#speculation: the reason i don't sleep

[summertimemusician]

Honestly I don't know if I'm remembering it wrong due to sleep deprivation, but out of everything in TOTK one of my favorite little details is that Zelda's eyes in her Divine Noodle (affectionate) form when Demon King's flames hit or graze her tremble a little, more so around the pupils than the iris

The implications are absolutely delicious when you think about it, either it's an expression of deep seated, primal fear which she would probably feel as a dragon even if her main instinct is to help Link, it makes sense she'd feel distressed when faced with a bigger predator if we assume the dragons actually work like wild animals (I mean have we looked at Demon King's full size and length? He absolutely overshadows her and he's clearly going in for the kill, what with that initial bite, he's clearly not only gunning for Link and for Hyrule but also for her specifically), because Zelda by nature is not a warrior, she will fight for her people and to defend her people but she's not one to start the conflict, she's not one to HUNT, so when faced with something actively doing so it makes sense she'd be a little afraid, just because you are made to fight the divine threat from birth doesn't mean you can't fear death in the process('Courage is not the absence of fear but the will to rise against it even when you're afraid' and all that), immortality or not and trust me I'm getting to that part-

And arguably the more interesting implication: that dragons can feel pain/get hurt from other beings in a similar status, which also puts their immortality into question. Because that little twitch can also be because the flames actually hurt her.

One thing I always found interesting in TOTK is the dragon skeletons deep down in the Depths, they're parallel with the Leviathan skeletons, sure, but the fact that the dragons that we know can come and go from the depths and that there are actual skeletons there makes me look at them side by side and think "Oh those are dragons" rather than Leviathans, which begs the question: what could have killed them if dragons are immortal and can live for such long periods of time? What could have killed them when none of our weapons (including the Master Sword mind you) can't hurt Naydra, Dinraal, Farosh and Zelda in a way that matters?

I think the best answer in this case is given to us by Zelda's reaction (assuming I'm not wrong and didn't just imagine it due to sleep deprivation) to the Demon King's flames.

Maybe, just maybe, what caused them to die was likely another dragon. Which means that dragons can actually die, just not through age or natural means, but have to actively be killed through the right means/being for it to stick. Which also tracks with a lot of divine lore in LOZ in general, Demise/Ganondorf only being able to be brought low by the Master Sword wielded by someone who posseses the Hero's Spirit (or that has become worthy of it is we see in Wind Waker) because it's quite literally a divine blade, Hylia actively giving up her immortal form to become a mortal but still slumbering/existing in a separate realm outside of time can also be considered a form of divine death, not to mention Bellum being in the process of killing the Ocean King in Phantom Hourglass. Divine beings have always had an element of mortality to them in LOZ, and it's not too much of a stretch to think that pattern might hold true in TOTK.

(Personally I think maybe the dragons we know might have killed the others in a territory/route dispute, if we go with the fact that a person loses themselves when they consume a secret stone and is guided by their base instincts/whatever goal they had before becoming a dragon, I don't think territory disputes would be all that far fetched, or some other goal which would motivate possible aggression.)

Although there's also the other possibility to consider: we get the armor set of the wild on the heads of those skeletons in TOTK, and we know for a FACT there was a hero before BOTW/TOTK Link, not only through the Ancient Hero's Aspect (which I have so many thoughts/headcanons about) but also through the tapestry in BOTW no matter what the heck happened to the lore in between games, you can still work with the information that there was a hero before BOTW/TOTK Link, and possibly one even before that one if we assume the armor set in the depths isn't from the Original Calamity Hero.

What I'm pitching here basically is, Original Calamity Link/another possible Link was likely a dragon slayer (not uncommon among Links, but how many Links killed an actual possibly divine dragon?), and possibly the one to kill the dragons in the depths and that maybe, just maybe we should have a game one day or a manga which either clarifies or debunks that- wait I know it sounds insane but listen stop walking away-

(Also if it's indeed a sign that Zelda feels pain it honestly ramps up Wild's/TOTK Link's motivation to kill Ganondorf WAY up because I too would want to eviscerate anyone who hurt Zelda even if she can't outwardly show it.

Also also- divine flame scars on Zelda where the gloom fueled fire grazed/hit her in her dragon form, you wouldn't be able to see it normally, but once she turns back into hylian they're there as another showing of how her time as a dragon will always stick and haunt her.)

[silvereyedowl]

After sleeping on "The Reality War", I've come to a sort of verdict on it: I don't think this episode can be properly judged without acknowledging the behind-the-scenes issues that heavily impacted it.

Specifically, Gatwa's decision to step back due to the postponing of a formal renewal of the show.

This image has been kicking around. It's a promo image from "The Reality War" of a scene that isn't in the final episode.

It's known that reshoots for the S15 finale took place in February. Based on what the rumours and leaks say, the episode originally had a totally different ending, involving that dance party. I've also heard speculation that it would have set up Poppy as a plot hook for the next season, and there would have been a cameo from Susan Foreman to set up the plot about her return that RTD has been teasing from as early as "The Devil's Chord".

It's clear that RTD and co. were expecting the renewal to come much, much earlier than it did, and that waiting until after S15 had broadcast was not actually the original plan at all. Gatwa gets fed up because he doesn't want to put his career on hold like this, so RTD quickly concocts a new ending with a regeneration.

Poppy was never, ever intended to be turned into Belinda's daughter in the original ending, but whatever RTD had planned for her, he clearly felt it would only work with Gatwa, and so he hastily wrapped that up while also setting up a regeneration. (Incidentally, this also may have left answers to the Belinda/Mundy resemblance hanging.)

As for the Billie Piper of it all? The reshoots being almost last-minute meant RTD didn't really have time to do a full-blown casting for a new Doctor, and he clearly decided to go for shock and spectacle (for reasons that have yet to be determined). I suspect he decided on this rather than a mid-regeneration cliffhanger as a way to have a more decisive cliffhanger, hoping that people will want to know why this happened.

I will also add that Piper probably isn't playing the Doctor: no official source up to and including the episode credits have referred to her as such, and the regeneration itself also looks off.

Although RTD bears some of the responsibility for the messy way things went down, he doesn't own all of it since the lack of decision on a renewal was clearly the inciting incident here. I do hope that someday we learn what the original ending was – it doubtless would have fit the story better. And it would have fit Belinda better as well.

At least we got Jodie Whittaker in a scene not written by Chris Chibnall. The way Thirteen is written there tells me that RTD hasn't completely lost his touch.

[humunanunga]

So here's what I think it means: Ramb was most likely talking about Noelle, right? She'd be on the right with the laptop, maybe playing Cat Petters, while Kris was on the left, maybe using the cards and dice to learn parlor tricks (if web searches wouldn't pull up results for teaching humans magic, they might've still been interested in learning sleight-of-hand).

And I think that explains what happened to Spamton.

Tenna doesn't recognize him anymore because they knew each other back when Spamton was a [[BIG SHOT]] in a matching red suit. He might've even had his own commercials on Tenna's screen, but this was also when he resided in Queen's mansion alongside Swatch. (And if this was when the King and Queen met, then it's also when Spamton would've met Jevil.)

Meaning... Spamton's calls with his mysterious benefactor could've been through the landline. Especially if they were still on dial-up internet back then. They stopped because Noelle stopped coming over with the laptop.

And as for Tenna... the dates 12/25 (Christmas Day) and 2/13 (Valentine's Eve) prominently show up, and Kris' implied aversion to watching TV might've been because it was always shoving the tragedy in their face. But it's still unclear whether Tenna knows Dess was never found, or if he was trying to focus on better times, or if he really was trying to push Kris' buttons; but he should at least know she's gone. Dess was the mayor's daughter, after all. If she went missing, it would've been all over the news.

And that could've been why Asgore was removed from the force. He wouldn't let it go, so Carol made him. And if Chapter 4 says anything, he's still investigating in secret– and suspicious of her. And maybe she's just a coldhearted ass who got tired of her public image revolving around an unsolved case instead of her success as town mayor. But she's definitely sus as fuck.

Back to Ramb, though: I think him petrifying establishes what generally makes a Darkner "belong." Darkners are animated objects, and maybe he was simply an overdue loan like the tutorial for drawing dragons, but Ramb was library property regardless. That one Zapper might've been for Asgore' TV all along, since he seems to have the same kind at the flower shop, and his remote could've been borrowed or mixed up.

Meanwhile, the Pippins were safe because they were... that property's property. The Rudinns, according to one, were from Kris' deck, explaining why Lancer and Rouxls were unaffected.

What it doesn't explain is Chapter 4 (which so far is likely more to do with the two Dark Worlds being treated as flipsides) or why the classroom Darkners don't seem to recognize Kris, but maybe the latter's for gender reasons. If Ralsei is an outdated sona, then Kris at least used to present as a boy like the brother they wished to be more like, and the Card Kingdom simply wasn't there to witness Kris' transition. Or maybe those Darkners forgot the Lightners just like the Lightners forgot them, but... speaking of Dark Worlds...

...belonging. The storage closet is an ideal place for a Dark Fountain because anything could belong in a place like public storage.

And maybe that's why Ralsei was put there in the first place. Safekeeping.

Darkners in Castle Town are safe from the Player. We can harm Darkners and even Lightners in other worlds, but not this one. We're not given the option. That's how Ralsei's been kept safe all this time. Chapters 3&4 give us opportunities to hurt his feelings, which Kris will resist, but he can't be damaged or killed through Kris.

Maybe not just Ralsei either. Kris' side of the room, or at least the side they sleep on, is empty... and noticably desaturated like the door to Dess' room... and their locker is also empty. The locker could be due to their implied absence, but it could also be because they knew a Player would come (or come back) and they didn't want to give us access to anything of theirs that they wanted left untouched.

It's been speculated since Chapter 1, I've been coming back to the possibility that this isn't Kris' first time being under a Player's control. We don't know how we seized Kris' body or why, or if we're the first; even if we are, though, there's a chance Kris knew to expect us. And so they prepared accordingly while they still had bodily autonomy.

Might post another ramble after I finish my Chapter 3&4 replay, now that I have save files with Dealmaker, Jevilstail and the original Starwalker again.

[krispycreamcake]

It has come to my attention that people in the fandom don't understand the use of implication, so I will now break down easily as possible for people that don't believe Cordelia sexually groomed Laito. @dl-drama-cd (Tws for rape and incest)

The conversation atop is one shared between Laito and Cordelia. Take note of the background. It is a bedroom. Not the garden or the kitchen or somewhere aesthetic in the moonlight, it is a bedroom.

A bedroom is used for sleeping or as Reiji likes to call it, private activities. We all know that people who usually share a bed are relatively close in terms of relationship, it doesn't matter what kind, they just need to be close.

Cordelia shares no emotional/maternal bonds with her sons. She is often described as crass or cold. Why are her and Laito in a bedroom together if they do not share such a bond?

A bed in media is often used (with context) as a symbolism for lovers sleeping together, because that's exactly where it happens.

How do we know that something more sinister is going on than just a mother and son talking? We can figure this out based on the conversation.

Let's look at what's said between the two.

In the first image, Laito poses a question to Cordi. He asks her, without explicitly saying what "it" is, what's her reason for doing this?

This is a canon interaction between these two characters, where character 1 (Laito), is unaware of the intentions that character 2 (Cordelia) possess. Which is why he is asking her, why she is doing "this", because he does not know why this is happening to him.

Cordelia then explains, also again without directly saying anything, that she does "this" because she loves him. This is Cordelia's reasoning and answer to Laito's previous question.

That's pretty straightforward, I don't think we need a paragraph long analysis on that.

Laito, who then repeats the word, love, in a questioning manner.

Why does he do this instead of just accepting her answer as is?

Because he is simply not satisfied with such an answer. Why isn't he just accepting her word as is? We, don't yet know because once again, the context in this current conversation is not said.

Continuing, we see Cordi backing up her previous statement by saying that there is no world out there where a mother doesn't love a son, and if there is, what kind of world would it be?

She tries to explain that Laito shouldn't question her actions, but rather accept them as they are, because that's an inherent profession of love between mother and son.

Laito, in response, flatly says that a world without love between mother and child, is the one that they live in.

In other words, Laito does not accept that "this" is what paternal love truly is. He believes that his mother does NOT love him, which we can easily pair up with his earlier question "Love?".

Now that we have some form of context to the character's inner thought process and what they are currently feeling, we can put together some pieces on what kind of conversation is actually going on.

At a first glance it can be assumed that a son is doubting his mother's love for him, because well, that's exactly what's happening.

But if we speculate a bit more on the background, and the given context of the conversation, we can now say that the truth of the situation lies within the more subtle clues.

Example #1.

This memory, isn't a pleasant one. This conversation has already happened and Laito is simply remembering it. You can use the images provided to reverse google search the complete scene for further proof, but as already stated, this is NOT a conversation he is very fond of.

Example #2.

The conversation that these two are having, shows us that one person is satisfied while the other isn't for whatever reason that may be. I've broken it down already so you can understand it a bit more, but feel free to once again do your own research.

Example #3.

The implication of the background. Like I've previously stated, I broke it down at the start of this post. But let me be absolutely clear and reiterate this, THE REASON THE BACKGROUND IMAGE IS HAPPENING INSIDE A BEDROOM AND NOT ANYWHERE ELSE (even though you can suck someone's blood anywhere you wanted to) IS BECAUSE THE CONTEXT LIES WITHIN THE BEDROOM ALONE. The creators didn't just randomly choose a free png of a bedroom for a conversation where a child asks a parent why they're doing something, that the child feels like diminishes the sole intent of paternal love. Context clues, matter.

Now then, I'll go on to add another image where I'll make a very short and factual analysis without hypotheticals or opinions being used.

Laito in this scene, is completely naked. He is naked and with a solemn expression on his face, thinking about his mother pleasuring him. He is also reminiscent on the words his mother has told him, that being "I love you, Laito".

Cordelia then says that "That kind of thing is just something given in exchange" when the words I love you, are said. Laito, once again, admits that he was being pleasured while thinking of his mother. [End analysis]

We can speculate that since he is thinking of his mother and pleasure at the same time, she is the one who is giving it to him.

Why do I think this? Because he is completely naked, his only thoughts being his mother's voice. That being said, we can now say that what is being "given in exchange" in Cordelia's words, after saying I love you (or perhaps vice versa, where I love you comes first) is pleasure.

I have a couple of links here we can make with these couple of images alone.

In the first part, we see them talking in a bedroom and the conversation eventually leads to satisfaction, in terms of "once I am satisfied with the outcome, there should be no question". She also references love here, as she does in the latest image I have provided.

With the context that we have now we can equate love to pleasure. And Cordelia states that she loves Laito multiple times throughout just these two scenarios.

Now, my interpretation of this is that Cordelia is clearly raping her son and using "love" as a means to mask, and more so, normalize what is happening between them. (I say normalize because Cordelia tries convincing Laito that this is what goes on between mother and son in the first conversation).

However, even if you do not share the same perspective, it is still abundantly clear that Cordelia Sakamaki, first wife of Karlheinz, daughter of King Burai of the Vibora clan, mother of Ayato Sakamaki, Kanato Sakamaki and Laito Sakamaki, is giving sexual pleasure to her son. Whether it is by bloodsucking, or by sex, or both.

She is sexually grooming Laito by giving him these sensations a mother should not be giving her child, and is committing an act of incest.

[biancasaidstfu]

All these sightings are very strategic. Notice that the two restaurants Luke was spotted at these past few months both have an A connection? How come he isn't spotted at random pubs or restaurants in London?

He was also spotted at the Yungblud concert and Jonathan's play because those are his past and present costars. Fans that are serious enough about Yungblud to go to a secret concert probably have watched The Lodge (I have a Gaga obsessed friend that has watched AHS and Joker just because she was in it). Jonathan and Luke have the obvious Bridgerton connection. He went to both events (with A) because the probability of him being spotted was high. He isn't spotted attending other concerts and plays where he has no connection to the stars.

Everything is strategic, and the timing of the sightings are so coordinated that we can easily predict the patterns and next steps. Seriously, we should start making actual bets, a lot of us could've easily made money from guessing that a Cyprus photo would be released.

I am not going to even talk about the Backgrid photos because those are so staged that I can write a whole dissertation. Those follow every PR rule in the book.

But fans like us, not the General Audience, pick up on all this. I don't know how long it will last but all I know is that....drumroll please....Nicola is married because no proud Irish woman would sabotage their heritage by falsely wearing a Claddagh Ring. And the person she is married to is not Jake because why imply that he is only your "boyfriend" and not introduce him as your husband when you have a ring. If she just said "Yes I am married to Jake", fans would accept it and move on. It wouldn't make complete sense, but at least she would get all us shippers off her back. It would also give her privacy since there would be no reason to speculate or theorize every move she makes.

All I know is that everything is smoke and mirrors. I don't know the reasons why but I don't think it is to deliberately troll fans. It is like an iceberg; we only see 10% of it from the surface. We don't know the 90% that is underneath the surface.

One last thing I would like to point out is that we never know their true location. Back in May, Nicola was posting while everyone was sleeping in London and everyone assumed she was in New York for the Met Gala while she was really in Miami for F1. It just goes to show that somethings implied (like their respective "relationships") might not always be the truth.

Agree with all of this 10000%

[dollveis]

☆ ┆ SHE'S A LADY AND I'M JUST A LINE WITHOUT A HOOK. ellie williams — ❝ you can hold my hand if no one's home. ❞

CHAPTER 1 : you're a pond & i'm an ocean. trying to excuse yourself from dating rumors you end up saying ellie's name when someone asks you who you like.

quick navigation .ᐟ series masterlist ⋆ next chapter

featuring. college!ellie x afab!reader content warning ! loser!ellie x popular!student, reader referred to as she, reader gets paired with a man but shows no interest towards him, ellie being reallyyy a loser, she's also awkward, onesided interest, maybe fluff if you squint and mention of ellie wearing glasses.

❀ omg?? im finally releasing the first chapter for she's a lady frfr? took me long enough but here it is, this first chapter it's pretty simple maybe blank but we're in for a ride. IT'S ALSO PRETTY SHORT BUT I WANTED IT TO BE KIND OF AN INTRODUCTION

It's Monday, the morning is crisp, the sky sharp blue against the red brick buildings of Jackson College, students move in waves, chatting, sipping overpriced coffees to go through the morning, scrolling through their phones. The air hums with conversations about upcoming exams, weekend parties and the latest and juiciest campus gossip. It's the same routine every day— familiar, predictable. Everything has a rhythm.

You move through it effortlessly with iced coffee in your right hand, people greet you left and right, some call your name, other offer just quick nods of acknowledgement if like acknowledging your presence is a necessity, you return them with small gestures, a nod, a polite smile, nothing too personal. Your reputation proceeds you, the one with the grades, the friends, the effortless charm. You're used to being watched but never closely enough for it to matter. 

You see your friends waiting near the main hall, where the weekly academic rankings have just been posted and you don't even need to see it to know that your name it's at the top, as always, not that it's a surprise. 

Hana, who's been your best friend since freshman year, says, “let's see,” scanning the list closely, “and yep— there she is, of course. God, you're a machine.”

“Or a vampire,” Daniel adds, squinting at you with an inquisitive look, “i swear you don't sleep.”

You roll your eyes, “i sleep.”

“When?”

You don't answer, instead you look at the list again, your gaze flickering over some names below yours, the same handful of students hover in the top five, the rest of the names blurry to you, you don't recognize almost anyone but one further down, really further down catches your attention. 

Ellie Williams.

You don't recognize it. A name that stands out but not the right reasons, her ranking is unimpressive, hovering dangerously close to the failing threshold, maybe that's why it sticks out for you, it's uncommon to see names that low when you're used to scanning only the top. 

Either way, the thought is fleeting. You move on quickly. 

────────────────────────

You think the morning will go by just as it usually does, boring and monotone but it doesn't. You don't even make it to lunch before people are talking, casual whispers between classes, side glances as you walk past. At first you ignore it, you're used to people speculating about your life, attaching stories to you that don't exist. 

“She'd be perfect with him.”

“They match, at least academically.”

“She's doesn't date though.”

“But maybe now—”

The looks and curious humming in the background makes you grip your tray harder, trying your best to stay calm and chill. But then you run into him, Aaron Carter. You barely know him beyond the fact that he's one of the few people who can somewhat compete with you academically. He's tall, well dressed, in a dozen clubs and with an air of effortless confidence that makes people gravitate towards him. So obviously people expect you to be interested in someone like him. 

You don't dislike him necessarily, but you're also not interested. 

“Hey,” Aaron says as he falls into step beside you, trying to match your walk. 

You glance at him, “hey.”

He smiles, his perfect white teeth showing, “sooo, interesting rumor going around.”

You contain yourself from rolling your eyes, sighing internally, “let me guess.”

He chuckles, “yeah, apparently we're dating now.”

You scoff, “we're not.”

“I figured,” he tucks his hands into his pockets, “but you know… it wouldn't be the worst thing,” he shrugs. 

You stop walking, freezing, “excuse me?”

Aaron smirks like he knows exactly what he's doing, “relax. I'm just saying, people seem to think we'd make a good match. And honestly? they might have a point,” he shrugs. 

You furrow your brows, “are you trying to flirt with me?”

“Maybe.”

You sigh, rolling your eyes for real this time, “unbelievable.”

“Hey, can't blame a guy for trying,” he says, amused, “but if you ever change your mind…”

“I won't.”

He grins, “noted.”

With that he walks off, leaving you more annoyed than before. By the time you reach your usual lunch spot your irritation must be obvious because Hana immediately raises an eyebrow. 

“What happened?” she asks, leaning against the table with obvious interest. 

“Aaron,” you say flatly. 

Hana groans, “oh, God, don't tell me he believes the rumors.”

You stab at your salad, frustrated, “he suggested they might be a good idea.”

Daniel bursts out laughing, holding his stomach, “holy shit.”

Hana smirks, “did you crush his hopes and dreams?”

“As quickly as possible.”

Mia tilts her head, examining your expression, “he's smart, popular, good-looking. It makes sense, to be honest,” she nudges your arm, “not gonna lie, you'd be kind of a power couple.”

Daniel snickers, “you two probably have matching grade point averages. Academic royalty, a match made in GPA heaven.”

You groan, rubbing your temple as if you were trying to keep your cool, “i don't like him.”

“Then who do you like?” Mia asks, raising a brow. 

The problem is you don't like anyone. Not in the way they expect, romance has never been a priority and you've never felt the pull that seems to drive everyone else. These comments are meant to be casual, just part of the teasing, of the typical campus gossip. But you know them, you know how this works, if you don't shut this down now, the rumor will only get worse, and by next week, half the campus will be convinced you and Aaron are planning a future together with two babies. 

So you do what any rational person would do, you blurt out the first name that comes to mind. 

“Ellie Williams.”

Silence. 

You can feel them staring. Hana blinks. Daniel looks confused. Even Mia, for all her nosiness, seems momentarily thrown. 

“... Who?”

Fuck. 

You clear your throat, “Ellie Williams,” you repeat, like that somehow makes it better, “she's in our year.”

Mia stares at you like you've just announced you're dropping out of college to become a circus performer, “Ellie Williams,” she repeats slowly, as if testing the words on her tongue. You keep your expression neutral, but inside, you're already regretting your life choices. 

Hana leans in closer, intrigued, “wait, how come you never mentioned her before?”

“Because it's none of your business,” you answer smoothly, picking at your salad like this conversation is beneath you. 

Daniel, still looking baffled, scrolls through his phone, “i'm literally searching her up right now, i don't even know what she looks like,” panic flares in your chest, if he looks up her grades— he suddenly snaps his fingers, “oh! i think i know her. Quiet, kind of awkward? sits at the back in most lectures?”

Hana hums in thought, “the one with messy notes and the guitar case sometimes?” she stays quiet for a moment, “wait, is she the girl who nearly set the chem lab on fire last semester?”

You nearly choke on your drink. Great. 

Mia nods, clearly enjoying this, “yeah, i remember that. Apparently she mixed up two compounds because she forgot her glasses.”

Daniel squints at you, “no offense, but… since when is that your type?”

You resist the urge to bury your face in your hands, “i don't have a type.”

Mia grins like a shark sensing blood, “oh, you do now.”

“Wait. That's actually kinda cute,” your best friend smirks, “i never thought you liked shy girls.”

You sigh, “can we please change the subject?”

Mia nudges your arm, “tell us more. Have you guys talked before? how'd you meet?”

You glance at the time on your phone, “would you look at that? class is in ten minutes. Gotta go,” you stand up, without even finishing your salad, grabbing your bag. 

Daniel rolls his eyes, “that was the weakest escape attempt ever.”

You don't care. You just hope that Ellie Williams never hears about this. 

But she does. 

Ellie has had a crush on your months, not that she'd ever planned on doing anything about it. You exist in a world she doesn't belong to— too put-together, too untouchable, always surrounded by people who seem effortlessly in sync with you. Ellie, in contrast, struggles to remember her assignments, barely scrapes by on tests since she just draws stars in her notes, she owns exactly one backpack that she never closes properly and has exactly one friend (Jesse, who is much better at life than she is). 

She likes watching you though, not in a creepy way. Just in the way someone watches a shooting star— distant, beautiful, something she'd never reach. 

But today. Today you say her name. 

Ellie is passing through the dining hall to go outside, too tired to deal with packed tables and loud conversations, when she hears it. Her name. In your voice. She stops. At first she thinks she's misheard. But then she sees your table— the reactions, the wide eyes, the disbelief. And it clicks, you just told everyone you like her. Her. Her eyes widen like a deer caught in headlights. 

Ellie nearly drops her tray. She's not sure how she's gonna make it through the day without spontaneously combusting. When she reaches her usual table outside the cafeteria she can still hear your voice. She must be hallucinating. Maybe she fell asleep in class and this is just some fever dream but no. Jesse is sitting across from her, watching her with mild concern as she continues to stare blankly at her ham and cheese sandwich. 

“Dude,” he finally says, “you look like you just saw a ghost.”

Ellie slowly turns to him, her brain still short circuiting, “i think she likes me.”

Jesse raises an eyebrow, “who?”

Ellie swallows, “her.”

He frowns, “you're gonna have to be a little more specific, man.”

The freckled girl runs a hand through her hair, exhaling, “Her. You know. Smart. Popular. Untouchable.”

It takes Jesse approximately three second to put it together. His eyes widen, “no way," Ellie nods and Jesse leans back, looking thoroughly amused, “okay, explain.”

So Ellie does. She tells him about overhearing your confession, about how your friends reacted, how it didn't seem like a joke— at least, not from what she could tell. The guy listens, nodding along. When she finishes, he lets out a low whistle, “damn. Didn't see that coming.”

“Yeah,” Ellie mutters, rubbing her temple. 

Jesse watches her for a moment before grinning, “so… what's the problem? this is, like, your dream scenario.”

“No, it's not…” she groans, “i was fine just admiring her from a distance. What the hell am i supposed to do now?”

He shrugs, “go talk to her.”

Ellie stares at him, “what?"

"You like her, right?"

She hesitates, "yeah."

"And she just said she likes you?"

"Yeah, but—"

"So go talk to her."

Ellie crosses her arms and furrows her brows, "that’s the worst advice I’ve ever heard."

He snorts, "what, you want me to tell you to ignore it and hope it goes away?"

Ellie groans again, slumping in her seat, "i don’t know, man. She’s, like... way out of my league. I barely pass my classes. She’s literally the smartest person on campus."

Jesse rolls his eyes, “okay, first of all? shut up. Second, you won’t know if she’s actually into you unless you ask. What’s the worst that could happen?"

Ellie considers, "public humiliation?"

Jesse waves a hand casually, "happens to the best of us. You’ll survive."

She glares, "you’re the worst."

A grin, "nah. I’m the best. Now, go talk to your girlfriend."

Ellie groans one more time for good measure, and, against all better judgment, she heads off to find you after the classes end. 

────────────────────────

You try not to think about it after lunch, hoping this whole situation would just be a day or maybe two, so you go about your day hoping to find some peace but when you're leaving the library, in the afternoon someone calls your name quietly when you're passing by the entrance. 

Ellie is standing there, clearly waiting for you. You recognize her instantly— not only because of the photo on the board but because there's something about her that makes her stand out in a quiet way. A few freckles dusting her nose, auburn hair tied back messily, hands stuffed into the pockets of her hoodie, the way she won't quite meet your gaze. She looks… different, like something you're not used to, like she doesn't belong in the whirlwind of polished, high achieving students you surrounded yourself with Her posture is tense, shoulders slightly hunched, like she's half expecting you to tell her to get lost and yet, here she is. 

“... Hi,” Ellie says. Her voice is lower than you expected, a little rough, a little nervous. 

You raise an eyebrow, “hi.”

Ellie exhales sharply, like she's bracing herself, “uh, so—” she clears her throat, shifts on her feet, “i heard what you said at lunch.”

Your stomach tightens. Of course she did, you should've expected that. Still, hearing her say it out loud makes it feel… real. You tilt your head slightly, keeping your expression neutral, “oh.

The girl in front of you nods, she looks like she's about to pass out, “yeah and, uhm, i just—” she exhales, then forces the words out in one breath, “i like you too.”

Silence. For a second all you can do is stare at her. Something in her expression makes your stomach twist into knots, there's sincerity there but also uncertainty, like she doesn't quite believe the words coming out of her own mouth. She looks like she really means she likes you. Ellie looks alone, not in the obvious way, but in the way people look when they're used to being overlooked. And that makes you feel worse, the idea of rejecting her outright feels… wrong. 

You tilt your head as you cross your arms and sigh, “look, Ellie…” she tenses like she's preparing for the worst, you choose your words carefully, “i'm not really into dating right now.”

Ellie blinks, “oh," it's quiet for a moment, you expect her to shrink back, maybe make some awkward excuse and leave, instead she just shifts her weight, scratching the back of her neck, “... that makes sense.”

Your eyes widen a bit, you watch her, “it does?”

“Yeah,” she mutters, “i mean— you're busy, and uh, probably have better options.”

Your brows furrow slightly once again, “that's not what i said.”

Ellie shrugs, but it's too casual, too practiced, “i know, just saying.”

You study her for a moment. She's defensive, not because she's mad, more like she expected rejection from the start and is just trying to act like it doesn't bother her and for someone reason that bothers you.

You sigh, “i wasn't lying, you know," Ellie finally meets your eyes directly, you hold her gaze, firm but not unkind, “i really don't wanna date anyone right now, i have a lot going on, it's not about you,” she nods but she looks she doesn't totally believe you. And that's it supposedly, you should walk away, that would be the smart thing to do but instead you pause and then add, “but… we could still talk.”

Ellie blinks, confused, surprised, “talk?”

You shrug, glancing away, “if you want. You don't seem like you have a lot of people to talk to.”

Ellie snorts, “wow. Thanks.”

A smirk tugging at the corner of your lips, “am i wrong?”

She hesitates, “... no.”

You nod satisfied, “then it's settled," Ellie frowns slightly, like she doesn't quite understand how she got here but she doesn't argue and you take that as a win, “See you around, Williams,” you say before turning to leave and she watches you go, and despite everything, smiles to herself.

For some reason Ellie intrigues you, she's different. Not in the obvious i'm trying too hard be unique way but in the doesn't seem to care about fitting in way. She seems real, and maybe that's refreshing.

[bytemee]

bonus chapter. | WHERE DO YOU SLEEP? — YU JIMIN.

𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀 — y/n, a rising music producer, has built her dream career while keeping her personal life under wraps. karina, aespa’s leader, is preparing for a huge comeback with a mini album produced and written by the one and only y/n.

karina knows this is the opportunity of a lifetime, and she has to nail it. the only problem is, she may be a bit distracted by her producer.

something about their connection feels different—like maybe it's worth the risk of prying eyes. but how much will they give up to chase after what they want?

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 — angst...really sad, suggestive/sexual content (not really smut), flashback (which r italic), and let me know if theres more

𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 — 3.5k

𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲— chat i

taglist (open) — @sunshinez4 @gtfoiydlyj @yuyuy90 @liaponderstings @rinapomu @bimkayd @minaripenguu

series masterlist. main masterlist.

two hearts, once tangled, never truly move apart.

the odds were almost laughable.

of all the hotels in osaka, of all the moments in time—your companies had unknowingly placed you under the same roof, forcing the past to claw its way back into the present. it was the first time you had been in such close proximity since the breakup. there had been plenty of distance, plenty of stolen glances at award shows, plenty of pretending like you weren’t once everything to each other.

but the world knew you weren't merely strangers, even if it felt like you were.

they knew the second the headlines exploded overnight, sending shockwaves through every corner of the internet. speculation turned to certainty; whispers turned to chaos. everyone had an opinion—some were even close to the truth, while others seemed far-fetched, while others ripped it apart, scrutinizing details they were never meant to know. you were the hot topic, trending on social media for weeks, a name everyone could agree upon, a story that had them up until dawn, their eyes glued to their screens, waiting, watching—hoping for the slightest update.

there was no way out, only forward.

and forward meant hiding.

karina's company tried to put a lid on it.

neither confirming nor denying, simply sweeping the rumors under the rug as if they were nothing more than another passing scandal. your company, however, had taken a different approach. they acknowledged the situation but demanded privacy, threatening legal action against anyone who continued to invade your personal life.

there was a reason why you hadn't been seen in public together even with your fingerprints all over their song that had dominated the charts for months.

because the decision had been made for you.

stay away from each other. keep out of the press. we're doing damage control; don't make this any harder than it already is.

and, karina…

she listened.

to everything. every demand, every restriction, every lie. she did what she had always done, putting on a brave face for the world, giving them exactly what they wanted, what they needed—to see her move on, to see her thrive without you by her side. she was happy now, they said, and so were you, and perhaps they were right.

perhaps you really were happy.

your days were busy now, packed with schedules and responsibilities that kept you distracted. you didn't have time to dwell, to remember, to think. you moved forward, chasing the rising sun, knowing that it would soon set again. the cycle repeated itself day after day; the weeks passed, and so did you, barely taking the time to breathe. but there were still moments, quiet moments when your mind wandered, when the ache in your chest became too much to bear, when the memories of her smile, her touch, her kiss—

you tried not to let it show, tried not to feel anything at all. you forced a smile, pretending as if everything was fine, pretending as if you didn't miss her more than you could ever put into words. sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn't. but, regardless, you had to keep going, had to keep fighting, had to keep yourself together before you fell apart. you were stronger than this, better than this, smarter than this. yet, the more you told yourself these lies, the emptier they began to sound.

she was the one thing you couldn't stop thinking about, the one thing you couldn't bring yourself to let go. no matter how hard you tried, no matter how many times you convinced yourself that it would be easier this way, you still loved her. and, she loved you.

it wasn't fair. it wasn't right. but it's what came with the job, and you knew that when you signed those papers years ago.

the doors had just slid shut when she stepped in, barely making it in time before they closed. you had been staring at your phone, scrolling through texts you weren’t really reading, when you felt it—the shift in the air.

you looked up.

karina.

she hadn’t seen you yet.

her attention was on her team, listening intently to whatever was being discussed in hushed tones. she stood poised, composed, every bit the superstar she had been molded into. but you knew better. knew the subtle twitch of her fingers when she was anxious, the way she adjusted her stance when she was uncomfortable.

and then, as if pulled by some unseen force, her gaze lifted—meeting yours.

the world stilled.

just for a second.

a second too long.

your team stood beside you, oblivious to the war waging in the silence. conversations continued, instructions were exchanged, but none of it reached your ears.

neither of you moved.

neither of you looked away.

and then, as quickly as it came, the moment was gone. karina blinked, her expression unreadable, and turned back to her staff, refusing to acknowledge your presence. you exhaled, shifting your focus back to your phone, pretending like your heart wasn’t hammering against your ribs, like the mere sight of her hadn’t caused your blood to rush through your veins, igniting every inch of your body.

you kept your eyes down, avoiding the temptation to steal another glance. the elevator ascended, carrying you higher, closer to your floor. you held your breath as the numbers climbed, each passing second feeling more like a lifetime. and, as the doors opened, you stepped out, resisting the urge to look back, to see if she was watching you go.

but you didn't.

it would only make things harder.

for both of you.

it all felt like an inevitable death, a funeral for something so beautiful that was too fragile to survive in the chaos of your lives. the moment had come, two days before the mamas, two days before you and karina would face each other in a setting that felt like an ocean with no shore—a sea of fans that could drown out whatever remained of what you once shared.

you had been apart for two months, and though you’d moved on in some ways, the absence of each other was a gaping wound that neither of you could ignore. the lawyers were sitting there, their expressions detached and cold, the kind that made it clear this was all just business to them. every word that left their mouths felt like another nail in the coffin of what was once yours.

“there can be no interaction between you two at all,” the senior lawyer, a man with gray hair and sharp eyes, said, his words cutting through the room like a knife. "the press, the fans—they’re watching your every move. we cannot afford to have anything that could be misinterpreted, especially not now.”

you swallowed hard, your throat tightening as the gravity of his words sunk in. no interaction meant no smiles, no nods, nothing. it meant staying away from each other as if you were strangers, as if you didn't mean anything to each other. as if you weren't looking forward to the awards to see her after two long months.

“your company has made it clear, y/n,” another lawyer chimed in, his tone softer than the others but still firm enough to convey his point, “it’s the safest course of action. the more you’re seen together, the more it complicates things. there are legal repercussions.”

repercussions.

it sounded like such a cruel word, as if you had done something wrong.

something terrible.

your nails dug into your palms, the pain grounding you to the present. before you could respond, jamie, your manager, stood up, visibly uncomfortable. he cleared his throat, glancing at you briefly before turning his attention back to the lawyers. "she’s been through a lot, and at the end of the day karina is apart of her career. making her cut off all contact—” he shook his head, sighing heavily, "we need to find another way."

"with all due respect," the first lawyer said, holding up a hand, "she’ll handle it. she doesn’t have a choice, jamie.”

jamie furrowed his eyebrows. your personal life was no longer in your hands. if your company wanted you to stay away from karina, then that was what would happen. he sat back down, placing a hand on the back of your chair, a gesture that offered you a sense of comfort. “this isn’t the way we wanted it to go, but we can’t control everything. i’ll make sure—”

but before he could finish, the upper management's voice cut through again, now directed squarely at jamie.

“maybe it’s time you stop enabling her. we’re handling this the way it needs to be handled, and you’re not helping by coddling her like a child.”

coddling.

your eyes snapped up, and you straightened your posture, your lips pressing into a thin line. it was one thing to tell you what to do, but to attack the one person who had been standing by your side, who had defended you no matter what, was crossing a line.

a line that was quickly being crossed, a line that you couldn't bear to watch them cross again.

"enabling?" you said, a chill in your voice that hadn't been there before. "he's been nothing but supportive, and if anyone is coddling me, it's—"

the upper management leaned forward, their eyes boring into yours, their features hardened, the kind that made it clear they had heard enough. "we understand that you're upset, y/n, but the rules are very simple. if you want to stay with this company, you will abide by the rules."

they had the final say.

and the last thing you wanted was to find another company, to have your entire career uprooted again.

you inhaled deeply, trying not to show any weakness, trying not to break under the weight of the situation. but even as you steeled yourself, it was already too late.

if you could go back, if you could have one more moment with her, to see her one last time—you would have. but that’s not an option anymore. it’s too late for that now.

you sat on the edge of the bed, your hands clasped together, staring at the door as if it would open on its own. it had only been a few hours since the elevator moment—since you saw karina again for the first time in forever. and, though your teams had insisted that the two of you stay far apart, the world had a way of bringing you back together again.

because two hearts once tangled, never truly move apart.

a soft knock.

you inhaled sharply, rising from the bed and crossing the room in a few quick strides. you hesitated, fingers hovering over the handle. your pulse raced, your thoughts spiraling as doubts began to fill the silence. you should’ve listened to the words that had been drilled into you for months.

don't talk to her.

stay away.

but it was too late now.

you opened the door.

karina slipped inside, silent as a shadow, and you shut the door behind her just as quickly. for a moment, neither of you spoke. you simply stood there, eyes locked, breaths held.

then, before you could think—before you could stop yourself—you reached for her.

she met you halfway.

her lips crashed against yours, hands grasping desperately, as if the past months had been nothing but a cruel nightmare and she was trying to anchor herself back to reality. you kissed her like you needed her, because you did. it was a kiss born from longing, from desire, from an ache that could never be filled, a kiss that would've broken you both had the universe not brought you back together again.

she tasted the same.

felt the same.

smelled the same.

the familiarity of her touch made your heart swell, and suddenly you couldn’t remember why you had ever agreed to stay away from her in the first place. how could you ever live without this? without her?

she was the first to pull away, but she stayed close, her lips brushing yours as she spoke.

"i missed you," she breathed, the words coming out as a sigh, the kind that sounded like a prayer. "i missed you so much, y/n. i hate pretending. i hate not being able to look at you or talk to you. i hate—"

you cut her off, pressing your forehead to hers. "i know," you murmured. "i know."

her eyes shut tightly, and for a moment, you just stood there, breathing each other in.

this couldn’t last. you both knew that.

but for tonight—for this moment—you let yourself be selfish.

karina picks up on the second ring. the sound of your breathing spills into your ear, a welcome distraction from the suffocating silence of her room. it's almost enough to bring her back to some semblance of peace. but that peace doesn't last when she remembers the circumstances, the reason you decided to break the long stretch of silence.

neither of you speaks. the seconds tick by slowly, stretching out like hours. she holds her breath, waiting, bracing herself for what's about to come. she's waited for this moment, has played out the possibilities in her mind over and over. but now that it's here, she's at a loss for words.

"hi."

your voice is a whisper, a quiet plea that cracks under the weight of its own vulnerability.

she shuts her eyes, her chest tightening as the reality sinks in. "hi."

she's not the only one who's hurt.

the distance has been killing you, too.

"how are you?” she says softly. her voice is shaky, her nerves getting the better of her. it's been two months since the last time she's heard from you, and even then, it was nothing more than a text. a simple thank you from when she congratulated you on the release of your album. the album that was about her, the album that fueled the flame of everything you once shared blowing up into your faces.

“i'm okay,” you say, but your voice betrays you, cracking at the last word. she knows you well enough to recognize the lie, to know the truth. but it doesn't stop her from asking the question or from wanting to hear the answer, even if it would only cause her more pain. “and you?”

“good,” she says, but her words are empty, devoid of any emotion. her grip on the phone tightens. “just tired.”

tired of being apart, tired of keeping up this act, tired of being told how to feel, what to do, and what not to do. she wants nothing more than to hold you again. to feel your warmth, to run her fingers through your hair. to look into your eyes and forget that the world exists.

“same here,” you whisper.

your eyes flick to the clock on the wall. midnight. you’ve been staring at the ceiling for hours, restless, tangled in thoughts you wish would just go away. you sigh, rubbing your eyes with your free hand. you should've just called her; you should've just asked her how she was. but you know the answer, and you can't bring yourself to listen to her voice breaking, can't bring yourself to imagine her alone, curled up in a ball on her bed, just like you.

“can’t sleep?” she asks, reading the silence.

you nod, even though she can’t see you. "yeah," you murmur, barely more than a breath. you don’t want her to know how much of her you still carry—how you can’t seem to let go. you shift your gaze to the window, watching the rain slant against the glass, creating patterns that are almost soothing.

“me too,” she admits. "i miss you.”

your heart skips, and the tears you’ve been holding back—the ones you’ve held off for so long—begin to burn. you bite down hard on your cheek, trying to keep it together, trying to stop the flood before it breaks loose. but hearing her say it—hearing her admit it—it’s like opening a wound you thought was healed, only to find it’s deeper than you remembered.

"i miss you too," the confession spills from your lips before you can stop it, and the truth, the weight of it, is so much heavier than you thought it would be. but, despite the heaviness, you don’t take it back.

there's a pause.

then, a sigh.

a beat.

two.

three.

“did you have the meeting today?” she asks, a question that doesn’t feel like it belongs in this moment. you're both quiet for a while, lost in the memories of everything you've shared, of the life you had together, the life you thought would never end. but it did. it ended, and there's no going back. not after all this.

the question hangs in the air, sharp and hollow. you don't want to answer it—not now, not like this. but she deserves to know, and the words burn on your tongue, demanding to be spoken.

"yeah," you whisper, your throat tight. "the lawyers said… no contact. between us."

her breath catches on the other end, and you can almost feel the sharp sting in her chest, the same one that you’re fighting to suppress. "so, that's it?" her voice falters, a crack forming that she’s trying to keep hidden. "we're not allowed to talk anymore?"

your jaw clenches, the pressure building behind your eyes until it hurts. you swallow hard, blinking back the tears that threaten to spill over. you can't do this. not right now. not when you're alone, not when she's so far away, not when there's nothing you can do. "we have no choice," you say, trying to sound firm, trying to keep the pain out of your voice. but the cracks are showing, and you're struggling to keep the facade up.

"i've missed you so much," she whispers. "i went to see your grandma last weekend."

you're taken aback, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "how's she doing?"

"good. she asked about us."

your stomach knots. "what did you tell her?"

"that i missed you. that i was going to fix everything between us."

"we can't, karina," you say, trying not to break, trying not to let the reality sink in. "we can't do this anymore."

"i don't care," she breathes. "i'm not giving up."

you're torn, caught between the truth and what you wish were true. you want to believe her, but it's been so long, and there's so much left unsaid, so much that hasn't healed. you're not sure you're strong enough to survive another heartbreak.

"i love you," she says.

and you shatter.

"i can't…" your voice is thick with emotion, tears rolling down your cheeks. "i can't do this."

"please, y/n," she begs.

"i love you," you murmur, the words coming out choked. "i love you so much."

"then, please, give us a chance," she says, pleading. "just one more chance."

the distance between you disappeared in an instant. her hands were on you—desperate, familiar, claiming—and you weren’t sure who pulled who first, only that neither of you wanted to stop.

lips brushed, then crashed. fingers curled into fabric, tugging, seeking skin, anything to close the aching space between you. a shiver ran through you as her breath ghosted over your jaw, her voice a quiet plea.

“can i stay?” she whispered, barely pulling back. “it's been so long.”

your resolve crumbled.

you answered her with your hands and your lips, the way you let her guide you toward the bed.

your fingers fumbled, working blindly, but you didn't need sight, not when the heat of her skin was enough to light your path. the fabric fell away, her hair cascading around her, a halo in the dim light, and you wondered, briefly, if this was how angels looked, if the heavens above were anything like the woman in front of you.

but before you could lose yourself completely, she stopped you, her fingers curling around your wrists.

"look at me," she whispered.

so, you did.

in her eyes, you saw the universe. stars burning, galaxies colliding, an infinity of light, an endlessness that would always feel like home.

your lips parted, but no words came.

because sometimes, the right words don’t exist.

because, sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

because sometimes, all it takes is a single touch, a single glance, a single look.

a moment, suspended in time.

you sank into her, your hands digging into the sheets, the rest of the world disappearing behind the shadows, fading into nothingness. "i love you," you whispered, the words tumbling out in a sigh, the kind that was half relief and half agony. "i love you so much."

she wrapped her arms around you, her touch gentle, tender, almost hesitant. her voice was soft, barely a whisper, but you heard it, loud and clear.

"i love you, too."

the words settled between you, a quiet confession that could not be taken back. it wasn’t the first time, but the familiarity of it, the certainty, the certainty that no matter what the world threw at you, it wouldn't change what you both knew was true. you would love each other until the end of time. even when the universe tore you apart, the memories would always remain.

it was enough for you to know that even if this night was all you ever had, it would be enough.

it would have to be.

series masterlist. main masterlist.

[lovejongseob]

hcs of jongseob in a secret relationship with idol reader plss🙏🏻🙏🏻 love your posts

Fall in love again

Yess, I hope you enjoy !! And thank you so much, you're so sweet !! Thank you for the request as well 🩷

Personal:

Look, there's a reason hes on his phone all the time. Unfortunately it's not often he can be with you in person. When you're constantly training, working, on different sets or shows, in meetings, being styled, travelling, touring, and too many more things to count.. You aren't left with a lot of free time.

Face timing you as much as possible. Even if it's just for the thirty seconds you two both happen to be switching shoots, or getting fast touch ups done, he's calling you right away. Jongseob just really needs to see your face and hear your voice. When he's finally home, he calls you while he works or cleans up. Pretends hes sleeping next to you while falling into unconsciousness on call.

Photos when possible throughout his day are sent to you. They're a little blurry and seem quickly taken, but you know he wouldn't have taken them if he didn't care. His favorite notifications are image attachments or audio messages from you.

When you have the time, he loves playing video games with you. Closest to being with you without actually being with you, in his opinion. Loves voice chat while interacting with your avatar. His favorite are any dress up games because he can see your personal style more, and Minecraft because it feels like having his own life and home with just you.

Supportive of your group ! Has your entire discography saved on literally every streaming platform, and memorized unreleased choreography. Respectfully friendly if he ever gets the chance to meet your group members. Has had a dream about attending one of your concerts. Your vocals or rapping are his alarm clock.

Jongseob may or may not be a secret fanboy. Even if he wasn't before meeting or dating you, he loves you way too much not to feel like hes a fan of yours. And he respects your talent and hard work so much, none of this is easy at all, so he finds you so admirable. Social media alt legend, multiple Tiktok folders, Pinterest boards, would probably be an ao3 guy but believe he has a Tumblr fan page. You can't make any alts with your name included, because hes taken all the usernames already.

Public:

Optimally, nothing would be public. Best case scenario, the fans wouldn't even think you know each other.

Compliments your music if your group ever gets brought up, but hes moving on quickly. If there are any specific questions on how he feels about your group, hes answering vaguely. For example, if hes asked his favorite song, he'd probably just say the most popular one, and read a new question right after. In reality, it's an unreleased demo they have no idea of.

If you are put in a situation where you need to interact, hes polite, but short. He adores you with everything he has in him, and that's why you both have to act this way. Neither of you give fans the chance to speculate, you don't stay around each other in public, and you only interact when it's professionally configurated.

Even though it's uncomfortable, and makes him upset that he can't be open about his care for you, he loves you and his group members too much to put your careers at risk. You've both put in so much work, so you both understand nothing out there is personal, only the special and fleeting moments you share are.

Bonus Texts:

I found all of these on Pinterest !!

the other guy he added was theo. im not shizoposting in the a/ns yet, however i did just delete a full paragraph of me actually losing it over titling and formatting. so the time will soon be upon us.

[vivalabunbun]

When It Rains, Why Does It Pour?

Summary: Sand is quite a nuisance, it creeps into every crevice and no amount of dusting can free oneself from its stubborn hold. Yet, the tide still greets the shore.

Word Count: 8.8k (oh no...)

Tags: Neuvillette x GN!Reader, human!reader, SFW, fluff, childhood friends AU, Slow Burn, Slow Fic, Angst, Hurt with Comfort, themes about reincarnation, TW: Themes about death and loss, themes about aging, immortal x mortal AU, not lore accurate, reader is an attendant, human prejudice, Spoilers Warning: His story quest and archon quests, speculations about his past in Fontaine, why is he so mysterious

Authors Note: This was a challenge trying to write from the POV of a man you don't even know the name of, but I just had to write something for him. A character study of Neuvillette. Enjoy!

How long has it been since he first arrived here? One month? Two? Or perhaps it has already been a year? The young dragon wasn’t too sure.

The days seem to blend together when one only eats, studies, and sleeps all on repeat. A cruel trait of time. The weather outside the glass windows didn’t provide any hints either.

However, he himself is to blame. 

A gray haze concealed azure skies as rhythmic drops of rain hit the earth. Blocking out the all-seeing sun and nurturing moon, the murky clouds above even hinder the stars from accompanying him.

A true reflection of his current solitude. 

The young dragon arrived in the human world, brought over by the lord of Fontaine. Due to the nature of his arrival to this nation, he was given status and importance in the eyes of the citizens. However, he has yet to receive acceptance. 

The grand estate in which he resides was staffed with countless butlers and maids, renowned chefs, and skilled tutors. He was wanting of nothing, yet still impoverished. 

He could see it in their mortal eyes, he could sense it in the tangible silence of the halls, he could tell from the distance each mortal put between themselves and him. 

Much like the towering stone walls which surrounded his private residence.

Was it to separate themselves from him or himself from them?

A question he entertains as lilac eyes scan over the aforementioned wall. Its gray stones are a welcomed change from the dry parchment with even drier content. 

As he observes the drab stones contrast against a dreary sky, a small flash of white cuts through the somber composition.

Catching his lilac eyes as they follow the strange shape, it drifts through the capricious wind before the breeze grew bored and tossed it to the ground.

Studying it a bit further, the young dragon identifies the object as a simple pillowcase. Nothing more than a scrap of fabric. 

He reasons that the wind must’ve stolen it from some clothesline. Just when he was about to return to the legal ledgers a rustling came from the bushes lining the bottom of the wall.

A small frame pushes apart the thick vegetation, creating enough space to finally free themselves from the entangled mess of branches. 

The towering wall, the one meant to separate him from the mortals, was defeated by a mere child.

A child who’s clumsy brushing the twigs from their garments and shaking a few raindrops from their hair. He watches as the small human trots toward the discarded pillowcase, a pout forming on their lips as they observe the mud that had seeped into the silk. 

Judging by the simple attire they don, they must be the child of a maid. 

Ah humans, fickle and temperamental creatures created by the usurpers. It took a conscious effort on his part to stop the frown threatening to appear on his lips.

Seems like he still needs to get used to their presence. 

It was as if the child sensed the bitterness in his thoughts because soon a pair of wide eyes connected with lilac. Even with the sun hiding behind dreary clouds, there was a light that twinkled in their irises. 

It was only for a minute, no, even less than that. But a young dragon and a young human held each other’s gaze. 

The child’s shoulders jolt as they turn their head back toward the wall, as if a voice called for them. Casting one last glance toward the young dragon, the child trots back toward the wall, disappearing within the murky viridescent. 

And that was the end, like the breeze that littered a scrap of fabric among the grass, the small human came and went.

Such fickle creatures, the young dragon gives it one last thought before returning his attention back to a cluttered desk. 

–

Amongst the soft drumming of droplets came a tap against the glass too sharp to be caused by the gentle rain. Causing the young dragon to turn away from the stacks of books laid out before him.

The wet glass obscured a small flicker of an orange glow, thus he walked closer to investigate. With each step, the figure outside the window became undeciphered.

That small human again. 

Locking eyes with the human outside the glass, the fickle creature’s lips curl up, the glow of their lamp illuminating the curiosity behind their gaze.

A human child doesn’t have the potential to cause much if any harm to him. Thus, he releases the lock, removing the glass barrier separating two breathes. 

“Hello! What is uh… your name?” They chirp out. 

His sharp ears picked up the clumsiness in their speech, the subtle unfamiliarity of the words they spoke. Distinct signs that you were still learning the language of Fontaine, much like him.

Although he understood your question, he was too distracted to answer. Lilac eyes wandering off toward the stone wall. Within the entangled mess of twigs, there was a small parting.

A part just wide enough to reveal the secret the bushes desperately tried to hide: A small hole along the bottom of the stone barrier. Just enough for a small creature to slip through. 

Discovering the truth behind how a small human was able to defeat such a seemingly impenetrable wall. 

The pattering of the rain was interrupted by the rustling of fabric, drawing his attention back to the small human in front of him.

The child rummages through their pockets before pulling out a lump covered by a handkerchief. Peeling back the layer of fabric to reveal some conch madeleines, presenting fragmented sweets before the young dragon. 

“It tastes good, I promise.” A small hand extends itself further through the open window. 

Observing the crumbly sweets laid out upon a handkerchief, the young dragon halted the rejection that almost escaped his lips. Remembering the concepts he had just been reading before this.

Humans tend to follow a set of unwritten rules, principles they like to call ‘manners’. There weren’t any punishments issued by law if those rules were broken, no imprisonment or fines.

However, narrow-eye stares and whispers behind backs were the punishments issued to transgressors by society. 

So, he accepts a piece, trying to ignore the sand-like sensation against his tongue. As he chewed, the grin on the human’s face only got wider.

“Now that you’ve taken one, you have to give me your name, it’s only uh… fair!” 

Ah, it looks like he’s been tricked. Falling into the clumsy sugar-coated trap only a child could come up with. Yet, as his lilac gaze caught the twinkle still ever so bright in their eyes, he didn’t have the strength to form a frown. 

Just a curious human child, only as dangerous as a firefly buzzing in his ear. There shouldn’t be any harm in disclosing the surname bestowed upon him by this nation.

“Neuvillette.” He finally said his first words to you. 

A peculiar pattern is recurring. That rainy night when Neuvillette opened those windows, it looked like he welcomed a phenomenon in as well. 

Even in his current state, a small human like you could pose no possible threat to him. Thus, whenever a certain tap was placed against the glass. He saw no reason to turn away the visitor. Allowing you to climb in through his window time and time again.

It would’ve been better if you used the door. However, he’s aware of the complications such a request would bring.

Perhaps it’s because he’s currently in the form of a young child, sharing a similar stature to yours. From his observations, humans do have a tendency to gravitate toward those with similar traits. Or perhaps, you’re just exceptionally brazen. 

Neuvillette glances up from his book, thick with endless sentences describing obscure and frivolous laws, landing on your frame lazing around upon a rug.

One hand holds onto a collection of fables, pages illuminated by the gentle rays of a star. While the other periodically reaches out toward a pile of conch madeleine.

A sight he’s come to expect now. 

Lavender eyes follow your hand as it brings another one of the crumbly sweets to your mouth again. You brought them over under the pretense of sharing them with him, yet they’re already half gone. The only hand reaching for the sweets being yours.

Just like how it was last time, and the time before that, and the one before that as well. 

If you felt this complacent in his presence now, then perhaps he can be more candid with you. As is common practice among humans to present a polite front that gradually wears away each recurring meeting. 

“You do not have to bring over any more conch madeleine.” 

The moment those words left his lips the motion of your hand halted, looking up to connect your sight with his, confusion pinching together your brows.  

“Oh? Why so suddenly?” The collection of fables now resting on the rug. 

It’s already been done, the first ripple in the frangible water between you and him. There is nothing that can cease the waves that accompany the first breach. He might as well say the whole truth. 

“They are dry, I cannot fathom how you can bring yourself to eat them.” Prescriptive eyes caught a faint flinch as you processed his edict.

“They taste fine to me…” You mutter, picking another one up. 

This time you chewed slower. The pinch between your brow only grew as you tasted the sweet again, searching for the perceived flaw.

As you met his gaze once more, he could tell your search brought forth no fruitful conclusions. Thus you asked another question in response.

“Then what do you like?”

Besides the pleasantries commonly exchanged between humans in Fontaine, Neuvillette recognizes he lacks the talent for small talk.

The room usually filled with your grievances about whichever tedious task you were assigned before you slipped away behind a wall and into his private residence. Ambient noise which accompanied each flip of a law book. 

It is long overdue for him to pull his weight in a conversation. 

“Water, spring water.”

“Huh?”

Neuvillette repeats his sentence but the scrunch of your brows doesn’t ease up, he couldn’t fight the urge to draw in a deep breath. So this is the limitation of the human palate, how regrettable. 

“Perhaps you are still too simple to appreciate the qualities of water.” 

The pout upon your crumb-covered lips morphs into a tight line, sealing away your voice.  The brightly printed cover of a storybook was shut as the last few remaining treats were bundled away in a napkin. 

Your tea break ended early today, impassive eyes following your figure as it disappeared among the thick vegetation beside a stone barrier. 

It was quiet today, not even a single parting uttered past your sealed lips. Therefore leaving the conversation unfinished. 

But that is today, you’ll have another tea break tomorrow, and you’ll come to him with your grievances about chores tomorrow as well. 

The young dragon returns his focus to the text in front of him. 

–

The soft hymn of raindrops against a glass window reverbed through the solitary study, providing a melody for the periodic flips of paper. But the melody was hollow, incomplete.

Shifting his body to look behind himself at the vacant rug, Neuvillette deduces why. The accompaniment was missing. 

That tomorrow he had come to expect never came. 

Had he committed a transgression? Overstep a line outside his place? Food is a point of pride for many humans, one oddity he’s yet to grasp.

These temperamental creatures tend to lash out when their pride is wounded, much like how a beast reacts to an unhealed cut. 

Neuvillette was curious as to whether this was an inherent trait of humanity or a learned by-product of the fickle principles imposed on themselves.

However, observing the abandoned storybook tucked away, the young dragon is leaning towards the former. 

Turning back to face his desk, his eyes could only glaze over the monotonous scribbles. Perhaps the cause of his spiritless attitude was disappointment, disappointment in himself. 

It looks like he was careless, deluding himself with the misconception that you and him were alike. Two outsiders who found solace in each other’s presence.

However, this was false. You were an outsider to Fontaine, but he was an outsider to this world where humans walked. 

He’s still too naive.

Fickle and temperamental creatures spoiled by the usurpers at the expense of his ancestors.

Why did he even entertain the thought that you and him could ever be alike?

Something stirred from within, like when pebbles were thrown into still water, but what were those pebbles? As Neuvillette ponders this conundrum, the drumming of the rain grows louder. 

However, it wasn’t loud enough to swallow up the sharp set of taps which interrupted his somber reflection. Jolting him from his thoughts, snapping his attention to the source of the noise.

There stood a figure distorted by the wet glass as another set of sharp taps sounded through the room. 

Before Neuvillette could even process it, his body moved without his command. Unlatching the lock and setting the window free from its frame.

Not sparing another second to the raindrops soaking into their cloak, the figure clambers through the window with practiced proficiency.

Without uttering a single greeting, not even one pleasantry, you situated yourself on his floor. Melting into an undignified lump on the pristine tiles as bewildered eyes watched you.

After catching a few breaths, an explanation finally makes its way to his ears. 

“T-they… they patched… up the hole,” you huffed out between short breaths. 

Ah, the small cavity in the stone wall that you used to escape from chores. Looks like the security at the estate finally noticed.

Gauging the height of the wall from his place by the window, he’s aware of how it towers over both him and you the same.

This brings up another question as he returns to observe your frame, still trying to catch the breaths that evade you. 

“I… ran… through the gates… before the… Gardes noticed…” Exhaustion evident in your eyes as pants break up your sentence. 

Ah, looks like his question was answered before he even inquired. To be puzzled or amazed, he wasn’t too sure how to categorize this ripple inside him.

The tomorrow that’s been missing for a little more than two weeks, is now right in front of him.

Panting and leaving a few muddy traces along the marble floor, but here nonetheless. 

With one deep motion of your lungs, you pushed your body up, finally getting ahold of your breath. The familiar rustle of your pocket, the audio cue for a certain dry sweet to appear. Neuvillette didn’t mind in the least.

Perhaps, he can bear the sandy sensation just for today. But tomorrow is always filled up with surprises, a glass bottle finding its way out of your pocket instead of sugary treats. 

“What is that?” An obvious question, but his voice found its way out of his mouth.

“Water, water from the servant’s well, I bottled it myself.” A small hand holds the bottle out more. 

“Thank you,” Neuvillette accepts it into his hands. 

He should really acquire some glasses to pour the water out into, it’s improper and bad manners to drink from the bottle.

However, his curiosity was greater. Or maybe, he didn’t realize just how parched he had become from waiting for tomorrow. 

Uncapping the clumsily packaged water, he takes a generous sip. 

“It’s sweet.” His tongue picking up on a subtle saccharine undertone. 

“Really?” Your hand reaches up as that familiar shine illuminates your eyes. 

Taking a sip from the bottle passed back into your grasp, your brows furrowing in concentration. Another sip was taken from the bottle as you continued to search for the sweetness in the water you’ve always drank.

A sight that tugged up at the lips of a boy still studying the shape of your quirked brows. 

Humans, fickle, perplexing, yet astoundingly curious creatures from the very beginning.

If he is to walk amongst the human world, then it’s best for him to be equally curious. To try and search for the harmony between two different breaths. 

A child of a maid far from their homeland. A status too insignificant to warrant the attention of Fontaine's factions, freeing you from their prying eyes and entanglements.

Therefore, it should be alright for him to continue observing you, no?

“Ahh… The rain is so unpredictable here in Fontaine, trying to hang out the wash here is always a gamble.” You sink further into the plush cushions of his settee. 

As the sun rose and fell, as the leaves grew green then gold, as the ground froze and thawed.

One thing remained unchanged throughout these cycles even as they repeated: your grievances over chores. 

The frequency of these complaints reaching his ears has increased, on the part that you now took over more of your mother’s responsibilities in managing the laundry of this estate. 

Besides your habitual complaints of the weather, one detail didn’t escape Neuvillette’s hearing: your proficiency in the Fontainian language has increased significantly.

Words no longer spoken clumsily or with unfamiliarity. Accent nearly indistinguishable from a native speaker. 

“The people here are fond of creating strange machinery, why can’t they make something to dry clothes?” You resume. 

The quill in his hand stops as he pauses in the middle of a sentence, glancing over his shoulder toward your slouching figure making yourself comfortable in the sofa that’s more familiar with your shape than his. 

“Perhaps you should be the one to create it, studying might do you some good as well,” came his curt response. 

His candid advice makes you sink further into the cushions with a groan. 

“I’d rather travel than study those jumbled-up books about machinery or whatever, in fact, I want to visit my homeland as soon as I can,” you grumble aloud. 

Ah, that’s right, you’re approaching the age where you could travel freely.

By law, you won’t be bound to the side of your mother, not needing any permission to come to and fro however you wish. No longer kept at this estate washing and folding sheets.

Indeed, you and him found yourselves in similar situations: on the cusp of freedom from this estate. 

While he was deep in thought, you filled the silence left behind by posing a question to him. 

“Do you plan on visiting your homeland anytime soon, Neuvi?” 

By now, the young dragon had stopped expending the effort to try and correct you in your butchering of his surname. Your reason being ‘it’s too long’.

Alongside you, he has grown in stature as well, elapsing you some time ago much to your dismay. If he wished to travel, not much would pose a problem to the young dragon.

However… where could he return to? A homeland… was there a section of his homeland untouched by the usurpers? If he were to go, would he ever want to return to this world?

Sensing the change in the air, dreary clouds blocking the sun’s rays from your skin, you were perceptive enough to ramble about a different matter.

Namely, how the chef of the estate recently changed the type of flour used in the kitchens, resulting in pastries and sweets that were less airy but more flavorful. 

Explaining to him the subtle improvements and deterioration in the quality of some baked goods. Filling the air of the study with bright-eyed ramblings until rays of light peek out from waning clouds. 

–

“Monsieur Neuvillette! It’s been a while since you’ve visited!” Soft patters of skipping steps made their way to the tall man. 

Tilting his sights down, Neuvillette greets the cheery melusine with a gentle smile which she returned with an equally bright grin.

While on a routine stroll along the riverbanks to stretch his legs after a long day, he found himself at the entrance of Merusea Village.

He wonders if it's his body’s natural response to get away from the Palais Mermonia and Opera Epiclese. 

Carrying him toward the direction of a secluded reprieve he discovered far away from the suspicious eyes of weary humans.

Condemnatory eyes were constantly pinned to the back of the young dragon who had recently emerged from a sheltered estate to sit in the grand seat of a Chief Justice. 

Days filled with nothing but a cacophony of voices echoing off the opera house walls. Screams from the accused and the eager murmurs of spectators blended into nothing more than a chaotic din in his ears. 

Gazing deeper into the small lake, the unsuspecting entrance to a hidden haven that the Melusines called home.

It would only take a moment, just one dip into the pristine water for him to disappear from the clamorous mortal realm.

Abandoning the overly grand seat of his post as easily as it would take for his head to vanish under the tranquil tide.

How great would it be to exist in the presence of creatures who could resonate with his own adriftness?

Maybe, he could finally discover the purpose of his current form and longevity in their company. Yes, that sounds about right. 

Just as the water wet the tip of his overly ornate shoe, all motion his body stills at a familiar call. 

“NEUVI!” Came a voice from just over the beaten path. 

Soon your silhouette follows the echo of your call, steps hurried yet worn.

When the young dragon departed from his temporary estate and into the Palais Mermonia, a certain specter followed him as well.

The same specter who’s currently huffing to catch their breath after such a rush. Trying to gather enough air to form their next sentence. 

“There you are! The grand tailor sent me to fetch you because you’re almost an hour late to the fitting of your new robe, they need to make sure the measurements are correct,” you chide. 

The exasperation of your words was most definitely caused by the fact you had to physically exert yourself in your search for the wandering Chief Justice. Evident by the pout on your lips and scrunched nose. 

His attention was quickly torn away from your recuperating figure by a faint tug of his slacks.

The Melusine had hidden herself behind his legs, creating a barrier between her and the strange mortal who seemingly appeared from the blue.

Her sudden movement caught your attention as well. 

Ah, that’s right. The Melusines have yet to be acquainted with humans, and humans with Melusines.

Two different species, two different breaths, and two different sets of eyes that can’t seem to see directly into each other. 

If his time within the wall of the estate and Palais Mermonia had proven anything, it would be the natural adversity humans had to differences.

Neuvillete certainly wasn’t prepared for such an event, nor was he sure how to handle it. 

In the midst of his inaction, your hand reached into your pocket, fumbling around before pulling out a handkerchief-covered lump.

Despite the soreness in your legs, you lowered your body until you were at eye level with the shorter Melusine. 

“Hello there, would you like some conch madeleines?” Unraveling the fabric to reveal the sweets which you seem to have an abundant supply of. 

The grip on his slacks tightened as she glanced up at him, lilac eyes catching the hesitance in her irises. Neuvillette gives a subtle nod, giving just enough reassurance for the small creature to release his pant leg.

Reaching a mitten-like hand toward the golden sweets, it only took one bite for the hesitance in her eyes to be replaced by a bright twinkle. 

“It’s tasty isn’t it?” Your lips formed a wider grin.

The Melusine responds with an eager nod, too occupied with bringing more of the buttery treat into her mouth.

At the sight of her restless chewing covering her cheeks with faint crumbs, you let out a giggle.  

“I’ll give you the rest of the sweets if you tell me your name,” you offered. 

After a few moments of the Melusine finishing her previous bite, she falls for the same trap he had many years ago. 

“My name is Carole!” She chirps. 

“What a wonderful name.” Your gaze softened further as you held out the treats, keeping your promise. 

As Carole reaches for more, she glances back up. Wide eyes twinkling as she inquires him with the one thought currently on her mind.

“Monsieur Neuvillette, does the human world have more treats as delicious as these?”

Ah, it looks like the stroll Neuvillette took today to relieve himself of mounting troubles only led him to more. 

The skies over the Court of Fontaine have been in a pensive stalemate, all too familiar clouds blocking azure hues. However, rain has yet to patter on the ground, as if the weather was unsure of itself. 

A feeling shared by the Chief Justice currently sitting at his desk, reviewing the details of the day’s trials. Albeit, half heartily. 

Much like the skies crowded with clouds, in the solitude of his office, his mind rang loud with thoughts. Neuvillette only had himself to blame for the current silence of his office, it’s been this way for around a week going on two now. 

Lilac eyes peered over the tops of the papers toward the shut doors, concealing him away. There hasn’t been a knock on those doors for some time now, due to the diligent Melusines who followed his request.

Turning away potential visitors with crafted excuses of ‘The Chief Justice is handling a very important case’ or ‘My apologies, but the Chief Justice is very busy’. 

Neuvillette recognizes that he’s currently no different than a child hiding away from the consequences of a broken vase. 

How childish, he chides himself as he returns back to his responsibilities. How would the citizens of Fontaine react to their Chief Justice conducting himself in such a manner?

He’s sure if Lady Furina were to catch wind of his behavior, she’d be greatly entertained. 

As if the mere mention of the nation’s archon presented a bad omen, the sturdy doors of his office swung open, revealing the face of a familiar visitor who’s been turned away one too many times. 

“My my, it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen the inside of this office, I almost forgot what it looks like,” you remark as your eyes hone in on him. 

The child’s hiding place under the bed has been exposed. 

“Good afternoon, I was not made aware you had any appointments with me.” Neuvillette’s own eyes trail past yours. 

From behind the door frames the figures of two Melusines quickly dodged away from his sight. A silent admission of guilt on their part, and Neuvillette didn’t have to look hard to deduce the crime they’ve committed: Accepting bribes. 

The evidence was right there in the form of buttery crumbs left on the corner of their mouths. Ah, you and with those conch madeleines of yours. 

It’d be best for him to finally handle the situation at hand, one he’s been trying to maneuver out of. 

“If I recall correctly, you were granted a vacation, why not take this chance to travel? It certainly is a prime opportunity-”

“Why have you been avoiding me, Monsieur?” you cut through the long-winded pleasantries and excuses. 

His lips press together, by now he’s well accustomed to your brazenness. However, the absence of a familiar name only said in your voice made the guilt weigh heavier on his shoulders.

Guilt which originated a few weeks prior. 

—

On a secluded riverbank, a routine walk under clear skies was halted. You were knelt down on the ground, uncaring of the sand sticking to the fabric of your clothes, as you held a Melusine between your arms. Two mittened hands clung to you as she soaked your shoulder with tears. 

“W-why? Why did he have to go?” Her sobs interrupted by sudden hiccups. 

As you rubbed circles into her back, something he saw humans do to soothe their crying young, Neuvillette watched from the side. Much like how he would observe those performances within the Opera Epiclese. 

Liath is her name, a diligent Melusine who patrolled the grounds of the Palais Mermonia. By her side, there would be a guard poodle who’d matched her skips with his prances. An inseparable duo, or it’d be more accurate to say, they were once an inseparable duo. 

Dogs are a species domesticated by humans, some might argue that they were created by humanity through generations of selection. So it stands to reason that they too would have a limited lifespan.

In fact, they have a lifespan even more restricted than that of the mortals who tamed them. 

The Melusines have just begun walking amongst humans, there were still many aspects their sheltered minds have yet to grasp. The fleetingness of mortality is one of them. 

Thus, Neuvillette did his best to caution them. 

However, just like how laws can’t completely stop crimes, his words can’t completely prevent such tragedies. All he could do was try.

“I’m sorry for your grief, this was the very reason why I cautioned you against getting too attached to him… A dog’s life is brief-”

“Monsieur Neuvillette.” 

The sentence died at the tip of his tongue as his eyes met yours. Gaze narrowed and brows furrowed, not even the Chief Justice dared to interject any further.

After you silenced him, your focus returned back to the grieving Melusine. 

Slowly standing back up from the ground, her frame cradled in your arms as her sobs continued. 

“I know it hurts,” you whispered, one hand patting her back, setting a steady rhythm reminding her to breathe. 

“B-but why? W-why is it so sad?” she hiccuped. 

You hummed, beginning to bounce her a bit within your hold. 

“Wouldn’t it be sadder if you never met him?” 

At your question, the Melusine stares at you through teary eyes. Expression lined with confusion. 

“To have loved him, and for him to have loved you in return…isn’t that enough?” You cooed, taking steps away from the riverbank. 

Still frozen in his place, the dragon could only stare at your back as it grew further and further away, soon disappearing from his view. 

He had misspoke.

Neuvillette recalled last Autumn. As the vivid hues of the foliage shriveled up to nothing more than a shadow of their former beauty, you laid your mother to rest. Burying her in a cemetery which overlooked the direction of your homeland.

His unsolicited reprimand must have been throwing salt into a wound that still bled. He had overstepped his authority. 

Murky clouds congregated in the once clear sky. 

—

Those were the events that transpired, events that have led to the current stalemate happening in his office. Lilac eyes couldn’t seem to find the courage to connect with yours. Another excuse finding its way to his tongue. 

“Didn’t you want to visit your homeland?”

“Oh?” Your brow quirks up, as your hands find their way to your hips. 

“And then who’d be here to repair the tears in your robe when you inevitably step on them?” Obviously unimpressed by his suggestion. 

“Surely there are other talented tailors here that can handle the task,” he rebukes. 

“Oh? Will they also untangle your hair from the ornamentation of chairs?” You press on.

“I can manage.”

“Then can the Chief Justice also manage all the uniforms for the Melusines? Can he sew every button and ensure they fit correctly?” 

Ah, with your last statement, Neuvillette concedes. A hush fills the room. 

The Melusines are still new to walking amongst humans, not many were willing to tailor specialized uniforms for their short stature. Thus, you took up the mantle. 

Perhaps out of a sense of responsibility, it was you who stirred their curiosity with those sweets of yours. 

It seems responsibilities tethered you to the Court of Fontaine, much like they did to him. After a few breaths, as always, your voice shatters the stalemate. 

“I’m not upset, Neuvi.”

With those words, his lilac eyes finally connect with yours. Finally able to see the soft curls at the corners of your lips.

It indeed has been a while since he last saw such a sight.

This time instead of replying with an excuse, he responds with a gentle hum. 

“Ugh, why are your curtains so dusty? When was the last time you went outside?” It wasn’t long before your attention returned to the state of his office. 

Strolling past his desk, your hands began to fuss with the thick drapes. Pouting at the dust that coated the lush fabrics.

All Neuvillette could do was follow with his gaze, papers long pushed to the side as for the first time in a while, an azure hue was seen peeking through the clouds. 

From his observations, it’s instinctive for humans to avoid pain. However, it’d be hypocritical of him to judge mortals for actions he’s been guilty of. 

“If I knew I had to work this hard now, I would’ve skipped more chores back at the estate,” you chuckle, pulling back the drapes to allow gold to illuminate his office.

To have loved and have been loved in return.

Was this the human rationale behind taming a dog? Having the reality of the future constantly lurking over each happy moment as the hands of time tick forward.

Why do humans dote on pets? Creatures that only live a fraction of a mortal life? 

Are happy memories a fair exchange for bitter grief, or are they the cure? 

As Neuvillette counts the strands of peeking silver that mingle within your lush locks, he prays he finds the answer soon. 

The clacks of ornate shoes reverberate down once unfamiliar halls, a towering figure lurks past bustling nurses who bow their heads at the sight of the Chief Justice as he passes by.

With a body like his, there is no reason for him to wander among these halls. Or more accurately, there once was no reason. 

The taps of his soles slowed as a familiar door came into view, the only detail which differentiated it from the rest of the hall being the brass numbers displayed. Bringing up a glove-clothed knuckle, delicate taps were placed against the wood.

Almost immediately, a muffled ‘come in’ resounded behind the frame. Granting the Iudex permission to turn the polished knob, allowing him entry as the hinges sang their welcome.

“My, my, if it isn’t Monsieur Neuvillette, to whom do I owe the pleasure?” A grin spreads across your face, crinkling the corners of your eyes. 

Instantly his frame stiffens in the midst of returning the door to its frame. Bringing his free hand up to his face, Neuvillette coughs as to compose himself once more.

“Please, forgo the formalities.” 

Though your eyes might not be as sharp as they once were, the delicate dusting of pink along his pointed ears couldn’t escape their sight. Making your eyes crinkle more.

Feeling entertained enough, you cease your teasing and gesture toward the vacant chair beside your bed.

Obediently, his towering figure strides up to the seat, the wood squeaking under his weight as he settles onto it. 

By now, the dragon has grown accustomed the structure of greetings, beginning with a layer of pleasantries. 

“How have you been fairing?” Lavender eyes scrutinize the sheets and pillows, searching for any unapparent flaws. 

“It’s just a mild case of pneumonia,” you muse aloud. 

Momentarily resting his eyes behind a slow blink, all he could do was sigh at your brazen nonchalantness. Yet with a ghost of a smile on the same lips that sighed.

It was a mild case of pneumonia, a common ailment during the frosty months. For someone as steadfast as you, such an illness might’ve surrendered to your stubbornness. 

It might've surrendered… if your body had remained as it once was.

How unfortunate it all is, that time is so cruel to mortal creatures.

Attentive eyes detailing each crease that settled by your lips, remnants of the many grins and laughs that stretched your face. 

The basking light of a selfish star catches in your hair, lush hues that have faded to brilliant ivory. A shade that you often compare to his while jesting, ‘We match now’.

However, Neuvillette begs to differ, the sunlight is much more luminous in your tresses.

Trailing his sights back to your gaze. Deep lines formed by countless dynamic expressions drew attention to the glimmer forever present in your irises. Like paths on a map that led lilac eyes to yours. 

“How are you finding your stay?” At times, Neuvillette found himself wondering how the azure tides appeared from your view. 

“Mm, quite uneventful, eating, staring out a window, sleeping.” 

He hums in response, contemplating if he should inquire you about such subjects. As you ramble, perhaps the dragon could grasp onto an inkling of understanding. 

“Well, at least I can say that my stay has been anything but lonely.” Your eyes motioning toward a corner. 

The bland, sterile wall overshadowed by a mass comprised of trinkets ranging from local flowers to any object whose surface catches light.

The heap grows day by day as each Melusine continues to bring their earnest gratitude to the human who sew each stitch of their coats. A sight that could stir even the most placid lake.

“They’re such sweethearts.” Each one of your words coated with endearment. 

Once more, all the dragon could respond with was a mellow hum. Slow breaths fill the complacent silence between two species, one blessed by time and one shunned by it.

Neuvillette has grown accustomed to the structure of conversations but, alas, he still has no talent for small talk.

In the absence of dialogue, the layer of short pleasantries long dissolving, Neuvillette is left with nothing but his inquiries. It was all he had left, and so it was all he could offer. 

“Are there any regrets you hold?” 

“Oh oh? Getting sentimental so out of the blue, Neuvi?” A familiar quirk graces your brow. 

“It’s nothing of the sort, just a musing that drifted in my mind during a stroll, I wish to know your thoughts on the matter.” 

“Mmm… I don’t feel that I have any regrets, living an honest life and having the fortune to never have stepped foot in the Fortress of Meropide.” 

“Is that really all? You never did get to travel like you dreamed of back at the estate.” 

“Haha, trying to stump me with that, Neuvi?” you chuckle. 

Relaxing more into the pillows which propped up your weary frame, you trail your sights toward the window. 

“Didn’t I tell you already? I’ll have plenty of time to travel once I become a cloud, I can go everywhere the sky can reach.” Smile softening on your lips. 

Neuvillette’s folded hands grasp one another tighter on his lap, his own lips pressing each other into a thin line.

The conversation was teetering closer and closer to the unspoken reality looming like a shadow in the room. 

He wasn’t sure when it started, maybe when the first silver strands appeared in your hair or when you discovered his skin won’t wrinkle along with you.

He wasn’t sure when your adamant belief of becoming a cloud once the shadow came to claim you started. 

Neuvillette wonders if this daydream was the product of those fables you browsed when you laid upon a plush rug.

Or was it your personally crafted fable to explain the incomprehensible to a creature who couldn’t fully grasp it?

A creature whose skin didn’t wrinkle, whose bones didn’t grow brittle. A creature seemingly untouched by time.

Fairytales do serve this purpose for children, magical fantasies to make uncomfortable realities palatable to naive minds. 

“...vi?... Ne…?... Neuvi.” 

A hand marred with age takes hold of one glove-clad hand, and a pleasant heat radiates through the leather. Coaxing Neuvillette’s attention back from its escapade. 

“My apologies, I was lost in thought for a moment.” He gives your hand a reassuring squeeze. 

But the frown weighing down on your lips didn’t disappear, much like how retreating into musings couldn’t wash away any shadows.

Your chest moves with a deep inhale. 

“Maybe I do have one regret,” you began. 

Readjusting your ailing fingers in his hold so that he could hold them with equal endearment, his ears concentrate on your voice. 

“Actually, I have many,” you sigh. 

Before he could formulate a response, you continued. 

“I wish I could have shoulder the burdens you carry. I wish you would’ve shared them with me. And I wish I could even understand them, then maybe I could have understood you more.” Turning to face him, your disheartened eyes center on his frame. 

A child born from a maid, a maid who traveled to Fontaine in hopes of a better future for her child. That was your origin, an outsider with neither fame nor fortune.

Thus, even as you followed him from a secluded estate to the grand Palais Mermonia, you could never follow him in status nor influence. 

As unrest grew, as injustices mounted, and as tragedies took away friends.

All you could do was repair tears, sew buttons, and pour him a crisp glass of spring water as you waited for the storm to wash despair away.  

That was how you saw it. But Neuvillette rebukes that notion. 

The dignity of a newly established Chief Justice, who kept stepping on his overly ornate robes, was carefully maintained by you.

The Melusine’s uniforms, which solidified their presence in the human world, were crafted by you.

The patient hand that always offered silent comfort in the suffocating courts was yours. 

Standing by his side, even as your bones grew to ache, to ensure the storm would pass and the sun emerge once more. 

“You’ve done more than enough.” He states the truth, grasping your hand just a bit tighter. 

“Are you sure?” Those airy chuckles of yours made their appearance again. 

“I never even learned your real name,” you interject.

A knife, red hot and fresh from the forge, would have hurt less than the guilt which tore through him at that moment.

The Chief Justice, the symbol of honesty and conviction, is unable to tell the simplest truth.

What shall he do now?

The power of a name is often underestimated, the exchanging of names signifying the forging of a bond. One that would forever tether him to you and you to him.

Oh, what shall he do now? 

Before his hesitant lips could take action, they were halted by a squeeze from your ailing grasp. Firm and warm, like a light that guides him up from the bottom of a turbulent ocean. 

“You don’t have to tell me now, Neuvi, tell me when I come back from my trip.” Those gentle eyes of yours smile at him.

Reeling his hand in closer to you with your own, until the softness of your lips was felt along covered knuckles.

A common practice in Fontaine, one Neuvillette had witnessed time and time again as he passed the lovers who congregated by the Fountain of Leucine. Actions that dedicated promises to one another. 

“I swear, once I’ve traveled enough, once I grow bored of foreign scenery, I’ll fall back down like rain to your side.” You whisper into the kiss.

It was his turn now, and he shall honor this ritual. Tenderly bringing in your hand to him, Neuvillette places his oath.

“Then I swear, when you return, I’ll tell you my name.” He whispers in the kiss.

The sterile rooms echo your airy chuckles as he keeps your hand close to himself for just a bit longer. 

“Mmm… Where I should go first? Maybe I’ll just amble about,” you ponder aloud. 

Gracing him with a smile which stretched your face and brought that familiar glimmer into your eyes.

“I wish you well on your travels.” Neuvillette presses another kiss into your knuckles. 

–

Spring was always the rainy season for Fontaine, with gentle temperate showers to welcome the budding blooms back from their Winter sleep.

However, this year the torrential downpour was anything but gentle. 

Planned trips canceled for the season, clothes remaining damp in baskets, and streets empty of their vigor. Even the Melusines couldn’t bring a skip to their steps.

It was as if time itself was slowed by the burdensome downpour. 

The cawing of crows as their wings beat against the dreary winds adds to the lonely hymn sung by the raindrops.

At once the cadence of the rain increased, the downpour growing heavier, and the violent pattering grew deafening. As if the sky was now belting out their sorrowful ballad. 

The rain could try. The skies can cry all they would like. But time, a cruel and unforgiving mistress, won’t ever stop. 

To have loved and been loved, was it truly enough? 

In Neuvillete’s eyes, he was the tide and you were the shore. The ebb and flow of water as the tide and shore met, time and time again. 

Each crash into the shore stirred up something perplexing and disorderly within the tide, irritating like the sand that mixed into the pristine waves.

So the tide tried to retreat into the lonesome ocean. 

Each time, the shore followed through grains of sand which the tide couldn’t ever seem to purge himself of. 

Each time, the shore beckoned the tide to return to the sandy beaches of humanity filled with perplexities and disorder. 

And each time, the tide surrendered to the call of the shore, lured in by its warmth. 

But now, the shore has eroded away.

Where does the tide go now?

Drifting now in the vastness of a lonesome ocean, carrying nothing but grains of sand. What shall the tide do now?

Neuvillette still has a lot to learn, for he couldn’t answer this riddle conjured by his own mind. 

Unable to stop himself, the lone dragon stares off into the rain.

Eyes honing in the direction of a peaceful hill, one where a mother and child were laid to rest side by side overlooking a homeland they never got to visit.

Maybe that was the first destination of your journey. 

During these past short years spent in this land, the young successor of the dragons has gained traitorous knowledge. One that undermines his preconceived purpose. 

Neuvillette feels he’s grasped onto the faintest inkling of why humans, as fickle, perplexing, and fleeting as they are, were still the most beloved creatures of the gods. 

Perhaps, he even understands now why those usurpers were willing to uproot the earth just for those beloved creatures. 

The wet season transitions into the dry season, then the dry season will transition into another wet season. Again and again, on and on as the hands of a clock ticks forward.

Each new tick signifies another step forward in the march of time.

Each step brings change and each step pulls the present away from the past. 

The rainy season of Spring was no longer as troublesome as it once was, as there was now a machine on the market that could dry clothes without the help of a bright star.

Melusines skip along down the paved paths of the Court of Fontaine as humans turn to greet them with endearing smiles.

New cafes line bustling streets as Clockwork Mekas make their evening patrols. 

A great many changes have come to Fontaine, Neuvillette witnessed them all from his office at the Palais Mermonia.

A great many changes, yet some things are bound to stay the same. For example, the Chief Justice’s fondness for strolls along vacant riverbanks. 

The gentle patters of raindrops lull the chaotic sympathy of trials, paperwork, and duties to a standstill. Reaching a hand out in front of him, Neuvillette catches a few drops in the palm of his gloved hand.

Lilac eyes examine the diminutive puddle in his hand before ultimately releasing the water back to the earth. 

He supposes he’s been feeling a bit nostalgic as of late, like a child recalling a story which once soothed them to a peaceful slumber. How childish it was for him to believe he could somehow catch a certain raindrop in his hands.

Turning up toward the drab sky, he searches through the endless and identical droplets that fall down and leave trails along his face. 

No, not yet. Perhaps they have yet to see all that the sky has to offer. 

Neuvillette returns his focus to the path in front of him. The rhythmic clacks of his shoes match with the soft drumming of the rain, and in the midst of this harmony a voice sings out:

“Hydro dragon… uh… Hydro dragon, don’t cry.”

Halting his stride. Judging by the unfamiliarity of their tongue pronouncing the lullaby, Neuvillette deduces they must be a visitor to Fontaine.

Ah that local legend, just how far has it spread? Nevertheless, an unfortunate traveler who’s unfamiliar with Fontaine’s seasons is now caught in this rain. 

It would only be polite to offer them some assistance as the Iudex of this nation. Thus, he turns in the direction of the call.

His suspicions were confirmed once his gaze landed on a distressed frame, their face obscured by the jacket they held over their head in a makeshift umbrella. 

It only took a few steps for the towering man to make it to their side.

“There is a tree you can take shelter under just ahead,” he advises the lost traveler.  

Now aware of his presence in front of them, they lifted the jacket from their line of sight to peer up at him. Revealing the details of their face to lilac eyes for the first time.

That was all it took for the symphony of rain to come to an end.

Soft drumming decrescendos into tranquility. It seems as if there will be an earlier welcome of flowers.  

“Oh?” You gaze up at the azure hue now peeking out from receding gray, astonishment reflected in the glimmer of your eyes. 

You’ve only heard of a local Fontainian legend from a guide pamphlet offered to tourists as you awaited the Aquabus.

When the rain suddenly began to pour as you ambled about a riverside, in a moment of desperation as you scrambled for shelter under a thin jacket you uttered the phrase.

You weren’t sure if the hydro dragon could understand your botched pronunciation, but it looks like he did.  

 Turning back to face the kind stranger, you wanted to convey your amazement to him. But the words fade just off the tip of your tongue when you peek back at the towering man.

Your eyebrows scrunch together as dumbstruck eyes widen at the sight of the drenched man.

“Mister?… Are you alright?” You scan over him, turning your attention away to sift through your pockets. 

How bewildering it must be for you to witness a well-dressed and noble figure drenched to the bone. However, Neuvillette made no attempt to stop the rivulets rolling down his cheeks, a parting gift from the Spring showers. 

He wonders as his gaze never left your frame, were tears perhaps this warm too?

“Here.” Your concern-ridden hand offers up a neatly folded handkerchief to the drenched man. 

As your eyes connect with his, a strange sensation tickled the back of your mind. As if it was trying to recall where you’ve seen the familiar lavender hue.

Maybe they matched the shade of a flower field you stumbled upon during your travels, or maybe that lilac luster was revealed to you in a dream.

A strange familiarity you couldn’t name. 

“Thank you very much.” He accepts the simple piece of cloth with tenderness rivaling that of conservators handing the renowned paintings of old masters. 

The clouds were long gone by now, perhaps they felt that their purpose had long been fulfilled. The golden rays of a lone star shone with all their brilliance, finally free from behind their blanket of drap clouds. 

It was only now that Neuvillette found out. The rain he had been yearning for all these years did in fact see all that the sky had to offer.

They had grown bored of drifting over vast plains, missing the picturesque countryside of Fontaine. Or perhaps their curiosity grew too great, wishing to finally hear a truth that was kept from them.

So much so, they quietly fell down from the sky, to return to his side again. 

Much like the hands in a clock, the cycle of water and earth follows a similar circular path. 

The rain had eroded away stubborn earth with its diligent drumming over the years.

Bit by bit and piece by piece until stone fractures into bits of sand. Over and over until a sandy beach was formed by the side of a patient sea.

Then the tide will reunite with its long-awaited shore, to return the sand and promise it cradled within its waves for so long. 

~Fin

©️vivalabunbun DON’T PLAGIARIZE, REPOST, OR TRANSLATE ANY OF MY WORKS. 

[andy-wm]

"Who's been sleeping in MY bed?" the little one asked

I had a comment on my previous post asking if Jimin & JK stayed at the same hotel in NY and I realised I had assumed Jimin stayed in JK's room. But I don't think he did and I have thoughts on this whole situation.

[[ETA a few ppl have mentioned they had to read this twice. I apologise that this post jumps around and meanders and side-tracks all over. Believe it or not i did try to organise it... unfortunately it's an accurate representation of my brain]]

It's taken a few (probably way more than necessary) hours of looking at every bloody room in the Loews-Regency NY, and going back and forth between Are You Sure, I am Still, and the AYS behind clips to work it it but I can confidently say I know exactly* what unfolded on the night Jimin arrived in NY...

*clearly a lie, since we never REALLY know anything... However by collecting all the clues** left in these 3 series I do have a lot of circumstantial evidence. Combining that with a bit of deductive reasoning and a healthy dose of speculation, I have a decent enough theory.

** This cannot be accidental. The same people would be responsible (to an extent) for all three series. They have managed not to re-use any content, except once or twice we get the same scene from different angles. And that means we have a lot of information. BH knows army well enough to know we are absolutely going to gather up the (red) threads of these series and stitch together a story.

This is what i know:

Jungkook was in a Two Bedroom Suite - he had the master bedroom.

A Grand Executive Suite was used as a dressing room (but not much else).

Jimin had a Grand Executive Suite to himself (almost).

This is what I have reasonable evidence of:

Jungkook's master bedroom in the two bedroom suite was clearly used. Clothes on a chair, two open suitcases, personal items on the nightstand etc are evidence of the space being occupied. However when we saw him packing to leave for AYS, the bed looked largely unused. A dent in one pillow (the other pillows thrown across the bed) shows someone lay down on the bed, but the comforter was undisturbed and even the blanket at the bottom of the bed was still in place.

At first i was amazed that JK's suite is shown almost without restriction. It is not treated as a private space. But then i realised we see a number of staff moving in and out of the space too. It dawned on me that even though JK has an area for his own use (the master bedroom) this is considered a work environment, much like the hotels in BV and ITS.

So it's unsuprising that when filming, the staff casually follow JK around as he does his thing, even making a point of showing spaces we wouldn't otherwise see - like the master bathroom with its great big tub. Jungkook himself invites us into the living area when he checks on reactions to the Seven MV. and in AYS we get a glimpse into the kitchen.

We don't get to see the second bedroom or bathroom so I assume a staff member - maybe JK's manager - used those.

Compare this to the way Jimin's space is treated:

Jimin's suite is treated - mostly - as a private space. It's not just careful editing. By the actions of the staff members filming him we can see they are very aware of this.

We see it at the start of AYS when the staff member wakes Jimin up. They stay in the doorway of Jimin's suite, literally not even stepping inside. We see only a glimpse of the (second) bathroom, and the footage is cut when the camera pans away. Jimin seems quite cheerful about being on camera despite his sleep swollen face and his bed hair, but nevertheless the staff member doesn't enter his room.

On both occasions when we see Jimin's suite, the staff member recording him is cautious about being his space.

That's not something we often see when BTS are on camera - especially not as overtly we saw it here. The privacy of Jimin's suite is very obviously being respected.

Packing for AYS: Jungkook vs Jimin (and the MOOD)

In the Behind clip for AYS we see both of them packing for their getaway.

Jungkook seems quite unbothered about having his packing process documented as he moves around the big suite. It crosses no boundaries for him. He hums and haws about what to take, he chats to the staff member, and he talks to the camera as he moves from room to room. He knows he's working and this is part of his job.

Jimin, on the other hand is rattled. He stuffs his clothes into the cumbersome bag with visible annoyance, not even taking the time to open the bag properly.

Now remember, Jimin is a performer. He goes out of his way to be charming and entertaining. He knows how to turn that on for the camera and in this moment he's choosing not to.

He doesn't engage with the audience.

He doesn't talk to the staff member.

He doesn't turn towards the camera.

He gives nothing.

He huffs in exasperation as he struggles with the bag, and his movements are tense and abrupt.

Prickly is the word that comes to mind, but honestly that doesn't even cover it.

When he's done packing, he snatches that bag up and marches out of the room without a second glance.

His hair covers his eyes like a shield as he walks toward the camera but the tightness in his neck and jaw betrays strong emotion.

Yeah he's not happy

He slips through the half open door and strides down the hallway.

I get the feeling that if the staff member didn't move fast enough, Jimin would run them over.

When something like this happens, my response is usually to look closer, so let's do that.

Firstly Jimin is a consummate professional. He can usually put a good face on any situation. But in this case he doesn't even seem to try. I guess whatever is bothering him is not something he can or will just brush off in that moment.

So what's actually happening here?

What is it that's pissed Jimin off to such an extent?

Let's look at it again...

They are filming him pack his bag. The staff member stands closely beside Jimin and focuses only him, his bag, and the sofa.

Let's be honest, there is absolutely nothing interesting about this scene (except the implications we are currently unpacking).

They could have made this count for a little more, maybe by panning around the room or changing the position of the camera in relation to Jimin. But they don't. Even when, by chance, there's a glimpse of what looks like takeout containers on the coffee table and some random debris on the chair behind Jimin, the staff member moves so that we only see Jimin, the bag and the sofa. That is all we're getting.

That's a clear decision and there has to be a reason for that decision.

When they leave the room, we have an abrupt cut before the camera backs out the door and down the hallway. That's another clear decision. The staff member could easily have moved behind Jimin and followed him out of the suite but this keeps them - and us - out of Jimin's personal (private) space and he remains the literal gatekeeper to that room.

Once they are out of the room Jimin lifts his head briefly, shakes his hair out of his eyes, and strides purposefully - defiantly even - on. He still doesn't interact or make eye contact. He still isn't giving them (or us) a damn thing, and even the funky upbeat muzak they've used can't alleviate the tension in this scene.

So why is Jimin in a mood?

We know Jimin was there for one night before they began filming for AYS. So all this takes place before filming for AYS began.

And that, in my mind, is the key.

Jungkook was promoting his album and he expected to be on camera. He knew the space he occupied was a filming location. Jungkook was already at work when he was packing for AYS. but Jimin was not.

Okay, but this a BIG MOOD... what else is happening?

It's not the end of the world to be asked to start your schedule a little earlier, is it? We know Jimin was already awake...

But they came into his room.

I don't believe he expected to have anyone in his private suite - anyone besides Jungkook. And I don't believe he agreed happily, based on his behaviour.

I'm 99% sure Jungkook spent the night in Jimin's suite for two reasons.

Logically it makes sense that they would choose the place they have the most privacy, and even though Jungkook had the master bedroom and a private bathroom in the bigger suite, that is a WORK LOCATION. It's not his private space.

Add to that Jungkook saying he was packed and ready to go, and only needed to brush his teeth which he would do when Jimin arrived. He even told us where he would be putting his toothbrush (future tense).

It's not hard to guess where his toothbrush was. And why.

So we have two healthy young adults who (we are told repeatedly by Jungkook) have barely seen each other. The flirting started at the restaurant, and we've already seen the evidence of a night spent in energetic passion.

And we have a closed-up room. I don't know how much air would be circulating in that room with the blinds down and the doors closed. I don't know how much air would need to circulate to remove the ...how can I put this delicately? the ripe and musky scent of celebration. I expect there was A LOT of celebration...

And we have Jimin. Jimin is MESSY. Jimin breaks mosquito nets and marks people's necks and pushes boundaries even in public. He throws his things about with not a care in the world... clothes, yes, and other things. How many of Jimin's tissues has JK picked up? You get the picture. It's a Biohazard.

Lastly, we have (or had) an expectation of privacy, of no staff, of restricted access.

Now there's a person in his private space unexpectedly. And they have a camera.

So Jimin is pissed off.

I'd be pissed off too.

He seems to be over it by the time they're filming the preamble to AYS, but he obviously felt compromised and deeply uncomfortable. I am glad he made it clear he was unhappy.

This highlights for me the importance of them having agency over their content and their personal time and space. On this occasion he must have reluctantly (and with conditions) agreed but I hope that in future his boundaries are respected.

I hope even more that ARMY (and Jikookers especially. I hold us to a higher standard) remember that their personal time and space is precious to them, and they deserve to enjoy their lives away from the public eye. Like the rest of us they should have the freedom and confidence to do what they want (no matter how messy) without the fear that someone with a camera will invade their space and record them.

Please don't go to Jungkook's house, even while he's not there. It's not a tourist attraction.

[planetpiastri]

pairing: logan sargeant x fem!reader [no faceclaim, reader is faceless] summary: when alex's childhood friend makes an appearance on his instagram, logan is instantly smitten, but the universe insists on keeping them only as a missed connection, and alex isn't helping matters. notes: the long awaited part three! i'm currently giving all my fics a facelift, but the guilt about this update has been eating away at me, so here you guys go<3 i've decided to stop living in denial and just admit this is a full series now so here comes the (brief) angst era! [series masterlist]

liked by lilymhe, georgerussell63, and 154,329 others

alex_albon winter break, you were fun 🫡 see you next year!

view all 2,876 comments

username1 try not to say parents challenge level impossible (failed)

lilymhe he stole that car

alex_albon you promised you wouldn't tell anyone!!

username2 looking good albono! excited to see you scoring points soon!

williamsracing Nice hat! :D

username3 guys can i confess something.... i miss yn :(

username4 you guys say this under all of his posts. obviously something happened and they don't post each other anymore for a reason, respect their space and stop bringing this up.

liked by alex_albon, logansargeant, and 71,823 others

williamsracing the boys are back and so are we 👀

view all 3,012 comments

username5 RRRAAHHH I SMELL DOUBLE POINTS

username6 the new suits are AWESOME, the boys are gonna kill it this season!!!!!

alex_albon who approved that corny ass caption

logansargeant Me alex_albon i'm gonna steal your tires

username7 even if yn has vanished off the face of the earth at least we can thank her for bringing the williams boys closer together so that we get to see them goofing off in the comments 😔

username8 yeah but it's all for show like they don't hang out off track anymore... landonorris oh are we just saying things in the comments? i wanna join!! george sleeps with a teddy bear georgerussell63 Don't drag me into this wtf alex_albon it's true, he does

liked by oscarpiastri, alex_albon, and 71,013 others

logansargeant Some bits and bobs from the break

view all 2,789 comments

username9 what kind of whack british caption is that

username10 maybe the rumors about him and alex not hanging out were wrong, maybe they're hanging out TOO MUCH actually...

alex_albon i have taught you well, young padawan

username11 omg logan and oscar content we're soooo back

williamsracing Looking energized, Sarge!

username12 the fact that we never got a hard launch for logan and yn so we'll never know if they actually got together is my roman empire

username13 no fr!! they were flirting and bantering all over the place and then suddenly BOOM! she just disappears like wtf happenedddd username14 you guys talking abt a possible situationship not happening vs twenty years of friendship between alex and yn that's gone... have some priorities username15 hi just popping in to say you guys are weird af for speculating like this under his winter break dump 💀 move tf on

logansargeant

liked by georgerussell63, oscarpiastri, and 68,578 others

logansargeant Quick trip back over the pond before locking in 👊 bring it on season ✌️

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username16 wait did we miss a step

alex_albon that does not look like sim work

logansargeant Are you my dad or something? Get a life alex_albon DAMN

username17 um? um?? the last picture??? um??????

georgerussell63 What

logansargeant Who? georgerussell63 ?? logansargeant Asked

username18 please be a soft launch with that girl from the afterparty please please please please please

oscarpiastri Interesting.

username19 OSCAR WHAT DO YOU KNOW

williamsracing

liked by ynusername, logansargeant, and 78,321 others

williamsracing Good times in Bahrain! See you next year, Sakhir 😉

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username20 WHAT was that strategy guys

alex_albon "good times" literally where that was nothing but pain

williamsracing ☹️👉👈 we're sowwy awex alex_albon ew wtf don't say that to me

username21 guys? yn liked? she's alive?

username22 JUSTICE FOR LOGAN'S STEERING WHEEL

tagging: @sticksdoesart @hiireadstuff @minkyungseokie @thatoneembarrasingmoment @croissantbakerylws @dear-fifi @imjustme-n @kn1n3 @captainfrisbee @ssrcsm @rhythmstars @urfavnoirette

if you want to be tagged in future parts, fill out this form

[a-aexotic]

𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡, chapter 1

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ! 3.5k

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ! familial issues, underage drinking, tension (between literally every LOL), blair/serena hating each other, you/blair and you/serena being besties lol, a lotta winfrey lore

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ! ahhhh im super excited, as always please lmk your thoughts !!

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PRESENT DAY.

Hey, Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here, and I have the most surprising news ever. Y/N Winfrey spotted back in town after she disappeared for almost 6 months. But where has she been all this time? Sources tell me she's been living it up in the City of Love, Paris. Oh la la! But what brings our darling Y/N back to the Big Apple after all this time? Could it be a scandalous affair, a family feud, or perhaps a fashionable rendezvous with the elite of Parisian society?

Rumors are swirling as to the reason behind Y/N's sudden return. Some say she's back to reclaim her rightful place among Manhattan's elite, while others speculate that she's returned to stir up trouble in the already turbulent waters of Upper East Side.

But what of Y/N's infamous entourage? Will her loyal subjects, Nate, Isabell, Kati and Blair, welcome her back with open arms, or will there be whispers of betrayal and backstabbing among the ranks of Manhattan's elite?

Will she pick up right where she left off, ruling the social scene with her signature grace? Or has her time away changed her in ways we can't even imagine? So grab your designer handbags and your most scandalous gossip, Upper East Siders, because things are about to heat up in the city that never sleeps. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

As the sleek black limousine rolled to a stop in front of the towering building, the door swung open with a soft whoosh, revealing the figure of Y/N Winfrey stepping out into the cool Manhattan air.

With a flick of your hair, you cast a cool gaze towards your old home, a grand penthouse that stood as a testament to the wealth and power of the Winfrey family. The familiar sight of the elegant facade stirred a flurry of emotions within you, memories both bitter and sweet flooding your mind as you took in your old home.

You were too focused on the old home to hear your mother come up from behind you, putting a hand on her shoulder as she examined the home as well. She hadn't been there since the divorce, which was almost a decade ago.

"I know you're nervous, Y/N. But don't let any of them get to you, okay?" Her voice rang in your ears as you nodded slowly. You weren't sure who she was referring to; your father's new family or your old friends. Or maybe, all of the above.

"Okay," you whispered, your voice barely above a whisper. "I won't."

With a reassuring squeeze of your mother's hand, you gathered your resolve and stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited you within the walls of your old home.

Your new family met you with open arms and it felt strange to be back home, the same home you'd left; except, everything inside had changed. There were no more pictures of you anywhere, they were all replaced with wedding photos or pictures of your new stepsister, Charlene. It made your stomach twist in disgust, you couldn't believe your father had a brand-new, shiny family. The perfect family he'd prayed for, you were almost happy for him. Almost.

"So how was Paris, Y/N? Did you like it?" Josie's voice brought you back to real life. You turned your gaze up to meet hers, a tight smile on your lips. You were sat in the living room of the penthouse, alongside your mother and stepmother.

"It was... fun," you reply carefully, your tone neutral. You couldn't bring yourself to admit just how much you missed Paris, how it had felt more like home than this place ever did. Instead, you plastered on a facade of indifference, hoping to shield yourself. "It's too bad that we left."

Your mother let out a light laugh as she glanced back at you. "We'll be back as soon as we can. I just missed New York so much and I'm so happy to be back." What she didn't mention was that the only reason she was back was for her business, she wanted to open more shops in Manhattan.

"Yeah, it's nice to be back," you replied, forcing a smile. Despite your mother's attempt to lighten the mood, you couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of your stomach.

Josie, your stepmother, chimed in, her voice cheerful. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure you'll adjust to being back in no time. Especially with Eleanor's party tonight, you'll be attending that... right?"

"Yes, yes she will." Your mother answered for you. You knew that your mother wanted to reintroduce you back into Manhattan society but you didn't even have time to adjust back into New York time, you were jetlagged.

You didn't want to even think about why you even left in the first place. When you decided to leave, you promised that when you'd come back, you'd leave it in the past. You'd leave him in the past.

Nate. The mere thought of him sent a shiver down your spine, a reminder of the heartache you had endured before leaving for Paris. You had promised yourself that you would never allow him back into your life, that you would move on and leave the past where it belonged.

Lost in your thoughts, you barely noticed as your mother and stepmother continued to discuss the details of the upcoming event, their voices fading into the background as your mind wandered back to memories you had long tried to forget.

──౨ৎ──

"And if they ask you about the business, what do you say?" Your mother quizzed you as she put on lipgloss, looking into the mirror of the hallway of the building that Blair's penthouse resided in.

You tore your gaze away from your own reflection to meet your mother's eyes, a sense of unease creeping into your stomach. "I'll say that things are going well," you replied, your tone carefully neutral. "That we're expanding and looking for new opportunities in Manhattan."

Your mother nodded in approval, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. "Good," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. "Just remember to keep it vague. We're a family, and we need to show the world that we're strong, no matter what."

You forced a smile, though the weight of your mother's words hung heavy in the air. The facade of unity was fragile, and you knew that beneath the surface, tensions simmered, threatening to boil over at any moment.

Your mother finally finished her lip gloss, focusing now solely on you. "Remember, confidence is key. You're representing not just yourself, but our entire family."

"Got it." You answered, the words coming out as more of a reassurance to yourself than to her.

Her words echoed in your mind as you followed her towards Blair's penthouse, the anticipation of Eleanor's party looming ever closer. The elevator dinged and the door opened, revealing the glamorous penthouse of the Waldorf's. Your mother's hand found yours as she squeezed it, reassuring as you two walked back into Manhattan's elite society.

"Priscilla Winfrey! You made it!"

Your mother's head turned to meet Eleanor, a charming smile enveloping her lips as she walked toward her.

"Oh, and is that Y/N?" Eleanor gasped as she studied you, taking every little detail in. "You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart. You're starting to look more and more like your mother every passing day."

"Thank you, Ms. Waldorf," you replied graciously, offering her a polite smile. Despite the compliment, you couldn't shake the sense of unease that gnawed at you.

Eleanor's gaze lingered on you for a moment longer before she turned her attention back to your mother, engaging her in conversation. Left momentarily alone, you scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces that surrounded you.

Your eyes landed on your old friend group, all seated on the couch. A sense of nostalgia hit you as you examined their faces, all the nights you'd spent partying with them playing in your head. Isabell, Kati and Chuck sat as they spoke, talking about God knows what.

You couldn't help but wonder where Blair was, it was her party and she wasn't with her friends. And of course, Nate.

Chuck's eyes finally met yours, a wide smirk on his lips as his eyes fell on your body before back to your eyes. But before you could go up to them, you heard an excited squeal behind you.

"Y/N!"

You recognize that voice anywhere; it was Blair. She enveloped you in a tight hug, her excitement palpable as she pulled back to study your face. "Oh my God, it's been too long." she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling but there was something you couldn't quite place. "You look amazing, as always."

You were nervous, it had been so long since you'd seen your old best friend. Your stomach twisted in guilt as you gave her a tight smile, her hands squeezing yours. "Thank you, Blair. You looked stunning but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that."

Blair's smile faltered for just a moment before she regained her composure, a flash of something unreadable passing through her eyes. "Thank you, Y/N," she replied, her tone warm but tinged with an undercurrent of tension. "I'm just glad you're here. Like, really here."

You and Blair had been close since you were kids, your families being close since the beginning of time, basically. Your mothers were best friends in school and now, you are too. Before you left Paris, you told Blair and Serena and made sure to give them calls whenever you could. But soon, Serena stopped answering your calls and according to Blair, she just disappeared to a boarding school in Connecticut.

Blair still didn't know the real reason you fled to Paris and that gulit chipped at you everyday, even more now as you saw her lips curve into a rare genuine smile.

"I've missed you, Blair," you replied, your voice tinged with sincerity. "It's good to be back."

"It's good to have you back, Y/N." Blair gave your hand a squeeze before she spoke again. "Excuse me for two seconds, I have to go to the bathroom."

"Of course, Blair," you replied, offering her a reassuring smile as she excused herself.

You let out a sigh before turning your focus back to your mom, who was now in a conversation with a person you weren't sure you knew the name of. You knew you couldn't bother her right now, she was networking.

With a resigned sigh, you resigned yourself to the role of observer, content to blend into the background as your mother worked her magic in the world of Manhattan's elite. It wasn't the first time you had found yourself sidelined in favor of your mother's professional pursuits, and you knew it wouldn't be the last.

You couldn't blame her, though. After the divorce, her career had become more than just a family business—it had become her lifeline, it was the only thing she still had.

You remembered the days that followed your parents' separation, the way your mother had thrown herself into her work with a fervor bordering on obsession. It had been her way of coping, her way of escaping the pain and heartache that had threatened to consume her. You didn't blame her, her high school sweetheart had left her for a woman almost half her age, closer in age with her daughter than her.

You found the drinks table quickly, grabbing a glass of champagne and taking a sip of it. As you lifted the glass to your lips, the cool and crisp taste of the champagne washed over your tongue, distracting you from the emotions swirling within you. With a sigh of contentment, you leaned against the table, letting the hum of conversation and laughter wash over you.

As you scanned the room, your eyes fell on a familiar brunette. Your heart skipped a beat as you realized who it was; the person you'd been wanting to escape since you left for Paris. His bright blue eyes met yours and you felt a rush of conflicting emotions flood through you. It was Nate, your once-close friend, the one person who had been a constant presence in your life before everything changed.

His gaze held surprise as he caught sight of you across the room, and for a moment, you found yourself unable to tear your eyes away from him. You were frozen, unable to move as he approached you.

You couldn't escape him now.

Nate's lips curved into a smile as he took you in, with all your glory. "Y/N, you're back. It's, uh... good to see you."

"Yeah, you too." You responded, giving him a short answer.

Nate's smile faltered slightly at your response, a flicker of disappointment flashing across his features before he quickly masked it. "So, uh... how have you been?" he asked, his tone cautious as though treading on uncertain ground.

"I've been good. And you?"

"Me too. I'm happy you're back." He looked down at the glass of champagne as he let out a chuckle. "I'm glad you still have that taste of champagne, some things just never change."

You couldn't help but smile at Nate's attempt to lighten the mood, the tension between you easing ever so slightly. "Yeah, some things never change," you agreed, a hint of warmth creeping into your voice.

"Nate!" Blair's voice echoed as she came up to the two of you, grabbing his arm. "You don't mind if I steal him for a second, Y/N."

You and Nate exchanged looks before you tore your eyes from him and back to Blair, a forced smile playing on your lips. "Of course not, he's all yours." In more ways than one, you thought to yourself as the two walked away, leaving you alone once again.

Before you could relish in being alone again, your mother's voice rang behind you. "Y/N! Blair! Look who's back."

You turned to meet the blonde you'd once called your best friend. Serena. Her gaze held excitement as she found yours, you began walking toward and engulfing her in a big embrace.

You didn't know why she left for Connecticut but you knew she would tell you and Blair eventually. You, Serena and Blair had always been close and tight-knit, no matter the circumstances.

Serena pulled out of the hug and put her hands on your shoulders as she studied your face, a grin on her face. "You're glowing, Y/N."

"Says you. How did you get even more blonde since I've seen you?" You teased as she let out a laugh.

Serena's laughter echoed through the hallway, a sound that filled you with a sense of warmth and familiarity. Despite the time that had passed since you had last seen each other, it felt as though no time had passed at all.

"I've been spending way too much time in the sun," Serena admitted with a playful grin, her blue eyes sparkling. "But enough about me, tell me everything. How was Paris? Did you meet any cute French boys?"

You chuckled at Serena's teasing. "Paris was amazing," you replied, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you recalled your time. "And as for French boys, well, let's just say they definitely live up to the hype."

Serena laughed, nudging you playfully with her elbow. "I knew it!"

"Serena?"

You both turned to face Blair, a unreadable expression on her face before she quickly masked it with excitement. She pulled her into a tight hug but you could feel the tension, what the hell did you miss when you were Paris?

"So good to see you, how are you?" Blair pulled out of the hug as she looked in between you.

"Oh, look! The girls are back together, my heart is gonna burst." Eleanor gasped as she observed the scene in front of her, oblivious to the tension in the room. "Are you staying for dinner, I'll set a place next to Y/N and Blair!"

"Yeah, um, there's somewhere I have to go." Serena looked in between you, a guilty expression on her face.

"You're leaving?" Blair's voice sounded hurt as she looked back at Serena.

"Yeah... I don't feel well, I-I just wanted to come and say hi. I'll see you guys at school tomorrow." Serena responded as she slowly began to back up, before she turned away.

Blair's expression dropped immediately back to a bitter expression, looking back to you. "At least you're staying. Who needs Serena anyway?" She whispered the last part as she turned away and began walking away.

You began following behind her, "What did I miss?"

"What do you mean?"

You caught up to Blair and you two began walking toward the couch. "I mean... with you and S?"

"Serena." She corrected. "And nothing except all you know. She left without saying a word, to none of us." Blair sounded bitter but you knew deep down, she was just hurt.

"Well, maybe something happened."

"With what?" Chuck joined the conversation as Blair glared at him. You could feel Chuck's gaze on your dress as he smirked.

"Mind your business, Chuck." Blair spoke as she rolled her eyes.

You caught Chuck's gaze, his smirk igniting a spark of annoyance within you. "Chuck, it's not polite to stare," you retorted, your tone sharp as you shot him a pointed look. Some things never do change, you thought.

Chuck's smirk widened at your words, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Forgive me, I couldn't help but admire the view," he replied smoothly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You did some growing up in Paris, I could tell." His eyes were focused on your dress as you scoffed.

"Paris does wonders for a person," you replied dryly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing you flustered.

──౨ৎ──

"I'm pregnant! Surprise, Y/N!" Josie shouted as your father pulled her in closer, your jaw slowly falling. She's... what? Your fork clattered against the plate, the sound echoing in the tense silence that followed Josie's announcement. Pregnant? The word echoed in your mind, disbelief and shock washing over you in waves.

Your head was pounding, you got home around 12:30 last night because the party lasted a little longer than expected. You were just trying to enjoy your breakfast before school, but then they drop this bombshell on you.

"Wh-what?" You finally managed to stammer out, your eyes wide with disbelief as you looked at Josie. "How does, uh, Charlene feel about it?"

Charlene was Josie's daughter from her previous relationship, she was about two years younger than you and... well, you couldn't stand her.

"You can ask her yourself!" Josie's gaze moved behind you and you turned to face Charlene. Speak of the devil.

Charlene's lips curved into a smile, though there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. "Super excited. I mean, I can't wait to be an older sister."

There was awkward silence before you got up from the dining table, clearing your throat. "Well... I have to get ready for school. This was really nice."

You got up and began walking up the stairs, ignoring their stares. You wanted to stay with your mom but she was staying at The Palace and your father insisted you stayed with them and his shiny new family.

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[notscarsafe]

OKAY SO what with the TWO new Hermits implied by the updated banner I will say that, though the Skizz truthers have me convinced, I now have room to do my own crazy red string monologue and throw my hat in for my choice

1) Mythical J. Sausage (the J is silent) is a multitalented S-tier builder that absolutely deserves to be shoulder to shoulder with the Hermits. The man does buildings, interiors, terraforming, custom trees, and he does them SO WELL.

2) The production values!!! Beautiful replay mod sequences with shifting camera perspectives, shaders, music that sets the tone for each segment that's different from series to series. He already has more than a million followers on YouTube and for good reason!!

3) He has been SO consistent lately. He started a hardcore world about three months ago (about the time you might expect the Hermits to finalize their s10 choices maybe...???) and already has 15 episodes and hasn't gotten involved in any other big content. (He did just start playing a little of the BCG server but from what I understand that's super casual /copium copium copium).

4) That hardcore world is conveniently about to reach a good "pause" point. He started his world on a cherry blossom biome island that he's filled with a medieval village and starter farms, he's said it's almost full and what's left is the castle. I'm guessing the new season will start the first week of February, so if Sausage puts out a video this week building out that Castle and finishing that island it will be MIGHTY CONVENIENT TIMING.

5) This man can GRIND. His Hardcore world hasn't even been going half a year and he's built... So much??? Magnificent! And when he was on the Hermitcraft server he did the Razorcrest for scar AND the player head baby yoda/stormtrooper merch AND the noteblock themesong AND still built in the xmas village and other "diamond of peace" and so many other shenanigans. Did the man even sleep? He can grind with the best of them.

6) He can do redstone, too! Maybe not unique designs, I honestly don't know, but he builds farms for build materials no problem.

7) The DRAMA this man loves his improv and his backstory and trauma lore! For every series he does! Can you imagine if he gets to interact with Ren for an extended period of time, what that would do to them, to us?? Give Martyn a run for his money!!

8) Which brings me to my next point, which is that Sausage is already One of The Gang, because he's been in series with so many of the Hermits already! Empires and the crossover, obviously, but also Pirates with Cleo and Origins with Scar, and he's even done MCC! Joel is the only other player with the same depth of different series but there are other people truthing him already.

9) The EPIC BROMANCE with Pearl. My god the devotion of this man to his sunflower goddess bestie. I would try to do ot justice but y'all have seen floweroflaurelins work, you already know.

10) He's already a PG streamer but with HILARIOUSLY PG-13 tendencies. Imagine him and Cleo cracking each other up at an HHH stream, *grips your shoulders* IMAGINE IT.

11) Sausage comes with his own mascot in the form of interdimensional dog extraordinaire Bubbles, but he's also just an animal lover on general. Mans drinks his "I love Jellie" juice and had her in his world even before the sad news of her loss.

12) Diversity win! No one should be hired just for their gender, race, sexuality etc etc unless it's truly necessary to the job, but we were all happy when more women got added to the server in s8 and I know a lot of people would be happy to see some ethnic diversity added, too.

... That bulletin board had a lot more pins in it than I thought it did but anyway MYTHICALSAUSAGE TRUTHERS/ALL OTHER TRUTHERS RISE UP SPEAK YOUR TRUTH! we'll only get to wildly speculate for a few weeks so we might as well make it everyone else's problem ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST!!

[thesecretdcblog]

My Cryptid Batfamily AU

Isolated “Cryptid” AU where the Batfam are bat/bird-like spirits that protect Gotham. They’ve reportedly been around as long as Gotham herself, with the first sightings of the Bat appearing around the same time the city was founded.

Lore subject to change as I work on it

Also haven't decided if I'm keeping OG names or using original ones.

Working title "Spirits Over Gotham"

Bruce - based on a bat (duh)

Dick - based on a falcon

Cass - based on an owl

Jason - based on an eagle

Tim - based on a hummingbird

Steph - based on a hawk

Duke - based on an eagle

Damian - based on a bat

Alfred is a human that pledged a life debt to the Bat after it saved his life. Gotham took that literally and made him kind of immortal

I don't know what to do with Babs

They don’t have secret identities, since they’re guardian spirits so they’ve been spotted in the daytime more often, though they’re still mostly nocturnal

Tim as the only non-predatory bird because I think it's funny

Tim is a short king

Tim's wings are kind of iridescent in sunlight

There is a Nest in the Batcave for the Birds to nap/sleep in as well as various support structures for everyone to perch or roost on

There are some goons who swear they can always tell when Tim is around because of the humming of his wings but he can move damn near silently if he wants to

Wing grooming is a social activity for the Birds that strengthens their bonds with each other

The Bats don't have the same grooming instinct but are still invited to join

First time Damian tried, he yanked out a handful of Tim's feathers which got him kicked out of the preening circle and he sulked for like half an hour

They have their own language

Alfred is used to it and can decipher it because of how much time he's had to adjust

This language mostly consists of clicks, whistles, chirps, trills, howls, cackles and screeches (inspired by various birds, foxes, hyenas, as well as dinos from path of titans and the isle)

They can speak broken English, so they can soothe frightened children or talk to Commissioner Gordon (they like him for some reason)

The Birds like to play a game where they sneak up as close as possible to rogues/goons and scream just to make their target scared.

This has led some people to speculate that the Spirits feed on fear.

Jason never died, but he was kidnapped by some wannabe cryptozoologists that burned down the warehouse he was being kept in after the Batman caught onto them

He was kept inside the Manor/Cave while he recovered from the ordeal

Due to his ridiculous metabolism, Tim has a very weird sleep schedule, usually only taking short naps before he has to eat again

Dick is the fastest flyer, with Duke and Steph as close runner-ups

Cass can fly completely silently and usually wins their games

Tim is very hard to catch in their sparring games because he can fly in every direction, even backwards

Gothamites use the term ‘Robin’ to refer to the Bat’s “offspring”. Like how dogs have puppies and cats have kittens. Bat spirits have robins.

The bright colours of the Robins’ wings are believed to be a form of aposematism - warning any would be threats to stay away. Another theory is that they’re brightly coloured so the parent can find them easily in the darkness.

These colours shed out as they mature. The only exception is Damian, who doesn't have feathered wings.

Since they’re guardian spirits, they’re kind of tied to the city, though they are able to leave if they wanted to the Bats can help out with League stuff if they have to

However they can't sever their connection to Gotham and move to another city, so Dick is still tied to Gotham, but is able to travel to Bludhaven for brief periods of time before he gets pulled back to Gotham

Constantine has been chased out of Gotham by an angry horde of Birds after making flirtatious advances at their parent

The Justice League has attempted to get them to join, but outside of world ending threats the Bats prefer to keep to themselves

The JL has arranged playdates with their own proteges with the Batkids though, so there have been some small team ups here and there

Duke still glows. No one knows why.

Duke and Jason are eagle buddies.

[arc-misadventures]

A little context before we begin:

On the RWBY Discord I am a part of (No links) we once again went off on a tangent on how we collectively agree that being in a relationship with, Cannon Blake would be considered a pain because of her past exploits. And why, Fannon Blake is the superior, Blake!

Then a user asked what if, Blake had, Kali's personality.

Then I asked: 'What if they swapped places, and Kali was the, 'B' in Team RWBY instead of, Blake. And, what if, Blake was Kali's mom?'

Others agreed that, that would work, and that she wouldn't have dated, Adam in this AU. Because we don't like, Adam.

He was a sad waste of potential.

When I simply asked the question: "But, what if she married, Adam in this AU?'

And, the response to my question was a simple: "Go on."

Well, here is where I went:

///

RWKY

Kali: I actually don't know who my biological father is.

Jaune: You don't?

Kali: No, I'm a cat faunas, and my mom is a cat faunas. But, Adam, that's my 'stepfather,' he's a cow faunas. If he really was may father, I'd be a... Well, I don't know what kind of faunas I'd be. So, I know he's certainly not my bio-dad. Whoever they are, or were... they have to be a cat, since I'm a cat, and my mom is a cat. So it makes me wonder… Am I the result of a drunken one night stand, and my mother married, Adam to cover it up, or did, Adam, and my mother kill my real father, and covered it up!

Jaune: You think your mom may have killed your real dad?!

Kali: You'd believe it too if you met my mom.

Jaune: That's not a comforting thought. But, could he have been human?

Kali: A human? I never thought of that.

Jaune: And, what if the reason your mom hates humans is because he ran away when he found out she was pregnant with you! O-Or, what if; the reason you never knew your father is because, Adam killed him after he knocked your mom up! Or, what if they know who your father actually is, and they can't say who it is because it would be such a huge scandal if the truth came out!

Jaune: (GASP!)

Jaune: What if you are the secret love child of, Blake Belladonna, and Jacques Schnee, and you're actually, Weiss's long lost half sister?!!!

Kali: (GASP!)

Weiss: (GASP!)

Kali: HRKK?!

Weiss: HRK?!

WK: BLAAAAARGHHH!!!

Jaune: Oh gods…

Kali: Oh gods! I didn't throw up because of you, Weiss! I'm totally okay with you as my little sister!

Weiss: Same her!

Kali: It's just… the thought of, my mom sleeping with him... it's just so disgusting!

Weiss: I get that! I find the thought of him sleeping with my mom to be just as disgusting too!

Jaune: Uhhh... You guys, okay?

Kali: I'm fine.

Weiss: Me too, the idea was just... so out of left field! It caught me completely off guard.

Kali: Good thing it's not real, cause that would be... disturbing.

Weiss: Good thing it's just a mad conspiracy theory!

Kali: It's total speculation!

Weiss: A throw away comment!

Kali: Just ones of those thoughts!

Weiss: Totally irrelevant!

Kali: Haa…

Weiss: Haha…

Jaune: …

Jaune: You two totally want to get a DNA test now, don't you?

Weiss: Absolutely!

Kali: Let's go!

[darkbluekies]

This is going to be interesting fr, like how much differently do your ocs treat the reader if they were childhood friends. I’m super excited! Also can’t wait to see Jerry again ❤️

Warnings: violence, murder, unstable home life, bullying

Silas:

Being Silas's childhood friend guarantees you a bodyguard. He doesn't let anyone get close to you. You don't ever have to worry about the fact that anyone will bully you, because Silas will obliviate them. He's the type to let you lean on his shoulder in class whenever you feel tired. He will ditch school with you and go to the zoo if you want to.

People around you will try to separate the two of you. “Silas isn't a good influence”, they say, and doesn't want his behavioral problems to rub off on you, or for you to get in danger. There are speculations that Silas is involved in criminal gangs — and if someone asks you, you won't deny it. But Silas won't let anyone take you from him, won't let anyone touch you. You always have his arm wrapped around your waist or shoulders, always claimed by him.

“I'm going to bash that kid's skull in, I'm not fucking joking. If they dare to to touch you — no — if he as much as breathe near you, I'll send them to the nurses office. Lean your head on me, Y/N, its okay. Does your hand still hurt? I cant believe that he fucking stepped on it. It doesn't matter if it was a mistake. I'll cut his off.”

Dr Kry:

There is something off about him, and everyone can see that. He sits back straight, hands together, and always in clean, ironed clothes. His hair is always brushed and fixed, he hates germs and people. And he hates it all, he really does. The only friend he has, is you. The only one he doesn't think is dirty, is you. You know that the reason he sits and talks like a robot is because of how strict his parents are. There has been multiple times where he has dirtied his clothes while playing with you, and has panicked. You help him clean them before going home, and when touching him you make sure to wipe your hands with a cloth — even if you know that he doesn't mind your germs. You know how he doesn't like to be touched, so you never hug him or linger on too long, which is just why Kry likes you so much.

You are the only one who knows about his author's dreams. His parents want him to become a doctor, or a lawyer, and you know he's interested in medicine, but he wants to be able to write. He wants to write sci-fi stories, and you are the only one that knows it.

You get teased by others for being with the “clean freak” but it doesn't bother you. However, it does bother Kry. After someone has been mean to you, they always end up in the hospital, one way or another. You can't help but wonder if it's your shy, sweet friend who's behind it.

“I like having picnics with you. Oh, you forgot the other fork? No, don't apologize, I understand that it was a mistake. We can share a fork, I'm okay. Yes, it's fine, I don't mind … you're so nice, wiping the fork for me, you don't have to do that ...”

King Edmund:

If you are Edmund’s friend while he's the crown prince, you need a lot of patience. He is spoiled rotten, entitled and unpleasant to be around. Everything is on his terms. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't value you. He is locked in his room day in and day out with a private tutor, completely isolated from everyone else. He will throw fits and threaten not to do his classes, unless he is allowed to play with you. So, they bring you to the castle where you get to live from now on.

Edmund absolutely loves to spend time with you. You ride horses together, torment the staff, play pranks and read. When he can't sleep, he walks into your room and crawls under the sheets.

You're with him when his parents are murdered. Edmund's first instinct when the castle is attacked is to run to your room, wake you up and hide the two of you. He is equipped with a sword and will protect you to the last moments.

Although the two of you are isolated, there are people in the staff making fun of you, or talking bad. Edmund doesn't even hide the fact that he orders for their deaths.

“I fucking hate classes, and I hate that tutor. It's so boring. I wish you could take the classes with me, it'd be so much more fun. After class, can't we do something? Can't we go down to the fountain and read? I want you to read for me. You're the only one that reads the story right, that does them justice. Everyone else sounds like fucking donkeys.”

Jerry:

Jerry goes to an all girls school in South Korea. You don't go to the same school — which is probably for the best. Jerry is the leader of her little gang, and they are notorious for their bullying. She is a bully for fun, but won't allow any of her friends to make fun of you. If they do, she will ruin their lives. You do know about her life outside the school though, you have been with her when she steals from stores (often makeup stores). You often meet her after school and go to the mall or amusement parks together. She's a very sweet person to be around when it's just the two of you.

You're friends with her before she starts to call herself ‘Jerry’ — when she's still ‘Yubin’. She had seen the name in a TV series and liked the character. She says that she is going to move to the US, and then she wanted an english name.

You're often with Jerry's friend group on weekend nights, often strolling around the town with alcohol and cigarettes, sometimes breaking stuff. Jerry makes sure that if they're ever caught, her and you slip away. She finds it all extremely exciting.

Jerry escapes to you when she gets to know that her parents (and perhaps sister if i want to give her one) have been murdered by a rival, when she has involved herself in criminal activities for real. It's the first time you get to see Jerry break down. She's in your arms, crying heavily, admitting how scared she is and how much she misses her parents. She loves her family, and now there is nothing left of it. She says that she died that day, and that whoever is inhabiting her body now is a fraction of who she once was.

“You're such a fresh wind from that fucking girl school. Why do I have to go there? Why am I not allowed to join a coed school? What? Why my nails have blood under them? No, I didn't get into a fight again. I didn't. I promise. Get up, let's go get sushi, I'm starving.”

Hedwig:

If you're a childhood friend of Hedwig, you're basically a family member. You go on her family's expensive vacations, just because Hedwig doesn't want to be alone.

You play every day and go through all stages of life together. Hedwig has always been the sweetest human you've ever known, and it surprises you when you see her angry. The many, many years you've been friends, you've only seen her angry a handful of times. You go to summer camps together, share beds, share everything. Teachers ask for the other when one is gone (which is rare).

Being childhood friends with Hedwig would most likely end in romance at one time, so she would win without having to do anything harsh. But if you started developing crushes other than Hedwig before, she would ruin their reputation until you wouldn't want to look at them anymore, but no one would know that it was Hedwig.

Hedwig has always been very popular, both for her money and looks, and by default, you've been too because you're her best friend. Hedwig likes to see how nice everyone is to you, because they know better than to upset you. No one wants to get out of the magical bubble that is Hedwig’s popularity.

“We will be friends forever, won't we? I don't think I could live without you, Y/N. You're the other half of my soul. If I don't have you nearby, I can't breathe.”