#the fact that my obsession with them started with acr

[montyranch]

Angela and Juliette are finally official in this save <3

[trashycosmos]

i've determined i will probs never play minecraft again bc the sheer amount of content, while amazing, also is overwhelming to the highest degree but gameplay videos are highly enjoyable. also since finding creativerse it just hits better and terraria is like my happy (moddable) medium.

[books]

Writer Spotlight: Rose Sutherland

Rose Sutherland @rosesutherlandwrites is a Toronto-based writer who grew up a voracious reader with an overactive imagination in Nova Scotia (where she once fell off a roof trying to re-enact Anne of Green Gables!). She's been to theatre school in NYC, apprenticed at a pâtisserie in rural France, and currently moonlights as an usher and bartender—in between writing queer folktales, practicing yoga, dancing, singing, searching out amazing coffee and croissants, and making niche jokes about Victor Hugo on the internet. She's mildly obsessed with the idea of one day owning a large dog, several chickens, and maybe a goat. A Sweet Sting of Salt is her debut novel.

Keep reading for more about character arcs in A Sweet Sting of Salt, Rose's favorite fanfic tropes, and some excellent reading recs 👀

Can you tell us about A Sweet Sting of Salt and how you came to write it?

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a queer (f/f) historical reimagining of the classic folktale of the selkie wife, set in 1830’s Nova Scotia. I call it a “reimagining” because while it draws on the folktale, it’s not a retelling of that tale so much as a story playing out in relation to that mythology. I’d wanted to write something centering a love story between two women for a while, but the initial spark came from a Tumblr post! It suggested the idea of selkies testifying before the UN as victims of human trafficking, which reminded me of all the things I disliked about the original folktale and its inherent darkness that is generally glossed over, starting me down the rabbit hole toward finding my own story.

How did you approach research for A Sweet Sting of Salt, and what is a favorite historical fact you learned?

I joke that I did a lot of research by osmosis: I already had a lot of base knowledge about the location, having grown up in Nova Scotia, and then set the story in a period that I’ve been absorbing information about in a low-key way for ages—1832 is also the year of the student rebellion in Les Mis, so I’ve been gleaning tidbits about this era since I first got into the musical and book back in high school. However, I had to do more specific research into things like British divorce law, period midwifery, and animal husbandry. I also visited some small, hyper-local museums on the South Shore that gave me an invaluable glimpse into daily life. I also did some fun practical research into things like “How long does it take to walk from x to y?” and “How cold IS a plunge into this body of water in March?” (Spoiler: Very.) 

A fact that fascinated me but didn’t make it into the book was that some early European settlers in the area were granted lands by luck of the draw, pulling from a deck of playing cards: Each card was assigned to a specific 50-acre lot, and whatever you pulled, you were stuck with it.

When we meet them, Jean and Muirin are isolated for different reasons. What do you hope readers still searching for their people take away from A Sweet Sting of Salt?

That there’s always hope. It’s valuable and important to keep reaching out to the world around you, to be open, and not cut yourself off—the biggest reason for Jean’s loneliness at the beginning of this story is the way she has come to keep everyone around her at arm’s length, shutting herself away out of fear, and refusing to let anyone truly get to know her because she thinks that’s the best way to protect herself from being hurt again. Reaching out to others can take a real act of courage, especially if you’ve had bad experiences in the past, but “your people” will reach back to you.

Found family elements play a strong role throughout the novel, within supernatural and mundane settings and across species. Was this something you intended from the beginning, or did this grow out of writing the relationship between Jean and Muirin?

I always intended for Jean to have a found family of this type, which is something that a lot of queer people identify with, but those bonds also got stronger and more meaningful as I wrote, especially once Jean and Muirin began growing into their own family unit—their new relationship and the real danger that comes along with it put pressures on Jean’s other relationships that I hadn’t originally considered. Disagreements with Anneke and Laurie over Jean’s choices arise from their deep concern and love for her, and her own love and care for them, reflected in her responses, is a big part of what made them feel like a real family, for me. Jean and Laurie always having each other’s backs while also being the first to call one another out on their bullshit ended up being one of my favourite dynamics in the whole book.

The selkie myth carries an inherent element of transformation. What is a character transformation you most enjoyed writing, and why?

On a character level, the change in Jean’s worldview following a conversation with her childhood sweetheart meant a lot to me—it heals an old wound for her. I love how grounded and self-assured she is afterward, in spite of the daunting task still ahead of her. But my favourite transformation to write was the antagonist’s mask-off moment, where they directly threaten Jean for the first time. It’s so sly and coded so that only she will understand the menace behind it, a real dun-duh-dunnn moment, which was a lot of fun for me—I also enjoy the foreshadowing elements in that exchange.

This is your debut novel. Did anything surprise you about getting it from manuscript to published book?

Oh my gosh, how LONG it took! After I finished the original draft and decided it was worth attempting to publish, I spent over a year revising based on my own thoughts, input from beta readers, critique partners, and my mentor, Maureen Marshall (whom I connected with through the now defunct Author Mentor Match program, and whose book, The Paris Affair—about a young gay engineer attempting to help Gustave Eiffel secure the funding to build a certain celebrated Parisian landmark— is coming out in May). After that came a full year of querying agents and getting rejected. A lot. People loved Salty but weren’t quite sure what to do with her or where the book would fit in “the market,” which was hard to deal with at the time but is hilarious in retrospect: Salty was snapped up less than a month after she finally went out on submission! But that was back in 2022, and the book is only coming out now. Publishing can be painfully slow.

You’ve written fanfic in the past—do you have a favorite fanfic trope?

I’m not sure either of these counts as a trope, but I adore a character that’s “pure of heart, dumb of ass”, and love a truly unhinged Fanon Explanation For Canon Object. As a longtime Les Mis stan, I ship Tholomyes/Getting Punched. If you know, you know.

Do you have any favorite queer retellings of folktales you can recommend?

Right here on Tumblr, I’m a huge fan of @laurasimonsdaughter, who writes delightful riffs on classic folktales, truly inventive urban fantasy spins on old lore, and her own original folktales. 

I’m currently reading Spear, an amazing queer, gender-bent, Arthurian novella by Nicola Griffiths. Anna Burke’s books Thorn and Nottingham are up next on my TBR. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of brilliant queer historicals that aren’t retellings (I recently loved Suzette Meyr’s The Sleeping Car Porter and Heather O’Neil’s When We Lost Our Heads) and wonderful historical retellings that aren’t queer (I highly recommend Molly Greeley’s beautiful, heartbreaking Marvelous, about the real-life couple that inspired Beauty and the Beast). Queer, historical retellings aimed at adults seem to be considered quite niche, still, and can take some digging to find! So, throwing this out to Tumblr: Do you have recommendations for me?

Do you have a writing routine? Is there a place/state of being/playlist you find most conducive to your writing practice?

My routine is chaotic at best, but I find I do my best work earlier in the day, so I usually scribble in my journal while I have breakfast, and then progress to working on my current project as I drink my second cup of coffee. I’m lucky—my day job is an evening gig, which mostly allows me to write on my preferred schedule… but I’ve also been known to have a bolt of inspiration strike at 10pm and dash home to write until well past midnight on occasion. Nothing quite like the hyperfocus zone!

What’s next for you? Are you working on anything you can tell us about?

No official news yet, but I’m currently working on a story set in 18th-century provincial France based on a true unsolved mystery of the past. It has me delving into a very specific branch of French folklore, and I hope future readers will pick up on common threads with one popular fairytale in particular. I’m really excited about where this one is headed, but keeping the details close to my chest for now!

Thank you Rose for taking the time to answer our questions! If you love queer fantasy and old folktales, grab yourself a copy of A Sweet Sting of Salt, and be sure to share your queer folktale reading recs with Rose on @rosesutherlandwrites!

[angelanderson]

living on a farm with abby & having a pet lamb 🧍🏾‍♀️ I’m so delusional

so cute :,) sorry this took so long to post! loving farmer!abby should i make this like an actual fic serious instead of just hcs? lmk!! <3 18+ under cut. men + minors = blocked. 💘💘💘

♡ farmer!abby who brought you home a pet lamb one day after you’d been begging her for weeks. “a pet lamb for my little lamb,” she’d tell you as you squeal with delight.

♡ her pet names for you include: ‘baby, little lamb, darlin’, doll, and sweetheart’.

♡ she’d build you a little garden area to grow your favorite flowers. she looks forward to the new bouquet you make each week out of them for the kitchen table vase!

♡ farmer!abby is obsessed with the days you just wear one of her white wife beaters (she calls them pleasers) and panties around. she bought you ones with lil white bows to match with her tanks.

♡ she started growing fresh vegetables and fruits once you two started dating. she loves being able to grow and give you the ingredients you need to bake! + you bake her favorite things for her as a thank you.

♡ farmer!abby is allllll about that fresh produce. she often uses what she grows to cook for you! she’ll cheekily tell you she wants you for dessert. even if it’s silly, it still gets you going. “since i made dinner, you can be my dessert.”

♡ sticks to her usual uniform of white tank, blue jeans, and boots while she’s out and about dealing with farm tasks. the way her arms look in her tops will always make you feel a lil feral…

♡ farmer!abby is the best with animals. in fact, she loves to rehab recuse animals when someone calls her about it. the few farm animals you have are all recuse fails. she just loves them so much— how could you say no to her puppy dog eyes?!

♡ farmer!abby will call you outside just so she can fuck you. she likes to see how loud she can make you because she knows it’s just the two of you around for a few acres.

♡ she’s a soft dom at heart! she loves that you let her take control while she makes you fall apart. she’ll make you cum as many times as you want, however you want when you’ve been extra sweet. “my pretty girl. just taking me so good, aren’t you, darlin? that’s it baby, just take it. i think you can cum just one more time for me, yeah?“

♡ but if you’re acting out? she won’t put up with it. she knows you’re her sweet girl, so she expects you to act like it. “what happened to my sweet doll? you know that i gotta teach you a lesson now, don’t ya? lay on your stomach, ass up. now.”

♡ her strap? makes you see god practically every time. abby’s an expert at knowing how to hit that sweet spot inside of you. “yeah? right there? you look so good riding me.” she definitely comes from fucking you when the strap rubs against her just right. and yes, she’s the type to say “save a horse, ride a cowboy”

♡ she’ll have you on your knees when you’re eating her out. something about the way you look up at her through your ruined mascara eyelashes does something to her. she’ll even have you sticking your tongue out so she can fuck your face. hands pulling you closer by your hair n all.

[potato-jem]

hello nero my beloved soulmate!! <33

i’m back and i am already suffering from severe PHD (post holiday depression, i decided it is a thing). my friend left last night and i hate this. it’s so unfair that we live in two different countries and we can’t see each other as much as we would like to. i’ll probably see her soon, i should have another week off in august and we were talking about me visiting her this time so hopefully i’ll be able to go.

anyway, on to the trip!! it was so cool!! i mean the first week we stayed in tuscany, we went around florence and a few other cities around here, and we got tattoos!!! i told you about this already but they are so cute!!! our little irish dinosaurs (they’re irish because we met in ireland <3 they’re named saoirse and niamh).

then for the second week we went to rome!! oh it was so nice!! we found the perfect weather. it was always sunny and warm enough to go around in shorts, but never too hot not to be able to explore. we went for the usual places: the colosseum, the pantheon, the squares and fountains, all that. but also we accidentally found ourselves into the roman forums and they were amazing!! i’d never been in them, only seen them from above, but they are so big, you can see a whole city. but the highlight was ostia antica. it was this archeological site near rome and it’s so quiet because not may people know it. it’s an 84 acres site where you can literally walk into houses and shops and temples and theaters from the roman period. and it’s amazing because usually rome is very protected, like there are fences and barriers everywhere, you can’t get too close to a lot of stuff, but in ostia antica we could literally touch the ruins, walk through them and find our way back in a maze of doors and corridors. it was so cool!!! also that’s where i found the cats!! they were so cute and friendly 🥺

last thing before i close this letter. the food!!! oh the food. we found this little restaurant on the very first night, which was actually so close to the trevi fountain, and it was so cheap and good (very rare combination to find in the middle of rome). they had some of the best spaghetti i’ve ever tried. also we kept going back there in the next days so they recognized us and they were so nice because they offered us appetizers and wine and they always remembered that we liked to order three plates of pasta to share between the two of us. they were so nice!!

i really needed this trip. i needed to be off work for a few weeks and just disconnect from all the drama and stress. and the good food and wine helped a lot with that lol. but seriously i’m so happy, it was an amazing trip and it was so good to see my friend again after so long <3

but enough about me now!! how are you doing nero?? what have you been doing these last two weeks??

also, about our last letter, i am very happy that you are following my orders and planning a very relaxing trip :) you deserve to not even think about uni when you’re on a trip. and it’s gonna be so fun to dance to that kind of music!! can’t wait to hear all about that one!!

and i’m very happy you’re obsessed with me getting tattoos because this is turning into a sickness. i can’t stop now :’)

but here are my other two tatts!!! the little rainbow one is very simple but very personal. i’ve been waiting forever to get it and it looks perfect 🥺 (yayyy you can start booking stuff!!! that means tattoos coming soon!!!)

i’m enclosing a hug and a really big plate of cacio e pepe (a kind of spaghetti with cheese and black pepper) just because one can never have too much pasta <3333

hi cece my beloved soulmate!!!!

i believe phd (post holiday depression) is a thing, i get it every time. it’s sad that your friend has gone home, but think about august!!! that should be so fun!!!

i’ve seen pictures of tuscany and it’s so beautiful!! and yes tattoos!! the fact that they are irish dinosaurs named saoirse and niamh because you met in ireland is the cutest story behind a matching tattoo ever 🥺🥺

oh rome!!!! that weather sounds lovely, i’m glad it was around for the entire trip!! sounds like you got up to quite a lot!! i’m literally imagining you walking around and pointing out these little tourist attractions 🥺 but ostia antica sounds so beautiful. a whole 84 acres to explore and experience the ancient roman life?? i would go crazy in there, especially with all the cats!!

oh the food sounds incredible!!! it’s so amazing you found something good and cheap!!! but those people sound so nice 🥹🥹 i’m glad they also added to such a wonderful break you had! i feel like pasta now…

you definitely needed that trip!! just a refresh is sometimes all you need, and good food and wine are recommended to help relax by doctors actually 😌😌😌 but i’m so happy you got to see your friend after so long and i’m so glad that you enjoyed yourself!!!!

i’ve been doing alright!! i had my trip to sydney and my twice concert, and it was so much more fun than i thought it would be!!! so i took my best friend and a family friend of mine, and my manager from work came too, but we all booked our concert tickets together so it was me and my friends, my manager and her brother and his partner. (don’t even ask me how stressful buying six tickets was)

the japanese place opened up again, and we were staying somewhere even closer to it. we basically walked everywhere, because the train station is in the shopping centre next to the japanese place, and that was only ten minutes away. so i took my friends to eat more ramen than we could see and we shared a bottle of soju (my friends are lightweights and it was VERY funny to watch. i had to finish the bottle off though)

and then we did lots of activities on the tuesday before the concert and we went to that album shop and book shop again and i spent way too much money, cece’s orders 😌😌 i spent so much money in the album shop they gave me a free album and preorder benefit photocards (which are really rare!!) and i had to show my id in the book store because i bought a level one restricted novel (actually banned in my state, but my professors made me too curious), which was quite funny

the twice concert was so fun, literally everyone in the audience were dancing and singing, and i was gay panicking and it was wonderful! each of the members of twice also had a solo performance and they did so well! one of them, momo, had this dance where she HAD A POLE?!?!? AND SHE HAD NEVER POLE DANCED BEFORE?? she was so good, i will save your eardrums by not sending the video i took 😌

anyways, here’s the photo they posted at the end!! we are in the centre and slightly to the right <3 (i’m sure you’ll see me 😂😂)

and then we actually got the chance to go to the harbour bridge and the opera house, which are in the same place, so we didn’t waste too much time there! and then we went to this room of claw machines near the eateries and i managed to win two things!! (one of them i spent way too much money to grab out, but he looked so lonely and i had to get my son out 😭😭) and then we had gelato mochi, which my friend found. so they get a scoop of ice cream and wrap it with mochi! we all got two, because none of us can make a decision and it really was a good end to the trip 🥺

other than that, i am running a little behind on uni, but i decided to use some of my leave and take the week off work. i’m just going to smash out the essays i have due (and overdue) and i’ll probably be able to rest better during the big exam session 😌

i’ve been looking forward to seeing these two and you didn’t disappoint! the rainbow one is adorable and the font for the script on your ribs is beautiful!!! i think i might be addicted to your tattoo addiction 😂 (yay!!! i’m so excited!!)

i really wanted this cacio e pepe, all this talking of food made me hungry! i’m squeezing you back real tight and i’m giving you a bowl of ramen <3333333

[girlfrandletters]

Book Report For Warriors - The Prophecy Begins: Into The Wild

Good morning, and welcome to my book report, in which I tell you about this book which I could do without having read it again and gotten every detail right because I was OBSESSED with these books when I was a kid, but wanted to read again because I wanted the nostalgia and have, in fact, realized some little details I never picked up on before. So strap your seatbelt and get ready for a ride because this is one HELL of an adventure. Full of cats. That's all there is. Cats. Everywhere.

Allow me to first give you some history and set the scene. This story takes place in a forest and acres (assuming cats have a concept of "acres") of land where a great many wild cats live. These cats are divided into Clans and each Clan lives in a different area that is best for their particular selves. There is RiverClan, a collection of cats who live near the river, and who can swim, catch fish. WindClan lives on the highlands, and are known for their speed and ability to catch rabbits, hid when there is no cover. ShadowClan lives in the pinewood forest, they are portrayed as the "bad" clan, full of evil and dark hearted cats though not all the cats are dark, though some of them start off good, and become more dark in though and action - they are a great commentary on the Nature vs. Nurture topic. But we can get into that later. ThunderClan, our main clan, lives in the oak forest. I call them "our main clan" because this is the one that our main character is inducted into. But I'm getting ahead of myself. These Clans are separated by boundaries on the territories - for example, RiverClan and ThunderClan share the boundary of the river. There is a set of rocks on the river that is, TECHNICALLY, ThunderClan's side of the border, though RiverClan often tries to fight them to take it over, a point of contention that is very important. RiverClan and WindClan have a gorge to mark their border, WindClan and ShadowClan have something but I'm actually not sure what it is. ShadowClan and ThunderClan have a road, or "Thunderpath" to mark their territory. Finally, there is a place called FourTrees, where all 4 territories touch each other. This is an area of peace, and at the full moon every month, a small group from each clan goes to FourTrees to share news, stories, discuss topics of importance, etc.

The Clans are ruled by the Warrior Code, a series of instructions that they are all taught from the time they are young kits. The most important one is that the Clan is your family, you owe them love, loyalty, and protection. You are not to kill anybody in your Clan (obviously), and you are not to have friendships or relations outside of the Clan - excluding medicine cats, but, again, I get ahead of myself. If you are found to be interacting with a cat outside of your Clan, you can be punished, as deemed appropriate by your leader.

There are different roles inside the Clans, of course. Starting from being first born, you are a kit, and given a 'kit name, such as Nightkit, or Longkit. When the kitten is 6 months (or "moons") old, they become an apprentice, and take on the 'paw name - Nightpaw, or Longpaw and are given a mentor to teach them DE WHEY. After going through training and proving themselves as competent and skilled - which doesn't seem to be super regulated, by the way, some apprentices are apprentices for a long time while others train a little, fight in a single battle, and go onto the next stage quickly - our apprentices become warriors. Warrior names have a great amount of variation. Nightpaw may become Nightstripe, Nighttail, Nightstorm, whatever. Some names from the book, to give you some more examples, include Mousefur, Darkstripe, Brambleclaw, etc. You get the point. Warriors are the ones who go out on patrols to mark the boundaries, make sure no enemy warriors (other Clan cats) cross into their territory, hunt for food, and generally take care of the wellbeing of their Clanmates. Female warriors who choose to have kits move to the nursery and are queens, ready to bring forth the next generation of warriors. When a warrior becomes too old to fight, too old to gather their own prey, they become elders and move to the elders den. The rest of the clan cares for the elders until they pass.

A warrior has the potential to become the Leader as well. Each clan has a leader and each leader is given 9 lives (literally, they can die 9 times) but their warrior ancestors, StarClan. I'll touch on this later. A leader is mean to, well... lead the clan - into peace, into battle, to make sure everyone is cared for appropriately and punishments are doled out if needed. When they are chosen as leader, they are given the name 'star. Nightstar, for example.

Another clan cat can become the Medicine cat. This cat is typically discovered when they are an apprentice - they have a penchant for knowing herbs, or seem interested in helping the medicine cat. However, this doesn't always happen. Sometimes a medicine cat apprentice fall into the lap of the current medicine cat surprisingly - either a warrior apprentice who was planning on being the fiercest warrior, or a warrior cat who becomes a medicine cat. Medicine cats cannot have mates or kits (important), because the whole Clan is supposed to be their duty and they cannot be distracted by their own personal needs. Seems rude, but it works. Mostly.

Medicine cats are the only cats who can have friends across clans. This is because medicine cats are healers and have the respect of the clans as the ones who literally keeps them all alive. Medicine cats share herbs, share stories of illness, and how best to treat them.

Basically, medicine cats are the veterinarians of the warrior world.

Finally, I must discuss StarClan - this is the ancestors of the Clans. Literally, all the dead cats who passed, either recently or way in the past, become starry warriors who guide the living cats as best they can. StarClan will send down prophecies to the medicine cats, will sometimes tell the leaders things in very vague confusing terms, because of course they can't say anything directly. There is a place far outside the cats territories called Moonstone, where the cats will go occasionally to be closer to StarClan and hear what they have to say. Basically, Warrior Vatican. Watican. Only the medicine cats get messages from Starclan without going all the way to Moonstone. The leaders and any other cats must travel there to talk to them. Unless you're a particularly special Main Character Cat.

All of these positions are listed in the beginning of the book, by the way, so nobody gets confused.

Okay, are you all caught up on the history yet? I'm sure I've missed some things but I will touch on them as I remember them later on. Let us move onto the actual story!

Into The Wild starts off with a fierce battle occurring between ThunderClan and RiverClan over Sunningrocks, the area of rocks on the river that I mentioned earlier. It was an ill-fated battle and ThunderClan is forced to flee. The scene cuts away from the battle to the leader, Bluestar, and medicine cat, Spottedleaf, of ThunderClan discussing the injuries from the battle. Spottedleaf gets a message from StarClan (dramatically, of course) that "Fire alone will save the Clan." Which is like "whooooaaa wut? fy-ah destroys ALL clans that makes no sense!" But of course we are rolling with it.

Cut away to Rusty, a pure and bright orange cat staring out into forest that is behind his home, longing for a taste of the wild after having multiple dreams about it for a while. There is no subtlety here because you're right, children have the attention span of gnats. He decides to take a step in the forest to see how it is and bumps into a ThunderClan apprentice, Graypaw, who naturally becomes his most best friend on first meeting. Rusty then meets Bluestar and warrior called Lionheart. Bluestar offers Rusty a position in Thunderclan because there are "Thunderclan needs more warriors and there aren't enough apprentices." EVEN THOUGH THERE IS LITERALLY 4 WHICH IS LIKE 2 MORE THAN THE OTHER CLANS BUT WHATEVER. Rusty has a friendly neighbor housecat named Smudge who he discusses the forest with and leaving. Says goodbye. THEN YEETS HIMSELF OVER THE FENCE. He just went "See ya sucka."

Rusty is introduced to the clan and is mostly scorned because he is a "kittypet," or housecat. He has led pampered life of being fed whenever he wants and never had to suffer a starving night, which, for granted, he was pampered. But one of the warriors attacks him and he has to prove his worth, so he fights and fights well somehow even though he's never had a cat fight in his entire 6 moons of existence. His kittypet collar is ripped off and this is considered a sign that he was meant to stay in the clan (not at all a sign that this other cat was literally trying to choke him to death). Rusty is given the name of Firepaw (SUBTLE), and thus our adventure begins.

This all happens in the first like... 3 chapters by the way.

During this induction ceremony of sorts, a black apprentice runs in, Ravenpaw, and announces, quite dramatically, that Redtail, the clan deputy is dead - the deputy is 2nd in command to the leader, by the way. I forgot to mention that role. Every leader has a deputy. President and vice president. King and heir. Leader and deputy. Ravenpaw says that Oakheart, the deputy of RiverClan killed Redtail, and Tigerclaw killed Oakheart in revenge. Cue Tigerclaw, who drags the body of this poor dead cat in and everyone mourns him, so sad, heartbroken. Boo hoo. Tigerclaw sees Firepaw and while Firepaw is trying to please him and fit in, you can already feel the seeds of tension being planted and they are bounded to be enemies forever. A new deputy is named - Lionheart. And life goes on.

Firepaw trains alongside Graypaw, his best friend, and Ravenpaw, the skittish black cat from earlier. Graypaw is Lionheart's apprentice and Ravenpaw is Tigerclaw's apprentice and he always seems very scared, he never gets praised for anything and is always being beaten up by Tigerclaw which is really sad because Tigerclaw is supposed to be Ravenpaw's mentor and guide. Real good commentary on parental abusive relationships here. Anyway, Firepaw is trained by both of these cats because he does not have a specific mentor yet.

There are two other apprentices - Dustpaw and Sandpaw, but there's not super important at this moment other than the fact that they both despise Firepaw

He learns to hunt properly, smell his prey, smell other cats and the different scents associated with the clans. He's shown the boundaries and taught all the components of the Warrior Code. Firepaw manages to basically break all the clan rules within the first three months - he's caught talking to his old neighbor cat, he's eaten food prior to bringing the prey back to the clan (Clan comes before Cat, and all). But he manages to keep up. Then. comes the shocking news that ShadowClan has driven WindClan out of their territory and has taken over DUN DUN DUUUUUHHHNNN. On a random hunting trip, Firepaw runs into a cat that smells like a ShadowClan cat but she's all bedraggled and thin and pathetic looking. She is Yellowfang, the previous ShadowClan medicine cat. Of course she is brought back to ThunderClan camp, immediately scorned and there's a lot of mistrust going on here. Firepaw is told that he must care for her because he's the one who found her and gave her food and shelter. She's utterly grouchy and kind of a bitch, but it's like the relationship that A Man Called Otto had - Otto and his neighbor. Whatever her name was. Marina. Malina. You know who I mean. Also, Firepaw gains Bluestar as his mentor in this whole process.

At last, Firepaw is selected along with Ravenpaw and Graypaw to go to the full moon Gathering, where no WindClan cats appear, and the ShadowClan leader, Brokenstar, demands that the other Clans give hunting grounds to ShadowClan because "Our kits are stronger than yours and have survives where as yours have not." RiverClan of course rolls over and says yes because RiverClan is basically ShadowClan's bitch, and ThunderClan is defiantly not giving an answer - but they would never do such a thing. Firepaw and another warrior note that the ShadowClan apprentices look small, but they insist that they just come from small breeding stock. Essentially. That's not what they said because you can't say that kind of stuff in a kids book. At this same Gathering, Brokenstar informs the other clans that they drove out Yellowfang because she killed kits in the Clan. Which is so obviously a blatant lie, but Firepaw rushes back to the Clan to warn Yellowfang to leave because she has grown on him and he doesn't want her to die. The rest of the clan cats return and Bluestar says Yellowfang will stay and be protected because she heard the bullshit undertone in Brokenstar's message.

Bluestar decides that she would like to go to Moonstone to converse with StarClan. She chooses Tigerclaw, and our three main apprentices to go with her.

Allow me to take this time to mention, by the way, that Firepaw has developed this infatuation with Spottedleaf, the medicine cat. He asks her for a lot of medicine when helping to take care of Yellowfang, and other brief interactions. He describes her medicine den and the smell in there so much and the impression is that the two of them have developed a love for each other. Except... I didn't really read anything about Spottedleaf liking him as more than another member of her clan. Like she didn't show him any particularly affectionate things, didn't single him out or anything. He was clearly special, but I didn't get the vibe that she was in love with him. This whole side tangent will make way more sense later.

Anyway, Bluestar & Co. go to Moonstone, Bluestar has a terrifying message and she rushes them all home. On the way home, they meet Barley, a loner cat who lives on a farm. He tells them that they should go through the cornfield because the Twolegs around there (humans), got dogs that are let off the leads at night to protect the home. They go through the cornfield and are attacked by rats and Bluestar loses a life! She says it was her 5th when she jolts back awake and just moves on like NOTHING FUCKING HAPPENED. I'm sorry, how do you just DIE, come back, and then just move on. Imagine doing that 8 FUCKING TIMES. No thank you.

They get back home and find that ShadowClan had attacked the camp while they were gone, which is what Bluestar saw in her dream when talking to StarClan. Why they couldn't tell her before she make the 2 day journey, who knows. In this battle, Lionheart dies, which was actually very sad and I got a little depressed from it. But after Lionheart dies, Bluestar must name a new deputy. That deputy is Tigerclaw. Ravenpaw is immediately upset.

Now, let me explain to you Tigerclaw real quick. Tigerclaw is known as a loyal, strong, and protective warrior. Everyone thinks he is amazing and will save the Clan from any danger and that they are safe with him. They are WRONG. He is power-hungry and ambitious. He has no pity for weakness, which is part of the reason he treats Ravenpaw so shitty because Ravenpaw isn't as power hungry as he is. He sends Ravenpaw to hunt in the adder's den, sends him across to hunt in other territories, overall causes trouble for him. Tigerclaw also doesn't trust Firepaw, as we know they were destined to the enemies. Tigerclaw sends Firepaw to hunt near his old home and Firepaw is caught talking to his old friend Smudge which is punishable - but of course Bluestar doesn't care. Also note that Tigerclaw is capable of

MURDER.

At this point, Ravenpaw finally reveals to Firepaw that he saw TIGERCLAW kill the clan deputy in the beginning of the book. Ravenpaw says that Tigerclaw killed Redtail in an effort to become deputy. I always had a theory that he killed Lionheart as well. Firepaw realizes he must tell Bluestar and help Ravenpaw stay safe. Tigerclaw has, inevitably, ssupected that Firepaw knows the truth and their enemy tension grows further. Firepaw tries to tell Bluestar at their first ever training session (because Bluestar is actually a horrible mentor), but he forgets because he's all excited to learn fighting skills for the first time ever. She confides in him that she lost her seventh life, not her fifth because she didn't want them to worry and protect her because she's like "The Clan comes before any individual cat."

And immediately after this conversation, a queen runs out and says her kits are missing! The cats all search the camp and no kits are found but Spottedleaf is found dead! And Firepaw is devastated and already misses his medicine cat with whom I felt like he had a 1 sided relationship but whatever. Firepaw is tasked by Bluestar to find Yellowfang, who is no longer in the camp - everyone thinks she took the kits are want to find her and kill her, but Bluestart wants to find her and talk to her. Firepaw uses this opportunity to save Ravenpaw - he and Graypaw take him to the edge of WindClan territory and Ravenpaw leaves the clan forever to become a loner cat. Sad, but at least he's alive.

Firepaw and Graypaw find Yellowfang who explains that she was trying to find the kits. She says that Brokenstar was starting to train kittens as young as 3 moons old and making them warriors at 6 moons. He was training them to the point of death and she was blamed for it, which is why she was kicked out. So now she finds outcasts and elders of Shadowclan - because Brokenstar has no need of elder cats because he's a dick - and with those cats and ThunderClan's might, they save ShadowClan and the kits. Brokenstar and his cohort are chased out and everything is all great and happy.

Firepaw and Graypaw are made warriors after this battle - named Fireheart and Graystripe. How they became warriors sooner than Dustpaw and Sandpaw is beyond me and those two resent that as well.

But at the end of the book, there is an ominous moment where both Fireheart and Tigerclaw lock eyes and know that they are enemies once and for all.

..... en fin.

The next book reports won't be so long. Because there won't be the whole history set up in the beginning.

~Girlfrand

[zzariyo]

absolutely fucking OBSESSED with the fact that people in Oregon have spread rumors that antifa started the fires here, nainly about the ones in Clackamas County which are the ones most out of control, at least in my area, to the point where the FBI IS FUCKING INVOLVED !!!!! Like what kind of brain rot could you have thinking that people who are against facism would purposefully light fires that have burned one million acres, destroyed 600 homes and killed some people.

In Facebook groups of communities affected by the fires, people are saying they need to patrol to search for looters and antifa activists. In Corbett, after someone started a brush fire with fireworks, these people, NOT POLICE, even made road blocks and checkpoints to check cars making sure no one passing is antifa and doing...idk antifa stuff I guess. A clackamas county deputy posted a video saying “Antifa motherfuckers are out causing hell, and there’s a lot of lives at stake and there’s a lot of people’s property at stake because these guys got some vendetta." At least they were put on leave and are being investigated and the sherrif apologized. (Epic win)

There are ARMED MEN, again, not police, patrolling in Clakamas around Molalla, trying to "ward of antifa". They stopped and told an OPB reporter to get "the fuck outta here" and took pictures of their plates. People are calling 911 and wasting their time and resources giving them false information and rumors. One of the guys running for Oregon Attorney General is OPENLY convinced that it's donestic terrorism. All that while even the police are actively trying to tell people that these fucking fires have NOTHING to do with politics!!!! THEY'RE FIRES! THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF!!!!

Like what kind of fucking brain rot could you have thinking that advocating for human rights and racial justice means you want to set fire to the state and put lives at risk. How fucking stupid could you actually be. I'm so mad. Wtf.

....Also it's funny because the only people donating and giving resources to the firefighters ARE antifa people in Portland....

reblogging with sources in a bit.

[petalshields]

[ ELLIOT KNIGHT, HE/HIM, CIS MAN ]  —  [ SABER WINSLOWE ]  is a child of  [ EPIONE ]  with the power of  [ PAIN SUPPRESSION + PATHOKINESIS ] .  they were born in  [ 1993 ]  and have been in nemean lion since  [ 2008 ] .  with the change, they  [ GRADUATED FROM ]  the  [ MEDICAL ]  role which makes sense since they’re usually  [ COUNSELING + READING + TRYING TO FEEL SOMETHING ] .  if you’d like to meet them try the  [ SUN ]  building .  —  garnet / she/her / kst / 18+ / @nlupdates​

it’s garnet ya’ll already know the vibes. this long as hell but bear with me.

Saber’s pinterest is here!

BIOGRAPHY!

saber did not grow up knowing the people he called his Ma and Pa were not his biological parents. Ma and Pa lived in a red barn hidden acres deep in rural New Haven, Kentucky and they prayed every night for a child that they couldn’t seem to conceive. one night, a woman appeared with her three-year-old son in tow, explaining that his father died in a tragic accident. the winslowes welcomed him inside and the woman disappeared into thin air. it wasn’t until the boy, who told them his name was saber, was fed, bathed, and asleep that they questioned where the woman came from. unbeknownst to them, it was the goddess of recovery epione, who just lost one of her mortal lovers and decided that saber could be the answer to the winslowe couple’s prayers.

starting he was around nine-years-old, saber bounced from foster home to foster home. he was taken from his doting parents who weren’t at all neglectful nor inattentive, but a concerned doctor reported the frequency of his hospital visits and the severity of his injuries. as a rambunctious lad who was always too curious, saber collected injuries the way other kids his age might’ve collected bugs. it did not help that he appeared to have an exceedingly high pain tolerance, and he wasn’t aware that a part of his body was wounded until someone pointed it out or he fell forward because his leg was broken.

while his parents were being investigated, at around the age of twelve, saber was placed in a particularly volatile household. its chaos could be felt the moment that he stepped inside. nonetheless, saber always had the gift of being a calming presence to those around him. even at his young age, he sympathized with others and always helped those in need, but he noticed that emotions could change quickly if he touched them. he could place two fingers on someone’s pulse and the heart of a mourning person would no longer thud under his fingertips, their sorrow drying on their cheeks. saber had the same effect on his aggressive foster family, who he would touch on the shoulder, elbow, or hand to calm them down. they’d always shake him off, but their mood visibly shifted, and saber would watch them walk away from the battle they’d almost started. he couldn’t relate to such extreme displays of emotion — while he wasn’t without empathy, he did not feel deeply for himself.

emotions became a puzzle that he wanted to solve, and saber poured over books about the topic to better understand his foster family. it was his obsession and he began to absorb random facts about how the brain functioned. this led saber into reading more, curiosity becoming less physical and tactile and more intellectual, using a flashlight under his covers at night to consume more knowledge.

when saber was thirteen, going on fourteen in a few days, he was claimed by epione sending a garter snake into his box-sized front lawn. saber, who was outside at the time, bent down to examine the creature, and when he looked up, there was a woman that he’d never seen before standing with his social worker. His social worker introduced him to his mother and explained that he’d be going with them to a new place, giving him time to pack his suitcase with his things. he did as he was told, waving goodbye to his foster family. they grumbled about having one less mouth to feed.

in the car, saber couldn’t stop looking at his mother, who was so familiar yet a stranger, and it was then that his social worker told him about his godly heritage. that because he’d been claimed by his mother, he was in danger, so he had to go somewhere he could be kept safe. that somewhere was nemean lion.

saber was a little awkward at first, but he found his strides, excelling in his training. he stayed in the standard track for the first year before switching to medical. many thought that he could have been a hero because of his bravery and his inability to feel pain, but he chose to follow his passion in trying to crack the brain. he received basic medical training, but by the time he was eighteen, he remained on campus for a little bit longer to study psychology.

at nemean lion, saber became close with another boy, another demigod. saber never had a crush before and he didn’t feel the clichés. the affinity that he felt towards the other boy was chosen rather than felt — he chose to speak with him for hours, he chose to go on dates with him, and he chose to kiss him back. in addition, saber also vowed to never change the other boy’s emotions with his ability — it was nice to have something that flourished organically without manipulation on his part.

homophobia tw: saber and his boyfriend married immediately after graduation and he brought his new husband back to meet Ma and Pa. the aging couple was set in their ways, and though they tried, they did not approve of saber marrying someone so quickly. when saber asked them if they would have approved if he did the same with a woman, he found their answer in their hesitance. his husband stormed out and saber filed behind him. “why didn’t you say anything?” his husband spat at him. saber didn’t say anything in response, understanding the reason for the reproach, that perhaps he should have said something, but he also logically understood that their bigotry wasn’t his problem. he touched his husband’s cheek, absorbing the pain and anger, something he swore he’d never do to his husband. but he did, and for the remainder of their time together, he didn’t forgive himself for it.

saber and his husband had a few honeymoon years before the marriage unraveled, but saber wasn’t aware of the unraveling. he came home one night to find his husband packing his bags, claiming that he no longer felt that spark between them and he hadn’t for a while now. saber simply responded that he didn’t notice, withholding that he felt the distance between them increase but couldn’t do anything about it, didn’t know what to do. he didn’t want to use his power to fabricate contentment, even love, where there was little to none. his husband said “you never notice, because you don’t know how to care.” it was an act of caring, however, that saber let him go find whatever would make him happy. shortly after, the divorce papers were filed, and his last name legally changed back to winslowe.

saber owns his own private practice, and he services both humans and demigods. the whole point of his character is that he’s telling other people how to get their lives together while his own is a hot mess, and he can be a bit of a hypocrite. but it be like that!

WANTED CONNECTIONS!

CLIENTS: everybody needs a lil therapy

EX-HUBBY: i’ll probably put a wanted connection in for this, but if you think that your muse could have been married to Saber....i just think we could have that conversation.

SOCRATIC CIRCLE: ezra stokes and sila demir zerhouni are part of this little group, where they get together and discuss intellectual stuff over coffee. if you think your muse would be interested in joining them, let me know!

MENTEES: the mind’s just as important as the body, and i imagine saber has a lot of insight that’s useful for other medical track kids. however it doesn’t have to be restricted to just the med kids, let him be ur dad friend.

CONFIDANT: someone who saber can hit up and be like “so do you feel nothing or is it just me” u feel me??

OLD FRIENDS/LIKE SIBLINGS: saber tries to be a good person and he really values his connections, so he maintains his friendships. he definitely got his shit rocked by his husband suddenly divorcing him so he really wants to figure out how to have relationships that mean something to other people.

ANYTHING: hit my line babes

[justoneday-namjoonii]

Don’t Breathe | 4.5

»Genre: hitman!au || stalker!au ||

»Warnings: kidnapping, stalking, obsession, themes of potential Stockholm syndrome, mono-phobia, mature elements, manhandling, breakdowns, yandere (? i think ), he thinks it’s cute when she cries, eventually they fall in love, Disclaimer: I do not condone nor suggest stalking/kidnapping or anything of that nature, this is pure fiction ok, kidnappers and stalkers DON’T love you.

»Summary: He doesn’t get shaky hands, he never forgets his gloves and he never leaves a trail. He was paid to get rid of everyone who witnessed the exchange between a gang lord and a politician, they were picked off, one by one. He found out a month later, he missed one. A young writer who attended the event where the exchange took place. He has to kill her. Can he do it?

✤ pt.1 - pt.2 - pt.2.5 - pt.3 - pt. 3.5 - pt. 4.0 - pt. 4.5 - pt. 5.0 - pt. 5.5 - pt.6.0

a/n: hello!~ thank you for reading and i hope u enjoy!! will most def edit later💖

taglist: @tangledsparkles @just-another-fangurl21 @impartoftoomanyfandoms​ @komorebi-unnie​ @tangledsparkles​ @yes-sol-not-soul (sorry :( tumblr won’t let me tag you) @sarzkh31 

The sun is setting like a dream, you can’t say you’ve ever seen it shine so beautiful. The sky looks like a peach painting that shyly fades into a heavenly deep-blue. It’s a perfect evening, the air smells of the flowers growing on the porch and it delights your senses. He’s chasing you barefooted across the grassy yard, like two children playing tag at the peak of spring. Out of breath, he finally catches you and you fall back into the checkered blanket, too tired to run off again. 

After seeing you enjoy the balcony so much, he introduced you to his lavish backyard. Aside from the large stone patio and pool attached to it, the yard expands at least an acre and it’s well-groomed. Early in the evening, you moved to spend some time on the patio, a pencil, and paper in hand. Taehyung had some work to do so you had a few hours to yourself, you used that time to think and write. After a few hours, you could no longer resist the urge to take a dip in the crystal clear oasis.

With a t-shirt and underwear, you eased into the cool water and breathed a sigh of relief. For what could have been an hour or two, you weren’t counting, you swam on your back, staring up at the clear sky, wondering if you’ll ever feel peace like this again. When your eyes shut, your thoughts seem to align, and for the first time since you’ve been here, you felt like you were where you were supposed to be. As much as you cherish your life alone, your independence, and innate desire to prove that you can make it on your own—it seems Taehyung is worth giving that up. 

That would have sounded crazy weeks ago, but it’s how you feel. That night that you confessed that you wanted to be with him, you meant it. You don’t know when it happened, maybe when you kissed him and he picked you up when you woke up to him fast asleep with a pillow in his arms. Or maybe it was when he suggested you help him bake since he knew you wrote so much about food in your articles, you’re not sure. But somehow, sometime after learning his name, you think you fell in love.

When you were with Jin, you had similar feelings to this. You knew you were in love when you had the urge to smile even when you were hurting just to make him smile. That feeling of unexplained self-sacrifice, something as small as a smile, you’d force it out if you knew it would help him. With Taehyung, it seems like he will do anything to make you smile sometimes, even when you know he’s keeping stressful things from you. Is that love? You think so.

You sigh, still feeling a bit wet from your swim a while ago but you’ve dried mostly. He fussed at you for not showering straight away but you said the sun would dry you well enough until your shower tonight. It’s dusk now, and your out in the grass, laying happily on the blanket with him. A few minutes ago you found out that he had pretty lights adorning the patio. He said he’s had them for a while but hadn’t turned them on until today. It casts a warm light out into the grass, you tell him he should turn it on more often.

”You should shower before you catch a cold,” He stresses for the second time. You find his worry endearing but negotiate five more minutes, and he caves. It’s been a while since you’ve been outside like this. He knows this, that’s why he’s laying shoulder to shoulder with you as you gaze up at the night sky. “Sorry I had so much work I had to do today, hope you weren’t too bored out here,”

”It’s fine, I was writing anyway...”

”You were writing?” He turns on his side, curiosity piqued. You nod, hands searching for the pencil and pad you had on the blanket.

”Mhm, I used to write poetry when I was in high school. I wasn’t very good and some of it is kind of cringe now that I look back at it, but I enjoyed it. I haven’t written in so long, I thought I’d give it a shot,” You grab the notepad and look up at it, eyes skimming over the gray hue from all the erasing. You catch him trying to peek over and you hold it to your test.  

“Don’t look, it’s not good,”

He pouts, hand moving to intertwine with yours with puppy-dog eyes.

“Come on, you’ve never shared your personal writings with me before,” He pouts, leaning closer to you in hopes that you might succumb to the allure of his gaze. “Pleeease?”

”Fine,” You sigh, “but you have to read it yourself,” You lift the notepad in surrender, handing it to him.

He sits up and the feeling of anxiousness comes to a halt when you realize one important fact; it’s Taehyung. Not a supervisor critiquing your rough draft or a teacher judging your ability to recite your understanding of the class’s latest assignment. It’s him.

I’ve been given a universe, all for me. My very own stars in your eyes, I can stare at you forever. The remnants of your every gaze births a galaxy and I draw up the constellations by the reminisce of the pattern of your touch on my skin. I, too, have given my universe to you. Though I’m innocent to the stars in my eyes, the constellations I paint on your skin, all for you. No event is there more beautiful than the moment our eyes meet, our nebulae collide. A merging occurs, giving life to new stars that are our own, creating a galaxy that holds a shape that can only be defined by fate. In that sweet moment, we create an intertwined constellation, a design filled with millions of our old and new stars, shining brighter than ever,

“In your universe, my universe...” He reads the last lines softly. Setting the pad down with an expression that you can’t quite read, he just looks at you and you start to feel nervous.

“I just,” You bite at your lip and look up at the night sky that’s beginning to show the stars, “I had this idea about space, it’s a little different but it took me hours to come up with...I’m rusty.” 

He props himself up and leans over you, gazes searching for yours with a tender close-lipped smile. He holds his hand to his heart, “That was so beautiful.”

You cringe, pushing his chest so he can roll back on his back. “Oh stop, now I wish I wouldn’t have shown you,” It’s hard to tell if he’s praising you or teasing, it seems like it’s one in the same sometimes.

“I’m being serious, I can feel the emotions you’re conveying in your words, I really get it…” He looks a bit surprised that you’d think he was teasing you about this, he leans back over you.

“You mean it?” You look into his eyes, wondering how anyone could be capable of making you feel so special like you’re the only person in the world. Without a word, he presses a firm kiss to your lips and you sigh, he means it.

He gets you to go inside and shower before it’s too dark outside, you both shower and the warmth calms you. Dressed in a matching pair of gray and green pajamas that he recently purchased, long-sleeves but breathable. For the first time, you two lay in bed and watch movies together. You had debated over watching either Whisper of The Heart or My Neighbor Totoro, you settled on My Neighbor Totoro.

You’re comfortably propped on your pillow and curled slightly on your side. Taehyung is laying on his side as well, one leg was thrown over you and one hand holding yours. He’s like a big teddy bear, soft and comforting in every way. He’s so warm, his fingers are so long and he engulfs your hand, his leg is pinning you down but you find it comforting.

He’s laying on the pillow beside yours, eyes lingering more on you than the movie, but he glances at it every so often. Ever since that moment on the blanket in the yard with you, your poem had been on his mind in the best way. The thought of you writing that with him in mind, it makes his heart flutter. 

“Baby, I can’t stop thinking about your poem,” He grabs your attention from the enthralling scene on the TV, “I know you think I’m messing with you but I’m not, it’s touching,” He admits with a little laugh, “what is it about?” 

“It was my expression of platonic love and physical love, the love I’ve experienced in my life, what I think is love, our love...” You shyly say that last part, gripping his hand a little tighter. 

He hums, thumb rubbing your knuckles gently. ”Our love? I knew it,” He smiles, a sweet smile on his face as he scoots closer to you if that was possible. “I had my suspicions that it was about us,” He cups your jaw, leaning over you.

“The part where it says, when our nebulae collide, giving life to new stars, creating a constellation that can only be defined by fate,” His mouth gapes a bit, tongue moving absentmindedly, the usual look when he’s thinking.

“That part, that part is my favorite I think,” He gently kisses your forehead and you let out a little laugh that makes him smile in adoration, “it sounds like us,”

“It’s about us, but it’s about you more than anything,” You mumble, moving your hand up to tussle his hair softly, “you’re a bit more poetic than I am, I think.”

The movie is nice white noise to his low breathing, the sound of his mouth meeting your skin. His lips graze under your ear and his hand goes to the underside of your other ear, messing with your senses. He abruptly moves, causing your hand to fall from his hair as he moves to make space for his thigh between your thighs. 

“When we lay together like this,” He smirks to himself, leaning his face just centimeters over yours, “enjoying each other's company and smiling, I feel so lucky,” He kisses down your jaw to your neck, praising you—you blush.

You’ve come to love this.

The barriers you once had have crumbled down a long time ago. Taehyung has shown you what love is, what it feels like. He keeps you safe, he wants to protect you at all costs and that means keeping you here.

“Wait,” You whine, the butterflies in your stomach were swarming happily, you push him away.  “l- let me see your face,” Taking the hand that was once in his, you lift his face to meet yours. “I love your face, you have the best face.” 

“Oh, you think so?” He let’s a little abashed laugh, “Thank you.” With a tender smile, he gives you a nice long look, nothing but adoration in those big round eyes. 

“It’s true,” You grin, still in awe that he doesn’t understand his own beauty. It’s sweet looking at you, seeing your dreamy eyes, those pouty lips, makes him want to eat you. But he settles for breaking the eye-contact and kissing you. Mouth wide open, giving way to his oral fixation. You’ve had very few relationships, but from what you can compare him to, Taehyung knocks the competition out of the water in terms of affection. How he manages to cloud your senses till you’re raw with love amazes you. The rush from it is something you’ve never experienced before.

You’re pushed and pulled, but there’s no hostile battle, no attempt to coax the other into a preferred position, everything sets naturally, as it should. It’s how it’s meant to be, everything fits just right, and he aches to stay this way. He pulls away from the kiss, leaving you breathless and a bit confused. You lean up to try to get him back, but he moves his head away, cooing when you let out a disappointed mewl. “What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?...”

“Oh no, sweetheart, you could never,” He thumbs at your cheek, “I just want to talk for a second.” 

“Oh,” You purse your lips in thought, “okay, about what?”

“I’ve never had a reason to be anything for anyone before, until you, isn’t that crazy? I’ve never been this close to anyone like I am to you. I look at you and it makes me realize how lucky I am. I get to see your beautiful face,” He pecks your cheek, causing our face to flush, “how your beautiful mind works,” He pushes your hair back, staring at you sparkling eyes, “your body that just fits me so well, like a glove,” He drags a hand down your clothed abdomen and to your hip, resting his hand there with a gentle press with his  fingers, “you’re perfect...”

“I’m not perfect,” You swallow, turning your head, which apparently meant to him that you wanted some more attention because he kisses at your skin again, “Tae,” You gasp, tears pricking at your eyes for a quarter of a second, you’re just excited, “don’t paint me out to have no flaws, the last person who did that was terribly disappointed,”

“You mean Jin,” He scoffs when you nod. This is not the ideal time to talk about your Ex, but leave it to you two to turn every conversation in a weird direction, “That doesn’t seem like reason enough to leave anyone,” His brows furrow deeply, obviously offended.

“It was a mutual disappointment, we wanted too much from each other. I wasn’t willing to give anymore, and he just didn’t see the point anymore, it was for the best but I don’t think it was easy for either of us.”

“Well,” He breathes against you, “I don’t know the guy but I know you, and that tells me one thing, it was his loss,” You squint, breath stalling when he leaves a particularly lazy kiss to your lips before pulling away with a smack, “he had to be out of his mind to want to leave you, to leave this...”

“Or to stay,” You clear your throat, “it could have gone both ways,”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me, I don’t want to leave you, I want you with me always,” He lets himself drop on his side behind you, hand on your side, voice just a whisper, “I gotta have you, I love you that much, I need you that much...”

“Tae,” You try to sit up but he moves to get behind you, spooning you like a pillow to his chest while taking your hand. You look back so you can see his face and he moves over you so you don’t have to stretch too much, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something...”

“What is it?” He nuzzles his face against yours almost like a cat would, he’s a complete softy, ugh, it’s so cute. “Ask me anything,”

“What’s the one thing you want out of life?... I mean, if you didn’t have your job or you had the chance to make one wish come true, what would it be, what do you really want?”

Grinning ear-to-ear, he boops your nose with his finger, “You.”

“I’m flattered, but besides me,” You gaze down at his hand, “I’m being serious, there has to be something out there that you want...”

“There is,” His eyes drift to your twiddling fingers, “Years ago I built up the courage to look for my birth mother, found out she lives in a different country, she’s married and has two little boys...My half brothers. I used to think about what it would be like to meet them, how they’d like me,” The thought of Taehyung having a relationship with them warms your heart, “it’s a scary thought, but I want to see them one day.”

“Aw, you have little brothers...That’s really sweet, I hope that happens for you one day, I really do...Is there anything else?”

“I’ve always wanted a family, it’s something I used to dream about a lot, but now I have you,” He props his head upon his hand, his other hand still in yours, “we’re like a tiny family, the two of us.”

“Yeah, we are, it’s nice,” When you and Taehyung have pillow-talks like this, he becomes so pure and honest, it makes your heart melt. Just thinking of what he’s gone through in his life, and who he’s become over the time you’ve been together, it might sound cliche but he’s a miracle.

“There’s another thing,” He rubs his thumb against your hand, “I want a baby one day in the future, maybe after I’m married, or just whenever the time is right.”

“Really? I could see that, I know you really love kids and babies.” 

“I’d love a kid of my own, maybe a few,” He can’t contain his little grin at the thought, “that would be so nice...” 

To be a dad. That’s definitely a wish Taehyung would have, and you hope with all your heart that he gets that one day. You just lean further back into his chest, breathing in tandem with him. 

“Love you,” You mutter, squeezing his hand tighter, praying that the walls that once kept you apart would never return. You’ve realized that there are some connections so strong, so meant to be, that no matter the circumstance, those two individuals will meet. 

*

A merging occurs, giving life to new stars that are our own, creating a galaxy that holds a shape that can only be defined by fate. In that sweet moment, we create an intertwined constellation, a design filled with millions of our old and new stars, shining brighter than ever, in our universe.

“How’s the investigation going? Jin told me you reached out the other day,”

The busy lawyer sets his freshly ordered coffee in his cup holder as he drives off to his highly-decorated firm.

“I did, the case is more complicated than I initially thought,” Yoongi poured the subpar coffee in the Styrofoam cup, it’s 6am and he’s trying not to be grumpy, “if I’m right about my suspicions, it’s a fucked-up situation.”

“What’re you thinking?”

Yoongi looks around, seeing that the only person around was the woman at the desk. “The girl, along with the other individuals at that conference, was targeted. I got the names of the parties at the conference, they’re politicians of course but the details of the meeting were never released. I have a theory,” 

He lowers his voice, looking around one more time before sipping his coffee, “I think someone at that conference had the other journalist killed. I went over each autopsy file and those people died from unusual things, but not unusual enough to suspect at first glance. Most of them died from too much of a medication that they were already taking, things like that. But this girl was abducted and I don’t know why,” 

Jungkook makes a thoughtful noise. “What’s different about her that not like the others?”

“She went missing a little over a month after the others were found dead. It looks like a mistake to me,” He paces, “I don’t know if I’m being too outlandish, but I have a feeling she’s alive, we just need to find her,” 

Jungkook responds with how he feels about it but Yoongi has to cut him short when Eunwoo walks into the station. 

“You’re here early, Min,” Eunwoo smiles, beckoning Yoongi to follow him to his office, “I have some good news and some bad news, which do you want first?” Eunwoo leads Yoongi into his office and sets his briefcase down so he can pull what he needs out.

“Surprise me.”

“No luck on finding any leads for you on the Hwan group,” He takes a seat, opening one of the Manila folders, “they’ve been under the radar for years, I hope you can find something on them.

“And the good news?”

“It took a lot to pin him, but we’re bringing in Senator Leu for questioning.”

“Good, I think they know something that they’ve been trying to keep under the rug.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

Yoongi gets up, hand tight on the flimsy cup, “If you could give me a call before the questioning so I can come by, I’d appreciate it. I’m going to do a little digging into this Hwan Group, see if I can get some info that’ll help,”

Yoongi leaves the building with a to-do list but little does he know, detective Na Jaemin, knocking on on Eunwoo’s door.

“Come in,”

“Hi,” Jaemin slips into the room, an unusual grin on his face, “how are you?”

“Um,” Eunwoo looks around, confused as to why he’s approaching him like this but he shrugs, “good, is everything okay, detective?”

“Everything's fine,” Lies, “I just had a question about that PI, Min Yoongi,”

“Shoot,” Eunwoo awaits his question.

“Why is he so adamant about keeping this case open? I mean, I’m a detective on the case and I think we should start searching for the body,” His tone sounds innocent but he’s trying to sneakily plant this idea in Eunwoo’s mind, “we could be wasting precious time, the family deserves closure and we’re just dragging it on.”

“Detective Na,” Eunwoo stops looking through the folder, “given the other related cases, we have reason to believe she might be alive. Not every abductee is killed, even if that tends to be the case.”

Jeamin swallows, trying to think of how to save himself, “I know, I’m not saying that we should be pessimistic but realistic, rather.”

“I get what you’re saying, but on what prescient you’re saying it, I don’t know. I, and many of the others in this case, have reviewed the evidence and compared it to the other cases, it doesn’t add up. After the questioning today, we’ll talk, until then, your efforts need to go towards finding her alive and well,” Eunwoo walks past Jaemin and the detective gets the memo to get out of the office.

“Absolutely, sir,” With a feigned grin, he watches Cha Eunwoo go off to do his job while he fights the urge to scream.

It’s way too close now. They’re so intent on finding you. The Hwan Group has never been found out, it hasn’t happened in the history of the group's existence. Minho’s not gonna like this.

⇢ 1 year ago ⇠

“Girl, your deadline is in three days, why don’t you head home? You have time to finish it tomorrow.”

Suzy looks over your shoulder, eyeing your computer and the thousand words you were trying to edit. You’ve been at the desk since 8 this morning, it’s almost 6 o’clock at night and it’s kicking your butt. The flow isn’t coming to you anymore, your mind is too  “This is terrible, I suck at this crime stuff...” You face plant on your desk, “Like, this is sad.”

“Boss thinks you’ll do a great job,” She leans against your desk, her keys jingling in her hands, “plus, Angela is on maternity leave, you were the easiest replacement.”

“I just, I’m not in a good mindset right now,” You shut your laptop, eyes lowering to our desk, “I’m having problems with my love life, it’s, uh, – not doing so well. I’m sorry, I think I just need to sleep it off,” You take your laptop and tuck it in your tote bag, eager to get away so you don’t cry in front of her, “or drink it off, whichever I get to first.”

“Y/n,” She places a hand on your shoulder, “do you want to talk about it?” That’s the one thing about Suzy, she’s more than a nice supervisor, she’s a friend. But you can’t imagine putting your relationship issues on her, she’s got a fiance to go home to, you don’t want to send your problem with her.

“No, no, I’m okay, you- You know how it is,” You feign a smile, hoping she’ll be convinced enough to let it go, “it’s just your usual boyfriend-girlfriend stuff,”

“Okay,” You mentally sigh in relief because she looks convinced, “well I’m here if you ever need to talk, see you tomorrow!”

The drive home was good, it helped clear your mind, it’s what you needed. When you walked into your empty apartment, you resented its vacancy. What you told Suzy was a half-truth, it’s more than boyfriend-girlfriend stuff, you’re dealing with the sudden absence of a boyfriend. For lack of a better term, you got dumped. But you saw it coming, you two weren’t seeing eye-to-eye, it would have been a disservice to you both if you kept dragging it on. Yesterday, you and Jin met at your favorite Italian restaurant and he said what he had to say.

“We can’t keep doing this,”

“I know.”

You remember moving your fork through your salad, trying not to look him in the eye.

“I still care about you, okay? We should still be friends,” He was letting you down easy, it needed to happen like this.

“Of- of course, I agree...” You looked up at him, forcing a small smile. That’s how that went. The waiter had pity on you and kept coming back to refill your salad when Jin left, he had an early shift at the clinic the next morning.

The pasta didn’t taste the same anymore and your salad became very sad to your taste-buds.

Now it’s just you and your trustworthy friends, Mr. Couch and Mrs. TV. An old movie flickers on the screen and you can’t follow it, maybe that’s just the wine talking.

* *

He told himself he wouldn’t do it, he swore he’d never do it. But he found himself on the internet searching her name, his mother's name. And after hours of looking, he found her. From what he could tell, she was still living, but her last name had changed. Not only that, but she had two little boys with her in a picture on one of her social media. She doesn’t live in the country anymore, she’s off in some foreign country, living a life quite contrary to the one she was living when she had him. To see her smile, to see her living a life without him, completely unaware of the man he is now – it hurts.

He shuts the laptop and stares at the TV in front of him, watching the old movie with blank eyes. On nights like this, he realizes how lonely he is. He lays on the couch, feeling as if he was cheated of an alternative life. He could have been the smiling boy in that photo, he would’ve been a good son, right? She could have smiled the same way if it were him next to her, with his half little brother.

At times like this, he finds himself wondering what his name would sound like on her tongue, she did name him after all. But his name is the only thing she left him with. Kim Taehyung.

This is bad, this is all bad. 

The PI made contact with one of their middlemen last night. It’s likely that the payment and agreement form was leaked. Minho was pissed, if he ever finds the guy he’ll kill him. As far as the case goes, the feds aren’t backing away from the case either, not at all. 

During his morning jog around the stately mansions neighboring his own, the thoughts that come to his mind are more than unpleasant. He’s never doubted Taehyung before, but he’s getting pushed into a corner here. The thought that Taehyung might not have gotten rid of you plagues his thoughts. However, Taehyung is the best, he’s never screwed up a job before. However, the only way he can get the truth is if he calls Taehyung. He has to tell him to release the whereabouts of the body so they can cover it up.

Taehyung glances at his phone from the shower, it’s Minho. His heart drops into the pit of his stomach. For a moment, he thinks about ignoring it, but that would only delay the inevitable. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stumbles out of the shower to grab the phone.

“Hello?” Taehyung answers calmly.

“Kim,” Minho chirps, “how are you?”

“I’m fine,” Taehyung furrows his brows in suspicion, “you?”

“To be honest with you,” He breathes and out, “not good. I don’t know if you know, but that case is blowing up. The damn PI is on to us and he’s egging the guy over the case on. The contract was leaked. They’re bringing people into questioning- This doesn’t look good for either of us,”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“It was your job, Taehyung – it has everything do with you.” 

“But what do you want me to do? I can’t stop the investigation, I did the job, what happens after I get my pay is no longer in my hands.” 

“Do you not remember what you did? She was the only target you took, you didn’t leave the body to make it look like an overdose or a typical homicide, you kidnapped her. I don’t care what you’ve done with her, that’s your business, but reveal the body, then we’ll arrange a cover-up and this will all be over,” 

“I can’t do that.” He replies simply.

“Why not?”

“I just can’t.”

“Give it up, Kim! Is she at the bottom of a lake? Did you burn her to ashes? Bury her? Look, I’ve been patient, but if I don’t get the location of the body, your job is on the line, and the reputation of the organization,” 

Taehyung doesn’t say a word. 

“Is she dead, Taehyung?”

Continuous silence pangs over the phone. 

“If you wanted to start this whole rogue thing, you could’ve waited until your contract expires next year-”

“That’s not what it is.”

“Then what is it? Is she dead or alive? Answer the question. 

Taehyung looks up at the mirror, for the first time feeling like things are truly crumbling around him. “I did the job.”

“Okay, y ‘know what? Fine. I tried to do this the easy way, but you leave me no choice. Reveal the body in the next 24 hours, or I’m sending a team to make you reveal it. I’m sorry it has to come to this, Taehyung. There are more important things in life than some girl-”

Taehyung hangs up the phone, slamming it on the bathroom counter, nearly cracking the screen. Some girl – just the way you’re being referred to makes him upset, you’re not just some girl. Had you two met in a different life, in a different way, things would be so much easier. But this is how you two met, he took you and somehow, he was shown incredible mercy. You fell into his arms and he into yours, it was just love, simple as that. 

The patio is lined with Taehyung’s art and yours, the most recent ones. Some canvases are messy, art-pieces born of pure-play. Others are more deliberate, like the one you’re painting now. It’s a flower, the jasmine flower in the pot in front of you. It’s been a few hours and even though it doesn’t look that great, you’re trying.

The door creeks but you don’t hear it, you’re too focused and it makes him smile. Only when he wraps his arms around your waist do you acknowledge his presence. He rests his head on your shoulder, “That looks beautiful,” You smile, too caught up in what you’re doing to verbally respond.

"Hey, can we talk for a second?” He gently grabs your wrist to stop your continuous stroking.

“Sure,” You turn around, already anxious. Your eyes waver, hand dropping the paintbrush into the jar.

“We might have to leave for a little while," He steps away, hand massaging the back of his neck.  

“The investigation is getting bigger, the police aren’t messing around anymore, they're looking for you. My boss called me, he wants me to give you up because he suspects that you’re still alive. The man who hired me to have you killed got busted, he’s probably being questioned as we speak. If I don’t reveal you in the next 24 hours, they’re going for come for me...For you.”

“Oh...” 

That’s the only response that comes to mind.

“So-...So what does that mean for us?”

He takes a seat in one of the couches, elbows propped on his knees, head resting into his hands. He stays like that for at least 30 seconds before lifting his face to see your expression. 

“I’m sorry,” He drags his hands down his face, “I don’t know exactly, I’m just trying to figure it out but this PI, he’s not letting up. And Minho, he’s not going to sacrifice his business covering for me all because I fell in love.” 

You've been living in a pool of ignorant bliss. 

Your family is probably a mess worried about you, especially your mother, your poor mother. You may be in perfect health, but she doesn’t know that. When she watches the news, she hears stories of girls being kidnapped and murdered, unspeakable things done to them. Thank God that’s not your situation, but she doesn’t know that. 

Your job, you miss your job more than you realize. Writing day and night, learning new things, meeting new people, you actually miss it. But you’re torn. Taehyung is one of the best things that’s ever happened to you. If it’s possible, you’ve become so relaxed, so at peace with your life. Stress used to be a daily feeling for you, but you don’t feel it here, with him. He looks at you like an angel, like a celestial being sent to save his soul—you don’t deserve that. Throwing all caution to the wind, he spared your life. He kept you safe and hidden from those who wanted you dead. He may not believe it, but he’s a good person, he’s your angel.

“Taehyung,” You take a seat next to him, placing your hand on his thigh so he’ll look at you, “if I wanted to, would you let me leave?”

No, no, no. His heart sinks, eyes building with tears that he quickly wipes away. 

“If Minho wasn’t looking for you, and it didn’t put your life at risk...” He trails off.

”It would be hard, but if- If that’s what you wanted, I would...I would let you go.” His nose burns red and he quickly loses the ability to keep the tears from rolling.

“Shit, I- I’m sorry, I’m just- I’m not trying to be so emotional...I just, I put you in a bad situation, and I know you miss your old life,” He turns from you, hiding his face so he can wipe the stray tears, “I’m so sorry I took that away...”

You embrace him, bringing his head to rest on your chest, a few tears rolling down your cheeks when he laments into your shirt. Heaving, breathing hitched, it hurts your heart to see him like this, you feel his pain. 

Taehyung struggles with abandonment, loss. He’s shared his past, his childhood, if you can even call it that. The lack of paternal love, isolation and depression, it all shaped him in a way that he can’t shake. It’s apart of him, he didn’t think anyone would ever be able to deal with all of that so he’s pushed it down all this time. But then you came along, and you looked at him with kind eyes, like he wasn’t bad. And he tried to stop it, he tried to ignore it, but he couldn’t anymore, he was in love. He fell so deeply in love so fast, it was scary. He was obsessive at first, he had to be for the job. But even after the job, he kept wanting to know about you, he became enthralled with your existence, it was inevitable, it was fate.

“I want to go home,” He makes grabby hands to your waist as if you’d slip away if he didn’t. “Tae,” He responds with a small sob, “please, look at me.” 

Reluctantly, with a blushed nose and gritted teeth, he looks up at you. The once large man, the man who engulfs you in both size and presence has diminished to someone so small. 

“My home is wherever you are,” You smile, tears already streaming down your cheeks, “when I’m with you, I’m home...I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

“Y/n, you have to understand,” He sniffles, breathing deeply, thumb rubbing a tear from your supple cheek, “If you go with me, I don’t know if we’ll ever come back here, we’ll have to make a new life for ourselves, somewhere far from what we know. I’ve already taken so much from you...Are you sure this is what you want?”

“This is what I want, for us to be together. So it doesn’t matter where I am,” You cup his jaw with teary eyes, “as long as I’m with you.”

“I’m not talking until I have my attorney.”

The politician sits comfortably in the chair, hands crossed tightly, and posture perfect. After about fifteen minutes, his attorney comes in, pant-suit just as expensive as his suit and aura looking as if she had already gotten her client out of this.

“Lana Garza,” She shakes Eunwoo’s hand and takes a seat, “let’s get this over with, shall we?”

“Alright,” Eunwoo sits at the table alongside another detective, “the conference you held a few months ago, what were you there talking about?”

“Urban housing development, social and civil issues in the community.” 

“And are you aware of the 5 journalists found dead just a week after the conference?”

“I heard it on the news, yes.”

“Mr. Leu,” Eunwoo stands up, walking across the one-way mirror that Min Yoongi and a few other detectives are behind, “has it ever occurred to you that the conference got little to no press coverage, that’s unusual for a man of your status.”

“My client has no control over the amount of media coverage he gets on an event, that’s a question you should ask the owner of the venue.” She interjects, causing Yoongi to furrow his brows at her defense, she’s gonna fight tooth and nail for that man, he can already tell. It doesn’t matter though, they have evidence against him. That’s the man that wanted you dead,

“Detective, if you don’t have any better questions for him, I think we’ll be leaving.”

“Okay, I’ll be a little more straight-forward. Did you have any involvement with the death of these five people and the disappearance of this woman,” He opens a folder and they see the picture.

Leu glances down at the photo. There’s a shift in his eyes.

“The woman, her name is Y/F/N, she’s a writer at The Autumn Times. For about a month, she was working on an article about you. On the day of publication, she went missing and the article was nowhere to be found.”

The lawyer glances at the photo. “Are you implying my client had something to do with the disappearance of this woman?”

“Did he?” He glances at Leu. “Did you?”

“Why on earth would I do something like that? If you think I’d even dream of doing something like that, you’re sadly mistaken.”

Suddenly, Yoongi barges in, walk right up to the man in question. “Cut the bullshit, we know you weren’t happy about the article, you didn’t want it to get out that you’re a damn fraud. For whatever sick reason, you thought having innocent people murdered would somehow keep you clean.” He takes out a thin folder, holding it up to his face. “This is the copy of the contract and payment to The Hwan Group with your signature on it.” 

Leu exchanges look with the attorney.

“Mr. Cha, can you give Mr. Leu and me a moment?”

Yoongi and Eunwoo leave the room, giving her time to probably compile some type of plead deal. 

“We have him right where we want him, couldn’t have done this without you,” Eunwoo stands with crossed arms

“Don’t thank me yet, I’m not sure who did the abduction, they keep those details encrypted. The jobs not done until we find her alive.” Yoongi bites his lip, muttering to himself, 

Please be alive...

“Tae, Stop! There won’t be any left if you keep eating it al!” 

It’s been a day since Taehyung got that call from Minho, you’re running out of time. But he’s been trying to keep your mind off of it, he made a cake and asked you to decorate it. 

You swat at his hand but he gets the strawberry and cream in his mouth anyway. There’s a large mixing bowl of whipped cream frosting for the strawberry cream cake. 

“Yes Ma’am, I’m sorry,” He laughs, fleeing the kitchen so you don’t get him with the spoon again, “it’s just so good.” You shake your head, trying to count the strawberries for the second time, hoping you have enough.

“Remember the friend I told you about, who couldn’t come that weekend,” He goes back to his computer on the kitchen island just a few feet away from you, “Yeosang,” You nod. 

“Well, he’s back in town and wants to come over.”

You swallow, wondering what that has to do with you, “Okay,” 

“I told him about you, he’s a trusted friend and he’d never do anything to hurt me. I think he could help us, wipe us off the grid and get us to a safe place. I invited him to talk about it today, he should be here soon.”

You give up on counting the strawberries and stare at him. “Why are you just now telling me this?”

“I didn’t want you to have anxiety about meeting him,” His tone softens because he knows you’re upset, “I know this entire situation is stressful.”

“Well, I feel even more stressed now!” You cross your arms, the change in your mood catching him off guard. “Why would you do that!? You know I haven’t been in contact with anyone besides you in months, how can I trust that he’s not gonna turn me in or- I don’t know, anything could happen.”

“Hey, I didn’t know it would bother you this much, I’m sorry,” He walks over to you, reaching for your arms but you make your way to the sink to wash your hands, “I wasn’t trying to upset you, you know that wasn’t my intention at all,” He tries to pull ou in to kiss your forehead but you slip away,

“You should have asked me anyway.” 

“Y/n, this is hard for both of us, I know you’re scared, I am too. But trust me, Yeosang is a good guy-”

“Forget it, invite over whoever you want, it’s your house,” Cutting his sentence short, you walk to the other side of the island, taking off your apron, “I’ll finish this later, go back to whatever you were doing.”

If a trail of fire could follow you on your way upstairs, the stairs would be set ablaze. The 48-hour count down if nearing the 24-hour mark, it’s getting closer and closer, he’s scared for you and himself. You left the cake half-finished so he calmly gathered the ingredients and put them in the fridge for when you might come back for it. When he hears the sound of the tub faucet he realizes you’re going to take a bubble bath, he forgets about seeing you for the next two hours.

He’s learned to let you have your time, you’re owed at least that. Even though you two are together now and you love each other dearly, he’s been feeling guilty. That’s why if you have a little outburst or mood swings from stress, he dismisses it without judgment—you’re just scared. 

*

Ding dong. Yeosang is finally here. From his lonely spot on the couch, he thinks about asking you to come down for a moment, but he decides against it, you’ll come down when you’re ready. With a small smile, he goes to the front door.

“Hyung!” Yeosang throws his arms around a smiling Taehyung. “Sorry I’m late, lost track of time at my folk's place,” Taehyung closes the door and when Yeosang enters the house further, he sees the bowl of fruit on the center table and helps himself.

“You’re good, I’m just glad you could make it,” Taehyung takes a seat on his previous spot on the couch and his friends sits in the recliner beside his, “you don’t know how much help this is for me.”

He smiles, popping a green grape in his mouth. “Anything for my brother, I always told you if you wanted to leave the group, I could help you, I’m surprised you’re deciding so soon,” He gives him a knowing look, “she must really be something, huh?” 

“Yeah...At first, I wanted to save her because I just- I couldn’t kill her, and over time she started to trust me,” He sighs, thinking of the bond you two have now and how much he treasures it, “we just fell in love.”

“I knew it!” He giggles, crossing one of his legs under him. “I knew you’d be the first to settle down, you’re such a softy,”

“I know,” Tae leans back, “she’s just- She’s everything to me, she means a lot to me.”

*

You’ve been soaking in the tub for about an hour now, your face is warm and your body is relaxed. The friend he invited is over and you can hear them talking, but you can’t really make out exactly what they’re saying. Some part of you wishes you didn’t react that way with him, you know he’s doing what’s best for you two. After a few minutes, you build up the courage to drain the bathwater and get dressed in a comfy pair of pajamas.

You can do this, go downstairs, he’s doing this for you two. Letting your hair fall on your shoulders, hands tucked in your sleeves to make sweater-paws. Opening the bathroom door, you peek out and you hear a movie on and a low conversation. She’s just a little shy—you hear Taehyung mumble, and you smile at the fact that he’s not trying to force you to come out. With a brave face, you make your way to the staircase and hold the stairwell all the way down.

“There’s a nice little house there, the farm culture is great, you’d like it-” Yeosang pauses right when you reach the last step on the staircase. With anxious eyes, you stand at the end of the stairway, that’s when Taehyung finally looks back to see why he stopped. 

“Hi there, you must be Y/n,” Yeosang beams a friendly smile.

Taehyung stands up, hand extended for you to take. Your silences pangs in the room and Taehyung speaks up, “This is Yeosang, the friend I told you about.”

“Hi...” You walk over and take Taehyung’s hand, feeling more secure now that you’re sitting next to him.

”Taehyung told me everything,” He sits on the edge of the recliner, “this must be scary for you, huh?”

You nod, “A little...” Tae gives your hand a comforting squeeze.

“You guys will be alright, there’s a new life waiting for you beyond the next 24 hours.”

“How can you be so sure?...”

”Don’t worry, it’s his job to get people to other countries, wipe them off the grid and give them different lives. You can trust him because I trust him,” You glance up at Taehyung, finding it hard to form a response, to truly believe what he’s saying. He plants a kiss on your forehead with a sight, “Everything will be okay, I promise.”

Yeosang went home that night and you laid on the couch with Taehyung, trying not to cry. Tonight will probably be the last night you spend on this comfy couch. Tonight will be the beginning of a new life and despite how in love you are, there’s no guarantee that this won’t go sideways. Tonight, the moon is full and bright, you can see it clearly through the patio window. The stars around it are also just as beautiful, and it makes you feel peace. The same moon and the same constellations shine for you, they’re always there, adding life to the deep-blue sky. When you look up and see the still beauty of the night and its moon and stars, you breathe in contentment. As long as the moon glows and the stars kiss the dark of night, it’ll be okay – you’ll be okay. 

[bruhstories]

Will You Finish the Song?

Summary: Reader grew up with Illidan Stormrage. Everything was peachy until he betrayed everyone. Lusting for power, he turned to the dark side, while Y/N prepared for war. Pairing: Illidan Stormrage x High Elf!Reader Warnings: language, sadness and a nude reader Word Count: 1313

A/N: sooo this was supposed to be a multi-chapter fic but I didn’t wanna ruin it so there you go – one angsty piece of fiction.

Illidan felt his body give up. He pushed himself to his limits and so did his army of Illidari. Whoever was in charge of the Alliance division was a fine strategist. On the opposite side of the battlefield, Y/N felt exhaustion creep into her muscles and mind, and witnessed soldiers collapsing from fatigue. She knew the Legion would never give up but the lives of her soldiers were more important than her revenge. It's what she's been taught by Jaina. And one battle lost didn't mean they lost the entire war. She ordered the retreat and created a portal back to Dalaran while burning demons to a crisp. Y/N knew she was low on mana and made a difficult decision: she'd close the portal and stay behind. If everything went according to plan, all she had to do was stay hidden until she’d recover enough strength and mana to zap herself to the nearest Alliance city. "Eriser!" She called the dwarven warrior, "Take the men and go! We can't win!" "Not without you, lass!" Eriser replied, slashing his way through hordes of demons. "Yes without me! I can't hold it any longer, go, please!" "Men, retreat! RETREAT!" The dwarf yelled his lungs out. "Y/N, go through the fucking portal!"

"I'm sorry, Eriser..." she whispered, teleporting the warrior to Dalaran with the little mana she had left. She closed the portal, summoned her mount and ran for her dear life. As much as she wanted to stay and rip Illidan's heart out, she couldn't do that if she was dead. Calculating her next move, Y/N decided she'd hide in a cave, rest and recover, and then teleport herself to Dalaran. Even her Gryphon grew tired of flying so much, so when Y/N found a cave she retreated there. The first thing she did once she felt safe was to pull out her map and estimate where she was. Since the fight was in the North of Hellfire Peninsula and she flew straight South, Lyn guessed she was in Shadowmoon Valley, close to Terokkar Forest. "Fuck." The high elf whispered. "Fuck, fuck, FUCK!"

Demons were in swarms in Shadowmoon Valley and Illidan himself lived in the Black Temple. Y/M had to make a quick recovery and teleport herself as soon as possible. She didn't have enough mana to conjure something to eat or drink so she had to do this the hard way and just rest in enemy territory. Fortune was in her favour, though, at least for now, as the cave seemed uninhabited by any creature. Y/N ventured deeper into the cave and found a spring and a space she could bathe in.  She stripped her armour and robe and soaked her feet into the cold water, eventually sinking her body into it. The water made her shiver but she got used to it after a while, embracing the cold. Y/N carefully cleaned her wounds and since no one was around to hear her, she sang a song.  "Are you going to Darkmoon Faire:           Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.                   Remember me to one who lives there.                               She once was a true love of mine." She sighed. She was so obsessed with avenging her family that she never thought of starting her own. To be fair, she didn't think it was possible to find love or even raise a child in such a... plagued world. And to think that she used to be in love with the very man she’s now fighting.  "Tell her to make me a cambric shirt            Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme                    Without no seams nor needle work                            Then she'll be a true love of mine."

"Your singing is as beautiful as your military strategies." A voice disturbed her ballad. She froze in place, not because of the cold water, but because she knew she was going to die soon. "Illidan Stormrage. Betrayer!" Y/N hurled a ball of fire to her enemy, a mistake which cost her more time to recover, as she almost lost balance and had to lean on rock for support. "Save your mana, mage. I'm not here to fight." Illidan dismissed her and her fireball. "I wouldn't attack someone who can't defend herself." He added, taking a seat on a stumpy stone and groaning from the pain of his wounds. "You took everything from me! My parents, my brother! He was only a boy!" She cried out, the pain in her own wounds incapacitating her as well. Illidan sighed. He was oh so tired of people not understanding his sacrifices. He didn't betray his kind, he saved them. He will save them. The demon unwrapped the bandages covering what was supposed to be his eyes and rubbed his forehead. The mage was confused, enraged and slightly embarrassed. His blindness didn’t stop him from seeing her figure, he just couldn’t distinguish her features. "Do something! Say something, you fucking monster-" "I didn't kill your family!" Illidan cut through her words, his voice louder than hers. "I did not kill your family, the Legion did. And you, just like everyone else, think I betrayed you when in fact, you all betrayed me." He finally shut up, his last words mere whispers that echoed in the cave. Y/N’s lower lip trembled. She was on the verge of crying, and she hadn't shed a tear in ages. Was this demon delusional? He joined the enemy, he turned his back against his race, his people. She moved to the edge of the pool and dressed herself in her robe, the material and hugging her curves. "You..." Illidan spoke again, "Should understand what it means to sacrifice yourself for the greater good." Y/N watched him carefully, a brow raised at his affirmation. "I watched you on the battlefield. You took your chances and made a choice, knowing exactly what risks that choice entailed. For your people, not for yourself. You were willing to die for them." He continued. "And I joined the Legion so I could strike it from its very core." The elf pondered Illidan's words. And in a way, what he said made sense. But he was still a demon. And demons were nothing but cruel liars. A minute ago she was ready to slit his throat for killing his family, now she's confused and clueless. "But," he added, "you and your Alliance are never going to trust a demon. It's understandable. I'm sorry for your loss but don't blame me for what the Legion did. I am not the Legion. And I will never be the Legion." Silence echoed through the cave for what seemed like an eternity, and the only sounds that could be heard were the beatings of their hearts and the ripples of the water. Y/N shed a tear, after holding back for so many years, she shed a tear. And after it, another came. And another. And another until her cheeks were wet, the salty drops dripping down her chin and neck. "I've spent lifetimes learning how to fight. Learning how to kill. Learning how to kill you! I never wanted this life and after so many decades you expect me to give it up? What, because you're innocent?" Y/N shattered the silence with her broken voice. "No, I expect you to keep fighting and never give up until either you or the Legion are out of breath." "I- wh-." She stuttered. Her glossy eyes looked into his fiery orbs. "Will you just finish the song?" Illidan asked, his voice softer than ever, if that was even possible. “Please.” She nodded. "Tell him to find me an acre of land        Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme           Between the salt water and the sea strand                Then he'll be a true love of mine.   Are you going to Darkmoon Faire?         Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme            Remember me to one who lives there                  He once was a true love of mine." 

[trashycosmos]

i've determined i will probs never play minecraft again bc the sheer amount of content, while amazing, also is overwhelming to the highest degree but gameplay videos are highly enjoyable. also since finding creativerse it just hits better and terraria is like my happy (moddable) medium.

[mrslandgraab]

CHISBI - Update 1

It’s Wednesday, my dudes and we are here to start with a first step right into this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ISBI! Chester has decided to take a step against stupidity and find a spouse for himself!

Aaaah, the fresh mountain air! Thank goodness we have all the time and place to enjoy it. Purchasing one gigantic lot on top of a mountain, Chester has freed himself from living or breathing the same air as..well..everyone for most of the time. The wifi is going to be set up soon, him being a Computer Whiz after all. He’s pretty flirty too, though weirdly enough, most ladies do not share his sense of humour - maybe he’s just socially awkward. And yet, with his green thumb Chester is sure to make love blossom between him and the lady of his choice at this beautiful...

Campground? Well, he is unlucky after all! Why else would he be surrounded by idiots? And speaking of idiots...

Wanda Tinker, what are you wearing? Readers who remember my far away uberhood might remember my particular dislike to the Tinkers. So technically, Wanda is the perfect welcome wagon for our darling Chester, right?

Chester: Please be someone hot and smart, please be someone hot and smart, please be someone hot and smart!

Florence Delarosa: Oh? Like Checo Ramirez? Sounds pretty hot and smart to me!

Oh gawd, what’s wrong with Bluewater Village and why is every sim obsessed with Checo?

Wanda: Teehee, he IS certainly handsome! And a businessman, just like my darling husband!

Alright, I am slowly getting why exactly this is called an ISBI. Your opinion on this, Chester?

Chester: Wanda is HOT!

Well, thanks for checking in, see you never!

Okay, but seriously - what? WHAT? How are we supposed to make it through this ISBI if these are Chester’s choices? I am sorry but I’m never going to put up with Wanda. Never again. How about you talk to Flore-

Chester: Hearts surrounding people? Pathetic. The true way to a woman’s heart is some h2o in the face.

Florence: You know that wedding ring would look much nicer on my floor.

Checo: Aahaahahah, what?

Literally five minutes in and we are already having our first non-kiss onscreen. Poor Florence, although I am positively suprised about Checo? Who would have thought he’d be faithful to his wife? Certainly not Florence.

Of course, there is Chester who would rather have a waterballoon fight than look for romantic prospects.

Chester: Love is for losers, everybody! Miss me with that heart-shit!

In fact, this turned out to be exactly Chester’s opinion on love because let me introduce to you all the gorgeous ladies we met that Chester was not interested in in the slightest.

Cute Waitress and light of my life.

Relaxed DJane feeling the beat.

Kimberly Cordial on her way to get a new girlfriend.

Sharon Wirth looking flawless.

But no, none of the women are able to meet Chester’s standards of having brown hair (err...DJane?), glasses. Worse, how dare all of them are interested in fitness? The horror! Is there one person who makes your heart beat faster, Chester?

Chester: The carpool lady could take me anywhere she wanted.

But don’t you worry darling reader because this kind of dislike is actually quite mutual.

Goneril: Having even more brats instead of taking over the family fortune? No way!

Cleo Shibiku: He’s wearing far too much cologne!

Townie: Please, anyone but me, please! I have 13 wonderful friends you could bother instead

Well, isn’t this just...fascinating. I considered a few possibilities for this ISBI but not being able to connect with any women (damn you, Chester, why did you roll straight?) was certainly not on my list, especially since usually ACR does all the work for me is..unprecedented. Speaking of ACR, how are things going romantic-wise?

Chester: Vivian Cho, was it? Have I ever mentioned how much I value women of your kind? Sophisticated, smart and dedicated?

Vivian: Ahahaha, what?

Chester: You being a Family-Sim statistically goes so well with my wisdom aspiration! You could stay at home and take care of our 2.5 kids while I climb the career ladder and become a Criminal Mastermind!

Vivian: Honestly I’d rather...

Vivian: I’d rather take care of my own daughter, you know? And fall in love with my actual love interest than some redhead rando who I’ve literally met just today?

Chester: But...but you’re the first woman I am interested in! We're soulmates, Vivian!

Chester: We...we’ve had a one whole bolt of chemistry between us!

Alright, that’s it, Chester, we’re going home. Maybe we should just focus on making money instead! We all know that money can attract quite a few different women, right?

Elder Lady: Oh, my! Why do you have such a big and strong mountain of chips? Mind if I sit down ;) ;) ;) ;)

Chester actually manages to rob both Elder Lady and John Mole of all the money they carry with themselves and, just as prophecised, finds a new romantic interest right away...

...who is MARRIED? Opal, Chester? Opal Contrary? I thought you had standards?

Chester: A woman who has once experienced childbirth displays she is an excellent canditate for being my spouse! And her being married means she already knows what she’s getting into :D

....Opal seems not disinterested which means I have to brace myself. Are we ready for this? Breaking up a family for the sake of this ISBI? Are we able to do this? To commit to adultry?

Opal kind of takes that choice right from us. Not only completely underdressed but also bringing her husband and the Jocques along with them! Dare I say...power move?

Chester: Bringing your husband to make your commitment to me official? Opal, now, that’s really attractive if I dare say so~ Opal: Actually...

Opal: You being so into me kinda really saved my marriage. I mean, it’s so flattering to know silly young boys like you can appreciate my beauty and it’s kinda a kink for Eddy and me that I flirt with young strangers but like...you didn’t think I was really interested in you, did you? Because honestly, that would be kinda dumb.

Chester: B-but...but we had one whole bolt together!

History repeats itself I guess.

The rest of the evening Chester chills out on the dancefloor, crying his heart out while singing along to Bring Me To Life as Opal and her husband make out in the photobooth.

Chester: It’s just like Pleasantview all over again! I knew it, I clearly am surrounded by idiots! Why else would these married women with children not be interested in a young and single stud like meeeeee?

Deciding to distract Chester and also earn a little bit of money, we are heading to Club Indigo to join a dance competition. And not only are we leaving with Cash in hand..we are also making quite an interesting new person...

Chester: Honestly, this biker attire is really attractive. Especially that colour coding! Red and black is an ensamble that I prefer myself. And those glasses are vintage, aren’t they?

Chester: Don’t you think so, too, Herb?

Herb: What?

Chester: Sorry, ignore him, he’s simply trying to imitate our style. But speaking of us, would you like to hang out tonight and discuss more about us being possibly superior to the rest of this town, m’lady?

Clarette: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Chester: That’s definitely counting as consent!

[meet-with]

Paying it forward

When our children were very young, I started growing flowers. Elora is in her third year of college, while Jasper just graduated from high school. I have been growing flowers for a long time.

Chris was working as a mechanic down in Seattle when the kids were little, and he commuted to work every day. During the week, he was rarely home and I was alone with my two young children, so I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to be when I grew up.

During those early years, I experimented with many small business ideas to see what would work, including planting an heirloom cider orchard (I didn't realize it would take at least five years before I could harvest anything).my first viable harvest). I raised more than a hundred chickens in our backyard for a rainbow egg business, but the birds kept escaping from their coop, and I would get angry calls from our neighbors daily.

Even though I tried growing miniature vegetables for local customers, I quickly discovered that it takes a lot of zucchinis to make $5. I tried so many different ideas, but none of them worked.

In the process, I added flowers to my garden and began selling the extra blooms.sta Flowers stirred such deep emotion unlike any other thing I made or grew.pow When I delivered my homegrown blooms, complete strangers would open up and share their most beautiful stories with me. most beautiful stories with me.

Every recipient could recall a flower memory as if it were yesterday. After I started sharing flowers that I had grown myself, I felt like I had finally found my calling.

As a result, every waking minute was devoted to the garden. I was obsessed with it. However, I knew very little about flower farming.

I spent nearly every evening email conversations with flower growers across the country, and spending my days reading every gardening book my library could order and trying out all the things I had learned in the books.to practice all the things I had read about in my garden.

During that time, social media wasn't even a thing, and there was very little information available on the topic ormIn addition to Lynn Byczynski's The Flower Farmer, Sarah Raven's The Cutting Garden, and Martha Stewart's Gardening: Month by Month, I just made it up as I went along.st made it up as I went along.

Even though I believe in being self-taught, building a business from scratch with so little to go on and no community was incredibly lonely and challenging for me. Since I was learning everything as I went along, I made so many painful and costly mistakes.

When IIt still amazes me that I didn't give up in those early days. think back to those early days I am still amazed that I didn’t throw in the towel. I failed way more than I succeeded and for the first few years, I really thought about quitting every single day.

Each failure was a sign that I was on the wrong path, and nothing came easy. Whenever I questioned what I was doing and questioned my faith, Chris always said, "The flowers are different.". So I would get back up, dust myself off, and try again.

After struggling my way through the first few years, I managed to grow a small business in our backyard and eventually start making a little profi tittle business in our backyard and eventually start making a small profit. Every penny that I made with my flowers went into paying off a mountain of debt that we incurred some years earlier.

Due to the fact that we were so determined to get out of debt and clean up the mess that we had made, there was never any extra that I could invest in myself.

As I made thousands of mixed bouquets in our garage, I dreamed of the day when I could finally leave the farm and learn from my flower heroes. My heart would ache every time one of them announced an upcoming class or workshop.class or workshop my heart would ache.

Although I was working hard and making good progress on paying down our debt as well as getting better at growing and arranging flowers, I didn't feel like I was getting any closer to realizing the big dreams I had for myself.

During that time I had started writing articles about my flower growing journey and had the opportunity to interview Ariella Chezar, I started writing articles about my flower growing journey and had the opportunity to interview Ariella Chezar, the godmother of seasonal floral design, and we became penpals.the godmother of seasonal floral design, and we became penpals. She knew how badly I wanted to attend one of her workshops but I couldn’t ever come close to affording it.

I’ll never forget the day that I received her email saying if I could get myself to her next workshop that I could attend for free. Up until that point my flower journey had been so incredibly difficult and nothing came easy. I had gotten so worn down by the grind that I was on the verge of quitting altogether.

So when I got that offer, everything I believed to be true was challenged in the best possible way. At that moment, I decided that if I ever had anything of value to share with someone else who needed a leg up that I would pay it forward as many times as I possibly could.

The workshop was beyond anything I could have possibly imagined and the experience completely altered the course of my life. I came back to the farm after that blissful week in California changed.

Having someone who I admired so deeply believe in me helped me believe in myself. That act of generosity felt like getting permission to finally go after all of the dreams that I had put on hold for so long.

I quickly got to work overhauling my little flower business and from there things really took off. Within a few short years, I had the opportunity to write my first book and eventually welcome more than 500 budding and established growers and designers to learn with us on our tiny 2-acre farm.

Over the next few years, our small family operation grew and we started a seed company, built an amazing little team, were fortunate enough to find our forever farm, wrote two more books, and transitioned our on-farm workshops online.

I can so easily trace each one of these blessings back to the moment I received that life-changing email. You never know just how much sharing with another person can completely change their life.

I have tried my best to infuse Ariella’s generous legacy into everything we do and our scholarship program is my very favorite way of paying it forward.

Next Tuesday, September 14, we will be opening up applications for our scholarship program. This is our 9th anniversary of both teaching the Floret workshop and offering scholarships.

I am so excited that we will be awarding 12 seats, our most ever. Each recipient will receive full tuition to the 2022 Floret Online Workshop, plus a box of goodies from the farm.

If you’ve been dreaming of filling your life with more flowers, but the Floret workshop is out of reach, I highly encourage you to take the time and apply for one of our scholarships.

[limjaeseven]

Dandelions

Pairing: Yugyeom X Youngjae

Genre: Fluff, Smut

Word Count: 4,199

Summary: Flowers meant to a lot to Yugyeom, Youngjae made them special to him.

Warnings: Weird pacing, lingerie, implied smut, Yugjae being absolute cuties, cursing, mention of an emotional breakdown

Prompt(s): School is hard. It is less hard when you have someone to help out.

[a/n]: This fic is part of @got7writerscollective​‘s The Virgo Project. Applications for the net are open so check the pinned post of the blog if you wish to join the network

The wind was blowing in Yugyeom's face as he made his ways up the Arts buildings's steps on a warm spring afternoon. Making his way to the dance studio at the end off the hall, the ravenette passed the music room to hear the most beautiful voice he'd ever heard. 

Yugyeom froze in place as he processed the sound that flooded his ears. The soft melody of a piano accompanied the words as they made their way out of the room to Yugyeom. The voice, full and unimaginably warm, filled Yugyeom's body with such hope that his heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. Turning quietly in the direction of the room, he peeked into the music room.

The softest brown hair, the prettiest heart shaped smile, the finest fingers, the brightest eyes that Yugyeom had ever seen filled his senses as he stared at the boy sitting in front of the grand piano in the music room. His forehead clear of worry as he looked down as the sheet in front of him and played the instrument with expertise made Yugyeom mesmerised. 

But the ravenette was soon pulled out of his haze as the music abruptly stopped. He looked up to see the boy looking back at him, his eyes blown wide, almost as if he was a scared. Yugyeom composed himself and cleared his throat awkwardly, reaching one hand up the scratch at the back of his neck. 

"Do you always sneak around to creepily watch people?" The boy at the keyboard broke the silence first, his comment making Yugyeom's ears redden. 

"You sing really well, I was just heading to the dance studio and stopped to listen" Yugyeom tried hard not to stutter but it was hard with the most beautiful man he had ever seen in his life in front of him. The man stood up to walk to Yugyeom, stopping in front of him and extending his hand.

"Choi Youngjae" Yugyeom hesitantly took the man's hand, smiling back brightly as he slowly felt himself relax into the touch. He introduced himself before remembering that he was running late for class. Shouting a small apology, the ravenette ran across the hall to enter the practise room just in time.

When he finishes, the music room is empty, save for a small note pasted on the piano lid. Yugyeom saw his name written in a pretty handwriting on the front as he peeled the small bit of tape carefully. 

Choi Youngjae had left his number for Yugyeom to find, hoping he would come back to search for him. The younger felt his heart skip a beat when he saw Youngjae's number and 'go on a date with me?' scrawled cutely on the piece of paper.

Yugyeom ended up staring at the piece of paper for hours before he could muster up the courage to actually text Youngjae. He retyped the message a million times before settling on 'hey it's Yugyeom' before sending it and throwing his phone across the bed so that he wouldn't stress over the boy replying.

After forcing himself to wash the dishes that had been piling up in the sink of the apartment Yugyeom shared with his childhood best friend Bambam, he finally heard the notification bell of his phone go off, and Yugyeom would never admit it but he almost leapt over his bed to grab his phone and see if the brunette had replied.

The conversation started slow at first, going over the basic 'what's up's and 'how's life's, but soon both boys realised they had a lot more in common than they had originally expected. From their love of music to their weird obsession with MasterChef, the two boys ended up spending an hour texting before Youngjae called Yugyeom on the phone.

Yugyeom almost had a mini heart attack as he felt his phone vibrate in his hands, Youngjae's contact popping up on the screen. The younger mumbled a shy hello which was met with bubbling laughter from Youngjae's end who didn't hide the fact that he found Yugyeom cute, much to the younger's dismay, who wanted to portray a more "sexy" appearance, not so different from that of his cousin's boyfriend Jaebeom. 

After hours of talking about seemingly everything but at the same time what felt like absolutely nothing, Yugyeom looked at his window to see the first rays of the sun peak through his sheer curtains, signaling dawn. Fortunately for both the young men, they had their day off so they bid each other good night, or rather morning with the promise of meeting for lunch at a local restaurant. When enquired if it was meant to be a date, Youngjae merely chuckled and told the younger to get some sleep.

Not more than six hours later, Yugyeom was up on his feet, walking impatiently across the small flat, much to Bambam's dismay, who usually slept till late afternoon on off days. The ravenette spent an ungodly amount of time trying to pick an outfit and in the end settled for a pair of black skinny jeans that really accentuated his long dancer legs, a black and white checkered shirt and a pair of lace up boots that he may or may not have stolen from Bambam's closet.

The anticipation led him to reach the restaurant ten minutes before the time they had agreed to meet up, so he took the liberty of picking a table for him, distracting himself for just a few moments. Yugyeom selected a small table next to a large floor to ceiling window which let the sunlight fill the room with an almost angelic feeling, similar to how he felt when he first met Youngjae. 

The older man arrived five minutes late and proceeded to apologise profusely for his tardiness to which Yugyeom just laughed at his cuteness and signalled the waiter to their table. After catching Youngjae trying to pick the cheapest thing on the menu, Yugyeom insisted that the older pick what he really liked, and that the ravenette would pay for the meal, for it was a date after all.

The comment caught Youngjae off guard, which gave Yugyeom enough time to figure out what Youngjae had originally wanted to order and asked for it himself. The elder slapped the boy's arm which just made both of them laugh out loud, a bit misplaced in the slightly posh environment but Yugyeom absolutely loved it.

"I never said it was a date," Said Youngjae with an adorable pout, making the butterflies and the sudden urge to kiss the elder resurface in him. 

"Well I'm saying it is, any objections?" To which Youngjae didn't say anything because he knew he was just playing around with the younger. Their food arrived in the midst of their conversation about the best seasons of MasterChef America and it was eaten and plates taken away without the two men ever realising, their eyes locked onto each other. 

Yugyeom did end up paying for the meal, not that he really minded, being lucky enough to come from a well off family with parents who gave him generous allowances. Youngjae on the other hand came from a small village, where his family worked as farmers and couldn't pay for his college tuition so Youngjae had to earn his scholarship on his own, making him very careful about money. 

Yugyeom and Youngjae's relationship bloomed in the summer of the year that they met, first becoming inseparable friends before the love dyed itself into the fabric of their relationship. They learned small things about each other along the way, like how Youngjae loved to sing while doing almost anything, his brows furrowed in concentration as his lips formed the words of the song.

Youngjae on the other hand learned about his boyfriend's love for flowers, noticing it first with the four flower vases in the man's house. He made it a habit to buy his boyfriend a singe flower every day, a gesture that Yugyeom blushed at profusely the first time but grew to love, anticipating the type of flower he would receive every coming day.

On their third month anniversary, one that Yugyeom found rather unnecessary to celebrate, Youngjae took the man on a date which entailed driving for almost two hours, much to Yugyeom's dismay, who was dying of anticipation since he had no idea where his boyfriend was taking him. After jamming to rather suggestive music that Yugyeom seemed to have an obsession with, they arrived at their destination, which was more like an empty road on the countryside but Youngjae said they had reached so Yugyeom got out of the car.

In front of the ravenette was acres of yellow flowers that never seemed to end. As far his eyes could see, small, bright bursts of sunlight sat on top of the greenery, making the place look almost as if it was a picture of heaven, not the earth that Yugyeom inhabited. Youngjae laced his fingers with his boyfriend's and led him through the small gaps between the massive patches of flowers to a clearing somewhere in the middle, far away from civilization and surrounded by nature.

In the clearing was a red checkered blanket and a basket full of Yugyeom's favourite food, including an iced choco which was suspiciously cold. Both of them settled on the ground, enjoying the environment around them, the bright sun and quiet atmosphere having its own charm.

"Dandelions," Youngjae said "I've read somewhere that dandelions signify wishes and having them fulfilled. I had wished when I was young to meet a person who stole my heart and cared for it, instead of breaking it. I know it's really early for us, but I have a feeling that I've gotten my wish." Yugyeom had tried to keep his composure and not act too surprised at the statement but the way he choked on his drink and his ears went red made Youngjae burst out laughing and made Yugyeom wonder if he's actually fallen in love with an angel.

Things were going great till finals season rolled around. Yugyeom's degree had required a compulsory English course and if there was one thing Yugyeom knew for sure about himself it was that he was absolutely terrible at English. Yugyeom spent hours pouring over a Korean to English dictionary and his notes but nothing made sense to him, the words floating in his mind with no meaning to hold them together.

After four days of locking himself in his bedroom and three days of not charging his phone, the sounds of someone harshly knocking on his door woke him up from the restless sleep he had fallen into on his study table.

"What is it, Bam?" Yugyeom shouted, annoyed. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, trying to get rid of the sleep that still lingered in them before harshly opening the door to see a very angry looking Youngjae, along with his cousin Jinyoung standing in front of him.

The two men pushed the door wide open and sat down on the younger's bed, looking extremely displeased at the energy bar wrappers and empty take out boxes littered amongst stacks of paper in the ravenette's room. Yugyeom looked at them guiltily, hanging his head. Jinyoung was about to say something when his phone started ringing loudly. The man gave Yugyeom a dirty look before excusing himself to pick up the call.

"What the hell is this, Yugyeom? I've been trying to contact you for days and you seemingly drop off the face of the earth. I tried to contact Bambam but he was out of town visiting his parents and I was so worried about you! I showed up here twice but you never opened the front door! I went to Jaebeom hyung as a last resort and Jinyoung hyung mentioned having a pair of keys to your apartment and I dragged him immediately to meet you. What do you think you're doing?" Youngjae, usually the sweet angel who never got mad at Yugyeom, was fuming as he shouted at his boyfriend.

Yugyeom looked at the way his boyfriend stood there, pointing a finger at him and shouting, but he didn't hear a word he said. It was as if his brain had shut off as it slowly processed what was happening. He had spent four days trying to study for his exams but he knew nothing, and it wasn't him being pessimistic, he really had no idea what the words written on the paper meant, he had no idea how he was going to make it through the paper. He couldn't fail, his parents didn't spend so much money to send him to one of the most prestigious colleges in the country for him to fail at something as simple as English.

It felt like the world came crashing around Yugyeom, all over an exam he couldn't fail if he didn't want to repeat the course next semester. It was just the fact that Yugyeom had never failed at anything in life, yes, he was from quite a privileged family but it wasn't like he didn't face any hardships in life, and for those that he did, he always worked hard and got through it and for the first time it felt like nothing would get him though this. He suddenly felt his legs give out under him as he fell to his knees, face hidden in his palms, shoulders shaking from the choked sobs that left his lips.

"....gyeom, Yugyeom, Yugyeom baby can you hear me?" Youngjae ran to his boyfriend as he saw him collapse onto the floor, kneeling in front of him and shaking him vigorously to get him back to his sense. Yugyeom snapped out of his haze as he heard Youngjae calling his name. His head shot up to look at the brunette, the tears only streaming down faster as his boyfriend pulled him in for a tight hug and he nuzzled his face in the elder's shoulder.

"It's okay, baby, it's okay" Youngjae kept chanting, rocking Yugyeom back and forth. Guilt welled in Youngjae's heart, blaming himself for getting too angry at his boyfriend. He shouldn't have shouted so loudly, he shouldn't have been so harsh, thought Youngjae. His head kept finding more reasons to blame himself for his boyfriend's current state before his train of thought broke when Jinyoung stepped in to see the two men sitting on the floor, clinging tightly onto each other.

It took awhile for Yugyeom to calm down and clear his head. Jinyoung brought him a glass of water which he chugged harshly, almost getting some of it in his windpipe. After a round of cuddling in silence, Yugyeom started feeling more like himself. Once he could speak without bursting into tears, he explained everything to the two men, half expecting them to judge him for having a breakdown over something so petty.

Much to his surprise, Youngjae just hugged him tightly, while Jinyoung opted to pet his hair and reassure that it's alright to feel stressed over his work. Yugyeom had always been someone who strived for perfection, it showed in his dancing, and sometimes when things didn't work out, he could get stressed and that was okay, Jinyoung told him. 

Jaebeom showed up after a while, mainly to check on Yugyeom and pick Jinyoung up to go back home. Youngjae ran to give his friend a hug, the brunette had always considered the man to be like his own older brother, having had lived as roommates in Youngjae's freshman year of college. The elder also told Yugyeom to accept that he was stressed about the exam and work to get through it, and that he would always love and support him, regardless of what happened in the future. 

Once the couple left Yugyeom's apartment, Youngjae lingered, cooking some dinner that they had on the living room couch together, sitting at either end and playing footsie while the TV played in the background, not that either of them paid any attention to it. Just as Youngjae was about to tuck Yugyeom in and leave, the younger held onto the brunette's wrist and asked him to sat, and Youngjae obliged.

"I'm sorry, gyeom, I didn't mean to shout at you, I was really worried" Yugyeom pressed his lips on to his boyfriend's instead of answering him at first, but that wasn't a good enough response to Youngjae, who proceeded to pull away, much to Yugyeom's dismay.

"What I did was pretty reckless and shitty hyung. I could have let you know that I had an exam coming up, or that I was busy. Ghosting you was wrong, I'm the one who should be sorry" Youngjae just shook his head and pressed a soft kiss to his boyfriend's forehead. 

"Oh also, if you're struggling with English you could have asked me, I did the same course last semester and topped the batch" Youngjae said casually, earning a harsh slap across his arm. The elder just chuckled and pulled Yugyeom close but the ravenette was mad and so he pushed himself away from Youngjae and sat up.

"Why couldn't you have told me this earlier? I spent four days trying to figure out what a single paragraph meant!" Yugyeom slapped Youngjae's arm again when the older started laughing uncontrollably but stopped when he saw his boyfriend pout. 

"You never asked, Gyeomie. This is why we talk to each other, communicate, you know? Anyways, don't worry, I'll help you pass the exam" Youngjae kept that promise well, he spent the next week tutoring Yugyeom, who was able to understand enough to pass the test just two days in. They would have finished preparing for the exam earlier but Yugyeom kept getting distracted by Youngjae's lips, by how cute they looked when he spoke English, and kept trying to steal kisses from the elder. 

By the end of the week Youngjae was so frustrated of ending up in bed at the end of the evening instead of finishing Yugyeom's studies that he decided to use it to his advantage. On the day before Yugyeom's exam, Youngjae arrived at his place in a long coat tied tightly around his waist. Noticing Yugyeom's questioning gaze over the outfit since it was still warm for thick coats, Youngjae opened the tie at the front to reveal the outfit he had bought from the mall the night before. 

Soft yellow fabric covered his waist and legs in the form of a pair of lacy panties, a silky garter belt and sheer thigh highs. Youngjae had paired the ensemble with a cropped top, again in Yugyeom's favourite colour, yellow. Youngjae could visibly see the way Yugyeom swallowed harshly, stepping closer to touch the elder but instead had his hands slapped away before Youngjae discarded the robe and moved to sit down at Yugyeom's desk.

"Pass your test tomorrow, and you get to fuck me in this; don't and I throw this away immediately, it would be a pity but that's the deal" Yugyeom struggled to pay attention to his studies that night but Youngjae's proposition had left the younger hungry and motivated to do well at his exam, if not just to get the opportunity to see his boyfriend come undone all dolled up in the lingerie.

Yugyeom thought he did pretty well at his test, but it turned out that he didn't just to well, he topped his batch. The ravenette, overjoyed at the result, snapped a picture of his rank and sent it to his boyfriend. He put his phone back into his pocket, not having the time to wait for a reply since he was getting late for his next class.

By the time Yugyeom was done with his classes and arrived back at his apartment he was beyond exhausted. He opened the door to see Bambam watching RuPaul's drag race.  The elder shouted a hello and Yugyeom responded with a small wave before heading to his room. The scream that followed the sound of Yugyeom's bedroom door opening made Bambam rush to see what was going on, only to see Youngjae sitting on his roommates bed in lingerie.

"My eyes!" Bambam screamed, which made Yugyeom snap out of his haze. Realising that his best friend had just seen his scantily clad boyfriend, the younger pushed Bambam out of his room and locked the door before turning back to see Youngjae walking slowly towards him.

"My baby did so well, didn't he? Well I had a promise to keep so here I am. What do you think?" Youngjae twirled around to let Yugyeom get a good view of his outfit. The younger pulled his boyfriend in for a rough kiss, pulling one moan after the other from the elder.

It didn't take long for the two men to end up in bed and one intense round of sex later, the two basked in the afterglow of their orgasms, cuddling close. One traumatised Bambam aside, Yugyeom was in seventh heaven, he was doing well with his studies, he met the love of his life and sex was incredible.

Life unfortunately was not easy for either of them after that day. There were ups, but there were just as many downs in their life, in their relationship, in their studies and it was a struggle to get through the day sometimes but regardless of what happened, they were always by each other's side, helping them cross the finish line, one day at a time. 

Then came a day, it was in the middle of fall, four years into their relationship, both having graduated from college and living together in their own little apartment, when a visitor dropped by their house out of nowhere.

Yugyeom opened the door, seeing a man standing in front of him, asking for Youngjae. Calling his boyfriend from his bedroom, the elder emerged to see the man at the door and freeze, his jaw dropped open. Just as Yugyeom was about to ask the man what was wrong, Youngjae ran across to hug the stranger tightly, wrapping his hands tightly around his neck and laughing loudly.

"Yugyeom, this is Younghyun, but I call him Brian. He was my childhood best friend but left Mokpo in highschool to study in Canada!" Youngjae explained excitedly while Younghyung whined about being called Brian, which apparently the man hated. 

Yugyeom hated to assume things but seeing how close the two were and how much skinship they shared, Yugyeom couldn't help but feel jealous of Younghyun. The man was incredibly handsome and witty, making Youngjae burst into his iconic laugh every five minutes or so. Yugyeom could feel his blood boiling, as hard as he tried to control it. 

Younghyun had made all the insecurities that Yugyeom carried in his heart, resurface. Being with Youngjae wasn't easy, the elder was sweet and well loved by all. Yugyeom had often spent hours wondering why Youngjae had chosen him out of all the people that would have killed to date the man. 

Yugyeom knew he was madly in love with his boyfriend, they had confessed their true feelings towards each other six months prior but sitting there, across from his boyfriend and his best friend as they chatted happily, Yugyeom felt like he was missing something, almost like a physical sign to bound them together. They were too young to get married but Yugyeom still wanted to show Youngjae that he was going to be there forever. 

So, exactly four months after the day Yugyeom had his epiphany when he met Younghyun, on the day of their fifth anniversary, Yugyeom dragged his boyfriend to the local tattoo parlor where Jaebeom worked. He begged the elder to accompany him for moral support for getting his first tattoo.

Yugyeom wanted Youngjae to be there with him but refused to reveal the design he had asked Jaebeom to draw for him till it was complete. After hours of waiting and a lot of pain, it was done, and Yugyeom loved it. He hugged Jaebeom tightly and thanked him for his wonderful work before turning to Youngjae.

The younger turned to the side to show off his rib cage which now has a beautiful flower inked on it. It was harsh and masculine with its sharp geometric style but still radiated the soft beauty that the elder associated with his boyfriend.

"Dandelions, " Yugyeom said, "You told me they have to do with having your wishes fulfilled, but they also stand for surviving through all challenges and difficulties, hyung. The last five years have been the happiest times of my life and I never want to get go of that, of you. This here, is my love for you and what you've given me, inked to my body. I love you hyung, more than you'll ever realise" Youngjae pulled the younger in for a deep kiss, tears running down his cheeks at the devotion the younger displayed for their love. It may not be perfect, but it was theirs and that made it perfect.

[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #456

Top Ten Fictional Birds

So this week it was Thanksgiving in the States, and as I couldn’t think of anything else to do – and because I spent far too long last night trying to find the ingredients for Turkey Day recipes on Animal Crossing: New Horizons – I thought I’d list favourite birds. Yes, that’s right, it’s another of my “thrown together at the last minute” lists, but what do you want from me? I’m a busy man.

So, yeah, a list of my favourite fictional birds. No double entendre this time, it’s literally a list of fictional fowls.  And let’s get this out of the way right at the start and say a phenomenal number of these are ducks. I mean, what’s up with that? Why does the world of fiction have a duck fetish? Also, not a single chicken. I’m as shocked as you are. Especially as this means I’ve not included the chicken from Return to Oz, who as we all know is the Best Chicken. I’ve done my best, too, not to just list every single bird from every single Disney film, and I thought long and hard about the Duck family, deciding in the end to limit the list to only one member of said clan. The elder statesman has pipped his nephew to the post, as you will see.

Anyway, no further ado, let’s see which of these mighty ducks tops the bill.

Sorry.

Daffy Duck (Looney Tunes, from 1937): one of the greatest madcap comic characters of all time, a whirlwind of mania and chaos. From fighting animators to deciding if it’s “duck season” or “wabbit season” to duelling pianos with Donald Duck, he’s supremely iconic.

Scrooge McDuck (various Disney stories, from 1947): his comics are truly fantastic and I've hardly read any of them, his Christmas Carol is a brill interpretation, but really this is all for Duck Tales, a big fun adventure series that helped define my youth. Sarky, kinda greedy, but also a lovely father figure, grumpy with a heart of gold.

Owl (Winnie-the-Pooh stories, from 1926): one of the great comic idiot-geniuses, a smarmy know-it-all who in reality knows nothing. Like many Milne creations, works on two levels, a funny “wise old owl” for the kids, but adults see the pompous buffoon they recognise from a million real-world interactions.

Big Bird (Sesame Street, from 1969): almost a childlike Mr Rogers in avian form, Big Bird is a huge lolloping man-sized toddler who somehow is never scary. Intensely friendly and comforting, a reassuring presence whether you can look him in the beak or not. Also did a funny bit on The West Wing.

Count Duckula (Danger Mouse and Count Duckula series, from 1982): not gonna lie, my favourite vampire. I'm also cheating a bit here because really there are two Duckulas (reboots notwithstanding): the more-or-less villainous vampire from Danger Mouse, and the vegetarian from his own show. But both of them are preening, vain, fame-obsessed narcissists; although I think the latter is better, a classic British sitcom star, undone both by his own flaws and the idiots he surrounds himself with.

Iago (Aladdin, 1992): in retrospect its crazy that Gilbert Gottfried ended up in a Disney movie (several! And a TV show!), but Iago is almost the equal of his Shakespearean namesake. Gruff, sarcastic, constantly angry; he’s a delight as a villainous sidekick. Even when he does a “face turn” (am I using that term correctly? I’ve never really been into wrestling) he retains his comic miserableness.

Howard the Duck (Marvel comics and movies, from 1973): look, I'll go to bat for the creepy movie, at least on behalf of eight-year-old David, coz I loved that when I was a kid. But really this is  for the comic character, another grumpy duck who’s kinda on the make but also kinda just wants a simple life. To my shame, I've hardly read any of the older, filthier comics either.

The Horrible Goose (Untitled Goose Game, 2019): oh, he’s just beautiful isn't he? A creation of pure comic malevolence, a force of sheer shittiness. The fact that it’s you doing this – that you are that goose – is what makes it all the more compelling. Plus, he looks great doesn’t he? With his tiny emotionless eyes.

Mr. Ping (Kung Fu Panda trilogy, 2008-2016): another feathery father figure, Mr. Ping is great. A lovely goose this time, all he wants is to stuff people with noodles and dough balls! He took in Po as a baby and looked after him, becoming his father despite the fact that he was a huge-ass and very greedy panda. Although all he wants is his son to follow in his footsteps, he is totally supportive Po’s Dragon Warrior-ness.

Wade (Orson’s Farm/US Acres, 1986-89; Garfield and Friends, 1988-94): Wade is great; I mean, he’s a duck that’s scared of water. He's got a great design, with his stupid rubber ring – which has what looks like his own head attached to it. Utterly terrified of everything to a comic degree, he’s a delight, and Howard Morris’ voice in the cartoon is perfect.

[supposed2bfunny]

2doc Week Day 3-AU

Rating-T

Warnings: Just tooth-rotting fluff. Seriously, consult your dentist. 

In case y’all haven’t noticed, I’m obsessed with @trashfrog99‘s Fallen Angel AU. One day I’ll write about the other characters in it, but I have a soft spot for these two idiots in particular <3

“I’m back!” Stuart exclaimed in a sing-song voice, bursting in through the back door of his home, arms filled with flowers. Hell had a lot of red skies and barren trees, but once a year, it also gave bloom to flowers so beautiful that even demons, usually cool and blasé, worked themselves into a frenzy to collect them. One of the perks of having the forest to himself was that Stuart had learned the best places to search for the flowers over the years, and every time they came into bloom, he could collect dozens of them, filling his home with their heady scent and delicate colors, feeling absolutely luxurious.

Murdoc approached with a vase in hand, ready to help the demon display his beautiful prize. “Let me smell,” he requested.

“Uh-uh!” Stuart pulled them out of the angel’s reach, and easy feat given their height difference. “Not until I get a kiss!”

Murdoc rolled his eyes but obeyed, leaning up and meeting his lover’s mouth with a soft smile, making the demon’s tail twitch back and forth in excitement.

When the angel finally pulled back, he was rewarded with a large bouquet. The flowers were unlike any he had ever encountered in heaven; their petals were small and flecked with black and white shapes that almost seemed to form constellations, and they ranged in color from red to a deep, royal purple. “Beautiful,” he murmured. “Where did you go to find so many?”

“There’s a meadow way over on the edge of the forest,” Stuart explained, handing over another fistful of flowers for the angel to arrange while he set about finding another vase or jar for their remaining bounty. “It’s almost on the edge of our town, where the mountains begin. It’s a long journey to make, but since I can fly so fast, it wasn’t too much trouble to find it. Some jerks are probably selling these flowers in the village right now for ridiculously high prices, but I can pluck as many as I want for free! Perks of being an outcast, I suppose.”

“It must be nice to be able to travel so quickly,” Murdoc said, setting the vase down on a coffee table that he had recently assembled in their living room. “Sometimes I miss being able to fly.”

There was a wistfulness to his tone, and Stuart turned, frowning. Murdoc caught him staring and quickly schooled his face into something more neutral. “It’s fine though,” he continued quickly. “I have you to take care of me. I don’t need to anymore.”

The demon strode over, placing a finger under the angel’s chin and tilting his face up to look into his eyes. Murdoc’s gaze slid sideways, too uncomfortable to hold the demon’s eyes for more than a second.

Murdoc looked good, Stuart reflected. It had been almost a year since he’d managed to get his spells and his enchantments just right, to ultimately master enough dark magic to heal Murdoc of the wounds inflicted upon him in Heaven. Though the angel continued to suffer nightmares and post traumatic stress from his days of torture, his bruises, gashes, and burns had finally disappeared from his body, freeing him from chronic pain. He had more energy and was faster and stronger now, happy to accompany Stuart into the forest for long walks, even to help repair the outside of their home (he’d looked damn good wiping sweat off his brow as he worked). Since he no longer bled all the time, he had finally allowed Stuart to buy him some quality clothes: a pair of trousers that didn’t drag through the dirt when he walked, soft moccasins for his feet, a plush shirt and a robe to replace the tattered one he came to Hell in, though he’d had to alter the clothing to allow for the angel’s wings—much larger than a demon’s—to fit through the back.

Frankly, he looked like a different person from when he’d first collapsed into Stuart’s arms. One reminder of his rebellion in Heaven remained: his wings had stayed black even through all the spells Stuart had cast, and he would clearly never fly again. It had never occurred to the demon that this was something that might upset him, but now it was clear that just because Murdoc didn’t say something didn’t mean he wasn’t feeling resentment.

“Murdoc, sweet thing, have I upset you?”

“No,” he answered quickly, jerking out of the angel’s grip. “Not at all. Forget it. I was just thinking out loud.”

“I take for granted the fact that you can’t fly,” the demon admitted. “I’ve never known you any other way. I hope I don’t make you jealous when I do.”

“You don’t! Just drop it, Stu, it’s stupid.”

Stuart watched the angel return to arranging flowers in a vase, clearly agitated. It felt wrong to just drop the conversation when the smaller man was clearly unhappy.

“I know! Why don’t I take you up into the sky with me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m being serious. It’s no trouble for me to carry you; I’ve done it a million times,” he smirked just slightly when he said it, catching the color that rose to the angel’s cheeks. Murdoc hated being vulnerable, but in their time together, Stuart had carried him more times than he could count. “So let me take you up over the treetops. We don’t have to go too high if you don’t want. Just to give you a taste of what it’s like. You’ve never seen Hell from up in the sky: it can be so beautiful! C’mon, let’s go! Please?”

Murdoc crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. As hard as he was trying to look stern, it looked more like a pout to the demon. An attempt to put up a fight because Murdoc was as strong-willed as they came. But when he saw how excited Stuart was, the stiffness melted from his shoulders and he nodded. “Only if it’ll make you happy.”

“It will!” he practically shouted, holding out his arms. “Can I carry you now, please?”

A final eye roll and the angel agreed, hooking an arm around Stuart’s shoulders as the demon effortlessly scooped him up and pushed open the door, fluttering his wings to prepare for another takeoff.

“I’m going to fly now, okay? If you get scared or want me to put you down at any point, just let me know, got it?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, pressing close to the demon, his body language conveying the apprehension that he refused to let show on his face.

With that, Stuart pushed off the ground, his wings opening up and catching the wind with ease. He shot up over the treetops in a matter of seconds, trying to move slower than usual: he had no idea whether or not angels typically flew as fast as he did. The second Stuart stopped ascending and leveled out, Murdoc’s grip around him tightened.

“You okay?”

“Yes…” he ventured, slowly pulling back off of Stuart’s shoulder to look down.

The demon half expected him to panic, to start yelling—or worse, thrashing—and demand to be set back down on solid ground at once. Instead, he found Murdoc scanning the ground in fascination, then looking ahead.

“It’s beautiful.”

“I told you! You like it?”

“Where is the village from here? Is this as fast as you can fly? Can you show me the meadow too, or will you get too tired?”

Stuart beamed, thrilled that Murdoc was open to traveling with him. Turning around, he brought them back around towards the village where the sloped rooftops looked like dollhouses down below.

The next stop was the meadow, and, because he insisted on flying at top speed to show off how strong he was, Stuart did find himself slowing down, needing to regain his strength as the trees began to thin out, making way for the grassland where the flowers were in full bloom. He paused, just above the field, looking down at the acres and acres of vibrant flowers spread before them like an iridescent sea.

“I’ve missed this feeling of freedom,” Murdoc confessed, holding Stuart’s shoulders tight. “Thank you for bringing me up.”

“It’s my pleasure really,” he replied. “I miss you sometimes when I run errands for us. Nice to have company out here in the clouds. And well…it’s really nice to share this view with somebody. It’s been my little secret for years. Now it’s our secret, Murdoc.”

He smiled, fingertips running over the demon’s lips fondly. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I thought I’d never feel this thrill again with my wings being…well, broken.”

“Murdoc,” the demon waited for his lover to meet his eyes as he spoke, “you’re allowed to rely on me, you know. It doesn’t mean you’re broken. We are equals and it’s my pleasure to be able to bond with you like this. Let me be your wings from now on.”

He smiled then, a smile that he hoped was as suave and charming as he felt. The look must have worked, because Murdoc’s face flushed as he looked at the demon.

“Marry me,” he said quietly, and for just a moment, Stuart almost dropped him in surprise.

“Hey!” the angel screeched, feeling the secure grip around him starting to loosen, his hands latching onto the demon's suspenders in panic.

“Ah, sorry!” he exclaimed, holding the angel tighter than ever and descending down into the field to be safe. “I’m just tired! I need a moment to rest my wings!”

They landed and he set the angel down, observing the deep blush on his face. Murdoc busied himself with collecting some more flowers, selecting some that were in full bloom and others that were still budding, presumably so they could bloom in their house back in the woods over the course of several days.

“Hey um, Murdoc? Did you mean what you said just now, or were you just…er…emotional? Y’know, it’s been a while since you’ve been up in the air and—”

“No, I meant it, Stuart,” he interrupted, looking over his shoulder, continuing to shuffle away from the demon in clear embarrassment.

“I would love that,” he confessed, clapping his hands together in excitement, heart pounding in his chest so fast it almost hurt. “Did you seriously just ask me to marry you?! Can we? Can we get married? I didn’t know that was an option!”

Murdoc covered his face and nodded. “I, um, yeah, we can. If you want that too then…I guess we can make it uh, official. Sorry, I’m bad at this.”

“I’ll say,” he answered, his exhaustion forgotten as he began flying around the field, darting left, then right, selecting the most beautiful flowers he could find. “Let me handle this. I’m a natural!”

Returning to the angel’s side, he tucked a flower into the buttonhole of his shirt, another in his hair. Then he tugged the flushed and embarrassed Murdoc closer, placing a few flowers in his hair as well. Practically trembling with nervous excitement, he slipped down onto one knee, taking the angel’s hand in both of his own.

“Let’s make this official then,” he murmured, and he was mortified that his voice was trembling. When had his hands started shaking? “Will you be my husband, Murdoc?”

Murdoc laughed then, a soft, gentle noise that Stuart almost never got to hear. “Yes, you already know the answer, idiot! I want you to be my husband too!”

“Wonderful!” he shot up, pulling the angel into a tight hug. “Let’s get married!”

“I didn’t know demons did that,” Murdoc giggled into his shoulder. “I was too scared to ask.”

“I spent so much of my life thinking I was unlucky,” Stuart murmured, kissing the dark hair that brushed against his face. “I was always so alone, I felt like a failure. I thought I couldn’t do anything right. Now I see: all those trials made me strong. Now I’m the luckiest man alive!”

“Kiss me already, you handsome devil,” Murdoc ordered, pulling back just enough to cup the demon’s face in both hands. “I love you, you know.”

Stuart could only sigh dreamily as Murdoc kissed him, kissed him until he forgot where he was, till he lost all track of time. When they finally pulled apart, out of breath and lightheaded, the demon could only ruffle the angel’s hair.

“I should have taken you up for a fly long ago,” he said with a grin.

Murdoc removed one of the flowers from his hair and smacked him with it, but the warmth in his eyes belied his amusement. “Stop being silly, and get us back into town. We need to pick out rings.”

“You’re right,” Stuart agreed. “We have a lot of planning ahead of us.”

“Sounds like a lot of work,” Murdoc commented, pretending to look daunted by the task ahead.

“Maybe we should procrastinate a bit, waste some time before we have to do all that.”

“We could kiss some more?” Murdoc suggested.

“Excellent idea, my little angel! This is exactly why I’m marrying you,” he replied, laughing when Murdoc sprang forward, silencing any more snarky comments with a searing kiss.