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bestaez · 2 years ago

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Strangers (Chapter Nine)

Strangers from Hell AU

Series Masterlist

pairing: ot7 x reader

genre: yandere, horror/thriller

word count: 6k

warnings (lmk if i missed anything!): unreliable narrator, murder, mature themes, minor character death, obsessive/possessive behavior, emotional manipulation, stalking, bullying, violence, blood and injuries, mc has some self-deprecating thoughts, mc is lowkey in denial.

When Nayeon offered to book you a hotel room, you weren’t expecting her to book such a lavish place. You tried to convince her to pick a cheaper motel you wouldn't feel so guilty staying in but she wouldn’t allow it, insisting that you let her take care of you. It wasn’t like she didn’t have the money - her position paid quite a generous salary. But that wasn’t the point. She had already done so much for you and you just felt like you didn’t deserve any of it. She had waved off all your attempts, fixing you with an almost exasperated look that finally made you shut up.

It reminded me of the first night you met Nayeon, in the bathroom of one of the only college parties you had ever attended. Before you had met Jihoon, there was another guy from one of your classes that you had gotten close to. You had bonded over late night studying in the library and last-minute racing to the cafeteria before it closed. Despite your best efforts, you fell for him. When he invited you to his friend’s kickback, you were excited to spend more time with him. That was until he blew you off to have sex in his car with some random girl. The two of you weren’t exclusive by any means, but you couldn’t help but be jaded over it.

Even back then, you knew you were probably being silly for feeling jealous. But you were also just hurt that he had left you alone at a house party where you didn’t know anyone. When turning to drinking only resulted in you being even more intoxicated and sad, you had ventured off to the bathroom to let your feelings out. And that was how Nayeon had found you, sitting on the closed toilet seat with your head in your hands and tears streaming down your cheeks.

“I can promise you he isn’t worth your tears,” She had stated, giving you a look in the mirror as she checked her makeup. When you explained your pathetic situation, she only scoffed in disbelief. She grabbed your hand, pulling you up from your seat and meeting your gaze fiercely. “I’m Nayeon. See, now you know one other person here.”

Nayeon had cheered you up with words of affirmations and fixed your makeup a bit. After that, she held your hand and walked you back down to where the party was. She introduced you to her friend group, which ironically included Jihoon. The two of them took you under their wing and became your closest friends throughout their college years. And now, the two of them here taking care of you in your adult years was very funny but almost meant to be.

Nayeon and Jihoon had initially planned to leave so that you could have some space but you begged them to stay. You didn’t trust your mind enough to be alone with your thoughts in a new place. Once they saw the teary look in your eyes, it wasn’t even a question. You ended up falling asleep cuddled up next to Jihoon with Nayeon sleeping in the spare bed, her back facing you. This sleepover arrangement was so strange but you allowed yourself to enjoy the familiar company for one night.

The next morning, the two of them had left in order to grab a change of clothes - both promising to return as soon as they could. You knew it was only reasonable for them to leave eventually but you couldn’t help the heavy feeling in your chest. It had been so cozy there in your little bubble.

You don’t know how long you stayed in bed like that, staring at the wall deep in thought. The sound of your phone buzzing next to you broke you out of your daze, glancing at the screen to see an incoming call from your mom. Your heart skipped a beat, paranoid thoughts that she might know what happened sneaking in. Did Jihoon or Nayeon tell her?

Your hands shook as you brought the phone to your ear, “Mom?”

“Hi honey! I was just calling to check in,” Her comforting voice came through the speaker, causing your racing heart to slow just a bit. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” You paused, trying to keep the confusion lacing your tone. “How are you?”

“Great! I wanted to thank you for sending that check.” You froze in your spot on the bed, eyes staring unblinking as she spoke. “I didn’t realize you were going to send so much. You have no idea what this will do for us.”

Whatever else she said after that went unheard by you, your mind trying to make sense of what she said. You never sent her any check. At least, you had no memory of doing so. She had only called you the other day so you hadn’t had the time to. And at this point, you weren’t sure you would even have the means to do so anymore. You didn’t know if you should tell her the truth so you just remained quiet, trying to focus on what she was saying. She was updating you on your brother’s condition, which as it seemed was improving.

“Oh- your brother’s awake now. I’ll put him on.”

You waited and then your brother’s voice came on the line, “YN?”

“Minjun?” You hadn’t expected the tears that came flooding in at the sound of your baby brother’s voice. It was a much-needed comfort. “How are you?”

“I’m doing okay. Mom said you helped pay for my procedure. Thank you so much, sissy.”

You choked a little, not knowing if you should take credit for something you didn’t do but ultimately deciding not to let them stress over it either. “Of course, Junie. I hope you’re feeling better now.”

“Yes, I feel a lot better.” He answered, sounding strong and hopeful. “Are you liking it out there in the city? Is your job pretty cool?”

“It’s not bad and, uh, yeah my job is pretty cool.” You feel so lame lying to your brother like this but it’s not like you could tell him the truth. You didn’t know how you were even going to tell your mother.

You listened to your brother chat for a little while longer. He told you funny stories about the different roommates he had encountered during his trips to the hospital. You half-listened, half-marveled at how grown up he sounded. You couldn’t wrap your mind around it. You hadn’t left home that long ago so why did they feel so far away?

After the call ended, all you could do was stare at the phone in confusion. Was it possible you sent your mother money and completely forgot about it? No, there was so way. You weren’t that out of it. So, then who did? Your first thought was maybe Jihoon or Nayeon because they had always loved your mom when they came to visit with you during your school breaks. They claimed your mom made the best naengmyeon and always begged her to make it for them. But, you don’t remember ever telling them about your family’s money problem.

Before you could stress yourself out even more, there was a knock at the door. You got up slowly, light footsteps making your way to the door as you stared at it cautiously. For some reason, you were on edge thinking about who it could be. Jihoon and Nayeon never said when they would come back, just that it would be a little while.

Just as you were leaning up to check the peephole, a deep voice sounded behind the door. “It’s me, YN.”

You breathed a sigh of relief, unlocking it to see your boyfriend’s face waiting patiently behind it. He raised his eyebrows at you playfully, waiting for you to step aside to let him in. Once you were both inside and the door was shut behind you, you felt much calmer and safer.

Jihoon wasted no time making himself at home, settling in on the foot of the bed with a bag by his feet. You took a seat next to him, muscles tense as you tried to appear relaxed next to him. But of course, he knew you too well and saw right through your act.

“Calm down, YN.” Jihoon’s shoulder bumped yours lightly. “You look so tense.”

“Sorry.” You mumbled, falling backwards on the bed in a heap. “I don’t know why I just feel so paranoid.”

“Why? You know you’re safe here, right?” He turned to look at you fully, concern etched into his expression.

“Yes. That’s the problem, I’m too scared to leave.” You explained, biting your lip thoughtfully.

Jihoon sighed, leaning back he turned to give you a long look. He looked deep in thought about something, opening his mouth a few times before finally settling with, “Look-”

Another knock at the door interrupted him. He paused, looking at you before getting up to check the peephole. You already knew who it was by the way his shoulders sagged knowingly, going to unlock the door and let her in.

Nayeon came in, bright-eyed and rosy cheeked. She, too, had a bag with her that she dropped by your feet unceremoniously. She plopped down next to you on the bed, throwing an arm over your shoulder and squeezing you affectionately. “How’s my dongsaeng?

“Better, I think.” You answered as honestly as you could, palms rubbing the fabric of your pants idly. “I spoke to my mom earlier.”

“Yeah? Did you tell her what happened?” Jihoon asked curiously as he perched himself on the desk before you.

“No, definitely not. I don’t want to freak her out,” You shake your head, laughing humorlessly. “She’s been stressed enough these days. Actually, come to think of it, I know this sounds crazy but did either of you send her money recently?”

They both shook their heads at you curiously, frowns etched on their faces.

“It’s so weird. She thanked me for sending her a check but I don’t recall ever sending her one. She had asked me for one and I had been planning to, but I never got around to doing it.”

“Is it possible you did but just forgot?” Nayeon’s tone was light as she regarded you carefully.

“I don’t know.”

The three of you were silent after that, thoughts lingering over your heads that no one dared to speak out loud. You knew they were probably surveying your emotions, not wanting to say something that could possibly upset you. The fact that even Nayeon, your most outspoken friend, was quiet said something. You knew how this all must look and it all made you feel so helpless.

*****

It took some convincing but the two of them managed to get you out of the hotel room, insisting that it was important you didn’t grow dependent on staying inside. They also claimed they were starving and didn’t want to spend money on the expensive hotel room food, which you couldn’t argue with.

The walk to the restaurant wasn’t long and once inside, you found it was actually quite small and cozy. The three of you found a booth in the back, Jihoon pausing to let you slide in first as he came in next to you. Your mind was so jumbled you couldn’t even decipher the words on the menu, too distracted by all the other customers in the store. It wasn’t even that busy but every noise put you on edge.

Jihoon had ordered something simple for you, sensing how difficult you were finding it to pick something to eat. You leaned into his shoulder and smiled thankfully, too absorbed in your boyfriend’s thoughtful actions to notice the jealous gaze on you both.

“So, YN,” Your eyes rose to find Nayeon staring at you with a curious look on her face, eyebrows raised. “What’s your plan?”

“I’m not sure, to be honest.” You threaded your fingers together, gaze averting to the tabletop nervously. “Have you heard anything?”

“Well, if you’re asking about your job, I don’t even know what to say. It doesn’t sound good, that’s for sure.” You nodded with a sigh, expecting that much. “But I haven’t heard anything about if she’s gonna press charges. Maybe if you apologized...”

“I don’t know if I can face her again.” Your hands trembled as you placed them on the table before you. Memories of your court case flooded back in and sent a cold shock to your system, having to deal with that girl and her family’s death glares was something you never wanted to experience again. “God, I’m such a mess.”

“We’ll help you get through this.” Jihoon placed his hand onto yours comfortingly, looking down at you with a soft smile on his face. The two of you held your gazes for a moment, feeling connected for the first time in a long time.

You didn’t notice the way Nayeon eyed your joined hands silently for a moment before she, too, placed her hand on yours, causing you both to look back at her. “Yes, we will.”

You found that despite life driving you apart in recent months, spending time in the presence of your two closest companions was much needed. Even if they hadn’t always been there for you before, they had shown up now without you even asking. You felt yourself relaxing into the warm bubble around them, almost forgetting how stressful your life had been up until now.

You open your mouth to thank them, freezing when your eyes fall on a figure in all-black entering the restaurant. You blink in shock, trying to see if it’s really him or just a hallucination. You wouldn’t be surprised if you were seeing things at this point but when the other two look at the entrance curiously, you know it’s real. You can’t explain the cold feeling that blooms in your chest at the sight of him. There’s just something about his presence that sets you off.

“Who is that, YN?” You can’t even respond, frozen in fear as he spots you, turning to approach the table.

“Hey stranger.” You can only gawk as Jihoon and Nayeon give you a questioning look. The newcomer appears unbothered by all the attention as he turns to look at Jihoon. “You must be the boyfriend.”

“And you are?” Jihoon raises an unimpressed eyebrow, trying to appear unfazed by the tense energy.

“Sorry, I’m being rude.” He chuckles, holding his hand out in introduction. “I’m Namjoon, YN’s roommate.”

The two of them shake hands, Namjoon looking almost too eager while Jihoon seemed apprehensive, sizing the former up where he stood. You risk a glance at Nayeon, who was too busy studying Namjoon curiously. You could tell she thought he was attractive with the way her eyes were raking up and down his form, unable to look away.

“Well, we were kind of in the middle of something-” Jihoon pulls his hand away finally, shaking his arm uncomfortably.

“Why don’t you join us?” Nayeon’s invitation shocks you all, but Namjoon eats it up as he slid in next to her with a grin. You are surprised to see her flip her hair to one side as she leans forward in her seat, gaze falling to her blouse that seemed to have more obvious cleavage than before. Had she unbuttoned her blouse that quickly?

“I’m Nayeon,” She clears her throat, bringing your roommate’s attention to her finally. He blinks as if just now taking her in. “I’m YN’s best friend.”

“Oh really?” Namjoon responds coolly, leaning back. “YN never mentioned a best friend.”

“Well that’s surprising because I’m the reason she’s here. I got her a job at my company. Well, what was her job.” Nayeon declares matter-of-factly, ignoring the deadpanned look Jihoon gives her. “I’m actually the chief-”

“Ah, that must be why you’re so full of yourself.” Your eyes widen at Namjoon’s bluntness, Jihoon snorting next to you.

“Excuse me?” Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Clearly, Nayeon was used to people praising her instead of judging her.

“You think you’re better than her because you’re some executive. If you’re in such a good position, why couldn’t you get her a real job instead of a stupid internship?” The tension was thick as you and Jihoon stared back and forth at the two bickering on the other side of the table. You felt like you weren’t even here, unable to believe any of this was happening. “And then you have the nerve to take all the credit for YN getting this position as if her own merit didn’t have anything to do with it. YN is a good person and you only put her down. You don’t deserve her.”

“How are you going to sit here and act like you know her in front of the two people who care about her the most?” Nayeon spits, rage filling her eyes. “She’s been my best friend for years-”

“You’re disgusting. Pretending like you care about her when you’re too busy fucking her boyfriend to answer her calls.”

At first, it was like you didn’t even hear it. It felt like you were in a dream and couldn’t get your ears to work or mouth to speak. Only when you saw Nayeon’s mouth open and close, her eyes blinking rapidly and avoiding making contact with your own did you fully register it. You looked at Jihoon, who seemed to be breaking out of his stupor as he reached across the table and grabbed Namjoon’s collar.

“Who the fuck do you think you are to say something like that?!” You don’t think you’ve ever seen your boyfriend get this angry. You could only stare in awe, meanwhile no one seemed to be brave enough to spare a look at you.

“Look at this fucking guy,” Namjoon laughed darkly, unbothered by the tight grip on his shirt. “Who are you acting all tough for, huh? Your girlfriend or your sidepiece?”

At that, Jihoon ripped Namjoon up out of his seat as they both stood and moved out into the aisle. More customers had arrived during your time here and the small crowd was watching the altercation. Somehow, you were too distracted to be embarrassed by all the attention.

“YN,” Nayeon reaches across the table to hold your arm tightly, “You know he’s lying, right? I don’t know where he got that from.”

You didn’t respond, wrenching yourself out of her grasp and finally getting out of your seat. Namjoon and Jihoon paused their staredown when you breezed past them, heading for the restaurant doors. You didn’t know what to think but you needed some air.

You had a few seconds to yourself as you stood outside the restaurant, the sky dark around you as night had fallen. There weren’t too many people in the street so at least it was peaceful for a moment. The sound of the doors flying open behind you popped that bubble.

“YN, I-”

“Is it true?” You didn’t turn around to look at Jihoon, unable to look at his face when he answered. But when he didn’t respond, you finally looked back. He could only stare at you sadly, and for a moment you thought you might have seen his eyes getting glossy behind his glasses before you rationalized it was probably just the glare from the streetlights.

You looked at Nayeon, who stood a few feet away. She met your gaze head-on, trying to appear strong but you could tell from the way she shuffled her feet that she was nervous. There weren't many things that made your best friend uncomfortable but you knew a guilty look when you saw one.

“How could you?” Many emotions crossed her face - denial, surprise, sadness until she eventually settled with a mask of indifference.

“What do you want me to say? It’s not like you two were in the best of places. He was bored, I was lonely.” She shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest. “C’mon, we’re all adults here. Shit happens. I’m sorry.”

That last part felt like an afterthought and you knew she didn’t really mean it. You stared at your oldest friend with this new-found light and it was like suddenly, all her flaws were visible. She truly was a stone-cold bitch and you felt foolish for taking this long to realize it. Perhaps you were too close to her before to truly see it.

“It must be so lonely surrounding yourself with such narcissistic people,” Namjoon’s voice caught you off guard from where she stood a few feet away, making you tense up on the spot. “Especially in a scary new place like this. But, you know you’re not alone, YN. You always have us.”

“Oh my god,” Nayeon burst out laughing, covering her mouth. “Do you hear yourself? Fucking weirdo.”

“How the fuck did you even know, huh? Are you some kind of stalker?” Jihoon finds his voice as rage once again consumes him, turning to Namjoon as he steps closer.

“I’m just someone who cares a lot for YN, clearly more than you both do.” Namjoon answers simply, as if his revelations on your relationship are easy information for anyone to find. It was happening in your own life and you couldn’t even see it.

“Whatever. YN, I know you probably don’t want to hear it from me but if I were you, I’d get a restraining order against this guy’s ass.” You don’t look at her as Nayeon says her piece before turning to leave, walking further away down the sidewalk.

It’s silent for a while after that. You can’t get yourself to move your feet, staring at the ground as if deep in thought but nothing really sticking. You can feel the burning gazes of both men on you but you’re too zoned out to care.

“YN, let me take you back to the hotel at least.” Jihoon softly calls out to you, stepping closer. It isn’t until you feel his hand on you that you finally snap. “Honey-”

“Don’t call me that.” You spit, throwing your fists against his chest angrily. “Don’t touch me. Just.. fuck off!”

Jihoon could only stand there and take it as you beat against him senselessly, allowing you to let your frustrations out on him. It wasn’t until you felt your energy start to lessen and tears fill your eyes that you finally gave him a good shove, turning on your heel to get away from him.

The sound of footsteps behind you caused you to hasten your steps, not wanting to deal with another confrontation and just wanting to be alone. When you felt a hand on your shoulder, you reeled back in anger only to see it was Namjoon following you.

“Namjoon, w-what?” You breathed, too absorbed in the drama of your boyfriend cheating on you to think about his part in all this. “Why are you here?”

“Are you okay?” He seemed concerned as he closed the gap between your bodies, peering down at you.

“How did you know about them? Were you following us?” All those times you had been out somewhere and thought you saw someone in the corner of your eye or heard something behind you - had it been him all along? Or any of your other roommates? Were they all in on this?

“Remember when I said your boyfriend didn’t deserve you? I knew something was off that night when he didn’t answer your calls.” Namjoon answers truthfully, looking into your eyes.

“Look, I appreciate the concern but can you just back off? It’s starting to creep me out.” You shuffled from one foot to another, looking away from him in discomfort.

“I can’t.”

You looked back up at him, trying to conceal your gasp at his blatant disregard for your wishes. He reaches out to brush some of your hair away from your face as he sighs thoughtfully. A tense silence follows as you freeze where you stand, his words and actions making you stare at him in confusion. As much as his recent behavior had thrown you off guard, nothing could prepare you for what came out his mouth next.

“I don’t know if I ever told you this before but once I find my target, I never let them go.” Your heart stutters in your chest as his thumb brushes across your cheek, dark eyes tracking the action casually.

“Your target? What the fuck is wrong with you?” You pushed his hand away from your face, stepping back from him to create some distance. “You know what, I don’t care. Just stay the fuck away from me before I call the police.”

You turn your back on him as you move further down the street, which might not have been the smartest move around a seemingly dangerous person but you were eager to get out of his presence. Much to your surprise, he doesn’t follow you - or at least, you don’t hear him behind you at all. You’re almost too scared to check.

“YN.” Namjoon’s voice makes you jump, legs trembling as you turn slightly to look back at him standing in the exact spot you left him in. “I promise I’ll show you how much I care for you.”

You don’t respond, hurrying up the hill in an attempt to get to safety. He didn’t seem like he was planning on following you but that doesn’t stop you from turning around every few steps to ensure there is no one there, each time only finding the empty street. You do this the entire way until you find yourself at the hotel, so relieved to be back you could cry.

And when you finally flop down in your bed, that’s exactly what you do.

*****

An incessant buzzing sound slowly woke you from your slumber, lifting your head to blink blearily around the room in confusion. Your head was in such a fog you couldn’t remember where you were for a second. The only thing your mind could focus on was the source of the noise, pulling your phone from the nightstand and tapping at it to get it to shut up.

Once silenced, you laid your head back on the pillow in hopes to pick back up where you left off. Before you could even get close, the buzzing started up again much to your annoyance. You huffed, picking the phone back up and swiping to answer it.

“What-” Your tone is harsh, ready to lash out on your bitch of a best friend. As if sleeping with your boyfriend wasn’t enough, now she has to blow up your phone in a time like this.

“Where are you?” At Nayeon’s frantic tone, you felt yourself waking up a bit more.

“Why are you calling me?” You didn’t have time for this, moving to end the call and finally block her for good when her rushed voice stopped you.

“YN, this is serious. Tell me where you are.”

“I’m back at the hotel room,” Confused, you find yourself sitting up in the bed and running a hand through your hair. “Why?”

“Okay, stay there. I’m on my way.” She spoke quickly, the sound of metal jingling around in the background followed by a door slamming. It sounded like she was driving, which you knew was something she hated doing. This must be serious.

“Wait, what’s going on? I don’t want to see you-” You began, feeling your stomach turn at the thought of having to face your homewrecker of a friend right now.

“Jiwan is dead.”

You don’t know how much time had passed from the moment the call ended to when Nayeon arrived at the hotel, the sound of loud knocking waking you up out of the daze you had been in. Standing up on wobbly legs, it felt as if you were floating as you made your way over to the door. The tremor in your hands made it a little difficult to unlatch the door but once it was open, your old friend breezed her way in.

You followed behind her slowly, feeling out of place despite it being your own room. Eventually, you found yourself getting back into your spot on the bed by the pillows. Being in a safe, comfortable position settled you a bit. Nayeon stood tense in front of the bed, arms crossed and her eyes looking anywhere but at you. In the back of your mind, you found her sudden change in character to be a bit ironic.

“W-what happened?” Your voice sounded far away, like it wasn’t connected to you at all. She finally looked up, her eyes meeting yours in a way that made your heart skip a beat.

“She was found dead in her apartment this morning. Someone killed her.” She answered quickly, sounding like her own mind was trying to wrap around it.

At that moment, it was like time stopped. There was no sound, not even Jiwan’s voice or your own breathing. The blood was rushing in your ears, throbbing almost painfully. You weren’t sure if you could actually hear your own heartbeat or if it was just the feeling of it pounding in your chest.

“YN?” You looked up to see her looking at you with a frown on her face. You don’t know what that look meant.

“I-I don’t understand. I just saw her the other day when I...” Almost choking on the words as it felt like your throat was closing up, you stopped yourself from continuing that sentence. “How did she die?”

“What I heard was that someone broke in sometime during the night and strangled her. Nothing appeared to be stolen, so they think it was a targeted attack.” She explains, heaving a deep troubled sigh.

You didn’t even know what to think or say. None of it made any sense to you. Sure, Jiwan wasn’t the most enjoyable person to be around but how could she be gone just like that? You were one to talk, after scalding her with a hot beverage just the other day. The thought made you gasp a little, eyes widening as the entire situation registered in your mind. God, you probably looked so guilty.

“Where were you?” Nayeon’s voice breaks you out of your train of thought, eyes snapping back up to see a cautious expression on her face.

“What do you mean?” Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Like last night... after you left.” She waved her hand around in a hurried explanation.

“I came here. I’ve been here the whole night.” You explained carefully, trying to figure out where she was going with this. “Why?

“Just wondering.”

Your jaw dropped in shock, reeling back to look at her incredulously, “You think I did it.”

“No, I mean- I don’t know what to think.” She sighs, running a hand over her face in frustration.

“Look, you have to admit you might be considered a suspect after everything. What with the way she was harassing you for weeks and your history...”

“Are you kidding me? I know I’ve had anger problems in the past but I’m not a killer.” You huff irritably, crossing your arms over your chest like a child.

“In the past? YN, you threw boiling hot water on that woman just the other day. You clearly have some unchecked anger here.” She gives you a look and now you truly feel like a child being scolded. “Plus, I’m sure finding out about me and Jihoon didn’t help-”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe this!” You snap at her, frustration oozing from your form as you pinched your nose. She made you feel like you were crazy. Maybe you were. “No, wait- what I can’t believe is that I’m actually talking to you right now.”

“Okay, let’s just be calm. I know I’m probably the last person you wanna see but let’s face it, you’re gonna need all the help you can get. Jihoon and I were the last people who saw you last night.”

“Where is Jihoon anyway?” You don’t bother looking at her, annoyed that you are even asking her about your boyfriend’s whereabouts.

“I don’t know.” At her simple response, you snap your gaze back up at her accusingly. She shifts uncomfortably in her spot, awkwardly avoiding your glare.

“What? You guys didn’t sleep together last night?” You laugh bitterly despite not at all finding the situation humorous. “Isn’t that why you practically forced me to stay at this hotel?”

She heaves out a sigh, as if she’s stressed over the situation. “Look, I understand you hate me right now but I actually came here to help you. I was worried about you.”

“Oh, please-” You were ready to go off on her again when the buzzing of your phone interrupted you. Picking it up, you rolled your eyes at the sight of the caller ID. Speak of the devil.

“What-” The sound of heavy breathing and pained groans made you pause, listening intently to the other line. “Jihoon?”

“YN...” You had never heard your boyfriend’s voice sound like that, so helpless and weak. Jihoon had always been calm, almost monotone. Something was definitely wrong.

“What’s wrong?” You felt the bed dip as Nayeon quickly sat next to you, her ear now pressed up to the phone as well.

The line was silent for a while, your heart pounding in your chest as you waited for a response. Just when it looked like Nayeon was about to lose her composure and grab the phone from you, the call ended. You stared down at the screen in shock, not understanding any of it.

“What the fuck, call them back!” You startled at the sound of Nayeon’s panicked voice, fingers nervously tapping at your screen to redial when a text came in.

The picture that had come in looked like something from a horror movie. Jihoon was tied to what looked like a dentist’s chair, cuts and bruises littering the exposed skin of his face and hands. His clothes were torn and dirtied with blood in some places. But the scariest part of all were his eyes - once always so bright and beautiful behind his glasses were now shut, the skin around them puffy and purple. He looked dead.

Nayeon barely had time to look at the picture before the phone started ringing again. The two of you stared at each other in shock for a moment. You felt as if you were on auto-pilot, just letting her take the reins as she answered the call with shaking hands.

“What did you do to him?” Nayeon spoke, her voice thick with emotion. You couldn’t hear their response but it clearly only served to make her more upset if her pinched facial expression proved anything. “I don’t care if you want to talk to her - put Jihoon on!”

“I’d be nice to me if I were you, seeing as your lover’s life is in my hands. Put YN on right now,” Nayeon had already done it before he said it, and you weren’t prepared for it when he suddenly addressed you. “Are you listening, YN?”

“Yes.” You cringed at how weak your voice sounded.

“Your boyfriend wants to see you. You shouldn’t have run away, YN.”

“Don’t you dare touch him!” Strangely enough, you were glad Nayeon was here because you weren’t sure if you would have had the courage to speak on your own.

“Why not?” There was the sound of shuffling on the other end before he heaved a deep sigh. “He means nothing to me.”

“You sick bastard, I’ll kill you!” You flinched at how loud Nayeon got, her features twisted in anger. In the back of your mind, you wondered if she might break your phone from how tightly she was gripping it.

“I’m planning a special get-together for the roommates tonight, YN. I’d really love it if you came... and you can bring your friend I guess.” You could practically hear his eye-roll through the speaker. “If you try to call the police or run away again, I’ll know. Don’t make me upset or you’ll regret it.”

There was a pause as you both tried to process his words, not understanding his plan but knowing it couldn’t be good. Nayeon opened and closed her mouth a few times, clearly as stunned as you felt.

“I’ll be waiting here for you.”

taglist: @min-mingii @micheleinumaki @potaetopic @namjinieesope @mageprincess7 @minshookie29 @outro-kook @nikipedia07 @axniyx @kittykatfey @peaceout97 @kurodach @bex-tk1 @sa7kou @purpuravm @doublebunv @amylouisecullen @rossemayme @unsureofwhathappens @sleepy-time-dreamy @anushaackerman @shyloh-the-cornsnake @toughbook @urbanbts @carpioassists @millenniumspec @maliyachan @lovely247 @croctears @uarmyhore @shadoweepingscream @inlovewiththehpcast @jcrml

A/N: welp... a lot of shit hit the fan in this one ngl😅 lmk what u think but also pls be nice!! hehe i know some ppl didn’t want them to cheat but i had to do it for the plot lmao im sorryyy. we’re almost all the end tho only one more chapter to go and then the craziness will end woooo

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not-poignant · 1 year ago

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here i am to shower you in compliments!!!! 🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️

i started with your fae tales works (probably like a lot of your readers) and since then have been obsessed with everything you write. you are my go-to read when i need a reprieve from boredom, a reminder to be strong when i'm struggling, or just some plain old comfy comfort. your characters have stuck with me for years now and will probably always hold a special place in my heart. when im sad i often just think of gwyn and augus relaxing in nature and being goofy-happy together, or ef and arden playing with a cute dog, or pitch and jack jamming to some music in their home together while pitch makes dinner. thank you truly does not feel like enough!

now here is a potentially dumb and/or already asked question: of all of the many many characters that you have written (and their many different iterations), is there one that you identify with the most? this might be too silly of a question, so feel free to just douse yourself in the compliments shower and ignore the rest :)

Hi hi anon!

This ask makes me so happy, just... *flails happily* also that you're able to reach for my writing at different times, and different characters for different reasons. AHHHH thank you!!! Thank you for reading as well :D I consider myself showered!

(Also for your asked question, tbh I don't really know! It tends to be whoever I'm writing at the time, and then I sort of...move onto the next characters. There is no real 'most' though, I don't like to put too much of myself into any one MC, because I'm not a writer who enjoys self-inserts (like to the point where I don't want any of my video game characters to be based on me or to look like me in video games) - as a result, they all kind of get a similar amount of 'a bit like me' and therefore I kind of relate to them all on a similar level.

There's been ones I haven't related to as much, which to some degrees is probably Mosk, Flitmouse and Connor, but otherwise I don't really want to relate to them too much. So it's more like... 'I have to relate to them due to writing their emotional states and relating helps' - so I relate most to whoever's emotional state I'm writing at the time :D )

#asks and answers #personal #why are people so nice #there's no one character that rises above the others though #i would say characters i've given the most words to #are probably up there #efnisien and gwyn for example #but then not necessarily jack frost #who i also gave a lot of words to #so idk it's hard!#it's definitely not a bad question though #administrator gwyn wants this in the queue

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cursedvibes · 1 year ago

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my headcanon is totally not projecting here,that Jin is a social butterfly autistic man who developed a special interest in sociology and psychology as a result. Jin " I will win at being a normal human" Itadori. Jin's obsession with Kenjaku aside of course. And also because the thought of Jin being a psychiatrist or psychologist and Kenjaku being a mad scientist who could be a killer OBGYN while their own son has called himself dumb more with less than stellar grades than once is hilarious.

I like that. His overly formal speech pattern would fit with that too. Psychiatry would fit well for him and would make him match with Kenjaku. Also explains why he was less/not weirded out by Kaori's personality change. It is something to expect after severe brain injuries, no need to judge her for it. She might get better and rediscover aspects of who she used to be or he will learn to love her the way she is now. Wasuke is being way too hysterical. The old version of Kaori might be dead, but she's clearly still here. Accept reality, old man. He'd probably find Kaori's new behaviour very fascinating then and try to find out how exactly she has changed.

Reminds me, I considered an AU once, where Jin is a criminal psychiatrist and Kenjaku a neuro scientist turned serial killer. Jin is fascinated with them and tries to write a book about their cases while analysing them from a distance. Previously, he only had a few chances to talk to surviving test subjects, but once Kenjaku gets caught, he takes the opportunity to talk to them, Hannigram-style. They click and Kenjaku slowly but surely talks him into sneaking them out of prison.

I wouldn't say Yuuji's dumb though and aside from science topics his grades are fine as far as I remember. Not great, but not bad either. And he's certainly a lot smarter than other characters who get put into the "dumb shonen mc" trope. Most of the time he's just goofy. His problem is mainly his naivete and in case of the early CE and CT explanations, he learned basically yesterday that these things even exist, makes sense he wouldn't immediately get it. His stance against Higuruma's Judgeman was pretty reasonable for example. He figured out propeller man's weakpoint pretty quickly and he caught onto the Culling Game rules and Kenjaku's barrier shenanigans way faster than most readers. Stuff like him screaming through Shibuya that Gojo was sealed just stems from him not being that familiar with jujutsu world yet and not knowing what consequences this would lead to. He's matured a lot though.

#asks #itadori jin #itadori yuuji

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winterandwords · 1 year ago

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Author ask tag game

Thanks to @rickie-the-storyteller for tagging me in this one! I'm answering for Spin Cylinder (the sequel to November Breaks)...

What is the main lesson of your story (e.g. kindness, diversity, anti-war), and why did you choose it?

I know I should say something deep and meaningful for this, but if there's a lesson in it at all, it's just "It's fun to make up some guys and then make them do fucked up shit"

What did you use as inspiration for your worldbuilding (like real-life cultures, animals, famous media, websites, etc.)?

Both Spin Cylinder and November Breaks are set in and around an unnamed every-city. Some of the locations are based on places I've been, like the cafe, Alchemy, which is based on a bar that no longer exists next to the beach in Edinburgh. Brett and Noah's house is pure wish fulfilment though. It exists in my head in so much detail and is basically what I would want from a house if money was no object.

What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, and help readers grow as a person?

There's a lot about identity going on, a lot of "Who am I without external expectations and this job that defined me for years?" The characters are also adjusting to a state of obsessive togetherness that they both fell into after being aggressively disconnected from the people around them for most of their lives. Please god do not let anyone be inspired by them. They are literally criminals and murderers. They are not supposed to be inspirational. They wouldn't know forgiveness if it shot them in the face. No-one is growing as a person as a result of reading this book. I'm just having fun writing their story and offering it up to anyone who enjoys exploring the dark side of human nature in a fictional sandboxed environment with lots of weather symbolism and expensive coats.

How many chapters is your story going to have?

I have absolutely no idea. I don't know if it's going to be a novel or serialised/episodic fiction. I'm still discovery drafting so it'll figure itself out.

Is it fanfiction or original content? Where do you plan to post it?

It's original content and I'll be posting it here on Tumblr.

When and why did you start writing?

I missed this question first time round so I'm back to answer it now. I honestly don't remember when I started writing. Forever ago? As soon as I could write? I've always loved fiddling around with words for creativity and escapism, so I've always done it. I wish I had a better origin story, but I don't. It's very boring. I started writing novel-shaped things a few years ago. Before that it was short stories, creative non-fiction, and poetry. I worked in marketing and online comms for a while, so the word fiddling ended up being useful for that too.

Do you have any words of engagement for fellow writers of writeblr?

Is that meant to be words of encouragement? I'm going to assume it is. So. Write what makes your soul sing. If you love it, someone else will love it too. Creativity is not a one-size-fits-all pursuit. Make sure your goals are authentically your own and not other people's recycled expectations. Stop shoulding all over yourself. Have fun.

What other writers on Tumblr do you follow?

SO MANY AWESOME WRITERS!! I struggle to list people because I feel like I always leave someone out by accident. Look at the names that crop up regularly in my tag game posts. Those are good humans.

Tagging @leebrontide, @lunarmoment, @magic-is-something-we-create and @manathen if you'd like to do it, with an open tag for anyone else who wants to join in. Questions under the cut 💜

What is the main lesson of your story (e.g. kindness, diversity, anti-war), and why did you choose it?

What did you use as inspiration for your worldbuilding (like real-life cultures, animals, famous media, websites, etc.)?

What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, and help readers grow as a person?

How many chapters is your story going to have?

Is it fanfiction or original content? Where do you plan to post it?

When and why did you start writing?

Do you have any words of engagement for fellow writers of writeblr?

What other writers on Tumblr do you follow?

#writeblr tags #author ask tag game #spin cylinder #november breaks

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sophielovesbooks · 2 years ago

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People were asking for more book content, so here are my (spoilery!) and complex thoughts on Hell Bent!

...

First of all, I had a lot of fun reading this book. When rating it, I briefly considered giving it only like 3.5 stars. Then I was like: Hey, I had a great time overall, so it deserves 4 stars for sure.

So the first positive is that it was entertaining. The second big positive for me is still Alex's character. To me, she is one of the most interesting MCs I've encountered in a while. I realised that she is somewhat similar to my MC in my current WIP (though I doubt my character was truly inspired by her because I had read Ninth House in 2018 and didn't start planning my novel until June 2022, so I don't think there was much of a direct influence). I was fascinated to find out more about her backstory.

Some moments, just like in Ninth House, were truly heartbreaking, particularly the moment where she thought she had found Hellie again. Also the recurring theme of how it should have been Hellie who made it out and Alex who died. Oof. Loved that.

Moments between Alex and her mum were also really well written and impactful.

But now on to the things I didn't like. For one, the fact that getting to hell took up so many pages only for the reader to find out that Alex could have easily done it on, like, the first page. That was... annoying.

A big disappointment to me were the scenes of getting into and being in hell. Having just reread Ninth House, I was expecting something super emotional here. Also I believe Dawes mentioned they would have to be buried alive? I was intrigued, was looking forward to a terrifying description of what that feels like. And I feel cheated because I don't believe I got that? Then being in hell... I was imagining more emotion, like the characters reliving the absolute worst they have been through? (Though the short stories about the murders were great, especially Tripp's!)

My perhaps biggest issue were the unclear stakes but that's something that almost always annoys me in fantasy. Internal bleeding that almost killed you? Seems pretty serious. But wait, what's that, you can bathe in goat's milk (?) and be instantly better? Convenient. Especially when considering that this cure-all had never been mentioned before??

So yeah, to me it feels like this constant moving of the goal posts or something? The characters badly need X. Oh, wait, no, they can replace it with Y instead. X is deadly! Oh, but not if you have Y, don't worry.

I just hate that. In addition to that: The magic in general felt a bit... ridiculous to me at times? I want to say... childish? Magic potions and so on? I don't know, it's just not for me. Seems a bit silly, if you know what I mean. My biggest gripe here was Tripp at the end. That felt ridiculous and honestly so YA to me? Yeah. Not a fan of that particular twist.

People's emotions (for example Mercy's) weren't always realistic to me. If there was a chance I could die doing ANYTHING I would be right out of there. And I feel like that'd be the natural reaction. I would NOT willingly go to hell for probably anybody. So I personally would have preferred if Turner and Tripp had been coerced into it.

Two minor things: This second book, to me, was missing the murder mystery vibes of the first one. And I don't get why everyone is so obsessed with Darlington. (There, I said it. Sue me.)

And finally: I LOVED the theme of Alex being a survivor and as a result a bit of a shitty person. But I didn't like the fact that it was spelled out like that and repeated so many times. Amazing character trait and amazing theme, but please be more subtle about it.

As you can probably see, fantasy truly isn't my genre (13-year-old me is weeping; it used to be my fave). Alex is a great character and Leigh Bardugo a fantastic writer, though! For me personally, I believe that if these books were simply about Alex trying to make it at Yale given her past - and perhaps becoming involved in some sort of solidly plotted murder mystery - they would be among my absolute faves. But alas... vampires, half-demons and wheelwalkers. ..

#hell bent #ninth house #leigh bardugo #book review #booklr #reading #i realise this is sort of negative and i am so sorry #as i said i gave it 4 stars bc i wanted to be fair since i WAS entertained while reading #but yeah #i did find many things to criticise

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seoafin · 2 years ago

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do you think megumi and tsumiki aren't close siblings in the manga? otherwise, wouldn't megumi have noted that his sister was acting out of sorts in the latest chapters? i read a meta recently that talked about how the one interaction we see of them is when she throws milk at him and doesn't seem apologetic. do you think that was deliberate in the sense that gege was trying to subvert the woman in fridge trope? anyway, how does this affect your canon understanding of megumi's personality? can't wait for the new fic!!

also, personal question since i'm obsessed with him, how do think gojo would be like in a relationship post kfc breakup in canon? also, in your family au, when do reader and gojo get married?

they are close! while they may not be the type of siblings that tell each other other their innermost secrets, they obviously care about each other. even as children, i'm sure having no parents in the household brought them together as they only could rely on the other. megumi's first thought when gojo approached him was how being a jujutsu sorcerer would affect tsumiki, and even as a six year old her happiness is one of his biggest priorities!! they might not be best friends, but they have a familial bond and they care for each other

keep in mind i haven't read the latest chapters more than i've skimmed over them, but i think it's stated in the chapter that the cursed user inhabiting tsumiki has access to all her memories, and based off that could nearly perfectly replicate her mannerisms and personality, which is what fooled megumi. i think megumi was just so relieved and happy to have found her, it blinded him, and he momentarily forgot about the possibility that it wasn't actually her. once the initial euphoria wore off, it is a possibility that he would've eventually realized it wasn't her! upon realizing tsumiki wasn't tsumiki, he was so devastated that sukuna used that moment to invade his body.

as for your second question i'm not sure i completely understand? to my knowledge, i don't think the fridging women trope necessarily applies because tsumiki is still alive! if tsumiki does end up dying (all to further megumi's character arc) then akutami would definitely be guilty lol ESPECIALLY since nobara died for yuuji's AND he killed off tsukumo yuki 😭

as for that scene, i think it was more to show their contrasting ideologies in how they approach life and see other people. i think tsumiki was very rightfully fed up with megumi's (admittedly immature) way of treating people and obviously as his big sister it falls on her to straighten him up!!! i feel like he was also just Mentally not in a very good place in middle school and full of bitterness and resentment towards everyone. he does undergo a character change from middle school to high school, which the readers can assume is because tsumiki fell victim to a curse. it's the reason why he's trying so hard at being a jujutsu sorcerer, all to help her.

i personally really really like megumi's current character arc as much as i dislike the culling games. his resolved has hardened and he knows what he has to do. there's no more room for doubt, only survival. furthermore, he's growing at an exponential rate, and at this point in the manga the sky's the limit since the mental barrier he's imposed on himself is gone and i really can't wait for him to develop more although the events in the manga are.....yeah 😭 i also think the events of the manga so far have shown us that megumi is indeed ready to put the people he cares about over the greater good. god i hope he and yuuji and tsumiki make it out of the culling games alive!!!!

personal opinion: i don't think gojo is ready for a relationship immediate post-kfc breakup although i can see him rushing into one as a result of it haha

uhhhh i think rip!mc and gojo get married arounddddd 22????? sorry rip!mc that's so unfeminist of me 😫😫😫😫

#oof i rambled #but i love talking about megumi and his character LOL #akutami has to stop introducing hot women only to kill them off i won't have it!!!!!#dianagracesworld #jjk.talk

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brisquad-unit-4402 · 2 years ago

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hello from 4402

my name is unit 4402 but all my friends call me 4402. i don't like to take my tactical gear off but if taichou asked. well.

my oshi is sonny brisko but i am also american so i'm not really into watching taichou live at 5 am. so i'm also a comfydant, quilldren, and vantacrew, but let’s be real, i’m a vezcrewneer. krisis and noctyx are my favorite units

yeah i'll write some nijisanji x readers here are my rules please read them before requesting

last updated 4/5/24: clarified wording. added my twitter link. fixed typos. changed wording to include all vtubers i write for, not just niji en

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

important rules

do not crosspost or copy my works without my permission. unit 4402 will only post from my ao3, twitter and this tumblr, please ask me if you can crosspost my works. this includes translations.

do not feed my work to ai. this is plagiarism. i have an extended statement about ai policies here.

don't be weird. do not act unhealthily parasocial or obsessive about the livers on my blog. please make sure to treat me, the rest of the readers, and the livers with respect. additionally, homophobia, racism, transphobia and other forms of discrimination/bigotry will not be tolerated whatsoever.

i will only write about liver characters, and not the people behind the livers. i will not be writing or discussing the livers irl, including past lives, discourse, etc.

this page is for currently active livers only. do not request graduated livers, their future or past lives. do not request livers that are not currently active. i support the livers' choices to move on and their privacy outside of their career, and there are plenty of other lovely blogs that write for graduated livers. here is a statement on my mysta rias fics and requests after his graduation.

don't be messy. this blog is for fun and i want to keep a positive atmosphere without any drama. please do not intentionally bring up any topics that may cause infighting, discourse, etc within the community.

some words about nsfw. because of my own boundaries, please do not request nsfw prompts. each nsfw post will have a read more, and is intended for 18+ only. i am an adult and will be blocking minors that interact with nsfw posts

disobeying any of the above rules will result in your asks/messages being deleted and getting blocked.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

other things

i will always write reader as gender neutral, and avoid pronouns if i can but if i must then i'll always use they/them. please do not request a specific gender/pronouns for reader.

all of my romantic posts about uki are written with his sexuality in mind. i will not write reader as female-coded in romantic posts about him. this is my one exception to the above gender neutral rule but i intend for his entries to be nblm-friendly just as much as mlm

i will refer to you/mc as Reader because i think using (y/n) is clunky af

please only request when my ask box is open

you may use my askbox just to brainrot instead of asking for a request

for nsfw posts: please assume that every character in the post has given consent. clicking the read more means you also consent to reading it. if there's a role/occupation kink such as teacher/student, etc, please assume that everyone involved is of legal age and roleplaying

if you need a certain content warning or tag blacklisted, please send me a message or ask so i can edit some tags and make posts more accommodating

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

i can write:

fluff

angst

comedy

gore

hurt/comfort

brainrot

headcanons

crack/crack treated seriously

polyamory

platonic

romantic

queerplatonic

alternative universes

alters/alter egos (lucy kaneshiro, box akuma, etc)

liver characters as streamers (for example, i will write about shu being a sorcerer that also streams, but not the irl person behind shu yamino.)

don't get your hopes up but i might write these:

yandere

suggestive themes

nsfw (do not request)

whatever the fuck legatus 505's worldbuilding has going on, i don't think i totally get it but i sure can bluff!

i will block anyone who asks for:

rape/noncon/dubcon

pedophilia/shota/loli

abuse

bigotry/discrimination

unsanitary/excretory kink

i will not write:

irl livers

graduated/terminated livers

livers that are not listed below

ocs

uki with female reader/fem-coded reader

in-depth illness/disorders/conditions

i reserve the right to privately delete any requests that make me uncomfortable without announcement. thank you for understanding

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

i will write for: all currently active members of NIJISANJI EN, HOLOSTARS TEMPUS AND ARMIS, and FIRST STAGE PRODUCTION AVALLUM

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

#navigation #rules

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luaspersona · 2 years ago

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oh wow. this was... god, i don't even know 😩 i have a lot to say, and i'm literally obsessed with this (can i make it my whole new personality?), but i feel like i should warn you ⚠️🖐🏽 that this feedback ain't gonna be like the last ones. i just read this, so any reactions are straight out of the oven, and i wanted to share them asap instead of waiting some time to work up a proper lengthy review (that i might still do later too). so let's go 👏🏽

ok, so i wanna start by saying that it's been a privilege to follow your writing for these past months. i've been actively reading you for around a semester now, and every time i go through your other, older works, even if you've always been ridiculously talented, it always stuns me just how palpable you can see that you've grown more and more comfortable with your words. you explore, you experiment, you go all in and the result is an every time more and more refined expression of the character — who's no longer a character, really, but a full on person, with their own voice, actions and thoughts, independent from you in a way that's amazing too see. i just... it's beautiful to see because for the longest time, all you've posted is 3tan related, and you've been writing those characters for around a year now, you're used to them and to their thought process. so i bet going in for something other than that must've been kinda scary, intimidating at least like, will i be able to convey other voices?

and shit, rest assure you are, and you're able to flash out real people like no fucking one. right off the bat the narrative style is completely different from 3tan. we can still spot a familiar pacing structure — with the whole scene unraveling like a movie in quick and interactive paragraphs —, but the flavor to it? the effect of each sentence, of the way this cool af reader things? it's completely different and it causes a completely different feel while reading it.

the mc is confident, is so fucking hot, and so captivating. this could be a pwp but the way you completely surrender the narration to her eyes make it impossible to not make this super tangible too, super real. her insecurities, her hesitancy, her annoyance... its all so well-written that there wasn't a single emotion i didn't feel with her. i really liked how she kept coming back to what that guy said to her, and your style of narration only heightens this effect, by how she would suddenly mention him and what he said, and bicker with herself about it. your narration is just so fucking good, it’s never plain nor merely descriptive: it adds another layer of meaning to the story and to the dialogues, and it’s safe to say that no one else could do it like you.

and ive told you this before (i think especially in the window review), but you have this amazing quality to your writing of never underestimating the reader: you hint at shit all throughout the story, you don't hold stuff for convenience, like how she keeps saying that getting attached wouldn't be good (and at first it seems like the usual fuckgirl talk, but we learned that’s exactly it lol) or even the way jungkook feels familiar and so on. but ok, i had to say, i was full on thinking he was a stalker for the longest time omg i was thinking this would turn dark real quick (and it did, but an angsty dark, not a creepy dark lol).

wanna point out two things before we proceed: being in a band with jimin and yoongi feels like my ultimate fever dream, so this had me screaming from the get-go. and aaaah the whole teasing saying jimin was gonna be jealous? 😭 god, i can 100% picture the man furious like how THE HELL you scored that one 🗣️

but anyway, moving on.

i talked about the reader and how palpable she is, but i need to discuss this jungkook too, ‘cus god if he ain’t adorable.

even the way he’s introduced as a passing character. someone serving her a drink and vanishing before coming to check on her and make sure she’s all right, it’s all so interesting and so real. i loved how shy he was, how unsure, stuttering and trying not to blurt he’s a fanboy and making an effort to make her feel comfortable. and aaaaaaaa the protective move when that creep showed up again? fucking hawt 🥵 if the men find out we like that shit, we’re screwed 😔

but jungkook isn’t only hot. he’s so attentive and soft spoken, and i think this is one of the best takes on his character that i’ve read: the way he’s very shy and wholesome until he turns on his teasing mode. it’s so fucking nice because you seem incapable of writing a flat character: everyone has layers and depth by your hands. i loved how focused he was on her pleasure, how he gave in to her, how he let her lead the way until he was in control, and then he went on to be the most reassuring and caring person, letting her know the impact she made on him. and the reason why he admires her? it was so fucking nice, so fucking pure. he likes her because she’s determined and she’s brave, and just so fucking cool.

the humor too, god, it was so fucking sexy. the teasing, the dick handling, the soft words and giggles. it was so nice, so heartwarming. i wanna say tho, that you were able to create an atmosphere of luring threat. at first i thought i was hinting at jungkook and what his familiarity meant, but at the end i understood that this “bad feeling” was coming from the reader herself and the fact that she’s moving. it was so fucking interesting to see it unfold, how she blurts it and shatters the buble they were basking on. but this impact and the heartbreaking feeling it brings it’s only effective because you were able to write about their interaction with such deep and unquestionable chemistry. like, the way they just like and feel at ease with each other, and how they don’t mind saying shit, it felt like a whole relationship in a single night. i really liked the ending, bring me all those bittersweet finales, gimme that angst cus imma eat it up 🤲🏽🤲🏽🤲🏽 but i have to say i’d love to see more from that pairing. this reader seems so intricate and jungkook still has so much to show, so much we don’t know! it’d be a privilege to follow what happens next, but i get that you’ve a lot on your plate as it is. i’ll be here regardless and i’ll always have this one-shot to get back to and create my own scenarios (at some point i’ll start to make fanfic of your fanfics, ‘cus they’re just so fucking good i can’t DEAL with them).

i also love whenever you use repetition, and here the whole “two and a half hours that felt like eight” thing was so well useddddddd ugh, i wanted to scream when you used it at the end. i don’t know ryen. i think my reviews of your works will get smaller and smaller as i run out of adjectives to praise you. at some point you’ll have to accept that i’ll just be able to scream and yell at you, because you’re one of the best writers i’ve ever come across and your words give me refuge. i just love and appreciate your generosity so much. and on that note, you mentioned that this is a love letter to your readers, and your silent readers at that. i wanna say that this also feels like a message you wrote for yourself. don’t doubt you or your talent, much less your impact. because if you stumble on stage and struggle after a show, we’re still here, silently or loudly supporting you, and what we admire is precisely that amazing ability to make everything unabashedly you. we love it, and we love you. but PLEASE OMG DON’T GO AWAY 😭

ugh, anyway. i’m on my way to work and i didn’t wanna go weeks without reviewing, because this just deserves the fucking world. there’s not a single universe in which something you write is anything but perfect, so — even if it’s simpler than my usual reviews — i wanted to write something quick to let you know that.

calling you cool (m) | jjk

title: calling you cool (m) pairing: jungkook x rock star!reader(f) rating/genre: m (18+); angst , fluff , smut ; rock band au , strangers to lovers summary: after your band finishes a coveted club gig, you’re frustrated that your dope ass night ends with you hiding in a bathroom stall. at least, this is what you figured—until someone comes along to change that. warnings:language, alcohol, one (1) creep at the club, explicit scenes, unprotected (wrap it babes), choking, head/hair pulling, hitting it from the b b back, you aren’t the only one in restraints lmao, but urs are his hands💕, wh*re mentions, angst??, mast*rbation, sub!jk until he’s not :)))), or*l teasing, rough s*x, wet humping.. just trust me lmao, angst lol, exhibiti*nism, c*m play, club grinding :)), cre*mpie, competitive jk, handcuffs<3, bre*st play, cowgirl yeehaw, body worship, p*ssy play, praise k ink pain k ink waow a combo, he’s not gonna be quiet a ha ha, it’s ck jk bc he broke me, manhandling, tatted up jk, also he’s a brat but who is shocked, kissing lol, multiple org*sms, ..feelings??, jk in denim is a warning in itself, aftercare bc ofc, the ending a ha ha :))) note: so… i have no explanation for this other than i went to a live show in february and got, umm. inspired lmao. tbh this is for the ones that wanna get revenge on this man for everything he’s been up to && it’s cuffing season so let’s get itttt<33 note 2: hope u enjoy what i’ve been working on for months now🥺💕 nothing else to add other than this is only semi-edited lol see y’all on the other side :)) drop date: april 10th, 2023, 7:20pm est word count:12.1k🤪

Two and a half hours that felt like eight.

Keep reading

#jjk:fic #jjk:smut #jjk:angst #jjk:fluff #jjk:explicit #jjk:oneshot #jjk:s2l #jjk:famous #luareads

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flowerywhispers · 3 years ago

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Heyy 💕 Can I request a headcannon of Yandere Claude De Alger Obelia with Athanasia's teacher? Like she's 26 years old ,kind, really beatiful and is courted by many men. She is a mother for Athanasia so he becomes obsessed with her but she doesn't fancy him because he's Athy's dad and older than her. What would he do to have her?

Dont answer If u dont want to ❤️ PS: I discovered ur blog yesterday and I really like it! XXX

| | Yandere Claude with an MC who is Athanasia's teacher | |

Character(s): Claude de Alger obelia

TW: Yandere and everything that comes with it, forced relationship, age gap (not extreme since reader is a grown adult; but still a large gap), threats, murder/almost murder, misogyny (? He assumes you're being nice because you want attention)

Notes: Female MC || Y'all are fuelling my yandere obsession wgduabd || ALSO THANK YOU 💗💗

The ideal situation would be not to be noticed by him at all but that's difficult considering Athanasia's attachment to you and Claude's need to constantly know who is interacting with the princess

Her immediate attachment to you is what interests him to begin with especially considering that the only person that he would consider to be closer to her is Lily. Even Felix isn't treated by her like how she treats you

There's an initial kind of annoyance that he feels towards you in the same way that he gets annoyed whenever Felix is around Athy, immediately requesting information about you which confuses all that are involved

Even he isn't entirely aware what he intends to do with the information and why he wants it but he only demands for more information when he realises how widely desired you are. And yet you were still unmarried? Did you really like the attention of other people so much? Then no wonder you were so kind to others

Perhaps to find a reason to get you away from his daughter, a rumour that starts to flutter around and leads to Athy begging him not to fire you or kill you

From there, he makes a point to keep a close eye on you, occasionally inviting you to tea, either alone or with Athy

He thinks that maybe it was his annoyance that blinded him but he comes to realise just how perfect you seem to be. Beautiful, kind, no wonder there were so many men vying for your attention. Even when the rumours were spreading that Claude wanted to get rid of you were floating around, he you didn't treat him with anything other than respect and, above all, kindness

You never failed to greet him with that smile of yours that had once made him narrow his eyes and glare and now made his pupils diallate and his gaze linger for a few seconds longer than one would expect from him

Everyone notices the change in his demeanour towards you

From cold and keeping you close only to keep an eye on you and find a reason to keep you away from Athy to softer and more fixated, telling the chef's to not only bring out sweets when you and Athy were with him but also to bring out a few foods specifically to your tastes

You are anything but incompetent, you weren't hired to be Athanasia's teacher for no reason, so even you can see his intentions to court you. It wasn't a reaction that you were unused to and you knew that it wasn't appropriate

His obsession really sets in when you start to avoid him as a result. Excuses that Claude thought to be ridiculous like the fact that it was below your standing and that it would be inappropriate for you as an unmarried woman to be seen with the emperor and your employer as well as the father of your charge so often. Did you really think that the opinions of outsiders held any weight to him?

Do you really think that you'll be able to evade the emperor? And with your placement as his daughter's teacher?

A kind of presumptuous paranoia sets into Claude as he begins to wonder if you're spending time with the other men who are interested in you

It's almost obvious what had happened when said men start to disappear, some of them being killed publicly for inflated charges

Your housing is moved into the emerald palace and you have no right to refuse to emperor's orders

His presence which had initially only appeared at tea parties that you thought you were only formally being invited to starts to become oppressive

He starts to observe your lessons with Athy, calling on you on the odd occasion to look over his paperwork and help him with it and it starts to feel like he's everywhere

You haven't talked to anyone other than Claude, Athy or Felix in months by a certain point. Even Lily isn't permitted to enter the emperor's palace

You reach a kind of breaking point when he finally stops permitting you to leave the palace grounds at all. It's not unexpected but your reaction is

He almost kills you when you snap at him, tears blurring your vision as you yell that you want to leave. Where did your kindness go? You never even so much as looked at him with distaste despite everything that he did

What, was it all a lie? Your kindness towards him? You should know better than to deceive the emperor

He's aware in his subconscious that you aren't truly selfish but he can't help but ask you what more you could possibly want. He gives you everything and you continue to be kind to him. Are you so selfish that you would take away that kindness after he's done everything for you? Perhaps he should take more from you rather than just your kindness if you're so insistent to be so selfish. Perhaps it was time to formally announce your engagement to the emperor

You keep your mouth shut after that. Regardless of how much he favours you, even you know that he could and would kill you

He doesn't stop you from teaching Athy. Not when he knows that she's the only thing that kept you smiling

You'll have to be sure to keep treating him with that same kindness. He wouldn't be happy to have to hold Athanasia's indefinite removal from your life over your head and snuff out that happiness of yours that he had given so much for

Do not repost or claim. Only reblog 💗

#wmmap claude #wmmap #claude de lger obelia x reader #claude de alger obelia #who made me a princess headcanon #who made me a princess x reader #who made me a princess #tw yandere #wmmap headcanon #wmmap hc #who made me a princess hc #spoowrites

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lunainfortuna · 2 years ago

Text

One name, in bold letters. One name, ready for tomorrow’s lesson.

GWYN

❥ Gwyn and acosf: a love story. ⬇ {this will be long}

Her hood was thrown back, and faelight danced in the rich coppery chestnut of her pin-straight hair. Her large teal eyes were as clear and depthless as the stone usually atop a priestess’s hood, and a scattering of freckles lay across her nose and cheeks, as if someone had tossed them with a careless hand.

↑♡ Chapter 9! Gwyn was introduced for the first time; beautiful, with a long and detailed description, she had a very straightforward interaction with Nesta.

The priestess drew up to her full height, which was slightly taller than average for Fae females. A crackling sort of energy buzzed around her, and Nesta’s power grumbled in answer. [...] Gwyn’s hair seemed to glow brighter with her song, skin radiating a beckoning light. Drawing any listener in.

↑♡ Crackling sort of energy...? Skin radiating a beckoning light? New character and many crumbs already. For meticulous readers, a question remains: what powers does Gwyn have?

“I don’t need to be coddled. Only spoken to like a person.”

↑♡ Still being introduced - SJMAS already pointed out interesting behavior and personality of this new character. Gwyn showed she was more than her trauma.

“Because I don’t like to fail. I can’t …” Gwyn shook her head. “I don’t want to make any more mistakes.”

↑♡ And as the chapters went on, the author decided to put even more emphasis on Gwyn and her deepest feelings.

Would she remain here, locked beneath the earth, for the rest of her immortal life?

↑♡ This a question made by Nesta {and Sarah herself, I believe}. It can also be read as a hint - would Gwyn, this lovable and intriguing character, remain forever locked in that library? It begs for an answer.

Gwyn frowned. “Lots of things. Merrill’s brilliant. Horrible, but brilliant. When she first came here, she was obsessed with theories regarding the existence of different realms—different worlds. [...]”

↑♡ She was the character who talked about the many worlds for the first time in ACOSF (not sure abt all books); we know, by now, how important this was and this is going to be for the future plot of ccty and even acotar.

“Yes, thank the Cauldron. She’s writing a comprehensive history of the Valkyries.”

↑♡ Gwyn was also responsible for introducing the Valkyries, big part of ACOSF. Their phases, for example, said by her, named the book parts.

“No, but …” Gwyn’s swallow was audible. “I can feel something. Like a cat. Small and clever and curious. It’s watching.”

↑♡ Aside from Nesta (the mc), Gwyn was the only one who felt! the darkness in the library.

“Because I don’t ever want to feel powerless again,” Gwyn said softly, and all those easy smiles and bright laughs were gone. Only stark, pained honesty shone in her remarkable eyes.

↑♡ The author continued to invest in Gwyn's development. From a frightened priestess to one willing to face her fears. She was the character who voiced Nesta's feelings.

Gwyn and Emerie had fallen into an easy camaraderie within minutes.

↑♡ I'm a simp, really. She immediately liked Emerie and didn't make her uncomfortable.

Gwyn, who had arrived blushing the next morning and told Emerie that if the book was considered tame, then she could only imagine the content of the others. [...] And it was Gwyn who said, “Was it good?”

↑♡ Both great moments that show pure growth! First, she got in contact with smut books and later, she was enough okay with it to be the one who asked about Nessian's sex.

“My grandmother was a river-nymph who seduced a High Fae male from the Autumn Court. So I’m a quarter nymph, but it’s enough for this.” [...] “My mother was unwanted by either of their people. [...] She partook in the Great Rite when she was of age, and I, we—my sister and I, I mean—were the result of that sacred union with a male stranger.”

↑♡ Questions, questions and questions. Gwyn's origin was mentioned in the book (it didn't happen to any other character) and there were three main points: river-nymph, which means she is a half-breed like Rhysand himself; Autumn Court, well... Eris, heir of it, showed up and was linked to the plot - and future ones; Great Rite, something that we read abt.

Gwyn said, playing with her hair, “I dream of my past, too.”

↑♡ She was the person who told Nesta she wasn't the only one reviving her traumas. They all were.

Gwyn let out a breathy laugh. “I mean it. I learned about a new Valkyrie technique last night. It’s called Mind-Stilling.”

↑♡ Mind-stilling, a technique that improves the training. That made them Valkyries. That helped them win the Rite. Again, Gwyn being the introducer.

Tell yourself, I am the rock against which the surf crashes. [...] Nesta did. And for the first time in her life, she felt utterly settled into her own skin.

↑♡ I don't feel like I need to explain this. Nesta feeling into her own skin for the first time in her life is enough.

“Your story is worth telling, you know.”

↑♡ This right here. Nesta heard her life is worth living and telling. She mattered. And she told everyone else: you matter.

With her eyes closed, only the music mattered—the song, the voices, the harp. It wrapped around her, as if she’d been dropped into a bottomless pool of sound. Gwyn’s voice rose again, holding such a high note it was like a ray of pure light, piercing and summoning.

↑♡ It was Gwyn's song that connected Nesta to the third trove. Gwyn's.

Gwyn beamed. “I convinced Merrill to add us into the penultimate chapter. She even let me write it—with her own annotations, of course. But it’s about the rebirth of the Valkyries. About what we’re doing.”

↑♡ Please. Gwyn marked them in history. Her friends and sisters.

“I sometimes wonder if I shall ever have the courage to go out there again. I fear every day that I won’t.”

↑♡ When people say Gwyn's journey is over, it's just a blatant lie. Even though she was already training with the girls, she still had this fear. This insecurity about the future. And the author made us wonder together with the character.

Gwyn whispered, “I am the rock against which the surf crashes.” Nesta straightened at the words, as if they were a prayer and a summons. Gwyn lifted the blade. “Nothing can break me.”

↑♡ Nothing can break her. Nothing can break Nesta, Emerie, me or you. Gwyn's character was responsible for this words. A pray and summon.

Smooth as the Sidra, swift as the wind off the Illyrian Mountains, her entire body working in singing harmony, Gwyn lunged toward the ribbon, twirled, and as she spun, her arm opened up, executing a perfect backhanded slice that cut the winter morning itself.

↑♡ The first Valkyrie in history. The very first one.

Gwyn stroked Nesta’s head. “Some things are more important than fear.” She cleared her throat.

↑♡ The way she was panicking and stayed with Nesta anyway. Cuz Nesta needed her. This is noble love and bravery. She could have hidden; and it would be understandable, even. But she prioritized her sister. She did it.

They’d eaten a meager meal of some roast squirrel Gwyn had managed to pilfer from an unsuspecting Illyrian, but hunger remained a vocal knot in their bellies.

↑♡ This could be me just simping for this fun, chaotic girl, but I can also point out that Gwyn played a big role through the Rite. She saved the girls, fed them and made them keep going until the Ramiel.

“CUT IT!” Gwyn roared.

↑♡ Not to mention she was again completely selfless. She would die for them. Gwyn was ready to sacrifice her life for them; even more than her life, I would say. She did it for the children, she would do it for her sisters.

Gwyn and Emerie had touched the sacred stone.

↑♡ Carinthyan.

“I have been broken once before,” Gwyn said, her voice clear. “I survived it. And I will not be broken again—not even by this mountain.”

↑♡ Gwyn was the one who shared her past first. She was scared and yet, she told them. She placed her heart in her sisters' hands - and they followed her. Nesta, who said over and over again throughout ACOSF how they would hate her for what she was, told them. And was loved by them. Emerie, who had a past that no one knew about, told them. And was welcomed by them. Their stories were worth telling.

______________________________________________________

To say Gwyn has no relevance or plot or development is to lie. She is the side character of main focus in ACOSF; and we can see it in this post, but also by making a comparison with this all and Emerie's parts. There's no questions about Ems' origin or powers - she is a side character as much as Gwyn, but she didn't participate the same way in the book. Yup, she is a side character as much as Gwyn, but she had less focus. And that was the author choice. Is Emerie as important as Gwyn? Yes. But she wasn't set up for the main plots around the story or for the main character possibility.

We can also think about Nesta before ACOSF. She had a big participation and her plot was linked to the book's plot: the caldron. Sarah set her up for her book by focusing on her! on her personality, strength and fears. And now, she did the same with Gwyn. She was linked to the Valkyries plot and in the end, to the future {war, many worlds and autumn court}. And more: although she did grow, the author told us clearly the character was not done. Emerie is not completely done either (almost) - but her plot is a side plot in the big picture.

Gwyn was left with many questions and !two things! to be solved through a healing journey: the Invoking Stone and the library. She hasn't felt worth yet. She hasn't seen the world yet.

But she will.

#gwyneth berdara #pro gwyneth berdara #pro gwyn #gwyn acotar #gwynriel #gwynriel supremacy #gwyn acosf #acotar 5 #acotar #nesta archeron #emerie of illyria #gwyn berdara

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maleyanderecollection · 2 years ago

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My Secret Brother

Author: Willow

Genre/s: Romance/Comedy

I found this one by chance while going through the male yandere tag at MangaUpdates. The guy on the cover thumbnail was attractive, so I gave it a go; plus, I didn’t really care for the incest bait in the summary. Heck, I wouldn't have cared whether or not the series ended in incest. However, I was skeptical if it would contain yandere, so I went into it apprehensive.

I finished the series in just two days, and the yandere is a solid 8/10. The yandere—and the attractive guy I found on the cover thumbnail—are similarly not the brother, by the way. (Although the brother is the true end ML, which pretty much solidifies the pseudoincest. If that squicks you, don’t pick it up.) The attractive cover guy’s name is Yeon Seonghwa and I think that’s who the editor had in mind while tagging "male yandere" for the series on the site where I discovered it. The manhwa has five seasons, and he only shows up from about chapter 80 onward. I write this terribly unsure because Seonghwa is a textbook creepy manipulative narcissist ex, and I think his character more befits that title than "yandere".

To explain, Yeon Seonghwa is the protagonist's (Lee Hanmi's) ex-boyfriend. He’s narcissistic as all hell, not in appearance but in self-preservation and his ego. The story begins with the MC and her brother transferring schools in the middle of a semester, and Seonghwa is the reason why. He’s a dangerous individual. He especially sticks out because of the setting: in this coming-of-age romcom brother-sister dating drama, he’s busy smuggling drugs, and it’s an actual crime the police catch him for at the finale.

The reason for my hesitation in labeling him a yandere is because of his own explicitly written thoughts towards Hanmi in the manhwa. He’s fixated and obsessed with Hanmi because he was once sure that "she" was in love with him, that he owned her, and that Hanmi would forgive anything that he would ever do. He’s thrilled by this. He’s intrigued by her and respects how smart she is. As a result, his ego was completely crushed when he realized, after beating up Oh Junhyuk, that Hanmi values her brother more than him. He’s motivated by money, and even his revenge quest against Hanmi is nothing more than to give himself an ego boost by making her completely dependent on him, then crushing her by dumping her eventually. (Interestingly enough, I don’t think he’s realized his other feelings for Hanmi since there are characterization hints in the extra chapters that point to him being somewhat infatuated with her too, but more on this later.)

To backtrack, I’m aware that yandere characters at their core can be analyzed realistically and broken down to portray real-life behavioral issues that are often negative, and there is merit in acknowledging that this kind of conduct in actual relationships is not desirable. Most series that employ yandere as a fictional trope are a shallow amalgamation of all these toxic behaviors through a rose-colored lens to titillate the reader, and that is okay. This general use of the trope set my expectations of what a yandere is as a reader (someone who is insane for the sake of love, no matter how unrealistic the "for love" portion is explained). Therefore, while I think that Seonghwa is a yandere to some extent, the series makes an effort to show the problematic reasoning behind his actions, so the romanticization of it is taken down a notch. He explicitly states that it doesn’t matter if he likes Hanmi. This portrayal of his character makes him diverge from the usual yandere template (the whole "in love" thing), which was why I only gave him an 8.

Now, about the extra chapters: I did note that Seonghwa’s character motivation, as he explained himself, was to make Hanmi fall completely in love and dependent on him (which he believes she should have been), breaking her heart by dumping her at the end. Yet, in the alternate universe extra chapter ending that the author drew where Hanmi and Seonghwa ended up as partners in crime, they’ve been together for five whole years. I have to note at this point that the author has put up a disclaimer that these extras do not belong to the canon timeline and are simply what-ifs had Hanmi chosen another path. I’m simply taking it as an example to show that Seonghwa wouldn’t have gone through with his plan even if he had Hanmi. Much as he claims it "does not matter if he liked Hanmi or not," he didn’t deny the accusation either. All I'm saying is that if there was anything else in Seonghwa's tiny, shriveled nut of a heart besides money, it was probably Hanmi.

Wrapping up, I wouldn’t really recommend reading My Secret Brother for the yandere if you’re fond of yandere MLs because Seonghwa isn’t the lead at all; he’s the major villain. He’s kind of just a major thorn in their side. However, I still think that it is engaging to read for the romance and the general intrigue. The relationship chart in this series gets hella messy. Plus, the art is nice enough to just stare at when you want to read something to pass the time.

#male yandere #yandere #yandere boy #yandere recommendations #completed #manhwa #my secret brother

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isolatedbubble · 3 years ago

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Romance in MXTX, Priest, and SHL

MXTX: Flower, Wine and Dreamworld

The romance in MXTX's works is like flower that grows in ice and snow; colorful, bright and hopelessly romantic, blossoms in misery and hardships.

It features a distinct "us against the world" mindset, depicting love as the only constant in the world. It's an eternal "dreamworld" detached from worldly matters, the perfect escapism as well as a source of strengths in the face of cruel reality.

Both MDZS and TGCF are a critique of mob mentality.

The contrast between CQL and MDZS is very interesting. While the former ends with LWJ taking charge, and therefore changing the world for the better, the novel ends with wangxian isolating themselves from grand politics and focusing more on helping individuals as recluse. It has an essentially pessimistic attitude towards the morality & intelligence of the collective.

TGCF takes a slightly more optimistic approach, featuring the crowd being courageous under the right circumstances. However, both works share a similar undertone: putting one’s absolute faith in the collective is dangerous, whereas unconditional trust and devotion can be only found in one-to-one connection

MXTX herself compares MDZS and TGCF to 花间一壶酒 (A cup of wine among flowers), MDZS being the wine and TGCF being flower. She also compares MDZS to 风雪夜归人, the person returning home from snow and wind, and TGCF to 红泥小火炉, a small red furnace.

Priest: Breezing Wind and Burning Iron

The romance in priest's works is more complicated. It's the most gentle in its normal state, when it is rational and collected, in which case it's like the breezing wind, soothing, sweet and light-hearted. It gives the individuals more incentive to achieve their individual and/or societal vision, as well as more reason to value their own lives & well-being.

In Faraway Wanderers, the most distinct feature of WenZhou relationship is how in naturally sync they are, and how comfortable & smooth their dynamic is. They both have past burden, but it doesn’t matter, because they bring simple joy, understanding and happiness in each other’s lives.

In Sha Po Lang and The Guardian, the ML’s lingering love for the MC motivates them to become better version of themselves, to care about others, and to form a holistic vision about bettering society.

In The Defective, Lin Jingheng(MC) explicitly said that Lu Bixing(ML) is the only meaning in his life. He had little incentive to care about his own life after his revenge plan fell apart. LBX helped him reconnect with his inner idealism, and gave him a reason value his life.

When the passion and fiery energy manifests itself, however, the romance is like burning iron, blood and fire. It isn’t actually toxic or unhealthy, but it's not pure and innocent either; in this case, it strives for something deeper and more intense, never content with the past or the present. The sheer intensity of relationship is like a double-edged sword, walking the fine line between unconditional devotion and dangerous obsession.

SHL: Spring Water and Healing Open Wounds

The romance in SHL is like "spring water"; it's warm, gentle, nurturing. It breaks through the boundary between individuals to bring the couple closer to each other, taking them back to a utopia of their childhood dream, away from social pressure and responsibility. The theme central to their relationship is “salvation”: how love is able to bring people back to integrity.

Both drama wkx and drama zzs have lots of regret about their past sins and wrongdoings. Four Seasons Manor is essentially a metaphor for purity, acceptance and the safety of childhood home. How to make drama wkx open up and accept this safe harbor as his home is one of the most significant plot-lines of the show.

SHL couple is way more emotionally vulnerable and expressive. A significant part of SHL arc is healing the wounds in an open and honest way. They cuddle and confide in each other way more often, talk about their shameful past and even cry about their regrets in front of one another, which is very rare among MXTX/Priest works.

The heat of the relationship sometimes gets too hot and even burns; in other words, there are constant miscommunications, conflicts and misunderstandings in the relationship. However, they can never let each other go, because it's the only source of warmth left for them in their hopeless lives filled with regrets and guilt.

Similarities and Differences

*Note that this is not a SHL/TYK comparison. TYK is kind of an “unorthodox” priest novel; you will know what I mean if you have read 3+ of her works.

Relationship Dynamic & Narrative:

In MXTX’s works, the concept of “romance” itself is divined; and the characters are illustration of the ideal of “undying love”. People are made for one another, to complete one another. Her works use colorful symbolism (silver butterflies, the emperor’s smile, the 3 thousand lanterns, etc.) to depict this romanticized ideal of love.

For MXTX, the romanticization of “destined love” is one of the most recurring themes of her novels. Therefore, the readers look at their relationship through rose-color glasses. Obsession is usually framed in a jolly & romantic light, and doesn’t feature much tension or stress, and has less negative or unhealthy undertone.

In most of priest’s works and SHL, soulmates are not born but made, so they have to figure out how their relationship works step by step. Therefore the narrative is less of a “rosy picture”.

Priest has a habit of using derogatory terms to describe relationships that are mostly healthy, but somewhat “bloody” and edgy, full of excessive passion and obsession. The most common phrase is “爱生忧怖”, a Buddhist term meaning “love results in worry and fear”.

SHL obviously has to be more subtle in expressing love. That said, drama WenZhou are way more emotionally vulnerable and expressive than their novel counterparts, as well as most Priest & MXTX characters. They have a dramatic falling out once in a while, even towards the end. They barely fit the Chinese definition of Zhiji (to know me/to understand one another), but are “lovers” who are buried deep in their passion instead.

Past, Future and Evolvement:

In SHL, characters are encouraged to treasure past impressions that are thrown in figurative “wrappings”, whose luster is derived from age-old experiences (Psychological Types, Carl Jung). In other words, they are encouraged to root their love in a shared past, a Utopia of innocence.

The contrast between The Defective and Word of Honor is very interesting to observe. Both involve long separation, and the suffering and personality changes hat comes from it. SHL narrative frames their innocent childhood as something to cling to and return to. Drama WKX is encouraged to accept his identity as Four Seasons Manor disciple because it was part of his childhood past. This is a significant part of drama WenZhou relationship.

In The Defective, the narrative doesn't encourage the couple to dwell on the past that much. On the contrary, the all-knowing AI explicitly discouraged the MC from “comparing past to present”. They are advised to accept changes, however painful it might be, and build a better, more equal dynamic out of it, evolving from one-sided pandering to fighting side-by-side.

In Priest’s novels, the characters rarely return to something in the past, but look into the future. Change is usually framed as inherently beneficial, albeit usually painful and rocky, the implication being that you need to constantly strive for something better.

Sha Po Lang is a good example of this, with Gu Yun’s changing attitude towards Chang Geng after he as he matures, gradually showing his intelligence in politics. CG starts referring to GY as Zixi instead of YiFu is also a sign of this change---to see him as equal rather than a parental figure & protector.

The Defective is even more obvious in this regard, with both parties uncomfortable with the change initially, but gradually adjusting to the changes during their 16-year separation. The ML also stops calling MC by his surname “Lin”, as a sign of viewing him as equal.

In MXTX’s works, change in personality or relationship dynamic is neither framed as painful or good. It just happens. It’s a natural flow that take place when it does. Their relationships are rarely challenged by change. They are objectively at a better place compared to their past, but it’s merely the result of a series of events rather than a deliberate choice or struggle.

WangXian’s relationship naturally changes over time after WWX’s rebirth, but neither of them really struggles with the change.

Xie Lian doesn’t even recognize Hua Cheng as the someone from his past, so they start out as friends getting to know each other.

Salvation and Changing one another:

Priest herself stated in an interview that she doesn’t believe in the concept of salvation, since people have the inner capacity to be their own savior. Therefore, priest characters usually don’t actively try to change their partner’s morals or personality. Some might be willingly influenced by their partner, but there’s rarely an element of moral condemnation. Even when there is a conflict between different values, the options are 1) to reconcile them by choosing the middle ground 2) to maintain their independence and tackle it with nuance 3) to break up.

On surface level, Mo Du/Silent Reading is about Luo Wenzhou being Fei Du’s salvation. However, as LWZ pointed out himself, Fei Du would’ve been a good person at heart with or without his influence.

In The Defective, when Lu Bixing mistakenly thought Lin Jingheng stayed in the Eighth Galaxy against his own wishes because of their relationship, and that their priorities are irreconcilable, he even thought about breaking up. Of course he was not serious about it, but this showcased that he would never try to change LJH’s convictions.

In SHL, however, the concept of salvation is central to the theme. Some find it strange that SHL make drama zzs the more “moral” one of the two, despite his action being more objectively questionable. In fact, the only reason he get framed as more “moral” is that he admitted his fault sooner, and therefore could guide drama wkx’s path back to salvation: to recognize the goodness in people, make peace with external world, to clear his name in Jianghu, and to follow due process with his revenge plan to avoid collateral damages.

“I tried to change you, but you end up changing me”, said drama ZZS. This relationship dynamic is never present in any of priest’s works I’ve read. Priest characters don’t *try* to change one another.

Does MXTX believe in salvation? Hard to tell. One could argue that Hua Cheng would have be way more amoral and even immoral if it hadn’t been for XL. This is complicated and is a topic for another time.

However, it is certain that MXTX MCs don’t condemn each other morally. “The orthodox one defending their unorthodox partner in front of the world” is a common wuxia trope, but the way MXTX novels approach it is very different from SHL.

HuaLian never had a serious falling out about being on different sides. Even when they disagree, they respect each other and love each other exactly the way they are. Hua Cheng didn’t approve of Xie Lian saving Mu Qing, but he didn’t interfere with Xie Lian’s decision. Xie Lian feels responsible for helping Shi Qingxuan in Blackwater arc, but he is perfectly fine with HC helping He Xuan keep secrets. In several cases where they have different values, they are able to make it work with ease.

LWJ never *morally* condemned WWX for his action, and never once objected to WWX practicing demonic cultivation after his rebirth. In fact, LWJ never objected to WWX’s morals; in their previous life he was worried about his safety, and struggled with what to do about certain situations due to his family background, but difference in morality is not an issue for them.

The “righteous” one does not feel the need to guide their unorthodox partner or to be their salvation with regards to integrity.

*The similarity & differences part is a bit messy and some points are not fleshed-out. Sorry about that.

**I don’t claim to have the right interpretation. The lens by which we see different styles of romance is ultimately subjective.

#mdzs #tgcf #mxtx #tian ya ke #mdzs meta #word of honor #shl #sha po lang #mo du #can ci pin

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