#so this might be something that could float ur boat ^^

[holographings]

IT'S HERE!!!

The digital English translation of my first published comic is up and available for purchase!

The comic "Break what fate builds", draws inspiration from historical events from the 12th century and motifs from the Byzantine Empire that ruled these areas. Through the characters' eyes, this story focuses on the relationship of young people within the Balkan & their home, distortions of identity, things long lost and much more.

You can get the digital version of Volume 1 here (available in both English and Macedonian) <3

see you for volume 2!!!

[honeytonedhottie]

ways to apply the law⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🍰

i thought this post would be helpful but just a quick disclaimer, you decide how you wanna apply the law, this post simply serves as EXAMPLES of when and how u could apply the law if ur looking for that/ways that i apply the law.

TO SATURATE ;

saturating definitely helps when ur consciously manifesting something. when ur manifesting something that seems foreign or something that u want quickly, saturate ur mind so much so to the point where its hard to recall the old story.

make and use affirmation tapes

sleep/do whatever u want with subliminals or affirmation tapes playing - i say sleep bcuz when u sleep ur subconscious is wide open but whatever floats ur boat

AFFIRM ;

whether u believe in affirmations or not, you are ALWAYS affirming at every second of the day whether its conscious or unconscious bcuz thinking = affirming and ur always thinking, so u might as well think thoughts that are useful.

robotic affirming

affirmation tapes

mirror work - repeating ur affs to urself in the mirror

reading an affirmation list

hot tip ; a rly good habit to form is affirming as soon as u wake up bcuz ur still in that drowsy "coming to" state so instead of reaching for ur phone (which is bad for you) you can start the day right.

GOOD TIMES TO AFFIRM ; you can affirm for ur desire when doing mundane tasks like laundry or washing dishes, u can listen to ur affirmation tapes while watching television, u can listen to ur subliminals while doing skincare, you can affirm while girl-blogging. u can affirm anytime!!

VISUALIZING ;

SATS (state akin to sleep - visualizing when ur in that drowsy state a scene constructed about ur desires over and over again until u sleep)

day-dreaming (if u daydream nonstop all the time, daydream about u in relation to ur desire)

[nostalgiclittlespace]

hihi! if ur taking requests…

her main cg: husk (and or) angel, whatever floats ur boat !!

little: niffty

plot: maybe niffty regresses to abt 2-3 and she’s really hyper ? like maybe they need to get her to nap or something?

thank you if you do this! don’t feel pressured if u don wanna :>

Hi!!! I honestly had a lot of fun with this one; I wrote both Angel and Husk as her CGs btw. Niffty is so chaotic when little, she’d absolutely need them both XD. I hope you enjoy!

SFW AGE REGRESSION FIC. DNI IF NSFW, K!NK, MAP, PROSHIP OR SIMILAR. DO NOT REPOST TO OTHER SITES.

Title: Sugar Rush and Storytime

Word count: 1477

Pairing: CG! Husk & CG! Angel Dust x Little! Niffty. Background Huskerdust

Description: Despite a long day of endless adventures and play, Niffty still isn’t tired. Maybe giving her so many sweet treats wasn’t a good idea after all…Good thing Husk’s storytimes a can come to the rescue! AKA, Husk and Angel are exhausted parents. (Fluff)

Sugar Rush and Storytime

“Oh, come on, Nif!” Angel exclaimed in exasperation as the little cyclops climbed up the lobby’s bookshelf.  

It was as if she were trying out for his part as resident spider.  She had been running and climbing frantically for the past ten minutes.  Husk and Angel’s team efforts to catch her had proved unsuccessful.  Even with the cat’s wings and the latter’s many arms, Nifty always evaded their grasp.  Her wiggling and teasing giggles showed just how much of a game she considered it.  Not that her caretakers were the least bit amused.

Before this, Angel and Husk’s playtime with Niffty had been a positive experience actually!  Tea parties, getting introduced to all her roaches, endless hours of games, and exploring the Hazbin Hotel…One would have assumed the girl would be ready for a break by now.  

“Snacktime, then nap,” Husk had said half an hour ago.  “She’ll settle down.”

As if the fates controlling Hell had a rather sadistic sense of humor, Niffty had not in fact settled down.

Despite their usual routine, despite all their adventures that had certainly left Angel and Husk exhausted, Niffty had no interest in taking her usual nap.

“I told you not to give her so many cupcakes!” Husk growled, trying and failing to catch her.

Right.  Niffty’s newfound energy rush might have been caused by all the sweet treats Angel Dust had given her for a snack.  But she had asked so nicely!  Looked up at him with that enormous eye and blinked so innocently, and hugged his leg happily when he agreed?  Did Husk actually expect Angel to deny the little one?  He wasn’t cold and heartless! 

“I only gave her three!” Angel argued, but broke off the argument with an abrupt,  “Aha!”

Just then, Angel snatched Niffty from the top bookshelf she had managed to climb up.  She pouted a little, exclaiming and babbling something unintelligible.  

“Gotcha, Nif!” Angel cheered, pulling her close. 

“Finally,” Husk huffed.  “Alright, Nif, naptime.”

“No!” Nifty half whined, half giggled.

Already, she tried worming out of Angel Dust’s grip.  She likely would have succeeded if the arachnid didn’t use all six of his arms to hold her steady.  Angel and Husk shared a glance, silently communicating their predicament.

It was naptime.  Niffty wasn’t tired.  Do they let her stay up, choose their battles?  Or put their foot down?

“Maybe we could let her stay up for ten more minutes?” Angel suggested quietly.  “She could let the rest of her energy out and–”

“Yeah!  A hundred more minutes!” Nifty declared, then breaking free of Angel’s hold.

The cyclops landed on the ground, and sprung up to her feet immediately.  In inimaginable speeds, she took off running.  Delightedly, she darted laps around the lobby and squealed and screamed childishly.

“No, no, no!  I said ten minutes!” Angel tried to protest before sheepishly turning to Husk.  The cat had not raised his head from a face palm.  “Uh, oops?” Angel laughed nervously.

“Next time she’s regressed, I’m kicking you off the shift,” Husk grumbled as they watched the chaos unfolding before them.

“Aw, you don’t mean that,” Angel grinned.  “No way you could stand all the tea parties and dress up without me to keep you company.  You might do some fine drag–the pink dress Nif had you in today was real pretty on you–but its hardly a show with only one dressing up.”

“Not everything is a show,” Husk grumbled as he and Angel wandered over the couch Niffty was currently launching herself from, jumping from furniture to furniture.

“You in a dress sure is though, Husky.”

Before Husk could retort, Niffty came barreling around the couch again, this time running at full speed towards the cat.  She careened into him, wrapping her arms around one leg.  If years under Alastor’s, and thus Niffty’s shenanigans, he surely would have toppled over from the strength.  However, the cat was sturdier than he looked, and managed to keep complete balance as the little cyclops clung onto him.

“Husker!” she shrieked excitedly.

“Hey there, kiddo.  You feeling tired at all yet?”

“No!  Let’s play a game!”

“We’re supposed to be having quiet time right now, Nif,” Husk reminded her, arching an eyebrow.

“Noooo,” Niffty insisted.  “No nap!”

“You don’t have to nap during quiet time,” Angel remarked slyly, clearly having something in mind.  “It just means you have to do some calm activities.  How about that?”

Tapping her chin in thought, Niffty considered the possibility.  Angel and Husk exchanged pleading, hopeful eyes.  Surely, if they could convince her to just settle down, then she would inevitably fall asleep on her own.  All that playing had to have worn her down, right?

“Only if Husker reads a story!” Niffty declared.  “Then we play tag!  And hide and seek!  Then another tea party!”

“Oh, fine,” Husk sighed, as if the request bothered him at all.

It really didn’t.  Angel knew full and well that storytime was one of Husk’s favorite activities.  Something quiet and calm, something he did well.  After all, his low, comforting voice calmed anyone who heard it.  Niffty was no exception.

The girl snatched Angel’s and Husk’s hands, already pulling them towards the couch.  Determined, she directed Husk to the center cushion before running over to the lobby bookshelf.  As she shuffled through the picture book titles, both caregivers said their silent prayers that storytime would effectively send her off to dreamland.  

If it failed, they’d inevitably be stuck chasing her around the Hotel for who knows how long…

A moment later, Niffty ran back to the couch, a large picture book in her hands and her eye glowing with excitement.  Shoving it into Husk’s paws, she then scrambled into the seat beside him.  Charlotte’s Web, Husk noted with faint amusement.  Briefly, he pondered if Niffty’s arachnid caregiver influenced the choice.  He kept the thought to himself, however, flipping it to the first page.

“Chapter one, Before Breakfast…” Husk began.

Minutes passed by.  Serenity filled the air as Husk’s voice carried through the lobby.  Miraculously, Niffty actually quieted down to listen.  Peering over his arm, she viewed the illustrations with interest.  

As the time passed, her eye grew noticeably heavier, taking longer and slower blinks.  Perhaps only a few more minutes until she fell asleep completely then…

“You may have redeemed yourself by convincing her to take the quiet time,” Husk muttered to Angel as he turned the page.  However, he received no reply.  Glancing over, he saw the Angel had his eyes closed too.

“Angel, are you asleep?” Husk hissed.  

“Hm?  Oh, no…” the spider hummed, though he sure sounded close to dreamland.  “Keep reading.”

Sighing, Husk resumed his reading.  His low voice carried through the otherwise silent lobby.  The occasional page turn or a yawn would add onto the serenity every few minutes.  

As Husk read, he felt Niffty go slack in his lap, and her breathing even out to slow, deep breaths.  On his other side, Angel was sure feeling pretty limp too; his floof of head fur tickled and teased Husk’s shoulder, and the spider made no move to sit up, even after Husk had closed the book.

“Angel?” Husk inquired quietly, in case he had indeed fallen asleep.

But, the spider only mumbled something sleepily and shrugged a little before his soft, snoozing snores resumed.

Guess I’m stuck here, Husk mused.

As he waited for Niffty and Angel to awaken again, he mused what the hell he’d do with his not-so-free time.  The TV remote was too far away to get without disturbing one or both of the sinners asleep on him.  He could read the newspaper Alastor had abandoned on the coffee table?  

Yes, that sounded like a good plan.  But, he’d just sit here for a moment too.  Just take some deep breaths to recover from the eventful afternoon he had just experienced.  Besides, the weight of Angel and Niffty on either side of him was admittedly rather relaxing…

Husk fought off a yawn of his own as he mindlessly stroked Niffty’s hair.  Somewhere along the way, he convinced himself to rest his eyelids.  Not to fall asleep of course, just to relax…

But, as if Hell found humor in turning the cat even softer, he too fell into a peaceful sleep only a minute later.  

***

It was hours later before any of them woke up.  Further proof of her endless energy, Nifty arose before Angel or Husk.  She opened her eye blearily, and looked around the empty lobby, then at the clock.  Seeing it was time to help Alastor make dinner, she slipped off the couch before snatching a cozy blanket and creeping towards Husk and Angel again.   Carefully, she tucked the blanket around her exhausted caregivers.  

Her gesture was simple compared to the endless care they showed her, but that didn’t mean it contained any less love.

[ncity-agere]

do you think you could write something about cg! jeongseob?

i love him so much and i love how you write !!! >~<

i don’t have anything specific in mind!, just whatever floats ur boat :3

Jongseob as your caregiver:

- Little guy got so excited when you told him you were a little!

- Like… like, SO excited

- As in, he pays insane amounts of money for your little gear -sippy cups and teethers and soft socks and art supplies… you name it, he bought it.

- A tickle monster for sure! Jongseob likes to catch you off guard and start up a tickle attack that’ll surely have your tummy hurting afterwards.

- Oh, and he spoils you a lot

- He’s just really excited and thinks you’re cute

- Obsessed with calling you “bub” or “bubba”! It’s his favorite nickname for you and he enjoys when you copy him because then it just comes out as babbles and it’s so??? 💔???

- When you’re feeling down or guilty about regressing, he’s there to listen to you and try to help

- And help, he does! Even a little bit, his mission is to make you smile.

- I think he might also unintentionally slip tbh, I’m so serious

- That’s probably why he was so excited when you told him you age regress

- No concept of like, nutrition or responsibilities, tho. Candy for dinner, frivolous buying and gifts… he’s here for a good time, okay? Worrying about things like that can wait for when you’re both big.

- Jongseob is so proud that you trust him with your secret and tries his absolute best to baby you <3

[the-kr8tor]

NOO YESTERDAY'S ASK DIDN'T GO THROUGH.. I was crying I saw the Wild Robot and fink the fox made me sob every time he got vulnerable like stop being me ur supposed to be a childrens film Daily Hobie HC! I might do general hobie hcs to make up for missing yesterday's one>:) - Hobie tells the most corniest dad jokes at the worst times, and it got worse when Billie and Ramona came into the picture. You know he does it purposefully just to hear a sigh escape your lips and his girls giggle, calling him corny. Somehow though, those 'dad jokes' manage to be the prompt of some very interesting conversations which can go on for hours. - In my opinion, I'd say Hobie's love language is all of them. Of course, his main one is teasing, but the other ones are also there. - Most of his gifts consists of little trinkets from other dimensions or his own, mixed with a plethora of his own scribbly doodles of him reminding you to drink water or eat foot, especially if he knows you've been focused on something. Sometimes, these notes will consist of him having done a scribbly chibi design of the two of you holding hands or cuddling with floating hearts everywhere. - I feel like his physical touch would look more casual, but its a slow notice. From simply just hooking his finger into your belt loop to leaning on you like an armrest, Hobie likes to be close to you. Anything you wear around your wrist isn't safe from his harmless fiddling from when he's holding onto you, especially to make sure you don't get lost in larger crowds. One of Hobie's favourite ones, you've observed, is him coming up from behind you and draping his arms over your shoulders, his chin resting against the top of your head. His heart melts when you reach up to grab onto his wrists as he does this, holding onto him as well. - Quality time with Hobie is never boring, whether it's teaching you how to pierce clothing with spikes, piercing your ears for you, or just watching a movie together. He likes spending time with you, taking you out to watch the stars on top of his canal boat (pretending that its not choking in pollution) on some days where the sky is extra clear. Or just staying in and relaxing against each other underneath the covers as the sky turns grey with rain pattering against the windows. - Hobie always offered to help you with things, like doing the chores around the house or helping you cook food. Especially during your pregnancy with the girls, Billie and Ramona, Hobie was as helpful as ever, almost making you cry. He'd give you some of his baggier shirts and comfy pants whenever you needed them just so you could feel more comfortable. Hobie took the role of cooking food whenever you were sleeping or just resting, and whenever you'd point it out, he'd simply roll his eyes in an affection manner, peck your forehead and respond with that he needs to learn not to burn down the houseboat for the kid's sake, making you both laugh at the memory. - Never doubt that Hobie's always your number 1 fan, always. With whatever you do. Art? He has an entire box dedicated to the pieces you thought he got rid of, yet he adores looking through at your improvement. Writing? Hobie will always make sure that you've had something to drink and expertly massage the cramps from your hands, as well as gladly proofreading your work for you. Music? He'll be strumming along to you whenever he can get his hands on his guitar, encouraging you to keep going and listening to you. And he never lets you forget that he loves you, always murmuring it against your skin as he peppers kisses to the side of your neck lazily, having woken up from a nap. -🐦‍⬛

OH NO!! I was waiting for it! I thought you were too busy 😔 no worries tho!!

I didn't know that's out already!

Daily Hobie HC ❤️❤️❤️

AHHHH YESSS HIS DAD JOKES ARE THE BEST! Also the most eye rolling ones 😂 b and r love it so much tho! Hobie is definitely the silly dad

Bro is so good at teasing you until you're flat out shrieking in laughter or about to hurl a pillow at him 😂

The tiny chibis!!! 🥺🥺 I can imagine him making such silly notes too

I agree! For a bit he's less touchy but still very affectionate but as time goes on he's not seen anywhere without his hand on you!

Stargazing on top of his houseboat 😍😍😍

Aishwisjwbs this one is my fave 🥹 he's so lovely and caring where do I find a man like him? 😭

Hobie joking that he won't burn down the house with his cooking is always a treat

HE'S A CHEERLEADER FOR HIS PARTNER YOUR HONOUR

I love himb sm

[valentine-writes]

Okay i think it'd be hilarious if sundrop found out y/n listens to a lot of like heavy metal and screamy emo music despite y/n being super soft and gentle. How about it? >:3c (btw love your blog!!!)

CALAMITOUS NOISE !

↳ ft. sun/sunnydrop

「 gn! reader, can be platonic or romantic <3 」

author's note: WOOO!!! working on reqs time!!!! /ᐠ.ᆽ.ᐟ \ this one i LUV LUV LUV AWAAUGHWHS ty anon!!! it might b a lil short becuz im trying to like. slowly ease myself into writing (im so sorry) but hopefully it'll suffice!!!! also. sunny's a little teeny tiny bit ooc,,, im rly trying 2 get my Writing Energy back so so soz (´｀;) </3

edit: title added for masterlist purposes! i always loved this concept and wanna rewrite it sumtime tbh..,,..,

▸ ever since sun had met you, you have always been the sweetest little thing to him

▸ your energies balance out perfectly! sun is frankly, kinda scattered and a bit erratic. though he is programmed to take care of children- he is a little all over the place. all the time. luckily, you were gentle with him and incredibly patient. your soft nature working with sun's... unique personality seemed to click nicely.

▸ always there to slow him down or offer him some space to calm down, you really were such an angel in his eyes. this type of friendship was definitely needed after long hours of working in the daycare. not like he was tired or anything- you had never known sun to be tired a day in his life. he just seemed to enjoy being taken care of sometimes. and he definitely needed it.

▸ because of this, sun had become incredibly clingy. when it was time for you to leave, it seemed like the same thing. mentioning that you were just starting to have fun, offering a bunch of activities and things that you could do- and having to practically dodge him as you tried to head for the door all while saying goodbye

▸ he lets you go eventually though. but he definitely waits for you to come back. so the next day, when you did come back, during the after hours of the daycare as per usual, he immediately rushed to you and picked you up. he lifted you and twirled you around before bringing you closer. his face was practically five inches away from yours as he began rambling about how much his missed you

▸ he noticed though, mid-ramble, that there was something different. you were wearing earbuds, plugged into your phone. naturally he set you down and glanced over your shoulder, quick to ask what you were listening to

▸ initially, you took out an earbud and offered it to him. before observing the very Non-Ears that he had on the sides of his head. sun took it in his hand and kinda. placed it on the side of his head where an ear could be. and watched it fall as he let go.

▸ well. it was after hours anyways. you unplugged it quickly to blast your favorite song for him to hear. smiling, you talk a little about the song you're listening to.

▸ he was not expecting this type of music. and from you especially. sun doesn't really get to listen to any other music other than the stuff he hears playing around the pizzaplex

▸ this is his first time listening to this genre. and it's being introduced to him by the softest person he knows. once the song ends he's just kinda ":D" in silence. like he doesn't quite know how to react HWJJDDJSN

▸ he'll let you blast your music when you visit, mainly because he likes seeing you nod your head to the music (or headbang. or scream along. whatever floats ur boat babes!!!!) sun doesn't not appreciate explicit lyrics though, so if a song happens to Not Be Clean he will switch it

▸ he's secretly a little scared of you now. unsuspecting at first, he now definitely thinks that you're tough as hell!!! and very cool!!!!! but he also sometimes wonders if you're just secretly very good at keeping a fiery temper in check.

▸ gonna be real he really can't make out the lyrics. but if you enjoy it, he's not gonna stop you!!! sun tried to scream along once. nearly shattered your eardrums. he was NOT programmed for singing. and definitely not screaming.

▸ well. maybe heavy metal and scream-y emo music isn't for him- or at least his voice box anyways.

▸ bonus thingy: moon thinks your music is. interesting. he will definitely make you to turn it down. when he's finally satisfied with the volume it's barely even a whisper.

[kallulovesu]

Heyooo :) can you do headcannons for a platonic yandere allies ?? Am aroace so that's the kind that floats my boat, also do you ever feel tired of writing ?? Like .. ur so productive, it's awsome but like .. I hope ur doing it cuz u have energy not cuz you have followers waiting 😬 take care Plz ❤❤🥺

For the anon that asked that yandere reader ask, thx u inspired this ask ur idea is rad :3

(A/N:) ahh thank you for the worry anon, but it’s no problem really!💞 I wouldn’t be making as much content if I wasn’t having any fun, since it’ll probably end up feeling more like chore...and I hate doing chores 😭

That one protective friend that makes sure to check up on you every second (but it’s turned up to the extreme and downright becomes unhealthy in some cases)™

It was ironic to him. Out everyone that he had gotten to know over all these years— hell, perhaps even Arthur; you were the only one he felt like understood him the most. Not many seemed to notice what was going on beneath the surface of his facade, which was why he appreciated you being there. You still liked him despite the many flaws that he had, and tried your best being with him even if it became downright tiring. Alfred would be heavily dependent on you because of this, often going to you to cheer him up— or before he was going to make a rash choice.

So it was only natural that he couldn’t see himself being without you.

You were like a best friend to him; Alfred would even go as far as to say that he felt a familial connection between the two of you. So the deep desire to protect you was normal, wasn’t it? Even when he felt himself worrying for your well-being at even the slightest approach of a stranger, it was just his instinct telling him that there was something wrong. It wasn’t anything unhealthy. Thus, would usually drag you away from anyone that he found to be suspicious; even those he was already familiar with. This would probably result in a lot of arguments, with him trying to say what was ‘best for you’ and with you denying that you needed this much...protection. You swore that it almost felt like he was just isolating you from the others, to have you purely depend on him for whatever reason you couldn’t make up.

Alfred can’t handle being apart from you— nonetheless the idea of you being angry with him, or even hating him . It truly didn’t matter if the reason was rather ridiculous or not, the idea of you hating him just...made his stomach churn uncomfortably. You were his best buddy, and basically one of the only ones he could trust with his inner worries; and the risk of it all being taken away from him because of a silly, childish mistake was all it took to send the poor boy into a state of panic. Please don’t leave him, he’d do anything to keep you there with him. Begging, gifting— you name it.

Arthur didn’t completely seem to realize his feelings at first, confusing it with romantic attraction for a little while— before quickly seeming to realize that it was all purely platonic. He did feel a bit protective of you, maybe even possessive...but it had nothing to do with romance, nor lust. It was just him wanting to have someone beside him, someone that he could call a friend. And someone that would never leave his side.

It won’t be hard to notice how...bad his communication skills were; with him often saying things that he didn’t really mean and slightly setting you off. Arthur is stubborn, so it may take some time (and slight teasing at how much he hesitated) for him to actually apologize. You’ll probably get used to it after a while, since he’s one big tsundere.

Saying this out loud was an absolute no-no for this man— but you being around Arthur was often enough to make him the slightest bit happier. It felt a bit lonely at times, especially with less and less people being around him these past few years. So having you as a friend almost felt like a breath of fresh air.

He’s very critical of those you choose to be around with, often analyzing even the smallest of things so he can determine if they’re actually worth being around you. Which more often than not ends up... not being the case. Arthur will tell you to stay away from them; saying that they were suspicious, and probably had something bad in mind. He’ll resort to isolating you if you were to disobey him, trying to take as much of your attention— and perhaps even kidnapping you if the extreme were to happen. You were his one and only best friend, and he had to make sure you were safe. Always.

Totally the big brother type...well, he usually proclaims himself as being one, so it isn’t that much of a surprise.

Francis will make sure to absolutely pamper you with his attention; hanging out with you, sending letters whenever he was too busy...and simply sending gifts from France. He simply couldn’t let you go off feeling unloved!

He adores talking about you; usually going off on a mindless ramble whenever someone even mentions your name, like a proud father showing off his child. Others will usually compare him to one due to how much he adores talking about you— or simply the way that he treats you. Which would quickly be disregarded with a: “oh, I’m no father! They’re just such a nice little friend to have around, who wouldn’t want to praise such a delicate person?”

On a second note....he actually did feel like a father figure to you. Huh.

Francis will often suggest helping you out with your love life, perhaps even gushing over cute guys together that you found on a random dating app— before quickly realizing that he didn’t really want this. Those silly moments were fun and all, but having you talk with someone that could just be out to use you made him a bit angry...and paranoid, mainly the latter. He will make sure that anyone that even so much dares to get close you first gets his approval first. The feeling of a broken heart was all too familiar to him, and he didn’t want you to experience such a thing.

This may result in him checking up on you...an awful lot, making sure that those around you were only the best of the best and wouldn’t end up being bad influence to you. Yes, he truly was like a father.

A sibling-like person in his life that he didn’t feel insecure against and acknowledged him as his own person? Fuck yes!!

Jokes aside— Matthew really does care deeply for you. Perhaps it was due to the Canadian barely having those that he could...truly call close friends, so having you around almost felt like a blessing. Unlike Francis, he won’t really show you off or talk about you much, especially around his brother. The American had already stolen enough from him, so why would he let something like that happen again?

He’s extremely wary of anyone that even so much tries to make a move on you. It’s just...you were someone that he held extremely dear; and having you potentially getting hurt due to some lowlife that managed to slip into your life would absolutely break his heart. Matthew didn’t want to fail in protecting you, he would never forgive himself if something like that were to happen.

Losing you is something that he wishes to avoid completely. He’ll even go as far as kidnapping you if it came down to it, Matthew just couldn’t see himself living happily without you by his side.

Yao likes cute things...and you’re a cute friend, so it’s a perfect match!

But seriously, he thinks that you’re absolutely adorable. Whether it be because of your personality— or your appearance, it really doesn’t end up mattering in the end. You’re his cute little friend, and that’s all that matters!

He’ll often treat you with more, yet gentler care than most of the others around him. He knew that you were well capable of taking care of yourself; but he just couldn’t help but see you as something fragile, something that he had to protect. So you can already imagine how frustrated he gets when someone treats you with even the slightest bit of disrespect— Yao will often confront them immediately, while you awkwardly have to sit back and watch it all. Almost feeling pity for the person that had to endure your friend’s seemingly never-ending complaints.

Oh, he probably doesn’t quite realize how he comes off as a father at times; seeing how much he’ll scold you for the smallest mistakes (while making sure to correct you of course!) and how he usually made decisions for you, making it hard to refuse his gestures due to his pushy nature. But it’ll probably become a normal thing for the two of you as time progresses, since it’s just...how Yao was, you assumed.

His controlling behavior will also reflect on how he treats your personal life. Yao is very selective of who he lets you be around with, so he’ll often look at your acquaintances and friends with a very critical eye, immediately expressing his distaste in them if they were even to do the smallest thing wrong. “Such a brute isn’t worth being around, (y/n).” Yao will warn you to stay away from them, but won’t bring it up any further if you decide to do what he says. If you don’t then...well, he had special friends to help him out with his dirtier work.

Yao might consider kidnapping you if this behavior keeps on repeating, but won’t feel compelled to actually do it unless something bad were to happen.

Ivan will always try his best to be there for you! While it most likely won’t quite work with him being a rather busy person; a country, nonetheless, but he’ll do his upmost best. It was extremely hard for Ivan to make friends that...weren’t scared of him or secretly disliked him, so having you was such a relief!

Being his only friend, he’ll make sure to be absolutely devoted to you— perhaps in a way that wasn’t too healthy in a friendship, and would often be looked down upon by those looking at your relationship from an outsider’s perspective. But could one truly blame him? Ever since he was born it felt like everyone around him were either toying with him, or were utterly terrified of the boy expect for his two sisters. It was lonely...so it isn’t hard to imagine how overjoyed he was once having you in his life; someone that didn’t display the usual fright whenever he approached them, nor did you look like you were out to hurt him.

Ivan appreciated you a lot.

It wasn’t hard to imagine that you’d most likely become the target of a few other countries, your connection with Ivan wasn’t extremely hidden from the outside world... (from how much he’d senselessly mutter things about you when daydreaming, and the many times he stuck by your side) and so, others would take it to their advantage. Those like Alfred will probably try convince you to leave Ivan’s side, spewing terrifying stories of the man to try and stir up something inside of you so you could leave him. It was mainly for your own safety, yes. But it was also to make the Russian weaker. It was obvious that he was depending on you heavily, and losing you would...god forbid if that would ever happen. Ivan would completely lose himself, perhaps even snapping completely.

So don’t hesitate to tell Ivan if someone was bothering you! Ivan will make sure to get rid of the little parasite from your life in an instant, giving them a short warning whenever the two come across each other...and making sure that he got his point across! It’s better to ignore their sudden disappearance after that day, since someone like them wasn’t worth lingering in your mind.

[cedobols]

What kind of tools do you use when you draw in photoshop? I've been drawing on paper and I thought drawing digitally would be easier, but it's not 😆 it's hard for me to be precise, so do you have any wisdom nuggets you could share?

im a little confused by the question nonnie but ill try my best to give an answer u might find helpful ;; ill start off by saying: it doesn't matter which medium is used, drawing can always be quite challenging! so dont let that discourage you ໒(＾ᴥ＾)७ !!

if by preciseness, you mean the lines aren't coming out the way you want them to, the frustrating truth is: practise makes perfect! it usually always comes down to practice and how comfortable u are with ur own tools... if you're new to digital art then everything will definitely feel a bit wobbly and uncomfortable!

i dont actually know SHIT about photoshop but i believe that its common for artists to make use of the stabiliser setting which allows for a smoother brush stroke. I THINK the equivalent in ps is the 'Smoothing' setting.

so i defs recommend u play around with that a bit and see if anything in particular floats ya boat. otherwise, if by tools you mean stuff other than brushes: get into the habit of using multiple layers! the more the better (sometimes...)

i recommend that each character has their own layer/s. not only does this prevent future confusion (for example) in the event that i want to redraw seb's arm but find that his lineart overlaps marks, i dont have to worry about fucking up mark's lines bc they're on two different layers.

ill make a new layer for each: character lines. hair. (sometimes face details). base skin colour. clothes colouring. hair colour. eye colour. shading. extra details.

i think using multiple layers can help with precision! some artists do as many as 3-4 sketches before getting started on their final line art. i usually do 1-2 depending on how comfortable i am with the subject matter. but giving urself a base, something to use as a line guide, can defs make the drawing process more comfortable!

uhhhhhh i think thats all really ;; sorry if this isn't helpful in the slightest but truthfully .. there aren't secrets to drawing (at least not that i know of) its just about familiarising yourself with your tools and trying new things to find what works best for you! and a lot of the time your results won't look anything like what you'd imagined but thats the fun of it so jus keep doodling away ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❗️

[astro-pioneer]

hey I love ur work also Idk if ur taking request at this time but I was wondering if u had time that if u could maybe make a second part to the red string fic about childe cause wow 😩angst is so good

In Another, Maybe 『Childe』

➽ Part two of Broken String | Taking care of Teucer wasn't something (Y/N) had on their schedule for the day, but with the begging golden eyes of the traveller and hopeful blue eyes of the child, who were they to refuse? If only they were informed on who Teucer was related to before making a promise. | Small spoilers for Childe's story quest | The beginning sounds like a platonic Teucer story but we need development so sorry </3

Hi hi anon! I almost cried when I saw your request oml. I'm so glad you like what I write and thank you for the support!! My requests are indeed open (I call them new expeditions in my bio) but I'm glad you asked about it :D I hope this is what you expected but if not send me a message and I can possibly do a third part with an alternate ending.

The child looked familiar, that much (Y/N) knew, but couldn't pinpoint where from. What they didn't know was how the traveller knew where they lived. "Uh, hello?" Right away they knew trouble was in their future. Aether's nervous smile said it all. Teucer knew them just like he knew who the traveller was, especially when his big sister Tonia fawned after reading that part of the letter.

"Hi (Y/N)! We're sorry to bother you, but Zhongli told us you weren't busy and that you could help us!" Ah, so that's how the trio found them. They loved Zhongli dearly, don't get them wrong, but sometimes he shares a little too much information to the ones he trusts. "He told us you're really good with kids, and we usually see you playing pirates with a group on some days."

(Y/N) sighed, seeing that there was no way out of this situation, and almost stepped back in to grab some Mora before the child (who still has yet to be introduced) stopped them. "Oh, it's okay! My big brother already gave us money to spend. Now, come on!" The tiny hands latched onto a bigger right one, the pulling of the limb making the tied string sway lightly.

The nod was small but seen nonetheless, making Paimon sigh in relief. Teucer dragged (Y/N) away before they could close their front door, making the travelling duo do it. Aether cringed at the quick glance inside. It was so cold and depressingly empty. "Maybe it's because they're usually out?" Not even Paimon herself sounded sure about her reasoning.

"Anyway, my name's Teucer! I came from Sneznhaya! What about you?"

The older person blinked, not expecting the kid to not even know their name (even after Paimon said it). "Oh, I'm (Y/N), and I moved to Liyue from Inazuma." He awed; it was very easy to amaze the child, they mused. A small gasp came from Teucer before they were dragged away, the traveller struggling to keep up with the excited kid.

"Oooh, c'mon (Y/N)! Let's go to the wharf! I was never able to see it when I got here! You too, Mr. Nice Guy!" Their right hand was finally released and the string touched the ground once more. The kid ran off but was always in the watchful sight of the trio as they caught up to him.

"Teucer, please try not to run off anymore."

He didn't respond, too amazed with the view and size of the wharf to care. "Woah! Look at the waves! Do they ever freeze?" Aether and Paimon stood back from (Y/N) and Teucer, talking amongt themselves.

"Is it just Paimon, or does it feel like we're just awkward third wheels?" Seeing the nod from her companion, Paimon nodded with crossed arms in satisfaction before floating over after seeing the kid go to the anchor. "This is an anchor. Ships use it to stop the wind from blowing them away."

Teucer pondered for a bit before nodding, 'An anchor...got it. I might get it confused with Commodore Hook though..." The three echoed the name in confusion, prompting him to explain. "My brother always sends me a big present for my birthday. Commodore Hook, Blacksteel Jack, Iron Tony, they all stay in our backyard!"

(Y/N) kept their shock hidden well. "That's very kind of your brother. Are they as big as the anchor?" He nodded as an answer before seeing the stall selling fish, running off yet again. An acquaintance from their work waved in greeting, (Y/N) reciprocating the action with their right hand. The string no longer brushed the ground.

They came back to the group, hearing Uncle Gao, the owner of the fish stall, get mad at Teucer for innocently comparing the fish in Liyue to what he's used to back in his homeland. "That's no way to talk to a child now, is it, sir? There's no reason to get worked up over regional differences." Their face was passive but anyone with a keen enough eye could see the threat behind their façade. Paimon herself even got angry at the stall owner.

"There's legends about these big fish back at home! I told my brother about it and a few days later, he came back with a big fish slung over his shoulder!" He exaggerated 'big' to get his point across, which was cute. "Mr. Nice Guy, (Y/N), let's go see the boats." He grabbed both of their hands this time.

The quick walk ended when they reached a small but intricately designed boat. Teucer signed dejectedly. "I miss my brother..." His palms pressed to his eyes. Paimon was shocked, pointing out the fact that they (minus (Y/N)) just saw him. "That doesn't count! It was for such a short time! Take me to see my brother, I don't want to play anymore!"

The trip to Qingxu Pool's nearby river was a long distance away, especially in Teucer's eyes. Not even halfway through did he ask (Y/N) to give him a piggyback ride, who just sighed and accepted the request. The incline as well as Aether and Paimon blocked their view of Teucer's brother, but they paused at Paimon's declaration. "Found him! There's Childe! Wait..." Teucer didn't notice the faltered step.

Shimmying off their back, Teucer ran toward the taller ginger. Oh, dear. If (Y/N) knew who Teucer's brother was, they would've stayed home and completed upcoming paperwork. Their eyes quickly looked to his left hand, the matching, dull string also tied to his pinkie. At the mention of selling toys, (Y/N) looked at their soulmate suspiciously. "Fatui scum don't sell toys though..." They kept their mouth shut at the pleading eyes of the travelling duo.

The trio stood back, watching the scene unfold in front of them concerning Childe's "toy selling business", as Teucer called it. Another Fatui member, a subordinate, appeared right after, informing the ginger about new recruits. The blond then turned to (Y/N). "Also, Mr. Zhongli asked me to inform you about an urgent matter that he didn't go into details about. However, he requests that you make haste to meet him." They clicked their tongue, still hating how the Fatui are still associates of the funeral parlour.

"Aw, really? Both of you are leaving? Do you have to?" The small smile make Childe's heart squeeze.

"Apologies Teucer, but I know I speak for both your brother and I when I say that it's important for us to keep working. You're always welcome to find me when you want to though, alright?" A nod was shared between the two broken soulmates before (Y/N) turned, heading back to the harbour.

Aether didn't miss the longing stare Childe had before he snapped out of it, answering Teucer's question his own way, laced with lies that'll only harm himself in the end. Paimon didn't miss it either, but she was more vocal until he covered her mouth.

The next time (Y/N) saw Teucer and Co. was when they came barging into their office. "We're going to the Institute of Toy Research! Come.on, I want you to come with us!" They had no choice but to go. Watching the lengths Childe would go just to make his brother happy struck something inside of them. Not deep enough to make them love him but to see him in a new light.

(Y/N) got to the worn down harbinger before anyone else, squatting down in front of him. "I wish we met under different circumstances, Mr. Soulmate." He cracked a grin.

"I'd ask if there would be any chance where we could change the outcome, but-" he raised his left hand, where the string was nothing but the knot, "-seems as though it's a little too late, huh?"

They shared sad smiles to each other, (Y/N) giving the traveller a signal to get Teucer's attention for a while. "Possibly... In another life, maybe we could've been together. In this run, however, it was sadly not meant to be." They linked their tied hands together, both witnessing the last piece of their connection as soulmates diminish away before their eyes. "I'm glad to have been able to witness that you're more than just a mindless pawn to the Tsaritsa... Hearing what you do for your siblings and even now proved that."

Aether and Paimon came over after (Y/N) stood up, going back to Teucer as they talked. "Did you find your brother yet?" They played along with the "game" of hide and seek. But yet, their thoughts were far away, thinking of an alternative time where the two of them met under different circumstances. What would've happened to the soulmates if they never met in Liyue and witnessed what happened with their beloved? No one knows, not even the gods themselves...

[stupid-stew]

two vent fics in as many days? me? nooooo.

the answer is actually yes. i am in crisis all of the time. here take a gender one because why the heck not it's 4:30 am and i have nothing to lose. luz, toady you are me. there is also a little bit of parent eda because what do you take me for? a fool? (Pronouns? AO3 link if that floats ur boat)

Luz Noceda had a lot of problems.

Sure, she was stuck in a hell dimension with no way home in sight, where her best chance of surviving was reliant on her having magic, of which she had none, and was separated from her mom, and was currently blaming herself for her surrogate mom having lost her magic, but that wasn’t the point right now.

Right now, Luz was focused on herself. That’s usually how these nights ended up, with her so lost in thought that she circled back to the root of the problem, she didn’t know who she was.

That wasn’t entirely true, she was Luz Noceda, average teen, lover of Azura, daughter of Camila, professional witch in training, student at Hexside School of Magic and Demonics, foe to an unlucky few, friend to most, the girl who had managed to outsmart the emperor and get herself stuck so far from home she might as well just give up now. Luz knew what she was, she was what other people knew her for, but who was she? Anyone’s guess, suggestions much appreciated.

She had grown up in an environment that exposed her to many different people, the internet. Yeah, maybe she had seen a lot of stuff way before she should have, but she also had the whole world at her fingertips, many types of people and experiences just on the other side of her screen, and it had led to some amazing things. Her mom had also been a big help, allowing Luz to question and experiment any which way she pleased, as long as she was happy and safe. That had helped Luz figure out who she liked, she was comfortable telling her mom she liked girls confidently at the ripe age of 10, Camila had of course been nothing but accepting.

That was easy enough, right? She knew exactly what she was, who she liked, hell she could figure out most people just by looking at them, so why couldn’t she figure out herself?

And that was where Luz was at, laying on the floor in her makeshift bedroom in the owl house, once again wondering what in the hell was a gender.

Luz was no stranger to this internal battle, it sort of came with the whole territory of figuring out your sexuality, but for the life of her she didn’t even know where to start.

Ok, she thought to herself, let’s start from the top. I don’t know where the top is. What is the easiest way to go about this. Most people start with pronouns, maybe that’s a good place to start? Luz let out a groan, this was going nowhere. Back on track. she/her. Simple enough, good solid pronouns. That’s what most people have called me forever. I'm comfortable with it, other people are comfortable with it, no, what other people think doesn’t matter, this is about me. Focus, Luz. Ok, she/her, fine. Though not always, doesn’t always feel right, how can words feel right or wrong that doesn’t even make sense. Whatever, most of the time she/her equals a girl.

Luz shivered at that, girl, the word had never felt right to her, something about it was gross in her mind. She had always hated being referred to as girl or daughter, but never had the guts to speak up about it in the moment. Luz chuckled to herself, and look where we are now. she/her moved to the maybe pile for now.

Next on the list was he/him. Luz smiled at that. Being a somewhat androgynous child for most of her life with short hair, being called her mother’s son at the grocery store was a fairly common occurrence. She recalled one time she was out with a couple of friends and some sweet old lady had said to them “you ladies have a nice day.” and then looked at Luz and added “oh, my bad, and gentleman.” Luz had to leave the store at that, her friends had assumed she was upset that the lady had called her a gentleman, but that wasn’t the case. She was more upset about having been singled out than anything, in fact she hadn’t at all minded being called a gentleman. It didn’t feel completely right, but it didn’t feel completely wrong either.

Ok, so pronouns, this is Luz, he is my apprentice. Eh, feels about the same as she. That’s so lame I was hoping there would be some sort of difference. The only discomfort is that i’m used to she, god my head hurts just thinking about this. Luz rolled over to her other side and covered her head with her sleeping bag. How can I feel literally the same about the two, I haven’t even left the binary, there’s only two options, one should be right, the other should be wrong. This is the same idea as answering an either or question and both options are the same but both are neither right nor wrong. It doesn’t even make sense. If the binary isn’t going to give me my answers then I need to step it up.

They/Them was dangerous territory for Luz and she knew it. This wasn’t her first time around the block, she knew that she loved they/them pronouns for herself. “This is Luz, they’re my apprentice.” God it just felt so right. She could never figure out why, much less bring herself to even try, which was probably how she kept landing herself in this situation. Laying up at night, staring at the ceiling, running pronouns, of all things, through her head over and over. It probably would have been easier if she had someone to tell her how gender was supposed to feel. What it was supposed to identify, what it was supposed to offer for her identity, but alas. It had been easier with her sexuality, she knew from the moment someone had told her that liking girls was even an option that was who she was. She was confident in that, it was simple enough. So why was this still so hard?

Luz took her head out from under her sleeping bag and rubbed the heel of her palms over her eyes. I know I like they/them pronouns, they’re my favorite, they feel so correct, huh go figure I finally got my answer, words can feel right. Still not sure how… anyways, what the hell do I do about it? Ask people to just change the way they refer to me? That’s absurd. Luz knew it wasn’t absurd. Not in the slightest. She knew she had done it for plenty of people before, people she had known for years. It wasn’t hard, it was actually pretty easy and she was glad to switch around how she referred to them no matter how many times they asked. So why can’t I just do the same. Most people see me as a boy or a girl, it’s fine, it’s ok, well at the very least I can deal with it. What are they supposed to do? Just not?

Luz sprawled out on her back and shut her eyes as tight as she could. She knew she had met plenty of people who were non binary, and somehow she had been able to erase the idea of them being either a boy or a girl out of her head almost completely. It’s just how it had worked, was it because she didn’t really see herself in that way either? Maybe I’m just making it up. Maybe it’s all in my head and I’m stopping myself from causing a lot of problems, what if I’m wrong, what if I make a mistake and have to ask people to change around again? I barely figured out what pronouns I prefer, ok well I’ve known for a while, but I still don’t have a label. Non binary? Maybe? I wish I knew what gender was supposed to feel like. She placed her hands behind her head and sighed. If you asked me what gender felt like to me I either wouldn’t have an answer and would start crying or would just scream shrilly at you for a few minutes. Pronouns don’t equal gender but what are either of those. If I use they/them pronouns do I have to identify as non binary? I don’t even like labeling my sexuality and I know what that is. God, I haven’t even scratched the surface of how I present mysel-

Her thoughts were muted by a knock at her door.

“Luz I know you’re awake.”

It was Eda, of course it was. Who else would be awake at this hour and hear her singular sigh from the hallway?

Luz pushed herself up from off the ground and slowly opened the door.

“Can’t sleep?” Eda asked.

Luz just shook her head. She didn’t have the energy for words at the moment.

Eda sighed and stretched out her arm to reach behind her head and pull out a clock from her hair. “Me neither, looks like it’s too late for either of us to be awake. Want some tea?”

Luz nodded and followed Eda down the creaky stairs and to the kitchen. Eda immediately found a kettle and started filling it with water to boil while Luz took a seat at the counter. They sat with just the sound of the running tap for a few uncomfortable seconds before Eda asked the question Luz had been dreading.

“What’s keeping you up?”

Shoot. Can I talk to her about this? It’s Eda, she doesn’t care, does she? Nobody here seems to mind anything, cool non binary witches. That’s so rad. I don’t want to bother her, what if she doesn’t understand, so I have the energy to explain? How would I even go about dropping this if it goes south?

“Hellooooo? Isles to Luz?”

She was snapped out of her thoughts by Eda waving her hands in her face, she looked… worried? Oh, I haven’t answered her question.

“Hm? Oh, it’s nothing.”

Eda didn’t believe her for a minute.

“It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

Luz just sort of turned her head away and shrugged. Eda knew she couldn’t pry it out of the kid. Instead, she just decided to finish making the tea. The two of them sat in silence while the tea bags steeped, which gave Luz a moment back to herself to question her next move.

Eda handed Luz the steaming mug. “You can talk about it if you want. I’ll listen.”

“I don’t know how to do this.”

Eda grinned. They were getting somewhere, whatever was keeping the kid awake this late at night was reaching the surface.

“Just go for it, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Sooo many things Eda.

Luz decided to just start out simple. “Do you know what pronouns are?”

Eda nodded. Ok, good.

“Ok, what are your pronouns?”

Eda was taken aback by this a little, nobody had asked her that in years. What was the kid dealing with? “Well, I use she/her pronouns, but I’ve never really felt attached to any of them, so whatever works just works I guess. Same for King, I don’t really think he cares much as long as you’re referring to him as royalty.” Eda snorted with laughter.

Luz was kind of in shock. Does she feel the same way I do? How did she pick? “How did you know?” the words just kind of fell out of her mouth in a mess.

“Know what?”

Eda looked at her with confusion.

“What pronouns you use?”

“I don’t know, here nobody really cared that much, why should I?”

Then Eda remembered.

“Ooooh yeah you humans use them for that whole gender identity thing. We kind of have that here but it’s not as big of a deal, you guys have all those labels, yeah?”

Luz swallowed deeply and nodded.

“Is that what’s keeping you up?”

Another nod.

“Do you wanna talk at me? I know you do better with your words than your mind, I can do the dishes while you talk if you don’t want my focus.”

Luz was now completely dumbfounded. In the last two minutes, Eda had told her that not only was gender a human thing, but that she was willing to let Luz process it the way that she needed, how had she known? Wait…. Just how similar are Eda and I? Luz couldn’t help but wonder.

Luz nodded and Eda got up without a word and headed straight for the sink.

“I don’t know. Back in the human world, people have a lot of words that they use to describe their genders. I don’t understand any of them, I know their definitions, but I don’t know how to relate to them.”

Luz paused and Eda gave her a gentle hum of interest as a signal to continue.

“They’ve just never made sense to me, I don’t know why and I don’t know how but it’s incredibly frustrating. I gave up on trying to get it and moved on to the things that I do get, which is limited to pronouns. You’ve got the binary pronouns like she and he, usually those fit the words girl and boy, not always, sometimes people use more than one set of pronouns, but the thing is I can’t pick. They feel the exact same to me. There are other ones, the most common being they/them, and I really like those, Eda I really really like them.”

Eda smiled at her, glad to see Luz’s face lighting up.

“But I don’t know. I don’t know if I should use one set, multiple. It’s really bothering that so many people back home understand, they just seem so sure of themselves, they know who they are, they know that they’re a boy or a girl or neither or even both, there’s even more genders to be a combination of, but I can’t. I think there has to be something wrong with me because I know it shouldn’t be this hard but it is, it’s always on my mind, and I can’t stop it or make it make sense. I haven’t even begun to entertain the idea of asking people to change the pronouns they use for me because I can’t tell myself what label even goes with what, and I feel stupid.”

Eda stopped what she was doing.

“You aren’t stupd Luz.”

“How can you say that when I don’t even know who I am, I can’t even figure out what words I want people to use when they refer to me.” Luz sounded exhausted.

Eda turned around and looked her in the face, dead serious. “You aren’t stupid, you just don’t know who you are,” she dried her hands on a towel and sat down across from Luz. “and that’s ok. I know it’s maddening not knowing, but you’re allowed to feel that way, if you don’t have all the answers, what’s gonna happen? Are you gonna die?”

Luz rolled her eyes “sometimes it really does feel like it.”

Eda stood up. “Well we can’t have that, no dead apprentices. You seem to have been thinking about this for a long time, you just need a little bit of a push. Pick some new pronouns.”

Luz stared at her, “what?”

“You can’t figure out how the feeling works, or if there even is one, that’s ok. But, you know that there are some words that fit better than others. You might not be able to tell me why, but you know what they are. What are they?”

Luz didn’t know what to do, she hadn’t prepared herself for this. She was ready for Eda not knowing what was going on, not this. She’s right, time to rip off the bandaid.

“I don’t know…”

“Yes you do.”

There really is no getting out of this one.

“I don’t know, I guess they/them feels ok? Better than the others?”

“And so it shall be.” Eda stated matter-of-factly.

Luz shifted uncomfortably in her seat, “but I don’t know, I’m really used to she/her, they don’t fit quite right but they’ve never really felt wrong enough to get rid of completely.”

Eda shrugged, “you don’t have to. You can use both if you want.”

Luz wasn’t sure, she knew Eda was right, but she couldn’t help but recall the time someone had told her that adding they/them to your pronouns was performative and accomplished nothing. Screw them.

“Ok.” It was simple, but it’s all she had.

“Anything else I should know?”

Luz took a deep breath, she was in this far, might as well keep it up.

“It really bothers me when I get referred to as a girl, I know that I don’t know what labels go where, but I know that one is wrong.”

“Good to know.”

This was going way better than Luz expected, but now all her thoughts were out and she had a little bit of a resolution, she was finally starting to feel how late it was. She yawned, “I think I’m done for the night.”

Eda put on a mock offended look, “But you didn’t even touch your tea? I worked so hard on that for you!”

Luz gave her a weak smile. “It was never about the tea, was it, you just wanted me to talk.”

Eda reached out and ruffled Luz’s hair, “It worked, huh?”

“Yeah I guess it did.”

“Good.”

They emptied their cups into the now pristine sink and went back up the stairs.

“Thanks Eda.”

“Don’t mention it.”

[echogekkos-writes]

idk if ur doing any more of the hcs but fi ghirhim swap, u can inclued zelda being the hylain champion and link having the sealing powers if u want or ur take on a fix-it all au? what would u change and what would u keep?

I am still doing more! And I’d be happy to share some more heacanons on topics! Unfortunately, while I know SS lore...it’s all seconhand information and stuff I've read on the wiki. I haven’t actually played SS and haven’t picked up the HD version yet. Maybe this is something I can revisit, but I don’t know enough about Ghirahim or Fi, both attitude and actions without either watching a full playthrough or doing it myself, to give my own headcanons on a Fi and Ghirahim swap.

A fix-it AU I can totally do though. I am going to assume you mean BoTW and AoC. I find AoC’s story to be quite good, and while time travel can sometimes be an easy crutch, I think it works in AoC’s case, so I am going to leave AoC alone. Nothing there other than a few minor things I would change. BoTW though? Totally have ideas. I have a few, some revolving around pre-calamity, some around post. I am going to go with pre-calamity for this answer!

BoTW Fix It All AU. (Not going to be fix it all as yeah….some bad stuff still happens)

Mipha is allowed to finish what she said. That she thinks about Link. There are two ways she could have finished her sentence. “About those I love.” or “About Link.”. I feel it was the latter, as she was quite embarrassed to say it. This causes Zelda to come to terms with her growing attraction to Link and having to face the music. She loves Link. (platonically or romantically, whatever boats your float). It’s an epiphany, a sudden realization that shakes her all the way to her soul. This unlocks her powers.

With her powers unlocked, The Calamity is hastened. It can’t wait around anymore, it can’t wait for the Champions to enter their Divine Beasts. It has sensed Hylia’s powers manifesting and must act NOW. It seizes the Divine beasts immediately and begins to use them to wreak havoc. Though messy and sluggish, it tries to use the Blights to control the Beasts to everyone’s location.

The Champions all feel their Divine Beasts being seized. There is no subtlety on Ganon’s part. To them, it feels like a part of their soul has been ripped from them. It leaves them weakened and in pain. But they know what just happened. So the party is left with a choice, take back the Divine Beasts, or use their combined prowess to try to defeat Ganon. After much deliberation, the latter is chosen. They just don’t know what they are up against, what awaits them inside. Between that and their knowledge on the capabilities of their Beasts....without help, they know can’t do it on their own.

It’s not an easy fight to Ganon. Guardians assail them at every turn. But they push on, through injury and fatigue. For they are racing against time. Sure, Hyrule is burning down all around them, but if the Divine Beasts make it to them? All hope would be lost.

They barely make it in time. The fight is hard. Ganon re-summons his Blights, much in the same way the fight happens without freeing the Beasts. Each Champion takes on a different blight than the one sent to kill them. Revali fights Waterblight. Daruk fights Thunderblight. Mipha fights Fireblight. Urbosa takes on Windblight. All this while Link is trying his best to defeat Ganon. After the blights are defeated and Ganon is slain, Dark Beast Ganon is formed. And with their combined might supporting Link and Zelda, Ganon is sealed away.

Castle Town is destroyed. Barely anyone is able to escape. Rhoam is slain, alongside 80% of the population. The Hylian Army put up a valiant fight, but in the end, did everything they could just to buy time for folks to escape. Other regions suffered as well with the control of the Divine Beasts and Guardians.

Parts of the Domain are destroyed from Ruta’s rampage to Central Hyrule. Same with Goron City. In Rito Village, many homes are blown away, but the primary structure of rock where the village perched remains intact. Gerudo town suffers the least damage but is cut off from the rest of Hyrule for months, as the Gerudo Canyon suffers a major rockslide from Nabooris rampage.

The recovery effort is long and arduous, but they all manage to do so, with each race lending a hand where they can.

Yes, it ends in eventual Miphlink, cause god damn it, I am forever stuck Miphlink Hell.

[deathvsthemaiden]

Prince Harry, Prince William, Waver Velvet, Diluc Ragnvindr, Jeremy Fragrence, and Childe (Ajax)....uwa I spelled Diluc's name right on the first go!

THE DISGUST THE VISCERAL DISGUST I AM FEELING AT EXACTLY HALF OF THESE.... ur too good and dependable I LOVE u *sniffles* 😔🤕

Harry:

Yikes full stop. Yikes. || I Don’t See The Appeal || Not My Type || He’s Alright || I See The Appeal But I’m Different™ || Cute But On Alternating Wednesdays || He Has A Kind Face And That’s Good Enough || Pretty || Gorgeous || I— I Love? || I Do Not Deserve How Could You Do This? Hmm? Et tu, Brutus? 😐

Ok listen being royalty esp modern royalty immediately cancels out any beauty god gave you in my eyes. All the poetry I wax about how there is something to appreciate in every face and body is null and void here. If we take the Some Guy approach and look at him objectively (impossible but I’ll humor you in the name of love and not being a spoilsport).... nothing I feel nothing. Maybe a whisper of contempt and a little voice in my head going “we should avoid him he’s not going to add to our life.” But that’s. IT.

William:

Yikes, I Don’t See The Appeal || Not My Type || He’s Alright || I See The Appeal But I’m Different™ || Cute But On Alternating Wednesdays || He Has A Kind Face And That’s Good Enough || Pretty || Gorgeous || I— I Love? We Don’t Deserve Him. II I’m Far Too Sane And Pretty For This?

*by this point I am shaking and crying from psychic damage* see above 👆🏽😐

Waver Velvet:

Yikes, I Don’t See The Appeal || Not My Type || He’s Alright || I See The Appeal But. I’m Different™ || Cute But On Alternating Wednesdays || He Has A Kind Face And That’s Good Enough || Pretty (I Suppose) Like If He Floats Your Boat Epic But I Might Not Attend The Wedding || Gorgeous || I— I Love? We Don’t Deserve Him.

his younger self awakens big sister instincts in me meaning he would be SO fun to tease and annoy + root for + naively hope he grows into a fine young man. At that young age he is not yet broken so there is no fixing to be done, but I certainly could help set him straight! Like a bonsai 💚 he’s more sinless and (unintentionally) funny and full of promise than his other selves.

His adult self however awakens the misandrist in me. I wanna come up to him unprovoked and tell him to smile or else bc that’s the only time he’s handsome imo.... also when he has vulnerable moments like being sad the shoes he bought with his first ever paycheck got ruined 🥺 or when he gets all triumphant and carefree ever so once in a while, like in the first ep of Case Files... what I mean is sometimes his prickly hard cranky veneer cracks and I catch a dazzling shimmer of handsome but... not often enough for my liking 😑 for my favored pixelated men I get a genuine kick out of their being disgruntled (sign of true love) but his grumbling just makes me want to file for divorce and we’re not even married 😐 like can you imagine road tripping with this man? I can’t I couldn’t I will not! And omg I don’t think you could make him say stuff like I love you without feeling like you’re pulling teeth... I don’t have the patience to reach that point with him. We’d be so bad for each other and not even in the fun way... his sharp way of dress and penchant for red and long hair and passion for certain subjects are just not enough to salvage him for me, if I want to be subjected to a short tempered man all day I have a father 😩 also he has the kind of sense of responsibility that would doom you if you married him I feel. Like admirable but also what the fuck dude. Taking on all of Kayneth’s debt w/o batting an eye? Mr Velvet what about your hypothetical wife and children.... like I can’t imagine him stopping to think about them in such a scenario... he’d have to marry someone like Melvin (or Melvin himself) who would get a kick out of that brash decision and support him and I’m the wrong dame! He feels like if he had a family and he grew into old age, he would end up one of those foreboding slightly frigid patriarchs w/ short fuses who have hearts of gold but you have to dig so long and hard that by the time you have reached it you’re youth has passed you by and your fingers are worn to the bone and you’re tired... so tired..... you should’ve listened to your mother and married that nice doctor within your ethnic group instead... he’s been a widower for a few years now, hasn’t he? Has a summer home in Vienna and a very nice curly beard? Last time you stalked his FB anyway....

Also his little friend Melvin is hilarious but I could never allow him into my home on the reg. I refuse. Reines is on thin ice and reminds me too much of my sister in some ways... Literally the only person he is oft surrounded by that I would not only be chill with but delighted to have over is Flatt Escardos. Love that wild little man, he’s a brilliant riot. But also a bit of a danger to himself and others I think? Idk I barely read FSF bc the niqabi character design pissed me off to hell and back and then some 😔💔

Diluc Ragnvindr:

Yikes, I Don’t See The Appeal || Not My Type || He’s Alright || I See The Appeal But I’m Different™ || Cute But On Alternating Wednesdays || He Has A Kind Face And That’s Good Enough || Pretty || Gorgeous || I— I Love? We Don’t Deserve Him. II You Absolutely Deserve Him, Bestie 🥺🤲🏽 (heartfelt + sincere)

Oh he’s pretty enough.... like def not an ugly man! But as you yourself often correctly say he’s just Some Guy! When you tell me why you love him I absolutely understand how he captivated you 🥺 but I personally am too wild of heart to be ensnared by so sober (ahaha get it? Bc he owns a tave— whatever nvm v_v)/ and stable a man.

Jeremy Fragrance:

Yikes, I Don’t See The Appeal || Not My Type || He’s Alright || I Could See The Objective Appeal If He Never Opened His Mouth But I’m Too Smart To Be Taken In By Some Conventionally Pretty Features And Some Muscle™ || Cute But On Alternating Wednesdays || He Has A Kind Face And That’s Good Enough || Pretty || Gorgeous || I— I Love? We Don’t Deserve Him.

I scroll past his vids fairly fast the same way I often scroll past spider pics that make it on to my dash despite my best efforts.... when I decide to watch his videos I regret it so much and can barely finish. The way he talks and acts and the things he Just Says sans hesitation make me so uncomfy... so performative and out of touch in the unfun way and aggressive... why isn’t he an actor why couldn’t he be named Jeremy Drama... then I could lie to myself and go it’s okayyy Hiba it isn’t real I’m sure he’s sane behind closed doors 😖 anyway I couldn’t willingly stay in the same room with him for 5 min I COULDNT! I’m v confident our priorities and moral compasses are polar opposites and have you heard the way he talks about women? 🤨 I would honestly. Prefer Patrick Bateman. Not even kidding bc at least that man isn’t real and has successfully made me laugh and gets Big Mad over the dumbest stuff so I can mock him before he kills me. Also I think I could outsmart Bateman but... what does one do with JF other than... keep ur distance. Like I’d never trust either BUT. Yeah.

Childe (Ajax):

Yikes, I Don’t See The Appeal || Not My Type || He’s Alright || I See The Appeal But I’m Different™ || Cute But On Alternating Wednesdays || He Has A Kind Face And That’s Good Enough || Pretty || Gorgeous || I— I Love? We Don’t Deserve Him.

HES ERRATIC.... IM ERRATIC.... CAN I MAKE IT ANY MORE OBVIOUSSSS<3 no but rlly I love a lively straightforward man and he’s got red in his character design + is often pictured with whales? And his galactic themed suit of armor is nice 😳 he’d be fun to hang out with and divorce on grounds so outrageous and absurd we both find it hilarious ✅ like I don’t think I’ll ever love love him esp since all my knowledge of him is second hand but he sounds like a blast 💥

[redemptionbaby]

imagine a witch au where you need to complete some sort of ritual to strengthen your powers... only thing is having sex with someone is part of the ritual. cue you asking arthur to lend you a helping hand. (maybe he’s always pined for you? maybe this is incubus!arthur? whatever floats ur boat)

G O O D A S K. Format might be terrible cause I’m on mobile lol I didn’t mean for this to be a ficlet

Demon!Arthur Morgan

Arthur liked getting summoned by you. He liked it a lot.

You used him for all manner of things. Well, used is perhaps the wrong word. It was more like you employed him.

Sometimes you needed heavy lifting. Sometimes you needed an escort to a dangerous grove for ingredients. Sometimes you needed his blood or his hair, or ashes dusted from his horns.

And goddamn. It was like he was a pizza delivery boy, and you were someone’s sweet fucking grandma. Always so nice, always payed him more than he needed (in offerings), always had snacks and candies for him, always invited him to stay for a little while.

He loved watching the fluffy skirt of your black dress bounce while you ran up the stairs to fetch your ingredients. The way you were so sorry to trouble him, but it never really was any trouble to him when it was you asking. He loved how you humored him, even when he asked for a kiss as payment.

Suffice to say, he had it bad.

So you might imagine his surprise when he responded to one of your routine summonings, only to find that his sigil had been drawn on the floor of your bedroom.

He had never seen it before either. The ceiling was littered with herbs hanging to dry, the shelves lined with crystals and bottles that projected moving images when the sunlight shone through them, raw magic dyes splattered on the writing desk.

Not to mention a bed full of plush pillows that smelled. Just. Like. You.

Being a naughty demon, Arthur probably would have started searching through your laundry hamper if he hadn’t heard you coming in.

You could see the sharp glint of his long canines as his mouth hung open, observing you. You were wearing just a little night dress, and the teasing expanse of your skin combined with being surrounded in your scent wasn’t helping him keep his cool.

“I... need your help with something. Please? If you’re not busy.”

“You should know by now pumpkin, I ain’t ever too busy for you. How can I be of service?”

You could feel his eyes roaming over you while you sat on your bed and nervously drew your legs up.

“Well, the time has come for me to advance my abilities and, in order for me to do that I need, uh, help.”

“Yer gonna have to be more specific, little witch.”

“I need someone... to fuck me!”

He could see it coming from a mile away, but it still knocked the wind out of him and kickstarted his fiery heart with passion. He could feel his body getting hotter as he advanced upon you with his cloven feet against your wooden floors, and you almost began crawling backwards onto the bed.

Arthur grasps your chin and forces you to look up at him, and he starts breathing ever so slightly harder as his feelings for you seize in his gut when you make eye contact.

He plants a chaste kiss to your lips, something not so uncommon, which takes on a whole new meaning with your proposal.

“And what would you be willing to pay in exchange, hun?”

“Anything I have to offer.”

“Anything?”

“...anything.”

He furrows his brows and looks away, as if he’s about to cry.

“You really should be careful with that word, darlin’. Demons like me’ll take advantage of you.”

“Maybe I want to be taken advantage of.”

Arthur commends you. You’re nothing if not brave. He takes you by the shoulders and pushes you down gently, crawling on top of you, kissing up your neck and against your cheek and temple, inhaling deeply. He speaks softly into your ear.

“I’ll do this for you, baby, on one condition. This can’t just be a one time thing. And I don’t mean I want a contract. I want more. I want your love, your life, anything else you can throw at me, for the next eternity.”

He rises, looking down at you and awaiting your answer. You raise a hand to his cheek, and he can’t help but lean into your touch.

“Like a marriage?” He laughs lowly.

“Yeah. Somethin’ like that.” Arthur found himself silenced by the way you stroked your thumb over his bottom lip, staring at him with a fondness he’d never known. If you rejected him now, he’d die, he was sure of it.

“I think I can live with that. If you do well in bed, that is.” He could sense the nervousness behind your voice. Like you were almost worried he’d take you seriously, and his feelings would be hurt. And that’s what he loved about you.

“Sweetheart, you’ve got another thing coming. Get ready to say goodbye to yer loneliness, little witch.”

What you said next erased all of his doubts completely. Any doubts that you might not love him, that he wouldn’t be good for you, that you’d just end up another master grown tired of him.

“I was never lonely. I’ve always had you.”

[arlohrvy]

。· . ˙ ☀ ⌈ finn cole + cis male + he / him ⌋ yo , have you met that POGUE , arlo harvey , yet ? — no ? well , to give you a little heads up before you do , they’re a TWENTY year old , ROOFER , and have been living in coston for TWENTY YEARS . since i’ve known them , they’ve reminded me of BARE FEET ON HOT SAND , THE EYE OF A HURRICANE , SEA GULLS DRIFTING LAZILY OVER THE COAST , FLOATING ON A SURFBOARD WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED , THE SUN BAKING INTO YOUR SKIN , THE SCENT OF ALOE AND SEA SALT . usually they’re quite RELIABLE & HONEST but just make sure you keep an eye out for them around town because i heard can be quite EXPLOSIVE & STUBBORN as well so here’s hoping they aren’t the ones to undo this whole peace pact they have going on this summer . but just between you & me , i kinda hope it all falls apart . the rivalry keeps this whole boring town interesting . 

right-o hello hello i’m b i’m 24 yrs old and i live in good ol’ central florida. it’s been quite some time since i wrote an intro so p l e a s e excuse my mess ofmgjfdbj i bingewatched outer banks literally the minute it came out on netflix so like i cannot even begin to describe how happy i am to be here, and with my fav man finn cole 

arlo fuckin’ harvey 

( & yeah that’s usually how ppl say it bc let’s face it he’s always kind of been a little shit )

quick bio

arlo was born and raised in the cut from the moment he popped out of his momma and started swimming circles 'round the little inflatable pool in their trailer’s living room. coston is home and there’s really no place arlo has ever wanted to be. cut him open and he bleeds saltwater; take him too far away from the coast and he’ll turn to stone. or something like that. it doesn’t really matter; he’d never willingly leave. what was once bright & shiny potential, described by his elementary school teacher’s as “quite the handful, but delightfully brilliant” has evolved (devolved?) into what can only be described in the words of his ninth grade gym teacher as “a menace, a dismal waste of youth, goin’ nowhere just like his damn pa,”; a prophecy, perhaps, as it was filled just one year later when arlo finally got fed up with a kook upperclassmen and nearly broke his jaw (but definitely dislocated it). he walked off campus that day and didn’t bother coming back. strong, willing to shut up and just work, he found a construction crew and started making money instead of making grades.  no one knows where the money goes. all his socks have holes in them and he’s worn the same hoodie for three years now. he’s got a decent collection of boards to combat whatever the tide throws at him but the majority of his earnings seem to just disappear into thin air and no amount of questioning in regard to the amount he must have saved up seems to shake him. he might be an honest guy, but that’s not to say he’s always forthright with information he thinks is better off left unsaid. 

[ tl;dr / headcanon ]

hs drop-out born in a trailer park on the cut

still lives in the same trailer park but he’s got his own trailer now

surfer boy could still go pro if he ever leaves the east coast

(prediction: he will never leave coston)

works construction, makes the most money fixing kooks’ roofs after a storm

hates kooks, long live the pogues eat the motherfuckin’ rich

dad’s the town drunk and everyone knows it

his mom left coston when he was 7 and didn’t bother comin’ back

kind of a grumpy guy but he’s generally friendly towards the people he likes

will occasionally crack a joke and smile about it but pls dont expect it

acts way older than he is tbh doesn’t smoke or drink cus it turns him into a rage machine

seriously he loves to brawl and alcohol does not help him any

100% will take ur girl on a boat ride in the middle of the night and there’s nothing u can do about it

[loveseungs]

home

happy birthday to our favorite dancing gem with a 4D personality !!

↠ pairing: violinist!lee know x pianist!reader ↠ word count: 12.8k words [yes,, indeed,,,,,] ↠ warnings: female reader ↠ genre: enemies to lovers au, absolute tooth-rotting, cavity-inducing, heart-fluttering fluff ↠ summary:  In all his life, lee minho had never been desperate. But, in the moment his accompanist had ditched him, it was as if desperate was all he felt.

- you were part of the top students of your level, notorious for being one of the most hardworking and competitive people there were - often times, you’d decline invites to hang just so that you could study for upcoming tests. acing them was a must for you despite your looming desires to get some spice in your life - but honestly who has time for drama lol - anyway one time in class you were finishing up a project wherein you had to build a diorama of some sort out of trash objects - yours was turning out to be quite nice. it was a beautiful structure of a traditional korean house, and you were really proud! it took u days to finish the project and it really felt like your hard work paid off - when the bell rung, your teacher told you to pack away and allowed you to bring your projects home to work on them - with the utmost care and gentleness, you carried yours out of the classroom, thinking about what other lil’ embellishments u could add to make it dazzle - if you could find some spare, broken jade pieces you could form into some nice designs for the exterior, that’d really float ur boat - halfway into mentally designing some accents for your project, you could hear the quick and erratic tapping of school shoes on the floor. - your first instinct was panic because u knew people were running and did not plan on letting them destroy the product of ur blood sweat and tears for the past week - you stood aside quickly in attempts not to get in the way of those running in the hallway - when you looked up, lee minho and some other people were rushing through - it wasn’t like it was hard to know something about lee minho. he was only the top student of your level and one of the best musicians in your school’s orchestra - you worked so hard just to surpass him, but somehow, he was able to maintain his monster of a rank in the academic ladder. - plus, it didn’t help that he was your classmate and that your competitive spirit ignited three times more passionate when he scored the best in class - being second sucked, but what could you do except work harder, right? - anyway, his entire face looked panicked and the least you could say about his hair was that it was disheveled, but he was running towards you and he was running fast, violin case in one hand and a bunch of books in the other - would this be an interesting fic if nothing happened - of course not - you guessed it fellas - with that atrocity of a violin case came the demise of your beautiful korean house - bam - he’d accidentally toppled over your project and just like that, it shattered to the floor - rest in pieces haha literally - completely flabbergasted, it took seconds for you to realize the implications of your current situation. - if things could not get worse, that jerk of a boy did not even stop and proceeded to turn a corner in a rush - you were unsure of how to react - watching the whole situation unfold, your best friend, changbin, hurried over to you to help you pick up the remnants of what’d once been such a beautiful diorama - “holy heck, [y/n]! you alright?” changbin asked in a panic, bending down to scoop up whatever he could - tears started to form in your eyes as the thought of having to redo your project all over again danced in your mind. You had a test tomorrow and didn’t even know if you’d have time to study for that now that your project (which, mind you, was due in TWO days) practically didn’t exist. - was sleep even an option? as the seconds flew, you were paralyzed in the moment. Stress began to hit you like a brick and you wanted to shoot lee minho and then yourself - “[y/n]! please don’t cry, we’ll do something about this—I promise. That absolute jerk! Let’s talk to Mr. Park, I’m sure he’ll understand,” Changbin assured you, looking up from the floor. “Do people not even have common courtesy nowadays? The least he could have done was apologize! Damn, I’m so pissed! I’m so sorry this had to happen.” - it was so difficult to speak. You eventually bent down to help Changbin pick up your fractured Korean house. - “Thanks Changbin,” you mumbled, letting out a deep and frustrated sigh. “Come with me to Mr. Park? I’ll ask if I can get an extension.” - Changbin nodded, taking a half of your load with him. “Yeah, yeah. What happened? I heard some running, then a crash, and next thing I know, my best friend’s project’s been jeopardized. Do you want me to help you rebuild it? I’m already almost done with mine.” - “That son of a—” you began, cutting yourself off. “I don’t know. His violin case bumped into my diorama and before I knew it, I no longer had a diorama. I bet you that was on purpose. Just because I beat him in the last test? I didn’t know he was so petty. I swear, he’s always trying to one-up me!” - Once you got home, you gently laid down the broken pieces of your project on your desk and threw your bag on the floor. Before you decided to pull an all-nighter in attempts to do a two-week project in only a couple of days, you flipped open the cover of your piano and started to play, letting your anger and frustration out as you pressed on the ivory keys. - it was going to be a long night. You might as well’ve started it off on a good note.

〔✿〕

-“Ssaem!” Minho groaned, not comprehending his current situation. “You can’t just deduct points from me like this! It was an accident!” - if mr. park was going to deal w someone today, it was not lee minho fellas - “You didn’t even bother to say sorry or help me, at least!” you shrieked, shooting daggers at Minho with your eyes. - “That’s—” the boy started, “well, I’m sorry! It was an accident! I was in a rush!” - “And now, thanks to you, I’m also in a rush! Do you know how many points this project is worth? Thirty percent!” you yelled, exasperated. - “Students!” Mr. Park cleared his throat. “Mr. Lee, I’m expecting you to either spend one hour every day for the next three days after school to help Ms. [L/N]. Otherwise, I’ll have to transfer your points to her.” - “Ssaem!” Minho grumbled once more. - Your eyes widened at your teacher’s suggestion. “Ssaem, I’d rather get only one day of extension rather than three days stuck with him!” - “Do you really mean that, Ms. [L/N]?” Mr. Park challenged, adjusting his glasses. - “I-I…” you trailed off. “I’m sorry, sir. I’m just quite stressed. I’d be glad to take those three days of extension. Thank you for your consideration.” - “And you, Mr. Lee?” - Minho sighed, rubbing his temples. “Ssaem, I have practice! The concert I’m representing the school in is soon, you know that!” - “Okay, then I will simply transfer 5% of your final project grade to Ms. [L/N].” - “Alright, alright!” Minho snapped. “I’ll do it, sir! Please don’t deduct points from me—I am sorry for my behavior. May I get to practice now?” - “You are both dismissed. Ms. [L/N], I will meet you in the faculty room on Friday for your presentation. Mr. Lee, I will ensure you that I’ll be checking if you’re truly helping her. Go now, it’s going to get late.” - With that, you two bowed respectfully and headed out the faculty office. - “You don’t need to help me out. I just complied because I really need that three days of extension. I’ll tell Mr. Park that you helped me out or whatever. Just go and do your practice thing,” you mumbled, not daring to meet Minho’s eyes. - “Whatever. If you weren’t standing in the hallway that day, we’d not be in this situation,” he snarled, shoving his hands in his pockets. - “Excuse me?” you piped up, folding your arms. “You were the one running! Running isn’t even allowed in the halls!” - “I—” Minho attempted to retort, but ended up fumbling with his hair in frustration. “I’m going! I need to practice.” - “Jerk.” - “What did you say?” - “I thought you had practice? If you won’t go first, I will. Don’t bother thinking about this anymore, since you clearly don’t care about anyone but yourself. Bye, Minho.” - In that moment, something inside Lee Minho snapped open, the strings of his heart aching in fury. If words were weapons, yours was a dagger, slowly but surely inflicting great hurt to the boy. Minho dragged his feet into the opposite direction, clenching his fists until he could feel his nails digging into the top of his palms. 

〔✿〕

- you waited patiently in the library for Changbin to come help you fix your project, but time was ticking and you didn’t want to waste it. - so, as you waited, you started mending the cracked fragments of one of the Korean house’s walls, gently gluing two pieces together. To give it a cleaner finish, you used craft glue and white paint to conceal the cracks. - just then, a message appeared on your phone. - binnie boy: sorry, [y/n]. don’t hate me for this, but I need to go home early. noona came home from college and my parents want to me spend time w/ her. Im so sorry ill help you tomorrow - you couldn’t blame him, but your heart sunk in your chest - there was just so much to do. after fixing the walls, you needed to replace all the furniture inside the house and fix the exterior. you didn’t even want to think of your upcoming math test—you still couldn’t even understand some of the lessons. if you flunked that, you might as well’ve said goodbye to your high ranking on the academic ladder. could you bear to deal with the disappointment when your report card came out? stress gnawed at you; tears threatened to start filling your eyes. this week was going to be utterly horrible and it’d just started yesterday. there was too much to do in too little time— - “move over,” came a low voice, a hand tapping you from behind. - you mustered all your strength to conceal the looming impulse to start crying and turned your head to the owner of that voice - goodness gracious u wanted to scream !! - why the flippity flop was lee minho standing behind u ???? why was the world against u :((((( - “the hell are you doing here?” you snapped, not budging. “thought you had practice.” - minho sighed, “look, i just don’t want to be that guy who messes people up and doesn’t take credit for it. i don’t particularly like feeling like a jerk.” - “if you’re here to satiate your own moral codes and do something so that you can feel all heroic about, just forget it. I don’t want your pity party, and frankly, I don’t want to uplift you into thinking you’re less of an atrocity than you really are.” - “no, that’s not what I meant. I just really feel mean and I thought about what you said about me being selfish and stuff, so I want to help you. I’m willing to sacrifice at least thirty minutes if you’ll let me help you. I’m planning to be late for practice today. but sure. if you really don’t want my help, then don’t take it.” - you were taken aback. minho? everyone knew that he’d always turn down any after-school activity to go play the violin, even if it was an activity no one would wanna miss. this was some big stuff, chief - “do what you want, but I’m still mad at you. I still have to study for math after this to make up for my pathetic lack of knowledge, so if you could help me cut the time in two, just start helping me repair these walls,” you mumbled, scooting over a little bit to make space for the boy. “glue the broken ones together and then coat them with glue and paint to conceal the cracks.” - he nodded. “you still don’t understand math?” - “are you mocking me? sorry for not being the top one, Minho.” - “would you stop antagonizing me? i was going to ask if you want me to explain it to you while we fix these walls. I know you want to do well on the test.” - you raised a brow. “I thought you didn’t pay attention to anyone? I mean, you’re never around for long.” - minho looked at you with offense. “do you really think me to be that self-indulged? besides, I’m highly aware of those in the top of our class. you need to know who competitors are, you know. just because I don’t hang around with our classmates much doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about them.” - “my bad,” you answered. “you kinda like, don’t talk to anyone except the people in the music building.” - “I just… don’t see the need to converse.” - “I like the theory that you’re married to your violin better, though.” - “Look, do you want help in math or not?” - “No, as a matter of fact, I don’t. I’ll figure it out myself, thanks.” - “You sure? Last time I checked, you barely passed the seatwork we had last week.” - “How do you know that?” - “Oh, I keep tabs on people who threaten my ranking.” - “Aren’t you a sweet little snowflake?” - “I’m just trying to offer you assistance, so there’s no need to be so uptight. But, if you’re so insistent, at least I’ll be able to maintain my top spot when you flunk.” - You rolled your eyes. “Don’t get so cocky. Just because I don’t get it doesn’t mean I won’t by the time the test comes around.” - lmao who were u kidding tho u lowkey needed his help but u didn’t want him to know that - pride is a thing folks - u both were full of it - anyway u continued fixing the walks of ur project while casually speaking in the corner of the library, making sure not to make too much noise as you worked - even if you were still quite uncomfortable with minho because of his attitude towards being a top student and the fact that he was the cause of your extra stress for the next few days, the whole meetup went surprisingly well - after what seemed to be an hour of endless banter and project mending, minho checked his phone and almost jumped in his seat - “!! i’m late for being late to practice!! hell!! bye!!” - you didn’t even get the chance to bid farewell to the boy who quietly fast-walked to the exit of the library - he almost hit a shelf and the librarian glared at him, but he still ended up bolting towards the music room as soon as he stepped out - you rolled your eyes - he was still annoying but more tolerable, at least

〔✿〕

- “bin, please u gotta” - “[Y/N], bold of u to assume I even understand the lesson” - “wdym??? Aren’t u good at math??” - “screw math!! Why do u think I pursued music and not numbers??” - “but u got high scores last time!!” - “we all did, though??? The topic last week was easy!!” - “im so screwed I still have a 20% chance of making mistakes!!” - “damn!! what r u so worried about?? at least u’ll pass” - “no but I have a rank, fam!! Holy crap im going to go insane” - “mm? what’s this?? Oh, is this your so-called ‘understanding’ the lesson, [y/n]?” - you turned around and there minho stood, a simper dancing on his face. U wanted to punch him - “shame, really. If only someone could help you” - changbin eyed the newcomer. “what’s he doing here, [y/n]?” - “he’s supposed to be in practice, so I’m not sure,” you answered, glaring at minho - geez let the man live, reader - “oh, I’m supposed to help [y/n] fix her project” - “go practice or whatever, minho. changbin’s here anyway” - “only for another ten minutes, though,” changbin mumbled, and you whipped ur head to him faster than lighting - “what?!” - “i told u!! noona’s home for the next few days and my fam wants me home as much as possible!! I love u [y/n] but duty calls” - “I thought you were my best friend,” you sulked, shoulders drooping. “whatever,, I’ll just,, fix this on my own I guess” - “are u guys really gonna just ignore my presence like this or??” minho piped up, still standing- “bin please don’t leave me here with cocky instrument man”

- “to be fair, you can get cocky and you play an instrument, too,” changbin teased, ruffling your hair. “I have ten more minutes, so let’s make this worthwhile?” - “guys?? Hello?? are you guys really this rude usually??” minho interrupted once again, scratching his head. - “you’re the one who busted [y/n]’s project up without apologies,” changbin began in your defense. - you panicked, not wanting to be mean. “uh!! No it’s okay he apologized and stuff. Um, he’s just here because Mr. Park made him. It’s okay, he was tolerable yesterday” - “he came to you yesterday?” changbin made a face, - “only because you ditched me, changbin,” you rolled your eyes. - poor minho was starting to feel awkward - “if you don’t need me—” - you instantaneously grabbed his wrist by reflex “nO!! hold up!!” - WHOOPS - you let go immediately and waved ur hand in front of you. “just sit there!! It’s going to take forever if I fix my diorama by myself. i really need to buy time, sorry.” - “what’s on your plate anyway?” minho questioned, a smirk creeping up on his face. You, whose eyes became glued to your project, didn’t notice though. - “This, proofreading the ten-page essay to accompany it, and studying for two tests. It’s a busy week, I guess,” you answered, sighing. - “I finished putting these two walls together. Gotta run, [Y/N], Minho. See you both tomorrow,” Changbin announced, standing up. - “Already?” you pouted. “Fine. Thanks, Binnie. Say hi to your sister for me!” - And with that, it was once again just the two of you - “If I finish all the repairs today in under thirty minutes, I’ll be able to get an extra thirty minutes to study for math…” you mumbled carelessly, attaching the two walls Changbin’d fixed up to the base of the diorama. “Ooh, but I need to continue to write that cursed essay…” - your eyes trailed off to minho, who was quietly working on the pieces you’d told him to fix - I mean, u could just,,, ask him - ASDLKJKJKJLKLSKSKS - NO - FOOL!! - s IMPLE, BASIC RULE #1: ENEMIES DON’T FEED U BREAD - u couldn’t. he wouldn’t, anyway. but you were growing desperate and if there was one person who’d know— - “I’d like to think you’re staring because I’m attractive, but the more you keep your eyes on me, the more I feel that you’re boring a hole in my forehead.” - FLIPPITY FLOP U NEED TO STOP, LEE M I N H O - asdfghjkl if u didn’t ace the next math test tho,,,, u might be overtaken by the people in the lower ranks - golly why were u born competitive - “ifisaidineededhelpinmathwouldyougivemefifteenminuteofyourtime??” you grumbled quickly - “if ur gonna speak u might consider making urself understandable” - “im sorry but I need your help in math” - “again?” - “I don’t understand this one particular math lesson, and would appreciate it if you could help me because our math test’s tomorrow. I don’t wanted to be screwed.” - “I couldn’t quite catch that.” - at this poINT, U WERE READY 2 THROW HANDS, SIS - “I NEED YOU TO HELP ME IN MATH!” - the librarian shot u both a glare and put a finger to her lips - hhholy crap - that simper minho wore a while ago was BACK AND THE SMUG LOOK WAS ONCE AGAIN DANCING ON HIS FACE LIKE A TAUNT - U WANTED TO SHRIVEL UP IN A HOLE AND SLEEP FOR LIKE A MILLION YEARS but also dropkick him (✿◉‿◉)🗡 - “u know what,, forget it just go to practice—I’ll finish this up myself.” you slumped back in your seat, wanting to crawl into ur bed and scream in ur pillow - “you get impatient with equations. listen, if you stop rushing, you’ll get there. look at this problem.” - slowly, he started explaining the questions one-by-one and you began to… understand - WHAT??? KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING?? IN M Y HOUSE? - “go check with your calculator,” minho urged, painting the last wall piece for your diorama. - you punched in the numbers and lo and behold, u managed to perfect every problem minho gave you to practice - except one because u can get stupid sometimes and u simply forgot that 6 times 8 was 48 and not 42 - lmao mood - ur face lit up and u started quietly clapping ur hands together - “minho!!! i did it!! look!! holy heck,, they’re right!!” ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉ - “yea but not perfect bc ur dumb” - “stop,, u know how fried brains can get while working w numbers,,,, im H UMAN” - “Well,” Minho began, attaching the final piece to ur diorama, “I finished up the structure of the diorama. Gotta go, I’m fifteen minutes late to being late.” - u glanced at ur phone and voila he was right yall’d already spent like,, forty-five minutes - ???? already???? - time flies when ur having fun i guess lmao ( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) - “!!!!! Okay!! By the way, since the music room’s near the campus store, can you buy some paints for the diorama?? Let’s spend tomorrow decorating it. I’ll bring embellishments.” - Minho slung his backpack on one shoulder and his violin case on the other. “You finally want me to come over and help, huh? It’s only been two days since you wanted to stab me and now you’re already looking forward to seeing me. Ah~ I have irresistible charm.” - You rolled your eyes, scoffing. “You’re disgusting. Don’t forget, I’m still holding a knife to your neck. I’m awfully close to getting top one.” - “Once you stop being careless while multiplying, maybe I’ll be threatened.” - “Get to practice, Lee Minho.” - “No ‘thanks so much for helping me, minho!!’?” - “You’re the one who broke my project. If it wasn’t broken, I’d have plenty of time to find someone else to help me.” - “Yeah right, like ‘Binnie’ will increase your chances of overtaking me.” - “Goodbye, Minho.”

〔✿〕

- when you arrived home, your mom held up a piece of colored paper with printed details on it - “what’s this?” she asked, watching you untie your shoelaces. - you squinted at the paper, trying to make out what it was. “ah, that’s just a flyer someone gave me. that competition’s in four months and it’s for serious musicians. i was going to ask you if it’d be fine to watch it with my friends.” - she shook her head. “honey, don’t you want to compete?” - you set down your backpack and took off your socks. “n-no? i’ve barely prepared for it. it’s too late now. Even four months of preparation would be rushing it.” - “but you’ve been working hard on your latest piece. don’t you at least want to show it off?” - LMAO NO - you laughed. “mom, you know I hate playing in front of people.” - “you’re fantastic, though!” - “and you’re my mom!” - she smiled. “well, if you insist. who’re you going to be with and how are you going to go?” - “Changbin and his friends can take me. What’s for dinner?” - “I was going to whip up your favorite, but I actually wanted to make my favorite more.” - “mom!!”

〔✿〕

- “your score?” - “perfect. and you?” - “we tied,” minho announced, holding up his paper. “not bad. but then again, this is still technically my victory, since I taught you.” - “it was out of convenience, really, that i asked you. and you owed me big-time,” you fired back, painting intricate designs on your still-unfinished Korean house diorama. - it was the last day before your big presentation for the diorama project that the boy in front of you so conveniently broke the other day. which means this was the last time you’d ever need to hang out in the library with him,, thankfully - he chuckled. “whatever you say, miss multiplication.” - “I checked my answers three times! I deserved this perfect score just as much as the next person! Just because I made a mistake once doesn’t mean I’ll make it again.” - “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Anyway, Changbin mentioned before that you play an instrument. I’ve been curious. Which one?” Minho inquired, resting his chin on his hand. - a drop of sweat trickled down your forehead. you didn’t really like flaunting that particular fact… - “um. piano… I don’t really like to show others, though. The only sorta public thing I’ve ever done asides from play in front of my family for gatherings is play some keys for Changbin and his band because the keyboardist fell sick during their gig.” - “Classical or contemporary?” - “both?? i’m trained classically so it’s not hard to switch to contemporary.” - “interesting,” minho nodded, “favorite composer?” - “I love most of the romantic-era pianists and Fritz Kriesler.” - “kriesler’s a violinist and not a pianist, though.” - “who cares? jus sayin’ classical music SLAPS. Libestraum?? a boP. Chopin’s waltz op. 69 no. 1 in a flat major??? complete BANGER!! kriesler’s schon rosmarin????? MmMMMM,,, good stuff. Pianist, violinist, cellist—I give 0 damns. music is music” -Minho’s eyes watched your face as you spoke. ur eyes kinda crinkled as u smiled while talking and he found it quite intriguing -  lmao intrigued - “How about you, Minho? Which composers do you like?” - “I like the classical era composers. Mozart, Bach—call them overrated, but I do love them. And even if his pieces are monstrous, I love Paganini.” - “Ah, would you look at that. We’re almost done. You can leave now, if you want. You can be a whole ten minutes early to being late. I can finish this up, no big.” - Minho checked his watch. “Oh, you’re right. But I actually have violin lessons today, and they’re still at six. I’m leaving school at five-thirty anyway because the academy’s just fifteen minutes away. I can stay with you until then, so you can finish this faster.” - “It’s only 4:46, though,” you begin to smirk. “Maybe you’re the one who wants to be with me and not the other way around, as you claim.” - “Are you trying to tease me?” he leaned forward, staring at you. “It’s not working.” - You dared to match his stare with a rivaling amount of intensity. “Mmm, but I’m quite competitive.” - oh holy crap what’s with this tension im screaming where’d u get that confidence from, reader hskskskkdkhdkdh - “Do what you want. I’m going to keep my top one title,” he rolled his eyes. - for the next couple of minutes, you both continued painting pretty designs on the bare walls of your Korean house diorama while talking about each other’s interests - turns out Minho also liked to dance, a fact that’d slipped unexpectedly - he made you swear not to tell anyone and you felt proud bc u had dirt on him (◕ ˬ ◕✿) - there were so many weird sides of him that you hadn’t noticed before - lowkey u liked his sense of humor - lol at some point he admitted that he had random urges to just scream for no reason - “???? Minho u ok???” - “bold of u to assume I have the capability to be ok” - “???????????????????” - “lol im joking,,, the look on ur face is priceless” - “ah,, u like the look on my face?? Can’t help it if im pretty~” - “u wish, sis” - “can I call u MEANho bc ur being rlly mean rn” - “wtvr u want bro. sorry that the truth hurts” - “RUDE” - u continued to banter like this until minho had to leave and u decided to walk out together because yall were finished anyway - wheeze!! Ur newly refurbished house was… u’d daresay,,,, quite a candy to your eyes - with the help of Changbin (though he only contributed like,, 2%) and Minho, your project was back to its good state - it might’ve,, even been better than it used to be - minho gave u helpful insights while u worked on it, too - (◕︿◕✿) (◕︿◕✿) u had to admit, ur project turned out supernice - “uh,, I just wanted to say…” you began, gripping the sides of your diorama’s base, “thanks. I know it must’ve been a lot to sacrifice practice time to help me out. I forgive you for dropping it, even if I never got that apology.” - Minho looked at you indignantly. “Hey!! I did give you an apology!!” - You grinned. “I don’t recall.” - “Alright, I’m sorry, again.” - “Could you repeat that, please? I couldn’t hear you.” - “I said sorry, [y/n].” - “Again?” - lmao get played,, lee minho - “whatever, bro. I’m leaving. don’t wanna be late,, see you tomorrow.” - “Hey, but I’m serious. Thanks for your help. Also for math, y’know, since I was able to perfect it.” - “ok hold up don’t get sappy on me now,, that was a one-time thing and im totally going to clobber whatever chance u have of beating me on the next test” - “we’ll see about that”

〔✿〕

- few weeks’d gone by since then and whenever u’d see minho, u’d wave amiably instead of shooting daggers @ him w ur eyes - sis we love character development 😤😤 - sometimes u’d have some small talk but it’d never get further than that, even if u were classmates - usually it’d just be about borrowing smth - but u guys were still SUPERMEGA competitive towards each other - like whenever test results came out u guys were the first to rush to the board - the few times u were able to one-up minho made him !! super mad - he’d always study extra so he could ruin ur chances of getting a win streak - LMAO BUT THE FIRST TIME U WERE ABLE TO TOP HIS SCORES TWICE IN A ROW JUST MADE HIM INTO A MONSTER - suddenly nobody saw lee minho for like,, three days - and so when test scores came again after that and he was #1 once again, all he could do was smile smugly at u with that Minho SmirkTM - frankly u found urself powerful for being able to cause minho to disappear like that - u thought to urself if u kept getting #1 maybe minho’d disappear again and u wouldn’t have to see him (  ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ ) (  ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ ) - reader that’s not how it works damn it - chief called, he said THAT AINT IT - A N Y W A Y - one day minho came to class looking like a zombie - y’all have heard of zombie!bang chan when he was featured in twice’s “like ooh-ahh” but fellas minho looked worse than that - eyebags?? Like a racoon - hair??? You wondered if he had a comb in his house?? - expression?? hoooo babe we don’t wanna go there - it felt as if anyone who talked to him would face the wrath of the Lee - but he had reason as to why he was looking so miserable - just the other day, his accompanist told broke their arm in a PE accident and couldn’t play with minho for his upcoming concert/competition - like bro what kind of musician breaks their arm??? Um?? u know u have a concert so TAKE CARE OF URSELF??? - he was furious because the concert was like,, just around the corner and he couldn’t find another accompanist - he’d asked everyone he knew but to no avail - they all had different excuses. family affairs, too soon, whatever reason people’d find to reject his asking - In all his life, Lee Minho had never been desperate. But, in the moment his accompanist had ditched him, it was as if desperate was all he felt. - it was all he could think about during class - like the teacher was discussing history and mentioned something like “duet” and minho wanted to scream - poor boy - he tried to look elsewhere—anywhere but the board - u were just drumming ur fingers on ur table,, imagining an invisible piano bc lol ur teacher was boring u half to death on a lesson u already understood - that’s when minho’s eyes stopped, watching u mindlessly press on the keys of your little desk-piano - he could… - it was possible… - but at what cost…? - ‘no no no’ he thought, shaking his head. - he had too much pride to ask u for help at this point - he didn’t even know how well u could play the piano - but I guess in times like these, desperation trumps pride and before he could think of the logical implications of his actions, minho found himself rushing towards u as u packed up ur things - “hey,,, uh… [y/n]…” - “if you’re going to ask for my history notes, forget it. they’re just messy pointers and I doubt you could understand it.” - “ew no. what makes u think I’d ask u for such a thing?? I don’t even think YOU’D be able to understand it. besides, I’m covered for that.” - “so why r u like,,, so eager to go to my desk?? oh?? wow, do you miss me already? mm, lee minho. didn’t know you were so straightforward~” - U WERE MAKING THIS SO HARD FOR HIM - MINHO WAS HIGHLY CONSIDERING JUST THROWING IN A SNOOTY REMARK AND LEAVING - BUT HHHH WHEN WOULD A CHANCE LIKE THIS COME AGAIN?? - “I didn’t come to boost your ego—that’s-“ he stopped himself before he could pour out an insult. He didn’t want to piss you off before asking you a favor. “Listen, I need a favor from you. Please. I’ve asked every single person I know.”

- minho?? politely asking u a favor?? Shocking - “If this is about lessons—” - “How well can you play the piano?” - “Minho, I already told you. I hate playing in front of people.” - “No, but I came here to you already knowing that. I know you literally have every reason to tell me ‘no’ right now, but I don’t want to miss a chance. There’s this competition happening in around two and a half months. If I back out now—let’s not even talk about what’ll happen if I back out now. Anyway, bottomline is that I really, really need an accompanist and you are my last resort.” - “u realize how much of a rush two and a half months is,, right” - the thing is though, you’d been practicing some pieces for some months now, in the secret hopes that one day, maybe you’d gather courage to play it somewhere - “Changbin told me you’ve been playing piano a lot.” - traitor - u looked into minho’s eyes and at this point they were pleading you with such vigor that u even considered saying yes - you always wanted to perform onstage, even once in your life - “…What’s the piece?” - “We can play anything you want. But let’s confer and choose a piece we both already know, if possible. Don’t worry, because I’ll help you. If you’re down, let’s practice during breaks and after school. Days before the event, we can get an excuse slip from the faculty so that we can practice, since we’re representing the school.” - ur stomach did a flip - “w-we’re representing the school???” - “uhh… yes???” - rhfekwnkjfsekfn you literally had every ounce of reason as to tell him no and carry on with life - but minho had never asked people for help, not even when he looked like he could really use some - you wondered just how bad it was for him to be on his knees like this - “I’ll try?” - minho’s face literally switched from zombie to the mcheckin’ SUN bc he started to gRin liKe A fOoL - “yesyesyesyesyes thank u!!! thank u so much!!” he placed a hand on your shoulder. “you don’t know how much this means to me. i’ll be sure to repay you well!!! let’s meet during breaks tomorrow so we can start?” - “if you can repay me by letting me be #1 for the rest of the year—” - “,,,, [y/n],,,,” - “im ½ kidding anyway sure see u i guess”

〔✿〕

- “okay, I’m going to need u to do more crescendo on this part” - “what do you mean” - “like, swell it more.” - “like this???” - you attempted to play the part minho’d instructed you to practice, but your hands were trembling - askjhfgdfjhahdsbjhasdjhad hoW DO U EVEN NOT SHAKE WHEN THE VIOLIN PRODIGY OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WAS RIGHT THERE - LIKE SURE U WERE RIVALS BUT NOT IN MUSIC,,, - u felt like u were WASTING his tIME - “uh, [y/n], your playing sounds too soft and hesitant” - “im so sorry aghhh” - gosh u didn’t know what to do like - u were panicking bc u kept messing up for the past 30 minutes,, ur hands were everywhere and u just couldn’t play properly - which made u even more panicky bc !!! u were fine when u were at home but suddenly u felt so inferior to the keys - “your hands are… shaking…” minho pointed out, tilting his head. “what’s wrong??” - EVERYTHING - “nothing!!” you lied. “just probably not my day,, I guess” - “[y/n] you’ve been trembling ever since we started this practice session.” - what even do u say to that - like,, at this point u just wanted to tell him sorry but ur too much of a wuss - that’s so embarrassing tho esp bc he might never let u live that down - ughhh u were conflicted and u couldn’t even hear what minho was saying - “[y/n]! you’re not paying attention!” - “I am!” - “I asked you what was wrong, and you’ve been staring at the piano for a full two minutes.” - “I’m sorry!” - “Stop apologizing if you’re not going to do anything about it!” - golly those words cut thru ur chest like a knife - hhhh as if you weren’t already so afraid and insecure - “I’m trying my best! Look, maybe you should just find a better pianist. I told you, I’m not cut out for this. Honestly, you’ll save yourself time.” - minho frowned. you were always so confident in everything else you did—academics, hobbies—but now you were so readily admitting defeat + bringing yourself down - lee knows when something’s up so he immediately places his violin down. “let’s take a walk.” - you sighed and closed the piano before following the boy outside - the sky had darkened already and the streetlamps illuminated the campus ground - minho tried to observe u but all u were doing was walking w ur hands in ur pockets, eyes fixated on the ground - your unconfident demeanor concerned him a little,,, - “hey, you sure nothing’s wrong??” - lmao he knew something was up but like,, he didn’t wanna seem imposing - “no, not really, but i’m telling you. you’re better off finding another accompanist…” - “you have to give me good reason as to drop you, if you’re so insistent.” - “Well!” you started. “look, I’ve practiced that same piece for two whole hours every day—just that piece—for the past three weeks and yet I can’t even play the first part without messing up somewhere. I know two hours might mean nothing to you, but I’ve been trying really, really hard, I swear. It’s so embarrassing because I’ve been able to perfect until the second page during my time, but whenever we meet, my hands literally betray me and won’t allow me to get past the third measure.” - you didn’t want him to see your face because you were actually this close to crying of frustration. “I’m sorry. I usually don’t give up so easily but I don’t want to hassle you for such an important thing. Sorry for wasting three weeks of your precious time,” you mumbled, trying to conceal your shaky voice. - oooohhh wheeze u wanted to bop yourself in the head bc ur eyes!!! were doing The ThingTM!!! the teary teary thing!!! in front of ur arch nemesis, lee minho !!!! ur pride !! was on the line !! - minho noticed u trying to avoid his gazes so he just stopped walking altogether - “Do I scare you?” he asked, halting his steps. - “What? Ew, no.” - “Then why are you so afraid to play?” - “I’m not afraid!” you insisted, pretending to scratch your eye in attempts to clear them of tears. - “Your hands shake and your notes sound unsure all the time. Do you expect me to believe it’s not fear? If it isn’t, then what is?” - “So maybe I am scared, what’s wrong with that?” you shot back, facing him this time. “Alright, fine! Maybe I feel inferior every time I lay my hands on the keys. Maybe I’m really insecure of the fact that I can’t seem to get things right. Maybe I am afraid!” - “You can’t just be afraid to make mistakes! That’s what’s making you hesitate every time we meet up, that you’ll mess up somewhere in the middle. You can’t keep thinking like that!” - “I know that! But it’s getting increasingly difficult to get that out of my head. I can’t help but think that if this whole thing flops, it’ll be because I messed up your flow.” - “Would you quit thinking that you’re below me?! Quit thinking you’re mediocre. If that’s your mindset for this competition, then mediocre’s all you’ll ever be. Give yourself a break!” - “That’s easy for you to say! You don’t screw up!” you yelled, gripping your fists. “I have to go, Minho. It’s getting late. Find yourself another pianist, please. I would not like to waste your time anymore.” - “[Y/N], I—” - “See you around.”

〔✿〕

- aghhh minho was so conflicted the next day - he didn’t know how he was going to find another accompanist but most importantly he didn’t know what he was going to do about you - he wasn’t the type of person to just drop people - he rlly wanted to talk to you but he couldn’t find you after classes - every time class would end, you’d bolt outta there with changbin - and when minho asked changbin where you’d went, changbin would make up some excuse that he didn’t know - !! he really needed to get you to get a grip, and fast - the competition was nearing already and it was too late to back out - deep down, minho knew how you were feeling and it made him even more determined to find you and get you out of your own head - he knew how it felt like to be afraid of the instruments - seeing how hard you worked but having it all washed away by insecurity made him really wanna throw hands @ those said insecurities bc he knew u !!! didn’t deserve this - but he couldn’t get a hold of you - he even tried to talk to you in class but u pretended like u were sleeping - “hell, woojin!! what do I do??!!” minho asked, fussing up his hair in frustration.

- woojin was part of the acapella group and mmMPH GIVE ME THAT MUSICIAN SOLIDARITY 😤😤😤😤😤 - woojin wisdom hours = open - “be gentle with her,” woojin spoke, taking a bite of his chicken lunch. “i think she’s the type of person who really needs gentleness at this point in your situation.” - “oh, for sure. but how do i even do anything if she won’t even talk to me??? she ‘slept’ in class, woojin. she never sleeps in class because the teacher might get mad and that would affect her grades. i checked out all her usual spots, but nothing!! before i came here, i even asked the lunch lady if [y/n] passed by, but she didn’t. which is totally weird because she always gets those little rice ball snacks from the lunch lady when its available!!!” - woojin squinted his eyes. “you sure know an awful lot about [y/n].” - “?? Of course?? I keep tabs on my enemies??” - “…chan is in third place in ranking. do you know what he eats during lunch??” - minho started to sweat. “w-we worked on a project in the library, okay?? [y/n] and I have had some time to talk!! in my defense, i know all of chan’s test scores!!!” - “you know everyone’s test scores, minho.” - “what even are you trying to get at??” - “I’m just saying, you know lots about [y/n] for being her archenemy.” - “Oh, he was watching her like a hawk during class earlier. It was weird,” Chan announced, taking a seat on the floor next to Minho. “And for the record, I usually have rice toppings for lunch. But that’s not something I usually tell people.” - “I wasn’t watching her like a hawk!” - “why u always lyin,,,” - “chan i am going to vore you” - “Calm down bro, you know it’s true. Why’re you so adamant, though?” Chan questioned, stuffing his mouth with food. - “I just need to talk to her. She wants to back out being my accompanist because she’s insecure about her playing. But where else am I going to get an accompanist this late?” Minho sighed, taking a bite of his sandwich after. - “What piece are you playing?” - “Romanze Op. 4, Kriesler.” - woojin raised a brow and chan had to restrain himself in attempts not to choke of laughter - “You must be desperate, considering you’re fighting for your nemesis to talk to you,” Chan commented, biting his lip. - Minho gave Chan a playful shove. “Don’t word it like that! You know that this competition is important!” - “Shoot her a message. Get a teacher to help you. Bribe Changbin with food,” Woojin suggested. - “Whatever… I’ll figure it out. Let’s get going. Class is about to start.” - the rest of the day passed and minho thought of a plan to corner u after class - he just - he could not just !! let u go off like that. to see his rival being this defeated was kinda concerning - but just as classes ended and he prepped himself to go to you - the last subject teacher approached him to discuss something - rip minho n his plans - press f to pay respects - f - after being the last one out, he just kinda slumped back and slowly made his way to the music room - he really needed to talk to u but his chances flew out of the window - just as he stepped into the music building, he heard some piano playing from the main music hall - it was odd, minho thought, because rarely anyone would touch the grand piano there - before going in, he listened to the playing and wow,, he was impressed - the lee minho, violin genius boy, impressed - the way the majors and minors danced together to one melody sounded just - ugh - beautiful - it was tchaikovsky’s December, the waltz - the playing felt lighthearted, as the player took some expressive liberties - but even so, the interpretation of the piece was really fantastic and even made minho grin a little at the memory of Christmas -his heart did a little leap bc yes!!!! He could ask this person to play for him considering the chances of u coming back to him was sorta crushed… and this person had wonderful playing - just as he peeped into the main music hall, a familiar sound resonated throughout - it was the accompaniment to the piece you were supposed to play with him - and the person who was sitting behind the piano playing it… was ofc none other than you - let’s get it reader babe - he didn’t want you to stop, so he hid behind the wall once again and just listened - you started to play, letting the music fill your soul and overflowing to the tips of your fingers - e v e rything was on point - the proper tempo, the proper feel - minho was surprised because this - this person playing behind the wall in the music hall wasn’t the hesitant, doubtful pianist he practiced with - this was a free musical spirit in full control of the instrument - of course, your playing got a little wonky once you carried on, but you still managed to continue reasonably until the end. Some of the latter parts needed lots of work, but it was okay!! - you managed to hit the right end note, too!! WHEEZE U WERE SO HAPPY U DIDN’T FAIL MISERABLY @ THAT END NOTE - when you finished, you started going over the parts you needed work on - you didn’t notice minho approaching you until you heard a voice come - “I thought you said you only perfected until the second page?” minho asked, resting his elbow on the top of the grand piano - you were REALLY STARTLED - U ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE PIANO SEAT - AKAJDSKDHASJDHKASHDS WHAT WERE U GOING TO DO - “h-how long have you been listening in?” - “From the start of your Tchaikovsky piece.” - AJSLDKJAKSJDKASDJKASK U WANTED TO HIDE IN A HOLE - U COULDN’T EVEN COME UP W A COHERENT REPLY??? - luckily ya boi lee knows what to do ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°) - sorry I cant go 1000 words w/o mentioning that pun im sorry - minho opened his violin case and took out his instrument. “let’s start from the beginning, shall we? don’t be afraid to make mistakes. i’ll just be here, and we can go over the parts you want to as many times as you want, okay? slowly first, one, two…” - you guys started out okay, but you fumbled up a bit on the second page and minho noticed that your shoulders were kinda riding up - he stopped and walked over to you, placing a hand on your shoulders and giving them a gentle pat. “relax your shoulders. they’re tense. don’t worry, we’ll fix it. again,” he instructed, standing right beside you - even if he was beside you, you suddenly felt all anxiousness lift off - there was something about his tone and his demeanor that just!! made u feel sorta safe ?? - u ended up doing well until minho said to repeat the part!! To which u did well again!! - U SMILED A LIL’ AND MINHO SAW IT BUT HE SAID NOTHING N CONTINUED - did he resist the urge to smile, too??? HELL YEA BROTHA - you guys practiced and practiced and practiced anD PRACTICED - nonstop nonst00p - you decided to take a break and checked the time after a long time of just repeating and repeating certain parts then playing all those parts together - ur eyes widened when u saw that a wh0le tw0 hoURS HAD GONe By - like b r o u DIDN’T EVEN FEEL THE TIME PASS - WERENT U FLUSTERED BY MINHO’S SUDDEN APPEARANCE LIKE,, 2 MINUTES AGO - wHy diDN’t U NOTice - ur arms and fingers were kinda tired so u both decided to take a break and walk around campus - lmao it was already like 6 o’clock and it was getting dark outside - “we need to polish the notes after the piece’s halfway point,” minho told you, walking towards a vending machine. “there are still lots of phrases where we fumble up. On page four, where your left hand does the arpeggios, you forget to do the dynamics.” - “Sure, sure. Oh, and in the part where you have rubato, you kinda sound angry.” - “I do?” - “Yeah. I mean, I don’t really know, but like, that’s just the vibe. I could be wrong, though,” you told him, stopping in front of the vending machine. - “No, no, I’ll keep in mind. Want anything?” he offered, pointing to the vending machine. - “Can you press for grape soda? Hold on, I’m just going to fish for my money,” you answered, reaching into your pockets. - Minho pressed one button for grape soda and one button for strawberry milk. “No, it’s okay. I put my money in already.” - “Take it, it’s not like I can’t pay you back.” You held out your money. - Minho reached for the drinks that fell out. “I refuse. This one’s on me.” - u almost droPPed UR MONEY - “bro??? u ok, pal?? r ok w/ u treating ur arch nemesis???” - he let out a little minho laugh (HIS SOFT MINHO GIGGLE OMG). “well, you’re kinda my partner now, so…let’s put the nemesis title on hiatus.” - he placed the cold grape soda can in your hands. “u-uh,, thanks minho!!” you said, flabbergasted @ his actions - WHY WAS MINHO BEING SO NICE??? (,,꒪꒫꒪,,) (,,꒪꒫꒪,,) - lee minho?? n i c e??? in THIS economy?? - U WERE SO CONFUSED - lmao phat mood sis - you guys walked around in comfortable silence for a little bit, enjoying the bit of breeze and fresh air while sipping on your drinks - y’all ended up sitting down on a bench in the courtyard, jus chillin’ - minho decided to steal a glance from you for a bit - BIG MISTAKE -  a small smile was playing on your lips as you looked up at the sky drinking your grape soda - you tucked some stray hairs waving in your face because of the wind, and hhhHHHOLY HECK MINHO’S HEART STARTED TO DO THE TTUGS TTUGS BOOM BOOM - were u always that attractive before??????? like??? Maybe ITS JUST THE STREETLIGHTS PLAYING TRICKS ON HIS EYES - u felt the power of his stare and u turned to face him. In a quiet voice, you mumbled, “minho? is there something on my face?” - beauty, probably - “u-uh!! No!!” he blinked, whipping his head literally anywhere else - “oh, alright then,,” u were kinda bashful bc like?? Uh,,,, why was he staring at u - MINHO WANTED TO BOP HIMSELF IN THE FACE LIKE !! WHATS THIS - HE WAS PANICKING BC HE KNOWS THAT HE KNOWS THAT HE KNOWS WHAT THESE HEARTBEAT SHENANIGANS ARE IMPLYING - too soon, heart, too soon - !!! FEW MONTHS AGO HIS HEART BEAT IN ANGER TOWARDS U BUT THIS,,, DIDN’T FEEL LIKE ANGER - or maybe it did?? BC U WERE DOING SMTH 2 HIM N MAKING HIM FEEL THESE E M O TI O NS - he felt like he betrayed himself!!! why couldn’t he come up with some genius, witty remark at this time?? WHERE WERE HIS FLIRTING POWERS?? - “let’s head back!!” he said, standing up and walking towards the music building - he squeezed the last remaining bits out of his milk cartoon and SUCKED WHATEVER LAST DROPS HE COULD GET - ‘mmMMM STRAWBERRY MILK IS DELICIOUS,, ITS NOT LIKE MY HEARTRATE’S GOING LOCO RN MAYBE I SHOULD TAKE MY BLOOD PRESSURE WHEN I GET BACK HOME’ was all he could think - ?? u were so bamboozled. “minho, you’re walking too fast,, wait for me” - “i’m not fast, you’re just really slow!!” - when you two reached the music hall again, minho zipped UP HIS STUFF LIKE LIGHTINING - “See you next Monday, [y/n]!!! practice well!!!” - he z00000med outta there - yeeted outta that place - that night, he threw himself on his bed, screaming incoherently - soonie and doongie didn’t even know what to do with their human brother - but?? They tried?? To console him with small ‘meows’??? - “Soonie, Doongie, your brother’s super mad. [y/n], my rival, did something really bad again today. She just!! decided that it was okay to look cute under the dim lights of the campus??? Like??? excuse??? Me?? that was so rude, don’t u think??” - soonie gave a ‘bro-u-srs’ face and doongie just meowed in disappointment - big same soonie and doongie - “doN’T GIVE ME THAT FACE, SOONIE!! U KNOW THAT IT’S UPSETTING!!” - soonie just… hopped off minho’s bed - ‘i-can’t-take-u-any-longer-hyung’ - “NOO!! SOONIE COME BACK!! Doongie, help me!!” - doongie meowed again, crawled to the foot of minho’s bed, and took a nap - “why won’t my siblings love me???” was all minho could say before shutting off the lights and drifting off to dreamland

〔✿〕

- “you’re starting to like him, aren’t u” - “shut ur mouth hole changbin and help me pick out an outfit for the concert!!!” - “the concert’s two weeks away, why r u doing that now??!!” - “BECAUSE ITS 2 WEEKS AWAY??” - “anyway stop dodging my statements. Minho’s warming up 2 ur heart n u know it” - “changbin u wanna like,, get out of my house” - “uhhh?? Do u wanna like,, start admitting that ur rival isn’t even really ur rival now considering that u guys literally do everything together now” - “excuse me I do everything with you!!” - “not anymore u don’t” - “what are u talking about??” - “u study together,, take breaks together,, spend after school together,,,” - “that’s because u don’t like helping me with acads and I need to spend as much time as possible practicing for the compet!!” - “k but r u sure u don’t have a thing for him. Like, u don’t consider him cute??” - “changbin, no one could be cuter than u.” - “um,, of course?? I’m your binsual always and forever, but that doesn’t mean you don’t think minho’s cute.” - “t-that’s!!!” - you turned to face changbin, cheeks warming up. U could not lie 2 ur best friend,, he’d know immediately - “don’t even think of lying to me, [y/n]. u know its physically impossible.” - “so what if he’s cute?? Chan’s cute, Woojin’s cute,, you’re cute. Do I like any of you?? no!!” - “whatever, [y/n]. once u admit to me that you’re starting to catch feelings for violin boy, u owe me a chicken night out.” - “no I don’t!!!” - “but you’ll want to because u’ll wanna ramble about ur undying love for ur arch nemesis” - “GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, SEO CHANGBIN” - “no thank u”

〔✿〕

- your breath was hitching and your palms were excreting buckets of sweat the more time passed on - once you got to the venue for your performance, you kinda just - f r o z e - today was d-day, love, and u were just,,,, so unsettled - you tried to shove off your nervousness away but it wasn’t that easy - anyway, minho saw you from a distance and started to approach you - but like,, the nearer he got, the clammier he felt f0r some REASON - HHHHH HOLY CRAP YO - “[y-y/n]?” his words came out with a little bit of a stutter and he wanted to scream - minho fighting - you turned around and hollllly moly did lee minho always look THIS gorgeous?? - his hair was fixed so his forehead was seen and overall gave off a fresh, clean look - the first few buttons were undone on the black polo he wore, showing off a lil’ bit of his collarbones - oooo my heck sklkaslklaklsklskldsklaskdajkdljk he looked spicy - “oh, hi minho,” you greeted, waving - “you look rather pretty today,” he grinned, giving you some kinda smug look - but inside, his heart was like - SLKLSDAJLKASJDKLAJSHKDJASHJKSAHKJDSLKAHJKFSGJDHKJFKAHDLKJDGHFDSDFGHJKLKJ - he was a flustered mess inside but like,,, it’s lee minho everyone - how else would he try to cope other than being smirky - “I can say the same to you,” you answered, not wanting to give in to his charm - ugh,, we stan competitive people!!! <<333 - anyway, yall walked to the holding rooms to wait for the concert/competition to start - you took out your lil’ finger exerciser mechanism thing - I don’t know what it’s called but basically it’s just an object with some knobs you can push down with your fingers as you hold it in your palm,,, its to exercise the fingers and some musicians use it askjalskjdalkjdla lmao - you guys were eleventh in the lineup, but once the competition started, you started really freaking out - minho was practicing one final time but he noticed that your eyes were glued to the floor like you always did when something was up and you were kinda gripping your finger exerciser thingy unnecessarily hard - he immediately stopped and walked over to you, put his violin down, bent to the floor, and stared u straight in ur eyes - “hey,” he started, softly, “look at me.” - you did as you were told, but your breath was still unstable and your heart was palpitating - “minho—” - “When we get up on that stage, I want you to forget that we’re in a competition. I want you to focus on nothing but just savoring the moment and letting the music that’s deep in your soul just burst out. And if you ever feel, even for a moment, a pang of hesitation, I want you to look at me and remind yourself that you are not alone up there. I’m with you, I’m your partner.” - just then, he took away your little finger exerciser and replaced it with his own hands, intertwining your fingers with his - “I don’t care if we don’t win, hell, I don’t care what the crowd will think. I just want to play a song for you, with you. Let’s dance, [y/n]. Please let my melody waltz with yours.” - you gripped his hands a little tighter, observing the intricate details. His palms were pudgy and soft, but the tips of his fingers were rough and calloused.  Nevertheless, there was something about those hands that made you feel a sense of relief, a sense of serenity. - “okay,” you answered, looking at his chocolate eyes. - “When we get there, forget about being perfect. Let’s just let loose and play whatever we feel a ‘Romanze’ is.” - just then, the organizers called you to head towards the side of the stage to line up for your performance - despite standing up and heading there, minho didn’t let go of your hand - it was just a simple gesture he wanted to convey, that this stage was to be shared by you both and that he and you were now a tandem. - all waits eventually come to an end, and so did yours. after a soloist finished their piece, it was finally your turn - he still,,, didn’t let go of your hand,, as u bowed to the crowd,,,, - minho… a sweetie… - it was only when you turned to head to the piano did he gently let your hands fall apart, but he gave you a reassuring smile and mouthed ‘let’s do this’ - you settled into the piano seat and looked at minho for the cue - and you were off - it started off quietly, but immediately you started to pour out your soul - with every crescendo, every vibrato, you just let the music in your heart overflow to the tips of your fingers - and you’d periodically steal a glance from minho to let him know you were still with him - he smiled and you both just followed each other, matching each other’s pace and vibe perfectly - when I say perfectly, I mean PERFECTLY - the atmosphere was a canvas that was to be painted upon with the color of music - as if one artist, you two splashed the vibrant color of your Romanze - the sound of the piano took the sound of the violin in hand, dancing steadily and beautifully together - as you reached the end, you took one more glance at minho and locked eyes. - that’s when you let the music fade away, lingering in the air as you both raised your hands from your instruments - There was no applause. - but it was alright. - minho walked over and took you in his hands once again, faced the audience, and bowed - it was only then the audience realized,,, wow,,,,, you guys were finished - one clap melted into a chorus of applause - you spotted changbin and your family jumping in the front seats and u COULDN’T HELP BUT SMILE LIKE AN IDIOT - its worth noting that changbin was screaming his head off, too - “YESSSS!!!!! [Y/N]!!!!!! QUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNN!!!! MINHO!!!! LEGENDS!!!” - one by one, people started to stand - you were CONFUSED - U TURNED TO MINHO AND WENT ALL LIKE,,, “????” - he just gave you the BIGGEST sunshine grin and led you offstage - when u reached the backstage, u just,, took one look at that same sunshine grin and couldn’t hold it in anymore - you engulfed minho in a tight embrace, letting a laugh tickle the air - “minho!!!!” you squealed. “w-we… we did it!!!!” - much to your surprise,, he didn’t shove you away in disgust, but he started to hug you just as tight - in fact, he sorta just picked u off from the floor and hug-carried u to the holding rooms - “we did, we did,” he laughed, letting his forehead rest on yours. - he was rlly close but u didn’t rlly mind,, u were just so happy - you could see the light bounce of his irises and ugh it was beautiful - “[y/n], I’m so proud of you.” - “Thank you so much for believing in me when I could barely believe in myself. I owe so much to my family, Changbin, you—but mostly you. I really appreciate how you invited me and even talked me out of my trance. And you held my hand; you don’t know how much I needed that. Really, thank you so much. I’m so happy right now.” - “Wait, can we sit down? My legs hurt from standing so much,” Minho requested, pulling away from you. - actually it was not because his legs hurt,, son,, his CHEST HURT - HIS HEART WAS DOING FLIPS AND FLOPS AND HE MIGHT HAVE REALLY ENDED UP SCREAMING - anyway u guys sat down on the couches that were available in your holding room, sitting a few inches away from each other - out of nowhere, minho just yelled, “AAAAAAAHHHH!!” - ????????? u looked at him, absolutely confounded - “minho??? why’d u scream??” - “oh nothing I just wanted to” - u were like?????? ????? ok??? - “can we take a cute pic?? I need to post this on my Instagram,” he asked, pulling out his phone - “o hell yea!!” - he opened up his camera and told u to pick a filter - “bro I promise SN*W has like,, the cutest filters ever can we pls take one with this cherry filter,, SIKE I WANT THE ONE WITH THE DANK GLASSES” you exclaimed - minho made a double chin and u gave a korean heart to the camera - “absolutely stunning. this pic overflows w/ visual power,” minho commented, picking another one. “okay, now can we take one w this rlly cute cat filter see look at this OH DAMN,,, LOOK,, SEE HOW CUTE MY FACE LOOKS” minho announced - “lee minho why are we friends??” you asked, smiling for minho’s selfie - “because im cute and everyone knows it” - “whatever,, please send me the selfies so I have my own copy,” you chuckled, “can u take pics of me actually?? It’s rare for me to be dressed this nice so I’d like to take advantage. Let’s head outside for a bit so we can get those aesthetic outdoor backgrounds!!” - minho got up in like, 0.2 seconds - “hell yea!!! I love that!! U gotta snap pics of me, too!!!” - long story short yall went out while the other contestants performed and started taking pictures of each other - “[y/n], please get my good side” - “shut up, lee!!! It’s hard to take photos when im on the ground tryna get u @ a good angle” - “actually, nevermind. just take as many photos as u can because ALL my angles are good anyway ;))))” - anyway ur lil photoshoot sesh was short,, just 10 mins before yall headed back to chill in the holding rooms again - u guys started to talk about random things like minho’s dancing hobby and your catastrophic friendship with seo changbin - “one time, when we were kids,, I caught changbin crying bc he accidentally left his stuffed munchlax in his house when we were on vacation” - “ok but have u heard his music, [y/n]??? 3racha SLAPS” - “im his best friend, u idiot,, I get pre-release privileges to spear.b’s hottest new drops” - “im going to hunt u down for them” - “shut up ur friends w chan u can just ask him” - while talking, you guys listened to the other performers who were also!! Super good - there was this one violin duo that heckn,,, RocKED THE STAGE OMG,,, - anyway time flew by and u were once again called to line up @ backstage - wheeze,,, they were announcing the winners already - minho started to sweat and even if u heard him saying he didn’t really care about the win, u knew it would mean a lot to him - poor baby looked nervous - so u did His Thing and grabbed his hand reassuringly - he almost JUMPED but he immediately softened up and mouthed a ‘thank u’ - one by one, contestants were called upon the stage - until it got to the top three - you guys waited… so tensely… - … - but ur names were never called ;; ____ ;; - when the first place winner was announced, u saw minho’s eyes turn from being hopeful to being absolutely defeated - u were about to give him a hug but then yall heard another announcement - “But wait!!! We wanted to give out a special award for the performers who captured the audience’s hearts!! During the intermission, we asked you to vote your favorite performance, and we’re announcing that now!! Ladies and gents, would you please give it up for… … miss [L/N][F/N] and Lee Minho!!!” - AKDSKLDJAKLDJLSKAJDL MINHO’S EYES GREW WIDER THAN PLATES - !!! THE AUDIENCE AWARD?? WAS JUST AS PRESTIGIOUS AS A TOP 3 AWARD - u had to drag him out of backstage so u could accept the award - cue changbin and ur families SCREAMING their heads off AGAIN - changbin almost fell down trying to yell, press f for respects - u engulfed minho in a gigantic hug again and u swore there was some dust in ur eyes that made some tears pop - its ok minho had some ‘dust’ in his eyes also - when u guys went offstage again,, you told minho, “c’mon!! our families are waiting for us, let’s have dinner together.” - “wait!!” he piped up, grabbing your hands. “listen, i need to tell u something. I promised myself that I would if we won something.” - u were like,,, okay,,, sure,,, - “I never got to thank you for helping me out that day. Honestly, I was really hoping you’d say yes. When you told me you wanted to drop out, I felt something telling me that I couldn’t just let you go like that. You worked really hard, and I really wanted to see you have it pay off,” he began, ears turning the slightest shade of pink, “and I also wanted to say that these past months have really been meaningful to me. I know we didn’t have the best start, but after the library thing—which, oh damn, has been like,, so long ago—I realized that you weren’t such a bad person. For the past months we’ve been practicing together… I-I… sorta super enjoyed it. And now, at this very moment on this very night, I’ve come to accept that I really, really like you after a period of fighting with myself. I… I just wanted to tell you because I might not get the chance when things go back to normal and we do our own things in school.” - u lips. parted like the red sea - “Holy crap, I thought I was the one going crazy,” you whispered, “I thought it was weird because I, too, liked the guy that constantly threatens my grades…” - “wait wh-“ - you nodded. “yeah… I really thought I was ballistic… but yes. I really appreciate how you didn’t give up on me. There’s just… something… I really liked working side-by-side with you. And I genuinely enjoyed the moments I had with you. I’ve also been fighting with myself to accept that I kinda have a thing for you—but thank you so much for lifting me up when I didn’t believe in myself.” - AKJASKLAJDLKAJSLKDJASLKDJASLK IT WAS AT THIS POINT MINHO WOULD USUALLY SAY SMTH COCKY BUT NO. U, DEAR READER, HAD RENDERED THE BOY SPEECHLESS AND HE WAS REALLY ABOUT TO MELT HIS HEART WAS GOING AT 4419 MILES PER HOUR - he leaned in towards you, staring at your eyes with terribly red cheeks - “Can I??” - you nodded, and that’s when minho closed the gap between u two - the kiss was very sweet and tender, lasting only for a couple of seconds before minho lost it and dropped to the floor in a screaming mess - “[Y/N] U CANT JUST DO THAT!!!!! AKLSKDJLKASJDHGSHGDLKASJDLA HELPPPPPPP” - “MINHO, PLEASE. DON’T DIRTY UR CLOTHES, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE FAMILY DINNER” - he eventually got up and headed out with you to greet your adoring fans (aka ur families who were holding bouquets of flowers for yall and a sCREAMING changbin) - but once again, he decided to enclose his hand in yours. - It was a gentle reminder of how much you meant to him. He didn’t feel like it was a sudden splurge of emotions, nor did he feel like he was just being tricked by this emotional high. He just knew, by the steady hum in his heart, that being with you truly, truly made him a better person. - Maybe it was the way you seemed to match his music, maybe it was the way you both inspired each other to keep being better, maybe it was the way your eyes crinkled as you smiled, maybe it was the way you hugged him like he was the only person in the world. - Whatever it was, he loved to be with you. - Because you felt like home.

〔✿〕

Bonus: - “woOOOOOOOOOOOO I GET A CHICKEN NIGHT OUT!!!” changbin hollered at u, shaking ur shoulders - “shut up!!! U don’t!!!!” - “I do!!!! U finally admitted u have a thing for him!!! Let’s get chicken!!!!!!!!” - u stared at changbin in disgust, looked at minho for help, but all he could do was laugh his lil’ minho laugh damn - did u sign up for this?? No - But sometimes, it just happens. 

[mdelpin]

Things Aren’t Always As They Seem - Chapter 5

Gratsu Bingo 2019 Prompt: Death AO3 | FF.Net | Tumblr: Ch1, Ch2 , Ch3 , Ch4

Chapter 5

The door to the apartment had barely closed when Natsu rushed out of the bedroom dressed in one of Gray’s old t-shirts and shorts.

“Where were you guys?” he grumbled, examining them intently, looking for any clue to their disappearance. When he sensed no hostility between them, he relaxed. “I woke up, and you were all gone.”

“Sorry,” Lyon replied, “I couldn’t sleep, too nervous about today. They went with me to keep me company.”

“Right,” Natsu rolled his eyes at the blatant lie, “It’s nice to see some things never change, you still suck at lying.”

Lyon laughed nervously, “I really do need to start getting ready. I’m going to go take a shower to see if I can wake up some. Can someone make me some coffee, please?”

“I think I can manage that,” Zeref offered, “Maybe even some breakfast, depending on what you have on hand.”

Zeref set himself to the task of putting some food together, wanting to give Natsu and Gray some time to talk.

“Hey Gray, don’t forget Mom is coming over in about an hour.”

Gray cursed inwardly, he’d let himself get so caught up in everything that was happening he’d conveniently forgotten he was still expected to attend the wedding. He glanced over at Natsu, wishing he could just ditch it and spend more time with him but even he wasn’t that much of an asshole.

He’d never do that to Lyon, his brother had always been supportive of him, and it was his turn to do the same for him. Especially since he’d already shown him how nervous he was.

“I’ll be ready,” Gray gave his brother a reassuring smile before grabbing Natsu’s hand and leading him back into his bedroom, closing the door behind them, wondering if it was too soon to try to kiss him. He settled for pulling him into a hug.

Natsu let him hold him tightly against him without complaining, “You know, I don’t remember you being this touchy-feely before.”

“Does it bother you?” Gray released him, gazing at Natsu’s expression, wondering if he was pushing him away already.

“Not exactly, it’s just different,” Natsu rubbed his forehead, a nervous gesture Gray remembered well, “It’s just I spent two years thinking you hated me.”

“If I’m honest, I might have for a day or two, but then I got my head out of my ass,” Gray admitted before lowering his head sadly, “Why didn’t you ever try to get in touch me?”

He was still a bit upset that Natsu had never replied to any of his messages.

“I lost my phone on the boat. I was really sick during the trip, and it fell overboard at some point,” Natsu explained sheepishly, “I haven’t had a phone in almost two years. I did think about writing to you once I realized I was going to be gone a lot longer than I’d thought, but we were never really in town or cities.”

“I would have gone with you,” Gray murmured softly, and he found himself grabbing hold of Natsu’s hand. It was getting embarrassing, he couldn’t seem to stop himself from touching him, but he felt the need to continually reassure himself that Natsu was really there.

“I know you would have, but I had no idea what I was getting into, and I would have never forgiven myself if I put you in danger.”

Natsu smiled at all the unexpected affection. It was unusual for Gray to be so needy, but Natsu knew he’d scared him by disappearing and he didn’t mind.

He’d come back for this after all, determined to try to make a go at a relationship. It had torn him up inside to have to deny Gray at that party, but his mind had already been made up, and he’d hoped he could fix things when he returned.

“I’m not going anywhere, Ice Block,” Natsu insisted while squeezing Gray’s hand, ”I promise.”

Hearing him talk about his time away reminded Gray that he still didn’t know anything about what had happened. It also made him think about what Zeref had told them. Igneel was dead.

It hurt to think about it. Gray had loved Igneel, the man had been a father figure to him and Lyon when they’d desperately needed one. He remembered how the two of them would fantasize that Igneel would fall deeply in love with their mother and marry her and they would all be one big happy family like one of those cheesy shows on TV.

But it never happened, although Ur and Igneel liked each other well enough, they seemed to be content being single parents, helping each other out whenever they could. And now Gray thought he understood why.

Gray knew the grief he felt was only a fraction of what Natsu would feel, and although he understood it would only get worse the longer they postponed it, Zeref had to be the one to tell him. Not just because Gray didn’t want to be the one to destroy his hopes, but because he knew Zeref would see it as part of his penance. He would never feel worthy of telling Natsu who he was until he got this off his chest.

That just made him want to hold on tighter, for he had a feeling the next time he saw Natsu, he would be irrevocably changed. He really hoped Zeref didn’t fuck this up.

“So, uh did you date anyone else besides Juvia?”

“Can we please not talk about this now?” The last thing Gray wanted to get into in his current mood was all the stupid shit he’d done while Natsu was gone. He regretted all of it.

“Oh,” Natsu looked down at Gray’s carpet, not wanting him to see his disappointment.

“I — I thought you left because I kissed you, and then you never returned my calls. I was upset and disgusted with myself, and I thought I’d fucked up our friendship,” Gray tried to explain, but it sounded lame even to him.

“I had it all planned out,” Natsu said wistfully, “I was going to come out to you, and give you some time to get used to it, maybe have you see me the way I saw you. And then, then I was going to tell you how I felt.”

Natsu snorted, “I never expected you to be the one to kiss me. God, I wanted to kiss you back so much, but that would’ve been unfair. I already knew I was leaving. I thought I was only going to be gone for the summer, I figured we could pick things up when I came back.”

“Let’s just pretend none of that happened, and start over, yeah?” Gray’s eyes softened, he let go of Natsu’s hand to trace his finger on the other’s cheek. “I like you Natsu, I have for so so long.”

“I like you too, Princess,” Natsu grinned happily, using the nickname he’d coined because of how long it took Gray to do anything, the last of his worries floating away with Gray’s words. He placed his arm around Gray’s waist and tugged him towards him, their mouths inching ever closer, breath intermingling as lips almost touched only to be interrupted by the loud sound of urgent knocking.

Gray, irritated by the interruption, looked down at his watch, and with a long-suffering sigh, ran to open the door. The wedding craziness had begun.

“Don’t tell me you’re not even dressed yet?” A disgruntled voice scolded Gray in dismay as she entered the apartment before turning to yell. “Lyon, where are you?”

“In my room!” Lyon called out in a muffled voice, “I’m getting ready.”

“You’re early, “ Gray complained to his mother.

“Nice to see you too, Sunshine,” Ur retorted, giving her son a peck on the cheek, “I was going crazy at the house, and Juvia’s mother has been calling nonstop, it made me anxious.”

Gray waited for what he knew would immediately happen, feeling a bit badly for his poor mother who already had a lot on her plate. Today was probably not the best day to dump all this on her.

“Natsu?” Ur experienced a myriad of emotions at seeing the boy she considered as her other son, but for the moment relief prevailed, “Oh my God! Baby, is that really you?”

Natsu gave her a warm smile, even though he knew for a fact he was about to get his ass handed to him in a few minutes. “Hey Ur, I’m back!”

She lunged at him, giving him a hug that quite possibly removed a few years from his life, but it was well worth it. This woman was the only mother he’d ever known, and he loved her deeply, despite her occasional emotional outbursts. He flinched when he felt the tears wet his shoulders. Shit! He’d made her cry.

Once she’d gotten the hug out of the way, she laid into him, “Where the hell have you been? We were all worried sick about you.”

“He went looking for Igneel,” Gray informed her, trying to get some of her attention away from his boyfriend.

Ur’s eyes widened, and she was about to say something when she caught a strange look on Gray’s face that confused her. She decided to back off until she could figure out what it meant. “Well, of course he did, and I can’t wait to hear all about it once this wedding is over. Gray, have you even taken a shower yet?”

“No, Mom, I was talking to Natsu.”

“Well I need help getting stuff in the car, and neither of you is ready to go,” Ur complained.

“Zeref and I can help,” Natsu assured her.

“Who’s Zeref?” Ur asked, her nose wrinkling as she thought about all of her sons’ friends.

“He’s my brother,” Natsu grinned, knowing that information would shock her.

“Your what?!” Ur squealed, “Okay now I really can’t wait to hear about what happened to you.”

Natsu laughed, “Let me get some shoes on.” He went to Gray’s room to look for his shoes and change back into his jeans. After some brief introductions, he and Zeref were recruited to be her slaves while she waited for the twins to get ready.

The twins were finished by the time Zeref and Natsu were done lugging boxes and other random items down to Ur’s car. They all sat down together to eat the food Zeref had made.

“Lyon, you look like shit, your pictures are going to come out terrible,” Ur groaned, already thinking of Juvia’s mother, “Did you even sleep?”

Gray waited until Lyon and his mom were bickering before he leaned over to whisper to Natsu.

“Are you sure I can’t talk you into coming to the wedding with me?”

Natsu seemed to consider it, but he shook his head, “Today should be about Lyon and Juvia. If I show up, people are going to flip out. I don’t want to take away from them, and in all honesty, I don’t think I’m ready to face everyone yet.”

Gray knew Natsu was right, but it pained him to leave him, it was stupid he knew, but he’d just gotten him back.

“I promise I’ll be here when you get back.”

“Alright,” Gray agreed, placing his hand over Natsu’s underneath the table and smiling when Natsu laced their fingers together.

After a lot of hectic goodbyes and Ur extracting a promise from Natsu that he and his brother would have dinner with her and Gray that evening, the Fullbusters were off.

Gray and Lyon had agreed not to tell Ur about Igneel’s death until after the wedding knowing it would be a shock to her and it would ruin her enjoyment of the ceremony.

“Are you ready for this?” Ur asked Lyon seriously as they made their way to the car, both boys holding on to garment bags containing their formalwear for the wedding.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Lyon deadpanned, causing Ur to whack him on the head and Gray to laugh.

“Everything’s going to be just fine,” Gray assured him before adding with a smirk, “At least it’s not me marrying Juvia.”

Lyon rose to the bait, and the two happily bickered all the way to the church with Ur yelling at them to shut the hell up.

O-o

Natsu waited for a few minutes to make sure they were really gone before laying into Zeref, “So you wanna tell me what that little stroll was all about?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Zeref hedged as he set about clearing up the plates from the table and putting them in the sink. He’d no idea how to work the machine, he’d always had servants for that sort of thing. The only reason he knew how to cook anything was that he’d liked to spoil Sona sometimes by making her breakfast in bed.

He was terrified, he didn’t want to lose his son after just getting him back, but Zeref knew that was a distinct possibility, just as he knew it would be no one’s fault but his own. There was a lot he hadn’t told Natsu yet.

Like the fact that he’d been the one to write that letter. Or that Acnologia wanted Natsu dead since he was the legitimate heir to the Empire of Alvarez.

“Please,” Natsu scoffed, fixing his gaze on his brother, “I’ve known those two most of my life, it was obvious they were upset about something, and I sort of doubt it had anything to do with the wedding. What did you tell them?”

“You didn’t tell them about the time we got captured?!” Natsu panicked briefly. Gray would flip his lid if he ever learned of that. Then again, if Gray knew about it, Natsu would probably already be sporting a black eye.

“No, nothing like that,” Zeref assured him, “I didn’t tell them anything about our time in Alvarez.”

“Then what? What could you possibly say that would upset them?” Natsu pushed, narrowing his eyes as a thought occurred to him. “You don’t have a problem with me being gay all of a sudden, do you? Because I’m not giving Gray up!”

Zeref had to laugh at that, out of all the fathers in the world, he was probably the most relieved to learn his son was gay. It wasn’t a guarantee that Natsu would never father any children, but it certainly improved his odds of being able to die in one lifetime. “No, Natsu. I’m quite happy that things seem to be going well with Gray. I like him.”

He watched Natsu continue to worry and worked his courage up. Gray and Lyon were right, Natsu needed closure so that he could begin the grieving process that should have started years ago.

“Could you sit down? I need to tell you something important.”

Natsu did as he was told, staring up at Zeref with trusting eyes that hurt more than he thought possible.

“It’s about Igneel,” Zeref had barely managed to get the name out when Natsu jumped out of his seat and rushed towards him, grabbing his shoulders excitedly.

“You know where he is? Is he in Magnolia? Why didn’t you tell me before? Can we go see him?”

Zeref couldn’t bear to look at the wild hope in Natsu’s eyes, his hands tightened into fists as he willed himself to destroy that hope forever. He’d never felt crueler in his life.

“No Natsu, I’m afraid we can’t. You see, Igneel died many years ago,” Zeref managed to get the words out somehow, and when he witnessed Natsu’s despair he learned that although he might not be able to die physically there were many ways to die, and he’d just discovered one. He felt wretched.

“You can’t know that!” Natsu protested. His eyes had begun to tear up, and he sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than Zeref. His voice was getting increasingly louder as he fought off the words he didn’t want to accept.

“He’s out there, I know he is, and I’ll find him! You’ll see.”

“No, Natsu, you need to listen to me,” Zeref kept his voice as low as he could, hoping Natsu would get himself under control. “Igneel died in Alvarez, eight years ago.” He gulped before adding, “I was there, I saw it happen.”

“You...you WHAT?!” Natsu screeched, “Why didn’t you save him?” he grabbed Zeref’s shoulders again, shaking him roughly, and Zeref let him, knowing Natsu needed to get some of his grief out.

“He was a prisoner just like I was, there was nothing I could do.”

Natsu stopped hitting him, satisfied for the moment. He studied him intently, and Zeref could tell he was thinking hard.

“Why?! Why did they kill him, what did he even do? Why did he go to Alvarez in the first place?”

Zeref sighed, he’d been hoping Natsu wouldn’t ask that question, but now that he had Zeref wouldn’t lie. Natsu deserved to hear the truth, but before he could say a word, Natsu had already figured it out.

“He went there because of you, didn’t he? DIDN’T HE?”

“Yes, he did,” Zeref couldn’t interpret Natsu’s expression, and it was beginning to worry him until it finally settled into one he was very used to seeing.

Hatred.

And as much as it hurt, Zeref found he couldn’t fault him for it.

Natsu dissolved into sobs, looking more like a child than Zeref had ever seen him and he wanted to do something, anything to make his son stop crying like that, but all he could manage was an apology. “I’m so sorry, Natsu. I wish they’d killed me instead.”

“Me too,” Natsu spat out, and ran out of the apartment. He couldn’t stand to look at Zeref any longer.

Zeref watched him leave, trying very hard not to let those words get to him. He knew Natsu was upset and he probably didn’t mean them. It had gone about as badly as he’d expected.

Zeref was convinced that Natsu would never be able to accept him as his father, hell he’d be lucky if the boy ever wanted to have anything to do with him ever again.

Even so, he needed to make sure Natsu was alright. He decided to chase after him, but by the time he’d made it downstairs, Natsu was nowhere to be found.

To make matters worse, Zeref realized he had no keys to get back into the apartment. He’d never been to Magnolia before, and he’d no idea where anything was so he sat down on the building’s front steps to wait for Gray to return home. Hoping he would have an idea where Natsu might have gone.

“I’m sorry Igneel, I handled that poorly,” Zeref muttered before placing his head in his hand and letting himself cry for the first time since being forced to witness Igneel’s execution.