#then of course there were the 'well if they're going to carry pads they need to carry condoms!!!'

[lususnatura]

blamore's mouth formed into an 'o' shape and let out a soft noise of realization upon hearing the other confirm it was henry the VIII in the show, ❝ ahh, okay. see... that makes more sense now. yeah, that and he might have been a modern-day sociopath. ❞

what sounded like small feet padding on the ground suddenly started to head blamore's way just as he'd began to reflect upon faith; though its experience with it was surprisingly limited, even though its father had carried on traditions like christmas in their family. they had stopped going to church altogether when blamore turned seven, partially due to thérèse (its mother), and - marmalade was now rubbing against blamore's ankles like the sweetheart she was.

while he'd been about to frown only a few moments earlier due to thinking about his father, the creature was now smiling down at the orange tabby cat. the purring coming from marmalade was quite loud as she weaved between his ankles to cross over to harley. marmalade then bunted her head against one of her own ankles, a soft 'aww' slipping through blamore's lips, ❝ oh... look at that. you know, cats do that headbutting thing when they're trying to bond with someone. ❞ a warm look encompassed its eyes as they darted to meet harley's.

it was a good sign whenever marmalade liked someone, especially when she got as close to them as she was to harley right now. his gaze briefly followed the other when she moved away before he bent down to pet the tabby. blamore opened a cabinet near him as soon as he remembered marmalade needed more food, filling her bowl with wet cat food before long. it was washing its hands when harley began talking to it again.

❝ alright, i just wanted to let you know i am listening - but oh. okay, yeah, i could understand why that would be discouraging. especially for a kid. i mean, of course not every family is the same, but its hard not to compare things you have to others sometimes. that doesn't mean that you were wrong for feeling those emotions, however, as all of your feelings are valid. life is honestly weird in the way that you never know what kind of situation you're going to be in and it also sucks because of that. but hey, look at where you are now. ❞

blamore dried off his hands before turning up the gas to the stove to begin cooking. it backtracked a bit before gnawing on its bottom lip, ❝ ahh, i mean, i was laughing because i wish that that is something i had to escape from. one of the friends i'd made in undergrad invited me to go out golfing once and oh my god... i hated it. but at first, i thought 'well, maybe its because you're not good at it yet.' so i went with him a few more times but no. it turns out i just hate golf. ❞

Harley heard Balmore explain his confusion, and smirked. "Ughhh this was Henry tha' eighth. Tha' man killed his wives... perhaps this is what happens before they commercialized ice-cream?"

Humming to the notation of religion, Harley could only agree. She wasn't the type to enjoy masses or actually prescribe church to those seeking social connections, but part of her did like the kindness that could be found. Despite not being the kind of person to rarely step into the church, she did donate from time to time as if to say thank you for all the pancake breakfasts or bake sales that they had allowed her and her brother to attend.

Her mind refocused on the task at hand, finding it rewarding that she could afford to take herself out to eat, or was lucky enough to have Balmore. She breathed him in notating the floral scent which was an afternote to the fresh scent. Softly she ran her fingers over his robe making sure he was comfortable before moving on. As she chopped she had a habit of going back to what her childhood was like, it was only after Balmore had distance himself some that she turned to see him playing about with his ear. She knew his hearing suffered at times, and questioned if she was on his bad side.

"Nahh it's okay.. Jus' ... yeah I was like tha' only kid in my area that didn't have a christmas tree, decorations, or well actual gifts. Like you get small things one afta' tha' other durin' Hannukah... BUT.. When someone rocks up afta' Christmas with new toys 'en you got stuff from tha' seven-eleven... ya' know it's been a dim holiday. But yeah I always wanted ta' light all the candles and play Christmas music... not read a passage and light just one at a time. It was hard."

When he laughed at her for the yoga retreats she let him. "COme now ya' had to have somethin' you hated and had to get out of?"

[fictional-worlds-are-exquisite]

now deeply curious after reading some comments on a related news article

(whether you get periods now or you got them 20 years ago...doesn't have to be current)

[lyneira]

♡ when you almost pass out due to period cramps ♡

-> how the genshin men would react when you nearly pass out from severe period cramps

based on this request!

Initially panics

Itto, Xiao, Scaramouche, Gorou

When you're about to fall, he'll immediately be there to catch you. Though, when he sees your face twisted in pain from the cramps, he freaks out a little bit.

Look, he knows exactly what to do to treat an injury, but when it comes to cramps? Please enlighten him. The best he'll do is set you down somewhere comfortable and get you something hot to drink, but you'll need to tell him what else you'll need and then he'll retrieve it to the best of his ability.

And if you're missing things, he'll try to make up for it in his own way. Like, if you don't have a heating pad, he might suggest you sit on his lap so he could hug you and wrap his hands around your stomach. That way, he can at least provide you warmth himself. He'll leave a trail of kisses from the back of your head and down your neck, and would lean his lips towards your ear, whispering,

"I'm sorry you have to go through this, I'm here for you"

I think he'd be a bit frustrated that he didn't know how to help you right away, but after this experience and after you teach him, he won't forget.

Pampers you

Kazuha, Zhongli, Kaeya, Venti, Heizou

I think he would have already sensed that you were on your monthly cycle through your sudden cravings and overall fatigued mood, so he was sensitive to you. Yet, he wouldn't have known the severity of it until you were about to topple over. Of course, he'll catch you.

From then on, you'll be subject to his pampering. Anything that'll make you feel better, he'll do. Even after providing you with all the necessities (such as the painkillers, heating pad, etc.), he's going to get you your favorite foods (maybe also spoonfeed you, hehe), read you your favorite book, give you a massage, and so much more. Anything to make you smile again.

Scolds you a bit

Alhaitham, Dainsleif, Diluc, Kaveh, Cyno, Childe

After catching you, he'll scoop you up into his arms and carry you all the way to your room. As he brings you to your bed, I think he'll lightly scold you a bit for not taking your painkillers, but that's only because you made him so worried when you were about to pass out. He'll be relieved that he was there to catch you, at least.

But you were still worrying him in the state you were currently in. He absolutely hates seeing you in pain.

He'll also know what to get you and he knows how to take care of you in this situation. Even if he might have been busy or preoccupied with something prior to this, it'll have to wait because he's not going to leave your side until the pain has subsided.

He'll hold your hand at your bedside so that you know he's there for you. Grasping it firmly, he'd wish that there was a way to instantly take your pain away. After all, he would rather take your pain and make it his own than to see you suffer.

You wouldn't even be in this situation

Thoma, Ayato, Baizhu, Tighnari, Albedo

Honestly, I think it'd be hard to get into this situation if they're around. They'd pay close attention to your schedule and would always want to confirm whenever you were on your period so that they can have the things you needed already prepared.

They'd pay special attention to your well-being during then as well. If you show any signs of fatigue or pain at all, he's gonna tell you to take it easy and if you were doing any type of physically demanding task at the moment, he'll persuade you to stop and he'll take over if he has to. More importantly, he'll have painkillers and your favorite hot drink for you at the ready. Again, all that you needed, he already has.

They don't play around when it comes to your health!

a/n: mmm, idk how I feel about this one. I feel like it was kinda similar throughout the whole thing? I just couldn't think of anything else, oof 😔

© 2023 lyneira. PLEASE DO NOT COPY, PLAGIARIZE, OR REPOST MY WRITING ONTO OTHER PLATFORMS

[scribblesofagoonerr]

— no more money for monkey | buddy & monkey: double the trouble

once again this is based around an anon request for this specific one

thanks to @alotofpockets with her advice with this one!

"Le! Le! I need it!" You do your best to beg and plead, trying to get the blonde to give in to letting you buy the cool new latest obsession that you had.

Remote control cars, but in this case it's now a remote control boat that you just have to have without any question.

Being in the local shopping center makes it seem like the perfect opportunity to do that.

At least you think it did.

"No, Monkey," The blonde dampens your excitement by being a complete buzz-kill.

"Leah, come on! You know it looks sick and I really need to get it!" You whine in protest, trying to get through to the blonde and make it known that this remote control boat is something that you desperately need.

If only it was ever that easy to do.

"You don't need the boat, Monkey," Leah's quick to reply and shake her head, before she continues to look

That's where you and her think differently about things.

"Well, no... But I want it!" Your insistent to get what you want, one way or another.

"Then I'm afraid it's tough luck until next month, Monkey," Leah chuckles and shakes her head, "I gave you your monthly allowance and you blew it just like that, remember?" She questions, amusedly.

You pout and slump your shoulders, "I... I didn't blow it all at once."

"Really?" Leah can't help but scoff and shake her head again, "I seem to recall different when the other day I said 'Here's your allowance for the month, don't blow it all at once' and after the first day, what is it that you said?" The blonde questions you, awaiting the answer.

"Your really gonna make me repeat it?" You question, letting out a huff in annoyance.

Leah smirks and nods, "Yep."

Exhaling a sigh, you scowl at the blonde before you speak, "I blew it all, I'm broke as fuck." You repeat your words in a dull-toned down voice, "But this boat is justified!" You whine.

"And there's your answer to why you have an allowance when you go off and buy pointless things that aren't necessary," Leah mocks you as she pats you on your chin and smiles amusedly, "You get obsessed with it for a week or two and then it's just left aside like usual. Need I remind you of Buddy's first birthday as well, hm?" She asks.

"It weren't that bad. I think it's a bit of an over exaggeration there," You remark grumpily while you keep your shoulders slouched.

"That's where you and I think different, sunshine," Leah states, laughing a bit as she starts to walk off ahead of you in the shopping center you're in.

Of course you remember Buddy's first birthday, that's where it all started.

You just don't think it is that bad, considering you have no concept of money whatsoever these days but unfortunately for you, the blonde defender that you live with seems to think about this practically.

"Le! Le!" You shouted aloud as you did your best to lug a heavy load of shopping bags into the house, "I... I need a hand out here!" You called out to get her attention.

You and Jordan had taken a trip into the local shopping center just a few weeks before Buddy's first birthday, meanwhile Leah was at home with Buddy and of course you took the opportunity to get carried away. 

You definitely did want to spoil her a lot!

Leah and Jordan had separated, but of course they were still on civil terms for the sake of Buddy, and you guess yourself to some extent - You still got a long with Jordan, after all you played on the same team as her and of course she was a big part of your life when you first made the move to the club.

"Le! Come 'ere quick, I need help! They're so heavy!" Your were quick enough to shout the blonde for help, not even considering that Buddy could be taking a nap and there was possibility of waking her up...

Oops?

Footsteps were heard padding through as she walked into the hallway and the blonde looked annoyed, "Will you keep your voice down? Buddy's not long gone to sleep," Its' only then she takes one look at the heavy bags and her eyes widen in absolute disbelief, "What the-- Crikey, Monkey. What the hell have you been buying?" She questioned.

It didn't seem like a lot to you, you just kept on picking things up and well, of course Jordan was pretty easy to convince that you did indeed to buy all of it.

"It's presents for Buddy's birthday!" You exclaimed with a beaming wide smile, "I got so many cool things for her!"

"Yeah, yeah, I can see that," Leah furrowed her eyebrows in concern as she moved to help you bring in the rest of the bags as she saw Jordan walk up to the front door now she'd parked the car on the driveway, "Why an earth did you let her get so much?" She questioned, bewildered.

"Eh, I guess the kid got carried away," Jordan chuckled, shrugging her shoulders and not seen the problem behind it, "You know she gets me right away with those puppy dog eyes, Leah. I couldn't say no to her!" She insisted.

"Jord, your the adult here! You could have put your foot down," Leah huffed and shook her head with her ex before she started to help bring in the rest of the bags that were blocking the front door, "Please tell me that this is all of it?" She questioned looking at you.

"Eh, kind off... Well, uh no, there's still quite a bit in the car boot," You admitted quietly, scratching the back of your neck, "But its' all totally justified though!" You added in.

The blonde didn't seem to think about it like that as she clicked her tongue in disapproval, "Tell me you haven't spent all of your money on this?" She asked.

"No, no, not all of it, but like most of it. I got carried away!" You still didn't see the problem with your spending habits, "Wait until you see what I got her!"

"Do I even want to know how much you've spent?" Leah questioned wearily, having a feeling it was a lot either way.

"It weren't even that much," You respond, shrugging your shoulders.

Like you said, you didn't really care about the concept of money much sometimes.

"How much?" Leah repeated, sternly.

"Fine, alright," You slumped your shoulders and resisted the urge to roll your eyes, "It was maybe just a little over £300... Possibly more."

The only way you can really explain the look on the blondes' face is like her eyes were about to come out of the sockets if they could, "£300? Are you joking?!" She asked in disbelief.

You sheepishly nodded and stuck your hands in your jean pockets, "Could be more." You stated.

"Monkey, that is a lot of money to spend on a 1 year old!" Leah told you, shaking her head as she started to take a look through the bags before she looked at Jordan, "Seriously, Jord? You let her spend this much money!"

"It's her money, Le. She can do what she likes with it," Jordan remarked, shrugging her shoulders again, "I'll go and grab the rest of it out of the boot." She made a quick escape back out of the front door to avoid any further words from the blonde.

"See, exactly! It's not every day that my favourite little buddy turns 1 now, is it?" You replied, making the reason for your spending seem justified.

On the other hand, the blonde didn't seem so convinced, "She won't even play with half of this-- This lego set is not even for her!" She exclaimed.

"Oh yeah! No, that one is for me," You beamed a wide smile as you took the box of out the bag, "Look how cool it is though!" You insisted.

"Le, whoa, look!" You were quick to run ahead of Leah, Buddy and Leah's mum in another shopping center a few days later when your quick to spot the exact same pair of trainers in your favourite little buddy's size that replicated your own ones, "They've got the same shoes that I have for Buddy!"

You didn't think that you'd spent nearly enough money like you should have done, but this reason to spend it is at least justified and you loved to spend money.

"Awh, yeah. So they do!" Leah smiled fondly at you in agreement.

"They look adorable," Leahs' mum, Amanda chimed in.

"I just have to get her a pair to match!" Your insistent to want to go into the shop and buy them, much to the disagreement of the blonde who doesn't look entirely convinced about that.

"Don't you think you've already spent enough on her?" Leah questioned knowingly.

"It's her first birthday though, Le!" You were quick to insist, having found that using that excuse had seemed to work wonders the last time.

"No," Leah clicked her tongue in disapproval and shook her head, "Stop using that as an excuse-- I'm not going to give into the puppy dog eyes either, you know I don't fall for them!" She stated, firmly.

Huffing and puffing at the blondes' words, you still tried to convince her otherwise, "Come on, you know they'd look adorable!"

"No, Monkey. You've already spent enough on her! No more!" Leah stood firm on her words, taking a hold of your upper bicep and doing her best to pull you away from the shop, "Come on, we've got other things to buy still."

You didn't agree with that, you didn't see the problem with spending so much on things. What was the harm?

"Please for the love of god, tell me that is not another present you have brought," Leah murmured as she watched you excitedly run back out of the toy shop with a massive bag in tow, that you had disappeared into less than half an hour ago.

"Okay then, it's not another present for Buddy," You parroted the answer as you shyly hid the plastic carrier bag behind your back.

What's the worst that can happen?

"I tried to stop her," Leah's mum, Amanda, stated following you out of the shop, "But you know what she is like sometimes." She joked.

"This is totally justified!" It's your go to excuse, but at least it worked or at least you think it did.

"Are you kidding me right now, Monkey?" Leah asked in absolute disbelief, shaking her head in frustration, "I've already told you that she doesn't need anything else-- Shes' only 1, remember!"

"But Le," You began to tell her.

Leah continued to look at you further annoyed, "I swear if your about to use that excuse one more time-- That's it, I'm confiscating your bank card. I'm cutting you off!" She stated, firmly.

Now it was your turn to look at her in disbelief, "But it's my money though!"

"Yes, but are you spending it wisely? Nope!" Leah snorted in amusement, "Therefor I am taking control of it until you're capable of handling your money better!" She told you in determination.

"That... That's not fair!" You whined in protest.

"Really? Cos' I think it is when you've blown most of your wages on things that aren't necessary!" Leah told you firmly before she held her hand out to you, "Hand it over, please."

"No, I don't like this idea!" Your defiant to agree to willingly give your bank card to Leah, "I'm not giving you my bank card. It's my money!" You objected.

"It is your money but Monkey you're just wasting it when you don't need too," Leah stated, explaining her reasoning for it, "Hand it over." She repeated, firmly.

Still continuing to look at her in disbelief, you fished around in your trouser pocket and begrudgingly handed your bank card to the blonde who wasted no time in putting it in her own purse, "I don't like this."

"You'll get used to it," Leah responded, patting you on the shoulder in condescending type of way.

This only made you scowl at her more, "When can I have it back?" You wondered, curiously.

"I told you, when you can learn to handle money better, but until you do, your bank card is staying with me and you can have an allowance," Leah stated with a proud smirk on her face, "Think of this as a good thing that you will be able to have savings now!" She joked at your own expense.

Spoiler alert, you still have no sense of money whatsoever and therefore, Leah still holds her bank card hostage years later.

© scribblesofagoonerr

[tac0tesseract]

Time Split

((Edit: Tumblr keeps eating the time-split formatting so I'm putting it in as an image instead fhejrkfhjkehjk ))

“Try it on me.”

“I will not.”

“But I have to understand.” Emma grinned, holding her arms out to the side as if needing to make herself a larger target somehow mattered here. “I can't get better at this if I can't think the way that you do.”

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You know that's not how it works.”

“I knooooowwww, but I can at least do my best to get as close as possible. That's why we're such a good team! I do the 3D-thinking, you do the 4D, and by our powers combined…”

The smile grew. “We're invincible.”

“Yes!”

Sam sighed, though the smile remained, and he paced a little upon his projection pad. She got the sense he'd be pacing the room if he could; that he'd love nothing more than to move around so freely. It was an existence he did his best not to think about – genuinely desiring the orderly reprieve his chains brought him, while fiercely lamenting their limits. Emma wanted to do more research on how to extend his reach, but she knew that particular search history would not go unnoticed – or appreciated – on their network. Queen was giving her enough grief over Sam as it was.

“Very well,” Sam said at last. “But if I sense even a mote of discomfort, I'm returning you to normal.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Of course it's going to be uncomfortable. I'm a monkey! You've gotta give me time to get used to it.”

That seemed to amuse him. The flowing nebula of his hair rippled in what she'd come to know was his silent laughter. Without further ceremony, Sam extended a hand to her with his fingers pinched together. And when he opened them

It was in that instant that her own startled will kicked in, and Emma somehow snapped herself back into one piece. She sat on the floor like she'd just fallen down the stairs and stared up at him moon-eyed. His arms were still extended as if he'd meant to catch her. Sam slowly straightened. His hair went wild.

“Well that's new.”

“Have you ever used it on a person before?”

“You know how I'm going to answer that.”

Right. Never ask 'have you ever' of a Didymos.

~*~

It was a strange memory to recall in this moment, but Emma couldn't help it – not as she watched the truck-bomb split with that same telltale static that had once enveloped her. She hadn't asked Sam to do it; he'd simply deemed it necessary, knowing full well the weight of the payload it carried and how many lives depended on it. She braced for the question as to why there were two trucks now. Feren was the only other person here who wasn't spooked by NHPs; probably better to blame the time-split on the Lich and call it a day.

That sent her mind sliding elsewhere, to their earlier conversation – to the idea that she had apparently sent herself a warning from a reality where Sam wasn't there. Emma supposed that there was a timeline where Boss hadn't acquired a Didymos, either because he couldn't or didn't want to, but – surely that was a reality where either Sai got the Lich like he was supposed to, or Emma was too batshit to send herself a warning in the first place. No...the only thing that made sense was that she had somehow lost Sam in that failed timeline. And that thought...that thought made her ill.

Can't trust her...

Was the warning about Sam's killer?

“Argh. Focus...” she muttered at herself, drawing a concerned side-glance from his projection.

“Emma?”

“I'm fine. Careful with the time stuff, though. These guys aren't like our home crew, they're...kinda jumpy about it.”

“I'm not worried.”

She chuckled. “Clearly.”

He turned to her screens, as if he had the physical need to look at them. “Got the virus loaded? I'll help you deliver it. Not expecting much, but I'd still like to see whoever's in there try to keep pace with me.”

“Ooooh, I do like when you get like that, though.” Emma was suddenly glad her helmet was on, so he couldn't see how red she was.

It was a welcome distraction, though.

Over six hundred and thirty people were relying on them.

Once this started, it would be utter pandemonium.

She couldn't afford to think too much right now.

[the-kr8tor]

AAAAAAAAAAA- THEY CALLED ME A CUTIE WHAT IS GOING ON- I THOUGHT THEY HAD A CRUSH ON A BOY WHAT HAPPENED? Daily Hobie HC! September, the harvest moon. Big, bright and beautiful in the sky as it slowly climbed over the horizon. Yet, Hobie didn't need to look at the sky when he could just see the reflection in your wide eyes. He gently nudged your shoulder, noticing the enchantment you were trying to place on his instrument slowly disintegrating. Hobie watched as your eyes quickly looked back down, your hands holding onto the instrument firmly. He watched as you closed your eyes, beginning to hum as a coloured, teal-green glow emitted from the pads of your fingertips. The glow began to etch its way into the wood of his instrument. Once you were done, he had to refrain from grabbing your face and drowning you in kisses and nips of appreciation for casting an enchantment on his instrument. Now, not only is his instrument practically unbreakable, but the carving meant that it was tipped with attacking/defensive magic, meaning he could use it as a weapon. Hobie smiled warmly towards you as you handed the instrument back, leaning into you as you both watched the moon continue to rise, unaware of the confused looks Pav, Gwen and Miles were giving each other, clearly gesturing at the two of you. Fast forwards to when Hobie can actually use his instrument in combat, everyone was ecstatic when it first occurred. He swung the instrument towards the enemies, successfully knocking them back as a ray of teal-green light shot out and collided with the surrounded assaulters. Miles had also been practicing his archery, getting better at aiming for moving targets done with you tying something to the base of your tail and running around him. 7 times out of 10, he managed to hit. Gwen has been filling her journal with new herbs and mixtures as she cheered from the sidelines as Miles practiced his archery on those days, with Hobie and Pavitr casually chatting while Pavitr attempted to be able to summon fire intentionally from the golden markings of his palm. During the casual days, and the difficult days where you'd come back injured, there's no doubt that they've all been by your side. Hell, it's now permanently Hobie's job to carry you in the makeshift carrier backpack, with your face resting at his shoulder on all times. Miles and Gwen roll their eyes in mild, feigned disgust, all while being hypocrites and holding hands. And Pavitr? Obviously treating this all like some stereotypical Hindi romance movie because let's be honest, it probably is. The moment the stars collide, however, is tonight. It's Hobie's birthday, and everyone's taken a break from regular travelling and training. Hobie smiles awkwardly at all the birthday attention he's been getting. Of course, he's appreciative as ever, but he had no idea how to react accordingly. Even as you all bring out a cake (which you totally didn't nick ingredients for), Hobie is flabbergasted by the sole appearance of one, but still grateful nonetheless. As he cuts the cake with a cleaned dagger, Pavitr quickly speaks up about a tradition he heard that if the 'knife' came out dirty, he'd have to kiss the nearest person near him. And low and behold, the nearest person to him was you, standing right next to him as he cut the cake. As he pulls out the dagger, obviously messy, and set it aside. Hobie reached over for a very flustered foxy-witch, pulling you close to with his hands gently brushing against your waist. He leans in close, his lips ghosting over yours as he mutters a low ask if you're fine with this. You nod a little too eagerly, him now gently planting his lips against yours, to which you uncontrollably smile through. -🐦‍⬛

Well they're correct!

Daily Hobie HC!!!

Hobie's guitar is now a weapon! Hell yeah!!! I bet every time he looks at it he remembers you 🥺

Miles glaring at Hobie's arm around your shoulders: you see this shit, Gwen?

Gwen, who's currently squeezing his hand and having a competition on who can squeeze the hardest: Disgusting

Poor Pav he's the 5th wheel 😭😭😭

AWWW THEY KISSED ON HIS BDAY!!! I've never heard of the knife thing! That's adorable tho 😍

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

I'll bite, if you're still doing the episode write ups: Dunkin Duncan? Was a childhood favorite of mine, though baby me liked Disney Direct to DVD sequels so I do not trust them

Author's note: Here's a throwback to when I was taking asks about opinions on episodes. In total, I received four asks for Dunkin Duncan! That means it was tied for the number of asks for Edward's Exploit... y'all love your alliteration ig...

Sorry for the year-long delay on responding to the DD asks. My birthday's tomorrow so I'm sodding off from my chores tonight to blog, and while I'm here trying to clear out as much of the old stuff as I can. So let's finally wrap this up...

---------

Awww. You needn't have any angst about your taste. Preferences are just preferences; we all have 'em. Anyway, I've liked stupider things, and I've liked them as an adult. Give kid-you a cookie and a juice box, they're fine.

Also, I won't say I think this episode is, like, good? It desperately needed a sharp editor for it to be that. But I also don't think it's as bad as some people make it out to be.

Like, I've seen this one get dragged like those trucks did to Duncan over on tttetwt. And, since I posted my epic EtRUE rant, I immediately started getting these requests to tackle DD. As if people think they're on a level? And I've seen a lot of fans point to DD as the low point of the season. Well, it's in the valley, I suppose. But I still think that when you break them down into their components DD never ranks worse than EtRUE and it also has much more substantial good things going on in it.

Here's a link to the episode, as we're going to go pretty much beat by beat.

Let's first discuss the bad and then the good. (Be warned: In the spirit of the last major rant, I'm going to continue to drop generous f-bombs. As a treat.)

The Bad

1. The intro bit. God, the intro bit is so fuckin' uninspired. The "set-up" is Brave Plucky Clever Rusty leading his two pitiful, personalityless old steam engines down the line to "help Duncan with an important job at the incline railway." We did not need to see this unremarkable journey, guys. You plan on showing us the scenery on the line a whole lot in the next two stories; this one should have opened at the quarry. You could even keep the same (uninspired, but very Season 6-y) opening narration, but with, like. Shots of pushing past each other in tight sidings, lots more footage of the incline, etc! It would make this episode feel more distinctive, and reduced the "throat-clearing-ness."

Instead it takes us over 30 seconds just to arrive at the quarry. Just wasting time. Padding the story.

2. An unnecessary beginning also leads to the unforced error of this:

Why does Skarloey look so friggin' pitiful here? The narrator says they like going to the "incline railway." God, why did the show feel the need to just bloody nerf Skarloey and Rheneas after Season 4? Were they too powerful? Fuck me.

Indistinguishable blobs of lukewarm tapioca. I will never forgive this era of the show for reducing them to this.

3. Continuing crimes of characterisation... this is less of a problem than what's going on with the other three engines, but Duncan is subtly off. I mean I get that "we just made Duncan angry and contrary about everything, at all times," is their new strategy, and at least this means he has a characterization (looking again at poor 'Loey and 'Neas), and I can't deny that it was successful. So I'm not going to criticize that, exactly.

But I still really hate the line "I'll show that smelly diesel and those lazy steamers!" It's like they carried on with Duncan's initial diesel antipathy, ignored about the part where he dropped it, and then, in the end, they didn't have the balls to stick with it so they made him one of those "equal-opportunity haters." I think the line is just really bloody awkward and should have been shot down by an editor. (Of course, it's not even in the top 10 lines I think a good editor would have tackled.)

4. Going back to Skarloey and Rheneas, the idea that Duncan could be bitching at them and trying to order them about, and all they do is ineffectually whine back at him, is disgraceful. Their passivity is not canonical, and it's not even interesting. If you weren't going to do anything with S. & R., why have them in this episode at all? You could've just made it a Duncan & Rusty episode. I definitely think the story would have felt cleaner that way.

5. This is a remarkably "busy," squiggley, ill-paced little script, considering how little happens. Like, the one regard in which I think EtRUE was superior to this episode was that its pacing might have been off but it did some stuff. There were loads of characters, who actually all had a personality and were contributing to the plot, and there were different settings (for legitimate reasons, as opposed to the first 30 seconds of DD with its pointless scenery porn). Ultimately I don't think EtRUE's busyness went anywhere, but at least it felt like their problem was that they were cramming in too many ideas, rather than, as DD comes across, desperately trying to massage one decent but unripened idea into a full 5-minute story.

So yeah, DD just has to tell us variations of 'Duncan is impatient' and 'Duncan is rude' and 'Duncan doesn't give a flying fuck about safety precautions' and 'the other engines are sick of his attitude' again and again and again. And they have some good footage to help us swallow all this! But they don't have enough.

Aren't the other engines bitching out Duncan shortly after this that they are only supposed to send up 2 trucks at a time, not 4? But this is the image they use during the 'scene establishing' beat where they describe how the incline works. This is a bit nitpicky coz I guess you can argue it's just showing us how Duncan's been working before the other engines show up to tell him how to do it properly—but it still comes across as confusing TO ME.

7. Something that is NOT nitpicky but back to the real heart of why I think this episode drags (despite the good stuff, of which again see below):

The BEST stuff in the ep is when Duncan's coupling gets tangled and we see him dragged up the incline behind the trucks. Now THIS is a narrow-gauge "rollercoaster" escapade done right! Eat your heart out, 'Neas! (Rheneas: It's literally all I do?) The drama... the suspense...

We should have been able to watch Duncan go up with minimal to no narration. That's how you build suspense when you're filming! In moments like these, shut up and let the visuals and the music score do the work!

Instead we have to listen to this:

"I tried to warn him!" said Rusty. "He never listens," the diesel's driver said.

Sigh.

First of all, though usually anytime a driver gets a line is a plus in a story, we literally just checked off the "engine-driver" interaction box like 20 seconds ago when Duncan and his driver had an exchange. So fuck the samey-ness of this one following right on its heels.

Still, this would be acceptable (though I still think words only detract from the suspense here) EXCEPT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN LISTENING TO TWO SOLID UNEVENTFUL MINUTES OF A) THE NARRATOR TELLING US THAT DUNCAN IS CARELESS AND WON'T LISTEN AND B) RUSTY AND THE OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE VERY FACTS.

There is so much repetition in this script. I'm tearing my hair out. WE GET IT.

This is the same flaw that went down in the final minute of EtRUE btw. Between the narrator AND the Fat Controller AND the narrator again we had so much commentary on why our episode's Antagonist was Naughty, Naughty, Naughty.

IT'S SO DULL. This whole series is very much about seeing engines behave poorly and get their comeuppance, but c'mon! We don't need to have the narrator pull a fuckin' Talmudic scholar and interpret the text for us every bloody time!

Compare and contrast to, like, "Middle Engine," where James's comeuppance is shown and felt but very minimally commented on. And it's way more entertaining to me than all these other examples were not only does the story teach a moral, but the narrative has to shove it down our throats at least three separate times to make sure the kiddos get it. Like, fucking chill? If you've done your job right they're gonna make their families rewatch it a hundred times anyway, at some point you have to trust them to interpret the story themselves.

8. Oh, good. Now the Fat Controller's shown up and we have to hear the dressing-down. Again, in case somehow, somewhere, like one kid out there in 2002 somehow missed the ethical thrust of the story.

8b. Bonus: Like EtRUE, the Fat Controller insists on Duncan apologizing to the other engines.

8c. Bonus Bonus: AND THEN, AGAIN, WE HAVE TO FUCKIN *HEAR* IT. It's completely unnecessary, but here we are. In this era of the show, some producer or head writer type really did say "You know what the best part of school was? When the teacher made a kid apologize to another kid. It always lead to these interesting moments that were also so emotionally authentic. I bet it would make for great television! 😇" Look, I don't say anti-worker stuff lightly, but this person should have been docked some pay. Good grief.

Altogether, this episode feels like a combination of AI scraping and regurgitating previous narrow-gauge episodes, mixed in with a wayyyy too generous helping of Moralizing. I can certainly see why there are people who loathe this one.

Nevertheless, it definitely has redeeming qualities, making it just as clear why some people love it:

The Good

1. Duncan! The other three engines' characterizations might be miserable. But (apart from that one small line that jars ME), Duncan is solid. You can complain if you want that his characterization is not quite right re: the RWS, and I won't disagree with you. But they did grasp that Duncan was extremely relatable to bouncy, can't-sit-still, "bad" kids, and they did carry on with that part. Duncan's misadventure here is a good follow-up to "Rock n Roll"—same personality flaw, similarly watchable spectacle. I wish they had characterized the rest of the narrow-gauge engines even half as well as they did Duncan and Rusty, but I will certainly own that they did very well with endearing Duncan to thousands of little hearts in the Oughts.

2. Spectacle! This is the HUGE one. However badly written the script (and I think it unambiguously sucks), the spectacle is great. The incline is fun to watch. The incline with Duncan is even funner to watch. Duncan snapping off and going down the incline is even funner. Him WHOOSHING off it like a half-pipe is even funner. PLOOP into the mud is best yet. The basic plot device here is great, using an actual rail mechanism (it may not be realistic, ofc, but it does utilize its setting, and not in virtually the same way that's been done before, ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME ETRUE) to create a unique and engaging situation.

3. The incline/quarry setting. It's good. I still think they should have used it even more and dispensed with the unnecessary railway establishing shots, but anyway. At least we spent most of the running time here.

4. This one may be more idiosyncratic to me. But you know I'm always complaining that one of the big problems with TVS episodes (not based on RWS) is that they are typically so afraid to do multi-part story arcs? Relatedly, that they insist on cramming a happy ending onto everything, no matter how poor a fit it is? Well, I gotta give it up! They didn't do that here. There's some real astringency to this episode. They let us end on a note of disgrace!

It would have been better (better by far, too) if they had followed it up with another Duncan-related episode where he redeems himself, ofc. But, look. Season 6's major weakness is insisting, again and again, that everyone is jolly and happy and "tooting happily" together at the end of every squabble—which is very cute like, one or two times a season, but which gets trite real fast. I'll take the episodes they dispense with that exceedingly well-worn trope when I can get 'em.

5. I went well out of chronological order to save the best for last.

The early montage showing Duncan's Greatest Hits is a scream:

Honestly, every TTTE montage is terrific. This is one of the best ways to film the models. It always hits. They could have afforded to squeeze way more mileage out of this trick before it was in danger of growing stale.

But this one? Short of the legendary "They had to do James's work as well as their own," this one is the most magnificent, character-wise. It's the way Duncan looks so horrified every time. That face—every. time. He's literally the embodiment of the "when I find the mf who's been ruining my life" meme. It's glorious.

So, yeah. I don't think DD succeeded in as many areas as it failed, but its successes were real.

I also wonder if the episode's haters would hate it less if it were called anything but "Dunkin Duncan," lol. (I admit I'd probably despise EtRUE less if it had a better title.)

[ghenry]

2023 YouTube channel recap!

It is now the end of the year, so now I'm looking back at the videos I managed to release in 2023! There weren't too many, but they were all challenging in unique ways. So let's take a look!

Hi-Fi Rush | As Basic As Things Can Get

So, this video is pretty polarizing. And I knew it would be! Hi-Fi Rush received endless praise when it was released in January 2023. Being fairly dabbled in both action platformers and hack-n-slash games, I had to see how it was for myself. And the water of mediocrity splashing at my face was cold enough to convince me I needed to vent about it in video form. I took this video as a lesson on exercising absolute honesty. I feel like I have been holding myself back with a lot of video projects because I was afraid of coming off too strong. But this time I didn't care. I let out my most raw, uncouth feelings about this game because I want to be more comfortable with my voice and assertiveness. In that sense, I think I succeeded. The split ratio would say otherwise, though.

The point of the video: Hi-Fi Rush took advantage of having this specific art style that not a lot of high-end companies really tackle, and that carried it throughout waves of praise, despite having middling game design and lack of confidence in what it actually succeeds in. It underplays its own strength--the hack-n-slash combat-- and pads the game out to a high degree suing boxy platforming with only character dialogue attempting to make it drag less. Games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta have similar structures where it showcases awkward platforming that isn't very fun to perform, but they both go elbow-deep with their pure combat (which takes up the majority of their campaigns) because the developers were confident in the hack-n-slash gameplay. Tango did not have that confidence, which is why the majority of the gameplay is boxy platforming that lacked any sense of urgency or challenge.

Also, the writing sucks complete ass and Chai is a terrible example of writing an unlikable protagonist. Nothing will ever convince me otherwise. I'm so sick of everyone trying to make their own Spider-Man.

I don't regret this video, even a little bit. I don't care how many people unsubscribed, if they're not here to take in my thoughts and feelings, what are they here for? Because that's all I'm doing and will continue to do with my channel.

Crime is Crime | The Silver Case Analysis

This was something I've wanted to do for years, but prioritized Travis Strikes Again as well as No More Heroes 3. Even so, The Silver Case was a daunting project. I'm not a professional writer, I never took any elective courses for it throughout my school career. I don't consider myself even remotely smart, never-mind 'an intellectual.' I'm not even that familiar with philosophy and such, so part of me was thinking "Do I even have the capacity to analyze this game?" literally every single second I was writing, capturing, and editing the video.

Regardless, in the end, I think I got a good grasp of the story and was able to dissect a lot of it in a satisfying manner.

The point of the video: Crime will always exist, but what's more interesting is the source of it. The motivation of an individual, a society, or even a corporation. The game also showcases a lot of elements and even narrative quirks that would be prevalent in Suda51's future directing gigs. I think he and his crew have some fine critiques on things like capitalism, police justice, and what it means to be a part of a controlled society. It doesn't give any answers in how you can change the worst parts of a society, but it isn't really meant to in any real way, it just isn't that simple.

Analyzing Henry Cooldown | The Devil In the Details

What started out as a little defense piece for Henry in No More Heroes 3 ended up much longer and more in-depth than I initially planned. While looking over his dialogue, appearance, and overall design, I realized there is so much more to this living plot-twist.

The point of the video: I think Henry represents the devil for Travis Touchdown. And this further accentuates what I've pontificated in my full analysis of NMH3, that Travis is stuck in this eternal form of hell. While Suda has never explained --and probably never will-- what he was trying to say with games like NMH, I like to think having Travis be cursed with eternal battle, eternal recognition, and eternal brand potency (like many video game icons) was something he was considering, at least by the time he was making NMH3.

And, sure, I've analyzed and described Henry to mean different things, but so what? He can be more than one thing. Nothing is certain, a lot of this will remain open for interpretation. That's art.

Grasshopper's Translator | James Mountain Interview

Earlier this year I got to have a nice, long chat with James Mountain, the main translator/interpreter of Grasshopper Manufacture! I wanted his input since he was the sole individual given the task to translate the entirety of The Silver Case from beginning to end. I ended up learning a lot about him as well as the process of such a dense job that is interpreting a visual novel completely by yourself. I also thought it'd make a good exercise if I ever want to release videos like this again. I had fun learning how to make audio visualizers as well as including visual context during our conversations.

The point of the video: There was a lot of debate (and bickering) in regards to the English interpretation of the game, and I figured who better to clarify their process of the whole thing than the interpreter himself? I had a lot of fun conducting this interview, and there were a lot of bits I didn't use for my analysis video, so I figured it would make a nice bonus for everyone!

That's everything from this year! I'm really proud of how all of these videos came out, and I'm itching to keep going, expressing myself to my best ability! But I think a little break is in order. Thank you so much if you have read up to here! Have a great rest of your holiday, and I'll catch you in 2024!

[blithe-imperial-underling]

Journal Entry

One of the highlights of the day was picking up my uniform. It's the typical junior officer's uniform, of course: gray green tunic and trousers, cap and boots, with a long sleeved undershirt beneath. The most exiting part was holding my rank insignia plaque and code cylinder for the first time. This is really happening!

I'd be lying if I said it doesn't all feel karking overwhelming. But as they say, "The only way to eat a bantha is one bite at a time."

Dey is still fuming, but no longer in silence. He was inexplicably put out over seeing my uniform, and we exchanged some heated words. He'd apparently hoped I would "see sense", and leave the service of the Empire. Tenly and I went out for a walk around the night market and shared some fried goodies while her brother cooled off. I'm sorry we're parting on unhappy terms, but I'll be out of his hair tomorrow.

For my part, I hope Dey is able to get past whatever has fueled his antipathy, so he can see what the Empire is really trying to achieve for the galaxy. He seems to have a good heart, he's just been misled at some point.

The rest of the day was a flurry of activity. I took a couple of qualification tests, and passed my basic cert for carrying a side arm. I'm told I was no better than a newbie conscript, which isn't great, but adequate will do for the time being, since I'm not going to be out in the field in the foreseeable future. I wish my mother could have seen that my time spent in SAGroup was well spent, despite her misgivings.

The good news is that, apparently, this sort of transfer from COMPNOR to Military Intel is not entirely out of the ordinary, so there are procedures in place for it. With my SAGroup background, and current security clearance, they were able to bypass a few of the usual steps, allowing me to make myself useful right away. My rank is valid for my work with the Commander, but it won't carry the authority of a regular commission until I've cleared a mountain of provisions. Still, I've begun nibbling at that proverbial bantha. A thin border around my insignia plaque marks me as a probationary transfer from COMPNOR. The benefit of that is I'm afforded a bit of leeway if I kriff up on something like etiquette, since no one will expect a probie to be 100% up to speed. But it also puts a "haze me" sign on my chest. That should be...fun.

Among the documents the Commander [@imperial-strategist] alerted me to expect were copies of the work orders for the his new office. They're retrofitting a space that was previously a science lab of some sort, so there's a crew in there right now running all the cables and installing a veritable wall of electronics.

I noticed a few logistical details that weren't optimized for the Commander's particular needs, but I got a change order in on time to avoid rework. Score one for the underling!

So. That's it, then. My old life is over and the new has begun. I'll be boarding a transport first thing in the morning. My data pad is stuffed to the brim with reg manuals to study for the next certification tests, and I've whittled my belongings down to one bag, not counting the handful of things I've still got in storage back on Coruscant.

Time to take the next bite of that bantha.

[cheesus-doodles]

how the toman boys would react to a reader very sensitive on their period? love your writing 💔🥰

heya! sorry it took so long to get round to this - i saw your ask from when I hit 600 followers :') i hope you feel better anon!

Masterlist

‎

Draken and Mitsuya are probably the two most level-headed and organized when it comes to dealing with your sensitivity. Having basically grown up around girls, these boys are 100% prepared whenever your period does come around - hot water bottles for cramps, chocolate and ice cream for those especially bad days. Definitely carries extra pads in their pockets in case you need them, won't even blink an eye when they hand it over in front of other Toman members. And of course, their arms are always open and calendars are always free if you need a hug or a cuddle for those times when your emotions are completely out of whack or your body feels broken.

Baji would absolutely love to be able to help you, but this baby boy has no idea what to do or where to start. You'll have to tell him all about what periods are and how he can help - his face will burn red and he will actively avoid you for the next few days, but he'll definitely be around to help once your next period starts. Very shy boy that has to stammer and beg his mum for help with what to do, but very reliable as well; takes the opportunity to split a tub of ice cream with you whenever you need some, tucked nicely with a hot water bottle as you two binge the worst reality shows he can find to take your mind off things.

Mikey doesn't even try to understand anything - to him, girls were like aliens. Will actively dodge out of any conversation involving periods, and will also make a break for it the moment you hint that your period was starting, but not to worry: Mikey will instead send Emma your way to help. The only things this baby boy is happy to help with is with sweet treats, and hugs and cuddles (of course). Nowhere close to being the best choice of Toman founder to go to for help, but at least take comfort in that Mikey will absolutely beat the shit out of anyone that tries to talk shit or make fun of the other founders when they're helping you.

Pah honestly tries his best, but everything you tell him kinda just flows over his head. Just give this boy a bit of time and he will get the hang of things though, very reliable in returning with bags full of treats and pads and anything else that you might need - has no shame because he's not too sure what they're for anyway. Also gives the best back rubs.

And then there's Kazutora. Baby boy instantly flies into a panic at the first sign of you hurting, so don't be surprise if he bursts into tears before you ever do. Makes a break for the store and comes back with a pack of every single brand of pad available on the shelf, five different types of medication and twelve tubs of ice cream, already on the brink of crying again. You'll probably be very occupied with comforting Kazutora, but on the up side, cuddling with this living heater at least helps to ease the cramps a little. If you do need a shoulder to cry on, expect this boy to start crying as well. Will not leave you for even a second until he is assured that all is well again, so be ready to have this clingy baby boy latching on to you everywhere you go, cuddling in your lap even at school.

[acey-wacey]

Would it be okay to request Trey, Jack, Jamil and Lilia helping an MC who is having period cramps? (Can be GN!MC or Fem!MC, doesn't matter)

Of course! Thanks for requesting!!

Reader is bio fem because menstruation but is still refered to in gender neutral terms

...

On Your Period

...

♣️ Trey Clover ♣️

He's absolutely the kindest and most understanding.

He takes care of you anyway but when your cramps act up, he's even more doting.

He knows a bit about period cramps from his mom and younger sister so he is quick to get you a hot water bottle and chocolate.

Even if you insist you're fine, he won't leave you alone.

He wants to be there for your every need.

He now always carries pain meds on him in case your cramps act up in the middle of class.

As soon as you tell him you're in pain, he's right there with pads, chocolate, and The Notebook DVD (yes I know it's a stereotype but I love the notebook so shut up).

He bakes you so many delicious treats.

This man pampers you to the nines.

...

🐺 Jack Howl 🐺

He doesn't know much about periods but if you ask him for something, he will be right there.

As soon as you say something about your period cramps being really bad, he spends all night researching periods and how to help.

He's much more inclined to be cuddly when you're in pain.

He doesn't show a lot of physical affection normally but the second you have cramps, he's spooning with you on the couch.

He might even let you pet his ears if you bat your pretty eyes at him long enough.

He makes sure you stay hydrated while holed up in your room as well as getting your homework for the classes you miss.

He went from jock to malewife in two seconds flat.

...

🐍 Jamil Viper 🐍

He has your cycle marked on his calendar and he reminds you when it's coming up.

Though he is really busy most of the time, he makes sure to check up on you at least once a day to see if you're taking the pain meds he brought you.

It's because the first time you had your period while you were dating, you didn't tell him since he already was so busy and you didn't want to bother him.

He is never bothered when you need taking care of.

He's super efficient about it too. He has a whole cabinet in the kitchen dedicated to stuff for you when your cramps act up.

He found an enchanted hot pad that always stays warm at Sam's shop and got it for you immediately.

Even though he doesn't know how your cramps feel, he wants to make you as comfortable as possible, even if it means ditching Kalim for the day (dw he'll be fine 👀).

...

🦇 Lilia Vanrouge 🦇

The definition of "yo what's ur pussy size"

Of course over the years, he's picked up some knowledge about menstruation and he knows how to help.

Even though you're physically incapacitated by debilitating cramps, you still try to go out and do stuff.

Dw though, Lilia tricks you into staying at home using some fae bargain or other.

He buys you chocolate but if you don't watch it, he'll eat the whole bar by himself.

He'll stay in with you and cuddle while watching Disney movies, getting his bats to fetch whatever you need.

Period cramps suck but they're a little better when you have a faerie to hold.

[planettnibiruu]

OKAY SO- In honor of Christmas, I present (haha) to you.... *drum roll* .....what our dav demon men would get you dor Xmas :))

Lucifer

Okay, so he spends wayyy to much time thinking about it. He's the avatar of pride, it needs to be *perfect*. He comes up with a few ideas; purfume/cologne, jewellery, an expensive coat, then he settles. A metallic black Inc ballpoint pen engraved with his initial. It's delicate yet heavy, sitting nicely in your hand, the Inc flows smoothly and doesn't smudge. He figures its the perfect way to let others know that you're his, and you'll use it every day, a perfect 2 for 1.

Mammon

So we all know this man has no money, but jokes on you he's planned this for months. He gets a job at hells kitchen, slaving away, working day in and day out. Once he finally saves up the cash, he feels like the happist man in the world. He buys you a necklace, a simple gold chain with a letter "M" dangling from it. But, here's the kicker, man paid almost 700 Grimm for that pretty baby. The chain itself is 18k gold, and the little pendant, well that's a 9k gold. We all know he's possessive, so the idea of you, his human, wearing his initial, WHOOWEE BABY. It's enough to make him be slightly less possessive and jealous.... for about an hour

Levi

Levi spends alot of time debating what to get you, he even thinks of not getting you anything because "No way someone like them would want a gift from an otaku nerd like him." He mills over it day in day out, so much so he can't even enjoy the new rui-chan Christmas special!! Then, the perfect idea comes to him, your own personalised game controller. It's your favourite colour, with grip pads on the underneath of the handle things. The buttons make a nice clicky noise and the battery life lasts days. It's even got your name engraved on the front and it lights up along with the colour scheme.

Satan

Not gonna lie, he planned this out for months. Eversince you formed your pacts he started on it. At first it was something personal, a way of expressing his feelings in a safe and controlled way. Then, he got carried away. Satan presents you with a leather bound, home made book. In golden ink a portrait very similar to how you look is drawn, singed underneath by Satan's. He's written a whole book about for you. It's a murder mystery, of course, in which the two protagonists, who are oddly similar to you and Satan, solve the biggest crime in history while falling in love. At the end of the book the protagonists live in a small apartment with 4 cats and book shelves that go floor to ceiling, wall to wall.

Asmo

Okay, he buys your gift more on impulse then anything else. He and Solomon were out shopping, looking at clothes, jewellery make-up, you name it. But as the sleep deprived checkout chick is scanning thier items Asmo spots the perfect gift. It's a set of purfumes, one slightly more masculine with a woody undertone while the other is more feminine with a hint if brown sugar. As soon as he spots the bottles he knows that you two are ment to have it. Upon unwrapping it, he tells you to choose the one you like best, and then he'll wear the other. What you don't know is a the real reason Asmo loves the gift he got you so much is that you can always take off a ring or necklace, but you can't take of a smell that matches his perfectly.

Beel

Beel knows he's not the best with expressing his emotions verbally. And due to this factz and his constant nightmares he keeps a journal. Everything's written in there, his passing thoughts, bad scribbles of his brothers and you, big blocks of text, everything. Beel doesn't quiet know when, but about a quarter into the journal the pages start to be filled with your name. It starts off slow, "The new transfer student came. They're

Belphie

He doesn't realise it's Christmas until its too late. He's got about a week to get a present, so he buys the first thing he can think of. He gets you a carved silver ring, it's engraved as a chain, symbolising he's 'chained' to you. Although the gift is stereotypical, there's so much thought and symbolization around it that you don't care. The ring is pure silver so you never have to take it off, and if you do belphie will bite your finger so there's a mark until you put it back on.

[uchiha-7thsingularity]

Last legacy MC/ OC getting their period and their LI taking the time to understand the situation. To comfort/heal with spice and fluff in the mix of this shitpost. I might go back and proofread it later. Also, decided to focus on last legacy more (rime and felix) in the future FYI. Might do a part 2 with the side characters. Enjoy!

Felix Iskander Escellun:

At the beginning he was perplexed as to why you looked pale and sweaty during your lessons with each Starwsworn. Then he acknowledged Anisa, Sage, and Elowen sometimes checking on you constantly after sparing or meals. Especially Stella following your every move throughout the halls of blackthorn. He would even see Scylla, Florian, and Tulsi giving you little treats every now and then. Saaros or Ayanna had checked-in to see if you were coping throughout the day as well. As always you tell them your fine but none believed your false words. Nevertheless, the minutes tick by as the world continues to live and rotate on it's axis. Not stopping for anyone or any cycle or season if you know what I mean clap your hands and cry.

Then when he sees you go to mid-redemption Rime who seems to give you a pat on the head with a small smile he hasn't seen in years. This man feels useless without magic already on top of being newly confident nowadays. You guys are usually awkward but it's your thing he doesn't know how to be straightforward. Panic attack! Slap in the face! Heave a breathe. Then cry in a corner as Stella watches to judge you silently. Okay, I can handle this. You got this felix!! :)

Believe me when the pain was worse this time around to the point on the third day you collapse during your lesson with Felix learning a shield spell and incantation. Of course, you had told him you were fine, except he didn't take your word anymore and carried you. (YES, I said carried you on pure adrenaline and motivation to your guy's shared bed this man had activated). 

Once he tucked you under the warm covers with stella he kissed your forehead to only grab every single book to learn more about the body he overlooked before. I would think he was there for Scylla when she got hers but never asked many questions. Knowing him and rime these idiots skipped health class because they're know-it-all's. (Escell grounded him for a week or two. He tried to run away but failed to realize his Insigna. Note to self get rid of that blasted thing in the future.)

Anyway he seeks help from the others by asking questions this time. Afterword, he comes back to you by laying out a makeshift heating pad on your stomach. Anisa created with Florian that has your favorite herbs to settle your nerves. He puts extra pillows from Sage and Rime's room to help you sit up. Tulsi, Elowen, Saaros,  and Ayanna had been at the market when Felix asked them to buy you fruit and cheese with crackers to dine on with water. He also brought his midnight olives to feed you in the meantime. Right before bedtime he runs a bath for you, if you want one, with bath salts by Scylla he owes a favor too by the way. 

The warm water feels heavenly. He asks you if he can massage your shoulders or hips in the water. My man's got hands that are smooth like butter (hint:bts). If your ticklish he slowly eases you into it by distracting you with his CHARM and SHARP TONGUE. 

Felix: Relaxed now? Do you need confirmation of my underlying love? I'm pleased to help you understand the importance of self-care? 

MC/ OC: Seems intriguing. Although, professor I learn better with hands-on activities than self-taught. You taunt him smashing water at him he blocks with his freckled arm.

He licks his lip gazing upon you and all your glory thanking any gods for meeting you when he needed a new beginning in his life. All while you evaporate amongst this heat as he enjoys your blush expression. Excuse me judge(horny jail).

Toweling each other off you head to bed. Cuddles, your honor. Stella licks both your toes before bed as a kiss good night. You try to sleep but stare into each other's eyes, rubbing circles on each other's backs whispering nothing but fantasies you both want to experience together in your future. Thanking him you promise to come to him when you need comfort or satisfaction. Bumping foreheads you lead him into a slow soft kissing session. Only to share giggles when you guys catch your breath to fall asleep into a warm embrace full of freedom. 

Rime Solano Varela:

We're talking about before redemption this man has stalked you for gaining your weaknesses and downfall. He notices firsthand that you look ill or hunched over when the others glance away for a moment. His pride bargains to take you out when he realizes you just seem closed off or don't bark an insult to him. Not even an attempt to summon "his" relic. To which leads himself to backtrack for the day and reconsider what the hell's wrong with you? He feels conflicted in his broken state of mind every time he thinks of you in pain. Bambi feels a pain in his coldhearted chest. He ignores it and continues to seek more info and learn new spells to attack you with next time you feel yourself again to have a real battle. 

If this is redemption rime who tries gaining his old comrades and ex lover approval/ trust he teaches you with one-on-one healing or elemental spells. He seems to call you out this week when he recalls the exact tired look he's seen you suppress certain weeks when he stalked you beforehand. As a healer he took it upon himself to comprehend the human body by the books and manuscripts over the years. He's rusty but not dumb unlike a stinky cat man. (Somewhere sage sneezes into his keg). Taking precaution he grabs your wrist to lead you to Florians garden sitting you down gently.

Unaware of his next actions thinking he will lecture you on poisons he grabs a bowl and mixes red and orange plants and powders together he found in a glass cabinet nearby in the greenhouse. Curiosity burns within you or a fever coming on. You shiver. Oh no! He strides over to sit next to you and ask to cup your hands together. As you do with a confused expression he pours the mixture into your sweaty hands. Stare?!

MC/ OC: Is there a point to what you just did or is this a prank to make me suffer?

Rime: Hush and watch starlight. ;)

Surprise his gloved hand hover over yours as he twirls his hand above in a circle. You notice the powder twisting into a small tornado. It soon spirals around you both as your amazement shows he wraps an arm around your waist to pull you close. It astounded you to feel he has warmed his hands with a heat spell to rub circles on your hips and thighs. Pure bliss! Your lidded eyes gaze at the powder which appears to show small creatures galloping in the wind. 

Then rime caresses your cheek to cup your chin and turn your gaze upon him instead of his magic. You hate to say he came into your life as your enemy but in turn you were a villain in his story as well. Earlier you offered a hand to him and asked to work and forgive each other slowly over time he accepted. Only for a second he leaned in to peck your nose as he chuckled at your red-tinted features comparing them to the red-ish powder he just prepared on the dot for you. You pushed him away at the comment to bumble for a comeback but flushed ever more at his raised brow. 

Still, the sun setting he leads you into his guest room felix gave him for the convenience of him being there and to piss escell off more likely. Laying on your back to relieve the pain he leaves for a few minutes to return with a hot meal Tulsi and Scylla made as elowen snacked on his cookies he announced irritated. (She knows what she's doing.) He also mentions lecturing felix, sage, and anisa to be more aware of your period signs before it starts to become worse for you and the team as a whole. Passing saaros on the way back to the room he asks them to let the others also know you will be out for a week. Until he heals you back on your feet. For the team sake not his. (Stop staring at him fandom with hope in your eyes. It's disgusting). He makes sure you have your fill and stay hydrated. 

Lastly, he put a cold wet towel on your forehead to relieve the fever you failed to hide. He rambles about the old days as you listen content on his soothing choir voice. He's about to clean up the room until you poke his butt with your foot and ask him to sing you a song. Silence. Why are you like this to him only? Because you caught feelings for him! ….What? ….what?! Giving up he lays with you to cuddle you that has him twirling your hair in his palms. Singing a tune of, "Your Love" by Daithi De Nogla cause I said so. Breathing on his chest listening to his silky voice he might fall asleep forgetting the mess for the next morning to find you fast asleep. In his bed. With him. In his arms. Holding tighter he kisses your head to thank the stars for giving him a second chance to learn to live again not as a broken abomination but a person you can be comfortable to survive long enough for him to swallow his pride and love again. 

Anisa Anka:

Typically you both pig out at the market and feed each other when you're alone together. It was hot as usual while holding hands to keep close in the crowded area. Sage and Tulsi headed back early to eat lunch at her shop to wait for more customers to wear her out. Rime and Felix decided to look for more ingredients to brew more protection spells. That's what they said but you and anisa noticed them head toward a stall filled with questionable novelty. (Don't be suspicious. Don't be suspicious.) Saaros was busy with escell and orion to meet up that day. And Ayanna had kicked you both out with her thick thighs and swift movement of her fluffy tail. And Elowen just bailed liked a ninja promiseing to meet up later.

Sweet, savory, spicy, and sour juices flowed over your tongue. Enjoying the moment with your lover had been short-lived. Cramps we're motherfudger. :( pure agonizing pain creeped up your spine with no warning what so ever. Whimpering silently next to her you try to bite your lip to not ruin the atmosphere of serenity but your period fights back. Clutching the table of nearby food stall anisa finally turns to notice you bending over yourself. Sweaty as you are she pampers you expecting you to tell her what's wrong. I think she knows but would want verbal confirmation from your bruised lips to be left with the option of hauling you back to her place by piggyback. As a women she knows all to well about the unwelcome friend that stops by every month.

Ayanna waiting for your return had cleaned up to realize anisa's haste to boil water on the stove. She catches a look at you seemingly past out on the bed with drool coming out your mouth. She heads out to get you necessities for your cramps with the intention of giving privacy as a perk of her absence. (Cough...cough. Wink...wink.Kiss the girl!) Rolling her eyes anisa goes out of her way to cover you up and fluff the pillows leveling your timid frigid figure. Thanking her she pats your hand to only say she will never leave your side no matter the cost. Anisa: I promise on my life to honor the knighthood to protect my dearest companion in trying times! Nothing will stop me!

MC/ OC: Kitten….the stove is on fire…..and yes I will be your soldier too now and forever!

Stop. Drop. And roll. The fire is out and you tell anisa just to wait for ayanna to come back with safe supplies for you. She rubs her face in exhaustion and you giggle beckoning her to sit in the bed with you. Moping on top of your stomach she takes her gloves off to rub circles around your lower abdomen while her teeth graze your chest. It tickles but she wants to take your mind off the pain for merely your sake and a little of her feeling excited to ravish you in your time of need. Peck's here and there on your thighs to licking up your stomach while looking at you. (I need help…I just want her to pin me your honor. And I'm not even gay. But I still deliver!!)

Eventually, anisa mom returns to see you both fell asleep wrapped together in the blanket like a burrito. She had bumped into the others at the market when they asked of both your absence and she gladly told them of you two missing. And to expect it for the harsh days to come. Later that week they all would check up on the two of you for reassurance of your health. Sadly, she wakes you up to let you change and wash up for dinner. Anisa helps her mom in the kitchen fixing a meal you favored.  To then layout an outfit she wore in her old training days. She helps you dress slowly to worship your beautiful body and wants to make you blush more than she is right now. Sharing a homemade meal ayanna shares some anisa childhood stories to leave you and her in a fit of laughter with tears beading your lashes. 

Anisa cleans up and you both say goodbye to ayanna who salutes you two to have fun tonight but not too much because you need to rest. And her daughter just hisses at her to leave while ayanna just swishes her hips abandoning you to giggle at her teasing. Having the home to yourself you grab anisa by the waist and pin her to the mattress burning your neck into her neck. She sighs as she squeezes you to tell you she is so glad to have you thrown into her life when she wished for a purpose to serve. Now she realizes she just yearned to be seen for her self-serving hard-work which you were the first to call her out on her BS of rulebook 101. 

Manuvering to peep at her she turns to peep back with a simple creeping on her cheery rose face. You tell her nothing but sweet words with sweet promises to hear her heartbeat rise in her chest at each syllable. You tossle her pink brownish hair with your nimble fingers to gently coax her into a slumber. Silly you had slept after being lulled to slumber by her intoxicating scent. The next day she watches you sleep propped on an elbow to be joyful to exist together until you decide to leave on a white steed into the sunset like in her childhood books.  Rather this time she will be holding the leash to guide you on your journey with her forever more. 

Sage Lesath:

Cat man is clueless to why you've been avoiding him this coming week. He thought he did something and got frustrated so he went to the other three. Rime assumed it was his presence that scared them off and led sage to snap his teeth at him. (Boys will be boys) Then felix added that maybe it was the fact he takes up half the bed with a shitty grin. Tired of the two mages he turned to anisa who sipped her tea and coaxed that he should ask you personally. Ruthlessly teasing him that it was probably the bite marks he had left on you every damn time his hair was combed by you. F u all I'm not needy!?

Roaming the halls of fanthom he heads outside to see you sitting in the grass near the water with the big tree and broken bridge up above. Heading over he wraps his tail around your shoulder to throw your guard off to tickle your nose with his as you turn to him finally. You beam at him with the animated look you give him when he sees you. However, this face has bags under their eyes with blotches on their cheekbones and goosebumps all around their legs and arms. You try to say your well but he ignores your words and carries you off to his room by hauling you over his shoulder like sheep did with fiona. You know the scene.(Donkey! Right behind you shrek!)

Pining you to the bed he wraps any blankets he can find as you taunt him to be more gentle since it's his first period. He bites back that tulsi is on her way to help the star sworn make dinner for you and bring you your lady things.(in my opinion, raising tulsi he might had stole stuff to help her in her time of need but never pushed her to talk about it). In the current time anisa stopped by with saaros and her mom to drip off spa treatments you can use to clear off your face and relax your body. 

Rime and felix were busy making a disastrous dinner while elowen jumped into salvage the meal cussing them out to stop adding random stuff into the pot. Scylla and florian stopped by to visit felix and then heard of your situation to fill a basin of water with ice cubes to keep you hydrated. And a potted small tree to leave as a period gift to admire with a bottle of aroma from Scylla to mix in your bath. Wink at you and sage. Additionally, sage was busy guarding you with his life to anyone who got to close to you two. Stella was kicked out twice and somehow found her way back. (She on demon time)!? So on the minutes ticked by as he made sure you were hydrated and warm in his rough embrace with his big arms.

Sage: Is this enough? Do you need me to go get a healer or anisa again?

MC/ OC: The one thing you can do for me is to let me touch those fluffy ears and tail!;) Red like a hot pepper he lets you caress his tufts of white/silver fur to purr until his heart skips a beat like a madman. Grabbing his tail you yank on it a little along with his braided hair coming undone like him. Biting his lip he adores you, stating how he wants you to do whatever you like to him. Smiling like a fool you kiss his abs to hear him growl under his heated breath. Pulling back you boop his nose and say time to eat as you smell a savory aroma in the air. He lays there for a minute to then follow you to the main hall to eat while sharing a glance here and there. The others roll their eyes at the display you guys fail to hide admit the humble chatter.

Returning to the room after saying good night to your friends and foes(sage vs rime). You go back to cuddling on the bed to have sage's tail wrap around your lower core to pull you into his chest. He rest his chin on top of your head to purr to distract yourself from the mild painn you felt from all the affection he showed with the other today. You could cry. Instead, you grab his scarred  hands to lead them to straddle your hips as he catches on to heat up with his skillful hands he brags daily about to you.

Sleeping peacefully in the night he wakes up to home you close and wonder what the hells you see in him?? An alcoholic with commitment issues that can't handle discovering a friend or lover in pain again. He peers at you to pay attention to his random thoughts filled with you and a toothy grin spreading across his lips. Mother night. His thoughts reel to one conclusion. In his final moments of sanity, before corruption takes over, he will do anything to vanquish the darkness within him to see another starlit sky with you. A chance to put his beer down. Wipe his face. Flash you his signature look(you know the look). And tell you that he will howl your name till his throat gives out to let the world know he's yours and you are his and no one will change his mind.

[angelguk]

oc is back on her bullshit!!! miss out and about im gonna forget about you!! im so sorry for this part actually. descriptions of oc sleeping with someone who is not jaykay (warning!! infidelity but not really). suppressed feelings on jks side. chayoung is still Suspicious. everyone is now mildly shitty actually. roughly 2k. listen to not gonna cry by emma steikbakken and stranger by tove lo.

titled — fuel to the fire

It's been three days since you last spoke to Jeongguk (and four weeks since your break-up). Not about your relationship or the horrendous state your sudden break-up left you in, or about the fact that Jeongguk had moved on before your heart had even registered the cracks he'd left in his wake. No, not that – none of the actual life changing important stuff, only him briefly mentioning that you needed to hand in your event proposal for the student committee before the deadline approached. It was unbelievably strange to watch the person you'd basically surgically attached to your being behave like a complete stranger. It didn't help that he didn't seemed unfazed approaching you, while you on the other hand actively avoided him and all the usual corners of campus where he liked to lurk (which sucked because those corners were some of your favourites places too). But there he was, ambling to you with an ease that made your gut violently twist, acrid bile slithering up your throat.

He'd spoken so freely, the sound of your name on his tongue a brand on your skin. You'd frozen, heart a wild animal locked in your chest, before you could summon the mettle to look him in the face.

The first thing you noted was that his hair was no longer long. Dark locks cropped short around his ears now and casually gelled back, idle strands playfully framing his face. His features are what you settled on next, eager eyes remapping the sharp slope of his nose, easily identifying the sneaky dimple on his cheek begging to burst free and then shifting down to the dark mark right below his soft pink lips.

Your first instinct was to pull him into your arms but they were frozen, glued to the table beneath you before that blinding rage rose it's head, sparking through your veins the longer you looked at him.

He didn't even seem to realise it, rattling off the list of things you needed to email him for the spring scavenger hunt or else the event could be cancelled (which sucked because that was an idea you had created with Jeongguk and now you were stuck carrying the bulk of the event alone).

Your replies had been curt, blunt as they left your lips before you'd pointedly turned away. Maybe if you had looked a little longer you would detected the lingering gaze he granted your features, how he shuffled on his feet, unsure and hesitant, words on his tongue longing to be released. Eventually he had swallowed him down, mumbled a quick goodbye and wandered off, the hands shoved in the pockets of his baggy jeans aching to hold yours again.

You, however, didn't miss the muffled giggles of girls he passed on his way out, a sick icky feeling clogging your throat. You didn't mind the fan girls when you were dating because you knew Jeongguk was yours and yours alone. But now? When he'd moved on not even a weak after your break-up you didn't know how to feel. Jealous, maybe. Furious, absolutely. For a second, you considered throwing your mini stapler at their huddled heads, weighing the odds of possibly going to jail for assault. But there was no reason to truly justify that reaction, not when Jeongguk was single and apparently available for everyone. But did that feeling still brew inside of you? Turning into something black and vile and vengeful? Perhaps.

And maybe that's why you're here now, the body of some boy pressing against yours, your bare back prickling as the night wind grazes against it. The dress you'd plucked from your closet was criminal, clinging to the dips and rounds of your body perfectly, a silky emerald backless piece that shimmered beneath the soft lights of the porch you'd abruptly accoupled. His name might be Lucas – you may have been able to accurately remember that three drinks ago but you're beyond that now. And it didn’t really matter when all you wanted was for him to fuck you. He's also big and huge, massive shoulders caving you in, and his hands is snaking it's way up your thighs, ginger kisses peppered along the span of your neck.

Which is not what you wanted. Not in a one-night stand at least. You don't want soft and gentle, you want something wild – feral even. Something harsh enough to wipe the memory of Jeongguk's hands on your skin, something bright and fierce and new. Something to make you feel alive again.

Lucas gets the hint soon enough, spurred on by the bold movement of your hand guiding his closer, right between your thighs were you wanted him. Deft harsh fingers on your clit followed, pressing against the damp fabric with no remorse. You couldn't help the whimper that floats from your lips, the tension stringing through your limbs finally alleviated.

"Cute," he murmurs, seemly pleased judging from the broad smile that tugs at his lips. You make a noise of agreement in return, drawing in him for a kiss as the pad of this thumb toys with you. There's the sillage of whiskey on his tongue, something that nearly makes you freeze because you're used to tasting that on Jeongguk. But you beat down that apprehension, a muffled moan breaking past your lips when Luca's tongue mets yours.

"My place?" He suggests, lips glimmering from your lip gloss. You smile, a familiar giddiness bubbling in your chest when he shifts a little, hard bulge bumping into the base of your stomach. You give in a little bit more easily than you normally would have, clinging onto his hand as he guides you out of the party towards the neighboring building. Chayoung and Sieun are going to kill you later for this but you simply can't force yourself to care. 

"You're in that frat?" You finally murmur out when he keys himself into the building. Lucas hums, glowing under the moonlight when he smiles at you.

"Mhm, Sigma Chi for life, babe."

Babe. A complete one-eighty from the bunny you'd grown accustomed to.

It hits a little harder when he gets you into his room, the mess unlike anything you'd ever seen at Jeongguk's (he's very anal but his room and how clean it should be, specific down even to the various scents he kept around to ensure the air he breathed was perfect). Lucas was the average frat boy, messy but neat enough that you find yourself naked on his bed a couple moments later, his tongue deep inside of you. Your brain couldn't help but recall the last time a head had settled between your thighs, Jeongguk eager to lick out the pool of cum he'd left there. But this wasn't him and as of five seconds ago you decided you’re no longer allowed to think about him.

Lucas makes it easy, tongue skilled and swift around your clit, a fervour in his movements that leaves you dripping down his chin. Jeongguk evaporates from your mind entirely when Lucas descends on you, his mouth glistening and his tongue tasting of you. His kisses are hungry now, forceful, just what you need. Your palms stray down his wide back, a strange tingle erupting in your gut when your nails dig and he groans right down your throat.

"You're so big," the comment is a mumbled slur, lost in Lucas's mouth. For a second, you think he misunderstands, his hard cock twitching against your thigh. You're actually talking about his shoulders; they're broad, muscles rippling every time he shifts to press you harder into the mattress. You like the weight of him on you, it makes forgetting easier.

But Lucas knows what you're saying, discerning your wandering fingers and clouded eyes well.

"I know," he returns with lopsided smile. "Perks of swimming."

Oh, of course he was an athlete. Maybe you had a type after all.

Before Jeongguk has a moment to resurface Lucas has you in his arms, easily twisting you around so that your face is buried in his sheets. It short-circuits you, brain sparking with how large and huge and strong he feels. The following sudden press of his lips against your ass doesn’t help, your heart thumping loud in your head as your shuffle onto your elbows.

"Good?" Lucas asks, rising to fetch a condom from his drawer.

"Mhm," you return, thighs trembling when he returns. He easily lines himself up with you, the head of his cock pressed into you coaxing a low groan from your throat. The first thrust hurts, probably because you're body isn't as on board with this as you thought. But that changes quick when Lucas's hand slides underneath you, swiftly settling on your clit until you're leaking around his length, skin tight with tension and sweat beading along the length of your back. The stretch feels strange – he's larger than Jeongguk, wider. At first it's too uncomfortable to feel good. Your senses narrow on the sound of your meeting instead, loud and lewd, your pussy squelching with every drag of his cock inside of you. The ripple of your ass helps you relax too, a pleasant almost dizzy feel spreading through your body when Lucas draws you closer, shoving himself deep inside, the whine floating from his lips painting your skin warm. He fucks you hard enough to leave marks, large fingers digger into your hips with every resounding collide of your bodies. You shiver when he finishes, a grimness appearing on your skin. It's vanished by Lucas tugging you close, his mouth light on your lip as he kisses you, cock slowly slipping out.

It feels better the second round. He's perceptive, quickly learning how you like your clit touched, or that you like when his teeth sink into your skin rather hard. You actually cum this time, spread open over his massive strong thighs, his length splitting you open, the stretched welcomed.

You forgot about Jeongguk and your sore heart for a total of two wonderous hours, before your phone starts blaring from your discarded mini-bag on the floor. Lucas is the one that gets it for you.

"Hi?"

"Y/N! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" Chayoung's tone is aggrieved, wavering through the sound of some song blasting in the background.

"Oh. I left." You hope she gets it, doesn't press any further. But what was Chayoung if not a button pusher?

"WHERE? YOU WENT HOME? WHEN?"

"No, I'm not home. And awhile ago." Lucas is pointedly not listening, pattering through the adjacent bathroom of his room. The pressure ebbs when he turns the tap on loud.

"WHAT?"

"I said I'm not home! And please stop yelling!"

There's a loaded pause. You can feel Chayoung thinking through the line. "Okay... Who are you with?"

"Fine, yes I'll meet you there," you say instead, completely ignoring her question. Lucas is out of the bathroom now, massive and still naked as his knee sinks into the mattress. He crawls to you as you scramble to get out, phone wedged between your shoulder and ear. "Yeah, yeah I know I'm sorry. I'll come get you."

"What the hell are you talking about Y/N? Who are you with?" Chayoung's words are bitter now, stinging as they hit your ear.

"Gimme five seconds, I'll be right there," you return, swiftly cutting the call. Chayoung is going to kill you the second you see her but you'd rather attempt to live through that than Lucas overhearing you gossip about him on the phone with your friend. The man in question is watching you with a chary gaze as you hurriedly tug your dress over your head. "Sorry," you supply, pulling the hem down hard over your butt. "My friend needs me."

He nods slow, strawberry blond locks swaying. He's actually very hot, an observation that has you stilling for a second.

"Cool. See you around, yeah?" His eyes are round and big, bright even – almost like Jeongguk's. That breaks the spell.

"Yeah, see you around." And then you take the chance to flee, bag swung over your shoulder. Except Lucas halts you with a low cough, raising his hand, something bunched up in it.

"You forget this, though." It's your underwear, red and lacy. Your cheeks match the colour of fabric, flushed hot as you pluck it out of his wide palm. Lucas watches you slip them on with a smug smile, one that you should hate but there's a humour in it that blooms through you. He lets you part with a fond squeeze of ass when he gets up to open the door, still grinning.

"See you, Y/N," he says, leaning against the doorframe. He's very tall too, how did you miss that?

"Yeah," you squeak back, eyes shifting from his face with speed. "See you."

He's not Jeongguk, and that's good. He also makes it easy for you to forget about Jeongguk, another plus. And you can't help but wonder as you scurry back to the party, that it might be nice to see him again.

—

That sentiment gets jumbled when Chayoung avidly spills to you later that she'd stumbled into Jeongguk with his hands tangled with another girls, leading her right out of the party as Lucas had lead you. It stings, of course it does, but not as much as the first one. Not when Lucas is in your DMs, his messages sweet albeit corny, and you can still recall the taste of you on his tongue. 

But despite everything, even with Jeongguk a new stranger and Lucas's body warming yours, you haven’t truly let go. You can feel it in how you cling to the clothes Jeongguk had left in your closet. He hadn't requested to come pick them up yet, a fact that keeps a wedge in the door you're not sure you can close alone. Your heart still spikes when you see him on campus, and there's a home game coming around the corner that you're longing to go to. Because you still want to see him. Still want to be by his side Sometimes it felt nice to want to forget but you couldn't – not yet at least, not until you know whether he wants to forget about you too.

[loveofmoonandthunder]

Locked Away: Part One

The museum was heaving; groups of schoolkids aimlessly wandering the halls just glad to be out of class; university students desperately trying to find some inspiration; the rest were people just happy to find some shelter from the typical London rain.

As you reach the gift shop, the clerk is clearly fighting the stereotypical yet mundane job of dealing with the public; albeit with slightly more aggression than needed. Once you reach the front of the queue her ability to keep up her facade is failing. "How can I help you today?"

You analyse the name tag, perched with pride over her lapel. "Donna, is it? I'm hoping you can. I'm looking for a friend of mine."

You can feel her eyes burn into your outfit, looking you up and down with clear disdain at the water dripping off your clothes; thankfully not noticing the hand you have firmly placed over your stomach, discreetly hiding the blood. With a sigh, she waits for you to further explain.

"I'm looking for Jake Lockley." You huff out, the pain emanating from your wound making breathing difficult, let alone talking.

"No idea who that is." She turns to the side, seeing you're the last in the queue and deciding to sneak through the back. You grab her arm with such force you think her eyes are about to pop out. "What do you think..."

"I'm sorry," You mumble, quickly grabbing your stomach again as another spasm of pain runs through you. "I'm l...." You can feel yourself on the precipice of blacking out, but manage to focus yourself. "I'm sorry. But I really need his help..."

Donna looks over you, a slight trepidation as she tries to work out what's just happened. "And I already told you, I have no idea who that is."

Internally you curse yourself. Of course someone like Lockley would use one of his aliases while working here, but the cloud rolling through your head is struggling to remember what any of them were, if he had even told you.

"Alright Donna I'm done with inventory, can I go home now.. Bloody hell are you alright miss?" You don't immediately turn to the soft spoken man who has appeared at your side, not until he gently places a hand on your shoulder.

"I'm fine." You manage to grit through your teeth as you turn your head. "I was looking for..." When you're met with the face of the man you've been looking for all along. "Lockley?"

"Sorry Miss," He let's out a soft chuckle. "My names Steven. Steven with a v."

Of course. He wouldn't want to blow his cover. The pounding in your head and the tightness in your chest makes it harder to breathe, and you can feel more blood trickling from the wound on your stomach.

"I'm sorry to bother you." You manage to get out before you're drawn to 'Steven's' eyes. Identical to Lockley's, except they're softer, almost shining a little brighter. "I'll just..."

Without really understanding what's going on you turn to leave. Heavy, yet padded footsteps follow you. "Miss, I never got your name." He stutters out. "But I really think you ought to go to a hospital."

"No!" You bark out, cursing that many people have turned to look at you. Once they turn back you step closer to this Steven, so you're close enough to whisper. "I need you're help Jake."

"I'm sorry but like I said. I don't know anyone named Lockley. Or Jake? I'm Steven." As you once again search his eyes, you can sense he's telling the truth. Which was confusing, because he looked exactly like him. It was also heartbreaking, because it meant you were in even more trouble. "Please miss. Just let me help you..."

"You can't help me." You whisper. Your vision blurs, a combination of blood loss as well as tears.

Suddenly your legs give out from under you, but you don't register hitting the ground. You don't feel Steven wrapping you in his arms and carrying you out the museum. You don't notice the bindings that wrap around him as he carries you over the rooftops of London to his apartment.

You most certainly do not hear him arguing with someone called Marc, questioning themselves about another alter; but mostly about how terrified you had looked when you realised he wasn't there.

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This is my first time posting ANYTHING on Tumblr *eeek*

So this just came to me out of the blue: haven't worked through the entire story line yet, but got an idea or two. Any feedback or interest would be appreciated :)

[watermelonlovershigh]

Day in the Life of a Single Dad with a 2 Yr Old

This was requested by this anon.

AN: let me know if you guys like fluff fics & i'll try to write them as frequent as my smut & sicfics. also couldn't come up with a better title so... yeah the title is a lil iffy.

Things to help you understand this story better:

(Harry is a single parent/Harry is 25/Harry is a healthy eater/Loves his daughter so much)

Harry is peacefully sleeping in his bed alone. Covers to his chin, curled up on his side. That is until his beautiful two year old daughter comes barging in there to wake her daddy up. He shouldn't be asleep she thinks. It's too late. In reality its only 7 am on a Saturday, but to an early riser like her, he should be awake and playing with her. Or making her breakfast.

Her little feet pad over to her daddy's side of the bed. She can barley reach him due to the height of his bed, but manages to stretch her little arms up and taps on Harrys face. "Daddy, wake up." she speaks in her little British accent. Harry slowly opens his eyes and immediately squeezes them shut because of the sunlight coming from the window blinding him. "Daddy!!" his daughter says a little louder.

If his daughter was any older, Harry might tell her to wait a few minutes or go back to bed because it's too early, but he knows she's only 2. So he forces his eyes open again and reaches down to hook his hands in her tiny arm pits to lift her on the bed. "Why are you awake so early babe." he asks in a gravely voice, while placing her on his bare chest.

"I hungry." her tiny voice replies.

"Mhmm what would you like?" Harry mumbles sleepily.

"Sweets." she says innocently.

"I don't think so love. We don't eat sweets for breakfast. It will give you a tummy ache. What about a healthy fruit salad. We have some Watermelon and Strawberries in the fridge." he replies to his daughter who's straddling his chest.

"NO, I WANT SWEETS! I WANT SWEETS!" she yells back with angry tears threatening to escape.

"D/n, we do not yell!" her father speaks firmly. "We can't have sweets but we can have something other than a fruit salad if you want. Lets go down and see what we have." With a tight grip on his upset daughter, Harry gets out of bed and makes his way down the spiral staircase and into the kitchen.

This wasn't something new to him. Ever since his daughter turned 2 in August, she's been acting up a lot more than previously. You could say it was the terrible twos everyone talks about. Harry tries his hardest to teach her the proper ways to behave but it's been proven to be a lot more difficult than anticipated. Especially hard when he's busy all the time and isn't with her 24/7 like stay-at-home mums are or stay-at-home dads were. He's a musician. Not a so called musician that gets excited to book a Friday night at the local pub. No, Harry is a international pop star.

When he ended up getting a one-night stand pregnant, he told them they could do what they wanted as far keeping the baby or not. Harry has always been one to agree that its a women's choice. But his one-night stand wanted to have the baby. Honestly, you'd think Harry would get angry that she decided to keep it, but he wasn't. Maybe it wasn't the ideal situation to have a baby from a one-night stand that he had on tour, but he being the loving Harry everyone seems to know and love, of course tried to look at it as a positive thing. But when his daughter was born, his one-night stand got her minute of fame by saying she had Harry Styles baby and left. Abandoned her own blood. Harry had to get full custody of his daughter and ever since then she's been living with her daddy.

It was really hard the first few months of her life. A baby needs their mothers comfort and warmth and she had none of that. She never got the opportunity to breast feed or feel the love of her mother, and Harry feels sick just thinking about it. So Harry put his career on hold for a few months to take care of his daughter and show her that someone cares for her. He never wanted her to feel unloved. It was his biggest fear. That's why every day since the day she was born, he tells her how much he loves her. Shows her how much he loves her.

He did all her nightly feedings with warmed up formula in bottles. He changed her diapers at all hours of the day. He gave her baths every day to make sure she smelled nice and clean. And when she turned 1 years old and was getting more active, he took her to the studio with him and let her play her toys.

Just because Harry is a single parent doesn't mean he doesn't have help or support. He has a lot of help when it comes to taking care of his daughter. His sister Gemma babysits all the time for him when he's got something very important to do at the studio where he'd prefer if his daughter wasn't there. Harry's mum watches his daughter frequently when he has a interview he needs to attend. Even some of Harry's friends watch or take care of her when needed. Especially some of his ex bandmates that have kids of their own now. Harry's daughter has playdates with Bear, Liam's son about once a month. They're about the same age and their dads are friends so it works out great. His daughter has even played with Freddie, Louis's son. Not as much because Freddie lives in America but when he comes to England to spend time with his father they hang out. Freddie and Harry's daughter are quite similar. They were both created due to a one-night stand. The only difference is Freddie's mum wanted him. Didn't abandon him. So he has a relationship with both parents. Needless to say, besides all the things a mother can give to their child, his daughter has a good life. People love her, and once again that's all Harry could ask for. People and himself to love his daughter.

After fighting with his daughter about what to eat for breakfast, she finally settles for some Strawberry pancakes as long as they have chocolate syrup on top. Harry gives in and allows a little chocolate for her to have with breakfast. She sits in her high chair munching on the pancakes while Harry cleans the mess from cooking. Like washing the pan and wiping the stove off. When he's finished cleaning, he notices his daughter has stopped eating and is just making a mess with her food at this point.

Walking up to her high chair, Harry bends down and lifts her sticky body up and says, "Alright, time to give you a bath little one."

"No bath daddy! Me no want a bath!" she yells and attempts to kick her fathers legs but Harry grabs ahold of them in his big hand and stops her movements which makes her small body more angry. She screams very loud in his ear and pounds her baby fist in his shoulders, expressing her anger. Harry really wants to get upset. But what he's read in parenting books is that if you ignore their behavior and act like you don't see their tantrums, it will make it better and they'll give up on trying so hard to show their anger.  Because most toddlers have tantrums to try and get attention from their parent(s). By ignoring it, you're not feeding into it.

"I'm sorry but you have chocolate all over you love. Need to get you clean because I need to take you to the studio for a few hours with me today. How does that sound?" trying to make bath time and going to the studio sound fun.

After fighting with Darcy to get in the bath, Harry finally got her in the tub. He struggled to wash her curly hair due to the fact she wouldn't sit still, even after he gave her a rubber ducky to play with. Once he's washed her hair and chocolate covered body, Harry picks her up and wraps her in a big fluffy towel, then takes her to her room to get changed. He manages to get a pull up on her, (still trying to potty train), and puts a lovely red track suit on her with some Gucci shoes. Then he carries her in front of the bathroom mirror to brush her hair.

"Be good for daddy and let me brush your hair." Harry tells his daughter in a gentle manner.

As soon as he passes the brush in her hair, his daughter screams, "Owww, it hurts daddy!"

10 minutes later, Harry has brushed her locks and put her hair into some cute pigtails. With his 2 year old crying in the process. He's pretty good at doing hair because he used to have longer hair himself. Then he picks her up off the counter and places her on the ground, walking her to his bedroom.

"Can you lay in my bed while I get ready? I'll put on your favorite show." he questions calmly.

"Peppa Pig, Peppa Pig, Peppa Pig!" is daughter chants.

"Alright, alright." He picks up his baby girl and sets her in the middle of his bed. Then he grabs the remote to turn his wall mounted tv on. He scrolls on Netflix and finds Peppa Pig to keep her occupied. Then goes to his bathroom to get dressed and ready to head to the studio.

When he exits his bathroom fully dressed and ready to leave, he finds a sleeping toddler on his bed, snuggled into his pillow. Her perfectly outlined lips slightly parted. Harry can't help but smile. He loves his baby girl with his entirety and seeing her peaceful like this makes him so happy. He turns the tv off and carefully picks her up into his arms and heads down the stairs to his car in the garage. But not before stopping by her room to pick up her mini backpack that holds extra pullups and a sippy cup full of juice, with some of her toys as well. Her tiny face is stuffed into her daddy's neck and Harry can feel light puffs of air hitting his skin. He puts his daughter in her car seat and buckles her up properly. Then gets in himself to drive to the studio.

About 5 minutes away from the studio, Darcy wakes up from her late morning nap and whines out, "Me wanna go home and play with you!"

"I'm sorry but I have to work for a little bit. I'll play with you when we get home later. How does that sound Hmm?" She was not satisfied with her fathers answer and starts wailing. Hot salty tears run down her little cheeks and she makes exaggerated sounds to emphasize her crying. She kicks at the seat in front of her and balls her fist up as if she's going to hit something but unfortunately to her, she can't reach a single thing due to her seat belt. Once again, Harry just ignores her cries of anger and turns the radio on loud to block it out.

By the time they arrive at the studio, Harry's daughter has calmed down. She's still upset but at least she isn't crying and that's progress in Harry's eyes. He parks his car in a secluded area to hide from potential paparazzi and unbuckles her. Then shields her face form potential cameras and make their way into the music studio. Harry has to record some audio for his newest album so that's why he needed to come in today. They enter the studio where the rest of his solo band is. He prefers to record the instruments live instead of manufactured drums and guitars.

At some point when he was getting ready in his home bathroom, Harry had called his assistant and told her he needed to bring his daughter in to the studio with him so she could watch her while he's busy. She agreed but being Harry Styles assistant, it wasn't really an option. Not that Harry would force her but she's an assistant for a reason. To do jobs Harry assigns her. In this case babysit his toddler while he records a song. He doesn't have anyone else today and unfortunately can't leave her at home with a mummy like many other fathers can. He's just happy his job allows his daughter to be somewhat a part of it. Not in the spotlight because he keeps his daughters identity a secret from the public for her protection, but as far as her going to the studio with him or when she gets older, she can come on tour with him.

Harry's assistant takes his toddler and her mini backpack full of her essentials. They hang out in the open area, out of the way from his band and he himself so he can get what he needs to get done so they can wrap everything up for the album. Harry's daughter actually loves his assistant. They have grown quite close over the 2 years of her life. But because she's going through her terrible twos, the toddler didn't want to behave for anyone today.

About an hour into Harry's work, he's interrupted with a frantic assistant that has a screaming toddler in her arms. "I'm sorry Harry but she's been crying for about 30 minutes and I've done everything I know to do to get her to calm down." Harry isn't upset his assistant came to him for help with his baby. That's not the type of guy he is.

Harry takes off his headphones and walks over to them. He picks his little girl up into his tattooed arms and questions, "Love, why are you upset for? If you keep crying, you'll end up with a tummy ache."

She just hugs around her fathers neck with her little arms and says, "Want you daddy." Those words almost breaks his heart. Harry doesn't know where this sudden want for him has came from.

"You can have me all you want when I'm finished working, alright. I'll be done shortly." He struggles to pass her back over to his assistant, but finally manages. "Maybe she's hungry. I'll give you a few pounds to take her through drive thru at McDonalds. Would you like McDonalds d/n?" She just nods her pigtailed head. He would suggest for them to go inside, but the public knows what his assistant looks like so they'd know that was his daughter. The daughter that has her identity secret for now. His assistant takes the toddler to the McDonalds drive thru and orders her some chicken nuggets. Even through Harrys pescatarian, he still allows his daughter to eat meats. Then Harry goes back to work in the studio.

Around 2 in the afternoon, Harry and the two year old make it back home. The rest of the evening was a little hectic with a few tantrums here and there. Harry cooked them a nice meal for dinner at about 6 and played dolls with her in the short period of time she wasn't upset. Then comes the dreaded bedtime.

Harry changes her into some pjs and helps her brush her teeth. Then when he went to put her in bed, she started crying for the 100th time today. "Me sleep with you daddy." she cries out. There's a part of him that wants to say yes and cave in, but the parent part of him is saying no. She needs to learn to be a big girl. Harry really doesn't understand why she wants to sleep with him all the sudden. She normally has no problem sleeping by herself.

"No baby. You need to be a big girl and sleep in your bed sweetheart. I'm right next door if you need me though okay." His daughter clings to his body and cries fat tears. Harry decides to stay in her room until she falls asleep. So that's what he does. When she subsumes to sleep, he lays her down in her bed and pulls the covers up over her frail body. Then exits her room quietly.

Harry changes into some comfier clothes himself and goes down stairs to get himself a glass of wine. Then he sits on the sofa and turns a series on to watch before bed. Times like now is when  he wishes he had a wife. He'd even take a girlfriend. Just someone to hold him late at night and cuddle with him. Even have some type of intimacy. Ever since he found out about his daughter, Harrys game of sleeping around stopped. He didn't want to keep sleeping with random girls when he was becoming a dad. He was raised better than that. So needless to say he was lonely. In every way possible. Mentally, and physically.

Whilst in the middle of the show he's watching, Harry is brought back to reality when he hears a blood-curdling scream from up the stairs. He rushes to set his wine down on the coffee table and runs to his daughters room. When he walks in there, his heart sinks. The toddler is crying so hard she's gasping for air. It's a different cry that he's seen through-out the day. Unlike her terrible twos tantrums, this cry sounds like she's scared. Harry runs to her and picks her up. "Hey what's wrong my love? Tell daddy what's wrong." he asks of his child, soothing her to his chest.

As her tears slow down in the comfort of her daddy's arms, she mumbles, "You left me." Once again Harrys confused because she never acts like this.

Harry walks out her bedroom and goes to sit with her on the sofa downstairs. Then he turns her around on his lap to look at her face more clearly. "Baby, you need to tell daddy why you got scared or why you want me all the sudden."

The little 2 year old takes a deep breath and speaks in her little accent, "On Peppa Pig, they...they said kids like me are supposed to have a mummy AND a daddy. They said daddies can't love their babies like mummy's can. Me was scared you don't love me anymore." Her voice cracked saying the last bit with fresh tears running down her face and Harry has glossy eyes looking down at his distressed but beautiful mini twin. That's right. They look almost exactly alike. He thanks God every day for that because he doesn't want to look at his daughter and be reminded of a one-night stand that's a piece of shit of a mother.

"Look at me d/n. I love you so so so much. I will NEVER stop loving you." at this point he has to take a deep breath so compose his emotions, "And not all kids have mummies. There are a lot of kids who just have a daddy or some just have a mummy. But it doesn't mean I love you any less. Okay?! Don't listen to what they said in Peppa Pig. They were wrong." Finishing his speech, Harry pulls her tiny body forward and hugs her to his warm chest. He has silent tears running down his face. Both hands spread over her boney back. He thinks tonight is appropriate enough to allow her to sleep with him. She needs comfort. "Would you still like to sleep with me?" he asks in a whisper.

"Pleaseee." she responds while crying. Harry stands form the couch, turning the television off and abandoning his barley touched wine glass, and goes to his bedroom. The turns the overhead light off and walks over to the bed. Peeling the covers back, Harry and his daughter, whose on his chest, slide under the warm blankets together. Now she has just about stopped crying. Just little whimpers leaving her body, along with a few hiccups. Harry reaches over to turn the lamp off, leaving the room completely dark. He shushes his baby until her eyes slowly close and she falls asleep with her face burred in his neck and arms around his neck. Her short legs lay limp over his stomach.

Harry has a difficult time falling asleep that night. He feels sorry for his baby girl because he worries that movies and shows with two parents will make her sad and left out because she doesn't have a mummy. He just prays she will see all she'll ever need is her daddy to protect her and love her for the rest of eternity.

MASTERLIST & My Favorite Harry Styles Fics MASTERLIST