#might I interest you in some self-indulgent fluff on this Tuesday morning?

[critrolesideblog]

This is foolish. Essek took a deep breath in and out through his nose to calm his nerves, making sure to keep his face calm. Foolish, foolish, foolish.

A thunderous explosion shook the stone streets, and Essek's hand was at the components pouch at his waist, fast as light, as . . .

Another volley of fireworks lit up the Hupperdook sky and a jubilant roar went up among the townsfolk milling about in the street. Vendors selling silk flowers, colorful banners on sticks, firecrackers, street food, and beer shouted their wares as they moved through the crowd. A crowd that Essek, clad in a paper-thin illusion, stood largely head and shoulders above. A Kryn man walking through the heart of Dwendalian industry. Foolish.

Foolish... and a little thrilling, knowing, as he did, that the prize of a warm welcome and an evening with friends awaited him at the end of this foolish, foolish gauntlet.

At last, he located his destination and pulled open the door to be met with a rush of warmth and noise. It was, if possible, louder inside the tavern than outside. There were musicians playing a lively tune in the far back. It was a popular tune apparently, judging by the sheer number of patrons turning merrily in the center of the dance floor, and there in the middle of them, sticking out like two bright planets in a sky full of stars, was Caleb and Jester. They spun around each other maddeningly, dizzyingly, laughing all the while.

"There you are! We were beginning to wonder if you'd gotten lost."

Fjord was in front of him suddenly, clapping him on the shoulder. It was disconcerting to be recognized so quickly, even if he had told Jester the nature of his disguise ahead of time: a tiefling, with skin, hair, and freckles the same shade of blue as Jester's. His illusory horns looped back, following closely along the curve of his skull and back out again in the place where his real ears were. The face was modeled a bit on Kingsley, and his eyes he had left their usual lilac.

"Ah, well, there were some shifty individuals in Jrusar that I thought might be on my tail, but -- aaAAah!"

Fjord's arms were around him, pulling him into the swirling mass of bodies.

"Let's get them off your tail then, shall we?"

Essek fell into position with decades of courtly practice, as Fjord took the lead, glancing around for openings in the crowd and guiding them through. Essek glanced around as well, trying to get the gist of the dance.

"I-- I am afraid I do not know this one."

"And would the Shadowhand do a dance he did not know?!" Fjord asked, dipping his voice low, eyebrow raised, peering at him with great melodrama. "The spies are confused already!"

Essek ducked his head down as he suppressed a snort of laughter. When he looked back up, Fjord was peering over his shoulder intently, eyebrows and chin raising slightly, as if nodding assent to someone. Essek turned his head to see who he was looking at, but at that moment, Fjord turned them both quickly. Essek narrowed his eyes at him.

"What are you up to?"

Fjord grinned, mischievously. "Just returning a favor."

And with that, Essek found himself being spun away from Fjord, through the crowd, and into the arms of one, Caleb Widogast.

Caleb's face was at turns surprised, confused, and delighted, as his eyes took in Essek's strangely-familiar face and then met his very familiar eyes. He threw his head back as he laughed joyously, pulling Essek close, and Essek could hear Jester and Fjord cackling victoriously over the din in the distance. He relaxed into Caleb's closer-than-proper dance hold, feeling the nerves of the day fade away as they made a lazy loop around the dance floor.

"It is good to see you, Caleb Widogast," he murmured, when Caleb's Lucidian blue eyes met his again.

"You as well, my dear. I'm glad you could make it."

"As am I." He glanced over Caleb's shoulder and spied Jester and Fjord at the edge of the dance floor, grinning, murmuring to each other. Jester's gaze caught his, and she waggled her eyebrows at him. "Fjord mentioned something about 'returning a favor.' Do you know what that was about?" Caleb's eyebrows rose, and as they turned again, he peered over Essek's shoulder toward the edge of the dance floor as well.

"Ah, I will explain later," he said with a small smile, and then leaned in to whisper in Essek's ear. "I think they are talking about us." The feel of his breath against his ear sent a shiver down Essek's spine.

"Well, then, let us give them something to talk about."

The music crashed into a raucous finale as Essek took the lead, pulling Caleb closer still. There was an instant of surprise on Caleb's face before Essek spun them a final, sharp turn and dipped him backwards as he leaned down and kissed him.

A chorus of wolf whistles and cat calls erupted from a particularly rowdy table at the side of the dance floor, full of familiar voices. He could feel Caleb laughing against his mouth as a warm hand pressed gently against the back of his neck, and for a moment, all was right with the world.

Fjord's voice called out over the din.

"You're welcome!"

[kpopchangedme]

A fortuitous encounter with Jung Daehyun might be exactly what you need to take your mind off your recent breakup.

Protagonists: Jung Daehyun & You

Word Count: 1.3k

Genre: Angst - Fluff - Barista!au

Lyly’s note: Here; have this Daehyun drabble because my drunk bias-wrecked feelings are way out of hand.

M A S T E R L I S T

 That damn downpour.

You reach your hand forward, letting it get soaked. The edge of your red coat turns darker, drinking the rainwater. Darker, like my heart. You can’t help the grim giggle that escapes your lips at your sarcastic thought. You always despised people who indulge in self-pity over a simple relationship. You aren’t usually like that. Still, maybe you should give yourself a pass. Allow yourself to feel the gloomy weather in your bones, let it engulf you. Just for a day, acknowledge that you aren’t almighty, aren’t as unaffected by your cheating ex-boyfriend as you wish you’d be.

The sound of the heavy rain on the bus shelter you’re waiting in is deafening. The sky has been crying for almost two weeks now. Has it already been two weeks? You shrug at your own question. Who knows? Does it matter? They say time is unimportant when it comes to heartbreak. It can take days, weeks or sometimes months. He seems to be moving on just fine while you are stuck in this sad, seemingly eternal rain.

“UGH. I can’t believe it! It’s a real deluge!” A man enters the bus shelter, shaking the rain of his dark grey coat and umbrella. “How is this even possible? Global warming?” You’re alone, but you’re not sure he’s speaking to you since he’s turned away. He ignores your lack of reaction and goes on: “I mean; where’s that much water coming from? Like, really clouds, you’re going to be dicks like that?!” Facing straight in front of you, your lips curl into a subtle smile; he seems to be quite a colorful character. “I hear houses are flooded everywhere outside the city. Don’t you just hate weather on these days?”

“I guess rain feels right when you’re sad.” The stranger falls silent, taken aback by your taciturn statement. For a whole minute he stays quiet and you start to believe you’ve killed his need for small talk.

“I wish winter would come faster, don’t you think snow is better than that? Snow is cold, but at least it’s pretty and less depressing.” You shrug and the man sighs. “Anyway, when is this bus coming? Have you been waiting for lon- Oh!” At his exclamation, you steal a glance sideways and find that he’s staring at you with renewed interest.

“7:15 Latte?” The man claps his hands, seemingly pleased. “That’s you! 7:15 Latte, right?” Frowning, you turn to face him, not getting what he’s talking about. “Ah sorry! I mean; you are the one who always comes in on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings to get a Latte, right?”

That’s when you recognize him too; his friendly grin, playful conversation skills and gorgeous dark puffy eyes.

“Ah, yeah yeah… That’s me.” You face forward again, vaguely embarrassed to be meeting an acquaintance. You don’t even know his name, never took the time to read his nametag. Accidental meetings like this make you uncomfortable; you never know what to say to a person who’s almost a stranger.

“Right!” The young man chuckles, pleased. “I thought I it was you!” You wish the bus would come this instant. It’d interrupt this impromptu conversation; keep you from feeding your devious curiosity. You want to know about the girls he probably saw come in on Tuesdays or Wednesdays mornings; the other girls. You bite the interior of your cheek to keep from yielding to your self-destruction tendencies.

“You haven’t come in for a while! Are you one of those rare human beings that can survive without caffeine?” He laughs, ignoring everything of your inner battle. “Or are you grabbing your coffees elsewhere?” His voice dies down, almost sad and you shake your head.

“It just…” The man cocks his head to the side, genuinely curious, awaiting for your explanation. You know he doesn’t really want to know about that, but still; it’s the truth. “Your coffee shop is actually across the street of my ex’s apartment.”

“Oh…” His face falls for a second then goes back to his usual warm expression. “I get it… An Ex… Two weeks, right?” You nod; amazed that he remembers when you stopped coming in. The man’s shoulders begin to shake like he’s repressing laughter.

“Is there something funny about my breakup?” You ask, trying and failing to not sound offended by his amusement.

“No.” He winces and then bites his lips to refrain from grinning. “I mean yes.” You raise an eyebrow and he shakes his head at your inquiring look. “Wah- It’s just weird… I don’t know why, but I never thought about the possibility of you having a boyfriend!” He chuckles again, nervous.

“What?” You suck in a breath, way more affected by his opinion of your love life than you should be. For some reason, this man insinuating you aren’t datable bothers you. “What’s so surprising about me having a boyfriend?!” A cheating, liar and shitty boyfriend, but still.

“Oh no! That’s not it!” He wiggles on his feet, your sensitive reaction visibly making him uncomfortable. “I’m just glad that I never actually asked you out before.” He lets out the same nervous laugh. Asked me out? You watch as he pouts pensively. “It would have been kinda humiliating…”

“You…Wow…” You breathe out in disbelief “the cute barista wanted to ask me out?”

“You think I’m cute!?” The man beams and his plump lips curl up to reveal perfect pearly white teeth. There’s no way a guy like that doesn’t know how hot he is. “My name’s Daehyun…” He pauses to ponder on something. “But I definitely prefer cute barista!” He claps his hands, laughing with his whole body. “I think it sounds way better, I can’t wait to tell Himchan, that I-” he points a finger to his chest “-am the cute barista. Burst his bubble!” You stare at him with a mix of incomprehension and shock. “So what’s your name, 7:15 Latte?”

“Y/n.” It’s your turn to laugh this time and he smiles wider, satisfied. The sight warms you, making you almost forget about the gloomy weather.

“Nice to finally meet you Y/n… May I propose something?” He leans in and waits until you nod to go on. “It’ll eventually stop raining…” Daehyun stops to comically mimic skepticism and you find yourself laughing again. “When it does and you feel better… I’m thinking, maybe you could come visit the cute barista to get a coffee. On the house, I mean… If you want to?”

“I would like that… A lot.” You feel a blush tint your cheeks and you smile, suddenly timid. “When the sun comes back?”

“Please…” Daehyun grimaces. “Please don’t wait ‘til Summer… This isn’t what I meant by sun. I’m just saying that you should drop by my coffee shop when you’re ready. I’m actually a co-owner by the way… When you’re over the one-that-lives-across-the-street… We could meet each other and hang-”

“Daehyun” You interrupt his babbling when the public bus you were waiting for turns the corner of the street.

“We agreed on cute barista” He corrects. “But, please, do go on…” Chewing on his lower lip, he glances down at you, hopeful.

“I get it; you’re asking me out.” You look sideways at the bus that’s approaching his stop. “And my answer is; Yes, I’ll drop by the coffee shop soon…”

“Wow! Uh- I mean perfect…” For a second he seems surprised and you giggle. “I’ll eagerly wait for the sun to come back then!” He nods, opening his umbrella again.

“Wait, aren’t you getting on?” You ask curious as the doors open in front of the shelter. The cute barista turns to smile warmly at you, one last time.

“Oh, I forgot to confess; I wasn’t really waiting for that bus!”

M A S T E R L I S T