#love to know if anyone already has an answer to this

[earlysunshines]

thief!

minatozaki sana x fem!reader

synopsis: everything you own is actually sana's, obviously. she's your girlfriend after all.

warnings: nooone ; pure fluff ; lovebirds homos lalalalla ugh sana my love ; not proofread

a/n: HAPPY SANA DAAYYYY how could i miss it?? here's my once in a blue moon sana fic loool

long, acrylic nails gently scraping against your scalp earn a soft hum from your lips.

sana feels your hand snaking around her waist further, tightening your hold on her as if she were your personal teddybear. a small smile forms on her lips, her eyes open just a bit more, and her fingers work to move your bedhead away from your face.

"cute," sana mumbles, turning ever so slightly just so you can rest your head on her shoulder comfier.

your lips are parted just barely, your nose buried in the hoodie sana is wearing, and the only thing in filling the silence is your slow breathing. you mutter something incoherent, and sana hums confusedly as if you'd really answer. she laughs, massaging your scalp just a tiny bit harder.

"mmm," you groan, enjoying the feeling even as you're asleep against her. she feels your leg moving over one of hers and under the other, then feels you tugging her closer.

wow, she really is your teddy bear, huh?

sana blinks hard, shutting her eyes tightly before rubbing them with her free hand. she looks outside, the sunlight shining brightly through the blinds. it seems to be noon—maybe if you two hadn't binged three episodes of some kdrama last night you'd be awake earlier.

"baby," sana says softly, her voice like honey. "it's late, let's wake up."

"mmmmmmm," you drag on your groan, clinging to her tighter. sana knows you heard her, but sana is sure that you did not process a single word from her.

"baby," sana giggles quietly, "gosh, you're gripping onto me like i’ll run off."

"what if you do," you mutter tiredly. "it's too early for this..."

sana pats your head twice, then checks the small digital clock on the bedside counter. the clock reads 12:21 pm. early would be... well, incorrect to a general consensus.

"it's noon... c'mon, we can cuddle more after we run some errands."

"sanaaaaaa..." you drag out sleepily, shifting so you can rest your nose in the crook of her neck. you breathe in deeply, taking in the scent of roses and something sweeter. "it's your birthday..."

"and we're already halfway through."

"are you saying that me clinging onto you isn't enough? is this not the best way to spend your morning on your birthday?"

"well no..." sana starts, then kisses your head before continuing, "but i would love to do a little more than just stay in bed like this with the love of my life—as much as i love her."

"you're evil."

"you're just like a koala, always so sleepy." sana chuckles before pinching your cheek. she pulls away just a bit to examine your face, eyes still closed with a smile on your face. she presses a kiss to the tip of your nose, then to your cheek, and a quick peck to your lips. "five minutes... birthday girl says no longer than that."

"fine, fine." you sigh, opening your eyes (finally) and blinking a few times to focus your view. wow. you must've fallen asleep next to an angel, because she's still in the same bed as you and looking as cute as ever with her puffy morning face and soft smile.

your hand reaches over instinctively to rest on her cheek, knuckles dragging against her soft skin.

"awake yet?" sana asks.

"has anyone ever told you how gorgeous you are?" you say in awe, sounding like a fool in love. "because you look beautiful miss minatozaki."

sana rolls her eyes, then pinches your cheek again. you chuckle weakly, still groggy from sleep.

your eyes drift to the hoodie she has on. the shade of gray and the design look oddly familiar, so you use your hand to rub the material. the hoodie also looks a little large for sana, and then it hits you:

"is that my hoodie?" you question.

sana blushes. "what are you talking about."

"that's my hoodie... isn't it?"

"well technically it's our hoodie."

"and who declared that?"

"the universe, obviously." sana says through a smile that leaves your whole body feeling all tingly. "ever since we became girlfriends it was basically in the contract."

"i don't remember signing any agreement saying that you can take my clothes whenever."

"you don't? because i do." sana has that stupid grin on her face, the same one she always has before she says something both idiotic and heartwarming. "remember when we kissed for the first time? yeah, that was the signature."

"really now?"

sana nods. "and when you kissed me again it renewed the contract. and when we makeout with tongue and share saliva and all that—"

"grrrooossss!" you say, knowing you quite literally did everything the night before.

"—it basically sealed that contract through the exchange of dna."

"so you're saying french kissing is what makes it acceptable for you to steal not only my hoodie, but also my t-shirts, jewelry—i even saw you in my socks! is that really—"

"well not just french kissing. normal kissing too."

"you're such an idiot." you push her away and sana makes a high-pitched noise that's in between a groan and a squeal. then, you scoot over and pepper her face with kisses. "i love you, now let's get up, you've convinced me." you mumble, "i can't take all this kissy talk in the morning."

"afternoon." she corrects. sana pushes you away so she can hold your face with both hands, squishing your cheeks like she's pressing a sandwich in between her hands. she smiles, eyes crinkling at the ends and all that.

—

the birthday girl had requested that you give her a piggyback ride to the bathroom. after being set down on the counter so gently, brushing her teeth with you in between her legs as she sat down near the sink, and being able to kiss you so easily after she finished her skincare; sana had requested that you carry her everywhere the rest of the morning, both on your back and bridal style.

now she's being placed gently on the couch while you head back to the kitchen to grab the cups of teas for you to enjoy as you cuddled close on the couch catching up with messages. sana let you rest on her shoulder throughout the whole ten minutes of responding to friends and family, even sneaking a picture while you were focused on some game you've been into on your phone.

in the midst of it all, both of your stomachs growl at the same time.

you and sana glance at each other before bursting out laughing.

"someone's hungry," you tease, poking at sana's stomach. sana rolls her eyes before you add, "i guess that means we should go out for brunch, huh?"

"maybe..." sana kisses your forehead and finishes her tea. "let me fix my hair and get changed, i'm too lazy for makeup."

"you're already so perfect without makeup."

sana snickers. "stop being so smitten, loser."

"hey!"

—

"is that my—"

"maybe." sana says, zipping up the puffer jacket that's not only oversized on her but also the exact same model as the one you had bought the month before. it's definitely your jacket, but sana looks cuter in it. maybe the contract is real.

"thief." you roll your eyes before putting the hood up on her, it falls over her eyes and right above her nose. "you'll catch a cold."

"you're so caring, what a lover."

"gross." you groan playfully, earning a disgustingly adorable pout from sana. you glance at the beanie on her head after she fixes the hood, it looks oddly familiar. "is that...?"

"contract."

you giggle. "right."

sana puts her shoes on, then reaches for your hand before she opens the door. you zip up your work jacket before intertwining your hands and heading out together.

maybe your girlfriend is a thief. throughout the day you start to notice that the tinted lip balm she uses after brunch is most definitely the same balm that momo had gifted you a few days prior. you also notice the t-shirt under her, scratch that, your jacket that is also yours. you let her have that one, though, it was too small for you anyway, and sana rocked the perfect fit.

you don't think on it too much, that your girlfriend is an experienced clothes stealer borrower, because one: it's her birthday, so you might as well give her today. and two: she looks ridiculously good in everything that's yours.

maybe it's not stealing if she belongs to you too. she's your girlfriend, and with every kiss shared throughout the day it makes you realize that maybe that contract isn't just something stupid made up from the lingering drowsiness after waking up.

whatever it is, you could really care less. it's sana's day and if sana has a smile on her face—who cares if your wardrobe is shrinking day by day.

[ccsainzleclerc5516]

Away From You For The Holidays

Pairing: Lando Norris x reader

Warnings: unstable family relationships, please don't take offense this is completely fictional

Since Lando and you are not from the same country, this is another holiday that the two of you spend apart from each other. You still haven't gotten to the point where you spend the holidays with his family or he with yours because during the year you're both on the road all the time and spend little time with your families, so when Christmas time comes, your family wants you to spend that time with them, just like Lando's family wants to be with him.

You came home to your hometown a week before Christmas, and now that it's already the third day after Christmas, it's becoming difficult for both of you to be so far away from each other.

Now, your family can be tough sometimes. You've never had the warm and close relationship with your parents that Lando has always had with his. You love your parents as much as they love you, and you can thank only them for everything you've achieved in life, but the truth is that growing up, they weren't always fair to you, and you never had the emotional support from them that you wanted and needed as a child.

For example, your mom always has to add something a little negative to every compliment she gives you. Always. And if you mentioned to her that her comments sometimes, most of the times, hurt you, she would somehow find herself offended. It's just always been that way, and that's why you don't like spending too much time at home with your family anymore.

It was the same today, your mom made some inappropriate comment that threw you off balance and it just all came together and became too much for you. You missed Lando, so you retreated to your room and started crying quietly longing for his warm comforting hug. Lando seemed to sense that you needed him because not long after tears started to fall down your face, your phone rang showing his name on the screen.

You quickly wiped your tears trying to hide that you were crying knowing it would upset Lando before you answered.

"Hey, baby" You spoke, sniffling a little.

"How's my most beautiful girl in the world?"

"I'm fine, I'll be even better when I see you." Your eyes water and you sniffle again.

"Baby, are you crying?" Lando notices immediately.

"I'm not.."

"Baby, what's wrong?" He asks worriedly. "Turn on the camera, let me see you."

"I'm okay, don't worry. I'm just a little emotional that's all."

"Can you please turn on the camera? I want to see you." He pleads.

You hesitate for a second, but when he asks you so tenderly, you really can't say no.

"Hey" You smile at him, but your red eyes betray your sadness.

"My baby..what’s goin on?"

"It's nothing, I'm just tired of being home and I can't wait to be with you again."

"I'm getting on a plane tomorrow and I'm coming to pick you up." You expected this from him and that's why you didn't even want him to know you were crying because you didn't want to disturb his family time at home.

"No, no! We're both flying to Spain in two days anyway so I'll survive until then, don't worry." You reassure him because you definitely planned to spend the New Year's together in Spain.

"I know, but I don't want you to spend a single second sad, especially not during the holidays. I can't sit still at home knowing that you're crying miles away from me."

"Don't worry, love, I'm fine, you already know how it goes during the holidays at my house."

"I really want this to be the last year we're not together for Christmas. Next year, I don't care if anyone gets mad, but next year on Christmas Eve I want us to be together in our home in front of our Christmas tree and under our blanket. I'm tired of being miles away from the person I love most in the world on such special days of the year."

"I know, baby, I want that too more than anything, but-"

"No but's, no, I know what you're going to say and I don't wanna hear it. You're my priority and I want you to be next to me at all times." He says and you sigh knowing it's easier said than done. "Baby, one day we'll have our own family and we'll most definitely want to spend Christmas at our home with our kids, and then later come everyone else. And I want it to be like that next year as well, you and I at our home for Christmas, and then we go and visit our families together. Okay?"

His words brought a smile to your face and warmth around your heart already fantasizing about what it could be like next year. You wanted it more than anything. You and him. Together.

"Okay, baby. I want that too and I honestly think that's the only right way."

"It is. No more crying, okay?" He says and you nod. "Ugh, I wanna kiss you so bad right now” Lando sighs tilting his head and looking at you with nothing but pure love.

"Trust me, you won't be able to get rid of me in two days."

"Baby, in two days, I'm not letting you out of my arms anymore."

[naburi]

JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY

NATTY X EUNBI X READER

TAGS: BOOBJOB, INCEST

2.4K WORDS

At the Christmas party, you introduce your girlfriend to your relatives. “I’m happy to introduce, My girlfriend, Natty.” Everyone is happy to meet her beside your one cousin. She doesn’t like the attention that the new girl has been receiving. It also annoys her that Natty’s boobs could compete with hers. Eunbi is determined to get back that attention and prove that she’s still the prettiest woman in your family.

“Cheers!” Your family shared boozes all throughout the night. Eunbi sits beside your girlfriend, seemingly to get to know her. “Where did you meet?” How did you make my cousin fall in love with you?” “Are you always that pretty?” She asks her some personal questions, looking for a hole she could dig in more. Natty answers politely not knowing her true intentions. You smile as your girlfriend is getting along well with your family.

The two ladies are wearing Santa Clause theme dresses with your girlfriend showing more skin. At first, you are worried that her dress might be too short for a good first impression but knowing your girlfriend, she showed less with this dress than her usual clothing. Your cousin wears a more comfortable outfit with a big belt on her waist that makes her boobs pop out more. She’s also wearing a reindeer antler headpiece. Her plump red lips balance out her cute but sexy outfit.

“Has the party already started?” You received a call from your male cousin. “Damn, we’ll be late. We haven’t bought any gifts yet. I brought my girlfriend with me. I’ll introduce her to everyone later!” He said excitedly. You have a close relationship with your cousin as you grew up together in the same neighborhood. “Come to your room,” you wander as you receive a text message from your girlfriend.

Opening the door, you saw Natty and Eunbi in your room. Eunbi is sitting in your study chair while your girlfriend is on the edge of the bed. The two looked like they were having a great time with one another while they both held an empty glass of booze. “Close the door! We’re having a girl talk!” Your cousin shouted, evident of her intoxication. Natty giggles seeing your cousin’s loud manner. You slowly close the door before you sit beside your girlfriend.

“Well, what are the two of you talking about?” You smile while looking at both of them. “You idiot, you took her virginity!” Eunbi stands up, acting like she’s about to swing on you. You lay back in the bed trying to dodge her swing. “How did you know!” You shouted nervously. “She told me, you dumbass!” Eunbi said right before her body stopped advancing. The two girls shared a laugh seeing your nervous face. “She asked me whether you’re good in bed, I said I have no one to compare to as you are my first time with everything.” Natty says so innocently.

“I bet he forced you to do it.” Eunbi said mockingly, sarcastically side-eyeing you. “No, no, it just… happened.” Your girlfriend defended you. She explains that the two of you are alone in her house. “A kiss led into a make out, a make out led into… something.” Natty's voice goes quieter by the word as she still felt embarrassed about sharing this kind of information. Eunbi exhibits a sincere interest about the girl that she can’t help but to tell her what she’s asking about.

“Why are you even asking these questions?” You look at Eunbi, perplexed not knowing what’s going on. “I just want to get to know your girlfriend.” Your cousin gives a drunk wild smile. She hides her evil intentions with her smile. She wants to know your girlfriend’s past or weakness that she can use against her. In her eyes, Natty is a treat to her. She acknowledges that your girlfriend has the “tools” to bump her off the family’s prettiest girl status. As petty as it sounds. Eunbi takes pride in being the prettiest person in the room. Not caring about dragging anyone down to keep that status for herself.

Natty does not see what your cousin is about. Your girlfriend is just happy that someone in your family is willing to take time to get to know her even if she’s asking her some awkward personal questions. “I like Natty!” Eunbi adds up. Your girlfriend heard that as her heart fluttered. “Thank you, Eunbi!” Your girlfriend stands up to give your cousin a hug. “Let’s exchange socials!” Your cousin said. She wants to know “more” about your girlfriend.

You can’t hide your smile. You are not close with Eunbi but you are also glad that someone is willing to put in time to welcome your girlfriend. “After you exchange socials, let’s go downstairs.” You said to both of them but they are too busy to hear you. Eunbi is stalking through Natty’s account. “You look so pretty!” Your cousin said to her. Natty shifts the compliment to you. She said that you are the one who took the photo and you know how to find the right angle. It’s not that hard to find a good angle with Natty as she is pretty in all directions.

Eunbi gives an empty smile. She tries to hide her jealousy. She notices Natty’s pretty face and big boob in that photo which validates her worries. “No way, he took that photo!” Eunbi sarcastically teases you again. “I’m good at taking pictures!” You blurted back. The three of you shared a light chuckle. The two girls are now seated back on the edge of the bed, continuing to surf to your girlfriend's socials.

“I’ll go downstairs, you two can take your time” you said before you stood up. “Wait!” Eunbi's loud drunk voice stops you. “Help me teach your girlfriend.” She adds. “Teach what?” You look at them directly. “Natty said she’s not that confident in bed,” Eunbi said. “What?!” You look flabbergasted by what you just heard. “We already talked about this. She will show me her skills and I’ll guide through it.” She wrapped her arms around your girlfriend.

“I-I don’t know if I’m doing good enough. Eunbi promised to help me.” Natty smiles awkwardly, unsure if this is the right thing to do. Your cousin found out that she is still an amateur in bed. She has no prior experience before meeting you, thus having a confidence issue whether she’s on par with other girls. Eunbi assures her that what she feels is completely normal and it’s not wrong to talk about sex related things. In reality, Eunbi wants to expose her inexperience and proof to her that she is indeed superior in every way.

They instructed you to sit again on the edge of the bed. The two girls are kneeled in front of you. Natty pulls down your pants leaving only your underwear. “Go on,” Eunbi said. Natty swiftly touches your cock over your underwear. She saw how fast it got hard just by the touch of your girlfriend. She pulls down your underwear as your hard cock springs back up. This will be the first time that your cousin has seen your cock, and she’s looking a little bit too long on it.

“You said you wanted to learn how to do boobjob, right? Show me how you do it first.” Eunbi instructed your girlfriend. Natty pulls down her dress down to her waist to reveal her boobs with only nipple tapes covering it which she peels off slowly. Your girlfriend’s perky boobs are now out. She has well shaped boobs that make it look more big in certain angles. Her perky nipples also compliments her attractive pair of mounds.

Natty gives your cock a few strokes before putting the tip in her mouth. She sucks your cock slowly, sinking her head deeper into your shaft. Your cock is now lubricated with her saliva. She put your cock in between her boobs and pressed them against it. Natty’s round boobs are being pressed inward to hug your cock tighter. Your girlfriend is holding her boobs and moving it up and down to please your cock.

Natty looks at you intently, waiting for your reaction. This is not the first time that she gives a boob job but she is definitely more eager to please you in front of Eunbi. Her warm boobs that are suffocating your cock made you groan. She catches the tip of your cock that is wiggling in front of her mouth. She sucks your tip again while her boobs are pleasing your shaft. The sight of your girlfriend giving you a boobjob makes you feel weak. You pat her head, gesturing that she’s doing a great job.

Eunbi looks furious but she catches herself and maintains her wide smile. She doesn’t think Natty is doing anything special that warrants how pleasured you’re showing. Eunbi tells your girlfriend that she’s doing good hiding her real feelings. Your cousin would like to take her turn to show you what a great boobjob is. She thought that you haven’t received a good boobjob yet, that's why you are easily impressed.

Eunbi taps Natty’s shoulder, signaling her turn. The younger girl quickly obliged and moved aside. “Can we do this? You’re my cousin.” You said quietly, not wanting anyone to hear it. “It’s just a boobjob, it’s not like we are going to fuck.” Eunbi smirks as she answers you in a sarcastic tone. You look at your girlfriend for approval and she quickly nods her head. It’s Eunbi’s turn to reveal her boobs. She slowly unbuckles her waist belt, creating a tension between the two of you.

Your cousin slowly unbuttoned her top, letting it drop over her shoulder. Eunbi is wearing lingerie that perfectly encapsulates her big boobs. She continues her slow movement as she removes her bra while making eye contact with you. She throws her bra to the floor, still not breaking eye contact. She finally reaches for your cock. Your hard cock twitched in anticipation as you felt your cousin’s touch for the first time. She holds your shaft and taps the tip of your cock in her big soft boobs.

Eunbi makes sure to poke her nipples using your cock. Making you feel her hard nipples on your tip. This surprising sensation turns you on even more. She continues to poke her boobs with your cock making the tip almost disappear with how big her boobs are. Eunbi’s boobs are soft and massive. Her mounds can trigger any mens imagination on what they would do if they can get a hold of them. She knows how much men fantasize about her boobs and are willing to use it to her advantage.

Your cousin directs your hard cock closer to her mouth. She put her tongue out and tapped the tip of your cock in her stretched out tongue. Natty is looking carefully at how she creates anticipation. She definitely wants to learn how to make and use tension. Eunbi holds your cock still and moves her tongue around your tip. She makes sure that her tongue trails all the sides of your tip. She moves her head to the side as she slowly drags her tongue down to your shaft. Licking it from your tip to your balls.

You catch yourself moaning when Eunbi focuses her tongue on your balls. You tried not to moan loud as someone might hear you. The look of distress in your face as you hold your moan made Eunbi smirk. She raises her boobs up to catch your lubricated cock in between them. Your cousin doesn’t press them inward like your girlfriend just did. She holds her boobs up making sure that she covers all sides of your cock. She wants you to feel how her boobs grace upon your cock.

The look of your cock disappears and reappears as Eunbi moves her boobs and makes your cock throbs. You are attracted to your girlfriend but what Eunbi is doing makes you forget that you even have one. You are not surprised that she knows how to use her massive boobs. You don’t want to admit it because she is your cousin but every time you get to see her boobs. You can’t help but to fantasize about what you want to do with the two mounds.

It’s been a moment but Eunbi continues to use her boobs to please your cock. She loves seeing your reaction, she feels validated that she is still the best girl in the family. Natty feels something is off. She didn’t like how much Eunbi enjoys giving you a boobjob. She taps her shoulder multiple times to suggest it’s her turn now. Eunbi finally got out of trance and let Natty take your cock. It’s now your girlfriend's chance to do what she just saw.

Natty holds her both boobs, caressing them in front of you. She squeezes her round boobs slowly, making sure you see how her small hands are pressed against her boobs. You tried to reach for your cock to stroke it yourself. You can’t wait any longer as your girlfriend is giving you a nice show. She lightly slaps your hand away before holding your shaft. She put your cock in her mouth swiftly before struggling to put it all in. Natty wants to deepthroat your cock to lubricate it. Halfway through your shaft. She is still struggling to go any deeper.

She forces herself to suck all of it as she now sees this as a competition. Natty felt her nose touch your lower abs as she finally released your now drench cock. After catching her breath, your girlfriend pins your cock again in between her boobs but this time following Eunbi’s method. She made sure to use her boobs to cover your cock and not press on it hard. She might be an amateur but you love it because she’s your girlfriend.

Natty’s gaze turns you on as your girlfriend is pleasuring you using her big round boobs. She smiled when she felt your cock twitching in between her boobs. She fastened her rhythm “Cum on me,” Natty said. She didn’t need to do too much as Eunbi already made you close to your climax. “Aghhh,” Natty was surprised by how suddenly you exploded onto her. Hot strings of cum cover your girlfriend’s face.

Eunbi looks furious, she didn’t like that you finished on Natty instead of her. She stands up to go completely naked. You and Natty look at each other confused. Eunbi will do anything to prove she’s better.

Meanwhile downstairs, your other cousin arrives with her girlfriend.

[scruckels]

HOW STEB COMMUNICATES!

And... that's kinda it. A deep dive into how Steb communicates but I fight to stay on topic the longer you read.

NOTE: I gave this whole post a hazy and blurry zonked glance while muttering to myself before pressing post. There may be some spelling mistakes / incorrect wording.

Question by this person, but I was too lazy to make a separate post since I already had a draft similar to this question saved. I LOVE YOU CORACOOKIECRUMBLE!!! 😁😁😁😁⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️🗣🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯

There aren't many scenes of Steb trying to communicate with someone, so it's difficult to say for sure how he communicates, but I think I have a pretty decent idea.

IN THE VIDEO BELOW

You see Steb with Maddie. This is the only scene really showing how they talk to one another, and the situtiain is tense, so it's hard to say how he communicates in more relaxed situations. In this scene, Steb communicates with her that he's ready by grunting, to which she understands.

IN THE GIF BELOW

Once again, in a tense situation, Steb makes some noise to communicate. This time, he speaks. Not only does he speak, but he also motions for everyone to follow him. With that being said, this proves that Steb CAN talk. He just doesn't want to.

This is not the only time Steb uses body language to communicate.

IN THE GIF BELOW

Steb cocks his head to the side, signaling to Maddie that they should go, as well as walking away with her once they're called.

IN THE TWO GIFS BELOW

Steb uses some hand and arm motions to signal to others. In the first one, he signals to Caitlyn to fall back, being that he had planted the bomb. In the second GIF, he signals for the enforces to turn off the beacons, since there didn't appear to be anyone coming to help fight.

IN THESE TWO GIFS BELOW

Steb grabs Mel to help her up, and in the second GIF, he grabs up the other guy to detain him. (I don't know if he has a name, and im too tired to look for one.)

Steb doesn't say anything prior to touching them, but the situations are also something to consider. Steb has his hands out to both of them, catching their attention just before actually putting his hands on them. Whether or not it's intentionally meant to be a signal, it's still something he does.

With these situations, it's hard to say EXACTLY how he is when using physical contact to communicate, but it'd say it isn't something he does often. He grabs Mel because it's an emergency, and he needs to make sure she's alright and out of there as soon as possible. He grabs the guy to detain him, following Caitlyn's orders and arresting him. Every time he touches someone (on screen), it's not really to communicate, and more so to assist / do his job.

CONCLUSION AND ANSWERS:

Is Steb mute?

No.

Is he selectively mute?

It seems most likely........? (Considering the information we have, at least.)

That being said, if he IS selectively mute, he may be open to speaking more frequently with someone close to him. Maybe even if it's just a little bit. (Short sentences, short answers, quiet speaking voice, murmuring, ect.) I can speak more on this at the end of this post for the people who wanna read about it.

Do I think he uses sign language? No. I really doubt it. He communicates both intentionally and unintentionally with small gestures, body language, and expression. He might use some type of hand signs occasionally? Not sign language itself, but just hand gestures that give you a vague idea of what he wants. For example, maybe you'll ask him why he's out somewhere, and he'll tug on the fabric of his enforcer uniform, signaling he's there for work. You'll ask why he's looking at you, and he'll point to his face as reference to your own, signaling that you have something on you and showing where it is.

Again, there's isn't enough Information to be 100% certain, but I feel like my conclusion is relatively sound.

Extra yap you were previously warned about:

I can talk more about selective mutism in another post for the people interested. Keep in mind, I'm NOT a professional. I'm autstic and I'm just nerdy about this. I don't wanna dump a whole bunch of information that is not at least 87% Steb related in this post, so I'm gonna say this next part like I'm one of those youtubers who has an audience of 5 year olds and makes those 3 am challenge videos cause it's funny.

GUYS, IF WE CAN GET AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE TO COMMENT THAT THEY WANNA HEAR ABOUT SELECTIVE MUTISM IN ANOTHER POST, ILL MAKE A POST ABOUT SELECTIVE MUTISM AND HOW STEB WOULD MOST LIKELY BEHAVE OFF SCREEN IF HE HAS IT!! DONT FORGET TO SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON, SUBSCRIBE, AND TURN ON THE NOTIFICATIONS BELL!!

I LOVE YOU STEB NATION!!! 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥💯💯💯💯💯❗️❗️❗️❗️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️🙏🙏🙏🙏

[rintarosluvr]

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄$𝚰𝐂𝐊

Sylus x Reader

Genre : slice of life, college au on a beautiful island, banter, v cocky Sylus, loves teasing you, reader finds him annoying but has a soft spot for him (iykyk)

Note :

added some oc’s as friends, Y/n has no name ofc!! Sylus’ age is 23, mm idk how many parts yet so enjoy!!

Word count: 3k

Also first Sylus fic so pls be nice!!

Chap.1

"Where are you going?" you ask, glancing up at your roommate from your spot on the floor

Kaori adjusts the strap of her woven beach bag, her curly hair catching the light from the golden rays streaming through the window "Out with Mar and Davina. Why?"

You sigh, leaning back against the couch as the cool breeze from the open door drifts in, carrying the faint scent of salt and hibiscus

"Hoped you'd stay. I gotta work with Sylus on a project" you mumble, tracing a pattern on the edge of the colorful island rug beneath you

Kaori pauses, guilt flashing in her eyes "Oh, right. Sorry"

You wave her off with a small smile "Don't worry, it's fine. Enjoy yourself"

Her face brightens and she tosses you a grateful  smile "Thanks! I'll be back with snacks, promise!"

You watch as she steps out the door, the sound of her sandals fading as the warmth of the island afternoon settles around you

Nyx, your sleek black cat, saunters over with her tail curling high in the air before settling herself gracefully between your crossed legs

Her fur is warm from lounging in the sun and her golden eyes blink up at you lazily

"Hey" you mumble, running your fingers through her soft coat. She responds with a low, steady purr, the vibration soothing in the quiet room

Reaching for the book on the coffee table, you flip it open to the marked page, determined to get a head start on the project before Sylus arrives

Nyx adjusts herself, curling into a cozy ball, her rhythmic purring a comforting soundtrack as you begin to read

"Yeah, see you guys later" a voice calls out from outside, followed by a knock on the door moments later

"It's open!" you call back, shifting slightly as Nyx lets out a soft purr, still nestled in your lap

The door creaks open and Sylus steps in, his usual relaxed demeanor in place "You already started?" he asks, his eyes flicking to the book in your hands as he walks into the living room

You glance over your shoulder at him "I just opened it"

He nods setting two cups on the table, he gestures toward them "One's for you" he says casually before heading into the kitchen, disappearing out of sight

Curious, you glance at the drinks and grab the iced coffee, taking a tentative sip

The rich, creamy taste makes you pause, exactly how you like it. A small wave of surprise washes over you

"So" Sylus says, re-entering the room empty handed "You're the talk of the town"

"I am?" You arch a brow "And what did you go do in the kitchen?"

"Had to throw something away" he replies with a shrug before dropping onto the couch beside the one you're leaning against "Word is, you're dating someone"

Your confusion deepens "I'm not dating anyone"

He raises an eyebrow "So you're single?"

You narrow your eyes at him, suspicious of his tone "You already know the answer to that"

His grin widens, a casual confidence about him "Just confirming"

"Whatever, we need to start this project" you say, setting your iced coffee down and flipping open the book to the assigned section

Sylus chuckles, leaning back against the couch with a lazy grin "Alright, alright. No need to get bossy. I'm ready when you are"

You roll your eyes "Then pay attention for once"

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze flicking to the pages in your book "I'm always paying attention" he says, his voice low and teasing

You shake your head, trying to ignore his tone, and focus on the task at hand "Sylus, I swear, if you mess this up..."

"Relax" he cuts you off "I've got this"

"Famous last words" you mutter under your breath, earning another soft laugh from him

2 hours later

"Y/n, we're back!" Leanne's voice carries through the door as it swings open, interrupting your thoughts

"Oh, hey Sylus" Vanessa says, stepping into view first, She raises an eyebrow, glancing between the two of you "Thought you'd be done by now"

"Me too" you mutter, shooting a glare at Sylus

For the past two hours, he's been driving you up the wall with his endless string of stupid questions and pointless tangents

Vanessa stifles a laugh, clearly catching the tension

Meanwhile, Leanne walks in, her arms weighed down with shopping bags that she promptly drops onto the kitchen table "Y'all making something?" she asks, curiosity lighting up her face

Sylus nods "Just working on a project" he says, like he hasn't been the sole reason for your slow progress

You sigh, rubbing your temples "More like wasting time"

Leanne chuckles, rifling through her bags. "Sounds productive"

Nyx rubs her head against Vanessa's leg, her soft purr drawing a smile from her, Vanessa bends down to scoop your cat into her arms, scratching behind her ears "Need our help?"

"No" "Yes"

You shoot Sylus a sharp look "We already have a concept. We just need to make it"

"Getting help doesn't hurt anyone" he counters, his tone annoyingly casual

"It will if we fail because of bad advice" you snap back, folding your arms

"Doubt it" he replies with a smirk, leaning back on the couch like he's enjoying the banter

Vanessa raises an eyebrow, her attention shifting between the two of you "Well, sounds like you've got this... or something close to it"

Leanne chuckles from the kitchen "Let me know if you change your minds. I'm great at helping"

"I honestly give up" you sigh, snapping the book shut with more force than necessary, You lean back against the couch, running a hand through your hair "We can try again tomorrow"

Sylus raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by your frustration "Giving up already? That's not like you"

You glare at him "I'm not giving up. I'm postponing so I don't strangle you"

Vanessa snickers, still cradling Nyx "Smart move. You'd never get the project done from jail"

Leanne chuckles, pulling out a snack from one of her shopping bags "I'm with Y/n. Take the night off, forcing yourself to finish it won't do any good"

Sylus shrugs and grabs his empty cup "Fine by me. Same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah, yeah," you mutter, already dreading it

"Night ladies" Sylus says, standing up like he hadn't spent the last few hours testing your patience

"Bye" Leanne says, barely glancing up as she starts unpacking her shopping bags

"See ya" Vanessa adds, settling into the armchair with Nyx still in her arms

Sylus lingers his gaze shifting to you, You sigh, already knowing what he's waiting for "See you tomorrow, Sylus"

He chuckles softly, giving you a look that's both smug and teasing before heading out the door

As soon as it closes, both girls their eyes are immediately on you

"He likes annoying you, you know that, right?" Leanne says, ripping open a bag of candy

Vanessa shakes her head with a smile "I'd say he actually likes her. It's kinda obvious"

You groan, sinking back against the couch "Please don't start"

Leanne pops a piece of candy into her mouth and smirks "Oh, we're starting. This is way more fun than those stupid rumors going around

You groan, trying to find an out "Isn't he dating some girl?" you ask, hoping it's true so they'll drop the subject

She shrugs "Those are just rumors. Haven't seen him around any woman the way he's around you"

"Don't say that" you mumble, heat creeping up your neck

Vanessa raises an eyebrow "He even left with his cup. He's got manners, at least"

"Bare minimum" you say flatly, refusing to give him any credit

She chuckles "Starting to think you don't like him, seeing how much he works on your nerves"

"It's true" you nod emphatically, your eyes following Nyx as she stretches, hops off Vanessa's lap, and pads out of the room, probably heading for her food

"Where's Kaori, by the way?" you ask, glancing between the two girls

"Something with her grandma" Leanne says, tossing another piece of candy into her mouth "She probably won't be home today"

You nod reaching for your phone on the table, opening your messages, you start typing out a quick text to check in with her.

The faint sound of waves crashing outside fills the room as the conversation drifts to other topics, but your thoughts linger

[The Next Day]

"Sup Y/n" a familiar voice calls out before an arm casually wraps over your shoulder

"Hey, Amari" you say, glancing at him as the two of you fall into step

"Heard you didn't get far with your project yesterday" he says, a teasing edge to his voice

You sigh, side eyeing him "He told you that?"

"He did" Amari replies with a chuckle "Just cut him some slack. He's cool, you know?''

You roll your eyes "You're his friend. Of course, you're gonna say that"

"I'm also your friend" he points out

"Right, so..." you hesitate, feigning nonchalance "Did he say anything else?"

Amari raises an eyebrow, clearly catching onto your tone "Nah, why? What's up?"

"Nothing, just asking" you shrug, brushing it off as you step into the classroom

He studies you for a second "Uh huh sure, nothing"

"Don't start acting like the girls now" you warn, narrowing your eyes at him

"Is it really that bad that we might think there's something going on between the two of you?" he asks as the two of you settle into seats at the back of the class

"The worst part is there's nothing going on, so you're all reaching for nothing" you say, shrugging as you pull your laptop out of your bag

"Where is he anyway?" you ask, not seeing Sylus, his usual spot empty

Amari leans back in his chair, looking unconcerned "Probably skipped. Nothing new, to be honest"

"To do what?" you ask, frowning

"Surfing with Eydis, I think" he answers with a shrug

You groan, slumping lower in your seat "Yeah, we're definitely not getting that project done" you mumble, sinking even further into the chair as frustration builds

Knocking on the door, you wait only a few seconds before it swings open

"Yo Y/n, Wassup! Would've loved to stay but I got plans, so I'll catch you later, yeah?" Eydis says, flashing a bright grin before pulling you into a quick hug and skateboard off down the street

You blink, momentarily caught off guard, but step inside the house

The sound of footsteps echoes from down the hall "What are you doing here?"

You suppress the urge to roll your eyes as Sylus's familiar voice greets you

Turning around, you find him leaning against the doorway, a towel slung low, way too low on his hips, his damp hair dripping onto his bare shoulders

"You didn't come to class today" you say bluntly, focusing hard on maintaining eye contact and not scanning his body

"Yeah. Missed me?" he asks, a lazy grin spreading across his face

"Definitely not" you reply, arms crossing over your chest "But being in class would've helped us with the project"

"So you're here to tutor me?" he teases, tilting his head slightly, his smirk widening

"No" you mutter, feeling your patience wane

He steps closer, studying you with a mix of curiosity and amusement "Something bothering you?"

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose "Just trying to have a serious conversation with you" You gesture vaguely at him "Can you please go put some clothes on?"

Sylus grins "Only because you begged for it" he says smugly, but his expression falters when your eye twitches ever so slightly

With a low chuckle, he finally retreats down the hall

"I wasn't begging!" you call out, narrowing your eyes at his retreating figure

"Whatever you say" Sylus replies, his voice carrying down the hall, laced with that infuriating smugness

You cross your arms, exhaling sharply as your eyes wander around the room

The vibe of the boys' house is the exact opposite of the cozy, organized space you and the girls share, chaotic and somehow... very them

Your gaze lands on a picture sitting on a cluttered shelf, It's of Sylus and two other guys, both of whom look like twins. They seem younger, maybe elementary age

For a brief moment, a ridiculous thought crosses your mind. Maybe they're his kids? You quickly shake the idea off

Sylus doesn't exactly scream "young dad" especially with no partner in the photo

"Gross" you whisper to yourself, frowning

Why were you even thinking about him like that or thinking about him at all for that matter

"So, if you aren't here to tutor me, why are you here?" his voice cuts through your thoughts, making you spin around

"To tell you to start showing up to class" you tell him

"You could have just texted me that" he says, strolling toward you

"I don't have your number" you counter

"You could've had it" he replies, stepping closer, a smirk playing on his lips

You instinctively take a step back "Nah"

"Kinda glad you don't" he says, his voice low, his smirk widening as you feel your back hit the wall

"You better not" you mutter, glaring at him but unable to ignore the way his presence seems to fill the room

"Do what exactly?" he asks, tilting his head, his tone mockingly innocent

"You know" you say, your voice barely above a whisper as the air between you grows heavier

"I don't" he says, leaning just slightly closer, his gaze locking with yours

"You better not kiss me" you warn, your voice firm despite the slight waver in it

Sylus raises an eyebrow "From what I rememb-"

You step closer, cutting him off by slapping your hand over his mouth "We were both drunk" you say quickly

He grabs your wrist, gently pulling your hand away "And you kissed me" he replies, emphasizing the word you

"And it won't happen again" you state firmly, meeting his gaze with as much resolve as you can muster

"There goes my dream" he says, sighing dramatically

"You're what?" you ask, baffled by his response "Whatever" you mutter, taking a step back and shaking your head "I told you what I needed to, so I'm leaving now"

"You sure? You don't wanna stay and relive the memories?" he teases, leaning casually against the wall

You glare at him one last time before turning on your heel "Absolutely not"

[5:29PM]

"Can you take table seven?" Leroy asks, his voice carrying over the soft hum of the restaurant

"Sure. They got their drinks already?" you ask, glancing at the small pile of empty glasses he's setting down on the counter

"Yeah, just need their food order" he nods, wiping his hands on a towel

"Okay" you say, grabbing your notepad and pen. With a quick nod in his direction, you head out toward table seven, weaving between the other occupied tables

The salty breeze from the ocean wafts in through the open windows, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries

Approaching table seven, you plaster on your customer service smile, ready to take their order

"Good afternoon. Are you ready to order?" you ask, your voice polite but faltering slightly as you notice Sylus sitting with your friends

"Hi, Y/n!" Davina greets you warmly, flashing a bright smile

"Hey, you're back?" you ask, surprised to see her

"Yeah, just arrived and bumped into them" she says, nodding toward Sylus and Amari, who are both looking far too comfortable

"Definitely against your will" you mumble under your breath, earning a small laugh from Davina

"She actually enjoys being around us" Amari says with a casual shrug, leaning back in his chair like he owns the place

You roll your eyes "Right. Your order?"

Sylus smirks, tapping the menu with his finger "Do you have patience on the menu? Because we're gonna need a little more time"

"Aren't you funny today?" you deadpan, already regretting walking over to their table

"For you? Always" Sylus replies, leaning forward slightly, clearly enjoying your annoyance

You narrow your eyes at him but turn your attention back to Davina, who's flipping through the menu "Do you know what you want, at least?" you ask her, hoping to move this along

"Hmm, I'll have the shrimp tacos" she says with a smile

"Great choice" you reply, jotting it down and purposely ignoring Sylus's lingering gaze "And you?" you ask Amari, pointedly skipping over Sylus for now

Amari grins "The jerk chicken platter. Oh, and a side of fries"

"Noted" you say, writing quickly. Finally, you glance at Sylus "And you?"

He rests his chin on his hand, pretending to think "What's the most complicated thing on the menu?"

You don't even blink "Water"

Davina snorts and Amari bursts out laughing, but Sylus just shakes his head, amused "Fine, I'll take the fish sandwich" he says, clearly enjoying the banter

"Coming right up" you mutter, spinning on your heel to head back to the kitchen, your patience hanging by a thread

"Could've told me Sylus was sitting at the table" you mutter as you hang the note up for the chefs

"Didn't know it got that bad" Leroy says, glancing at you "Thought you were cool with him now"

"Thought wrong" you sigh, pulling your hair into a low ponytail to distract yourself from the annoyance bubbling up

"My bad" he says, raising his hands in mock apology "Why, though? What's the issue?"

"He just loves to work on my nerves and he's way too smug. I hate it" you explain, crossing your arms as you lean against the counter

"Not your type?" he asks, his curiosity evident

You pause, groaning softly "He's hot, sure. Can't deny that. But his attitude? Definitely not it"

"I dunno" Leroy says with a small laugh, leaning his hip against the counter "I kinda thought his attitude would make you even more into him, won't lie"

You shoot him a sharp look "Why would you think that?" "Because you argue with him all the time but still stick around. Feels like some rom com tension to me" he teases

"Well, this isn't a movie," you say dryly "And trust me, I'd rather deal with anyone else's attitude than his"

"Sure, keep telling yourself that" he says, chuckling as he heads to the sink, leaving you to stew in his words

You chuckle and shove Leroy's shoulder playfully "You're annoying"

"You love it" he chuckles, grinning as he finishes wiping the counter

If you had been paying attention, you might have noticed Sylus's eyes lingering on you from across the room

To him, you looked effortlessly beautiful, the way you always did. It wasn't just the way your hair framed your face or the way you smiled when you teased Leroy, it was the way you carried yourself. You had a way of capturing his attention without even trying and it drove him crazy

But you didn't notice. Too wrapped up in the moment, you grabbed an empty tray and headed back out to the floor, completely unaware of the thoughts running through Sylus's mind

Chap.2 >

[sirhamburrger]

akari - daichi sawamura x reader (spotify wrapped + bday + new year's fic LMAO)

>> in which daichi needs a little push from you to confess his feelings. >> tags/cw: reader’s gender unspecified, reader is a third year in daichi’s class, set right before nationals, daichi is whipped and reader knows it >> wc: 766 >> a/n: (my first hq post in a hot minute WHEW) for spotify writing challenge - number 33 + a karasuno third year for @stellar-headquarters!! mbmb this was so long overdue but i’m really killing knocking out three birds with one stone here LOLOL || dividers by @cafekitsune

”something i thought i could find anywhere // exists only here between the two of us” ~ akari (soushi sakiyama)

it’s new year’s eve, fast approaching midnight, and daichi thinks his heart is going to explode.

you’re both sitting cross-legged in foldable chairs on asahi’s balcony, holding cups of diluted lukewarm fruit punch. while your classmates party inside, whooping and yelling, it’s quiet here out under the night sky. peaceful. you take a sip of the bland concoction.

“so how does it feel to be going to nationals in four days?”

he tries not to let his eyes linger too much on how the residual punch makes your lips glisten in the low light.

“surreal,” he admits. “i never thought we’d get this far.”

you hum as you swirl the liquid in your cup around, seemingly satisfied with his answer. 

“and how does it feel to hide from me that your birthday is today?”

the cup raised to his lips, he nearly chokes. 

“relax,” you say, leaning back in your seat. “i didn’t tell anyone else. i know you wouldn’t want people knowing. but honestly, let people spoil you once in a while, y’know?”

he finds himself heaving a sigh of relief mixed with just a little exasperation. “thanks.”

daichi has been classmates with you for three years. you haven’t ever really been connected with volleyball in any way, but somehow he feels that he’s closer to you than any of his teammates. so it’s no surprise you found out about his birthday. what you probably don’t know, though, is that he really wants to kiss you right now, and he’s wanted to do that for the past one and a half years.

how could he not?

you both hear suga yelling at asahi to dance like his life depends on it, and you chuckle, eyelids fluttering shut. 

“i’ll miss you guys,” you murmur. “when you’re gone for nationals, i mean.”

there it is again - that strange ache in his chest. “i’ll miss you too.”

“so, i’m gonna give you this.” you fumble around in your pocket for a bit, then pull out an acrylic bear keychain. it’s clearly handmade - one of its eyes is smaller than the other, and one of its ears is a little squished. 

but he loves it already, because you made it.

“thank you,” he says, attempting to take it from your outstretched hand. but you pull away at the last second, clutching it back to your chest with a devilish smile.

“tell me first, and then you get this little guy over here.” you loop your finger through the chain attached to kuma-chan’s head (because that’s what daichi has named him in his mind, kuma-chan), spinning the little bear around.

he frowns. “tell you what?”

“tell me what you’ve been hiding,” you say, your voice light but your eyes gleaming with intent. the bear spins lazily on its chain still, catching the faint glow of the streetlights below.

“i don’t know what you mean,” he tries, though his voice wavers enough to betray him.

you arch a brow. “really? wow. and here i thought captain daichi was a good liar.”

he feels cornered, his pulse hammering in his ears. the crowd inside grows louder - ten seconds until midnight, the rest of the party shouting numbers at the top of their lungs. 

in this moment, he realizes he has two choices: deny it and spend another year pining after you, or just say it and hope he doesn’t ruin everything.

“five! four!” the crowd chants.

“fine,” he blurts out, leaning forward, his cup clinking awkwardly against the side of his chair. “i like you. no, i - i think i’m in love with you, and… and i think  i have been for a while now, so -”

“three! two!”

you’re grinning now, wide and mischievous. “that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“one!”

and then you’re leaning in, closing the gap between you, pressing your lips to his. it’s soft, sweet, and everything he’s imagined and more. for a second, the world falls away - no yelling classmates, no cold night air, no lukewarm fruit punch. just you and your peppermint chapstick making his lips tingle.

when you pull back, his head feels like it’s spinning. you drop the bear keychain into his hand, smirking.

“happy new year, daichi,” you whisper, smile saccharine. “and happy belated birthday.”

he looks at you, at the way your eyes sparkle, and he can’t help but smile back.

“happy new year.”

for the first time in all the years he's known you, the ache in his chest is gone.

a/n (again): my new year's present to all the daichi lovers out there (and loml stellar ofc!!)(i have learnt that i literally cannot spell daihci right. diachi. d a i c h i .)

haikyuu masterlist || general masterlist

© sirhamburrger 2024

[themindofachronicdaydreamer]

Suites & Sweets

freshman year at Jujutsu University Tokyo seems like it will be uneventful. and, well, that's true... until you meet the boys in the suite across the hall, and one in particular piques your interest.

satoru gojo x reader | jjk college au | no curse au | fem! reader | fluff, angst, & slow burn | SMAU & writing <3

introduction | previous | next PSA: mentions of panicking! ALSO: listen to kintsugi by lana del rey for the best reading experience <3 okay bye love you

₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.

ˋ°•*⁀➷˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 22. 𝓣𝓗𝓔 𝓒𝓤𝓡𝓢𝓔𝓓 𝓢𝓟𝓘𝓡𝓘𝓣𝓢: 𝓛𝓘𝓥𝓔 𝓘𝓝 𝓒𝓞𝓝𝓒𝓔𝓡𝓣 ⍣ ೋ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ... wc: 9.3k (oops)

You're finishing your eyeliner when Shoko appears behind you in your mirror, walking into your room. She's in a short black dress and has a vape in her hand - something she swears is helping her quit cigarettes. ("I said I'd quit smoking, not quit nicotine," she had told you when you noticed earlier, to which you scoffed out a "Sure.")

"We gonna leave soon? It's 7, didn't you wanna get there at 7:30 to catch Choso before he starts playing?" She asks as you watch her reflection in the mirror move closer.

"Yeah, almost finished," you answer, looking at your friend and smiling.

"'Kay," Shoko clicks her tongue. You look to face her as she reaches you. "'Cause the boys are coming any second to take our traditional round of shots before going out."

"I know, I know," you roll your eyes. You turn your head back toward the mirror to finish the last touches when Shoko's hand grabs your shoulder, stopping you.

"You don't have to force yourself to go out, y'know?" her voice is quiet, as if she doesn't want anyone else to hear.

You take a deep breath and stare back at her attentive eyes. "I want to go," you affirm. "I've been wanting to see Choso play for a minute now. I think it'll be nice. Good for me." You nod, though it is more to yourself than her, eyebrows furrowing for a moment before adding, "Plus, I'm getting tired of being so..."

"Stuck?" Shoko finishes, but the word carries so much to it. You have had years of friendship to learn about each other and form the close bond between you, that she probably knows you better than you know yourself.

Which mean she can likely tell you have a bit of shakiness to you, which is why your eyeliner has had to be been redone three times by now. She might have an idea that you're second guessing yourself from the number of clothes thrown on the floor from failed attempts at outfits. Which means she's already come to this conclusion: you're panicking.

You sigh in submission, looking down at the eyeliner in your hand. "Yeah, I guess," you admit, trying to smile but aware you're failing to make it look convincing. "I don't know why I'm making such a big deal out of this."

Shoko watches you with bored eyes as you pivot to try to finish your eyeliner. She's quiet, but you know the gears are turning in her head. Her expression softens as she takes a couple paces to sit on the edge of your bed beside you at the mirror.

"I see," she thinks out loud. "You're not forcing yourself to go out because you want to see Choso," she says gently. "You’re forcing yourself to do this because you think it's what you should do. You're scared of staying home and letting yourself feel, aren't you?"

Her words hit you like a ton of bricks, too accurate for comfort. You swallow hard, trying to push the sudden wave of anxiety down. She is really the definition of tough love sometimes.

"Maybe," you mumble, your fingers fidgeting with the hem of your dress. "But I don't want to just... hide away forever, you know? I can’t keep running from it."

Shoko’s gaze doesn’t waver. "You don't have to run. You don't have to act like everything’s fine either. It's okay to just... be, for a while." Her voice is soft, the calm tone only making the weight of her words feel heavier. "You don’t owe anyone anything tonight."

You turn to face her, the lump in your throat growing bigger. It’s hard to look at her, because Shoko knows how to call you out without making it feel like an attack. She sees through you, and she always has.

"I know. I just I thought if I went out, maybe I’d feel like myself again." You press your lips together, biting back the frustration building in your chest. "I don’t want to keep letting other people control me."

"You’re not controlling anything by distracting yourself, though," Shoko says quietly, her hand reaching for your arm, giving it a light squeeze. "You're just putting a bandage on it."

You close your eyes, feeling the sting of truth in her words. You feel tears forming, your face becoming warm in attempt to suppress your emotions. "I'm tired of feeling like this," you whisper.

"I know," she says, and there's no pity in her voice, just understanding. "But you're not alone, okay? You don’t have to hide it from me."

You nod, swallowing the lump invading your throat, and finally give her a small smile. "Thanks, Shoko."

"Listen," she begins. "You got through this last time. You will this time. And you'll be even stronger on the other side. You have me, Hime, and Mei. And Satoru - and, by the way, you need to catch me up on what's going on between you-"

"Nothing is going on between us!" you interject, but she continues talking as if you said nothing.

"-because I can tell something has shifted and I need to know everything. But that's for another night. Right now, you have all these people here for you, who miss you. We want what's best for you." She grins, nudging you with her shoulder. "So, if you want to go out, we’ll go out. But if you change your mind, we can always bail. Choso would understand," her voice is stern, yet so gentle and caring. She takes a deep inhale, putting her hands on your shoulders. "No pressure. Just... please don't do it because you think you have to."

You pause, thinking it over, before nodding again. "Yeah, you're right... I've been a bad friend-"

"Nuh-uh, no. Not that. We are not doing that. Are you aware of what you're going through right now?" Her tone is assuring as she looks down at her feet. "It's okay to not be able to give 100% all the time. Like I said, we're here for you. I'm here for you."

Tears begin to well in her eyes, and you reach out to her. She wraps you tightly in a hug. "I just want you to talk to me. After junior year, I promised myself I wouldn't let Naoya get to you again," Shoko says while releasing a shaky breath. "And I failed. I'm sorry-"

"Sho, no," you cut her off, backing away and grabbing her face. The two of you are a crying mess. "If I have no control over the situation, you don't either. Please, Sho."

Guilt wracks through you. Has she been feeling this way the whole time? But she's been holding it together, feeling responsible.

Wow.

Maybe this is really the reality check you needed.

You wipe the tear that escapes your eye, guilt mixing with a deep sense of gratitude as you look at your friend. "I had no idea you were carrying this too," you say, your voice cracking slightly. "I didn't mean for you to feel that way. I swear, I didn't want to burden anyone."

Shoko takes another large breath, letting it out slowly. "No, not a burden. Or an obligation. I want to carry this. I want to be there for you. You don't have to carry this all alone." Her hands are still on your arms, but there's a softness to her grip, as if she's reassuring both of you. She wipes her eyes, smirking through the vulnerability. "You're my best friend. I’m not gonna let you get torn down by this by yourself. If you ever need to cry, or yell, or just be a mess, I’m here. We’re all here, okay? Because, luckily for you, you have some stubborn ass friends. We're not going anywhere."

You let her words sink in, a weight lifting off your chest, a smile tugging at your lips. It doesn’t solve everything, but it’s a start. You’ve been so caught up in trying to manage things on your own, thinking that by pushing people away, you could somehow make it all better. But Shoko’s right. You don’t have to do it alone.

"Can- Can we make a pact?" she looks at you hesitantly.

"Depends on the pact," you laugh through the tears rolling down your face.

"If one of us says the magic word, we have to say what's on our minds," Shoko offers. "No matter what."

"What's the magic word?"

"Um...," she looks around the room, then seems to come to a conclusion. "Kintsugi."

"Why kintsugi?"

"Because why the hell else would we be saying kintsugi?"

"Fair point," you say and hold your pinkie out for her. "I promise. Kintsugi is the word."

"Promise," she mimics, then interlocks her pinkie with you own, sealing the deal.

You lean your forehead against hers for a brief moment. The look you share is one of words left unsaid, of forgiveness for mistakes, and of pure unconditional love between you and your dearest friend.

"I love you, you know that?" you say, emotion flooding every syllable. "I don't deserve you."

She scoffs lightly, pulling back and giving you a playful shove. "Shut up, you deserve everyone. Even me."

From the hallway, you hear a knock on your front door, Mei screaming she'll get it, a creaky door, and four male voices entering your suite.

Shoko turns to her reflection in your mirror, widening her eyes at her now messed up mascara. "Well, that's an issue." She giggles, standing up and brushing off her dress. "Let's fix this and go take that shot?"

A small laugh bubbles up from you.The tension in your shoulders loosens as you look at her, appreciating her more than you could express in words. "Sounds like a plan."

You grab some emergency makeup wipes and cotton swabs you had sitting in your vanity, handing some to Shoko. The weight of the conversation settles in your chest, but not in a way that weighs you down; for the first time in a while, you're hopeful. You're excited. You're ready to be happy.

Footsteps echo down the hall and closer to your room until, from the reflection of your doorway, a tall, white-haired man leans against it, hands in pockets as he looks at you in your leather jacket and red mini dress.

"Hey, pretty," he says when you turn to look at him. He's wearing a black button up, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and top few buttons undone, with black pants and sneakers. He then notices Shoko wiping her eyelid with a cotton swab and says, "Shoko."

"Freak," she greets without bothering to look at him.

"Hey, Satoru," you smile. His presence always finds a way to calm you. "One sec, we're doing the last touch-ups."

"I'm done," Shoko says, turning to you and giving you a look, her eyes saying oh you are so explaining this to me later and leaving the room.

"I'm almost done, I swear," you tell him, grabbing the eyeliner to finish the last little bit of your makeup. Satoru watches you from the entrance to your room.

"Take your time, sweets. I don't mind," he says, pushing off the doorframe and walking toward you at your mirror.

The day had gone by smoothly up to this point. Classes, which weren't as bad as you were expecting, then lunch with the Suites crew, and a spontaneous trip for boba with Satoru where he asked about ten times if you were certain about going out tonight. "Keep asking me that and I'll throw my shoe at you," you threatened, and although he conceded, you know he is still wary of how you are feeling and paying extra close attention to you.

Satoru rests a hand on your vanity, leaning down slightly to look at you in the mirror. His expression softens when your eyes meet, and a small smile pulls at his lips. You return it, turning to him fully, your eyeliner finally satisfying you. He takes his time memorizing your figure while you stare so innocently up at him, your soft grin emphasizing your radiant beauty.

“You’re gonna steal the show tonight,” he teases and pokes your cheek. There’s a sincerity in his tone that excites you.

You roll your eyes, though a faint blush creeps across your cheeks. “Please, Toru. I’m just trying to look somewhat decent."

“Decent?” he scoffs, straightening up. “If this is your idea of ‘decent,’ then I am very interested in how you look put together all fancy-like.”

You laugh, shaking your head as you finish the last stroke of your eyeliner. “You’re so dramatic.”

“Comes with the territory,” he replies with a grin.

“That, it does,” you say, You set it down and meet his eyes, and the way he’s looking at you makes your heart flutter. His gaze is warm, soft in a way that feels almost intimate, and you’re suddenly grateful for the light blush you applied earlier because it hides the one he’s causing now.

“So." He reaches out to gently tug on the sleeve of your oversized jacket. “Are you ready to steal hearts tonight, or just mine?” Satoru teases, his voice light but carrying that familiar undertone that always makes your pulse quicken.

You shake your head, a small laugh escaping. “I think stealing yours is more than enough work for one night.”

“Good answer,” he says, his grin widening. His hand lingers on your sleeve for a moment before he lets it drop, as if reluctant to pull away.

Before you can respond, Mei’s voice cuts through the air from the living room. “Guys! Are we doing this or what? I could be on my third shot by now!”

Satoru rolls his eyes but offers you a hand. “Shall we, my lady?”

You take it, his hand warm and firm in your own, and let him lead you out of your room. Shoko is already in the living room with Mei, Utahime, and the guys, who are gathered around the kitchen island. Mei is pouring some alcohol into shot glasses, glass bottle almost empty from previous nights of fun.

“Finally,” Utahime drawls when she sees you. “Thought we were gonna have to send a search party.”

You stick your tongue out at her playfully. “Beauty takes time, Hime. Don't you know this?”

“And some of us need more time than others,” Mei quips back, earning a chuckle from Shoko.

Satoru steps in, his arm draping over your shoulder casually, though the gesture feels protective. “Leave her alone, you two. She’s already putting all of you to shame.”

"Judge, I object," Utahime puts her free hand up as if telling Satoru to stop, turning her head away in disgust. "He is obviously biased."

"I second that," Yu nods his head.

Satoru lets out a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest. “Biased? Me? I am offended—nay, wounded—by such accusations.”

Shoko rolls her eyes. “Wounded my ass.”

Mei chuckles, setting the shot glasses on the counter. “Okay, stop fighting, let’s get this over with so we can actually leave. Tequila waits for no one. I'm sure Choso's band doesn't either.”

In response, everyone gathers around the kitchen island, Satoru slides a glass in front of you and himself.

"Here’s to making it through the week," Suguru says, raising his glass in a toast.

"And to not running away," you add with a small grin, your heart feeling a little lighter as you clink your glass against his.

"To not running away," everyone echoes, and you take the shot with a sense of camaraderie, feeling the warmth spread through your chest.

Maybe, just maybe, you can do this. One step at a time.

The group erupts into playful banter, but Satoru doesn’t move his arm, and you don’t make him. You feel a sense of belonging in the warmth of the room, in the laughter and teasing, in the way Satoru’s thumb absentmindedly traces small circles on your shoulder, a subtle method to ground you.

-----

The bar isn't too far from your dorm, but the autumn chill nips at your bare legs for the entire walk. Inside Levi's, however, is quite the opposite, hitting you like a wave of hot, stuffy air.

The room is bathed in moody neon lights - red and purple hues bouncing off the brick walls, casting shadows that move like living things. It’s packed but not suffocating; it's the kind of crowd that feels alive without overwhelming you. Your group files in, Mei leading the charge with a confident strut as if she owns the place. Utahime follows, muttering something about needing a drink immediately, while Shoko scans the room with her usual cool detachment.

Satoru stays close to you, his hand placed near your lower back as if silently guiding you through the crowd. The touch is light but reassuring, and you feel a little less out of place with him at your side.

"I have to find Choso!" you announce soon after walking in, speaking loudly against the loud music. "You coming, Yu?"

"Yeah!" he grins and gives you a thumbs up.

Mei turns to you, already setting her sights on the bar. "What do you want to drink? I'll get it for you," she asks.

"Hmm, vodka cranberry?" you reply, glancing over your shoulder at her.

"I got you," she says with a wink, turning on her heel and heading toward the bar.

"Grab us a table with a good view," you say to Utahime, who salutes, then follows after Mei, who raises her hand to grab the attention of a bartender. Shoko waves, and Suguru and Kento walk with them, chatting amongst themselves as they make their way to the alcohol.

You turn to notice Satoru still standing next to you. "You can go with them, if you want," you offer, voice louder than usual to cut through the pulsing of the DJ's speakers. "If you want to stay with everyone else-"

"Nah," Satoru leans closer, his lips brushing against your ear as he cuts you off, voice a smooth whisper in the cacophony. Shivers are sent down your spine and you swear you have goosebumps, even with how warm it is. "I wanna tag along. Just lead the way, baby."

A teasing glance over your shoulder is all you can offer before you slip through the crowd, Satoru staying right behind you, a constant presence you can feel without having to look. Yu follows, his excitement tangible as he navigates the sea of people with ease.

The music envelops you. Its bass vibrates through your body, a pulse that feels like it's coming from the very walls of the building. The lights flicker in time with the beat, casting a surreal glow over the entire room, giving everything a euphoric quality. The crowd moves in sync, almost hypnotic as they sway to the rhythm like a living being.

Levi's isn’t just a bar - it’s a maze. It's a labyrinth of bodies and lights that shifts every time you look away. Each step feels precarious, like a game of chance. One wrong move and you’ll be lost, caught in the tide of people that ebb and flow with the music.

Your eyes scan every corner of the room until you finally land on Choso. He stands near the back, tucked beside the slightly raised stage. He’s dressed in all black with a focused look on his face as he tunes his electric guitar.

"There he is," you say, nodding toward Choso. You turn to Satoru, who’s following closely behind, and he gives a short nod of acknowledgement before continuing to trail behind you.

Yu’s excitement skyrockets. "Yay!" he practically shouts, taking the lead and weaving through the crowd with surprising speed. You watch him speed up, practically running to Choso, who looks up and notices. With a smile, he puts his guitar down to greet Yu with a side hug.

You follow behind with Satoru close beside you. His body brushes against yours once in a while, the briefest contact, but enough that you’re acutely aware of how close he is, how the rhythm of his movements somehow aligns with yours.

“Hey,” Choso greets once you reach him, his deep voice somehow cutting through the music. His gaze flicks to Satoru briefly, giving him a polite nod before returning to you, then to Yu. “Glad you could make it!"

“Choso!" you greet, wrapping your arms around him excitedly. "Of course! Wouldn’t miss it,” you let go of him, backing up and offering him a genuine smile.

"Yeah, man!" Yu says. "Of course we'd come!"

You gesture to the blue-eyed boy beside you. "This is our friend Satoru, by the way."

Satoru gives a playful wave, his usual easygoing demeanor shining through. “Pleasure to meet you, Choso.”

"Nice to meet you, too!" he says with a small, genuine smile, the kind that reaches his eyes.

"I'm sorry we got here so late," you say, feeling a twinge of guilt. "I-"

Choso waves it off with a soft chuckle, his expression warm and unbothered. "Hey, no, it's okay. I'm glad you're even here at all!" his smile is so genuine, it makes you smile. He glances between you and Yu. "Where are you sitting?"

"Not sure yet," Yu responds. "Our other friends were grabbing drinks and a table."

"But I told them to try and get close, so hopefully they listen!" you add.

From behind the stage, someone calls Choso's name. "I'll look for you after," Choso chuckles, ruffling your hair before giving you a thumbs-up. "Gotta go, thanks for saying hi!"

From behind a curtain hiding the backstage from the general crowd, a boy with pink hair comes out. "Um, hey, bro. You ready to play?" he queries.

"Yeah, yeah," Choso says while already in the process of grabbing his guitar. "I'm coming."

"Good luck!" you say to both Choso and pink hair.

Choso gives you a quick nod and a smile before disappearing behind the curtain, his guitar strap slipping over his shoulder as he walks toward the stage. The pink-haired boy follows, his energy buzzing with anticipation, and he gives Choso a playful nudge. You watch them go, the atmosphere in the room seeming to shift with their departure, as if everyone is waiting for the performance to begin.

The air around you is thick with excitement now, everyone’s eyes starting to turn toward the stage. The DJ’s music transitions into a softer, more ambient beat, setting the tone for the performance. A sense of collective anticipation fills the space, and you can feel the energy in the room begin to build. You turn, scanning the crowd again, and spot your friends at a table on the side wall, the perfect spot with a great view of stage. Mei is holding space for your group at a table with an impressive view of the stage, a drink already in her hand, while Utahime lounges in the corner with a mimosa in front of her. Shoko, as usual, looks perfectly composed, her attention flitting between the crowd and her phone, glass of something dark and definitely strong at her lips. Kento sits back, a small smile playing on his lips as he watches the chaos unfold around him.

"Found them," you say, your voice lifted just enough to be heard over the DJ. Yu grins, excitement still evident in his eyes as he speeds ahead, his long legs helping him navigate through the crowd faster than the rest of you. Satoru stays close behind, his hand placed lightly against your back, the small connection grounding you in the whirlwind of lights and music.

As you approach, Utahime notices you, her eyes lighting up. “Finally!” she calls out, waving enthusiastically. “Took you guys long enough!”

“Yeah, this place is like an obstacle course," you say. You slide into the seat beside Utahime, grateful to be out of the crowded space for a moment. Satoru and Yu sit across from you, Satoru's long legs knocking against yours as he relaxes into his spot.

Kento offers a nod of acknowledgment from across the table, his calm demeanor never shifting. "Glad you made it through the chaos." His gaze sweeps over the table, a slight smirk curling on his lips. "You guys didn’t lose anyone, did you?"

"Not yet," you chuckle, stealing a glance at Yu, who is already deep in conversation with Suguru, likely discussing the music lineup. His energy is almost tangible, electrifying in a way that could power the entire room.

Shoko raises an eyebrow, her eyes shifting from her phone to you. “Found Choso?”

“Yeah,” you answer with a grin. “He’s back there getting ready to play. We’ll catch up with him after!”

And the next thing you know, the lights are dimming and Choso is walking out onto the stage, guitar in hand. The pink-haired boy follows, and a tall, muscular man walks on after.

Pinky boy reaches the center microphone and says, "Hello, again, Levi's!" He raises his guitar in hand and shouts, "I'm YuujI!"

Yuuji as in... Sukuna's brother?

They both have pink hair, so it makes sense. Plus, you're certain Yuuji is his brother's name. That's who Ino mentioned in his texts to Satoru, right?

The world is getting smaller and smaller.

"Todo." Muscle boy sits at the drums, tapping his drumsticks together, starting a beat in the background of their introductions.

Your attention is regained by Choso speaking into the mic, "I'm Choso, and we're The Cursed Spirits!"

Their music fills the air, loud and exciting.

Utahime gasps. She has to scream over the music, "You didn't tell me Choso is so hot?!"

"Yes I did!" you respond loudly. "I told you he played guitar! What do you think that meant?"

Shoko, drink in hand, shouts over the growing noise, "She's got a point!"

"They're not bad," Kento comments, his voice slightly drowned out by the music as he takes a casual sip of his beer.

"Yeah! They're good, right?" Yu agrees. Choso has shared his music with you two before, in class and getting coffee, but hearing it live is a completely different thing.

It's an entire experience.

The music flows through the room, the energy vibrating in the air as Choso's deep voice fills the microphone, Yuuji's harmonizing perfectly. Despite the slight unease that lingers from your earlier conversation with Satoru, the atmosphere of the club lightens your mood. It’s a welcome distraction, a chance to escape the tangled thoughts in your head, if only for a moment.

You smile, eyes landing on Satoru across from you. His face artwork, you think as you stare at it, eyes tracing the curve of his nose. To your dismay, eyes meet yours, and for a brief moment, the noise and chaos of the club feel distant, like it's just the two of you in this tiny, quiet world.

You quickly look away, pretending to focus on the band again, but your smile betrays you. Satoru notices, of course, and his grin widens in response.

By the time their set is over, you feel like you've lost your voice. They played old hits, like Zombie by The Cranberries and The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. It was mesmerizing, and they were all extremely talented. The whole band was on fire, their energy infectious, and you can’t help but feel a little lighter than when you first walked in.

With a final goodbye, Choso thanks the crowd, and the band members exit the stage.

After about ten minutes, your rockstar friend finds his way to your table, his brothers in tow. Without a second thought, you leap from. your seat.

"You were so good!" you exclaim, almost breathless from the excitement.

"Thanks! I'm glad you liked it." He shrugs. His eyes sparkle under the club lights, still full of adrenaline from the set.

"Gonna introduce us?" Utahime pokes into your conversation from beside you.

"Right!" you say, turning to your friends. Skipping Yu in front, you begin with the girl beside him. "Choso, this is Utahime and Shoko. That's Mei. Those three are my roommates. That's Suguru, Kento." Kento puts his hand up in a polite greeting." You met Satoru already."

"Hi everyone," Choso greets. "Thank's for coming!"

"Hi, I think I'm in love with you," Utahime deadpans, eyes wide directed at Choso.

A laugh erupts from the bo beside her. "Consider us your first fan club," Yu announces, making Choso laugh.

"New fan club?" Mei chimes in, her sharp eyes flicking between Choso and the rest of the group. She leans forward, resting her chin on her hand with a sly smile. "Hm, I guess I'll join."

Utahime, who hasn’t taken her eyes off Choso since he walked out on stage, glares playfully at Mei. "Don’t scare him off, Mei. I think he actually likes us so far."

"Don’t worry about me," Choso replies, a hint of humor in his tone. "I think I can handle it."

You giggle. "Just you wait."

People from the club compliment them as they walk past, some girls going so far to ask for a picture with the bandmates. Choso humbly obliges with a soft smile gracing his features as he poses between Yuuji and Todo. The three brothers radiate charisma, their energy still buzzing from the performance.

At some point, Mei rises to grab some more drinks from the bar.

Choso returns to the table after taking a couple more photos, looking sheepish. "Sorry about that. Happens sometimes after gigs."

"It's fine," you assure him with a grin. "I mean, it’s not every day you see someone you know getting fangirled over."

"You really have a following, huh?" Shoko remarks.

Utahime, still clearly infatuated, mutters, "For good reason."

Choso chuckles, running a hand through his hair, clearly still a little embarrassed by the attention. "I guess I’m not used to it yet. It’s all a bit overwhelming." His gaze flits toward the crowd, where a couple more fans wave at him from across the room. "But, uh... I’m glad you all came out tonight. Really means a lot."

"Of course we came!" Utahime says, still giddy. "This was so much fun! Your band is ah-maze-ing."

"Thanks," Choso replies, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "We’ve been working on some new stuff, so it’s good to see people enjoying it."

"So," Shoko says, leaning forward with her glass in hand, her eyes gleaming with mischief, "any chance we get to see more of you performing live? I think I speak for everyone when I say we’d love to see another show."

Choso laughs, a soft blush creeping up his neck. "You guys would really come to another one? I mean, I’d love for you all to come. We’re still figuring out our next gig, but yeah, I’ll let you know."

"Yeah! You guys are great!" Yuuji says. "Do you go to Jujutsu University, too? My brother goes there!"

You nod. "I'm guessing it's Sukuna?" you query.

Yuuji looks to you. "Yeah! What gave it away?" He gasps. "Was it my hair?" His hand rubs the top of his hair.

"Wait, I thought you and Choso are brothers?" Kento says, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Yeah, we are too! Same with me and Todo! The family is a little complicated, I guess," he smiles in amusement at the joke that is his family tree. His cheeks start to turn a little pink as he leans back, looking at Choso with a hint of embarrassment for having overshared.

Choso lets out a low chuckle, shrugging slightly. "It’s not that complicated, just a bit messy," he says, a modest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But it works."

"When isn't family complicated?" Satoru asks. "Or chaotic?"

"He has a point," Suguru chimes in.

"Yeah," you giggle. "Though, you’re much less… intimidating than he is."

Yuuji lets out a loud, hearty laugh, visibly pleased by the compliment. "I’ll take that as a win!" He grins, his eyes sparkling. "Sukuna’s got that scary vibe down, huh? I try not to be too unapproachable."

"You're doing great!" you giggle, and with that, the topic shifts to Todo's drumming skills.

As everyone chats, the club’s energy swirls around you, with each new conversation creating more threads between you and the people around you. Despite the chaos of a club, there's a sense of comfort in knowing you're surrounded by good people, even if the world around you keeps shrinking in ways you didn’t expect. It feels like things are settling into place.

Loud music continues to play in the background, but the noise of the club fades into a comfortable hum in the background. Choso, still flushed from the excitement of the performance, lounges back in his chair, his fingers absently tapping against his drink. He's engaged with your table's conversation, and while the attention from a fan in the audience catches his attention every now and then, it doesn’t seem to faze him as much anymore, though there’s still a slight awkwardness when people come up to him. It’s clear that the spotlight, while flattering, is something he’s still adjusting to.

Looking across the table, your eyes land on Satoru, who sits comfortably, something of a casual confidence emitting from him. He’s leaning back casually, watching the conversations unfold with a slight grin. Again, to your dismay, his eyes meet yours, and there's a flicker of something behind them - maybe amusement? He catches you staring and raises an eyebrow, a silent challenge in the way he looks at you, as if daring you to ask him what’s going through his mind. You smirk, turning your attention back to the band members.

Mei slides back into her with a flourish, holding a tray of shots. "Miss me?" she asks, her mischievous grin widening as she sets the tray down on the table. "Answer correctly, and I'll give you a shot."

"Always, Mei," you tease, your grin matching hers as you reach for one of the shots. "You're the life of the party - only if you're not drinking wine."

"Okay, fair," she laughs, then passes a shot to you, your friends all taking turns grabbing one from the tray. The club’s lights flicker as the music shifts, but for now, your group is content in your own little bubble.

"Cheers to the band!" Yu declares, raising his glass.

Everyone joins in, lifting their drinks and echoing her sentiment. "To the band!" The clink of glasses is barely audible over the music, but it doesn’t matter.

As the shots are downed and the buzz of alcohol adds to the already electric atmosphere, Yuuji turns to Choso with a mischievous grin. "Dude, you have to tell them about that time you fell off the stage during rehearsal."

Choso groans, already bracing for the worst. "Why would you bring that up? No one needs to know about that."

Yuuji grins wider, clearly relishing the opportunity to embarrass his older brother. "Because it was epic! He tripped over his own mic cable, like, mid-riff, and then-" Yuuji doubles over with laughter, barely able to get the words out, "-he landed on top of Todo! The sound Todo made- oh my god, it was like he got hit by a truck!"

Todo, wise smile on his face, shakes his head, a small but amused smile tugging at his lips. "To be fair, it did feel like I got hit by a truck. Choso's not exactly light."

The table erupts into laughter, Utahime nearly spitting out her drink. "Oh my god, I need to see this. Please tell me there’s a video."

Choso’s face flushes as he waves a hand dismissively. "There is no video. And even if there was, you’d never see it."

Yuuji smirks, clearly enjoying himself. "That’s what he thinks."

Utahime leans forward, her eyes lighting up. "Yuuji, you’re my new favorite person. If you can get your hands on that video, I’ll buy you a drink."

"Done," Yuuji replies instantly, and Choso buries his face in his hands.

You feel a foot tapping yours and look up to find Satoru staring at you. His smirk grows when your eyes meet, and he nudges your foot again, this time with more purpose. You raise an eyebrow, and turn away, back to the conversation.

You can play whatever game he's playing, too.

"The setlist was well-curated," Kento comments as you're tuning back in.

"Thanks," Choso says, genuinely touched. "We’ve been working on some originals, too. Maybe next time we’ll debut one."

“Yeah, that was definitely one of the best crowds we've had,” Yuuji adds, his enthusiasm contagious. “I swear, the crowd was louder than we were at some points. It’s crazy to think that all these people are here for us.”

"I was screaming, like, the whole time," Utahime brags.

"Clearly, Utahime likes you more than us already," Satoru pokes, shooting a teasing glance at her.

Utahime turns bright red, her eyes narrowing at Satoru. "I—! That’s not—! Satoru, shut up!" She grabs her napkin and throws it at him, but he catches it mid-air with a smirk.

"You wound me, Utahime," Satoru says dramatically, pressing the napkin to his chest as though he’s been shot. "I’m just trying to help you live your truth."

"Why can't you help by being quiet? That'll sure help me live my truth," she snaps, but there’s no malice in her tone, only the exasperation of someone who’s used to dealing with him.

"Hey, don’t fight in front of the band," Yu interjects before Satoru can say anything. "They might think we’re not cool."

Choso laughs softly and shakes his head. "Don’t worry. It’s nice to hang out with people who aren’t afraid to give each other a hard time. Makes me feel at home."

"Is that your way of saying we bully each other?" Shoko deadpans, raising her glass. "Because you wouldn’t be wrong."

Choso shrugs with a sheepish grin. "Maybe."

Yuuji, clearly enjoying the moment, leans forward with a mischievous grin. "Yeah, definitely. Bullying each other is basically how we show love, right? That's what Sukuna does, at least."

You take a sip from your drink, watching the group interact with each other. There's something about this moment, the ease and comfort of being surrounded by your friends, that makes you feel grounded.

After a beat of watching the banter continue, a question crosses your mind, and you casually ask, "Do you guys ever get nervous before a performance?"

"Yeah," Choso smiles, blush creeping up his neck. "Honestly, tonight was nerve-wracking because I wanted to impress your friends."

"Really?" you ask, your voice teasing but warm. "You were nervous about impressing us? You killed it!"

"I just didn't want to disappoint you all. I hope I didn't!" Choso's nerves start to get to him.

You smile, touched by his sincerity. "You didn't disappoint anyone. You were amazing, Choso." You lean over to him slightly, offering him a reassuring look. "Seriously, everyone had a great time."

Choso meets your gaze and gives a small, appreciative nod. "Thanks!"

"We should go talk to our crew," Todo says. "And there's others we gotta thank, so we should get goin'."

"Yeah, sorry guys, gotta go!" Yuuji says, smile wide as ever.

After exchanging goodbyes and a final few thank yous, they walk toward the stage and the workers beside it. The chatter doesn't stop, however; your friends and you continue enjoying each other's company, the conversations flowing effortlessly. The dim lighting in the room, the soft hum of music, and the clink of glasses create a cozy atmosphere as everyone settles into the comfortable rhythm of the night.

Once more, your foot is nudged by someone else's. You look to Satoru who's watching you with a playful, knowing glint in his eyes. His foot taps yours again, this time with more insistence.

You turn away again, smiling to yourself at the fun little game you started.

"Wait, Mei," Yu says all of the sudden. "Didn't you say you were bringing someone?"

Mei looks at him confused for a moment. Then, she makes an oh sound as if understanding the question and asks, "My pookie?"

"Yeah, I think so!" Yu says, and Mei leans her head against her han

"Shit, I forgot about that," Shoko comments.

"I forgot to tell you guys, but her lame ass bailed. I think I'm done with her. The rooftop was nice but she seriously needs to get over her boyfriend and, maybe, figure herself out," Mei rolls her eyes.

"Weird," you grimace. "Was she even real?"

"Honestly, maybe not," Mei sighs. "A girl can dream."

"Maybe she was just a figment of your imagination," Suhuru grins, clearly amused. "Like a ghost from your past, haunting your texts."

"Stop," Mei groans, rolling her eyes. "I don’t need you adding more fuel to the fire."

The group erupts into laughter, and you smile. It’s moments like these that make everything feel right—surrounded by people who accept you for who you are, flaws and all. You’re all misfits in your own way, but together, it’s like everything just clicks.

At some point, Kento breaks everyone's hearts.

"We have classes tomorrow, we should leave soon."

"Do you hate fun?" Mei groans.

"No, he's right," Shoko counters. "It's midnight, and we still have to walk back."

"I hate that you're always right," Utahime mutters under her breath.

"We going, then?" Suguru checks.

Quickly, you send Choso a text: leaving now jsyk!! thanks for the invite :), and he responds almost immediately with: thanks be safe!!! i'll let you know when our next show is!

Following your friends, you exit the club. Satoru's pace beside you matches yours as you exit. Once outside, he nudges you with his elbow.

"Hey, angel," he says.

"Hi Satoru," you return with an innocent smile. "What's up?"

"Nothin' much. Just wondering why you were starin' at me so much, hm?" He pokes your shoulder.

"I don't know what you're talking about," you respond, and he chuckles.

"Oh, you definitely were," he teases. "You got all flustered, too. You're adorable when you're embarrassed."

Satoru's teasing lingers in the air, but there’s something comfortable about the silence between you two. The cool night breeze wraps around you both, and the sounds of the city - honking cars, distant chatter, the hum of life - seem to blend together with the lightness of the evening. You glance at Satoru out of the corner of your eye, catching the playful spark in his gaze as he walks beside you, his hands tucked casually in his pockets.

“You sure you don’t know what I’m talking about?” he presses, his voice low but still full of that teasing tone. “Because, you know, when someone keeps looking at me like that, I can't help but wonder what's going on in their head."

You let out a small, amused sigh, not wanting to admit how much his attention actually affects you. "Maybe I was just lost in thought. Ever think of that?" you counter, your voice lighthearted, trying to brush off his question.

Satoru smirks. "Mhm, sure. Those thoughts seem a little... distracted." He pauses for a moment, his tone turning serious. "Are you alright, baby?"

"Yeah, Toru, I'm good," you send him a quick smile. "Why?"

"Just checkin' in on you. I'm proud of you, y'know?" he says, and you furrow your brows. "I'm serious."

The sincerity in his words catches you off guard, and for a moment, you're speechless. You hadn't expected this side of him, especially after all the playful banter.

You smile, the warmth in your chest spreading as you meet his gaze. "I appreciate it, Toru. It means a lot, especially coming from you."

He gives you a gentle nudge, the smirk returning to his lips, though it's not as teasing this time. "Just make sure you keep kicking ass," he adds with a wink. "It's hot."

You choke on air. "Will do!"

Shoko calls your name from ahead. "Hurry up!" You glance up, catching Shoko's voice cutting through the quiet air, and see her standing a little farther ahead with the others, waiting for you and Satoru.

You nod, trying to recover from the moment of embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah, we're coming!" You quicken your step, pulling ahead of Satoru just slightly, though you can still feel his presence beside you, the easy confidence he exudes somehow calming even in the chaos of the night.

You fall in line with Shoko, and for the rest of the walk home, your group stays close as you walk together through the quiet streets, past homes, heading to the path that leads to your sleepy university. The stars shine above you, lamps dimly illuminating the ground. It's a beautiful campus, and even more beautiful during a full moon.

A yawn escapes you, and you laugh. "So, I'm definitely going to need coffee in the morning," you joke.

"Same," Kento replies with a groan, rubbing his eyes dramatically. "I'm already planning my entire morning around caffeine. If I don’t have it, I’ll probably end up asleep in class."

"Honestly, I’m just hoping I make it to class in the first place," Yu laughs, his voice light and carefree. "You know, one of those days where you just pray you wake up on time."

Suguru gives Yu a playful shove. "Sounds like a you problem. But I guess I’m not judging. I’d probably skip, too, if I could get away with it."

"Don’t even joke about that," Shoko grumbles. "If I have to drag you all out of bed, I will. I’m already considering bribing my alarm clock to work harder tomorrow."

You laugh at the image of that in your head, knowing full well Shoko is serious about that kind of thing. "We’ll see how well that works," you tease. "God, we’re all going to be caffeine addicts by the end of this semester."

"I already am one," Mei quips, flashing a grin. "Don’t even need to wait for the end. I’m fully on the coffee train."

"Don't you think it's weird how we've only known the guys for, like, a month?" Utahime ponders out loud.

"Yeah," Yu agrees. "I feel like I've known all four of you so long already!"

You glance at your friends, your heart light. It’s strange how quickly you’ve all connected, how easy it is to laugh together, to just be together. Despite the differences, the chaos, the occasional miscommunication, there’s something undeniably comforting about this group.

"It's like we're a little family," you agree.

Satoru giggles. "Shoko's our mom, Kento's dad. Obviously."

"You know, I wouldn’t be opposed to being the cool aunt," Utahime adds with a wink, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I could definitely get behind that role."

"Then I’m the rebellious cousin," Yu says with a grin, hands making wild gesticulations. "Always getting into trouble and dragging everyone else into it."

"At this rate," Mei says, a smirk on her face, "we should just start a family reunion next weekend. What do you think?"

"I’d be down," Suguru agrees, grinning. "Could use more of these chaotic family dinners."

The conversation lulls for a moment until you hesitantly say, "Sorry for being MIA the past week, guys."

"Hey, don't apologize! Did you have fun at least?" Yu questions.

You look at him walking behind you and smile. "Yes! Lots. I'm glad I went."

Utahime nods her head beside Yu. "That's all that matters, then."

"You looked happy to be there," Suguru comments.

You smile softly at the unexpected sentiment, feeling grateful for the friends around you. "You all make everything better, you know that?"

Reaching the dorm building, Mei opens the door. Kento rushes to grab it from her and backs away to hold it open for the rest of the group. Everyone files in, scanning their JJU IDs to allow access - a safety procedure for campus.

The walk to your respective Suites was short and quiet, sans the sound of everyone's footsteps. At the intersection between 12A and 12B, you're sad to see that it's time to part.

You give each of the boys a quick hug goodnight, hugging Satoru last, and longer. His grip is tight, his body warm against you. You feel his lips press against your forehead, then he murmurs into your ear, "Night, angel."

"Night, Toru," you say back, smiling at him before you enter your dorm, Utahime following and closing the door. The girls are already talking about plans for tomorrow, but you can’t help but feel a little caught up in the tenderness of the night.

"Okay, okay," Mei says after lookin in the peephole to be sure the boys are in their suite and couldn't eavesdrop. "Satoru seems to be the reason you're all mushy now."

You laugh, rolling your eyes. "No, I'm just grateful is all."

"Be honest," Utahime leans kitchen counter. "You like him or not?

There's a tense silence that thickens the air in the room as everyone looks at you, awaiting a response.

Suddenly, you chuckle softly. There's a playful glint in your eyes as they glance between your roommates. "I think you all know the answer to that..."

The teasing smiles on Mei and Utahime's faces widen as they exchange knowing glances. Shoko leans back, raising an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Do we?" Mei raises a challenging eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "You’ve been a bit... coy about it."

You shrug, trying to keep up the act. "I don’t know what you're talking about. I’m just... being myself?"

Utahime laughs, clearly unconvinced. "Being yourself, huh? You like him. It's that simple."

"Okay, okay," you give in with a dramatic sigh, throwing your hands up in mock surrender. "Fine. I like him. I like him a lot. Happy now?"

There’s a brief moment of silence before all three girls burst out laughing.

"Yes!" Mei exclaims, pointing dramatically at you. "Told you! I knew it."

Shoko leans in, her smile softening as she crosses the room to sit beside you. "It’s cute, you know. The way you two look at each other. But don't rush it, okay? Take it one step at a time. No pressure. But you're gonna tell us everything."

You nod, relieved by the sincerity in her voice. "I know. I’m just... trying to figure things out. It's a lot to process."

Mei, noticing the seriousness in your voice, softens a bit, her teasing tone giving way to something more understanding. "It's okay to take your time. You're not in any rush!" She gives a playful nudge to your shoulder. "And we’re here for the ride, no matter what. Satoru's a good guy, you know. He’s been pretty obvious about how he feels."

Your face scrunches in thought. "Huh? I don't even really know how he feels," you add.

The girls exchange glances. Mei shifts a little closer, her voice softer now. "What do you mean? He's obvious, right? He's always with you, talking to you, about you. He's all over you, really."

You sigh, leaning back against the couch. "I know, but sometimes I wonder if it's just his... well, Satoru energy, you know? He's always like that - so confident, always playing around, acting like it’s no big deal." You fidget with your sleeve, unsure of how to put your thoughts into words. "I guess I just don't want to make anything weird between us. He's been so great, but-"

"Wait, you think Satoru doesn't know how he feels?" Utahime interrupts, arching an eyebrow. "Girl, he definitely knows. And so do you. Don't act like you're not into him. You wouldn’t be this shy about it if you weren’t."

You bite your lip, trying to suppress a smile. "I’m not shy," you mumble, but the way your heart skips a beat whenever you think about him says otherwise. "Okay, maybe I’ve been overthinking it. I just don’t want to mess it up, okay? After Ino...."

"I get it. After everything with Ino, it’s normal to be cautious. You don’t want to rush into anything or get hurt again." Shoko's voice is laced with understanding.

Utahime leans in, her tone more serious than usual. "That's why you’ve got us, right? We’ve got your back, no matter what. You can take your time with Satoru or anyone. Don’t let the past dictate what happens now. We’re all learning, growing, figuring things out as we go."

You smile, touched by her words. "Thanks, guys. I really needed to hear that."

Shoko gives you a gentle nudge. "And remember, Satoru’s not going to pressure you into anything. He’s been patient, so he knows what’s up. He’s got your back, too, you know."

A warm feeling spreads in your chest at the thought of Satoru. "Yeah, he does. I just... I don’t know what to do with all these feelings sometimes."

Mei, with her usual mischievous grin, teases, "Well, at least you're not trying to hide them anymore. That's a step, right?"

There’s a comfortable pause as the girls nod in agreement. Mei, ever the one to break the tension, grins mischievously. "And, just remember, when you’re ready to make it official, we expect an invite to the celebration dinner."

You roll your eyes, trying to suppress your laughter. "If that ever happens, I’ll be sure to let you know."

Utahime smirks, her arms still crossed. "Oh, it’ll happen. We all know it’s only a matter of time before you two become official. You can’t hide that kind of chemistry forever."

"Now, let’s get some rest," Shoko insists. "You have an eight A.M. class."

"Ugh, don't remind me," you say as you drag a hand across your face. "But fine. Night everyone!"

With one last laugh, you head to your room, feeling a little lighter than you did earlier. You felt genuine joy today, and you're glad you pushed yourself to go out. You missed your friends. They really lift you up.

As you make your way to your room, the weight of the day starts to settle in, but it's a comfortable kind of exhaustion. The laughter and teasing from your friends linger in your mind, a warm reminder of how lucky you are to have them by your side. It's easy to forget how much they've become a part of your life in such a short time, but tonight, it feels like everything has fallen into place.

You close the door behind you and shed your clothes, slipping into something more comfortable. You sit on your bed for a moment, taking a deep breath and letting the silence wash over you. Your thoughts drift back to Satoru, his smile, the way he looked at you tonight, the challenge in his eyes, the softness of his touch. It’s easy to get lost in the warmth of those moments, but you push the thoughts aside for now.

You know you need to rest—class comes too quickly in the morning. But before you settle in, you pull out your phone, letting your fingers hover over Satoru's contact name for a moment. There's a hesitation, an uncertainty. What if you're reading too much into it? What if he's just being his usual self?

The thought nags at you, but you decide to send him a message anyway.

A notification of a text from Satoru tells you he beat you to it.

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hi everyone :3

this was a challenge to write. I thought it was going to go a very different way but then my fingers typed this... sigh anyway

i hope everyone likes it, because ive been trying to weave in yn's connections and relationships with other character than just gojo, like choso too! i feel like it adds a depth that is hard to find with focusing on just one relationship. just wondering (if anyone wants to respond to this or even reads it lol) if you guys would prefer me to just stick to gojo or find the shoko conversation boring or unnecessary?? lmk pls!! i wanna make this as enjoyable to read as it is to write!!!!

guys we haven't even reached the most dramatic part... that's a few chapters away. but i wanted to thank everyone for all the love i've been receiving lately <3 it makes my heart so warm. I've been feeling really motivated lately and i'd have to credit a lot of that to everyone who supports me :))) just want everyone to know i really really do appreciate you and am so happy you are (hopefully) enjoying this series !! it's been a blast to write and I can't wait for you all to see what I have planned !!

i love you all <3 - c

[im-out-of-it]

part 3 of season 2, episode 10 MALEC FIRST I LOVE YOU “by the light of dawn”

30. Alec just being fine answering the phone and fighting valentines men. like this man doesn’t need to be so fine doing the bare minimum

31. Alec complimenting aldertree which is a big feat

32. I love how aldertree is like oh he forgives me but Alec will never forgive you for giving his sister yin fein which she ended up being addicted to. Izzy will have to live with that her whole life. Aldertree knew better.

33. I can’t believe you have me saying another nice thing about jace but this is rare when he actually thinks of Alec (I know I posed gif on the right but I hate when the gifs don’t cover the whole screen)

34. LOOK HOW HOT HE IS HOLDING A WEAPON

35. Simon: you’re a terrible father, don’t you care?

36. it’s funny when you compare the book valentine to show valentine because book valentine doesn’t give a flying fuck about clary. he really couldn’t be bothered. he actually hates her if I can remember clearly. Valentine left his son to burn so do you think he’s going to care how his daughter feels about him? but we aren’t at that stage yet but Valentine has a clear purpose in his mind. destroy downworld, and make shadowhunters better- that’s his dream, not being a father. he’s responsible for his wife dying so Valentine is cool if clary despises him

37. THIS MAGNUS MOMENT (I’ll honestly probably will repost my three parts I already did but whatever)

38. I think it’s important to remember that Magnus always usually feels in control. he has his magic and he’s used to helping people anyway he can so the fact that he is stuck protecting clary and not doing anything, it makes him feel stuck

39. valentine isn’t playing clary

40. got to give it to Alan who plays valentine because he turned awful villain book valentine that didn’t make any sense to show valentine. I can’t stand book valentine because his motives never made sense to me and I thought he was badly written. his motives don’t make any sense in the show but I think he’s written a whole lot better

41. so Alec is looking like a dream for what reason exactly? I’m sorry but I think this is the hottest Alec has been YET and he’s been it since the first episode of the show. like he just keeps getting better and better. I don’t know how anyone who could look at Alec would still prefer jace. LOOK AT HIM

stopping at 42 and will do a fourth part in a moment

[shiny-jr]

Hey Shiny! You might have already talked about this in another post, but do you have any plans after Damnation? I love your work and am sorry about all the craziness that has been going on with your work.

Hello, anon. I have actually answered this! But I'm sure it's easy to miss because it's a reblog, so I don't mind answering again. The current plan after Damnation will be the genshin x twst AU I posted about a while back. Formerly called Outlander, I changed the AU name to Empyrean.

It's something I have wanted to try my hand at for a while now, and as mentioned in previous posts, this project will be a lot bigger. I mean a lot bigger. Currently I'm envisioning 100 pages per dorm, but that number will probably grow as the further the story progresses, the more characters and issues will take place. I don't know if I can actually pull it off successfully, but I do want to try. Keep in mind, changes can be made to my plan.

Also keep in mind that I started the Damnation series like December 2022, and it's almost 2025 and I'm still working on the final pages of it. We'll just round it out and say Damnation took me roughly two years to complete, and it'll probably round out about 300 pages just for this series. So you can imagine how long Empyrean make take, if I even have the motivation to complete it, but I have been coming up with ideas for it.

Personally, I think I lowkey outdid myself when first writing for it, which I linked above. I see a lot of potential on it to explore different aspects of the characters, mention important topics, and also still have a lot of creative freedom. But it's still a big project, and it's honestly sort of intimidating looking at it now and imaging what could become of it and how much time and effort I'll have to pour into it. But I still want to try.

Last night I took a brief break from writing for Damnation, and actually jotted down some lore bits I thought would be interesting for Empyrean. There's a Savanaclaw lore bit floating around my page somewhere, but here's an Ignihyde one if anyone's interested:

[pastelwitchling]

Let's talk about Violet Sorrengail. I'm currently rereading Iron Flame in preparation for Onyx Storm, and I have so much to say on the brilliance of this series so far that I figured I could do it here. I particularly wanted to address the controversy I see around Iron Flame, which is on the conflict between Violet and Xaden, and I've seen people mostly siding with Xaden, calling Violet whiny or annoying or stubborn, and... I (not-so) respectfully disagree 😂 Warning: the following post will contain spoilers on both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, so read at your peril:

I put out a post yesterday on fable where I basically said I was getting frustrated all over again at Xaden's secret-keeping, and I got two very different responses. One said they were angry at Xaden as well, and the other said they were annoyed with Violet. This is an excellent example of why I love this series so much: you could easily argue for both sides. At least, I could. I get that Xaden has to worry about the whole revolution and everyone involved, I get that there's more on the line than either of these two characters, I get there's a risk with Dain getting ahold of Violet, especially because we're not sure we can trust him anymore. I get there are risks, I get Xaden wanting Violet to trust him enough that she doesn't need every detail. I get all of it, but... I also really get it from Violet's perspective as well.

This is a girl who came in already one step behind everyone else, not just because she's disabled, but because she didn't train her whole life for Basgiath the way the other riders had, she never volunteered, she didn't have the drive for it going in that everyone else did. Her only option was to survive, and not because she hoped to have a dragon, but because she had no other choice. She couldn't join the scribes, so either she survived or she didn't. Her motto is literally "I will not die today" because that's all she can hope for. The only weapon in her arsenal and which she relies on to help her make it every single day is her intelligence and knowledge. She's the smartest, she can think her way out of any problem, she's intelligent enough to see paths where others wouldn't. Now? Now her only weapon is gone.

Her world's been turned upside down, one of her best friends died trying to protect her from a creature she never knew existed, everything she thought she knew and could rely on is gone, and Xaden puts her back in Basgiath, encourages her to isolate herself from her friends, not let on that she knows anything is wrong as innocent civilians are dying and towns are attacked left and right, and essentially tells her not to worry her pretty little head about it. He and the others will take care of it. What are they taking care of exactly? Well, who knows? Because he won't tell her.

DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I LOVE Xaden, he is... incomparable to me. But aren't his demands a little cruel? He has yet to tell Violet he loves her, but wants to hear the words from her. He has suspicions that Varrish will look through her things, but doesn't have anyone warn her. Maybe he can't tell her everything, but he can give her some idea on how the revolution is going, how plans are panning out, and refuses to do any of it. The most he tells Violet is that he wants her to ask the right questions, and my dude! You want her to ask you the properly-worded question so you can, what, give her another half-answer? And until she figures out those proper questions, there's a good excuse not to tell her anything? Especially when you are isolating her from everyone she holds dear, leaving her utterly alone while you get to keep your friends to rely on? And he can't tell why she'd be upset about this?

I got to the point last night in the book when he finds out she's researching the wards, and tells her that she's risking her life and he just wishes she would've been honest with him, and I guess my brain had completely blocked the hypocrisy out from my first read because I was gaping! He risks his life every day and tells her nothing about it, tells her not to even worry, but he demands honesty from her now?? With what right, sir???!!

Also, ALSO, just humor me for a second, but assume Violet did do as she was told. Assume she did try not to worry about it, not to get involved, not to do anything Xaden doesn't want her to. How does that make her a badass fmc? I think of books like Quicksilver and When the Moon Hatched and Crescent City, where the fmc was all bark and no bite. She TALKED about how much she cared about other people, she TALKED about how much everyone meant to her, she TALKED about injustice and how angry it made her and how much she wanted things to change and be better, and what did all of those fmcs have in common? They either did NOTHING, constantly yanked around by the male main character with every excuse to continue to do nothing, or they selfishly went out and made things worse in the name of doing something.

What did Violet do when Xaden told her not to worry about it? She fought back, she understood why she couldn't be told, but still asked for something so that she wouldn't go out of her mind. She was thrust back into Basgiath, lost and not knowing who or what to trust, and decided she was going to be productive, she was going to look into the wards and find a way to protect people in a clever and quiet way. And spoiler alert? It's her work with the wards that ends up saving everyone, and she doesn't get innocent people killed or in trouble doing it either.

I am so eternally sick of being TOLD why female main characters are badass and how caring and wonderful and self-sacrificial they are, and what do we get? We get unbelievably selfish characters like Bryce, or fmcs from Quicksilver and When the Moon Hatched and One Dark Window whose names I've already forgotten because all they did was snarl and talk and had no abilities to follow it up.

So yeah, I'll defend Violet until the hilt because she's out there DOING something helpful and worthwhile, she's actually contributing, and her anger makes sense. She's separated from everyone she loves, the one man she wishes she could talk to is gone most of the time, and giving her half-answers when he's actually there. She doesn't know what to trust, this is a girl who recites the history of her world to calm herself and give herself courage, and who has now discovered that that history is a lie. Xaden is supposed to be the guy that believed in her abilities when no one else did, and now she feels like he's become just someone else who doesn't trust in her strength to guard her thoughts against Dain. Whether or not it's true doesn't matter because it's how he makes her feel, and her feelings are already a mess after everything that's happened.

Does it come off a bit stubborn? Sure, but... how I think of it is a lot like Harry Potter from Order of the Phoenix. He was angry during that whole book, too, but I don't know, these characters are always so good and brave and clever and genuinely caring and willing to do what it takes for the people they love that when they can't take it anymore, when they've been pushed to their limit, it's not fair to tell them to just be reasonable and follow orders and keep quiet. They know too much, too much has happened, too many people around them have hurt them. I think that warrants a little anger, a need to be useful and do something when everything else feels so hopeless.

If Xaden wanted somebody that was content not knowing and not helping and not caring, if he wanted someone that wouldn't have put their lives at risk to save people and, above all, save him, then he should've fallen in love with someone else.

[sarastellasari]

New Years Kiss (Part One)

part two, part three (they’re also at the bottom!)

@123letsgobestie @haniya1234, Im pretty sure u guys wanted to be tagged!

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Grayson Hawthorne sighed as he stared at his brothers' expectant faces. 

“For the last time, no, I will not find a girl so I can get a New Year's kiss.”

“But Grayson!” Xander pouted, giving the blonde-haired boy puppy eyes,  “You’re the only one of us who won't get one!” Xander had very good puppy eyes, but Grayson had become resistant to them over a lifetime.

“There’s not even a single girl?” Nash asked curiously, frowning. Grayson shook his head, face turning hot.  

“Gray, we're worried.” Nash sighed, patting the spot between him and Jameson on Grayson's bed. Grayson did not sit down.

“You've barely ever been with anyone!” Xander sighed, flopping down empathetically. Jameson nodded in agreement. 

“Emily died years ago, Gray, it's time to get over her.” Grayson jerked his head up, startled. 

“You think this is about Emily?” Jameson frowned. 

“Is it not?” Grayson hesitated. Was it about Emily? No, he decided firmly, he just hadn't had time to date between college and helping Avery. He only had so much time in a day, or a month, or a year after all. 

“My dating life, or lack of one, has nothing to do with Emily.” He confirmed. Nash frowned. Jameson raised an eyebrow. Xander grimaced.

“What caused it then? Please explain in great detail,” Jameson said, lacing his fingers together as though he was one of Grayson's professors. Grayson frowned.

“I don’t really know, I guess.” He admitted. “I guess I just don’t really have time for dating.” Xander frowned. 

“No time for dating? Man, sounds like college sucks. Even though you don't date, do a lot of girls like you, since you’re a Hawthorne?” Grayson flushed, thinking of the stampedes, the sunglasses he had to wear, the love notes slipped under his door, and his singular kiss while he was away. 

“Yeah,” he admitted. Jameson and Xander grinned, no doubt thinking of what was going to come in only a few years.

“Guys, you all have girlfriends.” Xander smiled dreamily at the thought. Jameson smirked.

“Yes we do,” he agreed. “And we have people we’re gonna kiss on New Year's.” Grayson scowled at his unsubtle attempt to steer the subject back to their original topic.

“Enough, Jameson. And the rest of you as well. I will not be kissing a girl on New Year. End of discussion.” 

Grayson pretended he didn’t notice the looks his brothers were exchanging, the matching smirks on their faces.

Let them try, He thought. But no girl will be kissing me. 

No matter what devious plan his brothers came up with.

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“Heiress, I’m gonna need you to invite Lyra to our New Year’s party,” Jameson smirked, walking into Avery’s room, completely shirtless.

“O-okay?” Avery said, looking up from her book and raising an eyebrow. “Why?” 

“Oh, you know. She’s our friend. And stuff.” Avery set her book down. “Grayson needs a New Year's kiss.” Avery grinned.

“Aww, and you wanna be his wingman! How sweet!” Jameson scowled. Avery laughed internally.

“No it’s just- have you seen the way he looks at her?” Avery nodded. 

“And the way she looks at him?” The couple exchanged a look. 

“Reminds me of us,” Jameson added, stalking towards the bed. Avery laughed.

“I’ll go call Lyra.” Jameson cheerfully tossed Avery her phone, Lyra’s numbers already punched in.

“How did you- never mind.” Jameson wandered to Avery’s closet, pulling out a shirt. Avery absentmindedly watched him. Jumping when she heard Lyra answer.

“Hello?” 

“Hi Lyra, this is Avery,” Avery responded, eyes still on Jameson's back muscles. He had very nice back muscles.

“Hey, Avery. What’s up? Is everything ok?” 

“Yeah, everything is fine, w-“ Avery smirked as she got an idea. “Grayson was wondering if you would like to attend our New Year’s party. It’s at our house on… New Year’s Eve” 

“I assumed,” Lyra responded. Avery cringed, glowering at Jameson who was shaking with silent laughter, his shirt now on but unbuttoned. “I would love to come through. What time does it start?” 

“Uh, 7?” Avery guessed. She didn’t actually know, but seven seemed like a plausible time. 

“Great. I’ll be there. Tell Grayson I say thanks for the invite. Bye, Avery!” And she hung up.

“Yes!” Jameson cheered. Avery high-fived him, grinning. The brothers' plan was working perfectly. 

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part two, part three (again)

[ghostdoodlen]

People always describe lazarus pits and anyone who's bathed and dunked in like a donut smelling like sewage and garbage while Danny attracting ghosts like a magnet and purifier for their tainted ecto

So does Danny smell nice then?

Is he a flower? Does he smell like flowers?? Would it be one of those nice scented ones or a funny smell how carnivorous plants attract insects?

For some reason I'm also imagining one of those car fresheners.

Is it different for everyone and how close they've been to death?

[cherrirui-official]

Friendlocke Violet Gijinkas (Part 1/7)

Since the edited episodes are starting to come out, I figured that bc of that and the fact that I've been keeping this in the back burner for a loooong while now, might as well complete all my friendlocke violet gijinkas!! Some are gonna stay the same while others are gonna have slight/ complete redesigns, so please keep that in mind!

I plan on posting them in order by groups of three, so there's gonna be seven parts in total, all of which I'll be linking here when done vvv

(Part Two) (Part Three) (Part Four) (Part Five) (Part Six) (Part Seven)

!! These will contain personal headcanons I have for the cast, little fun facts, and also spoilers for Friendlocke Violet (for both the edited vids and the streams) !!

@saltydkart-reblogs

And that's pretty much it, designs under the cut!

LARK:

HUGE nerd. spent most of his time during the Uva Academy studying different kinds of pokemon as well as different fighting styles he can utilize once he is able to go out on his own journey with his very own trainer! Too bad that didn't really help in the long run...

His entire wardrobe consists of McDonald's related outfits. It's fucking insane. He even has some from long LONG ago that aren't available anywhere else.

The bubble pattern on his hair is able to move and change. Nobody knows how this is possible, not even Lark himself. All Lark knows is that his hair looks incredibly stylish!

Speaking of bubbles, he has the ability to blow bubbles whenever and wherever he pleases!

Often keeps himself extremely clean and gets upset if even a small speck of dirt gets on him, despite this he somehow smells like McDonald's food and axe body spray. Disgusting. He's so cool!

Even after death he still likes to hang around the other team members as a ghost, often getting to know the newer members as well as reuniting with the old ones. Sometimes they see him, sometimes they don't. It usually depends.

SARA:

Due to being a human in her past life, Sara is able to actually speak with the other humans in the pokemon world. However she usually doesn't due to it being seen as extremely weird and out of place. She did slip up once while talking in the presence of Arven, who thought it was the weed making him hear things.

Oinkologne are usually unable to do much with their hooves but Sara spent nights practicing how to knit with her new hooves and now she's able to do it flawlessly. I don't know how she managed to do that but go queen!

When first joining the team she'd often have the urge to eat her food related companions. It was a strange time for Sara, but she managed to overcome it.

When Peppy gets sick, she usually is the one who nurses him back to health. She was a human once so she often is able to figure out whatever sickness Peppy has and treat it properly. I suppose she's like a second mother to him.

The bag she carries with her is full of thread that she collected from various Tarountula she encountered on the journey, as well as little things she knits together in her spare time.

For the most part, Sara forgives... but NEVER forgets.

Did you guys know that Sara has a new YouTube channel? Check it out!

Pastey:

Before joining the team, Pastey was a nameless wanderer. He's been down every road in Paldea and knows almost the entire region (except for Area Zero) like the back of his hand.

He's gotten hurt pretty badly throughout the run (ie. the Mikey fight, the Atticus fight, and ESPECIALLY the final battle), however, he does not gain any (physical) scars from those fights. This is bc he's basically an axolotl, and axolotls are usually able to heal without scarring.

Pastey's "arms" are, to put it simply, mud prosthetics. More info here vvv

Pastey HAS met Mall Bingo once before the run, however, he doesn't recognize her. The only reason he does not recognize her is bc she wears glasses. (You know how people somehow aren't able to recognize Superman bc he wears glasses in his civilian attire even tho his face remains the same? It's basically like that lmao)

Unlike the lightbulbs he eats, the gasoline he drinks isn't really mandatory to his diet. Gasoline is like alcohol to him and he drinks it like an absolute CHAMP.

He goes fishing when there's nothing else to do or when he can't sleep at night. He doesn't do this bc he thinks it's fun or anything, only bc it's a "good time passer" or so he claims. Other members of the team will often sit with him and vent out anything that's troubling them at the moment, and Pastey is always there to listen to them.

And that's pretty much it. Next is Joe, Hannah Ü, and Mykyie!

[riiviir]

hey guys so I just started reading Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott and OMG AHSBNSBSBSNSNBSHZHSHDBFHGGHFHGRJ2KSHSBSNSK AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I LOVE THINKING ABOUT THE RELATIVITY BETWEEN DIMENSIONS!!!!!!

[theflyingfeeling]

I don’t know if I’m just imagining things but I feel like Olli and Aleksi are actually so close 🥺 for example I feel like they post so many pics together and I know they post with others too and it’s not a big deal but e.g. Olli has posted 5 pics with someone else this year and 3 of them are with Aleksi.. so it must mean something right?? 🥺 and I feel like they spend a lot of time together yk even ”outside the band” when they’re having a day off and they still do music (the remix) etc. together 😭

Yeah I mean I for one am so deep in the Olli/Allu delulu land that it's VERY easy for me to agree and confirm all of this 😭 they're boyfriends secret lovers special friends and it shows 🥺

Here are all the pictures of the two of them I could find on Olli's IG, for reference 💞

+ the group picture Olli posted when Aleksi first joined the band, with the caption 'so now there's six of us' 🥺

[not-poignant]

Hi Pia!

You’ve probably had to explain this a hundred times already, but I’m new to your fandom so I’ve likely missed previous explanations. I was just wondering when will you be posting Underline the Silver?

I haven't needed to explain this much at all! But you also might not like the answer I'm afraid, because it's: 'I have no idea' but also 'really not very soon at all.'

It will likely start around the time that Underline the Blue or Underline the Gold come close to finishing, or Underline the Black finishes, which almost certainly puts it into early or mid 2024 at the earliest.

Underline the Red and Underline the Silver will both kick back off around the same time.

I currently have an extremely full slate which is nuts even by my standards. I wrote it out for a friend tonight and:

Underline the Black - 4-5 chapters a month (every Thursday) A Stain that Won't Dissolve - 2-3 chapters a month (every second Sunday) The Nascent Diplomat - 1 chapter a month Constellations - 1 chapter a month (will eventually replace The Nascent Diplomat) Palmarosa - (god help me) 3-4 chapters a month (this is so unsustainable, this is my fault for wanting to write a BG3 fic) Underline the Blue - 2 chapters every few months Underline the Red - as above (but on hiatus for my sanity) Underline the Gold - as above (they all just cycle with each other)

I don't know how to tell you how incredibly nuts this is, but I think I can sum it up as '2-3 stories at the same time used to be where I was most comfortable.'

And this is not 2-3 stories.

I am really really just not going to be able to write anything outside of this, at least until some of these stories finish (and some of THESE stories are on hiatus or minimalistic schedules already), because like...

as much as I like to treat myself like a words machine, I am unfortunately a human person, and I've reached the point of thinking about crying when it comes to keeping even this up.

So yeah Underline the Silver can wait for when I'm excited about new stories again and not dreading them because my current writing slate is 'oh god oh god WHY IS EVERYTHING BURNING' dsakljfdsa