#just that that's what i have a tendency to gravitate towards
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
taurusvenusian · 2 months ago
Text
common synastry aspects for romance and marriage 💍🤍
Tumblr media
disclaimer: this is in no particular order and only what i noticed in my synastry readings + my personal relationship experiences. my explanations here are still quite general so you can book a reading with me if you want a specific and accurate analysis of your chart specifically and want to know about challenges and strengths of your relationship.
Sun conjunct/trine/sextile Moon
♡ there is almost an instant emotional understanding and find it easier than others to see eye to eye emotionally. please do not take this for granted! ♡ sometimes without even speaking, you guys already know what the other is feeling.
♡ you find that the Moon person naturally has the capability to offer the Sun person the space to express themselves or may even suggest effective ways for you to do so, could be vice versa.
♡ when you think about each other, there is just a softness that you feel inside. you are very dear to each other.
Ascendant conjunct Descendant
♡ you two are LITERALLY MADE FOR EACH OTHER.
♡ you have the qualities that they need in a partner and vice versa. if challenges present themselves, it may be due to other planets and aspects in individual natal charts.
♡ you balance each other really well. it may be challenging to decide on your own when the other is not around (co-dependency and feeling like your other half is gone)
♡ I have this with my current boyfriend and we just naturally fit into each other's lives like puzzle pieces. it feels like there was no adjustment stage and we just naturally knew what each other wanted by just being ourselves.
Venus conjunct/trine/sextile Mars
♡ very sexy and powerful aspect due to physical chemistry. Venus person balances out the somewhat aggressive or too energetic tendencies of Mars person.
♡ Mars person is captivated by Venus person's beauty and way of doing things, while Venus person is amused by Mars person's masculine energy.
♡ you naturally gravitate towards each other and make each other feel desired and loved.
Moon conjunct/trine/sextile Venus
♡ so much emotional assurance and safety. i envy you :"( hihi
♡ your connection feels meaningful and unlike any other connection you've experienced before. you feel safe to open up towards each other and have the capability to make each other feel seen and heard
♡ you may even entrust them with secrets you haven't told anybody else yet ♡ you express your love and care towards each other through many consistent ways
Sun conjunct/trine/sextile Venus
♡ mutual admiration, warmth, and affection
♡ Venus person gives sweetness and charm while Sun person adores that and makes the Venus person feel appreciated, sometimes it could be the other way around ♡ you both just genuinely enjoy spending time with each other and feel a sense of comfort together. you can be doing nothing but still feel happy and fulfilled together
Moon conjunct/trine/sextile Moon
♡ no explanations needed, they know what you feel just by looking at your reaction or even just listening to your tone when you speak.
♡ emotional compatibility and safety are so good as you have a similar way of processing your emotions.
♡ you are less likely to feel invalidated by them. they may make it a point to prioritize your emotions ♡ for Moon conjunct Moon ... because you have the same way of feeling your emotions, you may have the tendency to be stuck in old ways because no one is facilitating or sparking some change or sense of growth within your relationship, so just be cautious of that.
Juno conjunct or trine the Sun/Moon/Venus/Mars
♡ Juno is the asteroid of marriage and partnership and so, aspects to this show that the Juno person wants to pursue you/sees a chance for partnership or long-term commitment with you, or it could very much be mutual. ♡ you both value loyalty and may easily find the strength to work through any challenges together.
Venus or Sun conjunct/trine/sextile Saturn
♡ you may not be fully conscious of it, but you are deeply devoted and committed to one another. very good aspect for long-term partnerships.
♡ this is the kind of love that grows, matures, and deepens over time (ofc not without its delays/challenges in the early stages)
♡ it's giving the "grow old together" type of love. the notebook vibe!
North Node conjunct or trine Sun/Moon/Venus/Mars
♡ north node gives a fated quality to the partnership. feels like you were meant to meet and impact each other in that way. ♡ lots of growth!! and the feeling of being destined to meet doesn't really go away and adds to the lovey-dovey feeling. ♡ personal and spiritual goals may feel easier to reach when together.
Venus conjunct/trine/sextile Pluto
♡ this might be a hot take, but for me this often manifests as deep emotional bond and transformation (if relationship is taken care of consciously and both are aware of and can handle the power dynamics).
♡ very deep intimacy and emotional healing may be felt because of the partnership.
619 notes · View notes
6esiree · 23 days ago
Text
𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐎𝐫 𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭?
“What are you thankful for?”
That question followed Alastor into the afterlife, pestering him, instilling a sense of bitterness in his soul that festered with each passing Thanksgiving. What did he have to express true, genuine thanks for? The unfathomable amount of souls at his complete and utter servitude? The fear and respect of thousands of sinners that he’d garnered with his own power? Those were merely things he derived satisfaction from and thus made his life in Hell more bearable.
But that satisfaction he felt when he managed to secure another soul through his manipulative and conniving nature, when he effortlessly contorted a random sinner’s joyous expression with fear through a meager flash of his razor-sharp teeth, was always short-lived. And so he couldn’t quite express his thanks over something he’d either grown accustomed to or temporarily pleased him, not when they mostly served to keep him occupied and sometimes even sane.
Alastor was lonely, but his pride refused to acknowledge that little fact, including the inherent desire he had to have a companion of some sorts, which his dear mother’s departure had unknowingly fostered in his lonely heart. And while he never craved the kind of love society prescribed as normal, the same one that left him feeling rather overwhelmed like a sickeningly sweet slice of pumpkin pie, he did unconsciously gravitate towards you.
You were almost a century apart, so the time, the generations separating you and Alastor, should have made you incompatible. But the captivating nature of your maternalistic tendencies allowed him to overcome that, to shrug off the senseless little comments or jokes you tossed his way, their meaning all but lost to the era he had strictly confined himself to because then, he could bask in what he had longed for since his sins sentenced him to an eternity away from his mother.
His favorite moments with you were soft and domestic, which was a strange revelation in itself. He usually thrived off of tormenting others, exacerbating their anger, misery, or whatever negative emotion was plaguing their minds. But when it came to you, the only thing he was able to muster was a teasing, sarcastic remark, or a mere jab at whatever you’d failed to do… only to assist you the moment the corners of your lips threatened to fall and spoil your angelic features.
“Come on, Al, I thought you were better than this,” You chided him as you shamelessly smoothened the creases on his dress shirt, but the playful glint behind your eyes communicated your true sentiments. “It’s Thanksgiving, we all have to look our absolute best!”
“Need I remind you that I could not care less about this holiday? It’s frivolous,” Alastor scoffed, his back stiffening as your palm inched closer to his heart, which was hammering away at his ribcage. “I’ve better things to do with my time than to indulge in senseless gluttony.”
You lowered your hand, a smile stretching across your face. You had managed to tame most of the creases on his dress shirt with a meager pat down, and while that satisfied you, so did the sight of Alastor wearing something that wasn’t overtly conservative for the first time since you came to the Hazbin Hotel. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and though his neck was still obscured by that ridiculously high collar of his, the sight of his skin did wonders to you.
But you only allowed yourself to appreciate his arms for a bit, your eyes flitting back up to meet that sharp gaze of his that most typically shied away from. It was cold, unnerving, and when he was feeling particularly ruffled, it could leave one cowering in fear, but the way he looked at you right now was entirely opposed to all of that. The subtle crinkling in the corners of his eyes reminded you of the affection he came to regard you with as you became friends.
“I think you’re just saying that because Charlie invited Lucifer to dinner,” You pointed out, and the sour look that overcame his sharp features confirmed your suspicions. “But if it helps you feel any better, you look… nice. Yeah, nice. I think you could even rival the King of Hell.”
“Well, I must say that it’s strange to see you in anything but oversized clothes,” Alastor hummed, his head falling slightly to the side as he pretended to scrutinize your outfit, but the snort he let out betrayed him. “You’re much smaller than I imagined you’d be.”
“Hey, I’m not small, you’re just freakishly tall!” You gasped as you put your hands on your hips, feigning offense, but he was unmoved by your act. “I was going to include you in my list of things I’m thankful for this year, but you know what? I take that back.”
“Oh, now that’s just cruel,” Alastor shook his head, placing a clawed-hand over his heart and pretending to be wounded. “I don’t believe you’re being quite fair—you don’t mean to exclude me from your thanks over a mere observation, do you? Come now, my dear, have mercy on me!”
A laugh seeped past your lips, one that was very much joyous and carefree that for the first time since his mother passed away, for the first time since he started what he thought would be an endless existence filled with death, destruction, and loneliness, a sense of gratitude flourished in his chest. The usually stiff smile on his face faltered as a strange mixture of affection and trepidation over the revelation that was unearthed by an innocent little sound overcame him.
Alastor stared down at you, struggling to maintain his composure, to keep his newfound feelings hidden beneath a facade of nonchalance, but the way your skin flared up only worsened the internal battle you had unconsciously waged against his heart. You were weak, powerless, your own affairs concerned with the well-being of those you held dearly to you rather than securing souls and climbing up Hell’s hierarchy, yet he still somehow managed to admire you.
“I guess you’re right,” You eventually said, dropping your hands from your hips to shrug, completely and utterly oblivious to his feelings. “But it’s common courtesy to say ‘thank you’ or return the compliment, you know—oh, and you can’t pull the ‘Well, back in my day,’ card.”
“As insulted as I feel right now, you’re correct,” Alastor huffed, but he clasped his hands behind his back and bent down to be at level with you. “But thank you! I, too, think I look quite nice. Though in my defense,” He continued with a wicked grin, “You are rather… fun-sized.”
You narrowed your eyes at him, pretending to be unamused by his comment. But you quickly found yourself turning away from him in an attempt to hide the overwhelming urge you had to laugh… including the twinge of disappointment you felt at his refusal to compliment you. He had done that intentionally, Alastor was no idiot. But you didn’t know that he had intentionally avoided to compliment you to not acknowledge how beautiful you truly looked tonight.
Alastor wasn’t one to admire others based on their physical appearances, but the relationship you had built overtime inspired an appreciation towards the little things that made you, well, you. The subtle dips that formed in the swell of your cheeks when you smiled, the way your lips pushed forward when you became absorbed in something—he grew hyperaware of everything and anything you did, and so he also became skilled in gauging what you truly felt.
Maybe one day he’d summon up the courage to appreciate you and your beauty, to express how thankful he was that whatever sins you’d committed, God deemed you worthy of an afterlife filled with misery and despair that he was able to meet you. But for now, he decided to reach for your elbow and stop you in your tracks, effortlessly maneuvering your smaller form so you were facing him. He placed his other hand on your cheek, urging you to meet his piercing gaze.
“I suppose you have every right to be unfair, my statement was uncalled for,” Alastor gently told you, his thumb affectionately swiping across your cheekbone. “But if it helps you feel any better, I will include you in the otherwise nonexistent list I had for that of which I’m thankful for.”
Your lashes fluttered against your cheek, surprised at the words he chose to offer you. And though that was not what you thought he would tell you upon snatching your arm, you were not disappointed. For two years straight, Alastor avoided the question Charlie asked each and every resident on Thanksgiving: ‘What are you thankful for?’ So, for him to tell you such a thing surely sent your heart in a flurry of excitement, and anticipation for the future, even.
“Well, if you say that at the table,” You started, your hand coming up to rest over his on your cheek. “I’ll consider being merciful.” Alastor’s breath hitched, but you couldn’t tell whether he was shocked at your statement or the way you intertwined your fingers with his.
290 notes · View notes
auroras-zenith · 30 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
what doesn't kill you // prologue
you had your whole life planned out for you; start an agency with your best friend, scale the charts and make japan your bitch. but when a tragic accident leaves you incapacitated and out of a job, you find you just need to start fresh. you cut ties–and for two years, you've all but disappeared. until they need you again and come knocking at your door.
bakugo x retiredpro!reader
next
Tumblr media
It didn't make sense, the way you and Bakugo worked.
See, for everyone else in his life, he seemed to gravitate towards people opposite his nature.
Take Kirishima, for example–the blonde's best friend and wingman since high school. It was obvious how they clicked. The red heads steady, calming tendencies serving as the anchor to Bakugo's ship, lost in the storm of his brash, reckless ways.
The same could be said about nearly every other person in his life.
All but one.
"Yeah? Try me." He hissed, teeth gritted and eyes narrowed. The telltale scent of burnt caramel had already begun to propagate through the street.
"Dynamight- stop! Don't engage with the villain! Detain without injur–"
"Shut the fuck up, Deku!" Bakugo spat, ripping his comm off and tossing it to the side. "This extra wants to go, so let's go!"
"Hell yeah!" You grinned cockily, appearing at his side.
Where the world served to calm Bakugo Katsuki, you were the opposite. You were the oil, and he the flame. It shouldn't have worked.
But it did.
The world could say what it pleased about the two of you. At the end of the day, it was undeniable that you were an effective pairing on the battlefield.
"Start an agency with me." He demanded that foggy high school day, staring at you with such intensity anyone else would've confused it for a glare.
"Why should I?"
"Who else could keep your dumbass in check?"
You hadn't spoken for a week after that. He had spent those seven days sulking around–temper even shorter than usual, Kirishima tailing him, apologizing on his behalf.
"Because I can't do it without you."
"Sorry?" You asked, looking up snootily. You had heard him–he wasn't exactly a quiet person after all–and he knew it. The small quirk upwards in the corner of your lips gave you away.
Still, he humored you, rolling his eyes. "I can't do it without you." He huffed, louder this time. "I can't start an agency without you by my side."
Two of Japan's up and coming heroes–and boy were they coming in hot. Dynamight and Cordelia. Two wildly talented people on the battlefield, fearsome as they were reckless.
"Congrats, L/n." Kirishima smiled proudly, raising a glass.
You smirked fondly, lifting your own to meet his.
He was here for Bakugo, but it was nice to see him nonetheless. It was odd; despite the individual bonds you both shared with Bakugo, the two of you had never built a close friendship of your own. You simply enjoyed your respective time with the blonde, each holding respect for the other's unique relationship with the hot head.
"Thanks, Kiri." You grinned, taking a sip from your glass.
"To the Dynadelia agency!" A voice shouted over the chatter, a glass seen lifted over the sea of people.
The crowd erupted into noises of approval–hundreds of drinks lifted into the air.
"That's for us." Hot breath tickled the back of your ear.
You scoffed playfully, grinning wildly as you turned to face the voice. "Really? Couldn't tell."
"I'm serious, N/n. That's us. We did it."
You softened. "Yeah. Yeah, Kat. We did."
There was no stopping the two of you after that. The Dynadelia agency quickly rose to the first ranked agency in Japan, fourth in the world, each of you easily securing spots number two and four on the Japanese hero charts.
You didn't spend all your time together. You were both far too chaotic for that. Instead, you often found yourself allied with Deku and Shoto, and he with Redriot.
But when the two of you met on the field, boy were you unstoppable. Each a raging storm, fueling the other as both charged head on into danger.
"And another victory for pro hero Dynamight and the Dynadelia agency. As we hurtle into a dangerous, villain filled world, we thank our heroes for all..."
You hummed as you brewed yourself a pot of coffee, the news playing in the background as it covered your partner's latest tussle with a villain.
The finished mug was warm between your hands as you moved to sit on the couch.
You took a deep breath, allowing yourself to appreciate the slow day. It was warm inside despite the rain that could be heard pelting the floor just outside the window.
There was something so soothing about your cozy apartment on days like these. The plants that hung from the ceilings, the skylights overhead, and the mantle where you had placed old photographs of your high school days.
It was so authentically you.
"Could Cordelia and Dynamight be more than just partners on the battlefield?"
You paused your thoughts to tune back into the news, giggling as you heard the speculation. It was nothing new. The whole civilian and media world assumed the two of you were together–and even amongst those who knew you well, your friends and family all joked about the same.
It was obvious to the world that the two of you liked the other; and had since high school.
Maybe one day you'd settle down together. Retire and raise a family. But for now, you were both far too deep into your careers for anything as serious as that–and you were quite happy being his best friend.
You felt a buzzing in your pocket and set down the cup of warm coffee in your hand. Speak of the devil. You grinned as you answered.
"I just got home. You missing me already?"
"Fuckin' Deku's getting his ass kicked. Shoto too. Get over here."
You could hear sirens blaring in the background as he breathed heavily into the mic. It wasn't every day that someone could take on Japan's top three heroes and live to tell the tale, let alone leave them scrambling for more support.
"Tell them I'm on my way. Are you with them?" You were already up, coffee long since forgotten as you grabbed your costume, comm and phone.
"Shitty hair and I are about to take over while they handle evac."
"Be there in five."
You barely heard his affirmative before he hung up, screaming orders. It wasn't unusual for calls like this to occur, but something felt different about this one. Worse, somehow.
You sprinted out the door, whispering a thank you to the heavens as you stepped into the heavy rain.
The ground lowered away almost immediately, quirk like second nature as the water around you propelled you level with the clouds.
"Cordelia," they called you; heart of the sea.
Tumblr media
a/n: been on my mind for a while so why not hehe
Tumblr media
taglist: none yet
permanent tags: none yet
188 notes · View notes
night-raven-tattler · 9 months ago
Text
What's your ideal type?
Summary: What would be the best traits for their potential partner to have?
A/N: I didn't want to leave Lilia out of the series even though I only write platonic relationships with him, so I wrote about his ideal friend instead. Enjoy!
Characters: Diasomnia dorm (Malleus, Sebek, Silver) x GN!Reader (separate, romantic), Lilia and GN!Reader (platonic)
Other parts of the series: Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde
Warnings: none
By opening the document, you agree to Mx Tattly's terms of source confidentiality.
-ˋˏ’✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Tumblr media
Malleus' ideal type would be...
Someone who playfully teases him. Malleus can be quite a tease himself, and enjoys seeing people squirm under his playful eyes. While he knows how it feels to be at the receiving end of that treatment thanks to Lilia, he'd still get surprised if you reciprocate.
Someone who can see beauty in the desolate. Being the goth king-to-be that he is, Malleus' tastes tend to gravitate towards darker aesthetics: abandoned buldings, antiques, vintage paintings and furniture, gargoyles... He can't help but be slightly upset when people mistake a grotesque for a gargoyle, but he's amazed when you correct them before he gets to.
Someone who can enjoy grand gestures. It's possible it is a byproduct of him being a prince, but Malleus and words such as "subtle" or "small" are from different worlds. He just wants to shower you with the best offerings to show his attention. Maybe his desire to put valuables with you is because dragons tend to hoard treasure?
Someone who isn't afraid to call him out on things. Malleus is many things: powerful, wise, capable and kind. But he's also stubborn, prideful and has a tendency to do things first and ask later. When he unintentionally crosses your boundaries, tell him. When he plans to do something before asking, tell him. Don't be his yes man. He'll respect you immensely for calling him out. After all, you ability to treat him like any other student is what drew him to you in the first place.
『••✎••』
Tumblr media
Lilia's ideal friend would be...
Someone who appreciates cooking. Lilia is a creative person, and it really shows in his cooking (for better or for worse). While eating his food is... a bit of a challenge, your interest would not go unnoticed. Who knows, maybe enough interest would have him allow you join him for a cooking session! A perfect opportunity to stop him from being too creative.
Someone who can take his jokes and pranks. What can I say, Lilia loves having a good laugh, even if sometimes comes at the expense of pulling a prank or two. While harmless, his pranks can be annoying. Take them on as a challenge, and you'll never find your slippers again, or you will have all of your mugs laid on your kitchen floor face down once every 17 mornings. Depends on you if you find that fun or not.
Someone who gets along with Silver and Malleus. His sons are his pride and joy, no matter what. While Lilia knows that sometimes people just don't fit well together, he can recognise effort when he sees it. If you want that spot at the dinner table, you have to get along with his family first.
Someone who can still love the world, despite any hardships. Lilia has lived on this earth for long and faced heartbreak after heartbreak, uncertainty and grief. His healing is not over, and that's okay. He'll appreciate you talking to him about how the would doesn't suck that badly after all.
『••✎••』
Tumblr media
Sebek's ideal type would be...
Someone who respects Malleus and Lilia. If you want any chance of even getting along with Sebek, you have to pay your respects to two of the people he respects the most. While you don't have to kiss the ground they walk on, a few nods of approval during Sebek's endless speeches about their glory and superiority would not go unnoticed.
Someone who likes praising him. I'm not saying Sebek is easily swayed by praise, but he'd be joyous to hear how well he's doing. He's a dedicated guard with perfect scores at school and a will strong enough to move mountains. While the praise directed at him would be something he's not really accustomed to, he'd stop trying to redirect the praise towards Malleus soon enough.
Someone who challenges him. Sebek is not the most agreeable person, but he's always open to learning and improving himself. He's just very, very stubborn. You don't have to dismantle his whole ideology about humans or anything like that. Instead, just give him the puzzle pieces: he'll enjoy the challenge to figure out your thought process while trying to prove you wrong. Whatever the outcome is, Sebek will always come out of the other side with a newfound respect for you.
Someone who can teach him how to be gentle. Yes, Sebek is loud, extra and arrogant. But, above all, he wants to do right by his loved ones. If you can teach him how to come from a place of compassion and genuine goodwill instead of having him default on his aggresive demeanor, he'd be quite amazed with you. His job was never to be kind and gentle, but he can still be those things while protecting the people around him. He'll treasure everything you'll teach him, and he'll hold you in his heart close to his idols.
『••✎••』
Tumblr media
Silver's ideal type would be...
Someone who respects Malleus and Lilia. While Silver is not the type to sing their praises during every moment of the day, he respects his liege and his father more than anything. He can't have someone disrespect two of the most important people in his life. It's the bare minimum for him if you want him to pay you any mind.
Someone who is earnest. Silver is a kind and sweet boy. His help and advice are always genuine. His dedication to protect the people he loves come from a desire to pay back the goodwill of the people in his life. He might not notice when people don't have the most genuine intentions, but he can tell when you are a nice person, especially to the people around him. His wariness will quickly dwindle, and he will warm up to you in no time.
Someone who knows when to nudge him awake and when to let him sleep. Silver dislikes how often he falls asleep during the day, and has a lot of guilt from not being to stay awake. He really takes note of how people react when he falls asleep near them or when they wake him up. Even though he still feels very helpless against his curse, if you still treat him just the same then he'd feel the littlest bit less guilty about it.
Someone who shows him he's enough. Above all else, Silver believes in paying back the kindness he has received from the world. He works very hard, harder than needed. Sometimes he needs to be sat down and told that he is doing enough. He is enough. It will not change his hard working nature overnight, but acknowledging his efforts sure makes him feel like he's going in the right direction.
719 notes · View notes
izvmimi · 9 months ago
Text
cw: selfship-coded. sappy. first kiss. isekai elements referenced if you pay attention. aged-up characters to early 20s. reader is part of the corps however not from time period nor country. love triangle.
Tanjiro is exactly where you expect him to be when you find yourself unable to turn in for the night, slipping your feet into tabi slippers, and finding the courtyard where he trains.
You’re no longer at the Ubuyashiki Estate these days but at the Butterfly Mansion, a welcome reprise from the rest of the Hashira with the subset of your comrades you’re most comfortable with - your best friends, in the same predicament as you, slumber in their own respective bedrooms. You can imagine that one has slipped into the room with Genya at some point in the night, and the other is probably asleep, her own gentleman (gentle really only with her and perhaps his pet beetle) caller having sent word that he’d be visiting in the morning. The Butterfly Mansion is truly a beautiful, restful place compared to the bustle of the estate but your heart has been aflutter ever since you came here.
You hate to admit it, but Kanao gets under your skin. 
For a moment, as from afar you watch Tanjiro practice his strike for what may very well be the thousandth time that night, you stand transfixed, wondering if it is worth it to break his concentration to tell him what’s been on your mind. After all, perhaps all this for him it’s something silly and inconsequential, something you’ve only built up in your mind. The draw to him may not be something real even, and even if it were, you are not destined to stay in this land or even this time period.
Whether or not you like him doesn’t matter. Whether or not you love him is moot. You can’t stay. Knowing how he feels about the situation will not serve to clear the muddy waters, plus you have never been one to draw unnecessary love triangles, anyway. 
Before you can let your own misgivings overtake you and turn tail, Tanjiro spots you from afar.
He calls your name loudly, one last strike before his sword is sheathed, and set by the trunk of the nearest cherry blossom tree. He’s fast, and before you know it, he’s by you, grinning widely as he does when he’s excited, despite the exhaustion evident in the very marrow of his bones, communicated by the sheen of sweat overlying tense, overworked muscles. 
“You’re up,” he says, and you try to come up with the best way to organize your thoughts. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asks, carefully. He’s moving back to where he’s left his sword, but this time he’s taken your hand gently, pulling you along as one does a small child. He has the tendency to do this, reach out to you without considering it first, still unable to understand the effect his touch has on you. He hasn’t picked up on the fact that you let only him and your closest friends touch you casually, and you wonder how he would take it if he realized.
Has he realized yet how special he is to you? 
Your mouth opens then closes as he unsheathes his sword again, and puts himself back in stance, throwing a glance at you to make sure you’re out of striking distance.
“Is it okay if I keep going? I assume you want to talk, but I’m not done. I can still listen, though.”
You nod then look around. Part of you is surprised Kanao isn’t out here, watching him with loving steady eyes, a mind that is as unreadable as her feelings are obvious. You can’t tell if she sees you as a threat or not, or if she sees you at all. But she’s nice. And you are nice. 
That’s all you are to each other and this arrangement is what you wish it could remain. 
Regardless, Aoi’s words have unsettled you.
I know how you feel and I’ve felt that way, but Kanao needs him.
Just thinking about how she practically accosted you, while well-meaning, terribly abrasive, you can feel your teeth clench. 
You haven’t done anything wrong except be yourself. You don’t know how to control the fact that he gravitates towards you. You haven’t tried to seduce him; you understand the roles of girl code, that she was there first, that she loved him first, that she was by his side when he was comatose, when he was fighting, when he was becoming what he is now, and you have no right and yet-
“Talk to me.” 
Tanjiro pauses, and he’s looking at you again, eyes washing over you in the moonlight as though they’re looking for any pain he can assuage. It hurts how he can care about you so deeply, like the most attentive of lovers, when all you’re fated for is a short-lived friendship. You have to remind yourself constantly that he does this for everyone, he loves everyone this tenderly, and thus let your heart stop racing, but there’s not much you can do when all you can think of is the way your lips met just days ago.
It wasn’t a kiss. Kisses are for people who love each other. Kisses are for him and Kanao. He is not for you, nothing is for you, everything is for Kanao.
“Kanao is in love with you,” you blurt out, and immediately regret it.
You can see his body tense, and then he breathes out slowly. You watch him move, and you can feel the night chill suddenly intensify, your arms wrapping around yourself for warmth but for comfort. Your body is trembling. Why did you say that? Everyone knows. It’s not a secret that they’ve been fated for each other for the past several years, long before you tumbled into this world that doesn’t in any way belong to you.
“I know.”
Heat rushes through your body. It’s the worst answer he could have possibly given you, polite and patronizing at once. He’s watching you carefully now, eyes matching your gaze, his hands running through his hair.
“I’m glad you know,” you finally convince yourself to say, trying to prevent your voice from cracking. Heartstrings taut to snapping, you try desperately to come up with a way to change the subject. You don’t care to hear about how easily he returns her feelings or any other part of their love story, whatever you’re not privy to.
“We’re supposed to head out in a couple of days, maybe you shouldn’t tire yourself out like this.” you offer. You turn your head from him, your hand on the tree trunk before you, pretending that the ridges of the bark are of particular interest to you now, although it’s mainly to catch a few errant tears threatening to escape your lash line. “When do you sleep?”
“__.”
He calls your name again, softer this time. Your heart sinks into your stomach. You can’t discuss this anymore.
“The soup Kanzaki-san made today was quite delicious, don’t you think? I have to ask for the recipe.”
There is a pause that is far too loud, and you’re now frozen stiff, holding back tears. You know he will not let you move on, but the idea of rejection in the middle of the night is just too much for you to bear.
Lovesick. Truly lovesick you are at this venture in time, and the fantasy has to last just a little bit longer. It’s all you have going for you in this awful situation, the dream that even if you’re trapped here slaying monsters for an indeterminate length of time, away from family and the technology you took for granted, perhaps he can smile and warm you like the sun. 
“I think Inosuke may have said my name right today, Tanjiro, isn’t that so funny?!”
You laugh, but it’s coming out disingenuous, a sound not unlike a barking sick cough.
“___,” he says again, his voice even softer now, pleading with you to manage your own font of emotions. 
It’s too much. 
You turn quickly and whisper something about being tired and needing to leave, and the moment you walk past him, he grips your wrist again, stopping you in your tracks.
Your heart thumps.
“I don’t love her.”
Your head shakes automatically even if it’s what you wanted so desperately to hear. “I think you should,” you say in the smallest of whispers.
Your hand pulls but Tanjiro doesn’t let go, instead stepping around to face you. Your head is turned downwards but gently, he takes your chin and raises it up to his face. You look away, but you’re biting your lip and the tears are starting to well up again. Your heart is racing out of control.
This isn’t what you want, but it is. You must still be dreaming, never having left the security of your bed. 
“Why are you crying?” 
Concern dripping in his voice, he’s thumbing away tears that you’re too embarrassed to explain.
“I…” you trail off. There’s no excuse, really.
“What do you want me to tell you, __?” Tanjiro asks. It’s a harsh question but it’s said with firm kindness; the gentle glow in his crimson eyes are patient still.
That you love me as much as I do you, you think, then dispel. Preposterous.
“I’m not sure,” you lie. He frowns, the immediately detected deceit disappointing him. He lets go of your chin, then takes both of your hands in his. Your stomach turns as he raises them to his lips.
“Kanao is important to me-” he starts. You wince and pull away, but he holds on tighter, “but you too are important. Very much so.”
“She loves you-” you start, and he quickly rebuts, “I love you.”
And this stuns you to silence.
“You…”
“Yes, you.”
A sharp inhale as your body recovers from sobs racks your body. Tanjiro pulls your knuckles to his lips and kisses, and you find your breathing erratic again.
“Tanjiro,” you start, and he pulls your face closer.
“I’ve loved you for a really long time,” he says, and the adoration in his eyes makes it so clearly true, sparkling in the moonlight. Your mind’s eye spins memories like films, every time he’s been too close, every time he’s been too careful, every time he’s wanted to be with you above everyone else.
“Are you sure?” you ask. It’s the lamest of things that you can ask but you have to hear it from him, the man who loves everything and everyone, that would choose anything before himself. 
“As sure as my blade.”
Your lips meet in a kiss that dizzies you before you can find his last statement cheesy. When the haze clears, you think of Aoi again, you see Kanao in your mind’s eye watching Tanjiro, butterflies in her hair.
“What about Kanao? She needs you.”
“I need you.”
He kisses you again, and this time you’ve lost all your reservations, perhaps too easily, your arms reaching around his neck to deepen the kiss.  You’ve never needed to tell him you loved him because it was written all over your face. It’s a part you’ve hated about yourself, that no matter how badly you’ve tried to limit your emotions, all comes spilling out through your words and actions. He might have known before you even did, your penchant for devotion spilling into every word you spoke to him, smiles you couldn’t quite temper.
Your friends saw it, Aoi saw it, Kanao saw it, the heavens above must have seen it.
Most importantly, he saw it. 
The tears remain free-flowing, now cathartic. You breathe in his love as he continues to kiss you, your lips, your neck craned, your back now supported by the tree that knows your poorly-kept secret.
“Tanjiro, I love you,” you admit finally, your noses just inches apart, breathless.
“I know,” he whispers. He smiles and kisses your neck. “And I’m so glad.”
404 notes · View notes
hannieehaee · 9 months ago
Note
Hello! What abt svt & their reaction/rls to foreign staff members? As in maybe translators that are with them on tour?
you being a foreign staff member
content: these are mostly implied to be platonic, fluff, foreign reader (non-korean), most of these reactions assume you speak english and korean as an additional language, etc.
wc: 881
a/n: i loved this concept honestly!! id love to write a longer fic about a language barrier fic or a translator staff member :0
masterlist
seungcheol -
being leader, he sometimes would feel the brunt of taking on interviews and such in english, not always being able to understand what's being asked of him. he would turn to you before and after any interviews or social interactions that involved english to clarify anything he didnt understand. would have a lot of respect and admiration for you, thinking you to be super smart for being able to translate so effortlessly.
jeonghan -
would sometimes strike conversation in japanese just to throw you off. he'd even ask joshua to teach him some phrases in english to throw you off even further by suddenly switching languages. would do the same with jun and throw some chinese at you too. however, he would still converse with you in korean often to get you to accompany him and a few of the members during outings in order to translate.
joshua -
he'd be happy to have another person to speak english to, always seeking you out whenever he got tired of not being able to speak his native language. since the two of you both had korean as an additional language you'd learned, the two of you would relate a lot and mutually gravitate towards each other.
jun -
he has a tendency of going live on weverse and going back and forth between korean and chinese, even teaching carats a few phrases in both languages. this makes me think that he might seek the same from you. he would ask you to translate phrases into whichever language you knew and would even teach you stuff in chinese back.
soonyoung -
he's always trying to learn new words from his the comments on his weverse lives, so i think he would come to you with that same curiosity. he would be fascinated by how easily you went back from one language to another and ask you to teach him how you do it. would be super cute about it too, following you around whenever you were assigned to go on tour or to events with them and rambling questions at you.
wonwoo -
he mentioned in a fansign recently that he wants to learn a lot of languages, so i think he would be somewhat fascinated by you and how well you spoke korean despite it not being your first tongue. would maybe even seek you out directly to strike conversation about linguistics.
jihoon -
he's expressed before that he thinks his english is bad, so he might be a bit shy to speak it. he might look to you for help whenever he happened to go out or find himself in social situations overseas, sticking by you in order to avoid awkward social situations. he would be forever thankful to you for always helping him out and would come directly to you any time he needed help or wanted to learn something new in that language.
seokmin -
he's so outgoing he would probably not even need you to direct yourself at him in korean to become friends with you. since you'd be around a lot, he would do his best to make you feel comfortable while also getting your help in learning a bit more english to communicate with carats. to him it'd be a two birds one stone type of situation; he gets a new friend and gets to find new ways to talk to his fans.
mingyu -
super interested in interacting with you. he loves to learn and is always hoping to strike conversation with new people he meets, so he would have tons of questions for you as to what words to say and how to say them. being the friendly guy that he is, you two would likely become fast friends due to how often he came to you with questions.
minghao -
he's said before he wants to learn english and how hard he's been working towards it, so he would come to you with any questions and even asking you to tag along if he were ever to want to go out during tour. he'd become friends with you very easily and exchange his knowledge in chinese for your knowledge in english.
seungkwan -
he'd be immediately curious about you, seeing as you didn't seem to be a regular staff member. upon finding out you were a translator he'd try to communicate with you in broken english, completely forgetting that you'd obviously know korean. after that, he would consistently ask for your help in learning important phrases in english and praising you for your expertise at speaking multiple languages.
vernon -
as someone who had to learn korean as a second language very young (and then retain his english language after moving to korea), he would probably relate to you a lot and befriend you very easily. he would seek you out to dust off his english and the two of you would likely hit it off right away.
chan -
being the future of kpop, of course he needs to know a bit more english, or at least that's what he tells you any time he comes to you with yet another inquiry as to what some random post he saw online means. he knows he can just use an online translator (or ask an english-speaking member), but he would trust your judgment more.
482 notes · View notes
gingernut1314 · 1 year ago
Text
Demons and Claws
Roronoa Zoro x GN!Reader
Summary: Nightmares have been plaguing your dreams night after night. You can't sleep. Not in the silence. Not in the dark. You can only think of one person in your fear who can put you at ease and you go running for him.
Warnings: fluff, mild anime spoilers (Chopper mentioned)
Word Count: 1.7K
A/N: I am flabbergasted I was able to write this as short as it is--cause Oof can I go on and on, buuutt here we are! 😂 I hope you all enjoy!! 🩷
↞ to One Piece Masterlist | Request Rules | Blog Navigation ↠
Tumblr media
You started awake, sweat coating your skin and sheets a tangled mess around your legs. 
A dream. It has just been a dream. Is what you tried telling yourself. What you told yourself as you yanked and pulled the sheets back over yourself tight, tucking them just under your chin.
A demon’s face. Bloody screaming and crying. The undead. Your friends turning their backs on you. 
It had been more than some dream--it had been a nightmare. A mix of all your worst nightmares mixed into one. Nightmares you had started having more often after joining Luffy’s crew. 
After seeing your nightmares come to life--seeing that they were living realities that existed in your world.
Nami, whose bed lay just across the way from yours, murmured in her sleep, rolling over onto her other side. It broke through the deafening silence of your shared quarters like some blessing, but as soon as she settled back in, that silence surrounded you again. 
Silence like the tomb. Like the dead. 
Your nightmares flashed through your eyes again and you shoved yourself upright, chest heaving up and down as fear crawled its way into her heart. 
Too dark. It was too dark in this room. Too hot and too quiet.
Did something just move in the corner? No. That was just Nami’s treasure chest. A figure standing by the stairs? No. Just the lamp.
A loud noise sounded through the room. A sound that had you clutching at your sheets tighter at its sudden echo.
Snoring. It was just one of the boy's obnoxiously loud snores piercing through the walls of the Merry. 
Your mind thought over the collection of bodies stuffed into the room just next to yours. Your captain must have been the one whose snore was monstrous enough to filter into your room, having found he was the most notorious snorer. 
It couldn’t have been Sanji’s or Choppers, both of their snores too breathy to ever truly reach you. Usopp was the next runner-up, his snores nasally with a tendency to get stuck in his throat. 
Zoro’s snores were loud and chest-rumbling, but this particular snore, which shook through your room once more, was definitely your captain's. 
And though it was your captain’s snore, you thought of the green-haired swordsmen. Of how you had found him a month ago wandering around in the backyard of your home looking for the docks, which had been miles away. He had been very adamant about not being lost, though he hadn’t denied your offer to show him the way. 
He was a man of little words, but his humor had been dry and you couldn’t help but laugh--to gravitate towards him.
The docks had been a mess when you two finally made it there. A mess of pirates looking to raid your home and to kill off Zoro’s own crew. He had taken them on with ease--protected you against them, though your being with him had only brought the first of your nightmares to reality. 
By the time you had helped fend off the pirates from invading your island alongside the Straw Hats, your home had been burned to nothing but ash by one of the pirates who had slipped away. 
And despite the rest of the Straw Hats being wonderfully supportive, Zoro had been the one who had been by your side every step of the way. Had sat with you while you cried for your losses. Had taught you a special way of remembering and respecting the dead, which you two partook on the dawn of each week. 
Your room fell silent once more. A silence that had your eyes scanning over the room for every last little monster that could be lurking in the darkness. 
Zoro fought by your side--kept you from harm's way and he was the only one you could think of to run to when the demons and shadows came calling for you. 
With a mighty breath in and out, you hopped out of bed, feet running over the soft, robin’s egg blue carpet that lay over the floor, shifting to polished hardwood just before the stairs. You rushed up them, feeling as if clawed hands were just inches away from grabbing you around your ankles and yanking you right back into the darkness you were fleeing. 
You burst out of the door, shutting it behind you as quietly as you could so as to not wake Nami up. 
The storage room was just as dark--just as threatening and you rushed for the door that led into the kitchen. 
Though moonlight shone through the four, arching windows, illuminating the space dimly, you still felt those clawed hands reaching for you. Hands that sent you rushing once more out of the kitchen and onto the deck. Chilled, salty sea air hit your nose as you crossed the course floor, all but lunging for the hatch just next to the mast. 
You flung it open, taking your time to carefully find your footing on the ladder that was built into the mast, which continued downward into the belly of the Merry.
Descending downward, you were met with more darkness, though a small night light had been set up, giving off enough light for you to see around. You seemed to remember the boys arguing with Usopp about it’s being there, but you weren’t quite sure of its true origins.
The air was never once still as you silently hopped to the polished floor, snores of all kinds filling your ears. 
The boy's room was cramped. There was no better word to describe it. 
The small room had been fitted with two couches and a table you didn’t think the boys truly needed. Swinging in the far corner, layered on top of each other like sardines, lay the fast-asleep men of your crew. 
As you grew closer, the louder the snores grew and the less you could think about the nightmares that had chased you out of your bed in the first place. 
The first row of boys, closest to the far sitting couch, was made up of three hammocks. Chopper, being the smallest, lay in the top hammock, snoozing away like the precious angel he was. Next was Zoro, who slept with his hands behind his neck and his ankles crossed over each other. And below him lay Sanji, whose long limbs spilled out over the horrible, near burlap sack-like material that made up their hammocks. 
You made a mental note to make them all some proper hammocks as soon as you got supplies from the next island you all landed on. 
As carefully as you could, you climbed up onto the fine, blue fabric of the couch and walked over it so you could stand next to Zoro’s hammock. You looked him over. Looked over his is peaceful features--his slack jaw, which rumbling snores fell from and his sleep-tousled hair.
Carefully, as if approaching a rabid dog, you gently laid a hand on his hard-earned bicep and gave the swordsman a firm shake. 
“Zoro.” You called on a tone just above a whisper. When he didn’t stir right away, you shook him a bit more harshly, his name falling from your lips in the same manner.
“What the hell--” He began on a hiss, but when his dark eyes snapped open to find you standing there, he huffed out a heavy breath. “...can I help you?” He asked, his voice rougher and deeper from the sleep you had just pulled him from.
“I…” You started, biting your tongue from finishing your thought. You felt yourself grow embarrassed. Embarrassed that you had run all the way down here. Embarrassed that you had woken Zoro up from his deep sleep which he needed. 
It was childish really. You couldn’t handle a silly little dream? You were a grown adult. You could deal with it yourself.
A demon's face. Bloody screaming and crying. The undead. Wicked, clawed hands. Your friends turning their backs on you. Your family’s death--
“I had a nightmare.” You breathed, your voice wavering the slightest bit. Zoro blinked at you. A long blink that looked as if he was slowly thinking over your words.
“...okay.” He said after what felt like an hour had passed you by. 
“Zoro.” You huffed, annoyed at his absent-mindedness. 
“What?” He asked, equally as annoyed. Asked a little too loud for your liking. You shushed him, placing a finger over his lips which he only swatted away, ever the more irritated. “I don’t know what you want me to do about it.” 
“You’re insufferable.” You whispered harshly, eyes narrowed down at him. “This was a mistake.” But before you could make your way back over the too-nice fabric of the couch you stood on, Zoro grabbed your wrist. 
“You know I’m not a mind reader.” He said, his voice growing softer as he pulled you back in. Your body, despite you wanting to still be huffy and puffy with him, relaxed against his strong hold. “Just tell me what you want me to do about it.” 
“I just thought…I think I would sleep better in here.” Zoro watched you for a moment, dark brown eyes scanning over your face carefully as if to catch anything he might be missing.
“Like on the floor?” You huffed and Zoro rolled his eyes. “Where then?” 
“You’re going to say no.” You went to pull your hand from his grip but he held firm. 
“Just say it already.” He urged you, that annoyance filtering back into his voice. 
“Can I sleep in your hammock--with you? Please.” You blurted out before you could think too much about it again, “You make me feel safe.” 
A sharp yelp escaped your lips as Zoro reached over, grabbed you around the waist, and hosted you up into his hammock. 
You heard Chopper stir above you, but soon his soft snores fluttered from his nose once more. 
Zoro tucked you into his side, wrapping you up in his strong arms and resting his chin on the crest of your head, a deep breath escaping his nose. 
“Next time, just say that first. Could have been back asleep by now.” He grumbled, his voice evening out as sleep slowly fell over him for the second time that night. You nestled deeper into his broad, scarred chest, feeling instantly at ease in his arms. Feeling safe--protected from the demons waiting in the darkness for you. 
“Thank you.” You whispered, brushing your fingers over the warm skin of his side.
“Whatever. Go to sleep.” You did as you were told, letting the rock of the sea, the chorus of snores, and Zoro’s strong presence lull you back to sleep.
Tumblr media
Next
Tag list: @fanaticsnail
550 notes · View notes
snail-migraine · 6 months ago
Note
Hello! I read your platonic yandere Riddle fic and I absolutely loved it, and I wanna request something.
Since this is Silver birthday week, I was wondering if you could do platonic yandere Silver with a little brother reader who is a bit rebellious?
Jeez I'm writing this super late, but atleast it's getting done! Might be a little ooc because I don't know Silver well, but I tried! Thank you for requesting!
-
Anon-Yan
Platonic Yandere Silver X Male-Reader
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Since there wasn't much context given, I'm gonna say reader in this scenario is another human son Lilia adopted. Kinda just finding reader out in the middle of the woods with only a blanket and a note that said your name, and that you were free for for the taking.
You being the only other human in Silvers life is probably what first got the ball rolling for his yandere tendencies.
Since the moment Lilia brought you home, Silver naturally just gravitated towards you.
From staring at your pudgy little baby-face, to asking if he can help take care of you.
Lilia obviously noticed this and only made his light obsession with you worse.
Like by telling Silver,
Tumblr media
"It'll be your job to keep your baby brother safe and sound when he grows up. He'll need his big brother there with him."
Tumblr media
Totally helpful.
As you grew up you were constantly guarded by Silver. Literally everywhere you went, he would follow behind like a little duckling.
You want to play alone? Too bad, Silver wants to be there with you.
You never got so much as second of privacy or alone time with Silver around.
Even if you complained to Lilia he was no help.
You just had to deal with being constantly followed for your entire childhood. Never getting a single second of peace.
When it came time for Lilia to go N.R.C. you honestly felt nothing. You never really had the same bond with Lilia as his other sons and was kinda glad to have the prankster out of the house.
However with Lilia gone meant that's Silver became the step-in dad.
You guys were teenagers and way past the age of having to be looked after constantly. But Silver insisted on looking after you more.
That pissed you off and you begun having a rebellious streak.
From Blatant disregard, to sneaking out of the cabin at night you did everything in your power to piss off Silver.
And boy oh boy did it work.
He could deal with you ignoring him, he's fine with it. But you sneaking out? Hell no.
Not only did you piss him off but you scared him half to death.
Especially since when you came back in the morning you bruises and cuts littering your body.
That's when decides to put a quick end to your little rebellion.
..by chaining you to your bed.
Tumblr media
"I'm sorry, but I can't see you hurt again. You might not care for yourself but I do. Right now your a danger to yourself. Scream at me all you want, it won't change a thing. But I need you to be safe, okay?"
Tumblr media
162 notes · View notes
tumblingxelian · 9 months ago
Text
Near Uniquely RWBY - Main Characters
I was chatting with my sibling the other day and we were joking about the fact in 90% of the media I consume I generally don't like the main characters.
Not in the sense I necessarily hate them, but I generally don't find them to be the most interesting, engaging or enjoyable person on screen or page. Instead I tend to gravitate towards secondary or minor characters and even minor antagonists before any of the big names.
Some of this is rooted in my often rooting for what tends to feel more like a real underdog or characters that feel like they got dealt a bad hand by the author unfairly. But its also that in a lot of media the main characters tend to immediately, slowly or quickly go into personality lockdown.
Becoming less a personality and more the embodiment of expected tropes and themes, or they lose their unique edge or circumstances because the plot demands one benefits or personality changes be heaped on them to keep the tone and story going.
Some examples of this would include say:
Ichigo from Bleach, with him and his supporting cast being very unique and super interesting during the initial arc. But as Soul Society came in, he became a much more standard Shounen determinator a the expense of his personality and his supporting casts were largely watered down & left behind.
Or how in Naruto or Dragon Ball the whole underdog/hard worker aspect of the characters felt undercut by legacy power ups and an endless wellspring of natural talent, alien biology, ETC.
I know these are just two examples, but they cover the general gist of what I mean.
So, what makes RWBY different?
Well, off the cuff, is simply that the four main characters are women.
Tumblr media
I've often felt simply putting anyone other than a cis-het guy into the main character slot of say, a battle Shounen, or Isekai stands a good chance of making it more interesting by default. Even if the author does nothing with it the audience reaction would be different because the MC would be an exception to the norms.
In that vein, while one can call RWBY some sort of Shounen or adventure fantasy or magical girl show the main four are unique in how they manifest on screen at the very start. From how they participate in action, to how said action is structured and framed and the kind of adventures and topics they tackle.
But being unique alone is not enough, that would simply make it more interesting than the bog standard but what elevates RWBY is the execution and exploration of such elements and its characters.
Going into every aspect would be difficult, but in light of what I said above would be how each of the main four are initially presented as familiar archetypes, only to subvert or deconstruct them.
Tumblr media
Ruby is a peppy goth who just wants to be normal but has inborn powers from her mysteriously vanished mother and serves as a beacon of optimism to others.
Except Ruby's version of normal still involved fighting death monsters with a sniper rifle scythe and she is actually one of the more ruthless characters. Her peppy persona obscures that she can have a pretty vicious temper when pushed and has displayed strong bloodknight tendencies.
Her unrelenting optimism and desire to fix the world is a complex mix of true beliefs, coping mechanism for trauma and her grappling with positions forced on her against her will. Her inborn power is potentially useful but also not that much of a game breaker outside specific contexts & said power sure as hell didn't save her mom.
Tumblr media
Weiss Schnee is the Tsundere heiress of a powerful family, with a haughty attitude that hides her loneliness.
Except the "Tsundere" is more of a defense mechanism born of coming from an abusive home where every member of her family manifested a different trauma response. Freeze (Mother), flight (Sister), Fight (Weiss) Fawn (Brother).
Despite her upbringing & some projected trauma, she's far from ignorant as to the worst excesses of her nation early on, and her journey was more about overcoming the impacts her abuser had on her and finding a family in her team that let her be safe enough to let down her walls. Also despite being "The ice queen" she's actually one of the characters least inclined towards more ruthless actions and is extremely empathic.
Tumblr media
Blake Belladonna is a mysterious and silent rougish woman, something of a shrinking violet even, but she carries with her a wounded heart thanks to her old flame, the edgy Adam Taurus.
Or more accurately, Blake is the daughter of activists and politicians who represent the worlds main discriminated against minority. She spent her youth on the road as a protestor and where even her father could be nearly killed by a lynch mob. She was targeted & groomed by a man who claimed to want to fight the same injustice she did but who was only interested in using the movement to grow his own power.
Her initial aloof-ness was a trauma response to having spent years under his thumb and overcoming him and the idea she had to 'save' him was one of the main corner stone so her character. Also, despite the "Revolutionary fighter" backstory she like Weiss is much less inclined towards ruthlessness than her team in large part because her past experience with it.
Tumblr media
Yang Xiao Long, introduced as the fun loving big sister of Ruby & boisterous bruiser of the team who loves to party & flirt.
Except no, Yang was parentified as a child and forced to raise her own sister as their family unit fell apart. Her "Party girl" persona was outright framed as judging a book by its cover in her own trailer and something she put on or took off as she needed.
She became disabled over the course of the series run as well as entered a Sapphic romance with her partner Blake. Unlike the stereotype of characters with her design, Yang is actually an excellent student, fighter and engineer/mechanic. Plus much like her sister she tends to be of the more ruthless and pragmatic persuasion despite being from the "Normal" background.
Character Conclusion
So, all the characters break out of their initial archetypes, which already makes them more interesting. What's more, these sorts of characters just being oput together and made the main characters rather than circling a dude is in of itself unique.
But there are other aspects of the writing which endear me to how it handles the main characters and what keeps them interesting.
Tumblr media
Anger & Violence
See, while in various media women do express anger at times it is still often far less so than men. What's more, often women's anger tends to be presented in... Less flattering lights.
With the anger obscuring fragility while in a man it conveys strength. Or implying a sort of hysteria rather than an appropriate or controlled response. Or worst of all being demonized in general unless its rooted in or coming from traditionally feminine places.
The same tends to be true when it comes to violence with a lot of media either trying to find some way to make women in battle less... Brutal than their male counterparts. (More more like fanservice) Along with rarely letting women fight men, unless they are a special exception to the norm.
RWBY does not do this.
The main characters, hell, all the women in the series express a multitude of different forms of anger and violence. They battle men, they battle each other, they battle monsters all with no distinction nor fanservice shot in sight.
What's more though is that said anger and violence are not presented as, for lack of better words, wrong. The writers don't draw overt attention to this fact, they don't hang a big sign up saying "Girls can fight & shout too" or the like.
They just present these women with a range of emotions, motives and actions that are treated according to what fits the theme of the show rather than hewing closer to gendered lines.
This isn't to say anger & violence are lionized, but more that the experience and usage of them is not demonized or undermined because of the characters gender.
I suppose what I am saying is that CRWBY by and large lack double standards when it comes to exploring these things that I see so often in other media. The women in the main cast, among the villains, both sides respective allies and beyond can be flawed, or angry or do both good and terrible things.
But the writers are always treating everyone's pain as equally valid regardless of gender or situation. Which means that the situations that cause anger exist within a tone of respect that forms the depiction and framing of anger itself.
Which is just something I really enjoy.
Thanks for reading!
286 notes · View notes
ode2cheol · 7 months ago
Text
ABOUT LOVE
not proofread, fluff, gn!reader, happy birthday junpi :p
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
everyone around jun thought he was precious. all of his friends thought he was so endearing just so cute. it wasn’t that anybody thought he was incompetent but they just had such a fondness for him that made them naturally gravitate toward wanting to care for him.
when seungkwan told you this, you longed to also being able to care for your boyfriend like that- and what better day to do that than his birthday!
in the past whenever you tried to care for jun he’d brush it off in order to dote on you instead but even he’d want to be pampered on his own birthday, right?
“oh junnie, you’re home already?” you called from the couch. you cursed yourself at how sleepy you must’ve looked. any other day you wouldn’t have cared but jun had a tendency to be extra attentive to you when you were, which went against your plan of not letting him lift a finger for you on his birthday- granted you were only twenty minutes into his birthday but stil.
“are you tired, babe?” jun giggled fond, circling around the couch and ready to carry you to the bedroom.
“nope!” you swiftly moved away from his arms before he could try to lift you, “how was practice?” you smiled before he could question you or think you were mad at him.
“oh, it was okay- feeling a little sore though” he pouted automatically while talking, “have we still got those relaxation bath salt things?”
this was your chance. best way to start on pampering jun was with his own spa day (night) at home.
“yeah we have, i’ll go get it running for you-” you tried practically sprinting to the bathroom before jun grabbed ahold of your wrist.
“don’t bother yourself baby” jun reassured smiling, “i’ll get it running, yeah?”
you pouted at his interference but didn’t let it stop you, beating him to the bathroom anyway and already preparing the salts and candles just to make the place look a little more relaxing.
jun shortly followed after grabbing a towel and chuckling at how determined you looked to get everything to the perfect temperature for him.
“thanks yn, but you didn’t have to bother yourself for me” jun smiled tiredly, pecking your lips.
“i like taking of you, it’s not a bother” you mumbled, furrowing your brows.
you made your way around jun when he got into the tub. he shot a confusing glance before fluttering his eyes shut at the feeling of your hands rubbing at his scalp gently.
“yn you don’t have to-”
“i do! it’s not a bother, so hush and let me take care of you” you huffed and moved your hands over his shoulders, wincing at how stiff he felt but encouraged by the feeling of his tenseness melting away with your touches.
jun glanced back at you again, a smile breaking onto his face at your words and will to take care of his just as he takes care of you, “okay. thank you baby”
175 notes · View notes
whorbidmore · 9 months ago
Text
okay, so, I've fallen victim to the leon kennedy brainrot steadily overtaking me, following me from Tumblr to Pinterest, to Instagram and even the absolutely fucking dreaded application of TikTok. I don't even use it that often??? and the algorithm is just like 'wow, yeah, this little fuckers gay as hell send in the 40 year old meow meow!!' and having watched Death Island fairly recently, I'm gonna have my opinions on what this dude would be like. Cus my brain loves to rationalize shit and think ab 'what if this mf was someone real?' so... fuck it.
Leon Soft Kennedy Headcanons
SFW
accidentally bigoted. - im sorry but let's be so fucking real here. he's a 40 something year old man who spent the majority of his life in either the military, a police training academy in the 90's, or otherwise working under the U.S Federal System with minimal/no time between missions to unpack absolutely everything he's got going on... the guys gonna have some problematic tendencies. Obviously that doesn't mean he means any of that or is incapable of change, etc. etc., but I know for damn certain this dude would laugh a little at Bill Burr's borderline to blatantly misogynistic material and has probably chuckled unironically at the attack helicopter jokes. But, he's not a complete dick, and would definitely become more critical of those kinds of jokes if it's pointed out to him.
honest to God, Dad Without Kids™ - it's not simply enough for me to leave it at 'but it's the vibes!!' so, I'm gonna break this shit down. Leon is absolutely Gen X incarnate. I can fucking guarantee you that on his off days he accidentally ends up dressing as an undercover cop; I'm talking cargo shorts, light blue button up, those fucking standard issue boots cus "they're perfectly good shoes" and those stupid ass sunglasses... you know the ones I'm talking about. Let's say you're living with him, right? And you're... you, and you wanna watch something on TV. This dude would strain himself getting up like a turtle fallen backwards on its shell, stand up, walk right in front of the TV screen and stand there with his hands on his hips. It doesn't matter that he had to piss, he needs to get a better look of what's happening! Does those really loud, obnoxious coughs and sneezes, absolutely blows his back out doing one at least five times a year.
Only watches British Reality TV - Considering he's canonically a film buff, I'll say that this is purely for whatever he gravitates towards on general streaming services. I honestly don't see him being the type to regularly tune in to standard American cable TV, or only does so under specific circumstances like American Ninja Warrior or maybe Forged in Fire if there's absolutely nothing else. It's not something that's exclusive to Americans, — I'm from New Zealand and I do this too, — but Leon absolutely falls into the category of watching British Reality and Game shows purely because of the accents. I'm talking Jeremy Kyle, The Big Fat Quiz of Everything, Taskmaster, The Great British Bake Off and so on and so forth. It doesn't matter that baking isn't his forté or a passion of his, if Josephine curdles her buttercream by over mixing, his hands are in his hair in utter disappointment. 100% tries to mimic their accents too. We all do it, don't lie.
Has... very dated music tastes - I don't know if you could guess, but the last paragraph included me calling myself out and name dropping some shows I watch anyway or grew up watching, and I'm just saying that this is gonna be no different. If anything? This'll be worse! Since I'm very passionate about the music I listen to and have the inability to keep my interests separated from the other, of course my love of particular bands will bleed over into my interpretation of Leon's character! Anyway, all that for me to say that Leon fucking LOVES 90's grunge musicians, specifically Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, as well as early nu metal bands like Korn (their dubstep phase did not happen.), TOOL, and Rage Against the Machine — and no, he unfortunately doesn't see the irony of him being a fed and listening to Rage, — but would also have a soft spot for psych rock, post-punk and shoegaze. My man's definitely laid awake at night, sobbing without expression as he struggles to accept that Ada never really wanted him like he wanted her while listening to fucking Slowdive. My hottest take here is that he doesn't really listen to Deftones. Like he'll occasionally blast My Own Summer, Change, Bored or Rosemary, but anything outside of those? He just didn't listen to 'em. My second hottest take is that he does NOT like Slipknot, which kind of pains me 'cus I do, but I fucking bet you this dude would actually adopt one piece of "Gen Z lingo" or whatever just call them cringe. Though admittedly he would've been jamming the fuck out to Psychosocial and The Devil in I when they came out. Went off the deep end in Vendetta, obviously, and drunk-cried himself to sleep on the couch listening to Linkin Park.
Very confusing spending habits - On one hand, we all understand that Leon came from money, — he was implied to have been born into a mob family from my understanding? And I doubt he'd ever really had to worry about being fully, irrevocably broke, — but I'm sure that growing up in the U.S Foster Care System made him at least a little more cautious of where his money comes from, where it's going, what he's spending it on, etc. So, on the one hand, he's apprehensive to spend recklessly, particularly on perishables. But also, if he can drop over $100,000USD on a motorcycle that got absolutely fucking cheese grated into the road, and spend a perceived, metric fuck ton of money on designer leather jackets and massive watches, it's gonna be hard for me to call him 'financially conscious'. On one hand, he gets apprehensive on spending more money than he needs to on food since he's "just gonna shit it out later", but if he sees a cool watch or a nice suit in a shop window? Money's suddenly not an issue! Not because he's materialistic, but because the one thing he really maintains a sense of control over in his life are his possessions and the way he dresses. The D.S.O can call him in for another months long mission whenever they please, and all he can realistically do is allow the government to tug on his leash and put him where he's needed. He may as well spend their money on things he wants!
Gets out... enough? But also, not really? - So, personally I've pegged Leon as more of an introverted person, — amateurly typed his MBTI as possibly ISFJ? — so he doesn't really feel the need to go out and meet new people or really hang out with anyone. If somebody invites him out? Sure, he'll go. Otherwise, it rarely occurs to him to meet up with friends or colleagues at a cafe or anywhere. I think he'd prefer to just go there alone, mostly for the sake of having somebody else cook for him as opposed to actively seeking out the atmosphere. It's pure convience in his mind. And remember when I said in the beginning about him accidentally being at least a little misogynistic? Yeah, that was me trying to say that he regularly tries to hit on younger waitresses. Not because he actually wants anything to do with them, but simply because it's an ego boost. He likes that he can make girls half his age blush or offer him their numbers, because it tells him that he's still desirable, and ultimately, that gives him the power to reject them politely and go about the rest of his day. If they don't reject him first, of course. Admittedly, Leon's audacity towards women peaked during Infinite Darkness.
Since I'm planning on posting more NSFW headcanons for this guy, — and more NSFW kinds of posts, — here is the obligatory Minors DNI attachment. For your own safety, I don't care if what I have to say is tame so far, you can hold it off I promise.
186 notes · View notes
byuno-o · 4 months ago
Text
ASTRO OBSERVATIONS I'VE OBSERVED (mostly about moon placements)
NOTE: PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS. HENCE, MIGHT NOT BE APPLICABLE FOR EVERYONE. ONLY FOR ENTERTAINMENT. HENCE, DISCRETION IS ADVISED. DO PROVIDE FEEDBACKS, I LOVE IT. :)
I have seen people with strong emotional responses having strong mars and debilitated moon placements. For example, one having strong Mars placements or degrees, in Mars ruled houses such as Scorpio mars and Aquarius moon might end up expressing their anger in a scathing way, you know: the kind of people who just know what to say to hurt you, or pull tricks which might be fatal for everyone surrounding them?
As much as I love my fellow Pisces, I just need to put this out: you need to put into the work in order to actually manifest what you want. You cannot just sit and wish for good things to come to you while you don't work on yourself.
Also, my friends with Pisces moons have a tendency to avoid the problems plaguing them, but they seem to become the biggest helpers when it comes to solving other people's problems. I often wonder if I should laugh for having such cool friends in times or need or cry for having friends who could careless for their own problems which in turn become the reason for their sufferings.
4) My Mom is have Taurus mars, and boy when they tell you that people with Taurus mars are the most chillest people you'll ever meet until you cross them the wrong way.
5) My father and I share the same moon sign, and I think he's the evolved version of Leo moon. I have this theory that a person's emotional evolvement is often related to their moon sign's sister sign. For example, my father has a Leo moon, but he rationalizes his emotions like an Aquarius moon would, keep things bottled up, and when he really has to speak, he'd speak about his emotions in a practical way--and often talk about the root causes as if he's delivering a motivational speech on self improvement.
6) on the other hand, my brother (youngest one) has Aquarius moon, and he is very dramatic, takes every word as a jab and has a very regal aura to him. Another example would be my two guy friends who have capricorn moon and cancer moon, and weirdly enough, the capricorn one is more emotionally charged than the cancer one, who is very mature when it comes to handing his emotions. The capricorn one is very sneaky, and is very petty to the ones who hurt him (I find it funny most of the time that he act like he is unfazed only to go to his social media and post shit about the person) It gives 'very mindful. But the cancer one is very nurturing, very motherly and respectful--even to the ones who disagree to him (he often debates a lot and often end up in verbal brawls) Although he can be scathing too.
7) Also, regarding the moon signs, I can see the changes forming within me these days. My solar return for this year has aquarius moon in my fourth house, and I have mellowed down, and feel very emotionally connected to my mother specially.
8) People with harsh aspects between their moon signs and saturn constantly fights against their own emotions, it's often like the fight between their mind and their heart. Hence they might try to be practical, but often end up expressing themselves in an opposite way.
9) I often imagine people with Libra moon with having a heart of gold, the 'very demure, very mindful' types. If they were to have their dark sides, I would think manipulations, and twisting words would be it. Do lemme know your thoughts on this.
10) With all my friends studying with me: we're in a creative field, I have noticed a pattern, their art preferences, and their dislikes regarding some aspects of art, are closely related to their moon signs. I have seen the ones having Sag moons gravitate towards creating pieces with many greens and purples, you know? Ecobrutalism but with a dash of futurism too? The most original ones in my opinions are the ones with pisces, leo and scorpio moons. my friends with those moon signs happened to always bring something new to the table. The most consistent ones with a very definitive art style are IMO, capricorn moon and cancer moon and aquarius moon. They'll make it happen, however.
THAT'S IT FOR TODAY. I HAVE BEEN AWAY FOR TOO LONG THAT THE OBSERVATIONS I HAD MADE (MOST OF 'EM) HAVE BEEN LOST. I NEED TO KEEP A NOTEBOOK OR SOMETHING. HEHEHEHE. DO LET ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS, AND YEAH, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY WANT TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS COS BOY I NEED TO IMPROVE.
116 notes · View notes
lovebugism · 1 year ago
Note
I would love to request a drabble for punchy x Steve where maybe they're hanging out together with the group for the first time and punchys a little nervous to see how they'll react to see seeing as her whole vibe is so different from every other of Steves exes basically lol
i had so much fun with this request!! hope you like it, anon! from the punchy x steve universe — the one where steve comforts you when you're too scared to tell his friends about your relationship (1.2k)
bug's summer fic fest ♡
Steve’s been waiting all night to kiss you.
He knew inviting the whole gang over for a swim would put a wrench in his plans to love on you all night, but he didn’t think it would be this hard. Not holding you feels a little like a knife in his side. It hurts worse than every beating he’s ever taken, combined.
So he doesn’t waste a second to sneak out behind you when you leave for a smoke break. He waits exactly five minutes before following you out through the front gate. He finds you sitting on the hood of your car — a pretty little thing in all black sat upon a rusted tin can. 
You’re wearing a knit coverup over a one-piece bathing suit. It's about three sizes too big for you. The puffy sleeve falls to your elbow when you take a drag of your cigarette, then crawls back up to your wrist when you flick the end of it. The staunch smell of nicotine contrasts with the warmer scent of a dewy summer night.
“Think I can bum a smoke from you… buddy?” Steve asks when he climbs the hood to sit next to you.
The nickname is so obviously pointed. You laugh, high and airy. Smoke billows from your lips as you giggle. 
Dustin asked if you were dating earlier that night — deep blue eyes twinkling with hopeful embers you hated to snuff out. “Sorry, kid, but we’re not dating,” you fibbed in response, patting Steve on his shoulder. “We’re just a couple of best buds, aren’t we, bab— I mean, Steve?”
It wasn’t your best work by any means, but it got everyone off your back. That was all you really wanted to do, anyway.
“Always, Stevie,” you singsong as you pass him the lit cigarette between your fingers.
“Think it would be too much to ask for a kiss, too?” the boy wonders with raised brows and sparkling honey eyes.
You melt. 
“Never,” you hum with a shake of your head, already gravitating towards him. You had a tendency to do that a lot — to drift his way like he was a magnet compared to the metal of you. He welcomes you just the same, pressing his mouth to yours like his lips were made to do it.
The kiss is chaste and innocuous, gentle with the makings of a man who’s wanted to kiss you for several agonizing hours.
Your lips click in protest when they part. He smiles as he watches your heavy eyes flutter slowly open. You’re met with his pretty pink lopsided smile. “Think we should tell ‘em tonight?”
You lean away from him, pursing your lips to the side of your mouth as you ponder his question. 
You’d love to tell everyone about Steve, more than just your core group of friends. You want to shout your adoration for him from the rooftops, let it sing across the universe and back. But love was more complex than simple words, and the implication of that terrified you.
After a few moments, you shake your head — lazily and with your nose scrunched.
“What do you mean?” Steve laughs. The sound is bright enough to illuminate the starry evening. It’s bright yellow compared to the velvet blue sky. The boy rests his weight on one of his arms and gestures with the other. “We’ve gotta tell ‘em sometime, babe. ‘Cause if they find out on their own, I’m gonna be the one dealing with the bitching.”
“I just like not having to talk about it,” you confess with a quiet shrug. Your chin turns to your shoulder when you look over at him, meeting his glittering gaze with a meeker one. “I like just being with you and not having to talk about the… gross, icky, lovey stuff.”
“The gross icky lovey stuff?” Steve echoes with jettisoned brows.
“Yeah.”
“Like what?” he deadpans, bringing the lit cigarette to his mouth. “How in love with you I am?”
“Exactly,” you joke back with a feigned disgust.
Steve scoffs out a laugh as he hands the stick back to you. Smoke leaves his mouth in a wispy grey cloud. 
You hold the thing between your thumb and forefinger, but don’t move to take a hit of it. He knows it’s something deeper, then — something more you want to say. You keep it inside and get all in your head about it, though. Your eyes glaze over as you look off into the distance. Steve can read you like a damn book.
“What else?” the boy blurts.
Your eyes go wide as they flit back to his. “Huh?”
“You look like you wanna say something else.”
You blink at him for a moment, then shake your head innocently.
Steve reaches out a hand to nudge your shoulder. A soft smile tugs at the corner of his pink lips. “Come on. Just say it,” he urges gently. “Lay it on me, babe. I can take it.”
You laugh in response. It’s halfhearted, though, and your smile doesn’t quite reach your eyes.
“I don’t know,” you sigh with the same barely-there grin. Your eyes turn away from his, gaze going glassy as your stare turns to the darkening sky. “It’s just… The last person your friends saw you with was Nancy. And I know Robin is well up to date with all your other flings, ‘cause she said, and I quote, ‘he certainly has a type.’”
“Well, that’s just Robin,” the boy shrugs with pinched brows. “She’s an idiot. Sometimes she just kinda says stuff.”
“I’m just saying that… I’m not your type, you know?” you confess sheepishly, like it’s some deeply hidden secret. You have no idea it’s why Steve loves you so much — not despite how different you are, but because of it.
“I know,” the boy nods, meeting your timid glance with a bright grin.
“And I’m just scared that… that they’ll think it’s weird. You know, that we’re… together.”
“It is weird,” Steve affirms with a chuckle. “That’s why it’s so cool!” 
Your brows pinch. “…Really?”
“Yeah! I fucking love being your boyfriend, babe! And they’re gonna love you being my girlfriend!”
He says it all with wide eyes and pink smiles, so confident like it’s all obvious to him. He makes it sound so simple, smoothing out all your buzzing, complex insecurities with ease.
You scrunch your nose in response. “You think so?”
“Definitely,” he scoffs with a firm nod, then tilts his head to his shoulder. “Well... Robin will be a little jealous, probably. Dustin, too. And Eddie’s already got a whole complex about it, so…”
“So they’ll hate it,” you summarize with a smile.
“They'll hate all the gooey, icky, lovey stuff, sure. But they’ll love you— I mean, they already do. Way more than they love me.”
“You sound very sure about all this, Harrington.”
“It’s impossible not to love you, Punchy,” Steve confesses, growing suddenly very tender. “Everything you do— it’s like you’re made of, fucking— flowers or something.”
“Flowers?” you giggle.
The boy huffs. “I’m just saying that you’re too perfect not to fall in love with, okay? They’re gonna love you because it’s against human nature not to, you know?”
You don’t believe him. 
You know he’s not lying, but you don’t believe him. 
But rather than arguing, you reach out a hand for the one propping up his weight. You rest your palm along his knuckles and smile. Your skin buzzes when you touch him — Love? Euphoria? A schoolgirl giddiness? You’re not sure.
You just know happiness when you see him, touch him. 
Steve Harrington is a happily ever after.
Yours, hopefully.
466 notes · View notes
ezwezz · 2 years ago
Text
mean girls - bp x reader
Tumblr media
genre: imagines :) summary: the 'mean girl' develops an interest in you. pairings: ot4 x reader
jennie:
jennie was your classic 'you either wanna be me, or be with me' kind of mean girl.
your first encounter with her was through a seating plan. she begrudgingly obliged to sit next to you as the teacher separated her from her rowdy friends.
each lesson you found yourself progressing in small talk with her- it went from "what's the answer?" to "oh my god you won't believe what happened earlier..." as you were opening up to each other.
you were actually beginning to look forward to the lessons despite being acutely aware of jennie's mean girl status.
eventually, as the end of term neared, jennie asked for your number to keep in touch with you over the holidays.
one thing led to another and you were attending one of her house parties. you instantly gravitated towards each other, both in a drunken stupor, and spent almost the entirety of the party at each other's side, oversharing unfiltered life stories and having a raw heart-to-heart conversation.
she even shoo'd away potential hookups in order to continue hanging out with you.
in the early hours of the morning, one mutual confession of interest led to a heavy makeout session with the mean girl.
from then on, your relationship progressed into something of a fwb situation. you'd receive random texts throughout the holidays from jennie, asking you to come over.
sometimes she was intoxicated after hanging with some friends, therefore you took it upon yourself to take care of her instead of doing what was routine at this point.
you and jennie returned to school hand-in-hand, much to the student-body's surprise.
jisoo:
jisoo was a bit of a bully and had a tendency to target people she disapproved of, with her group of peers.
an unfortunate incident involving one of jisoo's crushes being friendly with you, caused you to become their next target.
jisoo confronted you before school the next morning, so you decided to toy with her a little.
"why were you talking to [redacted] yesterday?" "they're kind of cute...i was just testing the waters." "back off." "i'm surprised you're lowering yourself to that." "excuse me?" "it seems a little desperate. not what i'd expect from a pretty girl like you."
jisoo was at a bit of a loss for words after that encounter, she simply scoffed- a light blush tinting her cheeks as she stormed away.
from then on, you found that jisoo would intentionally find you throughout the school days to shoot you a bitchy comment, which you would respond to with a comment of equal bitchiness.
the school became your cold war arena- however, it never verged on unpleasant the way actual bullying would do. it felt progressively more like lukewarm exchanges of banter.
one particularly smart remark from you caused jisoo to crack and let out a giggle- surprising both you and herself.
"cute laugh!" "shut up."
you received a text from an unknown number after school that day: 'it's jisoo. erase my laugh from your pea-brain, i still hate you'.
you replied: 'charming as always, i guess this is one way to start a conversation with me ;)'
the conversation continued into the early hours of the morning. it was frosty at first, but by the time you finally said goodnight there was an undeniable warmth to her replies.
she greeted you the next day, not with the usual middle finger, but with a small "good morning" and a smile as she passed by.
lisa:
lisa was the rich girl. from what you'd heard, money lacked value to her, it was simply a constant in her life.
one day you were alone in the bathrooms sorting out your appearance in the mirror when someone came barrelling in, instantly locking themselves in the nearest cubicle. you could hear distinct sounds of sobbing coming from inside.
"uh...everything okay?" you felt obliged to ask. "obviously not! my boyfriend just broke up with me." a voice replied, it clearly didn't take much for them to open up.
you spent the next 20 minutes conversing with the person, indicating for random people to leave when they stumbled across the scene.
when the door finally opened, you were shocked to see a red-eyed lisa staring back at you. "you're really nice to talk to." she stated after a moment.
from then on, you'd be subject to random little gifts from the girl in gratitude. she claimed that now she didn't have a boyfriend, there was a gap in her spending to fill and none of her friends deserved the gifts more than you, but that was the extent of your interactions for a while.
you caught rumours of lisa's birthday coming around, and while you surely couldn't match her expectations on a spending-scale, you could certainly put some thought into a gift- as a thanks for all the ones she'd given you.
you slipped a small necklace with a moonstone pendant into lisa's locker on her birthday. attached was a note explaining the qualities of a moonstone such as inner growth and emotional balance, in light of her recent relationship ending.
the next day, you spotted the necklace adorning the girl's neck and smiled to yourself. when she found you later on, you were greeted with a hug, catching you by surprise. "thank you..so much." she whispered, before slipping a note into your pocket and rejoining her friends. it was her phone number.
from that day forward, lisa wore the necklace every day, and you wore your new matching bracelet.
rosé
rosé was captain of the cheer team, a role envied by many as a clear symbol of status. you'd known rosé years before school, and long before she'd become 'popular', due to your parents being friends.
you'd naturally drifted apart, but were still acquaintances in some ways- despite not even sparing each other glances in the hallways.
one day, in a strange turn of events, you found yourself inside rosé's house attending a dinner party with her family.
there was a definite air of awkwardness surrounding you two when you were left alone by your parents, but the conversation picked up when you began the gossip session.
you eventually found yourself in rosé's bedroom, completely abandoning the dinner party as you two joked around carelessly, forgetting about the divisions you faced in school. it felt strangely normal all of a sudden.
the following days were pleasant, instead of ignoring each other, you and rosé would say hello in the hallways. then it didn't take long for the friendship to rekindle as rosé would start asking to eat lunch together and hang out after school. much to their disdain, you'd eventually replaced a few of her popular new friends.
one thing led to another and you were once again in rosé's bedroom, this time as closer friends than before. you were finishing up some homework as she scrolled absentmindedly through her social media, both lying on the bed.
"i'm bored." she exclaimed with a sigh for emphasis, shifting so that she was directly beside you and her face inches away from yours. "i want to do something..." "like what?" you met her gaze, the proximity undeniably intimate. "i dunno!" she giggled while unsubtly glancing at your lips. "you sure?" you replied, smirking.
before you knew it, her lips were on yours and you were breathlessly making out with the cheer captain.
the small pecks in the hallways prior to that night seemed only natural.
1K notes · View notes
its-time-to-write · 1 year ago
Note
I loveeee your taylor swift based jamie fics so i was wondering if u could maybe write one based on question..? You’re amazing at writing conflict between the reader and jamie but ofc ending with fluff and i feel like question is the oerfect outline for a fic like that. Thank you!
once again, I am slowly but surely finishing asks in my inbox! my hyperfixation has been awakened ever so slightly, as well as my need for new Jamie content. enjoy!
Tumblr media
half-moon eyes
“What if I don’t go?” you suggest, sprawled out on Keeley’s couch.
“You have to,” Rebecca calls from the kitchen. “It’s non-negotiable.”
“I don’t even work for you,” you say, “so you literally cannot make me.”
Keeley grins devilishly next to you, feet propped up on the coffee table. “You don’t work for me either, and I can make you,” she says.
You groan. “C’mon, Keels, I’m not even on staff at Richmond. Why do I have to go to this benefit? It’s going to be a bunch of rich footballer twats.”
Rebecca places two glasses on the table and sits down. “You’re a rich twat. And you’re our friend. Besides, Keeley and I already bought your dress.”
“You what?” you yelp.
Keeley’s still grinning, except it’s all smug now. “Come on, babe, it’ll be fun. Free food, free booze. Hot men. Besides, it’s for a good cause. You love those.”
You drape an arm over your eyes and say, “Fine. I’ll go. But honestly, it’s just because Ted told me he’d help me get Roy on the dance floor.”
Rebecca and Keeley become a chorus of “oh, come on,” as they whack you with Keeley’s pink fluffy pillows.
Keeley and Rebecca are the absolute worst for picking out the dress they did, because it’s perfect.
It’s sleeveless with a halter neck, decorated with giant light blue sequins all the way to the floor, with a slit high enough to add some spice, but still low enough that you won’t feel the need to tug at it every five seconds.
And while you were correct about the rich footballers, you were a little bit incorrect about the “twat” part. Mostly.
You didn’t want to go to the benefit for the same reasons Keeley and Rebecca did want you to go.
Jamie fucking Tartt. 
He does no favors for your “good girl” reputation, and yet you’ve found yourself completely enamored with him. You swear to Keels and Bec that it’s just his muscles and his eyes and nothing more, but they got you to admit that you also liked his personality and that’s when you knew you were done.
The whole point of being in a three-person friend group is so that at any given time, two of you can meddle in the third one’s love life.
It’s supposed to always be you and Keeley versus Rebecca, or you and Rebecca versus Keeley.
Not Rebecca and Keeley versus you. 
They had successfully gotten you to spend time with Jamie during a team party, one where they snuck you in as Keeley’s emotional-support person then promptly ditched you to flirt with footballers/coaches of their own. 
You’d sat in a corner with a book stolen from a shelf, trying to make yourself invisible. Unfortunately for you, Jamie has sharp eyes and a tendency to gravitate toward introverts. 
But it doesn’t matter now. You’re in Rebecca’s car headed to that dumb benefit and gripping Keeley’s hand.
“Please don’t leave me this time,” you plead.
Keeley squeezes your hand twice. “Babe, it’s a bunch of people you know. And besides, how are you supposed to get in Jamie’s pants if you’re with me the whole night?”
Rebecca snorts out a laugh as you groan. 
“I’m not trying to get into Jamie’s pants,” you say. “I’m literally only here because you made me.”
“Sure,” Keeley says. “And I’m a virgin.”
The car dissolves into laughter along with your nerves, and you feel as ready as you ever will to face the night.
“Two please,” you say to the bartender. He turns around to prepare Keeley and Rebecca’s drinks and you sigh, forearms on the counter.
“Rough night?” asks a teasing voice. You turn to see Jamie slide into the space next to you looking fit in a cream suit. He tilts his head a little bit, causing one dangly earring to sparkle in the light.
“Surprised to see you without a book,” he continues. “But no worries, you could always ask Roy for one of his. He’s always got one on him and I think he’s stored one up his-”
“Here you go,” says the bartender.
“Thanks,” you reply, nodding once to Jamie in a way that signals he can leave, but instead of doing so he follows you.
“I can take those,” he says, reaching for the drinks and you automatically hand them to him.
“Thanks,” you say again.
He tilts his head to look at you. “You’re fucking quiet tonight.”
You laugh once, short and grating. “Yeah, well, this isn’t really my thing. I got suckered into it and manipulated into wearing this dress and normally I’m not this uncomfortable, but I don’t really know many people here.”
“You know me,” Jamie says softly, and then you’re at the table. 
Keeley looks up in surprise as Jamie hands her a drink but the surprise doesn’t last long before it’s replaced by devilish twinkle. 
“Oh, are you two going dancing?” she says.
“N-no,” you stutter, “he was just-”
“Dancing sounds so fun,” Rebecca interjects. “I might join you in a song or two.”
“But we’re not-” you try again.
Rebecca quirks an eyebrow at you. “Aren’t you?”
You turn to see Jamie with his hand out. “Come on,” he says. “It’ll be fun. Swear down.”
You reach for him before your mind can tell you not to, and let him pull you onto the dance floor.
You aren’t the only ones there, it’s actually pretty busy, but there’s only one set of hands on you.
You’re letting Jamie Tartt into your space in a way that no man before has been allowed. 
He’s crowding you a little bit, dancing close enough that you’re brushing up against each other and there isn’t really anywhere to go, but you’re fairly certain that the moment you indicated you needed space, he’d be gone. 
He’s so close that it’s overwhelming, with the music loud in your ears and the smell of his cologne.
Time seems to slow, music fades, and all that exists are you and Jamie. He reaches out to touch your face and you lean closer, almost at eye-level due to your heels.
He pauses for just a moment so you surge forward and kiss him, vaguely aware of Keeley and Rebecca wolf-whistling somewhere nearby. 
Sam looks over and starts clapping, and pretty soon all the Greyhounds within the vicinity are hollering and cheering. You blush and press your hands to your cheeks but Jamie just grins. It’s the cocky, “I got the girl,” grin.
So yeah, sue you if he ended up in your bed.
What were you going to do, act like you were immune to the way he looked at you? The way he talked to you like you were the most interesting person in the room? The way his lips peppered firm kisses up your neck and across your clavicle after you sneaked outside for some “fresh air?”
No, immunity was never an option. 
Half of you said it was just a one-night stand and the other half… well the other half told you to consider the facts. 
The facts were that you knew he was into you, like full-on romantically attracted because you’d seen his text thread with Keeley.
She hadn’t shown you exactly, just left her phone unlocked on her coffee table, angled toward you while she told you she was going to make tea and it was going to take a long time.
So maybe the way he threaded your hands together while he pressed his body to yours won’t be a one-off event. Maybe you’ll get another chance to hear your name from his lips like it’s the only word he knows.
Maybe.
Except you’re awake at 2am and he’s gone; no note, no text, no nothing. You know for a fact he’s not meeting Roy, so where exactly could he have gone?
You don’t know. You just know your bed is cold and empty and there’s a strange pit in your chest. Maybe Keeley was wrong, and he didn’t like you that much. Maybe he was just looking for one night of fun.
You’d be ok with that, if only you’d known ahead of time. If only you hadn’t gotten your hopes up.
It’s a good thing you don’t work at Nelson Road because it means you can avoid Rebecca, Keeley, Jamie, and Ted for some reason, because apparently Rebecca told him everything and he’s incredibly invested in getting Jamie a “good girlfriend.”
Instead, you go to work like normal and accept your coworkers’ invitation to go out.
Kevin got you all into some incredibly popular bar because his girlfriend’s a repo baby, and you can tell from the moment you walk in that it is not your vibe. You’re just grateful you asked what to wear ahead of time.
You go to the bar and say, “Two please,” and feel someone slide into the space next to you. You turn, half expecting it to be Jamie.
It’s not, but he is attractive, objectively speaking. You down your shots and smile as dazzling as possible.
If you’re going to be here, you might as well get the most out of your night. The man next to you smiles back so you take that as an invitation to move a little closer and start flirting.
He buys you a drink and you laugh at his stupid little jokes, reaching out just a little to touch his arm. 
Your coworkers are doing there own thing and you’re debating whether or not you actually want to fuck this guy when you feel someone watching you. 
You pause a moment to try to get the room into focus but before you can, someone is shouldering their way in between you and whatever this guy’s name is.
“Alright mate, time to go,” Jamie says, and the guy says, “Jesus, sorry, didn’t know she had a boyfriend.”
“I don’t,” you slur but he’s already gone.
Jamie turns to you and says, “I’m getting you home,”
Your skin is tingly and warm and there’s a pleasant haze in your mind, but not so pleasant that you forget the fact that you’re still a little mad.
“Kevin,” you mumble as Jamie slips an arm under your shoulder.
“Yeah yeah, told that rich prick that I was getting you home safe. Recognized him from your website.”
A less-drunk you would have latched onto the fact that Jamie had looked at your website long enough to recognize some of the people you worked with. As it is, all you can think about is sleep. Which reminds you
“Why’d you leave?” you ask as Jamie helps you into the passenger seat.
Jamie stills for a moment before continuing to buckle you in. He gets into the car and sits in silence for a moment.
“Dunno,” he finally says. “It- it was too real for a moment. We’re not the same at all. You’re fucking… good. I’m not, not really.”
“Bullshit,” you reply but you succumb to sleep before Jamie can ask you what you mean.
You’re in Jamie’s car again less than twenty-four hours later. Why you agreed to meet him, you’re not sure. But here you are in a deserted parking lot at 8pm, parked as far away from streetlights as possible. Your knees are pulled to your chest, and you’re grateful you opted to wear your favorite over-large hoodie. It gives you the illusion of security, like you can hide.
Jamie on the other hand is wearing a fucking brown Gucci track suit.
“Isaac gave it to me,” he says with a shrug, in response to your raised eyebrow.
That’s been the extent of your conversation for a solid minute, ever since you got out of your car and into his. You’re not sure if you’re supposed to talk first, but you’re not going to. He’s the one who invited you, he’s the one who can figure out what to say.
He does not disappoint.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fucking left. Don’t really know what I were thinking.”
You snort out a laugh, but his worried face falls so abruptly that you immediately try to take it back. 
You say, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed. It’s just that there’s no way you don’t know what you were thinking. You’re not stupid, you don’t just accidentally leave like that. And it’s not the leaving that’s the problem, it’s the fact that you didn’t tell me. Or talk to me after at all. So I’m just stuck in my own head trying to figure out what I did wrong.”
Jamie is shaking his head before you’re even halfway done. “You’re right, I do know what I was thinking. It’s like, you’re fucking brilliant, yeah? You do all this cool shit and make a difference and everyone fucking loves you. I went on a tv show to piss of me dad.”
He pauses, staring at the steering wheel. “If I woke up in the same bed as you, I’d start thinking we could be together. That I could have something- real, like. And that isn’t gonna fucking work.” He laughs, once, but it’s void of mirth.
You squint at him. “You could have at least tried.”
Jamie moves uncomfortably in his seat as he says, “That’s how I do shit, ain’t it? Fuck it up before it can fuck me up.”
You both relapse into silence, and you take stock of the way the nighttime glow sits on Jamie’s skin. 
His features are softened, much like they looked in your dim bedroom light except this time, his eyebrows are knotted together.
You reach out to smooth them with your thumb before you can stop yourself. 
Jamie sighs and leans into your touch and you find yourself cupping his face. 
“What if we tried?” you whisper. “I bet we could do it. I’m really stubborn.”
He smiles a little at that, all wistful. “I’d do anything for you,” he responds, “Just don’t worry ‘bout it when it’s time for you to leave, yeah?”
What is it that Roy says, that you deserve someone who makes you feel like you’ve been struck by lightning?
You feel more like it’s a meteor. 
It looks pretty as it shoots across the sky, almost like it’s a star, but then it lands on you and squishes you flat. There’s no electrifying current, just the inescapable, crushing weight of a giant rock that you thought you could wish on.
Two months. You made it two months with Jamie, and it felt like you were dancing on clouds right up to the moment you tripped.
It’s always something with him. Everything’s for PR, for an angle, for the game. Your relationship… it’s smothering.  
It’s not smothering in the way you like, because let’s be real; you would be attached at his hip if you could.
But he seems to think that he can buy his way into your heart, especially during the weeks he has extra training, or an away game, or anything that cuts into your time together. 
“It’s too much,” you say through tears one afternoon. “I don’t even know what to do with half of it. You’re spending so much money on me and I’m not ungrateful, but Jamie. I don’t want things. I don’t care that you’re busy, I want you and I don’t want to be in a relationship with someone who thinks they can purchase my affection.
Jamie just looks at you, nods once, and walks away. No fight, no nothing. 
You’re struck by two conflicting memories at once.
The first being his outstretched hand at the benefit, ready to pull you out of your comfort zone. 
The second, his soft voice saying, “don’t worry ‘bout it when it’s time to leave.”
As you watch his retreating figure, you fight the urge to run after him. He’s the one with the self-sabotaging tendencies. You should have realized you were going to end up here sooner or later. 
If he doesn’t even think you’re worth fighting for, then what’s the point?
You text Keeley and Rebecca, then get to your bed as fast as you possibly can.
Two months is a lot longer than most people think it is. It’s over sixty days of waking up with someone. Of texting them. Of holding them, eating meals with them, of kissing them goodnight. 
It only takes two weeks for a habit to develop and now your bed feels far too large and empty. 
Keeley’s snoring in what should be Jamie’s spot, unceremoniously sprawled out in some awful satin zebra-print pajamas. It’s better than being alone, but you’d rather have Jamie snoring next to you in some awful satin leopard-print boxers.
“Do you believe in soulmates?” you ask Rebecca. You’re laying on her floor while she eats a biscuit.
She asks, “Platonic or romantic?” so you shoot her a questioning glance. “I’m not sure about romantic soulmates, but after seeing Ted and Beard, I abso-fucking-loutely believe in platonic soulmates,” she clarifies.
“Cool,” you say, “smashing, brill, fucking superb.”
“What makes you think Jamie was your soulmate?” she asks. That makes you sit up.
“I didn’t say shit about Jamie,” you say.
Rebecca rolls her eyes. “Darling, it was very heavily implied. And anyway, who else would you be talking about? The last time you had a boyfriend was back when this club was still complete shit. So. Why do you think Jamie was your soulmate?”
“I don’t,” you respond, “I just- I don’t know, we clicked. It was weird. You know we talked before the benefit? We were at this party and… he talked to me. I was hiding because Keeley fucking left me by myself so I stole a book and was reading in the corner, and he sat next to me and started asking me questions. And-” you stop yourself.
“And,” Rebecca prompts.
“And I wish he would have fought a little more. For as great as he said I was, he just walked away like it was nothing. It feels like shit.”
Rebecca stands up only to sit down on the floor next to you. She tells you, “Men are shit with feelings. They never know what they really want until they don’t have it.”
You don’t take precautions to sneak out of Rebecca’s office because everyone has left by the time you go, so you walk down the stairs arm in arm as you giggle about something stupid.
“Oh shit, I left my phone on my desk,” she says. “Wait here while I get it?”
You grin and lean against the wall, staring down a decal of Bumbercatch.
You can feel someone watching you and you assume it’s just Declan’s cutout until something moves in your peripheral vision. 
“Jesus Christ!” you exclaim. “Jamie?”
“I weren’t trying to scare you,” he says apologetically. “Didn’t know anyone was still here. I was doing a cool down on the treadmill and lost track of time.”
“…Cool,” you reply. You’re not sure what you’re supposed to say in situations like this.
Jamie passes his water bottle from one hand to the other as you shift your weight. Neither one of you are making an effort to say anything, or an effort to leave.
“For Christ’s sake,” comes Rebecca’s voice a few steps above you. “Can you two please just tell each other how you’re fucking feeling? My god Jamie, use your big boy words for fucking once.”
Jamie looks offended for a moment but apparently Rebecca’s words ring a little bit true because he switches from offended to wistful. Again.
“I can’t with that face,” you tell him. “You look like a kicked puppy, and it’s your fault at least eighty percent of the time.”
“I’m leaving,” Rebecca says. 
“Wait, but you drove me here,” you say to her back. 
She calls, “Cheers,” with no indication that she’s listening to you.
“I can take you home,” Jamie offers.
You tilt your head at him and say, “Yeah, and I can catch a taxi. Or walk. Or anything, really.”
“I’m driving you,” he says. “Just gotta grab my bag.”
“Oh now he fights,” you mutter.
Jamie stills for a moment before heading into the locker room. He’s back so fast you wonder if he was worried about you sneaking out without him.
You’re sitting in the passenger seat, reliving all the times you’ve been here before. You resist the urge to curl up.
It’s a quiet ride over to your house and you take advantage of the fact that Jamie is actively not looking at you. You allow yourself to examine his profile out of the corner of your eye. You miss touching his face, holding his hand. Does he feel the same? Most likely not.
He pulls into your driveway and as you reach for the handle he says, “Oi.”
You still.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I really am.”
You explode. “For fucking what, Jamie? What the fuck do you think you’re sorry for? How many times are we going to do this? If one of us were going to have relationship insecurity, I would’ve assumed it’d be me. Hell, everyone thinks that I’m the insecure one. But it’s you! I don’t fucking get it, you ruin every good thing you have because you have stupid fucking thoughts and you don’t fight for what you fucking want, for fuck’s sake.”
“I want you,” he says.
“Coulda fooled me,” you shoot back.
“I do and I know I was being a twat. Went to fucking… therapy. I’m getting better, swear down.”
“Uh huh,” you say. “Bullshit.”
“That’s a fuck-ton of swear words for you,” he comments. “Been taking notes from Roy?” “Piss off,” you reply.
“That’s a yes.”
“Fine. Here’s a nice, clean sentence for you. What do you want?”
“I miss you,” he says without hesitation.
Right.
“And..?” you say.
“And I want you back.”
“Maybe,” you reply. “Possibly. I’ll put you on probation. Cook me dinner and then we’ll talk about it.”
Jamie turns off his car. “Does that mean I can come in?”
You sigh, but it’s with a smile on your face. “Against my better judgement yes, it does mean you can come in. But no funny business. At least not tonight.”
Jamie grins just a tiny bit and says, “Does cuddling count as funny business? I miss holding you?”
“We’ll see how good dinner is.” You open the car door and Jamie follows you close on your heels into your house. You think maybe this time, you’ll both get it right.
266 notes · View notes
novasintheroom · 5 months ago
Text
Tumblr media
favorite flower - Prince!Vash x Reader
He finds out first that you don’t like roses. The walk in the rose garden comes to a halt when you voice this.
“They’re beautiful,” you say. He still sees the small wrinkle of your nose when you speak of them. “They are just…very common.”
“Common? How so?” Vash asks.
You clasp your hands behind your back. Your foot reaches out to toe at the earth. “They…are a favorite among potential suitors in all kingdoms. Every noble girl receives them.” You look up desperately, willing him to understand something, “It’s as if the suitors do not ask their lady if she even wants them.”
Vash laughs, a little startled. “Don’t all ladies want flowers?”
You sigh, and Vash feels like he missed a mark somehow. “Yes, we do.”
 “Well…wasn’t your bouquet filled with roses at the wedding?”
You tense and look up, face carefully blank. “I didn’t have much choice in anything that day.” After a beat, you continue your walk through the garden.
Vash trails a bit behind, face stinging. He should have known better than to bring up the wedding; it is still a delicate subject. But still, his mind grabs hold on what you said: no choice on that day.
Looking around the immediate garden, he wonders.
--
“If you were married – “
“Stop. I’m not entertaining your delusions today.”
“Just wait!” Vash puts both palms out, willing Nai to stop his work and listen for a moment. His brother looks up from his desk, deadpanned and ill-humored. It never bothers Vash. “If you were married, what kind of flowers would you get your wife?”
Nai pushes a sigh out and goes back to the writing before him. “You’ve already messed up badly enough to warrant flowers?” He scoffs. “What did you do?”
“No! It’s nothing like that.” Vash sighs, pacing around the room. “She told me that she doesn’t like roses. Which, what girl doesn’t like roses?”
“Your wife, apparently.”
Vash groans and pulls a hand down his face. “I want to make her feel comfortable here! We’ve only got a rose garden. What do I give her that isn’t roses?” Nai doesn’t answer. His pen scritches across the paper before him, marking and taking notes. Vash turns to his twin. “So? What would you get your wife?”
Nai takes a breath in and out of his nose. “Lillies. Daisies. I don’t know.”
“No, she doesn’t really like those either…”
A single white brow raises. Nai glances up. “Have you asked her what she would like?”
Vash freezes and clears his throat. “No…”
Nai only shakes his head. “You’ve said yourself how direct she can be with her answers. Why haven’t you asked her?”
Vash slumps into one of the chairs in front of Nai’s desk. “Because…I want to show her I pay attention, without her having to tell me everything.”
Nai finally puts his pen down and regards his brother. What a silly concept. Only Vash would complicate something as simple as an arranged marriage. He dregs up an old memory. “Do you recall what Mother told us about marriage?”
Vash picks at the chair’s leather arm. “She said a lot of things.”
Nai tilts his head. “What I’m referring to is when she said marriage takes commitment and understanding between both parties to succeed. If you don’t ask her what she likes, you are taking away her chance to be understood.”
It makes sense. Of course it does. Mother was always wise in her counsel, even when they were young. But…Vash sighs. He wants to be a good husband. And good husbands notice things about their wives!
Suddenly, an idea hits him. “Maybe,” he says, “I can take her to a flower shop in town, and see what she gravitates towards?”
Nai sighs. Hit and a miss. “Get out.”
--
Despite Nai’s tendency to believe his brother stupid, Vash is not dull. Very, very stubborn, but not dull.
He starts with having servants plant new flowers in the garden. Lilies, poppies, orchids. He takes you on a walk to point them out. You look at them, smile, but nothing more. So, he continues. Tulips, dahlias, carnations, irises. You stop at your favorite colors, point at them and smile again, but nothing that screams, this, this is my favorite flower.
Vash gets down and dirty after that. He helps the servants plant the new flowers, fingers growing dark with dirt and cheeks red from the sun. Bushes of roses are removed to make room for new blooms. It becomes his new hobby, his time off when not in dreaded meetings and other princely duties. He researches flowers, finding exotics from other lands and having them shipped in on his own dime. When they are planted, he looks around at the work and hopes. Then, he fetches you and you take a walk.
After the twelfth time of doing this, you finally ask, “What are you doing, exactly?”
Vash almost trips. “What do you mean?”
You give him a look that makes his heart skip. “We’ve been taking an awful lot of walks lately. And I’ve noticed your work in the garden. It’s very beautiful. But I can tell you’re waiting for something.” You nod your head at his expression. “Speak.”
But he doesn’t want to. He wants to find out for himself! Without realizing, he pouts and shakes his head.
You hook your arm through his and pull him along, a small smile on your face. “Husband,” you say softly, “has this got to do with my not liking roses?”
Vash swallows. His heart pitter patters at being called ‘husband’ so quietly. “What makes you think that?”
Your lips lift more, and with your free hand you gesture around. “There are remarkably less roses in this garden than there were a few weeks ago. More flower varieties as well. You’ve been spending more and more time out here, planting your plants. I’ve been wondering where you have been.”
A sudden guilt overtakes him. “I did not mean to neglect you for this project.”
“Ah, so it is a project.” You pat his arm with your hand. “And you didn’t neglect me; wipe that look off your face.”
You both walk to a part of the garden that sits against the wall of the castle. Red geraniums grow around a stone bench and bird bath, along with small forget-me-nots that twine with the red. You sit at the bench, and Vash sighs. It’s time to come clean. “I did not mean to keep it a secret, but I wanted to find out what your favorite flower was.”
Your brows raise. “So that is it. All of this work, just to find out what I like? You flatter me.” You hesitate before taking his hand, “But wouldn’t it have been easier if you had merely asked me?”
Vash flushes. “Of course. But I…I wanted to show that I pay attention to what you like and don’t like.” It sounds silly saying it out loud now. He feels it further when you laugh.
“That is very sweet of you. More sweet than I deserve. But I think we should put an end to the mystery and allow the servants to get back to their regular duties, hm?” You lean forward and touch some of the flowers growing under the bench. “I enjoy all flowers, truly – even roses on occasion. But the ones I like most are the small ones – the ones that pollinators can easily get to. Forget-me-nots, baby’s-breath, that sort of thing.” You straighten and look ponderously ahead. “I suppose that would have made a poor bouquet for a royal wedding.”
“No!” He’s emphatic, holding your hand tighter to get you to look at him. “It would have been beautiful! Just having small flowers, it would have been a new start to a tradition!”
You smile. “I hear that’s what village girls do for their weddings – pick whatever small flowers are in bloom for the spring and that is their bouquet. It likely would have just made nobles call me a village girl if I had it my way.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” he says, playing with your fingers. “Nothing wrong with any of it.”
“I know,” you say, and grasp his fingers in your own. “Thank you, for trying so hard. I think the garden looks much livelier now than ever.”
It does. There are more butterflies, hummingbirds, and other small creatures around now than there were before. Fat bumblebees buzz low to the ground, picking at the little flowers found there. Vash watches a smaller honeybee land on one of the geraniums nearby, and smiles.
Maybe he could have asked you what your favorite flower was and been done with it. But, as you shyly lay your head on his shoulder, he thinks he likes this arrangement better.
132 notes · View notes