#so I don’t know why I’m caught up in the nostalgia of it already

[sophisticatedswifts]

I think the eras tour will always be my restaurant

[hoonven]

CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS

2.1K ⸺ a moment of clarity brings you back to your fiancé, flour-dusted and waiting, and somehow, amid the remnants of your champagne problems, you find hope stirring in the winter air

‎PAIRING! fiancé!park sunghoon x female reader

GENRES! fluff, angst, established relationship, hurt/comfort

WARNINGS! mentions of emotionally absent parents, brief mention of food, the reader struggles with overcoming childhood fears, i think that’s it lmk if i missed anything

Park Sunghoon was like snow, a silent beauty in the unforgiving frigid season of winter. He was the joy of building snowmen, the thrill of snowball fights, and the wonder of making snow angels. He was the delicate touch of snowflakes melting on your skin, the serene hush of snowfall blanketing the world. He was the sweetness of gingerbread cookies and the warmth of hot cocoa brimming with marshmallows. He was the comfort of a flickering fireplace, the softness of a fuzzy blanket wrapped tightly around you, the subtle perfume of winter spices from a burning candle.

Park Sunghoon was like snow—pure, ethereal, and timeless. He shone like the star atop a Christmas tree, his presence brought the excitement of a gift waiting to be unwrapped. He was the nostalgia of holiday movies you’ve seen a hundred times, yet never grew tired of.

Park Sunghoon was winter’s magic, a special spirit that blessed the earth in all its glory.

So why did you feel the biting cold?

It was exactly a year ago on Christmas Eve, and his proposal was perfect. The snow-covered gazebo twinkled with string lights, the crisp air carried the scent of pine, and a soft melody of carolers drifted from the town square. His hand, trembling but steady, had pulled a blue velvet box from his coat pocket. He smiled, warm and sure, as if he already knew your answer.

“Will you marry me?” he’d asked. The four simple words spoken in the kind of voice that could thaw an endless winter.

Your heart swelled, your hands shook, and you whispered a quiet “yes.” But later that night, as you laid in bed staring at the ceiling while the world outside froze over, doubt crept in like frost spreading across a windowpane.

Your mother’s voice rang in your ears, in weary resignation. You remembered how she used to sit by the window in the afternoons, staring out at a world she never felt part of anymore. “I gave up everything,” she had said once. “For my kids. For my husband. And look where it got me.”

The memory tightened around your chest like a vice. Sunghoon wasn’t like your father—he wasn’t distant, distracted, or cold. He was attentive, affectionate, and endlessly patient. But still, what if? What if marrying him meant losing yourself, too? What if everything started out great and then slowly got worse just like it did for your parents?

“Talk to me,” he said one evening, his voice soft but firm as he pulled you from the kitchen where you’d been stirring a pot of soup you didn't intend to eat. The engagement ring on your finger catches the light, a reminder of the promise you made but aren’t sure you can keep.

“I’m fine,” you murmured, refusing to meet his eyes.

“You’re lying.” His hands gently rest on your shoulders, his thumbs brushing reassuring circles. “You’ve been somewhere else since last Christmas Eve.”

You paused for a moment, caught off guard. You had almost forgotten how good he was at psychologizing you in the midst of your internal battle. But you lie again—because it's what comes most naturally to you when someone asks if you're okay.

“It’s nothing. I’m just stressed.”

“It’s not nothing. I can see it on your face. Please, tell me what’s wrong.”

His persistence feels like sunlight breaking through clouds, but you’re not ready to let the warmth in. You pull away, wrapping your arms around yourself as if shielding your heart from his. “I just… I don’t know if I can do this. What if I end up like my mom? What if I lose myself in this, Sunghoon?”

The words hang in the air like smoke, and for a moment, his expression cracks—hurt flickering across his features like a candle about to go out. But then he steps closer, his voice steady, gentle. “You’re not your mom. And I’m not your dad. Your mom had dreams, ambitions—things she was passionate about just like you. But the difference is you found someone who loves that about you. I would never ask you to give any of that up.”

“But what if I do anyway?” you whispered, tears stinging your eyes. “What if I forget who I am because I love you too much?”

“Then I’ll remind you,” he said simply. “Every day, if I have to.”

His words chipped away at the icy wall you had built around yourself, but fear is a stubborn thing, clinging even as warmth seeps in.

You suppose that's why you're sitting on a couch, staring at the framed watercolor painting on the wall—something abstract, meant to be calming, but to you, it’s just a swirl of indistinct shapes. Your hands fidget with the hem of your knit sweater as the snow-laden world outside the window reflects your mood: quiet, heavy, and cold.

“Y/N?”

The sound of your name pulls you back. Your therapist, Dr. Hart, leans forward slightly, her pen poised over her notepad. Her voice is soft, patient. “What’s on your mind?”

You blink, feeling the heat of her steady gaze. “Oh, um…” You hesitate, glancing down at your hands. “Nothing, really. Just lost in thought.”

Dr. Hart tilts her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Nothing’s rarely ever nothing. Take your time.”

For a moment, the room feels too small, too quiet, but you exhale and decide to speak. “Sunghoon,” you admit softly.

“Your fiancé?”

You nod, feeling a pang in your chest as the word settles between you. Fiancé. It’s supposed to feel joyful, exciting, but lately, it’s felt complicated.

“I love him,” you begin, your voice barely above a whisper. “I really do. He’s kind, supportive, and everything I could ever ask for in a man. But ever since he proposed, I’ve been… scared?”

Dr. Hart doesn’t interrupt, her expression open and encouraging.

“I keep thinking about my parents,” you continue. “My mom gave up everything to be with my dad. She stopped working, stayed home to raise me and my siblings, and over time, she just… lost herself. She used to love winning lawsuits for her clients, but eventually, all she did was clean and cook and wait for him to come home. She became so bitter, and my dad barely noticed. I don’t want that to happen to me. I don’t want to lose myself like she did.”

“And you’re afraid marrying Sunghoon will put you on the same path,” Dr. Hart says, her voice gentle.

You nod, your throat tightening. “I know Sunghoon isn’t my dad. He’s nothing like him. But what if I am like my mom? What if, without meaning to, I give up who I am because I love him too much?”

Dr. Hart lets the silence linger for a moment before speaking. “It sounds like you’ve built a wall around yourself, trying to protect your identity and your independence. And that’s not a bad thing—those parts of you are important. But Y/N, have you ever asked yourself this: is Sunghoon asking you to give those parts up?”

You blink, her question catching you off guard, and you're reminded of your conversation with him a few days ago when he pulled you out of the kitchen. “No,” you admit quietly. “He’s always encouraging me to do what I love. And reminding me to take breaks when I get too wrapped up in work.”

Dr. Hart nods thoughtfully. “It seems to me that the fear you’re holding onto doesn’t come from Sunghoon. It comes from your past—from what you saw in your parents’ relationship. You’ve taken that fear and made it your own, but it doesn’t have to be. You are not your mother, and Sunghoon is not your father. Their story is not yours.”

Her words land like a stone sinking into water, rippling through your thoughts.

“But what if I still mess it up?” you ask, your voice small. “What if I get it wrong?”

Dr. Hart smiles gently. “Every relationship takes work, compromise, and communication. But the fact that you’re here, reflecting on your fears, tells me you care deeply about doing this right. Sunghoon sounds like someone who sees you for who you are and loves you as you are. Maybe the question isn’t about whether you’ll lose yourself but whether you’ll allow yourself to trust you—and him.”

The knot in your chest loosens, her words settling like fresh snow over the chaos in your mind.

“Trust him,” you echo softly, more to yourself than to her.

Dr. Hart nods. “And trust yourself. You are not defined by your parents’ choices. You have the power to create the future you desire.”

For the first time in a year, the weight on your shoulders feels a little lighter. You leave the session feeling like the frost in your heart is starting to melt, warmed by the realization that maybe, just maybe, you can be brave enough to trust in the love you’ve found—and the person you’ve grown to be.

The smell hits you first—something warm and sweet, mingling with the faintest hint of something burning. You push open the front door, stepping into the glow of the tiny Christmas tree you and Sunghoon had decorated last week. Lights twinkle softly, casting shadows that dance on the walls, but it’s the sound of soft muttering coming from the kitchen that makes you smile.

When you round the corner, you stop in your tracks.

Sunghoon is standing by the counter, dusted in flour from his hair to his slippers, poking at a tray of slightly misshapen cookies. He’s wearing the most outrageously festive apron you’ve ever seen—bright red with cartoon reindeer and candy canes, a pair of oven mittens that look like Santa’s hands resting on the counter. His brow is furrowed in concentration as he lifts one cookie with a spatula, only for it to crumble in half.

“Oh, come on,” he grumbles under his breath, shaking his head.

You press a hand over your mouth to stifle a laugh, but the sound escapes anyway, and his head snaps up.

“You’re home,” he says, his eyes lighting up despite the flour smudged on his cheek. “Uh, surprise?”

“What are you doing?” you ask, stepping closer.

He shrugs sheepishly, glancing at the mess on the counter. “I thought I’d try making your favorite holiday cookies. You know, the ones your mom always made? I figured it might cheer you up.” He winces as he looks at the tray. “But, uh, they didn’t turn out as planned. I think I overdid the ginger or… probably everything.”

Your chest tightens, but not with anxiety this time. It’s the kind of warmth that spreads slowly, filling the cracks you’ve been carrying.

You see it then, as clear as the frost on the windowpane: you are not your mother, and Sunghoon is not your father.

Your mother gave up everything, but you won’t. You’ve built a life filled with love, with purpose, with someone who sees you for who you are and encourages you to be more. Sunghoon doesn’t take from you—he gives.

The thought warms you like a fire on a cold winter night.

“Sunghoon,” you whisper, your voice catching.

He frowns, stepping toward you. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at therapy?”

You shake your head, and before he can say anything else, you close the distance between you, wrapping your arms around him tightly. He freezes for a moment, surprised, then melts into the hug, his arms slipping around your waist.

“I love you,” you murmur into his shoulder. “And I'm sorry for being so distant, for letting my fears get in the way. You’ve been so patient with me, and I should’ve trusted you more. Trusted myself more. I should’ve trusted us more.”

“I love you, Sunghoon, and I want to marry you.” You say, the words spilling out like a confession. “I just needed time to remember that I’m not her. And you’re not him.”

His hand comes up to cradle the back of your head, his touch gentle. “Hey, it’s okay,” he says softly. “I know you’ve been through a lot. I just wanted to remind you that I’m here, no matter what.”

You pull back slightly to look at him, tears pricking your eyes. “We’re gonna be okay, right?” you ask, your voice trembling.

His gaze is steady, warm, as he cups your cheek with his flour-dusted hand. “We’re gonna be more than okay. You’re not her, Y/N. You’re you—stubborn in all the best ways.” His lips quirk into a small smile. “And you’re stuck with me, reindeer apron and all.”

A laugh bubbles out of you, light and free. “You look ridiculous by the way,” you say, brushing a smudge of flour from his cheek.

“Ridiculously handsome,” he counters with a grin.

You roll your eyes but lean in to kiss him, a silent promise in the way your lips meet. Outside, snow falls softly, blanketing the world in a quiet peace. And in his arms, you finally feel warm.

© 2024 hoonven, all rights reserved. i do not give permission to modify, repost, translate, or plagiarize my works on any platform. NETWORK! @kstrucknet

[haikyu-mp4]

I would like to listen to Perfect with Atsumu ‹𝟹

Now playing... Perfect

word count; 799 – f!reader, for my 1D x Haikyu event (please excuse the lack of dialect)

The windows were wide open and you let the brisk night air catch the right side of your hair and leaned back on the headrest. Atsumu was beside you, yapping away about some terrible prank his brother and Suna had done.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked incredulously, as soft laughter pushed between your lips.

“It’s funny.”

“It was not funny!” he yelled, which made you laugh even more. You tilted your face towards him and spotted the little smile on his face, which was also how you caught sight of your phone screen lighting up with a new message from your mother. She’s probably sitting on the couch at home and thought you were tucked safely under the sheets.

But Atsumu had happily helped you sneak out the window for a night drive, taking you far away from your neighbourhood, somewhere that all your problems seemed a little smaller.

Like the fact that you were receiving your college admissions tomorrow.

You picked up the phone as Atsumu turned onto the highway, biting your lip at the message: Sleep tight, sweetheart! Can’t wait to celebrate tomorrow, don't stay up too long on your phone!!

Atsumu wasn’t your boyfriend, just your something. From time to time, your love for him would find space in your schedule and he would bring you on adventures or just to do things you knew you shouldn’t do. Being top of your class and leading more clubs than you should have the time for, you would sacrifice sleep so that Atsumu could show you what life was supposed to be.

As you sped down the highway, Atsumu let go of the steering wheel to play air drums, looking at you like you were rocking along instead of screeching in a mix of worry and adrenaline. “Tsumu! What if we die?”

“What if we live!” And it would make you sigh in indignation and lean your head back towards the window, letting the air clean your systems as the person you might possibly love started singing along terribly beside you. It made you feel alive.

The night went on like that, wasting fuel until you ended up in a McDonald’s parking lot one town over, munching on nuggets and fries with your legs over the middle console. You dipped a fry in your milkshake and offered it to him. “Don’t be a wuss, at least try it.”

He pinched your thigh before taking the fry into his mouth and making about ten different faces. “Not terrible, actually.”

You cheered in victory and he watched you with these eyes that told you he enjoyed these nights just as much as you did. “There you go, you should trust me.”

He stared at you for a moment longer before grabbing two more fries to dip them in the milkshake and looking at some people walking over by the road. “I assume I’m not invited to your celebration tomorrow.”

“I wouldn’t call it a celebration,” you corrected, nose scrunched at the reminder. “But no, the guy who sneaks our daughter out the window now and then is not on my parents’ guest list.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You want me to be more than that?”

You shrugged, eyeing the nugget in your hand and wondering if it should be dipped in the milkshake too or if being with Atsumu just made you want to do it. “I like what we have now, I just don’t know how it’ll be when I move away.”

“I got an offer for a team.”

Your eyes widened and you slapped his arm, making him look jokingly offended. “That’s amazing! The jackals?” you asked, voice raising without you even noticing.

Atsumu took a second to respond, surprised you remembered what team he mentioned hoping to get an offer from. “Yes.” He cleared his throat, trying to ignore the part of him that suddenly zeroed in on how pretty you look when you smile. “If I ever travel close to you, I’ll hit you up for some bad decisions.”

You leaned your head back on the headrest, looking at him with an undeniable feeling of nostalgia as if you already missed this moment. “Sounds like a plan.”

Being bad at planning pretty much anything, Atsumu liked how you understood this was his way of making a small promise. A solemn silence settled over the whole car like a warm blanket. A fuzzy blanket that felt so soft now, but would make you too warm over time.

“That’s it then?” you whispered, not sure if you had ever been this close to touching on heartbreak.

“Think this night is over already?” Atsumu responded, suddenly sitting up and putting your legs back at your side before putting his seatbelt back on. “We’ve barely even started, baby.”

masterlist

[shiro-00s]

heaven on earth

41. one step closer .. !

[ genshin impact smau / idol!xiao x fem!reader ]

The sky was pretty, especially today. There were a few lanterns that were already up in the sky, illuminating the sky with spots of yellow here and there. The festival had a ton of small festive shops, selling traditional masks, and a few fun games. All leading up to the main attraction. The stage.

Among all the attractive stores, nothing could take away the glory that the stage presents, the kind that catches everyone’s eyes. It stood tall among the festival, a view you could see from any angle, and was included in every selfie taken.

The outdoor concert had a whole area to itself, a space waiting to be filled with loads and loads of people, and you had no doubt that it would be filled to the brim. The stage lights illuminate the large stage in the center of the space, giving the platform a much-needed spotlight. A few speakers that looked like they could destroy an eardrum were placed on the stage along with fog machines.

You nervously handed the staff the ticket gifted by your dear friend, Hutao, who you really wanted to strangle because of the dilemma she put you in, an all-or-nothing. You’d have given them a heads up, telling them to meet up with you but you hadn’t contacted a single soul about you coming to this concert.

Why? You had a huge ego. And you really, really didn’t want anyone to know that you were going to Xiao’s concert.

After the whole fiasco with Xiao-Yujin, the internet was skeptical, rightfully, due to it coming from PAIMON, who was the master at making things up. You were skeptical as well, but you were petty and you didn’t really want to go out of your way to ask him. Well, you’re doing it now.

So, after making up your mind about coming to Xiao’s concert - which took a long time - you reluctantly came to the concert with the words Hutao told you lingering in the back of your mind.

It’s about honoring his lost companions.

When the staff had verified your ticket, you looked around for something to do before the concert started. In an attempt to distract yourself, you found a small store that sold and taught the art of crocheting. Well, it does look cute. Why not?

A lady in her early 40s greeted you kindly, a gentle smile on her face as she showed you around the neat stall. When you seemed a little too puzzled, she asked, “Are there any crocheted flowers you’re looking for, dear?”

You blinked. Oh, that startled you.

You didn’t think the lady was one to talk but it seemed you were wrong. Shaking your head, you replied with a small ‘I’m afraid not.’ and a sheepish grin. The lady hummed at your response, looking around at her flowers before finally asking, “Who are you planning to give it to?”

You inhale, “Do you think I’m going to give it to someone?” Chuckling, your eyes scanned around for a simple flower, or anything pretty really, you didn’t mind. Since the lady was nice, you’d give it a shot, for her sake. You’ll give it to Hutao or Xiangling. Whatever.

The nice lady smiled, looking as if she was feeling some nostalgia before saying, “I’m well aware of the look in your eyes. I had the same one when I was your age, you know? Those longing eyes as if you’re waiting for someone.”

Suddenly you wish you didn’t enter this store or come to this festival.

Relaxing your shoulders and neck, you hunched down a little to stare at the flower that caught your eyes at the bottom of the stall.

“I don’t know. Really.”

The lady beside you crouched down to the same level as you, resting her face on her hand as she smiled a little before pointing at the flowers your eyes laid upon.

“Those are hyacinthus. If we’re talking about Greek mythology, Hyacinth is a divine hero who falls in love with Apollo and chooses him over 3 other beings.” She paused, picking up the hyacinthus and grabbing your wrist gently with her free hand.

“But eventually, he was killed accidentally by Apollo. Then he was resurrected again, by his lover and was gifted with immortality as well.” She let the flowers fall into your hands softly, the three crochet hyacinth flowers laying atop each other.

“That’s why its symbolism is devotion beyond the depths of life and death.”

Over the next thirty minutes, more people arrived at the festival along with the concert. The empty space from before had transformed into a mob of people. If you lose something here, you’re never getting it back. That’s why you held onto the flowers with a tight grip even if you didn’t have plans to give them to anyone. Totally.

Your hands were clammy from having to glance around you every 5 seconds in case one of your friends saw you. To say that you were dreading meeting them was an understatement. You’d dig the floor and bury yourself alive if they saw even a glimpse of you.

Reaching for your phone to look at the clock, the sound of a loud screeching noise reached your ears. The noise of microphone feedback alerted everyone to the beginning of a thrilling performance. The anticipation in the air was visible, and the atmosphere filled with excitement and eagerness of the crowd.

The beam lights lit up one after another from the left to the right, the floodlights following right after. The stage, the one piece of art that held the attention of everyone, was then adorned with shining bright lights. The soft glow highlighted the display of the new presence.

Along the stage stood four well-known individuals, the spotlights captured each artist in their glory, possessing an aura demanding attention. The crowd erupted into applause and gasps, the wildness they’ve been since the start. The presence of each spoke volume, all of which were hard to ignore. Each of them had a headset engraved to the side of their face around the ear and the mic extending to their lips. Their outfits are all unique and well-planned, matching the theme of the festival by adding a little bit of gold and black, which complemented their bodies greatly. Especially, Xiao, you think. You’re caught off-guard when the familiar dark-haired man’s head twisted and turned, almost as if he was looking for something - someone. You felt a little satisfied at the sight, the gears turning in your head even if you’re not too sure.

The soft sound of the instruments started to play in the background almost immediately, catching the audience by surprise. The first voice to speak is a feminine voice. Confusion erupted in the audience as none of the mouths on the stage looked as though they were moving.

That was until a certain figure walked onto the stage. Yunjin was dressed with a black corset above her black crop top that seemed to hug her curves well. Her skirt was adorned with golden trinkets and intricate patterns. On top of her clothing, she wore multiple accessories that matched the outfit significantly with her pastel-colored headband of flowers and a short warm white scarf around her neck.

Other voices joined in soon yet your attention laid still on one specific person, one you’re unable to tear your eyes away from. Even as people around you started to bump lightly into you from swaying to the music, your eyes refused to move from the spot they had settled on. Xiao and his pretty, pretty eyes.

His body moved along with the beats of the song, lips softly opening and closing as he sang with his members. Wearing a dark-colored jacket, his clothing is layered with another white button-up shirt underneath and if you looked very closely, you might just be able to see his abs - okay, enough. The point is, you’ve never appreciated someone as much as you did with the person who arranged Xiao’s outfit because the conclusion is that you had never seen anyone as majestic as Xiao and you didn’t believe you ever will for the rest of your life.

Even his navy slacks looked perfect while he danced to the choreography which you believed was carefully planned, anyone could tell even if they didn’t know anything about dancing. You’re not sure how he moved with those slightly heeled boots or shoes, you don’t know and you don’t care. The question is how he moved so smoothly even with those heavy shoes that you knew you would fall and trip on if you wore them?

When your eyes returned to his golden ones, you noticed the pupils shooting in all directions, searching the VIPS, the front, the reserved, the platinum, the platinum plus - you get the point.

You doubted he would be able to spot you in this… what? Fifty thousand hoards of people? That’s an estimate but it was way too crowded and even though your spot wasn’t too far from the stage, he wouldn’t be able to possibly find you like this, right?

Yea, wrong. Because as soon as your thought process ended, the flash of golden eyes seemed to glance across your own and stopped for more than a second - before seemingly relaxing and tearing his gaze away. Though it was just a moment, everything had started to drown out in the background, going quiet before all you can think about is - Xiao, Xiao, Xiao.

After snapping out of your thoughts, one thing you can confirm after listening to the lyrics and melody was that it was indeed a rather solemn story that had been turned into a song. It matched the description that Hutao told you about. The need to comfort Xiao clawed at the back of your throat. You’d have to hold it back until the concert ended. Wait, what?

No, the plan was to watch and leave. But… ahaha.

The concert seemed to pass like a blur in your memories, your lack of focus only helped in not being aware of your surroundings because - oops, you just bumped into some crazily tall dude with hair longer than half of your body? Those odd professional clothing made him look wild but weirdly cool, but to be real, why did he choose them out of everything to wear to a concert? Multiple layers of different shades of brown and a mix of white or gray in this humid and stifling atmosphere.

He seemed more shocked than you it seems, but you’re sure it’s not your clothes because he was looking straight at your face, not your outfit. The brown-haired ponytailed man opened his mouth to speak to you, which is odd because you didn’t know this man, did you?

“Is your name, [name], by any chance? Which, of course, if it’s not, you’re free to say so.”

Okay. Definitely a stalker or something, run.

In contrast to your light-speed thoughts, your body stood still in its spot, not making any attempt to move. Then, against your better judgment, you muttered, “Yea, who are you?”, accompanied by a raise of your brow and a step back.

At your response, his lips seemed to quirk up, a ghost of a heartwarming smile on his face as he reached a hand out to you.

“I go by Zhongli, may I have a moment with you, [name]?”

On the other hand, the concert had just ended. The fatigue and a thirst for water washed over Xiao quickly as he rushed to grab a bottle before trying to slip away to find… someone.

However, a deep voice reached his ears, “Xiao! Don’t go yet, wait for a while!”

God he wished he could just turn around and punch the smiling ginger head waving at him from across the backstage, he had had enough of Childe and him intervening. A sign came from Xiao before he turned back to Childe, mind racing for an excuse so that he can leave him behind and slip away to find you. Just as Xiao’s lips parted, Childe had taken the initiative.

“Before you say anything, I know where you’re going, who you’re planning to find, what you’re going to do.”

That shut Xiao up even if it wasn’t like Xiao was a particularly talkative person. His brow twitched at the knowledge the older male had, annoyance dripping from his tone as he spoke.

“Okay? Bye then.”

Xiao turned away to walk towards the decreasing crowd, grieving the time that he lost spent with Childe. At his actions, the ginger sighed, long and exasperated. Not having the energy to physically deal with Xiao, he decided to use his words, “Zhongli said he told her to go to the place, that place. You know what I’m talking about.”

Pause.

“Are you fucking with me right now?”

Xiao believed wholeheartedly he had never felt emotions on this level. Hell, he never really felt any more than annoyance like this. Xiao thinks you’ve been changing him. Little by little, piece by piece, he’ll become an ordinary person going about with his day. Just like how they would’ve wanted.

Shaking away his thoughts, he took small steps towards the area informed by Childe just a moment ago and a while ago through dms when he asked Childe for vacant places with a magnificent view. He didn’t know whether he wanted to run there, reach out for you and just stare at you for a good while or walk slow, slow steps, so that his hopes didn’t get crushed by the possibility that you didn’t listen to Zhongli.

The grass tickled the black shoes that he changed to after the concert due to the initial pair of boots literally being impossible to walk with. The wind is gentle, the view is just as he had described to Childe, ethereal. But, maybe not more than you.

Liyue as a whole could be seen from this spot in the mountains, the warm yellow lights from lanterns illuminating the dark sky and the city, the city he never thought could look this breathtaking. Shivers went down his spine as he continued to look around. The night looked especially pretty tonight.

Just as he thought he wouldn’t be able to find anything prettier on this extraordinary night, an almost silent sound of rustling nearby. When he looked up, sweet amber eyes met your wide ones. An expression of relief fell on his face as his eyes scanned you. Then, he concluded that maybe, he had a special view specifically meant for him. You looked divine.

Wait. What? You guys were friends, he shouldn’t have such thoughts. Do friends think of each other this way? Ugh, his head is spinning.

After a moment, you reached your hand out to gesture at him to take a seat beside you on the green grass. He hesitantly took his spot beside yours, shuffling to make himself comfortable as he admired the view.

Silence took over soon after, both too hesitant and unknowing of what to say, and what not to say. But then again, with this view, on this night, on the top of this little hill, it felt right. It felt right that he knew he couldn’t mess up, this could be an ultimate moment for the two of you. A memory to make.

“[Name], you listened to the song I sang earlier.”

Confusion was etched on your face as you turned your head to face the dark-haired man, blinking rapidly at him before responding with a small nod.

“I wrote it. About the people who were- are special to me.” It’s hard opening up to people. He cringed at the mistake he made with that sentence. Although, he couldn’t really call it a mistake, could he?

“I lived in an orphanage once, along with four other kids who were older than me. That time I was like how I am now, quiet, but they got me to open up in a short time.” Xiao’s slender fingers curled up against the grass, looking solemn as he continued. “Especially the oldest one there, Bosacius.”

Your heart warmed up at his words, brushing your knuckles against his curled-up hand in an attempt to bring comfort to him. You had not heard about his life before, and it hurt to know that he went through hard times. You tilted your head to the side a little, an invitation for him to continue.

He cleared his throat before gazing back at the lanterns slowly rising to reach out to the sky, “They were everything to me, my family. Along with Zhongli, who was the one that helped fund us and visited us a lot. Madame Ping, too. She was our caretaker. Apparently, Zhongli was friends with her, I learned that later on.”

Xiao breathed a long breath before continuing with his talking. You were happy to get to know his found family, but he looked sorrowful as he talked. Maybe something bad happened between them?

“It was the best of times, but good things never last.” This time, his words were muttered, and quieter, as if he was trying to stop himself from speaking.

“Our house. It got caught on fire.” Xiao took a big breath before concluding, “They, uhm, didn’t make it out. Was it some electrical fault? I didn’t bother to remember. I was too shocked to think.” Your eyes widened, you didn’t expect him to drop a bomb on you like that. You couldn’t muster up a reply to something like that. So instead of a verbal response, you hesitantly uncurled his fisted fingers and laced yours through them, stroking his skin with your palm.

Xiao took your physical touch as a sign of showing your condolences without pitying him. His heart warmed at the thought, heart beating a little faster. “Bosacius carried me from our bedroom to the hallway with the entrance. He was trying to do the same for others, too. But it didn’t work out quite well.” The last words were whispered, his head hunched down to his knees.

You tightened your grip on your laced fingers, bumping his shoulder with yours as you finally mustered up something to say to Xiao - for the first time today. “It’s not your fault. I’m sorry that happened to you.” Tone softening to accommodate the solemn atmosphere and an attempt to say something meaningful to him after he opened up to you. That explains the song, too.

Unexpectedly, Xiao turned to you with a refreshed look on his face, as he - out of nowhere - asked, “Did you enjoy the concert?” Like a lost puppy, his eyes stared into your shocked ones. After a few moments of silence, you decided on the best answer you can come up with.

“Yeah, you were awesome.” From bumping your shoulders to leaning your head slightly on his shoulder, sure it's a big leap. But, you didn’t receive any sort of rejection from the male beside you. On the other hand, his heart rate told you a different story. His usually steady heart rate had turned more erratic, you couldn't blame him either when your own matched his unsteady beats.

"That PAIMON tweet is an exaggeration." Xiao muttered into the silence of the air. At those unexpected words, you laughed wholly, as if you couldn't guess that already. But oh well, his reassurance did sound nice. Xiao was in his own little world, his thoughts consisted of how nice and soothing the sound of your sweet laughter was. A small smile bloomed onto his pretty face, watching you smile back at him with a grin.

A night has never felt more meaningful than it did now, with your head on his shoulder and a cute smile on your face directed at him, Xiao wouldn't have it any other way. And if there's one thing Xiao concluded from today, it was that he was in love with a certain gremlin.

"Oh! Here, I almost forgot." Golden eyes blinked at the crocheted hyacinthus between your fingers, glancing between the flowers and you. Exasperated at his obliviousness, you gestured for him to take them, quirking up a brow.

He suddenly seemed flustered as he shyly took the flowers from your hand, mumbling a "Thank you…?"

A sudden urge to make him more flustered crossed your mind.

"You should search up the meaning of hyacinthus later, by the way."

Xiao gulped before nodding his head slightly, looking back up at the now empty sky. He seemed to only realize now how much time has actually passed.

"Oh, shall we leave?" You mumbled, bringing up your phone from your pocket before looking at the time and collecting your things laying around on the grass. Xiao stood up before you, standing in front of you as he sheepishly reached out his hand to you - for what? The third time today?

You shook your head lightly, laughing slightly before placing your hand on his open ones as he lifted you up.

"What a gentleman."

heaven on earth - 41. one step closer

previous | masterlist | next

synopsis ; 🗝️ — in which you befriend your next door neighbour who, unbeknownst to you, was apart of a soon-to-be one of the most popular bands throughout liyue. you're unable to tell if cupid was helping you or not when things with xiao kept going up and down. will he continue to keep his secret from yours truly?

NOTE — new chapter will be out soon bcs no more written portion for a while (ive said this like 4 times and they never go as planned 🤗���) !!@!@! yipee. anyways since he realized his shit its easy here on out 😝😝 rikkyu is not [name] btw her user is just that bcs i got too lazy to give her a proper one mb

TAGLIST#1 [OPEN] — @mikctp @ghostlysyntaxed @kazemiya @nnasv @gojoandelsalovechilde @candy-purple-cyanide @kissingkzuha @zyilas @lunaavity @luminescent-light @mave-in @rizakari @riikyu @kokoscutie @starsxnight @sketcheeee @softlie @izakyun @xiaxilia @the-sweet-madame @rifran @milkwithspiceyicecubes @coffeethoughtsandanxiety @rxkan7 @goodthingimsam @pomeiu @fogturtle @farelady-fate @tzu-scara143 @wonderful-worlds @cianalikesbeans @h3xi2g0n3 @jasxiao2317 @rosaryia

(ask to be added)

[iminhiraeth]

Limoreau Fic Ideas

because I have a terrible case of brainrot, I’m going to be listing all my fic ideas that I may or may not one day do. Who knows! But I figured I could share the brain thoughts in case somebody else needs a spark of inspiration :]

And Lmk if I should do more!! I’d absolutely be down to, but this is just a lil test of interest for neow. (Would also 100% be open with getting asks for blurbs like this on certain AU’s or concepts :])

Supernatural AU

Instead of 2 brothers on the road hunting the supernatural it’s Marie and Jordan, who are legacies of their monster hunter parents and are having to work together after their parents gave them an assignment before suddenly disappearing. Bonus points if Marie is actually a vampire and has to keep it under wraps, or Marie was turned into a vampire the same night Jordan was turned into a werewolf because the two of them were way too brave and confident they could handle a hunt on their own at the age of like. 8 or 9. Caused a lot of tension ofc because their families are HUNTERS !! Could be with super powers still except those with powers are all hunters and it’s like. A semi underground society that’s like idk. Men in black type of deal.

AU with boxer!Jordan

This one I imagine less as professional boxing and more as a sort of fight club. Everyone meets at a location that’s given only a day prior so they don’t get caught bc this shit is illegal, and Marie is dragged out to one by Emma bc Sam sometimes participates to blow off some steam. Marie ends up being the one who makes sure Jordan is alright after fights bc! I also think they’re only allowed to be in their fem form for the fights. (Due to make form being invulnerable to attacks.) Also sort of secret society but majority students in God U find out about it if the circles your in deem you worthy. (Aka you won’t snitch.) Jordan probably really gets a kick out of it too because they don’t have to be perfect in that space, and fighting just gives them some time to not have to think about anything else. Their parents were likely very strict and although God U does have public training n shit for crime fighting students, it could be that there’s just a lot less rules for these fights n’ nobody is nitpicking their form so they don’t have to worry about looking hero worthy. Just some college kids fighting underground, and maybe there’s a thing about there being an after party that usually turn out to be the best parties on campus. 100% just an excuse to have Marie patching up Jordan n being all hot n bothered over how they look in a fight. Bonus points if Jordan starts training Marie too and she starts signing up for fights.

Camp Counselors AU

This one explains itself honestly. Limoreau being rival camp counselors and always putting their teams against each other or some shit. They have a tally of their wins and have some sort of bet going on. After like their first year every other counselor was like why don’t you two just fuck already we’re tired of watching you flirt. Bonus points if it’s them reuniting after having gone to that camp when they were kids n even then we’re like. SERIOUS rivals. They could not get along for the life of them, but maybe one of them moved n they stood in the parking lot that year wanting to hug but not knowing if they were even friendly enough for that. They miss each other, much to their surprise, but then like idk 4-5 years later they coincidentally (Jordan for nostalgia?? Or bc their friends were like we should do something random for the summer… N maybe Marie because Annabeth wanted to go to the same camp for the summer.) both chose to come back to be counselors n when their friends try to introduce them they’re like we know each other already. (Likely Cate, Andre, Luke with Jordan and Marie with Emma and Sam??) Their homies then bear witness to the most sexually charged banter they have ever seen n are like you two… hate each other?? Are you sure?

Pirate/Siren AU

Pirate Jordan….. Siren Marie….. Froths at the mouth. That’s it, that’s the AU. I have no further thoughts other than Jordan washing up on fantasy island n Marie is laying there sunbathing next to them all oh ur awake!! Jordan short existential crisis of being attracted to a fish n then being relieved when Marie can change into a purely human form with small differences. (Sharper teeth and nails, a pointed tongue, a little more cat-like pupils, and a sort of strange gait to the way she walks.)

Alternatively, for Pirate/Siren, it could also be Pirate/Succubus

Marie ending up separated from her family after landing in human territory, Eek! Maybe b/c they’re like.. fantasy land royalty and we’re trying to strike a deal with this part of human land but then BAM betrayal, and as they’re fleeing Marie somehow gets pulled apart from them n their like find ur way back!! We’ll send Emma to come help you!! Jordan on the other hand is in search for a treasure that’s located in fantasy creature territory, and is in search of another crewmate after one jumped board. Marie gets rejected at first, since Jordan does not recognize her to be a succubus at first bc maybe… she has some magical amulet from her parents that blocks that perception of her for her own safety. Nor do they recognize her as royalty b/c I think it’d be fun if Marie was sort of? A veiled princess, nobody truly knows what she looks like but they’ve heard stories of what power she inherited. (Thinking that royal lineages are the ones who are supes.) Anyways, maybe that areas guards see her n recognize something she’s wearing so she’s like fuck it I’m jumping on board anyways Idc if you rejected me, n maybe it’s Cate who’s like ur in, I don’t know why Jordan was being an ass. Fairy!Emma joins them too either right after seeing Marie get on board or she was the one to be like FUCK WE HAVE NO OTHER OPTION JUST HOP IN !!

Bonus points if Jordan and Marie save each other at least once, and there’s cute moments of Marie showing Jordan places that are off their map (magic areas with like, cute little fantasy animals n just beautiful scenery bc I love that shit.) Marie basically on the run with Emma, maybe there’s also a part of the plot line where Marie has to deliver something to some magical beast or she was just tired! Of being holed up in that kingdoms castle just bc of her powers. Honestly could end with them reaching the place n Marie n Jordan are like strange that this is the same place I was going. N then they keep walking on the same path n their like are we… going to the same place right now. Edit: Forgot to add that Jordan would also probably come from a royal line, along with Cate, Andre, Luke and Sam! (Luke probably abandoning his position as king for some reason that could be adjacent to the whole situation with The Woods where instead of a virus being created it was just. An experimentation on Sam to try and see if they could come up with what essentially would be Compound V)

Post-Apocalypse AU

You can guess how majority of this goes. Could be that Compound V was made a lot earlier but somehow mutated and not only infected Supes, but also infected humans, which made them into zombies. Supes powers are dwindled down exponentially but they’re still a lot more enhanced in comparison to human zombies. Maybe Marie is on her own and finally thinking she’s reached the end of her line but then Andre comes in n is like hey!! Come with me lol I have a group n you seem cool. Andre explains to her that they’ve been on the search for a safe-haven they’ve been hearing about, and Marie is absolutely wowed bc she didn’t know any talk of that. Jordan is obviously irritated bc they’re like Marie is just body to protect and another mouth to feed W’s he’ll just slow them down blah blah blah. The usual Jordan looking out for themself first and foremost, but veiling it as a group thing. (Thinking it could be because they lost Luke n Brink n they just. Can’t take another loss like that, n it sort of feels like they’re just trying to fill a gap if they let Marie in. And they’d rather not stick their neck out for some stranger.)

Journey is long, Marie and Jordan have their moments of bickering and absolutely not getting along at first but after they find each other awake at night, both awoken by nightmares, they have a conversation and make a truce. They still snap at each other a little because they’re learning how to navigate one another but they’re noticeably a lot more friendly n are able to make jokes with one another. The group is like DAMN FINALLY !! Got sick n tired of hearing them constantly arguing. (Can especially see this situation bringing out the differences in Marie and Jordan’s moral compass. I feel like when in this setting, Jordan is a lot more willing to let others die if it means keeping loved ones safe. A lot more violent and unhinged and generally just a little bit scary, whereas Marie is the one who tries to see the good in people first instead of second even now. She’s more empathetic to the fact these zombies were humans once too, which could attribute to maybe Marie losing Annabeth to the virus. (Thinking that in this AU, bc compound V was made earlier that Marie’s powers didn’t show up until the apocalypse had already begun and possibly her parents were just in the line of fire when she freaked on a group of zombies, n Annabeth ended up bit but didn’t say anything. Except she was extremely irritable, slowly grew more sick, and eventually Marie had to lock Annie up n tried so hard to keep her alive until she realized forcing Annabeth to live like this was just cruel.) Marie probably ends up learning her lesson after a group they encounter stabs them in the back after Marie had JUST advocated for them. Jordan initially is rlly mad n is all up in arms about it bc they told her! They fucking told her! But quickly comes around when they realize Marie is genuinely having a whole factory reset bc of this n it just. Changes her perception completely, n Jordan almost mourns the fact that Marie had to learn things the hard away n they can’t just. Protect her from everything all the time.

[rowretro]

𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

WARNINGS: Hardcore Drug usage, underage drinking/smoking, mentions of abuse

✧CHAPTER 3✧

Upon arriving at Riki’s place, the male was hitting shots, frowning as he watched her down the bottle, straight. “That doesn’t burn?” he asked as the girl chuckled “With enough experience, one bottle is nothing” she said, taking another swig from her bottle. It was a daily habit of hers at this point. The only difference is, she prefers to do so alone in her room, or while doing chores, then when she wants some munchies, she could keep the kitchen to herself. 

This time, she was with Riki, who was quite stunned by the girl’s tolerance. Not to be sexist, but he sort of assumed she’d have gotten drunk before him. As he saw her reach for another bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, he put down his glass. “Yeah I think that’s enough drinking for now.” he said as she frowned “Just as I get to my favorite?! You’re no fun” the girl whined as he shrugged, staring at the bottle then at her.

“Why do you love it so much?... there are so many better brands here you know?... you have such a dad taste in alcohol-” He joked as the girl smiled, looking down at the bottle. “I used to steal it from him… he’s an alcoholic though he hides it so well… behind closed doors, his wife and kids are nothing compared to these bottles… but when he drinks something like this, he’s such a wild card, a free spirit yk?... He’d joke and laugh with my siblings and not argue with me for once” she rambled, tipsy as Riki listened in. 

From what he heard, the man was definitely not the best father for her, according to Heeseung. He never knew that a bottle of whiskey held so much nostalgia. “D’you have a story behind joints and cigarettes?” he asked as the girl laughed a little “You think I’m a little sob? I do weed to get high, yeah? And cigs are just fun to smoke w Won, he does this cute little face when inhaling it, everytime, ps, he’s an idiot when high” She smirks.

Pulling out her credit card, she drew the lines perfectly for them “So, why’s a racer like you doing hardcore drugs?” the girl asked, still focused on the white lines on the clean surface. “It’s fun to do so every now and then… with a little company.” He said, mumbling the last part.The girl smiled at him. Quite the first time seeing her smile like that, it wasn’t a taunting smile, nor a fake one that she’d usually wear… it was actually genuine. “Do you want to go first?” the girl asked as he shook his head.

“Why don’t you show me how it’s done?” he asked as the girl shrugged, snorting up a white line as she threw her head back, letting that hit, before going for the second line. Then the third, moving the board to him. “Go on” she said as he smirked, The male followed pursuit, sniffing up the lines of white, giggling as he saw the residue painted under her nose. She was a really bad influence on him. Extremely goddamn bad.

The girl now lying down on the floor as the male fiddled with the guitar in his hand, singing random words as he strummed the strings. "Its you and me in this world... plus weed, candies and cocaine, I'm high out of my mind... so come kiss my and bite meee" He sang as he rolled over to y/n. The girl looked at him judgingly, she poked his cheek "beep. next song" treating his cheek like a skip button.

Strumming his guitar, he sang something else "Me and my bitch she gonna sniff lines till its early, got her feelin otherworldly tonight... caught in some... " Riki trailed off trying to think of a word "Is that a flying moon?" Riki asked, distracted by the lightbulb, "beeep, next song!" y/n giggled as Riki pouted.

"Next songgg nesxt so-" Before the girl could whine more, Riki's finger was on her lips as a shushing motion "Don't even finish that sentence babe-" he sang "Already know how this ends.... you said we're breakin up what a shame-" "beep beep booooooop. I turned the music off." y/n smiled as Riki stared into her eyes, his face so close to hers.

"Pretty eyes... kissable lips" he mumbled, still under the influence, he twirled her hair as she stared at him. "Riki is it me or is there a snake in my hair?... IM FALLING CATCH ME-" she yelled, high out of her mind as the boy hugged her tightly, the 2 now lying on the floor. As time passed, Riki fell asleep on her chest... he looked so peaceful n dreamy, so fucking cute. the girl's hand in his hair, as she fell asleep too...

✧𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓✧

[itwillbelonelywontit]

epilogue near and young mello has me in a violent chokehold. you think near treats him more gently like this? with a little more emotion, a little more care, because he’s lived the last two decades without him? and maybe that tenderness both discomfits and enrages mello, who patently doesn’t understand, because this version of near is just like the apathetic kid he bullies but also not,,,,,,

picturing near with his hair in a messy ponytail while he’s working late on a case and mello walks up behind him and goes. hey. why don’t you smoke them out with [impulsive, violent, straightforward mello plan that is nevertheless clever] and near is like. silent. and then he smiles and he’s like. yeah why not okay. and it works and near maybe remembers that mello’s dynamism made them an unstoppable pair.

and near won’t tell him how he died but mello is sure that he is dead, because this near looks at him with a strange attachment in his eyes that feels like pity yet isn’t.

mello pulls on his hair out of habit and near takes the bullying with a long suffering nostalgia that makes mello escalate until he’s climbing on near’s body in the middle of the night and oh, poor boy doesn’t know what he’s getting into. I’m sure you can imagine :)

GRRRRR YOU. YOU GET IT. YOU UNDERSTAND MY VISION. I dont want to get too caught up in unnecessary logistics bc thats really not what this is about, but I imagine it's like a sort of. second chance at life but with a catch and the catch is mello comes back as a. checks notes. 13 or 14 year old with only the memories up to that point while the world has moved on. I dont think near would ever actually tell him that he died, and mello can't find any evidence of his own death in the news from the past 20 years, but he knows he died, because theres no other explanation for the way near looks at him like he simultaneously has already lost him but is surprised by his presence.

and GOD I LOVE THIS IMAGE. near kind of forgets how uniquely brilliant mello was, even as a hotheaded teenage. that boy can pull off plans that anyone else would immediately call ridiculous.

I think truly what makes this so crunchy, other than the given age gap power dynamic, is the fact that near is above mello's bullying. sure, near has always been apathetic towards it, but apathy is so much better than whatever sad almost-smile he gives mello every time he yanks on his ponytail or pushes him from his chair. so mello just tries harder. he ridicules every aspect of near's being, he kicks his shins and shoves him at every opportunity, but its even less gratifying than when near was his age (which to him, feels like just yesterday). somehow mello is the one feeling mocked and belittled every time. so of course he eventually attempts to resort to sexual violence... smiles. god. how do I even start thinking about this. because I just know its SO good.

[hpalways]

A Game of Tag

Fandom: Twisted Wonderland

Character(s): Jack Howl x GN!Reader

Quick Summary: Jack’s siblings came to visit, and you were shown yet another side to him, reinforcing your belief that his compassion expanded beyond bounds. 

A/N: I literally love his character so much hahaha. He also gives off major tsundere vibes but in the best way possible. But yeah, I was confused why I liked him so much and then I see he’s a libra and it makes sense now (jk haha)

BACK then, Jack Howl used to scare you a little.

Now? Not so much.

You were beginning to know him a bit too well. There were cracks and crevices that shown past through his initial persona to reveal a deeper character, with dreams, passions, goals, and experiences. He had many different dimensions, but he always stayed consistent to himself. Which you thought was admirable. And when you finally earned his respect, you were continued to be shown so many diverse sides of him.

Like today, for instance. His siblings had come on campus to visit him today. A younger brother and sister, with vague features similar to Jack's. You had come out to the field to see him entertaining his siblings and stayed to watch for a while.

For once, he had worn such a carefree smile.

It nearly took your breath away from how usual it was. But it was also stunning. His sharp pearls glistened underneath the sun, while the curves of his cheeks turned upward in delight. His usual messy, silver hair was even more tousled from all the running, but the corners of his ears were upright to display his affection. A strange combination with the brute strength he contained, rippling muscles and big form. And yet, somehow it worked. All these qualities of his made him Jack Howl. When it came to the ones he cared about, he did it to the fullest.

Golden eyes flew over to meet yours. "Come join us, [Y/N]."

"I'm good," you said, hands up in surrender. "I don't have that kind of stamina. You're a beast."

Despite your protests, he called a time out to his siblings and allowed them to explore on their own. Then he ran up to you, a glare suddenly fixated upon your presence. "What did I tell ya? You needa start workin' out."

"Okay, coach," you responded, rolling your eyes. He growled under his breath and you grinned. "Stop whining so much. I saw you how happy you were."

He widened his eyes and looked away, annoyed that you caught him. "I was not."

You reached out an arm and with the help from the bleachers, you were tall enough to touch his hair. It was soft and furry, the feeling of it comforting beneath your palm. Before he could do anything about it, you gave it a good ruffle. His reaction was everything. Shocked and embarrassed, his cheeks reddened as he pulled away. But like you said, you knew him too well. He liked it. He liked it, a lot, as a matter of fact.

"You're gettin' too comfortable." However, that was all he said, which you took it as a good sign.

"Tell me about your brother and sister," you said, ignoring his statement.

"They like sports."

You made a face. "Is that it? They're exactly like you."

He nodded. "I just know we'll have a good time together. It's nice watchin' them grow up."

"You must be a proud brother," you added, a smug smile weaving along your lips.

He stared at you for a moment, not saying anything as if in deep thought. The softening of his features clearly expressed more than words ever could. It was a look... a tinge of slight nostalgia mixed with bittersweetness on top of swelling pride. How cute. It was always thrilling to learn more about Jack, especially since he kept it himself most of the time. But you knew actions speak louder than words. His actions were always prominent and special, played out in utmost care.

The sun was killing you. You didn't understand how Jack could stand it when he had been out for hours already. No wonder he was so tan.

"I'm going back," you told him.

"You're joinin' us for one round of tag first."

"What?!"

In the end, you could not get out of your predicament. It didn't take long until the two kids returned, fired up with passion. Jack was not wrong at all. They were indeed really into sports. It was evil of him to involve you like this.

The game of tag started, with Jack's brother being it. As he counted up to twenty, you ran with your poor legs as fast as you could, panting heavily from your obvious lack of stamina. If this wasn't hell, you didn't know what was.

It didn't take long before the rascal caught up with you, chasing at your tail. Yelling in fright for your incoming doom, you ran like your life was ending. Alas, it didn't make much of a difference. The little guy pounced on you and you were tackled to the ground.

Laying there as he ran off, you stayed there for a moment, chest rising up and down.

A shadow loomed across your face, blocking the sun and bringing about cooling relief. "You quittin' already?" It was Jack, thoroughly amused by your nearing deathbed.

"You!" you quipped, sitting upward. You started chasing him down, your eyes stuck to your destination. And as you cornered him like a predator latching on its prey, you began to realize that your thoughts applied everywhere. Your eyes were always on him, on his familiar biker's jacket and spiky hair. There were so many charms that came along with him, and those charms continued to attract your attention. "I gotchu now, you loser."

You spoke too soon. As you dived towards him, he dodged to the right and sped off into the distance, his skills shining through.

The game ended with you as the tagger, to no one's surprise.

Sweat riddened and exhausted, you slumped into a ball.

Jack's familiar form appeared once more. "You did good, [Y/N]." And though you struggled the entire game, he was genuine in his compliment.

With his back turned on you, he leaned forward to show that he was willing to give you a piggyback ride back to the dorms. Classic Jack. 

[destinygoldenstar]

I Don’t Feel Well So I Rank The Ninjago Seasons (D Tier)

…

Boy am I glad I use Tumblr instead of YouTube, cause then I’d have to use A.I to talk. Well my voice is not pleasant to listen to either way, but you know.

So… I have been sick. For the past week. How fun, am I right? I still get brutalized at work and I’ve been exhausted and forced in bed with stomach bugs and floods of snot the entire time. It’s not well.

So I decided instead of sleeping again that I’m gonna rank every Ninjago TV installment that’s canon to the main Ninjago story. Cause seasons is just really not the right word.

And you know, Season 2 of Dragons Rising is coming out, so this post will get dated real quick.

So for what I’m ranking: the seasons of the main show, the pilot, Day of the Departed, and Dragons Rising.

And you know what, I’ll throw in the 2017 movie cause it’s significant even though it’s not canon to the main story so what I said is a lie…

And I know there are other Ninjago books that I haven’t read, but it’s questionable if they’re canon, so…

I’m just gonna talk about what I want. Ninjago’s lore is a mess. This is Lego’s Star Wars. Which… IS a thing, but you know what I mean. Ninjago is legos big cash cow.

So what do I think is the gold of Ninjago, and what do I think is… Day of the Departed.

(I’m going to post these by tiers. Because this post got so long already. Why am I like this?)

So let’s go:

Wow what a surprise, Day of the Departed.

The only special on this list is last place. Never seen that before…

Okay, but despite the obvious placement, I’m actually SOFTER on this than most people.

This was caught in a bad production era for the show as they were changing writing staff at the time, and the movie was coming out and was delayed to another year so they needed something to fill in the space.

This is what we got.

I honestly think a story about Ninjago’s version of the day of the dead that involves reviving the lost, and centered around the one ninja cursed into purgatory struggling to cling to memory IS a very powerful story… IF it was a full season and not a forty minute special.

Yeah I know, “How could you make this an four-eight episode season or something? It takes place in one day.”

Just rewrite it so that it takes place in a handful of days with the actual Day of the Departed being the climax, take time to focus on the ninja’s losses respectfully and how they each remember and honor them, build up a mystery of the revived souls, and center the story around Cole and his LITERAL existential crisis in his ghost form as he slowly feels being forgotten and disconnected with his loved ones, learn what the actual day means to the dead and purgatory like him, and have that climax with Yang where he unlocks his earth punch thing and Yang sacrifices his chance at revival to undo his curse on Cole so Cole can live his life and die properly in the future when his time actually comes.

Boom. You got a pretty compelling Ninjago season on paper.

But no. Instead let’s cram it all in forty minutes, only pay lip service to the topic of the day of the dead, and waste most of the specials screen time with the other ninja and NOT COLE fighting previous baddies for nothing but nostalgia bait. So that Cole’s concept of a character arc in the special becomes incredibly rushed. He confronts Yang, gets imprisoned by Yang, breaks out, gets taunted, and immediately gets proven wrong when the other ninja show up and he learns his lesson. Great character arc.

It’s still incredibly relevant to his overall character arc though. So it hurts more that it’s not given the pacing respect in this.

But no. Instead of focusing on the heavy stuff, the special would rather focus on fights with the other ninja who are not the main focus against the ghosts of previous villains. Again for nostalgia and nothing else. All of these fights are probably the most boring action sequences Ninjago has ever had and I cannot remember a single thing that caught my attention.

When they are going over the villains prominently displayed in the museum cause the host anticipated this disaster or something (Oh wait, considering who it is, maybe he did), why is NYA the one who says “Memories” to Chen?

I know it’s a small detail but it bugs me so much. Nya played the smallest role of that season besides Wu, she was not invited to the tournament and her role in that story was being a spy and mostly away from Chens torment. While the others did go through ton of Chen related trauma.

Out of ALL the characters that you could’ve had say the line “Memories”, you pick the ONLY character in this party that did NOT go through the s**t delivered by the character the line is directed at.

So yeah. This was so blatantly rushed that you can notice details like THAT which make no sense.

Yang is a joke of a villain and his plan doesn’t make too much sense. He wants to revive himself and his students, but why waste time making sure Cole suffers? With the backstory of trauma you have that YOU gave, Cole has no part of it, hell, YOU cursed HIM for no reason besides a mansion rule.

Bruh is playing the victim. SMH.

He wants to make Cole feel forgotten by the entire world, so he sent out the ghosts of the other villains on the ninja so they’d be distracted. Ignoring how Cole was already feeling this way at the start of the special and that’s why he even came to Yang, who KNEW this.

So really Yang is just wasting time. Just leave Cole in the back rooms and go through the portal and be on your merry way. You have your new mansion host. You’re free.

AND this kind of assassinates the character he was described as in Possession. Granted it’s not a huge deal cause in that season he was just a ghost in a temple and an episodic antagonist. But that’s all he needed to be. How Yang and his students died doesn’t matter to the story, and he worked not as a villain, but as a teacher. His morality was completely ambiguous the entire episode he appeared in there, and he came off as a wise spirit luring adventurists in his mansion so he could kill the weak survivalists with his mansion curse.

He was NOT a bitter moron who killed his students and himself by an accident.

I also just don’t buy his sudden redemption. Dude got punched really hard and that changed his mind to let Cole go instead.

As a kid the lesson I got from this was “If you want your elders to be nice to you, just punch them really hard!”

It’s honestly kind of funny looking at it ironically.

I think the most frustrating thing about this special is that it is a special.

Ninjago lore is already very confusing as is. But when it comes to the shorts, and the books minus Quest for Lost Powers, yeah they can be fun additions, but you don’t HAVE to watch them.

Casual fans can stick to the main show and lineup of seasons and still get a full experience with the shows story and characters and not get lost.

Or at least that’s how it SHOULD be in my opinion. But no. Because of this pesky stain, you force your entire audience to look at a HALLOWEEN SPECIAL, that is so hard to find in English now mind you, to see a VERY SIGNIFICANT PLOT POINT IN THE SHOWS STORY.

WHY?!?!?

I know I said the movie was delayed and that’s why. But could they not, I don’t know, use that time to instead flesh out Hands if Time. Maybe fuse in the specials content, minus the pointless past villain fights, with Hands of Times story to revive Cole as its own subplot. Rewrite some of the dialogue to be about the theme of time, maybe have one of the time blades be involved in the Cole and Yang confrontation (I’m imagining the freezing one but it doesn’t matter), and boom. Seamless fusion.

We do not need two Ninjago installments every year. Especially if they’re gonna be half baked as a result. We had our fill with Skybound in 2016. That’s all we needed. This special didn’t need to exist with this context.

Another obvious installment close to the bottom.

I already made a whole post about the movie and my extended thoughts about it.

TLDR is that while I, unlike some other people, appreciate the attempt of being it’s own thing and going by it’s own rules as an alternative universe, the problem is that it fleshes out its concepts little to none.

As a result, this version of the ninja are depressingly underdeveloped and have little to no believable chemistry with each other. And it has horrendous pacing so it’s not like we can explore this world besides “The city hates Lloyd”, with a very rushed conclusion that just abruptly ends without much time to process its ATTEMPT at a satisfying end. (Like, I think Day of the Departed had a much more satisfying and well paced ending)

And even THEN, that end that works on paper is completely botched in execution because of poor build up, and giving Garmadon nothing to earn a redemption.

“Forgive your terrorist parents, kids! Even if they leave you for dead! You’re in the wrong if you don’t!”

I usually love the Lego Movies, but with this one very few of the jokes landed for me. I don’t know, there’s just something way too juvenile about the delivery that feels more insulting than anything else.

I, as a fan, absolutely prefer the show, as this movie does an awful job at representing the show to newcomers. Though it’s not like it was trying to do that anyway.

But while I do dislike the movie overall, there’s some things I like, and I feel like fans hate this movie for most of the wrong reasons.

Im just personally sick of people acting like the movie is trying to be like the show and failing when that wasn’t even what they were going with, and I feel like we should be criticizing the movie instead for what the movie itself tried and didn’t succeed at.

The bloopers are better.

This is my least favorite of the main Ninjago season lineup.

And yes I’m talking about both chapters here. Honestly the separation between chapters really felt like an excuse to not release two Ninjago seasons a year like tradition.

For gosh sake just release the whole thing, or air an episode weekly. I’m personally really sick of this trend.

I have to be totally fair and say that I think the defenses of this season ARE warranted. This is not awful, and if the worst season isn’t awful then that showcases Ninjago’s quality. I can understand people defending the season. I don’t agree with any of their points, but good for you if you like it.

But I’m sorry y’all, there’s a reason why I can’t put this season anywhere besides last place… in terms of the main lineup. That has to do with my experience with watching Ninjago.

I often fly through the seasons before and after it no problem, always hooked.

Except for this one.

When I first watched this season, it did NOT click with me like the others did, to the point where I basically committed Ninjago watching sin. I put off the entire season about five to seven episodes in and didn’t pick it up again till MONTHS later.

I NEVER did that to Ninjago before.

But this season made me do it.

And it hasn’t changed. I fly through the rest of the story and then when I get to this season, I get stuck. I’m checking the runtime left, I’m scrolling on my phone, I’m doing something else and treating this season as background noise.

So… why?

Well one, it’s the second longest season tied with Crystalized.

Yes even with the shorter runtime of each episode.

Rise of the Snakes: 13 Episodes x 22 Minutes Runtime = 286 minutes

Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitsu: 30 Episodes x 11 Minutes Runtime = 330 Minutes

(I did the math for you. You’re welcome.)

At least Crystalized knew what it was doing with that extended time.

This season is completely aimless. We literally spend two episodes of the ninja getting nagged at by Wu to get off their asses and do something, then run around to find something to do. Then we spend another four episodes trying to get to that something, and only THEN, SIX EPISODES IN, we get introduced to the main villain!

That’s a whole sixth of its runtime wasted on pointless filler! It made me miss the filler of Season Two if I’m being honest, at least there those episodes were at service to character development for Lloyd. This seasons filler has none of that.

And that’s just the first of the seasons pacing problems. Once we do get introduced to Aspheera, she completely curb stomps the ninja and escapes to invade the city and it’s presented as high stakes!

And then we get a filler episode about the newspaper folk and the everyday lives of characters that are not the main ninja.

This is an idea I’m a fan of on paper. But it’s placed in such a FSM awful point in the story that it’s existence butchers the tone.

By that point, you lost my engagement.

This isn’t entirely the runtimes fault, it’s just that the runtime was utilized poorly. They could’ve, I don’t know, did build up to whatever the gosh some of these character arcs were supposed to be?!?

Aspheera isn’t a bad villain, she’s a decent threat, but she is derivative and badly utilized. There’s a reason she’s memed by even the show runners.

Kai’s character assassination in this has been talked about to death. I think it’s a little overblown especially in the Oni Trilogy when people complained he was dumbed down. There, he was still competent at his ninja job and he was NOT the focus of that story, rightfully not. Here, he’s advertised as the focus ninja but they have to DRAG him everywhere half the time. Literally!

This is barely even a character arc. He loses his powers, whines about it, quits, then goes back to the fight when a child who is a fan of his puts himself in danger, which is screwed up, learns that Aspheera has a dynamic with Wu that he lied about and he lashes out on him, apologizes because family, and then gets his powers back with a ‘YoU jUsT gOtTa BeLiEvE’ speech, which he basically has to cause otherwise people will LITERALLY DIE.

There is nothing for Kai to learn or grow from here. Supposedly it’s because he’s so arrogant about how his power can be utilized that once it’s taken away he feels like a nobody.

Except he does not use his powers any more than the other characters, and they don’t get any punishment or lesson regarding that. It’s all the scroll’s influence when it comes to them. And that is the lesson, backfired because the story then goes “Get your powers back or PEOPLE WILL DIE”

But yeah, Screw Kai I guess.

Or maybe it’s because Kai has to learn he’s special even without powers first, and he doesn’t need actual fire to spark fire because the power of love and friendship is all he really needs to spark fire!

Here’s the problem. From the start of the series, that has been something HE ALREADY F%#KING KNOWS

(Edit: I love this show to pieces. This show means a lot to me. I have a lot to thank this show for. BUT when it comes to stuff like this… GOSH DARN IT…)

I will say it though, this is the season where I have said to myself, “Dang, Vincent Tong is popping off in the voice acting department here.” He absolutely makes this bearable and sells the character. Not that he ever did a bad job before. Like, this season gave us one the best Master of Fire war cries I’ve ever heard. I just wish this phenomenal voice acting had a better script to back it up.

I do think the ‘he got stupider’ criticism is not very fair though. They all got stupider here. Kai just got the stupidest lines. That’s not his fault.

After aging up the ninja in the Oni Trilogy into young adults, the narrative decides to treat them like they’re teenagers again. And it’s very disappointing to have Wu back. At least back to his original role instead of doing something new with him.

Something I don’t say a lot, but feel like I should… I’m NOT a Wu Stan.

NOW HOLD ONTO YOUR PITCHFORKS.

I am NOT saying he is a bad character and written poorly all the time. In some seasons he’s actually great.

But this is my own subjective taste, and he just rubs me off the wrong way and annoys me half the time. I get him being cryptic and overly strict and acting out of ‘destiny said so’ to force kids into lives they don’t want is his intended personality and it’s involved in the shows theming. That personality type annoys me. I don’t need him to be perfect, I just need him to be a little more empathetic and not a flat out jerk when he does not need to be in some cases.

That and he makes some really stupid choices throughout the series that absolutely piss me off.

This is the season where he is possibly THE most insufferable to me.

After being lost in time and having to literally regrow his morals, a pretty harsh experience all things considered, himself and the ninja finally achieve victory and peace. There’s no bad guys to face. There’s no danger. Everyone is happy and together.

Until Wu decides that’s BAD for some reason and feels the need to nag the ninja about everything they do to get them back in action. To the point where they can’t even take care of themselves without a fear of getting beat up by a chicken! Or whatever else!

Now, to be fair, they could’ve made this look worse on Wu’s end. The ninja could’ve wanted to retire and go live their own lives or something and Wu could act the same. That would’ve been worse. And they should have at least been doing something besides being on a couch and hot tub considering the peace they wanted for so long. You can make the argument that Wu is objectively correct here, he just went about it the wrong way.

BUT here’s what made me side with the ninja in the end. Even if I can see Wu’s POV.

WU CAUSED THE ENTIRE PEACE TO BE BROKEN.

If Wu did not influence the ninja to go about finding a bad guy and an adventure, nobody would’ve gone to the pyramid, no one would’ve freed Aspheera, no one would’ve gotten attacked, no realm would’ve been genocided, and because of all those things, Crystalized would’ve never happened!

Wu’s own cryptic overly strict and forceful self caused everything to go wrong if you think about it.

But hey, maybe they’re setting up a character arc for Wu, like, maybe he emotionally feels stunted after his trauma from the Oni Trilogy and CAN’T move on with life. And realizing he influenced the ninja negatively here could be a moment of reflection and s character arc where he learns to be more lenient and find a value of life beyond the ninja career-

NOPE.

Wu takes no accountability for causing this, outside of what he did to Aspheera thousands of years ago. As though him imprisoning a maniac like her was wrong… somehow??

That’s not even touching on the story admitting Wu is responsible for yet ANOTHER villain for existing. Which is so overdone that I actually look at Wu even more negatively every time it’s revealed.

WHY ARE YOU GIVING YOUR STUDENTS A HARD TIME WHEN YOU YOURSELF NEVER TELL THEM ANYTHING THAT COULD BE VITAL INFO TO PREVENT BAD STUFF FROM HAPPENING?!?!?

And somehow Kai has to be the one to apologize to Wu, even though Kai is the blatant victim here, because… ”I’m big you’re small I’m smart you’re dumb I’m right you’re wrong and there’s nothing you can do about it” (A line from Matilda)

And then they don’t even use him for the Ice Chapter.

Speaking of, is the Ice Chapter better?

Yes… but not by much.

It’s at least more interesting because of the new setting and the genocide plotline (Here’s your more lighthearted season everybody). But the season has no focus as we’re constantly jumping from subplot to subplot.

Cole’s plotline with the Yeti is extremely pointless, and only happened because he had anxiety problems about everyone hating him for a mistake no one blamed him for. Which that of itself is more interesting than the actual plotline why did we not explore that-?

Nya gets the exact same arc as Kai, except it’s in her case practicality reasons. So it’s even more pointless of an arc than Kai’s is.

It also breaks all kinds of rules on how Elementals work in this show. You rip a master from their power, that power is GONE until they get it back. There is no ‘I believe’ and it’s fixed.

It worked for Lloyd because that was how his power of energy worked. And even THEN there was practicality in why the power strip even happened.

The siblings have no excuse.

I guess Akita’s interesting. But she’s one of the more forgettable side characters to me and she’s in dog form and whining for so long that I don’t care for her as much as I feel I should. I get why she acts like that. Still.

They also turn Zane into a genocidal maniac!!?!?! Which caught me off guard cause… WTF OF AN IDEA IS THAT?!?

Zane is the LAST character ANYONE would expect to EVER do something this horrifying and EVIL. Not even some of the villains do stuff this messed up.

Then the time being different in this realm is revealed as a thing and it’s the most attention I’ve had the entire season. He was here for YEARS?!?!

What in gosh name caused Zane to become THIS twisted and jaded, THIS HOPELESS, at the idea that his loved ones abandoned him with nothing but a scroll to rely on-

He was brainwashed.

…

Deep down, I knew that was gonna be the case already. So I can’t say I was mad at that answer.

What I got mad at was HOW they handled it.

The season advertised this as the fire and ice chapter. A rivalry between the two elements. I thought that was gonna have something to do with how they free Zane and handle the trauma he caused everyone in this realm.

Nope.

The fire ninja doesn’t even show up to this confrontation. Instead Lloyd, who already had a whole trilogy of a character arc in the spotlight and did not need or earn this moment, mercy talks Zane and that undoes his brainwashing.

That was way too easy.

Are they at least gonna address Zane’s trauma here, give him an emotional reaction about it, or try to apologize and make up for the damage he caused in the Never Realm-

Nope.

No one in the Never Realm shames Zane for what happened after he’s back to his old self. He doesn’t even apologize, let alone try to help them restore their land.

Nope. Everyone’s completely cool with forgiving a dictator.

I want to take an obvious jab at this decision… but I will get cancelled if I take it, so I won’t.

Point is, for all intent and purpose, this is one big season and… a MESS.

But I will give it this. This season is pretty. One of the best and most dynamic seasons in animation and editing. There’s SOME scenes I really like and are funny. Or really interesting.

I like how they address Lloyds trauma, that Cole scene I mentioned is very interesting, there’s some great fights here, the ninja dragging Kai’s unconscious body through the pyramid was HILARIOUS, as well as this line:

“You’re both too valuable to risk. It should be someone expendable… like Jay.”

“WHAT?!”

I like Jay, but I also like it when people bully him.

And I will give the season this. Unlike Day of the Departed and the Movie, the dynamic of the ninja, the best part of the show to me, IS PRESENT.

That’s why I put it above the other two. But this is a case where I like some clips rather than the whole thing.

Bet you all expected this season to be in the bottom three.

But it’s not.

Okay let’s get this out of the way. The criticism towards Crystalized is warranted.

The season tries to be this big epic finale of the show without executing the conclusion properly. The prison plotline goes nowhere aside from reviving Nya, which of course that had to happen so the ninja can stop being depressed and get into action.

The crystal council was wasted as a villain concept as aside from Aspheera they don’t do much to the plot.

Harumi had absolutely no reason to come back from the dead, as she is just flat out NOT the same character as she was in the Oni Trilogy.

This is the exact character Harumi haters point at to say she who she was in the Oni Trilogy.

No. No she wasn’t.

In my perfect vision she’s still dead and never came back at all. That sounds incredibly harsh but given all the murder and attempted murder she’s done… nah that was a justified end for her.

Don’t even get me started on Lloyd. He starts the season fine, but once he gets into the crystal council his attitude and decisions are insufferable.

He can’t make up his mind as a council prisoner whether he’s scared of them or not. He believes Harumi can be redeemed despite being TRAUMATIZED by her and past seasons showing the PTSD he got from HER.

I guess Lloyd is just a healed man who is trying to showcase empathy to others, even those that hurt him-

OH WAIT NO. Because he reunites with his father and he’s absolutely bitter about his existence the entire time! You know, the parent he wanted the love and company of his entire life?!!?!

MAKE UP YOUR MIND SIX WRITERS. EITHER LLOYD IS EMPATHETIC AGAIN OR HES NOT. WHICH IS IT?!

Lloyd doesn’t even grow out of this. He’s just whining the entire time to Garmadon about him being an evil parent and him not wanting to get his Oni form figured out. Even though that’s still a part of him and he has to learn to accept it to save the day.

That’s a neat idea. A great idea to wrap up your protagonists character arc-

NOPE.

Lloyd screws the idea still and gets deus-ex-machina’d to victory instead by the Golden Weapons.

Golden Weapons that DONT WORK THAT WAY.

They literally changed the rules of lore from the PILOTS just for this. They couldn’t think of ANY other non-lore-breaking way to have the ninja win.

At all?!

Why not have the weapons explode in divine power and take out the island the Overlord is on. And THEN Lloyd reacts to the weapons himself because they’re supposed to react to the Green Ninja out of destiny. I don’t know.

But let me tell you why they can’t do that. Because if they did that, the other four ninja would be sacrificing their lives. Yeah that’s what they do here anyway, but in that scenario, they would be guaranteed to be DEAD.

And we can’t kill our main characters at the end of the show like that!

(No I’m serious. I understand why they wouldn’t want to kill the ninja. I wouldn’t want it. I just want it to make sense if they are gonna survive.)

There’s a LOT wrong with this season. No one will stop whining about it. No one will stop till the sun blows up and Ninjago is somehow still airing. It’s almost like cartoon finales are bound to be controversial or something. What more can I possibly add?

BUT, hear me out.

Yes Crystalized has its problems. But it also has a some moments that are top tier. I’d say even better than the good scenes in Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitsu.

The whole premiere episode where we see the ninjas grief over the loss of Nya is very powerful. The solo Nya episode after that where she says ‘screw the afterlife, I’m going home.’

The heist is really fun and intense, though admittedly not as much as I would’ve liked. I wish they didn’t have the ninja pop into the Monestary in the middle then go back out for the staff, I would’ve done both missions in one so the ice power would be a tension point for the whole heist. But compared to everything else that’s a nitpick.

Zane has an incredible speech about his experience with emotions. AND he gets a very touching moment with PIXAL, who also has a great monologue and just… SLAYS this season. I love every scene with her this season.

The among us meme is EVERYTHING. Yes it’s funny, but it’s also perfectly fitting for the scene and it doesn’t distract from the tension of the scene as Lloyd gets discovered and knocked out.

The other ninja struggling to escape a cave in is intense and very powerful to see their union till the theoretical bitter end.

Garmadon gets an episode that’s really sweet and it’s very much appreciated. Garmadon himself is just a chad this season and it’s very hard to hate him.

The Weekend Whip as foreshadowing to the final plot device that helps the ninja in their final battle at the very end was GENIUS I LOVE IT OMG.

There IS some great stuff here. Even great whole episodes. Whereas Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitsu just had moments I really liked and not whole episodes.

And at least I am personally more hooked with Crystalized’s story right away and it gets started pretty quickly. In that sense, I do prefer Crystalized’s story structure on paper than the other one. The pacing in this season has its own problems too, but at least I’m more hooked with the plot of the ninja trying to save a loved one, a well established character and a member of their group, and the slow mysterious build up of the previous villains being recruited by this unknown force.

At least none of the ninja are blatantly evil maniacs and getting away with it this time. They come close at the start, but they don’t get away with it. They go to jail. There’s actual consequences. That’s something I heavily appreciate.

So yeah, this season has good reasons to not like it, but honestly, it’s kinda underrated??? All I’m saying is it’s not AS bad as you think it is. This is nowhere near Star Vs The Forces Of Evil level bad of an ending.

(Continued In Part 2, where I go over the C Tier)

[arts-butthound]

Letters to Ominis

Summary: The trio have graduated Hogwarts and life has set each of them to the wind on their own. However, Eudora and Ominis continue to write to each other after the summer...

Word count: 5k+

Tags: Ominis x F!Hufflepuff student, fluff, they like each other but don’t know that the other likes them back.

part 2

Read on AO3

September 27th, 1893

To Mr. Ominis Gaunt-Archivist Extraordinaire,

It has only been a few short months since we last saw each other and I have thought of you every moment I’ve had that was truly mine. I often think about the three of us in France together, taking in the sunset as the waves crash against the shore. Of your encouraging promises to write me-and I do expect you to keep your word.

Despite the valley still smelling of summer, the school year has started, as has my aid to Professor Howin. 1st years eagerly line up to pet the puffskeins, 2nd years attempt to hide pretty shinies from nifflers, and 3rd years are being promised that by mid term-they will have learned to approach hippogriffs. I’m sure Highwing and Nocturne will be on their best behavior when the time comes.

It’s only been a few weeks and the halls are alive again as they ever were. Our poor grounds keeper is already discretely drinking away his mourning for his freshly mopped floors. Despite all the life around me, the halls feel awfully empty without all my friends here. It is as if I still see you, Sebastian, and myself running through the halls or hiding from Peeves. I’m so very grateful for the two of you. You made what I feared would be a very lonely school life into something of I could have never expected. Imagine going from telling cattle your deepest darkest desires for all of fifteen years, to suddenly being thrust into the care of people so wildly enthusiastic for your company. If it weren’t for Poppy, in her last year, I should expire of lonely nostalgia in the absence of you all, you and Sebastian especially.

A second year Gryffindor seems to have formed an attachment to me. I think he may have some very weighty things on his young mind and I only hope to be a comfort to him.

I argue with the keeper’s portraits constantly. Apparently preserving the thought processes of hundreds of years ago has its drawbacks. In my staying to study the repository “again, for the third year” has me in the running to become the new Isidora, and a threat to their precious secrets. There are many times I begin to understand her frustration, though not her means. My theories are often shot down, and there are days where they keep me from the repository completely. I’ve begun to find Silencio to be a very handy spell to have on hand. Deek, the house elf, has very kindly continued in helping me try to uncover what exactly this magic is and why it is so dangerous.

I hope your training in the Ministry is going well and that they are treating you well. And that you’re eating enough...and sleeping enough, though that shouldn’t be so hard for you. I expect to hear of all the terribly wicked gossip that comes across your desk. Withholding what is too historically salacious, of course. Far be it from me to get you into trouble, for that has always been Sebastian’s chief delight.

I have written him but I suppose his studies keep him busy, for I have not heard word back from him yet. Professor Hecat appropriately caught me sulking about it and assured me that it is most common for an Unspeakable to be out of contact for periods of time. I hope Sebastian is well and taking care of himself. I fear his obsessive tendencies, even being that they are an aid in his new career.

Please write back to me soon, Ominis, for my world is darker for lack of your company,

Your friend,

Eudora

 October 4th, 1893

To Miss Eudora Ferguson- animal care-taker extraordinaire,  

I fear I have little to tell concerning salacious history, for I am too lowly to have such things cross my desk as of yet. In years to come, I shall remember to share all I can.

My work is straight forward enough and my days repeating. I wake up, I eat a small something, leave my rented room and spend all day as courier to officiate documents before they are filed away. I come home well after dark, eat another small something I picked up on the way home, and sleep. It isn’t much, but it is honest work. Without the influence of my family, it is wholly my own doing. Tossing around the Gaunt name does not hold as much water as it did with Professor Black, I’m at no loss to say. Honestly, if people learn of my family name, they have a tendency to become distant. I will show them, given time, that I am nothing like the rest of the House of Gaunt. Fret not, pet, for I care for myself as best as I am able.

For as much comfort as you were to Sebastian and I during our time at Hogwarts, I am sure you will be nothing but a heavenly reprieve for your new young friend. As for the portraits, I’m afraid I have no mind to give advice on such things. Those who made up their minds centuries ago aren’t likely to change their minds when only their portraits remain- for there is no mind to change anymore. Keep at it with your persistent determination and I’m sure you will make a discovery eventually. If silencio is your one comfort with them, then let it be so.

I have not heard from Sebastian myself, though the two of us perhaps don’t reach out with letters to each other such as you do. Try not to worry. I’m sure his head is firmly glued to his desk and surrounded by towers of books, if that is indeed how Unspeakables operate. I’m sure the loss of Anne last year has only kicked his obsessive tendencies into a higher power. He will come up for air eventually and we will hear from him. You and I are all the family he has left after all.

Take pride in your efforts but do try not to stretch yourself so thin. I’d hate to receive news that you’d caught fever again.

Yours affectionately,

O. G

October 13th 1893

My dearest Ominis,

You are right, I shouldn’t worry about Sebastian as I do. However, making sense of things rarely allows the heart to change and I will continue to worry about him, more than likely, until I hear from him.

I received the rare letter from my mother yesterday, voicing a great many concerns that I have heard time and again. It seems to vex her that I am still in contact with you and Sebastian without any understanding of marital intentions. She worries that my reputation will be forever sullied and that I shall be labeled as a loose woman that only rakes will seek out but never respect. To her, it was bad enough that we were friends when I had just come of age to be in society, “running around as a young boy with skinned knees and muddy clothes” as she said. But now she fears that I am to lose much more than my dignity on the subject now that I am a young woman of marrying age. She so rarely seems to be in contact just to lend her maternal warmth and good wishes it seems. It’s times like this where it is revealed how oppressive the muggle world can be, how closed off from even each other they are. It is almost the 20th century, yet still men and women cannot be simple friends without something sordid going on in the background. The wizarding world is very different in that way.

You and Sebastian have always been protectors of my dignity and image and have never once been uncouth towards me. No matter how often I tell her that, she refuses to believe it. I can never seem to find the words that would soothe her misgivings. I even told her when you headed off Garreth Weasley in fifth year for persuading me steal for him (though I left that part out.) How he couldn’t be in the same room with you for two weeks without watching your every move in terror. Nothing helps, I’m afraid.  She’s says that she trusts me, but her every other action and fear would suggest otherwise.

Professor Onai and I both got a letter from Natty recently. She seems to be taking Auror training with all the brass she brings to any ambition of hers, though she does admit to soreness and an odd sense of paranoia. She did also mention that her trainers warned all their trainees about that. Professor Onai got that same crease in the middle of her brow that she gets whenever she’s worried, but a cup of hot tea and stories of the old days seemed to calm her.

A small brown cat seems to have taken a liking to me recently. He follows me around the school as a duckling might its mother, crying insistently until I pick him up. He’s quite the scarf and I have thus decided to name him as such. He has also learned where my living quarters are in the castle and will yowl at the door until I allow him in. He’s quite the talkative little man. He settles on the rug in front of the fire place and will join me in bed once I settle in. I must say, I’ve grown quite fond of him in this short time.

Opal the mooncalf gave birth again, this time to twins. Her husband seems quite pleased.

Are you excited for Halloween? I love it when the castle is cluttered with carved pumpkins and leaves fall, crunching pleasantly underfoot. I fondly recall you cursing each jack-o-lantern that dared to trip you in the halls. I spent the evening in Hogsmeade at The Three Broomsticks, crouched over a hot butterbeer, perhaps two days ago. I had come there with Poppy, but she seemed thusly entertained by a young musician and left me alone at the table. Miss Sirona and I could only eye each other with all too knowing grins. I’m sure it won’t be a lasting distraction, but it was good to see Poppy continue to work to connect with more people. Poppy and I walked home as fat snowflakes fell on top of us. I daresay that I was ready for another hot butterbeer by the time I got back to my chamber.

Do keep warm,

Eudora.

October 20th 1893

My dear Eudora,

Damned pumpkins. The Ministry building was flooded with them, too! As if the floor-ways weren’t crowded enough as is. You’ll be very entertained to read that I nearly twisted my ankle several times tripping over the wretched things, or toppled over them after being pushed into them. I shall be more than happy to see them disappear after Halloween.

Are you still insisting on referring to breeding pairs of animals as husband and wife? Truly, the sorting hat knew what it was doing by putting you into Hufflepuff. Your sentimentality knows no bounds. I don’t think mooncalves even mate for life, if given the chance. Opal and Stanley only stay that affectionate because they are the only breeding adults you seem fond enough of to keep. I can easily imagine you marrying your childhood toys together when it suited you. A precious imagining, indeed.

I’m sorry the letter from your mother wasn’t kinder. At least you know she worries out of love for you. It’s hard to understand how she ever married a wizard, with all her fretting of magic. But out of a strange union came you, so at least she did one careless, beautiful thing in her life. Let her not worry you about other’s perspective of you. Friendship between the sexes has been a long time occurrence in the wizarding world. I’m more than happy to say that I haven’t heard from any in my family since we graduated. I would have it no other way.

You’ll be comforted to know that an old clerk woman in my department seems to have taken a liking to me. She’s ancient and smells of mothballs. I’d dare say, when those odorous things came on the market, she filled every foot of her home with them. She’s even kindly placed a handful in my palm sometimes, when she’s feeling sentimental. Tells me I remind her of her son, and that he would always get holes in his suits from the little devils. Sometimes she sends me home with a portion of a homemade meal. She’s not a fantastic cook, but then neither am I, so I remain appreciative.

Thinking of you often,

O.G.

October 28th 1893,

Dearest Ominis,

‘One beautiful and careless thing in her life.’  I can’t tell if you’re trying to flatter my mother or me. Do be careful sir. A man could cause terrible things to stir within a woman, sounding as you do. The women of London would have no idea what would become of them, should you begin to skulk about their dance parlors. Secret dancer that you are, it is truly a shame you have no taste for conversation, or new company. Whether or not you talk to people, you’ll find that they find you handsome, if not intimidating…much like a certain Mr. Darcy that I know of.

Peeves seems to have set his sights on me. The other day, whilst I was doing my laundry, all my freshly cleaned undergarments had disappeared. A moment later, I could hear his howling laughter down the hall.  They appeared two days later, hung amongst the bells in the bell tower. If you imagine my embarrassment at retrieving them, then you have only imagined a third of it. Professor Weasley found out at threatened to banish Peeves from the castle…to which he threatened to set the castle on fire. Again. To which Professor Weasley threatened to summon the Bloody Baron. Peeves conceded and sulked away. At least I got my underwear back, I suppose. I will have to be more watchful in the future, should I become a regular target of his.

I have learned a new great joy in life and it is challenging Professor Black as an equal rather than as a student. I caught him berating another ‘lesser’ student since last I wrote. The poor child had been being tormented by a pack of thoughtless pure-blood students, and Professor Black thought he could degrade this poor child further. I stood up to him, put my arm around the child, and told him that if he felt so important sticking his nose up at children, perhaps it would make him bigger still to use that same tilt at a adult able to match him. I decided to berate him back, in the most respectful manner of course. It took the wind clear out of his sails, and he scurried back to his dark little office. I don’t know how often I should use this against him, as I do recall his power over my station here at the school. But I also know my own cards that I can deal against him.

I’ve formed a theory on ancient magic recently, though I’ve yet to be anywhere close to proving it. It was ancient several hundred years ago. Perhaps what makes it ancient is that it is older than human magic? With the things I’ve been able to do with it, how I saw it used in the pensieves; much of it seems to have similarities with modern magic, but with an extra something. With Deek helping me…perhaps it’s just me over thinking., but what if this ancient magic, and what elves are able to do with their own magic are somehow related? How then some humans are able to see it, I haven’t the slightest. My theory is too new and may very well be totally wrong. The portraits are of no help and still cling to their fear of understanding what it is. I don’t understand how one of the keepers could see it, wield it for such powerful good, and yet be so averse to understand why or what it is. One needs to understand why a thing is dangerous, what about it must be avoided. We understand dark magic for a reason, why not the same for ancient magic? We praise and swear by Merlin, and more than likely, he would know what this magic is-or at least been keen to know.

That young Gryffindor boy continues to impress all his teachers, and infuriate them. He has quite an intellect and thirst for knowledge. I dare to say that he would rival even Sebastian’s own pursuits. He’s quite an angry young man, I must say, but there is grief in his anger too. To distract him from his thoughts, I’ve sent him on small hunts through the castle that-to my pride- sometimes take him a few days to find his goal. By the time he is a 6th year, I dare say he will have an unflappable mental map of the entire school. Professor Weasley has taken to kindness towards him as well and he rewards her with high marks in her class. I hope that Hogwarts brings some comfort to him as it did me.

How is your work going? Are you adjusting to London well? I pray that your mothball madam is keeping you well fed. You give me so few details on your life there that I feel I must prompt you.

Are you well?

Eudora.

November 5th 1893,

Eudora,

I can scarcely believe I allowed you to read that book to me and that I even remember as to what you’re referencing. If I remind you of that Mr. Darcy, I should consider that a mark against my character. He was a rather formidable foil to Elizabeth until he pulled his head from his ass, and I should pray that I am not near so needlessly difficult.

I have always praised your character. Flattery or no, it is the truth, for you are very careless.

I beg you not antagonize, nor impassion Professor Black. Spineless as he is, witless as he is, he is still a powerful man. Whether or not you think your victory in the recent goblin rebellion will give you a better standing in wizard society, pure-blood families will always have the power to quash that what threatens them! They always have and I don’t see that changing in the near future. I could not bear to know that you were one of those wonde Don’t make me live to see you disappear. Don’t ask me to bear that. Take caution.

If Peeves were tangible, I should strangle the lout for his lack of propriety and decorum. Making an acquaintance with the Bloody Baron should suffice to keep Peeves at bay. Peeves is terrified of the Baron. He’s not so terrible, once he allows you passed the persona; the man is prideful and hot tempered, but during my time in Slytherin house, I had a handful or two good conversations with him.  If you are seen in his company, I’m sure Peeves will never pull such a stunt against you again!

Your theory has merit, though I don’t know how you could prove such a thing, or how well the rest of wizarding society would take it. Especially with ancient magic being such a closely kept secret. It is a shame that Sebastian is still missing from our company, for he would likely be of great help to you. Keep the thought in your pocket, perhaps strings of it will lead you elsewhere.

As for life in London…my dear, you crave the words of a novelist I fear, for which I am not. The streets are crowded and I’ve had to take to being rather cunning on how I use my wand to navigate. The air is more dense and unpleasant to anything I have ever before breathed. While crossing a road, a carriage nearly ran me over two weeks passed. Were it not for a kind civilian, I would have been trampled. The carriage owner and driver were never identified, to my knowledge. It is quite loud. I sit here struggling of what else there is to say. It is fairly monotonous, my work is not exciting. But it is simple and it is earned and I work every day to shed my coworkers preconceptions of my family name. Those who know of the Gaunts have whispered to those who previously did not.

You were always the adventurer, Eudora, and will no doubt collect more stories in your life than I will. I feel I have had more than my fair share as it is.

Adventure safely,

O.G.

PS: Don’t phrase it as mothball madam, I beg of you. The implications are horrendous.

November 18th 1893,

Truly, Ominis

If you believe Mr. Darcy needlessly difficult, you did not understand him or his world view. Irritating, or painful though his actions were to Elizabeth, they were meant as a kindness to those he cherished. Damn the rest of the world. I believe I recall you damning the rest of the school to help Sebastian and me out of our blunders…if only to chide us yourself later.

You could have told me about the carriage incident weeks ago, you realize? Who would have informed me if something happened to you, especially with you so nonplussed to speak about your life there? Do you tell anyone of Sebastian or me so that we can help, or worse- be notified, if something happens? Especially with your wand hidden as it must be, I can’t imagine that makes navigating any easier. I’m very glad you weren’t hurt. I should be torn asunder were something to happen that took you away from me, Ominis. You are important in my life and I would see it that you never be parted from me it.

You have such a way with words. I feel as if I know London intimately thanks to your description, truly! Should I ever visit the city on my own, I know I shall be familiar with all your favorite haunts. At least I know to pack perfumed handkerchiefs as a precautionary measure.

The winter holidays are fast upon us and I can scarcely believe it. Before I notice it, a new year will be upon us. Students are beginning to make holiday plans, whether they are staying at the castle or going home to their families. It’s a little early, but still students titter. I suppose I’ll be expected to go home to mother. I can leave Scarf and the other animals in Deek’s gentle care. Mother will be wanting to bring me to winter community dances and introduce me to fine and well established farm hands in efforts to begin to find me a suitable husband. Of course, he will be a muggle. Either she fails to realize that his being introduced to my being a witch will be imperative, or she is still trying to close me off from my father’s inheritance. The only reason I’d want to go home is to steal away with my favorite cow and come back to Hogwarts, which is now more of a home than my mother’s farm, and I do miss Kilt the cow a great deal. Of my two choices, staying at the castle comes easiest, though not most preferred. I’m told that Natsai will be coming to the castle for the holidays to visit with her mother, so I suppose I won’t totally be without company (as Poppy plans to go home to her grandmother.) I had thought, at the beginning of the school year, that you, Sebastian, and I might reunite for the holidays. But that doesn’t seem likely.

I also had hopes that one of us would have heard from Sebastian by now and I am sore for his company. I continue to send letters to him but they remain un-responded to. Whatever research and training he’s doing better be well worth the chiding he will get when he does finally appear! In the dark of night, when I think of it, my mind gives such sharp pains to the thought of losing contact with him permanently. Where could he be, do you think, that should keep him from us this long? Four months is such a dreadfully long time. I have tried to persuade Professor Hecate to tell me something of the work of an unspeakable, that way I might understand what stops him from writing. She is a wall as she ever was.

I hope you’re keeping warm as it gets colder at night. Scarf is growing into quite a large cat and has been enjoying a whole side of the bed to himself…of course, that is until I settle down into the covers and he climbs on top of me to sleep, tucking his face under my chin as he does.  He’s very warm.

I still go to the undercroft sometimes, when I’m feeling lonely. I miss dearly our late night talks there, or when you and Sebastian were kind enough to let me share my favorite books with you. Always after curfew or Sebastian would set to complaining. It still smells musty and sometimes I think I smell you. Perhaps I am overly nostalgic. Perhaps that, due to my late arrival to the school, I wasn’t quite ready to leave when everyone else was. A part of me still feels that we should all be here. But I think I just miss you.

Goodness me, would you listen to the sap I’ve devolved into! This is probably why I shouldn’t write to you late at night, when all my thoughts go to wondering without supervision. I do apologize sincerely. I seem to have taken my self-reflection out on you. Perhaps I won’t send this letter and rewrite it tomorrow when I have my senses returned to me. If I do send this to you, please don’t think ill of me. I’m sure my next letter will be much less…whatever this was, and I will return to telling you of witty adventures and theories.

Have patience with me,

Eudora.

December 2nd, 1893

My most sincere Eudora,

Blasted bird. I apologize for the lateness of my letter, it would seem the owl became either horribly turned around or forgot where it was supposed to go. I only just received you letter this evening as I was walking home from work.

Please think nothing of your wondering mind, for it does not offend me. In fact I must thank you for sending your last letter unaltered. Your heart was always truthful and holding back your thoughts did only make you ill of soul and body, if I recall. If you feel lonely, tell me so. Should you feel joyous, allow me to share it. If your righteous anger burns, tell me to whom I should hurl my vitriol towards. You need never fear honesty between the two of us.

Should it please you to hear it, I also miss our reading hours in the undercroft, whether your choice of book was terribly romantic or deviously adventurous. I come back to my room and it is quiet and without the familial warmth I found in Sebastian, Anne, and even you. You had such a way of reading that one felt they were truly in the story. For what it is worth, I am glad that the undercroft remains a comfort to you. I do not know how long it will be left empty once you have quit Hogwarts for good. Of course, there will always be new members of the Gaunt family to fill it, but I regret that it may never be the safe haven we knew it as again.

I too regret that you did not join Hogwarts sooner, for it robbed us all of time with each other. I can picture all three of us who were of Slytherin house cherishing and caring for our lone Hufflepuff. Had you been able to know Anne, you would have loved her as Sebastian and I did, (I seem to find myself mournfully nostalgic as well, these days.) I do so hate the thought of you being such a lonely little girl, for it strikes a familiar cord in me that was a lonely little boy and I would wish that on no one. Should we have all been together longer, there would have been many more memories for you to hold during the summers back home-though, I imagine that the Figs may have tried to wrestle you into their care at some point or another, with how fond the professor was of you. I like to imagine you would not have felt the need to carry an entire goblin rebellion solely upon yourself, had you more connections to rest back upon. Perhaps it’s just the time of year, my dear, that makes us think of our time passed or stolen.

Perhaps it is impertinent to suggest this, even selfish of me, but it does occur to me nonetheless. Should you want to leave the confines of Hogwarts and its valley, yet not go home to your mother, you are free to come to me. I have only the single room with little furnishings, but you are welcome to all I have. I should be glad of your warm company and perhaps a visit would chase the melancholy from both of us. Of course, I realize you are also close with Miss Onai, and should you prefer to stay in her company this season-it would gladden me greatly to know you are comforted in her friendship.

You shall always have my patience without asking for it. No matter what you could possibly do, I shall always think of you kindly. Your name is a bell hung in my soul; should you but ring, I would

Your friend, always,

O.G

December 10th 1893

Ominis,

My coming to see you is a brilliant idea and I’m glad you thought of it. I will buy my tickets. I will see you on the twenty second and I will stay with you through new years . Let the two of us chase away each others sorrows, as to start fresh in the new year! There are things about this season that cause me to think of things I’d rather not-and you have always been wonderfully distracting.

Don’t blame the owl too harshly. I can’t imagine flying in December is always easy for them.  

Yours eagerly,

Eudora.

[zydrateacademy]

Velma is bad, but...

Look. The show is not good. The memes are god tier. I’m gonna keep watching it. So here’s my complex opinion on the matter. I’m not watching it through official means so HBO is not getting any ad or sub revenue from me. I don’t pirate video games, but I do movies/shows/music because it’s easier and less time consuming. I was never a massive Scooby fan. The original cartoon predates me by an entire 20 years (1969 - I was born in ‘89). I’ve always known about it, it’s been in the peripheral of my media consciousness for my entire life. I think I saw one of the Live Action movies (the 2002 one, I was still in school). I probably caught a few episodes in my cartoon watching days but I’ve never been a puzzle solver and the “whodunnit” angle never grasped me. So I don’t have the nostalgia that the rest of the world seems to have, but I recognize character assassinations when I see one.

I admit I don’t hate Velma as much as the rest of the internet seems to.

I like the art style, admittedly. However I’ve caught some brief scenes where it looked rushed and less detailed and they just went with it. I actually quite enjoy the hallucinations, though they got a little less creative in episode 3 and 4 but they were also not a major focal point of the plot in either episode. Some jokes DO land. Some. Some jokes land, and then they turn around to ruin it. When Fred was taken to trial and the family tried to play up his innocent young boy shtick, they could have milked that for some real humor but instead he got water splashed on him and they went for a pretty low-bar Hitler joke instead. It was so close to a good joke. I’m not fond of the meta humor. I don’t like it when they made a dig at “adults watching cartoons”. Like bitch, this is a cartoon marketed towards adults. Why is there contempt for your target audience? And I’m a liberal, a leftist. I can handle some digs in our direction. GTA seems to do it the best, I had a giggle at the in-universe cartoon they had of the hero “Impotent Rage!”, making fun of Democrats ability to never really get anything done. I get the joke, it’s clever, it’s satire. But when characters in media stop the plot, and turn to the camera to complain about the patriarchy or whatever it irritates me. We all know the patriarchy is a thing. How about you have something clever to say. Episode 4 is a complete derailment of the plotline just to talk about women’s empowerment through attractiveness. The whole episode is just Velma figuring out that women’s empowerment can take different forms. It’s a fine message, but brought to us in a clunky and frankly, kind of annoying method. Especially since there’s supposed to still be a murder-mystery happening. Derailment is a thing that happens a lot in episodes 3 and 4. I didn’t hate episode 3 at all on its own. The first half had a lot of jokes I had a giggle at but it was just meandering around the plot to stop and figure out what Velma’s sexuality is (still inconclusive as of episode 4). I don’t mind a slow burn romance but fucking sort your shit out, show. I am “ehhhh” on Velma. I kinda like Daphne. I’m okay with Norville. He seems to be the most consistent source of jokes that don’t turn around on themselves. But Jesus, what they did to Fred should be a media crime. It’s just one of these situations where I feel like there’s some potential quality here buried under some really dogshit writing. I will not argue for a second that this is not a good show and I don’t think there’s anything any future episodes can do to retroactively “fix” the problems already present. I feel like a season 2 might have to do some heavy lifting (because I think I read somewhere that it’s already greenlit?) I still remain somewhat fascinated by it and I’m more curious to where the plot is going if it can stop stopping itself to turn towards the camera and stop hating on literally every viewer.

[inthiseternalmoment]

Journaling after taking a break

Emulators, Pokemon, Super Mario Sunshine, nostalgia, ending therapy, 90 Day Fiancé, Emmy Rossum, the future. So much has happened and I’m entering the next season of my life.

12/14/2023

I have some updates since I stopped journaling.

I figured out emulators and have been able to play games I wanted to play or played as a kid. I’ve only just started getting into my catalog of games, but already I’ve played and finished:

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom

Pokemon Pearl

Battle for Bikini Bottom is a game I really loved as a kid and it still holds up! The game mechanics, the different levels, and the pacing. A 10/10 game for me, personally.

Pokemon Pearl was amazing - I chose to play it over Pokemon Diamond because I wanted to see how the gameplay differed. It was very similar to Diamond, except this time I was able to finish the game. This was the first Pokemon game I ever finished (beat the Elite 4 and Cynthia to become the Pokemon Champion). I caught Palkia and my team consisted of Empoleon, Haunter, Crobat, Kadabra, Palkia, and an HM Pokemon.

Emotionally I have been healing and re-connecting with my inner-child as I’ve been playing.

The current games that I am playing are:

Super Mario Sunshine

Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland

Crash Bandicoot

Playing these games is such a trip. There are a number of other games I wanted to start but my Odin can’t play them at full-speed so I need to wait for the Odin 2 to come in.

I’ll be gifting my Odin to Aprille once the Odin 2 comes in. I originally didn’t plan to buy the Odin 2, but once I understood the setup process and the fact that the Odin 2 could handle all the PS2 and GameCube games that the Odin couldn’t, my decision became clear.

…

Another update: I’ve decided that I’ll be ending therapy this upcoming December session. This wasn’t something I was sure about until I got a confirmation that my card on file had expired. I’ve been listening for a sign on when it was time for me to move on from therapy and that was it.

It’s been a long time coming and I’m literally not the same person I was when I started. It’s almost surreal that I’m closing the book on this specific aspect of my life, but I know I’m ready for it.

…

Another update: I’ve been feeling nostalgia like crazy. I almost don’t feel I’m here fully nowadays. I’ve been feeling like I’m seeing the world as I did in Okinawa and high school and college. It’s as if all the timelines within me have begun to combine and condense within me so that they all exist as one. It’s been an unsettling and overwhelming feeling, although not unwelcome.

I don’t feel that I’m ready to make sense of what’s happening within me yet, but I believe it will make sense in time.

…

Another update: there was a Black Friday deal on MAX and I got it as a surprise for us so that we could watch 90 Day Fiancé. We’ve been doing so for a few weeks now and it’s been incredible revisiting the show and who we were the last time we watched it.

I know that many people see the show as just another “trash reality-tv” show full of drama but we see it as so much more than that.

We see courageous people making courages decisions, choosing to be incredibly vulnerable in front of the entire world. Their stories move us and we constantly talk about what comes up within us as we watch them embark on their journeys.

Even today, we were talking about how the people on the show “90 Day Fiance, the other way” were playing these roles in their lives and decided to say goodbye to it all and embark on brand new journeys for themselves. This is why we loved the original show, because we understood and were invested in the risks people took to pursue what they felt was for them.

It’s inspiring.

Tonight’s episodes led us to revisit the move to Chicago and how we felt we were similar to the cast in making that decision. I even saw a TikTok I watched during an ad-break of Fiona leaving Shameless – I had never seen the clips before because I stopped watching a season or 2 before.

I was moved to tears because we are all Fiona/Emmy Rossum. We’re all actors playing out these roles – be it mother, father, sister, brother, friend, lover, etc. It’s only when we decide that we no longer want to play this character anymore that we can experience something new and different.

Yes, the show intended to continue with YOU in it, but you always have a choice to choose differently. And when you do, it can be hurtful for the other actors around you still committed to their characters. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s a decision you have to choose for yourself if you want something more for your life.

…

With everything that has happened (there’s definitely more but for now this is all that is coming to mind), I know I am entering a new era in my life.

I don’t know what my relationship with journaling like this will be moving forward, but I know that I will journal as I feel called to it. I don’t think I will be checking in on a daily basis anymore, and that is ok.

This space was never meant to be permanent or un-changing. Just like me, it will morph and evolve over time. I can’t see where it will go, but that’s the beauty of the journey.

[taomyou]

The Romance of Reimbursements - Chapter 18

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Reader Status: COMPLETED Summary: There’s a guy you see every Friday on bus 143, and you think he’s pretty hot. It wouldn’t hurt to tell your best friend about him, would it? or, you and Levi take the same bus home from work every Friday, and you fall in love slowly, clumsily, and with all the time in the world to fold as many paper stars as your heart desires. Word Count: 7.1k Tags: slow burn, friends to lovers, modern au, office au, fluff, romance, meet-cute, matchmaking (A/N: this fic is entirely available on ao3 here if you would like to read it there instead!) Chapter Navigation Accompanying Playlist

injuries of the hand and face

“So, what do you want to do?”

“I don’t fucking know! I don’t know how any of this stuff works!”

After your sleepless Saturday night, you spent Sunday completely holed up in your apartment, vying for absolutely anything to distract yourself from feeling anything at all.

You tried baking, but that was no use—when you caught sight of the bag of flour in your cupboard, you could only think of Levi’s flour-dusted front from when the two of you made brownies for Moblit’s birthday. Turning on the TV to rewatch your favorite movie brought nostalgia for the night you and him spent on the couch, making snarky comments at the people on-screen. Reorganizing your closet meant seeing your blue dress again—the one you haven’t worn since Valentine’s Day with him—and that obviously did numbers on your head.

Fuck, even taking a shower reminded you of him, screaming about how the water was too cold and the knobs too confusing.

Needless to say, you were largely unsuccessful in your efforts to ignore your thoughts, but with your lack of knowledge of how to handle them, you couldn't even start to figure things out on your own.

After another sleepless night, you had to go to work, which brings you to this morning.

When you went to take your usual seat on the bus, you couldn’t help but continually look over to your left, thinking that the seat felt empty without him there next to you.

When you got to the office and Armin approached you asking what tea you wanted, your brain short-circuited, immediately changing gears to think about what tea you could get Levi next week.

When you were doing your paperwork, you couldn’t help but feel like Levi would’ve scolded you for overworking yourself after not sleeping enough over the weekend.

Petra and Mikasa noticed that something was wrong near immediately, and the two forced you into the breakroom during your lunch break, where you’ve been forced to spill out your heart for the last hour practically at gunpoint.

And here you are now, still with no idea what to make of your feelings.

Defeated, you put your head down on the table. “…Am I even supposed to do anything?”

“You could wait for him to ask you out on a date,” Petra suggests. “Then you could decide if you like him or not?”

Mikasa shakes her head. “Yeah, that is not happening.”

“Why not? Maybe she just needs to go on a date with him to figure out her own feelings.”

“He sounds just as dense, if not worse, so he definitely is not going to be asking her out anytime soon,” Mikasa remarks. “And we already know she likes him, they don’t need to go on a date for her to realize that.”

“I don’t like him!”

You don’t look up to check, but you’re sure that Mikasa’s deadpanning at you.

“You literally just spent the last hour telling us that you missed him and that you couldn’t even take a fucking shower without thinking about him, do you really expect us to believe that you don’t like him?”

Groaning, you lift your head up and prop it on your hand. “No, but trust me, I don’t.”

“Okay then, genius, what do you think your feelings entail?”

“I don’t know! I’m probably just confused!”

“Then you can’t entirely rule out the possibility of you liking him!”

Petra sighs. “Mikasa’s right, you can’t just say you don’t like him without at least giving him a chance.”

You pick up your teacup, idly swirling the liquid inside. “He definitely does not want one, why do I even have to consider it?”

“And how do you know that? Did he tell you?”

“Well, no, but I’m sure—”

“You can’t be sure about anything until he says it! What if he’s going through the exact same thing you are right now?”

The sound of the door clicking open gets the attention of all three of you, and none of you say anything as you turn to look at who’s coming in.

“Mikasa, could you come with me?” Erwin asks, now standing at the doorway.

Mikasa looks between you and Petra before nodding, hesitating for a second before gathering all of her things on the table. You eye Erwin from your seat, but he only gives back a stern look. He eventually does leave with Mikasa, but she shoots back a nervous look to you and Petra on her way out the door.

“What do you think he needs to talk to her about?” Petra asks.

You take a sip of your tea, still looking towards the now-closed door. “The future, probably.”

“Oh, she's gradating soon, right?”

You nod. “Yeah, their ceremony’s in 2 weeks.”

She wistfully sighs. “I’m sad to see her go, I just started warming up to them too.”

You bite your cheek, holding yourself back from bringing up the possibility of all three of them staying. You're fairly certain they will, going by the fact that Erwin's just gone so often nowadays that he just has to be away working on getting them their return offers, but you don't want to jinx anything.

“Yeah, they’re good kids, I wish they could stay.”

“Everyone thought that about you, too, when you were just starting,” Petra reminisces. “We all fought to have you as our assistant.”

You scoff. “No way, I had no idea what I was doing half the time. At least those three have each other.”

“Well, I guess it did help that you always brought desserts with you every week,” she giggles. “But seriously, we all loved you.”

“I barely even talked to anyone back then, I pretty much only talked to Erwin in the breakroom during lunch because everyone else was busy arguing on the main floor."

“Just goes to show how likeable you are, even if you didn't talk that often.” Petra gets up from her seat to get a refill of her coffee. “And speaking of likeable, I’m sure he likes you.”

You groan. “Can we just forget about that? It’s not worth talking about anymore.”

Petra hums as she pours her coffee, the sound of the splash helping to fill the otherwise quiet room. “It’s true, though. What kind of person would go through all the trouble in the world to pay you back if they didn’t like you?”

The possibility that he would be interested in you hadn’t ever even crossed your mind until this very conversation—you’d only ever thought to consider your own feelings—and thinking about it now makes your stomach do Olympic-level gymnastics.

“I don’t know, someone who’s a good person?”

She turns to raise an eyebrow at you. “Do you not think your other friends are good people? They don’t ever pay you back for anything.”

“That’s because I don’t let them,” you contest.

“Then why do you let him do it?”

“I don’t know,” you sigh. “I started it, though, so maybe he just feels like I expect that from everyone?”

“Oh please, from the way you describe him, he’s not the type of person to just go along with formalities like that. He's definitely doing it for a reason.”

“Are you saying he only does it because he likes me?”

She sighs, coming back to the table with her coffee and sitting in the same spot as before. “Sure, that sounds about right.”

“Well, you’re wrong, because he doesn’t like me, and us paying each other back for everything doesn’t mean anything.”

Even though you know she’s wrong, you also want Petra to be wrong because you don’t want to think that he’s only shown you kindness because he likes you. You most certainly wouldn’t want him to think that way about you—you already spent so long being worried that he took your gestures towards him as anything more than what they were at face value.

Petra sighs. “I know you don’t like talking about your love life, but don’t you think it’s time for you to let yourself fall in love?”

In the middle of you taking a sip of your tea, you choke, needing to reach for a napkin to cover your mouth while you try to regain your breath. Petra immediately scoots her chair closer to yours to make sure you’re okay, but when you wave her off to let her know that you’re fine, she gives you a bit more space.

“Fall in love? I,” you’re at a near loss for words, unable to get your thoughts across. “I don’t think I’ve ever even liked anyone before, and you think I should let myself fall in love?”

She nods. “You aren’t stupid, you need to stop telling yourself that you don’t know what you’re doing.”

…

“I do?”

She shakes her head, though the smile on her face clearly tells you that she’s not telling you “no.”

“You’re overthinking it. Actually, you’re not because you haven’t even thought about it properly, but just have fun. Go on a date with him or something! Spring's almost over, there's gonna be that raspberry festival at the other end of town soon! You should go with him!”

"I thought you said it was boring," you whine. "You went, like, two years ago."

"It was boring because I went on the last day, and all the events were over already!"

You get up and head over to the sink with your teapot and teacup to rinse them clean for another batch for you to drink while you finish your work later.

“How would going on a date even help anything?”

“Were you even listening when me and Mikasa were talking about it?” Petra teases.

“Not really,” you mutter.

“If you go into it thinking that there could be something more, then maybe you’ll come out of it with a new perspective on things,” she advises. “I guess it wouldn’t need to be an actual date, but just… spend time together and let yourself feel things.”

You turn off the faucet and grab a paper towel to dry the surface of the ceramic.

“The whole feelings thing is why I’m a mess in the first place, isn’t it easier to ignore them and let them go away?”

Petra laughs. “Since when have you ever taken the easy way out? And you’ve been avoiding this for months now, you can’t keep running forever.”

You toss the wet paper sheets into the trash bin and move over to pour hot water from the kettle into your pot.

Yeah, you know you can’t keep ignoring it, but can’t you for just a little bit longer?

You don’t know how this stuff is meant to play out—how you’re meant to act, how you’re meant to think, and trying to figure out how to navigate any sort of romantic feelings without that allowance is… also kind of embarrassing.

When you were younger, you had no time to even be interested in dating, and now, it feels like the years where you’re allowed to be awkward in love have long since passed you by already.

It certainly doesn’t help that your entire job practically revolves around broken relationships, and all you have to really go off of for guidance is that and all the other criminally unrealistic depictions of love from everywhere else.

Which, in that case, means you don't want to fall in love.

You don't want to be ripped out out of the comfort you've unconsciously built for yourself while you were busy working to get into university, into law school, into your internship, into your firm. You don’t want to be so caught up in a romance that you forget to take care of your other life responsibilities and your friends. You don’t want your nights baking in the comfort of your home to be replaced with nights out doing things that make you fall even further in disillusioned in love.

And above all else, you don’t want your relationship with Levi to change.

You like spending time with him, and the warm glow you feel whenever you’re with him is probably the only thing even you can’t deny anymore. Maybe you’re selfish in that regard, only choosing to accept the one thing that actually brings you such comfort and peace, but you can be fine with being selfish if it means you can give yourself at least some semblance of a reason as to why you’re feeling so distraught over the situation.

You're pulled away from your thoughts by the feeling of blistering hot water running onto your hand, and you yelp out in pain. "Ow!" You bring your hand away as fast as you can, but you can already see a blotchy red starting to form on the palm of your hand, and it feels like your skin is on fire.

Petra gets up immediately to grab your arm and force it under the sink, where she turns on the faucet and cold water does its best to try and cool the burn.

"Are you okay?" She asks, concern written all over her face.

"Y-yeah, it just kinda hurts."

"Stay here, I'll get the first aid kit from my office."

"Shouldn't the breakroom already have one?"

Petra shakes her head. "I tried looking for one when Oluo forgot his Lactaid, but it's just a plastic box with band-aids in it."

"For as prestigious as this place is, you'd think at least the breakroom was fully stocked, we don't even have tea in here," you joke. "Don't worry, I'll stay here, letting all this water go down the drain."

"Shut up, that's what you're supposed to do for a burn!" Petra scolds before leaving the room.

You turn your wrist underneath the water, trying to get a better look at the burn, but it stings too much for you to take it out from under the running faucet.

Note to self: wait until after your tea is made to think about Levi.

Petra comes back soon enough, and she hands you a painkiller and a bottle of water she stole from the breakroom's fridge. You thank her for them both before taking them, careful not to move your other hand too much.

"What happened? You use that kettle all the time."

"I guess I just wasn't paying attention," you confess. "It's alright, it isn't too bad."

She moves over to get a better look at your hand, and even though the water running over it is too white to make out any details, there's a noticeable red tinge to the skin of your hand.

"It looks pretty bad," she winces. "I'm sure Erwin would let you go home early, and Mikasa can work in my office for the rest of the day."

"I'd rather get the work over with," you tell her. "Besides, I only need one hand to check paperwork, I finished everything else earlier."

She frowns. "I know you hate taking work home, but you seem distracted, just take the rest of the day off. I'll tell Erwin what happened if he asks."

You sigh. You really can't argue with that.

"Fine, I'll leave early, but only after I finish signing stuff that I can't take home."

"It's better than nothing," she concedes. "I have a client coming in a couple minutes so I have to go back to my office soon, but I can wrap up your burn before I go?"

"Do you have the time to do that?"

"Not really, but I don't think you could do it on your own," she says. "It's okay, I'll just tell them that I was in the bathroom or something."

You smile gently. "Alright, thank you."

She reaches over to turn off the faucet, and the feeling of the air on your scalded skin burns just a little bit less than it did earlier. She grabs a bunch of paper towels to gently dab at the wound before bringing you back to the table where she previously set the first-aid kit.

She takes out a small tube of aloe jelly first. "I'm sorry if I pushed the conversation too far."

You shake your head frantically. "No, no, it's not your fault."

"But you were distracted thinking about him, weren't you?"

You nod cautiously. "Yeah…"

She applies some of the jelly onto the red blotch of skin on your hand with a cotton swab, and you wince at the coolness. "I know you're confused, but really, he sounds like a nice guy, I don't think anything bad would happen if you just let yourself be open to liking him."

"Really?"

She giggles before grabbing a roll of gauze from the kit, measuring it out so she can get enough to wrap around your burn. "Yeah." Petra cuts off the end of the strip of gauze and reorients herself to wrap it around your hand. "At least try it out."

You hold out your hand to her, elbow on the table to steady it while she wraps the gauze. "I don't think it'll change anything, but I'll listen to you just this once," you sigh.

She's careful in getting the material on your skin, taking extra caution around the skin that's burnt, and even though it hurts momentarily, the lack of exposure to air helps with the stinging. She rubs gently on the end of the strip, attaching the gauze onto itself.

"I'm sure at least something will change," she says. "But sure, you can believe that if you want."

She gets up to grab your tea set from the counter for you, the water in it now too lukewarm to brew anything, and she asks if you want her to dump it out. You tell her she can go ahead and waste even more water (to which she rolls her eyes before dumping it down the drain), and she carries the tea set back to your office for you so that you don't have to struggle with holding on to the relatively heavy ceramic with your one uninjured hand. You open the door to your office for her, and inside is Mikasa, working quietly on her paperwork.

Petra quickly leaves your tea set on your desk before excusing herself to go tend to her client, and you take your usual seat.

“What happened with Erwin?”

Mikasa just smiles. “You were right."

"I'm right about a lot of things, you're going to have to be a bit more specific."

She shakes her head, smile still on her face. "I got a return offer.”

“What!?”

She nods, moving to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “We all did.”

You let a huge smile break out on your face, and you rush to scooch your chair over to her side of the table to give her a hug. “Holy shit! Congratulations!” In your haste to wrap your arms around her, though, you accidentally hit your hand on the desk. “Ow!”

“What happened to your hand?” She asks concerned, turning in her chair to face you now.

You wince. “I burnt it using the kettle. Petra patched it back up for me.”

She frowns, but maneuvers herself into your arms, still outstretched to her. “Were you distracted thinking about that guy again?”

“Yeah,” you sigh. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving the office after I finish with what I can’t take home.”

She nods, satisfied enough with your decision. “Did you make any progress after I left?”

“Not really, I just told her I’d try taking her advice.”

“Which was to…?”

“She said to let myself be open to it.”

“And I assume the ‘it’ in question is the idea of liking him?” You nod, and she just sighs. “It’s a start.”

You shrug. “I guess.”

“It’s certainly better than what you had going on before,” she plainly says.

You lean away slightly to deadpan at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She just rolls her eyes. “Nothing.”

You mirror the gesture, but you bring her in closer, trying to ignore the pain in your hand, and you rock her back and forth in your arms, humming contently. “Okay, okay, enough about me! Seriously, I’m so happy you’re staying!”

She laughs airily, and you can practically hear the relief in her voice. “Yeah, me too.”

For the next couple of minutes, she recounts the details of her recent talk with Erwin. She said that Eren and Armin were already in his office when she got there, just about ready to piss their pants, and Erwin droned on-and-on about how great it was to have them as interns for nearly twenty minutes before finally ripping the band-aid off.

They were all allowed the rest of the day off to celebrate, but Armin and Mikasa decided that they should all get their work done for the day before going out and getting absolutely fucking hammered at the happy hour at the bar near their school. Eren still wanted to leave the office, even after losing to the trio’s majority vote, so he’s out in the parking lot, taking a nap in Armin’s car.

You can barely keep the smile off your face, entirely elated with the news that your intern-turned-friends are able to finally get some fucking peace in their career paths.

Conversation shifts when you inevitably have to go back to doing actually work and Mikasa asks you for help understanding one of the cases she’s been tasked with reviewing, and eventually, the both of you just settle into silence and work, only occasionally asking the other for help doing miscellaneous tasks or to ask questions.

You finish up with whatever documents you can't take home at around 2:30, and since you can't do it yourself, you hand your keys to Mikasa so she can take off the office key for herself to lock up the room later. She hands your keys back to you, and you slip them into the front pocket of your briefcase before getting out your bus fare card now so that you won't have to fiddle around later to get it.

"You can work in Petra's office for the rest of the day if you want the company," you remind her.

Mikasa shrugs. "I'll be done soon, I wouldn't want to bother her before if I'll only be in there for a couple more minutes."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but I get you," you tell her. "Call me if you need anything, yeah?"

She sighs, turning over to the next page of the packet she's reviewing. "I will, don't worry."

When you get the card, you slip it into your pocket before putting your wallet back in your briefcase and bringing it with you to the door. "Well, I'm off. See you tomorrow, full-timer," you tease.

She just rolls her eyes, albeit smiling all the while, and waves you goodbye. "Bye, boss."

You cringe. "Please don't ever call me that again."

You awkwardly open your door with the same hand you're using to hold your briefcase, and you try your best to ignore the stares of your other coworkers as you make your way over to the elevator.

As you wait for the bus to come, you're reminded of the last Monday where you saw Levi on your ride back home, when he was sick from the rain and he came home with you. If he was coming home late that time, then he might be on this next ride you're about to take.

Sure enough, with your luck, after you scan your card at the front of the bus, you turn around and see Levi at his usual spot.

You try to remember what Petra said—to just let yourself feel whatever you need to, and to have fun. That other shit about being open to liking him can, uh… wait, at least until you can get the rest of those things on lock.

Fuck, well, that's still easier said than done, but you did also say you’d at least try.

Looking at him, just on its own, makes you feel… more relaxed.

Okay, acknowledging that is more than enough of a start, you’re done for the day.

You pocket your card on your way to the back of the bus where you normally sit, and you take your usual seat. Before you can even start to get comfortable, though, you hear Levi speak up.

"What the fuck are you doing here, and why is your hand all bandaged up?"

You try to maneuver your briefcase flat onto your lap, but with one hand entirely out of commission, it takes a while. “I burnt my hand.”

“What the fuck is there to burn your hand on in the first place? You work in a fucking office,” he scolds.

You laugh nervously, tipping your head back. “I wasn’t paying attention while I was pouring water from the kettle into my teapot, and it got on my hand.”

You hear him groan next to you. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Yes?”

“And I’m guessing that you being here right now means that you’ll just have more paperwork to do once you get home?”

"Don't worry, there's not that much left." You turn to look over at him, and he pinches the bridge of his nose in what seems like frustration.

"For fucks sake," he sighs. "Of course I'm going to worry."

You just narrowly recognize it, but you can feel that warm, fuzzy glow in your chest again.

Trying to take your friends' advice to heart, instead of pushing it down or trying to pass it off as something other than what it is, you try to accept it as it is. You lean over slightly to just barely bump your shoulder against his, and even after you pull away, you still feel it.

If you were to like him, you'd be okay with this being the feeling that defined it. You've been okay with this feeling for a while now, but ascribing it to that circumstance is new.

New, foreign, and somehow still comfortable.

...Okay, yet another good start! Now you've done way more than enough.

He clears his throat awkwardly. "You can come over to do the rest of your work at my place," he says.

If you were to like him, you'd be okay with this too. Fuck, even if you didn't like him, you'd still be okay with this.

"Really?"

He nods. "Yeah," he pauses, looking down at your bandaged hand again. "I can redress your burn for you, too."

You hum, bringing it up closer to look at it. "Is there something wrong with how my friend did it?"

"No, it's just good to redo it often." he says gently. "You'll probably forget if you're working."

You laugh. "Yeah, I guess I would, huh?"

"Is that a yes, then?"

You look over at him and smile, nodding. "Yeah, I think so."

The rest of the ride comes and goes, time seemingly passing by even quicker when the intent is finally there.

You get to Rose in what feels like record time, even with traffic being as regular as it always is, and when you follow him to his car, it feels just as fast.

It isn't until the two of you are sat at his dining table, still clad in your work clothes, that time seems to stand a bit stiller, and it gives you a moment to take in the moment and get settled in. Neither you nor him speak while you work and he does something on his laptop, the space only being filled with the sounds of rustling papers and pens being dragged along the rows of text.

He finishes before you do, so he excuses himself to go and get started on dinner. Of course you're aware of all the noises that come from the kitchen while he's off doing that, but it isn't until at 6:37 when you've finished with your work for the day that you finally let yourself relax.

When Levi gets dinner set out for the both of you, conversation flows as easily as it always does. Difference being that this time, when there's a feeling that strikes you, you try not to dismiss it, instead letting it run its course. When you feel yourself teetering on liking him, you don't immediately tip the scale back to how it was to try and prevent that.

Somehow, it feels easier doing this than it does to push back against the idea of being interested in him.

After Levi's done washing the dishes and it's about time for him to drop you off at home, he tells you to stay put at the table as he goes to grab some first-aid supplies. He comes back with gauze, some ointment, and a pair of scissors.

He's gentle taking Petra's wrapping off of your hand, but it still does hurt when your skin is eventually re-exposed to the air. You can see that skin peels in certain parts across your palm and that others are still swollen, but before you can apologize for the visual of it, Levi's already up and off to bring back a bowl of cold water for you cool your hand again before wrapping it up.

Before he starts even treating you, he asks where it hurts to touch you. You aren't entirely sure, but your best guess is that it hurts everywhere, so he holds his breath as he starts dabbing on some of the ointment where your skin hasn't broken yet. It doesn't hurt too badly, but you still have to hold yourself back from flinching so that he doesn't accidentally put too much pressure on the wrong spots.

When he gets some gauze unraveled, he starts by wrapping it around your thumb, even though it's only your palm that's been burned.

"So that it doesn't hurt as much when you take it off," he tells you. The sentiment brings up a red to your cheeks—not one that's embarrassed or anxious, but one that's just shy and unused to the kindness. You try not to back away from the feeling, sure, but you're glad that he's more focused on your hand than your face in the moment.

He wraps the material around your palm, tugging lightly after each loop to make sure it's snug enough to protect your skin from any potential infection, and then he goes back to wrap the rest around your thumb.

"So that when you remove it, you'll understand how the material attaches onto itself, and you can decide for yourself how you want to unwrap the sections around your palm," he tells you.

He rubs his thumb over yours to seal the wrap, and for that brief moment, you think that if you were to like him, then you'd like small acts like this the most.

Levi eventually sends you home with a smaller spool of gauze and makes you pinky-promise to rewrap the burn at least twice a day, and you don't get to see when his car leaves because he insists on you being inside your building before he even dares to start driving away.

When you go back up to your unit and eventually get ready for bed, you're relieved that you don't feel as antsy for his comfort. For whatever reason, when you feel along the gauze on your wrapped thumb, you realize that even without ever intending to, he left you with a small reminder of his care for you, and you know what?

If you were to like him, then maybe...

Actually, you have no idea, but without the pressure and anxiety of having to figure things out any faster than you need to, that's okay.

✰

By the time Friday rolls around, your hand no longer needs the gauze, your skin healed enough to fare well enough with just plain, regular-sized band-aids over the spots where your skin is still too sensitive to the elements. It still hurts if you put too much pressure on it, but it's bearable enough for you to use as necessary.

When you leave work that day, you feel excited. The rolling sadness of missing Levi in the moments where you weren't together was, by some miracle of the universe, by Friday, already replaced with a gentle lull in your movements that gave you a second to breathe and enjoy the moments where Levi came to mind again. Instead of being upset when something reminded you of him, you felt happy remembering him, content with the knowledge that he occupies spaces of your life where you're comfortable with him being.

When you get on bus 143 at 3:02PM, you're vaguely afraid that Levi will hand you a box of tea.

You're even more scared when he unzips the outer pocket of his backpack, the gentle sway of his bird keychain now more taunting than comforting, but when Levi mimes handing you a box of tea, telling you that it's the "nothing" you asked for last week, you finally let yourself think that falling for him wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Not that you will, of course, but... it wouldn't be so bad.

✰

For the first time in months, you're excited to be in the office on a Monday.

Taking off the pressure of expectation in figuring out your feelings has lightened your spirits by what seems like a thousand times over, and if you knew that listening to Petra's advice would get you here, then you would've gone to her sooner.

You wanted to find her to talk at lunch, but Armin informed you that she was off at the courthouse with Eren gathering paperwork. Nevermind that, though, because you still have a fun time talking with the other two nearly-graduated interns about their plans once school's out. It's nothing groundbreaking—they'd both rather sleep in than go anywhere new—but you can't pretend you'd be any different either.

You finish with your work at a decent time, but before you can reach the elevator, you’re stopped by a firm hand on your shoulder. You turn around, careful to not knock back the person behind you, and you’re unsurprised to see Erwin.

“Oh, hey. Need something?”

He nods, now taking his hand away from you. “Yes, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Looking around the office, there’s a few strays, but for the most part, everyone’s gone home already. "I’m all ears.”

“This might take a while, so I was thinking that we could talk in my office,” he clarifies. “Do you have somewhere you need to be?”

You check the time on your phone: 5:23 PM. You guess it’s not too late. “Not really."

“Great, follow me.”

He leads the two of you back to his office, where you take your seat across from him and his desk. He already had all his things packed up for the day before you came in, but he makes no move to get out his laptop or any papers now that you're here.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" You blurt out awkwardly.

Erwin leans back into his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I need you to help me plan two parties."

It isn’t unusual for you to be involved in the party planning—you’re the one who bakes, after all, so naturally you have to be informed about events well in advance. Still, you can’t help but be confused.

"Two parties? I love them, but isn't that a bit excessive just to celebrate the interns getting hired full-time?"

He chuckles, shaking his head. "One of the parties is for them, yes, but the other is completely irrelevant to that," he explains.

"Then what's it for?" There's no other birthdays soon, and you would've heard about it if there was something else that was important enough to warrant a party.

Erwin uncrosses his arms and stretches his arms out in front of him, his fingers laced between one another. "I'm getting promoted."

…

"What?"

"Why do you think I've been missing from the office so often?" He jests. "Initially I was just vouching to raise our budget so we would be able to hire all of them full-time, but I figured I might as well weasel my way into another promotion while I'm at it."

Moving up the ladder again just three years after an already early promotion is practically unheard of, but it's Erwin, so you really shouldn't be that surprised, but… yeah.

You let the initial shock pass almost immediately. "Erwin, that's great! Congrats!"

He smiles. "Thank you."

"What position are you moving into?"

"The logistics are being sorted out right now, but I'll be responsible for both our department and finance. Their managing associate got transferred to 5th floor management, so Nile extended the dual position to me."

"Oh yeah, you specialized in financial for grad school, right?"

"Yes, but family intersects with it well enough, so I never minded that I was put here instead," he muses. "But anyway, I was thinking that the party for Eren, Mikasa, and Armin would be on the 8th of June, and mine would be on the 24th."

You tilt your head in confusion. "Isn't the 24th a Saturday? You want people to come into the office on a weekend?"

He nods confidently. "Nile suggested we use the ballroom downstairs since it's available to us on weekends. Said it'd be a nice break for us anyway."

You laugh nervously. "A break… yeah…"

"I must apologize for that again," he consoles. "You definitely do deserve a break."

You groan. "For the millionth time, please stop apologizing, it's not your fault."

He shakes his head. "No, it is actually my fault."

"Huh? What’re you talking about?"

He sighs and avoids eye contact, opting to instead pick up and twirl a pen between his fingers. "I had to prove we needed more members in our department, and someone suggested that we pile a bunch of work onto you so Nile could see that even you couldn't keep up with the workload."

You blink slowly, trying to process the information.

So you've been overworked, run into the fucking ground, chewed up, and spit out… because they thought that getting you to this point of exhaustion would get the department a budget raise?

If that budget raise didn't also entail the interns being able to stay, you probably would've lit up the entire building in flames and cursed out all of management, but fortunately it did entail that, so at least there’s an actual reason as to why this all happened the way it did.

At least you can relax knowing that your friends will be able to stay in the office and that the nonsensical amount of paperwork you've been hammered with for the last 6 months wasn’t all for nothing.

“Does this mean that work will finally go back to normal?”

“If by ‘normal’ you mean like it was last year, then yes, it will.”

“Well, that’s a relief," you sigh. "This is fucking shitty, though. You couldn't even give me a heads up?"

He sadly smiles. “I really am sorry, I promise I’ll make it up to you properly.”

"Do you have any idea how tired I've been for the last half year?" You badger. "Unless you're giving me a trillion dollar bonus, I don't think I'll ever forgive you for this."

Instead of frowning like you expect him to, his sad smile flips into one that's more mischievous.

"Trust me, you'll be happier than if I were to give you that much money."

Man, this guy is fucking weird.

"I seriously doubt it, but if you want to say it like that to make me feel better, sure," you bark back. "Does your stupid promotion mean that you're my actual boss now?"

He shakes his head. "No."

"And is this conversation over?"

"Yes, you're free to go."

After getting your briefcase secured in your hand, you head out to the door, but before you leave, you turn back to face Erwin. "I know I only have one fully-functioning hand right now, but I want to punch you in the face."

"There's still people around on the floor." He sighs, getting up too. "If you close the door, I'll let you do it."

"Really?"

He nods. "Really."

You raise an eyebrow. "Is this a trick to get me in trouble with HR?"

"No," he answers earnestly. "I probably deserve it."

"Oh, you definitely do."

✰

On Hange’s way back home from work, they’re in the middle of singing along to their favorite Carrie Underwood song when they get a call from Erwin. They let it go to voicemail, not wanting to stop in the middle of the chorus, but when the man calls another 3 times and continues to interrupt their karaoke session, they groan and press the button on their car’s tablet to accept the call.

“This better be good, I was about to get to the bridge!”

Erwin laughs over the line. “Oh, it is.”

Hange can’t answer over the honks from the other people on the road, all of them apparently mad that they forgot to signal before switching lanes, but after they’re not really safely on the side of the road, they get back to Erwin.

“So, what’s up?”

"Your best friend just punched me in the face."

"Uh, great?" Hange offers. "Is she the new Regina George or something?"

"Hange, no, we talked about this already," Erwin reminds them.

"Nope, not ringing any bells," they say, popping the "P."

The blonde sighs into his phone, and he rubs at his cheek before putting his car keys into the ignition. "She's mad at me."

"And that's good, how?" Hange questions.

"Because," Erwin starts, "that means I have to do a grand gesture to make up for it."

"Erwin, I know I barely ever make any sense when I'm talking, but what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Hange, I'm talking about the thing."

Hange sits up straighter in their seat, and they nearly knock their head on the overhead car sun visor. "The thing? Are you sure?"

"Yes," he says.

"Shit, okay, okay," Hange finally understands, and they take their phone from out of the pocket to open their notes app. "Okay, what day were you thinking? I gotta prepare."

"How's the 21st?"

"Of June?"

"Yes."

Hange quickly switches over to their browser app, but they accidentally open Subway Surfers instead. "Aah, fuck! One second!"

Erwin laughs over the line, and Hange has to frantically click to get rid of the loading animation before finally getting to their search engine. They type 'June 21st' into the prompt box, and they laugh when they realize why Erwin chose that particular day.

"You're a fucking genius! I heard that old geezer complaining about work too, this is perfect!"

Erwin sighs. "I hope it will be."

✰

Next Chapter

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 136

Meet the New Boss

“Meet the New Boss”

Plot Description: Assuming his new role as god, Castiel sets out to right some of the wrongs in the world. Dean decides to bind Death in order to stop him

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: No one died. Sure

My baby’s all grown up and playing god now

Oh we are picking up RIGHT where season six left off. It is…when I say uncomfortable to watch, I don’t mean in the regular way like gory when I’m trying to eat lunch. Godstiel is something else. I really thought for a second that he was backtracking on making the boys and Bobby bow to him when they actually started doing it. No. He could just see they didn’t really mean it. That it was out of fear, not love and respect. BABES. Come on

This must have been so fun to play. FUCK. After playing Cas as so in love with humanity (Dean) and so sympathetic to their plight and a bit of an underdog, to just turn and be cold and ruthless and SO. POWERFUL.

I recant my statement about no one dying. No HUMANS died, so maybe I’m still okay. But a fuckton of angels did

That’s so uncharacteristically healthy of you, Dean. I know you’re gonna kinda fuck it up probably later just based on the summary, but for now just fixing up Baby and then helping to fix up Sam when he wakes up is good.

Huh…what’s going on with Sam NOW??

YES, Godstiel!! I know this is Cas’s literally villain era but telling bigoted pastors that god is “utterly indifferent to sexual orientation” should never be counted among his crimes this season.

Oop. It’s already going wrong for him…

OMG this woman the news is interviewing about the 200 religious leaders Castiel’s killed today. “He had no beard, no robe. He was young…and sexy” STOPPP 💀

Love that Dean can’t argue with some of the things he’s doing though. But I mean, if your actions forced the klan to completely disband, I’d be handing you the Nobel peace prize

Oof, Dean is not taking this break up well. Or too well? He’s in a very cut all contact, don’t even think about contacting him mood. Dean doesn’t have a choice but to hear about Cas’s countrywide rampage, but there’s nothing he can really do about it…yet

Okay, it’s not all death and destruction. He has healed everyone with leprosy

Oh, Crowley…this is so unlike you. An RV? And Cas got to you anyway

Jeeeeeeeeesus, Cas. You are making it really hard to love you right now. You still need hell to serve as a threat to your enemies??

I had been wondering what had happened to the Cage since Crowley’s remodeling. It’s still there SOMEWHERE. But we’re just gonna gloss over that

Poor Sam. Like…I know Dean had this deep, dark emptiness when he came back from hell, but he didn’t get these visceral flashbacks that seep into his every day.

Dean in his little mechanic’s jumpsuit is working for me. Anyway, Sam overheard Dean and Bobby talking about how Dean just wants this to be the one time they’ve caught a break (re: Sam SEEMING mostly okay), and I’m so afraid he’s gonna try to cover it up to not be a burden

The SASS between Bobby and Crowley!!!

I KNOW it’s just because the stomach is the squishiest part of the torso overall…like, in terms of showing that something is trying to get out of the human form, but why was my first thought to seeing the purgatory souls trying to get out of Cas “oh, this was not tagged mpreg”

I know we’re in desperate times but did you have to tie up the owners of the house you just broke into to get to this crystal thingy??

Dean tried to bribe Death with fried pickle chips…Death, you are missing out. I’d take that bribe in a HEARTBEAT. (Especially since sheetz switched from chips to pickle fries……..)

THESE POOR HOMEOWNERS. Just sitting tied up in their living room while three men wearing flannel, a mutated angel, and the physical embodiment of death have a standoff. No one is ever going to believe them if they live through this

I know it’s ridiculously self-destructive but I do love when we get Leviathan Cas

OOOOOOOOOO THAT IS JUICY. Dean commanding Death to kill Cas and, before that can happen, Cas breaks Death’s binding.

Castiel, what did you doooo? You killed everyone on that senator’s election staff

Oh Sam…I’m glad you have your soul back and that you know all this stuff now, but…fuck. It’s so hard to watch you put yourself on the back burner so as not to burden Dean while you two figure this Cas stuff out

Sam reaching out to Cas is really wholesome

Oh no. Please don’t believe this, Sam. He (Lucifer) IS just a hallucination…………..right? Still. It’s a very good torture

Uuuuuggggggghhhhhhh the break in Dean’s voice when Cas wakes up from putting the souls back in purgatory.

Do I like how much I love Leviathan Cas?? We’re just not going to answer that question…

[cryptid-killjoy]

orleans-jester​:

A most lovely evening indeed, Thomas would agree, getting to enjoy the pleasures of his husband’s flesh in ways that he hadn’t gotten to in quite some time. Sorry dildo, you were wonderful, but absolutely nothing compared to the real thing. And hearing Flotsam’s huskier voice in his ear while getting absolutely pounded? Over the edge, over the cliff, over the rainbow, over the moon, over everything.

There was a bit of a frenzy the next day to pack everything that they would need. It wasn’t just about the two of them anymore. They could just stop and buy new shit themselves but the babies? Oh, they were dependant upon certain things, their senses higher. They knew which blankets were their blankets by the smells. Which toys were theirs by the smells. And heaven forbid they forget something important at home, they’d never hear the end of the wails. So it was a bit of a ‘Benny Hill music playing in the background’ kind of packing scenerio but they made it work.

But he had it all figured out and it was a miracle. A short notice cottage, right on the ocean, just steps away from the beach. A private section too, without all the hub-bub of tourists. Not that the beaches of Ireland were renowned or anything like that. Ireland, no matter how gorgeous, didn’t have the climate of Miami or California with sun, sun, sun. It actually fit the couple a lot better. They were able to get away from humidity and go to where it was their speed. Cloudy. Do you know why the Emerald Isles are so Green? Because it rains all the fecking time.

“I’m going to go ahead and call dibs on Stark dressing up as Riff Raff, because that would just be too adorable,” He grinned, fully knowing that of course they were going to dress up. They were the Laveaus. They didn’t go to any sort of play half-assed, especially one like this which promoted audience participation. “This all sounds like fun, love. God bless the ship that took down a submarine a hundred years later.”

It also did make him think of the boat trip. Being face to face with Savvy for that first time - that and making little flirty jokes, not having any inkling of what was going to happen. It had already been sneaking up on him. Breathing against his ear at that point. A part of his heart knew what his brain didn’tt, made his mouth start to say things. “I’m always down for a boat,” He admitted, having a grand time on them. Facing his fear after nearly drowning had been one of the best things that he had ever done, and now he loved the water. Adored it. He could see a lot more boat days in their future. “Very smart, I was thinking about that too. A hanger won’t be too difficult to put together.”

No flirty air hostesses on the plane, thank goodness. That drama was the last thing that was needed this time around. Thomas managed to drift off for some decent sleep for the flight, having been busy fuckin and packing and fucking and packing. It was a wonder he could sit down at all. He had to bring the pillow Scout gave him to sit on, sheepishly. His little secret with Flo.

If Cap was a nickname that caught on, he wouldn’t mind that at all. He’d probably look damn good in one of those caps. He’d grow out a well-trimmed beard, make it white, look like a younger Edward Smith himself.  But he had to admit, yes, the cottage was perfect. Expensive, especially with these last-minute rates, but absolutely perfect for them. Reject modernity, reject the usual tourist experience. This was the island he was born on, the United Kingdom, and it brought back a sense of nostalgia, despite it not being the same part.

“Nah, we don’t need to see all of them. Just the special ones,” He nodded. Oh, his Flotsam, doing his research on what the haunted castles were. He had expected nothing less, and yet it still was weirdly … adorable. The more macabre side. The dark side. Life wasn’t all roses, but sometimes, with Flotsam, it could be some pretty black ones. He carried in the bags from the car, putting them just inside of the cottage to put away a little later. They just arrived. It was time for exploring, maybe a diaper or change or three, and stretch the legs out after such a journey.

Aye - there was the surprise. He tried to keep it from Flotsam. Tried to read over that part in the description of the property as quickly as possible, keep it his little secret. It seems like it worked out, in the most amazing way possible. That expression right there. That’s why he did this stuff. He’d spend every last dollar that he had to make Flotsam glow like that. He didn’t need to be a firefly in order to make it happen. It was the life and the light in his eyes. A much needed thing after all of the stress that they had gone through recently. He lingered on watching it, hoping that Scout could see it right then too. See that things were going to be alright, at least for a little while.

He was laughing, grinning. He left the stroller behind for a moment, only for a moment, to go and grab Flotsam’s waist and pull him into the water, carrying him in if he had to, his shoes getting wet but that was nothing that couldn’t be fixed by putting them next to the fire inside. He had extra just in case, planning ahead in case of an emergency. He laughed as the cool water played at their ankles, waves coming in, enjoying the moment and the salty breeze that came from it all. “I tried me best to keep it a surprise, it was very hard not to look at the pictures,” He admitted to Flotsam, grinning biting down on his lower lip. “I did good?”

“I’m sure he’ll make a tough guy hunchback for Riff Raff. I’m all about it.” Flotsam had no qualms there. “If you go as Meatloaf... I mean Eddie, I’ll go as Columbia.” And yes, this was all Flo talking, not Valerie. 

Flo chuckled at the mention of the submarine. “That does make it pretty special. Like a siren vessel calling out it’s Titantic song to brainless billionaire alpha males.” He nearly snorted trying to say the last couple words. 

Flo would look up rather intrigued with Thomas on board so quickly with the boat idea. He knew he liked sailing or he wouldn’t have taken him out that day, but having a ship was a way of life. Flotsam missed it even if it was just their ol’ swamp boats on the river. He imaged himself a real sailor with a ship on the ocean, a real ocean. He never let his dreams go that far before. It was the sort of thing that felt out of reach because he always saw his life deep in the swamps in Nola. Times had changed. 

“Just don’t tell Hook right away. He might see it as a challenge.” 

Of course he could be pretty black roses. He wasn’t sunshine and daisies. He was orchids and the moon. He was a lightning bolt in the rain. Thomas married the rogue son a hidden bokor cult in the swamps and who’s specialties consist of necromancy, electrocution, weather, cannibalism, and candy of all things, a sweet tooth. Expect dark to be consistent unless he’s lighting up the sky with lightning or maybe his smile. 

It was pretty big right now. He didn’t even need a sugar rush to get it. The ocean was enough. Then when he saw Thomas come running towards him he still wasn’t ready for being picked up off the ground. He didn’t think he was really going to do it. Then bloopswoop. Up he went. 

Flo started giggling and his lower voice moaned as he went around like he was on an amusement park ride. He squealed higher than expected when he felt water. 

“My kicks!” He laughed, but was hardly upset. This was a guy who trudged through the swamps on a daily basis in those boots once upon a time. Valerie’s new uppity life was just exactly that... new. Noise never stopped. 

“Yes you done good. You done good.” His voice was up and down jumpy from laughing as Thomas was running him through the water. Flotsam did a quick paternal glance back at the stroller making sure the kiddos were safe and fine before letting himself really go with a big ol’ kiss in the water.

His gangly ankles were planted in the soft sand. He stood his ground to get that done good smile against his mouth when the pull of the water took that ground out from under him. Oh ocean. Oh big strong waves. Even that close to the shore it pulled the sand in the little pockets and swoopboom. Splash! Flotsam felt himself going down and he held onto Thomas making sure if he was going down, Thomas was going down too. 

“Yeah, you done good. A good captain always goes down with his ship.” Then Flo tried to push himself up and his hand kept sinking in the sand the way his feet had when he felt something hard. He pulled it up. It was a small scalloped shell. Nothing particularly special as far as shells go, but it was neat to Flo. He held his arm up out of the water like he found a prize. “FIRST SHELL FOUND! I win first Irish beach shell.” As if it was a competition. “How many buckets do you think we’ll go home with?” He asked without a care in the world to how soaked his now salty clothes were. 

After a lovely evening with his husband, lovely. Lovely. Flotsam's mind started to realize a part of them was always Valerie and just like parts of Flo remained in Val, Val's manner of speech/thinking was still in Flo. He did. He had a god damn lovely evening with his husband before packing for Ireland. Now he remembered why he missed having a dick though. How lucky was he to experience his handsome husband every way possible?

He woke in a good mood. Even going back to bottle mode didn't feel as intense as it did the first time now that he'd gotten to switch back and forth. There was a safe feeling in knowing all he had to do was take off the necklace if Valerie really needed to. All Flo's little secret fears and true wishes were out of the bag so to say and Thomas and his wolf helped put Flo at ease there too. Halloweening was on the list of to dos. So Flo wasn't freaking out. Everything was going to be okay no matter where in the world they were. He still wanted to get away after all he'd learned of himself in the middle of what else had been stressing him. So he was back to escapism mode with the vacation wanting to get away, but really, it wasn't so heavy anymore. Thomas was still being the fix it guy for him and all it took was a conversation he never wanted to have.

The first thing Flotsam did was start to write a list of things he wanted to do before leaving Ireland. Order mattered not. He found the basics, as far as basics go for him. He isn't the sort to want to tour every damn castle in Ireland or anywhere else in Europe. But, Blarney Castle he'd go for.

"Babe. So fair warning. I'm taking the kids to carry out their first felony. We will accomplish a family heist at the Blarney Castle and steal plants from the Poison Garden. Goals. I have them."

Go to Blarney Castle

Kiss the Blarney stone

Steal plants from the Poison Garden

The Northern Lights

See The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Grand Opera House in Belfast ((because it has to be fate that's playing while they're there))

The National Leprechaun Museum

Titanic Museum

Goals indeed. "Northern lights. Pretty sure there's somewhere in Ireland you can see them. I so wished you were there when I got to go to Alaska. I wished it the whole time we were staring at the sky. Not that I told anyone this back then because I was still in young crush me who refuses to tell anyone I like you in that wayish. But, we can see them in Ireland too. Even better. Your green world. Meant to be. Has to happen."

He was googling things on their way there, in parking lots, in lines, sitting around waiting for flights, all those boring moments he took his moment to play tourist. He spoke as they were on their way to the rental.

"Rocky Horror is playing at the Grand Opera House. Feels like an authentic Irish experience to me." He laughed having a hard time picturing Rocky Horror being done with Irish accents and couldn't help not smiling. "Leprechaun museum for cheesy pictures with the kids and Titanic Museum for morbid pictures of us having fun taking end of ship movie photos at what's essentially a memorial of dead people's things drudged up from bottom of the ocean, Captain. Gotta love capitalism." He said with his own cheesy grin.

He grinned over at him when he called him Captain remembering their date on the boat. He really liked that. "We should buy a boat. Also this is the last trip without Pippin. I'm getting her a damn plane for real. The one I would have ended up getting Chip. I halted on that because of his zombie-thing worried that maybe he shouldn't be flying around after all wings or not. But, Pip's still clear headed. If anything they can fly together and she can take over if he zombies out."

They were building an air strip out in Nola. It's all Feral now. They were probably never going back any how. Time to consider where to keep a private plane elsewhere.

When they finally pulled into the rental and Flotsam got to see where his escape was going to be he smiled. It felt like something Thomas would pick.

"Look at you giving us the real deal experience, Cap. This is so great. Perfect for all of us." He kept picturing him with the sea behind him. Something kept making his mind go back to that date. He remembered how Thomas looked with the blue waves of adventure behind him. But, he really did like the privacy there. With the triplets he liked their own space. He'd accept the maid service for the time being. Flo's one of those people who would rather do something himself than have people near him sometimes. So, it would be no wonder if he ever called them off or put a do not disturb on the property as a whole because fuck people. No maid outfit required for Thomas. It would probably weird Flo out if he did.

"Oh, you know what else I want to do at some point? Go to the rebel poet's pub. James Clarence Mangan. I don't know the name of it. But, I know it's in Ireland. I'll find it if I look it up. But, I heard he haunts a pub in Ireland. I'm going to find out if it's true." Leave it to Flotsam to want to go get autographs of dead celebrities, not live ones. "Maybe Leap Castle, but only because I know it's like one of the hauntedier ones and I would love to see the murder hole, but really. I don't need to see every castle in Ireland, ya feel me?"

Then right as he said ya feel me as he walking through the quaint style cottage of neutral colors he spotted the prize winner of the property. The ocean.

"Oh!"

It was ocean front property. Flotsam started to glow. He didn't need River's inner physical glow to see this beaming straight from the inside out. He stopped yick yacking and his whole face lit up.

"Oh my fucking a-hole. Look at that. Look what you did. We are sitting next to the ocean. Like... on purpose. We can just walk outside and it's... it's right there." He pointed out at it over top of the stroller he'd been pushing. "Right there." He jumped enough to where both feet came off the floor and knees rose waist high. His feet in those heavy kicks stamped back down. "Right there, Thomas. It's right there. Real ocean."

They didn't have to get into a car and drive there first, get the car and go home after, consider the light of day, or night, length of travel back for drying off, cleaning up, anything that beach brings on. It wasn't a lake shore. It wasn't a river's shore like on the old Mississippi. It wasn't a swamp. It was a real life ocean shore.

"Right. There." He kept pointing.

[dreamersparacosm]

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄: 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐘 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐊

featuring natasha (phoenix) trace

mommy kink (n): where a female likes to take the place of a dominant figure in the relationship, relating to the figurehead title of mommy.

nsfw!

note ; I HAVE BEEN FEENING TO WRITE FOR THIS WOMAN FOR SO LONG SLSKSLD BEWARE THIS IS HORNKNEE

warnings ; oral (female receiving), mommy kink

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

“Fuck, I missed you.”

The words roll off her tongue with so much conviction that you don’t second-guess them. You don’t question why your spine is pressing against one of the many lumps in your mattress, thighs spread wide as her face is buried in between your soaking cunt, her tongue fucking in and out of you incessantly, enough to make you never question anything again.

You’re grasping at anything; her brunette tresses, the white sheets that still smell like her from the last time she was over, your own skin as you dig your fingernails into the flesh roughly. Her warm breath fanning against your thighs makes it hard for you to breathe, to coherently form a thought or sentence that doesn’t have to do with how good you feel. She brings you to the brink of your orgasm only to reel you back in. You’re so eager, so ready for her like always. Just a phone call away.

That’s the thing about fucking your ex — it’s easy to get caught up in the pattern of familiarity. The consistency of it all.

And you like to think you have a little more power than that, that you won’t fold every time you see her at The Hard Deck, every time she sends a glance over your way that signals you’re leaving with her. But, the pattern of familiarity keeps you looped in, ropes you in with its nostalgia and stupid, stupid feelings. You want to smash it in the face until it’s blue.

But for now, you’ll settle for the feeling of her fingers fucking in and out of your dripping core, tongue lapping furiously at your clitoris.

“God, you taste so good,” She murmurs against your skin, looks up at you to catch a glimpse of you losing yourself; your chest heaving, eyes squeezed tight, hair tousled. “Don’t tell me you’re done already.”

You blink your eyes open, world foggy and glassy until you focus on on her smug gaze, her brown eyes that linger over you with a sense of complacency. The sense of sarcasm in her tone makes you want to scream, yell, escape from under her touch, but instead, you stay put. You’re used to her banter, the way she makes fun of you in bed and tells you you’re just her little slut. At that moment, you think she might be right: instead of arguing with her, you push her head back onto your cunt, sighing in relief when she just laughs to herself and licks up your needy folds.

You’re right there with her, can almost taste the release that’s been burning within you since you dialed her number earlier tonight. Thoughts empty. Vision blurry. Phoenix knows you so well, she always has, can tell when you’re on that edge when you start biting your lip furiously and moaning out lewd profanities. “Fuck, fuck, please. Please don’t stop, Mommy —“

She pauses. Looks up. Brown eyes a haze. Glint of your juices on her chin.

Your eyes shoot open. You know you’ve made a grave mistake when she just stares at you, not a smirk or rude comment in sight.

The last time you called her that, you two were were in a healthy, committal relationship. Now, that pet name feels foreign, feels like poison rolling off your tongue, feels like the simulation has been poked and prodded.

“I’m sorry —“

“Don’t you dare apologize.”

“Phoeni —“

“Say it again.” Her tone is punishing, almost formidable. You blink a few times, her eyes stagnant as they stare into yours, silently pleading.

You shouldn’t say it again. You know that. It’ll open a can of worms that needs to stay put and locked away in your old apartment you two shared off-base. But there’s a deadweight that sits in between your ribcages, at the nostalgia, at the familiarity of it all. You inhale a deep breath, whine out, “Mommy, please. I want to cum.”

“Jesus,” is all she can muster out.

Her head dives back in between your thighs, your legs clamping to the sides of her head like earmuffs. You can feel the juices dripping down onto the sheets, the ones that are infiltrated with her scent, and with the way she’s fucking her index and pointer finger into you, she’s on a mission of her own. She hooks them upwards, and your body jolts forward, your toes tingling and eyes rolling backwards as you feel her take you apart limb by limb.

Somewhere below you, ten feet under, she says, “How bad do you want it?”

“I-I, yes, fuck, I want it. I need it so bad, mommy,” And you’re tugging on her hair, giving her a silent approval, telling her it’s okay, that you can handle what she can give you, what no one else can give you.

She assaults your clitoris with her lips, a mess of juices and spit, dribbling down her chin as she works feverishly for you, the only girl she’ll ever love as long as she lives. The throb from inside your walls is incessant, feel it clench around her fingers. Your mouth goes dry, tongue feels like a wet mush inside you, and your senses are so heightened you swear you feel yourself ascend to the ceiling.

The burn in your abdomen is now a fire that can’t be put out, her tongue still fucking you as you cum on her, legs trembling against her ears. She smirks against you, and you feel her lips curl upwards. You can’t pull yourself out of the state you’re in. You just lay there, like a fish out of water, trying to maintain your breathing and the last shred of dignity you have left. She wipes her lips off with her index finger, sucking it off to taste the remainder of your fluids.

Once your aching body has finally succumbed to a sense of normalcy, she curls up next to you on one of your lone pillows. You haven’t spoken in a few minutes, but you prefer it that way. There’s so much you want to say, so much you need to protest, because you know it’s not fair to keep going back to her based off a wish you’re making upon a star, a wish you know won’t come true: the hope that she’ll change for you. Your gaze is still firmly planted on the ceiling when you speak, “We can’t do this anymore.”

“Shut up,” She rolls her eyes.

You’ll see her again next week. Same time.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

masterlist + request