#the only option you see is rumors. so you choose it. i say this. then the rumors option is grayed out.

[schisms]

i don’t get all the fuss about häagen-dazs. it’s not even that good

[opalite-curiosities]

Tkatb theories-

A/n: I normally don't post my thoughts on things because I'm nervous but I couldn't help it. I really enjoyed the update and wanted to know if anyone was theorizing like I was 😅. Hope my slightly organized ranting is enjoyable.

Also slight spoilers for the update/rewrite

Crowe-

Marie antoinette

1.a- forms a scenario about the queen and the MC being friends while they write their essays

1.b- Light is absent from his eyes as he asks and listens to their answers

1.c- Emphasis on Tyrant

There is obviously more to this scenario than meets the eye. Automatically it seems like hes talking about his family, as Dyrel mentions he doesn’t seem to get along with his family. The only family that is mentioned (by Dyrel) is his mother. She is a highly successful business woman and it’s likely that Crowe lives with her on the other side of the city.

Given how he frames the scenario, it’s likely his mother was similar to the queen. In this case the role MC plays would actually be Crowe. Saying that the queen gave them gifts and invited them to parties. likely reflects what his childhood was like. Business parties with the higher class or lower class, along with his mother likely giving him anything. The second half of the scenario may take place in his later years. As a child he probably had an idolized image of his mum. Given her success and prowess, Crowe probably looked up to her in some way. However, that opens up the possibility for him seeing what she was or is really like.

This is where the second half of the scenario comes in where he asks the MC if they would believe the rumors or the queen. The answer matters a lot to him as it, without the MC’s knowledge, relates to his own personal experience. When picking the option of still trusting the queen, Crowe tears up. Despite quickly returning to his prior playful and light mood, it’s clear that the answer impacted him greatly. He also says that the MC is too trusting and is opening themselves up to potential danger. I feel like this is the option Crowe himself chose, to believe his mother. To trust in her and the version he knew as opposed to what he had heard. The danger he speaks of to the MC is probably the danger he found himself in.

Similar to how Geo’s family is involved in some way with the founders of the city, there's a possibility that Crowe’s mum was to and could be the reason for his deep hatred of the system. Her business may involve the city officials in some way and with the unrest within the city, it’s not a stretch to say the rumors about her were probably true. Crowe finding out about all of it probably made him begin to question his mother even if he so desperately wanted to believe her.

Eventually, they probably had a falling out. Whether Crowe started believing the rumors or saw what was happening for himself isn’t that important but it may change how severely his opinion changed. How old he was when this happened also no doubt played a role. The main thing is, he started seeing his mum in a different light, a more negative one. This is probably why he isn’t close with his family or at least his mother. It also could be a reason he and Geo are so close, as they both can relate to having family problems relating to the hierarchy.

At the end of day 2, when you choose to stay with the group, Crowe decides to leave after staying at the MC’s apartment to get out of the rain. As he’s leaving we get a photo of him almost glaring at his phone. He also says that she is back, possibly meaning his mother.

[breakyourrxles]

❥between two breaths (m) | 𝟚

𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝

↳ "Meeting" Sunwoo for a second time amuses you, but it is short-lived on account of the questions and conversation that find you afterwards.

kim sunwoo x fem!reader (side lee juyeon x reader) — idol!sunwoo, fan/trainee!reader. forced proximity, forbidden love, friends to lovers, angst, slow burn, idolverse-typical themes regarding; dating, image, public perception, etc. happy ending, plot-heavy!! reader thinks she's nonchalant about it but she rly isn't. smut. [4,5k wc ongoing] cws: heavy themes of wanting-but-can't-having, mild jealousy, explicit sexual content, a little alcohol consumption, dancing on the edge of career suicide, poor decision making because of The Wanting.

❥ masterlist | ao3

He says, "I'm already not allowed to date, and somehow, you have become the person I am barred from being involved with even more than that."

One thing you have learned by now, is that there is little point in attempting to argue down one of Sunwoo's schemes.

It isn't a good idea, and you know this all too well. Still, he has years of experience under his belt when it comes to navigating the intricacies of not only idol life, but also life as a trainee. Perhaps, in this one circumstance, he does know better after all.

The cafe is less spacious than you anticipated it being, but there's plenty of tables and chairs strewn about so that a rather sizable number of the staff within the company can comfortably enjoy their time here as they wait to head off to tend to their next task. It is decorated moderately in blue pastels and beige niceties so that the immaculately cared for white walls, floors and tables luster under the helping hands that watch over them. So much of this place, you find, feels barely lifeless; a cold ambiance of both the death of existences and the creation of them, intermingling as if they are intended to be lauded as one in the same.

And just like all of the rest, your past life has come to an end for the birth of a different one.

You choose a table near the glass doors that hang perpetually ajar, and though you don't plan to heed your potential escape, it's never bad to have the option.

Pleasantly, the pastry you have chosen tastes freshly baked and that comes as something of a surprise to you. Perhaps all of the rumors and stories of what life as a trainee is meant to entail have dug themselves deep into your mind, and now every step you take towards your goal feels as though it is a journey in attempting to check off all of the preconceived boxes of your torment along the way. Will it be earned if I do not suffer for it? you wonder, but eventually put the thought out of your mind in favor of dabbling in your decent-at-best drink.

The sound of giggles across the room piques your interest, and though you do not give it your full attention, your eyes cast upwards in an attempt to locate the place from which they have come. At a larger table further away, four of the other trainees are sitting and mingling amongst themselves, and though the possibility of your being on the edge of being outcast lingers somewhere in your mind, you choose not to allow it to fester more than it already must without due cause.

And as if waiting for the moment to strike—when your wits are not about you—a body throws itself abruptly into the only other chair stationed at your table. The new plate being brought upon it rattles, a plastic cup firmly pressed into what appears to be its new home.

"Hi."

Sunwoo is something of a cartoon character in the way that he casually dresses. Always oversized hoodies and loose fitting pants should he have the opportunity to clothe himself. Today is no different, though his hood is not pulled up to shield his face in the ways that you are most accustomed to seeing him now. His hair is a mess and he looks a little bit like he has only just rolled out of bed for the express purpose of finding you on this early morning: you aren't quite sure whether you're amused or bracing for the subsequent impact of it.

Leaning forward slightly, you eye him carefully and say, "Could you make any more of a scene?"

"I think we both know that I could." Sunwoo leans back, creates space between the two of you that you had only just depleted and says, "You can't talk to me like that, not here."

"Oh god, you're my—"

"That's right," he quips, smirking and all. "Anyway, let's get to it, I'm sure we have something of an audience already."

With his back towards the table of trainees, he isn't able to get a view of their behavior upon his arrival, but when you glance past his shoulder to survey the scene, you come to find that he very much is aware of the impact his being here is sure to bestow. One girl’s eyes catch yours in a brief encounter, and never intending to do so, she swiftly turns away to pretend she had never been prying at all.

"What's the play?" you whisper.

"Easy." Sunwoo crosses his arms over his chest, back still pressed into his chair and with posture so lazy you think he might just slide right out of it. Melting from the nonchalance of it all, as it would seem. "So, you made it in then, congratulations," he says, this time louder. Words that are not meant only for the two of you, though far from announced, either. "You know, I've always heard of stories like this happening, but never thought I'd be the one on the receiving end of it. Kind of trippy, huh?"

The pick-up on the play is a simple one, and suppose it is the best way to navigate the social complexities of the situation. The cat is out of the bag as far as your fandom involvement with Sunwoo prior to now is concerned, and should you both be able to breeze past that in a new and public social setting, then navigating back to a more friend-based one won't appear to be so strange to the people intent on putting their noses where they do not belong.

"I hope you're not put off by my being here," you say.

Sunwoo huffs out an abrupt laugh, as if what you've said is the most absurd thing for him to consider. 

"Hardly, I think it's fun. I never really got the vibe that you were one of… well, those fans, but it's typically better to address these sorts of things sooner rather than later." His hand juts out across the table and towards you, sits still within the space that resides between the both of your bodies. Finally, after many long moments of unsureness, you meet it with your own. "Kim Sunwoo, nice to meet you. For real, now."

"Yeah… nice to meet you."

"Rumor has it that you're a dancer, and probably a wicked good one if rumor is already going around. Hit me up if you need any help, I've got to stop putting so many hours into Valorant, it's literally rotting my brain."

You don't have much of an opportunity to reply, because Sunwoo is already back up to his feet in a whirlwind of movement and fabric. His chair remains pushed out from the table—neglecting to set it right—and as you watch him make his way towards the door to take his exit, he pauses, looks towards the trainees across the way, and wiggles his fingers at them in a sort of comical, greeting gesture.

This is either going to make things easier for you going forward, or just that much more difficult; unfortunately, only time will be able to tell.

As it would turn out, you only have to wait approximately three hours and for an incredibly boring presentation on media training basics to end, for you to find out.

You and seventeen other women all file out of the single doorway and into the hallway, and though Miyoung is the first to find you amongst the crowd, she is far from the last. Her soft hand finds your arm in a kind and welcoming gesture, but on the other arm is a slightly more firm one; a grip into the sweater you are wearing that signals that your attention is requested, and that opting out is not in your best interest, either.

"We want to talk to you."

The girl that says it has bleached hair that is dyed a dark, deep blue color. You and most of the others have not gone through any appearance-based alterations yet, which leads you to believe that she is one of the trainees in the frontrunning of debuting in the group that is planned out. You don't know her well and maybe have exchanged a handful of basic greetings in the past, but if your suspicions are true, then it is in your best interest to be cool and confident along your way; as well as make as few enemies as you possibly can manage.

The usage of we strikes you as odd at first, until you notice that a few other girls have begun to pool behind the one that has called to you. The same girls from the cafe earlier, and probably the same ones that Kaia had been referring to only the night before.

You're going to have to play this just right.

Nervousness creeps up your skin, because this is so far from the position that you really wish to be in right now. Things would be so much easier if no one had known about your previous involvement with the senior group—and even worse now—you have been spotted casually having a croissant with the idol that you used to be a fan of. Granted, it has all been above board; company building, company cafe, company pastry. Hardly anything worth calling a gaggle of onlookers about, you think.

Still, be strong.

"I'll talk to you." The words are firm when you say them, and though you glance at the other girls lingering around, your focus is the one girl who has come to you personally. "I know what this is about, and if you want to talk about it then we can talk, but it doesn't need to be a big production. There isn't really even anything to say."

Much to your surprise, she appears pleased by this. Her previously hard expression falls quite a bit, and a small smile perks up into the corners of her lips. Maybe this won't be so bad, after all.

"Okay. We can walk together then."

The rest of the girls reluctantly fall away and into the crowd that is still dispersing, and the two of you hang back so that you can make up the tail end of the squad. With this opportunity, you really take in the sight of her; tall and fierce looking, with narrow eyes that are blackened by eyeshadows and liners—hints of glitter to accentuate the finer points. A great deal of care and effort is already being put into her appearance, and as far as idol molds are concerned, she's the spitting image of tough and sexy. 

And once a good amount of space has been created between you and them, she nods towards the same direction and urges you to follow along with her.

"We've not properly met before, my name is Woori." Her bag is slung over her shoulder, and though the weight of it is apparent, she does her best to not appear to be struggling with it. "I know how this whole thing probably looks from the outside. From your position, I mean. But I want you to know, it's not as nefarious as it might look."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

Woori casts a doubtful glance your way and then says, "Sunwoo."

Her terseness has you nearly choking on your own breath.

Though you have the intention of responding, Woori's hand once again finds the sleeve of your sweater and the two of you stop in the middle of the hallway, allowing the group to disappear further down the way and leaving ample privacy meant only for this topic of conversation.

"There is something of a streamlined process to getting this group the company is forming ready for debut, and I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but there's a handful of girls that are already being shortlisted; myself included. You're also on that list, and though it isn't a guarantee, I'm not coming to you now about this in some attempt to sabotage your debut. It is, in fact, quite the opposite of that."

Her hand falls away slowly, and her eyes soften just that much more as she looks at you.

"I want us to debut together, and I couldn't care less what you did before now. What I care about is how serious you are about this, because there's a lot of girls who audition and even get in who were fans of some guy but don't actually have any intention of doing what it takes to get on that stage, and it's fine if you're not, but…" Woori trails off a bit, her eyes falling away from yours, and in that moment you can feel a kind of hurt emanating from her that speaks not of rumor, but of tangible personal experience.

She says, "I just don't want you to ruin it for the rest of us, you know? If you don't want to debut—not really—that's okay. Hell, I don't even knock the pursuit, but—"

"I do," you say, cutting her off. "I'm not here for him. I'm here for this. I'm here for us."

Thankfully, that's all it seems to take for Woori's expression to perk up, her features once again finding life within them. She smiles wide and pulls you in for a hug that you are not at all anticipating, but you are happy to reciprocate. This could have gone so, so much worse.

"Okay," she says. "I believe you. I wholeheartedly believe you. Besides, who learns to dance like that for some guy?"

The both of you share a laugh, and then carry on back down the hall.

In the following few weeks, practice is grueling and showing no signs of ever letting up. Woori's words to you—though never again reiterated—hang heavy in the forefront of your thoughts with every note you sing and sharpened dance you insist on perfecting. Acting, you have come to find, is definitely your weakest point. Even the rapping is somehow coming along better than having to pretend to be something or someone so far from what you are. Concepts have only been discussed in careless passing, and you hope that somewhere along the way, someone decides your personality to be charming enough to not require the work of maintaining an entirely reconstructed persona.

You think of Sunwoo.

The juxtaposition between idol and person can oftentimes feel as though it does not exist at all, and you suppose that that is precisely the fine-tuned aspect of it. One is not meant to be able to locate the line of demarcation between what is real, and what is not. Off stage, all of the markers of his stage persona still very much exist and are easily noted in his casual jokes and perplexing ability to flirt with anyone, or anything. He very much exists under the blinding lights and heavy makeup; dialed up to eleven and perpetually in hyperdrive.

Late on a Tuesday night and after scheduled practice has long since ended, you take yourself and hang back in the dance studio for far longer than what you had originally planned. Your thighs, back and shoulders ache; too much work and not enough rest have begun to take hold of your body and though you've been making time for meals, you must admit it has been far too long since the last.

Company cafe closed hours ago, a mistake you have unfortunately made before, which leaves little more to you than the convenience store across the street that is open at all hours of the day and night. You can't help but wonder how much of their bills get paid by the phantom figures of barely surviving trainees that pass through those doors and tonight—you will be one of them.

Your bag feels heavier than it normally does but you trudge along through the front doors of the company building regardless. The streets are dead, save for a handful of wandering folks and the occasional food delivery scooter quickly shooting by. The sound of men laughing amongst themselves echoes in the distance, though you can see the group of them shrouded in darkness down the way as they head towards you. Best to be on your way.

A single step is taken into the road, and before you have the opportunity to take another one, you hear one of them call your name.

You recognize the voice, but not your name coming from it. The footsteps come faster then, and as your head whips around back into their direction, one of them has already descended upon you with a heavy, sloppy arm slung around your shoulders.

"Let's speak English, okay?"

Eric is drunk and you can smell the alcohol on his breath. Your interactions with him prior to this very moment have been fleeting at best and on account of fansigns only. Casual, passing comments about his work and sports—things that he likes and enjoys discussing—before moving down the line and onto your next target. The fact that he remembers your name is nothing less than bizarre, that is, until the consideration of intoxication truly begins to take hold of you.

Oh dear.

"Why should we speak in English?"

"So most of them can't follow that well, and because Sunwoo is going to be annoyed that I said anything about it so I want to avoid that verbal lashing for as long as possible. So…"

Finally, you turn so that you can look at him. He's smiling, and it's kind of sinister in the way that people who know things that they shouldn't necessarily know, do.

"You and Sunwoo, huh?"

"Oh god," you groan. There's a meager attempt at removing yourself from Eric's drunken but insistent grasp, though you're not putting nearly as much effort into doing so as you could if you really wanted to. "What did he tell you?"

"Everything! Big mouth on that one once you get a few drinks in him. Besides, he's been positively beaming ever since you started coming around as a trainee. It was fairly obvious to pretty much everyone. Well, not Juyeon, but you know with that guy."

Relenting to Eric's clutches, you sigh and accept your fate. "I wouldn't really say me and Sunwoo, that sounds a little…"

"Hey, I get it! He's an idol, and now he's your senior. I think you'd be dumb to not have reservations, but you've already been seeing him before now so…"

The group is getting closer, and with Kevin and Jacob at the forefront of it, you want to end this conversation as quickly as possible. Thus, you grab the front of Eric's shirt, spin him so that his back is towards them and his head is obstructing their view of your mouth should any lip-reading hopefuls be scouting the scene.

"I don't know what he told you, or what you guys think was going on, but we were meeting as friends! Nothing ever—"

"Please don't kill him," Kevin says suddenly, piping up from the group that has now closed in on your location. "I know he's annoying, but we kind of need him around."

"Let's get you to bed, okay drunkie?" Jaehyun adds, moving the language spoken back into Korean.

Eric is pried from you by Jaehyun and Juyeon then gently carried off like an elderly man very much in need of assistance. The scene is sort of cute, though it would be cuter if not for you having just been accosted for a thing that he may or may not think you have done.

Sangyeon mouths a silent "sorry" to you, and the group of them make their way inside of the building.

You are not left alone, however.

"I know what he said, fifty-fifty chance he even remembers this in the morning," Sunwoo says, hands shoved into the pockets of his loose jeans.

Another delivery driver on a scooter zooms past you on the street, but without the enormous group of men wandering down the concrete, your surroundings have settled into something more silent and serene.

"He said you have a big mouth when you drink," you say, shooting him a look. "I'm inclined to agree."

"It's been months we've been meeting in private and I never told anyone on the team. Not him, not even Donghyuck or Daehwi. I figured now that you're here, it's as good a time as any to let them know just in case they're able to sniff out that our little nice to meet you isn't as expertly concocted as we had hoped it to be."

It's a fair enough assessment, and though you may have been happier to have let this secret live and die between just the two of you, you realize that you have neglected to truly consider the isolation it may have inflicted on him through months of carrying this silent burden. No other friends to confide in, no one else able to share this.

"I'm starving," you say, "Can we wrap this up over an old tuna sandwich that may kill me?"

After sifting through the stacks of sandwiches in an attempt to find the one that will not send your stomach spiraling, Sunwoo grabs a bottle of water, snatches your items from your hands, and takes it upon himself to pay for it all.

In the back corner of the little store is a small set up for sitting and eating, and though the fluorescent lights hanging above you are far brighter than either of you might like for being out like this together, Sunwoo appears to have no fight left in him tonight. A long night out with the guys, no doubt. He is the first to take his seat and uncap his drink.

"There's a debut shortlist," you say suddenly.

Sunwoo chokes on his sip and snaps his head to look at you, eyes wide. Evidently shocked to be hearing of his.

"What!? Seriously? Already? That's really fast."

"I thought so too. I talked to one of the girls a little while back who is on it, I think she's probably set to be the leader." You unpackage your sandwich slowly, only barely picking at the wrapping around it as if doing so fully will unearth something you're not quite ready to take head on. "She wanted to talk to me about you."

"What do I have to do with it?"

"She's worried I'm not here for the right reasons," you say. "But at the very least, her and the other girls aren't like, targeting or bullying me or anything. To be honest, I completely understand where she's coming from with her concern."

Sunwoo hums in acknowledgement first, then says, "She thinks you're just trying to get closer to a boy."

"She did, I don't think she does anymore. We've been spending more time together since then. She seems to like me. Her name is Woori. The girl with the blue hair."

"She's pretty," Sunwoo says. "Is she seeing anyone?"

Your foot finds his leg underneath the table, as it often does.

"Don't date trainees, stupid."

"Are you jealous?" Sunwoo asks, and though you want to kick him again, you refrain from doing so for his own sake relating to the stage. "You have nothing to worry about. Besides, I'm looking forward to your debut the most. I might have to quit the group and become your fan!"

"Don't say dumb things."

"You're very demanding tonight." Leaning over, Sunwoo's shoulder finds your own in a gentle, acknowledging and yet somewhat comforting nudge. "So… have you heard anything about where you stand as far as that shortlist is concerned?"

"I'm on it, but that can change at any time. You know that." A heavy exhale falls from your lips, and finally you take a bite from the unappetizing sandwich that you have been too distracted to pay any mind to. "I don't want to get my hopes up. Just keep my head down, put in the work, and if I'm meant to debut, then I will."

He does not reply to that immediately, and the silence of it is so stifling that you cannot help but glance up to take in the expression on his face. Sunwoo stares ahead and into a wall that has nothing more to offer him than long since dried splotches of ketchup and soda, his mind quite evidently wandering elsewhere.

"Things will change when you do," he finally says. "This, I mean. Us. It won't be the same, we won't be able to do this anymore."

His tone is heavy with a kind of anticipated loss that you aren't quite expecting to hear, and your chest tightens ever so slightly upon hearing it. You have known for a long time now that Sunwoo longs for a kind of normalcy in his life that in ways, you were capable of offering to him before, but once you debut—once you fully step out onto that stage and enter the very same system that he has long since been apart of—all of that will cease to exist.

From companion to colleague.

"I know." Your fingers idly pick at the sticker on the plastic packaging in front of you. Change is not something you have spent much time considering, nor had you thought it to rest so heavily on Sunwoo's mind. "Surely we can still spend time together, idols meet all the time as friends."

"Not without there being an article about it, and especially not when it's men and women," Sunwoo says, taking another sip. "The moment we're seen together, they'll spin the story to whatever is most interesting, and if anyone even so much as has seen us out pre-debut for a second, it's going to be a big deal. If they haven't, then the trainee thing will come up, or the fan thing. No matter what, it's going to be disastrous for the both of us. More than that—and I know I don't have to tell you this—but nobody is going to assume that we have ever been meeting as nothing more than—"

"Yeah," you say, cutting him off from fully stating the obvious. "I know what they're going to think."

Sunwoo shrugs and sighs. "How do you convince everyone that the most obvious answer isn't actually the right one?"

"Isn't this whole gig sort of about withholding information? Making everything seem to be something that it's not?"

"Sure, but there is something pretty amusing about the fact that…" Sunwoo allows the thought to trail off for a moment without completing it, and after taking another sip of his water, his eyes come to find yours. There's a bit of a smile crafted into his lips, and though you're happy to see it, you know something forced when it is presented to you. Especially from him. 

He says, "I'm already not allowed to date, and somehow, you have become the person I am barred from being involved with even more than that."

Those words sting, and perhaps if your body were less worn down and sleep wasn't threatening to grip you fiercely, you might expend the energy into dissecting why.

[asylumdwellermoved]

YOU! YOU'RE BACK! (you probably don't remember me we only talked, like, once, but hello xjbx)

ANYWAY UM UH what about a reader/PC seducing* Harper and getting more than what they asked for

* (could be intentional or could be Harper going "they are CLEARLY looking at me like that because they want something, yeah?")

(I REMEMBER YOU YOUR BLOG IS ONE OF MY FAVS TO LURK ON

leaning somewhat into the second option bc i love the contrast of manipulative freaks being equally delusional <3

gn!reader, gn!harper, dub/noncon)

"So, how have you been feeling?"

A newfound hesitance replaces your usual quickness to answer. You watch the bright eyes in front of you shift, possibly noticing a dullness in them that you hadn't before. Before you can wonder if it's your mind playing tricks on you, you clear your throat and smile.

"Good...! Been doing a little better lately..."

The doctor smiles back at you, clasping their hands together. "I'm glad! I assume you've been doing those techniques I gave you last week?"

You nod, trying to let the rumors swimming in your head fade to just the back of your mind as you automatically respond to their questions.

You had been seeing Dr. Harper on Fridays for a good few weeks now. Up until recently, you had been perfectly comfortable. It was nice having someone to talk to, even if they were just doing their job. You have absolutely no memory of anything bad happening in any of your sessions. It was only when you had mentioned your recent help to Sydney and saw their skin bristle and received a vague warning in response that you started to worry. Mickey remarking on the doctor's "problems" not long after definitely didn't help. You knew how dangerous this town could be, and you definitely didn't want to be on the bad side of anyone holding your physical well being above your head.

"And that recent spat with that person at your school that you told me about last week? How did that go?"

"Ah, well... they put out a cigarette on me yesterday, so I kind of feel like it's a lost cause..."

If you just... suck up to them it should be fine, right? They seem at least somewhat reasonable. Bat your eyes at them and butter them up a little, and you should be airtight.

Their eyebrows furrow in concern. "Can I see the wound?"

You nod, hesitantly unbuttoning the top of your shirt to give easier access to the burn on your collarbone.

"A few more, please? I'm going to wipe it down and apply some vitamin E gel so that it heals a bit better, I need a little more space."

You oblige, trying not to look bothered, the collar of your shirt now draping over your shoulder. They get to work on gently cleaning your wound. You choose your next words carefully.

"Hey, Dr. Harper..." You don't realize how close they are until you feel the heat of your own breath coming back onto you when you speak.

"Hm?"

"Thanks for everything. Really. I've been doing a lot better lately, and I couldn't have got here without you."

A smile crosses their lips and they hum in contentment. "You're very sweet."

"I appreciate it a lot. At this point, I don't know what I'd do without you..."

You wince a little as that last part comes out, worried you'd be pushing things. You see the look in their eyes change and you freeze. They turn their formerly fixed gaze to your face. It looks almost like it flipped some sort of switch in them.

"I'm very glad to hear that."

You flinch from the feeling of the cold gel on your skin.

"You know, just between us... You're my favorite patient."

You double take.

"A-Am I really?" You feign a smile at their strange remark.

They light up at your reaction. "Yes, really. I'm happy that the feeling's mutual."

Wait... what?

You stiffen a bit, unsure what to say. You notice that their hand is ghosting further and further from the blistering as they touch your skin. And did another button come loose?

"That said, you can come to me for anything. When you're hurt, when you're anxious, when you're upset, when you're... flustered..."

They've gotten closer. The faint hospital smell on their clothes mixed with a slight unplaceable scent feels near suffocating now. When you feel their fingers twitch a bit you notice their hands haven't left your skin.

Ah. So this is what they meant. Not the Bailey kind of scary. Something entirely different.

They hesitate for a second, but waste no time in pressing their lips against yours, pulling you into them and quickly darting their tongue out, trying to force it in. You suddenly feel smothered at the feeling of what control you had being pulled out from under you.

"Dr. Harper-...!"

They pull back, shuddering at the sound of their name on your lips before putting a hand between your legs, a heavy heat of their own pressing against your thigh, grinding softly.

"If I knew I could do this while you were lucid, I would've a long time ago..." They give a breathless giggle like it was some sort of joke, looking straight at you but showing no recognition of the horror on your face.

The look softens as you start to squirm at their touch, watching their eyes flick to your lips again when a gasp slips out. They lean in again, peppering soft, closed-mouth kisses against your lips like they weren't slipping their fingers beneath your clothes to try to get you off at the same time.

"Shhh, I need you to stay quiet for me... Don't worry, when I make sure we have some time all to ourselves soon you can be as loud as you want..." They coo at you almost like they're consoling a child.

The pleasure-induced haze in your brain keeps you from dwelling on what they mean as they keep teasing you, playing with one of your nipples through your open shirt and closely watching your reactions as they pant and moan against your ear. Unable to stop from eventually reaching your peak, you writhe against them helplessly, unconsciously bucking into their hand. A shaky gasp escapes their throat and you notice a warm, wet patch had grown on the fabric against your thigh. Your stomach turns a bit.

They lock their lips with yours again, breathing heavy through their nose, only pulling away when it starts to slow. They stare at you in what looks like a strange sort of... adoration? As they bring their fingers to their lips, slowly dragging their tongue through the mess you made. Their glazed over, half lidded eyes widen a bit when they look at the clock. "Ah- I didn't even notice the time."

They walk back to their desk, nonchalantly sitting back down, rifling through their papers before pulling a pen out. The second you get the chance, you walk out on shaky legs without saying a word.

"Client exhibiting potentially self-endangering behavior. Institutionalize at next availability."

[corrodedseraphine]

beauty and the freak | one shot

the photo of Eddie which I used here is an edit made by amazing @eddiemunsonsmum 🥰

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

summary: When you accidentally witness a conversation between Wayne and the principal about Eddie's education, you get an idea that could help you both. Unfortunately, he is not thrilled with the idea. Not believing in your good intentions, he takes a defensive tactic that could destroy your dream of winning the competition. Maybe happy ends are reserved only for Disney movies? angst/fluff, super cheesy, some of you might even say it's cringe, school acquaintances to lovers, Eddie is an asshole at the beggining

The one shot is also avaliable on ao3

12 478 words

eddie munson masterlist | general masterlist

when I talk about the song Beauty and the Beast here I always mean the version from the movie because it it has a very special place in my heart, also I know that the movie is from 1991 but can we just preted for now that it was already in 1986?

yes - I got carried away. At some point I think that this story is not good enough, that there is something missing but when I try to add something more I just can't - my brain is empty.

On the other hand I also think it might be a little too much, so I will understand if some of you won't simply like this. Just - my latests works focused more on angst than on fluff, I kinda missed my cheesy fluffs, so you know... thank you for reading.

Also shot out to the best beta reader @i-me-mine ♥

"I'm sorry Mr. Munson, this condition must be fulfilled if your nephew wants to graduate from high school this year." the principal said as he and Wayne walked out of his office into the hallway.

"We really can't include his Hellfire Club?" resigned Wayne asked.

"Unfortunately no. Edward will graduate this year on the condition that he gets involved in the life of the school. A requirement of his graduation is to join another club and actively participate in its actions. We must have proof that he really cares."

"Where the hell are we going to find a school club that is willing to accept him? You know that his reputation is not among the best."

"There are plenty of options to choose from, I'm sure you'll find something, there are free spots in athletics."

"Nothing in the world for any price would force this boy into sports." The man shook his head. He was worried. He was worried because he knew that most of the students would run away from any contact with Eddie, the rumors in town about him being a Satan worshipper were getting more and more frequent, people really believed that the board game was just a cover-up.

In truth, you tried not to eavesdrop, however, it was not quite possible, because this conversation was going on right next to your locker, at which you were standing together with Robin.

Your relationship with Eddie was not very good. The truth was that you only associated with each other only in the school hallways and quick meetings when hellfire took over the room after rehearsals of the drama club of which you were the leader. You never exchanged a single word with each other. You had no reason to help him, but the truth was that the situation seemed to benefit both of you.

Seeing his uncle saying goodbye to the principal, you decided to act before you could think.

"Mr. Munson!" you shouted, approaching him with a quick step.

"Yes?" he asked puzzled raising an eyebrow.

"I want to help." You said trying not to feel strange. "My name is y/n, I'm the drama club president. By chance I overheard your conversation with the principal and thought maybe Eddie would join us?"

"That would be great." he replied, and the surprise on his face turned into a warm smile. He didn't expect to meet someone willing to help, but your reaction breathed some hope into him.

"The boy who was supposed to play the lead role has moved out of Hawkins, I think Eddie will be a great fit to take his place!" you said excited that you had managed to find a replacement.

"You wanna give my boy the lead role?" the surprise on his face looked hilarious.

"Why not?" you shrugged your shoulders. "We have rehearsals on Wednesdays and Fridays at four o'clock," you smiled.

"I'll tell him. Thank you."

Drama club was everything you loved. You loved taking on different roles, covering important topics through art, but most of all it was great fun for you, an escape from the scary reality you were in.

Part of it was also the competition you took part in every year, which was not the easiest, as you competed against much richer schools, which always beat you in costumes and decorations. When you became president this year, you swore to yourself that you would do everything to make sure that in your last year at this school the win belonged to you. As soon as you found out that this year's theme was going to be Disney movies adaptations you immediately knew what to choose. Beauty and the Beast.

From the beginning of the school year until Christmas break, you worked on the script, putting all your heart and soul into it. The whole story carried a very important message that you wanted to get across to everyone through your performance. When at the first rehearsal after your return you showed the script to the other members and it was enthusiastically accepted you got down to work, unfortunately you soon had to stop and look for someone to replace Michael.

Dustin had always praised Eddie and how well he could play characters from his campaigns. This was another reason why you decided to help him. You hoped that he would know how to play the role of the beast and later the prince just as well. In truth, you hoped Dustin wasn't lying, because this was your final lifeline. Chasing the bad thoughts out of your head, you tried to set a positive attitude. Eddie Munson must have been a great actor, and together with his help you will finally be able to win. This thought fueled you to action. Unfortunately, things did not go as well as you thought.

To say that Eddie didn't like the idea is not enough. He actually detested it. When Wayne told him about the fact that you had offered to help him he immediately began to suspect that the whole thing was some kind of bizarre trap that he had to let himself get caught in anyway, or else he would not have graduated from high school once again. The fact that he was forced to do so made his hostile attitude even greater.

Despite the assurances of Dustin, who was also a member of the club, and his efforts to prove to him that taking part in the play would be fun, Eddie defended himself against it by not even listening to the boy.

Nevertheless, he began to show up for rehearsals, eventually having to, because at the beginning of each one Principal Higgins would come to check if he was there for sure.

You tried to be patient. You tried to ignore all the taunting comments on his part, you tried to ignore the fact that he never, even once, looked at the script and didn't even try to do anything when you were rehearsing scenes involving him. He just sat on the stage showing you how much he didn't care. Since you only took him here to turn him into an even bigger ridicule for the whole school, he had no intention of helping you in this. His defense mechanism was to prove to you at every step that you made a mistake in proposing his joining the play, and the biggest one was the fact that you gave him the lead role. Unfortunately, Eddie, blinded by his "mission," did not see how he was slowly ruining everything you cared about. Every mean comment he made about your vision of the play was like a knife in the back, and over time you stopped counting them all, it was too much. From rehearsal to rehearsal you had less strength, all your enthusiasm and motivation disappeared as you silently took another blow accepting the fact that your chance of winning was practically zero.

Many times you offered to stay with him longer and rehearse his scenes together, since you both play the main roles, most of which you had together. Three times he agreed to this, giving you hope that something would change, but each time he purposely did not show up even once leaving you alone in the hall waiting for him for several hours. There was no fourth time. You knew Eddie didn't respect you or your work, but coming to terms with it was even more difficult. You desperately grasped every opportunity to try to change his mind, but in vain. Nothing could talk sense into him.

The contest was two months away, and you didn't really have anything. Eddie still hadn't learned his scenes and wasn't even going to, and because of this the rehearsals couldn't move on.

Another Friday in a row, he was late, but while you were working on Dustin's costume you both jumped when you heard the loud bang of the door.

"What the hell is this?!" yelled Eddie walking heavily toward you. In his hand he was holding a poster ripped from the wall. "Why the hell is my name here?!" he pointed his finger at the tiny inscription.

"Dude, there are the names of everyone who takes part in this." Dustin replied looking at him strangely.

"You have the lead role, Eddie, I guess it's logical that your name should appear there." you replied putting down the needle and thread.

"Your wonderful plan is working, congratulations." he threw a the paper in your direction, surprised you didn't even have time to catch it. "Are you satisfied enough?" his gaze was full of anger, and seeing your surprised face he got even angrier. He didn't believe that you were really going to pretend that you didn't know anything. The problem was that you didn't really know about what plan he was talking about.

"Eddie I don't understand-" you said quietly.

"You're pathetic." he said interrupting you. "You got me into all this shit on purpose just to humiliate me in front of the whole school, but I'm more than that. I don't care about your stupid play, I don't care about some damn competition. I'm only here because I have to and my presence is the only thing you can count on! Fuck you." He replied and walked away to the other end of the room sitting there.

"Y/n, are you okay?" asked Dustin seeing tears coming to your eyes.

Picking up the poster from the floor, you looked at it. The title of the play was crossed out. The word Beast was crossed out with a red marker and now the title looked like Beauty and the Beast FREAK.

Did Eddie really think it was all your fault? You began to wonder what you had done to even cause him to think that way, after all this time you had been trying to be nice to him. You never responded to his nasty comments, you silently accepted them and then tried to forget about them and attempt to communicate with him in some way, but still to no avail. No matter how hard you tried Eddie Munson unjustifiably considered you his enemy, despite the fact that you wanted to be his ally.

"Where are you going?" asked Dustin again, seeing as you had begun to gather your things.

"The rehearsal is over. Nothing will come of it anyway. On Monday I'm going to say that we're quitting the competition." you replied resignedly. "It's pointless."

When you went out into the corridor you saw that all the posters you had hung up were broken. Beauty and the Beast FREAK was hitting your eyes, making you boil inside. You had put so much work into making them, and some douche decided to destroy it just like that. You took a deep breath and started tearing down all the posters, went through the whole school, with your last stop being the gym. Walking up there you saw none other than Jason and his minions standing by one of the posters. Without a word you pushed your way through them tearing off the poster from the wall that Jason was writing on with a red marker, causing the group to laugh.

"What's up princess?" he asked mockingly. "Where is your Beast? Freak couldn't handle the pressure?"

Clenching your fists around the paper, you began to breathe quickly and deeply. "What's your problem Jason?" you asked.

"Nothin', it's nice that you care about me." he smirked.

"You are a piece of shit." you howled. Your patience was running out, Eddie's behavior was killing you, everything you had been working on for the past months was in ruins and you didn't have the strength to believe that everything was okay. "You are a fucking piece of shit." Your words made him laugh even more.

"Could it be that our little drama queen, has a crush on the freak? Is that why you gave him the role? Did you think that since he would have to pretend to fall in love with you on stage, it would be the same in real life?" everyone burst out laughing, which made you feel even worse.

Without answering anything you once again squeezed past them and walked out of the gym to the outside. Holding all the ripped posters in your hands, you walked over to the big trashcan and threw everything away, feeling a strange sting in your heart. Quickly getting on your bike, you returned home where you allowed yourself to drown in the sorrow and sadness that was overwhelming you.

Saturday afternoon at the Munsons' trailer was passing quietly. Wayne was watching the sports channel and Eddie was learning a new song on the guitar. The calm ended when someone aggressively began pounding on their door with their fist.

"Eddie!" a female voice came from behind the door. "I know you're home, I saw your car, and your guitar can be heard at the other end of town!" she shouted without stopping the knocking. "Open the damn door so I can kill you!"

Surprised by the visit, Wayne slowly opened the door only to see a girl with short hair and a furious look on her face. Behind her stood a terrified boy whom Wayne remembered from Hellfire.

"How can I help?" the confused man asked.

"Good afternoon, can I talk to Eddie?" she asked looking inside the trailer. Wayne, completely unprepared for such a situation, did not know what to do. He stood motionless considering his next move. He knew that Eddie had a lot of enemies, he knew that most of the locals wished him badly, but an angry, skinny girl who Eddie could carry out the door with one hand and a frightened freshman didn't look very threatening. Besides, the situation looked serious since they had come to deal with him all the way here.

The man moved slightly away from the door to call out to his nephew, Robin quickly took advantage of the situation and squeezed through the vacant space entering the trailer.

"Robin, holy shit!" shouted a panicked Dustin and ran after her. She impetuously opened the door to his room.

"Buckley? the fuck-" when he spotted her he put down his guitar, but didn't have time to say or do anything else because within seconds she came slapping his cheek. Wayne and Dustin stared with open mouths at the scene taking place in front of them.

"You asshole!" she shouted. "Who do you think you are?!"

"Enough! can someone explain to me what's going on here?" asked Wayne, who had finally recovered from his shock.

"Yeah, Eddie, explain to your uncle what you did." She crossed her arms over her chest sending him a rage-filled look.

"Robin…" Dustin once again said her name wanting to calm her down.

"Shut up Dustin! Y/n didn't deserve to be treated like that!"

"Henderson?" asked Eddie in an angry voice, completely as if he felt betrayed. Dustin in panic looked between the two of them breathing louder and faster.

"Leave the boy alone, you are goin' to give him a heart attack!" Wayne cut in seeing the boy's confusion. "Isn't y/n the girl from the drama club?"

"Yes, she is. She wanted to help him, gave him the role, and he destroyed everything!"

"I destroyed everything? She did it just to humiliate me in front of the whole school!"

"You are unbelievable Munson! All through high school you struggle with the bullies, you mock them, you hate them, but when it comes down to business you act just like them! You did the same with y/n what Jason is doing with you! I think you even went a step further, at least Jason isn't destroying everything you care about!" Eddie listened to her words in shock, he didn't look at it from that side. He had no idea how to respond. "You're not going to answer anything now? You were so talkative when you called her pathetic in front of all the club members! Do you have any idea how much it all meant to her? How much work did it cost her to write the whole script alone? How many things did she have to give up for this damn competition?"

"She really just wanted to help…" Dustin's voice was quiet, but the sincerity in it was loud enough.

"This was supposed to be the first time our stupid school was going to win against all those rich snobs, she finally had everything worked out to perfection, then Michael left and she found you. She decided to trust you and give you the lead role in something she cared about most in the world, but of course Eddie 'I don't giva s hit about anything' Munson once again had to prove how much he din't care." Robin was no longer screaming. Now only disappointment and disgust could be heard in her voice. "All along I thought you didn't deserve the way people treated you, not just me," she said. "Y/n never said a single bad word about you, she always believed when Dustin, Lucas and Mike admired you and praised you at every possible step. She only wanted to help you, and the result is that she is now crying her eyes out because some asshole decided to destroy her dreams. You are much worse than Carver." The last sentence was the seal of the visit. Immediately after, she apologized to Wayne for the disturbance and left the trailer.

"I fucked up, didn't I?" asked Eddie looking at them and patting his still sore cheek.

"Why did you do it son?" asked Wayne.

"I don't know! I presumed in advance that the whole thing was some kind of lame prank, it was weird to believe that anyone would want to help me." he replied.

"You should apologize to that girl," he said.

"It's too late anyway."

"Maybe not entirely too late?" said Dustin. "She hasn't written us out of the competition yet, she didn't want to do it until Monday, so you still have a chance to show that you care."

"How?"

Then the boy took out his copy of the script from his backpack. "If she sees that you're making an effort and have learned a few lines maybe all is not lost." he said, smiling.

Thus, for the rest of the day, with the help of Dustin and Wayne, Eddie learned his lines by heart. In the evening, when he drove the boy home he still stopped by Family Video. The first time Robin saw him, Steve had to hold her by force to keep her from tearing him to pieces. Only after he apologized and explained why he had come there she calmed down. When he got home, he read the script once again before going to bed, adding in pencil minor corrections that he thought would improve some scenes.

He couldn't get Robin's words about being worse than Jason out of his head. She was right. Your relationship had always been estranged, but he never noticed you following the crowd that tried to make his life miserable day after day. He felt like a complete idiot, he preemptively, unreasonably judged you of all the worst things, without even giving you a chance to show otherwise. He did to you what people have been doing to him from the very beginning, and the worst part is that if Robin hadn't barged in here today, he wouldn't have even noticed. He fell asleep hoping to let him apologize and make things right.

Getting your address was a hard task, but after several phone calls to Dustin and promises and vows never to say a single bad word about you again, finally the boy cracked and said so. Without waiting a moment longer Eddie drove to the indicated place. In the meantime, it began to rain, and even though the path from the street to the door was not long, it rained hard enough to get him wet.

The door was opened by your mother, who looked surprised to see a soaked metalhead on her doorstep. He was prepared that she was about to start yelling that he should get out of there, but to his surprise she smiled slightly.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Good afternoon, uh- Is y/n home? I am Eddie, Eddie Munson." he said stressed while extending his hand. He felt like he was making a complete idiot of himself.

"Are you from her club?" she asked, looking at the sticking-out script in his half-zipped backpack.

"Yes." he replied in almost a whisper.

"Y/n went out to the grocery store, but she should be back soon, you can wait for her inside." She replied and opened the door wider letting him inside. Pulling off his shoes and hanging his wet jacket on the hanger, he walked deeper into the house looking around. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you." He replied, putting his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. It was all strange, too strange. He felt uncomfortable, completely like he was violating your boundaries. He definitely shouldn't be here though, he didn't see any other way to fix things.

"I'm glad you came, this visit will definitely make her feel better, since she came back from her last rehearsal she has been so awfully sad." The woman sighed, sitting down on the couch.

"She is?" he asked avoiding her gaze. She probably didn't realize that the main reason for her daughter's sadness was standing right in front of her.

"This play was everything to her, I remember the day she came home saying that she had found someone else to be the prince, she was so excited, she couldn't stop repeating that with this boy in the lead role she was sure to success, in her opinion he was a perfect fit." She smiled sadly and shook her head. "I don't know the details, but all I know is that for some reason you have to drop the competition, I've never seen her so disappointed before."

Eddie wanted to collapse to the ground. He was ashamed. He couldn't get over how badly he had behaved toward you, and now standing in your house talking to your mother as if he had done nothing wrong felt even worse. The woman must have sensed his discomfort, because after a moment of silence she asked if he was okay.

"Yeah, sorry, I was thinking." He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "And, uh, I'm here because I have an idea how to fix it, maybe we won't have to give it up."

Her face lit up, but she didn't have time to answer him, because just then you came home. She smiled broadly at the sight of you, but you didn't feel like smiling at all.

"Eddie?" you asked surprised. How did he know where you lived?

"What are you doing here?" you felt your nerves piling up inside you, your last conversation was not one of the best, you didn't think this time could be different.

"I- I came to talk."

"I'm going to Claudia, give your friend some cake later darling, have fun, I'll be back late, bye!" your mother said quickly sensing some tension between you. Wanting to give you some privacy she walked out of the house leaving you alone surrounded by an awkward silence.

"Why are you here?" you asked, unable to bear it any more. You were still not at your best, the whole situation was still hurting you so it was hard for you to pretend to be calm and controlled.

"I came to apologize." he replied sincerely. For the first time he looked at you in a way other than with anger. His big dark eyes even begged for forgiveness. "I acted like an idiot, I really want to apologize," he said.

"Your apology won't change anything Eddie." you replied. Despite the sincerity in his voice, you still weren't sure if you should believe him.

"Here." he said pulling out a script from his backpack and threw it in your direction. "Check me. Ask for any scene - I know them all."

His confidence caught you off guard. Tentatively, you opened the first better scene and slowly read one of Dustin's lines. To your surprise, instead of monotonously reciting from memory, he began to display full theatricality, the kind Dustin always had to mention. In front of you just stood a totally different Eddie, whom you had not yet met. The longer you interviewed him, the more the atmosphere between you softened. It became more and more difficult for you to keep the smile that was on your lips as he played out the scenes without stammering.

"Okay, I must admit that you have prepared very well." you replied no longer hiding your smile.

"So?" He smiled broadly spreading his hands.

"So?" you repeated his question not knowing quite what he meant.

"We don't have to quit!" The glimmer of hope that appeared in your eyes caused a strange warmth in his body.

"Do you really want to?"

"Yeah, 'course I do." he replied, putting his hands in his back pockets. Your reaction almost knocked him off his feet, literally because not being prepared for you to run up and hug him he lost his balance, fortunately you were able to hold you both up.

"Sorry." you said embarrassed. "I got a little carried away."

"No, don't be sorry." he said quietly. When was the last time someone hugged him out of their own free will? He couldn't remember. The feeling of such closeness, which had been foreign to him until then, left behind a nice trace that he focused on as he looked at your red face. He wanted to do it again and this time reciprocate the embrace but quickly gave it up. "I uh- I added a few ideas in the script, what I think we could add or change a little- Not that your idea would be bad, you did a great job here! I just…" he started to panic slightly, because he didn't want to make you upset once again.

"It's okay." you paused him. "We can take a look at it while having a cake?" you suggested.

"Sure." he accepted your proposal with relief.

After you cut the cake, you sat together on the couch and began reviewing the script. You sat close enough to each other that occasionally your knees would touch, including your hands when you accidentally both pointed to a scene at the same time. This always ended in awkward, shy smiles that awakened tiny butterflies in your stomachs.

Trying to ignore it, you tried to focus on Eddie's ideas. Some of them were really good, his creativity really impressed you. All the rumors that his campaigns were some of the best had to be true. Feeling much more confident in his company, somewhere in between you started asking him about them. At first he gave curt and uncertain answers, but when he saw that you were really interested in it he swam away, feeling that he was in his element.

Who would have thought that someday the day would come where the scary and menacing Eddie Munson would be sitting there on your couch laughing with you. As unrealistic as it seemed, it was one of the best moments in recent time, and it didn't look like the end at all. As you ran through the entire scenario, the metalhead took another item out of his backpack.

"At first I thought that as soon as you saw me here you would immediately throw me out the door, but that doesn't change the fact that I also allowed myself a plan B, in case you would show mercy to a fool like me." he said in a dramatic tone. "I thought it would be good to know the original story." He handed you the box with the tape. You quickly took it from him and slid it into the player.

Eddie surprised you even more by completely engaging in what was happening on the screen. You expected jokes and teasing comments on his part, however, none of that happened.

"It's my favorite moment." you said as Belle and Beast started feeding the birds. "This is where everything changes." you said quietly starting to softly sing the song along with the characters.

There's something sweet and almost kind But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined And now he's dear and so unsure I wonder why I didn't see it there before

She glanced this way, I thought I saw And when we touched she didn't shudder at my paw No, it can't be, I'll just ignore But then she's never looked at me that way before

Your gaze was on the screen, so Eddie took advantage of the moments to look at you. Your hair was slightly messy, and your lips moved gently to form the words of a song that seemed strangely accurate to him. Just a few hours ago he was sure you hated him, now you were sitting as close to him as ever, and every now and then he would catch you sending him soft glances, behind which was something he couldn't quite figure out yet, just like Belle was looking at the Beast.

Feeling his gaze on you, you turned to look at him. You only smiled and then immediately went back to watching. He couldn't help thinking that he wanted to see that smile much more often, and it would be even better if he could be the reason for that smile as well.

"So…Something tells me that the choice of this exact movie was not accidental?" he asked suddenly.

"Do you want to know the selfish truth, or should I just make something up?" you asked, leaning a little closer to him.

"Only and only the truth," he said.

"The truth is simple. It's my favorite. I could watch this movie for hours and would never get bored. Besides, I love the way they showed that everyone deserves a second chance. He was the Beast before he became one and this is where the soul of the hopeless romantic in me comes in…" You chuckled. "Despite how terrible he was to her in the beginning she was still able to see something good in him and helped him find it underneath all that layer of monster. Goodness, respect and warmth from another human being was something foreign, so I'm not surprised he was like that. I think to some extent it was his defense mechanism."

Eddie just nodded, thinking about your words. If the Beast deserved a second chance maybe he did too? In the back of his head, a small voice spoke up, representing a secretive desire for your acquaintance to develop beyond the drama club. "I can't tell you the rest so as not to give spoilers, just watch." you patted his knee and put your hand close to his. If he moved a few millimeters your pinkies would touch. Considering the pros and cons in his head, he once again restrained himself feeling only the strange itching caused by such proximity.

"Wait, that's not in the script." he said when the iconic ballroom scene began. "Why?"

"Oh, you know we'll be competing with very rich schools?"

"Yeah."

"They always have their own bands that play music for their live shows, we unfortunately don't, and playing music from an old, shitty stereo would immediately push us into last place, compared to them. Also, we don't have much choice in costumes, and all the ball dresses that are there are too small or damaged. As for sewing, I only know the basics, I wouldn't be able to fix or remake them." you explained.

A plan was already being born in Eddie's head.

When the movie was over he decided that he had to go. You were surprised by a small sting of disappointment when he said this. When you said goodbye he apologized to you once again and then thanked you for a good time. You did the same.

Returning home, he found Wayne sitting there in front of the TV. Halfway to his room he stopped looking at his old man. He sent him a questioning look, taking a sip of beer from the bottle.

"How- Can you teach me how to dance?" Hearing his nephew's question he choked. He had been able to expect crazy things from him in truth, and this counted among the near impossible. But here they were, in the middle of a small living room, when Wayne in a very clumsy way tried to transfer all his knowledge about slow dancing to Eddie, who also didn't have much experience in it.

The rest of the members were relieved to hear that you are not quitting the competition, Eddie apologized to everyone at the start for his behavior and everything was back on track. The most satisfied with all this seemed to be Dustin. Joy gushed out of him seeing his two favorite people getting along and no one yelling at anyone anymore. Everyone also accepted the changes in the script, which meant that you had to rehearse three times a week instead of two to prepare everything carefully.

You and Eddie spent more and more time together, under the pretext of practicing your roles you met after school sitting either at your house or in his trailer. Your friendship became so ingrained in your life that you couldn't remember what it was like before it. The closer you got to know him, the more different he became from everything people said about him. He was incredibly creative and intelligent, watching his behavior towards Dustin you also saw that he was very protective of his friends, he had a warmth in him that was reserved only for a select few. He showed more of it to you every day, whenever he spotted you in the crowd in the corridor he beamed, quite as if the sun was hidden in his smile.

You were sitting at the table with Robin and Nancy but your thoughts were on the opposite side of the room. You watched Eddie talk about something with Dustin and then with the guys he's in a band with, who nodded their heads. When he raised his gaze and your eyes met he smiled broadly showing dimples in his cheeks and waved at you. You abashedly waved back and quickly turned your head feeling yourself blushing.

"Someone's been caught red-handed." Nancy hummed.

"I can't believe that I almost scratched his eyes out for you and now you're drooling at the sight of him." Robin rolled her eyes.

"I am not!" you protested, feeling even more embarrassed about your situation. "And… he changed."

"I'll need more details to believe what you say." she replied unimpressed. Robin was a great friend and very protective. Not knowing why, you wanted her to have a good opinion about Eddie, too.

"He is very helpful, kind and funny! Whenever I feel we are stuck with something he always helps me, no matter how long it takes. He got very involved in the play, and we spend a lot of time because of that, when you get to know him better, you find out that he is not as scary as everyone says, just the opposite." you tried to defend him.

"Oh my god, Nancy, we lost her." Robin dramatically slumped on the table.

"Being in love is not that bad, Robin." she laughed.

"I am not in love with Eddie!" you whispered aggressively.

"Not yet." Nancy shrugged her shoulders.

"Even if not in love, you have a crush on him. That's disgusting." Buckley perked up, just in time to see Eddie heading toward your table. "Your prince is coming." she said loudly, purposely so he would hear it.

"Buckley, Wheeler." He nodded in their direction. "Y/n." he turned to face you.

"Robin!" shouted Dustin from across the room and waved his hand in a gesture to come over to him. She and Nancy left you alone and moved toward the boy.

"Hi." You said when the metalhead took a seat across from you.

"Hi." he replied. "I'll see you at the rehearsal today?" he asked.

"Of course, why not?" you asked surprised.

"I was wondering… maybe we could take a ride somewhere later?"

"Oh, sure, where?" you replied puzzled.

"It's a surprise, trust me." He winked at you and returned to his table, where he exchanged a few more sentences with Robin. Unfortunately, she didn't want to tell you what they talked about, but you didn't feel like thinking too much about it. There was another thought in your head that made your heart beat twice as fast as it should. Did Eddie Munson ask you out on a date?

As agreed - immediately after the rehearsal you got into his van and drove out of the school parking lot. Nerves and a slight hint of excitement bubbled inside you as Eddie still wouldn't reveal where you were going.

Finally, you pulled into the Trailer Park. While you wondered why he took you to the place where he lived he prayed in his soul that you wouldn't get scared and run away. He knew that people react differently to this place, but he hoped that his whole plan would work. Stepping out of the car, you looked around thinking which trailer might belong to him. He once mentioned that his uncle works night shifts, so if he wanted to be alone with you he wouldn't bring you here now, would he?

"Uh…Eddie? Why are we here?" you asked.

"Oh- you said you couldn't sew the ball dress yourself…" he said exiting the car and walked to the back of it. "So I thought we could do something about it, if you are okay with it of course-"

"But why?" So it wasn't a date. Aside from being disappointed, you felt a little ashamed that you could think such a thing at all, you hoped Eddie wasn't able to see it.

"Just trust me, 'kay?" he asked, taking the pile of old dresses from the theater club you mentioned while watching the movie that evening.

Without a word, you approached one of the trailers he told you to knock on because of his busy hands. The door was opened to you by a short older woman with thick glasses on her nose.

"Eddie! Come in!" she quickly let you inside.

"Mrs. Smith, this is y/n. Y/n this is Mrs. Smith, the best retired dressmaker in Hawkins." he said sending her charming smile.

"Sweet as honey," she laughed. "And look at you! As beautiful as he described." she turned to you winking her eye. "Come on sweetie, we have to measure you."

Still confused without a word you moved deeper into the trailer. The woman took a tailor's tape measure and began to place it on your body, then looked at the dresses Eddie had brought, and when the final vision appeared in her mind she sat down at the sewing machine and got to work. In the meantime, she began to question you about the play, eager to tell her about it, even Eddie excitedly talked about some of the moments he was best at playing. You watched him with a smile on your lips, reminding yourself what a big difference there was between your early days and now. Eddie may not have noticed the warm sparks in your eyes, but Mrs. Smith caught them right away. When the dress was finished you went to the other room to change.

"Oh my god." the woman pressed both hands to her chest. "You look like a real princess darling, come on, look at yourself!" she said excitedly as you came back to the living room.

You approached the mirror with your eyes stuck to the floor, not knowing why you were afraid to lift your gaze and see your reflection. You've never been a fan of your appearance, but now you cared like never to like what you saw.

"Come on sweetheart, don't be afraid." she said putting her hands on your shoulders completely as if she sensed your discomfort.

You took a deep breath and slowly raised your head. The material highlighted your waistline, your cleavage was slightly cut out however in your opinion it was just the right size. The delicate material spread out around you, gently lifting when Ms. Smith told you to turn around. Even though you weren't wearing a proper makeup and your hair was a bit disheveled, the sight that greeted you in the mirror was a positive surprise. You felt beautiful, and for the first time in a very long time you felt the positive boost of your self-esteem fill you from the inside.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

"I feel…pretty." you answered quietly smiling at your reflection in the mirror.

"As you should." she chuckled.

"Thank you so much." In all your delight, you didn't notice that Eddie wasn't in the trailer, the fact that he had left only reached you when he returned to it.

"Well, young man, you were right - your girl looks just like from a fairlytale." she said as he closed the door behind him.

"Oh she is not-" he started to say however when he noticed you in your new outfit the words stopped in his throat. With an open mouth he looked at every centimeter of your body. For a while he had thought you were always looking very lovely, but now that you were standing in front of him in a beautiful ball dress, smiling from ear to ear, with a sparkle of happiness in your eyes he felt enchanted. Suddenly, all the beautiful princesses he had ever read about or created for his campaigns faded next to you. He also immediately knew on whom he would design his next ones.

You weren't the only one who looked fabulous. Eddie also swapped his hellfire shirt and torn jeans for a prince's costume, keeping the two shirt buttons undone, because when he had them buttoned he could feel himself suffocating.

"Now I'm starting to think that you're the Beauty." you joked.

"nu-uh," he shook his head. "No way." His voice was soft and to some extent intimate, easily taking control of you with it, and you eagerly let him. "Now, m'lady…" he bent down in front of you extending his hand. "Please follow me to your chariot."

Giggling you grabbed his hand, said goodbye and thanked Mrs. Smith again, who handed you your clothes and let him lead you to the van helping you get in.

While on the road, he avoided any questions about what else he had come up with. Every now and then, glancing in your direction, he could feel his nerves slowly gathering inside him. He was afraid that what he had planned would be too much, but there was no turning back. Nevertheless, seeing that you were excited instead of scared, he felt a little calmer.

"Why are we at the school?" you asked when you pulled into the parking lot.

"You have to trust me, please." he said getting out of the car and with a quick step he walked over to open the door for you.

"I trust you." you replied jumping out of the van and following him.

"Can you close your eyes?" he asked when you reached the right place. You did as he asked and felt him take your hands in his and begin to lead you forward. He stopped for a moment and you heard heavy door opening, then his hands found yours again. As you entered the room you heard whispers from other people but you still didn't open your eyes not wanting to spoil the surprise. When you finally stopped he said you could open them. +

Baffled you looked with delight at the scenery and decorations that looked almost like from a movie. There was a background painted on a big sheet and all around instead of big school lamps there were candles lighting up, and white Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling. In the corner you noticed his friends from the band, Robin and one girl who played violin in the school band. Everyone smiled in your direction but no one said anything.

"What's going on?" you asked.

"Do you like it?" he asked still not letting go of your hands. He wondered if you could feel him sweating and hoping that you didn't.

"It's amazing!" you said. "But I don't understand."

"Let me show you." He pulled you gently to him and, taking a deep breath, placed one hand on your waist tilting the other slightly positioning you to dance. Later he looked toward the band and nodded.

It all started with the soft sounds of the violin followed by the rest of the instruments and at the very end Robin's voice.

Tale as old as time True as it can be Barely even friends Then somebody bends Unexpectedly

Just a little change Small to say the least Both a little scared Neither one prepared Beauty and the beast

Ever just the same| Ever a surprise Ever as before And ever just as sure As the sun will rise

You let him lead you. Giving yourself over completely to the magic that filled the situation, you wanted to take as much as possible from it. Eddie was internally dying of stress. In his head he was replaying everything as he practiced with Wayne, but his movements were stiff and clumsily, not like his uncle's. Despite the fact that he stepped on you a few times you seemed to pay no attention to it. In that moment only him existed for you. That moment that was too beautiful to be real. Wanting to see that it wasn't fiction you squeezed your hand on his bicep, as you took another step he sent you a questioning look.

"I'm checking if it's not a dream." you replied quietly looking straight into his eyes. You could have killed him with the sincerity he heard in that sentence. In truth it all felt like a dream to you, he could see it in your dreamy expression.

"'s not." he replied gaining a little more confidence, spinning you around and then pulling you close again. Taking advantage of the closeness you leant your head on him still letting him sway you to the rhythm of the song.

Ever just the same Ever a surprise Ever as before Ever just as sure As the sun will rise

Tale as old as time  Tune as old as song Bittersweet and strange Finding you can change Learning you were wrong Certain as the sun Rising in the east Tale as old as time Song as old as rhyme Beauty and the beast

Eddie had always been one of those who believed that magic existed. Now he was almost certain of it. Dancing with you in the semi-darkness, knowing that his plan had succeeded and seeing the soft, satisfied smile on your lips, he felt that he could have had anything he wanted - even the whole world. He had never felt like this before, and it definitely had to be due to magic. He saw no other explanation for the soothing warmth he felt in his heart, it just had to be pure magic.

As the song came to an end, he spun you around one last time and, placing his large hand on your back, he paused. Your lips, which he had been trying not to pay attention to for a long time, suddenly became all too noticeable. He wanted to kiss you so bad that moment - maybe if the others hadn't been watching you he would have leaned toward you long ago, but instead he stepped back slightly and looked at you. At how beautiful you looked in that dress, at how your seemingly messy hair added to your loveliness, at how you kept your hands on him without showing disgust or shame. Trying to read the emotion on your face, he saw nothing there but clear admiration, which suddenly frightened him also scaring away any thoughts of a kiss. Coming back to his senses he bowed to you and placed a small kiss on the top of your hand. For that moment, it had to be enough.

Unfortunately, everything beautiful ends quickly, all magic left and fled to its realm the moment someone turned on the light.

"So? What do you think?" an excited Robin ran up to you.

"It was wonderful!"

"Do you think we can add this scene to the script now?" asked Eddie.

"We have to!"

Eddie and you changed into your normal clothes and returned to help clean up the decorations, meanwhile figuring out how you would add everything to the script. After less than an hour, you all left the school. When he spotted Steve in the parking lot, who must have come to pick up Robin, he immediately offered to drive you home, not wanting you to go with them.

You were glad that your friend slowly began to change her opinion of him, after all, she had agreed to help him with everything, so you took that as a good sign.

All the way home you wondered what you should tell him. Everything he has done for you lately has been beyond your wildest expectations. From time to time you opened your mouth to say something, but each time you gave up, quickly turning your head towards the window. As you pulled up in front of the house, Eddie looked at you when once again you were struggling to find the words of any kind.

"You know you can be honest with me, right?" he said quietly, not wanting to sound pathetic. He didn't want to show that all the way through he saw you trying to tell him something. He didn't want to show that there was already a scenario in his mind where you were saying that what he did was an exaggeration and you didn't really like it. His overthinking prompted him to think that you were about to say that it was a bad idea to engage him in your play in the first place.

How perverse life could be? Just a few weeks ago he would have done anything to get rid of this role, now he was afraid of losing it, and with it he was afraid of losing something much more, someone who was becoming a very important part of his life although he didn't yet have the courage to admit it.

"I know." you replied with a sigh.

"If you didn't like it…"

"No! Oh, god no! That's not it." You said quickly turning toward him. "That's all you did for me…It was amazing. No one has ever done anything like that for me, no one has ever made me feel as special as you did today…"

"So what's the problem?"

"I keep thinking what I can say to thank you, but I can't find the words, my brain is suddenly empty." You chuckled nervously.

"Usually 'Thank you' is enough." He replied feeling immensely relieved. There it was again. That boyish smile that appeared in front of your eyes every time you closed them.

Feeling that it still wouldn't be enough, after a moment's thought and the huge reserves of courage you must have gathered in your body, you leaned over the gearbox toward him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thnak you Eddie." you said, gently brushing your lips against his cheek while saying these words. It was like the touch of a ghost, only instead of cold, he felt like he was about to burst into flames.

"You- you're Welcome." he mouthed in shock.

The way you thanked him was more than enough. It made him think that when Eddie went to bed after an eventful day, falling asleep he smiled like a fool while holding his cheek. That was the moment when Eddie Munson realised he was a goner for you.

The last rehearsal before the competition was just a formality, you all put so much work and effort into it, everyone knew their roles inside out, and thanks to Eddie's ideas the whole play became even more beautiful, especially the dance scene which every time made you feel as if you were transported to a fairy tale dimension where only the two of you could fit in.

You were just about to practice it again, but before Robin could sing the first words the door opened with a bang. Half of the basketball team, headed by Jason, walked in.

"Well, well, well!" he shouted looking around with a sneer on his lips, holding a disgusting-looking green smoothie in his hand. "I never thought there would be a day when I'd see Freak dressed in something other than his torn tatters," he said.

"The hell do you want?" you asked walking up to him. You really didn't feel like or have the strength to waste time on him.

"We came to see how you are doing, after all, you will be representing our school," he said.

"Since when do you care about this?"

"Since now." he replied while looking around once again. "And hey- I thought the title was Beauty and the Beast."

"It is." interjected Dusin.

"So where the hell is the Beauty? I only see two Beasts here so far." his comment drew laughter from the rest of his friends.

"That's enough." Said Eddie stepping forward. "Get the fuck out of here and take your minions with you." He pointed with his hand to the door.

"I don't know, I'd really like to see how you do on stage. Also, maybe it's not too late to ask Chrissy if she'd like to play Belle? It seems to me that for this role you need a person who is at least good-looking, and there is no one like that here."

"Serously Jason, just get out of here before you dirty something with your disgusting drink." You tried to be more composed than Eddie. You knew that was his goal, to get some kind of reaction from you. He wanted to see how he would get you guys off balance.

"Hm." he hummed and took a step toward you. "You mean get dirty…like this?" before anyone had time to react his drink landed right on your dress.

The sound of laughter was drowned out by the noise of your own blood and heartbeat. Feeling humiliated you squeezed through them and ran to the bathroom wanting to hide. You quickly grabbed a paper towel, soaked it and tried to wipe off the disgusting stain, unfortunately, whatever was mixed in that smoothie didn't want to come off so easily. Hot tears ran down your cheeks. You were angry, but also sad. Feeling helpless, you leaned against the sink and looked in the mirror. Your reflection had already stopped seeming to please you. Instead, worse and worse adjectives began to come to mind the longer you looked at yourself. Pathetic. That's what you chose as the best description of yourself and how you looked now. That was exactly what Eddie had called you during your last argument. Maybe he was right?

"Y/n!" Robin ran breathlessly into the bathroom. "Oh my god I am so sorry, son of a bitch I will kill him." she said looking at the ruined dress and then your reddened eyes.

"And I will help you." Immediately behind her, Eddie appeared. "I can go do it right now, just say the word." you suddenly felt overwhelmed by his presence. Overwhelmed that he sees you in such an ugly state.

"Did you know this is the girls' bathroom?" asked Robin.

"And do I look like I care right now?" he snapped at her. "Do you want me to go get him?" he returned with his eyes.

"No." You sniffed. "He was right, I don't fit into this."

"No. Stop." His voice was firm but gentle. "Don't say that. I don't know anyone more perfect for this role, don't let that bastard mess with your brain, please."

"You're saying that just to make me feel better."

"No. I'm saying it because I think so." he walked closer to you. "Look at me." he cupped your face in his hands. His heart suddenly lost its connection to his reason. It was now driven only and exclusively by emotion. "You are perfect for this role. Not only because you are so beautiful that I sometimes run out of breath, but because, like Bella, you are damn intelligent, you do everything to pursue your dreams, you care about others, you make everyone around you feel appreciated and happy, you always try to see something good in others even though they don't deserve it." Your face was still in his hands, and with his thumbs he wiped the tears from under your eyes. "I didn't deserve it, but yet you gave me a chance. Carver is not worth your tears. I'm not either, no one is, because you're too good for all of us. For the whole damn Hawkins. You are something more, much more. And never think in anything that you are not good enough. Because you are the best. Perfect."

Somewhere in the process, he moved close enough to you that his forehead rested against yours. You could feel his rapid breath on your skin. You were so close to each other that the urge to kiss you came back even stronger, but he knew this was not the moment to cross that line. He pulled you close with a hug, completely as if he wanted his arms to become a shield and protect you from everything bad. You needed comfort, and you openly accepted the one offered by Eddie by snuggling your face into his chest, listening to the rapid but steady beat of his heart.

From the sidelines, Robin watched you with a fond smile on her lips. In that moment, she finally believed you that he had changed. Until then, she didn't understand where all your admiration for the metalhead came from. Even when he even begged her to agree to sing a song in your play. Only now she saw that someone who had hurt you so much in the beginning was also the person who could make you the happiest in the world.

When you calmed down, you returned to the drama room, where you changed clothes. Ordering a short break, Eddie took advantage of the slow moment and took the dress to the cleaners, hoping they could save it. When he returned you finished the rehearsal, and then each went his own way to prepare mentally in solitude for the performance, from which you are now only two days away.

Doomsday has finally arrived. Despite the stress and nerves, you were all excited. You truly felt like you had a chance to win, after all, everything about your performance had to be at the highest level.

You were the last to perform, so you had a lot of time to watch your competitors, who were unfortunately great. Beautiful decorations and costumes that looked like they came from a real movie set, all too expensive for an ordinary inter-school competition. Although you loved your handmade decorations and costumes, you couldn't stop the thoughts that told you they would never compare to those in the view of others.

When it was finally your turn, you forgot about yourself, replacing your personality with Belle's. In that moment, you didn't exist, just as Eddie Munson didn't exist either. Portraying how your characters were falling in love with each other was the easiest thing in the world. The initial small and shy gestures came naturally, all the lines designed to direct the audience that the Beauty was becoming enamored with the Beast passed easily through your throat. Deep down you knew the reason for this.

During the iconic ballroom dance scene, you didn't have to fake your enchantment at all. You felt the same way every time, and now was no exception, because somewhere during this crazy journey your characters were not the only ones who fell in love with each other. Somewhere under the disguise of a beast, Eddie was sneaking into your heart, and in that moment it occurred to you that his roots were already so deep that there was no turning back. It was certain as the sun rising in the east, that you were undeniably and seriously in love with Eddie Munson. Something between the two of you allowed you to believe that he, at least in a small way, also felt the same.

As the song came to an end you managed to catch a quick glimpse of the audience, your mom, Dustin's Mom and Eddie's Uncle were sitting in the front row, looking very touched and proud.

In the final scene, the Beast was stabbed. In despair, you fell to your knees beside Eddie's body, beginning to sob and beg him not to leave you.

"I can't lose you." you repeated over and over again. It didn't just apply to the show. It was the one that brought you together and it was the one that could separate you. For a long time you had tried to push those thoughts aside, but now that the end was so close you couldn't defend against them. Despite the moments when you had the feeling that the metalhead reciprocated your feelings, you also knew that there was a chance that today could be the last day before he disappeared from your life, so the sadness that accompanied you was a little more real than you wanted it to be.

Suddenly all the lights in the hall went out, Eddie had less than two minutes to get rid of his beast costume, put on his tattered clothes and become a prince. This wasn't difficult either, because with disheveled curls on his head, he looked gorgeous in the light of the colorful spotlights that symbolized the magic of the enchanted rose. Like a real prince from your fondest dreams. You stood motionless staring at him intensely, your brain couldn't keep up with your eyes, you felt yourself getting hot.

"Belle…" he said, extending his hand toward you. You didn't react. Still unable to shake off the excess of emotions that fell upon you in an instant. Seeing this, he decided to improvise. With a slow step, he approached you and gently grabbed your hand and, lifting it up, applied it to his cheek. "It's me."

Forgetting about the rest of the world and the fact that you were now being watched by more than a hundred people you completely drifted off into the moment. "Yes, it's you." you replied smiling and placing your other hand on his cheek. "It's really you." Without waiting for his response, you made one last change in the script. Instead of the usual hug that was in the original version, you kissed him.

However, it wasn't Belle who kissed the prince. It was you kissing Eddie, and moments later, when he got over the shock, Eddie kissed you while wrapping his arms around your waist. Relief, desire, happiness, excitement. If the feelings could be materialized they would look like little fireworks exploding all around you. His warm lips matched yours perfectly, his taste suddenly becoming your favorite. No kiss you had ever experienced in your life equaled this one. Leaning you back slightly, Eddie deepened the kiss one last time before pulling away from you. Looking into each other's eyes you both smiled like dumb fools.

You were brought back to the real world by the thunderous applause you received from the audience, you reluctantly moved away from each other as the rest of the group joined you. Together, all of you, holding hands, bowed and left the stage. Backstage, your loved ones were already waiting for you. Your mother hugged you tightly complimenting you on everything she could, Wayne patted Eddie proudly on the shoulder, and then came up to you with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and handed it to you saying it was the best play he had ever seen. Later, absorbed in conversations with the rest of the members, you didn't have time to talk about what happened between you on stage. Part of you was dying of curiosity to know what he really thought about it, but the other part, the more insecure one, preferred never to bring up the subject anymore fearing rejection.

Finally it was time for the results to be announced, and you stood between Dustin and Eddie, squeezing their hands tightly as the jury announced its verdict. Unfortunately, the magic you felt on stage did not reach them and you got second place. You were disappointed, but that was not the reason that worried you. Even so, you were proud of you guys, in your mind you were the winners. What weighed on your heart was Eddie's behavior, who as soon as he heard the results completely died down. He silently helped clean everything up, trying to avoid contact with you, finally saying only a quiet "Bye." And together he and Wayne drove home. You went over this scenario in your head a thousand times, but you would never have expected everything to end so rapidly and unexpectedly.

You spent the night staring at the ceiling and analyzing your entire friendship from beginning to end, was the magical feeling just a figment of your imagination? Did you interpret everything wrong? Why once again were you about to lose something you cared so much about?

For a whole week Eddie avoided you like the plague. You still couldn't get over it, and even worse was the missing him. Whenever he spotted you in the hallway he immediately changed direction and looked away. You knew that kissing him would be crossing a boundary to some extent, but you didn't expect that this will be the result. You thought that at least you would be able to talk about it. You also didn't understand why he reciprocated it then, why he was smiling from ear to ear immediately afterwards and everything was fine until the results were announced. Was he disgusted with you and what had happened?

"If you want I'll go talk to him again, but I don't promise to be nice." said Robin seeing your sad sight of the wounded puppy that followed his silhouette in the corridor.

"No. I'll go this time." you sighed, promising yourself that this would be the last time you would dare to look into those chocolate eyes that you now dreamed of at night.

Not wanting to face rejection in the middle of the school hallway, you waited patiently until the end of class. Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle of the day Eddie completely disappeared from the area, so determined you immediately set off on foot towards the trailer park. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating with your quest. Halfway there, cold and heavy raindrops started to fall from the sky. The thought crossed your mind that you should turn back, but your determination did not allow you to do so. Soaked and cold, with mud on your shoes and the bottom of your jeans, you arrived at your destination, looking around. Oh well. You had no idea which trailer belonged to the Munsons, anyway. Stupid. Stupid. You stupid idiot. You scolded yourself in your mind. Your hair stuck to your face interfering with your clear vision. But what did you really want to see? Wandering between the trailers, you noticed his car. It was standing in such a place that you didn't know which trailer you could attach it to.

"Jesus Christ, kid!" you heard a familiar voice from behind you immediately turning to him. "Come inside!" Wayne opened the door wide and, splashing your feet on the ground, you ran to the trailer.

When you stepped inside you were hit by a pleasant wave of warmth, and after a moment a soft, dry towel that the man took out for you from a cabinet that was located in a small hallway.

"Thank you." you said quietly instantly wiping your head.

"The hell are you doin' here in this weather?" he asked, walking over to the stove and grabbing the kettle. "I'm gonna make you some tea to warm you up."

"I wanted to talk to Eddie." you said quietly while covering your face slightly with a towel. You must have looked ridiculous, Wayne must have thought you had lost your mind.

At the same time Eddie was lying on his bed with his walkman diving into the world of music listening to the saddest songs he could find in his collection. For a week you had not left his thoughts even for a second, and the memory of your kiss haunted him at the absolute least opportune moments. The touch of your lips left a permanent mark on him and a void that could not be filled by anything else. He couldn't get out of his head the small, sweet sound that involuntarily emerged from the back of your throat when he reciprocated the kiss. When he closed his eyes he could see the happiness that was painted on your face and how your eyes sparkled in the spotlight. It was all too good to be true. The moment he heard the verdict and saw the disappointment on your face he knew it was over. That you probably didn't want anything to do with him anymore, after all, it was because of him that you didn't win. It was his fault, he let you down and didn't know how he could look you in the face any longer after that.

Lying on his side and staring at the wall he was cut off from the real world when he felt a cold hand on his shoulder. Surprised and slightly frightened, he broke off sitting down on the mattress with even more disbelief looking at you soaked in the middle of his room. Had he fallen asleep and it was his imagination playing tricks on him now? He began to blink rapidly, but when you still did not disappear, he pinched his arm.

"Eddie I am real." you said seeing his behavior.

"What are you doing here?" he asked pulling off his headphones.

"I came to talk."

"About what?"

"About that kiss." he only nodded tightening his lips into a thin line, mentally preparing himself to hear how much you regret it. You gave him a moment to respond but he didn't, so you just continued. "I know I shouldn't have. I know I basically did it without your permission, and you may feel bad about it, you have a right to." you sighed. "I was just thinking- Actually I don't know what I was thinking, at that moment the only thing I could focus on was how much I wanted to kiss you. I got carried away, it all looked so magical, you looked so magical that my common sense stopped working." You breathed heavier and heavier feeling the lump in your throat grow. "I'm really sorry for all this and I'll understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore. Just please tell me about it, because this silence and constant second-guessing of everything is killing me, I miss you Eddie and even if you don't reciprocate my feelings I would still like to have you in my life as a friend, but if you don't even want that… I will understand too."

It definitely had to be a dream. Or he must have smoked one too many joints and was now hallucinating. Whatever was happening now couldn't be real. You couldn't be real. You were too good. Too good for someone who destroyed your dreams.

"Say something Eddie, please." your quiet voice went straight to his heart. The heart you had long had at your fingertips.

"You came all the way out here, in a downpour, to tell me that, you wanted that kiss?" he asked getting up from the bed and walking over to you.

"If I didn't want it, I wouldn't have done it," you said.

"I thought it was you who didn't want to know me."

"But- why?"

"We didn't win because of me."

"Oh, Eddie." you bridged the gap between you by grabbing his hand. "Even though we didn't win the competition I thought I won something much better."

"What?"

"My own prince." You smiled softly.

This time he was the first to kiss you. This time the kiss was soothing, healing all the wounds of insecurity that had been bleeding inside you for the past week.

"Beauty and the Freak, huh?" he asked against your lips, smiling.

"No." you kissed him again.

"Beauty and the Beast?" he asked once again with teasing tone.

"Nope." another kiss.

"Then what?"

"Eddie and y/n." you whispered while hanging your arms around his neck.

"My favorite version." he hummed and snuggled his face into the bend of your neck.

"Hey kids, sorry to bother you, but the tea is ready." said Wayne peeking into the room. Seeing you two hugging he smiled broadly. "About damn time." he commented. "Now for the love of God give her some dry clothes before she gets cold!"

"Oh shit- yes." He walked quickly to the closet looking for something suitable in it. At that moment you were so hot that you completely forgot about how soaked you were. Happiness was working on you like a little internal furnace, but you gladly accepted one of his Hellfire shirts and his old PE shorts.

"You can call your mother and tell her you're staying with us for dinner, then Eddie will give you a ride home." the old man said disappearing behind the door.

As you left the room your attention was caught by a small piece of paper with a drawing on it. On it was a princess in a beautiful dress, strangely similar to you.

"What's that?" you asked, picking it up.

"Uh-oh…" Eddie began to blush. "It's a new character for my campaign."

"Looks nice." you chuckled.

"I had a very good inspiration." he laughed nervously.

"Will you tell me about her?"

"I'll tell you about anything you want."

"Sounds like a plan."

taglist: @i-me-mine @phantypurple @tlclick73

[nogenderbee]

♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ 𝕐𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕄, 𝕆, ℝ, 𝕌 ₊˚ˑ༄

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ anon request: Mizuki Yandere Headcanons Letters: M, N, O, R, U?

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Here it is! Oh but I already did N so here's the link and I hope you're okey with me just doing the rest of it!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ TW: unhealthy obsession, mentions of deaths, delusions

Not putting affiliation because I'm aware of how triggering this could be.

✧ Moving on = If you die or escape, will they be able to move on? How easy it'll be for them?

The only difference between Mizuki's reaction is that if you escape, they'll try for months to find you on any media's and try to see where you are. But when you're just dead, they're immidietly gonna give up on trying to bring you back to their life...

It's not the hardest for them but also not easy... they aren't gonna take serious methods like immidietly unaliving themselves or so... but they are gonna refuse to face reality in some way! They're aware you're not here anymore, but who's gonna stop them from acting as if it wasn't the truth?

They'd wear your style or even your clothes, they'd get into hobbies you used to have, they'd buy a mannequin and dress it up to be similiar to you and kiss it goodnight and goodmorning every time they fall asleep or wake up, and they're also gonna spray everything in their room or house with perfumes you used to use.

"Good morning Y/N~ Ah... how I wish I could hear it back... but at least I can kiss you! Mua~! Who knows? Maybe one day it turns out to be just a bad dream..."

✧ Other = Someone else speaks or flirts with you, how will they react?

Mizuki would instantly go into protection mode whenever they see someone even being around you! So when you're having conversation with someone... they know to immidietly join it so they know what they're standing on here...

If it really is just a friendly chat, and they see a smile on your face, they MIGHT let you hangout with that person from time to time... but only if they're around too!!

If it's straight up flirting... they don't even wait for you two to be alone, they just start to make a scene for whole place that you're in, fake-crying that you cheated on them. So if the person won't walk away with shame, they will by you completely ignoring them. Because how can you not comfort your lover~?

"You cheater!!! You cheated on me with THEM?!! I thought I was much better than that!! You- You... Oh? Seems like they walked away and you do care.. heh~ Well I'll only forgive you after a sleepover! What do you say?"

✧ Risk = How risky will they be with getting rid of rivals?

As we know, Mizuki is manipulator, and they don't want to get there r hands dirty either! So they do something they're good at~ nasty rumors~ They're already seen rarely at school, if they spread few rumors here and there, people won't even suspect them! Because how could they, when they weren't on any lesson for 2 weeks and rumors vegan going a week ago? It can't be them! And to have even better alibi~ They pretended all 2 weeks to be sick, so even you can confirm it couldn't be them!

But sometimes, they may choose safer option and just create alt account, and if irl rumors won't break their target, they'll make sure that THEIR threats and photoshopped photos going all around internet would!

And they won't even comfort you much about it... they'll just tell you it's not important right now and you should focus on them instead to take your mind off unpleasant things!

"Have you heard~? That girl from 2-C is using poor street puppys for her photos! No, those are not from shelter.. I heard she even kicks them after that!! Horrible, right?"

✧ Unsure = How much trust they have in you? What happens if you break it?

Mizuki's trust is at a low level... they'll always be scared you're gonna leave them at some point, that's why they're always following you and being so clingy all the time.

Their trust may change a little bit with time... if you play your cards right and find a friend group that they accept and feel sure you'll be safe with them, they might let you hangout alone with them every now and then... but only if you won't spend TOO much time with them! You have a lover after all... and they can't be left alone for longer than 3 hours! Or you might never brush them off ever again...

"Hey where are you leaving so early?! No, you're not going anywhere without me! Let me get dressed really quick and we can go! ... I don't care if it's FAMILY meeting!! I'm part of the family too, don't you think~?"

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

@bleachtheidiot @prsk-krow @modyuki @virtualpoison @miguelito-maruti-blog @written-by-kafka - come get your cuties lover~

[cain-e-brookman]

i was tagged by @illarian-rambling! thanks!

Rules: post brief descriptions of some characters and a poll, then get people to vote on their favorite

okay i've done this for the main cast of book one, lets see how much i can give away for book two characters

propaganda under the cut

Hesperos is a Sky Mage of Clan Galanis who worship the eldest of the Sky God's children: Khrou the Messenger, Goddess of Lightning. Exiled from his clan at a young age, for reasons he won't speak on, he was found off the coast of Vizia on a half-destroyed vessel by a young merchant lord after being abandoned at sea. Although he grew up alongside the carefree culture of the Sea God's children, he keeps to his clan's disciplined philosophy, as to never lose the grace of his goddess. Despite the strict adherence to his religion, Hesperos is, well, a ham. A performer from a young age, he loves nothing more than music, theater, and being the most dramatic person in any given room. He's enjoyed the wealth of his guardian, but never puts on airs and it polite to a detriment. His manners are his shield, as there's much he hides behind a charming word and easy smile.

You have two options. If you want to know her as a friend, you know her as Miss Belle, the owner of the most bustling tavern in Crescaeya: The Sunk Gator, home of the most authentic Marsher cuisine this side of the border. If you want to know her as an enemy, it's General Isabelle Duplantis-LaBoef of the Shadow Kings Army. During the war, she was known as the most ruthless defender on the home front. The only person in history who had ever sunk even a single Vizian ship, let alone three. After the heated peace talks ended, and the Vizian Armada broke their embargo, Miss Belle stayed on with the army long enough to get her sash of medals from the Shadow King, then move north to Uslaria for her restaurant. It's better not to ask too many questions; all good Marshers know this. So no one questions the late night shipments at her door, or how the large woman who always has the private table upstairs resembles a particular Vizian Fleet Admiral...

Anyone who's been in a room with Tavi knows he's royal, no matter what blood or title say. A merchant marine made guild leader, he's known to be as two-faced as they come. In balls and social events, the picture of grace and charm, funny and social. Anyone on the business side knows this is a lie. He's a controlling, stubborn, and hard business man who knows how to get things done. No one can deny he gets results, though, and through a friendship (or more if the rumors are to believed) with the duchess, he's managed to worm himself deep into the inner working of the largest trade city in Uslaria. After years of watching him slowly take control, most now understand why his family signet is an octopus.

Silas was once a carpenter who lived deep into the wild lands tucked into the heart of the Marshes, the Dark Waters, but was pulled from his life during the war with the Fire Mages. Marked by the Silver Moon as the most true Mage in his small town, he was drafted the moment the Marshes were attacked. His time in the Shadow King's army brought him far from home and ended when his unit was attacked in an ambush as they pushed their way through enemy lines in the middle of the night. He spotted the attack before his sleeping camp had, sounded the alarm and held back the assault long enough to give his men a fighting chance. In doing so, he sacrificed himself to the fire, and that night, under the light of the Silver Moon, he died. Or so the casualty report would say. The healers didn't think he'd survive the hour from the burns, but he did, becoming the only living person to ever hold the medal for a sacrificial death in defense of the people of Ixoryn. (He made it very clear when he made it home, he wasn't giving it back.) Now, he lives in Crescaeya as Tavi's live-in bodyguard, able to intimidate most before they even think of hurting his lord. The burn scars on most of his body sends a very clear message: You're gonna have to do worse than this to take me down.

and i'll tag @spideronthesun @skullduggeryandfilibuster @emrowene @topazadine! as always no pressure!

[v6quewrlds]

I'm still in a limbo, but I don't think tee is leaving... NOW i could be wrong, and i hope I am, but I just can't see him leaving, at least not for another season. But hypothetically speaking, if he did leave/ask for a trade or whatever, where do you think he'll go? Do you think they would pay him the amount of money he wants or not? And how valuable of a player is he? I'm very curious. I've only recently gotten into the bengals this season as a generational Patriots fan. And the Twitter and reddit people are p1ssed saying he's using his "injuries" as an excuse to sit out, and he's allowing the bengals to fail, etc etc personally, i do believe he's injured HOWEVER i do think he's trying to give them a "You see my importance to this team and securing wins so pay me what I'm asking." I do think they would have still lost to the eagles given the teamwork hadn't been the best in terms of securing a decently gapped win that wasn't damn near a loss. not to mention they haven't won a home game YET, but i definitely think they had better chances at a close win with tee playing. I hope you understand all of my yapping. i got sidetracked a lot, but thank you for reading. 🫠🫠🫠

you stole all of my thoughts lmao. this is exactly how i feel. i don't think he's using injury as an excuse but if he is in limbo with his contract (1) he can use his absence as leverage and (2) i wouldn't blame him for wanting to display his best game which he can't do if he's hindered by injury. they still would've lost because this problem is deeper than tee. but that's def something to think about for the bengals.

with the trade deadline coming so soon, i agree that we probably won't see him leave this season. i think he's worth a good amount and there are teams that need/are willing to pay for him.

if i was in the bengals front office, i think the best option would be trade tee for a draft pick for a couple of reasons:

(1) tee is not gonna be satisfied playing no. 2 to ja'marr for the rest of his career, especially not for an organization that is struggling to win games despite their stacked roster. the bengals do have to pay ja'marr this season too. so if i had to choose between ja'marr and tee, i'm picking ja'marr no matter what.

(2) i'd be keeping an eye out on the 2025 draft class. because if the bengals can find a good enough no. 2 wr in the later rounds that they can develop & avoid the star salary issue (like with andrei in 2023) they could build a lethal offense in the offseason.

as for teams that could pick him up. i've heard rumors about the commanders but with how they've been playing + the fact that they beat the bears on sunday, i don't think they'll mess with their wr roster.

i also heard something about the cowboys which i resent because i hate jerry jones but they do need help offensively.

my selfish answer would be the chargers because poor justin herbert needs help. but i think the chargers have the same issue as the bengals: a penny pinching front office that leans too heavily on their franchise qb.

[nanabansama]

hi!! I loved hearing your thoughts about ch113!! I am definitely also team I hope in my heart amane and tsukasa are working together lol. one thing that surprised me in 113 was teru, akane, and nene all splitting up, since they’re the only ones we’ve seen who remember the other timeline. I was wondering if there’s anyone you hope or think nene will run into or seek out for help in the coming chapters? or do you think she’ll be on her own for this one? (this is tsutsumi-kurose btw!!)

Oh hello!! Hi!!! As always we are in sync re: the twins. 🤝 Shaking your hand vigorously. (I also loved your thoughts on 113!)

And that is a WONDERFUL thought! I hadn't considered the implications of them splitting up at all. Yes, I imagine they'll all be getting up to some business one way or another...

Regarding specifically who I'd like Nene to meet, obviously Yugi-sensei! But I have little doubt AidaIro will deliver on that, lol. Oh, and I'd just LOVE for her to meet the rumor Tsukasa-kun too... Which I also have little doubt about... ehm... ...

I do feel like she'd want to bring Kou-kun into all this? If she can, at least. He's on her side after all and he wouldn't be happy about this new world if he knew. That said, Kou and Nene are always teaming up to the point it's gotten to be cliché... and I feel he tends to steal the show from Nene when they're together, too, so I really hope it's something else actually!!!

Someone who could be more useful to Nene is Tsuchigomori, who is not only buddy-buddy with the new Hanako but also the school's resident supernatural record keeper. It's a little shocking since everyone's alive rn but Kamome Academy is still haunted and likely has an entire new cast of Mysteries. 😭 Err...probably, anyway. We can't say for sure but most likely...

Anyway, since Team NTA (Nene Teru Akane) are investigating what was changed in the past so that they can undo it, I bet Tsuchigomori could help if he's willing to share his secrets with Nene. I'm not sure if Nene would be bold enough to ask about that, though, and it'd be risky to incur his wrath without Hanako there to keep him in check. Tsuchigomori doesn't have any reason to like Nene yet, after all...still, I'd love to see more about how him and the Mysteries are doing if we can. :)

Also, she's only cameod so far so that might be the extent of it, but I would love for her to formally meet the new Shijima... I feel it'll only be a short scene, but as a school faculty member maybe she could help point Nene in the right direction? ^_^ Having Nene actually MEET her would be really feelsy, too, and it'd be fun to give Nene a reason to hesitate about doing away with this new timeline altogether.

So ultimately I guess I would say I'm leaning towards Nene being on her own for this one...mostly because there aren't a lot of good options to choose from. >_< And heck, Nene almost never does things alone! I think it's about time she had another solo adventure.

But above all I really just want to be surprised! And AidaIro is generally good about being surprising in a good way. :) Perhaps Nene could team up with someone we haven't even seen yet...? And I'm hoping we get some insight into the new lives of Team NTA and the other characters. ^_^ Considering (almost) everyone is alive rn I'm fully expecting to see Mama Minamoto and get kicked in the feels, lol. Aah!! So exciting!!!

Anyway I got kinda rambly there but that's the the fun part of questions like these right!? If you like, let me know what you want to happen!

[daitranscripts]

Cullen Romance

I Want to Talk About Us

Cullen Masterpost

(Start a romance with Cullen.)

PC: I thought we could talk. Alone?

PC is available [1]

PC is in a relationship with someone else [2]

Cullen continued lyrium [3]

1 - PC is available Cullen: Alone? I mean, of course. [6]

2 - PC is in a relationship with someone else Cullen: Perhaps I’m mistaken, but I’ve heard that you’re… involved with someone. Rumors spread quickly here. I wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. Scene ends.

3 - Cullen continued lyrium Cullen: is something wrong? PC: No. I was hoping to talk about us. Cullen: Us. I see. I have devoted my life to the Inquisition. I can’t… I do not have time for anything else.

Dialogue options:

General: Is that it? [4]

General: I’ll back off. [5]

4 - General: Is that it? PC: Is that the only reason? Cullen: I wanted to start over. I’m not sure I have. I still feel like the man I was in Kirkwall. Until I’ve put that behind me, I cannot be with anyone. I’m sorry. Scene ends. ㅤㅤ ㅤ 5 - General: I’ll back off. PC: I understand. Pretend I never asked. Cullen: If that is all, I should return to my duties. Inquisitor. Scene ends.

6 - Scene continues.

*The PC and Cullen walk out onto the battlements.

Cullen: It’s a nice day.

Inquisitor: What?

Cullen drops his hand.

Cullen: It’s… there was something you wished to discuss.

Dialogue options:

Mage: Could you care for a mage? [7]

Templar: Could you care for a templar? [8]

General: I keep thinking about you. [9]

General: You really don’t know? [10]

General: I want to talk about us. [11]

7 - Mage: Could you care for a mage? PC: Cullen, I care for you, and— (Sighs.) Cullen: What’s wrong?

PC (pre-Perseverance): You left the templars, but do you trust mages? Could you think of me as anything more? PC (post-Perseverance): I’m a mage. After what you’ve been through, could you think of me as anything more?

Cullen: I could. I mean, I do… think of you. And what I might say in this sort of situation. [12]

8 - Templar: Could you care for a templar? PC: Cullen, I care for you, and— (Sighs.) Cullen: What’s wrong? PC: Do I remind you of what you’re trying to escape? Could you think of me as anything more? Cullen: I could. I mean, I do… think of you. And what I might say in this sort of situation. [12]

9 - General: I keep thinking about you. PC: I find myself thinking of you. More than… well, all the time, really. Cullen: I can’t say I haven’t wondered what it would be like. [12]

10 - General: You really don’t know? PC (asked if Cullen left anyone in Kirkwall): Cullen, you know how I feel. PC (did not ask about Kirkwall): Us. Whether there could be something here.

Cullen: I can’t say I haven’t wondered what it would be like. [12]

11 - General: I want to talk about us. PC: Certainly not the weather. Cullen: I assumed that much. I can’t say I haven’t wondered what I would say to you in this sort of situation. [12]

12 - Scene continues.

PC: What’s stopping you?

Cullen (pre-Perseverance): You’re the Inquisitor. We’re at war. And you… I didn’t think it was possible. Cullen (post-Perseverance): You’re the Inquisitor. We’re at war. And you… haven’t always seen me in the best light.

Dialogue options:

General: Maybe we should be friends. [The Inquisitor chooses not to be in a relationship with Cullen.] [13]

Flirt: I want to be with you. [The Inquisitor chooses to be in a relationship with Cullen.] [14]

13 - General: Maybe we should be friends. PC: I don’t want to complicate things. Perhaps it’s better if we remain friends. Cullen: I suppose it is. The PC leaves. Scene ends.

14 - Flirt: I want to be with you. PC: And yet I’m still here. Cullen: So you are… it seems too much to ask. But I want to—

A soldier walks up while looking at a clipboard.

Soldier: Commander! You wanted a copy of Sister Leliana’s report.

Cullen: What?

Soldier: Sister Leliana’s report. You wanted it delivered “without delay.”

Cullen glares at him, and the scout looks around to see the PC.

Soldier: Or… to your office… right…

He leaves.

PC: If you need to— (Surprised gasp.)

Cullen kisses the PC.

Cullen: I’m sorry… that was… um… really nice.

Dialogue options:

General: Don’t be sorry. [15]

General: That was surprising. [16]

General: That was perfect. [17]

15 - General: Don’t be sorry. PC: You don’t regret it, do you? Cullen: No! No. Not at all. They kiss again. Scene ends.

16 - General: That was surprising. PC: I believe that was a kiss. But I can’t be sure. It’s all a blur. Cullen: (Laughs.) Yes, well. They kiss again. Scene ends.

17 - General: That was perfect. PC: That was what I wanted. Cullen: Oh. Good. They kiss again. Scene ends.

[hopetorun]

if youre still taking those fic asks i would LOVE to know what leon is thinking in the second winner's room when matthew chooses to suck his dick

sorry this took me so long but here is some pov flip for you!!

January 29, 2020 Rogers Place, Edmonton Flames 4 – Oilers 3 (SO)

Leon’s feet are cold as he shuffles down the hall to the winner’s room. If he had suspected he was going to get tapped tonight, he would’ve taken the time to put on socks. He didn’t really think—it wasn’t his best game, especially with the miss in the shootout, and there’s always the option of picking Connor, or Kass to get the final word in his back-and-forth with Tkachuk.

But here he is, punching in today’s door code—it takes him two tries—and the door swings open to reveal Tkachuk sitting on the bed.

Maybe Leon shouldn’t have made the blowjob so good last time. He knows there’s rumors about Tkachuk, even if he makes a point of not seeming too interested in any of the rumors. About anyone, but especially about Tkachuk.

“Hey,” Tkachuk says. His gaze is unsettlingly even. All he did tonight was let himself get beat up, Leon thinks, and then feels mean for it.

“Hi,” Leon says.

Tkachuk doesn’t say anything else, even though it’s his room and he’s the one who wanted Leon here. He looks Leon over, but there’s no leer in it. Leon squirms anyway, feeling like he might be getting graded. It’s easier to be on the ice with Tkachuk, taking swings at each other or—or making passes. It’s only been a few days since Leon made him laugh, mouthing fuck you even though he knew all the cameras would see.

“What do you want?” Leon asks, because he doesn’t want to think about that any more than he already has.

“What if I want to suck your dick this time?” Tkachuk still has that steady gaze, like this is normal for him. Maybe it is. Leon doesn’t manage to keep his own expression level, surprise showing on his face before he pushes it back down. There’s rumors about Tkachuk, sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for Leon to make things obvious. If Tkachuk wants to, though, it’s not like Leon hasn’t ever looked. His sweaty curls, his lips curled around his mouthguard.

Tkachuk raises a single eyebrow and smirks at him. It looks ridiculous. Leon liked his real smile last week better.

“If you’re not game we don’t have to,” Tkachuk says. “I know some guys—”

No one’s ever offered this to Leon before. Even when they’re both—no one has ever used their own room to suck Leon off. He’s never done it either, won a game and then gotten on his knees. He sees the appeal immediately, though. Too many guys in this league think that the only way to be in control is to shove your dick inside someone until they choke on it.

“I thought,” Leon starts, but it doesn’t matter what he thought. He knows what Tkachuk is offering, and it’s Tkachuk’s room to do what he wants with. “Sure, whatever you want.” That’s the way it goes, after all.

Tkachuk takes his sweatshirt off, and his shirt too. There’s still red marks from his pads, and a few smudges that look like they’ll be bruises by tomorrow. Leon does a very bad job not staring. He says something stupid, Tkachuk also says something stupid, and then Leon’s sitting down on the bed and Tkachuk is dropping to his knees. The movement looks comfortable, familiar. Leon has to put a lot of thought into breathing, and it takes him too long to remember that he should take his pants off.

Leon slides a hand into Tkachuk’s hair before he even stops to think that this is Tkachuk’s room. Maybe he doesn’t want to be touched.

But all Tkachuk says is, “Being on this side is more fun when you choose it.” Leon doesn’t pay any attention to what he says in response. Tkachuk’s hair is still a little wet, the curls tamed slightly by the water. He’s rubbing Leon’s dick along his cheek, just barely touching it with his lips. There’s no way this isn’t—he’s absolutely sucking dick outside the room. No one learns these tricks while somebody’s fucking your face to teach you a lesson for being a shithead. And that must happen to Tkachuk a lot.

Leon’s even thought about it. He’s not going to think about it anymore, not when he could be thinking about Tkachuk’s cheeks hollowed around his cock and the long eyelashes he’s looking up through. It’s obscene. His cock is so deep into Tkachuk’s throat. Leon clenches his fist tighter in Tkachuk’s hair, breathing slowly to keep from embarrassing himself. It’s hard to keep his hips still.

Tkachuk’s cheeks are flushed, and his chest is too. Easy to see, since he took his shirt off. He’s into this, and he’s not bothering to hide it. He’s—trusting Leon with that? Leon wants—

He wants Tkachuk to not jerk himself off before Leon can touch him. He pulls Tkachuk off his cock. It makes Tkachuk whine, which is going to feature in more of Leon’s fantasies than he cares to acknowledge.

“What are you doing?” he asks, even though he knows.

Tkachuk says, “Giving you a blowjob?” because he’s apparently always going to be a bit of a shithead. His hand is still pressed between his legs, even if his hips aren’t moving against it.

“That part,” Leon says.

“Saving you the trouble? I have to get off, and if I leave with a massive hard-on it’ll be pretty obvious I didn’t.”

Tkachuk groans when Leon tightens his fist. His lips are so red. Leon wants to touch them. Leon wants to touch him.

“What if I don’t want you to take care of it yourself?”

That puts them on the same page. They’ve both shown their cards. Tkachuk knows that Leon wants to touch him. He can do whatever he wants with that.

“What are you gonna do about it?” he asks, and that’s like he is on the ice, pushing, needling, trying to get a rise out of Leon. He’s so good at it there, and here too, apparently, as he licks Leon’s cock like a fucking lollipop once. Leon definitely does not feel like he’s in control right now.

“Hands where I can see them,” he says, and even when Tkachuk does it, it doesn’t stop the feeling that this is all spinning out of his grasp. And then Tkachuk’s mouth is back on him, and Leon decides there are worse things than being out of control.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Kicho's Main Story Chapter 9 Part 2

These translations are not intended as a replacement for the game. Please support cybird by buying their stories. SPOILERS under the cut. Expect mistakes.

Mitsuhide: “...........”

Mitsuhide: “You said that if the present changes, the future will change, too.”

Mitsuhide: “You knew the future and started the war here in Japan to change it?”

Kicho: “That’s right.”

Mitsuhide: “Why did you do it?”

Kicho: “If I tell you, will you change your beliefs?”

Mitsuhide: “You don’t have to ask.”

Kicho: “Then there’s no point in talking about it. I have no intention of breaking anything, either.”

Mitsuhide: “Even if you have to put that girl on the scales?”

Kicho: “...........”

Kicho’s eyes silently lose their light, like a sky covered with thick clouds.

Kicho: "What are you trying to say?"

Mitsuhide: “You now have two choices.”

Mitsuhide: “If what you said earlier is true, then Mai’s disappearance means that Japan’s future has changed.”

Mitsuhide: “In other words, the warring world will continue, just as you have intended.”

Mitsuhide: “The first option is to continue to live as a demon in this turbulent world.”

Kicho: “And the second option is to abandon the cause in the hope of eliminating it, huh?”

Mitsuhide: “That’s right. And I have only one choice.”

Mitsuhide immediately raised his gun and pointed it at Kicho.

Mitsuhide: “I choose Mai’s life over your cause.”

Mitsuhide: “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this choice.”

Mitsuhide: "What about you, Kicho?"

Kicho: "Let's see."

Mitsuhide: "!"

Bang!

One single gunshot sound echoed through the small room, and both Mitsuhide and Kicho's faces contorted as it was fired simultaneously.

Mitsuhide: "Guh..."

Kicho: "There's no choice from the start. I've already decided my path."

With blood seeping from his right shoulder, Kicho moved toward the door that had been kicked in.

Kicho: "I'll leave everything behind and move on to greater heights."

Kicho: "That's why I came back to this turbulent world."

Mitsuhide: "Wait. You..."

By the time Mitsuhide, shot in the abdomen, was about to point his gun again, Kicho had disappeared.

Motonari: "You bitch, how long are you going to resist?"

Mai: "Ouch, my feet..."

Motonari's subordinate: "Hey, don't put all your weight on me while saying that!"

Kidnapped and bound with ropes, I desperately resisted for the last time.

(Motonari said that I had to disappear.)

(Now that we've come this far into the mountains, they're either going to kill me or leave me behind without anyone knowing.)

(I guess that means I'll never make it back alive.)

(If that happens, I'll never see Kicho again.)

Motonari: "Do you want to be killed here?"

Mai: "I'm resisting because I don't want to get killed!"

Motonari: "Then, you better shut up. A defiant hostage is nothing but a nuisance."

Mai: "Hostage?"

Motonari: "Kicho didn't tell me, but I've already checked it."

Motonari: "Nobunaga is seriously understaffed for sending a princess with so many openings as a spy."

Mai: "----!"

(Motonari knows who I am, too.)

Motonari: "It looks like he's finally here."

I turned around when I heard footsteps approaching.

Motonari: "I've been waiting for you. Kennyo."

(This is the man who tried to kill Nobunaga in Honnoji.)

Kennyo: “Who’s that girl?”

Motonari: “She’s from the Oda clan. Rumor has it that she’s Nobunaga’s mistress.”

(Mistress!?)

Mai: “T-That’s not true! That’s just a rumor!”

Motonari: “Ha? What are you getting so worked up about?”

Mai: “I have no choice. That rumor is making me uneasy.”

Mai: “Also, please don’t tell Kicho that.”

Motonari: “Because you don’t want him to think you have that kind of relationship with Nobunaga?”

Motonari: “You’re awfully attached to him.”

Mai: “That’s...”

(That just came out of my mouth.)

I averted my eyes from Motonari to stop myself from saying anymore crazy things.

Motonari: “Well, I’m not interested, so I won’t ask.”

Kennyo: “But even if you exclude the rumor, she’s still from the Oda clan.”

Kennyo: “I see. That’s why she was in Honnoji that night.”

Mai: “----!”

I got goosebumps when I saw the dark, cold look in his eyes as he turned his lingering hatred toward me.

Motonari: “You made the right call by speaking to me.”

Motonari: “You can use her as a hostage to get rid of your grief from the past or whatever.”

Mai: “Waah!”

At Motonari’s order, his men pushed me, making me stagger toward Kennyo.

Bound by ropes and unable to catch myself, his strong arms supported me and pulled me straight to him.

Mai: “No, let me go!”

Kennyo: “I can’t do that.”

Kennyo: “I have nothing against you, but if you claim to be from the Oda, I can’t let you go.”

Kennyo: “I’ll use you as much as I can.”

Motonari: “There you have it. He saved your life. You’re lucky you’re worth something.”

Mai: “That doesn’t make me happy! It’s unfair that you guys are teaming up to do this!”

Motonari: “Ha? I’m not teaming up with him. I’m just looking for a place to dump you because you’re in the way.”

Motonari: “Hey, Kennyo. You still haven't given me an answer.”

Kennyo: “...........”

(What’s he talking about? It doesn't look like they're enemies, but they're not allies either.)

(Come to think of it, Motonari and Kicho were like that too.)

It was Motonari's sole decision to bring me here, and as far as I’ve heard, Kicho didn't share some of the information with Motonari either.

(They probably team up because they have the same goal, or their goals just overlap with each other.)

Mai: "What exactly are you two up to?"

Motonari: "Why do wanna know? Are you gonna talk us out of it?"

Kennyo: "You're wasting your time. If one word could change our purpose, we wouldn't be here now."

Mai: "I know that, but being ignorant is the worst thing I can do."

Motonari: "Ha! You're right. There's nothing scarier than ignorance."

Motonari: "Some people dream of unification because they're too ignorant."

Mai: "Is it wrong to dream of a peaceful future?"

Motonari: "It's not, but you'll regret it when the time comes."

Motonari: "People are ugly, greedy beasts. Nothing good will happen if they rule over others."

Motonari: "That's why it's much better to live in chaos."

(He talks like there are no good people in this world.)

(But why does he think that way?)

Motonari: "Anyway, Japan is fine the way it is. Nobody can do anything about it."

Motonari said dismissively and quickly mounted his horse.

Mai: "Wait! I'm not yet done talking!"

Motonari: "No, it's over. You can think about the rest with that tiny little head of yours."

(Ah...)

Cutting off the conversation, Motonari gestured for the horse to turn and galloped away.

(He's gone.)

Kennyo: "I have nothing to say to you."

Mai: "But you're going to hold me hostage?"

Mai: "If you're putting my life on the line, you can at least tell me what kind of demands you intend to make."

Kennyo: "No. What if you suddenly bite your tongue and kill yourself?"

Mai: "I won't do that! There's no way I'd take my own life."

Kennyo furrowed his eyebrows deeply as I denied it.

Kennyo: "You’re a strange girl. Don't you have anything called loyalty?"

Mai: "I want to be as honest as possible, but I'm not willing to die for anyone."

Mai: "Of course, I don't like the idea of someone dying for me, either."

Kennyo: "............." 

Kennyo: "Then you're in deep trouble because I'm trading your body for Nobunaga's head."

Mai: "What!?"

I remember what Mitsuhide told me before.

Kennyo plotted the assassination of Nobunaga at Honnoji Temple because Nobunaga destroyed the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple in the past.

Mai: "Are you taking revenge?"

Kennyo: "That's right."

Kennyo: "That Demon King burned down the temple to achieve his goal of unification."

Kennyo: "Several of my comrades have lost their lives and lands, leaving them only with resentment and regret."

Kennyo: "I'll do whatever it takes to take revenge on Nobunaga."

Kennyo's expression turned even grimmer, and the scar that remained on his face became twisted.

(There is always someone else's blood and war beyond any beliefs.)

(And even if you survive, your heart will be shattered.)

I'd seen it with my own eyes, if only for a short while.

These were the times when one couldn't live without getting hurt, surrounded by the word justice.

It was too difficult just to stay alive and hold on to one's own will.

That's why...

Mai: "We need to end this warring world even more so."

Kennyo: "What are you mumbling all of a sudden?"

Mai: "I realized that even though we have words, they mean nothing in the face of military force."

Mai: "It's not yet too late for us to talk and get to know each other before making a decision."

Mai: "Because if one of us points a weapon at the other first, it's gonna be hard to talk anymore."

I'd rather stay ignorant, but I can't go back now.

I'm no longer a bystander.

------------Flashback------------

Kicho: “My goal of a peaceful world was wrong.”

Kicho: “If people are not tormented by war, they will forget the value of life.”

Kicho: “It’s only in this turbulent world that we can properly fulfill the meaning of life.”

---------Flashback Ends---------

(That's not true.)

Mai: "If we're not tormented by war, we can remember the warmth of our words."

Mai: "We can listen to the words of someone who has the same irreplaceable life."

(I know it won't always work out that way, and it's all just my selfish idea of justice.)

(But if that opportunity gets taken away before you get to know the other person, people will remain at odds with each other for the rest of their lives.)

(They will continue to carry the wounds and contradictions they have suffered.)

Mai: "There are plenty of things you don't realize until your enemies become human."

Mai: "I learned that here."

Mai: "So I think that whoever you are dealing with before you pick up a weapon, you should speak to each other first."

Kennyo: "..........."

Mai: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that as a sermon to you."

Mai: "I just saw what was happening and thought about it."

Kennyo: "Yeah."

Kennyo nodded slowly, his face still contorted as he leaned slightly on his staff, a clear, crisp sound echoing.

Kennyo: "My goal is still to take revenge."

Kennyo: "We've already hurt each other and lost so much. The man I believed to be human turned out to be a demon king, and I turned out to be a demon."

Kennyo: "There's no turning back now. Everything is covered with blood, and this road leads to hell."

Mai: "I understand."

Kennyo: “But there are still others who haven’t been deprived and can turn back.”

Mai: “You mean the townspeople? There’s a riot going on now.”

Kennyo: “You know about it?”

Mai: “Not all of it, but I’ve seen it.”

Mai: “There were fires everywhere, and people were screaming. It was pretty much like hell.”

Kennyo: “Then, what would you do?”

Mai: “I...”

(There’s not much I can do by myself.)

(I know that, but一)

Mai: “I want to stop it. I’ll do what I can to stop it.”

Kennyo: “I see. Then...”

Kennyo suddenly drew the sword, hidden in his staff, and一

Slash!

He cut the rope binding me.

Mai: “Are you sure you want to let me go?”

Kennyo: “A hostage will just slow me down. Also, I have to take my disciples and go to town.”

Mai: “Are you going to stop the riots?”

Mai: “This could be your chance to get revenge, you know?”

Kennyo: “Are you really saying that to me?”

Kennyo: “There are just too many of them to take to hell. That’s all.”

Mai: “Kennyo...”

No matter how noble your words are and how many times you say them to a stranger, you can’t easily move their hearts.

But in Kennyo’s case, there may have already been hesitation deep in his heart.

Mai: “Um...”

Mai: “If there’s anything I can help you with in the future, please let me know.”

Kennyo: “Does that mean you’ll volunteer to be a hostage?”

Mai: “Except that.”

Kennyo: “You become even weirder every time I talk to you.”

Sighing, Kennyo put his sword back and hit the ground twice.

Soon, armed, black-clad men came running out from the nearby trees.

Disciple 1: “Lord Kennyo, we’ve been keeping an eye on it as you ordered us to.”

Kennyo: “Yeah, how’s the situation in town?”

Disciple 2: “It’s spreading fast.”

Disciple 2: “The rioters are setting fire to houses one after another and marching to a poorly guarded branch castle on the outskirts of town.”

Kennyo: “I see. Then we’ll split up and handle it.”

He listened to the reports and gave instructions to each of them.

(I can’t let this happen. I have to act too.)

Mai: “Excuse me! I’ll try not to slow you down, so will you let me come with you?”

Kennyo: “Are you going to jump into a dangerous place by yourself unarmed?”

Mai: “Yes. I can’t fight, but I can help you with the rescue.”

Mai: “Besides, I want to find Kicho and talk to him directly.”

Kennyo: “That man?”

Mai: "Please! I'll do my best."

Mai: "If you feel like I'm in the way, you can just leave me there!"

As I repeatedly bowed my head, Kennyo stopped me with his hand.

Kennyo: "In any case, it's still dangerous to leave a girl here alone."

Kennyo: "Follow me."

Mai: "Thank you!"

(Wherever you are, I'll surely find you.)

(I'm going to stop you, Kicho.)

Boom!

Man 1: "Hey, get out of there! You'll get caught in the middle of it!"

Woman: "No! My baby is still trapped inside."

Man 1: "Give up! You're going to die too!"

Man 2: "What are you guys doing? Do you want to get burned?"

Woman: "But!"

Kicho: "Oi."

Townspeople: "----!"

Kicho: "You hold up that end over there and push that pillar down there with me."

Man 1: "Okay, fine!"

Kicho: "Now, on the count of three, put your strength into it."

Kicho: "One, two, three!"

Woman: "There's an opening!"

The woman frantically reached out her arm and rescued a child trapped between the crushed houses.

Woman: "Thank goodness."

Man 1: "Thank you. Wait, you're hurt!"

Woman: "It's true. Your face is so pale, and your shoulder is bleeding."

Kicho: "It's nothing serious."

Shrugging off the voices of concern, Kicho quickly walked away, exhaling painfully with each step and looking up at the hellish scene.

Kicho: "I can't just stop here."

Kicho: "This is the path I've decided to take."

(A bloody letter that never gets delivered.)

Where did I go wrong?

What should I have done? I know that thinking about it and regretting it now won't make any difference because I chose this path for myself.

To choose something means to abandon something.

I know that too.

I've spilled too much blood, but I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities that don't exist.

What would that girl say to me now?

What expression would she make, and how would she touch me?

I should've talked to her. I should've faced her.

Mai was the only one who tried to see all of me, not just a part of me.

I never thought that would be the last time.

--Kicho

Previous Part╏Masterlist╏Next Part

[the-good-bad-truth]

Pregnancy reveal on Grammy's nomination week?

Christmas jingle?

The Voice guest coach?

What's next? Let me guess some option.

1. Winter wonderland elopement?

2. Some New Age religion baptism for the child?

3. Vow renewal after two months?

4. Face reveal of the baby for some campaign?

5. Very unusual baby name?

6. Wedding sponsored by a high fashion brand?

7. Wedding footage sold to a reality TV network?

8. Honeymoon sex tape?

9. Divorce with no prenup?

10. Paparazzi knowing their location while she looks at the camera and he can't fake being annoyed, every time? How both of y'all actors, but can't act.

11. Diddy trial?

12. Custody battle?

13. Diddy party footage?

14. Child support settlement?

15. Another billionaire white party?

16. Another Kardashian cameo?

17. Another overdose CDAN rumor at a Roc Nation event?

18. Another public meltdown & temporary breakup?

19. Another Snapchat rumor of him cheating with a porn star? Notice how Teanna Trump seems closer to "his only type".

20. His first baby momma finally mustering the courage to stop hiding and speak out about all the BS he must have put her through? If she shares her truth, it'll probably be when her daughter’s in her mid-20s... if he’s still around or relevant enough for anyone to care in 10 years.

21. Somebody hopping on a podcast to share a hook up story?

22. Somebody on instagram sharing how they got an STD?

23. Third baby momma?

24. DV allegations?

25. Rehab?

26. Old tweets being exposed?

If I had to choose, I would say pap photos of them definitely, she will be posting and showing off her stomach in revealing clothes because that is now a popular trend for pregnant celebrities to be doing. So maybe she can rebrand her style as being a hot mom or something. I would also say there will be articles of how he is absent or that Megan feels his not mature to be a father blah blah. They already did that when they were engaged of how she wasn't sure he was the marrying type and later from her own mouth she said marriage wasn't her thing. I don't see them marrying at least until baby is born because that will only extend and give them more things to shove down our throats. Even then I do not see marriage in the cards for them since she had already shut down that fantasy of his, so he will be feeling too insecure to ask her again.

She will most definitely be choosing a weird baby name, and I feel like he would not have a say in the name. He would just go along with it. Because I notice when she shares something that embarrasses him or paints him in a bad light, he usually tucks his tail between his legs and takes the hit for her. Which I totally understand because if I feel if he were to speak up or go against her narrative people would just shit on him because she has been blacklisted, and a woman and he is the man who Eminem forced to switch genres.

Megan chose a perfect man to bully and I'm just going to say it cuz no one wants to admit, abuse. She is abusive to him 100%. But you know how she wants to say she is not seen as a perfect victim, well actually Megan it's Colson who is not the perfect victim cuz he is a man, cuz he disrespected eminems daughter and lost the beef cuz he is the punching bag and the but of the joke for the media and public.

Also, I know people are saying she won't show this baby, but I doubt it. She has done it in the past on her insta she had many photos of her children, and she has also done pap walk with her children at places and times where it was "family" time. I can see her doing magazine shoots with this baby or doing something for a mommy/baby brand. But I think she will do it without Colson which will only help feed into her I'm alone in this world and men aren't shit and absent fathers' narrative

[dragonflight203]

Mass Effect 2 replay, Freedom’s Progress:

-How did TIM know about Freedom’s Progress?

The timing is very convenient – Shepard just woke up, and Cerberus is hoping to get there before official investigators, looters, or salvage teams.

No proof, but I wouldn’t be surprised if TIM sold out Freedom’s Progress like he does Horizon later on.

-I miss each character having unique lines per environment. It added a lot of flavor.

-On Horizon, we see one of the Collector swarms. The colonists have enough time to panic. You’d think that Freedom’s Progress would show some signs of that panic – a dinner tray tossed across a room, bullet sprays, etc.

-ME2 spends a lot of time downplaying ME1 Cerberus.

Shepard to Tali if you go renegade: I know Cerberus has a bad past, but they’re the only group investigating these missing colonies. The Council has turned its back on humanity. I haven’t.

Cerberus’ history is a bit more than “a bad past”. And Shepard, you only know what TIM has told you so far. How can you be so certain the Council has abandoned humanity?

-Shepard, if you investigate: Your people really don’t like Cerberus. What did I miss?

Hmm. I’ll let this one slide. They’re curious about why the Quarians dislike Cerberus. I’d think being a pro human terrorist organization is enough, but it’s not bad to ask for more information.

I do wish the game would give the full story about what went down between Cerberus and the Quarians. It just dances around it, and that’s irritating. How hard would it be to include a summary as an investigate option?

-Tali’s team disobeys her and rushes ahead.

I can’t recall – does something similar occur on Haestrom? If not, that’s good character development for her.

-Considering Veetor injures and kills several Quarians, the Flotilla forgives him very easily from what we see in Tali’s loyalty mission.

I do wonder how his pilgrimage, or lack thereof, turns out – does he ever finish it?

If not – well, I suppose he lives on Rannoch or dies with the other Quarians.

-I feel I cheated my first boss battle. I somehow got the Ymir mech stuck behind a stack of boxes and finished it off easily.

I’ll take it.

-Veetor says that the Collectors and their swarms are connected to dark energy.

If ME3 had stuck with the dark energy plot, this would have been excellent foreshadowing.

As it is, it feels like a plot thread that’s abandoned.

-If you go neutral when speaking with TIM, he thinks that the Collectors are connected to the Reapers because they became interested in humanity after humans destroyed Sovereign.

This feels like a weak justification. Any species could reasonably be interested in humanity after they defeat a major power like Sovereign. That doesn’t necessarily make them connected to the Reapers. They could just be curious about using humanity for their own ends, or preparing to defend themselves against humanity.

-If you go paragon, TIM says that the Council and the Alliance want to think the threat is dead with Sovereign but he and Shepard know better.

Again, Shepard already knows this is the official line. Shepard’s an officer – do they have no understanding that sometimes you keep knowledge under wraps to prevent panic or for security?

-Once again, if you choose any investigate options the paragon option disappears.

Damn it, learning all I can is not the same as agreeing to work with TIM.

-TIM says that Liara’s working for the Shadow Broker and therefore can’t be trusted.

Rather interesting, since Liara is actually hunting down the Shadow Broker.

Does TIM believe what he’s saying is or is he lying to Shepard so Shepard won’t try to recruit her?

-I saw a post that speculated that Joker and Chakwas joined Cerberus undercover at Hackett’s bequest, because Hackett had heard rumors that Cerberus had Shepard.

For the sake of my sanity, I will be working on that assumption. If Joker genuinely joined Cerberus after all of ME1 – well, that either says something about the writers or Joker’s character.

-Was EDI always planned to be the Luna AI?

If so, that explains why she’s so understanding if Shepard goes renegade when speaking to her. She knows Shepard has a very good reason to distrust her.

-Shepard hasn’t been awake for a day, and Anderson and Hackett both already have work for them.

Seriously, how do they know Shepard is awake? And how are they contacting them – is Shepard using their old email address?

I presume Shepard’s Alliance email was closed after they died; I can understand why Anderson would have Shepard’s personal email, but Hackett?

-Ascension Financial Services rather blatantly ripped Shepard off. “After deducting modest administration fees for closing the file…”

I was at 9,999,999 credits in ME1. In ME2, I have 100,000 credits left. That is beyond “modest administration fees”.

-Oof. Kelly Chambers fell hard for the Cerberus propaganda. Sweet girl, but not the best judgment.

-Edi says some of her databases are sealed, some of her hardware is shutdown. These might be released under the right conditions.

Is this ever revisited? Edi is freed later on, but what are those sealed databases and shutdown hardware?

I don’t think they’re the blocks she mentions if you question her about Cerberus – she’s very clear the blocks prevent her from saying what she knows. So what are the databases and the hardware?

-Jacob’s colder if you speak to him, especially if you go renegade. Not rejecting, but he keeps you at a distance.

Also, he agrees that Cerberus has been justifiably called terrorists. So why the hell is he with them?

Yes, if this succeeds Cerberus will be viewed in a better light, but why does Jacob care about that? Why does Jacob want Cerberus to be viewed better – isn’t he here because he thinks he can do good? So if he thinks Cerberus isn’t currently good, why isn’t he somewhere else?

-Miranda is much warmer to you than she was before. I suppose Freedom’s Progress impressed her.

-Miranda: We try not to get bogged down in bureaucracy or formality.

Girl, those are necessary for accountability. Do you ever wonder why there are so many “rogue cells”? It’s because there’s nothing to keep them in check.

-It’s brought up repeatedly that Shepard is being monitored. By Kelly, by Miranda, by monitoring devices on the ship… TIM makes it very clear that Shepard is being watched.

[krys-in-the-playhouse]

[Profile] Ophelia of Revaire - IkeSen OC

Full Name: Ophelia of Revaire Preferred Pronouns: She/Her Age: Mid-Late 20s Appearance: Average height, slim build, before coming to the Sengoku, she kept her hair very close to her head with a crown braid. After joining up with Kennyo, she cut it short to just below her chin. Her hair is white, can appear very light blonde in some lights. Has beauty mark on her chin. Pale skin. Eyes: Red, like Nobunaga's eyes

Birthday: March 13th Main Suitor: Kennyo Special Interests: Sewing, Gardening Signature Colors: Red and Black

-Like Houki before her, Ophelia was originally a Seven Kingdoms: A Princess Problem MC. The basic premise of the game is that you are sending your MC to a diplomatic summit meeting to form alliances with the other countries. Whether those relationships are political or romantic (or a secret third option) in nature happen through choices and stat raising within the game. At the beginning, you go through dialogue choices that let you choose your character's base nature, intelligence, how pretty they're perceived to be, how charismatic they are, etc. Then, you are given a basic background based on the stats your character has the most points in.

-For Ophelia, she was my third MC build in the game after Houki and another MC that I didn't develop as much. I had mostly figured how the game worked and flowed at that point, so I wanted to play around with some of the other stats and what the other backgrounds were like. I also had played two relatively good-natured girls with Houki and my other MC up to that point, so I wanted to see about some of the… let's say darker routes the game could take (as if Houki getting poisoned and almost killed a few times wasn't dark enough, lol).

-Ophelia's base background is called An Ambitious Widow. Set against the political turmoil going on in her homeland of Revaire, Ophelia comes from a poor noble family that puts on the image of wealth when they don't actually have that much, often going into debt to keep up appearances. As the eldest daughter, she social-climbed as much as she could to keep the family afloat. When she was considered old enough, she was married off to a man old enough to be her grandfather. She had no strong feelings towards the old man either way, so long as her family was okay, she would do almost anything.

-The marriage lasts for about a year before her husband mysteriously dies. Ophelia had no hand in his demise, but the rumors surrounding his death didn't do her any favors. And when her family came to her in need again, she takes up her social-climbing ways once again, her sights now set on this Summit meeting, hoping to remarry once again, only this time she wants to aim for someone with more money, maybe someone of royal status so that her family doesn't have to worry anymore.

-That plan goes right out the window once she gets wormholed, ah geez…

-This part is still a little fuzzy for me that I might clarify it at a later date and I need to redo Kennyo's route to remember some of the events that happen in it, but Ophelia's story from here loosely follows his route from this point on. She helps out Nobunaga initially, but afterwards, the two get along like oil and water that's on fire, eventually leading her to running away from him, running into Kennyo and she chooses to stay with the monk, not wanting anything to do with the Oda Forces anymore.

-With Kennyo is where she begins her healing journey, away from the politics and toxicity of home. She's allowed to be herself and to let the wounds of the past staunch and scab over, finally growing to trust others again. She picks up her old hobbies of sewing and gardening again and spends her days teasing Kennyo and Ranmaru gently, when she sees them. 

-Ophelia is also in a weird place for me in that I don't have any major plans for her future as I do with Houki and Clara. At most, she wants to see if her family is okay, to at least know the fate of her younger siblings, but it's probably for the best that she's away from that toxic environment. If nothing else major happens in IkeSen, she'll probably continue as she is with Kennyo and Ranmaru.

Some other fun facts:

-Ophelia is the eldest of nine siblings, six younger sisters and two younger brothers. She and her sisters are named after Shakespearean ladies because I wanted a theme and since Ophelia was named after a Shakespearean tragic lady, her sisters were named in a similar manner.

-Ophelia and her siblings in order:

Ophelia (eldest daughter) Sister #1-Cordelia Sister #2-Rosalind Sister #3-Portia Nicolai (Brother #1) Sisters #4 and 5-Bianca and Beatrice (Twins) Frederick (Brother #2) Viola (The Baby and Sister #6)

-Other suitors for consideration: Shingen. He's too smart for his own good and she admires his intelligence and charisma. And they're both notorious Nobu haters, so they would get along in that aspect. He's too flirty for her, personally, however, thus why they're not together. He's also dying secretly and her world doesn't have the technology to save him like MC's world does. Even if she could take him back home, she couldn't cure him of his illness and she doesn't deserve having a second husband suddenly dying on her, this OC parent isn't that cruel (but damn wouldn't that make for some delicious drama?)

I can see her getting along with Kicho too, but since his route and motives balance on a world and history she wasn't a part of, it's a little harder to gauge how they would get along based on that.

-Not that it would be relevant in any stories in IkeSen between her and any suitor, but I've made the executive decision to have her be infertile, as a mercy to her because of her first marriage. She also has a little trauma from seeing her mother withering away from her and all her younger siblings. Her mother was happy about each and all of her children, blissfully so, but Ophelia saw it a little differently with so many mouths to feed, an appearance to uphold, not to mention the Revaire of her childhood was… not a good place to be, especially depending on if you supported the old royalty or the new one.

-The suitor I had for her in the original Seven Kingdoms game (now completed! It's on itch.io in early access!) rekindled her love for gardening. The suitor, Emmett, was a sweet soul that loves travel and just loves animals and all kinds of plants. The two had been walking together and he was pointing out various plants to her, telling her their names and interesting things about them. Ophelia, having spent the majority of her years clout-chasing, admired this chatty young man because he was so unabashedly himself, and so kind and gentle. They grew closer with their time at the Summit, becoming friends despite Ophelia wanting to keep him at arm's length. She's supposed to be here to marry a rich nobleman or a prince and gain as many political allies as she could… yet his kindness and sweet personality kept winning her over. I think, when she is worm-holed and is on her healing journey, she takes up gardening in his honor, to the first person that really showed her kindness that wasn't family or wanting something out of her.

-Though it wasn't intentional with the birthday randomizer putting her in March, it makes a lot of symbolic sense. It's a transitional month between winter and spring, thus symbolizing her narrative journey of new beginnings after the cold. Even in-game, winter symbolism was tied a bit to the Widow. In a conversation over dinner with Clarmont (another suitor also from Revaire), the Widow MC tells a story from her childhood, when she and her sister watched their first snowfall together. She recalls it as the last moment she can remember feeling truly innocent and at peace with herself, before things started going to hell. Even Ophelia's inspo playlist is titled 'Even winter must come to an end…'

[rubykgrant]

(more interview stuff)

“What was it like after leaving Blood Gulch for good?” she asks everybody who had been there.

“Things were kinda weird at Rat’s Nest,” Grif answered, with a shrug. “I got the vibe that nobody there knew what was going on… I mean, we were clueless morons at Blood Gulch, but these dudes were supposed to be ORGANIZED, y’know? They would make up their own nonsense about why the teams were fighting, then forget it wasn’t true, and just start believing it. I swear, one of them started a rumor that the Freelancer from Blood Gulch was coming there under-cover, and they thought that was ME for some reason, so they put me in charge. Maybe they thought I was literally Agent Texas? Not that I didn’t take advantage of that golden opportunity. Besides, I did fix a few of the problems with security, though… mostly because I knew the Blues weren’t a security risk, so we didn’t need as many patrols. If you can avoid doing work, ALWAYS choose that option. After a while, the Freelancer rumor wore off, and then EVERYTHING was my fault, even crap that went wrong before I was there. OK, maybe the ammo thing was my bad, but still! Simmons is lucky nobody was saying stuff about him at Rat’s Nest…”

“Oh, um… Rat’s Nest… well! They were definitely impressed with my loyalty and dedication to Red Team, and absolutely NOBODY started any rumors about me, and how I was the only person from Blood Gulch who got transferred with somebody else from the same base, or that I was only good at being a suck-up, or that I got special treatment at Rat’s Nest because of inappropriate favors from our new superior- because! That would have been crazy! The new superior was GRIF, and I was NOT being a suck-up around him, it just seemed like I got away with a lot, because that's just stupid Grif! Even if I had to say 'yes, sir' as a reflex, I still wasn't afraid to back-talk him! So people saw us being really informal when we argued- which didn’t turn into any embarrassing rumors about me! Nobody ever said anything about it at Rat's Nest, but if somebody ever DOES say they said things about it, they’re liars!" Simmons answered, frantic and morbidly embarrassed.

(basically, people at Rat's Nest thought Grif was a secret Freelancer, so he got promoted. meanwhile, everybody sees how Simmons acts around Grif, and assumes this dude is trying to get in bed with his superior officer. the rumor never makes it to Grif somehow, and Simmons is bad at trying to preemptively deny it)