#or at least for fastfood

[shadebloopnik]

Luci's scars helppp. But him being comfortable enough with Alastor to put them on display without shame is just 😭😭😭😭, like that takes strength im so proud of him😭😭

Pizza time

[kosmicvoid]

hi llyr belobed. May i trade combination taco bell pizza hut for one silly goofy antlerduo (both of them or either one solo!)

the

[dustyzoiveon]

ouuuuu the hubris of wanting tasty soda before bed ... My caffeine tolerance has so gone to shit, i cant sleep x-x

[autism-corner]

i wanna talk about the dinner i just had it fucking rocked.

[usedpidemo]

Too many nights ((G)I-dle Yuqi)

The way you see it, even if the signs were right in front of you all along—written in bright, colorful signposts with the largest text imaginable—you’d still be hurling yourself off that cliff. 

Yuqi knows this too—you think she does.

At the very least, she looks convincing enough that she feigns innocence on the matter, and she is. It's mainly a you problem. She doesn’t know you much other than being the sweet, quiet guy who was her roommate in college and nothing else.

And that’s probably the reason why she’s standing in front of your newly minted apartment on a random Monday.

—————

You’re waiting for her to pick her bags off the floor and leave. You told her to leave three times. Threaten to call security on her. She doesn’t budge. Instead, she stares. Stubborn, obstinate, unyielding.

“Please, give me one opportunity. Please let me explain myself.” Yuqi finally breaks her silence, eyes wide, glinting with tears, pleading.

“Shoot.”

She looks down, unable to see you eye to eye, her hands running through the pockets of her skirt. “You’re right. I’ve taken your kindness for granted, and I’m sorry. I really am.” 

Pausing, you’ve never heard her sound this quiet, this personal. “I never truly appreciated you till I was home with my parents. I should have focused more on studying than going out and having fun. Now look. They’re pissed that I’m being a bum at home instead of working, so they kicked me out.”

She proves your theory to be true. She has no reason to be here unless you bail her out of trouble again.

“But I can’t find one job that I like. Working a 9-5 or any regular cashier job seems so boring, you know what I mean? Doesn’t feel like my type of thing to do,” she continues, lightly kicking the suitcases with her feet. “My friends are all busy, so I had no one to lean on. Then I remembered you! So here I am.”

At least it was nice seeing Yuqi act mature for at least three minutes before reverting to her usual spry, childlike personality. 

“Okay? Well that’s on you for being lazy, and I can’t help with that. Sorry to hear you got kicked out, but I have nothing to offer you. It was great seeing you, though. Good luck with that job.” 

You try closing the door, but she stops it with her foot. Peeking through the narrow space, you find Yuqi persistent, unrelenting. “Wait. Hear me out for a second, I said I didn’t wanna be your roommate.”

“No, Yuqi. Just go—”

“I really need you right now. I’ve already applied to like five different companies on public wifi, it’s so fucking slow and I doubt they even got my email. I just need a place to stay for like a month. Trust me, I’ll get a job and when I get paid, I’ll spend it on finding my own apartment! Just give me this one time.”

You swear you’ve never heard Yuqi this desperate, this loud. Your neighbors are probably ringing up security right now, maybe the owner too.

“Okay, okay. Just calm down for a minute, will you? Our neighbors are listening.” You open the door lightly and Yuqi’s eyes light up. You didn’t even say yes, but it might as well be a confirmation to her.

“You promise? You’re actually working on a job application?” you ask, doubtful about her claim.

“Of course.” Yuqi shows her phone, presents pdf files of multiple application letters to the very places she doesn’t want to work. Some fastfood chains, at convenience stores, and mall outlets. “None of them have replied back, so—I’m still trying to apply to more places, but I’m almost out of data on my plan and I don’t wanna spend another night inside my car. Just give me this one thing? Okay?”

Seeing the evidence firsthand, you can’t help but be impressed. If you had any spine, you’d contemplate the proposal more, give it some time to mellow out, maybe let her elaborate some terms of agreement. But in a moment of weakness, you yield right away. What’s one month of Yuqi gonna do to you?

“All right, fine. I’ll let you stay—”

“I owe you one, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Yuqi doesn’t even let you finish your sentence when she brings her suitcases into your apartment at record speed. She gives you a peck on the cheek in appreciation twice, one for each pair of suitcases she shuffles in.

You can only sigh in response before closing the door.

—————

Before Yuqi gets comfortable in her new place, you sit her down on the living room couch to discuss house rules. This isn’t like college, where you share a dorm together, split the bill and have personal spaces. While you don’t own the apartment, you make one thing very clear: she’s bound to you and whatever rules you impose on her.

“Let’s make one thing and one thing clear: you break any of my rules, you’re outta here. I don’t care if you explain yourself, you’re gone. Understood?”

“Right.” Yuqi’s trembling with excitement and impatience, nodding erratically, kicking her legs up, goading you into rushing through everything so she can lay on an actual bed. 

You take a moment to analyze her suitcases in the middle of the room. Facing her, you ask cautiously, “Tell me you didn’t bring your—”

“Yep!” She responds almost immediately, thrilled to answer your question, as if it were muscle memory. “It’s exactly what you think it is.”

And there goes your supposed rule one. Of course she brought her entire dorm room decor along. Knowing her, they’re likely encompassing two of her suitcases.

“Yeah, no. My landlord is quite strict about decor, so you can’t put them up,” you tell her bluntly; there’s no getting around his rule, even if your roles were swapped.

She frowns, visibly devastated, probably more hurt than being kicked out by her family. It’s the end of the world, but she won’t give in. If there’s even a slight possibility she can have her way, she will force herself through. “Please? Even just my room—”

“Not a chance. It’s just a general rule here, sorry.” You make sure to shut her down immediately. “I didn’t make that rule, anyway. Blame the owner.”

Yuqi acquiesces. She groans with displeasure, crossing her arms, acting bratty. No act can convince you to change your mind.

“Right. Now actual ground rules. This isn’t a dorm so you can’t just freeload as much as you want. Now I understand you're still working on that job application, so all I’m asking is just for you not to be completely messy, got it? So don’t eat my leftovers without asking, don’t go out to clubs and ask me to drive you home when you’re drunk, none of that. If you’re drunk, sleep outside the room. I don’t want to clean up vomit on the carpets.”

Surprisingly, Yuqi agrees without complaint. You’re unsure whether she’s nodding so she can settle in, or if she actually understood every single word.

“I seriously hope you’re working on that job—”

“Don’t worry! Just give me the wifi password and I’ll be set.” Yuqi can’t help but interrupt you every single time, and to her credit, it’s effective. She does seem dead set on taking this opportunity to redeem herself, and it’s a convincing act. As insufferable as she can be at times, you want to see her succeed. You want to see her win.

You jot down the wifi password on an extremely thin sheet of paper and place it on the table before her. Before walking away, you ask her, “You need me to help with your belongings? I’ll get the guest room ready while you make yourself comfort—”

“Nah, it’s fine!” Yuqi’s typing on her phone, not even shooting you a look in your direction. “I’ll get it sorted out, don’t worry! Just pretend I’m not here.”

To her credit, she does get her belongings sorted out. By evening, she moves into a cleared out storage room that’s now her designated bedroom. Words are hardly exchanged other than simple pleasantries and greetings. You ask her if she had dinner, she says yes. She doesn’t take anything from the fridge other than some water. There’s a knock on the door; she answers and comes back with a package of chinese food. She offers to share some, but you modestly decline.

You never ate together when you shared a dorm in college. She would eat her inside her bedroom or after you already cleaned up. At times, she’d come back to the dorm late and you wouldn’t see her till the following day. You share the same space but you have vastly different lives. The feeling is familiar, but the setting is new: having dinner under the low light, uncertain about your futures. 

This feels like your first day together all over again.

—————

The first night with Yuqi is a quiet affair. There’s hardly any commotion. An unusual scene. She finishes her food ahead of you then retreats into her bedroom without uttering a single word. 

When you wake up the next morning, Yuqi is already at the dining table. Browsing her laptop, coffee in hand, seemingly focused on that next job application. She doesn’t even greet you or acknowledge your existence; she’s in her own world, but in a good way. 

“Morning,” you quietly say, trying to grab her attention, but it falls on deaf ears. 

“You off to work?” she asks, preceded by a mouse click while you pour onto your mug. Her attention remains glued to the screen, paying you no heed.

“Kind of?” You take a seat opposite Yuqi’s side on the table. “I work here. Or should I say: this is my workplace.” 

“Wow. I wish I could work from home. Would be nice,” she replies between mouse clicks and keyboard taps.

You take a light sip of your coffee. “What course did you take again?” 

“Umm—” Yuqi slumps back in her chair, “I think it was medicine? I wanted to become a guitarist and have my own band, but my parents wanted me to become a doctor. And I don’t wanna ruin my handwriting, so—” 

“Don’t you have a band with your friends? The one with—”

“Yeah that dream died two years ago.” Yuqi’s eyes squint, brows furrowing, running through every word slightly faster than normal. “And I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Not even a little—”

“No.” She faces you with a surprisingly cold glare, a sight you’ve never seen before. “They can just fuck off—those goddamn bitches.” 

You find yourself unable to move the conversation forward after her abrupt turn. It’s probably for the best; you hardly paid any attention to Yuqi’s life to be entitled to a substantial explanation. 

The rest of the hour goes by in deafening, awkward silence. Here’s Yuqi, this ball of energy whose life primarily revolves around partying and getting rowdy, calmly clicking on the touchpad and typing a few words every now and then in search of a way to fund her addiction. You can tell from her sullen expression just how deprived she is of that high—how incomplete she feels without the rush of adrenaline, ecstasy, and alcohol flowing through her veins. It’s impressive how it takes someone to hit rock bottom to turn their life around, how all this could have been avoided with a few decisions.

Still, it’s never too late for someone like her, and as long as she holds up her end of the deal, i.e. leave you for good after this, you’ll actively root for her success.

—————

“Fucking hell, dude,” sighs Yuqi, slamming the panel of her laptop hard, her fist narrowing missing the edge of the table. While you’ve made yourself comfortable at your usual workplace, a spacious office desk on the other side of the living room, you’re preoccupied scanning through numerous documents and emails your boss sent you. A look at the bottom right of the screen tells you it’s half past lunch. Then your stomach grumbles, as if the clock wasn’t enough of a reminder.

“Gonna make lunch,” you say to a vexed Yuqi, who’s stretching her legs against the table and her arms to the ceiling, body likely aching from her hunched position. “You good?”

“Yep.” Her tone perfectly toes the line between sincerity and sarcasm. “Got three rejections—no, four, actually. The last one was sent minutes ago.”

You’re not sure how to respond.

“Oof.” 

You couldn’t relate to her even if you tried. Of the two applications you sent, your current job is the one that gave you the freedom and flexibility to work from home, even if it paid less than the other. That was six months ago; finding job opportunities has become way harder, or so you’ve heard from your other unemployed peers from college.

“Finding a job sucks,” says Yuqi, stating the obvious. She finally gets up from her chair, brings her laptop back into her bedroom to charge before reemerging with a hairpin wrapped around her knuckles, tying it around her loose red hair. “So, what’s for lunch?”

“Meatloaf and eggs,” you reply, firing up the stove as you grab pans from beneath the sink. “Not sure if you’ll like it, though.”

She lifts her eyebrows, intrigued, but mostly unbothered. She’ll eat anything as long as it isn’t fast food or from the convenience store, and she doesn’t have the gall to complain, anyway, as your roommate. 

—————

“So, how’s the job hunting going?” you ask her right as the sun descends over your apartment windows. You have your schedule down to a science, finishing all intended projects and goals when neighboring buildings’ lights open. Weekdays can’t be anymore mundane and monotonous, but you get the job done, you’re paid handsomely, and you have time for your other hobbies.

Meanwhile, Yuqi looks like she doesn’t want to stare at a computer screen for a week, maybe a month. She looks worse off than she did in the morning. It’s evident in her clothes, her hair, her face: frazzled and messy. A perfect representation of her state.

“What do you think?” she replies, never sounding so heated, so frustrated. A look at her screen shows a new rejection letter, piled between several others, already read. Each one with different reasons, different ways to hurt, but with the same intent: we appreciate your interest, but we have chosen a different candidate from a very competitive pool—we don’t think you fulfill our qualifications—we’re looking for someone with more experience—we wish you the best in your future endeavors. You’ve noticed she tends to click back and forth between each letter, as if to torture herself further.

“I think you should put that laptop away. Try again tomorrow,” you tell her, closing the panel while she’s scrolling, stealing her attention. She readjusts her glasses, blinking rapidly, annoyed at your little intervention. “I’m going for a walk. You should join me.”

“And what if I don’t?” she asks, threatening to pull her laptop away from your fingers. 

“Good luck going out when I have the room key then.”

“I don’t have my running shoes,” she replies, and she’s telling the truth; she only brought one pair of slippers with her, the rest being colorful sets of boots and expensive high heels.

“Then grab some from my closet and wash up. You’ll look stupid if you go out in those silly boots.”

—————

At first, you believe she had declined the offer; you had already left the building when Yuqi caught up to you moments later, huffing and puffing from exhaustion. Hey, maybe she could have been a great track and field athlete if she put her mind to it.

You can’t help but make a little comment. “Thought you weren’t going to go out.”

That was for all the times she’d make similar remarks to you back in college. They never really bothered you; you were never a man of high morals and upstanding, but at least you had your priorities sorted out, unlike Yuqi. 

Yuqi playfully counters your rib, shooting you a disparaging stare. “Dude. I’m doing you a favor by doing this.”

“Elaborate.” You laugh.

“You never went out whenever I asked you. You always said no to parties.”

“And for good reason. Look at us now.” 

If you wanted to, you’d be harsher. You have years of dirty laundry and grievances to air out, but this is as concise and as restrained as you can express them without getting accused of attempted murder. Besides, you can’t keep a straight face the longer you look at her. She clearly stands out in a rather dreary and dull crowd, and it isn’t the red hair as bright as the sun, it's her look—or lack thereof. Your oversized hoodie, your running shoes mixed with her pajamas, the lack of bra—it’s obvious she only did the bare minimum to look decent in a public setting, and yet she fits in all of them like a glove.

“Where are we going, anyway? Can it be a bar? I hope it’s a bar.” 

The first thing she wants to look for once outside is a place to drink. Of course. It’s hardly a surprise to you or anyone at this point.

“Where’s your car anyway?” you question back. 

“I dunno. Could be in the carpark, could have been impounded. I don’t remember, and I don’t really care. It smells like dogshit, anyway, cause I’ve been living in it for the past three weeks.” 

Yuqi talks with a fine blend of fast and sardonic, evidently scarred from all her ordeals with that car. She’s never experienced living outside her glass castle until now, and it shows. She’s dragging her feet with every step following you close behind, trying to soak in the scenery around her. Street lights, joggers, buskers, friends, and partners of every sort, people that you actually know and recognize. It’s all foreign in her eyes. All she knows are strobe lights, loud music, drinks, and rowdy crowds. 

“So, like, do you just go on a walk every single day or you only do this because I’m your roommate?” she wonders, her gaze lingering at a passing woman jogger that catches her eye. Jumping to conclusions, she adds, “Are you telling me to touch grass? As if I hadn’t been doing that for weeks?”

You turn around and notice her distant stare, still fixated on that woman, ruminating the prospect of leaving you for her instead. “I don’t think getting blacked out drunk and vomiting in your car counts as touching grass.”

“How do you even know that?” Yuqi faces you, provoked by your comment, pouting. “You hardly attend parties, even when I invited you. You always turned them down.”

“Word gets around fast. I thought you already knew that.” 

If she could, she’d grab you by the throat and strangle you to death or rip you in half. It stings. She questions whether your blunt, matter-of-fact delivery makes the statement ten times more scathing. Then she wonders if she made a mistake, dressing up and going after you, when you’ll just be making her regret her life decisions like her parents did. You hardly cared back then, so why now?

“Can we just go to a bar? You’re being annoying.” Yuqi stares into the distance, intentionally averting her gaze away from you.

“If you have the money, then sure, let’s go for it.” You know she has no leverage or power; she can only afford fast food and a month’s worth of groceries and daily necessities. It pains her to make a willing decision to pass on alcohol and avoid bars and parties. She’s down horrendously, but she won’t directly confess her own fatal flaw. 

It takes everything within her not to slap you square in the face. 

And you can play this game all night long until she folds. You can stand there, argue, and debate with Yuqi till she runs out of excuses and complaints. Four years of pent up material to unload onto her, make a scene in public and turn her into an example about not wasting one’s life away. You can go further, you promise. 

Instead, you both settle down in a cafe on the other side of the park as a compromise.

The place is more suited to Yuqi’s style: lively crowd, comfortable ambience, all the caffeine and sugar as a proxy to her raging alcohol addiction. Most importantly, she won’t pay for shit. You don’t even end up drinking your own order; she does it on your behalf. You settle for a tiny cup of tap water instead. In a way, she’s acting like a needy dog, desperate for attention without concern for anything else that doesn’t involve her.

“Fucking hell, I never knew I needed this,” she echoes, sipping up the last quarter of your coffee, glancing at the menu over the counter, itching for another. She’s keen on paying from her pocket this time; she recognizes you won’t give her another freebie. “This shit tastes so good.”

You can only shake your head, not even remotely trying to hide your frustration toward her. Her obliviousness is kind of cute in a way, making her look a bit sympathetic. 

“Maybe I should just work here,” she says, her eyes moving in every direction, her attention taken by something shiny every five seconds. Plenty of action happens at night: groups entering and exiting, the pervasive scent of fresh coffee brewing in real time, and plenty of girls to ogle at. In particular, there’s a waitress with a cherry tattoo on her neck that’s captured her interest. She can’t help but point her out to you, grinning widely at her. “See that waitress? She’s kinda cute.”

“Uh-huh.” You’re not really paying attention; you’re there mainly for the free wifi and a snack, not to flirt. Luckily for you both, the waitress is preoccupied with meeting high customer demands to notice. “Good idea, maybe you should apply here.”

The longer you stay inside the cafe premises, the more Yuqi becomes less inclined to leave. You end up having dinner, a couple of ham and cheese sandwiches from the snack menu. On her end, four cups of coffee strewn on the table, all drank by her. If this was some ploy to make you pay for free drinks, it worked to a tee. Anything to avoid engaging you in a serious conversation.

The opportunity never presents itself. Soon, the cafe becomes dimmer and muted. Staff are closing off sections, clearing trays, and cleaning up empty tables. Since you entered the cafe, she has not made a move on the waitress at all, even when you’ve tried pushing her over the cliff numerous times. Her shift is close to done, ready to check out for the day. One more opening. Still, Yuqi watches her intently, but can’t find the strength to stand, let alone pull the trigger.

“Well? I thought you were gonna ask her out or something.” You take a look around and come to a grim realization: that you’re the only two customers left.

“I—I don’t think I wanna do it now.” Yuqi turns around, playfully grinning, but rushing through her words. “Maybe when I get the job here. Maybe.”

You can only react in quiet disbelief to how this was all just a huge waste of time—and money.

“Fucking—” you sputter before masking the rest of your response, groaning as you rise from your seat, leaving.

After two days, your main observation is that Yuqi hasn’t changed much. If at all.

—————

The rest of the week follows a similar structure. It’s comforting; it’s the kind of monotony you’ve acquainted yourself in ever since having your own apartment. Yuqi’s always up before you, an hour in advance, she’ll tell you. At her usual spot around the dining table, on her laptop, coffee in hand. You stop asking for updates after the third day; you’re certain she’ll figure things out. Your mindfulness and curiosity get the better of you, peeking through the screen on occasion, only to find the same thing. One rejection after another, mixed in with a new application letter in between. From the outside looking in, it’s as if some divine force doesn’t want her to get that job.

In the evenings, you go for your usual walks. Yuqi joins you out of the apartment building, but instead of following, she separates and heads the other way. She’s wearing her own earphones and your hoodie, something she’ll end up keeping. The few times you run across each other, she's holding some drink in her hand, usually the coffee from the cafe you spent time with her in, her hoodie pooling with sweat all over. No pleasantries, you mind your own business till you return home.

It isn’t until two weeks after she’s moved in that you extend an invitation: a visit to a newly opened lounge on the other side of town. You preface the invite saying you only knew about the place because it had opened a month ago, and had mostly forgotten about it until you remembered her. She’s doing well for herself, so you might as well reward her for her efforts, even if it hasn’t gone anywhere. And it isn’t Yuqi without asking for some kind of favor; in this case, taking a ride in your car because hers has been impounded by the police. You’re not even surprised that she’s too lazy to reclaim it herself.

Your friend says the lounge is newly opened, but once inside, you’re uncertain about her claim. Whether it's by design or her being a complete liar, grimy, poorly lit, in the vein of all those underground clubs you had seen in action movies where a shootout or police raid occurs. Simply put, there isn’t anywhere pretty to look at, and you feel icky just by being here.

To Yuqi, it’s a fantasyland: it’s where she’s meant to be all along. She’s so overjoyed to be there. 

“It’s you!” calls a familiar voice; you turn and find a friendly face over the counter waving to you. You quietly leave Yuqi to herself and approach the bartender, who just so happens to be the owner. “I never thought you’d come and visit! It’s great to see you.”

“Only doing this for a friend, Minnie,” you silently tell her, pointing your finger at your invited guest, the sole reason you’d ever be here. She recognizes her immediately and understands.

“Yuqi, huh?” She looks intrigued, her gaze lingering at the girl. A subtle grin is forming on her face. “Never thought the two of you would be an item like that, considering she’s a party animal and you’re—”

“No—no—don’t get it twisted,” you interrupt, frantically trying to clear up any presumption. There’s no chance in hell you will ever find yourself attached to Yuqi romantically, not even a little. “It’s—a long story.”

“Do tell.” Minnie smirks, teasing, alluring. She looks the part of a bar owner, all right; dark eyelashes and shadowy lipstick matching her pitch black hair. Not to mention her slim dress perfectly hugging her tight frame, showing enough cleavage to draw attention. As a friendly gesture, she gives you a wine glass and pours a drink on it. “We’ve got all the time in the world and all the drinks you need. All in house since you’re a friend.”

So you oblige yourself to a tiny sip. The place is surprisingly quiet and empty, even though it’s the weekend, with lo-fi music playing through the speakers as the only form of background noise. Minnie doesn’t have much on her plate. She can lean on the desk and listen to you all night long.

“So, two weeks ago, Yuqi moved into my place trying to look for a job,” you tell Minnie before taking another sip. Both of you take quick glances at Yuqi, seemingly having the time of her life, scaring off the sole patron by the billiards table. “And I was wondering if you can get her a job here. She’s been rejected from every company she applied for. I know she doesn’t want to work a nine-to-five, and I suddenly remembered this place.”

Minnie raises a curious eyebrow, brushing small strands of hair covering her ear. “I see.” Looking past you, she notices Yuqi, now at the karaoke, amused by her voice and energy. You follow along and watch too, wincing at her talent, caught completely by surprise. You can feel the passion and emotion from her rather honeyed, deep singing voice, as well as her natural charisma while performing. 

“Damn. She sounds really good. Borderline natural at it.” Minnie’s in awe of Yuqi’s abilities, the sort of reaction that pushes buttons, steals the show. “Wasn’t she in a band? I know she played guitar.”

“She said it doesn’t exist anymore, won’t tell me what happened.” 

Even in the midst of conversation, Yuqi’s voice manages to snatch away your focus. She’s an extremely powerful singer—a natural, as Minnie said. Her voice is overpowering the background music with little difficulty. There’s little need to watch when her vocals can easily capture your attention all the same. 

Facing you again, Minnie replies, clasping her hands together, “How about she perform by herself?” she suggests. 

You meet her eye to eye at the drop of the notion, curious.

“What do you mean?” You take another sip.

“We have an open mic night next weekend, and we could use talent to liven up the place. She sounds perfect for that kind of gig. Who knows? Maybe she can be a resident singer if the cards are right.” Minnie smiles through every word, recognizing Yuqi’s talent and the untapped potential she has. All she needs is a platform to showcase her skill properly. And taking another glance at her, you see that too. She has the passion and the vocals to croon a live audience.

“I’ll tell her,” you say, turning to Minnie again. Yuqi has finished performing and is on her way over to the bar. Your conversation breaks off as the two women greet each other with an exchange of kisses on the cheek. 

“Great place you got here girl,” Yuqi tells Minnie, beaming from ear to ear. “I’ll be popping by often if you don’t mind.”

“Thanks. I could use some company on the weekdays, if I’m being honest.” Minnie hands Yuqi her own wine-filled glass, as well as a complimentary bottle. She makes sure not to “Take it, it’s on the house.”

“God, this is why I love you so fucking much.” Yuqi drinks up the whole glass in one swig, and immediately pours some from the complimentary bottle. Minnie can’t help but shake her head with a little smile, knowing this is still the same Yuqi she’s acquainted with since college. A rose-tinted view of days gone by. 

The two women spend the rest of the time catching up. With how much they talk, it would be a safe assumption to think that these are two long lost friends who haven’t spoken in years. Then the conversation goes on and on, revealing more details than you should probably know: exchanged  private messages as recent as last night, Yuqi’s intentions to visit the lounge sooner before present circumstances got in the way, and how she ended up in your apartment. As a listener and side character in her story, it’s a part you quite frankly never wanted, let alone be involved in under any capacity. You make sure to add your point of view in the narrative and clear every question. Whenever you chime in, they laugh heartily. It’s a mess, and they’re unapologetically quirky, never failing to make fun of you at times.

Despite everything, the topic is never brought up: the upcoming open mic night, her performance, her natural talent. You were planning to shoehorn the idea, but one too many drinks later, the conversation and opportunity eventually slips away. Again. 

Yuqi can hardly stand on her own two feet when she finally decides it's time to leave. It’s two in the morning when you guide her back to your car, with her drunk out of her mind and slipping into unconsciousness. Minnie assists you, making it even more embarrassing. Even when she’s so inebriated that she can barely move a muscle, she says she wants another round, slipping back into her old ways.

You escort Yuqi back to your apartment, setting her down on her bed and promising yourself that you’ll tell her about Minnie’s offer when she’s sober in the morning. 

Except it’s the one fucking day in the month where your job calls you into an actual office for a meeting. Despite that, Yuqi is not at her usual spot in the living room the next morning (unsurprisingly), so you leave food on the table for when she eventually wakes up.

—————

Returning late in the afternoon, you find a note from Yuqi on the outside door of your apartment, stamped by strawberry lipstick, simply reading:

> Not gonna be around till tomorrow. Have something urgent to attend to - XOXO, song yuqi

Sure enough, one brief tour of the apartment and Yuqi is nowhere to be seen. Her room remains untouched: the same, colorful space it’s always been, with most of her clothes and belongings still strewn everywhere on the floor. You don’t even mind the stickers and posters plastered all over the walls; she was gonna break that rule regardless. Typical, but expected. At least you know she hasn’t completely left yet.

Deep down, it’s the first time in a while that your apartment feels a lot smaller—and lonelier. It’s not that you have any sentimental attachment to Yuqi—not in the slightest—but her presence clearly livens up the place. The difference without her around is night and day. Even when your interactions are limited to a minimum, the brief moments you interact make living by yourself a bit more tolerable. 

So you preoccupy your mind with your usual schedule: a walk in the park, then dinner by yourself. But these intrusive thoughts grow worse and worse. You’re not in your pajamas at the usual hour, her absence is keeping you up at night, and waiting for her to walk through that door is about as brutal as federal punishment.

You end up driving to Minnie’s bar, inquiring about Yuqi’s whereabouts. She says she hasn’t been around, and she hasn’t exchanged messages with her since last night. Then she asks about open mic night; you tell her about the inconvenience, about the note on your door, which is why you’re there. Good effort, but she ultimately gives you nothing.

“You should stay here a while, who knows? I can message Yuqi you’ve been looking for her,” says Minnie, her smile as welcoming as it’s ever been. “Why not have a drink in the meantime?”

“Hmm.” You entertain the thought, but she promised to return tomorrow, and perhaps you’re overthinking it; you just have to let it play out. “No thanks.” As a distraction you’re watching another girl at the karaoke machine. She has distinctively pink hair, has similar energy and passion for singing, except her voice is much higher, more nasally. All she does is remind you of Yuqi, but she’s nowhere close—in appearance and in ability. “She promised to be back tomorrow. Maybe I should take her word for it and go home.”

A pour of wine on the glass is followed by her siren-like whisper. With her hand caressing your shoulder, she mutters, “So—you like her. You like Song Yuqi.”

You raise an eyebrow, taken aback by her statement. Facing Minnie, you reply, “What? No way. I don’t like Yuqi at all. I’m just concerned she might have disappeared, that’s all.”

“Cap.” Minnie smirks, murmurs to your other ear. “You like her. Actually, you love her. You just won’t admit it.”

“And what makes you say that?” 

“The fact you look so distressed wondering where she is. I mean—just look at you.” Her voice is slow, delicate, each word delivered with profound emphasis. She flickers a lighter, then directs the cigarette in her mouth for a puff. “Would someone who doesn’t like her worry like this?”

“I mean—I’m just trying to help her get back on her feet,” you tell her, and Minnie can only chuckle in response. Puff more smoke. In her eyes, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Your words have no weight to them. It’s the same old same old most women like her hear dozens of times. I’m not into her, says the guy who’s showing an alarming level of concern towards said girl. Something she’s all too familiar with. “You know? Just looking out for a friend, that kinda thing.”

Minnie wishes she can hold up a mirror against you now to prove her point. In a place meant for everyone to relax and ease themselves, you look tumid, on the verge of a historical crash out. She smirks into her next smoke, shaking her head, scrolling through her phone. “Sure. I believe you,” she remarks, and there’s no effort made to hide the sarcasm in any capacity.

That piece of cigar looks quite appealing right now. She sells smoking like she sells the off shoulder dress draping her defined figure: exceptionally well, like she’s meant for it.

Later in the night—you’re unsure whether it’s still today or tomorrow—Minnie suddenly approaches you with a shift in enthusiasm, as seen through her grin: “You should probably head home. Unless you want to stay the night waiting for someone who won’t be here in the morning.”

“She’s back already?” You manage to decipher the hint right away.

She nods, can’t help herself from beaming continuously. No effort to lie or maintain the mystery further. “I guess you’re not as stupid as I thought you’d be.”

Running up the stairs in a hurry, you respond to her little jab with a shout, “And you owe me one for that. Actually—no, I owe you one!” 

Unknowingly, Yuqi’s little mannerisms are starting to reflect in you, too.

Sure enough, you’re home within a matter of minutes. Empty streets, dead nightlife on a weekday, the loudest thing heard for miles is the roar of your car’s engine and the elevator headed up to your apartment floor. Any other time you’d burst through that door like an officer with an arrest warrant, but it’s almost three in the morning, and the last thing you want to be is apprehended yourself after a noise complaint. 

The place remains as unchanged as you had left it: completely dark, save for one light over the kitchen. It’s quiet, eerily silent—until you hear airy, soft noises in the distance. Room by room, you carefully inspect where the sound is coming from, only to find nothing at all. 

There’s only one place left to check, and it happens to be the Yuqi’s bedroom. A room you remember being empty. As you approach the sole unopened door, you notice the faint sound growing in pitch. Hushed words from a familiar tone.

“Fuck—oh fuck—”

You press an ear against the door frame. She sounds clearer.  Way more explicit. Vivid.

“So—so—good—fuck yes—”

There’s a subtle creaking sound that accompanies her singsong tone almost perfectly. Nothing is left open for interpretation; Yuqi is feeling herself. Feeling a satisfaction that only comes from something slick, something rough, something good. 

As much as you want to respect her space, her moment in the dark, you can’t help yourself. She sounds so good, so gratifying to the ears, it’s making you a little hot and flustered, much to your own guilt and shame. You don’t care about the consequences; you’ll allow yourself one little look then pretend it never happened. At best, she’s too preoccupied with her own bliss to notice, and at worst, it’ll be one awkward conversation starter in the morning.

“Oh, oh God—you feel really good baby—just like that—”

It’s as if she’s reading your mind, understanding your intentions. The way she moans your name like an invitation—something you never thought you would hear or even consider—how it’s naturally delivered from her sweet, intoxicating voice. You’re doing yourself a disservice by listening through the door.

There’s no better opportunity than now.

With your heart racing against your chest, every nerve in your muscles tense up as it desperately opens the door, slowly and as quietly as humanly possible. Miraculously, you go completely unnoticed. Even as light from the living room slowly penetrates through Yuqi’s bedroom, it fails to cover what really matters: the bed and Yuqi herself. 

Nevertheless, the sight that welcomes you is one to behold, one worth looking at with complete awe.

Yuqi’s body is splayed out on the bed. Her legs are spread wide, a couple of her fingers aggressively rubbing against her exposed clit, and there’s a glossy sheen coating the sheets before her soaking wet core. Her clothes are, unsurprisingly, scattered all over the floor, along with a pair of consumed alcohol bottles. She’s completely bare for your eyes to see. Nothing is left to your imagination. More importantly, she looks so fucking hot. Your heart is racing like never before, and the scene has your pants in a twist.

Her other hand runs up and down her lithe frame, then squeezes her own breast. She lets out this sharp mewl, grinding her hips against air. Her jaw slacks wide. Her eyes shut tight. Her back arches. Waves of self-induced pleasure send shockwaves through every fiber of her being, her moans growing more and more erratic.

“Fucking give it to me—I love this cock so fucking much—”

It’s about as pornographic and explicit as it gets. It riles you up in an uncomfortable way; you end up unzipping your pants to free your growing erection, but nothing happens beyond that. It feels wrong. It is wrong, but you can’t muster up the strength to look away, let alone walk away. You want to see how it ends. How she cums.

She wraps a hand around her own throat, while her knees are planted upright with her feet firmly gripped on the sheets. There's a noticeable tone change in her whines, as if simulating the act. Yet, the words flow from her lips seamlessly. “I’m so close—so, so close—”

The cackle she makes after is mortifying. Here’s this girl, who you had zero attraction prior to tonight, shamelessly declaring how she’s going to cum, how good your cock feels inside her—without either of the two even happening to begin with. The fact she likes you is the least shocking revelation in itself. A reminder: you only had three meaningful conversations with her since she moved in—two if you consider how blackout drunk she was the night before, and even if you go all the way back to your college days, you can count them with your fingers alone.

“Fucking—cumming—oh my God—”

Yuqi strains her knees and loosens her grip on the sheets as she lets the pleasure wash over. Clear liquid gushes past her throbbing, relentless fingers and spills onto the linen. A guttural, deep moan fills the bedroom as she slumps her body flat on the mattress, her energy completely depleted, her thoughts filled with nothing but orgasmic bliss. Her coated hands rest on her bare waist, her tummy, leaving viscous sheen on her creamy pale skin.

When she isn’t screaming your name or touching herself to the thought of you, Yuqi, at her barest, looks so gorgeous like this. Flaws and all.

Albeit brief, it’s quite the show to more than satisfy your thirst for her. You remember your uninvited presence in this room and where you stand in this relationship. That she’s only a tenant—an acquaintance at best—and nothing more. Any other person and situation would already send you damning to hell. 

So you quietly leave, gather your bearings, hoping her haze doesn’t clear before she is made aware of your presence, but you hear a faint whisper right as you close the door, clearer than any whine of pleasure:

“Hey.”

Part of you wants to ignore her, pretend this is all a huge misunderstanding and feign ignorance. Then you hear her soft, alluring voice calling your name and it’s what ultimately folds you:

“W-what time is it?”

Again, you consider the choice of entertaining her question or leaving her dry. She’ll probably fall asleep shortly after and forget these few moments. You tell her it’s three in the morning, hoping she dozes off.

She doesn’t.

“Shit. Can you come inside? I mean—come in.”

She’s still thinking about you, and it’s admittedly cute. You love how unabashedly blunt—and lewd—she is when she’s drunk. You give her the benefit of the doubt and reenter the room.

Yuqi realizes the messy state she and her bedroom are in when you turn on the lights. Cheeks puffed and red from embarrassment, she tries to hop off the mattress, only to stumble to the floor on her fours. 

“I’m so, so, sorry. I didn’t think you’d—” 

“Hey hey, it’s fine.” You grab her off the floor and sit her on the bed. “Don’t apologize. I’ll get some water; stay here and rest.”

Your eyes are meeting, hers twinkling. In those few, crucial moments, right when you’re about to leave, you feel an irresistible tug pulling you closer to each other.

Suddenly, Yuqi pulls you in by the shirt for a deep, passionate kiss. Her lips taste like actual whisky and vodka, indicating what she drank earlier that night. Yet they feel so lush, so sweet, filled with so much passion. You don’t bother trying; you fold to your lust, submit to her desire. You sink onto the bed together, never breaking apart, even for a second. Next thing you know, her hands are all over your body, roaming your chest, coiled around your neck, removing the shirt over your head to be tossed aside and completely forgotten.

Yet there’s still some resistance. Despite making the first move, she pulls back, and you do so in return. You’re hovering on top of her—an unexpected but welcome position to be in. 

“I didn’t know what got me there. I’m sorry. I just felt this sudden need to kiss you and—”

You shut her up by diving in and kissing her again, pinning Yuqi down to the mattress—the very thing that got you into this position to begin with. With you all over her, she’s able to shed the rest of your clothes: first the slacks, followed by your boxers. She mewls at the sensation of your hard cock pressed against her slit, and it’s beyond what her imagination can describe. It’s electrifying. And God, you know you’re no better than her, but you just want to fuck her right then and there, give her everything she wants without a second thought. 

Grabbing you by the scalp, she rips your lips off her chin as you’re making your way down her neck. “Not yet. Nuh uh.” She pulls you into yet another kiss, as if you’re oxygen—and in a way, it’s appropriate: you’re breathing new life into her. “Did I ever tell you that you were a good kisser?”

“Not at all,” you tell her, gently shaking your head. “You’re not half bad yourself.”

“Half bad?” Yuqi raises a sharp eyebrow, seemingly offended by your backhanded compliment. A dangerous smirk forms on her lips. “Says the one who was watching me the entire time—”

“You knew?” There’s a heightened sense of panic in your voice. “I thought  you were—”

“Shhh.” She kisses you, pulls you into a warm cuddle atop her. Slender legs wrapped around your hips, she follows: “Less talk, more lovemaking.”

And more lovemaking you do. You grow more easily acquainted with her lips than with her personality, and you barely know them: it’s only been a few minutes. Even though it’s a Thursday, the weekend feels like a lifetime away. You should be up five hours from now; you have the alarm preset and everything. But Yuqi’s getting in your way again, as she always has, and this won’t certainly be the last. She’s so hypnotic, so alluring, you find yourself unable to slip away, no matter how hard you try.

You find that it’s easier to give in than to struggle aimlessly. 

It’s effortless to get your fingers pressed inside her sopping core, brushing along sensitive, wet ridges of skin, where thoughts of you manifested into thin, delicate strokes. Her moans ring against your ears in varying pitches, each with a distinct, pulsing plea of satisfaction. Keep going, she tells you, and you follow without complaint. All this while you leave a soft path of bite marks down her neck and collarbones, until you reach her petite chest.

And fuck, you just go down on Yuqi. Sucking on her breasts like you’re in the middle of an oasis in the desert. She goes wild. Tossing, turning, trembling. You can feel her body close on you, wanting to take you in and suffocate you. The bed is creaking, growing strikingly more intense, turbulent. All this spurring you on, making you more reckless, more daring with her. 

“Mmmmm—fuck!” She lets out a hum of desperation, her hot, shaky breath fogging on your skin. You become an intertwined labyrinth of limbs that fit together, where you have no idea where it begins and where it ends. Your fingers vanish between her legs, still working tirelessly, perfectly snug around her pussy even when crushed between the weight of her thighs.

Eventually, you find yourself staring aimlessly at Yuqi. She’s so beautiful, and you’re punching yourself mentally, wondering why it took so long to come to this conclusion. Even when she’s not rocking the trendy hair color of the week and her face is a canvas for every conceivable makeup and filter, she’s naturally pretty. Especially now, completely bare—and with nothing but an exasperated, satisfied look of inebriated, lust filled bliss.

You find the light peeking from the living room, casting a shadow between your tangled legs. She’s dripping at her core, showering your fingers with a fresh flow of sheen, messing up the sheets even further if that’s even possible. They’re beyond saving at this point, and so are you. 

Rolling to her side, Yuqi wraps her arm around you, as if enticing you to stay. You shouldn’t have done this, but it’s too late: there’s no going back. You’re too lazy to close the door, and you have the girl you previously never gave a second look rubbing lazy circles on your stomach with her coated nails. Her hair draped all over your arm and shoulder, her eyes looking up at yours, acting all soft and innocent—

Until she starts talking again. “It wouldn’t be complete unless you cum inside me, wouldn’t it?”

The difference between her body language and her lips is night and day. Right then and there, you immediately recognize that there’s no other way this night will end. How your body moves at her will, how you immediately roll on top of her, as if it’s programmed to follow her every command. You have her legs pressed up and spread wide, her knees bent, lining your aching cock against the wet slit of her cunt. All while her features twist into a sickening, slimy grin in the slim shape of a lip bite. The fire, the desire—it’s still as bright as ever. 

And to make sure you aren’t second guessing the idea, her arms are coiled around your neck, her hands grabbing at your hair, pressing on your nape. Yuqi wants you—needs you—to fuck her silly; it’s the only way she can be satiated.

You watch Yuqi’s expression contort from anxious to messy, and the feeling is mutual. You slip in, slow and delicate, going against her instruction, and you almost lose it at the first stroke. The deep, guttural moan you make echoes throughout the entire apartment, while her firm walls pulse against your cock. It’s hot, it’s tense, it’s suffocating. 

“Shit, shit, shit—” you mutter, gently trying to pull back, but the fiery sensation burns, scratches away at your psyche, at your loins. “So—fucking—tight—Yuqi—fuck.”

“C’mon. Fuck me. Fuck me now.” She kisses your ear, her legs pounding against your hips, demanding you to move. There’s some serious intent behind her tone, a seamless blend of demand and impatience. “Use that big cock—mmm!”

You can only groan in response as you thrust back in deep, her grip on your body tighter than ever. And it’s more than just her cunt; she’s clinging onto you for dear life.

It hardly matters when you’re leaving sore, red marks on her skin or ripping through the blankets. It hardly matters when Yuqi can barely breathe. It hardly matters when you’re so loud that everyone can hear you. What’s important is you’re fucking her—and you’re fucking her hard. You both love the filthiness to it. There’s no rhythm, no pace, no flow; it’s one slow deep thrust, followed by a fast pump into her tight, inviting cunt. You become comfortable; you take her like she’s meant to be used.

And Yuqi takes your cock so fucking well. Bounces against every stroke with ease, as if the feeling is second nature to her. Knowing her, she’s probably been in this position more than you’d want to know or hear. You don’t really care about that for now. Even after what seems to be an endless cascade of orgasms, she’s still keening, still needy, still soaking wet that it’s alarming. Her back arches, melts deep into the cushion. She still wants more.

“So—fucking—good—more—need—fuck—”

The only noise you need is the mesh of your flesh slapping against hers, bouncing against her sharp cries of pain and pleasure. Reaching into the deepest, most sensitive parts of her pussy with your cock, this violent shudder rocks both you and Yuqi to your core. With each drag, more of her slick coats your shaft, and the easier you get access to her smothering heat. You can’t find the will to stop, not that you ever want to; she feels so warm, so inviting, so sloppy sounding to the ears that it’s driving you just as crazy as her.

It’s also driving you wild why it took you this long to fuck her—use her—like this. If you had known, you would have cared sooner. You’d have some leverage when it came to negotiations. A body like hers is too good not to have on speed dial.

Right now, it’s the least of your concerns. Not when you’re pounding a tight body like Yuqi’s so freely, hearing her demand to fuck her harder, like your life’s depending on it. Better late than never.

And it’s for the best that the moment happens later rather than sooner. She cums. Cums again. Eventually you’ve stopped counting, because there’s no point. The mere thought of you restarts the cycle, and your touch accelerates the process. The clutch of her cunt is too overwhelming to avoid at this point; it’s all but directly telling you to fill her, to unload all that pent up tension and need into her. The thought never bubbled up in your head even once; the idea of you and Yuqi with a child together. You never really questioned it. She goes out often, probably gets fucked multiple times in one night if she’s with willing company. She probably knew you’d walk in on her; hell, she’s probably got this whole thing planned out and Minnie is one of her accomplices. Maybe the entire time, she’s been yearning for you, because you’ve never heard her this passionate, this loud, this filthy in your life, even at her most inebriated.

“Inside me. Please cum inside me. I’m safe, don’t worry,” she whispers, as if she’s reading through your mind, reassuring you from your doubts. Her hand is palming your back, as if to line you straight so your cock directly hits her sweet spot. She sounds so pretty, it’s almost impossible to resist.

“Gonna cum,” you tell her, voice going hoarse, rasp, and she nods immediately in return, reinforcing the notion. She’s focused her effort on holding on, her legs tightly wrapped around your waist, her arms coiled around your neck, subtly pushing you against her hips. 

“This—pussy—so—fucking—God,” you mindlessly utter, averting her doe eyed gaze, desperate to cling to the last of your resolve as it quickly dissolves with each thrust. You’re on borrowed time and it’s quickly slipping away. Yuqi is tilting your face down to her, to her airy breaths, to her fluttering eyelids, to her passionate expression as you fuck her, pushing you over the edge. “Holy fuck, Yuqi—”

Yuqi’s lips part like a flower in bloom, and it’s a pretty sight. Yet it’s not enough of a distraction to keep everything from falling into place.

And God, it fucking burns. 

You swallow hard, but are unable to keep that groan suppressed. Your hips meet her halfway, your cock comfortably buried deep in her heat, and that’s where you come undone. Yuqi digs deep into your skin as it fills her—your cum—and she goes frozen at that moment. It’s a quiet, tense flash of silence. Afterward, she finally breaks. Cries out this deafening whine, her grip all over you loosening, time eventually catching up to her. 

She lays beneath you, completely limp, but her body remains trembling, shaking, seizing. You don’t find the strength to drag your cock from her heat; the feeling lingers. Endless ropes of cum gushing into her womb, emptying yourself, just as she wanted. Then you pull out, agonizingly slow, and more viscous slick gushes from her core. 

You feel guilty for that poor patch of soaked linen between her legs. It’s about as ruined as a collapsed power plant.

There’s little need for Yuqi to beg you to stay. The climax saps whatever energy you had left. You end up slumping flat on your belly beside her, both of you bathed in the afterglow of sex, exhausted from an already long day, too worn out to make another sound. And when you’re tired, any bed, no matter how messy it may be, is a comfortable bed.

—————

You already expected the scene at the breakfast table to be awkward.

And it was.

It isn’t until Yuqi calls you out standing at the doorway of her room that you realize you’ve been shooting a thousand yard stare the whole time. She waves at you, her cheeks red, flustered, chuckling. “Good morning to you, I guess. Put something on. I don’t wanna drink coffee while looking at someone’s dick. It’s gross.”

This time you’re the one unbecoming, completely in the nude while she got herself into some pajamas. Despite that, you hardly feel any guilt or shame, like this is a normal occurrence in the household. So you scramble to your room and get appropriately dressed. A look at the time and it’s already 15 past ten in the morning, an hour later than when you normally start work. Even more unusual is the absence of the laptop. It’s just Yuqi and her coffee.

Sitting opposite Yuqi, today seems a bit more tense than normal, and you can guess the reason why. She knows it, too. Neither of you are willing to break the ice, only shooting occasional glares at each other while sipping on coffee and scrolling through your phones.

“So, Yuqi.”

The words slip from your mouth, accidental, nearly silent. They follow the mild screech of the chair she sits on. When you meet eye to eye, she asks what’s up. What's on your mind? There’s a sudden barrier in your throat. You have a vague idea of what to say, but not the power to speak them. 

“About last night—”

Her lack of response is unnerving. The visible curiosity, the probable apathy. You and her possibly sharing the same sentiment: a feeling of regret. 

“I—I just wanted to say sorry. For last night. I should have just—”

“Sorry for what?”

You suddenly stop. This is not the expected reaction; it’s the complete opposite. A moment where you face the consequences of your actions.

Yuqi stands up and walks over to your side, beaming from ear to ear. “What we did last night was—fucking amazing. Don’t feel bad. If anything, I should feel bad because I didn’t tip you off sooner. We could have done so much more.”

You don’t pick up on the implication right away. It’s all strange, uncharted territory. Your previous flings were simple one-and-dones: a night of reckless, frivolous fun. Short, but fun nonetheless. They would disappear in the morning, never to be seen again.

“I didn’t think you’d walk through that door, especially since it was three in the morning,” says Yuqi, casual, running her fingers through your hair. “I got a bit too silly, as usual, but there’s a good reason for it.”

“And that is?”

“I got a job!” Yuqi’s gripping to your shoulder, the only thing keeping her from jumping for joy. “I got a job at the cafe with the pretty lady. I start on Monday.”

It’s certainly a cause for celebration. You can’t help but root and smile for her, caressing her hands. “Well, damn. Congratulations.”

“Yeah!” Yuqi’s wrapped you in a rather heartwarming embrace that you willingly fold into. “I had the interview yesterday, so I needed to lock in. Needed to be alone. Then I got accepted after, so I went and bought some drinks to celebrate.”

That doesn’t surprise you one bit. You’re just thrilled that she’s finally getting somewhere.

“So—does that mean I can kick you out once you get your first paycheck?” you ask her.

“I guess so. But—” Yuqi pauses, tilts your chin on an incline. She’s warm, radiant, pretty. She doesn’t care that you’ve worded yourself poorly and you’re taking it back; she’s still riding off the high from yesterday. You’re already counting the days before she leaves, and admittedly, you’ll miss that sight. “I’m gonna miss staying with you. Thanks for having my back when I needed it. I honestly don’t know how I will ever repay you.”

She tops it up with a quick peck on your lips. It’s all over your face, etched completely in red. The devilish grin. 

“I think I know exactly how.”

And that’s all that needed to be said.

Before you know it, you’re right back at square one: clothes scattered everywhere on the floor, her body pressed on the mattress, flat on her belly, your cock stretching her pussy out as you fuck her mindlessly from behind. This time in the comfort of your own bedroom.

All the more reason for you two to stay together.

—————

(A/N: fucksorryforgoingonanotherhiatusfuckfuckfuck—)

(Okay, but I really do wanna apologize for going on yet another unannounced hiatus. Final weeks of the semester were hell, then I was on vacation the week I promised this fic would be released (I'm basically the LeBron James of K-smut when it comes to lying at this point), not to mention a health scare courtesy of my mother. Some very hard times have hit me lately, so my mind wasn't 100%. Nevertheless, I am still standing (shoutout Elton John). Lots of free time throughout June and July, so hopefully nothing bad happens ISTG lemme have some peace for once and let me fucking write goddammit—)

(In non-personal news, Yuqi's solo was very fun and she's getting on that Yena level of bias where she's the perfect blend of cute and hot. Then she went pink recently and that made me :pphurt: Sort of a feel out fic before I *finally* finish these commissions over the coming weeks, thank you for reading!)

[fireandiceland]

Hetalia characters with dishes typical for their country - part 1 (part 2 here)

Italy: Maritozzo (cream bread) -> This Roman milk bread is said to be dated back to times of Ancient Rome. The baked good is filled with generous amounts of whipped cream and somtimes decorated with fruit or pistachio. Young man also used it in courtship by hiding jewellery or a ring in the filling.

Germany: Breze(l) mit Schokolade (chocolate dipped pretzel) -> A baked pastry with sweet or salty toppings, best known for its distinctive symetrical, knotted shape. Dipped in chocolate the soft pretzel is a popular snack at funfairs and markets, but there are also small, crispy pretzels that are to be eaten like crisps/chips.

Japan: 和菓子 (wagashi; plant based sweet) -> Originally meaning "Japanese confectionery" the term now refers to a traditional dessert made from plant based ingredients. It's artful shapes are influenced by season, nature, or even poetry.

France: Quiche Lorraine -> A savoury tarte traditionally made with a filling of eggs, heavy cream, ham, and bacon. Today cheese is often added, though it is controversial among professionals. (In the drawing there seems to be leek added too which is not mentioned in the original recipe either.)

England: Scotch Egg -> Supposedly inspired by the Indian nargisi koftas, this dish consists of a hard-boiled or soft-boiled egg wrapped in pork (sausage meat) which is coated in breadcrumbs and then baked or deep-fried. Often served in pubs and a popular cold snack as well.

America: Hamburger -> A popular fastfood consisting of a patty (traditionally made from ground beef) between two halfs of a sliced bun. There are countless variations made with all kinds of additional ingredients and condiments, including expensive high-end versions with edible goldflakes.

Russia: пирожки́ (Pirozhki; stuffed bread) -> This popular street food is a baked good made from yeast-dough is typically boat-shaped and filled sweet or savory with meat, vegetables, fruit, jam or tvorog (an Eastern European fermented milk product with a consistency similar to curd cheese)

China: 小籠包 / 小笼包 (Xiaolongbao; steamed bun) -> Steamed dumplings made from leavened or unleavened dough traditionally filled with minced pork, traditionally eaten for breakfast. The top of the dumpling is closed by folding and pinching it. Authentical dumplings have at least 14 folds, preferably 18.

[glowingvoid]

RAIN WORLD SHIPPING MASTERLIST

Since I am the Sunflower CEO, and I have... *Checks* 96 FOLLOWERS WHAT I decided to make a rain world shipping name masterlist. You can suggest in comments or reblogs. All the names are listed from most common > least common in general, but this isn't a strict rule, some I see equally used. Unique names usually rank higher than two names smashed together, but there are some cases where the two names smashed together roll off the tongue very good

Normal names are used by one/a couple people, Italicized names are used by/decided by a section of the community, and bolded names have been decided and used for a long time/I don't see any other names for them anymore/very common

Reblogs greatly appreciated!

Survivor ships

Survivor X Spearmaster: Glowstick, Spearvivor

Survivor X Artificer: Red Velvet , Survificer

Survivor X Hunter: Candycane

Survivor X Gourmand: Marshmallow, Gourvivor

Survivor X Rivulet: Tapwater, Survulet

Survivor X Saint: Sugarcane

Survivor X Enot: Reversal

Survivor X Nightcat: Nightlight

Monk ships

Monk X Spearmaster: Sunflower, Cheesestick, Spearmonk

Monk X Artificer: Sunset, Sunnyside up, ArtiMonk

Monk X Hunter: Applejuice

Monk X Gourmand: Eggroll

Monk X Rivulet: Lemonade, Lemonshark, Bananaboat, Rivumonk

Monk X Saint: Peacemakers, Banana split, Saintmonk

Monk X Enot: Nacho cheese, Omelette

Monk X Nightcat: Eclipse, Monknight

Hunter ships

Hunter X Spearmaster: Loveletter

Hunter X Artficer: Artihunter, Cherrybomb, Murder lesbians

Hunter X Gourmand: Cherrypie, Huntmand

Hunter X Survivor: Candycane

Hunter X Monk: Applejuice

Hunter X Rivulet: Pirahna, Rivunter, Sharkbait

Hunter X Saint: Cherrybush, Strawberry, Huntersaint

Hunter X Enot: Counterstrike

Hunter X Nightcat: Bloodmoon

Gourmand ships

Gourmand X Spearmaster: Kebab, Spearmand

Gourmand X Artificer: Barbeque, Artimand

Gourmand X Hunter: Cherrypie

Gourmand X Survivor: Marshmallow, Gourvivor

Gourmand X Monk: Eggroll

Gourmand X Rivulet: Seafood, Fastfood, Titanic

Gourmand X Saint: Puffball, Fat blunt, Mossball

Gourmand X Enot: Omelette, Gourmenot

Gourmand X Nightcat: Full moon, Midnight Snack

Artificer ships

Artificer X Spearmaster: Boomstick, Death notice, Sparklers, Spearificer, explosive spear

Artificer X Artificer: Timebomb

Artificer X Hunter: Artihunter, Cherrybomb, Murder lesbians

Artificer X Gourmand: Barbeque, Artigourm

Artificer X Survivor: Red Velvet

Artificer X Monk: Sunset, Sunnyside up, ArtiMonk

Artificer X Rivulet: Bathbomb, Toasterbath

Artificer X Saint: Artisaint, Karmaflower, Deathpop

Artificer X Enot: Paprika, Pipebomb, Zip bomb, Instakill

Artificer X Nightcat: Bloodmoon

Rivulet ships

Rivulet X Spearmaster: Fishstick, Spearvulet

Rivulet X Artificer: Bathbomb, Toasterbath

Rivulet X Hunter: Pirahna, Rivunter, Sharkbait

Rivulet X Gourmand: Seafood, Fastfood, Titanic

Rivulet X Survivor: Tapwater, Survulet

Rivulet X Monk: Lemonade, Lemonshark, Bananaboat, Rivumonk

Rivulet X Saint: Seaweed, Icee, Rivusaint, Holy water

Rivulet X Enot: Speedrun, Blueberry

Rivulet X Nightcat: Starfish, Lanternfish, Abyssal zone

Spearmaster ships

Spearmaster X Artificer: Boomstick, Death notice, Sparklers, Spearificer, Explosive spear

Spearmaster X Hunter: Loveletter

Spearmaster X Gourmand: Kebab, Spearmand

Spearmaster X Survivor: Glowstick, Spearvivor

Spearmaster X Monk: Sunflower, Cheesestick, Spearmonk

Spearmaster X Rivulet: Fishstick, Spearvulet

Spearmaster X Saint: Spearmint, Thornbush

Spearmaster X Enot: Lagspike

Spearmaster X Nightcat: Inkblot

Saint ships

Saint X Spearmaster: Spearmint, Thornbush

Saint X Artificer: Artisaint, Karmaflower, Deathpop

Saint X Hunter: Cherrybush, Strawberry, Huntersaint

Saint X Gourmand: Puffball, Fat blunt, Mossball

Saint X Survivor: Sugarcane

Saint X Monk: Peacemakers, Banana split, Saintmonk

Saint X Rivulet: Seaweed, Icee, Rivusaint, Holy water

Saint X Enot: Godmode

Saint X Nightcat: Holy night

Enot ships

Enot X Spearmaster: Lagspike

Enot X Artificer: Paprika, Pipebomb, Zip bomb, Instakill

Enot X Hunter: Counterstrike

Enot X Gourmand: Omelette, Gourmenot

Enot X Survivor: Reversal

Enot X Monk: Nacho Cheese, Omelette

Enot X Rivulet: Speedrun, Blueberry

Enot X Saint: Godmode

Enot X Nightcat: Error 404

Nightcat Ships

Nightcat X Spearmaster: Inkblot

Nightcat X Artificer: Bloodmoon

Nightcat X Hunter: Bloodmoon

Nightcat X Gourmand: Full Moon, Midnight Snack

Nightcat X Survivor: Nightlight

Nightcat X Monk: Eclipse, Monknight

Nightcat X Rivulet: Starfish, Lanternfish, Abyssal zone

Nightcat X Saint: Holy Night

Nightcat X Enot: Error 404

ITERATOR TIME

Five Pebbles ships

FP X NSH: Ragequit

FP X SRS: Sunstone

FP X GCW: Hailstorm

FP X UI: Milkshake

FP X SOS: Gravel, Faulty affirmative

Looks to the Moon ships

LttM X LttM: Sunken ship

LttM X NSH: Lilypad, Lifeline

LttM X SRS: Eclipse

LttM X GCW: Atmosphere

LttM X UI: Pluto

LttM X SOS: Waning Crescent

No Significant Harassment ships

NSH X LttM: Lilypad, Lifeline

NSH X FP: Ragequit

NSH X SRS: Trafficlights

NSH X GCW: Hurricane

NSH X UI: Team Rocket

NSH X SOS: Taboo Dissonance

Seven Red Suns ships

SRS X LttM: Eclipse

SRS X NSH: Trafficlights

SRS X FP: Sunstone

SRS X GCW: Solar flare

SRS X UI: (unknown, please give name!)

SRS X SOS: Gold Pearl

Grey/Chasing Wind ships

GCW X FP: Hailstorm

GCW X LttM: Atmosphere

GCW X NSH: Hurricane

GCW X SRS: Solar Flare

GCW X UI: Morally gray, Gray area, Content warning user interface

GCW X SOS: (unknown, please give name!)

Unparalled Innocence ships

UI X FP: Milkshake

UI X LttM: Pluto

UI X SRS: (unknown, please give name!)

UI X NSH: Team Rocket

UI X GCW: Morally gray, Gray area, Content warning user interface

UI X SOS Unparalled solutions

Sliver of Straw ships

SOS X LttM: Waning Crescent

SOS X FP: Gravel, Faulty affirmative

SOS X SRS: Gold Pearl

SOS X NSH: Taboo Dissonance

SOS X GCW: (unknown, please give name!)

SOS X UI: Unparalled solutions

MISCELLANEOUS

Scavenger King X Artificer: Regicide

Scavenger King X Gourmand: Shared union

Scavenger King X Artificer X Gourmand: Caramelized onions

Scavenger King X Artificer X Hunter: Triple red, Triple threat

Sofantheil X Scavenger King's drone: Droning love

Hornet (hollow knight) X LttM: Lunar Constellation

Scavenger King X Saint: Theocracy

Judge X Saint: Judgement day

Judge X Hunter: Cured

Artificer X Mapleshade (Warrior Cats): Murder Moms, Forest Fire

POLYAMOROUS SHIPS

Threes

Artificer X Nightcat X Monk: Firefly

Spearmaster X Monk X Saint: Beetsalad

Artificer X Hunter X Rivulet: Cherry soda, Seabomb, Missile

Artificer X Hunter X Spearmaster: Killsquad

Artificer X Rivulet X Spearmaster: Ultrakill, Trident

Saint X Spearmaster X Gourmand: Incense stick

Survivor X Enot X Nightcat: Oreo Sundae, Aurora borealis, Cookies and Cream

Artificer X Rivulet X Monk: Lemonicetea

Saint X Monk X Rivulet: Angelfish

Hunter X Monk X Rivulet: Pink Lemonade

Hunter X Gourmand X Spearmaster: Comfort food, Berrypie

Spearmaster X Nightcat X Rivulet: Stargazers

Spearmaster X Monk X Rivulet: Spring flowers

Spearmaster X Artificer X Saint: Dangocats

Enot X Survivor X Rivulet: any% nmg

Enot x Spearmaster x Rivulet: Conspearacy

Hunter X Spearmaster X Rivulet: Pufferfish

Artificer X Rivulet X Saint: Deathsea

Gourmand X Saint X Hunter: Bell peppers

Artificer X Gourmand X Saint: BLT

Spearmaster X Saint X Rivulet: Spearmintstick, Icefishing

Spearmaster X Rivulet X Enot: Shatterscreen, Webfishing

Enot X Survivor X Saint: New game plus

Gourmand X Enot X Spearmaster: Blackcurrent

SOS X NSH X LttM: Green tea

FP X SRS X NSH: Triple divorce, Five triple pickle

SRS X LttM X NSH: Mossy Cobblestone, Solarsystem

Fours

Artificer X Saint X Spearmaster X Monk: Candlelight

Artificer X Hunter X Spearmaster X Rivulet: Shark-infested waters

Inv X Nightcat X Watcher X Judge: Night watchers, Forgotten Ones, Devscugs, Forgotten by the devs

Fives

Saint x Spears x Gourmand x Rivulet x Artificer: Downpour gang

More poly ships to be added!

[oneshotgremlin]

PIZZATOBER 2024 (oh chaos this is gonna be my everest):

Based off the Royal flush task in Fastfood Salon (I always went after all the cards every time I played the level [my actual success in doing so uh, varied to say the least])

[shiratamahatsumiyo]

Twst with Nicole Watterson! Yuu

Requested by: Anonymous

Warnings: Corporate Slavery

Nicole Watterson is a character from the cartoon, The Amazing World of Gumball. She is the wife of Richard and the mother of Gumball, Darwin, and Anais. She is an overworked office worker and a tired mother who takes care of her chaotic family. She is also feared by her husband and children and even some citizens of Elmore.

I'll be picturing the reader here as slightly older, to the time they're old enough to get married and have a job but still don't have any children yet.

.

.

.

"Sigh... One more week... Just. One. More. Week."

• You sighed heavily as you parked in front of your neighbors' car, arriving late again at night due to working overtime. Fighting the urge to demolish your own car out of frustration was difficult. You long awaited that two day holiday that the company you worked in at least offered to its slaves employees.

"Hopefully Richard-- WOAHH!!!"

{Living Room}

• Not even five seconds after opening the door, you slipped onto something lumpy and moist. You got up to rub your head, that headache that was ringing then is ringing harder now. Looking at your feet it seems that you slipped on... A burger? Now that you looked further there's a trail of them on the floor and their grease is all over the couch.

"What the?!........ RICHAAARD!!!"

• Your husband crawled downstairs with a bloated stomach and stained clothes, you could only guess that he was eating loads of fastfood. His eyes don't dare meet your wrathful glare and only stared at the floor with shame, awaiting your scolding.

"Uhh... Welcome home, honey?"

"Don't welcome home, honey me! What is this?!"

"U-um... Joyful Burger patties?"

• You repeatedly pointed at the amount of junk food lying around to force an explanation from Richard to which the man nervously gave, his sweaty hands fiddled with fear and his voice became smaller compared to your loud one.

"And what did we say about this many food?!"

"I-i can't eat this much a-and... And that it worsens our current financial state?"

"I thought you knew that already! We can't keep living like thi--"

• Cue a tub full of fastfood falling from the ceiling before setting on fire. You inhaled sharply, close your eyes, and massage your temples. You are already too tired to deal with this. If your back wasn't aching right now you would've screamed your head off at Richard.

"......."

"............"

"This... this surely can't get any worse..."

*Knock* *Knock *Knock*

• There's sometimes these moments where you wish that Richard offered a different explanation. At this point desperation can be heard from your voice. Practically in denial that things can get any worse than this.

"Please, please, tell me... this can't be any..."

"Well... I might have... uh... had a fight with the uh...."

"RICHARD WATTERSON! THIS IS THE ELMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR ASSAULTING AN ESTABLISHMENT WORKER! PLEASE COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!"

• That familiar sound of a megaphone from a certain donut shaped cop is coming right outside of your doorstep accompanied by the sounds of police alarms. The TV flickered abruptly to a news channel displaying an injured Larry.

"...Richard."

"H-h-honey, I can explain...!"

"Good evening, Elmore. This is Elmore News and we interrupt this program for tonight we bring you shocking news. At Joyful Burger at 8:43 PM, a man is seen assaulting an employee with more than fifty sets of joyful meal toys and then proceeded to run from the scene. Witnesses say that the man was visibly upset that the employee did not include the additional discount fries and soda, leading to an argument and eventually an assault."

"..................................."

"..........................................."

"........................................................"

"............... I'm sorry...?"

"RICHARD WATTERSON, STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE! DO NOT RESIST ARREST--"

"ALRIGHT WE GET IT!!!!!!"

.

.

.

• You DID NOT hope that this evening would turn out like this. You wanted a night with enough rest to go back to work in the next three hours but no, instead your husband decided to be manchild. Now he's arrested by the police and is under custody. You still remember him clinging to you before being dragged away by the police, they actually had a hard time trying to pry him off of you but nonetheless succeeded with your help.

• You couldn't ignore or say an excuse to this matter because Larry's injuries were that bad. Turns out this isn't the first time Richard's acted this way, so a few nights in jail was overdue.

• You lie down on your shared bed, the right side of it is cold and empty. You find the lack of weight and warmth unusual and just stared blankly at the ceiling... You are so tired... Maybe calling in sick might not sound so bad. Besides, you have to fix the living room and the bathroom.

• You yawned in what felt like the millionth time and blinked your bloodshot eyes slowly, slowly until they finally close.

• And as you fall asleep, the sounds of hooves clacking can be heard from a distance. A silhouette of a hand reaching out to you appeared in a dream....

.

.

.

".....Fnyagh...! Gotta.... Uniform....... Fast!...."

"Mmnnh.... Huh? Huh? Wh-wha.... Mnnh... Ow!!"

• You wake up feeling a bit too warm... OUCH! Okay, too hot, too hot, too hot! In a panic, you accidentally bumped your head into the flat surface of the coffin- wait, coffin?! What the what?!

• You started to hear a muffled voice outside of the coffin and feel like you're about to get literally cooked. Your drowsiness is replaced by your fight or flight mode and you swiftly kicked the coffin's lid off, jumping out of the coffin to beat whoever the hell thought was a good idea to bury and burn you while you're asleep.

"Fnyagh! How are you awake-- GAH!"

• You grabbed the flaming cat by the neck and interrogate him with threatening eyes. You stopped half sentence after noticing the unfamiliar surroundings you are in. The floating coffins and sudden wardrobe change made you wipe your eyes to check if what you're seeing is real. The cat could do nothing but struggle against your unflinching iron grip.

"Look, I don't have enough sleep or even have enough consciousness to deal with what your problem is... Whyy..... Where in the world am I?"

"Fnyaagh? W-what the heck are ya talkin' abou--fnyahh! L-let go! Let go!"

"I asked you a question first so answer me. Where am I? And who sent you?"

"Fnyagh?! No one orders the Great Grim to do anything! N-now put me down!"

"Who?"

"Me! I'm-ack! I'm the Great Grim! Now lemme go before I roast ya!"

"Sigh... Fine."

• You thought that nothing will be the outcome if you're just going to bicker back and forth with this thing, so you let him go with a warning. Since this looks like hallway you'll just ask a stranger if they know where this place is. You ignoring the flaming cat may not be a good idea as he is now pursuing you in a chase with fire.

• You were puzzled on why there's not a single person that can be seen despite the building being very spacious. So you assumed that you are alone and decided to fight back against Grim without worrying about risks.

"Fnyahahahah! Cornered are ya? You can run but ya can't escape the Great Grim's nose! Now gimme those robes-- MEYOUCH!!!"

"Stop right there, monster! Cease your erratic behavior at once!"

"What the..."

• Like some kind of plot convenience, a man wearing a crow mask restrained the cat with a leash.

"Fnyagh! What's with this rope?! It won't break!"

"This is not just rope, mind you! This is the Lash of Love! You there, beastman! Are you the last student? Quite an impatient one, aren't you?"

• Beastman? Does he mean you? I mean, he did stop this maniacal cat from burning you alive so could he be trusted? Nah, who on earth would trust a man wearing a mask with formal attire and calling people weird names?

"Uhhh....."

"What are you looking around for? Obviously, I'm talking to you!"

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Okaaay then. Do you happen to know where I am or what this place is?"

"What do you mean? Do you not remember? My, it seems that the teleportation spell might've jumbled up your brain a bit. But you do who I am, yes?"

"Uh no, I'm sorr- oh wait, you're the... No, no, that guy was in a commercial... Wait, you could be... Nope.... Hmmmm, no, I'm sorry. I really don't know you."

"Oh, is that so? Then allow me to explain in great detail while we head to the Ceremony, I'm sure your familiar will be tame through it. You should train him better."

"Ceremony? Familiar?"

"I ain't this guy's familiar!"

"Yes, yes. That's what they all say when there's trouble. Come! We must make haste, the others are waiting!"

.

.

.

• You walked alongside the strange man as he explains something about you being in a college for young wizards. Grim was not struggling anymore and is now silently listening in.

"You, my dear student, are in Night Raven College! One of the most prestigious educational institutions of Twisted Wonderland dedicated to train young mages with great potential in the magical arts. To help hone and nurture their skills to their greatest potential in hopes of becoming great mages like the Great Seven--"

"Pfft- AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hahahaha!"

"Well, I beg your pardon! I do find it quite rude to laugh when someone is speaking."

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry- oh my gosh! AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I've- ahaha! Oh, I cant-i can't breathe-! You've gotta be kidding me! Ahahaha! Ohh, alright, hah... You can drop the act now, I'm not buying this. Great acting though. Although it could use a bit more naturalness. I can tell that it's pretty much practiced."

• What kind of reaction they were expecting when they spout nonsense at someone? Of course, whoever kidnapped you were expecting you to act confused and panic! But you've faced a lot worse than this and laughed it off. The man is now scowling but coughed into his hand to change the subject. It's like he wants you to play along.

"Practiced?! I am offended! ... Ahem, I didn't think anyone would notice.... This is no laughing matter. For now I will let this slide since we are late for the ceremony. I expect that in the future you would fix your attitude around your seniors during your stay here."

"Ohoh? I'm so sorry for breaking character, Mr... Uh..."

"Breaking in character? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by that... And it's not Mister! It's headmaster Crowley, Dire Crowley. I am the director of this school and you are a student here."

"But I'm not? It's all a mistake. I was just in my house and then the next thing I knew, I woke up inside a coffin-"

"Then that means you are chosen by the Ebony Carriage to be here. You should be glad that you are enrolled."

"What the? Being sent here without my consent is kidnapping! And I didn't even asked to be enrolled here! How am I supposed to be glad knowing that some crazy wizard-wannabe guy in mask put me in a coffin?! And even if I am a student, who the heck would use coffins as a form of transportation?!"

"Oh... um... W-We... uh..."

"Oh nevermind that, let's just go!"

• This man is certainly not helping and you're running out of patience to humor him. You eventually reached a pair of giant doors and opened them, revealing a room full of people with robes the same design as yours. You quickly closed the doors to face Crowley.

"Inhale......... I thought this is a school?"

"I-it is a school."

"Then why does it look like everyone is prepared to summon some demonic entity from the underworld?"

"It's a traditional orientation procedure."

"Exhale..... You know what at this point I don't care anymore."

• You opened the doors with a loud bang causing everyone to flinch and snap their heads to look at you.

"Alright. Sorry to interrupt. Which way is the exit?"

"Hold it right there! What do you think you're doing?"

"I-it's that way..."

"Thank you."

"Al-Asim!"

"Yeah? Wait, was I not supposed to tell?"

"Please stop!"

"At least someone answered what I'd like... To... Hear.....?"

• You head straight toward the exit but stopped at scene before you. It was still nighttime, the sky is still dark and... People are flying on brooms? What? You are in complete disbelief. The headmage just dragged you back to the room.

".... Wha- how- Th-this can't be. I-I'm not dreaming am I?"

"Oh no, this is definitely very real, I assure you. Now please move forward to the Dark Mirror, they will sort you to a dorm. We don't have all night!"

.

.

.

{Night Raven College – Mirror Chamber}

• Are you even in Elmore? If that guy says that everything is real, then how far away are you from home? What about your job? What about your husband?

"State thy name."

"H-huh?"

• You are brought back from your thoughts by a voice in front of you. You yelped when a face appeared in the mirror. You looked at Crowley for directions but all he said is that you must interact with the mirror. Hesitantly, you gave it your name.

"Just say your name!"

"Ugh, this is ridiculous. Can't I have a panic attack in peace? I'm not giving away my name-"

"Talk now, panic later! Just say it already!"

"Sigh, Nicole! Yuu Watterson. There, I said it."

"Nicole! Yuu Watterson..."

• The mirror proceeded to squint at you with disdain evident on its face. For a while the expression prolonged until its eyes widened in shock. You took that as offense.

"Yeah, I know that I'm not much of a looker but let's be honest here, you're not one yourself-"

"Thy soul is empty."

"Wow. Offended much?"

• The crowd of students gasped and whispered among themselves after hearing the mirror's response. The headmaster has become even more dramatic.

"What?! But how?! How can this be?! In all my one hundred years of teaching, the carriage can't possibly escort someone with no magic?!"

"This one's soul is... very much empty. It is struggling to maintain its shape and color. It has strained itself for so long. However... Albeit not possessing magic, they do possess a powerful and otherworldly strength. Like a bright flame igniting once every fleeting moment..."

"I... I don't understand! Otherworldly? Are you saying that this beastman... Is not from Twisted Wonderland?"

"Beastman this, beastman that. What's with your name-calling? I just gave you my name. Start using it."

"A-ahem! My apologies. Let us discuss this later, Watterso--"

"FNYAGH! If that guy doesn't have magic, then take me instead! I have magic to prove it! I'll show ya how strong it is, just watch me!"

"Halt, monster!"

"I ain't just no regular weak monster! I'm the Great Grim!"

"...!.... EVERYONE, GET DOWN!!"

• All of you were so busy chatting that the monster freed itself from its restraints and started blowing fire everywhere. The students shielded themselves before the flames hit thanks to your warning... Well, most of them.

"AAAAHHHH! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!! MY BUTT IS ON FIRE!!!!"

"Why don't you just hunt that thing? Doesn't it look like a nice plump snack?"

"Why don't you do it yourself?"

"SOMEBODY CAPTURE THAT MONSTER AT ONCE!"

"I'll capture it, headmage. I'm afraid there's no one here who has the heart to hurt the poor thing."

"Aaand there's classic Azul. Not wasting a single moment to show off and rewards."

"Whoever brought that cat here has broken a rule! Cats are not allowed to attend--"

"GREAT SEVENS, WHY IS NOBODY CAPTURING IT?!"

"UH HELLO? MY BUTT'S STILL ON FIRE! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PUT IT OUT!"

"OH FORGET IT I'LL DO IT MYSELF!!!!"

• Having enough of the creature wreaking havoc, you immediately took the headmaster's cane and lobbed it like a spear toward Grim. It landed on the wall next to the creature, startling him off guard. You then take the Lash of Love and lassoed it around Grim.

"WHAT ARE YOU IDIOTS WAITING FOR?! GRAB HIM!!"

"R-right!"

"OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

• A heavy red-gold collar appeared around the cat's neck. It stopped its rampage to focus solely on getting rid of the new restraints.

"F-Fnaygh? Ugh! What's with this collar?! I can't use my magic?!"

"This is no ordinary collar, this my unique magic. It can restrain anyone's magic. Without magic, you are no more than a measly cat until I take it off."

"Hey! The Great Grim ain't a pet! Take it off!"

"Don't worry, I'd never want a pet like you. You have broken a rule and even attacked us. You've brought this upon yourself."

"Splendid job as always, Riddle! That unique magic of yours is quite useful in situations like these... I want it. No, I don't want that to work on me... "

"Nicole! Yuu Watterson! How many times do I have to tell you to properly tame your beast?"

"AND HAVE MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT HE'S NOT MINE?!"

"E-eh? Not yours? I thought-"

"You keep cutting me off before I could say anything! That stupid carriage you talk about took me here by mistake!"

"A-apologies. Students, take him away!"

"Fnyaagh?! OWW! NOOO! Let go! I don't wanna!! Get your hands off me! NOOOO!!! I SWEAR! I'LL BECOME THE GREATEST MAGE!! YOU'LL ALL SEE!!!"

• The headmaster ordered two students to drag Grim out of the room. You kind of feel bad for the little guy but just a tiny bit. As always, no one thanks you for sparing them the trouble. Your efforts instantly forgotten like they weren't in the risk of having their skin scorched.

"Ahem! Now that the problem is settled, students, please proceed to your dormitories accordingly... hmm, I don't see the dorm leader of Diasomnia anywhere? Didn't anyone invite him?"

"He's too unapproachable for me to invite..."

"Invite him? That guy's a total recluse."

• Just like before, the crowd of students begin to erupt with whispers but this time there's a hint of fear in them. Looks like this Diasomnia dorm leader is some kind of big shot. A short man hanging upside down appeared out of thin air and nearly gave you a heart attack.

"Good evening, headmage."

"WAAHH!"

"Great Sevens, Mr. Vanrouge!"

"Ahahahaha! My apologies. I'm afraid to inform you that Malleus Draconia has forgotten to attend the ceremony. I'd like to be the one to lead the new students in his place."

"Is that so? Very well then. Please inform him when there's an important occassion next time."

"I will, headmaster... I hope this doesn't leave him in a sour mood..."

"Nicole! Yuu Watterson, may I have a word with you?"

"After what just happened? Sure."

.

.

.

{Night Raven College – Library}

• After learning that you are not supposed to be student here, Crowley dismissed all the students to focus on escorting you back home using the Dark Mirror, but failed. You followed him to the library to find more information.

"I don't understand. I don't understand at all! Are you certain this Elmore is a place? Are you not lying to me perhaps?"

"Why would I lie right now? I need to get back home!"

"Do you have anything that is from your home? A phone, wallet, or a name on a shoe? Nothing at all?"

"No, I don't think so..."

"Hmmm... this could possibly mean that you could either be from another planet or from another dimension."

"Is this world still Earth?"

"Earth? This is Twisted Wonderland. I don't know this Earth you speak of."

".......... I wish I'm still dreaming."

• You lost how many times you facepalmed yourself because of Crowley, possibly enough to make sure that you're wide awake and not hallucinating due to lack of sleep. In the end, there were no texts in the library leading to your hometown. Luckily, Crowley was gracious to lend you shelter in an unused dormitory.

.

.

.

{Ramshackle Dorm}

"WHAT THE WHAT?! CROWLEY, WHAT THE HECK IS ALL THIS?!"

"U-umm... shelter for you-"

"HOW AM I GOING TO LIVE IN THIS DORM WITHOUT NEEDING SEVERAL TETANUS SHOTS?! ANYONE CAN TELL THAT WITH ONE LOOK AT THIS-THIS DILAPIDATED BUILDING THEY KNOW THAT IT HAS MAGGOTS THRIVING INSIDE ITS WALLS!"

"It's not that bad! It has a certain charm of its own, with a few maintenances that is... although, there are no other residents here considering it is haunted by ghosts but I'm sure you'll survive--"

"HAUNTED?! MY GOSH, NOT ONLY DOES THIS ROTTEN DORM REEK OF MOLD AND PLAGUE, IT'S ALSO HAUNTED BY GHOSTS?! JUST HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SURVIVE A MINUTE HERE?! CROWLEY?! CROWLEY, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! I'M TALKING TO YOU--"

"I-I'm going to bring you food now...uh... I think this is what teenagers these days call hangry? I'll be right back, yes, for I am gracious!"

"CROWLEY!!"

• You don't even bother following after him anymore, you decided to wait. Unfortunately, there are not a single clean chair that you can sit on, so you roll up your sleeves and search for cleaning tools. You underestimated how old this dorm is for every step you take, you could feel the floor creak beneath you. Heavy rain started to pour, making the walls moist. The stairs were not in safe circumstances to climb over.

{Ramshackle Dorm – Lounge}

"ACHOO! Fnyaaagh! My ears! Darn rain...!"

• An annoying voice that you wish you aren't familiar with reached your ears after you found cleaning materials. Grim noticed you approaching him and he quickly had his guard up. You don't want to fight him right now, you got some cleaning to do.

"Eek!... Y-y-ya got guts to face the Great Grim like this!"

"You're the one trespassing."

"That doesn't matter! I'm staying here whether ya like it or not!"

"Suit yourself. Pick up this bucket and clean."

"Who do ya think ya are to boss me around?! You do it-- ACK!!"

"IF YOU WANT TO STAY HERE, YOU GOT TO EARN YOUR KEEP. NOW CLEAN OR I'LL KICK YOU OUT."

".... F-f-fnyagh.... Y-yes, I'll do it..."

• The cat shut its mouth after getting humbled by you. Your glare is colder than the downpour outside, your grip on his collar still strong despite being so tired. You continued to stare at him silently.

"...o....o.....oooo..........."

"H-Hey, did you hear th-that...?"

"......Oooooo.....ooooooo........"

"E-eek! G-g-ghosts!"

• Grim started to feel a breeze brushing through the atmosphere, and three white figures circling you both. They are ghosts! If there are ghosts here then this dorm is haunted!

"Fnyagh! There's ghosts in this place! We need to get outta here!"

"Where are you goin'? We just wanna have some fun!"

"Hey beastman, look over here!"

"Hehehe! Yeah, this place became sooo boring. It's been a while since residents-- g-guh!"

• You suddenly dropped Grim and looked at the ghosts with eyes full of rage it looked like the ghosts were looking at Hell. The ghosts stuttered and shivered back in fear, thinking that Hell is where they'll end up if they disturb you any further.

"H-h-hey now... there's no need t-to look so... so..."

"U-um... Y'know what... W-we won't d-disturb you anymore.... We're just g-gonna..."

"L-l-leave!"

"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?"

"WAAAHHH! W-we're sorry! We're s-sorry! W-we're s-so sorry! P-p-please spare us! S-spare us!"

"H-have m-m-mercy!"

"W-we promise t-to never return h-h-here again...!"

• Grim watched as you grabbed the apparitions by their faded tails with no difficulty. He was dumbfounded... he thought you had no magic! Grim looked away when you lift your hand toward one of the ghosts, awaiting the violence, but you stopped when Crowley bursted through the door. The now weeping ghosts were still pleading for mercy like they're chanting.

"I-i hope you're not angry anymore and calmed down! ... Here, I've brought you clothes and din...ner..."

"Fnyagh...."

"Pleasespareuspleasespareuspleasespareuspleasespareusplease..."

"Finally..."

"....... M-Mind telling me what's happening here?"

.

.

.

{Ramshackle Dorm – Bedroom}

• Last night concluded in Crowley calling you a beast tamer and letting Grim stay in order to let you enroll. However, you'll be doing odd jobs for him in exchange for shelter and money. You can only hope that these odd jobs are not difficult to handle like you're old one. But at least you get some rest away from your toxic workplace.

"Wake up, Nicole! Yuu, Grim! Your first day begins now!"

"...ughh?...mnn... Grim, get up..."

"Fnyagh, nooo... I wanna sleep some more..."

"Oh? Then you won't mind me kicking you out."

"Fnyagh! Okay, okay, I'm up! I'm awake!"

• Grim is unexpectedly more tolerable than your husband. Sure he's lazy and needs to be bribed by food to do something but at least he has common sense. But you sort of miss Richard very much.

.

.

.

{Ramshackle Dorm – Entry Hall}

"Henchman! Hurry it up! I want my first stride of becoming a mage look cool!"

"Grim, for the last time, I'm not your henchman."

"Glad to see that you both are excited for today. Before I forget, the library is now accessable to you anytime when you need clues for going home."

"Thank you... Headmage."

"Hmm? What was that? I can't hear you."

"Thank. You. Head. Mage."

"My, you actually called me Headmage for the first time."

"Don't push it."

"Come on! Let's go!"

• You start the day early with a nervous step. Hopefully, the individuals here are not as problematic as the ones in Elmore.... Right?

{NRC Campus – Front Gate}

"Woah~ The campus is so big!"

"Ah, not bad. Not too shabby."

"Welcome to Night Raven College!"

[livwritesstuff]

Hii first of all I absolutly ADORE your steddie drabbles. In regards to the girls I was thinking about what would there first job be as a teenager/ or if they even have one?

I think Steve would definnetly want them to earn some financial responsibility just so they could become more well rounded people.

I think they would all have their fair share of retail and fastfood jobs. I think out of all of them Hazel would definnelty enjoy her retail job but would not hesitate to abort and work in an animal shelter or volunteer/ help with wildlife animals.

<3333333

I totally think that Steve and Eddie would make the girls get jobs soon as they were legally allowed to work -- not so much because they actually intend to require that the girls pay for anything that isn’t a bare minimum necessity. I think it would be more that they just want their kids to see the value in that kind of work (but maybe that’s just me projecting because I genuinely think that everybody should work a service job at least once).

The thing about Moe is that she’s pretty good at just rolling with situations as they change, so if she has to get a job then she gets a job. I think she would look at the situation like how can I get this to work for me? I’ve gone into how Moe does winter sports like snowboarding and skiing so I think she would probably get a job at the mountain that she goes to. (tbh i think that’s what I’ve talked about before. I think I made a joke about how she works the ski lift, and she slows the lift down for the good skiers -- to humble them, obv).

I think out of the three, the one who would be most annoyed about having to get a job would be Robbie because 1) she doesn’t like to be told what to do, and 2) she does love to shop. I see her as either an absolutely unhinged waitress or taking a Moe-esque path and finding a way to turn something she already does into a job (maybe the place she takes violin lessons at has a storefront and she ends up working there).

As for Hazel, I feel like I see her loving retail. She’s just so chill and unbothered, and I also think that she would pretty immediately realize that if she works retail, she gets employee discount privileges. Once she realizes that, she applies to all the stores she likes to shop at, and she ends up working at one of her favorite clothing stores (idk I feel like I see her at Anthropologie or Urban or Aritizia or something like that). She comes home with a shopping bag every time she has a shift and Steve is like are you actually making money there or is all your paycheck going back to work?

I definitely see Hazel doing some sort of internship at an animal shelter or a wildlife sanctuary maybe her junior and/or senior years of high school and being so bummed about not working her retail job anymore because it means she loses her discount lol

[be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie]

The fact that nobody has thought of a fastfood au where Spider is this neglected teenager working at McDonald's so that he can save up to like move out and get away from Qauritch (he's so desperate to get out that college isn't even on his radar atm) and Neteyam is this popular boy at their school who's is a year younger than him and comes in to McDonald's with his little sister frequently and Spider doesn't think he even knows his name but one day on their way out Neteyam turns to him and says "have a good day Spider" or some shit like that and the romance only grows from there with Neteyam figuring out his problems and trying to help him/get him into a good collage and I mean honestly people the fic just writes itself.

UGH I LOVE IT, I am simply shocked no one has written me personally a nocorro fic yet. A nice long one with all the pain and drama we've been describing but I want the COMFORT TOO PLEASE.

But anyways, you've brought up something I've been mulling over for a while now for one of my headcanon posts. Part of Neteyam's pressure and expectations come from him being the next Olo'eyktan. I can't figure out how to translate this into a modern au. Most of the time it'd be easy to make him the heir to a big company or the son of a politician in a weird Young Royals way, but clown couple Jake and Neytiri Sully simply do NOT have the vibes for that, nor does it fit their characters. I've thought about maybe Neytiri's family running a large non-profit that Neteyam is somewhat expected to take over, or perhaps something like the free clinic in my other au.

Either way, the reason I bring it up is because I love the idea of them both having similar but fundamentally different problems to bond over. This is what I mean, bear with me:

-Spider works at McDonalds to save money like you said. He's barely got any friends because he just moved there from another one of his dads deployments, and he's so busy picking up every possible shift he can that he can. He needs the money. He opens before school and closes most nights.

-Neteyam picks up Tuk from ballet practice at night on Wednesday's, because it is his parents Date Night. He gets his sister McDonalds one night because he stayed up way too late studying for an exam last night and he's far too tired to cook. The drive through is manned by the prettiest boy ever.

-By the third Wednesday Tuk is suspicious, but he keeps buying her McDonalds as a bribe to keep her mouth SHUT about it. At least, she keeps her mouth shut to the family. She won't stop talking to him about it. It's always "Neteyam, did you see McDonalds Guy today? I think he goes to your school, he has to. Neteyam, if we go to McDonalds tomorrow will he be there too? Does he only work Wednesdays?" She's like his inner thoughts because he wants to know all those things too.

-I mean, it's only a matter of time before Tuk opens her big fat mouth TO Spider. She rattles off personal questions like she's the goddamn census, and Neteyam wants to die.

-But, he learns quickly that Spider is a military brat and he wants nothing more than not to be in the military. It sparks something for Neteyam, because he wants nothing more than to be like his parents, and do what they do and do it just as well. It's the same sort of long shadow, just a different tactic for getting out from under it.

-Tuk is sick the next Wednesday mysteriously, but Neteyam is still craving McDonalds.

-It becomes a regular thing, but not on Wednesdays. Wednesdays he starts sometimes bringing Tuk home for a regular adult meal. But Thursday's he spends at McDonalds, and he brings Spider real food in Tupperware containers marked with the name Sully like Spider has other Tupperware to mix it up with.

-Somehow it becomes almost every night. Doing his homework in a booth, Spider joining him when he's free, sliding in and out. Neteyam's full attention on him every time he has a free second.

-One night Neteyam invites him over. Neteyam stayed until closing time and suddenly can't bear the thought of Spider going home, to no one if he's lucky and his dad if he isn't. Spider refuses and after that they don't speak for a couple days, silence in the booth. No one says anything but Neteyam still shows and brings Tupperware, and Spider still slides in to join him when he has a free moment.

-Eventually Spider agrees, and Neteyam is forced to show up at close to nine pm with a stranger that he has never mentioned but Tuk is DELIGHTED to see.

-Jake and Neytiri are confused but can recognize a tired, fairly neglected kid when they see one so they offer up the basement couch with no fanfare at all.

-Neteyam is slightly peeved because he was going to have Spider share his bed, it's a king it's plenty big enough, but Neytiri wasn't born yesterday lol. Even Jake is like nah nah, you've been gay since we watched the first Percy Jackson movie kid. Go have a sleepover with Tsireya or something.

-I think Jake Sully has a fairly excellent gaydar, honed from time in the military. You gotta know which guys to fuck. @dinas-bracelet this is the bi Jake Sully agenda.

This is a bonus because this is already FAR too long:

-Neteyam gets increasingly exasperated because no matter how many nights Spider is there or how long into their relationship it gets, Spider downright refuses to move from the basement couch. He will cling to it like a cat if Neteyam tries to move him. He goes boneless and becomes a dead weight.

-Finally Neteyam just sleeps down there one night. This concept has clearly never occured to Spider, who upon realizing there is no moving Neteyam (he can go boneless too, damnit), lays there stiff as a board mummy-wrapped in blankets to keep Neteyam's hands off of him. When he falls asleep though, Neteyam gets in there. Spider is unconsciously tactile, and basically spoons him the entire night.

-The next morning Neytiri walks into the basement to check that Spider is awake for work, turns around and goes back to the top of the stairs, and then walks down again really loudly to alert them to her presence.

[unexpectedbrickattack]

Now hold on a gosh-diddly-darn minute, I noticed the entire time talking about a tipsy Peppino no one thought to ask this but what about tipsy GUS? I mean we saw him a li'l tipsy in the fastfood saloon escape, can I hear your thoughts about that/him please? Have they ever gotten tipsy together?

(I just like the mental image of the two alone, just being real giggly with each other (Gus just says "hey" and Peppi starts giggling which sets Gus off giggling) and being sappy goofs with each other <3)

HEEHEE u are so right and i am so sorry for withholding this information from the masses 😭

My homebrew for gnomes is that they are simultaneously hardy folk (able to eat virtually anything and immune to most poisonous creatures) AND extremely intolerant of alcohol. Theres no reason for that, i just like it alot :)

So Gus would be an extreme lightweight 😭 its SO bad; he cant speak clearly at all, he cant walk straight, he has the Worst hangovers and he wont remember anything from the previous night. The line between ‘pleasantly buzzed’ and ‘blackout drunk’ is so thin that Gus doesnt even try social drinking. If he MUST drink, it will be in the comfort of his own barebones apartment 😭 at least, until Peppino started hanging out with vigilante and his crew.

Gustavo LIKES drinking! Its just hard to find a good balance, and THATS bc he simply doesnt know how alcohol works. Peppino is like:

“Look ‘ere. All of these have a number somewhere on the bottle. Or a percentage. Lower the number, the better it is for you.”

Gustavo is like !!! Oh!!! That is very helpful! What would you recommend for me then?

“Probably…2-5%. 5-10 proof. Small 'a numbers.”

Gustavo nods, interested. He points at a bottle he recognizes from the last time he came here and got shitfaced. “That one up there; do you know how ‘a strong that one is? Or should i ask the bartender?”

Peppino squints at the company label. “45%.”

“Oh!” That makes sense. “Well what do you usually drink?”

“70%.”

“Oh!”

Peppino recommends some of the LIGHT light wines, the ones that barely have a hint of anything. Theyre sweet (which Gustavo loves so very very much) and for the first time in a very long time, he Stays buzzed instead of immediately faceplanting into being blackout drunk.

Hes very. Playful. Is what Peppino would describe a tipsy Gustavo. He hesitates to use the term ‘flirty’ because that is not whats happening. But hes like. Clearly entertaining some gruff looking men like five times his size as they ramble drunkenly about random shit like ‘waow….thasso cool…and then what happened???’

Its funny at first bc Gustavo is so fucking TINY that all you can see of him, in the group of men as they yapyapyap about some inane shit that Gustavo wont even remember, is his tiny little tail 😭 It is less funny, however, when Peppino catches himself rambling about work and Gustavo is like (ears perked; tail swaying) ‘mmhmm. wrow…thats ‘a kinda nice…what else did you do??’ Peppino is like *buffering* (‘something is happening right now that will need to be addressed at a later time. Do not forget DO NOT FORGET. URGENT!!!!’)

Otherwise Gustavo is just a silly guy. Vigilante will make a joke and he laughs so low and deep that he sounds downright villainous 😭 Peppino will point out something stupid on the TV and like hours later Gus is like ‘…heeeuehuuueee…..do u remember [insert stupid reference] and Peppino will giggle. Peppinos affinity for throwing around ilus are met with Gustavo going ‘😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊’ with absolutely no way to even pretend to mask it.

Gustavo has fun being out in the saloon but he really enjoys drinking in Peppinos house. Its not nearly as loud as the saloon and theres usually homecooked foods like breads and soups (Because Peppino stress-cooks ALL the time). Brick gets to stay indoors instead of waiting outside the saloon, so Gustavo gets to mess with his soft fur contentedly. He just gets to be cozy; its quite nice 😊

[scramboileditlog]

Kahit habit ko mag-observe ng tao, wala pa din talagang appeal para sakin yung mga mainstream vloggers. I don't hate them but it's really noticeable when their actions are unnatural or scripted, like how do people miss such obvious gestures lalo na sa mga daily vlogs where you expect them to be real?

Pero ang hate ko talaga yung mga sinungaling na food vloggers. Ang daming sumisikat ngayon na ganyan, di nga nagpo-promote ng sugal pero scammer naman. Bukambibig nila lagi yung mura pero masarap tapos binabalik-balikan daw ng tao pero sila lang naman makikita mong customer sa video.

Mga nagsawa na kasi kami ng mga friends ko sa fastfood so pag wala naman special occasion tapos magkakasama kami, dinner at coffee lang talaga purpose namin. So nagta-try kami nung mga bagong small resto, tapsihan, paresan, and local favorites dito sa Cavite para nakakagala na din. Kapag di masarap at least alam na namin pero napapanood ko yung iba na nakainan na namin nafi-feature sa mga food vlogs kahit di naman masarap. Like shit bro you are willing to lie to your followers para lang makakain ng libre diyan? You could've paid and leave to protect your integrity.

So in short yeah mostly mga sinungaling mga ina-idol ng mga tao ngayon sa internet.

[moonyasnow]

Okay as promised to feed you headcanons on interactions we had:

Irina and Aiden:

-Given she has a love for warm bread I feel given the HSA harvest event he could have made her a nice treat with it... he is a god in cooking among my ocs so I feel it will hit her like a truck how good it is... and that from a guy who doesn't seem like it at all...

-Her seemingly more stuttery in her language and him being super protective makes me think of a situation where she is just nervous and overwhelmed and he stands before making sure that she is protected and gets a rest. Aiden does have that glare that can scare others away that bother her

-Its winter and they share a scarf, cause it be cute and I can see Aidens ears twitch being slightly red and silent

-Both know about hanging out with the wrong people at times, so I feel it be a time where Aiden invite her to his dorm and from the tree houses looking down they could probably both share trauma and eventually hold anothers hand in assurance as in now they got another really

Victor and Eiji

-The beginning of their meeting be interesting to explore cause... Eiji is a homunculus... neither human neither fae nor beast or mer people... he is just a puppet so probably by default Victor might have not be interested in him untill watching his behaviour and what is off about it likely... Eiji is obviously hiding his true nature... but the accesoires, the rabbit paw in his room and the late night going outs are indicators something

-Victor wouldn't fear his threats and probably dig deeper into what he does and what is his secret but keep his secret... in exchange of being allowed to spend time with him... Eiji is still tired of it but does admit he likes his fascination so he grows softer

-I feel however Victor sadly helps him to get even better at covering up so it might be a danger to others, but them being lovers is just a twisted fascination with morbid things for sure

Veronica and Flynn

-He names people he loves after gems so checking his list he might name her Aquamarine

-I feel in the beginning he slightly egged her on... like they had a sword fight against another and all this man did is dodge instead of attack with so much precision it was hard to keep up with and even if she won she just asked him why he didn't attack and he just answer like "Cause watching you is more beautiful." he is a bastard like that.

-Some of her lines on her profile makes me think she might really start to care when she knows how less he cares about himself cause man sees his own life not of value and she could smack sense into him that dead he is moreso worth nothing than alive, its all him living to use his life for others not for himself that drove him with his trauma that way

-He wouldn't say anything about her brother at all... he himself did some bad things so he aint one to judge, and him being a bird might even get him and Victor to also be on decent terms

-This man will literally bring her huge bouquets and always be there surprisingly to be kept in her mind... I said he is percistent and that is mostly for once he found someone that fully got his interest he works hard to impress them... even if he would be better dropping his mask and being himself but... old habits die hard

-Either way if they get together or close she would find out about silly things on him like... hiding he likes fastfood to seem fancy and being terrible at cooking

The Irina and Aiden stuff, just cute and wholesome as always

Just know it'd take a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT for her to share her own traumas

She's probably the least willing to out of all my OCs. Even more so than Victor surprisingly?

Partly because she just had it reinforced in her mind so many times over and over growing up that if she didn't always make whoever she was around happy everyone would leave, so she had to just bottle everything up But she wouldn't be as assertive about boundaries as Victor would be, so if she felt like there was any kind of pressure for her to open up that'd just make it harder for her. That 'the more you reassure, the less I trust' kinda vibe

Also partially because she just really doesn't want anyone to make a big deal out of it. Like, she's already been through it, so someone making a big deal out of it and being worried about her would just make her feel worse I think

There are legitimately AUs I've imagined her in where she never tells ANYONE about the stuff she went through as a kid

My first thought about Victor and Eiji is— I feel like Victor would think he was interesting from the word 'go'. Liars can usually spot another liar a mile away, after all.

And the moment he gets even the TINIEST hint that Eiji isn't human, he is LOCKED IN. He is going to figure out this man's secret if it kills him. He wouldn't actually mind if it did kill him actually. That'd just make him even MORE obsessed actually. Freak that he is, he even finds it sorta romantic???

Like 'damn this person really just killed me because I got close to figuring out their secret. They're the one' lol

And yeah...every single ship I've ever imagined Victor in before the OC x Canon-TWST ship I have him in has been him and the other person 100% just making each other worse lol

Oooo and with Flynn and Veronica— first of all, she is a MASSIVE tsundere. STUBBORN about trying to seem like she doesn't care and thinks everything and everyone is stupid.

But if he was actively flirty like that from the get-go she'd more turn her nose up and like cross her arms and go 'hmph!' and like look away like she couldn't care less. She wouldn't be actively flustered by that specific kind of flirting, but that she's not actively like 'get tf out of my sight rn' is as much indication as you're gonna get that she's fine with it.

Mostly just because she doesn't believe he's being sincere.

Oh but she would 100% fall for him egging her on to fight every single time, and when he did nothing but dodge she'd just get even more upset, and if he het her with that line then, oh, she's DONE Like-- face is so red, and she's so flustered she keeps trying to like insult him (bc that's the only way she knows to react to feeling attacked lol, and she definitely feels attacked-- just hasn't figured out it's not in a bad way yet) but she can't even speak

So she's just like screeching and stuttering incoherently like:

"What?! Wh-wha— you— what do you— th-that's not— I never said— you— I— bgaaah!"

And then she's just storming off because she has no idea how to deal with that lol

Oh and she'd have a big thing of like: "Where the hell did you get 'Aquamarine' from?" (even funnier if he just refuses to tell her why lol)

Oh, and an interesting thing about Veronica is that, I don't think she really cares too much for gifts? She likes gifts that she can use— like a tool, or equipment of some kind, or clothing, or food But, though she'd understand the sentiment behind it, I think she'd struggle to know what to do with the roses lol

And a thing I love about Veronica is that when she has her 'oh shit' moment of 'I would care if you died/were gone', like-- she is gonna move literal mountains for you.

You wormed your way under her skin and inside her heart (somehow) so now you have to take responsibility for that! And by 'responsibility' she means taking good enough care of yourself that she won't need to worry about losing you. Because it would absolutely DEVASTATE her. She knows this about herself. That's why she's so cautious with letting people close to her in the first place

She is gonna force you to take care of yourself whether you like it or not

And honestly...I can see her just buying him fast food lol

She sees straight through that and does NOT have the patience to play along with his facade, she does not care how hard he tries to fake it because it does not work on her lol

[flowery-laser-blasts]

How would the first meeting between Drakken and Shego’s brothers would go?

Good question! First technical meeting was during the episode 'Go team Go' but that was barely anything. Let me try and write down how I think a first meeting would go:

So I suppose after the episode, the next best meeting could be during a family orientated holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas). It would be very likely that Hego, after finding out where Drakken's Lair is located, would send an invitation for them to visit during the holiday; no hero activities, no villain activities just family stuff + Drakken. Drakken is a sucker for family orientated outings (See the yearly evil family picnic that he organises for his henchmen and the time he celebrated Christmas with first only Ron and then with the Possibles and Shego).

If Drakken gets his hands on the invitation first: Drakken might keep it a secret from Shego and makes her come along with him to GoCity under the guise of "We're going there for evil shopping" or anything and 'coincidentally' bumping into Hego.

If Shego gets get hands on the invitation: Shego will probably burn it and toss it away. However, she won't wait for it to burn out (like the photo strip of her and Kim in 'Stop team Go'). So Drakken might see it and stomp it out, see the address and could potentially read that it's an invite and then do the same as the previous part, go to Go-city.

Alternative: Drakken invites team Go to the lair for a family reunion.

Drakken and Hego would formally introduce themselves to each other and Shego would try and go away but gets stopped by the Wegos who surround her with hugs. Eventually she just gives up and everyone goes to GoTower or Lair.

Drakken + the Go brothers impressions:

Wegos & Drakken: The twins would probably be neutral over Drakken. He looks a tad boring to them compared to the Go villains. They are mischievous though and first pretend to be 1 sibling, making Drakken confused because he thought they were twins, then triplets??? Quintuplets?!? "Oh, just twins with multiplication powers, haha of course--." Drakken would also think they're around the age of Kim's brothers so he got them a pranksters' science kit as present. "How to build an atomic whoopy cushion? Neat!". Drakken is okay in their book.

Mego & Drakken: A looooooooooong silence between them. Mego and Drakken would probably start with having the least common interests, but something they both like to talk about is themselves. One would start talking about some anecdotes connecting to their line of work, then in turns they interrupt each other to tell another 'funny story that I just remembered cause of this story'. The conversation then turns into talking about Shego. Both of them then bond over getting onto Shego's nerves.. until Shego interrupts them "Hahaha, oh that's funny-- hey don't stop talking about me now, you guys seemed to have so much fun!" "Yes, uh, well, we're just--" "Boy! All that socialising sure dried up my throat. I'll get myself a water, would you like some too, Doctor Drakken?" "Why, yes Mego, here let me help you!!" And both of them hurry away into the kitchen before Shego can say anything. They also compliment each other's hairdo but secretly think it looks lame and theirs looks better.

Hego & Drakken: I feel like this is a double edged sword. They both like the Oh Boyz and probably would sing Karaoke during the party (making Shego and Mego cringe in their seats). They could talk about the fastfood industry/horeca in general and maybe Hego likes Snowman Hank as well.

Now the negative aspect. I think at one point during the party, Drakken might ask Hego something along the lines of "So, you are okay with your sister being evil? Running from the law? A super Villain's sidekick?" and Hego laughs it off, replying "Oh, yeah well, I'm not that worried. You see, if she's paired up with the likes of you, it'll be ok." At first Drakken might be flattered but then, "What do you mean, "paired up with the likes of me"?"

Hego explains that he knows that Drakken is no 'real villain'. After first seeing him, he looked up everything about Drakken in a villain database and concluded that Drakken is no real threat, at least not like the true villains that terrorise GoCity (according to him). Shego probably is the safest with Drakken cause she'll never be in real danger because of his shenanigans. Drakken will get fired up because this definetely hurts his ego. He will start getting real angry and tries picking a fight with Hego, telling him he's probably the reason that Shego left for villainy, because he's such a goodie two shoes that controls everyone like they're tools to get him in the best light and adoration of the city. Hego and Drakken will eventually get closer to actual fighting but Shego steps in, scolding both of them hard. "This is exactly why I didn't want to come." Shego grabs Drakken by his collar and heads out.

It's not the most perfect first meeting, but it's a first meeting nonetheless. I hope you liked my take on it!

[boobsofthekiller]

my hometown's school district may have traumatized me at a tender age but at least it also happens to be one of like 3 cities to house the greatest fastfood taco chain known to man. u win some u lose some