#matthias: that's... really beautiful

[zaritarazi]

hanne (trying to recall a fun childhood story): did you tell them about the zipline

matthias: i did tell them about the zipline

jesper: he told us about the zipline

hanne: then why do you all look so upset

wylan: sorry, to clarify, are you referencing the zipline designed to kill children?

hanne and matthias at the same time, still not sure why people don't think that the zipline story is funny: yes

nina, walking back into the room after getting a glass of water: why does everyone suddenly look so concerned did matthias bring up his childhood summer camp's illegal fucking zipline again

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

“There was a mosaic on the floor of the vast rotunda below. It appeared in brief flashes between partygoers: two wolves chasing each other, destined to move in circles for as long as the Ice Court stood” is not a particularly subtle metaphor for Kaz and Inej’s relationship, especially not as it comes barely a minute after the end of their confrontation on the roof, but it is a particularly beautiful one that has stayed with me very consistently. And perhaps a little more subtle is the other side of the metaphor, that the Ice Court does metaphorically fall; the cycle can be and is broken. There’s arguably a deeper layer in the sense of the mural appearing “in flashes between partygoers” that echoes the way Kaz and Inej are not necessarily understood by those around them, not only as individuals but in the nature of their relationship as well, and that through the façades they maintain the truth can be occasionally glimpsed; they are “twin soldiers, pretending they [are] fine” but in flashes, flashes the reader is gently guided through by the other characters’ eyes as they bear witness to them, the truth can be seen.

Based on the timing of its appearance this metaphor is most likely intended in the more romantic lens, but there could also be another beautiful way to interpret it as the cycle of pain and cruelty - or vengeance. These are, after all, what most of the characters find synonymous with the Ice Court at this time and what Matthias will come to associate with it as well during his journey to free himself from Drüskelle cult and come to terms with the abuse he was dealt. Off the back of the previous conversation and because we’re seeing it through Inej’s eyes, we could relate this to the warnings she gives Kaz during the Bathroom Scene in Crooked Kingdom; the questions about what makes him different from Pekka Rollins, what makes the people he’s conned and hurt and killed different from the child he used to be. And whilst we can perhaps say that although Kaz still enacts his revenge that the cycle may be broken because he is a better person than Rollins, it is still a fact that his actions have contributed to the cycle and there are people for whom the pain he inflicted will cause them to inflict pain onto others. For where else we could look, then, for the breaking of this cycle with the metaphorical fall of the Ice Court? Back to the wolf symbolism; back to Matthias.

Matthias was raised in the hatred and violence and cruelty of this place and this regime, but it is on this journey and in the connection to these people - to Nina, his adversary and love who forced him to question himself and his world; to Jesper, who he was forced to form an opinion on before discovering he was Grisha; to Inej, who has a beautiful and individual connection to her religion without the organisation that Matthias has seen twisted and warped and weaponised; to Wylan, who suffered at the hands of his father as Matthias suffered at the hands of a father figure; to Kaz, with whom he shares so many parallels and echoes in personality and history - that brings about the metaphorical fall of the Ice Court and allows Matthias to break the cycle he was trapped in, that all of the children indoctrinated into the Drüskelle cult are trapped in.

But Matthias dies before he gets to change the world. Because no matter what metaphor their disruption bore the Ice Court is still standing, and the wolves are still howling. Chasing each other, like he and Nina once did, like the cycle of pain and torment will, for as long as the Ice Court stands.

[callmewishful]

Twitter has a picture of Matthias in a Hawaiian shirt and I didn’t know it but that’s all I needed my life

[anniflamma]

Heya! I've been following you for a bit and you keep mentioning musicals I've never even heard of! I'm a musical theater teacher so I'm always looking for new musicals, specifically I'm looking for good solos for my students.

Do you have any recs? Feel free to put musicals but also specific songs . Thanks!

Oh you have open a floodgates! Time for me to share all my musical craze!

But let's start with ALL BIBLICAL MUSICAL FIRST! XD

Beloved King: A Queer Bible Musical My first musical animatic was from this musical, Beloved King! It's a queer and romantic retelling of the story of David and Jonathan from the Bible. It's not out yet, and there is only a collection of six songs available right now. My favorite song is Adoni! Concept Album

King David This musical is also based on David from the Bible, but it tells his whole life, focusing more on David's and King Saul's relationship in the first act. The second act is like a forbidden consensual lovers' romance between David and Bathsheba.... Sigh... Pretty disapointed there. The music is really good, though! It have this Disney vibes but darker. Well, it is Alan Menken, so it makes sense that this musical reminds you of every Disney Renaissance movie ever. Fave solos... "The Enemy Within" and "Never Again" Playlist

David - Sight & Sound Theathers So Sight & Sound Theaters are this religious, high-budget company that makes the utmost amazing and spectacular shows. I saw the musical Daniel, so I can guarantee that the show, props, and effects Sight & Sound has are amazing. And the music is amazing as well! It is kind of funny, though, that in this musical they actually depict David's relationship with Bathsheba as… well, not romantic compared to Tim and Alan's musical. There are a bunch of great songs in this, but my favorites would be… "Learning to Shepherd," "David Spares Saul," and "Psalm 24." Playlist

David Et Jonathas A French opera from 1688 by Charpentier. If "Beloved King" is explicitly queer, then "David et Jonathan" is romantically queer. Because this opera is so romantic and tragic, it freaking made me cry. BEST SONGS: "A vostre bras vainqueur," "Vous me fuiez!" and "Qu'on sauve Jonathas." Full Album

Daniel - Sight & Sound Theathers This musical is based on the story of Daniel from the Bible. Daniel was a Jewish young man who was taken by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to become his dream interpreter, and then a lot of stuff happens. I saw this musical in Lancaster, and it was amazing. My biggest criticism is that the story is rushed to the maximum. There are a lot of songs I love from this one, but if I had to pick my three favorites, they would be "Where You Are," "Cry for Home," and "New Wind (Ezekiel's Song)." To be honest, I love almost every single one of them… Playlist

Queen Esther - Sight & Sound Theathers Just like every single Sight & Sound Theaters musical, this one is also based on the Bible, and it's about Queen Esther. Kind of similar to Daniel, she was a young Jewish woman, among many others, who was taken by the Persian King Ahasuerus. Because she was so smoking hot, the king made her his queen, and then a lot of stuff happens. The music in this one is pretty okay for me. I do like "Reflections of Persia" and "Esther's First Banquet." Playlist

Of Ashes This is the last musical recommendation that is based on a biblical story! I PROMISE! So this story is about Ashra, the woman who was caught in adultery by religious leaders, and Matthias, the man with leprosy. The music here is very much my vibe, very dramatic, but there are a lot of great solos and duets here. For solos, it is "Everybody's Lover" and "Beautiful Death." And for duets, "Three Months Ago" and "Colors." Full Album

Time for the greek myth based musicals!

Stories From Styx It's an anthology musical series where each song narrates a Greek myth story set in the underworld. The first album focuses on Hades and Persephone. The second will be released soon! Stories From Styx: Hades & Persephone Album

Paris The Musical Paris is a rock musical by Jon English and David Mackay from 1987, and it's based on the myth of the Trojan War, focusing on the romance and tragedy of Paris and Helen. The vocals are so beautiful, and I just love how Helen is portrayed in this adaptation. She is in love with Paris, but at the same time, she suffers and is in despair over what is happening. Favorite songs: "Perfect Stranger," "Business," "Any Fool Could See," and "Hell or High Water." Playlist

Epic The Musical .... Y'all already know what it is.

And the other musicals!

Returns of the Moon Yet to be released, but I thought I could share it! >:D It's about a witch who's going to be executed, and when she's about to die, she uses the moon's power to resurrect people murdered in their past lives. These resurrected main characters, now trapped in an unfamiliar time period and place, must work together to find the witch, avoid witch-fearing hunters, and confront what happened during their past lives. Teaser

Venice Venice is a musical by Matt Sax and Eric Rosen. It takes place in the fictional city of Venice, which has been at war for a generation. Venice Monroe, named for the city, is sworn in as the new leader, promising to bring change to society. If you enjoy hip-hop music, then this is a highly recommended show! Playlist

Warriors So this is a concept musical by Eisa Davis and Lin-Manuel Miranda. And yes… IT'S FREAKING FANTASTIC! This musical was inspired by the 1979 action film The Warriors, which adapted the 1965 novel of the same name. I think I actually love all the songs on this album, but gosh, if I have to pick, then it would be "Derailed," "Leave the Bronx Alive," "Call Me Mercy," and "The Park at Night." Playlist

Notre Dame De Paris The Musical So I was obsessed with this musical for years, and the guy who plays Quasimodo… Mmwhaaa! This French musical is based on the classic The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo. Do I really have to point out which are my faves? It’s obviously "Belle" and "Danse Mon Esmeralda"! Playlist

Outlander This is a musical from 2010, based on the book Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It's about Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who mysteriously travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland. There, she encounters and falls in love with a warrior, Jamie Fraser. <3 So I think this will make me a villain for recommending this because this is seriously a musical that is almost a lost media... I think. Kind of, because the thing is… I literally stalked the producer and contacted them to see if I could buy a CD or even just the MP4 files for the whole musical. AND THE PRODUCER ANSWERED ME, AND I GOT TO BUY A CD! So years ago, this musical was available on Spotify, but then it was removed, which led me to do this search in the first place. Either way, I think the only available material from this musical here online is this playlist…. I think it is possible to still buy the CD but Im not sure anymore T.T ....maybe I can share a drive link or something.... Either way, my favorite songs from this musical are "Falling," "Farewell (I Am Ready Reprise)," and "Ellen's Son."

[gilbertscurls]

you're literally the problem — matt sturniolo

You wake up feeling like you got hit by a truck.

A very hot, annoyingly smug, Matt-shaped truck.

Your thighs ache, your back is a war zone, and your voice is hoarse from what was either screaming his name, cursing him out, or maybe both. You're not entirely sure. The details are a haze of messy sheets, breathless laughter, and him whispering “just one more, baby” for the sixth time in a row like a liar.

The room is quiet—sunlight spilling in through half-closed blinds, dust dancing lazily in the light. You roll onto your side with the grace of a grandma and immediately regret it. Everything hurts.

Matt walks in, fresh out of the shower, towel slung low on his hips, hair damp and curling at the ends. He’s got that stupid, innocent look on his face—like he didn’t just go full WWE on you seven hours ago.

He tosses you a Gatorade and a granola bar.

“Yo, why do you look dead?”

You blink at him, stunned. “I am dead.”

He squints. “Wait, seriously? You good?”

You sit up, groaning like you’re ninety. “Matt. Matthew. Matthias—”

“That’s not my name—”

“—You folded me in half like a lawn chair. You put my legs over your shoulders and said ‘let’s see how deep this goes.’ You cannot look me in the eye and act confused about why I’m limping.”

He stares. Then shrugs. “Okay but like… you were into it.”

You throw a pillow at him. “That’s not the point!”

He catches it, grinning like the menace he is. “I’m just saying, you were really flexible last night. Honestly, I’m impressed.”

You bury your face in your hands. “This is not the aftercare I deserve.”

He walks over and flops onto the bed beside you, still warm from the shower. He wraps an arm around your sore waist and pulls you into his chest like a smug furnace.

“I’ll make you breakfast,” he says into your hair. “Eggs? Pancakes? Ice pack?”

You groan. “Spine realignment, maybe.”

Matt kisses your temple. “Okay but… wanna go again tonight?”

You lift your head, eyes narrowed. “If you ever want me to walk straight again, the answer is no.”

“Noted,” he says, clearly not noting it at all. “But just so you know, you did say I could ruin you any time I wanted.”

“That was a moan, Matt. Not a legal contract.”

He grins, boyish and unbothered. “Too late. I took it as a verbal agreement.”

You glare. He winks.

And despite everything—the soreness, the chaos, the trauma to your inner organs—you laugh. Because he’s ridiculous. And beautiful. And yours.

Even if he is the reason you’ll need a heating pad and a chiropractor.

tag list: @stuwniolo, @sturnobsessedwh0re, @matts-myloverboy, @imjusthereforthesturniolosmut, @lizzymacdonald06, @asherrisrandom, @sturniolowhore69, @faith5drpepper, @emely9274, @psychologyloverfr, @lovetaylorrussellgrr, @conspiracy-ash, @helpimateenagerinlove, @ghostlythinggoingaround, @sturmatt, @chris-hallelujah, @goingtojohnkramershouseee, @wurlibydominicfike, @shadowthesim237, @courta13, @frankdelreyy, @evansturn, @bamsblooming, @backwardshatnick, @whore4chris, @ivysturnss

[i-love-soc-a-very-normal-amount]

Reasons to read Six of Crows

1. Actually good representation

- all the crows have ptsd of some sort that actually affect their actions

- religion also affects their actions (eg. Inej with her saints and unwilling to kill, Matthias with djel)

- Jesper and inej are darker skinned

- wylan is gay and jesper and Nina are bi

- wylan has dyslexia that he's really ashamed of because of his father(and when he told Kaz he(Kaz) literally just shrugged!!)

- Kaz is physically disabled (his leg) and needs to use a cane

2. Nina is canonically thick and curvy but is still described as beautiful and badass

3. Again with Nina

- she does eat more than the other crows and they don't judge her for it

- when she starts to eat less bc of parem her friends panic and try to get her to eat more

- and when she starts eating again they're so fucking happy

4. All the crows have their own horrible backstory and yet none of them have ever been in a toxic relationship

5. The boundaries that characters set are actually respected (eg. Kaz with his gloves and no-touch rule)

6. It's so funny ("My ghost won't associate with your ghost", "I'm going to get someone to burn my kruge for me / you could pay someone to pay someone to burn your kruge / I'll pay someone to pay someone to pay someone to burn my kruge / you know what the really big bosses do? They pay someone to pay someone...", "MAYBE I LIKED YOUR STUPID FACE" among other examples)

7. There are such impactful and beautiful quotes ("I would come for you", "I have been made to protect you" etc)

8.

9. To elaborate with the 'horrible backstory' thing

- Inej is a victim of sex trafficking

- Wylan was nearly murdered by his father's men for not being able to read

- Matthias was brainwashed from a young age to hate Grisha

- Nina (and other Grisha) were kidnapped and abused by Matthias and his fellow drüskelle

- Jesper's mum died when he was 7 years old

- Kaz's dad died when Kaz was 9 and left him and his older brother (Jordie) to sell the farm and go to Ketterdam. Jordie died from a plague a short time later and Kaz had to use Jordie's dead, plague-ridden body to swim to shore after being mistaken as dead and loaded onto the Reapers' Barge along with Jordie and then find a way to survive with no money and no family to go to

[orpheusluvr]

Kissing away his insecurities (Matthias x Female Reader)

NSFW WARNING

Your boyfriend is feeling quite down today after paying more attention to his appearance, but you reassure him that he’s still perfect in every way.

(This beautiful man deserves all the love in the world </3 )

It had been 6 months since you and Matthias started dating, and today he questioned himself more than he ever has.

“We’ve been together for half a year…why does she still love me?” He whispered to himself, looking in the mirror and examining his features.

“These hideous scars…these unappealing burn marks…the missing eye…how is she able to see past them?” He glared at his reflection.

He then noticed your reflection standing in the doorway, and he panicked ever so slightly. He was worried that you heard what he said. And you did.

“Oh hey Y/N.” Matthias said, trying not to look at you.

“Matthias. I heard everything.” You said, walking over to him. He refused to turn around.

“I always fear that you’ll look past my personality one day and decide to leave me.” He said, a hint of sadness lingering in his tone.

You went over and stood in front of him. His face was almost lifeless, the glimmer that he once had in his eye had suddenly faded away. Seeing him in this sudden state tugged at your heart.

You gently held his face.

“I’ll never leave you, no matter what.” You said.

“Really?” He said.

You nodded.

“You’re perfect. I don’t need anyone else in my life except for you, because I only love you and I always will.”

Those exact words were enough to make Matthias suddenly embrace you into a tight hug.

“I love you too Y/N. But I don’t deserve you at all.” He said, his voice muffled as he buried himself into your shoulder.

“You deserve every part of me.” You whispered, stroking his brown hair.

Matthias pulled away from you, his cheeks reddening.

Despite it being such a serious moment, your words kept playing with his emotions. He wanted you so bad. But he didn’t want to ruin the feeling, so he tried his absolute best to stay quiet.

You gently stroked the side of his face where his burn marks were. He flinched at first, but then after feeling the gentle warmth of your touch against his least favourite spot, it made him feel calm. You then leaned forward and placed soft kisses on every part of his face.

“Baby…I-I…

Matthias pulled you away from him.

…I want you.” He said, looking into your eyes while his face was a deep red colour.

You paused for a moment, a blush also forming on your face as you put together his words and realised what he meant.

Despite both of you being together for 6 months, you never had sex. Both of you were too shy to ask. But Matthias finally decided to be the one to bring it up today, after how you were making him feel.

He was also extremely self conscious about himself, which was one of the reasons why he was so scared to ask.

You gently held his hands.

“You can have me.” You smiled.

He felt as though all of the negativity from today had suddenly disappeared, as a small smile appeared on his face.

“O-okay…follow me.” He said, walking over to the bed.

You both began undressing each other, while Matthias constantly asked if you were still okay with this. And each time you’d laugh and nod your head, reassuring him that he didn’t need to keep asking.

And a few moments after, you both stood there with nothing on at all. He admired your body, from top to bottom while you did the same with his. Both of you blushing after seeing yourselves in this state for the first time ever.

“Y-you have a beautiful body.” Matthias said.

“So do you.” You smiled at him.

You kissed every part of his body, paying most attention to the places where he was most insecure about. His breathing hitched as you moved closer to his intimate area.

“I-I know it’s not that big…I’m sorry…” his voice was barely audible.

That was the biggest lie you heard until today. He was easily 5-6 inches. That was MORE than enough for you.

You smiled as you shook your head, planting a soft kiss on his tip. He slightly whimpered, goosebumps running through his body.

“Come on Matthias, you shouldn’t be lying to me like that!” You said, looking at him then immediately shoving his load into your mouth.

“Ah-” Matthias let out a groan, grabbing onto your hair.

You moved back and forth at a slow pace, slowly increasing your speed as you got used to this new feeling in your mouth. His breathing became faster, throwing his head back for dear life while sweat dripped down his forehead.

“S-slow down…baby…I’m gonna…” he whimpered, feeling as though he was about to release.

He tried pulling you off him, but you gently held onto his hand and shook your head, looking directly at him.

Seeing you like this with his cock in your mouth made him waste no time in releasing, his juices filling up your mouth. His eyes widened as he saw how you swallowed, some of it dripped down the sides of your mouth and fell onto your chest. You slowly pulled his cock out of your mouth, the sides of your lips dripping with his cum. You looked at him lovingly, lust dancing in your eyes.

“Y-you didn’t need to swallow it.” Matthias panicked, hurriedly finding something to wipe you both off.

“Why wouldn’t I? I didn’t want to waste such a valuable thing.” You said.

He couldn’t hide the embarrassment on his face.

“But it’s not-”

“Shh.” You held him in your arms, his face pressing against your chest. He welcomed your warm embrace.

“Matthias, I’m so lucky to have an amazing boyfriend like you. I’m forever grateful.” You whispered, planting kisses on his cheek.

“I’m the one that’s lucky.” He said, holding you tighter.

“I want to get married to you someday.” You said.

He looked at you, a shocked expression was visible on his face.

“Then, in that case…”

He lovingly held your face.

“…I know I don’t have a wedding ring yet…

…but will you marry me?”

[detectiveinference]

General Relationship Headcanons: Andrew Kreiss x reader

(I'm so sorry in advance if it's ooc)

Similar to Matthias from the last post, you would need to have patience with him due to the trust issues that stem from his trauma.

Andrew was always in solitude, avoidant of others. He has lived alone for many years due to the way people have treated him in the past. It'll take a long time for him to get used to you talking to him and being around.

He eventually starts to develop feelings, but didn't confess for the longest time due to his intense fear of rejection. You two had a meaningful conversation about your feelings and he was finally able to be true to his feelings when you told him you felt the same way.

ꕥ He loves your company. Even if you two weren't talking. Andrew enjoys being around you and steal glimpses of you. He was nervous you would think he's staring at you; it was his way of appreciating you for everything that you done for him.

ꕥ You two go on midnight strolls, stargaze, admire the flowerbeds in the moonlight. Andrew is a fond of violet irises, he compares you to the flower as he finds the both of you really beautiful.

ꕥ Speaking of flowers, he associates chrysanthemums with you. Specifically, white and red chrysanthemums as they symbolize a strong, romantic love and deep passion, also symbolizing loyalty and honesty. He will go around the manor to find chrysanthemums for you, if he couldn't find any. He will take the matter in his own hands and some himself and hide the flowers deep in the flowerbed to surprise you when they fully blossom.

ꕥ Andrew will display some awkward gestures when he's around you such as:

Nervously fidgeting with his hands when talking to you

Planning elaborate romantic gestures but feeling self-conscious about executing them smoothly.

Trying to find the perfect words to express his feelings but stumbling over his thoughts.

You understand his habits and he learned that you'll never say anything negative about his behaviors. You are the reassurance he needed.

ꕥ One of the type of gifts I think Andrew would gift you would be handpicked flowers. He would walk around the field at night as you slept to surprise you in the morning with a breakfast in bed! He takes all his time to make sure it's perfect. Even when the flowers in a vase with water, some of them still wilted. You hold his hand and tell him that you appreciate the thought, a simple "I love you" sets his heart ablaze.

ꕥ Andrew has a picture of you in a locket that he bought so when you two were apart. He still had you close to his heart and reminded of the beauty that is his lover. A long lasting, intense yet hidden love.

[elrieluniverse]

When I Met You

(OC FMC x Liam Mairi)

All characters except for Aurora Sallow who is my OC and the FMC of this fic belong to Rebecca Yarros. The plot of Fourth Wing also belongs to Rebecca Yarros.

Content warnings: most of the warnings that are for Fourth Wing are also going to be in When I Met You. That includes: Blood, death, injury, violence and war. The only content warning I am adding is panic attacks (2)

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟAurora Sallow ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

"You had to walk that thing twice?"

Sawyer nods his head. "Yeah. Turns out that when you repeat a year, you have to repeat everything that got you in the Riders Quadrant in the first place. That includes that death trap."

We're still in the courtyard, waiting for further instruction on what comes next.

"Well, that's unfortunate."

"Tell me about it, " he says, rubbing the back of his head. I, uh...I haven't told my parents I had to repeat a year." He looks at me with a wince.

I give him a small smile. "Well, your secret's safe with me."

I know all too well what it's like to not want to tell your parents things. My whole life, I've learned to keep my issues hidden. Keeping my panic attacks on the down low and my anxiety bottled up until I was alone. My parents already had enough to worry about without me being a burden. They didn't need me to worry about too.

I see a flash of silver in the corner of my eye and realize it's Violet.

"Sorry, Sawyer. I have to talk to someone real quick. Can I see you later?"

Smiling, he nods. "Of course, I'll see you later. It was nice talking to you, Aurora."

When I finally make my way over to Violet, I tap her on the shoulder. "Hey."

"Aurora? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

She sighs. "My mom sent me here. Trust me, there's nothing I would like more than to be with the Scribes right now. But I'm here."

I give her a sad smile. "My parents sent me here, too. I think we'd both much rather be transcribing books right now, though."

Violet huffs, "Tell me about it."

Just then, a beautiful dark-skinned girl walks up to Violet and squeezes her shoulders. "We made it!" She yells.

Violet gives her a smile, but I can tell it's forced, "We made it."

"I can't thank you enough," the girl goes on. "There were at least three times I would have fallen off if you hadn't helped me. You were right—those soles were slick as shit. Have you seen the people around here? I swear I just saw a second-year with pink streaks in her hair, and one guy has dragon scales tattooed up his entire biceps. Oh, hi!" She says, suddenly turning towards me and offering a hand. “I’m Rhiannon Matthias. But you can call me Rhi."

Laughing a little, I take her hand. "Aurora Sallow. But you can call me Aurora."

"Aurora and I were in the Scribe Quadrant together." Violet tells Rhiannon.

“Well, it's nice to meet you," Rhi says. "Now, shall we go find the dragon scale tattoo guy? I'm very interested."

Rhi loops my arm with hers while her other loops with Violets as we walk. I can't help but notice Violet doesn't look too good. Whether it's nerves or a sickness, I can't tell.

Rhiannon doesn't seem to notice as she continues talking and hunting down this dragon tattoo guy. "Speaking of which," she says, "We need to trade boots. There's a bench—"

We all halt as a tall man in a black uniform steps out of the crowd charging toward us. My anxiety kicks in, and I scramble to the right, taking Rhiannon with me in my haste to escape. I forgot our arms were linked.

However, she must have let go of Violet's because Violet smacks right into this guy's chest.

"Violet?" the man asks. He obviously must know her, and I can see it in his eyes. He looks familiar to me, too, but I can't remember his name.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He barks. He looks mad. Really mad. I take another step back, again taking Rhi with me.

Violet's still looking up at him, but something's not right. She looks like she's about to pass out. "Dain. It's good to see you."

At that moment, her knees give out.

I unloop my arm from Rhi's and take a step towards her to help when this Dain guy beats me to it.

"Damn it, Violet," he mutters while hauling her back to her feet and bringing her to the bench.

Violet leans her head back against the wall. "I'm going to be sick."

"Head between your knees." Dain says, "It's the adrenaline. Give it a minute, and it will pass."

Not wanting to stand here and do absolutely nothing, I take a few steps towards my friend to help her when Dain whips his head towards me and frowns. "Who the hell are you?"

I freeze. "I'm Aurora, Violet's friend."

Dain continues to look at me with that intense expression. "Listen to me, Aurora. Violet is fine," he commands. "If anyone asks, you tell them exactly as I said, that it's just the adrenaline working out of her system. Do you understand?"

I narrow my eyes. "You don't need to act that way with me. I'm not going to go around telling everyone people's business."

"You better mean that." He warns.

"He's one of my oldest friends." Violet trembles from her spot on the bench.

Looking between them, I sensed there may have been more than just friendship involved. But I didn't say anything. "Oh."

"And a second-year rider, cadet."

I want to laugh. He says it like that title alone means he has a reason to act like a dick.

Newsflash, buddy, your attitude and your beard suck.

"My knee is sore," Violet whispers.

And that's when Dain becomes even more protective.

After Rhiannon and Violet trade shoes, Dain asks Violet if she trusts us, to which Violet nods.

"All right." He stands and turns towards us. "I'm Dain Aetos, the leader for Second Squad, Flame Section, Second Wing."

Man, I hope I'm not stuck with him as a leader.

"Parapet should be over in the next couple of hours, depending on how fast the candidates cross or fall. Go find the redhead with the roll—she usually carries a crossbow— and tell her that Dain Aetos put you and Violet Sorrengail into his squad."

Well, that hope of mine was short-lived.

"If she questions you, tell her she owes me for saving her ass at Threshing last year," Dain continues. "I'll bring Violet back to the courtyard shortly."

Rhi and I both glance at Violet to make sure she's okay, and she nods.

"Go before someone sees." Dain barks.

Rhi links her arm back with mine, and we walk back to the courtyard.

"He's… kinda intense, isn't he." She says to me as we continue walking.

"More like annoying," I say.

Violet's oldest friend or not, I didn't like Dain Aetos.

10 minutes later, Rhi and I are back in the courtyard with no sign of Violet anywhere.

"Do you think Violet's okay?" I asked Rhi. "She really didn't look too good."

Rhi looks over at me and gives me a small smile. "She'll be okay. I have full faith that she'll be okay. It really could have been just the adrenaline, as Dain said. The parapet is no joke, as you obviously know."

She's right. She has to be right. Violet will be okay.

A couple minutes later, a girl comes over and introduces herself. Her name's Tara and I can tell by the way Rhi is looking at her and the way she's soaking up everything Tara's saying that she's definitely interested in her.

Letting them talk, I take in my surroundings and freeze.

Standing not ten feet away is the most beautiful boy I've ever seen.

And he was staring right at me.

With blonde hair and eyes as blue as the ocean, he was captivating. He had a jawline I’m convinced was crafted by the gods and even though he’s wearing flight leathers, It’s not hard to tell he’s sculpted underneath. His arms were covered in ruins, which means he’s a marked one—

"There you are!" Rhi shouts, bringing my attention back to her.

We both see Violet and rush over to her.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟLiam Mairi ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

I couldn't look away.

I know Xaden needed my undivided attention, but I couldn't help it being elsewhere.

Gods, this girl was beautiful. Long brown wavy hair that reaches her mid back, big brown eyes I could get lost in, pink-tinted lips.

She was the most stunning girl I've ever seen.

"Liam, are you even listening to me?" Xaden says, bringing me back to the present.

"No," I reply, not taking my eyes off the girl.

"What are you-"

Xaden doesn't get to finish his sentence because Garrick interrupts him. "He's looking at that girl."

Xaden scans the courtyard. "Which one?"

Garrick points at the stunning brunette, who has her attention elsewhere now.

When Xaden finds her, he narrows his eyes. "That's the girl who waved at me at the parapet."

Garrick looks over at Xaden, confused. "Do you know her?”

"I don't think so," Xaden says.

Then his attention moves to the girl she's talking to. She has long brown hair with silver streaks on the ends. I've never seen hair like that before.

As Xaden keeps staring at the silver-haired girl, my attention returns to the brunette by her side.

And my attention stays there during Commandant Panchek’s entire welcome speech.

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about Jesper Fahey and religion.

Whilst we know that Matthias follows Djel, Inej follows the Saints, Nina was raised with the Saints but is atheist because of her understanding about Grisha, and that Kaz and Wylan adopted atheism based on their childhood experiences, we don’t get a lot of information about how Jesper feels about religion. We know he was raised with the Saints and that when he swears he says “Saints”, as does Nina, where Wylan says “Ghezen”. It’s notable to me that Matthias and Inej either rarely or never invoke a name in vain; I think Inej may say “Saints” in that context the odd time I can’t remember, but I’d argue in that case it’s probably because she isn’t specifically naming them to do so whereas Matthias would have to but I’m working off memory there so please feel free to correct me. But Jesper’s actual relationship with the Saints is arguably quite ambiguous, with no particular passages that point us in either direction. (Show!Jesper is highly implied to be atheistic in season 1 when Inej asks him what he thinks about Alina and he says he doesn’t care whether she’s real or not so long as they get paid, but there isn’t really anything like this in the books to my recollection) I think that might be because he has a far more complex and painful relationship with religion than we see on the surface level, and this has particular links to Nina’s belief that the Saints were possibly real people but were simply powerful Grisha not religious saviours/martyrs.

When Jesper was a child, his father would read him bedtime stories “from his Kaelish book of Saints”. At the same time, Colm was unintentionally damaging Jesper’s view of Grisha power and of himself by forcing him to hide it and telling him “that’s what killed your mother. That’s what took her away from us”. Alongside the self-hatred this cultivates in Jesper, seen mostly in Crooked Kingdom since he’s most open about it in the beautiful, heartbreaking chapter 24, I think it may have also impacted his relationship with religion. To be told as a child that these people are worshipped and valued for the things they could do, the same kind of things he saw his mother do and that he could be capable of, but that his power is a curse and a shameful secret that has to be hidden from the world is so damaging. It effectively raises the question: If it’s different for me than it is for them, what’s wrong with me? Why am I less worthy of love?

When Jesper already had these feelings growing inside him, feelings that went on to massively impact all the relationships in his life (most notably his relationships with Kaz and Wylan but I would also argue his relationship with Inej is affected by this as well) and actively endanger him when he began to try and fill the void he felt with gambling, to emphasise these emotions with something that could have been so beautiful and given him so much comfort by turning it into something that can be used against him by labelling him as less than others is so heartbreaking and honestly painful.

Obviously this is just an interpretation or a theory but this is how I feel about it when I reread, if anyone else has thought about this please feel free to add anything or contradict it with your own interpretation I’d love to read it.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Yves' Sequel Spoilers

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

In an ordinary mansion in a certain city of a certain country一

Matthias: ".........."

Matthias: ".........."

Matthias: "You're late."

Kagari: "You're just too early. Weren't you here 10 minutes before our appointment?"

Matthias: "30 minutes."

Kagari: "You're such a good student. Stop being so uptight."

Kagari: "I brought you something nice."

Matthias: "What's this?"

Kagari: "Dorayaki. It's delicious. You'll be amazed."

Matthias: "Hmm. It's certainly delicious."

Matthias: "It's exquisitely soft and sweet. This must have been made by a delicate, sensitive, and beautiful woman."

Kagari: "I don't get what you're saying."

Matthias: "By the way, why did you suddenly decide to bring me a gift?"

Kagari: "We've met several times, but I haven't given you anything."

Kagari: "I was just imitating you since you always give me coffee. Eat more."

Matthias: "No, I appreciate it, but I'll refrain."

Matthias: "Consuming any more sweets would go against the 15th precept of the Åsbrink family."

Kagari: "You're so uptight. You should relax a little."

Azel: "Oh, that smells nice. The scent of sweets is always delightful."

Azel: "I'll have some."

Kagari: "Here comes the greedy god."

Matthias: "Azel, you're always late. At least learn from Kagari and arrive five minutes before our appointment."

Azel: "I'm not late. Look, the bell just rang. I'm actually right on time."

Azel: "But this is delicious. Does this dorayaki have red apple filling in it? And there's Achroite coffee, too."

Azel: "I always return the favor when I receive gifts. I have the utmost respect for your kindness."

Kagari: "I don't care about that. Do you have any gifts? I bet you don't."

Azel: "Kagari. You shouldn't judge people or gods based on their appearance."

Matthias: "But you don't have any, do you? It looks like you're empty-handed to me."

Azel: "Offerings aren't limited to things that can be seen."

Azel: "It seems that the dark calamity (Gilbert) has started to move."

Kagari: "Obsidian, huh? That was quick."

Matthias: "But that's to be expected. That's not enough for the dorayaki."

Azel: "Now, now. Let the God finish speaking first."

Azel: "It seems Obsidian had a secret meeting with Rhodolite."

Azel: “They likely intend to use Rhodolite to gather information about the alliance we formed.”

Matthias: “A wise decision. That small country won’t pose a threat to our country, let alone Kogyoku and Tanzanite.”

Matthias: “They’ll receive a warm welcome anywhere they go."

Kagari: “If someone who can withstand Kogyoku’s ‘hospitality’ comes, I’ll personally take care of them.”

Azel: “I agree. We should gladly welcome them. Tanzanite’s way of welcoming might be a bit stimulating, though.”

Matthias: “You two, make sure you don’t break the law.”

Matthias: “But what do you think Benitoite and Jade will do?”

Azel: “Those two countries are in the same situation. They will surely start moving to find out our intentions.”

Kagari: “Will I get to see Keith? I just got a new sword and want to test it out.”

Azel: “Keith would probably be thrilled. I miss Prince Silvio. He’s rich, you know.”

Matthias: “All the law-breaking stuff you guys are trying to pull is really giving me a headache.”

Matthias: “So I guess the important thing now is how we work?”

Azel: “Good point, Matthias.”

Kagari: “Shall we kill them?”

Azel: “No, Kagari. That should be the last resort.”

Azel: “We each formed alliances with specific goals in mind. However, it wouldn’t be in our favor if the princes of each country figured that out.”

Kagari: “.........”

Matthias: “..........”

Azel: “Whether to take a defensive or offensive stance is up to each of us.”

Azel: “Now, let’s begin. For the sake of our respective ambitions.”

[pruneunfair]

COBYB shit list (Rage post).

This isn't really an actual analysis or anything like that. Just a vent post to get out the frustrations of how willfully ignorant COBYB stans are.

It's all being a "girls girl" until it's this shit

When a woman wants to act obsessive and the man doesn't reciprocate, the woman is a creepy bitch who needs to go while the man is comforted by the audience and celebrated for rejecting the stalker (as it should be)

When a sexy man wants to be obsessive and abuse a girl to get out his frustrations of being in lust with someone who can't say no to him, she's just "rejecting her true feelings" and the man just doesn't know how to show his love in a normal way.

knowing damn well that this story would be treated as the psychological horror it truly is if Matthias looked like Marquess Sergev from I thought my time was up. Pretty privilege is so real right now.

"Oh he chose to do nothing against his bitchy mom! Kyle isn't deserving of Layla for being such a coward!"

"Matthias on the other hand buys Layla gifts even when he hurts her because he really does love her! It's the nobilities fault he's like this! He apologized in the end didnt he? 😢 he just doesn't know how to properly show his love!"

Be real: Everyone would adore her for "protecting her fiancé" and would sympathize with her if she was the lead of a basic isekai or regression.

Bro will meet this girl when she's 12 and get bliss out of torturing birds knowing it makes her cry and you still have people diagnosing Layla with BPD and absolving Matthias of all blame.

Hey guys, is this the look of a pleasured young woman after a so-called "fun night" in the woods?

You tell me?

Matthias can do whatever the hell he wants and it's just "He's a red flag but I'm color blind 😏" but GOD FORBID I defend Ari.

What? I thought you people LOVED toxic relationships as long as the guy is conventionally hot?

Layla gets coerced into being a mistress against her will so her uncle Bill will be safe and people STILL claim that it was not SA because she "consented" after her only remaining family members future was held as leverage.

"Who does she think she is? Kissing Matthias right in front of Layla 🙄"

His fiancé? And don't give me that "it was an arranged marriage" crap because we all know the manhwa community doesnt give a damn as evident by OTHER manhwas.

Plot twist: The ending wasn't actually Layla getting lobotomized by the plot to love Matthias. She just knew that man was never going to quit until she either accepted or he takes a page out of the song Sarah from Tyler the creator.

Yall know that "Grandma, you little victim." Meme that originated in tiktok? That's basically the best way to describe Laylas future when she grows old.

"If you don't like it, don't read, you're just justice farming for views 😒"

First of all, would you believe me if I said I got a basic summary of what happened thanks to getting a ton of COBYB related posts on tiktok and Instagram videos that were being extremely vague and gaslit you into thinking it was romance? (Yes, I did find the rest of the chapters to read so I could actually make a verified post but to begin with, I already knew a basic idea of what was happening.)

Second of all: if this were just some random 🍇 and degrading fetish comic on a porn site with little people defending it, I wouldn't feel the need to care. (EX: I don't make any abandoned empress posts because everyone already hates it so there's no need to say what has been said a million times already) this is a gross porn novel that was put on a site mostly inhabited by 10-16 year old girls that makes stalking and 🍇 look sexy thanks to the artstyle and the ML being a buff BTS blow up doll and instead of it being called out, you got THOUSANDS of people tarnishing the name of dark romance so they can justify a grapist while pretending to be girl's-girl's instead of coming to terms with the fact that the comic with a beautiful artstyle is grade A garbge.

[hawktuahfreak]

Hongice week day 6! There’s a saying in Iceland

I’m not 100% sure I used the saying correctly but uh you have to accept it 🙏 sorry for posting ts so late again!

₊˚⊹♡

  Emil looked at the customer yelling something in Chinese. He wasn’t getting paid enough to apologise and repeat that he doesn’t understand anything for the 5th time. He rolled his eyes and looked at other people sitting at the table. It was just a girl probably in her twenties trying to calm her father down and a boy his age staring blankly at his phone. That definitely wasn’t the first time that man did something like this.

 

The waiter sighed and turned to the boy “What would you like?”

  “I, uh… I’ll just take the dumplings” he said, pointing at them in the menu.

  “Uh-huh” he said writing down his order “Something to drink?”

  “Coke maybe?”

 

“Of course. You?” He looked at the girl and she smiled apologetically.

  “I’ll take the sesame oil chicken soup. And for him…” she eyed the still furious man, “He’ll take the dumplings too.”

  Emil nodded and walked away after he finished writing. He passed the order to his coworker and sat behind the counter. He hated that job, but it was summer, and he didn’t want to spend it all at home. Getting his own money and not having to ask his older brother - Lukas -  for permission to buy something was also good.

  Now he was saving for a new laptop. They weren’t cheap, and even though Lukas said that he could help and lend him some money if he needed, he had to work. He just wished he had picked something else than this stinky eating place.

  He continued watching the restaurant to see if he was needed somewhere. He noticed the boy with crazy dad glancing at him while the girl talked to them. He looked away and tried to ignore them. He had to focus, not wonder about his costumer’s conversations. It’s not like he cared about them anyway.

  Today this place was filled with tourists. Emil already tried to talk with some Americans hoping that they will leave him a tip. It was the only thing he liked in the visitors. Unfortunately many of them didn’t respect his country enough. Iceland was beautiful and so dangerous sometimes, and for some reason they all preferred to see the second side. Then, if something bad happened, they complained.

  He sighed again and turned around. Emil jumped slightly when he saw the guy from the 10th table standing next to him.

  “Your food will b-“

  “Yes, I know… I just wanted to apologise for my old man. Look, I really have no idea why he’s so mean today!” He said and took Emil’s hand putting something in it. “I promise to make it up to you later!” He started walking away so Emil opened his hand and saw three 1000 krona bills.

  He looked at the boy, but he was already busy talking to his family. He smiled to himself and continued his work bringing food to tables and taking more orders.

  When his food was ready he made sure to bring the three plates smiling. First, he placed the girls bowl in front of her, then the mad man’s one. When he handed the last dish the boy stretched out his hands and ‘accidentally’ touched Emil’s again looking into his eyes. Emil blushed a bit.

  “Bon appétit!” He smiled even more and went back behind the counter. He looked at the clock,  he could go home in half an hour. He couldn’t wait to change into something more comfortable, that didn’t smell like deep-fried food.

 

He remembered his brother asked him to buy some groceries. On the next day Emil didn’t have to go to work, so Lukas asked him to cook something for them. He laughed about preparing something Chinese, but Emil couldn’t look at that food anymore. He decided to make something that his brother hated. Maybe lamb stew? It wasn’t that bad, yet for some reason Lukas despised it.

 

He walked over to an empty table to clean it. He picked up all the dirty dishes and took them back to kitchen, where his friend Matthias began washing them. He and Lukas were classmates in high school and it was his idea to make Emil a waiter in this small restaurant. He went to the table to wipe it clean so other customers could sit there.

  That’s when his shift ended. He smiled to himself and after changing his clothes he started walking to his bus stop. He turned on his phone to check when the bus was going to arrive and growled. 30 minutes. He shook his head, it would take him less time to walk home so that’s what he did.

  The weather was very nice. It wasn’t too cloudy, the sun was shining on his back warming him up. He could hear birds singing and people laughing. Perfect. He crossed the road after making sure that no car would hit him and continued walking. His neighbourhood wasn’t the biggest and he knew almost everyone living there. His neighbours were lovely, they used to help him a lot when he was younger.

  Once he got to his apartment he took off his shoes and jacket, and sat on the couch. Lukas was still at work, so he didn’t need to rush with going to the store. He wanted to relax first! He turned on the tv and went to the kitchen to quickly make himself some tea.

  When he sat again he started looking for something interesting to watch. He didn’t want to watch the news all the time, there wasn’t any new movies playing, he was too old for cartoons… He stopped on a documentary about animals living in cold countries. He hoped to see puffins - they were his favourite animals.

  Emil slowly drank his tea. He always loved biology. When he was younger he dreamed of owning a few wild animals like polar bears and birds to show them real love. Now he found it embarrassing and he hated when Lukas was reminding him about it.

  He still wanted to study marine biology. He didn’t want to end up like Mathias, stuck in a boring job that barely paid him. Somehow he still had enough money to get drunk every weekend and Lukas had to help him picking him up from bars. He wanted a better life, to have money to travel and see whole Iceland, and of course know everything about sea life.

  His tea was gone, so he decided to go to store. He turned off the television, put his mug in the dishwasher and took his phone. Lukas left him some money on the table, so he didn’t have to use his savings. He packed everything in a bag and left his home making sure to lock the door.

 

There wasn’t a lift in this building, so he carefully started walking down the stairs. They lived on the third floor. It wasn’t too bad, but he still hated having to go all the way up there. He stopped after a second when he heard a familiar voice.

 

The owner of the voice also stopped when he saw him. They looked at each other shocked before he started laughing hysterically.

  “No way! You live here?” He continued laughing while Emil stood there confused. “Well, now that we’re going to be neighbours you will have to deal with my family even more. Hah.. I’m Leon”

  “Emil. Wh-what are you doing here?” He asked

  “Hm? Our airbnb is, like, here.” Leon answered. “I’m really sorry for him.” He said again

  “Oh, it’s not a big deal! Seriously, I had to serve worse customers.”

 

Leon smiled. He looked at Emil’s bag and asked him where he was going and if he could join. His family was busy with some business stuff, because that was the reason they came there. Emil agreed, Leon seemed very nice and… he gave him the tip.

 

They started walking. The store wasn’t that far from their homes and the weather didn’t change. Leon told him more about himself. They were both 17, he loved listening to music, and lived in Hong Kong. He didn’t have many friends just like Emil, so he was glad they talked.

 

Emil couldn’t fight the urge to smile and stare at Leon all the time. He never thought he was someone who could start liking anyone so quickly, but there he was, blushing when Leon glanced at him. There was something in him pulling Emil. Maybe they knew each other in their past lives? Or their paths were supposed to cross and they had to stay together forever? He laughed quietly at his own thoughts. It was stupid, of course it wasn’t possible.

 

He looked at him again. Leon’s hair were shining beautifully in the sun, that wouldn’t go away anytime soon. This week must’ve been terrible for him, it wasn’t easy to get used to nights full of light. But he still looked happy.

 

When the Cantonese boy finished talking about himself, he asked Emil few questions. His age, if he also has siblings, what he liked to do in his free time, what books he read, and what was his favourite music band. He joked about the French underground music, after Emil told him that the band he listens to the most had only 400 monthly listeners. They chuckled together.

 

As they finally arrived at the store, Leon kept asking Emil about different products he had never seen before. He was shocked to see how many things were available in the liquorice flavour. Emil decided to buy some, so Leon could try it and warned him that not everyone likes it.

 

After buying everything they needed, and even more they could go home. Leon said that his father had an online meeting and he couldn’t go to his apartment yet, so Emil offered him to come over. It was nice to finally have someone his age to hang out with, not only loud Mathias, Lukas or his boyfriend. He loved them of course, they became his family after his and Lukas’ parents died. He was just very curious about Leon.

 

On the way back they were talking too. Emil was telling his companion about his life in Iceland. It was way more quiet than Hong Kong and even the big capital seemed like a small village where everyone was related and they spent all holidays together.

 

Leon said that Emil’s home was the most cozy he ever seen. It was true, Lukas hated how empty it was without their parents, so he bought a lot of plants, blankets and pillows to put everywhere. They also used the ceiling lamps only in winter, there wasn’t need for big lights when they had sun all the time. Instead they used sweet smelling candles.

 

Leon also convinced Emil to cook something else for dinner. He agreed on easy pasta with tomato sauce deciding that he will cook something worse other day. It was already around 17:00 and Lukas was supposed to finish his work soon, so they started preparing everything. Emil let his guest help only a bit, because he said that since he was a waiter he knew best how to deal with food. They lit one of the candles on the middle of the table and looked at everything.

 

“How romantic” Joked Leon and placed his hand on Emil’s back making him blush. Instead of moving away he leaned closer to the Asian and put his head on his shoulder. What he was doing was very risky, he could lose a potential friend or maybe even more. He didn’t care, though. You only live once, right?

 

—

 

  That’s what he was thinking on the next day too. After spending whole night talking and snuggling with Leon in his room, he was sure that they started liking each other. After choosing clothes he wanted to wear, he decided to take Leon on a small date. He wanted to show him his favourite place. It was in a nearby forest, right next to a lake.

  Lukas was staying at his boyfriends apartment, he got invited few minutes before he left his workplace and he send Emil a short message saying to not wait for him with the dinner, so Emil and Leon could eat the pasta alone in even more romantic atmosphere.

 

Now he texted Lukas that he was leaving the house and going on a walk not mentioning his friend even once. He went on the first floor, because that’s where Leon’s apartment was located. He knocked on the door and waited.

 

His sister - Mei - opened it and smiled when she saw him.

  “Uh… hello”

  “Hi, Emil! Come in, please, Leon’s eating breakfast in the kitchen” Emil smiled back and followed her.

  Leon still sleepy was watching something on his phone and munching on cereal. When he saw Emil his eyes filled with sparks and he rushed to hug him and say hello.

  “Do you want to go on a walk today? I want to show you something” Emil asked, his voice full of hope.

  “Of course! Just let me get changed” Leon smiled and pulled his hand to take him to a bedroom he slept in.

  His suitcase was laying in the middle opened, next to it some clothes scattered around, and another bag in the corner. He smiled slightly seeing the mess knowing that Lukas would kill him for doing something like that. Leon sat in front of the suitcase and started searching for a perfect outfit. Emil sat right beside him waiting patiently.

  He blushed when he saw Leon’s chest after he took his shirt off. He could see his muscles quite well. He looked so much better than him. He looked away to not make him uncomfortable and waited a bit more for Leon to put on his clothes.

  Before leaving Leon finished his breakfast as Mei told him. He grabbed Emil’s hand and they started their walk. It was an hour od hiking, but neither of them completed. Time was passing quickly when they were together. Too quickly. They talked the whole way there, it seemed that they never ran out of things to say.

  Emil was showing Leon different flowers, trees and birds trying to teach him their names in Icelandic. Leon told Emil about the forests in China too. He joked about it being a concrete jungle, but also tried to tell him as many details about plants growing there as he remembered to help the Icelander imagine it.

  “You should visit Hong Kong once” He said after a minute of silence “It is pretty in its way”

  “I wish I could” Emil whispered.

 

When they arrived Emil showed his friend how to climb on a tree he always sat on. He moved a bit closer to Leon who touched his thigh. They weren’t too high up, maybe two meters. Looking at the water moving calmly always made Emil feel so much better. It was the place he run to when he found out about his parents death. Lukas couldn’t find him for hours. he just cried here. Since then this was where he spent long days when he felt troubled. He felt a bit closer to his mum here.

 

He was feeling well, though. He felt like he should show Leon that old tree and lake, because who knows? Perhaps they could spend more time together sitting on it. He smiled to himself and closed his eyes.

 

Even being completely quiet he felt like he was telling Leon this whole story. His heart started beating faster when he got an idea.

  “Leon?”

  “Hm?”

 

He turned to face him, his legs now hung on both sides of the branch they were on.

  “There’s a saying in Iceland.. ‘Rúsínan í pylsuendanum’. It  translates as a raisin at the end of the hotdog.”

  “Really? What does it even mean!” Leon almost cried. Emil wasn’t shocked, it didn’t really made sense for him either.

  “A nice surprise or a highlight of an experience. Kinda like ‘the cherry on top’” Emil smiled when he saw Leon’s grimaced expression.

  “Why would a raisin be something good on a hotdog? Icelandic food is disgusting!” He laughed. “But… does it mean I can say that meeting you was the raisin on my hotdog?”

 

Emil blushed and opened his mouth slightly shocked. It was nice to hear that. Leon looked at him and touched his cheek. They leaned closer until millimetres were between their noses and looked in each others eyes last time before closing them and connecting their lips.

 

Butterflies exploded in his stomach, it felt like magic was running through their bodies completely taking control over them. Emil wrapped his arms around Leon’s neck and deepened their kiss.

 

He wished it lasted forever, but they felt few raindrops falling on them. Leon looked up and giggled, Emil with him.

 

—

 

  They got home after few hours completely wet. They didn’t mind it, because the warm feelings inside of them kept them from freezing. Still with smiles on their faces they started taking their clothes off and putting on Emil’s typical Icelandic sweaters.

 

Sharing few more kisses they laid in bed cuddling again wrapped in a duvet. They weren’t tired yet, so they started watching a movie on Leon’s phone. Every now and then they would laugh randomly and stare at each other so happy to be together.

  “When are you going back to Hong Kong?” Emil asked after a while not sure if he actually wanted to know the answer.

 

  As if Leon read his mind he just smiled and burred his nose in Emil’s hair. “Does it really matter?”.

₊˚⊹♡

Master I’m TIRED of writing all the time 🥀🥀 I hate this one, you can tell I was running out of time, it was supposed to be slower and longer but ok.. 😢 I also wasn’t sure about the ending. I had an idea where Leon would leave Emil to go to the airport while he was sleeping and write his phone number with a short note, but the number would be wrong and Emil would just sit there sad waiting for him 🥀 but I’m nice not like hro who drew d*vorced hongice💔💔 hro….

ALSO I WOULD HAVE STARTED WRITING YESTERDAY IF MY DISHWASHER DIDNT BREAK FLOODING MY WHOKE KITCHEN 😭🙏 I HAD TO SAVE MY FLOOR AND NEIGHBOURS FORGIVE ME GUYS IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOME FANFICS WRITER CURSE 🥀

@hongiceweek

[jackwolfes]

demigodbeautiies’ end of 2024 multifandom fic rec list ✨

2023 version // this is a list of some of the fics i read and enjoyed in the past year, and if you give any of them a read i hope you enjoy them!

SIX OF CROWS

a path to normal by seimaisin (G | Wesper/Marya & Wylan): a beautiful, lovely post canon marya & wylan study

the city outside still sounds like it’s on fire by sunshineriptiee / @heypax (T | Wesper): wesper get kidnapped an inadvisable amount

One With Everything by samalander / @intosnarkness (T | Wesper): still ongoing but such a treat. jesper SHOULD be a ratty ass stupid delivery driver sometimes

Hidden Desires by Feriku (M | Wesper): god the miscommunication! the angst! the smut! it's all so fucking choice!

the thrill of first love by ofcoffeeanddonuts (M | Wesper): i really am just such a sucker (lol) for some first time fluffy smut

Don't Stop by Ciciwrites (E | Wesper): love me some semi-public exhibitionist antics

Baby, It's Cold Outside by @basicbard (E | Wesper): it's got wesper in a bookshop! forced proximity! wylan thirsting after matthias! breaking and entering!

All Eyes on Me (Your Illusionist) by osco_blue_fairy (E | Wesper): there's maybe a theme with some of these E recs but this one is just, very fun. does show!verse wesper in a way that lots of other fics i've read don't which is really fun

BBC MERLIN

Try To Change The Ending by phyllisverse (M | Merdred): i read this while suffering through the british train system and honestly it fucking cured me. it is everything wonderful about prophecy fics with messy communication and a lot of internal screaming

Skin Trade by @0hheytherebigbadwolf (E | Merdred): i love me some dark deep dubcon and this one's written beautifully

For King and Country by versaphile (E | Multi): phew i don't have a lot to say about this one other than the fact it's really hot and a truly delightful concept fun

OTHER

WINTERSTORY: OR HOW THE BOY KING FISHED THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY by perennials (T | KageHina): it has been a hot fucking second since i've read haikyuu fics but this one was sooo fun i love me a character study

[brokenheartsrecords]

track three: voices in the wall words: 0.7K tw: none taglist: @lxvebelle , @that-daughter-of-hephaestus find track two here

YOUR MOTHER IS A BIT TOO glad about your almost-ruined reputation. As she runs around the sitting room, planning the engagement and wedding breakfast and oh, God, the wedding night, you feel compelled to make her stop.

“Mama, what if I have a secret lover I will elope with? What will come of your planning then?”

You, in fact, do not have a secret lover. It’s not because you aren’t beautiful, it’s just that people see you more as a friend rather than a potential bride.

And, yes, you’ve rejected quite the lot of suitors because you just didn’t like them.

You can’t be blamed.

“If you had a lover, I would’ve known by now. If it weren’t for this wedding, you’d be a spinster your whole life! This is a sign from God, darling. He orchestrated this because you and Lord Hawthorne were meant to be together! It’s His holy word.”

Good luck telling Lord Hawthorne that God orchestrated this, and not me.

You know that Grayson Hawthorne thinks that you somehow created this situation, when it really couldn’t be far from the truth. You could try to break it off, but that would dishonour not just his, but your family too.

It didn’t matter how you’d break it off if the result would always be the same.

And Grayson was too much of a gentleman to break the engagement off himself.

You tried to find faults in him on the carriage ride home. Like how he was too uptight, or if he gambled (how would he gamble if he never took a stroll in society, though?). Maybe he had a secret collection of horrid paintings, or he hoarded Marie Antoinnete’s fatal guillotine? 

But you couldn’t find a single fault in your memory, unless the fault was him being too gentlemanly. And what type of fault was that?

“Tulips or lilies? I would go with lilies, but I wonder what Skye will say about that.”

And just like that, you had an idea.

“Mama, if I marry Lord Hawthorne… wouldn’t Ms. Skye be part of the family?”

Your mother stilled, a light frown pulling at her lips. “She would. But that does not matter, because all household tasks will be shifted to the Lady Hawthorne. And Lady Hawthorne would be you. Skye would hold no responsibilities in that house, child.” She came over to you and patted your hair, which you had left loose down your back. 

Slowly, your mother gathered the strands and parted them into three, beginning the foundations of a braid. “I might be too happy for your wedding, but that is because I never really thought I’d be able to attend it.” She says, her voice but a whisper. “I’m truly overjoyed for you, and you secured such a great match, too! Trust me, your marriage will be nothing like mine.”

The house was too large. Too silent. The only sounds came from outside the sitting room, where the maids were running through the staircases to prepare baths. Your mother’s husband wasn’t to be seen.

“Can I speak to Lord Hawthorne tomorrow?” You ask, trying to shift your mother’s attention.

You can hear her smile. “Of course. I’ll send a letter to Skye.”

In your room later that night, you can’t sleep. You blame it on nerves, but you know that that is not the case.

Outside, you see a light approach the stables, and it slowly disappears. 

It’s probably a stableboy walking back to the servant’s quarters, you assume.

Until you hear shuffling from the walls.

“Report.” A female voice says, and you jolt up in your bed. 

A deep breath. Not from you, but from someone else in the walls. 

“There is a wedding being arranged, madam. I know nothing more.”

The tinkling of coins, and the hard sound of them falling into someone’s hands. “Tell me more.”

The voice is soft, seductive. 

“The wedding is to the Miss. Lord Hawthorne and the Miss. They will be calling at the Hawthorne residence on the morrow. Please, that is all I know.”

“Shame.” The voice says, and you can hear the frown. “Matthias, you know what to do.”

Footsteps.

You don’t hear the second woman again.

[jujus-bizarre-blog]

Some of my favourite Crooked Kingdom quotes :)

So I finished Crooked Kingdom and this post is gonna be a lot less articulate than my last one about the series because...

Who the actual fuck let the last 100 pages of that novel happen???

They were so entertaining but aside from that they had some of the most beautiful sentiments and prose. So I am going to share my favourites from each character's POV in Part Six: Action & Echo :3

Nina: Page 455

"But she hadn't been made for shame."

"Nina had grieved for her loss of power, for the connection she'd felt to the living world. She'd resented this shadow gift. It had seemed like a sham, a punishment. But just as surely as life connected everything, so did death. It was that endless, fast-running river. She'd dipped her fingers into its current, held the eddy of its power in her hand. She was the Queen of Mourning, and in its depths, she would never drown."

It's such a beautiful sentiment and moment to watch her fully come to love herself again and her new power. I love Nina as a deeply relatable character and this was just so perfect to see her come back to loving and finding herself.

Inej: Page 460

"But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren't chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway."

This gave me chills. Everything about this is utterly gut wrenching and feels incredibly relatable. I reread that line probably 4 times before moving on.

Jesper: Page 471

"It's not a gift. It's a curse. But when it came down to it, Jesper's life had been full of blessings. His father. His mother. Inej. Nina. Matthias leading them across the muddy canal. Kaz--even Kaz, with all his cruelties and failings, had given him a home and a family in the Dregs when Ketterdam might have swallowed him whole. And Wylan. Wylan who had understood before Jesper ever had that the power inside him might be a blessing too."

Jesper realizing that for all the shit luck he has at tables he has been lucky enough to have amazing people in his life. It's just very sweet.

Matthias: Page 483

"Unnatural, said the old, determined voice. Beautiful, said the voice that had spoken the night he'd helped Jesper and Kuwei escape Black Veil. It was newer, less certain, but louder than ever before."

I love this part because it shows just how much Matthias has changed through the two books. It's beautiful and sweet and heartwarming.

Wylan: Page 427

"Wylan summoned every bit of bravado he'd learned from Nina, will he'd learned from Matthias, the focus he'd studied in Kaz, the courage he'd learned from Inej, and the wild, reckless hope he's learned from Jesper, the belief that no matter the odds, somehow they would win."

Okay... I cheated with Wylan's it's from his chapter just before Action & Echo... BUT, I think this sentiment is much more telling than anything in his Part Six chapter. I love this quote because it shows just how much his found family taught him. They're messy, they're brutal, and they're awful, but they are everything to each other. They teach each other, they help, they care, they tease, and that's way more than Wylan ever had at home.

Kaz: Page 480 & 529

"'I also had her stop at the Menagerie.'

She smiled then, her eyes red, her cheeks scattered with some kind of dust. it was a smile he thought he might die to earn again."

"'That's the laugh,' he murmured."

The second quote isn't from his chapter, it's from Inej's final one, but it conveys the same thing as the first quote. It shows what Kaz could have been, that somewhere in there he wants to show Inej can take his armour off, that he is willing to do it for her and I think it's just really gratifying to see.

That all being said chapter 42 was so evil. It had me going from sobbing of joy to sobbing of sorrow and back to joy in the span of 3 paragraphs istg. What the actual fuck Leigh Bardugo???