you say so.”

Hoseok clears his throat loudly, wishing for his pulse to slow down again. 

Taehyung places the glintstone on the table and scoots closer to Hoseok.

“Do you have more stories to tell? I want to know everything you learn and experience”, he ask.

“Mhm”, Hoseok thinks for a moment, “I do”, he exclaims.

“Tell me. I want to know”, Taehyung is practically sitting on the edge of his seat in utter curiosity.

“Long ago there was a sorcerer at this school.”

“A sorcerer? So boys can learn magic?”

“Yes, well”, Hoseok hesitates for a moment, “forget it. I just remembered that this is a rather sad story to tell.”

“No please. Now you must tell me. What happened to the sorcerer?”

“Well”, Hoseok begins with a saddened sigh, “we have entrance to a system of caves. The caves are filled with glintstone, their songs always fill the air.”

“Oh how wonderful.”

“The sorcerer always practiced his spells in these caves and because he was surrounded by their potent magic, his powers grew more and more each day.”

“Oh no, this doesn’t sound good. Did he hurt someone?”

Hoseok shakes his head, “do you know that the glintstone breath was Razula’s curse?”

Taehyung nods his head, “yes, it was a sickness which killed her in the end. She turned to glintstone and died this way.”

“The sorcerer suffered the same fate.”

Taehyung gasps.

“One day, the magic grew too powerful for him and turned him into glintstone. His crystallised body is still in the caves until this day.”

“Oh this terrible. I feel so sad for him”, Taehyung gasps, “what a gruesome way to die.”

“Indeed”, Hoseok agrees.

They share a moment of silence in respect of the cursed sorcerer.

“He is the reason why there aren’t boys allowed at school.”

“What say you?!”

“Yes”, Hoseok nods his head, “Sorceress Ciri, she teaches magical history, told us that because of him, the school decided not to take boys as students. She said that his greed for power would show in other boys as well and they did not want to risk it.”

“This is terribly unjust. This sorcerer was greedy, but it wasn’t because he was a boy.”

“Indeed. Some of my fellow students said the same thing. I felt very welcome when they said it.”

Taehyung smiles, “I think it is very good that they spoke up”, he caresses his friend’s arm, “and that you managed to get in.”

“Yes, me too. Now all I have to do is find my connection to magic. Oh Taehyung, I feel so helpless. Everyone in my class has already found their connection. Some even found their worth already, while still I haven’t found my connection yet.”

“Their worth?” Taehyung asks, tilting his head to the side in question.

“There is magic all around us and everyone can find a connection to it. However, only a few are worthy to truly wield magic. The worthy people are marked by the magic. Some grow purple markings on their skin, for some their eyes change into a purple shade and for others, their hair turns purple. It is a visual sign that the magic deemed this person worthy. It isn’t just enough to connect to it, the magic must accept the person.”

“So it isn’t truly the person’s decision to learn magic, but that of magic itself?”

“Yes”, Hoseok says and sighs in defeat, “and I even struggle to connect to it. How should it ever see me worthy?”

“Well”, Taehyung begins, “Sorceress Selen thinks you worthy and I believe that this must mean something.”

“What if she was wrong about me?”

“I truly do not think that she was. I also think that you are worthy.”

“I know. Thank you. At least one of us needs to believe.”

“Yes, I will continue to believe. I will believe with such passion that it will be enough for both of us.”

Hoseok smiles fondly at his best friend.

“You are truly such a light, Tae”, he says and reaches out to caress his hand, “I am grateful to have you as my best friend.”

[firegiftlouis]

The Groan showing up when Daniel mentions Marius, yeah I think the Groan and Armand are connected in some way like that meta said.

Lol Daniel immediately implying that he thinks Rashid and Louis are fucking, kinda begs the question what has he seen at this point to lead him to that conclusion 😂 like is it journalistic instincts? Gay dar? What?

Louis calling that single tear earlier an “outburst” you’re so unwell 💕

Although it does remind me that Louis was way more…impassioned last episode, more intense. Like when he’s describing wanting to slit Lestat’s throat or describing his turning. Now for a lot of this episode he’s almost weirdly detached, it’s like what someone said a while back, that he had Armand relobotomize him lol.

(TW for disordered eating just in case)

Since this is the dinner episode I’m tracking what Louis eats since we all know this man has a “complicated” relationship with food to say the least.

I forgot to mention this last week but even as a human we barely see him take a bite of food or anything, the most we see him do is drink alcohol but unless I’m mistaken I can’t think of a single moment he took a bite of something on screen. Which is interesting to note since his excuse for supposedly leaving the opera early was because he was hungry and went to get some dinner. Hmmm…..

Just looked up how much Blood a blood bag can carry and it’s somewhere between 250ml to 350ml (for the metrically challenged peeps like me that’s about 0.52 to 0.74 pints). So, so far Louis has had less than a pint of human blood tonight.

I’m also curious about when this episode takes place, it’s definitely session two but it’s hard to tell if this is the same day or the next day? Daniel doesn’t bother giving a date or time this time which seems to imply it’s the same day, since evening had just fallen by the end of the first ep.

So I think I’m gonna go with it still being the same day as episode one just the night time, Louis and Daniel took a break after Louis’ “outburst” and showered and got dressed for their lil dinner date (I mean look at all these candles? Romantic much?). Also Daniel asking for the music to be turned down never fails to take me out. This show is a comedy 💕

Louis choking and retching was literally me earlier when I tried taking a mucinex pill and nearly choked on it lol not to overstate but I’m going through it today 🙃

I feel like I said this a while ago but I like to think Louis seeing all those weird colors and lights was the point in his transformation where his brain (thinking it’s dying) started releasing those chemicals that are apparently really hallucinogenic when a person is dying, and that’s why he’s basically “high” during this night.

“You were fucking loaded” indeed Danny lol.

I don’t care what you say Lestat let Louis get some sailor dick!! You’d be avoiding so many problems if you had 😤

Ok but seriously tho, Claudia’s first kill got to be a cop (a fantasy plenty of Black people both then and now have lol) and she took to killing like a natural! Making Louis’ first kill some boring father of some kid somewhere that probably didn’t even taste good enough for the wait to be worth it (and overshadow the guilt) is at least some of why Louis hates killing, I’m convinced.

If he fucked and ate the sailor he would see that vampirism can be fun, sexy, and tasty, also he gotta learn how to lure away his prey at some point right? And there’s no way you couldn’t have made everyone forget where he was or something lol.

“Louis you’re scaring the hoe” I don’t know Lestat, that look you giving Louis is way scarier thank Louis’ little meow meow 🥺 look 😂.

“Just to be clear here gents, we are here to talk about farm equipment.” Lol sure man.

“I knew it I knew you-” lmaoooo you knew what sir? I seriously doubt you were thinking vampires, or even serial killers.

It’s giving “girl what we’re YOU doing at the devil’s sacrament gay vampire house 👀”

Ok starting the second episode today I’m fucking tired and have no idea if I can get through the third today as well but we’ll see 😭