#most of these songs were chosen purely for the way they sound

[valeriianz]

A playlist just filled to the brim with vibes and vibrations for Endless in my Dreamling Band AU. I've never made a playlist for a fanfic, but found myself cataloging all the music I'd been listening to while figuring out what Endless in my story might sound like. It's fun too, because every single song here could have been picked by each of the members (Dream, Desire, Death, Despair, and Delirium). Associating which tracks belong to which member of Endless is up to interpretation!

Here's a YouTube playlist if you prefer that :)

[oncomingnight]

ೄྀ࿐DO YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU DO?

yandere! 80's male pop duo x reader

Dimitris and Seth have been the best of friends since they were young school boys. The two of them would regularly perform little 'concerts' in the others garage, practically torturing the neighbors with the shrilling noise of sticks hitting tin cans. The only thing they ever wanted to truly accomplish in life was to be able to make music with each other. As they grew older and experimented with their sound, their harmonious and incredibly danceable music immediately sky rocketed in terms of success. Fans were constantly fainting and waving their arms around when they attended one of their concerts, it was a common occurrence for at least five undergarments to be thrown onto stage during a show of theirs.

They each had their own unique look that attracted dozens of people. Seth had his tanned skin, dark brown fluffed out hair with a caramel colored streak going right through it, the beauty mark right under his eye, his droopy brown eyes and the gold hoops hanging from his ears. Dimitris had his short silky black hair, umber skin that became dewy under the sun, his thick Tunisian accent, the dimples that appeared on his face even at the slightest hint of a grin and his naturally heavy lashes.

The both of them will join forces in writing and producing music based on their intense love and devotion towards you. Several of the songs would be accompanied with hyper beats and catchy ad libs, others would be paired with voices filled with desperation and pure agony along with an emotion rendition of their piano. The second option perfectly depicts their never-ending affection towards you, they love you so much that they're willing to cause terror to anyone who opposes their behaviour.

Even if they were to potentially be caught for their rage-filled actions, nothing would ever come from it. Everyone would suspect that some 'rando' trying to make for themselves planted the evidence against Dimitris and Seth. The two of them are loved internationally by the young and old, they're the most likely to be deemed as honest and trust-worthy than some random people accusing them of actions that they would never commit.

"Even if they did actually do all that, maybe those creeps deserved it." "Yeah, they're total barf bags."

Neither of them fit the stereotypical '80's rockstar' persona because they didn't necessarily write rock'n'roll music but that was how their music was categorized at times, and, they don't have sex with random women, or more so, groupies. Neither do they write songs with hidden racist meanings as some of the other people in the same career path as them do.

The both of them absolutely believe that you deserve nothing but the best, they do everything in their will power to prove this to you, as well. They go all out when it comes to certain holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. On the day of your birthday, you'll wake up to the house filled to the brim with roses in vases, gifts sent by highly regarded celebrities along with fashion and makeup brands, notes that the two men wrote in admiration for you, a scheduled party at a nearby chateau and immediate tenderness from the both of them as soon as they see you stir awake.

Dimitris and Seth take immense joy in spoiling you with everything and anything you could ever want. With the way the two of them present themselves to the world, it's no surprise to anyone when they find out that the both of them enjoy dolling you up.

and they do an amazing job at it.

Seth will match your shoes to the chosen dress he'd purchased just for you at an antique market, applying your choice of powdered make-up to your face, clasping a diamond necklace around your neck and kissing your lips when he's finally finished. Then, when the cold night finally arrives, he'll wipe and wash your face, massage your scalp along with your body as the two of you sit in a warm bath he'd drawn. After washing your face with a light blue 'Pré de Provence' soap bar, he'll gently pat your cheeks, lean in to kiss your forehead before saying,

"My beautiful baby, aren't you just perfect? Say it, tell me you're perfect."

Dimitris adores taking you out to taste several different sweet and savory meals that you aren't even able to pronounce. As the two of you sit in a dimly lit restaurant, paparazzi are taking photographs of him looking at you with a severely love-drunk facial expression. A magazine with the headline, "Dimitris and his shared lover, newly head over heels fool!"

You always tag along with them when they go on tour, no matter what, you're going! If you don't work from home and your schedule is the issue, they'll just bribe your boss with some harmless money

just kidding! They don't want you working outside of your shared five bedroom home in Hollywood, California. They'll never hold you hostage in your own home, are you...crazy? They honestly don't want to even think about you struggling with money and there's nothing more that they'd love to do than take care of you.

Seth will take you to meet his father on the sea-side villa he grew up in. The pleasant aroma of bamia and feteer meshaltet fill your nostrils and the thought of eating the prepped dishes makes you smile. His father offers up a warm and welcoming smile as he listens to you speak about your interests and what had drawn you to his son. He immediately finds your presence calming and wishes for you to visit him once more alongside his son. Even his father's dog, Neo, seems to like you as he sits on your lap whilst you're on the couch and speaking with Seth.

[queenendless]

CRIMSON

A/n: I legit don't know how to title this piece. Inspired by @xo-romiiarts and their artwork.

Also Guns for Hire by Woodkid fits this piece so listen to it while reading this or any song that gives dark!GoGe vibes.

CW ⚠️ : 4.7k worded piece with DARK MATURE themes/depictions of murder/genocide, teen dropouts/runaways, angst, hurt/comfort, romance/fluff, already established poly!teen!GoGe x fem!teen!curse seer!reader, set in an AU where the guys did go through with it ... you have been warned. ⚠️

Cause #261 and fanarts of Gojo saying yes to Geto have given me the push to finally get this out. I have been working on this since September of LAST YEAR SO I hope yall enjoy this.

And I'm working on a pt 2 to this set a few months to a year later of the aftermath. Cause Lord, Clan Head Gojo x Cult Leader Geto x Reader but they're dark now kinda I wanna explore in my own way. With them kids. Their kids. And scene.

*DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE, COPY, EDIT, PLAGARIZE, AND OR STEAL MY FANFIC WORK. Rather if you enjoy my fan work, then reblog, like, comment, n follow pls n thnx u.

"You're late, Suguru."

Indeed he was.

"No … I guess you got here fast. There are several Star Religious Group facilities in the city, after all."

Something felt seriously off the moment the snowy-haired sorcerer raised his head.

"Satoru? Is that you?"

The look in his eyes … practically radiating their potent rebirth … a stark contrast to the fading scuffs of blood running down the left half of his face, down both sides of his mouth, weariness evident.

"What happened?"

This was not his Satoru. This one … had seen hell first hand. In a twisted way, they both have today. Literally at death's door.

"I see you already saw Shoko."

"Yeah, she healed me. I'm fine now."

And yet, a long sleeved uniform arm slipped out from under the sheet, swaying a bit til staying still as a lifeless corpse would be.

"No … me being safe doesn't help anything here."

Not when he failed to keep their promise to Riko-chan. She was ready to walk away from the merger with him. Choosing to live for herself rather than follow her pre-chosen fate. Yet, fate had other plans. A cruel one, at that.

"I screwed up. You're not at fault." Gojo sounded so blunt, so calm … willing to accept all the blame for their greatest failure yet.

"Let's head back."

An eerie ringing began penetrating Geto's hearing as the clapping kept going. He chalked that up as an explanation as to why he thought he misheard Gojo's next words.

"Suguru, should we kill these guys? The way I feel right now, I doubt I'd feel anything about it."

As the form of Gojo carrying Amanai's draped body was being overshadowed by the pure white radiance of the smiling clapping cultists, Geto's morality dilemma prodded his mind, unable to meet Gojo's gaze.

"No. There's no point. It looks like there are only common believers here. The masterminds who know about our world have probably fled already. And unlike with the bounty, they won't be able to talk their way out of this. The organization had problems to begin with. It'll be dissolved soon enough."

Geto, standing in the pure white room of morality, starkly contrasted Gojo as he brushed past him and stood in the crimson room of immorality.

"No point, huh? Does there really need to be any point to it?"

Does there need to be a rhyme or reason for them to act on this? Ideally yes. They may be above the laws in most cases, but even sorcerers can't enact vengeance on regular humans. Unless they were curse users or even like the Sorcerer Killer, they couldn't lay a hand on them.

Realistically?

Right now?

The clapping grew louder, mocking him. Antagonizing him.

Gleefully celebrating her death and their own damaged, traumatizing failure.

Geto's left hand curled into a fist.

His morals were conflicting with his personal feelings; his fist shaking in restrained emotion.

His almond eyes, weariness tainting his eyebags, finally looked up.

Out at the clapping, smiling crowd.

"It's very important that there is. Especially for a jujutsu sorcerer."

Even the cruelest scum of the Earth get away scot free, never facing retribution. Darkness grew underneath him, outstretched to reach their seemingly untouchable light, as his fractured moral code made way for his true inner self to finally show its true colors.

"But not us …"

Gojo stiffened. Slightly looking back over his shoulder, peering inside the open doorway, his radiating Six Eyes turned on at the darkened gaze of Geto's eyes slightly looking back in return.

"Not today."

Rage and distraught guides him.

He would right this wrong.

To the bloody damn end.

Now triggered by those firm, final words, Gojo's heightened state strengthened as he set Amanai's body down gently on the hallway floor, the anger he didn't feel on her behalf in his rematch against the fallen Zen'in man was finally making its appearance, intertwining with an unhinged drive for chaos in his blood as a twisted gleam overtook his lips.

Survival of the weakest. Discouragement of the strong. That's how society should be; one where jujutsu sorcerers protect non-sorcerers. That's what he always strived to uphold despite his inner demons. But now… they as sorcerers still failed in the end.

Riko-chan, Kuroi-san, the weak but good ones, now dead by the orchestration of these unforgivable heinous —

"Monkeys." Having seen that monkey assassin's standing corpse himself on his way inside; decimated and dripping with bloodied spilled guts, made Geto wish he could deal the killing blow himself back in Tengen's domain.

This would have to do, feeling ready to puke when he uttered the same word as that scarred mouthed bastard, wincing as the shadowed hole he summoned released his newest curse.

The same cursed worm draped over his shoulder, opening its mouth to pop out the handle of a cursed tool, one Geto pulled out as swiftly as Gojo began ascending to heights unbound, slicing the cursed energized blade through the air as tears sprung from his unforgiving dark eyes.

"DIE!"

Those monkeys' glee changed to confusion then bursting out in waves of panic as the blade grew in length the more Geto spread his cursed energy into it.

Several heads got sliced sideways, splattering blood over some's prime white apparel, kicking off the shrill hysterics.

In an instant, Gojo blips out of sight only to plow through a row of them scurrying ants in his way like the cursed speedster he had become.

Blown off head chunks.

Fists jutted right through their torsos right and outta their spines.

Setting off carnage filled piñatas left and right.

Trained on every weakling in his sight, Gojo's uniform grew darker as more blood seeped further in with each blow.

Reappearing as he grabbed a randomly chosen neck, snapping it in two with ease, before blocking a panicking one that tried socking him from behind, glowing eyes narrowed in as he clenched their fist before ripping their arm right off with swift ease. Their tortured screech is heard one moment, the sound of bones crunching in Gojo's other hand the next.

Through hatred fueled adrenaline, Geto cleaved in them guts to match the mutilated limbs that rolled across the crimson spreaded floor.

Those attempting to flee were squandered as the force field of Limitless smooshed them, splattering the now cracked dented walls; minced red.

Many more sunken noggins soared in the air, sprinkling red from on high.

Screams and splatters became the symphony of Pandemonium.

Flinging the chain around the neck of one, Geto swung them like a chain and ball, crushing many others against the walls.

Those petrified hideous faces get their brains ruptured out; globby chunks vomiting out by mere cursed thought.

Many rammed right into the glass window ceiling, sending cracks racing in its wake, the pure white sunlight becoming a neon red.

Shards of glass rained down, deflected by Limitless as the pair found themselves back to back, watching with callousness as many were skewered like porcupines.

Limbless lumps of lifeless flesh plastered every inch of the once pristine interior from every wall, crevice, and even the ceiling had scarlet drenching it.

Their haggard breaths and sweaty burning faces aside, their dark craving for retribution still lingered in them both.

It wouldn't be enough.

Not until every last member was eviscerated.

Dismissing the worm, Geto scanned the room, trembling at the grotesque aftermath.

His cerise painted hands hung limply at his sides.

Amiss the madness, their residuals were there.

Fortunately they knew to an extent how to hide them. However long those held out, they couldn't waste a moment. Any longer than that spent here meant capture followed by immediate execution.

Feeling himself moving by a firm grasp tugging on his hand, his light headed state transitioned to a frigged one over what they had just committed. The solid squeeze of Gojo's sizzling hand helped pull him further out of his own unsteady mindset.

"Satoru …" He internally felt revolted at having those monkeys wretched blood covering his skin.

"Suguru."

Through the path of red, his closest friend – his ally in genocide – turned to him with cherry-red streaking his unbuttoned jacket and the collared white undershirt, for his glowing – exhausted – eyes were scarred with the brutal truth. Reaching his stained, steadfast hands out for that stained lost face, Gojo rested his forehead against Geto’s, staring into those stricken eyes of one of his most greatest treasures.

"Come with me. Let's get away.”

Blood trickled down from the ceiling, spilling along their hair, staining their faces, but both couldn't care less as they sealed it with a kiss. Lost in the bloody euphoria, relishing in one another's warmth.

The new taste of searing iron overtook the repelling flavor of cursed spirits, overwhelming the pair as Geto clawed at Gojo's back and the latter's hands massaged the former's supple cheeks, bringing muffled moans outta them both.

It feels right … anywhere … as long as it's with each other. It's just right.

Wherever they end up, whatever it may be, may it be nowhere near here whenever whichever sorcerers would be sent to investigate this now scene of massacre.

Once partners in sorcery.

Now partners in crime.

What a send off for them, the newly dropouts.

The clapping halted.

The ringing faded.

Their hearts felt lighter.

But something still felt off.

Someone was missing.

"Y/n." Geto's eyes opened to stare into Gojo's as they parted lips. "We can't leave her behind … we can't …"

Knowing their cursed seer partner probably foresaw the bloody chain of events that had recently just transpired in the last few hours. But knowing how abrupt they can be, maintaining and willing them into your mind’s eye was still a burdening struggle, ergo you being left behind at school for tiring training.

The heavy fog of bloodlust and tension between them lifted for now Geto's eyes lightened at sensing that familiar presence. He knew Gojo sensed it as well, for his glowing eyes followed his lead, taking Riko back in his arms, the duo raced to the surface outside.

You had ran outta the car that dropped you off down the street. You gulped to stifle back the bile at the gory sight of the fallen Zen’in still standing; the bloody puddle reaching for you now.

Your gaze averted once you spotted them coming out, hurrying over, your stomach churning at how scrapped up and red they appeared, but your empathy outweighed the disgust as Geto caught you in his heavy weighted grasp.

The fear in Geto's eyes mingled with confusion and concern. "Y/n … I … we –!”

Gojo’s eyes slanted as you kept your face hidden. "Did you get a vision?”

Your shaky nod against Geto’s chest paired with your ashamed tone. “I was too late … I,” An anxious pause of silence stretched between you three. “Shoko told me where you were headed after healing you … then came another one … of course you two would get Riko’s body back …”

They waited for the heart shattering blow. The final nail in the coffin. You shunning them away, cutting ties immediately. Rejecting them for their heinous act. Fleeing away in horror to Jujutsu High, reporting their sorry asses and ousting them as traitors. All the above — !

“The system would have let these zealots slip through the cracks. They … their assassin … they all deserve to rot in hell for what they've done … all because of Tengen … Kuroi and Amanai have been avenged.” Your callous tone kinda threw them off a tad bit.

Geto gulped. “You … You're okay with it?”

Your head finally rose up, the glossy layer to those e/c eyes sparkled from the sliver of sunset. "I know I can't make up for letting you all down … and no amount of apologies can redeem my blunder … but I can do this at least. I'll bring her back to the school, back to Kuroi-san. They deserve to be laid to rest together.”

You reluctantly pull away from Geto’s warmth; uncaring about the red stains smearing your clothes now, to take the wrapped up body as Gojo gently passes her into your arms, melancholy heavy on your face but the strength of resolve aiding you in carrying her. “My place is with you two. Always. Now more than ever.”

Geto’s eyes pricked with burning warmth; your willingness to stay despite everything, as he kissed your temple. “We should be apologizing to you.”

“There's still more of those facilities in the city left standing. We're not finished just yet.” Gojo's voice spoke doom for their upcoming targets, a stark contrast to his own kiss to your forehead being so sweet.

“They all need to go. Every single one of them.” Geto clenched his veiny hands, determined to see this through to the end. “We will return for you. If you wouldn't mind packing our things for us by the time we show up …”

You nodded, sadly smiling. "Don't keep me waiting too long.”

Their brisk nods to you paired with smooches to your cheeks were all you were given before you watched them holding hands then warping away.

The driver stayed silent as they drove your contemplative self, keeping her cold self close to your warmth, back to school for the last time.

°•○•°•○•°°•○•°•○•°°•○•°•○•°°•○•°•○•°°•○•

The sun had set.

Crimson painted the sky.

A young girl's life ended by a gunshot to the head.

Two young teens, forced to face the cruel reality of their lives through near death.

The Star Religious Group Headquarters.

House of the Children of the Star.

Their monotheistic religion spent worshiping their absolute God; Tengen.

Crossing the wrong sorcerers, nearly costing them their lives in the process at the hands of their hired assassin; the Zen'in clan failure.

Their facilities left as ruins scattered in ruble, collapsed craters layering the grounds, red painting the toppled stone and marble.

The trauma of near death, failing to keep their promises to protect their friends' lives, and losing to a physically gifted human … their pride as the strongest duo now tarnished.

Retribution.

Selfish desires made to fruition.

With Riko-chan now gone, the assimilation was now void.

Tengen-sama had evolved.

The barrier hiding the school's location was weakened and easily spotted by the Six Eyes.

You solo carried Riko to the morgue, spotting your senpai and fellow kouhai watching you from the distance, ignoring your driver hurriedly running to inform Yaga-sensei of the turn of events, but only making eye contact with Shoko as she was standing out front by the entrance, already expecting you, prepared for the worst.

You two stayed silent, understanding exactly just from seeing the acceptance in your gaze.

Seeing the covered bodies laying side by side on the tables, you prayed over the mother daughter pair, believing the guys would stop by to do the same, hopefully.

As you just finished zipping up one of three duffle bags meant for each of you in your room, you felt the ripples through the Force that is cursed energy.

The fuse was lit. The air pricked with sparks as those two set off a chain reaction.

You could visualize the facilities up in flames.

“You really are idiots.” Shoko leaned against the open doorway, smoke in her disapproving frown. “To think they'd go this far … and you're bailing with them.”

“My whole world ended when I lost my mom. My dad was a broke ass deadbeat. Then I was discovered, brought here and met you all. You became the family I needed … so I thought that was enough. But those two … they're my everything. We ride or die together. You can join us or stay here. That goes for you two as well, ya know.”

You felt Haibara and Nanami hiding behind the wall before joining Shoko in the sliding doorway. By the looks on their faces, the news spread like wildfire.

“If I go with you guys, then the higher ups will force my sister to take my place.” Haibara frowned at the guilty truth.

“Rules and regulations keep us in line, as much as they suck.” Nanami sulked.

“Those old cods view us all as disposable tools. We're not heroes. We have our own ideals, desires, lives even. And if it means I may die down the line because I choose to walk away, then I'd rather die with freedom than serve them as their obedient lapdog.” You spoke devotedly.

“I don't get it.” The blunt tone and her aversion to eye contact made you realize how left out Shoko still felt that her two crazy guy friends were willing to leave them – leave her – behind.

“It'd be nice to have you by our side Ieiri … but I know you still have Utahime to consider.” You grinned at seeing the tiny pink tinted rise to her cheeks.

“You're our classmates! To have you and our senpai be branded as curse users, I don't want to have to fight you guys!” Haibara's angry tears made your heart waver. Your own eyes burned with cursed energy.

The static film reel of seeing your guys getting savagely brutalized, Riko and Kuroi's murders, even further down the line … glimpsing Haibara scarred and pale and so damn still —

“You're still our friends. Always.”

Even with glistening chibi eyes and stubbornly pursed lips, Haibara realized you had made up your mind, reaching Nanami's hand to squeeze and be his anchor.

“It's not a crime to be a kid, but the accumulation of life's little despairs make you become an adult. Remember that.” Nanami understood that much, knowing the guys are capable of setting the world on fire when pushed too far. Like so.

Blinking back tears yourself, you nodded. “If you ever need us or change your mind, you know how to reach us.”

Throwing the duffle bags outta the window before jumping out yourself took them all by surprise. Jutting their heads out, they were relieved yet anxious spotting Geto's manta ray cursed spirit flying away, the bags and you safe across his lap and wrapped up in his arms.

His crestfallen gaze back at them was the last sight of him they received when they also spotted Gojo floating on high, gazing at them with melancholy, the living example of Nanami's parting words to you.

Knowing deep in your intuition they snuck into the morgue to pay their final respects to Riko and Kuroi before retrieving you, you kept quiet about it, trusting them wholly to catch you as well.

On that day, everything changed.

On that night, there was no turning back.

But to both yours and Geto's surprise, the boldness of Gojo as he landed right by you both on the manta ray and grasped Geto's shoulder, his suggestion for a hideaway took your breaths away.

The empty private home – one of quite many – belonging to his family's clan; this one gifted solely to him. Even as fugitives, making such a bold choice to hide there, Gojo sure is a wild child.

Wading in the waters of the giant tub to wash away the blood, flushing the pink tinted liquid down the drain, then filling up the tub once more made way for some scented oil that helped elevate the tranquil vibes.

“You're certain?” Geto scrubbed his shoulder length sudsy hair, brushing his wet locks.

“The clan has too many spots all over Japan. We crash here tonight, take what we can to sell for cash in case the geezers fry our bank accounts, then high tail someplace new. Like say, I don't know, overseas?” Gojo's lax assurance transformed him into a chibi in Geto's point of view; resting his head and arms back against the tub's rim.

Almond eyes darkened, catching the scar stretching from Gojo's lithe neck, across that toned chest, and stopping by his hip poking out of the bubbly water.

Exhaustion smeared with piqued intrigue and guilt in those blue eyes spotting the X shaped scar on Geto's sculpted chest.

Red tints colored their faces as pleased sighs left their lips at the warm water loosening up their stiff muscles, fingers weaving through each other's slick hair, bringing their faces closer, brown meeting blue as they stared longingly at each other.

The unique connection ergo magnetic attraction was evident. From clashing freshmen to still bickering but budding sophomores. And now, as fresh genocidal dropouts, they both looked like they aged a lot.

The contrasts, the similarities, their yin yang dynamic.

That and the fuzzy warmth was getting to them.

“I'm really glad you're alive.” Geto nuzzled his nose against Gojo's.

“RCT for the win.” That albino pecked the corner mouth of his raven.

Their tired giggles relieved the tension.

Brushing their bare dripping shoulders together, lips connected, initiating timid soft touches. Drool connected their heated tongues, their heated breath fanning one another's face, oh so close, wanting more.

Your hums of content grabbed their attention as you waded over to them, watching your round cheeks blowing soapy bubbles into their faces.

Running your hands down their scars made your lips tremble at the agony they went through. Entrapped in their arms, you hummed as their lithe hands caressed your supple smooth skin for they were touched by your gingerly layered kisses along their tender marked flesh.

Toru's yawning broke out, worrying you and Sugu who suggested you all start drying up. Toru was the most exhausted being actively awake using Six Eyes for 3 days straight.

But you all were, mentally and emotionally.

The electric dryer rumbled as your wet uniforms swirled within. The AC hummed in the backdrop.

Duffle bags left open as you three laid in the enormous bed, you three snuggled in close on the center.

Setting up a small simple altar in honor of Riko and Kuroi in the room gave you all some peace of mind, especially when burning some smoky incense to cleanse the place. To pray and hope that their souls were in a better place than the hell they're stuck on called Earth.

“I detest humanity. Swallowing cursed spirits made from the worst parts of their very existence for so long confirms that. Killing those cultists put my mind at ease … as horrible as that must be to you.” Suguru's weary gaze shifted to meet Satoru's now unsettlingly calm ones as they laid atop the bed beside each other, clad in just boxers, with you splayed across Satoru wearing just a large tee you all shared just cause.

“You've been feeling this way for a long time, then.” Suguru flushed as Satoru weaved his hand through those silky obsidian strands, free from the metaphorical shackles of his usual restrained bun. “I'm sorry I didn't realize it.”

Suguru's cheek nuzzled his wrist, breathing in Satoru’s cozy scent. “I never wanted you to. Or anyone for that matter. These are my own feelings to grapple with.”

Satoru's messy cat hair shook, tickling Suguru's face, closing his stinging eyes to let them rest for the moment as their foreheads touched. “Well, now, we'll carry that burden together.”

“We're branded as curse users now … we're on our own from here … and you're fine with that?” Sugu was skeptical for the most part.

“I never held hatred for anybody before … not even over Amanai's death … but I always knew my life would be spent as a living weapon for jujutsu society … a monster. And now that I've crossed the line … there's no coming back from that … but I'd do it all again …if it mended the pain you felt inside. I just … I don't want you suffering in silence anymore. I never want to leave you behind.” That soothing voice of his cracked.

Suguru was breathless seeing red in those reopened agonized eyes.

“Still … I took advantage of your heightened state and let my emotions cloud my judgment. I'm supposed to be the moral compass … yet I'm no better than those monkeys … and you nearly died because of them … I'm sorry Satoru … I'm so sorry.” Water hit Toru’s skin as the choked up weeping of his best friend smothered his shoulder.

“Hey, hey. I'm here, aren't I?” Keeping an arm wrapped around his partner, Satoru smooched the crown of Suguru's precious noggin, being tickled by those loose bangs in the face, shushing him and kissing that pierced ear of his. “And even you need to cut yourself some slack and lean on others too, ya know. And realize … you can't get rid of me that easily. You're stuck with this monster for a long time, Suguru~”

That possessive, enamored voice compelled Suguru to peak out and witness those lovesick eyes; the polar opposite to the tunnel vision of the reawakened Satoru Gojo that approached him with Riko-chan in his arms, struck right at his core.

The soft warm lamp on the side table paired with the sliver of moonlight between the curtains transformed their eyes into mini galaxies. Their own universe even to dwell in and share together.

“Hmm.” He brushed back Satoru's locks to spot the scar on his forehead and kiss that booboo. “You've bever been a monster to me. Just a goofy idiot.”

Elated chuckles hit his giant lobed ears as his resident goofball pecked his blushing nose. “Your goofy idiot, smart ass.”

“Awwww~”

Flinching at that familiar voice, the guys directed their flushed gazes to you; your cheek mushed against Toru's pillow chest, fawning over them with your e/c eyes, round with sparkles and hearts set a glow in ‘em.

“I agree with all the above. Don't mind me. Just get it on with the yaoi goodness.”

“How subtle.” Suguru's eyes crinkled with mirth.

“She's got good taste, though.” Satoru's feline grin followed, rolling you both over to smush you in between them, pecking your forehead. “Period.”

You frowned. “All the apologies in the world can't make up for me letting you two down today.”

“Nonsense.” Suguru disagreed as the back of your head cushioned in between his plush pecs. “Having you here with us makes this shitty day much better.”

“We all screwed up.” Gojo griped before it became a longer deeper yawn.

Your eyes glowed a moment before dying down, alerting them and reminding you. “Time for you to sleep. Cause we got a lot of shit to think over on how to move forward. For all of us.” His exasperated sigh was met by your chaste lips as you leaned up to kiss him; him returning it to suck them up.

“Yes ma'am.” His pouting turned to a dopey grin; growing wider when Suguru kissed him goodnight too. That finally conked him out, breathing softly, when Suguru's hand wrapped around your side, turning you to lay on your back so he could see you properly; eyes clad in guilt of his own.

“Y/n, in no way should you feel responsible for what happened. That assassin would have killed you too if you had gotten involved. If we lost you as well …” His forehead met yours, letting you kiss him slowly, pulling him in to relish your personal taste. “My hope is that they're in a better place now.”

“Me too … My visions are just as much an omen as they are an aid. In this world there are no guarantees for a peaceful living … but I believe in you two … no matter what … and I know in my heart this is worth it, risks and all.”

Your honest smile made him grateful for accepting him, despite all that's happened, his tears hitting your face in response so you kissed his tears away.

“Thank you, Y/n.” His whispers met your lips as you two got caught up in another kiss when you two grunted in surprise as Satoru flipped you both over, smothering you two under his precious heat.

“‘M love you both, mmh so much.” He mewled, sleepy eyes peeking open to drowsily smile down at you two.

“Satoru, we can't breathe.” A red faced Suguru wheezed out.

Satoru languidly laughed, “My bad.”

Thankfully, you three were able to get some shuteye that night.

They're your whole world now.

Deep down inside, they know they're both monsters, for that day brought the truth to light of their dark potential.

But they're your monsters.

Your empathetic, devious, passionate monsters.

And as far as the truth goes, you too are just the same.

Three of a kind, indeed.

[souperbloom]

hey, i had an idea for a fic where reader is part of the band and is dating ashton. she originally wrote 'english love affair' and it gets chosen on the dice while on tour, and ash gets jealous about her performing it coz she wrote it about someone else so he gets moody - mostly angsty, but kinda smutty towards the end?

the face i made when i first read this, omg. friend, you are a GENUIS. YES.

enjoy, you little genius. <3

————————

my english love affair [A.I.]

🎲 boyfriend!ash x bandmate!reader

after rolling the dice and performing a song about a girl you used to see, Ashton gets jealous over the fact that he’s not the one you’re singing about.

a/n: the boys have nicknamed you ‘peanut’. no reason, just thought it was cute and have been dying to use it :3

CONTENT WARNINGS: angst, tension, angry Ash, ref. to past hookups, strong language, ref. to weed, teasing (sexually & literally).

WORDCOUNT: ~3.9k

⋆⭒˚｡⋆

"Thank you, London! Goodnight!"

You watch with wide eyes as your frontman, Luke, blows kisses into the arena, at fans that had been reaching out to the stage since the moment the curtain fell.

A rush of adrenaline washes over you, faced with yet another insanely energetic crowd that had poured nothing less than their hearts out to you.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," You mouth out to them, your hands clasped over your chest in pure adoration.

Above all the screaming, a thunderous drum rollout plays you off; the familiar, rhythmic tapping sounding off like sirens in your head.

It extends for a few minutes longer than normal, as your bandmates throw gifts into the crowd.

You can’t help but look behind you at the drum kit, something you always find yourself doing no matter when or why. For your lover is the one behind those tubs; the one providing you with one of the most wicked bow outs of the century.

Your eyes quickly find the flurry of sweaty curls and drumsticks, anticipating his cymbal crashes as you’d learned them like the back of your hand.

As he destroys the final beats, his eyes glance up to you; a frantic, rage-fueled expression adorning his face with the final cracks at his cymbals.

The crowd grows louder, catching your attention— you take your eyes off of him for a moment, as the rest of the boys start to huddle around you.

"You fuckin’ killed it tonight, Peanut." A broad hand grips your shoulder, Michael ducking down to whisper in your ear beyond your ear piece.

"You too, Mikey."

Another hand wraps your back, Luke coming up to your side to give you a gentle squeeze.

As moments pass by, you and the rest of your bandmates get in order for the final bow. With Michael on your right and Luke on your left, you lean forward to watch Calum join the line.

Your brows then furrow when you notice a certain somebody taking a few extra minutes to toss his drumsticks into the crowd.

"What’s up with him?" Luke leans into the side of your face, gesturing towards your boyfriend with his eyes.

All you could do is shrug, before plastering a smile on your face and speaking through your teeth.

"Who the fuck knows."

Ashton seemed off, to say the least. You weren’t quite sure where his head was at since the second Luke sent that damn dice into the crowd. But the most you could do in this moment was grin, filled with overwhelming happiness at the reception of this incredible crowd.

"He’s coming," Luke mumbles, before switching whatever monotone face he had on into a smile.

"Finally."

You watch as Ashton joins the line, trying to sneak a glance at him over Luke and Calum’s bodies.

But he doesn’t even look up. His lips were painted into a straight line as Calum bends down to initiate your bow out.

You thought to yourself, as your bodies bent down to face the floor:

Whatever the fuck’s gotten into him better have a damn good explanation.

After the final bow to close another sold out show, you and the rest of the boys had made your way offstage.

Being the only girl in the band had its perks— you got your very own dressing room 90% of the time, one decked out with all of your favorite fixings and beverages.

But the best perk of all, was that the afterparties always happened in the boys’ room.

"What a fuckin’ show!" Calum pumps his fist triumphantly, as he is the first to lead you all into the room. He jumps up, smacking the top of the doorframe with his palms and letting out a hoot.

The rest of you funnel in, filled to the brim with adrenaline and post-show excitement.

"God, I know— The energy… fuckin’ electric, man…" Michael still seems in awe of it all, with unkempt pink locks that had been disturbed by him tossing off snapback.

"I feel like I could run a goddamn mile," Luke blurts, jogging in place.

You and Ashton are the last two to enter the room, Ashton still having barely spoken a word to you, or anyone else, since in your fifteen minutes of being off stage.

"You guys want anything to drink?" Calum asks, while Michael and Luke make their way to the couch.

"I’ll take a coke," you shrug, trying to ignore the elephant in the room that just so happens to be your brooding boyfriend.

"Really, Peanut? After a show like that, you’re settling for a can of coke? How about we put some Jack in that bitch and call it even?" Michael looks at you with teasing eyes as you wait for Ashton to find his seat.

Post-show parties and conversations were a ritual for you as a band— each of you needing your own times in the spotlight to debrief, and let off steam.

These gatherings you shared were like a perfectly thought-out routine. Mike and Luke sit down on their couch, Cal grabs the refreshments, and you make your way to your assigned seat on Ashton’s lap. Sometimes, Ashton would roll up a spliff for the four of you to share, especially if the show was one like tonight’s.

But Ashton lingering on his phone in the doorframe was never part of this routine. You didn’t like it one bit.

Michael, Calum, and Luke begin to talk amongst themselves, leaving you standing and watching your beau with worried eyes. His knuckles were practically going white as he anxiously ticked, mindlessly clawing at the pocket of his dress pants.

A snapping sound grabs your attention from across the room.

"Hey, lovebirds— the fuck’s up with you guys?" Luke quizzes, his brow quirked as Calum hands him a can of spiked seltzer.

You shake your head, "Fuck if I know."

Your words make Ashton’s head snap up from his phone; sending a bothered glance in your direction. But you just ignore it. You didn’t want to risk ruining a perfect night over some trivial bullshit.

"Well? Gonna’ take a seat, Ash? That chair’s got you and Y/N’s names all over it."

You stifle a giggle at Michael’s reference to you and Ashton’s routine, your eyes bouncing back and forth between your pink haired friend and your unamused boyfriend.

"C’mon baby, sit down," you coo, walking over to the brown leather arm chair that has been deemed your throne, "Let off some steam."

Ashton lets out a huff, causing the general chatter of the room to grow quiet. The rest of you watch in solace as Ashton shoves his phone in pocket, and walks towards you.

He brushes past your shoulder coldly, before sitting down with a loud sigh.

"Dude. What’s going on with you?— Lighten the hell up."

Calum’s jab only earns a nasty look from Ashton, but you just remain still, standing above him while he leans back comfortably in his arm chair.

There’s an awkward silence surrounding you all, before Ashton’s fingers start rhythmically tapping on his thigh.

"Well? I’m sitting," he says dryly, the first words he’d spoken in a while, "Happy now?"

Luke and Michael toss each other a look, before Calum walks over to you with your drink.

"I’d be happier if you put a smile on that face," Calum says, leaning down to be parallel with Ashton’s steely expression. You try your hardest to remain stern, putting your poker face on lockdown.

As much as you hated to see your boyfriend so solemn and serious, you found it a bit amusing.

Ashton was one of the least serious people you had ever come across, which is one of the reasons why you worked so well as a couple.

He’d tell jokes, you’d laugh, then fire one right back at him. It was just one of those indescribable instances that made the two of you perfect for each other.

But seeing him so stone-cold, so inexpressible, you were sure it was some sort of joke.

You test your luck, shuffling between his legs and fluttering down into his lap. Usually, his hands would instantly grab ahold of your waist, before chatting up a storm. But instead of that, his hands completely dodged your body, folding them into his lap with his elbow resting on your thigh.

"Should I play music? Not gonna lie, I fuckin’ hate the vibes in this room right now…" Michael breaks the tense, ongoing silence.

"Oooh, can you play some Zeppelin?" Luke requests.

"Queue up some ‘Sabbath while you’re at it," says Calum.

As the other boys bicker about what songs to play, you’re left staring down at your lover. His blank expression had yet to dwindle, and you were certain that if you had stood in front of him, he’d be able to shoot daggers into your back with his stare alone.

"What’s the matter, baby? Cat got your tongue?" You ask the question quietly, ducking down into his ear. Your hand travels up to toy with the baby curls that sat at the nape of his neck, which he normally goes crazy for.

But even with you asking, he didn’t move a muscle.

"Okay," you shrug, helpless, "fine. Don’t say anything then."

A pinprick tugs at your heartstrings upon Ashton’s refusal to speak. But you try to push that worrisome feeling down with the rest of your intrusive thoughts, hoping to focus solely on having a good time.

Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin starts to roll through the speakers behind the ambiance of conversation, with Calum and Luke now aiming the discussion towards the show.

"Can we just talk about how Luke’s fly was down the entire time? Like, from curtain fall—"

"Fuck you mate," Luke defends, the heated little argument grabbing your attention, "I swear I pulled it up! Must’ve fallen down— ‘er something…"

"It’s true, I saw him do it," You interject, raising your drink in the air.

"Okay, but how did it manage to fall down by the second song of the set? That’s gotta be a record or something… is anybody keeping track?"

Michael practically spits out his drink at Calum’s observation.

"Oh, ha ha, veeery funny. Let’s all laugh at the amount of times Luke has gone out on stage with his fly down… I swear, it’s like Peanut is the only one who actually gives a shit about me." Luke leans back into the couch, looking down at his fly before taking a sip of his own drink.

"Speakin’ of Peanut… dude, what the actual fuck was that?!" Michael shoots up from his seat excitedly, his eyes going glossy at you.

"What was what?" you ask.

"English Love Affair? You haven’t performed it in a while. Not like the way you did tonight, at least. How’d it fuckin’ feel?"

"Singin’ about your mistress in her hometown must’ve been a real culture shock, huh." Calum mumbles.

You can’t help but laugh, "It wasn’t that extraordinary… But, I’ll admit, it’s a damn good song. I did write it for that reason—"

"Don’t be so humble, Y/N." Luke jokes.

As you and the rest of the band go back and forth, you notice Ashton’s leg out of the corner of your eye. It had started feverishly bobbing up and down, with him still not speaking a word throughout this entire conversation.

"The crowd was eating it up, too— you were like a fuckin’ machine out there."

Your cheeks flush pink at Michael’s compliment, "You don’t mean that."

"Oh, but I do. God, I can’t even describe it… When you sing that song it’s like you get possessed ‘er some shit."

Calum snorts, "Yeah, possessed by some good pussy."

That comment seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, for Ashton is suddenly shooting upward in his seat, sending you flying with him.

Your head whips to face him, his cheeks glowing red hot. He only utters four words, before guiding you off of his lap and standing up himself.

"I need a fuckin’ smoke."

The lot of you watch in shock as Ashton angrily barrels out of the room, slamming open the door and making it hit the wall with a loud crash. You all jump, before passing each other confused, worried glances.

"What— what the fuck was that?"

You let out an angry huff, pinching the bridge of your nose between your fingers. Luke only chuckles, before tossing his hands in the air.

"Well, Y/N— looks like it’s time for you to do your thing. Go tame that raging bull."

Your eyes land at least once on all of the boys, each of them giving you a ‘you probably should go out there and get him’ type of look.

"Why does it always have to be me?" You sigh, but Michael sucks his teeth.

"I think you already know the answer to that one, Peanut."

After the boys had shooed you out of the dressing room, you set off down the halls to look for Ashton. You checked every corner, every bathroom, every area with a chair to sit and ponder in; but the angry mess of a dirty blonde mullet and dress pants was nowhere to be found.

You contemplated giving up after circling the same hallway for a third time, your legs feeling like wet noodles as you trudged along the dimly lit corridors—

But you then felt your shoulders relax when you noticed a rock propping open the outside door.

"Ashton?" You call out, pushing the steel-clad door just enough for you to pop your head outside.

And sure enough, there he was.

"Ash," you say again, a bit louder this time, stepping over the rock timidly and snaking your way through the gap.

He was leaned against a lamppost that lit up the parking lot, with tense shoulders and his brow furrowed. He stared off into the abyss, taking a pull from his joint.

You felt as though you were walking on eggshells, trying your hardest not to go into panic mode and start screaming your own head off.

Or, apologizing profusely for something that you may or may not have done.

"Baby?" you try your hand at sweetly grabbing his attention, one last time.

"What?"

"Are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

He ashes his joint, before taking another pull, the veins in his neck practically popping through his skin. You take a step closer, crossing your arms over your chest.

"Are you sure?"

He blows out smoke through the side of his lips, "Yes."

"Don’t lie to me. You’ve been acting like such a brat all night," You warn him, finding the stern, coldness in your voice, similar to the one he’s been firing off at you and the guys since he stepped off stage.

There’s a brief moment of tension in the air, lingering lowly above your head. You hold your breath for a moment, before Ashton is tapping his joint with his eyes glued to his shoes.

He hadn’t looked up at you. At least, not yet.

"If you don’t want me acting like a brat, then don’t call me a fucking liar." He mumbles to the ground, an angry baritone rumbling through his voice.

"I didn’t call you a liar. I just said, don’t lie…" you drop your hands to your side, taking another step towards him.

"…Now tell me what’s wrong with you before I smack that joint right out of your fuckin’ hand."

Your threat brings Ashton to lock eyes with you. You’re finally able to get a good look at the angry crimson hue that surrounded him; with shaky pupils and a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"You really wanna know what’s wrong with me, Peanut?" He mocks the endearing nickname like poison rolling off of his tongue.

"Well, I—" You stutter, taken aback by his serious tone. He then chuckles dryly, lifting the joint and resting his hand on his chin.

"You really have no idea, do you?"

"Obviously not, asshole." You hated to sound so brash, but you were still residually upset by his ignorance.

He takes a moment to collect his thoughts. Only to say the stupidest thing you had ever heard in your life.

"You think I enjoyed watching you parade around onstage tonight— all smiley and giggly— singing about some girl you fucked one time? A time so memorable that you went off and wrote a goddamn rock ballad about?!"

Your eyes widen in dismay.

The rumors were true, you thought, Ashton had finally lost it.

"Oh my god— you’re joking… You’re joking, aren’t you?" Your face melts into pure, sadistic amusement. But Ashton’s face hadn’t faltered.

"Do I look like I’m joking?" He ask the question seriously.

"You cannot be serious, Ash. You’re telling me that you’ve been moping around all night because of a fucking song I wrote eight years ago?! Meanwhile you were the one who suggested putting it on the fuckin’ dice!"

He finally finishes his joint, flicking the roach to the ground and stomping it out with the toe of his boot.

"If I had known you’d perform it like she was actually there on that stage fucking you, I probably wouldn’t have suggested it at all."

A shaky chuckle flies past your lips. "God, you are such a baby! I cannot believe that you’d stomp around and make such a fuss over this! You’re really serious right now, Ash? Like, really?"

"As serious as a goddamn heart attack, Y/N."

The only emotion you could process at the moment was anger. You were completely baffled by his behavior, unable to muster up even a sentence that would aid in your argument.

"…What’s mine is mine, baby. It’s as simple as that. Can’t blame me for gettin’ a little jealous sometimes." His tone of voice had softened, significantly.

Knowing him well enough by now, after almost four years together, you had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to hold a grudge.

And, of course, you were right. As always.

"Ash, it’s been eight years. You’re gonna have to get over it eventually."

"Well— what if I don’t want to get over it?" He blurts, still stern.

Before you reply, you step even closer to him. Close enough to feel the sizzling hot anger radiating off of the both of your bodies and creating a spark between them.

You hated when he was angry. He hated when you were angry.

But something about that anger made your stomach twist in knots. In the best possible way.

You decided to test your luck. To push his buttons. Get under his skin, a bit.

"Then I’d say you’re being a brat. A whiny, fucking brat."

Ashton chuckles, rather dryly, before lifting himself from his slouched position resting on the lamppost. He towers over you, straightening his posture to show off his much larger frame.

"Takes one to know one, sweetheart."

You could sense the obvious switch in dynamic of this situation. Now clouded with sexual frustration, as opposed to just the regular kind of frustration.

You cross your arms over your chest, swallowing back the newly formed lump in your throat. "You don’t scare me, y’know."

All he does is shrug.

"Don’t think I need to scare ya’ to make you scream. Thought we’ve been over this."

That comment only riled you up more, but you tried to hide it beneath a playful glare, "Is that a threat, Ashton?"

"No no no, baby— not at all…"

He shakes his head, slight sarcasm falling over his tone before he’s snaking his arms around your waist, digging the tips of his fingers into your back.

"…It’s a fuckin’ promise."

The speed in which his lips found yours seemed almost impossible. From the way he had gone from blatantly ignoring your existence, to feeling you up like you were the last thing he’d ever touch.

"You’re mine. Y’know that, right?" He presses you against his torso, clasping his broad hands at the small of your back.

"Mmmmhmm," You sigh into his kiss, as he roughly sinks his teeth into your bottom lip.

He then takes one of your thighs in a handful, lifting it up to rest it gently on his hip.

In the midst of the commotion, you realize that you were still dressed completely in your stage clothes. Clad in an oversized, striped sweater that was stolen right from Michael’s closet, and a short black tennis skirt.

You were fully aware of just how short your skirt was. And to be totally honest with yourself, you loved wearing it.

You loved the way it floated around you as you danced, the way it complimented your platform boots and knee high socks…

But you also loved the absolute chokehold it had on your boyfriend.

You catch your breath as Ashton pulls away from your heated kiss; only for a moment. To admire you, as his hand slowly snakes its’ way up your skirt to grip your bare asscheek.

"This ass," he grunts, digging his fingers into your flesh, "is mine."

"Mhm." You nod again. Affirmative. Your bottom lip was still trapped between your teeth with helpless, puppy dog eyes.

"This face?" He removes his other hand from your back to cup your cheek, "This gorgeous gorgeous face? Is mine. All fuckin’ mine. Ya’ hear me?"

You nod at him, trying to ignore his hand creeping towards the hemline of your panties.

"Need ‘ya to use those words, beautiful. Like the ones you used to write your song, yeah?"

One thing about Ashton was that he never failed to piss you off— but he was also damn good at turning you on.

"…Wanna hear one last bit of your poetry before the only word you’re able to say is my fuckin’ name."

"Ash—" You go to speak, but your mouth clamps shut as he traces your inner thigh with his fingertips.

"Go ahead, Y/N, tell me. Tell me who’s really ‘all you ever think about.’"

His head dips down to your neck to leave a trail of wet kisses, all the way to the base of your collarbone. Your hand finds his hair, tugging at the roots gently with each gentle kiss.

"You. You’re all I ever think about… All I’ve ever wanted—"

Your breath hitches as his teeth bite into your skin, his hand finding its way back to the outside of your thigh to anchor your body against him.

"—All I’ve ever needed."

In a swift motion, Ashton is dropping your leg from his hip, bringing you to teeter on your shaky legs and look at him with desperate eyes.

His head pops up from your neck, pupils wavering and twinkling with lust.

And suddenly, your mind is clouded. All of the things you’ve ever needed in a person was right at your fingertips. Any syllable of a song lyric, any chorus of every single song you’ve ever written.

It was him.

"You wanna’ write songs about getting fucked ‘till you can’t speak, sweetheart?"

At this point, you were too needy to care about whatever words flew past your lips. "Yes, Ashton. Please—"

His eyes darken, a sultry smile climbing across his cheeks for the first time all night.

"Allow me to provide you with some inspiration, then."

In a second, he’s lifting you up by the back of your legs, tossing your body effortlessly over his shoulder. You let out a laugh, slapping his back, his arms, anything you could get your hands on.

"Hey! What the fuck—"

Your ass is fully exposed to the parking lot around you, as Ashton begins to walk. You couldn’t see much, but the most you knew was the direction of your shared tour bus.

He leans his head over to you, whispering a little something in your ear that sent chills down your spine.

"You wanna make music with me, baby? I’ll give you somethin’ to fuckin’ write about…"

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[swmmi-kti]

Run (part 3)

DNI/BYF

Pairing: Kyojuro x fem Slayer Reader

Part one: Here Part Two: Here

It was peaceful. All you could see was the lush scenery in front of you. The sky smelled sweet with the scent of spring coming to you. The grass was soft and flowing around your layed form. The clouds looked extra fluffy too. 

By all means this place was beautiful and if you listen close to silence, you can hear the gentle song of birds and bells. 

You don’t remember how you got here. You don't remember waking up here. Just one moment here you were. Enjoying the view.  The sky is just the perfect shade of blue. 

Decided to sit up, finally you look ahead at the meadow that was right there. Far and vastly and it felt like you were really alone. 

At peace. 

“You know you must return right?” 

You didn’t look, you didn’t need to. You knew deep in your gut that this wasn’t real. This moment you had was some sick way of healing. But for now you wanted to enjoy the moment. You wanted to enjoy him. Wanted to hear him. Feel him. 

“I know I must. But i don't want to let you go” 

“But you love him. Its not letting me go, its you finding happiness” 

You mulled over the words. Not even wanting to look. You couldn’t, The last time you looked he was being eaten. 

“I wish we got to get married, I wish our future hadn’t been changed, I wish I could remember what you looked like. Sometimes i wish i didn’t fall in love” 

“Why?” 

“We had planned our wedding, i was really looking to it yes. But i had wanted to meet most your family. I was going to wear your name proudly. I dreamt often of having kids. I dreamt of a future where you were not far from our reach. Where our child could sleep soundly between us and we could fawn over them. I dreamt  you being able to see us and reach out if we needed something. That was my dream” 

You sighed looking at your hands. You never wanted to look because you could see the calluses on your hand. The scars that littered your arms. The battle wounds from the past. 

“This isn’t real… But i want it to be real” 

You felt the wind pick up and the sky get darker. Turning around to look at the figure of your fiance. His face is a void of pure energy. How you wished you could remember him. The sudden thundering flash of lightning struck you and you stood up at your feet. Your eyes are never moving from him. 

Suddenly you were wearing your corps uniform instead of the wedding kimono you had chosen years ago. Your blade placed nicely at your hip and your cloud colored haori blowing hard with the wind. 

The chimes of the bells and the birds no longer sung. And with all this happening he never stood up. Sitting nicely on the now wet grass as he watches you. 

You wanted to cry. Wanted to say how sorry you were for having to leave. For forgetting how he looked. 

“Are you leaving?” 

“I have to don’t i?” 

Silence rang again before another thundering sound came by.  And as the wind picked up and carried him away you stood in front of yourself.  Your reflection looking back at you. All dolled up for your wedding. The wedding that maybe in another life would have been yours too. 

.

.

.

.

“Kyojuro, You must rest, I promise you We will tell you when she wakes up.” Shinobu tried to reason. Her colleague was running on fumes the last few months. Only leaving to sleep and go on a mission before returning in a flash. 

“I cant. Shinobu she was sent to kill upper moon three! She got injured because i was too much of an idiot to head her warning and leave” 

“I know but she is safe! You did a wonderful job bringing her as quickly as she did. Im afraid she will have to retire after but it will be up to her '' Shinobu spoke. It was horrifying seeing Kyojuro push your body on the bed. Only for later a kakushi to run in with your severed arm. 

You were alive by some miracle. If Kyojuro was so hung up on surviving perhaps she could have seen you blossom into becoming a fellow colleague with them all.

You had potential. And aside being soo close it seemed that you made a massive impression on the flame hashira. But she highly doubt you would continue with a missing limb. 

“Shinobu. If she wakes up” 

“She will!” 

“If she wakes up. I'd like to retire with her.” 

Taken aback  she furrowed her brows. “Why? I mean im sure the master has no problem with you retiring but-”

“If she retires, I'd like to retire with her. I want to enjoy the moments with her. I want to be able to live a normal life with her if she allows me too. If she retires i want to be her protection. I want to” 

Shinobu rose her hand signaling him to stop. “I understand” she looked at you. Your now half open eyes staring onto the ceiling. Tears in your eyes and it shocked her knowing that kyojuro didn’t take notice. “I'm surprised you are willing to change for her. I know how many times you’ve rejected marriage proposals. But I suppose anyone is capable of change. I mean look at your father” She chuckled to herself before turning to the door. Nodding at your direction making kyojuro finally look. 

“I'll leave you two alone” 

Kyojuro looked at you. Your eyes blinking away the tears as you turned to him. 

“Is my arm gone?” 

“Y-yes” 

You nodded looking at your side. Kyojuro was fine. He was alive and while now blinded he was alright. 

“I don’t want to retire” You spoke. 

Kyojuro sucked in his breath. Looking at your bandaged shoulder. Your breathing became labored no doubt in pain because you were now awake. 

“But id like for us to work to getting married.” You said with a smile. 

Kyojuro couldn't believe his ears. He couldn’t help but laugh before trying to hug your figure. You are laughing alongside him. And it was the best sound he’s been able to hear. 

-*-*-*--*-*-*--*-*-*--*-*-*--*-*-*-

“Welcome to the Rengoku estate!” You spoke as you welcomed Tanjiro at the entrance

“Ah! Y/n- san Is Rengoku-san home?” He asked bowing deeply for running into you. 

You smiled at him. Standing him up and dusting off his Haori. Scratching at some of the seams that needed to be stitched back together. “Here come inside, I'll stitch that up while we wait. Kyojuro is out on his last mission right now” 

After waking up after the incident, the master wished to speak with you. Telling you the great that you had done and that after finding out you had managed to slay those fifty demons he asked you if you would prefer to retire or become their thunder hashira. 

You were amazed. Of course you were, You had been doing this for as long as kyojuro that you never found yourself possibly being a hashira yourself. So you took the job with pride.

Fighting with only one arm proved difficult but you managed without a hitch. Within a few months you had joined Uzui and the boys in defeating upper moon six. It was by mere miracle and the selfless act of those boys you didn’t lose another limb. 

So after, you retired alongside Tengen but not without commenting about how much potential those boys had. You were thankful that everyone had understood why you were only a Hashira for a short amount of time. 

And once you retired. Kyojuro stuck true to his word. He began to court you as an everyday normal man. Though you did have to knock sense into him about retiring with you. Much to Shinobu’s delight. 

It didn’t take long for it to happen. You had loved him far longer than you had previously thought. And the time you guys spend together grows now that you spend it at your own little home. 

Little by little you met his family. You spend more time with your old colleagues and the newer ones. It felt like you had finally written the wrong that was done on you so many years ago. Little by little you began to see a future with him. 

It was maybe three months ago where you had been married to him. Happily welcomed into the family by senjuro and shinjuro. And it had been Two months since you found yourself pregnant. 

“I see, im sorry for bothering you” 

“Don’t fret Tanjiro i dont mind it. Now change into these and ill patch up your haori.” You said offering a plain dining kimono. 

You were a little reluctant on letting Kyojuro retire. But he was adamant about starting a family with you and when you announced that you were to have a kid. He saw it as the perfect time.  

You  prepared four plates, Given that Shinjuro should be back soon and Senjuro is no doubt almost done with laundry. You often find yourself wondering how you got so lucky with the youngest Rengoku. 

It was difficult at first learning the duties that wives would do with only one arm. But now you were as Kyojuro put it ‘incredible’ that the small dining table was set. Taking time to evenly place the perfect amount of food for everyone. 

You knew Kyojuro would prefer you to eat the most given your eating for two. However you learned rather quickly that all the men had enormous appetites. 

“Thank you for having me miss!” Tanjiro spoke finally coming into the room. You smiled. Waving him over as he handed you his uniform that you has asked for. Giving him the same amount of food on his plate. 

“Its no issue Tanjiro-kun! Please enjoy. Im sure its not long before the rest of them join us” You spoke finding your thread and needle and sitting down along side him. “How is your sister? Last i had heard is that she conquered the sun” 

“Nezuko! She’s doing great! And yes! In Fact shes in the butterfly mansion looking and the goldfish miss Shinobu has” 

“Thats good to hear!” You said watching him as he ate away at the umeboshi you had made. Before touching anything else. “Its good to have company. Would you like some tea with that?” 

“Ah no thank you miss” 

“You know you can call me Y/n right? Theres no need for formalities” 

Noticing the young buy blush as he bowed his head a little. 

You continued like this making small talk while you stitched up his uniform. Before long you started to wonder what was taking Senjuro so long. 

“SENJURO! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?” you suddenly yelled from the dining table startling Tanjiro in the process. 

“Ane! Are you okay i heard ye- oh” Senjuro lowered the broom that he had raised above him as he looked at the scene. 

“You’re late for dinner, I was just calling for you. What were you doing, that you were so busy?” 

Senjuro chuckled a little, placing the broom by the wall as he came to sit down. “...I may have mixed up the wash a bit. Hi Tanjiro!” 

“Evening Senjuro!” 

You watched the boys eat, finally having finished stitching up the uniform., and slowly after it seemed the other two trickled in. Kyojuro of course being the last one. 

He sat down beside you. For one final time putting away his flame haori as he joined the rest of you. Making talk with his family before talking with Tanjiro. About what it means now that nezuko conquered the sun. 

You listened intently. Your hand rested atop Kyojuro’s hand while he kept it at your growing belly. With any hope that you have you wished nothing but Tanjiro good in his training. 

And you hoped for the betterment of your child that Tanjiro’s will could rid the world of demons.

[crisiscutie]

Could we get fem sephiroth x male darling?

More of this yandere Crisis Cutie and her darling? 👀 I love it, let's go~

Content Warnings: Psychological Abuse, Gaslighting.

Of course, she is incredibly sweet to him. That's why he would choose her over the other girls, right?

It's not like she's been using her psychic abilities blessed by both Jenova and The Lifestream to slowly get rid of her competition for his sole affection.

No, the girls just became paranoid and suspicious of each other despite being lifelong friends. They fought over things...

"Things" that he and his dear Sephiroth didn't need to get entangled with.

As they and other loved ones in his social circle slowly descended into madness, her darling came to realize that he needed to escape the wickedness of humanity.

They're all just selfish animals with no purpose. But there was no one like Sephiroth.

She didn't realize it at the time, but from their very first interactions, Sephiroth had a subconscious feeling that the darling was the one for her.

She always had a strong affinity with him, as he never regarded her as a scientifical miracle or sung tired songs of admiration and affection for her.

When she finally broke down in the Shinra manor, she only spared him in her relentless path of vengeance and destruction.

After all, he has her cells inside him which marked him as hers, a right granted to her by Jenova.

Sparing him seemed like the most beneficial plan to her, due to her broken mind, as it would help her establish a new dynasty over her rightful cosmos, with him as her breeder.

But as she observed him foolishly collaborating with others to thwart her, it dawned on her that he direly needed her love and nurturing guidance, no matter how willfully ignorant he may be.

So that's why she targeted those girls to get rid of. Then his other loved ones.

Each day is pure psychological torture for her darling's group as they fought to save the planet;

With everyone's paranoia skyrocketing and tempers flaring, but her darling slowly finds reason and odd comfort from Sephiroth's presence each time she or her puppets fights them.

Initially, he had been extremely hesitant towards her, his body tensing up and his eyes narrowing whenever she came around.

However, she could tell that her honeyed promises, spoken from her glossy, thin lips, were beginning to influence him.

She observed his every movement during their confrontations, noticing even the slightest changes in his behavior.

The way he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, the sound of his breathing becoming slightly more shallow, and the sweet scent of his fear, doubt and yearning in the air. She knew she was surely winning him over.

Despite her past frustration toward him, it all melted away when her obedient pup came to her and laid his head on her large, pillowy breasts.

Besides, the sweet boy's voice was trembling as he asked for his Chosen Mommy Queen's forgiveness, almost on his knees. She couldn't resist his sweet voice and face of his.

This wondrous gift, granted to her by Jenova, fills her heart with gratitude every single moment. No other could match up to her darling.

What an interesting request. It's not typical for me to write male darlings~

[houseofbabygirls]

Take my breath away

Bob gave you a reason to come home.

Robert “Bob” Floyd x GN!reader

Word Count: 3.8k

Warnings: Starts with angst and has some angsty themes throughout, Talks of death, graphic depiction of wounds, blood, swearing, This one actually ends in fluff!! (I promise)

A/N: I am a Bob fan first and person second. This is obviously named after the Berlin song, but not really based after it. I just thought the two were cute together and this song means something to the story. I promise that one of these days my fics will be a full fluff piece but I can’t help but make shit sad. Also full disclaimer i don’t really know how the navy works, this is purely a work of fiction.

In the Military there was always the risk of not coming home. Not being able to see your family again or grow old with your partner. It was something every soldier knew before they joined. Anything you do after that, is done with the knowledge that it could be temporary. And when Bob met you and chose to fall in love with you he knew that all too well. There was double the risk, both you and Bob were Naval aviators. Both part of the best of the best, you met on the Uranium plant mission and you had the habit of flirting with the WSO. Enjoying the sight of his flushed cheeks and timid reactions. He was constantly nervous around you and you found it endearing. 

His shyness was something you weren’t used to as a pilot, usually seeing more men like Hangman. Best friend or not Jake could be quite the narcissist, using his status as an excuse. Bob on the other hand was sweet and didn’t feel the need to woo you with his stories, he liked hearing you talk and he actually listened. He remembered everything you said and something about his kind heartedness turned you on. You hadn’t figured out he felt the same until after the mission. You had saved his and Phoenix’s lives’ on the way out of Coffin Corner and once everyone had touched down back on base. You ran right to him and pulled him into the most emotional kiss you’ve ever had. He returned eagerly and from then on it was you and Bob. 

After the Uranium plant you had been given an assignment in Miramar as a team and that meant that the dagger squad was to be together for a little while longer. It was almost a year of peace before you were called into a different mission, it was you Fritz, Halo and Omaha. The four of you had been chosen for a confidential mission on the other side of the world, meaning you wouldn’t see Bob for over half a year. Maybe more depending on how fast you got the mission done. It killed you to leave him after narrowly escaping death together but you were an Aviator long before you were a partner and you knew this was going to happen at one point or another. 

The goodbyes were lengthy and tearfilled. Hugging all of your friends as though it would be the last time you were able. You spent the last few minutes in Bob’s arms, not speaking, just basking in each other's presence for a moment longer. When you were called for boarding you kissed the breath out of the blonde WSO and joined your teammates on the ship. Not daring to look back at him, fearing that the emotions would flood out of you like a river. You lifted your head up to meet Halo’s gentle smile and you smiled back, you were in good hands. It was going to be okay, you were going to see Bob again, you were going to be with your family before you knew it.

The last thing you remembered when you woke up was shouting. The shrill sounds of  Halo’s voice and the baritones of Fritz and Halo. You remembered how hot it had been and then that terrible smell of burnt oil and then that explosion. You had vaguely remembered pulling your ejection handle and after that it was just a mystery. A blur of heat and loud noises, and the harsh whipping of the wind. 

You groaned softly in confusion when you came to your senses, your face was flush with the ground, you assumed your helmet took the brunt of the damage but you couldn't help but feel a burning pain in your face. You flipped over using the momentum you gained to toss yourself onto your back. You used your leg to help only to feel a searing pain in your thigh. You tried to look down but the Helmet constricted your line of sight. You reached up slowly to the helmet and let out a hoarse cry when you felt the visor had broken, the plastic had wedged its way into your face, making it difficult to move the right side, not even able to move your mouth to react.

You carefully move to unclasp it and toss it off of your head. Your breathing became louder as you took in the chill air.  The feel of the snow on your face tingling the wound and the warm liquid coming out of it. You pushed yourself up into a sitting position, gaining the courage to look down to inspect the damage. Your left thigh was torn up, a mangle of flesh and blood. It was burning hot against the blistering cold and you felt your stomach turn at the smell.

You felt your body for more damage and stopped at your left arm where you felt something sharp coming out of your bicep. You winced in pain as you grazed over the hard object and when you did you felt as if you split your face in two. Your eyes filled with tears at the movement and you tugged off your glove to properly feel the right side of your face. A shiver came over you at the touch and you sobbed as you tried to take in your surroundings. 

You’d never felt so overwhelmed, so out of it before and you could barely calm yourself down before you took a look around you. Nothing was familiar, it was snowy and there were buildings a ways away from where you crashed. The smell of fuel was pungent in your nose as you turned slowly to look at the F-18 behind you, that was now just scrap metal. An unidentifiable hunk of an aircraft. You took a deep breath before trying to push yourself off the ground. Making a point to avoid using the right side of your body as you stood up. You whipped around to see if you could spot anything else, but nothing seemed to be salvageable. You ground your teeth together as you leaned over to grab your helmet, lifting it to notice something glaring up at you. You picked it up and almost broke down when you saw the photo you kept of Bob in your chest pocket looking back at you. 

The photo seemed to mock you as you looked at it. The smile he held was so genuine and so happy that it made you cry. You hadn’t seen him in over half a year. The last time you called was well over 2 weeks ago, and now you regretted not making more time for him. You were sure you were gonna die, whether it be by bleeding out or a bullet to the head by enemy soldiers you didn’t know but you had a gut feeling you weren’t gonna make it back. 

You thought of your team and your stomach dropped, you had protected them. Got striked down in an attempt to send them home. You didn’t care if you died as long as they got to go home and see their families. As long as Omaha got to see his daughter again and Halo got to see her girlfriend. You wanted them to make it, you were the mission leader, your job above all else was to send them home, and as long as you did that you didn’t mind going out. 

It was an unfair thought, you knew that Bob was waiting for you. That he’d be destroyed if you didn’t make it home but that was the job. Your number one priority was the Navy and you were doing your job here. Your team had completed their job, you kept the US safe another day, and now you could rest. You dropped to the ground again and felt your eyes blur with tears as you stared up at the sky, the blinding white of winter made it almost peaceful. Your eyes fluttered closed and you held that photo of Bob close to your chest as you let sleep take over.

Bob didn’t know why he was so anxious, he was used to the loneliness this job entailed. Those long stretches of time he had to go without seeing his family. But he supposed it was different now, he had you. Someone he wanted to see everyday, and spend all of his time with. And being deprived of that was something he found to be awful. He had barely spoken to you in the last 6 months and when he did you could only speak for so long and it was so vague as to not give anything away. It felt like he was deprived of his sunlight. 

But he had to continue on like he wasn’t missing a part of himself. Still going to work everyday, commanding hot shot pilots and dealing with their shitty attitudes. The only reprieve he got was when he was with the dagger squad at the Hard Deck. It was his safe place, the one place he could let loose and forget his aching heart for a moment. Sometimes it worked but most of the time it turned out to be pointless, he could only think about you and the many nights you two had spent there, huddled in a booth giggling in secrecy. Hidden from the world and the shit you had to deal with.

Phoenix had been a saint through this, Bob felt ridiculous being this affected by your absence but Natasha understood and didn’t judge him for it. Surprisingly Hangman didn’t either. The blonde was your best friend and he was struggling not having his number one with him for the last few months. 

The three had found solace in each other, a weird unspoken bond that was created from your absence. Bob was thankful to have them, during the day it was easy to forget that you were off somewhere doing god knows what. But when he arrived home or to the Hard Deck after a long day, he couldn't help but let his mind float to you. He just wanted to know if you were okay. If you were alive was really the question. You didn’t have any family left to tell so Bob would most likely be the first to know of your passing. He shuddered at the thought and took another heavy swig of his beer. Hangman and Phoenix slid into the seats next to him and he smiled in acknowledgment before that emotionless look returned to his face.

“Hey, Champ.” Jake said, patting him harshly on the shoulder. 

Natasha rolled her eyes and snorted at his approach.

“Ignore him, I do.” She said and paused for a moment. “You’ve been really quiet tonight, more than normal. I don’t like when that happens.”

His eyes flick up to meet her concerned gaze and he sighed in frustration at the tears that burned his eyes.

“I can’t stop thinking about Y/n. I haven’t heard from them in weeks, Nat. That’s not like them.” His voice broke and Nat took a deep breath and smiled empathetically. 

“They’re tough, Bob. I mean one of the toughest damn Pilots I know. They’re probably fighting tooth and nail to get home at this moment. If I know one thing about Y/n it’s that they don’t give up. They’re coming home, Bob. I promise.” She said and Bob nodded, sniffling a little and giving her an appreciative smile. 

“Thanks, Nat.” He said. Hangman clapped his hand down once more and Bob looked over to him.

“Now come join the party, Bob. Y/n would hate to know that you were drinking alone.” He said with a smirk. 

Bob chuckled as he stood up from his seat, finding a newer one at the table where Rooster, Fanboy, Payback and Coyote were talking. The dagger squad fell into an easy conversation. The WSO felt content in that moment. He had a family and he knew all of them missed you almost as much as he did. He figured he could let himself forget for a while and enjoy the people he had around him. But as the conversation went on there was an overwhelming feeling of silence that made its way into the conversation. The pilots all sat around for a moment before Rooster cleared his throat,

“It’s weird without Y/n here.” He said and all the pilots murmured in agreement. It was quiet for a moment before he continued.

“ I never thought I would say this but I miss how loud they were.” 

Everyone laughed and shook their heads.

“Yeah and breakfasts at their place every Sunday. I don’t know if I miss them or their Pancakes more.” Coyote said. 

“This is gonna sound insane but I miss their unnatural love for Take my Breath Away.” Hangman said, “I mean god they sang it everywhere. In the shower, over comms on a lesson, it was always playing on their radio when you got into their car. The damn song used to annoy the shit out of me. But I haven’t heard it in over 6 months and I actually miss that fucking song.” He admitted with a chuckle of disbelief. 

Everyone laughed out loud at the statement.

“God, that damn song. I’m pretty they sang it in their sleep.” Bob joked and everyone smiled at the blonde. “They are something else, Man.” Payback said fondly and they all shared a chuckle. 

“It’s not the same here without them. I mean not really. It feels like something is missing when they’re gone.” Phoenix said and everyone fell silent. 

The silence was short lived as the smooth melody of “Take my Breath Away” filled the bar. They all looked at each other in shock and then burst out laughing at the irony.

“God, it’s like they can hear us.” Hangman said through his laughter.

Bob’s eyes were already on the jukebox and he thought he saw you standing there. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned back to the table, shaking his head and cursing at himself.

He turned back again, keeping his eyes on the floor as he timidly looked again. His eyes moved slowly upwards and widened when you were still standing there. A bouquet of red roses in your right hand. He stood up, the wooden chair screeching against the floor as he moved quickly to you. The dagger team watched in confusion as he pushed through the crowd, all of them standing to see where he was going.

He pushed through the crowded bar and stopped when he was right in front of you. He was scared that he was going crazy. Scared that if he touched you, you would vanish in front of his eyes.

“Hey, Robby.” You said and Bob felt his chest tighten and tears fell out of his eyes. 

He took you in for a moment. A sling holding up your left arm, and obvious bandages under your pants. But when he reached your face, that gorgeous face he had waited ages to see, his heart shattered. There was a large wound going down the span of your face and a patch placed carefully over your right eye. You looked different, but to Bob you were still as beautiful as the day you left. His lips quivered and his eyes were pouring tears as he walked closer to you. He gently placed his hand on the unharmed side of your face, trying to convince himself that you were real and this was really happening. 

It felt a dream, the kind that Bob kept having while you were away. They were the kind that made him smile in his sleep, feeling at peace until he woke up and realized you were still gone. Except this time he could feel the heat of your skin under his fingertips and your breath against his palm. He smiled when he realized that this was real, that it was really happening. His smile was mirrored by your own and he realized that he hadn’t spoken the entire time. Too stunned by your presence to speak.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“You best believe I fought my way back to you, baby. I couldn’t leave my best boy to fend against Jake alone.” 

His cheeks flushed at your choice of words, that cute pink tint returning to his cheeks just like the last time you saw him. He tilted his head down to avoid your lovingly gaze and he caught sight of the flowers in your hand. He grinned and looked up at you.

“Are those for me?” He chuckled and gestured to the bouquet in your hand. A mischievous smile creeped onto your face and you held them up to him.

“Well I couldn’t come back empty handed, now could I?” You said and he laughed as he took them from you.

“God how did I ever go so long without you.” 

“I ask myself that question everyday. I missed you so much, Robby.” 

His face flushed darker and his brain couldn’t come up with a response to offset the thumping of his heart. So he opted for the second and more desperate option. He tossed the flowers onto the table beside him and pulled you in by the waist, he was a millimeter from your lips before he pulled back.

“Oh Baby, your lips.” He said and carefully trailed his thumb down the healing wound.

“Oh for the love of god, Robby just kiss me already.” You said and he wasted no time. 

His lips softly collided with yours as you melted into him, feeling safe for the first time in Months. The passion was short lived as you heard cheering from across the bar. You pulled away from Bob to see the group of pilots with shit eating grins on their faces. You rolled your eyes and pulled Bob back in, flipping them off behind his back. You pulled back from him and laughed, kissing every inch of his face.

“I guess we should go over there.” You said, looking at the awaiting group of Pilots in the corner.

“Do we have to? I kind of want to have you to myself.” He said and pulled you closer to him.

You pushed him away playfully as you made your way to the Dagger squad. Jake pushed himself to the front of them and pulled you into a bear hug. You laughed as he sniffled back tears, telling you how happy he was to see you. You hugged him back, squeezing just as hard with your arm. He let you go and  took a good look at you when you pulled back. He smiled, a certain sadness caught in the shine of his eyes but he smiled nonetheless. He tapped your face lightly and chuckled.

“You look like a badass now. Cooler than any pilot I know.” He said and you laughed. Grabbing his hand and squeezing it in a silent ‘thank you’.  Before you could react you were pulled into another hug, followed by another until you had gotten through everyone. Not one person squeezes you less than Jake. Almost as if they were making up for lost time. Telling you that they missed you just as much as you missed them. 

A content smile crossed your face as you found a seat, being ushered to sit down while everyone else ordered for you. You let out a deep breath and felt your shoulders relax for the first time since you left. You stared at your friends who were crowding Penny at the bar, then to Fritz, Omaha and Halo who had made their way into the Hard Deck. A nod was sent your way, one of understanding and acknowledgment. You saluted them back and watched as they mingled with their friends and loved ones. You were stuck in thought till a hand came to rest on your shoulder, you looked up to see Bob taking a seat next to you, his hand moving to rest on your thigh. 

“You okay, honey? We can go home if this is too much.” He said, that concerned lilt back in his voice.

“No.” You shook your head, then grabbed his hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. 

“I’m good right here. Besides I would never hear the end of it from Jake if I left him so soon.”

“You sure?”  

“Yeah, Robby. I’m good. As long as you stay right here.” 

“I couldn’t think of any place I’d rather be, baby.” He said and placed a soft kiss on the side of your head.

You leaned in to him, placing a kiss to his shoulder before laying your head on it. You laced your fingers together and sighed in content. This is where you were supposed to be, with Bob and your family. You’d turn in all your medals and patches to stay here forever. Cut those wings off at the base of your spine if it meant that you could hold Bob’s hand forever, kiss his lips forever. You’d give it all up if it meant you could feel this happy forever. But you knew that no matter how far away you were, or how long you were gone. This was always waiting for you, and that made it all seem worth it. Every last scratch and bruise seemed like a reasonable price to pay to feel this happy, this content. You’d let it run you dry if you could guarantee it would be like this forever. 

“You okay, Y/n?” Bob’s voice dragged you out of your thoughts. Bringing you back into the moment, a sincere smile played on your lips as you cleared your throat.

“I am good, Bob. I’m very good.” You teased, he smiled and pecked your lips.

“Ok, enough with all that lovey-dovey horse shit!” Rooster yelled as they all walked back to the table. 

He placed a beer down in front of you and you swatted his head playfully, he feigned an offended gasp and you rolled your eyes. 

“I just got back, Roo. I thought I’d get at least a little reprieve from the dumb shit you say.” You said and Rooster broke into a shit eating grin.

“It’s good to have you back, Y/n.” He said warmly.

“It’s good to be back, Roo. It’s really good.”

[kimsunwoodz]

In Need of Repair

Pairing: Jisung x Reader (gender neutral); a little Chan x Reader

Genre: angst, unrequited love, pining

Summary: Jisung knows what it’s like to love someone whose heart belongs to another, he knows you do too.

Word Count: 1.9k

Author’s Note: this is part of a title swap drabble game with the wonderful ursa over @thepixelelf . i really tried to make this story about something happy, but anguish is so deeply woven into the fabric of my sad, sad soul.

Just outside the chapel, moist flakes of snow fall to Earth, shrouding the land in ivory ribbons. Orchestral music begins as she makes her way down the aisle, the train of her beautiful silk gown gleams in just the same way as the frozen ground. You appreciate the symmetry of it all.

Chan stands at the altar, looking more handsome than ever. His hair is slicked back, the collar of his white shirt crisp and stark against his black tuxedo. You’re sure you’ve never seen someone so perfect. He turns to face her, and he cannot contain his tears. Sobs rake his body, and you know you’ll never feel so loved. The way Chan loves is pure and unwavering, you have always admired that about him, always wanted to know just how that felt. A sting in your chest reminds you that Chan’s heart belongs to another. You will yourself to believe that you are happy for him, but happiness has never tasted so bitter.

As the ceremony goes on, your eyes travel from Chan to his bride. She really is beautiful, perfect in every conceivable way: pretty, smart, compassionate. You understand why Chan has chosen her to spend an eternity with, you understand why he hasn’t chosen you. Even her vows are perfect. She recites them like a poem, her sing-song voice flowing through each word. You think she must descend from Byron. Art runs through her veins and metaphor her marrow. Chan has always had a way with words, but he may have met his match. As she finishes her sonnet, her declaration of love, all attention shifts to Chan. He has missed his silent cue, too busy staring into her starry eyes to notice how the church has fallen completely still.

The officiant clears his throat. “Chan,” he whispers, “it’s your turn.”

Awoken from his daze, Chan gulps. Swallowing his nerves and his excitement, he nods to the officiant before turning to face his love.

“From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I have been… completely enamored. The night we met, I- I couldn’t help but to stare. You were so beautiful, so breathtakingly unique. You had an air of sophistication about you that seemed to cloud the room in its entirety. I felt like I was suffocating - ” He pauses. “I felt like I was suffocating, but I welcomed the warmth in my chest. Your laugh was the most glorious thing I had ever heard, it felt like sunshine. It sounded like love. In hindsight, I should have been intimidated by you,” Chan stops to wipe a stray tear that had fallen and smiles “I would have been intimidated by you, if it weren’t for the sweetness of your smile. I felt like I was coming home. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, there has only been the two of us. In a room of a hundred, I am as alone with you as I am in the comfort of the apartment we share. I wish to live with you and maybe, if I’m lucky, I may be able to die with you as well.” With shaking hands, Chan presents the ring to the woman that he loves. No longer is he the only thing wrapped around her slender finger.  

The air feels thick with love. Though, unlike Chan, there is no warmth in your chest. You are left to suffocate in your own loneliness. You silently gasp for air.

“You may now kiss the bride.” Cheers erupt from all throughout the wedding hall as Chan leans in. You watch from the second row as the love of your life kisses his new bride. You watch from the second row as your heart breaks in two. You are happy for him, really, you just wish your aching heart had gotten the memo.

Jisung watches from beside the altar as you do your best to contain your sobs. His heart aches for you, for a love that can never be returned. He has watched for years as Chan has paraded his girlfriends in front of you, endlessly oblivious to the pain he was causing, the torment he was forcing you to endure. With every tear that you shed for Chan, Jisung could feel his heart fracture. Jisung has witnessed first-hand your devotion to Chan, he has shared in your longing for a heart that belonged to another. He has grown to resent Chan for what he’s put you through. He knows it isn’t Chan’s fault, no one can control who they love. Though Jisung likes to tell himself that given the choice, he would still choose you. He can’t imagine it any other way.

--------------------------------------------------------

The wedding has made its way to the reception hall. Beautifully dressed tables decorate the room, satin fabric delicately drapes each one, a flickering candle resting in the center. Name placards designate the seating arrangements and though you aren’t officially a member of the wedding party, a seat is still reserved for you at the head table, Chan’s wife had made sure of it. You settle down next to Jisung and he gives you a gentle smile. You return the gesture, the smile never quite meeting your puffy eyes. Jisung aches to hold you.

As dinner is served, Jisung tries extra hard to cheer you up. He tells stories of his drunken escapades, of the night Minho dared him to streak across campus, of the time he came home wearing someone else’s shoes. You hang onto every word he says, never tiring of the animated way in which he speaks. Though Jisung manages to get a laugh or two to breach your downturned mouth, the warmth in your cheeks never quite reaches your chest. Jisung can tell your mind is elsewhere, he wishes it was here with him.

Soon enough, the moment you’ve been dreading has come. Chan and his bride make their way to the center of the room to begin their first dance, her hands lovingly gripping Chan’s arm as he gently guides her. The first chord sounds and the pit in your chest threatens to swallow you whole.

--------------------------------------------------------

It was a winter morning; you and Chan had just finished your chemistry final and, after a brief snowball fight in the square, you found yourselves in your musky dorm room. It was a tradition the two of you had; after each exam session, you and Chan would meet in your dorm to talk about what questions you might have missed. You would share snacks and exchange song recommendations. After all, sharing is caring, and you’ve always cared about Chan. A lot.

This particular day found you laying on your bed, arms folded behind your head, right ankle resting on your propped up knee. Chan sat across the room in your squeaky desk chair, head leaned against the cold wall. He seemed to be in a trance, breathing slow and peaceful. Sentimental music played in the background, the type of song that makes you nostalgic for a time that has yet to come.

“What did you say the name of this song was again?” Chan asked, not bothering to open his eyes. You turned to look at him. He was waving his hands about like a music conductor, analyzing each note, admiring each bar. You laughed to yourself, his passion never ceasing to amaze you.

“It’s called ‘Who Do You Love’, by The Black Skirts.” You hummed in response, turning back to face the ceiling and gently closing your eyes.

“It’s good. Like, really good.”

“I knew you would like it.” Your chest tightened as you smiled, your entire body suddenly warm despite the storm raging outside.

--------------------------------------------------------

It was a memory of a simpler time, one before all the heartache and sorrow; one you often revisited when you needed a reminder of what life once was. Now, this memory leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and a heaviness in your bones. This song no longer belongs to you and Chan; it would forevermore be theirs; hers.

Jisung swears he’s witnessing the moment you finally break. Really, truly shatter. The light leaves your eyes as you look through the dancing couple, as if you are somewhere else entirely. He slowly places his hand on your shoulder, careful not to startle you as you return to the present. In your daze, you turn to him, confused.

“I’m gonna go get some air, wanna join?” His smile is soft and sweet, you can see in his eyes that he knows. You can hear the pity in his voice. Your secret is a secret no more.

Swallowing thickly, you nod. After wandering the venue for a bit, you find yourselves sitting on the balcony. The air is crisp, not unlike that winter day. It’s only when you are sure that you’re alone that you allow yourself to cry. You don’t want to ruin Chan’s special night, but you just can’t hold it anymore. As your shoulders tremble with the weight of your anguish, Jisung wraps his arms around you and holds you close. He thinks you fit in his grasp like you were made to live in it. Jisung feels the fault line in his heart travel just a little bit further.

You sit like this for what feels a lifetime. You sit like this long enough to begin to feel at home. Once your sobs subdue into quiet whimpers, Jisung lifts your chin so that you are looking him in the eyes. Yours are red and puffy from unleashing all your tears, his are glossy and wet from holding back his own.

“Are you ready to talk about it?” He asks quietly, scared to break the delicate silence blanketing the two of you.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to talk about it, not even when I’m old and wrinkly. I think I’ll die just how I lived, broken and unlovable.” Each word comes out a sniffle, but Jisung understands you just the same. He always has, you’ve just been too in love with Chan to notice.

Jisung swears he hears a heart crack, he just isn’t sure whose. His eyes bore into your own and he notices a tear streaming down his cheek. Before he can talk himself out of it, Jisung leans in to kiss you. It’s a soft kiss, just a peck really. It tastes like salty tears and sweet wedding cake, like heartache and longing. He cups your cheeks, afraid to let you go.

As Jisung’s eyes close, you feel his eyelashes flutter against your cheek. You allow yourself a moment, just a moment, to feel the touch of another - to feel like you are no longer alone. You allow yourself a moment to pretend it’s not Jisung kissing you, but a different brown-eyed man entirely. Pulling away, you see Jisung sitting in front of you.

You aren’t oblivious, you’ve noticed Jisung spending all night trying to cheer you up. It’s sweet of him, really, but you aren’t a charity run on pity.

“Ji, please, you don’t need to try and fix me. I’m not just a broken heart in need of repair. I just need time.” Jisung stares at you as his tears fall silently. He looks as broken as you feel.

Jisung can feel the splitting of his insides, a dark abyss separating the two halves of a heart that can no longer remember what it means to be whole.  

[hello-nichya-here]

Favorite Måneskin song?

HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME? Do you have any idea how much I love this band and their songs? DO YOU? You really think I won’t make this a top 10 just to have an excuse to praise more than one? You really think it didn’t quick turn into a top 20? And then a top 25? You really think I didn’t spend three days working on this reply and am still unhappy with it because it didn’t do the band any justice?

25 - Chosen

The lyrics are not all that special, and even though Damiano shines in it as he does in everything, it doesn’t compare to how great his voice is in other tracks... but dear lord, the band is fucking great in it, especially Thomas. Immaculate guittar riffs. 

24 - Lividi Sui Gomiti

Whenever I hear this song, it is the very definition of “Better than I remembered.” The chorus is catchy as fuck, I love the beginning and end of it, and Victoria shows exactly why she is THE perfect choice to play the bass. Plus, angry Damiano telling the world to fuck off and let him do his thing is always a win.

23 - Somebody Told Me

As much as I enjoyed seeing their performances on X Factor, plenty of them suffered from the “reality show effect”, in which you watch it, lose your shit over how good it is, and then never think about it again because it only works in the context of “I hope they win this thing.” This version did NOT suffer from that. At all. The band grabbed this song and made it their bitch.

22 - Bury A Friend

Yet another cover that they absolutely fucking owned. As a Billie Eillish fan, it annoys me when people just take her songs, do literally nothing with it except sing faster and louder, and think their work is done. Maneskin actually put in the fucking effort to find a way to add their own twist to the song while also showing that they clearly understand what is so great about the original version. I may or may not smile like a crazy person when Ethan starts playing the shit out of the drums and shows us what this version will be like.

21 - Niente Da Dire

I just fucking love singing along to this one. It’s fun, simple, and the lyrics are pretty damn good. 

20 - In Nome Del Padre

Damiano sings that the world and stage are not enough for him, AS HE FUCKING SHOULD! This song just has a way of truly making me feel as if I am seeing all the things the band went through to get to were they are. Also I am not sure it is legal for anything to sound as good as the end of this song with Thomas just going fucking feral.

19 - Supermodel

Like most of the Maneskin fans, I didn’t care for this song when it was released. It didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. The studio version feels like it really muted the band, and left just Damiano’s vocals - good, but come on, we need the whole thing. Then they performed it live and even made an acoustic version and everything fell into place. Thank God we got to hear the amazing song that was hiding behind some very generic production.

18 - Ventanni

One of Damiano’s best lyrics, combined with one of the band’s best instrumental AND one of their best videos. I am surprised it wasn’t even higher on the list and I am the one making the damned thing!

17 - Amandoti

Maneskin REALLY has a thing for just making great covers. I know everybody loves the version they did with their mentor, but I personally prefer the one with Damiano singing by himself. But he is not the one who makes the song so great for me. The wat Ethan will barely touch the drumset in some moments, and then suddenly go for it, like a bomb finally going off, and Vic and Thomas jump in and turn it up to eleven... oh man, it is pure magic.

16 - Immortale

Another one that is just so fun to listen to and sing along. It’s just a great duet and whenever I hear it, I just HAVE to listen a second time. And a third. And a fourth, and fifth, and sixth...

15 - Beggin

As much as I understand that it is super unfair that this became their most well known song despite not fully representing what the band can do and over-play having really killed the song for some people, and even for myself a few times... there’s a reason this is the biggest hit. It’s just great track that keeps on getting better the more it goes on, to the point that even though it can be repetitive, I’m disappointed when it ends. 

14 - L’altra Dimensione

Okay, okay, OKAY, who allowed Damiano to have such a great voice? How can he show more emotion just singing “Marlena” over and over again than many artists can in an entire album? Who gave him the right write a track that works perfectly as a celebration of freedom and art AND as an excellent declaration of love? 

13 - For Your Love

Once again, Thomas, Victoria and Ethan just go all out, the costant change in tempo lets them show how versatile they are - I was not surprised to hear Thomas say this was his favorite song. But this time, they don’t steal the show, because everytime Damiano gets to last verse of every part of the song, my jaw hits the floor. The lyrics are so simple, but the way he sings them makes it a thousand times more beautiful

12 - Le Parole Lontane

Not to sound like a broken record, but holy shit, Damiano! He really makes the listener understand his longing for his muse - even the ones that don’t speak a word of italian and never looked up the translation. The anguish is so visceral, and the last verse always gave me the impression that it wasn’t that he stopped singing because the song was over, but because he couldn’t go on.

11 - Lasciame Stare

At first, I didn’t like this song. I thought of it as the weakest on the album, and often skipped it. Then one day, right the fuck out of nowhere, whatever it was that kept me from liking it just disappeared, and I listened to it 50 times in a row, and every now and then I just find myself with that damn chorus stuck in my head and there is NOTHING I can do to get it out when that happens.

10 - Un Temporale

This is one of their best covers and genuinely one of the best songs I’ve ever heard, and I am fucking FURIOUS that I can either listen to a extremelly short version with good quality by seeing their performance on X Factor or get the full thing in video some fan recorded with their phone. JUST FUCKING MAKE AN OFFICIAL VERSION AND RELEASE IT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

09 - Mammamia

Damiano being a petty, horny brat, Thomas going off, and Vic and Ethan making me stomp my foot to the rhythym of this great track every single time I hear it... what is there not to love? All that’s missing is a performance with Damiano singing it in a stripper pole.

08 - I Wanna Be Your Slave

The first Maneskin song I ever heard. I was instantly hooked. Insanely catching, unbelievably horny, and the lyrics are a mood. I love the way Damiano shouts, whispers and just straight up moans while singing, and seeing Vic just vibe to the song while playing the bass is great. The video for it is also my favorite and that gave it a lot of extra points. 

07 - Moriro Da Re

I looooove the lyrics in this one so fucking much, especially because, once again, Damiano managed to make it a perfect love song AND a celebration of his ideals and goals. I can’t help but get slowly (or not so slowly) unhinged when it gets to “Marlena, vinci la sera” and he sings it over and over.

06 - La Paura Del Buio

Probably my favorite chorus and ending in any of their tracks, and it fucking blew my mind the first time I heard it - and the millionth time as well. Watching live performances of it makes it hit even harder. Damiano was born to be a front-man and seeing Thomas, Vic and Ethan giving it their all is the coolest fucking thing ever.

05 - If I Can Dream

I thought over and over again about how to explain why I love this cover so much, but honestly all I can say is that it makes me incredibly emotional and it is a delight whenever I hear it.

04 - Vengo Dalla Luna

The fact that they don’t sing this song in every single show is a fucking crime. It is the best cover they ever made - so good that I have to keep reminding myself that this isn’t an original of the band, because it suits them ridiculously well. The sheer raw power in every second of the track is incredible.

03 - Torna A Casa

This one is, heart-breaking, heart-warming, hopeful, desperate, pure passion and a desperate cry of pain all at the same time, and it’s on the top 2 best Maneskin lyrics. I absolutely adore it and if I ever have the luck to see them live and they play this song, I might straight up die on the spot.

02 - Coraline

This one is, without a doubt, THE most depressing Maneskin song. It is also one of the most beautiful they ever made, and the best Damiano ever wrote. The way it starts so slow and simple, Ethan jumping in to make the song come alive, Thomas’s solo, the devastating end... It’s no surprise that the fans love this one so fucking much.

01 - Zitti E Buoni

Behold! THE perfect Maneskin song. We got bass, drum, and guittar solos, Damiano rapping, amazing lyrics, and an iconic performance at eurovision. I Wanna Be Your Slave was the one made me like the band, but this was the one that made me absolute love them, and I adore it just as much as I did when I first heard it. I’m not sure they’ll ever top this one - and it is so fucking great that they don’t even need to.

Anyways, anon, I hope you have learned your lesson: don’t ask the bisexual to choose.

[ppoppokari]

♮...written ship...♮

@averagetoyakinnie

the way i literally stopped working on a synastry request to work on this ship. hi! so i am definitely rambling like a motherfucker but i am so nervous, you sound so amazing and the fact you threw in some korean 😭😭

내가 너무 어색하지 않았으면 좋겠어, 네가 내 블로그에 와서 나를 빛나게 해서 나를 어떻게 해야 할지 몰랐어

저도 음악가니까 음악에 대해 상의할 사람이 있으면 더 질문이나 메시지를 보내주세요

also i have limited time due to assignments so you get this one immediately!

and skz and (g)idle? and the fact you mentioned atarashii gakko, milli and yoasobi?! the taste?! immaculate xx

wren

~stray kids~ changbin ♩

I have no idea whether you knew I would ship you with Changbin or not, but I can definitely say that the reasons I ship you extend far beyond the fact that you are edgy and can rap. I just honestly adore this pairing, I will get into it but just know that you bring with you all the things Changbin needed or anything that had been missing in terms of friends and relationships.

Changbin adored you since day one, you fascinated him with your passion for music and the way you had chosen to express yourself. He saw you as a walking piece of art in the way that you were as beautiful as you were a message of self-expression at its greatest. Changbin never imagined that he would immediately want to shift some of the love and affection he gave his members to you. Which started a light-hearted inside joke about how Changbin was dressing up and working out for you, and some of that was true. He was so in awe at how talented you were despite how modest and shy you were, he was at the time, the most intuitive he had ever been. He just knew that you were someone special who he would spend a good amount of his life with.

Changbin has the ability to handle romantic relationships in a very good manner so while he isn’t as open with his pda nor does he do overly romantic acts he still does his part to build a relationship where you both know how much the other cares for you.  But first I want to mention how much Changbin will take to your personality once you start becoming more open with him, it started off purely platonic but he just loved how intense you were (in all the best ways of course). There is something fiery about your nature, you really seem to have so much charisma despite having introverted tendencies. This works so well with Changbin who is an open book who wears his emotions on his sleeves, despite being so passionate about your relationship both of you somehow maintain a very light hearted disposition.

It might be a cliché, but everyone loves a couple of musicians and producers. And probably the most iconic thing is the fact that you both love to perform for each other or create music together. He seems to understand you, at least creatively speaking. He knows how to work well with your creative style, and he will be the one encouraging the two of you to work on a song together so you can literally just flex how cool you are.  Though you both have faith in your relationship it’s definitely admired by many people, you really just enhance each other’s personalities in the best way.

Even though both of you don’t hide your relationship there are still very domestic or sentimental things that you do for each other that doesn’t make headlines. Things like dancing together, encouraging him to cosplay for you, skateboarding or showing him your favourite tabletop rpg’s. Literally nothing is off the table for him, he feels like he has found a friend, a partner and a deeper soul mate. In other words, you’re his favourite person to be around, but he never really says it. He prefers to do spur of the moment kind or cheesy things for you, just to see your reaction. Your strong personality actually inspires him to take a break from being the dom one in the relationship, you playfully put him in his place and he reacts by being soft, cute and lovesick.

Each time he pouts at you he’s internally swooning because you are the strength he needed to do great things with his life.

~(g)idle~ shuhua ♫

Honestly, this ship just felt right. I mean I nearly shipped you with Minnie but after some more thought I truly feel like you and Shuhua would make a genuinely amazing couple. There is just something almost dreamy and ethereal about your personality description and niche interests, basically, you wouldn’t have to do much to have Shuhua falling hard. It would be one of those meetings where you are both so enamoured with each other, so obviously it wouldn’t take long for you to start dating. Both of you had come to accept the fact that you should act on the emotions you were feeling whenever you were around each other. In this instance Shuhua didn’t want to stress about the implications of wanting to date so soon, she wasn’t even focused on the future she really just wanted to experience life and a new way of going about things. You allowed her to feel comfortable in trying news things and dating new people. The entire time she was just appreciative of your openness and understanding, you were someone who he felt like she could confide in about many things she didn’t want to say to her other members.  Even if it did start off as her wanting something platonic both of you move quite quick in your relationship, at the end of the day it just feels right to both of you.

Now onto the rest of it!

Shuhua knows you can handle your own, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t deathly protective of you. She has some self-realisation and knows that she is being so extra, but Shuhua is such a huge fan of knowing that only she gets to have such an amazing boyfriend. She has some very particular personality traits where she will want to perform and make you proud, but she also wants people to know how you two are both content being with each other. It’s actually a bit of a possessive streak but she just really wants you to know that what you have is something special, and that she is so dedicated to being a good girlfriend.

Shuhua comes across as the very expressive, almost excitable maknae and this works very well with your partially rebellious ways. Both of you share so much in common and sometimes it may seem that you’re a bad influence on each other, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Similar to your other ship, I feel like in this instance both of you enhance each other’s personality traits resulting in such a vibrant and eventful relationship.

Shuhua has a huge soft spot for you and it seems out of the blue but she instantly turns into an almost maternal figure, she is so invested into who you are that she really wants to know you on a deep level. As a result of this she has a huge nurturing side where she is aware of how deep your emotions are, as well as anything else that has to do with your mental health and how to make you feel safe and happy. Both of you just work together really well, you share everything with each other and it really is a place where you feel like the other will never judge you.

Even if she is so nice to you, she playfully calls you a nerd, but in actuality she is in awe over just how intelligent and creative you are. Maybe she doesn’t 100% understand your interests or why you are so passionate about them nor will she want to even attempt some of them but she still respects you and will know enough about said hobbies to discuss them with other people.

In short Shuhua has found a soul mate in you, you came at a time when she truly needed companionship and in loving you, she found a way to truly love herself.

[hcrexcellency]

( angela sarafyan, 45 , she/they , demi-woman , Ferrero #3 ) - have you seen SALOME RICCI (NEE FERRERO)?  we’ve heard through the grapevine that they’re GENTLE but also UNLUCKY. when you think of them , you think of FIRST BLOOM OF SPRING, A FULL GLASS OF HOME-MADE WINE, AND TIRED HANDS BRUSHING A HORSE’S HAIR.

Basics:

Name: Salome Ricci (nee Ferrero) Title: Duchess of Bronte Age: 45 Birthday: September 23rd (Libra) Sexuality: Demisexual Marital Status: VERY married Positive Traits: Gentle, generous, soft, empathetic, patient Negative Traits: Cautious, judgmental, unlucky, indecisive, secretive. Hobbies: Gardening, horseback riding

The Story (tw; illness, depression):

The Ferrero family are perfectionists as a way to compensate for their lack of glittering gold crowns atop their heads and cushioned velvet thrones beneath their bums. Salome's upbringing was certainly evidence of their desperate need to maintain their image of exceptional breeding and upbringing. By the ripe age of 5, she had the most beautiful voice in all of Italy. It was miraculous how such a little girl could sing such melodies that could stop all war and end all strife. But it was the family's intention to make her singing as a weapon; the shiniest toy in the chest to prove just how superior the Ferrero's were. Salome trained tirelessly for years to strengthen her gift until the age of 18, when her songs weren't as sweet as they once were. A physician discovered that they contracted an uncontrollable disease that ripped through her vocal chords, which was only made worse by her overusing and overworking them. If they ever wanted to hum a tune for their own leisure, they must never be permitted to sing on a grand stage ever again. Devastated, Salome was The Ferrero Family's greatest disappointment, a stain on their tapestry. If she could not perform, she was useless. The sadness seeped into her skin and would have nearly destroyed her if it were not for a retreat to the Sicilian countryside, where she encountered the Ricci family and their eldest son, Angelo. Never were two so destined for one another. As far as the Ferrero's were concerned, at least she could become a good wife and a duchess, and so they permitted the marriage and by the age of 20, Salome turned to a new life. Angelo's way of life on the land was entirely foreign against the backdrop of diamonds and ivory marble floors, but she was so desperate for a change of scenery that she accepted it with open arms. Suddenly, her marble halls were turned into trees of fruit and berries. The polished floors were muddy in the rainy season and dusty in the dry season. Her perfectly hemmed dresses were now covered in dirt and pollen. Flowers of all colors found homes in their hair each time they set foot outside. The animals were her chosen children until they decided to make a family of their own. Out of fear of spreading their illness to biological offspring, they decided to adopt children. It reminded them an awful lot of how their lost soul needed a new life, and now they would do that for little children they would call her own. Through the years, Salome's reflection of themselves has changed. Once she was a picture-perfect Lady, smiling to mask the tortured tears that often fell down her face as her tired voice cried for help. Now, they were as free and pure as the air in the trees, energy shifting from the earth to the sky to send messages of hope and optimism, despite how many unlucky trials life may throw their way. A lady no longer, but sunlight, breeze, dew, and flowers.

SIMILAR CHARACTERS: Lucy Gray Baird (The Hunger Games), Maria Von Trapp (The Sound of Music), Persephone (The Goddess of Spring), Mary-Margaret Blanchard (Once Upon a Time), Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender).

WC's

Her Eldest Sibling: This would be the Duke/Duchess Ferrero, the catalyst of the perfectionist way of life. In this new life that she's lived for over twenty years, their eldest sibling is now the exact opposite of her, and they cannot stand how she has seemingly rejected being a Ferrero altogether (b/c she has).

Friends: Honestly, Salome is just nice to everyone, so feel free to interact with them as you please.

Someone Taking Advantage of Her: I just think a negative sort of connection would be so interesting because Salome's kindness is often confused with them being naive and that is definitely not the case. She will snap when she needs to, especially to protect her babies.

[tenaciouspostfun]

Is the present cast as good as when it first opened on Broadway in the early 2000's? Debatable. Where Tim Curry absolutely killed it as King Arthur and under Mike Nichols brilliant direction, "Spamalot was a sensation back when. Under the book by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle this musical is still a brilliant piece. Director (and choreography) Josh Rhodes takes this great piece based on the 1975 movie Monty Python and The Holy Grail now playing at the St. James Theatre and keeps the side splitting laughter front and center.

It is 932 AD, plague beseeches much of England. God has chosen King Arthur (James Monroe Iglehart) to find the Holy Grail. Arthur summons his round table to help him in his journey. From Sir Lancelot(Taran Killam), Sir Robin( Michael Urie), Galahad (Nik Walker), the entire trip is rip roaring laughter!

The cast plays many roles and all are quite good, however, Michael Urie and Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer(The Lady of the Lake), steal the show. Urie is one of the best Broadway has to offer today; having seen him in various role over the years, Urie always give the audience a treat with his acting. Kritzer's singing, her acting were outstanding.

As the King trudges through a not- yet-united-kingdom, he is helped along by his neglected sidekick Patsy (Christopher Fitzgerald). Faced with zany characters (some oversized; to the Ni' and onto a killer rabbit). We meet mud-covered mothers and an amputee swordsman. Adding to this farce, even the French get spoofed and it maybe the highlight of the afternoon.

What has been added to this "Spamalot" is the frustrated historian and it is well played by Ethan Slater (SpongeBob the Musical), wimpy Prince Herbert, the killer bunny and many other wacky characters. Slater, like Urie gives us great business, funny action that brings the show to higher levels.

The design in this musical is decent (Paul Tate dePoo lll) as is the projections. I thought the projection here never changes the locations well enough. In the design it merely supports the show rather than being just functional it never raises the show to a bigger brighter visual. Here we get a missed opportunity to separate itself from the "Spamelot" we saw back in 2005.

In Jen Caprio's costume design, Cory Pattak's lighting and Kai Harada's sound design we get full support to the musical. Where scenic and projection just exist, the aforementioned really bring great effect and support to this two plus hours of entertainment.

In a spoof such as this, the music needs to be as memorable as the plot itself. Songs like :"I Am Not Dead Yet", "All In One", "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", "You Won't Succeed on Broadway", "Diva's Lament" and "I'm All Alone" are all memorable and funny.

By way of entertainment, "Spamalot" is great-good-fun and certainly something we can all us in these times; pure escapism and for the most part, the jokes land well. The actors are versatile and talented and they bring excitement and lite fun to their performances. The show never is slow and moves at a rapid pace throughout. Comparing it to when it first came to Broadway hurts this show in that it had a different director, different actors but I promise you that you will not be disappointed seeing this rendition.

Broadway, Spamalot, Some Like It Hot, A Beautiful Noise, The Shark is Broken, Back To The Future, Hamilton, Aladdin, The Lion King, Michael Urie, Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Tony Awards, www.broadwayworld.com, Mann About Town, Metropolitan Magazine, My Life Publications, Nimbus Magazine, WACE Entertainment, Gimme Shelter Productions, LLC.

[aceselfshippings]

🤝 with knives? (Also couldn't decide between 🤗 and/or 💉 which honestly make for a decent combo) ;3c -💛

How dare you force me to learn how to write him /j /aff

Training under Legato was rewarding, but brutal. Add in the weird experimentation shit from the creepy old doctor and Spades’s head was left with a nasty migraine. They’d chosen to wander the arc in search of a dark, quiet space away from all the buzzing fluorescents that had only become much more noticable thanks to enhanced senses. So far they’d had no luck, and were beginning to think it was a fruitless endeavor when something in the distance caught their attention. They perked up, listening intently and tuning out everything else as they tried to focus on what they'd heard; it was soft, distant, but somewhat familiar… a piano maybe? Migraine temporarily forgotten, Spades slowly followed the sound.

‘What kinda weirdo science lab has a piano?’ They thought to themself as they got closer and closer to the source. The song was unfamiliar for sure, but they’d never really had much chance to listen to music outside of July. Still, something about this song felt odd as goosebumps formed across their skin. It was almost otherworldly, and that feeling only increased when they found the source. They quietly peeked around the doorframe, surprised at the grandness of the room first then drawn to the frightful creature looming above the instrument. They must've gasped or made a sound, because the music cut off immediately, and it was pure unthinking instinct alone that they managed to dodge whatever was now lodged into the wall where their head just was. They didn't get time to process anything as something wrapped around their waist and yanked them out of their cover with a startled yelp, and Spades suddenly found themself face to face with the most handsome man they’d ever seen. Suddenly Legato’s talk of gods and angels made sense, because there was no way this guy was anything less than ethereal…

“What are you doing here?” The man sneered, and Spades felt a chill run up their spine that brought them out of their adoration spiral; they could practically hear Legato scolding them for being so distracted.

“I-, I was just looking for some place quiet and-” the thing wrapped around their waist, some kind of tendril covered in knives they now noticed, tightened around them and they hissed as some of the blades pressed harder into their skin.

“I heard music and got c-curious…” they continued, sending the other a somewhat sheepish smile, “didnt mean t’interrupt, ya play really well…” the man narrowed his eyes minutely and Spades mentally kicked themself.

‘Welp, this is how I die-’

“This area is off limits,” the man’s voice cut through their thoughts, and they couldn't help the look of surprise on their face at not being immediately skewered. They felt the blades-tendril around their waist go slack as they were unceremoniously dropped to the floor. The man now loomed over them much like the thing over the piano, but for some reason Spades didnt feel fear so much as awe once more as their stormy grey eyes met icy blue.

“Next time, I won't be so lenient.” It was a clear dismissal that was only added to by the man turning away. Spades recovered from the shock of being left alive and scrambled to their feet, then paused by door. Left embedded in the wall was the blade they’d dodged moments before, and their inner klepto could hardly resist such a unique prize. They quietly pried the knife out, glancing toward the man to make sure he wasn't looking, before continuing on their way.

They didnt stop until they were back within the relative safety of their room, and even then they anxiously waited an hour before pulling the knicked blade out of their pocket to admire. It was sharper than anything they had, and clearly not made of something found on this desert hell of a planet. The design was unique as well, resembling the same blades that had been close to poking holes in them not ten minutes before, which meant it’d be too dangerous to use in present company. They sighed and stowed the knife in the holster on their hip; maybe it would come in handy someday.

[alternamarian]

20 — Habits Formed In A Short Life

retrace

I woke up with my body still aching.

I felt the binding enchantments on me even before I opened my eyes. And even while I was not quite awake I knew that struggling would be in vain, for I had neither the strength nor the magic. But I was very foolish, as I still am. I struggled against the spells they placed on me, to no avail. 

[It was, and always will be, a prey.]

“Now she’s awake,” said the voice of the oracle. “It seems your magic isn’t as effective as you claim it is.”

The haze was gone, replaced by the baleful darkness. But above me flickered lamps wrought from pure magic. No need to hang these on a string! They cast the clearing in a glare of livid green, the tint and crackle of which was quite familiar.

“Oh, be quiet, you old hag,” said the voice of our teacher, who just then stepped out from the shadows. “You’re the one who didn't knock her out hard enough.”

“How is she even alive?” said another voice: another of our instructors.

“Yes,” said our teacher, looming over me as she did when she beat me in front of the whole class. “That really is the question, isn’t it?” And she stooped closer towards me. “That’s the whole problem. You’ve always been an odd little thing, haven’t you? Plain enough to look at, no doubt. And yet …”

“You were the one who insisted on training her,” said the oracle, leaning on the arms of the temple girls. “A fine job you’ve done!” The old woman sounded quite peevish.

“And I could have done much more, if I was free to wield the powers!” retorted our teacher. “But you, you had to keep up the farce of your temple rituals. You still cling to the old ways. You still believe that songs and dances will gain the favor of the great ones. Well, I have chosen to go by a different method. I have chosen to make my own allegiances.” I caught sight of movement at the edge of the clearing. I turned, and saw the shadowy form of the ghoul slink before us.

“And your methods have yielded nothing!” shouted the oracle. “You allow that filthy thing to wander on your school grounds, and for what? What has your bargaining brought you?”

Our teacher advanced towards the oracle, with menacing calculation. “Oh I have gained much, oracle,” she said, in a low voice, while streaks of pallid green shot around her arms. “With the flick of my wrist I could make you curse out the great ones.”

But the oracle looked at her calmly — coldly, even. “Your threats do not frighten me, young lady,” she said. “These things feed off of the same powers. They are parasites, and that is all they will ever be, whatever else they might tell you. Only the great ones can spare us. Only by appeasing them can we fend off their wrath. And that is why we must remedy this problem as quickly as possible.”

And for an instant, they acted in unison, and turned to look at me.

“We cannot have anyone returning from the Offering. See how much she has changed! She will be a curse to us. The gliding vines who carried her have already been chopped up and burned behind the temple,” the oracle went on. “Now step aside, and I will show you what fealty to the great ones can do.”

Our teacher snarled, but she did as the oracle said. The old woman walked to the middle of the clearing. The temple girls supported her on either side, but now she did not look frail at all. She raised both her hands, and in a loud voice chanted out words I will not repeat.

The darkness in front of us gave way to a portent vastly more ominous. A moment later the tall figure of two servants descended upon the clearing. Their blank faces stared at us, and some of the teachers trembled visibly. The ghoul cowered behind our teacher.

What is this gathering? said one of the servants.

“Hail, servants of the Most High!” greeted the oracle. “We beseech that you spare us a moment, in which we may pay tribute to the magnificence of your station.” And she drew herself aside, pointing towards me. “We present to you a gift,” she said. 

The servants looked at me, but said nothing.

“It is a singular gift, and we offer it all for you,” said the oracle. “All we ask in return is that you remember us to the mistress.”

The servants bent towards me, bringing those empty visages close to mine. If it is so singular, why was it not presented in the Offering?

“We thought to set it aside for you,” said our teacher. The oracle turned at her sharply, which she ignored. “It has plenty of desirable traits, which I admit I wanted to take what she had for myself. But such things must be given over to you.”

The servants shifted their attention to our teacher. It does desire something. What does it want to take?

Our teacher stammered. “Well, I —”

This is a most irregular arrangement, said the other servants. Let them show first if this tribute is worth taking. If not, we will take them, to make up for this impertinence.

The oracle bowed low, already begging for leniency, but our teacher turned to me at once. “You heard the servants,” she snarled. “I know you’ve been reading the ancient tales. I know you’ve healed the gliding vines. Show us what you can do!”

I looked at her. “Tell me, Teacher,” I said, “how much did you have to enchant the first girl to make her into an Offering?”

Our teacher’s mouth curled contemptuously in the glare of the lamps. “Not much,” she said. “She wanted to be an Offering. All of us teachers knew how desperate she was to make up for the shame of her family. She practically begged for this.” And she leered at me. “And yet, in spite of all the trouble you’ve caused us, we still considered making you the Offering. You really have something we can’t quite decipher.” She brushed the mess of my hair from my face. “Now, at your last moments, you will be useful to us. Show the servants what you have.” 

I said nothing, and she gripped my hair. “Don’t be obstinate like your stupid maiden, who died for nothing. Show it. Give it up.”

For an instant I saw the maiden, falling in her garden, her blood pouring out from where the pupil had struck her on her head.

“I am not like the maiden,” I said. “I will not fight you. But you must unshackle one of my hands.”

Our teacher scowled, and one of her fellow instructors said at once, “Don’t.” But I felt the spells loosen, and I found I could move my right arm. 

“There,” she said. “Now stop dithering, and do as you are told.”

I raised my eyes to our teacher. “You want to know what is in me,” I said. “Well, teacher, you will take it.” I touched her face. 

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

“I am doing as I was told,” I uttered. 

And as I spoke, a light flashed from where my hand lay. 

“You will take what I have within me,” I said, “much of which you yourself once had as well, and have since forgotten. Now you will remember!” And I whispered close to her ear. “But will you endure it?”

Our teacher began screaming. 

The remaining enchantments on me shattered. Seeing me thus freed, the rest of the instructors rushed to stop me. But the light had turned into white fire, and I turned my head towards them as the flames covered me and our teacher. “You too will take what you’ve sought from me,” I said, stretching my other arm. At once the same fire kindled in them, and I stood up as the sound of their shrieks filled the clearing.

I looked at the oracle and her temple girls. “Well, oracle,” I said, “am I now fit to be a temple girl?”

The oracle opened her mouth to speak, but could only choke as the fires bloomed out from her throat. The temple girls started screaming as well, and the flames kindled in them as well.

The ghoul, meanwhile, stood as if transfixed. I approached it, covered in flame as it was shrouded in shadow. “I will have some mischief now,” I said, “especially as this fun serves a higher purpose.” And I reached my hand into the swirling shadows. Beams of light shot forth from within, as the ghoul shuddered, and let out a piercing screech. Then it, too, burst into flame.

At last I faced the servants.

It is indeed a singular gift, said the servant who had first spoken. All this is it has done by its own means. What could it do with the power of the great one?

And it brought down upon me a portion of what it was granted by its mistress.

I knew I had to fight it. And I knew I could. I had lived my life, short as it was, in resistance to the great ones, abstaining from their power and forswearing loyalty to them. Still, however unwillingly, I had tasted the magic — her magic. 

And it felt good.

I was aware of the fire that erupted out to the clearing. The force of the explosion broke through the walls and crushed the flimsy buildings of the school. A massive wind stirred, carrying beyond the school gates.

At last I broke free from the enchantment. The servant was not pleased, and stuck me hard on the head.

I fell, and lay on the grass as the blood began pouring from my head.

It is not as pliant as it ought to be, the servant was saying. But it is quite fascinating. It can be put into use.

And the two servants stood over me.

It will be brought to her stronghold, they said. Its past will be forgotten. Faces and names alike will be erased, and will give way to those that belong among the great ones. And in her stronghold it will serve, and fulfill its purpose; in the house of the mistress: the one, the beautiful, the mighty —

But I will not say her name.

The servants plucked me from the ground, and took me away with them.

realize

[minervacasterly]

Shakespeare Sunday!

~The Princess that was Promised: Queen Elizabeth I of England’s Christening in William Shakespeare’s history play “Henry VIII”~

As Henry VIII states below, Cranmer fulfills the role of an oracle, delivering him a glorious prophecy of what kind of future awaits his daughter and why he should feel thankful, in spite of her gender, since her birth signals the coming of a new era, a golden age that will make England the glorious nation it once was.

“Hark, the trumpets sound!

They’re come already from the christening

Go break among the press, and find a way out

To let the troop pass fairly, or I’ll find

A Marshalsea shall hold you play these two months.

PORTER: Make way there for the Princes!

PORTER'S MAN:You great fellow,

Stand close up, or I’ll make your head ache.

PORTER: You in the camlet, get up on the rail!

I’ll peck you over the pales else.

CRANMER: And to your royal Grace and the good queen,

My noble partners and myself thus pray

All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady

Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy

May hourly fall upon you!

KING: Thank you, good lord Archbishop. What is her name?

CRANMER: Elizabeth.

KING: Stand up, lord. With this kiss take my blessing.

God protect thee,

Into whose hand I give thy life.

CRANMER: Amen.

KING (to courtiers): My noble gossips, you’ve been too prodigal

I thank you heartily; so shall this lady

When she has so much English

CRANMER: Let me speak, sir,

For heaven now bids me; and the words Ii utter

Let none think flattery, for they’ll find ‘em truth.

This royal infant -heaven still move about her!-

Though in her cradle, yet now promises

Upon this land a thousand blessings,

Which time shall bring to ripeness. She shall be

But few now living can behold that goodness

A pattern to all princes living with her

And all that shall succeed. Saba was never

More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue

That tis pure soul shall be.

All princely graces

That mold up such a mighty piece as this is,

With all the virtues that attend the good,

Shall still be doubled on her.

Truth shall nurse her;

Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her.

She shall be loved and feared.

Her own shall bless her;

Her foes sake like a field of beaten corn

And hang their heads with sorrow. Good grows with her.

In her days every man shall eat in safety

Under his own vine what he plants and sing

The merry songs of peace to all his neighbors.

God shall be truly known, and those about her

From her shall read the perfect ways of honor

And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.

Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when

The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,

Her ashes new create another heir

As great in admiration as herself,

So shall she leave her blessedness to one,

When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness,

Who from the sacred ashes of her honor

Shall starlike rise as great in fame as she was

And so stand fixed. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,

That were the servants to this chosen infant,

Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him.

Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,

His honor and the greatness of his name

Shall be, and make new nations. He shall flourish,

And like a mountain cedar reach his branches

To all the plains about him. Our children’s children

Shall see this and bless heaven.

KING: Thou speakest wonders.

CRANMER: She shall be to the happiness of England

An aged princess; many days shall see her,

And yet no day without a deed to crown it.

Would I had known no more! But se must die,

She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin,

A most unspotted lily, shall she pass

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

KING: O lord Archbishop,

Thou hast made me now a man.

Never before this happy child did I get anything.

This oracle of comfort has so pleased me

That when I am in heaven I shall desire

To see what this child does and praise my Maker …”

Shakespeare was of course writing at a time when the sun had set on Glorianna's reign. To give her a proper farewell, and to bolster national pride, he took it upon himself to write this play where he also honored her successor, King James I, by

noting through his character that England's prosperity is due to them.

The first known performance of this play was in 1613, ten years after her death, while the first folio was published twenty years after in 1623.

As with many of her courtiers and other play writers and artists she sponsored, Shakespeare took it upon himself to place the last Tudor monarch on a pedestal, immortalizing her in pen and paper, proving once again that the pen is mightier than the sword. And that fanciful legends will always appeal to the general public because as one character in "Game of Thrones" (ironically based on Elizabeth and her paternal grandmother, her namesake, Elizabeth of York) noted, "because the truth is always either terrible or boring." Which leaves us with folk tales and stories of love and loss, with universal themes that gives us something to look forward, aspire or someone to admire.

Image: Genevivie Bujold in "Anne of a Thousand Days" (1969).

[marycecilyy]

Hey could you do headcanons for the mcl guys (or if not all of them castiel, armin, and kentin) when their S/O is a famous singer? Thank you❤

Oh god this turned out so longer than I expected huahahushaushu

First of all, these are too long to be headcanons, all three of them have more than 1k words each. Also, I changed a bit the prompt. It's more like "Candy has the dream of becoming a famous singer". The rest you'll see... I'll only say that I'm very proud of this one ;)

Castiel, Armin and Kentin with a Candy that wishes to be a famous singer

Castiel

Castiel wasn’t one to be friendly to new students, but he knew you weren’t like any other when you came to him and asked if Winged Skull was one of his favorite bands too. He was shocked to know that there was another person at Sweet Amoris who enjoyed the same bands as him. Yes, bands (in plural). After he answered that, yes, Winged Skull was his favorite band of all times, you started talking about your common interests and discovered that there were many.

He was a very closed off guy, but somehow you managed to break into his skull in a short time and, in a few months, you turned into best friends.

When Debrah came back and that whole situation happened, your fight with Castiel had a lot of impact over you. In your head, you had just lost your best friend forever. Fortunately. Lysander not only helped you recover from the blow and gave you energy to gather your friends and expose Debrah, but also helped you admit to yourself that, you did have feelings for Castiel.

Once she was unmasked and ran away like a coward, things quickly came back to normal. In less than one week, you had restored your reputation, your friends apologized for misjudging you, Castiel and you were once again friends. The only difference was that you knew that you were in love with him.

You didn’t tell him about your feelings right away, you decided to keep your friendship and focus a bit on your lifelong goal: become a music star. You started learning how to sing properly and doubled the days of your guitar lessons. Castiel even helped you get into the music club (they were full when you got into Sweet Amoris, but he found a way to enroll you).

You knew that your chances of actually becoming famous were pretty low, the market was difficult and depended a lot on having the right contacts. That was why, while you tried putting your name out there, your plan was to get a degree in music as soon as you finished high school. Antheros Academy offered a good education and was close, it was your best option.

As you channeled your energies towards your goal, Castiel started to acknowledge his own sentiment towards you. He liked to watch your focused face as you tuned your guitar and your singing voice earned a sweet accent all of the sudden. He always considered you a special girl, but, to his surprise, feelings were starting to develop inside his closed off chest.

That was why, as soon as he won those concert tickets on a raffle, he knew he’d take you there as your first date. Luckily for him, you accepted right away. Castiel had a feeling that night would be something else.

And it really was, as he kissed you, without even thinking it through, when the vocalist sung what he knew was your favorite tune. When you kissed him back, he wrapped his hands over your waist and lifted you up, feeling your warm lips open up for him.

The months that followed were full of bliss. With you and Castiel officially dating, the school had a lot to talk about. Amber pestered you quite a bunch of times, but that didn’t mess with your relationship at all. Everything was perfect, as it was supposed to be.

But that didn’t last long. Right after you finished high school, your dad had to move to another town because of his job and you had no choice but to go too. You were sure that your relationship would survive the distance, after all, you were in love. This situation would be worked out.

Castiel came to your new house a couple of times and you two called frequently, but in the end distance started to grow between the both of you… and it hurt. Knowing that Castiel was sad made you miserable and you decided to break up before it became unbearable.

You lost your count of how many nights you cried thinking about him.

4 years later.

You were zipping your jeans up when you heard a knock on your dressing room’s door. Who could it be? Your parents had already congratulated you over the phone, there was no one supposed to come that night. Did your manager schedule a press interview for after the show?

You put on your shirt and told whoever was on the other side to wait. When you finally opened the door, your jaw almost fell. You couldn’t believe he was there.

He looked exactly like in the magazines, (a bit less photoshopped, but that was to expect. You went through that as well and it sucked). His hair was shoulder-length and he wore a black shirt that showed off the tattoos up to the middle of his arm. He wore some light makeup, most on his skin, which you deduced his manager made him put on. Castiel looked like you expected him to after all those years, but one thing about him surprised you.

His eyes, although more mature and serious, had the same brightness as before.

"Are ya going to keep staring like that?” He asked and you noticed you had just been looking at him for a solid minute.

“Sorry. Come in.” You said and made space for him to enter the room. For your luck, there was nothing private to be seen, you had the habit of leaving your clothes and personal belongings messy and only cleaning up the second you had to go.

Castiel cleared his throat. An awkward silence hung between you. You hadn’t been alone with each other ever since the breakup. You two were two of the biggest stars of nowadays rock music, but you barely had any opportunity to talk. Not that you haven’t tried, it was the opposite. You avoided contact. Your fans knew you had dated in high school (you used to have pictures on your personal instagrams and fans were quick to dig over old accounts to find information about their idols), so they never expected a feat or any kind of collab. Everyone knew that you weren’t on best terms.

You remembered just a couple of days ago, when you were interviewed for one of those talk shows. The host made a lot of personal questions about Castiel and even asked if you would get back with him if you had the chance. You tried to avoid answering, but the public instantly read your unconscious signs: yes, you would.

That was why, you assumed, he was there. To make things clear. After all, because of you yours and his fans started shipping you two and got you on twitter’s trending topics. He probably was pissed. There was also a possibility of him wanting to take advantage of the situation, maybe propose a fake relationship? No, that wasn’t like him. Or was it? You barely knew him anymore.

“So… you probably guessed why I’m here. I saw your interview” You were right, then. “And I want to make things clear.” Ouch. You should prepare for the blow. “Look, we both know time has passed and we’re not the same as before. You broke up to avoid more suffering, and I get that. I really do.”

Castiel crossed his arms and glared at you. You looked back at him with fear, fear of knowing what his next words would be. “But...?” You asked.

“Tsk.” He huffed. This would be more difficult than he thought. “Look, little girl…” You felt a shiver run through your spine at the sound of the old nickname he gave you. You had always loved it, even though you didn’t say it out loud. After what felt like hours, he continued. “I don’t want to be cheesy, that’s not like me. So I’ll just say that if what all of the fans are theorizing is true.... If you do want to try again....”

Castiel took your hand and you jumped in surprise. He turned your palm to him and grabbed a pen from his back pocket. He wrote down a phone number on your hand and let go of it, capped the pen and turned around to go.

"That's my personal number. It’s pretty useful if you wanna call me without having to schedule an appointment with my manager.” You managed to laugh. You knew exactly how these things were annoying.

Inside, you were bursting with excitement. However, you answered playfully “Hm…. I’ll think about it, mr. Rockstar” Castiel chuckled and excused himself, saying that his manager would get pissed at him if he took too long. You smiled.

Maybe it was not over, after all.

Armin

When you told Armin, very early on your friendship, that your dream was to become a famous singer, he got so excited for you. He already knew that you played the guitar and was good at singing, but he had no idea that you wanted to make this your career path.

You couldn’t have chosen a better partner. Being the tech nerd that Armin was, he helped you a lot in recording your covers with the best quality possible considering the amateur camera and microphone you had.

However, the times that his presence most comforted you was when you showed him your new songs. He was always eager to see your composing progress and gave you pure honesty in his feedback, keeping in mind that he was no expert but still wanted to help you.

You always asked him for a way to return his favors, but he always said that it was his duty as your best friend to support you and that it was more than enough having you to talk about all his geek interests.

As time passed, you started to notice that you liked him way more as a friend. Without an idea of what to do, you asked Rosa and Alexy for advice. They were your closest friends apart from your crush (and you couldn’t run to him in that situation, duh)

After a dozen pro tips and date ideas from them, you decided to take Armin to the movies (basic, you knew, but couldn’t go wrong).

When you asked him if he was available Saturday night, you didn’t say properly “Hey, we’re going on a date”. Actually, you didn’t mention the word “date” at all, hoping that he would read between the lines.

And he did, because as soon as you sat and the film started, Armin grabbed your hand that was resting in the armrest and entwined your fingers. You couldn’t pay attention to what was going on screen at all and your attention was completely drawn from the movie when the boy grabbed your chin and brought your lips to his.

You only stopped kissing when the lights went on and the credits started scrolling.

“Hey…” You asked as soon as you two left the place, holding hands with him. “What was the movie about again?”

Armin laughed out loud. He teased you about it a lot before you made him confess that he didn’t know either.

A few days later, it was him who asked you out. You kept going on dates for the next week, all of them simple but interesting at the same time. However, you two weren’t dating. The whole school knew there was something going on between you two by the chuckles and timid kisses when you thought nobody saw them, but you didn’t make things official… yet. But that was about to change.

It was friday and you invited Armin over to “study” (he was sure that the afternoon would be spent between videogames and kisses, but if you wanted to call it a study session, it was okay for him).

As he comfortably sat on your bed as if it were his own, you told him to wait as you brought him some juice. When you came back, he was already grabbing his nintendo switch from his bag.

“What makes you think that we’re here to game?” You teased, handing him the glass.

“Come on, Candy, we both know that none of us are interested in learning orbital hybridization…”

“Maybe I am. I really need a good grade on those tests.” You approached him and held his jaw up so your foreheads touched. With a trailed voice, you continued. “Unless you have something more interesting to do in mind...”

Armin opened up that playful smile of his. “Oh, I do, actually.” In a quick movement that caught you off guard, he threw you in bed and started pampering you with kisses all over your face. You couldn’t stop laughing from how his hands tickled your belly, but you managed to stop him. “W-Wait, Armin!”

He looked at you, confused. “What?”

As you caught your breath, you explained that there was something you wanted to show him first. You got off the bed and went to grab your guitar that was hung up on the free wall of your bedroom.

“Did you compose a new song?” Armin deducted as you sat in front of him again, this time with your guitar in hands.

“You’ll see.” You tuned your instrument under his curious gaze. When you felt satisfied with the sound, you looked back at him. Armin didn’t miss the blush that coloured your cheeks. “I know you’d never do it, but I have to ask even so: promise you won’t laugh.”

You started playing the first chords of the song you had finished composing just a few days before. Usually, you composed simple songs that anyone could identify with, songs about friendship, inspiration, changing the world. You never wrote about your personal feelings. The notes never made you cry.

This song was special, though, because it was about him.

The day it hit you that you had feelings for him, you had the idea of writing random verses that could one day fit into a new song. After your first date, you felt so overwhelmed that, looking at the words, you decided to turn them into a song. You didn’t think it would turn into something so personal and emotional. Every note, every word, everything was clearly about him, that dorky geek you had fallen in love with.

Falling deeper every time

I can’t help but think, oh my

I’m through, but I don’t mind

Would you trade you 2D girls

For this hopeless lover

That just wants your heart?

I’ll just say that he got the message very clearly and, as soon as you finished playing, he practically jumped on you, kissing your lips with such tenderness that you almost teared up.

Of course, he asked you to be his girlfriend XD

Kentin

The first time he heard about your dream, he was still little Ken. It was one of your first days at Sweet Amoris and you two were eating cookies in the staircase. You were ranting about how sad you were that the music club was already full and you couldn’t join. Ken asked you the reason why you were so upset.

“Well… There weren’t those kind of classes in our old school. Learning how to play an instrument and sing, even during extra classes would be so cool! If I went well, maybe I’d be able to convince my dad to pay me for some private classes and then I’d be one step closer to my dream!”

“Your dream?” Ken muttered.

“Yeah! I want to become a famous singer in the future! I know that it’s impossible and even kinda silly, but-”

“No, Candy! It’s not silly at all!” Ken said. Learning more about you made him happy and he didn’t want you to think for even a second that your dream was worthless. “You shouldn't be ashamed of dreaming big. You’ll have a long, difficult path to walk through, but when you get there - and you have my word on that - I’ll be cheering for you!”

“Ken... “ You flashed your best smile at him. It meant a lot to you to have his support, he was a kind person and a very good friend (he did cross a few limits with his adoration for you, but you weren’t bothered by it). You liked being around him a lot.

-x-

“Kentin!” You threw yourself in his arms and gave him a tender kiss. “Good morning.”

Your boyfriend chuckled and held your hand, walking with you through the hallway. You talked about how your weekend had been and, between light smiles and sweet kisses, you thought of how quickly things changed between you two.

When he came back from military school, a lot of things had changed in him, including his nickname. You were facing a new person and it had been a challenge discovering Kentin and building a new relationship with him.

Even though he was a different person from before, one thing didn’t change at all and you noticed it clearly: he still liked you. Obviously he was no longer that guy who professed his feelings to everyone and followed you everywhere, he had found new ways to show you his love. You enjoyed that more mature version of him, but wished he had the opportunity to grow into a man without all the trauma he went through. You knew that most of his growth had been through suffering, and that upset you.

You didn’t know when, but somewhere into your friendship you started to grow feelings for him too. After some coaxing from Rosa and Alexy, you managed to ask him out on an official date.

The whole school already knew that Kentin was head over heels for you, but everyone was shocked to know that you loved him back as your relationship became official.

“Hey, love.”

“What?” You asked your boyfriend back as soon as you got in front of your lockers. You started looking for your books, checking that day’s classes.

“I really liked that video you posted on youtube yesterday. I never heard that song before, did you compose it yourself?”

The book you held in your hand fell to the ground. “What video?” You whispered, eyes wide.

“What do you mean, babe? That video of you singing and playing the guitar. You uploaded it yesterday night. I saw right away, you know I have my notifications turned on to all your videos. I got surprised that you decided to finally show your face and sing something of your own and- Candy? Is everything okay?”

Kentin noticed your face and got worried for you. You looked absolutely terrified.

“That video… How did you see it? I posted it as private”

“No, you didn't. It was public.” Kentin was starting to understand why you were so surprised. He put one hand on your back as you blushed and hid your face on his chest in embarrassment.

“Oh god, I can’t believe I did that! I’m so stupid! The first time I record something like that, I accidentally post it for everyone to see! Dumb, dumb Candy! Dang, now everyone’s gonna know I’m bad!”

“First of all.” Your boyfriend frowned, bringing you close to him. “You’re not dumb, you just made a mistake. And it’s okay, probably just a few people saw it. Last time I checked was before I went to sleep and it only had 20 views. But why are you so upset, Candy? Didn’t you tell me a few days ago that you were finally ready to show your face along with the covers. Did something happen to change your mind?”

“Well, I was not ready to show right away, especially not in a video that I looked terrible in. And it’s not just that. It was my first original song. I never showed it to anyone, what if it sucks?”

Kentin held your chin up and looked you in the eyes. “Candy, it doesn’t suck and you look great in the video!” You closed your eyes and snuggled close to him. “But I understand your concerns. Luckily, that can be solved if you delete the video. You’ll have other opportunities to get famous, and with better videos.”

“Yeah, I can do that.” You reached for your phone and went to your youtube page. “Fu... No way…!”

Your hands trembled. Kentin was right, the video had few views (which was good). Only 50 people had seen it, but the problem wasn’t that. For your bad luck, one of those people had been Amber. You knew that because she had left three comments on your video.

AmberOfficial: lmaooooo

AmberOfficial: Thank you for the laughs. That’s hilarious

AmberOfficial: Just give up already, looser

“That girl....” Kentin grunted, looking at your phone screen. “I swear to you, Candy, I’ll make her regret this. I’ll-”

“You don’t need to, I’m fine.”

You untangled your arms from his torso and started walking away, trying your best to hide how upset you really were. Amber was right, your music sucked. You should give up on your dream of becoming a famous singer, not only because you were bad, but also because you could barely show your face to a few people without feeling like shit. You wouldn’t be able to deal with fame.

Kentin tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. He figured you needed some time alone. He could use that time to think of something to support you and get back at Amber.

-x-

You walked out of the bathroom, your eyes red and swollen from crying. You had already deleted the video, but you couldn’t stop feeling stupid for getting so upset by a few bad comments. And feeling stupid made you even more upset.

When you got to the hallway, it was empty due to classes having already started. You probably spent half an hour locked up, but at least no one would mess with you.

You went to the garden to get some fresh air and wait until the next class started. You sat at the bench, breathed in and finally calmed down a bit.

“Candy.”

You turned around, surprised to see your boyfriend. “Kentin! What are you doing here? Classes have already started.”

He just waved his hand in a “don’t worry about that” way and sat beside you. He kissed your cheek and took your hand, checking how you were. Seeing that you seemed to be more calm, he smiled lightly at you. “So… I talked to Armin. He already found out Amber’s password and he’ll hack into Amber’s youtube account. He’ll just mess with it for a bit, delete some videos and upload some random stuff. Nothing too bad, I promise, just some memes and rickrolls.”

“Hmm…” You muttered, thinking about what he said. It wasn’t right, for sure, but you didn’t feel like stopping them. You were still hurt. “Okay. Just promise you two won’t do something serious, okay?”

He agreed. You felt a bit better, but that wasn’t enough to lift your mood and Kentin knew that. That was why he also had something else prepared. "That 's not all. I did some quick search for places where you could record that music of yours with its deserved quality. You are a good composer, Candy, believe it. Your talent doesn’t have to stay hidden in a dark room with only you, a guitar and your cellphone recording it.”

“Kentin…”

“If you want to, I’ll help you rent a studio and record your song. That would be very useful for your portfolio. I know that’s expensive, but we can find ways to-” You cut him off with a kiss. He cared about you so much, to the point of skipping classes to think of ways to make you feel better. You loved your boyfriend so much…

Lucky. You felt lucky to have him.

“I love you. Thank you for taking care of me... “ You kissed his cheek, happy to have his support. That was more than enough at that moment, Amber’s words were far behind you. All that mattered was that you could go through this.

You had Kentin, and when you had him, you had your whole world holding you so you wouldn’t fall.