#maybe i should just avoid the ones that are very near and dear to my heart and the ones that people are especially annoying/wrong about

[sonknuxadow]

im kinda tempted to make a series of polls about sonic games that have widely been considered bad and seeing how many people on here actually dislike them and how many of the people who dislike them have actually played them or just had any amount of exposure to the game that would be enough for them to reasonably be able to form an actual opinion on it . im curious what the results would be..

[obaex]

four - hockey player!ex!rafe cameron (pt. 1)

summary: rafe knows he's screwed up, but when he offers you a way to make amends, you can't resist. the catch? he'll have to do the impossible.

word count: 1.8k

a/n: rafe is slightly toxic in this ngl! i am in love with this. hockey romance is very near and dear to me (this is v loosely based on a real life experience). *mwah*

You saw your phone light up out of the corner of your eye and lowered your mascara wand as you leaned over to glance at the screen and let out a shaky sigh.

A part of you knew the right thing to do by now was to block his number. You hadn't responded to a single message he'd sent for over two weeks. And the messages had been relentless.

I'm thinking about you in the afternoons.

Hi beautiful in the mornings.

I'm sorry.

You're still my girl.

And on and on, escalating to paragraphs at night, as he typed out things he'd never once said out loud to you before; about how he felt the first time he met you, the things his teammates said, about how Wheezie was asking about you and Sarah spent an hour on the phone lecturing him, about how he'd do anything to get you back.

Reading his messages was like drinking a honied poison that went down sweet, warming every inch of you, only to make you sick in the end. But you couldn't stop. You couldn't block him. And even though you'd made him think you were ignoring him, you craved every message, every word he said something you had ached to hear when he had the chance.

Now it was two hours before the biggest game of the season, arguably one of the biggest of his career. He should be focusing on his pregame routine, on his way to the rink, if he wasn't there already and instead here he was texting you. You were the one on his mind and you drank that poison down, allowing yourself to feel special, even if the text had made no sense to you.

How many?

How many what?

His last message before that was from a couple of hours ago, before his pregame nap, the one you often took together as he had reminded you, in excruciating detail.

Your fingers twitched with the urge to reply. You knew he was baiting you into responding, but you swallowed down the urge and took a deep breath to still your beating heart and went back to applying your makeup, dragging up the same memory you did every time you were tempted by him.

It was just after 2AM, and you were sitting in your car that you had driven to his apartment, unable to sleep, desperate to talk to him. He lounged in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead at the windshield, tracking the rain that was falling steadily.

"Can you please talk to me?" you whispered, trying so hard not to come across as needy or desperate.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked, shrugging, avoiding your eye contact.

"I don't know, just tell me what's going on with you? You barely talk to me anymore, you won't even look at me. Did I do something?"

He shrugged again and you felt physically sick. Maybe it was because you couldn't remember the last thing you'd eaten, the last time you'd slept more than a few fitful hours, all consumed with the feeling that your five-year relationship was running off the rails. Rumors were flying that there was another girl... or girls... And when you had asked him about it, he brushed it off, not strongly enough to give you even an ounce of comfort. You were falling apart. And he was letting it happen. He was forcing you to end this, too cowardly to do it himself.

"Do you even want to be with me anymore?" you whispered, barely audible over the pounding rain, like maybe if he didn't hear you, he couldn't answer.

He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed loudly, frustrated, like you were just so annoying to him, and you wished you could suck your words back into your mouth.

"I have practice in like four hours, I can't be doing this with you right now" he said, aptly avoiding the conversation again.

Your chin was wobbling and you bit back everything you wanted to say, not wanting to be needy, or nagging, hoping if you were on your very best behavior he would have a change of heart, change his mind.

You pursed your lips and nodded, averting your gaze to look out at the rain and gathering the strength you needed to say the words that felt like nails in your mouth.

"I can't do this anymore" you whimpered, as tears fell that matched the droplets on your windshield. "I can't keep giving 100% and getting nothing in return. I'm sitting here spilling my heart out to you and you won't even look at me. After everything we've been through... You won't even deny that you hooked up with her."

Silence.

You could see him grimace, the tic in his jaw as he pushed his tongue into his cheek. You wanted to grab the front of his sweatshirt, shake him and scream 'SAY SOMETHING!'. But you didn't. And his silence persisted a moment longer.

"So that's it then?" he said finally, like you had any other choice.

You wiped futilely at the tears that were now pouring down your face, even as you tried to hold them back, sniffling with a shaky breath to avoid outright sobbing in front of him.

He opened the car door, got out, slamming it forcefully behind him without so much as a glance your way and you broke down. You didn't make it one block before you had to pull over. You couldn't see, you couldn't breath, and you couldn't hold your hands steady on the wheel you were shaking so badly. You threw your car in park, lay your head on the steering wheel and cried.

Two days passed before the first text came in.

"I'm sorry" is all it said.

You could see the bubbles at the bottom of the screen, indicating that he was still typing before more messages appeared.

At this point you were grasping your phone with both hands, like a lifeline, eyes glued to the screen, heart hammering so hard in your chest you felt nauseous and your hands were shaking. There was a chance, a glimmer, a hope and you were clinging to it.

Your fingers hovered over your phone, ready to forgive him, to forget, to run right back to the way things had been, to have him looking for you at the end of every game, for stolen kisses in the parking lot at the arena, to whispered I love yous as you fell asleep in his arms. And then more messages came flooding in.

More messages were coming now but you couldn't read any further. Your heart was battering around your ribcage like a pinball machine with the whiplash of information: your boyfriend of five years had been actively texting another girl... because she was easygoing, and fun to talk to and didn't stress him out… like you did.

Your tears were back like no time had passed from the night you broke up, heavy sobs coming from your mouth at how stupid you felt, at all the rumors being true. And did you really believe that nothing more had happened between them? He was Rafe fucking Cameron of the Carolina Eagles.

Your eyes skimmed over the second half of his message, about how you were it for him, about how much he loved you, how he wanted to marry you and for you to have his babies?? The ache of wanting that so desperately to be true and knowing it couldn't be was too much for you as you turned and cried into your pillow.

You recalled all of those messages now as a new one came in. You shoved your finger into the bruise on your heart, forcing yourself to feel that pain again, to imagine him laying in bed, in the bed you had slept in with him, while he texted another girl, maybe even texted both of you at the same time, and you refocused on your makeup.

You had faithfully followed the Eagles for five years, his teammates were some of your best friends, like brothers to you. Despite everything that had happened with Rafe, you weren't going to miss their game tonight. Rafe's best friend and linemate Nick had texted you earlier in the week to let you know he had a ticket for you.

Fine. It was hard to say no to that. Everyone you knew would be there anyway and you didn't need Rafe thinking he had power over you if you weren't there. So, you were going. And you decided if you were going to go you were going to look stunning, and as you put the finishing touches on your makeup, there was no doubt in your mind that you were.

You had spent more time on your hair and makeup than potentially every other game that season combined. You may have gotten a little comfy towards the end, wearing Rafe's team-issued sweatshirt with his name and number on it and a pair of leggings. He claimed that he loved you in that, but that wouldn't cut it tonight. You wore skintight jeans that accentuated every perfect curve of your body, heeled booties and a tight-fitting long sleeve shirt. Your hair was immaculate and your makeup was admittedly a little extra for an AHL game, but effortless nonetheless as it amplified your natural beauty. The pain in your heart had been ebbing its way into anger: you were going to make him regret every single thing he'd done, the thought nagging at you as your phone lit up again.

You huffed. You had been strong for weeks, and now he was throwing that at you?

Your perfectly manicured fingers hovered over your phone as you nibbled your glossed bottom lip, and finally relented.

What the hell? you thought, confused.

Feeling pretty good about your level of engagement, you sent another question mark before his response came in.

You scoffed before laughing out loud. He was truly unbelievable. You weren't on some sort of barter system here. This wasn't a deal you had ever discussed nor agreed to. This isn't how the world worked, this isn't how relationships worked. It was stupid. So so stupid. And Rafe wasn't the team's lead goal scorer anyway. Sure he was good for a flashy goal every few games, maybe two, but this was the semi-finals of the league championship, everything was on the line here, it was not the time to be playing games...

...But damn if you didn't love the semblance of power he'd given you over the situation, and you desperately wanted to fuck with him.

Four goals in one game. Essentially impossible. A joke. Sidney Crosby, arguably the best player in the NHL at the moment hadn't even achieved that. But not a second passed before his reply came through, simple, straightforward, no arguing or complaining:

"Done"

And then:

"I love you!"

"I'll be looking for you 😍"

You rolled your eyes, throwing your phone down on your bed, annoyed at yourself for even answering him.

And yet you couldn't fight the smallest bit of excitement you felt.

It was impossible. It was never going to happen, but Rafe Cameron was going to try to win you back.

(part two)

taglist: @gillybear17, @palmwinemami, @moremaybank, @one-sweet-gubler, @m-indkiller, @ihe4rttwd, @diary-of-jj, @crlsummer, @jjsbank444

[mschievousx]

now and then | b.b.

pairing: benedict bridgerton x ofc, anthony bridgerton x ofc (platonic)

summary: loraine silva always knew she was not normal. she loves unusual things. she loves her father's guns, horses, boxing, climbing a tree, falling from a tree, engineering, astronomy... oh, and a man eleven years older.

series masterlist

viii. eight: it was over

"save me!"

the young silva exclaimed with worry in her voice. funny, actually, how their game of house turned into an action-themed drama—much like this story.

nevertheless, gregory came running towards her as hyacinth and benedict start to seemingly attack the young girl.

"here i am, princess!" the boy exclaimed, raising his wooden sword and pointing it to the enemies.

hyacinth turned to him and raised her hands, the cloak falling from her shoulders, "i am the witch!"

raine tried her best not to laugh at the expressions of the children, utterly invested in their roles. benedict neared her, gaining gregory's attention and bolting to them to save her.

their play, however, was interrupted when major thorpe walked to them and called for the silva, "my lady."

she raised her head and turned to him. gilbert was not an emotional one, but his voice currently carried urgency. she excused herself from the children as she walked to him. the major did not say anything else and simply turned. benedict did not understand, really, why his feet felt the need to follow them.

they arrived at the back of the bridgerton's house, a man waiting who seemed to have jumped over the wall. he was covered, cloaked as if in disguise. the man turned to her with noticeable deep scratches and wounds.

"raphael?" she called with disbelief, clasping her hands together as she immediately went to hug him—lightly so as to avoid the wounds.

at the sight of her, the colonel let out a sound that could be mistake as a sob as he took the young girl's face on his palms, "raine, i am so so sorry."

she looked up at him from the hug, as if to read his eyes, and she did not need to hear whatever he was going to say to know what has happened. she shut her eyes closed and pulled away, placing her own palms to cover her face.

raphael put his hand inside his coat, getting the letter that was written by her father. he brushed her hair as he passed the paper.

with palms already a bit wet, she took the letter begrudgingly, already knowing its contents. raine opened it just as benedict neared her, placing a hand on her shoulder. his eyes were at her to maintain the privacy of the letter.

my dear daughter,

well, it is fucking unfortunate, isn't it? i apologise if the only thing that will return to you after all this time is this letter. i am sorry this is what our family has become. perhaps, i should have taken notes from edmund and had eight children as well. this way, you would not be alone right now.

tragic, really. my chest hurts like hell and my shoulder numb. your mother and brother has been calling for me. i am afraid i must answer to them. raphael will tell you everything. hopefully, i have trained him best, enough at the very least, to not die in the process. oh, i really hope he is not as stupid to die without ensuring you receive this letter. what else can i say? you already know i love you more than anything. make a concerto for me too. i do not want that calmness you did for your mother, or that hopefulness for your brother. i want mine to sound cruel and pure of malice. i want mine to sound like a declaration of war—a symbol of spite even in my grave.

know that you can do this. this is not the end but its beginning.

káne ton thánato perífano na mas párei.

your handsome father,

armand silva

raine shut her eyes closed once again, hugging the letter on her chest as her lips whimpered, "please, no..."

her legs gave out in hopelessness as benedict's touch tightened to her at once, holding her close to him as he keep her up. maybe home is nothing but two arms holding you tight when you are at your worst.

"let us go inside. the children must not see this." the bridgerton said, guiding her towards the home as the two men followed.

━━━ ✦ ❘ ☽ 【❖】 ☾ ❘ ✦ ━━━

they stepped in through the back door, passing the drawing room in the process. anthony and kate stopped their conversation just as violet raised her head from her tea, standing up at once at the state of the four.

"loraine? what is happening?" she questioned in concern, not sure to walk to her or not as she was being assisted by her son.

anthony and kate stood as well in alarm. the viscount caught sight of raphael and understood what this could be about. he dodged the furnitures in the way as he led them, "to my study."

everyone in the room followed suit with heavy steps as they crossed the hall. now crowding anthony's study, benedict let her sit on the couch, providing her his handkerchief as well.

raphael sat on another chair at the side while the rest remained standing in anticipation and worry. anthony sat on the edge of his table, arms crossed while lightly biting his lips.

raine let out a heavy sigh, trying her best not to let her voice break, "father has passed."

anthong uncrossed his arms, placing his right palm on his forehead, his head casted down in defeat.

"god..." violet muttered in sorrow, closing her eyes as well as kate neared the woman, both supporting each other. they were aching for the girl in front of them.

as she opened her eyes again, her gaze landed on the wounded man this time. she spoke in a solemn manner, "does the guest need to rest for the moment?"

"no, lady bridgerton. thank you," he replied, sitting up from his leaning as he interlaced his fingers in seriousness, "but i must relay the current circumstances to the lady as soon as possible."

he did not continue as if waiting for loraine's permission that it was alright to divulge such information in the presence of other people. the young silva nodded absentmindedly, staring into nothing.

raphael understood what she meant and inhaled deeply, revealing the causes of it all, "general has discovered an anomaly in the communications and reports across brigades and regiments six months ago.someone has been tampering and altering the papers, giving false reports and causing miscommunication. just before we returned here for your debut, two battalions fought each other, unaware of their british ancestry."

he turned to address the silva solely, "that is what your father has been working on, believing that we may get hints here in central london."

she thought back on the moments her father was almost not present, missing events and time with her. she even ranted about it without even knowing the gravity of her father's duties. she wanted to slap her past self.

"and we did." the colonel continued, "on the day our carriage was attacked when we were going to the ball," he paused, clicking his tongue with hate in his following words.

"i would never miss the shine of the british insignia."

raine, for the nth time of the day, shut her eyes closed at the information. realising the gravity of the situation, she could not help but mutter in pessimism just what the people in the room were thinking as well.

"fuck."

anthony, as the viscount of the house, interjected, "if that is the case, you both have to stay here."

raphael stood up, turning to the man with respect, "lord bridgerton, i appreciate the thought but we cannot. our presence here right now endangers your family already."

he was not wrong about that at all, but the other was adamant on ensuring their safety, "the family is acquainted to the queen and close to her confidant. we do not know if the queen is involved or not, but at the very least, that will offer even the slightest protection than being out at all."

"anthony..." raine called, unsure what to say next. she would like that, in all honesty, as this was the only other home she ever knew. but, she also would not like to put them all at risk.

he turned to her reassuringly, "there is nothing to worry about. people will not bat an eye in you staying here longer as you have always did, and raphael will simply not let people catch a glimpse of him." he looked at the wounded man with no offense, "which i assume must be easy for a colonel."

raine nodded at anthony's plan, accepting it as raphael conceded as well, following whatever sound decision the daughter of his superior would make.

the girl raised her eyes to the dowager in pure shame of their temporary solution, "i apologise, violet."

the matriarch neared her on the couch as she placed a hand on her back and her chin on top of the girl's head, hugging her for what little comfort she could offer.

━━━ ✦ ❘ ☽ 【❖】 ☾ ❘ ✦ ━━━

loraine was no stranger to staying up late and deep into the night. she has always loved it, and the joy that the silence would bring her was comforting.

now, although void of joy, she still looks for the same comfort under the same sky.

"do you need anything?" benedict entered the drawing room, sitting across the lady so as to not disturb her peace—if she had any left.

raine sneered weakly, "aside from my family? nothing."

"anthony told me." he began, his guilt starting to show, "i am really sorry i was not there with you at the ball."

she did not reply immediately. in fact, she did not reply at all. she was not petty. she understood that it was not an obligation for him to be there at that moment. and so, she settled with a nod for acknowledgement.

"do you want to talk about it right now?" he continued to ask, wanting whatever it is between them to disappear so that the young lady would have less on her plate.

"you do not have anything to be sorry for." she replied in a very exhausted voice, wanting everything to be just done with.

benedict chose to explain his side nonetheless, "i was with lady arnold. we—"

"i know." she interjected pointedly without intending to sound bitter.

"no. not like that." he defended with a sigh, "we met at the hawkins balloon, and she was a follower of the sciences you were enjoying."

it was lost between them—whatever they are now. they were not each other's, but they could not deny the feeling of possession.

"i met her at the ball again and mr. cooper joined us after a while. they were teaching me about their stuff... just like you have always done in the past."

she did not want to care. she should not have cared at all, yet she replied, "what about?"

he smiled at her inquiry, taking it as a sign of even her slightest regard for him, "i could not bother to listen to them."

raine did not know what to say. even in this time, he could make her feel something other than pain. however, the exhaustion is too much, pounding whatever warmness she might have felt. he was exhausting—the push and pull he was doing.

"i would like to be by myself, please."

benedict opened his mouth, likely to insist he stay, but he closed it as he casted his eyes downwards. he exhaled and nodded resignedly, pushing himself up from the chair, looking at her last before turning to leave.

"good night."

she just wants to go home, but nothing feels like home anymore. so, no later, she stood as well and made her way to the piano. in the dead of night, she was thankful for the moonlight as she sat in front of the instrument.

there is something big coming—bigger than love, bigger than loneliness.

in the midst of despair, she decided to write the piece her father wanted and she's staying up all night for it. she has thought for it to sound like mozart's lacrimosa but went against it in an instant. lacrimosa was weeping, mournful even. but her father? she was certain armand did not shed a single tear against his fate. he would have gritted his teeth and spat the blood on the fate's face.

and so, she slammed her fingers on the keys, note per note, octave per octave. while the tune was full of hurt, it was not the type that would make you curl in bed. it was the kind that would make you stand and run... faster, faster than you ever can.

for what is hurt but the prelude to rage. and once the pain goes away, the real battle starts.

taglist: @aadu2173 @imgondeletedis @pumkiinpasties @rebleforkicks @perseny @everavenclaw @datingbtr @peetahpahkah @omy0

[honey-minded-hivemind]

lmfao Dark Howlett/Creed!Reader having rankings for who they like the most

Imagine a tier list video except it's Reader ranking the X-Men and villains

Logan and Victor are probably F tier lol

Cube anon

Hahaha! Oh dear... Okay, I might as well do it, and make it canon (with hidden fun facts and lore for the au!)... This is in Creed/Howlett Reader's pov:

(Journal: List of Who Is The Least Awful)

(In the Green)

Gambit: is nice to me, only tries to steal my food and my spare change, wants information but at least attempts to listen to me talk first (he smells like cats and spice, maybe a hint of cinnamon) 7/10

Kurt: tries to be polite, but I know he's scared, and he went along with what the others did (I saw him wearing a cross necklace... Catholic, maybe? seems sweet, is blue and fluffy... smells like blueberry muffins) 6.5/10

Todd: still jokes at my expense, but is only as scared as everyone else... still doesn't like me, went along with their plan to use me (is he a feral mutant? or just a poor frog, erm, toad kid?) 6/10

Beast: was nice to my face, did not say i should stay, knew I was being tested, did nothing (why is it always the same?) 5.5/10

(In the Yellow)

Xavier: ... I don't like him, he set me up... but he is polite to my face, albeit he also decided I wouldn't be staying with them (who let him have kids?) 4/10

Rogue: isn't bad, but is distrustful of me (wasn't she in this position before?) 4/10

Magneto: terrifies me... but hasn't personally messed with me (he's Pietro and Wanda's dad, he's scary as f*ck!) 4/10

Evan: annoying and likes to mess around/make jokes about me, is not the worst (I'm not fighting him, he has SPIKES, I'm not that much of a sucker for pain-) 4/10

Lance: still annoyed me, was not nice, was rude and threw a rock at me in retaliation once (has issues, but don't we all?) 3.5/10

(In the Red)

Kitty: is a bit snobby and prudish, but hasn't tried to fight me or get in my way, smells like bubblegum (she's smart, once was in a club with her, was ignored, it's normal) 3.5/10

Jean: did not trust me at all, is suspicious of me, has tried to read my mind, she scares me (a telepath or telekinetic? how do any of these kids live under the same roof? smart, pretty, avoid) 3/10

Scott: definitely does not trust me, has tried to start a fight with me, his lasers burn, is very, very stubborn (I am not fighting him again, one time was enough, did he have to insult me, too? are he and Jean dating? ... they seem like a good fit...) 2.5/10

Wanda: ... no... nope... does not like anyone, is related to Pietro, is the nicer of the twins (wears red and black a lot... is dangerous... steer clear of her) 2.5/10

(In the Black)

Pietro: is annoying as f*ck, is rude, insults me and everyone else, will rub your insecurities in your face, is demanding, is dramatic, is addicted to drama (why did I ever try to talk to him? avoid at all costs. Is NOT worth it) 1/10

Logan: ... avoid avOid AVOID! dangerous, terrifying, deems me too dangerous, has almost hurt me, don't go near him, stay away from him and his brats (I thought he'd understand... what it's like, to be this way... he doesn't care...) 0/10

Sabretooth: Run Run RUN!!! Avoid at all costs! Do not talk to, do not get near, stay still, don't speak, pray, will bite and scratch and aim to hurt, deems me too soft (said it more hurtfully than that... is NOT nice...) -1/10

(Hmmm... I don't think I have friends... I have maybe Gambit, but he's, well... I know why he comes around. I know it's just a job, just a scheme. But I'm lonely, okay? I need someone to talk to, and out of everyone, he's the least problematic... Is it so bad to want someone as a friend? What am I doing wrong? I try to act normal, talk normal, eat normally... These people should understand, but they don't... Is there a point to this?)

(... I heard something outside... I need to check it out... I'll write in you again, Journal...)

( Last written entry of Reader ********, dated 12/03/200? , in their journal )

(How is this for a peek inside Creed/Howlett Reader's mind in their version of the Dark AU? And a reminder: they didn't know who their dad was at first but find out during **********...) (So yes, Gambit ai the closest they have to an ally/comrade, but they aren't quite friends...) (When Reader wakes up and finds the other three with them, those three are traumatized, trying to apologize, and telling Reader they'll be welcomed this time, that the others can't leave then after this, look at the state they're in-) (Well, um... look at this list, and tell me how well you think that goes over initially) ( @sugar-soda @vivid-bun @danni1323 @crowwithguns @thewickedweiner)

[dilvuc]

I'm back >:)

So my request is very simple. It is a continuation of the Sampo x Fashion Designer Male Reader.

Giving them a secret relationship isn't always gonna last long, no? So I have this nice idea on my mind.

While the reader is talking to Gepard, the guards ship them (Gepard and the reader doesn't know), maybe even Pela joins in because why not? It's fun to ship your co-worker and your designer from time to time.

So while Sampo is walking down near the restricted zone (or maybe even areas where there are guards) he overheard their conversation. He didn't mean to! He just wanted to know what's the hottest gossip about the Silvermane Guards! He didn't know that he's beloved was shipped with the Landau Captain.

From here I'll just make it briefly.

Sampo gets jealous (somehow) and he's moody

Seele notices this

They talk about it (more like questioning Sampo)((Sampo trying to avoid the question))

Seele listened to Sampo ranting about some guy he's dating (Sampo describing the reader)

Seele meets the reader first time and puts two and two together.

Seele talks to reader about some guy (Sampo) being moody because of him

Reader confronts and comforts Sampo because, yes.

-Li anon <3

(sorry if I seem annoying in chat by the way)

❝secret relationship❞ pt. 2

𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖗𝖊: fluff

𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗: male

𝖙𝖎𝖙𝖑𝖊: secret relationship: misunderstanding

𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌: sampo x m!reader

𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌: none

𝖘𝖚𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖞: now that you two are secretly dating, people have not find out about it except in the underworld. the overworld started to misunderstood you and gepard as a couple which made sampo also misunderstood this and think you were cheating on him

“Again with the cape? What were you thinking?” you huffed while examining gepard’s ruined cape. gepard embarrassingly apologized, “S-sorry…It won't last like this forever…”

“Ugh…I should find a way to keep your cape from going into ruin.” you sighed before pointing your finger into the blonde's chin, “This'll be your last time, got it?”

gepard gulped, “Got it.”

“Good…I'll fix up your cape and from now on I will no longer charge you. Consider yourself lucky…” you deadpanned. the blonde haired male chuckled, “Right…”

“Don't you think Captain and [Y] make a great couple? They seem so close.” One of the Silvermane Guards gossiped.

“Yeah. It's obvious since they always physically touch each other like they're dating.”

“Ha. I say that they're secretly dating~” Pela smirked, grabbing the attention of the guards. “Captain was the first customer when [Y] started his business. They spoke to each other all the time.��

Unknownist to the Silvermane Guards, a blue haired male was eavesdropping on the conversation. He was disappointed when he found out that people in the overworld are shipping the captain and his beloved. that's completely unfair…

▬▬ι══════════════ι▬▬

“I can't believe I've been cheated on by the one person I loved…” sampo sighed with disappointment, rubbing his temper. he obviously thought that his beloved was secretly dating gepard behind his back. It really hurts to think about it. dear aeon, does everyone hate him in this world? were you just using him until he let his guard down so you could turn him into the silvermane guards? aeon, he's overthinking it. he doesn't think you would do that, right? right?

“Geez. I can't take it anymore.” seele groaned. “What's the deal here? Why are you sighing so much? It's getting annoying.”

“Nothing…” sampo frowned. seele narrowed her eyes, thinking that the male was lying. the sadness in his voice sounded real. too real. she sighed, placing her hands on her hips, “Ok. What's up?”

“I don't wanna talk about it.” sampo looks away with a huff.

“Come on. You know you want to talk about it. Tell me what the hell is going on with you?” seele furrowed her eyebrows.

“Oh. Nothing, a certain diva fashion designer was being shipped with the silvermane guard captain. They seem so close that it's almost like they were secretly dating.” sampo protests almost immediately. “The pretty boy with such great fashion sense, cool [h] hair, beautiful [e] eyes, and cute face is probably using me as his pawn or something in order to bring my guard down to turn me in, is now being physically attracted to the captain. It looks like I’m the fool to think that someone finally loves him.”

“...Geez, that's rough. Maybe I can meet this “boyfriend” of yours.” the female hummed, rubbing her chin. to be honest, she has never seen the two together in the underworld at all. she heard about them, but never believed it, so she wants to meet this guy that sampo describes.

▬▬ι══════════════ι▬▬

seele arrived in the overworld to look for the “boyfriend” that sampo describes. great fashion sense, cool [h] hair, beautiful [e] eyes, and a cute face. the last one sounds stupid. what guy has a cute face other than the bronya? seele notice a shop with clothes at the window, so…that must be where the fashion designer is. unexpectedly, she didn't have to go inside because you were already outside…looking for someone, perhaps?

seele approach you, “Hey, are you that ol’ fashion designer who designed Bronya’s uniform?”

“Eh? Yes, I am. And, you are?” you raised your eyebrows at the female. seele sigh, “Listen, a certain fool was complaining about another guy. He thought he was cheating on him with the captain.”

you were trying to process who the female was talking about but the word “fool” caught your interest. she was talking about sampo. that fool, but why is he complaining about you? cheating? he wouldn't think that about you, right?

“Ah. I see. I'll see what I can do to clear off the misunderstanding…” you sighed.

▬▬ι══════════════ι▬▬

you arrived at the underworld to look for sampo. you were hoping to clear off the misunderstanding between you and gepard. you ask natasha about his whereabouts and she stated that the male was certainly at the mine.

sampo seated at the camp complaining to a peak about you and gepard. “Can you believe it?! I have been cheated on, huh? That no-good, sharp tongue…”

“Go on. Sharp-tongued…?” you trailed off, startled sampo. the blue haired male looks away with a huff, “Aren't you supposed to be with your…so-called boyfriend?”

“So you heard the rumors, did you?” you sweatdropped. “Don't be so dramatic about it. It's not like the rumors are true.”

“Then why are you so physically touchy with the captain all the time, huh?” sampo argued. “You're never touchy with me. I want to be touch, attractively~”

“It's no big deal. It's just a touch.” you deadpanned.

“Hmph. How come you never let me be free as charged? I'm your boyfriend after all.” sampo scoffed.

“Just because you're my boyfriend, doesn't mean I give it away for free. Besides, Gepard only gets a free cape once.” you stated. sampo pouted, “Do you really love a con artist like me? Someone who likes to toy with you? Or get on your nerves all the time? Someone that not many people like?”

“...Yes. I love your dumbass. I enjoy you toying with me even if it backfires. Yes, you get on my nerves, but that doesn't mean I will get sick of you.” you admitted, stepping closer to the blue haired male. you then hold a bouquet of flowers, “There are no others like you. I don't wanna find anyone else besides you. Fuck the rumors. You're the one for me, dumbass.”

sampo turned into a red tomato, turning red from head to toe. he can feel eyes on both of you. you weren't done yet, “I'll marry you to prove that you'll be my idiot forever.”

“Hey! Hey! Hey! L-let's not take it to the next level!” sampo stammered, feeling embarrassed by the fact that the people were cheering for you. oh my fucking god, he loves you so much.

╰┈➤ author note: please note that this is a slow update. i will still accept your request, but it will take a while since i'll be working on my books on wattpad. if you wish to read those books, here's my wattpad account.

rules

hsr masterlist

[tyrantisterror]

At Sea Without a Map pt. 38

"I'm just trying to get home - out of the Sea of Monsters," you explain. "We were told if our ship capsized and we survived, it could bring us underwater to the portals or whatever that can get me home."

A SOUND STRATEGY.

"Thanks!" you reply. "We were looking for a big shark named Lord Ironteeth who could do it, but got lost in the fog and crashed onto your island - err, or rather onto you, I suppose."

APOLOGIES. I TRY TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY WHEN I NAP, BUT IT'S GOTTEN HARDER WITH AGE.

You nod as if you know what the crocodisle's going through, despite obviously having no frame of reference for this sort of thing. "You don't happen to know a way for me to get home up here on the surface, do you?"

THERE ISN'T ONE. ALL THE KNOTS LIE BELOW. NOTHING THAT CAN'T SWIM DEEP IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SEA OF MONSTERS. I'M SORRY, HUMAN, BUT UNTIL YOU CAN DO THAT, YOU'RE STUCK.

"Shoot," you sigh. "Well, could you maybe help us? You seem big enough to capsize our boat."

IT HAS TO BE REAL PERIL FOR YOU TO GROW FROM IT, HUMAN. AND I DO NOT WANT TO HURT YOU.

"Aw frick," you sigh again. "So it's Viking rules?"

PRETTY MUCH, YES, VIKING RULES.

The crocodisle slowly unfurls its body, knocking your boat loose without sending it spinning, and then calmly swims up so its head is side by side with your ship.

BUT LORD IRONTEETH WILL LIKELY DO IT. HE HAS BEEN MENACED BY HUMANS BEFORE, AND HAS NO GREAT LOVE FOR YOUR KIND. I CAN POINT YOU IN HIS DIRECTION, BUT THE MAELSTROM THAT FOLLOWS HIM IS DANGEROUS. YOU WILL NEED TO KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU.

"That's be real helpful, thank you!"

NO PROBLEM. ANY FRIEND OF A CHILD OF SYCORAX IS A FRIEND OF MINE.

With imminent peril no longer imminent, you finally register what that phrase means. "Child of Sycorax - you mean Calibani? Is that what she is, a sycorax?"

NO, SYCORAX IS A SERPENT AND A SHIP-BREAKER, A VAST AND CROOKED CREATURE.

The crocodisle's eyes close in pleasant remembrance.

SHE IS A DEAR FRIEND. IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG SINCE LAST I SWAM IN HER WATERS. PERHAPS IT IS PROVIDENCE THAT HER CHILD WOUND UP ON MY SHORE.

Calibani leans out over the rail, her ear-like fins perked up with curiosity. "How do you know I'm her daughter?"

The crocodisle regards her quietly for a moment.

THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF FAMILY RESEMBLANCE, EVEN IF YOU ARE MUCH SMALLER.

You look at Calibani and see her smile grow wide and warm. "I have family," she says quietly. "I have family!"

Seeing her so happy warms your heart, only to send a jolt of anxiety through you as you remember what your goal is. "I'm trying to get home," you repeat to the crocodisle. "But... I don't want to leave this place... to leave her forever. If I go home, is there a way I can return?"

The crocodisle's eyebrow shifts, making it look almost apologetic.

DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU GOT HERE?

"...no."

THEN YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO RETURN ONCE YOU LEAVE.

You heave a great big sigh and look down at the sea, realizing that your hope for the best of both worlds isn't well-founded. "I suppose that makes sense." As you try to think of some way you can compromise, a thought occurs to you. "Have you seen any other humans on the sea? Maybe some who've managed to survive out here?"

NOT MANY THAT LAST. THERE IS ONE GROUP OF HUMANS I'VE HEARD OF. THEY LIVE IN A METAL SPHERE BENEATH THE WAVES, DEEP IN THE DEPTHS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY SHOULD BE AVOIDED, FOR THEY MAKE MUCH MISCHIEF. THEY'RE CALLED THE SPINDLE.

That last word definitely rings a bell, but not one you want to focus on at the moment. "What about islands? Are there any big islands we can find - ones with food, and shelter?"

NOT MANY, AND NONE NEAR. YOU ARE IN THE SEA OF MONSTERS, AFTER ALL. IT IS A PLACE FOR THINGS THAT SWIM FIRST AND FOREMOST.

You nod. "Thanks, you've been really helpful. You're... one of the nicest people I've met out here, honestly."

The crocodisle nods and nudges your boat a bit.

VERY KIND OF YOU TO SAY SO. GO FORWARD IN THIS DIRECTION, AND YOU WILL FIND LORD IRONTEETH. I WISH YOU LUCK, HUMAN, AND YOU AS WELL, CALIBANI, CHILD OF SYCORAX. MAY THE TIDES TURN YOUR WAY.

Then, with a swift yet graceful motion that miraculously does little to churn the ocean in its wake, the massive reptile slides under the skin of the water and dives deep into the depths of the ocean, disappearing from sight and leaving your boat free once more.

Calibani turns to you. "You want to come back?" she asks, her voice quiet yet intense with longing. "To... to see me?"

"Yeah," you admit easily. "You're my friend, Calibani. I want to get home, but... I don't want to lose you to do it."

She stares at you, her eyes wide and slightly watery. "Really?"

As you realize you've stumbled into an intimate discussion, you consult your compass on how to proceed.

(I know we already did a conversation update this week, but if you want to suggest some angles for our sailor to take this talk too, feel free)

[pimosworld]

The ties that bind

Pairing- Dave York x f!reader x Francisco Morales

Series Summary-Dave is a private investigator who tracks down soulmates. He’s tasked to find Frankie’s, but what happens when he finds you and he wants you to himself?

CW-18+,MDNI, Angst,Fluff,Eventual Smut,Hurt, Comfort,MMF dynamics. General warnings for each chapter. Anything sensitive will be added to individual chapters.

WK-5.5K

A/N-This starts out angsty but I don’t write sad endings so keep that in mind going forward. Reader has a best friend very near and dear to my heart.

[Series Masterlist][Main Masterlist]

Not beta read

Chapter I

Dave looks over the file on his desk again before he makes the call. He reviewed it the night before and was going to contact the client until he realized not everyone holds the same weird hours as he does. Insomnia. 

  He takes a sip of his coffee as he dials the number with a Florida area code. At least he would get to enjoy some nice weather this time. The last soulmate he tracked down mid winter lived in Buffalo New York, he wasted weeks trying to find him only to find out he was happily married and had no intention of leaving his current wife. The woman who hired him was devastated but…devastated doesn’t pay the bills so she was out twenty grand, and went back to being single a few states over. 

  They don’t always end in misery but he’s used to it now. He wonders why he still does it, maybe helping these people will erase the thought of killing someone’s soulmate when he’s contracted for his other job. He can’t think about that one too much. 

  “Hello Santiago speaking.” Dave glances down at the file once more to be sure. 

  “Ugh yes I’m Dave York calling to reach Francisco Morales?” He hears a low curse on the other end and some apologies. 

  “Oh ya, just give me a second.” He can hear ruffling and the sound of a sliding door. My patience is already wearing thin. 

  “Thanks for returning my call. I’m actually hiring you on behalf of my friend Francisco.” 

  This wouldn’t be the first time he was contracted to find someone’s soulmate because some friend or family member couldn’t keep their nose where it belonged. There would most certainly be drama and resistance. Two things Dave did not handle well. 

  “That’s very generous of you. Is Francisco eager to find his soulmate?” 

  “He ugh…well…yes, yes he is.” Fat chance

  “I would need to meet him of course to go through with this, you understand?” 

  “Of course, that won’t be a problem at all. I sent you the details of when and where we can meet and provided you with the deposit.” At least he means business, either way Dave doesn’t care about the in’s and outs of why people do it. He knows it’s important… or at least he did. 

  He finishes going over the rules with Santiago that will hopefully get relaid to Frankie. He’ll find your soulmate and set up a meeting. If the person does not wish to pursue the relationship he will relay that to you to avoid any in person embarrassment. No stalking or harassment involved. If he can’t find them within 30 days you get your money back. 

  Some people frowned upon what he did. Purists thought you should meet your soulmate organically. They were rarely alone for more than a few years before they found theirs so he didn’t like listening to what they had to say. 

  He wasted years trying to find his love. When he did find her…it was already too late. Those six months were the best and worst of his life. Knowing he’s found his soulmate and gets to spend every waking moment with her only to have it ripped from his grasp. 

  If he had to spend the rest of his tortured life helping others not waste time then he would. 

  ****

  Why the hell did Will make them wear bow ties? This must be Amanda’s suggestion, there’s no way he decided they should all be this uncomfortable on his wedding day. 

  Frankie looks over at Ben and Will having some brotherly talk as if the younger miller has some wise words of advice having been married for all of six months. He loved rubbing it in that he was able to tie the knot before the rest of them of course excluding Tom who got married years ago when they were all in basic. 

  He tries really hard not to be bitter on these days but he can’t help himself. Of course he ran that risk when he married someone who was not his soulmate. He loved Sophia so much it didn’t matter to him. It’s worked out for plenty of other people and it worked for him…until it didn’t. 

  He didn’t try very hard to find his soulmate. Between being in the military, not being able to put down roots for so long and the fact that his soulmate probably hated him for all his scars and tattoos he can’t say he put much of an effort into finding them. 

  The hummingbird tattoo on his wrist practically taunted him his entire marriage. He pretended he didn’t care and so did she. She always told him they would try for kids when she was ready and he never pushed. He thought she was finally ready when she told him they needed to talk. Never in a million years did he expect her to say she found her soulmate and she was leaving him. 

  Their baby boy should be a year old by now, Sophia was pregnant within a month of the divorce being finalized. This was information Santiago insisted despite the others protests that he needed to know so that he could move on. 

  He can’t put the blame all on her. He left for Colombia to bring home money so they could start a family and he came home with nothing but news that her best friend's husband was dead. 

  It must be some kind of fucked up karma that they went back for the money and now he’s alone. If he’s really being honest with himself, he knows they never really loved each other. It was convenient for both of them. Frankie doesn’t like being honest with himself so he'd rather continue on painting her as the villain in his story. 

  “Hermano, you need some help with that tie.” Santiago starts fidgeting before he can even answer no. He slaps his hands away and Santi backs away with his hands up in surrender. 

  “Why are you being so nice?” 

  “I’m always nice.” Frankie scoffs at that. Santiago was never nice unless he wanted something from you. 

  “You picked up my tux, gave me a ride here and now you’re offering to fix my tie?!” He gives him a look and Santi knows it’s only a matter of time. 

  “I have a surprise for you.” He resumes fixing his tie despite Frankie’s protests. 

  “The last time you surprised me someone died.” Santi clears his throat but doesn’t protest, it must be bad. 

  “I hired a PI to find your soulmate.” That last part is rushed out but Frankie hears him clear as day. 

  He shoves him back a few steps which draws the attention of Ben and Will. “Why the fuck would you do that?” 

  “Chill out Fish, what’s your problem?” Ben steps between the two of them as Frankie looks as though he could spit fire. 

  “I told him about the PI.” Ben whips around to Santi. 

  “I thought we were gonna wait until tomorrow.” Frankie looks over at Will in disbelief. 

  “You fucking knew about this?” He can see it in their eyes and how no one will look at him directly.

  “Can we please talk about this tomorrow? I’m getting married in an hour.” 

  Sure he’ll talk tomorrow, they can all talk about staying out of his life and meddling in his business. Pope can call off the PI and they can all go back to being happy with their soulmates and Santiago can go fuck off somewhere in another country as he always does, leaving Frankie to mope alone with his thoughts. 

  “Ya we’ll talk tomorrow.” Ben comes over to fix his tie and Frankie clenches his fists at his side. 

  This is going to be a long day. 

  ****

  The new Mr.& Mrs. Miller do look very in love on the dance floor as Frankie enjoys his second piece of cake. Cake never betrayed him…his ex wife and his best friends maybe but never cake. 

  Ben dips his wife and it sorely reminds him of his wedding day when he and Sophia ended up with calloused feet from dancing all night. 

  His chest tightens at the sight of Molly dancing with her girls. She stayed so strong through it all and she looks so happy, maybe it’s just a front or maybe she’s choosing not to be a miserable sap like him. She lost her soulmate and never once judged them for what they did. She knew how Tom could be. Frankie doesn’t know how someone could treat their soulmate the way Tom treated Molly. He’s better off alone than with a soulmate who doesn’t love him back. 

  Santiago makes his way over to the table and gestures to the seat next to Frankie. He nods his head for him to sit down while he watches the dance floor. They sit in silence for a moment and Frankie thinks about how selfish he is for being so petulant about the whole thing. 

  Santiago never cared about finding his soulmate, maybe because of their line of work or maybe it was the nature of his being. He’ll never forget the look on his face when his tattoo’s disappeared. He told the guys it was fine but they could hear him trying to muffle his cries in his bunk. 

  “I’ll do it Pope.” Santiago looks at him with a mixture of shock and excitement. 

  “I came ready for an argument.” He slides Frankie’s plate closer to him to steal a bite of cake. “We meet him tomorrow.” 

  “Jesus what if I said no?” Frankie slides the plate back to himself, not ready to let go of his precious dessert. 

  “You might want to lay off the cake if you’re going to meet your soulmate soon.” Frankie flips him off as Santi grabs the plate and saunters off to the dance floor. 

  ****

  Dave’s always early to meet a client, but never this early. He couldn’t find a lot of information on Francisco Morales but he did find out he was Delta Force and so was the man that hired him on his behalf. He always met potential clients in a public place of their choosing to get an idea of who they are. There's no doubt in his mind that this coffee shop holds no significance to the two men and will most certainly not help him figure out anything about Francisco. 

  He knows it’s their military training that they will never seem to break free from. It doesn’t make it easy for your soulmate to find you when you're as mysterious as Francisco Morales. No social media, no parking tickets, no convictions. A minor hiccup with his pilot's license but his record was scrubbed clean a few years ago. It takes a lot of money to completely wipe your record. 

  Their trip to Colombia wasn’t as off the books as they thought. With Dave’s connections he can find out a lot more about the average person than they think. It’s true he is paid to find your soulmate but he has a duty to uphold to not put said person in harm's way. Frankie’s sketchy past and interesting finances make him a little wary to just introduce him to the person he’s supposed to spend the rest of his life with. He doesn’t know the circumstances behind his wife leaving him and that also has his guard up. Who just up and leaves after 8 years? 

  He pauses his thoughts momentarily as he notices an old Jeep pull into the parking lot of the cafe. He hasn’t seen a Jeep like that in years. His suspicions are correct when two men around his age step out. Still relatively in military shape, the shorter of the two in a black t-shirt much too tight for him and black jeans. The taller one in an open flannel and blue jeans donning a dirty cap and aviators…that must be Francisco. 

  They both survey the area as if it’s their first time here and that confirms his other notion that these men wanted to meet somewhere not near their home. Probably thirty minutes to an hour outside of where they actually live if he would guess. Fifteen minutes early to be safe but still not earlier than him. 

  “I should’ve worn something nicer.” Frankie smooths his hands down the front of his worn flannel as they approach the coffee shop. This was his nice flannel but maybe he could’ve taken an iron to it or something. 

  “Relax hermano, he didn’t bring your soulmate to the meeting.” 

  “You vetted this guy?” Frankie couldn’t find much information on David York, which worried him a little. 

  “As much as I could.” Frankie holds the door open for Santiago as they enter and head straight for the counter. Coffee is much needed after imbibing too much at the wedding. He’s grateful in hindsight that he chose this location just outside of town. 

  “Corner,black suit.” 

  Frankie glances up, hopefully shielded by his sunglasses. “He looks smug.” 

  “Don’t start.” Santi hisses under his breath as he steps up to place their order. “ Two black coffees please.” 

  Best case scenario, this guy finds his soulmate and Frankie can’t even wrap his head around what he would do with that information. It scares him to even think about it. 

  Worst case scenario, Pope is out some money that he didn’t ask him to spend in the first place and he can go back to whatever semblance of a life he was living before all this. 

  Way to be positive Frankie

  ****

  Introductions are awkward to say the least. Frankie and Santi seated at the small cafe table across from Dave who has set a notepad down next to his small coffee. The silence is deafening as he scribbled down a few things after giving them a once over. 

  “So I’m sure you have some questions for me. If you don’t mind holding those until I’ve gone over everything.” He’s not really asking and Frankie already had his hackles up at the grim outlook of the man in front of him. 

  He always hated ‘suits’ . This guy is obviously ex-government and he’s not really sure how someone like him ended up in the line of work of finding someone’s soulmate. Besides the obvious monetary aspect there is a lot of love and emotion involved and the man seated before him doesn’t strike him as the romantic type. 

  “Why did you decide to hire me to find your soulmate?” I didn’t hire you. Frankie looks over at Santiago hoping he’ll help him out a little. 

  “Well ugh…I actually didn’t.” Dave raises his eyebrows at that but lets him continue. “My friend here was kind enough to give me a push in the right direction.” After too many drinks and a lot of talking he reconciled with Santi that this was something he should at least try to pursue. 

  Everything seems pretty straightforward once he starts going over his normal way of doing things. Frankie understands after the initial round of uncomfortable questions that Dave needs to make sure he’s not some weirdo. He opted to return a few peoples initial deposit upon meeting them and not deeming them safe enough or sane enough to track down their soulmate and uproot their lives. 

  Frankie’s thankful he doesn’t pry too much into his reason for divorcing. Dave mostly wanted to make sure that he was not still legally married because he won’t set anyone up for heartbreak. 

  Dave has a thirty day guarantee, if he doesn’t find them in that time frame you get a full refund. Frankie is a little shocked at his confidence. People spend their entire lives trying to find their soulmate and he can somehow guarantee it. 

  “So, now that I’ve gone over all the logistics. Do you have any questions for me?” Frankie looks to Santiago who’s been uncharacteristically quiet throughout this meeting. Maybe out of courtesy for Frankie or perhaps he’s sizing him up. Either way, Frankie really only has one thing he is curious about. 

  “Why do you do it?” 

  Dave takes a sip of his lukewarm coffee. It’s pretty bad if he’s being honest but he needs a moment. He always needs a moment when this question is brought up. It’s usually one of the only questions he hates answering. Truthfully answering would require to let people in ‘strangers’. 

  These same strangers trust him enough to do this so as uncomfortable as it is he provides enough of an answer to suit both parties. 

  “I hate to say that it pays well, but I have to state the obvious.” For the first time during the meeting Frankie can see his hard exterior crack a little. The first time where he seems nervous and unsure of what he’s going to say. 

  “Also…I wish I had met my wife sooner. I may have had more time with her.” 

  Santiago excuses himself from the table. He doesn’t do well with emotions. Frankie knows that probably stung a little. He’s not sure if it’s worse that Santi never got to meet them or if meeting them briefly makes it all that more painful. 

  “I appreciate your honesty Dave.” He sends him a tight lip smile that doesn’t meet the eyes. 

  “If that’s all you have for me I’ll be in touch in the next few days hopefully with an update.” 

  Frankie shakes his hand, a firm handshake he notes to himself. Dave has a nice build, he’s not sure why he makes a note of that as well. 

  Frankie finished the rest of his coffee and headed outside. Santi leans against the back of the Jeep scrolling idly on his phone. He looks up at him but says nothing as they both get in, Frankie in the driver's seat. 

  “I just needed some air.” Santiago looks out the passenger window seemingly fixated on the passing cars. 

  “I know hermano.” He doesn’t need to say anything more. 

  Neither of them speak for a while, too many thoughts on their minds as they ponder the meeting and what all of it means. Seeing Santiago still struggling with losing his soulmate makes Frankie want to give this his all. 

  ****

  Santi can’t shake the thought of Dave doing all this because he didn’t have enough time with his soulmate. At least he got to spend some time with them. He's lied to himself all these years after his tattoos and scars of his soulmate were long gone. This was not about him though, this is about helping his friend move on and be happy. That’s all he wants for them after the chaos he caused in Colombia. He has to make things right for him. Frankie may not see it as his fault but Santiago can’t help but think maybe Sophia would’ve stayed if things hadn’t gone so poorly. 

  Santiago would never know that things started to sour in their relationship long before that Ill fated trip to steal someone else’s money. 

  Frankie was the one who had it all together. A real job he could be proud of , a wife he loved , a house for their future family. Things quickly fell apart for him after they returned and he was no longer the one that they looked to for guidance. 

  Santiago made it his mission to help Frankie get back on his feet after they went back for the money. Frankie got his license back, he bought a home that didn’t remind him of all his memories with his ex wife, now all he needed to do was find love. 

  Santi rubs his hands across his jeans trying to shake himself from the trance. Frankie eyes him cautiously from the driver’s seat. 

  Santiago leans forward to turn the radio down. “So how are you feeling about all this?” 

  “Considering he has a guarantee, a little better than I felt going in.” 

  He doesn't want to get his hopes up too much but he’s starting to get that feeling like things may be taking a turn for the better. 

  Frankie pulls up to Santi’s house and puts the car in park. 

  “I know what you’re gonna say, I’ll be fine I promise and I’ll call you later after I sleep off this hangover.” Frankie smiles at that,Santiago only lets a select few into his world and he won’t push it any further. 

  “I just want to say thanks Pope. This really means a lot.” Santi waves him off and hops out, he knows how much it means but he’s not gonna get any more emotions out of this day. 

  “Love you hermano, this time next year we’ll be planning your wedding.” Santi calls out over his shoulder before he enters his house. Frankie wants to roll his eyes at that but he secretly hopes that he’s right. 

  ****

  “Alicia! We’re gonna be late.” You stand in your bedroom in front of the floor length mirror putting the finishing touches on your makeup. The modest yellow sundress and strappy heels you bought ages ago are finally getting some use. 

  “I can’t decide on what to wear.” You faintly hear her yell from her bedroom. 

  You’re not particularly excited about this singles event she signed you up for but you certainly didn’t want to walk in late and have all eyes on you. She’s your best friend so you agreed to accompany her on one of her many schemes to get you back on the dating scene. 

  You cross the hall to her room and find a mountain of clothes on her bed and more clothes flying out of her closet. 

  “Let me see what you’re wearing.” She emerges from her closet in a slinky black dress to match her long black hair. She was a bombshell in anything she wore so you aren’t sure what the hold up is. 

  “Alicia that looks hot, wear that.” She gives herself a once over in the mirror as she smooths her hands down the front. 

  “You don’t think this is sending the wrong message?” 

  “Babe you said yourself you need to get laid.” You glance down at the time on your phone. “Shit we’re gonna be really late.”

  “You’re right, I did say that. Thanks for talking me off a ledge.” She grabs her phone from the nightstand as you follow her out of the room. 

  “You’re gonna need to pretend my room is yours if you bring someone home though.” You gesture towards the disaster she left on her bed. 

  She turns to you, grabbing your face and kissing your forehead. “Only a true friend would let me defile her bed for the sake of a hookup.”

  You laugh as you shoo her along out the door. “That’s what friends are for.”

  ****

  The bad news, you were indeed late. The good news is no one seems to notice as you both enter the hotel lounge for the event. Everyone is talking and mingling amongst themselves so you and Alicia have an opportunity to grab a drink and settle in. 

  You haven’t been on a proper date in years so she thought this would be a nice way to ease back into things. No pressure or obligations and no awkward first date etiquette. People were just here to simply talk and get to know each other. If you made a connection that was great but if you just didn’t like someone then there were no hard feelings. 

  “Cute guy at twelve o'clock is checking you out.” You try to do a subtle scan of the room as you sip your fruity drink. 

  “Alicia I don’t know what that means…Wait how do you know he wasn’t checking you out?” She steps in front of you to slightly block your view. 

  “He’s in the gray button down on my right .” She half whispers as she attempts a head nod. “Do you see him?” 

  “Oh shit he’s coming over here.” You both do your best worst to act casual as a tall and very attractive…distractingly attractive man walks over. 

  “I do have to say yellow is definitely your color.” 

  “Told you.” Alicia says under her breath as she leaves you at the bar with this stranger. 

  You thank him politely for his compliment and introduce yourself as you try to ignore the lewd gestures your best friend is making with her hands behind his back. Thankfully she’s interrupted by a man with a tap on her shoulder. He’s noticeably not the type she goes for. He’s much too tall for her…she prefers to tower over her love interests ‘it makes me feel powerful’ in her words. 

  Jeff was nice enough as he engaged you in conversation. He mostly droned on about his job in finance and his hobbies, his five year goals and now come to think of it…you didn’t really get a chance to talk about yourself. He excused himself from the conversation when he saw someone he knew in the crowd, leaving you in your comfortable silence once again. 

  Your moment of reprieve is short lived when a woman approaches you. You actually enjoy talking to her and you can tell she’s listening intently. She’s beautiful, funny and smart. Perhaps another time you would be interested but she mentioned she just got out of a long term relationship and you don’t have the energy to be someone’s rebound. You’ve spent years repairing your broken heart and if this is your one attempt at trying to find love again it just wouldn’t be fair to either of you. 

  You still exchanged numbers after she’d said how nice it was to meet you. Your eyes immediately find Alicia’s across the room with a man who could be her grandfather. He doesn’t seem to notice her look of save me etched across her face. You take this moment to tease her a bit, making the same hand motions she did earlier. An older woman looks on in shock when you realize a little too late that you’ve caught the attention of others in the room. 

  After offering an apologetic smile, you gather yourself and join her across the room. 

  “Sorry to interrupt, Alicia, can I borrow you for a moment.”

   She loops her arm in yours pulling you close to her side. “It was nice to meet you Irving.”

  “The pleasure is all mine dear.” He takes her free hand, planting a sloppy wet kiss on the top. You bite your cheek to stifle a laugh as she waves him off. You can feel her eyes on you as you exit the lounge. 

  If looks could kill you’d be a goner. 

  “Irving seemed nice.”

  “Shut up.” 

  You both burst into a fit of giggles as you make it safely to the hotel lobby out of sight of anyone trying to vy for your attention. 

  These were the moments you lived for with your best friend. The reason you were able to get back on your feet when you moved across the country to start your life over. She took you in like a stray cat, no questions asked when you replied to her ad looking for a roommate. You didn’t find out until later on that she didn’t need the money, she just hated living alone. 

  She came from a wealthy family and traveled the world before settling in Naples Florida. She never had a soulmate…it wasn’t out of the ordinary for people to go their entire lives without so much as a mark or tattoo. It makes you wonder if the universe chooses at random or if people are destined for that path. She is such a free spirit it almost makes sense why she can’t be tied down to just one person. Her biggest problem is making sure her current interests aren't only after her for money. 

  “So…what’s the plan for the rest of the evening babe?” You both step out still arm in arm. It’s a beautiful sunset starting just over the tops of the buildings downtown. You could walk down to the beach or drab a drink at another bar. 

  You can feel your dress starting to cling to your back from the humidity and you made a huge mistake wearing heels that weren’t broken in yet. Alicia looks at you and then pulls out her phone to call a car to come get you. “Let’s go home and eat ice cream while we discuss what a train wreck that was.” 

  You let out a sigh of relief as you push back trying to stand on the heels of your feet. “That sounds like a perfect night.” 

  ****

  “At one point he actually took his dentures out to show me.” Alicia buries her head in the pillow as you make a disgusted face. 

  “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.” You’re laughing to the point of a stomach ache. 

  “Ya, you sound really sorry.” She throws the pillow at you on the other end of the couch. “So tell me about the girl. You were talking to her for a while.” She raises one eyebrow at you as she reaches down to the coffee table for the carton of rocky road. 

  “She was nice.” You lean forward grabbing the carton from her hands. “She was more than nice actually…but she just got out of a serious relationship.” 

  “Ugh…no one wants to be a rebound.” 

  Your thoughts exactly. 

  You swear sometimes you share a brain, or maybe you have just spent so much time with each other that you can’t help but think alike. 

  “I’m glad we went, I needed to break the ice. It’s not like the love of my life is gonna waltz into the record store.” You loved your job, you always had a love for music. There was something so special about the medium of records standing the test of time. That’s the kind of love you wanted. 

  “Let’s just marry each other if this dating thing doesn’t work out.” She holds out her pinky as you wrap yours around hers. 

  “Deal.” 

  “Deal.” 

  You raise from the couch gathering your plush blankets. “I’m gonna turn in for the night, love you leesh.” 

  “Love you too hon’, get some sleep.”

  ****

  Sleep

  That was a joke in its own right. The problem with having anxiety is the one time where your brain should quiet down is when it wants to be the most active. 

  You brush your thumb along the etched roses on your ring finger. It’s such a fine and delicate tattoo, the line work is beautiful and the stem of it perfectly curls around coming to a point at the end of your finger. 

  You hate to assume, but it’s always felt feminine in nature. It doesn’t seem like a drunken mistake or a rushed decision. The tattoo feels intentional. You had a lot of tattoos in a short amount of time when you were in college. These tattoos were overtly masculine. A small Blackhawk tattoo on your left wrist, almost mirroring your hummingbird. A gun of some kind on your left ankle…you weren’t familiar with firearms. A tiny elephant on the inside of your left thigh, by far the most adorable of the set. 

  In short succession they all adorned your body before you graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a minor in arts management and a major in music history. Your step mother always said it was a waste and your father couldn’t be bothered to defend you. Your mother would have been proud though. 

  It was years before the roses showed up on your finger one beautiful spring day. It was so unlike the others it turned your world upside down. 

  The reason you moved across the country to escape the control and the pressure of someone who couldn’t love you with those scars and tattoos. Resenting you more and more each day knowing that you belonged to someone else. 

  It’s those thoughts that keep you up at night. The nightmares and horrible things that only your mind thinks up. As much as you try to push those thoughts away, you know deep down someone is out there. Made for you. 

  We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. 

Comments and reblogs are much appreciated.

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[francis-writes]

Okay okay, i saw one of your post you like reader as unhinged as ramsay rather than scared and whimpy, and guess what? ME TOO! So what about ramsay being obsessed and absolutely whipped with his new wife who is unhinged and match his energy, she absolutely wrapped him around her finger and he is lovesick, when he sees her tormenting others (and sometimes even him) he is weak on his knees. And when he killed her father, he saw that she helped his stepmom escape the castle and he is in disbelief and hearthbroken until he ask her "why would you do that? We were going to be lady and lord of dreadfort!" she hands him his bow with a smirk and uncaged the hounds and say "we will my dear, but we should live up to the reputation" (basically implying they should hunt them down rather than basically killing them, like he did to kyra and theon in the books, make them think they can escape then hunting them down and killing them) and he is even more in love with her? WE NEED MORE OF READER LİKE THIS WITH RAMSAY

A/N: I wasn’t sure whether it was a request or just an idea so i wrote a short fragment. (i can eagerly write more if you want) But anyway, anon, you have a brilliant mind. I already thought i am alone in this. I don’t mind that everyone has their own preferences but at some point i was tired of constantly seeing the same “reader is terrified of Ramsay and sleeps with him to avoid punishment/reader hates Ramsay and they hate themselves for being down bad for him”.

I barely see other possibilities explored and there’s so many! Your “they are both sadistic killers”, but also even “I don’t really support his actions, but he’s my bbygirl and looks good covered in blood so i will just stand near, slightly shocked but with thumbs up”. Or you know what? Reader who is actually very submissive and masochistic and if anything, they are jealous about Ramsay’s victims. Maybe they just have autoassassinatophilia (like, when you are aroused by possibility of being killed, don’t mind my self-indulgence) and Ramsay is just perfect for them because other people were like “you want me to strangle you until you pass out? i don’t know, seems too extreme for me :/”. Okay, maybe I am going too far, but you get me. Sooo many possibilities. As Harley Poe once said, “monsters need love too”.

tw: violence, murder,child’s death,  but that goes without saying

You were riding through the woods without hurry. You could hear hounds growling and barking in the distance, clear sign that they already caught Walda. It was to be expected, even with a head start, she was too heavy to run fast, especially that she was fresh after giving birth. Honestly, the ease was rather disappointing. Killing her would be satisfying nonetheless, but you would prefer more challenging chase, prolonging the thrill of hunt. But howling of hounds informed you that she would clearly not run any longer. Ramsay smiled to you.

“Maybe we should go faster and see how my stepmother feels after that short trot”

You nodded and hurried up your horse. Soon you and Ramsay stopped and dismounted your horses. Fat Walda was sitting under the tree, curled up and pressing a small bundle to her chest. She was clearly terrified by the large hounds circling her and growling threateningly. They didn’t hurt her yet, they wouldn’t without Ramsay’s command.

Ramsay smirked and walked closer to Walda. She raised her tearful eyes at him and pleaded in breaking voice:

“Ramsay… I beg you.. I will leave, go back to Twins, you will never hear about me again… just let me go”

Ramsay hummed and shook his head in mocked regret.

“Oh, dear Walda, even if i let you go, you still have a son. One day he will grow up and try to take away my rights”

Walda shifted and get on her knees.

“He’s just a baby… I swear, I will make sure he won’t do it. I won’t tell him that he’s your brother”

Ramsay forcibly pulled out the bundle from her arms and she let out a short cry. I stepped closer and put my hand on his shoulder, looking down on the kid in his arms.

“Maybe we should kill the mother and keep him” I spoke thoughtfully.

Ramsay looked at me surprised as if i lost my mind.

“Why? Do you suddenly feel some remorse?”

I shook my head with a smile.

“No, but he still has your blood. You may raise him as your own son, teach him to respect you and you won’t have to worry about getting an heir. He’s in age to be your son”

Ramsay hesitated at my words but then chuckled.

“That would work, but I would prefer my own child. Especially the one you will carry me soon”

He reached one hand and playfully slapped my ass. Then he looked again at the bundle in his arm. I noticed that despite his ruthless nature, he seemed to have a sort of sympathy for his little brother. I wondered if he’s gonna eventually use my idea or some of his own, and keep him alive. But after a few moments Ramsay spoke in low, gravelly voice:

“You have a pretty son, Walda. And you’re right, he’s my blood. So i will show him mercy”

Walda seemed relieved for a short moment before Ramsay took a swing and crushed the kid's head against a stone, then threw his lifeless body on the ground. Walda screamed loudly, her voice was full of despair and grief. She cried, hiding her face in her hands, trying not to look at her son’s body.

“Why?!?” she whined. “You said you will show him mercy!”

“And I did” he spoke in deadly serious voice “I gave him a quick death. But don’t worry, you will soon meet him again”

He waved his hand and with a loud howl, all hounds jumped on Walda. She screamed in pain under their claws and teeth. Ramsay observed it with satisfaction. He pulled me closer to himself, embracing my waist with his hands. He left a few warm wet kisses on my neck. As he pressed against my back, I could feel his growing excitement, hardness in his pants pressing into my ass. His hand wandered onto my stomach and he whispered into my ear:

“Once my hounds finish feeding, I think we will start trying for my own heir, my Lady. Do you think you want to conceive my son in the luxurious bed, like a proper lady, or here, on the forest ground?”

I smirked lightly.

“Hmm, I think we should teach him love for woods and hunting from the beginning”

[eventinelysplayground]

The Bonds of Friendship

This fic is all because I wondered if Kennyo would have ever hit Shingen with his prayer staff when they were younger. I have done Shingen's romantic route and watched videos of certain parts of Kennyo's so hopefully they are in character enough. Honestly I just was very interested in their friendship and wanted to write something for it. I had another idea in mind for the ending but I went with the sad one as I felt it was better. An offer made to a friend years ago is finally fulfilled. WC Approx 1535. Tagging @echoes-in-the-forest as they have been hearing about this fic for awhile.

It was a humid late summer's day, the last of the cicada calls playing upon the evening breeze as two young men sat on a temple veranda talking while enjoying good drinks and rich sweets.

“You always bring too many sweets with you.”

“There's no such thing.”

Kennyo let out a frustrated groan as he picked up a sweet bun.

“Are these why you were late today?”

Shingen's mouth turned up into a mischievous smile and Kennyo instantly regretted asking.

“I was late because of something much sweeter than these. I ran across the most beauti-”

“Nevermind.”

“Come on Kennyo, it's only natural to notice and appreciate all the natural beauty around us and there's quite a lot of it near here.”

Shingen popped a sweet bun into his mouth as Kennyo shook his head disapprovingly.

“How do you find the time to be so frivolous? Should you not be concerned with your duties?”

“This is part of my duties.”

“How is being lecherous part of your duties?”

Shingen dramatically put his hands over his heart while Kennyo took a bite of his sweet bun.

“I'm hurt you see me that way my dear friend.”

Kennyo took a deep breath and rolled his eyes at Shingen.

“Are you incapable of ever being serious?”

“I am being serious, part of my duties is to find an acceptable wife and have children to ensure our clan's future...and the sooner the better.”

There was a slight edge to those last words but Kennyo chose to pretend there wasn't. His friend had not fully confided in him but what he did know was painful to consider. A short silence fell neither one seemingly willing to delve deeper but it was broken by the sound of Shingen’s cup coming to rest on the table.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You and I share that same duty but it doesn't seem like you're doing anything about it.”

Kennyo frowned, his body shifting slightly as it tensed.

“There is no need for concern, I have plenty of time for that.”

“Really now?”

Kennyo could see the grin forming on Shingen's lips and it agitated him.

“Must all our conversations have to involve women!”

“Eventually yes, but you're avoiding my question.”

“I am not, I told you I have plenty of time.”

“Maybe you do, but the sooner you start looking the sooner you'll find her so I ask again, what about you?”

Kennyo's frown deepened. It's not as if he hadn't thought of it, after all as Shingen pointed out it was a duty they shared. To marry and produce children to lead after they were gone as both of them had done when their own fathers passed. Yet Kennyo always found himself hesitant for some reason.

“You’re handsome enough Kennyo, intelligent, kind and quite charismatic. Though it pains me to admit it, you could even beat me at it and have women falling at your feet.”

“Your point?”

“You must have seen how some of the ladies in the town look at you-”

“That is not a point!”

Kennyo raised his voice at Shingen and turned to face him.

“Why the sudden interest in how I carry out my duties?”

"You brought it up first."

"And you are avoiding my question."

With his words now thrown back at him it was Shingen's turn to frown. Kennyo waited in silence as Shingen toyed with his cup. He could tell his friend was deep in thought but not wanting to say what troubled him out loud, perhaps it had to do with something bigger than he expected. Despite his frivolous nature he knew Shingen cared deeply for those around him and so decided to relent if it would help put his friend at ease.

“I know I will need to make a proper choice one day but…”

Kennyo's words drifted off and they sat together with nothing but the sounds of the cicadas between them for a while. It was the first time Kennyo had thought so deeply about the matter and he found having his friend there, although silent, helped him to put his hesitation into something more concrete.

“It may be selfish of me but if I am to take a wife I do not want just anyone. I have yet to find a woman I deem suitable and I will not compromise on my desires.”

“And what are those desires?”

Kennyo saw the mix of seriousness and curiosity in Shingen's eyes and he let out a heavy sigh.

“I am not entirely certain. I have met a few women who would make a good Abbott's wife but, I do not feel as if they would make me a good wife. They are lacking something that I can't identify and it annoys me. There are always others who could take over for me when that time comes if need be.”

“So you've given up looking for her then?”

“I suppose, why waste energy looking for someone who may not exist when I can focus my energy elsewhere. I could live for a hundred years and never find she who completes me.”

Kennyo's voice held a sorrowful edge to it.

“Well then you'd just have to live longer than a hundred years.”

Shingen's voice was buoyant and he slapped his knee.

“Have you lost what little sense you had?”

“What? It's the simplest solution, if a hundred years isn't enough then live longer.”

Kennyo let out an exasperated sigh and placed his hands on his knees.

“And just how much longer do you think I should live? Two hundred years, three hundred?”

“Why not five hundred?”

Kennyo blinked at his friend in disbelief before laughing.

“I'm serious Kennyo!”

“You really have lost all sense!”

“I'm certain that in five hundred years from now there should be at least one woman who will be persistent enough to work her way into that secretly romantic heart of yours. She'll have to put up with a lot being married to you sure but-”

Shingen stopped as he reached out and caught Kennyo’s prayer staff before it hit him on the head.

“That's not how you were taught to fight.”

“I am not fighting, I am using it to knock sense into you.”

“Well then you're going to have to try a lot harder than that.”

Kennyo lightly tugged on his prayer staff and Shingen released it.

“I have answered your question now answer mine, why are you suddenly concerned with this matter?”

Kennyo noticed something briefly flicker in his friend's eyes.

“I want to know those I leave behind are happy.”

Shingen's voice was so soft that Kennyo barely heard him. He had guessed right, there was something bigger bothering his friend. He had a feeling what it was and thought to ask but then decided against it, instead deciding to indulge him further.

“If, IF I somehow manage to live until five hundred years from now and find a woman to take as my wife.”

Kennyo rolled his eyes again not quite believing he was giving in to such ridiculousness.

“Then I swear to name our first born son after you.”

Shingen let out a loud laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m sorry. It would be a great honor to have your son named after me, now I just have to figure out how to live to see it.”

“I do not want to be friends with you for five hundred years! If that is the case then I withdraw my offer.”

“Too late to back out now, you've given me your word!”

**************

On another late summer's eve many years later the cicadas' calls once again played upon the breeze and a man sat alone on a temple veranda turning over a cup in his hands.

“I should not have said I did not want to be friends that long.”

Kennyo looked up to the sky and closed his eyes in silent prayer for his recently departed friend. Not long after he heard a strong cry and opened his eyes.

“I should have made you swear to those words of yours my friend.”

Kennyo let loose another silent prayer before he placed the cup down and began to rise. He had just turned towards the door when it slid open.

“Here you are Master! I went to the main hall first but-”

“Never mind that Ranmaru, tell me.”

“You have a son, Master Kennyo!”

“A son.”

“Yup, and Lady Mai is doing juuuust fine!”

If, IF I somehow manage to live until five hundred years from now and find a woman to take as my wife….Then I swear to name our first born son after you.

Well old friend, this does not exactly fulfill the requirements however it is close enough. Our son could not be named after a better man.

“Come Ranmaru, let us give proper thanks and then we shall go and see my son and Mai.”

Kennyo patted Ranmaru on the shoulder and walked into the temple. Ranmaru went to follow him but before he did he caught sight of the lone cup sitting on the veranda.

“Master Shingen…”

With a solemn look on his face Ranmaru clapped his hands together and bowed towards the cup before heading back inside.

[dreadsuitsamus]

Day Zero | Kensei Muguruma x Reader |

author's note: i want him 🤷‍♀️

pairing: kensei muguruma x fem!reader

warnings: takes place during turn back the pendulum, canon-typical violence, light angst, comfort, established relationship

"Missing souls?" Your stare down with your much taller husband is fierce, despite his weariness and lack of time to do anything but gather his things and maybe even get a quick kiss before he goes on his mission.

"So you do know how to listen to me." He murmurs, avoiding answering any further questions that he really shouldn't be answering. You're his former lieutenant, not an active member of the Gotei 13 as a result of it, so you hold no official title to mark any claim on top-secret information.

But you're also his wife, and there's a very different fine line to cross when it comes to these situations. A happy wife equals happy life even in Soul Society.

"And why are you the one that has to do this??"

"You were a Shinigami once. You already know the answers to all the questions you're going to ask me!" Irritation bubbles beneath his skin, as his temper is quick to flare up as usual. But it simmers down just as quickly: you're just worried about him, as a good wife should be for her husband.

He sees the fear flickering in your eyes and takes your hand with exceedingly gentle care. "You trusted me more before we got married, I think."

"Souls didn't go missing when I was your lieutenant." You allow your husband's kiss to your palm, flicking away a stray hair from his eyes as he presses another to your soft skin. "Let me come with you."

"No can do." Kensei mutters. "If you were active duty, I would let you. This is a high level threat, and as out of practice as you are—"

"As long as my blade can cut anything or anyone, I can fight!" Your lips curl in a snarl and your husband feels your ire behind the smack against his chest. "Mind you, I only retired so I could marry you, bastard! I could be a captain now, if not for that!"

"And the significance is not lost on me!" Kensei circles your wrists easily with his long fingers, holding them tightly enough to your sides that you can't lash out again with ease. "I know what you did for me, for us. And we can have this argument later, for as long as you like. I have to go now."

The desire to argue burns your bones, if only for the sake of keeping him home just a bit longer. Souls don't just go missing! But his decision is final: you're not a Shinigami anymore, and thus you have no place in such a dangerous mission. It's your heart and your worry that compels you to tag along rather than anything close to a sense of duty, and such things wouldn't be recognized as a good reason to intrude on a mission by the head of the Gotei 13.

"Fine. Stay alive, otherwise you'll wish your soul had gone missing."

Kensei can't help but smile for you and lean in for your kiss. He claims they bring him good fortune, and while you see through such a bad excuse for his wife's love, this time you actually do kiss him with a sense of good luck behind it.

Sleep never comes easy when Kensei is away, but this time is different. It hasn't come at all, and your zanpakutō calls for you relentlessly as it nears an hour past midnight. Your husband's word lingers in your mind, an all-too annoying reminder that he was once your captain and in charge of you and as your husband, he still relatively holds that sort of power. Your Kensei is rarely wrong about these decisions, but this time…

He's dead wrong.

In a flash, you're wearing your old Shihakushō and your dear blade is buzzing with excitement as adrenaline rushes your veins. The moonlight is cold, chilling your bones just as much as the ugly scream that resembles only one sort of monster as you follow what feels like Kensei's Spiritual Pressure to the same area those previous souls were lost.

The group around it, made up of a rather odd pairing of individuals, ponder what exactly is going on with only a little bit of surprise at your approach. Captain Hirako gazes at you expectantly, eyes dark as he holds a wounded Hiyori at his side.

"Lieutenant." His joke holds no mirth, though he's certainly happier to see you here than not.

Praying that your voice doesn't shake as the overwhelming, imposing Spiritual Pressure looms over the area, you speak to the captain of the 5th Division with only one goal in mind."Where's Kensei?"

"You don't need me to tell you that, do you?"

There's another ugly, horrifying scream and as Shinji raises his blade to defend you, all whilst still holding the 12th Division's lieutenant, your impressive speed and decisiveness has already struck out and blocked the attack yourself. A mask covers his face, but there's far too much left, even with this transformation, for your dear husband to be unrecognizable.

"He should've let me come with." Your husband's strength is much more powerful now as he pushes against your blade, and certainly the Hollow before you doesn't intend to pull punches against his own wife. "Where's Mashiro?!"

Another Hallowed scream and the sounds of swinging blades and bursts of Kidō answer the question for you, and Kensei quickly overpowers your hold and kicks you squarely in the stomach, the agonizing feeling of your lower ribs cracking leaving you nauseated. Air harshly escapes your lungs and the cold ground beneath your back doesn't soothe anything as the Hollowfied man you married looms over you, the mask on his face betraying absolutely nothing even in the face of the one he's loved for a hundred years.

"Kensei…" Coughs splutter out as Love, yet another captain that's been caught in this mess, swoops in to pull you to safety just before Kensei destroys the ground you laid on with a single, all-powerful punch that reduces it to nothing.

"Attacking his own wife?" Rose responds with a swift blast of Kidō, anger evident as his brows knit together. "The Captain I know is far above something so scummy."

"It's not his fault." Your murmur of defense falls short: of course your husband would never lay harm to you, or to any woman. But this is no longer your husband, you determine as Hachi binds him with the strongest thing he can: Bakudō #99. Kin.

Kensei is pinned with ease, officially down and out now. The sight of the mask on his face, covering the sharp jaw and the warm eyes of the man you've spent countless decades with, makes your stomach turn with relentless nausea. He's a Hollow, and there's but one thing Shinigami are known for.

Clutching the hilt of your zanpakutō, you release it from its scabbard to the surprise of those around you. "Sharpen—"

"No!" Shinji's sword clashes with your own. "Do not kill your own husband."

"What do you presume we do?!" You growl, sneering right in the face of a revered captain without a care in the world. Kensei would be distraught at the sight, but not anymore than he'd hate himself for what's happening now. "He's not Kensei anymore!" Despite the strength you put on, doing your best to mimic your husband's usual demeanor, the breaking of your voice is heard clearly.

"We will find a way to save him." Shinji's promise is hardly heard before an inky darkness surrounds everyone on the battlefield, and you fall to your knees before your restrained, Hollowfied husband.

The last thing you see before nothing is the mask that covers your husband's face, and fruitlessly, you reach out to touch it.

There's far too much light as you come to, with a mix of murmured voices doing their best to remain quiet while ultimately failing to do so. The air around you is different— This isn't Soul Society.

Thin blankets fall as you shoot out of the bed and reach for your zanpakutō, but the dizziness sends you into a wall instead. How long have you been unconscious? What happened after Kensei was restrained?

The sliding door to the room opens and your vision clears as the room stops spinning around you. His voice is deep and his arms look strong, and that handsome face cracks a little amused smirk at the rare sight of you being caught off-guard.

"You're noisy."

"K-Kensei!" Your body feels odd and there are plenty of questions to raise, but damn does none of it matter more than making it across the room and tackling your dear husband in a tearful fit.

"Oof!" Kensei's arms encircle your frame, taking the brunt of the impact as his back hits squarely against the wall. "Control your strength!"

"Bastard!" His tank top is soon drenched in your tears and you're in Kensei's arms fully as he picks you up and encompasses you both in the thin walls of privacy your temporary bedroom provides.

He settles at the end of the bed, wiping your fretful tears away as best as he can once he's placed you beside him. "Crybaby… What do you remember?"

"You… As a Hollow."

Kensei sighs grimly. "In Soul Society?"

"Yes? What's going on, Kensei? My body feels strange— No, it's not just me… The world feels strange. Where are we?"

"In The World of the Living." Your husband murmurs, his eyes meeting yours. "We're in exile."

Flashes of the recent days come to life as Kensei explains further, his story no doubt the truth as your memory recovers. Captains and lieutenants alike, Hollowfied and cursed with such monstrous forms that give an inexplicable boost of strength and speed. Ousted from Soul Society and left to meander in this world you've sworn to protect…

"Are we Hollows?" The shaky whisper matches your unstable core, the feeling of something there that wasn't there before putting you on edge. You remember a fight in the same plane of existence your zanpakutō lives on, scratching and clawing and forcing your way to the autonomy you've always had until after what felt like weeks, you emerged with the victory.

"Urahara tried to undo what was done, to no avail. We're not Hollows… Entirely, at least."

"So what do we do?" You murmur, hands eagerly clutching his tank top as his warm arms come around you once more.

Kensei's lips find your forehead, a soft, lingering kiss saving him from a question he can't answer right now. He supposes the real answer is to just simply survive— even with Kisuke and Yoruichi's help, there's nothing guaranteeing that Soul Society won't come to finish the job. Or rather, there's nothing explicitly stopping Aizen from making sure those who know his true self take their information to the grave.

"So… You came to the battlefield." Your husband murmurs against your skin, no sense of anger or mirth alike in his tone.

"I did."

"I know you know how to listen to me." His deep chuckle dispels any ideals that he may be less than pleased with your insubordination, given your current situation would be far different had you remained home that night.

"You like a brat." Your teasing falls flat and silence fills the gap between you, the sounds of Shinji and Hiyori arguing in the other room preventing it from becoming too quiet.

Never one to mince his words, Kensei murmurs in a soft tone. "Is it true that you raised your blade to kill me?"

Your lips turn to a frown. Why the hell did Shinji tell him that? "I did. Are you upset?"

Kensei's arms squeeze tightly around you, encompassing you in his warmth and desperation for his wife's love. "You should've been faster. You were hurt because of me."

"Not you. The Hollow." Your arms hold your husband as tightly as he holds you, the scent of soap pleasing your senses as your husband accepts forgiveness.

"I'm sorry." There's an edge to his voice, a hoarseness you don't often hear from him; he's always been strong, so put together and brave that it's a tad frightening to hear him on the verge of tears.

"I forgive you. Will that help you forgive yourself?"

A smile pulls at your lips as you're pulled closer to Kensei, so impossibly close to his strong, scorching body that your arms loop around, and you press a soft kiss to his cheek before gazing out of the window as the sunlight rises. The world is upside down now and the future is more uncertain now than it was back when you were caught between a career or a love life, but the laugh bubbling up comes anyway.

You've at least got one helluva trump card for the next time you blatantly ignore Kensei's command.

"And no…" Kensei murmurs against the flesh of your neck, nuzzling in comfortably. "Being right once doesn't mean you can defy orders."

We'll certainly see about that!

[canon-vi]

I decided to remake Taisiya and change her age, because otherwise the other characters are too old—

--------------------------🦊----------------------------

Name: Taisiya

Height: 156

Age: 11-12

Birthday: June 7

--------------------------🦊----------------------------

•

Taisiya has many witch outfits for Halloween, she does not dare to wear them, but often wears witch hats in the room

•

She made herself a pendant from a stone she liked, which she found on the riverside

•

Tasya has a problem with trust, but not in the sense that she cannot trust, but in the sense that she is too trusting, she will step on the same rake with the same person

•

Unlike the original Taisiya, this one braids her hair because of Passivmare's stories about Hope

•

She will always reach out and trust her relatives, no matter how Passivmare scolds them, Taisiya will always love them

•

Age difference with Lux - 13 years

•

Taisiya wants to move to the forest or a village remote from everyone, but suppresses this desire because she wants to be close to her family

•

Unlike the original version, this Taisiya can see the outline of Passivmer, but only the outline

--------------------------🦊----------------------------

Taisiya’s attitude towards the others:

Dream:

Papa is kind, he definitely wouldn’t want my mom to die, maybe he didn’t know that this could happen? Even uncle blames him...

Hope:

I would also like to see and hear mom live, it’s a pity this is impossible

Ink:

It seems to me that calling Miss Ink mom is slightly insulting towards Lux and Pallete, even if I want to, I’ll endure it

Passivemare:

It’s very fun and pleasant to spend time with my uncle, and he also protects me, I love him very much

Nightmare:

His Majesty is also very kind, but uncle doesn’t like him very much, so I’d better beware of him

Killer:

She apparently loved my mom very much, since she tells me all those stories, it’s very pleasant to listen to them

Cross:

Miss Killer spoke well of him, and they say his baked goods are delicious, I’ll have to go see him when there are not many people around... I hope such a moment will come

Reaper:

I’m sorry that my uncle harmed them because of me, I’ll need to give them some kind of gift as an apology, I just have to figure out what

Geno:

I will also need to make a gift for Miss Geno, and for Miss Goth, I will make them all a talisman! All that remains is to find the materials

Callisto:

Big brother cares and loves me, but I can still see the sadness in his eyes, he must have loved mom very much

Crescent:

He always smells of candles and something else, every time I feel bad from this smell, it seems to me that I can only communicate with him in a gas mask

Merciless:

I try to avoid him, it’s clear how uncomfortable he is with me, mom was probably dear to him too

Lux:

She doesn't like it when I call her sister so I call her Miss Lux, I don't think she loves me, I heard Lux ​​loved mom very much, I'm sorry

Pallete:

My brother is uncomfortable around me, so I try not to be near him for a long time, I don’t want to bother him

Goth:

Miss Goth suffered a lot because of me, I will need to make her a talisman against evil spirits, will she definitely forgive me if I give her one?

Drop:

She always tries to protect me, it's very nice, I love my sister, and Drop, and Lux

Bonus:

Artemis: ( by @itzcherrybonbon / @abloomingsunflower )

She's so sad when she sees me, do I remind her so much of my mom? Uncle said that mom always wore a braid, so maybe it would be better to wear a ponytail? Or cut my hair completely...

Vivi:

She doesn’t come to me often, most often she is with Miss Lux, she also told me that she comes to me in secret from Miss Lux, but she still comes, she listens very well, I like to tell her about what I read about witches and herbs

Sunshine: ( by @il1ketulipz )

It's very nice of her to come to me and listen to my stories, although she should be helping Pallete and Drop

--------------------------🦊----------------------------

six and eleven year old Tasya(just because I want so):

Now Tasya wears shorts, because running through the forest in a skirt is not very comfortable (tested by experience)

--------------------------🦊----------------------------

E. L. A. by our pretty flower: @anotherrosesthatfell

[idealspawn]

ive been away from tumblr for such a long time, afraid it would trigger me. ive been doing so well:) i moved to another city. back to where i lived for a year, a year prior to this one. i was able to join a programme that enables me to study in this university again for a year as like an exchange student(?)-ish thing. it feels amazing. ive reconnected with two(three-ish?) extremely dear people to me and ive found my love for knowledge again. my apartment is so nice too. i live near a train station but i can barely hear anything, and if i do, the sounds are actually comforting. i used to dislike trains, they made me anxious but starting this summer i grew to love them and now i regularly even prefer them. i live on the top floor so my ceiling and walls are slanted but it brings me such comfort, my room in my parents' house also has it like that. i have a second floor, well half of it. there is a built-in ladder staircase. it feels extremely comforting. ive had to fix, and still have to fix, many things here bc its a relatively cheap apartment but im fine with that. it actually makes me feel more at home when i can work on the apartment and make it my own. it feels more like home when everything isnt perfect either. the washing machine was disgustingly dirty and the air ventilation thing above the stove is also so fucking nasty but ill deal w it.. not my first time renting an apartment...... .. .. . the emotional aspects of this place are way more important. ive adopted plants too this time around. and a lot more intentionally, ive made in-depth sheets on how to properly care for them. i speak to them and kiss them every day. i know i will buy at leasr one more plant. so far i have an aloe vera plant, alocasia zebrina(MY DEAREST but also the most needy), a chinese money plant and an ivy. i want another ivy but a diff one. right now i have the one called wonder, it looks very friendly, very round. i didnt intend to get this one but they got my order wrong but i didnt have the heart to exchange it so i will just keep it and buy the other ivy as a friend to it. i am so fond of the one that has, i cant seem to find its proper name, but the one that has extremely slim and elongated and really sharp star-like leaves. i figured maybe the two contrasting ivy plants would even look better together than just one. so maybe the wrong order was a blessing in disguise. im using plants to learn unconditional love and acceptance because my family definitely didnt provide me with that skill.. :d.. did the same with my childhood cat, thats why she was so extremely dear to me. when noone else in my family loved me unconditionally, she did:). ive been really motivated to study and read a lot of my own extracurricular stuff too. ive gone to really interesting tours and public programmes about nature and culture and society. ive actually enjoyed being on my own and had the balls to show up to places alone, i used to never be able to do that. i always had to have someone with me but its really limiting as many people around me right now have colliding interests. im also so insanely proud of myself for speaking up in a seminar!!!!!! u have no idea. NO IDEA how hard that has been for me. to realize my insight has value and should take up time and space in a seminar. ive always come so close to speaking but then my heart has raced out of my chest and then the moment passed. but this time i actually spoke up, i took the initiative and i didnt only speak abt the strict topic that our seminar text provided for that time but i brought up my individual reading!! and a girl in the seminar told me i spoke well!!(i didnt, god i was so nervous i stumbled upon my words so much and avoided all eye contact) AND ALSO the professor leading the seminar told me my answer was good too :) im so happy. im growing so much.

[kzele]

Cold Hard Truths

Disclaimer: this story is not for fans of the Peter/Gwen ship! If you are a diehard shipper of them and dislike anything that pokes holes in that ship, do not read! On the flip-side, this is not a story that bashes anyone. It does, however, cast a critical light on Gwen Stacy and her canon choices.

Summary: Peter has very different feelings about the kiss on Thanksgiving than in canon and as much as he cares about Gwen, there are some things to air out if either of them can move forward.

As Peter continued to skate a little more away from Liz and Flash, he heard the scrape of approaching skates and looked up to find Gwen coming near him. He started to wave but the look on her face stopped him.

"You've been avoiding me all week long!"

"What?"

Peter recalled when he had tried contacting Gwen earlier only to get told she wasn't available by her dad when Peter could clearly hear her voice in the background. Didn't she not want to talk to him? He was already getting more confused by the second as to what this was all about.

She crossed her arms and glared a little, "I won't be your second choice."

 Peter really didn't feel like chasing her down to tell her his side of things AGAIN so he grabbed her shoulder, "Okay, look. I was going to tell you this over the phone but maybe this works out better doing this in person. . ."

She turned to look at him with curious, hopeful eyes.

He internally cringed. Saying this was going to SUCK. He took a deep breath and formed the words, "I don't see you as anything more than a friend."

Gwen's jaw dropped, "WHAT?!

People started to look their way, so she hunched her shoulders and dropped her voice, "I mean, you-you don't. . ."

Peter rubbed his eyes and sighed, "No, I don't. I'm sorry."

Gwen looked away, "Then. . .the kiss and the hints I gave. . ."

"Hints? I didn't realize you felt anything like that until you kissed me on Thanksgiving. And I was kinda too much in shock when you kissed me to say anything, " he stated, rather bluntly.

"Oh. . .I see."

She clearly didn't.

Peter felt awful seeing the hurt in her eyes, but it had to be said. The one good thing about the avoidance was that he had some time to review what he felt and ask May for advice. Surprisingly, his aunt was very supportive of his lack of feelings towards Gwen.

*flashback*

"Dear, you don't need to feel guilty about not returning someone's feelings. There's going to be no easy way to say something like this, especially to such an old friend."

Peter frowned, "But what if I say the wrong thing and end the friendship?"

His aunt shook her head, "Peter, unless you say something intentionally cruel and further trample the poor girl's feelings, it won't be you who ends the friendship. Whatever flaws in your upbringing or in you, I know for a fact that you are not naturally cruel nor did we raise to be so. Be straightforward but also be as kind as you can afford to be."

His shoulders deflated, "And if she ends the friendship? Won't it still be my fault?"

At this, May Parker took her nephew's face in her hands and spoke, "That would rest entirely on Gwen's shoulders. If she can't handle being 'just friends' then maybe she was never a friend in the first place. Friendship has a very special place in life and should never be undervalued or tossed away lightly. When Mary-Jane told you she wasn't ready for a serious relationship, did you stop hanging around her or enjoying her company even though you were a little hurt?" 

"No. You're right, Aunt May. Thank you."

She patted his cheek, "Don't mention it, Peter. It's what mothers do."

*end of flashback*

 "I-Gwen, I've always appreciated your friendship and I hope we can keep that going still! Just because I don't feel anything romantic between us doesn't mean I don't still care about you," Peter said while gently gripping her shoulders.

She remained silent both her head and eyes turned downwards.

He looked at her pleadingly, "Forget thinking about me in that way and move on, alright? You'll find that someone at some point and I'll support you 100%. Well, maybe not if they're a serial killer or abusive or something. Other than that I'm behind whoever you choose."

Peter thought he saw her lips twitch at that last part and gave her one last squeeze before letting go.

"Give yourself some time to adjust, alright? I'll see you. . .when I see you," he awkwardly stated before skating away. 

Great note to end that on, Parker, he thought. Gah! He could have kicked himself for making THAT his conversation ender. However, before he could further berate himself on his choice of phrasing. . . 

"Tiger, can we talk?"

Since only one person calls Peter that nickname, it wasn't exactly hard to guess the next person coming up to him. 

"Oh, hey MJ. Sure, I guess. What do you need?"

Mary-Jane Watson looked much less carefree than usual and her next words showed this. 

"What'd you say to Gwen? She looks like you told her Christmas was canceled."

He grimaced.

Wonderful, the rumors are practically starting already. Knowing how gossip mills love a bad guy, Peter will probably be made out to be the next Satan by the time the week is over.

"To make a long story short: she likes me beyond our friendship and I. . .had to explain that I don't see her like that."

MJ's eyes widened and she uncrossed her arms in shock.

"Peter," she said slowly, "she's had feelings for you since the third grade."

Oof. Now he feels worse.

"Oh, wonderful. That's not the best thing to hear when you're hoping for someone to move on quickly."

MJ frowned, "Do you really think Gwen's the one you should be writing off? She's been waiting for you for years and Liz only just started giving you the time of day. And even that still seems divided between you and Flash."

Peter shook his head. "First off, they literally just broke up this fall so of course they aren't over each other yet. Point two, Gwen could have told me much earlier than this year and we could resolved all this ages ago. Point three, neither of those previous points compare to the fact that I can't FORCE myself to like her like that."

"No one's saying you have to force yourself, Tiger. I'm just wondering if you've thought this through enough. You're not a neanderthal by a longshot, but you don't always know how to go about things like feelings. Maybe you should be giving yourself some time to really think before talking like that."

Her voice was set in a soft, coaxing tone but Peter was so done with this conversation and everything else today.

"I've had since Thanksgiving to think about it since she wouldn't return my calls. AND she had her dad stonewall me when the phone was picked up. I heard her talking in the background when he answered the phone, MJ. All she had to say was 'hey, I need some time to think before we talk' and I'd have been happy to wait. But I had no idea what was going on with her at all. If she's loved me since the third grade and we've been friends for even longer than that, why is it SO HARD for her to communicate with me what she wants?"

He knew it was kind of unfair, venting at MJ like this, but he couldn't say this to Gwen after he already took a sledgehammer to her feelings.

She had paused for a long moment and Peter was tempted to skate away like he had previous conversation, when she opened her mouth once more, "She didn't want to ruin the friendship she has with you."

He looked away for a moment before speaking, "I don't want that, either, but it's kinda hard to keep a friendship alive if it's this painful for us to talk to each other. As the social expert between the two of us, Mary-Jane, how much more difficult is it to keep a long-term romance alive if this kind of thing happens all the time?"

Dead silence was his answer as he pinned her stunned face with a searching look, ". . .Yeah. That's what I figured."

His voice held no hints of mockery, just tired expectance.

This time he didn't even bother with excusing himself; Peter just skated in the direction of the hot chocolate stand. Solitude and hot chocolate would really go a long way to improving his mood.

It would be not long after this thought that a lightning bolt hit the ice rink.

[rainbowsky]

hay rainbow,

Dis u see this?Its so hilarious

twitter.com/LiLi_Rksa/status/1640384000370810882?s=20

Yes, as a matter of fact I did.

Fake, fan fiction, CPN.

Along with this clip. And it is something I want to address because I think this is a very important issue for all turtles to be conscious of.

I am referring to the way that video clips can be used to manipulate and mislead people. While I think it's likely the 'eyeroll' clip you shared was edited, even actual, real-time unedited footage can be misleading. A segment of action is selected in a way that removes context and gives an impression that might not be accurate.

I have another clip I want everyone to take a look at, one that is not being shared in turtle circles - one that paints an entirely different picture of what's happening. I think it would be pretty difficult for people to look at this clip and claim that GG and YZ don't get along, or that GG was avoiding being near her.

So, just a bit of a reality check and reminder for turtles - myself included, as I was taken in by one of the clips - that we must always thoroughly investigate claims, particularly negative ones, before buying into them. Very often we are being misled.

Now, that's not always intentional. Someone might just see something happening in some footage and get angry and interpret it in a certain way, and then share it with others, completely not realizing that they aren't seeing the whole story. But the narrative gets written and reinforced and we all go along for the ride.

So what is really happening on that stage?

Well, it looks to me like GG and YZ are getting along fine. It's possible they agreed to appear together in the final shot, maybe to appease those who voted them to be Weibo king and queen (they were chosen in the vote by a wide margin but likely didn't want the dubious honor again).

From what I can see they appear happy to do so, and I don't see any animosity or contempt between them. The idea that GG hates her is a popular turtle narrative that I think is clearly incorrect. And I vastly prefer the idea they are friends to the idea that GG is being plagued by someone he hates.

And a dear friend pointed out to me yesterday that there's likely a more charitable explanation for the guy manhandling GG in that one clip as well.

As we may already know, it's a cultural thing for people in China to be almost competitively modest, trying to defer to the other person, step aside and let others in front of them, etc. We see GG and YZ doing that to each other at the foot of the stairs to the stage. DD also did this as he was taking the stage that night, and he frequently does this with trying to bow deeper than other people, etc.

And as my friend pointed out, it looks like GG was doing that a bit with the guy directing traffic - modestly trying to let others ahead of him so that he wouldn't end up standing at the center of the stage (the place of honor).

It's possible that man was just nudging GG to his rightful place near the center (where the Weibo producers would have wanted him as one of the most popular stars of the night) rather than let him bow away from the spotlight. I hadn't even noticed that there was this weird light sign thing that they were all posing behind, I wasn't really paying attention to that, but the Weibo producers would have wanted him near the center for their photos.

I think the 'modesty' interpretation is much more charitable, and given all the evidence I think that we should at least consider the possibility that's what happened there.

I think CPN and personal interpretations are totally fine - everyone gets to decide their own take on things. HOWEVER, I think we need to be very careful about what sort of picture we paint of GG and DD, what kind of people we claim them to be at the very least. This turtle narrative of GG hating YZ often paints GG as a vindictive, angry, even rude person.

For example, there was a turtle claim that GG kicked the hem of YZ's dress in anger and moved it out of his way, when it's far more likely - and far more in character for GG - that he moved the hem out of the way so that it wouldn't be stepped on. It's more likely that he was being a gentleman and looking out for the safety of another person. He would do that for anyone, we know that about him.

And aside from what we claim about GG and DD, we should also strive to be fair and honest about the people around them. I've said this about Du Hua and about Meng Ziyi, and now I'm saying it about Yang Zi - we need to stop piling hate on the women around GG and DD. It's so toxic and so misogynistic.

I need to be clear that I'm not condemning anyone who has felt those things (nor am I judging Anon). I myself have fallen prey to some of that. We are all just doing our best based on the information we have. But I feel that - for myself anyway - when we're presented with unadulterated evidence that we were wrong, we need to revise our position based on that and admit where we were wrong.

We also can't be constantly threatened every time a woman comes within ten feet of GG or DD. I see this happen a lot with turtles. We shouldn't be so insecure. We know GG and DD love each other, and that these women are just friends and colleagues.

I've always felt it's so sexist that women are treated that way, to be honest. Like they can't be friends with men without it being treated as something more. And then everyone wonders why men and women struggle to understand each other and get along well. Maybe if they were actually able to socialize freely with one another without it being treated as sexual or romantic, maybe they'd be better at connecting with one another.

Gender role heteronormativity is such a negative force. Let's try to keep ourselves in check, and look out for the ways that it might be encroaching on our own interpretations.

Just my two cents about it.

EDIT: Follow-up post here.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #100

This will be my 100th generic letter to you. Imagine that! Assuming you can hear me somehow, we've been on a very unorthodox journey for a while now, no? How marvelous!

I spent some of today checking on my epoxy spheres. It needed a few small adjustments. I made another mess. But I'm feeling pretty good about how these are gonna turn out, and I'm looking forward to showing the finished spheres to you very soon!

I spent the bulk of today writing up descriptions for various items, though. I'm pretty excited about it, actually! But I can't tell you what it's for; sorry about that. With any luck though, my intentions will become clear in maybe a decade or so, assuming I can maintain my focus and my faith in my own efficacy. I suppose we'll see.

Along the way, I made myself a couple mugs of jasmine green tea! I was surprised, though, to find that we were out of milk. I improvised with whipped cream for the first cup, and ice cream for the second cup!! And I gotta say, these were THE BEST improvisations!! 11/10 stars, absolutely would recommend! I'll show you a couple pictures!!

At 4pm today I went for my orthodontics consult. I went to go see an orthodontist because I've got some weird jaw issues on my right side because of the way I gotta move my face when I try to chew things. And also, my dentists have been bugging me about getting orthodontics done for the last couple years, because there are certain teeth in my face that can't be cleaned properly because they got confused and wandered off, presumably to chase butterflies.

I was hoping that I'd be able to get away with using Invisalign to avoid needing to get teeth removed, but… well… the fact of the matter is that I simply do not have enough jaw to work with, and I am WELL beyond the age when things like palate expanders would work. So 4 of my teeth need to come out in order for the inside of my face to be aligned properly.

…And this really fucking sucks, because if my parents had given even a fraction of a genuine shit about me, this ALL could have been prevented. My jaw could have developed properly with upper and lower expanders. I could have avoided the crowding and the overbite and the crossbite and the resulting damage to my jaw joint if this had been taken care of like it should have been when I was a little girl. But, no. Instead, my parents were too busy being in denial about the fact that they wish I was not born. So here we are.

The reality that is, "because of my parents' negligence, I now have to get body parts removed and pay lots and lots of money because insurance doesn't cover it past a certain age" is just… fucken… it's WILD, man. Admittedly, I'm struggling with it. And I'm struggling with the resulting VERY angry thoughts. But that's okay. I can feel angry. It's allowed. And thoughts are just thoughts - passing noise that is not reflective of who I am or who I wanna be:

…I can make use of my coping skills. The technique outlined in the video above is one of them, and I make ample use of it on a near-constant basis.

Admittedly, I don't really understand why we can't just use the Invisaligns to scooch my molars back to where my wisdom teeth used to be (I thought being able to move teeth backwards was the ENTIRE FUCKING POINT, but I could be mistaken, so whatever). But I forgot to ask. I'll call them up tomorrow and find out.

Anyway. Wanna see my skull? And my weird-ass teeth? Of course you do. Why not. But I'll put it all the way at the end, after the part where I put my name, just in case you don't. Hahaha…

…Ya know… Sephiroth… admittedly… some days I get real tired of this meat-mech I'm piloting. I've got a host of rather unpleasant genetic issues. The defective collagen thing sucks; it impacts literally my whole body. The misshapen skull thing sucks. The misshapen eyeballs and misshapen lenses thing sucks. There are other things - lots of them; it'd be a long list if I wrote 'em all out. I'm really not gonna be sad when the one I've got can't clunk around derpily anymore. But I'm not gonna rush the process, either; I've got shit to do - I've gotta make sure someone I love is safe, even if it might take me a long time to get it done.

But ya know. Maybe when it's time to go get a new meat-mech, maybe by some small miracle, I'll get to visit you for a bit until it's time for me to cycle into something new! Tell you what - if that happens, I'll bring you some matcha ice cream or something, okay?

For now… I'm gonna get back to writing up lists and descriptions of items; if you're not gonna make sure you're safe, then someone's gotta, and if someone's gotta, then I might as well, right? I mean… what else am I gonna do while running around confusedly in a capitalistic hellscape on a dying planet? Aside from eat cheese directly from the refrigerator like a weird little goblin, anyway…

I'll write again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

P.S. Weird pics of my skull and teeth below, if you wanna see!

[three-bunnies-in-a-trenchcoat]

Dear Zelda,

I'm writing this letter to give to you once I see you again. I thought it would be nice to keep a record.

I still can't believe it– I'm on the Surface! I wish you could be here with me, though. It's not nearly as great having to look for you as it would have been if I was with you.

I can't carry much paper with me, so I'll have to keep these letters short.

Link

---

Dear Zelda, 

It's been a month since you've fallen. They held a funeral for you today; no one believes me when I tell them you're still alive. Headmaster Gaepora said that it would be better this way, that it would all be alright once I brought you back and that it would give everyone else closure in the meantime.

Fi says that we're getting closer. There's barely any unexplored areas on my map left, so I should see you again soon! I told you about Gorko in my last letter, right? Well, he said that there's a temple near here. I'm going to check that out first.

Link

---

Dear Zelda,

Why weren't you there? You were supposed to be there. 

I should've been faster. This is my fault. 

---

Dear Zelda, 

Eldin is really hot. Fi says that the red stuff is melted rock, can you believe it? 

I met these strange creatures called the mogma– they were pretty nice! Not very helpful, though, but one of them said he saw a person in black– is that you? I don't know why you would be wearing black, though.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

…She was right. I was too late. I couldn't save you. I can't save you. I was so scared that Ghirahim had gotten you when I saw the chains, but she protected you while I– while I did what? What was I doing that I could've avoided to reach you faster?

I hope you're okay, wherever you are.

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

The desert is hot and dry during the day. It's cold during the night. There's sand in my boots and my bag and everywhere else. I don't like it here.

I thought about flying my beetle over the wall, just to see if you were alright, but– I realized that since you collapsed it, then you didn't want to see me.

It's okay. I understand. I'm not a very good hero after all, am I?

Link

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Dear Zelda,

I don't talk much anymore. No one on Skyloft believes me, and I learned that it's better to just shut up. I don't think I've spoken to anyone but Fi in months. Maybe that's for the best. I never have anything that's worth saying, anyway.

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

Where are you? Fi said she can't sense you, and that you're in a different world now. 

You didn't have to flee, I could've protected you! I know I'm not the best, or the strongest, or the fastest, but I'm enough! I'd do anything to protect you because I love you

…It doesn't matter, I guess. You're gone already. I hope you're safe.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

…I don't know what to say anymore. Everything feels so different, like– like I'm changing, and you're changing, and when we meet again we won't recognize each other. 

I'm scared of that. You're really all I have left, you know? My only real friend anymore. You were the only one who reached out to me after my parents died, and… I just don't want to lose you.

…I don't know why I brought that up. It's not important.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

This is taking too long. I asked Fi why I couldn't just learn the song, but she said that I would need to learn more later, and it would be easier this way. I don't see how. I've already wasted a month learning how to play this stupid harp. It doesn't help that Groose is still stuck down here because the statues only work for me.

Din's fire, my fingers hurt. How were you not constantly complaining when you were learning?

Link

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Dear Zelda,

What the hell was that? What the hell was that thing?

I… I can't do this. Am I supposed to kill that thing? Is that what the goddess wants me to do?

She's wrong. She messed up. I'm not– brave, or courageous, or whatever else the old woman calls me. I'm not a hero, I'm just a scared boy and I don't know what to do because they're all wrong and they're looking at me to help them but I can't! 

It was… terrifying. Every step it took made the ground shake, and it had so many teeth. Its scales were sharp, and every time I touched one it cut through my skin like it was paper. I could feel its power from the top of the pit, and… gods, I really thought it would kill me. 

The old woman– Grannie, that’s what Groose calls her– said that it would probably break out again. I don't know how I'm supposed to face it again.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

I’ve got the first flame. Groose is still stuck on the Surface.

He's been weirdly quiet ever since he saw me fight off the Imprisoned. Or maybe it's just because he saw me stitching myself up, and my scars are too ugly even for him. 

I'm surprised he hasn't started calling me crazy yet. Everyone else does, when they think I can't hear them. I always hear them I know I'm not. I can't be. I feel like I'm going mad sometimes but I'm not. 

Link (why am I even signing these?)

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Dear Zelda,

I've always known that the robots were broken down, and would probably never be able to come back to life, but it never really sunk in until now.

I met one named Skipper. He's used to guard the flame, and he's helping me find his ship. We had to stop at his home to get a map, and I saw his family. They were broken, of course.

I'd never really thought of them as people until now, but there were pictures on the wall, and a letter from his kid– and I guess robots can have kids, and spouses. I wish there had been some way I could bring them down– but he knew there wasn't. He just looked at me, clearly sad even if his face didn't change. 

I don't know why it's bothering me so much. They've been dead for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. 

Maybe it's better that I couldn't bring them down. It would just make it worse, right? There's no way to fix them, and they would've just been stuck on the boat like Skipper is. It doesn't stop me from feeling useless, though, and like I could've done more. 

Link

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Dear Zelda,

It's been one year since you've fallen. Everyone thinks I'm crazy. They pull their kids away when they see me.

I don't blame them. My hair's grown out and I haven't brushed it in months. I carry a bunch of strange weapons. I don't remember the last time I bathed that wasn't in a river, and it's been even longer since I used soap. I'm covered in bloody bandages most of the time, and my clothes are more patches than they are the original fabric. I don’t even talk anymore; it’s like I’m some sort of– wild thing.

I looked in a mirror yesterday. I don't think you'll recognize me. My eyes looked wild and I'm covered in scars. Fi says they'll fade, but I don't believe her. Sometimes I wonder if I'm still Hylian, or if I'm just a breaking sword.

Would you still love me? I don't think so

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

I’ve got the final flame. Ghirahim– he knows about the second Gate. I’m worried he’ll make it into the temple one day, and find you. If I’d been faster, maybe he never would’ve found it, and you’d be safe.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

It has arms now. The Imprisoned– it broke out again. The seal is getting weaker. 

It was just as terrifying as the last time– and even more powerful. And it was faster, too. I barely managed to defeat it before it reached the temple. 

Groose built this catapult, to throw bombs. He's smarter than we ever gave him credit for. I don't think I would've been able to stop it without his help. I was scared he was going to die, though; the bombs he was handling were huge, and the ground was shaking constantly– it wouldn't have been hard for something to happen.

I haven't let him out of my sight since then. I'm– I'm so scared that I'm going to lose one of the only people I have left. He doesn’t even care that I barely talk to him anymore.

Would you– would Hylia take him from me? Because you think he's a distraction from what I'm supposed to be doing? 

Goddesses, my hands are still shaking.

Link

---

Did I ever really know you? Was it all just a lie? Did you– did you kill my parents, so that I had to be close to you? Were you just laughing at me the entire time, at this stupid boy that actually thought he had a friend?

I don't know what to think. I loved you. I still do. I should be angrier but I'm not and it's all just not right and I wish we could go back to how it used to be, even if it was just a lie.

---

Dear Zelda, 

I hurt Crimson today. He got hit when we were fighting Levias's parasite. 

It's my fault. It was shooting these… things at me and I was hitting them back with my sword and I missed and I hit Crimson and it's my fault. 

We're stuck on this island until he heals. It's probably going to be a couple of days, since no one is going to come look for me. Everyone is more surprised when I'm there than when I'm gone.

It should've been me that got hit

He's not mad at me, but he should be. I always mess things up.

Goddesses, I hope he's okay. I… don't know what I would do without him. I know most people can survive the death of their loftwing, but… I don't think I would be able to. I already feel like I'm losing more of myself everyday, I can't lose half of my soul like that.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

Groose is a lot nicer than he used to be. He even helped patch me up without calling me a loser. His face was all red when I took my shirt off, though. I think he's getting sick. I'll have to tell Granny about it.

It's… nice to have someone that knows. Fi knows everything, of course, but it's just not the same. Even if we never really liked each other… goddess, I'm just glad that someone from Skyloft believes me. He's even becoming a friend, I think. 

We fought the Imprisoned again today. It was just as terrifying as before– even more so. It started flying, and Groose barely managed to shoot it down in time. One time, he even had to shoot me at it. It feels like it’s breaking out faster and faster every time– are you weakening because I’m taking too long?

Link

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Dear Zelda,

I can't do this anymore 

I'm tired

Why me why did it have to be me

I talked to Faron today. She's split the song up into these things called tadtones. I need to collect them before she'll teach me her part.  

It's going to take a while. They're all over the forest. She flooded it too, so I'll have to do all of it underwater. 

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

I lost Fi. 

It was stupid. I came down right when the volcano erupted, and– I’m not sure what happened, exactly, but I got knocked out and captured by bokoblins. They took all of my stuff, including Fi– and I was terrified. There was smoke everywhere, and they had watchtowers set up, and I never realized how much I relied on her until she was gone.

Eldin was polite– or at least, he didn’t threaten to eat me like Faron does. All that’s left is one more part.

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

I think this is going to kill me

---

Dear Zelda,

The desert is still awful, but at least there’s nothing going wrong here. I don’t know how much you can hear, but I went through the Gate again. Lanayru was dying, and he needed me to get him a cure. Maybe that counts as something going wrong, but it doesn’t feel like it; Faron’s trial and losing Fi was much worse. 

He said that he could help me relive my memories, some of the battles I’ve gone through, and if I do enough of them, he’ll give me an “absurdly sturdy shield”. I don’t really know if I can do it because some of it still terrifies me, but I need to get stronger, and this is a good way to do it.

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

I got the final part of the song from Levias today. I'm opening the last Silent Realm tomorrow.

I'm scared. I'm tired of the guardians killing me. It hurts so much. Why did you make it hurt so much

You'll be home soon.

Link

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Dear Zelda, 

It's been two years since you've fallen. It’s the first time I’ve stayed on Skyloft for more than a few days, and everyone is giving me strange looks. Maybe they think I've given up, that I've come to my senses, and I'll stop acting so crazy.

I'm not crazy. I'm not. If it was all in my head then I wouldn't have so many scars and I wouldn't hurt all the time and I wouldn't be so tired.

I was going to tell you I loved you, before you were taken. I was going to ask if you wanted to go on a date with me. 

I still do. But it's been too long. Both of us have changed too much. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been such a coward.

I've found two pieces of the Triforce. All that's left is a room full of enemies, and I'm just waiting to get more arrows. Rupin hasn’t asked what I’m doing with them all– I don’t know if he just doesn’t care, or if something about me scares him too much to ask.

Link

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Dear Zelda,

I'm sitting next to you right now. You've barely changed, but I look so different. My hands are calloused and shake when I write. Yours are still soft. 

I'm just waiting for the potions to start working, and then I'm going to leave. I don't think I'll survive, but I hope I'll injure him enough that you can kill him. 

I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in person. There are more letters for you, in my room on Skyloft. There's blood on some of them; I hope it's not too hard to read. I would have rewritten them, but I've been spending all of my rupees on potions. I'm not really sure why I kept wasting money on paper, because I never really intended to give them to you after the first few, but you might as well have them now.

I hope you can forgive me for being a failure. Maybe it'll be better this way. I barely feel like a person anymore.

If you need a friend, talk to Groose. He's… a pretty okay guy, now. You can depend on him.

Link

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Dear Zelda and Groose, 

I hope you're both doing well. Pipit's little messenger birds are getting faster– my letter should reach you just in time.

How are you doing? Zelda, I hope you're not overworking yourself again. Groose, try not to stay up all night working on your inventions. Both of you, take care of yourselves. My scars have been doing better, lately. I think it just storms too much in Faron (really, did we have to build the settlement there?). In an unrelated note, do any of your goddess powers involve controlling the weather?

Skipper is doing good! We just got the crystal set up, so now his family can move back home. I think if robots could cry, they all would be. I know I was a little teary. I'm glad they can finally go home. I think Fi would’ve really liked this– she always seemed a bit sad whenever we had to talk to one of the robots.

This is my last piece of paper, so I'll have to end it here. Send some more when you reply, okay? (Just don’t make your letters too long– that poor little bird looked like it was about to collapse when it found me.)

Love, 

Link

P.S. Which one of you keeps taking my hat out of my bag? I need that!

@zelinkcommunity