#mq barely had a childhood

[sweepingboy]

Feng Xin and Xie Lian remember their childhood with warmth, as a time when they didn't have so many worries.

Mu Qing prefers not to think about his yearly years at all.

The same events evoke completely different emotions in them. Feng Xin and Xie Lian talking about the luxurious feasts in the royal palace feel nostalgic and Mu Qing thinks about the greasy looks that some noble guests would throw at the pretty servant, sleepless nights spent washing the magnificent clothes on which the prince accidentally spilled a drink or dripped sauce and how after barely resting he will prepare the morning outfit for the prince as a day of grueling training awaits them. He remembers the cold tone of the guoshi, tryings to slip away from a group of bullies and work work again.

He recalls waiting for the week to end so he can return to his poor little house and feel the warmth he's been dreaming of as he hugs his mum tight.

[peculiaritybending]

I cannot stop thinking about Brad Bakshi it’s insane, he’s such a multi-faceted character that so many people seem to somehow not understand even though they make it painfully obvious within the show that he is an insecure and compassionate person who is closed off and greedy as a front and protection tactic, possibly even a trauma response. It’s barely even subtext and I still see people characterize him only as “evil mean guy who hates everyone and loves money” which is true to an extent but so many people don’t look past the surface level which annoys me because for me personally I think he’s one of the most interesting MQ characters. I really hope we learn more about his childhood because I need to know where he and his brother’s obsession with wealth comes from and what kind of upbringing he had that would entail raising a pig for slaughter and resulted in him having an eating disorder as an adult

[driveyourdestiny]

What would we do without our friends?

Wannabe - Spice Girls (Pop) 

Link: https://youtu.be/Wzxo8sUHYvQ?si=9NzGVl4KkeJjc-Mq

Lyric: “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends.” 

When finalizing my theme for this project, I knew I had to include this song. I chose this song because it resonates with one of my most valuable friendships. When I was young, my mother would drive me to softball, where she would coach my team. And I remember us always playing this song and having a blast singing it together. This song represents womanhood and is personally connected to the friendship I carry with my mother. 

Count on Me -Bruno Mars (Folk) 

Link: https://youtu.be/6k8cpUkKK4c?si=LCnXLksFp3lK0K3u

Lyrics: “When we are called to help our friends in need 

You can count on me like one, two, three 

I’ll be there.” 

The lyrics to this song are so impressive to me and honestly describe the meaning of friendship. I remember singing this song with my childhood friends. Bruno Mars is one of my favorite artists; his music and lyrics are a masterpiece. 

See You Again -Wiz Khalifa (Hip-hop/Rap)

Link: https://youtu.be/RgKAFK5djSk?si=h3XX0S08Sf_Zf08y

Lyrics: “It’s been a long day without you, my friend 

And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again 

We’ve come a long way from where we began 

Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.” 

I chose this song because it reminds me that friendships are everlasting no matter how far apart you are or how much time you spend apart; it’s so beautiful to watch your friends grow in life and know that no matter the changes you go through, you will still have that friendship at the end of the day. 

4. Lean On -DJ Snake (Electronic/Dance) 

Link: https://youtu.be/YqeW9_5kURI?si=_HqJk0nqGVGejO0o

Lyrics: “We all need someone to lean on” 

This lyric symbolizes the importance of friendship. The beat of This song is fun and energetic and I like listening to this song with my best friend. We all genuinely do crave friendship and that person to lean on. 

5. Castle on the Hill -Ed Sheeran (Pop) 

Link: https://youtu.be/K0ibBPhiaG0?si=3ZhR6mFCEmLFarLd

Lyrics:“One friend left to sell clothes, one works down by the coast 

One had two kids but lives alone, ones brother overdosed 

Ones already on his second wife, Ones just barely getting by 

But these people raised me and I can’t wait to go home. 

I discovered this song through a friend group I was in at the beginning of high school. I immediately fell in love with the lyrics. It’s so interesting because these lyrics above show that people have their own lives and can be so extremely different but we are all connected at the end of the day. I am not close with this friend group anymore, but I still see some of their lives through the internet, and it’s so fascinating to see how lives changed for all of these people I was close with at that time, and we will always have the memory in common. 

6. You’re my Bestfriend -Queen (Rock) 

Link: https://youtu.be/HaZpZQG2z10?si=IGNVFNcIp_dN50FH

I learned this song from my grandparents, and we sang it together. My grandparents are two of my best friends, so sharing this song with them is nice. “You’re my sunshine, and I want you to know… That my feelings are true, I really love you.” These lyrics are so positive and loving. 

[hualianff]

Our Time Will Come

(CW: Omegaverse, mention of r*pe)

Thinking about alpha half-brothers HC and SL. HC is older by two years and is insanely protective of his younger brother. SL admires HC with just as much vigor. 

Neither of them are mentally or emotionally stable. 

While their mother died giving birth to SL - something SL will always blame himself for - HC was conceived through rape. Thus, their mother’s death will always plague SL while HC lives with the knowledge that his mother never wanted him in the first place.

This never stopped their mother from loving them both.

The brothers grew up in an abusive pack that had very strict regulations in order to survive constant food shortages and the biting frost of the winter. SL’s father - the one their mother willingly mated and loved - died by saving all the food and water for his pups when HC barely reached age ten.

Years down the road, the brothers climbed the ranks of the pack, swearing to always have each others’ backs. 

When HC turned eighteen, he successfully killed his own father.

When HC turned twenty-two, he challenged their scum pack leader and won. 

In both these incidents, HC sustained grave injuries, including a permanently damaged right eye. Fortunately, he had SL to tend to his wounds and scent him comfortingly. 

HC and SL now lead the pack together. HC is nearing thirty, standing at a considerable 190 cm, as bulky and scarred as one expects a full-grown alpha to be. On the other hand, SL is shorter (187 cm) and thinner - though he’s yet to finish growing - and somehow has a set of straight, healthy teeth. He smiles more often out of the two, making him seem more approachable compared to HC.

In addition to trying to heal from childhood trauma, the brothers must figure out how to survive without torturing or neglecting their packmates - adamant on breaking the cycle of tyrannical leaders.

Because of the copious amounts of blood spilled due to neighboring packs trying to conquer their territory, the brothers gain their reputation as the “Crimson Kings.” No other packs want to risk their necks in an attempt to establish a cordial relationship with such violent wolves.

Except for one, apparently. 

All because of a certain head omega, XL. 

XL, whose parents are pressuring him to mate but XL will only mate with the one he chooses, which they exasperatedly agree to.

XL, who has had some pretty bad experiences with alphas who manipulate his kindness and end up trying to control him.

He’s just turned twenty-six, and is expected to mate and have pups as soon as possible. Because he’s waited and learned the ropes of pack leader since presenting, XL is already really noble in his position as head omega.

Not completely naive or untainted (read: unharmed), XL is a well-liked leader and co-pack counsel representative. Of course he will be the first one to invite the Crimson Kings to the annual winter celebrations held in Xianle pack!

(Ironically, XL knows what it’s like to be excluded.)

Ever the strategic leader, XL believes forming positive relations with the Hong Xue (红雪) pack will be beneficial for both sides.

Unsurprisingly, HC and SL are quite skeptical at first. Their pack has never been included in these sorts of things. Plus, they’ve never met XL before, unsure of whether his intentions are genuine or not.

Therefore, XL offers to travel to the Hong Xue pack to acquaint themselves.

The Crimson Kings can’t say no to that.

***

When XL finally arrives at his destination (accompanied by his trusted friends and advisors, MQ and FX), the Hong Xue pack leaders are there to greet him. HC’s and SL’s noses instantly twitch with interest…XL smells pleasantly sweet. Paired with his friendly smile, XL is so soft yet dignified; it makes them feel at ease, for some reason. 

HC and SL forgot what peaches smelled like before meeting XL. Because peaches have always been a luxury, which suggests that XL himself is…

XL is speaking now, marveling at the taller alpha with long, ink-black hair pulled back into a long braid, and an eyepatch fastened over his right eye; then, the alpha who shares similar features, but with shorter raven locks framing a sharply cut jaw, and a small fang peeking over his bottom lip. 

SL and XL instantly become friends. SL calls XL “Gege” not a day after meeting him and HC still addresses him as “Head Omega Xie.” Under FX and MQ’s distrustful gazes, the brothers treat XL with the utmost respect, ensuring his housing and meals are more than satisfactory. In exchange, XL discusses the hopeful future he envisions between their packs. 

“I wouldn’t dare claim that I am knowledgeable in how your pack functions, nor the history and culture that had shaped it into what it is today,” XL says, pausing his eating for a moment.

SL beats FX in placing another piece of meat onto the head omega’s plate (because FX had put a piece of meat on another certain omega’s plate beforehand), which he receives a nasty glare from the other alpha for.

“But I want to learn. I’m willing to take the time and effort to understand your pack. I hope…that is something you guys wish for as well.”

XL glances between the two pack alphas with shining, amber eyes. HC’s expression doesn’t confirm or deny XL’s statement, but his stomach drops upon spotting the dazed look on his brother’s face as the younger alpha eagerly nods.

“I can see that working out for us, gege,” SL says, smiling with both dimples on display. XL offers his own warm smile in return. 

“I’m glad, San Lang.” A pause. “Does Head Alpha Hua have any input he wishes to add?”

Unlike SL, who has always dreamed about finding the perfect partner to mate, HC never wanted to mate. Looking at XL’s gentle features, HC realizes it was less about wanting a mate and more about how he simply shouldn’t have one. 

After all, HC ruins everything he touches. Death and destruction follow him like a lost pup drawn to its ma. No one should have to witness how crazed the monster within him could get - just like his father.

His mother and SL deserved better. 

HC clears his throat before answering, “Like my brother, I’d be open to future negotiations with Omega Head Xie and the Xianle pack.”

A burst of tang - clementine ? - joins the underlying sweetness of peach. The brothers’ noses twitch again, in sync. Their own scents of blackberry and iron spike in response. 

The rest of the meal continues without a hitch. 

Until after, when FX pulls XL away and MQ confronts the pair of Crimson Kings privately. 

“What in the world has you two so high in the clouds? You know I’m-” MQ abruptly cuts himself off. “Feng Xin and I-”

“Are mated?” HC interrupts.

“Yeah, we can tell. Not like it’s hard…” SL adds, eyes flickering to the visible mating mark on the juncture of the omega’s shoulder. MQ sharply inhales at that. Just as he expected, but…

“So you can smell him?” MQ croaks out. HC and SL share a confused look.

“You mean gege?” 

MQ wordlessly nods.

“Of course we can. He smells like peaches,” SL informs, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. HC grunts in affirmation. 

MQ’s eyes widen, sheer shock written on his face. 

“You guys aren’t shitting me, right? Cause I swear, you fucking knotheads better not mess around with His Highness-”

“We have nothing but respect for Head Omega Xie,” HC states firmly. “We aren’t lying either. Anyone would be able to smell his scent.”

“No.”

The brothers blink once. Then twice. 

What?

“No one’s ever…I-I mean, he presented with a heat, so we know he’s an omega,” MQ shakily starts. “But we always thought he was…”

SL crosses his arms while HC tilts his head. 

“...scentless.”

Both brothers violently balk at that. 

Impossible.