#meet someone to date

[lazylittledragon]

mombin pt 6 and look who showed up

(1)(2)(3)(4) (5)

[captainjimothy]

idk i'd never paid much attention to past prologue aside from the opener but it's so fucking funny bc of the context it gives for everything else?? like okay garak cruises julian at the replimat (with unclear success), then gets approached by the sisters and says "shit, i need backup. who can i trust to be chill about black market dealing, yet honest enough to report it if necessary? ah yes the doctor will do nicely" ............aaand then julian flubs it so bad that garak immediately starts a book club called Espionage For Dummies. he says julian you are a baby bird. a tiny kitten. a helpless puppy all alone in a cutthroat world. you must open your eyes and learn to forage or you will never survive the winter and julian says okay 💖 yayy 💖 and by god they hold that book club every fucking tuesday for the next 5 to 7 years? only interrupted when there's an actual war on? the professional outrage was THAT strong

[sp0o0kylights]

I saw a video today that said, “It’s very uncomfortable as an adult when your friend starts to date somebody who sucks, and you’re all looking at each other going ‘Guys, if this is the person who makes them happy…I think collectively as a unit we can agree that we would rather see them sad. So what's the plan?’” 

And immediately went: modern Steddie AU were Steve dates his high school friend Tommy and everyone is tearing their hair out over how awful he’s being treated. 

Ft. the Party, led by Dustin, hounding Eddie “I could get a man in a SECOND, I just CHOOSE not to date” Munson for help

However:

Eddie is mostly thinking the entire thing is a joke (King Steve and Tommy Hagan? Gay? Together?? Nice try Henderson.) until he runs into Robin. She laments that yeah, they’re bi, but more importantly, Tommy is fucking awful and Steve refuses to see it. 

2. Eddie, maybe, kind of, still has a crush on Steve ("Stop laughing Gareth, everyone has--had! Had a crush on him!") and the guy was never THAT bad in high school---but Tommy Hagan definitely was and a little revenge would be fun.

and finally;

3. Instead of going with the kids' well intentioned but very misguided “Let’s get Eddie to Steal Steve” plan, Eddie meets up with the Robin/Nancy/Jonathan/Argyle/Chrissy dream team to figure out how to prove to Steve that Tommy is horrible. 

Bonus: Robin and Nancy come up with a full proof multi step plan that involves Eddie pissing off Tommy in ways that look completely innocent. The hope is that Steve will see how controlling and unreasonable Tommy is, and break it off.

This hurts no one and just highlights to Steve Tommy's behavior.

Of course, Eddie goes off the rails immediately upon meeting Steve.

Instead of following The Plan, he, with the kids permission and help, gets Tommy to get blow up about THEM.

This is far more successful.

Bonus x2: A large amount of shenanigan's with the kids vs Tommy are involved. As is a scene were Steve breaks down and admits he knows Tommy is terrible, but Tommy puts up with him and Steve "knows how he is."

Eddie goes home, prints out a picture of Tommy and throws cheap ren fair daggers at it for at least three solid hours while he tries to think up ways to prove to Steve Harrington that his parents are wrong, hes very lovable actually.

In fact Eddie would very much like a shot at trying it out, thanks!

(It is also, inevitably, successful.)

[michelle-jacksons-art-blog]

Try these out!

[backpackingspace]

Odysseus with his head in his wife's lap, happily not paying attention to anything, humming one of athenas song and carving something

Some random guy: your majesty----

Odysseus: not bothering to sit up: whatever my wife decided is fine.

[applestorms]

L can be such a possessive character at times. he always strikes me as the type of person who is deeply aware of everything that he owns, both in a more literal sense and metaphorically-- like, he knows what money he has and how to use it, what resources are readily available to him and what he has to be sneakier to utilize, the habits and tendencies and emotional states of individuals and world governments both. the DN musical really puts an emphasis on the more computer-y aspects of how his brain functions, which isn't as obvious in the manga/anime but i think still works well as a way to follow his thinking. it's kinda what near does too: everything is a factor to them, every tiny detail a new opening to optimize for the best results, every person and location and object a part of a puzzle waiting to be solved. and as a part of that, L is deeply aware of every and any little thing he may or may not have control over, and exactly to what degree.

his habit of stealing titles as depicted in the LABB murders novel is such a good example of this. ryuzaki, eraldo coil, deneuve. he eats people alive and then takes their names for himself like some kind of fucked up fae or trickster god, creating new masks and personas to hide behind from the remains of the people he's devoured. i have to wonder if he would've used the title of KIRA for himself had he won-- i can hardly imagine what kind of power such a title could hold if held in his hands. of course, he could've just used the defeat of KIRA as a way to build up the L title even further, offering up the body of a dead god like perseus showing off the head of medusa. but L is so emotionally attached to the kira case, i struggle to see him allowing it to fade from existence so thoroughly as near does, even if it is only kept close on a private level...

this is part of why i think it genuinely makes a lot of sense that L's ultimate win state would include capturing light to some degree. even if the memory of KIRA somehow manages to fully disappear from the public consciousness, there is no fucking way L is letting light yagami out of his grasp. honestly, the moment that L truly loses this game is not when he starts investigating misa while still under rem's watch, not when light gets back his memories, not even when he dies, but the moment when he allows light to be freed from the handcuffs. the moment when he allows the other members of the task force to turn off the cameras and keep him from watching light and misa talk in the lobby. the moment when he gives up, lets light yagami go outside of L's personal sphere of control, is the moment when L starts the clock ticking down to the end of his own life.

this is one of the key ways in which i see light as a true equal and parallel to L, as after L's death he, intentionally or no, continues the same tradition and takes L's title for himself, twisting the two sides together into the L-KIRA amalgamation. only, the L title functions a little bit differently than every other persona or title that we see in the series-- because L's true name is L. that's all that he is. on a literal, legal, and emotional level, i don't think that L is anything more than L. he is the world's greatest detective, he's an incredible, weirdo super genius, but he does not afford himself much more than that, barely allows himself personhood or humanity outside of his work. light was the one to ultimately defeat L because he did not just put a stain on his character (as BB attempted), did not just kill him, but stole his very identity and took it for himself.

one of the biggest contradictions of L's character that i think you must accept should you attempt to portray him accurately is that he is both deeply detached from humanity while also having all of his work and effort and life be focused around saving it. it's one of the ways in which he is an exact opposite to light-- where light relies on humanity for external validation, to be Seen, while also looking down on it as dumb and immoral and spineless, L is so separated from it that he barely exists as a person, all the while dedicating almost every action he takes to helping it. remember: for all the emotional turmoil that wammy's house and the legacy of L may put on the kids living there, ultimately it's entire existence is nothing more than L's logical solution to his potential demise. if he dies, the world goes down with him, all of the cases that are yet to happen and he is yet to solve being left in the air. he has the foresight to set up a fail safe, but not to consider the emotional implications of what being that fail safe might feel like, how high the price of your own humanity is if you are not already alienated from it, the inability to have your own name on your gravestone-- though perhaps some of the blame also falls on watari's shoulders in this case, philanthropic old bastard that he is.

imo, playing his game really got it right in presenting L and light as one and the same, synonyms on either side of the mirror. in every action they take they are both so selfishly selfless, playing the game for themselves and their own pleasure but plastering the needs and will of humanity on top of it. L isn't invested in saving humanity for the sake of humanity-- he just likes the thrill of having the stakes raised so high. hard to shit on ryuk for wanting entertainment when the humans he finds are just the same as him.

[thechy-fychannel]

y'all ever think abt how it was julie having the affair and it is even said multiple times that she was the one who left him, yet wilson was still the one who left their home and moved in with house. like. he couldn't bear to stay in their home alone. he immediately ran to house and stayed on his couch for weeks. suffered through his pranks and his laziness and his manipulation. telling him he wants him gone while sabotaging his attempts to leave. and he only left once he got a girlfriend again.

[theotherbuckley]

Okay but Tommy drops out of high school — he told his father he was gay and he told him he could either be homeless or go to military school. He goes to military school and joins the army and he likes flying the helicopters because it means he doesn’t have to do any of the killing himself. And he makes some friends.

There's one guy who's like the squad leader who's a few years old and built like a Greek god and Tommy's young and a little bit in love. And they're friends maybe even family because this whole group of people spend every waking (and sleeping) moment together. And they all talk like a family and they all say they love each other and tease each other and it's nice. And one night it's just the two of them trading a flask of some sort of alcohol that Tommy doesn't know the name of and the man asks Tommy why he joined the army and where he wants to be in five years and Tommy trusts this man. He's half way in love with him so he doesn't even think twice before he tells the story about the time he came out to his family and his father nearly beat him to death before sending him here. And the conversation tapers off after that and he doesn’t register the change in the air but when he wakes up the next morning he’s being dishonourably discharged because he poses “unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability”. He knows what that means.

Tommy joins the fire department because he doesn’t know what else to do. He represses anything regarding his sexuality because he knows now that it’s wrong. He almost feels like he has a family again because his captain seems to like him and some of the guys are cool even if they say things he doesn’t agree with. And then he starts agreeing because maybe they’re right and he’s wrong and he’s just inherently wrong. So he follows their leads and is just straight racist because that’s how he can fit in.

And then a black lesbian woman joins and says she’s a black lesbian woman and Tommy doesn’t understand that either because you can’t be queer you just can’t be because it’s wrong.

But he nearly dies and and an Asian man saves his life and a black lesbian woman comes up with a better idea than any of them had and she tells them she’s no different and she is just as capable. So he improves himself he does and he tries to be better but he still can’t be who he is because the last 2 times he was honest about that he was betrayed.

Tommy leaves the 118 and “don’t ask, don’t tell” is lifted and he meets this guy he likes who likes him back and the 217 don’t seem to have a problem with the gender neutral pronouns and he slowly but surely lets himself open up again and be who he is and when the thing with that guy doesn’t work out because he’s moving to New York and Tommy’s not sure he’s ready to leave, it’s okay because his crew is there and they support him and he can still be himself.

[synonymroll648]

after fitz cools off a little bit about sophie and keefe being a thing, he should drop tidbits about keefe (mostly during trust exercises) that he thinks she might find helpful since they're dating.

the thing is, instead of just stuff like, 'keefe loves frogs, so he might appreciate a gift or trip related to them, idk' he also drops things like 'btw if you just hold his hand in your hands - specifically towards the back of his head, just behind his ears - while you're talking to him, he'll probably melt haha. also his scalp is sensitive, do with that what you will, but make sure you're gentle'.

bonus points if sophie asks keefe about why every single tidbit fitz gives is correct and he goes tomato red for the first time ever and sputters out something like 'i gave fitz the lord of the snuggles title based on personal experience - he's clingy when he's tired, ok?'

[iris-drawing-stuff]

Happy Pride Month everyone!

Lets all ponder the gay ass apple with Kazui.

[lover-of-mine]

And then we have the other side of BT fans that are saying Oliver was talking about Tommy with the slow burn, will they won’t they.

Like…… who wants to tell them it’s not a slow burn will they won’t they if they are already together. Which with how often they like to throw out the “Our ship is canon” defense you’d think they wouldn’t forget that 💀

I saw that and I legit stared at it for a bit. And it's funny because during the hiatus they were all "it's so great bt isn't a slowburn, it's so real, no unnecessary drama, they just got together" and now they are backtracking HARD. The ship already sailed. They are together. You can't make a slowburn out of someone who met on episode, was kissing the next, was getting invited to weddings the other. They can't be a slowburn. But now they are scrambling saying they're gonna break up because Tommy is rightfully weirded out by Buck and we will watch the slowburn in the form of Buck trying to win Tommy back. Like????? I wish I believed in anything as much as they believe bt is endgame because holy fuck, their hope is almost inspiring.

[backfliips]

I want to skip over dating as a concept and just already have a life partner is that too much to ask for

[sylvia-forest]

[CN] Shaw's Monkey King Date

⚡Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a Date which hasn’t been released in EN yet!⚡

[Released Date: 17 June 2024]

You can read the Prologue from here!

[Section 1]

The late nights in the small town are much denser than in the city.

Even though it's nearly midnight, Shaw and I are still sitting at opposite ends of the sofa playing with our phones, indicating that neither of us intends to sleep.

Shaw: Music cut. MC: You've already cut three pieces. Shaw: That may mean that this playlist is no longer good and it’s time to change the playlist. MC [angrily]: Don't question my musical taste!

I glared at him, warning Shaw not to secretly change my playlist. Seeing my firmness, he shrugged and backed down.

Shaw: Okay, this part is okay now, I feel like I can continue listening to it.

He adjusted his headphones and lazily slouched a bit further down, his gaze returning to his own phone screen.

Seizing the opportunity, I glanced at the progress bar of the player. Good, good, once this song finishes, it'll be perfectly timed.

I subtly adjusted my sitting position and quietly retrieved the confetti cannon that I had hidden under the pillow.

I no longer paid any attention to what the singer was singing about in the headphones; my heartbeat and the pounding bass drum were the only things I could feel, growing faster and more restless.

58, 59, 60......!

I pulled out the confetti cannon and pulled the string—Bang!

MC: Happy Birthday!!

The sharp sound of the confetti cannon and the song "Happy Birthday" from the playlist rang out simultaneously, interrupting the chirping of cicadas outside.

Amid the falling streamers, I beamed a wide smile at Shaw. He set down his phone and nodded back at me.

Shaw: Thanks. MC [confused]: ??

This guy, his reaction to my perfectly timed birthday surprise is so calm! I pouted in dissatisfaction.

MC: Shouldn't you be more surprised, more amazed? Shaw: It's a bit difficult.

Shaw brushed off the streamers from his face and smiled.

Shaw: After all, I am the one who brought you here to celebrate my birthday. You have been procrastinating and refusing to go to bed. I have already predicted what will happen at 12 o'clock. Shaw: Furthermore, if you have more "surprises" waiting for me until daylight, and you surprised me now, what's next?

Shaw [in a low playful tone]: Or are you saying that you want...

Shaw cleared his throat, and I suddenly felt uneasy.

Shaw [DAMN HIS SARCASTIC VOICE SOUNDS SO HILARIOUS]: Oh my, you actually sent me such a loud birthday wish right at midnight on June twenty-first. I'm so pleasantly surprised, moved, and touched that it brings tears to my eyes. MC: Stop! Stop! STOP!

I was grossed out by Shaw's cheesiness, covered in goosebumps, and quickly tried to cover his mouth, but he easily caught my wrist with one hand.

Shaw raised an eyebrow at me, his tone teasing.

Shaw [teasingly]: Do I need to continue praising you? MC: Hmph, never mind then.

I wrinkled my nose and tried to take my wrist out of his hand.

He tightened his grip unexpectedly, even pulling me forward a bit, causing me to lose my balance and fall onto him.

Shaw: Do you want to ignore me? Don’t you want to hear me finish what I have to say?

Feeling frustrated, I lightly bumped my chin against his chest twice to prompt him to continue.

Shaw: Even though it wasn't a surprise, you're the first one today to wish me a happy birthday, and I appreciate that. MC: Just satisfied? Shaw: I'm very happy too, that's why I wanted to tease you. MC: ... Such a perverse taste. Shaw: How can you call it perverse taste? It's the privilege of the birthday star, I'm the boss today.

Thinking back to the past few years when I teased him on his birthday saying "Birthday star is the boss," I feel like I'm lifting a rock only to drop it on my own foot

As I was speaking, Shaw's phone kept buzzing intermittently. Just as I was about to glance curiously at it, Shaw had already responded.

Shaw: Just some birthday wishes.

I took his phone and unlocked the screen. I scrolled up and down a couple of times, and sure enough, I saw familiar faces.

There were colleagues from Isolate, the owner of the Live House, Professor Shen who had already sent his greetings earlier in the day, and the old neighbors...

MC [excitedly]: Wow, without realizing it, you've become so popular.

Shaw [displeased]: Why do your words sound so strange? Could it be that I was not popular before? MC: It definitely wasn't as good as it is now.

Shaw's mouth curled into a subtle smile, and he responded with a prolonged "hmm."

Shaw: Now that you mention it, it’s true that ever since I met you, you've been organizing all sorts of surprise events with this group, making them more enthusiastic than ever.

I laughed and scrolled up again, and suddenly a text message sent during the day fell into my eyes.

Magician Zhang: Don't forget about tomorrow's show. You need to be there by 1 PM.

I read out the text in the text message and was a little confused.

MC: What program? Shaw: Hasn't Magician Zhang been learning ancient magic tricks here for several months? He has a performance tomorrow and asked me to do an opening act to warm up the crowd. MC: That's it...wait a minute! MC: Isn't the "tomorrow" he mentioned actually today? Why are you still taking on a warm-up performance on your birthday?

Shaw was a little confused, obviously not following my logic.

Shaw [confused]: What do you mean? MC: What I mean is...

My lips trembled a bit. Although I felt confident when I thought about it, I felt a bit unsure when I actually said it out loud.

MC [resigned look]: I feel like something always comes up on your birthday to disturb the celebration. MC: There's never a time when the whole 24 hours are completely mine. MC: It's just a little... upsetting.

Shaw [surprised]: ……

Shaw was obviously a little surprised, and then he seemed to have thought of something and raised the corners of his mouth again.

Shaw [teases her]: Completely yours? Oh, you want us to be like conjoined twins? MC: Is that not allowed? Shaw [in a good mood]: Of course it is. Then for tomorrow's little performance, you can join me on stage. MC [dumbfounded]: Huh??

—

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

—

[Section 2]

Even though it was just a small warm-up performance, we still arrived early at the town theater.

There was already a banner at the entrance of the courtyard promoting today's ancient magic performance. I looked up and tried to recognize it for a while.

MC: ... "Journey to the West"? How are they going to perform "Journey to the West" with ancient magic tricks?

Shaw: It's like regular magic tricks, but with some storyline elements added to make it more interesting for the audience. MC: Storyline elements... We're not going to have to perform too, are we? Shaw: Who knows.

Shaw spread his hands with a smile, clearly teasing me again.

Shaw: Anyway, you go over there and change, and I'll see you in the yard later.

After he finished speaking, he took a few steps forward, then, as if sensing my gaze, he turned back, the corners of his mouth curving into a slight, enigmatic smile.

Shaw: You even want my time when I'm changing clothes? MC [shouts]: ...I didn't mean to be conjoined to that extent!

My face heated up, and I quickly turned around and slipped into the dressing room.

There was already a stylist waiting in the dressing room. After I sat down, I couldn't help but ask her.

MC: How long will this show take?

The stylist picked up the makeup brush and smiled at me.

Stylist: It should only take three to five minutes. Stylist: Shaw specifically told us not to take up too much of his time because his girlfriend is waiting for him.

These words sounded a bit strange, and I couldn't help but pout a little.

MC: ... He didn't tell you guys that I'm demanding and bossy, did he? Stylist: No. What he actually said was, "My girlfriend came all the way to spend my birthday with me, so of course, I belong to her. Non-negotiable, five minutes."

I imagined Shaw negotiating the time with them for the performance and couldn't help but laugh.

During our chat, the stylist had swiftly finished my look. I looked at the "fairy" in the mirror and let out a sigh of relief.

MC: Thank goodness... I thought I might have to play some centipede or spider demon. Stylist: How could we make you play a demon? After all, the Monkey King hadn't even started his journey to the West at that point. MC: Monkey King? You mean he wants to act… Child: Wow, Your Majesty, you're so handsome!

The noise of children suddenly came from outside, interrupting my words.

The stylist understood and pointed towards the door. I smiled knowingly, lifted my skirt, and quietly went over to push the door open.

The warm rays of the morning sun filled the courtyard and also fell on the shining figure in the center of the courtyard.

Shaw was dressed in a bright red Sun Wukong costume, surrounded by a group of children.

Even though he is wearing heavy shoulder armor, it does not appear heavy or cumbersome. Instead, it accentuates his heroic and upright appearance.

Child: Your Majesty, I want to see you wield the golden cudgel! Child: I want to see it too! I want to see it too!

Shaw [irritated]: Tsk, why don’t you watch Old Man Zhang? Isn’t his performance better? Child: He is better, but the king is more handsome! MC [burst into laughter]: Hahahaha!

I burst into laughter hearing the group of "monkey children" praising Shaw excitedly. 

When Shaw heard my laughter, his gaze immediately locked onto me, with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

Shaw [sigh in relief]: Are you finally ready? Shall we go? MC [playfully]: Um... no, I also want to see Your Majesty perform a bit~

I intentionally pronounced "Your Majesty" in a playful and teasing tone. Shaw visibly tensed, then gritted his teeth and walked towards me with determination.

Shaw: What do you want to play? Let me play with you first—

Shaw's large hand gripped my waist and began to tickle me.

I couldn't resist, laughing and trying to evade him, but I couldn't escape his embrace.

Shaw: Still want to play? MC: No, hahaha nope!

I laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe and quickly raised my hands in surrender.

The group of children looked at the two of us curiously, and one of them suddenly understood.

Child: Your Majesty, you're so powerful, you've already subdued the demoness! MC [angrily]: I'm not the demoness!

How childish. The moment those words slipped out, I felt so childish. Unfortunately, the kids in front of us were even more enthusiastic, pointing at the two of us.

Child: But you're the one tempting the Monkey King! In the cartoons, it's said that the Monkey King must stay away from women! MC: Ah, what a mess... Shaw!

I was both amused and exasperated, so I decided to play along with their "Your Majesty."

Since the children started talking, Shaw's chest kept vibrating from trying not to burst into laughter.

Seeing a hint of embarrassment on my face now, he struggled to hold back his laughter and waved his hand at the kids.

Shaw: Did you hear? She's Ling Gege's girlfriend, MC.

[T/N]: "Gege" (哥哥) is a Chinese term that means "older brother". It is often used as a term of endearment or respect towards an older male, similar to how "big brother" might be used in English.

Shaw: Right now, I haven't transformed yet, so I'm not the Monkey King, and she's not a demoness. Shaw: Later, even if I do become the Monkey King, she won't be a demoness, she'll be a fairy sister, got it? Child: Oh…. Shaw: Alright, didn't you say you wanted to grab a good spot at the stage? Let's go before it's too late.

The children seemed to understand, but as soon as they heard that they had to occupy a seat, they stopped thinking about it and all went out in a swarm.

I watched their figures disappear at the doorway and lightly tapped Shaw's hand resting on my back.

MC: Shaw, do you know your explanation just now had a bit of a loophole that didn't quite satisfy me?

Shaw [confused]: ?What loophole.

I tilted my face up, tiptoed slightly closer to him.

The warmth from my lips intentionally brushed past his tense jawline as our breaths mingled.

MC: Are you really planning to "stay away from women" once you transform into the Monkey King?

—

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

—

[Section 3]

Of course he won't be close to women. On the contrary, I'll step up my game even more.

This guy really can't handle any provocation... or teasing at all.

I nervously pressed my lips together, not wanting the others backstage to notice that I had just been "tormented" by Shaw.

[You guys can already guess what might've happened 🤭, the consequences of provoking Shaw]

After chatting with Magician Zhang a few words, Shaw turned and walked towards me.

Shaw: Just wait for 20 more minutes. When the drumming starts up front, we'll go on stage. MC [anxious]: Wait, wait, go on stage directly? Don’t we need to practice? Shaw: Do you still need to practice something you have played a hundred times?

Shaw raised an eyebrow and suddenly snapped his fingers near my ear. Startled, I turned my head and saw that he had magically produced a paper flower in his hand.

MC [surprised]: …..?!

Although I knew Shaw could perform some tricks and magic, I always found myself gaping in awe whenever I saw it firsthand.

After a few stammering sounds, I remembered I should say something.

MC: What I mean is, you’ve got it all figured out, but I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do on stage. MC: I don’t have much acting experience, what should I do if I mess it up for you? Shaw: Hmm, now that you mention it, we should definitely rehearse a bit.

As Shaw spoke, he took hold of my wrist and led me to the prop room backstage.

Shaw took out a plate from the corner, played with it twice, and handed it to me.

Shaw: The rehearsal is pretty simple. After all, this role suits you perfectly. Just stand there holding the tray and make your favorite expression. MC [dumbfounded]: What expression? Shaw: Just like a pufferfish, all puffed up and glaring at me. MC: Shaw, I don’t—! Shaw [pleased with his provocation]: Yes, that's the expression.

I glared even harder, but my cheeks deflated as I let out a huff.

MC: Then I just hold an empty plate and stare at you? Shaw: Of course, the plate is not empty, serve it well.

Shaw smiled and, once again, pulled out a few glass beads from some hidden pocket. He placed them on the tray and covered them with a red cloth.

Shaw: You are now delivering elixirs for Lao Jun, but I stop you along the way. Shaw [acting mode on x1]: Fairy, can you let me see what you are holding in your hand?

I blinked and realized that he was guiding me, and I couldn't help but become playful.

MC: Nothing, just an empty plate. Shaw [x2]: Really? But how come I smell the scent of elixirs?

Shaw leaned in and sniffed the plate twice, then suddenly turned his gaze towards me.

Before I could react, his hand swiftly brushed past my temple, plucking one of my hairpins.

He clasped his hands around the hairpin, and when he opened them again, it had turned into one of the glass beads that had just been on the tray.

MC [shocked]: ….Oh?! Shaw [x3]: So, the elixir wasn't hidden in the tray but transformed into the fairy's hairpin flower, making it harder for me to find.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, leaning in closer with an intense gaze.

Shaw [in a sly voice x4]: Fairies are so cunning.

He should have said these words in the tone of a Monkey King.

But maybe because he wasn't rehearsing seriously, I clearly knew: the voice was Shaw's, the face was Shaw's, and the person teasing me right now... was Shaw.

The lips that had been kissed by him earlier began to warm up, the heat gradually spreading to my cheeks. I struggled under his gaze, unwilling to concede yet unable to resist.

MC [blushing hard]: You, you took away the elixir, how can I give it to Laojun? Shaw [x5]: Of course, I won't just take the fairy's elixir for nothing. I'll make it up to you with something even better. He flicked his cloak and lifted the red cloth on the tray, but didn't fully uncover it. Shaw [x6]: I have several peaches that ripen once every nine thousand years. Eating them will grant us longevity equal to that of heaven and earth, and our ages will match those of the sun and moon.

He suddenly unveiled the red cloth, revealing several bright pink peaches on the plate.

Shaw's eyebrows arched in unabashed delight, his eyes outlined with fiery red eyeshadow that seemed to burn through my very soul.

Shaw [in a light tone]: Fairy, would you like to... share eternal life with me?

I stared at him blankly, my lips parting and closing before I finally spoke dully.

MC: If we have longevity equal to that of heaven and earth, then I'll have to celebrate thousands of birthdays for you. It would be exhausting!

Shaw burst into laughter. He seemed to say something softly afterward, but the booming drum announcing the start of the performance outside drowned out his voice.

Before we got ready to go on stage, I asked him one last question.

MC: By the way, how do your tricks always manage to fool me? Shaw: Why do you say?

Shaw smirked, looking very pleased with himself.

Shaw: Magic is all about guiding attention, creating something out of nothing. Shaw [he sounded so happy here]: But with you, there's no need for guidance, because you only see me.

—

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

—

[Section 4]

The little program ended smoothly.

After the appetizer, it was time for the main event: Magic Zhang's portrayal of "Sun Wukong" took the stage.

Magic Zhang had already set up the stage with colorful balls, swords, beans, and rings from his tricks. I was about to watch the master's performance when suddenly, I heard a cold snort beside me.

Shaw: Caught the work bug? MC: No, I'm just an audience member... Shaw: Audience members can't do that.

Shaw didn't hesitate to cover my sight with his hand and gently turned my chin towards him with his other hand.

Shaw: He's the Six-Eared Macaque, I'm the true Monkey King. It's time for you to come with me.

As we wished, no one disturbed us for the rest of the time, not even the group of followers who seemed to have disappeared somewhere.

He and I walked around the town leisurely, and finally returned to the entrance of the theater.

Magic Zhang's performance had long ended, and the gradually setting sun fell on the empty stage. Shaw looked around.

Shaw: It's about time. Shall we change clothes and head back to the inn for cake? MC: Who said I left the cake at the inn?

Thinking about the biggest surprise I had prepared to show Shaw today, my voice couldn't help but carry a hint of excitement.

MC: While I've enjoyed watching you perform today, I actually have a magic trick of my own to show you.

I pulled out a chair and asked Shaw to sit down, and pointed to the high stage in front of me.

MC: Guests, please be seated, this fairy is about to take the stage!

Shaw's lips curled with interest as he nodded and took a seat.

I walked towards the stage and brought out a screen I had prepared earlier.

MC: ... Grandpa Zhang said it should be wedged here so people in the audience won't see the hidden passage......

I carefully adjusted the angle of the screen according to the method that Magic Zhang had taught me before. After making sure that nothing went wrong, I waved to Shaw.

MC: Watch closely now, my magic trick is called... Shrinking into Inches, Emerging from the Earth!

With solemnity, I gestured and chanted incantations in front of my sole audience member, slowly moving towards the hidden passage.

At the exact moment when the screen completely blocked my figure, I swiftly jumped into the hidden passage and dashed towards another exit.

The path was dimly lit underfoot, and my dress billowed wildly, so I simply held it all in my hands.

I may not have the ability to shrink into inches or emerge from the earth, but I have a heart that races towards him without hesitation.

MC: Phew... almost there!

On the table at the exit sat the cake that the stylist had set up for me earlier. After calming my breath for a moment, I picked it up and lifted the curtain to reveal it.

MC: Shaw, happy birthday————

The final note of joy lingered on my lips.

Because the moment the curtain was raised, Shaw stood in front of me, staring at me intently.

I had lost count of how many times today my mouth had dropped open in astonishment. My dumbfounded expression inevitably made him burst into laughter.

MC: You, you knew I would show up here?

Shaw: I know almost all of Magic Zhang's magic tricks and mechanisms. MC: But this... This isn't you trying to steal my thunder, is it? MC: Shaw, can't you give me a sense of accomplishment? MC: You will make me look very stupid…

Shaw [lowers his voice]: Why are you being silly?

Shaw interrupted my scattered thoughts and pulled me out of the dim passage.

Shaw: It's not that you're not capable of acting. Shaw: Pretending to be surprised intentionally, you find it cheesy and foolish. Shaw: Besides, someone told me they wanted to be conjoined twins with me for 24 hours, so I didn't want to wait, and I couldn't wait. Shaw [whispers lightly, barely hiding his hidden emotions]: MC, you've been running for too long, I can't wait any longer.

Shaw repeated twice that he couldn't wait, turning my slight disappointment into a bittersweet feeling.

But I still had a bit of unwillingness lingering, so I couldn't help but ask him.

MC: So, did I not manage to give you any surprises or unexpected moments today? Shaw [satisfied]: Of course you did, but I'm not telling you.

Shaw returned to his usual cunning self, taking my cake and placing it on the table.

Shaw: By the way, you didn't finish saying "happy birthday" to me just now. You need to say it again.

Do we still need to add some solemn reflections and vows during our blessings? It seems unnecessary now.

Because those things have long been mixed into various half-true and half-joking remarks between us, inadvertently becoming our promises.

I gazed into his bright eyes, where there was a dazzling sparkle.

MC: Happy birthday, Shaw.

I hope his fiery eyes can see through my heart.

I sat with him in the empty theater, sharing cake and chatting away, even the amber twilight tinted with sweetness.

MC: I'm curious though, even though you perform at Live House, it's always this cool style, no interaction with the audience at all. MC: But tricks are meant to amuse the audience. It’s not quite like your character. Why did you agree to this show?

Shaw: I didn't want to agree to it at first, but I liked the role very much. MC: Do you mean you really like it? Are you referring to the Monkey King? Shaw: uh-huh. MC: Do you like the Monkey King? Shaw: What do you mean, you don't like it?

Shaw's rhetorical question was a bit too natural, so I waved my hand with a smile.

MC: No, no, I mean I didn’t expect you to like the Monkey King enough to be willing to play him.

Shaw raised an eyebrow, his fork gliding through the cream twice.

Shaw: I didn't have the chance when I was young. Growing up, I had to experience it at least once.

I caught the key words instantly.

MC: Your childhood dream was not to become the Monkey King, right? Shaw: Don't you want to?

The tone of this rhetorical question is even more natural this time. I'm both surprised and amused, always feeling...

It was as if I was holding the hand of kid Shaw whom I had never seen before.

Now I seem to have only one last question left for this perfect birthday.

MC: So why have you been in such a good mood lately? Just because you get to play the Monkey King?

Shaw [ponders over a bit]: Yes and no. Mainly because here, I can satisfy what I wanted to do when I was young—unrestrained, free, and easy. MC: You seem pretty free and easy in Loveland City too. Shaw: It's different. MC: What's the difference?

I asked this question twice, but Shaw didn't answer. He just looked at me with a smile.

After a while, he suddenly spoke.

Shaw [hesitant]: MC, do you think I seem particularly childish and domineering today? MC: Hm?

Upon careful reflection, today's Shaw indeed rigorously exercised the authority of "the birthday star is the greatest," appearing much more assertive and straightforward than usual.

Upon this realization, the question he just avoided answering... I seem to have... a hint of an answer. I chuckled.

MC: Perhaps just a little bit, but it's nice to give yourself a reason to be childish for a day, isn't it? MC: And there is someone to be childish with you.

I pointed to myself. Shaw looked satisfied, leaned over, and took away the last trace of cream from my lips.

Shaw [pleased with her answer]: That's right, it's great to have you by my side. Shaw: "The Monkey King" has had enough freedom. It's time to return with you to Loveland City, back to the mortal world.

—

🙉 Epilogue 

🙉 Call

🙉 Texts

🙉 Video call 

🙉 ASMR 

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

"Note from the translator"

Heya! I hope all of you're in good health. It has been a while since I last posted something, life has been quite hectic for me 🫠. Annnyways first of all I apologize if you find my translations sloppy or find any mistakes, plz feel free to tell me. I'm currently so busy right now that I've hardly had time for other stuff, Summer courses + internships are quite overwhelming 😵‍💫for me. So plz don't think that I've given up on Shaw cuz I'll never ever give up on him😤!! I'll translate his content wholeheartedly but do expect late updates from me! I just wanted to clarify this so that you guys don't think that I've abandoned this blog.

That's all from me! Thank you sooooo much for all of your support and please continue supporting me in the future cuz it adds more fuel to my motivation🥰! Have a nice day!

—

[amtrak12]

HELP! I've fallen down a Bering and Wells hole again and can't stop watching fanvids. I misssssss them!!! 😢

[selfishpresley]

Listening to Lana Del Rey’s Honeymoon album and licking these photos…

This is Ultraviolence coded.

I neeeeed to be his young girlfriend with daddy issues!!

[tumblweeds-omegaverse]

random omegaverse thought:

There must be people who experience specific instinct things with indifference or boredom.

Procreative cycle coming up? "Crap, I've got plans this weekend...stupid skip weeks."

Caught an intriguing scent while walking? "But I need to get to work! Shut up brain."

Had a snap response to a distressed sound? "Who was it?! ...right, it's my day off, I can go back to sleep."

Somebody growled at them? "Kid, I'm not a rival, that's my sibling."

Super cozy cuddle session happening nearby? "I'm gonna pass tonight guys, no social battery left, maybe next time."

Group of friends heading out to flirt and check out other singles? "I'm coming with you but only to make sure you all get home safe."

Setting where fated mates or soul bonds or permanent marks are a thing? "Meh. I don't really want one or care if I ever get one."

People in the actual omegaverse would get as bored of their stuff, as we do of ours, you know? It could be interesting to see that kind of vibe in fics. Biological demands faced with all the excitement of paying bills or doing laundry or tying your shoes.

Even if that kind of energy might not drive a plot, it could be interesting to have as a contrast to the people who do have big feelings about them - good or bad.

There's the friends who can't wait til they have a pack of their own, and the one friend who isn't against it but couldn't care less. There's the group in the office who are all about scent compatibility tests and figuring out one's best match and what sprays most highlight it, and the coworker who has no intentions on putting that much effort in. There are parents who hover and protect their offspring by scenting them multiple times a day, and others who don't see what the fuss is as long as it's done in the morning.

...also: packs with introverts who show care by giving each other space. So often, closeness is depicted through physical touch and tactile affection, but comfortable silence is meaningful too. Knowing people are near, but not having to interact until you're ready. Sitting in the same room doing different things, knowing that all it takes is a "hey, look at this" to share what you're up to. People understanding and accepting each other's differing or fluctuating needs for how and when to recharge. Seeing somebody reaching out or sharing space, beyond what's their norm, as a signal of the fact that they care.