#sorry if it doesn't make sense i feel like some things aren't explained well and there are a shitton of plotholes

[just-another-scribe]

[the year is 2016 (so before deepfake)]

I stare at the projected screen in court with bewildered amusement. I have no idea what I just saw but no way in hell am I going to complain.

My lawyer glances at me from his seat and gives a small wink.

I raise my eyebrows slightly.

I paid half a million dollars on the dark web for this guy, and it seems it was worth it. However, he definitely has a cocky streak.

The rest of my trial proceeds flawlessly, with the defense being unable to combat my lawyers trump card.

While waiting for the trial to finish and my ass to slowly go numb from the hard wooden bench of the counsel table, I speculated how the lawyer might've pulled it off… the video, I mean. Do I have a doppelganger I'm unaware of? Was I one of those twins separated at birth for a psychological study?

Regardless, the thing that blows my mind the most is that the cricket match which "I" supposedly attended featured my two favorite teams playing against each other. Actually, the job had run overtime. I was planning on attending the match afterwards.

I was startled back to reality by my lawyer grabbing my shoulder. A brush of air passed me and sent a shiver down my spine as he bent down and whispered, "it's over, let’s go."

I inserted my hands into my pockets and followed my lawyer out of the courtroom distractedly. Regardless of how distracted I was, I managed to break the haze for a second and smirk at the prosecutors- huh, I guess I also have a cocky side.

I took a deep breath in. I really didn't think that I'd be walking free tonight.

My lawyer and I spoke at the same time.

He grinned, "well that was-"

"So how did you-" I began.

We looked at each other.

Simultaneously, we told each other, “You first."

He laughed. "As I was saying, that was the easiest case I've ever worked with! And one of the most profitable! I'm curious though- why did you spend so much if you didn't actually commit the crime? You had me thinking you were a killer, my friend!"

"Huh." I stared at him. "I am. I killed that man. What I'm wondering is how you managed to get that video…"

My lawyer stopped in his tracks.

"But… there were witnesses who all said they saw you in the stadium at the time of the crime. Do you have an identical twin or something?" He shook it off. "There's no way. The receipt and all the identification from the ticket kiosk checks out to you.

"I don't have a twin, at least I don't think. And I remember killing him. I can tell you in detail what transpired that night. I have no idea why the information tracks back to me. I wasn't there."

At this point, both of us were standing face to face on the sidewalk, and people were beginning to stare.

The gears of my mind factory had begun churning.

Unfortunately, it seemed like my brain cells had unionized and refused to work.

I made an executive decision on behalf of them.

"I'll pay you another half a million if you figure out how "I" was at the stadium."

The lawyer looked at me like he was a spoiled child who had just been told that this year, there were two Christmas's.

"Done deal good sir!"

"However," I added, "you only get paid after you 'close the case'."

"My beloved employer, I guarantee you I will find the man at TWICE the speed detective Conan would, for that sort of money- Er, I mean, for the well-being of such a wonderous gentleman such as yourself!"

I rolled my eyes. He was almost drooling.

I'd inherited a large sum of money from an unknown relative (I know, just like the stories), so money was never a problem for me.

Thankfully, neither was patience, and now, all I had to do was wait.

~~

The lawyer wanted to bang his head on the wall.

It had been three months and he was still wrapped up in this hellish case.

Literally ALL the evidence he'd uncovered, even the pieces he got from stalking the CCTVs, seemed to yell that his client was not the killer, and just another cricket fan.

Yet the man claimed he had committed the crime.

This was by far the oddest situation he had been in.

Furthermore, it seems that he'd found another man who seemed to be the actual killer. And that guy was decidedly not his employer.

He flung himself onto his couch dramatically and reconsidered his life so far.

Perhaps he shouldn't have gone to law school. Scratch that, perhaps he shouldn't be a money hungry capitalistic mongoose.

He sighed. Oh well. He didn't choose his personality. According to an online test he was an ENFP, so his dramatic mood swings were fully justified.

He turned around mirthlessly. Something caught his attention.

His floor was a collage of documents and amongst them peeked out his client’s medical history.

He had accessed this illegally out of curiosity a month ago but had lost it before examining it.

He twitched and sat up abruptly.

He didn't have his glasses on, so he pulled the document close to his face. His eyes grew wide. He laughed aloud and ran a hand through his hair.

He spoke to himself even though he knew no one was listening.

"All the pieces finally fit, and what a twisted picture this puzzle has revealed."

~~

I am sitting on a bench near a bridge at a busy park waiting for my lawyer. That man is always late.

He says that he is bringing my doppelganger, though, so I suppose this time it is permissible.

~

He has appeared but he is empty handed. I am disappointed but I decide to hear him out.

~

He isn't empty handed; he's holding a picture. I ask him to show it to me.

~

It's an ugly mirror selfie I took two weeks ago. What? How the hell did he even get that?

~

He says he is going to explain everything. About time.

~~

The lawyer cracked his knuckles. It wasn't particularly hot outside, but he could feel himself beginning to perspire.

He cleared his throat and began.

"My dear client, I agree with you, you are a killer, but not the killer you think you are."

His dear client stared at him.

"Were you ever going to tell me about your past? Well, I suppose you couldn't, because according to the doctors, you don't remember."

He was rambling.

"Around thirty years ago, you killed [name]. Your father, to be precise."

His client twitched. Oh no. He continued regardless.

"You killed him at [same address as the murder protag was accused for]. This was your old house…. your father, well, he was abusing you. Severely."

"I am told that you were on the verge of dying yourself when you stabbed your father with a kitchen knife and hit a vital artery. After this, you fell into complete shock and forgot the whole event, even your whole childhood with your father."

He stared at the sky.

"On [the day of the murder he was on trial for], you were indeed on your way to a cricket match. But you got lost on the way there and for some reason ended up at your place of residence."

"Your muscle memory took over. Your father had trained you to come home directly after school and prepare tea for him in the kitchen. You found the hidden key under the doormat and went inside to the kitchen."

"Incidentally, the kitchen was the site of the murder. You apparently witnessed the crime take place and the houses' present owner get stabbed in a freak coincidence. Upon seeing the scene, instead of being horrified, you broke into babbles and started mumbling about how you had killed someone and would surely go to hell."

"This thoroughly confused the real killer, who would've otherwise killed you, but instead, I suppose he got a bit scared himself and escorted you, a sobbing middle-aged man shouting that he was a killer, outside."

"I think he was afraid you'd blow his cover. Anyway, he saw the ticket receipt for the cricket match on your phone and called you an uber to get there… he stole your car and drove away."

"In the duration of the cricket match, it appears that you were completely zoned out and talking to yourself. I talked to your old psychiatrist and apparently, you'd done this before. You have a very active imagination. Your brain had seen the scene you had just witnessed before, and this time, at 38, you were able to accept that you were a killer, and for some reason your mind convinced yourself you were a mafia boss."

"According to your search history, the night before, you'd watched 'The Godfather', so that might explain that. Anyway… in conclusion… you have no doppelganger, and you are a killer, but not in the way you'd think… you're completely clean on the legal front… do you have any questions?"

"Oh and, I've anonymously reported the evidence of the real killer, so that case should be wrapping up soon."

He finished his soliloquy and looked at his client.

"Oh shit…"

~~

I woke up next to a very familiar old man.

I squinted. "Father…?"

He laughed, "don't you remember, it's 'Doctor Father' to you."

Something clicked. Before I could process it, my lawyer burst inside.

"THANK GOD HE WOKE UP I THOUGHT I KILLED HIM. You're lucky I had this guy on speed dial y'know." My lawyer waggled his finger Doctor Father. "Not gonna lie, this was by far the most interesting case I've ever worked on."

My lawyer hesitated…

"Are you okay though? I know that was a lot to take in."

I stared at him.

Honestly, it was a lot to take in, but it all made sense. My life after I'd thought I'd killed someone… it was defiantly weird. At points my entire personality shifted and at other times everything was fragmented. Looking back, it certainly wasn't normal. Or at least, it wasn't me.

But who even was I?

I think I was visibly distressed. Doctor Father placed a hand on my shoulder and looked at my lawyer.

"You've done enough, my dear, I'll take it from here. I'll take care of your fees as well. You are dismissed."

"Um, ok." My lawyer seemed a bit startled. He looked like he was about to speak but he shook his head, half-smiled at me, and left.

Doctor Father gave kindred smile. It felt like the warm hug I never knew I'd needed.

I relaxed. I was no longer bewildered or amused. I was at peace. I was safe. I was… innocent...

You are in court for murder, when your lawyer shows a video of a sports game with you in the audience and proves that you are innocent. However despite having the ticket and the claims of having gone to the game, you actually did commit the crime and have no idea what you just saw on the video.

[weird-is-life]

hey lovie! what about a remus x reader where he sees her asleep in the back of the library one evening on his prefect rounds and he wakes her up. he is more concerned on how long she’s been studying/asleep since it’s so late…on their walk she just walks with him during his rounds because they are just chatty

they both fancy each other but neither of them think the other thinks the same. he walks her back to gryf tower snd he finally says what he’s wanted to say for years

(i hope that makes sense and if ya hate the idea, no problemo lol)

xoxo

Hii lovely🥰 ty for the request. I tried my best, hope this is okay. Warnings: fluff, use of y/n, like one swear word, (0.9k)

Remus has seen you many times before. Either in the common room, halls, dining room, and the most in the library.

Remus always sees you in the library. Sitting quietly more at the back of the room. Either reading some book or doing the assignments for the classes.

So it's no surprise to see you here even now. But it definitely catches him off guard seeing you here so so late. Remus was on the last one of his prefect rounds before heading to bed himself, and he wasn't expecting to see you in the library.

Remus, from a shorter distance, notices that you are asleep. Softly exhaling one breath after another. Something stirs in Remus's heart at the sight of you, but he ignores it.

Remus approaches you, and tries to wake you up as nicely as he can. He doesn't want to scare you. He gently shakes you by your shoulder, and whispers your name a few times.

You rouse from sleep, blinking,  completely baffled by Remus's handsome face.

Remus thinks you are even more cute when you are half asleep. It's not doing any favors to his feelings for you. But he wills those thoughts away, and says, "sorry, y/n. You fell asleep in the library, and it's getting pretty late."

The sleep haze quickly dissappears when you realise where you are. You are up on your feet in a matter of seconds, packing your things away.

"Shit. I'm sorry. I was reading, and-and I must have fallen asleep," you explain in a mild panic. You would be in a lot of trouble if it was anybody else other than Remus that had found you here. Students aren't allowed out of their dorms this late at night.

"It's alright," Remus reassures you with a warm smile," I've done that so many times. I can't even count how many times James or Sirius had to walk down here to retrieve me."

"Really?" you giggle quietly, still very much sleepy and a little stressed.

"Yeah, really," Remus chuckles, too. "Now c'mon, let's get you to your dorm. I'll walk you there. Well, that is if you don't mind."

You shake your head. Indicating that you don't mind at all. Your cheeks go pretty pink as Remus and you start to walk towards the dorms.

You've always thought that Remus was so handsome, and so so smart. You'd never done anything about your crush, of course. Too scared to say anything. But that doesn't mean you haven't been admiring him. You have just-........from afar.

"Why were you in the library so late?" Remus asks to fill in the awkward quiet between you. And also he's a bit worried about you staying there until so late.

"Just studying, I couldn't figure out one assignment," you sigh. You still haven't figured it out, even if you stayed in the library for so many hours.

"The one for the potions?"

"Yeah," you admit in defeat," I've read everything I possibly could, but still i didn't find the answer."

Remus gives you a hesitant smile. You two are just a few steps from the dorms. You were walking too long in the awkward silence, and now the flowing conversation is about to end.

"I can give you the answer. I'll give it to you right away if you give me a second to look for it in my room," Remus instantly offers.

He's spent good few hours trying to find the answer too, so he understands how frustrating it can get. So he's very willing to give you the answer just so you don't go to bed with that on your mind. And also because he likes you, like a lot, and he would give you literally anything if you'd asked for it. He's down that bad for you.

"Really? I would really appreciate it, Remus," you say, happy about his help. You can't even think of how you could possibly thank him for it.

"Just give me a second," he turns towards his dorm, but he suddenly freezes halfway to the door.

Remus abruptly gets a better idea or well it depends on how well it goes. He just can't help his feelings for you any longer, and he needs to know what you feel, too. Even if he may get rejected, and end up with a broken heart.

Remus slowly turns around to face you again, a shy smile on his face.

"Or-r," he starts," we could go to Hogsmeade during the weekend, and I could explain it to you there. With something nice to eat and drink." Remus blurts it out in one breath.

Your eyes go very wide. Is Remus Lupin asking you out on a date or are you still very much asleep in the library, dreaming of this moment?

"L-like a date?" you sheepishly ask, blushing, and looking everywhere but him after your question.

"Yes. Exactly like a date." Remus states, looking nervous and hopeful at the same time.

You look up at him with a smile, you can't really believe that this is happening, " I think, I'd love that."

"Really?" Remus questions happily.

"Yes, really," you nod your head, sending a reassuring smile his way.

"Great. I can't wait," he tells you with a visible excitement.

"Me too," you admit bashfully.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. We can sort out the time then. Goodnight, y/n," Remus says, giving you one more soft smile of his.

"Yes, tomorrow then. Goodnight to you too, Remus," you wave him goodbye, and quickly dissappear into your dorm before you can collapse on the spot from the way your legs have turned to jello.

You think you can hear pretty loud cheers of the Marauders as you head to change into your pyjamas. A shy giggle escapes your mouth when you think about Remus telling his best mates about your date, and them being so happy about it.

[newtthetranswriter]

Hi!! I was wondering if I could make a request for headcannons for Natsu, Gajeel, Bickslow, and Laxus reacting to their girlfriend saying I love you to them for the first time?? She knows she loves them, and they know she does too, but she's always had a hard time actually saying the words out loud. I hope that makes sense, I'm so sorry if it doesn't. I struggle explaining anything I come up with, it's okay of you don't wanna write it too. Thanks for even just checking this request, hope your day is going well!!!

A/n: Hi, I'm doing great, How are you? This makes sense to me so don't worry about that, I also understand not being able to explain things so i get it. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and remember to hydrate or diedrate.

Natsu:

He also has trouble saying how he feels so he would never pressure anyone to voice their feelings if they aren't ready

So when you quietly say 'I love you' one afternoon, he completely freezes

Natsu has known for a while that you loved him, with the random gifts you would give or your need to be close to him, he understood and was happy just receiving your affections that way

But hearing those words, that are so quite that had it not been for his heightened senses he would have missed them, he completely freezes

After taking a second to process what just happened, he pulls you into a tight hug, whispering the phrase back to you

He makes sure that you know he feels the same and that he is overjoyed that you felt comfortable enough to say those words

Gajeel:

He's dense but he could tell you cared for him, especially with the relaxed scent you gave off when you are around him

He's never been big on feelings and mushy words so he never expects you to say those three words

So when it does happen he has to do a double take, and freezes for much longer than Natsu would

He'd just stare for a good minute or two trying to figure out if he actually heard you right, he only snaps out of it when he realizes that you are panicking and trying to take it back

Gajeel will definitely panic while trying to reassure you that he feels the same and that you didn't do anything wrong, he's bad with words give him a second

After words he will shower you in gifts and compliments for your bravery and as an apology for making you worry that he didn't feel the same

Laxus:

He short circuits, like you can see the electricity crackling around him as he processes what you said

Laxus may be harsh to others but to the ones he loves he can be vary gentle

So you can expect him saying that he loves you too, and he even goes as far as thanking you because he's done some shitty stuff and is honored to still receive your love

Later after the shock wears of though he is definitely going to make comments about how he knew for a while he just wanted you to say something first

He is extremely respectful of your boundaries and will always wait for you to make the first move

Bickslow: (I love this man and he needs more attention)

Anyways, he is completely flabbergasted

Like yeah, you've been dating for awhile and he knew you loved him after all why else would you deal with his bullshit, but like hearing you say it that's a whole new ball game

Bickslow will 100% ask if you are sure because he doesn't want you to say it now and then decide later that you regret it because it will break him

He just can't hold back the smile that crosses his face when you assure him that yes you in fact really mean it

He then has to hold in a laugh after he says he loves you too because his babies are repeating the sentiment while bumping into your sides causing you to start laughing

[snzunii]

goodnight n go ( ran h. ) — part one.

it's really bad that you get along so well.

tags. romance, angst, betrayal, hurt/comfort, established relationship, explicit sexual content, bonten!ran, detective!reader, canon-typical violence, crimes and criminals, drugs, smoking, drinking, illegal activities, EIGHTEEN PLUS ONLY.

This was a familiar scene to you—fluorescent lights buzzing, the scent of your cold discarded coffee swirling in the air as you stare at multiple files spread across your desk.

You were looking back and forth at the board, dozens of pictures of criminals lined up on the walls and none of them were the ones that you were looking for. You tapped your pen on the notebook, going back and forth about all the information that you and your colleagues gathered.

But none of them seemed to help.

“This is bullshit.” you muttered as you stood up, hands on your waist as you walked towards the pictures.

“Hey. It’s late. Aren't you going home?” Takashi sat on the free space on your desk, reaching for the single folder. “You’ve been at this for hours. Maybe you should get some sleep. We still have tomorrow, y’know?”

You looked back at him, contemplating whether to pack your things up or stay another hour. You suddenly became aware of the clock on the wall ticking, as if it’s urging you to make a decision this instant. 

“I feel like I’m missing something, ‘Kashi.” you said, you reached for another folder and showed Takashi the details you gathered the other day. “This doesn't make sense.”

“What doesn't make sense?” Takashi leaned a bit closer, examining the document. 

“I feel like sometimes I’m getting close then I get fed the same bullshit. It’s like they know what we’re about to do. Are they ghosts or do they have some superpowers of some kind? Because that’ll explain things—and oh, I gotta tell you, they've got some loyal members there because we don't have any names of the high profile members. Not even their boss.” you sighed, slamming your pen on the table.

Takashi just stared at you as you rambled on. “What do ‘ya think, ‘Kashi?”

“I think you’re stressed and you won't solve anything if you don't get any sleep.” Takashi said and closed the folder that you were holding, “Go home, YN. That’s an order.”

You frowned, pursing your lips. “I may be your friend, and you may be the Captain’s daughter but I’m still your superior officer. Now, get.”

You sighed in defeat. It has been months since you’ve been included in this case. You were shocked the first time, thinking that your father trusted you enough to give you such a high-profile case, it’s about time that he trusted your skills, you thought. 

But that was shattered the moment that he told you that he was only giving you this case because you were too proud of yourself. They spent years trying to know the identities of these infamous criminals but all they got was squat. What makes you think that you could do it?

But you want to prove him wrong—no one knows who the executives are. You promised yourself, you’d be the first one to know. Some will say that you’re delusional, that of all people, it would never be you. But that wouldn’t bring you down, it was never impossible for you. 

That’s how you conditioned yourself. That was how you survived all the hurtful things your father said to bring you down.

Nothing is impossible. You will catch Bonten. It’s just a matter of time before you do. 

…

“Baby, I’m home.” you whispered, climbing on to the bed with your boyfriend who was currently sleeping. His hair was disheveled, mouth slightly agape as you looked at his peaceful, sleeping face. Looking at him was enough for you to forget all the things that you went through today—it’s like he got this power that could make your problems vanish just by looking at him. You smiled when you saw him opening one eye to look at you. “I’m sorry, I woke you up.”

“What time is it?” he groaned, his hand grasping your waist, pulling you close to him. His scent overwhelmed your senses, he smelled so good that you just wanted to literally drown yourself in him. “You’re just getting in now?”

You used his arm as your pillow, kissing his cheek as you squirmed next to him. “Uh-huh. ‘m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” he closed his eyes again, while you leaned on his chest and closed your eyes as well. You listened to his heart beating, it’s as if it’s calming you—it was steady, grounding. It was a quiet reassurance that he’s there for you.

The room was silent—and just for a moment, all your worries faded. You felt his hand gently brush up against your back, it was slow and soothing. 

“How’s work?” he asked softly.

“Fine. Just the same.” you sighed, “I don't even want to think about it. I’m tired and sleepy. I just want to rest.”

“Poor baby.” he mumbled, “Just rest, okay? I’m here. You don’t have to think about anything else.”

This is one of the moments where you wanted time to stop. It’s almost so easy to forget everything when you’re with him. It was simple, safe. 

“I love you, Ran.” you murmured.

Ran leaned, pressing a gentle kiss on your hair. “I love you.”

You opened your eyes, and there you saw him looking at you. Your gaze locked, you’re with him for a long time but the closeness still makes your stomach turn, your heart pound. You can feel everything at once. 

You couldn’t help but pull him in, pressing your lips into his. His hands slipping inside your shirt—overwhelming you with his touch. His fingers groveling on your skin—you were restless, you were losing your mind over the little things that he does.

He’s kissing you like he wanted to take all your worries away, like he could make it disappear with a snap of his fingers. 

His kisses trails down onto your neck, slowly and deliberately. His lavender locks caught in between your fingers. “Ran.. Please.”

“I know, baby.” he groaned, it was like he was restraining himself. Because if he didn’t, he would take all that you are—leaving you with nothing for yourself. 

…

“How many kids do you want?” you suddenly asked, you were both looking at the ceiling, only the thin blanket draped over your bodies.

You heard Ran chuckle, with a frown on your face, you look at him. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” Ran turned to look at you and you did the same, “I want five.”

“Excuse me?” His answer left you dumbfounded, because to be honest, you were afraid of having one—you want one but the thought of pushing it out of your body makes you scared a little and now your boyfriend wants—what, five?

“What? You asked.” he laughed and you rolled your eyes, “How about you? How many kids do you want?”

“I want just one.” you pouted, “Uhm—maybe, two?”

Then you saw that familiar smirk on his face, that sly smile adorned on his pretty face. “Then two it is… but we’ll see.”

“Ran!” you playfully swatted his chest, he laughs then catches your hand, intertwining it with his. “You’re never gonna let that five go, huh?”

“Nope.” you just sighed, you stare at that tattoo before burying your face on the crook of his neck, his fingers tracing patterns on your back.

“Whatever.” you mumbled, “Two or five, I don’t really care. As long as it’s with you.”

You were both silent for a bit then you suddenly remembered something. You looked at him, he raised his eyebrow.

“By the way, do you remember the club where we met?” Ran hummed, looking at you as he waited for you to continue speaking, “It closed today. We arrested the owner.”

Ran ears pulsated as you kept on talking about how you arrested the guy, how you caught them doing shit—how close you think you are to catching Bonten. “I think they’re connected to Bonten, but they're not talking, y’know? It’s so frustrating.”

You realize that you shouldn't be telling this to anyone. But Ran’s not anyone to you—you trust him. You trust him that you would tell him everything that is going on.

You trust him too much that you’re willing to spend your whole life with him and create that future that you wanted.

Ran wanted to laugh. Not because you were being stupid—because it was so frustrating for him too. You were supposed to be just someone he sleeps with, and not call the next morning.

That was always the case for him. But a year later, you’re still here. Having these talks with him at three in the morning—not knowing he’s one of the guys that you’re spending your time and energy looking for.

It was so frustrating because he fell in love with you.

And you’re his enemy. But at the same time, you are the love of his life.

You probably know all the horrific things that he did and you have no idea that it was him that did most of the things that you know. How would you even react if you knew it was him?

Would you still look at him with that beam in your eyes? Would you still smile at him? Kiss him? Would you still love him?

He’s afraid to know.

You only know him as this kind, caring boyfriend who’s never afraid to show you how much he loves you. You only know him as the person who you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.

You never doubt him because he’s never given you any reason to.

He held you a little closer, he was feeling everything but everything seemed normal to you and he wanted it to stay that way. He thought that if he could just hold you like this and just stay with you in this little bubble that you created for yourselves, he would shield you from the truth.

That he’s not who he says he is.

He doesn’t want to let go of this. He feels like a different person when he’s with you, he was just Ran. Your boyfriend, who makes silly jokes, who stays up with you all night when you can’t sleep—even though you know how much he loves to sleep. 

“Just be careful, okay?” he said quietly, you could feel the vulnerability in his voice, like losing you is the one thing that he couldn’t bear. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” you kissed him gently, “You don’t have to worry, there’s nothing to worry about.”

But there is.

He knows how dangerous this is. He knows what things you’ll do just to catch them… him. 

And when that day comes, he doesn’t know what to do.

…

Your alarm echoed throughout the room, Ran wasn’t there but it was usual for you. There were times that he was needed this early for work—you never really questioned him about it. You reached for your phone and you saw a text from him.

‘Got pulled into work early. I’m sorry. I’ll see you tonight? I love you.’

You typed a reply and settled your phone down to get ready for the day. You sighed as you looked at yourself in the mirror, you don't even know what's going to happen today.

It was odd, how you keep on remembering the things that Ran said last night.

You shrugged it off. It’s probably nothing.

“Morning, YN. Had a good sleep?” Takashi greeted you as soon as you settled your things down at your desk. 

“Yeah.” you sipped your freshly brewed coffee and immediately looked at the pictures on the wall, like that’s going to change anything. But everyday, these pictures taunt you. It’s like they’re telling you that you’re a failure because you couldn't catch them.

It was unusual how today seemed so different. 

“You okay?” Takashi asked, he tapped your shoulder, bringing you back from your own thoughts. “Staring at that wall isn't going to change anything. We’ll find something. Trust me.”

You went on for the day, doing detective work outside the precinct. Looking for something, just something. 

“This is a dead end. Let’s go back.” Takashi says as he closes his notebook. “They're all saying the same shit.”

“Yeah.” you sighed, “Let’s go—”

You were cut off when your phone rings. 

You signaled Takashi that you’ll just answer the phone and he nodded at you, walking back to the car. 

“Hey, baby. What’s up?”

“Lunch?”

You looked at the time and chuckled, it’s exactly twelve in the afternoon. Of course, he’s calling to remind you to eat. “I’m about to go back to the precinct and grab some lunch. How ‘bout you, baby? Have you eaten yet?”

“I’m about to. Just wanted to check if you are too.” 

“Uh-huh. I’ll send you a picture of my lunch later. Okay?” you giggled, you heard him laugh on the other side of the call. “Good girl. I’ll see you later, I love you.”

“Me too.”

“Me too, what?”

“I love you.” 

…

‘Hey, handsome. I’m heading home. What do you want for dinner?’

You put your phone in your pocket as soon as you sent the text. You didn't have anything significant today so you decided to go home early, cook for Ran, you thought, for a change.

He was always the one cooking for the two of you because you're usually the one who comes home late. Plus, you wanted to do something nice for him, he had been so understanding and patient with you—and your very demanding job.

After you packed up your things, you looked at the phone to see if he responded. But there was nothing on your notifications.

It wasn't odd. Maybe he’s just busy today.

You were driving home when you caught something—you spy with your pretty little eye—someone with lavender hair. In his car, driving past you.

“Ran?”

You weren't supposed to turn the car around and follow him. You trust him, right? But why was he going in this direction? 

This isn't the way to your apartment. And certainly, it isn't the way to his work. Where are you going, Ran?

You were about to reach for the dashboard to call him. But you stopped yourself, you were afraid. 

You don't want to catch him in a lie.

Because he's not the type to do that. He’s your Ran. What would he lie about? You gripped the steering wheel, your heart pacing as fast as it shouldn't be. This isn't you, you keep telling yourself. 

You were trying to find all the right reasons as to why you were trailing your boyfriend. Like he’s some criminal that you were following.

But why are you feeling this way? Is he cheating on you? Is he doing something… horrible? Maybe you should turn the car around, drive back to the apartment and wait for him there.

Just stay there, in the bubble. You’ll be good there. 

But it will kill you, not knowing things. 

Maybe that’s what you should've done. You're so lost in your thoughts that you didn't notice that you were driving out of town, into some unfamiliar place you’ve never been.

Finally, he stops. He’s in a busy town, entering a… restaurant?

Fuck’s sake, maybe he’s just buying food. “What the hell am I think—”

Your brows furrowed as you saw some familiar face, walking into the same place your boyfriend just walked into. That’s the fucker that you arrested last month, the one who escaped—you fucking don't know how.

You walked out of your car, discreetly walking to the back of the establishment. You didn't want to alarm the guy you arrested, he’ll probably know who you are.

You certainly can't take him alone. 

You saw a backdoor and was about to reach for the knob when you felt something on your back. It was too familiar for you not to know what it is. “If I were you, I wouldn't do that.”

His voice was cold, almost making you shiver. “Sorry, I’m just lost—”

“Don't make that dumb shit up with me.” you bite your lip, your body tensed up as you try to turn your head, looking at the man who’s holding your life in his hand right now.

You saw his face, scars on both sides of his mouth, he’s got long cerise hair. He knocked on the door and you saw the tattoo on his forearm.

You swallowed, your stomach churning as you recognized that tattoo. That’s the one on your boyfriend’s neck, it’s the same one.

You couldn't even begin to process what was happening when the door opened. It was another man, with long lavender hair. With the same tattoo on his neck… just like Ran.

He looks awfully a lot like your boyfriend. 

“YN?”

“You know her?” 

Of course, he knows you. He knows you.

“H-how the fuck do you know me?” your words stuttered, your mouth was dry and you couldn't even think straight. “What the fuck is happening?”

“I should be the one asking you questions. What the fuck are you doing here?” 

“That’s enough.” the man behind you spoke, “You’re coming with us, lady.”

You froze as you piece things together. It makes you sick, you couldn't even fathom what you're about to discover. You weren't scared, you were confused.

What was Ran doing here?

Why… just why?

They led you through a dimly lit hallway. You were out of yourself, you were trying to make sense out of all this. So many questions were running on the back of your mind. 

Your heart was racing, your mind thinking all of the worst that could happen, but most of all, you were thinking what could possibly be Ran’s connection to these people?

Why was he here?

Finally, you reached the end of the hallway. The door opened and what greeted you was silence, you were surrounded by men that you don't recognize except for one.

He was there. Standing like he’s one of them. 

He froze the second his gaze landed on you. You couldn't say anything else but his name. 

“R-ran?”

You wanted to leave. You wanted to go home because you don't want to know about this. You were regretting your decision of ever following him here.

You wanted to go back to your bed, laugh with him until three in the morning. Talk about the house, the kids, the life that you both wanted. 

“Oh. This is your girlfriend, isn't it?” The man with a scar on his face mockingly said, “Well, isn't she pretty?”

You felt your chest tighten, everything was hitting you all at once—the hurt, the anger. Everything.

They were all looking at you like you were a threat. But you didn't care, you were just looking at him. Waiting for him to tell you what this is. Waiting for him to come and take you away but he doesn't move.

“Sanzu.” Another man speaks, the one sitting in the middle—with the white hair. Sanzu, the one holding a gun behind your back walks towards him and whispers something to him. 

“What do ‘ya think, Ran? What should we do with your little girlfriend?” Sanzu asked, “Should we set her free or should we..?”

Sanzu cocked his gun and pointed it at you, again. 

“W-what the fuck is happening?” you find your voice, though it trembled you gave your all to stay composed, “Ran, could you tell me what the fuck is going on?”

Sanzu laughed, “You really don't know, huh? Aren’t you a detective? You didn't know you were dating one of us?”

“One of what?” 

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fu—

“Bonten, darling.” he smirked, “Aren't you looking for us, well, we’re here! And you’re living with one, isn't that great?”

You felt stupid, these are the criminals that you were looking for months. This was the missing piece. They're staring you in the face. You were in the smack dab, middle of it all. You were sleeping beside him, you were touching him, the one you were looking for was telling you he loves you, right to your face and you were too stupid.

Too trusting not to know. 

You form your fist into a tight ball, your nails sinking into your skin. You don't know what your fate is, all you know is, you were hoping all this was just a dream.

A sick, twisted, horrible dream. 

Ran walked towards you, they're just watching what he does next. You froze when he reached for his gun but then he placed it on your hand, “Shoot me, YN.”

“Ran.”

“Shoot me.” 

Your tears were brimming, you gasped as you gripped the gun—your finger on the trigger, pointing it at him. Everyone was looking at you like it was their form of some sick entertainment—nobody was doing anything.

“Do it, baby.” he says softly, “Kill me.”

“I..” 

This was what you wanted these past few months, right? You told him that. You were so frustrated that you wanted to kill all of them on sight.

But why couldn't you do it, right now?

Why does it have to be him?

“I can't.” you slowly let go of the gun, placing it in his hand. Ran didn't care if they shot him but he wanted to get you out. And he knows he couldn't do that safely, if you didn't prove yourself to them.

You couldn't kill him. 

That was assurance enough. For now.

[bonefall]

Hey Bones! Sorry if this is a bit random to ask you, but-

Is it ok if you elaborate and/or explain how Millie is ableist towards Briarlight please?

I haven’t really heard much people within the fandom talk about Millie’s treatment of Briarlight and her disability as negative and/or bad compared to Millie not really paying attention to Blossomfall within the books.

So I’m interested what you know and/or have to say about it.

OH boy, I feel like this one is REALLY easy to see if you just pop the book open. It will make your skin crawl once you see these quotes. Millie is an AWFUL mother and SHOCKING in how nasty she is to her disabled child.

I run in some pretty good circles and curate my Tumblr experience well, so I see plenty of people just mentioning it as a fucked up thing the series did casually, but I'll make a compilation of the worst of it.

(CW for some serious ableism, Millie is terrible.)

She's injured in Chapter 11 of OotS Book 2: Fading Echoes, and Millie is obsessive over her until Chapter 9 of OotS Book 3: Night Whispers. She's interfering with Jayfeather's treatments, constantly in the den, shouting at him when he tries to be honest about Briarlight's condition.

But that would be understandable. She's concerned and the prognosis isn't great. Her very young, athletic daughter (basically 17-ish) has suddenly received a life-altering injury that will drastically affect her life. Until Night Whispers Chapter 9, she's just worrying about her daughter.

And then we get this.

(Please note this is happening in front of the entire Clan. The entire social group is watching this.)

Though Briarlight expressed frustration with her exercises and how painful and difficult recovery was in Fading Echoes, that is not the case in Night Whispers. At this point, it's difficult but Briarlight is recovering well. MILLIE decides that her daughter being alive with a disability is suffering.

Note how in this exchange, Jayfeather is being forced to comfort Briarlight's MOTHER. Not BRIARLIGHT herself, the one with the injury who is looking at a massive upheaval to her life. Though superficially it seems like this is coming from a place of love, Millie is making Briarlight's recovery about herself by doing this, and this exchange is ableist.

Millie: "I want her to do all of these able-bodied things."

Jay: "That will not happen, but life has inherent value."

Millie: "No it doesn't, if you cannot do those able-bodied things, you are suffering."

But it gets worse because it's not even that she's only expressing this in private. Her daughter is within earshot. The newly disabled person is listening to their own fucking mother call her medical treatment "dragging out her suffering."

BURN this passage into your mind. Having heard her OWN FUCKING MOTHER cry to a crowd of cats that maybe it would be better if she was DEAD, watching several cats drop everything to comfort HER for having a disabled daughter, Briarlight has to drag herself out and act like a cute baby to get her to stop making a public spectacle.

It's hard to describe to someone who hasn't been in the situation before, but if your parent is making a scene like that, it'll end up falling onto you to "appeal" to their sense of... parental valor, is the best way I can put it. "See? Aren't I getting better? I promise I'll work hard. I'm not hurt it's okay! Everything is fine!" You give them a chance to affirm how good of a parent they are, for helping you, or 'putting up' with you. You have to assure them that your existence isn't so bad.

In essence, it falls onto the child to comfort their parent.

This is specifically a form of a toxic family dynamic called emotional parentification, on top of it being obviously ableist. She is being shoved into a position where she needs to sacrifice her OWN need for support and comfort to coddle her parent, to STOP her from making a scene, while that parent screams that her disabled life is worth less than her siblings' abled ones to a crowd of cats.

Naturally, this affects Briarlight's sense of self-worth. She stops eating.

Thankfully, Jayfeather is here to have an exchange about how her life has value. For all my issues with Jayf in later arcs, he has some of his best moments here in OotS.

In later books, Briarlight's struggles with self-worth continue. It's all shit that Millie implied about her being less useful because she is unable to do what her siblings can.

It's every other cat who has to come in and assure Briarlight that she isn't worthless. Not Millie. Millie comes on screen and she's either making Briarlight feel like garbage or barking at Jayfeather for not doctoring hard enough.

She desperately craves independence. This above scene is happening because she wanted to come out into the woods for the first time in forever, and she's being suffocated and bossed around in the camp constantly. It was up to her brother, Bumblestripe, to do anything to help her.

Not her dad. Not her mom. Bumblestripe. (Rare Bumblestripe W)

I also want to take a brief moment to point out a detail that the fandom often forgets, about Blossomfall. She actually knows full well that her feelings are unreasonable here, and she believes that the fact she isn't feeling "what she is supposed to" is proof that she is a bad person who deserves hell.

Millie's actions are crushing ALL of her children under its weight. Briarlight is obviously getting the worst of it, but these are YOUNG adults, just out of apprenticeship, and Blossomfall is being told that her sister is in a constant state of "suffering." This means she's not allowed to be frustrated about how Millie is behaving, because hating THAT means you hate your sister, and that makes her an awful person.

What Blossomfall is describing here is the feelings associated with being a glass child.

But no it's not JUST that she's being neglectful to Blossomfall, who yes, is a young adult and can take responsibility for her own actions. Millie is being nasty to Bloss too, directly comparing her to Briarlight and unironically doing the "You should be GRATEFUL you can walk when BRIARLIGHT WOULD DO ANYTHING TO LEGS AROUND."

Again. I'll state the very obvious from the passage.

"Hey Millie, your other daughter looks kinda upset right now!" = "PERFECT TIME TO SNAP AT HER"

Blossomfall = Wasted her morning when she should be Useful

Useful = Can hunt

"YOUR SISTER wouldn't act like this"

Proper warrior = spends every waking minute in service of the clan

Once again, Millie does this in public, with several people watching her rip into her child. She even gets ANGRY at Brackenfur gently trying to soften the blow. It's freakjob shit to hear, "h-hey, at least they're safe!" and SNARL back "IS IT?"

Millie continues to hover over Briarlight well into Bramblestar's Storm. The closure for these intense, insulting comments, public embarrassments, snapping at and neglecting one child while telling the other one that her life was "suffering" because she can't walk is.....

millie watches her do some pull-ups and is so impressed by them she isn't bigoted anymore :o)

"my daughter's membership at British Planet Fitness paid off. Look at how big her biceps are now. I guess I was wrong to tell her that her life is inherently suffering because she can't hunt, just look at her gooooo"

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

So, basically, Millie's a terrible parent. She never gets properly called out for this manipulative, toxic behavior. She says that her own daughter might have been better off dead in public. She makes Briarlight feel like half of a cat because she can't do all the things her siblings do, while her siblings are told that they should be grateful they're not disabled like Briarlight.

And just to end off, because it's relevant, the BRAND NEW writing team then killed off Briarlight in an incredibly stupid, insulting way. She catches fucking Greencough in AVoS so that they can have a very sad funeral for a couple of chapters, before moving on to Jayfeather being a shithead to Alderheart for being friends with Velvet.

Then they wrote a line in Squirrelflight's Hope where Squilf's mother begs her to stay dead in heaven, because if she goes back to life, she might be disabled like Briarlight and her mate Bramblestar won't want her anymore. The line was so bad the authors promised that it wouldn't be there in reprints; the reprint still has not come.

normal series.

[esamastation]

Part fifty-eight of Shizuroth, aka, the SOLDIER General's Self Saving Shizun.

Ao3 link.

Previous parts: forty-seven forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty, fifty-one, fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five, fifty-fix, fifty-seven

-

The first day with Tseng as his babysitter begins easily enough. They have breakfast, they have tea, Tseng has impeccable manners, and even compliments the tea… There's no weird comments, no pointed looks, and when Sephiroth gets ready to train, Tseng says nothing, just follows him outside to watch.

And then he watches. He watches Sephiroth very closely. He watches every movement like he's looking for flaws. Sephiroth feels like he's being graded, like this is a test and every move he makes is being scored on a damn point scale!

Who could concentrate on cultivation like this?!

"Do you have to?" Sephiroth asks irritably.

"I am not doing anything," Tseng says mildly as if he's not just standing there, staring.

Giving him an unimpressed look, Sephiroth rests one hand on his hip. "Reno and Rude managed to observe without being in my face about it - can't you do the same?"

"If the result is the same, why does it matter which way I go about my observation?" Tseng asks. "I will still be observing, and you will still be aware of it."

"Yeah, but I wouldn't have to see your face doing it," Sephiroth says, annoyed. 

"Inability to handle public pressure seems an odd quality for someone so… famous."

The guy is actually trying to piss him off. Sephiroth realises this with a mixture of incredulity and awe. Tseng is actually trying to make him, Sephiroth, the Big Bad with one psychotic episode already behind him, lose his temper. Does the guy have no survival instincts, or is this some kind of test?

Probably a test. The Turks are far too practical for it to be the other thing. And that makes it a little less annoying and far more worrisome.

"What do you want, Tseng?" Sephiroth asks slowly. "Do you want me to lose control?"

Tseng blinks at him, his face like a fine-featured mask. "Are you going to?"

Annoying. "Keep this up and I might."

"Very well," Tseng says and fucking settles down to wait.

Sephiroth suppresses the urge to tap his foot at the man and instead takes a step back mentally. It's another manipulation tactic, and it's not even subtle. Tseng is doing some corporate middle manager psychology bullshit, establishing authority through perceived roles in the corporate ladder.

I'm the observer and the judge. You are on trial. Now perform for me.

Ugh, it gives him the worst kind of flashbacks for Shen Yuan's family life. Did not miss that part of it one bit! But now that he knows what's up…

Sephiroth smiles at Tseng - who of course doesn't so much as blink in return, but Sephiroth can sense how he goes on guard.

You want to play office politics, sir? You picked the wrong Peak Lord.

"Very well," Sephiroth says pleasantly. "Then you can help me with this."

That makes Tseng actually react. "I'm sorry?"

"Your job here isn't just to observe me, is it? It's also to get me back to my duties promptly, right?" Sephiroth says and smiles a little wider. "That will occur much faster with your help."

Tseng hesitates, clearly sensing the trap.

"Unless you want my report to eventually include a section explaining how I could've, surely, returned to work faster, if only I had the cooperation of my coworker."

Tseng's eyes are narrow. "We are not coworkers."

"We work for the same company, don't we? In different branches, perhaps, but still within the same corporate structure - within the same department, even. Ultimately, aren't our goals within Shinra the same?" Sephiroth purrs, putting all his smug villainy into it. "Surely we should be working together."

Now, Tseng could still decline. If this was your usual corporate politics, maybe he would've. But there's not much Tseng can actually gain in the attempt of putting Sephiroth down, seeing as they really are in very different fields within the company. So there's a different motive for his posturing. Question is, when given different avenues to pursue, which will tilt the scales? The original goal, whatever it was, or a new opportunity and all its potential gains?

What's the worth of an indebted Sephiroth to Tseng?

"Very well," Tseng finally says and steps forward, adjusting his gloves as he does. He's suspicious, more so than before, but there's a crack, an opening, in his hard outer shell. "What can I do for you?"

Sephiroth smiles a little wider. Seems like what his Da-ge used to say is true after all. Ultimately, all successful company men are opportunists. 

"Tell me, Tseng - do you use Materia?" Sephiroth asks.

"... I do, yes," Tseng says slowly. "Though I wouldn't call myself an expert, especially in the face of a SOLDIER."

Well, isn't that a surprise. Humility. "Do you have any you particularly favour?" Sephiroth asks interestedly.

Tseng hesitates, just looking at him for a moment. "I tend to carry at least a Sense and a Barrier with me."

Information and defence. "Fitting," Sephiroth hums, looking him up and down. "Using Materia, you have a pool of MP," he says. "Correct?"

"... Yes, obviously I do," Tseng agrees slowly, even more on edge now. "What of it?"

Sephiroth's eyes wander up his face - and to the red dot adorning the space between his brows. 

In PIDW many cultivators marked their upper dantian. Shen Qingqiu did too, when he felt like it, with a little red line. It was where Luo Binghe's Demon Seal rested too, marking his connection and curse from the heavens. What such markings mean tends to vary with the setting and what rules, traditions and myths were in play. But usually they mark someone as especially enlightened.

Why Tseng has a mark on his forehead, Sephiroth has no idea. He's pretty sure it wasn't ever fully explained or explored, like a lot of other things about Wutai. It's very clearly deliberately applied, and it means something. 

Sephiroth hums to himself, as the Turk braces himself for a battle he doesn't even know is already over.

"Tell me, Tseng," he says and smiles, "Do you know where the MP resides in your body?" 

-

Get Shizun'd, part two.

This was brought to you by fever and a good nap.

[draco-after-dark]

Captured and contained

Little info dump on the whole diamond prison thing with regards to my Feral JD AU

So basically what happened when Velvet and Veneer first captured JD in my au is Veneer is always looking for more animals for his little side zoo project. They happened to be doing a photo shoot outside in the woods for a new album cover. Veneer went on a walk to have some alone time and stumbled across a little goblin boy. Aka JD.

"Oooo aren't you a cute little fella, You would be perfect as desk decoration!"

*JD gets snatched*

Later when Veneer tells Velvet he got a new pet and reveals JD. Her initial reaction is "Okay, but where did you even get that thing it's disgusting." JD proceeds to bite Veneer (multiple times) and wriggle himself free from his hands. He then runs rampant through their dressing room until they manage to contain him in a crystal bottle. The only thing they thought was strong enough to hold him. Later down the line when Velvet captures Floyd (basically the same sequence of events as the movie from here) and starts using him for his talent. That's when they realize that JD is actually a troll as well. JD being JD though is as Velvet described "uncooperative" and "savage" so she refuses to use him for his talent and instead tells Veneer "That one can be yours. You're that one that found that thing anyway." So Veneer does end up using JD for his talent just not nearly as often as Velvet does Floyd. JD does still get hit pretty hard by the whole draining thing considering he is grey and unlike the average troll has in a sense "forgotten/lost" his talent. That doesn't stop him from unleashing hell on the twin every chance he gets. Goblin man will do goblin things

Then things follow the movie pretty much the same except Bruce and Clay end up getting captured when they all break into the dressing room to rescue Floyd. Poppy and Branch end up escaping into the rafters. Velvet ends up sticking Clay and Floyd in her shoulder pads and Veneer gets Bruce. Veneer leaves JD behind in his dressing room because he feels guilty and doesn't want to hurt him any more than he has to.

Fast forward to the family harmony scene where although they are technically down a brother and Floyd is still trapped in Velvet's clutches the 3 brothers and pop sisters sing on anyway. The family harmony DOES end up working to free Floyd and also JD. I'm playing this off on the idea that despite JD not being present physically he could feel the connection to his brothers and their desperation to help Floyd. JD wants the same thing, to free Floyd and that is what connects them all together. It's like Branch said "We don't have to be perfect to be in harmony, We just have to be as we are." (just go with it ok IDK) Once the diamonds are shattered JD is pretty worst for wear, unlike Floyd he doesn't have anyone to support him right off the bat. He is used to being on his own at this point tho and only cares about getting Floyd out. He tucks himself away into a corner of the room behind some furniture to hide and rest up till he can get the both of them out of this hell hole.

Mind you only Floyd knows that he's also being held captive somewhere backstage when all this is happening. So once Floyd regains consciousness and has a chance to take a moment with his brothers. he then immediately goes into full anxiety mode well explaining that they have to get to JD. The others confused about what he's talking about don't believe him at first, but do end up helping Floyd backstage since he keeps insisting that JD needs them. They do end up finding JD and that's where the real story begins.

:D

Hopefully this makes sense? I ain't no writer sorry people

Little bonus scene

"Hey Vel does this look infected to you???"

"I can't believe we're related... CRIMP SCHEDULE A HOSPITAL VISIT BECAUSE MY IDIOT OF A BROTHER GOT BITTEN BY A FUCKING RAT!"

[masonmount-vii]

It'll Make Sense Some Day

Part Three

april twenty-second

"Wait. Back the fuck up. You're going out with Mason tomorrow, and you're just now telling me?" Millie asks the day before you and Mason are going to meet for a coffee.

"We're not going out, Mills, we're just getting a coffee, there's a difference!"

"That's what they all say," your sister mumbles, but you ignore her.

"It's really not a big deal-"

"They all say that, too."

"Because we were friends for a long time, and well... We're both older now. We can handle this like adults, believe it or not."

"I never said you can't handle this like an adult, Y/N," Millie explains, "I just can't believe you just decided to meet up with him without consulting Mum or I, like you usually do."

"I don't always do that!" You protest, crossing your legs underneath you as you sit on the couch, some random show on the TV playing in front of you.

"Okay, maybe not. But the point is, you've not been talking about Mason for 9 and bit years, it isn't likely for you that this just changes overnight. What happened?"

"I need a date to Rachel's wedding, so i decided to make a Tinder for that, and the next thing i know, I matched with Mase."

Millie laughs. "Oh, my god. You know there are plenty of guys at my work that i could set you up with? This one guy, Eric, comes into work everyday and just rants about how he doesn't have a girlfriend. I don't think you'd like him, though. He's a bit self cantered."

"Then why bring him up?" you mumble, as Millie keeps talking.

"Anyway, how did you match with Mason and not even know? Were you swiping through so fast that you didn't know?"

"I honestly don't even know how it happened. I guess i just wasn't paying attention, and the next thing i knew, i was matched with him."

"That's hilarious. No offence, sis."

"None taken, except it wasn't particularly funny in the moment. Actually, it was terrifying. I called him after, though, and we cleared everything up."

"Good. Just remember, i'm going to tell this story at yours and Mason's wedding."

"Millie! I'm not even in love with him anymore, and he sure as hell probably isn't with me. We're just going to be friends and see where it goes."

"Come on, you can't be immune to the fact that your life is like something out of a rom-com. Which isn't a bad thing, in fact, can you send some of that my way?"

"Why? Aren't you still with Leo? Millie, you guys have been together forever."

"Your sister sighs. "i am, yes, but i just feel like our relationship has lost some of the spark it had when we first met, Do you know what i mean?"

"Not personally, no but for the sake of this conversation, yes. What exactly do you mean by 'spark?' Like, sex?"

"That's part of it, but Leo and I never do fun couples' things anymore. He doesn't buy me flowers spontaneously or take me on romantic trips."

"Do you want him to do things like that?" You ask.

Millie has never been a spontaneous person, when she was ten, she showed our parents her entire life plan, and has stuck to it so far to a T.

"I think, I don't know."

"Have you talked to him about it?"

It takes your sister a second for her to answer. "No."

"Well, there you go. Just talk to him, ask if you guys can have a night where you go out for dinner one night, instead of staying at home. Make small changes to your relationship that make you happy, before you expect giant romantic gestures."

"Wow, I should ask you for advice more often," Millie laughs.

"I give good advice sometimes, you know."

"Yeah. Well I should get going, but tell me how your date goes tomorrow!"

"It's not a date!" You yell, but Millie hangs up the phone, cutting you off.

-

Thank you so much for reading! Sorry it’s a really short one 💓

[xanasaurusrex]

I absolutely Stan your headcanons hun! I love the accuracy and perfectly logical reasonings (also very well written and explained), Could you pleaßw do Thanatos as well? No pressure, of course!

⇢ ˗ˏˋ thanatos cabin headcanons ࿐ྂ

a/n: thanatos is literally the personification of death i'm so hyped for this! also these headcanons are a little bit short because for some reason i was totally blanking on thanatos kids, but i think that i got some pretty good headcanons in there (:

thanatos kids are the definition of badass

they're naturally very intimidating

i mean, their father is literally the personification of death, so there's like... something unsettling about them

spirits kinda follow them around

it's very common for thanatos kids to have been bullied when they were younger, but also the bullying doesn't last long, because they can get a spirit to knock something over near them or something

thanatos kids are very untrusting, because the world has been pretty cruel to them

on the wikipedia page, it says that thanatos is the personification of peaceful death, but i'm not sure how true that is since it's wikipedia, but basically what i was thinking is that like thanatos kids can always tell when someone is going to die of natural causes, just like in their mind, if that makes sense

like a canon event for a thanatos kid is having a grandparent or older family member start acting differently, and the kid immediately knowing that they're gonna die

their mortal parent definitely could never look at them the same after the sick individual died

i kind of headcanon that there are lots of thanatos kids that have weird relationships with their mortal parent because of this reason

like there's lots of trouble with people seeing thanatos kids as "spawns of satan" if that makes sense, and so they're kinda shunned

and yes, thanatos kids are definitely badass, but they also have a sort of general unsettling sort of vibe

exactly like how hades kids can be kind of unsettling at times

same thing with thanatos kids, although it's a lot more subtle because thanatos is a minor god

but there's just something about thanatos kids that put mortals on edge

(it's the gentle reminder that death is always possible at any given moment, and being near a thanatos child, the child of literally the personification of death, makes this reminder a lot more fresh in people's minds whenever they're around)

other demigods generally aren't as affected by this, because just existing as a demigod means you can die anywhere and anyway, so being around that reminder is just sort of more of a friendly reminder like, "hey! i'm a child of thanatos, remember to look out for monsters! (:"

for some reason i feel like thanatos kids would get along really well with hecate kids

they both give off kind of spooky vibes, i feel like they would totally be friends

they would go allllllll out during spooky season, i guarantee it

like halfway through september they start announcing to camp that it's officially spooky season

thanatos kids are very intense

but a quiet kind of intense, where they have like unintentionally intense stares

thanatos kids also have very big feelings

when they get sad, they get sad

when they get happy, they get so elated it looks almost as if they're about to take flight

that's just kind of the pattern with thanatos kids

they definitely had explosive tantrums as a kid

thanatos kids also tend to be sort of closed off, and kinda hangout with each other more than anything

also for some reason i kinda headcanon thanatos as a bit of a slut so i feel like there are a lot of thanatos kids for like no reason

okay honestly that's all i have for thanatos kids

i'm so sorry this was so short, but i for some reason had no ideas for thanatos kids (althought in my defense the only thing about thanatos is that he's the personification of death so yknow) but i also have a bunch of requests to write! thank you so much for reading, and have an amazing day!

[nabinochu]

I'm Fine

. ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ .

Y'all ever wish you had a Mammon irl to tell you it's all gonna be ok? Bc I sure as hell do. More comfort, are we surprised? I swear I have other ideas brewing that aren't just Sad™ lol

Characters: Mammon (Obey Me)

Genre: Hurt/ Comfort.

Warnings: Talk of depression/ dealing with mental illness. Slight swearing.

┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄

I can feel Mammon's presence behind me. He shuffles from one foot to the other, unsure how to approach until he seemingly can't hold back anymore.

"Hey, ya ok?

I can't break out of my trance, answering on autopilot. 

"Yeah, m'fine."

I hear him grumble as he takes a couple of steps closer. 

"Don't believe ya."

"M'fine."

"No. Ya ain't." He's standing next to me now. I can feel his concerned eyes bore into the side of me.

"What makes you say that?" I can't bring myself to look at him, knowing that if I do, I'll break immediately.

"Well, for starters, how long y've been brewin' an' stirrin' that coffee. Second, I've lost count of how many cups y've had today." He puts his hand over mine to stop me stirring the over-brewed coffee. I jump a little at the sudden contact.

"Third, we've barely been talkin'. All yer messages are super dry. And lastly," Mammon cups my face and makes me look at him. His eyes soften, though I don't miss how his expression falls a little when he takes me in.

 "Those bags under yer eyes are lookin' damn heavy recently." 

My breath hitches in my throat. Like a crooked hand creeping higher and higher and closing around my neck, I feel the lump forming and tightening. My eyes sting as it gets harder and harder not to crumble in Mammon's warmth. I try to stutter out some words, some hollow excuse to maintain the facade and ensure he wouldn't worry. But it's too late for that. I know he sees right through me. My chest burns. I can't find my breath. My eyes are everywhere except on Mammon as I try to fight the storm swirling in the pit of my stomach. 

Pathetic. I tell myself. Weak. Burdensome. The brothers don't even like y-

"Hey! Look at me." Mammon grasps my shoulders and leans down to meet my eyes as if he could read my thoughts. "Doncha know? I love ya. So much."

A choked sob finally bubbles painfully from my throat, and my vision blurs with tears. 

Mammon firmly pulls me to his chest, the front of his shirt becoming soaked instantly. I hear his heart thrumming against his chest, clearly fighting his nerves for my sake. 

"Let it out. M'here." He sways us gently.

"It's ok if things're bad right now. But ya don't have to struggle alone. Let me carry some of the weight, kay? The Great Mammon is strong enough."

We stayed like this for some time until I had finally cried all I could. I feel numb, my head throbs. But I feel safe in Mammon's arms. 

He shifts to rest his chin on top of my head. 

"Wanna talk 'bout it?"

I think for a moment, trying to find my words. My voice is hoarse, barely a whisper.

"Sometimes, I just feel so sad. I can't explain it or describe it." I grip the material of his shirt.

"I'll be doing just fine. Then, the second I become aware that I'm doing fine, the darkness creeps back in. Sometimes, there are triggers. Other times, there aren't. I wish it made sense."

I feel Mammon's hand tracing patterns on my back as he listens.

"And sometimes, I think this is it; I've finally hit rock bottom. But then I find out there's a fucking basement."

He doesn't speak for a moment, seemingly searching his mind for the right thing to say. 

"I'm....so sorry." He settles, letting out a breath he had been holding. "I wish I could take that pain away from ya."

I snake my arms around his waist and breathe in his scent. I turn my face to place a gentle kiss on his heart.

"You already do just by being around." I breathe. "You mean so much to me, Mams. More than you know. I can't imagine my life without you now." I croak out. 

I feel him tense at my show of affection. He pulls me in tighter as if I would get snatched away from him if he let go, even for a second. 

"W-well, of course! I'm yer first, after all!" 

He takes a moment to gather himself and then speaks with sincerity. 

"Yer my human. My one and only. I don't want to lose ya."

His voice becomes small. 

"Can't lose ya."

"I'm sorry for worrying you." 

"Nothin' to apologise for." He shakes his head. "Just stick around, yeah?" He pulls back just enough to meet my puffy eyes once more. I nod in agreement. He seems to consider something for a second, not entirely satisfied. 

"Pinky Promise?" He holds his hand up to me, little finger extended.

I can't help the small smile that tugs at the corners of my mouth. Ah yes, the Avatar of Greed, the second strongest of the seven lords of the Devildom, who deals in pinky promises. My heart squeezes at the sight of the demon before me. My darkness seems to ease in this moment as I wrap my pinky tightly around his.

"Pinky Promise."

. ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ .

[project-sekai-archives]

okay hi sorry im back ive been scrolling thru ur blog and encountering even more weird words that i dont understand

what is the rotation and why has saki broke it?

what exactly is a banner? cause i get the vibe, but i feel like i should know what it is in detail

what is "comms"?

what is hakolim and unit lim?

what are setsssssss i dont understanddddddddd

and what are focus sets?

what is an arc ender?

what are mix events?

what are focuses?

what is a haru4? cause u said something along the lines of "i hope its not a haru4 again" some time ago and it doesn't make sense to me cause if haru4 is an event like i think it is then it cant happen again can it?

sorry to be sending u so many questions i fear im too stupid for the sekai fandom

also obvs u dont have to reply to me!!! i understand if u are busy or tired or just dont want to explain everything thats perfectly valid

Too much questions I'll just answer some that I know

Focus Sets are like this

3 four stars and one three star to be a completed set

Mix events are Events that aren't in the key story like for example Rise as One

And the line up is members from different Units and different Sekailoids like

Akito,Honami,L/N KAITO,Minori and Rui

If it's an anniversary it's between a member or Unit Leaders

Like for an example Hello to a new day (Hello• Good • Day)

And the line up is all leaders (Ichika,Minori,Kohane,Tsukasa and Kanade)

Another example Darkfes

And the line up is

Mafuyu,Rui,Shizuku,Akito and Honami

Haru4 well there's a teaser of JUMPIN OVER and people thought it was Haruka's focus which didn't and it turned out to be Minori5

And Haruka 4 was lead to shine More

Focuses are Part of The Key story if you see a color that represents the group with their logo of the group

Arc Enders are events that end their arc until their next focus for a new arc like

Over Rad Squad being the 4th or 3rd arc ender event (if I can recall)

Commission songs are songs for focuses!

I'm sure someone will answer the Saki Breaking the Rotation thing

[wilcze-kudly]

On my latest rewatch of sozin's comet part 3 at the begining when zuko talks with katara about aang i noticed that once he mentions him katara's eyes from serious face are narrowing down to make a more sad face. Furthermore after reading your post about "katara's trauma why she waited" i noticed even more scrumbs that support your post. Other then changing her grimace, zuko asks katara 2 quastions. "What if he doesn't have guts to take out my father" And "What if he loses". The second question triggeres katara to respond in panic that "aang won't lose". Here's the most interesting thing i saw on rewatch. Katara while completly ignoring zuko's first question adds that "he is going to comeback, he has to" while looking infront herself with focused face. And im sorry but zuko didn't even mention that he is concerned about aang returning to fight ozai, so katara just adds another sentence to her belief that aang is going to comeback ALIVE. This further adds to desparete "he has to" like its an obligation on aang's or universes part to not lose life because of unfinished business or just praying that aang is gonna be fine. My point is that it shows how concerned katara really is about only if aang's gonna be fine. Which explains kinda her hesitancy on her part in ember island players. She really is afraid of losing him again and it makes sense too when we look at how many deaths of people close to her she saw. Also It would be stupid to not asume that her holding for a moment dead body of her friend/possibly a new love wouldn't influence her behaviour to make closer bonds.

[Post anon is referencing]

Yeah, references to Katara's fear of losing Aang are sprinkled in throughout the show, though the aren't addressed full on, which is why I assume most people don't catch onto it. Which is a shame, and I wish it was explored more explicitly in the show because if you watch without noticing this crucial element, you could draw some very misguided conclusions.

I think it's very interesting to watch Katara's perspective of Aang and her approach to him as the Avatar shift through the series. I don't think Katara ever idealised Aang as the Avatar perse. But I think a lot of her relationship with Aang was her realising the strain it put on Aang. In the Storm, she learns how it impacted Aang's life and basically alienated him from his peers.

Throughout B1, we see Aang's role as the Avatar become second to his role as Katara's friend. To the point where in the first episode of B2; The Avatar State, Katara is actively encouraging Aang to shirk his duties in order to protect his mental state.

But I think it's at the end of B2, when Katara cradles the body of her friend who was killed, struck from behind that she realises that Aang being the Avatar may cause her to lose him.

Sure, they've been pursued by Zuko, Zhao and Azula, but bear in mind, Katara is still a kid and while she may be aware on a surface level of the danger, nothing's technically happened yet, so she may not fully register it. But now she has had a free trial run of grieving Aang and she doesn't want to feel it again. So she builds up some walls.

And we have more hints for this throughout B3. Her breaking down when Aang leaves, drawing those parallels to Hakoda, for example. Her immediately shooting down any possibilty of Aang losing to Ozai or getting hurt. She's not blindly idolising him, she is terrified of the idea of losing him and deflecting it because she's a kid who can't think about things that scare her on an existential level.

Another good example of this being her reaction to Aang kissing her furing the Day of the Black Sun.

Analysing Katara's expression after Aang kissed her, she isn't upset with the kiss perse. If she were, she'd most likely be animated with more furrowed eyebrows. Ryebrows raised like the way they are in the show usually denominate surprise (which she is in the first few frames) or sadness. Which matches the context very well. The way she looks at Aang and then averts her gaze with a grim expression, as if she wants to say something, but is still angled to be seemingly glancing at him? That could very easily be ready as Katara wanting to respond to Aang, but holding herself back because making your relationship tangible before a big battle is a very good way to lose your boyfriend before you eben get your first date.

And since.... certain people insist that Katara being drawn in this scene with more childike proportions was a concious choice by the creators and not just an outcome of animation studios switching around and certain mixups, let's look at it this way: Katara being drawn more childlike in this scene could highlight the inherent tragism of the image of two child soldiers kissing before a battle in which one or both of them may die

She doesn't smile, not because she's not happy with the kiss, but because the boy who kissed her is off to war. Like I would not be smiling either.

Katara's trauma around loss is so pften boiled down only to her mother, which while valid, is only half the truth, and I wish this aspect of Kataang was more noticed because it does hide in the details of the show.

[yuri-is-online]

Seven Plus One Happy Haunts (An 800 Followers Thank You)

"NRC is having a culture festival?" You blurt out, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in your class. Normally this interruption would be met with a swift smack, but the thought doesn't even flicker across Crewel's mind much to the envy of your classmates. Instead, something similar to a stress headache seems to work it's way across his face as he takes a brief pause to breathe.

"I take it the Headmage has neglected to inform you of this?" He says it like a question, but really it sounds more like he is begging you to prove him wrong. "He was supposed to ask your permission."

"Permission for what?!" You try not to sound too panicked but that's difficult when Crewel's normal sternness re-emerges to silence Ace and Deuce's whispers.

"Sit!" He cracks his crop and returns to the black board. "And Yuu, once classes are done for the day, meet me back here. It will be much easier for me to explain things to you and Grim than sending you on a wild crow chase." Oh you don't like the sound of that at all. ~~~~ By the time classes are over, you are drooping under the weight of an entire school's worth of whispers and surprised you remember your way back to your Homeroom.

"Where's Grim?" Crewel asks, though he doesn't sound terribly worried. So it's bad news bad news.

"He decided to ditch me for Ace and Deuce and I didn't have the energy to chase him down, sorry." Your book bag drops with just as dramatic a thunk as you do.

"Let me make you a coffee, you are going to need some." Crewel sighs. "As you might be aware, culture festivals tend to involve things like booths and side show games."

"Typically they're run by the classes or clubs, right?" You aren't really liking where this is going.

"In anime and at normal schools yes. And if this had been any other year that would be the case for us too but someone-" the same tension headache from this morning reappears, "got the bright idea to suggest that we form groups by putting the entire student body into an ai generator of some sort to encourage team work or something like that."

"Oh." No wonder Crewel can't seem to tell the difference between the containers where he keeps the instant coffee packets and the wet wipes. "Are you ok? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Very sweet of you to offer pup." He lets you take over the coffee and smiles gratefully when he sees you move to make him a tea. "But back to how this effects you, one of those groups got the bright idea to run a Haunted House, and the Headmage suggested they use Ramshackle for 'authenticity's sake' and generously offered them your assistance as well."

"Compared to some of the other things he's done I guess it could be worse?" Not that you are thrilled, your tone makes that clear. "I mean it's a haunted house, it could be fun. What is it you want me to help out with anyway?"

"That's what they've been arguing over." Crewel looks and sounds very, very tired as you finally notice the growing chatter of voices just outside the classroom door that is finally making an entrance alongside a very familiar face.

"I'm telling you, it makes the most sense for Yuu to help me!"

notes: Thank you all so much for 800 followers! Normally I'd run an event but I got a wee bit burnt out with the last one, so please accept this humble Haunted Mansion themed offering~ And feel free to guess who is who, I originally intended this to be a Halloween themed thing so I picked most of the cast members from boys people thought were getting neglected from the SSR pool (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ Emphasis on most

Haunt 1- Host With the Most: Vil

Haunt 2- Manipulating the Buyers: Rollo

Haunt 3- Life Lines

Haunt 4- Tie the Knot Tango

Haunt 5- Nevermore

Haunt 6- Life Hereafter

Haunt 7- Rest in Peace

Bonus Haunt- ???

Taglist: @nothingfuninthislife

[strwberri-milk]

Oooo can I request zhongli with a s/o that is extremely nice,like so nice that people kind of walk over them and take advantage of their niceness and the fact that they can never say no to people because they are a people pleaser in a way that makes them feel bad if they are anything but nice.?

(Sorry if it doesn’t make sense I just kinda relate to it sm lol)

this reminds me of smth else i read a while back lol maybe i wrote it to idr

Zhongli loves how genuinely kind you are and that's not going to be something that he would ever want to change about you. He knows that no matter what it is you're saying or doing you always mean well and just want to help people out.

He's also very aware that people may want to take advantage of you because of your kindness. Your friends are never people he feels that he should be wary of but he sees the way other people treat you. When he's with you he makes sure that people don't try to take advantage of you but he can't help you when you aren't with him.

When you come home one day looking absolutely beat he has a good idea of what happened. You're juggling a variety of objects in your hands and trying your best not to drop a single one. He quickly comes over to help you with all of them, questioning why you had so many in the first place.

Once you tell him that you were constantly stopped and asked for help he simply decides he should help you with the list of surprise chores you collected. He's not going to admonish you for having done so but instead, he tries to remind you that you are allowed to say no.

As you explain to him how you feel about saying no and the guilt you carry he reassures you that you're still a good person even if you reassert your own boundaries and tell people you can't do things for them. You sigh a little and Zhongli can tell you don't believe him. It doesn't matter - he'll keep reassuring you that it's okay to say no and you'll still be the kindly wonderful person he knows you are.

It takes him a while but he manages to convince you of the fact. He also helps you practice saying no to people in a way that makes you feel comfortable. It'll take some time, but you know with his support you'll be able to do it in no time.

[project-sekai-facts]

What are your predictions for the lineups of the next event(s)? Cause at first we were thinking tsukasa5 lim but then VBS got it,and now we have the Toya mixed event with a Toya, Kanade, and An 4 stars as the event starting tomorrow , when a lot of people were expecting kamiyama2 with Mizuki, so now what do you think?

yeah sorry i didn't do an event prediction post this month. i already made predictions for a lim mixed event and my though process was "i'll read lead to shine more and then do a prediction post in the morning". and then it was the morning and mmj hakolim 4 existed. anyway.

the lim event for this month is. kinda hard to predict despite the lack of options. obviously we have to consider the 4th anniversary banner at this point in time, which has six rateups and takes a lot of options out for this month's event.

so i'll start with my 4th anniversary predictions

emu banner. unless she's august, it's her. it can't be rui or tsukasa, and she's gone longer without a lim than nene. while that doesn't really mean anything, the fact she's getting incredibly close to 4 years without a mixed event it makes sense and lines up pretty well for this to be emu mix 2

haruka 3*. the only mmj characters eligible for the banner are haruka and airi. ideal idol just happened and capped haruka at 7 lims and while airi isn't capped, haruka's gone longest in the game without a 3* card.

the rateups i'm less sure about. i think the vbs rateup will be toya, if only because he has less lims than an. niigo will most likely be ena. mizuki5 is likely gonna be either 1 or 2 events away from this so. yeah. leoneed i'm less sure about. there's a leoneed event in september definitely, but i'm not sure who it will be. i initially predicted ichika but considering something shiho said in leoneed wle i wouldn't be surprised if it was her. if it's a shiho event, saki's on 4th anni. if it's an ichika or honami event, shiho is on 4th anni (probably unless they make saki reward card AGAIN).

yeah so emu/toya/ena/saki or shiho 4* + haruka 3*

oh yeah rin is almost definitely fes that'll be explained in like 2 seconds (watch me be wrong)

anyway now that that's out the way

rui basically controls everything here. he has to get a lim this month or he's fes. unless clpl decides to keep him waiting even longer than the gap between kanade fes 1 and spojoy. i've seen some spec over rui/honami/mafuyu but imo...nah. actually this is less for it being darkfes again and more for the mafuyu/rui kizuna that just dropped.

not sure how many people have picked up on this, but the game tends to hold off on giving kizuna until they're "done" with a pair. it explains why groups like the rainbow canvas trio got kizuna immediately but groups like thrilling white day trio took ages to get kizuna. the latter 3 attend the same school and interact quite a lot, so they held off so they had more fleshed out dynamics to pick title names from, but ena doesn't really have a huge window of opportunity for further interaction with emu and honami, so they're about as fleshed out as those dynamics will get after one event.

obviously the stories are only written so far ahead, so things do change, like shizuku and tsukasa interacting again in pandemonium ages after their kizuna title released (though their titles probably would be the same had the kizuna released later). this would also explain the delay on emu + bad dogs kizuna and the mafuyu/rui one, maybe they planned something more but the opportunity never came so they gave in. like seriously if mafuyu and rui are gonna have an event together soon why would they add their kizuna just before it? like maybe hypothetical honami/mafuyu/rui event provides nothing for their dynamic but i dunno it feels like an odd choice.

ANYWAY maybe i'm wrong. for some other possible lineups, there's ichika/honami/rui who all have some level of interest in gardening, ichika/nene who aren't on first-name basis even after that one 4koma where they accidentally slipped up, mafuyu and nene have no proper interactions yet so that's an interesting dynamic you could explore, or you could do an an/ichika broadcasting club event (this is the least likely option). i mean maybe they will just eliminate almost everyone who's still on 5 lims in one fair sweep by doing honami/rui/mafuyu august event into saki/toya/emu/ena anni + honami/rin fes, but seriously when has the game been that nice with distribution meta, especially with whatever is going on right now.

oh yeah for normal september events it'll be leoneed and niigo. saki basically has to be rateup whatever way you do it. maybe ichika/saki/honami or ichika/saki/vsinger. mizuki5 is where things get interesting because although people have speculated mizuki/ena/meiko, there's the possibility of this backing onto the anniversary event where one of them has to be limited. you could always do n25->ln->anniv tho and that solves the problem. or mizuki5 could be mizuki/mafuyu/meiko if the game decides it hates the concept of plot relevant 4*s.

i think i've contradicted myself like 5 times now. here's a rough mockup of some of my thoughts (ignore where it says EN name i just write my notes in the ensekai column)

[shiro-00s]

heaven on earth

33. unwanted encounters .. ✮

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

Loud steps echoed in the vacant hallway of the hospital. Anger and humiliation etched themselves on the man's face as your mother attempts to reason with him. And fails.

"Honey, come on, she was just trying her best for us!" Your mother's desperate voice filled the silence that hung heavily in the air. She always sought to be on the good side of everyone, perhaps that's why she struggled when it came to her husband and you.

Her pleas went into one side of the ear and left out the other it seems, when the door of the hospital room was burst open by the bane of the male species—your father.

However, you remained unconscious, and the one that has to greet him is the one person you wish would have never met your father, Xiao.

Golden eyes widen at the sudden intrusion into the private room, brows furrowing at the sight of unfamiliar people. He could instantly tell they weren't staff, nor your friends so who were these people?

Your mother was the first to speak. "I'm sorry, who are you? What are you doing here?" Xiao was relieved that the unknown woman’s voice carried a soft tone, at least it suggests that you're not in danger. His eyes were still unwavering though, piercing into the only potential threat in the room, the man who barged into the room with a face that looked so upset you could see steam coming out of it.

"No, who are you?", is the cold reply that Xiao offered without much thinking. He didn't feel like revealing his name or whatever information to some stranger.

Your mother gulped at the cold tone, mustering up a breath before explaining herself.

"I'm [Name]'s mom, so who are you?"

Oh. No wonder she looked familiar.. how did I not catch that?

Before Xiao had a chance to explain himself, your so-called father interrupted, "You're from that famous band right? I knew I saw your face somewhere."

Grimacing at the realization that your father knew who he was, Xiao’s mind scrambled to conjure up explanations for why he was in this room, with their daughter. He couldn't tell them that he went into the wrong room; that'd be an obvious lie considering his earlier actions. A subtle nod was what Xiao settled with, not bothering to elaborate on the reasoning behind his presence to your father.

Unfazed by his celebrity status, your mother insisted, "It doesn't matter, dear! What are you doing in this room?" Half-screaming at your dad for the idiotic priorities he seemed to have.

Gulping, Xiao eventually spoke in a monotone voice, "I live next door and saw her passed out." In the corner of golden eyes, Xiao detected a slight movement—a barely noticeable flicker of amusement that quickly dissipated from your father’s eyebrows.

“Oh? Well, aren't you so kind as to send my daughter to the hospital for me?” The man’s lips curved into a smile so fake that even a toddler could see through it. The idol sensed a range of emotions flickering in your father’s eyes—amusement, curiosity, cruelty. “But I’d be worrying about you being seen with [Name] exposed to the public y’know..”

The sound of your father's voice filled the silent room, tension rising with each passing second, thick enough to be sliced with a knife. Xiao concluded that the words your father uttered were as absurd as he expected they would be. Here he was, worrying about someone else while their daughter lay in the bed right before his eyes. Some father he was. In an attempt to insult your father backhandedly while avoiding showing them the closeness between the two of you - as he concluded that it’d make it worse - Xiao pondered, “Nice of you to worry about me but I’m not the one you should be concerned about, don’t you think?”

Childe pisses people off by just breathing.

If I were to mimic his personality, it’ll piss that thing off.

Upon hearing Xiao’s words, your father grimaced, clearly disliking the idea of appearing bad in front of a soon-to-be one of the most successful idols. However, one thing about your father was that he hated losing anything, even if it was just a minor argument, which he concluded this entire situation to be.

“Sure. But isn’t it a little strange how considerate you are towards my daughter? What? Got a crush on her or something?” A snicker escaped through those disgusting lips that could never seem to shut up. The corners of his lips curled up further as he noticed Xiao's body tense. Never would he have imagined that someone like you would have gotten so close to an idol. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. Could he manipulate the idol into hating you as well?

With a feigned sigh that seemed longer than intended, the man readied himself to reveal to your little friend a little bit of the past you so hated.

“You shouldn’t.” your father’s lips dropped slightly, an attempt to look sad for the idol he was trying to deceive. “She’s someone who plays with others’ feelings, you know? Maybe that’s why she didn’t tell you about the bad blood she had with the whole school.”

A laugh almost escaped from those deceiving lips as your father tried to stifle it as much as he could. It was so genuinely funny how quickly people could lose trust in you. Judging by Xiao’s widened eyes, he appeared intrigued by the information your father had presented. However, the subtle, pleased smile on your father’s lips vanished as he noticed Xiao’s furrowing brows and his stance, lean body leaning back as he crossed his arms. One side of his face had an eyebrow tugged upwards, showing distrust.

Desperation quickly overcame your father, failure was something he could never accept, it seems. That same principle that was forced over you since birth. “There were so many rumors about her in school, I couldn’t even keep count of it! From what I heard, she used to flirt with people she doesn’t even like,” with the volume that he was speaking, people from outside the room could faintly hear it. A wavering smile formed on your father’s lips as he tried to figure out whether Xiao would believe him or not. Your mother winced at the words spoken by the man she once swore to love, her face displaying a pained expression as she witnessed the true side of her husband.

Xiao looked taken aback, blinking softly for a moment before a furrow of his brows took its place in expressing his stress. As much as he would never trust this man over you, the words your father uttered had him questioning and overthinking your relationship. Before he had the chance to reply, a ginger had slammed open the door.

“Why don’t you try being a good father instead of trying to rid her of her friends?” Harsh words being blatantly thrown at your father by an extremely successful and famous person was not how your father wanted his time in your hospital room to be, much less get insulted for the way he treated you. Only when he was about to spew some more lies, the ginger spoke again, this time with a cheerful tone.

“I’m gonna borrow Xiao while you do your thing, m’kay? Xiao, we gotta goo!”

With that, Childe practically dragged Xiao away from the side of your hospital bed where he had been standing. The flutter of your eyelids caught your mother's attention. As the sound of the door clicking echoed in the room, your fists clenched by your side.

Nudging the man beside her with her elbow, your mother wore an ashamed expression, trying to avoid making eye contact with your figure, which was now slowly beginning to stir. Your father raised an eyebrow at your mother’s action before turning his gaze to you, a shiver running down his spine.

Before him was you, sitting up on your hospital bed, your face brimming with rage and anger that you struggled to contain.

“What the fuck did you do?”

heaven on earth - 33. unwanted encounters

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

NOTES — back ‼️‼️ sorry to keep u guys waiting, studies are a pain in my ass and my time management skills are as u can tell, very ass. but now that the writing part is over, texting part is a lot faster so you can expect a new chapter out tmr maybe

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