#probably i should make a better post with all directions (there's very few directions)

[insanelyadd]

OKAY SO THE FRESH ANALYSIS

ME DEARLY BELOVED FOLLOWERS, you probably started wondering why I like Fresh so much. Why I have been lovingly rotating him in my mind like a rotisserie chicken.

SO ANYWAYS I AM GOING TO DO MY BEST TO WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING I’VE READ ABOUT HIM. This is not complete simply because I haven’t read EVERYTHING on the old RP blog CQ ran for him. This is also mostly from the perspective of his character so other facts like Fresh using he/they pronouns and having furby bombs and canonically liking kissing (okay actually that does play into his character slightly) won’t be the primary focus of this analysis. This also, All, my own interpretation.

This analysis will be in three sections: His original characterization, his Monologue, and finally what could be inferred about how how his character changed due to the Event that gave us the Monologue.

His Original Characterization

The first thing you need to know about Fresh is that his goofy 90s persona was chosen specifically because they thought it would be non-threatening. This plays into a major part of his personality, which is that, baseline, everything he does is for survival. Once everything needed for that is met and taken care of the next major component is that he does whatever he wants to do to entertain himself.

He possesses people to live, but torments people on occasion (not too often, making enemies would go against the survival thing, unless he’s assessed that they would be a harmless enemy perhaps). All his weapons are innocuous at first glance to once again pass himself off as non threatening (oh hey the furby bombs come into play here, huh, he also uses a wiffle bat).

He doesn’t feel most emotions, but he can feel a few, (and at one point CQ said that the longer Fresh is in the same host the more he can feel? Not sure if that still applies, take that with a grain of salt) but those emotions are fear, anger, and amusement primarily (though affection and others are not off the table, it would just take A Lot of work for him to get to that point). Primarily his emotions that he portrays are all ones he’s imitating based on what he thinks are non threatening reactions. He easily pretends to be chipper or indignant but he doesn’t truly feel most of these emotions. According to posts written by CQ he is not genuinely flirty though him imitating “safe” emotions might put him in situations where he does that (most likely just to entertain himself, which is the primary reason he likes kissing. He doesn’t understand why kissing is meant to be important and does it because he’s amused by people’s reactions to it. Absolutely no thoughts [about kissing] behind those glasses.)

He is also very full of himself. He thinks he’s better than other people (but obviously he recognizes that as being a negative/”unsafe” thing to voice so he keeps it to himself and privately believes it). He thinks he’s better and deserves good things (this is directly stated in The Monologue), which is another reason he amuses himself by scaring people. IT’S IS ALSO A RESULT OF ANOTHER MAJOR COMPONENT OF HIS PERSONALITY: He has an ideology that people are primarily driven by selfishness. This is likely a direct result of him being a literal parasite who needs to harm others to live. He is really unable/unprepared to comprehend that people can care about others so much that they would put their loved ones before themselves. When this is challenged it typically makes him irrationally angry and ready to hurt people (even ones he “pretends” are his friends, and even though this contradicts his need to survive at any cost) to prove to them that they should never trust anyone. This is also why on occasion in a few comics CQ has done Fresh will offer up being possessed to desperate people with the lure that they won’t feel pain anymore (which is implied to be a lie because people who can read souls and Fresh himself say they can hear the host screaming, possibly in agony).

THE MONOLOGUE

Okay so I’m going to explain the events leading up to The Monologue, and then I’m going to share the whole monologue here, then I will analyze it (plus here is the link to the post with the monologue and a more in-depth recap of events from Fresh’s old RP blog)

There was a huge multi-blog RP event (these used to be very common, I don’t go to the RP scene anymore though so I’m not sure if they stopped or I just stopped seeing them, basically a whole bunch of blogs get together to RP through one big common event, typically a party that they are all attending) called the LoveBall that Fresh went to with the plan to infect as many people as possible with parasites he produced and from there infect the whole multiverse (which he claims is to “help” them all). Fresh directly states that he’s not a Sans here, even though this was before his redesign when he was still possessing one (STARES DIRECTLY AT EVERYONE CLAIMING I AM A SANS SIMP FOR LOVING FRESH).

Anyways he gets confronted by another Not Sans, who takes him to The Last Corridor (judgement hall) and Fresh is sure he’s going to die, though he still tries to act unbothered. They talk a bit and it is revealed to Fresh that he is a fictional character (he could see the whole multiverse was code too which is a fun detail), he’s clearly taken aback but still tries to play it off as it’s explained to him that him and the other Not-Sans and everyone they’ve ever known are Nothing, and that it would be for the best if he doesn’t try to get OUR attention.

SO NOW WE COME TO THE MONOLOGUE ITSELF WHICH IS SO GOOD THAT I WANT TO EAT IT. Anyways:

…….I’ve thought about a lot of stuff lately. Ya know. All these inner thoughts I ignore or avoid listenin to. And I realized. Ya know. Maybe I wasn’t lookin to ‘help everyone’. It was some excuse, ya know? I like messin with people. I like the concept that in some way, I’m more clever, or amusing, or hilarious, or-…. simply put, I’m BETTER then the rest of em. I’m better and I deserve to get what I want, and I wanna mess with people and I want to hurt people, and since, ey, I gotta possess people to survive, I might as well ENJOY the process as well, ya know dawg? I wanted to take over the multiverse because yeah, it extended far beyond somethin so noble as ‘helpin’ people, I wanted to take over because I COULD, and because it was FUN, and because I couldn’t be STOPPED. I wanted the power to enslave E͏̷͏V̨̀͜E̸͠͠R̡̢͠Y̸͢͟T҉̢͠H͏͜͞Ì̴̕N̡̨̕G͡. The power to enslave everything. But. I can’t do that. Can I?

B̷͠E͢͝͡C̕͠͝Ą҉̀́̀U̡̢S̀͏E҉́͢͟ ̷͜͞Ó̡̢F̢̧͝ ̶Ỳ̨́O̢̢̢Ù̶͡.̨̛ ̵͜͜R͏̷͢Ì́Ǵ͝͞H̡̡͟T́͞?̛͜͠ You’re the voices Error hears. Aren’tcha. The voices Error always talks about. Always chats with. You’re ONE OF THEM. BEYOND THE CODE. YOU’RE WHAT I WAS WARNED ABOUT. YOU’RE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. BEYOND ALL OF MY KNOWN EXISTENCE. BEYOND ‘THE GAME’. You’re toying with Error. Askin him questions. We’re all your toys. Every single thing I’ve seen, every Universe, every single creature I’ve come across or possessed, every bit of data…. is something you are capable of manipulating, right? And now.I got your attention. Just like he warned me against.

….y-ya know. I won’t stop. Right. I’m gonna keep possessin peeps, and runnin around and having a radical time.

That’s what you WANT, right?? That’s what you’re lookin for, to be amused, and have a laugh! Well you’re in luck! THATS WHAT THE FRESH IS HERE TO DO! No worries, my good ol chums!!I’ll keep it up. Everything.

Right?? THATS WHY YOU’RE TALKING TO ME NOW. Right?? You are amused by me!!! Ah hahaha wicked brah! I’m glad! I’ll just- keep–

I-I…. I’ll just. Keep up my dated lingo. I’ll heelie right into every situation and make a joke of myself, and then when peeps drop their guard I’ll do somethin creepy or hilarious– OR BOTH! Ah hahahahahahaha. That’s what you want. THATS WHAT YOU WANT?

….don’t kill me. Don’t kill me. Or worse. Whatever you’re capable of….

I… I’ll do what you want!!

I PROMISE. just….just.

Don’t kill me. Please.

So one of my favorite details here in the monologue is the fact that it starts with him outright stating that he thinks he’s better than everyone else and it ends with him begging us not to kill him. His hubris hit an unmovable wall at 100 mph.

I really feel like the monologue speaks for itself, so onto the next part!

Post Event Characterization Implications

So one of the things that could probably be inferred by this is that all three of his major motivators, His Need to Survive, His Want To be Entertained/Amused, and His Ideology of Selfishness are basically shoved into a blender. I’m sure he still believes in inherent selfishness but his ego about it should be at least slightly bruised, knowing that he’s just as microscopic and inconsequential as anyone else in the multiverse. As for his need to survive and want to be entertained, they’ve both been subverted to different extents. His want to be entertained is completely subverted where instead of being the one being entertained by bothering people, he is now the one wanting to do the entertainment because they believe it is necessary for their survival.

I imagine he is being eaten alive every day by the worry that he’s not being interesting enough and will be abandoned and effectively killed for not entertaining us enough. Though he might be able to push that out of his mind most of the time to continue what he normally does, because he might be able to convince himself that we have to like him for who he is to some extent or he wouldn’t have gotten this far, which seems very plausible given how good he is at hiding his fear and anxiety during his confrontation with the other Not-Sans.

Anyways he’s a bastard and he’s great and I am unfortunately in love with him. He probably wouldn’t be down for it but I will still imagine holding his hand and then picking him up and slam dunking him into a trash can (lovingly).

[queenimmadolla]

CRUEL SUMMER - '85, PIII

summary: . . . the year Eddie Munson doesn’t give a fuck about not having graduated when he’s gotta save the girl so he can get the girl. (in which Eddie is in ST3 and reader is basically Heather Holloway) ┊ Eddie Munson x Flayed!Reader┊Main Masterlist - Series Masterlist - PI - PII

chapter summary . . . Eddie finally learns the circumstances surrounding your bizarre behavior and teams up with a ragtag group of kids to track you down and finally confront you. The only problem is you aren’t you because you’re suddenly committing grand theft auto and people around you are going missing.

chapter warnings: pining, billy hargrove (this fic is black reader friendly, I PROMISE), ‘unrequited’ love, angst, jealousy, mind control, nightmares, violence.

a/n: a very big thank you to my dear friend @kitmon for betaing this chapter! a literal angel ♡ and the detergent scene is inspired by this post, as I am a fan of LifeFire/Headdie/whatever the fuck eddie x heather's ship name would be and it was stupid fucking funny to imagine eddie seeing flayed heather do it. also didn't want to make Reader eat dirt.

word count: 8.4k

“No.” “What? What do you mean ‘no’?” Max demanded from her place in the passenger seat of Eddie’s van.

Eddie let out an incredulous, so-fucking-done-with-this laugh, void of any humor as he drove towards her home. They’d spent the entire car ride feeding him some utter bullshit story about weird paranormal shit going around Hawkins. Now, Eddie knew Hawkins was bizarre but he gave the credit for that to its rather conservative townsfolk. Not some preteen with mind powers and a gaggle of other kids trying to take on an alternate dimension and its monsters. He loved fantasy, so the moment they mentioned a Demogorgon, Eddie knew the whole thing was a lie. A Demogorgon was a monster that existed only within the confines of DND guidebooks and lore. Not in real life. “I mean whatever game of pretend you’re trying to play, I’m not playing.” He should have known better. Maybe they’d gotten mixed in all this when Billy had brought you over (thinking that alone caused his heart to ache) to his house and decided to have some fun with it.

“You don’t think it’s bizarre Chief Hopper suddenly has a new daughter after the death of his other one?”

“Sara.” El immediately leans forward from the back, frowning at Max’s lack of humanization for a sister she’d never get to know.

Max shot her an apologetic look before turning her attention back to Eddie who was sneering.

“You weren’t even around to see Hopper with his family, so no, I don’t think it’s bizarre! There’s a thing called adoption, you know. You adopted?” Eddie directed the question to El, glancing at her reflection in the rearview mirror.

She nodded.

“There you go!” Eddie sighed as he pulled up outside of the house they’d been directing him to, windshield wipers working aggressively to clear the constant stream of rainwater pelting down. “Look. I get it. It’s summer, you’re probably bored out of your fucking minds but what’s going on with Billy and—.”

God, he couldn’t even fucking say your name in the same sentence with him, it felt vile. Bad. What were you thinking? Why couldn’t he have just gotten to you sooner? He shouldn’t have canceled to make a few more bucks, if he hadn’t, you’d be with him. Not fucking Billy. Oh, god. No. He should have thought of another explicit word to use because his mind was racing with images that were making him sick to his stomach.

“It’s just adult stuff, okay?” He croaked out, throat thick with emotion. “It’s not whatever you think it is, you’ll understand when you get older.”

El opened her mouth to argue but Max hushed her, shaking her head as they once more exchanged a secretive look that Eddie could very much see since he had working eyeballs. 

“No,” El whispered in return as fragments of what she’d seen in her trances rushed to the forefront of her mind, the last being an image of you, soaked in an ice bath with red teary eyes as you begged her to help you. Then you’d been pulled away, dragged under by something wicked. That hadn’t been her imagination. Despite having seen you, seemingly fine in the flesh, something was amiss. Your eyes hadn’t looked the same as they did, had lacked life almost.

El directed her stare at Eddie with pleading eyes.

“You have to believe me, she needs help. She asked me herself.” 

Eddie frowned, exhausted with this whole back and forth. He’d been right freaking there and you’d asked her no such thing.

“When was this?”

“Last night. I can see things─”

Eddie groaned, yanking his door open. “Christ, I’ve had it. Out, everybody out.”

The girls scrambled out of the van and into the rain, staring up at Eddie while he pulled their bikes out from the back. “Enough! Enough with the magic powers, the lab, the visions and the monsters! This shit is not a game! If something wrong is going on with them, then I’ll find out on my own! I don’t have time for your little fables and I’m not a babysitter.”

Eddie was beyond frustrated. He’d wasted all this time with them when he could have been staking out your house to see what you were up to next. Instead, he’d foolishly trusted some 13 year olds and now he’d probably have to track you down.

He didn’t even know what the fuck he was going to do, obviously you weren’t going to talk to him now that you had your stupid ass ex-fling back and said ex-fling just wanted to rub it in his face that he’d gotten you because Eddie had been too little too fucking late, as per usual. Eddie just couldn’t let you settle for Hargrove, not after everything he’d put you through and how much you’d grown since Billy had discarded you. If you didn’t want Eddie, then that’d be fine. 

It really wouldn’t, because Eddie would be a total wreck and never forgive himself for missing out on you, let alone be able to get over you, but he’d rather experience that epic heartbreak over you choosing Patrick McKinney instead of Eddie. Or literally, anyone one other than Billy. 

Nevermind the strong sensation of danger that radiated out of the house while you’d been in it. Hell, Eddie had been reluctant to think it but the feeling also seemed to be coming from you as well as Billy. It was difficult for him to believe, he’d dubbed you Sunshine on impulse but it had immediately gained meaning as Eddie grew to know you. Regardless of how people tried to bring you down, tried to discourage you from what you wanted and where you wanted to be socially (he’d been one of those people at some point) you refused to settle, refused to give in and fall back into the crowd like your peers wanted you to. You were positive you’d shine one day. And one day, you did.  For Eddie, at least. He’d just been too stupid to see it—no. He’d seen it. He’d just always assumed you’d be there. Now, you weren’t. There had been no sort of sunshine present in your dining room. You hadn’t been you. 

“Just go home.” Eddie shooed them in the direction of the house, ready to go back to the trailer and collapse, though his brain was running a mile a minute to try and figure out what to do next.

As he’d been about to reach for his car door handle, it suddenly moved higher than his reach. And so did the door it was connected to. 

Because his fucking van was hovering a couple of feet in the fucking air.

Eddie’s mouth dropped open, eyes wide and the hairs on his body raising at the sight of the impossible.

His head whipped around to see El, hand out towards his van with blood dripping from one of her nostrils as a look of concentration morphed her docile features into something fierce.

He watched, stunned as she lowered his van, letting it go once it was just a couple of inches off the ground and it bounced on its tires. Eddie couldn’t even wince at the damage his rims were definitely feeling.

He was stupefied, gaze moving from the van to the young girls over and over again while his mouth opened and closed like a fish.

What. The. Fuck.

“Believe us, now?” Max asked, smug smirk on her face at Eddie’s astoundment. He could only nod stupidly, mouth on autopilot.

“Definitely fucked up my rims, so don’t do that again.” He whispered out, still mindfucked.

Eddie let himself fall against the side of his van, back pressed up against the wet metal as he ran a hand down his face and pushed the hair sticking there way, the rain wasn’t even a bother to him anymore.

His brain was spazzing out, sizzling like bacon as it tried to make sense of what he just witnessed. It just—It couldn’t! 

But it reminded him of the outlandish story they’d given him in the van. The government, the not so random deaths of Benny, Barb, the disappearance and reappearance of Will Byers and how Jonathan, Nancy and Steve’s weird little love triangle (used lightly, everyone could see Nancy and Jonathan would be ending up together) also was involved in the supernatural events. And The Monsters.

Eddie felt the blood drain from his face as he specifically recalled the one about Will Byers and how he’d been just about possessed by the Mindflayer, as the girls had dubbed it. A spy for its sinister intentions.

His stomach hurt.

“Okay, okay.” Eddie finally gave in, he still had no fucking clue what was going on and he really didn’t want to but there wasn’t anytime to waste trying to somehow argue his way into coming up with a reasonable explanation for all of this. It’s been obvious to him you weren’t in the most ideal of situations, despite giving him the cold shoulder, and he knew you were possibly in danger but know he knew El actually had real fucking powers and the stories they told him were true. You weren’t just in peril, you were in a life or death situation.

How he didn’t faint was unknown to him.

“What do we do?” The question escaped him in a rush as he started at Max and El, eyes wide with desperation. “We have to save her.” Max’s eyebrows furrowed as she stated the obvious and the desperation left Eddie just for a moment so he could glare at her. “I know that. How? Is it the Mindflayer?” “We didn’t kill it, just made sure it couldn’t come out,” El informed him, wiping the blood from her nose. “Look, I hate to put all of this on hold, but there’s not much we can do right now. We can recon tomorrow. Give me your phone number.” Eddie winced again, eyes darting around to make sure there was no one else around. God, why did this have to look so fucking bad? He yanked his car door open to dig around the floor of it for a piece of paper, shouting in victory when he’d found not only a receipt, but a really fucked up pen that still worked. He scribbled his phone number down and made sure to keep it snug in his palms to protect it from the rain as it was transferred to Max’s hold. “And don’t you dare think about leaving me out of any of your weird plans, I’ve seen those little looks you’ve been giving each other so I know you scheme. If it’s about her then I need to know. Deal?” “You’re not even offering us anything.” Max made a face as she shoved the receipt with his contact information into her pocket.

“Are most kids this annoying?” “Just go home and get some rest, Eddie. You look like hell,” she snorted out as she and El hurriedly guided the bikes up the driveway.  “I mean it! You better not leave me out of the loop!” He shouted after them before quickly jumping back into his van. “Go home and rest. Yeah, right.” He mumbled, fumbling momentarily with the keys before the van was sputtering to life. He yanked his seatbelt on and floored it, ring clad fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly as he made his way back to your house. No fucking way was he going home, now. Not when the love of his fucking life was possibly possessed by some cthulhu fucker. Eddie didn’t even bother turning to music for comfort, nothing but you could offer that to him and you were currently busy, apparently. When he was just a little ways down the street, he turned his headlights off and slowed his speed. He’d do a quick driveby and then circle back to park a little ways from your house, scope it out to make sure Billy wasn’t hurting you. That feeling of dread returned when he drove by and saw your home, every single light off and seemingly vacant of life. It was your wide open front door that really worried him, though. Fuck the discreet attempt. Eddie swerved into your empty driveway and jumped out of the van, slamming the door shut as he surveyed for the car he’d failed to notice the last time he was present but Billy’s Camaro was nowhere in sight.  “Sunshine?” He called out as he slowly crossed the threshold of your home, shutting the door behind him. The house didn’t seem all that scary anymore, he had a feeling neither Billy nor you were here.` When you didn’t answer him and Billy didn’t spring around the corner to attack him, he made a beeline for your room. Didn’t even bother knocking, just burst right in but like the rest of the house, your room was empty.  Eddie’s shoulders sagged as he sighed, a hand wiping down his tired face, back leaning up against your bedroom door to shut it. The day and his newfound knowledge were finally catching up to him. He was exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally. And the stupid fucking weight on his chest wasn’t helping, Eddie was not a fan of melancholy or heartbreak, dealing with both the idea of the girl he loved being with someone else and being in mortal danger were not the obstacles he thought he’d have to face when he planned to confess his feelings.  Selfishly, he hadn’t thought he’d face any obstacles. Definitely fucking karma. Eddie should just pull himself together to go home and wait for Max and Eleven’s (he still couldn’t believe they had nicknamed her after a fucking number, the whole time he thought it was one of those preteen phases as Eddie had once tried to make himself known as The Munster. Terrible, he’s aware) call, just like he shouldn’t deal drugs. But he does. And he wasn't going home. He’s had a feeling, now that you and Billy were aware of your parents’ plans, Billy had taken you out somewhere. It was killing him to not know if you were doing something along the lines of Max and El’s memories or if you were doing something else with Billy. Were you completely out of it? Or were you aware of what you were doing? Did you really have feelings for Billy or were you being forced to stick around him? He needed answers and having to wait ‘til morning made him want to scream. So, he did. He collapsed onto your bed, body cushioned by your soft blankets and screamed into one of your pillows. He didn’t stop until it physically hurt his lungs to continue and only then did he shift around, kicking off his sneakers as he stared up at your ceiling, another thought (one he feared to even be thinking) plaguing his conscience. Could he lose you? And he didn’t mean to Billy.

People had apparently lost their lives when this Upside Down place was involved. And now you were mixed into it, would that mean you’d lose your life, too? Eddie frantically shook his head, trying to kick the thought out of it.  No. No, you did not get to die. You deserved so much more than what the world had dealt you and Eddie would move heaven and hell to make sure you got it. Whatever the fuck had a hold on you, he’d fucking rid you of it. And he was gonna tell you he loved you, too. If you didn’t love him, well then. Then, well. Yeah, he had no idea what he’d do but you’d still be alive so he could live with it. And if you did love him, then he’d spend the rest of his fucking life–your lives making sure you knew how important and loved you were. How much he loved you and wanted to make you happy. He’d do it every day. Tell you every day, if he could somehow keep from professing it multiple times a day (which he didn’t plan to). Wouldn’t be able to stop kissing you, either. GOD, how he wanted to kiss you. He’d had the urge sporadically throughout your friendship but it intensified around Christmas time last year and by the end of the school year, Eddie’s self control was hanging by a thread. He hadn’t kissed you then because he was too stupid to even think about acknowledging his feelings as well as yours. Then summer had punched him in the fucking face because all he wanted to do was kiss you stupid, hold you and just smother himself with your existence.  

Only he couldn’t. You were possessed and maybe dating your ex-whatever he was, while under the influence of something non-human (his brain hurt to make sense of it). How the fuck was he supposed to un-posses you? The only scenario he could think of was that of The Exorcist and while you hadn’t seemed yourself, your neck hadn’t been moving in ways it shouldn’t so an exorcism was probably out of the question. Eddie sighed, head nestled into your pillow before he realized it was your pillow, then he was pressing his face into again, albeit much more gentle, as he inhaled your scent, the ache in his heart immediately comforted by it. On impulse, he nuzzled further into it and for a moment, he was able to pretend it was your hair and you were with him, safe and curled into his side. Where you always should have been. He cracked an eye open with a sniffle to see one of your stuffed animals staring back at him. It was the one you’d immediately dove for, to hide, when you’d first invited him over and forgot it was still displayed on your bed. He’d teased you about it for only a moment before he’d made amends by having a one sided conversation in which he befriended it.  It was quickly pulled into his arms and Eddie was further comforted just knowing he was holding something you held and cared for. He hoped–full offense to the stuffed animal–he’d be taking its place in the future.

It was all too much for him, the tears slipped out before he could stop them. Eddie found himself muffling his sobs into your pillow. It was so unfair. So, so fucking undeserved. All you wanted was to be accepted, how could that fucking warrant all this bullshit? If Eddie could, he’d swap places with you in an instant. He’d do anything.

He cried so hard and so long, he eventually ended up tiring himself out. Eddie wasn’t even aware that he’d been slipping further away from consciousness, thoughts only focused on you, so much he even dreamed of you.

“You’re really not helping me out here, Sunshine,” Eddie commented with a smirk and a dry tone as he watched you get comfortable on his bed, stomach down and feet up in the air.

“You met her at one of your shows, Eddie. She knows you’re metal so literally every single piece of clothing you own is not only appropriate for your date, it also means you can’t go wrong. ‘Sides, you look great in all your clothes,” you said, rolling onto your back to peer up at him upside down.

“Now, you’re just flattering me.” But it had been the right thing to say, Eddie had already changed twice—eager to please—and just needed reassurance. You always made him feel better about being himself.

You were also making it harder and harder for him to deny his feelings. 

Maybe he shouldn’t anymore.

“Sunshine,” Eddie started, voice serious to even his own ears as he closed the distance between the two of you, squatting by the edge of the bed directly in front of you. You flipped over and sat up on your knees, hands clasped together in your lap with a hopeful gleam in your eyes. “I wanted to tell you something.”

“Okay, you can tell me anything,” you quirked and Eddie felt his heart squeeze, affections for you growing as each moment passed. 

He knew he could, you were always so easy to talk to. Still, something in him was scared, he didn’t want this to be another Chrissy situation. He didn’t hold anything against her, knew hurting people wasn’t in her nature but she’d still chosen Jason over him. It had stung, but he’d had you as a salve for the pain when he was finally ready to stop running from their end and stop seeking her out.

Who would he have if you got tired of him? Something about the ache he got at the mere thought of losing you told him it would hurt way more than any of his previous heartbreaks and that wasn’t something he was keen on experiencing. So, he chickened out. 

“You’re my best friend, you know that?”

“Of course, I know that. You tell me all the time,” you reminded him and Eddie just leaned forward to ruffle your hair, chuckling when you fought his hand away. He stood back up and went to grab his jacket from where he’d thrown it over one of his amps. He pointedly pretended he hadn’t seen disappointment flash over your face.

He’d make it up to you later, take you to buy a new cassette or something. God, what was he thinking? He’d almost ruined it all.

“I better get going or I’ll be late,” Eddie shrugged his jacket on, watching from the corner of his eye as you quickly pulled yourself together, pushing yourself off the bed.

It was only a little awkward as you both made your way out of the trailer. You walked over to retrieve your bike from where you always left it when you came over, unchained. No one really took stuff that didn’t belong to them around here.

Except for Eddie. 

“Well, I hope you have fun, Eddie. Just don’t trash her music taste if it differs from yours in the slightest like you always do and you’ll definitely get a second date.”

“What about you? Doing anything fun?”

“Oh, yeah. Babysitting some of the neighborhood kids. I think you and Lucas would get along. He’s a huge nerd, too.” You shot him a smirk over your shoulder as you walked your bike away, always too embarrassed to hobble onto it in front of him.

Eddie stood by the door of the van, the handle loosely in his grasp as he watched your retreating figure and felt the familiar feeling of longing settle into his belly. 

Fuck this.

“HEY!” He called out to you, already jogging the distance as you stopped to look back, eyes wide as you noticed the sudden change in him.

“What?”

“The thing is,” Eddie started, lips pursed as he debated over what he was about to confess. It would change everything and Eddie didn’t take to change very well. It was precisely why he’d ignored your feelings and his, hoping they’d simply go away, vanish into thin air someday. 

He didn’t want them to go away anymore. He wasn’t afraid of change. Because the change that would come to your relationship was the good kind. The kind that would allow him to hold your hand, kiss you, be close to you without feeling like he was pushing a boundary. 

“Are you okay?”

Eddie snapped out of it, focusing on your expression again. You looked concerned, of course you were worried about him. You were one of the few people who cared for him. 

He reached out, gently taking your soft hand in his, thumb stroking over your knuckles.

“The thing is . . . I love you. I love you, so much and I’ve been too chicken shit to say anything because you’re also my best fucking friend, Sunshine. I didn’t want to lose that. But if I didn’t say anything, I’d be losing the chance for more. I want everything with you, I want to be your boyfriend,” he confessed, giving your hand a squeeze as he watched you with bated breath.

You stared down at your hands for a moment.

Then you laughed.

You laughed cold and cruel and hard, before yanking your hand out of his grasp. 

“You think I’d want you? After all this time?”

The pain in his chest was immediate, he could feel the blood drain from his face. Then Billy Hargrove walked around the corner of a neighboring trailer, hands in his pockets with the most smug of smirks on his stupid fucking face. The fuck was he doing here?

“Why the hell would she want you, Freakazoid? She’s my girl, always has been.” Eddie watched as he walked right up to you, slipping an arm around your shoulders as you leaned into his embrace like you were used to it, your own arms slipping around his waist. Eddie felt physically ill.

He could also feel his heart cracking, chipping and shattering into millions of pieces as he stared hopelessly at you and Billy. It got worse.

Billy leaned down, mouth devouring yours in a messy kiss that you returned with fervor and Eddie felt like he was dying, could feel the hot tears of anger, heartache, frustration and betrayal—he didn’t really have a right to feel—already running down his cheeks.

He wiped furiously at them but they just kept coming. When you and BIlly finally pulled away, it was only to laugh at him.

Then it wasn’t just you and Billy. Suddenly, he was in the cafeteria of the high school, and everyone was crowded around, laughing at him, having an absolute fit of a good time at his expense. 

Eddie couldn’t breathe, wet gaze and red eyes darting around to take in all the cruel faces around him before landing on yours again, begging with them. 

This time, there was no cruelty on your face. It was void of any emotion before you turned your back to him and made your way into the crowd solo, Billy was no longer present. 

Eddie made a desperate attempt to follow you, trying to force and bully his way through the crowd, watching the back of your head disappear into it as he screamed your name, begging you to come back to him as the crowd got louder and rowdier. You were gone. He was left alone.

Eddie’s eyes snapped open as he gasped for breaths and jolted up, chest heaving and filled with momentary panic before he realized he’d experienced a nightmare. Or something close to it.

It wasn’t real. Thank fucking hell.

The nightmare had started off as a memory. You had been at his trailer, hanging out with him before one of his dates but he hadn’t stopped you when you left on your bike. Eddie had only watched you. Then he got in his van and went to pick up the girl he had asked out. 

He fell back into soft pillows, relaxing for just a moment before he realized the pillows were too soft and fluffy to be his, as was the mattress under his body. A quick look around his surroundings reminded him he was in your bedroom. 

He was also reminded of the horrifying circumstances regarding why he was in your bedroom and you weren’t.

Shit.

Reluctantly, Eddie got out of your bed, quickly gathering his things. Max would probably call soon and he had to be at the trailer to answer. He practically ran down your stairs, stopped, ran back up them to snag the stuffed animal he’d cuddled the night before. He’d need a little bit of you to keep him sane.

As he locked and closed your front door behind him, he just so happened to glance at your next door neighbor’s house, head doing a double take when he noticed their front door was also open.

Eddie did a quick glance around before he made his way over to investigate, brows furrowing when he noticed the door jam was broken. 

“Hello?” He called out, pushing the door open further. The entrance was a wreck, a small table with flowers had been knocked over along with a coat rack, which had a large section of it broken off. The broken piece was only a little ways away. The home had obviously been broken into and some sort of struggle had taken place.

Eddie had a feeling both you and Billy had been involved. Just as he turned to leave, a picture had been knocked to the floor caught his eye.

Of fucking course your neighbor had to be the goddamn Mayor.

He ran back to his van in record time, quickly peeling out of the area as he weighed his options. He couldn’t call the cops, not only because he was probably still on their radar, there was no way they wouldn’t try to blame him for it. Then, he’d get locked up and saving you wouldn’t be impossible from behind bars.

Besides, they were pretty much useless. He’d have to tell Red and El.

Eddie made it into his trailer just in time to answer the phone before it could finish its first ring. He nearly broke his ankles flinging himself at it, wincing as his shoulder collided roughly with the wall.

“‘Lo?” He croaked out, mouthing ‘ow’ as he rubbed the sore spot.

“It’s me.”

Red—Max, whatever.

“What’s up?” He demanded, shoulder pain immediately forgotten.

“Your girlfriend, you know her schedule right?”

“She’s not my—yeah. Yeah, I know her schedule. Why?” It didn’t matter all that much to correct her, right?

“Does she work today?”

“No. WAIT. Yes, she’s covering for her co-worker Heather. I don’t know what shift, though,” If you bothered showing up this time, anyways. “Why?” 

“Meet us at the pool then.”

“WHY?” Eddie demanded again, wincing once more when he remembered Wayne should be asleep on his bed. A quick glance into the living room confirmed his old man was still asleep. Thank god that man could sleep through the apocalypse.

“Why?” Eddie muttered into the receiver, voice much lower this time.

“We’re gonna see if she’s a spy.” 

“Were you not in the same house as me, yesterday? I wouldn’t call that atmosphere pleasant.”

“I wouldn’t call any atmosphere Billy is in ‘pleasant’.”

“Alright, you got me there. But I went over again and—hello?” Eddie was met with the sound of the dial tone. He rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath as he placed the phone back on the receiver. Kids were such assholes.

He took a quick shower, probably less than five minutes, and freshened up just so he wouldn’t smell in case he ended up in close quarters with you.

When he got to the pool, he was momentarily concerned he wouldn’t be able to find them. Then he caught sight of Red and El, crouched in the parking lot in front of a nearby car. They weren’t alone.

“Oh great, you brought the rest of the little rascals,” Eddie sighed as he walked over.

“Shut up.”

“I’m Lucas.”

“Will.” Eddie had seen him on a couple of ‘Missing’ flyers, had been handed one when Jonathan was passing them around during all of his breaks and lunch.

“Mike.” He was prompted when El shoved her elbow into his rib.

“Eddie,” He introduced himself, giving them all a nod before his attention was on Red. “What are we doing here?”

“I already told you,” Max sighed, ready to elaborate once more.

“Yes, I know that. I mean why are we hiding in the parking lot?”

“Plotting,” Max stated, glancing back at where Billy lounged on the lifeguard tower. Eddie followed her stare and frowned. If Billy was on duty, then they’d most likely missed you.

You appeared on the other side of Billy, still clad in your swimsuit with a towel over your arm as you conversed.

Eddie perked up immediately and so did the sense of longing in his belly. 

“What were you saying?” Lucas asked Will, referring to whatever it was they were talking about before Eddie interrupted with his arrival. 

Eddie didn’t take his eyes off you, too afraid you’d disappear like you did in his dream but he was listening intently to the conversation.

“The Mind Flayer liked to hide. He only used me when he needed me.” There was that unsettling feeling again. Eddie did not like that, not one bit. “It’s like you’re a doormat. And then, when he needs you, you’re activated.”

You didn’t look like you could harm a fly, sunglasses over your face as you appeared to argue with Billy, who didn’t so much as look down at you, gesturing to a kid in the water he’d most likely called a name.

You told him Billy did that a lot and it bothered you significantly.

“Okay, so we just wait until they get activated,” Max decided.

“No,” Mike shook his head, “What if they hurt someone?”

“Or kill someone.” Lucas added.

“They already broke into the Mayor’s house,” Eddie informed them, grimly. He was trying to wrap his head around the idea of the cute lifeguard, who held his heart in the soft palms of her hands, breaking into a home and abducting someone.

“What?!”

“I went by again yesterday.” Eddie threw Max a glare as he recalled what he had attempted to tell her over the phone before she hung up on him. “And when I left this morning—don’t ask—I noticed her neighbor’s door looked kicked in. The inside was wrecked and a lovely little photo of that asshole and his wife was on the ground.”

“That’s not the Mayor’s house,” Lucas corrected him, “It’s his mistress’ house. The Mayor lives in some fancy schmancy part of town with his wife but he’s been seeing my mom’s hair stylist and that’s where she lives. I hear my mom talking about it to her friends all the time.”

“Then they got a rude interruption last night.”

“We’re not taking any more chances,” Mike declared. “We need to find out if they’re hosts to it.”

Mike, Lucas and Will ran to the boys locker rooms to check something but Eddie couldn’t be bothered to go with them, choosing to wait with Max and El so he could keep an eye on you. The boys came back within minutes and had developed a plan to capture Billy. Which just left you.

Mike had come up with the idea to lock you in the sauna with Billy but Eddie vehemently rejected the idea. He was not about to lock you anywhere with Billy, especially since he was a little more reassured of your dislike of him. While you two had been playing house the evening before, it looked like you were back to being annoyed with him today. What the hell was up with that?

Eddie noticed you walking away and stiffend. Was The Mindflayer calling you away?

“She’s leaving,” he pointed out, a desperate edge to his voice.

“Oh, shit. We can’t let her out of our sight!” 

“I won’t,” Eddie stated as they crouched low to hide behind the car when you came out. He’d been expecting you to walk over to the bike racks but you made your way to the parking lot instead, hopping into the first car you saw. You dipped a little below the steering wheel before the car came to life and you drove out of the parking lot.

“Should we follow her car?”

“She doesn’t have a car,” was all Eddie stated before he bolted over to the van. Before he could peel out after you, Lucas’s face popped into view of the window and Eddie hastily lowered it in time for the preteen to shove a giant fucking walkie talkie through it. 

“Use this to keep in contact and be careful!”

“Thanks, kid.”

Eddie didn’t wait any longer, speeding out of the parking lot to make sure he didn’t lose you. 

His heart was racing, palms sweaty and gripping the steering wheel as he followed the car you stole. When you pulled into the grocery store, he parked further from you, just to make sure you weren’t on to him.

You got out of the car and Eddie realized you were still in your red swimsuit and white sneakers, with no bag or car keys. You glanced around you and Eddie quickly ducked down into the seat cursing as he waited a few moments before peaking over at your retreating figure. There was no telling whether you saw him or not, you were still wearing your sunglasses but if you had seen him, his presence didn’t bother you enough to stop you.

Eddie pulled out the TRC, fumbling with it until he managed to get it operating, “Eddie to Little Rascals. Come in, Little Rascals.”

There was nothing for a few moments, then static.

“Eddie?” It was Lucas.

“Yeah, it’s me. I followed her to Bradley’s Big Buy.”

“What’s she doing there?”

“Buying groceries? I don’t know! But I’m gonna find out. I’ll check in soon.” Eddie didn’t bother asking how their plan with Billy was going, they couldn’t exactly trap him in broad daylight with witnesses, nor did he even care about what happened to the mondo-douche. Not after he got you involved in this fucked up mess.

He did his best to maintain a sense of casualty when he got into the store, giving a forced smile to some lady who was staring at him for obvious reasons: his attire and general appearance. “Hey, how you doin’?”

Eddie speedwalked, checking each aisle for you. He almost feared he’d lost you, maybe you’d already left the store, until he reached the laundry detergent aisle.

There you were and for a moment, he forgot about the current situation, eyes raking over your figure with deep appreciation. Wow. Just—wow.

Then you grabbed a detergent off the shelf, uncapped it and began chugging the liquid down, effectively snapping him out of his horny thoughts.

Eddie could only stare, eyes wide and mouth open, dumbfounded. 

You lowered the nearly empty jug, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand before you noticed his presence, turning your head to him.

“Hi, Eddie.” You greeted him as though nothing was wrong, like you didn’t just down an entire jug of chemicals.

“Uh, hey, Sunshine.” Was all he could force out because he didn’t know if he was interacting with you or The Mindflayer. Did it even allow you to be you? Fuck, it was confusing. Did he mention how fucked up this whole thing was?

“I’d go with the lemon scented, lavender’s pretty shit.” Then you capped the jug and put it back on the shelf before walking off. Eddie took a few moments to regain his composure, trying not to have a panic attack about what drinking that shit could do to you before he was stumbling after you but he was too late.

You weren’t in the store anymore and Eddie cursed as he made a break for the front doors, running out of them just as the car you were in—an entirely new one from the one you stole at the pool—screeched by.

FUCK.

“FUCK!” Eddie gripped the roots of his hair in frustration, paying no mind to the weird looks he was getting.

You’d gotten out of there fast, there was no way you weren’t on to him following you around now. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

He ran back to the van, yanking the door open and rooting around until he pulled up the walkie talkie.

“Preteens, we have a problem. I repeat, we have a colossal problem.”

This time it was Max who responded, “What is it, Eddie?”

“She knows.”

Eddie heard a bunch of them trying to talk as Max held down the button before she told them to be quiet, “What does she know? What happened?”

“I was following her inside and I caught—well, I mean it was out in the open but not a whole lot of people were around—anyways, I caught her drinking laundry detergent and I was so damn shocked, she had time to make it out. She must have been bolting in the parking lot because by the time I made it out behind her, she was already driving off!” Eddie rambled, still shook up by the whole ordeal.

“She was drinking detergent?”

“Messed up, right? She took off in a different car this time and I don’t know how she’s doing it unless The Mindflayer gives his little puppets a crash course on hotwiring.” But even that took a few moments, you’d gotten out of there way too quick if that was the case.

“You have to find her, Eddie!”

“I know, I know. I’m gonna search around town. Be careful on your end.” The TRC was tossed onto the passenger seat as Eddie started up the van. 

He drove through the streets of Hawkins looking for any sign of you and while he didn’t find you, he found elements of your presence in the form of a few homes which looked broken into. He wasn’t entirely sure if you’d done it since Bradley’s or if they had been homes you and Billy had hit the night prior.

You made your way through the crowded mall, easily weaving between bodies as you approached the girls hanging out by the fountain. You’d since changed your lifeguard attire, He needed you to blend in for the next part of his plan.

“Well, well. Look who’s out of the house,” Beverly commented, hot pink lips pursed into an ignorant smirk. The rest of her lackeys giggled as if she said something remotely insulting.

“Thank you for stating the obvious, Beverly. I am—indeed—at the fucking mall and not my house,” you stated, face void of any amusement. Fix it, He commanded and your face broke out into a smile just as Beverley’s contorted in shock at your brazen reply.

“Anywho, girls, Billy sent me.” You waited for them to show signs of interest, He was pleased when they did; sitting up straighter, leaning forward to hear what you had to say. “He’s throwing a warehouse party tonight. Interested?”

Eddie was camped out in front of your house, sunk just low enough in the seat to see over the edge of the dashboard as he waited for you to come home. He had no luck perusing the town, so his best bet was to wait for you to come to him.

The stuffed animal was clutched to his chest again, mind entirely filled with nothing but thoughts and concern about you when you finally pulled up to your home in another car, having ditched the other.

He knew it probably wasn’t wise, but he needed to confront you, he had to find out what was going on with you.

The moment you were out of your car, Eddie was out of the van and calling out to you.

You stopped in your tracks, staring at him with a bleak expression, “Yes?”

He had no idea what to fucking say, so he went with, “Where have you been?”

“Around.”

His eyes squeezed shut for a moment, ache in his chest only growing, “Sweetheart, please. Please talk to me. What’s going on? You’re avoiding me, hanging around Billy again and not acting like yourself. Did I do something? If I did, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Eddie saw you fidget, brows furrowing as something akin to sadness appeared to pass over you.

“You didn’t do anything, Eddie,” He let you tell him. “Go away.”

You turned to walk up your driveway but Eddie was desperate, he reached forward to grasp your wrist and you whirled around, expression dark as your body tensed.

“I said. . . Go. Away.” It was hissed out between your clenched teeth with so much venom, Eddie almost backed down. Almost. The impending doom feeling returned, filling the warm night air with dread.

He clenched his jaw, preparing for you to attack him at that point but he’d take whatever you gave him. He could handle it, even if he had to wrestle you into submission. 

“No.”

Just as it looked like you were about to make a move, something odd happened.

You froze, eyes looking both at him and beyond him. The skin of your wrist under Eddie’s palm began to move in a way that was not at all normal or even remotely human. He stared in horror as your veins appeared to bulge and crawl up your arm, following them up to your face where the veins around your eye sockets—not normally seen to the human eye—were very apparent, bulging and dark. 

Your eyes were nearly pitch black.

With ease, you flung the arm Eddie had a hold of, sending him flying in the air before crashing onto the lawn on the other side of the street. 

He gasped, trying to get the air that had escaped his lungs on impact to return to him and was still gasping when he managed to roll onto his side, eyes darting around until they caught sight of you running towards a telephone poll with an electricity distribution box on it.  

Eddie watched, chest heaving as you tore the cover off, before flinging it at an alarming speed towards the telephone wires, one of the jagged ends catching along and snapping a wire from its place as its sparks rained down around you.

It was only then Eddie noticed the puddle of water, left over from last night’s storm, you stood in.

“NO!” He managed to yell, voice hoarse as he tried to warn you, gritting his teeth while he pushed his sore body up from the ground. He watched the wire dance around the street, sparks flying from the end. 

He’d just managed to get to his feet, ignoring the pain in his sides as he ran towards you.

Before Eddie could reach you, the wire end dipped into the puddle and he was sure his heart stopped.

Only, you weren’t electrocuted as you should have been. You weren’t affected at all.

Eddie’s running slowed to a stop as you reached down, grabbed the thick wire and raised it to your mouth.

“No fucking way.” He whispered into the air, mouth dry.

You bit into it and Eddie swore he saw your body illuminate, literally glow from within like a finger would if held against the lens of a flashlight, before the lights of the homes around him flickered, as did the street lights. Suddenly, telephone pole glass insulators burst on every pole as far as his eyes could see and the bulbs of every street light shattered. The homes went black, leaving your street and probably the next couple of blocks swallowed in darkness. 

Eddie could barely make out your figure fleeing under the cover of a total blackout, sprinting further and further away until he could no longer see you at all.

He stood in the middle of the street for quite some time before he painstakingly made his way back to the van.

The drive back to the community pool was filled with silence, his headlights the only source of light.

When Eddie pulled up to the pool it was obvious the area had been affected by the power outage but not too bad, a couple of lights flickering and the ones that weren’t were dim. The kids were all seated on the sidewalk, looking as defeated as he felt.

“We lost Billy. He’s flayed,” Max stated, sounding disheartened as Eddie sat next to her, grimacing at the shock of pain flaring through his side.

“So is she.” Saying it out loud made his eyes burn with the sting of tears, fists clenched as they rested over his knees. It was one thing to fear you were possibly under the control of that thing, he felt a whole new sense of terror knowing, without a doubt, you were. 

He explained what had happened on his end, how you possessed almost superhuman strength and managed to drain a large region of the town of its electricity, which also explained how you were easily able to start all those cars you’d stolen. The kids deflated further as they realized exactly what they were up against this time around. 

“What are you going to do, now?” Max asked quietly, fully expecting him to run for the hills. It’s what any sane person would do. 

Max didn’t know Eddie wasn’t sane. And if it hadn’t been you in this situation, he would have run, wouldn’t have even been mixed into this whack ass situation.

But it was you and Eddie was done running from you. It was high time he ran towards you.

“I’m gonna save her. Or—y’know, die trying, I guess.”

“The girl,” you asked, grabbing the rag at your side. “Was it her?”

“Yeah. It was her. She knows now. She knows about me.” Before you could press it to the cut actively bleeding on Billy’s forehead, his hand darted out to grip your arm. “Will Munson be a problem?”

“No,” Brief flashes of warm, pretty brown kind eyes, a smirk, a wide grin, and brown curls managed to slip past His control before they were snuffed out, the ashes left to sink into the the grips of the Upside Down, along with your freewill.

Billy’s grip on your arm loosened and despite his bruising hold, there were no marks left behind on your skin. You were one in the same.

“She could have killed me,” he continued, and you felt what he feared. The failure of your plan. Of His plan.

“Yes.” Billy would be no match for the girl with superhuman abilities. Even with the gift He bestowed you, you may be no match for her. “But not us.”

You turned your head, both you and Billy taking in the sight of your growing numbers, various members of the community now a part of your legion, a part of Him. Soon, you would all join Him as one.

“Not us.”

And He watched you, from the eyes of the creature left behind in the world he’d been cast out of. 

In his domain, the realm of the Upside Down, the being, the nightmare who would soon be known began his preparations.

[ilovechuuyakjk]

SPOILERS FROM THE FUTURE ‼️‼️

this will take place in ep from the future and will be a Willow x reader x hunter

Your personality will be based on ranpo from bsd

Why?

Because he is a genius and perfect

About the resquests I will do after this is posted

The lines won't be 100% ok probably because I got this from yt

Luz was at the portal, she watched a yellow creature with wings saying something but she couldn't understand anything, when she realized she was being pulled by her girlfriend, amity

"Luz! You were there for so long, we thought you got stuck behind! Are you hurt anywhere?

"I'm I'm fine, i saw something or someone but it was probably just in my head, any sign of...him?"

" oh come on it's not like a sore of ghosts will inexplicably appear if you say his name... I think anyway, if belos was here he's long gone now "

" Not very far after all it was only a few minutes that he had to advance " You said with your palisman over your head, they were sleeping, you were next to Willow, willow had her hand on top of your shoulder comfortably

" he better stay out of our way, this mama's hungry for vengeance! "

" now that is a fight I'd watch "

" I love powerful mothers" You said, Willow had a mini laugh at your comment

You started walking, hunter was nervous and went ahead, amity and Luz were next to each other, Willow and gus were next to you,

" okay everyone coast is clear huh "

Willow watched a red grass

" oh hello red grass I miss you! I can't talk for long we're on a mission to save the boiling aisles"(100% which is probably not how it is written, but it is what is written there)

Gus created some illusions to make Willow happier

" willow is back horay! (I don't know how to write it, it wasn't written there how to write it)

You looked at Willow so adorable that scene was, hunter was too, he heard the bird and looked in the direction to see if it was Flapjack but found with disappointment because it was just a red bird

" we don't have time to red grass or illusions! Belos had a head start so we should keep moving until we find him! " Hunter said with anger in his voice not for his friends but more for himself.

Gus and willow got sad faces and gus shattered the illusion

" yea we should leave him alone, it's been less than an hour since he's been possessed by Belos and he's probably still processing all this" You said, your palisman had already woken up so they was now by your side

Willow was trying to comfort gus which resulted, Titan you love her so much, she's so nice and pretty and super powerful, too bad you knew she wasn't doing well which worries you a lot but you're not one of the best people to comfort others, this has always been a problem for you

Willow made blueprints and started driving on them

" oh wow! You kids were really holding back in the human realm huh " Camila said with enthusiasm in her voice impressed by what Willow did

" maybe a little " amity said catching the slime by moving it in the air

" hello gorgeous slime " amity said while Luz was looking passionately at her, turning red but then she shook her head to let go of the feeling

" y/n Also has powers or is equal to hunter? " Camila asked Luz quietly so you wouldn't hear but before Luz could answer you answered

" Of course I have powers! Only I haven't shown them yet because you guys would be so impressed by them. " You said it boldly and in a strong voice

' One of the worst lies you've ever told ' Your pasliman says, you just ignored them

Camila just stood there awkwardly smiling but realized the unhappiness of her hija

" Mija you never told me how pretty this place was, the trees, the sky, give it aAAAAAAAAA "

Camila stands right in front of the children protecting them

" kids stand back who knows if that monster is alive or not " Camila looks at it strangely

" actually the titan skull is normal everything else is... wrong "

you guys watched it all strangely, it wasn't right at all

" guys what's on top of the skull " willow said you turned to see what was up there

" It looks like collector magic and the castle must be where he lives, to get rid of this strangeness we have to go there " you said making everyone turn to you

" Smart as ever y/n" gus said putting a hand on your shoulder

" we may have more answers at bonesborough " Luz said causing everyone to start walking, amity looked a bit worried but still went, You couldn't hear the conversation very well, only what Luz said at the end you could hear

" but I haven't changed my mind, after we rescue eda and king I'm staying in the human rea,l permanently, it's for the best..."

" wait let's talk first-"

Camila tried to convince but she couldn't this time

You already knew part of this story but didn't know it was forever, you have to try to convince her

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

(I'm not going to write the Belos part so I just cut this part from here.)

you arrived at the owl's house, it was covered in paint with words of hate written there

" what is this place " Camila asked looking at the house

Luz went to the door, putting her hand on the doorknob with her head down, then looking up and saying

" welcome. To the owl house " Opening the door, seeing that there was practically nothing inside

you went upstairs to talk to your pasliman

" So let's proceed with everything we heard, everyone disappeared, the collector turned this all into a dream, Luz is thinking of staying In the human real forever, hunter was possessed, Willow is on the verge of a breakdown, amity is trying to help Luz but Luz is just pulling her out, gus blames himself for all this because he was afraid to tell everyone hunter was a grimwalker from the beginning and WE can't say many things because I don't know what is really happening, why all this was provoked, maybe in that castle there is something that can say more about the collecter, And I don't know how to comfort others, gosh I needed him to be here maybe he had an answer, he always had an answer... " You said sitting on the floor looking for a photo in your bag (yes you have a bag)

Your pasliman started going into the bag " what are you trying to do" you asked them but they didn't answer instead he took out the other pasliman that was inside making the pasliman wake up

" What are you doing, that pasliman was his and we agreed not to touch it " You said with a bit of anger in your eyes

' I know but hunter now doesn't have a pasliman so we can give him this, it would be a victory for both, hunter would have a new pasliman and the pasliman would have a new owner ' Your pasliman said turning around the other one who looked a bit confused

" You forgot the detail that they both have to accept each other and now hunter would rather throw him into the sea than welcome the pasliman not to mention pasliman is still saddened by his death and probably wouldn't accept another owner now "

You said that putting the pasliman back in the bag

' Try talking to hunter first before saying that please ' They said you said maybe and your pasliman came back to put themself in your hair again

" IT'S EDA AND KING" you heard hunter scream going down there fast

" they were on that shooting star! " hunter shouted pointing to the blue star

" how are we supposed to follow them?! " Camila asked in a worried voice.

" don't worry " amity says making pasliman transform " I'm a safe flyer "

" flyer?! "

Camila went to amity, Luz went to Gus and hunter went to mine, we follow the blue star as far as we can

' Tell now this could be the time ' they said in code

" Now that we're flying? I'll ask him later " " Ask what later? " He asked listening to your conversation " Is it something serious? " He asked you continue to fly and you answered

" It's nothing that serious but this isn't the best time to ask " You replied, he nodded, and you continued in silence until you arrived.

" those thing meed symbolts " Camila said relaxed that she is finally on earth " oh hello sweet earth " Camila was about to sit down when she saw a mixture of goo and meat and she pulled her staff and screamed " AAAAAAAAAA I I mean hello good sir " She said bowing to the monster, he was happy

You guys started walking around seeing everything broken or full of stars

" where eda and king? "

" where is anyone..? "

You continued walking, arriving at a place where hunter went to look

" something's coming! "

" Witches? "

" demons? "

" no it's...sparkles? "

hunter saw the blue sparkles and pulled you like Luz pulled amity, hiding your head in his arms

When you saw there were a lot of people there but they were transformed into... Dolls?

Willow recognized one of them, it was her father.

" dad?! " Willow said this looking worriedly at her dad

The dolls started to move, Willow went after her father while you and the hunter went after her to pull her to safety

" stop it's me! Have you seen papa?? Wait! "

You and the hunter pulled Willow into an alley behind you there was an explosion and you three ran fast

When you saw it, it was the owl lady

" eda? " Luz said looking at Eda destroying everything

" That doesn't look like the owl lady " You said, hunter and Willow agreed

Willow saw Eda going to hurt her dad and immediately reached for her staff but stopped when she heard a familiar voice

" stop right there beast ! "

You all started looking at the collector admired not in a good way

" fear not citizens bonesborough I'm here to stop this beast roughage! "

" I believe in you collector! " king said pointing thumbs up

" thanks best friend! " Collector said doing the same

" what the- " You said with open eyes

" Wyclef! " (he probably didn't say that but that's the only thing the subtitles are saying)

Saying that, there started to be blue lights and the "beast" was defeated making people applaud.

" yeah oh hooray I'm back to normal "

" what " Luz said looking creepy at Terra

" yeah who's got a pint of apple blood hoot hoot "

" ah timeout everyone timeout, Terra for the last time eda doesn't sound like that! She's got more a like a a cool ant vibe who pretends to be like a cold-hearted but actually cares alot "

" yeah you're real son in my side you know that, I've had it whit you and your stupid little dog " Collector looked at her with eyes filled with anger at what she said

" uh whatever all I have to do is play eda the owl lady and I don't get turned into any of those things right? Then let's just continue " oh I like musicians! ""

" your not being very nice right now " Collector said making a mini moon and pointing to Terra

" wait!! " Terra said but it was too late she was a doll now

We were left looking at it traumatized

Collector went to sit on the star with a sad look

" collector, buddy you gotta stop doing that think about what you're doing to these people! " king said trying to call the collector for the right option

" you are so boring! I'm just playing pretend " collector said looking like a child ( he is a child )

" even playing pretend has consequences... A cranky old witch thaught me that... " King said referring to eda

" you mean eda right? That's what we need! The real thing! A cranky know-it-all mentor figure no substitutes allowed! Maybe if I ask real nice I won't turn her into a puppet "

" NO! Her curse is still um.. in effect but I can check if she's feeling better "

" you promise?? " collector said making a sly smile

" you can trust me collector " King said putting his hand on his chest

" is that the little king guy you were tell me about? " Camila asked making Luz smile and nodding

" aww que lindo " Camila said looking at King with adorable eyes

" c'mon king! Let's go back to the archive house " collector said making the star fly and things start to disappear

Luz ran to try to catch the star " no! Not yet! "

" king...! " Luz stared at the sky with disappointed eyes.

" oh okay okay the eyeballs on the ground are normal but the little space cherub is the danger? "

" we should follow them! Belos is probably trying get back to the collector " Hunter said ignoring Camila

" it looked like they were playing a game "

" yeah whit some king of messed up version of my life! King must have told him about our adventures "

" do you think everyone who was turned into a puppet gets into archives? "

" probably, there are no more places for him to put the puppets " You said looking up at the sky

" Y/n is probably right, we have to up there then "

" you'll never make it " A familiar voice said

" Hmm "

" cause you guys are losers " The guy said making an L and putting his hand on his forehead, Two more people were behind him.

We started walking and they started telling the whole story since the draining spell I didn't listen half because it was boring I just went back when he said the end

" ... We've been hiding here ever since and somewhere along the way I went from being mett tholomule to man tholomule " he said making a face, we cringe and Camila laughed

" shiuu " She said making us all stop

We had to hide from the blue star and the guy signaled when we could move forward

We went to the door and she said

" we redecorating these past few months! So let me welcome you to " She stopped talking and opened the door " new hexside! " they gasped, You've never been to hexside so you just watched seeing children free but not free at the same time

" this does not smell great " a guy said

" real " you said

" heads up " A child said shooting a ball of fire making us go down

We went to the cafeteria where people were advertising their products and a nursery where the kids were trying to hint to others how to destroy the blue stars, We stopped at the principal statue

" this is a statue of principal bump who risked his life four ours " he said in an emotional voice but the statue wasn't very emotional

" it's so nice to see teachers getting the respect they deserve, I think "

" You guys really liked your director huh " You said looking at the statue

" He was very precious to us " one of them said

They started whispering about us and started talking to gus and Willow, amity went to her siblings

You and hunter stood there just watching, He took advantage of it and said " So what was it you wanted to ask? " He said looking at you

" It's not the right place yet, but I'll tell you later today " You said and grabbed more your bag, he looked weird at you but just nodded

you went next to willow

" no offense but this seems a bit.." willow didn't finish but Camila continued

" disgusting... "She said looking at it with disgusted eyes

" yeah but we're just following orders.." she said

" from who? " Luz asked

At that very moment the cluns start talking

(now it will probably be right because i had the brilliant idea to finally go to the computer and to the owl house club and see the subtitles from there and not from yt)

" attention can captain Tholomule escort our guests to the council chamber? And do it now! "

" captain who? " willow said

" wait. Was tholomule your last name all the time? " Gus asked turning his head slowly, the guy just shook his head

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

We started walking towards the gym seeing a tall guy talking to the girl with pink hair, on the side was a Lady with white hair and red skin and on the other was a tall and strong person, seemed to remember a person

" oh well, if we had a group to organize the flyers can keep track of perishables and that way we won't have to fight over food anymore " he said awkwardly

" hmm... " She was thinking when the red ball went to talk to her

" president if I can comment..- "

" president?! " Luz said interrupting the red ball

" this would take valuable resources away from your guard if you don't want to be collected like the other do you? "

" good point mike, next! " The girl in pink said making the guy leave with a disappointed face and sigh

" oh my gosh, it's you guys! "

" did she consider any of our ideas? "

" no uh... Sorry I gota make sure the kindergartens aren't hunting down lockers again, it was a bloodbath last time, so glad you're alive hehe " He said leaving awkwardly

" bocha, we found...- " He was stopped by the red ball

" allow me to introduce student body president, bocha and her trusted guards Miki and rouka " He said irritated

" It seems to be just one person " You whispered to Hunter, he didn't know what to say so he just looked at you and then looked straight ahead

" welcome to new hexside " bocha said with pride " home of the future of the islands and stuff

" what the heck is going on here "

" yeah. Hexside doesn't even have a student council, I would know it, I tried to organize one but bump seis I was to obsessed and-" Willow cut amity

" alright girl, take a breath "

Amity took a breath and got a pissed off face.

" and who are you two? " Gus asked

" my little sister and I traveled for the day of unity but found ourselfes hiding since after the incident. Bocha welcomed us, se we helped her established order over hexside "

" and now we are incredibly " She said, behind us there were people running around because of children

" well, first of all... I would like to introduce my mama, Camila "

" and our smart brillant y/n! And our fellow star, hunter! " Gus said making hunter blush all over his face

" in short: we are here to help, we'll rescue everyone from the archives and save the boiling isles! " People just stared

" not the reaction I was expecting... "

" As the leader the safety of bocha's subjects is paramount and this is a suicide mission after the horrors her brudgby team faced! "

" I don't need to hear it again! But Mike is right, we stay here!

" but- "

" and that's is! "

" So you're going to listen to a person who doesn't have a plan and is only harming your subjects than a person who has a plan to save this all? Stupid " You said making bocha and the red ball look at you angrily

" Get them out of here! Especially the one over there! " She said pointing at you

When they realized we were already out of the gym

" what just happened?! " Luz asked confused about what just happened

" it's been like this ever since Miki and rouka appeared we wanted to fix things here but every time we suggest something, Miki threatens to trow people to the detention pit"

" The what?! "

" 100% Miki is using bocha for her personal desires, This is very noticeable but she still doesn't understand it I don't know how " You said Willow walked over to you and put her hand on your shoulder

" what are we going to do to get to the archives? " willow asked

" I don't know how to get to the archives, but... We maybe can get closer "

" like the titan head, That would be a smart plan yeah " You said putting your hand on your chin

" Exactly! We just need the spell! " Luz said taking your hand

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

Gus watched to see if the hall was clear of people and was free to open the door with magic.

" very good,there are no moors on the coast! " Gus said making the guy open open the walls to the door

" this is where me and Jerboa have been trying to make plans to make hexside more livable "

Willow went to look through the photos when she found pictures of her and her dads when she was little, She was going to let out a few tears but stopped herself from doing so " keep it in, keep it in- ow! " she found a picture of hunter when he had Flapjack, he was smiling holding Flapjack, She looked at Hunter who was sighing his hair with an upset face

She also found a picture of you and your friend when you two were younger " aww " She said seeing you happy " They must miss him a lot... " She said looking at you seing that you were looking at what Luz was doing, she took these two photos and kept them

" plans to turn the gym into a common room? Hours for rotating on-call shifts? Is that a menu using vegetables from the plant room?! Matt thonomule, you really are a decent leader!" Gus said amazed

" have you had any doubts? " Matt said with cocky charm

" yes. Many many doubts "

" all right, time to go back on a walk down memory lane. I saw Phillip once, I mean, belos, using a glyph to transport himself to the skull but, it could take time to find out "

" remember Luz, no tricks, no ideas, no plans and-

Definitely no gimmicks " willow and Luz said at the same time

" I'll assume those are clean " Camila said

" It's better to assume yea " You said agreeing with camila

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

You've seen the memories of the Luz and nearly half of it is sad

" Damn you have many sad memories huh "

" yea " luz spoke, barely able to hear herself

" I think we found it! " Willow said taking the memory picture of Luz head

" it's so clear! We can use this to climb up to the skull " luz said excitement in her voice

" finally. Let's move again " Hunter said walking forward stopping when he heard willow's voice

" before we go, look what I found " Willow said giving the photo to hunter

Hunter saw the picture and his eyes got softe

" we will all miss Flapjack, but we know that he loved you the most "

Just so you know, we don't care who you're supposed to be because you are one of us now. Never forget that " Willow said trying to make hunter smile but only saw almost tears in his eyes

" hunter, are you okay? " Light asked worried

" I... Don know..." Hunter said making Willow feel guilty

" oh um... I'm.... I'm sorry. I didn't want to make things worse " She said this without realizing it making herbs cling to her boots but quickly undoing it as she started to walk

" I... I'll be right back " Willow said leaving the room

" I guess this is my fault too " Gus said looking away to not look into hunter's eyes

" what? How? " hunter asked confused

" I knew you were a grimwalker since the day of unit. I was waiting for you to bring up yourself but... I... I don't know, maybe if I wasn't so afraid none of us would be right here

" Gus I - " Hunter said being cut by gus

" it's okay, you stay here, I'll find willow" Gus said leaving the room

" wait, Gus! Willow, Gus , please hold on! " Hunter said leaving the room too

You stared, not knowing what to do, until Luz asked you a question.

" Did you know that Gus knew hunter was a grimwalker the whole time? " She asked not in an upset tone more in a tone of why didn't you tell her

" Yes, it was quite obvious, he saw Belos' memories so he probably saw those too, I went to talk to him on the second day in the human world he said not to tell anyone, I asked him if he wanted to vent what he wanted but he said it wasn't necessary and that he can keep it all, I didn't know what to say so I just said ok " You said a bit clumsy and guilty

" It wasn't your fault you just did what you thought was right hijo" Camila said giving you a hug, you didn't know what to do so you just stood there

" So you know all Belos' memories? " Luz asked

" No, not yet, only Gus knows now, but I'll find out after all I'm a good detective " You said making luz give a mini laugh, your pasliman was on your shoulder just watching everything

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

" uff... they are not coming back are they? " matt asked

" you kids have through too much. Even when rescuing your families there is still much to fix" Camila said very sad

" at least we will all be together to solve it, right Luz? "

Luz looked at her with guilty eyes

" amity... I'd should tell you something " Even at that moment the wall exploded

" Why is this always happening?! " You asked making your palisman agree

The red ball and her suit appeared

" ha, do the rumors were true. They were planning a riot, little Matt tholomule

" yea, we were because you guys are the worst " He said quite irritated now

The red ball just laughed

" no.. not you! " Luz said with the tone of ' not again '

" long time no see, human "

" I always knew it was pretty obvious even with that disguise you can't hide your ugliness! "

She looked at you " I recommend saying that when you are the strongest not when you are the weakest y/n " she said

" what's that smell? " Camila asked

" Nettles of sleep! " Luz said

" the most important rule of brudgby, always expect the unexpected " She said

You couldn't concentrate when you realized you were lying on the floor about to fall asleep.

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

She threw us into detention and we fell flat on our faces, well at least you

" what is this kiki mora? Are you working for the collector? " luz screamed

" the days of " kikimora, the subordinate " are over I prefer companionship like ours, we need to mandate now, for the sake of future generations "

" ok I'm still catching up. What is the red kitten trying to do? "

" she just copy Belos on " scaring people into worshipping her " because she has no ideas of her own! " Luz said to tease Bocha or kikimora

" uh. Um going to enjoy this " Kikimora said jumping into the hole where we were making Luz fall " you think I would just throw them inside and walk away? No, I think I'll finish you of myself "

" Bocha c'mon! this is a bit much, even for you! " She just looked and left, the floor closes in on her.

I saw them battling, you're not the best at fighting you're better at brains not at fighting!

" I don't deserve this! " you hear Matt say

Camila cast a spell making the ground fall and we go to separate ways.

You landed in a place with things written on the walls and drawings of more collectors

" Where am I...? " You asked seeing what was on the wall and a stone that was also written next to you

' We fell into a kind of temple full of collectors I guess, Well that's what it looks like ' your pasliman said

" Like the collector stories, well it was likely that there are other collectors but I didn't imagine that the one we saw was the smallest of all " You started trying to decipher the story behind the images and poems that were on the rocks " Why was all this up here? In a school detention? " You were reading the poems that were written in the rocks

' Maybe you can put some in your bag to read later because right now we should get out of here. ' Your pasliman said landing on your hair

" Yea, you're right, let's go " You said picking up some rocks and starting to walk until you reached a place where there was a hole above where you can get out

' After 30 minutes we finally found something. ' your pasliman said

" We? it was practically just me because you just did only add weigh on my head " You said taking the pasliman out of your head

' Rude ' they say

" yea yea " You said turning the pasliman into a staff to fly up there

you finally got up there sitting on the floor watching hunter do the same thing Flapjack did, luz having a staff in her hand that caused an explosion

" what. the. Heck, Why do I always miss the good parts " You complained to your pasliman, they just looked at you and turned they back

" Seriously? Now? Pick better times to be mad at me man " You said still sitting on the floor

Hunter saw where you were and used Flapjack's magic to get to you.

" y/n! I finally found you! " Hunter said picking you up and used Flapjack's magic to get to where the others were.

When you arrived Willow gave you a big hug

" y/n! You were the only missing here! " She said continuing into the hug

" You don't seem to be that tense right now, good " You rubbed your hand on her back for comfort

You heard kikimora behind you and you let go of the hug

" I don't need this reckless school to create my empire ... I'll make my own. And I will start by breaking them into pieces, part by part.. brat for brat! " After she said that, a fireball hit her.

" Stop right there! " Matt said " Miki, I can't say that I'm surprised by this, as for you Rouka I know there has been nothing more than chemistry between us... However you want to take it, I - "

" it's a robot, Matt " bocha said

" Finally the girl with pink hair said something true " You said making Willow laugh a little bit

They started shooting fireballs and amity came down

" they'll keep her busy let get to get to the skull! " She said taking Light's hand and running, we going after them

" hey bocha, don't think I'm done with you... "

" whatever, I didn't do this for any of you I just wanted to do normal things, and look cool and play grudby with my team! " She said screaming and throwing the fireball with everyone

Luz went to do the spell and pasliman started to move and made her fly

" I can't tell what you're gonna be but, thanks little friend! " She said flying with the staff

You'll decided to help with yours staffs

" this is my empire now! You'll have to obey me! " She cast the spell in yours direction but Luz was quick and did the spell and you guys went to the titan's head

" we ... We did it! " Gus said

You opened your eyes and saw you were there, excitement was in your eyes

" oh my, gosh! I can't believe that actually worked! " Willow said pulling amity and walking excitedly

" oh ohohoho we certainly beamus up O'Bailey? " Camila said making Gus and Hunter gasp

" bemus up! Bemus up! Bemus up! (I don't know how to write it, it's not written there as they say)

You were happy to see your boyfriend and girlfriend happy again, you then notice what the Luz was doing

Luz was grabbing her staff seeing that it is starting to open

" guys? " Luz said making everyone go around her to see the staff

" come meet my pasliman " Luz said making everyone circle around her

" what kind of magical creature will it be? " Camila asked " a dragon? "

" a bird? "

" an otter! "

" a spoky bat? "

" a snake ? "

" an octopus? "

" you were close " the creature started to come out of the fog and started shape shifting into different animals

" it's a shapeshifter snake! Her name is string bean.. and she is perfect! " She started to pass us and your palismans started to follow her and they all went to Camila

" oh look at all mama's precious babies. Come here, come here "

Hunter was just watching when he felt a hand on his hand.

" thanks for what you said back there, you mean a lot to me too " They blushed and hunter started to cry

" cool, happy to help. "

Willow saw you in front and pulled you into a hug with hunter

" Don't think you're left out Y/n! " She said giving you a kiss on the cheek, you were amazed, you couldn't speak

" I... I " It was the only thing you could say equal to nothing

She looked into your eyes with adoration in her eyes hunter did the same

" oh! I almost forgot! I found a picture of you and him on the floor, it must have fallen when you were walking " She said giving the picture you looked at the picture first and you heard her talking

" we know you don't talk about him much in front of us but we can feel that you miss him a lot " Hunter said letting Willow continue

" we also know we can never replace him but if you need anything i hope we can help like he did " Willow said wiping the tears from your eyes

" t-thank you guys, thank you alot " You took a breath and looked again at the picture " This was the only photo I managed to capture our friendship the rest is just written and drawn " You said putting the photo in your bag next to the book " You guys really did a lot for me these months, I'm glad I'm your partner, one of my best happiness in life now " You said that with excitement in your eyes, and they also have a few tears in their eyes from you saying that.

Amity called willow she had to go but first she gave you both a kiss and went to amity

Leaving hunter with the opportunity to ask what he wanted

" Now are you going to say what you wanted to ask? " He asked looking into your eyes

" Well I don't know if you need it now, after all you already have the Flapjack magic now " you said

" But what was it, maybe I can still answer! " He said taking your right hand

" ok, Well me and my palisman had an argument at the owl's house, you don't have a pasliman so i was thinking, why not give his old pasliman to you? One thing you all have in common, you lost important people in difficult times. " You said that going to get him from your bag, he woke up seeing hunter, hunter looks at him and says

" He's similar to Flapjack and I'm sure he likes a lot of cuddles too hehe " He said seeing pasliman caressing his cheek

" Yea he looks like he likes you what do you think? " You asked, hunter was thinking and said

" yea, I stay with him, he seems to like me a lot and he seems to be powerful, thanks y/n " Hunter said giving you a hug that took a few moments to let go, Those moments seemed happy, too happy

Little did they know that the collector was planning on them.

I hope you like it!

sincerely i hope, it took me all day to write this

It just ended at 2 am and I have school today

Byeee!

[awesomefringey]

Hi Sabine , As a popular louie/larrie blog and a big fan of louis, why do you never have any criticism about team louis? And do you always encourage their small movements? (even if it is not efficient and effective)! don't you expect them to do better? Louis is very talented and beautiful, and everyone who knows him will fall in love with him, Louis's team has Louis who has great potential but they don't do well in introducing Louis to GP

Hi nonnie, first of all I’m not popular at all, I’m just lucky a few actually popular blogs reblog my stuff. 🤣 And second of all I’m a bit struggling with posting my response because it could be taken the wrong way.

So about missing criticism on my blog, admittedly all you anons pretty much dictate what we’re discussing, I only curate my inbox.

But you’re probably right, I don’t have much criticism for Louis’ team because a) I wouldn’t even know who these people are? Or b) what exactly we’re criticizing? So to make a very simple question like “why am I not criticizing Louis’ team?” much more complex, I will share all the layers of counter questions I’d have for you:

Who is the criticism directed at? Louis’ team?

Do you mean LTHQ? (Who are they? What is their job?)

Do you mean Louis’ management?

Do you mean BMG’s promo gang?

Are all of the above the same to you?

What is the criticism about?

“They” should do more?

“They” should achieve more?

“They” are failing goals?

Do we know what those goals were to Louis? Or is everyone picturing their own goals and expectations?

And to make everything worse - this a very personal conviction of mine which differs from a lot of fans around here I’m sure. But great music and its success isn’t defined by charts or awards.

That might sound a bit idealistic and naive but I’ve been ignoring mainstream music for over twenty years easily and I’ve still been to sold out concerts and festivals, got merch of all my favorite bands knowing my musicians are allowed doing what they love doing. And that is music.

I’m even that strange, that if my little indie band “only I know” (hi KOL) suddenly gets a radio hit with their possibly worst mainstream crap song on the album (hi watermelon sugar sex is on fire) I usually turn my back on them.

So it’s hard for me to watch people say FITF failed, or doesn’t perform as expected. Because me, I’m absolutely euphoric for Louis! If he ends up in the charts that’s cool, but listen, he’s released a brilliant album with music he always wanted to make and which is already well received critically. He’s able to tour the world again next year, as he always wanted to. We all loooove the album (No shit! This isn’t some clouded judgment thing. It is as brilliant as we all think!) and isn’t that wonderful for Louis?! He’s in such a great place right now!

I get sad knowing that fans - even with the best intentions in mind - still think if FITF is not charting it’s a failure, it’s Louis’ team’s fault and we should all be disappointed. And I get it you know? It’s all coming from a place of love and support for Louis, and wanting him to conquer the music industry.

But I think, all what he’s achieved by now is a huge success for Louis (UK no. 1 on top). And I hope, he doesn’t sit at home right now staring at streaming numbers and thinking his “team” let him down, or thinking he failed us, or worse he was a failure. So maybe that’s why people don’t even ask for my opinion on Louis’ team. I’m just here vibing and being over the moon I’ve been introduced to All This Time and Headline and Written All Over Your Face and Luck-going on and on…

[myhoneststudyblr]

my masterpost | my studygram | ask me anything 

[click images for high quality]

[transcript under the cut]

Other advice posts that may be of interest:

All About Procrastination

How To Study When You Really Don’t Want To

Common Study Mistakes

7 Strategies to Improve Concentration

How to Make Your Notes Aesthetic

How to Stop Procrastinating Series

how to improve your handwriting 

examine your handwriting

Everyone's handwriting is different! So the first thing you need to do is look closely at your unique style so you know what you need to work on.

First, write out the alphabet and some sample sentences on a piece of paper. Here are some things you can look for:

Does your handwriting slant in a certain direction?

Is your handwriting fluid and relaxed or controlled?

Is your handwriting joined or printed?

Are there any letters that aren't formed properly?

Are there any letters that look too similar to each other?

Are your letters inconsistent in size?

Circle any letters that aren't quite right so you know which ones to focus on. 

choose the right pen

You should never underestimate the power of a good pen! Having a pen that flows nicely and fits comfortably in your hand can make all the difference to your handwriting! Unfortunately, finding a pen that suits you can take time and lots of experimentation and I can't just tell you what to use!

What should you look for in a good pen?

Does the ink flow smoothly?

What size nib does the pen have? (Some handwriting looks better with a thicker or thinner line width so try out different sixes to see what suits yours!)

Is it a gel, fountain, or ballpoint pen?

Is it thick enough that you can hold the pen in a relaxed grip? (A thicker barrelled pen can help to extend the fingers and loosen a tense grip)

Popular pens

Muji Gel Ink Pens (what I use!)

Pilot G2 Retractable Premium Gel Ink Roller Ball Pen

Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RTX Gel Ink Pen

Uni-ball Jetstream Stick Roller Ball Pen

Zebra Gel Pen Sarasa Clip

Find the right paper

Just as a good pen is important, so is the paper you use! Do you prefer lined, square or dotted paper? Does the pen flow smoothly on the paper? Does ink bleed through the paper? Again, it is about finding what works for you!

experiment with position and rotation of paper

We are generally taught to keep our paper in a vertical position in front of us. If that works for you, great! If not, feel free to experiment with different paper rotations. Keeping the paper at a certain angle can go a long way in helping you to improve your handwriting!

Like most aspects of handwriting, paper rotation is a personal thing, so try lots of different angles to find what fits. Right-handed people should start at the vertical position, and rotate the paper to the left until writing feels easy and comfortable. Left-handed people should start at the vertical position, and rotate the paper to the right.

Padding the Paper

No matter what paper you use, it should always have a few more sheets of paper under it. This allows the pen to write more smoothly and is easier on your hand. It doesn't need a lot, just a couple pages! 

slow down

Anyone who has done an exam knows that having to write really fast can make your handwriting deteriorate. We are often forced by school to write as fast a possible, so much so that for many writing fast becomes a habit to the detriment of our handwriting.

Therefore, it's incredibly important to consciously slow down when trying to improve your handwriting. Take the time to form each letter correctly and ensure the spacing, sizing and slant is consistent. As you practice this neater handwriting and get used to how it flows, you will naturally be able to increase your speed as you become more confident.  

embrace your personal style

Handwriting is a very fluid, personal thing that is always evolving. Your handwriting at this very moment is probably very different to what it was a year ago. Handwriting is not like calligraphy, where you more or less write the same every time. Instead, you’ll have neat days, and you’ll have not-so-neat days! That's perfecting natural!

No matter how your handwriting looks, it is a reflection of you and your personality. So, don’t get too hung up on a radical change that completely alters how you write: instead, focus on making clearly formed letters that are easy to read and neater.

Remember it's not about getting it "perfect", but rather, progressing and improving over time.

practice and persevere

Like anything, handwriting takes time and practice. The more you write using good habits and implementing styles that appeal to you, the better your handwriting will get.

But at the same time, sometimes it will look worse before it gets better, which can be demotivating. Therefore, it is important to persevere and remember that it will improve. You might also not even fully notice the gradual improvement so make sure to look back over your past handwriting to see how far you have come!

Ideas for Practice

Quotes

Song lyrics

Pangrams

Crosswords

Journalling

Snail mail

Shopping lists

School workbooks

Doodle

Thank You!

I hope that this will help you improve your handwriting and that you found this useful!

[ashinaisshin]

Why I find Alhaitham more defiant and snarky (and funny) in Chinese than in English

Thank you @echoelbo​ for asking me to elaborate! so I have an excuse to make a rant post about the English localization 🙈

Disclaimer: I will only discuss a few scenes from the Sumeru archon quest where the difference especially stood out to me. That said, I don’t think the English localization did a bad job at portraying Alhaitham (he is still a defiant, snarky, funny piece of shit guy in EN), but I just think some of his lines that I found very iconic in CN didn’t quite achieve the same effect in EN due to some minor mistranslations and/or changes in wording that seemed unnecessary.

Act 4, after investigating the hospital (this is more of a subtle mistranslation)

In CN, he says “只是我性格比她好而已”, lit. “I just have a better personality than her (Shani)”, instead of “I’m just a more likable person than her”. Surely, being likable is an aspect of having a good personality, but judging from the context, I think by "good personality” here Alhaitham is saying that he doesn’t give a shit about what others think of him he has more self-confidence and a more positive mindset than Shani, who is very self-conscious of her identity and learned to live her life cautiously to avoid offending anyone. The localization team could’ve just done a literal translation here, but instead they decided to specify “good personality” in a way that doesn’t make the most logical sense based on the context imo.

Act 4, before heading into the underground palace

This is a pretty big change. A direct translation would be “Indeed. In my view, gods are just a higher form of living being. You could also say they’re animals.” He literally called gods “animals” here. I remember being impressed by his boldness when I first did the quest in CN, precisely because of the word “animal”. “Creature,” on the other hand, doesn’t have nearly the same effect.

Act 4, the “20 languages” line

As a real PhD student in linguistics on Earth and not a member of Haravatat on Teyvat, I admit I might’ve been more triggered by this line than people usually would. No, linguistics students do not need to speak 20 languages to graduate as far as I know. I think Alhaitham is just trolling here. Sure, MHY can let him speak 20 languages because well, he is Alhaitham, but definitely not “every student”. In CN, I think it’s arguably more obvious that he isn’t serious in this scene by saying, lit. “It’s nothing. Every young person should master at least 20 languages before they graduate, shouldn’t they.” In EN, the “shouldn’t they” part got deleted, which turned his line into a direct statement. The EN voice acting here does sound a little sarcastic which made it better, or maybe it’s always been obvious to you that he’s trolling and I’m just overreacting, but the way this line was translated still feels counterintuitive to me.

Act 5, his dialogue with Dehya + Cyno before Jgnagarbha Day

When Dehya asked for a word of encouragement from Alhaitham before their big day, Alhaitham, living up to his “just here to strategize, not to lead” self, answered, in CN, “If you’re asking for my personal opinion, I’d probably choose to go home.” The key point here is, he wants to go home himself. He doesn’t care what “we all” do as the EN version seems to suggest, let alone if “we all” should “get some rest”. Dude’s just a tired feeble scholar who wants to go home after his work is done, not a leader caring for his comrades! Although the English still conveys the same idea, I honestly found the CN version much more hilarious.

What made it even funnier in CN is that in Cyno’s “...” line, CN Cyno made a light “pfft” sound – like, he literally lowkey lol’ed at Alhaitham’s statement about wanting to go home. In the EN version, however, Cyno’s “...” sounded more like a displeased grunt to me.

[hederasgarden]

hi! I freaking love you stories so much! i was wondering if you had any more sneak peaks from the authority kink hangman story 👀 no pressure! i just have been obsessed with that idea since you first posted it.

- 👑 anon (if that’s not already taken?)

Hello 👑 anon, that emoji is yours!

I've been trying to decide if this should be a two parter or just one very long story. It's already at 2.1K and we're just getting to the smutty part…. let me know your thoughts.

Do you want part one now knowing you'll probably have to wait a few weeks for the second part or would you prefer to have it all at once in a month or so?

I've included a sneak peek below. It's long, but I know I've been teasing this for a while so you deserve it. 😉

Sexual content below, 18+ only.

Jake’s close enough to touch you, but refrains from it. He won’t until he has your permission and understanding. He smirks and tits his head. A direct approach might be quicker but he’s curious if you’ll figure it out on your own.

“I know your secret, sweetheart,” he whispers.

That gets you going. You don’t seem to know where to put your hands and he can see the pulse at your throat jump wildly. Nervous laughter comes next but Jake stays quiet, letting you squirm a little longer.

“My secret?” You question.

“It’s compatible with mine,” he hints.

You frown, forehead wrinkling. He recognizes the expression from countless morning briefings when you were contemplating a problem. You purse your lips and glance away from him. It’s cute watching your brain work in real-time to put the pieces together. A full minute passes before your eyes dart back to his face, surprised.

He nods encouragingly and then very hesitantly you say, “Is that so, sir?”

There’s a heavy emphasis on the last word.

“Smart girl,” he praises.

You grin and rock back on your heels. “Well, I did design the aircraft you’ve been flying the last four months,” you shoot back.

He can see the struggle it is for you not to smile. You’re proud of your work and should be but he can’t have you mouthing off already.

“Don’t get smart with me,” he warns, loving the way you immediately duck your head.

“Sorry, sir.”

You sound appropriately contrite and he smirks.

“Look at me.” Two fingers under your chin encourage you to meet his gaze. “I want you to be honest,” he begins, watching carefully for any sign you’re not on the same page as him. “Do you want to do this?”

“Do you mean…you mean sex, right?” You ask, looking a little unsure.

You’re so sweet that Jake almost slips character and gives you the soft smile you deserve. “Sex and more,” he confirms. “I can help you explore this new side of yourself.”

“Yeah. I want that,” you tell him shyly.

“That’s good to hear, but that’s not how you talk to me, and I think you know it.”

“I want you to teach me, sir,” you respond.

“Better,” he praises.

He slides a hand up your jaw to grasp the back of your neck and angle your face upward so he can crush his lips against yours. He closes the distance between your bodies, pressing you back into the wall with a groan. You make a desperate little sound that goes right to his dick and grasp his biceps tightly.

[tblsomedoodles]

hi,i saw your mikey au and first and foremost its incredible, and second,hows the rise fam taking mikey's disappearance and do they ever reunite ?

Thank you! : )

I imagine Rise fam takes it pretty hard. Their little brother is there one moment and just gone the next with no clue as to what happened.

All four of them (Splinter included) searched the sewers desperately for weeks after that. There was nothing.

Splinter blames himself. Only a few years after becoming a parent and he LOST his youngest. It makes him distant from the remaining boys, turning towards his tv for comfort like he always had. He still trains the other three, but other than that, he's not really around. I think it's partially because he's afraid his 'failure as a parent' will cause him to loose the rest of the boys, so he'd rather not try, but also, well, it's hard to look at the three without becoming very much aware there should be four.

The boys were pretty shaken by it. Raph, in particular, as a result gets very anxious whenever Leo or Donny leave his direct line of sight (though Leo and Donny aren't much better.) So the three are kind of stuck together like glue, even sharing a room until they were in their teens (they technically had their own rooms but they opted to sleep in the same, often in a turtle pile.)

Despite this, the boys are pretty certain their wayward brother was going to come back some day and act accordingly. They set aside a room for him (Decorating it in orange of course), they make sure he got a bandanna (Again, orange), and when they decided they wanted proper names (Twins were 6, raph was 7) they make sure he got one too. (They named themselves per Donny's request. He wanted something more dramatic than a color lol.)

As for Reuniting, hell yes they do! Angelo ends up coming back to Rise a few months before "Mystic Mayhem" (There were extenuating circumstances that i'll probably get into during a different post.) The Rise universe NEEDS it's Michelangelo, no matter where he was raised.

I think when all is said and done, Angelo would up his mystic training so he could open a portal between 2003 and Rise at will. He doesn't want to be kept away from either side of his family. (though this probably wouldn't happen until post movie since he wouldn't quite know he had portal powers until then, despite everything.)

Thanks again! Honestly i don't have everything planned out for this AU and questions definitely help develop it! So feel free to ask away!

: )

[nikeiyomiurioverthinker]

So I ended up hyperfixating on the new post Linuj made so I translated the entire thing.

I do need to preface this by saying I don't speak Korean at all and everything I have written is based on Google Translate and vibes! Syobai is cussing a lot more than he probably should in this unofficial translation because of it.

I am also sorry if some sentences don't make too much sense, I'm trying with my limited English grammar knowledge.

Without further ado, here is the first Omake story, Queen of Despair, in a format that is probably going to be akin to that of the other Omake stories!

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

I love despair.

It's good to see people suffering. Hearing yells and screams makes me unbearably happy.

To someone like me, the "Ultimate Despair" was a god-like being.

Over the past few years, the incidents connected to the Ultimate Despair have made me madly excited.

It was the first excitement and pleasure I felt in my boring life, and so I continued to savor it.

But there is no such thing as 'forever'.

In the end, Ultimate Despair was defeated by Ultimate Hope and the biggest, most awful, most tragic event in all of human history was almost over.

Humanity overcame despair and moved towards the future with newfound hope.

It was… it was despair for me.

My name is Taro Watanabe.

There are Remnants who love despair and live for it.

Despair is hard to survive these days.

Ultimate Despair was annihilated, and most of the remaining Remnants were either killed or imprisoned.

In recent years, since the world has regained hope, and the judiciary has been completely revived, not only are the Foundation guys roaming around, but also those government dogs.

For the Remnants who worship despair, the current situation could only be called 'despair-inducing'.

Taro: …It's here.

However, even in this hopeless situation, hope existed.

After much searching, I finally got to her.

To the Queen of Despair.

Taro: Three blocks northwest of the garbage dump, 15 steps in the direction of the church with a broken payphone…

Taro: !!!

No way… the information was real.

My heart started to tremble with excitement.

The person I am about to meet is so important, a mere plebian like me couldn't even dare to look her in the eye.

Rumors that have been floating around for months…

The rumors that there is a new "Symbol of Despair for the Next Generation" that erodes all hopes and calmly commits crimes that would shock even the Gods…

Taro: …Let's go inside.

A dark, dusty old staircase.

It was a ruin that ordinary people would not even pay attention to, but the atmosphere was somehow reassuring to me.

It was the energy of despair.

After passing through several stairs and corridors, I found a door that exudes unusual energy.

I took several deep breaths and knocked on the door with trembling hands.

Taro: …

???: …Come on in.

Taro: Ah…!!!

The air feels agitated.

At first glance, it sounds like a cute child's voice, but there is a terrible energy of despair hidden inside.

Just by hearing this voice, I knew that I had come to the right place.

I grab hold of my heart that is beating like crazy, without thinking about stopping…

Soon, carefully, very carefully, I opened the door.

The inside of the room was in much better condition than expected, compared to the door on the outside.

The dust of the ruins was still hanging in the air, but there was no time to worry about that in this room.

A feeling of intimidation filled the small room.

The moment that person came into my sight…

…I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

Iroha: …are you Watanabe Taro?

On the outside, she looks like an ordinary girl.

However, from her shady face and her unusual appearance, I could tell that she was absolutely not a normal human being.

She had the composure of a veteran who had gone through all kinds of battles.

I could tell by the way the leisurely laughed.

Taro: Ah…!!!

Taro:T-That's right! This is Watanabe, the one that contacted you!

For a moment, I had forgotten that she had called my name and just blankly stared at her.

This person is the "Symbol of Despair of the Next Generation" Iroha Nijiue.

A person who, at some point, became a legend among Remnants.

"Queen of Despair" "Enoshima Junko the 3rd" and "Next Generation Despair" were all names for her.

If you were to look at her actions, she was a member of an organization that kidnapped and killed the symbols of Hope for the next generation, she killed a member of the Kisaragi Foundation and…

She even has on her record swindling and murdering the broker "H", whose identity has recently begun to emerge to the surface.

Moreover, even after committing all of these actions, the government or foundations did not catch her, and her work is still ongoing.

And even though this must be Iroha, who is actually being chased by the world, she is still facing me so boldly.

To be honest, her appearance was a little different from what I expected, but…

Thinking that the Queen of Despair, who had committed such great feats, was right in front of my eyes, I started to get goosebumps all over my body.

Iroha: Yes, I received the letter and the aid money you sent.

Iroha: I heard you have brought more gifts…?

Taro: Yes! Yes! You're right! Here…

After saying that, I took out a small box from my bag and handed it to the Queen.

Iroha: …this?

Taro: Yes, actually, there was a bit of a scuffle with the Kisaragi Foundation guys all the way here.

Taro: After a fierce chase, one of them was decapitated. I wanted to show my spirit to the Queen…

Iroha: Deca…!?

Taro: Yes, he was a young boy.

Iroha: …you-

Iroha: you idiot!! Who asked for something like this!?

Taro: Hee! I'm- I'm sorry.

Iroha: Uh- hmm, besides, there was trouble with the Kisaragi Foundation, you said…

Iroha: Are you insane? To come all the way here in that state… what would you have done, if you had been tracked down by the agency?

Taro: That's…

Taro: I'm- sorry. I didn't think that far ahead.

That was definitely true. I did not think about that.

I was busy thinking about my meeting with the Queen of Despair, I ended up almost causing her a lot of trouble…

Iroha: If you truly are sorry, shouldn't you show it sincerely?

Taro: Sincerely… you mean?

Iroha: Get three more cheques ready. In addition to the funds sent today.

Taro: Three- three checks!?

Iroha: Can't you? If you can't do that much, would you rather I turn you into my servant?

Taro: Oh no- it's possible! Consider it done!

Iroha: …we prepared a SUV in the back of the building. Get on it and move it.

Iroha: First of all, we'll take you to the hideout. A detailed explanation will be provided by the officer there.

Taro: That- that means!

Iroha: …you just have to make up for your mistakes.

Iroha: Welcome. You are now an Ultimate Despair.

…I did it.

In this bleak world where hope swallows despair, I finally met the mother of despair and became a child of despair.

The hard life of the past is now over.

It wasn't until today that I became a member of the 'Ultimate Despair'...!!!

Iroha: Mr. Hashimoto!!

Iroha: What's with that guy!? Isn't he crazy!?!?

As soon as Watanabe Taro left.

There, the "Queen of Despair" started screaming and running around.

Iroha: No, why the heck would you give a person's head as a gift!?

Iroha: Who in the world would love receiving something like that…

Syobai: Well, if he was a normal person, would he come to people like us?

Syobai: Have you never seen a person with a severed head?

Iroha: Like once or twice!! Why would I want to see something like a human neck!

Syobai Hashimoto.

A broker operating only in the shadows.

After the Utsuroshima incident, his identity was revealed to the light, and his actions shocked many people.

But.

The public thinks that he died when the bridge collapsed while escaping from the Kisaragi Foundation.

As it turns out, it was Iroha Nijiue, who was with him, that managed to escape by disguising a corpse under the bridge as her own.

That's the truth known to the public.

Somehow, people seem to believe that Iroha Nijiue killed him…

That's the only truth that was known. Until now.

Syobai: Hey, bubblehead. Shut up… what the hell were those poor conditions earlier?

Iroha: Wh- what?

Syobai: Why the fuck only three? Three. These are bastards who would risk their lives in order to enter the "New Ultimate Despair".

Syobai: Even if you were to tell them ten, those are fuckers that would make the money by selling all their organs or some other shit.

Syobai: And you only asked for three cheques…? You've forgotten everything I taught you.

Iroha: W-well, but he seemed to be having a hard time already when I told him to give me three more cheques…

Syobai: And since when did you start caring about the "fish"?

Syobai: Those guys are all fucked in the head. Getting the money out of them is all that matters.

Syobai: We are just "baiting" them.

Iroha: …

Syobai: If you understand, prepare to move. I am going to take care of that guy from earlier.

Iroha: Yeah? But, uh… the three cheques?

Syobai: Didn't you hear what he said earlier? There was a scuffle with the Foundation guys.

Syobai: If even one of the chaser comes, it's game over for us. We received the aid anyway, so the goal was achieved.

Syobai: It's just three cheques, and it's better to deal with this guy here as soon as possible.

Iroha: Well, then this hiding place…?

Syobai: We most definitely need to move.

Iroha: Uh, but… this place was pretty good out of all the ones we've had so far…

Syobai: Hey, the way that guy grimaced over all the dust when he first arrived here tells us everything we need to know.

Syobai: Hey, I'll be back soon, so stay still here.

Iroha: …

Iroha: Hey… Mr. Hashimoto…

Syobai: What?

Iroha: How long do we have to keep living like this…?

Syobai: …

Iroha: "Queen of Despair" this, "Enoshima Junko the 3rd" that…

Iroha: By promoting non-existent fantasies like the "New Generation Despair"...

Iroha: This life of extracting dirty money using this fish and bait method…

Iroha: Are you really satisfied with this, Mr. Hashimoto?

Syobai: …

Iroha: O-of course, I know that we have no choice but to do this if we want to earn a living.

Iroha: That there is no other way for us as long as the judicial system is revived and the Kisaragi Foundation's power is so strong.

Iroha: But, well… we survived!

Iroha: We survived that hellish killing game!

Iroha: So, someday, this life of escape will end, and we will be able to return to our daily lives as decent members of society…

Iroha: So? How long do we have to continue like this…?

Iroha: If it's Mr. Hashimoto, you'll end up using a more daring method…

Syobai: Hey.

Syobai: What the hell do you think I am?

Iroha: Huh?

Iroha: You are… the world's greatest villain, who even stabbed Mr. Sannoji himself in the back… is that wrong?

Syobai: …Jeez.

Syobai: Hey, you. Listen carefully.

Syobai: I don't know what kind of fantasies you have made up about the person known as "Syobai Hashimoto"...

Syobai: But this is how I've always lived.

Syobai: Do you think that trash like me has lived a wonderful life?

Syobai: Trash lives by doing trash things.

Iroha: …

Syobai: If you're sick of this, then our deal is gonna be over starting today.

Iroha: Huh!?

Syobai: I've earned enough money to now be able to comfortably live in the shadows while doing other businesses.

Syobai: You can stop playing the villain that you hate so much.

Iroha: No! That's not what I meant…

Syobai: I have no interest in working with someone that still has lingering feelings for society.

Iroha: Okay you are right! All right, but if you disappear, I…

Syobai: Why are you clinging to me like that?

Syobai: You still have your "Divine Luck".

Iroha: That, but that's…

Syobai: You saw that on the bridge at the time, right?

Syobai: Maeda Yuki is alive, somehow, thanks to Divine Luck.

Syobai: Just like you used to look for Utsuro, why don't you look for him?

Iroha: Mmm, what… how can I…?

Syobai: Jesus, do I have to sit you down and spell things out for you?

Syobai: This conversation is over. It's a waste of time.

Syobai: I'm going to take care of that guy and disappear, so now you either live or die on your own.

Iroha: Ah, Mr. Hashimoto-! Sorry!! Please don't leave me…

*Siren starts playing*

Iroha: Wait, what is this noise…?

Syobai: …Ah, fuck.

Syobai: It's that thing that the guy from earlier came with.

Syobai: Those are the Foundation guys.

Iroha: Huh!?

Syobai: Judging by how loud it is, it's already too late to go to the SUV.

Syobai: I should have left right away without making any noise… shit.

Iroha: Ooh, what should I do!? What now!?

Syobai: …

Syobai: What to do, what to do…

Syobai: No matter what you do, you have to get out.

Syobai: Go, come with me!

…A disgusting story about disgusting people.

To begin with the conclusion of this short anecdote, those two managed to escape somehow.

However, did the chase last long, or did Hashimoto prepare safety measures for this type of situation?

Did he even establish the deal with Iroha Nijiue again…?

"Queen of Despair" would continue to appear after that.

With a minion in a suit wearing a crow mask.

It seems their deal isn't over yet…

[tolkien-feels]

@glitteringaglarond sent me a very cool ask but it may or may not be triggering to some people so I’m making it a new post and putting it under a cut rather than answer the ask itself.

Tw: Sack of Eregion era musings, so references to captivity, torture, victim (self-)blaming, etc. In addition to that, references to Maedhros in Angband, with the same tws

Okay but I'm sitting here having all sorts of emotions about Celebrimbor and obviously I must immediately go and dump them on you.

Because like... during those years of torment at the hands of Sauron, what was he thinking? I imagine in the first few months it was mostly self-recriminations. He should have known better! Galadriel, Gil-Galad, Elrond... they all knew better! They all warned him and he didn't listen!

But then after that, when recriminations started to fade as each day plodded endlessly by, as he was slowly being destroyed bit by agonizing bit, I wonder how often he thought of Maedhros. Did he try to find some inner strength thinking about how he was taken by Morgoth, and didn't allow the decades of suffering to destroy him utterly. Did he desperately try to find a similar strength to what Maedhros demonstrated?

Did he ever hope, no matter how desperate that hope was, that he would be rescued from his hopeless, impregnable, agonizing prison in the same way that Maedhros was rescued against all odds by Fingon? How often did he wish that Galadriel, who we know he loved, would come for him the way Fingon came for Maedhros? How many times, immediately after he entertained the thought, did he immediately chide himself for it because Galadriel and her Ring were more important than him and they both needed to stay far far away from him. But then... what if he couldn't help but cling to that desperate hope as each day passed painfully by?

On darker days, does he wonder if maybe his suffering was just recompense for all of the bloodshed caused by his uncles, just like Maedhros' suffering was recompense for the first kinslaying and the burning of the ships and only forgiveness and an effort by somebody wronged in that whole bloody business (Fingon) could rescue him? Did Celebrimbor utterly lose hope at that thought, because Elrond is the only one left who could come to him with forgiveness for the latter two kinslayings, and just like Galadriel he and his Ring were too important to risk just to rescue him?

During those last two years of his life, did he find himself being simultaneously comforted and further tormented by thoughts of the people he loved? Did Sauron ever get an idea of that and shapeshift into those people just to make Celebrimbor's suffering worse?

Just... Celebrimbor!!! Celebrimbor's complex emotional backdrop during those last two years!!!

I actually strongly headcanon Celebrimbor was close to Maedhros so this is hitting me extra hard. My headcanon is essentially that Feanor’s spirit was split into fire and subcreation, between Maedhros his eldest son and Curufin his favorite son. By some bizarre elven genetics, Celebrimbor unites both sides, and is naturally draw to Maedhros as someone who hones his inclination towards leadership in a way Curufin often forgets to due to focusing on his inclination towards craft. And then in Beleriand, Maedhros's morals align much better with Celebrimbor’s than with Curufin’s, and I think for as long as it was practical to (probably before the Bragollach) Maedhros was almost a refuge from Curufin’s (and Celegorm’s!) ever-increasing cruelty, which was never directed at Celebrimbor, of course, but was something Celebrimbor strongly opposed but had no real power to stop.

So yeah, I really like the idea of Celebrimbor towards the end trying to draw strength from his (probably inaccurate) understanding of Maedhros’s own captivity. Not because it makes it more painful (I don’t actually enjoy things being more painful for the sake of being more painful) but rather because I just love the idea of Celebrimbor feeling less alone somehow because of Maedhros, similar to how the LotR hobbits sometimes feel less alone in their struggles when they think of Bilbo.

[marionscriptions]

꒦꒷ encounter. ꒷꒦

SYNOPSIS 𖦹 maybe agreeing to go along with your friend's friday night plans wasn't such a bad idea after all...

CHARACTERS 𖦹 arashi narukami, gender-neutral!reader (no pronouns used)

MARION’S NOTES 𖦹 my brain couldn't come up with any other titles so i hope that 'encounter' suffices. i have not written proper dialogue for arashi before so hopefully she isn’t majorly out of character.. ALSO sorry about the length, i ran out of ideas </3 part 2 to this post. (F/N = friend's name)

You were most definitely lost.

People surrounded you from every angle and direction and your head throbbed, undoubtedly the start of a long, painful headache. You winced at the thought of how horrible you would feel once this was all over.

To make a long story short, (F/N), a friend of yours, thought that it would be a bright idea to drag you to a night market near Yumenosaki. You immediately lost them to the large crowd, and... here you were, trying to wade through this sea of people without bumping into anyone. With your luck, you'd probably be able to get out of here within an h—

Ah!

Your foot got caught on a crack in the sidewalk and you went tumbling down to the ground, your face meeting the concrete within seconds, and you winced at the dull ache that spread across your face.

People stepped around you, trying not to step on your feet or hands, but paid you no mind otherwise. Sighing, you dusted the gravel off of your palms and knees as you tried to sit up. Your nose stung, but other than that, you would probably be fine... 

You tried to sit up, but a hand suddenly presented itself in front of you.

Wait, a hand?

"Oh my, are you okay?" a voice (presumably the owner of the hand) asked you, voice tinged with concern. You paused for a moment (due to embarrassment, you mostly assumed) before you merely nodded as you took the person's hand. It was only after you steadied yourself that you got a glance at your 'savior'.

The pretty girl from the live... it was her. If your memory served you right, Arashi was her name. How embarrassing..., you internally sulked. To be saved by the pretty girl that you kind-of-had-a-crush-on felt nothing short of flustering and embarrassing. So much for trying to look calm and collected in front of her...

"Oh? Is something the matter? It's not very polite to leave a pretty girl hanging, you know~?"

Right... you didn't exactly respond to her question. Clearing your throat, you managed out an "Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry about that."

"What a relief~ It looked like you took a nasty fall...” 

"Yeah, but I should be fine... Thank you." You gave her a soft smile, praying that she couldn't detect how nervous you looked. "I don't want to hold you up or anything.”

"Ah, but it's no problem! I'm just here with a few friends, so it's really not burdening me or anything~♪" she responded. Her words reassured you in some way. Her voice was cheerful but soft, in contrast to her powerful voice onstage.

“Same here,” you responded. “I’m here with my friend, (F/N), but I lost them in the crowd...”

“Oh, speaking of which...” Arashi started, taking your right hand in hers. “I’m sure that Izumi-chan wouldn’t mind too much if you came along with us.”

...Were you dreaming? Being able to spend time with not only the idol that you had a kind-of-crush on, but her friends that also happened to be idols that you looked up to? What were the odds?

"You don’t have to if you don’t want to, of course!” Arashi reassured, her grip on your hand loosening. “I’m sure that we’ll see each other around again...”

“Hmm...” you trailed off, pondering your options. Surely (F/N) wouldn’t mind... right?

“I actually don’t mind at all,” you settled on, trying to contain your excitement and nerves.

Arashi’s face lit up at your answer. “Oh, how wonderful!”

Hastily, you sent a text message to (F/N).

(NAME) im with someone right now, dont worry about me

(F/N) who (NAME) that isnt rlly reassuring u better be safe >:/

Stifling a giggle at their protective nature, you turned your phone off and put it back in your pocket before looking at Arashi again. “So... where to first?”

[everafterrebel]

Angel's Friends English Comics

Issue 1: The Eternal Day (1) (2) (3)

Issue 2: The Observer (1) (2) (3)

Issue 3: Just Two Steps (1) (2) (3)

Issue 4: A Little Evil (1) (2) (3)

Issue 5: The City of Angels (1) (2) (3)

Issue 6: Sulfus' Shadow (1) (2) (3)

Issue 7: The Neutral (1) (2) (3)

Issue 8: Secret Spreader (1) (2) (3)

Issue 9: "The Janitor" (1) (2) (3)

Issue 10: Never Together (1) (2) (3)

Issue 11: The Other Face of Love (1) (2) (3)

Issue 12: The Sensitive Point (Full Issue)

Issue 13: Between Dreams and Reality (1) (2) (3)

Issue 14: A Spark in the Heart (1) (2) (3)

Issue 17 (...probably. Inks only): (1) (2) (3)

Lone pages from issues that were never released: (1)

Hello and welcome to anyone who's reading this post!

"Angel's Friends" is an Italian comic book series that (as far as I'm aware) was never translated into English... until today!

Now, I don't speak Italian which is a very big, very important declaimer. "I" translated the comics by running the text through Google Translate, however, if you've ever actually used Google to translate something, then you'll know that their translations range from "passable" to "that is in no way a natural English sentence, but I kind of understand what you mean" to "literal word vomit." So most of the text needed extra "modifications" in order to sound like something that someone would actually say.

Due to the manner in which this was translated, some of the text is still kind of ~awkward~ because I was trying to keep it closer to the original Italian (or at least, what Google said was the original Italian) and some of the text isn't exactly a 1 to 1 translation because Google DID NOT give me an actual English sentence to work with so I just had to guess. However, the comics are still very much readable! I may not be confident in the wording of some of the speech bubbles BUT the overall story is still there.

There are a few things though that I thought that I should clarify/add some additional information for due to various reasons which I'll be leaving under the cut:

Issue 2 Page 3: In Italian, the teacher is named "Putzo," which probably comes from the Italian word "puzzo" which means "stench" or "(I) stink." I changed his name to "Stenchious" so that the "joke" would work better in English.

Issue 2 Page 5: Similarly to "Stenchious," "Kloudisky's" name in Italian was "Cimentus" which probably came from "cime tempestose" which means "wuthering heights" or "stormy peaks." Kloudisky doesn't really have a "name joke" but since I already "localized" Putzo's name I thought that I'd keep it constant.

Issue 2 Page 13: The translation wasn't clear on whether or not Gabi manged to catch up before heading back, or if he wasn't able to catch up and then just decided to head back. It really doesn't matter at all to the story, but I just thought that I'd mention it.

Issue 3 Page 21: In Italian, the first letters in each of the words for their punishment spells "O.P.S.." Which is cute and fits the theme of a punishment. When I translated it, I just took the translation and made a new acronym "O.E.P." which doesn't actually spell anything, it's just a direct translation of the words that spelled "ops" in Italian. I suppose that I could've used different words to make the acronym spell something cool, but oh well. (Don't ask me why somethings got localized and others didn't, these comics really are just a mix of both.)

("VETO" was also an acronym in Italian, but in that case, I kept the word "veto" and removed the fact that it was an acronym. I suppose I also could've given "O.P.S." the same treatment, but oh well.)

Issue 5 Pages 1 and 2: "Zephyr" and "Seraph" are English words. They're both angel references. Thought I'd clarify, because I had no idea what they were before doing this project. I thought Google just straight up didn't translate the words at first (which actually did happen from time to time <_< ) but nope, they're a thing.

Issue 5 Page 13: The librarian's plaque says "Head librarian of tomes and encyclopedias." Thought I'd clarify since the file size of issue 5 is much smaller than the other issues for some reason and you might not be able to read it.

Issue 5 Page 21: The Angel's Friends fan wiki says that the creature's name comes from the Italian word for "revived" instead of simply being called the "revived." Which would make since, seeing how that was one of the words that Google half of the time didn't really translate. In this version, I just called them the "revived" instead of using the Italian word or making up a new word. Just a bit of trivia.

Issue 7 Pages 2, 3 and 5: I know the lyrics of the songs on these pages don't make any since, but they did seem to be pretty accurate translations, so I don't know what to say. 0_o Most of the time I can blame Google but this time, I think whoever wrote the original comic is to blame for this oddness.

Issue 8 Page 6: During this issue from page 6 on, every time "Sulfus' snacks" were mentioned, Google would would translate the word that I changed to "snacks" as "gluttony." For example, "Have I ever told anyone that you hide gluttony under your mattress?" and the jar that Google claims says "Vintage gluttony." Obviously that doesn't make any since and I'll admit that changing the work to snacks doesn't ~really~ make it any smother. It's still awkward I know, but that was all that I could think of.

Issue 9 Page 1: If you look up this issue on the fan wiki, it'll say that the title is "The Guardian" but I changed it to "The Janitor." That's because although the Italian word that is used for the title (as well as his job position) "custode" can be translated as "guardian" I've been translating it as "janitor," which is an alternate translation of the word, so it's not ~wrong~, just different. Sometimes Google would also translate the word as "keeper" which is another alternate translation but I thought that "janitor" sounded more natural. (Though I suppose "grounds keeper" could've worked as well.)

Issue 10 Page 3: Another weird song. Yeah, I don't know. Just thought I'd mention that I'm aware that it's odd. :S

Issue 10 Page 15: Two things:

"Fuori" means "out" in Italian. I... just flat out didn't translate the word. I'm sorry, I've failed you all. :( I just couldn't think of anything snappy to translate it to. "Come out"? "Bring out Reo"? maybe just "Hooray"??? I don't know... I suppose any of those could've worked but on top of that, the words are in a very "art heavy" place and if you've been reading the comics then you'll know how not so great my photoshopping can be.

Note number 2 for this page is that Reo actually sings in English. I know his song is kind of odd too, but this time it 100% isn't me or Google, it's 100% the original comic's fault. I simply retyped his words out so that the font would be consistent.

Issue 13 Page 9: "Armonia" means "harmony" in Italian. So her school is just "Vera's Harmony Dance School." I thought that it would be easier to just leave it as it was because "armonia" is on the logo and on the sign of the school. (And I was not going to photoshop over them. Don't ask me how I decided what gets photoshopped and what doesn't, I don't know man...)

Issue 13 Page 18: In the original comic, Malachi's name is spelled "Malachia." I decided to take out the "a" because normally in English it's spelled without the "a" (also, sometimes Google would even "translate" "Malachia" to "Malachi") this does leave an extra letter for the "lock" on the safe, so I added the "♥" at the end.

Issue 14: The "first page" describes some of the events in the comic. (Why did they try to spoil their own comic, IDK...) I've moved that page to the end of the "image set" for this reason.

[tsukishumai]

pairing: tsukishima kei x f!reader wc; 2.2k tags; fluff, coworkers to lovers? a/n: quick fic for my bby lol happy birthday tsukki <33

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Tsukishima Kei was tired.

Stepping out into the cold, autumn evening, he rubs his hands together in an attempt to warm his frozen fingers. He thinks the blister he feels forming on his pinky toe was a sign for him to get a new pair of shoes, and this fact was solidified by the ache in his arch with each step he took towards the bus stop.

The day had been longer than most. Maybe if he hadn’t let his brother drag him to the gym and play pick-up games last night, then perhaps his body wouldn’t have felt so sore this morning. And if his body hadn’t been so sore in the morning, then he might have had the energy to grab coffee before work, possibly even pack himself a quick lunch. His mood would have presumably been at least mildly better throughout the day, and he had no doubt that he would have been able to continue on with his work swiftly, and efficiently.

But Tsukishima had learned at a young age that things don’t always work out for him the way he wants them to.

He wasn’t trying to be rude when you came to ask him about his tour schedule, but did you have to burst through his office door so loudly? He felt bad for 2.3 seconds as he watched your smile slowly melt into a frown, but he was way too irked when you rolled your eyes at him when he asked you to knock.

And it wasn’t his fault that he bought the last tuna onigiri from the food stand outside the museum. He forgot to pack lunch, and he was hungry, too. He probably shouldn’t have unwrapped and eaten it right in front of your face, but he doesn’t appreciate getting dirty looks for ordering a meal.

You’re newer to the museum, he knows that. As someone with seniority, he should be a little more helpful, and he could probably work on improving his sociability just a tiny bit, but his patience could only run so thin. It’s not like you ever listened to him anyway.

Should he have told you to figure out the volunteer’s schedule on your own because ‘even a monkey with a banana could do it on their own’? Okay, maybe not.

But did you have to snap at him to ‘keep the stick up his own ass and leave yours alone’ when he warned your tours took too long, and you’d end up leaving late? No, and that’s the last time Tsukishima will ever try to offer advice to a newbie.

Tsukishima sighed. He was tired.

His stomach growled out loud as he pressed the button for the crosswalk, slowly moving to rub his palm along his belly. He’s wondering if he has anything he could make at his apartment. When an image of a rotting bunch of scallions and moldy tomatoes dying in his refrigerator drawer comes to mind, he thinks he’s probably better off grabbing a bento from the convenience store down the street.

The light switches from red to green, and just before Tsukishima steps down from the curb, he feels an arm delicately wrap around his own.

“Hey, babe,” a familiar, annoyingly cheery voice greets him, and he has to stop himself from grimacing when he looks down and his eyes meet yours.

Tsukishima doesn’t think you’ve ever touched him once — not in the last six months since you’ve become his coworker. He had bowed when you were first introduced, and Tsukishima had never been one to hand out hugs or high fives.

He attributes the deep blush that spread across his cheeks to this fact, and not to the feeling of your chest pressed tightly against his side.

“What the —“

“You almost left without me,” you pouted, and Tsukishima nearly tripped over his feet when you swing your body around to switch positions with him, “You’re so silly!”

“Uh,” Tsukishima stammers at the situation at hand, but he stills when he feels your grip tighten painfully around his bicep, and your eyes narrow and widen.

From behind your shoulder, Tsukishima sees it.

The streets were not too crowded, but they weren’t empty. From both sides of the sidewalk, Tsukishima watched as people silently walked past each other in a valiant effort to get home.

This was why Tsukishima almost didn’t notice the man standing beside the lamp post just fifteen feet back, his face half covered by a mask, hoodie pulled all the way over his head with the bill of a black hat just peeking out.

Tsukishima’s blood ran cold when he realized the man is watching you clutch onto him, and Tsukishima does not react when he can feel your nails dig through the material of his sweater.

A look of panic briefly flashes in your eyes when Tsukishima places his hand on top of yours and gently pulls your grip off his sleeve.

“You’re going to ruin my sweater,” Tsukishima mumbles as he drags his hand down the length of your arm and intertwines his fingers with yours. Your mouth drops open in shock when he gives your hand a tight squeeze, “Sweetie.”

He doesn’t wait for you to regain your composure before he drags you across the street. As soon as Tsukishima’s foot lands on the other curb, he glances back at the direction from which you came.

The capped-man was now slowly walking forward, reaching the crosswalk just as the light turned red once more.

Tsukishima quickened his pace down the silent sidewalk, globes of orange light shining down each lamp post you walked past. You said nothing of the sweat that accumulated between both of your nervous palms, still gripping onto Tsukishima’s hand tightly. The size of it nearly engulfs your own, and your hold on him was the only thing allowing you to somewhat keep up with the pace of his strides.

“My bus stop is right over there,” you mumble quietly, and Tsukishima silently thanked the gods you were going the same direction.

He could feel your fingers trembling against his, and Tsukishima gives you a light squeeze.

He wasn’t sure what to do. He was never one to comfort another, and he had never really been in a situation before. But something akin to an ember of rage had been stoked within him as soon as he saw some strange man’s greedy little eyes stuck on you.

The bus arrived just five minutes later, and Tsukishima stayed close behind as you climbed inside. You were lucky enough to find two vacant seats, and you slid into the one beside the window. Tsukishima occupies the aisle seat, stretching his legs out slightly as he watches the stream of people entering and leaving the bus.

It was after an old woman carrying groceries clambered into a seat behind the bus driver did Tsukishima notice him.

He sat by the very front while the two of you occupied seats in the back. A pair of sunglasses now completely masked all of his features, but Tsukishima didn’t need to see his eyes to know who they were trained on.

When you look up at him, dazed and slightly terrified, he gives you a tight-lipped smile. He lets go of your hand, and his heart breaks a little when he sees your eyes dart around in panic. Wordlessly, he reaches over and wraps his arms around your shoulders, pulling you close into his side.

You had always been so hot-headed — loud, and passionate, and animated about everything that you do. Tsukishima had known you were trouble from the moment you rearranged one of his displays without even thinking about consulting him, and you had honestly been a headache ever since. You challenged him at every turn, corrected him when he didn’t ask for it, and it was obvious to Tsukishima that you were much too big for him to handle.

But at the moment, feeling so small as you trembled tucked beneath his arm, Tsukishima could only think that he never wanted to see you like this ever again.

His heart crumbles a little when you rest your head against his shoulder.

“So,” Tsukishima’s voice vibrated against your cheek, “The tours ran a bit too long today, didn’t they?”

Tsukishima bites the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing when you turn your head to face him, an incredulous expression decorating your features.

“Is now really an appropriate time for an ‘I told you so’,” You hissed, “You never miss a chance, do you?”

Now, a smug smile has fully settled onto his lips, “Never have, never will.”

You land a punch on Tsukishima’s wide open ribs, and he flinches to the side with a slight ‘oof’. But he tightens his arm around you even more. Swirls of pine and citrus began to calm your nerves, and it took you too long to realize you were inhaling Tsukishima’s cologne. He smelled as clean as he looked, and even after a full day of work, not a single hair of his was out of place.

Your stop was four after Tsukishima’s. He carried your bag from your shoulders as you climbed out of your seat. He stepped aside to allow you to lead the way, but Tsukishima’s chest was nearly pressed against your back with how closely he followed behind.

You hadn’t expected Tsukishima to follow you this far, and as you walked a few steps towards the direction of your apartment, you turned to thank Tsukishima for his aid.

You whip your head side to side when you find that he was no longer walking behind you, curious to see that he was waiting two feet away from the bus’ exit.

You briefly wondered what he was waiting for, and your heart shattered down to the ground when you see the familiar stranger that had been following you since you exited your office building slowly step out.

You didn’t even notice him climb onto the bus. Had he really been there the entire time? Oh god, was he planning to follow you all the way home? Your head begins to spin at the dangerous possibilities that could have unfolded.

“Are you lost?” Tsukishima’s voice was cold and stern, and you could hear it clearly from where you stood.

You watched as the hooded man jolted, clearly shocked at the question directed to him. His face still remained perfectly hidden, but you could tell from his body language that he was not expecting to be addressed.

Tsukishima towered over him, but his six foot five stature had towered nearly everyone. The eyes behind his dark-rimmed glasses were narrowed in a glare, and Tsukishima stayed planted in front of your intruder.

“Oh — uh, i— no, just —“

“It’s that way,” Tsukishima didn’t wait for the man to finish his stammering, pointing a long finger towards the opposite direction of your home.

The man didn’t need to be told twice. He twirled on his heels, looking over his shoulders only to see Tsukishima watch as he walked away into the night.

You were frozen, mouth hung so wide open, you were pretty sure bugs had flown in. Tsukishima makes his way back to you, stopping to wrap his arms around your shoulders once again. He tilts his head down at you, looking softly as he asks, “Which way?”

You were at a loss for words, choosing instead to simply lead the way. Tsukishima remained draped over you, like a blanket of protection warding off all evil.

The silence that engulfed the two of you felt comfortable, and on any other day, you might have been appalled to be in such close contact with Tsukishima Kei.

But today, you felt safe. You felt comfort, and relief, and you relax against him, perfectly protected under Tsukishima’s wing.

You sneak a glance up at him, biting your lip as you turn the words you want to say over in your head.

“Tsukishima,” you start, chewing on your lips, “Thank yo—“

“My last tour is usually at 4:45,” he interrupts you, squeezing his hand on your shoulder, “I try to catch up on some paperwork before leaving but…”

He trails off, and you stay silent in fear of ruining what he’s trying to tell you.

He shifts his head away from you as he says, “If you wait for me, I could walk you home.”

You stop in your tracks, looking up at him with a smile. Tsukishima pointedly avoids your gaze, but it’s difficult when he’s keeping you pinned beside him.

“I’d like that,” you mumble before pointing back at the apartment building he hadn’t noticed, “This is my place.”

Tsukishima finally deigns to let you go, stepping back and brushing his fingers through his hair.

“Shorten your tours,” he grumbles out, turning his body back the direction from where he came, “And don’t forget to itemize each piece that comes in for the Date Masumane exhibit tomorrow.”

You stare at him dumbfounded before bursting out in giggles, bringing your hand up in a mock salute.

“I owe you one,” you call out, watching him retreat back from where he came.

He waves you off.

“I like black coffee,” he calls back over his shoulder, “Do what you will with that information.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

rbs v appreciated <33

[reanimatedcourier]

How to Write Indigenous Characters Without Looking like a Jackass:

Update as of December 26th, 2020: I have added a couple new sections about naming and legal terms, as well as a bit of reading on the Cherokee Princess phenomenon.

Boozhoo (hello) Fallout fandom! I'm a card-carrying Anishinaabe delivering this rough guide about writing Indigenous characters because wow, do I see a lot of shit.

Let's get something out of the way first: Fallout's portrayal of Indigenous people is racist. From a vague definition of "tribal" to the claims of them being "savage" and "uncivilized" mirror real-world stereotypes used to dehumanize us. Fallout New Vegas' narrated intro has Ron Perlman saying Mr. House "rehabilitated" tribals to create New Vegas' Three Families. You know. Rehabilitate. As if we are animals. Top it off with an erasure of Indigenous people in the American Southwest and no real tribe names, and you've got some pretty shitty representation. The absence of Native American as a race option in the GECK isn't too great, given that two Native characters are marked "Caucasian" despite being brown. Butch Deloria is a pretty well-known example of this effect. (Addendum: Indigenous people can have any mix of dominant and recessive traits, as well as present different phenotypes. What bothers me is it doesn't accommodate us or mixed people, which is another post entirely.)

As a precautionary warning: this post and the sources linked will discuss racism and genocide. There will also be discussion of multiple kinds of abuse.

Now, your best approach will be to pick a nation or tribe and research them. However, what follows will be general references.

Terms that may come up in your research include Aboriginal/Native Canadian, American Indian/Native American, Inuit, Métis, and Mestizo. The latter two refer to cultural groups created after the discovery of the so-called New World. (Addendum made September 5th, 2020: Mestizo has negative connotations and originally meant "half breed" so stick with referring to your mixed Latine and Indigenous characters as mixed Indigenous or simply by the name of their people [Maya, Nahua].)

As a note, not every mixed person is Métis or Mestizo. If you are, say, Serbian and Anishinaabe, you would be mixed, but not Métis (the big M is important here, as it refers to a specific culture). Even the most liberal definition caps off at French and British ancestry alongside Indigenous (some say Scottish and English). Mestizo works the same, since it refers to descendants of Spanish conquistadors/settlers and Indigenous people.

Trouble figuring out whose land is where? No problem, check out this map.

Drawing

Don't draw us with red skin. It's offensive and stereotypical.

Tutorial for Native Skintones

Tutorial for Mixed Native Skintones

Why Many Natives Have Long Hair (this would technically fit better under another category, but give your Native men long hair!)

If You're Including Traditional Wear, Research! It's Out There

Languages

Remember, there are a variety of languages spoken by Indigenous people today. No two tribes will speak the same language, though there are some that are close and may have loan words from each other (Cree and Anishinaabemowin come to mind). Make sure your Diné (you may know them as Navajo) character doesn't start dropping Cree words.

Here's a Site With a Map and Voice Clips

Here's an Extensive List of Amerindian Languages

Keep in mind there are some sounds that have no direct English equivalents. But while we're at it, remember a lot of us speak English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese. The languages of the countries that colonized us.

Words in Amerindian languages tend to be longer than English ones and are in the format of prefix + verb + suffix to get concepts across. Gaawiin miskwaasinoon is a complete sentence in Anishinaabemowin, for example (it is not red).

Names

Surprisingly, we don't have names like Passing Dawn or Two-Bears-High-Fiving in real life. A lot of us have, for lack of better phrasing, white people names. We may have family traditions of passing a name down from generation to generation (I am the fourth person in my maternal line to have my middle name), but not everyone is going to do that. If you do opt for a name from a specific tribe, make sure you haven't chosen a last name from another tribe.

Baby name sites aren't reliable, because most of the names on there will be made up by people who aren't Indigenous. That site does list some notable exceptions and debunks misconceptions.

Here's a list of last names from the American census.

Indian Names

You may also hear "spirit names" because that's what they are for. You know the sort of mystical nature-related name getting slapped on an Indigenous character? Let's dive into that for a moment.

The concept of a spirit name seems to have gotten mistranslated at some point in time. It is the name Creator calls you throughout all your time both here and in the spirit world. These names are given (note the word usage) to you in a ceremony performed by an elder. This is not done lightly.

A lot of imitations of this end up sounding strange because they don't follow traditional guidelines. (I realize this has spread out of the original circle, but Fallout fans may recall other characters in Honest Hearts and mods that do this. They have really weird and racist results.)

If you're not Indigenous: don't try this. You will be wrong.

Legal Terms

Now, sometimes the legal term (or terms) for a tribe may not be what they refer to themselves as. A really great example of this would be the Oceti Sakowin and "Sioux". How did that happen, you might be wondering. Smoky Mountain News has an article about this word and others, including the history of these terms.

For the most accurate information, you are best off having your character refer to themselves by the name their nation uses outside of legislation. A band name would be pretty good for this (Oglala Lakota, for example). I personally refer to myself by my band.

Cowboys

And something the Fallout New Vegas fans might be interested in, cowboys! Here's a link to a post with several books about Black and Indigenous cowboys in the Wild West.

Representation: Stereotypes and Critical Thought

Now, you'll need to think critically about why you want to write your Indigenous character a certain way. Here is a comprehensive post about stereotypes versus nuance.

Familiarize yourself with tropes. The Magical Indian is a pretty prominent one, with lots of shaman-type characters in movies and television shows. This post touches on its sister tropes (The Magical Asian and The Magical Negro), but is primarily about the latter.

Say you want to write an Indigenous woman. Awesome! Characters I love to see. Just make sure you're aware of the stereotypes surrounding her and other Women of Color.

Word to the wise: do not make your Indigenous character an alcoholic. "What, so they can't even drink?" You might be asking. That is not what I'm saying. There is a pervasive stereotype about Drunk Indians, painting a reaction to trauma as an inherent genetic failing, as stated in this piece about Indigenous social worker Jessica Elm's research. The same goes for drugs. Ellen Deloria is an example of this stereotype.

Familiarize yourself with and avoid the Noble Savage trope. This was used to dehumanize us and paint us as "childlike" for the sake of a plot device. It unfortunately persists today.

Casinos are one of the few ways for tribes to make money so they can build homes and maintain roads. However, some are planning on diversifying into other business ventures.

There's a stereotype where we all live off government handouts. Buddy, some of these long-term boil water advisories have been in place for over twenty years. The funding allocated to us as a percentage is 0.39%: less than half a percent to fight the coronavirus. They don't give us money.

"But what about people claiming to be descended from a Cherokee princess?" Cherokee don't and never had anything resembling princesses. White southerners made that up prior to the Civil War. As the article mentions, they fancied themselves "defending their lands as the Indians did".

Also, don't make your Indigenous character a cannibal. Cannibalism is a serious taboo in a lot of our cultures, particularly northern ones.

Our lands are not cursed. We don't have a litany of curses to cast on white people in found footage films. Seriously. We have better things to be doing. Why on earth would our ancestors be haunting you when they could be with their families? Very egotistical assumption.

Indigenous Ties and Blood Quantum

Blood quantum is a colonial system that was initially designed to "breed out the Indian" in people. To dilute our bloodlines until we assimilated properly into white society. NPR has an article on it here.

However, this isn't how a vast majority of us define our identities. What makes us Indigenous is our connections (or reconnection) to our families, tribes, bands, clans, and communities.

Blood quantum has also historically been used to exclude Black Natives from tribal enrollment, given that it was first based on appearance. So, if you looked Black and not the image of "Indian" the white census taker had in his brain, you were excluded and so were your descendants.

Here are two tumblrs that talk about Black Indigenous issues and their perspectives. They also talk about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia.

However, if you aren't Indigenous, don't bring up blood quantum. Don't. This is an issue you should not be speaking about.

Cherokee Princess Myth

"Princess" was not a real position in any tribe. The European idea of monarchy did not suddenly manifest somewhere else. The closest probable approximation may have been the daughter of a chief or other politically prominent person. But princess? No.

Here is an article talking about possible origins of this myth. Several things are of note here: women from other tribes may have bee shoved under this label and the idea of a "Cherokee Princess" had been brought up to explain the sudden appearance of a brown-skinned (read: half Black) family member.

For a somewhat more in depth discussion of why, specifically, this myth gets touted around so often, Timeline has this piece.

Religion

Our religions are closed. We are not going to tell you how we worship. Mostly because every little bit we choose to share gets appropriated. Smudging is the most recent example. If you aren't Indigenous, that's smoke cleansing. Smudging is done in a specific way with ceremonies and prayers.

Now, a lot of us were forcibly converted. Every residential school was run by Christians. So plenty of us are Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran, etc. Catholicism in Latin America also has influence from the Indigenous religions in that region.

Having your Indigenous character pray or carry rosaries wouldn't be a bad thing, if that religion was important to them. Even if they are atheist, if they lived outside of a reserve or other Indigenous communities, they might have Christian influences due to its domination of the Western world.

Settler Colonialism and the White Savior Trope

Now we've come to our most painful section yet. Fallout unintentionally has an excellent agent of settler-colonialism, in particular the Western Christian European variety, in Caesar's Legion and Joshua Graham.

(Addendum: Honest Hearts is extremely offensive in its portrayal of Indigenous people, and egregiously shows a white man needing to "civilize" tribals and having to teach them basic skills. These skills include cooking, finding safe water, and defending themselves from other tribes.)

Before we dive in, here is a post explaining the concept of cultural Christianity, if you are unfamiliar with it.

We also need to familiarize ourselves with The White Man's Burden. While the poem was written regarding the American-Philippine war, it still captures the attitudes toward Indigenous folks all over the world at the time.

As this article in Teen Vogue points out, white people like to believe they need to save People of Color. You don't need to. People of Color can save themselves.

Now, cultural Christianity isn't alone on this side of the pond. Writer Teju Cole authored a piece on the White Savior Industrial Complex to describe mission trips undertaken by white missionaries to Africa to feed their egos.

Colonialism has always been about the acquisition of wealth. To share a quote from this paper about the ongoing genocide of Indigenous peoples: "Negatively, [settler colonialism] strives for the dissolution of native societies. Positively, it erects a new colonial society on the expropriated land base—as I put it, settler colonizers come to stay: invasion is a structure not an event. In its positive aspect, elimination is an organizing principal of settler-colonial society rather than a one-off (and superseded) occurrence. The positive outcomes of the logic of elimination can include officially encouraged miscegenation, the breaking-down of native title into alienable individual freeholds, native citizenship, child abduction, religious conversion, resocialization in total institutions such as missions or boarding schools, and a whole range of cognate biocultural assimilations. All these strategies, including frontier homicide, are characteristic of settler colonialism. Some of them are more controversial in genocide studies than others." (Positive, here, is referring to "benefits" for the colonizers. Indigenous people don't consider colonization beneficial.)

An example of a non-benefit, the Church Rock disaster had Diné children playing in radioactive water so the company involved could avoid bad publicity.

Moving on, don't sterilize your Indigenous people. Sterilization, particularly when it is done without consent, has long been used as a tool by the white system to prevent "undesirables" (read, People of Color and disabled people) from having children. Somehow, as of 2018, it wasn't officially considered a crime.

The goal of colonization was to eliminate us entirely. Millions died because of exposure to European diseases. Settlers used to and still do separate our children from us for reasons so small as having a dirty dish in the sink. You read that right, a single dirty dish in your kitchen sink was enough to get your children taken and adopted out to white families. This information was told to me by an Indigenous social work student whose name I will keep anonymous.

It wasn't until recently they made amendments to the Indian Act that wouldn't automatically render Indigenous women non-status if they married someone not Indigenous. It also took much too long for Indigenous families to take priority in child placement over white ones. Canada used to adopt Indigenous out to white American families. The source for that statement is further down, but adoption has been used as a tool to destroy cultures.

I am also begging you to cast aside whatever colonialist systems have told you about us. We are alive. People with a past, not people of the past, which was wonderfully said here by Frank Waln.

Topics to Avoid if You Aren't Indigenous

Child Separation. Just don't. We deserve to remain with our families and our communities. Let us stay together and be happy that way.

Assimilation schools. Do not bring up a tool for cultural genocide that has left lasting trauma in our communities.

W/ndigos. I don't care that they're in Fallout 76. They shouldn't be. Besides, you never get them right anyway.

Sk/nwalkers. Absolutely do not. Diné stories are not your playthings either.

I've already talked about drugs and alcohol. Do your research with compassion and empathy in mind. Indigenous people have a lot of pain and generational trauma. You will need to be extremely careful having your Indigenous characters use drugs and alcohol. If your character can be reduced to their (possible) substance abuse issues, you need to step back and rework it. As mentioned in Jessica Elm's research, remember that it isn't inherent to us.

For our final note: remember that we're complex, autonomous human beings. Don't use our deaths to further the stories of your white characters. Don't reduce us to some childlike thing that needs to be raised and civilized by white characters. We interact with society a little differently than you do, but we interact nonetheless.

Meegwetch (thank you) for reading! Remember to do your research and portray us well, but also back off when you are told by an Indigenous person.

This may be updated in the future, it depends on what information I come across or, if other Indigenous people are so inclined, what is added to this post.

[cloudspotterclub]

traumatic (j.b.b.)

Pairing: avenger!bucky x parker!reader

Summary: You're convinced Bucky hates you, and you fear the worst when you accidentally insult him.

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: spoilers for civil war, mentions of murder, very mild enemies to lovers, barely-there angst, mostly crack and fluff

a/n: This is my very first post ever! This fic honestly doesn't fit anywhere in the mcu timeline lol, let's just pretend civil war never happened and everyone lives together in peace.

I try not to stare, I really do. I never do it on purpose, except if someone says something really scummy and I want them to know they did. But Bucky hardly ever says anything at all, and definitely nothing to warrant a stare-down. My eyes just happen to wander over to him a lot.

As he shifts awkwardly for what must be the thousandth time, I avert my eyes for the thousandth time too. He must think I’m a freak or some wacko groupie that the Avengers pity enough to bring along everywhere. I guess the latter isn’t too far off—I suspect Peter has me over so often because I wouldn’t go out otherwise.

There he is now, barging into the painfully silent kitchen with his ever-oblivious grin. “Hey, cuz! Bucky! What’re you two up to?”

I cringe a little at the ‘you two’. We couldn’t be sitting farther away, him at the dining table staring out the windows and me at the kitchen island. I’m not even sure Bucky’s noticed Peter’s entrance.

“I’m just doing some work stuff, Pete.”

Peter glances over the empty island and frowns, “On your phone? Isn’t it your day off?”

God damn it, Parker.

I try to keep my voice steady to no avail. “Uh, yeah, you know how my boss is. I’m just sending over some files and there’s, like, better reception out here.”

Truth is, I came out here at 4 AM just because I felt like soaking the morning in. I didn’t think Bucky was going to be out here already looking all somber and melancholic. I had debated sneaking away, but he’d already seen me, so I just wordlessly made my way to one of the stools by the island and he went back to studying the skyline.

And that’s where we’ve been for the past three hours. But I wasn’t going to explain that to Peter in front of Bucky. Soaking the morning in? Who’d believe that? He’d think I’m even more of a stalker.

“Huh. I’m telling you, cuz, you should just come work for Mr. Stark. You love administration stuff, right? Ms. Potts is barely his assistant anymore, and I hear she’s looking for a replacement.” Peter drops his voice to an exaggerated whisper, “Rumor is there’s a baby on the way!”

I roll my eyes, “It’s not nice to speculate on whether someone’s pregnant, Peter. Besides, I can’t work here, it’s basically nepotism.”

“I guess, but Mr. Stark’s a nepotism baby. I’m sure he wouldn’t judge you.”

“Peter! You can’t say that—he was orphaned. It’s awful what happened to his parents.” The moment the words leave my mouth, I freeze. Oh. My God.

I can’t bring myself to actually look, but judging by the way Peter’s jaw is hanging open, Bucky definitely heard that.

Suddenly, Peter doesn’t seem so keen on conversation. “Er, I’m gonna head back to my room. Have a streaming party thing with Ned and MJ. Can’t remember why I even came out here in the first place, to be honest. So. See ya, cuz! Bye…Mr. Barnes!”

And with that, Peter disappears and it’s just me and the ex-murderous super soldier I deeply offended.

After cringing for a few more seconds, I build up the courage to look over at him. His eyes are still trained on the skyscrapers littering the city, but something in his demeanor seems different. Is he…holding back a smile?

I can’t do anything but stare incredulously at him. Is this what he looks like right before he goes all Winter Soldier and kills everyone in his direct vicinity? I’ve only ever seen him smile when Steve talks about their days before the serum, so I’m not really sure what to make of this. I think what I’m feeling is fear.

As the thought occurs that I should probably leave, Bucky clears his throat and his eyes meet mine as I’m halfway off the stool. “You don’t have to go.”

“Oh.” I don’t think I’m blinking at all as I sit back down. “I just thought—you know—maybe it’d be better if I left after I—after—”

“What? After you shamed me for the most traumatic experience of my life?” He deadpans, arms across his chest.

I try to swallow the giant lump in my throat. He’s the one staring me dead in the eye now. But definitely not in the way I’d always imagined he would.

With his hair cut short, freshly shaven face, and casual attire, he looks a lot less intimidating than when I first saw him on the news in the full Winter Soldier getup. Still though, everything about his stance feels like he’s challenging me, waiting to strike. I don’t know what he’s waiting for—I couldn’t win in a fight against a feral cat, let alone an Avenger.

Just as I’m contemplating sending a prayer up to a god I don’t believe in, Bucky chuckles. “Relax, I’m kidding. I know you didn’t mean it like that.”

Despite his light tone, I’m still mapping out my escape as he saunters over and takes the seat across from me. “You don’t have to be so antsy around me all the time, you know. I’m not going to kill you.”

I grimace a little at the slight hurt in his voice. “Right, no, I know that. I’m sorry. I just get so awkward around you and end up saying some dumb shit that offends you and only makes you hate me more. I’m really sorry, Bucky.”

He furrows his eyebrows and leans forward a little, “You think I hate you?”

I mimic his confused expression as my words stumble out, “Well, yeah? You never talk to me or look at me, and I feel like you don’t like me hanging around the tower and intruding on your space. That’s why I try really hard to stay out of your way. Which, obviously, doesn’t always work very well.” I close my eyes and cringe at the disaster that was this morning.

Bucky’s lips turn up for the second time today, which is almost scarier than when he glares. Actually, I don’t know if scary is the right word. But I really don’t know how much longer I can handle his intense gaze on me.

“I thought you stayed away because you didn’t like me,” he says, cocking his head slightly.

“What? How could you think that?”

“Like you said, you talk to everyone but me.” He shrugs indifferently, but the twitch in his mouth tells me he cares more than he’s letting on. “Every time I walk in the room, you come up with an excuse to leave. Doesn’t feel too good, to be honest with you.”

I bite my lower lip, the guilt really piling on now. That’s what gives me the courage to look him in the eye again, and suddenly I can’t remember why I was ever afraid of this man whose eyes are pleading for answers. I cast my gaze down at his tightly-laced fingers on the marble between us. His knuckles are turning white.

It doesn’t seem like I’ll get another shot at explaining this, and I might as well get it all out there. So, with caution, I move to the stool right next to Bucky. I suck in a sharp breath when he adjusts and our arms brush together. I can feel his dark eyes boring into the side of my face, urging me to go on. So I do.

“Bucky, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or if my bratty cousin has let it slip, but I kind of had a giant crush on you when we first met.” At this, I can feel him sit up straighter. There’s no going back now. “I used to be really intimidated when you came around, and I didn’t know how to talk to you because you were this cool, mysterious, smoldering Avenger and I was just Peter’s civilian cousin. Plus, you were never as talkative as Sam or Tony. In retrospect, I probably overthought your quietness as a dislike towards me, and so I thought it’d be better to keep my distance. I guess we were both wrong in our assumptions.”

I let myself look up at him, but I can’t decipher the look on his face. His brows are knit together, mouth set in a straight line. His hands have unclenched, each resting on one knee.

I lower my voice, though I don’t mean for it to be so shaky. “I never meant to make you feel unwanted, Bucky. I’m truly sorry.”

He tears his gaze away from me and stands up off of the stool.

Fuck, you’ve really done it this time, you blabbering idiot, I think, squeezing my eyes closed to avoid having to see him storm off.

But instead of hearing his footsteps walking away, I feel a sudden warmth. My eyes shoot open only to see Bucky leaning over me with a hand cupping my cheek. I’ve always known he was big in stature, but I’ve never felt smaller than with him towering over me, making it impossible to see anything that isn’t him. Of course, that might also be because his icy blue eyes are holding me hostage. My breath hitches like I’m seeing him for the first time again.

I don’t realize I’m leaning backwards until I lose my balance and the damn stool gives out from underneath me. Before I can even brace myself, Bucky’s already got both arms around me, his chest pressing against mine, and I’ve never had more trouble catching my breath.

His eyes are now frantically searching over me as he sets me on my feet. “Are you alright? Hey, why are you breathing like that? Shit, you didn’t hit your head on the table, did you?” He punctuates that last sentence with his hands brushing against the back of my head, feeling for any bumps.

The lines on his face deepen, “Doll, say something so I know you’re okay.”

“I’m fine!” I sputter, “Uh, just lost my balance there. And. Forgot how to speak, apparently. Really took me by surprise there, ha. Stools—they’ll get ya!” What the fuck what the fuck.

Realization dawns on Bucky’s face and he’s flashing that smile again. “Ah, stools. Right.” He shifts his weight, dropping his hands to his side as the tension breaks between us. It’s quickly picked back up when he reaches for my hand, which has dissolved into nervous tremors, as has the rest of my body.

He carefully envelops both his hands around mine and takes a step forward. Whiffs of cinnamon and something woody are wafting over me, and I’m becoming increasingly aware that his breathing isn’t much steadier than mine. I have to crane my neck up to meet his eyes again.

His voice drops to a whisper, “For the record, I’m pretty sure I had a crush on you first.”

I shake my head in disbelief, “There’s no way.”

A little half-smile settles on his face as he nods, “Steve’ll tell ya. The first time you visited the compound.”

“Wait, you weren’t there when I first visited. It was just Peter, Tony, Steve, and Bruce.”

He gives a weak chuckle, “No, I was there. I was supposed to introduce myself, but then I saw you with everyone and I completely lost my nerve. I turned right around and spent the rest of the night beating myself up over it. S’pose that’s also why I didn’t talk to you much even after we got properly acquainted.”

My eyes are about to fall out of my head because there is no way Bucky Barnes has just admitted to being intimidated by me. Not this gorgeous, sweet, well-intentioned man that crosses my mind a million times a day.

I feel a light tap on my cheek and focus back on Bucky’s concerned face, “Hey, doll, you’re doing it again. You sure you’re alright?”

“No.” My mouth can’t keep up with all the thoughts clouding over my mind. “You keep calling me doll.”

At that, Bucky’s eyes widen and he quickly releases me, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize—”

“No, I like it.”

“Oh.”

This time, I’m the one snaking my hands up his arms and settling them behind his neck. “Bucky, I still really like you.”

He sighs in relief and brings one hand up behind my head, the other gently stroking my cheek. I wouldn’t have been able to hear his next few words if he hadn’t leaned down until our foreheads touched. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop liking you.”

“Even when I accidentally insult your traumatic past?”

I can feel the smirk growing on his face just before his lips meet mine.

[imagine-a-life-like-this]

Definitely Not Dating (H.HJ)

Warnings : none i can think of?

Word Count : 1622

Synopsis : all their friends tease them about dating due to how close they were, but they were just friends. or were they?

“Your boyfriend’s here.” My roommate and best friend, Felix, teased after answering the door. Hyunjin was close behind him, chuckling at the joke all our friends made about us.

           “Still not dating.” I countered as I stood up from the couch, grabbing my purse. “Where to today?” My words were now directed at Hyunjin who was standing in the doorway, his hands shoved in his pockets.

           “I figured we’d go see that play you’re always talking about. There’s a showing downtown tonight.” My eyes lit up when he said that. “I already bought the tickets.” He added with a chuckle.

           “Have I ever told you I love you, Hwang Hyunjin?” I asked with a smile, linking my arm with his as we made our way outside and to his car.

           “Only everyday.” He countered with a smirk.

           “Never mind, I hate you. Ugly.” I unlinked our arms as he opened the door for me, as he always would. As I got in and buckled my seatbelt, I could see Felix in the window, watching us with a teasing grin on his face. I knew exactly what he was thinking, so I flipped him off just as Hyunjin got into the driver’s seat. He looked forward just in time to see Felix return the gesture while sticking his tongue out.

           “You two have an odd friendship.” He chuckled as he did up his seatbelt. My phone automatically connected to his car as he usually let me play whatever I wanted to listen to. Our friends would always mention how cute that fact was. Maybe if you had better taste in music, he’d let you play your playlists. I’d always retort, hoping the growing feelings weren’t as obvious as our friends insisted they were.

           The next day, I sat at a table in the library with a couple of friends, working on the homework given out that day. My phone, that sat on the table, seemed to vibrate with a text message every few seconds. “Should probably see what they want. It’s probably your boyfriend.” Jeongin teased, nudging me with his shoulder. I rolled my eyes, once again saying that Hyunjin and I weren’t dating.

           “It’s probably Felix asking me to pick up something on my way home. Hyunjin said he was going to the dance studio today.” Hyunjin always threw himself into his dances, barely looking at his phone unless it was to pick a song or pause the music. There was absolutely no way he would be texting me right now. But when I picked it up, I was shocked to see it was him.

 We should get dinner tonight.

That restaurant you like has an opening tonight. I’ll make the reservations.

We could go stargazing after.

Why aren’t you answering me?

Oh right, you’re studying with Jeongin and Seungmin. Tell them I said hi!

Let me know when you’re done, I’ll pick you up : )

           I couldn’t help but smile at the messages, my stomach doing flips as I thought about how this would be a cute date, if it was a date. Dinner and stargazing. “So, what does Felix want?” The teasing tone coming from Seungmin’s lips told me he knew it wasn’t Felix.

           “Hyunjin says hi.” I answered, watching as their faces contorted into teasing grins.

           “And?” Jeongin prodded, nudging me with his shoulder again.

           “And that he’s making reservations at a restaurant before taking me stargazing.” I mumbled under my breath, hoping they wouldn’t hear me. They did.

           Hyunjin stayed true to his word and was outside the library doors when Jeongin, Seungmin, and I exited. His long blond hair tied up in that half pony he always did, his bangs falling across his face. I never was one for long, dyed hair before, preferring men with shorter, dark hair. But Hyunjin pulled off the long blond look so well it was hard not to be drawn to him. “Have fun on your date!” Jeongin teased as the two of them took off in the opposite direction of Hyunjin and I.

           “Do you think our friends will ever believe we’re just friends?” Hyunjin joked as he slid his hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. I giggled to myself, knowing that if I was an outsider looking in, I would think exactly the way they do. But this is how our friendship has been since high school. We’ve always been touchy with each other, cuddling and holding hands.

           “Once we’re married to other people.” I joked, trying not to let the hurt I felt at the very thought of him falling in love with someone else evident in my voice.

           We sat across from each other at my favourite restaurant, browsing the menu in silence. Soft chatter from the other patrons, and the soft classical music they played filling the comfortable silence between us. If I’m honest, I’ve only been here one other time. My previous birthday, Hyunjin brought me here. It was the first time we’d been somewhere so fancy, and we were quite underdressed, not knowing the dress code for the restaurant. We laughed about how badly we stuck out among the other patrons, but neither one of us cared. That memory alone made it my favourite place.

           Hyunjin held my hand from across the table as we ate, catching each other up on our day as if we hadn’t seen each other in ages, even though I saw him yesterday. We rarely went a day without seeing each other, almost as if we had a need to be by each other’s side whenever possible.

           We laid beside each other on the blanket Hyunjin brought, staring up at the night sky sparkling with stars. Soft music played from his phone that was laying in between us. He quietly sung along to the songs, and my heart swelled with joy. I absolutely loved listening to him sing, even though he hates singing in front of people. I’m sure I’m the only person that’s ever heard him, and honestly that should be a crime. His voice was my favourite in the entire world, but maybe I’m biased because I love him.

           “We’re friends, right?” I asked, silencing his singing, and bringing his attention from the stars to me. I turned my head to face him, our eyes meeting.

           “Of course.” He replied almost immediately.

           “But are we just friends?” The question hung in the air longer than the first one, but neither one of us moved, our eyes still locked. The weight of his hand in mind suddenly clearer than it’s ever been before.

           “What do you mean?” It was as if the words he meant to say were caught in his throat. I could hear it in the way his voice cracked when he answered.

           “Our friends always tease us about dating.” I pointed out.

           “That’s what friends do.” He smiled, his thumb now running over my knuckles. My skin burned from his touch, but I loved the feeling.

           “We’re always holding hands and cuddling.”

           “We’re touchy people.” He shrugged. I didn’t bring up the many times he told our other friends that he didn’t like skin ship. He wasn’t much of a hugger unless it was me. But I didn’t bring that up.

           “What about all the fancy dinners? The plays? Movies? Stargazing?” I gestured to what we were doing right now with my free hand, refusing to pull my hand away from his, loving the feeling of his hand in mine. I always have.

           “I like spoiling you.” Silence fell upon us again as I tried to think of what else to say. So many more things to point out, but I’m sure he had an explanation for it all. The drawers of my stuff at his place, and the drawer of his stuff at my place. The loving captions on pictures we posted of each other. The heart-shaped necklace he gave me one day, our initials engraved on the back of it. He’d have an explanation for it all, that I’m sure of. But there’s one thing he couldn’t explain away.

           “I’m in love with you.” The words rolled off my tongue before I could stop them, as if they were meant to be said in that moment. He could explain all the cute moments and thoughtful gifts, saying it’s just the way our friendship is. That’s just how close we were. But the love I have for him isn’t platonic.

           My confession hung in the air like a neon sign, and the confidence I once had began to fade. But before I could take it back, his lips were on mine. The same lips I’ve been dreaming about kissing for years, were now pressed against mine in the sweetest kiss I’ve ever experienced. It was a kiss filled with love and passion. A kiss that couldn’t be explained in a platonic way. “We aren’t just friends.” He whispered after pulling away. “I don’t think we ever were.”

           He kissed me again when dropping me off at home that night, whispering a quick I love you before I walked into the house I shared with Felix. “How was your date?” Felix teased when he saw I was home.

           “Perfect.” I smiled, watching as his eyes widened at the fact I didn’t bant with him.

           “You’re not denying that this was a date?” He questioned, fully emerging from the kitchen, where he was most likely baking brownies.

           “Why would I?” I kicked my shoes off and placed my purse on the coffee table before sitting on the couch, still on cloud nine.

           “Because you always do? You and Hyunjin are just friends.” I smiled and shook my head.

           “Hyunjin and I are definitely dating.”