#someone teach me how to have hobbies and not turn everything into a job

[animatedjen]

In Dreams | Cal Kestis

[feeneeweenee]

ੈ✩‧₊˚Solar Eclipse in Libra and How it Will Affect You ੈ✩‧₊˚

Solar eclipses are meant to be a bit turbulent- but for a good reason. They teach us that everything is temporary, for better or for worse. But something is for certain, everything granted or taken away from you is a learning opportunity.

LIBRA solar eclipse interpretation:

Libra, in general, rules: Relationships, Other People (from yourself), Balance, The Law, and Beauty.

This Libra solar eclipse for the collective could overall touch these themes and create change in the areas of life in which those topics occur! In general though, I already see the theme of balance taking the spotlight here for most people. You can expect to see these situations occur slightly before, but mostly after the eclipse is done. Think of this as the first domino to fall, and the change comes after the fact.

What Does This Mean For Your Rising Sign??? (feel free to also look at sun and moon)

Aries: This eclipse will be happening in your 7th house of relationships, business partners, law, and agreements. There will be a shift in your interpersonal relationships or romantic matters. Mars will be squaring this from the 4th house of home, familiarity and family. You may meet people who feel like family, or who feel like they're just meant to be in your life. It'll feel comfortable but its definitely a shift if you've been isolated for a while. A lot of reinvention on the foundation of relationships (values of relationships, what you find important in connections) will be taking place!

Taurus: This eclipse is happening in your 6th house of discipline, bodily health, pets and work / labor. There may be a sudden end to a 9-5 job you have, or you'll experience a shift in your health (for better or for worse) there will be an increased focus on your work ethic and health in general. A change to your daily routine is very likely! You may pick up a workout routine or a new diet. Mars will be squaring this eclipse from your 3rd house, so this physical change and life style change will be coming from a new found mindset. you will have a lot of drive but with all things, please remember that balance is key. Do not become a workaholic but also don't sacrifice your health and long-term happiness out of laziness!

Gemini: This eclipse is happening in your 5th house of dating, pleasure, hobbies, and sex. Your dating life might ignite or die very quickly depending on what you need right now- However Mars will be squaring this from the 2nd house which tells me you might actually end up prioritizing dating, pleasures, hobbies, etc in this new era of your life. have fun, however this square aspect can talk about an overindulgence in 5th house matters or a blockage relating to 2nd house matters (Money, morals, resources) interfering with this desire to let go and experience more pleasures. Don't take life too seriously but also remember to keep everything in balance! Overall, there is a shift in priorities and balance in regards to play and work.

Cancer: This eclipse will be taking place in your 4th house of family, ancestry, property, familiarity / comfort and private life. Something in your family may drastically change, family property and finances may take a turn either for better or worse. Someone could be having a baby. Idk why but this sign feels very in tune and I'm using my intuition for most of this because i keep getting random messages internally about this interpretation, so maybe your own spiritual gifts could be growing. Mars (and your ascendant) is in your 1st house squaring this eclipse, there may be some tensions between you and your family, or people who you consider family, however this eclipse is meant to show you how you can build a sturdy foundation of your own. Independence is heavy here!

Leo: This eclipse will be happening in your 3rd house of cognitive function, local travel, your neighborhood, and siblings. Mars in your 12th house will be squaring this eclipse. There may bc a lot of subconscious issues rising to the surface for you, especially emotions of anger or resentment towards others close to you, or immediate family. Please keep your passive aggressiveness in check, since you will be prone to lashing out. Overall, the change you can expect in this era after this eclipse is a mental glow up. Trauma will leave your body through healthy communication and vulnerability.

Virgo: This eclipse will be taking place in your 2nd house of morals, values, money, and resources. There may be a change in priorities leading you to focus on other things like smarter ways of making more money. Mars squaring this eclipse from the 11th house for you may mean that in your circle(s) you'll be perceived as a go-getter. You may be inspirational for others to make a life change as well since you'll be very focused on your aspirations and the bigger picture of your goals in general during this era. Overall, there's a shift in finances and resources. Although despite being perceived as motivated and driven, the flip side of this new focus is that it may take a lot of priority away from interpersonal relationships. You may feel a bit isolated during this new era, or at least find it hard to balance social life and work life. Others in your friend circle, especially clubs or groups your apart of, or online peers, may feel a bit ignored or pushed to the side depending on how this manifests for you. Again, balance is key.

Libra: This eclipse will be happening n your 1st house!! Exciting since that house is all about you, your appearance, your first impressions, etc. You'll 100% be hitting different, your energy and looks will shift. Expect an other all refreshment of your life in most areas or areas in which you identify most with. Mars is squaring this eclipse from the 10th house, so your reputation, long term goals and career are in question here. People in career / professional settings will be viewing you differently.. more energetic and driven. OR the flip side of this if you cant harness this energy well, more bossy and frustrating.

Scorpio: This eclipse is happening in your 12th house of endings, restraints, suffering, dreams (while sleeping) and hidden enemies. Jupiter in the 8th house is trining this eclipse. There is an overabundance of hurt and suffering you've endured in the past, and this eclipse is here to fully close out that chapter. Keep on the look out for prophetic dreams! You'll experience pretty profound messages during this time. Your hidden enemies may be revealed curing this time, if you have any. Slightly off from the eclipse, Venus being in your 1st house trining mars in your 9th house while this eclipse is happening tells me that the healing and soul searching you've been doing is actively causing a very physical shift in your appearance. You'll be radiant and glowing!

Sagittarius: This eclipse is happening in your 11th house of social media, community, friend groups and aspirations. There may be a very positive or negative ending to a few relationships, however Jupiter is transiting your 7th house of relationships, business partners and justice making a trining aspect to the eclipse. This tells me that this very much may be an overwhelm of new connections in your life, or an overwhelm of losing connections in your life. Venus is transiting your 12th house of pain, loss, cycles and karma, trining Mars in your 8th house of trauma, endings, and debt. Whatever happens in your friend groups, business partnerships, or love life it may be completely drowned by some heavy emotions you need to heal through first in order to fully see the blessings of your social circle changes. 

Capricorn: This eclipse will be taking place if your 10th house of reputation, long term goals, and career. There's a probable advancement / promotion in your position at your job, especially since Jupiter in the 6th house of discipline and work is making a trine to this eclipse. You’ve proven yourself very well for this promotion!! Venus transiting your 11th house may talk about getting praise from your coworkers or people in your community in general, or even online. Mars transiting your 7th house of relationships, business partners making a square to the solar eclipse makes me feel as if someone tried throwing dirt on your name, or betray you in some way in the past. But you rise above this, and your reputation will actually shift for the better. 

Aquarius: This solar eclipse will be transiting your 9th house of your life’s journey, wisdom, travel, spirituality and lessons. Mars is currently in your 6th house being squared by this solar eclipse, which tells me that you will have a swift change in your career. You may look for something more fun and pleasurable, as well as emotionally and mentally fulfilling for you to engage with, especially with Venus transiting through your 10th house. You may be a bit blinded by your hope and dreams however, so I’d advise you to really sit down and think about how you can positively change your career path in the most secure way possible. Although sometimes we do have to take risks. 

Pisces: This solar eclipse will be transiting through your 8th house of endings, debt, inheritance and trauma. There may be a final ending to something traumatic that you’ve went through. Mars is transiting through your 5th house of fun, pleasure, and sex- making a square to the solar eclipse. This tells me you might feel as if you have acted carelessly in the past, and there may be something you need to own up to for yourself or others. Maybe finding better and less chaotic ways to have fun. You may reflect on sex and intimacy and see how you can engage with it in a new way or heal from traumatic experiences involving those. Venus transiting your 9th house during this ellipse tells me that you are favoring mental and spiritual growth in regards to love and sex, or just finding a love for higher knowledge and personal growth.

I hope you enjoyed this ok im eepy now honk shoo

[happy-mokka]

Tag game!

I was tagged by @santacoppelia . Muchas gracias!

So, here we go...

1. Were you named after anyone? My grandpa on my mother's side. Died far too early. Sadly I never got to meet him.

2. When was the last time you cried? I tear up A LOT. Sad things. Beautiful things. A sunset. It's pathetic but I wouldn't count that as crying. Last time I really cried, was 9 years ago, when my Dad died.

3. Do you have kids? Nope. I guess that ship's sailed. I'm a passionate uncle of 5 and for some reason kids adore me. Guess it's because I turn full out into Goofy mode once some are around...

4. What sports do you play / have you played? Played table tennis for 15 years in a team on low regional level. But stopped long ago, when I moved away and started to work. Never picked it up again. Now I just watch Soccer from time to time.

5. Do you use sarcasm? Sometimes more often than I'd like. Can irritate people that don't know me well enough. That's why I try to be more careful with it.

6. What's the first thing you notice about people? I think I have pretty good antennas for general moods and micro gestures. Generally I m always first drawn to the eyes...windows to the soul. Always trying to read people...it's a gift and a curse sometimes.

7. What's your eye color? Variations of blue, depending on my mood. Ranges from more greyish blue to deep dark blue.

8. Scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings. I watch scary movies mostly in company, almost never on my own.

9. Any talents? Don't know. Not really. Others should answer that. My self esteem is not too high when it comes to such a question. When the situation allows it, I make a pretty good clown. Not to put myself in the center of things. More when I feel a party needs some loosening up or someone needs desperately to be cheered up.

10. Where were you born? Southwest part of Germany, near the border to Switzerland and the Black Forest. 

11. What are your hobbies? Reading. Going to the movies old school in a theater. Taking pictures on long walks of everything that catches my eye. Have a thing for sunsets.

12. Do you have any pets? No. Had birds for quite some time. Now I'm just part-time Dad to my Mom's dachshund and spoiling the cats in my neighborhood.

13. How tall are you? 1.78m or 5'10

14. Favorite subject in school? Arts (drawing), English and History.

15. Dream job? Always wanted to teach. Became a software developer though. However, in the meantime I'm responsible for our apprentice program, so made it to teaching after all, to a certain degree at least.

Tagging with no pressure whatsoever

@uncleadelheid-will-eat-your-soul @sublimeobjectenthusiast @amagnificentobsession @simonezitrone79 @cryptic-queer-cryptid @eugenoid @joycrispy @kaiannanthi @notalostcausejustyet @paperclipbean @queerfables @reloha @shaggydogstail @yowlthinks

[dropthedemiurge]

15 people, 15 questions

Got tagged by @xagan (you're amazing and I already knew it but what is Lima Lama?!) and @istilldontunderstand (all hail being jack of all interests and useless to capitalism! very relatable) and @non-binarypal7 (didn't know you eanted to do environmental activism! That's so cool)

1. Are you named after anyone?

No, I have one of the most typical names in my country. But it's good that every person has several nicknames here, I have more than 15! 😆 And I love my name because it's unisex.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I don't usually cry in life beside RSD triggers so I allow myself to feel things while watching movies and reading fanfics... Probably shed a tear recently during 5th episode of Twins (hello to exhausted, overworked and underappreciated Sprite)). Honestly, some good angst fics do make me cry, I love angst fics and catharsis.

3. Do you have kids?

No, and I'm not good with them until they are the age where I can teach them many hella cool nerdy things. But I'm learning now with my sister's toddler, I'm out of my comfort zone but she says he likes me already so I win xD I can definitely see myself as a good mentor to kids/teens later but parent? Probably a bad one.

4. What sports do you play/have you played?

I have ADHD so I have tried swimming, martial arts, ballet and gymnastics. I was kicked out of 2 of those xD But I do love table tennis, like volleyball and I was acrobatic cheerleader for a few years!

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Yeah, I love using it in a very playful manner among friends - which is not a typical thing, as I know. On the other hand, when I get angry or someone hurts/attacks me, I actually turn to a very cold, official and diligently spelled out style. Hurt my feelings? I am writing you a letter aka A.Burr :D

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Their vibes! I might not remember how they look or what's their name later, but I'm definitely noticing and reading you through vibes. Same with discords, most likely.

7. What’s your eye color?

Grayish blue. I get told that I have really nice eyes (even strangers in foreign countries keep telling me that for some reason unprompted). My friends, tho, say I have drugged eyes with large pupils so i guess, that's compliment too xD

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Horror movies are porn substitution, and I'm ace so the answer is obvious. Deserved happy ends are good!

9. Any talents?

Hmmm being always curious and hence, learning many new awesome skills? It's something I always encourage others to do, too.

10. Where were you born?

Russia unfortunately or fortunately? i'm still figuring it out

11. What are your hobbies

Creating media+tech things (ranging from IG filters to making my own mini games), translating (Russian, English, Korean and currently learning Thai), drawing fanarts (one day hopefully webtoons...), writing fics (currently learning nice storytelling in English)

12. Do you have any pets?

Yes, a very fluffy black-white Cheshire Cat. He's as mischievous as you can guess ^W^

13. How tall are you?

1.65

14. Favorite subject in school?

Informatics, Arts, sitting in school library and reading everything after classes

15. Dream job?

I have a bucket list of all skills/professions that I want to try, and I've currently crossed off most of them, except for gamedev. I ever wrote articles about K-pop and Thai BLs professionally!

I keep changing jobs every year oops but I still manage to be not bad at them. I think I can suit some place that needs brainstorming, making art and coding together! But it's a career that I'm trying to kickstart now Тт For now I'm a bit too busy with returning to Korea...Hopefully, one day I'll stop getting bored of jobs ^^'

That was fun, thank you guys! Not tagging anyone to save from pressure but you can tag me to read through yours or tag yourself with my blessing :]

[phefics]

🤎 a thg ship for me por favor 🌹

Lol I'm a 23 year old plus sized woman with dark hair and heterochromia, so I have one blue eye and one that is half blue and half brown. I am currently in school studying to be a substance abuse counselor and I work as a barista. I'm super type A when it comes to my job, especially with health standards. I connect with people through humor and have a pretty full loud laugh. I don't have a large group of friends, but I have a handful of one-on-one deep friendships. I'm a really passionate person in everything I say or do, and find I like people around me to be the same. I think it's such a turn off when I'm with someone who just has no desire to do anything. My favorite color is green, and I like hiking, reading, crochet, cooking for others, and watching movies that rip my fucking heart to pieces (have you seen Iron Claw yet, because omg that wrecked me for a week). My love language is acts of service, but specifically when I can tell someone did something keeping my safety or well-being in mind. An example would be when my friend picked me up from the hospital at 5 in the morning with no complaints even though my call woke her up on her day off.

𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝟏𝐤 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 // of course!! hope u like it, u didn't mention ur sexuality so i gave u a boy and a girl just in case xo

i ship you with gale hawthorne. he is super active, loves nature, and would find your dedicated personality and loud laugh extremely charming. his love language is also acts of service, he would always be protecting you and doing little things to make you feel safe and cared for.

i also ship you with katniss everdeen, for most of the same reasons. you two share a favorite color, so decorating your home would have an obvious solution, she would always indulge in your hobbies even if she personally wasn't big on it, and would probably let you teach her how to crotchet and end up being pretty good at it! she is so dedicated to making her loved ones feel safe, she would always be performing acts of service for you.

[portraitsofguilt]

I hope I made it in time!!!

I am 18 :)

The fandom I want to be matched with is Overwatch!

I would prefer to be matched with a male character!

I am a female and I am 5'3". I love reading and writing, big hobbies of mine. I also love going on walks. INFP and Cancer. I love fashion and dressing up and am currently in a goth phase of mine lmfaooo. But when I don't feel like it I would call my style vadalism/early 2000s ish. Big pants, heelys, all that fun stuff lmao. I have red hair and blue eyes and am thicc in the best way (who doesnt love a little pudge to grab in all the right areas??). I have two piercings on my ears and always wear cool earrings. I wear glasses as well.

I love just hangin out and watching anime or playing video games and I also really love organizing and just cleaning sometimes when the mood calls for it!

I would say I'm pretty funny and fun to be around and love talking, so I would like someone who doesnt mind listening to me ramble sometimes lol. I also love listening to people, so just someone to talk to :)

I hope this works! Thank you so much moss, you're the best! Have a great day and stay awesome <333

your match-up and star messenger is . . .

GENJI SHIMADA (isfp) !

you are the "super affectionate and bashful" couple

the youngest of the shimada brothers is a man who isn't afraid to go all out and put on some clothes that people don't deem traditional for him to wear. he will let you use him as your dress-up doll and will gladly wear anything matching, as ridiculous as it might be, he will wear it.

genji might seem uptight if it even is the right for it but with you, by his side, you help him be more idealistic, give in to the temptation of cuddles, and come back with his own flirtatious comments. but it is so rare, the man is so bashful he needs a doctor. he loves that you are not afraid to dress up and your body, he could go on and on about your body. not in a weird creepy way, but in a loving, caring way that twists your stomach because it's so cute as he blushes.

genji is a great listener, he might not understand everything you are talking about but he will try and be as supportive as he can with every word you utter to him! your constant talking, writing, and reading push him to grab a book himself or try to write one of his favorite memory as a bedtime story- the thing is that you encourage him to be creative.

he learned his whole life that his home should be organized, tidy, and the neatest place in the world so when you have the urge to clean, he is right by your side to help you with whatever job you fit for him. he isn't afraid of video games, he just has a hard time understand the mechanics but once you help him with it, he might as well get better than you.

some aspects of your relationship would be:

fighting over who is choosing the movie or anime to watch on your regular friday movie nights

getting on hanzo's nerves alongside kiriko is always fun

walking dates! it might sound strange but it's a real thing and real fun especially when genji knows all the hot spots with beautiful sights and a great all-around environment

him teaching you how to throw shurikens and even engage in a sword/katana fight!

MEETING EACH OTHER !

version 1

it was the last plushie of your favorite anime character on the shelf and you promised yourself that no matter how much it costs, you gonna spend that money because hell- they look cute! so you reached for them, mesmerized that it was real and that you were finally getting them before a green-haired girl came and started yelling your hair off, demanding you give her the plushie because it was a life or death situation. she kept waving her hands, trying to grab it out of your arms and in the process hitting your drink out of your other hand. you were just about to start complaining when a tall man appeared, pulling the girl aside before taking the scene around him in then turning to you with a kind smile on his face.

"my apologies for her rude speech, may i interest you in another cup of your drink on me?"

version 2

the fastest way around the base was never the elevators, it was these cool shoes you got yourself alongside d.va. they had a wheel in the heel and if you launched yourself right you could roll on it from one end to another. it came in handy especially when you had to deliver papers and you were just minutes before the deadline. today was like that too, being late because your laziness got the best of you so you took off, the place around you looked safe to scoot around in until one of the robot-looking things started to move and you ended up tripping over them.

"you should be more careful around the base in these... shoes. let me take you to angela, please."

YOUR SONG IS . . .

tell me by wonder girls !

[zootycutieart]

Been a while since I've shaped some of these guys up! Three of them, along with two new characters, and it's my original Monster Cereal characters, with some brand new bios for them! Vanillaton is next in line to hold a piece of the fated psychopomp lineage. Winning the tournament in her generation, she...ran away. Terrified of what her duties entail, along with the sudden pressure put on her, she ditched her joining ceremony to go into hiding. Instead, she finds solace in whatever she can. She is sculpting herself to "like a bit of what others like", which, while makes her good at making friends and finding kindred hobbies, also makes it hard to track who she truly is, since despite her outwardly friendly nature, her true self seems very hidden. Smorgon shirked on her abilities on purpose. Instead of powering up her gorgon skills, she was so afraid of what they could do that she sheltered them. Now, her abilities are weak, only causing her to be able to freeze someone into stone for a mere hour. She says she's happy about that, but it's hard to judge how happy she truly is. Shy by nature, she instead just seems anxious about everything, and it seems like this lack of ability in her own abilities has just further hurt her self esteem. DragonFruit was possibly not supposed to be here. What seemed to just be a decorative jeweled egg made in honor of a thought-to-be extinct subspecies of dragon, turned out to be a REAL egg of a thought-to-be extinct species of dragon, and she was in it! She's just a baby, since she's newly hatched. and she doesn't exactly have any dragons around to teach her how to "dragon", but she's too young to realize this. Instead, she's just a happy little girl who sees no issue with the world, or her fire breath, which she doesn't have a handle on. Democha is overworked. Sure, he might merely be an intern doing this for college credit, but this was far more than he signed up for. A ledger of monster activity, his job was assigned to "look out for the monsters that don't fit monster criteria", according to his boss. Turns out, this means the nice ones. The ones that don't want to scare people. The ones that are slowly more and more turning into his friends instead. Terrified that he's being overlooked by some higher (or maybe lower?) power, he's too nervous to quit his duties, but he doesn't want to abandon his new friends either. Flapwoods is probably the only one with a semblance of normal life...even if she is an alien monster that dwells in the forest. Chipper without being stressed, open without hiding things, she's a great friend. And, with a couple bits of monster magic disguises, she's managed to figure out a way to interact with humans without scaring them. Granted, this really just equals "working the night shift at a diner" for now, but it pays well and she gets to interact with a wide variety of random people. Monster Cereals © General Mills Vanillaton, Smorgon, DragonFruit, Democha, and Flapwoods © ZootyCutie (that's me!)

[controlledchaos1342-blog]

Random Isekai Oneshot

You like to say you don’t think much on your past. This is a blatant lie but that’s only because it’s hard to not think on how you just arrived in this quaint town. How the place you lived in before had so many more amenities. To think of the people you loved who were left behind.

But you also would be lying if you said you wished to go back. You loved your previous life of course, the people who made your life better and that you knew now must miss you dearly, the various projects and stories that are now left eternally unfinished because they were left behind without a way to continue them, the little niche that you made for yourself. You can’t say that this new life is ‘better’ but you also can’t say it’s at all worse.

It simply is. You are admittedly glad that you just seemed to appear here without any true choice in the matter. You didn’t have the chance to turn down such an opportunity because of fear or the excuse of obligation. Nor did you have the chance to feel remorse over the selfishness of choosing to leave everything behind. It just happened, and life went on.

Honestly you’re not even sure if the you of that old world even existed or if you were actually some poor sap who got amnesia and fabricated a world that both made more and less sense to you than this one. But you know that at this point you wouldn’t actually want to go back.

Sure, if you woke up at ‘home’ as though this were all a dream you wouldn’t go into a psychotic break but it would still leave you feeling empty. You’ve built a life here, gotten a nice job you enjoy and do a nice hobby that even gets you a bit more money when you sell the end product to those who are interested. Yes you are the ‘weird’ person here but a large portion of people enjoy your company and find your eccentricities ‘charming’.

For a time you thought of being a fighter, taking on the aggressive wildlife that threatens peace for the town. But even if you knew how to fight in the previous life this body is ever so slightly different in ways that would muck that up, let alone the differences brought about by magic being a thing. You thought of being a renown healer, using both modern medical practices picked up from the internet and proper teachings along with the local understandings. But you much prefer the simple little job that could easily be translated to a minimum wage ‘temporary’ career in your previous world rather then dealing with people actively fighting death or be drawn into major scuffles because ‘they need help and you are help!’

It’s not all great, there are people that immediately hate you. The odd ‘human+’ species that code well onto many stories’ interpretations of ‘people, but with animal ears [or whatever]’ sometimes misinterpreting your odd quirks or staring habits as racism or a fighter that thinks you’re not ‘cut out’ for the real world or those annoying housewives that think you’re doing your life ‘wrong’. But each one is paired with someone kind and then some. A person giving you some of their own feathers to add to your aesthetic or crafts. A fighter taking comfort in how they don’t need to sugar coat their horror stories to avoid making you go white from shock or avoid them or gods forbid pity them. That group of housewives that happily chatter with you and are basically your new social media because Hello Gossip. The elders that find your morbid humor hilarious and will join in on jokes about how ‘death will have to fight me tooth and nail to take me!’ - ‘clearly, death’s losing here.’

[yanderelovlies]

What about the chubby y/n, who performs on a children's show, performing two roles? A funny clown for young children, who teaches safety to have fun, and the second show, where the sad clown y/n for teenagers, helps them with their experiences and the restructuring of the body, and so on. I will hope that you will answer , this is my own old fantasy, so I will be grateful if you don't ignore it (although do as you want, I like everything you write :)).

Mmmm so like two roles on the same show?? Let me take a Crack hun! I made this more fluffy comforting and with Joseph embracing the role of Jack a little too well in mind.

When you were first hired to The SunnyTime Crew Show you were supposed to be childrens entertainer. You were a beautiful colorful clown named Tiny Tatters. You knew of the irony of your name, but you couldn't complain when they were signing those pretty checks you needed to survive…..not they would listen to you anyway. Despite that little hiccup you quite enjoyed your job. You taught kids how to safely do tie dye art, and other fun crafts with clothes

However as the show progressed it oddly enough attracted a teenage audience along with a children audience. So as an experiment they made you play the side role of Patches. Patches was the twin of Tiny Tatters, and they never seemed to fit in with the others. So they were often alone, and were only spotted in Tiny Tatters Tailored Emporium when tiny wasn't there. The teens were quick to attach themselves to this character, and through little crafts, and hobbies they were able to teach the Teens good ways to handle emotions, body image, and acceptance. 

They children and teens were not the only ones attached to you it seemed. As some of your female coworkers have pointed out how Joseph likes to watch both of your bits off stage, a smile adoring his features. It was hard to believe those rumors until you caught him yourself one day. During your Patches role you had to look off to the side to grab one of your materials when you saw him. His eyes met yours shamelessly before looking away a blush dusted his cheeks as he chuckled. 

Your head was still spinning from that interaction as you undressed and washed off make-up. The day was long over and yet you could get the way he looked at you out of your head. He looked at you as if you were the prettiest thing he had ever seen. You've never had someone look at you like that. Did he mean it? Or was it another sick joke? Honestly you were scared to find out.

Seemed fate other plans as you sat in front of your mirror in your little dressing room brushing out your hair when a knock came from your door.

“Who is it?”

“Ja-Joseph.” you could feel your breath catch in your throat. You don't know if you can face him so soon. You knew he would give you the answers to the scary question that has been haunting you all day.

However, you also knew you didn't have it in you to keep him standing out there. So shaky sigh you called him in. He was hesitant at first, but he eventually walked into your dressing room. Upon entering he couldn't help but smile. The room was entirely you from the decor to the smell. He liked it a lot. His eyes traveled down to you, and he watched your fidget with your hair for a bit. Seeing as nervous as he was put him to ease as he sat in one of the chairs behind you.

“D-did you need me for something?” making eye contact with him through the mirror was easier than looking directly at him. 

He watched you for a bit longer before he finally responded “yes actually.” He reached over and put his hand on your shoulder indicating he wanted to look at you directly. Nervously you turned to him as he left your shoulder. “I need you for this date I've been planning for the two of us….this saturday.” 

You could feel your jaw drop to the floor. He was interested in…actually into you. You wanted to accept, and throw yourself into his arms, but instead what came out of your mouth hurt both of you. “Are you sure….?”

You watch as his eyebrows scrunch, and his look goes from hope to worry “What do you mean?”

You look down as you feel your face burn with shame. “I'm nothing like some of our other coworkers….or the moms who come to visit you on occasion…surely you could do better?” You hear Joseph stand from his seat as he closes the gap between the two of you. He knelt down in front of you taking your face in his hands as his thumbs rubbing soothingly across your cheeks 

“You know sunshine you should listen to your own advice you give the kids….I think you're beautiful the way you are, and you're the one i want to woo and make mine.” he titled his head down so his red eyes met yours “If you let me.”

You weren't sure what came over you, but you pulled him into a hug and held him tight. This was real. He really wanted to go on a date with you….and possibly more. How could you say no?

“I would love to go out with you…” you mumbled into his shoulder hoping he heard you. He did and he could help but hold you a little tighter.

[definitelynotafurinasimp]

How they like to spend your time together

Characters: Inazuma women x gn!reader (seperate)

Warnings: none, just fluff

a/n: Wanted to write something for Heizou, ended up writing all female Inazuma characters, but no Heizou instead. Sometimes my genius is… it’s almost frightening.

Call me sleep deprived, because I am-... sleep deprived.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Ayaka

Ayaka never had many people close to her, so simply having you around her was enough to make her day seem better in retrospect, that being said, there were a lot of things she’d like to try with you. She had always been a fan of the arts, and while writing poetry, learning dances and playing music alone already brought her joy, she always wondered how it would be to share her interests with others.

Whenever neither of you were busy, you’d meet up and write poems together, and while you weren’t exactly confident in your writing at the beginning, Ayaka did an excellent job at easing you in, all the while giving you small tips for how to improve yourself.

“This is even better than the last one, although you might want to try structure it like this next time. From my experience, it makes the poem sound smoother”, she recommended before showing you her piece of paper, all the while wearing a small, but genuine smile, reflecting how excited she felt about having someone to share her experience in writing with.

Kujou Sara

While there were many things Sara did outside of work, none of them could compare when it came to the time, she’d spend trying to better her skills with the bow. So, when you asked her if she’d have time to teach it to you, she was quick to accept. And while her behaviour during your lessons often resembled how she’d teach archery to her soldiers, she’d feel much prouder and happier whenever she noticed you improving. Was it because you were much closer to her than her soldiers or just because of your terrible skill in the beginning.

When you were taking aim, Sara quickly positioned herself behind you, only to stop you before you could let the arrow loose, grabbing the arm with which you held the bow before adjusting its angle.

“Hold the bow like this or the bowstring might hit your forearm”, she stated, only for you to nod, aim once more and let the bowstring go, and while you were far from hitting the bullseye, you, for the first time, didn’t miss, causing you to excitedly turn to Sara, only to be greeted by a barely visible smile and a look of approval.

Kuki Shinobu

There was no-one in the whole of Inazuma whose amount of certificates could rival Shinobu’s. After all, while some would collect coins or other things as a hobby, she seemed to do the same with degrees, seemingly never going a long time between taking exams for different certificates. All of that made it fair to say that there probably wasn’t a better person to ask for help than her, and while she’d probably be able to explain everything from accounting to architecture to you, the two of you often found yourself cooking together, with her telling you how to make different dishes while you followed her commands.

Not only was it a easy enough thing to learn to hold a conversation while doing so, but you’d also automatically be rewarded with something to eat if you succeeded.

“Okay, next you take the roasted lavender melon and cut it in pieces”, Shinobu stated, only for both of you to realise that the purple fruit was nowhere to be seen. “Wait. You didn’t leave it over the fire, did you?”, she questioned, the answer to her question coming moments later as you began smelling something burned, causing you to rush over and try your best at damage control.

Ei

There weren’t exactly things Ei would call “her hobbies”, having spent the last 500 years in her Plane of Euthymia, and while training her fighting skills was something she liked doing before she sealed herself away, she knew well enough that training with you would only result in disaster, no matter how good you were. And so, she’d simply let you take the lead, participating in whatever activities you wanted the two of you to do.

Most of the time, the two of you would take small trips around Inazuma, no matter if it was inside the city, with you looking through the different stores as you showed her whatever new inventions or products made their way into the nation, or outside of it, taking in the beautiful nature that Ei hadn’t realised she missed so much.

“How does it taste?”, you asked Ei as she took a sip of the new drink being sold at your favourite shop, not having to wait long for a response, as Ei made a small nod before responding.

“Delicious, I can’t remember this being sold the last time we were here, is it new?”

“Mhm, it’s a recipe from a Mondstadt, they call it Barbatos’ tears of joy”, you stated, only for Ei to slightly cringe at the mention of the Anemo archon before acting as if nothing happened before you had the chance to say something.

“Good to know, let’s visit the next store.”

Kokomi

Kokomi, being the divine priestess of Watatsumi Island, had a lot of things to do during her day, was it managing the Island,  or helping the residents whenever they asked her for help. So, whenever she was done with work, she’d simply find a quiet place to read or rest in. And while relaxing alone was a good way to regain her energy points, when you were with her, she felt herself recharge even more efficiently than alone.

And while it was enough for you to just sit in the same room as her and silently do things on your own, there would be times during which Kokomi would feel too tired to read on her own, only for you to take her book and read it out loud for her. And while you didn’t exactly understand tactics and strategies for warfare, causing you to have little idea what you were reciting, it nevertheless worked.

“Are you feeling better now?”, you asked while closing the book, having finally finished it, glancing over to Kokomi, slumped over her desk, obviously having been exhausted by work, only for her to silently hum in response.

“Much better, just give me… 3 more minutes”, she mumbled out loud before growing silent again. And while it took you some time to realise that she had fallen asleep, you decided not to wake her, remaining on your seat to make sure nothing happened to her, sure that she’d wake up after a while.

She woke up several hours later

Yae Miko

While Yae loved to tease you, your reactions being even more amusing to her than others, not every moment the two of you spent together would be filled with her teasing. There were many occasions the two of you would just silently sit in the same room while reading whatever novels her publishing house was about to release, the comfortable silence being enough to make you forget about Yae’s other favourite activity besides reading.

Most of the times, that’d be the moment in which she struck, your reaction being enough to instantly improve her mood, no matter what genre she was reading, only to instantly shift her focus back to her novel, continuing to read as if nothing happened.

“That’s the novel everybody is talking about isn’t it?”, Yae’s voice rang out without warning, causing you to quickly look at her before nodding your head with a small smile, only for it to vanish once you saw her smug expression. “I heard it has a Kitsune in it. Is there something you want to tell me?”, she asked in her usual teasing voice, and while you ought to have grown accustomed to it by now, you still felt you face heat up, only for your thoughts to be disrupted by her laugh.

Yoimiya

Hanging out with Yoimiya always made for a day full of surprises, the energetic girl knowing a plethora of fun ways to spend time together, from just telling each other stories to playing with the many children she called her friends or testing out firework together. All in all, there wasn’t any activity the two of you did more frequently than others, that was with one exception.

Whenever a festival took place, you’d go. That was something like an unspoken rule between the two of you. No matter how much work both of you had to do first, you’d finish it and attend the festival, no matter how small.

“Wait, you are already done?”, Yoimiya asked while sticking her head out of her door, having summoned by you knocking on her door, and while she seemed to be in a rush, unfortunately for her, you had no idea what she was talking about.

“Done with what? I just thought we could hang out today”, you questioned in return, only for her to tell you to wait for a moment before vanishing back into her home, returning with a calendar. The entire following week being filled with different smaller festivals, suddenly making you realise what she had meant.

“Now that I think about it, there’s work left for me to finish, good luck!”, you said your goodbye before quickly making your way home.

[madhatterbri]

Something More | B.Z.

(Shout out to the creator of the gif)

"Blaise, I love you," a raven-haired woman confessed and stared into his brown eyes. They were both in his bed. Their bodies covered by a thin sheet. His handsome tan face twisted in confusion. He thought everything was going so well and now she had to ruin it. Love wasn't real. There was no such thing as love. His mother made sure to teach him that. His mother only cared about money and having someone to warm her bed at night. Their chimney constantly had men flooing in and out. His mother wasn't exactly a one-man kind of gal. "Blaise?"

"I don't love you," he confessed not showing an ounce of concern for her feelings. She gasped and sat up wrapping the sheet around her.

"What?" She asked her voice cracking. Her face red from humiliation.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked impatiently. "It was sex. It was always sex and now you have to ruin it by catching feelings. My own parents don't love me. Why would you?"

A tear slid down her cheek.

"How can you say that to me? You are all I think about and I always want to make you happy,"

"Then get another hobby,"

Evie Flint sat at her desk at the Ministry of Magic. She was done. Done with trying to convince Blaise Zabini to see that they were perfect for each other. The woman was foolish to think after she nearly lost her life at the Battle of Hogwarts that he would change. Lately, Evie was throwing herself into work to forget about him. She would come early and leave late. The pattern seemed to be working. She was crying less at home and thriving at her job. Her boss started to take notice of her achievements. Maybe she only needed to be humiliated to be the perfect worker.

Pansy Parkinson came rushing into her office and closed the door behind her. She seemed in a rush to find her.

"Good morning to you as well, Parkinson," she sighed reading over the documents once more. The wizarding world was still trying to figure out the witches and wizards to punish for their crimes.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" Pansy asked with her arms crossed. She sat down on the chairs across from Evie's desk.

"Please, get comfortable,"

"Answer the question, Flint. Where have you been?"

"Working, which you should be doing," she rolled her eyes at the annoying woman. Pansy huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"What happened between you and Blaise?"

"He wanted me for sex. I wanted him for love," she answered hoping she wouldn't continue to pry. Unfortunately, the complete opposite happened.

"What? Is that what he told you?"

"Yeah, so I am sorry that I didn't want to play pretend that we are all still friends,"

"He hasn't been going out either. Now it all makes sense,"

"Yeah, he has a new victim. Please leave? I have things to do," she asked her friend. Pansy rolled her eyes and stood up from her chair.

"This isn't over, Flint," she vowed before leaving.

Evie rolled her eyes and continued on with her work. She decided to leave at normal time today. Pansy caused her to overthink and now she was left with a headache. The woman gathered all of her belongings and left. No special events happened on the way home. She unlocked her door and walked inside. She placed all her things in their proper place and walked towards her room. She stopped upon seeing someone sitting on her bed. A tall, skinny tan man with black hair sat down staring away from the door. Blaise.

"What do you think you are doing here?" She asked walking towards him. She stood next to him with her arms crossed. Blaise slowly turned and looked at her. Evie never saw his current state. His eyes were bloodshot. She wasn't sure if it was a mixture of crying and drinking. His clothes were disheveled. This was not the Blaise she had grown up with. The hatred she held for him quickly subsided. She sat next to him and wrapped his arms around him. Blaise rested his head against her shoulder. She placed a hand on his head and rubbed it slowly. He allowed her to rub his back. He slowly closed his eyes allowing the only person that ever loved him to show him. He placed his hand on her arm not wanting to ever let go.

[doobnnoob-tf2]

Hellooo!! I just found this account and i gotta say i luvvv ur posts, they make me so happy :,) especially ur dadspy ones T-T . I ALSO wanted to ask if mayyybbbeee (only if u really want to ofc)… um write some cute lil headcannons bout my fav boy Scout 🥺 i feel like not a lot of people chose him as their favs but idk why but i think this man is the boy of my fucking dreams and it’d be rlly cool and epic if u wrote some cool/cute headcannons bout him 🥹 (sorry if this has been done before!!) - 💖

Scout was on his way to becoming a pro baseball player, he lost his scholarship however because he couldn’t keep his grades up.  he instead took the job for Mann Co. because it was really good money that he could send home to Ma

he thinks she’s disappointed in him for not getting into college even if to just play baseball, but she’s proud of him no matter what he does

he has a rabbit plush from his childhood that he sleeps with every night and hides during the day.  it’s been resewn over and over and is very dingy and dirty.  he has no idea who it’s from but it’s always been very special to him

Scout has his own comic series he draws on stowed away in his room.  he’s kept hidden because he’s embarrassed about it.  it’s a typical superhero comic with a self insert of himself as the main character

he copies things his teammates do, mostly Spy.  it’s always small things like how they stand or walk or if one of them starts acting all confident then he will too.  he doesn’t realize he does it, but he does because he looks up to all of them

he’s self conscious about his buck teeth but any time someone refers to them as cute or adorable, he gets all flustered and giddy over it

Scout is VERY praise driven, he thrives on having approval of everyone he looks up to.  if anyone on the team needs something done, he’s almost always the first to volunteer himself and loathes when they ask he take someone with him

he’s bi and doesn’t realize it, he just thinks it’s normal for guys to find other guys really hot and daydream about them and doodle them in his comics later.  he always has a justification for why that time he saw Soldier shirtless right after a shower made him all flustered

he was in both his high schools track and baseball team as the star player.  track was more a hobby to him so he could keep limber for his baseball games and when he’d go off and cause trouble with his brothers

Scout’s been arrested once before joining Mann Co. but doesn’t realize his brothers have actually kept him from getting in trouble with the law many more times.  they would always try to shove him out of the way and have him run home when they could tell cops were about to get involved because they knew if he got arrested, Ma would be very upset

he was arrested for taking part in robbing a gas station, and was young enough to be let off without any trouble

Scout’s name on his birth certificate is spelled with the accents (Jérémy) but everyone, even Ma, always spells it without.  he doesn’t even really know there are accents in his name

he’s semi-fluent in Italian

he looks up to Spy a lot.  he sees him as the father figure he never had and genuinely admires everything he does.  out of everyone on the team, he copies him the most, down to even sneakily buying himself a butterfly knife to teach himself how to flip it around like Spy does.  they pick on each other a lot and bicker even more, but they’re both just as quick to find little ways to say they’re sorry after things have calmed down

he considers everyone on the team his best friend, but he hangs around Pyro and Sniper mostly.  Pyro because they enjoy a lot of the same things he does when it comes to TV or comics or whatnot.  and Sniper because he’s a good listener and will allow him to just trail behind him all afternoon and talk his ear off.  and because after he came out of his shell, Sniper turned out to be just as much a troublemaker he was

Scout, Sniper, and Demo are the three to watch out for if there’s even a hint of a “so stupid it’s dangerous but sounds fun” idea floating around.  jumping off the base into a pool?  they’re gonna do it.  see how long someone can hold to the top of the camper while Sniper drives donuts in the desert?  let’s get drinks and see how bad this can go.  “I dare you to take a sip out the sewage water under the bridge.”  “okay, but you gotta do my chores for a week.”

also hi, you’re Sparkles now

[astrobydalia]

🌸OBSERVATIONS!! (finally lmao)🌱

Credit: Tumblr blog @astrobydalia

It's been a long time coming! So happy for spring being finally here! Here's the long ass observation post you guys asked for. Since it's quite a big amount of observations, I've decided it'd be a good idea to number them so that it's easier to reference them. As always, enjoy them!

🌸 1. Lilith in the 2nd house can indicate something fishy going on with the relationship between the native’s parents.

🌱 2. Malefic placements such as pluto, chiron, Saturn or Lilith in the 12th indicates a lot of skeletons in the closet when it comes to family and family history

🌸 3. Chiron in Aries/1st house or Leo/5th house is kind of bitch placement. The person basically feels like they can’t be themselves and there’s a lot of self-denial and/or not accepting themselves, how they really are, what they really want, etc. Lots of self-esteem issues

🌱 4. People with sexual placements in the 2nd house (Mars, Venus, Lilith, Eros, ruler of the 8th house) base their self-worth on how sexually attractive they are. If they don't feel sexually desirable to everyone, they feel like they're shit

🌸 5. Lilith is what people think Pluto/Scorpio is!!!! All that stuff about magnetic, sexual and intoxicating but dangerous? Lilith.

🌱 6. Scorpio/Pluto in 4th could mean that the person had to work hard to survive something growing up. It could be poverty, their parents’ expectations, an early trauma, etc. Whatever the situation is, the native felt like they grew up in a high-stress environment where they had to endure and survive

🌸 7. When it comes to degrees, the higher the degree, the bigger or stronger the effect. For example Leo degrees (5º, 17º, 29º) are fame degrees. 5th degree would give small fame, 17th degree would be normal and significant fame or recognition inside the person’s field and 29th degree is moreso widespread or permanent fame

🌱 8. Saturn in the 5th house is a huge indicator of turning your hobby into your job. Also these people can be very awkward in their personality

🌸 9. I’ve noticed people with Neptune in the 6th (maybe 2nd) house may have been hospitalized and if Uranus or Pluto are placed here also indicates getting surgery or operations for health reasons

🌱 10. People with Uranus or Pluto in the 1st, 2nd or conjunct the ASC could get surgery due to aesthetic reason

🌸 11. Mercury dominant people (or strong Gemini energy in the chart) like to have or get things quick and easy. For example they prefer a straight forward summary over an in-depth and elaborated explanation with too many details

🌱 12. Your moon sign shows how you see your past. Your 4th house represent how you see your childhood. But your moon represents under which light you always view your past and everything that has happened in your life in general. It also shows the type of stuff from your past you tend to focus on. Since Cancer and Pisces represent past and remenaicence, that's why Cancer and Pisces moons have trouble getting over the past.

🌸 13. Your 10th house on the other hand is how you see your future. Whenever someone asks you “where you see yourself in 5 years?” your 10th house is the one that’ll be answering that question

🌱 14. Gemini moon/mars are the LEAST likely to hold grudges (unless chart says otherwise)

🌸 15. The house where you have your Neptune indicates the themes you tend to lie about, don’t give much info, say stuff about it that are misleading etc. and in consequence people might not have a clear/correct idea of this part of your life

🌱 16. Virgo risings rarely or basically never pose for pictures. They just look straight forward to the camera, sometimes smile and maybe make a small gesture like putting one hand in their pocket or tilt their head but that’s it. (Virgo = minimalism)

🌸 17. Scorpios really don’t give a single fuck they just DON’T 😭💀 Remember this sign is all or nothing, they either care too or don't care AT ALL

🌱 18. I said it once and I’ll say to a hundred times more: Geminis are not two-faced, it’s LIBRA!! Seriously Libras are the FAKEST people I’ve ever met. Why? Because it's ruled by the planet of love (Venus), which means Libra has a knack for being liked by everyone and making everyone feel liked. HOWEVER Libra is an AIR sign and air represents mind, NOT feelings. In conclusion, Libra can make you feel "loved" (venus) and still not give a damn about you bc its air nature makes them prone to emotional detachment. That's why they are able to roast you and make it look like they're complimenting you, specially when they have Scorpio mercury.

🌸 19. Just like you look at where’s the ruler of your rising sign to get more info on your rising, check the ruler of your Sun sign for more info on your personal identity (check sign and house). For ex. I have Virgo Sun in the 9th. Ruler of Virgo=Mercury. I have mercury in Libra in the 10th house which makes me more serious (10th house) and diplomatic/people pleaser (Libra)

🌱 20. If you found that you “couldn’t” do what’s previously described because you’re a Leo sun, check the degree and decan of your Sun

🌸 21. I’ve noticed mercury retrograde people are the type of individuals who always know exactly the right things to say. You’ll always see them take a couple of seconds before answering but they tend to give very good responses

🌱 22. I’ve noticed many women with Virgo Venus/Sun/MC/Lilith have been slut-shamed at some point of their life or they’ve been seen as promiscuous/sexual/etc.

🌸 23. Capricorn moons are not emotionless machines. The thing with these natives is that their mothers treated them like an adult the second they came out of the womb, so basically they skipped the “love and affection” stage and went straight to the “grow up” stage, but they can love really hard and real deep (Capricorn is deep down a very sentimental sign). They are very ride or die people tbh, they are very patient, accepting and understanding

🌱 24. I've noticed that people at first deny their rising sign in Vedic astrology, but eventually they end up accepting it and they actually end up relating to it a lot. I feel like this is because our rising sign in Vedic astrology is usually the sign of our 12th house in Western astrology, which leads me to believe that our 12th house sign is not our shadow side but more like our deep subcontious personality and that's why we have a hard time accepting it when we see it as our rising sign in Vedic astrology. It's like your rising sign (in western) is the director of the play but your 12th house is the energy that previously wrote the script

🌸 25. So many celebrities have moon in the 11th house. Also this placement indicates that you had a mother that put you out there constantly like posting everything about you on social media, bringing you to big events or your mom was “famous” in some capacity

🌱26. Gemini risings tend to believe everything they are told. More specifically, once they find someone that knows a little bit more than them they’ll believe everything they teach them and will most likely rely on them intellectually, for advice, guidance, etc. This is bc they have DSC in Sagittarius which makes them see the people they associate with as masters and mentors while, as a Gemini rising, they identify as an apprentice.

🌸27. Both 8th house and 12th house have been associated with secrets. The different is that the 8th house represents what you CONTIOUSLY and deliberately hide from others and most likely deny to yourself (or not, depends on the person). 12th house on the other hand represents subconscious, things that are hidden even from you and you didn’t even know were hidden. 4th house is not necessarily secrets, it represents privacy, like when people have a sanctuary to just relax, unwind and feel secure, that’s the 4th house.

🌱28. Sun or Moon in the 4th house will make you a sociable but private person.

🌸29. Sun or moon in the 8th house will make you an intriguing and mysterious person.

🌱30. Sun or moon the 12th house makes you a very elusive or wishy-washy person

🌸31. I’ve seen many Scorpio sun/moon/mars/rising individuals obsessed with the idea of being prepared for a catastrophe. They could be the type to, for example, have some saved cash just in case something bad happens with their bank money, have a backup account just in case their main one gets deleted, could have a “leave before you get left” philosophy, etc.

🌱32. Is it just me or the astro community talks a lot about Aries moons???

🌸33. I’ve noticed people with 4th house in Virgo could have been raised in a very judgemental household where there was lots of taboos and prejudice as to what’s right and what’s not and the family was too preoccupied with a perfect and immaculate reputation. For example could have been raised with values such as “only criminals wear tattoos” or “you should stay celibate till marriage or else you’re a whore”, etc. and if the native broke those rules they could have been very criticized and almost loathed by the family. They native could have been highly criticized in general by their family

🌱34. I’ve noticed women that have their moon harshly aspecting Pluto, Uranus and Mars or overall have a very afflicted moon tend to have very painful period cramps

🌸35. Something I have noticed with Venus or Moon conjunct Saturn people is that the concept of unconditional love sounds like alien language to them. That of course doesn’t mean they can’t love but they have this deep belief that they have to achieve something in order to deserve love and stuff like that

🌱36. Also, I just noticed that people with Saturn conjunct sun/moon/Venus/ASC, Capricorn big 3 or Capricorn degrees in personal placements have gone through IT man, specially on an internal level. I've noticed going through depression is a common theme for people with this Capricorn/Saturn influence

🌸37. Virgo Suns could often struggle to find balance between having healthy ego and being humble.

🌱38. Also people with Virgo+Leo energy are the MOOOOST judgmental people out there. Imagine ego mixed with a sense of knowing what’s correct. They tend to believe they’re morally superior and easily liable people as inferior

🌸39. The underdeveloped energy of a sign asimilates negative traits of its sister sign. For example underdeveloped Virgo is overly perfectionist and judgmental to the point where they have unrealistic expectations (Pisces)

🌱40. On the other hand the developed version of a sign is balanced out by understanding its sister sign. For example Leo knows they are unique and special and deserves recognition but understands everyone is also unique in their own way (Aquarius)

🌸41. I’ve noticed a person can very easily manifest the stereotypical characteristics of the sign that naturally rules the house where their chart ruler is. For example if someone’s chart ruler (ruler of the ASC) is in the 7th house the person can easily manifest stereotypical characteristics of Libra like being a people pleaser

🌱42. Sagittarius ASC/Mars people are all fun, amicable and outgoing.... until they don’t get their way. They will get away from people and situations that won’t give them what they want and they can genuinely dislike people solely because those people don’t let them have their way. They tend to go around life like they have a free pass to get away with everything they want.

🌸43. People with ASC-Neptune aspects don’t have a very reliable vision of reality or themselves to be honest. I don’t know how people with this aspect haven’t lost their mind already. They are prone to subconsciously manipulating or easily getting manipulated. With hard aspects this is a lot more obvious but I’ve noticed with easy aspects this energy tends to go almost unnoticed and they easily get away with stuff

🌱44. Have seen many famous people with North node in the 2nd, 5th, 11th and 12th houses specially

🌸45. Air risings or air dominance with Sagittarius placements/degrees are people who love cartoons/animations/videogames regardless of their age.

🌱46. When I got into astrology I didn’t understand why Sun is in detriment in Libra, but oh man... All Libras I’ve met had HUGE issues with trusting themselves. They doubt themselves 24/7 and that’s not even an exaggeration and I’ve noticed they actually may have grown up doubting themselves for some reason or they had a family (their dad) that caused this feeling in them. Also I’ve seen that those Libras with Scorpio placements feel like they have to hide something about themselves otherwise they’ll be rejected. Yes they are endlessly charming, but that's because they have essentially created their personality around the desire of being liked/accepted. They always need to feel they have SOMEONE. Their sense of self, INDIVIDUALITY, independence and assertiveness is lost in the process. Unless they have fire and specially Aries placements to balance this out they can feel like they have no personality and that’s why they are often perceived as fake or shallow.

🌸47. Literally ALL Virgo placements one way or another will always suggest a way to solve your problems when giving emotional support

🌱48. I have a theory that, since 4th house is how you were raised, your home and your parents, your 10th house is how you’d be as a parent yourself and the type of home you’ll create yourself

🌸49. Contrary to my expectations, I’ve seen priests having a much more prominent 4th house (many times combined with 8th house/Scorpio energy) than 12th house. People with 12th house placements or stellium seem to prefer artistic fields rather than classic spirituality

🌱50. The house where you have your Pluto is a house you just can NOT take lightly EVER. This area of your life feels like a heavy topic to you in some way (you are either obsessed with it, find It traumatic, get extremely defensive over it, find it spiteful, you feel everything goes wrong, etc, etc.) Can also apply to the house where you have the sign of scorpio

🌸51. In synastry, Venus falling in the 12th house creates a healing dynamic in the relationship, the connection can feel cathartic specially for the house person. The house person might tend to always be comforted by the venus person’s support, always feel better (or even energetically “cleansed”) after being with them. The venus person never judges the house person and accepts them and is always willing to be there.

🌱52. I’ve noticed this pattern in people with mutable moons where they have absent mothers in some shape or form. Their mother is very inconsistent, she always comes and goes. Very often the native may have felt like their mother always “left them be” (virgo moon moms put restrictions but eventually are rather flexible)

🌸53. People with cardinal moons have bossy mothers. In many cases they can have the type of mother that is constantly making decisions for them, like their mother decides what/where they’re going to study for example (the house tells what type of things the mother tends to make decisions on).

🌱54. People with fixed moons have possesive and protective moms. While mutable moons have absent mothers, natives with fixed moons have mothers that are ALWAYS there in some shape or form. At the very least the influence of the mother is always there and they always have this sense of “loyalty” towards their mom.

Credit: Tumblr blog @astrobydalia

That's it for now, next observation post is just as long but much better, stay tuned and safe loves 💕

[rubyinasnuggie]

Random Headcanons No One Asked For:

-Both Ruby and Weiss are left handed

--Yang was 100% prepared to tease them about it when Blake very pointedly uses her left hand to write something

--Blake is ambidextrous

--which makes Yang the only right-handed one on the team

--until the fall of beacon oops

-Ren is fully color blind

--once baby Nora figured that out, she made it her mission to explain to him what colors are based on other sensations (sue me I love this trope)

--she describes pink as the quiet comfort they share in each other's presence

--Ren finally sees color for the first time when his semblance upgrades, and he can finally see the pink petals with Nora

-Blake likes to climb on things and find random nooks and crannies to read

--it turns into a game of reverse hide-and-seek when someone needs her: depending on how urgent it is the entire squad will drop everything and look for her

-team STRQ won the Vytal tournament their first year, specifically Summer was the champion

--Yang was more upset about the disqualification than she'd ever admit, because she secretly imagined Summer was out there somewhere watching the tournament, proud of her babies

-Tai pulled himself out of his depression by gardening: having a routine helped him, so he encouraged baby Ruby and Yang to get similar gentle hobbies

-Ruby raises chickens at home

--she very lovingly feeds them corn and calls them her ladies

--Yang affectionately calls them creatures and cluckers and other such rude things to get a rise out of Ruby

-Ruby deeply wants a cow

--this is her one and only retirement dream

--although honestly she can never imagine herself living past her 20s

-Yang struggled with picking a hobby, she gets bored easily and hates the expected

--its only post-Beacon that she understands the benefits of a routine

--thats why she ends up with a ton of chores, just some structure to help her through the day

-Ruby will drink any type of milk, but Strawberry milk is her favorite

-Sun is allergic to bananas but he doesn't know

--he thinks bananas are supposed to be spicy

-Weiss loves sour apple

-Pyrrha loves chocolate almonds

-Yang thinks fish are creepy, she just generally doesn't love the ocean

--she thinks Neptune is a little clown though

-Oscar gets dressed by putting on his left sock, left boot, then his right sock and right boot

--RNJR made it their mission to interrupt him during this just to see him walk around with one boot on

-Ruby likes to bake, it's one of the few solid memories she has of her mom

--one night Weiss was feeling homesick and Ruby taught her how to make mug cakes

--"its probably not that good compared to your cake butler, but it's pretty simple, and I like them!"

--Weiss secretly makes them at least once a week, even back home in Atlas

-Weiss has taken flight lessons, at one point Ironwood really pushed for her to become a pilot in the military

-Blake has a field journal of the different types of Grimm she's encountered

--team RWBY & JNPR have spent several nights sitting in a circle talking and adding to the journal

--while traveling across Anima, Ruby sketched and took notes on all the Grimm she saw, just in case she ever found Blake again

-Weiss collects rocks

--no, not crystals. actual rocks

--shes rarely spent time in the real outside, but whenever she has, she picks up little rocks and puts them in her pocket before anyone can see

-Jaune never actually stopped writing left and right on the bottom of his shoes actually

-Weiss had never been allowed to paint her nails as a kid, she'd always get weekly French manicures instead

--by the second semester at Beacon, Ruby, Weiss, Nora, and Ren would have weekly manicure nights where they'd paint each other's nails

--there were several times they'd rope the rest of the teams into it, especially during the Vytal tournament where they'd write team names on their nails

--during the singles round they'd write Yang on one hand and Pyrha on the other

--"we couldn't make it fit without cutting one of the R's!"

-Pyrrha and Weiss became each other's default plus one's for fancy events, to the point people began to speculate that the two were dating

--Jaune was somehow jealous of them both and it was very confusing to him since he had poor self awareness

-Yang cuts Ruby's hair, but after she lost her arm she lost the fine motor skills to do a good job, so Blake started to do it

-Blake is always there to help Yang with her phantom pains and residual limb pain

--she helps massage Yang's arm while leaning close and purring

--Yang cried the first time Blake did this because she's not used to being taken care of

-Nora never gets sick and is the designated nurse when a bug goes around the teams

--the electricity incident was the first time Nora has ever been bed-ridden

-Weiss took ballet as a child

-Jaune is actually pretty good at the guitar

-Pyrrha is not musically inclined at all its a miracle she managed to do the iconic JNPR shine dance

--jk but actually she's a decent dancer when she has the steps choreographed for her but she has no natural rhythm

-in the last few months before Pyrrha's death, she and Jaune would waltz on top of the roof together

--there were several almost kisses

--maybe a few successful kisses who knows

-there are occasions (obv extremely rare) when Ren actually takes the bulk of the energy from Nora

--this leads to thrilling game nights where Ren makes multiple 40pt remnant-equiv-of-scrabble plays while Nora naps

-Oscar is the only person who can beat Ren in scrabble, although it's very closely matched

-Oscar is amazing at chess and will play it against himself like a little square

-Yang and Ruby are experts at the tabletop war game they play in the library

--9 times out of 10, the winner is one of them

-Oscar is the only one who also knew about Compost King, which was very exciting for Jaune

--Compost King is a common game night activity while they were in Haven because its so hard to say no to Oscar

-Yang is a straight-A student and has always been

-Blake never had any formal education and she finds a lot of the classes incredibly dull or ineffective at teaching the material

--she's always the one convincing Yang to skip a class and lie in the sun-warmed grass with her

--she still gets Bs easily

-Oscar is a very fast reader and will devour any book he's given

--his aunt would frequently bring home books from town just to keep him entertained

-Ruby has suffered from migraines and nightmares her entire life, post-Beacon they only got worse

-Weiss shops at local dust stores whenever she can, even though she could get shipments for free

--however she does have Ron Swanson's "I know more than you" energy when she's shopping

-Blake and Ren will sometimes take naps together

--not cuddling, just occupying the same general space

--wake them up at your own risk

-if Ruby isn't engaged with something, she can start to scatter and dissolve into rose petals

--its a very slow process and someone has always snapped her out of it before she's fully vanished, but Yang is worried about what would happen if no one caught her in time

-Ren is afraid of horses

-Blake hates being cold

-Yang naturally radiates heat cause semblance duh

-Weiss glued the tiniest gravity crystals to the underside of Ruby's bed to ensure it never falls

-JNPR likes to push their beds all together so they can sleep in one big pile

-Nora can only sleep if she's holding someone's hand

Hope u guys enjoyed! These are in no particular order, sorry that I kinda jumped around a lot 😅

Feel free to reblog and add your own ideas and headcanons! ❤

[darkmulti]

I LOOOOOOOOOOVE YOUR NEW BTS HEADCANONS

They’re literally so good I can’t get over them!

I’d like to request stepbrother tae with younger reader, where the reader is inexperienced and tae teaches her everything. With some yandere themes, age gap, virginity loss, praising, master/angel calling.

Thanks very much :)

-> thank you, bb😙

-> sorry for any mistakes

⚠️: Yandere!Taehyung, virgin!reader, stepbrother!Taehyung, age gap (reader is 18 and Taehyung is 28)

Your dad proposed to his two year long girlfriend

Your mom passed away when you were 6 and your dad has been raising you as a single father until he met his now fiancé when you were 16

You accepted the relationship because your father meant the world to you

After your mom’s death, he fell into a deep depression but kept going for you

He loved, protected and cared about you greatly

Your dad waited for you to turn 18 before proposing to his girlfriend

The reason why is because, he didn’t want you to feel left out or forgotten

He wanted you to enjoy the last 2 years of your childhood before you join the harsh, adult world

Your dad was the best dad you could ask for and all you wanted was to see him happy again

And you knew this marriage was the answer

You helped your future step mom with everything

From picking little decor for the tables, to the bridesmaids dresses, to the theme of the wedding — your step mother wanted your opinion on everything

You both finally got the chance to bond without your dad third wheeling

While you guys were out, doing some last minute shopping, your step mother confessed something

“Sweetheart, I’m so excited to marry your father but something in my heart feels incomplete.”

You scrunch your face and immediately ask her “what’s wrong?”

“My son…” she hesitated but continued, “… I want to invite him to our wedding but I’m not sure how he’d react to me re-marrying. After all, he’s daddy’s boy.”

“You have a son? How come dad’s never told me?” You said and frowned

“Well, I don’t like talking about it very much. My son is not the biggest fan of me, but in the end, he is still my child.”

“I don’t understand… why doesn’t he like you?”

“His dad made him believe that I cheated on him, even though it was the other way around. Taehyung left me behind without letting me explain what actually happened.”

“I’m so sorry about that. Maybe you can send him an invitation. If he comes, he comes, if he doesn’t then he’s missing out.”

She chuckled and started walking again

“I guess you’re right. Thank you for the reassurance.”

The wedding arrived faster than you imagined

Since the morning, you’ve been running back and forth, making sure everything’s perfect because you don’t want your dad nor your step mom to be stressed

The ceremony itself took place during the day time and in the evening, there was going to be a reception party

The ceremony went well, but your step mom seemed to be a little upset

You assumed it was because her son, “Taehyung” didn’t show up

You felt bad for her, but there was nothing you could do

The reception party was amazing

Your dad and step mom were enjoying every bit of it

The food was amazing, everyone was cheering & bringing up past memories

All was going well till someone walked in that caught your step moms attention and wiped the smile off her face

You followed her stare and saw a handsome man wearing a black suit standing in the door way

“Taehyung?”

Your step mom said, before getting up and running to him

She was about to pull him in for a hug but he rejected

“I see you got married again, mother. Does this guy know he’s wasting his time on a cheater?”

That was when you butted in and stepped in front of your step mom

“If you have nothing good to say, then leave. Your mother is trying to make amends with you and if you can’t cooperate, you might as well go home.”

“And who are you?”

“I’m her daughter.” You said, proudly

“Step daughter, Taehyung.” Your step mom chimed in, not wanting her son to get the wrong idea

Taehyung rolled his eyes and went towards the bar

“Please don’t let him spoil your night, ma. I’ll keep him out of trouble.”

You thought Taehyung was going to do something obnoxious but, no

He sat down at a table all the way in the corner and started talking to you

You were a charming girl and he absolutely loved it

Your eyes full of love and innocence

He asked you about your dating life and you replied that you weren’t interested

That’s when Taehyung knew, he had to stick around

6 months had gone by and Taehyung finally apologized to his mother

Your step mom was over joyed that her son was back

She felt like her life was getting back together

You still lived with your parents, but they didn’t mind since you were in university

Taehyung on the other hand lived in his own apartment near your university

He was actually a professor at your university

One day, your dad asked you if you could sleep over at Taehyung’s place for one night

You asked why and your dad said that this was the day he asked out your step mom so he wanted to do something special

You agreed and packed your bags

Taehyung picked you up and took you back to his place

He kept the conversation going by asking you about school, hobbies, ect

He even offered to give you a private tutoring session for free

The evening with him was going very well

He ordered pizza and there was a movie starting on the T.V

Halfway in the movie, there was a sex scene that made both of you a little needy

You started to move around more and Taehyung was quick to notice

He also had a solution to make you stop

He put his arm around your waist and pulled in closer to him

You were about to ask him what he was doing until you felt his thumb rub your clit in a circular motion

You accidentally let out a loud moan in satisfaction

Taehyung didn’t waste this opportunity and kissed you hard

He turned the T.V off and got on top of you, rubbing his raging bugle against your clit

You started rubbing against him too, wanting him to fill you up

He removed your shorts and started rubbing your clit faster

“Have you ever played with yourself like this before?”

“N- No.”

“Let master show you how to pleasure yourself, okay.”

He pulled you into his lap and made you spread your legs wide

He guided your hands on your clit

“Rub it, angel.. It whatever way it feels good.”

You started off slow but it wasn’t satisfying you so you increased your speed

You were about to cum but Taehyung slapped your hand away from your clit

“Rule number one, angel. You will not cum without master’s permission.”

“Okay.”

He slapped your clit, making you flinch in his lap

“Rule number two, you call me master. Understood?”

“Understood, master.”

“Good, angel. Master likes fast learners.”

Taehyung’s hand made it’s way back to your private area

He pushed in the tip of his pointer finger and you let out a squeal

“M-master! It hurts.”

“I know, angel. You’re so tight, that’s why…” he removed his finger from you and brought it up to your mouth, “angel, suck my finger.”

You happily opened your mouth and sucked on his pointer finger till it was wet with your saliva

“Perfect, angel.”

He slipped it back in, but this time it went in easier

“Master, don’t take it out. It feels good.” You whisper as you rocked your hips for some friction

He immediately removed it causing you to whine and squirm a little

“Rule number three. You don’t tell master what to do. Understood?”

“Yes, master. I’m sorry.” You said, softly

“Rule number four, you don’t whine. I don’t want any whining, angel. Or else, I won’t give you what you want.”

“I understand, master. It won’t happen again.”

You were so obedient, it was driving Taehyung crazy

You were so desperate for his touch and love

“Okay angel, lay down on your back and put your legs in the air.”

You did exactly what he said and spread your legs wide

He slid his fingers along your slit only to find out how wet you’d gotten just from all the teasing

He spread your wetness all over your hole for some lube then pushed in the tip

You were a little scared so you touched around for something to grab onto and Taehyung noticed

He intertwined both of his hands with yours before pushing deep inside you

You screamed a little because it was your first time

“M- Master. Slow.”

“It’s okay, angel. It’ll only hurt for a little bit.”

He pushed his whole length in you and kept his pace slow

“Master, it hurts!” You yelled, throwing your head back and releasing your tears

Taehyung quickened his pace so you could adjust to him faster

After a couple of fast thrust, you started moaning and rolling your eyes back in pleasure

You let go of his hands and held onto his back

“Master-mmmh!”

Taehyung placed his thumb on your clit and started rubbing it while fucking you faster

“M- Master! It feels so good.”

“I know. You’re taking me so well, angel.” He whispered into your ears, sending chills down your spine

Taehyung has been dreaming of this moment ever since he met you

All he wanted was to fuck you rough and raw

The idea of claiming you become more and more intense as time went by

You made him crazy

All the love and innocence in your eyes turned into lust for him

“Master, a- a little fa- faster, please. I’m close.”

Taehyung grabbed onto your hips and started fucking you as hard as he could

You were moaning so loudly, he knew you were close

“Tell me angel, what was rule number one again?”

“Don’t c- cum without master’s permission.”

Right after you finished your sentence, you hit your high and wanted to release

“Master! Please let me cum!” You yelled, clenching around him as hard as you could in order to stop yourself from coming

Taehyung groaned when you clenched around him

It was like paradise

“Master, please! I beg you! I can’t hold it!”

He pushed his whole length in one more time before saying, “release, angel.”

You covered his cock in a coat of cum while he filled you up

Both of you were panting heavily until Taehyung pulled out and carried you to his room

“You did such a good job, angel. Now let master take care of you.”

Just like that, you fell into his trap

[alluringjae]

until dawn - ljn

part I | part II

⤑ summary: basic number one rule of the museum is not to touch the art. but no one told jeno that falling for one of them isn’t allowed either.

⤑ pairing: jeno x female reader

⤑ word count: 14k

⤑ genre: fluff, humor, angst | broke architecture major!jeno, historical figure!reader, college!au

⤑ warnings: jaemin mentions onlyfans as a joke, references to actual historical figures (some try to flirt with jeno lol) and literature, explicit language

⤑ author’s note: wow, i’ve had this idea for almost two years! this one was inspired by one of my favorite childhood movies, night at the museum. it definitely required a lot of research and brainstorming, and finally i brought it to life! it was so fun to play around with the characters, and even if majority of them are real people, this is all still fiction.

i also wanna mention one of my moots, marge for enlightening me about her life as an architecture major.

⤑ taglist: @renjunniehome​ (dm me if you want to be added) 

⤑ leave me some feedback, constructive criticism or hellos!

Dormitory rent was another thing to worry about aside from the inflated university tuition per semester. Although he’s lucky to have his parents backing him up already on it, paying the monthly rent for his dorm was the remaining objective on Jeno’s list.

Plus, money for food. The man was a heavy eater, following the whole “gym is life” mantra.

Splitting it already with two of his dorm mates turned best friends, Renjun and Jaemin, his plate felt lighter. But the question still lies: where on earth was he going to get the money?

He’s practically checked out every available part-timing job in university and anywhere near campus. Barista at the same café Jaemin works at, teaching assistant for an art school for kids, convenience store cashier, library assistant, all taken in a heartbeat. The burden of his friends paying his debt these past months took a toll on him, almost to the point he almost considered making an Onlyfans.

“Yah, just find something else! Part-timers are in demand right now!” Renjun intensely closed his laptop before his older friend gets any suggestive thoughts.

“I mean, you didn’t work out your body to look the way it is for nothing.” Jaemin pitched otherwise, lifting the front back up. “When do you want to start filming? Loads of chicks would dig a piece of you!”

The contradicting opinions of his friends were like the devil and angel debating on his shoulders. Useless, he gave this worry a rest and returned to drawing new plates. A common thing when you’re an architecture major. Those deadlines were nearing. Looks like he’ll pull another all-nighter again.

Good thing most of his classes were late in the morning until 6 pm.

As if someone from above heard his petition, Jeno saw a help wanted sign posted on the bulletin board outside of the university museum. He initially went there to document some artwork and architecture models from Greek and Roman times, further analyzing how they’re still apparent in modern buildings.

The sign explained the need for one part-timer from any college to cover the night shift of the museum due to the current night guard’s full semester absence. He only had to come in 3x a week, choosing his days since he was still a student. Even the pay was above average, considering that most part-timers never go beyond midnight. Jeno would, on the other hand, always staying for his projects or gaming with the boys. Drinking sometimes during late-night Fridays with his entire college crew.

The pay would leave him a load of extra cash for himself, thus he sent an application to the museum office right before he left. A week later, while he was out with the boys, he got a text from the office that they wanted to meet him again for a final interview first thing on Monday.

Perhaps it was having architecture as his course and a healthy physique that landed him the part-timer position. Mainly, the latter because guards required strong endurance and fighting skills when worse comes to worst. It would start at 9 pm until 6 am the following day, and there was a designated uniform of it too. Blue blazer with matching trousers, white dress top, and loafers.

Aside from the typical museum etiquette the head director instructed him about, there was an unofficial list of tips written on paper given from the night guard on leave when the director handed you over his box of office-related things.

Only read at the night guard office once you’re the remaining staff left.

He did as he was told like an obedient son, flipping the succeeding page.

 To my temporary replacement,

This part-timing job is nothing regular than the other jobs. You’ll witness things as you’ve never imagined them to be, almost like witchcraft. You’ll be lost and maybe frightened, or that’s how I felt the first time because no one led me through it all those years ago. Lucky for you, I made this small guide on how to properly take care of the place that the other staff doesn’t know about.

Before you proceed, I request you take a 5-minute stroll around the lobby first to understand what I’m talking about. After such, go back to the office or somewhere quiet then browse through the guide as quickly as you could.

Art is timeless here, so they need to be taken care of.

Good luck!

 Park Sanghoon

Night Guard on Leave

 Nothing could’ve prepared Jeno for what’s to come once he unlocked the office door. They say that art brings so much color to our life, allowing us to feel all sorts of emotions in a glimpse. But no one ever interpreted art to be literally alive and walking in the halls.

Behold, random wax figures and marble sculptures that he’s seen in the past roamed the hallways, as well as the paintings were interacting with each other side by side. Even the standee of a puppy from the entrance played fetch with one of those sculptures. He swore he looked like Hermes the messenger god from his arrow headpiece and sandals.

It made more sense why the guard on leave explained his feelings during the first day because it resembled Jeno’s. But unlike that guard, Jeno sucked it up. No one ever does well on the first day, even if others say otherwise. The first day was a learning experience, so he collected his thoughts even though the goosebumps triggered his body during that one rotation.

There was an indoor garden, already locked by the day guard earlier. The only room without any art piece, where students lounge to study the plants or relax in nature.

The sculptures section ahead, showcasing various fictional figures specifically from Greek mythology, chattered away about family drama and beliefs. The sculptures of Hades and Zeus, according to their title plate, argued relentlessly about power while Athena always intervened by shouting or even throwing arrows or daggers to any of the lightbulbs there.

That was one rule in the guide, but Jeno didn’t know yet until he came inside the room and swerved the attention of the arguing duo.

“Well, what do we have here?” Zeus, in the center, straightened his posture on his throne to present himself in a more regal way. “Are you perhaps the temporary replacement of Sir Sanghoon?”

“Sir Sanghoon’s stand-in is rather good looking, don’t you think?” Hera mused, stepping down from her throne beside Zeus to take a closer look at the taller male. Her cold fingers trailed his jaw until his chest, where his heart was beating intensely. She even pinched his toned bicep, mouthing wow.

“Truly handsome you are, my dear. So full of life, please introduce yourself to us.”

While Jeno introduced himself to everyone in that room, he answered any sorts of questions they had for him too. From his age, educational background, hobbies, Aphrodite just had to ask him if he had a girlfriend because he was that handsome.

“Nope, I’m single. With my degree in architecture, the requirements are so heavy I can’t even try dating.”

Mentioning his degree excited the gods, telling him how their people created and designed all these temples to house them and perform rituals. They loved it so much. This was a copy-paste of what Jeno learned from his history classes, and for a first, he’s hearing the perspective of the Greek gods.

Mind-boggling that he hasn’t fully freaked out yet. That’s what Athena anticipated when Sanghoon told her about his short leave, putting her in charge of everyone for the meantime while the replacement settled down.

The college museum was built during the late 70s as a gift from one of the alumni. It was for the purpose to preserve history and educate college students outside the classroom. The Greek mythology exhibit was the oldest one, making Athena have more seniority. Over her stay, she’s seen every new guard lose their senses during the first night. Some not even returning for a second night. She got used to every outcome, and so far, only 8 people lasted after the first night. A couple of students in the 70s and 80s, Sanghoon in the 90s, and now Jeno was one of them.

“Jeno, aren’t you terrified by us? You just got a job in a museum that comes to life every night, and it’s not a normal thing.”

“Well, I’m still shaken up about it. But it’s my first night, and it’s when I learn everything about the place from head to toe. Plus, I really need the money.”

“Money for what? But you’re young, a student even!”

“Yes, I am. However, I do pay for the rent in my dorm. So, this job is like my first big responsibility, and I want to perform well.”

Athena commended his sense of authority, capable of leading himself. She noticed how well-spoken and poised he is, respecting and listening to everything the gods and goddesses said even if they were nonsense. She never liked to compromise with her power, taking a while to like Sanghoon back in the day. Though Jeno looked like a natural leader on his first night. If he could take care of himself well, he’s skilled to take care of the rest in the museum as well.

Plus she had full control on the nights he won’t be there, especially the weekend.

With his potential, Athena mentored him the entire night about the gist of the entire museum. Every upcoming leader needs an intelligent mentor, right? She was naturally gifted with worthy leadership skills, managing Jeno like her own child.

Athena explained how the museum came to life, which was through a royal golden plate from the Oriental room. It was a gift from a popular sorceress in China to an affluent family from the Han dynasty, who wished them a long life after she was saved from invaders due to them. The plate preserved over time, becoming an artifact. Its power remained immortal, mutating to bring life wherever it goes. In this case, the museum since its arrival in the late 70s as well.

“That’s why the Oriental room must be locked always so no one could touch or break the plate.”

After she ordered Jeno to lock the mentioned room, alongside the Foreign Art Exhibit Room which he checked out for his class, she led him to the best view of the entire museum. Center of the second floor, where stairs were on both sides. Jeno marveled at the vivacious atmosphere, witnessing actual art living, breathing, and enjoying themselves.

“Unreal, right?” She leaned in the railing, scanning through the chatty paintings.

Jeno also leaned down, deep in thought and wonder. “Absolutely, Athena. How come no one knows about this? Art coming to life? It’ll invite more students to the museum.”

“That goes against a golden rule as a night guard in this museum.” She replied bluntly. “The life that goes on inside this museum at night must remain a secret to the public.”

Jeno predicted this kind of response, having watched too many films where anything supernatural mustn’t be revealed. Although he liked the advantage of knowing something this powerful, he’d never abuse it.

Athena’s intellect was beyond the world, seamlessly reading Jeno’s expression and what he was thinking. He had good intentions even if he’s a bit mischievous. She needed to keep a keen eye on him, but for now, he needed to explore on his own.

“Anyways, Sanghoon still left out some other details. So if you have any questions, I’ll be at my exhibit trying to shut my father and my uncle up again.”

“Can you not use any weapons to do so?”

“Can’t make any promises, Jeno.” She slyly cracked her knuckles and neck as if she was fighting another battle.

Jeno was silently left with himself, finally browsing through Sanghoon’s guide while seated in one of the museum benches.

It consisted of 25 rules, wherein the first two rules consisted of locking up. One, for the doors and gates of the museum, so no art piece could escape. If they do, they will turn into dust when the sun is out according to Athena. Two, locking the Oriental and Foreign Art Rooms, which was already done.

Rule #5: Let Mochi the puppy from the lobby tag along with you; feed him treats if you have any.

On cue, the little guy barked from the corridor and raced to his side. Jeno carried him, babying him for a little and letting him lick his face a few times before putting him back down. He’s surely going to the pet store first thing in the morning with the museum allowance the director gave him.

Since he was on the second floor, he read and followed the rules that fit in before returning downstairs. On the other side of the floor were the wax figures exhibitions: one for prominent men in history while the other for prominent women. Well, more people to get acquainted with.

It’s the exchange of gasps and profanities he received when he chose the latter room. Seeing their faces, these were women he’s learned in school and online. Now in the (fake) flesh. Except for one girl he’s never heard of, unbothered in her corner sketching her life away in a sketchpad. But before he could check who she was, a suggestive touch on his arm distracted him.

“My, oh my, Hera wasn’t lying when she said that the new night guard was a fine specimen.” By her dark blue eyeshadow and eyeliner with the snake-like crown, Cleopatra studied him like he was one of the most renowned art pieces. Even patting his chest, abdomen, and arms with both her hand, Jeno caught a suggestive glint in her eyes and a smirk across her red lips.

Rule #13: Reject Cleopatra’s seductive advances at all costs.

“Goodness, Cleopatra. It’s only his first night, and you’re scaring him.” With her accent, round eyes, and a chic formal outfit, she carried a posh aura while unhesitatingly scolding the Queen of the Nile.

“Come on now, Diana. He’s stunning, who wouldn’t go after him?” If no one knew her, you’re not reading up on your world history. She’s said to have been a lovely and intelligent woman, gone so soon. Jeno definitely understood why after she detached Cleopatra’s raging hands off him.

Rule #14: Treat Princess Diana and Hera like your own parent.

“Your highness.” Jeno nodded at her out of respect, only making her chuckle uncontrollably.

“No need to address me like that, love. Now, come here.” She widened her arms for Jeno, hugging him amiably. He sensed her motherly warmth, accepting such a gesture. “You remind me so much of my youngest son, Harry. Welcome to the night shift of the museum, love.”

Similar to the Greek mythology exhibit, he introduced himself and responded to any questions that the women wax figures may have. Good for him, they weren’t crossing any borders and kept him at ease.

“A student like you working at night to pay rent?” Katherine Johnson, an African-American NASA mathematician whose calculations led to the success of a lot of famous spaceflights, cannot believe her ears. Students must only focus on school, nothing else. “What about your studies, boy?”

Rule #15: Engage in academic discussions with Katherine Johnson whenever you can.

“Most of my classes are in the afternoon, Miss Katherine. So I’ll sleep in the entire morning later and study during my breaks.”

“Mr. Jeno, what do you like to do outside of work?” Anne Frank, a German-Dutch teenager whose revolutionary diary that documented her life in hiding from the Nazis gained popularity worldwide after publication dreamily asked from her section of the exhibit. Her life was robbed of greatness merely because of her religion and war.

Rule #16: Bring delicious food or gifts to Anne Frank.

“Well, I like to bike with my friends, exercise, and draw whatever comes into mind!”

Everyone he’s met so far acquired pleasure in knowing about who he was and his passion for architecture, ridding the “freaking out” phase Athena assumed he had. Yet not everyone in this exhibit bothered to give him a shot.

Jeno’s attention from Anne talking about her crush towards Peter van Daan, a teenage boy who lived with her, switched to the section beside her, where an unacquainted figure was zealously sketching as if something was due to the following day. It reflected how he’d look when he’s cramming one of his plates due to first thing in the morning. While he properly excused himself, he quietly gazed at the way this woman scrunched her eyebrows when she erased something then drew it again. She was someone he’s never seen or heard before, reading the information plate in front of him about her.

 (Y/N) (Y/L/N), Explorer and Author. (1854-1900)

 Wealthy women in the Victorian Era only served one purpose in society: marry a man from a prestigious family, have his children and join whatever interests they have. However, for (Y/N), she wasn’t going to conform to those standards.

Born into the affluent house of (Y/L/N), she was the youngest of 8 children. She was said to be the kindest and sweetest sibling out of everyone, not capable of hurting anyone or anything. She said it herself that she can’t throw away a dying flower because it’s too painful. While 5 of her older brothers were sent to school, she stayed at home with her 2 older sisters Cecilia and Amelia where she learned how to play the piano and take voice lessons from impressive teachers. Due to the huge age gaps between them (12 and 8 respectively), she never felt close with them. She was only closest to the 6th and 7th siblings, her twin brothers Benjamin and Liam whom she only had a 2-year gap. She was also best friends with one of the scullery maids her age, Lily, because she found her amusing that than the boring rich girls her mother forced to interact with.

The moment it bothered her that she wanted to live a more meaningful life was when Amelia got married. She was 12 years old at the time, and it left her as the last unwed daughter in the family. Badly did she want to revolt, which she gradually did. Instead of practicing piano, she’d sneak in to read every book in her father’s office. She secretly studied the notes of her older brothers from school and even dressed as a boy numerously thanks to Benjamin and Liam to join their classes or field trips.

This was her routine up until the age of 18 when she stomped her foot down and expressed to her parents that she wasn’t going to let Victorian society dictate her. The night before her parents were bound to send her to her great aunt’s home down South to sort her out, she successfully snuck out her house thanks to Lily, Benjamin, and Liam. It’s another good thing that she saved a lot of money for that moment.

Off she went across Europe first, then sailed to America and even parts of Asia. Initially under the name Lilibe, coined from picking the first two letters of her brothers and best friend, she documented her days and nights through her journals and sketches. Over time, she sent them to her brothers for publication. It started the franchise, “The Adventures of the Young and Free Lilibe”. There are 10 books under it.

She learned French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean by herself as she made friends from those places. It was rare of someone like her to be fluent in Oriental languages, surprising locals every time she spoke to them. She was the only explorer to vividly describe life in different Asian lands in English, talking about their history and culture. With her accurate drawings of diverse citizens and their daily lives, it educated a lot of those living back home in Europe about them rather than speaking lowly of them.

In Seoul did she stayed the longest until her death from pneumonia at the young age of 46.

In her posthumous work, Finding Me, did she reveal her real identity, dedicating it to her parents whom she apologized and expressed her love for them despite everything that occurred between them. She talked about the last years of her life in Seoul, how locals were so nice and inviting to her, and how she adopted kids instead of having her own through the years.

“It’s not because I never found love in men. It’s more like I found love in doing things I’m passionate about. Traveling, learning new cultures, it outweighed the human need of romance.”

Due to her thrill in taking risks and embarking on wondrous adventures, it brought inspiration to a lot of young girls pressured to marry at that time to pursue what they really want.

 A remarkable background you had, Jeno contemplated. How come no one discussed her in his classes?

You kept brushing the bangs of your hair back as it fell repeatedly. But you got irritated instantly because it sabotaged your drive, you brought out a hairpin from her desk and attached it on both sides. But when you shifted your angle of focus, the corner of your eye locked with Jeno’s attentive gaze.

He didn’t flinch, even he should’ve. He wasn’t one to linger his look on anyone’s physical appearances, but your story and the passion on your face as you sketched mesmerized him. He was charmed, to say the least.

“Uhm, hello there?” You broke the silence due to your uneasiness about it. What’s his deal?

Jeno bowed, reintroducing himself to you. As soon as his presence settled in the room when Cleopatra attempted to hit on him, you could’ve cared less. Though this man was a first for you, a first in a long time as all guards would feel intimidated by you during the first night. Even your sharp tongue didn’t faze him. “Staring is rude, sir. Didn’t your mother teach you manners?”

“She did,” He wandered through the exterior of your section, by the fence that separated you and him. Not breaking eye contact, his eyes turned into moon crescents as he smirked with trouble. “Though she also told me to appreciate the art too.”

Snorts noisily exhaled from Cleopatra, who took the center section of the exhibit, succeeded by Princess Diana’s whispered gasps and Katherine’s side-eyeing Anne beside her while she taught her math. That was an odd way a guard conversed with you, but Jeno was merely doing what the rules stated. Partly, he was impressed with his cheesy pick-up line, partly embarrassed because he’s never spoken like this to anyone.

Rule #17: Act playfully around (Y/N) (Y/L/N) to break the tension; she’s a harsh one.

There was irony between the information he read about your life versus the wax model. Even when you faced sexism and ran away according to your history, never were you impolite to anyone in your life. You couldn’t even kill a lurking fly when it roams around your food! It showed Jeno a possibility that as much as you’re just a wax version of someone famous in the past, maybe the external environment around you had a heavy influence too.

“You fool!” His confidence exasperated you, urging you to persistently throw balls of paper with your failed sketches at him. No one dared to talk to you like that, most especially a night guard. “Take that for your comment!”

If you thought he’d scram away and act repentant, you were proven wrong. His reflexes were parallel to a spider, capturing every single paper ball without fail. Up and down his body went, one arm held on to them and no more were left on your part. Never a single defeat during the first meeting in years, but that seemed to alter now.

“Give up already, Ms. (Y/L/N)?” Jeno remarked vibrantly as he discarded your mess in the trash bin behind him. If he managed to get everyone to like him tonight, he wanted to make sure to have you onboard too.

Whatever agenda he had, you weren’t up for it. You’d treat him the same way you usually treated Sanghoon for the past 20 something years: cold and ignorant. From your stool, you left your comfortable position to come face to face with this man. He better be grateful for that barrier in between you, or else you would’ve caused mayhem.

“Never in your wildest dreams, Mr. Lee.” Your mouth gave a half-smile, clenching on the bars to liberate your annoyance. Before you could fend back, that’s when Princess Diana intervened between your heated dialogue.

“Oh heavens, children!” She stood by the barrier, mostly to protect the newbie Jeno with her body. “(Y/N), he just wanted to know you. Must you be so cross?”

This Princess Diana embodied all the traits the real one had: soft-spoken, intelligent, and protective. She’s gotten so used to your gradual temper, staying on standby whenever anyone tried to mess with you. Even if it was harmless, you could get so mean!

“Diana, he was mocking me! Saying such a sleazy phrase as if to amuse me, ha! Not a chance, I hate people like that.”

“Not us women though; you just despise men in general.”

“And you’re absolutely right!” With a smug smile, you greedily rejoiced. “Anyways, escort this disgrace out. I’m not in the mood to get angry when I have a lot of inspiration on mind right now.”

While you resumed your sketching to let go of that extra steam, Jeno was left with Diana who apologized on your behalf. Your pride was too high to do that, and as the motherly figure among them, she always took care of things in your exhibit.

“I’m so sorry for that, Jeno. She’s not really like this, but I know how much you tried your best. It was quite a fresh spectacle honestly.”

Whatever was responsible for your abrasiveness, Jeno yearned to know. He couldn’t understand who you were yet even knowing your life story. All he wanted was to get along with everyone. It was the key to successfully maintain his job for the next 6 months.

“How can I make her come around then?”

A demanding question that no one had a solid answer to. Diana recalled how much Sanghoon didn’t let your dislike for him get to him, maintaining a respectful boundary in between each other after his past attempts. Though with Jeno, observing how he riled you up and your focus entirely on him, she hasn’t seen anything like it since the 80s.

There was something in Jeno that may just get you to warm up and return to your kind nature.

“Aside from acting playful, as Sanghoon recommended, I can think of two ways, love.” By the doors of her exhibit, where Jeno was already waltzing the corridor to visit other rooms, she suggested smartly. “One, argue back to her opinions. She hates whenever anyone tries to get her way, but boy, you’re just as wise as her. No one was brave enough to peeve on her until you came.”

“How about the second way?”

“Do your research, love. Aside from libraries, you have those small technology devices that allow you to search up anything.” She tousled Jeno’s brown locks as if it were her actual son’s. Some habits just don’t die when you do.

“Brush up on your history, Jeno. Not only will it help you with (Y/N), but it’ll serve purposefully with the other art pieces here.”

Boy, he was ready to crash in his bed for a few hours after all those interactions. His introverted nature required to be revitalized.

Towards the last hours of his shift, the art pieces who’ve strolled in the first floor lessened his plate by not leaving any major clutter behind. As if she listened to him, Athena didn’t break any lightbulbs too.

His main highlight would be meeting the men of the historical male section, who flaunted a more humorous ambiance. Freddie Mercury from Queen insisted he drink a glass of his wine and to bring more wine next time, which he denied since it would against Sanghoon’s rules. King Sejong the Great and Martin Luther King Jr. argued back and forth over the most random things (pineapple on pizza specifically), while Steve Jobs mediated whenever one crossed the line. Meanwhile, William Shakespeare was too preoccupied in his writing and speaking to himself about his books, wondering how to improve them.

During one of his breaks today, he multitasked drawing a new plate with his research on every art piece to know them better. He started with the exhibit of sculptures of the Greek gods and goddesses, which were Zeus, Hera, Hades, Athena, Hermes, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Artemis, Dionysus, and Circe. They weren’t the complete roster because the rest were in other museums across the globe, as said by Athena before sunrise. The majority of them he knew what they were in charge of, but the rest were foggy to his knowledge. Typing away and jotting notes down, he started downloading his favorite jazz songs too.

Rule # 4: Play jazz music to the paintings on the first floor so they can relax and dance within their frames.

Circe is a minor goddess, the daughter of the sun god Helios. She’s recognized for her versatility in incantations and herbs, capable of transforming people into animals. From Jeno’s perspective, she’s mostly within her space with her journals and magic wand, trying new spells or combinations of herbs. For the latter, he had to keep a closer eye on.

Rule #9: Don’t let Circe, god of potions, into the Oriental Room to get plants and herbs.

He discovered that Dionysus is the god of wine, happiness, and theatre. That’s why every god in the exhibit had full wine glasses during their gathering. It also added up why Freddie Mercury always comes to him when his bottles run empty, though he mustn’t go overboard.

Rule #18: Make sure Freddie Mercury doesn’t get too drunk from the wine of Dionysus; he might make numerous scenes if he does.

After his lone studying session, he took a short trip to the pet and convenience stores to buy food. He got a dumbfounded look from Jaemin back in the dorm room, who was studying for one of his quizzes in Biology in a couple of hours.

“Woah what’s with this stash? Is it for yourself or something?”

“The museum surprisingly has a lot of tasks needed to be done at night. And no, not from my wallet but the allowance they gave me before you get a heart attack.” Jeno plopped on his solo bed, covering his face with a pillow.

“Thank God.” A relaxed sigh escaped Jaemin’s lips, taking back his balled-up fists meant for his roommate. “I think I would’ve stormed that boring museum if they made your broke ass spend a cent.”

“Boring?” Jeno removed the cushion hastily, eyeing his busy and coffee-high roommate. The scent of black coffee from his mug spread in the room, assuming that this upcoming test was testing his roommate’s patience again.

Not even trying to look at Jeno while reviewing his handwritten notes, Jaemin continued giving his opinion. “Museum culture is dead, Jeno. Not everyone has the time to roam around one, plus people can always look up the artifacts online these days.”

People were entitled to their own opinions on numerous things, though Jeno begged to differ with his roommate’s. Especially after witnessing the magic of the night shift, you shouldn’t merely judge a book by its cover. In this case, you shouldn’t judge an artwork or art piece merely on its history and legacy.

Maybe because his roommate was in the science department, he thought this way. A lot of art students regularly visit the museum both for fun and for their classes, and Jeno was one of them. Though he was too sleepy to explain his side, he let it slide for now and snoozed throughout the late afternoon.

An hour before the start of his shift, Jeno promenaded the emptying museum to inspect anything else he might’ve missed out on from last night. There were two areas according to his rotation, both in the first floor.

One was the Diorama Room. Divided into 4 sections, highlighting some of the well-known ancient civilizations in world history. Ancient Egypt and Ancient China to your left, Ancient Rome and Ancient Maya to your right. They acted as if they were the actual people during those times, giving Jeno a laugh when they cracked jokes in between. Such tiny figures, yet the rule for them said otherwise.

Rule # 7: The small figurines in the Diorama Room are feisty, so make sure they don’t fight with one another again.

The remaining room left was the Theater Room. He’s never been here, though his art friends have for film festivals held by the university.

The interior of it was set to look like an actual cinema place you’d see in a mall. There was a mini lobby with a few posters of iconic films over the years. Singin’ in the Rain, Back to the Future, Titanic, those were some framed and hung on the wall. There were two other doors there: one leading to the chairs and the other where the movie projector was. The latter room was pretty riveting, wherein you can choose to watch old short films through an 88mm film projector or switch to a cd player for the newer releases.

Back to those posters, they weren’t an exception to the magic and a simple rule was left for Jeno to do.

Rule # 10: Chatter with the movie posters in the lobby of the Theater Room; they love meeting new faces.

Since there wasn’t anyone checking out the Art Rooms on the second floor, he closed them. Though as he was about to lock the Oriental Room, the ravishing plants around the royal plant appealed his interest. Said to hold magical properties from his research, Jeno was reminded of another rule to keep in mind for later.

Rule # 3: The fake flowers in the Oriental Room come to life too at night, so when no one is lurking, water it diligently.

Instead of lounging at Sanghoon’s office first, he brought his important items to the front desk of the lobby and continued sketching his plate. He wanted to watch the art come back alive with his two eyes. Usually, he’d have coffee when he does his work, but due to another crucial rule in the guide, he’d rather not take the risk.

Rule # 6: The lobby room can get rowdy, so keep any drinks away from important items.

On the dot, the cries and yawns from the art pieces around him reverberated. Closing his sketchpad, his night guard mode was on. Connecting his laptop on the aux cord of the museum speakers, he tapped play on his playlist of jazz music that’ll last for the entire shift duration. As the first notes flooded the entire vicinity, sounds of joy left the lips of each painting. Some were humming, dancing, and even singing along.

“You can never go wrong with Frank Sinatra!”

“This Jeno lad really did the heavens’ work quick!”

Having the sense of accomplishment on his sleeve, the small barks of his fluffy pal reached closer to him. As he kneeled to find him, he was only taken by surprise as Mochi excitedly jumped on him. Tumbling over, Jeno chuckled innocently as Mochi licked his face numerously. This puppy was friendly, easily liking everyone at first sight. He wasn’t as choosy like Daegal, the puppy of his friend Chenle studying Business Management.

Once he composed himself and cradling the dog like his own, he fed him a dog treat from the desk.

“Good boy, Mochi!” He rubbed his fur while the puppy happily munched on it, ready to fulfill more of his duties.

He skipped the Greek mythology exhibit since Athena was doing a good job not letting anyone go overboard with their powers, though he’ll check in again in a few hours. He met the posters of the theater room, who were celebrities he grew up watching on tv. Sanghoon was right; they were the kinder group in the entire museum because they were more laidback.

On to the second floor, all the female wax figures lounged by the male section due to another lecture from Shakespeare. Although the guide informed him that most of the time it could get boring, this lecture was more stimulating. On his platform, he elaborated with conviction the lines of one of his famous books, Romeo and Juliet. A must-read book back in his high school days, there’s no way Jeno could’ve missed that out.

From the looks of it, Jeno perceived that Shakespeare was performing spoken word poetry due to him reading only Romeo’s lines while Cleopatra read Juliet’s beside him. This kind of show was one of the sources of entertainment to these figures, so Jeno leaned by the side of the door to listen. After all, the famous author of it was a few feet away. Cleopatra channeled such a naïve character to her ability, absentmindedly saying as she clutched her chest.

“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.”

“Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?”

“'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose-”

The flow of an engaged Cleopatra was abrupted by the loud yell from Shakespeare in front, specifically to an amused Jeno. “Jeno, my boy! Welcome back!”

Such an announcement diverted everyone’s attention to the back, some running to Jeno to give their respective greetings. It’s rare for everyone to feel at ease with a new guard, taking them weeks to approach them due to the intimidation. Though Jeno’s bright presence felt welcoming, so they accepted it. Perhaps it’s because of his youth, it reminded them of theirs too.

Shakespeare highly requested (or forced) Jeno to take his part as Romeo, intrigued to watch someone younger read his lines. Since most of the male wax figures were aged, it never satisfied Shakespeare so he jumped on this opportunity as quickly as he could. With the roaring cheers from the other figures, Jeno might as well give it a try. It wasn’t like his friends were here to clown him like they usually would if he did something humiliating.

Jeno shockingly liked this activity as he wasn’t much of a performer on stage, but someone who does the behind-the-scenes of it. He realized as he read the lines from the book Shakespeare asked him to follow along with why people held university-wide spoken word shows a few times per semester. He was no actor, but it’s delightful to have tried it at least once in his life.

“O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?” As if the edge of the platform was the balcony of Juliet (or Cleopatra rather), he knelt as he ardently spoke his lines. He’s emphasizing this rush of uncontrollable desire for her, rambling whatever he would do to get the girl.

“What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?” Cleopatra questioned from her chair, inching closer to the young boy. Even outside character will she attempt to charm Jeno, but Jeno was quick to catch it and kept his distance.

“The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.”

“I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, and yet I would it were to give again.”

“Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?”

“But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.”

Everyone was condensed by their top-notch acting, as if this was the actual play unfolding before them. Jeno wasn’t so sure how he got himself in character without preparation, yet he felt what his character felt. He comprehended the material a lot better now than when he was still in high school.

However, there was always that one killjoy to ruin the heartfelt mood.

“How dumb is it to say that you’re in love after the first glance?” You opposed, putting the spotlight on you. This book was said to be a classic in literature, but as you matured physically and mentally, you could no longer agree with it. “Isn’t love the same thing that killed Romeo and Juliet in the end?”

Remembering what Princess Diana told him, he wasn’t going to let this pass. He wanted to give a piece of his mind too, caring less if the show must be paused. “Love is an emotion we don’t ask to feel. It’ll come to us when we least expect it, even when the timing of it can be crucial.”

“Of all the people Juliet could’ve gone for, it just had to be the enemy.” In all the years you’ve been brought to life, no one dared to test your opinions because they were aware of your intelligence, from the streets to the books. When someone bark, you’d bite back. Hard. “With all due respect, I love your works, Shakespeare. Yet the fate you’ve given these two at a young age was grave, could’ve you given them a better outcome or another character to love instead?”

“Giving them extra characters to love won’t address the horrific life fact that love can be dangerous. Regardless of what status you’re in, you can’t stop the attraction towards someone. The heart wants what it wants.” Jeno pressed his hand to his chest, pumping it a bit. Unknown to you and him, the audience found more entertainment in your argument. Anne, who was munching on the popcorn Jeno gave her earlier, passed the snack to Katherine who just couldn’t stop watching.

If this man wanted a challenge, you’re all ears. Who was he to compete with you? Was he not intelligent to know who you are?

“So are you insinuating that we just go with the flow? Be a slave to our emotions too and let them dictate our next motives?”

“Slave is such a strong word to use, (Y/N). But it’s not like we can’t choose who want to love because we actually can. In this case, Romeo chose Juliet and vice versa.”

“But what happens if the person you choose doesn’t choose you in return?”

“At least you tried your best, right? It’ll hurt like hell though, but it won’t last forever.” From his kneeling position, Jeno strutted his way with confidence. Trying not to let it mess with you, your extreme stare at him as if they’ll shoot lasers. Inches away from you, Jeno declared. “Love always has risks, that’s a given. Romeo and Juliet still tried and followed their hearts despite the downfall. But it was a needed downfall to get the message across.”

“No one would be that foolish to risk their lives for love though, right? Life is so precious, why would they do such a thing?”

“Even if they knew what their lives were without each other, they still preferred living a life where they were both in the picture. Therefore, they tried all they could that time because the regret of not doing anything at all carries a heavier burden.”

Whenever anyone argued with you, their debating points they spat back would further piss you off because most of the time, it never made sense. Back when this rude man told you to go home and be a wife in your earlier years of exploring, you civilly told him to fuck off, kicking his balls because he cornered you in an alley. For the first time, a man who tried to challenge you actually made sense. Was it because he lived in a modern time, where minds were more open? Because of the amount of sexism you faced in the past, you’ve turned a blind eye to the current period.

But your high pride maintained, not submitting into anything he said. “I still think it’s stupid to risk your life for love. There’s no such thing as having only one true love anyways, and you have to be alive to see it.”

“Fair point, but again, the feeling of regret and carrying it your entire life doesn’t fade easily. It’ll make you reflect on the what-ifs, and it’s heart-wrenching.” Jeno digressed, walking around you in circles. He’s intentionally trying to drive you mad, but he could care less. He wanted someone to put you in your place and open your mindset. “The question stands: would you rather try and go for it even knowing its risks or regret not even trying for the rest of your existence? Quite ironic for me to ask you that, don’t you think?”

Past the information board, Jeno researched more of your life history online. Your whole life was grounded on risks, from breaking the standards of your society, leaving your family and home country, to fending yourself from disrespectful men. Rather than living the original life expected from you, you chose not to because it didn’t make you happy. Such a risktaker he knew you are, but with the topic of love, he wondered why you were on a fence with it. Though some records stated you’ve had rendezvouses with a few men in your journeys, love was never in the equation. The single life was what you chose and you were more than satisfied, plus your adopted kids filled that supposed void anyways.

This man may have studied your history, but so much he still doesn’t know. Information that never made the books because you chose not to write or tell anyone about it. Aside from the discomfort growing in your chest, everyone else felt the awkward tension when you were lost for words.

Never been defeated in an argument, until tonight. Your mind lost its drive and willpower.

“Touché, Lee Jeno.” Indeed, his name you’re acquainted with. Numerously passed around in your exhibit, mostly from the lips of Cleopatra, who’d fantasize all the graphic things she would do to him. Too much information, least of your interest. “Please excuse me. I’d like to work on my sketches to ease my mind.”

As you quietly exited the room, an all too familiar sculpture leaned against the railings overseeing one side of the museum. Just like you, she hated accepting defeat or compromises. She always rooted for you to win. With a faint chuckle, “Facing a loss for the first time, I see.”

“Don’t even lecture me about it, Athena. I’m still fired up, and I need to relax.”

“Jeno is a different breed, isn’t he?” She stuck to your side, strolling wherever your feet led you.

“Different as in he’s a man? Yes. What else is there to it?”

“Men these days aren’t as trashy as those back in the day though. Shouldn’t you give him a chance?”

“Last time I did, it destroyed my heart. I’m not allowing myself to let men in even as a friend, Athena.”

She knew exactly what you were referring to, not touching on it further. No way will you let heartbreak or disappointment from men bother you. Even Sanghoon’s sweet company took a while to tolerate. You really needed to sketch this out on your pad right now, excusing yourself from Athena’s presence. Isolation wasn’t new to you; it’s what’s protecting your entire being. Immortal as you are, you had to recover from the past pain so the next decades won’t feel as brash.

You hoped to return to your old self when you were a fresh new figure in the 70s. So naïve, only proud of your accomplishments, and purely happy.

While Jeno continued to finish his scene in respect to Shakespeare, he received a standing ovation for his mini-show. Cleopatra didn’t expect such talent from him, growing fonder of the younger male. Whether she seduces him or not, he was never afraid to try new things and she liked that about him.

“Bravo, love!” Princess Diana praised, clapping at him.

Although Jeno appreciated all this positive attention, his thoughts bounced back to your and your stance on love. The debate earlier was just out of being playful, interested to hear your opinions. Though, he’s worried that he might’ve offended you. It may have been time to finally witness something like that, but then again, he was sure he touched something personal to you. No matter how you tried to fight it off, your eyes can’t lie. Staring down at him, there was pain beneath it. Your eyebrows scrunched to the center, thinking deeply yet remained utterly speechless.

A win he didn’t feel good about.

“It’s time she encountered something new in the years she’s been here. Give her some space tonight, then try again to reach out to her. Kindly this time; I’m not in the mood for another brawl that could end up like the Greek gods’ past fights downstairs.”

These clever words shared by Katherine loitered his mind for the rest of the night, eventually going back to finishing his current plate since everyone was behaving well. As great it is to get the approval of the majority, he tried brainstorming ways to make you like him too.

He understood the whole “men are trash” concept in today’s modern society, but if he could prove it wrong to at least one person, it would be you. Whatever is holding you back, he only hoped that you’d let it go. Questionably unsure as to why he was so persevering, he concluded that it was so he could perform his job better as the night guard. Set higher standards than Sanghoon even.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Weeks passed, and his attempts continued to be unsuccessful.

The capability for you to ignore his efforts remained strong, whether he was pestering you over small things or debating with you again about anything. Life, books, morals, the two of you always head butt each other. Anything good he did, you searched for a flaw in it. Whatever acts he’s tried and continued trying, not one flinch from you ever.

Even if that’s his state with you, his job no longer felt stressful nor strenuous. He’d try to sleep more on days he was off-duty. Although the fatigue of staying beyond his usual sleeping time was inevitable, he compromised to take a nap lasting an hour or two when the art pieces weren’t acting frisky.

Plus, there have been multiple times they adapted to any alterations so his physical well-being wouldn’t fall sick. Per order of Princess Diana and Hera, who by instinct became his motherly figures here, only wanting what’s best for the kids.

He became accustomed to everything that went on at night, discovering things on his own without Sanghoon’s guide. Anne talked about how much she missed biking in her neighborhood, so one night, Jeno snuck his bike inside and let her use it around the first floor. With proper monitoring so none of the paintings would be unbothered or pieces wouldn’t tumble.

Hermes the messenger god was fluent in every language possible, so every so often, Jeno would freely speak to him in Korean because sometimes he felt he could explode by the amount of English he used every night. Bilingual things, you know. He knew you were multilingual too, but for obvious reasons, he couldn’t converse with you.

Because Jeno was heavily favored, that should’ve been enough to push through his night shifts before the end of the semester. In addition to that, the hourly rate was above the average of whatever Jaemin or Renjun was earning. For the past 2 months, Jeno paid upfront first, even paying back all his debts. It almost made Renjun want to switch jobs with him.

“Trust me, Renjun. You don’t want it, being the lowkey scaredy cat you are.”

Work no longer felt like work, and that’s what everyone aspired to feel. Nevertheless, he tended to worry over you mid-shift, glancing at you from his side view. Sketching, reading, and writing were your default actions. No matter how many times he said to himself not to let your dislike for him affect him, it’d always backfire.

Why were you so cold?

What made you lose your fire from all the research he did about your lively personality?

When morning arrived and he gathered his stuff, you’d be the last thing he’ll check on. Frozen in your standing pose, smiling as you held a book and a pencil, he detected how fake it was. Bystanders would only assume your happiness was from your achievements, though Jeno’s gut firmly pried that something grand overpowered that happiness. And definitely, not in a good way.

Out of all the art pieces, he investigated on you the most. Skimming through every material in the library, endless searching on the net, even asking professors from the History department thanks to Renjun, he did whatever he could. People may already think he was obsessed with who you are, but only little did they know.

Another plate was done and submitted, and he promised himself to look you up one last time before surrendering. For someone who’s rarely given up on a challenge, this one was really out of his control. Maybe he should follow Sanghoon’s footsteps now.

You lived centuries before him, and there’s limited material of you left. Rather than learning of your adventures again, he dug through what things you liked over your life. Maybe by giving one of them, it’ll lessen the tension from a 100 to 99. Maybe you preferred gifts over words, he’ll never know until he tried.

Boom.

According to one of your journal entries, there’s a fond liking you’ve acquired for lavender roses from Benjamin and Liam when they visited you in Paris in secret because of how much you missed them. It went both ways, praying your family ties could be recovered.

It’s a good thing he needed to refill his stock of items for the art pieces so he could pass by the flower store a few blocks away from his dorm. That night, without further words, he graciously offered you a fresh lavender rose in between your new sketching session.

“I may not know exactly why you’re spiritless around me, but with this rose, I hope we could work something out.”

Your frigid face of disdain, keeping your chin high and squinting your eyes with judgment, began to crumble down.  Of all things as a peace offering, he gave you that? Then again, it’s not like he knew that an item you liked so much became something you’ve grown to hate and why so. No history books could teach him that.

Vulnerability was a normal thing, yet feared by many. Once one uncovered your weak spot, they could harm you. You still couldn’t trust Jeno fully, not willing to show your helplessness nor were you ever going to tell him. Hidden from his knowledge, everyone else including Sanghoon were familiarized as to why this kind of flower tormented you.

You sprinted like thunder out the exhibit room to wherever it’s private to control your senses. You may not have a physical heart, but your emotions were just as actual as a human’s. You needed to regulate your panting breath. In the past decades, you’ve not shed a singular tear but the cycle broke when they streamed out your miserable eyes like a flowing river. Quiet sobs, an empty corner near the fire exit was where your wobbly legs faltered, the painful memories of the past replayed in your head. Once beautiful, but now an agonizing reminder of what could’ve been.

Katherine, Cleopatra, and Anne were swift on their feet to hunt you down, anxious of what you may do next. Seeing or the mention of these flowers still affected you despairingly. Sanghoon must’ve forgotten to write them down, or perhaps he didn’t know either about this fact during all the years he’s worked there.

It’s one of the biggest secrets of his museum. By the clueless face Jeno had with his eyebrows raised, mouth, and small eyes slightly open, he repeatedly asked what he did wrong and adding that he never meant to harm you. Indeed, they knew that yet what occurred involved a secret in the list of museum secrets. Confidential only between art pieces according to Athena, none of the male wax figures spoke a word, only pitying the boy.

“I wasn’t here yet that time, but they said that it was once beautiful, but now it’s a rough period.” With hesitation, Princess Diana chose to reveal it to rid Jeno’s misery. She didn’t mind having to argue about it with Athena later on, as this may further affect the two of you later on.

“A long time ago in the early ‘80s, there was a night guard around your age named Junmyeon. Also, a college student, trying to make ends meet. He did it for 3 years until he graduated. Though within his stay, not only was he such a delight to everyone, he broke a golden rule in the guide. I believe you do know the guide much more now, Jeno?”

“Yes, I do, Princess Diana. Memorized it even, but which one specifically?” Jeno’s desperate eyes pleaded, only hoping for the best and to fix what he messed up.

“You can form friendships with the art pieces, but nothing more.” Princess Diana replied bitterly. “Junmyeon was an aspiring painter, a different path from his business-oriented family. He was seen as the black sheep. She resonated with him, sharing the burden and lifting it by doing whatever fun they could in the museum. In time, they both fell in love with each other; they were each other’s first loves.”

“Why must something beautiful like love be broken? It’s not like you can control it. That golden rule makes no sense.”

“It does, unfortunately. Wax figures like me cannot age, while humans like you can. None of them could accept the reality, always pushing it away. Until Junmyeon’s last week in university, he broke it off with her unexpectedly. From there, (Y/N) was heartbroken for decades. With heartbreak, giving the cold shoulder and bitterness followed. Then with the lavender rose you gave that she used to love became a flower that she associated with Junmyeon too because he gave her one almost every night for those past 3 years.”

Things finally added up, and the guilt in Jeno’s gut expanded. His major lightbulb moment was a major failure.

“Has Junmyeon ever returned to try and win her back?”

“Well, there was one time he did come back for an art exhibition for his paintings in the 2000s. I was already here, then he had a woman around his shoulder with an adolescent boy holding his hand. He roamed around our exhibit and kept gawking at (Y/N). We may be asleep, but we remember the conversations exchanged in the room. So, his son then asked him if he knew who she was.”

“What did he respond?” Jeno attentively listened, on the edge of such a hurtful tale.

“He knew her name, praising her for historical achievements. However, nothing as a former friend or lover. From what I predict, he ingested one of Circe’s potions.”

“But I thought Circe isn’t allowed to make potions for actual consumption. She’s not even allowed to enter the Oriental Art Room.” Jeno pointed out, overwhelmed at the puzzling past. Princess Diana was mindful that she had to stop spreading too much information, so she had to end her discussion with the lost boy.

“There are a lot of secrets about this museum, Jeno. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal to you to protect our peace.”

With due respect, Jeno quit his follow-up questions and concerns. The only thing he wished to do was mend his relationship with you. As vague as to where you even stood in the first place, he unintentionally crossed a line due to his selfish intention to befriend you.

“What can I do now, Princess Diana? You know I’d never push her buttons like that, even if I’m a whimsical person.”

“Oh, my boy.” Princess Diana soothed, holding both her hand on his sweaty palm and cupping his cheek. “For the meantime, give her space. No taunting for a while, and just observe her from a distance. Though do not fret the slightest; I’m sure she’ll be okay again.”

During that interval, you were hunched on the wall, bawling and weeping like the wound was brand new again. While Katherine and Anne stood by your side, on the lookout for anyone who’d be spying on you, Cleopatra knelt in front of you as your infinite tears gushed down.

“My dear,” She tried to wipe some of them while holding your hand. “It’s been years, and Jeno didn’t know a single thing. He didn’t mean to do it.”

“I don’t care, Cleopatra! He should’ve stopped trying to socialize with me because I won’t ever live down my experience with Junmyeon.”

“As if crying like this will bring Junmyeon back to your life,” Cleopatra exclaimed, holding in her temper. Acquainted with heartbreak, it’s awful that it changed you entirely, but you should’ve found a way to heal. Throughout your attitude change, it’s mostly you in pain, not those you inflict it to. “My dear, I love you a lot. But this Jeno boy is different, and you know it.”

“He’s still a nightguard, for Christ’s sake, Cleopatra.”

“You shouldn’t generalize that all night guards are bad just because of one encounter that occurred at the wrong time.” Brushing some strands stuck by your wet visage, she professed to you bluntly. “You’re never going to know how good Jeno is unless you slowly open up again, (Y/N). Not forcing you the slightest, but healing started once you’ve acknowledged the past and move on from it.”

“But I’m scared, Cleopatra.” You restlessly admitted, hunching even more against the wall. Your poor, metaphorical heart could only take so much. You barely expressed sorrow towards others as you always held a strong exterior, only letting it out alone. Not holding back anymore, Cleopatra brought you in for a hug. The last time she did that was the first night after Junmyeon left, calming your intensified emotions so you wouldn’t do anything dumb that night. No violence, just pure sorrow.

“My dear, it’s alright.” She whispered while stroking your back upwards. “But you’re a risktaker; that’s how people remember you. Now, you must challenge yourself to move on from things that didn’t work out. Because once you do, it’ll put your heart and mind at ease.”

“Do you think I’ll be okay again?”

“Yes, you will be, my dear. You are not alone, and never will be.”

Acting like the dutiful son he always was, Jeno distanced from you.

He still cracked jokes, chatted with the art pieces, and followed the rules, yet never did he utter anything to you. You’ve proudly anticipated it since day one, not wanting him up in your business or teasing you ever. But this time, it felt odd.

On nights he didn’t report, you’ve unconsciously wondered what he may have been up to. A job like this at his age was just as Sanghoon once said: nothing in the regular.

Was he with his friends?

Was he resting well?

From the moment you chose to let go of your limitations and old thoughts, it included your grudge against past guards. Asking for forgiveness to Sanghoon when he returns was on the top of your list, however, that’ll take a while to happen. In the start, you’re baffled as to why he no longer picked on you like every night he’s been present. Somehow, it became a habit you’ve gotten used to, having so many comebacks planned to fend yourself. But you didn’t want to concede to it, maintaining what was left of your pride since that breakdown.

While on the subject, you suspected if anyone told him anything that night because that also indicated the last time he reached out to you. By anything, it would be your unwritten past with Junmyeon. A part of yourself in the museum that you didn’t want to disperse like rapid-fire again. It would be the last thing you wanted Jeno to know.

To your misfortune, Princess Diana came clean due to your growing concern over it. Although your attitude changed and people got used to it, you could only blame yourself that you were responsible for Jeno’s change.

“All he wanted was to understand and enlighten us with his likable presence. Then with you, you were his challenge because of your high walls. Out of everyone, he tried to learn everything about you. From my observation, whenever he has a goal, he’s determined to achieve it.”

“But I’m trying to be better now, Diana. Why did he stop?”

“He may have determination, but he knows where the boundaries lie.” Princess Diana patted the side of your arm, giving you a half-grin. “It hurt him when he hurt you, even if it was accidental. So he opted to give you space; that way, you could catch a breather and he wouldn’t harm you anymore. It was what you wanted from the start anyways, right?”

A hard pill to swallow, though it was a fact. It’s just that now, you’re slowly willing to release yourself from the dark. It’s been decades, and more to come. Nothing can move on unless you do.

“Where is he, Princess Diana?”

Just as she predicted right on the edge, Diana completed the grin on her face and led you to the entrance of your exhibit. She may be younger than you, but you’re reverted in your twenties while she remained in her mid-thirties. Gaping the wide museum from the railing, starting from the painting exhibit in the lobby to across the other side of the museum, Diana spotted the black hair of the boy in the Foreign Art Room.

“Over there.”

Observing where her eyes focused, you caught a glimpse of a recognizable side profile. The owner’s eyes were completely taken by whatever he was drawing on the fold-up desk he brought out from the storage room. By the tedious action of his right hand going up and down, you’ve gotten so used to his part-time identity as the night guard to entirely dismiss his current status as a university student.

Architecture specifically as he first introduced himself to you. The same path your oldest brother, Christopher, worked in. The look of tenacity Jeno presented as his eyebrows continuously scrunched, his crescent orbs hastily spied his work for any unnecessary details and his veiny hands brushed his already messy hair, you were profoundly reminded of Christopher when he was designing his possible future house. You were 8 years old, and he was 22, who just got married. He explained how many floors it’ll have, what rooms to put and what extra furniture he’ll place to make it feel more at home.

Seeing how exceptional his art skills were, you started to sketch like him. With flowers first, it turned into bedrooms and sceneries of your neighborhood. You felt your shoulders rise in accomplishment when you were able to accurately draw people. As much as you credited Benjamin and Liam the most in your works, it’ll only be within yourself to know that you also held a soft spot for Christopher.

Excusing yourself to Princess Diana, you bravely yet quietly ventured into the Foreign Art Room. Hiding first from one of the cement columns, you resumed watching him sketch. Instead of a pencil, he used a black pen with a tip as thin as a pencil. Your assumptions would be it was for a class, basing it on him informing everybody earlier that he’ll be inactive for the remaining hours of his shift to focus on his midterm requirements. That must be difficult to balance, yet he still does everything expected from him. Maybe the second cup of iced coffee beside him stimulated his bones and mind, letting his imagination free.

Through the limited space, you tiptoed whilst holding the side of the column to make up his work. There were 2 and a half rectangular shapes stacked on top of each other, the third one he was still tracing. A sign encrypted with tiny written words you couldn’t decipher, the beauty and modernity of Jeno’s plate cannot go unappreciated.

“That’s absolutely beautiful.”

Sweet words you didn’t think would bounce back in the room, Jeno’s pace ceased whilst you hid again. Art pieces capable of walking weren’t allowed here, he locked the door even beforehand! Or he thought as he was rushing to get his work done because one of his terror professors moved up the deadline to tomorrow morning. Not even 25% finished, he petitioned for everyone’s cooperation just for tonight.

He used up his 2 days of not having the night shift for other projects, and not wanting to ruin his perfect attendance, he proceeded to show up.

The voices from the foreign paintings around him hushed for him out of respect. So possibly someone snuck in, his head looking around for intruders. But only did he quit it when he saw your blurry reflection leaning against the column. The glass windows slightly mirror back what it sees, without you knowing that.

Not to mention, the small bit of your lilac dress was left out. Of all people, it was you?

“Do my eyes deceive me or is Miss (Y/N) (Y/L/N) inside when she’s not allowed so?”

To break the killing tension, he tested the waves with an innocent taunt. Never did you reach out to him, so least to say he was entertained whilst keeping his distance.

Fixing your proud stance, you responded in a low baritone voice you used to persuade numerous men in her adventures. “Uhm no, I don’t know who she is.”

As intelligent as you were, Jeno was a few steps farther than you this time. Educated about the risky ways you’d get around and one of them was changing the pitch of your voice, he heartily laughed at your unsuccessful attempt.

“Okay don’t lie, (Y/N). I can see a trail of your dress and your cloak. Oh, your reflection too.”

Damn, you peeked a little to realize that he was correct. Hauling your dress back in to readjust your outfit, you pushed your hair back before appearing to him. Though when you did such, you didn’t suppose that he was practically beside you the entire time. Bumping into his towering stance of 5’10 while the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up, your proud posture loosened up. He even discarded his blazer. A few more inches, he could’ve cornered you on the column if you didn’t take another step back.

Has he always been this tall or were you so used to your boots having high heels under? Oh wait, maybe because you wore flats this time because it’s making your toes sore. Your head bowed from struggling to maintain eye contact with him, your palms caressing your cheeks that suddenly heated up. Clearing your throat, you straightened your back again like nothing happened.

Jeno thought otherwise, shrugging his shoulders as he chuckled. He’s never seen you get shy, not that it was a bad thing either. The temptation to play around it more was there, but he was running out of time for his assignment.

“Come in. I’ll let you off the hook this time.” His arms opened up, allowing you access to such a wonderful exhibit. Paintings from different European periods, miniature versions of famous infrastructures inside glass containers, and replicas of Greek columns in the front entrance, no wonder it’s important to protect them all.

“Are you sure?” Watching him return to his spot, which was a bench in the center of the exhibit with a table in front, it didn’t process that you were gawking at his toned back. His broad shoulders and the evident muscles in his arms while he stretched, your eyes were speedy to look away when he tried to take a glance at you.

“I don’t think the paintings here and I mind.” Sitting down again, he tapped the vacant space beside him. “Feel free to watch me draw if you want to.”

Settling by his side, he recommenced where he left off. Now with a closer view of his piece, it did look like a building as you thought. He was sketching the remaining outline of the 3rd floor of this hypothetical place, continuously checking his ruler to monitor if the lines were consistent. Able to pick up on the words of the sign beside the building, you wowed with one hand on your lips.

“You’re redrawing Seoul National University Museum of Art?”

“One of my plate assignments was to visualize a renovation of a certain place, so I chose the museum.”

“Why so?”

“Well,” Jeno shook his pen so the ink could come out. “This entire place comes to life with the royal plate, so I think we should expand the space and bring in more art pieces to life if we add another extra floor. A rooftop area for visitors and events would be fun. And definitely, we should modernize the exterior and interior a bit because it looks outdated personally. That’s also what my friends think too.”

Noticing the minor details of his plate whilst removing any unnecessary pens so it wouldn’t smudge, “Huh, I quite agree with you.”

For the first time since his night shift, you, (Y/N) (Y/L/N), came into an agreement with him. He became so accustomed to clashing opinions that now, you had no contrasting points to make at all. A good change perhaps was what he’s witnessing.

“Woah, who are you agreeing with me and where’s (Y/N)?” He creased his brows whilst locking eye contact with you. This time, you didn’t wince away and just nudged him on his shoulder to get back to work.

“Hush, Jeno. Isn’t that due later? Get to work, I’ll roam around here for the meantime.”

After decades in this museum, you’re enlightened with the foreign paintings in which some you’ve heard of in your younger years and some that were created beyond your time. The Birth of Venus, Liberty Leading the People, Girl with a Pearl Earring, there’s an advantage of learning about their stories that humans couldn’t interpret. Logical that this section must be off-limits because these pieces were extra special, yet there’s so much more than what meets the eye.

There’s peace in silence while you wandered around, though it doesn’t hinder only at the art. Jeno hasn’t uttered a word since he got back to drawing, and once you asked him what’s doing now, still no answer back. Odd, he’s constantly awa-

Oh, my. You must’ve jinxed it.

Your eyes laid on Jeno leaning forward on his desk with his arms serving as his pillow, resting his head sideways. Soft snores and minimal movement in his upper body to shake the growing cold temperature of the room, he was sleeping like a log.

Putting into perspective, he hasn’t acquired enough rest specifically this past 2 weeks. The endless number of plates due making him work extra during his shift rather than sleeping in the slightest, exhaustion must be an understatement. Coffee no longer pushed him to his maximum for this week even.

But this was the path he chose, and it’ll have its challenges. Still, if you could relieve the stress in any way, you would. This would be one of the ways to repay for all the rudeness you’ve passed on him. Scurrying to his side, placing the plate on the side with his other things. You returned the caps of his open pens so they don’t spill. They must be expensive, recalling how Jeno shared the cons of being an architecture major to Princess Diana. One was the pens needed for sketching, and any tiny damages to them meant buying them again.

With his watch on clear display, he only had 2 hours left until his shift was done. Then, 4 hours until his plate assignment was done, and his current plate was far from done.

The blunt impulse to wake him up slithered your mind, though his calm state deflected your duty. As if you were on board a ship again for your explorations, you paid attention to the view with a relaxed mindset.

Lee Jeno specifically was the view.

His coffee-stained lips were parted and his sharp nose breathing in and out at a relaxing pace, he must be dreaming a happy moment the way half his lips curved into a smile. If he’s resting well, then you too would be calm.

Because of your past disinterest in him, only at this moment did you observe how sharp his jawline was and the cuts on his arms he sought refuge in. No matter how many times you tried to deny Hera’s compliments of him on the side, you couldn’t.

Lee Jeno embodied attractive features; both physical and emotional.

Back to his plate, it’ll put him at a disadvantage if he submitted the way it looked before he passed out. But you remembered all those extra details he mentioned and wanted to add to this project. Being an explorer, you documented all your ventures through words or drawings. You’re fast to adjust to anything new too.

For all the good he’s done for everyone, he only deserved some help in return.

Your version of help was sketching the remaining details of this plate, using other pens for more emphasis. It’s a risk also, but no way could you turn a blind eye on Jeno this time.

Around 5:30 am, Jeno’s eyes blinked open due to a brightening light from the outside. Stretching his limbs, he finds a velvet cloak wrapped around him like a blanket. But before he could question it, he pulled his arm in to see the time on his watch.

“Fuck!” He cursed, realizing that his so-called 10-minute snooze break aborted.

“Oh my, you’re awake!” From his frazzled state, there you were. So put together yet active, some strands of your hair falling down your face even with your hair up in a ponytail. “How was your sleep?”

This whole time he could’ve been woken up, yet you chose not to. You’re aware of his deadline, yet you let him rest entirely. He could’ve burst out in stress, yet he didn’t. You and he may have started on the wrong foot, yet it’s impossible of you to do such an evil thing. He’ll just have to tolerate the outcome later today.

“Refreshing. I really needed it.” Packing his things in his bag and closing the table, you trailed along as he exited with you. Locking up, he has 30 minutes left to accomplish the cleaning. A long good morning indeed.

But his worry of that vanished when you admitted that you had it all covered.

“Everyone helped out in cleaning, plus there are no damages made either.” From your hand, you returned one of his keys that was on his guard blazer. “I double-checked the Oriental Room and locked the doors again.”

“Why are you suddenly so nice to me, (Y/N)?” He questioned with confusion, wearing his blazer again and patting away any creases. He placed your cloak over you again like a true gentleman.

Without a word, you simply invited him to walk you back to your exhibit as parts of the sun began to rise. As you returned to your section, your fellow figures readying themselves to pose again,

“It’s my way to apologize for my very rude first impression and the succeeding moments after. I was too cooped up in my past that I was too afraid to let humans in again, night guards in particular.” You admitted, removing your cloak and placing behind your chair like always. “I’m so sorry, Jeno. Everyone was right about you and your kind heart.”

“About time.” Cleopatra’s sultry voice cut in, laying on her day bed.

Before you had the chance to flip off, Jeno mediated swiftly. With a gentle smile, “No worries about it. I’m just happy you’re okay, after all you’ve been through.”

“Can we start over then?”

“Absolutely.” With his free hand, he brought it out. No matter what kind of introductions, shaking one’s hand was the best way to start a friendship. “Good evening. I’m Lee Jeno, the new museum night guard.”

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N), explorer and author.” Sighing at his humor, you still replied by shaking his hand. “And I believe you’re mistaken, Lee Jeno. It’s a good morning.”

Seconds after, you imitated your typical pose and smile. Only now, the latter was more genuine. Finally, a fresh start to end your agony.

Once the sun fully revealed itself, every figure including yourself froze back to sleep. Something Jeno wished to catch up on if it weren’t for his damn plate. He was so screwed, already contemplating his next steps if he does fail this class. The possibility of getting delayed in all aspects, he dreaded it already.

Heading back to his dorm, where both his roommates completely passed out from soju on the couch, he sat by his work desk and turned on his night lamp for more light since the sun wasn’t strong enough yet.

With another cup of coffee, he cracked the joints of his knuckles and laid out his pens. He had 2 hours left to submit this plate, and at most he should accomplish 50% of his initial plan. However, he didn’t anticipate such a gorgeous outcome when he brought out his plate.

Picture perfect of every detail he desired, even adding a rooftop area with that he’d love to have if ever the museum does go under renovation one day. Rather than setting the plate during the day, it was at night as the skies were dark and bright specks of yellow inside the building symbolized light.

So much for wasting coffee, he’ll just give it to Jaemin when he wakes up later. Below the final product, a note written in cursive was stuck on it.

 I knew you wanted to get this specific plate done, but you mustn’t compromise your sleep for it. It’s your inhumane professor’s fault!

To make up for my faults, I wanted to help you out. I paid extra attention to the details you spoke highly about, so I only hoped that I interpreted it correctly. It’s risky, but as someone who researched so much about me, would you be surprised that I did such a thing?

PS: Get back to sleep. I’m quite sure your desk is laid out the same way in the Foreign Art Room.

Respectfully,

(Y/N)

 Turning off his lamp, Jeno jumped the covers of his bed to continue his lost sleep. Without an ounce of care that he hasn’t changed into cleaner clothes, he’s relieved that he won’t flunk his class.

Most of all, he’s relieved that you’ve melted the ice in you and allowed kindness to come in. Jeno may never understand how hard that must’ve been for you, yet he raved you for it.

“Oh, (Y/N) (Y/L/N). Surprise is an understatement when it comes to you.”