#so i tend to just. not ever talk about it? for fear of bothering someone?

[thebibliosphere]

Hi! I'm getting my first MRI (for my brain, with contrast) and I am TERRIFIED! It sounds like you've had a few - any reassurance or advice? (No pressure to respond - you probably get lots of these!)

It’s definitely a weird sensation and I understand the fear, but I actually don’t mind them. Some labs offer things like music or aromatherapy to keep people calm (some people find the machine extremely claustrophobic and they are aware of this) so check with your radiology department to see if you can bring in your own playlist if you think that’d help.

For my first MRI with the contrast they let me bring my childhood teddy bear and once I was situated in the tube, the lab tech placed him in my hands outside the machine so I could hold onto him, as well as the panic button that they give you so they can pull you out if you suddenly realize, yeah, actually, you’re claustrophobic and about to freak the fuck out.

I’m someone who panics in enclosed spaces, but the MRI was actually okay. I knew I wasn’t trapped because my feet were outside the machine and I just closed my eyes and made up fanfic in my head for forty five minutes 😅.

The drum spinning can be loud. So if you’re noise sensitive, ask about ear plugs.

I don’t usually bother with the earplugs and sometimes just talk to the lab tech over the intercom if they’re feeling chatty. They know I’m an MCAS risk with the dye so they tend to chatter more with me than other people, I think. My first ever episode of MCAS anaphylaxis happened inside of a CT machine from the contrast dye (different dye from the MRI dye). So they know my PTSD from being in big whirly machines is through the roof and do what they can to help. If you’re extremely anxious let them know. They’re used to it.

Afterwards, don’t be surprised if you’re dizzy or experience vertigo. I felt like I’d been on a very fast spinning ride when they pulled me out.

The tech explained this was the MRI affecting my inner ear and it’d go away pretty quick. I think it took an hour for me to stop tripping over my own feet, so if possible I’d suggest having someone there to drive you home/take a cab if you can.

Other than that, just try to make sure you’re well rested beforehand and give yourself something to look forward to after. I usually go to the bookstore or grab a new comic, but getting your favorite coffee or another little treat is a good idea too.

I hope your scan is uneventful and whatever reasons you’re doing in for resolves soon. Best of luck!

[schoenpepper]

Fishies

Intro: In your dreams, this eel merman loves to bother you the most.

Warnings: bad writing, awful grammar, Floyd is a warning in and of himself, mentions of homicide haha, reader is yuu, i dont think i followed the req very well my bad, u and floyd are like super totally normal besties i prommy ahaha no romance here nope no sir, not proofread im like super ded, the glitch text is funny to me, yandere floyd and reader if u like squint super hard

A/N: Updates are slowing down a lot, I know, I'm so so sorry. Unfortunately, my course and univ are kind of competitive, and as someone who hates studying, I've been forced to actually study. Gross, I know. This is for my 300 follower event, for @anonymousplant. I hope you like it.

Masterlist

You’re a pretty normal person, at least, you’d like to think so.

But starting from when you were 5 years old, you’ve had a permanent, recurring dream. You tell your parents of a rowdy merman that tends to linger in your subconscious: his sharp-toothed grin, his sparkly tail longer than his torso, his pretty fins that fluttered when you tried to touch them. They didn’t believe you when you said he really liked trying to squeeze you to death, though they comfort you when you break into their room in the middle of the night sobbing your little heart out.

Yeah, Floyd is an asshole.

That’s his name, or at least, what he told you. You’re not too inclined to debate him on that considering his fondness of wrapping his ridiculously long (and freakishly strong) tail around you, squeezing you at a moment’s notice.

You thank whatever deity is listening that you can breathe underwater in your dreams. He does not seem like the kind of guy who wouldn’t drown you. You know, for fun. Every night when you fall asleep, you ready yourself to meet with your imaginary friend (that’s what your parents called him, though you prefer the term imaginary acquaintance, at best).

“Shrimpy! You’re here, hehe~”

You look at him harshly with your arms crossed in front of your chest, “You’re never this happy to see me. What do you want, fishy?”

“Neh, shrimpy~” the sparkles in his two-colored irises bring about a sense of fear in you, “do you know what dreaming like this means?”

“That I made up a weird eel merman in my mind?”

“I’m not made up. Don’t be silly, shrimpy!” Floyd’s tail slithers in the water, coiling around your legs, “Jade and I learned about it yesterday. You’re my soulmate!”

Ten-year-old you woke up in a nervous start.

Ew!

Why would you ever, ever, be caught dead being with someone like Floyd?! He’s annoying, and a fish, and so if you got together you’d be a fish too! But you don’t want to be a fish!

Your parents are surprised to find you in a very snappy mood the following morning.

“You left so quick, shrimpy! You don’t wanna be my soulmate?”

You snatch an iridescent fish swimming by, turning it into a big plushie with your dream powers. “But you’re annoying,” you stick out your tongue, “so I don’t want to be your soulmate.”

“Eh…?”

You glance at Floyd. He doesn’t seem too happy with your words—in fact, his eyes are narrowed and he’s swimming slowly, closer and closer to you. “But I like you so much, shrimpy~” he says, but there’s no expression on his face. He’s so, so uncomfortably close that you need to lean back to avoid touching him, “you don’t get to choose your soulmate, y’know? So it’s not like you have a choice, hehe~ But if you really wanna be rid of me, I can always squeeze you ‘til your eyes pop! If you’re dead, you wouldn’t have a soulmate anymore. Shrimpy, aren’t I so nice?”

“You suck.”

You kick at the dream water and swim away from the giggling eel.

“Wanna play chase, shrimpy? Okay~”

He’s not too bad. At worst he’ll get cuteness aggression and suddenly wrap himself around you, but most times you’re just chatting endlessly with him about what he calls “weird human things”, and you pester him for details about “normal fish things”. He talks about his octopus friend that he refuses to call a friend, and how takoyaki is his favorite food in the same sentence. You talk about having to dissect a frog in science class which he found really funny somehow. He tells you about his twin brother and their shenanigans together. You tell him about how your parents, your friends—no one believes you when you say that Floyd’s real.

He says they’re lame.

You’ve learned to keep him a well-guarded secret lest your parents recommend a mental hospital again, but he must’ve stuck himself real close to your heart when he starts becoming inseparable from your mind.

He’s become a really good friend.

With Floyd, no moment is ever dull, even when you’re just sitting together on some dream-conjured rock, leaning on each other silently.

There is no second in a day in which you’re not thinking of him. Your favorite part of the day is going to sleep to see him each night, spending hours with his eccentric tendencies. The fish has become a very important part of your life.

(Your friends in school ask you who you like in a discussion about crushes. You ignore the fact that his name is on the tip of your tongue.)

He’s your best friend. There is no secret you can keep from him, because despite Floyd’s usual laissez-faire attitude, one change in your expression and he’s onto you. You’d thought you would go through your entire life with him as your constant, you really did.

On your sixteenth birthday, he’s gone.

Not that he disappeared, but rather, you can’t dream anymore. You wake up the next day with no memory of any dream, and it fills you with panic. Your stomach is churning like a void is forming inside—an integral part of yourself is missing and everything feels so, so wrong. You make your bed and head downstairs to eat breakfast. Your parents question your demeanor in concern for your well-being, and you force out a smile. You tell them you’re fine? There’s no need to worry them about the loss of your imaginary friend, right? You’re okay. Maybe this is the change you needed. You’ll be an adult soon, and you can’t dream of a weird eel merman forever.

No no n̷̥̜̐ơ̷͉̪ ̴͚̉̾n̷͚̥͒̓o̵͍̾̆ ̵͍͑n̷̩̝͐ő̵̟ ̶̛̈́ͅn̴̟̣͝͠ȍ̴̢̜ ̸̳̾ǹ̷̳̮ö̴̠́

Where is he?

Where is F̸̛̛̛͇͉̳̝̫̹͒̏͒͊̐͜ͅļ̸̪͈̞̱͓̰̖͌̽̉̔̐̇̃̃̏ó̶̻̯̪̭̐͋̏͛͒̈́̇̽ͅy̶̟̳̬͉̙̖̫̙̻̑̏̌̔̇͂̋̌̕d̷̝͕̣͖̺̬̦̟̂͊͜?̶̧̛͕͎̼͔̈́̆ Ẅ̶̟̗́͠ͅh̶̦̞͚͙̣͛ỳ̴̢͓͓̗͔̗͓̀̉́͋͜͝ ̸̹́͐̿͛ī̵̡̛͎̪̭͉̫̋s̷̢͇͗̏̔͑̿́̚͜ ̵̡̟̄̀̈̆̎̓͝ͅh̵͕̓͂̍̀̔̊̏́ę̶̹̝̘̙̪̗͊̽ ̸̮̟̞͇̭͕̫́̆̀͑̓͗͜͠g̵̙̰̽̔̈́̃́̓̋̐o̸͚̱̟̳̘̦̖̊͐̓ñ̷̨͕͉͈̱̮̲̟ȅ̷͓͙?̴͖͎̳͚̟̲͚̂̔́̔͝͝

Why has he left you...?

Your vacation to your grandmother’s house does nothing to ease your worries (but if she ever heard you sobbing your heart out alone in your room, she never said anything about it).

There’s an old mirror in your bedroom in your grandmother’s house, owned by your late great grandparents. The floor length mirror is encased in an intricate gold frame, and it’s not too obvious until one night when you’d found yourself staring at it in a daze, but the reflection is off. It’s tinged with a layer of purple light, translucent and barely visible unless you pay attention. You try to sleep (it’s been evading you for three days, since the night of your birthday), cozy in your fluffy blankets and a blue unicorn onesie that your grandma had bought to try to cheer you up.

You’re woken by a bright light.

Careful, tiptoed steps lead you in front of the mirror. Your fingertips graze over its surface when a sudden force pulls you in—right in front of a crowd of a few hundred students.

So that was your first day in NRC.

You’d say it was nothing particularly remarkable considering everyone in this place has some sort of superpower, but to be honest, they think you’re so intriguing because you’re magicless. In their eyes that made you weak.

Helpless.

NRC is just filled to the brim with budding sadists.

Your first night in NRC goes a lot different.

It’s uncomfortable. The blankets and sheets are old and scratchy. The entire place is in disarray. It’s filthy and dusty and you’re sure you’re one step away from falling right through the floorboards because of how creaky they are. But tiredness makes for the best sleeping aid, and you’re prepared for another night of nothing.

You miss Floyd.

It’s a big shock when you’re met with your most beloved dreamscape instead of the void. Cold water that chills you to the bone, schools of colorful fish just passing by. There’s a long tail wrapped around a boulder, connected to a swaying half-human who’s blankly staring at the jellyfish. It’s all so familiar that your feet have acted before your brain has; you’re right next to him again.

(It’s where you should be.)

“Shrimpy!”

His voice is a welcome sound. His squeezing though, not so much.

“Floyd—ack! Ow ow ow!”

You almost swear you hear your ribs crack at some point with the way his tail and arms are putting pressure on it, but he only loosens his hold. He doesn’t let go.

You don’t mind that he doesn’t want to.

“Shrimpy’s so mean, why’d you gotta go no contact like that? It’s been so boring! I was super bummed, didn’t even wanna leave my room for that lame ceremony. Did you sleep when I was awake or somethin’?” he whines mournfully into your hair, “I thought… tsk, I told you soulmates aren’t changeable. Were you tryin’ to stop dreaming again?”

“No, the dreams just stopped,” you reply softly. It’s so oddly comforting to be in his arms, it makes you sleepy even in your sleep.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“You weren’t tryin’ to stop seeing me again?”

“I wasn’t. I promise.”

He hums, almost in relief.

(You don’t feel his lips gently, so gently, leaving a kiss on your neck where he’d buried his head. It’s so unlike him, but you make him act so weird.)

Grim wakes you up to look for breakfast in the cafeteria, and your time with your (platonic 💜) soulmate is over all too quickly. But something is stuck in your mind as you’re trudging through dimly lit halls with cat in tow. You knew the name Night Raven College rang a bell, but for it to be the very same school that Floyd had been ranting about for a year is just so unexpected.

(You’re finally in the same world.)

Then, is he here?

You didn’t manage to tell him about your most recent adventures last night. Maybe you should ask around and see if anyone can point you in the correct direction. At least, that was your original plan. Before an almost-burnt statue, a broken chandelier, two idiots who are actually really fun to hang out with, an abandoned mine with hostile ghosts…yeah. It takes you at least three more days before you remember to ask about Floyd in the school. You wanted it to be a surprise, so you kept it a secret from him. Though you probably should have expected that with all the mischief you’d gotten up to, your name was bound to reach his ears sooner or later.

“What the—?!”

“Ack!”

“Woah!”

Your first real meeting with Floyd starts with your cat and your friends being pushed to the ground in a pile.

“Shrimpy! You’re in my school! And you’re the funny student that’s been causing trouble? Now I’m annoyed I missed orientation for the freshies,” he does not hug any looser in his human form, “coulda’ seen you earlier. I coulda’ squeezed you earlier too~”

“Too tight, loosen up a bit please.”

“Okay~”

Ace and Deuce are looking up at you in shock with how casual you seem to be with him, but you pay their reactions no mind, only walking towards them with Floyd still wrapped around you, reaching out a hand to help them up.

(You don’t notice Floyd glower at the trio, or the way his hold tightens ever so slightly.)

They don’t take your hand, but you smile and introduce your best friend anyway. “Guys, this is Floyd. He and I have been in each other’s dreams since forever,” you pat Floyd’s arm that’s slung over your shoulder, “he says we’re soulmates but just ignore him, he’s kinda crazy. It’s probably some freak coincidence.”

“There you go again shrimpy, I thought we were over this? You still don’t believe me even now?”

“Soulmates don’t exist Floyd, don’t think about it too much. You know you’re still my best friend.”

(Ace and Deuce look at each other. Neither of them want to be the one to tell you—)

Soulmates are absolutely a thing.

And with the way that the big bad school bully, known for terrorizing at least half of the student population, is basically hanging off you, there was just no way that Floyd wasn’t completely and absolutely enamored by his cute, magicless little soulmate.

They should probably warn Grim that the eel merman wouldn’t be letting you sleep at Ramshackle tonight.

Or ever.

[zafirosreverie]

Bruno being jealous

For anon, it's short but I hope you like it

I can't really see him as someone jealous, more like insecure.

He knows (or believes) that you could find someone much better, and the first few months of the relationship he was ready for you to break up with him at any moment, especially when you talked to younger men.

He tends to keep things that bother him to himself so as not to annoy you.

He sometimes wishes he could talk out loud about this, but he just can't.

He just stands back, watching you while you talk to other people.

In theory he knows that you are not doing anything wrong and that you would never cheat on him, but there is always that thorn of fear.

He'd really like to come up and hug you or put his arm around your waist like he's seen his brothers-in-law do with his sisters when they're jealous, but he can't muster up enough courage.

So he just stares at the other person until they feel uncomfortable and leave.

He tries to act like everything is fine when you ask him about his sudden silence.

Eventually he would break down seeing you so worried and mutter what he had really felt, followed by a quick apology.

He blushes when you give him a small kiss on the cheek and tell him that he's the only one you love.

He really trusts you, so he's never been tempted to use his gift to see if you'd lie to him or anything like that, but he has no qualms about "scare" those who try to flirt with you by giving them a bad "profecy".

Especially if you ever confess to him that you feel just as uncomfortable as he does with the looks and comments of certain men in town.

[redrum-alice]

ABA x Paracelsus HCs that live in my mind rent-free, even though I haven't played the game--

Some of these HCs include other characters involved in their arcade mode.

ABA is no stranger to stalking people. So when she came across a lookout point, she saw many couples, mostly teenagers, making out and going on romantic dates. She wonders what it would feel like to be young and in love, rather than just declaring someone whom she met first glance as a "husband"

ABA's collection of keys were hidden somewhere in the pocket dimension. She sometimes uses them as accessories to adorn herself, despite the like of knowledge in fashion (the girl wears pants as a top--)

There are many shades of blue that ABA can pick from. Since Paracelsus turned himself blue, the shiny surface reflected more colors than just blue, inspiring her to try and appreciate other colors near the blue gradient.

Added to the color stuff, she eventually tries variation of outfits with other colors, but with blue as the base.

Paracelsus knows when she's feeling fatigued. When she's at her limit, he opens the pocket dimension and lets her rest there until she wakes up. ABA sees this as his love language, but unintentional on his part

Both ABA and Paracelsus have no clue on how homonculi biology works, and Paracelsus hates to admit he feels bad that ABA may be at risk of getting herself hurt without him knowing what to do

Paracelsus wishes he knows more about human anatomy because its the closest one to ABA's physiology.

Since ABA is clairvoyant, she often hears the spirits of their victims which she tries to ignore, and probably because she doesnt know the correct response to a wailing dead person wanting justice. When its too much, she asks Paracelsus if what theyre doing was justified and that she begins to regret her rage filled jealousy directed at those that dont even bother them.

Paracelsus keeps telling ABA that she needn't to worry because it was a necessity for the both of them-- something he deeply regrets to say because he knows she has strong principles that she live by despite not being a human

Paracelsus, deep down, is ashamed of himself for tainting ABA for the purpose of tending to his bloodlust. He saw how genuine and pure hearted she is, but it turned into malice because of his demonic origin. He begins to wonder what ABA would be like if she found someone else years ago.

Just like ABA, Paracelsus has an unspoken fear of abandonment, but since he lacks capacity to feel other emotions, he doesnt notice this.

Ever since Elphelt and Testament approached her with good intentions, ABA wanted to make more friends like them, but is scared that others have ill intentions toward her and Paracelsus.

ABA's favorite book would be Alice in Wonderland when she was still in Frasco, specifically the part where Alice was trapped in a room or multiple doors with the smallest door being the exit. ABA admires this because of the concept of escaping, especially that there's a key involved. (Im biased bc my name's Alice and i like this story--)

Besides door keys, she also collects windup key and smaller keys for chests and compartments. She sees this as a symbol for discovering new things, especially music when she came across a music box that needed a key

Speaking of music boxes, she associates this object with Elphelt bc of her musical talent (and that she may as well look like the ballerina spinning on the music box)

Other than doors, music boxes, and compartments, she also came across a small doll that needed a key. After she winds it up, it began walking and talking towards her and freaks her out. But when it said "mama" in a robotic voice, ABA contemplates and wonders if she was ready to become a parent somewhere in the near future when Paracelsus has a body. An impossible thought, but one could never be sure, and it scares her.

Butterfly Pea tea with brown sugar, or sparkling butterfly pea lemonade with honey would probably her favorite drink because of its color. She shares this with her hubby 🥰😋

There comes a time that her bandanges would get uncomfortable and smell bad from blood stains and wounds, so Paracelsus tells her she needs to change them before she gets an infection. He does stop her midway because he realizes she isnt wearing any undergarments and proceeds to take her in the pocket dimension.

Elphelt offers ABA to shop with her to pick clothes suited for her. The first thing she sees at the boutique display was a wedding dress and begins to day dream a wedding with Paracelsus. Without her looking, Elphelt happily buys the wedding dress with matching tuxedo and gives it to ABA, despite Paracelsus' protests (the fact that he hears them chatting about setting up the wedding next day had him ded on the spot :P)

ABA watches home video tapes left in houses unoccupied by their owners (abandoned or they went on vacation; ABA is a home intruder lol). She finds a tape labeled "Happy Day" and it plays a recording of a newly wed couple dancing at their reception. The way the couple moved gracefully tickled an idea in her brain and insisted she and Paracelsus should dance. But since the large key doesnt have any legs, her attempts in waltzing with him went nowhere 😅 (and this gave more reason for ABA to find a body for Paracelsus)

At late nights when ABA is asleep, Paracelsus wonders that if he had a body, would ABA still be shorter or they would be in the same height? Either way, he was impressed that she can keep herself up with that low weight despite her tall stature, more so on how she was able to carry him around without much muscle mass.

When he sleeps beside her, her hair unwittingly falls on his bow and feels how soft it is. A very pleasant feeling he won't admit.

Everyday, Paracelsus keeps reminding ABA that she needed to eat to gather strength. ABA often forgets to eat because its not hard wired in hr system, nor that it was even natural for her to eat in the first place.

[goldengalore]

Thunderstorm

Summary: Y/N is terrified of thunderstorms and Harry comforts her.

Word count: 1.2k

A/N: Based on this ask. I haven’t posted a fic in a long time and I thought this could help me get back in the groove of writing. Thanks to the person who sent it :)

***

The weather channel lied.

They said nothing about a storm. In fact, they reported no rain at all. And yet, here it is, pouring at three in the morning.

Y/N’s eyes flew open half an hour ago, as the first roaring clap of thunder rattled her eardrums. It was silent for several minutes after that. She couldn’t help but wonder if the sound was in her dream. It wouldn’t be the first time the sound of thunder in a dream woke her up.

But then she heard it again, louder this time and accompanied by a bright white flash that illuminated the room for a split second. Raindrops began pelting the window and the roof.

Y/N looked beside her to find Harry fast asleep on his back, snoring softly. She almost envied how peaceful he looked while her own heart pounded against her ribcage. Her first instinct was to wake him, but when she remembered how late he got home last night, she decided against it. He seemed exhausted when he crawled into bed and barely got the words “goodnight, lovie” out of his mouth before he dozed off.

Not to mention, he doesn’t even know about her fear of thunderstorms yet. They haven’t been dating for long—just under four months—and Y/N only started staying the night regularly a couple weeks ago. They discussed their fears on one of their first few dates when he took her to a haunted house. She only told him about the more common ones, like spiders and heights, but purposely omitted thunderstorms because that one always tends to receive odd looks. How can someone at her age still be terrified of thunderstorms? People wonder. She even had an ex tease her relentlessly for it, which didn’t help.

So, rather than waking Harry, she tried to snuggle closer to him instead, seeking comfort through proximity, but he rolled over in his sleep, turning away from her. She carefully inched across the bed and rested her forehead against his warm, bare back, soothed by the way it shifted ever-so-slightly from his breathing.

Half an hour later, she’s still in that same position, while the storm persists outside. As the sound of rain hitting the rooftop reaches a crescendo, Harry stirs awake. He rolls back onto his back and rubs his eyes before glancing over to find Y/N wide awake.

“Rain wake you up too?”

She gives a small nod.

He stretches his long limbs and relaxes them with a heavy sigh, then sits up and swings his legs off the bed.

“Where are you going?” Y/N blurts out in a panic.

He looks over his shoulder at her. “The bathroom?”

“Oh… Um, okay.”

He smiles a bit and tilts his head to the side, puzzled by her reaction, but doesn’t say anything.

Y/N’s panic increases tenfold as soon as he disappears into the bathroom, leaving her alone in bed. Suddenly, the thunder seems louder, the rain more violent, and the lightning more menacing. Curling up into a ball, she pulls the covers over her head. A clap of thunder makes her squeak. She gathers the covers around herself even tighter.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,” she mutters under her breath, covering her ears and talking herself down. “It’s just a storm, Y/N. It’s just a storm, just a storm, it’s—”

“Y/N?”

She squeaks again, Harry’s voice catching her by surprise.

“Y—yeah?” she responds.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh… nothing.”

“Were you talking to yourself under the covers?”

“Maybe…”

The mattress dips behind her as he climbs onto it. When he tries to pull the covers off her body, she grasps at them desperately.

“Wait, no, don’t—” she starts.

“Shhh,” he stops her gently. He lifts the covers enough to slide under them and gathers her body in his arms, pulling her against him, then draping the covers over both of them.

“Is the storm bothering you, lovie?” he asks.

She nods, nestling her head into his chest. The feeling of his arms around her always makes her feel safe, protected, and it’s no different this time.

“We haven’t had one like this in ages,” he says.

Another roar of thunder makes her jump. Deep breaths. In… Out… In… Out.

“Do you want me to get my noise-cancelling headphones for you?” he asks.

“Where are they?”

“Think I left them on the coffee table downstairs.”

“Oh. Never mind, I don’t need them.”

“Are you sure? I can go and quickly grab—”

“I’m sure.” She tightens her arms around him, whispering, “Don’t go.”

“As you wish. I will stay right where I am.” He kisses the top of her head multiple times in a row and squeezes her. She smiles for the first time since she woke up.

They listen to the storm rage on for a few minutes until she finally says what’s on her mind.

“I know it’s weird. Being afraid of thunderstorms at my age.”

He shrugs. “I don’t find it weird. Were you always afraid of them or did it start later on in life?”

“Well, when I was little, my mom used to make me and my siblings hide in the basement whenever there was a storm outside. She was terrified of them. She wouldn’t let us come out for at least an hour after the storm subsided. I think that’s where it started.”

“That makes sense… Must’ve been scary for you and your siblings.”

“We thought it was normal. We thought that was how everyone’s family reacted during a thunderstorm. It was only when we got older that we realized it’s not.”

He runs his fingers through the lengths of her hair as she explains. She inhales deeply, flooding her senses with his intoxicating scent.

“How long were you awake before I got up?” he asks.

“Half an hour. Since the storm started.”

He tuts. “You could’ve woken me up, lovie. I would’ve kept you company.”

She pulls away from his chest to look at him. “You were so tired when you got home last night. I didn’t want to disrupt your sleep.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear as he gazes down at her. “Well, I was dreaming about you anyway, so it wouldn’t have made a difference, staring at those pretty eyes in my dreams and staring at them in real life... Still, I prefer real life, so you should wake me up sooner next time.”

A grin spreads across her face. “You are quite the sweet-talker.”

He smirks. “I’m not just sweet talking. I’m telling the truth.”

“Well, then you’re just the sweetest person ever.”

“Hmm, no, that’s you.”

“No, you.”

“No, y—” The thunder roars again and this time, Harry jumps. “Jesus Christ!”

Y/N giggles.

It takes another twenty minutes for the storm to settle, but Harry keeps her so well-distracted with his playful teasing and corny dad jokes that she hardly notices. She starts to doze off in the middle of their conversation. He kisses her on the forehead as her eyes flutter closed.

“Sweet dreams, my love.”

***

Thank you for reading! MASTERLIST

[oleander-nin]

You do mud dogs??

Can I get headcannons with their S/O (separate) where S/O other has sharp teeth and is too scared to kiss them because they might hurt them

Sharp But Sweet

A/N, not important: Going with non-yan because you didn't specify, I'm sorry. Sorry it's short, I didn't have many ideas for it since we don't know much about the Mud Dogs. Any criticism is welcome, constructive or not. This is supposed to be a gender neutral reader, so if I screwed up somewhere, please tell me.

-Ollie

CW: Biting, accidentally hurting your partner

Words: 459

Summary: Mud Dogs try to talk their S/O into kisses.

Danny:

Doesn’t understand why you’re scared. He knows you’ll try your best not to hurt him, and even if you do, it’s not a huge deal. I mean, he’s a criminal. He gets hurt on the job all the time, so any nick he gets from your teeth won’t bother him much. He loves you too much to hold it against you.

Tries to coax you into kissing anyways. He’ll tell you sweet nothings and kiss your cheeks until you’ll give in and let him give you a proper kiss. He doesn’t want you worried about hurting him, especially if it’s over something that stops him from showing his love for you.

‘Proves’ you wrong by pointing out he has sharp teeth and claws, but hasn’t(or barely has) ever hurt you. He doesn’t see your teeth as something to fear, just a feature that makes you all the more formidable.

Leonard:

Leonard finds your sharp teeth cute and useful. He likes watching you rip into things and knows you’d be fine if someone ever tries to grab you. He isn’t worried about you hurting him, and even if you did, he’d understand it was an accident. He’s too preoccupied admiring your smile to be scared of anything your teeth could do.

Since you’re usually too scared to kiss him, he’s taken to surprising you with kisses. Whether it’s on your cheek, forehead, or lips, he’ll pepper you down to try and convince you it’s okay because you don’t often initiate. He wants you confident, and doesn’t want you shying away from easy affection.

Leonard also has sharper teeth. He has two fangs that stick out, and often tries to point that out to you so you don’t feel as alone in your worries.

Mickey:

Teases you over it. He finds your worry silly, especially since he’s constantly in danger anyways. His slippery skin is littered in scars from his years of crime, so your teeth are the least of his concerns. Even if you do accidentally hurt him when you kiss him, he’ll just laugh it off. He’s bound to have a higher pain tolerance, and his nerves more numb from his electrical tendencies anyways.

Points out he’s just as if not even more dangerous because of his electricity. When he gets heated, or excited, he tends to send zaps over his skin and while they’re lower voltage, they do still hit you sometimes. He thinks it’s pointless for you to be scared of kissing him when you’re not scared of touching him.

Dares you to bite him and acts like it’s a joke unless you genuinely seem upset. He thinks your teeth are impressive, and like his electricity, it’s just another way your body has natural defense.

Tag list: @f1oricide @itsyagurlchip @lordfreg @acutiewithagun @rottmnttmnt2012 @lixnininotnay @lexiechr @ssak-i @rottmntsimp

[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman-Part 55

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternative Universe : Military School

Words : 7k

Masterlist

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Wednesday, February 17; 9:15 AM - Ski Resort

I still find it hard to believe what we're about to do today. The days are passing, and we're already halfway through our trip. Me, a sun-loving girl who's only ever been to beaches, is now discovering a ski resort for the first time. Ever since I heard the news, I've had a lump in my throat. I just can't wrap my head around it.

“Do you think I’ll be able to do it?” Mapi asks me, standing by my side.

I take a deep breath. Thankfully, in the worst scenarios, my best friend is always there to face things with me.

"It’s up to you to feel it. Are you still in a lot of pain?” I ask, referring to her leg.

“It depends on the day... I hope it’ll be okay.”

“Have you talked to Ingrid about it?”

“Yeah, we had a chance to talk. She knows I don’t like to bring it up, but she knows what happened.”

“Then you don’t need to worry. I’m sure she’ll be careful.”

“You think so?”

“Of course,” I say with a smile. “From what I’ve seen these past few days, she seems attentive to you. I have no doubt she’ll know when to stop you if you push too hard.”

“Blah, blah, blah.”

We laugh, fully aware that this is exactly what will happen. Mapi loves challenges, and once she’s conquered them, she tends to not want to stop. I understand her fear, though. Skiing puts a lot of strain on your legs. She’ll likely feel pain at some point, even with the effective treatment she’s been on for years. Skiing... Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. I’m not at all comfortable with this idea, especially after our last two nights. The waitress Aitana flirted with invited us to some private parties. The first one was quite wild for some, and we got back late. We didn’t want to do much the next day. Most of us stayed at the hotel to relax, while the two other couples and I preferred to head back into town. We went out again last night, but it was much more low-key. The girls didn’t want to waste another day doing nothing. They had used their day at the hotel to look into things to do. The ski resort was their top recommendation. When they suggested it to us, I was the only one not very enthusiastic. I tend to enjoy walking in the snow in different ways, but I realize that’s not everyone’s preference. The girls were starting to lose patience and really wanted to do something more dynamic. This activity was definitely a lot more energetic than the previous ones. The weather was on our side, with the snow having stopped today, so it was the perfect time to plan sledding and skiing. The last time I was in a place like this, I must have been six years old. My mom wasn’t a fan of mountain vacations, being someone who had always lived in the sun. We went once thanks to my dad, who granted my wish. Those were the most memorable holidays for me because it was the first time I ever went sledding. However, I never skied, and the same goes for Mapi, who, unlike me, is seeing snow for the first time after her first visit to Manchester. We were supposed to go sledding this morning, but because of our little handicap, our girlfriends, who are currently ahead of us, decided to change the plan for the four of us. Since Mapi hadn’t changed her behavior, I thought it was a good opportunity for just the two of us. I needed to talk to her. I could sense something was bothering her, and I didn’t like it. I tried sending Alexia in my place, but she couldn’t get much out of her. Either Mapi didn’t understand her intention, or I was really imagining things, which I doubt.

“So, can I ask you a question?” she starts again. “But you won’t take it the wrong way, right?”

“Why would I take it the wrong way?”

“It’s about Lucy.”

The mention catches me off guard. Is she trying to talk about it? The timing couldn’t be better. At least we can clear the air before today’s activities because we both know there’s some tension.

“I’m listening.”

“Promise me you won’t take it the wrong way?” she insists.

“Mapi, we’ve always told each other everything up until now. Why would you be afraid of my reaction?”

She sighs, letting her shoulders relax. Her behavior towards me over the past two days remains a mystery. The way she kept pulling me away from Lucy left me puzzled and annoyed. I started wondering if she had a problem with her, and now I’m starting to believe it more and more. I hope it’s nothing serious. I don’t particularly want them to stop talking, or worse, have to choose between the two.

“So why didn’t you come talk to me yourself? You sent Alexia, didn’t you? I’m not that clueless.”

I bite my lip, caught off guard. Alexia had warned me that it would be better if I went myself, but I didn’t listen. Now, I’m already regretting that bad decision.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have, you’re right.”

“So, you really sent her?”

“I could tell you were on edge. I was afraid it would get worse if I came first.”

We look at each other for a moment, then laugh together. We both feel a bit silly, I think. There’s good reason for it. We’ve never been afraid to tell each other things. That’s what I’ve always loved about Mapi. Even if we knew it wouldn’t please the other, we’ve always been honest.

“Sorry, I was really nervous about bringing it up.”

“You didn’t need to be,” I sigh. “So... it’s about Lucy, right?”

“Yeah, um...” she starts, suddenly feeling awkward. “I don’t really know how to say this. First, does she still hold a grudge against me?”

“What?” I frown. “No! Why would she have something against you?”

I look at my girlfriend who’s ahead of us with Ingrid. We’ve slowed down our walk since we started talking, creating a bigger gap than before. They’re both in an animated conversation, laughing from time to time. I think about all the ways Lucy could have made her think that, but nothing comes to mind. She did give her a bit of a hard look the day she pulled me away from her during the walk, but that passed quickly when she found it amusing that I was angrier than she was. Anyway, since we’ve been together, it’s different. She no longer sees Mapi as a threat, but simply as someone very important to me.

“Well, I don’t know... I felt like she was giving me dirty looks last time. Sorry, I might be imagining things.”

“Lucy has no problem with you, I assure you. She really likes you and knows what you mean to me. If it were otherwise, she would have told me, and I would have fixed things.”

“Okay...” she murmurs. “You love her, don’t you? I’ve never seen you so attached to someone like her.”

I breathe softly. Oh yes, I love her, and I spend all my time glued to her. I was never that person before, but she made me this way. In none of my previous relationships did I seek physical contact as I do now.

“Does it bother you?”

She looks at me for a moment. I can see the internal struggle she’s having. She doesn’t know how to respond, and it’s all the more unsettling. I give her a friendly nudge.

“Come on, spill it. We’re talking about it for a reason, after all.”

“I was very surprised,” she begins. “I think your Valentine’s Day made me jealous. Not romantically. Ingrid is wonderful to me, and I appreciate her more and more each day,” she quickly justifies. “But in terms of us, our relationship, our friendship...”

Now that she says it, it’s true that after I shared everything we did, her behavior changed. I frown at this realization. Without saying anything, she continues.

“I never knew how to give you the same things she does. Just look at the day you spent together. It’s obvious she thought of you first in her plans. I’ve never been able to do that for you. Not even for a day.”

“Mapi—”

“I know our relationship is different from yours. It was powerful in another way, and it was during another period. We were younger and a bit more carefree. But what she’s done with you in just a few months is just... impressive. She’s transformed you, and I feel lousy for not being able to give you the same support and help you grow like she has.”

Regret, remorse. That’s all I hear in her words, and now it’s my turn to feel bad. How did she get to the point of feeling so worthless? She doesn’t even realize how much she’s helped me. Her return after Feli sparked a lot of progress that she doesn’t seem to have noticed. I release my lip from between my teeth and reply without thinking.

“You have nothing to blame yourself for. You’re the one who gave me the most support before I joined this school. You did the hardest part by getting me out of my room.”

I smile just remembering it. She had to drag me, but she did it, and she stayed with me the whole time. It was her, and no one else, who accomplished that feat.

"I have to admit, being away from my problems was the best idea my mom ever had. You’ve never set foot in my school, but we all have our problems, often similar, sometimes completely different."

Korbin's situation comes to mind. She just never had the chance to grow up in a stable environment, which led to her circumstances. Just thinking about it makes me sick.

"I'm not saying you can't understand, but they teach us to open up, to trust each other. Like with Alexia, you know? We’ve confided in each other about our issues. Plus, we're also guided. Especially by Lucy, in my case, but not just her. It’s a collective thing, you see? It's not just Lucy who helped me evolve, as you said."

"And in all this, what happens to me?"

"What do you mean, what happens to you?" I teased. "You’re still my best friend, no matter what. Nothing will change that. Neither new friendships nor our new relationships. We’re still us."

"Good, I’m relieved," she said, clearly feeling better. "Because I’ve applied for a transfer for next year."

"Really?" I said, excited.

She had mentioned wanting to follow me, but hadn’t said what she was planning. Knowing she’ll be here next year makes me really happy. Even though the school keeps me busy, I miss her a lot.

"Of course! You’re not getting rid of me that easily," she giggled. "My teacher said there shouldn’t be any problem. The school in Manchester has a better reputation, but with my good grades, I should get accepted. He even said it would be better for me."

"That’s awesome!"

I hugged her tightly. She doesn’t have an official response yet, but I’m confident it will work out. Mapi is a very diligent student, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. After all, she’s doing what she loves.

"I’m really happy, honestly."

"Can I confess something else while we’re at it?" she asked, pulling away from my embrace. "But you won’t take it the wrong way, right?"

"What now?" I asked, holding back a small laugh.

"I used to wonder if Lucy would be enough for you," she admitted, making me frown. "That was before you were together. I thought she was too calm and too sensible. Not to mention she didn’t seem to enjoy parties. You just have to see how she reacted to last night’s party agai—"

"She wasn’t feeling well yesterday," I defended her immediately. "She had a migraine, and the party wasn’t the best for her, but she still wanted to come."

"Whatever," she said, waving her hand as if it didn’t matter. "That’s not the point, it was just an example. I thought she’d be boring for you in the long run. I talked about it with Ingrid before you were together, and she got mad, saying I didn’t know Lucy. And I have to admit, she was right."

Her last sentence brought me instant relief. I was already worried she might say she no longer saw me with Lucy, which would have been strange since she’s the one who kind of pushed us together.

"So, you’ve changed your mind?" I asked hesitantly, making her shrug.

"I have to admit she knows how to handle you," she replied with a small smile that made me laugh. "That’s all that matters, and if you’re happy with her, that’s what’s important."

"I am. She’s really sweet and adorable. I didn’t expect that either."

"Oh, really?" she said, surprised.

"Well, yeah… She’s always been caring towards me, but I found her so closed off before that I didn’t know what to expect if she ever opened up."

"I see… So how is it?"

"It’s really great. She’s confided in me little by little, but now, she’s so open that I can see her expressions, you know? That wasn’t the case before."

"Hmm, hmm," she smiled. "Are you sure it’s not you who finally opened your eyes to how she feels?"

"Of course not," I replied, gently hitting her arm, making her laugh.

"I’m telling you, Ona. She was already smitten the first time I saw her interact with you. I even told Lucy. You were just too oblivious to notice."

I blushed just thinking about it. We really were blind, according to our friends.

"Maybe you’re right… We’re together now," I said pensively. "You know, I wanted to use this vacation to get closer to her. I was really scared of my reactions when starting a new relationship," I confessed to her.

"You haven’t slept together yet, have you?"

"No," I grimaced. "Do you think Lucy will be patient with that? I’m worried."

"Yeah, don’t worry. Knowing her, she has the patience of a saint. If she needs it, I bet she’ll let you know."

"If you say so… Anyway, don’t scare me like that again. I really need your positive opinion, and you know that, right?"

"I know, yeah," she smiled. "And you have it. She even managed to make me jealous, and that’s saying something."

I chuckled, shaking my head. At least she’s not afraid to admit it. Others would have denied it. Not her, and I love that about her.

"And you, with Ingrid?" I changed the subject.

"She’s great, really," she answered instantly, clearly expecting the question. "Much better than Ana. She’s cool, we laugh a lot, and she’s laid back. Oh, and also, in bed, she’s pretty good."

"Oh, Maps, please, spare me the details."

"What? You don’t want to know?"

"No, thanks," I grimaced.

"Are you sure?"

She laughed, fully aware that this is one of the few topics we can’t discuss. I’m not prudish, but I’d rather not know what my ex does with her new girlfriends. Talking about it makes me feel like we’re back in the past, and I’d rather avoid that. After this little laugh, we both sighed softly. We really needed this conversation to clear the air.

"Looks like our wild nights are over now."

"Seems like it, yeah," I chuckled.

"I think I’m a bit scared of this new change, you know, becoming an adult, having responsibilities. Ingrid even says I often act like a child," she laughed, making me smile.

I put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me. She rested her head on my shoulder, accepting my embrace.

"We’ll do it together, don’t worry. Never one without the other."

She nodded and kissed my cheek afterward, making me smile. All she needed was reassurance. I regret letting things get to the point where she felt neglected and unheard. I’ll have to figure out how to balance things better in the future. I’ve already hurt her enough in the past, I don’t need to add anything else.

"I guess I owe Lucy an apology now."

"Oh, it’s not necessary."

"It is. Knowing you, you’ll tell her everything, so I might as well do it myself," she replied.

I laughed because she’s so right. I can’t hide anything from Lucy. Especially since she’s been glancing over at us, and I imagine she’ll have questions for me.

"And I’ll have to thank her too," Mapi said, drawing my attention back to her.

"For what?"

"Thanks to you two, I met Ingrid," she answered with a small smile. "We exchanged numbers to talk about you mainly, but we hit it off so well that we got closer. So, thank you too."

"It’s my pleasure if we helped you. Your happiness is important to me, you know that. Now that everything’s clear, how about a hug?"

"Damn right, I’ve been waiting for that."

I laughed as I barely had time to catch her in my arms for a tight embrace. I missed her touch. Mapi will always be the first person who helped me out of that dark place. She’s indispensable to me, and she should know that. I closed my eyes, savoring this moment that I had missed. It’s different from being with Lucy, but just as familiar.

"Come on, we should catch up with them before they start wondering where we are."

Now that she mentioned it, I realized we couldn’t see our girlfriends anymore. Instead, a small wooden cabin stood before us. I easily guessed it was the chalet where we were supposed to pick up our gear, thanks to the sign. I nodded and let her go in first. Our girlfriends were in line, so we joined them.

- "Well, what took you so long, girls?" Ingrid asked as we approached.

- "Sorry, we were just talking," Mapi explained as she pulled away from me to enjoy a hug from her girlfriend.

I nestled into Lucy's embrace, just as Mapi did with Ingrid. Lucy's expression was full of curiosity after I stole a kiss. I snuggled into her neck and whispered:

- "I'll explain later."

My answer seemed to satisfy her because she hugged me tightly and kissed my temple. I smiled as I watched the other couple interact. It was clear who was in charge between them, and it was a bit surprising. Normally, Mapi was the one who took control, but not in Ingrid's arms, it seemed. Given Ingrid's playful nature, I hadn’t expected her to take on that role.

- "When will you tell me?"

I turned my attention back to Lucy. It was only then that I noticed her impatience, which made me smile.

- "Be patient. You'll know everything tonight, I promise."

- "Hmm... Okay," she said, pouting adorably, which made me smile.

It was funny how eager she was to know. Since I’d become better at reading her expressions, I’d discovered many traits I hadn’t known about before. Curiosity was one of them. I admired her so much for being able to hide it and not bombard me with questions. That's probably what I would have done in her place, but she knew that would have made me run. I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. With these thoughts in mind, I stood on my tiptoes to kiss her again, hoping it would satisfy her for now. I could tell she was frustrated about not knowing our conversation, but I didn’t want to discuss it in front of the girls. It seemed my idea worked because she returned my kiss with a hidden smile.

- "It’s our turn," Ingrid pointed out.

We noticed she was right as we turned to the counter.

- "Can you help me pick out my equipment?" I asked Lucy. "I don’t really know what I’m doing."

- "Of course."

We walked forward with her hand resting on my waist. The receptionist handed us our gear based on Lucy’s instructions. I didn’t know anything about this, so I trusted her judgment.

- "Can’t we snowboard instead of skiing?" I asked when I saw a snowboard nearby.

- "Learn to ski first, will you?" she chuckled. "Snowboarding is much harder."

- "Really? But it’s just one board under your feet."

- "Exactly," she laughed. "It’s much harder to balance and stay on your feet. We’ll try it someday when you’ve mastered skiing."

- "So that means we’ll come back?"

- "We’ll go wherever you want, whenever you want, and as many times as you want, sweetheart."

I bit my lip at how affectionate she was becoming day by day. She had never been this sweet with me before. The tough, relentless Lucy was long gone, and I couldn’t even say which version I preferred now. I felt more and more important in her eyes, and that’s all I ever wanted.

- "Come on, let’s get going," she pulled me out of my daydream.

We thanked the man for his service, and the four of us headed outside with our equipment. We found a bench where we could sit and put on our skis. Aside from my grumbling, it was a pretty quiet moment. Lucy had a teasing smile as she watched me struggle. I had just managed to put on the boots she had chosen for me. I was surprised that she had picked the right size without even asking.

- "You could help instead of just laughing at me."

- "Of course," she said, her smile widening. "Since you asked so nicely."

- "Hey!" I protested, pouting.

- "I’m kidding."

As if she’d been doing this her whole life, she effortlessly got up and crouched down in front of me. She started by tightening the straps on my boots, which apparently weren’t tight enough for her. Then she placed the skis flat on the ground, and I finally understood the system when she positioned the tip of my foot in front of the clips. She then asked me to press down with my heel, and I heard my boot click into the ski. I did the same with the other one. At first, the sensation of having something under my feet was very strange, especially when I tried to slide them back and forth. The real fun was about to start. We exchanged a smile, as if she was thinking the same thing as I was when she stood up. She pecked my lips and held out her hands.

- "Come on, princess. It’s time to stand up."

- "Oh my God," I murmured as I wobbled the moment she pulled me to my feet.

The feeling was very weird. I probably would have slipped if Lucy hadn’t been holding me in her strong arms. She chuckled, gently pulling me closer. I regretted having such a bulky jacket on because I couldn’t feel her touch on my skin.

- "Okay... So what now?"

- "I’m going to let go and grab your poles."

- "And if I fall?"

- "You won’t fall," she laughed.

To make sure of it, she kept one arm around my waist as she moved to grab our poles. Once she had them, she let go of me and stood beside me. I glanced over at the girls who were watching us.

- "Okay," I said, taking a deep breath. "And now?"

- "Now we move forward."

I blinked as I saw Mapi following Ingrid. It was like she had been doing this forever. I parted my lips and looked at Lucy, who was laughing at me.

- "H-how did she do that?"

Lucy burst into laughter, which annoyed me. I had a feeling I’d be the last one today, and I hated that.

- "It’s not hard. It’s like walking. Just take small steps. It’ll help you get used to the skis and work on your balance. Then we’ll start sliding."

- "I’m suddenly not feeling so confident..."

- "Hey, it’ll be okay, alright? There will be falls and probably a lot of bruises tonight, but you’ll be fine. I’ll help you, and I won’t let you leave until you’ve made at least one descent."

- "Oh my God..." I muttered. "And what if I’m sore tonight?"

- "I have a little solution for that... But it’ll be up to you to decide when the time comes."

- "When you say things like that, it’s usually something I won’t like..."

- "Who knows... You’ll tell me tonight."

Wednesday, February 17th, 8:30 PM - Hotel Room.

All day, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Lucy’s suggestion would be. I turned it over in my mind a thousand times, hoping that in the end, it would be the jacuzzi we’d go to. As I had predicted, all my muscles were sore from this simultaneously disastrous and rewarding day. If I learned anything today, it’s that I’m a walking disaster. Though that’s not new, I was really bad at skiing. Once again, Lucy showed incredible patience with me. Unlike me, Mapi picked it up quickly. She’s always been more athletic and daring than me, so it wasn’t surprising. Lucy didn’t mind that we stayed at the bottom of the slope all day, while the girls and the rest of our friends who joined us after lunch went up to do runs. I think Lucy was happy we could spend some time together, uninterrupted for once. When we got back, I expected her to announce her idea right away, but she wanted us to have dinner with our friends first. It made me feel confused and reluctant, knowing that the pool had a closing time and would probably be closed by the time we were done. I was slightly disappointed since I had been dreaming about it all day, but now that I’m facing her real proposal, I don’t know how to react. I agreed, of course, but that didn’t make me any less nervous.

- "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, I’d understand if you didn’t, you know. We’ve only been together for two weeks, and then-"

- "Luce, I told you I wanted to do it. Are you sure you haven’t changed your mind?" I half-joked.

The panic in her eyes disappeared for a moment, replaced by tenderness.

- "I haven’t. It’s just that I don’t want you to be scared or think I’m rushing things."

"We’re in swimsuits. What am I supposed to be scared of? We’ve already been in the pool, in a jacuzzi, and even in a spa. It’s not a bubble bath we’re going to take in swimsuits that’s going to scare me. »

- It's smaller, more intimate, and... private.

- That's what makes it even more romantic, right? I want us to spend some time together, just the two of us. For once, we actually have the time.

She giggles as she turns off the water that had been running until now when he gets halfway to the bathtub. To be honest, I'm in total panic inside. I can't even explain why. Lucy is everything you could want in a girlfriend. She didn't run away when I told her that I had isolated myself from the world for half a year. On the contrary, she wanted to prove to me that I'm no longer alone. Maybe it's because I know that this situation will bring us to an even deeper stage in our relationship. I push the thought away and speak.

- You getting in first? I murmur.

She nods softly, stepping one foot at a time into the tub. My eyes don't leave her for a second as she sits at the back of the tub. I hesitate for a moment, but her reassuring smile tells me I have nothing to fear. She's the only person I've never been afraid of, at least not in the context of a relationship. Of course, I fear her when she's in a black rage, especially at me, but never otherwise. I return her smile and join her. Instead of leaning my back against hers, I decide to snuggle up against her side. My tension quickly evaporates as my sore muscles relax and Lucy runs a hand through my hair, wrapping her other arm around me. The water is boiling hot, but there's nothing better after this cold day. She kisses my forehead with a satisfied sigh.

- Here we are, in this bath.

I giggle, burying my head in her neck. She had been dreaming about this, and now I finally understand why.

- Have you been dreaming of this moment all day too?

- You could say that... Did you know I wanted to do this?

- No, not the bath, I admit. But now that we're here, it was a very good idea.

And I mean it. The steam rising from the bath creates a strange atmosphere in the room. From where I'm sitting, I can see the mirror, which fogged up in no time. When I look down at the bath, I'm glad to see that the bubbles cover my bruised body.

- Do you know why Mapi's been acting weird lately? I start the conversation with a hint of amusement in my voice.

I break the silence now that we're alone, in the calm. Lucy hums slightly at my question.

- So there was a reason?

- In a way, yes...

I lift my head to meet her eyes with furrowed brows. I smile, finding her adorable like this. She always makes that face when something bothers her or when she doesn't understand what's going on.

- Hmm... So... What was the reason?

- Lots of things... Jealousy, worry, doubts...

- In what way? she asks, skeptical. She thinks I wouldn't take good care of you?

- No, that's not it.

I smile in amusement, detecting impatience in her movements. She knows Mapi's opinion matters to me. Just to tease her a little longer, I reluctantly get up to straddle her. She removes her hands from me, placing them on the edge of the tub while watching me with confusion. I lose track of our conversation, mesmerized by the beauty in front of me. The setting really enhances Lucy. My fingers trace her exposed neck. She had pulled her hair into a messy bun right after our meal. She wanted to be comfortable. I appreciate seeing her so natural. I might not be the first to see her like this, but at least I'm the first among the students at Camp Wiegman. So, she's no longer the terrifying instructor everyone fears. She's just my girlfriend, who grants me the privilege of seeing her true self. Our evenings alone are my favorite moments so far, even though I've also enjoyed the parties. She seems almost innocent and harmless, which is far from the case at school. I almost dread the moment we have to go back. I don't know how she'll react, nor how I'll react. We'll resume our roles, and I won't be able to enjoy her company in her room as I'll have to return to mine. 

- What are you thinking about, looking at me so sadly?

My eyes, which were focused on her mouth where my fingers are now, rise to meet hers. Her excitement has faded into concern. I feel guilty for making her worry, just because my thoughts, which were positive before getting in the bath, suddenly veered to a darker side. It was stronger than me. The idea that we might not be able to live this normally anymore doesn't sit well with me. Especially not after the amazing week we've been having.

- Did I do something wrong? she asks, making me shake my head. Did Mapi say something she shouldn't have? she continues.

I shake my head again. Words fail me, preventing me from defending against things she might believe because of my silence. Unable to find the words, I lean in to kiss her. Hard. Though slightly hesitant, she kisses me back, her hands gently caressing my waist. I seek even more contact, but she stops me.

- Hey, hey, stop. I get that this environment can give ideas, but that's not the point of this evening.

Her words cool my ardor, and I blush, realizing what I've just done. How could I have gone so far with just one fleeting thought?

- S-sorry... I-I didn't mean to. I-I don't know what came over me.

- It's okay, really, she giggles. What were you thinking about to get carried away like that, hmm? You were looking at me with adoration before suddenly closing off.

- I'm afraid of not handling our return to school well.

Lucy arches an eyebrow in confusion. It's understandable. I'm jumping from one topic to another without any reason.

- Did Mapi mess with your head? she deduces, still unsure of what's going on.

- No! I quickly reply. Mapi just needed comfort. She was jealous that she couldn't comfort me the way you do.

- Oh. I didn't see that coming... I thought I was the problem.

- No. She just felt neglected. We've drifted apart because of the distance, but it'll be okay. And...

I pause for a moment, unsure if I should continue.

- And?

- Will you promise not to hold it against her? I ask, nervously biting my lip.

- Why would I hold it against her?

- Because I'm not sure you'll appreciate what she thought of you at first...

- Go on, she mumbles, her mood shifting.

I bite my lip again. I know I'm taking a risk, but I can't afford to stay silent. I promised myself to be honest with her.

- I think she still saw us as the teens we were, because she thought you were too calm and reasonable for me.

I watch her closely as I say all this. Her reaction is strange. It's as if she's suppressing her feelings again.

- If you say that's what she thinks, then I guess that's not how you feel?

Of course not. How many times do I have to tell you? You're everything I need, Lucy. Mapi understands that now. Especially after the Valentine's Day you planned for me. She's planning to apologize to you because she knows I would tell you. If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I don't care about playing the reckless teenager anymore.

- OK... she murmurs. Thank you for being honest. I'll wait for Mapi's apology.

The tone of her voice isn't as cold as I expected. I understand that she doesn’t hold it against her. After all, she didn’t like her much at first either. If she says this, it's probably because she’ll use the opportunity to talk with her face-to-face.

- Thank you, I whispered at the thought. Thank you for everything.

- I love you.

My muscles relax at these simple words, which have become part of our daily routine. Lucy had promised to show me how much I mean to her, and for the past three days, that's all she’s done. I feel so loved, especially after struggling for so long to love myself.

- Say it again, please.

- I love you, my love.

This time, there’s a hint of amusement in her voice, but it doesn’t lessen the impact. She pulls me closer, returning us to our original position.

- Everything will be okay, alright? We'll figure things out. I’ll take care of us. But you, I want you to prioritize your future.

- You are my future, I murmured.

- I mean professionally, my love. I’ll take care of you like I promised, and I’ll handle our other relationships, like with Mapi if needed, but you have to focus on your studies first. Is that clear? Can you do that? It’s not that hard, right?

- No... It isn’t, as long as you’re by my side.

- I will be, no matter what. And how about we just enjoy our moment for once, hmm? You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.

- No, I don’t, but I understand why now. I wanted to thank you for being so patient with me. These past few days have been magical. I haven’t felt this at peace in someone’s arms in a long time.

- That’s all that matters then. That’s how I want you to feel with me. Not scared, or anxious, or lacking confidence, or uncomfortable... Just yourself.

- I am, I murmured. You’re the one who helped rebuild me. You’re probably the person I trust the most.

I take a deep breath at that thought. It’s frightening to depend so much on one person. But that’s my reality. I truly depend on Lucy. We both know that if she’s no longer in my life, I might spiral even worse than before. It happened once, and it wasn’t pretty. I could barely sleep at night or eat during meals, and it will happen again if she ever leaves me. I know that’s unlikely now, but even a one percent chance is terrifying.

- I don’t want to go back, I confided. You make me feel like I’m living a dream.

- I assure you, your dream is real, she teased. You’ll have to get used to living this peacefully.

- You have no idea how right you are, I murmured, snuggling even closer to her.

I close my eyes with a small, satisfied smile spreading across my lips. Yeah, I could easily get used to this new way of life.

- If Mapi kept us apart during our outings, it’s because she missed me, but also because she was seeking my attention out of fear that I’d leave her behind...

- I see, she sighed. There were other ways she could have shown it. Like, for example, talking to you about it.

- She knows she acted poorly, but my distance from her and my closeness to you affected her. She regrets it. In fact, we shouldn’t have involved everyone in this. I should’ve talked to her directly. I almost thought she had a fight with Ingrid.

- She didn’t, don’t worry. Ingrid mentioned it briefly at lunch, she reassured me.

A small sigh of relief escaped me. The last thing we need is for our little issues to affect their relationship.

- So, everything’s settled now? She’s going to leave us alone for the rest of the trip?

- I’ll make sure of it, I giggled.

- Good... So, back to you. Why do you understand how she feels?

- Because I’m afraid of our return to school...

- Babe, she sighed. We’ve already talked about this.

[whatachillkillyeri]

Love Amidst Persecution

Son chaeyoung x farmer female reader

Synopsis- loving someone even though its forbidden

Warning- takes place in the 17 century, mention of hanging, fuck chae father in this story, mention of homophobia

A/n- happy chae day

In the small, idyllic town of Springfield, nestled amidst the lush, rolling hills of the countryside, the air was thick with anticipation. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the fields, where the crops swayed gently in the breeze. A sense of peace and contentment filled the air, as if everything was as it should be.

The people of Springfield went about their daily routines, oblivious to the events that was about to unfold in the future . Young lovers strolled hand-in-hand through the cobblestone streets, children laughed and played in the town square, and merchants busily set up their stalls, displaying their wares for all to see.

Seo y/n was a 17th century farmer girl, her hands calloused from the soil and her cheeks permanently flushed from the sun. Her home was nestled in the heart of the town, surrounded by lush fields and chattering streams. Life was simple, yet fulfilling, as she tended to her crops and cared for her livestock.

As she walked through the rows of corn, wheat, and potatoes, she hummed a cheerful tune, her basket swinging gently at her side. Suddenly, she heard a rustling nearby and stopped in her tracks. There, in the distance, she saw a figure approaching. As they drew closer, Y/N realized it was Son Chaeyoung, the daughter of the head of the town. She looked flustered and out of breath.

"Y/N, I-I'm so sorry to bother you," she panted. "My father sent me to fetch you. He needs your help with something important at the town hall." Y/N raised an eyebrow, skeptical. Chaeyoung seemed genuinely nervous, and she rarely ever saw her in the countryside. "It's nothing bad, I promise. He just wants your expertise on...on some crops that aren't doing well." Y/N hesitated, but eventually nodded. She knew Chaeyoung's father valued her knowledge and skills as a farmer. Perhaps this was a chance to strengthen their tenuous relationship.

She followed Chaeyoung back into town, her heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and fear. The town hall was bustling with activity, townsfolk rushing about, delivering messages and supplies. Chaeyoung led her to her father's garden . He looked up as they entered and smiled warmly. "Ah, Y/N. I'm glad you could join us. I'm sure you can help us figure out what's wrong with these crops."

Y/N nodded, trying to hide her unease. As she examined the wilting crops , she noticed something strange about them. "It looks like they're infested with aphids," she said, pointing to the tiny insects that were sucking the life out of the crops . Chaeyoung's father looked surprised. "Aphids? I've never seen them this far south before. Thank you, Y/N. You've been most helpful."

He gestured for her to sit down beside him, and they spent the next hour discussing farming techniques and strategies for dealing with the infestation. Y/N was surprised to find that Chaeyoung's father was actually quite knowledgeable about the subject, and they shared many stories and experiences.

When it was time for Y/N to return home, Chaeyoung walked her back to the edge of town. They stopped at a picturesque spot overlooking the valley, and Y/N offered Chaeyoung some freshly picked apples from her orchard. As they sat there, talking, enjoying the view and the crisp autumn air, Y/N felt a strange connection with Chaeyoung. It was as if they had known each other for much longer than just a few hours.

"You know," Chaeyoung said softly, breaking the silence, "my parents... they don't understand. They think that same sex relationship is wrong. That we should be with someone of the opposite sex. " Y/N looked at her, surprised. She knew what it was like to be different, to be misunderstood.

"Well, they're wrong," she said, offering Chaeyoung a reassuring smile. "You're special, and you should be with someone who sees that." Chaeyoung blushed and looked away, playing with a stray strand of hair. "I just wish... I wish they could understand." Y/N squeezed Chaeyoung's hand gently. "Time will change things, I'm sure of it."

They sat in silence for a while longer, enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. Finally, Chaeyoung stood up, brushing the dirt from her skirt. "I should get back. Thank you again for your help today, Y/N. It means a lot." She leaned in and kissed Y/N's cheek before walking away.

Y/N watched her go with a smile, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't experienced in a long time. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the world in a golden glow, she couldn't help but feel hopeful. Maybe things would change between Chaeyoung and her parents. Maybe they would come to understand that love had no boundaries, no rules.

She gathered up the remains of the picnic and started back towards her home, lost in thought. The image of Chaeyoung's face, the way she smiled and blushed, filled her mind. The way chaeyoung looks so effortlessly gorgeous.

As she neared her orchard, the setting sun cast a warm glow over the apple trees, turning their leaves into a symphony of reds and golds. She stopped for a moment, taking in the beauty of the scene, and realized that perhaps this was what love was all about. It wasn't just about being with someone you cared for, but about finding beauty and joy in the world around you.

The next few months passed by in a blur of activity. Y/N spent every spare moment helping Chaeyoung's father tend to their crops. After that she would meet up with chaeyoung. where they would shared stories, laughter, and even a few tears. Each time they parted ways, they promised to see each other soon, their words filled with hope and longing.

Despite the challenges they faced, they found solace in each other's company. They talked about their dreams for the future, about the places they wanted to visit and the things they wanted to achieve. Y/N found herself inspired by Chaeyoung's determination and resilience, while Chaeyoung admired Y/N's strength and independence. They were, in many ways, complements of each other.

One afternoon, as they sat beneath the shade of an ancient apple tree, talking about accident that their friend dahyun made, Chaeyoung leaned in and kissed Y/N. It was a soft, tender kiss that left them both breathless. For a moment, they forgot about everything else and were lost in the moment. When they finally pulled apart, they looked into each other's eyes, their faces flushed with emotion.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," Chaeyoung murmured, running her fingers through Y/N's hair.

Y/N smiled and leaned in, kissing Chaeyoung tenderly. The sunlight filtered through the leaves above them, dappling their skin with shadows and light. The warmth from Chaeyoung's body felt so right against hers, and Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. They kissed for what seemed like hours, lost in the moment, the world around them fading away.

Eventually, they pulled apart, breathless and flushed. Y/N reached up to brush a strand of hair from Chaeyoung's face, her fingers trembling slightly. "I feel the same way," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling of the leaves. "I've wanted this for so long."

They lay there for a moment, their hearts racing, the world around them seeming to slow down. Chaeyoung traced the line of Y/N's jaw with her finger, marveling at the softness of her skin. "I never thought I'd find someone like you," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Someone who understands me, and who I can be myself around."

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling with love for Chaeyoung. "And I never thought I'd find someone who could make me feel this way," she replied, reaching up to run her fingers through Chaeyoung's hair. "Who could make me forget about everything else and just be happy."

They lay there for a while longer, lost in each other's company, enjoying the simple pleasures of their love. The sun began to sink lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the orchard. Eventually, they sat up, brushing the grass from their clothes. Y/N glanced around, noticing how the trees seemed to sway gently, as if they were moving to some unheard melody.

"Come with me," Y/N said, taking Chaeyoung's hand. "I want to show you something."

She led Chaeyoung through the rows of apple trees, the evening air cool against their skin. As they walked, the branches overhead swayed gently, creating a natural canopy that cast dappled shadows across their path. They emerged from the orchard and found themselves at the edge of a small meadow, dotted with wildflowers and tall grasses. A small stream trickled nearby, its waters sparkling in the fading light. grasses swaying in the gentle breeze. The sky above was a deep, vibrant blue, speckled with puffy white clouds.

"This is my favorite spot," Y/N said, her voice soft with affection. "I used to come here when I needed some peace and quiet. It's where I felt closest to nature, and to myself."

Chaeyoung smiled, her eyes taking in the beauty around them. "It's beautiful here," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the stream. "It's like a secret oasis, hidden away from the world."

Y/N nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over her as she looked out over the meadow. "I used to come here when I needed to clear my head, or when I just wanted to feel close to something bigger than myself." She glanced at Chaeyoung, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I never imagined I'd find someone who could make me feel this way, though."

Chaeyoung smiled, stepping closer to Y/N. "Neither did I," she replied softly, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from Y/N's face. "But I'm so glad we found each other." She paused, her gaze meeting Y/N's. "Because now I feel like anything is possible."

They stood there in silence for a moment, the sounds of the meadow and the stream providing a gentle background hum. Y/N leaned in, their breath mingling as she pressed her lips to Chaeyoung's. The kiss was tender and sweet, a perfect expression of the love they shared. As they pulled apart, Y/N's heart swelled with happiness, and she knew that no matter what challenges they might face in the future, they would face them together.

They stood there in the middle of the meadow, basking in the glow of their love, as the sun dipped below the horizon. The air grew cooler, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of autumn. Y/N wrapped her arms around Chaeyoung, feeling grateful for the warmth and comfort she provided.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Y/N asked, looking up at Chaeyoung with a smile.

Chaeyoung laughed softly, her cheeks flushing. "Of course I do. You were so quiet and shy, but you had this way about you that just drew me in. I couldn't help but want to get to know you better."

They stood there for a moment, lost in their memories, before Chaeyoung turned her attention back to the present. She looked around the meadow, feeling grateful for the peace and serenity that surrounded them. "I never thought I'd find a place like this," she said, her voice barely audible. "A place where I could be truly happy."

Y/N squeezed Chaeyoung's hand, her grip firm yet gentle. "You are my happiness," she replied, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Chaeyoung's cheek. "And I'm yours. No matter what the future holds, we'll face it together."

Their time in the meadow seemed to stretch on forever, the hours passing unnoticed as they reveled in the comfort and love they shared. As the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky. A chill crept into the air, prompting them to move closer together for warmth.

Y/N leaned against Chaeyoung, her head resting on the girl's shoulder as they gazed up at the stars. "Do you have a favorite constellation?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible above the rustling of the leaves in the trees.

Chaeyoung shrugged. "I've always liked Orion's Belt," she replied, her breath tickling Y/N's ear. "It reminds me of when we first met. It was like fate, you know? Like the stars were aligning just for us."

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling at the mention of their meeting. "That's a beautiful way to think about it," she said softly. "I think I'll always remember that night too. It feels like a dream sometimes, being with you like this."

As they continued to watch the stars, the sounds of the forest began to fade away, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze picked up. The air grew colder still, but neither of them seemed to notice or mind. They were content just being together, wrapped in each other's warmth and love.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like," Y/N asked, her voice barely audible over the whispering of the trees, "if we could travel to each of those stars? To see the worlds they're part of, the people who live there?" She felt a shiver run down her spine as she imagined the vastness of the universe, the endless possibilities that lay before them.

Chaeyoung paused for a moment, considering the question. The stars above them seemed to dance in the darkness, their twinkling light casting a soft glow over the meadow. "I think it would be incredible," she finally replied, her voice tinged with awe. "But I think the best part would be coming back here, to this place. To know that no matter where we go or what we see, we'll always have each other. And this place will always be our home."

They sat in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts and the beauty of the night. Y/N felt her heart swell with love and gratitude for Chaeyoung, for the life they shared together. She knew that their love was special, that they were meant to be together. As she looked up at the stars, she made a silent promise to herself: no matter what challenges they might face in the future, she would always fight for their love. She would never take Chaeyoung for granted, and she would do everything in her power to make her happy.

Eventually, the chill in the air grew too intense for them to ignore, and they stood, stretching their limbs and yawning. "You should go back home ," Y/N said, her voice husky with sleep. "It's getting late. And I don’t want you to get in trouble”

Chaeyoung nodded in agreement, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She knew that the night couldn't last forever, but she didn't want to leave this place. She didn't want to leave the feeling of peace and contentment that came with being wrapped up in Y/N's love. But she also knew that if they get caught there will be consequences.

As chaeyoung was sneaking back home, she didn’t notice her father siting on the chair in the dining room.

“Where were you… let me guess out sucking the face off that bloody witch.”her father said. Chaeyoung was shocked. “Why so shocked? You thought I wouldn’t know, I have eyes on you everywhere.” he added.

“So you was spying on me, where’s the trust in that father.” Chaeyoung said. “You broke the trust as soon as you kiss that witch” he responded quickly.

“ oh bloody hell so what I like y/n what wrong about th-” she got cut off with a slap by her father.

“ you don’t like that thing, you don’t even know what love is. She must had put a spell on you to make you believe that .” he said angrily. “ she needs to pay for what she is doing to your mind” he said then went over to grab a torch. He walks out of the house. That’s when chaeyoung realizes what he means by that a rush to y/n cabin.

-

"Chaeyoung," y/n whispered, her voice barely audible. "What are you doing here? Your father gonna kill me if he found you here."

Chaeyoung knelt beside her, her eyes wide with fear and desperation. " you need to get out of here , my father is ordering the town to find you ." She wiped the tears from her face, as she gently brushing her knuckles against y/n cheek. "Please, y/n, get out of here, while you still can."

But it was too late. The sound of footsteps approaching echoed through the field. The townspeople had found them. They encircled them, their faces twisted with anger and hatred. They had found y/n, the witch who dared to love another woman especially the daughter of the town . They grabbed her roughly, tearing at her clothes, pulling her away from Chaeyoung. As they dragged her away, she struggled, desperate to reach Chaeyoung one last time, to tell her that she loved her, that it would all be alright.

"Witch! Witch! Hang her at the stake!" they cried, their faces twisted with rage and fear.

Chaeyoung followed, tears streaming down her face, her heart breaking with every step. She begged and pleaded with them to let her go, but they ignored her. They forced her to watch as they hung y/n from the gallows, her body twitching and jerking with each agonizing breath.

As y/n's life faded from her eyes, she looked down at Chaeyoung, her love, the only thing in the world that made her life worth living. "Chaeyoung," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I love you. And I will never ever stop loving you. No matter what happens to me right now, it would never destroy my love for you." With those final words, y/n's soul left her body, as she was hanging from the tree. Chaeyoung screamed, her voice echoing through the fields, the sound of her anguish piercing the very heavens.

The townspeople, satisfied that justice had been served, turned their backs on Chaeyoung, leaving her alone to grieve. But even as they walked away, they could not escape the haunting image of the two lovers, torn apart by a world that could not understand their love. And so, their story lived on, a tragic testament to the enduring power of love, even in the darkest of times.

The sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of red and orange, as if the heavens themselves were weeping for the loss of y/n. Chaeyoung remained at the foot of the gallows, her body racked with sobs, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She clutched at the dirt, refusing to let go, as if somehow she could bring y/n back. But she knew deep down that this was not the end. There was something still pulling her forward, some unspoken promise that their love would find a way to survive.

Night fell, and the stars twinkled in the inky black sky. Chaeyoung's tears finally dried up, leaving her chest heaving with the memory of each sob. She looked up at the stars, searching for some sign, some hope that they would find a way back to each other. And as she stood there, gazing up at the heavens, she swore an oath: she would spend the rest of her life seeking out others like them, those who dared to love against the tide of public opinion. She would fight for their right to be together, to live their lives as they saw fit, free from the judgment of a world that could not understand.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Chaeyoung's determination only grew stronger, her resolve unshakeable. She became a symbol of hope for those who found themselves in her situation, a beacon of light in the darkness. And though y/n was gone, her spirit lived on through Chaeyoung, guiding her every step of the way.

Years passed, and the world began to change. Slowly, but surely, people began to see the error of their ways, to understand that love knew no bounds, no gender, no race. It was a victory of the heart over the head, of compassion over fear. And as Chaeyoung watched this transformation unfold before her eyes, she knew that her love for y/n had not been in vain. She had made a difference, however small, and for that she was eternally grateful.

Eventually, Chaeyoung found herself standing before a great crowd, addressing them with a voice that rang clear and true. "We must never forget the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom," she said, her gaze fixed on the sky, as if y/n were standing there beside her. "We must honor their memory by continuing to fight for justice, for equality, for love. For as long as there is one person left who dares to love against the tide, we will be there to fight by their side." And with that, a roar went up from the crowd, a testament to the enduring power of love and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to follow their hearts.

The years passed, and Chaeyoung grew old, but she never stopped fighting. Her story became legend, a reminder to all who heard it of the incredible strength that can be found in the human heart when it dares to love truly and fiercely. And though y/n's body was gone, her love for Chaeyoung lived on, etched into the very fabric of history, a testament to the power of the human spirit to endure against all odds.

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

NOW LET'S TURN THE TABLES AROUND! How about MC comforting M6 from panic attack/flashback??

The Arcana HCs: How the M6 get panic attacks and how MC comforts them

~ when I posted the other one I had several asks for the reverse. sorry the writer's block made this take so long, enjoy your pain my dudes - brainrot ~

Part 1:

CW for panic attacks, flashbacks, references to familial abuse and addiction recovery

Julian

His panic attacks mostly come from his time in the dungeons below the palace

One of the really beautiful things about him is his commitment to doing good and helping others whenever he can

So once you've started your new life together and settled in, you can bet he'll still be doctoring people wherever you end up

The problem is that he hates seeing people in pain

Which is generally what people are experiencing when they go to a doctor

Most of the time it's fine. He's been doing this for years, he knows how to stay detached from what he has to do while remaining calm and empathetic with his patient

But sometimes, someone comes in with symptoms similar to the Plague

Or worse, they come in with injuries similar to what he saw Valdemar inflict in their research

You'll know as soon as they show up that they will receive the best care he can give them. As long as they are in his clinic, he'll be in peak form looking after them

And once they've been treated and recovered and he's come home, he'll disappear while your back is turned and you'll find him curled up in a ball under the stairs, gloves off and clenched in his fist, trembling like a leaf in the wind

He doesn't cry very much, but you can see his face get even paler and his breath will be shallow

The first thing you want to do is help him get his breathing under control, because if he starts to feel a lack of oxygen for too long it'll trigger a flashback to the time he was hanged, and that makes it much, much worse

It's one thing to be desensitized to other people dying, it's quite another to remember the explicit details of choking to death for a crime you didn't commit, knowing that your friends, loved one, and little sister are all watching with no guarantee of coming back

You'll put his hand on your chest so he can feel you breathe and talk him through as many breathing exercises as you need to

He chatters when he's nervous because he tends to have a racket of thoughts in his head, so if you can get him talking it'll help

When he talks about what's bothering him it means he's not the only person thinking about it anymore, which helps him stop feeling overwhelmed

Once it's over he'll be unusually quiet. He just needs someone to take the weight of the world off of his shoulders, and the best way to do that is to wipe his face with a cool towel, draw him a bath, feed him dinner, and hold him close when it's time to sleep

You don't have to wait until later for him to thank you, he'll be whispering it constantly every time you touch him or make eye contact

He is going to be so sweet to you your teeth will rot

Asra

They're not the clingy type - at all - but their biggest fear is losing the people they love

It was bad enough in the past to make him put other people's well being on the line when he lost you

On one hand, their ordeal with you and freeing their parents forced them to confront their flaws and they have much healthier coping skills in place now

On the other hand, he has more to lose than he ever has before

Which is when they started having panic attacks

All it took was you being out on a quick early errand when they woke up one morning and couldn't find or sense you anywhere

First there was the thought that you were gone. Then his mind started sprinting ahead of him, how gone were you? Were you coming back?

They could ask their parents - unless they were gone too? Nadia would know where they went - what if she left as well? Muriel wouldn't leave, there's always a place for Asra in the hut - unless he got sick of Vesuvia and disappeared too

He can feel his heart rate picking up, blood rushing in his ears, at some point he grabbed a bag to pack and go find you, but this is the pouch where Faust likes to nap and - where's Faust?

They can't see Faust, and they can't think right now, they can't clear their mind to call anyone, their magic isn't responding when they try to summon it, where is Faust? And where are you?

You can tell something's wrong as soon as you get back. Contrary to Asra's perception, his magic is shaking as much as he is, and so is every jar on your shelves

The first thing you do when you see them is gently take their hands from their bag and put them around you

He freezes when he's overwhelmed like this and it's hard for him to sense things, so the best way to pull him out of it is to help him feel that you are still there with him

You'll pull them somewhere comfortable and soothing and wrap your arms around them, put their head where they can hear your heartbeat, run your fingers through their hair and along their back

You'll also be sure to put Faust where she can curl around his arm and squeeze as tightly as she needs to

Once it hits them that you're there, they'll be sobbing with relief

He'll be clutching the back of your shirt, tracing your face with his fingertips, tangling your legs with his so there's no way you can leave without him knowing

Once it's over they'll just want to go back to sleep. They'll wait until you're free to join them though, they are not doing that alone

When he wakes up he'll have a list of people to visit and an invitation for you to join him. He's learned the importance of connection and he wants you at the center of all of his

Nadia

She gets panic attacks about being stuck in her dreams again

It doesn't happen often, much of her recent growth has been overcoming her self-doubt and learning to trust and appreciate her intuition again

But maybe she spent several late nights in a row fretting over a fix Vesuvia problem

Maybe there were a few nobles refusing to give her access to certain supplies or stores

Maybe it's making her begin to question herself again

And maybe she finally gets so exhausted that she sleeps in far later than she planned to the next morning

And maybe the whole time she's asleep it's just a series of stress dreams of not being taken seriously and being unable to move forward with what she needs to do

It begins slowly for her. First her eyes are opening and she's registering how late it is. Then she sees you're not next to her, your day has already started. Without anyone there to ask she has no idea how long she's been asleep -

But how long has she been asleep? The normal hustle and bustle of the Palace is muted since it's mostly in the main halls now, her wing is silent, she doesn't know where Chandra is, this is a nightmare

But she's been having nightmares all night, and apparently all morning, and don't tell her

Oh god, don't tell her this is another nightmare too

You know to check up on her because Chandra came flapping into your face with the kind of urgency you've learned not to ignore

When you walk in she's somehow pacing and hyperventilating at the same time, in uncharacteristic disarray

Her hair is starting to tangle, she's clutching her robe to herself, and her eyes are darting from wall to wall without registering anything

The first thing to do is get into her field of vision where she can focus on you. Once she does that, the fastest way to help her calm down is to answer all her questions

Once she has something to anchor herself with she's very quick to recover

She's a little embarrassed about how easily she was affected, but she appreciates your discretion and becomes more open with you as a result

No matter how late she stays up, she insists you never leave without waking her to let her know

Muriel

Oof, he's been getting these for years

The only big difference is that now you're around to see it happen, where he used to just ride it out on his own

It happens way less often than it used to. Overthrowing Lucio with you made him confront the source of most of his trauma and it's been helping him heal

But hey, it still happens. The first time after you two get together, he forgets you're even there

He's in the woods with you, clearing a path with his staff, when a stray branch snags on his hair and pulls out his bun

His hair is falling in his face, he's still going through the motions of hacking at the underbrush, but he can't see anything and some of the sticks are whipping around and scratching his arms and face

The last straw is when he steps forward onto a sandy patch of ground and then he's back in the Coliseum, gripping his weapon and looking at the person he's about to kill through his curtain of hair, hearing the jeers and boos of Lucio's followers

As soon as he can move he's heading for the hut as fast as possible

His normal routine was just to get somewhere safe and isolated, where he could wait for it to pass without worrying about being noticed

You saw him freeze when his hair got snagged, but by the time you noticed all the signs of panic he was taking off, leaving you behind and very confused

He didn't seem to hear you when you called his name, but Inanna knew what was going on and she was able to lead you to where he was

When you find him he is tucked into a nook in the back of the hut, shaking and hyperventilating and somehow staying completely silent

You need to ground him in the present, so you get the area smelling of myrrh while Inanna climbs into his lap to put pressure on him

Eventually he's able to listen to you talk him through some breathing exercises and the shaking stops

It'll take a while, but he'll open up to you about what it was like. He's never been able to tell anyone else because they would blame themselves, but you've proven that you're strong enough to handle the details

He'll slowly start to stand straighter afterwards, like there's less to hide from, and each time it happens again he comes out of it a little faster

Portia

She'll never admit it to anyone else, but she gets panic attacks about her Aunt Tasya

Can you blame her? One of her two remaining relatives turns into a strange version of the Devil and threatens to sacrifice the world, including herself and those she loves, and then snaps out of it after she talks her down?

She loves the life she has now, she loves you, and she's so free to forgive, but the trauma doesn't disappear and she doesn't know what to do with it

The two of you are meeting with Nadia one afternoon between ambassador trips and she informs you that Tasya will be arriving in Vesuvia for a visit in a few days

You and Nadia both notice the way all the blood drains from Portia's face. She hasn't moved at all but her eyes are staring at something miles away

Nadia dismisses you and you're able to pull her into a more secluded part of the gardens before she completely melts down

Her hands are shaking, there are tears streaming down her cheeks, she's trying to speak to you but she can't catch her breath, she can tell you're worried and she hates worrying you

But more than anything, she's racked with guilt. She loves her aunt, she's forgiven her aunt, she knows that she is stronger than her aunt, she should be looking forward to seeing her again

And yet all she wants to do is grab you and hide. Just the thought of meeting her on the docks makes her nauseated with anxiety and she doesn't know what to do because this isn't how she's supposed to feel about family

You'll have to hold her face in your hands and force her to look at you. The grounding techniques work at first, but until she tells you what's hurting her she can only get so far

At first she can't even make eye contact because she feels so ashamed, but you're able to tell her that whatever she's feeling, it's okay, you won't judge

Once she tells you you'll have to spend the next ten minutes telling her she's not a bad person for what she feels

You're able to talk about it more in depth later, and when the time comes you make sure to be with her anytime you meet with Tasya

Being validated like that helps her to reestablish what family means to her, and she's grateful that you're part of hers

Lucio

His panic attacks are mostly around the Devil and his fear of getting trapped again

Acknowledging his past mistakes was critical for his personal growth, but it also meant facing the fear of being responsible for bad things happening

His panic is more likely to be triggered by old mental habits than anything else

He'll be with you on a job, annoyed by some detail or another, and entirely out of habit he'll think "this would be easier if I could make a deal with someone about it."

And suddenly the rest of his mind is screaming at him. Why would he think that? Is he actually going to go down that path again? He just thought that so easily, what if he actually made that mistake again?

Visions are flashing through his mind of relapsing, slowly bargaining away everything he takes for granted, losing you in the process and having no second chance for redemption

He doesn't want to be who he used to. He doesn't want to - he doesn't want to - he doesn't want to

You'll notice him suddenly stop walking, his eyes fixed on a random nearby object while he's lost in thought

You'll see a sheen of sweat appearing on his face and his hand will begin to tremble

Mercedes and Melchior have been his companions for years, after this has happened once or twice they'll even know to alert you to an impending episode

He'll be muttering pleas under his breath and when you touch him he's started to go cold

The best thing to do is get him to drink some cold water. Something about the action grounds him more effectively than anything else you've tried

You'll get him to sit down against the nearest tree and the two dogs are handling it perfectly, leaning heavily against him and licking his face

Once you've managed to ground him, you'll have to convince him to tell you what he's worried about even if it makes him sound lame

This is the moment where you can praise him without worrying about puffing up his ego. You get to tell him how strong he's become, how much he's changed, why he's worthy of your love

He won't like to acknowledge it after, but he'll hold your hand for the rest of the day

[quilna]

im not too sure if this is the right account to send this ask to (very sorry if it isnt) but i was curious if youd be willing to chat/ramble about your own personal jekyll and hyde version? i remember having a small talk with you on artfight about your jekyll and hyde version (im dragondog from artfight if youre curious) and my curiosity has been peaked ever since. i need to know more. your own personal jekyll and hyde designs and story seem so interesting but i rarely see you talk about them which i think is just absolutely criminal.

:00000000

The sacred question has been asked - someone has asked about my ocs-

This is a perfectly okay account to ask this to! It's the closest I've got to a Jekyll and Hyde account after all.

Anyway, thank you so much for asking!!! This ask was gnawing at me in a good way for most of the day while I was away from my computer, considering what information to include and how to explain stuff. It was a lot of fun!

I'm also glad you found them interesting!!!

(Also going to say before I start is that my Jekyll and Hyde versions get very self indulgent which is why I usually keep them to myself so some factors about my story might sound rather weird or seem to come out of left field. Just a heads up.)

So I guess the best place to start would probably be with Jekyll and Hyde themselves?

Like the book, the two of them are basically the same person. When Jekyll turns into Hyde and vice versa, nobody 'takes control', it's more like getting high or drunk where they're still the same person but still act quite different or think differently from each other.

However, they do have differing opinions on each other. Hyde, being a less repressed version of Jekyll, understands a lot of Jekyll's emotions better than him. He knows when Jekyll regrets something or cares more than he wants to let on. Though, as much as he can have these realisations, when he turns back into Jekyll, he tends to dismiss them as 'irrational' thoughts brought on by the potion and not worth considering (aka, the repression kicks in and he refuses to entertain any conclusions he came to as Hyde.)

This leads to a lot of frustration and concerns from Hyde. The knowledge that he has to turn back into Jekyll, whereupon anything he's realised about themself, anything that could help them both, will be instantly dismissed by himself the moment he turns back. No matter how much he writes it down or tells it to himself again and again because it's not forgotten, Jekyll just doesn't want to look at it. And he can't just bother Jekyll as a hallucination ghost like most adaptations. When he turns back, Hyde is gone. Like a stain of breath on glass.

This also leads to fear from Hyde towards his alter ego - If Jekyll ever decided the potion wasn't worth his time and threw it away, Hyde would be unable to do anything about it, would be the one throwing it away in fact. He wouldn't be able to scream or protest or anything. And he enjoys being Hyde. It wouldn't really be death but he enjoys being Hyde so much and hates the monotony of Jekyll so much that it would be like a death.

Luckily, Jekyll isn't planning on throwing the potion out because they do feel the same way and Jekyll enjoys taking the potion and being Hyde just as much (even if he would never actually admit that's the reason). The fear is still there though, ever present.

...I've gotten so deep into explaining their relationship that I have not explained anything else yet, whoops.

Both Jekyll and Hyde have some inhuman traits about them since the first transformation. Jekyll has mildly reflective eyes like a cat but it can only be seen in certain lighting so nobody notices. He also moves with a little too much perfection, a little too graceful, a little lacking in the usual human clumsiness.

Hyde, meanwhile, is just very off putting in many ways. For one is his eyes as shown by this diagram that I made for artfight. (Also his teeth, and his insides being green)

His eyes change shape, a bit like a cartoon character. Other people can, in fact, see this and it is, in fact, weird for them. (He can also probably say <3 and everyone else asks how he just did that with his mouth.)

He also changes based on Jekyll's perception of himself and his 'evils'. This means he can get taller or shorter, or become more obviously monstrous or go back to just being a guy with an uneasy feel about him just based on Jekyll's opinions. If Jekyll starts to fear Hyde and view him as a threat, Hyde changes physically to reflect this.

Personality-wise, Jekyll likes to keep control over every aspect of his life, creating perfect schedules for everything that he's going to do in a day, timing each event down to the minute, designing contingencies in case anything unexpected happens. He can be friendly enough to other people for the sake of his image but he still comes across as rather cold and distant.

Hyde, meanwhile, is obviously free of all this and does whatever he pleases. He tends to be loyal and loving, to the point of being a little too obsessed, and is exceedingly open about how he's feeling. He's also incredibly truthful - he almost never lies about anything but will often fae-rule his way out of anyone realising the real truth. For example, he's very open about being Doctor Jekyll but nobody believes him because he'll just drop it into a conversation and won't elaborate or will elaborate in a way that just sounds even more like a lie. And, of course, Jekyll himself will obviously deny it, so...

Besides that, Jekyll keeps three lab rats, Noir, Spot, and Rose who, due to the potion being used on them, can also change shape like Jekyll and Hyde. As such, Hyde tends to take them with him when he goes out.

(Also, smaller headcanon but Hyde tends to repeat words or phrases twice, "Indeed indeed", "What? What?", etc. Just seemed like a fun addition.)

-

Next, Lanyon.

Lanyon and Jekyll are on weird terms because they had a fight years back. After seeing Jekyll's science get more and more dangerous over the years, Lanyon was afraid that he would some day hurt himself in a way he couldn't take back or even die from it. After trying to convince Jekyll to stop for ages, Lanyon finally put their foot down and said that, if Jekyll didn't stop, they would leave.

Both Jekyll and Lanyon deeply regret the argument but neither of them can take it back. Jekyll is too stubborn to admit that he was ever in the wrong and Lanyon can't take it back because then they don't have anything else to hold over Jekyll's head to get him to stop.

At least, that was how the fight was initially.

After the potion was taken, Lanyon, who was very close to Jekyll's mad science experiments and was very used to seeing the signs that Jekyll had done something to himself, was the only person who noticed the change. Seeing Jekyll's new changes terrified Lanyon deeply because he knew Jekyll had done something but he didn't know what. Being a rather skittish person, Lanyon was too scared to speak to Jekyll after that, doing all they could to avoid him.

Maybe things could have continued that way with the two avoiding each other. However, after the fight, Lanyon came out as genderfluid.

They had been meddling with their own gender before in quiet but the fight basically gave Lanyon the midlife crisis moment they needed to go "You know what? I don't care about anyone's opinions. I've seen what caring about ones image did to Jekyll and I don't want to be anything like that."

And so came Hastie and Hattie, two names for the same person, just using different pronouns and names based on what Lanyon felt like at the time.

Jekyll, however, was avoiding hearing anything about Lanyon and completely missed this massive piece of information. Jekyll is also notably, very wrapped up in his own very small world and opinions (also, no internet). He has no idea that transness is a thing.

Hence, Jekyll believes that Hastie and Hattie are not the same person but, instead, brother and sister. Lanyon, meanwhile, who was so open and so gossiped about when they first came out, doesn't even realise that anyone could??? not know????? that they're the same?????? Everyone else knows! They don't even look that different!

This all cumulates in one fateful night where Lanyon, going by Hattie, and Hyde meet. The two of them get along like a house on fire, neither caring much for society's rules and both of them being in some way being shunned for their peculiarities. Hyde is much more outgoing and often pushes Lanyon outside of their comfort zone while Lanyon is more level-headed and can often do the planning and thinking that Hyde neglects to keep them both safe.

All the while, Hyde has no idea that he's talking to Hastie and Lanyon has no idea that they're talking to Jekyll.

Personality-wise Lanyon tends to be very down-to-earth and prefers to do things by the book for the most part. Though this is only for the most part - in terms of dealing with other people, Lanyon gets much more expressive, dressing wildly and often doing strange things like taking live geese into a dinner party. While this does allow them to express themselves in some ways that are beneficial to them, like becoming comfortable with their gender identity, some of these behaviours, like the live geese in the dinner party, are very much a way to push away the people around them, afraid of something going wrong after their experiences with Jekyll.

Until they meet Hyde, Utterson is their only friend (which Utterson is quite concerned about, often trying to encourage Lanyon to make more friends.)

Besides that, Lanyon is fond of gardening, collecting crystals, astrology, and yoga. They dabble with a lot of relaxation stuff like chamomile tea, incense, lavender, etc.

-

Utterson, meanwhile, tends to be the most calm and collected out of the three of them, seemingly unbothered by most of what life throws at him and good at handling even the most stressful situations with ease. Not to mention, he has the most unexpected range of skills and knowledge. Whenever anyone has a problem, he's the number one person to go to for help.

However, for the most part, he fades into the background and tends to remain forgotten until someone needs him for something which leaves him lonely and often desperate for attention while being unable to get it. His work as a lawyer allows him to get fleeting amounts of attention, but it's not quite enough and that often leaves him vulnerable to falling in with bad people.

While Lanyon sees straight through Jekyll, Utterson has fallen quite a bit into seeing Jekyll as innocent and naïve, someone who doesn't fully understand how cruel the world can be and needs to be protected from it. This means, when Hyde shows up and Jekyll changes his will for him, Utterson is quite quickly defensive of Jekyll and aggressive towards Hyde, believing that Hyde has nothing but bad intentions. Hyde, however, is quite head-over-heels for Utterson and determined to seduce him or at least set him up with Jekyll.

While Utterson appears unaffected by anything that crosses his path, this is actually because he has difficulty expressing his emotions, his expression and tone generally remaining static. Only people close to him can generally tell what he's thinking and feeling as a result.

Personality-wise, Utterson is generally quite kindly and generous, often seen giving food and money to the homeless. Though, his morality can be a bit of a roulette wheel at times, willing to do questionable things at times if he deems it for a good enough cause.

In terms of hobbies, he will often bake things for his friends and carried the three of them through university as the only one who could actually cook. He also has a slightly more morbid interest in taxidermy and keeps a room in his house for his work.

(For another smaller headcanon, he and Lanyon tend to get into pun fights, much to Jekyll's agony.)

-

Then there's Lenore Carew (aka, Lisa Carew, she just got renamed along the way). She makes up the third member of Hyde's little friendship squad with Lanyon. An excitable lady with an interest in the occult and monsters. She and Jekyll were once set to be married but, due to a mutual realisation that neither liked the other in that way, they broke it up. Jekyll has been avoiding her ever since, finding the situation awkward, but Hyde is very much down to be friends with her again.

While she does her best to live up to her family name, being as much of a respectable and graceful lady as she can be, in her spare time she'll often sneak out to go running after whatever haunted house or cryptid sighting she's heard of lately.

The actual reason for her interest is because her mother, before she died, was a prophet, gifted with Sight and Lenore, raised with all these stories of her grandeur and powers, is determined to find a way to awaken those same powers in herself.

However, along the way, these powers actually do start to manifest and, as it turns out, a lot scarier and more difficult to control than she ever realised.

Most particularly, sometimes when she looks at Jekyll, she sees something - or someone - else in his place. She has no idea what these visions mean, whether it's a vision from the future, from the past, or something else entirely.

Personality-wise, while she can excitable and often gets ahead of herself, she can be very kind and compassionate towards others, always the first to slow down and check if someone is okay or to offer a hug to those in need. She can also often show a childish side, enjoying stuffed toys, getting along well with kids, or just playing games.

-

Uh, so anyway, there's a bunch more but this post is getting long and I've taken all day with this. If I take much longer, it's going to look like I'm not going to answer. I think this is the stuff that most people would be interested in anyway, Lanyon, Utterson, Jekyll, and Hyde. I'm still missing out an explanation of the worldbuilding itself and the antagonists, not to mention little details and side characters like Poole and such.

I fool around with these characters a lot and that means there's more information than I even remember most of the time until something pops into my head and I go "Ohhhh that plot point. That was fun."

Thank you again for the ask!!!!

[bakuliwrites]

M6 and Jealousy

Here is another set of Arcana headcanons from my old blog! The devs talked about how they'd rank the M6 from least to most jealous in this post here, if you are curious :)

Asra is not a jealous person. He's just too laid back. If he sees you talking to someone else at a party or if a customer flirts with you in the shop, he trusts you enough to know that nothing is going to happen.

He'll get protective of you if someone is bothering you, though. If you're getting unwanted attention from someone, Asra absolutely will step in to protect you. He'll get this sharp glint in his eyes as he approaches the person. It's a little jarring at first, haha. Asra might not be intimidating in stature, but he's pretty skilled with his words. He'll overwhelm the other person with his dazzling rhetoric and cutting insults. His sassiness will deter anyone who won't leave you alone.

If you tend to get jealous, Asra might be a bit perplexed at first. He's never given you any indication that he's interested in anyone else, so he tries to reassure you that you have nothing to worry about. It's something he likes to talk through with you and try to come up with a solution about. It's never his intention to hurt you.

Nadia can get kind of jealous sometimes. Not wildly jealous, but if she sees someone flirting with you, or she thinks you're flirting with someone else, she might get upset.

When Nadia gets jealous, she tends to get distant. She might give you the cold shoulder or cast withering glares at whoever is flirting with you. But she also wants to make sure she's there for you if someone is bothering you. If someone is really getting up in your face, she'll swoop in to protect you. She is not going to tolerate someone bugging you, at all. Her commanding presence alone will drive off any unwanted attention.

If you tend to get jealous, Nadia will understand a bit more than Asra. She'll try to reason things out with you and reassure you that you have nothing to fear. People are often intimidated by her, and her cool confidence is typically enough to shut down any flirting from others. But if something does happen, she'll take you aside and privately discuss how you're feeling. She's good about checking in with you.

Julian, much like Asra, does not get jealous easily. On the rare occasion that he does, he might pout and wallow for a little bit, but he'll perk back up when he realizes he's got nothing to fear.

Again, much like Asra, Julian will throw-down for you if someone isn't leaving you alone. He's not above starting (and finishing) a tavern brawl for his beloved. He'll throw punches and hurl creative insults at whoever is bugging you. Even in the midst of a fight, he's pretty light hearted about it. But he takes protecting you very seriously and you can be settled in the fact that he'll always be there for you.

If you tend to be jealous, Julian might feel uncomfortable. On the one hand, he might think it's kind of cute at first, but if you are really upset, he'll be at a loss. He doesn't ever want to hurt your feelings. He's just a naturally flirty person (the man would flirt with a wall if there was no one else around to talk to). He'd try to reassure you that you're the only one for him, but I think it would be hard for him to turn down his natural charm.

Portia is the most jealous of the bunch (something the devs mentioned, I think). She isn't going to tolerate someone flirting with you or you flirting with someone else.

Portia isn't toxic about it by any means. She just gets really hurt when she sees your attention is being monopolized by somebody else. She starts to feel a bit insecure about her place in your life and will wonder if maybe she's not good enough. She'll start to shut down and fold in on herself. But as long as you reassure her and give her lots of hugs and kisses and talk things through, Portia will ultimately be okay. She doesn't have anything to fear from you and you want to make sure she knows that.

If you tend to get jealous, Portia will absolutely understand, since she feels that way as well. She'll try to do the same for you that you do for her: hugs, kisses, reassurances, and talking things out. She'll never intentionally flirt with anyone and if someone is flirting with her, she tries to shut it down pretty quickly.

Muriel is pretty middle of the road when it comes to jealousy. I think he doesn't get jealous too terribly often, but when he does, it really confuses him. He doesn't quite know how to process that emotion at first.

If he sees you getting attention from someone else, or you start showing attention to someone else, he gets this gnawing, weird feeling in the pit of his stomach. He can't comprehend what it is at first. All he knows is that he is less than appreciative of the stranger who is taking up all your time. I think it would bring up feelings of insecurity and feeling like he's "not worthy" somehow. But you are quick to reassure him and remind him how important he is to you. He will also wander over towards you and stand protectively by you if he thinks you're being bothered. He's a big guy, so anyone bugging you will immediately be scared off.

If you tend to be jealous, Muriel doesn't really know what to do. He doesn't understand why you're jealous at first, and then when he realizes, he's at somewhat of a loss as to what to say. He will try his absolute best to reassure you and make sure you know that you have no reason to worry. He might be a little awkward about it at first, but he really wants you to know that he cares for you so much and you have nothing to fear.

OhmyGod, Lucio and jealousy just go hand-in-hand. He is jealous all the time and does not like it when others flirt with you/you flirt with others.

But at the same time, some part of him kind of enjoys it. I think he mostly just likes being the one to fend off anyone flirting with you and making everyone aware that you're his. He'll be livid at first when he sees someone trying to get close to you, but then laugh at the face they make when he sidles up to you and throws his arm around you. Lucio shoots piercing glares at whoever it is and tells them to beat it. He likes seeing you get flustered about the whole situation, too.

This man will purposefully try to vex you. If you get jealous, he will make sure that you get really jealous. He enjoys watching you get upset when he's flirting with someone. He never takes it too far, though. And if you're really, really upset, he'll try his best to calm you down, apologize, and reassure you that you have nothing to truly worry about. He's not the best when it comes to emotional discussions, but he also doesn't want to lose you.

[clemblog]

Caine’s Lesson - Part 16

•

It had been a few days since anyone had seen Gummigoo or Pomni. Ma Croc was a little worried but she knew they’d be fine, as long as they were together. Max and Chad were too busy catching up on scouting and resource collecting to keep everyone safe and repair the barn to worry about Gummigoo and Pomni. They knew the pair would turn up again eventually. It was just a matter of waiting.

The circus goers however? Ragatha was right back to being anxious over Pomni’s absence, worrying about what had happened to her this time. Luckily, she had Lou by her side.

“Pomni is going to be alright Ragatha!”

“But what if-“

“Do you trust her?”

“..Yeah! Of course- She’s like one of the nicest people in our little group.”

“Then I promise you she’ll find some way back to us one way or another! I don’t know what it was like back for her at the circus- But from the sounds of things, being here is the happiest she’s ever been! And now that you guys are all here too, she’ll have no reason not to come back! So, it’s going to be alright.”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right- Gosh, sorry- I don’t know why I get so anxious about this-“

“Hey, it’s perfectly alright, okay? It’s always going to be scary when someone just disappears out of the blue. Don’t feel bad for worrying, it just shows that you care a bunch.”

“…I do care-“

“Which is really lovely to see Ragatha! I think it’s a truly dear quality for an individual to have!”

Ragatha found her face flushing a little at this. “Really?”

“Absolutely! So many people are full of fear, selfishness and greed. It’s a nice change of pace to meet someone as lovely as you~”

“Oh hush- You’re being too sweet-“

“Well I am made of candy~”

Ragatha rolled her eyes at this with a snicker. “Princess Lou, are you flirting with me of all people?”

“Maybe I am? You can’t blame me. Look at you!”

“Mmm, well, I suppose I do need a distraction right now, so who am I stop you~”

The two dissolved into giggles at this.

“Genuinely, I do think you’re one of the most beautiful people I’ve met inside and out.” Smiled Lou, softly, taking Ragatha’s hand.

Ragatha smiled shyly at this. “Well, I appreciate that a lot- When things calm down maybe we could try… a date or two?”

“Nothing would make me happier!”

“It’s a pinky promise then.”

“Pinky promise.”

The two smiled at one another fondly one last time before having to go their separate ways. Ragatha had to help Kinger with making food with Ma Croc. Lou had to go and tend to her citizens as all attentive leaders did.

They were pretty different as individuals but the comfort and general fondness they’d found in one another was something they both hoped to treasure for as long as it lasted.

Jax was truthfully itching to talk to someone, anyone, about his solo adventure that Caine had sent him on. It hadn’t been great… But he didn’t trust anyone enough to care or listen to him without making him out to be some kind of.. baby-

He was lounging on the porch, absentmindedly stirring at the bowl of stew Ma Croc and Lou had served earlier in the day. He didn’t need to eat, so it was just a stupid way of entertaining his mind.

The sound of the front door creaked opening sounded out. Jax glanced over to see Ma Croc making her way to her rocking chair.

“You’ve got something on your mind, kid.” She spoke softly, watching Jax for a few moments after she’d gotten comfy.

“…Maybe I do, what’s it to you?” He muttered, rolling his eyes as he continued to stare at his stew.

“You should talk about it.”

“…I don’t want to.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

“Because?”

“…I don’t want to be seen as weak-“

“Kid, why would talking about your feelings or something that’s bothering you ever make you be weak? Only the strongest of men can admit in a time of weakness that they need help. It only makes them stronger at the end of the day.”

“…You want me to talk about it, don’t you.”

“Only if you want to.”

“…fine-“

“I’d been running for a long while, in this giant maze. There was no entrance or exit and the walls where too slippery to climb- It would’ve been fine- But there was this huge clock timing how long I needed to spend in it- Which was forty eight hours. It would’ve been okay- But then these huge robotic creatures just started crawling out of these crevices in the walls- And they’d get bigger and bigger- And every-time they caught me the timer would get reset- So I just had to keep running and running and running- And hope that I wouldn’t be stuck there forever- I did it- But it felt like I was in there for a week-“

“…I’m sorry that happened to you son. You were so brave and definitely not weak.” Assured Ma Croc.

“Obviously, that’s me Jax the brave.” Scoffed Jax, smugly.

“You’re definitely an interesting one, kid.” Mused Ma Croc.

“Yup.”

“But on a more serious note, if you want to talk about this again, you can talk to me. Just say kid. I don’t know why you don’t feel like you can talk to your cronies about this, but I won’t pry. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for yourself.”

“…I’ll tell them, eventually… but not yet-“

“And that’s all I can hope for you son.”

“…Thank you.”

Ma Croc smiled softly at this, with a happy nod in his direction.

“It’s no problem. Now, do you want some warm soup to replace your stew or are you still not hungry?”

“…Mmm, soup will do.”

“I’ll go get you a bowl then kid.”

“Uh huh.”

Everyone was going to be alright. Eventually. In their own way.

Part 17

[sugamehhq]

Acknowledgement (Johnshi)

More writing for my Demons and Angels AU !

If you haven't read the first post about this AU, I suggest you do as this is a continuation of the first one :))

--

It hadn’t occurred to Kenshi how long it would take for the angel to recover from marking.

He’d been in the angel’s territory way longer than he should’ve been, but his newly claimed partner was first priority. A couple days had passed, Johnny’s leg relaxed enough for him to stand, but Kenshi insisted he take another day of rest. While the angel continued to rest, the demon provided food, water, and comfort. He never once left his side.

However, when the angel awoke, Kenshi sprung the idea of getting him acknowledged.

Johnny became visibly disturbed, “Can’t we just live here? We can find somewhere secluded, we don’t have to-”

“Johnny,” Kenshi sat in front of the angel, “I need you to be acknowledged.”

Johnny stared at Kenshi, once again wondering what laid behind that blindfold he always wore. His hand squeezed the other’s, making his fear known.

“Please..?”

The desperate tone of the demon’s voice was convincing, but it wasn’t convincing enough to get him off the ground. 

“Can it wait a few days,” Johnny sighed, “I don’t think I could face anyone if I wanted to.”

Kenshi’s eyebrow raised in confusion.

“How come?”

Johnny hesitated. Has it not occurred to Kenshi that meeting the higher-ups meant potentially seeing faces he never wanted to see again? Does he not realize Johnny’s never set foot in that area of his territory?

“I feel disgusting,” was how his mind chose to reply.

Kenshi’s hand pulled away slightly causing Johnny to speak up.

“Not because of you, or us, just because,” his voice trailed off.

He wanted to say it to his partner’s face, but he couldn’t form the words to.

With their bond, Kenshi could sense the disturbance in Johnny’s mind. His hand found its way to the angel’s mark, gently massaging it to provide comfort.

“I get it,” he smiled, “just let me know when you’re ready.”

Johnny considered himself lucky. Having landed a partner so understanding and patient was more than he could’ve ever asked for.

While Johnny prepared himself to meet his higher-ups, Kenshi took the time to head back to his territory. When he arrived, he was interrogated immediately.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“Where do you think I’ve been Sonya,” Kenshi growled, not bothered to talk to anyone of his kind.

“Someone’s moody,” she pressed further, “did something happen?”

Kenshi silently nodded while collecting some items. He was avoiding conversation as best as he could. As much as he loved Sonya as a friend, he didn’t want to trust anyone with the information of him claiming a low rank, brown winged, angel.

“I’m only here to finish a few things,” he turned to face the blonde, “I didn’t miss anything important did I?”

“No sir,” Sonya saluted playfully before laughing to herself.

Kenshi smiled in response to her energy. She always had a positive light to her. If it wasn’t for her very obvious demon features he would have mistaken her for an angel. 

Having been left alone to tend to his duties, Kenshi thought about his situation. On one hand, it was relieving to know the angel was his, that he was able to secure him to a safe rank. On the other, he worried the angel would have to prove himself to his family, as well as the top demon, Sindel. He didn’t wish to put any unnecessary pressure on him, this leading him to consider Johnny’s words.

“Can’t we just live here?”

While it sounded nice to run away and not worry about anything else but each other, Kenshi was a family oriented man. If he never got the chance to bring Johnny to his family, to receive approval of his actions, he’d feel off. Johnny is a part of him now, which meant he needed to meet his family, at least in Kenshi’s mind, that’s how it’s supposed to be.

He soon realized he was jumping the gun a bit. First, they had to get Johnny acknowledged by the top angel, Liu Kang.

The day Johnny decided he was ready for his acknowledgement, Kenshi could tell.

The angel’s energy, of which is tied to Kenshi’s, was sour. Kenshi could tell he wanted to avoid it longer, but knew he had to get it over with. The second Kenshi set foot in angel territory, Johnny attached himself to him.

“It’ll be fine.”

“I know.”

Kenshi brushed his bangs out of his face before planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. He could feel the angel’s hand creeping up his back to rub at his mark, a silent attempt to comfort himself by easing Kenshi’s nerves. Noticing Johnny was trying his hardest to stall, Kenshi took his hand and started walking. 

When the higher-ups area of land came into view, Kenshi could feel Johnny pulling back ever so slightly. The demon was determined to get this done, so he pulled him forward. The angel’s eyes quickly darted back and forth across the area, unsure of his surroundings. Feeling Johnny growing more uncomfortable with each step, the demon brought him to his side.

“Calm down,” he spoke quietly, “you’re worrying too much.”

“And you’re not?” Johnny bit back more aggressively than he would’ve liked.

“Of course I am,” the demon looked around, “I’m the one who’s not from here.”

The two must’ve looked suspicious as eyes started taking notice of their strange pace. Johnny could feel the burning eyes of angels trying to figure out who he was. While they didn’t recognize him, Johnny recognized a few faces, ones he would’ve preferred to never see again, just like he thought.

Kenshi must’ve realized, his hand holding Johnny’s a little tighter than before.

For Johnny, walking the halls of such a pure and beautiful structure felt wrong. He felt as if his footsteps dirtied the place, that his overall presence tainted its beauty. It felt wrong to be in a place such as this.

Having reached the main stage, Kenshi halted their steps.

His hand fidgeted with Johnny’s, discomfort becoming known.

Johnny looked at him confused.

“Shit,” the demon sighed.

The angel opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off when an angel with their hair tied back entered the hall.

“Hello,” their voice was soft and comforting, “may I ask what you’re here for?”

It was strange, for Johnny at least. Hearing another angel speak with such proper tone and respect was off putting. His hand pulled at Kenshi’s, silently asking to leave.

“We’d like to speak with Lord Liu Kang, if that’s alright?”

The other angel smiled before gesturing forward.

The look of determination on Kenshi’s face was strong, as if he had something to prove. As the two approached the main room, their presence became known to Liu Kang. The white winged angel didn’t speak, he just observed. His face carried a polite smile as he watched Johnny kneel and Kenshi bow slightly.

“Excuse us for interrupting,” Kenshi started before looking back up at the higher-up, “is it alright to ask you a favor.”

If it wasn’t for the proper setting, Kenshi would’ve slapped himself. He sounded ridiculous at that moment.

Liu Kang nodded, still not saying a word.

Kenshi stared dumbfounded, but responded.

“My name is Kenshi Takahashi,” he grabbed Johnny’s arm and pulled him up to stand beside him.

The demon hesitated, his gaze falling to his partner beside him. He offered a soft squeeze to his arm in apology before finishing his statement.

“This is Johnathan Carlton.”

Johnny noticeably cringed at the use of his full name.

Liu Kang noticed his discomfort, but remained silent waiting for the demon’s request.

“I’ve spent plenty of time in your territory getting to know him. He’s sweet, caring, and a wonderful individual to be around. He is, was, a rank 12. I brought us here to request your acknowledgement of Johnny’s new position in rank.”

Kenshi was on autopilot. Normally he was fine with facing higher-ups, but this was different.

Beside Liu Kang stood his other half, whom Kenshi knew.

Kitana. The top demon’s daughter.

Having her there to listen to his proposal stirred his brain. He felt the need to prove his choice, prove his actions to be right.

What he wasn’t expecting to see was her smile in reply.

Only then did Liu Kang speak.

“Good for you, Johnny.”

And that was that.

Just as soon as things began, they ended.

Neither Kenshi or Johnny had time to process the approval of their bond. Liu Kang had his follower angels tend to Johnny, replacing his copper jewels with his newly earned gold ones. While they were occupied, Kenshi was left confused.

“So this is where you’ve been this whole time?”

Kitana’s voice rang throughout the room.

Kenshi quickly snapped out of his daze to nod.

“Mother was looking for you the other day,” the demoness laughed.

“She was?” Kenshi’s proper presentation began to slip.

“Yes, though I don’t believe it was of any importance.”

The demon sighed, so Sonya telling him he didn’t miss anything wasn’t completely a lie.

“I suggest when you head back you take the angel with you.”

“I planned to,” Kenshi bowed slightly.

“Good.”

With that, the demoness left to rest at her partner’s side once more.

When Johnny was released he looked uncomfortable. It was a strange change, but who was he to complain? Instead of his usual bronze jewels, his figure was adorned with a newly supplied gold set. He was told his original bronze was to be cleaned and stored in his room, of which he would learn about later.

“Well look at you,” Kenshi teased to lighten the mood, “all prettied up in gold.”

The angel huffed a laugh, unsure how to feel.

The demon reached towards him, silently asking for contact, of which Johnny complied.

“I’m not sure gold suits me,” he spoke into Kenshi’s shoulder.

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t.”

“It doesn’t do me justice.”

“Bullshit,” Kenshi ruffled his hair while tightening his embrace on the other.

Johnny rolled his eyes before melting into his partner.

“So what’s next?” the angel unintentionally asked, his nerves still blazing.

“Well,” Kenshi sighed, “next would be getting my family’s approval."

Right… His family’s approval.

--

Some information to consider:

Sonya and Kenshi are best friends in this AU.

Liu Kang and Kitana are seen as very intimidating individuals. Most people don't know they're probably the sweetest people to ask approval of.

Acknowledgement is basically just bringing attention to the fact someone's rank has changed. It's not required, but for Johnny's sake and Kenshi's peace of mind, Kenshi required it of him.

Lower ranks and higher ranks barely know one another. Liu kang might be the ruler of the angels, but he doesn't know who Johnny is, hence why Kenshi introduced him the way he did.

Johnny is uncomfortable of the use of his full name. Due to his background, his full name gives him an ick, so he prefers to be called Johnny. It's similar to his given name since he does like his name, but it's different enough to be different from his given name.

Idk if I said it or made it clear enough in my writings, but marking another person results in your energies being tied together. Whatever you feel your partner feels. If you're both feeling nervous then the feeling is amplified since there is two of you. Kenshi and Johnny, when walking through the halls of the higher-up's residence, looked suspicious for the fact they shared intense nerves in the moment. Kenshi is just better at masking it and tried his best to keep himself calm to not overwhelm Johnny more than he already was.

---

Anyway, that's all for now :))

As usual I've written this at ungodly hours of the night, so forgive me if anything sounds wacky.

Regardless, I hope you enjoyed :))

[fiction-box]

Hello there ^^

Are your requests still open ? If yes I’d like to request a character x reader scenario or headcanons (which ever is better for you) for Dimitri and Claude (separately pls) with a female or gender neutral reader (not Byleth) who is asexual ?(When someone identifies as asexual that means that they don’t feel any sexual attraction towards any gender)

Scenario for orientation/inspiration : They just confessed to each other, but the reader wants them to know that they’re asexual before they get official, since it can be a potential dealbreaker. So the reader tells them that they don’t plan on ever having s”x with them, will also not do any compromises (not even for children/heirs) and tells them that they should search for another partner if they’re not happy/accept it, since the reader will not step over their boundaries for a partner or their partners pleasure.

If you don’t want to write both, then please just for Claude. I hope you are well and have a great day/night ^^

Happy Thursday, my lovely! I finally got some free time to put my writing into an online sheet, so you can imagine this work has been crafted over the course of several weeks. I'm going to attempt to post much more often (as I have wanted to for so long now), but life happens and I tend to be busy.

In any case, I hope you enjoy this work despite my tardiness. Have a wonderful weekend.

To everyone, please feel free to fill my inbox! My rules are pinned to the top of my blog, so request as much as you'd like after reading those!

The story will be continued under the cut.

“What are you doing out here so late?”

You whipped your head around in shock, getting a good look at the man that had snuck up on you.

“Goodness, Dimitri,” you sighed, placing a hand over your chest in an attempt to quell your racing heartbeat, “a little more warning next time? You almost scared me right off the bridge!”

The moon shone high in the sky, illuminating the bridge to Garreg Mach’s cathedral in a faint, white glow. You found yourself stopped at the center of it, taking in the way the trees created long shadows in the night.

But now your eyes were trained on the new King of Fodlan. His appearance here, in the middle of the night, ran almost too coincidental with where your thoughts had been headed.

“Ah, my apologies,” he returned with a chuckle, “You never did answer my question, though.”

At this, you ducked your head, “I…just…”

How were you meant to communicate the reason without scaring him off? You were hopeful, yet fear engulfed you. That was why you were here tonight. You wanted to sort out your feelings…about him.

“Was that…too intrusive? I do not mean to bother you.”

You wished you could find the courage to speak, or even just to look at him.

“Perhaps I ought to leave you here, for tonight. Know that I am here to talk if you wish.”

Hearing him shift to move finally prompted you to return his gaze, “No, that’s not what I want. It’s just…hard for me to find the words. The easiest way to put it would be to say that my thoughts were keeping me from sleep. I figured a walk might help me work through some things, but I’ve had no such luck, so far.”

“I see,” he nodded once, stepping forward to your side, staring out at the view that had held your attention for so long tonight. “I could say I came out here for a similar reason, myself.”

You kept your eyes on him, “If you wouldn’t mind sharing, may I ask what it is that has kept you up so late?”

He turned to you slowly, his face turning darker, “I suppose you will find out, eventually. I might as well tell you now.”

“Oh, well, if I’m going to find out anyway, there’s no reason for you to say it.” 

Perhaps it was some plan or strategy for the Kingdom to rebuild, you reasoned.

“You can deliver the news to me alongside everyone else.”

Dimitri gave a light chuckle, “No, I’m afraid that wouldn’t be proper.”

Propriety? You wondered. There must be another matter on his mind, then.

Lightly, the blond reached out for your left hand, placing it in his own and bringing it to his lips. The action made your eyes widen and your heart skip a beat.

“Dimitri…”

“I believe I have fallen in love with you.”

Involuntarily, you took a step back.

You weren’t ready for this conversation, yet. That was part of the real reason you came out here. Yes, you were in love with Dimitri, but things weren’t that simple. You loved yourself, too, and you would never betray yourself. Not even for the love of another.

In truth, it was your love for him that made you hesitate. You weren’t interested in…copulation…but for stability reasons, Fodlan’s throne would need an heir. Seeing how the Kingdom had taken over Fodlan, it would be safest to keep the rule within the current royal bloodline. Namely, Dimitri’s.

That wasn’t even considering his crest. The crest of Blaiddyd had been a symbol of great power for generations. How selfish would it be for you to cause its end all because you weren’t interested in sex?

So, though you loved Dimitri, you weren’t planning on ever making your feelings known to him. The world would be better off with the two of you apart.

And yet you had found yourself coming here for a walk, anyway. You had questioned whether or not to ruin everything if only to save your bleeding heart.

And somehow, you wound up in this position; Dimitri coming to you with his heart in his hands while all you could do was step back.

Selfish and selfless. A fool all the same.

“...I see…” the royal waivered, lowering your hand, “Forgive me, I believe I have read all this terribly wrong.”

Say something, you idiot! Don’t let it end like this!

“I can’t.”

He stopped himself just before releasing your hand.

“...what?”

“I want to say it back. Truly, I do,” you began to explain softly, “but, thinking of the future, I know that I could never.”

“Why not?” he questioned, stepping in towards you, “Is there something wrong with me? Are you unable to forgive the sins of my past?”

He looked down to the side, “If that is the case, I do not blame you.”

“No, that isn’t what I meant at all!”

“You are a noble, so that cannot be what you are worried about. You are kind, beautiful, compassionate, patient…no doubt the people would love you.”

“Please, stop,” you begged under your breath, shutting your eyes.

Dimitri lifted your hand once more, grasping it in both of his own, this time, “You would make a wonderful mother. I have always dreamt of having a large fami-”

“That!” you almost sobbed, pulling your hand out of his. Even just hearing him say such things made your head spin and your stomach swirl, “That is the reason I cannot…we cannot…”

“You…do not wish to have a family?”

Why is this so hard? I wish it didn’t have to be this hard.

“I don’t want to…to have sex.”

“But…”

“Please, don’t try to change my mind,” your eyes met his, “If I thought I could manage it, even just for an heir, I would have done so in a heartbeat for you. But I have thought about it, and I have tried to change my mind.”

Your arms wrapped around yourself. Tears threatened to spill from your eyes, and your throat was beginning to tighten, “I love you, Dimitri. I love you so much that it hurts, but I just…I can’t do that. I could never betray myself.”

For a moment, there was nothing. You closed your eyes, and a droplet made its way from the corner of your eye down your cheek.

Suddenly, your tears were being wiped away. Dimitri had taken off his gloves and was cupping your face with his hands. His thumb swiped under your eyes, and the prince let his forehead rest against yours.

“That is all I would ask of you. Just knowing that you return my feelings is enough,” his eyes never left yours, “I love you. Not for what you can or cannot do, but because of who you are. We can work together to find the solution for that issue, but know that you are worth so much more than your desire to have children.”

He made you feel so foolish for even worrying. Of course you could work it out together. So long as you had one another, the rest could fall into place.

Separating his forehead from yours, Dimitri wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his chest. Though his armor was cold and unforgiving, his hands were warm. Kind, just as you had known them to be.

No matter what would happen next, you would always have Dimitri. He was all you needed to trust that everything would turn out for the best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So, this is where you ran off to?”

“Woah! Who-?” your heart practically leapt into your throat as you spun around, quickly backing into the railing.

Claude laughed, though his gaze darted between you and the railing for a moment.

“Hey, take it easy! I just didn’t think you were the type to come to the Goddess Tower when you’re worried, is all. Don’t, uh…don’t throw yourself over the railing about it.”

Your eyes widened further than they had already once you realized how dangerous that could have been.

“Oh my-!” swiftly, you put distance between yourself and the rail. “N-No! That wasn’t my intention at all!”

A bit of tension left the royal’s body, at that. The release was visible.

“Good.”

A sigh turned into a breathy laugh from Claude, “Seriously, don’t scare me like that. I don’t know what I would have done if that encounter went differently.”

Like this, you could see just how shaken your leader actually was. It seemed to have quite the impact on you, too.

“Well…don’t follow people into towers only to scare them at the top! You scared me!”

“Okay, okay! It’s my fault, I’m sorry. Can we just…move past this now?”

You nodded, and a beat of silence passed between the two of you.

“...how did you know I was worried?”

“Intuition,” the wyvern rider smirked. “Come on, you don’t really think I see you as the type to ditch an informal celebration, right? One in your honor, no less?”

“It’s for all the Golden Deer, not just me.”

“I’m not hearing any argument on that first part.”

You paused, clenching your teeth behind your closed lips the slightest amount and looking to the side.

“Yeah, not really helping your case, there. You know you can trust me with anything, don’t you?”

He looked so lucid, and yet…timid? Sheepish?

…Afraid…?

Well, so were you.

“It’s…my mother. I just needed to get away from everyone; I didn’t want to ruin the celebration by forcing everyone to put up with me when…my heart really isn’t in it.”

“Oh,” that strange emotion from before left his eyes. Almost like he was…disappointed? “Is she sick?”

“That’s not it,” you turned away from him a little, shifting in the same direction as your gaze. “She sent me a letter. Now that the war is over, she’s going to force me to get married.”

Claude’s expression grew pensive, “...To force you…Do you not want to get married at all?”

You looked at him, then, “No…yes?” you took a breath, trying to start over, “It’s, um…I…”

“Take your time. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”

He says that, but he seems to be more interested in this topic than the last…

Glancing aside again, you took a breath and released it.

“I’m afraid. I’m completely fine with marriage, but I can’t…” another deep breath as you lowered your voice, “I refuse to have children. Even the thought of sex makes me sick. Of course, there’s the matter of promising to spend my life with a stranger or someone I don’t love…though I wouldn’t hesitate to do that if it meant…”

Your eyes found Claude’s, only to see his expression frozen in what you believed was shock.

“Ah,” you recoiled slightly, “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have unloaded all that on you!” You blushed more than you knew capable, ducking your head out of his sight and covering your face with your hands, for good measure, “Just…forget I even said anything!”

“No, you’re completely fine! I’m just surprised this is the first time I’ve heard about any of this!” he reassured you, “I was just thinking,”

Well, that could have gone worse, at least.

“Let me get this straight,” you calmed yourself down enough to look at your house leader, noticing that expression from before returning to his face. “You would rather marry a complete stranger than someone you loved, just so long as you knew you wouldn’t have to have sex with them?”

You nodded, afraid he was judging you.

Instead, Claude let out a breath of air through his nose, “In that case, I think I have a solution to both of those problems.”

He crossed the short distance between you, taking both your hands in his own and lifting them before you could process what was happening.

“Marry me.”

“-! Claude…” you breathed.

“I love you. I love you enough to respect your boundaries because what matters to me is that I get to spend my life at your side. The thought of you marrying some stranger just to be true to yourself…Even if you don’t love me-”

“I do!” you cried, beginning to tear up. “I do love you, Claude, this is just…I didn’t want to force any of this onto you. A lot of people see this sort of thing as a deal-breaker, and I…I couldn’t do that to you-!”

Claude let go of your hands, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into him. He felt you shake as you took a breath, tears now flowing freely from your eyes.

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore. I love you, just like this.”

Your tears came even faster as you outright sobbed into his chest. Not even your own mother had said such words to you. At home, you were more of a nuisance than a noble; a pawn that was reluctant to be played.

Pulling away slightly, you wiped your eyes and looked into Claude’s green ones.

“I…I have to be sure. You’re really okay with spending your entire life with me without…a-and you won’t with anyone else, either? Is that really what you choose?”

The Almyran King chuckled, “Well, I can’t say it’s a path I anticipated for myself, but I can’t say I anticipated you having this preference, either.” He smiled at you, “It just goes to show I have so much more to look forward to learning about you, and I can’t imagine letting anyone else get ahead of me, there,” Claude winked.

You didn’t move, waiting.

“Just like I said, though, a large part of my happiness comes from being near you. There’s no way I’m giving any part of it up just so I can bed someone each night. You’re the one I fell in love with, not your body or what you could have offered in the bedroom.”

Finally, you sighed and felt something in your chest relax.

“Don’t get me wrong, though! I still expect you to have a pillow and a blanket waiting in there! This isn’t gonna work if I wake up with my back stiff each morning.”

Giggling, you stepped back into him, the two of you holding one another with silly grins on your faces.

The future looked brighter with someone who loved you at your side.

[tulipberrysimss]

OC deep dive with my favorite gal Izzy🫶🏻✨ thank you for the tag @cupidszone !!

What uncommon/common fear do they have? She has a fear of failure, she was the oldest child in the household and had to step up and pave the way, which led to some extreme anxiety especially when she started failing in school. As a child she did develop a fear of being inferior. 

Do they have any pet peeves? Izzy HATES when there’s dirty dishes either on the table or in the sink, IT GOES IN THE DISHWASHER, her husband and son are so bad at putting dirty dishes where they are supposed to go and she constantly has to remind them. She does have a habit that is her son’s biggest pet peeve, she clicks her pen whenever she’s writing and it drives him crazy. 

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom? A miniature model of her rocket ship, one of her son’s old teddy bears and a lot of sketches of upgrades for the rocket

What do they notice first in a person? Their sense of humor! Whenever she was feeling down while growing up, her cousin would always cheer her up with a couple of jokes or a funny story. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance? A solid 8/10!

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure? Depends on the situation! She goes into flight mode if she’s arguing with someone in her family since she doesn’t want to come off as disrespectful and if it’s someone outside the family or her little brother, she goes into fight mode. If it’s a difficult task or work she goes into fight mode immediately cuz she enjoys solving difficult situations. 

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person? She comes from a big family! She grew up with her parents, two younger brothers, her aunt and her son and whoever her aunt was seeing at the time. She is a family person but never wanted a big one of her own. 

What animal represents them best? Probably a penguin

What is a smell that they dislike? B.O, her son is so bad at showering and he works out every day too. She hates the smell of shellfish as well. 

Have they broken any bones? The joints in her left shoulder are somewhat unstable so she tends to dislocate her shoulder quite often. 

How would a stranger likely describe them? Introverted and hard to get close to. She’s a loner with trust issues after all. 

Are they a night owl or a morning bird? Night Owl 100%!! Since she spent a lot of years as a single mom, she realized she only ever had the night to herself and that’s a habit she can’t get rid of. 

What is a flavor they hate and a flavor they love? She hates the taste of oranges or any type of citrus really. She loves loves loves sweets though, especially caramel!

Do they have any hobbies? Rocket science and chess, which sounds so boring to a lot of people but she can really spend hours just zoning out with anything mentally challenging. 

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprises? She’d be absolutely MORTIFIED to be in the dark about this. And having a bunch of people jumping out and screaming happy birthday sounds like nightmare material. She really doesn’t enjoy being the center of attention either. 

Do they like to wear jewelry? She doesn’t care much for jewelry, other than her wedding ring and earrings, she doesn’t bother with anything else. 

Do they have neat or messy handwriting? Her handwriting isn’t intelligible to anyone other than herself, she’s always in such a rush to write when inspiration for the next rocket upgrade hits or when she needs to calculate math formulas. 

What are two emotions they feel the most? A good mix of anxiety and happiness, they tend to come and go in a circle. 

Do they have a favorite fabric? There’s just something about corduroy that’s so appealing to her. 

What kind of accent do they have? I can’t imagine that she has an accent but she does use a lot of “difficult” words, she tries to tone that down when talking to others but they tend to slip out. 

I don’t know who has done this but consider yourself tagged if you haven’t already!✨

[your-gay-grandma]

Sorry I have to rant for a minute because it’s past midnight and I’m stupid and crying and idk what’s wrong with me. I feel like such a failure. Like idk who I am anymore. I feel like I used to be this person who did big and scary things even when I was scared and nervous and now I just feel like I’m shutting down and second guessing myself so much more now and like how can I ever move or get a better job or do basically anything if I can’t even go on a stupid trip by myself? You know? And I know it’s dumb and normally I try not to listen to intrusive thoughts past 9 but like it’s been bothering me for so long. Like idk who I am anymore. Like why can’t I do things on my own anymore? I was terrified about law school but I did it anyway. I was terrified about taking the lsats and I picked myself back up when I didn’t do great the first time and did what I had to do and now? Now idk what’s going on with me. Now everything I do I end up second guessing and I don’t want to or can’t take risks because I’m scared of everything and it’s so stupid and I’m sorry I feel like I can’t talk about this with anyone else and Ik know it’s not like a big deal in the grand scheme of life but like why can’t I do these things anymore? Like what’s wrong with me? Every time I try and do something I’m scared and wondering about how it’s going to work out and if it’s a mistake and ugh I hate this shit

oh my love, sending you the biggest of virtual hugs.

i know my response is delayed and for that i apologise! but to you or anyone who it may help, let me try to offer some reassurance.

fear is so normal and healthy. it is telling you that you are human and alive and all your instincts are in top working order!

your fear is your body telling you that something might present danger or risk. it’s so important to be in tune with your body so i’m proud of you for hearing its signals.

the trouble is, we can’t always trust them.

i struggle with anxiety. what i tend to do when i am fearing something - particularly a big change or adjustment - is to ask myself why i am afraid. is the potential risk something that will matter in 5 minutes, days, weeks or years? is the outcome you fear realistic? talk it through with someone you trust and someone who won’t judge you for your fear. or otherwise write it down or say it out loud, think on it and then decide.

fear is normal and you should listen to your body and be kind to it and its instincts. it only has your best interests at heart but sometimes, it pays to test those limits a little!

sending you so much love