#literally my first attempt at fan art

[haunted-xander]

P4 spin-offs are about traumatized teenagers with social anxiety

(+ a bonus lol)

[sweetandglovelyart]

I didn’t have time to draw something for Halloween, so here’s this old drawing I did a while ago of Meta Knight as Captain Picard/Locutus of Borg from Star Trek: The Next Generation that I feel somewhat fits the Halloween theme. I call him Locutus of Borb.

[scuffle-with-spirals]

Ayo random question for Corpse Party fans out there: Did y'all ever like, look at all the nametags and go "Oh fuck yes, this is prime fic material" because there's literally so little to go off of aside from a name and maybe a description of death depending on which version of the game you're playing, so it's ripe for just expanding upon that???

[kanmom51]

Hi! I love reading your posts so much so I would like to know your thoughts on this:

https://x.com/smol_kia/status/1550222383075586048?t=1QUT02cleCrXVULBEegSjw&s=19

I saw some of us on X thanking this person for manifesting the toothbrushing scene which was funny but at the same time i am super confused on how jikook really did exactly the same as the fan art (the plaid pyjamas especially)! Do you think this was purely coincidence or one of them saw it and went 'let's make this to reality'?

English is not my first language, so I'm sorry if my ask is all over the place :) love ya!

Let's start with the end here why don't we?

JM and JK are the real thing. They have a real actual relationship unlike the dreamt up needing to lean on made up fanart relationship that Tkks delude themselves JK and Tae have.

That is the starting point.

Jikook are the real deal. A real life long term loving couple. TKK are not. Not a couple. Friends yes. At times closer at times not so much, but always and only friends.

So, let's talk about that fanart. It's from 2022. 22 July 22 to be accurate. I am literally feeling sick to my stomach at the moment, but I will share the photo, cause I'm going to be making a point here.

*At least they kept the JM in place (although they probably are deluded as to it's meaning...).

So, why is the date so important, you may ask.

Because that is the day ITS Friendcation came out.

And guess what we got in that first episode of the show.

Only the four friendliest of friends in their matchy plaid pj's.

Basically what we had was TKK's in their hazed daydreams wishing that instead of Tae sleeping together with his squad, to which a one Jeon Jungkook does not belong no matter how much they want to twist it (same crew that left JK at the ski resort by himself while leaving together), instead of Tae waking up with Wooga and their match plaid pj's and brushing teeth together, it would be JK there with him.

Like I say, dream on.

That fanart of theirs, is a dream not a reality, and they can scream until they are blue in the face, it won't change the fact that the one brushing his teeth with JK at the moment is JM, not Tae, by choice. JK choice. JM's choice. They both wanted it. They both planned it. They both worked towards it. And they are both living it right now.

I find it kind of funny how TKKs keep on screaming that JM and JK's travels are for the camera, not genuine, all for the buck. If that was true, if Jikook were indeed the 'fanservice' couple for BH, if Jikook were a money maker as a unit for the company, how is it that this cash machine has never been properly utilized. It always amuses me to hear this from them all while most of Jikook's interactions are off camera, not for us to intentionally see. This one unit that has never come to fruition officially (until now, and there is a reason for that and a reason why we are getting more now, none of which are them being 'faked' for the camera in order to make money).

I love how they twist everything to fit a constant changing narrative. I actually don't know how they keep up with themselves. It would be so exhausting.

I saw Mina's tweets. Will not share them here. I will not give that hateful ***** a platform here. All I will say is that it must be so very hard for her right now. Reality is hitting and it's hitting hard. I guess it's a last hurrah, an attempt to cling to their fantasy. Basically acting like a belligerent child having a tantrum.

If I didn't loath her and her kind I would actually pity them. They are going to be so very miserable in the upcoming months. Not to mention after they are all back from the military.

I guess these weirdos need to be reminded that JM and JK's Tokyo trip back in 2017 was not for the cameras. A trip eternalized with JK's GCFT, a trip they could not stop talking about, a trip they continued to talk about in their book under the title Real love.

I won't remind them of just how fondly JK was talking about their trip and the show, nor will I bring up that shining sun of a smile he had when JM says he'll hug him later, cause you know, these are basically fans that have no interest in what the idol they supposedly love (yeah, no love there) says or feels. It's about what they, as fans, want to feel dreaming about buff JK the fuckboy, bad boy, man handler and his dainty weak boyfriend Tae (with their love hate toxic jealousy drama filled relationship).

Excuse me for a sec...

I also guess they need to be reminded that not all of JM and JK's time together was filmed, not all of it was for the cameras, as they love to put it. Not in NY, and definitley not in Tokyo 2023. Funny how two people that were working on enlisting together and got to fulfill their wishes and make sure that the 18 months of their military service they are inseparable, even if that means a tougher placement than if they enlisted separately, still wanted to go on these trips together. I think that by now any claim that this was forced on them - the trips, the show, the enlistment - have been long disproved.

And for a couple that the company are 'trying to push on us' it's really funny how silent they have been since their enlistment. But yeah, these people will continue to say what they want because otherwise their dreams are dead. Kind of like Larry's that still think those two are a thing.

You know what else that fanart comes after, btw?

Not only the ITS friendcation, but also after this:

JK directing LGO MV choosing the couples pj's, choosing to have JM walk out of the bathroom brushing his teeth JK waiting for him in the bedroom.

Fanart is art (not that some of the fanart out there would be considered art by myself, but you know, that's a personal taste, or distaste, and that btw includes some Jikook fanart as well). It can replicate or express reality but it can also be an outright fantasy.

In this case it's TKKs seeing the reality (Wooga and Jikook) and expressing fantasy (their ideas or wishes applied onto TKK), lol.

And now we have JM and JK on their trip wearing these couples pj's.

What a blow that must have been for TKKs. And this whole scrambling thing they are doing, that this is "the company" copying their fanart. Absolutely hilarious.

Jikook have shown us over the years that they love plaid. Not gonna add pics here cause there is no end to them. JK, JM alone, together, plaid is something they have been doing. Specifically? Not necessarily. But it's something they wear.

Jikook themselves have worn plaid pj's in the past for LGO MV (and the live as well - do I remind you guys of JK's joke about why he decided to have JM brushing his teeth?). Director JK. Their choice.

The fanart TKKs are squealing about was not an original piece of art that a TKKer came up with. They literally copied the pajamas worn by the Woogas in ITS Friendcation inserting JK into their fantasy.

If people would watch original content they would know that Jikook, both of them, tend not to wear pj's at home. Not around the house and not in bed. We saw JM in ITS 2. We saw JK in his bed live (in which I would love to remind TKKs how flirty and naughty he was with JM all while being half naked in bed, nagging JM to do a live with him, all his choice, all knowing that the company will not be happy with him, lol - still waiting for that Jikook live, you know from the company's "for the cameras" couple). Oh, and we also have the LV live. Yeah, that was an interesting one. Seeing that not only did we hear from JM and Hobi that JM walks around in his undies at home but that JK is in charge of the soundtrack... I guess while he's in his undies as well...(JM's reaction to Hobi's slip up was priceless). Point being that those two don't do clothes for sleep. But clearly they couldn't go 'au natural' for the show, so they chose to wear pj's.

And just like the other clothes that they chose to wear throughout their travels, that we will get to see in the show, they chose to wear these pj's.

Couple pj's.

This is not a photo shoot. This is them coming from home with their own clothes wearing what they want to wear, what they feel comfortable in. And they chose to wear those pj's knowing EXACTLY how it will be perceived.

And just like Wooga chose to wear the plaid pj's, which btw were all identical, like the rings they wear, probably as a symbol of their friendship, all while NO ONE ever dared to claim that they were dressed by stylists or forced into wearing them or that the creators of the show even suggested the idea to them, JM and JK chose to wear these pj's that are not identical but seem to be perceived as couple's pj's.

Pajamas sold out of course, the company's caption at the bottom being: "How about watching the show together in couple pajamas?"

Their choice.

Their decision.

Filming themselves brushing their teeth - their decision.

I want to make something clear here. They have said it and I will repeat it. This is not a scripted show. This is them travelling, experiencing, enjoying themselves (you cannot fake those smiles and giggles), filming themselves. That angle, the camera in the bathroom, that is a camera they placed there, they wanted us to see this just like JK wanted to show us JM brushing his teeth and coming out to him in the bedroom.

Do I remind you what happened when a camera was placed in a room when they didn't want us to see what they were up to?

This is not 2018 anymore. This is 2024 (well, filmed end of 2023, and may I just note that after the new contracts were signed, and I do think this is highly relevant as to what we are going to be getting in this show, what we will be allowed to see, the level of candor). No more hidden cameras in rooms (I think the company had realized that was a dangerous game they were playing at), and their artists control over what will be filmed and what not.

Their choices, their decisions, not some company executive. Them. The two of them.

I will end this by saying that I doubt that Jikook are even aware of this TKK fanart.

But if they were, then this wouldn't be them copying the fanart trying to create the illusion they are a couple.

No need for an illusion when you ARE the real deal.

If, by any chance, they were aware of the fanart then I would say that any connection to it would be them saying a big FUCK YOU to TKKs and their delusions.

But yeah, I do doubt they were even aware of this pic.

JK's search logarithm is Jimin based. Not TKK. So keep dreaming TKKs, cause not only are TKK not the thing you so very much want them to be, the thought of that thing, them as a couple, you as a fan group, your art and fantasies, all those aren't even a blip on JM and JK's radars.

[animehideout]

Haikyuu Boys X Fem! Volleyball Player Reader.

a/n : I've always imagined y/n joining Karasuno's team as a female player.. and the general dynamics between her and teammates <3

Pure fluff 🍰

Characters: Kageyama - Nishinoya - Oikawa - Kuroo.

PLOT: Y/n transferred to karasuno High school as a second year student. She couldn't find a girls volleyball team in Karasuno, so she did everything she could to join the boys volleyball team. Proving her skills and abilities, she's now the only female Wing Spiker in Karasuno's boys volleyball team.

Kageyama Tobio:

Basically you're like fire and ice, constantly bickering.

Would find a difficulty to adjust to you at first concerning his tosses.

Both of you would fight a lot.

You always end up getting scolded by Daichi.

When the two of you are angry with each other he refuses to toss the ball to you and toss it to the others instead.

Tsukki always calls Kageyma king of the court and he calls you queen of the court, in am offensive way of course.

“It's not that high y/n, you're just short”

“Ugh boke y/n boke”

“KAGYEMA I'M YOUR SENPAI”.

It makes you fuel with anger, you would hit him with a ball.

When you finally perfected your harmony on the court, you became a powerful duo, unbeatable literally beating the shit out of your opponents.

Enjoying the art of playing together. Spending a lot of time practicing together he developed a subtle crush on you.

But hell no he won't admit it.

The tsundere in him fiercely guarded his actions towards you.

He couldn't help the small cute gestures towards you, leaking his feelings out.

He enjoys drinking milk so so he would buy you some before or after practice.

Makes sure you're eating well when the coach treats you to lunch/ dinner.

“Eat more rice y/n”.

Everyone else in your team noticed his shift in action towards you, and how he softens when he talks to you.

When one of your opponents hits on you he'd give them his famous death glare.

Scares them away with his strong, terrifying aura.

Watches you with a smirk and heart eyes when you jump in the air and forcefully hit the ball over the net.

Would look at you proudly, whenever you score, he's always secretly admired your volleyball skills.

Would attempt to compliment you “nn-nff-nice”.

Starts a fight with Oikawa if he flirts with you, getting a lot of teasing in return.

Nishinoya Yū:

Aside from being teammates, both of you are classmates as well.

You have the best dynamics in the whole team.

Always sitting next to each other in class.

You end up in detention because you can't shut up in class and always has something to laugh or talk about.

Treats you to ice cream every single day after practice turning you into a sweet tooth.

Bestfriends for life, literally inseparable.

Teaches you the Rolling Thunder move.

Helps you master your receives, if you help him with school work.

Your number one supporter, literally in everything.

Comes over to your house a lot, mainly because he's struggling with homework or exam revision.

You joke around a lot, and laugh really loudly, Daichi gets mad at you all the time.

Hypes you up the most on court when you score.

“THATS MY BESTIE”.

Offers a lot of high fives and big hugs to celebrate your victory.

Very protective over you, especially during tournaments.

Along side with Ryu, they would literally jump on anyone who tries to get your number or flirts with you.

Him and Ryu are your protectors, personal bodyguards.

Has all of your secrets ( knows about the crush you have on Kags).

He's the type to be very obvious when your crush is around.

He's the type to look at person in the eyes right after you said “don't look”.

Oikawa Tooru:

The moment he saw you walking his direction he thought you were one of his obsessed fangirls.

Puts on a flirty expression

“Wanna take a picture with me cutie? wanna take my sign- huh?”.

But you'd walk past him, totally ignoring him.

“come on don't be shy.. are you a fan of the best setter in the world?”

“Yeah right, I'm a fan of Sugawara- senpai and Kageyama”.

Boy's face would drop, you did not just casually mention that Kageyama is the best setter in front of Oikawa Tooru.

In court, he would be left dumbfounded when he saw you in Karasuno's uniform.

Couldn't believe his eyes when he saw you're the only girl in Karasuno's boys team.

“YOU?”

His eyes would be glued on you the whole game and even between sets.

Shows off his strong serves

“This is for you y/n!”

You'd totally crush his ego when you perfectly received his powerful serve.

Would praise you shamelessly “Sugoi”.

Astonished when the ball passed inches away from his head but he couldn't stop it, too stunned by your spike.

“I won't lose next time y/n, put that in mind” .

A tension grows between him and Kageyama over you.

Seeing you a power duo with Kageyama stirred jealousy inside him.

Very flirty at any given opportunity resulting in him getting smacked by Iwaizumi.

“I'll teach you how to serve, even though you're already serving- Ack! what the hell Iwa-chan?!”.

Tries to analyze all the techniques and moves you use while playing.

You impress him every time.

Kuroo Tetsuroo:

He saw you for the first time when Karasuno went to Tokyo for the practice match against Nekoma.

He thought you were a manager so he didn't give it any importance.

He's not the type to go crazy over a girl.

Would say hi to your team, including you.

He would be extremely polite and welcoming.

Chuckles to himself when you and Noya screamed “IS THAT SKYTREE?!” to a normal power transmitter.

He thought it was funny, cute and adorable how you're all excited and happy to be in Tokyo.

The moment he saw you in the court in Karasuno's shirt and shorts, stretching before the match his jaw would drop.

His coach told him that you're a wing spiker and it hooked him up.

“A w-wing spiker?”

His surprise would quickly shift into respect, on how being the only girl in a boys' team didn't stop you or bother you as long as you're achieving your dream.

He became very curious as he watched your tricks and the quicks you did with Kageyama.

“Impressive!!”.

Your agility, accuracy and strategic plays made him take an interest in you.

During breaks, between sets he acknowledges your skills in front of his team.

Warning his teammates and pointing out that you're a formidable opponent and they should watch your moves.

Loves challenges, he would ask you for another practice match just to get to play against you again.

When you have time, he would practice spikes and blocks with you and Bokuto.

“Damn, you're really good at spiking”.

You would become good friends quickly and even exchange phone numbers so you can text each other when you go back to Miyagi.

Would introduce you to Kenma, his bestfriend.

Would surprise you and take you to Skytree and spoils you for the rest of the day.

Since he's the captain he would give you a lot of advice.

[proshippers-against-censorship]

https://www.tumblr.com/proshippers-against-censorship/764057554534989824/why-are-yall-so-mad-an-indie-creator-doesnt-want?source=share

the way more than half the people talking about this literally are not in this fandom to begin with, and that's not even taking into consideration that this person is just The Creator of the Week™ to do this; they are not the only one, they are not even the first to try to pull this shit.

The reality of the situation is that if these ocs were really that important and personal to this creator, then they never should have shared them with the public; your creations are no longer 100% your own once you do that, and it is literally impossible to control how complete strangers are going to engage with your art.

It's also not just porn this person is hunting down; they're DMCAing anything that just doesn't align with canon (what they call misinformation). So basically all fanworks for this fandom are potentially under fire, because the entire point of fan works is that they're not canon. If canon was all everyone ever needed, fandom wouldn't exist.

By all means, hate porn with all your heart, but if just the idea of someone making porn of your oc is enough to give you a full-on legal meltdown, then keep your ocs to yourself and your close friends. You don't have to share them with the public. Your ocs don't need to become famous, but if you really want them to; Rule 34, buddy. Porn comes with the gig, get used to it.

"I don't want to see X type of content, so please don't send it to me." Is a boundary, and a perfectly reasonable one at that.

"I don't want to see X type of content, so I'm having my majority-minor fanbase hunt down anything I don't agree with so I can sue about it." Is an insane attempt at infringing on total strangers' Fair Use Rights after not thinking how said strangers would interact with your art all the way through, and is exactly what's happening here.

Yep!

It was never JUST about the porn, but the porn is what communities tend to latch onto (hence it being such a big focus everywhere that is talking against - and honestly, even for - their actions. That then makes it a good focal point on what's happening.)

I am glad you brought that part up, because I'd love to take this moment to urge you all to remember the fanon financial situation that Keath also pissed themself over.

[2plottwist]

A Fabled End

Summary: You end up with a magical, impossible to decipher book. Before you know it, you and Astarion are literally sucked into the story, having to play your parts in order to escape. The catch? You have to play star-crossed lovers.

Pairing: Astarion x Reader, referred to with she/her pronouns

Characters: Astarion, various made-up fairytale creatures, super brief Gale and Shadowheart appearance

Warnings: absolute tooth-rotting fluff, the f word (scary!)

Author: Emma:)

Word Count: 7.8k

A/N: this is definitely a longer read, but oh my god, do I think it is worth it. This is my favorite thing I have probably ever written. I hope you enjoy it as much as Kenna and I do. (p.s. fan art is appreciated)

Your brows furrowed in confusion as you glanced over the text again. Wyll and Karlach had gone out looking for supplies nearby your camp and had found little to nothing- besides a very large, very magical book. It had been offered to Gale first, who kindly declined to prepare everyone dinner. So it was given to the next best option- you.

After the enormous tiefling plopped it in your hands, you took a second to examine it before revealing its contents. Though it was cast in worn leather, swirls of purple emitted from beneath the cover, beckoning you closer. At first. 

Encoding it had been a rather infuriating task. Every time you looked at it, the tangled mess of runes seemed to change, spelling out some ancient, or made-up, language. No matter how hard you concentrated, the meaning eluded you, as if the book was mocking your attempts.

“Why in the hells could Gale not busy himself with this?” you grumble to yourself, pricking up the pointy ears of one of your nearby companions. 

“Having a hard time, darling?” Astarion drawled, sauntering towards where you were sitting in front of your tent. “I knew you struggled with finding me good bits of reading, but you appear to be illiterate.”

You rolled your eyes at the words despite the fact that your undead companion was probably right. You'd pored over various dusty tomes for years, but you couldn’t make anything out of the book. 

“Hey.. it’s not my fault you don’t appreciate ‘The World According to Bumpo’,” you shot back, referencing the fictitious tale you had brought back to him from the goblin camp. “It’s got layers.. You’ve got to actually use your mind to discover them.”

The vampire let out a dry laugh before lounging on a pillow that was laid against the wall of your tent. “Well, in that case, I guess neither of us know what it’s really about, hmm?”

Though his words were pointed, you recognized the playful lilt of his speech. It was a delicate balance, Astarion’s personality, and you couldn’t tell if it was by design or by accident. 

You groaned, dropping the heavy text in between the two of you. “Before you embarrass yourself by belittling me further, why don’t you have a go?” you say, motioning your hand toward the discarded book. 

“Hmm,” Astarion considers the proposition, tilting his head and smirking. “Alright. I suppose I have nothing else to do during the precious hours I have to myself.” 

He picked up the book, giving it a once-over before carefully flipping through the dry parchment. His brows furrowed, and he muttered something to himself before laughing.

“Oh, this is interesting,” he said casually, as if discussing the weather.

“What? What is?” you ask excitedly, attempting to peer over the cover and see what he was seeing. 

“You really are illiterate, aren’t you?” Astarion continued, shooting you a devilish grin. “There’s text right here, as common as drows in the underdark.” 

You narrowed your eyes, unable to believe what the elf had just told you. You had stared at the book for so long, the indecipherable runes were practically burnt into your eyes. 

“What does it say?” you ask, tilting your head.

“Hmm, well,” Astarion starts before clearing his throat and adjusting his voice to a mockingly low one. “The path to freedom lies in truth. Only when you embrace what you have discovered can you leave this place.” He chuckled again, meeting your gaze. “A bit ominous, isn’t it?”

“You’re full of rubbish,” you shoot back, shaking your head out of frustration. “You can read it, just like that? After I spent all that time trying to decipher it?”

Astarion grinned, clearly enjoying the surprise on your face. “What, you don’t think I have any skills beyond my charming wit and dashing good looks?” 

You cross your arms, looks mirroring the dejection you felt within yourself. 

“I assure you, darling, I’m not making it up. But, if you’re still so inclined to doubt me, why don’t you come and see for yourself?”

You frowned at the elf before reaching out to take the book from him, but Astarion didn’t release his hold. Your fingers brushed against each other, and for a moment, the two of you hesitated, locked in a brief standoff. Then, the pages of the tome began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. 

“What in the Hells-” you began but were cut off when the light flared, engulfing both of you. The world around you blurred and twisted sharply, and you were suddenly yanked from your camp with a force that left you breathless. 

When the light finally faded, you found yourself thrown onto a cobble path- right in the middle of a picturesque village, the kind that belonged in a fairy tale.

As you stood, you noticed blooming flowers lining the cobbled roads, their sweet scent filling the air. The roofs were thatched in all colors of shingles. Nearby, a baker had opened his window, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting into the street.

You blink in confusion before realizing you were no longer in your clothes- you were dressed in a flowing, ethereal gown that shimmered like starlight. Beside you, Astarion looked equally stunned, his usual dark attire replaced with a fine, tailored getup that made him look every bit the nobleman.

He glanced around, then down at the book, which was still in his hand, now glowing with a faint, pulsing light. 

“Well,” he mused, his tone a mix of amusement and annoyance. “It appears we’ve been… transported.”

You shot him a look, your frustration bubbling up again. “Transported? Where? Was it the book?”

Astarion held the suspect up, smirking. “Hmm. It seems our little tug-of-war triggered some sort of enchantment.”

Before you could respond, the two of you were approached by a plump woman, her bright pink cheeks and exaggeratedly twinkling eyes making her look like a character from a children’s story. 

“Oh, my darlings!” the woman exclaimed, her voice as melodious as a jingle. “You two are just the most perfect couple I’ve ever seen!” 

Before you could protest, she was pushing you towards an intricately decorated cottage at the edge of the village. A sign hung above the door; it depicted two cartoonish dragons curving into a heart. Below it, you could make out “Enchanted Encounters by Madame Delphine” in a deep purple, delicate handwriting.

With a flourish, she gestured at the building. It was just as cartoonish as the sign, if not more, with its heart-shaped windows, a thatched roof adorned with twinkling lights, and a garden bursting with oversized, colorful roses.  

“Welcome, welcome to Enchanted Encounters, where love is our specialty!”

As she ushered you deeper inside, the air was filled with the scent of lavender and roses, and the walls were lined with love-themed trinkets and framed, exaggeratedly romantic artwork. Despite the overwhelming theme, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Soft, fluffy cushions and plush armchairs were scattered around, and a fireplace crackled.

The woman motioned for you and Astarion to sit. You exchanged a wary glance with Astarion before he gestured to an armchair. “Ladies first,” he purred, flashing you a devilish smirk. 

The woman plopped down into a chair opposite you. “I have so much to tell you! First things first-”

“Now wait just a second,” you interrupted, shifting uncomfortably in your dress. 

“What in the hells is going on? Who are you?”

The woman smiled softly, the expression on her face as if you had just asked her the most mundane question.

“I am Madame Delphine, matchmaker extraordinaire! And you, my lovelies, are here to discover the magic of true love.”

Astarion raised an eyebrow, glancing around the room with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. “We’ve been trapped in a book, for the gods sakes. You know that, don’t you?”

Madame Delphine’s eyes widened with a touch of drama, as if she had known all along. “Ah, that’s the crux of the matter! The village of Fable’s End is a place where destinies intertwine. The magic here seeks out those who are at a crossroads, those who might benefit from a little extra push in discovering their true feelings,” she mimed pushing the air as to add emphasis. 

“Well, that’s just lovely, but we had important matters to attend to,” Astarion retorted, motioning to his head. 

Madame Delphine chuckled softly, her laugh a melodious sound that seemed to resonate with the whimsical surroundings. “But that’s just it! The magic doesn’t always wait for the perfect timing. You see, the enchantment isn’t about disrupting your lives but about giving you a unique opportunity to reflect.. And connect,” she added, wiggling her eyebrows in a suggestive manner. 

“Madame Delphine,” you start, your tone firm but respectful, “you’ve made a mistake. You brought us here under the impression that we are lovers. But that’s simply not true. We are not in love.”

Astarion, his arms crossed, added, “Oh, indeed. This whole scenario feels rather contrived.”

Madame Delphine’s eyes softened with a mix of sympathy and understanding. “I see. Well, if you truly believe that, then perhaps it’s best to explore what the village has in store for you with open minds and hearts. The journey might reveal more than you expect.”

As Madame Delphine spoke, an unexpected, shimmering light began to swirl around you and Astarion. The colors shifted, and the cottage’s walls seemed to dissolve into an ethereal mist. The light took on the shape of a heart, and the air was filled with a gentle, melodious hum.

You and Astarion exchanged puzzled glances as the enchantment’s glow enveloped you. Suddenly, scenes from your past adventures began to play out around you, projected in vivid, heartwarming detail.

You saw shared glances, instances of unspoken support and subtle gestures of care. The images revealed how your bond had deepened over time, showing you moments that had seemed insignificant but were actually filled with unspoken affection.

The scenes began to shift to more intimate moments. You saw yourselves laughing together by the campfire, comforting each other after a battle, and sharing quiet conversations. 

When the light finally faded, Astarion’s eyes met yours, his usual aloofness softened by a vulnerable gaze. “I didn’t realize… We’ve been through so much together, haven’t we?”

Your cheeks flushed with a blend of surprise and embarrassment, and you nodded slowly. “Yes, we have. And when I think back on everything…”

Madame Delphine, who had been quietly observing, smiled warmly. “Sometimes, it takes a little magic to help us see what’s been there all along. Your journey here has allowed you to confront your true feelings and understand them more deeply.”

You stared at each other for a moment longer before the matchmaker interrupted your thoughts.

“Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? You see, my dears, this isn’t just a simple matchmaking service. This is a story, and every story has its rules.”

You raise an eyebrow, your curiosity piqued. “Rules? What kind of rules?”

Madame Delphine leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. “You’re not the first couple to find yourselves in this delightful predicament. This village, and indeed, my matchmaking services, have seen many a pair before you.”

Astarion looked intrigued, his usual smirk replaced by genuine interest. “What happened to them?”

“Ah, well,” Madame Delphine said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “some found true love, others simply discovered something about themselves they never knew. But all of them played their parts—quite literally. You see, in this story, you must embrace your roles as lovers. The more convincingly you play your parts, the closer you’ll come to breaking the enchantment.”

You frown slightly. “And if we refuse to play along?”

Madame Delphine’s face became somber, though her cartoonish eyes still held a glimmer of mischief. “Oh, I wouldn’t recommend that. The enchantment is quite persistent, and resisting only prolongs the tale.”

Astarion leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. “And what exactly are these roles we’re supposed to play?”

Madame Delphine clapped her hands together, her cheery demeanor returning. “Oh, nothing too difficult! Simply be the star-crossed lovers you’re meant to be. The village will do the rest, guiding you through various trials and encounters. Just remember, the more authentic your feelings, the smoother the journey.”

You glance at Astarion. “Well, it seems we don’t have much choice.”

Astarion, with a dramatic sigh, offered her a small smile. “I suppose so. I do love a good drama.”

Madame Delphine clapped her hands with delight. “Splendid! Now, off you go, darlings. The story awaits, and I’m sure it will be a most enchanting one!”

The two of you stood, walking out of the cottage. As the door closed behind you, you sank to your knees, head in your hands. “Gods, why is there never any fine print on enchanted objects?”

Astarion, standing beside you with an amused smirk, glanced over. “And here I thought you liked surprises, darling. Isn’t this all just a bit of unexpected fun?”

You shot him a look, your tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh yes, so much fun. Being trapped in a magical book, forced to play the part of lovers—absolute delight.”

Your bickering was abruptly interrupted by a clanging sound and the appearance of a rather comical figure. 

A paladin, clad in ridiculously oversized armor that made him look like a walking castle, emerged from behind a heart-shaped archway. His helmet was so large that it wobbled precariously with every step he took, and his lance looked more like a toothpick in his gloved hands. 

“Ho there, fair maiden afar! A beautiful thing, a shining star!” he shouted, voice vibrating throughout his suit of armor. “How I cherish Lathander, my guiding light, for blessing me with such a sight.”

“Is he.. Rhyming?” You questioned, sharing a quizzical look with your companion. 

“I think one weirdo is enough to deal with today,” Astarion stated before pushing on your waist, ushering you to walk away. 

“Halt, pale fellow! Leave her be, so kind, so mellow,” the knight declared with exaggerated bravado, his voice echoing through his oversized helmet. 

Astarion raised an eyebrow, turning back to the paladin. “Oh, and who are you to address this.. Maiden?” he asked.

“I am Lord Reginald, in the flesh. And her heart.. With mine, I’d like to mesh.” 

Astarion’s wariness gave way to amusement. “Her? Are you sure? She’s rather unpleasant in the morning.”

You reach out and hit him on the arm. 

“You dare insult her, a rose, a petal?” Lord Reginald boomed back, attempting to lift his helm from his eyes. It clanked back into place. “For your sake, sir, I hope you have the mettle.”

“Are you threatening me now, Lord?” Astarion shot back, then turned to you. “I’m growing rather bored.” Realizing he had unintentionally rhymed, he muttered “Shit” under his breath.

“A duel it will be then, for the lady’s heart!” Lord Reginald said, raising his lance. “Come forth then, sparrow fart!” 

Astarion narrowed his eyes, shooting the lord a steely look. “Sparrowfa-” you hit his arm again, a laugh threatening to spill out of your mouth. “Alright then, a duel, you say? And what weapon do you propose we use, lordling?”

Lord Reginald puffed out his chest, though it seemed more a result of his armor's bulk than his own physical prowess. “Not with swords, not with steel! We shall engage in a battle of words in which the lady must feel!”

You, caught between laughter and astonishment, looked at Astarion with a teasing grin. “I think he wants to duel it out over.. Romantic poetry. Seems like you may have a rather shit hand.”

“Perish the thought,” Astarion said. “How could I refuse such a challenge?”

He smirked, stepping forward with a flourish. “I suppose if it’s a duel of words, I should rise to the occasion.”

Lord Reginald straightened his oversized helmet with a flourish. “Let us begin the duel of melodies and verses, for the heart of the lovely Y/N calls me across universes.” 

The knight stepped back and cleared his throat, preparing for his performance. He launched into a grandiose ballad with exaggerated gestures and a booming voice:

“From distant lands, both far and wide,

I’ve ventured forth with armor’s pride.

To win the heart of one so rare,

I sing my love with tender care.”

You smiled at the heartfelt, if not somewhat over-the-top, performance. 

When Lord Reginald finished his verse with a flourish, he took a deep, exaggerated bow, his armor clanking with every movement. “My heart, my weapon. My words, my shield. Now, pale one.. Do you yield?”

Astarion stepped forward, his demeanor calm and confident. With a playful glint in his eye, he began.

“Beneath the moon’s enchanting light, In shadowed depths, where stars ignite, Our journey’s path has led us here, With every step, my heart grows clear.”

His verses felt tender and sincere, and you blushed as he took a bow, looking at you with a smirk as he did so. The village seemed to respond to his melody with a soft, shimmering light. 

“You think that’s all? I’m not impressed,” Lord Reginald boomed. “Let’s see if you can handle this new test.”

He cleared his throat again before continuing. 

“In twilight’s glow and morning’s dew,

My heart beats only, dear, for you.

Your laughter rings like sweetest chime,

A melody that transcends time.”

You raised your eyebrow at the lord before looking back at Astarion, who seemed unimpressed. “That one was pretty solid, Star. I’m not sure if you can do better than “a melody that transcends time.”

Astarion huffed before turning back to the knight. 

“Through battles fierce and nights so long,

It’s with you, Y/N, where I belong.

In every glance and every sigh,

You’re the reason why I fly.”

As Astarion finished his verse and took another bow, you looked at him with admiration. Lord Reginald gave a respectful nod.

“Your performance was most admirable, Astarion,” Lord Reginald said, his voice filled with respect, and thankfully, no more rhymes. “I concede that the heart of the fair Y/N is yours, though I shall continue to admire her from afar.”

You stepped forward, your eyes sparkling with appreciation. “Thank you, Lord Reginald. That was quite an entertaining duel.” 

Without another rhyme, Lord Reginald turned, clanking down the path and out of the village.

The two of you watched him walk away for a moment before you turned to him, smirking. “The reason that you fly, eh?”

Astarion frowned, facing you. “Oh, don’t you dare. Did you see what I was up against? The bastard was, unfortunately, rather well-spoken, if not annoying. Like Gale,” he spat.

You laugh. “I’m just teasing you. Your ballad was quite charming.”

He rolled his eyes, smirking. “Well, you weren’t exactly against embracing your role as a muse.”

Your exchange was interrupted by a burst of joyful laughter and the sound of rustling leaves. In the center of the village square stood an enormous, exuberant tree. Its branches swayed with an upbeat rhythm, and its bark seemed to be drawn on. The tree had eyes, large and twinkling with excitement, that were set in knots in the wood. 

“Oh, oh! They’re coming!” the tree’s voice rang out in a sing-song tone. “Hey, over here! It’s Arboris! I’m a talking tree!”

You looked at each other, brows furrowed, before approaching the odd sight. 

“Hello, there! I’m Arboris!” the tree repeated, looking at the two of you expectantly. You hesitated before giving it your names. “Hello, Arboris. I’m Y/N, and this is Astarion.”

The tree’s branches shook again. “Oh, I am so absolutely thrilled to meet you! Yes, I am! What fun we shall have!” 

You crossed your arms. “Gods, please don’t burst out into rhymes,” Astarion quipped under his breath. 

“To continue your delightful journey, you must solve my riddles. Oh, but you two are such pleasant company, I almost don’t want to tell them to you! Oh, what a dilemma!” they cried, casting their eyes to the ground. 

You and Astarion exchanged another glance- you’d hardly said a thing. In fact, the pair of you likely came off as stand-offish. Pleasant company wasn’t the first thing that came to your mind. 

“Riddles, you say?” he asked, his tone curious. 

Arboris clapped their branches together in delight, shaking deep green leaves onto the ground, seemingly forgetting about being upset. 

“Oh, yes, yes! And with such a splendid theme at that! I’m positively giddy! Here comes the first one!”

They continued clapping for a moment longer before they stilled completely, eyes turning a deep shade of purple. In an ominous voice, they declared:

“I am a bond that binds hearts tight, 

A feeling that makes everything right.

I’m often whispered, sometimes declared,

In moments of joy or when hearts are bared.

What am I?”

Arboris began waving again happily, as if nothing had changed about them. “Come on, come on, what is it?” they squealed. 

You turn to Astarion as you contemplate the riddle. 

“Do you think they ever run out of rhymes here?” he groaned.

You ignored him. “Let’s see.. If I was the optimistic type.. Hmm. It sounds like ‘love’ itself!”

Astarion nodded, grinning. “Yes, it has to be love.”

With a smile, you spoke aloud, “The answer is love!”

Arboris became even more animated, branches swaying in a celebratory dance. “Brilliant! Oh, how wonderful! You’re so clever! Now, onto the second riddle!”

They grew still again, eyes turning the same shade of purple:

“I am a gesture that’s sweet and dear, Often given when loved ones are near. I can be soft or full of fire, I’m a sign of affection and desire. What am I?”

Astarion’s face lit up with recognition. “Why, it’s a kiss!”

You nod in agreement. “Yes, it’s definitely a kiss.”

You answer in unison, “A kiss!”

Arboris practically danced with joy, their branches moving in a jubilant swirl. “Oh, how splendid! You’re doing marvelously! I can hardly believe it! Now for the final riddle!”

The tree stilled once more:

“I am a bond that ties two hearts, A connection that never departs. Though time may pass and distance grow, Our feelings for each other always show. What am I?”

You and Astarion looked at each other. After a moment, you speak up with a smile.

“It’s a promise. It’s the bond between hearts that remains strong.. despite time and distance.”

Astarion nodded in agreement. “Yes, it’s definitely a promise.”

Arboris’ branches erupted in a cascade of sparkling leaves and squealed. “Bravo! Oh goodness me! You’ve answered all my riddles with such flair and insight! What a delightful pair you are indeed!” 

The two of you smiled at each other, despite the barrage of rhymes. 

“Oh, carry on now, on your adventure! But do remember our time together, when you met Arboris, the talking tree!” They waved a branch at you in goodbye. 

You and Astarion turned and walked down another cobbled path, laughing to yourselves about the encounter. 

“That creature was something else, wasn’t it?” Astarion remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I think Arboris might have been a bit too cheerful for my taste.”

You chuckle. “You know, I think Arboris and Halsin would get along famously. Imagine the two of them together- enjoying the freedom of nature’s gifts,” you said, mocking your druid companion’s deep tone. 

Astarion let out a sharp laugh, before mocking the tree. “Oh, Halsin, pick my leaves! And Halsin would be like, 'very well, if the Oakfather sees fit'.”

The two of you laughed, shaking your head. Turning a corner, a grand mansion adorned with opulent decorations came into view. It was certainly out of place in the sleepy village; the mansion’s splendor was undeniable, with intricate carvings and luxurious tapestries giving it an air of aristocracy. 

Standing at the entrance was a striking noblewoman. Her gown, a flowing ensemble of crimson and gold, was adorned with sparkling jewels that caught the light with every subtle movement. 

The woman spotted the two of you, and her eyes lit up with an unmistakable glint of interest. Her gaze lingered on Astarion. 

“Well, well! What a delightful surprise!” the woman exclaimed, her voice rich and melodious. “I am Lady Seraphina, and I must say, it is a pleasure to meet such.. Intriguing individuals.”

Astarion, ever the epitome of charm, inclined his head in polite greeting. “The pleasure is all ours, Lady Seraphina. I am Astarion, and this is Y/N.”

You offered a courteous nod, but you couldn’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort as Lady Seraphina’s gaze became increasingly fixed on Astarion. The noblewoman’s approach was not merely cordial; it was laden with flirtation. 

“Ah, Astarion,” Lady Seraphina purred, her voice dripping with exaggerated affection. “You’re quite the striking adventurer, aren’t you? I’d love to hear more about your travels. Perhaps you’d care to join me for a private chat inside? I’m sure we could find many… fascinating topics to discuss.”

As she spoke, Lady Seraphina’s hand brushed against Astarion’s arm, lingering a moment longer than necessary. Her eyes were wide with an artful blend of admiration and seduction. For you, the sight was a jarring contrast to the polite distance you were accustomed to. Your heart raced with a blend of irritation and something deeper- an emotion you hadn’t expected to feel so intensely.

You had always prided yourself on your composure and self-control. Yet seeing Lady Seraphina made your chest tighten with a pang of jealousy. The way her eyes sparkled as she looked at Astarion, the subtle but unmistakable way she attempted to draw him away from you- it all seemed to chip away at your usually steadfast resolve. 

You had been trying to ignore the way Astarion’s charm seemed to attract attention from all quarters, but this was different. The noblewoman’s words were brazen and direct, and the unspoken challenge was impossible to miss. You felt a surge of uncharacteristic possessiveness; it was clear Lady Seraphina was trying to seduce Astarion, and the sight stung. 

Taking a deep breath, you stepped forward. “Lady Seraphina, while your offer is generous, Astarion and I have our own plans. We prefer to explore the village together.”

Your tone was steady, but there was an edge to your words that surprised even you. Lady Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly, her practiced charm faltering for a moment as she processed your unexpected intervention. 

“Oh?” she replied, her voice carrying a note of barely concealed irritation. “It’ll only be a moment, I’m sure.” 

You look at your companion who seemed to be smitten with the fact he was being flirted with. He glanced at you, devilish smirk gracing his features. You felt a tug from the tadpole burrowed in your head.

‘Just playing my part.. Like you did so graciously with Lord Reginald.’

With that, the lady tugged him into the mansion, the loud thud of the wooden doors closing in front of you making you jump.

“You bastard!” you shouted, hoping he could hear you despite the thickness of the door. 

You shake your head before becoming lost in thought. ‘Is he trying to make me.. Jealous?’ you thought to yourself. Because dammit all, it was working. 

What in the hells had come over you? When Madame Delphine had forced you to reflect on your relationship with the vampire, you realized something that you had tried to suppress deep down. With the weight of the entire realm on your shoulders, feeling anything for anyone was selfish, would deter you from the task.

Oh, but the way Astarion made you feel. He made you feel alive. Like you could do anything, be anything. And you could only hope you made him feel the same way.

After a minute or two, you couldn’t help but be drawn back to reality, or whatever it was, by the heaviness of the situation. You had to go get Astarion.

You pushed the door open quietly and stepped in, being greeted by an equally lavish hallway. What appeared to be hundreds of other hallways branched off of it, all lined with doors. 

“Oh, hells,” you murmured to yourself. You took off down one hallway, picking up the ends of your dress to ensure you didn’t trip over it. Slowly, you had managed to make your way down the entire branch, pressing an ear to each door and hearing nothing. 

Feeling defeated, you turned to walk back down to the main hallway, when suddenly, a shrill scream rang out. A door burst open, and there Astarion stood, gasping for breath. He caught your eye in an instant. 

“Oh gods, Y/N, you have to hear this- Lady Seraphina was trying to-” His eyes were wide, and his cheeks slightly flushed as he struggled to find the right words. “I didn’t think she would actually, well, you know..” You stared at him in confusion, and right before the realization dawned, Astarion shouted it out.

“Gods, Y/N, she was trying to fuck me!”

“Are you always this stupid, or are you making a special effort to torment me?” you shot back. “I could’ve told you that at the front door!”

You couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight of the visibly flustered vampire. He rolled his eyes as you reached your arm out to him. He linked his in yours, and the two of you began to run out of the mansion. You leaned in, your laughter mingling with his as you navigated the lavish hallways.  

As you exited the mansion, Astarion leaned against the door, finally having a moment to catch his breath. 

“Now, before you say anything,” he panted, “I didn’t go in with the intention of that happening.” You placed a hand on your hip. “Oh? And what intention did you go in with? Playing a friendly game of lanceboard and having a glass of wine?”

He glanced sideways at you, and hesitated. For a moment you thought he wasn’t going to speak at all, but then he continued. “I thought it might be a bit… amusing to see if I could make you a little jealous.”

You raised an eyebrow, a sense of relief washing over you. “And what in the hells made you think that was a good idea?”

Astarion shrugged. “Well.. you made me endure Lord Reginald’s attempts to make you swoon. I thought I might return the favor with a little.. Strategic distraction.” You laugh. “That’s rather bold of you.”

Astarion’s lips curved into a grin, exposing his pearly fangs. “Ah, but there’s something rather intriguing about seeing you flustered. And I must say, it worked better than I expected.”

Just as you went to respond, Madame Delphine appeared, her arrival marked by a swirl of colorful mist and an air of dramatic flair. She had changed into an extravagant gown of deep purple and red, and her face was covered by a mask resembling a cat.

“Voila!” she stated, twirling around before meeting the expectant gaze of you and Astarion. “Impressive, hmm? Weren’t expecting that, were you? Then again, you two have done all sorts of things I haven’t expected.” She paused for a second and looked at Astarion. “Lovely rhymes, by the way.”

Astarion scoffed as she pulled out a letter from her corset. “Why does everyone act so surprised by that?”

Madame Delphine gingerly handed you the parchment. “I have a final challenge for you- one that is both grand and delightful.”

Astarion turned to face her fully. “And what might that be?”

Madame Delphine’s smile widened as you opened the letter. “You are cordially invited to the Enchanted Revelry! Oh, it will be a wonderful time. It will be the final challenge of your journey here in Fable’s End. A chance to showcase not just your charming features, but your true feelings for one another in the most enchanting of settings.”

“The- what?” you ask, tilting your head.

“Why, a masquerade ball, lovey! Simply attend, I’ll do the rest. I’ll be just like your Faerie Godmother, eh?”

Astarion raised an eyebrow and turned to you. “Well, it seems we’re in for quite the evening.”

You grinned, nudging him playfully. “I’m sure the revelry will be just the thing to top off our adventure. I mean, we’ve already faced the barrage of ballads- a ball should be a piece of cake.”

Madame Delphine clapped her hands together with glee. “Excellent! I shall see you both at the ball.” In her usual burst of theatrical flair, she conjured a majestic castle right before your eyes. The building seemed to rise from the very heart of the village, its walls sparkling. 

With a final, enthusiastic wave, she disappeared.

The grand entrance of the castle loomed before you, adorned with cascading banners and glittering lights. From beyond the doors, you could hear elegant music playing, and the scent of delectable treats wafted through open windows. You couldn’t help but feel excited- despite your predicament, whether it was inside a book or out in the real realm, attempting to keep mind flayers at bay, you were still a girl, enchanted by dancing and big dresses. 

As you entered the castle, the doors closed behind you with a soft, resonant thud. The ballroom was an exquisite spectacle, with crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow over an elaborate dance floor. Couples swirled elegantly in their masks and gowns, their laughter mingling with the melodious strains of the distant orchestra.

However, as you and Astarion stepped into the ballroom, you were separated by an unexpected enchantment. A gust of wind swept through the hall, and you found yourself alone on one side of the grand space. 

“Wait!” you called out, your voice tinged with urgency. “Astarion!”

But your call was swallowed by the crowd, and Astarion was soon lost among the masked revelers. Frustration and concern mingled in your chest as you scanned the ballroom, trying to catch a glimpse of him.

As you struggled to find your way through the throng of masked guests, Madame Delphine appeared beside you once again. With a wave of her wand, she conjured a resplendent gown for you.

The gown shimmered with hues of deep emerald and silver, its fabric flowing like liquid moonlight. Accompanying the gown was an intricately designed mask, shaped like a graceful fox with delicate filigree patterns.

“There you are!” Madame Delphine said, her voice filled with delight. “You look enchanting! Now, to find Astarion, you must let your heart guide you.”

Before you could respond, Madame Delphine vanished in a swirl of sparkling mist, leaving you alone in your magnificent new attire. Taking a deep breath, you steeled yourself and stepped into the ballroom.

The grandeur of the castle was breathtaking, with its high ceilings and sweeping staircases leading to ornate balconies. The guests, all adorned in their own elaborate masks and gowns, danced and mingled beneath the glittering chandeliers. You felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation as you moved through the crowd, your eyes scanning each masked gentleman with hopeful anticipation.

Every masked face you encountered seemed to carry an air of mystery, and the enchantment of the night made it difficult to distinguish one from another. Despite your frustration, you found yourself caught up in the rhythm of the event, letting the music and the atmosphere guide you.

On the other side of the ballroom, Astarion wandered about, half blinded by his own mask. The dance floor was a swirling sea of masked figures, their costumes and masks creating a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. To the casual observer, Astarion might have seemed like just another guest, but his every movement betrayed a focused intent. His eyes, sharp and alert, scanned the crowd with a keen determination. This hunt was different from any he had known before—it was not for prey, but for the one person who had captured his heart.

Astarion’s movements were smooth and calculated, each step and turn a testament to his skill in navigating both physical and social landscapes. He slipped through the crowd with the ease of a shadow, his gaze shifting and darting as he searched for you. The ballroom's ambiance—the swirling music, the laughter, and the gentle clinking of glasses—seemed to fade into the background as he honed in on his target.

His mind raced with thoughts of you, each memory a vivid reminder of why this search was so crucial. You, with your grace and warmth, had become the center of his world. The way you moved, the way you spoke, and even the way you challenged him—it was all part of what drew him to you. This hunt was driven by an emotional urgency, a longing to find you and be with you.

The thrill of the hunt, so familiar to him, was now tinged with a new, profound significance. It was no longer the thrill of the chase for its own sake, but rather the pursuit of something far more precious. Each masked face he passed seemed to blend into the next, a sea of anonymity that only heightened his determination. His heart pounded not just with the excitement of the chase, but with a deeper, more intimate anticipation.

He maneuvered through the crowd, his senses attuned to every subtle shift in the atmosphere. Astarion's eyes, narrowed in focus, finally caught sight of a familiar figure amidst the revelry. His heart quickened as he recognized your elegant silhouette, your back turned to him.

As he approached you, the world seemed to narrow to just the space between you. The masks and costumes of the other guests fell away, leaving only you in his field of vision. He moved with a purposeful elegance, closing the distance with a sense of anticipation that was both thrilling and a bit terrifying.

You spun around, seeing Astarion standing several paces away. Behind his mask, his gaze locked onto yours with an intensity that spoke of both relief and adoration.

Astarion, with his predatory grace now softened by his genuine feelings, bowed before reaching out and offering a hand. The search had led him to the person he had come to love, and the fulfillment of that pursuit was more satisfying than he could have ever imagined.

As the music shifted to a softer, more melodic tune, the ballroom seemed to clear slightly, allowing you and Astarion to draw closer. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. You hurried towards each other, weaving through the remaining dancers.

Finally, you met in the center of the ballroom, where the music swelled, filling the space with a sweeping, romantic melody. Astarion’s eyes were alight with joy as he took your hands in his.

“There you are,” he said softly. “I was beginning to think I’d never find you.”

You smiled, your eyes shining as you looked up at him. “I was searching for you, too. However, I knew I would find you.”

The orchestra’s music swirled around you, and as if by design, the dancers around you fell away, leaving you and Astarion alone in your own world. Astarion held you close, his hands resting gently on your waist as he guided you through the dance. 

Your heart was racing. The way Astarion’s gaze lingered on you, the warmth of his touch, and the rhythm of your dance all combined to create a profound sense of connection. You felt as if the entire evening had led to this singular, perfect moment.

As the waltz reached its crescendo, the dance seemed to slow, drawing you closer. The music swirled around you, and as you moved together in the final, lingering steps, your faces drew near. Gently, Astarion pulled up his mask, then yours. You could feel his cool breath fanning against your face. 

“Well, my dear,” he began, voice barely above a whisper. “It seems we’ve survived this.. Masquerade of madness. But before the curtain falls on our little performance, there’s one last thing I’d like to do. 

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the intimacy of the moment. By him. “Oh? And what might that be?”

“I was wondering… since we’ve managed to breeze our way through every other challenge, would it be terribly forward of me to ask if I might kiss you?”

You felt your heart skip a beat at his words, but you quickly regained your composure, matching his playful tone. “Terribly forward? Perhaps,” you replied with a smirk, “but then again, when has that ever stopped you?”

Astarion chuckled softly. “Touché. But I’d rather not assume. After all, I’ve been trying to behave myself… most of the time.”

You tilted your head slightly, your smile softening as you looked at him. “Well, since you’ve been so well-behaved, I suppose I can grant you this one request.”

Astarion’s expression shifted, a mixture of genuine affection and delight replacing the earlier teasing. “In that case, I shall take this rare opportunity and make the most of it.”

With a gentleness that belied his usual bravado, Astarion leaned in and pressed his lips to yours in a tender, lingering kiss. It was a kiss filled with unspoken words and emotions that had been building between them for so long. It was a revelation, a silent admission of everything you had been too guarded or too afraid to say. His hand, cold and steady, cradled the back of your neck, drawing you even closer. 

As you slowly pulled away, the lingering sensation of the kiss remained, a sweet ache that left both of you breathless. Your foreheads pressed together, and the quiet after the kiss was filled with a newfound understanding. It was as if the kiss had woven a thread between your hearts, something strong and unbreakable, a promise of what was to come. “Thank you, Y/N. For the dance, for the adventure… and for this.”

You smiled, your heart full as you looked into his eyes. “The pleasure was mine, Astarion.”

Before you could fully savor the moment, a sudden shift in the air signaled a change.

The grand ballroom began to dissolve around you, the enchanting lights and sounds fading away. As you felt yourselves being transported back to your world, the figures of Madame Delphine, Arboris, Lady Seraphina, and Lord Reginald became visible once more. 

Madame Delphine waved energetically, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Farewell, my dear adventurers! Until our paths cross again!”

Arboris, despite being clearly uprooted, was placed on a velvet chaise lounge, a tablecloth draped over them. They gave a jovial wave, their branches and leaves rustling with the movement. “Bye bye, dear friends! Oh, do be good!”

Lady Seraphina, now dressed in an elegant gown that matched her haughty demeanor, offered a graceful nod. Though her expression was one of polite interest rather than warmth, there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. “It seems you managed quite well… despite our little disagreement.”

Lord Reginald, wearing an oversized blazer, gave a flourish with his lance, his voice carrying a hint of good-natured pride. “Bravo! Your performance was most impressive. Until we meet, I’ll hope you’ll be-” he turned to Lady Seraphina. “Damn it all! What rhymes with impressive?”

With a final burst of magical light, you found yourselves back in your own world, sitting right where you had first touched the book. Gale was the first thing you saw, his hand waving in front of your face with a look of mild concern. 

“Ah, there you are! Welcome back to the land of the living,” he said, his voice tinged with relief. “You’ve been out for over an hour. We were starting to get worried.”

Before either of you could respond, Shadowheart’s voice echoed from within her tent. “Hold on, Gale! I finally found the spell!”

Gale waved a hand dismissively in the direction of Shadowheart's tent, clearly more interested in ensuring you and Astarion were alright. But Astarion, with a rare, contented smile, simply waved him off. “We’re fine, Gale. We just… had a bit of an adventure.”

Gale raised an eyebrow, clearly curious but perhaps wisely choosing not to pry. “Well, as long as you’re both alright,” he said, stepping back to give you some space. With a final glance between the two of you, he turned and walked away, leaving you and Astarion alone.

You sat there in the fading light, the camp bustling quietly around you, but it all seemed distant, unimportant. What mattered now was the shared experience that had shifted something fundamental between you. Astarion’s hand still held yours, and as he looked at you, his usual teasing smirk softened into something more sincere.

“Y/N,” he began, his voice low and thoughtful, “I know we’ve been through a lot together, but what we just experienced… it felt different, didn’t it?”

You nodded, your eyes meeting his with a mix of understanding and affection. “It did. It was like everything we’ve been avoiding or denying just came to the surface. And now… now I can’t imagine not having you in my life.”

Astarion’s grip on your hand tightened slightly, as if anchoring himself to the moment. “I feel the same. I’ve spent so long not trusting, not letting anyone get too close… but with you, it’s different. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know one thing—I want you in it. I want to be a part of your life, whatever that looks like.”

Your heart swelled at his words, and you smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached your eyes. “I want that too, Astarion. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

As if drawn together by an invisible force, you leaned in, sharing a kiss that was both a reaffirmation of your bond and a vow for the future. This kiss was slower, more deliberate, filled with the understanding that you were stepping into something new, something lasting.

When you finally pulled apart, the world around you came back into focus. The camp, the fire, the distant sounds of your companions—it was all still there, but now it felt different, brighter, as if the future you had just spoken of was already beginning to unfold.

You leaned your head on Astarion's shoulder, a small smile playing on your lips. “You know,” you murmured, “I think we make a pretty good team, even when we’re thrown into ridiculous situations.”

Astarion chuckled, gently resting his cheek against the top of your head. “Ridiculous is an understatement, my dear. But yes, I suppose we do make a rather formidable duo, don’t we?”

You nodded, your smile growing as you closed your eyes, savoring the closeness between you. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Neither would I,” he whispered.

You sat there in silence, the night wrapping around you like a cozy blanket. And as Astarion glanced over at Gale, a mischievous glint in his eyes, he couldn’t help but add, “But I really do look forward to calling him Lord Reginald.”

You burst into a fit of giggles, and Astarion grinned, his heart lighter than it had been in centuries. The adventure was far from over, but for now, you had found something even more precious—each other.

[aspiringtrashpanda]

A conversation about ship names with @shootingstarrfish inspired me to write this silly little fic featuring my favorite OC ever, Starr's MC Sidra!

Characters: Belphegor x Sidra (MC, he/they), Leviathan Ridiculous discussions in ship names, Belphie is still bad at art. No warnings apply

“You want to… what?” 

Belphie wasn’t sure he had heard correctly. There was always that stretch of time where he laid in limbo, somewhere between sleep and the waking world. Everything felt a bit like a lucid dream, like the voices around him fed him prompts and he could do with them what he wished. 

He was sure Sidra had spoken. The subtle vibration had lanced through their thighs where Belphie rested his head. Then, he had heard his own voice. Had he meant to speak aloud? Ah, whatever. It wouldn’t be the first time he spoke in his half-sleep. 

Another rumble through the pillow he had made of Sidra. “Come up with our ship name.”

Alright. So, he had heard correctly. It took him a while, maybe so long that Sidra had forgotten what they were even talking about, but Belphie managed to pull himself upright, to rub his tired eyes as they adjusted to the dim firelight of the living room. Sidra hadn’t moved an inch since Belphie had curled up for a nap, his nose still buried in his D.D.D. as he played some sort of rhythm game. Levi had probably introduced them to it. At least he looked comfortable, lounging on the plush couch before the crackling hearth.

Belphie peered at his partner, eyes a sliver of violet as he processed the words, hoping that the more time he took would equate to knowledge magically filling his head. He didn’t like not knowing. Maybe that’s why he got along well with Satan. Well, aside from other shared interests…

Belphie sighed, giving up. “And what’s that?”

“It’s…uh…” Sidra balked, and it wasn’t lost on Belphie how he exited out of his game mid-song. That wasn’t a good sign. 

“Did I hear ship discourse happening over here?” A familiar voice, overly enthusiastic about something Belphie was sure to find uninteresting, interrupted. Leviathan appeared like a sonic boom, heard before seen. Arms teeming with snacks and beverages, Belphie was certain Levi had been on route to a gaming session in his room. A second later and he wouldn’t have heard anything. Terrible timing, really. 

Yet, Sidra indulged him, a lazy shrug accompanied by a breezy, “kind of, sort of.”

Belphegor was lost. In a feeble attempt to understand what his partner could possibly have to discuss with Leviathan, he asked, “Are you flooding the Devildom again? Is that what’s happening?”

Ships. Water. Flood. It checked out, okay?

Alas, Levi laughed. It was that haughty laugh that irritated Belphie to his wit’s end. The one that said I know something you don’t know. So annoying.

Satan would understand. 

And despite the pity in his orange eyes stoking the defiant fire in Belphie’s gut, Levi confessed, “No, Sidra isn’t referring to a literal ship. He’s referring to you.”

Belphie blinked. “What about me?”

“No, you.” Levi went to gesture, but then seemed to remember his hands were full. He settled for jerking his head from Belphie to Sidra and back to Belphie. A violent blush bloomed to life as he stuttered, “As a…c-c-couple.”

Still, the whole concept was lost on Belphie, for he was too busy internally criticizing Levi’s inability to speak of romance without turning as bright as a screaming hell tomato. “I still don’t get it.”

“When two characters have romantic potential,” Sidra, clearly done with whatever threeway foxtrot was happening around the subject, decided to throw Belphie a bone. He chose his words carefully, pushing the sentence along with his hands. “It’s called a ship. Like a relationship.” 

His D.D.D. had fallen into his lap. Belphie liked when Sidra talked with their hands. He was so cute. 

But then, Levi had to go and ruin Belphie’s quiet moment of admiring his partner with an obnoxious but actually, “It was coined way back in an online forum where fans of a series about aliens and mysteries believed the two protagonists would get together. They called themselves “relationshippers”, and then it was shortened to “shippers” and bam! Ships.” 

The fire crackled in the hearth. For a moment, Belphie considered resting his head in Sidra’s lap and going back to sleep. Maybe he could pretend this was all a dream. 

Unfortunately, Sidra was looking at him with this expectation glittering in his eyes. Classic Sidra. Always afraid to ask for what he really wanted. But that’s why they were with someone like Belphie, right? Belphie smirked. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. 

“Okay,” He feigned nonchalance, flopping backwards against the arm of the couch. “So, what’s our ship name?”

“Well,” Sidra chewed the inside of his cheek. His warm brown eyes darted to the log in the fireplace, bark peeling away in bleached strips as the flames ate away at the wood. “Typically, the two character names are mashed together. Like, um…”

Levi’s grin brightened. This time, a bag of gummy salamanders fell to the ground with a thud! “Taizuki is the name for the romantic pairing of Taichi-san and Azuki-tan!” 

Sidra snickered, “And Lucifer and Diavolo would be Dialuci.”

Belphie lit up. Well, wasn’t that useful information. Cataloging such a name in the back of his mind, he considered his own pairing. “So we’d be… Belphdra?”

Levi snorted. Sidra frowned.

Belphie pursed his lips, “What?”

‘’Why does that sound like a monster?” Levi completely abandoned any pretense of leaving, dropping his trove of snacks on the coffee table as he chuckled, “Oh, like Lotan but with Belphie’s various expressions for each head.”

With a gasp, Sidra’s entire body lurched forward, their hair flopping with the movement. They searched the drawers of the end table, cheering when they found an old notepad Mammon had left lying around after this last round of monthly budgeting. “Wait hold on, I want to draw this.”

The silence that enveloped the sitting room was unnerving. The glint in Sidra’s eyes warned of something that Belphie wasn’t necessarily going to like, their pencil scrawling across the compressed pad with an irritating scratch. 

Sure enough, when Sidra presented his masterpiece, a flare of indignation roared to life in Belphie’s chest.

Pictured was a rather magnificent looking dragon, if Belphie did say so himself, but each of its three heads wore a displeased expression, all furrowed brows and bared teeth. Certainly a rather unflattering representation of himself. He wasn’t that grouchy, was he? Sure, maybe when he was woken in the middle of a good dream, but that wasn’t always. 

Biting his tongue, Belphie settled for scoffing, “That is not what a Belphdra would look like.”

“Then you show us,” Sidra volleyed back with ease. There was no bite to their words, only curiosity burning in the stretch of his smile and the light of his eyes. 

For a moment, Belphie forgot about Levi, forgot about the doodle, forgot about the challenge. Lost in the radiant glow of his partner’s amusement, in their dimples and their little moles and the happy blush that seeped across tan skin, Belphie considered tossing the conversation aside in favor of carrying Sidra away to the attic. There, he could kiss the creases in the corners of Sidra’s hazelnut eyes. There, he could show him exactly what a Belphdra looked like. 

But then Leviathan was clicking his tongue impatiently, and Sidra was pushing the pad of paper into Belphie’s hands. 

With a roll of his eyes, Belphie got to work. Tip of his tongue peeking out between his lips, he pressed the dull point of the pencil to the paper again and again. A curved line here, a straight line there. A little squiggle for a mouth. 

When he was done, he revealed his work to… complete confusion. Sidra and Levi stared, mouths flapping around words they couldn’t quite say. Their gazes traced the slope of the seven necks, but they didn’t seem to acknowledge the tiny circle that represented the body. They glanced from the pointed tail, to the goofy tongue, to the fancy hat upon the third head, and still, they failed to provide any sort of praise.

“It’s…” Levi started.

Sidra put him out of his misery, “Unique?”

Before Belphie could make some sort of snarky remark, his partner patted him on the shoulder. With a sympathetic smile, Sidra waved away the disappointment with a cheery, “It doesn’t matter, anyway. Our ship name isn’t Belphdra.”

Levi cocked his head. “No?”

“It’s Sidphie,” Sidra asserted, bold smile booming with certainty. At this, Levi’s expression changed rapidly. Something akin to indifference morphed into shock, into horror, into a mix of resigned yet impressed acceptance. 

Belphie was lost. Stifling a yawn, he looked between Levi and Sidra for some sort of explanation, asking, “Wait, why?”

There was a beat of silence, a mischievous smirk from Sidra the only warning Belphie received before Levi laughed, “The character who tops is usually named first.”

He was kicked out of the room via pillow thrown at light speed. 

*・゜・*:.。.*.。.:*・☆・゜・*:.。.*.。.:*・☆・゜

MY REQUESTS ARE OPEN! I've finished the first round, please give me more! This is a fun little writing exercise for me! Find out more HERE.

[doppel-doodles]

It's doodling time fellas

I wanted to give myself a bit of a challenge so I decided to draw the ocs of a few people here on tumblr, with the added challenge of doing it fast-

Minimal erasing and redoing, basically whatever is slapped on the page first sticks whether I like it or not. And there is a little time limit on how much I can spent on each character so that I don't get distracted as easily.

Just a little exercise so that hopefully it'll get easier for me to throw down a sketch using few lines and not taking literal hours-w-" I know everyone has their own pace but I would like to be a faster artist.

Anyway my yapping aside and without further delay: The girlies💚💗💜❤

Now to who these lovely gals belong to:

Haiyang: @riptide-pools

Nawa: @auburnitzy

Suki: @peachy-puddin-cup

An he: @lumidotexe

For anyone interested I'll include some thoughts on each of these below the cut:>

Haiyang

The first one I did and I think it shows>~> I was basically more focused on just figuring out how I wanted to do this so I spent less time and energy on how I wanted the character to look in my style. In the end I settled on doing the basic shapes in pencil and then switching to colored fine liners for details.

With the colors also matches the way I draw digitally just a tiny bit more! Buuuut if I end up doing this again I definitely wanna redraw her, I wanna do this gorgeous character justice after all!/'w'/

Suki

Suuuuukiiii! I did draw her before so I decided to do this version, which I believe to be just her shadow form! While drawing I didn't actually give myself time to look it up cause ya know, no distractions which is why there is a question mark-

But my stupidity aside- here is where I started drawing a lot faster, I was in the zone if you will, so I spent what time I had left adding some variation to the line art. I do like this one and honestly she would probably be so much fun to render digitally so I'll see if I can if there is time:>

Nawa

NOW THIS IS WHERE THE FUN REALLY BEGAN-

Nawa just was such a blast honestly, probably because I was getting really comfortable at this point and let myself play around more with how I stylise the characters! I love me some funky eyes, its probably the most recognisable part of my style.

Also granted I don't know much on Nawa yet(fake fan I'm sorry-/j) I only recently followed the creator so I need to find time to just really browse through their blog and consume all the knowledge there is, but once I do I'll be unstoppable!>:D

An He

Last but certainly not least we finish with An He, who was a just a chill and nice lil drawing perfect to round out this doodle session-w- now I have actually read ERHS(shameless plug, read it it's so good- just need to find my attention span as I haven't caught up with it SOBS) so I have more knowledge on her.

For that reason I attempted to do a slimmer face shape, i wanted her built overall to read as visibly more thin and petite. Along side that I went for rings in her eyes as an allusion to sound waves as I didnt just wanna drop in a music note and call it a day.

however maybe I'll experiment more another time because I just dont think it reads that well:'<

That concludes my silly ramblings! Thanks for sticking around and if any of the creators of these lovely ladies see this- YOU HAVE AMAZING CHARACTERS AND I HOPE I DID THEM JUSTICE!- ahem.

If I do this again I'll definitely go for some male ocs as well for the sake of variety, it was a happy accident that I only drew girls here.

[drawnfamiliarfaces]

Does Gwen get along with the girls? I imagine she'd at least be friends with Kim and Jun over martial arts and magic

Well, they do get along and are good aquintances and occasional teammates, but I wouldn't call them super close friends? They are more friends through friends type of deal??

I admit, its probably not what most of you would want to hear, but honestly I'm not the biggest fan of the whole 'girls in different fandoms getting along because they are just sooooo similar'. I think its a bit boring, if it makes sense? xD I like a little bit more spice and conflict in my friendships!

I did not touch on every single detail/small aspects of their relationships but I did get a little carried away, so a bit of text underneath:

Gwen & Kim

So, like many in these fandoms, I like to think that Gwen and Kim have very similar personalities (and no not just because they are both red-heads xD) and traits, but it would be precisely why they would not make the best of friends! Both of them are seen as sort of an over-achieving type, the type of people that have a lot of control over their lives and their goals. They also tend to be a bit bossy? And let's be honest, both of them are also critical of themselves enough to see that sort of trait in another person and absolutely hate it.

Gwen would see how absolutely perfect Kim seems, she is a superhero who started her own business as pre-teen and somehow managed to flourish and make so many connections and achieve so much, all the while going through school and making it look so easy that literally everyone knows Kim's name - the girl that can do anything. Gwen, who was explicitly shown in UA how much she was struggling with balancing her life and all the stuff happening with aliens and Ben, and Kevin and Plumbers - she would freaking hate the little Miss Perfect Kim Possible at first. And NO amount of Ben and Kevin pointing out that Gwen is exactly the same, handling so much and yet she also appears perfect in the eyes of others. I mean she was literally attending university early in Omniverse, because she was an outstanding student, while Ben, while being a hero, I (think) dropped out of school?? OR at least, he certainly put a cap on school, unlike her. I think it will feed into Gwen's insecurities about not being perfect enough, of not achieving enought, when she first meets Kim.

Kim on the other hand would get annoyed as fuck about Gwen's bossiness. We all know that Gwen likes to take charge, especially with the two bumbleheads of Kevin and Ben around. AND we also know that Kim despises being considered/called bossy. I think I recall in a first few episodes, Ron called her bossy, and Kim vehemently protested that she wasn't. It's a trait that Kim KNOWS she has, and obviously dislikes that people consider her as, and if she sees it in someone like Gwen who is a lot like her, it would annoy her immensily. And its very unfortunate, because the other part of 'the need of constantly being perfect' would be very relatable to Kim, but the bossiness problem would just undermine most attempt to relate to each other.

And a lot of that would also reflect in the mutual interest of martial arts that you mentioned! Which is like a whole separate clusterfuck, because their fighting styles? Are surprisingly different. Kim is a defence fighter - she is patient and calculative enough to wait for an attack and turn the tide on her attacker. Gwen on another hand, is clearly an offensive fighter. But Kim fist fights her opponents and Gwen has shields! - i hear you say and you are right, but Kim is also rarely the one pressing an attack first (its usually a countermeasure) and how does Gwen uses her shields? As freaking projectiles lol.

If they ever fought or sparred - those two very in control personalities - all of that would translate to a very annoyed by Miss Perfect Kim Possible Gwen pressing attack on defensive Kim, which would annoy Kim in turn by Gwen's bold and bossy attempt to control the fight. I dunno, it just feels like their fight would escalate into a bad one or an argument if that does happen, so I don't think they would spar or enjoy their mutual love for martial arts much.

Also, forgot to mention but there is some difference in their teen personalities that amuse me - Gwen is a book nerd and Kim is basically a cheerleader jock! You don't usually see Gwen hanging out with popular crowd or going to parties - she is basically either studying for school, learning mystical/magical stuff or busy with alien stuff. Meanwhile we rarely see Kim really slaving away at books, and while she is smart, she is clearly not the 'constantly nose in book' type of smart. She is probably one of those people who only had to sit at few lectures to retain information kind of person, that lucky girl. (It would probably be another thing that would infatuate Gwen, considering how annoyed she is with Ben's eidetic memory and how much potential he wastes with it. xD) And Kim has a surprisingly rich (for a working teen hero) social life! She goes to parties and events, not a whole lot but certainly more than Gwen. Of course its funny that Gwen is sort of a little bit mean nerd (like, that girl is not a bad person but she would absolutely put a fellow classmate in place) and Kim is a kind jock (not that all jocks are mean, but you remember that main girl in cheerleaders who was not Kim's biggest fan?).

Also ALSO, in HoM, Kim is older than Ben & subsequently Gwen. And while I am not saying that either Kim doesn't respect people younger than her, or that Gwen have problem with authority. But I am saying that it doesn't really help, because younger bossy Gwen would remind Kim heavily of her own teenage self, and Gwen would feel a little bit talked down to, if Kim tries to relate to her 'need to be perfect' thing. Their difference is not huge, but when they met, Kim was already an adult (as in her 20s+) and Gwen was still in late teenaged years, so there is that.

Of course, over the years of their acquintance, those initial feelings and dislike would fade, and they could be friends but I don't feel like they ever would be very close. They have a similar work ethic, which would make them pretty good teammates tho! But as close friends? Nah. Though that's also why I consider them both of them get along with Ben better than with each other! xD

Gwen & Jun

Jun and Gwen get along a bit better than Gwen and Kim. Being closer in age, from a big families with older and younger (behaviour wise for Ben lol) brothers and sharing not only interest in martial arts but also in magic, gives the more stuff to relate too. Their personalities don't rub each other the wrong way too much either! While they both have strong personalities, there is a much more easier flow between Gwen's bossy and controlling, with Jun's stubborn and independant.

The thing is, since its a crossover, I made a few choices about how their worlds interact, so while magic gives them something to relate to, it is also a VERY big thing between them that causes a lot of clashing.

You see, its not explicitly said in Ben10, but its obvious to fandom that magic we first see in the show and that Gwen later uses when he is 16 are different. How different? We have no idea. But its obvious that originaly the magic Gwen discovered was Earth sort of magic, while later in the show she is using magic based on her alien - anodite origin.

I won't go too much into detail right now (because its too complicated and vague in my mind and i will literally go crosseyed trying to type about it rn lol), but the basic explanation that magic on Earth has a lot of variations, but Anodite powers/magic is completely a different beast. And since Gwen appeared to have decided to veer more to her anodite roots, her use of magic differs a lot from how Jun uses magic. While on the surface it barely matters, especially in practical use or fights, academically/philosphically/etc? - both Gwen and Jun had arguments UPON arguments about it. And they can never quite reach a middle point, that isnt just basically agree-to-disagree.

It's not like friendship destroying type of constant arguing, but it is something that is intimately intricate to BOTH their lives in very complicated and different ways, and its kind of hard to be best friends with someone who constantly opposes your existence/way of life?

So, I could say that Gwen and Jun are more of okay type of friends, maybe even academic (in same academical/interest circle) type of friends. Surprisingly, unlike with Kim, its harder for Gwen to work with Jun because they could start an argument that would last (because Gwen is bossy and Jun is stubborn), and it sort of prevents them from getting along? xD Does that make sense? And their work ethic is a bit different in approach too, tho in battle itself they work well.

Gwen & Jenny

I am a little surprised you did not mention Jenny, but I guess I might have sabotaged the whole thing by constantly showing that Jenny has beef with Ben! xD And I guess in some way you are correct, since Jenny's annoyance with Ben would either sometimes translate to annoyance with Team 10 or to Gwen being annoyed by Jenny's hostility towards her cousin.

But in reality, they actually get along pretty great! Better than Gwen with Kim, and slightly better than Gwen with Jun! If only because Jenny and Gwen do not tend to argue about intricacities of magic! xD If anything both Gwen and Jenny, while not fully understanding how the others work, fully respect each others abilities in battle. They just kind of accept, that one can do this and another can do that.

Personality wise, I actually think they mesh together well. Jenny has lived with a controlling personality all her life (her mom) so she knows how to navigate that, and in turn, I actually think Jenny's a little bit silly personality (which is a little bit like Ben's) is a great counter to Gwen's more serious one. Even the difference in their ages does not really matter, despite Jenny being closer to age to Kim.

The surprising thing that I think would really allow them to get along, is the feeling of alienation and some discomfort in their own skin. Look, we all know about Jenny's desire to be like a normal girl, but she isn't, because she is a robot, and its something she's been coming to terms to her whole life. And Gwen recieved a great shock when she discovered her anodite roots, and if THAT didn't give her a reason to feel like she doesnt quite belong to humanity right now, i would eat my shoe. Technically both of them are aliens amidst human race from very different kind of spectrums, but I feel like it would give them a starting point to relate to each other.

And basically they are space collegues!!! Like literally, they both operate in Earth-Space area of protection, and I feel like despite Jenny's general annoyance about that and Team 10, she would respect a fellow Earth protector from aliens.

Also, Gwen could always appreciate another person that helps to keep Ben's ego in check. Though, if she'll get particularly annoyed by Jenny's comments, she would definitely let her know. ;)

-

so ye this is basically it for now xD i dont think i have many more other details, but i hope you enjoyed and were entertained by this nevertheless ;)

[nanawritesit]

ATEEZ: General NSFW Headcanons 🖤 (18+/ MDNI) 🔞🔞🔞

i am currently hard at work on the maknae line ver. of your first time having sex with ateez imagines, BUT i thought i could put this little diddy out to hold y’all over :) this one is more gender neutral too so it’s more inclusive!

TW: switch!HJ, switch!SH, dom!YH, sub!YS, dom!S, dom!MG, sub!WY, switch!JH, sexual intercourse (protection is up in the air,) giving and receiving oral sex, marking up, hair pulling, aftercare, semi-public sex, exhibitionism, missionary, doggy style, mating press, reverse cowgirl, spanking/ impact play, edging/ orgasm denial, choking, manhandling, pet names, sex toys, bondage, praise, degradation, overstimulation, sensory deprivation, jealous sex, thigh riding, size kink, daddy/sir kink, morning sex, wall sex, shower sex, fingering, roleplay, pegging, neck kissing and biting, breast/nipple play, begging, brat taming, rough sex, forced eye contact, phone sex/sexting, leather, food play, breeding kink, body worship, masturbation play, biting, grinding/dry humping, groping, undressing, whimpering/ moaning, kissing, mentions of BDSM, cursing

(god this is a lot, never say i don’t keep you guys FED 😤💞)

Hongjoong:

The switchiest switch that ever switched

He can be the biggest dom, especially when he’s jealous

Like have you seen how possessive he gets over his fans? Imagine how he is about you

All he has to do is see someone looking at you with desire and he sees red

All that’s going through his head is: “mine. mine. mine.”

Fucks you so hard you can’t walk and then goes: “Do you think anyone else could fuck you like that? No, I’m the only one. They can look at you all they want.”

Ooooo and if you’re a brat? He lives for taming you.

He’ll literally just give you a glare and go: “Just wait until we get home. You’re going straight to my room, understand?”

And you’ll be hard/wet in seconds, wishing you never teased him in the first place (except not really because you love it when he punishes you hehe)

LOVES marking you up with hickeys, they’re his favorite way of letting the world know you’re his

Will even try to convince you to wear a low cut top or a v-neck just to show them off

He’ll go crazy anytime you wear something red

Shirts, dresses, underwear, makeup, ANYTHING. if it’s red, he wants to take it off of you ❤️

HOWEVER, he also enjoys being a sub sometimes :) Mostly when he’s exhausted or stressed from work

He likes the freedom of being able to lie back and let you take care of him

And boy, do you 💀

He loooooves watching you ride him, about as much if not more than he loves topping you

Regardless of who’s on top, he loves seeing your face while having sex. Missionary is his favorite for that exact reason

Intimacy is a really big thing for him. I don’t see him as the type to just wildly fuck someone and walk away

The KING of aftercare. He always asks if you’re okay, holds you in his arms, plays with your hair, offers to get you food or water… he’s so soft for you 🥰

He loves to call you “my muse” and “baby” during sex

“Look at you, taking my cock so well… you’re a work of fucking art. It’s no wonder you’re my muse.”

“Oh baby, don’t stop… please don’t stop…”

He doesn’t really have a preference for what you call him… but he loses it whenever you call him “captain”

Especially if you’re the bottom, like if he tells you to do something and you reply, “As you wish, captain.” Holy shit, he’ll probably bust immediately

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Studio sex.

I KNOW it’s overused for him. But I don’t care. It’s not overrated if it’s genuinely good and true 😤

He works so much! It’s the perfect way to multitask 😌

Imagine bouncing up and down on his cock in his chair while he attempts to work on something, making him moan and cry out until he finally abandons his computer and destroys you from underneath…

He doesn’t have a lot of crazy kinks, but he does get some pleasure out of spanking you when you’ve been bratty

Calls you a “bad girl/boy” and makes you count as he slaps your ass over and over until it’s bright red (which only gets him going more ❤️)

He might enjoy some light bondage too, but that’s pretty much it :3

Also, you guys would definitely fuck to music sometimes (slow it down make it bouncy 😜)

Seonghwa:

He’s a switch, but he prefers being a dom

He loves pinning you down

And making you into a mess just with his fingers

Regardless of the role he’s playing, he’ll only cum after you do (Unless he’s had to go weeks without you)

Literally a master at oral… have you seen that tongue? It’s m a g i c a l

Kind of into edging? Like he’ll get you close with his fingers, then stop. Then he’ll get you close with his mouth, but stop again. Finally, he’ll let you cum in his cock

A big fan of neck kisses and biting

He also loves to play with your breasts… groping them, pinching your nipples between his fingers, jiggling them, licking them… it doesn’t matter how big or small they are, he loves them

He’s also into body worship, he’ll kiss every single inch of your body and tell you how beautiful you are

Lowkey has a thing for being called “oppa” or “hyung” during sex but SSHHH DONT TELL ANYONE 🤫

But he also likes to be called sir when he’s domming you 👀

“Does that feel good?” “Yes…” “Yes what?” “Yes sir.” “Very good. That’s a good girl/boy.”

THIGH RIDING

Nothing gets him going more than you humping his leg like a needy animal in heat 🔥

He’ll even tease you by pushing his leg up further against your core to give you more friction

But of course, he won’t let you cum like that. Only on his cock.

Suuuuuper into praise, both giving and receiving. He likes to hear how good he’s making you feel and vice versa

He’ll constantly tell you how pretty you look taking his cock :)

Makes the prettiest little noises when he cums 😭

His eyes never fail to roll back into his head when he finishes (the halazia eye roll OMG 🥵)

You kind of have a voice kink when it comes to him… and who could blame you, he has a sexy ass voice

He could be reading a grocery list and it would turn you on 💀

It pairs well with his masterful dirty talk… seriously, you think he could get you off just by talking to you if he wasn’t so adamant on making you cum on his cock all the time

He likes to kiss you the entire time you’re having sex

Which is fine by you, he’s a great kisser 💋

Is more into romantic sex than the rough kind

But he’ll fuck the shit out of you if he’s needy enough ;)

Likes to call you “darling” 🥰

“My darling, you’re breathtaking when you’re all fucked out… I could look at you like this forever.”

He might ask you to tie him up if he’s feeling extra subby 👀

You can tell he’s needy for you by the way his hands constantly roam over your body… squeezing your thighs, groping your ass, caressing your hips, jiggling your breasts… he’s so touchy when he’s horny

He gets sooooo whiny when he’s subbing. He practically begs you for his release, furrowing his brow and throwing his head back in desperation

“Please darling, please, I need to cum… I need you…”

Yunho:

dom dom dom dom dom.

I seriously don’t see him being a sub unless he’s really desperate

However, I do think he is a soft dom :)

He doesn’t want to throw you around or punish you. He just wants to be in control

Prefers obedient subs over brats, but he can handle a little attitude every now and then to keep things interesting 🔥

SIZE KINK

(another overused trope but it’s not overrated if it’s what??? GOOD AND TRUE.)

He looooves overpowering you with his size and strength, pinning both your wrists down with one of his large hands

Aaaaaand, a daddy kink for sure (the two kind of go together)

When you get whimpery and overstimulated, he just pouts affectionately and goes: “Awh princess, is daddy too big for you? I know you can take it.”

Big dick energy. I just know this man is PACKING

Oh yeah, speaking of which, he loves to call you princess. He could also call you prince depending on your preference :)

With these dynamics, it’s only a short segway into a sugar daddy/ sugar baby roleplay, just sayin 😗

He’ll come home with a super expensive gift for you, and obv you’ll be all excited and ask him what it’s for and he’ll be like: “Daddy’s gotta take care of his baby. Now, how do you plan on thanking me?”

Has the best hands in the world, so obviously he’s great at fingering 👀

Imagine his cold rings pressing against your entrance as he has you bent over one knee…

THIGH RIDING pt. 2

Seriously, have you seen this man’s thighs??? There’s no way he wouldn’t like his partner getting off on them!

Not super into giving you hickeys because he feels like he’s hurting you 🥺

However he DOES like it when you leave scratches down his back 😏

Likes fucking you in front of a mirror so he can watch you take him like a good girl/boy

Sex with him usually starts out slow and sweet but as time goes on he gets more and more rough

You guys had to move your bed forward a few inches because your headboard kept slamming into the wall 💀

He’s also into blindfolds… he loves making you so sensitive to his touch through the sensory deprivation

Also… he’s a gamer boy, so he’d love it if you’d go under the desk and “assist him” while he’s playing 👀

Yeosang:

He’s definitely not the biggest sub in the group (*cough* wooyoung *cough*) but he’s up there for sure

He’s just so delicate, I can’t really picture him as a dom

He’s not a brat at all, he likes to be obedient for you :)

He’d probably enjoy calling you “sir” or “ma’am” more than daddy or mommy

Likes to be praised, so be sure to tell him what a good boy he is and how well he’s doing ❤️

He’s 100% a whimperer 👀

His noises are ADDICTIVE, you just want to keep causing him to make them

Can’t form coherent sentences either

“Sir/Ma’am, I… I can’t, it’s too… I just, Ah!”

I don’t think he’d be into too many kinks, he’s more on the vanilla side

That’s not to say that sex with him is boring, because it most definitely is not 💀 He’s just not going to be into bondage or bdsm

However… he can get behind some roleplay 😏

Likes to play the role of your personal erotic dancer, stripping and grinding on you while you sit in a chair

Enjoys having his hair pulled

He might have a super deep voice, but when he’s close to cumming, it gets higher pitched. You think it’s absolutely adorable and live for the sound.

When you get to a point in your relationship where he feels he can trust you, he lets you take a recording of his voice while you get him off since you love it so much :)

He also likes to be called “pretty boy” ❤️

As you’re ruining him, you’ll lean back and brush some of his hair away from his face and go: “Look at my pretty boy, so fucked out and feeling so good…”

A big fan of oral! He loves watching you go down on him just to work him up before sex, but even more so he loves getting down on his knees and pleasuring you with his tongue

When he’s feeling good, her starts chuckling sexily in that deep ass voice of his. The sound is absolutely melodic, and you can’t get enough of it

Likes to be treated like a prince afterward 👑 He’ll be absolutely smitten if you give him tons of kisses and cuddles, play with his hair, and clean him up 🥰

San:

San can either be the most romantic love maker in the world or the roughest fuck ever

He’s a dom, and he likes brats. Have you seen him with Wooyoung? He’s a tamer for sure.

However, he’s still San. He doesn’t have it in him to be mean to anyone. He still wants to shower you in praise and make you feel good.

It just takes a little breaking sometimes 😗

He’s a big edger. When you’ve been especially bad, he’ll deny your orgasm at least three times before he lets you cum

Speaking of which, his stamina is INSANE. He can go multiple rounds without getting tired

“You want to cum? Well, you’re going to have to be a good girl/boy first. Only good girls/boys get to cum.”

Tease him in public. He won’t admit it, but he loves how bold you are riling him up around all your friends.

Run your hand along his thigh under the table, press your ass against his hips when you walk past him, bend over in front of him… he’ll immediately be thinking of all the ways he could fuck the audacity straight out of you 😈

He goes crazy hard sometimes. You’ve been worried that either you or the bed will break in half with how hard he fucks you sometimes 💀

A big fan of morning sex. It’s usually soft and slow, and he can make love to you delicately, the way he wants to

Also loves shower sex. He loves pressing you up against the glass and taking you from behind, then cleaning you up like a good boyfriend ❤️

CHOKING. This man loves to wrap one of his big hands around your throat when he wants to get your attention or remind you who’s in charge

Forced eye contact. He needs you to look at him the entire time he’s pleasuring you. If you try to squint your eyes shut, he stops and grabs your jaw forcefully.

“Hey, look at me when I’m talking to you. I told you, don’t take your eyes off of me.”

Wants to look straight into your eyes when you cum 🥰

He loves marking you up, which isn’t such a hard thing to do with as hard as he fucks 💀 He also lets you give him hickeys and scratch his back up when you’ve been good :)

Because he can go so hard sometimes, he’s another king of aftercare. All the dom in him melts away and he goes back to your sweet, loving San.

“Are you alright, beautiful/ handsome? Did I go too hard? Are you hurt? Let me get you some food and water, okay? Just relax, I’ve got you.”

I love him so much I wanna cry.

That reminds me, he loves to call you “beautiful” or “handsome,” depending on your preference!

He doesn’t really like pet names, he prefers you just call him by his name

When you’re having slow, romantic sex, he loves it when you call him “Sannie” 🥺

Mingi:

This man is a FREAK and a mf’in HALF 😤

There’s soooo many things he’s into, I don’t even know where to start…

First off, he’s a dom. He switches between hard and soft depending on his mood and the situation

Most of the time he lets you pick :)

He’s down for whatever! He can spend all night punishing you with a riding crop or belt while you furiously fuck yourself on his cock, or indulge in some slow, romantic love making

He does let you go on top sometimes, but he’s still the power bottom

Bondage. He loves handcuffing you the bed and tying your legs together while he teases you with a sex toy ⛓️

Oh god does he love making you beg for it 😭

To him, there’s no better sound than you groveling beneath him, practically in tears asking him to please fuck you

Certified munch ™️

Seriously though, he looooves giving oral. I also see him being into multiple orgasms, to him, eating you out or sucking you off is the perfect first orgasm ❤️

BUT he also loves receiving just as much… when he’s in hard dom mode, he’ll make you suck him off before he’ll even think of touching you the way you want him to

You’ll be so overstimulated by the time he’s done with you. You’ll be a crying, whimpering mess, and he’s still pulling you onto up onto his lap going: “One more, sweetheart, you can do it.”

Speaking of which, his favorite name to call you is “sweetheart” 🥰

I can see him enjoying being called “sir” or “daddy” equally… probably sir when he’s a hard dom and daddy when he’s a soft dom :)

May or may not have a breeding kink 😗

Something about filling you to the brim with his cum with your legs on his shoulders so you can carry his seed just riles him up like no other

Loves creampies, consensually of course! (Wrap it before you tap it kids ☝🏻)

CHOKING pt. 2 (when he’s a hard dom)

THIGH RIDING pt. 3… he’s also got some thicc, juicy thighs, so he would obviously love letting you get off on them!

Wall fucking… he enjoys hoisting you up in the air, wrapping your legs against his waist, and fucking you right against the wall

Has a goal to fuck you in every single room of the house 💀

Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, living room, dining room…. you name it, he wants you there.

Phone sex and sending each other nudes and detailed descriptions of what you want to do to each other while he’s away 🔥

Also, don’t tell anyone, but he secretly has a thing for leather… whether it’s a jacket, boots, dress, pants, or even lingerie, it gets him GOING 🖤

Exhibitionism… he loves seeing how far he can go without getting caught, and the adrenaline is addictive (Don’t do this irl you can get in a lot of trouble lol)

In public bathrooms, hotels, dark closets, empty hallways… he knows exactly how to get you worked up enough to where you’ll agree

Food play… he loves covering you in whipped cream or hot fudge and licking it all off torturously slow

DOGGY STYLE. This is his favorite position. He loves making you arch your back as he pounds into you from behind, one hand in your hair and the other pressing down on your back 🥵

Big dick energy pt. 2. I fully believe that this man is thoroughly endowed 😗

Damn that was a lot, you’re welcome ;)

Wooyoung:

SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB!!!

Ya’ll already saw this coming who am I kidding

He’s literally outed himself as liking degradation 💀

He’s the world’s biggest brat too… he teases you all day long while you’re out in public, when he knows you can’t do anything until you get home

Loves to be manhandled. Shove him against the wall, yank his hair, grab him by the jaw and force him to look at you… he’ll just giggle euphorically and look up at you with a satisfied smirk

He may be a sub, but he still enjoys riding you. You’ll still have all the control, he’ll just be riding you like a cowboy 🤠

Masturbation play… he’ll literally leave the door open and moan so loud, just so you’ll walk in on him jerking off and punish him :)

Also likes it when you make him get himself off while you just sit there and watch

He’ll whine and complain that he needs you to touch him, but you know part of him loves being watched by your hungry, possessive eyes 💋

BITING… going both ways. He likes biting your shoulder when he’s close to cumming, and he likes when you bite him anywhere

Pegging. Please peg him. He needs it soooo bad.

But seriously, if you don’t have male anatomy, he will gladly buy you a strap-on HIMSELF and let you fuck him with it 😈

As I said earlier, he loves degradation. Tell him what a little slut he is and how naughty he’s been for you

Unlike Yeosang, he DOES enjoy calling you “mommy” or “daddy.” He might even let a “mistress” or “master” slip if the bdsm is cranked up 

Speaking of which, he likes to be tied up. Like, a lot. Whether it’s ropes or handcuffs, he loves it.

As soon as you have him right where you want him, he starts apologizing and telling you how he promises he’ll be a good boy…

Tease him just enough… don’t let him have it so easily

Loves it when you wear long necklaces or chains, so they can dangle down in his face :)

Oh and uh, he’s another whimperer 😳

Seriously, he’s SO loud. You get so worried that one of your neighbors will hear and complain 💀

You might have to get him a gag if he doesn’t quiet down soon… 👀

Jongho:

Like the captain, Jongho is another big switch. He couldn’t possibly pick which role he likes better.

On one hand, he adores towering over you and intimidating you, making you beg for him to fuck you…

He’s used to getting overlooked, so he takes this as a chance to showcase his true power

But on the other hand, he really enjoys letting you take the reigns and use him as your own personal fuck toy 😈

Jongho’s favorite nickname is “angel,” don’t try to tell me otherwise 😤

“You like that angel? Do you want more?”

He can be really possessive as well 👀

Does not like it when other people try to flirt with you and take you away from him… it makes his blood boil

If it’s from someone he hates, he’ll go full dom and fuck you so hard you can’t even remember who was flirting with you

But if it’s someone he actually respects and admires, he needs you to dom him and show him how he’s the only man for you ❤️

He’s super hot when he’s angry btw :) You can’t help yourself once you see him grit his teeth or clench his fists in jealousy

We got another loud one in here!

He swears he doesn’t mean to, but come on, he’s the main vocal! Once he starts feeling himself about to cum, he can’t help the moans and whimpers that spill from his lips

His favorite position is probably the mating press. He loves throwing your legs up over his shoulders and pressing your knees to your chest, pounding into you from up top

Although he also enjoys himself a good reverse cowgirl ;)

How could he not, you get to get off how you like, and he gets a phenomenal view of your backside

Speaking of which…. Choi Jongho is an ass man.

He loves groping it, slapping it, jiggling it, anything

Literally the way to get him worked up ten times out of ten is just to wear something tight that showcases your booty 🍑

I don’t see him being super kinky, but he does enjoy using toys on you

Imagine him running a vibrator over your clit or fucking you with a dildo while dirty talking you 🥵

When he’s feeling subby, he loves being called a “good boy” 💞 He also likes having his hair pulled!

You get to see the whiny side of him that no one else gets to see :)

“Please, angel… I want to cum for you so bad, will you let me, angel? Please?”

And who could possibly resist him when he’s asking so nicely 🥰

[itsokbbygrl]

An End, A Beginning

Summary: They're dead, they're all dead, and now you're stranded. You're the sole survivor after infection devastated your crew of fellow Fireflies out of Boston tasked with transporting a girl from Massachusetts to Colorado. When the hired smugglers responsible for getting her out of the QZ show up, you find yourself bargaining for your life. After learning one of them was bit somewhere between the edges of the QZ and the old City Hall where your crew was waiting to complete the transfer, and with only moments left to live, the infected smuggler convinces her partner to take you with them in her absence. After a long, hard-fought journey across the country, you're nearly at your ultimate destination and emotions are running high. How will a surprise confession affect the future of your group?

Pairing: Joel Miller x GN!Reader (literally zero physical description of reader, it's YOU)

Length: 1.4k words

Tags: DESCRIPTION OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, emotional constipation, father/daughter dynamics, found family dynamics, kissing, flowery language about a grumpy old man

a/n: hello I had severe brain rot after seeing this beautiful piece of fan art by @minacoleta and had to write about it. this was supposed to be a teeny little drabble but lmao here we are at 1.4k words and while writing it, I decided to perhaps PERHAPS!!!! don't hold me to it expand the story of reader as a third party to our favorite grumpy old man/sassy teenage girl duo. hashtag give ellie more adult supervision support. :) anyway without further ado! here is "An End, A Beginning." please comment/reblog to support your local authors ♡ thank you to my wonderful friends @5oh5 @morgaussy @tightjeansjavi and @javierpena-inatacvest for cheering me on. i luh u. credit to @firefly-graphics for creating the beautiful divider.

“It was me,” Joel blurted out. “I was the one who shot and missed.” Your feet cemented you to your spot and you could see Ellie’s breath hitch, her shoulders raised and fists clenched. 

“Ellie, can you check that tent over there and see if there’s any leftover bandages or pain meds?” you ask her in a vain attempt to shield her from enduring anymore unnecessary trauma. 

“But–” she starts and stops when she sees the minute shake of your head. She sighs and rolls her eyes, “Fine, I’ll just be over there, pretending I can’t hear the adults talking from 20 feet away” she points over her shoulder at the tattered remains of the first aid tent behind her and shuffles away. 

You shake your head fondly. Teenagers.  

You take a breath and turn around to face him and find him sitting on an old concrete barrier, looking down at his hands clasped in his lap, seemingly lost in thought. You make your way over to join him. 

“There’s no story,” he begins, “Sarah died, and I couldn’t see the point anymore. Simple as that.” He pauses for a moment, using the toe of his worn boot to kick at the broken bits of concrete at his feet. You remain silent, allowing him a breath to compose himself before he continues. “And I wasn’t scared either, I was ready,” he nods his head and furrows his brow as if convincing himself of this fact, “I couldn’t’ve been more ready.” He looks up then, meets your eyes, and you can see the earnestness there. It breaks your heart, understanding how hopeless he felt, the pain he must have been feeling, a pain you can imagine now that you’ve had him, had Ellie, in your life. 

He gives a gentle shake of his head and starts to give you more. “But when I–” he stops, words catching in his throat, eyes misting over for a moment, “When I–” he tries again, words continuing to fail him. You reach over and lay a soothing hand on his thigh, encouraging him to drain this wound he’s let fester for the last 20 years, letting him know you aren’t afraid of this, his darkness. You’ll meet him there, find him with nothing more than the persistent thump of his heart to guide you, let your fingertips trace down the familiar topography of his arm, soft hair and bumpy scars texturizing the otherwise warm, soft skin, until they meet his own, intertwining, no longer alone. 

His gesture of raising his fingers towards his skull in a mock recreation of a scene that was once all too real pulls you out of your reverie. “But when I went to pull the trigger, I–I flinched.” He gives half a chuckle and shakes his head, like he can’t believe it himself, like he might even feel lucky. It eases some of the tightness in your chest. “Still don’t know why,” he finishes. He takes a final moment to himself, reliving the memory, allowing himself to feel it. He comes back to the present and meets your eyes again. “Anyway, the reason I’m telling you all this is–” 

“I know why you’re telling us all this,” Ellie interjects from her position now, just behind your right shoulder. Clever girl, you think, her stealth reminding you of that scene from Jurassic Park, thinking she would love that film and grinning to yourself briefly at the bittersweet memory of something from before times, while simultaneously being both endeared by and frustrated with her tenacity to get what she wants. Joel gives her a glance before fixing his gaze back on the ground in front of him. 

“Yeah, I reckon you do,” Joel replies. The three of you allow the moment to breathe, running your thumb idly back and forth across Joel’s thigh where you’ve laid it. A comfort to the both of you. Never one to let things be, Ellie breaks the silence first. 

“So, time heals all wounds I guess,” she says flippantly, full of benighted teenage ego. 

Joel looks up at her then, eyes serious and full of soft determination, making sure to hold her gaze as he tells her, “It wasn’t time that did it.” 

Her eyes widen at his words, like she can’t quite believe them. You let the two of them have their moment. A father and daughter minting the truth of their relationship for the first time. You remove your hand from Joel’s thigh and subtly reach back, grabbing Ellie’s hand as it lays limp at her side, and give her a quick, gentle squeeze before releasing it, keeping slight in your movement, knowing all too well how fiercely independent she is and not wanting to embarrass her at the reminder that, despite her hardness, she’s still a child who needs the physical comfort of a caregiver. 

She takes a deep, shaky breath before she speaks, “Well, I’m glad that that didn’t work out.” They’re both valiantly damming tears that threaten to flow, sniffing and nodding at each other. 

Joel eventually responds, voice thick with feeling, “Yeah, me too.” He breaks their eye contact then, still nodding to himself for a moment before he reaches his hand to the bridge of his nose, pinching the remaining tears in his eyes away with his thumb and forefinger. 

Never one to show her soft underbelly for long, Ellie prompts your little crew to continue on your journey. “We should probably get going,” she says to you both. 

“Yup,” Joel agrees, getting back to business, shouldering his pack and standing from his position on the concrete block. Ellie, ever her father’s shadow, follows suit. You take one last second to absorb the remaining energy of the fizzling moment, taking a deep breath before standing and brushing your hands on your dirty, worn jeans. You sling your backpack over your shoulders and give a small jump to resituate its contents into a more comfortable position before catching up to your partner, watching him watch Ellie as she meanders a handful of steps ahead, the distance allowing you a moment of privacy. 

“Joel,” you start quietly, not stopping your trek, keeping your eyes steadily focused ahead, “about…all of that,” you wave your hand absently in the air in front of you, trying to remain nonchalant, approaching the great bear of him carefully as though being too honest will cause him to spook, to flee back into his deep, dark cave to protect his freshly opened wound. But you remember your earlier thought, you aren’t afraid of his darkness, you will find him anywhere, so you push on. “I am, too. Glad. I’m so, so glad that didn’t work out.” Your next thought flits through your mind and you smile at its ridiculously honest nature, letting the soft laughter that’s building within you to trill forth from where it was caged behind your teeth. The sound pulls his attention towards you. Fuck it, you decide, if this is the end of the world, the least I can do is give him is truth. 

“Thank god you flinched. For that girl, for me. We needed you here,” you shake your head fondly, turning your head to meet his eyes. “You had so much left to live for. I can’t imagine life without you now, you know that? And I’m terrified of what comes next, what happens after we find them. I can’t…I can’t leave her, Joel. I can’t leave you. You’re my family and I can’t–”

Your confession is cut off by the warm press of Joel’s plush, slightly chapped lips against your own. You close your eyes and breathe in through your nose, allowing your hand to find and rest on his firm bicep as you return his kisses in kind, giving as good as you’re getting, deciding if this is the only time you’ll experience him like this, soft and yielding, you’re going to savor it. 

He pulls back after a moment, silently holding your gaze. 

“Joel, I–” You begin. He shakes his head gently and you quiet. 

“I know,” he gives you then. And it’s there in his eyes. He knows. And you know, too. It doesn’t need to be said, not now. You both know and that’s enough. You both face forward and continue your hike, increasing your strides to catch up to Ellie, now a good distance ahead. 

Whatever comes next, you know now for sure, you’d both burn down the world to save this.

A/N: thank you so so so much for reading i love u. you can find more of my writing here, if you'd like, and as always comments and reblogs get you a kiss on the forehead and endless positive karma :)

[carnivore-voyeur]

TW - Grooming

On two separate occasions, I had an adult try to groom me. One was in person. Another was online. I’m only talking about this because underage fans keep bringing up DM’s they got or even initiated from Drag Talk and/or Jutty Taylor himself that in hindsight they’re saying is grooming because of allegations an underage fan made about Jutty at a public event. I’ll not be discussing that allegation itself as I don’t know all the facts and it’s not my job to investigate them.

I will say this - not all conversations you as a minor have with an adult is grooming or shows intent to groom. I’m going to bring up my own personal experience so that you understand that the act of messaging or replying to fans in and of itself doesn’t constitute grooming. This is in no way meant to discredit anyone who knows or believes that they’ve been groomed. This is so you understand what this looks like, as well as understand how serious an accusation that can be.

The first individual was a worker at my after school program. He talked to me every day to make me comfortable around him and then transitioned to talking about adult topics with me despite the fact that I was 11-12 years old. (e.g. When I said I liked anime, he asked me if I had seen hentai before. He brought up an adult cartoon he enjoyed watching.) He signed all my year books, He gave me nicknames. Etc. All to make me feel comfortable so he could say those inappropriate things in front of me and make me not tell anyone.

It took me until I was an adult to realize that he was trying to groom me. I had a hard time believing it because he seemed like a nice person otherwise. I didn’t tell anyone at the time what he told me because he not only made me feel like he was a nice person, but I also didn’t want to “ruin” his life. So, I understand when people say they took a long time to become forward because they felt conflicted or they didn’t know if what they were going through constituted grooming.

I knew that individual since I was 7. The second individual was online, and he only knew me for a few months before he tried to groom me into engaging in sexual role play and sending him personal photos (which I didn’t end up sending him). We became friends on an online forum when I was 15. He used my interests to feel at ease with him and he showed me pictures of his pets. Then within a few weeks, he transitioned into sending me sexual private messages trying to get me to role play with him.

It didn’t take me long to realize he was grooming me in this case, but it was hard for me to accept that’s what he was doing. I still talked to him despite multiple advances he made. I even made him digital art when he asked me to. What snapped me out of it was finding out he was doing this to other people on the forum. I found him using the same tactics on another person on the forum. Then I realized that this is a pattern of behavior for him. I avoided him entirely since then.

I’ve had other adults talk to me about my interests since I was young. I’ve had other adults invite me to public events. Not once did those adults make any advancements toward me or make me feel targeted in any way for sex or their personal gratification. I grew up literally hanging out with musicians every day at my dad’s store, and not once did any of them treat me like the above two. They talked to me. They talked about my interests and theirs, but they never attempted any of the above.

Not every adult who talks to a minor is grooming you. Grooming is intentional. If you feel uncomfortable around an adult or group of adults, you have every right to stop talking to them. Any adult who has a problem with that is a red flag. At the same time, discomfort doesn’t necessarily mean grooming, especially if the only thing making you uncomfortable is that you are a minor and they are an adult. Grooming requires that the adult intends to harm you in some way, usually through sexual exploitation or abuse.

If you are going online to accuse an adult of grooming you, then you have a burden of proof to deal with. Allegations of physical, inappropriate touch may be hard to prove but they at least involve a believable situation in which someone intended to harm you. An adult DMing you or you DMing an adult to talk about their work doesn’t provide significant proof of grooming or an intent to groom. An adult talking to you isn’t necessarily grooming and it’s not helpful to label all interactions with adults as grooming or “creepy.”

None of the DMs I’ve seen with Drag Talk and/or Jutty Taylor meet that burden of proof for grooming. This doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen and/or that the fans in question can’t feel uncomfortable. However, I’ve been seeing more and more people (minors especially) say, well, they felt uncomfortable talking to them specifically because they’re minors and the artists are adults. That in and of itself isn’t grooming, and you need to understand that before you accuse an adult of grooming you.

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Glenda Farrell (We're in the Money, The Mystery of the Wax Museum, I've Got Your Number)— Susan Slept Here is a terrible no good very bad movie but somehow she gets even hotter as she ages

Dolores del Rio (Flying Down to Rio, Flor silvestre)—to begin with, dolores is so RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL, even more so in action then in images, its like she emits a literal glow. marlene dietrich (a close friend and rumored lover) considered her "the most beautiful woman who ever set foot in hollywood". she was the first mexican actress to become a major success in hollywood, rising to fame in the silent era and becoming an influential icon of beauty and glamor in the art deco age, though she was not thrilled with the exoticizing parts often pushed on her. in the mid 1940s having tired of the controlling hollywood studio system she returned to mexico, saying "I wish to choose my own stories, my own director and cameraman. I can accomplish this better in mexico", and proceeded to become a pivotal figure in the golden age of mexican cinema, making a string of masterpieces with directir emilio fernández and cinematographer gabriel figueroa. i love this anecdote about the insane art deco mansion she and her then-husband cedric gibbons lived in in the 30s, as related by david niven: "Dolores had a large sunny room on the first floor containing a huge and inviting bed. Gibbons lived in comparative squalor in a small room immediately below. The only connection between these rooms was by way of a stepladder, which could be lowered only when a trapdoor in the floor of Dolores room had been raised. There was a long stick with which, we conjectured, he signaled his intention or hopes by rapping out signals on the floor of his wife’s bedchamber." heres a pinterest album with a billion hot pictures of her

This is round 1 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut]

Dolores del Rio:

There's so much! She started in Silent films and successfully transitioned to sound, She is the first woman to wear a two piece swimsuit on screen & popularized the bikini!, She transitioned back to Mexican Cinema in the late 1940s and was a leading lady of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema including staring in Maria Candelaria--the first Mexican film to win the palm d'Or at Cannes. She was literally studied for her beauty & was considered a beauty ideal in both the USA & Mexico--there's a whole section on her Wikipedia page about how beautiful everyone thinks she was. She never actually had a feud with any of the female stars she was rumored to feud with despite the fact that press & Hollywood culture attempted to pain them in competition... She remained a leader in Mexican theater & Cinema through her own production company. Mexican painter Diego Rivera: "The most beautiful, the most gorgeous of the west, east, north and south. I'm in love with her as 40 million Mexicans and 120 million Americans who can't be wrong" (quote source: Wikipedia)

*fan self* Leading actress in silents and early Hollywood. Lover of Orson Welles until she got fed up with him, friend of Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo. When she got tired of Hollywood executives typecasting her as a stereotypical spitfire (and trying to force her to feud with Lupe Velez as a publicity stunt), she ditched Hollywood and became a major star of Mexican cinema, where she got to play rounded characters

Had a career in American cinema in the 20s and 30s and considered one of the most important figures in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema (30s to 50s).

Marlene Dietrich said Dolores was the most beautiful woman to set foot in Hollywood

Joan Crawford: "Dolores became, and remains, as one of the most beautiful stars in the world."

One of the few Latin American women working in the Hollywood industry to make it big not just in hre home country but internationally. In 1931, Photoplay magazine declared that Mexican film actress Dolores del Rio had the "best figure in Hollywood." (which I know not necessarily a good barometer) but! it shows that many people looked at her for her beauty and sought to emulate her. Famous for her years-long love affair with actor and director Orson Welles, who was 10 years her junior if that's anything.

We need more hispanic representation in this!! Del Río is one of the most important actresses of her time as she was one of the first Mexican movie stars to break through to Hollywood! She’s unbelievably sexy and an absolute icon. Thank you :)

[libbytwq]

hey can i be sappy for a moment, i feel like getting a thing off my chest (positive vent)

I love you all in the SMG4 Tumblr community so much. Y'all are absolutely epic and amazing and so creative and just. chill.

I've always been so nervous about joining set fandoms/fandom communities, cuz usually the community is huge and overwhelming, toxic, scary, crazy, and the idea of being in those communities and interacting with people in those communities and being in there not just to post a dingle fanart from it and dip, but to help be a big part of the community and whatnot sounded... overwhelming.

Then I slowly began getting super hyperfixated on SMG4, much more than I usually am, leading me to post more about it. Fanart, things I notice, goofy theories... more than just me saying a couple things i like about it, posting a fanart, then moving onto something else.

I started kinda just exploring the SMG4 tags and gradually, I began recognizing most of the people in this community more and more -- recognizing art styles, etc. I noticed how small a community it was.

And it was a mostly chill community. I wasn't really seeing much drama or questionable things, maybe some criticisms about the show or theories or whatever, but nobody was at each others throats. Plus, the fan OCs were super neat.

I had begun posting more and more SMG4 content, drawing fanart, their OCs, and the fact people were so just... chill and welcoming about it was so nice. It wasn't nearly as scary -- we are all just vibing here. Most of the artists you look up to will probably see your work, and give it attention too.

It feels super strange to be considered an SMG4 Tumblr artist, having people literally enjoying the things I make and making things for me when they make things for SMG4 fanartists... its honestly super surreal. But so so exciting and euphoric.

Cuz yall are so awesome!! Yall make my day so bright. Yall are the best.

I'll be honest, when I first was slowly being a part of the SMG4 community -- sometime right after summer vacation began -- I had been dealing with some petty but difficult irl person issues.

I don't want to get into it too much, but I had basically messed up in a pretty bad way (enough to make me feel bad the moment I did it, but not enough that we couldn't move on and mature from it), and the people involved were hurt worse than I thought they were, and instead of trying to talk it out they resorted lying about being my friends for months before school ended, and over summer break, tried to cancel one of my Scratch account and drag my followers there into drama that they had no business being in, for the simple reason being "you don't deserve all that fame".

Despite their attempt at trying to cancel me not really working out very well, it very much affected me negatively and made me very very scared about using Scratch again. I still post projects there sometimes, but i felt weird when i do it. I felt like those people were watching my every move, waiting to try and drag me down again. It felt so strange and scary to feel like the people I once cared so deeply about are breathing down my neck, waiting for me to make another wrong move and add it to their proof of why I'm an awful person.

It sucks ass.

The SMG4 community here on Tumblr, despite none of you knowing I was going through anything at all, you all helped a lot. Just existing.

Being a welcoming community that I feel safe to be silly and normal in.

I've never been the best at expressing appreciation, but let me just say:

I think of you all so highly and I never want you to change.

Keep making silly art. Or fanfics. Or AUs. Or OCs. Or whatever you like doing in this tiny close-knit fandom.

Keep doing everything you're doing to make this community mean so much to me.

❤️❤️❤️

...this sounds like im leaving the community,, IM NOT I just wanted to get it off my chest cuz ive been experiencing the emotions™ yknow, sorry that its not like my regular posts lol, im not gonna post like this much LMAOOO

TL;DR: yall are fuckin awesome please keep being awesome forever and ever ily bye

[orangepanic]

Finished Fic: Smoke

It's finally done! My fic for this year's @wipbigbang is one of my longest-running WIPs and also one of my personal favorites. My apologies and thanks to anyone still waiting to find out what happens to Equalist!Asami and her unexpected lover - I hope the ending is both satisfying and believable.

Story Title: Smoke

Fandom: Avatar: Legend of Korra

Summary: When General Iroh is captured during the Battle of Yue Bay, it's up to Asami to extract information from him that will win the Equalist revolution. By any means necessary.

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, major character death, suicide attempt, major character injury

Characters: Iroh II, Asami Sato, Hiroshi Sato, Amon | Noatak, Amon's Lieutenant, Tarrlok, Mako, Lin Beifong, Zuko, Izumi, Original Equalist Characters

Pairing: Iroh II/Asami Sato, other background pairings (some canon, some not)

When I Started: February! February 2021, that is. Eek.

How I Lost My Shit: Most people who know my writing know I'm a die-hard panster, so while I had a loose idea of how this fic would go from the beginning I of course didn't write that. This was my first time writing a real Enemies to Lovers (like literally they try to kill each other a lot) and I found that as a consequence of that I needed to make changes to the story along the way in order to fit the genre. A big decision was to slow down the action to make the romance believable, and another was to flesh out more of the Equalists and their operation in order to avoid a "good guy good and smart, bad guy bad and dumb" dynamic which wouldn't support the kind of story I wanted to tell. All this in turn led to a time skip and whole second half to the fic that I hadn't anticipated followed by a few long breaks myself while I tried to figure out where the story needed to go from there and who with. Mostly because the main characters both wound up killing people I hadn't planned for and so there was a whole legal thing I had to puzzle through that eventually ruled out the original ending I'd had in mind. Nobody listens to me, you know? And I now know an awful lot about immunity and extradition.

How I Finished My Shit: @chocolate-cringymuffin, an existing reader of this fic, incredible artist, and dear fandom friend, agreed to be my artist for the WIP Big Bang. I could NOT let them down. There's really nothing more motivating than fan art from someone who cares about your story. I might not have finished this fic without their enthusiasm. I certainly wouldn't have finished it today.

ALSO CHECK OUT THEIR BOMB-ASS ART!!!! HOLYYYYY CRAP!!! It's so beautiful I'm crying. They're so happy. I also love the choice of scene, which comes at a part of the fic where I think both of them really commit to letting the past be the past and their new life together.

A/N: Thank you so much to the mods of @wipbigbang for putting on this event again! It's a great forcing function. I also want to give a shout out to @alishatheninth who, while not a beta reader, gave me a lot of feedback that I needed to hear about what was working and what wasn't early in the fic and in general has been an invaluable critic and cheerleader on this grand adventure. Alisha, I'm lucky to know you and I'm sorry I killed your favorite LOK character in a truly horrible way. Mostly.