#phi especially loves the nature in this one

[forlix]

𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞・b.c.

— incurable playboy turned doting boyfriend was a character development arc nobody saw coming for christopher bang, including (especially) his frat brothers.

words・2.8k pairing・frat president!chris x gn!reader genres・fluff, humor, hurt/comfort, college!au, fuckboy!chris, boys being boys, kissing, implied sex so mdni warnings・substance use, talk of past heartbreak

a/n・here is "nobody believes you're dating" w/chan, requested by none other than my @rachalixie for my 2k event !! anny, i hope u love this fic as much as i love u; thank you for allowing me to write something so self-indulgent <3

In the deafening throes of one of Phi Mu Alpha’s spring kickbacks, Minho finds Jeongin and Seungmin standing in motionless silence by the kitchen counter. Both boys are gaping at something with an intensity that dips egregiously into the realm of creepy. He moves to pour himself a shot.

“What the fuck are you people looking at?”

Seungmin prods a pointer finger in the relevant direction. It takes a few seconds of scanning the scene for Minho to find what he’s referring to. He digs a knuckle into his eye, instantly confused by what he’s seeing. Maybe the gaping is justified.

The windows and doors have all been thrown open to invite the balmy April weather into the foyer of the frathouse. There’s a large crowd of people huddled around a long, foldable table stationed before the stairs; Jaehyun clutches a ping-pong ball between his fingers, singular eye squinted shut as he takes aim. The number of remaining solo cups dwindles rapidly, as does the players’ sobriety.

Something—someone—is missing.

Not to say “beer pong virtuoso” was one of the reasons Chris was elected frat president, but you’d think the guy had a career path in basketball with how he’s given the entire Greek life community alcohol poisoning by courtesy of two or three plastic balls alone. Minho has never known him to miss a shot, let alone miss out on a game.

Today, however, the reigning champion is only spectating, seated above the ongoing match on one of the steps of the main staircase.

A beautiful stranger is sitting beside him, cheek pressed to his shoulder as you peer at the match through the bannister.

You say something inaudible. The laugh it earns from Chris is bright enough to pick up from a few streets down. He leans in to murmur something in return, and you slide your hand over his nape to pull his mouth onto yours, light blush crawling up and over your ears. The way Chris melts into you can only be described as familiar, his eyes slowly fluttering shut, finger hooking delicately beneath your chin, grin going lopsided as your lips part—

“That’s enough,” Minho hisses, tearing his eyes away with considerable effort. “Aren’t you ashamed? Just fucking ogling.”

Jeongin shakes his head, grinning. “It’s dinner and a show. We’d be idiots not to.”

By dinner, he must mean the gallon of chocolate milk he’s been drinking from for the last hour. He now holds out said gallon with the intent to cheers. Seungmin picks up the entire handle and does the same.

Minho sighs, clinks his glass against theirs, and they throw back their respective refreshments in unison.

“Anywho.” Jeongin swipes the back of his hand over his mouth before going on. “You guys know who that is?”

Minho resurfaces with a wince, relishing in the bitter aftermath, then motions for Seungmin to give the bottle back straightaway. He arrived to the function late and he’s not nearly as drunk as he’d like to be.

Seungmin obliges Minho only after another heady swig. “No clue. Probably just another fling, no?”

“Mmm,” Jeongin hums in assent. “It’s Chris we’re talking about, after all.”

"Agreed. Case closed.”

There’s an air of finality in Seungmin’s voice—but Minho isn’t so sure.

Perhaps because he has never noticed that Chris had dimples until now; or because you fold so naturally into Chris' side after your kiss ends, head nuzzling against the crook of his neck and hand seeking out his to hold in your lap; or, most likely, because Chris' eyes seem to return to you when he looks at you, as if his gaze drifting anywhere else is but a momentary departure from where it really belongs. As if he comes home every time you come into his line of vision.

Whatever the reason, the idea coalesces in Minho’s mind, even as inebriation begins to fall over his cognitive faculties like a curtain, that the boys have got it wrong.

Jeongin utters his name, jolting him out of his trance. There’s another shot lifted halfway to Minho’s lips that hasn’t budged in minutes. “Whatcha thinking about?”

Minho looks at Jeongin first, Seungmin next, then back at Chris and his stunning companion. He’s not inclined to answer the question in full, but he can in truth. A coy smile crosses his face.

“Threesome?”

Jeongin laughs hard enough to collapse onto the kitchen island. Seungmin drags a hand down his face. “Come on, man.”

In the corner of his eye, you’ve gone back to kissing again, slow and sweet and secretive. Chris' gentle hold on your jaw shields you from view but fails to hide his lovesick smile. Dimly, Minho thinks that maybe his friend has met his match.

Then, he takes four shots in rapid succession—and stops thinking altogether.

Christopher Bang’s love life is like a horror movie and romcom spliced together: a fiasco of a film to which his housemates have front row seats.

The frat’s upperclassmen live in sets of four-bed, two-bath suites comprising a small common space with a kitchen and a sitting area, sandwiched by bedrooms on either side. It is in that common space that Changbin, Hyunjin, and Jisung often see or hear Chris stumbling home after a night out, entangled with a different attractive stranger every time—so often, in fact, that they’ve come to believe that he’s deathly allergic to anything bigger than a one-and-done hookup.

They can’t judge. In part because they’d be throwing stones from glass houses, but also because the man’s penchant for empty physicality is far from unfounded. His past self gave pieces of his heart to the wrong people, contracted first-degree burns from the guileless warmth he sought out. Now, his version of “intimacy” is less a connotation of closeness than it is a self-contradiction, for it should be impossible for so much distance to remain between two people in a single bed.

Chris hasn’t vocalized any of this. Nor have his housemates discussed it with each other. The knowledge simply exists in the air between the four of them like something akin to taboo, dipping in and out of acknowledgement depending on the circumstance.

This might be the circumstance of all time.

At around 11:40 A.M. on a Saturday, three doors in the suite open at once. Hyunjin and Changbin aren’t coincidence—the latter is coercing the former to go to the gym again—but they lift their eyes to the opposite side of the living room, and the slice of milk bread dangling from Hyunjin’s lips very nearly takes a fatal fall. Changbin manages to snatch it up with an extended hand.

Chris has just emerged from his room as well. Your silhouette follows close behind, your mouth stretching into a yawn as you massage the sleep from your eyes. You’re sporting a mesh green sweater identical to one Chris owns. They find Chris' accessories more interesting than his clothes, though: two hickeys peeking out from beneath his jaw and the base of his neck.

Chris sees Hyunjin and Changbin right away, and his expression goes utterly blank, not unlike their faces as they watch you close his door meticulously. You turn around and gasp.

The four of you stare at each other for what feels like multiple business days. At least, Hyunjin, Changbin, and Chris stare at each other; your eyes dart between the men on the other side of the room and the man next to you, silently pleading for him to say something. He does not for a long while.

Then, he lunges for one of the throw pillows on the couch and flings it at Hyunjin like a shot put. It ricochets off his chest and lands on the floor rather anticlimactically.

“Distraction!” Chris yells anyways, grabbing your hand and tearing towards the exit, wild grin on his face. “Go, go, go!”

Your raucous laughter lingers even after you’ve been hauled away, accompanied by an unintelligible, breathless shout of something along the lines of my toothbrush—and then the front door clicks shut, and there are two.

Changbin and Hyunjin lock eyes, struggling to process what just happened. Hyunjin is the first to move, wandering hesitantly into the bathroom that Chris and Jisung share. Nothing about the place looks out of the ordinary.

“Well, shit,” Hyunjin says out loud.

That is, aside from the two toothbrushes slotted in the holder on Chris' side of the counter.

Something moves in the bathroom window, catching his attention. Hyunjin looks over just in time to spot you and Chris dart out onto the lawn two floors below. Chris has his arm draped over your shoulders, yours wrapped around his waist. Your smile is discernible all the way from here, and Hyunjin sees a perfect mirror of it on his friend’s face when Chris glances at the frathouse over his shoulder. 

Has he always had dimples?

Moments later, Changbin joins him in peering out the window. A high-pitched cackle erupts from the older boy’s lips. “Look at that idiot.”

Standing off to the left is a tiny, astonished Han Jisung, his arms full of groceries, jaw sitting squarely the grass and whites of his eyes on full display as he watches you and Chris stroll away.

Hyunjin laughs with his whole fucking body. Changbin whips out his phone and takes a picture.

When you finally breach the topic, it’s because you don’t think you can physically study for another minute—but also because, after multiple long months of fruitless sparring, your curiosity finally wins.

Your boyfriend is seated in your desk chair, feet kicked up onto your mattress with his laptop propped up on his thighs. His features have rearranged themselves into an expression of intense focus as he pores over his production homework. You can hear music blaring through his headphones from all the way here.

You uncross your legs from below you, scootch across your bed, and lift your hands to cradle his cheeks. He startles as if coming out of a trance, then begins to smile when he reads the words hi, Channie off your lips.

His headphones fall around his neck. He sets his laptop down onto your desk with a dull thunk. The next thing to drop is you when Chris seizes you by the waist and tackles you into the mattress. The somber atmosphere of your study session is shattered by your muted laughter and Chris pressing his lips to every inch of your exposed skin he can. He saves your mouth for last.

“Hey, beautiful,” he answers, but only after kissing the living daylights out of you, the syllables soft and silky with adoration. “Missed me?”

You drag your eyes from his brown irises with blown pupils to his sloping nose, from his disheveled dark locks to his cordate lips, so plush and warm against your own that you swear you still feel them there. You brush a hand over the back of his neck, your head now spinning so badly that you barely remember what you wanted to ask him.

“Always,” you say. “I was starting to feel jealous of your homework.”

He chuckles. “Shit, I’ll drop out of college right now, baby. Just say the word.”

“You’re perfect,” you hum.

“Says you,” he murmurs, nudging the tip of his nose against yours.

Your lips find each other’s again—needless to say, your study sessions aren’t known for their productivity. Some time passes before you come up for air. Even afterwards, Chris doesn’t let you go far, pulling you into his chest by the curve of your waist, nuzzling his cheek into your hairline. You only need to whisper for him to hear your question.

“Can I ask you something?”

“'Course,” he returns, and you’re close enough to sense him tighten with apprehension. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry.” You print a kiss to the side of his neck for extra reassurance. “It’s just…I’ve been meaning to ask how your friends feel about me.”

He tightens with something else now: surprise, you’re guessing; you’re hoping. You hadn’t seriously considered that the answer could be negative, but it’s dawning on you now that the possibility of that isn’t zero.

“Where’s this coming from?” Chris inquires, his tone opaque.

You hesitate, mentally reviewing your interactions with your boyfriend’s social circle. Hyunjin and Jisung can’t make eye contact with you when they speak to you. Minho does nothing but make eye contact with you whether he’s speaking to you or not. Jeongin and Seungmin can maintain small talk for about ten seconds before they start looking like they’d rather be anywhere else. Changbin is the only one you’ve held a conversation with, and only because you were going up the same stairs at the same time and the alternative would have been mind-numbing silence.

What is the best way for you to say this?

“Well,” you begin, “I can’t help but notice that they act a little—when I’m around, they’re a bit, uh—”

“—crazy,” Chris offers. “Completely fucking bat-shit crazy.”

“Yes. Exactly that.”

Chris threads a hand through your hair, the comforting gesture doing nothing to assuage your worry. It seems there’s some truth behind your impressions. Your next words are tinged with a quiet sadness.

“I’m not imagining things, then?”

“No, angel,” he sighs. “But not for the reasons you think.”

A beat passes. Chris perceives your silence as a chance to backtrack, to opt out of this conversation if it’s one he’s not ready for. He would’ve leapt at the opportunity once.

But he realizes in that moment, with your voice gentle against his ears and your touch so doting upon his skin, how much has changed since he met you: from the color of the sky to the word home and everything in between, including his cynicism towards love and all the iterations of forever it holds. 

With that epiphany comes another, then another: he wants you to know why his friends are acting insane, wants you to know about him and his past and all the wounds of his you never know you healed, wants you to spend the rest of this forever with him.

His pointer finger dusts beneath your chin, a wordless request for you to look at him, and he nearly liquifies when you do and he finds entire constellations in your eyes. 

“It’s a lot,” he mumbles, though he suspects you know that already; he suspects you know about the other stuff, too. 

You bring your hand to the side of his face, bring your forehead to rest upon his. Your closeness washes over him like a low summer tide lapping over sandy shores, a soothing balm spreading over scorched flesh. 

“It’s you,” you breathe. “I will love it just the same.”

Chris' held breath comes out in shudders.

So this is warmth.

Minho and Felix are watching anime on the couch when a knock comes at their door, unfortunately during a pivotal moment of a pivotal episode. 

Minho hits pause with a ghastly groan. Felix laughs and rises to his feet, dashing into his room to grab the two silver necklaces he’ll be loaning out for the evening. “Coming!”

Outside, Chris is standing alone, hips and thighs accentuated by a pair of tight-fitting dress pants, sculpted chest and collarbones framed by a thin, cream-colored shirt with the top three buttons undone. Most of his hair has been pushed off his forehead, leaving a few locks free to fall over his right eyebrow. He’s rolling up his sleeves when Felix opens the door, veined forearms flexing as a result of the effort.

“Well?” He asks. Minho cranes his neck to look past Felix.

Both boys start to holler and whistle like excited macaques.

“What in the Calvin Klein is this?” Felix shouts, spinning Chris around by the shoulders. “You look insane, bro. Holy fuck.”

“What’s the occasion, young man?” Minho inadvertently sounds like a gruff uncle. “Where are you going dressed like that, huh?”

Chris' laugh comes easier nowadays. What’s more, it comes in a way that reaches the rest of him, that ends in a tiny, high squeak that you really have to look for in order to hear.

Felix and Minho can't help but replicate his smile. Those clothes look good on him, yes—but happiness looks better.

“You guys are silly,” Chris giggles. Dimples indent his cheeks as he accepts the necklaces from Felix. “Thanks, man. I’ll give ‘em back tomorrow.”

“No rush,” Felix replies, grinning. “Have fun, yeah?”

“We will.” Chris starts to retreat down the hallway, hands moving to clasp the jewelry around his neck, but not before he blows the both of them a kiss.

“Be back before ten!” Minho hollers; Chris laughs again, turns a corner, and disappears.

Felix closes the door. His smile falters fast. Minho has brought his face mere centimeters away, his expression thoroughly humorless.

“Tell me only the truth, Lee Yongbok,” he deadpans.

“O-okay—”

“Is Chris in a relationship?”

“—oh.” Felix frowns. “Well, yeah.”

Minho blanches. “How—how long?”

“One year, give or take? Anniversary’s today.”

Minho is stunned. Felix is stunned that Minho is stunned.

© 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐱 (est. 090323) · liked this work? please consider reblogging, commenting, or sending me an ask to let me know; or, read my other writing here. thanks so much for the support ♡

[visualtaehyun]

Love Sea 🌊 is here and I'm being so normal about it! Entirely normal! Totally didn't already write half an essay on pronoun predictions back when the intro trailer came out or anything haha...

This is gonna be a bit meandering because it's partly my chronological notes and partly me trying to gather similar things into one category so please excuse the chaotic nature of this post lol

Disclaimer: not a native Thai speaker, still learning 🙏

Overworked secretary Mook is already my favorite 😂 She's adorable and clumsy and clearly thinks way too much! The way she frustratedly strikes through 'high voice' on her 30-step-script/plan I LOVE HER

Sidenote: I see why Vi and Rak are besties, she's such a schemester omg ViMook are gonna be an excellent side couple! It's also such a delight to see Aya in a completely different role from Wa in Wedding Plan. :>

Back to Mook's desk though- We know that BossNoeul are gonna have a cameo as themselves during the book fair Mook mentions on the phone because we've seen them with the "Boy Next World" novel in the trailer-

So let's take a look at Rak's manuscripts:

1) "Love Sand" - which is the novel that Connor and his boyfriend Khom, played by Pentor in Love Sea, are from! 2) "Test Love" - specifically, the illustration looks to be from the special novel and the middle couple, Ryu and Sun. We know them from Wedding Plan because none other than Forth, who plays Palm in Love Sea, played Sun:

Since I'm talking about him already- Palm saying ขอนั่งนะ /khaaw nang na/ (= Can I sit?) as he's literally already gettin comfy?? djshshjs this kid is so- fucking- nonchalant? overly casual? (in his speech too) it's hilarious! Also, I'm not sure if he's the best or the worst wingman ever lmao

แล้วถ้าเกิดที่นี่มีดีสุดแค่เนี้ย พี่ก็ไม่อยากได้ที่เหลือเหมือนกัน /laaeo thaa geert thee nee mee dee soot kaae niia, phi gaaw mai yaak dai thee leuua meuuan gan/ = If the best this place has to offer is just this then I don't want the rest either. -> I love and appreciate MMY's translator but it's entirely implication if he means the drink, the bar or Mahasamut

When Mut asked if Connor's talking about a person or dog and Connor said Rak is more like a cat which he'll see once he meets him, Mut texted:

/khun Connor phuut meuuan pom rap liiang laaeo/ = You say that like I've already adopted him/agreed to raise him.

And the word เลี้ยง /liiang/ comes up several times then-

This one's subbed as 'take for a walk' but it's actually เลี้ยง /liiang/ again, not that Rak understands a single word anyway when Mut's speaking Southern dialect lmao Sidenote: His dialect isn't even that strong btw, especially compared to some of the folks he interacted with at the beginning of the episode. Mut and Connor are just clearly pulling one over on Rak lmao I couldn't stop laughing at Mut keeping on pulling out the dialect to get on city boy Rak's nerves! Similarly, I love that Rak clearly underestimates Mut at first and thinks he's a huge idiot and country bumpkin, even trying to manipulate Mut with his body, meanwhile Mut plays his part so well 😂

... as well as the cat/pet implication:

He actually said 'brush your fur' lol

Here we've got an idiom that got lost in translation cause it wouldn't make sense:

หลงตัวเอง ผีเจาะปากมาพูด* /lohng dtuua eng. phee jaw bpaak maa phuut/ = So full of yourself/such a narcissist. You sure like hearing yourself talk*. -> *it's an idiom that literally translates to 'a ghost pierced your mouth to make you talk' and describes someone who talks endlessly ผีอะไรมันจะหล่อขนาดนี้คุณ /phee a rai man ja laaw khanaat nee, khun/ = What ghost would be this handsome?

Lastly- the seagull laugh after Rak trips on the beach is so. fucking. funny!

[ella-norah]

Ella watching Love Sea episode 1 (part 1)

Finally having some free time (exam weeks are hell as usual) and i decided to watch the first episode of Love Sea. And I also had an idea to share my thoughts after each episode, so well - here it is.

One thing that caught my attention is the way Mut run his hand through his hair and well, I'm gone from this world.... How can someone be so hot doing it??? (the images below are my very interesting screenshots)

Also, I already love Rak! He is so pretty!!

Rak's reaction when he realizes Mut's the one picking him up is so funny to me. Of course, I understand where Rak's coming from (he's from a big city, he's not used to small town dynamics yet).

More of Mut running his hand through his hair - that's gonna make me feral whenever I see it... at least I think so

Mut's solution is definitely good, but Rak's not happy about it, is he?

Rak is so perfectly dramatic and I love him for it!

Mut's smile is absolutely gorgeous! (Fort's is too, when I am at it!)

More of Rak's dramatics, which I completely love without a single doubt about it. The phone call and multiple repeats of how he wishes to go home are absolutely perfect. Rak's dramatic, so deliciously dramatic, and I am so here for it!

The way Mut just casually picks Rak's suitcases and carries them behind Rak, without Rak even paying any attention to it - amazing! Even when Rak calls Mut an idiot during the phone call with Connor and Mut just smiles shaking his head. Gosh, I already love these two so much.

Mut, darling, I adore you! He just took Rak's phone without a single care about it - perfection! purest perfection there is! and the smile Mut gives Rak - *screaming internally*

While Connor and Mut speak, Rak is positively fuming - so annoyed that they talk about him, while he can't do anything to stop them.

But to be fair, having his expression be called "kitty eyes" could definitely annoy Rak more.

The island being called Heaven on Earth is so suitable! The visuals are absolutely gorgeous - the beach, the ocean, the nature! Everything's so gorgeous! I'm in love honestly!

No wonder Rak's reaction is teary eyes and simple comment of how beautiful. (I agree, Rak, I agree)

The way Mut keeps using southern dialect of Thai to speak to Rak - such a tease Mut is! Love that about him! Especially since he used the central dialect to speak to Connor.

So quick to chase Mut away, are you, Rak? Would that even work?

But also, not understanding what Mut is saying is quite a problem, isn't it?

Is Rak really that mean, huh, Mut?

After all, it's not Rak's fault he doesn't understand you, Mut, is it? But yes, Rak has a very pretty face.

Oh, my!! Already getting under Rak's skin! That's gonna be interesting!

A few deep breaths should definitely help, shouldn't they?

Mook's appearance makes me smile so much! She's a cutie, and she's very hard-working!

Aya speaking in English is such a good detail - she's a very good secretary!

And I adore her smile - it's such a beautiful smile!

Poor darling, she's so overwhelmed already - and it's just the first day.

Oh, and Chanya's appearance as Vi - she's such a gorgeous woman! And obviously means business.

Poor Mook, she is definitely not happy about being ordered around by Vi. And no one listens to her, poor sweet girl.

I love that Palm is all like - what a beautiful man, he's just my phi's (Mut's) type and then Rak is all like grumpy about Mut.

This moment, when Rak looks aside and says "Who would want to know?" is reminding me of Sky so much!

Rak trying his best not to look interested in what Palm is telling him, but he still failed at one moment, when Palm mentioned that Mut is open to guys too. Of course Mut is somewhat of an island celebrity and of course that everyone finds him so hot and swoons over him. That doesn't surprise me one bit.

Still fighting it, Rak? Well, not that I'm surprised about it, but still. It makes me giggle. It's gonna be so damn good when Rak finally gives in. And what drama would that be if it's too soon.

For someone who's not interested in Mut, Rak is definitely not letting Palm leave. so interesting

Why would Palm think Rak would be interested? Hmmm.... maybe because he's just trying to talk all the best about his phi? Or maybe because Rak is showing more interest than he thinks.... all the possibilities there are endless

I love how Palm is so pleased with himself! Like aaaaaaaaa, man, you are so pleased, that smirk says it all!!! And I love the slogan - The treasure of this island goes by name Mahasamut. It is such a cool slogan.

Honorable mention to the poor pen that fell into the ocean in the beginning of the show, left there and forgotten. RIP pen (i laughed so much about this, maybe too much...)

Because it's so late, I'm gonna stop with part one now. Watching this episode feels much longer than I planned (maybe because i keep replaying the scenes... just maybe), but anyway, part two of the the episode will come tomorrow, at some point of the day.

Peat is absolutely gorgeous in this show! I am losing my mind over how gorgeous he is!

Actually, I am losing my mind over this show in general!

[absolutebl]

Ai’ with Aye & Akk - The Eclipse & Thai honorifics

hazmatilda asked: (and tumblr ate it so I’m reposting)

So I went down quite a rabbit hole with your bl linguistics Tag (thanks for that, 3 hours of reading when I should have been sleeping or working on my masters thesis for Wednesday :/ ), and I am riveted. I started watching Thai BLs with bad buddy when it was airing, and have watched most of the ones that have aired since then and now working on the backlog. I love linguistics, and have been noticing the different personal pronouns etc in Thai especially, so it was really cool to see that all laid out in your posts! The third person one is particular is quite special to me, and I wish it existed more in English and German. It's very frustrating being a genderqueer person living in Germany because non gendered pronouns don't really exist, and when they do it's quite niche and hard to get others to use :/

I couldn't agree more. I've grown to have real affection and love for Thailand's pronouns.

I also adore the way in many Asian languages we can just say our own name for the "I" pronoun. So much harder to forget someone's name and ALSO  you're consistently reminded of what it is and how it shoudl be pronounced.

Just so you don't have to deal with my terrible (and hugely erratic) tagging system, I do have a language post meta guide (master post round up) just in case you want to rabbit hole some more: 

BL Language & Culture Master Post (mostly Thai) 

Back to your question... 

Anyway, my question is, I noticed in The Eclipse the Ai' prefix (particle?) used between the boys, which you mentioned is not really used in BLs often, and I wanted your more detailed take on the way that Akk changes in his address of Aye in this regard, especially over the last couple of episodes. Is he being particularly rude?

Ai is an honorific originally used between peer/age mates/equals. (Like Phi or Nong.)

But now, depending on the stress/emphasis it carries different connotations including affection (Akk & Aye), insult (Ae & Pond in Love By Chance), annoyance/exasperation (Leo in Don't Say No), or pleading/whining (Fiat in Don't Say No).

Is he being particularly rude?

Yes but also, no. He's being... rudely affectionate? He's changing the boundaries of their relationship with, what amounts to, what I'd call an “insult honorific or mode of address.” (Common within peer groups, particularly marginalized ones. See gay & masculine identified use of "bitch" in late 90s early 2000s queer culture, particularly in North American coastal cities.)

So amongst some of my queer friends, regardless of gender or orientation someone will often yell, "Hey Biiitchesss!" Technically an insulting term, in this context, a friends honorific among peers and a way of identifying oneself and ones friends as different from the surrounding social morays.

Back to Ai'.

It seems mostly used for relationship emphasis these days (friendly intimacy, of a jocular/teasing nature), and almost always among peers. I think of it occasionally as an insult honorific.

In California the word "dude" is often used for this. "Seriously, dude!?" when someone cuts you off on the FWY. "Hey, Dude" to a friend you meet for lunch. "Awe, Dude, that's rough" affection/sympathy. And so forth.

I haven't watched Eclipse in a while so I can't speak to the bit your actually referring to. So there may be an additional use pattern in play, but Ai is an interesting honorific, in that it's one of those that isn’t always, or even often, entirely honoring. So to speak.

I do talk about Ai quite a bit in this post: 

Why Ai'Hia was so funny in Cutie Pie

Never let me go also seems to be playing with the formality a lot, due to the class differences, which is cool to see. I'm sure the changing register and formality will play into PalmNuengs speech as the show progresses hehe.

Sorry for the ramble! 🧡🧡🧡

No apologies for rambling needed here, since I’m ruler of rambletown. 

Yes it’s very very fun to see. You also get this a little with RainPhayu in Oh My Sunshine night (young high class seme + older servant uke), and a TON with Ae & Pete in Love By Chance. 

If you haven’t watched it, I would highly recommend that one. Pete talks almsot entirely in high formal register and Ae in low. It’s a great way to train your ear for the two different registers. There’s no spoiled prince dynamic, so it’s an entirely different play on a class difference than NLMG. They are one of my all time favorite pairs for many reasons. Language is one.

All the best and I hope you keep enjoying yourself with BL and the linguistics! 

 (source)

[tododeku-or-bust]

I'm a bit new here, but I'm actually very curious about the fanfiction you have going on! What's the fic you're most proud of right now?

Ohh I can't answer that! I'm proud of all of them for different reasons! I can name a couple as to why though:

1) Faith- my tododeku era was strong lmao. Wrote this AND commissioned art despite being a struggling grad student. but yeah I predicted like half the shit Horikoshi would do months in advance and then did it better. He still owe me money for the healing tank and Touya's video reveal washing away the Black dye. Starboy was a solid second place though. My growth shone through Starboy, whereas Faith very obviously looks like amateur writing.

2) Fame- Fame was my first Patrochilles fic, with my TSOA version of Patroclus, and it was hard to write bc I was demotivated (like I am currently with its sequel 😭) But I pushed through and tbh it came out better than I ever thought. Really good. I'm proud of myself for finishing it and deciding to take a risk in allowing myself to do something that was a departure from my original, "this is what the fans are familiar with" idea.

3) Philia's Series- I was super proud of how those turned out. What's crazy is that I was about halfway through before I decided to make a cohesive plot, but when I go back through them, it's like it all connected. Subconsciously I was on my shit. But yes I could talk about Phi and her certified diaper changers forever.

4) Old Town Road- oh this was a BANGER fic. When I say I dropped my ideas into the slow cooker and popped out with savory brilliance on that one? I always wanted a western, and the cool thing about American westerns is that there were FAR MORE people of color than movies would have us think. So I was able to incorporate the actual setting, and the historical nature of the West into the story while still letting it be an AU. The "Patroclus can't be Black" complainers have no grounds on this one �� For it to be the short story it was, I think it was amazing.

I could speak on all my Patrochilles fics with love. They're clearly my obsession right now, especially when I involve Philia. Which is always. Because I love middle aged them, having to deal with new adventures.

[kinnbig]

"#embarrassing confession: i have an entire doc that is just a collection of my headcanons for established relationship ramking" BESTIE YOU CAN'T SAY THIS AND THEN NOT ELABORATE

eee thank u for this omg! I will never turn down the opportunity to ramble about ramking 🫣 I have browsed the google doc and now I can present a collection of established relationship ramking headcanons (quick warning that some (ok lots) of these are nsfw) -

King still calls Ram "ai'Ning" a lot of the time - but he does switch to just "Ram" when he's being sweet/affectionate and when they're in bed lmao. Ram continues to use Phi for King, including in bed - which King fucking loves.

as Ram gets more and more comfortable around King, he becomes more able to talk to him and express himself verbally - but it's never something that comes easily to him. he still struggles with it, especially when he's particularly tired or emotional or overwhelmed. he'll always choose actions over words where he can, and is never going to be someone that's talkative or that like... monologues about his feelings.

but King doesn't mind! Ram is very good at showing affection physically and King is very very happy to receive this physical affection

this of course makes the words Ram does say that bit more impactful for King... whether that's making him feel particularly adored when Ram compliments him or tells him he loves him out loud... or whether it's making him lose his goddamn mind with just a few words when they're in bed. the power of a simple "please" or "P'King" or "don't stop" or "harder"......... 😳🫣

they're vers - and usually they're on the same page, but sometimes there's some fun and mostly silent communication/debating about which way round they're gonna do things. they're both very good at goading the other one into doing what they want lol

King tops a bunch of times in a row and then is like "it's sooo sad that I'm so pretty and my ass is sooo nice and I'm sooo flexible and no one is taking advantage of those things because I'm a vers forced to live as a top…." dkjdfhjsjkd

Ram has a praise kink.

King has a thing for fucking in slightly weird locations - he loves the idea that he made Ram want him so much he couldn't wait. so he's very into fucking like... against the kitchen counters or over the table or on the living room floor. Ram is more practical, but he's also very easily convinced lmao

King is also very very forward and a really silly obvious flirt. he'll drape himself really dramatically over furniture or 'accidentally' press right up against Ram's back to reach over him. he also puts his hands in Ram's back pockets a lot.

they're both pretty possessive of each other but in different ways. Ram is "if you hurt him I'm throwing hands" possessive, whereas with King it's more that he wants everyone to know that Ram is his.

it's a bit of a "look what I have and you don't" thing - Ram is famously difficult to get close to, and King got Ram to fall in love with him. he's very smug proud about this and wants everyone to know about it.

similarly - King is the worst influence when it comes to Ram ignoring/being rude to other people because he loves it. he's like "yesss be rude to all these strangers yesssss" "yesss Ram is so hard to get close to but look at how close he is to me" "yessss act all mysterious and tough in public and then blush when I call you 'nong' and tell you you're pretty yessss…"

they watch a lot of nature documentaries together in the evenings

also King introduces Ram to Animal Crossing 🥺 King is very into decorating everything beautifully, but Ram exclusively plays to try and complete the museum. he will catch every single bug and every single fish even if it kills him. he also does not care about any of the villagers, much to King's dismay.

it's not all perfect obviously. Ram both desperately craves and yet is terrified of emotional intimacy. he expects a level of emotional vulnerability and reassurance from King that he's not always comfortable reciprocating, and he has a tendency to use physical intimacy as a substitute for emotional intimacy - eg he'll occasionally initiate sex to avoid having to talk about his feelings.

he also forgets that although King is good at understanding him and picking up on his non-verbal cues, he isn't a mind reader. Ram can get unfairly frustrated when King doesn't respond to wants/needs/feelings that he hasn't actually expressed.

King is not good with boundaries. Ram is quite private and likes to spend time alone, and King has a tendency to not understand and to feel hurt that 'alone' means 'without King' lol.

he's also quite impulsive and will make big decisions without thinking it through or consulting Ram, which frustrates Ram (who likes things to be planned in advance).

but in general they're incredibly compatible and where they do occasionally fall out it's never for long - and they're very good at making up again because they are incapable of being angry at each other for more than 5 minutes

they're that couple who get together and are basically just married from the word go. when they eventually do get engaged (King proposes after a few years) all their friends are like "huh. tbh we thought you guys had eloped years ago"

(which to be fair is a reasonable thing for their friends to assume, because they get drunk and seriously consider it all the time)

finally: matching. tattoos.

[theriveroflight]

decimary game

I wrote 10 three-sentence fics about the VLR cast to celebrate this year's International Fanworks Day! You can read the full compilation on AO3 as well. Contains spoilers especially for VLR but also 999. Total wordcount is 1098.

The man on the moon rules the infinite time -- Sigma sees now how the words unwind themselves to reveal their true nature; being the one to write them on the wall makes it much more obvious what the intention behind it was. It's a paradox of sorts (without the information at 22, he wouldn't be able to replicate it now), but isn't everything to do with the Nonary Game a bit of a paradox?

He still knows Akane is going to die at the Game's beginning -- and he still remembers Phi saving her.

Phi doesn't hesitate before betraying Sigma; she already knows he will meet her with betrayal in return, so when the results on the screen display that he hasn't, she’s surprised -- but she won't be stopped from leaving now that she has enough BP to get out of this place, not by anything, not for anyone.

But she isn't alone; she isn't the only one who's been met with both allyship and betrayal as the surrounding circumstances are altered. The cat in the box -- the people in the AB room; dead or alive -- betray or ally?

*

Luna has a purpose, a defined goal, a defined everything; she knows if she was programmed without a heart she would make an awful mother, but she wonders why he would program her with one just to make her stand by, unable to do anything in the face of a murder -- in the face of injustice.

She does not have a heart in the literal sense -- it is code and ABT that runs through her instead of blood -- and yet she feels deeply, all the time, and she wonders if she is better for it or better off without. She never asks; Sigma gave her this heart and this caring soul for a reason, and it is a blessing she refuses to waste by corrupting her ethics.

*

Kyle's pretty sure he’s the loneliest one on Rhizome-9, and he isn't permitted to leave -- the other fifty-three Rhizomes are all linked together, he knows, and one can travel freely between them, but the passages to Rhizome-9 have been blocked off for...for reasons related to the research being conducted in this facility, as varied as that is. One can only escape through traversing the moon's surface, and he cannot do that.

There are three humans active in Rhizome-9; two of them have each other, and he is somehow both essential and discarded, barely anything more to make him his own than his name.

*

This is the mission Left has prepared for all his life, the moment he was created for, the culmination of his existence; it is all for the sake of entering the moon and infiltrating the game. The project must be stopped at all costs; failure is not an option.

He would, and will, give up his own life for this mission -- after all, if he fails, little awaits him afterwards regardless.

*

Clover doesn't wake up until after they've left the room, and she's pretty sure that's probably for the best, since she probably would've freaked out all over K about the bracelet on her wrist; as it is, she's only managing to keep a hold on herself with the knowledge that she's not the only one she can trust. In the last Nonary Game, she had her brother and then she had Junpei, and now she has Alice.

Clover's never been particularly good at losing the ones she loves (and she's known that for a long time now), so all in all, she thinks she takes the prospect of an apocalypse sweeping Earth surprisingly well, especially since that means Light's probably dead -- but she's not alone, not anymore, not again.

*

Alice pulls Clover out of the facility; she has to put her own priorities aside for the mission. She wants to go back, she wants to see her father's body, she wants to ruin her makeup and weep over it until she has no tears left to cry. But Clover is still here, Clover is still alive, and that means she still has someone to protect -- and gives her a reason to move forward, to keep being.

*

Here's the thing about the apocalypse: it doesn't give anyone much time for anything besides living in the present, so it's a lot easier for Junpei to get over looking for Akane -- survival's his priority, first and foremost, just trying to find caches of limited food and live long enough to see a blue sky again. And when he finds Quark, those brief thoughts of her drift entirely away, since he has a kid to look after -- having kids had never been on his mind, even when he was still thinking of her.

But when the letter shows up, it's obvious that he's not nearly as over it as he thought he was -- he knows he doesn't have that much time left, and the opportunity to see her again is one he can't miss for the world, not after all this time.

*

Quark's never known a blue sky, so when he first sees the B. Garden, it looks strange -- all of them talk about it as though it's their real world, lush and green and blue, but it's never been his: all he's ever known is red. On the moon, things are different, but he's never really been anywhere other than home, and this isn't it, so he wants to go home more than anything else. He wants to go home, he wants to go home, and he had once thought the only way back home was dying but it turns out that Zero is gonna let them go, so he's going to be okay.

*

What you are, I was; what I am, you will become -- Junpei had been the only one to interact with her past self back then; her memories have always been muddled between the past and future but fundamentally time travel is impossible in the physical sense, only really possible mentally. The grave and its inscription had been meant for Sigma, certainly, but she sees it in the child she had been at the age of twelve and the young adult she had been at twenty-one, inside of a loop where the only escapes were death or life. Now it is not her life alone that is at stake but the entire world; it is a much nobler end to work towards than her own selfish desire to live, and perhaps when she dies for a better timeline she will be able to atone for her past selfishness.

[lightphieric]

Virtue's Last Record: Dramatic Fanatic

Summary: Alice can no longer keep up her facade. Title from the Cuphead OST. CWs: Suicidal thoughts (courtesy of Radical-6) AO3

Hazily, she helped Sigma wrestle the scalpel away from Quark. It would be the last heroic thing Alice ever did.

She would be the first to admit that her hard and nonchalant air was for Clover’s benefit. Appearances were important to keep up in front of a junior agent; especially when they were as volatile as Clover, they needed a model of how to comport themselves in a stressful situation. What Alice would never admit was that appearances mattered as much to her personally as they did professionally. If she were to let it show how terrified she was every second of every day, she would be written off as a hysterical woman. A mad liability. Discarded, unable to do the work she needed to do to avenge her father.

Well, now she was hysterical and mad. The lucid part of her brain was too busy chastising herself to stop herself from launching into a tirade. The air around her was slow and stale and warped, and the part of her that couldn’t handle shit like this was stuck on Luna’s diagnosis. Radical-6, Radical-6. A viral infection, previously unknown to the world that somehow had a name and a comprehensive list of symptoms already. If that didn’t reek of a bioweapon, then what had she been training for?

Not this, it would seem. She was too late to do anything now. The virus was out. A child had it – evidence, perhaps, that the small and weak would be the first to go.

Alice didn’t just work for SOIS to find her father. She didn’t work there just because it was the right thing to do, or the job she was most suited for. She didn’t even do it to grant young people with potential, like Clover, a chance to live up to that potential. Maybe that was how it started. But no, the reason she worked there still was because a world ruled over by the terrorists was not a world worth living in. She certainly didn’t want to live there. She was selfish, saving the country and world all for herself.

Scalpel in hand, she declared to the other Nonary Game participants her selfish intentions. She probably gave them a good scare, too, with her talk of terrorists. In her mind, this was good. The others would have motivation to follow her example. For now, they just stared, shifting back and forth on their feet at a dizzying pace. Alice screamed her despair so loud her vocal cords fried, and no one bothered to stop her until she was halfway out the infirmary door.

The different parts of her body were not connected anymore, that much was clear. The incoherent screaming in her head, her sweaty hand clutching the scalpel, and her tripping feet all had their own motives. Her feet still seemed to be guided by the stoic secret agent in her, carrying her to a place where the air might calm her down: the garden.

She steadied herself next to the big tree in the center of the room, taking in the green and the brown and the blue, all of which she knew was artificial but which a human disease could never touch. Even something like that carefully cultivated vegetable garden would grow unchecked and wild if the people who usually tended to it were to suddenly despair and up and kill themselves…

That shit might have been comforting to the bleeding hearts. To a woman of objectivity like Alice, it was still a horrible thought. Nature surviving was all well and good, but a world full of plants would be missing all the things that made humanity beautiful: love, art, knowledge. Consciousness.

Call it selfish. But would any of this beauty matter anymore if Alice wasn’t around to experience it?

The symptoms (were they symptoms? Oh God) receded for just the briefest moment of doubt. Alice’s hand went slack, releasing the scalpel as she fell beside it at the base of the tree. She retreated so deeply into her tears that it might have looked like she passedvlr out.

And when Phi found her, that was exactly what Alice faked. She had been just about to get up and find a more appropriate place to do the deed, somewhere that matched the gloom and emptiness she foresaw befalling the world. But the others didn’t need to know that. She had ruined her reputation enough for one day.

[usertoxicyaoi]

I can’t sleep so naturally I rewatched ShogunMaitoh’s scenes to pass the time (your enthusiastic screaming about them got me to watch the show in the first place and I’m glad I did, it’s a precious little show) and the language nerd in me started to wonder about something.

Maitoh uses phi to refer to Shogun and it got me thinking if he would ever switch to hia? I could see it happening with Maitoh either using it as a joke at first and both of them realising that they actually really like it, or Maitoh using it as a way of flirting, being affectionate and/or teasing. I also feel like it would only happen in private at first and if Maitoh ever started to use hia in public as well it would happen gradually, unlike with Team who ran with Hia Win and never looked back. 😂 Any thoughts?

(And happy last day of this year! 🎆)

hi hi hiiiiiiiiiii!!!!

FHFNSIFID ANY THOUGHTS?! FOR SHOGUNMAITOH? THERE'S ALWAYS THOUGHTS!!!! and i'm soooo glad you like it!!! it really is SUCH a lovely warm little show!!!!

yeah no i literally think maitoh would probably call him hia a few months down the line into their relationship, especially when he starts hanging out / sleeping over at shogun's place more and more frequently, and he sees the exact way namwah says "hiiiiiaaaaaaaa" when she wants something from shogun or is tryna make up with him, and he sees how SOFT shogun is and how EASILY he just .... gives in to his little sister .....

so he keeps that in mind and then one time maitoh wants shogun to finish work early in the studio but shogun's all "listen Babe i NEED to finish this" and maitoh just literally WHINES "hiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaa", and that Literally has shogun PAUSE and turn slowly to face maitoh who has the BIGGEST doe eyed look on his face, and he says it again, and again, and he's now Literally just smirking at shogun and then says "oh? does hiiiaaa not have work to finish now?" before walking out of the studio and heading Straight to shogun's bedroom.

SO YES. and they keep it between themselves for a bit and shogun ADOOOORES it when maitoh calls him hia (for the Very Same Reasons that win has when team calls him hia)

until one day they're with everyone and they're having band practice and shogun wants them to run through it again but maitoh knows that this is just shogun wanting it to be Perfect Perfect when its already good enough anyway. so he just whines "ohhh hiiiiaaaaa i'm tired!! .... " and EVERYONE's just like.

O.O .... WHAT did you just say?

and maitoh does That Thing he does when he gets shy, looks down and purses his lips together and has that little smile, before he looks up to see shogun who's just. Looking At Him. and his ears are literally RED like they were when they first kissed. and he somehow manages to say "uh yeah okay thats enough for today." and everyone just sorta Gets The Hint and leaves.

and maitoh just shrugs his shoulders with sooo much casual confidence when shogun looks at him again, and then teases him and asks "what's wrong, hiiiia?". bc yeah, what is there to hide now anyway? everyone knows. everyone knoooows.

uhhhh and what can shogun do anyway! like he's sooooo FOND OF and ENDEARED BY maitoh he GIVES in to him EVERYTIME. he is Literally his BABY the APPLE OF HIS EYE.

SO YEAH. shogun just ends up shaking his head with the biggest grin on his face, walks up to maitoh who's sat behind his drums, takes his face in his hands, and replies,

"nothing. nothing's wrong. besides, i like it when you call me hia. but you already know that."

(happy new years eve to you tooooo!!!! 🧡🧡🧡)

[mdmotalebhossainraju]

Ultimate Travel Recommendations: Your Guide to an Unforgettable Adventure

Traveling opens up worlds of wonder, giving you the chance to explore different cultures, sample unique cuisines, and marvel at natural and architectural beauty. Here are top recommendations to help you embark on a memorable journey, whether you’re a solo  Travel recommendations, exploring with friends, or vacationing with family.

1. Choose the Right Destination for Your Goals

Your ideal destination depends on what you're looking for—be it relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, or a combination of experiences. Researching the location can ensure you don’t miss hidden gems or local favorites. Here’s a breakdown of some unique travel goals and the best destinations for each:

Adventure Seekers: If you love adrenaline-fueled activities, think about visiting destinations like New Zealand, with its bungee jumping, skydiving, and beautiful trails. Peru offers the unforgettable Inca Trail leading up to Machu Picchu. Consider locations with outdoor activities that align with your preferences, whether it’s hiking, scuba diving, or zip-lining.

Beach Lovers: The Caribbean offers unparalleled beaches with crystal-clear waters and white sand. For something more exotic, the islands of the Maldives or Bora Bora provide a luxurious beach escape, while Thailand offers more affordable yet stunning beach experiences with islands like Koh Phi Phi and Phuket.

Cultural Enthusiasts: For cultural immersion, Japan is ideal for its unique blend of ancient and modern culture, especially in Kyoto with its temples and tea ceremonies. Alternatively, Italy offers rich historical sites like the Colosseum, Vatican, and Pompeii, along with immersive cuisine experiences.

2. Create a Detailed Itinerary, but Allow for Flexibility

Crafting an itinerary helps you cover the must-see spots without feeling overwhelmed or rushed. A balanced plan includes a mix of activities and downtime, giving you space to wander or try unexpected adventures. Break down your itinerary by:

Highlighting Must-Sees: Identify the top spots that drew you to the destination. For Paris, this could be the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre. For Iceland, include popular stops like the Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, and Golden Circle.

Leaving Room for Spontaneity: Sometimes the best experiences are unplanned. Leave free blocks in your schedule for local recommendations, sudden events, or relaxing afternoons. This balance helps prevent burnout and keeps the trip feeling organic and exciting.

3. Find the Perfect Accommodation

Accommodation plays a significant role in your overall Travel recommendations. Here’s how to pick the best options:

Hotels vs. Vacation Rentals: If you’re after luxury amenities and concierge services, a hotel may suit you best. Many offer comfort, convenience, and are often located near tourist areas. On the other hand, vacation rentals like Airbnb provide a more local and sometimes affordable experience, ideal if you plan to stay in a city for a longer time.

Hostels for Solo Travelers: Hostels are budget-friendly and often social hubs for solo travelers. You’ll meet like-minded explorers and gain access to local tours, which can add value to your experience. Research reviews, amenities, and locations when booking.

Unique Accommodations: For a one-of-a-kind experience, consider staying in a treehouse, converted van, yurt, or igloo. In places like Norway or Finland, igloos offer the incredible opportunity to watch the Northern Lights from your bed.

4. Prepare for Different Cultures and Customs

Respecting local cultures can enrich your travel experience and foster positive interactions. Learn a few basic phrases if there’s a language barrier, as this shows effort and respect. Knowing key etiquette points is also essential:

Dress Code: In countries with specific cultural norms around clothing, like India or Saudi Arabia, make sure to research local customs and pack accordingly. For example, when visiting religious sites, you may need to cover your shoulders or wear long skirts or trousers.

Tipping: While tipping is expected in the U.S., it may be viewed differently in countries like Japan or South Korea where tipping can sometimes be seen as rude. Familiarize yourself with these customs beforehand to avoid any misunderstandings.

5. Sample Local Cuisine and Visit Markets

Food is an integral part of cultural experiences. Trying local dishes and ingredients is often a highlight of any trip, as it lets you dive into the culture. Here are tips to make the most of culinary exploration:

Food Markets: Visit local markets for an authentic experience. Barcelona’s La Boqueria offers Spanish tapas, fresh seafood, and colorful produce. Markets like Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar also showcase local foods and spices, allowing you to try flavors unique to the region.

Street Food: Street food is not only delicious but affordable. Many street foods are safe as long as you choose vendors with a high turnover of customers. Bangkok is famous for its street food, from pad Thai to mango sticky rice, while Mexico City serves amazing tacos and tamales.

6. Embrace Responsible Travel Practices

Being mindful of environmental and social impact is increasingly important. Here are a few ways to travel sustainably:

Support Local Businesses: When booking tours or buying souvenirs, opt for local businesses over large chains. This helps support the community and often leads to more unique experiences. Many cities offer “buy local” guides, so check online or ask your accommodation for tips.

Eco-Friendly Transportation: Consider taking public transportation or renting a bike to explore the area. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are bike-friendly, while many places, such as Japan, have efficient public transit systems that can take you nearly anywhere.

Limit Plastic Use: Bring a reusable water bottle, straw, and utensils if possible. In areas where plastic use is high, like certain parts of Southeast Asia, reducing your plastic footprint makes a real difference.

7. Stay Safe and Informed

Before traveling, make sure you have information about the destination’s safety, health, and legal considerations. Here’s how:

Local Laws and Travel Alerts: Some countries have strict rules around things like public displays of affection, alcohol, or even photographing government buildings. Checking travel advisories from official websites can help you avoid unintentional missteps.

Health and Safety Preparations: Research if vaccinations are required or recommended. Carry a basic first-aid kit and any medications you might need, as they may not be readily available in certain locations.

Insurance: Travel insurance can be a lifesaver, especially when traveling to remote areas or engaging in adventurous activities. Make sure the insurance covers medical needs, lost luggage, and cancellations.

8. Document Your Experience Thoughtfully

Documenting your journey through photos, videos, or a travel journal is a great way to preserve memories. Here are tips to capture your travels in an engaging way:

Photography Tips: Play with angles and lighting to create more interesting photos. Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best natural light for landscapes and cityscapes. Don’t forget to capture candid moments of local life, food, and friends you make along the way.

Writing About Your Experience: Keeping a travel journal can help you remember small details, like the name of that fantastic café or the tour guide’s story about the city. Journaling also provides a way to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown from the experience.

Conclusion

Whether you’re setting out on a world tour or a weekend getaway, these travel recommendations will help you make the most of your trip. Embrace the journey, stay flexible, and keep an open mind. Travel isn’t just about the destination; it’s about creating lasting memories and gaining a new perspective. Safe travels!

[shaunstenning2020]

Discover the Wonders of Travel in Phuket with Shaun Stenning

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, is a paradise for travelers seeking a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences. Known for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich history, this tropical destination has captured the hearts of many, including seasoned traveler and entrepreneur Shaun Stenning. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, Phuket offers endless opportunities for discovery and excitement.

The Allure of Phuket’s Beaches

Phuket is synonymous with breathtaking beaches, each offering something unique for every type of traveler. Patong Beach, the island’s most famous stretch of sand, is perfect for those who love a lively atmosphere. With its buzzing nightlife, beachfront bars, and water sports, it’s no wonder Patong is a favorite among both locals and international tourists.

For a quieter experience, Kata and Karon beaches provide a more laid-back vibe. These spots are ideal for families, couples, or solo travelers who want to enjoy crystal-clear waters and golden sands without the crowds. Shaun Stenning, known for his extensive travel expertise, often highlights Kata Beach as one of his top picks for relaxation in Phuket.

Adventure Awaits

Phuket is a haven for adventure enthusiasts. From scuba diving and snorkeling to hiking and island-hopping, there's no shortage of thrilling activities. For those eager to explore beyond the main island, a trip to the nearby Phi Phi Islands or Similan Islands is a must. Shaun Stenning frequently mentions these day trips in his travel recommendations, especially for their mesmerizing marine life and stunning rock formations.

For adrenaline seekers, zip-lining through the island’s lush jungles or taking a speedboat to Phang Nga Bay’s famous limestone cliffs are unforgettable experiences. Whether it's exploring the vibrant marine life through diving or riding the waves with surfing lessons, Phuket has it all.

Cultural Highlights of Phuket

Beyond the beaches and adventure, Phuket offers a rich cultural experience. The island is home to numerous temples, such as the iconic Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, where visitors can soak in the spiritual atmosphere and learn about Thai traditions. Walking through the streets of Phuket Old Town reveals a fascinating blend of Sino-Portuguese architecture, colorful street art, and local markets offering delicious street food.

Shaun Stenning often emphasizes the importance of connecting with local culture during travel. Engaging with the island's heritage can be as simple as joining a traditional Thai cooking class or visiting a local festival like the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. These cultural experiences provide deeper insights into the island’s history and customs, making your trip even more enriching.

Sustainable Travel in Phuket

With the growing importance of sustainable travel, Phuket is taking steps to preserve its natural beauty and ecosystems. Shaun Stenning is a strong advocate for responsible tourism, urging travelers to respect local environments and communities. Many tour operators now offer eco-friendly options, such as plastic-free boat tours and wildlife conservation programs. Visitors can also participate in beach cleanups or support local businesses that prioritize sustainability.

Maya Bay, made famous by the movie The Beach, is a great example of how Phuket is balancing tourism with environmental protection. After being closed for several years to restore its ecosystem, Maya Bay has reopened with new regulations to ensure the preservation of its coral reefs and marine life.

Where to Stay in Phuket

From luxurious beachfront resorts to cozy boutique hotels, Phuket caters to all types of travelers. Shaun Stenning often recommends staying in areas like Kamala or Surin for a more tranquil experience. These regions offer stunning views and are slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of Patong, making them perfect for those looking to unwind. For a unique experience, visitors can also consider staying in one of Phuket’s eco-friendly accommodations, which blend comfort with sustainability.

Phuket remains one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia, and with good reason. Its incredible landscapes, rich culture, and exciting activities make it a dream for every traveler. With the guidance of experienced adventurers like Shaun Stenning, you can discover hidden gems and create unforgettable memories in this tropical paradise.

Whether you're lounging on the beach, exploring underwater wonders, or immersing yourself in local culture, Phuket promises a journey like no other. Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime in this beautiful island destination.

[visacollect]

Budget-Friendly Tips for Backpackers in Thailand: Ideas for Itineraries and Accommodations for People with Thailand Tourist Visa

Want to save money on your camping trip to Thailand? Whether you have travelled before or this is your first time, Thailand has a lot of cheap thrills waiting for you. This guide has information on cheap places to stay, ideas for things to do, and important tips for people with a Thailand vacation visa.

Before You Go

Thailand Tourist Visa

Before you travel, be sure you know everything you have to do to acquire a Thailand tourist visa. See the official website or phone the Thai office closest by you for the most current information.

Travel insurance and vaccinations

Get your vaccines minimum four weeks ahead of your travel. One travel insurance provider able to cover any unanticipated events is World Nomads.

What You Need to Pack

Clothing that is light and airy

Swimwear

Sunblock and bug spray

A simple first-aid kit

Locks for your bag and lockers at the hostel

Multi-way connections for travel

Finding Cheap Places to Stay

Bangkok:

NapPark Hostel is close to Khao San Road and has clean rooms and a friendly atmosphere.

The Lub d Bangkok Siam is close to the BTS Skytrain, which makes it easy to get around the city.

In Chiang Mai:

Green Tiger House is known for having a friendly environment and being in the middle of everything.

The group-friendly hostel Deejai Backpackers features a pool where you could run across other guests.

Phuket:

The Baan Kamala Backpacker Hostel is cheap and close to the beach.

Lub d Phuket Patong has great services and a lively atmosphere.

How to Look for the Best Discounts

Booking.com: Look at pricing and read Booking.com reviews to uncover the greatest offers.

Try to negotiate a better price or bargain: Pparticularly in case you intend to remain longer or bring a group with you.

Show up without a reservation: Occasionally, especially in less crowded areas, this will result in lower charges. 

Itinerary Tips

Bangkok (3 Days)

Day 1:Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on the first day. At night, walk around Khao San Road.

Day 2: Visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market and take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River.

Day 3: Visit Wat Arun and Wat Saket, and then take it easy at Lumpini Park.

Hong Kong (4 Days)

Day 4. Go to the Old City and see Wat Chedi Luang and other sites.

Day 5: Visit Doi Suthep and the Hmong town nearby for the day.

Day 6: Check out Elephant Nature Park.

On Day 7, take it easy and shop at the Sunday Walking Street Market.

Phuket (3 Days)

Day 8: Go to Patong Beach for the day and enjoy the nightlife.

Day 9: Go to Phi Phi Islands by boat.

Day 10: Walk around Old Town and see Big Buddha.

How to Travel

Making a Budget: Find out how much people usually spend each day in each place.

Don't be rigid: Make any necessary changes to your plans and budget.

Modes of Transportation: For extended journeys, go for the bus or train to cut costs on transportation.Renting motorcycles, tuk-tuks, or songthaews are all good ways to move around.

Look after your belongings: Lock your valuables with padlocks.

In conclusion

Tourists on a tighter budget will love Thailand. Following these guidelines and planning ahead of time can allow you to have a fantastic vacation without breaking the bank.. Check the rules for getting a tourist visa for Thailand, pack smart and be open to changing your plans. Have fun on your trip!

VisaCollect can help you with your Thailand tourist visa! Get in touch with us right away!

[strangetomato]

Johnny, Ripp, and Ophelia went on a romantic autumn walk through the cemetery. 🍂🍁🍃 Phi always feels very much at home in a graveyard.

[absolutebl]

Hi! Love your blog so much. 😊 Was hoping I could take advantage of your broad knowledge of Thai BL dramas for a question: Do you know of any Thai BL dramas where any of the main leads mainly use เธอ to their love interest when speaking (i.e., not in songs)?

It seems like BL usage is mostly just [name], พี่, or มึง, and I was curious if we see more of the pronoun spectrum in some series, and I think เธอ would be especially cute.

(Question somewhat inspired by episode 6 of Love by Chance. Was watching it today and noticed Tin addressed Can with นาย, which was a pronoun I didn’t even know existed.)

เธอ we're talking about ter?! YAY! 

I posted about it here (a while ago). But it comes from frozen register (old fashioned in its you form) which is why it's in songs all the time.

I have spotted a register switch to ter a few times (usually from khun) but I find it more common in use between het couples.

It seems to most often occur between older characters (workplace not school) moving from khun to a more intimate register, who clearly don't want to establish an age dynamic and use pom/phi, but aren’t comfortable with low register guu/mueng. I often hear it paired with rao (which, like ter, was once frozen for I, and thus old fashioned, but it feels like it’s pretty common these days).

For those who care:

rao = we (common parlance - sounds like lao) but can also be used for I, Pete in LBC uses rao especially when talking to himself, it’s VERY cute. 

ter = she (common parlance, although uncommon use, Thai in everyday speech usually refer to a person in the 3rd by name not pronoun) but can also be used for you, Thun calls his mother ter in He’s Coming to Me and the script talks about this because Mes almost misconstrues their relationship because of ter. 

Yok with Dan (Not Me) goes from khun to phi/pom and then to rao and (maybe) ter, as they get more intimate. Also it’s confusion over which intimacy pronoun that nearly gives White away when pretending to be Black with Black’s gf. He uses rao/ter, which said gf takes as a slight.

I'm not saying they did, but this switch is the kind of register shift I would expect from Tan & Bun in Manner of Death. 

All this is to say, I don’t know of any couples who default to rao/ter in bulk for their relationship because:

the phi/nong is part of many BL relationship dynamics (and eroticism of the power play) or a required negotiated reversion of said dynamic (see Oxygen) so many BLs like and lean into it 

they are using guu/mueng low register for reasons of fair play and power struggles (also sexy, right?) so like Bad Buddy or TharnType fart around with this idea (the freeing nature of the crassness of it, in a way) 

only one half of the couple uses rao etc... to emphasize a class distinction (like with AePete). 

Thus I’m thinking if you’re looking for a rao/ter dynamic, you have to look for couples who are close in age and in an adult workplace setting: for example Paint With Love, Loveless Society, Manner of Death, Triage, Dear Doctor, Bite Me, My Ride, etc...

That’s where I’d expect it to show up. 

But I think I’d also expect it to develop after the couple gets together and are more in an LTR, so later on in their relationship. Which we don’t see this often in BL. 

(If To My Star were Thai, they would totally be using rao/ter in season 2.) 

[zenalios]

Untamed Seas; 2 - Snake

Index (R18+)

Summary

Amphitrite, sea goddess, and daughter of Nereus, is less than willing to marry an Olympian, let alone Poseidon, the very god who overthrew her father. She does so nevertheless, in a desperate move to protect her sisters following Nereus’ absence.

The marriage is beneficial to them both: Poseidon gains legitimacy through a union with her, effectively solidifying his control over the seas, and Amphitrite guarantees her sisters' safety, along with all prestige due her status as queen.

The catch? She finds his domineering personality utterly insufferable, and he, the most fearsome god, resents being stuffed into an unwelcome marriage.

They have all eternity to make it work.

TW // Abuse - Verbal and Physical ; Abusive Relationship ; Forced Marriage

It came to pass that the night of the dance itself, the few amongst Nereus’s daughters who had stepped foot onto Crete were:  

Amphitrite, the eldest of fifty Nereids and her sisters’ keeper; pretty Thetis, who came hoping to expand her social circle beyond the seas; sprightly and mischievous Galatea, twin to Galene, poise incarnate; another set of twins, Proto and Doto, who oversaw their voyage; and last but not least, the young Erato, loveliest of all her sisters, not yet a maiden, but who looked forward to the dance the most.

Thetis immediately set off for a nearby crowd of dancers, and the twins grouped together in search of the banquet tables. This left Amphitrite with Erato. The former rubbed at her temples, stifling an urge to groan. This was not going to be an easy night. In the week leading up to the event itself, all her family could talk about was the dance, her sisters boasting to the others about all the things they would do and the people they would meet; in turn, this only reinforced their mother’s worries for their safety, and led to further nagging imposed on her, the oldest. She felt a little squeeze from the small hand in hers. Amphitrite looked down. 

“Wow, they just ran off like that,” Erato laughed, her radiant face enough for Amphitrite’s own lips to twitch upwards. 

“They certainly did.” She agreed. 

“Phi!” The pair turned to a beautiful nymph gracefully striding towards them in a cloud of blue satin, the swell of her belly prominent but never once hindering her movement. “Aunt!” Erato let go of her hand, rushing forward to tackle said relative. Amphitrite also drew near, brushing a swift kiss against the Oceanid’s smooth cheeks. 

“Eurynome,” Amphitrite smiled, though it did not quite reach her eyes. “How have you been?”

A tinkling laugh burst forth from the Oceanid akin to that of a bubbling brook. “I have been just fine,” She chucked Amphitrite on the chin, then looked down at her belly, “And so has this one.” A silky hand reached for Erato’s head, ruffling it fondly, “And this one too, I see.” The older nymph peered at Amphitrite, the latter flinching backwards when a finger attempted to prod the space between her eyebrows. “Don’t frown, Phi, you’ll age faster than my children will be born if you do.”

“I’m not frowning!” Amphitrite protested, even as she felt her brow pulling together, which she rectified at once. At this, Erato erupted into giggles, still clasped at Eurynome’s legs, who soon joined her little niece in peals of laughter, till even the nymph being teased could not help but grin, her shoulders rolling with silent mirth. After they had calmed themselves, Amphitrite’s face was drawn in by Eurynome’s hands, both gently pinching and caressing her cheeks. “I am so sorry about your father.” Their aunt said, a sorrowful look passing over her gorgeous features. 

Amphitrite leaned into Eurynome’s touch for a moment, then swallowed and removed her hands, “It’s alright.” However much she craved physical intimacy, it reminded her too much of what her mother was like once, all warmth and tenderness, now left tense and anxious in the wake of her husband’s loss. The sea nymph let out a good-natured huff. 

“But thank you all the same,” she maintained despite the doubting look her aunt gave her, allowing her fingers to intertwine between Eurynome’s to give them a brief squeeze of reassurance. After that Eurynome had lingered a little longer to ask after Doris' state, leaving her nieces only when persistently called upon by a group of other similarly pregnant nymphs. 

“Make sure you join the dances, alright?” She quickly squeezed Amphitrite’s shoulder, “I know how much you love to dance.” With one last kiss and ruffle to Erato’s head, Eurynome disappeared just as Thetis had, leaving the two Nereids standing in a corner. 

The older of the two turned to her sister. “So,” She began, “What do you want to do?” 

Erato shrugged, staring up at her. “I dunno,” she blinked. “I’ll do whatever Phi wants to.” Amphitrite felt a lump rise in her throat. Even in her childish innocence, Erato’s brilliance could not be concealed. There existed several reasons everyone called —no, expected —her little sister to become the loveliest Nereid of them all, one in particular being her smile, bright enough to charm all sea creatures in the near vicinity. On top of this, Erato’s eyes had taken on their father’s murky green ones and blossomed into a pair of emeralds coated with a ring of honey, made all the more obvious by the firelight now dancing in their depths. 

For all their mother’s nagging and accusations of complacency, Amphitrite was by no means negligent when it came to her sisters, least of all if it involved Erato, nor had she brushed off Doris’s warnings as to Erato’s safety. 

In truth, she was all too aware of how lovely her younger sister was and the numerous looks they had received upon arrival. Everyone present knew Nereus had disappeared, his wife and fifty daughters ripe for the picking in his absence despite being left in Oceanus’ hands. For all the powers they possessed, the Nereids were not related to the new king of the seas, effectively nullifying their royal status and the protection it conferred, the river god’s old age only worsening matters further. If others held back, it was only out of respect and common decency, a show of sympathy for the family during this period of mourning; once over, Amphitrite had no doubt they would pounce. She slowly exhaled. And even then it did not hurt to be cautious around the Olympians. 

Amphitrite knelt before her sister, brushing away a wisp of hair that had fallen into the child’s eyes, provoking a little whine from Erato: “I can do that myself!” 

“I know,” She returned with great affection. “I just wanted to do it.” 

It was a little habit the eldest Nereid had picked up after many years spent watching over her siblings, something their mother found irritating as of late. Try as she might, however, Amphitrite remained unable to suppress her maternal instincts towards her younger sister, especially in such an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by potential predators. 

She offered her hand to Erato, “Let’s dance?”

And dance they did, if only for a brief moment. Though Amaltheia had initially bleated out instructions regarding specific steps designed to depict Zeus’s triumph over Kronos, the goat nymph’s voice was rudely drowned out by the growing multitude of intoxicated revellers. At this, Amphitrite saw their hostess’s lips thin with disapproval. Further mortification ensued when it was discovered several amphorae had already been emptied of their contents. Soon after, the whooping crowd whipped itself into a frenzy, many a dancer grasping for a partner to twist and writhe against. 

Amphitrite merely watched from the side, one hand on her hip, the other still holding Erato’s sticky palm, which had since tightened its grasp on hers at the display before them. “What are they doing?” her sister whispered to her, to which Amphitrite promptly responded, “Just dancing.” The older of the two could already hear her mother screaming for her to remove Erato from this indecency, or if she would not, then to at least cover the girl’s eyes —to do something, anything about it. Amphitrite glanced down at her sister. She had tried the latter, but Erato’s response was to tug her hand down and plead her case for watching. 

At this Amphitrite sighed: her sister possessed the same level of persistence and curiosity as she did when younger; she permitted it on the condition that Erato did not ask to join, something Erato readily agreed to anyhow. Fortunately, the dancers' movements were beginning to resemble the very steps Amaltheia demonstrated at the beginning, albeit in a much wilder fashion. After they had stopped hollering, each danced in time to the tune of a pipe, some singing along and others only chiming in at certain strains, about a snake that swallowed its own. 

“Many an egg did the snake consume, and still more it hungered to pursue.” A pinched voice intoned above the rest.  She leaned down to whisper in Erato’s ear, tapping her foot along to the beat, “The snake is Kronos, the eggs are his children.”

“Oh.” Erato frowned, confusion evident from her voice alone. “Then where does Zeus come in?” Amphitrite tilted her head, humour colouring her voice, “When do you want him to come in?” 

The words had barely left her when she felt a tap on her shoulder. The Nereid instantly whirled around, instinct driving her to pull Erato behind in the process. “What do you want?” She demanded of the satyr standing before her, whose first reaction was to look utterly terrified. Serve him right for disrupting their peace and quiet, a savage little voice echoed within her; she, who knew better than anyone it could not have been Erato, whose head barely reached her collarbones still. Did they take her for a fool?!

“Uhh,” the satyr began, flinching when Amphitrite drew herself to full height and snapped at him again as she so often did towards any unfamiliar male specimen: “Speak up!”

Only the faint sensation of something tugging at her arm jolted Amphitrite back to reason. She glanced over her shoulder at Erato, instantly feeling as though she had committed some kind of unforgivable crime. Curses, she was getting good at guilt-tripping. Had Thetis been teaching her? Amphitrite ran a hand through her hair. In doing so, she threw her head back, sucking in a deep breath. Fine. She nodded and let go of Erato’s hand, catching the grateful glance her sister sent her way.

Amphitrite folded her arms with an air of impatience. Was he going to speak or not?

“Someone wishes to speak with you, my lady.” The satyr blurted, his voice trembling all the while. The Nereid lifted an eyebrow. Who? She echoed the question her mind had set, albeit a little more vehemently, which brought about another flinch from the satyr. “Uh— Ah, they said they wished to meet you. That… that is all.” 

Someone wanted to meet her. Amphitrite squeezed the tip of her tongue between her teeth as she tried to process the satyr’s message. Someone wanted to meet her without revealing their identity. She parted her lips to speak, then closed them again, finding her judgement insufficient. No, that was not all, she mused. There was something more to this. The nymph focused on a point just above the satyr’s shoulder, staring ahead at the banquet table where she now spotted the twins. 

Amphitrite snapped her fingers. Surely it was their aunt? Despite the fact that pregnancy did not exactly hinder their movements, all Oceanids suffered from swollen ankles and feet, requiring them to rest every now and then. “You should have just mentioned her name.” She chided the satyr, who gave her a strange look. “Her name?”

“Yes, yes,” the Nereid filled in for him a little more cordially this time. “Eurynome. Our aunt.” 

Despite the change in her tone, the satyr’s face had paled. Amphitrite now wondered what her aunt could possibly have said earlier to frighten him thus.  Or maybe she had been too harsh on him after all. “Ah.” His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, much like that of a fish’s, Amphitrite thought bemusedly. She turned to her sister, who she found had moved to stand beside her. “Let’s go then, Erato—”

“Wait!” Amphitrite halted. “What is it now?” She allowed a sense of restlessness to enter her voice. The satyr seemed to shrink beneath her gaze. “They— They said you had to come alone.”

Amphitrite felt she had sighed one time too many tonight. Still she did so, it being the only outlet for her to express her annoyance. The Nereid lifted her chin at the being before her, “Why not?” Erato’s hand nudged hers, immediately causing her expression to soften once more. “Maybe Aunt Eurynome wants to ask Phi something really important.” And leave Erato alone like this? 

As though the child knew what she was thinking, her skirts were being pulled in the direction of the banquet table; Amphitrite lifted her head, following the girl’s arm until four of their sisters came into view. “I can stick with them.” 

Erato had a point. There they were: Galatea, Galene, Proto, and Doto, all loading heaps of food onto their plate as though they had been starved for eons at their grandfather’s home. Where they had been this entire time Amphitrite had no idea, nor did she want to know what sorts of mischief they had been up to. “Well, better than Thetis,” she deadpanned at last, who was nowhere to be found even. “Fine.” 

At this, Erato tackled her in a big hug, both lingering for a while in each others’ embrace. 

“Be good.” Amphitrite had tapped her sister’s nose, so turning and following the satyr into a nearby bend. 

And that was how Amphitrite presently found her path obstructed by a ridiculously muscular god who had introduced himself as Zeus, king of the gods. You’re lying, she wished to say, but could not on account of the bandages wrapped about his fists —only Kronos had the ability to inflict bodily damage severe enough to warrant medical intervention, and Zeus had been the only recipient of those affections. Unfortunately, these observations only served to worsen the situation as she saw it. Hadn’t Amaltheia sworn to her mother that Zeus would not be coming? That he desperately needed his energy to recuperate? 

Amphitrite grit her teeth in vexation. The god standing before her did not even seem to have just fought a massive tournament and won. Aside from a hideously distorted jaw and crooked nose, both of which warranted a copious number of bandages about his head, he looked to be in the pink of health. 

“You are Amphitrite right?” She had been raised to respond to questions like these, but the sheer absurdity of this entire situation said she should not. Against convention, she went with the latter, dismissing the question with a glare; he ignored her silence, continuing to speak as a slew of questions swirled through her brain akin to the whirlpools her father used to create. On top of it all, how could she have been so foolish? The satyr had not given her a strange look because her aunt had chastised him, he could not possibly have known the name of a goddess he did not serve. 

Stupid, stupid, shit, stupid, she cursed internally. It almost made her wish this was a confession instead, from some random god that had fallen for her upon arrival. Almost.

“It’s very simple, Phi.” Their new king was saying, arms akimbo. Though he was no taller than Pan, who was the height of a young cypress tree, the width of his shoulders and position in which he stood made it difficult enough for her to attempt escape from this god she felt no desire to speak with. Amphitrite scowled; firstly, at the sheer audacity and disrespect he showed by using her pet name, a privilege she held dear and bestowed only upon her parents and sisters, or her future husband; secondly, at how her neck had begun to ache from craning upwards to look at such a disagreeable face. 

The likelihood of him knowing she was displeased and enjoying her reaction was all too high. What a swine, she would have liked to call him. But that would only be a slight on the entire species itself. 

Her eyes darted to and fro, searching for some form of escape, be it in the form of her sisters or aunt ─anybody, really, who could help. To her dismay, there was none. Thetis, who she had spotted flirting with a satyr when making her way here, was now nowhere to be seen, and the rest were likely still blissfully unaware of the present danger that lurked in the form of Zeus. He reminded her of a lamprey: one that had latched onto her, its prey, and now refused to let go. Amphitrite grit her teeth. He looked like one too.

“You see, ever since my brother went to claim his new kingdom,” He began as Amphitrite stretched her neck to stare over his shoulder at pair of amorous guests making their way in this general direction. “He’s been having some trouble dealing with its inhabitants ever since.” Which brother? Hades? Amphitrite groaned internally at the shadow cast over their faces as the two unknown revellers drew closer still, then stopped for yet another passionate kiss. Ugh. 

Come on, just a little more, she urged the couple silently. “I’m sure he’s more than capable of subduing you all by himself, but that would only end in senseless slaughter.” Did he just say slaughter? Her heart thumped. Even if she was only half-listening, she knew what he was talking about —her people. “I don’t want that to happen since it’ll make me look really bad now that I’m king, so I need you, O daughter of Nereus, to help him legitimise his position.” Wait, Amphitrite squinted. They were moving, she realised. The couple were still on their quest for privacy, now at least a cubit away from the god king’s back. The nymph tensed with anticipation, waiting for them to bump into him. Closer. One foot. She grit her teeth. Come closer!  

At that very moment, however, Zeus’s face suddenly appeared exactly half a foot away from her line of vision, as he swerved to avoid the couple altogether. Amphitrite sprang backwards immediately. Her only opportunity to flee had just been thwarted by this monster of a god. She bit down hard on her tongue to keep herself from screaming aloud in fury. Zeus studied her, an eerie grin on his features. “I’m sure you know who I’m talking about.” 

“Hades?” She blurted, only catching the glint in his eyes after finally responding to his statement. 

No, Amphitrite felt her cheeks drain. No. She refused to enter a conversation regarding the one god she detested the most in the entire cosmos, even more so than the one standing before her. And now she had broken her silence, she regretted falling for his provocation all the more. “So you do know.” He finally declared, evidently delighted at her expression. “I knew you were a smart thing.” Amphitrite cringed inwardly, her throat beginning to constrict. 

“What do you want from me?” 

Even as Zeus’s chuckle rang through her ears, his answer left her reeling back a few steps. “I want you to marry Poseidon.” What? The name itself made Amphitrite’s throat tighten further. The king of gods may as well have punched her in the gut. The nymph shook her head numbly. This had to be a nightmare. She secretly pinched herself, desperately hoping it was all a dream, that she was not presently trapped by Zeus on some mountain in Crete, that Doris had never, in reality, accepted Amaltheia’s invitation, and that she was instead tossing fitfully in her bed at this very moment. 

But as fate would have it, the ensuing sting only confirmed her worst fears. There was no way she could conceal her anguish at the name Poseidon itself, the event fresher than Zeus’s own battle scars with Kronos, and far more short-lived as well. Everyone had heard of the Titanomachy, and how Zeus had earned his title as the strongest god in the universe, just as they knew of the lots drawn by Zeus's older brothers. 

The first had earned the underworld, the second the right to conquest, and the third, authority over the seas. That third brother was Poseidon. 

The very day Nereus set out to face his challenger, he had sent his wife and fifty daughters away to live with their grandfather Oceanus despite vehement protest from all, fearing the worst if he lost. Only, the worst did happen, and it was the last time Amphitrite saw her father ever again. Her fingers curled into fists at the very thought; they should have stayed or allowed her to remain at the very least. Ultimately she had not even seen Poseidon nor witnessed the battle itself. Instead, she had been forced to comfort her wailing sisters as all the waters in the cosmos trembled from the blows her father traded with some intruder from Olympus. 

And on the fortieth day, when the ocean’s plates stopped quaking, the old sea god was nowhere to be found, his successor long gone, leaving only clippings of blond hair amidst the rubble. The ocean itself had opened wide and swallowed her father upon defeat. The memory alone caused Amphitrite’s chest to heave in short, jerky, breaths as she struggled to pull herself once more from this immeasurable, overwhelming, sense of grief the god before her had reignited. 

Zeus grinned at her, “Can I take your silence as a yes, then?” 

At that she froze over. There was a tightrope somewhere within her gut, she was sure of it. One that had been cut at with a blunt object and left to rot following her father’s disappearance. Then her mother and now the king of the gods, both of whom treated her like a child, insulting and stretching her limits beyond measure, every strand and fibre of her being fraying with every word they spoke. Above all however, lay the question of her marrying the very cause of her misery. 

Help him? When he had destroyed her home and family? A strangled laugh escaped her. He was the main reason she, a saltwater nymph, who lived and breathed the ocean’s air for decades —centuries, even, was torn from her home in the wake of his victory; the reason she, eldest of fifty Nereids, had been unfairly charged with the overwhelming task of ensuring her sisters’ safety amidst a pack of wolves waiting to jump them all; the reason her mother no longer held any regard for her simply because she reminded Doris of her own lost love. Her? Marry Poseidon?

The rope snapped.

“No!” Amphitrite yelled for all the world to hear, losing her temper for the first time in her life. 

“I will not!”

1 - Prologue ; 3 -  Enalios, α