#the splendid venus

[batatoooooo]

[nebuloracle]

Avatars of the Legendary Planets

Yu-Gi-Oh! artwork © Konami.

[elysiansparadise]

Venus in the composite chart

🤎Venus in Aries��

It’ll be very easy for them to express themselves with the other, both their identity and the feelings they have for the other. It’s very likely that they became interested in each other quite quickly, a feeling of curiosity and attraction that was increasing more and more. They are very expressive with each other and always try to be clear with their feelings and their intentions. You’re dynamic with each other, you love to provoke and get each other's attention, there is a playful and very passionate quality in the relationship. Soon they will stop seeing each other as a single individual and the two will become one, an unstoppable team that is madly desired. Teasing, intense and playful flirting and adrenaline-pumping sensations when they are close. Adventure, fun memories, fiery love and ego boost.

🤎Venus in Taurus🤎

There’s a lot of sensuality, compatibility and comfort between you. They love the idea of ​​sharing many moments together, of giving gifts for each other and of feeling close to each other's bodies. A stable, loyal love and in which the two will always try to be there for each other no matter what. Romanticism, wonderful dinners on common days, quiet dates but full of love and desire. They’ll seek to satisfy any desire that the other can have, they’ll feel a lot of pleasure with the other and they'll feel loved and valued. Your self-esteem will constantly rise, because for the other you are incredibly attractive. Love for them is an investment of time, money, understanding and above all, love. They’re very focused and committed to the relationship and to each other. Gentle touches that make your heart beat faster.

🤎Venus in Gemini🤎

They love being able to communicate about anything, there is a fun quality in their relationship, they both learn many things that become meaningful, they learn to love/make the other feel comfortable. Long conversations in which they know each other, interesting conversations in which they get lost. You lose track of time when you are with each other. They love how the other thinks, how they express themselves and the duality of their person. Compliments, long talks, little adventures, adorable photos and messages before going to sleep. They both feel comfortable sharing with the other about their day and talking openly about anything. They will joke a lot together and always worry about each other having a good time. Spontaneous outings and new experiences that constantly stimulate them.

🤎Venus in Cancer🤎

They’ll evoke in the other a sensation of comfort, of being able to be yourself in the arms of the other, they will love the sensation of home that they will feel. An intense but tender love, constancy, and a feeling that the other person understands your emotions perfectly. They will protect each other and will always seek to make each other comfortable through love, physical contact and stable support. Hugs, heart to heart talks, delicacy in the treatment they give each other, spending a lot of time at each other's house and talking about memories of the past, from the precious ones to the ones they hide under lock and key. They feel familiar with the other, they can be vulnerable with the other without being judged. They constantly seek to see each other even if it is only for a few minutes and to feel close.

🤎Venus in Leo🤎

This couple will scream with looks and smiles how much they love each other's company. They may get the feeling that life was never as fun as it was when they got together. They will constantly show their love, in a direct way but without losing the splendid and romantic touch, they will make the love they feel something evident to the other and never question the love they have for them. A fun romance, dates that still feel as exciting as the first time, dual kisses as they are both passionate and sweet, a feeling of fireworks when they see each other. They will watch the backs of the other, protect each other from whatever and whoever. When they are with each other, they will feel like children again. Hugs and spontaneous displays of affection but given at the right time. 

🤎Venus in Virgo🤎

Looking into each other's eyes will cause that nervousness that brings with it the emotion of having the person you love the most in front of you. It is probable that at the beginning they have been somewhat reserved with what they felt for the other, but that their nerves gave them away. This couple supports each other like no other, makes sure of the other's well-being and always tries to talk things through, from when a problem arises to ways to make each other feel more comfortable and loved. They will keep many things about their relationship private, as it is very precious to both of them, but even if this is the case, always pamper and baby their partner. Forehead kisses, gentle touches, unbreakable relationship, practical conversations and a relationship full of love and growth. 

🤎Venus in Libra🤎

The dynamics of this couple is something truly beautiful, because both give and receive equally, they always treat the other with kindness, special attention and a sweet and romantic attitude. Soft caresses, beautiful phrases that remain engraved in their minds, cute nicknames and eyes intoxicated with love. Even if they are independent people they can become slightly clingy, soon they will stop thinking of themselves as individuals and will see each other more as a couple. Both will become more adaptable to the other, their tastes and needs, and can change when they are together, becoming more attentive, more cheesy and even more charming. This couple is very similar and compatible, likewise, both can be a very aesthetically pleasing couple. They will express their love in a constant but balanced way.

🤎Venus in Scorpio🤎

They will feel inexplicably attracted to each other, they will feel that they cannot take their eyes off the other and that the more they know each other, the more they desire each other. They will open up with each other as they have never done with anyone, and reaching that degree of emotional intimacy will be the main sign that they have already fallen in love. They will feel that the relationship is fated, that it was destiny to meet, and soon they will begin to spend more time together. They will always make the other feel comfortable enough to trust, open up and feel any emotion, they will love each other at all times, through thick and thin. They feel that they can only think of the other, because the love they feel is consuming them from the beginning. Looks that merge, passion and romance well mixed, and emotional intensity.

🤎Venus in Sagittarius🤎

There is an interesting duality in this couple's way of loving, as they alternate between spontaneous, warm and playful displays to slightly more serious displays. Both teach the other many things through love, companionship and warmth, they will be teachers of the other, introducing themselves to aspects and facets of love that were unknown to them. Travel together, long laughs, interesting conversations and a feeling of having found the ideal partner. They will make each other laugh when the other is sad or does not feel well, a hug, a kiss or interlacing their fingers will trigger an honest, sweet and somewhat nervous smile. Spending time together will be your first choice on a day off. Their love makes them more optimistic and gives them faith that there are good things in life.

🤎Venus in Capricorn🤎

This couple shows their love through more practical gestures, they are the type to buy each other's favorite food, give each other things they need, but most importantly, being there for each other no matter what. They love to see the other grow, see how they achieve what they want so much and they will always celebrate their partner's achievements as their own. This couple feels a mutual admiration and they are more than proud to say that the other is their partner. They keep many things about their relationship private, as the relationship is something precious to them. They are warm physically, they love to cuddle when they are alone lying down, watching a movie or sharing an intimate moment. They love to show that they are there for each other, both physically and emotionally, they love that the other feels them close.

🤎Venus in Aquarius🤎

This couple is truly amazed by each other, they are delighted to have met without filters a person who from the beginning caused them a lot of curiosity. They show interest by observing and asking what allows them to decipher the beautiful mystery that they have before them. Loving feels easy when they are with the other, they feel that they can be uninhibited with the amount of love they give, because they feel understood and accepted for who they really are. Being a fixed sign, this Venus composite indicates a long-lasting and fascinating relationship on many levels. Communication, understanding, acceptance, comfort and freedom are things that this romance brings with it. A friendship with romantic tension, this relationship begins with friendship that deep down always felt like something that could escalate to more.

🤎Venus in Pisces🤎

A love worthy of a fantasy, they understand each other with their glances and it seems that intuitively they have the perfect formula to make the other feel like the most loved and luckiest person in the world. Letters, mutual support, romance novels and details that make you feel like a spoiled child. They love to make each other feel like they have nothing to worry about, and make sure they have a good and memorable time together. They both fantasize about weddings, buying a house together, and generally a long-term life with each other. Venus is excellently positioned here, as she is exalted, which makes this couple very often have very romantic, cheesy interactions and they can be much more expressive and affectionate with each other than they ever were with anyone.

🖤Venus in 1st house🖤

The love in this relationship is something that is visible to everyone, this is a classic placement of instant attraction, and even better, of congeniality and a lot of romantic compatibility. Both are very expressive with the other, compliments will be commonplace and they will enjoy spending time together. They will enjoy a relationship full of love that can help them feel better about themselves, see life with better eyes and bring out their most charismatic side. There will be a lot of flirting and they will never hide their true feelings and intentions from each other, they will be passionate, intense and very dynamic. They will love every part of their partner's body and every side of their personality. They will be equally chasers in the relationship and love to make the other person nervous. They will love to know more and more about their partner, they will feel comfortable being open with their feelings. They will love their partner's body, character and personality equally. They may have a similar dressing style or they may enjoy wearing matching clothes.

🖤Venus in 2nd house🖤

A lasting love that is constantly growing. The couple relates in harmony in all areas, both as friends, as a couple, as lovers and can even work very well together in a business. They love to hug and feel close to each other, they are thoughtful with each other and gift giving is a better way of showing love. This couple is motivated to work for what they want, but also to relax and take a break when necessary. Both feel that they can explore different pleasures with their partner and have similar definitions of satisfaction. They want to have more and more of their partner emotionally, they are very concerned about feeling that closeness and trust. They’ll spend a lot of time together, and it is likely that they will decide to explore each other's hobbies and tastes in order to understand them better and spend more time together. Significant gifts will be given and will always boost the self-esteem of their couple, as they will make each part of their bodies feel as something sublime, desirable and perfect. Their love will be constant, loyal and lasting. May have similar and compatible values. 

🖤Venus in 3rd house🖤

They will love to communicate with each other on many different topics, and they feel that it will be very easy for them to talk about their feelings, be more expressive and verbalize the love they feel for the other. Flirting, compliments, and sensual, adorable and flattering comments that will make the other person blush. They can write letters to each other, make handmade gifts for each other or never forget good morning messages. They will send random love messages to the other, photos and videos sending kisses to the other and romantic gestures in general. They would like to know the other's way of loving to love them that way, they will enjoy hearing how the other talks about what they like. They will talk both with their partner and with others about everything they like about them, how attractive they are and how good they feel with them. Words of affirmation are a huge love language for this couple. You may love to take photos together and have your partner or a photo with your partner as your wallpaper. You'll love the feeling of being able to talk about things that both feel are important.

🖤Venus in 4th house🖤

They may feel somewhat nervous when it comes to expressing their feelings for the other, but when they know that it is mutual, it will become a war of beautiful words, details, hugs, kisses and many gestures. They would love to be together and do many activities that they individually considered special with each other. They will love to know that it is special to the other, their favorite things and to give them these things, they will do their best to know what makes the other feel comfortable and they will try to make the other feel safe and loved by them. Physical contact will be crucial, both in private and in public. They will cook for each other and they will love to have each other in their houses. They will feel very comfortable from the beginning of the relationship, they will feel safe with each other and they will support each other unconditionally. Protective and very open and expressive with their emotions, even with the deepest from the beginning of the relationship. They can have a good relationship with each other's family or loved ones.

🖤Venus in 5th house🖤

Romanticism at its best, this couple from the beginning felt strongly attracted to the other, from a wonder for the other's body and beauty, to the charm they felt when they knew the other's way of loving and their personality. Both will bring out the most loving and warm side of the other, they will show off their partner with pride and they will love that others know all the love they feel for the other. Their love is evident and it is likely that even when they first met, people suspected that they would end up together or that they were at least compatible. Words of affirmation is one of the love languages ​​of this couple. They will love to do fun, spontaneous and romantic activities with each other, dating will be unique and fun. They will feel comfortable showing their true self to each other and each time they get to know each other more they will feel more fascinated. Teasing, flirting, passionate, pleasurable and playful sex, this relationship will make you feel great in every way. They will bring out the funniest side in each other, and love the fact that they can spend all day laughing and having a good time with each other.

🖤Venus in 6th house🖤

This couple will feel a deep desire to support their partner unconditionally, acts of service is the main love language of this couple, in second position would be quality time. This couple will always seek to continue improving the quality of the relationship, they will take the time to know what makes the other feel comfortable, what makes them feel good and they will have these kinds of details more constantly, they will be subtle details like remembering their favorite drink, or leaving supportive notes for the other. They will seek to include the other in their routines, and in their life in general, they will do activities together that they used to do on their own and they will love spending time with each other, however short it may be. They will encourage each other to take better care of their bodies and they can do these kinds of activities together [go to the gym, play sports, do skincare routines together]. There will be something in the other's way of loving that will make you feel accepted and in a better mood even if the day was stressful or overwhelming in some way. They will love to take care of each other when they are sick or when the other is not feeling well, taking care of each other will give comfort to both of them.

🖤Venus in 7th house🖤

Even if you are not the romantic type, the other will win your heart and make each other do loving gestures that you may not have had before. Being in this relationship makes them see things with better eyes, they feel that they finally found a very similar partner and someone who puts as much love as you do in the relationship. You genuinely love the other and their presence is the only thing you need to feel good, the other brings a warm feeling to you, and the passage of time only convinces you that you have made a great decision loving the other with all your heart. Quality time is their way of showing love, because they intensely value the presence of the other in their lives and all the sweet and tender love they give each other. They take each other into account when it comes to making important decisions and they always ask for each other's advice, because their opinion is crucial for them. They will always support each other when the other decides to embark on a new path or project and they are the true definition of being together through thick and thin. This will be the most pleasant, moving, romantic and memorable relationship that the two of you will have. 

🖤Venus in 8th house🖤

Both will feel that the love they have for the other is overflowing, intense and something they have never experienced with another person before. They will evoke intense and lasting feelings in each other and they will love every part of their partner, their mind, their body, but above all their soul. The sex of this couple will be constant and both will focus on making the other feel a lot of pleasure, because the pleasure of the other will be their own pleasure. The sex will be intense, but sweet at the same time, they will seek to cause different types of pleasure to the other and love every corner of their beloved's body. Sweetness and passion, they will make love in unique ways and each one will be so memorable that they just want to have the other close again. They will want to know each other in depth, put aside superficialities and fall in love with the true essence of the other. The difficulties that the other may have will not be an impediment for love to arise between the two. They will feel that this union is strong, something unique and incomparable to anything they have had in the past.

🖤Venus in 9th house🖤

They will love to motivate each other and openly appreciate each other's points of view, they are fascinated by each other's minds and they will spread the passion for hobbies, things and even for life. They can see life more positively and more optimistically when they are together. Both will teach the other things that they did not know, they will generate a joyful, philosophical and deep vision of love when they are together. They will feel delighted to find someone who shares their same vision of love, they will have similar values ​​and interests. You can take many trips together and experience new things with each other. They will express love in a fun, passionate and very direct way, they will like to do things to make the other smile and maintaining the happiness of both as a couple can be the main goal for both. They will look for the other to see the good side of life, relax them if there is a lot of work and take things more calmly. It is a very pleasant position for Venus, both will do many things to make the other feel happy, satisfied and comfortable with the relationship. Through love important and positive lessons will be given.

🖤Venus in 10th house🖤

The love of this couple is something that other people easily notice. These people will speak highly of their partner with other people, even without realizing they can sweeten each other's image. Their love will not have that magical and fantasy touch, it will be more of a serious, stable and supportive love in which the two of them will most likely see themselves together in the long term. They will seek to make things easier for each other, work together in many areas and have a healthy romance, based on commitment and honesty. They will love to show off to each other and will always be open with how proud and fascinated they are with their partner's achievements, goals and attitude. They won’t be bothered by PDA and in fact will be very open with others from the start about their feelings for each other. They will love planning dates, outings and activities to do together. Time together will be sacred and no matter how busy they are, they will make time to see each other and catch up. One way to show love that they’ll have will be keeping promises that they made.

🖤Venus in 11th house🖤

Love that rejuvenates, that makes you feel relieved and makes you have a cleaner and more beautiful vision of love. They will love each other in a unique, fun and healthy way, they will love each other's personality, their oddities and gestures that although common for themselves, will be charming for you. People may see their way of showing love as something remarkable and unique, but really what others think will not matter much to them. Ego boosts, long and pleasant talks, deep understanding and the feeling that your partner loves every part of your personality, no matter how eccentric you consider it. They’ll include each other in their plans, and will see the other by their side in the future. They will love when the other tells them about their dreams, aspirations and plans for the future, in fact they may be similar to yours. This relationship will make them feel renewed, it can enhance the creativity of the other and they will motivate their partner to be themselves. They’ll love to share many things with each other, from the most special to the most trivial. Sharing will be the main love language.

🖤Venus in 12th house🖤

A classic slowburn placement, both parties have likely felt shy in the other's presence early in their connection, and may sense that their feelings run deep and sincere. They could feel that the other was out of their league or that things were not going to happen. Once this relationship progresses, they become very emotional with each other, expressing their feelings for each other in great detail. They will enjoy doing quiet activities that allow them to cuddle, talk about the most personal issues and be affectionate in private. They will feel an attraction that at first they will not be able to express, something that pushes them to each other with force and speeds up their hearts every time they look at each other. They will seek to know the other and love every part of it, even if one party is ashamed of these sides of their personality, the other will simply adore each of them. They will not judge each other and they will love each other devoutly. They'll explore sides of love they thought they'd never know, and may feel as if they were dreaming. 

-> Go back to the Composite Chart Masterlist

[harunayuuka2060]

Vil: Are you not worried that your customers might misinterpret your actions?

MC: What do you mean, Vil?

Vil: You're treating them too kindly. What if they become too comfortable around you?

MC: ...

MC: I don't think I will ever have that kind of problem, Vil. If we're being honest here...

Vil: ...

Vil: *sigh* I'm only saying this because you are my friend.

MC: Thank you. I appreciate the concern.

Vil: ...

Vil: MC, we have some privacy here. You can take off your mask. After all, I have invited you here to have lunch.

MC: ...

MC: *takes off their mask and places it down on the table*

MC: Sorry. I must've been rude until now.

Vil: No. You're not. Don't worry about it.

MC: However, I will have to leave early. My manager doesn't know that I came here first.

Vil: I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you're gone for a few hours.

MC: You're right. But I can't stay long.

Vil: I will pay you for your time.

MC: I'm sorry, Vil. I'll visit again sometime if you really need me to.

Vil: ...

Vil's dad: MC?

MC: Mr. Venue?

Vil's dad: Oh dear! *gives off a welcoming smile* It's been years since the last time I saw you!

Vil's dad: You grew up splendid!

MC: *feeling a bit embarrassed by his remark* Thank you, Mr. Venue. Are you here for relaxation?

Vil's dad: Why, yes. I heard from Vil's manager that he's here. So I decided to visit this place instead.

MC: I see. Would you like me to cook something for you, Mr. Venue?

Vil's dad: You don't mind? Honestly, I missed your cooking.

MC: I could whip something up to your liking. Please give me a moment.

Vil's dad: *chuckles* Sure. Take your time.

Vil: I thought you had left? *sees MC when he walks into the kitchen*

MC: Mr. Venue arrived. I'll finish this and leave after I serve him food.

Vil: ...

Vil: You really look good in an apron.

MC: ...

Vil: ...

MC: I must be taking too much time. Mr. Venue is waiting. *quickly finishes up plating and leaves the kitchen in a hurry*

Vil: ...

Vil: *doesn't know what to feel that MC ignored him just now*

MC's colleague: That is a compliment.

MC's manager: Yes. I agree. A subtle compliment but it speaks volumes.

MC's colleague: People will only say that if they want to flirt with you.

MC: ...

MC: It could be possible that they mean differently.

MC's colleague and manager: *shaking their heads* No.

MC: ...

MC: Sorry. But I'm failing to see it that way.

MC's colleague: ...

MC's manager: ...

MC's colleague: Alguien intentó coquetear contigo?

MC's manager: *claps excitedly*

MC: No. That is impossible.

[cherryrouge]

aperture

photographer!y/n x harry

warnings: profanity, mentions of an age gap

word count: 1.9k

harry’s leg is bouncing, his thumbs drumming on his thighs. he’s mouthing the set list to himself as he hears the commotion from backstage. people rushing from place to place, getting their pre-show jitters out of their systems, laughing from easy conversation being shared in passing, music being played over the arena’s speakers, and fans making there way to their places. there’s a thrumming in his bones and a seemingly perpetual cloud over his head, forbidding him from thinking of anything but his anticipation. he’s itching to get out there. to see the crowd, to perform for them, to give them a good show, to cease these thoughts and feelings. 

he loves performing. it’s his life work and he’s not too shy to admit that he is quite good at it. singing his music and dancing, the electricity within the venue, the screams, the signs, the tears, the joy. everything about it is intoxicating and addicting. the aftermath is splendid as well, the hugs shared between him and the band, the talk of heading out for drinks that he just enjoys to listen to knowing that he would not join, and he loves seeing the photos that y/n gets, of him (backstage or on stage) or of the fans. the energy that only she could capture. the unity among this body of people. 

it’s the occurrence and outcome of performing that he loves, not the overlong waiting period before. 

there is a shinning light in the waiting though, and it’s her. with her camera and bright smile. the newest member to their team, y/n is a warm and welcome presence. they had hired her for the second leg of love on tour. she was a new, fresh face on the scene, just graduated college with a natural talent in capturing invaluable moments. he knew as he looked at her application and instagram that she was perfect for this role. and how right was he. within the first week of working, she had wiggled her way into the hearts of everyone around her. even the fans had seemed to have taken a liking to her, shouting her name as she passed them to take pictures of harry and the band from the floor. and as much as harry teased them, looking at them with feigned offense as he told them that they should be paying attention to him, not her, harry couldn’t even blame them. he had taken a rather large liking to her, as well. 

he liked how things seemed to fall into place when she was around. a gap filled with quiet giggles and shutters of the camera. there was a longing feeling in his chest when she was away and a blissful calm when she was near. he figured this can be attributed to his vaguely romantic affections to her. 

somewhere between the first time he met her, her shaky hands and nervous laughter, and now, as he waits for her to come to him, his thoughts of her changed. at first, strictly professional, friendly business. then, it was genial, sharing stories and past experiences. and now, nearly affectionate, flirty jokes and mutual yearning. at first, when he recognized this change, he chastised himself. how unprofessional, how inappropriate, how juvenile, this crush was. a crush he had on someone he technically was the boss of and someone he was quite older than. however, his frustration and concerns for the situation crumbled under the heavy weight that was his admiration for the woman. even now, he tells himself to not give in, to keep his compliments and flirtatious comments to himself in preparation for her arrival. but he can’t dwell in that for much longer when a soft, rhythmic knock sounds on the door.

“hi, harry!” she says, entering the room. by habit, he quickly turns his head to look at her from his place on the couch in the green room. her smile is bright as she looks at him, framed by beautiful rosey lips that harry can’t stop himself from fantasizing about. her makeup is kept light and accentuates her natural features, her hair down. her outfit quite simple, a tight, white baby tee, flared, high-waisted jeans that look as though they came straight out of the seventies, brown heeled boots, and camera in the clutches of her delicate, red- polished fingers. he realizes in this moment, like he had in many others, that he stood no chance. he held no power or control over his ever growing affections when she was this beautiful, this lively, this kind, or this gentle.

“‘lo, love. you look gorgeous. gonna steal the show looking like tha’” harry comments with a dimpled smile. fuck, harry, can’t be helped, can you? he complains to himself. but just like always she giggles at him, letting out a soft “oh, stop” as she situates herself and her camera. they fall easily into their routine. she asks him about his day and if he’s nervous, she moves around him, taking pictures every now and then, and shares stories from her day when asked. he watches her as she flits about the room, blushing like a little boy when she catches his gaze, he shares his own stories from the day, adding his own flare and exaggeration just to get her laughing.  

“oh, you have to tell the finger gun story! they’ll love it! especially, if you act it out! that would be so cute!” she exclaims through her giggles. harry smiles at her as she talks, watching her as she finally settles on the couch adjacent to him.

“cute, huh?” he teases. fucks sake, he scolds himself like his mum used to when he was a little boy and said something he shouldn’t have. it was peculiar how out of body he felt when he was around her, there were times when he could get a grip and stop his flirting, his flushing, and over all childish behavior. and there were times he could not. it seemed to be the latter most often, much to his dismay. 

her face flushes and she smiles back at him, muttering a shy “shut up.” she tucks the left side of her hair behind her ear, something he had noticed she did when blood rushes to her cheeks, warming the skin there an uncomfortable amount. god.he wishes he could kiss them, or even gently nip at them, hold them in his hands and stroke them with his thumbs. harry tries to shake these thoughts from his head before he does something rash and unwelcome. the fear of making this beautiful, sweet angel of a woman uncomfortable is crushing, the thought alone cracking his heart. he decides to focus on lacing up his sneakers. 

she watches him, thankful for the time to calm herself down and let the perspiration starting to dampen the nape of her neck die down. she’s always thankful for the times she can just watch. a naturally shy person, she finds it hard to come back with witty comments or flirty rebuttals when harry speaks to her. she wishes she could, god, does she wish she could. she fears that her lack of response will eventually make him stop. which, in earnestness, she admits would be the worst outcome. it had happened before, in college. a boy named andrew in her statistics class, who she had really, really liked, decided to show interest in her at a party. he flirted, and flirted, and flirted. and y/n simply giggled in response before awkwardly changing the subject. and of course, he lost interest, which y/n deduced was her fault because everything she did in that moment was an indicator of disinterest. he couldn’t see her blushed cheeks with every brush of his hand or compliment passed her way. he couldn’t see her glances at him when he looked away. of course he couldn’t tell! he wasn’t a mind reader and he didn’t have eyes on the back of his head! he was a frat-boy, majoring in finance who wanted to hit it and quit it! she criticizes herself for her past mistakes, or miscommunications, hoping that it doesn’t happen again. at least not with harry.

she understands the implications of them being together. he’s her employer, a fair amount older than her, and harry fucking styles. she supposes her non-response approach to flirting with him might be good, aids her in her fight to keep things professional, if not, friendly between herself and harry. regardless of if that’s what she wants, she knows that’s what’s best. and how could she even be so sure that he, of all people, would want her. she shakes her head, physically ridding herself of these thoughts before they turn mean. 

she continues to watch as his fingers work at the laces of the shoes, there’s a knock on the door and a call that he has ten more minutes of preparation before he must perform. it’s then that she decided to snap a photo of him. she pulls the camera away from her face to look at the picture before shyly smirking to herself. 

“hm?” 

“oh, nothing, this is just a good picture of you.” 

“lemme see.”

she gets up from her spot to sit next to him on his couch, showing him the photo. as he takes in the image, she takes in him and she wishes that her eyes were cameras themselves so she could keep the image of the smirk on his face, the dimple indenting his cheek, the slope of his nose, his eyelashes framing his green eyes as the sparkle under the light of the room in tangible memory.

“you know, you’re quite talented.” he jokes, turning his head to look into her eyes. the closeness of their faces surprising the both of them, but not enough to make them move away from each other. what the fuck am i doing? harry comments to himself, hoping for it to be enough to break him out of his trance. with the scrunch of her nose and a breath of her laughter, he knows once again that he is not strong enough.

“i think i’ve been told once or twice.” their noses brush and they’re eyes lock on each others. they’re still for a moment, both fighting an internal battle, so badly wanting to give in but so very worried for what it would mean if they do. they both, almost as if magnetized, move their heads ever so slightly closer, noses bumping in a clumsy manner. it’s that action that pulls them apart. harry turns his head to look behind her, coughing softly. y/n turns hers forward.

“i should leave. give you sometime to relax by yourself,” she pauses, grabbing her camera before standing. she walks to the door, standing in front of it as she looks at him looking at her.

“break a leg, harry. you’ll do great, you always do.” she says with a nervous smile, tucking her hair behind her ears and exiting the room. a new wave of disquieting thoughts fill the space she once occupied. but he had little time to dwell on those as he walks out of the room and to the box in which he’ll be rolled to the stage. he turns around to see her, already staring back a him. she offers a gentle, reassuring smile and a thumbs up. harry returns the gesture before turning away and fits himself in. 

fuck. 

hello, everyone! this is the first installment of my harry & photographer!y/n series. i truly hope you enjoy! please, please, please feel free to leave any comments, questions, or suggests you have for me and the story!

-rory.

[ancientgoddessofegypt]

ASTROLOGY OBSERVATIONS PT.8 PLANET PLACEMENTS 101

Aries Placements - Have the ability to drive anything into fruition. They can have a goal and see the plan through with an interesting amount of imagination and practicality in place. These aren't the type to sit down and 'wait' for things to come to them, they will simply be stubborn enough to do it themselves. Everything may not have gone as planned on the first go, but with time and stability they will come out greater and gain a sense of self-mastery in their craft.

Venus Placements - People with venusian aspects like sun/moon/rising have a gift that contains a higher amount of charm then most. These individuals can utilize their personalities in a way that will get them favored. Like their gemini friends, they can be a lil tricky to figure out. It is because they are able to use their beauty as a shield (as well as an illusion) to get what they want in life. It is only when they are self aware of this gift, they can use it to get whatever it is they desire.

Neptunian Placements - Neptunians have a gift in being the muse of creation. They are splendid in their craft of creating safe spaces for their imagination to dwell in. Whether its through art, fashion or just simply existing, like their aquarian buddies they have this gift of connecting to the stars way before everyone can catch up. They can come off a bit crazy to others, but in hindsight they are deeply aware of self and have a mass amount of empathy that allows them to read reality the way it is, and share that insight with the rest of the world.

Pluto Placements - Plutonians can undergo a lot of stress when they allow things to fester without bringing attention to the matter. These are the individuals to suffer in silence and by not saying a word they can cut out any forms of emotional support if they are not aware of themselves to escape the astro-cities that can sometimes be the danger of their own mind. (Moon/Pluto Placements - Outlets for your emotional expression is a necessity.) When there is no guidance for your emotions to thrive you will end up rageful and continuing to feel the lesser dense emotions hiding in your body. It will eventually way on you and it'll take a toll on your spirit. The power beneath this placement is to hold on tightly to that powerful entity you know is divine no matter what they tell you.

Plutonian Individuals may find themselves in the arms of people who are testifying their gifts right in front of you. Some wish to belittle and do harm to you because in the mirror they do not see the same light or dark power that you continue to see in yourself. So these people will always try to bite you to get a piece of it themselves, but in the end it never turns out the way they think. It turns sour.

Sun Placements - So I noticed the more sun placements an individual has, the more difficult this energy can be to surrender to. A person with sun/neptune may have a difficulty with expressing their empathic nature because the world isn't connected to their astral body like they are. When they express themselves, its like their connecting to their soul that feels out of the human experience. They have a different connection to the world then most, so they'll be often misunderstood. But in general, sun placements can feel a bit off in society because the world is always saying their cocky or arrogant when really they are free of the world and its restraints. Sun placements (no matter how big or small the aspect) have to deal with a lot of people taking themselves for granted. When they are sent to be a light, others are horrified by their shadows being shined on (sun/pluto). The more placements (especially conjunctions you have) the more you'll be tempted to stop the light since others will attempt to bring you down with them. It's a path that builds for a leader to take ship, not to dim down.

Uranian Placements - Ahead of their time but mostly because the world isn't ready for change. When these individuals get a hand on how society operates, they become powerhouses who are the tyrants ready for newness.These brainiacs are capable of being connected to the cosmos where receiving divine information on how to move and where to go gives them great benefit. They only thing I can say to them is, you have to be mindful of the company you keep. Because not everyone can see the vision. Do not allow any and everybody to take up space for whatever it is you claim as yours. Just because THEY can't see it doesn't mean its not real. Again, the things you see come through in your mind is a gift that the cosmic connections of space gave to you. You know the true concept of time more than anyone else, and with that you are able to gather up the right information, make your abilities/skills stronger than ever and than boom. The big bang. It all works in the end, dont force yourself to know everything. Just focus on the stars.

[1111jenx]

𖤓Synastry series: Sun in the Houses𖤓

MASTERLIST — for more quality posts✨

💘Sun in the 1st House: Beneath the celestial canvas of this synastry placement, a tale as enchanting as a dream unfurls. The house person, akin to a night sky, emanates a radiant glow, echoing the Sun person's presence. To them, the Sun is their guiding star, the source of their joy, their radiant beacon in a universe otherwise cloaked in darkness. A profound contentment envelops them when bathed in the Sun's light, an authentic happiness as splendid as dawn's first light. The Sun, in return, basks in the house person's deep-rooted admiration, mirroring it back like a tranquil lake reflecting the midday sun. This tandem, like a pair of celestial bodies, graces the universe with laughter, an exquisite sonnet of shared joy. Together, they shimmer, illuminating the surrounding cosmos with their radiant togetherness, a spectacle of love that outshines the stars. Yet, within this symphony of love, a certain possessiveness persists, a gravitational pull that binds them irrevocably. They perceive the other as their celestial twin, their sole companion in the vast expanse of the universe. An echo of 'mine' resonates between them, an assertion of mutual ownership that is as potent as the heart's deepest longing. But as is the nature of celestial bodies, clashes may occur, ego battles akin to cosmic storms, threatening to disrupt their harmonious orbit. However, even these conflicts are silver-lined, offering pearls of wisdom and shaping their cosmic journey in profound ways. In the radiant presence of one another, they shimmer with unspoken brilliance. They ignite the best within each other, like distant galaxies awakening to their own magnificence. The house person swells with pride in the comforting glow of the Sun, who, in their unerring wisdom, whispers words that elicit pure, unadulterated joy. They orbit in their celestial dance, two bodies radiating love, learning, and laughter, a testament to the poetic resonance of their shared existence.

💘Sun in the 2nd House: In this bond, we find two souls who naturally stir each other's desires and comforts. Together, they revel in life's luxurious offerings, savoring the finest fruits of existence. The Sun person, like a guiding star, helps the House person grasp their true worth, understand their needs, and appreciate their resources. If the stars align favourably, their partnership blooms into something extraordinary, blessed by the gracious hand of Venus. They see worth in each other, a priceless treasure that enriches their shared journey. The Sun person recognizes the unique gifts the House person brings to the table. Yet, there's a shadow to the Sun's warm glow; a tendency to possess, to control, often without realizing. The House person, drawn in by the Sun's radiance, finds themselves doing more to please the Sun, adjusting to their needs, no matter what those might be. In this dance of connection, they move in harmony, a duet of love, desire, and mutual respect.

💘 Sun in the 3rd House: In their shared space, words intertwine like star-crossed lovers, ceaseless, captivating. Little disagreements dance on the edge of their tongues, only to be silenced by the tender symphony of make-up kisses. This placement weaves a sense of familiarity, a strange déjà vu, as if their souls have crossed paths in another life, another time. An unspoken comfort lingers between them, a tranquility that whispers of home. Conversations flow like rivers to the sea, their intellectual discourse as effortless as the wind caressing the leaves. The House person finds a certain charm in the Sun's words, hanging onto them like a melody that never grows old. The Sun, on the other hand, sees the House person as a precious gem, something to shield from the world's harsh edges. Their interaction is a feast for the mind, a stimulation that sings to those who crave deep, intellectual bonds. In this union, comfort abounds. Each word spoken, each secret shared, peels away another layer, revealing the essence of who they truly are. Their openness is as natural as a flower blooming under the spring sun, a testament to their profound connection. Intimate moments are shared in the small details - the clasp of their hands, a language written in the lines of their palms, a silent promise of enduring togetherness. Inside jokes punctuate their interactions, shared laughter blooming in their personal garden of camaraderie. A timeless dance of love and intellectual stimulation, their union weaves a tapestry of memories, each thread gleaming with their shared joy and affection.

💘 Sun in the 4th House: In the embrace of the House person, the Sun finds a home, an abode that whispers of permanence, a space it never yearns to desert. The sanctuary of their presence is a magnet to the Sun, a refuge radiant with solace. This cosmic alignment is intriguing, for it oscillates between providing profound comfort and eliciting the chill of fear, particularly if the Sun's chart is parched of the life-giving water element. There's an undeniable allure in the vulnerability this placement offers. The House person peers into the Sun, seeing its authentic self, acknowledging its limitless potential, and loving it unabashedly. They are the unwavering shield to the Sun, sometimes blindly so, standing in steadfast support irrespective of the circumstances. In response, the Sun flourishes. It blossoms with an ethereal beauty, basking in the adoration it receives, thriving on the nourishment of support. The presence of the House person is a soothing balm, a calming melody that seems to know the right notes to bring tranquility. The House person, in their turn, reveals a clear soft spot for the Sun, perhaps even forgiving their occasional bursts of tempestuous heat. It's a placement that prompts both introspection and reflection, a cosmic dance that sees them turning inward, mirroring each other's steps. Together, they discover a respite from their armor, a space where they can shed their toughness. They become a testament to the beauty of vulnerability, an echo of support and affection that resonates in the celestial symphony of their unity.

💘 Sun in the 5fth House: A placement I hold dear, is a dance of two cosmic entities feeling as though they've discovered their mirrored soul. It's not just a joyous union but one filled with exhilarating thrills and daring adventures. They revel in their shared laughter, their exchanges brimming with the innocence of child-like banter. Yet, beneath this playful veneer, there lies an infatuation, clear and profound, humming in the spaces between their words. The House person transforms into an eternal flame, a radiant beacon matching the Sun's relentless luminescence. The Sun, in turn, gazes upon the House with a sense of awe, often entranced by their seeming perfection. The House, in the Sun's eyes, feels like an equal partner, a reflection of their inner self. The fifth house is synonymous with romance. It's a fixed house, firmly rooted in its position, a steadfast testament to the House person's feelings towards the Sun. Regardless of their playful mind games, their seemingly flighty demeanor, their feelings towards the Sun person persist, burning with unwavering intensity. To the Sun, the House becomes an escape from the mundane, their daily dose of joy, their most ardent cheerleader. It's an alignment at times witnessed in tales of enemies turned lovers to bestfriends, an exciting dynamic where they continually challenge and dare each other to delve deeper into life's mysteries. It's a placement pulsating with positive energy, echoing with shared giggles, and resonating with playful touches. It's a cosmic dance of two entities, navigating the universe hand in hand, their hearts beating in a rhythm that speaks of love, laughter, and endless adventure.

💘 Sun in the 6th House: In this celestial arrangement, the Sun finds itself nestled in a house of pragmatism and routine, shedding its brilliant light upon the practicalities of daily life. These constellations spin tales not of grand careers or cosmic pursuits, but of everyday work, the quiet rhythm of health and wellness, the structure of routines and the serene act of service. In this dance of the stars, the Sun's light illuminates pathways to healthier eating, disciplined exercise, and even companionship with beloved pets. The Sun, in its radiant role, serves as a guiding beacon for the 6th house dweller, leading them towards the sanctity of a balanced lifestyle. It may inspire a shared commitment to physical exertion, perhaps in the form of joining a gym, or ignite conversations about nutritious diets and wellbeing. The Sun person may even act as a catalyst, helping the 6th house dweller establish routines that reinforce physical and mental health. Yet, the orbits of these celestial bodies might lead them down professional paths that intertwine, potentially finding one in the service of the other. However, with the Sun's position in the practical 6th house, a word of caution is warranted. The equilibrium of give and take must be carefully maintained to prevent the transformation of helpfulness into servitude. It's crucial that neither the Sun nor the 6th house dweller feels overburdened, their efforts unreciprocated.. It inspires a mutual journey towards better physical and mental health, encouraging each to uplift the other, illuminating their shared path with the light of practical wisdom and mutual care.

💘 Sun in the 7th House: In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, this placement is akin to a celestial masterpiece, an ideal constellation in the realm of astrology. The Sun, in its radiant glory, casts its golden light upon the 7th house, a house rich with the resonance of companionship, the solemnity of marriage, the intimacy of one-on-one relationships, the practicalities of business partnerships, the binding power of contracts, and the hidden faces of our alter-egos or shadow selves. In this dance of the stars, the Sun person stirs a longing within the 7th house dweller, a yearning for partnership, perhaps even a hankering for the sacred bond of marriage. The 7th house person may perceive the Sun person as the embodiment of their perfect mate, a mirror reflecting all the qualities they admire yet feel they lack. This celestial alignment weaves a balancing harmony in their relationship, as the Sun person displays characteristics and idiosyncrasies that the 7th house person cherishes but doesn't possess. As the 7th house is the celestial realm of marriage and contracts, the potential for wedded bliss, or perhaps a formal business partnership, is a tangible possibility should their relationship endure the test of time. However, as with any celestial arrangement, there are potential pitfalls to navigate. The two may become so entwined that they lose their individualities, their identities blurring until they cannot discern where one ends and the other begins. It is vital to remember that they are unique souls united, not a singular entity. Additionally, the mirage of the ideal mate may only be visible to the eyes of the 7th house person, with the Sun person potentially oblivious to this perception. The entirety of the synastry chart must be considered to gauge the mutual feelings of compatibility and the potential for enduring companionship. Thus, in this symphony of stars and planets, the dance of destiny unfolds, charting a course of love, partnership, and shared dreams.

💘 Sun in the 8th House: The placement of the Sun in the 8th house is a pas de deux that is not meant for those with faint hearts. It is a dance where the dancers—the Sun and the 8th house person—are likely to be pulled in one of two extreme directions. They may find themselves entwined in an intoxicating whirl of magnetic attraction, an intense passion that seizes them, or they may feel an unsettling disturbance, a disquiet that rattles their core, often swaying between these polar opposites. The Sun, in its radiant role, casts an unflinching light on the profound themes of the 8th house, illuminating the shadowy corners of sexuality, the cyclical dance of death and rebirth, the tumult of transformation and crisis, the journey of personal growth and evolution, the undercurrents of psychology and addiction, the intricacies of finance, and the hushed whispers of societal taboos. These subjects, often shrouded in mystery, may either captivate or unsettle the house person. They might either welcome the Sun person into their hidden depths or push them away. The house person might perceive the Sun as an enigmatic entity, while the Sun person uncovers the secrets that the 8th house person keeps hidden from the world. Should both individuals bear the mark of Pluto's dominance, or have a strong 8th house presence in their natal chart, this union may flourish in mutual fascination. However, if one or both harbor hidden trauma or suppressed shame, this intense connection could serve as a deterrent, overwhelming their senses. This celestial arrangement signifies the potential to unravel each other's hidden layers, maintaining a profound bond that might lead to mutual transformation. Yet, caution must be exercised to prevent power dynamics or manipulative tactics from seeping into their relationship. Ultimately, this celestial alignment can flourish if both are open to exploring the depths of each other's souls, embracing growth and transformation, and traversing the labyrinth of shared secrets.

💘 Sun in the 9th house: The Sun weaves golden threads into the 9th house tapestry, infusing wisdom's domain with the vibrancy of its radiance. This divine dance resonates with the seekers, the dreamers, those who chart the star-studded expanse of their fate, guided by an insatiable thirst for depth and meaning. The Sun, a luminary beacon, casts an ethereal glow on the winding paths of philosophy, spirituality, and the rich tapestry of global culture, sparking a flame in the 9th house soul, igniting the tinder of curiosity and wanderlust. In the sacred dance of their divergent or converging beliefs, they find a melody, a rhythm that binds them in an intricate ballet of understanding. Their shared intrigue transcends the constraints of culture, religion, and philosophy, knitting them closer in the vast expanse of human thought. Together, they traverse oceans, cross continents, and journey through the labyrinth of the mind and the world, venturing into territories unseen and unexplored. Yet caution must be heeded, for clashing perspectives may strike discordant notes, marring the celestial harmony. But through the crucible of understanding and growth, they shall rise, bound by a shared quest for enlightenment and truth. Soaring high, they ascend to the sublime realm of knowledge, guided by the radiant beacon of the Sun.

💘 Sun in the 10th house: The Sun, in its radiant glory, casts a shimmering glow upon the 10th house, bathing the lofty pinnacles of ambition, authority, and societal prestige in golden light. The 10th house individual beholds the Sun, seeing within its fiery aura the embodiment of a mentor, a guiding star, perhaps even a paternal figure. In this celestial dance, the Sun nurtures the dormant seeds of promise within the 10th house soul, kindling a fire that empowers them to scale the towering heights of professional achievement and public recognition. Unseen currents may churn, as the tides of power and authority ebb and flow, wrestling for harmonious balance. Should the rhythm of their hearts align, with the melody of guidance and humility ringing louder than the discordant notes of dominance, their shared journey shall carve a path to victory in the grand stage of career and societal prominence. Together, they'll ascend the mountain of success, guided by the Sun's resplendent glow.

💘 Sun in the 11th house: As the Sun anoints the 11th house with its golden kiss, souls intertwined in this celestial ballet discover a fellowship deeper than mere companionship. They merge as confidants, their dreams and aspirations entwining like tendrils of starlight, fueled by a shared devotion to the grand tapestry of humanity. Hand in hand, they champion noble crusades, threading their bond of friendship through a loom of diversity and acceptance. The Sun, a celestial minstrel, serenades the 11th house soul, inspiring them to dance in the unique rhythm of their being. In turn, the 11th house individual perceives the Sun as a lighthouse of acceptance, its unwavering beam illuminating their path in times of tumult. For hearts fluttering to the cadence of romance, seek reinforcement from other heavenly harmonies, for a profound friendship forms the bedrock of enduring love.This cosmic duet, a symphony of souls, signals unity, mutual respect, and a shared pledge to a future as radiant as the Sun. Their shared bond, an ethereal waltz, tells a tale of harmony, shared dreams, and a commitment to a collective dawn where every dream finds its home.

💘 Sun in the 12th house: As the Sun slips into the enigmatic embrace of the 12th house, its bright sovereignty is shrouded in gauzy veils of mystique, spirituality, and the unseen. To the house person, the Sun appears as an ethereal apparition, a spectral force oscillating between healing and bewildering, like a siren's call echoing through the vast and shadowy cosmos. Shrouded in the silken shadows of the subconscious, their connection pulses like a hidden heartbeat, a secret rhythm known only to them. This clandestine bond invites introspection and self-discovery, a voyage into the deep waters of their shared consciousness. For the Sun person, the depths of the 12th house may feel like a labyrinth of twilight, where their radiant essence is held in a silent waltz, yearning for the symphony of expression. When suspicion or paranoia creep into this celestial bond, trust must be kindled like a beacon in the deep, for their connection thrives on the revelation of buried truths and the unearthing of the divine spark within. With hearts aglow and an attuned awareness of their spiritual dance, they navigate the labyrinthine realms of the soul, transcending the mortal shackles, and ascending into an otherworldly romance. This sacred journey, a testament to their courage, becomes an intimate dance between two souls weaving their way through the cosmic tapestry, seeking the divine in each other.

Thank you for staying til the very end loves, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, let me know your thoughts in the comment🤍

love,

saint jenx🪐

© 2023 Saintz Jenx All Rights Reserved

[vindelllas]

a brief exploration of the atmakarakas 🪻

🩷 note: any information regarding atmakaraka placements should be treated lightly, as a good portion of these celebrities do not have verified birth information. i calculated all of the following celebrities with unverified birth times assuming they were born at noon their time!

brihaspati atmakaraka

🌾 aesthetic: model rockstar girlfriend x guilded glamour

🌾 key components: the femme fatale; the vampy embodiment of s*xuality. expanding on the divine intellect of cyclic and karmic law. "arge-bodied is jupiter, and also tawny haired and eyed, of kapha nature, intelligent and proficient in all shastras"

shani atmakaraka

🪐 aesthetic: the theatrical romantic

🪐 key components: the sensual hollywood starlet. learning how to acquire responsibility and remain afloat during the trials and tribulations of the body, mind, and spirit. "thin and long-bodied is saturn, and yellow-eyed, vata natured, large toothbed, indolent, lame and having coarse hair, o' twice born"

surya atmakaraka

🌞 aesthetic: the golden hour material girl

🌞 key components: of the outshining rays of surya, inspiring the growth in others. the center of the solar system and, thus, the center of attention. called to be the destined authoritative figure they were meant to me by finding humility and calming to their endless desires. "honey-yellow eyed is the sun, square and radiantly pure, o' twice born, of pitta nature, intelligent, masculine, with but little hair, o' twice born"

kuja atmakaraka

☄️ aesthetic: the magnificent mystique

☄️ key components: le féminin indépendant. their brimming beauty attracting vampiric envy from others and, thus, they must learn to set healthy boundaries and protect one's energy. "cruel with red eyes is mars, moving to and fro, of torn form, pitta nature, angry, with a lean medium-sized body, 'twice born"

buddha atmakaraka

🪻 aesthetic: the famed femme feminist

🪻 key components: embodying the misunderstood lalita. the most youthful appearing atmakaraka. fluent in intellect and ever-expanding in knowledge/femininity. "the most excellently formed, of metaphorical speech, and taking pleasure in laughter is mercury, having pitta, having kapha, o' wise, and of vata nature"

shukra atmakaraka

🍓 aesthetic: the renowned, infamous socialite

🍓 key components: the hollywood pin-up. embodying the epitome of venusian luxury and s*xual channeling, but eventually learning to channel their divine intellect away from the temporal/ tangible pursuits of the flesh. "pleasing, lovely formed, the most splendid and beautifully eyed is venus, who is poetical, abounding in kapha, of vata nature and curly haired"

chandra atmakaraka

🌙 aesthetic: the revolutionary (a vessel of subculture in the midst of pop culture)

🌙 key components: of the dark, yin waters of the moon. glimpsing into the realm of the obligatory pilgrimage of the soul. "abounding in vata and kapha and filled with knowing is the moon of round body, o' twice born, auspiciously eyed, of sweet speech, fluctuating and love sick"

🩷 all of these placements were found using astrotheme/.com and/or astro-charts/.com. it is important to note that some chandra (moon) placements may be off by up to 6 degrees and lagnas (ascendants/rising signs) as well, due to the fact that many websites do not have 100% accurate birth times for the given celebrities.

do not worry loves, uttara phlaguni post is on the horizon!

xoxo,

angel 💋

[maboroshi-no]

Hamefura LN 14 Bonus SS (Animate)

Series: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Source: Light novel volume 14, Bonus paper Store: Animate Synopsis: Keith’s POV of some of his scenes with Katarina in Chapter 1 of LN14. Translation: maboroshi-no

Translation below ⮟

I, Keith Claes, was heading today to the castle by carriage with my older sister Katarina to attend the Sorcier Foundation Anniversary party.

Since Katarina had just been involved in a dangerous incident, I was uneasy about taking her to a place with many people. I wished the person herself would be careful… I took a look at Katarina sitting in front of me.

Looking out the window, she seemed to have been thinking of something for a while. She was probably thinking about what was coming next.

Katarina: What a shame…

Katarina suddenly said this.

Her thoughts most likely escaped her mouth. Katarina would sometimes do that but… What in the world had she been thinking about?

Keith: What is a shame?

When I asked this, the somewhat flustered Katarina said…

Katarina: Well… I was just thinking that it was such a waste that you didn't take advantage of that overflowing sexiness of yours. What a shame.

She said such a rude thing.

No one thought this more than me!

I was told by many women that I had incredible sexiness or something, some also got dazed when our eyes met, but it didn't affect at all the most crucial person: the one I loved.

Keith:  I don't take advantage of my sexiness? …...Well, you're completely right. Being told that right to my face somehow feels like a blow.

Even more so when it was my beloved herself who told me. It was way too sad.

Katarina: Sorry.

Katarina honestly apologized. It was just like her.

I awkwardly smiled, and…

Keith: It's too late to worry about it, so it's fine.

I readily forgave her. Then,

Keith: Since you were quiet, so I thought you were properly thinking about what's coming next. But it seems like I was completely wrong.

I threw in what I had been wondering about.

Katarina: Aah~ Umm, sorry.

Katarina's apology sounded like she was just saying it.

Based on this, she clearly didn't understand, so I pressed on.

Keith: Big Sister, do you understand that this is an important party we're going to?

Katarina: Hmm…Yes, I know that, but… I'll psych myself up and do it properly once we get to the party, so just let me relax for now. I'll only chill out when it is just the two of us. If I keep myself psyched at all times, I'll probably get exhausted right away since it's me we're talking about. Please!

Katarina said this with an upturned gaze and little wet eyes.

If she had aimed for that effect, she would have been a perfect villainess leading men by the nose, but she did it unconsciously, which was terrifying.

Faced with that unconscious villainess, I raised the white flag immediately.

Then, that unconscious villainess did it again afterward.

During the party, when I got irritated because I didn't like seeing Katarina being strangely perceptive of Geordo, she stroked my head, and…

Katarina: Your pouting was so cute that I unconsciously stroked it like in the olden days.

She said this and stuck out her tongue, which tested my reason. She was so cute that if I hadn't been in the party venue, I might have unconsciously taken her into an embrace.

Then, for the final, when we were alone in the resting room,

Katarina: You're really amazing, Keith.

Katarina: You've been diligently studying foreign countries and diligently using this knowledge in a public setting. You're so amazing and splendid.

Katarina: Even though you were so cute when you were little, you've become so cool and splendid…

She said something that sounded just like sweet words, then started defenselessly sleeping right in front of me!

To that Katarina,

Keith: You little devil! Villainess!

I reflexively shouted this in my heart.

While we were alone in a room, she said something like that and defenselessly fell asleep. I couldn't believe her.

I love you, you know? Not as my family but as a woman.

I properly voiced my feelings to her before. But she most likely completely forgot about it.

Still, there were many difficulties at the moment and Katarina also seemed to have some circumstances that she was hiding. She told me that once she sorted those out, she would properly consider my feelings. I had no choice but to wait for that first.

I walked to the sofa where Katarina was defenselessly sleeping, leaned in, and peered into her calm sleeping face.

I softly extended my hand and lightly touched her soft smooth cheek but she didn't seem to wake up at all.

She was really sound asleep.

At a time like this, if it had been Geordo, he might have kissed this sleeping beauty.

I fixedly stared at the pink lips in front of me.

Just once before, I had touched them with my lips and I already knew they were soft. 

I gently touched those soft lips with my finger, then brought my finger to my lips. An indirect kiss. It was the best the current me could do.

I somehow felt like I did something incredibly wrong, so heat rose on my face.

After a little while, the girls led by Mary irrupted in the room and drove me out. But until then, I enjoyed Katarina's sleeping face to my heart's content.

[batatoooooo]

[ggomos-maribat]

7 | in which Marinette gets a new career: making Lex Luthor's life an absolute hell

Part 7 of No Mr. Wayne You Can't Adopt Me! | Masterlist

Sometimes, Bruce gave Marinette additional work that was stipulated nowhere in their contract.

Scratch that, he gave her a lot of work that wasn't part of the contract. Marinette wouldn't complain, obviously, since she was paid extra but occasionally, the additional chores became troublesome.

Nonetheless, there was also extra work that she absolutely enjoyed doing. The type of work that she would've done even if she wasn't compensated. Hell, she'd pay Bruce just to accomplish the task. One such assignment was set for the WE gala.

That night, Marinette Dupain-Cheng was the director, and her boss was the star of the show.

She was clad in a modest dress for the big night: gray, calf-length, minimal accessories, pointed heels. The most important part of her outfit, however, was the earpiece discreetly disguised with her hairpin, which put her in a direct line with Bruce.

She peered through the glass windows of the venue, seeing the gala in its grandeur. Fashionably late. That's what they called it. It worked when one wanted to draw attention, because with nearly everyone already present, a metaphorical spotlight would drop down from the sky.

She pressed a button on her earpiece, tucking her tablet close to her chest. "All ready to go, Mr. Wayne."

And of course, since he was Bruce Wayne, he delivered. Heads turned and skirts swished as he made his splendid entrance, just at the right level of 'fashionably late', Brucie-style. He grinned his shiniest grin and immediately greeted the elite guests of the gala he hosted.

Marinette slipped into the threshold herself. "May I remind you not to act too drunk tonight, you're too old for that and it's just going to look sleazy."

"Of course, Marinette, thank you." He replied just as stealthily. "I trust you'll take care of the rest?" 

Her lip curled upwards. "Oh, I intend to."

She took her position near the grand staircase, halfway blending in with the shadows. That amount of stealth would rival Alfred's or even Cassandra's. She just had to play another face in the crowd, someone barely noteworthy.

Then, she'll enjoy the show from her earpiece.

Target spotted. There was Lex Luthor in all his Mr. Clean glory, hanging out with other guests dressed fancily by the banquet table. At first, Marinette was quite surprised he accepted the invitation to a Wayne gala. But then she thought that Luthor would probably push his pride aside just to keep up appearances.

But it was amusing to see that a few of the people crowded around him left to flock to Bruce Wayne.

Her gaze turned towards her boss. He was dressed a bit differently than his usual gala outfit: a flashy golden suit with black markings on the fabric. They commissioned the design from M.D.C., but lent the production to WE's clothing department. Seeing the suit play its role proved that it truly helped Bruce steal the show.

Marinette waited until Luthor was closer to the table. Then she headed straight to it, swiping a mini fruit tart for herself to cover up the nimbleness of her fingers. Poor clueless Luthor, she thought when she successfully retreated back to the staircase.

The effects didn't take too long to see. As soon as Luthor moved to walk with the person he was chatting with, the tablecloth followed him, and so did the rest of the plates, utensils, bowls, and the gorgeous wine tower. The crash was like music to Marinettte's ears as heads turned and Luthor stared gobsmacked at the mess he'd accidentally caused.

The mess he undeniably caused, since the part of the tablecloth was still pinched between his belt and slacks.

The silence was deliciously deafening.

Until one jovial voice cut through.

"Lexie!" Bruce gently pushed past the group swarming around him. "Are you alright?"

Luthor's mouth opened. And closed again. Opened. Closed. "I didn't—how did . . ."

"My my, have you drunk too much wine?" Bruce's gaze swept over the ruined table which the staff were trying to clean up. "You've got to be a little careful, Lex."

Whispers rampaged within the crowd.

Luthor, seemingly trying to hold onto his composure, forced out a laugh. "That's funny, I barely drank tonight."

Bruce nodded sympathetically. "They say your tolerance does go down with old age. If you're feeling dizzy, you can rest upstairs—"

"No!" Luthor suddenly yelled. But immediately after, he cleared his throat and said in a softer tone, "No, thank you. Bruce. I'm feeling okay. I apologize for the mess I caused; I'll make sure to compensate for everything."

Marinette was nearly proud of the faux but extremely convincing smile that Bruce put on. "Very well. How about I help you get a new suit? It seems that some of the wine has stained yours."

***

Tim wasn't in the gala (he was both extremely sleep-deprived and unwilling to go), so Marinette took the liberty of sharing a video of Luthor's incident to him, which he would probably be sending to the family group chat. She conversed with the young CEO for a while, receiving praises on her skills as she waited for her target to come back.

It didn't take long for Luthor to return, all cleaned up like nothing happened. Although there were considerably fewer people who wanted to be near him. It was funny, to Marinette, how Luthor seemed to avoid the table as well.

Unfortunately for you, that doesn't make you safe. Unbeknownst to the general public, the gala venue was extremely dynamic since it was designed to cater almost any event. There were panels and advanced machinery controlling parts of the area, including the elevated stage that doubled as a gallery for the charity's exhibit.

The one who had guest access to the control was none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

She just had to be patient. Luthor moved around a lot, likely because he didn't want to be caught off guard. He had stepped up onto the stage following an exec who was proud to show the gallery. At the time they came down, Marinette pressed a button on her tablet to make the steps move.

With a smack, Luthor's face met the polished floor.

Dramatic gasps echoed around. Faces of concern, some of indifference, others mocking. Like the hero he was, Bruce rushed to Luthor's side to offer a helping hand.

Luthor looked just about to slap his hand away, but he accepted it with a firm grip instead with an overly forced grin.

"Maybe you should lie down after all, Lexie," Bruce pouted. "You can't even walk straight."

The other man laughed a little too loudly. "No need to make it a big deal. It was just an accident."

Bruce clapped him on the back. "No need to be shy around me, hm? Tell me when you need to get some rest."

Whoa, that blood vessel is ready to pop on his head, Marinette observed when Luthor broke away from Bruce and stalked towards the drinks table near her in irritation. He poured out a drink for himself—

"Lexie, why did you run off? You should stay with me, you might cause another accident!" Bruce cried out.

Luthor whirled around. "That—that's a tempting offer, but I shouldn't trouble you," he said through gritted teeth.

"You look really red. I think you should step away from the wine . . ."

"I barely had a sip!"

Luthor turned back around to pick up his glass but it was gone. Meanwhile, Marinette brought the glass to her lips, savoring the expensive wine. She unintentionally locked eyes with Luthor, who looked like he realized who stole his drink. No one will ever believe you if you try to tell them, Marinette inwardly said. Giving him her most feral smile, she downed the drink in one go.

"That!" Luthor jabbed a finger in her direction. "Bruce! Isn't that your assistant?! She's the one causing trouble for me the whole night!"

"My assistant? Lexie, you must be seeing things! I gave her the night off—why would I need my assistant at a gala?"

At the moment Luthor forced him to look, Marinette had already slipped away somewhere else as if she'd vanished.

***

To other people who didn't know of Bruce's alter ego, it would be a mystery why he never had bodyguards with him. But to those in the know (exempli gratia, Marinette) it made sense, since Bruce had to slip in and out in times of emergencies and can defend himself pretty well. Marinette also had prior knowledge that Bruce sometimes let himself be captured to comply with the act. This kind of situation was one Marinette never wished to witness.

They were heading to a hotel for an investor and partnership meeting. Only Marinette, Bruce and the driver were in the limousine when the vehicle grinded to a halt. Peering towards the driver's seat, Marinette saw that the driver had slumped on top of the wheel.

"What the . . ."

The door was pulled open, and masked men armed with guns started pointing at them and telling them to get down. A couple pulled Bruce out of the limo, throwing him down on the pavement to be restrained.

"A kidnapping!" Airheaded 'Brucie' was on display, almost marveling at the situation they were in. "Haven't had those in a while. Careful now, don't be rough with my assistant."

Marinette stared at her boss in disbelief.

Is he . . . is he serious right now?!

Bruce was barely fighting back. No, he didn't fight back at all. You could've taken them all out and told me to keep quiet! Are we seriously doing this right now?! Are you secretly a masochist? Kwamis, we are going to be late for that meeting!

Marinette shut her mouth as she was also pulled out. The men were about to throw a gagged and bound Bruce into their (totally not suspicious) white van. We can't afford to miss this event, it's important for WE!

First, she disarmed them, kicking and knocking off the guns in their hands. One by one they fought back at her but she broke bones and pulled muscles flawlessly, not letting them land a single hit on her. Finally, she rounded them up in a neat circle with their own ropes and zip ties before dabbing the sweat on her forehead. Some of the men were unconscious, some were just disoriented.

Bruce was gawking at her. "Was that in your resumé?"

Marinette put her hands on her hips. "I didn't think it was relevant for the position. I took martial arts lessons in case . . . you know . . . I needed to kick an akuma's ass back in Paris."

"Oh."

"What were you even thinking, Mr. Wayne?" She glowered. "I know you also had self defense lessons—you could've fought back!"

"But—"

"Don't tell me you did it on purpose!"

Bruce quickly avoided her gaze. "I know how to stall the kidnappers until the vigilantes arrive for rescue."

"So you just sit still and do nothing?" Marinette scolded. "Mr. Wayne, who will sign my paychecks if something happens to you?"

"I'm used to it."

She gave him an unimpressed look. We're going to be late for the meeting anyway. Not to mention I'd have to get him a new suit and send his current one for drycleaning.

"Fine. You pride yourself now as a professional captive?" She smiled humorlessly. "Give me one good reason not to sacrifice you to these kidnappers right now."

"Wait, no—"

Marinette didn't even wait. She ushered her boss into the kidnappers' van and practically skipped towards the astounded masked men to free them. Albeit confused and still disoriented, the kidnappers took Bruce away and Marinette bade them goodbye while waving.

***

Of course, Marinette wasn't going to just leave Bruce like that. She still had her paycheck to worry about after all. After calling an ambulance for the driver, she drove the limousine herself and raced through the streets of Gotham, following Bruce's location through her tablet.

She arrived in a typical warehouse near the docks, as expected from amateur kidnappers. It was getting dark, but she allowed herself to enjoy the sunset for a little while. From her guesses, the rest of the family members would've already been alerted of his situation, so she took her place beside the building's door.

Lo and behold, it was Batman who arrived. Dick-Batman.

"Wait," she said when he passed by her.

. . . And she pretended not to notice him leaping back in shock.

"Huh?" Dick-Batman sputtered out.  "What are you doing here? It's dangerous—"

"Don't rescue him yet."

"What? Why?"

Marinette examined her fingernails casually. "He's enjoying playing damsel in distress right now while learning a very important lesson. Give it around five to ten minutes."

"Uhh, okay?"

Dick-Batman just leaned on the wall beside her in an awkward stance, trying to inconspicuously talk through his comms. 

**

Taglist: @hammalammadamdam @animegirlweeb @fairlyfatale

@agentxx92

[darcydarlingdabbles]

At Mid Winter ~ Part 2

RadioApple❄️Human Au/Age Gap✨Top!Dom!Alastor

✨Divorced Dad!Lucifer❄️Explicit~

❄️✨☕✨❄️

☕ On Ao3✨Become my Arc Reader✨On Tumblr ☕

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: sweet stolen glances, dark chocolate mouse, and a little bit of coffee~

Lucifer stepped out of his two door coup onto the snow-dusted gravel drive, his polished black dress shoes crunching on the icy crystals.

He drew in a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, gazing up at the grand hunting lodge nestled among towering snow-capped pines.

The stately log structure exuded cozy luxury, glowing windows beckoning him inside with promises of warmth and merriment.

He glanced over as Alastor emerged from the backseat of Charlie’s SUV, adjusting a crimson scarf around his neck.

A smile played at Lucifer's lips watching his dashing partner, but he quickly looked away, trying to maintain a friendly distance.

Charlie and Vaggie spilled out next, their cheeks rosy from the cold and eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Wow, this place is amazing! Like something out of a fairytale!" His ever excited daughter exclaimed, bouncing on her heels.

"Perfect for a bunch of rich people to part with their money." Vaggie muttered, taking Charlie's gloved hand.

Alastor chuckled, swinging shut the SUV door. "Indeed! The university has outdone itself securing such a splendid venue. I anticipate a spectacular soirée!"

Lucifer's heart fluttered at the jaunty tone of Alastor's voice, but he kept his eyes trained forward as they headed for the lodge's grand front doors.

Animated chatter and laughter echoed around him as other guests arrived. He smiled and waved to a few familiar faces, hoping his nerves didn't show.

Large social events always made him feel on edge these days, especially without Alastor by his side as an anchor. But they had agreed—well, Lucifer had insisted—that discretion was key to avoid drawing undue attention or gossip.

As an elegantly appointed doorman ushered them into the lodge's lavish front hall, a wave of delicious warmth washed over Lucifer.

He loosened his scarf, drinking in the classic alpine decor—a massive stone fireplace crackling with a welcoming blaze, overstuffed leather couches and armchairs piled with plush throws, dark exposed beams strung with evergreen garlands and twinkling lights.

All around, a flurry of activity buzzed as event staff hurried about hanging glittering ornaments, setting up the bar, and arranging poinsettia centerpieces on linen-draped tables.

Lucifer turned to Alastor, fighting the urge to take his hand. Their eyes met and the blonde felt a warm, unspoken affection passed between them.

Between Alastor and the charm of this place, Lucifer felt his anxieties melting away.

Perhaps tonight wouldn't be so nerve-wracking after all. Not with his beloved daughter and Alastor by his side, even if from a subtle distance. He allowed himself a small, secret smile.

As Alastor, Vaggie, and Charlie were whisked away by the event coordinator, their luggage was promptly loaded onto a gleaming brass luggage cart.

"Your bags will be taken to your room, courtesy of the university's performing arts college," the coordinator informed them with a bright smile. "It's one of our finest double rooms!"

Vaggie raised an eyebrow. "We're all sharing a room?"

"Of course! It's quite spacious, I assure you. Perfect for bonding with your fellow students!" the coordinator chirped before turning to Lucifer. "Dr. Morningstar, your bags will be delivered to one of the suites on the top floor. Only the best for our esteemed board members."

“Oh, uh, thanks.” Lucifer nodded graciously, but his thoughts were preoccupied with Alastor.

He wished they could steal a moment alone together before the festivities began.

But, appearances had to be maintained.

As if reading his mind, Alastor flashed him a discreet, reassuring smile before clapping his hands together. "Well then, let's get to work. We’ll make tomorrow night a spectacle to remember."

“That’s the spirit, Mr. LeBlanc.” The event coordinator said, with a chipper smile and a clipboard.

Alastor linked arms with Charlie and Vaggie, guiding them towards the towering Christmas tree that dominated the far end of the great room.

They immediately fell into an easy rhythm, Alastor taking charge of hanging the higher ornaments while the girls focused on the lower branches.

Tinsel flew, laughter rang out, and Lucifer couldn't help but admire how naturally Alastor commanded a room.

Lucifer himself lingered near the fireplace, unsure of where he fit into the bustling scene.

He fiddled with the buttons of his tailored red jacket, one Alastor had picked out for him.

Alastor had been doing that quite a bit lately—taking charge of Lucifer's outfits, encouraging him to branch out from his standard fluffy, chunky knit sweaters.

Lucifer found he rather enjoyed surrendering that small bit of control. Especially when Alastor seemed to relish in taking it.

"Lucifer! Is that you?"

A familiar voice snapped the blonde out of his reverie.

He turned to see his old colleagues, Emily and Sera, approaching, their faces bright with surprise and delight. Well, the shorter of the two looked bright. Sera was always toweringly tall and stern.

Emily reached him first, clasping his hands warmly.

"My goodness, you look wonderful!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. "That jacket is stunning on you. Red is definitely your color."

Lucifer ducked his head, feeling a pleased flush creep up his neck. "Thank you, Emily. That's very kind of you to say. It’s good to see you again, too."

He couldn't help but privately credit Alastor for his elevated appearance. His companion had an impeccable eye and took such joy in dressing him.

Lucifer found himself looking forward to their private fashion sessions, Alastor sliding his clothes on with teasing, reverent fingers.

Only Alastor could make the simple act of getting dressed feel like the sultriest of foreplay.

Sera peered at him appraisingly, a smile playing at her lips. "Emily's right, Lucifer. You look…happier. Relaxed, even."

Lucifer chuckled softly, letting his gaze drift back to Alastor, who was now dramatically draping garlands around Charlie's and Vaggie's shoulders.

An involuntary warmth spread through his chest. Perhaps his inner contentment was becoming more and more visible on the outside as well.

"I suppose I am happy," he murmured, almost to himself.

Lucifer chastised himself, as the brunette often had, about his lack of poker face before turning back to his colleagues, determined to be present in the conversation.

The night was young, and there would be plenty of time for covert glances and secret smiles.

For now, he would simply bask in the joy of being surrounded by the people he cared for most, even if he couldn't hold his beloved openly.

The strength of their bond transcended public displays—it lived in every inside joke, every brushed hand, every meaningful look.

And that, Lucifer decided, was more than enough.

❄️✨☕✨❄️

As Lucifer conversed with Sera and Emily—administrators, he reminded himself, the professors had been more like his friends—his gaze kept straying to Alastor, who was now untangling a string of lights with deft fingers.

The younger man moved with an easy grace, his smile never faltering as he joked with Charlie and Vaggie and fellow students who had been volunteered to impress donors.

He couldn't help but admire the way Alastor commanded attention without even trying, his natural charisma drawing people in like moths to a flame.

But beneath the admiration, a flicker of insecurity churned in Lucifer's gut. Alastor was so effortlessly charming, so comfortable in his own skin. Lucifer sometimes wondered what Alastor saw in him, with all his anxieties and uncertainties.

As if sensing his gaze, Alastor glanced up, his eyes meeting Lucifer's across the room. Giving him another of those stolen, secret smiles. Softer than his overtly charming public face.

Lucifer felt that melting feeling all over again.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, the blonde noticed a young man watching Alastor as intently as he was.

The student was tall and lean, with electric blue eyes and a calculating expression. He looked as slick as the amount of gel in his oily black hair.

Lucifer frowned slightly, a prickle of unease running down his spine.

But before he could dwell on it, Ozzie, a well-loved psychology professor, clapped him on the shoulder, grinning broadly.

The blonde gave a guilty start.

"Lucifer, my man! It's been too long. You really should consider coming back to teach, you know. The humanities college isn't the same without you."

Bee, from sociology, nodded in agreement, her eyes twinkling. "The students adored you, Lucifer. And your research was always so fascinating. We could use your history expertise around here."

Lucifer smiled, pushing thoughts of the mysterious student to the back of his mind.

"I do miss it sometimes," he admitted. "But I'm enjoying this new chapter of my life. Focusing on my writing, spending more time with Charlie…"

Ozzie’s eyes lit up with mischief. "Oh yes, we've heard all about this new chapter of yours, Lucifer. Particularly the... romantic subplot."

Bee chuckled, nudging Lucifer playfully. "Come on, Dr. ‘Star. Spill the beans. Who's the lucky lady? Or gentleman? We're not ones to judge."

Lucifer felt his cheeks grow hot. He hadn't prepared for this, hadn't expected the rumors to spread so quickly.

His eyes darted around the room, desperately avoiding Alastor's direction.

"I…well, that is to say…" he stammered, tugging at his collar.

The room suddenly felt far too warm, the crackling fireplace no longer cozy but stifling.

Bee laid a gentle hand on his arm, her expression softening.

"We didn't mean to embarrass you. We're just thrilled to see you happy again. You were always so dedicated to your work. It's wonderful to know you've found someone special."

Ozzie nodded earnestly. "Absolutely. After everything you've been through, you deserve some joy in your life. We're not fishing for gossip, truly. We just want to celebrate."

Their sincerity washed over Lucifer like a soothing balm, easing some of the tension from his shoulders. He took a deep breath, centering himself.

"Thank you," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I appreciate it. And yes, I am…I am happy. Happier than I've been in a long time, actually."

As he spoke, Lucifer's gaze unconsciously drifted towards Alastor, who was now regaling a group of students with an animated story, his hands gesturing grandly.

The sight made Lucifer's heart swell with affection.

Quickly, he snapped his attention back to Bee and Ozzie, hoping they hadn't noticed his wandering eyes. But judging by the knowing looks they exchanged, he feared he might not have been as subtle as he'd hoped.

"Well, whoever they are," Bee said warmly, "they're clearly good for you."

Ozzie agreed, clapping him on the back. "It suits you, my friend."

Lucifer ducked his head, both touched and flustered by their observations.

"You're too kind," he murmured, fiddling with the cuffs of his jacket.

As he spoke, the scent of cinnamon and pine wafted through the air, mingling with the rich aroma of mulled wine.

Laughter echoed around them, punctuated by the soft tinkling of ornaments.

Across the room, Alastor's mirth rang out, bright and clear.

Vaggie was tangled in a string of lights, her expression a mix of annoyance and reluctant amusement as Charlie tried to free her. Alastor, meanwhile, was doubled over in levity, his eyes sparkling with sabotage.

"My dear, you look positively radiant!" he declared, grinning at Vaggie's predicament. "I dare say you've found your calling as a human Christmas tree."

Vaggie scowled. "Har har. Very funny. Now are you going to help me out of this mess or not?"

Alastor tapped his chin thoughtfully, his smile turning sly. "I don't know. I think it rather suits you."

Charlie, ever the peacemaker, stepped in before Vaggie could retort. "Here, let me help," she offered, carefully unwinding the lights. "We've got a lot more decorating to do, and we need all hands on deck!"

As Lucifer watched, he couldn't help but marvel at the easy camaraderie between the three of them.

Despite the lingering tension between Alastor and Vaggie, they worked together seamlessly, their banter filled with a grudging fondness.

It was a testament to their love for Charlie, Lucifer realized.

They were both willing to set aside their differences for her sake, to find common ground in their shared affection for the bright, kind-hearted young woman who had brought them all together.

As the trio turned their attention back to the decorations, chatting and laughing as they worked, Lucifer felt a sense of deep contentment settle over him.

This was what the holidays were all about, he thought—coming together with the people you loved, finding joy in the simple pleasures of tradition and togetherness.

Let the world keep turning outside these walls. Here, in this moment, they had everything they needed.

❄️✨☕✨❄️

Vox sauntered up to Alastor, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Well, well, if it isn't the star of the show," he purred, his eyes raking over Alastor's form appreciatively. "I must say, Alastor, you're looking dashing today."

Alastor's smile remained firmly in place, but there was a coolness to his gaze as he replied, "Why, thank you, Vox. You're too kind."

He kept his tone light, almost playful.

Undeterred, Vox leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, I've been watching you work all day. The way you handle those decorations…you’re pretty skillful, magical, even."

Alastor chuckled, a sound that was equal parts amusement and warning. "Ah, well, luckily one of us has a modicum of awareness, " He stepped back smoothly, maintaining a polite but firm boundary between them. “lest the magic spell be broken.”

Vox opened his mouth, despite the befuddled expression on his face—

Just then, Lucifer entered the room, his eyes immediately drawn to the interaction unfolding before him.

A rush of jealousy surged through his veins, hot and bitter, as he watched Vox's blatant flirtation.

He tried to school his features into a neutral expression, but the tightness around his mouth and the shadow in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

What the hell was that kid doing? Fawning all over Alastor like that? Lucifer fumed silently. He took a deep breath, pushing down the insecurities that threatened to rise up and choke him.

The blonde needed to calm down—Alastor was not going to be swayed by some cheap flattery and cheesy pick-up lines.

Forcing a smile onto his face, Lucifer approached the group, his voice carefully casual as he said, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you three. I thought we could all grab a late dinner at the lodge restaurant, if you're up for it?"

He studiously avoided looking at Vox, focusing instead on Alastor, Vaggie, and Charlie. But even as they agreed and began to gather their things, Lucifer couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of unease.

❄️✨☕✨❄️

The cozy ambiance of the lodge restaurant enveloped them as they stepped inside, the aroma of hearty winter dishes mingling with the crackle of the fireplace. Soft laughter and the clink of cutlery against plates filled the air.

As they settled into their seats, Lucifer found himself seated across from Alastor in the booth, with Charlie and Vaggie to his left.

He tried to focus on the menu, but his gaze kept drifting back to Alastor, drinking in the sight of him in the flickering candlelight.

"So, Charlie," Alastor said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the table. "Tell us more about your upcoming performance. I'm sure it's going to be absolutely spectacular."

Charlie beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, I’m so excited! We've been working so hard on the choreography and the music. I can't wait for everyone to see it!"

As Charlie launched into a detailed description of her upcoming song and dance at the gala, Lucifer found himself only half-listening. His mind was still churning with thoughts of Vox and the way he had looked at Alastor, like he was a prize to be won.

"And of course, Alastor will be performing as well," Charlie chimed in, her words jolting Lucifer out of his reverie.

"What?" Lucifer blurted out, his eyes snapping to Alastor's face. "You're performing too?"

Alastor sighed, though he didn’t seem remotely bashfull. "Ah, yes. It was meant to be a surprise, actually. I didn't want to steal the spotlight from Charlie."

Charlie's eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' of surprise. "Alastor! You didn't have to do that for me," she exclaimed, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "You know I would have loved to share the stage with you!"

Lucifer felt a wave of emotion wash over him, a mix of pride and affection for Alastor's thoughtfulness.

"That's incredibly kind of you, Alastor," he said softly, his eyes meeting the other man's across the table. "But Charlie's right. You shouldn't have to hide your talents."

Vaggie, however, narrowed her eyes, her gaze flicking between Alastor and Lucifer.

"That's…unusually considerate of you, Alastor," she said, her tone laced with skepticism. "Since when do you pass up an opportunity to show off?"

Alastor's smile tightened almost imperceptibly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. He leaned back in his seat, fingers drumming lightly on the table.

"My dear Vaggie, always so quick to assume the worst," he said, his voice light but with an undercurrent of tension. "Is it so hard to believe I might simply want to give my best friend her moment to shine?"

“Yes.” Vaggie said simply, to Charlie’s admonishment.

Lucifer watched the exchange with growing curiosity, sensing there was more to Alastor's decision than he was letting on.

He caught Alastor's eye, raising an eyebrow in silent question.

Alastor held his gaze for a moment, then sighed.

"If you must know," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, audible only to those at their table, "I was attempting to be…respectful. Lucifer has been incredibly proud and excited for his daughter, who also happens to be my best friend, and I…didn't want to intrude on their moment."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

Lucifer felt his heart skip a beat, touched by Alastor's consideration. He hadn't even thought about how Alastor's involvement might affect his ability to focus on Charlie's performance.

For all Alastor warned Lucifer that he was no good with relationships…that sure was one hell of a forethought.

Charlie's eyes widened in understanding, a soft "Oh" escaping her lips. She looked between Alastor and her father, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Al, that's…that's really thoughtful of you."

Vaggie's expression softened slightly, though a hint of suspicion still lingered in her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it again, settling for a noncommittal hum.

Lucifer found himself at a loss for words, overwhelmed by the depth of Alastor's consideration. He wanted nothing more than to reach across the table and take the younger man’s hand. Show his partner a little of how grateful he was for the gesture.

But they were out in public. Students, staff, and stakeholders in the university all chatting and eating around them.

Later, Lucifer promised himself.

“So, if we’d like to get back to our discussion of Charlie’s rigorous rehearsal schedule.” Alastor said, clearing his throat, picking up his fork with a finality to his tone.

If Lucifer didn’t know better, he might just think his partner was blushing in the candlelight.

As the conversation flowed around him, Lucifer let himself relax, basking in the warmth and laughter of his loved ones.

As the meal drew to a close, a sense of contentment settled over the group. Lucifer leaned back in the booth, savoring the warmth of the restaurant and the easy camaraderie between his companions.

Charlie and Vaggie were the first to excuse themselves, citing a need to rest before the big day tomorrow.

"Oh, Al," Charlie said, pausing as she stood. "Did you... um, did you move your bags already?" Her attempt at subtlety was endearing, if not entirely effective.

Alastor's smile never wavered. "It's all taken care of, my dear. No need to worry."

Charlie beamed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Great! Well, goodnight, you two. Don't stay up too late!"

With a wave, she and Vaggie disappeared, leaving Lucifer and Alastor alone at the table.

“And then there were two,'“ Lucifer chuckle, his gaze drifting to the dessert menu.

The selections were tempting, an array of decadent treats designed to satisfy any sweet tooth. But as he reached for the menu, he hesitated, his mind flashing back to the countless texts from Alastor, gentle reminders to take care of himself, to prioritize his health and well-being.

His partner's concern, his desire to see Lucifer thrive, it was a constant source of comfort and support

Lucifer's internal debate was interrupted by the waiter's arrival, ready to take their dessert order.

He glanced at Alastor, a silent question in his eyes, wondering what the brunette would choose.

Alastor's hand gently brushed against Lucifer's as he reached for the dessert menu.

"Allow me, darling," he said with a warm smile, his eyes scanning the options. "Ah, perfect. We'll have the dark chocolate mousse, please. And an espresso for me."

Lucifer felt a blush creep into his cheeks. He loved how Alastor always seemed to know exactly when to take the reigns from him.

As the waiter nodded and slipped away, Alastor turned to Lucifer, his gaze soft and sincere.

“I thought, dessert might be off the table,” Lucifer shrugged, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Given all the indulgences this weekend.”

Alastor glanced around, and then, deftly, moved towards the center of the circular booth. Far enough to maintain the facade, but close enough that Lucifer could feel a warm hand on his thigh.

"You know, I want you to be healthy, but not at the expense of enjoying life's little pleasures.” The younger ducked his head and lowered his voice, catching Lucifer’s ear. “Besides, I happen to adore the way your body feels…all soft and inviting."

Lucifer's blush deepened, his heart fluttering at Alastor's words. It was moments like these that reminded him just how lucky he was.

"Thank you," he murmured, his hand finding Alastor's beneath the table. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

“Suffer, probably,” the brunette chuckled.

But just as they were leaning in, lost in the moment, a familiar figure approached their table.

Vox, the brash student who had been watching Alastor earlier, stood before them, an ambitious glint in his eye.

"Alastor, there you are," he drawled, his gaze flicking between the two men. "Almost thought you’d gotten away from me. Mind if I join you?"

The words were on the tip of his tongue—he very much minded.

But, Alastor squeezed his hand warningly under the table, before subtly letting go.

Lucifer didn’t like the shift in the atmosphere, the easy comfort of their private moment evaporating in the face of the intrusion.

Beside him, Alastor sat up straighter, his smile never wavering even as a hint of steel crept into his eyes. "Vox," he greeted, his voice smooth and controlled. "What a surprise. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

As the three men stared each other down, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife, Lucifer couldn't shake the feeling that their evening was about to take a very unexpected turn.

Without waiting for an invitation, Vox slid into the booth beside Alastor, his arm draping casually over the back of the seat.

Lucifer felt a surge of possessiveness, his jaw clenching as he watched Vox's fingers brush against Alastor's shoulder.

"I've been meaning to ask you something, Alastor," Vox began, his voice low and conspiratorial. "A little birdie told me you're performing at the gala tomorrow night. Is that true?"

Alastor's smile remained fixed, but Lucifer could see the barely perceptible tension in his shoulders. "Indeed, I am," he replied, his tone light and airy. "It's a tradition I'm quite fond of, you see."

Vox leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of admiration and challenge. "Well, I was wondering if you might be interested in a little... collaboration. You and me, on stage together. What do you say?"

Lucifer's heart raced, a sickening feeling twisting in his gut. He glanced at Alastor, trying to gauge his reaction, but the other man's expression remained unreadable.

"An intriguing proposition," Alastor said, his voice carefully neutral. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. You see, I've already prepared a solo piece, and any quality performance requires ample time to prepare."

Vox's smile faltered for a moment, a flash of irritation crossing his features. But he quickly recovered, his grin turning sly. "Ah, well, that's a shame. I feel like we could make some beautiful music together."

Lucifer blanched at the blatant innuendo, nearly knocking over the dark chocolate mousse that had appeared unnoticed at their table. The delicate glass wobbled precariously, threatening to spill its velvety contents across the crisp white tablecloth.

Lucifer's hand shot out to steady it, his fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the cool surface.

Alastor's laughter rang out, clear and melodious, cutting through the tension like a knife.

It was impossible to tell if he was laughing at Vox's audacious flirtation or if he found some genuine amusement in the situation.

“Oh, I’m certain you would think that.”

Lucifer watched, his heart pounding, as Alastor reached for his espresso. The small, white porcelain cup looked almost comically delicate in his long, elegant fingers.

Steam rose from the dark liquid in wispy tendrils, curling around Alastor's face.

With deliberate slowness, Alastor raised the cup to his lips. He took a sip, his eyes closing briefly as he savored the rich, bitter flavor.

When Alastor's eyes opened again, they were gleaming with an unreadable expression.

He set the cup down with a soft clink, the sound seeming to echo in the sudden hush that had fallen over their table.

Lucifer found himself holding his breath, every muscle in his body tense as he waited for Alastor's response.

A/N: You know what happens to Vox in my fics by now XD

And no, that was not a typo. Lucifer has a Doctorate in Ancient History in this.

Well, yes, it was an originally a typo. But then I went with it.

I then made Ozzie a professor of a Psychology, because of its link to sexuality and a weird human sexuality teacher I had.

And Bee is a sociology teacher because food is a driving force of culture and societal norms.

☕ On Ao3✨Become my Arc Reader✨On Tumblr ☕

[apollomes-supremacy]

Hello Gress can you please tell me the name and creator the splendid oil painting of Phoebus Apollo and Mercury that you have displayed on your Tumblr? I really like the painting and wanted to ask who's the painter because I like the old art of Apollo.. Thank you if can help me with this😃...

Hello! 🦢

I believe youre refering to the painting on my header: Apollo or The Three Protector of The Muses by Charles-André van Loo (Carle Van Loo), 1745.

(I previously thought it had another name, but apparently I was wrong lol)

This artist also has some other mythological works that I really like!

Marsyas Flayed by the Order of Apollo, 1975.

Juno, 1736.

Perseus and Andromeda, c.1735 - c.1740.

Venus and Cupids with the Arms of Mars, 1743.

Education of Cupid, c. 1750.

Jason and Medea, 1759.

Mercury and Argos, 18th century.

Baccus et Ariane, 18th century.

[storyofthenauseouseye]

The Duality of Woman: Anais Nin

Vogue Magazine, Anais Nin talks about being a woman, 15 October 1971

Anais Nin is a woman of duality. It's been a well-known fact for those who know or love her that she is truly a two-sided coin. She said it herself in her book Henry and June,

"I will always be the virgin prostitute, the perverse angel, the two-faced sinister and saintly woman"(bookquoters.com).

From her intense marriages to two different men on opposite sides of the country, to her literary career, to even her personal reflections and essays, Nin was a figure bathed in duality. How does one split the image of Anais Nin ideally in half? You just have to find the seam between diarist and eroticist.

The Diarist

Anais Nin is most well-loved by her adoring fans because of her published diary. As a young girl, Nin wrote her father a letter begging him to return to the family he had abandoned (The Anais Nin Foundation). This was the beginning of Nin's diary, which would be published in seven volumes, with four unexpurgated diaries later appearing after their original publication.

Her diaries were incredibly personal, full of secrets and thoughts she never thought would come to light. The biggest secret within these diaries was that she was married to two different men simultaneously, something she would remove from the diaries upon initial publication. Years later, Nin compiled the removed sections into one volume, the first of her unexpurgated diaries. It was called Henry and June, and detailed the letters and writings the two shared. The duality of Nin stretched throughout every aspect of her life.

These highly intimate journals struck twentieth-century American women directly in their souls. As one journalist famously put it in an article for The Conversation,

Anaïs Nin dreamed, in all senses. She dreamed of lives and possibilities. She dreamed in slumber and allowed her dreams to leak into the day. As I regularly committed the cardinal social sin of recounting my dreams over breakfast, she seemed a soulmate across oceans and generations (Gorman).

These teenage girls and their daydreams were instantly hooked on Nin's likeminded wonder and splendid prose. She became a sensation after the diary publications almost instantly, giving her a decent seat in literary history.

It wouldn't be long until something else gave her another boost of fame.

Ramon Casas, Decadent Young Woman. After the Dance, 1899

The Eroticist

In the late 1970s, Anais Nine published three volumes of erotic short fiction, each containing approximately ten stories. Despite their popularity, the term erotic is a tad inappropriate. Although she wasn't a follower of the transgressive art movement like Georges Bataille, Anais Nin's erotic stories are more disturbing and controversial than actually arousing.

Nin wrote about such topics as sexual abuse, incest, pedophilia, and other forms of sexual violence within her stories. These works would go on to shock and challenge readers even today (Maza).

Lost Lenore Antiques, Anais Nin ~ Little Birds and Delta of Venus ~ 1st Edition Books ~ Vintage Erotica, 27 August 2021

Works Cited

The Anais Nin Foundation. “bio — The Anais Nin Foundation.” The Anais Nin Foundation, https://theanaisninfoundation.org/bio. Accessed 11 December 2023.

Gorman, Alice. “The book that changed me: journeying to the self with Anaïs Nin's sensual, transgressive diaries.” The Conversation, 25 April 2022, https://theconversation.com/the-book-that-changed-me-journeying-to-the-self-with-ana-s-nins-sensual-transgressive-diaries-176135. Accessed 11 December 2023.

Maza, Sarah, and Paul Herron. “Swinging: The Double Life of Anaïs Nin.” Public Books, 19 February 2018, https://www.publicbooks.org/swinging-the-double-life-of-anais-nin/. Accessed 11 December 2023.

Nin, Anaïs. “Quotes from Henry and June: From "A Journal of Love"--The Unexpurgated Diary of Anaïs Nin by Anaïs Nin.” BookQuoters, https://bookquoters.com/book/henry-and-june-from-a-journal-of-love-the-unexpurgated-diary-of-anais-nin. Accessed 11 December 2023.

Further Reading

[aaronyoghurt]

"Dance With Me"

Chrollo x Reader

This is the first fan fic I've written.

I dont't know if this will be any good but

Please be nice.

Although constructive criticism will be much appreicated.

I tried.

This will probably be a one shot and I shall disappear under the surface of the earth.

Unless yall find this engaging or if I choose to write more.

Summary: You're attending a fancy auction event. Becoming increasingly bored, an opportunity arises when a handsome mysterious stranger notices and approaches you. He engages in conversation before swooping you away onto the dance floor. Ending is open to interpretation. wink wink

Note: I have written this in Third Person rather than in Second. I wanted to try out the narrative perspective but I am curious to know which of the two you prefer as a reader :)

Enjoy...

(2.06 k words)

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Smooth red liquid of the expensive wine cautiously slid down her throat as she observed her current surroundings. The soft classical music from the band of musicians flowed through the air, creating a pleasant ambience that entertained the auditory senses. Meanwhile, a swarm of mingling bodies idly danced through the grand intricate hall. The ruby wine, slowly swirled around the inside of the glass as the young woman languidly stirred the stem between delicate fingers.

The function she was attending tonight was a prestigious one. A vast ornate ceiling coupled with splendid decorative designs and grand marble columns intwined with golden threads, were all distinct features that screamed eloquence and money. Just the thing to be expected when one attended a fancy dinner party, especially one that was meant to impress the higher classes, under the disguise of a philanthropic art auction for charity. The young woman liked art. It is a universal thing that binds all humans together and anyone can be appreciative of it, regardless if they consider themselves a knowledgeable appraiser.

The reason for her being here tonight was not only attributed to her desire to see the art or enjoy a social gathering, but almost laughable in its’ simplicity; boredom. A result of a spontaneous decision made on impulse and the desire to escape the typical regularity of daily life seemed more appealing to regard it as such. An acquaintance of hers mentioned that it would be a pleasure for him to take her to the auction if she chose to, and she agreed. However, now that she has strolled around the venue and admired all of the art pieces that were to be auctioned, all the while her supposed partner for this evening has left to throw himself into conversation with other groups of people at some stage during the evening, there was nothing more to do other than to enjoy some of the wine that was offered.

Her gaze was trained on the red liquid that sloshed lightly in the crystal while her mind was wondering on what to do next. She glanced up at the dancing couples for a second with an indifferent and almost distant gaze before sighing and raising the glass to her lips. Lamenting on the fact that people had found happiness with their lovers was never a beneficial thought process. It made one consider their own lack of romance in life and wonder how some fall into relationships so easily, while others struggle to even find a match or simply waiting for fate to do its’ bidding.

That is why instead of dwelling on such topics, she sipped on her nearly empty glass, allowing the pleasant buzz to fill her head and enjoy the remaining contents of the drink before deciding to call it a night and go home. Perhaps once she is back home, she will decide between getting even more violently wine drunk and viciously bawling into a pillow, considering the uneventful and quite boring evening that she thus far endured.

She raised the glass once again to her lips while her eyes flickered upwards, only to land on a suit clad stranger in the now dispersed party of the previous dancers, and who was also looking back at her with a soft smile. She blinked and shifted her gaze away to the side, as her breath caught in her throat momentarily. It must have been her imagination or worse, a hallucination caused by one too many sips of wine, because once her eyes travelled back in the direction of the mysterious man looking at her, he was gone.

But not even a second later, the stranger reappeared at her side, standing only a small and respectable distance away. Declining his head a bit and nodding subtly downwards at the glass in her hand and leaning into her side he spoke, “Pinot Noir or Sauvignon?” Her head turns at the sound of the calm and surprisingly soft voice and she is met face to face with the handsome stranger. Her widened eyes meet his cool cobalt gaze as they curiously look into hers, maintaining a present contact.

Apart from his tantalising opium gaze, his appearance was strikingly distinct and unique; a white bandana was wrapped securely around his forehead and his earlobes were adorned with turquoise ball earrings. After taking a few seconds to comprehend the random approach and the appearance of the man before her, she quickly shook off her stupor after realising he is waiting for some sort of answer.

He has asked her what wine it is that was in her glass and she glances down at it as she thinks back. When she was poured the wine by the waiter previously, he had said something similar. She glanced back up at the mysterious man and offering him a response, “Pinot Noir, I believe…” His smile widens ever so slightly as he acknowledges her with a gentle gaze. “I must say, it is a fine choice. The taste is quite refined in its own way.”

She smiles lightly back at him and can’t help but feel her heart skip a beat. Not only is his countenance tolerable and fine, the way he carries himself is certainly venerable with a flair for natural charm. Moreover, his appearance is even more captivating. From the way in which his inky strands of hair fall perfectly around his face, to the structure of his jaw and sharp intelligent eyes.

“Ah, pardon me. I believe I got ahead of myself and forgot the introductions. I’m Chrollo.” His eyes remain soft and looking straight into hers, while his lips are graced with that same calm and friendly smile as he extends his right hand slowly. “Chrollo…nice to meet you. I’m Y/n.” She smiles back warmly and places her hand into his as he squeezes it gently and raises her hand to his lips while lowering his head, looking into her eyes through his lashes with a soft grin as he does so.

This catches her off guard completely, causing a tint of pink to dust her cheeks right before he lets go and continues in a soft, aimable tone, “Perhaps I was too up front with my approach, but I couldn’t help but notice your humble presence and elegant disposition. Are you enjoying the party?”  She considers him for a moment before letting out a small chuckle and looking back up at him, “It could be worse. I was hoping it would be more entertaining for me, but I’m not one to complain.”

⋙ ⋙ ⋙

Chrollo’s company turned out to be a most joyous experience and probably the highlight of the otherwise uninteresting evening. He was polite and a most engaging conversationalist. They talked and laughed for a long duration of time which now seemed to be of no essence. The rest of the people in the expanse of the hall and the air filled with conversation seemed to have completely vaporised into nothing more than an insignificant echo.

After some time, they both seem to be brought back to reality as the music started back up. A notable change can now be heard in it’s quality of performance since a new, more distinguished, band of musicians  appeared, in exchange of the prior orchestra. Most likely to symphonise a final dance before the auction started.

Upon hearing the newborn melody, Chrollo looks at her again with a more concentrated gaze as he utters his next words, “Dance with me.” His voice is soft as he speaks, but there is a certain command in it, which compels one to oblige instantaneously. Her eyes widen in mild surprise at the sudden request. Her heart begins to thump in her chest at a slightly more accelerated speed, as she gazes up into the sparkling depths of obscurity, contained within those enthralling dark grey eyes of his. Chrollo patiently waits, now with another kind smile compared to the more pointed expression he presented mere seconds ago. “Uhm…alright.” She agrees after initial hesitation, as he offers her his hand, giving the cue, to which she immediately complies.

Placing her smaller hand into Chrollo’s, he leads her onto the dance floor where others have already started their waltz. They stop together in the free space as Chrollo raises their intertwined hands into the air fluidly, and uses his other hand to promptly and gently wrap around her lower back, pulling her closer into him. He offers her an unabashed grin while a more bashful smile spreads itself upon her own lips.

“I should have warned you earlier…I’m not a great dancer.” She admits and glances away from his piercing gaze before meeting his eyes once more. His own lips merely quirk upwards after sensing her apprehension before he responds, “I believe it’s a little too late for any inhibitions now, darling. Allow me to be your guide.” Is all he says, before starting to fall into rhythm with her gracefully, leading her through every step as they progress in their dance.

The music flows through the crowded space easily, while Chrollo smoothly dictates the slow succession of steps and figures, occasionally twirling her around and pulling her in extremely close. It was evident that she felt a bit nervous at the start, and not only because of the fact that this handsome dark haired man was present and choosing to be with her, but since she never considered herself to be a capable dancer. Somehow with Chrollo’s efficient guidance, she found herself naturally responding to his movements. It was bizarre yet magnificent at the same time. As if the ability of dancing itself was innately present with her all along and never existed only as a foreign concept.

“I do not know why you feared that you didn’t have the capacity to be a capable dancer. You’re moving splendidly.” Chrollo praises with a soft smile on his face as they continue to dance. She keeps her eyes on his as they effortlessly sway to the soft classical music provided by the orchestra. “Maybe I just have a good partner.” She teases with a small grin. Chrollo subtly smirks at her suave comment as his obsidian eyes fill with mirth.

Don’t be so humble now, dear. I have witnessed how other women dance and some appear to be as stiff as rocks.” He comments in amusement as he spins her around gently before pulling her back against him, her body moving fluently in response to his lead. “I see you have had plenty of experience in dancing then?” She asks as she tries to appear nonchalant. Chrollo only chuckles softly as his sharp eyes pierce into her own. “Call it observation.” He responds enigmatically as his hand slithers down to her waist from the small of her back.

The two continue dancing until the song begins to fade towards its’ conclusion. After spending only around two hours with Chrollo, she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. His enticing nature and charming persona, coupled with his appealing handsome looks was beginning to get to her. The aforementioned idea of romance, that she approached with much scrutiny and distaste, now seemed not be as bad. She could only hope and fathom the idea that fate has finally been kind to her and bestowed this ridiculously attractive man in her favour.

She didn’t know what approach she should take anymore, but she did know one thing; she never wanted for this dream-like dance to end. But all good things seem to come to an end. So she allows herself to indulge in this as much as possible and drink every drop from tonight’s company before the clock struck twelve.

Chrollo looks down at her with devilish smile gracing his plump lips as his eyes sparkle with a newfound light. “Earlier you mentioned you wished for the evening to be more entertaining…well I can assure you of one thing, my dear…” He twirls her around gently for the final time before smoothly pulling her back against his chest with a hand on the small of her waist. Tipping her backwards ever so slightly, Chrollo leans his head down next to hers and whispers the next words into the shell of her ear, his lips brushing the tender skin with the barest touch, “…It will only get more interesting, from now on…”

~

~

~

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if you survived after reading this, I commend you for your dilligence and patience.

As an FYI: This post is a result of a random idea along with me wanting to test my writing capabilities in the department of fanfiction lol. So I have no clue how this escalated to me posting this on here but take what you want of it.

If you are still reading, I would be eternally blessed if I receive any feedback cuz I deadass have no clue what I am doing.

Stay slay and peace out!

[leaderoffestivals]

Mikejima Madara Feature Scout 2 Ch 2: Fates and Feast

Madara: Let’s enjoy the festival together, just like we did that day. What do you say, Anzu-san? 

Scenario Writer: Yuumasu Season: Winter   Characters: Mikejima Madara. Otogari Adonis, Oogami Koga, Harukawa Sora, Akehoshi Subaru, Sakasaki Natsume, Anzu

< After a short while. Carrying out duties as the “One-Day PR General”... >

Madara: [TO ALL THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN HERE TODAYYY,  A MOST DELIGHTFUL MORNING TO YOUUUUU ☆ I AM MIKEJIMA MADARA FROM MaM!

Have you received the special Mikejima Madara’ stamp rally cards yet? They’re being handed out at the entrance!

To collect all the stamps, you’ll need to explore every nook and corner of the venue. By the time the card is filled with stamps, you’ll have covered the entirrre venue!

IF YOU’RE NOT SURE ON WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO, DO FEEL FREE TO MAKE USE OF IT ☆

One can only truly appreciate the famous sights of the world by being there in person, but you can experience the culinary cultures of the world right here at this venue!

In other words, you can learn more about the world through food!

The world is an incredibly vast place, full of discoveries yet to be made! I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE WORLD WHILE INDULGING IN DELICIOUS DELIGHTS ☆]

Madara: (Turn off the mike now, and… …

This place has been bustling since the opening hour―it looks like the efforts we put into promoting the event are paying off. 

This is splendid. Yes, this is how festivals should be, after all ♪

I’m supposed to meet with Anzu-san at the Japanese food fair around noon. 

Until then, I’ll continue to soak in the sights and the sounds of the venue, and continue livening up the atmosphere here in my role as the “One-Day PR General”―

… … Oh? I see some familiar faces over thereee―) ADONIS-SAN, KOGA-SAN! YOOHOOOOOOO ☆

Koga: Pipe down~. Why are you yellin’ at us so loudly for? 

Adonis: Good morning, Mikejima-senpai―

Oops―No. It would be better to address you as the PR General here, I suppose?

Madara: Nope! Feel free to address me as you usually do! Thank you both for coming! I appreciate it so much!

Koga: Well, you’ve been yappin’ non-stop about the event at Seisoukan and hypin’ it up like crazy, haven’t you?

It piqued my curiosity enough to check it out, and I found out there’re chefs from this guy’s home country attending too.

Adonis: That’s why Oogami and I are here, to try some authentic cuisine from my homeland―

―and it’s all thanks to your enthusiastic promotion of the event. Thank you, Mikejima-senpai. 

Madara: You’re very welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy the taste of your homeland too ☆

Sora: HaHa~ ♪ Good morning, Giant-san! ♪

Madara: OH! It’s Sora-san and Subaru-san.

Subaru: Yes! Since it’s an invitation from our roommate, Mamu-senpai, how could we not show up, right?

It would’ve been perfect if Hibiki-senpai could’ve come along too, but he seems to have something going on. However, in his place―

Subaru: TADA~AH! Natsume has joined our party~ ☆

Natsume: SeriousLY? I’m not here to replace Wataru-nii-san at aLL. I’m only here because I didn’t want to let Baru-kun monopolise Sora for the entire dAY.

Subaru: Haha! That's what you say, but deep down, you totally wanted to hang out with me, didn’t you? Awww, youuu~ ♪

Natsume: UgH. Stop tickling mE, and stop twisting things to fit your narratiVE.

Natsume: Oh yES. Wataru-nii-san will be attending tomorrOW, together with the other members of “fine”. Isn’t that grEAT, Mikejima-senpai?

Madara: Yes, indeed. I’m very grateful to everyone who showed interest!

Sora: Yes! Sora is so thankful to learn about such a fun event!

HiHi~ ♪ What should Sora eat first, Sora is wondering~?

Natsume: UfufU. You may order anything you liKE. I’ll cover the bill for yOU, okAY?

Sora: YAAAY~ ♪ Thank you so much, Shisho~!

Subaru: YAAAY~ ♪ Thanks so much, Natsume!

Natsume: Hold oN. I wasn’t talking to yOU, Baru-kun. 

Madara: Haha, the young ones sure are energetic, aren’t theyyy―

Oh myyy? There’s another familiar face over there! HELLOOOOOO ☆

< A few hours later. At the Japanese food fair. >

Madara: (Where’s Anzu-san now… … Hmmm?)

OIIII~I, ANZU-SAN!

Whoops, did I startle you? My apologies for speaking up from behind you so suddenly! 

What are you doing, lurking behind this food stall? … … Hmmm? “I’m not lurking at all”―you say?

Hmm, hmm. You’re helping out at the food stalls that are short-staffed because of the sudden increase in visitors―

―and that’s why you’re peeling potatoes now? 

I don’t think there’s any obligation for you to help them, Anzu-san. But then again, you’re the type of person who can’t ever turn a blind eye to someone in need, huh… …

Alright, count me in! I’ll pitch in and lend a hand too ☆

Why are you holding me back nowww? … … You’re being considerate because you think I’ve been working hard as the PR General earlier? 

Madara: HAHAHA! There’s no need to worry about me at aaall! My stamina is as boundless as the sea, you knowww!

I made the decision to take charge of this event after all, so I want to see it through to the very end!

… … You’re saying the taiyaki (1) stall owner over there seems like he’s having a hard time managing the store alone? 

Roger wilco! (2)  Leave it to me! I’ve got plenty of experience with aaall kinds of festival stalls!

HOLD ON, MR TAIYAKI MAN! MAMA IS COMING TO HELP YOUUUU ☆

< A while later… …>

Madara: Thank you for waiting, Anzu-san! The taiyaki stand has been saved!

More specifically, we were able to increase the turnover after the stall owner and I divided the work among ourselves. We managed to clear the long line that had formed before I arrived in just thirty minutes―

And now that stall owner’s acquaintance has rushed over to help, I’m relieved of my duties now! All’s well that ends well! ☆

And as a token of appreciation for my assistance, the stall owner has given me some taiyaki too. 

Let’s eat them together, while they’re still warm. Here we gooo~ ♪

Madara: Sweet treats savoured after performing good deeds always taste especially delicious, don't they? They're on a whole other level. 

… … Anzu-san. Thank you for appointing me to be the event’s PR General. 

That was Tsumugi-san’s idea―you say? Hahaha, well, that much is true but―

You were the one who set things in motion, right? If you hadn’t decided to liven up the event, Anzu-san, I wouldn’t even be here. 

Madara: … … That’s right. It’s just like when you were peeling potatoes behind the food stalls. There wasn’t any obligation for you to help out at all. 

Even if ES were to be labelled as “a saboteur of other companies’ projects”, that wouldn’t tarnish your reputation as a Producer in the slightest. 

Madara: Er, I know it’s kind of a downer for me to be asking this, but―why did you decide to take action here? 

“Because I want to see people smile”―you say? And―“Because I know how frustrating it is to see the projects one has worked so hard on fail.”

Madara: Yes. It’s incredibly painful when one’s efforts don’t pay off, isn’t it? 

You’re sooo kind, Anzu-san. Mama is sooo glad you grew up to be such a good child ♪

You’re not my Mama―you say? HAHAHA! It’s sooo cute the way you always react to what I say so smartly! ☆

Because you wanted to see people smile, huh… … You’re right. A smile is like the sunshine that brightens up the world. 

I, too, am happy when I see you smile, Anzu-san. 

Well, now that we’re done eating, let’s get moving. 

When don’t we take a stroll together before heading back to ES? I’d like to buy some souvenirs for Tsumugi-san. 

It’d be such a shame to head back so soon, wouldn’t it? 

… … This reminds you of what we did last summer, huh? Now that you’ve mentioned it, we went to the “Rensei Festival” together, didn’t we? 

We wore matching masks and joined in the Bon Odori dance. It’s such a pity that we can’t dance today… …

Let’s enjoy the festival together, just like we did that day. What do you say, Anzu-san? 

The End

Chapter 1

Translator’s notes: 1) Taiyaki (the street food Madara is holding in his animation) is a fish-shaped waffle filled with red bean paste or other fillings.

2) Roger Wilco: army slang for “I hear you and will comply”.

3) I split Madara's animated emotion into two because it's a whopping 36 seconds long.

4) It's not proofed, so if there's any feedback, please DM me.