#literally my eyes were hurting coloring that but i think it looks neat

[pineapple-frenzy]

Hoshi but I gave him sharp teeth becauseeeee i think they're neat :>>

[kayewrite]

the blue sticky note

(final chapter)

straykids x reader!! OT8 x reader!! skz x reader!! word count: 6.1K

bsn ending wherein; because of that blue sticky note you eventually found the answer of what you really want. keeping them all.

warning: lots of kissing!!

(an; this was finally finished and i promised i loved anything about this story. please read it!!!) an2: sorry for slow updates if i literally can kick my profs for sending piles of 'to do's ill do it TT

part 1 and part 2

you already knew who you wanted to choose. But the thought of hurting the others, of breaking the delicate balance between you all, was too much to bear.

Or maybe… you don’t have to choose at all?

Could you love them all? Is that even possible?

You wanted to be selfish—keep everyone for yourself. But was that really an option?

You mulled over the thought, the weight of it sinking in. No matter how much you cared for them, you couldn't afford to lose these friendships. You loved them all too much. But how could you tell them that?

After that night, you stayed up thinking—thinking until you found an answer.

You wouldn’t risk this bond. You’d keep the friendship intact.

You stood in front of the mirror, adjusting your university uniform. Your reflection felt unfamiliar, as if the confident facade you were building couldn’t quite cover the turmoil inside. Grabbing a scrunchie, you held it between your lips while bundling your hair into a neat ponytail. The makeup you applied was more like armor—a thin mask meant to conceal the emotional mess swirling beneath the surface.

Everything had to seem normal.

With a steadying breath, you left your apartment and pressed the elevator button. Moments later, the doors slid open, revealing Felix standing there with a soft, familiar smile that never failed to send a flutter through your chest.

“Morning,” he greeted, his voice carrying that warm tone that always seemed to break through your defenses. His gaze swept over you, a teasing sparkle dancing in his eyes.

Heat rose to your cheeks, your heart skipping at the way he looked at you. You stepped into the elevator, already feeling the pressure of his presence beside you.

“You look beautiful,” Felix murmured, his voice lower now, as his eyes lingered on your face for a beat too long.

Your breath caught in your throat. You turned your head quickly, trying to hide the color spreading across your cheeks. His words, though simple, held more weight than usual, and your pulse raced as you tried to maintain composure.

“Thanks,” you whispered, a small, shy smile tugging at your lips.

Felix chuckled softly, the sound causing a shiver to run down your spine. Leaning casually against the wall, his eyes never left you. The space between you felt smaller than it was, the air thick with an unspoken energy. Before you could process it, you found yourself backed into the corner, Felix close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him. But you didn’t push him away. You couldn’t.

His gaze locked with yours, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. His eyes flickered down to your lips, and instinctively, you bit your lower lip, a nervous habit you couldn’t quite suppress. The tension was palpable, a current running between the two of you, pulling you closer without either of you making a move.

Just as he leaned in, the elevator dinged softly, the doors sliding open to reveal a mother and her child. You jumped back, lightly pushing Felix aside as your heart raced. The interruption was abrupt, jolting you out of the moment.

Felix let out a quiet laugh, clearly amused by how flustered you were, while you pretended nothing had happened, your eyes glued to the elevator floor.

Once you reached the lobby, you walked side by side, though the awkwardness was all yours. Felix seemed entirely unfazed, his lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

“I should get to class now,” you said, breaking the silence, though your feet felt rooted in place.

“If my car wasn’t still in the shop, I’d drive you,” Felix replied with a casual shrug, though the faint hint of disappointment in his voice didn’t escape you.

“It’s fine,” you responded, waving it off as if it didn’t matter. But neither of you moved.

For a moment, Felix’s eyes softened, searching yours with an intensity that made your stomach flip. He leaned in, his face so close now that you could feel his breath against your skin. Without thinking, you rose onto your tiptoes, as if your bodies were drawn together by some invisible force.

And then, with no hesitation, Felix kissed you.

It was soft at first, almost hesitant, as if testing the waters. You froze for a second, surprised by how sudden it all was. But as his lips moved against yours, warm and gentle, you found yourself melting into him. Your arms wrapped around his neck instinctively, deepening the kiss. Time seemed to slow, everything else fading into the background.

In that moment, nothing else mattered but the feeling of Felix’s lips on yours.

--

You were still a little breathless as you waited at the bus stop. You replayed the kiss in your mind, feeling a warm flutter in your chest. But before you could dwell on it too long, a car pulled up in front of you.

At first, you didn’t pay it any attention, thinking it was just another passerby. But then the window rolled down, revealing Changbin behind the wheel.

“Need a ride to school?” he asked with a grin.

You blinked, surprised but pleased. “Changbin! Is this a new car?” you asked, rushing over.

He nodded shyly. “Yeah, birthday gift.”

You opened the passenger door, sliding in. “Wow, I’m the first one to ride in it?”

Changbin chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yep. You’re the lucky one.”

The seat still had the plastic covers on, making you laugh. “Damn, Changbin, you’re living the life!”

He just shook his head, smiling as he pulled the car out of the stop and onto the road.

Throughout the ride, you chatted about light things, avoiding any mention of the party or anything that might feel too personal. Changbin seemed just as relieved to keep the conversation easygoing.

“I was thinking,” you said, your eyes on the road ahead, “we should have our monthly friendship night at Jeongin’s place again.”

Changbin glanced at you, clearly surprised. After everything that had happened, he thought you might want to pull away from the group. But here you were, suggesting you all hang out like old times.

“Really?” he asked, his voice careful.

“Yeah, why not? We can watch a horror movie, order some food, and crash there like always,” you said with a lightness in your tone.

Changbin smiled, a wave of relief washing over him. He had been worried that things would never be the same after the confessions, but maybe… maybe things could go back to normal after all.

“We could do it at my place too,” Changbin offered casually.

You raised an eyebrow. “Wait, you have a place?”

“Birthday gift,” he said, shrugging again.

You stared at him wide-eyed. “Changbin, how does it feel to be rich?”

He burst out laughing. “Trust me, it’s not that glamorous. But you should come by and check it out sometime.”

“Absolutely,” you grinned, feeling lighter.

When you arrived at the university, you hopped out of the car before Changbin could even offer to open the door for you. He sighed, shaking his head with a fond smile. He wanted to treat you like a princess—he wanted to spoil you, take care of you. But you always beat him to it, never letting him pamper you the way he wanted.

He caught up to you, taking your handbag without a word. You didn’t protest, just smiled softly, falling in step beside him as you both walked toward the building.

--

Hyunjin was expecting to see you hiding out again from your PE class when he spotted you lying on the clinic bed. The sight of you made him smile, a smile you quickly returned. He thought that after not replying to any of his messages, you needed some space. But seeing you now, it was a relief. He was happy to see you.

“Hi,” you greeted with a small wave.

“Hello,” Hyunjin replied, still smiling, his hands finding their way into the pockets of his white coat.

“I need medicine,” you said dramatically, flopping back onto the bed with exaggerated exhaustion.

Hyunjin almost stopped breathing at the sight of you. He didn’t know why, but after everything that had happened recently, you looked extra attractive to him right now, even while lying there dramatically.

“What kind of medicine?” he asked, raising a curious brow.

“Is there a cure for my cuteness?” you teased, striking a cute pose before bursting into laughter.

Hyunjin chuckled, shaking his head at your antics. “After finding out everyone likes you, you're really leaning into it, huh?” he teased back, crossing his arms.

You laughed, rolling your eyes. “I don’t even know what you guys see in me. Did I flirt with you all or something?”

Hyunjin sat on the stool beside the bed, his expression softening. “No, you were just being yourself. That’s probably the reason why.”

You pointed at yourself in disbelief. “So, I’m a flirt now?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “You’re not. You're just... you. And maybe that’s why people find you attractive, even if you don’t realize it.”

You smirked, snapping your fingers. “So, you fell in love with me because of my blood, huh? I knew it. My bodily fluids are magical,” you joked with a playful glint in your eyes.

Hyunjin laughed loudly, the sound filling the clinic. You never failed to make him laugh.

“Well, since you’re asking...” he leaned back, crossing his legs, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “I think it’s definitely because of your blood.” He burst into laughter again.

It felt good, having a conversation like this. It was easy, light, like nothing had changed between the two of you, despite everything.

“You’re a vampire,” you rolled your eyes dramatically.

“Just kidding,” he grinned. “But honestly, have you seen yourself? You should never be my type, but for some reason, here we are.”

“Did my love potion finally work?” you wondered aloud, pretending to be deep in thought.

“I knew it! You must’ve slipped something into my coffee when you made it for me that one time,” Hyunjin teased, laughing.

“Oh no, I’ve been exposed,” you giggled, sharing a playful look with him.

The laughter continued, eventually fading into a comfortable silenece. Hyunjin looked at you with genuine admiration, his eyes softening. “Really. You don’t know how precious you are to me,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

His words caught you off guard, and you felt your cheeks flush under his sincere gaze. It wasn’t like Hyunjin to get this serious, but the way he said it, you knew he meant every word.

“Thank you,” you replied quietly, trying to hide the blush spreading across your face. You weren’t used to him being so direct about his feelings.

“I don’t know, but I feel like I should take better care of myself because of you guys,” you said with a light laugh.

“We will take care of you then,” Hyunjin said with a warm smile.

You both smiled at each other, the connection between you palpable.

“If you become a doctor in the future, you better give me lifetime free hospital fees,” you teased, trying to lighten the mood again.

Hyunjin let out a hearty laugh, the sound filling the room once more. “Of course! How could I charge my favorite patient? I’ll make sure you never pay a single cent,” he grinned, his hand reaching out to ruffle your hair affectionately.

“You know,” Hyunjin said, breaking the silence again, “if I ever do become a doctor, I’d be happy to take care of you. But not because I want to treat you.” His voice dropped slightly, more serious now. “It’s because… you make everything better … “

You blinked at him, caught off guard again by his sudden sincerity.

“Well, I hope you never have to treat me, because that would mean I’m in the hospital,” you joked, trying to hide how his words affected you.

--

“I missed you, my daughter!” you exclaimed the moment you saw the familiar white fur of Minho’s cat approaching. Without a second thought, you rushed to scoop her up in your arms. As expected, the cat was unimpressed, immediately swatting at you, but it didn’t stop you from showering her with affection.

“And I missed you, too, Mommy,” Minho suddenly appeared in front of you, mimicking a high-pitched voice like he was a cat.

You put the cat down, who quickly escaped your grasp, and turned to Minho. He was looking at you with a soft, almost relieved smile.

Minho had thought you’d be upset with him after the way he acted at the party. But seeing you act like everything was okay—it made him breathe easier. But... was this just you pretending again? He couldn’t tell.

Then, you walked up to him and greeted him with a quick peck on the lips.

A peck?

On his lips?

Minho froze.

You acted like it was nothing, like you didn’t just leave him stunned in place. “Where are your other cats?” you asked casually, looking around his apartment.

It took him a moment to gather his thoughts, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch his lips. “Uh, they’re at my mother’s place,” he stammered.

You laughed lightly, brushing past him as you continued into his apartment, leaving Minho standing there, completely dumbfounded.

What just happened?

He turned and watched you head into the kitchen, still trying to wrap his head around the kiss.

“Uh, do you want something to eat? Drink?” he asked, following you in, his voice a bit shaky.

"I came for your cooking, Minho. That's why I'm here," you said with a laugh.

Minho blinked, his brain finally catching up. Right, you had messaged him earlier, saying you wanted noodles and that you were thinking about him. That important detail had completely slipped his mind after the unexpected kiss.

“Yes, of course. For you, I’ll make it,” he said, still feeling a bit off balance.

“Thank you, Minho. I love you,” you smirked at him and then left the kitchen, calling for your 'daughter' again.

Minho froze once more.

What just happened?

Minho was usually the one to fluster you, the one to make you speechless. But now...

He shook his head, smiling to himself. Did you finally acknowledge his feelings for you?

With that thought lingering in his mind, he began preparing the most delicious noodles for you.

“I love it so much!” you exclaimed as you finished your bowl of noodles, setting it down with a satisfied sigh. Minho sat across from you, resting his head in his palm, watching you intently with a soft smile. He hadn’t taken his eyes off you the entire time.

You tried to ignore the warmth in your chest. “Now,” he started, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, “can you explain to me why you kissed me earlier?”

You expected to blush and look away in embarrassment, but instead, you met his gaze and smiled knowingly. “I think friends kiss.”

“Do they now?” Minho chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

“Yup,” you said confidently, crossing your arms.

“Well, if that’s the case, then I have to say, your kiss wasn’t nearly enough,” Minho laughed, leaning forward as he pulled you into another kiss.

This time, you smiled against his lips, not pulling away.

--

Han wasn’t in the library today, which was a rare occurrence. Instead, you found him sitting under the narra tree in the field, the afternoon sun casting a soft glow around him. He spotted you before you even had the chance to call out, waving excitedly.

"Hey! Over here!" Jisung called, his smile so wide that his cheeks puffed up in that adorable way that made you want to pinch them.

You walked over, and he patted the spot beside him on the grass. As you sat down, he immediately draped his jacket over your lap, ever the gentleman. You smiled at the gesture and the way his grin seemed to make the world a little brighter.

"You’re done with the library already?" you asked, settling next to him.

Jisung let out a small sigh and nodded. "Yep. Done as in done with it for good."

You blinked, processing his words. "Wait, what? You quit?"

He nodded again, his smile soft, almost bittersweet. "Yeah. I realized I was just using the job to keep myself busy."

You placed a comforting hand on his back, stroking it gently before moving to his hair. "You did well, Jisungie," you murmured, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. "I’m proud of you for doing your best."

He beamed at your words, a little of that sadness easing away. "Thanks… And, well, I think I’m going to take music as my major too."

Your eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That’s amazing! I always thought you were destined for something like that."

He chuckled, glancing off into the distance. "Yeah. I guess I finally realized I love producing music, like Chan hyung."

Pride welled up inside you, and you threw your arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "Jisung, this is huge! You finally found what you love."

He hugged you back just as tightly. "Thank you. You were a big part of it, you know."

You pulled away, shaking your head with a smile. "No, you did this on your own. I just cheered you on."

He looked at you with that soft sincerity that always seemed to catch you off guard. "You were always my inspiration."

You raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at your lips. "So, if something goes wrong, you’re gonna blame me?"

Jisung let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Of course not! You’ve always been right for me."

The honesty in his words made your heart swell. You couldn’t help but tease him. "Really? Well, it’s an honor then."

"Why are you always playful in moments like this?" he laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Because I love seeing you happy," you said, your tone softening.

Jisung smiled, his eyes holding a warmth that melted you inside. "You just existing makes me happy."

You knew Jisung wasn’t always one to express his emotions openly, especially in your friend group, but seeing this side of him—this vulnerable, open side—made you cherish him even more. Without a word, you pulled him into another hug, this one filled with all the love and gratitude you had for him and the others.

"I don’t know what I’d do without you guys," you whispered, your voice thick with emotion. "You’ve all made my life so much brighter."

Jisung squeezed you tighter. "No. We should be saying that to you."

--

When you entered your classroom, the first thing that caught your attention was Seungmin’s new haircut. You couldn’t help but stare—it suited him so well, better than you imagined. His previous blonde hair had its charm, but this short black look was on a whole other level.

“Seungmin, you look amazing,” you blurted out, unable to hide your admiration.

He smiled at you, running a hand through his hair, clearly enjoying the compliment. His messy locks only added to the effect, and you found yourself thinking how attractive he looked.

“I love your haircut, Seungmin!” Yuji suddenly appeared, throwing in her own compliment.

A surge of possessiveness hit you—an unfamiliar feeling, but one you couldn’t deny. You had wanted to keep Seungmin to yourself after that night, after he had told you how much he wanted to be by your side.

Without thinking, you grabbed his hand. “Let me borrow him for a bit,” you said to Yuji, your voice light but your grip firm as you pulled him away.

Seungmin didn’t protest, his eyes curious but amused as you led him to a quieter corner.

Once there, you pushed him against the wall, your heart racing. “You’re too hot, Seungmin,” you whispered, your lips brushing against his before you kissed him deeply.

Seungmin froze, shocked by your boldness, but it didn’t take long for him to kiss you back, his hands wrapping around your waist. By the time you pulled away, you were both panting, cheeks flushed.

“Wow,” Seungmin breathed out, his lips still slightly parted.

You covered your face in embarrassment, realizing what you had just done. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I did that.”

Seungmin laughed softly, pulling your hands away from your face. “Don’t be. I loved it.”

You giggled, pushing him lightly when he tried to lean in again. “This is all your fault.”

“If I had known this was my reward, I would have gotten a haircut sooner,” he teased.

“You should’ve,” you said with a playful grin, and the two of you laughed together, the tension easing between you.

--

You were adjusting the guitar strings in your hands, making sure it was in tune as Jeongin sat across from you, watching silently. He was a year younger than you, but sometimes you felt like he was much more mature.

Once you were satisfied, you strummed a few chords, then glanced up at him with a smile. Without saying anything, you started playing IU’s “Blueming,” your voice filling the music room with a soft, sweet melody.

Jeongin’s eyes never left you as you played. You had always admired his voice, and he would often sing for you. But this was the first time you had picked up a guitar and sang for him.

As you finished the song, Jeongin clapped, his eyes shining with admiration. “You don’t know how beautiful you are right now,” he said softly, his voice sincere.

You laughed, shaking your head. “Really? Then call me noona,” you teased.

Normally, he would cringe at the thought, but seeing you laugh made him smile. “Really? You want me to be your brother? Is that final?” he challenged.

“Will you let me?” you countered, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course not,” he laughed, leaning back in his chair.

“Then I won’t either,” you chuckled.

Jeongin carefully took the guitar from your hands, strumming a melody you didn’t immediately recognize. But when he started singing the first lyrics, your eyes lit up. It was DAY6’s “Beautiful Feeling.”

His voice was soft, warm, as he sang the first line, and you couldn’t help but harmonize with him.

As the song continued, you exchanged glances, singing together, your voices blending perfectly.

“This song right now,” Jeongin sang softly, his eyes locked on yours, “might just sound like another love song...”

You smiled, your heart feeling light as you harmonized, “But this beautiful feeling... it’s beautiful.”

Jeongin’s gaze flickered between your eyes and your lips. He stopped strumming, leaning in slowly, hesitating.

You could feel the tension, the uncertainty, but you didn’t wait for him to decide. Instead, you closed the gap, pulling him into a kiss.

And, as Jeongin had sung, it truly was a beautiful feeling.

--

Later that evening, you were lounging in bed when your phone rang. Chan’s name popped up on the screen.

"Hey," you answered, still laying down. "What’s up?"

"I’m picking you up. We’re going somewhere," Chan’s voice came through the line, teasingly mysterious.

You immediately shot up, excitement bubbling in your chest. "Wait, where are we going?"

"Somewhere special," he said, laughter in his voice.

"Are you on your way already?" you asked, scrambling out of bed.

"No rush. I’m stuck in traffic, so you’ve got time to get ready."

You groaned dramatically. "Chan, it takes me an hour to get ready!"

He chuckled on the other end. "I know. So wear something pretty. You’ll like where we’re going."

"Pretty, pretty?" you clarified, excitement buzzing through your veins.

"Yes, pretty pretty."

You hung up immediately, throwing yourself into getting ready as quickly as possible.

By the time you were done, Chan was already waiting downstairs—well, according to him, you finished in record time, but you knew he had been waiting for at least fifteen minutes. When you stepped outside, his eyes lit up.

"Wow," he breathed, taking your hand and spinning you around. "You look gorgeous."

You laughed, feeling a blush creep onto your cheeks. "You don’t look too bad yourself."

Like a true gentleman, he opened the passenger door for you and even placed his hand over your head to protect you as you got in. The simple gesture made your heart flutter.

As he settled into the driver’s seat, you couldn’t help but ask, "Are we going on a date?"

"Yes," he said, glancing at you with a grin. "Right after I pick up my award."

You blinked in confusion. "Wait, what? What award?"

"My work got recognized," he said nonchalantly, his eyes shining with happiness.

Your heart burst with pride. "Bang Chan! Oh my God!" you squealed, fanning yourself dramatically. “ I’m so proud of you!"

He laughed at your over-the-top reaction, but you could tell he was touched.

You spent the rest of the evening at the event, watching Chan accept his award with a wide smile on your face, your phone in hand as you filmed every second. Tears pricked at your eyes, but you blinked them away, too proud to hold back the emotions.

--

That night finally arrived. It was time for your monthly hangout with your friends, and despite what you had said about it being awkward seeing them together again, you couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement.

Jisung came to pick you up, and you were dressed in your comfy pajamas since it was a sleepover.

“Aww, you’re so cute,” Jisung teased, pinching your cheek as you got in the car.

You laughed. “I’m literally just wearing pajamas, and you think that’s cute?”

“You’re cute in whatever you do,” he replied with a smirk.

You both headed to the nearest convenience store to grab snacks and drinks, along with a couple of games like Uno cards and a board game.

“Tell them we should watch the scariest movie ever made tonight,” you joked as you threw some chips into the basket.

“And you think I’ll support that when I absolutely don’t want to?” Jisung gave you a pointed look, hands on the steering wheel as he drove.

“I’m kidding, I don’t want that either!” You laughed along with him, the idea of watching a horror movie giving you chills.

Suddenly, your phone rang. It was Changbin.

“Where are you guys? We’re watching the scariest movie mankind has ever made,” he announced, causing you and Jisung to swallow nervously and laugh at the coincidence, you really indeed close friends that you can send telepathy.

By the time you arrived at Changbin’s building, you unfastened your seatbelt, ready to hop out, but Jisung gently stopped you by placing a hand on your arm. You looked at him, curious.

“Uhm…” He scratched the back of his neck nervously, struggling to find the right words. “Uhm, can I… can I kiss you before we go in?”

You were confused at first, but then a smile crept up on your face, amused by how shy and adorable he was.

“Of course, Jisung. My Jisung,” you said softly, pinching his cheek before leaning in. “Come here.”

The kiss was innocent, soft, and a little sloppy as you both tried to find your rhythm. When you were both nearly out of breath, you pulled away.

“I think that was enough,” Jisung said, flashing you his usual bright smile as he bopped your nose playfully. “Now let’s go!”

Jisung handed you a pillow to carry while he took charge of all the snacks and games. You both made your way to the elevator, laughing as you rode up to Changbin’s floor.

“Let’s be rich like him in the future,” Jisung joked, glancing around at the fancy interior.

You chuckled at the thought. Changbin had already given you the passcode to his apartment, but out of respect, you hadn’t memorized it. Your friends had made sure you never felt pressured to know it, even though everyone else did. It was just one of the little ways they showed how much they cared about your comfort.

As you walked inside, you were taken aback by how spacious the place was. Changbin welcomed both of you with open arms, hugging you tightly.

“Where’s everyone else?” Jisung asked, looking around.

“They’re in the movie room,” Changbin replied casually.

“Oh, there’s a movie room now?” you exclaimed in surprise. Changbin was indeed to humble for telling you his place wasn’t that nice at all.

“Yeah, and they’re waiting for the snacks, even though Minho already cooked fried chicken for everyone.” You both laughed at that.

When you entered the so-called movie room, you were met with a large screen and chairs that made the room feel like a mini-cinema. The rest of the group was bickering and chatting loudly, too absorbed in their conversation to notice your arrival.

Jisung cleared his throat dramatically. “Kids, your snacks have arrived!”

That got everyone’s attention. All eyes turned to you and Jisung as they erupted in cheers.

“My princess is here!” Minho was the first to stand up and approach you, pulling you into a warm hug.

“A princess in pajamas,” you joked as you hugged him back.

Some of the others ran to Jisung, helping him with the snacks, while Seungmin came over to you, lifting you off the ground in a playful spin.

“I’m happy to see you too, Seungmin,” you said, laughing.

Jeongin walked up and kissed your cheek, whispering, “You smell nice.”

You smiled and mumbled a shy, “Thank you.”

As everyone settled in, Hyunjin came up from behind and wrapped his arms around you, resting his chin on your shoulder. “I’m happy you’re here,” he murmured.

You smiled, reaching up to caress his arms. Chan, who was sitting nearby, gave you a warm smile, silently acknowledging your presence. The room was filled with chatter and laughter, the perfect reunion despite everyone’s busy schedules.

The movie started soon after. Jeongin, hands full of popcorn, looked confused. “I thought we were watching the scariest movie mankind has ever made?”

Instead of a scary movie, something boring was playing, and you couldn’t help but giggle at the letdown.

Halfway through the movie, your throat felt dry, so you quietly stood up to get a drink from the kitchen. As you entered, you spotted Changbin there, watching over something.

“You’re not watching with them?” you asked curiously.

“I will, but I’m waiting for the cake to finish baking,” he said with a smile.

You took a sip of water and leaned against the sink. “Cake? What’s the cake for?”

“It’s for Chan. And also, Jisung and Felix’s birthdays are coming up, so I’m baking for them too.”

You felt touched by his thoughtfulness, knowing that their birthdays were on weekdays, and celebrating all together might be difficult. “That’s so sweet of you,” you said softly.

Changbin smiled, then grabbed a bottle of wine. “Want some? The ambiance feels right.”

You chuckled and nodded, letting him pour you a glass. You clinked glasses and took a sip, enjoying the light buzz from the wine.

“So… what’s your plan now?” Changbin asked suddenly, his tone becoming more serious. He always seemed to know what was going on with everyone.

“I don’t know,” you admitted, laughing a little at how uncertain everything had become. “It all started because of that blue sticky note you put in my binder.”

He laughed too. “Yeah, that was probably the cringiest thing I’ve ever done. Love can really make you act like a fool.”

You playfully nudged him. “Don’t call it that! I thought it was cute.”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “You think it was cute?”

You nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, in that case, I’m willing to do it again, even if Minho calls me a soft boy,” he joked, laughing at the thought.

A comfortable silence settled between the two of you, the kind that didn’t feel awkward at all. You sipped your wine, feeling the warmth spread through your chest.

“Chan said you won’t pick any of us,” Changbin said quietly, staring into his glass.

You exhaled softly, the weight of that decision settling over you. “Yeah… I can’t do it,” you admitted, your voice quieter now. “I can’t afford to lose any of you… because… I love you.”

Changbin looked up at you, his eyes warm. “We’re all glad for your decision. You deserve to be showered with love, and we’re willing to give that to you. You deserve everything.”

His words hit you straight in the heart, and before you knew it, you were throwing yourself into his arms, kissing him. You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol or just the flood of emotions, but the kiss was hard and desperate. Changbin nearly stumbled, but he held onto your waist for support, his legs barely holding him up as your lips met.

You were literally making him weak.

You were lost in your own worlds when a soft cough broke the silence.

"Ehem, excuse me, just getting some water." It was Hyunjin. His voice pulled you back to the present, and you couldn’t help but laugh.

"Let's get back to the movie." You smoothed out Changbin's shirt with a light touch before stepping out of his hold.

Returning to the room, you made your way to Felix, who was snuggled up with his yellow chicken plushie. He put his arms around you, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head as you leaned into him. Together, you settled in to watch the rest of the movie.

As the end credits rolled, the room was dim, the only light coming from the flickering screen. Just then, Changbin reappeared, carrying a cake lit up by glowing candles. The warm glow filled the room, and suddenly, everything felt so much more meaningful.

With a cheeky grin, Changbin began to sing, "Congratulations~~."

Laughter erupted around the room as he made his way toward Chan, who was already giggling, trying to hide his face behind his hands. Everyone jumped to their feet, clapping, the energy light and joyful as you all joined in, voices harmonizing.

"Congratulations! You're one step closer to achieving your dreams!" Felix's voice was filled with pride, and he hugged Chan from behind, holding him tight. His smile was radiant, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still, the warmth of Felix’s embrace matching the love in his words.

"I'm so proud of our leader," Hyunjin said, wiping at his eyes dramatically, but the emotion behind it was real. He threw his arm around your shoulders, his presence comforting and grounding.

Jeongin's teasing voice broke the moment. "If you become a famous producer, make me famous too!"

Laughter bubbled up again, the teasing only masking the genuine admiration everyone felt for Chan.

"And if you get famous, buy me a car," Seungmin added with a laugh, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Jisung, grinning ear to ear, chimed in. "If he becomes famous, I don’t need to study music anymore! I’ll get hired on the spott."

Minho’s voice cut through the banter, his tone playful yet affectionate. "He’ll finally release our song ‘Blue Sticky Notes.’ I know it’s cringey, but I love that song."

The laughter was uncontrollable now, everyone caught up in the warmth and joy of the moment. But beneath it all, there was a deep sense of connection. These people—these friends—were your family. You weren’t just sharing jokes and cake; you were sharing dreams, memories, and a love that ran deeper than words.

As the laughter slowly died down, the reality of the moment settled in. These weren’t just fleeting interactions—these were the moments that defined everything. The kind of moments you’d hold onto when things got hard, the moments you’d replay in your mind when you needed to remember why you kept going.

You looked around at each of them—Chan, with his eyes shining with happiness; Felix and Changbin, with their quiet warmth; Hyunjin, full of life; Minho, teasing but sincere; Jeongin and Seungmin, both laughing freely; and Jisung, always ready with a joke. They all meant so much to you.

Moments like these were your favorite—the ones where the world felt right, where nothing else mattered but the people you were with. You wouldn’t trade this for anything, not the laughter, not the closeness, not the unspoken love that filled the air.

You'd hold these memories close, treasure them with all your heart. And you knew, as long as you had them, you’d always have a piece of happiness to carry with you.

You’d write it all down—on your blue sticky note—a reminder that in the simplest moments, surrounded by the people you loved, life felt perfect. Full of love, joy, and endless gratitude.

--

masterlist

happy birthday, jisungie and felixseu!

[trumpkinhotboy]

prank war | p.l

pairing. paul lahote x reader

type. requested <3

warnings. curse word?

word count. 1.4k

a/n. since i don't like writing summaries lmao, i think i will make it kind of official when writing requests that if you want to know what it will be about click the link to the request :) this was so fun to write this is def crack BAHA i hope you will enjoy mwah xx

"Y/n, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Absolutely positive."

"But what if-"

"Em," you gave your friend a severe look. Emily always tended to be too kind, but this you could not let her sensitive nature make your plan fail. "Might I remind you that we are cruelly losing this battle of pranks? Jared, Embry, and Quil have been launching us. This is our time to make a stand."

"I know but… I still feel a little bit bad about it."

"Do you remember when they put confetti absolutely everywhere in the house? We had to clean that mess for weeks. I think there is still some confetti on my body in places where there shouldn't be."

Emily was a neat freak, she did not tolerate any mess. You knew how she hated that particular prank and how it would be an easy way to rile her up. You smiled when you saw her gaze suddenly turn very dark and resolute. Bulls eyes. Without further questioning, she joined you.

Your plan for retaliation was quite simple, but you knew it would hit your enemies right where it hurt. After a few internet searches, you settled on baking the most horrible and foul muffins known to the human realm. The boys were huge eaters so first, you knew they could never resist the temptation of a hot basket of muffins. Second, they were all known for their sensitive stomachs. It was a classic yet very effective prank. You looked like mad scientists incorporating literally any ingredients possible into the mixture giving it a strange color.

"I don't think it can get worse than that," declared Emily as you looked at the finished product.

You examined the bowl on the counter, feeling like you were missing an essential element. "Wait! There's one more thing we can add."

You went over to the pantry and proudly held up the bottle of extra spicy sauce the boys were keeping for special occasions, aka when they wanted to burn from the inside out.

Emily applauded your genius and watched excitedly as you dropped some in the mixture, then some more, and just a tiny bit more until you had poured at least one table cup of hot sauce into the bowl. If the original mixture didn't make them sick, this would for sure.

"This is a work of art Em, we can be proud of ourselves."

You high-fived and rapidly cooked the muffins before the boys returned from their run.

Your opponents were werewolves, with incredible sense of smell. So you knew you had to be smart about it. Especially since they knew a prank might fall upon them at any given moment. You had planned everything to a T. When returning home, Quil, Jared, and Embry were usually the ones who came in first, which you counted on as you didn't want to prank the rest of the pack. Emily had smartly accounted for the boys' suspicion and made sure to bake two safe-to-eat muffins from the batch so you could fool the three guys into eating.

You made sure to use food coloring to give the muffins a rich brown color and sprinkled cinnamon along with a few other herbs on the muffins to make sure they would smell mouth-watering. You cleared away any hint of your actions and did it so well that when the boys arrived, no one could ever think something was going on.

You welcomed them joyfully with your best angelic smiles. As expected, it didn't take them long to notice the muffins, Quil even going as far as reaching out a hunger-crazed hand towards the bowl.

"Wait," suddenly cut Embry with a suspicious look in your direction. He slapped his brother's hand away. "What's the special occasion?"

Like professional actresses, you and Emily looked at each other. "Since when do we need special occasions to bake muffins?"

You rolled your eyes when Embry bent down to take a big whiff from the basket, but still lost a relieved breath when he didn't seem to smell anything out of the ordinary.

"Why aren't you two eating any?" skeptically asked Jared.

"Because we ate so much filling we might puke but if it reassures you I don't mind taking a bite."

You reached your hand out for Emily to pick the safe muffins from the basket and prayed she didn't mix them up. You leveled your stare at the boys and took a huge bite.

When the cinnamony and chocolate flavors hit your tongue you sighed with relief, putting your reaction on account of the amazing taste. "Delicious as always."

Your performance seemed to reassure them but they didn't grab any yet. Anxiousness rose in your body, you needed to get them to eat before the others came in.

They were still hesitating when Paul barged in, quickly kissed you on the cheek, and grabbed a muffin.

"Paul wait-" "Gonna take a shower," he muffled between chewing.

You stare at the doorway through which he disappeared, astonished. It happened so fast. You couldn't have warned him or else the other three would have known something was up. You turned to look at Emily with panic in your eyes. Her face was blank, her hands gripping the counter. Both of you were paralyzed, what should you do? Were you taking it too far by letting your boyfriend eat the nasty mixture just so you wouldn't raise suspicions?

You stayed paralyzed in the dilemma when finally Embry, Quil, and Jared each grabbed a muffin as you and Emily stared in silence.

They had eaten a good half of it when suddenly you heard Paul screaming and cursing in the bathroom. Everybody looked in the direction of the sound when he stumbled in already wet from the shower with a towel wrapped around his hips.

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS IN THESE?"

Immediately, the three other boys looked at each other, then at you two. As if Paul's apparition had triggered the effect of the baked goods, sweat started dripping down their face, a disgusted rictus twisting their mouths.

They stared with horrified expressions. "What did you do?" asked Embry before he ran for the kitchen sink.

Even if you felt guilty Paul had been caught in the crossfire you couldn't help but feel a deep satisfaction as you stared at the three boys pushing each other and fumbling to get a sip of water. A sentiment clearly shared by your partner in crime when Emily said with an innocent smile. "What did we do? We baked you some yummy muffins of course. Isn't that right Y/n?"

"Why yes, we even added a few special ingredients to make sure you guys loved them." You added with a mischievous smile towards the three crying grown men still fighting for access to fresh water.

"That'll teach you right for putting confetti everywhere in MY house," finished Emily, leaning close to them.

They looked at her with what was sure to be fear in their eyes.

"I'm done I'm calling dibs on the bathroom sink," moaned Quil as he ran for the tiny room.

"I'm taking the hose outside!" cried out Jared.

Emily and you couldn't keep your cool from your devastating victory and started dancing around the kitchen, the grunts of pain in the house the most delicious melody to your ears. You were still laughing when you heard heavy steps enter the kitchen. Paul was standing in the doorway, still wet, still with a towel on but this time there was a half-drunk milk cartoon in his hands. A few droplets slid down his chest and the view might have even been appealing if the expression on his face wasn't so terrifying.

He took a step in your direction. "Baby I promise you weren't supposed to eat one of those. It was only for them. I'm so sorry!!"

"You could have warned me, tell me to stop,” he growled.

"But then they would have known. I'm so so sorry my love I promise I'll make you forgive me."

You kept walking back, hands up. Never a half-naked man had scared you this much.

"Oh, you will definitely pay for this." He dropped the milk on the table nearby. "And I think we will start by giving you a little swim in the cold sea."

"Paul it's freezing outside today!!" You protested with a panicked look towards the foggy forest.

"Should have thought about that before sweetheart.”

His lips curved in a diabolical smile as he leaped. You screeched and ran outside knowing damn well there was no way you could escape this.

[ametrictonofaudacity]

Can you write a part 2 to your yandere joker fic?

Absolutely! Also I am so insanely flattered, I’ve never had someone ask for a part 2 before eeee

Yandere Platonic Joker x GN! reader!

Warnings: This is a yandere work, and as such contains themes of violence, abuse, manipulation and drugging. As this is the Joker, it will most likely be darker than my usual works!! Enjoy!!

You wake up with a leg that practically burns, and when you glance down, you see that your thigh had been wrapped in white gauze, which had been stained red by your own blood. It was weirdly well done for a madman. You wondered if Joker had made one of his henchmen do it.

Moving your leg makes it hurt, so much so that you gasp when the burning pain arches up your leg. You hadn’t been given any painkillers. Which wasn’t great when you had a stab wound, in an area with already existing nerve damage. You hope there isn’t any long term nerve damage, or damage to the muscles, or tendons.

“Okay. Okay just.. focus. You’ve been kidnapped by a madman who thinks you’re obsessed with him. Things could be worse.” Your voice cracks with hysteria, and you wince, shaking your head. You had to get your act together. You would prefer not to be another of the Joker’s long list of victims.

You glance around, and your stomach drops. The room is.. a room? It had clearly been outfitted from some sort of warehouse, with high ceilings and beams that crisscrossed, which made sense, you guess. Not a lot of people in Gotham would be willing to rent an apartment to the Joker.

The most damning thing, however, is the paintings, everywhere. Piled in the corner, leaned against the wall, some handing crookedly from nails. All with acidic green eyes or pale skin or a suit with the wrong colors. All yours.

You think you’re going to throw up. You don’t.

Your head snaps to the sound of a door handle, and you watch as it’s pushed open, heart racing. The old hinges shriek and groan.

“Hey! So.. what do ya think? Neat, right! Got all your paintings, right here, in a fun little gallery! Isn’t it great?!” Joker’s eyes never leave your face. You aren’t sure what it looks like, with how much pain you were in and your brain struggling to process much of anything but you feel your expression twist.

“Five out of five stars.” Your voice drips with sarcasm, and Joker laughs, a high pitched maniacal giggle that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. You two were playing a game now, you knew, and Joker knew all the rules and could change them as he pleased. “Where are we?”

“Ah, ah, ah! No trying to pry any information out of me, I learned aalll the tricks from Batsy.” He chides, practically skipping to your bedside. You want to jerk away, but moving your leg sends a rush of pain so harsh it makes your vision go white.

“I don’t think I know nearly as many tricks as Batman.” You deadpan.

“It’s okay! You’re interesting in a different way.” Joker snorts, glancing at your damaged leg to the paintings to your face. You aren’t sure what he sees. “Although I don’t know why you would be talking to Batsy.”

He sounds almost.. jealous? Giddy? You can’t place it, and you don’t want to, and you measure your words carefully before you speak. Joker was a time bomb, almost literally, and any little thing could set him off.

“I never actually talked to him. He and the baby bats just stalked me for a while when you broke out of Arkham.”

“Hmph. Wants to keep you all to himself, now that not fair.” He huffs, and he slings an arm around you, pulling you close. The sudden movement jolts your leg, and the ragged gasp it tears from you practically echoes in the air.

You try not to freeze when you see the unhinged light in his eyes. You don’t think you manage.

“Did you ever talk to Batsy?” The sudden change in topic is.. discomforting, and you shake your head. You can’t think of anything to say.

“He showed up in your sketchbook a lot. All heroic poses and big shadows, it was so boring, really. I’m a much better subject to draw, don’t you think?”

His hand lands on the white bandages, and then he presses down.

You howl in pain, going to twist away, but he is deceptively strong, and keeps you there, even as you kick at him and try to pry his hand off your wound.

“Yes! You’re better to draw!” You gasp out, and he stops, grinning. You’d think that the bandage would be redder, or damaged. It isn’t.

“Good! I don’t like sharing my besties.” He laughs, and hums, glancing at your face. You’re shaking, and pale, you know. “It does suck your hurt though. We can’t do anything fun until you’re healed.” He huffs, sprawling back and dragging you with him.

“APPARENTLY we’re going to have postpone the trip to Ace Chemicals.” He huffs. “I was so looking forward to it, too.”

Your heart drops into your stomach, leaden. Ace Chemicals. Birthplace of the Joker, of Harley Quinn. A toxic cesspit of chemical waste and madness.

“I’m sure we can find something to pass the time. Now! Why don’t we get to painting, yeah? You’ve got a whole studio!”

Joker hops up, and when you take the paint brush from him, it’s already dripping with a toxic green. You paint, numbly, not really paying attention.

You would have to escape before your leg healed. Or Joker won his game.

[gerrydelano]

i need to catch up on your fics but i am chin hands about trans fem gerry. i remember you talking about it before but id love to hear any new or updated thoughts :0

some of it would be spoilers for the PBR epilogue so i'm going to keep that to myself until then, but! ultimately i just was thinking about the fact that he uses she/her pronouns and enters Girl Mode in his happiest moments, his most intimate and vulnerable moments with people he trusts to love him, and what that says about his actual state of being outside of those moments. it means he's not fully happy or comfortable, there's something holding him back, which i've gathered is a fairly common feeling.

he's still got an attachment to being A Son specifically it's just rooted in his being but look me in the eyes and tell me that ever made him feel safe in his own body or head or surroundings. y'know? there's spoiler territory there with that part of the discussion though so heehee.

(not that long i just don't want everything stretching the dash where i might not be able to edit it later)

i do think she's always going to identify himself as a fag though which is also pretty common because things are more complicated than they are binary and he's always a color wheel understander. his gender is faglady but realistically her gender is also just nothing you could comprehend if you're not open to contradiction. you can't expect him to fit into neat little boxes, she just won't do it, it's not anybody else's business but his.

so. transfem gay man is probably still where he's at in general at this point in time in my writing but as time has gone on his egg has increasingly cracked lol it's just a matter of like... what's going on in his life, who she's with, how safe he feels being herself. as of right now, she saves herself for tim and tim is nothing but reverent about it and i could go ON about how her sex life goes hand in hand with her gender but i don't want to flood the dash with BDSM discussion LOL even though i have thoughts for MILES about it. i talked a bit about it in the link above iirc. it's incredibly soft and meaningful and also, crucially, sexy. but mostly it just makes her feel so incredibly safe and desired and respected and these are all things that were previously missing from her life in such a huge way, like.

look at his life. look at the life he's lived and tell me he's ever been fully happy playing the role he was put in. the expectations his mother had of him, that gertrude had of him, the way he was expected to obey and sacrifice and even hurt people at times because that's just how the world works, right.

well, he's never wanted to participate in that way of living! and he only did it as a survival mechanism because where else could he go but always come back home to mary and her dreams for him which were always just an extension of herself, he was nothing to her but an extension of herself and her wants and her beliefs and he was anything but that, even when he tried to blend in. half the time he measures his life from injury to injury. his whole life felt like nothing but punishment and for a long time he wouldn't even know what for.

it can be such a transgender narrative if you look at it. the repression that he'd have had to deal with is insane even if you look at how loud and proud he is about his sense of style (which is extremely queer in and of itself.)

and i also just do not buy transmasc gerry i'm so sorry you can absolutely have that HC if you want and i will not attack you for it but look at him. listen to him. and also remember that eric, who died when gerry was 2 years old, referred to him as his son. sorry but that to me says he's amab because He Was Un Bebe. also in what WORLD would mary be a supportive parent to a trans kid. she literally insists on calling him by his full birth name that he DOESN'T LIKE BEING CALLED; classic trans thing! he canonly has a PREFERRED name. a preferred androgynous name!

it just makes more sense to me that he's transfem. i don't believe he has a desire to be all that traditionally masculine. he literally is so gnc in canon and his whole life just reads to me as "person who did not get the chance to fully embrace themselves because everything was just too damn hard." i also enjoy depicting people transitioning later in life, because it's never too late! it's NEVER too late to embrace who you are and work out who you've wanted to be for a long time.

i think he still lives in ambiguity and grey areas and blindspots. it may not have even occurred to him that she wanted to transition until later in life anyway because life never slowed the fuck down for him enough to let himself ask the questions! but he knew he wanted his hair long. he paints his nails. he wears eyeliner and dangly jewelry and alt clothes and yeah, cis people can do that, but it's also a way to flag! a very strong way of flagging! these are all the things that felt right to him in canon and no one stays that alt into their thirties without a little bit of gender going on somewhere in the mix, be serious, y'know? g-d. i'm so invested forever in gerry's gender jfhbnkjn.

he doesn't like labels, he really doesn't. and she might not ever call herself a woman as much as a lady in particular but she likes the phrases "good girl" and "princess" in bed, she likes being seen as feminine in comparison to a partner, she has feminine preferences. she would probably use more reclaimed slurs to refer to herself than i'm comfortable just tossing around but like, a lot of people prefer those as identifiers than "man" or "woman" like i refer to myself as a fag dyke all the time and it's more affirming to me than trying to decide if i'm a trans guy or if i'm a butch dyke At All Times. gender can be complicated! i think it IS complicated for gerry at the moment with his baggage but i imagine if he were ever able to really let go of that baggage, she'd be a very different, happier person. i think she would like it to be simpler sometimes. she treats it simply even if other people might not be able to. she's really calm about all of it, and even as it changes, it just makes her confidence grow. really comes down to the people she's surrounded by and the opportunities that she manages to grab a hold of in terms of finally letting herself just be. and i just think the results of it are really gorgeous.

anyway transfem gerry truther forever

[silkendandelion]

Pomegranates, A Stardew Valley fanfiction

Pairing: Lance (SVE) x Farmer (male, character sheet here)

Genre: Fluff

Summary: Farmer Max didn't listen to the wizard's warning and encounters a spell that shows him a version of his life where he married Elliot, instead of Lance. Hurt/Comfort, happy ending.

AN: Spoilers for Lance's 10-heart event and several late game quest lines, references to the outcome of these quests or rewards. Player is an OC with established characteristics, story, mannerisms. It's fine, we have fun anyway.

Rated Teen and Up Audiences for sexually suggestive content, unsafe situations, characters worried about infidelity (No actual cheating). One-shot. Cross-posted to Ao3 here. Send me a DM: yell at me, send flowers. Cheers.

He always saved the best pomegranates for Elliot.

The shiniest fruits of the batch, so heavy with juice they nearly jumped off the branch and redder than wine-stained, kiss-swollen lips. They always got washed separately, scrubbed twice, and packed in a box that had become known as “Elliot’s box” because of the blocky, handwritten label that declared it.

“That time of the year again?” Lance smiled as he set his satchel on the kitchen floor, mindful of the farmhouse’s stone counter-tops ever since they discovered that life elixir is surprisingly acidic. Luckily, the microwave now hides his shame.

“Just in time for his birthday too, since the summer was so cool,” Max said, clicking the crate shut.

“Well, I’m off to the Highlands.” Lance glanced in the fridge while the farmer tugged on his boots. The sticky rice he made the night before was untouched, a cursive note that read ‘goodnight, my love’ still attached to the top.

Poor farmer, he works so hard, he thought. “Actually. There’s not much to do the first week of the season, besides observations. If I only do a half day, I could make it back by say… 8 o’clock? What do you think, love, want to quit early with me?”

His mushy thoughts of hiking up to the bath house and splitting a pot of cider on the couch were dispersed by Max reaching for his coat with a wince. “I’m sorry, honey, probably not. Leah wants to do a brunch thing tomorrow for Elliot’s birthday and I gotta turn in early if I’m gonna finish the chores before I go.”

Lance opened his mouth to point out the flaw in his plan, but settled for a frown as he slung his satchel over his shoulder. “No worries, love, just a thought.”

They parted ways with a kiss, soft and sweet: the farmer’s preferred choice of apology when he knew Lance wasn’t actually looking for one.

“Stay safe up there. And say hi to Marlon for me if you see him,” Max said.

“Of course. Safe travels, farmer,” Lance teased him with a smirk.

He watched Lance leave their homestead and down the road, the smell of freshly-tilled soil washing away the scent of his husband’s soap before he even turned the corner. By the fifth day of the season, the crops were all settled into their neat little rows, the promise of pumpkins already in curly little saplings, and colorful mushrooms peeking up from plush, sleepy grass. The trestles by the fence would have grapes on them soon enough—best to keep an eye out for Petunia then, lest his horse be tempted out of her stall and he find her foundered in her sin.

Elliot loved the fall.

And Max almost slapped himself as he started the rest of his chores.

The wizard had warned him, “you can peruse my library at your leisure, but don’t touch any of the books behind that altar. It’s for your own safety,” and gestured to a menacing golden creature atop a spell circle, the statue’s ruby eyes seeming to follow him around the candlelit room.

It was one book.

A simple spell, just a single, short paragraph among the hundreds of others, found by parting the book to a random number and beginning in the middle of the page. The spell explained itself to have no ingredients, casted only by reading, though Max couldn’t have guessed how literal the instructions were.

“Spirits alive, spirits alike, spirit made flesh. The mind is a shallow cup, cursed to overflow with too many memories, but the soul remembers. Never forget, dear spirit. Recall your journeys, dear spirit… allow us to enter your mind, spirit. And look with us.”

Even Max knew not to speak aloud from spell books, but just reading the words left him breathless, his wheeze condensing in front of his face. He slammed the book shut, quick and careful to replace it on the shelf exactly as it had been found before fleeing back to the warp hall, his fumbling hands yanking at his coat’s zipper.

“Too creepy… Never again,” he said, believing now that Magnus wasn’t exaggerating when he placed the shelf off limits.

But the spell was already cast, brought to life by being read, and Max found himself visited by the most vivid dream he’s ever had—and hasn’t had one like it since.

A farm, what must have been his farmhouse, and an autumn day like today. A striped cat rushed to the kitchen under his feet while the writer hummed at the stove, his ginger hair pulled back to the nape of his neck.

“Good morning! Come eat, darling, I made your favorite.”

He never cared for pancakes but his stomach growled regardless, heart squeezing unbidden when the writer fluttered over to greet him with a milk coffee kiss.

Lance drank his coffee black.

It wasn’t his farm, not his cat, not his husband, so why did it feel so warm?

Why did he wake up missing the rosy lens of that other place? With syrup on his tongue and a pain in his chest for a man he’s never looked at before with anything other than friendship? His heart sank, belly cold as he rolled over to seek the warm back of his sleeping husband, minding the pomegranate hair draped over his pillow.

“Mm—hello,” Lance rumbled with fondness, awoken by the way the farmer squeezed around his middle.

“Go back to sleep, Lance,” he said against his hair. The smell of magic never did manage to wash out, like lightning in a forest. A happy huff was his only reply, though Max would stay awake for the rest of that night, and for days after.

He never should have read from that damn book.

The dream wasn’t anything more than a glimpse. He didn’t know the farmer’s story, who raised him, but he knew why his belly twinged when the writer kissed him. And if this flash of a feeling could haunt his thoughts in broad daylight, he knew he would die if he ever knew the truth about their entire life together, killed gloriously by the knowledge of one single lifetime, out of the thousands this other valley might know.

And he would never recover if Lance knew.

How could he ever say that in another life, some other place just like their valley, he was married to Elliot? And that they were so happy?

He couldn’t, he would rather jump naked into a bath tub of lava slimes than hurt Lance.

Lance, who when he was contemplating giving up farming to be a full-time adventurer declared with that self-assured grin that Max was the only one who could help him with his research.

Lance of the First Slash Clan, seasoned adventurer, who becomes as red as his hair, suddenly shy when Max reminds him that on his first visit to the First Slash Guild Hall, he took off his clothes and suggested they squeeze into the single bed.

The same man who when Max came to him with the insane idea to turn their cellar into a guild hall, didn’t poke holes in his dream or complain about how much the construction would cost, instead swelling with pride to say “My farmer, always thinking of others.”

Lance, whom without the world would have no spring.

Max looked at the crate in his hands, having walked all the way to the beach after his chores, and knocked on Elliot’s door with his boot. What am I doing?

“Max, hello there!” He opened the door with a gasp. “Are those for me?”

“What—yes. Fresh from Haddenfield,” he said reflexively, pulled from his thoughts to follow Elliot inside and put the crate on the piano bench for unpacking.

“Oh, they’re beautiful,” he said, holding one up to the window to admire it’s ruby glitter. “Won’t you let me pay you this time?”

“No no, of course not,” Max waved his hands. “I brought it to you without asking, it’s a gift. Happy birthday.”

“Well, thank you.” Elliot bowed his head, but was struck by a thought. “Wait. This is heavy, too big for Petunia. Did you walk all the way here? Let me make you a cup of tea before you go.”

Max remembered the smell of green tea from his dream, knowing what he would offer even before Elliot opened the metal canister. “I’ve got green tea, do you mind a travel cup?”

This life is enough. No memory, intangible and false, will come between him and his valley.

“I’ve actually gotta get going. Somewhere to be. Thank you, Elliot, and happy birthday!”

“Thank you, Max, please be careful. Say hi to Lance for me!” He called as Max was already marching his way up the beach with a wave. ____ ___ __ _

Good, Marlon didn’t take the boat, he thought as he found the dinghy by the mountain dock, tied and ready. The trek to the Highlands always managed to be twice as long when you were in a hurry, and Max prayed the clouds gathering overhead would hold off on their rain until he made it to the outpost.

A distant crackle of thunder caught Lance’s attention, and he paused his note-taking where he was crouched beside a sleeping mushroom sprite.

“That’s enough for today, I guess,” he said, accidentally startling the creature awake and having to cast a recall spell to avoid its tiny rage.

On the river, Max struggled with the frantic sail of Marlon’s little boat, holding his own against the wind despite the way the waves slapped against its fragile sides.

“I can hear the conversation now—Sorry Marlon, I took your boat out into the storm without your permission but it was all for love! No no, it’s in pieces but I’ll buy you a new one, I promise.” Max yelled to no one as the little boat bobbed and thrashed around the last bend before the dock.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Inside the outpost, Lance closed the line on his emergency phone when no one answered.

“He must be on his way home… oh, I hope he’s all right,” he said, going to pilfer his satchel for supper.

“Oh no,” he groaned, realizing his packed dinner was still in the fridge at home, probably next to the forsaken sticky pudding.

“Crumbs,” he said with a huff. Rain on the stone roof meant it was too late to try to fish, too far to try to go home.

A loud thud came from the direction of the dock, heard clearly even through the heavy wooden door, and the hair on his arms stood up.

Debris from the storm? No, it sounded like a person. Marlon? But why? It could also be a monster.

“The warding should keep them away…” Unless the storm fractured my spell circle.

The lumbering came again, closer now, until both Lance and the mysterious noise stood on opposite sides of the door.

His fingertips sparked with a welling of magic. “Aureus lux—“

The door flew open to crash against the opposite wall. “DAMN it all—”

“Max!” Magic leapt from his hand to scorch across the stone wall, but at least the attack hadn’t landed on his soaked husband, frozen in the doorway.

“Did you just try to zap me?!”

“Of course I did! How am I meant to know you’re the one stomping around like a Golem in the middle of a storm? What are you doing here?” He helped the farmer inside, setting him down at his workbench to begin taking off his boots. His fingers shook on the dripping laces, but not with magic.

“You’re soaked—what were you thinking?! What if the boat crashed, how would I ever even know what happened to you? Drowned, or, or—” Max hushed him with the hand that wasn’t holding his bag.

He pulled him close, uncaring he was likely dampening Lance’s shirt, he needed to feel him before he floated away. “You forgot your dinner.”

Lance blinked at him, watching the farmer open his bag to take out two portions of curry and a bottle of wine. Blue Moon, his favorite. “No hard feelings that it’s not from Haddenfield,” Max said, like every time he gifts it to him with the same cheeky grin.

“Have dinner with me? Maybe?” He tries again when Lance is quiet.

“That was an incredibly foolish thing you did,” Lance finally says, flat, but his eyes are soft when he pulls him into a long kiss. They can hardly tell which one of them deepens the kiss first, lips sliding and tasting of petrichor by the time they part to breathe.

“… So you’re not mad?” Max says, dazed and a little warmer where his jacket collar bows away from his skin.

“Of course I’m angry. But I’m also helplessly in love with you, farmer.” He shakes his head and reaches for the bottle.

“I’ll open the wine if you’d like to change your clothes.”

“You have extra clothes here?”

“No,” he says, flat again, and punctuated by both the pop of the cork and his affectionate smirk.

Well, at least the bed is dry, he thinks as he sits in his underwear. Lance never stayed mad for long, and by the time they finish supper he’s coaxing the farmer under the duvet and into his arms. For body heat, he insists, not because the outpost bed, while bigger than the one at the guild hall, is still a squeeze for two grown men.

“It reminds me of that first night at the First Slash,” Max said, accepting the wine bottle when Lance passed it to him.

“Oh Yoba, hasn’t my heart been through enough tonight?” Lance rubbed his tired eyes, albeit smiling behind his hand.

“Don’t be embarrassed, you were very charming,” Max grinned and passed the last sip back to him.

“How long had we been dating? Not long at all, and I threw myself at you.”

Max grabbed his hand to invite his gaze. “I caught you, didn’t I?”

Lance waited a beat, eyes softening as he squeezed their hands. “Yes, you did. Handsome farmer, I couldn’t help but need to know how you felt.”

“I promise, the fact that you were pressed up against me with your abs out had no influence on my answer.” Lance’s chuckle made his stomach flip, a familiar feeling he wanted to happen over and over for him alone.

He drifted easily into a useless dream about keeping Petunia away from the grapes, deeper than he’s slept in weeks, and wondered if pomegranates would be important in his next life too.

[where-theres-smoak-2]

Smoak, it's S2 canon: Newly released pics show Aleks with volcra scars and GOLD embroidery on his black kefta. He's basically declaring himself Alina's husband and king by wearing her Sun Summoner colors! Lol Also, the gold reminds me of that Japanese art form where broken things are put back together with gold and are considered more beautiful for it.

I just saw the new promo pics, I'm a bit late to the party as I've been busy getting ready for christmas, I have a very large family so its quite the mission lol. But yeah Aleks is such a simp for alina, with a love of matching outfits lol. In all seriousness though think it is really interesting that they've chosen to put gold in Aleks' Kefta and I have a few thoughts about it. For those who may not have seen it this is the image in question, spoiler alert obviously:

I made a post back when the teaser for season 2 came out (here) where I talked about how in some shots of the promo it looked like the threads on Aleks' kefta were turning gold in the candlelight:

and how I thought this represented how darklina have a little piece of the other within them now. I do think the above image pretty much confirms that the scenes in the promo are from the tether bond scenes because Aleks is clearly wearing a different kefta. Darklina haven't seen each other since the end of season 1 so Alina wouldn't know that Aleks has a new kefta with their shared colours, it makes sense that in the tether scenes she would see him in the same clothes he was wearing the last time they saw each other, an outfit familiar to her. But other than the added gold I did notice some other interesting differences between the two keftas.

The first thing that caught my eye was the buckles or rather the lack of them in Aleks' new look. In season 1, one of the more prominent features of his costume were those silver buckles that held his sigil of an eclipsed sun. To me these buckles gave the impression that he was very closed off, like locks on a cage, he was keeping things, secrets locked close to his chest. When you compare that with his season 2 look overall it looks alot more open, exposed. Those large metal buckles could also make you think of armour, whilst his season 2 look is alot more vulnerable. What is interesting about Aleks is that he always wears his kefta open, both in season 1 and 2. When you think about the fact that the keftas are a grisha's armour, their protection, this is very bold statement that Aleks is making. For every other grisha their Kefta isn't just their uniform but it functions as armour, it is bulletproof and will literally save their lives, no other grisha would ever dream of wearing their kefta open as it would leave them too vulnerable. But for Aleks his kefta is more symbolic, its there to identify him as grisha but when you think about it walking around with his kefta open all the time is a bit of a power move. It's him making it clear to all around him, he is so powerful that he doesn't need to worry about having a kefta for protection, bullets wouldn't hurt him anyway, its him saying no one can touch me. Aleks uses his kefta as a political tool to show his status and his power.

Another difference worth noting though is that his season 1 look is very put together and neat but also has a very luxurious look to it, the fabric looks very expensive and fine and the embroidery is very intricate and delicate. But his season 2 look in comparison is a little more unkempt, his hair looks more windswept and his beard is more grown out. His clothes themselves look more simplistic with the embroidery not being as detailed, but when it comes to the embroidery it stands out alot more than his season 1 kefta. I do think that adding the gold was a deliberate move on Aleks' part, I think again he is using his kefta to send a message. I think he is sending one to Alina, to remind her that they are linked to each other, as you said it is like he is declaring himself as someone who belongs with her, that they should rule as king and queen (or rather tsar and tsarina) together. But also I think he wants everyone who looks at him to also be reminded of the sun summoner. He wants people to make that connection between him and her, so that when they think of one they also automatically think of the other until eventually they will begin to see them as one entity almost. It is very similar to how and why he put Alina in the black and gold kefta for the presentation, he wants people to see them as a pair. He was very much making a statement when he put Alina in that kefta and he is once again making a statement by adding gold to his own Kefta.

But I also think this addition to his kefta is interesting not only in regards to Aleks' choice as a character but as a choice made by the producers and costumers. When I saw the picture I was excited but honestly also very surprised. The pessimist in me figured darklina were going to be very neglected in season 2 in favour for M*lina so I wasn't particularly looking forward to season 2 as I worried they weren't going to focus enough on the tether bond between darklina and that was going to be pushed to the back. However this choice of adding gold to Aleks' kefta gives me a little more hope that maybe they will do the bond justice. I don't think it is a coincidence that they've put that gold on his kefta, especially as I don't believe this is something that happens in the books, I don't recall the darkling ever wearing gold. So this I think was a very conscious decision made by the producers etc to draw and highlight that connection between darklina.

I also really love that connection you made between the new kefta and the japanese art form of mending broken pottery with gold, I believe its called kintsugi. I do think its also a very good metaphor for Aleks himself. He has been broken over and over again throughout the years, and not to be too sappy, but I do think Alina's light is what could help heal those broken pieces. They could help heal each other.

But there was another new costume that caught my eye and that was Alina's, check out these two images:

At first I thought alina was wearing two different dresses in these images but when you look closer you see that its actually the same dress. The flowers around the neckline are the same and the gold lining around the neckline too. However the colours look completely different. In the top image she looks to be wearing a blueish green dress with purple flowers. Yet in the second image she looks like she's wearing a black and red dress. Of course there is very different lighting in the two scenes but the other difference is that in the second image Alina is using her powers. It could be a complete coincidence and not have any significance at all but I find it really interesting that when using her powers the dress she is wearing seems to look black, Aleks' colour.

Book spoilers for those who haven't read them and so potential spoilers for season 2 but after linking them through the amplifier, even after Alina breaks free from Aleks' control, Aleks still has the ability to summon the sun and alina learns she has the ability to summon shadows. I do wonder if the producers etc have decided to try and reflect that in their costumes.

Anyway I have rambled on enough I think. Thank you for letting me know about the new pic @foxesandbooks. Its nice to finally have a release date to look forward to. Bring on March 16th I say.

[late-to-the-magnus-archives]

This Dark Thing That Sleeps In Me - a Magnus Archives AU, Chapter Six

This is a DARK AU; it is not a kid-fic, though Jon is young. Bittersweet ending ahead.

Spoilers for the whole show, though this is very much an alternate universe.

“Fascinating,” Jonah murmured. “You truly remember nothing. But why now? What’s changed? Did you even do this on purpose?”

Jon was not a little kid anymore, but he still felt ready to cry. He couldn’t think. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“That’s all right.” Jonah released his chin as though testing to be sure Jon wouldn’t break the rule he’s been given. “I should just kill you, I really should, but I can’t risk you being reborn out of my sight… and besides, I’m too curious. I have to know what this is about. You understand that, don’t you? The need to know.”

Jon did.

AO3

Art by @iiiumihottie

The door opened, and a man stood there. He didn’t look like the power that wafted from him like heat. He was middle-aged, neat, and healthy; his dark hair was salt-and-pepper, and his clothing was very fashionable—if the prices Jon had seen in windows meant anything: a rich combination of purple and black that made the man’s gray eyes seem unnaturally silvered.

That purple color—it wasn’t just in his clothes. It rose from him like some kind of fog. And it matched the purple storms that took life on the street at least once a month. He was a very handsome man, but his eyes were terrifying. They were angry. They were cold. They were absolutely without remorse.

The man lunged for him. 

Jon’s brain seemed to have stopped working. He didn’t even raise his hands in defense as the man (did Jon know him? He couldn’t recall. Couldn’t remember. Nothing worked right in his head right now) grabbed him by the arms and wrenched him toward the bright light. 

Jon gasped.

The man looked… angry and afraid? “How?” he said. “How can you be here? We agreed! ”

“What?” said Jon, helplessly, because he had never met this man in his life.

The man went still. His teeth were bared, and he let go of Jon’s arms to roughly grip his chin.

“Don’t hurt me,” said Jon, small, his voice cracking.

“Stay still,” the man hissed, and studied him.

“Y… yes,” Jon said, shaking. The power… he’d never felt anything like it, not from anyone Aligned, not from any winter storm, not from anything. He couldn’t think.

“Yes, sir. ”

“Yes, sir," he whispered.

“Good boy.”

Jon made one tiny, helpless sound.

“You don’t remember,” said the man softly, and  his grip finally lessened. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I… I… Martin came and found me because the Fingers were… coming, for some reason?” said Jon.

The man’s brow knit. He turned to Martin. “This is the one Annabelle showed us—the one who could not be seen?”

“Yes,” said Martin. “Um. Jonah, we didn’t do anything wrong, so… what’s the problem?”

Jonah.

Jonah Magnus. 

The Heart of the End, the one who ruled the world, who’d given the world to his god wrapped in a bow. Jon inhaled in shock.

Jonah tilted his head. “We shall see,” he said, and whatever he was doing to the others stopped. They straightened up again, exhaling, relieved—but he kept hold of Jon. “Why are you here?” said Jonah.

“You… they were…” said Jon, shaking.

Jonah smiled. “Now, now,” he said, like Jon was a panicking dog, and it was a pleasant voice, one of those high-class accents Jon immediately liked, but this man seemed cruel, and Jon was afraid. “I’m not going to hurt you, Jon. I don’t even know why the Web gave you to me, after all.”

Jon tried to not panic, tried with all his might to breathe evenly, and stop pulling away, and behave in whatever manner was needed to get out from under this man’s gaze. It was beginning to hurt. Heavy, somehow, pressing against his head, inside his head, unpleasant. He didn't know what to say.

“Curious,” said Jonah, and finally releasing him, turned to Martin. “What do you think of him?”

“Nothing, yet,” said Martin, frowning. “Literally just got him here. I was hoping Sasha could help figure him out.”

“What an interesting coincidence,” said Jonah. “What timing, really! Why, Jon, I’m impressed.”

“Impressed with what?” said Jon. “I don’t understand.”

“I can see you don’t. Aren’t you lucky?” said Jonah with absolute chill, and turned to Tim. “And your excuse?”

“What excuse?”

“For not informing me as to… his arrival.”

Tim looked confused. “Informing you? Why would I inform you?”

“Curious. And you, Sasha? Did you intend to keep him for yourself?”

She stared at him. “No offense, but you’re being as confusing as hell right now.”

“And you are very lucky that is the case,” he said.

“Okay,” said Tim slowly. “Sure. Being a bit ominous, there, boss. I’m pretty sure our big, terrible plan was to get the kid cleaned up. I swear he hasn’t bathed in a year.”

“I bathed,” muttered Jon.

“Yeah?” said Tim. “In what, a street puddle?”

Jon scowled at the floor. 

Jonah grabbed Jon’s chin again, forcing it up. “Do not,” he said, quietly, “look away from me again unless bidden.” 

Jon began to shake. He did not know this man. “Yes, sir,” he whispered. That pressure built again; like a hand pressing against his skull, strange and unpleasant. 

“Fascinating,” Jonah murmured. “You truly remember nothing. But why now? What’s changed? Did you even do this on purpose?”

Jon was not a little kid anymore, but he still felt ready to cry. He couldn’t think. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“That’s all right.” Jonah released his chin as though testing to be sure Jon wouldn’t break the rule he’s been given. “I should just kill you, I really should, but I can’t risk you being reborn out of my sight… and besides, I’m too curious. I have to know what this is about. You understand that, don’t you? The need to know.”

Jon did.

He swallowed, eyes wider, tongue suddenly thick. It was hard to keep meeting Jonah’s eyes—they burned, somehow—but he managed. “I like to know things.”

“There it is,” said Jonah as though answering some unheard question. “You’ve been hidden, Jon. Even now, though your thoughts are clear to me with effort, I can’t see you clearly. Do you know why that is?”

“No, sir. What… what am I hidden by? How does it work?”

“Excellent questions. Alas, I have no answers. Yet.” Jonah’s smile was like nothing he’d ever seen: eager, sharp and glinting. “I’d hoped this day would never come… but I still took precautions. You might say I’ve been waiting for you for a very long time.”

Jon hunched his shoulders. “Why? Am I in trouble?”

And Jonah laughed. Threw back his head and laughed, then shook his head as though Jon had made an incredible joke. “No, no, not at all—not yet, anyway. Martin—do come here. You are about to pay off all the effort I put into you.”

Martin approached around the table, eyes wide. “What does that mean?”

“It means he’s in your care now,” said Jonah. “I expect you two to get along famously—and I expect you to take great care of him. Jon is a thing I do not understand, and you know I dislike things I do not understand.”

Jon hugged himself. “You don’t like me?”

“Your circumstance, Jon,” said Jonah. “As for whether or not I like you, you’re raw. An uncooked piece of meat. I will know if I like you in time.”

Jon had absolutely no idea how to take that. “I have so many questions.”

Jonah looked at him. His gaze was like his grip—tight, pulling. “So do I. We will answer them together. If you do as I say, all your questions will be answered. Do you like that idea?”

Jon forgot to breathe. He nodded.

“I’ll… sure, I’ve got him,” said Martin, sounding confused. “Are… are you sure I’m the right…”

Jonah looked at him.

Martin swallowed. “Uh. What am I supposed to do with him?”

“Whatever he wants. Have fun with it.”

“Whatever he wants? That’s not a lot to go on.”

“No, it isn’t, is it?” Jonah smiled, then looked back at Jon. “You have my permission to roam. To ask questions. To find answers. Don’t leave the fortress, mind; the Fingers are outside, waiting for you to kill you. However, within my domain, you may go anywhere.”

Jon could snoop? “Anywhere?”

Jonah’s eyes lidded. “Anywhere.”

“Oh,” said Jon, and hugged himself tighter. 

“Do bathe and clothe, as planned,” Jonah turned to Martin. “I want him attached to your hip. Bring him to court with you. Keep him safe.” Jonah looked back at Jon. “We will unravel this mystery together, shall we?”

Jon nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Jonah laughed at him softly. “Fascinating.” Then, he turned on his polished heel and left.

Tim waited until he was well and truly gone before exhaling. “What the actual hell was that?”

chapter seven

[matchalilly]

Because I'm proud of myself for finally doing this I want to share it here and with a fun fact.

As you can tell from my tumblr, I really like Carlos and a few other characters, but one of my favorites doesn't get a lot of love and shares a voice actor with my beloved Carlos from he resident evil franchise.

But for those that also enjoy themselves some Miguel Rojo I give you my first writing for our precious angry Spainard.

It's been an eventful convention weekend, four days of insanity and button mashing but today I get to relax being outmatched in Tekken tournaments has its small silver linings.

As I walk around I hear someone call out to me making me stop and look around until I spotted a kid run up excitedly, his brown curls bouncing as he jumps up and down excitedly.

I smile and squat down to his height ready to sign something or enteract with the kiddo.

"Hey little man what's up?"

The kids eyes sparkled as he clapped his hands together.

"You were so cool during the tournament! I really like Miguel too he gets so much hate because he isn't an actual martial artist."

I snickered the kid was right I don't know many people that like using Miguel so it's always neat to find others that appreciate him as a character.

"I know what you mean but to me I'd trust a man like Miguel with my life. Like he went on a whole man hunt for Jin and entered the tournament with no martial arts skills just to utterly destroy a man that caused his sisters death. Plus I love how he's literally just a brawler, some punk that beats you up until you won't get up."

The kid started jumping up and down again, I noticed two adults walk up with a relieved look on their face. 'That must be his parents, he must have given them a fright.'

"YOU GET IT! If anyone hurt my baby sister I'd do the same thing. Hey hey are you Spanish or Brazilian by chance?"

I held back a loud laugh, I get that quite alot being racially ambiguous people mistake me for many things. I shake my head making my wavy hair sway.

"No I'm just biracial, don't know much though about my heritage. I'm adopted you see but if I ever find out I'd like to understand my heritage."

The kid nods, I'm not sure if he understands but it's cute to see him act like he does. This was the best part of cons for me, meeting people with similar likes and making a kids day, it makes my heart swell with warmth making a kid or anyone in general happy.

"I just thought maybe you were Spanish cause I over heard you talking to another Tekken player in castellano."

I heard the parents make a noise of disaprovement at their child's bluntness. The mother patted the boys head softly. I spotted the little sister in her arms that the boy spoke of. Her wide brown eyes taking all the colors in, she must have been maybe around one or two years old.

"Mijo, it's not polite to make assumptions."

I watched the little boy hang his head making me look at the mother with understanding.

"No no it's quite alright, I think it's healthy for kids to be curious about such things I don't mind at all."

The little boy looks back up to me with bright eyes. 'Such a cutie, I hope my future kiddos are just as precious.'

"I was speaking castellano because it was his mother tongue. Did you know he was a Miguel main as well?"

The boys eyes lit up and began jumping again.

"Is that what you two were talking about?"

I laughed at his energy man I wish I was a kid again, to have that energy and bright view of everything.

"Hahah yeah, he didn't enter this time around but we were discussing his combos and how fun he is to play."

The father tapped the boys shoulder making him turn to look at his father.

"Alright mijo it's time to keep moving. We can't keep her all to ourselves and there's alot more to see."

I watched his face fall and I stood up and ruffled his hair making him look at me.

"He's right kiddo this is a big con center and I'm pretty sure you might come across some artist that have Miguel merch."

As I said that I pulled one of the Miguel Keychain I just purchased out of my bag and handed it to him.

"Here ya go kiddo consider this a gift from one Miguel fan to another. Go have fun with your family and don't run off on them again I'm sure you gave them a fright."

The little boy nodded and grabbed his father's hand and walked off with them. I heard his apology to his parents and smiled as I turned to walk off to find a spot to rest.

^^^^

ITS THAT TIME AGAIN, TIME FOR THE KING OF THE IRON FIST TOURNAMENT. ARE YOU READY!

*cheers echo across the stadium*

People glued to their phones or a TV screen whether at home or a pub everyone was tuning in for their favorite fighting tournament to cheer for their favorite fighter or make beats on who was going to win or lose.

One man walked along the roads and glared at one of the large display screens showing one of the fighters.

"Jin Kazama, this rage is for you and you alone. I'll be the one to take you down."

^^^^^

"Ugh finally a quite place! As much as I love cons my anxiety can't handle these crowded places for long."

I sit down to relax against the pillar I claimed as my sanctuary from humans and groaned as my back popped in a few places.

"Wow I didn't notice my body was so wond up, I should really get a massage or something."

I closed my eyes for a bit to take a quick rest.

"Hey hey miss are you okay?"

I feel my body being shook and I slowly open my eyes and blink away the darkness to be greeted by two familiar pigtails.

"Uuuuh what?"

The girl stands up and puts her hands on her hips.

"I asked if you were okay?"

A chuckle sounded from behind her.

"You also shook for poor cutie I'd be a bit confused too if I was woken up like that."

I glanced behind her to see familiar orange hair.

'Oooookay what the fuck is going on?'

"I ummm, I'm fiiiiine just confused I guess."

I stand up and dust myself off and look around, my merch was gone and I'm in an alley with two characters from one of my favorite fighting game.

"Uh weird question, but did you perchance see how I ended up in this alley?"

The girl tilted her head and then nodded.

"Kind of it was weird really. A bright light a boom and then silence. Thought maybe you got into some weird brawl but you don't seem hurt. Are you hurt?"

I watched her explanation which included alot of hand movements and started to smile. 'She talks with her hands alot. Glad to know that's a her thing it's cute.'

The man walked forward and looked at me in an observing me.

"You aren't from here are you girly?"

I shook my head and looked between the two of them.

"Um no actually, oh this is going to sound so weird. I'm from a different world, realm...i don't know what you'd call it...dimension maybe."

I tilt my head while rubbing the back of my neck until the girls giggled and pointed at me.

"ALIEN!"

I snapped my head towards her and blinked, she had a wide smile on her face as the man let out an amused huff.

"Ummm I guess that's an accurate way of putting it. But I am most definitely human."

The man hummed

"Well im..."

I pointed at him.

"Hworang and you, you're Ling Xiaoyu. You're both pretty popular where I'm from."

Ling jumped up and down while Hworang eyed me suspiciously.

"Alright explain girly?"

I started from the beginning explains how they were both from a game in my world and how I was a professional player, of course I didn't tell them my main just told them I flex played and explained what that was and where I was before I ended up here.

Ling gasped and giggled before grabbing my arm.

"Does that mean you know how to fight or are you just good at in games?"

Hworang sighed rubbing the back of his neck.

"Why would you assume she knows how to fight just from that?"

I laughed making him look at me.

"I mean she's not entirely wrong, I'm not by any means a professional fighter like you two by I like to dabble in some martial arts but I'm more of a punch em till their down type of person. Kind of my default I guess, I grew up in a rough area so fist fighting was a norm for me."

Ling looked at me concerned.

"What do you mean by rough area?"

I scratched the back of my head with a goofy grin.

"Rough like muggings, gunshots, not safe for girls to walk alone kind of area. But I was kind of the kid that did what she wanted so long as my mom and dad were cool with it so my pops taught me how to throw punches and how to stab someone properly if need be, break arms, noses that type of stuff. He wanted me to be able to defend myself. We live in a better area now so I don't really have to fight and can just relax when I'm out and about."

Ling nodded her head in understanding.

"We have places like that here too."

She frowns and looks at me.

"But I think kids shouldn't have to fight to survive just walking to a store or something."

I nod humming in agreement. She's right about that it shouldn't be normal nor should a kid develop anxiety early because of it, but here I am a scrapper with anxiety.

I giggle making them look at me oddly.

"Sorry sorry I was just thinking about what one of the old ladies at one the stores called me."

Hworang chuckled at me.

"And what was that?"

I giggled again and pointed at myself.

"A scrappy little street rat."

Ling and Hworang burst out laughing.

"Why on earth would she call you that?"

I smiled thinking back foundly on the old lady she always had my back.

"Well I dressed in cargo pants and hoodies when ever I went out late so people would just mistake me as some punk out and about. So she took to calling me that because that's what I reminder her of, like a street kid."

Hworang grinned at me and slung his arm around my shoulders.

"I like you girly, come on I want to see what you got."

Ling chased after us panicked.

"Hworang no, she just told us she's not a professional fighter. Are you insane?"

I glanced back at her curiously and then at the grinning Hworang.

"Wait...woah hold up buddy you aren't planning on entering me in that tournament are you?"

Hworang just grinned at me as Ling continued lecturing him.

She kicked him in the leg making him stumble, unfortunately I stumbled as well right into someone's back.

As I backed up and looked up the person I stumbled in I was in shock.

Standing in front of me was my main...the one and only Miguel Caberello Rojo.

'Holy shit he's huge'

"Lo siento señor."

I watched as he tilted his head and stared at me like I was a puzzle.

"hablas mi lengua materna?"

I blinked and started to smile with a nod.

"Soy multilingüe, señor. mi padre pensó que me beneficiaría cuando estuviera solo."

He laughed and ruffled my hair making me huff.

"no el pelo, por favor!"

He laughed harder at my protest but relented in messing up my hair.

I turned hearing Ling and Hworang run up to us.

"Ah Miguel have you thought about my offer?"

I looked at Hworang curiously as he slide his arm around my shoulder slyly making my narrow my eyes at him.'what is this man thinking'

Ling stomped her foot.

"Stop hogging her Hworang."

Miguel looked at the three of us before narrowing his eyes at me. I held my hands up automatically, that was not I look I wanted to be at the end of .

"What ever he asked of you I am not a part of it, I just met these two." I narrowed my eyes at Hworang "and what ever your plotting do not involve me in it idiot."

Ling burst out laughing making me look at her noticing her attention was now on Miguel.

"She speaks the truth we found her in an alley, she's really fun but Hworang is hogging her like he always does when he thinks a girl is pretty."

I looked at Hworang blinking at him as he winked at me.

I scoffed and stomped on his foot.

"Absolutely not, your a menace. I wouldn't even hook up with you if I was shit faced . You're the type of guy that my pa calls trouble."

I scooted back behind Ling and pointed at Hworang whom was acting offended.

"Why is he like that?"

Ling just shrugged at me and we both glanced at Miguel hearing him chuckle.

"If the Senorita agrees to join your little group I may just join. Only to see you get shoot down like that again."

I glance at Miguel surprised.

'I shouldn't be surprised but I'm just so used to only hearing his lines an Castellano.'

Hworang snapped his head in my direction and grinned, followed by Ling turning to grin at me.

"Woah woah first you want me in the tournament now your alliance, slow down you two."

I slowly back away only for Ling to grab me into a bear hug.

"It will be so much fun, you'll get to meet everyone and make new friends and oh oh you'll get to meet panda."

I perked up at that.

"Panda? The cute adorable fighting Panda? That panda?"

Ling nodded her head enthusiastically making me groan.

"I should say no, I really should..."

You know those moments when your thought process takes you a direction you know is a bad idea but the only thought is fuck it, yeah this was one of those moments.

"Ugh I can't believe I'm doing this...fine, fine I'll join."

Ling jumped up and down holding me.

'My god why is she like this.'

"Yaaaay now we have two new members. You'll be alot of help anyways you know that right?"

She puts me down and stares directly at me with a small and Hworang pats my shoulder.

"She's right your like our own personal spy."

I groan in annoyance.

"You guys making me sound like a suspicious criminal."

Ling laughs at me.

"I mean...you'd definitely be a suspicious criminal in Jin and Kazuya's eyes."

I frown at hearing Kazuya's name and let a growl out taking the two by suprise and catching Miguel's attention.

"Ling do me a favor do NOT mention that man's name again, I really really hate him."

Hworang looked at me curiously.

"Jin? He's not that bad."

Miguel huffed at Hworang and rightfully so in my opinion.

"No his father that man can rot for all I care. As for Jin he is close to becoming just as bad as his father I'd pay to punch his dumb ass in the face."

Hworang burst out laughing.

"You can do that for free in the tournament. Now come on girly, you to Rojo."

He walked off with Ling as me and Miguel exchanged a look and followed after the two fighters.

[turtle-steverogers]

i was thinking but do you know the unsent project? it is this website where you can write a message to your first love that you never sent to them. now imagine steve writing one (or multiple) to bucky after he came out of the ice after nat told him about it... yeah

hello hi anon this broke me and it was too perfect not to turn into a ficlet klafjldskjfalskf thank you

-

Unsent Letters

To:

Steve’s fingers freeze over the keyboard, the cursor blinking at him. It feels like it’s taunting him-- teasing him with the burden of choking out a name. What should he even say? The sender is anonymous, but how many people are named Bucky out there? Would anyone even care?

To: Bu

Steve huffs and backspaces, his hands trembling as he curls them into fists. He isn’t sure what provoked Natasha to tell him about this website. It’s a cruel tease to everything he wishes he could say-- wished he could say before Bucky slipped through his fingers. And now his only option is yelling into an abyss. The text box is black and daunting. He turns it yellow. No, too happy. Green. Yes, that’s fine. Bucky’s favorite color was always green.

His gaze wanders away from the screen of his hefty Dell laptop and out the window of his apartment. DC’s low rising buildings span out in front of him. His gut aches; he misses New York already. But he knows being there would only mangle his soul further, seeing his already alien home torn to shreds by literal space whales. He huffs, thinking of Bucky’s comics. His stories came to life after all. Bucky would have probably vibrated out of his skin if he knew there was other life out there.

To: My astronaut

How’s space treating you? It’s treating me pretty badly, if I’m being honest. If only you could see what it’s done to Brooklyn. I think you’d be pretty mad at it if you knew…

Steve hesitates, reading back over what he’s typed. It’s stupid as hell, and he cringes, but he doesn’t backspace. His fingers find the keys again.

I miss you something awful. I don’t think that even encompasses how much I’m hurting without you. I feel so lost right now-- space is much bigger and scarier than you’d think. I know you’d love it. I wish you could see bits of it, but god, I just want to go home. I want you to come home.

Steve freezes again and finds the screen blurry where tears have welled in his eyes. His jaw clenches as he pictures the way Bucky would laugh at him-- teasing him for his dramatics and ruffling his hair. He wishes he could be there now, rolling his eyes and nudging Steve’s shoulder.

“What’re you upsetting yourself for?” He’d say, gently closing the laptop and coaxing Steve into his arms. “I’m right here, pal.”

And if Steve closes his eyes, he can almost feel Bucky’s warmth enveloping him. But he’s not there. He’s dead, and Steve’s a goddamn ghost, drifting through a future that doesn’t know him.

He opens his eyes and stares at the text box, then clicks submit.

The screen loads, and his message is gone, his pain forever documented in the abyss.

-

For someone who fought aliens two weeks after waking up from his impromptu seventy year sleep, Steve’s life is pretty monotonous. He contemplates this unfortunate fact as he stands in front of his toaster, hair sticking up on the back of his head as he nurses a mug of coffee and waits for his toast to pop.

It’s 5:45 in the morning and he tries to remember a time when he didn’t rise this early. Before the war, perhaps. Though, he’s always been a bit of an early bird. His home life was sporadic to put it lightly and he’d learned from an early age that the sooner he was awake, the better it was for everyone. Vigilance is not a new concept for Steve.

He hasn’t always stayed up late, though. That’s certainly new, and he feels this fact viscerally as he catches sight of his reflection in the microwave. There are bags under his eyes that will be gone by mid-morning thanks to the serum. Dermatologists hate him, Natasha says. Steve thinks he’s pretty lucky that the serum more or less equipped him with a built-in anti-aging agent. His father had started balding by thirty.

His toast pops and he starts a little, blinking blearily at the slightly burnt bread as he pulls it out of the toaster with his thumb and forefinger. He spreads on the same raspberry jam and butter that he uses every morning and tries not to think of how bland it tastes in his mouth as he eats it standing at the counter. Another routine.

He tries not to look at last night’s dishes in the sink as he stacks his plate and silverware on top and doesn’t bother sorting out his hair before pulling on his sneakers and slipping out of his apartment. The sun hasn’t quite risen yet, only the beginning tendrils of light sneaking over the low tops of the DC buildings, and Steve vaguely regrets not grabbing a sweatshirt before he left. It’s not quite Summer yet and the mornings could still get pretty cool.

He’s about to take off down the street when he freezes. Natasha is sitting on the steps of his complex, wearing a pair of pink tinted sunglasses and tossing up and down the keys to her car. Steve blinks, rubs his eyes, then blinks again. Nope. She’s still there.

“Nat?”

Natasha looks up at him and smiles. “Hello.”

Steve shifts, uncomfortable. “Hi. You need something? Is there a mission?”

“No,” Natasha says lightly, standing. “You’re not running this morning, though. Come on, I’m taking you to Starbucks.”

“What?”

“Starbucks. You’re going to try it.”

“I don’t want--”

“Steve, you do the same thing every day. Step out of your comfort zone a little.”

Steve frowns, but Natasha’s right-- he really doesn’t ever stray from his routine.

“Fine,” he says, and twenty minutes later, they’re strolling into the nearest Starbucks.

He’s only been in one before, and that was to use the restroom while on a run. He’d bought a water bottle in an attempt to not be rude and use their facilities without giving them any business, but he hadn’t even considered the expansive menu. All the fancy names were too daunting.

They’re just as daunting now as he stares up at the board, heart hammering out of his chest as he’s faced with indecision. Natasha takes one look at his face, and reaches out to squeeze his arm.

“I’ll order something for you,” she says. “What kind of coffee do you like?”

Steve gives her a pained look. “Um… just coffee?”

Natasha quirks a smile and orders him something called a caramel macchiato. He’ll take it, he guesses.

The drink is too damn sweet and sugary and he almost gags. Still, he was always told to finish what he was given, so he drinks the whole thing.

-

To: Mr. Sweet Tooth

You’d fucking love it here. Everything is packed with sugar and sweetness-- enough to make even my teeth rot. I had something called a caramel macchiato today and it tasted like someone took your ma’s caramels and condensed them into a cup. I couldn’t stand it, but I know if you were here, you’d want at least twelve. I hope you’re enjoying all the sweets you can up in space.

Love, Mr. Boring

-

Steve’s fingers are stiff and frozen as he works at the straps of his stealth suit. The tangy taste of saltwater still sits heavy on his tongue, and he clenches his jaw to keep his teeth from chattering too harshly as he finally peels off his suit. It’s not much better, being naked, but at least the wet fabric isn’t clinging to him anymore.

The mission had been pretty straightforward until some alien tech managed to blast the quinjet to kingdom come, and they all free-fell straight into the freezing Atlantic.

Steve had managed to keep it together as they took down the goddamn mad scientist that fucked them over, but now that he’s home and alone, he can feel the adrenaline crashing.

He’s shaking from more than just the cold as he draws himself a warm bath, and he pulls his knees up to his chest, trying to breathe through the panic that wants to engulf his entire being.

He loses time for a bit, and comes back to himself lying in his bed, burrowed under several thick layers. He feels so cold, down to his very soul-- a chill that he can never seem to truly shake, even when he’s warm.

Not for the first time, he wishes Bucky were there to hold him. He slips off to sleep thinking old, comforting thoughts of Bucky rubbing his hands between his own, coaxing his head under his chin to engulf him in that natural warmth of his. He always was a fucking furnace.

But when Steve wakes an hour later, shaking hard enough to move the bed with the force of the nightmare he’d dropped into, Bucky is not there to soothe away the ice.

-

To: JB

im so cold and i cant breathe ever and nothing feels right. I dont know what to do, u were always the problem solver between us and i cant think straight right now and i just want you here please. I cant do this anymore, im so tired please come back. I need you please

-

The Winter Soldier file sits in front of Steve-- a horrifying nightmare wrapped up in a neat brown folder. Residual nausea swirls around in his gut as he comes down from the horrible high of reading through the contents. His hands shake where they grasp the thick paper. His heart clenches hard in his chest.

Bucky is alive. Bucky is alive, and he’s been unmade.

Steve doesn’t know where he is-- if he’s escaped, or if Hydra found him again. It’s been three weeks now since the helicarriers, and he’s only just gotten the courage to sit down and wade through the shit that is Bucky’s reality.

He just hopes he’s safe. God, he hopes.

Sam says he’ll help him look, and Steve needs to know he’s at least out of danger, but he barely knows where to start.

And he’s sorry. He’s so fucking sorry.

Blinking out of his reverie, Steve looks at his laptop. He feels strange and detached as he reaches for it and logs in.

To: Bucky

And yes, that feels right. He should use his name, since he suspects no one has for a long, long time.

I’m so sorry for what happened to you. I’m sorry that you’ve been hurting so quietly for so long. I understand if you’re not ready to come home-- I understand if you never are. I just hope that you know that there will always be a place with me that is safe. I love you so much and I’m here, forever and always.

Love, Steve.

He’s not naive. He knows it would be dangerous to submit that particular message, so he doesn’t. But that’s okay. That one’s just for him-- for them.

-

“Steve? What is the… Unsent Project?”

Steve frowns and pokes his head out of the kitchen. Bucky is sitting on the couch in the living room, using his laptop, because his own is having storage issues.

Bucky looks at him. “It’s one of your saved tabs. What is it?”

And oh, fuck. Steve had forgotten to remove that from his homepage-- it really wasn’t needed anymore. He blushes all the way to his ears.

“Oh, it’s-- nothing. Not anything important--”

But Bucky has already clicked on the tab.

“The Unsent Project,” he reads aloud. “A collection of unsent text messages to… first… loves…”

He trails off as he processes what he’s looking at, and Steve can’t quite read his expression when he looks at him again. His eyebrows are furrowed, and he’s looking at Steve like he’s some sort of kicked puppy. Steve shifts, uncomfortable.

“Were you sending me… messages? While I was dead?”

Steve swallows. “Um…” and now that Bucky says it out loud, it really does sound quite sad. He shrugs. “It’s Natasha’s fault?”

Bucky shakes his head, clicking on the search bar. He starts to type his name, but Steve shakes his head.

“I didn’t use your name.”

“Oh,” Bucky says, then frowns at him again. “What did you use?”

Steve blushes harder, sitting next to Bucky and taking the laptop from him.

“Um…” he hesitates, then types what he was sure he used as his first alias.

My astronaut

The screen buffers and loads, then fifty or so messages pop up. Steve scrolls down-- it doesn’t take long to find his.

They’re both quiet as they read, and Steve cringes. Jeez, he really had been pretty dramatic. Next to him, Bucky makes a hurt noise.

“Oh, honey,” he murmurs, taking the laptop back from Steve. He reads the message again, then once more, and reaches out for Steve. “Aw, I’m here now.”

Steve huffs, embarrassed. “I know,” he says. “That was way back, like, three weeks after I woke up.”

Bucky stills. “You fought aliens three weeks after you woke up?”

“... More like two.”

Bucky hums. “Are there others?”

“Yeah,” Steve says, reaching out to type on Bucky’s lap, because Bucky is holding him now and he’s quite reluctant to move. He thinks for a moment, then types in the next one he remembers.

Mr. Sweet Tooth

Bucky laughs, and Steve finds himself smiling.

“I find this funny,” Bucky says. “Because caramel macchiatos are definitely one of my favorites now.”

Steve laughs, too, and butts his head against Bucky’s shoulder.

“If only I could tell that to myself back then-- he’d be thrilled.”

“I’m sure,” Bucky says. “Any more?”

Steve hesitates, thinking of the one he’d sent after that nightmare-- when he was low and hurting. Incoherent. He isn’t sure he wants Bucky to see that particular side of his soul, but Bucky has been more than generous in letting him in on his pains nowaday, and it’s not like Bucky hasn’t witnessed Steve’s own current nightmares.

He bites his lip and types in JB. That seems to yield a lot more results, and it takes a while for Steve to find the message.

He hides his face in Bucky’s neck as he reads. Bucky’s arms gradually tighten around him, and a moment later, he feels him kiss the top of his head.

“Honey, I hate that you were hurting so bad,” Bucky mutters against his hair.

Steve shrugs. “We both were,” he says, and it’s true. There’s something to be said about the guilt they both feel for not being able to save the other person at their lowest, but life hasn’t been kind to them. The vitriol, Steve thinks, should be directed at the goddamn universe for keeping them apart, not themselves for fucking dying. They’re working on it.

Bucky’s quiet for a long time. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he says. “Is that it?”

Steve shakes his head. “But I never sent the last one.”

“Why not?”

“I wrote it after DC.”

He feels Bucky squeeze him again, and he squeezes back.

“Oh.”

“I just-- I wanted you to know that you didn’t have to come home. That I just wanted you to be safe; needed to know you were safe, but it was up to you. I just needed you to know I was here, if you needed me.”

Bucky pulls back then and cups his face, kissing him soundly. Steve’s surprised for only a moment before he’s kissing back.

“I did know that,” Bucky says against his lips. “I needed time-- I was lost-- but the first thing I knew when I remembered who you were was that you were a safe person, because you’d never force me anywhere.”

Steve kisses him again, then pulls him into a hug. “I’m glad you knew that.” It’s warm, where their chests meet, and Bucky is solid beneath him. Real. He isn’t speaking into an abyss anymore.

-

There’s a sticky note on Bucky’s pillow next to his head when he wakes up the next morning. Steve’s side of the bed is already vacant, and he can’t hear him downstairs. He must have already left for a run.

Propping himself on an elbow, Bucky plucks up the sticky note.

To: My Bucky

Thank you for choosing me to be your home, and thank you forever, for being mine.

I love you with everything I have.

Love, your Steve

Bucky smiles, heart light as he folds the notes. He’ll keep that one with him, he thinks. A little bit of home to bring wherever he goes.

-

anyway yeah fslkjflaskjfls i-- ouch. anything to do with letters w these two hurts me immensely

[kykyonthemoon]

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Childe/ Tartaglia x Lumine Fanfic

During The Summer Festival in Inazuma, Lumine encountered a kitsune-masked man. He was strange, yet so familiar. Who could he be?...

(Art commissioned by me)

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

When Lumine and Paimon set foot in Inazuma, the weather was midsummer. In the sweltering air, the streets strewn with cherry blossoms became ever more bustling. The Summer Festival had arrived, with residents across Inazuma putting aside their daily worries to enjoy the best things summer had to offer.

Even travelers like Lumine and Paimon could not resist being invited to the festival. The lady from Kamisato house had asked Lumine and Paimon to accompany her, but something unexpected caused her to make another appointment. Determined not to miss the occasion, Lumine and Paimon agreed to take to the streets in new outfits that Ayaka had sent them.

Inazuma clothing is multi-layered and slightly harder to wear than previously worn by Lumine. In the summer, people do not wear too many layers due to the hot weather. As she put on the yukata, Lumine secretly admired its beauty: each needle line was very neat and beautiful, the outfit was pale yellow, dotted with cherry blossoms, especially it was not as hot as she had thought. There was also a hand fan made of bamboo and fabric of the same color as her yukata, which featured koi fish. Lumine remembered that Ayaka once told her about the types of fans, and this one was called “uchiwa,” and the koi pattern symbolized good luck.

“Traveler! You look beautiful!”

Lumine turned to her companion. Paimon wore the same patterned yukata as her, but it was pink and white. Her little friend looked more adorable than ever.

“I was thinking if my dress is a bit tight. If Paimon can’t eat anything tonight, I’ll be so angry at the Kamisato!”

Lumine burst into laughter.

The bustling city of Inazuma greeted them in the glorious sunset. On both sides of the road, colorful lanterns were lit. Everywhere was filled with different restaurants and stalls; flowers, prayer charms, masks, and decorations that extended all the way to Amakane Island. The most sold was, of course, food. Needless to say, Paimon loved to be here.

“Whoa! What a crowd!” Paimon remarked as they mingled with the group of walkers. “Don’t leave me behind, Traveler!”

However, it was Lumine who was left behind when Paimon was caught up in the roadside food stalls. The little companion flew up and then swooped down on literally every stall she saw, as they offered free tastings. A few minutes later, Lumine could not see Paimon anymore.

Lumine could not fly like Paimon. She had to squeeze through the stream of smiling and talking people to find her friend. Inazuma City is large, with small streets intertwined and connected to one another. After a long search, Lumine accepted the fact that she had lost Paimon.

Lumine sighed. It’s also unclear where she was on the map of Inazuma City. She wandered alone, looking at the streets and rolled her eyes to every corner to see if Paimon was somewhere around. Not paying attention to the path, she suddenly bumped into someone's back.

“Sorry… I’m sorry!” Lumine said, embarrassed.

In front of her was a white yukata patterned with light blue waves. Whoever she bumped into was much taller than her. Then, he turned around.  

Lumine noticed that he was wearing a kitsune mask on his face. Although his face was unknown to her, his appearance was very familiar; tall and slim, with short, choppy orange hair, even his voice was like that person.

“Are you alright, Miss?”

Lumine was frozen for a moment.

"You're not hurt, are you? You should be careful in such a crowded place like this. I can’t bear to see a beautiful lady like you get hurt."

Lumine frowned. Even these teasing words were very similar to a person she knew.

"We've met before, haven't we?" She asked frankly. Lumine does not like to play the vague game.

The one in kitsune mask laughed out loud:

“Quite a bold young lady, aren’t you? Perhaps we’ve met, in my sweetest dreams.”

Lumine blushed. She was both embarrassed and a little angry. How dared a stranger make fun of her like that?

“If you’re not the person I know, then I’m sorry for bothering you.”

Saying so, Lumine was about to leave, but the man stopped her.

"Wait. I'm sorry I teased you. But you look a little lost, Miss. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Lumine weighed in on it a bit. She really needed to find Paimon and get back to the inn. Yet was this stranger trustworthy?

“Are you a local?” Lumine asked.

"No. I'm an outsider, just like you. The only difference is that I've been here for a while. I have some personal business here."

If it's a private matter, it's best not to ask. Lumine thought so. She hesitated for a moment and replied:

"I'm actually looking for my friends. I’ve just lost her."

"Then you've met the right person. I know every corner around here."

Seeing that Lumine did not believe him, the man said, "Come on, don't look at me like that! I just want to help a far-away traveler. That’s all."

"All right." Lumine replied. "But if you ask for mora, I don't have much..."

The masked man looked at her for a moment and then laughed so loudly that passers-by stared at them.

"Haha! Miss, you're funny! Why do you think my kindness needs to be reciprocated?"

Lumine paused for a moment. Her days of adventure from Mondstadt to Liyue, and now Inazuma, helped her come to terms with one thing: everything has a price. In other words, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.

"Well... I'm sorry I didn't think right about you..." Lumine replied.

"Then, would you accept my help?"

Lumine nodded and said nothing more, but she thought that she would definitely repay today's favor.

They walked through the crowded streets. The masked man told Lumine about Inazuma and about the culture here. It helped widening her perspectives. If she hadn't bothered to look for Paimon, she would have enjoyed the whole atmosphere.

But there's no denying that everything at the Summer Festival was so special and distracted her over and over again. She came across a mask stall by the side of the road and turned to look at the person next to her.

"Do you want to buy a mask too, Miss?" He asked.

"Not really... I'm just thinking your mask is more beautiful and elaborate than what they sell."

The masked man adjusted his mask a little. Lumine saw him laughing.

"Of course. This is something I painted myself! If you want, I'll paint a same one for you."

Lumine waved her hand. “No, there's no need…” she said, but he pulled her into a nearby stall and asked the owner about the masks which customers could paint themselves.

Lumine watched intently as he painted the mask with red, black lines, and yellow dots. Moments later, he gave it to her.

"Here. For you."

Lumine picked up the mask, examining it with amusement.

"Thank you."

"Let me put it on for you."

Lumine looked up at him sheepishly.

"I... I can wear it myself."

Seemingly unable to hear her say anything, he took the mask and put it on one side of her hair.

"T-Thank you..." Lumine said, gazing down at her feet.

The man smiled.

"Hey, I don't even know your name." Lumine said as they continued to go.

"Call me Mr. Kitsune. The kids in Inazuma call me that." He replied and waved to a group of children in the distance.

He seemed to be very loved by children. Lumine thinks that any person who is liked by children cannot be evil by nature. Suddenly she thought of someone she knew. Could it be...? But how could a Harbinger like him be here? She looked around. There's no sight of the Fatui nearby. Was it all just her imagination?

The two walked into a smaller yet not less crowded street. Immediately, Lumine’s attention was caught by a crowd playing a very interesting game. They gathered next to a large pot of water, inside there were many goldfish. Each person held a seemingly fragile racket made out of paper, and tried to get the fish into their little bucket as much as possible during a specific amount of time.

"Do you want to try it?" Mr. Kitsune asked after seeing Lumine’s interest in the game for a long time.

Lumine nodded.

Mr. Kitsune said something to the woman who appeared to be the owner there, and she handed them two rackets and two small buckets.

In excitement, Lumine sat down and Mr. Kitsune sat next to her. Picking up turned out to be much more difficult than it seemed. The racket was flat and very easy to tear, and the dodgy fish seemed to have learned to avoid players and irritate them, skillfully.

Lumine's racket was torn shortly after she thought she had picked up the first fish. She looked to the side. Mr. Kitsune gave her a new one.

"Thank you." Lumine responded and the excitement returned. There's no way she’s going to lose to these goldfish!

After a hard fight, Lumine finally got her first fish. She eagerly turned to Mr. Kitsune to show it off, but then her face went sullen immediately when she saw his bucket full of fish. What was more obnoxious was that he rested his head on one hand and caught the fish only with the other hand. His attitude of fish-picking was very relaxed, not as strenuous as Lumine's at all.

"How did you get so many fish?" She asked.

"Oh... I don't know. Perhaps it’s my talent?"

He had just finished speaking when another fish fell into his bucket. Lumine gave up and dropped her racket into the bucket. She sat and watched him pick up the fish. From time to time, she pointed to the fish she wanted him to catch.

“This one! It has a nice color.”

"You do know that we have to return the fish after the game, right?" He laughed and moved his hand to pick up the fish Lumine wanted.

After the time was up, Mr. Kitsune got the highest prize: a stuffed fox. He gave it to Lumine.

"It does look like you." Lumine looked at the fox in her hands and commented as the two left. It has soft orange fur, a white belly and four black legs.

"Then every time you see it, you will think of me."

He replied without a hint of shame. But Lumine was blushing like a red tomato. Seemingly aware of her intention to return the fox, he said:

"In Inazuma, it is considered disrespectful to return the given gifts.”

Lumine pinched the fox's nose with a force. She thought about turning it into a sandbag for Paimon to practice her fighting skills, but then it was also too cute for that.

After coming to the end of the street, Lumine realized they had reached the gate of Inazuma. The outside of the city was as bustling as the inside, but the air was fresh and pleasant thanks to the sea. The moon was high, and Paimon was still nowhere to be seen.

Looking around for a moment, Mr. Kitsune said:

"Maybe your friend has gone to Amakane Island. It is the best place to watch the fireworks. Besides, there is also a well-known street stall selling delicious oden.”

Perhaps Paimon would not go there to see the fireworks, but for the food, yes. Lumine agreed to join Mr. Kitsune on the walk to Amakane Island to find her friend. They walked a long way across the coast. Along the way, Lumine noticed that the people of Inazuma City were also heading to the island as they were mostly hands-to-hand couples with smiles. There were butterflies inside her stomach when she thought that walking side by side with Mr. Kitsune like this made them look like a couple.

"Tell me about your friend." Mr. Kitsune suddenly spoke up. "The one whom you thought I was."

Lumine mused. "I don't know if we're friends anymore..."

"What's wrong? Did he do something bad?"

"It could be put that way." Lumine recalled the mess that the Eleventh Harbinger of Fatui – Tartaglia had made in Liyue. Worse than that, he had taken advantage of her trust, leaving her caught up in a dispute between forces like a puppet. Even though everything had been resolved, she still could not let it go easily.

"If he's a bad guy, you should beat him to death and never speak to him again."

Those words made Lumine laugh.

"I do want to beat him up. But..." She paused for a moment and then continued. "There’s also a good side of him that changes my opinions on him. I wonder what his true face is."

They walked a little further. The sound of waves was caught in her ears. Lumine saw some crabs digging the sand and hiding from people in the distance.

"Everyone has their own masks to wear, Miss." Mr. Kitsune said. "One day, I hope he'll have the courage to take his mask off in front of you."

Lumine gazed up at the man wearing the fox mask next to her for a moment. Wasn’t he hiding his face from her too? What's that fox mask hiding that she didn’t know yet? But everyone has secrets, and Lumine is not much of a pryer.

As soon as they arrived at Amakane Island, Lumine’s nose was immediately attacked by the aroma of food emanating from street vendors. Perhaps she was really hungry after the hopeless search for Paimon, and a long walk to this place. Now Lumine just wanted to sit down and eat all the food that the people here had to offer.

Mr. Kitsune led Lumine to an oden stall. They were seated right in front of the counter and the smoke and aroma emanating from the kitchen in front of them made Lumine's stomach rumble louder than ever. There was no need to wait long, their food was served soon after. Lumine's bowl had a variety of food: fish balls, boiled eggs, fried tofu, radishes and even noodles. She happily picked up her chopsticks and grabbed the food, but then realized that Mr. Kitsune was still sitting and looking at his oden bowl in a rather contemplative way.

"Aren’t you going to eat?" Lumine asked.

"Ah..." Mr. Kitsune seemed confused. He picked up his bamboo chopsticks awkwardly.

That person doesn't even know how to hold a chopstick too... Lumine brushed that thought away as soon as it appeared. She should have let go of the obsession which was him for a long time. Somehow, in all the places she went and the people she met, Lumine was looking for such a familiar silhouette in the past.

"Here, let me show you." Lumine reached out her chopsticks to Mr. Kitsune and demonstrated how to hold them little by little. There were moments when their hands touched and Lumine found herself blushing more than necessary.

"You're so good!" Mr. Kitsune's remarks made Lumine's cheeks flush to the ears.

"Well... It's just a normal skill..." She replied, recalling her days at Liyue, when she had practiced holding chopsticks skillfully to pick up food before Paimon ate it all.

Lumine ate her oden and praised the chef's talent. She also kept her eyes on Mr. Kitsune. He merely lifted the mask a little to eat, and the place they sat was not bright enough for Lumine to see his face clearly.

After the oden, Lumine was once again invited by Mr. Kitsune to a tri-color dango treat. Realizing that she was being treated too much, she offered to pay for some octopus balls called takoyaki which later on she had quite a memory of. It's a dish of spherical scones made of flour, with chopped octopus fillings and some other ingredients inside, then fried in a special pan that has a lot of semicircular concave parts. Lumine bought a square plate containing four takoyaki arranged neatly inside and she skewered one to her mouth.

“Wait!”

But It was too late for Mr. Kitsune, Lumine had put a whole round takoyaki in her mouth. She looked at him and wondered why he was leaning up as if he’s afraid her tongue was burnt. The food was cold enough to be eaten. But that's just what she thought.

When she bit into the crust and spilled the filling, Lumine knew why Mr. Kitsune had warned her. The filling was so hot that Lumine's tongue tip was on fire. She rushed a hand to her mouth, tears welling up. She tried to chew and swallow the food. Fortunately, it wasn't so hot to the point it actually burned her tongue.

Mr. Kitsune gave her a cool cup of tea. Lumine, after regaining her composure, noticed that he had been chuckled all along. She grimaced, took a sip of tea and said in a furious tone:

"You don't have to laugh at me like that."

Mr. Kitsune tried to suppress his laughter and replied, "Sorry... I've never seen anyone eating takoyaki in such a cute way."

Lumine's face was red, not knowing whether it was the food being too hot or because she was embarrassed.

Nearby, there was a place filled with tiny hexagonal wooden cards. Mr. Kitsune said Lumine could write her prayers on the card and hang it up. She took one and wrote her wish, hoping that she would soon be reunited with her twin brother. Mr. Kitsune just stood beside her, his eyes looking away.

"You don’t have a prayer?"

"I don't need it." He replied. "My wish has already come true tonight."

Lumine wondered what his wish was, but she doubted that a mysterious man like him would let her know too much about himself.

They still could not find Paimon. Mr. Kitsune said that having gone to this place, at least they should see the fireworks. So Lumine and he climbed the moss-covered stone steps filled with weeds, through the red torii gates that had faded over the years. The whole road felt as the entrance to a wonderland with fireflies and magical forests.

There were also a few others walking up to the fireworks watching location. One of them accidentally bumped into Lumine causing her to slip. She thought she was going to fall, but Lumine was saved. She found herself in Mr. Kitsune's arm and her head on his shoulder. He stood just one step behind her. And then, Lumine caught his blue eyes.

They’re the same like someone’s…

Embarrassed, Lumine stood up. "T-Thank you..." She said, turning her face away.

Lumine was not used to walking on Inazuma wooden slippers. She blamed them just to avoid thinking about the real cause of her confusion. Mr. Kitsune suddenly stood closer by her and said:

"Hold on to my hand, you won't fall again."

He did not look at Lumine but his hand was reaching out in front of her. Lumine hesitated but held on to it at last. They walked slowly up all the stone steps, to a cherry tree and sat down on a large rock, just in time for the very first fireworks to break out.

The night sky was lit up and there was a loud explosion. Colorful fireworks flew into the sky, then dissolved into hundreds of small rays of light. Lumine watched and admired their beauty. It was truly an ideal place to watch fireworks shoot from Inazuma City. Lumine turned to the man who brought her here.

"Though I can't find my friend, I'm happy that I’ve had a chance to enjoy the festival and watch the fireworks with you."

Mr. Kitsune seemed surprised and delighted.

"It is my honor to accompany you, Miss."

Lumine felt her cheeks burning up again. Perhaps all along the way, she had already known who the man in the kitsune mask really was.

"I hope that we'll see each other again soon."

 

*

* *

 

It was late at night. There were no more fireworks or laughter. Yet there was still a shadow of the person sitting under the cherry tree, even when the girl with him had already left for a while.

Next to him was a crimson mask, which seemed to exude a kind of dangerous and tempting power. But all his attention was on the harmless kitsune mask in his hand. All that happened tonight felt like a dream. Having known the Traveler had come to Inazuma, he still did not expect that she had found him herself, bumping into him among so many people on the street.

He had always wanted to see her again, ever since their farewell in Liyue. He constantly talked about her in letters to his family, as if they were very close friends; perhaps more than friends?

What could he expect, when fate always puts them on different sides of the battle? He fought for what he believed, and she always chose to help those who opposed him. But deep down in him was the desire to see her again, to see her smile at him once more. He wanted to touch her, but feared she would disappear like fireflies.

Therefore, having a walk with her, eating together and watching the fireworks next to her; everything that happened tonight was a beautiful dream in the middle of the summer night. Delightful and sweet, yet came and faded away too quickly. After all, at least he knew she still remembered him.

If only she didn't. That way, she would not have to be upset when they meet again, maybe in another battle here in this land. She had hoped that they would see each other again soon, but he'd rather she not knew who was with her tonight.

Tartaglia put down the kitsune mask and picked up his Harbinger mask. He turned his gaze to the sky, praying silently that the stars would remember today for eternity. Then he put on the heavy mask and left. 

 

-The End-

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

Au's note: It's been a while since my last Genshin fic. Hope you guys enjoy this one. I really love Japanese festivals in summer and this piece was inspired by those, and with the in-game activities/ atmosphere too of course!

For the fanart posted with this story, I think of it as something happens one or a few more years later after the events in the fic. Then, Childe and Lumine would have another date at the festival, and enjoy eating takoyaki together.

My Genshin Masterlist: x

[the-cult-of-russo]

Billy Russo Fluff Alphabet

A/N: a Billy x reader fluff Alphabet anyone? 🙃

-----

A = Admiration (what do they absolutely adore about you?)

Billy admires everything about you. From your looks to your personality. He often just watches you with a dopey smile on his face as he wonders how he managed to get someone like you. 

He's gone his life feeling like people only wanted him around because they wanted something from him. His money, his skill or his looks. But you just want him for him. It scares the shit out of him sometimes but it touches his heart to have found someone who isn't using him and actually cares.

B = Body (what is their favorite part of your body?)

I answered this in the NSFW alphabet but, his favourite body parts are your neck and eyes. 

Your eyes give everything away and he can pick up even minute changes in your mood from them. He adores them.

With your neck, it gets him going ridiculously. 

C = Cuddling (how do they like to cuddle?)

With you, Billy is a huge cuddler. He loves it when you lay your head on his chest. He hitches your thigh up so he can grasp it, his other arm wound tightly around you. He also loves being the big spoon. 

He just enjoys the closeness, he feels like he can never get close enough to you. 

D = Dates (what does their ideal date with you look like?)

As much as he can do fancy dinners, he much prefers at home dates. He loves the dates where he cooks for you at home and then you cuddle on the sofa afterwards. It feels much more intimate to him. 

E = Emotions (how do they express emotion around you?)

Billy is very emotionally stunted. At first, he struggles to deal with having feelings and expressing himself. But once that hurdle is over, he has no issues with constantly telling you he loves you. He's also very affectionate because sometimes it's easier to show you rather than to tell you. Sweet kisses, soft touches or his hands gripping your hips.

F = Family (do they want one? If they do, when?)

Billy never wanted a family before. He didn't think he was built that way after his upbringing. The looming threat of failing as a parent would haunt him. 

But with you he started to crave that. Started to want what Frank and Maria have.

He started to be able to see himself as a dad, the father to your kids.  

G = Gifts (how do they feel about gift giving? What are their habits when it comes to this?)

Billy loves showering you with gifts and he's surprisingly good at getting sentimental ones. He has a fantastic memory and he never forgets what you say. If you say something in passing conversation about something you like or want, you'll end up with it not long after. 

Billy will pull all the strings he needs to in order to make sure you get what you want. He loves to spoil you.

H = Holding Hands (when/how do they like to hold hands?)

Billy likes holding hands, feeling his fingers laced with yours. But he much prefers wrapping an arm around your waist or shoulders. Holding hands creates some distance and he doesn't like that. He likes you as close as possible at all times. Pressed against his side with his arm around you brings him a sense of peace.

I = Injury (how would they act if you got hurt?)

Over the top. 

Stubbed your toe? It's the end of the world. 

Accidentally cut your finger when chopping vegetables? You're dying and he needs to call 911.

“Billy, you don’t need to call 911,”

“What, you wanna bleed out?”

“It’s-It’s a tiny slice...”

“Right, and the next thing you know, you got sepsis and they’re choppin’ off your arm. I’m callin’ 911,”

“Billy-”

“Yeah, hi. My girl’s bleedin’ out, we need an ambulance...”

If you get injured because of someone else, even if it's an accident, he wants blood. Anyone that hurts you is on his shit list. 

If anyone purposely hurts you… their days are numbered. Billy won't rest until he's got retribution for that. No one messes with his family. 

J = Jokes (do they like to joke around with or prank you? how?)

Billy loves to joke with you. He's constantly teasing you and making you laugh with dad jokes and bad puns. 

He also loves to see your face when you slurp your coffee that has salt and not sugar in it. 

K = Kisses (how do they like to kiss you?)

Billy loves kisses. He loves giving you little affectionate kisses on your head, cheek, temple, shoulder, neck. It reassures him you're still there and he can't help it, the need to be close to you. 

When he kisses your lips though, it's hard to hold back. Whether it's the slow and sensual kisses that have you melting or the bruising kisses that are all tongues and teeth, he can't hold back. Even sweet pecks on your lips turn into dirty kisses as he loses himself in you. 

He's the kind of guy that kisses with his whole body. His hands wandering and gripping you, his body moving against yours. Kissing Billy is a very involved experience.

Kissing you is his favorite thing to do. 

L = Love (how do they show you they love you?)

He sometimes struggles with his words and Billy is very much a man of action. Things like making you breakfast in bed when he's off work, cooking you dinner. Sometimes he leaves little notes for you since he wakes up early for work and he doesn't want to wake you when you look so peaceful. 

He's always checking in with you, wanting to make sure you're healthy and happy. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for you. 

M = Memory (favorite memory together?)

His favourite memory is the day you told him you loved him. It would be ingrained in his memory forever. It was the day he realised that just maybe he could have a happy ever after. 

N = Nightmare (what is their worst fear?)

Losing you. Billy's seen a lot of shit in his life and lost people close to him. His biggest fear is losing you in any way. Whether that's you willingly walking away, something that plagues him daily. Or you being taken from him somehow. He'd die if anything happened to you. 

Losing you is not an option for Billy and he will do everything humanly possible to make sure that doesn't happen.

O = Oddity (what is one quirk they have?)

He's a neat freak. He loves things being neat and orderly, he can't help it. His bookcase is arranged alphabetically, his suits coordinated by color. 

P = Pet Names (what do they like to call you?)

Sweetheart is his go to. He constantly calls you sweetheart and doesn't even realise it. When he's feeling especially soft, it's baby. 

Q = Quality Time (how do they like to spend time with you?)

He loves any time he gets with you no matter where it is. As long as you're by his side, he's fine. 

He really loves the domestic home life with you. His arms wrapped around you while you cook, snuggled on the sofa together etc. 

R = Rhythm (what song reminds you of them?)

Closer by Nine Inch Nails 👀😂

S = Secrets (how open are they with you?)

It takes him a while to open up since he has trust issues. But once he realised you genuinely love him, he started to open up bit by bit. Every time he revealed something about himself he was convinced you'd leave. But when you didn't, he got more confident to share his life with you. 

T = Time (how long did it take you to get together?)

It took a little bit. It started off casual but he knew he wanted more. You were like an addiction to him. He rarely went back to someone for sex, only if he was getting something out of it. But he liked having you around. Enjoyed being with you even when you weren't having sex. Eventually he realised he wanted more with you.

U = Upset (how do they act when you’re upset?)

Billy hates it when you're upset. He wants to be able to fix it, to make you happy. And when it's something beyond his control he loathes it. If he can fix it, he will. Instantly. No questions asked. No matter what he has to do.

If someone is the cause of your tears, he's feral. He'll make them pay for every tear you shed because of them.

V = Vaunt (what are they proud of? Do they like to show you off?)

Billy is as proud as a peacock. His biggest achievement is Anvil and he's proud of that.

His life hasn't been easy and Anvil to him is more than a company. It's a tangible representation of how far he's come in life. In how he started at the bottom and clawed his way up to the top. 

He's also proud of being a former marine. He knows he did some bad things and there's part of his time there he regrets. But he's still proud to have served his country and being part of that. 

Billy loves to show you off. Any galas or events and he's got you at his side, introducing you as his girl proudly. If you can't be there then he can't help talking about you. 

He has a picture of you both that takes pride of place on his desk. 

W = Warrior (how do they feel about you fighting? Would they fight for you, beside you, etc?)

Billy's taught you how to fight and use weapons. Of course he wants to be the one to protect you, but he's a practical man. He knows that he can't always be there. He's ensured you know how to protect yourself. 

If you had to fight, he wouldn't be happy about it. He'd hate that you'd been in that situation. But he'd be super proud of you and fuss over you to make sure you're okay. 

Billy would most definitely fight for you. Sometimes it isn't even necessary when he tries to go for people. You have to calm him down when someone bumps into you in the street and almost knocks you over. He'd murder someone in broad daylight. 

Billy would literally go to war for you.

X = X-Ray (how well are they able to read you?)

Billy is scary with how well he can read you. You can't hide anything from him. He's super perceptive and picks up the slightest thing. Whether that's a slight change in body language, something in your eyes or voice. He always knows if somethings wrong and he knows right away if you're lying to him. Nothing gets past him. 

Y = Yes (how would they propose to you?)

Billy would want to go all out and be super romantic. He'd tailor it to things you like, making sure it's all about you. He wouldn't do it out in public with an audience. Not only because of his deep rooted fear of rejection, but mostly because he wouldn't want to pressure you. It would be intimate and sweet and he'd give a long ass speech on how you changed his life and he can't live without you. 

He'd also cry. 

Z = Zen (what makes them feel calm?)

You. You are his safe space, his home. Any time things are intense with him, you can bring him back and soothe him. Being close to you instantly makes him feel better. Holding you in his arms calms him right down. 

If you're not around then exercise. Working out helps him relieve stress.

Combining them both with sex with you… well that's just his favorite way to calm down. 

[theres-a-goldensky]

30 More The Untamed Fic Recs

Here we go again. Another Wangxian rec list. Are you bored of me yet?

Were these recs helpful to you? If so, you can check out my other Wangxian rec posts:

Part 1 - 40 recs

Part 2 - 23 recs

Part 3 - 23 recs

As ever, feel free to reblog.

You can also head over to my bookmarks on AO3.

(All recs are complete) (I’ve noted pairings, length, and rating, but not any warnings or additional tags.)

** denotes personal favorite

1. say it's here where our pieces fall in place by Lirelyn - ~69,000 words, explicit - Modern AU where Lan Zhan meets Wei Wuxian after he adopts a small A-Yuan, because Wei Wuxian also has a past with him. Lots of adorable family feelings and emotional hurt/comfort.

As often happened, Wei Ying’s voice preceded his entrance, calling to his co-worker through the open door, “Frankie, they forgot to order spoons again, can you hold down the fort a little longer while I —”

Lan Wangji was already looking to his entrance, head turning as if magnetized toward the voice, so he saw the moment when Wei Ying’s eyes landed on A-Yuan and the smile fell from his face. He looked stricken, and Lan Wangji immediately looked to his son in alarm. A-Yuan seemed fine. His small eyebrows were pulled together in a small frown as he looked back at Wei Ying, but that wasn’t surprising, given the expression on Wei Ying’s face. Lan Wangji had seen that face beaming, laughing, whining, wheedling, and occasionally angry, but never like this. He looked blank and hollow and it stirred something fierce in Lan Wangji: he wanted to rise up and obliterate whatever was making him look like that. Then his eyes lifted to Lan Wangji and there was a flash of something almost like betrayal, before he pressed his lips together and turned his back.

“I’m going to run out to the store and get spoons,” he said in a flat voice to his co-worker, and left without looking their way again.

2. the breaking of your soul (upon my lips) by sunsandships - ~41,000 words, mature - This is an AU of the novel where Wei Wuxian puts two and two together when Lan Zhan sneaks that kiss from him. It changes a lot of things.

Against his own will, Wei Wuxian found himself glancing at Lan Wangji’s hands. They were… certainly large enough that one of them could wrap around both of his wrists. And Lan Wangji was certainly strong enough, tall enough, broad-shouldered enough to bodily pin him against the trunk of a tree with no chance of him breaking free. Lan Wangji was the first person he’d come across in his slow comb through the vicinity of where he’d been so headily kissed.

Wei Wuxian drew a sharp breath. There was a connection to be made here. He didn’t think he was crazy enough to make it. Perhaps he truly was going slightly insane with demonic cultivation if he could believe Lan Wangji, the paragon of virtue and respectability, who lived unflinchingly under Gusu Lan’s three thousand edicts, who had at best only tolerated his presence as children, would sneak up to him while he was blindfolded, pin him against a tree, and steal a kiss from him in broad daylight.

3. and his wanting grows teeth by yukla - ~25,000 words, teen - This is a very interesting AU where Lan Zhan is a traveling cultivator and runs into Wei Wuxian and the Jiangs looking for shelter during a snowstorm. No spoilers, but this fic goes to a pretty dark place that genuinely shocked me, but I enjoyed. (Still ends well though.)

Without further ado, they are hustled past the entrance and into a smaller greeting area. Huang-bobo approaches the brazier in the center with his hands outstretched, warming his fingers in the heat, but Lan Wangji hangs back. As he carefully brushes the snow free from his shoulders, he feels the burn of a curious gaze trailing up and down his body, lingering at the guqin still strapped to his back; when the sensation pauses at his face and stays there, he lifts his head.

The boy with the ribbon lights up at the eye contact, flashes another dazzling smile, and gives a little wave.

“You must be new here,” he whispers, something like laughter threaded into his voice, eyes scrunching into winking half-moons. “All dressed up in white like that! You might lose yourself in the snowstorm!”

Something stirs to life in Lan Wangji’s chest. It’s—uncomfortable, he decides, and so he steps away. Teasing should not be encouraged with a response.

4. Ghosts Shouldn't by ShanaStoryteller - ~15,000 words, not rated - After Wei Ying's death, his spirit seems to linger. The story is told from Lan Xichen's point of view. I love an outsider point of view. I also love the way the author fleshes out his character as well.

Lan Xichen means to force his way inside, angry ghost of the Yiling Patriarch or no, but then his brother lets out slow breath, settling, the pain easing from his face as he falls back into a more peaceful sleep.

His hair is moving on its own, so subtly Lan Xichen might not have noticed it if he hadn’t been looking at Wangji so intently. It’s like someone’s running their hand through his hair.

The window frosts over suddenly, thick enough that he can’t see through it. Anxiety spikes through him so quickly he’s nauseous with it, but then the frost melts away and the opening notes of Healing start up again.

He can’t tell if it’s a warning or not. Maybe it’s just an acknowledgement. Wei Wuxian knows he’s there.

5. **leading tone by silencemostofall - ~32,000 words, general - This is a modern AU set in a world where people who love you leave a mark of color on you the first time you touch. Wei Wuxian has no color on him. So much emotional hurt/comfort. So much of Wei Wuxian's terrible self-esteem.

He can cover up his palms with his gloves, so that the blankness does not draw stares. But he has no marks on his fingertips, which he cannot easily hide, and none visible on his face or neck, the blankness of which is even more difficult to hide. People look at him and, with a single glance, understand the single most devastating truth that he knows about himself.

They assume that he does not have very many marks. He may be an eccentric, dramatic person, but the likelihood that an individual has all of their marks on, say, their feet or their torso or other places that are not immediately obvious-- that probability goes down as your number of marks increases. He can laugh as much as he wants about how he loves touching people for the first time with odd places, like the knee or the elbow, but it doesn't quite mask the feeling of other that he knows he exudes.

They assume that he does not have a lot of marks. This, while a heavy weight, is not unbearably so. It is okay that they think he is not much loved. It chafes a bit, and feels occasionally like something he has to furiously push down within himself, but it is not unbearable. What would be unbearable is if they knew the truth: that he does not just have very few marks, but none. That he is simply an individual who is not loved at all.

6. **pastel by antebunny - ~7,000 words, gen - This is a remix work of the above fic. It's from Lan Zhan's point of view and just different enough to be interesting. Still lots of emotional hurt/comfort. I love this concept a whole lot, and both of these fics are great.

It’s a simmering day in May, and Wei Ying is wearing long sleeves, long pants, and gloves.

His choice of dress isn’t unusual for many reasons. For one, there’s plenty of people who don’t like strangers seeing their soulmarks. There’s plenty of people who wish to keep them private by covering them up. For another, Wei Ying spends most of his day in various chilly computer science department rooms, He could just be wearing long sleeves for that.

7. one good thing by Yuu_chi - ~27,000 words, teen - Wei Wuxian has died (or did he??) and is haunting his old home. Lan Zhan moves in. This story has a happy ending! And so much yearning!

To the flowers struggling to grow on the other side of the glass, he says, “We’re getting a new roommate. Well, I’m getting a new roommate - you’re getting somebody who might actually be able to water you for a change.” The flowers outside sway a little in the breeze, and Wei Wuxian nods contemplatively. “He can’t be any worse than the last guy who lived here. Remember when I spooked him while he was cooking and he nearly burnt the house down? Of course you don’t. You’re fucking foliage, your memory is worse than mine. I remember though, so it’s cool.”

There’s the sound of shuffling behind him and Wei Wuxian looks up to see the stranger has entered the kitchen, setting the last of the boxes down on the table. Disgustingly neat handwriting declares the box kitchen - homeware. The stranger carefully brushes his hair back from his face and, without so much as a second of hesitation, cracks open the box and begins unpacking.

“Wow, you really don’t waste any time, do you?” Wei Wuxian marvels. “You literally just got here - who cares about unpacking? Sit down for a moment, breathe, have something to eat. It’s not going anywhere.”

8. with you, I am home by tellthemstories - ~47,000 words, mature - Modern AU where Wei Wuxian is being forced to return home to entertain marriage proposals. So naturally instead he "convinces" Lan Zhan to pretend to date him. I love a good fake dating fic, and this one hits all the right beats.

Lan Zhan does that almost-smile thing that Wei Wuxian takes to mean he’s happy, or at the very least not-mad. “You don’t have any money.”

“Not true. I have the money from our last job, when we settled the vengeful spirit for the flower shop girl.” (He doesn’t. They have Lan Zhan’s money. Wei Wuxian spent his on a pack of loquats and three bottles of Emperor’s Smile wine.)

“Fine,” Wei Wuxian says. “Do it for me.”

Thinking back on it two weeks later, standing alone in the middle of Jin Ling’s graduation banquet and watching Lan Zhan walk away from him, Wei Wuxian realises that this, this was the moment when he should have known. He should have realised in the way Lan Zhan doesn’t hesitate or negotiate and just says with that half-fond, half-exasperated tone he gets sometimes, “Fine.”

9. and in the spring i shed my skin by wvlfqveen - ~11,000 words, teen - Modern AU where Wei Ying can't find Lan Zhan, but hey, there happens to be a rabbit here instead. Features a very slow Wei Ying, emotional hurt/comfort and accidental love confessions.

Immediately, his heart settles and he grins down at his new friend. “Oh, hello there,” he coos, reaching out to pet the fluffy ears. The bunny is very, very still under his hand.

“Did Lan Zhan bring you today?,” he continues cooing. “I’m sorry I missed that, but your Dad didn’t tell me he was bringing you.”

Lan Zhan rarely brings his rabbits to work since they are as tolerant of crowds and unnecessary noise as he is. They were probably relevant to today’s lesson but…

Wei Ying frowns. “Why would he leave you alone? And where is your cage?”

10. how, or when, or from where by sarahyyy - ~10,000 words, gen - Wei Ying wakes up in the hospital with amnesia and can't remember the last few years of his life, including his best friend and the guy he's in love with.

Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes so hard Wei Wuxian is surprised his eyeballs don’t just fall out of his eye sockets. “That’s the worst part. He did. Whatever mating ritual you both have going on is so fucking weird, Wei Wuxian.” He snorts. “If you’d stayed asleep for any longer, I’d have lost my shit and thrown my myself out a window just so I wouldn’t have to talk to Lan Wangji again.”

Wei Wuxian blinks at him. “Is this a good time to ask who Lan Wangji is?”

Jiang Cheng glares at him. “Your Lan Zhan,” he says, annoyed. Wei Wuxian must look as confused as he feels, because Jiang Cheng’s annoyance bleeds out into concern. “Your Lan er-gege? Your soulmate, Lan Wangji?”

Wei Wuxian shakes his head. “No bells are ringing.”

11. ** a shared plate by yukla - ~26,000 words, teen - This is an absolutely gorgeous fic about Wei Wuxian traveling the world post-canon to rediscover himself and restore his faith in humanity and eventually find his way back to Lan Zhan. The whole thing is great, but the last two chapters are just *chef's kiss*

Lan Zhan,

Just as the mountains stand unchanging and the green rivers flow ceaselessly, we will meet again — and between then and now, you cannot hope to avoid my letters, either! Haha! Lan Zhan, I’ve seen so many things and met so many people, and it’s only been a month!

I miss you already

It’s so hot that I find myself missing the wind in Gusu’s mountains. Your poor Wei Ying is I’m melting away, Lan Zhan...

I’m realizing now, sixteen years is a long time to be away — the world is vast, and quite a bit different than I remembered. And in sixteen years, a child can also grow up into a man! It’s your job to catch me up on A-Yuan’s fun childhood stories! I do remember hearing something about a pile of rabbits...

12. with your arms outstretched to me by annemari - ~14,000 words, teen - Lan Zhan finally gets up the nerve to ask Wei Ying on a date, but things don't go as expected. Features emotional hurt/comfort (are we sensing a theme with these recs??) and just regular hurt/comfort.

"Oh, man, I was hoping you had some water with you," Wei Ying says. "I totally forgot to bring any for myself. Stupid of me."

"There is enough for both of us," Lan Wangji says. He has another bigger bottle in the car, as well.

Wei Ying hums but he only takes a few sips. He presses it back into Lan Wangji's hand. "I don't need any more."

Lan Wangji is considering arguing, but then Wei Ying shifts a bit, moving his ankle, and gasps very, very quietly.

13. ** A Lot of Edges Called Perhaps by hansbekhart - ~22,000 words, explicit - Wei Wuxian has finished traveling and returned to the Cloud Recesses and Lan Zhan. But their lives never do run smoothly.

“Lan Jingyi,” Wei Wuxian says, recognizing him after a moment. His heart slams against his rib cage. “Where is Lan Zhan? What’s happened?”

Lan Jingyi flaps a hand at him, gulping air. Wei Wuxian hands him the water, and leans back against Little Apple’s side as he waits impatiently for the boy to get his breath back.

“I’m so glad I found you,” Jingyi gasps, just as Wei Wuxian is about to throttle a proper answer out of him. “Hanguang Jun was in such a state when he woke up, we didn’t know if you’d come and gone already.”

“Where is he, Jingyi,” Wei Wuxian says, as evenly as he can. “What happened?”

14. So Why Not Crack Your Skull When the Mind Swells by greenteafiend - ~14,000 words, explicit - Wei Wuxian is cursed to feel extraordinary pain unless he's touching Lan Zhan. Yet more of Wei Wuxian's self-esteem issues and Lan Zhan's steadfast devotion.

“Are you hurt, Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji asks, pressing his hand to Wei Ying’s forehead to feel his temperature. There is no fever, but that doesn’t do much to mitigate Lan Wangji’s worries.

“No—I’m not hurt,” says Wei Ying, sagging forward to lean his weight into Lan Wangji’s hand like he can’t help himself.

It’s so strange—Lan Wangji can feel what Wei Ying is feeling. Although the relief is still very profound, wisps of other things are making themselves known; happiness; wistfulness; guilt. It’s all so fleeting that Lan Wangji can’t even begin to deduce what has provoked those feelings, but he wishes he knew their source.

15. puzzle pieces by Anonymous - ~6,000 words, teen - Modern AU where Wei Ying and Lan Zhan are roommates, and Wei Ying has started borrowing Lan Zhan's clothes.

“Hm? Oh.” With sleepy eyes that does— things to Lan Zhan’s heart, he blinks and tugs at the lower hem of the shirt, which is riding just above the curve of his thighs. Does Lan Zhan’s mouth water? Maybe. Yes. Absolutely. “Ah, yeah, sorry. Laundry day caught up to me before I could catch up with it. I saw this shirt left in the washer a few days ago, and—“ He blinks up at Lan Zhan through dark eyelashes that Lan Zhan wants to kiss, maybe, and gives him an uncharacteristically hesitant smile. “Do you mind?”

I mind the fact that we are not married, Lan Zhan thinks. But he can’t say that, and his tongue doesn’t know how to say anything else. So he stays silent.

“Oh,” Wei Ying says after a moment. “If you—oh, damn, I should’ve known, this is like real silk, must’ve been super expensive. Fuck. Okay, here, uh, I’ll take it off—“

16. ** Nothing But Trouble by brooklinegirl - ~60,000 words, explicit - Modern AU where Wei Ying is trying to be a good brother and get Jiang Cheng laid. Somehow this plan involves pretending to date Lan Zhan.

"I won't!" Wei Ying insists. "I'll ask out someone...high stakes. I'll find someone. I'll...okay, how's this? I swear that I'll ask someone out and keep at it for at least two dates."

"No."

"Three dates."

"Nope."

"Okay, okay, five. That's fair! That's more than fair! One person, five dates." He points at Jiang Cheng. "You have to do it, too. That's how a pact works."

Jiang Cheng stares at him. "Five dates," he says flatly. "Five. And yours can't be Nie Huaisang."

17. i'm the one for your fire by occultings (microcomets) - ~43,000 words, explicit - This is a Modern AU and a Cherry Magic AU! (Side note: GO WATCH CHERRY MAGIC IF YOU HAVEN'T.) But in short, Wei Ying turns 30 without losing his virginity and gets the power to hear people's thoughts when he touches them. He gets more than he bargained for with Lan Zhan. The author does a good job of translating the story to these characters. Wei Ying is not forced to be like Adachi, the main character of Cherry Magic. He's still himself, and the same goes for Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan’s voice is so clear, so sudden that it’s as though it’s spoken, the slice of a sharp object through velvet.

He’s touching me.

Wei Ying startles for a moment, wonders if he’d somehow heard his own thoughts instead, but — no, that had definitely been Lan Zhan’s steady, factual baritone, loud and clear.

God, this is still so weird. It still doesn’t seem totally real. But how else can he account for hearing Lan Zhan’s voice in his head, as clearly as if he’d spoken to Wei Ying directly?

18. like blue flame over my fingertips by tangerinechar - ~37,000 words, teen - Modern AU where Lan Zhan and Wei Ying are roommates, and Lan Zhan just finds himself wanting to take care of Wei Ying.

Lan Wangji’s roommate. Is a problem.

He doesn’t get an answer to the roommate problem until the next morning, when Lan Xichen texts him telling him that the apartment he’d suggested (and helped pay rent for) to Lan Wangji said in the small text that it’d be two people per apartment, the second bedroom wasn’t actually a guest bedroom, sorry, Wangji, you can move in with me if you want, I have space —

No. Thank you for your kind offer, Brother, but I will be quite fine, Lan Wangji texts back.

19. ** some impulse of delight by handclaps - ~20,000 words, explicit - College AU where Wei Ying decides he needs to help Lan Zhan get used to touching people. Lan Zhan agrees. Wei Ying is dumb and in love. Lan Zhan is less dumb, but still as in love.

Lan Zhan shakes his head and fumbles, tries to push the cotton wool into Wei Wuxian’s hand.

“Sorry,” Wei Wuxian says, realising. “Touching people, I know.”

He feels dumb. He thought he’d worn Lan Zhan down more than this, that they were friends now and that his whole no touching thing was mostly overcome. He took Wei Wuxian’s hand easily, right? He looks down at his belly full of scratches, dabbing at them moodily.

“Sorry,” he says, again.

Lan Zhan makes some kind of noise, but he is busy packing the first aid kit back, placing everything exactly where it was before.

“Lan Zhan, you’re going to have to do something about this,” Wei Wuxian complains. “I know you don’t like touching people and usually it plays as a kind of gentlemanly thing, but what about emergencies?”

20. And I Will Call You Home by Spodumene - ~43,000 words, explicit - Wei Wuxian returns after a year of traveling and rejoins Lan Zhan in the Cloud Recesses. He's doing a good job of pining and ignoring the obvious. Look, at this point, it shouldn't be a surprise that I'm a sucker for stories where Wei Wuxian deals with his ~*~issues~*~ and Lan Zhan takes care of him, whether he asks for it or not. This story has lots of that. I also enjoyed the case fic aspect of it.

“I do, I think,” Wei Wuxian admits. “Would be nice to see his face again after so long. And at least this time, I’m going to show up draped in finery. What do you think, Lan Zhan? I can’t possibly disgrace him—or you—wearing a cloak like that.”

“You could never disgrace me,” Lan Wangji says gently, that soft, affectionate look back on his face.

Wei Wuxian grins, warmed to the tips of his toes.

“I’ll remind you of that later. The next time I’m three jars deep and feeling especially shameless, you’ll have to remember those words, Lan Er-gege.”

“Of course,” Lan Wangji says simply.

Wei Wuxian smiles some more, overwhelmed by fondness.

21. darling, am i a chore? by martyrsdaughter - ~7,000 words, explicit - Wei Wuxian really, really wants Lan Zhan to call him 'gege'. Lan Zhan knows a trump card when he sees one.

“You know what I want,” Wei Wuxian purrs, reaching up on his tiptoes to throw his arms over Lan Wangji’s shoulders. “Call me gege, won’t you? Call me and I’ll stop.”

Lan Wangji knows he will not stop, regardless of what he calls him. Still, he thinks about it. If there really is a way to make Wei Wuxian stop, should he not consider it? He doesn’t have any real interest in curbing his husband’s insatiable mischievousness, but he does like knowing things about him—everything there is to know.

If there’s something that persuasive in the world, that it can bring Wei Wuxian into submission when no one is under threat, could he stop himself from seeking it?

22. your name, safe in their mouth by astrolesbian - ~11,000 words, gen - Wei Wuxian & Lan Sizhui fic with the Wangxian in the background. Lan Sizhui wants another dad and Wei Wuxian wants a son, they just don't know how to explain that to each other.

“Hush,” Wei Wuxian says, in a low croon, like someone quieting a baby. Then he blinks, and looks away, awkward. “I mean—you shouldn’t speak. You’re tired. Rest if you need to.”

Lan Sizhui tucks his chin into his uncle’s shoulder, and lets his eyes fall closed.

“It doesn’t hurt too much, does it?” Wen Ning whispers to him kindly.

Lan Sizhui takes a deep breath, and takes stock of all his aches, his ringing ear, his hollow chest, the way he had selfishly wanted Wei Wuxian to keep speaking to him in that careful voice, like he was just a child to be soothed and there was no real danger. How dangerous, to pretend. “No,” he lies. “It doesn’t hurt that much at all.”

23. when you're doing all the leaving (then it's never your love lost) by tardigradeschool - ~26,000 words, teen - AU where Lan Zhan with Wei Wuxian to Jin Ling's one-month celebration. Things go down, and it leads to Lan Zhan discovering Wei Wuxian's missing golden core. This obviously will not do, and oh look, the best doctor in the world just happens to be right here.

“How—“ Lan Wangji chokes. “His core —?” He looks at Wen Ning, half accusatory in his shock. “Jin Zixun could not have—“

“No, no!” Wen Ning says, holding out his hands. “He hasn’t had one for years, don’t worry!”

This is not as reassuring as Wen Ning seems to think.

“Please explain,” Lan Wangji says, pained. He feels for Wei Wuxian’s pulse instead; in the absence of a golden core, it will have to do as reassurance that he’s still alive.

Wen Ning is so anxious that the story comes out in a ramble, out of order. Lan Wangji wants him to hurry up, but he’s also not confident in his own ability to speak, so he just keeps quiet and lets him talk. His heart feels as if it’s about to fall from his chest, beating nearly twice as fast as Wei Wuxian’s does under his fingers.

24. A Match in the Making by lareine - ~30,000 words, teen - A Modern AU where Wei Wuxian sees his single and bad ass friend Lan Zhan and his single and bad ass friend Mianmian and gets some very dumb ideas.

To return to the point: Lan Zhan was peak adulting. Mianmian was peak adulting. And if they were both at the peak, then they were on the same level. What level? That mysterious level thing that everyone mentioned when it came to dating.

Whatever level it was, Lan Zhan and Mianmian were on it together. Wei Ying nodded to himself. So, Lan Zhan and Mianmian were allowed to date each other. The next question was: were they compatible? Did they have chemistry or whatever the fuck people called it?

25. Crack me open, pour you out by Tenillypo - ~16,000 words, explicit - Lan Zhan gets cursed to say whatever he's thinking. So his worst nightmare. Mutual pining, first time, all good stuff.

Lan Wangji freezes with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth, lifting his eyes to stare at Wei Ying.

"I know! Just completely paralyzed." Wei Ying mimes being still as a board. "I don't know how long I lay there. It must have been two days at least. Good thing for Little Apple. He wandered back to the village when he got hungry, and eventually a few of them got brave enough to come look for me. When they rolled me over, the figure fell out of my hand and I could move again. Cunning little thing." He shakes his head. "I was weak as a kitten for a little while after they took me back to the village, and by the time I recovered, they'd burned the whole place to the ground. Such a waste."

Lan Wangji slowly lowers his chopsticks, heart racing unpleasantly. In his head, a picture of Wei Ying slowly wasting to death alone in the middle of the woods, with Lan Wangji a hundred miles away and none the wiser.

26. Crazy, Rich Cultivators by ShanaStoryteller - 13,000 words, no rating - Lan Zhan wants to bring his boyfriend home to meet his family. There are some things he definitely didn't realize about Wei Ying.

“He has a life here,” he says down the line. He doesn’t say that he has a life here too, one he likes a lot more than the one he had before. He misses home. He’d miss Wei Ying more. But he doesn’t say that, doesn’t say how vibrant he is and how beautiful and how little interest Lan Zhan has at seeing him among the high society he grew up with.

“Well, your life is here, Wangji,” his brother says. “You can’t stay away from home forever. You’re going to have to see how he does with the rest of us sooner or later. It might as well be sooner.”

It might as well be never, as far as he’s concerned. His family can meet Wei Ying at their wedding.

“I’ll ask,” he says.

Wei Ying has no interest in cultivation politics. They’re horrible, the five clans have an iron tight alliance that’s thirty seconds away from collapsing in on itself the moment someone from one sect steps on another sect’s toes. It’s the worst and he hates it. Surely even just the idea of it will be so horrifying to Wei Ying that Lan Zhan will be able to tell his brother no.

27. just our hands clasped so tight by electrum ~4,000 words, teen - Lan Zhan really, really, really just wants to give Wei Ying everything he wants.

“Despite your best efforts,” Wei Wuxian agrees. He shakes his head in mock-dismay. “How much longer do you think that will last if you keep buying everything I look at?” When this, too, fails to soften Lan Zhan’s resolve, he tries a different tactic. “We couldn’t even afford potatoes,” he says. “Back when I was with the Wens, at the Burial Mounds. Only radishes! If I survived that, I can certainly survive without another pretty comb.”

Lan Zhan’s expression is at once unmoved and yet somehow stricken. “I would have bought Wei Ying potatoes,” he says, like Wei Wuxian doesn’t know, by this point, that Lan Zhan would buy him anything. “If I had known…”

28. ** Rotten Work by ShanaStoryteller - ~64,000 words, no rating - Jin Ling & Wei Wuxian with Wangxian in the background. Jin Ling is the best boy! And as he tries to rehabilitate his sect and his family and keep himself alive at the same time, he realizes, horrifyingly, that he has to be the mature one.

29. ** an act too often neglected by Ariaste - Lan Xichen / Meng Yao, ~61,000 words, explicit - The Wangxian is in the background here, but the main story is about Lan Xichen meeting Meng Yao on a dating app and getting immediately dickmatized. Meanwhile. Meng Yao refuses to be won over by Lan Xichen's charm. It goes as well as you'd expect for him.

The caption below is equally sparse: “5’6. Demanding.”

Lan Xichen feels a low simmer of arousal kindle in the pit of his stomach, and he gazes at that word-- demanding --for nearly as long as he’d stared at the photograph. He swipes right.

A few minutes later, a notification pops up: < Hm, the size of your hands is promising.

This is familiar. This is the flirtation stage. Lan Xichen knows the steps to the dance.

30. My Land Beneath Me by longleggedgit - ~30,000 words, explicit - Modern AU where Wei Wuxian is cast out of his sect and out of China to America. And Lan Zhan just...follows.

Lan Zhan always waited for his tea to cool before drinking, which meant he had nothing to do but give Wei Wuxian a judgmental look. “No more McDonald’s.”

“You’re just bitter because you get indigestion from anything that actually tastes good,” Wei Wuxian grumbled.

Because Lan Zhan was insufferably mature and patient, he didn’t rise to the bait. “We have time to stop somewhere before class,” he said.

“Fine. But you’re paying this time.”

It was a bad joke, and predictably, fell flat; Lan Zhan was, after all, paying for everything, every time. Wei Wuxian frowned into his mug.

“You know,” he said, after another swallow, “you really don’t have to be here. I’m going to figure something out.”

*

Interested in 86 more The Untamed fic recs?

Part 1 - 40 recs Part 2 - 23 recs Part 3 - 23 recs

[ifievertoldyou]

i literally only got tumblr so i could post my tHAW fanart on here. a valid reason, if you ask me.

cw for mild self injuries in the first panel of “Bad Night?”. it's not graphic at all; there's not even any blood, but if you struggle with seeing scratch marks, i'd suggest skipping to the other drawings. stay safe! 💙

—

"Bad Night?"

[1/2]

He wasn’t expecting to find Quackity in the kitchen part of the open space, elbows resting on the table, face hidden in his palms.

And Q hadn’t ever seen the other quite as disheveled as he was now, hair not brushed neat, shirt all rumpled and he wasn’t wearing his usual two toned waistcoat nor his bowtie, if anything right now he seemed closer to how people usually drew him in the world Q was from than the ordered and composed man he usually was.

[2/2]

The moment he stepped in the room, Quackity’s head shot up, and Q noticed the shine of drying tear tracks under his right eye.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked, trying to sound as unbothered as he always was, but… right now Q could see right through that, so he just looked away...

~Chapter 34 of The House Always Wins by @alexanderwesker

-

mediums: crayola colored pencils (100 pack), #2 pencil, sheet of standard 8.5x11 printer paper

mini-analysis time because this is just who i am as a person, you can skip if you don't wanna read all of this 😭

this scene is one of the few moments that q sees the entirety of quackity shine through all the smoke and mirrors that he hides behind. q has seen quackity's soft side before, however q has almost never seen this broken side of him. he's seen glimpses, but quackity has always masked those glimpses with other emotions, most notably anger, to make his pain seem less apparent. but here, quackity is too tired to do that; he doesn't have any anger left, and q can tell clear as day how sad and scared quackity truly is, even if just for a couple minutes.

(also, you can see quackity's sadness more prominently on his left side than his right, since he doesn't have as much control over that side of his face anymore. and if you look at the character study i did for him below, you can really see the contrast between how he usually looks and how he looks in this.)

tHAW!Quackity Character Study

ignore the awkward angle, it was surprisingly hard to get a picture of this one without my shadow blocking stuff

here's a list of what's on my study sheet and why (left to right)

tHAW!quackity with an annoyed expression. i did this one to help me practice drawing his expressions with the scar, and also drawing him at a different angle.

tHAW!quackity doing his half smile thing. i also tried to draw his hair the way i imagined him styling it to distract from his scar when he goes out. i like to think that that long bit of hair goes behind his ear when he's in private, or just not distracting from his scar.

his teeth. this part helped me figure out where he did and didn't have gold teeth. on another note, i used like 14 different colored pencils for just this mouth. and 50% of those were just different shades of pink for the gums 😭😭😭 but i think it turned out pretty good in the end so ^^

a study on his scar and blind eye. this one helped me figure out how to make the eye look all cloudy and also how to make the scar look more consistent. i'm probably the proudest of this one. ^D^

now have a couple of closeups

ok bonus art time!!

“Bad Night?” wips

uncolored version

also fun fact on the tear stain: i tried to make it look kinda reminiscent to his scar, not only because they'd both sorta follow the shape of his face, but because one side of his face shows his physical scar and the other side shows his emotional scars.

only the physical scar can be seen at all times, and even then, he often styles his hair to distract from it, much like how he distracts from his emotional hurt by making himself appear disinterested. but in this scene he isn't doing either, which is why it's one of my favorites to read. it's so interesting to see this side of quackity, especially from an outside perspective.

ok anyways rambling over, time for some more wips

^thought i'd include the caption that i sent my friend as well ;P

i decided like 20 minutes before posting this that his hair wasn't messy enough so that's why the wips are a lil different from the finished product

^this one isn't exactly a wip, but i always think it's cool to see how many colored pencils i've used after finishing, so i decided to include it ^^

ok that's all. thank you sm for making it all the way to the end of this extremely long post that was basically just an excuse for me to infodump 😭.

while you're here, consider liking and/or reblogging, as any interactions on my art are deeply appreciated, and i'm especially proud of this one ^^

[desthesleepdeprivedwriter]

Happy Birthday

It was 3 am, and Purpled wasn't able to sleep.

He was quietly sitting in his room, petting DogChamp while he was sleeping. Purpled eyes couldn't stop staring at the date showing in his communicator, a strange feeling slowly consuming him.

7th of July.

Purpled's birthday.

He sighed, deciding to do the same he did every year: get a small cupcake, place a match on it, and eat in the early morning. It wasn't a big deal, really.

He left his little tent, heading over towards the restaurant in Las Nevadas. It wasn't open for the public yet, but it was the only place they could have access to a proper kitchen. Purpled opened the Staff Only door, hearing the strange banging of pans and someone whispering swears. Probably another resident trying to have a night snack, Purpled couldn't blame them at all. He stepped in and stopped right away.

Well, he didn't expect to see Fundy in an apron, mixing something in a bowl and an immense mess around him.

"Uh… what are you doing here?" Fundy asked, immediately noticing Purpled's presence.

"What are you baking?" Purpled asked back, not wanting to answer.

"I asked first." Fundy replied, crossing his arms.

Purples sighed, no patience for that at the moment. "I just came here to eat something. Now, you go."

Fundy's ears twitched a little before pressing against his head. "I'm… baking a cake." He muttered, going back to mixing the ingredients.

Purpled, for a split of second, got happy with the info, but quickly dismissed it. No way it could be for him, just one person knew his birthday and Fundy certainly wasn't him.

Purpled noticed orange and green food coloring placed on the table, curiosity now flooding in. "So, did you just get a craving for cake in the middle of the night?" he played as a joke, going back to his search for a single cupcake.

"Nah, man… it's my birthday." Fundy replied, still talking in a low voice.

"No way!" Purpled said before he couldn't contain himself, getting himself into a mess as soon as Fundy stared at him, confusion all over his body language.

"What do you mean by 'no way'? It's not like being born on July 7th was a crime."

Purpled pondered his answers.

He could lie, say he didn't expect it, or that Fundy shouldn't bake the cake for his own birthday, or any shitty lie like that.

"It's my birthday too." It's what came out.

Fundy's eyes widened, then a smile appeared, to Purpled's surprise.

"Dude, that's neat!" Fundy said, now moving towards the cabinets in search for something. "Your favorite color is purple, right?" He stopped for a while, and then went back for the search. "Oh Void, that was a stupid question."

Purpled was still in place, watching as the fox picked a purple food coloring and went back to the cake making, adding more ingredients. "I just need to make more batter so we can have more cake, but it will be fine."

"Wait, wait… what are you doing?" Purpled approached Fundy, watching as he divided the dough into three different recipients. "Our birthday cake." He replied, pouring each food coloring into a different bowl and starting to mix.

"So… the colors represent us?" Purpled asked, just so he could be on the same page.

"Yep."

"Orange is you, purple is me."

"Yep."

"So, who is the green one?"

Fundy went silent for a while, and then opened a sad smile.

"Back before the revolution, when it was just us in a van… we didn't have so much money for food." Purpled didn't get the connection, so he kept waiting. "So, there couldn't be two cakes at my and Tubbo's birthday."

Fundy put each batter into a different cooking pan, putting one into the oven.

"So, Wilbur would bake a single cake, two layers, one orange, the other green." Fundy smiled a little, nostalgic. "It became a tradition, even after L'Manberg came to be."

He decided to use the other ovens in the kitchen, placing the other cooking pans.

"Each year, we had our birthday together, no matter what. Even if we were angry at each other, or we had to hide from the big bad dictator. One time, I had to enter his presidential office to force him to take his head out of the papers."

Purpled just listened in silence, quite in awe. Fundy was really someone that had lived through a lot, and somehow, still held on to little comforting traditions. It must be nice, having something like that.

"But… since L'Manberg has been gone…" Fundy sighed. "I kinda haven't celebrated my birthday. I decided to try this year." He laughed quietly. "And hey! This time I have you! It's not so pathetic."

Purpled chuckled, nodding along. "Well, it's the first time I celebrate my birthday with another person. It's not pathetic."

Fundy beamed, still in a good mood, and took the cakes out of the ovens. He waited for a little while, staring at Purpled, who just stared back. "Don't you think you are going to just watch. Come here and help me."

Purpled shrugged, taking a place right beside Fundy. They stacked one cake over the other, and started to decorate.

Minutes later, they had a somewhat pretty cake.

"It works." Fundy says, after thinking a little.

"It's the first time I decorate a cake, so it's beautiful."

"Eehh… At least it will taste good. It has chocolate." Fundy pointed out.

"Aren't foxes allergic to chocolate?"

"Irrelevant ."

They finished the icing and contemplated their creation before Fundy grabbed the plate, leaving the kitchen and hoping that Purpled would follow him, which he quickly did, even if he didn’t know where.

“If I ask where are you going, will you asnwer me?”

“I mean, it’s not only our birthday, is it?” Fundy contemplated as they passed the toll booth, making Purpled think a little. Yeah, it wasn’t only their birthday.

“Hey, so… Can I call someone else?” Purpled asked, communicator in hand already.

Fundy didn’t even finish saying yes and Purpled was already typing someone’s name into his contact info, waiting for just a few seconds until the other person answered his call.

“Punz? I need you to come over. Now.”

Meanwhile, Fundy was standing in front of a wall of lava. The heat was almost uncomfortable and was definitely unwelcoming. But Fundy had to come back home before Yogurt woke up, so he had a schedule to fill.

“Yo, Tubster!”

No replies.

“Cut the scene, I know you are there!”

Still no replies.

“I can literally see your shiny armor on top of the outpost, you idiot!”

Seconds of no answer, and then the lava started to go down. And so there he was, Tubbo Underscore, with the entire glory of someone who hasn’t slept in the last 2 days. Fundy knew that look pretty well.

“Why do you have a cake?”

Not a hello or good night. But Fundy was used to that.

“Do you know what day it is today?”

“Uuuuh…… Juuuuuunee..?”

Fundy waited to see if Tubbo was joking, all that was left it was silence.

“Tubbo…. That’s a month.”

“But it's the right month.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Are you sure of that, boss man?”

Fundy just stared, kinda worried for Tubbo, cake still in hands. “Today is July 7th.”

“Hm…”

They just stood there, Fundy being able to see the cogs turning in Tubbo’s head. Finally, it clicked. “Oh fuck! Today is July 7th!”

“Yes it is!”

“It’s our birthday!”

“Yeah!!!”

“Holy shit… I haven’t celebrated it since…”

Tubbo shut, eyes unfocused. Since L’Manberg was done. Since last time, at a tiny office with the height of presidential work on his shoulders.

“I know, I haven’t either.”

They faced each other again, and it was different now. It was a look that only them could have, suffering all of that. The cramped days at the van, L’Manberg, Schlatt, New L’Manberg. They could say something about it, some apologies, some “I missed it”, but they weren’t like that.

“I have a couple of cookies and regen potions at the back. Want me to get a couple of them for us two?” Tubbo smiled a little, trying to get back to their old routine.

“It's us three. There’s another birthday boy outside.”

“Wait, who?”

Purpled conveniently walked towards Fundy’s side, giving Tubbo a little wave. “Make it four, actually.” He showed the communicator. “I called Punz, also a ‘birthday boy’” He made quote marks in the air.

“Why do so many of us have the same birthday?” Fundy asked to no one in particular. Tubbo just shrugged, but Purpled had something to say about it.

“I mean, it’s not my actual birthday. I have no idea of when my birthday would be in this world.” He casually said, antennas slightly glowing in the night. “So, I just decided to snatch Punz’”

“Dude, I wish it was this easy to change birthdays.” Tubbo said, thinking. I’d change to something like…”

“4/20.”

“Fundy, you’re a genius”

“I know.”

Purpled smiled a little listening to them talking. It was comfortable, somehow, being part of something like that, even for one night. “I should have gone for 10/10” He added to the talk, taking out some blocks and starting to build a little desk for them to place the cake, outside of both Las Nevadas and the Cookie Outpost. Tubbo laughed, thinking about other funny birthdays while automatically helping. Fundy placed the cake on top of the desk, just staring.

“Wait. We have orange, purple and green. What’s Punz’ color?”

Purpled thought about it, but Tubbo already had a solution “The icing is white. He is white. Solved.”

“I’m what?”

Punz appeared out of nowhere, probably from an enderpearl. “You’re white, like the icing.” Tubbo explained.

“Also, you’re a birthday boy.” Fundy helped.

“There’s four of us” Purpled finalized.

Punz just stared at all four, letting out a sigh and taking off his armour. "Really, Purpled? I thought you were in trouble.”

“I’m never in trouble, you should be smarter than this.”

“You just… decided to throw a party?”

Purpled shaked his head, pointing towards Fundy. “It was his idea.”

Punz looked at the other two, they were arguing over the number of candles. Fundy wanted to put only four, Tubbo wanted to put as many as it could fit. For a moment, Punz could see two different people there, fighting over stupid shit as a third one just stared, amused. It was so familiar, but so different. It hurt.

“But hey, you don’t have to stay if you doesn’t wa-”

“Get me a chair, it’s free food.”

Purpled smiled, a real one for once, and gave him a chair.

The four of them sat on the table, Fundy being the one to stood up after finally settling with a normal amount of candles on the cake.

“Ok, now we sing.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“We ain’t singing, bossman”

“It’s sad if it's for ourselves.”

“It’s not??”

Purpled saw this banter would drag until sunrise, so he picked a bottle, catching everyone's attention.

“Lets keep it simple, boys. Happy Birthday to us.”

Punz gave him a small smile back, grabbing a potion for himself. “We made it through another year, what a win.”

Tubbo laughed to himself, joining the toast. “Still one life left, gotta keep like that until next year.”

Fundy was the last one, a grateful smile on his face. “Glad we have each other this time.”

“If the cake is good, I will come to next year’s party.”

“So it was nice meeting you, Punz.” Tubbo joked, making the rest of the table laugh a little.

And there they stayed until the sunrise slowly appeared in the distance, bathing them in a golden, lazy light.

“Damn, this was fun.”

“Not the best cake, but I’ll come back.”

“Fuck off.”

Tubbo was asleep on the table, finally able to relax. Fundy poked him, with no reaction.

“I can carry him inside, don’t worry.” Punz guaranteed, getting up.

“Thanks man, I have to go before my kid wakes up.” Fundy smiled, getting the empty cake plate.

“You have a kid?”

“Yeah, his name is Yogurt and that gremlin needs to be kept on a leash.” Purpled interrupted, earning a weak slap from Fundy. “Shut up, my kid is not a gremlin, he has just a lot of energy.”

Punz laughed, picking up Tubbo like a sack of potatoes, still with no response. “Thanks for the party, guys.”

Fundy smiled back, waving. “Happy birthday, Punz.”

“Happy birthday, boys.”

And they walked in opposite paths.

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

Taglist!

@a-wild-rosette @fishjuice @blipblipimafish @thenerdistrying @beepboopgalaxies (bc i know u like my writing for some reason) @geminisync (bc i want ur clout) @oakskull (bc if i press u enough u will read it <3)

[dragonindigo245]

Official post for my orange side theory

AND NO IT IS NOT WRATH OR ANGER

WARNING: Spoilers for Working Through Intrusive Thoughts. I'm not gonna bother adding the spoiler tag to this post because all the spoilers are going to be under the read more.

Also this post is long so be warned.

Back in early August of 2020 I came up with an orange side theory I have stuck with for a long time. I always found the orange side theory of wrath/anger to be odd, seeing as anger is an emotion not a personality trait, and therefore made an effort to try and discover what I can see the orange side being. In light of the fandoms response to the latest asides saying that orange being wrath is "now canon", I figured it was time to bring it back, along with new points and explanations.

What is the orange side exactly? The answer is simple. He might not be this exactly, but orange is naivety, irrationality, or the inability to see logic clearly.

This started when I made the connection to the dark sides being complete opposites to one another. For example, Janus and Patton are opposite ends of the moral spectrum, Roman and Remus are opposite ends of the creative spectrum, and Logan himself is on the functionality/rationality spectrum. The opposite end would be something like naivety or irrationality.

After that post, I made another a couple of months ago with 3 main points, the first being the opposite ends point. The other two points are just as important.

Point 2: It ties into the 3 monkeys theory

The recent episode confirmed the 3 monkeys theory, further solidifying this point. In case you live under a rock or are new to the Sanders Sides theories, the 3 monkeys theory is based on the whole "See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil" thing. The dark sides all have powers relating to each of these.

Janus has the ability to mute the sides (speak no evil), Remus has the ability to muffle the sides (hear no evil), and Orange has the ability to... make... their eyes pretty? I'm sure that we will get an actual explanation on how he influenced Logan in the future lol. Regardless, orange is definitely see no evil.

Now you may be asking, Indigo, how does this tie into irrationality?

Do you know what irrationality is? The inability to SEE the world clearly or to SEE reason or logic. Irrationality blinds you to reason itself. It makes sense, seeing as emotions are illogical and orange clearly did something to push Logan to an outburst. When orange provided his influence, Logan's eyes glowed orange, indicating he lost the ability to see purely logically. While, yes, orange did this with anger as a vessel, irrationality takes many forms.

Point 3: Color symbolism

Something that is frequently overlooked when fanders make theories about the sides is that each side ties into their color scheme in some way. Roman being red ties into him functioning as Thomas' romantic side, Patton's light blue tying into his gentle nature and trustworthiness, etc.

Orange is a color that is tied to joy and youth. Being naïve to the world around you crumbling down will often make you happier. While some naivety is great and can make you happy, in large doses it is a threat to your well being.

Point 3.5: How is this connection accurate?

A great deal of the plot in this episode, especially the endcard, showcases this irrational blindness to all of the issues the sides are having with each other. Throughout the episode, Logan keeps having to sacrifice his plan to help Thomas and then once Nico calls Thomas, Thomas doesn't know how hard it hurts Logan to once again be brushed off. In the endcard, Patton and Roman tell Logan that this is more important, not realizing how rejected Logan feels.

This isn't just happening with Logan either. Patton and Virgil have had some rising tension as of late as well. This is showcased the most clearly in this video when Virgil snaps at Patton and says "Oh thank goodness. You're giving him permission." sarcastically. Patton takes this as "I didn't know you would give him permission" whereas Virgil was meaning "He doesn't need your permission to feel good about this". Furthermore, each of the light sides have argued with each other individually in different episodes except for Virgil and Patton.

With Janus recently being more accepted, Remus appearing and hurting everyone, and the tension each of the main sides have... it's all going to fall apart. Nobody but the dark sides seem to notice this tension, not even Thomas. Why? Because they are being naïve. The orange side is either keeping them blissfully unaware or the very fact they are unaware is giving the orange side power.

What is the new point you mentioned?

This video with the orange side really got my gears turning. I began making connections that otherwise I didn't have the ability to make, or never happened to think of. The fact my theory has managed to hold up in a heavy orange side lore video only solidifies my confidence in this.

Point 4: The dark sides revolve around the truth

This theory is a little more of a stretch but if I'm right, then this is all the evidence I really need to confirm that orange is irrationality.

Janus is essentially the ring leader of the dark sides. He keeps them hidden until Thomas wants to be aware of them, with the potential exception of Virgil who we don't know when he was revealed to Thomas. However, each dark side has something in common besides witty remarks. They all center around the truth.

Janus and Remus are easier to figure out, seeing as Janus is literally the embodiment of lies and Remus has multiple times where it is obvious he provides the unfortunate truth. Remus being the bringer of truth is showcased multiple times, which I will only bullet point because this post is more-so about orange than him.

His line of "I would never hide anything from you."

Janus bit in Forbidden Fruit that goes "No longer will you deceive yourself about the ugliness within you."

Logan admitting Remus can help Thomas in his own way

Virgil on the other hand is harder. Unlike the other two, Virgil represents a completely different angle of this "truth theme". Virgil represents the fear of both the truth and the unknown. Why would Janus even need to even repress the dark sides in the first place if Thomas wasn't afraid of the truth that they were apart of him? Why would Thomas had admitted he didn't want there to be more dark sides after he asks if there were more of them if it were not fear he had more unwanted parts of him and fear of not knowing what they were?

Virgil knows Thomas' fears. This would have made admitting he was a dark side such a hard feat. If he felt Thomas was chill with the dark sides, Virgil could have instantly told Thomas he was in fact one of them. In a way, this makes Virgil the perfect bridge between the light and dark sides. The dark sides provide Thomas with the truth he needs or wants, and the light sides figure out how to handle it.

Point 4.5: What does this have to do with orange?

Orange would keep Thomas from the truth. While, yes, this is the exact same thing Janus does, Orange would do it another way. Janus makes Thomas unaware of the truth he KNOWS. Unconsciously, Thomas still knows what Janus hides. This makes it entirely different from how naivety works. Naivety would keep him from ever learning the information in the first place.

Furthermore, we saw that orange is potentially connected to Janus in some way. The very last thing we see in Working Through Intrusive Thoughts is the flash from Janus' eyes, to oranges eyes. This could be a slight hint at Janus and Oranges functions not being so far apart.

Or the writers just thought it would look neat. That too.

Is Logan the orange side?

I can say with almost 100% certainty the answer is no. We saw before each sides introduction, they manifested themselves in the other sides.

Janus silenced Roman in Accepting Anxiety Part 2, Remus manifested in Roman by giving him random unwanted outbursts (like the naked Aunt Patty line that Roman said he didn't know where it came from in the Christmas episode), and therefore it follows orange is manifesting in his own way.

Furthermore, Logan is not the type of character to turn evil. He has outbursts and is being beaten down but he would never snap for good. If anything, we have seen from Putting Others First that he would only appear as needed if he felt ignored.

Logan is not one to let his emotions make irrational decisions for long, and he almost always goes to make up for his mistakes the moment they happen. He always has Thomas' best interests at heart and has witnessed Virgil realizing force is not the way to go about it.

It makes no sense for his character and there is no reason for it to happen narratively.

Please note that this post is simply a theory and I do not wish to start arguments about if I am right or not. If you are going to provide counterclaims, please do so respectfully and do not clog my notes with your own essay. Thank you!