#so I'm not going into more detail on why it didn't land yet
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korynith · 2 months ago
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I need more time to process my thoughts, but I absolutely loved every moment until the last ~10 minutes. The ending didn't land for me.
I feel like I spent 8 3/4 episodes being edged and expecting a huge emotional payoff and it just... fizzling out. That's the best way I can explain it at this point.
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kokokoula · 6 months ago
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you fall first, but he falls harder
a/n: i can only write fluff, so please trust me that it's fluff. there's like, one usage of 'she', timeskip spoilers, and a bit of language. it's my longest fic yet (which isn't saying much), no beta we die like daichi
you don't know that tsukishima kei knows about your crush on him. it's so damn obvious, how you turn red so easily when he's around. unfortunately for you, though, he doesn't reciprocate, nor does he bother confronting you about it. you are his closest friend other than yamaguchi, and as much as he hates to admit it, he doesn't want to lose you as one. it's so tedious, anyways.
---
"it's our last year in karasuno, do you have anything planned?" you ask as you lay on the floor of tsukishima's room. you're supposed to be studying, since it was what you came over to do with kei and tadashi, but you gave up somewhere halfway in geography.
"it is my last year, but who knows about you? you've been slacking so much, you'd probably have to repeat a year. and could you get up?" he sighs and nudges your side with his foot.
"asshole," you mutter, cheeks growing red. if you knew that he just dodged your question, you don't do anything about it. "just you wait, i'll enroll into kyoto university and make you eat your words, beanpole."
"sure." his reply drips with sarcasm, but he doesn't doubt that you can make it far. there's a knock at the door.
"sorry for being late!"
"tadashi!!"
---
kei knows you can read him like an open book. you can tell he's having a bad day just by a conversation with him through text. he also knows that when he says that he doesn't want to talk, you immediately ring his phone.
the first time it happened, he had tried to decline your calls, or just ignore them entirely, but you're insistent. eventually he picked up, filled with pure irritation at that point.
"could you--"
"i'm heading over. i promise i won't push for any details. i'll even get strawberry shortcake on the way." you immediately stated. he paused to mull it over.
"fine, but if the cake sucks, i'm kicking you out." it's safe to say that the cake was good enough to make this a habit, so much so that tsukshima doesn't even know why you still call him to let him know you're coming over. the both of you know you will no matter what.
so here you are, sitting on his bedroom floor with him and eating desserts in silence, save for the music playing softly from his computer.
"you're gonna get in trouble with your parents when they realise you snuck out." he remarks. you shrug your shoulders, stuffing the remaining taiyaki in your mouth.
"i know."
"don't talk with your mouth full." you roll your eyes with a furious blush. somehow, you being here with him becomes sweeter than the strawberry shortcake.
---
you were there when tsukishima made the decision to go professional with volleyball.
his last match as karasuno's middle blocker had ended. his body was sore all over, but somehow the freak duo managed to convince him and yamaguchi to play one more match back at school, just the four of them with yachi. but even with landing third in nationals and a final intimate match with his teammates, he still somehow felt so unsatisfied.
the walk home with you was silent. he was grateful you didn't say anything. he couldn't handle any more questions about how he was feeling when he himself was unsure. it was when you two stepped outside the convenience store after getting ice cream did he come to the conclusion that he never wants to have a last match.
"i'm not going to give up on volleyball after graduation." he announced out of the blue. you were caught off guard for a bit, before grinning at him. "i expected that."
"why?"
"you call hinata and kageyama freaks for being so insane about volleyball, but you don't even realise that you're just as equally crazy about it as them." you said it so nonchalantly as you eat your ice cream, like you're stating a fact. now it was his turn to be taken off guard. he took a while to let it settle in before chuckling softly.
he should have known that you know him better than he does himself.
---
it's graduation day. tsukishima and kageyama are stuck with their four teary-eyed friends by their side. kei awkwardly pats your head, not knowing how to comfort you. you laugh at his feeble attempt, your rosy cheeks burning red. have you always been this cute? in the midst of all the bittersweet interactions, you get distracted by something on your phone, and let out a gasp.
"what is it, (name)?" yamaguchi asks. you're trembling slightly, and tsukishima grows worried.
"i, uh, got into kyoto university," you say in disbelief. "i actually got in!" everyone congratulates you, but you only care about one thing.
"tsukki, remember that day i told you i'd make you eat your words?" he hums in acknowledgement. you shove the acceptance email in his face, but he can only focus on how proud you look with that shit-eating smirk. "what do you have to say now, beanpole?"
he smiles. that's my best friend right there.
"nothing."
---
you were gone before the new year, and kei was handling your absence well until semester started. he had believed it'd be fine, you were only across the country, not across the world. plus, you promised you would call as often as you could.
but he doesn't see you in his classes anymore, and you don't come over when he's having a bad day. he got himself strawberry shortcake to lighten his mood like it usually does, but he only feels hollow. it doesn't help that since he's going pro, his volleyball training is almost everyday now, and with your commitments, he rarely gets to call you anymore. it hurts like hell inside.
"hey tsukki, you've been off recently. is everything ok?" tadashi calls him one day.
"i'm fine, yamaguchi." kei lies. tadashi isn't convinced.
"does it have something to do with (name) being in kyoto?"
"why would you say that?" he answered too quickly for his liking.
"well, you bring (name) up quite a bit, and when you realise she isn't there, you get all quiet and snappy." tsukishima is about to retort back, but then it hits him.
oh shit, he's in love.
---
the day you finally return back to miyagi to visit, tsukishima waits at the station with yamaguchi. kei's eyes are constantly searching the crowd and flickering to his watch every so often.
"tsukki, relax, she'll be here soon." he ignores tadashi's reassurance.
tsukishima kei is a composed man, always able to think before he acts. but when he catches sight of you, he runs. before you can register anything, he hugs you, gripping onto you like a lifeline, like he will die if he lets go of you.
"tsukki--"
"gosh, i missed you so much, you idiot." he knows you could have easily lost feelings for him when you were away.
"wha--"
"i've suffered so much because of your stupid, dumb ass." he doesn't care.
"wait--"
"i like you, so go out with me before you have to head back to kyoto." you're back, and he's scared to lose you again. every second you stay quiet, the louder his heart beats in his ears.
"really?" you finally say, your voice barely over a whisper.
"yea." another pause.
"guess i'm yours then, beanpole."
bonus:
"you know, i knew about your crush back in high school."
"what the heck?"
"you didn't necessarily hide it well."
"then i'll have you know that yamaguchi told me everything that had happened when i've been gone."
"...fuck."
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wanderingsoul6261 · 8 months ago
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Stuck with Me
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Credit for gif goes to aaronwarner
James Beaufort x Reader
Synopsis: James and Reader are secretly dating. Elaine finds out and started to treat Reader terribly. Reader is an Ellington, sister to Elaine, twin to Alistair. When James finds out what Elaine had been doing, he does to comfort the reader.
Product of a series of requests that had explained similar scenarios.
warning: suggestive themes, but no details. Probably bad grammar and editing. I tried. Finished it in a rush before work. Will probably edit later.
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The two of them were honestly surprised that they had been able to keep their relationship a secret as long as they have. James and Y/N both went to a school where a majority of the students were too smart for their own good. Although, it wasn’t even the school that they were surprised about keeping the relationship from. It was their siblings. Y/N was not only a close and confiding friend to Lydia, but she was also an Ellington sibling. A twin to Alistair, older sibling to Elaine. 
They were definitely trying to hide things from Elaine. If she were to find out, it would be the end of the world. At least for Elaine that is. 
James and Y/N had wondered for some time on what would be the best way to keep this secret. It wasn't like they hated each other, so they couldn't use that. Y/N had in fact spent as much time around James as many others have. They had even considered fabricating a lie. Making up an event in which it would give the two no rhyme or reason not to hate each other. 
But then they remember who one, they were related to, and two, who they were friends with. It would have been a difficult one to pull off, no less keep afloat. So the two continued to bounce ideas off of each other, and had finally decided to keep interactions around others to a minimum. 
They give each other fleeting glances when passing each other in the hall. If they sit next to each other in a classroom or just anywhere that will allow them, an arm or leg are barely brushing against each other. When addressing each other, they say their names. No nicknames. No usage of ‘hey’ or anything else. Just their names. If they sit on a bench, James allows his arm to rest on the back of it. They continue their normal mannerisms, and maybe that's why no one has caught on just yet to their charades. 
James and Y/N had the undivided attention of each other but in some way, they wanted more. 
Y/N was walking Lydia when They bumped into James, Alistair, Wren and Cyril. The two girls stood shoulder to shoulder. 
“I'm just saying. You guy are twins. Don't you have that mind thing that allows her to know what you're thinking? Or when you feel pain?” Cyril flicked Alistair in the forehead. Alistair had looked unamused, but Y/N felt otherwise. An amused smile graced her lips as she glanced momentarily at Lydia. 
“Ow.” The monotone voice and stare of Alistair caused a small snicker to come from Y/N. The four boys jumped, caught off guard by their company. Y/N eyes flickered to James, flashing a smile before Cyril pulled her away from her spot next to Lydia. 
“The girl of the house. Y/N, seriously. You guys don’t have that twin telepathy thing going on? Did you feel it when I flicked Alistair's forehead?” Y/N looked at him, then her brother. 
“I didn't feel anything. Sure you used enough force behind it? It was really light. Like a feather.” Cyril dropped his jaw, not expecting the comeback. “It's okay Cyril. Some women like the light touch of a man.” 
“Are you speaking from experience?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at her like he was trying to read her. 
James smirked as he looked at Y/N. She looked around the small group of people. Wren was waiting for an answer, one of which Alistair didn't want to hear. Lydia now looked just as amused as Y/N did. Then her eyes landed on James. He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking into a small smirk. 
“I prefer not to tell.” 
“Way to keep a man wondering.” Cyril drew Y/N's attention back to him. 
“You're not really a man, Cyril. A boy, maybe. But a toddler fits the image better.” Cyril took a stagger back, a hand to his chest. “You wound me so.” 
“Good. You can ask James and Lydia the same question.” James instantly shook his head. 
“I don't know. Do you want me to flick your forehead and see if I can feel it?” James looked at his sister. 
“Do you want me to flicker your forehead and see if I can feel it?” James flashed his sister a cheeky grin before turning back to Cyril. 
“You can do it.” Cyril looked at Lydia, who glared at him, albeit playfully. He shook his head. 
“I prefer life.” 
“Good choice. Anyways, I'm off to class.” Lydia bid the group goodbye. Cyril, Wren, and Alistair were next to leave. 
“Alistair!” Y/N called out to her brother. He looked back. “Don't let the toddler pester you too much. They can be pesky little buggers. Can't they?” He flashed her a smile at the same time Cyril turned back and flipped her the finger. 
Once they were gone, Y/N turned to James. He was already smiling at her. 
“Do you like soft touches?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, his smile turning to a smirk.
“Wouldn't you like to know.”  His hands itched to touch her. James looked up and down the hallway, making sure no one was there before pulling her into an empty room. 
He pushed her up against the wall. His hands entangled themselves in her hair. Y/N looked up at him, her fingers combing through his hair. She brushed his hair out of his face. 
“Playing a dangerous game every second both of us are in here.” Y/N said. 
“I had to have a few seconds with you.” 
“Well since both of us are in here, kiss me already.” James pulled her to him, capturing her lips in a kiss. He took it slow, holding her against him. She put one arm around his neck, while her other hand moved up his shirt, settling on his waist. James sucked in a breath at the touch, before moving his lips from hers and up along her jaw. 
“How’s this for soft touches?” He whispered. 
“Mm. Too soft.” James pulled back enough to look into her face. Y/N smirked at him. A low rumble could be heard on his throat, as he captured her lips into a searing kiss, pushing her further against the wall. 
And when they finally left the room, little did they know that someone watched them exit minutes later, both looking slightly disheveled, and exchanging a few chaste kisses in what they thought to be a quiet and empty hallway, before going their own way. 
Over the course of the next few days, Y/N had received glares and mistreatment from some of the students on campus. James had tried talking to her about her sullen mood lately, but had gotten nothing. Lydia had even tried to talk to her, but Y/N wouldn't even talk to her about it. 
And she felt bad, but going to a school where one person was always out to get the other, she didn't know who would believe her. Even if she knew that her boyfriend and best friend were the ones most likely to do just that.
So she received the mistreatment and said nothing. Most of it came from Elaine, her sister. The sneers, the ‘accidental’ bumps, the nasty comments. All from her own sister. 
Y/N could make an assumption, as she watched her sister talk to James from the end of the hallway. Her sister brushed up against James, her hands moving his hair out of his face just as Y/N does in private. He had shrunk away from her, a slight look of discomfort on his face. She watched as James politely excused himself, before walking the opposite way from where Y/N was standing. 
Elaine knew about James and Y/N, and now part of Maxton Hall did too.
She watched as Elaine stood for several seconds, watching James walk away, before she turned her head and caught Y/N watching her. Elaine sent her a sneer, before starting to walk towards her. Y/N waited for her and whatever kind of mistreatment that she would bring. 
“Do you really think that someone like him could love someone like you?” She asked. Y/N stared at her. 
“We are sisters Elaine. We have the same blood and genes.” 
“He will be mine. James will forget about you, and he will come running to me when that happens.” Elaine had a smug look on her face as she spoke to Y/N. “It's expected Y/N. No one could or would ever love you.” Y/N knew at that moment that Elaine was also talking about herself. Elaine finally turned to walk away. 
“Oh. And Y/N.” She stopped and turned. “We aren't sisters.” The last little bit of Y/N's heart crumbled as she watched Elaine walk away. Her hand reached into her pocket, and with shaky fingers, she got ahold of their chauffeur. Y/N wanted to leave. 
Y/N had opted out of going to class, and hasn’t been in for several days. Their parents were away for business trips and even when they were home, she played it off that she was either sick or had a migraine, which wasn’t too hard to pull off. Alistair had brought home her homework. Lydia and James had also kept her in the loop about assignments, but other than that, she didn’t speak much to either of them. 
Y/N had finally told Alistair what had been going on and how Elaine had been treating her. This also, therefore, had spilt the beans about Y/N’s and James' secret relationship. Y/N had thought that Alistair would have had an issue with it, just as Elaine did, but if anything, he was happy for his sister and best friend. Elaine wasn’t good for James anyway. 
I told him 
Y/N stared down at her phone, looking at her brother’s message to herself. She laid in bed, her face buried in the pillow, sullied with tears as she thought about the last few days and how she managed the situation. It was the wrong way to do so, and she knew it. James and Lydia should have been told, instead of being ignored in the way that they were currently. 
She deserved to be hated. They had every right to be bad at her. Instead, they were the opposite. 
Lydia had also messaged her, being gentle about it, even if she was upset that Y/N felt that she couldn’t go to her about Elaine. Lydia never liked her to begin with. 
Then there was James. 
He had only sent Y/N one message. 
I’m on my way. J.M.B 
She had smiled at his message, finally sending him one back. 
<3 Your F/M/L initials 
Y/N had only waited a little bit before James was bursting through her bedroom door. He stopped in the doorway. 
“Y/N.” His eyes traveled over her face, taking in the appearance of her tear stained face. “Oh love.” James hurried over to the bed, kneeling down on the floor. He brought her face into his hands, using his thumbs to wipe away any tears on her face. “Why didn’t you say anything?” 
“I didn’t know who would believe me.” 
“I would have. You know that.” He said. James searched her eyes, seeing nothing but pain and regret. “How long?” He asked. Y/N swallowed thickly, averting her eyes and face away from him. He grabbed her chin with his hand, moving her face so that she looked at him again. “How long, Y/N?” 
She stared at him for several seconds, before looking at his neck, avoiding eye contact.
“A week. More or less.” Her voice broke, remembering how she was treated. It would have been different had it not been her sister that treated her in the way that she did. But it wasn’t different, and it was her sister, so there was no changing it. Y/N sat up on her bed, her legs hanging over the side. James grabbed her hands, holding them in his own. He brought them up to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. 
“What did she do?” He asked. Y/N pulled her hands away from his, rubbing her eyes. James settled his hands on her thighs, rubbing his hands up and down them to help soothe her nerves. 
“The normal thing a bully does. Sneers. Snide comments. Bumping into them. Shoved me in private, degraded me here at home…” She trailed off, her hands settling on her thighs next to his own. James grabbed her hands again, rubbing his thumbs against her knuckles as he listened to her. 
“Is there something else?” She was silent for several moments, trying to find a way to phrase it. 
“I shouldn’t let this bother me because I really don’t like her right now, but she told me that we weren’t sisters.” James stared at her in silence for several moments. She stared at anything but him, feeling small in the current situation. “Also told me that she would have you at some point. That you would basically grow tired of me and go to her to give you what I can’t.” she mumbled softly. 
“And what can’t you give me?” he asked. “Because you have given me all that I need and more.” James reassured her. He stood up, settled his hands on her cheeks, and brought her into a searing kiss, before pushing her back on the bed.
“What are you doing James?” she asked, staring up at him, confused. 
“I’m going to show you how much I appreciate you.” He pushed the blankets off of her. “How much you make me happy.” James looped his fingers in the shorts and panties she wore for sleeping, pulling them down. “That there is no other woman I want other than you.” James pushed her shirt up slightly, laid on the bed, and began pressing kisses to her stomach, moving down. Soft kisses were pressed to her navel, and then on the inside of her thighs. His eyes never left hers, wanting to take in her appearance as he showed her just how much he loved her. One arm looped around one of her thighs, while the other searched for her hand. Her fingers looped with his. “You’re stuck with me, sweetheart.”
-----
taglist: @honethatty12 @lifeonawhim @ashamedtobewhitemanswhore27 @maryvibess @wheredidmyeyesgo @imasimptoowth @avada-kedavra-bitch-187
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miles-crow · 8 days ago
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Here it is! Finished character line up with designing process breakdown :)
Cowardly Lion
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There's little to no description of the Cowardly Lion in the books, so I always imagined him as rather ironically big with thick, dark mane (the darker the mane, the stronger the lion). He's mainly made of soft, delicate curves, which are incorporated into his whiskers and hair as well. I wanted to incorporate bits of 'you had it all along' in Dorothy's friends designs, so classic tail and mane ribbons were not enough. Such big and proud animal has to have at least a bit of courage to wear lace collar. Lions have darker spot on their heads, which I turned into something fitting for a magical land - star. Since lions can be identified by whisker spots, Cowardly Lion's are little hearts.
Dorothy and Toto
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I have carefully noted all descriptions of Dorothy's clothing, which is as follows: sunbonnet, gingham dress with white and pale blue, silver shoes, basket with white cloth and apron. The dress should have pockets. Even though the classic illustrations suggest that her hair was blonde, I decided to go with dark brown. It just fits way better. I added lace to the apron and sunbonnet. All garments were inspired by vintage clothes from early 1900s. Toto is based on Scottish Terrier, since he's been described as small, black and hairy, especially around the nose.
From now on beware spoilers for Wicked part 2
Scarecrow
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His eyes will kill you. No, but seriously, they're not dark like other characters, because they're painted. He's made mostly of triangular shapes. Straszek's description is the most detailed: painted blue Munchkin's hat (with little bells), head is a small sack, painted face, blue suit of clothes, old boots with blue tops (I have no idea what tops are, I hope I did well), painted ears and padded hands (that's why his hands are too big + he's the only character with four fingers). Now, I didn't stick to the entire description for various reasons (f.ex. painted ears looked weird and blue hat didn't cooperate with cape), but mainly, because I wanted to add something from myself. And here's where the Wicked part 2 spoilers begin. Fiyero is quite tall, so I have abandoned the idea of Munchkin sized Straszek. He's ragged and dirty, because he was beaten. Torns in suit are remnants of Fiyero's wounds with golden straw spilling out instead of blood. If you look closely straw on his left shoulder should look like epaulet. If it doesn't, then it's my fault. The one shoulder cape was made from what was left of his chieftain outfit and it covers a big rip in the suit (which is his 'brainy' feature). Golden ornament depicts wheat and crows. I wouldn't be myself if I hadn't put unnecessary objects on a big hat, so there you have it: wheat & Elphaba's poppy. And last, but not least: straw sticking out of his face forms light facial hair (everyone say 'thank you, Jonathan Bailey').
Oof. That was long.
Tin Woodman
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Standing proudly next to his boyfriend, Tin Man was created from hard, square shapes, quite summetrical as opposed to Scarecrow's absolute chaos. He has his little iconic cap and I can't really say a lot about him. The bowtie is his remarkable feature that I could never take away. It was red for a moment (just like Lion's ribbons were royal blue), but all my friends said that he looked like Freddy Fazbear, so I had to take the red away. I'm sorry, Nick. Let your husband housemate be colorful. Anyway! I might have accidentally incorporated some of Dark Cacao Cookie's armor in here, because that's the only armor I had drawn more than once. He's rusty all over and all that crying turned his eyes brown and left rusty tear marks. His jaw is hinged like it was in the books. If I remember correctly it was never stated that Nick Chopper was a Munchkin, but after Wicked turned Boq into Tin Woodman it would be such a waste to not deisgn a character sturdy, yet small. Spring hair is inspired by movie Boq's curly hair (thank you, Ethan Slater). His you 'had it all along' feature is... Less functional than others. The collar around his neck forms a heart.
Sketch page including some notes:
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You still here? Wow. Hey, look!
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Wicked part 2 looks great!
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cherry-holmes · 8 months ago
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REGRET
Part 1
(Javier Peña x F!Reader)
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Credits of the gif on the image.
MAIN MASTERLIST
Summary: Finding out you’re pregnant create a split between you and Javier. He soon will discover that one can regret they own words.
Pairing: Javier Peña x Female Reader
Word count: +3k
Warnings: Writer prefer to not give details to prevent spoilers. Read under your own responsibility.
A/N: Hello👋🏻 This is a little something that came to my mind when a saw this gifs last week🧍🏻‍♀️ Let me know in comments if you like it👀
------------------------------------------------------------
Javier and you have been dating for a year and a half now. It started as something casual. You were just neighbors, then you used to talk about the weather when you crossed paths in the building. Then, he invited you for a drink, and you ended up in his bed.
He told you he was a DEA agent, and you talked about your community service as an English teacher in Bogotá.
Javier was funny and charming. He always treated you like a princess and fucked you like a slut. He was attentive, but he worked a lot. You never seriously talked about what exactly you were, but you spent much more time at his place than yours. He hadn't given you a key, precisely, but he told you he had a copy on top of his door so you could enter when you arrive and he was still at work. He picked you up from the school, and you cut his hair when needed.
Life had been busy, and you never really stopped to ask him if your relationship had a label. The truth is, neither of you had actually stopped and asked each other what would come next when he caught Escobar and/or you finished your community service.
You never thought about it, until that damn morning.
"Fuck."
It can't be happening. Two lines on a pregnancy test were the last thing you needed. You looked at it for a long, long time, trying to process what was going on. You wanted a blood test to confirm, but there's a reason why you already took a pee test. Morning sickness and a delay in your period activated the alarms. You hadn't told Javier anything yet, but it was only a matter of time now.
That afternoon you went to the laboratory, and by noon you received a phone call confirming the results. You were, indeed, very pregnant. After you hung up the phone, you cried a lot. How were you going to tell Javi? What would you do with your job? What were you going to tell your parents? Did you really want to have it... him/her?
You felt the urgency to make a decision in that very moment. Javier was going to ask you when you told him, and you knew he hated the "I don't know."
It took you one, two, three hours, and you had an answer. You knew it was the right one because you thought it would take you a lot longer to decide. But when your heart landed in the same place over and over so quickly, you simply knew it.
Javier came home late at night, but earlier than usual. He looked tired and pissed, and he let his weight fall on the kitchen chair to devour what you had made for dinner. You looked at him the entire time, and the nervousness in your chest made it impossible to eat anything. You wanted to tell him. You couldn't contain the news any longer.
"Javi," you began. He didn't look at you for more than a second before his sleepy eyes fell on his plate again. "I have something to tell you. It's very important."
"What is it, babe?" he asked, his voice slurred.
"I..." You fought the lump in your throat, encouraging yourself to tell him. "I'm pregnant."
Until that moment, you didn't know what you expected. You didn't imagine him crying with emotion and jumping around the apartment, screaming to the four winds that he was going to be a dad. But you didn't imagine what his real reaction would be, either.
Javier didn't even look at you. He dropped his fork, leaned back in his chair, and passed his hands over his face. It wasn't a surprised, emotional reaction. He was pissed. He was cursing the situation.
You didn't say anything as you felt your heart and soul sink into your stomach. Disappointment washed over you as you saw his reaction. You tried to think of something else to say, but you went blank.
"We can't," he finally said, really looking at you for the first time that night.
"What do you mean we can't?" your voice was only a whisper.
He looked at you like you were crazy. "You're not seriously thinking about having it."
Your mouth went dry, but tears welled up in your eyes. "Well... I do."
Javier's face hardened. "It's not safe, not with what I do, not with Escobar still out there."
"We can figure this out together," you said, your voice quivering. "I-I know this country is dangerous and this is probably not the right time, but is already happening and I..."
"Are you sure you're...?" he began. It hurt you the fact that he couldn't even say it.
You stood up and reached for your purse. He saw you as you placed both the pee and the blood test in front of him.
"Puta madre." Javier stood up, pacing the kitchen. "Did you take the pills?" he demanded.
You nodded. "I do. But they're not a hundred percent effective."
He ran his fingers through his hair in an almost desperate gesture. "I can't do this. Parenting is not on my plans, and you know it."
"I didn't want this to happen either, Javier, and I'm sorry," you said, trying not to cry. "But you need to people to make a baby. So, we have to figure this out together."
"Don't complicate things more," he added. He made his way to the living room, pacing like a caged animal. "Think about the consequences. I can't risk my focus on this job for this."
Tears streamed down your face. "So, what? You want me to get rid of it?"
"I think it's the best option for both of us."
After a long, cold moment of silence, you shook your head, stepping back. "I can't believe you."
He sighed heavily, looking away. "You don't understand... it's too dangerous."
"I don't care," you cried. "I'm gonna have this baby. With or without you."
He sighed. He saw the determination on you. Now he needed to make a decision, since you're not going to change yours.
"Ok," he said finally. "It will happen, but you need to go back to the States."
"No," you sentenced. Javier couldn't believe your stubbornness. "I'm not going to leave, either. I can't leave the school. Those kids need my help."
He was doing his best to not completely lost his patience and say something (more) that he could – and will – regret.
"I can't concentrate on my job and take care of a pregnant woman," he sentenced, adding your name at the end in a way you had never heard before.
You took a deep breath, trying to steady your voice. "Well, then don't worry about me. I can handle this on my own."
Javier stared at you, his eyes dark with frustration. He thought of his parents. They didn't raise a man who shirks responsibility, one who doesn't own the consequences of his actions.
For a long moment, the only sound was the ticking of the clock on the kitchen wall. Finally, Javier sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"No," he said. "If that's what you want, fine. You'll have my financial support, but that's all. As soon as you finish your community service, you'll go back home. I'll send you money, that's it."
"I don't want anything from you, Javier. Not if you're not going to do it with real love," you whispered, heartbroken.
Javier's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. He turned away, staring at the wall, his hands clenched into fists.
He looked down, unable to meet your gaze. "I never saw myself as a dad. I don't think I ever will," he admitted. "That's all I can offer. I'm sorry it's not what you expected. I'm sorry I can't be the man you need."
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Days turned into weeks, and your relationship with Javier seemed to be stuck in a constant struggle of awkward interactions and avoiding each other. He started working even later, and sometimes he didn't even spend the night at the apartment. He came back the next morning smelling like whiskey and cigarettes. When he did sleep at home, he took the couch while you slept on his bed. When you woke up in the morning, he wasn't there.
Both of you finally reached an agreement. You recognized that you needed his help, and he was aware that he had to be responsible for the situation. You moved in with Javier so you wouldn't have to waste money paying rent. Moreover, you would return to the US when you were seven months pregnant. He would conclude his duty in Colombia however long it took. Neither of you wanted to talk about what would happen then.
Your belly was now thirteen weeks along. Soon, Javier found his place filled with baby stuff. Every day he discovered something new you had bought: tiny clothes, maternity clothing, maternity books. His bathroom smelled like the body cream you used to apply on your belly, and there was a list of pregnancy-friendly foods hung on the refrigerator. He could tell you were putting your heart into preparing for the baby, and at times he felt guilty for not being able to find his own paternal instinct.
On the contrary, you were caught in a fragile rhythm. He continued his dangerous work, and you dedicated yourself to your work at school.
Nights were still lonely, but at least you had your baby. You talked and sang to them. You applied anti-stretch mark creams to your belly, and read everything about babies and labor. You were excited to meet your baby boy or girl, but sadly, at the same time, you felt heartbroken because you loved Javier, and you wished he was more present during the process. However, you had to accept that it wasn't mutual. He didn't love you; he never truly did and probably never would. He just liked to fuck. You should have known it before. Maybe you did, but you were so in love with him that you thought you could change him. Either way, it was too late now.
Javier gave you more money than you needed to cover everything you needed. He never said no when you told him you needed medicine, to pay for a doctor's appointment, or special food that didn't provoke nausea.
But he never went to those appointments with you. He never asked how they went, either. He never showed any interest in the progress of your pregnancy. It was as if he had completely detached himself from the situation, leaving you to navigate the journey alone.
Or at least, that was how you saw it. The truth was, Javier was having a difficult time processing the fact that he would be a father. He had never seen himself getting married, let alone having children.
Furthermore, there was something terrifying about having a baby in Colombia during the war he was fighting. He had witnessed men fall, leaving widows and orphans behind.
He realized that he was more scared of leaving you and his child alone in this chaotic and unfair world if something happened to him. Or worse, he feared that you have to pay for his sins and mistakes. He couldn't bear the thought of that, and he often had nightmares about losing you both.
He didn't know how to express his feelings for you. He couldn't let himself relax and just settle into the nest with you.
One of those nights, when he decided to come home earlier after work, he found you sleeping in bed. You had an open book beside you on a page about what to expect during the second trimester. You had fallen asleep in an awkward position, so he had to gently wake you up to help you move into a more comfortable one. You mumbled in your sleep, calling his name softly and sweetly. Javier felt warmth in his chest, a need to cuddle with you, touch your belly for the first time, and hold you and the baby close.
But he just couldn't do it. He didn't know why, but he couldn't. He limited himself to tucking you in with a warm blanket and opening the window for fresh air, as you liked it. He went to the kitchen, filled a glass with water, and put it on your nightstand because he knew you got thirsty in the middle of the night.
Javier observed you for a moment, peacefully sleeping, carrying his baby. He missed your soft lips and your fingers in his hair. He missed making you laugh and talking to you about each other's days. And now, he longed to make things right and try to win your heart back.
Tomorrow, he said. Turning down the lights, he went to his place on the couch.
But tomorrow was too late.
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He left early in the morning to attend an emergency meeting at the Embassy. Steve spend all morning complaining about Messina and the tie-and-suit motherfuckers, but Javier's thoughts were on you.
He was lost on his own thoughts, trying to find the right words to tell you. He was still scared, but he was determined to try. To make it work.
He was on his desk, a report on his hands but he wasn't reading it, when his landline rang.
"Peña," he picked up.
"Is this Javier?" a woman's voice asked urgently.
"Who's this?"
"This is María from the school," she said. He immediately knew something was wrong. He barely remembered María, you had presented each other last year on your birthday.
"There's been an emergency," she continued explaining, anguish filling her voice. "She's been taken to the hospital."
Javier's heart dropped. "Is she okay?"
"She collapsed in class. They think it might be related to her pregnancy. You need to get to the hospital as soon as you can."
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Javier didn't waste a second. He grabbed his jacket and bolted out of the Embassy, ignoring Steve's confused shouts. The drive to the hospital was a blur, his mind racing with fear.
What happened? You were fine last night... Didn't you? He felt a pang of guilt. What if you didn't felt well but you didn't say anything because you thought he would be mad? Fuck... He should be more available for you. You should trust him.
When he finally arrived at the hospital, he rushed to the reception desk, asking for your name. The nurse nodded and directed him to the emergency room. His heart pounded as he approached the doors, dread settling in his stomach.
He found you lying on a hospital bed, pale and hooked up to monitors. The doctor was speaking to a nurse nearby. Javier's throat tightened as he stepped closer.
The doctor noticed him and approached. "Are you related?"
"Yes, how is she?" Javier asked, his voice shaky.
The doctor sighed. "I'm sorry to inform you, but she lost the baby. There was nothing we could do. It was a miscarriage."
Javier felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him. He looked at your unconscious form, tears welling up in his eyes. "Can I see her?"
"Of course, but she's sleeping right now," the doctor said gently. "She's stable now, but you had to sedate her. This has been very traumatic for her."
Javier nodded and moved to your bedside. He took your hand in his, feeling the weight of his own failures crashing down on him. He had failed to protect you, to be there when you needed him the most.
Hours passed as he sat by your side, holding your hand and watching you sleep. When you finally stirred and opened your eyes, he was there. His eyes were teary, reddened from his contained emotions.
"Hey," he whispered, placing a strand of hair behind your ear. "I'm here," he said, squeezing your hand. "I'm so sorry. I should have been there. I should have done more."
You closed your eyes, tears slipping down your cheeks. "I lost my baby." Your voice was barely a whisper, little sobs escaping your lips. You were still in a haze of sedatives and mourning.
Javier nodded, his heart breaking at the pain in your voice. "I know. I'm so, so sorry."
"No, you don't," you said, hurt and anger painting your weak voice. "You didn't want my baby."
"I was scared," he confessed, his voice cracking. "I didn't know how to handle any of this. But I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted to lose our baby."
You shook your head, tears streaming like rivers down your cheeks. The gaze you gave him was filled with anger and resentment, piercing through his chest.
"Fuck you," you cried.
Javier flinched as if you had struck him. He looked away, unable to bear the intensity of your anger and sorrow.
"I'm sorry," he whispered again, his voice barely audible.
"You never be there for us, so don't come and say you're sorry," your words melted into an unstoppable crying. You felt like if your heart would literally broke into a million pieces. Grief and exhaustion weighing heavily on you, you felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
"I know I can't make this right. I know I failed you. But please, let me be here for you now," he pleaded, but there was nothing he could say to soothe your unbearable pain.
"You're a piece of shit, Javier," you spat, your voice trembling with anger and grief. "I don't want to see you ever again."
You turned away from him, your tears flowing freely.
He lingered for a moment, hoping for some sign of forgiveness, but when none came, he slowly left the room, closing the door behind him.
He stood in the hallway, leaning against the wall, feeling the crushing weight of his failures. He had lost not only his child but also the trust and love of the woman who meant more to him than he had ever admitted.
Part 2
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citrous241 · 1 year ago
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In my head-canon for Minecraft's "history", these two are (technically) the same species.
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It all stems from my perception of the Ancient Builders. Its mostly inspired by the comics of the amazing DongLie (check them out their work is amazing), with some changes to fit with how I see the elements the game lays out.
For one, I believe the Ancient Builders' ultimate goal was eternal life. Their hubris is why they're "extinct". And two, there were 4 Mistakes that lead to their downfall.
I'm gonna go over these 4 Mistakes some day, but the second and fourth one is what I'm going to go into in some detail.
So what does any of this have to do with the Wither Skeletons and Endermen?
Well, first I must describe the second mistake. And to rationalise why it happened, I must also touch on the first mistake; the creation of Creepers. I believe the Ancient Builders created Creepers in their desert temples as their first foray into eternal life. This attempt fundamentaly changed the Overworld, cursing it to produce these creatures every night. I believe Zombies, Skeletons and Spiders have always existed in the Overworld, and the Ancient Builders had adapted to them the same way we have. But the Creepers rocked their society. Some of them went deep underground (leading to the third Mistake), and some of them went "deep" I.e: to the Nether.
This is where the second mistake occurs. They found the Piglins, whose corpses became reanimated upon their death. Not anything crazy, the same thing happens to Ancient Builders in the Overworld, if not for the fact that Zombified Piglins have actual awareness. Immortality through zombification became an option and the Builders deduced it was true to the Nethers sand trapping souls from across dimensions.
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So they buried their dead in the large valleys of this sand, and they became reanimated. It was exactly what they wanted, they were aware and immortal.
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Unfortunately a complication ensued; Piglins had adapted to soul sand, but the Builders hadn't. Those who had been buried rapidly found their flesh withering away, and their actions becoming more and more aggressive. These withered skeletons became the guards of the Fortresses the Builders constructed to protect themselves from the Nether's dangers. They became nothing more than thugs.
So the Builders continued their work. They theorised that the combined biomass of multiple corpses could overcome the withering problem.
They were right. And they were so, so wrong.
They had awakened one of the primordial forces of the universe, the force of chaos and destructions. The trapped souls had been screaming out to them all along. The withered skeletons were a warning that was impossible to ignore, yet they did.
The Wither had descended upon the Ancient Builders, wanting nothing more then to spread its infection.
The Builders tried to escape, abandoning their portals into the Nether. But they were too slow, the Wither had followed them to the Overworld.
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This lead to the third mistake, but I'm not going to talk about that now.
The fourth and final mistake came after the Overworld was no longer safe for the Builders. The Wither was gone, destroyed in the third mistake, but it's rot still corrupted the land. To go to the surface was suicide, to go deep underground was suicide. So the Builders clung to just below the surface. They used their magic to invert stone and tore out their eyes to construct a portal to somewhere out of the Overworld.
They took a leap of faith, and it didn't pay off. They had found a dimension in the Void between dimensions, the End of all reality. Nothing but blank islands for all eternity. But there was something... else.
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Another primordial force that threatened everything. Native to this place or trapped their, they did not know. But they had opened the door out and had to close it. So they purposefully disabled the way out, created a dragon to guard it should anyone try to leave. Every island for miles around the exit point was annihilated, as to separate it.
It was the ultimate sacrifice and the final mistake; sealing themselves into the End.
Over time they evolved; their skin became darker, blending into the eternal night; their eyes became larger to see in the darkness; they became taller, their limbs becoming longer to pluck the high snaking chorus fruits - the only food in this place. We've all eaten chorus, we all know how it teleports anything that consumes it. Eating just that fruit caused them to eventually teleport regardless.
And finally, these End-men had become immortal. But there was no victory, their minds had long been lost. Even when they eventually gained the ability to teleport across dimensions they held no memories of these places. They can only grab blocks to move as they did long ago, but none of them know why.
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When they see us they feel pain, they look us in the eyes and remember humanity. This makes them sad, which makes them angry. They cannot understand their unexplained grief so they act only in fear and self-preservation.
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These 2 creatures, the Wither's skeletons and the men of the End are brothers. Yet they do not know it. For both have long since lost their mind and history; one in pure aggression and obsession, and the other in hubris and insanity.
Credit to DongLie for most of images used here.
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lilirari · 1 year ago
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happy halloween !
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𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. summary : the one in which you're helping oscar with his face painting for halloween.
𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. pairing : oscar piastri x fem! reader
𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. genre : fluff
𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. word count : 0.8k words
𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. author's note : i wanted to write something special for halloween but i didn't get the time to do so T_T this is pretty rushed & quite short too with a terribly written ending & it's not really proofread either but i hope it'll still make up for the lack of content 😞
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" oscar, stop moving around! you're going to mess up your face painting! " you exclaimed, landing a light slap on his right arm in hopes that he'll stop squirming as the said male let out a soft chuckle in response.
" hey, it's not my fault! the ends of the brush are just very soft.. i feel a bit ticklish. " oscar replied back, trying to defend himself. he did stop moving his head around though and had tried to stay still as you were seated on his lap, painting some scars on his face.
the two of you had decided to go as pirates this year, something which you thought would've been funny and at the same time, a sort of a genius moment because your boyfriend already had that thick aussie accent so it wouldn't be too hard for him to get the "arr !!"'s in.
" are you not done yet? i feel like you've been painting on my face for an hour now. " oscar remarked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at you.
" pfft.. it hasn't even been 30 minutes, silly. i'm almost done though, don't worry. just a few more touches and you'll be the best-looking pirate with the nastiest and most realistic scar out there. " you replied back, gently rubbing the brush across his cheek, your tongue sticking out slightly as you had your full concentration on finishing that scar.
as he noticed how focused and serious you were with painting on scars on his face, oscar couldn't help but smile as he looked at you in admiration. the way you sticked your tongue out, the way you squinted your eyes when you were painting the little details, the way you bit your lower lip whenever you made a slight mistake and the feeling of your thumb rubbing the excess paint off from his face all attracted him and made him feel euphoric. the aussie remained quiet throughout the rest of the process, as he stared at your features, admiring your beauty with the most love-struck eyes ever.
" ah, there you go! it's all done now! " you finally exclaimed after a few minutes, a look of satisfaction on your face as you grab the mirror laying on the table next to you. " what do you think? "
" whoa, i didn't expect it to look this realistic.. you did a great job, y/n. " your boyfriend commented, letting out a low whistle as he looked at the painted scar across his face.
" hehe, i know. i'm such a great artist, aren't i? " you asked, placing the brush behind your ear. you straightened your back and placed your hands on your hips as you striked an cartoonic pose, a wide and proud grin plastered on your face.
oscar could almost see stars sparkling around you as you striked your pose. he let out another chuckle and looked up at you once more, a smile decorating his features and not a word escaping from his lips.
" .. what? what's wrong? why are you staring at me like that? " you asked, tilting your head in confusion once you noticed the male simply staring at you and not uttering a word.
" hmm.. nothing. you just look really adorable when you're being all smug and proud of yourself. " he replied back, his smile turning into a grin as he slowly wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to him.
your eyes widened slightly when you felt his arms around your waist as oscar wasn't someone who showed his affection through physical touch. but you did notice that he had started being more comfortable around you lately and would even be the first one to intertwine your fingers when you walk together or wrap his arm around your shoulders when you're just sitting and casually talking to someone else.
a giggle escaped your lips when you heard him call you 'adorable' as he leaned in closer to you until your foreheads were touching and you were staring into each other's eyes.
" you're so cute.. so pretty.. you're my pretty girl. " oscar whispered, planting a soft kiss on your lips.
your face immediately flushed at both his words and his actions, which didn't go unnoticed by him. the mclaren driver let out a hearty laugh after noticing your red cheeks, his lips tugging upwards into a smirk.
" so, i assume you like the nickname, pretty girl? " he asked, gently poking your sides to tease you.
" maybe.. well, if i'm your pretty girl, then that makes you my pretty boy. " you replied back, running a hand through his hair.
" your pretty boy, huh? .. doesn't sound too bad. " oscar commented, resting his chin on top of your head, his arms now engulfing you into a hug. a small sigh of satisfaction escaped his lips as he felt you melting into his touch. it was the small and intimate moments like this which made him feel truly happy and he never wanted to let you go.
" oscar? " you muttered, leaning your head onto his chest as you heard the soft beating of his heart.
" yeah? "
" i love you. "
you could hear his heart beat a little more rapidly after you said those three simple, yet powerful, words. his hold on you loosened for a second as he looked down at you before pressing his lips on your forehead.
" i love you too, my pretty girl. "
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© LILIRARI, 2023 ★
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unreliablesnake · 1 year ago
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Bliss (Ghost x f!reader)
Summary: Ghost gives in to his feelings, putting the fact he's above you in the ranks aside, and meets you after your latest mission.
Note: Part 2 of this, but it can be read as a stand-alone. / Here's the happy ending, I hope you'll like it. / If you want to know when I post new stuff, follow @unreliablesnakefics and hit the get notifications button.
Warning: SMUT, MINORS DNI! Afab!reader. Fingering, oral (f receiving), unprotected p in v.
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A little voice in the back of his mind kept telling Ghost to break down his walls. Let’s not worry about ranks, let’s not worry about consequences. Keep it a secret, make it some fun sneaking game just for the two of you.
To his disappointment, you kept your distance after that night. Not like he could blame you after he made it clear there could be nothing between you. While he stood next to Price in the briefing room, you looked at him every once in a while, your eyes showing the kind of sadness that made it hard for him to focus. He wished he could hug you, tell you he was sorry and he made a grave mistake by pushing you away.
Because as the days passed, he became more and more sure that he should give in to his needs. He wanted to be with you, but strictly outside of work. This way he could keep a little distance, he could sell himself the idea of breaking the rules.
Soap noticed that something had changed between the two of you, but he only dropped half a sentence before changing his mind. He knew better than to dig into his superior's private life. Whether he had asked you or not, Ghost didn't know. But for his own sanity, he assumed he did not.
The night before they could finally go home, he was scrolling your Instagram profile while lying on his bed, smiling to himself every time he saw a picture of you. It was rare, mostly found among the photos you were tagged in, but he was grateful for each and every one of them.
Suddenly he felt the mattress shift as someone sat down on its edge. He turned off the phone's screen and put it down next to his head to see who it was. When his eyes landed in you, he felt a wave of guilt passing through his body.
"Why are you torturing yourself?" you asked kindly as you reached out to place a hand on his chest.
His skin burned where you touched him, making it really hard to resist the urge to put his hands on top of yours. "What are you talking about?"
You let out a sigh at this. "You liked those photos by accident, I guess. Ghost, you said we can't be together, yet you keep looking at my photos. I'm gonna ask you again. Why are you torturing yourself?"
As he propped on his elbows, Ghost thought about the answer. "I don't want to be away from you," he admitted so honestly that he surprised himself. Well, based on the look on your face, there was no turning back now. "I know I said we can't be together, but I can't stop thinking about you, no matter how hard I try. Why are you like this, huh? Why are you so irresistible?" he asked, his question nothing more but a barely audible whisper.
With a smile, you leaned closer and slowly moved your hand up to his neck, your fingers brushing the hem of his balaclava. "Meet me after the mission," you told him quietly, your voice carrying the sort of authority that made it impossible to say no to you.
Ghost knew he was at your mercy, there was no way he could say no to that. He wasn't strong enough. So he took your hand in his and moved closer to give you a kiss through the fabric of his mask, savoring the feeling just in case this was the first and last time he could do it.
"Come on, I know you want to meet me," you tried kindly, your eyes locked with his as you waited for his response.
"Fuck, love, how could I say no to that?" the lieutenant breathed against your lips.
And he sent you a DM to discuss the details, making sure to keep the conversation online so the others wouldn't know about it. He didn't want conflict. He didn't want tension. The tension between the two of you was more than enough on his plate.
Three days later he was standing in front of your door, this time without his usual mask, his hand raised to knock. But he hesitated, he wasn't so sure anymore about this date. No, he could do it. He shouldn't be that–
"So you're just gonna stand here without letting me know you're here?" he heard your voice all of a sudden.
When he looked up, he noticed you standing in the now open door, your arm resting against the doorframe. You looked so happy and relaxed, the total opposite of what he usually saw during missions. With your trendy clothes and light makeup, he felt like kissing you on those cherry red lips.
"God, why are you like this?" he asked from no one in particular before acting on his instincts and pulling you into a kiss.
You giggled against his lips as you pulled him inside by the front of his shirt. "And you're really handsome. Have you been told that?" you inquired with a wide grin when he kicked in the door and pushed your back against it.
He gently bit on your lower lip, happy to hear a satisfied moan escape you. "We're not gonna leave for dinner, are we?"
You shook your head in response, letting him know that he was free to do whatever he wanted. And Ghost didn't need you to repeat yourself, he took the lead without hesitation, his hands moving to remove your clothes with precise and calculated moves.
Ghost's hands roamed your body as if he was trying to memorize every inch and every curve, turning it into a core memory along with everything you were about to do tonight. Because he was sure this would be a night to remember, he could feel that what you had there was truly magical.
"I want to taste you," he mumbled against your neck, enjoying the way you pushed your body against his upon hearing his request.
You gave him the directions to your bedroom, moving in perfect sync with him until the point he picked you up and gently laid you down. Ghost kneeled down next to the bed then wrapped his muscular arms around your thighs to pull you closer to his mouth.
"Prop on your elbows, sweetheart, I want to see your beautiful eyes," he ordered you sternly, making you do as he said while his tongue ran along your already wet cunt. "Look at you. I barely did anything and you're already having trouble focusing on me."
While Ghost laughed at this, you couldn't mirror his reaction. Your thoughts were somewhere else, somewhere much higher, but he didn't mind as long as your eyes were on him. He gently sucked on your clit, the mewl leaving your swollen lips sounding like music to his ears.
It wasn't a race, but he wanted to win, and winning meant drawing an orgasm out of you as fast as he could. He wanted to see how badly you wanted him, how your body reacted to his touch, and so when you tried pressing your thighs together only from feeling his tongue exploring your pussy, he pushed them wider apart, not giving you the chance to stop him.
Your eyes were hazy when he looked into them again, which drew a satisfied smirk on his shiny lips. He let go of one of your thighs and gently dipped a finger into your needy hole, slowly pumping as he returned to your puffy clit, sucking on it as if he was having his last dinner in this world.
You threw your head back in pleasure when he pushed another finger inside you, whispering his name over and over again, begging him to keep going, to make you come. "Simon, please, I can't," you whined between your moans, your hands twisting the sheets.
Ghost let out a deep growl as he put his other hand on your stomach to keep you in place. "Come on, love, come for me," he said, his eyes fixed on you, looking for the eye contact that could hopefully push you over the edge.
And the moment you looked into his amber eyes, your body began to shake, meaningless words leaving those perfect lips like a prayer as you finally reached your first high. He lapped up every drop of your flowing juices, just like he was a man starved, and he couldn't stop smiling while he watched your body slowly relax again.
He licked his fingers clean before pressing one more kiss on your cunt and getting rid of his own clothes. He signaled you to move on the bed, and you crawled up to the headboard, your hand reached out to invite him closer, legs wider apart to give him enough space. He gave you a sloppy kiss, simply loving the way his cock teased your entrance.
"Mind if I don't use a condom? I wanna feel you, baby," he asked between kisses.
You were probably still too lost in the sensation your orgasm left behind to think straight, so you agreed, and he was bad enough not to care about whether or not it was the right decision to make. He wanted it too badly to play nice this time. And if it came down to it, there was always a morning after pill to solve the problem.
So he pushed the tip in, teasing you just enough to earn your whispered pleas for more, begging him to finally fill your needy cunt. But for now he enjoyed this little game of his, only giving you the tip before pulling out, slowly turning you into a desperate mess.
"Si, please," you begged again as you reached up to grab his bicep.
"You want me to fuck you this badly?" he asked with a smirk, then leaned down to give you a soft kiss.
You returned it, hungrily devouring him while moving your hips in a futile attempt to get him to finally make a move. Ghost thought for a second, wondering if he should stop being cruel and just give you what you wanted so badly. Seeing the look in your beautiful eyes, he let out a sigh and decided not to tease you any longer.
At first he went slow, pushing his cock into your cunt slowly, giving you the time to get used to his size. Your tight pussy felt like heaven, and he didn't think he could last long if you didn't relax soon. "Love, try to relax," he told you quietly, pushing a strand of hair out of your face.
"It's hard to relax when you're filling me up so well," you whined before pulling his head down into another kiss.
He began to move his hips in a steady rhythm, feeling ecstatic from hearing your sweet mewls and moans, feeling you press your body close to his as you arched your back from pleasure. He felt your cunt clench around his cock, keeping him deep between your velvety walls, and sending him closer to the edge.
He sped up, going a little harder maybe, but not hard enough to hurt you. He paid attention to your reactions, making sure you enjoyed every second of your time together. When your breathing and the noises you made changed, he knew it wouldn't take much for you to have your next orgasm.
So he reached down to rub your clit with his thumb, earning a pathetic whine from you in return, but he didn't stop, it only made him more determined to give you what you deserved. "Come on, baby, I know you're close," he told you before kissing your neck.
And soon enough you finally came around his cock, causing him to reach his high as well not long after that, but he was still focused, he still wanted to fuck you through it. You were overstimulated, completely lost in the sensation, and he simply couldn't get enough of this sight.
He raised his body to kneel between your legs after he pulled out, pushing his leaking cum back into your cunt as he proudly smiled to himself. There you were, a broken mess despite him not even going that hard on you. This was intimate and caring sex, not the rough stress relief he usually experienced with other women.
You were special, the light in his dark life, and the more he thought about it, the more sure he became that he didn't want to let you go. He crawled back next to you, pulling you against his chest before placing a soft kiss on your forehead.
"Mind if I stick around for a few more days? I could use more of your perfect little pussy," he suggested cheekily.
You let out a quiet chuckle before giving him a soft kiss. "I wanted to ask you to stay, so we were thinking the same thing."
Ghost wasn't used to this, but he loved this feeling. He loved how calm and happy he was around you, how easily you could make him forget about his crappy life.
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xshines · 10 months ago
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mizu x reader enemies to lovers
sry for being inactive, im lazy af; also i might continue this one
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Falling pieces of snow slowly began to cover the surface of the broken sword, thrown somewhere in the distance on the cold ground, no longer incapable of saving you. The cold snow slowly began to compact and melt beneath your shivering, warm body. The cold metal of your rival's sword blade hugs your thin neck. You dared to look up at her as she hovered over you, her expression blank. She finally has you. She looks at you lying so pathetically in front of her now. She squints those blue eyes of hers to scan you once again, your scratches, your torn clothes, a moment longer she lingers on your torn side, which stains your clothes and the snow beneath you with a dark crimson. But finally her eyes land on your face, finally able to take a closer look at the face of one that has been getting under her skin so much lately. Her enemy. Oh, how she hated you.
You know your fate very well, you are very aware of what is about to happen. Even though your body is shaking from exhaustion, from the snow and cold wind, you try not to show your fear. Despite your increasingly throbbing wound, you don't even hiss or whine. You're not asking for mercy. On the contrary, you frown and even give her that defiant look. Like you're daring her to cut your neck.
She hesitates, hesitates the longer she looks into those big eyes of yours. She has killed countless men, but their facial expressions were different, they were afraid, they were begging, they were screaming, asking for mercy. You are different. The sight of your helpless body, covered with blood dripping from your side, invokes sympathy and nostalgia in your eyes. For some reason, she finds in them a strange innocence that she herself was stripped of a long, long time ago. You look so soft. You look so pretty. “You’re so young…” her voice whispers while her eyes stare into your face. You could only wonder why she hadn't yet swung her blade and sliced your neck cleanly once and for all. "Does it matter now?" You answer in an equally quiet, hoarse voice. The cold wind blows strands of hair and sticks them slightly to your forehead.
Your words echoes in her head. She is brave. You haven’t shown fear nor pleaded for life, which makes her feel…something. She is strong. The cold blade still doesn't pierce the soft skin. "Why didn't you ask for mercy...?" She speaks quietly, only a silent breeze passes by, whispering snow in her hair. She is special. Not many survive an encounter with her, even those who have begged and fallen to their knees.
More and more you felt the blood flowing down your side, staining your clothes and coloring the snow. You just snorted at her question. Despite how much blood you've already lost, you still collect the remaining energy to growl in response. "I am not a dog. I'm not going to whine for mercy." You even dared to give her that determined look again.
All sorts of thoughts were running through Mizu's head now. She’s not afraid. She doesn't know her place. She's just like me. She lowers her katana. Her enemy is more than just an enemy.
"What are you doing?" The question falls from your lips as your eyes follow the blade as it moves away from your neck. „You should kill me.”
The moral monologue battles deep within Mizu. She still wants me to kill her. I should kill her. With the sound of the blade, Mizu raises her sword and returns it to its scabbard. Her gaze falters — a rare moment of weakness. "How old are you?" She steps closer as her voice echoes in the snow-covered landscape, while her blue eyes scan their enemy's body, taking in every tiny detail — bruises, scars, wounds. A glance at the blood that continues to seep down your side and stain the snow. An unexpected feeling, unknown to her, wells within her. An urge to protect this young person, as if you had reminded her of her younger self.
This sudden change in attitude surprises you. You swallow, gritting your teeth as you consider whether to answer the question or ignore it. After all, you no longer have a weapon, and even if you wanted to get up and run away, with this wound by your side, it wouldn't be difficult to catch up with you. "… 20." Mizu frowns when she hears the answer. She really is just like me. You are only a few years younger than her, but you have already chosen this terrible path of violence. “Stand up” she demands quietly. You look sharply at Mizu, as if trying to feel the catch. Slowly, you tuck your legs and push yourself up into a sitting position with your arms. You grit your teeth and widen your eyes as now your wound reminds you even more of its existence. After a moment of deep breaths, you gather yourself to get up. You'd rather bite your tongue than hiss in pain in the presence of your enemy, and finally you slowly, swaying slightly, stand in front of her.
Mizu’s gaze remains fixed on her rival, not taking her eyes off you for a single second. She sheaths her katana entirely, and a soft snow breeze fills her senses. The sound of snow crunching beneath her enemy’s feet resonates inside her mind, echoing inside of her heart. "What is your name?"
You think for a moment. You don't have the strength to think about why she's suddenly asking you so much information about you. The only thing you focus on is the throbbing pain at your side. "[Y/N]" You reply quietly, your head slightly bowed as you grab your side and try to apply pressure to your wound. “[Y/N]…” Mizu repeats after you. Her enemy’s name echoes in her mind, as if a whisper. The cold wind passes by, caressing her senses, touching her face with invisible fingers, carrying a hint of fresh winter air. Her blue eyes soften, as if looking at the most beautiful thing in existence. “Your name…is beautiful…" she sighs, unable to take her eyes off her enemy. “…like you,” Your face relaxed slightly at this sudden compliment. It's been a long time since anyone complimented you or your appearance. You opened your mouth as if you wanted to say something, but after a while you remembered the situation you were in and frowned again. She is your enemy. „Shut up” You groaned, unable to hold in the pain any longer. You lowered your head and clenched your eyes and teeth. When you looked at your hand, entirely stained with blood, you shuddered. Mizu watched your reaction very carefully. Deep down, she admired you for still having the nerve to tell her to shut up despite bleeding profusely and being on the verge of death. She's strong. She’s beautiful. “I’m taking you with me,” Mizu said sternly, as she approached you. She lifted you, her enemy into her arms.
Her closest enemy. Oh, how she adored you.
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knightyoomyoui · 6 months ago
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Jihyo x M/F Reader - "Just A Feeling"
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This book makes a return today! For this oneshot, I'm sorry if this one may be complicated to read since I didn't make any outline for it and kind of... weird to read too, especially for female readers out there. This one is actually intended to be only for male readers because I think the plot of this suits them better since the story came from my perspective as a guy and from a real-life experience I'm currently going through. Don't worry though, I still tried my best to make this applicable to everybody since I made some changes to make it gender neutral, plus there's opinions from some various featured female K-Pop idols as my characters that portray my real-life classmates here, which female readers might relate to. So yeah, basically what you're about to read here is based on a true story (except starting from the climax until the end, which I just made up from my imagination since I haven't confessed yet lol.) about my huge crush with this one genuine girl from our class. And oh, I've said it already that it's not gonna be a fluff right? It's not gonna be a tearjerker though but for the softies there, this might hurt. Don't worry though, I'm going to write a one-shot special on weekend that relies more on fluff. Finally saw something that inspired me to write, that's why. Heh.
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I was eating in our cafeteria along with my circle of friends in our room, talking about—well, guess what—sex education. We were trying our best to remain open-minded about the topic. Honestly, I don’t even have any idea why we would insert this topic to arrange a conversation in the middle of the public.
I know that these things should be taken seriously because they provide knowledge on how to establish a healthy sexual life in the future, but I just couldn’t help but feel a bit ashamed. Well, I wouldn’t be if only these girls would just lower their mouths whenever they'd ask or mention a term, especially when it’s too silly to hear.
I was afraid that others might hear us and lose appetite because of what we were discussing. I already made my move, providing a question pertaining to my curiosity and thankfully they answered me with the expected answer I wanted to know. That’s why I moved my head and roamed my eyes around to distract myself away from them since I don’t really find their current discussion interesting to me.
Looking around, there are many students along with us doing their own business mindfully. Eating together or alone in their respective spots and typing on the computer or writing notes as they review for their subject while on a break. Each was from different courses and grade levels, and of course we wouldn’t be the exception.
Some of our classmates too were on the another table, with them being formed together into their own circle they belong in. That is, until my eyes landed on her again as I check upon them. The girl with sharp jawline, boyish wild haircut, adorable with a touch of chic aura in her visual, and those big eyes I couldn’t avoid but to get sucked in whenever I get to be in contact with those shimmering pairs of hers.
The name of the girl I’m describing with much creativity and detail is Park Jihyo. She’s currently one of our brightest students in our class. If I’ll compare myself to her, well my intelligence is pretty below average and subpar to her attributes.
Whenever I glanced at her, I couldn’t help but pause and take a short time to admire what my sight was displaying for me. Just like today, she has that serious expression that I find both intimidating and… hot? Yeah, yeah, fine, you got me. I do think of her sometimes as a dominant or possessive girlfriend who loves to claim and tease, and I do get a bit intense and aroused just by thinking about it, especially when it fits her a lot along with her lean figure.
Damn it, you wouldn’t blame me. She literally is the embodiment of a girl crush that others would kneel on their knees for her. I may have not saw somebody like that, but oh I can’t just deny those words I’ve heard from the girls and guys on my room simping for her.
Setting aside to those qualities, I’ll make it plain and simple that she’s that beautiful in my eyes. I don’t care if I’m falling in love to a boisterous and fiery tomboy like Jihyo. Deep inside of that cool and boyish appearance of hers, I couldn’t count how many times I’ve encountered that soft girly demeanor she was hiding. That time when she squealed and raised both her fists in the air while looking appalled as the volleyball almost hit her face during our class in physical education would be my favorite.
She smiled again and laughed at whatever they were talking about, which is effectively contagious. She has that much effect on me already. Whenever her mood is, will be the same as mine. Guess I could say that’s how I could tell that I’m highly attached on her now.
I was so busy complimenting and being in awe of her that I almost responded too late when I saw Jihyo start to move her eyes around, and she went in the direction I was in. Just a little angle she shifted, and she would’ve caught my eyes staring at her, looking like it was attempting to hallucinate and connect to mine too.
But I was too weak for that, as always. I’m always weak for her. I pretend I didn’t just went to their side and busy admiring her as I returned to my friend’s discussion while my peripheral vision has unknown whether she felt like someone was stalking at her or as usual, nothing.
2 days later, we were waiting for the Calculus class to end because our professor has left us for some numerous problems to solve on the board and use it as an advantage to increase our points in recitation. He definitely might’ve went again to the mall and go eat samgyupsal again with his officemates at the faculty room that’s why we know we already have the freedom to be noisy and indulge on those differential equation as much as we want.
Our professor is busy grilling meat and stuffing wagyu meat in his mouth while us as his students were busy grilling our minds and stuffing numbers across the board.
While I was confidently sitting on my chair just watching my classmates go berserk on dribbling equations of their own since I already had my turn to have a recitation point, my female classmate named Miyeon invited me for a chat with her because mainly she’s bored.
We did chatter for any laughable random topics for like 10 minutes until I heard her enter a question that had me locked in on my seat.
“Say, YN. I noticed that you had shared so many sad posts about romance these days on Facebook. Are you heartbroken?” She asked me.
“Uhh… that? W-well, I just like those kind of posts. Nothing much.” I smiled fakely at her.
“You sure?” She stared at me. I just nodded and awkwardly removed my gaze at her as I act like I was trying to keep myself busy on my notes.
“You have a crush on someone, don’t you?”
I slowly turned around and my stupid self chose to rose my brows making myself shocked rather than meeting itself and show some confusion. Now I’m busted.
“H-how can you say so?”
“Wouldn’t most of the people around social media does that whenever they admire somebody and they just left to be… unwanted back?” She shared. “I’ve been through that, that’s why I know.”
I remained silent as I sighed. I glanced at Jihyo again, she was being recorded now by one of our close friends in the room as she explains the solution she wrote on the board. That’s what our professor instructed us to do so that he can acknowledge our points, is to sent him our video that we’re tackling about the equation we answered.
“There is, huh.” She confirmed. I was being too obvious already so with defeat, I just let her expose me more. “She’s in our class isn’t it?”
My eyes widened. My body trembled as she already made another guess but a more accurate one this time. Miyeon seems to be an observative type of person, and more untrained and horrible attempts of pretending that I contradict her guesses would just make me look dumber in front of her.
I sighed and chuckled at myself from getting caught. “Yeah. She is.”
“Woah!” She exclaimed. “So YN here also has a crush of his/her own here huh!” She teased me as she referred to me being another addition to those established “couples” in our room. Most of them were now officially together and others, well I don’t know but mostly I’ve learned these days that they already confessed and sadly, they were rejected but still remains to be a tough lover for them.
“Who’s your crush then?” I shushed her with my gesture, as there’s our classmates still sitting in front of us and they might hear us. I don’t want tk get humiliated more just by being put into a hot seat getting confronted who’s the girl i’m into these days.
“D-do you want me to give you a clue?” I asked, I wanted to play a game with her first she already caught me easily, now I want to test her this time.
“Oh sure, what is it?”
“Okay, hmm….” I hummed but I didn’t think that much because i already knew what I would give to her. “She’s a person.”
“Luh.” She reacted and whined. “Cmon, be serious!”
I just laughed at her befuddled response and think again, with all seriousness this time. “Okay, fine. She’s a social butterfly.”
“Ooohhh social butterfly…” Miyeon started to think. “There’s so many classmates of ours that are giddy to get close with others. Is it Jiyeon?”
“Nope. 19 left.” I said, crossing out one from the list of number of girls in our room.
“Aaaahhhh!” She screamed but jokingly, already panicking at just one guess. “Whooo?”
“Try more!”
“Aish, is it Julie?”
“Nope.”
“Ehhh?” She scratched her nape. “Next clue!”
“Okay fine, I’ll give you just three okay?” She nodded and readjusted her posture on her seat, she seemed very invested on knowing who my crush is. “The second one is… she’s smart.”
“Smart…” she began thinking again. “But most of us here are very good at anything.”
I smirked, feeling satisfied that I gave a mysterious clue for her more. “Is it Mina?”
“Nah.” I shook my head, but I admit in my thoughts that i almost fell for Mina once like back when we were freshman.
“Danielle?!” Miyeon’s eyes brightened as she thought she finally achieved the right answer. I shook my head and gave her an apologetic look, which shuts off the spark in her eyes instantly.
Miyeon pouted and lets out an even struggling look at me. “I’m starting to run out of ideas!”
“Miyeon you’ve only told me like… 5 of our classmates so far.”
“Fire the last clue!”
“Okay. The last one is that… you probably won’t expect her to be my crush.”
Her eyebrows lifted and hummed fascinatingly at me. “That just made things interesting. Won’t expect to be your crush? So it means it’s not actually your type but you just seem to get a liking on that person?”
“Hmm maybe?”
“Wait…” she paused that lasted a little bit longer than just few seconds. Her head raised and I wondered why her eyes softened as she slowly looked at me and pushed her head closer.
“What? You got the answer now?”
“YN… is it me?” Miyeon asked. She was staring at me with pure seriousness and jaw hanging slightly in surprise. I gasped as I was shocked at her answer. I know that she’s one of the girls around who is also pretty but still I didn’t expect that it really came out of her mouth, that she also considered herself too.
“N-no! It’s not you and Miyeon, you already have a boyfriend.”
“Yeah.” She agreed, understandably took my reason well. “But… it’s just a crush though, so…”
“Still no. I don’t fall in love to women who are already taken. I respect relationships and I don’t want to create conflicts for other people. Although, I admit that you’re beautiful.” I smiled at her. She returned the same and pushed my shoulder. “Wow, just like that huh?”
“I don’t know, you sound like you were urging me to say something nice to you atleast.”
“I wasn’t! B-but that doesn’t mean I won’t take your compliment at me.” She giggled. “Anyways, I pass. Cmon tell me who it is!”
I exhaled. To be fair, I wasn’t really up for sharing this with anybody. It’s not that I don’t want anybody to know because I don’t trust them, but I’m doing this rather to avoid the possibility that she may learn more about what I really feel for her from other people. I just want to be a complete secret admirer of her.
However, since I was already cornered by Miyeon, it seems like my plans have to undergo some changes. I feel a bit of pity for this girl because she has shared some of her stories with me, and I listened and kept them all to myself, just like she wanted to. Thatimplies that she views me as someone she can trust.
That’s why I felt obligated that I had to treat her in the same manner. I mean, Miyeon is one of the girls in our class that I find really pure and mature and who knows how to blend well when having fun with other people.
“Fine. You know I never really intended to tell this to others because for some reasons, I don’t want anybody to tease me, accidentally become obvious, or make others bother with what I’m facing at right now… but I do trust you Miyeon, you know that. And please let’s keep it to ourselves okay?”
“Oh don’t worry about me.” Miyeon then bounced on her seat with a large grin. “I’m so excited to know!”
“W-well… the girl that I’m-”
“What are you two up to?” My other classmate interrupted our conversation, looking at us as she twirled her body on the chair to go back and forth at us. I was surprised that we’re like able to be caught despite our distances being one vacant row from each other. Our voices aren’t even that loud.
Miyeon and I exchanged glances and she was controlling her laughter as she saw me looking nervous. “W-we’re just playing a game! He’s trying to make me identify who is-”
“Aahhhh wait, I think I know what you two are talking about.” Her eyes then shrinked and it went towards me who is blushing. She smirked and find my current state hilarious. “I’ve been seeing something about this one eh. I think I know who may that be.”
Both Miyeon and I were eager to know, especially me who is heavily related to the one she was talking about. About our conversation with Miyeon, she finally learn who that is and she was amused to know that she agrees at the clues I gave to her. She really didn’t expected that I’ll be admiring somebody like Jihyo and commented that it wasn’t visible to me all these time. She couldn’t blame me though for having a crush with Jihyo, as she revealed that she’s bisexual and she once had a crush on her too before she met her boyfriend.
Meanwhile, about our other classmate who is holding a thought that shares my secret. I wanted to know about it. Thankfully, both of us were walking home together since Nako which is her name, lives almost close to our neighborhood.
We were riding on a bus and we talked about what she said earlier. I had no choice but to reveal to her since I already did it to Miyeon and it’s going to be unfair if I don’t do it for her too. She might feel offended that I rather not to disclose it to her.
She learned and she laughed so hard that she was actually right which had me speechless. She found it interesting too just like Miyeon that I got to be in love with someone like Jihyo. Me on the other hand, has a huge “How?” question displayed on my head.
She only replied that it’s her guts that is telling her and even her didn’t expected that she would got it correct. What she said though did had me find it difficult to maintain my smile. “But really, for me I don’t see Jihyo being attracted to a guy/girl. It’s more possible that she’s rather into girls because of her looks, but she did told me one time what does she think of her gender and she only told me that it’s complicated. Will it still going to be okay for you knowing that your rivals when it comes to her were all female/male?”
She shared to me her observation and I got it immediately what her basis for that. I suddenly had Jihyo on my mind along with her tomboy look that can make girls crazy and gay for her. “I don’t know, I don’t mind it that much. They can all admire her for whatever they want. What matters to me more is Jihyo. Only her.” I just said nonchalantly to her, which she find a bit suspicious why I care less about it.
Whether by coincidence or not, more and more days have passed, and my other classmates that I’m close with are all girls. Have I mentioned that I’m comfortable and easy to befriend with girls rather than guys? I never had a sister in my life; that’s why I view them as my sister-like figures, but still, I know how to set my boundaries with them due to society’s common stereotype of seeing two opposite genders together.
They all also began to know my adoration for Jihyo, and they are either secretive or teaseful about it, and I find myself on the brink of danger whenever they do that on occasions that me and Jihyo would have an interaction together. Some examples I can give are when I, along with Nako and her, were discussing our anticipation of attending the concert of our favorite K-pop group this coming week.
I was expressing my loneliness to them rather because I wasn’t entirely sure if my parents would allow me to attend such a huge event like that and for me also to travel to a place that is very far away from our city. I was about to give up my hopes until a certain person simply boosted my faith again and not wanting to let me go that easily.
“You should go to that concert, YN! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, you should not waste it!”
Jihyo spoke to me and she gave me that hopefulness and positivity. She knew I might need it for her and if that so then she’s damn right. I couldn’t ask for anything more than to hear a support and concern than from her.
And later that night, I tried to ask my parents about it, and shockingly, they allowed me to, as long as I had someone with me. Nako joined me, while Jihyo went with her sister. I got a little excited, thinking I was going to be with her too, but that’s just fine. At least, I still got some heart-bursting interaction with her on social media when we both exchanged heart reactions on our posts about our experience at the concert.
Another time I could give that one of the best things I would want to just happen forever in my life was when I got unexpectedly sick in the school, and what’s even more suck about the timing is that we were rehearsing for our roleplay performance in just 3 days.
Our director set me aside for now and gave me a time to recover but ofcourse the worry of me not being able to make it to the deadline struck a fear on him. I just lay down on one of the benches with all of my classmate’s bags around me. I tried to sleep but the pain in my head just won’t let me go in peace.
I was about to go to the clinic with no other option in mind because I didn’t actually want to go there because, um, yeah, call me a scaredy cat, but I’ve heard many times from some of the students, including my classmates, that our school nurse is a terror. She’s so strict that there’s no doubt that once she finds me, my temperature will be high. Since the pandemic happened, these medical professionals have been very careful for the past few years.
One positive detection and surely I’m gone for today. I just sighed defeatedly because I wanted to practice today and to see her ofcourse. I sat up and gave myself time to prepare myself as I might feel dizzy standing up, but then I heard some footsteps and felt arms wrapped around me.
“J-jihyo?” I exclaimed weakly. She must’ve felt my body trembled in shock as I found her beside me. She just looked at me and tightlipped.
“You’re going to the clinic now?”
“Yeah. I have to.”
“You can’t do it by yourself. Look how weak you look. Cmon, I’ll join you on your way there.”
“Y-you sure? B-but they might look for you and-
“I just finished rehearsing my part. My next one is three acts after, so they wouldn’t mind.” Jihyo said. “But it’s up to you, can you do it by yourself?”
“Actually, I really didn’t want to go home yet.” I said with sincerity of sadness on my voice.
“I know, but you have to.” Jihyo said to me. “Let’s go.”
We started walking, and I gave one last look at my classmates. I caught Miyeon, who saw me with Jihyo smiling at us, and I knew what that meant. We went together to the clinic, and I feel embarrassed that I had to make a girl wait for me outside, even though she didn’t mind me that much. The nurse wasn’t even that scary; she was rather strict, but in the sense that she’s doing it because she cares for the students’ health.
She found my fever weird because… hmm how can I say this, well it’s like my temperature risen due to hunger, dehydration and possibly some changes of temperature also to the places I’ve been at since she discovered that I don’t actually feel dizzy or aching on my head.
That’s why due to my determination to remain here, she dared me to atleast decrease my temperature by having a meal and lots of water on the canteen or else she’ll have to excuse me to my instructor.
I went out of the clinic, accepting the challenge and Jihyo was just there sitting and using her cellphone. She felt my presence reappeared and she greeted me. “How’s there?”
I repeated what the nurse told me. “Come on, let’s eat at the canteen first if that so.”
“Yeah.”
“My treat.”
“Wait, what?”
We stopped walking. “Why? What’s the problem?”
“N-nothing, I just… didn’t expect it.”
“Just don’t do anything for now. Since I accompanied you, let me just be like that today before we get back there.”
In my surprise, Jihyo wrapped her arm around my shoulders, giving me that bro-cuddle. I felt super shy and almost going to melt because of the skinship she’s doing to me. It’s ironic how her touch can beat the warm temperature running across my body.
She was the one who bought our food and drinks together and she returned to our place with it. We just took our meal quietly then short talks about our interests again, but it was still enough for me. I give some sneak glances at Jihyo on my side, observing her sipping that iced coffee while she busily scrolls down on her phone.
My body suddenly felt lighter and numb, I think my sickness didn’t even exist to worry myself as I was just busy admiring her all over again. Not gonna lie, this just had me spawning another idea to imagine being with her more. A date with her is something I’d definitely would love to have someday with her.
But again, I knew I have no chance.
The deadline came and we were going back to the clinic, but just then Jihyo offered me something. It’s a medicine on the palm of her hand.
“Take this, it’ll help more.”
“Jihyo, you might need it once you-”
“But I don’t have one and you are, that’s why you need it more than me.” Jihyo rejected. “Just take it.”
I didn’t object anymore and took it at ease from her. “Thanks, Jihyo.”
“No prob, now get in there and hopefully you’re fine now. I mean, you’re kinda sweating now too so yeah maybe you really needed some rest.” She said as she poked at my arm.
I nodded and I entered with confidence, I know that Jihyo helped me a lot today. Fortunately, we were right. My temperature returned to normal still very close on reaching that low fever. I exit and immediately thanked Jihyo again which she returned with her gummy smile that I always loved seeing from her.
It was our classmates’ break too from the rehearsal and they saw us together rejoining them. As usual, Nako and Miyeon were the ones leading the group of people who knows my crush for Jihyo and they teased me about it.
And speaking of group of people who knows about my love secret, a new one has been added. It happened through our chat in Instagram when somebody replied in my story featuring a movie quote about loving someone but being aware of the consequences which makes you rather think twice on pushing yourself to chase for her feelings.
That person is the guy Jihyo is mostly close with in our classroom. They are both smart, but this one is smarter and they get along easily because they share the same humor. He replied to me saying “Who is that girl huh?”
I didn’t tell him yet. We went for some few talks until I recalled our time on the mall earlier with our other classmates. “Hey, I hope you don’t mind joining your circle like earlier. Maybe you guys might find having me uncomfortable, I just wanted to keep my closeness with you guys as my classmates.”
“We’re cool, YN. Actually I like it even more that you’re trying.” He said. “However, I do seem it doesn’t apply for somebody.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think out of everyone we were with at the mall earlier, I didn’t even saw you like interact or go near at Jihyo.” He said. I almost dropped my phone in disbelief. He did noticed me being shy around Jihyo. Sensing that he’ll end up as one of them who is about to find out soon, I didn’t wait for it anymore and after some few hesitation, I made up my mind to do what I have to do. “Did you two had a fight or something?”
“Ahh, that?” I said. “Well actually there’s another reason why you guys might find me sticking along to your circle more.”
He reacted a wow emoji on my message. My heartbeat racing as I typed the letters of her name on the keyboard. After i sent it, I waited for his reaction and what had me was his long laughter.
“Ahhhh so that’s why!” I can hear his annoying laugh behind the phone. My head just bent in shame and laughed poorly at my idiotic self. I don’t know if revealing my crush for Jihyo is even a good or a bad idea to do it with this guy.
“So yeah, I said it to you now. And I did it because I trust you so please, don’t let her know. She doesn’t need to.” I pleaded to him.
“Faggot, don’t.” He then continued with another laughter. Now I just want to rub my face on the table. “Good luck tomorrow, I’m going to tease you a lot from now on.”
I knew it would happen. I gulped nervously and chuckled again imagining what would I expect starting tomorrow if things will go in a chaotic change for me now that people are starting to recognize me because of being an admirer to our fellow classmate.
I prepared myself before going to the campus. As I arrived there, Sehun, which is his name, immediately laughed at me as I approach them who are waiting for our professor to arrive since the classroom is still locked. I just laughed back and whined at him to stop doing it frequently or else Jihyo might find it suspicious and it may attract her attention.
Thankfully, he did listened. He was just like doing it in a manner that he tries his best to insert a joke referring to me but Jihyo and the rest won’t notice. Before we went home as our classes for today ended, he gave me a short advice that began to repeat for the few days to come or whenever we get to talk together.
“Make a move already.” He said. “Do it. She’s easy to get along with. Don’t be nervous.”
I know to myself that I’m trying, but I’m not doing that to impress myself. I stand at my reason still why I don’t have any plans to make an action on how to make her mine. He did say it with the same idea I was thinking for the past few months since I started to develop an attraction to Jihyo, so I just listened to him while keeping my feelings behind me.
But again, being the dorky admirer that I am, I find it difficult to do whenever my feet would bring me closer to me or when I’m standing next to her. I couldn’t acknowledge her presence in ease. It was stressful, and it raises my belief that I am indeed a hopeless romantic.
It continued for few months that my classmates would also ran out of energy to disturb me with their playful gestures on leading me to Jihyo. They slowly didn’t cared at all and it was kind of relieving at least that’s going back to normal now that I can just move around without anybody noticing me. That didn’t last long though when I was walking home with my classmates and two of my other female classmates named Jeewon and Karina asked me randomly when Jihyo got mentioned in our topic.
“You still have feelings for her?” Jeewon asked me.
“Yeah.” I admitted.
“How long do you have a crush on her?”
I remembered the date today and that exact date when I proclaimed myself that I am indeed catching feelings for Jihyo. “Almost a year now.”
Both of them woah-ed. Karina took the turn to ask me. “Why aren’t you doing anything yet? You’re almost reaching a year, that’s long enough already.”
I sighed and slumped my shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. I believe its better if she must not know. I don’t want her to end up with me anyway.” I said weakly as my mind replayed that time when I talked with my other classmate named Lia who lives at the direction where my home leads at, stating that she learned that Jihyo doesn’t have any interest on this love thingie and she prioritize her studies first. She didn’t deny the part though that she already had an experience of being in love with somebody. Based on her report, they almost became a couple back when they were in senior high school but sadly, it didn’t happened for unknown reason.
Jeewon and Karina aww-ed in pity for me being a fallen soldier who still remains loyal fo a girl who will never be aware of my feelings and be mine. They just expressed their opinion that a year or more might just be wasted and more painful to see somebody I’m loyal with get to be rather with someone else. That’s why they still wanted to push me to try atleast.
I just kept it in mind but I haven’t considered it yet. I did have another reason with me that i didn’t shared to them which added to my reasons why I should remain on the shadows. I recalled from my chat with Lia that she has speculations to her ex-boyfriend, which is Sehun that he is interested with Jihyo too.
She even enumerated to me her evidences she observed which became a reminiscence to the things Sehun once did for her when he was courting her.
“First, you see how he always places himself next to Jihyo. Second, he was frequently escorting her with his motorcycle, to take her home or go to somewhere else. He did that to me once, and that’s when he found out where I live in and now for sure he knows where Jihyo’s home too. Lastly, he can just easily get access on her things without a permission. He even carries her bag for himself!
Don’t you think those were still nothing for him? I’m telling you, he’s chasing for Jihyo’s feelings just like how he did to me and what makes me afraid is that he might also waste her heart just like how I ended up into. He’s a player!” She said with all frustrations and I calmed her down. It threw me back to my conversations with Sehun and that advice he gave me which he always say in repeat that I should “Make a move already”.
At first it was just a simple encouragement to me but now after hearing what Lia said, I felt like it was rather a challenge sent to me. That I should do something now or else he’ll be the one who’s gonna win in the end.
Well, for my response? I don’t even care. Let him have her if he wants. If there’s some sort a miracle that it happens, I swear to God that I hope he won’t hurt Jihyo or else,I may reconsider and I’ll be there in no time.
Speaking or miracle, the reason I said it like that is because Lia and I share the same idea: “Pfft he wouldn’t have a chance with her.” Lia said in a mocking tone. “Jihyo doesn’t want to get involved with such guys like him. He may be great at words but internally? He’s immature, way apart to Jihyo.”
“Hmmm so that’s why I’m getting a weird feeling whenever I see them together” I revealed that I actually do get jealous whenever I see them close. At the bench where they review together with their circle, At the canteen where they eat and laugh together. And… yeah when he instructed Jihyo to hug him when they were riding on his motorcycle.
I just tried to hide my face contorting as my heart swells in pain seeing them like that. I was gaslighting myself that maybe it was nothing and they’re close friends that’s why. Jihyo met Sehun early when we became freshman that’s why them being close isn’t surprising anymore.
Until Lia came to dispose those lies I’ve been saying to myself. “See! Even you can see it from them. Trust me, YN. Sehun is making a move on Jihyo. I was his ex, I know him better when he acts for love.”
A month later, those all allegations and rumors we have for Sehun along with my other friend and former classmate who shifted to another course named Arin who also told me that she caught Sehun with another girl eating together and drive away on his motorcycle near at their neighorhood. Arin was living near to Sehun’s house that’s why. Arin even added that when her eyes met against Sehun’s it looked like he caught in the act and just quickly greeted at her back before they left.
Unfortunately, Arin didn’t recognize the girl but she did told me that she was wearing a uniform that is not from our campus, planting a seed that the girl is from another campus that he is also close with.
Going back to what I was saying, those all rumors were ended and disposed away when one day, me and Sehun are sitting next to each other at our subject about Psychology since our surnames’ initials are right next to each other, with mine before his.
While we wait for our instructor, he pulls out his phone and typed something before he poked me and made me look at it. I looked at the message he sent, I read it and it says:
“You’re in danger, YN.”
I furrowed my brows at him. “Danger? For what?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Boss is starting to speculate you.”
My eyes widened and my chest felt heavy immediately. His laugh got a bit louder but he stopped and typed again on his phone.
“Seriously? I-I mean, I’m not shocked since I knew it’s gonna happen. Secrets are meant to be unveiled-” I was just spitting nonsense now at this point, while I am heavily confused that she finally does began to notice me.
He presented his phone again. This time it says:
“Make a move already. Sungbin is almost at the end.” My brows deepened. Who the hell is Sungbin? I then asked it to him along with the question how did Jihyo suspected me, but instead he just said he will say about it more later.
That son of a bitch though left me hanging and getting eaten alive with all my curiosities for an entire day until I had enough waiting and I chatted him repeatedly about it while clearing up any misunderstandings that I’m not even expecting a lot or whatever. He finally responded and this is what he replied to me.
“Yup she shared it to me like, out of nowhere- she just asked. This is not what happened specifically, huh. This is just too long to read.
For her sake and yours. I don’t want to become your “middle man” even though you both are very distant to each other, got it?
After she approached me, she asked who do you like then ofcourse since you said before that you don’t want me to say it plus it’s not really my business so I just didn’t answered her.
But it looks like she didn’t really wanted to ask it then, I guess she got tired of waiting (just like you right now.) She then asked me directly if “Am I the one that YN likes?” and there, still with respect for you… I didn’t answered her. Not my story to tell.
But overall, just chill. No need to approach her about it anyway. Plus I don’t want to get involved if ever like “Sehun was the one who said it to you, doesn’t he?” Pass. I don’t want to get in trouble. There, make your move or don’t. It’s up to you. She's not thinking about it like actively, don’t worry. Maybe it just crossed her mind that time. So yeah, that’s your too long to read. Ciao.”
I thanked him and felt touched that he really did listen after all this time, and he became a man of his word for it. It’s still unknown though if he also harbored a crush on Jihyo, but during that time I did kind of notice that he wasn’t getting that much into contact with her that I might find jealous of. Maybe he gave up shortly and is now focusing on somebody else.
I learned afterwards that this is not the time that Jihyo starts to investigate her possible secret admirer, aka me. I confirmed from some of my classmates that Jihyo also asked them about it, and they also lied about it. I also feel like Jihyo is now also hiding a secret from me, as I found her following me whenever I take a spot somewhere else around the campus, yet still minus the talking.
I got nervous at the idea that maybe she’s testing or examining my antics if she can consider it that yeah I am getting shy around her because she’s my crush afterall. Realizing that she must have known now, I’m stuck if i really have to do it as there’s no more sense anymore if I have to continue being like this way.
I then hold on for few days until the time has come. I don’t know if this is such a huge coincidence or my classmates are pulling a prank on me. I did contacted them to confirm the location of our group study and the time which I quickly prepped up to head there.
But as I arrived there, I found Jihyo who is sitting alone and using her cellphone. It’s early in the morning and there’s not much students scattered around. It’s very quiet and peaceful but deep inside of me I feel like my emotions are going into war not knowing what I should do.
There’s no way out for me as I cannot leave anymore and Jihyo immediately saw me after she looked away at her phone. I had no choice but to come near at her while I try my best to compose myself. “Good morning.” She greeted me and I did the same.
“They’re still not here? I thought I’m already late that’s why I quickly went here.” I said, acting nonchalant and a bit confused.
“Same too. But since we’re here, let’s just wait for them.” I nodded and I instantly grabbed my things and took them out. From my peripheral vision, my senses are telling me that Jihyo is still observing me.
I don’t want to be weird so I silently plead that she stop, but as longer as we continue to be like this, I then realized that it was actually Jihyo who is becoming awkward between us. My patience couldn’t hold anymore as I see her blank face, I closed my notes and sighed heavily before I spoke the words I’ve never wanted to say.
“This is exactly what I’m talking about.” I said. Jihyo didn’t moved and stared at me, wondering what I’m talking about, so I proceeded with my words. “Making you uncomfortable and unhappy being around me, and it scares me. That’s what I’m being so hesitant for.”
I lowered my head, avoiding her gaze at me. What she said after made me lift up and put my attention to her as this is now something both she and I must discuss sincerely.
“So it’s me.” She finally comprehended what I’m trying the say.
“Always has been, Jihyo.” I confirmed, officially marking my confession to her and shattering my more than a year-length of being her secret admirer.
“And I just want to tell you right ahead that i’m very sorry.” I continued my heartfelt speech, wanting to make every thing clear for Jihyo. “We both know we ain’t that close or I don’t know, even be called as friends to have a normal conversation like this, and it’s my fault. It’s because of this deep infatuation- no screw that, I know for myself that this is indeed love I’ve been having on you that makes me act very awkward around you and trust me, I’m trying very very hard but I just cannot help it.”
“I do notice that I’m like the only one that you don’t get to interact with in the class.” Jihyo said. “Hearing that from you more, it did kind of hurt a litlle bit, you know. Seeing our classmates happy and comfortable talking with you, but I can’t have it the same as them. It did made me worried if I even did something bad to you. W-why does it have to be different when it comes to me?”
I frowned and took all of her rants with guilt. “I thought it was like that, but now I would just found out that’s all because you just… love me that much that you had to act like I’m non-existent?”
“I’m really sorry, Jihyo.” I muttered. “I have my reasons but it’s too many to say.”
“Then atleast enlighten me why do you have to set yourself away?”
“My fears and insecurities are not allowing me to, Jihyo.” My breathing is starting to get heavy as I sense the rising intensity of our confrontation. Jihyo was staring at me, puzzled. “It’s hard to escape. I’m scared that if you once knew, you will just ignore me because of it. That’s why I think not being close with you is much better because atleast I… I have nothing to lose more from you.”
Jihyo gulped and her expression turned into concern. She was about to move towards me but she hold on as I soon followed up what did she got taken aback from. My eyes swelled and a thin cold path started to drew from my cheek, and that’s when I touched it, a teardrop had escaped to present how much I’m struggling with this feeling.
“W-why are you doing this to yourself? Why do you need to hurt yourself more because of me?” Jihyo adjusted herself closer to me. Our eyes still ain’t leaving our staredown at each other. It deeply feels like i’m under interrogation right now that I have to defend and tell my side with all honesty.
“It’s just a feeling that I have.” I shrugged. “That i’m not the example of an ideal guy you would like to be with. I’ll just ruin whoever you are and we’ll end up being torn. Now you know why I didn’t want to confess to you because I’m not desperate for you to answer me back and tell me that you love me too. Maybe it’s better if you don’t.”
I was about to wipe my tears with my spare cloth but I was prevented by Jihyo herself who touched my hand and grabbed the cloth instead. Astounded, she damped it around my face and wiped my tears away.
“YN, please you don’t have to be harsh at yourself.” Jihyo sharpened her voice. I shook my head and tried to remove her hand.
“Don’t worry, it’ll end soon, when the time comes that my heart decides to stop.”
“AND IF I TELL YOU NOT TO?!” Jihyo suddenly yelled in front of me, slamming her fist at my shoulder. My eyes widened at her outburst. I went speechless, oblivious at the fact that I’ve been pushing her buttons further the more she hears me blabbering poisonous words at myself.
Her question rather, sounded suspicious. She returned her glare at me and she reached for my hand laying on my lap.
“I’ve had enough of hearing you hate yourself this much, you may not be fit on some of the qualities I want to the type of person I dream to be together with but I didn’t find everything about you horrible!” Jihyo complained. “And I am willing to get to know more about your capabilities, my standards weren’t even that high to be reach. I feel like it’s not right for me to be like that. If you hate yourself, then what about me? I don’t even think that anybody would fall for me who doesn’t even act accordingly to the gender norms this society has dictated upon.”
“Then I’m not one of them.” I said with confidence. “Initially, I never wanted to be in love again. But then I saw you and more time has passed, I couldn’t determine at first what my heart find you qualified to make me fall for you.
One year ago, I began as your secret admirer observing you from a far, and that’s where I started picking it all up. Many will find you rather handsome or a less attractive because of your boyish cut, tough posture, and antics that doesn’t suit you. But to me, I see different.
You’re uniquely beautiful and cute on your own that I couldn’t stand not to glance at your face for a second. I see this smart and mature woman that you would respect and willing to listen to every words she says attentively. God, you don’t how many times I imagine having you near me all the time just doing every ideas I could think to make you know how I’m deeply in love with everything about you. Just to make you feel special.
Jihyo, I love you because of how your authenticity shines through.”
After I enumerated all the signs that I find captivating from Jihyo and from how she shifted her gloomy mood into an uplifted state, smiling at the compliments I showered over her. She bit her lip and sighed as she looked away, thinking of something else for a while.
Jihyo then brought back her gaze and roamed it all around the sight of myself in front of her. “I really appreciated it a lot, YN. It did sounded sincere.” She nodded in which I mirrorred her. “We really can be friends, but this silly crush is pulling both you and I from each other.”
“S-so, you don’t-”
“No, wait it’s not like that!” Jihyo stopped me as she probably noticed that I misintepreted her. “I mean… you’re a cool guy and can you please stop ignoring me anymore? I-It really hurts when you only do that to me among the rest.” She begged with her softened dismayed tone as she pouted at me. I couldn’t care less anymore if I look like a tomato at how red my cheeks or face would appear from her cuteness.
“I won’t, I promise.” I assured her.
She sighed in relief. “Finally.”
Both sides became silent for a second before Jihyo proceeded again. “About your confession, I won’t reject you for now, YN.”
My hopes and dreams reignited and altered again with that single sentence that she said. I gasped and became overwhelmed at her response that I always thought after all these time that she would just nevermind and won’t take it seriously. “Please understand that my focus for now are on our studies, and you should be as well. I would also like to advice you to take care of yourself and use all of these time I will give for you to improve yourself and rebuild your self-esteem. I don’t want to see you being like this anymore, okay?”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I nodded at her as I listened attentively to her favor.
“Can you wait for me? I mean… if you can’t, w-well… if your heart gets tired of me, y-you can find someone new-”
“And what if I won’t?”
Jihyo considered my interruption and added a new suggestion. “Then how about I’ll wait for you to come back and you must do the same for me?”
“Deal.” We shook hands to seal it. As we slowed down the pace, I let out my gratitude for her. “Thank you for hearing my confession to you, Jihyo. You don’t know how light I feel now after I finally lift off this huge baggage I’m carrying inside of me for spending the entirety of the year admiring you which I thought that would be impossible.”
Jihyo slapped my arm and grinned. “Tss, it’s nothing. I want to also say thank you for speaking up to me about what you really feel for me and I appreciate it a lot, YN. All you had to do is to open up. Sometimes you just have to face your fears.”
We both smiled at each other and then burst out laughing afterwards to avoid getting ourselves trapped again in awkwardness. “There they are on the gate, we should start reviewing now.”
Jihyo began pulling out her things out of her bag and we opened our notes and papers. At this moment, we officially had a mutual understanding to remain being friends for now while we wait for the future to bring what we will end up to be.
3 YEARS LATER
Me and Jihyo were still friends until our last year level… while we couldn’t deny that the signs are still there in present. Today is our graduation day and we both received our certificates, declaring our successfully conclusion of almost becoming an engineer one step away.
As everyone were finally got called on the stage, awarded, and delivered their speeches, we were all commanded to throw our hats to the air and celebrate for ourselves of reaching this far for the best of our careers.
I went to my family and welcomed their greetings to me. I couldn’t help but to be emotional seeing them enveloping me into their embrace. I owe it all to their hardwork and dedication. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here where they want me to be, and now me as well too. I’ll bring them with me as my start to build my life to its improvement.
After having my moment with them, now I went to search after to the only person that matters more to me than everybody else out there. I reached the center of the auditorium, it was empty, and my feet decelerated as I finally saw who I am looking for.
Jihyo was there, now in her new bobbed haircut, looking even more fantastic in her graduation gown. She was holding her award as mine and we faced each other from the distance in the middle of such crowded place. She smiled at me and I did the same for her.
I started walking to approach her and so did she. We stood face to face and we exchanged chuckles at one another.
“We did it.”
“Yeah. Can’t believe it as well.”
We stared at each other. I saw her smile slowly shrink from being proud to affectionate.
“YN… d-did you wait for me?”
“I… I did.” I nodded and smiled, although it’s hard as I knew what we’re about to discuss about.
“I’m sorry.” Jihyo said me and she couldn’t help but to cry for me. “I’m sorry if I couldn’t do the same.” I heaved out a long sigh as I try to mask my devastation.
“But you helped me in other way possible.” I comforted her, not wanting to see her drag herself down just because she failed to last long in the deal we made years ago. “You changed me for the better, Jihyo. Even though that I do admit that my heart is… shattered into pieces right now but that’s what doesn’t matter here.”
“I also give credit on you for what I am now today. I became the best version of myself just like you wanted me to be.” I smiled at him, despite my lips twitching in bittersweet. “I would’ve like it much to apply it on showing how I love you so much, that after all these years I remained loyal for you, I never gave up, Jihyo. I thought we’re gonna be something more in the end but… I was right all along.”
“The likes of us weren’t meant to be together. I have finally accepted that.” I nodded which urged my tears to fall more. “Despite in the way from our darkest days when you often refuse to run away just for the love you tried to save, that’s how it is. Some things cannot be saved when its destined to die.”
I looked at Jihyo and I swayed some of the hair blocking her mesmerizing beauty even with the ruined mascaras and smeared eyeliner.
“You probably even came to see me and hear me say I did too.” She said while she hiccuped on her sobs.
“No, I just came up to meet you to tell you how lovely you are today and…” I paused as I reached for the medal that is hanging around my neck. “W-will you please tell me this too for the last time? Have I made you proud too as well?” I asked her as I remember all of the times she makes me proud seeing her achieving all of those accomplishments she’s receiving because of her academic performance. That’s what motivated me to do better on my studies so that someday, I can make her be proud of me too.
“I know for sure I cheered the loudest I can get when I watch you grab that award, YN.” She nodded and smiled at me while sniffing her tears.
I feel contented at her answer. She immediately pulled me closer to her, my first and the warmest hug I ever shared with her. She cried aloud on my shoulder and I just hummed ay her as I try to comfort her as much as I can.
“Forgive me, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, YN. I wish I didn’t loved you for me to hurt you this badly.”
“I can’t hate you, Jihyo. You just discovered where your heart truly settles.” I said to her. “Don’t blame yourself now, please let’s just be happy for ourselves. Can you do it for me?”
“Y-yes…” I felt her head move around my hold. I knew she can hear my heart still beating loud for her. How I wish she still the same, but when I looked into her eyes, she’s not even there anymore.
I smiled at her, not minding what’s going on around us. I focused on Jihyo only, she’s the most important of them all as usual. It’s no denying that I gave her all I had and for sure I’m willing to repeat it.
“So this is what it feels like.” I lastly said before I broke the hug between us and exchanged congratulations for our success. I watched her return back to her place, to where she belongs. She reunited with her new boyfriend while I left as I finally lose control of my emotions. I cried out loud, defeated and disoriented.
I can’t believe that its over for the both of us.
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art-missy · 17 days ago
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"Slow down, big guy !"
Of course, Grog didn't slow down but went even faster.
You had been talking to him about this sorceress you admired since you were a child. You've told him how you've read all of her books, you've told him she was your inspiration, that you were looking up to her. You've even showed him posters and sketches of her. She was the reason why you studied magic with so much passion. Her adventures were your bedtime stories when you were a small child.
Grog missed a lot of the words you used to describe the admiration you had for her, but he understood one thing : this sorceress was very important to you. So when he heard in the market that this same sorceress was in the city you currently were, he rushed back to the inn, hoisted you on his shoulder and ran so fast he overtook a horse.
"Grog ! What's going on ?" you yelped as he literally jumped (yes, jumped !) over a carriage.
"She's here ! The witch !"
"What wi—IIIIIH !"
Did he just destroy the wall of a random bar to ran through it and exit from another wall ? Yes he did.
"Holy shit !" you shrieked. "Did we just kill someone !?"
However, Grog did not slow down one bit. He was arriving at the center of the city and you suddenly felt his muscles contracting beneath his skin. Without breaking a sweat, he took a last acceleration, bent down and jumped. He jumped so high you momentarily believed he was flying. So high you saw birds giving him offended looks. But of course, you knew gravity and his first law : everything that goes up, must come down.
And Grog was no exception.
Howbeit, your voice was. As you were both descending at an alarming speed, your voice reached a note so high yet so powerful that all the dogs of the entire city started howling in unison.
And then there was the landing. You already knew Grog had strong legs, but you wondered how on this realm was it possible for him to not break an ankle while making such a frightening shockwave. After what possibly was the greatest scare of your life, you felt his big hands take you from his shoulder to gently set you down, out of the crater he just made and from which he was climbing out.
"You tall ass muscular crazy bi—" you suddenly froze when you realized who was right before you. Your idol, your biggest source of inspiration was currently staring at you with a wide amusement. "N-not you !" you stuttered, your eyes widening in shock. "H-hi ! I...I-I'm—"
"Your biggest fan !" Grog completed with a big smile.
You cringed and hid your face behind your hands.
"I know you," you heard her take a step toward you. "I've been reading your exploits recently."
You peeked through your fingers to see who she was talking to, only to see that she was leaned toward you, her piercing eyes staring right into your soul.
"Me ?"
"Of course she has been !" said Grog with pride. "Who wouldn't ?"
You looked behind you and saw him thumbing up at you, his smile wide.
"I would like to hear more details about this spell you cast against an army of undead," said the great sorceress, her eyes shining with curiosity and amusement. "Something about a shower of shooting stars."
"You do ?" you said with a high-pitched voice.
"Of course she does !" affirmed Grog.
You would have never thought once in your life that one day, you would spend a whole afternoon with your idol asking you questions about your spell. Spell that you invented. You still could not believe it. Your idol was curious about your magic.
Returning to the inn, you looked at Grog beside you.
"Thank you a lot, big guy. I owe you."
Grog smiled down at you, pulling you into a heartwarming hug.
"Nah ! You owe me nothing !"
Grog was always ready to bring chaos in his wake if the result would make a smile bloom on your lips and happiness shine in your eyes.
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gumycandyyy · 1 year ago
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OKAY IM FEELING BRAVE N NOT GOING ANON SO HI!!!
I love your writing n I was wondering if i could request a WK x Gn! Reader where the reader is like crashed into a cave or smthn, wk goes to investigate and they find the reader that (size wise) is like HUGE, like 16 feet tall!! BUT. once they see wk they shrink down to around his size, n they talk n find out they’re from like a diff planet in their universe?! N they can’t get back.
(idk where this idea came from I apologize:3)
୨♡ You're Something, Aren't you?" ♡୧
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I love this idea! I think I'm gonna combine it with another ask i got.
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(For those wondering why the gumlee fanart tag is here, it's because I put some of my art at the end of every fic. It just happens to be gumlee this time)
Gender neutral reader
Romantic
Type: Headcanons
Request: Yup! They're back open, too!
Some descriptions of the reader, nothing detailed, just dragon stuff.
Summary: Being a space dragon is cool. Except for when you're too tired to leave a planet.. Thankfully, you have help from a new friend.
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-You're a space being.
-A celestial dragon, if you will.
-You're quite a majestic being, even having some of your own constellations named after you.
-Perks of being a beautiful immortal creature.
-While you're practically immortal, you can get tired, especially after traversing through the cosmos.
-So every so often, you gracefully land on a habitable planet, to regain your strength for a few days.
-You more or less crash landed on this one.
-It was called Ooo, if you recall correctly. You're sometimes allowed to name a few planets or stars, but this one has existed for longer than you have.
-It's a little embarrassing to be taking refuge in such an old planet.
-However, you had the funniest encounter while on Ooo.
-It was little more than twenty minutes after you crash landed in an icy forest.
-You had knocked down quite a few trees and stirred up quite the commotion in a town nearby, as they could see you flying in from the atmosphere.
-You were trying to take a few splinters out in your dragon form when you met...
-Him.
-It sounded so cheesy, but you had never seen a more beautiful thing in the universe.
-Safe to say you were floored.
-Literally.
-He and a few... What looked to be scouts and knights made of ice neared you cautiously.
-He seemed to recognize you, which was a little strange. You guessed there were history books of some sort written about you.
-He introduced himself as the Winter King, and welcomed you to Ooo.
-Yes, he had definitely heard of you.
-You decided to shift into your smaller form. It was still ethereal and god-like, but it was easier on the eyes than being a twenty-foot tall dragon.
-You kept your wings and horns, just parts of yourself that you thought to be enchanting.
-the Winter King spoke to you, a little shocked at your sudden shift. You were wearing clothes, what other mortal customs had you missed?
"Well, *ahem* it is my honor to meet a celestial being such as yourself! If I may ask, why choose this planet?"
-You explained that it was the nearest habitable planet, and that it didn't matter too much.
-You didn't think too highly of yourself, as you were quite low on the god-scale. Only a minor universal god, instead of being a multiversal god.
-If that made any sense.
-You politely asked Winter King if you could regain your strength in his kingdom.
"Oh, why of course! A- anything for someone such as yourself!" -His pale blue skin flushed in a pinkish tone, and his voice faltered ever so slightly.
-You tended to have that effect on people.
-However, he seemed to be handling your presence quite well, so part of you wondered if he were somewhat immortal, or was just a magic user in general.
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-You stayed for a little less than two weeks, learning quite a bit as you took refuge.
-You were quite uneducated when it came to planets like Ooo, embarrassingly so, at times.
-But it felt nice to have Winter King explain things to you.
-He seemed so respectful, yet so interested in everything you did or said.
-It turned out he was an astronomy nerd, and stories of you were his favorite.
-He wrote down practically everything you said, but as time went on, it seemed less like worship and more like interactions between friends.
-You preferred it that way, to be honest.
-You learned not only much about Ooo, but also much about the Winter Kingdom as well.
-Whenever it snowed softly, you would always spend time outside, sometimes dragging Winter along with you.
-You did everything from nap, to play in the snow.
-It seemed childish, but the two of you had quite a bit of fun.
-Not to mention the food there was absolutely phenomenal.
-You swore that you would return the generous favor of the Winter King.
-When it eventually came time for you to leave the planet, the both of you were quite sad.
-However, you knew if you stayed longer, you'd never leave. And that wasn't good.
-You were out on the terrace, having said your goodbyes to Winter and the citizens, ready to shift to your ethereal form to take flight.
-However, you felt something nagging at you to stay for a few more moments.
-You were correct to wait.
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Winter called your name, looking to have run all the way up here. He placed his hands on his knees and took a few deep breaths.
"Winter..? I thought you already said goodbye?" Winter cleared his throat and stood up, placing his hands behind his back. He'd regained his composure so quickly it was shocking. He cleared his throat once again.
"It just occurred to me that I never asked for that return favor.." You brought your hand up to your lips, ashamed you forgot your promise.
"I- Oh my word, I apologize. I forgot."
Winter assured you that it was no big deal, and that his favor was only a small one. He stepped towards you, almost shyly.
"Well, rest assured, I can do almost anything. There is a grey area in which I'm unable to give, but otherwise, I will do anything in my power to grant you what you seek."
Winter blushed, his gaze transfixed on the ground. He seemed to be at a loss for words. Your large wings twitched, and after a few moments, Winter seemed to have figured out what he wanted.
"If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to request..."
He looked up at you with the sweetest of smiles.
"A kiss."
You were taken aback for just a moment, but regained your composure as quickly as you lost it. You took a step towards Winter, returning his warm smile.
"Well, if that's all you seek, I would be more than happy to give you what you so desire."
Winter shifted in place with an almost giddy expression, and looking up at you, you could tell he had wanted this for quite some time.
You'd be a liar if you said you hadn't thought about it prior to today.
"I would much appreciate that."
He said simply. So making sure not to waste any more of your time, you bent down to Winter's height. Despite being in your smaller form, you were still quite a bit taller than anyone else.
You caught his lips in yours, holding the embrace for a few moments. His lips felt cold, and it was all you could have hoped for.
When you separated, you gently held his face in your clawed hands.
"I have truly cherished this time with you, and I wish I could have stayed longer. However, my higher duties must not be ignored."
Winter nodded in understanding, placing his small hand atop yours.
"I promise I will think of you often, and will call on you if I'm ever passing through this side of your galaxy. That I will swear." "But until then, my dear."
The only thing Winter could remember of that moment, was the feeling of your lips in his forehead, and the silhouette of your ethereal form, fading out of the atmosphere.
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your complimentary art ^^ (gumlee edition!!)
Sorry bout the whole hiatus thing, I had been sobbing for two hours straight. Anyway, rq's are open!
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smootnytechnik · 2 months ago
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Canary's thrill, the first to kill - chapter 3 (fragment)
I decided to make a blog dedicated to my AO3 writing! Please follow for more updates!
The phoenix dived into the air, right towards the ground. The feeling of his blood humming in his ears was just incredible. The closer to the ground he got, the more details on the ground he saw. And he was right where he needed to be - over the strange base shared by Etho, Bdubs and Tango. And it was the last man he was looking around. His heart started pounding in his chest when he noticed his rancher, sitting at his doorstep and sharpening his sword.
"Tangooo!" he called out, getting closer and closer to the ground. His strong wings picked up the flight just a few feet over the ground, saving him from crashing. Still, his recklessness took him a bit too far this time - he winced from pain as his wings pulled him back, causing him pain in his back. The blazeborn looked up at him and his red eyes immediately lit up.
"Jimmy! Hi!" he waved at his friend. "Wait, you're flying! I've never seen you fly, that's awesome!"
"Right?" Jimmy smirked and landed right in front of Tango. His friend looked up at him, his face immediately going red.
"W-woah... What are they feeding you up at that mountain, dude? Is this what bamboo does to a guy?" he smirked. His long tail started quickly wagging from side to side. He was already happy to see his beloved rancher, but he seemed different than the last time they saw each other... And he couldn't complain about the change.
"I guess! Speaking of, you have anything to share? I'm starvin' after that stupid bot did something to me..." Jimmy chuckled and leaned down, his face inches away from the blazeborn's. Tango squealed with excitement, looking right in Jimmy's eyes.
"Yeah, of course! I have some apples, a few breads, some porkchops...
"Meat?" The phoenix gasped, a whisper that he didn't intend escaped his mouth. Usually he didn't care about what he ate, but this time, the sound of meat sounded particularly exciting. He licked his teeth, which felt sharper than usual.
"Yeah! Wait, I thought you were a vegetarian?"
Jimmy shrugged. Was he? His mind suddenly felt clouded, more so than earlier that day. Tango nodded and got up from his place, then headed inside of his house.
The phoenix sat down on the grass, his wings twitching from excitement. Yet again, his exhaustion started catching up to him. Why did it feel like when he was on the ground, he was suddenly weaker and more exposed? He muttered under his breath as he covered his body and face with his wings. The heat that enveloped him like a warm blanket made him feel a little better. When he wasn't airborne, he needed to watch his back even more... His friends were up there, somewhere he couldn't reach them. His enemies were down there, on the ground. 
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agatharkn3ss · 2 months ago
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I'll see you at the end.
I can't believe we are here already. I'm excited and sad in equal measure.
This show has been such a delightful surprise. I went into it without expecting anything in particular - I loved Wandavision and I loved Kathryn Hahn and that was that. I didn't expect to be literally bewitched by the magic I saw on the screen.
Put simply, the power of AAA is that it is clearly a product of love - from Jac Schaeffer, the actors, the writers, the directors, the set and costume designers, the composers (and THE GODDAMN LOPEZES!), the producers... I could go on.
That level of dedication shines despite (or maybe BECAUSE) the low budget, and it has two massive effects: 1) it creates a truly compelling and stunning story; 2) it sends a very loud, clear message that representation not only matters, but is NEEDED.
Of course it's not the first show that does this, but I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to me to watch something in mainstream media that is centred around sapphic women where their sexuality is NOT the plot of a show. It is not something anyone ever needs to ask about or question. They don't pretend to be younger characters either, they are all 38+ and proud of it, as they should. Instead they focus on what actually matters - their rich, complex stories.
But the diversity is also within the creators - of the producers, half of them were women, headed by superb Mary Livanos (a queer woman herself), costume designer Daniel Selon (also queer), all of the directors were women and there is also of course a diversity of ethnicities. I am a big believer of the power of diversity as it allows you to go places you wouldn't normally consider, and really round the story. And I love this quote from Jac Schaeffer who states "My prerequisites for writers who work with me are first, they have to be kind, respectful humans."
And what stories the writers tell! In the limited time they had, they managed to create these seven multidimensional characters that were all different, yet similar in a lot of ways. My only criticism would be that we really could do with longer episodes to actually allow some more meaningful conversations and connections. All beautifully complemented by the visuals - the practical sets as well as the costumes. I love how the costume designer took his time to consult with the actors for their interpretations, before even starting to create every single design.
And on top of the great character stories and visual , we then have an engaging plot with mysteries to solve on the way. I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic it felt to follow the breadcrumbs. To spot all those little details that would foreshadow what's to come. The different ways they appeared - through dialogue, visual clues, music themes, lore symbolism and so so many art and literature references. The knowledge and confidence that they were left there on purpose too, because the creators took the show seriously - it literally felt like finding little personal messages!
This is why I've decided I need to pick them up and then try to piece them all together - just to see if I could make my sense of it, since the creators clearly put so much love and effort. No other show has ever made me do it to this extent. And it's been so much fun! I loved I wasn't alone with this and that I could discuss and read others' theories too. It's like we've formed this awesome coven.
So in my post-AAA blues, I don't think I will have it in me to just take my "murder board" down. I feel there is still so much to explore so I will probably keep looking for any more cool details to cheer me up.
I've not been actually particularly precious about whether or not my theories could be right or wrong. If some of them are - great, bonus! If not, also great, I am looking forward to being surprised!
Although we haven't seen the ending yet, I have ultimate trust in Jac. After all, she once said:
"I believe so strongly in sticking the landing and it's always up to the audience whether or not you truly stick the landing. But I believe that you have to put all your energy toward that. It's your job to try the best you absolutely can to stick the landing. You have to plot your mysteries, figure out what they are. It’s like a good murder mystery. The feeling that you want at the end of a murder mystery is you want to be surprised, but not. It still needs to feel within the realm of possibility, right? It needs to make sense and still surprise you." 
So I trust we will have a solid ending, wherever it lands. And afterwards - I will always remember the time when a show has made me feel this way. Thank you!
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annymation · 1 year ago
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The Kingdom of Wishes- A “Wish” Rewrite
Chapter 10- The Thanks I Get
Chapter 9
(I bet ya'll see the title and think "oooooh she's gonna adapt Magnifico's song" yeah, actually no, sorry to burst your bubble, but that song is beyond salvation... I'm doing something else with it.)
“Then let’s go! Last one there is a dusty nebula!”
Aster exclaims as they run to the castle to get her wish. Probably not the most sneaky way to… sneak in a castle.
But Asha can’t help but laugh with his contagious enthusiasm, as he's literally doing some cartwheels as he runs, laughing to himself.
She’s confident they can do this, as long as they stay together.
Aster is way ahead of her, while Valentino is hoping after her.
She smiles with a passion in her eyes, as she runs and-
Asha is stopped.
She feels a large hand made of green magic holding her whole body.
Her smile instantly replaced by terror... The king got her.
She tried to scream for help.
"A-AST- HMM" But one of the hand's fingers covered her mouth to shush her.
Aster didn't look back.
Asha is pulled all the way back to the plaza, flying through the air. And before she knows it she's back on the ground. She opens her eyes... The king and queen are smiling down at her.
"Hello again, Asha. We got a little surprise for you~" Magnifico says in a singsong voice, holding a green wish bubble.
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(The image above doesn't represent where they are in this moment, but that face Magnifico is making just SCREAMS the same vibes my rewrite's Magnifico has)
Her heart was beating like a drum... The king was no longer holding her with his magic but she still couldn't move, she was frozen in fear.
The king turned his attention to the crowd at the plaza as he spoke
(Detail: The whole kingdom is not here watching, this is like, a gathering of dozens of people that were casually walking around the plaza minding their business. But it's still plenty of people though.)
"My people! Give a big cheer foooor... THE NEWEST PRINCESS OF ROSAAAAAAS!" He announces with the charm of a show host, as he turns Asha around to the public.
He raises her wish bubble, revealing inside the image of her wearing a white dress similar to the queen's and a crown.
The whole crowd gasps in surprise, but no one is as surprised as Asha's 7 friends, all of them look completely shocked... They KNOW Asha wouldn't wish for that.
Asha looks like she's gonna pass out... Has Aster noticed she's not behind him yet?
The king continues as if the girl next to him doesn't look scared out of her mind
"YEAH I know, we were just as surprised as you all. Little miss "I just have a simple wish" here just did a FULL 180 and wished to be ADOPTED by us. I mean haha I'm sure now you understand why we were gonna deny this wish, right?... But then again..." The king places a hand on Asha's shoulder, tightening his grip "I won't stay on this earth forever, and we're yet to be blessed with an heir to be my apprentice... SO if Asha shares the same love for Rosas that we have, then how can I say no?!"
The people, now understanding the situation, cheer with joy at the news that the kingdom will have a princess.
(Hey hi it's me, just wanted to let y'all know the whole time I'm writing this scene my mind is going "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" in a bad way, like, this is literally the part of the story I was dreading the most, if this is freaking you out then imagine how I'm feeling.)
Asha for the first time since she landed on the stage starts trying to speak, emphasis on trying because her voice almost doesn't come out.
"I- I didn-"
The queen brings her in for a hug.
"Ooh Asha, I just know having you in the palace will bring so much joy into our lives." The queen holds her so tightly the girl can barely breathe "We've heard that you came out of the castle crying last night, and we felt so AWFUL that we made you go through the sadness of losing a wish" Her sharp nails are digging on Asha's back as she says "But don't worry mi rosa. From now on, we'll make sure no more tears run down those pretty little eyes... Ever again."
In the eyes of the people, this is a sweet moment...
But Asha knows full well what the queen really means. This is a threat.
They want to take everything away from her. Her interests, her voice, her free will. Everything because she dared to speak up to them, she dared to call them out on a problem that she had with the system...
And now, they thought she would just LET THEM take it all from her? So they could use her as a way to make THEM look holier than thou in the eyes of Rosas?
... No...
Like she told Aster, she was DONE running away from them.
All these thoughts are going through her mind as the king speaks, raising the wish into the air and using his staff to grant it, he speaks in a smooth calming voice:
"That's right, now just hold still my dear, this will feel just like waking up from a pleasant drea- WAHH!"
The crowd gasped.
Asha kicked the staff off his hands, stopping the spell.
The staff ALMOST falls on the ground, but Magnifico grabs it clumsily just before the green gem hits the floor.
The king's blue eyes are wide. His previous charismatic persona vanishes in an instant.
"yoU LITTLE- IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THIS I-..." He stops himself, remembering that they are in public. It's almost unnerving how quickly he switches back to his calm demeanor "Hahaha *ahem* apologies, got a bit jumpy there haha It's just that... You REALLY don't wanna find out what happens if this breaks." Magnifico says warningly.
The king and queen were surprised that Asha fought back...
But they were even more surprised by the fact she didn't even flinch at the king's yelling.
As they look at her, they realize she's not that same meek little girl they met the previous night.
She was standing up proudly, still holding her Saba's mandolin in one hand, and her mother's cloak hood was down.
Her legs were no longer shaking, and her head was held up high.
(The way he always taught her to? :3)
She spoke loud and clear so EVERYONE could hear
"That is NOT what I wished for!"
...
Magnifico wasn't expecting that.
After taking away her wish the girl should've lost her spark. But here she is shining brighter than before... Something changed... She got a new wish.
The plan was to just put her in a situation where she'd be in danger, so that the star would come to save her, revealing it's power, and Magnifico could capture it...
Sure, they just saw said star a few minutes ago, but hey, he wanted to make a spectacle out of it by having the star come out of it's human disguise in public. That's more his style...
... This is fine though, after all Magnifico always liked to improvise...
...
The king throws his head back as he lets out a huge laugh.
"HA- Ha ha ha Ooooh I see, you're just confused because you don't REMEMBER that you wished for this, right?" He asks Asha as if he's giving her one last chance to just play along and accept her fate "I know it's hard to believe, but this IS your wish. Then again, it's quite common that some doubt that they wished for something-" He turns to the crowd as if he's casually going to start telling a funny story "Ya know, there was this one time a lady wished me-"
"NO!"
She interrupted him this time, which got even more gasps and shocked looks from the crowd.
Magnifico now turned his face to her with a fake puzzled glance, really what he's thinking is "Oh she's ACTUALLY going for it?"
Asha takes a deep breath. They'll definitely throw her into the dungeon for this... But better thrown into a dungeon than locked in a tower as a mindless princess... Besides, Aster can unlock doors, he can get her out...
"I am NOT letting you decide what I deserve... Nor what ANYONE ELSE in Rosas deserves!" Asha says determined, pointing at the very confused crowd.
Magnifico is... How can I put this? Intrigued? Amused? Impressed?... Nah, I think the word I'm looking for is: Excited.
He NEVER had someone challenge him like this before, and although having these peasants kiss the ground he walks on is pretty fun, it does get kinda dull after 25 years... Getting to SHOW this little brat just how much control he has over them? Now that's new.
And so... He accepts her challenge, by playing dumb:
"Huh?" He looks at her with one arched brow, tilting his head to the side, a very slight smile forming on the corner of his lips "Now what on earth are you talking about, Asha?" He asks innocently, pretty much daring her to go on.
And so she does. Ready to go past just dipping her toes in, she's diving in.
She looks at her people as she exclaims without fear:
"Everyone, PLEASE listen to me, Magnus and Amaya are not who they claim to be!" She begs them to listen.
The crowd is dumbfounded, mostly by the fact she just addressed them by their first names.
Now, any other king would've probably called in the guards to arrest the girl at this point.
But King Magnifico ain't no normal king, he instead just jokes about it like this is a stand-up comedy.
"WOOOOAH first names!? Really? We're going with first names? Hahaha okay- calm down "miss Lucero"! We've just met yesterday." He's talking like she's just a kid misbehaving.
Asha ignores the king's comment and continues "Magnus claims to grant our wishes, but last night I've seen it with my own eyes what he REALLY does. He CHANGES our wishes, turning them into curses. That's what he did with MY wish, and he has been doing it for years with many if not ALL our wishes." She explains as clearly as she can.
The people look at her in disbelief, some laugh it off like she just lost her mind... Her friends though, seem to actually be listening attentively.
Magnifico approaches her and talks in a more reprehending tone, but still smiling like he just finds this all really amusing "Oh Asha, I know that because of your father's ideals you're not the biggest fan of how I do things, but yelling deranged lies about me REALLY doesn't help your case."
The king makes it seem like Asha is just acting this way to enforce her "Achieve your wish by yourself" ideals. And sure enough, some people seem to agree that's what she's doing. It has to be right? No waaaaay the king would actually be a bad person.
(They think, as they watch this grown man verbally bully this 18 year old... Please don't hate the people of Rosas too much y'all, they're like partially brainwashed and victims of the situation too)
Asha doesn't care what anyone thinks though, if she can open the eyes of at least ONE person, then it'll be worth it, she has to at least try.
"The only liar here is YOU" She says now glaring at him.
"Oh-ho REALLY? Alright Asha, I'll play along..." He leans down to look her dead in the eyes "Prove it." He challenges her, and then starts walking away from her, pretty much giving her the room to state her case "Go on, humor me. Show us a SINGLE proof that anything you say is a fact." he uses his staff to create a fancy chair made of green light for him to sit on, as he crosses his legs "Would you like one as well, my love?" he asks his wife that is just standing there
Oh yeah, the queen's there too, I haven't really mentioned how she's feeling about this have I? Well let me tell ya she's not enjoying this ONE BIT.
Actually the whole time she was in the background looking at her husband with the biggest "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Face you can imagine.
YEARS of maintaining a squeaky clean persona in public. YEARS of her teaching him how to act like a selfless person. And now he's just casually inviting this girl to destroy everything they've built?!
(Amaya, sweetie, you deserve better than this idiot, go to the Wish Movie universe and turn that Magnifico into your boy toy)
She tries to put some sense into him, as in, tell him they should just quit while they're ahead and throw her in the dungeon:
"Umm darling, don't you think she already crossed a line?" The queen asks him with a concerned look.
"Oooh she did, all of them in fact. But let's hear her out, ya know? After all, I'm always there when my subjects need to vent." The king gives his queen a confident look, as if to say "I know what I'm doing"
See, that's the problem with Magnifico, he's way too confident that his people would NEVER actually turn against him. Yes, he got worried when Asha raised her voice asking about her Saba's wish that one time, but that was different, back then Asha was saying something that could possibly be passed out as truth, that Magnifico doesn't grant all the wishes... Now though? Now she's saying that he CHANGES the wishes and turns them into curses, that's ridiculous, not to mention that now she has a bad reputation. He's confident that his people would never believe a word she says.
... That's what he THINKS.
Asha is given the room to open their eyes.
So, she takes it:
"The proof is literally ALL AROUND US!" She says pointing to the paintings on the walls around the plaza, the statues, the drawings on the floor. Everything illustrating the king and queen "Has anyone ever wondered WHY everywhere we look, every piece of art, every song we hear, every celebration, it's ALL dedicated to them?" She says pointing to the king and queen.
"It's called being grateful kid, you should give it a try." Magnifico says pridefully.
Some people in the crowd look around... Some of the younger ones, as in, younger than 18 have a thoughtful look.
Asha ignores the king's comment again and continues like she has been holding in these words for years "Our kingdom has people from all around the world: Africa, Asia, Arabia, Europe, so much diversity, but you could never tell by looking at the way people dress, all in one style. Our food is not diverse. Our music is not diverse. Our art is not diverse. Has anyone ever wondered why?"
We see a glimpse of Dahlia's reaction to that comment... That got her attention.
"I'll tell you why: Magnifico CHANGED the most beautiful part of ourselves, what makes us unique, making us all the SAME."
Magnifico chuckles at that as he says "And THAT, my dear, is what we call E-QUA-LI-TY" He claims proudly, thinking that the crowd agrees...
The queen seems concerned... He's getting carried away, again.
He's not looking at the crowd yet.
Asha looks directly at him, her eyes have a burning rage "THIS isn't equality! Equality is what Rosas used to be. Before YOU, this kingdom was colorful, full of variety and self expression-"
"Oh for crying out loud!" He cuts her off, now sounding annoyed as he rolls his eyes "You JUST turned 18, what do YOU know about how things were before ME?" He asks with a grin.
"I may be young, but I know A LOT. I've read about the kings that came before you! And by the way, there's a reason they didn't grant all the wishes!" She speaks boldly.
"OoOooOOoh would you look at that ladies and gentlemen, we got a little scholar in our midst!" That's the most formal way one can call someone a nerd "Alright then, ENLIGHTEN ME, why would those idio- I mean- Ideal kings not grant all the wishes?" He almost slips up.
She smiled knowing she already won, as she accepts the challenge.
"Gladly."
Magnifico is taken aback by that. His expression goes slightly serious.
"They didn't grant all the wishes because they knew the importance of not letting the people DEPEND on them to achieve their dreams, that it's something for YOU to do by yourself." Her voice is full of passion.
"HA! because THAT'S waaaaay better than what I do. You know Asha, maybe you're right, maybe I did change your wish, clearly you don't wish to be a princess, you're way more of a COURT JESTER! Isn't that right Rosas?!" The king expects people to agree.
...
Silence.
He turns to look at them and...
They're listening to her.
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... That's... NOT how he thought this would play out...
He thought that at any moment the people would start booing her, disagreeing, insulting, anything...
But nothing happened.
... They actually DOUBTED him?
And all it took was ONE LITTLE GIRL?!
He thought they loved him unconditionally... But after everything he did they just...
Ignored him?
...
He had to shut her up.
But she still had more to say:
"They understood that wishing isn't something you should feel pressured to do when you turn 18. It's something that is YOURS and you should decide if you want to give it away or not-"
Magnus stands up from the chair he created as he speaks firmly:
"Alright, now you liste-"
She looked directly in his blue eyes as she interrupts him with no fear:
"You RUINED Rosas and everything it stood for."
His eyes widen at that comment. That one hit a nerve.
"That's ENOUGH-"
"You shouldn't even be KING in the first place! YOUR BROTHER WOULD STILL BE OUR KING! BUT YOU KI-"
Asha is shushed.
Magnus uses his magic to hold her whole body, including her mouth.
The people in the crowd gasp.
He's looking at the girl with an expression she hasn't seen from him before... There's no feeling in his eyes... It's like he's soulless.
He turns to look at the people bellow his feet.
They look... Scared.
...
He could do some damage control later. Nothing that a wish ceremony here and some festivals there don't fix... The people would forget this eventually.
This girl though?
He would never let her forget who was their king.
Asha's eyes look terrified.
His face remains emotionless as he says in a whisper:
"You want me to be the bad king? Fine, now I'm the bad king."
There's the rumbling sound of thunder, alerting that it's gonna rain soon.
At that moment, King Magnifico just kinda forgot the whole reason they did all this was to capture the star...
OH YEAH SPEAKING OF THAT STAR! WHY DON'T WE CHECK ON HIM???
So we cut to Aster near the entrance of the castle, oblivious to the fact Asha was not racing with him at all for the past (I don't know how many) minutes.
The star hits his hand on the wall as he says
"HA HA I WIN! Alright, now how should we distract the guards? I was thinking mayb-" Aster turns around and realizes...
Asha isn't with him.
"... Huh... I know I'm fast but I was trying to run about the same speed of a human... Could she have tripped on the way or something?" The star ponders, trying to see if he could spot Asha in the distance
But then he hears some very desperate cries... Of a certain baby goat.
"MAAA! MAAAA!" Valentino was hoping as fast as his little baby goat legs could take him.
"Oh hey Val! Did you see-"
"MAAA!" The goat explained.
The smile on Aster's face deflated into horror.
"... W h a t?" Aster's voice was shaking, he didn't know such guilt was even possible...
They left her. After he promised he would never leave her side.
Aster grabbed Valentino, running with the goat in his arms twice as fast as he ran to get to the castle, and all he could say was:
"NONONONONONO I'M OFFICIALLY THE.WORST.WISHING.STAR IN.THIS.SIDE.OF.THE.GALAXY!!!"
Sooo we cut back to Asha... Who's not doing so great right now.
The king is using his staff to make her float, so they're on the same eye level. As he begins to speak with his voice sounding uncharacteristically monotonous.
Not faking kindness, nor passion, not even sarcasm, just a serious and emotionless tone that sent chills down her spine.
"I don't know what could've possessed you to speak such lies, Asha. After everything I've done for you... Since the day you were born to the day that we've met... I give and give and give and give" He tightens the spell around her with every "give" making her face contort in pain "And all I ask in turn... Is just a little respect." He sighs "But that's too much to ask from you, hum? You want things to be your way, to change centuries of tradition because YOU so happen to not like how things are... And to think I actually considered making an apprentice out of you.” He says… looking at her wish bubble that he's holding “So, this is the thanks I get? For wanting to go above and beyond to grant your wish? I mean, what MORE could you possibly want from me?” He asks even though she obviously can’t answer with her mouth covered by his magic.
“I think she made what she “wanted” painfully clear, mi rey” the queen, that has been dead silent this whole time, as she usually is when they’re in public… comes in with her voice sounding full of pain and sorrow…
Magnifico turns around to his queen, she has the most believable crocodile tears running down her face
… Oh how he loved this woman. She always knew just what to say to turn the odds in their favor.
He lets go of Asha, knowing his wife’s words alone were more than enough to trap her.
And so, the queen began to speak:
“You came in with that whole “I don’t know what to wish for” nonsense, as if someone that lives HERE of all places could not know what to wish for… We opened our hearts to you, offered to help you, and you gave us THIS WISH…”
Asha tries to defend herself:
“I didn’t wish fo-“
“Silence.” The queen said raspy, as she walks towards Asha slowly “I know what you wanted… You wanted to destroy everything we’ve built… By stealing the crown from us.”
A few people in the crowd, mostly older people, gasp.
Asha get's nervous, realizing people are believing what the quenn says.
“What?! But I didn’t-“
“You tried to manipulate us into giving you the title of PRINCESS in a silver platter, but after we denied you, you decided to change your approach, didn’t you? You wanted revenge, you tried to spread these HEINOUS LIES about our King. You tried to TRICK our beloved people to put them against us.” The queen keeps walking closer and closer to her.
The people that were before agreeing with Asha… Now see her as a traitor.
Asha is panicking.
“But- But I never wanted to be-“ Asha shuts her eyes as the queen gets close to her face.
“But you miscalculated, my dear, because you CAN’T hurt our reign, for we are mighty, and you? You are all alo-WAH“
Something pushes the queen away from Asha.
The crowd gasps.
She falls on the kings arms.
Asha opens her eyes.
Aster is standing with his back turned from her, his arms are open trying to shield her away from them.
He turns his head to look at her behind his shoulder
"Sorry I took so long, you okay?”
Asha looks at the faces of the civilians of Rosas, they all look concerned… With the queen.
“No.” She answers, hugging herself, scared beyond words.
“… I gonna get us out of-“
“GUARDS! Cease these traitors!” The king exclaims with his voice full of rage.
Aster just turns around to Magnifico in shock.
“EH?! TRAITORS?! WHAT DID I MISS-" Aster barely finishes his sentence before a guard bellow the stage grabs him by the cape and pulls him down "WOA HEY-”
"OH! I don't knoooow, maybe you just missed that you TOUCHED THE QUEEN, BOY!" (took all my will power to not write him saying "Mah wife") Magnifico yells at the star boy while holding his wife in his arms, she's making a whole scene like Aster hurted her really badly when in reality she barely felt anything. "And YOU" Magnifico turns to Asha, who's just petrified with fear as some guards get up the stage to get her "... I don't think I have to explain what you did wrong, do I?" He simply shrugs.
Asha is looking around desperatelly.
There HAS to be someone who sees this is wrong, right?
She looks to the crowd and sees... Her friends.
They all look scared, but they have to believe her right? After everything she said.
She manages to avoid the guards grasp, as she jumps down the stage and rushes to where her friends are.
"DAHLIA, GUYS! Come on, you KNOW I'd never make that wish, PLEASE you believe me, right?!" Asha says as she holds Dahlia's hand.
... Dahlia doesn't hold her hand back... She looks at Asha with tears in her eyes... Not knowing what to do.
It's not like they don't believe her, most of them do...
Most.
But they're just a bunch of teens, what are they supposed to do?
The 7 can see the king glaring at them, waiting for their response.
Dahlia can only stutter:
"... Y-you... You did say the king wouldn't grant your wish..."
Asha's heart sinks... They're too scared of him.
"... I- I lied, I'm sorry, I should've told you but-"
"Why wouldn't you tell us?" Dahlia asks.
Asha feels Magnifico's hand on her shoulder.
"Because all she did was lie."
He pushes her aside, throwing her to a guard.
Asha and Aster are both captured and dragged away to the castle.
"Honestly, Asha? Trying bring your friends down with you? Now that's just pitiful." Magnifico turns to the 7 teens, they all look terrified of him... Good... "Such betrayal must hurt a lot, huh? But pay her no mind children... She will deceive you no longer." He says with fake pity in his eyes.
Suddenly, he feels something kicking his legs.
He looks down and sees Valentino angrily hitting him with his little baby goat horns, it doesn't hurt at all.
He holds himself to not just kick the little baby goat, and grabs him by the collar of his little sweater.
"Here, you can keep her pet." He says, handing the goat to Dario.
The king turns around to go on his way but-
"KING MAGNIFICO! WAIT!"
Simon exclaimed... To the surprise of all the other teens.
The king turned to him slowly, looking at him coldly.
"Yes, O'Donohue, what is it?" Magnifico calls him by his last name, so Simon knows that HE knows who his father is.
Simon hesitates for a moment, but continues
"W-we've been Asha’s friends for YEARS, we know she'd never mean any harm to Rosas... There HAS to be a misunderstanding, she doesn't deserve to-"
"I'll be the one deciding what she deserves, Simon." The king cuts him off
Simon goes quiet, with no choice but to watch Asha being dragged away.
...
It starts to rain.
...
Well, this was a disaster.
And that's not your narrator speaking (although she agrees). The line above is what Magnifico is thinking.
They planned on making the star show his true form in public...
BUT HERE IS THE GOD FORSAKEN BLONDE.
STILL PRETENDING TO BE HUMAN, STRUGGLING TO ESCAPE THE GUARDS GRIP.
WHAT GIVES?!
Well "what gives" is that Aster already broke a rule today. Rule number 1 was that he'd never leave Asha's side... And he did that.
So the star is now pretty stubborn on not breaking rule number 2: Never use magic.
Aster is just letting himself be carried away by the guards... But the star does have plan though.
He can open locks, once they get in the dungeon they can just escape... This is fine.
But this isn't fine for the king...
He wants to make people SEE him as he captures this star's power, to come on top as the hero who stopped the "Threat to the kingdom"... But how can he do that if the star won't show itself?
...
He would make it show itself... He just had to do what they planned...
Put Asha in danger.
The king looks at Asha's wish bubble... A wicked smile forms on his face.
Doing what he's thinking in public will surely be harder to justify in the future... But desperate times call for desperate measures.
"GUARDS!... Wait a moment."
The guards taking Asha and Aster stop. The two teens look at him.
Magnifico is holding Asha's wish on his hand as he walks towards them slowly.
"I believe that such crimes as the ones displayed today deserve a more... Unique punishment" He approaches her and looks her in the eyes as he says to everyone watching "May this serve as an EXAMPLE of what happens to those who wish harm on our kingdom... This might sting a little." He warns her with a smirk.
The grip on the wish bubble tightens until...
A small crack appears.
"aaaAAAAAAAaAaaAaaaaAAAAAAAA!!!"
Pain. That's all Asha feels.
Like grief, heartbreak, anguish and guilt just washed over her like a tidal wave all at once.
Asha lets out a painful scream and her legs go weak.
The guards holding her get startled, they didn't expect the girl would start yelling bloody murder out of nowhere.
The sound is music to Magnifico's ears though.
Aster is beyond terrified. Not only by the scream, but also by what he sees.
Her light... It's fading.
The king is killing her star.
"S- STOP! YOU ALREADY GOT ME! I'M THE ONE YOU WANTED RIGHT?? JUST LEAVE HER ALONE!"
The king continues tightening his grip on the bubble, as he turns to look at Aster with the same smile he had when he played dumb to Asha earlier:
"Huh? Now what on earth are you talking about, lad?"
He asks innocently, pretty much daring Aster to show his powers.
Aster knows what the king wants... But if he does it, not only will he be breaking the promise he made to Asha... He's gonna be breaking the most important rule for wishing stars: Don't show yourself for any human that isn't your wish maker.
If he breaks this rule... What happens to him? Will he be able to-
Asha screams again, the bubble cracks more.
Aster suddenly doesn't care about the consequences anymore.
"I SAID...
LEAVE
HER
ALONE!!!"
Aster's whole body starts glowing
As the guards holding him down let him go in surprise.
The boy is now back to being animated in 2D... But not how he was before
Before Aster's animation was usually smooth and fluid, like something animated by James Baxster.
Now though? There's nothing smooth about the way he's drawn, it's like whoever was holding the pencil on the animation table had a fit of rage while doing every single frame.
I think the best way I can describe it is this scene from "Tale of Princess Kaguya"
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(Eyyyy look at us referencing a ghibli movie to talk about Aster again ahahaha- This is not the last time I'll mention Princess Kaguya in this rewrite, she's actually a big inspiration for Aster's character... If you know, you know)
The king sees this apparition that would probably strike fear in the hearts of anyone...
But his face read as if he was thinking "Thereeee it is" with a huge evil grin.
Aster doesn't really care what the king is thinking though.
The star moves so fast the rain drops start falling slower.
He reaches out and grabs the wish bubble from Magnifico's hand.
Then he runs to Asha and takes her in his arms.
Before they leave, he runs to grab her Saba's mandolin that fell on the floor.
And with all three in his arms, he runs up the walls of a building, leaving after images of himself behind like these:
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The king just blinks and suddenly the girl, the boy and the wish bubble are gone...
"... WEEEEELL Would you look at that, ladies and gentleman! The traitor, and the wish stealing star are in CAHOOTS! Now who could've eveeeer seen this coming???" The king asks obnoxiously to the now panicked and screaming crowd, that is barely paying attention to him.
... This really isn't his day, and now his cape is all wet.
He just sighs loudly, at least capturing that star will brighten his day
"Okaaaay then! I'll go kill a star boy now, not like any of you ingrates care to watch." He yells to everyone around, not hiding how frustrated he is that he's not being the center of attention at the moment.
(If you're wondering where Amaya went, bruh honestly Idk. Rethinking her marital choices probably. I can't think of anything for her to do here and I kinda wanna give the spotlight to Magnifico in this chapter... Because Amaya is getting her own spotlight reeeeeally soon my friends, just you wait.)
So we cut to Aster and Asha. They're on the top of a building.
The rain is pouring down.
Asha is laying down, her head on Aster's lap.
She still looks weak and deeply in pain, Aster doesn't know what to do as he just trips over his words in a panic:
"I- I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry! I promised I'd stay w-with-with you but I- wasn't there- I shouldn't have let go of you-your hand-"
He's holding her wish bubble with one hand as he continues to apologize...
Asha suddenly feel slightly better... Like a little bit of the pain left her.
"A-Aster" She tries to tell him, but the star is lost in his own guilt.
"This is all my fault- I-If I had looked back- b-but I got distracted- be- because I was just so excited- I'm so sorry"
Asha notices something... The wish on Aster's hand... The cracks are healing.
"...Aster..." Asha repeats, trying to get the star's attention, to show him what's happening
"They were right about me... I really don't know what I'm doi-"
"ASTER!" Asha calls his attention, no longer feeling pain at all, she sits up looking at the wish bubble.
The star looks at her confused.
"Look!" Asha points at the bubble on his hand...
It's no longer cracked... And not only that...
It's changing.
The image of Asha as a princess inside the bubble morphs to what it originally was... Asha as herself, happy and being accepted by everyone in Rosas.
The bubble turns from green to blue.
Asha smiles in amazement.
"... You fixed it." She looks up to Aster's face with a smile, she looks thankful.
Aster is looking down at the bubble in his hands.
"... I didn't know I could do that..."
A smile finally returns to the star's face.
Asha takes the wish from his hands... And brings it to her heart.
And as it sinks in her chest she can feel a sense of peace she never experienced before. She's whole again.
She lets out a sigh of relief.
"... Aster... I just wanted to say that it's not your fault, I know that you'd never mean to leave-" She was going to explain to the star how she's not mad at him, but then she actually looks at his face and realizes... They're looking at her differently... He's in awe, like he's gazing upon a wonder that he never thought possible "... Eeeh... You're ok?" She looks at him kinda weirded out.
Aster in, in fact, gazing upon a wonder he never thought possible.
He sees Asha's star. Her glow outshines all the stars that he has ever seen, and he has seen QUITE a lot of them living in the sky. It's like a flower blooming with rays of purple, yellow and white shinning from it.
Aster is speechless for a moment... But then he simply says:
"I can see you."
"Huh? You... Didn't see me before?" She asks them.
He looks her in the eyes with a smile full of admiration
"I see you... ALL of you."
His voice sounds relieved.
Asha doesn't fully understand what he's talking about, but she smiles back.
...
Her smile fades away instantly when she notices the figure floating behind Aster.
"A-ASTER WATCH O-"
"🎶OOH STAR LIGHT~"
CLANG
Aster's right wrist is trapped by a chain made of green magic.
The star barely has time to react before the singsong voice behind him continues
"🎶STAR BRIGHT~"
CLANG
His left wrist is trapped by another green chain.
"NO!" Aster tries to fight but he's already being pulled away from Asha.
"🎶FIRST STAR~"
CLANG
Now his right ankle is trapped too, as he's dragged towards the king.
"HOLD ON!" Asha tries to hold his hand.
"🎶I SEE TONIGHT~"
CLANG
One last chain locks itself on his left ankle. Aster is completely trapped.
"ASHA! RUN!" He let go of her hand, and just pleads for her to leave.
"🎶I WISH I MAY~"
The king keeps pulling the star teen with his staff, his voice sounds deranged with glee.
"🎶I WISH I MIGHT~"
Aster is trying to fly away but the chains weaken his powers, he's being pulled closer and closer to Magnifico.
"🎶HAVE THIS WISH I WISH TONIGHT~"
Aster and Magnifico are now face to face. The star looks at him furious, while the king just gives him a smug grin.
"Oh I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Magnifico asks sarcastically.
...
The rumble of thunder becomes a lightning in the distance.
Chapter 11
Final Thoughts
Yes Mag, you are, like always.
WOOOOOH this was a long one wasn’t it? Hehehe and the emotional rollercoaster ain’t over yet! I like to call this chapter the LYRICS REFERENCES chapter. Like seriously, referencing This Is The Thanks I Get in a way that was actually SCARY was so much fun!
Okay, now DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I LOVE ASHA???
This girl literally just made the people question everything BY SPILLING FACTS THAT SHE ALWAYS QUESTIONED HER WHOLE LIFE!
Magnifico was like: “lol go ahead, prove to them I’m evil” and then she spoke some facts and he was like “wait! That’s illegal!” even tho that’s literally what he asked her to do.
SHE ATE HIM UP AND LEFT NO CRUMBS!!! IM SO PROUD OF MY BABY GIRL!!! LOOK AT HER STARTING A REVOLUTION THEY GROW UP SO FAST!!!
And like, yes that new found confidence is majorly because of Aster’s influence, by showing her that even with just music she can inspire others and make a difference… SO ASTER’S PLAN OF PLAYING MUSIC WASNT POINTLESS! HA! But like, that confidence was always deep within her, she just needed to let it out.
Also, I may have made a liiiiittle change while developing the story, see, before the reason why Asha was so out spoken in this scene was because she didn’t have her “I want to be accepted by others” wish inside her, so she kinda cared less about what others thought of her while speaking in public, which kinda is still what happened here, but I also added the factor that she created a NEW wish inside her, that’s why she wasn’t acting so weird like Simon for example.
Speaking of Simon BOY how am I gonna write him betraying the others after this??? Like, dude is waaaaay too DEEP into the propaganda to see all this take place and be like “nah the king definitely is right” YOU DENSE SLEEPY BOY HE LOOKED AT YOUR BEST FRIEND LIKE HE WANTED TO SNAP HER NECK.
Speaking on the king now… I love writing this dude, I’m sorry, it’s fun as heck, became my new addiction even. Like, the man is the whole package, he’s funny, pathetic and stupid sometimes, but also menacing, powerful and manipulative. And that’s not to mention THE ANGST of his past. You may have noticed how what really got him nervous was the mention of the past kings and how he was the one who ruined Rosas.
The tragedy behind this is that Magnus as a kid WANTED to be a good king, but he was told he had to do it the same way all the other ones that came before him did, he had to learn magic and grant the people’s wishes, but he didn’t want that, he wanted to be king his own way, and not have the people DEPEND ON HIM… HMMM. But then his parents just replaced him for his little brother as the heir, and he was forgotten, unloved and ignored. He realized he could NEVER grant his own wish of being king his own way, so he decided he would FIGHT for that wish… So now he makes sure NO ONE fulfills their dreams, the same way he never could, and he makes sure everyone remembers him, everyone loves him, and no one ignores him… So yeah he’s a brat, right? What a loser.
I STILL can’t put Amaya’s backstory into words BUT ILL WORK ON THAT!!! It’s kinda more complicated!
Oh and of course we can’t forget to talk about Aster… Boy sure can run can’t he?
Now about the people of Rosas, I’m sure y’all noticed how this is the second time we had a scene of the royal couple and Asha in front of a crowd, right? Yeah remember back then when we were on chapter 3? Good times. So ummm I mentioned that I don’t like writing scenes with crowds watching… And I still don’t, so why do I keep doing it? Well there’s a reason why this rewrite is called “The Kingdom of Wishes” and it’s not just because it’s a generic name, the second reason is because THE KINGDOM itself is A CHARACTER, and is in fact the character that needs rescuing. Like, those people are all victims, they don’t know they’re having their cultures erased from their minds or their interests twisted, and even their lives ruined by being turned into animals sometimes.
So we have like 3 scenes with a crowd in this story, the first was on chapter 3 when the whole crowd agreed with Magnifico and Amable 100%, then the second was this one where they just agree 50% if not less, and the last one will be the climax when they realize OH DANG YALL WE’VE BEEN BAMBOOZLED! THESE TWO MONARCHS ARE CRAZY AND NOT IN A WHIMSICAL WILLY WONKA WAY! So yeah, look forward to that…
If you’re wondering how close we are to the climax… Uuuuuuh let’s say we’re in the middle of the second act… This story is long.
One more thing, every single time I imagine the scene Asha is pulled back to the plaza while Aster is running all I can think about is this:
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Anyway, see ya next time for more angst!
Thank You For Reading!
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herefortheships · 4 months ago
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What is your opinion on the Beetlejuice 2 Dream Theory?
My short answer is that it's plausible, but not likely that that's what the writers or Tim intended. That said, every viewer is entitled to their own interpretation. When a piece of media leaves the author's hands, then it doesn't belong exclusively to the author anymore; the story takes on a new form when it falls in the hands of the audience ("the death of the author is the birth of the reader" etc).
I'd have to rewatch the movie with my brain prepared to point out references that may show that everything we're witnessing as the movie plays out is not real.
As for my personal interpretation, I don't think that's the case. There was indeed a dream sequence at the end though; we have to decide, when does the dream start? Was it when Betelgeuse and Lydia were dancing in midair? (Betelgeuse does break the 4th wall to tell the audience "I love a good dream sequence", so that's possible). Or was it later after Lydia says her goodbye to Delia? I've only watched the movie once so far, so my thoughts may change when I rewatch it, but for now, this is where I think the dream starts:
I think the dream started with Lydia quitting her show. She may not have quit it at all, as a matter of fact, but her dream started with this because she's now hoping for a fresh start and quitting her show is part of what she has identified as her ideal life, going forward. She's dreaming about a perfect life, believing herself rid of Betelgeuse and Rory and her past, and starting fresh with Astrid, focused on being her mother and being there for her this time. Astrid and Lydia only have each other now after the loss of Delia and Charles, as far as family goes. All of that from that moment on is the dream. In truth, she isn't rid of Betelgeuse, and she is pretty isolated now. So she is shaken awake by the nightmare (I already made a detailed post about that, so I won't go into detail about the dream and what I think it means here). I think the dream ends when she hears/feels Betelgeuse in bed with her. Betelgeuse isn't gone and he's still very much in love with her, which may not be a very comforting thought to her just yet lol.
Now as I'm writing this, as a matter of fact, her little jumpscare when feeling Betelgeuse in bed with her might have a double meaning. Why was she dreaming about him being in bed with her? To be honest, when I first saw that in the theater I thought the wedding had gone through, since they were sharing a bed now! Lydia may be beginning to realize her feelings about Betel have changed, which understandably scares her right now. Then she wakes up again and he's gone. There is a question here, was he part of the dream or was he truly in bed with Lydia? Maybe he was there after all (which is what I personally believe).
Anyway, I am beginning to ramble, but Tl;Dr: There was a dream, but it starts when Lydia quits her job (or maybe after she quits, when she and Astrid are in vacation together).
Again, if it's the same theory I read (which I totally love and find super intriguing), it does make good points, so in short I would say it's plausible. Today I read a post about how the name "Richard" repeats in the movie in several instances, which may add to the "none of this is real, it's all a dream" theory. But to be honest, for me at least, there is more reason to believe that what we witnessed in the film did happen, and Astrid, Rory, Richard, etc are all real and part of Lydia's life.
That Lydia isn't married to Betel by the end of this film doesn't mean her feelings about him will remain as they are and that she will never accept him or even love him, though. This movie was SO a setup for a third film and I am sure of that. It was left open ended so in the event it didn't land well, the franchise could be set to rest with this sequel which was mostly a passion project for those involved, but now we know the movie was a massive hit, so it's very likely and I have no doubt we will get a final third part. There is a LOT of "the rule of three" around Betelgeuse, starting with the fact that you need to say his name three times to summon him. "Third time's a charm", you know what I mean? So I believe the final movie will see them married (yep, not just together or just friends, but married). Marriage is a very important theme in Beetlejuice, both for the series and the titular character himself, so that wedding will happen and it will go through next time, for better or worse (and I hope for better!) Again, rule of three applies here. I think the story is prime for either a soulmate story, or a tragic "true love will set you free" kind of story in which Lydia has to marry Betelgeuse in order to free his soul so he can move on (it was pointed out to me that this resembles the story of Corpse Bride, which is also a movie directed by Tim Burton). If he goes with the latter, then that doesn't mean Lydia won't love him and will just marry him to free him (as in she’s his true love but she doesn’t love him back romantically); she may still fall in love with him, but will find a way to break his attachment/curse to set his soul free and "let him go" for now (it could go either way tbh 😭), and they can still find each other in the afterlife. And wouldn't that be nice? If the two of them can move on to a better place in the great beyond in the finale? To spend eternity together in peace.
Anyway, rambling again! This is my answer. Sorry for replying a little late (and "yapping" so much lol), but trust me I was thinking about this question all day.
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