#like oh you can just put your all into it and stay dedicated and connected to the people who resonate with what you make and how you delive

[bredforloyalty]

fine. no. i don't feel normal about any of that

[sachirobabe]

Chapter 7

Kuroo Tetsurou x reader

Wc: 3694

Summary: You, a dedicated member of the girls' volleyball team, find an unexpected connection with Kuroo Tetsurou. Igniting a bond over shared passions and stolen moments, love blossoms on the court; all because you met him at a captains meeting.

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Taglist: @merlucide, @lemurzsquad, @02shuuu, @michakune, @ivy-taylorsversion, @scinclaitnoir, @v-e-r-t21, @bakugouswaif, @siheez

"Oh he wants you so bad." Himari squeals as she's setting up the volleyball nets.

You click your tongue and turn around, "You and Mori, I swear."

"He does! Everything you're telling me is like straight out of a movie." Himari smiles widely, she was too amped up right now to set up the net.

You rolled your eyes, "It's not like that—"

"Do you like him?" She interrupts you.

"What?-uh, Himari, you—ugh!" You say completely caught in a lie and Himari falls into a fit of laughter.

"You so do. I can tell." She smiles. "Told you Mori is never wrong when it comes to relationships."

"We're not in a relationship. We're friends, and I don't like him." You glare at her. More and more players begin to come into the gym and you give one last final glare at her to shut up.

You see Kuroo come in and your eyes remain on him a little bit too long for your comfort. 'I don't like him. I don't like him.' You mentally say to yourself. 'I need to focus on the upcoming tournament.' You repeat.

It was the last day of the week and with both teams' busy schedules, the practice match with them was today. You try to focus up for it, but your mind keeps wandering to him.

"I changed the line up like we talked about a few days ago." Coach Mori gets your attention and you shake every other thought out of your head to listen.

"What was wrong with—oh, wait I remember." You recall the conversation. "Yeah, so Naomi and I are switched, right?"

She nods, "Yeah, let's see how this works out." She looks at you suspiciously, "You seem distracted."

You frown at her, "Do not. Himari and I—I don't know even know." You laugh. "She's distracting me."

"That is so not true!" Himari laughs, dropping the net and running to tell Mori about your 'date' last night with the captain.

"Keep your voices down!" You look around and see that everybody is busy and distracted. "Everything's fine. He and I are just friends." You clear up, but a tiny part of you really does enjoy being with him.

You like how he makes you laugh. You like his cute hair and how it's messy, but it fits him. You like how he's competitive and gives his all in games.

Your mind wanders and Himari brings you back, "She's even daydreaming about him!"

"Was not!" You say a bit too loudly, your face feels warm and you look away.

"Okay okay, as much as I love this, we need to focus up for the practice match." Coach Mori says and Himari whines to her about how this is a monumental thing.

You talked to a few other teammates while you stretched, trying to forget about everything and get your mind in the game.

"When are you going to ask her out?!" Yamamoto grins at his captain.

"I don't even know if she likes me back." Kuroo says, he had just finished telling every living soul who would listen to him about his dinner with you, that wasn't really a date, but could maybe possibly be considered one?

"Well, she hasn't told you to go away." Yaku laughs, but with a single glare from Kuroo, he pipes down.

"Just go for it. If she doesn't like you, then she doesn't like you. And you'll finally shut up about her." Kenma says as his eyes are glued to his phone.

"It's not that simple!" Kuroo look around nervously, trying to make sure nobody else was listening.

"It really is." Kenma says.

"Oh, and you have so much experience to talk from?" Kuroo crosses his arms.

"Do you at least have her number?" Kai asks, trying to work through the situation Kuroo has put himself in.

Kuroo stays quiet and scratches the back of his head when asked. "Uh.."

"You don't have her number?!" Yaku yells, you turned your head at the sudden volume, not sure what's got Yaku so riled up.

"Will you shut your goddamn mouth for once in your life?" Kuroo whisper-yells at Yaku, and nervously looks around at the number of eyes on them. "No. I haven't gotten her number, YET." He emphasizes.

"So you finally got the balls to hangout with her after three years, are we going to have to wait another three for you to get her number?" Yaku jokes, making a few members of the team laugh.

"Ask her today." Kai encourages.

"I-I can't just ask, what if she thinks I'm weird?" Kuroo says worried.

"She won't, just use a pick up line or something." Yaku rolls his eyes.

"Bro, have you ever seen him flirt? Like ever?" Yamamoto laughs, "I'm sorry, cap, but you have no rizz."

"Anything that comes out of your mouth is brainrot, you know that?" Kenma says after being quiet for a little. The two begin to bicker back and forth.

"Just be nice. You've managed to talk to her at school and hangout." Kai says, ignoring the two younger class-men.

"Yeah, but I thought I was going to die when I did." Kuroo chuckles nervously, he then feels a tap on his arm and turns around.

You smile up at him, "We need to decide who serves first."

He takes a few seconds to respond, trying to calm himself down, "Yeah-uh, yeah for sure." He says quickly.

"I'll let you call it." You smile and flip the coin, he doesn't take his eyes away from you the entire time. He goofily smiles at you, watching your determined expression as you watch the coin.

"Heads." He confidently says while it's in the air. It comes back down and you catch it and flip it on your hand.

"Heads." You frown and confirm.

"We'll serve." He smiles, his eyes traveling to your hair, liking how you did it today.

"Good luck." You say and go back to your team to give them the bad news.

"Back it up one!" Your coach says and you move to middle back. Misaki was to your right and Rikako was on your left. You had your hands on your knees as you waited for Kenma to serve.

"Watch short, Himari. He's coming for you." Misaki says and gets into position to receive. Himari nods and watches the ball as Kenma indeed does serve it to her.

Himari manages to get the ball up high, "Misaki!" She says.

Misaki runs and jumps right before the line and without any words said, everybody began their approaches.

You made eye contact with Misaki just as her hands were about to touch the ball, she gives you a light toss right to your hand and you slam it to the other side.

Fukunaga gets under it and receives it perfectly, making you frown. You quickly move to left back to get ready for the counter attack. Misaki goes to middle back and Rikako to right back.

Kenma sets to Yamamoto, he hits the ball with all he's got and it's flying quickly towards you. Your arms are already in position to receive the ball, what you weren't expecting was for the force of it to be so much, you take most of its power and momentum and end up falling to the ground.

"Nice receive!" The bench yells and you quickly get up, Himari sets a quick to the middle and Kuroo easily gets in front of it to stop it, you notice the ball flying towards the ground quickly, you throw your body and manage to get a hand on the ball to save it.

"It's up!" You yell and get out of the way.

Mei hesitates on taking the ball, "I got it!" Himari yells and Mei moves out of her way, Himari sets the ball to Naomi.

Naomi manages to get it to the other side and Yaku receives it annoyingly perfectly. Everybody watches Kuroo begin his approach, but lags his jump, effectively tricking the blockers. He smirks and hits the ball with nobody in his way.

You're not able to react quickly, but you manage to get one hand on the ball and do a one arm receive. "Sorry, Himari!" You say, it was a little off.

"It's fine!" She yells back and jumps to set, but last second she does a setter dump.

Yaku dove for the ball and it flies in the air, back onto your side. "Free ball!" You all yell. "I go!" Misaki says and bumps the ball to Himari.

"A!" You yell for your position, knowing there wasn't a play. Himari sets you the ball and you jump into the air, you could see the blockers hands and aim for their fingertips, you ricochet the ball off of Kai's hands and it finally hits the ground.

You're panting, but cheering with your team. "God damn." Himari breathes heavily.

"You guys need to do more cardio!" Coach Mori yells from the sideline and coach Nekomata got a kick out of it.

"Nice job, guys." You smile and high five everyone on the court. You all rotate and now you're in left back. "Serve up a good one, Himari." You kick her the ball and she picks it up. She nods and looks at her sister for where to serve.

Rikako switches with Emi and you give her a high five as she joins the front row. You get into position and as the whistle blows, Himari serves the ball onto the other side. She served it hard, but it was easily picked up, "Watch left!" Emi yells.

The ball goes to Yamamoto and you brace yourself for another hard hit, this time he hits a line shot and Himari receives it, she too falls onto the floor after from the impact and power of the ball.

"Get up, Himari!" Coach Mori yells.

"I got it!" Misaki yells and does the same thing as before, "Naomi!" She tosses it to her.

You're watching Naomi's movements and she's confident in the air, you softly smile, knowing she was about to slam the ball, and she does. It wasn't able to be picked up from the guys and you all cheer. "Marry me, Naomi." Himari dramatically says and praises her.

"Buy me dinner first." Naomi winks and accepts everyone's praise.

"Jesus." Yaku chuckles, "My bad, guys." He takes the blame.

"You're good." Kuroo slaps his back and they all get in position to receive again. Himari goes back to serve again, she was able to continue the streak for one more play, but the next was slammed right onto your court by Kuroo.

"Sorry, I read it wrong." Misaki apologizes.

"It's okay, we'll get the next one." You say and go back to receive. Yamamoto goes back to serve and you already know it's going to be intense.

The ball looks like it's going to you but it quickly curves and Misaki wasn't expecting it, the ball ricochets off her arms, "Fuck," she mumbles, "Sorry, I'll get the next one." She says determined.

"You sleeping on me, Misaki? Watch his hand and his finish." Coach Mori reminds and Misaki laughs and nods, knowing she wasn't going to make the same mistake again.

Yamamoto does another serve and it curves just the same, Misaki receives it flawlessly, "Nice pass!" You yell and Himari gets her hands on the ball, she sets it behind her to Emi and she hits the ball, Kuroo gets a touch and it slows the ball down for Yaku to pass it perfectly to Kenma. Kai hits the ball and it goes straight to you, your arms are starting to hurt from receiving all of these hits.

"Sorry, Himari!" You say, it was a little off. It didn't matter to her, she was able to get under it quickly and managed to do a quick to Mei, the attack makes it over and the boys pick it up and get ready to counter attack.

Yamamoto hits the ball and it slams onto the ground. "Hey, we're good. We've got this next one." You encourage and circle up with your team.

It goes back and forth, both teams scoring left and right. You feel yourself not fully immersed in the game, your passes have been off and your hits aren't really going where you want them to.

You're frustrated as you go to serve, you look at your coach and see where she wants you to serve. You take a deep breath and throw the ball into the air. You hit it and it immediately feels off, it goes straight into the net.

"You're good, make it up with a pass." coach Mori encouraged and you nod. Kuroo eyes you and frowns a little.

Kenma is up to serve again and you get in position. He serves it to you, the ball floats a little and you receive it with your hands.

"Sorry, it's off!" You say for what felt like the millionth time.

"You're good, shake it off." Coach Mori says and watches the ball. Himari sets to Keiko in the middle, Fukunaga receives it and Kenma does a quick with Kuroo.

You're still caught up on the sloppy receive you did that you don't notice the ball until last minute and it's too late to use your hands or anything, the ball quickly hits your face. Kuroo had a powerful hit, so it hurt even more.

The room gasps as they see you fall back and hold your face. You look up and feel something warm come down your face, you quickly use your hand to feel and see you're bleeding from your nose.

Your eyes widen and cover your nose, "Oh my god, are you okay?!" Kuroo rushes towards you, feeling awful that he hit you.

"Yeah—yeah I'm okay." You finally say, everything moving in normal time now and not in slow motion.

"You're bleeding. I'm so sorry." He says and looks at you worried. Somebody hands him a towel and he removes your bloody hand away from your nose and he softly places the towel on your face, not wanting to hurt you any further.

"Do you mind taking her to the nurse?" Coach Mori asks Kuroo, to him her smile was innocent, but to Himari and the rest of your teammates, there was a more devious meaning to it.

"Yeah, okay—yeah I can do that." He says and helps you up, he doesn't care if blood gets on him as he touches your hands. He has a hold on you in case it was a concussion and you'd sway. "I'm so so sorry." He apologizes again as he leads you to the nurse.

"It's okay." You say, "It was my fault."

"And how in the world is me hitting you in the face your fault?" He narrows his eyes at you.

"I wasn't paying attention. I was too in my head." You say.

He shakes his head, "I'm really sorry. Does it hurt?"

"What do you think?" You giggle and he smiles, happy that you're not mad at him and he thinks maybe he didn't completely ruin his chance with you.

"Yeah, I'm a little strong, sorry about that." He not-so-subtly brags.

You rolled your eyes and he laughs, he still has a hand on you and you're now hyper aware of it. Weirdly, you're craving more. You shake your head and think you're concussed because you're having these thoughts.

"You alive?" Kuroo notices you had gone quiet.

"Yeah-uh, I'm okay." You say. "Just still thinking about how I was playing."

He hums, "You were playing great."

You shake your head, "My receives were bad, and my hits—"

"That's not what it looked like to me." Kuroo smiles, a faint blush on his face, but he'll blame it on just playing a match if you ask.

"Thanks, Kuroo, but—"

"Nuh uh, I won't hear it." He says and shakes his head repeatedly. His hair following his movements, making his bed head even more cute. 'What am I thinking?' You think to yourself.

"Thank you." You say and look away, feeling your face burn. He opens the door to the nurse and lets you go first. His hand never leaving your back.

"Hi! Is everything alright?" The nurse asks, her eyes slightly widen when she sees Kuroo.

"I got hit in the face, my nose is bleeding." You say and the nurse nods, quickly taking you over to the sink to see the damage and clean the blood up. Luckily the bleeding had for the most part stopped, she hands you a tampon looking thing and plugs your nose with it.

"Tetsurou, there's a sink in the back you can use to wash your hands." The nurse says. You're a little confused as to why she used his first name. You watch Kuroo leave and clean up. "I'm going to ask you a few questions, okay?"

You nod, knowing the questions she was going to ask were to determine if you had a concussion. You answer her questions and luckily you don't have a concussion. Just a headache from the blood loss and your face was still stinging from where the ball had made contact.

Kuroo comes back, "Are you okay?" He asks you. You nod and remove the ice pack from your face to show him the damage he did, his frown deepens.

"You couldn't have hit her anywhere else?" The nurse laughs at him and he sheepishly looks away.

"It was an accident." He can feel her eyes on him.

"I'm sorry my brother hit you." The nurse says and you're taken back.

"Brother?" You ask and look at the two of them. You guess you could see the resemblance, although her hair was a lot more tame than Kuroo.

"This is my sister," Kuroo introduces you, "And this is Y/n."

Her eyes widen at your name, "Y/n, this is—”

Kuroo quickly cut her off, "Yeah, this is Y/n." He gulps, "I—uh told you she was the captain for the girls team." He glares at her.

"Oh, that's right." She smiles, "I'm Tokiko. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too." You smile politely back. "Am I good to play still?"

She hums, "Yup! All good to go."

"Shouldn't you rest? Doesn't your head hurt?" Kuroo asks worriedly.

"I'm okay." You smile, "I've taken some hard hits." He frowns when you say that. "Besides, I've still got to beat you."

He laughs, "Alright, let's go, then." He waves bye to his sister and you politely wave as well.

"How long has she been working here?" You ask, remembering he had said that she was way older and he didn't see her much.

"She just started this week, actually." He chuckles. "She was at a different school, but then she transferred."

You hum, "She doesn't really look like you."

"Yeah, I know." He smiles. "Everybody says that, but we do have the same parents."

You're starting to like being around him. You know you shouldn't be saying that, but it's true. You can't help how often you smile at him, everything just feels so natural with him.

God, if Himari was in your brain, you knew she'd be cheering up and down about how she and her sister were right all along.

The game was almost over by the time you guys got back, you were happy to see that your team was winning. You sit next to your coach, not wanting to go back into the game to ruin their flow.

You cheered from the sidelines as Emi lands the last hit and wins the game. You're smiling hard and Kuroo can't take his eyes off you. He adores how happy you are that your team won.

He's not even upset that his team lost, no, he's not even paying any attention to them.

"Uh hello? Your team is right here." Yaku waves his arms in front of the captain. Kuroo smiles, he smiles so hard his face hurts, Yaku rolls his eyes and calls him a lost cause.

Kuroo decides to man up, he waits until your friends have left your side, and the second they do, his long legs strut towards you quickly.

"I believe I won." You smile as you see him coming up to you.

His heart feels like it's about to pound out of his chest, "Technically, neither of us were playing towards the end." He chuckles. "Are you doing anything tomorrow?" He fiddles with his shorts nervously. He's not sure where exactly he got the confidence to ask, but he's not complaining right now.

You hum, "It's Saturday...no, I don't think so." You say, "Why?" Your heart is racing and you're not even sure why.

"Would you wanna do homework at the library?" He asks, now he's thinking that maybe you don't have homework and he panics, "O-or if you don't have homework, that's—uh, that's fine, you don't have to—"

You find his nervousness cute and interrupt him, "I'd love to." You smile and he feels his entire body almost explode with excitement.

"Great—uh, yeah, I'm looking forward to it." He mentally tells himself to calm down, "Here, put your number in so I can text you the address." He thinks he's so smooth by finally asking to hangout and get your number. He's going to brag to Yaku so hard now if you agree.

"Sure." You agree and he hands you his phone, your nervous fingers type out your number, you feel like you're moving in slow motion. "There, text me so I can save your number ."

He nods quickly and types, 'Hi :)', you chuckle as you see his text pop up. You save his contact info, "Thanks." You smile.

"I should be thanking you." Kuroo laughs, "I'll see you tomorrow!" He says and runs back to his team before he says anything stupid. You shake your head lightly and try to hide your smile. 'I'm in trouble.' You say to yourself mentally.

[igglemouse]

As sunlight streams through a few kitchen windows on an ordinary Tuesday morning, I find myself in my zone, right in front of a stove and preparing what hopes to be a delectable breakfast.

Today, my craving calls for a special oatmeal creation that only a chef's touch can perfect because I plan to fold in a generous amount of berries and a few swirls of cream, maybe even a sprinkle of cinnamon? Who knows, sometimes when it comes to cooking its more about a feel and a whim to create a symphony of flavors that will get my taste buds dancing and singing.

As for Pascal, he was busy working out. Always working out. That is one dedicated man but that is one of the main reasons I'm attracted to him. I do love a man that has a goal, that has something driving him and Pascal definitely fits that criteria.

After my breakfast and after his workout we meet up on the couch.

"I'm so happy that you've been staying over,” he starts. “You know, you can stay over as long as you like, right?”

"I think you've said that before,” I reply, but I do like hearing him say it again.

"Well, it's true! I don't mind you being over here. There are many pros and I can’t think of any cons but I guess there might be a few.”

"Oh? A few cons, really?" I challenge.

"Nah, just kidding, no cons at all now that I think of it."

"The pros then?"

"The food is always amazing and the company is somehow better than the food."

"And by company you mean?”  He gets just a little closer as I ask, close enough that our shoulders brush up against each other and he puts aside his patience and brings me in for a kiss... 

And he kissed until somehow some way my clothes were off...

After our little romp I was reminded that I'll be needing clean clothes for the week and for some reason the man doesn't have a washer or dryer. I think he mentioned that he relies on the equipment manager at the stadium or something? For a professional athlete, he sure does live modestly, I’m not sure if financially this is a good or a bad thing but lets go with bad since it leaves me here washing my own clothes in a bucket of water under the hot Oasis Springs sun. 

Being filthy rich was never my goal and I don't want to just tie myself to him in the hopes that his next contract will be the thing that makes him wealthy but...it wouldn't be so bad, would it?

At least there would be a washer and dryer.

Right after handling my laundry I receive a text from Irene. She's asking if she can come over to hang out. It is a good idea since I don't have much planned for today, so it would be great to catch up with her and spend some time together.

But that won't be till later as right now is about lunch.

The enticing aroma of tamales drags Pascal from presumably whatever workout he was in the middle of and right into the kitchen. A big goofy grin on his face contradicts the accusatory look of his eyes, directed right at me, or rather, past me and at the stove. "Actually, this is definitely one of the cons."

"Didn't you say earlier that my cooking was a pro,” I say, playfully desperate to defend myself but thankfully my tamales are ready to go to help in my defense.

"Yes, but your cooking will make me fat and slow. I'll be cut from the team in a few months!"

"Pascal! You told me you didn't want salads so-"

"Cut in a year, Frida, think about that..."

I just laugh because no way this guy is going to put on weight with how much time he spends on the treadmill and working out.

Right as I finish my lunch I’m pulled to the door by a gentle knock which I correctly assume is Irene. Seeing her does put a smile on my face and I hurry to wrap her into a hug because I feel like there is an instant connection between us.

Instead of inviting her inside I led her to the side of the house as the weather really was too perfect to stay inside. 

Irene was eager to talk about my food or more specifically, the tacos I had for sale.

"I absolutely adored them!" she tells me but I could tell just by the look in her eyes. “Just a very classic taste and texture to them and-”

"Some foods just don’t need much experimentation," I offer because its true. I don’t try to reinvent the wheel with my dishes I simply try to make the car go faster.

"You're right about that you know but I've been trying to spice things up, you know? Fusion tacos, trying to mix things up and create a signature dish."

"Oh, hows that been going? What about that man ummm...your boss?" Remember him, Martin Lucena? He tried to hire me and was very very upset when I told him no? 

"Yeaaaa, he's not much for experimentation," she says with a laugh and I think more about my run in with the man just last night. Hard to imagine ever working for him. "But you know, I do it on my own time. One day I'll be on my own, like you are, and having a signature dish or two will help me stand out."

"Hmmm," she has a point there. I could use a signature dish myself. After all, a flying car must be better than one that just goes faster, right?

It was nice to spend more time with Irene but the day grew late and left me with Pascal who was at this time making love to his treadmill once again. I decided to bother him and annoy him a little because why not? He was having none of it though and decided to use the art of telling corny jokes to fend me off. 

"Why did the striker bring string to the game?" he asked. I froze in pure fear of what the answer might be, pleading with a look for him to not continue. "He wanted to tie the game!"

I cringe, already throwing in the white flag. "Okay Pascal, I don't-”

"How does a player stay cool during the game?"

"Water?"

"No, they stand near the fans!" He said, jubilant, as if he had scored a championship winning goal.

"Why does-"

"Noope! You enjoy your workout!" I get out of there just in time. 

So yeah, I really am enjoying my time over here...

Frida Varela Index ~ Next 5.2

[minnielvr]

december - hwang hyunjin

˚ ༘ pairing bf! hyunjin x fem! idol! reader

˚ ༘ genre fluff, song fic

˚ ༘ wc 892

˚ ༘ listen to december - ariana grande (seriously, listen to it.)

˚ ༘ note the arianator inside me is coming out😭 this been sitting in my drafts since the beginning of december🙏

you had just released your new solo song today. it was a christmas themed loved song. hyunjin was on your mind the whole time you were making it, so you guess it was a little early christmas gift for him.

you opened the door to your guys' shared apartment and kicked off your shoes. you ran towards hyunjins little art studio and barged in.

"babe babe! did you hear the new song i released?!?" you hoped he did already.

he chuckled softly and put down his art palette, wiping his hands and taking off his little apron, he invited you to sit down on his lap.

"no i have not baby, wanna show it to me?" his soft eyes were staring right into yours, making you shy. you nuzzled your face into his neck and muttered something incoherent to him.

"hm? what was that honey?" he tried to lift your face out of the crook of his neck but it was no use.

"j-just search it up and play it.." you looked up a little bit into his eyes.

"but thats no fun," he pouted. "how about you sing it for me? it can be an early christmas gift." he smirked. almost as if he knew it was for him.

"fine, but no laughing!" you took his phone and went to youtube to search up the song.

he giggled. "okay baby, i won't laugh, i promise." he moved you a little bit backwards on his lap so he could get the full view of you.

you pulled up the music on his phone and started singing, trying to avoid eye contact with him.

when december comes, i bet you want to wrap me all up and take me home with you see what i look like under them lights we'll keep it quiet, whatever we do

you winked at him after that verse. his mouth opened a little bit but he still smiled nonetheless. your voice sounded like honey to him. he liked where this song was going so far.

i'm just tryna keep my baby warm through the wintertime i'm just tryna give you something to remember through the summertime and whatever is on your list, i'll do it boy, whatever it is, you know i'll do it

his smile grew wider realizing that the song was about him, he grabbed your chin with two fingers and tilted your head up to meet him eyes. he really wanted to kiss you right now, but that can wait until after you're done.

merry christmas, here i am, boy gonna love you, gonna give you all i can, boy merry christmas, here i am, boy i'm the present and you know it, here i am, boy merry christmas, here i am, boy gonna love you, gonna give you all i can, boy merry christmas, here i am, boy i'm the present and you know it, boy

he smiled so softly but wide at you and his eyes did that thing when he smiled so big. everything about this moment was so perfect to him. your voice, the song, the lyrics, everything. he really couldn't believe you made a whole song dedicated to him

so he did the only normal thing anyone would do in a situation like this. he paused the music, grabbed your chin, and kissed you.

you felt fireworks going off in your stomach. this definitely wasn't your guys' first kiss, but it sure felt like it. you guys stayed like that for about five seconds until you both pulled away for some oxygen.

"y/n i seriously cant believe you, that was the cutest and hottest thing ever." he pulled you closer and let his head rest on your chest.

you started cascading your fingers through his soft hair, taking out any tangles. "well thank you very much," you giggle a little bit. "but i wasnt even finished singing." you pouted.

"oh honey i'm sorry. it's just that i thought it was so cute that i had to kiss you." he looked up at you and smiled. he then sat up properly and grabbed your cheeks. "i love you so much darling, thank you for writing that about me." he connected his forehead to yours and gave you a tiny peck on your lips.

"i love you more hyune, you don't have to thank me by the way. i would do it for you in a heart beat." you gave him a little peck on the lips back.

"so, im expecting you to be wrapped up in a bunch of bows on christmas day okay? since you're my present and all." he teased.

"in your dreams lover boy" you winked at him and got off his lap, making your way to the bathroom to go shower. it was hot in his studio, not to mention and the tension that was going on. he pouted at you and asked where you were going.

"i'm going to shower!" you called out from the main area.

hyunjin perked up at that statement. he scrambled off his stool and almost tripped to go catch up with you.

"w-wait for me!" he ran towards the bathroom but he was too late, you had already shut the door.

"get your head out of the gutter hyunjin" you called out from the bathroom and laughed at him.

[deepperplexity]

Prompt 5. Grave Of Snow [A2]

Pairing: Colonel Brandon x Fem!Reader

POV: Second, Reader & Third, Brandon

Setting: The Lands Around Delaford Estate & Delaford Estate

Continuation of: Prompt 1. Chimney Soot

A/N: This was harder to write than I'd thought it would be. My own greatest death fear is drowning, no other manner of dying scares me more than that but this fic as being buried alive and it's quite a horrendous thing too - and it's Christmas time, what a super jolly way to spend it 😂 Gosh, I hope you weren't expecting Rickmas2023 to be all sweet and fluffy 🙈👍❤

On another note, we're making an ice rink in our backyard (nearly done) and I just realised this year I have no prompt for ice skating 😱 Like, sure, you can connect almost any prompt with Ice Skating but there's no dedicated prompt for it this year - feels a little weird 😂

Tags/TW’s: Buried Alive, Fear Of Being Harmed, Mentions Past Physical Hurt (hand lashing and punishment), Fear Of Losing Someone, Mentions Past/Current Fears (being buried alive) ...and good doggies doing a good job too

Abbr.: Y/N - Your Name

Word Count: 3.2k+

LINKTREE // AO3 // MASTERLIST

⩤• You •⩥

You wiped at your face, the soot still clung to your skin, leaving you looking like a bandit raccoon as the handkerchief had protected your lower face. The dusty dress lay abandoned on the floor as you pulled on the rags you’d come to Delaford in. This can’t be happening, cannot, cannot be happening! The colonel! I-, I-, oh, I’m my own ruin!

You banged open the door, and slammed it shut by cheer force while running before you even released the handle. The winding, narrow steps were a death trap in your rush to get away. You were not going to stay for a lashing, for a rough yelling, for any punishment the upstanding man deemed fit for your actions — for your lack of knowledge about the very man himself rendering you unable to treat him correctly even. You didn’t even take the time to say goodbye to Mrs Garber, or inform Cook about you leaving. You just ran out into the snowy winter land outside as the winds whipped around, tossing about that very snow. While the clouds hid the warming rays of the sun, the sky was as grey as your trembling hands.

The night had gifted the world with another few inches of snow the stable boys were helping the other servants to shovel, but the servants’ side wasn’t cleared yet so your legs plummeted into the white cold to your mid-thighs. You shivered and hissed as your dress hiked up, the long underpants you wore upon your arrival were still up in your quarters. Your rush hadn’t allowed for more than your dress, shoes, and cloak to be put on.

You clumsily forced your way through the snow, not knowing where any paths were you only focused on reaching the tree line up ahead. It was far off, but you were determined to get away before anyone could get their hands on you. His gentle eyes still lingered in your head, the sweet warmth his voice spread through you, the slight scrutiny he’d viewed you with — as if he’d been trying to see beyond the soot and covering handkerchief. You’d never felt any tingle like the one he’d made your skin warm under. What was that even? A sudden lapse of judgement? A lust, like other men throw my way when they want to take advantage?No, that thought didn’t sit right with you. His gentleness was too clear, yet you knew nothing about him and you had met people like that before. Kind, caring, sweet — on the outside. Behind closed doors, that was a different matter entirely.

You feel forward, plummeting into the snow as your foot tripped on something. You were crawling forward a second later, determined to reach the trees, to hide among them and get away from the estate you had hoped would have been your salvation through the freezing winter. Now, well, you were even worse off than before. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I shouldn’t have tried so hard! I should have just told Mrs Thatch about the clog!

You reached the trees just as the sound of hounds filled the air. A foreboding dread filled you from within as you picked up the pace and nearly ploughed your way through the snow, your foggy breath heaving out of you while the hounds' yelps and howls seemed to turn louder. You grasped the first low-hanging branch of a pine and pulled yourself forward as the imposing trees sheltered you from the biting winds, the sounds of the hounds half drowned out as you dragged and pulled yourself forward until the snow lessened, burdening the branches above rather than the ground below.

A sigh of relief escaped you as you grabbed another branch and pulled yourself forward one final time before the snow only reached your knees. The relief was felt too soon while you sought to get deeper among the trees. You stumbled forward, snagging your foot on a hidden root below, only to grab a hold of another branch. It slipped through your numbing fingers, the pine needles like cutting blades — hardened by the cold — as they sliced at your palms while you ended up in the snow with a panted breath at the impact nearly burying your face in the white cold. Then you were pummelled.

The branch had been released with such force the tree swayed, its branches being freed of the heavy snow above before the sudden springing rippled through the nearest tree. Snow came crashing down in waves and you could do nothing but shield your face as the weight forced you to lay still — burying you completely without your cry of fear penetrating the deadly mass. Lord, no, you thought as you lay immobile with only a small bubble of air around your face thanks to your raised arms.

Why his chuckle echoed in your head, why the sturdiness of his body against yours filtered through the fear, why the gentle curiosity in his eyes shimmered before your mind's eyes you couldn’t tell. The echo of silver bells, the crackling of a fire, the swirl of dancing couples in wonderful dresses and beautiful frocks seemed like a hazy fog of a dream you’d wished for all your life and were now never to experience. Not even as an attentive maid blending into the scenery without anyone taking notice. In that foggy dream, keeping the horror of your grave of snow at a distance, he stood at the very centre and his eyes — gentle and sweet — were only on you. The tingling warmth in your numb fingers and toes felt as real as the crawling chill along your back while you struggled more and more to breathe and stay conscious.

⩤• Brandon •⩥

“Samson, search!” he bellowed, his voice travelling further than needed. Your dusty handkerchief held tightly in his harsh fist, the hound’s nose just having been buried in it before the other dogs took a whiff. The hound howled, setting the other dogs off with yelps and barks as they dove into the snow, the path your body had cut through it already starting to fill with the swirling snow the harsh winds threw about.

He had never been spellbound before. The way he had seen only your eyes surrounded by black ash ought to have discouraged any sensations within his chest but, alas, the wonder your eyes were and the manner you spoke with had taken him by such surprise his heart had no chance but to pound. He’d never thought sticking his head in a chimney while talking about Santa Claus would have lurched his entire body into a warm pounding. You had spoken so sweetly, your eyes those of someone who knew hardship yet prevailed. He was enthralled with the glimmer in them the second your eyes had connected in the dark of the chimney.

The hound howled again as he stepped out of the protective walls of stone, through the servants’ door, and felt himself sink to right above his knee in the snow. Remembering the disarray of your quarters, the discarded dress, the abandoned second undergarments that should have clad your body to protect against the snow — no matter the horridly tattered state of the thin fabrics — made his stomach twist.

He was not unfamiliar with the cold, the wetness, the dampness of melted snow, and how it would cling to one’s body. He had spent far too many seasons in service of the royals not to have experienced all sorts of weather and their respective challenges. And now you were out there, exposed and frightened given the horrendous look you had offered him before running away in a poof of swirling ash dust. There had been something wrong with that look, the dread of it — and the manner you had wrung your hands before you. what harm has befallen you before? Have hands been laid atop you for such a small thing as spreading ash?

He gave chase, following the loud dogs with servants following behind him with his heart in a harsh pounding. The snow wasted no time clinging to him, seeping through his clothes not suitable for the weather in the slightest. The only thing he’d done was drape a heavy cloak around himself while Mr Barkley had fetched the hunting dogs, his beloved hound at the helm of the pack. He was grateful for having taken that extra second to at least do that as the wind was bitingly cold, nearly clawing at his cheeks while the sky above seemed to darken by the second until the snow being thrown about was so thick the clouds above were no longer visible.

“Samson! Search!” he called, the hound howling back while your trembling shoulders filled his head. Something had been done to you, someone had hurt you for something akin to what had just happened and he could not fathom anyone harming anyone over cleaning, or stumbling, or not knowing the face of a man they had never before met.

Samson howled and came bolting back toward him, Christopher felt his heart stop as the dog kept sniffing the ground at his feet, searching for a fresher scent. The trail you’d left behind was gone, he could barely see an inch before him as the snow stuck to his lashes. He pulled out the handkerchief again, beckoning Samson to take a new whiff — the hound ignored him while sniffing the ground harder, burrowing his nose below the top layer before digging his way through the snow toward the trees Christopher knew lay not far away even if he could not see them.

“Sir Brandon!” Mr Barr called behind him. “Sir! The winds are too strong!” the man called over the howling of that very phenomenon of nature. “We shall find her! Or she will perish out here!” he called back, not stopping his trudge forward despite the snow gripping him nearly to his mid-thighs by that time. I shall not lose her to this storm , he thought while leaning forward to push through the snow faster, following the small dent after Samson and the rest of the dogs. “Sir! It’s too dangerous!” Mr Barr called, but he ignored it. He had faced danger, and the storm wrapping him up was nothing compared to the horrors of his past, or the pain contained within it.

They reached the trees and the thickness of the branches kept the worst of the winds at bay, the snow on the ground lessening for each step until it barely came to his knees and he could move faster. Samson’s howl up ahead caught his attention, he’d found something. Christopher barged forward, running despite the snow and whipping branches, until he found his dogs digging at what appeared to be a mound of snow created by yielding branches.

His heart leapt toward his throat, making it difficult to breathe. Are you in there? His mind had time to wonder before he lurched into action. If you lay buried under such heavy snow, had you any air to breathe? Had you broken anything? Were you crushed? To be buried alive had been one of his greatest fears back in the East Indies, and even before that. When he was a lesser man, fighting in trenches filled with muddy water that could have easily turned into a watery grave in the madness of battle.

He dug, and dug, and dug until his skin felt as if it would slide off his icy fingers and his nails crack with the cold. That was when your fingers appeared, icy cold and unmoving. His lungs stuttered on a sharp intake of air while Samson licked the fingers quickly. He dug with all his might just as the servants appeared behind him. “Dig, men! Dig! ” he demanded with such a dark rumble he barely recognized his frantic voice himself.

A frantic moment later you were dug out from the snowy grave he would not allow to become an eternal resting place. He dragged you too forcefully into his arms, wiping away snow from your cold face, smearing the ash further — hiding your face from him behind a blotchy mess of black and grey — but he could not have cared less as he saw foggy air part from between your lips. His shoulders sank with relief before he held you up and took off his cloak by interchanging his arms. You were tightly wrapped but unresponsive as he stood with Samson by his leg, his entire body wiggling with the motion of his tail as it wagged relentlessly from having found his target.

⩤• You •⩥

You shivered, a wet rag graced your forehead in a rubbing motion while the deep sigh of a woman echoed all around you. “Stupid child, why would you run in such a manner,” Mrs Garber nearly whispered, the familiarity of her voice softening the pounding of your heart. “And from the colonel no less, foolish girl.” You couldn’t tell if your mother’s long-lost friend was angry or worried, her voice didn’t let it slip through fully.

When your eyes blinked open she was leaning over you, and you were almost too warm. “Oh, Y/n,” she said while you blinked a few more times to clear your vision. “Foolish girl, you had me so worried!” she chided, but, perhaps affectionately so. “Mary?” you asked and she sighed but nodded. “Where-, where am I?” you asked as your eyes flicked about the glorious room as you tried to move your stiff limbs. A giant canopy of thick fabric was above you, the mattress beneath was the most comfortable one you’d ever laid upon, and the covers atop you felt lush — like silk, expensive silk.

“Oh, sweet child, you’re in—” “Mrs Thatch,” came that gravelly voice which sent goosebumps along every inch of your skin while your heart picked up the pace a notch as you turned your eyes toward the slightly ajar door. “Give me an occupation, or I shall run mad,” he continued so quietly it shouldn’t have been possible for you to hear the words. But his voice travelled far, even in such a low tone appearing to be far away given the echo to it. “Colonel, sir,” that shrill voice from the grand room before said. “There is little to do but wait. She is in good care with Mrs Garber, sir.”

Your eyebrows scrunched, he sounded anxious — it didn’t suit that voice at all to have such a tone. You found yourself wishing to hear that chuckle of his again. Perhaps you had a fever and were delirious? “You have had the master so worried, Y/n. How could you do such a thing to the good man?” Mrs Garber chided quietly but you couldn’t quite grasp the words. “Now, you lay here and I shall fetch the man before he drives himself to insanity. You apologise, you hear me? He is a gentle soul, I will not have you tormenting the respectable man with your nonsense behaviour. Your mother wasn't able to run away but that does not give you the right to bolt in such a manner.” Her eyes were harsh, nearly glaringly so, as she rose and tucked the cover all the way up to your chin before smoothing out your hair in what you believed to be an attempt at making you appear more decent.

Your heart pounded harder with each step she moved toward the door. When she pushed it open you sat up, the cover pooling around your waist while the nightshirt placed on you kept you covered from your collarbones and down. “She’s awake, sir,” Mrs Garber said and, not a second later, he was in the doorway. “Miss Y/l/n,” he said without taking so much as half a step into the room itself. His voice was that of relief, his gentle eyes warm in the glow of the hearth at the opposite end of the room from where you lay in a giant bed.

You felt your cheeks heat, your fingers gripping the cover atop your legs harshly while your eyes folded from his intent viewing of you. Your heart ran amok as he stood in figure-disclosing attire with his black frock coat nearly clinging to his waist while the shiny boots adorning his feet glimmered in just as black a colour.

“Miss Y/n/l? Are you fairing?” he asked while taking a step closer, making your head jerk up. “I-, I am,” you stuttered. “Sir, I’m-, I apologies, for my behaviour,” you continued while you endeavoured to remember what had happened after you lost your grip on the branch with slicing blades for pine needles. “Not a word about it,” he said as he began moving in, toward the foot of the bed. The light of the fire encased him in a glowing halo, making his hair shimmer and the glimmer in his eyes appeared brighter as his eyes held yours.

Why is my heart running rampant? I’m-, I’m all tingly all over when he views me. Your thoughts were uncertain but your body seemed to react in a wholly new way to the grand man before you. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice dipping lower. You could only manage to shake your head. “You were buried in the snow,” he said after a moment. His fingers curled around the footrest of the bed, his knuckles whitening at the force used. Your breath hitched at the sight, so alike hands around a riding crop used for lashings.

Your fingers began fidgeting, your hands wringing and rubbing atop the cover. The memory of the pain was far too fresh. “Miss?” he said, snatching your attention. “Are your hands hurting?” You stiffened for a second before you let go and grabbed the cover anew while shaking your head. “Did someone lay harm upon you?” You didn’t move, didn’t say a thing, only kept your eyes on his whitening knuckles. It was a common thing, after all. Masters laid hands upon their servants as they deemed fit, and you had time and time again ended up at the mercy of such wicked, cruel men and women were either fate or a coincidence.

Your breath hitched as he suddenly pushed off the bed frame, stepping around to stand at your side in less than three long strides. You shrunk into the mattress, his imposing figure hard to take so closely — yet, it wasn’t just fear of retribution that made you do so. No, no there was something else entirely imposing about him that you fought against so as not to be drawn in. If it were his handsomeness, the memory of his sweet chuckle, or those gentle eyes that now seemed to flare with something darker you couldn’t quite say. But he warmed you in places he ought not to have been able to reach at all.

“No matter,” he said quietly, a mere drawl of a whisper. “You are safe here, miss. No harm will befall you within my estate.” “S-sir?” you squeaked out, confused at his sweet words spoken in such a harsh tone. “Are you not to punish me?” you continued with a tremble to your voice that had far more to do with the warmth he spread within you than the question you’d just asked. His eyes flared before his entire face softened. “No, my sweet. No punishment shall ever befall you for breathing life into my heart with those eyes of yours.”

…To Be Continued…

LINKTREE // AO3 // MASTERLIST

A/N: Ugh, theses two... Gosh, I do love it when emotions are instant and soulmate-like 😩👏 And another cliffhanger it is - are we excited to see where this goes? 👀😘

I'm working as hard as I can to make sure I'm as early as possible posting and I'm going to start working on tomorrow's prompt right away, I have a little extra time today (aka I'm taking the time today 'cus I need it 😂) so perhaps I'll start working on Thursday's prompt too - tomorrow we're getting back to Turpin again anyway! 🥰👏

Q: If you had to choose between only listening to Christmas music and no other music or only watching Christmas movies and no other movies through all of December - what would you choose? 👀 A: I'd say I'd choose Christmas music - but, I love it and almost exclusively listen to Christmas music through November and December anyway 😂 Only watching Christmas movies would be harder 🙈

TAGLIST: @mamawolfsmith87 @snowblossomreads @ladykardasi @a-queen-and-her-throne @eternal-silvertongued-prince @lyrixsnape @imwithyoutiltheendofthelinebucky @lizlil @snapefiction @darkthought15 @monstreviolet @flowerdementia @marvelschriss @once-upon-an-imagine @ravennight14 @caseydoodles98 @grimmyhild @monster-energies @myobscureimaginarium @snowblossomreads @eternal-silvertongued-prince @cherryglossie @setsuna-meiou31 @helena211 @a-queen-and-her-throne @justsaturn0 @turvi @imwithyoutiltheendofthelinebucky @sunnylikesfrogs @mamawolfsmith16 @dianilaws @sassanoe @snapesrn @bernadette-peters12 @sammy-13 @smartowl999 @castleofthorns @serenanight87 @sunset90 @daddythanatos

Want to be tagged? 💚 You can tag yourself HERE! Or tell me and I’ll gladly tag you! 😍

[Dec:2023]

[aettuddae]

hole in one — chapter 58.

⌕ synopsis: at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, where everyone is battling to be the center of attention, yu jimin is just a regular. people want her because of her beauty, but all she cares about is sharing her freaky stuff with her friends and passing her subjects. although there's one thing that might push her out of her comfort zone, revenge. when nakamura kazuha, one of the richest and most well-known students of NCU, starts to spread gossip about her for thousands of followers to see, jimin decides to get back by taking away the thing kazuha cares about the most: her perfect girlfriend, the young golf star, kwon haru.

masterlist | prev | next

[half written chapter]

"how are you coping with being completely ignored for about two hours?" minhyuk asked karina as he popped another fish cake into his mouth.

"i'm fine." the appointee folded her arms, acting exaggeratedly nonchalant. "as you guys told me the four times i threatened to leave: she's with her girlfriend, and i respect that she has a girlfriend." she reiterated.

"exactly, my friend. besides," seungkwan paused to take a bite of his hotteok. "you said you'd take distance from her and that's what you're doing now." the addressed and minhyuk nodded. "in a healthy way where you can still have good times together."

"but we're not having good times together, we're just being around each other!" the girl exalted, shouting in a whisper so as not to be heard by who was the center of the conversation, who was walking a little ahead of them, holding her girlfriend by the waist.

"stay calm." the golfer pointed the thin stick with food on it towards her. "you were mad at her first." he reminded.

"yes, but i have a reason to be, meanwhile she's ignoring me just because."

"not 'just because', she's with her girlfriend who hates you." reasoned his best friend.

"but why would she inv-"

"oh, crystals!" squealed haru excitedly, distracting the three people from their chat.

the girl stopped next to a small stall filled with handcrafted accessories and decorations, especially things that included various crystals. she nodded her head politely to the woman who was tending and began to look at what it was offering. the group a few steps behind the couple moved a little closer to wait for her as she picked something out.

"love, look!"

she pointed towards some models of couple necklaces. they were simple, just a lace holding a beautifully stylized metal, which held a stone of your choice inside. the fun of these was that the material that held the crystal detached from a small magnet, so that if both necklaces were brought close enough, they would inevitably come together.

haru took two and began swinging them in the air, playing, watching them stick and peel off, causing her to laugh, and thus the others as well.

"what do you say?" she turned to her partner and raised her arms, still holding the two objects in her hands, as these were connected, bringing these up to her face level to properly show them to her.

"oh, you really want to buy those?" questioned kazuha with surprise, the joy leaving her face.

"don't you want to?" kwon dropped her arms.

"baby, i don't like them." she confessed, guilt showing all over her face. "they look..." she thought. "i don't know, cheap." she mumbled trying not to let the lady manning the stall hear.

"they have magnets." she lifted the product again, making both pieces collide, as if she wanted to prove kazuha wrong.

"sorry." she shook her head, trying to maintain sympathy.

haru turned around spiritless, her face dull, and put the necklaces back in place, dedicating a few apologies to the owner for wasting her time.

"i've never liked a person less." opined the short boy and took another bite of his dessert.

"she's the nicest person in the world!" added minhyuk wryly.

"guys, i can't. it's the barney effect." blurted out jimin suddenly as she watched the golfer apologize.

"k, you have to get away from her." warned the athlete, putting his hand on the girl's shoulder to stop her as she started walking towards his friend.

"jimmy, kazuha hates you!" murmured seungkwan in exasperation, trying to grab her jacket to pull her back.

"you tried to kiss her and you don't know why! karina!" the taller one tried to talk some sense into her, but she was already by the stall.

"how pretty those rings! hello!" she greeted the woman behind the table cheerfully, then linked her arm with her trainer's to keep her next to her as she pretended to analyze the options in front of her.

seeing her friend's action, the two males who had been left behind moved in quick strides, trying to remain unnoticed, and stood on either side of kazuha. just in case.

"i love those necklaces, are these the ones you liked?" she gestured toward the ornaments, then she turned her head to look at the woman, who wasn't even surprised by her abrupt actions, as she was still slumped over.

"yes." she affirmed, jaundiced. "they have magnets." she reported.

"do you like crystals?"

"yes, they're nice." she looked at the ones on the table. "i don't really care if they have properties, i just think they're very beautiful."

"which one did you want?" jimin took her eyes off haru, trying to look casual as she scanned over the stand.

"that one, it's my zodiac's" she aimed her finger at a specific stone. "and i was going to ask for the peridot for zuha, because i read that it's leo's birthstone." she smiled shyly. "zuha is a leo."

karina felt her heart squeezing, she couldn't help but feel compassion and annoyance at the same time at how much it thrilled the older to simply share with her partner something of their own, like their birthstones, and that the latter still hadn't accepted.

"could i have a pair of these, please, with this stone?" jimin suddenly asked the seller, pointing to the gem haru had told her she wanted. "and which one relates to aries?"

kwon was moving her head all over the place in confusion and surprise, looking to understand what was going on, also to find her girlfriend's reaction and avoid anything that might happen. but she seemed to be calm, serious, but calm.

the professional couldn't guess if it was because her friends were guarding her like two bodyguards, or if it was because she knew that if she wanted to have avoided the reaction of her couple's new friend, she should've accepted the necklaces in the first place.

"oh, the diamond." the woman replied excitedly to the question jimin had asked. "it's strong and brilliant, like aries." she described as she began to prepare both personified pieces.

"then, the other one be with the diamond." she requested happily after hearing the description. "did you hear? she said i'm brilliant." she boasted confidently to her companion, causing her to laugh.

they stood in silence for a few minutes, waiting for their new acquisition to be ready, karina still with her arm wrapped around haru's. minhyuk and seungkwan started chatting to pass the moment, trying to include kazuha to distract her and keep her from losing the patience she was surprisingly keeping.

once ready, the younger one thanked the woman and paid, not allowing her teacher to spend money, and then passed hers to her. they each tied the one that belonged to them around their necks and immediately began to joke around with the function of the magnets, graciously moving their heads and bodies to cause the accessories to flutter and see if they could get them to join.

"oh!" they shouted in unison vivaciously once they got it to happen only to burst into laughter after by their reaction.

"thank you." haru said sincerely once she stopped laughing and separated both stones. "i really wanted them." she looked at her friend tenderly.

"i didn't do it for you." the said raised a judging eyebrow and with her hand pushed her hair back. "they're awesome, i wanted one for myself." she averted her gaze, faking disinterest.

but her act of indifference was not very helpful nor did it last that long, as haru abruptly jumped in to wrap her in a hug, resting her head on her shoulder and squeezing her tightly, but not hurting her.

"thank you, jimmy!" she claimed again before quickly pulling away.

"you're welcome, haru." she replied looking at her lovingly before she walked away to show her new accessory to her girlfriend.

[maochira]

Oh cool request are open- 😲. Can I request aggressive positivity and care giving with Dad! Barou, Dad! Ego and Dad! Shidou with a workholic! Teenage! Son! Reader. Reader's a very chill individual... who isn't the best at self care. This especially shows when he get an incredibly high fever. He tries hiding it... keyword: tries. His dad eventually finds out. Do as you will with this scenario 👍.

Oooo!

Characters: Barou, Ego, Shidou

Tags: gn!teenager!reader (I know male reader was requested but I ended up writing this without any use of 3rd person pronouns, so it can be read as gn)

Dad!Barou has always been proud of what a hard worker you are and how much effort you put into whatever you set your mind to. It's usually what you get praised about the most and what he tells his friends and other family members when asked about you. Unfortunately, this has led to your self-confidence being very dependent on your father's - or really anyone's - praise. Barou didn't directly connect those dots, but he's been noticing how as time went on you would stay up longer to study and work on any task until exhaustion. While he didn't talk to you about it, he tried helping by giving you fewer chores and giving you more free time. That only backfired since you used that time to study even more. One day, you broke down because you got a grade slightly worse than usual, even though you spent all your time studying. Barou reassured you that it was still a good grade, even though it wasn't what you wished for. The conversation went a bit deeper until he got angry at how you only focused on the grades rather than how you feel physically and emotionally. Despite your protests, Barou created a daily schedule for you with strict times when to study and when to rest to take care of yourself - and there's no other choice than you having to follow it. You quickly got used to it and noticed how much better you felt without constant overworking.

There are many things you and dad!Ego have in common. One example is that you're just as willing to dedicate every single second of your free time towards your obsessions as your father. Although, this has led to you not getting enough sleep and your grades falling down because of that sleep deprivement. You'd rather pull an all-nighter to dedicate time to your obsessions, rather than "wasting time" by sleeping. Ego only started to notice how bad your overworking has gotten when you kept getting sick over and over for weeks. Even though you were told to rest, you only saw not having to go to school as another way to overwork yourself. That's when Ego had enough and decided to have a serious talk with you. He was angry and talked in a strict tone that was so much harsher than the last time you got into trouble. Although, it was obvious that your father only wanted you to take proper care of yourself.

When you were younger, Dad!Shidou would always have small competitions with you, which led you to be overly competitive with anyone around you, no matter if it was about a hobby or grades in school. As you got older, your competitiveness grew with you, and with that did the time you spent working on always being the best. Shidou always knew how eager you were to be the best in anything possible, and he would encourage you to keep going to reach your dreams. But at some point, you would only lock yourself away with negative feelings, because if you weren't the best at something, you would always feel like a failure. Luckily, your father noticed that pretty quickly and forced you to spend time with him rather than studying or doing whatever else you wanted to be the best in. Every day, Shidou would grab your arm and drag you outside to do something with him. Usually playing soccer to destress or go grocery shopping, just to get your mind on other things.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Heart, Exposed by an Aphrodisiac 2

This is simply a fan translation and is not intended as a replacement for the game. Expect grammatical errors.

Isaac asked me to prepare a variety of snacks for the many people who would eat them the next day.

(Sandwiches, quiche, financiers, and cookies—maybe I went a little overboard?)

As I packed the snacks into lunch boxes, I suddenly wondered.

(I wonder what Galileo likes.)

If I deliver the snacks to his students, there might be a chance for him to have some as well.

(I'd be happy if he tried at least something.)

After delivering the snacks to Isaac, I went to the front of the neighboring lab and took a deep breath.

(Alright.)

I knocked, and the door opened.

Student: "Yes? Oh, you are..."

Mitsuki: "Um, Professor Ayscough asked me to bring these for everyone."

Just as I said that, a voice exclaimed from inside.

Student: "Thank you! Please come in!"

(Eh? Is this really okay?)

Despite my doubts, I stepped inside to find the students and Galileo.

Student: "Actually, we all got through the crucial moment yesterday, so we've decided to have a little celebration with the snacks we received."

Mitsuki: "I see. Well done, everyone."

As I placed the lunch boxes on the table, the students began chatting and enjoying the food.

(I'm glad they're happy with it.)

While watching them with a smile, I suddenly made eye contact with Galileo.

Mitsuki: "I apologize for barging in like this."

Galileo: "It was the students who requested the snacks. There's no need for you to apologize."

Galileo: "However, I can't quite comprehend your thoughts on preparing these foods for students you have no connection with. Your dedication goes beyond mere conscientiousness."

(Ugh. He's as strict as ever, but...)

Mitsuki: "It's true that I don't have a direct connection with them, but I've seen them working hard every time I come to the university."

Mitsuki: "I'm just glad to be able to help in this way. You're welcome to join us if you like."

Galileo: "Unfortunately, I don't have an appetite."

I felt disappointed inwardly at his curt refusal. Then—

Galileo: *coughs*

Galileo suddenly let out a small cough.

(Huh? What was that just now?)

Mitsuki: "Could it be that you're not feeling well?"

(He does seem a bit pale.)

Galileo: "No, it's nothing."

Galileo: *coughs*

Despite denying it, he coughed again.

Mitsuki: "I think you're sick."

Galileo: "I'm fine. Don't concern yourself with me."

Mitsuki: "Okay, sorry."

(I might have overstepped again.)

Feeling rebuffed, I couldn't help but be concerned about his apparent poor condition.

On my way back from the university, his face popped into my mind again.

(Despite his denial, he did seem unwell.)

(If he's been staying overnight for several days, it wouldn't be weird for his health to suffer, but…)

Maybe he was pushing himself because this is the most important time for the students.

(If that's the case, maybe there's something I can do to help him feel better.)

(Oh, I know! Maybe I can get something if I go to Faust.)

I immediately visited the church where Faust was.

Mitsuki: "So, do you have anything that can help him feel better?"

Faust: "I have just the thing."

Faust: "Some of the children are not feeling well, so I concocted a liquefied herbal remedy that even children can drink."

Saying so, he handed me a small vial of liquid.

Faust: "You can mix it with any non-alcoholic beverage."

Faust: "It also has preventive effects, so you might want to give it a shot."

Mitsuki: "Wow, thanks."

(Galileo should be able to drink this even if he has no appetite.)

I put the vial I received into my bag and headed back to the university.

I tried knocking on Galileo's research lab, but there was no answer.

(The students said they were already done with their work, so maybe Galileo has already left.)

Thinking so, I reached for the doorknob, only to find it unlocked.

Mitsuki: "Excuse me. Um, Professor Maury, are you here?"

A little nervous, I peeked inside and saw Galileo leaning on the chair.

Galileo: ".........."

He was clearly in an unusual state and breathing heavily.

Mitsuki: "Galileo?"

Mitsuki: "Um, are you okay?"

Concerned, I instinctively touched his body.

(He's hot!)

Galileo: "Mitsuki, I told you there's no need to worry about me."

Mitsuki: "This isn't the time for that! You're running a fever."

Galileo: "I said it's fine. I just need some rest. You should go home."

Mitsuki: "But..."

I felt a pang of loneliness at not being depended on, even in such a situation. But more than that, I was worried about him.

Mitsuki: "Then let me at least make you some tea."

Part 1 ╎ Part 2 ╎ Premium ╎ Epilogue

[moremaybank]

THIS LOVE (IV) — j.m

pairing actor!jj maybank x actress!reader

chapter summary you're set to turn down your management team's proposal, but a familiar face pops up and changes your decision. the plan is set in motion, and jj begins to move into your house. upon his arrival, you two share a moment that quickly turns sour and drives you away from him further.

warnings luke maybank (bleh), a trip and fall, an almost-kiss, language. let me know if i've missed any! [4.5k]

recommended listening daddy issues by the neighbourhood, nights like this by kehlani

this love — the complete playlist ;; the masterlist ;; the tag list

❝ CHAPTER FOUR ❞

Y/N

You press the lock button on your car keys, hearing the doors click. You make your way through the parking lot of Floyd Management. You’re about to tell Josh and Andrea that you’re saying no. You just can’t imagine having to embark on this journey with someone who left you with so much pain that it drowns out all the good times.

Contrary to what everyone may believe, this was not a rash decision. You chewed on it, going back and forth for days about whether or not you should just suck it up and agree to this fake relationship nonsense for the sake of the movie and the opportunities it might bring you. But then you thought about having to spend most of your time by the side of the man who broke your heart, kissing him and acting as if you’re in love with him. Re-connecting with JJ made your wounds feel so fresh again, and jumping on board with this plan would only add salt. 

And it’d sting.

You’re halfway to the entrance when you hear the voice of someone you never thought you’d have to deal with ever again. 

“Hey, there, sweetheart. You sure have done well for yourself.”

The hairs on the back of your neck rise, and you instantly grow cold. You shut your eyes and take a deep breath, bracing yourself for whatever is about to come.

“What are you doing here, Luke? Shouldn’t you be in prison?” 

Luke rounds your body so he can speak to you face to face. He raises a hand to toy with a strand of your hair but you flinch, backing away immediately and keeping your distance. All he does is laugh softly.

“You’ve definitely grown up. Interested in taking the original Maybank for a spin? Promise I’ll make it worth your while.” His voice drops an octave and it makes your skin crawl.

“You’re disgusting. Get out of my way before I call the cops.”

“What are you gonna tell ‘em, darlin’? That I spoke to you?”

You stay silent, knowing that he’s right. He technically hasn’t done anything, and you’d simply look foolish.

“Why are you here?”

“I’m here for you. I have a proposition for you, actually,” he says. 

“Oh, yeah?” You ask. “And what’s that?”

“I want you to help me take JJ down.”

You scoff. “I’m not helping you with anything.”

“You will if you don’t want me to release that sex tape of his and put an end to his career.”

You want to be surprised, but you aren’t. Luke Maybank has never been one to change or reflect on the mistakes of his past. He usually chooses the route of making more, and they’re always worse. And your sentiments weren’t just based on hearsay. You watched JJ go through all the misery caused by Luke. Had cleaned up the cuts and iced the bruises. Taken him to the hospital when his injuries were more than you could handle. You’d cook meals for him, bring an extra bag of lunch to school. Let him stay at your house when they’d shut off the power, water, and anything else they could thanks to Luke not paying the bills. He was an awful person, through and through, and though you were more than upset at JJ for how he scorned you, it’d never be enough to work with his father. 

“You know, all you ever did was make JJ feel small. You dedicated your life to drugs, alcohol and jail time, and you know what JJ got out of it? A mother who abandoned him thanks to your oh-so charming ways, and a father who did him more harm than good by sticking around. I wouldn’t help you if you were dying on the street,” you spit, shoving past him and trying to enter the building. 

“Then you can kiss your little costar goodbye.”

“Are you coked out right now? Or just delusional? I’m not going to let you do this to him. End of discussion,” you respond. 

“Well, you’d better hope JJ pays me and those girls that hush money. ‘Cause you know I’ll come to collect.”

-

JJ hurt you. The damage he’d done to you was once considered irreparable. It’d taken you years to work through that anger and betrayal and you still weren’t even a hundred percent there. But working with Luke? That was simply a line you’d never cross.

You ride the elevator to Josh’s floor, and once you reach it, you make a dash for the waiting area outside of his office. You spot the blonde you’re desperately in pursuit of instantly.

“I need to talk to you,” you blurt rather loudly. You don’t realize how booming your voice actually is until you realize that everyone else in the room is staring you down with confusion and shock written all over their faces.

JJ gets up from his seat and pulls you gently into a secluded area.“You didn’t need to come all the way down here to turn Josh and Andrea’s proposal down. I get that you don’t want to help me. I mean, why would you after what I did?”

“JJ—”

“No, it’s okay. Seriously, I did it to myself, and—”

You can’t wait any longer. “I saw Luke.”

JJ goes quiet immediately upon hearing those words. He’s so in shock that he doesn’t answer you right away.

“Did— Did you know that he was here?” You question, though you know the answer. You doubt he knew, because if he did, he wouldn’t be as quiet as he is at this moment.

He shakes his head slowly, “Nah…Nah, I didn’t.” He visibly chews on his words before hesitantly speaking again. “Did he…hurt you?”

“No, no. I’m fine. Just in shock.”

He nods. “He say what he wanted?”

You moisten your lips, and your eyes abandon his. “He wants me to work with him…help him destroy your career.”

“Right,” he nods, crossing his arms. “Of course he does.” 

You watch him pace down the hallway, but not too far, holding his head in his hands. 

“Goddamn it!” He bites out. The JJ you used to know would’ve punched through the wall in front of him by now, and you can tell that the current JJ wants to, but he holds himself back. Once he calms himself down a tad, he turns back to you. His steps are large, helping him make his way to you quickly. “Where is he? I’m gonna kill him for going near you, and then I’m gonna kill him again for trying to fuck with my life.”

“JJ, don’t. He’s not worth the energy,” you say, trying to talk him down from the ledge he’s on.

His hands come to rest on your shoulders. “Y/N, he approached you. He could’ve hurt you. And I wasn’t even there to…” he pauses, taking a breath, “to protect you.”

Your eyes dart away from his once again as your body tenses at his touch. He senses your discomfort, and pulls away from you immediately. “Uh,” he clears his throat, “Sorry.”

You shake your head, “No, it’s— it’s fine. You’re shaken up. And understandably so.”

Your eyes cautiously find his again once you find the courage, and you can see that he’s trying not to crumble. You know hearing his name alone is terrorizing, and now that he has to deal with Luke trying to rip away everything he’s ever worked for…your heart hurts.

“I wanna help you.”

JJ’s head instantly shakes, notifying you of his disapproval. “No. I don’t want your pity. I’ll be okay, I’ll figure this shit out. It’s my own fault that I’m in this mess anyway.”

“It’s not pity, JJ. I might not be thrilled to work with you or about what you did, but…I’d never knowingly let Luke hurt you.”

“You…you don’t have to do this.”

“I know I don’t,” you tell him. “I want to. But I need you to understand that this doesn’t make things okay. It’s just about work. Business. It can’t be anything more than that.”

“Well,” he says, proceeding with an immense amount of caution. “Will you at least let me tell you what actually happened that day? It’s tearing me apart, Y/N/N.”

For the first time since you’d seen him again, your heart warms at his use of your childhood nickname. You missed it terribly, and you partially wanted to slap yourself and bring yourself back to reality. You’re scared. He’s starting to make the walls you’ve spent so long putting up crack just by speaking to you and having that ache in those damn blue eyes.

“I’m not…I’m not ready, and I definitely don’t want to rehash everything right before we do this. Let’s just go into this meeting, tell everyone that we’re on board and take things one step at a time.”

“But, Y/N—”

“JJ, please don’t make this any harder for me.”

JJ looks into your eyes, and you hate it, but you both know you’re on the verge of falling apart. “Yeah. All right.”

-

“You know, if you weren’t paying us to do damage control, JJ, I’d say that you were trying to kill me.”

“I’m sorry.” 

“Not that I’m his biggest fan, but this isn’t his fault. It’s on Luke. He’s always been selfish like this,” you add, trying to ease the prominent frown lines on Josh’s forehead.

Josh nods, “Yeah, I know. But I just don’t know how we go about this now. I mean, if we pay the hush money, there’s still a ninety-nine percent chance that Luke leaks the tape.”

“Then maybe we release it ourselves, like you and Andrea said,” you suggest. “That way, we can control how the public views it, and Luke won’t be able to hang it over our heads anymore. He’ll have nothing.” 

“Great,” JJ huffs, running both hands through his hair. “Now everyone’s gonna know I’m an ass.”

“Some of us already know that.” You earn a laugh from Josh, and a small smile from JJ to which you return. The both of you know that you’re half-joking, so nothing is taken too seriously. “For real, though. We explain to the media how Luke orchestrated the whole thing. It’s not the perfect solution, but it’s better than them getting to the public first.”

“All right, well, I have to talk to Andrea and get everything sorted out, but we need to get a head start on moving you two in together. My guess is that you’re going to need a few days to get used to being in each other’s lives again, especially if we want the public to believe that you two are in love. Oh, and we need to get a press conference planned so we can release your porno.”

“Can we not call it a porno?” JJ asks, half-heartedly glaring at him.

“It’s funnier that way.” JJ rolls his eyes, and you can’t help but snort. “Andrea and I will ensure that you know what you’re going to say about it.” 

“Nah. I got this. I’ll run it by you guys, but I know what I’m gonna say.” 

While they’re speaking about their upcoming plans, your heart is about to burst right out of your chest, and not in a good or exciting way. Pretending to love someone is one thing, but pretending to be in love with someone who you were enamoured with for over a decade after getting your heart stomped on by them…let’s just say it’s a completely different ball game. Yes, you’d convinced yourself that helping JJ was the right thing to do, mostly because you feared what Luke would do to him if you didn’t. But it’s now dawning on you that this is no longer just about filming a movie. Now you two are going to be watched constantly, even more so if everyone believes that you’re in a relationship. And not only that, but the tabloids will be inserting themselves into it constantly, which will more than likely complicate things. That was proven when JJ made his declaration to the world.

JJ notices the worry flash over your face as your mind wanders. “Hey, are you sure we need to move in together, like, right now? Isn’t it a little soon?” 

“Well it’s not like we can spring you forth into the public when you can barely hold eye contact for a minute. They’ll never believe that you two are together. So, yeah. I’m sure.”

“So…when will this all be happening?” You ask. You aren’t even sure if they can hear you, because you can’t hear yourself. The only thing your ears are picking up on is a high pitched ring brought on by your nerves.

“As soon as possible. I’m thinking by the end of the week. But it all depends on which one of you is fine with moving the other one in.”

Your eyes widen at the possibility of having to move into JJ’s house. You’re sure he has a nice place. It’s not even about that. The thing is, you’re already forcing yourself to go along with this ploy. And now you’re facing the chance of losing the comfort of your home and happy place? 

“We can…we can use mine,” you voice out timidly. 

“No, I can’t let you do that. I’m already dragging you into my mess,” JJ argues, albeit lightly. “I won’t put you out like that.”

“Well, I don’t want to be ripped away from my house and everything I know, JJ. This is already a lot.”

He extends his hand out, like he wants to grab yours and hold it in his they way he used to when he was stressed, but it stutters and falls back into his lap. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” you confirm. “Besides, I have a million rooms in there that I never go into anyway. I’m sure you’ll make good use of them.”

He smiles slightly, “You got a game room?”

You know what he’s referring to, and you can’t help but sport your own tiny grin as well. “Of course I do.”

Flashback - Age 15

Y/N

“So, when you get outta here, and you become a superstar and buy an enormous mansion — which better have a bedroom reserved for me, by the way — what kinda rooms are you gonna put in it?”

You snorted a laugh. “What do you mean?”

He sat up from his place on your couch and rotated his body so that his head fell on your lap. He kicked his feet up on the other side, and looked up at you.

“Like, if I got my own mansion, the first thing I’d put in there is a game room. I’m talkin’ a pool table, a dart board, some arcade-style games like Pac-Man. A PlayStation. I dunno, the possibilities are endless. Oh! And I’d have a chess board for sure.”

You gave him a look, trying not to laugh. “You don’t know how to play chess, J.” 

“Hell nah, I don’t know how to play chess. It’ll make me look smart though.”

You hummed in agreement, letting your fingers run through his hair. You watched his eyes close as he relaxed into your touch. He let out an obnoxious moan when you started to scratch at his scalp lightly, and you smacked his chest with your other hand.

“Weirdo,” you mutter.

JJ simply laughs, before grabbing the same hand you’d whacked him with, holding it in his own. “Have you thought about it yet?”

“Thought about what?”

“What kind of rooms you’re gonna put in your house, dummy.”

You think for a moment. Different ideas float around, but then you land on one that you know you’ll make happen for sure. “Probably an entertainment room. Kinda like yours, but it’ll definitely have a big ass screen and comfy reclining seats like at the movies so I can feel like I’m in a theatre while crying my eyes out over my one millionth rewatch of One Tree Hill. It’ll have a mock concession stand, and a popcorn maker. And a Slurpee machine for good measure.” 

“Nice! I’m totally stealing that idea, just, without the whole crying over One Tree Hill part. ‘M not gonna waste my screen on that snooze-fest.”

“Oh, please. You were practically sobbing when Haley left Nathan to go on tour with Chris,” you mock. 

His eyes shoot open and his teasing smirk drops. “I thought we agreed that we’d never speak of that. I was high.”

“High on Naley, that is.” 

“Whatever.”

End of Flashback

“Then it’s settled,” Josh speaks, cutting you out of your daydream. “JJ, provided that Andrea and Y/N’s team are on-board, you’ll move into her house by Friday.”

Damn. Shit just got real.

JJ

It’s Friday, and JJ is now on his way over to your house in a U-Haul truck. He taps along to the rhythm of what he’s listening to on the radio, some Dua Lipa song that he’s certain is in the Barbie movie (and everyone should refrain from asking him how he knows that). The tapping is more mindless as he tries to settle the anxiety he has over this move. He knows that you’re already stretching yourself thin by agreeing to help him. But offering to let him move in to your house? Between this and his past mistakes, the guilt is starting to boil over.

Once he makes it to your gate, he hesitates for a moment before pressing the buzzer. 

“Who is it?” Your voice questions through the speaker.

“It’s J— ” he stammers, before correcting himself. “JJ.” 

So much for playing it cool. He couldn’t even say his name to you anymore.

“Oh, uh, hold on a sec. I’ll let you in. Just pull into the driveway, my security guy will come and help you.”

“Cool.” 

JJ hears a chime, and instantly, the gates begin to open. He drives through them, slowly pressing on the gas as he takes in the front view of your home. It’s fancy, but modest. A testament to you and your personality. 

Then, a tall man with a rather large build emerges from your front door and signals JJ to pull up to him. 

“You JJ?” He asks.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m Y/N’s security guard, Dave,” the man speaks, introducing himself. He’s handsome — not that JJ noticed — and definitely more on the quiet side. “Throw the truck in park. I’ll get it unloaded it for you.”

JJ shakes his head. “Nah, man. At least let me give you a hand.”

“It’s all right. It’s easier this way. Go on inside, I’m sure Y/N will give you the grand tour.”

JJ gives Dave a nod, and approaches your doorway. This is it, he thinks. He enters your home, stepping into the foyer and taking a look around from where he’s standing. His eyes immediately land on two grand staircases parallel to each other, with a luxurious chandelier hanging right in the middle of them. It isn’t on, but thanks to the sunshine bleeding through the ceiling-high windows, it sparkles and casts a magical glow into your home. There was art hanging on the walls, sculptures on the front tables, and flowers that add a pop of colour into the monochromatic room. 

But something JJ can’t ignore is the smell wafting in from your kitchen. The unforgettable fragrance of your signature cinnamon rolls fill his nostrils and instantly take him back to much simpler times. He can practically see you now, with your hair clipped back and your World’s Best Baker apron secured behind your neck and your back. You undoubtedly have flour on your face, and your tongue poking out as you concentrate. 

You’d always been so domestic, a feeling that JJ longed to be around when he was younger. It’s nice to re-experience it now, even in his older age. Especially in his older age. He’s been coming home to an empty and quiet house for years now, and he hates it. It’s hard not to let the loneliness get to him.

As if you’re reading his thoughts, you yourself come through the entrance, just like he envisioned. Hair pulled back from your face, your same old apron attached to you (though it had worn a bit over the years), and a swipe of flour on your cheek. When you come directly in front of him, JJ’s tempted to reach out and wipe your cheek for you. Every time he did so when you were younger, the action never failed to pull a shy smile and heated cheeks from you. But now, he fears that you’ll back away and avoid him like the plague if he acts on his internal desires. So he doesn’t.

“Hey, have you been waiting here for long?”

“Nah. Not at all,” JJ assures you. He motions to your cheek, “You got a ‘lil something there.”

He watches you retrieve your phone from your back pocket and swipe to open your camera. Your mesmerizing eyes widen, threatening to pop out of your head as you scramble to scrub the powdery ingredient off of your face.

“Right,” you clear your throat, putting your phone back into your pocket. “So, uh, why don’t I give you a tour. Show you where you’ll be staying?”

“Sure,” JJ agrees.

“Okay, well, follow me.”

You turn around and begin to walk through the foyer. JJ, slightly distracted (okay, more than slightly) by your figure, stalls for a moment before his brain reminds him that he’s supposed to be trailing you. He takes large strides, catching up to you and praying that you didn’t notice. The two of you make your way around the main level, visiting the kitchen, dining room, living area. You show him the backyard, your pool complete with a swim-up bar and a hot tub. He notices that you have a few surfboards lined up against the wall of the change room and he smiles, happy memories of the two of you cruising the waves together back home flooding his mind. And last but not least, you made it to the room he’d been waiting for. Your rec room. 

It’s just as you described when you thought it out all those years ago. A huge screen for movies and TV. Rows of theatre-like reclining chairs. A snack bar with a Slurpee Machine. 

Next, you two focus on the gaming section. A colourful glow casts over the room thanks to the arcade machines, and it evokes a sense of nostalgia for JJ. His eyes light up as they trail over Pacman, Street Fighter 2, Super Mario Bros, Sonic the Hedge Hog, and Mario Kart. But the twinkle in his eyes lights up further when he sees Dance Dance Revolution in the far corner. 

“Hey, remember how we used to dominate at DDR back home? We massacred John B and Pope every time.”

You nod, the recollection of those times pulling at your heart strings. Still, you’re afraid of thinking too deeply on them. “Yeah, well, that was a long time ago. And they aren’t here, so, I doubt it’d be as fun without them.”

JJ gives you an earnest look. “I get it, things are different now. But we live together now, Y/N. I want us to be able to get along. I don’t want us to feel like we have to avoid each other all the time, and I’m also not planning on spending the next couple months arguing with you every day. Maybe…maybe we could have fun. Make this whole arrangement bearable.” 

“JJ, it’s not that simple,” you say. 

He leans in, his voice soft. “I know it won’t magically fix everything, but we can try, right? For both of us?”

You gaze into his eyes, seeing a glimmer of sincerity. Sighing, you reluctantly give in. “Fine, but don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

He smiles triumphantly. “Wouldn’t dream of it, princess.”

The two of you step onto the dance pad, and JJ chooses a song. Slide by Calvin Harris pulsates through the room. Your movements synchronize as you dance, and soon, laughter is spilling out of your mouths and mixing in with the song. JJ can’t help but look at you for a moment, all smiley and happy in his company for the first time in weeks. It’s nice to see you letting loose around him, finally. Unfortunately, things quickly go south when his foot falters, and he stumbles, pulling you down with him. You crash onto the floor in a tangle of limbs, and JJ lands on top of you. 

Your faces are mere inches apart, your breaths mingling. For a fleeting moment, time stands still, and it feels like before. It’s like he’s been transported back to your adolescent years, still best friends and teetering back and forth on the line between best friends and something more. And just when he inches closer, debating on closing the gap between you, you scramble to get up, gently rolling him off of you and making a beeline for the door. 

“Y/N, wait!” He calls after you. He practically has to chase you down the hallway. He reaches out, fingers gently circling your wrist and stopping you from getting any further. “I…I thought we were having fun?”

“Fun?” You ask, your tone seeped with indignation. “JJ, you tried to kiss me! I should’ve known this was all some ploy of yours to get into my pants again. God, I should’ve known better.”

“Wait, what? Y/N, that’s not what this was,” JJ defends. “That whole game thing…I was trying to reconnect with you. I never meant to bring up the past for you and hurt you again.”

Your eyes avoid his, and he knows you’re too scared to look into them. He’d reach out and hold your head in his hands the way he used to, gently force your gaze onto him so you can see his vulnerability, but this isn’t the past. You don’t trust him the way you did before. Hell, you don’t trust him at all. So his hands remain at his sides.  

“I’m willing to try. I’m willing to earn back your trust, to show you that I’ve changed. But you gotta give me a chance. Please, Y/N, just give me a chance.”

You ignore his declaration, and his plea. “I’ll have Dave show you to your room. The bed’s all made up, so you shouldn’t have to do much.” 

JJ watches you walk down the hallway. “Where are you going?”

“Out. I have to get out of here.”

JJ wipes a hand over his face, letting out a sigh of frustration. He was finally getting somewhere with you. Things were looking up. But in a flash, they all went downhill, and now, he’s slowly losing faith. 

Good thing that isn’t going to stop him from fighting.

TAG LIST (JOIN HERE!): @mvybanks @jjsbank444 @softherveauxs @pankowperfection @rafesveryrealgf @dreamingwithrafe @maybankslover @tell-me-when-ur-ready @goblink1ng666 @sickyrat @la-neveritayque @dilvcv @obaex @love-ualways @em0-b0ysworld @slytherhoes @lanabrock @cecesrings @princessbetsy123-blog @goldenroutledge @penny4yourthoughts @bmo-bri @hemogloban @maybank-archives @whoisdrewstarkey @aliyahsomerhalder @vigilanteshitposting @poppet05 @adoreyouusugar @f4ll-for-you @slytheringirlthatkillpeople @bbycowboi @enhypens-hoe @loverofdrewstarkey @earth2starkey @angelofcigs @koalalafications @aerangi @cantstoptheimagines @maybanksbabe @sarah5462 @slut4drudy @lvvrgrl @dancinglikeaballerina @somerandos-world @shahanaazsoumah @peachpitlover @emmalandry @blueicequeen19 @l1lactheflower @fairlymax

[soisaidfine]

Ethel Cain: “I’m like, “Oh my god, these people are like real people who are having experiences with my music like I have with other people’s music,” and that constantly blows my mind.”

Gracie Abrams @gracieabrams: "This is a cover of one of my favorite songs: 'American Teenager’ by Ethel Cain." ... "Obsessed with Ethel Cain. Obsessed." ... "I am a huge fan of Ethel Cain. I listen to her music all the time… I’m such a fan of her writing. Her voice on it is unbelievable and impossible to beat. So I took a stab, but I just admire everything about her."

. . .

Coming from the Florence and the Machine fandom, which was so important to your own growth, how does it feel now to have created your own community? Because you also have a very interactive relationship with your fans.

ETHEL CAIN: "I honestly love it. Like I said earlier, music has always been very personal and very kind of secretive for me, so it was very scary to put it out online and luckily I have been blessed enough to have people who love it and who listen to it and resonate with it. So I felt like it’d be very selfish for me to not interact with them, you know, if they’re having discussions about my music and trying to discuss it with me. I love that there are people in this world who are passionate enough about my music to be so outspoken in their love for it, and it’s like the bare minimum I can do is to just be as interactive with them as possible. It’s another reason I like to call them “daughters,” I feel like the word “fans” is so impersonal. Some of them I’m pen pals with, we write letters back and forth, you know, I get on Instagram Live and chitchat with them, talk to them on Tumblr, it’s just so fun to interact with them. I’m like, “Oh my god, these people are like real people who are having experiences with my music like I have with other people’s music,” and that constantly blows my mind. So I love to get to know them and I really do consider us to be like a big family. You know, there’s not a ton of us, but the people who are here are very in love with the project and I’m in love with them."

Read more: Artist Spotlight: Ethel Cain

. . .

‘queen ethel cain by me’ Shervin on x/twitter website: Shervin Lainez

. . .

Lili Reinhart: "I'm listening to Ethel Cain and having a religious experience"

. . .

Ethel Cain, 16: "So I know I post a lot about her (Florence Welch), and I know it may seem annoying, but her music has helped me to connect with people…I don’t care what anyone says. I’ll always love you ❤️"

. . .

Ethel Cain: "if i didn’t have such a dedicated group of people who like my music, touring would probably be 100 times worse honestly"

. . .

Patti Smith: “I would have loved if we could have written a song, that I used to call it my dream of writing the hit of the world—writing a song that everybody heard and was like felt uplifted by it. Everybody; it was like, you know, the perfect top song… You know, it’s a gift… If I had it, I’d have written the hit of the world. …I don’t think it’s important to stay in the underground to be an artist. I would love to see the greatest artists that ever lived suddenly beloved by the whole world.”

[juniperwoodwell]

Dedication

Ch. 1|Ch. 2| Ch. 3 |

Kylo Ren x F! Reader

word count:4k

Warning(s):Cursing, use of Y/n.

Summary:As a Captain in the First Order, Y/N has never been one to bring attention to herself unless it was commanding her squadron. What happens when a personal hobby make's her prey to one of the most feared men in the universe?

A/N:I have a taglist now of lmk if you'd like to be added,you can message me or comment down below. Also lmk if you like this '•••••••' divider or if I should just keep it normal.

The loud blaring sound of her alarm clock startled Y/n awake; She sat up in her bed, a groan leaving her lips as she shut off the alarm. "Okay. It's just an hour; You'll be fine," she tried to encourage herself as she got dressed and ready for work. First, she had a small class with the squadron she was teaching, not to be mistaken for her special forces squadron. Usually, she'd go to the cafeteria for breakfast, but she wanted to avoid as much social interaction for as long as possible. So she grabbed a protein bar from the lounge before leaving for the class.

•••••••

When she arrived, Phasma was there, which was strange since she usually stuck to her troopers.

"Um...Captain. How may I help you?" Y/n made herself as professional as possible

"Kylo Ren has tasked me to teach your class and asks that you go to the hangar immediately."

Oh, you have to be kidding me. I do not have time for this. Y/n nodded and left the room, making her way to the hangar; when she arrived, the two engineers she met yesterday came up to her; frightened. That's when the smell of chard, burning metal reached her nose.

"Shit-" She cursed under her breath. "What happened?" She asked.

The tall blonde pointed to one of the terminals; it was a mangled mess of wire and metal. But what she focused on was Kylo Ren's fiery red lightsaber. Clearing her throat, she swallowed her fear and approached him.

"Sir?" Her voice was cautious; she stayed a few feet from him. The sound of his heavy breathing crackled through the voice modulator. His saber switched off, and he turned to her.

"You're late."

"You changed my schedule"

"You should have been advised last night."

"Well. I wasn't, so I apologize if my unknowingly tardiness has messed with your schedule." She sassed

"If I were you, I'd be very careful with how you address me, Capitan." His voice was low, and anger seemed to seep from his figure. Y/n straightened up. What is wrong with me? I know it's early, but am I losing my mind? Clearing her throat, she nodded.

"Yes, Sir. I apologize." She spoke curtly.

He put his saber back on his hip and then spoke, "You have thirty minutes today, so I suggest you start now."

"B-But, Sir. That's not what the-"

"This assignment goes exactly how I say it does. So either you do as you're told or face the consciences."

That threat brought back all the anxiety from the day before. Any bit of her normal self was washed away and replaced by this foreigner called fear.

 "Yes, Sir. Right away." She spoke quickly and climbed into the TIE Silencers cockpit.

When she sat in the seat, she realized her feet didn't quite reach the pedals. "Oh. Right. He's a lot bigger than I am. Gotta remember that." She mumbled to herself; when she looked out the windshield, She froze.

He was standing there...Watching her. She expected it to be like a scare tactic, and he'd be off to the side somewhere doing who knows what. "Not creepy at all, Sir," She said under her breath; since the entrance hatch was still open, she didn't know how much he could hear. Unaware of his special abilities.

Once she settled her nerves, she leaned forward in her seat to reach the ship's flight computer; she then took out her datapad from the left side pocket of her uniform and connected it to the flight computer. She was surprised to see that the algorithm was set up almost identically to hers, but of course, the big complicated stuff was different. No...of course, it wouldn't be that easy, but it did make it easier on her.

"Okay, first things first. Gotta prioritize the main components," She spoke to herself as she scrolled through the computer's terminal; she groaned at all the numbers and red lettering. This is going to take forever. Then an idea popped into her head. Well...he never said I couldn't make a copy and then study it later.

Without a second thought, she quickly downloaded a copy of the computer's schematics onto her datapad; she had five minutes left when the download finished;

looking up from the computer, she saw him there, still staring at her.

Judging her every move.

Watching her from under that terrifying mask.

She looked at her watch before she unplugged the tablet, putting it back in its original place before she climbed out of the cockpit.

•••••••

"I'm done, sir," she spoke formally as she approached him. Keeping enough distance. He nodded a silent dismissal.

As she walked passed him, he grabbed her forearm, stopping her in her tracks.

He leaned in close to her ear.

"If I didn't know any better, captain, I would assume you just stole important information from the first order." His voice distorted and low as he spoke.

Y/n swallowed harshly. "Sir. You never said I couldn't study the flight computer information after hours. I don't want to mess anything up,"

 Kylo hummed and let go of her arm. "Use that information wisely." he began to walk towards his ship but stopped when Y/n spoke up,

"Why did you change my schedule?" She asked abruptly.

"I have a meeting to attend to off base. You'll go back to your assigned schedule tomorrow," he spoke honestly; the modulator did little to hide the sincerity

"Oh. Uh. well, then, good luck, sir." She turned and left the hangar.

•••••••

"I'm sorry, he did what?" Miya asked as Y/n sat down at their lunch table.

"He changed my schedule and then got pissed off because I was late. Apparently, I got a message in the middle of the night from an informant, but I didn't see it until after I arrived to see the aftermath his temper tantrum." Y/n sighed as she ate.

The three stared at her.

"You can still back out now, right?" Cal asked, but before she could respond, Killian answered for her,

"No. She has a target over her head now. If she tried to back out, she'd not only disappoint her father, but she'd most likely get fired, or worse, Kylo Ren would have a fit and kill her."

Everyone's attention was now on killian; Y/n stared at him in fear. She hadn't even thought about the possibility of disappointing her dad. and Killian was right; if she slipped up, she'd be killed.

Y/n put her head on the table, and Miya placed her hand on her back.

"Lesson learned if you have a hobby that could potentially get you stuck in a situation between life and death. Just let it go. It's not worth it." Y/n mumbled before sitting, "I'm gonna head back to the lounge and do some work. I gotta study this dang ship without the actual ship." she groaned as she stood up.

"But you barely ate anything," Cal spoke, standing up as well.

"I'll eat more at dinner. I promise." She lied with a gentle smile; she wasn't planning on going to dinner. She'd eat a few protein bars and be all set.

This assignment was too important, not only for herself but for her father and his company.

•••••••

While she was retreating to the lounge, she ran into Phasma.

"Hello, Capitan," Y/n gave her a slight nod and a smile.

"You're alive." She spoke plainly;

Y/n nodded, laughing dryly, "Just barely. I know it was an order, but thank you anyway for teaching my class."

Phasma nodded, "Of course."

Their conversation ended as they parted ways.

•••••••

"Y/n."

The low voice of Major Elrik startled Y/n when she entered the lounge.

"Y-Yes, Sir,"

"My office, Now."

Oh shit. She nodded and followed him into his office.

"You are beginning to make me worried. I got word that you were late to your new assignment, which in turn caused Kylo Ren to have a tantrum, destroying one of the terminals."

"T-That wasn't my fault, Sir."

 "Oh?"

"Kylo Ren changed my schedule in the middle of the night, and I didn't see the message until it was too late." Her voice started confident but slowly deflated, and so did her demeanor.

Elrik sighed.

"The first order enjoys leaving out any information that could hurt their reputation." Elrik sat down at his desk and motioned for her to sit. "Kylo Ren has gone to the supremacy to meet with Supreme Leader Snoke, and he wanted me to inform you that he will not be back until late after your scheduled time when he returns; you will do your one hour then." Y/n nodded,

"Are you doing alright?" he asked; Y/n looked up from her lap.

"Yes, Sir. I'm doing just fine." She gave him a half-hearted smile.

"I know this assignment is a lot more than you signed up for, and I also know how you can get when you're overwhelmed. It's not a secret that Kylo Ren causes you to become anxious. If I knew he would do this, I would have said something. But I believe that you can complete this assignment without fail."

"At least someone does." she sighed,

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I-...I just think he and everyone else believes I'll fail. The man is sadistic; I think he got bored and is now using me as a play toy." she joked dryly

"You think far too much, Y/n."

"I know, Sir. May I be dismissed? I have a lot to study" The major nodded, and Y/n stood up from her seat, Heading to her room.

•••••••

She sat down at her small desk and opened up her datapad; as she looked over the first page, she unbuttoned her work shirt, leaving her in a black short-sleeved undershirt and her work pants, rolling her shoulders; She began to focus intently on the plans and coding in front of her, taking notes on her personal tablet.

•••••••

Four hours of studying passed by when a knock on the door interrupted her,

"Yes? Come in," She spoke, pulling away from the desk to stretch; Cal poked his head into the room.

"Hey. How's it going?"

Y/n groaned.

"That bad, huh?"

She nodded and stood up from her chair,

"It's just a lot of words and numbers that I haven't studied in a few years; It's a good refresher, though."

Cal nodded and sat down on the edge of Y/n's bed

"You know it's almost time for dinner, right? You promised to eat."

Y/n sighed. "I know, Cal. But this is too important, and I have a full day tomorrow, with three flight training, a meeting with Hux, then another meeting with some higher-ups about flight strategies. I have to study this as much as I can. Missing a few meals isn't going to hurt." She sat back down in her seat, turning her tablet back on.

"Don't neglect your needs because some asshole decided you need to prove yourself to him." Cal stood up, frustration lingering in his voice.

"Cal." She warned,

"Don't. 'Cal' me, Y/n Seinar. You are amazing a what you do; everyone knows that. Your name is important to so many people, and the resistance shivers when they hear your call sign. This prick is toying with you, and you shouldn't stand for it. He's bringing you down to nothing. You are usually so strong and glowing with confidence, and he's made you anxious and scared. He has no right to do that-"

"Callisto. Shut up." Y/n forcefully stood from her seat; her face was red with anger and annoyance. Not because of Cal but because she knew he was right.

"Get out."

"Y-Y/n, I-I"

"Out. Now."

Callisto sighed and left the room.

When the door closed, a quiet whimper left her lips

Why is this happening? I know it's his ship, but couldn't he have just left me alone for the week? He knows my reputation and all that I've done for the first order. What was his plan here? To knock me down a peg? No. This was a challenge. A game. Well...I suppose two can play. She sat on her bed and thought for a while.

If Kylo wasn't going to return late into the night, that meant she'd have plenty of time to take notes and possibly make copies of the information she already had. Sure, in the academy, this would count as cheating, but we're no longer there now, are we?

Nodding to herself, she stood up from the bed and fixed her shirt, then walked out to the lounge.

"Dinner, anyone?" She asked; Miya, Killian, and Callisto turned their heads to her.

Capitan Y/n Seinar was back. For now, at least.

She had nothing to fear as long as he was gone, right?

•••••••

"Geez, does this stuff ever get better?" She asked rhetorically as she ate, Cal chuckled,

Miya shook her head. "Why would it? The first Order spends their money on more equipment and ships than on any decent food."

"Wonder if the higher-ranking officers get better food than this?"

"Wouldn't that mean Y/n would be getting better food?" Kil asks, responding to Cal's question.

Y/n put her head down as the three looked at her, pretending to be occupied with her mush.

"Y/n?" Miya nudges her side; Y/n groaned and looked up at them

 "...Yes. Cal's right. Starting at Capitan, the food gets served to your quarters or to the higher ups mess hall. It's of better quality than anything served here."

"Then why aren't you eating that food?" Miya asked,

"Because...I asked them not to send me any." She says plainly.

"Why?"

"Because I didn't want to eat alone, Alright?" The table erupted in laughter, no one caring if they disturbed anyone.

"Aww, that is so sweet!" Cal teased, and Y/n shot him a glare; he put his hands up in defense and chuckled.

"I just knew you guys would be completely lost without me here. That's the real reason," she tried to play it off.

"Mhm, Sure it is," Miya poked y/n's side playfully.

Then slowly, the group grew silent as they all ate, small conversations here and there but none of any importance.

•••••••

As Y/n was walking out of the cafeteria, Killian gently grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her to the side

"Killian- What're you"

"Shush. Just listen. I didn't want to say this with the others around, but you need to hear it. Kylo Ren is on the supremacy right now. He didn't take his silencer." Y/n's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Then why-"

"I'm not sure, but if you want to study it physically, you should go now. I'll spot you in case someone were to notice. I know the engineers will be ending their shifts soon. Don't you have to meet with the Chief, Kesta?"

"Yeah, I can do that now, actually, and by the time I'm finished, the engineers would be changing shifts. We can meet up at the lounge and go from there." Killian nodded,

"Alright, send me a message when you're on your way."

"Okay. Oh, and thank you, Killian. This will be very helpful."

"I know," he chuckled, "I prefer you getting in slight trouble than getting killed."

Miya rushed over to them and grabbed Killian's arm.

"Hey. We had a deal. No more scheming with Y/n. That almost got all four of us fired."

"We're not scheming, Miya. I was just discussing something with her."

"About?"

"What? Are you my wife or something?" Miya looked at him, shocked, and held up her left hand.

"Actually. Yeah, I will be." The thin ring glittered in the harsh hallway light. Miya and Kilian had gotten engaged years before they joined the first order.

They made a promise that once the resistance was defeated, they'd leave and get married, buy a house on some distant planet and live happily ever after. Or at least that's how Miya said it one night when they all had a few too many drinks.

Y/n snorted out a laugh as she began to walk away.

"Hey, No, get back here, Y/n."

"Nope, Sorry, Kil. You dug that grave, so lay in it."

"Where are you going?" Cal asks as he walked over to the other two.

"Got a meeting. I'll see you guys later" Y/n waved goodbye.

•••••••

"Ah, Capitan. It's nice to see you again." Kesta's motherly voice welcomed y/n into the room. She was glad to see Kylo was nowhere to be seen.

"I hope you're aware that today I only had half an hour to look over the ship, and I got too preoccupied to write out a report. I will write one out tonight and send it to you in the morning."

"That won't be necessary."

"And why not?" Y/n asked with a raised brow.

"Kylo Ren already sent in a report before he left." Y/n's eyes grew wide.

 Did he realize I didn't do a report? Why would he write out a report for something he didn't do? Did he write out that I practically stole a copy of the computer's hard drive information?

That last thought chilled her to the bone; if anyone found out about that, she'd certainly get suspended. She swallowed harshly.

Even if he was away, he still managed to make her anxious. Prick.

"Just give me a quick review of everything you went over today then you may go."

The conversation lasted maybe fifteen minutes.

•••••••

Y/n sent Killian a message that she was done, walking down the hallway. Killian was standing outside the door to the lounge.

"You ready to go?" He asked as she walked up to him; she nodded calmly but practically jumped out of her skin when Miya showed up behind Killian.

"Go where?" She asked, her arms crossed over her full chest. Killian groaned and turned around.

"It's none of your business Mai. I just need Y/n to do a favor for me." That wasn't too far from the truth, although he was technically doing a favor for her.

"It is definitely my business if my fiancé and best friend are going off somewhere together, alone."

"I didn't think you were the jealous type. Miya. But I assure you it's not what you think." Y/n teased as she tried to reason, but Miya put her hand up.

"It's exactly what I think it is. You two are going to Kylo Ren's ship so Y/n can study it after hours"

"How'd you-"

"Because Cal and I were thinking the same thing. We went by the Hangar earlier today and saw his ship was still there even though he already left." Miya sighed. "It's suspicious, Y/n. What if he's expecting you to go there? I mean, they were very adamant that you only have access to it for an hour and that you are under no circumstance allowed to board that ship without permission or outside the designated timeframe." Y/n sighed, knowing Miya was right.

But this was a special circumstance.

"Miya. I have to. I need as much experience with that thing as much as possible; I don't have time for rules. Kylo will literally kill me if I don't get this thing right. The least Hux or anyone else can do is fire me. I prefer my life over my job, even if I love it." Miya sighed and opened the door to the lounge, calling out to Cal.

He looked at everyone and rolled his eyes.

"We're doing something stupid again, aren't we?"

"Yeah."

 "Yep."

"Pretty much."

 He pursed his lips and sighed. "Alright. Let's go."

•••••••

"Okay. This is a really dumb idea. Do you seriously need this overtime?" Cal asked.

"Oh, don't be a wimp. Come on." Y/n sassed as they entered the hangar. She made a beeline for the Silencer. "You guys, keep an eye out. I'll try to be only an hour." They all nodded and then watched as she climbed into the cockpit.

She was surprised to see that she was still allowed access to the flight computer.

Maybe he just didn't feel like changing it.

"Ok. Flight controls...Programmed the same way as mine. Easy to remember. Targeting...not so easy, so let's start there."

•••••••

The hour flew by quickly; Y/n looked out the transparasteel windshield to see her friends talking quietly, not too far from the ship. To anyone, it just looked like pilots talking about work-related stuff.

Her mind drifted to her conversation earlier with Kylo

"If I didn't know any better, captain, I would assume you just stole important information from the first order."

"Sir. You never said I couldn't study the flight computer information after hours. I don't want to mess anything up"

"Use that information wisely."

"Why did you change my schedule?"

"I have a meeting to attend to off base. You'll go back to your assigned schedule tomorrow."

"Oh. Uh. Well then, good luck, sir."

She groaned; rolling her eyes. Gook luck? Seriously? And what was up with that whole 'If I didn't know better' shit?

She sighed; the words "Use that information wisely" echoed in her mind as she climbed out of the cockpit.

•••••••

"Alright, I'm done; I made a good handful of notes for the difficult stuff. Of course, I'll need to spend more time tomorrow. But I have enough to get the majority of it studied tonight." Y/n spoke as she walked up to the group. They all nodded and then headed back to the lounge with no complications. Thank the Maker.

•••••••

Y/n collapsed onto the couch; exhaustedly, she sighed, "Thank you, guys."

"Of course."

"What're friends for."

"Trespassing, apparently," Everyone laughed quietly, not wanting to disturb any of their other squad mates.

Y/n closed her eyes as she leaned back on the couch; a few minutes of sleep won't hurt...right?

•••••••

Yes. Yes, it does hurt.

Her alarm rudely blared; she was in her bed. When did she get there? Did someone move her here? "Shit!" she cursed as she jumped out of bed, smacking her alarm off, still in her clothes from yesterday.

 "Why the hell did you guys let me sleep?" She asked, storming into the lounge.

"We tried waking you up, but you were dead asleep. Cal moved you to your room. You needed it anyways." Killian said from the couch.

"No. I needed to study my notes. Now I barely have any time to do anything off schedule."

"Speaking of schedule. Don't you have flight training in about twenty minutes?" He asked. Y/n looked at the clock and cursed again.

"Yeah, Thanks for reminding me." She turned around and walked back into her room, quickly changing into her fight suit. The armor would be unnecessary today since she was just showing basic maneuvers.

•••••••

The cold air slammed against her skin as she walked out onto the tarmac where her squadron was positioned for the day. "Now, listen up. We have a lot of work to do today. I don't want any distractions, and I want you all focused on the tasks at hand. We'll be learning basic maneuvers with the TIE/fo space superiority fighter, just known as the First Order Tie Fighter. You already know how to fly, but you don't know your offense and defense yet, and that's what I plan on teaching you today."

Her squadron was small, but with her teaching, they'd most likely become some of the best TIE fighters in their generation. Most of these fighters couldn't have been more than fourteen or sixteen. Y/n cared for them like family even if she wasn't supposed to, Y/n was kind, and she wasn't afraid to show it. Especially to children.

 "Captian." A boy with platinum blonde hair with almond eyes walked up to Y/n. This was Dante. He was recruited into the first order and was also the oldest in the group, eighteen. Y/n hummed as she looked over her datapad,

"Ma'am, General Hux wanted me to inform you that your meeting with him is canceled."

"Really?" she asked while scrolling through her tablet; there it was, a notification that the meeting was canceled.

"Well, Good...I have some free time today." She mumbled to herself

"Ma'am?" Dante asked; Y/n shook her head and offered him a smile.

"Why aren't you in your flight suit?"

"I'm getting it resized. I had a growth spurt recently." Ooh. I knew something was different,

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were busy with your new assignment, and I don't have a datapad as you do." Y/n nodded

"Well, you know you won't be able to fly this class without it, right?" Dante nodded,

"Yes, Ma'am. I know. And I am fully aware of the consequences."

 "Consequences? Dante, I've never once punished you or anyone else in this squadron. What consequences?" Y/n was so surprised that she had to take a step back.

She didn't believe in the First Order's scare tactics; She believed that the best way to make good soldiers is to befriend them and give them a reason for fighting. Hux hated that, and Y/n knew it; that's one of the reasons she did it. Just to piss him off.

"You really don't pay attention to your notifications, do you ma'am?" He asked, and Y/n rolled her eyes.

"Well. Dante. I've been a bit busy these last three days, you little punk."

"What is making you so busy that you can't even focus on your normal tasks" Kylo Ren. That's what.

"My new assignment has been a lot more difficult than I said it would be"

"Oh. I heard that you were working on Kylo Ren's TIE Silencer"

"Your brother needs to learn to keep his mouth shut."

 "So it's true then?"

"Dante, you know I can't discuss this stuff with you." The boy sighed.

"Then why can Killi tell me all this stuff?"

"Because Killian is your brother. I am your squad leader. You see the difference, don't you?" Dante nodded

"Yes, Ma'am"

Now about those consequences, going through her notifications, she saw another addressed from Hux.

 "What the fuck?" The message was an order for Y/n to start using proper First Order disciplinary actions. "Oh, that coward. He canceled the meeting because he knew that this would piss me off." Y/n looked at Dante, "You will not be punished, Dante."

This will not stand. I was given this squadron to test a new way of making loyal soldiers; he has no right to do this.

•••••••

After the training, Y/n went to where Phasma taught her squadron

"Capitan Seinar. What a pleasure it is to see you," Phasma spat sarcastically, not very fond of having her training interrupted.

"Did you know of Hux's decision to have me enforce proper disciplinary actions with my squadron?"

 "No, I wasn't aware. But I have told you to enforce some discipline" Y/n rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest

"So you're saying it's my fault?"

 "Of course it is. You thought you could get away with just being nice. This is the first order Y/n. Kindness doesn't exist here."

"I know. You're right, but we both know Hux's way is insufficient. My way is working; they have loyalty stronger than any other squadron on this base.

"Why don't you go talk to Hux then?" Y/n looked at Phasma as though she'd grown a second head

"Are you crazy?"

"I mean, the only way for this to be solved is by confronting him on the matter; I mean, you were given that opportunity by the supreme leader. Unless the enforcement is ordered by the supreme leader, then Hux has no power over how you teach and lead your squadron."

she's got a point, but confrontation isn't my strong suit.

"Yeah...I think about it. Thank you, sorry to disturb your training."

With those parting words, she left the area, and confidently walked to the command center but stopped in Infront of the door.

Hux didn't intimidate her as Kylo did, but he was still a high-ranking officer, so she had to play her cards right.

"...Nope." Sighing, she turned around and walked back the way she came. Coward. "Shit. I wasted that hour..." She mumbled to herself.

•••••••

The rest of the day went by with barely any complications; Y/n missed lunch and was on the way to the cafeteria for dinner when a trooper called out to her

"Capitan Seinar, Kylo Ren has returned and requests you meet him in the hangar." She looked at the trooper and sighed

"Now?" she asked; the trooper nodded

"Alright. Thank you," she grumbled as she turned away from her earlier destination, Great. Now I've got to deal with him.

•••••••

"Sir. I apologize if I'm late."

She addressed the looming figure as he stood in Infront of his ship, his back to her.

"You're right on time."

Tag list:

@kylowritten

@capitanostella

[maul-of-shame]

Hello Bucky!!!

I just had to reach out after reading your story "Gilded Choices". I'm at chapter 6, part 1.

To be completely honest, I was genuinely confused at first about the idea of pairing Elrond and Galadriel. I genuinely couldn't picture those two together but I chose to give it a shot, at least read your prologue and maybe a chapter.

But you managed to do something truly amazing: not only did you make me believe in this ship, you made me fall in love with it.

Your writing is so beautiful, poetic, and immersive; every scene felt real.

It feels like I'm here in the scenery, when I read your works, your scenes.

When they were standing on that damn stage, it felt like I was in the crowd. When they were arriving in the Capitol, parading, it felt like I was watching from backstage. When they had that beautiful, angsty, emotional fight about Celeborn and his treatment of Galadriel, I was in that damn room.

I don't know how you do it, I genuinely don't. But whatever it is, your technique(s), you made me fall in love with those two, even when I was apprehensive about it.

The way you captured their dynamic is beyond words. You gave each of them such depth, passion, and nuance that their connection felt completely organic, and their love story became one of the most heartfelt ones I've read in a long time. Nearly want to say you've added even more depth to the bond shown in season 2 of ROP.

Their touch, the eyes and gazes, the elvish during important moment, his devotion to her, her fierce protectiveness of him, just...

I am speechless.

Every choice they made, every sacrifice, felt so real and moving. You managed to mash-up Middle-earth with the raw, intense world of The Hunger Games in a way that brought out layers I never expected, blending the two worlds seamlessly. And I say that as a Hunger Games fan.

You’re such a gifted author, truly. I’m in awe of your talent and dedication, your ability to craft something so unique and rich. It’s clear how much love and passion you put into every line, and it’s inspiring as a reader to experience something so thoughtfully written. Your characters, world-building, and sheer artistry have stayed with me long after I finished that recent chapter.

Thank you for sharing this story and for all the hard work you're pouring into it. It’s authors like you who remind me why I love to read. I can’t wait to see what other worlds and stories you create next, and the next chapters of this beautiful story – I'll be there, reading and in awe.

Genuinely, thank you so much for Gilded, I don't know what pushed you to write it, but this is such a diamond and the fact we can read this masterpiece for free-

E.S_

Oh wow!!🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 You have no idea how much this message means to me; I’m actually blown away right now, like FULLY on the floor, trying not to melt into a puddle over here!T-T🥹

I’m so glad you decided to give Elrond and Galadriel a shot!! When I first started writing them, I was nervous about pulling off the dynamic, but hearing that it resonated with you like this—gosh, thank you SO much!!!💖💖

And can I just say, it’s so amazing that you feel like you’re right there in the story?! That’s what I dream of as a writer—to make everything so vivid and real that you’re in the world with them, feeling every moment, every emotion!

I’ve poured my whole heart into this, and knowing it’s landed with you like this… 🥹 I thought my chapters were too long or too detailed (30k for some chapters like-) so thank you sm for the love!!!T-T💖💖💖💖

The fact that you picked up on their nuances, the way they navigate each other and the world around them—that’s just EVERYTHING to me. I was practically yelling when I read that you connected with their story so deeply!!! They’re such special characters to me, and it makes me ridiculously happy to know that it’s all coming through for you!!!!!

Thank YOU for such a heartfelt message!!T-T I’m gonna carry this with me and probably reread it whenever I need a reminder of why I do this!😊 I can’t wait for you to see what’s next—promise it’s gonna be a ride! I'm posting it tonight!!!💖

[thisdreamplace]

oh my goodness hayyy it’s me 🍁 anon once again! apologies for so many.. I absolutely adore how you guide from life honestly your words have guided me through such hard times.

I wanna ask some questions so feel free to Answer them!

what is your favorite part about nondual/ Taoism

how did you discover it?

what are some hot takes you have about it?

how do you input in daily life!

what are your favorite ways to fully surrender?

what do you do in a wave of a depressive time?

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

what are your favorite experiences ever Since you gained this knowledge !🎼🎵

alright have a lovely day! I always love your talks!

hiiii <3 thank you for your sweet words~ hehe

hmmmm

well, for me my favorite part in all of this was how it opened me up so much and allowed me to allow love into my life, for the first time ever, with less fear. as a child i was very loving but as i grew older and felt more of the coldness of the world, i really closed myself off from so much. at some point, i even saw myself as extremely bitter and cold and would think of myself as an ice princess... so yeah. definitely forever thankful that nondualism/taoism helped warm me, and open me up to unconditional love.

i remember during early 2020, i began to get really into spirituality and exploring what that means for me. at the time, i was highly interested in witchcraft (ive always had a true interest and connection with the natural world, which is why this path appealed to me~) and didnt really believe in the law of attraction at all, but going onto tumblr to connect with witchblr, i would often see quotes from neville goddard that sparked an interest in me, and the rest is history :)

i think my biggest hot takes are that... so much of it is blown out of proportion, sensationalized, and used to prey on the weak. once people started to realize how popular all of this could be, so many people began to jump on the train and often share information or enforce expectations that are rather harmful, except they dont care because its all about what hooks the desperate people and keeps them coming back. the amount of coaches and things like that which are just looking to make a buck, is pretty wild. even for people who arent asking for money, theres some that clearly just want the clout and they dont really care about anything else. so much of this is actually extremely natural and not supernatural at all, but a lot of what "sells" are these hollywood movie promises of success. as someone who started in this community when there was like... 1 or 2 blogs actually dedicated to this, its definitely grown a lot and almost has become something i seperate myself from, because i dont really fully agree with the way a lot of things are now taught or the way theyre approached. i kind of like to stay in my own lane, stay true to my experience, and hopefully that reaches people as is... :)

for daily life, i try to think about what i learned from the book, "breaking the habit of being yourself" and as well as from the book, "the tao of pooh" because these are two things that really deeply touched me and made lightbulbs go off. im not perfect... but usually i believe that what you do within, you have to start to do without if youll ever see anything different happen. but this is on a very personal level, like for example, "be the change you wish to experience" if you want to experience more love, be love. if you want to experience less stress, begin to implement that... etc etc

i think my favorite way to fully surrender is to cry it out, and take care of myself first (and repeat as needed, hahah)

gosh, this is hard. during a depressive time all i can do is... be depressed. but i always put in effort to not lose sight of whats in front of me. being really depressed can make you feel like nothing is great anymore in your life, and its all empty. so i always try to remember how much love is there already, and all of the blessings that havent gone anywhere, all of the ones ive had up until now, gratitude. in every little pocket of sunshine that i get, i hold onto it because (in a depressive time) i know that the melancholy is lurking. but i still go outside and get fresh air, i still try to exist around those moments i can do nothing more but bedrot or doomscroll.

i think my most favorite experiences are all of the little things that living this way has afforded me. for once, i felt happy. for once, i felt loved. for once, i could push anxiety to the side and truly live. for once, i truly trusted in me. i wasnt afraid of the world anymore, i was enamored with it. i think being able to experience that, after the life i had been living in the darkness for so long before, is truly my most favorite thing of all. ☁️

anyways, hopefully you find this somewhat insightful :')

xoxo 🫧

[phoenix-downer]

With A Smile Chapter 1

~2235 words. Sora/Kairi. Starts during the end of KH3 and moves into KH4. Sora POV. Angst, Romance, Fluff.

This story is dedicated to @tamtam88​​, and the art is by her as well! Thank you again for drawing such a beautiful piece and providing such wonderful inspiration 🥺 ❤️  

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 

Summary: Sora and Kairi make their final stop on their world tour: home. Before he disappears, he gives her a special gift to remember him by, a paopu hair clip with a deeper connection to his memories than either of them realize. 

Sora had taken Kairi to lots of worlds. All the things he wanted to see and do with her, all the experiences he wanted to share before he was gone. But he couldn’t delay the inevitable forever, and so at long last he took her to the one place he both loved and dreaded. He sensed Destiny Islands before he saw it: the sea-salt lingering in the air, the hot tropical sun beating down on his skin, the crash of the surf nearby. 

“Oh, we’re home,” Kairi noted as they fully materialized, a tinge of sadness in her voice. She glanced at their surroundings. They were on the Main Island a little ways away from the Town Square, hidden behind a few scraggly bushes. The din of the yearly Ocean Festival drifted to their ears, and the smells of fried festival food, sweet candied fruit, and slow-cooked fish wafted towards them.

She released his hand and wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Does this mean…?”

He fumbled with the zipper on his jacket. “Yeah. I don’t know how much longer I have. But I promise I’ll make it through the festival and then to the Play Island. Everyone’s waiting for us.” 

He was fighting fate every second just to stay a little bit longer. To remain just a little further into the future. And while he was fighting a losing battle, he still felt like he’d won. Being with Kairi was his personal triumph, his “reward” as Xigbar had so crudely put it.

Kairi wasn’t a reward, she was his most beloved person. And being with her? No reward could possibly compare. So fate would just have to wait a little longer until he was ready to say goodbye.

He looked at her and knew he never would be. 

A few moments passed like this until at last she met his gaze and smiled. “Then I promise I’ll be brave until then.” 

“Kairi…” There were tears behind that smile, an ocean of pain behind those big blue eyes. Her voice might be playful and lilting, but only so she could hide the tremor and terror in it.

She shook her head. “I can cry when you’re gone. But for now, I want to smile and enjoy the time we have left. What good is it if I spend the whole time you’re still here blubbering?” 

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d like to be able to comfort you at least.” That was what a guy was supposed to do for the girl he was going out with, right? And he hated seeing Kairi cry. Especially when it was all his fault. He wanted to fix things, not make them worse. 

She hummed softly, then clasped her hands behind her back in that playful Kairi way he loved. “Then let’s make some memories now that will comfort me later.” 

He nodded. “Okay.” 

She found his hand, and he still felt giddy holding her hand like this. It was so small and soft and gentle, so warm and reassuring. He’d even dreamed about this, and now that his dream was a reality, he couldn’t get enough of it. 

She led him to the Ocean Festival, to the nearest food stall. A cute little octopus mascot advertised the takoyaki for sale, and he treated them both to a set of the fried octopus treat. The breaded part was nice and hot, and the octopus was fresh and delicious, just the way he liked it. They thanked the stall owner (an old family friend) before settling down at a picnic table with a checkered tablecloth on it.

Kairi made it partway through her takoyaki when she frowned and set it down. “Sora, do you think this is your last meal?” 

Yes. “I can’t say I really thought about it,” was all he said out loud. 

Kairi’s lower lip trembled. “It is, isn’t it?” 

Now he was the one who couldn’t meet her eyes. Her pain was like a dagger to his heart. If he said something now, he might really lose it.

“Well,” she continued, her voice chipper again, “it’ll just have to be the best last meal ever. To tide you over until you can eat with me again.”

He smiled softly at that. That was Kairi for you, talking about when they would eat together again, not if. She’d never been one to let fate get in the way of what she wanted. He wished he could follow his heart the way she followed hers. He tried, he really did, but he had his moments of doubt. 

Like right now.

She was not so easily perturbed. She put her hands behind her back and tilted her head in that delightful Kairi way again, making her hair splash across her cheek. “Well?” she playfully prodded. “What do you say?” 

“Sounds good. A big meal to tide me over until I can eat with you again.”

He was rewarded with one of her smiles. “We’re gonna try every single food stall then! Make sure you get all your old favorites!” 

He laughed. “Alright, alright.” She pulled him to his feet, and together they picked up treats and goodies from every single food stall and returned to the trusty picnic table. She teased him and challenged him to eat every last crumb of food, which he did till he reached the point he couldn’t possibly eat another bite. 

She poked his stomach and giggled. “You sure about that? Sometimes I think you have a bottomless pit for a stomach.” 

“I’m a growing boy,” he said, mock seriously. “What did you expect? I’ve gotta get taller than Riku somehow.” 

She stilled, and he wondered if he’d said something wrong. “Kairi?” 

She smiled, whatever it was that was bothering her gone now. “You can eat all you want, but I don’t know if you’ll ever be taller than Riku.” 

He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow, continuing their playful little game. “Wanna bet?”

She tapped her cheek and pretended to be deep in thought. “Hmmmm, I’ll bet you a date when we meet again.” 

“Deal.” That was a bet he’d be happy to lose. 

She rested her hand on her chin, her lips twitching. “But honestly, Sora, I don’t mind if you never grow any taller. You’re just the right size to make me feel perfectly safe when you hug me.”

His heart fluttered at that, and he felt his face burning. “Really?” 

“Really really.” 

“So…you like hugging me?” 

She giggled into her hand. “I really, really do.”

He grinned. “I like hugging you too.” 

“I’m glad you do.” 

They just looked at each other for a few moments like they were the only two people in existence. Gosh, he was gonna miss her. He had no idea where he was even gonna disappear to, but so long as he was Sora he would long for Kairi, that much he knew. 

“Kairi?” he asked, reaching for her hand so he could weave their fingers together.

She earnestly searched his face. “Yeah?” 

“I, um, I…I…” He wanted to get the words out before he disappeared. Let her know what was in his heart before he was gone. It was the least he could do.

She smiled and shook her head. “Not yet. It’s not time.” She gently tugged at his hand. “C’mon, let’s go look at the trinkets.” 

Once again, she led him to the stalls where old family friends were hawking their wares. A jewelry stall in particular caught his eye thanks to the little hair clip with a paopu fruit on display. Kairi was always tucking a strand of hair behind her ear because her hair tended to do its own thing when she moved around. Maybe this would be a nice gift for her. 

He gave her some munny and told her to pick something out for herself from the clothing stall next door, which bought him time to make his purchase. She returned with a breezy tropical wrap that was varying shades of blue and captured the ocean’s hues perfectly. He complimented her choice and how nice it looked with her eyes, and she thanked him for the compliment and for the gift.

“So, mister,” she said as they strolled idly among the stalls, “what did you send me away for?”

“This.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pink box. “I know it’s just a little thing, but I want you to have something to remember me by until I come home. It’s only fair when I still have your lucky charm.” He opened the box and handed her the paopu hair clip, and his hand flickered in and out of existence. Kairi’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she smiled and took the gift from him. 

“It’s so pretty, thank you.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Could you help me put it on?”

“Sure.” He reached for the hair clip, his fingers trembling a little as he grasped it and undid the clasp. Very carefully, he lifted it and caught a slender lock of her hair, then gently clicked the hair clip into place. Smiling, he took a step back and examined his handiwork. “Kairi, you look beautiful.”

A faint blush dusted her cheeks, and then she smiled so freely and so warmly and so openly that it caught him completely by surprise. Heat crept up his cheeks, and his heart pounded. Was she always this beautiful, or had his feelings for her made her even lovelier to him? Either way, this memory would be etched into his heart forever. She’d asked him to make memories with her that would comfort her later, but he was pretty sure this moment would be a comfort to him too.

“Thank you, Sora,” she said sweetly, then rested a hand over her heart. “I’ll wear it when I come for you.” 

He tilted his head. “When you come for me?” 

She nodded. “When I come for you. I don’t care how long it takes. I will find you and I’ll bring you home.” 

He smiled. That sure was like Kairi, turning his declaration of protection on its head, telling him she’d come for him this time.

“Thank you, Kairi.” He reached for her hand, and together they enjoyed the rest of the festival. He never wanted this to end, but his time was growing short. He wanted to say goodbye to his parents before they went to the Play Island, and so she went with him for moral support. She was there, waiting patiently in the room a polite distance away, when he broke the news of his fate. And she stayed with him as he and his mother and father wept and embraced. He told them he’d be back soon, and he begged them to look after Kairi until then. 

“We will,” his parents promised, and she smiled and nodded. He wanted to ask Riku to watch over her too, but he knew his friend already understood. 

At last it was time to go to the Play Island. He simply opened a portal, and together he and Kairi went through it, reappearing at the paopu tree. 

The sun was sinking low in the sky. Soon it would be dusk, and then all the light would be gone. His life would be gone too, and with it his time with Kairi. 

He was determined not to cry. Their friends were celebrating just a little ways away, and he wanted these final moments with Kairi to be happy ones. 

Together they sat on the paopu tree, and he smiled fondly remembering her boldness when she’d offered him the fruit. That boldness, that complete fearlessness in following her heart, had saved him. Had saved her too. 

He offered his hand, and she took it. He wanted to hold her as close as could be, but he couldn’t do that and look her in the eye or see her beautiful smile. So this was a good compromise. And besides, he wanted to watch the sunset with her, hand-in-hand, side-by-side. Just taking in every precious moment. Home was here and home was her, and soon this would all be nothing more than a memory.

The clouds passed and the sun sank lower and lower in the sky, setting the entire world on fire with its golden light. 

It was time. He smiled and gently squeezed her hand. “I love you,” he said. Funny how three simple words could express an eternity’s worth of feelings from deep within his heart. It felt so good to say them too, to share them with the person who meant more to him than anything.

Her eyes widened and her lips parted, as if his words had come as a surprise. But no, she wasn’t surprised, just overwhelmed. A single tear welled up out of her eye and ran down her cheek, shining brilliantly in the sunset. She smiled bigger than ever, so happy and sad at the same time.

Oh no, he’d made her cry. He hadn’t wanted to make her cry. But she’d been so brave for so long that she couldn’t help it. And that was okay. It was okay to cry. He just wanted to go out with a smile. 

And so he did. As he faded from this reality, her smiling face was the final thing he saw.

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

A/N: Thank you all for reading! And a big thank you to Tam for collaborating with me ❤️ She provided the story idea and drew the art piece that inspired the moment where Kairi smiles and Sora is just blown away 🥺 ❤️ And then some of her other art inspired moments in the next chapter which will be posted tomorrow for Valentine’s Day 👀 ✨ 

I had a lot of fun working on this one and I hope you all enjoyed ❤️ See you tomorrow!

[kingdoms-and-empires]

Hii❤️ Take a seat, prepare something to drink, because this is going to be a long long praise ❤️😂 I've played your game in the past at least three times, and I always enjoyed it so much! But yesterday I played it again and I noticed some scenes that I think weren't there before! I think you did a great work! The previous demo was really smooth and enjoyable, but I feel that the new one makes the story a bit more linear, if that makes sense. All the new scenes allowed us to feel more immersed in the narration, and connected some situations that were previously a little sudden (for example, the first few times I read, I don't remember being the scene where we read our grandfather's letter) (I also really liked that you added the possibility to read about all the teaching we received during the years!)(did I stay awake all night to read? absolutely yes!😍)

I also wanted to tell you that the way you write about our relationship with our family makes my heart melt every time😭 I could feel the love of our parents, the way they care for us and actually make an effort to spend time with us because they love us! You really have a way with words!

And also, I warn you: I'm going to kidnap Aurelius one of these days. HE IS TOO PRECIOUS FOR THIS WORLD! The way he opens and closes his little hands when he is a toddler makes me go "🥹🥹😭😭😭😭" And also Mary is sooo sweet! So dedicated, so brave, so pretty, I want to hug her so much!❤️

Last but not least (I actually don't remember if I had to add something else... I'll just write another ask if that's the case😂) when I played the game the first three times, I always read the torture scene, because I wanted the whole experience of what was happening. But it's written so well, that this time I really couldn't do it. It's an extremely strong scene, really difficult to write too, I think (just like the whole flashback later in the story), but you wrote it really well. I usually don't have problems whit this type of scenes, but yours was on another level😂

Now this has gotten really long, but I have a couple of questions... So I'll make another ask later so you can answer separately 😂

Thank you for your hard work❤️❤️

Thank you really much for your kind words!

I actually did add a few scenes in the beginning again to help the story flow better, and cleaned some stuff up.

For the final product or later in the future ill be making the festival arc cleaner with Leah's suggestion of making a mini arc with it so that you can travel around the city via a choices checklist so it feels much more immersive in the future, sorta like how Shepard's of Haven lets you do things throughout the day, which reminds me, if you havent played, please do!!!

@shepherds-of-haven is a quality game that deserves all the attention it gets!

Back on track again, uhhh oh yeah, about Aurelian, our lil bro picks up mannerisms throughout the years. When he was young, he open and closed his fist when excited, nowadays he snaps his fingers whenever he gets excited lol

Also the torture scene and night of tears were really heavy to write as well. Needing to research on the topics like the munster rebellion and the execution afterwards, or the Romanov family killings really put a damper on me as i wrote, and i had to make sure i wasnt glorifying nor making the violence edgy for edginess sake. I needed to make it raw, but also not annoyingly grimdark.

But again, thank you for the kind words!

[firsttarotreader]

Hi! I am new to this fandom and I love your blog. I have a serious question for the tarot. I saw the DM blind and heared the update yesterday and I was wondering if there was truth to what the neighbor said. Was there a gf living in with Pedro or did he indeed have a gf at the time, but who didn't live with him at the time before he sold his house? I would think that neighbors in a small and narrow street would know, right? The update neighbor or whoever it was, didn't set the record straight. If he didn't have a gf and if he was living alone, they would have said so, I think. So.. was there a woman linked to Pedro or was the neighbor lying? Was the horrid neighbor the main reason he sold his house, or a break up or renting was easier because of his traveling habits for movies? And if he had a gf, why did it end? Thanks for answering. You are a wonderful tarot reader and you always show a lot of respect!

Awww, thanks for the compliments! 💜💜💜 Okay, let’s do this. For starters, I am not affirming anything, these are the cards that came up and this is me reading them as best as I can. Without talking directly to Pedro, we just can’t know anything for sure.

The first thing I asked was whether a terrible neighbor (that one) was one of the reasons why Pedro sold his house. The Major Arcana were The Star, The Hierophant and The Wheel of Fortune.

The Star shows Pedro being so hopeful and optimistic when he bought the house. He thought it would be such a wonderful experience. Then The Hierophant makes me think that it became too much of a responsibility for him, too much commitment, and The Wheel of Fortune points to him not being constant, he’s always in movement, always changing. His life changes, and it has ups and downs too, but it never stays the same, there are always new opportunities coming around.

The Minor Arcana were the Knight of Cups, 10 of Wands and Knight of Pentacles. Knight of Cups with The Star could suggest he poured all his love and dedication and expectations in that house and what it meant to him. But again, 10 of Wands and The Hierophant might be pointing to all this commitment and responsibility being too much for him, like a burden he was carrying. Knight of Pentacles after The Wheel of Fortune shows us he will work hard and diligently, that he will invest all his time and energy in every opportunity that comes his way, in every big change life brings upon him. So he will commit, but to every turn of the wheel.

Honestly, the neighbor might have bothered him (a lot) but I don’t really see it as a reason for him to sell the house? Ultimately, Pedro’s life is always changing and a house was too much commitment at that time.

Then I asked if there was someone living with him or at least spending a lot of time at his place, someone he was potentially having a romantic/sexual involvement with. That was when things got intense. The Major Arcana were The Empress, Temperance and The Emperor.

Oh, well. We have literally the pair of Empress and Emperor and Temperance in the middle, a card of balance and harmony, and the balance of romance and sex. Ngl, it’s a huge sign of relationship, and a person that had a great connection with him and who was in tune with him.

The minor Arcana were the Queen of Cups, 4 of Cups and Queen of Pentacles. Queen of Cups with The Empress could be representing a passionate woman, very passionate. 4 of Cups with Temperance, in this context, might indicate an attempt of keeping this harmony and balance, of making it stable, of leaving the excess and wandering behind and staying put. Again an attempt at a relationship? Queen of Pentacles with The Emperor, more signs of a solid and stable connection, very emotionally and materially fulfilling and rich.

Seriously… I was kinda shocked when I saw these cards, I wasn’t expecting that. Lol I mean, could we be talking about a very close friend with whom he had a very stable and strong connection? Yeah, we could, but I mean… these cards are hinting at something more than just friendship.

But anyway, I asked for the reasons why it possibly ended. The cards were the 3 of Flowers, 8 of Hedgehogs reversed and 7 of Hedgehogs reversed. 3 of Flowers means they might have started strong, like a “team”, so in sync and working together for it to work out. Then 8 of Hedgehogs reversed seems to be pointing to an imbalance in the energy put into this relationship, whatever it was. Maybe one of them or both weren’t really committing to the other, the energy wasn’t being wisely spent anymore and they were focusing on the wrong things. 7 of Hedgehogs reversed just confirms these efforts were not achieving the results they wanted or expected, there was a lack of growth, a lack of reward, and it led to an even lower effort, impatience and setbacks.

The next pull was the 8 of Spears reversed, Ace of Hedgehogs and The Tower. 8 of Spears reversed could mean one of them or both needed to feel free again, they could no longer be “restricted”, “trapped”, and Ace of Hedgehogs represents a lot of opportunities in their way. Luck, wealth, job opportunities, romance (and sex) opportunities, whatever, but they (or at least one of them) wanted more, different things from life. The Tower points to a huge shake up, a breakup or falling out, when things crumbled.

The last pull was the Queen of Flowers, Knight of Flowers and 5 of Hedgehogs. Well, that made it clear. They really wanted different things. The Queen of Flowers is a strong, fiery and passionate Queen, she’s sexual, she commands (and draws) attention everywhere she goes, but she is also very dedicated to her home and her relationships. The Knight of Flowers (Wands) is here once again, the Knight who is intense, fiery, who will invest all he’s got in someone or something, but whose interest will die fast and abruptly. His emotions are fleeting. Pedro, that’s you, isn’t it? Our commitment-phobe in all his power! They have the same fire energy, but their commitment levels are different. That led to the 5 of Hedgehogs, the feeling of being abandoned, left out, left behind.

Honestly, the girl wanted more, Pedro didn’t want more and his interest probably died down faster than hers because he is a commitment-phobe.

Again, could we be talking about a friendship that lost steam and they became stranged because Pedro started to give more attention to someone or something else? Yeah, but these cards and the previous ones… it looks A LOT like it could be a fling/relationship that didn’t work out.