#there is a scene later in this story that...oh my word i cannot wait to flesh out in non-draft

[legobiwan]

Another little excerpt from mystery story

~~~~~~~~

“Search him,” Dooku ordered with a flick of his hand. Cold, fleshless digits rushed to paw at his tunics, plated claws combing through his hair, whirrs of servo motors playing a silent discord up the raised trail of his ribs. Near his boots, another droid extended its metal tendrils, sensory phalanges climbing, spider-like, from his calves to his thighs up to his -

“Hey!” Obi-wan yelped, Force-pushing the offending MagnaGuard clear across the landing pad with a bitter Khvusian oath. The air crackled with electric ozone, at least a dozen electrostaves ignited and bearing down on Obi-wan, whose hair spiked with the increased atmospheric charge. 

Dooku chuckled without humor, ordering the droids to stand back, a welcome relief from the sensation of crawling ions over every patch of Obi-wan's exposed skin. In the distance, the tortured twists of metal and spweing conduits sent miniature fireworks of binary suffering into the air.

“Well done, Master Kenobi. I do believe you’ve put an impressive dent in the Confederacy’s budget projections with that little display.”

Obi-wan sneered. Losing control this quickly did not bode well for this cursed mission. 

“I’ll add it to my resume.”

[ivystoryweaver]

No One Like You - Poe Dameron

Poe + Horseback riding

Fall Fluff Masterlist | Poe Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Okay so, this ficlet is a "deleted scene" from my unwritten "Poe crash lands to Earth" story I'm pretending will be posted in Poevember. For that reason, you will discover the slightest slivers of angst surrounding that concept, but I promise it's fluff.

Word count: 1.3k (technically not a ficlet, oh well!) || for @virtie333

Darkness faltered as the last stars danced against its covering canopy. Robins chirped dawn's arrival, their song scattering night's hold over the earth.

Booted footfalls fell on damp soil, carrying you out to the stables, where two magnificent animals waited for your attention eagerly.

Poe Dameron watched as you nuzzled your forehead against the fairer one, stroking gently and whispering, "Good morning, sweet girl."

The darker, redder horse beside her let out a slightly annoyed squeal, which made you chuckle before granting her equal attention, speaking so softly, Poe could barely hear you.

Polishing off the rest of his caf - or coffee, as Earthlings called it - Poe set his ceramic mug down, hoping to be of some use.

Weeks had passed since he'd come to be here with you - since his X-wing spun out of control, through a black hole to a galaxy far, far away. It took the two of you almost a week to successfully hide his nearly obliterated ship on your farm and make up a cover story, should anyone come knocking.

It also took quite a lot of convincing for Poe to believe that there was no one on Earth who could help repair his ship - not without drawing the kind of attention that would get him locked up or put under a microscope.

So, he decided to trust you.

You gave him a bed in your spare room, two warm meals a day, and in return, he helped out on your small farm. He wasn't sure how he could ever get home, but this place wasn't so bad, for now.

"Are there horses where you're from?" You asked Poe a bit later, brushing the coat of your sweet Annabelle.

"There were animals called orbaks one one of the moons of a planet called Endor. And I think there are your kind of horses on its forest moon. Never seen those myself, though," Poe explained, gesturing toward your animal.

A warm smile brightened your face. "So did you ever ride an orbak?"

"No," he cockily grinned. "I was too busy flying my X-wing. My best friend rode one in battle though. It was - what do you say? ‘Badass.’”

Giggling at the colloquialism, you finished brushing Annabelle's mane and reached for the fly spray. "I cannot believe you've been in actual battles. In space. You must think Earth is so boring."

He shrugged one shoulder. "Earth has wars, right? Battles, soldiers? It's the same thing."

"True, but no laser guns and laser swords and powerful wizards and talking furry...what did you call Chewbacca?"

"A Wookiee," Poe chuckled.

After spraying Annabelle, you fed her a quick treat and saddled her. "You be nice to Poe, sweet girl," you instructed her affectionately. "He's new to this."

"Are you sure you don't want to ride her?" Poe politely asked you. "I can try the other one."

You glared at him half-jokingly. "I promise you do not want to ride Arzola. She's not for newbies."

Dark eyebrows shot up at the challenge. "You know, I can fly anything."

"Fly, sure. Ride?" Pulling your bottom lip between your teeth, you winked at him. "Leave the riding to me."

Poe Dameron had never backed down from a challenge in his life, and two in a row had just been laid before him.

Arzola. And you.

"Her loss," he playfully shrugged, carefully approaching the moodier chestnut. "You don't know what you're missing, sweetheart."

"Are you flirting with my horse?" You swatted his arm with a pretend huff.

Trapping your hand against his bicep with incredible reflexes, his eyes locked with yours before momentarily flickering down to your lips. "Not with her."

Arzola nudged her way between the two of you protectively, breaking your temporary trance.

Clearing your throat, you nodded toward her saddle. "Come on, I'll show you how to do this."

Soon enough, you and Poe guided Arzola and Annabelle, respectively, out for an early morning ride.

As expected, Poe was a natural and quickly took command of Annabelle, showing no signs of nervousness and forming an instant bond with her. He seemed so good at it, you almost felt a mildly jealous pang at how she warmed to him. He'd tried out Annabelle a couple times, on quick walks around the paddock, but this was the first real ride.

Sunlight spilled over the horizon, illuminating the path before you, inviting you to rush headlong to where light kissed the earth.

You clicked twice, urging Arzola ahead into a full run, which Annabelle immediately followed.

Poe, of course, accepted the challenge and gave Annabelle a gentle squeeze with his legs. “Come on, sweetheart.”

Annabelle neighed out an affirmation, galloping ahead of the competition. Arzola possessed fiery spirit in spades, but Annabelle's legs were longer, and she preferred to think of herself as the favorite.

"That's my girl," Poe bellowed out a joyful laugh as crisp autumn air whipped through his curls, tossing them carelessly around his forehead. He chanced a look at you, flashing you a devastating grin, dark eyes bright and reddened by the sun's kiss, almost a twin color to Arzola's coat.

This was closest you'd come to seeing him in action, aside from a few projects he'd attempted with a hammer around the farm, and you had to admit, it was a good look on him.

Despite the joy surging through you at the chance to take both your girls out for a run, and with Poe, no less, you still possessed a competitive streak of your own.

With a powerful command you'd probably come to regret, you granted Arzola the permission she was impatiently waiting for, to run top speed and catch the stranger riding her adoptive sister.

Despite the vigor and exertion involved with riding a horse at a full gallop, the look on Poe's face as he stared out over the horizon could be considered nothing short of pure peace.

The two of you slowed and finally brought your animals to a stop. After walking them for a few minutes, you offered them a drink from a hose and trough near a ramshackle tool shed at the far end of your property.

You and Poe sat down on the creaky old steps leading up to the door, taking a moment to have a drink yourselves while the sun finally climbed all the way to full daylight.

"Thanks for this," he softly uttered, turning to gaze at your profile.

Although you felt him staring, you couldn't bring yourself to meet his eyes.

"You're welcome." Finishing off your water bottle, you glanced over at your horses. "Annabelle likes you. Really likes you. She usually can't be bothered to race Arzola."

"Why is that?"

"She's just gentle. She must've had a good reason to challenge her," You explained with a knowing wink.

Poe beamed proudly, following your gaze over to the magnificent creatures. "They're amazing animals. I know it doesn't make sense, but Arzola reminds me of BB-8 a little bit."

"Of a robot?" You scoffed. "For real?"

"A droid," Poe corrected. "Believe me, they can have spirit."

"He must be wonderful," you sympathized, knowing he was separated from the little guy.

Poe ran a hand over the stubble on his chin, eyes dipping as he contemplated a life so far away from everything he'd ever known.

Swallowing, he bravely scooted a little closer to you, meeting your eyes with the openness and sincerity you'd come to expect from him.

"He would be really happy to know that I met someone like you. Someone who helped me. Protected me."

Your lip trembled slightly under his intensity. You'd never met a man like him in your life. There couldn't possibly be anyone like him, at least not on this planet.

Laying your hand gently over his, you spoke from your heart. "I know you didn't plan on any of this, but I'm happy I met you, Poe."

Fall Fluff Masterlist | Poe Masterlist | Main Masterlist

[lovinggreeniehours]

what they won't know.

↳ takahara × lucifer (season 1)

↳ 700+ words. very short

↳ lowkey a sequel for let them look for they cannot see :) not exactly super official dialogue because this is a first draft from the arifer summary that i intend to incorporate later into the larger story. but yeah i decided to throw myself a pity bone. i can't infodump so ill post my silly little excerpt instead. excuse me if it isn't my best work i just like this scene a lot <3 <– has had the outline written down for 2 years ever since i first played the game

↳ extra warning for these two being unreliable narrators. as usual 😭

The chaos of the night eventually died down. The gold was returned, with mishaps along the way, and many more afterwards. Arion did his nightly rounds of checking on his siblings in their respective bedrooms. As he was returning to his own room, he then happened to run into the one person he least expected to see. Oddly enough, they seemed to find each other in the dark quite often.

"Good evening." Arion muttered. Just to be polite. "I'm heading to my room."

"Wait a moment."

Begrudgingly, he allowed it, biting back a sarcastic comment. Scowling, he looked up at Lucifer.

"What is it? I'm tired."

"I'm sorry."

What?

Arion tried not to let his surprise reach his face.

"For?"

But he couldn't help it— the little spark of vindictive glee that ignited in him as Lucifer forced himself to break eye contact. In an instant, all notions of tiredness seemed to evaporate. What? Can't meet me head on? Is this embarrassing you? Am I embarrassing you?

And realistically, Arion knew exactly what Lucifer was apologizing for. He simply couldn't help himself. He needed to hear him say it.

"..I shouldn't have dragged your sisters into our argument. They had nothing to do with the issue, and I overstepped. I may have been.. too harsh in my judgement earlier."

"Oh?"

"Shut up."

Arion really shouldn't have, but he laughed. For maybe the first time that night, for the worst possible reason. Arion had been crying his eyes out just a few hours ago, and the Avatar of Pride was apologizing. Why wouldn't he laugh? Why wouldn't he enjoy it?

Then Lucifer's next words hit him.

"I would like to form a truce."

The laughter died, allowing room for silence to pool thickly between them. Lucifer was forced to try and explain his point.

"Let us be clear. I still do not trust you. I don't trust you with my brothers, and I don't trust you in my house. But these are the cards that I've been dealt, and I'd prefer there be less issues such as this in the future."

Lucifer raised his hand as if in offering, before quickly realizing how awkward that was, and then letting it fall back to his side. Lucifer cleared his throat.

"Well? What say you?"

"We can agree on one thing, at least. I don't like being in your house either."

"Have you considered applying to change dormitories?"

Arion shook his head, almost laughing again. "I don't like being in your house. But my siblings seem to be quite happy there. Where I want to sleep is besides the point."

Then he put his hand forward, mirroring Lucifer's motion earlier. The hand he put forward was the very same that he broke during the dance. And he kept it there between them, waiting for Lucifer to shake it.

"Truce then."

For a moment, he only surveyed Arion's face, trying to gauge his emotions. His real emotions. From the bored droop of his eyelids, the unamused curve of his mouth, the determined set of his shoulders, and his hair so red Lucifer could see it in the near-lightless corridor.

He really wasn't afraid of him, Lucifer thought. How irritating. And yet, a sense of intrigue filled him. Now that the threat had subsided, it seemed Arion had no particular feeling towards him. Would he have reacted the same if he'd been threatened by another demon? By Lord Diavolo himself maybe?

"I still do not like you." Lucifer shook the human's hand, thinking bitterly. And he couldn't help but think of the irony in the gesture. Clasped hands were a common gesture between demons and humans. In pact-making— one of the few things they seemed to share (distasteful) sentiment in. "Whatever grievances we have with each other will be settled in confidence. I will not get involved in your family business so long as you stop sticking your nose into mine."

"Got it."

"So no one needs to know about this."

"Nope. No one."

"Good."

"No promises on not annoying you for life though."

"Do whatever you want. You'll be dead in a few years anyway."

Lord Diavolo finds them there not a moment later. Thankfully, there is a commotion in one of the rooms before he can question them too closely.

(The commotion turned out to be a pillow fight. And so Arion becomes the very first person to hit Lucifer in the face with a pillow.

Lucifer realized his mistake very quickly. He should have been keeping his eyes on Arion the whole time.)

[mistywitcher]

oh sweet lord that last episode has rendered me deceased. i am dead. i cannot FUNCTION

what a show. and what a way to end the first season! as a hardcore insane percy jackson stan till i die, here’s my thoughts if you would like them:

FIRST OF ALL. the whole show: loved it. very little to critique in my opinion! i know not everyone is happy with everything, but personally i think it’s one of the best adaptations i’ve ever seen. it’s mostly faithful to the books, and the changes that were made i think were improvements and made a lot of sense.

rick wrote the first percy jackson book so long ago, this show felt like his way of being able to go back and change bits and edit the story to something that’s even better. that’s how i see the show!

LETS TALK CAST: it was fuckin perfection okay, i will fight anyone on this point. walker as percy has changed my fuckin life. his little emotional eyes in every single scene, showing so much depth to all of the dialogue, and giving the best vibes. the humour, the desperation, the self sacrifice. he is PERCY and i am so incredibly in love.

as for annabeth and grover, PERFECTION ALSO. leah slayed annabeth so hard, the little eye brow quirks, the way she was able to portray annabeth as extremely smart and logical, but not heartless, and certainly not cold. she brought such a warmth to the character and i am obsessed.

aryan as grover is just chefs kiss. from the satyr walk, to the one liners, to the uneasiness and resilience grover has, aryan has it down. i just loved him and I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE HIM FLOURISH IN THE (hopeful) NEXT SEASON!

the whole cast was amazing. i loved all the choices. it all just felt so right. from the cast, to the set, to the fights, to the cgi. i’m just in love okay.

LUKE AT THE END HAD ME BAWLING. the tears in his eyes, the way he begged percy to join the cause, the hurt when he sees annabeth. FUCK ME I NEED A MOMENT OKAY.

the parallels that are being set up throughout the show for luke and percy are wonderful, i cannot wait to see how it continues. i thought it was just so cohesive and the characters feel so real.

i love how they have set it up for the next season! it’s like it’s ready to go, it’s RIGHT THERE and i want it it so bad so LETS GET MANIFESTING FOR ALL 5 SEASONS FRIENDS ITS TIME!!!

and i have to mention my love of percy/annabeth or percabeth. it’s not the whole point of the story i know, but it is something that is very special to me. i love my little sea boy and clever girlie together, and this show has set them up so beautifully. it’s given them time to have a friendship, to build trust, but also the little looks they give eachother, the pining that we can see will eventually build. IT MAKES MY FUCKIN HEART SING OKAY walker and leah slayed too hard on that front. they understood the assignment.

i could go on about this show and percy jackson in general forever. but i shall end this here because i feel like i need to go cry for a few hours lol.

in conclusion, and this will sound dramatic but i mean every word of this. this show fucking saved me right now. percy jackson is so incredibly important to me, it’s my biggest special interest, it’s shaped me for a decade, it’s my comfort, it’s my everything. i’m currently dealing with a tumour in my head at 22, and my mental health and life is crumbling around me, but this show and percy jackson and rick riordan has kept me here for the last 7 weeks and previously years before that. i owe my life to rick riordan. i will never be able to express my love for this enough.

okay okay, i’m done. see you later once i’ve rewatched the series 4374 times and have memorised every fucking word.

[thewordworrier]

Current WIPs - September 2024

It has been an actual year since I did one of these and considering the fact that I literally just finished (and posted) a fic last night/in the early hours of this morning, I figured that it might be an idea to look at what I've got in the GoogleDocs.

Let's see. First I should probably note that anything I call any document here will be a working title. I very very very rarely share final titles until I hit the publish/post button. I like to keep some secrets. Uh... Normally I'd talk about the Big Files first and then touch on the smaller ones. Although there isn't that many smaller files nowadays. But I think today we'll just go by things as I remember them. Most of the time, my Big Files are only that way because I cannot end fics for love nor money. I create these worlds and then don't want to leave them.

Okay then! On we go! This might be a long one.

I have three, maybe four Vampire based fics. I'm an MCR writer, of course I do.

~ Vampire AU the First

In which Lux, Mikey and Gerard are vampires. Mikey has moved with the times and Gerard’s a little stuck in the past. Lux was a modern day Human until she was recently turned and Shelly is a Human.

This file is one of my long ones; about 40k. This is the AU in which my OTPtober 2022 - Insecurity piece is set. I haven't dipped into this one for a little while, but I enjoy this world. ~ Reverse!Vampire AU

In which Shelly is our Vampire, Mercy is her Human familiar and Gerard is a struggling artist.

About 37k. Again, not one I've touched for a little while but, again, one I enjoy. Gerard being the not-vampire isn't as common in ths fandom, in my opinion. That might be why I enjoy this one when I'm in it. ~ VAU4 (because 3 got published)

Gerard is vampire royalty, and Shelly appears to be a regular Human who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This one is less than 15k and a little bit fragmented, which is probably why it's not that long. Slightly different relationship dynamics here too, a less friendly start between the girls. So that's fun. For the final vampire based fic, I'm gonna copy the paragraph from the last post because it amuses me and is stll true:

I ALSO have something labelled as Vampires&Werewolves AU, which… Seems very Twilight, putting the two creatures against each other with a Human in the middle, but… Also, not Twilight because there’s no fucking sparkling.

This fic a baby - it's only like 10k.

What's next? Let's stick with the paranormal. ~ The Succubus Fic

In which Shelly is a succubus and Gerard is her… Victim?

This one is labelled as a “fic” instead of an AU because I do not want it to get as long as some of my other files. This one is about 15k and could maybe end where it is and have parts added later on but... I'm not sure. I haven't touched it for a little while. ~ the Supernatural Beings AU Vampires, werewolves, witches and wizards, oh my! This one is about 30k so that's how much fun I'm having there. ~ the Normal AU That is, the regular, run of the mill, there is a band, this is their career, fics. This is spread across like, 5 different GoogleDocs (at least) so I can't really give you a wordcount, though it is my biggest project. I'm working on all those milestones (like the engagement and the wedding, because, hello?!) but they take time. Even if I do have like 80% of Shelly and Gerard's story all written in my head. There are so, so many words here. So many little situations and... So. Much. There's a smut scene in one of these files that... Lord above. Like... SiR! (I wrote that one in a hospital walk in waiting room too.) ~ The Danger Days fic aka The Sandbox Fic Another AU spread across several files, but I think it's all about... 30k? so far? Then again, about 10k of that is a smutty chapter... Lead up, the action, wrapping up the scene. It's all... Can you call it a spin off? of my Wife’s Danger Days fic, picking up a little after where that left off so I could throw Shelly into that world. ~ The Tamarin Inspired Situation 20k ish. An excuse to write more threesome-ish stuff after dabbling in the next listing. If you look up Tamarin breeding stuations, you'll learn more about the scenario I was going for. ~ The CollegeAU - also known as the PolyCollegeAU This started out as me attempting to write a threesome, BEFORE the Birthday Fic happened. It ended up in timeout for a long time because Frank wouldn’t behave, thus making the inevitable choice between the two really hard! And then, along comes my wonderful wife and is all OKAY BUT WHAT IF and boom, it came out of time out and gained… A lot of words. And turned into a poly-relationship situation. I thinkkkkk I had the intention/s of throwing a little light dom/sub play in there too. And I think there's a scene or two where Shelly and Frank talk about pegging. So that's fun! It's about 32k currently. ~ The Nameless Fic. Another 15k ish file, and this one is definitely a bit more out of left field for me. It's a bit more angsty despite what the subtitle/working title suggests. I know where I'm going with this one I just have to tweak some stuff to write it the way I want it. ~ The Half Baked Idea About 10k and has more of a series of plot points. It’s a little ✨mystical✨ and supernatural but because there's not much more to it than a few chapters and some notes, I don't know where I'm going with it. ~ It’s A Compliment I Swear I wrote the ending for this in July 2022. It’s… 😬 Yeah. I might get in trouble for that ending. I'm very close to just creating a bulletpoint list of what I wanted to cover in between where I ended it and how we get to the last few chapters I ended up writing and just posting that.

Other, smaller files ~ The Sugar Baby AU ~ PopStar!Shelly ~ The Stripper!Gerard fic ~ a HighSchool AU or two. ~ my first VampireAU that I'm probably not gonna go back to, but I stole my own lore from it for the others I write. ~ Taylor Swift fic drabbles.

I thinkkkkkk that's it. I might be missing one or two things, but you can only scroll through GoogleDocs so many times before your eyes glaze over, you know? I might've mentioned something in the older post that I didn't mention here. Anything else is probably just a file of maybe a page of notes and not actual writing.

[evilwickedme]

Ooh, do you have any good Jason fic recs?

anon I cannot tell you how long I've been waiting to see those words!!!! yes I have good Jason fic recs in fact I have so many good Jason fic recs that after narrowing it down I still have fifteen links for you

I have read more fanfic for Jason Todd than maybe any other character ever. I do not understand the hold this man has on me but it's simply the situation we're in. anyway

Jason comes home fics

Make a Little Birdhouse In Your Soul is hands down my favorite. I'm talking favorite DC fic, top fics of all time period, not just from this list. I love this fic series. It is actively and regularly updating, thank fuck, because that little boost of serotonin is everything keeping me going I swear

The 70 Days After Groundhog Day is technically from Dick's POV, but it's about the aftermath of a timeloop that Jason was stuck in. it's. oh my god it's so good. just trust me on this one.

Emotional Motion Sickness is the "bruce goes to therapy" fic series we all want. canon get on this level

Retrograde Motion - I never used to like de-aging fics; not for any particular reason, I just never vibed with them. Recently I decided to see what all the fuss was about (bc there's so goddamn many in this fandom) and I'm glad, because I opened this fic and it's just. oh my god. the use of the de-aging trope here is truly incredible. after a whole week of dipping my feet into the trope I never need to do so again, because this fic made me fucking lose it. this is not going where you think it's going. also, for some reason there's not that much rebirth outlaws fic, and I really like what this author did with that team

matching wounds haha just gonna sneak my fic series on here and pretend that it was an accident, wait how did that get there (some jayroy later in the timeline too which can be read on its own if Jason coming home fics aren't for you)

other non-ship

Too Much Fucking Salt deals with the straw that broke the camel's back. I've read all 22k words of this in one sitting more than once. this is the anti "Jason Todd comes home" fic (this is in itself a whole genre of fic too honestly).

take his name out of your mouth (you don't deserve to mourn) is about Jason mourning himself, which he fucking deserves to. also he smokes a joint with Dick

Sown in Winter is about Jason pulling himself out of a depressive episode partially through the power of Stardew Valley. also technically jayroy, but it's honestly incidental to the story for the most part imo

JayRoy

I do read other ships for Jason but unabashedly this is my favorite, so

A Solid Resume - competency kink. that's all I have to say.

Tenderize is a series of oneshots all of which slowly build Jason and Roy's life together and coparenting lian and I just !!! could also double as a Jason coming home au but honestly that's mostly in the first fic. also a lot of discussion of various chain grocery stores in the united states that I will probably never actually step foot in

Dick Grayson and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Two to Three Weeks (But Who's Counting) is so fucking funny I die every time I reread this. there's a scene early on in a coffee shop that just. I don't even know what to say everything about this is perfect. I AM the girl sticking her nose in their business, at least spiritually.

dust devils on the horizon isn't even the only western au I've bookmarked for these two. something about jayroy and horses, man

unity of time: april 27th, 2020 is just,,,, super sad, man, idk what to tell you. it's f!jayroy, but happens after Roy died in sanctuary during the 24h of Jason's death day, so all of it is very fucking depressing. It's also fucking beautiful. I want to reread it now.

Promise After That I'll Let You Go is a poisonivory fic. I was introduced to poisonivory through the daredevil fandom earlier this year and may I tell you when I found out that this author writes for jayroy I lost my goddamn mind. this is my personal favorite, but I almost recommended at least two more aus. Their jayroy sugar daddy au is one of the only sugar daddy aus I've ever truly enjoyed. also really like the one where roy has had feelings for dick since their teen titans days but still starts a fwb thing with Jason. poisonivory can make me into kinks I'm not even into I s2g. anyway this one has lian literally dragging roy back into jason's life

finally, Reciprocation (or: Sex as Violence) shouldn't even really count as a jayroy fic but I feel weird putting it in the other category since it is sort of a jayroy fic. it's ace-aro!jason, which is one of my personal favorite interpretations of Jason (with so much textual evidence wtf), but there's still like... a lot of sex in this. Jason does not have a healthy relationship with sex in this fic. I would describe this as ending in a QPP for jayroy and lian.

honestly there's a lot of good jason and roy and lian fic out there I didn't rec cause this is already long enough

so yeah this is my very VERY pared down fic rec list for Jason Todd let me know if you want more and thank you so much for asking

[hero-of-crefeld]

I just read this article and I couldn't calm down out of joy. We all know what's going to happen to John in the upcoming books, but it seems David is (finally) stepping up to the main ranks and getting the scenes he deserves. And it's going to be great!!!

„One of the great confluences of these rivers in season seven is the love triangle of Claire, Jamie and Lord John Grey (David Berry). Both Claire and John love Jamie "desperately and passionately," Roberts says. "There are so many layers and dynamics between these three people, and this season it'll definitely come to a head. I think a lot of people will fall in love with John again."

For her part, Davis says, "I cannot wait for everyone to see David Berry's performance in season seven. He's outstanding. He just kills it in this role, especially this season. He's really stepped it up."

Perhaps his performance this season will help seal the deal on the long-gestating idea of a Lord John spinoff. "Just speaking for myself, I think the Lord John series is a no-brainer," Davis says. "I would love to see that series. The books are great, and he's such an interesting character."

OMG! ❤️

Full article link:

https://www.emmys.com/news/features/onward-outlander

LOVE your blog! 🥰

Thank you so much for sending this, anon! <3

Here's a direct link to the article for anyone who wants to read it: https://www.emmys.com/news/features/onward-outlander

I apparently had many thoughts on the subject, so the rest is under the cut. :D

I have to begin with: hell yes people are going to fall in love with John! The character is so interesting, and although I find it a bit tedious that we often sometimes only get to see him as this lovesick dude who conveniently shows up to solve Jamie’s problems, I think the show actually does a decent job of portraying him. Because he’s the character you want to know more about. In a show where you have so many characters, he is the one that kind of feels like a main character even though he isn’t one. He feels nuanced and you get a sense of him actually living his life in between making appearances in the show. And that’s something I don’t necessarily get with a lot of the other characters. (Okay, I may be super biased but still!)

Introducing him more firmly into the main story through a love triangle is a good way of at least getting more LJG in our lives. I hope they change the story a bit and tone down homophobic-punches-John-in-the-face Jamie, and I think they will, since they’ve done a great job in making Jamie less conservative in other aspects, too. With regards to what happens later with John, I wonder how much they plan to include in the show. But whatever they do, I hope they don’t run through a million things in a half-assed way and then just go “anyway, that situation resolved itself, don’t worry about it.” But we’ll see.

In any case, it makes me so happy to know that there is support for an LJG spinoff! It’s so true that there is good material to draw from if they were to make it, and I think it would be really great to get a historical show that had an LGBTQ+ main character. But simultaneously, I have to admit that my expectation for such a show would be sky-high, and I would probably throw a tantrum at the smallest historical inaccuracy. (So they’d better do their research unlike DG…) I know it’s historical fiction, but it can be accurate and entertaining. (Fun take, I know) My expectations would anyway be really high because David Berry deserves the world, and that includes flawlessly written shows where he is the main character.

And speaking of David. Oh my god, anon, when I read the words “I cannot wait for everyone to see David Berry's performance in season seven. He's outstanding. He just kills it in this role, especially this season. He's really stepped it up.” my heart skipped a beat. Like I don’t have praise kink, I have a ‘praise David Berry’ kink. I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful it is to read those words. He deserves it so much. I don’t even know what to say… I just… I don’t even know. Like he doesn’t seem like the most confident person in the world, so it makes me so indescribably happy to read about people explicitly saying that he’s amazing. And also the fact that there is talk of a spinoff shows that there is sooo much love not just for Lord John but for David as well. He is the perfect LJG. My heart is so full, anon! So full! And I absolutely get why you can’t calm down out of joy, because hard same!!!

[starlazergazer]

Hii!! I’m the anon who asked if u had an ao3, and I’m sooo glad I can have all your fics in one PDF thank u so much 🙏 I can quickly pressed the download button so fast. youre genuinely one of my fav anakin fic writers in the entire galaxy (far far away). Your writing is so so gorgeous and complex, and it just feels soooo real—how each person has their own depth—so much thought is put into every word and how it’s framed.

I just read your latest fic, Separated, and my god I SOBBED. It was SO good. I was listening to sad songs too, to get more into the mood, and it made me cry even harder. My heart just dropped out of my body when Reader and Anakin were saying their last words towards each other through the call: they were so emotionally close but so physically far from each other. How they were imagining a different life where everything was more softer and happier, that living handle their souls more gently, when in reality one was killing her, and the other was walking towards a path of destruction? AARAAGGH IM GOING CRAZY WITH YOUR WRITING (COMPLIMENT). I can’t wait to see the second part and how you plan to execute the follow up.

Btw. Do you have any tips on how you can finish writing stories? You write so much and it’s all such high quality. How do you do it? I have so many ideas but I never actually commit to it. I have this idea where Reader is also on par with Anakin’s skills as a mechanic except she gets extreme motion sickness, which I think would be so funny considering she’s good at building ships but not flying them.

(I really hope you’re okay with me posting this I know your first message was sent anonymously so I wasn’t sure but if you’re not definitely just let me know and I’ll get rid of it) but Oh my god I sobbed reading this 😭. Genuinely this is the biggest compliment I’ve ever received and it means so much to me I’m positively overflowing right now and a little upset I cannot find the words to properly express how much this means to me. I already go back through some of the messages Ive received periodically as a little pick-me-up but I already know this one will be revisited weekly it just means so much to me the way you’ve picked up on everything I’ve tried so hard to do well in my writing making the dialog and situations and characters feel real and complex and messy ugghhhhh I love you so much this means the world 🫶🏻

As far as writing tips for finishing stories I have many cause it’s definitely something I struggle with all the time lol! I’d say the biggest thing for me is to focus on just getting something down rather than finishing a certain work. At any one time I have four or five word documents open on my computer because I’m regularly only writing a scene or a piece of dialog or literally just an idea. A lot of the time I get halfway through something and decide I hate it but keep it there anyways. What usually ends up happening though is I take ideas or scenes from all the different pieces and drop them into my “main story” if I think they fit well so it all works out in the end but just writing (even if it’s not related even remotely to what you feel like you “should” write) is ultimately what’s important.

I also regularly skip around when I’m writing. I find I like writing the big plot points or bits of dialogue the most so a lot of the time I write those first then fill in the gaps later. Finishing a story is a lot less daunting when you already have all of the big pieces in place and just need a few tiny bridges to bring everything together.

Lastly I would say again just get something down on the paper. I’ve written a lot of really bad stuff lol and sometimes I can feel it while I’m writing it and there’s a part of me that wants to just delete it and start over but having the ideas down on the page is always 100% better than having nothing and editing the crap out of what you already have is way easier than starting over from scratch.

Anyways that’s probably way more than what you wanted lol but I really hope it helps! I think just remember this is supposed to be fun, if you’re getting frustration or exasperation out of it more than anything totally feel free to take a step back. I’m known to go MIA for months at a time cause I have periods where I just am not feeling it and forcing myself through it does nothing for anyone.

Seriously though thank you thank you thank you I’m so absolutely overjoyed that you like my writing enough to want to keep it in any form it means the absolute world to me! Also good luck with your potential fic! Tag me if/when you finish it! I’ve been wanting to do a mechanic reader fic forever but never gotten far enough into actually planning it out to start writing anything so I’d love to see your take on it

[bonesandthebees]

NOT EVEN GIVING MYSELF TIME TO WRITE A N ENDING NOTE TO LAST ASK IM SPEEDRUNNING THIS SHIT IHKGYDD

NOOOOOO THIS HAS ALREADY GONE TO SHIT SO FUCKING QUICK WHATRHFUCK

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

THIS IS SO FUCKED THIS SIS FOSFUCKDJDKF

"This has happened before" oh my fucking god CHILLS what the FUCK

A FUCKIGN SYFRINGE??#?_?_!_ THAT ESCALETSD QUICKLY UH BEE WHAT THR RUFKCK???

What the fuck

NOOOO THIS IS SOO THIS SIS SPFCUCKSDUDPAHDODHSKFKDKDLF

NOOOOOO NO FUCKIGN WAYYY NOOOO THIS IS SO MANIPUTLKAITVEEE NOOO CANT U SEEEE NOOOO THIS IS WAY MORE FUCKED UP THAN I COULDVE IMAGINED HOKYFUCJINGHSITHSOSGSKFJSJDF NMOOOO NO WAYSHSKSKFLSLFJDK NOOODHFKDLD

YES TOMMY YWSHSOAHSLSJKD YESSJDJFKFL

What.

The. Fuck.

What.

What.

They can WHAT.

Omg jaw dropped ROCKETDUO?$??$?$?$ HELLOOOO

Oh god this chapter is fucking long I am terrified whaththefuck goes down ohkygoddd aaaaaaa

Pausing for now until I get home so I dont like have to wait an hour right after reading an almost death shfkfkfkfkkdkk

Okay back woot woot :D

Snuggled up in bed with my fairy lights on under two blankets and in my PJs I AM READY!!!!

OH MY FUCKING GOD WAIT.

JUST REALISED

SMOKE.

FIRE.

STATUE.

OH FUCK

NOOOOOO THIS IS SO EVIL OHKYFUCGODJDODJFLGKGLG

NOOOOOOOOOOO

WAIT. I DID NOT READ THAT RIGHT. HOLDUP. I JUST. NO. NO WAY. JACK DID NOT. THERES NO FUCKING WAY. WHATHTHEFUCK. OHMYGOD?

NO

WHAT

NO

OHMYGOD

NY MOUTH IS HUNG OPEN IN SHOCK WHAT

I'm putting onmysuperangstynplaylistforthissholyshit

Oh

My

God

I know he has the syringe but..but. but. But. But. But. But. That is traumatizing that is fucking traumatizing

Bee is this u practicing writing MCD for roses LMFAODJFKGK ohmygodddd I'm ow ow ow ohmyfuckingofdo ohmygod ohmygod the TRAUMA the fucking TRAUMAS the curse??? I mean. He's gonna come back to life but he died holyshit. Is Wilbur eve r gonna not wear a blindfold I'm insane. I'm so insane. I cannot. I don't even know what tod o ohkygod ohkudoboghdnsmfjfdls

This is so fucking cool I'm fucking obsessed

Oh god....

Oh god.

Ow.

Ow.

Ow.

Everything hurts.

Everything hurts.

Ow.

HOW DID IT GET EVEN SADDER??$?$?#?#?$??_?_?_$ TOMMY FUCKING DIED IS THAY NOT ENOUGH OHMYGODDDD

It wasn't your time... That's totally why she didn't show up yes yes [cries]

HOW IS IR GETTING WORSE

JUST LET RHE BOYS REST OHMYGODDDJAKSHDKFKFLGF

WHERES PHIL AND TECHNO KHMYFUCGODDDDD

YESSS FUCK U SCHLATT MOTHERFUCKER!!!!

YESSDJFJGKDKFK I WAS WAITING FOR HIM TO USE HIS EYES AS A WEAPON YESSDDJFKGKD

Ily ranboo

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

That was so intense aaaaaaaaaaa

I don't even have WORDS, I'll probs have words once I read all the other asks but man. Man. I'm in shock. Wow. That was. So intense. Ohhhh my godddd so cool tho so so cool I'm gonna fozpsjdkf explodes beeeeee beeeeeee you're so good at writing holyshitttt this was such a satisfying climax ohmygoddddd aaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I'm not going to get over Tommy waking up and just. Demanding why Kristin wasn't there. That's so. Ow?? Ow..ouch. ouch. Ohmhgodddddskskfkdkskfjfkskf

Beeeeeee beeee I am not okay bee ohmygod diaowjdoxishdkskdjf

At least I can unmute the tags now woOOOO FJFKFLDLFLGLDKFLFLGG EXPLODES IM SO GONNA REREAD RHE SHIT OUTTA THE REVIVAL SCENE OHKYGODDD OUCHH OUCHIE OUCHIE OUCHIE I NEED DADZAAAA

ch 27 time lets go icy

yeah things go to shit really fast lmaoooo

loved finally getting to talk about the pythia curse story I've had that one written up for a while

the syringe is a surprise tool that will help us later :)

that whole convo was soooo manipulative and fucked up but also!! wilbur pushed through!! he held onto himself he's made so much progress!!

smoke :) tommy's lungs :)) jack manifold is there :)))

maybe it's me practicing my MCD writing for rose who knows you'll have to wait and see on that one lmao

tommy died and came back but death wasn't the great thing he'd always been promised it was. it wasn't warm and he wasn't comforted. he was cold and alone and terrified.

AND FUCK SCHLATT

thank you so much icy I'm so happy with how that chapter turned out. it really felt like the perfect climax to everything i'd been building towards the entire fic. so glad you enjoyed <3

[merakiui]

Meraa!! This one is for that ask game :D

(1) Okay, it's hard choosing just one (You always write BANGERS, It's THAT hard okay?), but if I'm gonna pick, it's gonna be Death Row Undertow <3 I have been down bad for SK Jade from your ramblings and thoughts and then actually getting a serialized fic of him is just the best thing to have ever happened ever since.

I love everything about it! Reader's interaction and relationship with every character in the fic, the whole atmosphere and setting, the mystery and suspense build-up (Oh, the scene when Jade kidnapped the reader will forever send shivers down my spine--), and how the point of view not only was seen from the reader and the horror she is experiencing but also seeing Riddle's effort in solving the mystery. Hell, the chapter where Cater got together with Pop Music Club again was one of my favorites! It really gives more perspective and a sense of wholeness when you're writing about the story of the reader's disappearance from so many different angles. Also, the dream sequences are also my favorite for symbolic reasons. It's just fun reading and rereading them to figure out what they truly mean ✨✨

The runner-ups for my favorite fic of yours are gonna be Android Jade, Captive Azul, CEO Azul, and 11:11 Rook 💞💞

(3) I may be biased, but the way you write for the Octatrio is *Chef's kiss* ✨✨💞💞😌😌 Both the yandere ones and the fluffy wholesome ones, like OUGHHHH OTZ OTZ They are canon in my heart now shdskdhlsdjlks--

(8) The thing that I really love about your writings is that your description is so, so, so vivid that plenty of those scenes are permanently ingrained in my memory. Adding that with your characterization and writing conversation skills, boy! It's almost like I'm actually watching a movie instead of reading cause the way you write them makes them so easy to visualize in my head (and god Mera, if I had the skills, I would've permanently etched them on drawings plenty of times by now--).

(9) THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME ✨✨ (I'm a Jade Leech enjoyer, what else can I say?) Actually, I'm always excited whenever you post any fic or ramblings <33 Always a joy to read them over breakfast like the morning newspaper. Wait no, actually, your writings ARE the breakfast cause you be COOKIN and SERVIN a whole MEAL 👏👏👏

Okay, that's all my ramblings for now, I hope they make sense-- But words cannot describe how much I adore your creations and that big brain of yours <333 I would be happy to scream more about your writings in the future, and I definitely will ✨✨ Have a lovely day Meraa 💞💞

KHEYY, HIIIII!!!

You have such good taste. (˘ ˘ ˘) sk!Jade is the most delectable and delicious Jade (pun very much intended). He's just in a hungry mood all the time hehe!! But I'm also very happy it is a full fic! To think I would ever draft an entire story for one silly eel... I'm very glad the idea was received well. I remember I wrote the very first and earliest sk!Jade concept while I was washing my clothes at the coin laundry LOL. I thought to myself, this idea is so morbid; I wonder if anyone would ever like it as much as I do. ^^;;; and now one year later here we are and my beloved murder eel has his fic!!! It's very exciting!

I'm so happy you like everything about DRU!!! It's a plot I hold close to my heart because it's so dark and yet so fun to write. I'm glad you can enjoy the multiple perspectives. I think it's a fun balance between the horrors Reader endures on her side while Riddle is so lawful and logical on his end. The kidnapping scene with Jade was one of my favorites to write, as was the Pop Music Club meet-up!!! Although any scene involving Jade being an absolute terror is a joy to write. Any time he appears in a scene it's a guarantee that the dread and tension will increase tenfold. He has such a sinister effect despite wearing a friendly face all the time. T_T and the dream sequences!!!! Omg I love writing the dreams in DRU! They're so fun, and I hope you can have fun deciphering what they mean hehehe. >:)

Thank you for loving the runner-ups you listed as well!! Android Jade is another favorite flavor of Jade. I love him when he's clinical and cold and detached towards everyone else but Reader. <3 and ceo!Azul my beloved!!!!! He makes me feel so infuriated! >:( but then that's the feeling I hoped he would evoke, so it's only natural to feel like I want to squish him (but also I want to sit under his desk and [redacted] LOL orz the grip he has on me is too strong; to be able to annoy me and fill me with shameless lust all in one... tako, you're the worst/best). AND 11:11 ROOK!!!! Oooooo he's horrible. Captive Azul is also so beloved. I'm gently holding him in my palms. T^T

WAAAA OMG THANK YOUUUU!!! It's so funny to me that my Octavinelle characterizations can be loved because when I first started writing them (for Sea Glass) I had no idea what I was doing and I worried that they would be ooc. But now I have written them so often that they're permanently imprinted in my mind. It's nearly second nature now... ;;;;;

"Like watching a movie" is such high praise for my writing omg!!!!ヾ⁠(˶⁠ ⁠’⁠Ｏ⁠’˶⁠ ⁠)⁠ﾉﾞ‎thank you so so so so much!!!! I'm very pleased it has that feeling! I hope the sceneries and characters can seem tangible when I describe them. It's cliché, but I hope they come to life on the page teehee. <3 I am always so honored when you draw masterpieces (yes, they are masterpieces!!! Even the doodles you have made of the beloved sk eel!!!) based on my works. T_T I save all of the fanart I have received in a folder and I often look back at it because it brings me such joy!!!!! >w< so thank you for your skillful hands!!!! orz orz orz I am forever grateful to behold your lovely art. <3

Fellow Jade enjoyer!!!!!! I am the world's most insane Jade Leech enjoyer (self-granted delusion) and TMDG is just proof of how much brain rot Jade gives me. Thank you for looking forward to it! I'm so excited to post it!!! It's going to be a three-course meal plus more wrapped into one fic. >:) but omg thank you for eating the meals I cook each time!!! Chef Meraki is forever at your service!!! (`･ω･´)ゞ I will serve FEASTS and BANQUETS worth of yummy meals for everyone to enjoy. The seafood specials are especially delicious hehehe. I recommend them!

Aaaaaa thank you once more for sending such a sweet message!!! I am also always so ready and willing to ramble about writing and yandere and characters and three slimy mafia fish and everything else in between!!! Sending you much love!!!! xoxoxo have the loveliest day, Kheyy!!!! (∗˃̶ ᵕ ˂̶∗)♡

[chiconisroc]

Was Not the Hero/Not What You Expected Questions Round 4

Was it the palisman or glyph tattoos that caused Philip Curse?

Answer: It's a bit complicated, well, not so much, but I will be bringing it up into the story later. Well, Philip will explain it to someone in phase 3 : )

2. I feel if Philas was canon Philip will become a gay icon and many people with religious trauma or internalized homophobia will adore him.

Answer: I believe so too. I was legit expecting the show to go that route cause we don't really get to see such things before in shows. And it sucks cause there are many people in his situation still stuck in this self destructive hate that is also hurting other innocent peeps and would be nice to show those peeps they don't have to stay in such a dreadful path.

More Questions and Answers:

3. Wait chico don't tell them if you're religious they'll shoot you/joke

Answer: hahaha, idk if i can say i'm religious, but oh well, hahaha

4. What would Philip think of spicy food? If he can taste it?

Answer: If he could ever be able to taste food again, he probably would be so confused and not like it cause he isn't used to such feeling in his mouth burning, hahaha.

5. Have you seen a reverse of mud and feathers by Jess the vampire?

Answer: I have not o.o. I think, Idk, hahaha x.x, not sure what that is. I don't really look at other stuff much since I get fixated with my own writing. Writing thousands of words a week takes a lot of time from me v.v and if i'm not writing i'm like fixated on other random stuff cause gah, my brain. Or I'm just daydreaming constantly on future scenes for my fanfics. Even my ps5 is just collecting dust cause I ignore it, hahaha

6. Does Philip know some Puritan swear words?

Answer: He does, but he rather not swear if he can help it : )

7. Have Philip and Silas rode a horse together?

Answer: Yep, a few times honestly, without anyone noticing

8. I wonder How Luz would react to Philip being bi as her?

Answer: Oh, you will see in phase 3 : )

9. If Silas was a woman would she and Philip tried to conceive a child together?

Answer: For sure

10. How would Canon Philip feel about Silas?

Answer: Very conflicted honestly. He probably would avoid Silas but at the same time make sure Silas doesn't get corrupted by witches

11. Does Philip like cats and does he act like a cat?

Answer: Philip has no opinion on cats. And hahaha, idk, does he act like a cat? o.o

12. In “ Not What you expected” can Belos possess people that would further claim that he just a demon and would make him a major target for the witch Hunter than the actual witch?

Answer: Yah, Belos has the ability to possess people in that storyand would for sure further push the belief to others that he is a demon and would just cause him more problems later

The following questions are ones I cannot answer due to spoilers. Sorry peeps. I can't really answer specific future story stuff v.v

I’m Not what you expected would Philip help the boiling isles in the future and became an actual hero?

In “Not What you Expected”would Philip outlive Caleb and serve to protect his children till the president day to make up for his sins?

In “Not What You Expected” would Philip become a local legend in Gravesfield after centuries past and would Luz become a fan of him and maybe stumble upon the boiling isles?

In “ Not What you expected” would we get a scene paralleling Castlevania particular the Bishop and Blue fang demon inside of the church where the demon tears down the bishop lies about his work and how their work disgust God you can watch this scene on YouTube.

would Silas appear in “Not What you expected”?

”In Not What you expected” would Philip save that woman who is accused of being a witch?

”In Not What you Expected” would Philip try to awkwardly bond with Caleb, like climbing in his bed and trying to snuggle him while Caleb is praying and sweating that he won’t kill him in his sleep or try to do chores around the house but failing cause he drips and stinks.

would Philip and Evelyn become buddies in “ Not What you expected”?

[the-evil-authoress]

Finally got over the sheer indecision of seeing so many wips (lots of interesting one you got there), so!

RE:CREATE and/or Hero Mask?

*CACKLES MANIACALLY* THANK YOU LOVELY

Re:CREATE (wip title honestly this thing is brain soup and idk what to title it anymore, original title when the story ends) is actually a fic for the anime the aforementioned character I might shove in the Twist fic is from, Re:CREATORS. In which I decided to throw Kanoya Rui back into the 'real world' and gave him a boyfriend. :3 (There is also sex but uh we're not gonna talk about that here. ^^;)

And I just realized that this is all semi coherent nonsense without a single fully fleshed out scene so lemme just find something that isn't too illegible

Re:CREATE

Kanoya out on the town one day, still getting used to this new life of his and trying to find a place.

“Excuse me.”

Kanoya looks up at a young woman, probably around his or Meteora’s age, [insert description]. Everyone here looks so plain compared to the bright colors Kanoya’s used to from his home world. 

“This might sound a bit strange but can I get a picture of you?” Just over the woman’s shoulder, he catches sight of a somewhat frantic looking young man, ‘No, wait, what are you-’ “You look exactly like my best friend’s favorite anime character.”

“Aya!” the boy comes running up and grabs his friend’s shoulder, frantically spewing words “I’m so sorry about her, it’s really nothing- you can’t just go asking strangers for their picture-”

Kanoya’s confusion turns to a grin and a laugh. “Sure! I don’t mind!”

“Eh?”

“Great!” Aya claps her hands together “And since you’re here, you two should take it together!”

“EH?” The other boy stumbles and flails as Aya eagerly shoves him into Kanoya’s space.

The boy awkwardly stands next to a grinning Kanoya as Aya gets her phone out - “Closer!”

“So, your favorite character - is it Kanoya Rui?”

The boy startles “Eh? Ye-yeah. How did you know?”

Kanoya just beams and casually throws his arm around the boy’s shoulder as Aya calls for them to stop talking and smile at the camera. The boy squawks, embarrassed as fuck.

“Did you get a good one?”

“The best!” Aya laughing at Kazuhiko’s face in the photo. Kazuhiko.exe has stopped functioning. “Thank you!”

Kazuhiko probably comes back online to start wailing at Aya again, or Aya just prompts him to start moving.

“Oh, by the way, do you know how to get to place?”

“Yeah, it’s just over __.”

“Cool. Thanks. Later!”

Silence

“He even sounds exactly like him!” stunned. Aya laughs. “I cannot believe you just did that.”

“Well you weren’t going to.”

“Of course I’m not going to ask a complete stranger for a photo! We’re not even at a con! … You better send me that.”

“Ohhh? What if I don’t?”

“Aya!”

“You didn’t even want me to take the picture and now you want to keep it!”

“Of course I do! He looked like freaking Kanoya come to life!”

“Haha, you should have gotten his number. Or at least his name.”

“For what? It’s not like I’m ever going to see him again.”

~~~

Hero Mask is actually my giant GX rewrite ft OC(s) that I keep posting snidbits of for prompt events and never actually writing. ^^; ONE DAY! I AM DETERMINED. Lemme see if I can pull up something that hasn't been posted before.

UNDER CUT BECAUSE THIS IS GETTING LONG.

Hero Mask

Jaden moves in her peripheral and Christina looks up to see him wandering down a hall as if drawn by something. An armored spirit he can't see disappears around a corner ahead of him.

"Uh, Jaden? Where are you going?" Syrus peers nervously after him.

"There's something going on this way! I can tell!"

Ohhh Jaden's dueling senses are kicking in. Still scary how accurately he can pinpoint that. Or maybe a part of him can still sense duel spirits? No, stop that, that kind of wishful thinking is setting herself up for disappointment. 

"What kind of something?" Syrus whines as he scampers after. Pocketing her PDA, Christina follows. She knows better than to get between Jaden and his current hyperfixation.

"A duel! Can't you just smell it, Syrus?" Jaden breathes in deeply and marches forward. The duel spirit hovers ahead of them, seemingly oblivious to the humans following it.

Syrus pauses to sniff the air curiously. "Um...no?" 

Jaden leads them into a large open room lined with stadium style seats and a raised dueling platform that looks like something straight out of the Kaiba Dome. Christina can't help but feel impressed, if a tad cynical. You can tell Seto Kaiba went all out on the budget for this school.

"Get a look at this!" Jaden's eyes practically sparkle.

Their presence draws the attention of a couple of boys in blue standing on the dueling platform, and the way they sneer down at the four of them has Christina's hackles rising. "What are you doing here? Scram." The one with pointy hair has the gall to make a shooing motion at them with his hand.

"And why should I?" Jaden protests.

The other blue perks at the sight of Jaden. "Hey wait, that's the guy who beat Dr. Crowler." He leans back to call over his shoulder, "Chazz, the kid who beat Dr. Crowler is here!"

A third blue appears above them with spiky emo hair that could almost put Yugi's to shame. He looks down his nose at Jaden as if appraising the other boy and Christina does not like his expression one bit. "Huh. Doesn't look like much. Told you it must have been a fluke. Anyway, scram before we call security on you trespassing." He waves a dismissive hand as he turns away.

"Trespassing?" Jaden sputters as Syrus very meekly tries to pull him back to the door. "I'm a student like you. I have every right to be here."

"Nuh-uh." Spiky hair number one points above their heads and Christina twists to see a giant Obelisk crest hanging over the entrance. "This is the Obelisk Blue arena."

"Then he gets a free pass," Christina says coldly, arms crossed. "Cuz I'm an Obelisk Blue and I say he can be here."

The guy balks at her. "You're a gir-"

"Ya wanna go, porcupine head?" Christina bares her teeth, stamping a foot on the first step up the area. Jaden casually steps back as the other boy jerks.

Chazz only smirks. "Feisty, I like that."

"Gag me," Christina scoffs.

“Maybe later if you’re offering.” EXCUSE ME, did this little turd just- “But how about a duel first?”

"Hell yeah! Now you're talking my language!" Jaden eagerly steps up.

"Not you!" Chazz snaps. "Why would I waste my time on a worthless slacker like you?"

Oh, Christina is going to enjoy mopping the floor with this sleaze. 

"Give it a rest Chazz," a new voice cuts in with an ample amount of tired annoyance, and Christina jerks at not having realized her presence sooner. Hey, wait, that's her roommate. "Just ignore him," Alexis says, walking into their midst and bares a few teeth as she stares Chazz and his cronies down. "Chazz is a bully."

Chazz straightens his back, glaring his nose down at the girl, but his demeanor shifts as if he actually cares what Alexis thinks of him. Too flipping bad. Maybe he should have thought about that before picking fights with 'slackers'. "Alexis. What brings you here?"

"I'm here to remind you that the Obelisk welcome dinner starts soon." Oh, Christina knows that tone. Alexis sounds like an exasperated babysitter. Probably should just let this guy crash and burn though. Doesn't seem worth it.

Chazz scoffs and turns away with his cronies. Jaden pouts at the loss of an opponent.

"The Slifer welcome dinner should be starting soon too." Alexis addresses the Slifer boys with a smile.

"Oh, so we eat at the dorms then," Jaden musses aloud. "Thanks, we'll catch you later!" With a wave, he books it out of the arena, Syrus hot on his heels; then abruptly stops and calls over his shoulder as he jogs in place, "Christina! Come by the dorm tomorrow! I want ya to meet Chumley!" He barely waits for her response before he's jogging down the hall.

Spazz.

[suebin]

Then the loneliness set in.

— i love stories that center around this topic so much bc it is such a Real problem. oversharing much but it’s something i personally deal with myself and it’s honestly just so horrible. so i rly appreciate when stories center around the theme of loneliness sometimes

two identical cups in each hand, wearing that bemused expression as usual

— this is so kdrama coded idk i can just picture him with like a coat and a scarf, waiting for u and holding some cups UGHFHF so cute

— it’s funny to imagine the office being spicy and inappropriate I CANTTT i wouldn’t be able to take anyone seriously

— i also would not wanna be a doctor over valentines. i’ve heard the stories ….

— and minho putting rolls of gimbap on ur plate. guys i will always stand by sharing food as a form of love language

“You do realize everyone has the hots for him but that he only hangs out with you, right? I’m telling you, it’s a sign—“

— so real bc if i worked there and minho was single, i would also have the hots for him like let’s all be fr for one second guys

— YN BOUGHT THE KEYCHAIN FOR HIM i’m sorry my heart already hurts and i’m ltrly just in the first few paragraphs.

— i can picture him being especially more charming when he’s tipsy btw 😊😊😊 in his office wear too

“If this is what dating you is like, I’m calling off the pact.”

— guys i ship them

“until his fingers link with your own, bringing the back of your hand to his jaw, resting there.”

— yn is stronger than me bc i would’ve kissed him right then and there

— HE WANTS HER TO FEED HIM guys this minho is so endearing to me i think he’s my favorite

“your internal chess match went unnoticed.”

— i’m rly enjoying the way this is written. it feels like a romcom like now i want a MOVIEEE someone give me a movie version of this

And Minho will find you in a heartbeat if you decide to run.

— i’m loving this way too much i cannot stress enough how it feels like a romcom. the comedic timing and the word choice is immaculate

— sorry but the simple detail of his sleeves rolled up to his elbows is making me meowwww

— A SURPRISE BDAY PARTY 😭 wtf this is pissing me off now bc can they be like this irl. can men please take notes rn bc this minho is so perfect

Let Minho and I go well. I like us.

— guys i’m gonna start crying and i’m gonna start getting aggressive bc if this isn’t the cutest thing. cutest line. this is my favorite btw i’m claiming this line

— the smacking his hand scene bc they got caught holding hands under the table. someone tell me this fic wouldn’t be the perfect romcom. and then minho pouting bc you’re not letting him hold ur hand. I’M A GONER GUYS

cologne distinct enough you can tell exactly who it is

— HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LIVE MY DREAM

You realize now why everyone falls in love with him.

— yeah exactly

Minho, holding a bouquet of roses and things unknown behind his back, is reciting.

— he’s reciting 😭😭😭😭😭 he’d nervous and reciting and staring at his shoes. i’m so devastated rn and he gave her a shampoo bottle bc she was running low oh my god what in the DOMESTIC.

— minho studies as his form of romance … oh my god u are a genius

— IVE NEVER HAD MY FIRST KISS EITHER

And I can teach you how.

— this story just never stops flustering me. and the mention of him being a good kisser oh jesus and him being so gentle in teaching her too wtf

We’ll get to that later.

— 😊😊😊☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️😊no comment

— he remembers the pretty comment guys i’m shooting myself it’s final

august, you’ve outdone urself. this deserves 2 BILLION notes like this is perfect what the FUCKKK. i’m so sorry for my messy notes on this i was having a ride and the time of my life

sue’s final thoughts: how does it feel to live MY dream. this is actually my dream. like this is it. this is what i want. he is my dream man.

— KEEP IT BUSINESS. a Lee Minho fiction

Lee Minho x f. reader

TROPE. best friends to lovers, coworkers! au, first kiss? au (hehe), domestic/soft minho, fluff

WARNINGS. cursing, making-out, inexperienced kissing, annoying coworkers

WORD COUNT. 6.9k words

AUG'S NOTES. so glad to have finally completed this!! it’s been rotting in my drafts for weeks and i just had to write a happy ending for these two grandparents 🫶🏼

PLAYLIST.

SYNOPSIS. Life can be a mess, and with you and Minho as the only two singles in your office building, an impertinent Valentine’s day leaves no choice but to make a pact.

or alternatively :

If we’re still single by twenty-five, we date each other.

Four years.

It’s been four years since you first met Lee Minho, working with him at the same company, becoming the best of friends. And yet, the same dread lay specially reserved for the same season.

The season of love, or, to most people, Valentine’s day.

.

.

.

Alarm set for 6:30AM. Work from 8:30AM to 4PM. Every day of the week, every year.

Initially, the experience was relatively enjoyable. It paid well, wasn’t too harsh on hours, and other coworkers minded their own business (at least in your case) without being a pain.

Then the loneliness set in.

It was subtle at first, a tiny pang in your heart when you returned home to a dark, cold apartment while others would be greeted by a pet, a loved one.

So when Lee Minho, a new member of the company assigned as your apprentice came along, you tend to think meeting him was, in a weird, spontaneous manner, meant to be.

And four years later, when he had grown from that apprentice-ship and became established as an employee, you still hold onto that “meant to be” philosophy.

Busied chatter fills the downstairs cafe, familiar faces alike brimming with conversation, breath coffee-stained.

Peering across the various assortment of tables, you spot him, two identical cups in each hand, wearing that bemused expression as usual.

At this point, Minho has memorized your order by heart, arriving early after his daily stop by the nearby animal shelter (whose manager knew by heart). Most morning’s you’d await a picture of the newest addition to the feline section, a photo he proudly shows off like his own trophy.

You’re genuinely surprised his residence isn’t a constantly growing cat-kingdom.

“Looking forward to it?”

Brows furrowing, you sidle to his right and dish the warm beverage into your grasp.

“Looking forward to wha— wait wait don’t say it. I want to pretend it doesn’t exist.” Hurriedly waving your hands, Minho cracks a grin.

The cursed word in question being: Valentine’s day.

You can’t say you hate it. It never did anything to you, nor did it leave you heartbroken. To put it simply, the office over the first few weeks of February was a close-resembling spinoff to Singles Inferno except, much spicier and way too inappropriate in broad daylight.

Meaning, for the past five years (four joined by Minho), merely mentioning said season of love urges impending dread and deep frowns.

“All I’m gonna say is I would not want to be a doctor over Valentines,” You wince, sipping the warm drink with a squeamish face.

Minho sighs vehemently, propping an elbow against the computer cart behind him.

“I bet you could witness more vibrators in that hospital than in an Adam and Eve,” He grumbles, watchful eyes surveying the daily crowd occupying tables and chairs in the building’s downstairs café.

Slamming a fist to your chest to correct your breathing, your eyes practically bulge from your skull, evidently caught of guard.

Leave it to Minho to make you suffocate before your shift even begins.

8am is prime time for socialization—otherwise before Mrs. Song decides to unleash her wrath on newbies. She has good intentions, sure, but let’s just say most anyone was petrified upon first meeting her.

Luckily, your department with Hyeongmi, Minho, and Felix was secluded on the far side of the building, leaving you out of the woman’s hair, free to work as you please.

Yet, Mrs. Song wasn’t the problem, not when it came down to the month of February.

Your phone’s alarm signaling to start moving momentarily wards off the thought, and either of you begin toward the elevator, flat expressions describing the sinking feeling better than words.

Back at it, again.

Because by your lunch break, you can’t fathom entering the cafeteria, not if it costs you your life.

Everywhere you look someone is making out, confessing their love, or, worst you’ve seen it all day, genuinely fucking in the bathrooms.

Perhaps you’d send Minho a text you’re making an escape by eating in the office, invite him up for some solace.

Except, it seems he had the same idea.

Scrambling through the door, you enter at the same time, heaving sighs of exasperation upon securing much needed privacy.

Making prolonged eye contact, your thoughts come spilling out.

“If I witness another make-out in the stairwell I’m ending it all.”

“Boxes of chocolates are officially ruined for me now.”

Four years and it never gets old. Same old painful memories, same old excitement for the day to come and go. And it’s not like you hate the holiday itself, you two just.. heavily dislike the immense bucketloads of PDA and office hookups that come along with it.

Not-so-gracefully flopping down onto your chairs, you practically shovel food down, gladly accepting the few rolls of gimbap Minho places onto your plate.

Customary sharing. You give him some of your food, he gives you some of his.

In those brief minutes of silence do you get the opportunity to fully comprehend your own thoughts, prior to Minho clearing his throat.

“Drinks at my place?”

Your grown loudly in agreement.

Minho : Okay, I’m leaving, follow me in thirty minutes

Glancing up, you watch your counterpart lift his brows your way and call out his departure, sifting through the doorway, cross body bag thumping against jeans.

Hyeongmi was downstairs, which, as awful as it sounded, was great not having to endure her nosiness.

This was how you stayed unbothered. He’d leave, and thirty minutes later you would too in order to (for now) avoid Mrs. Song (and Hyeongmi’s) pestering.

It couldn’t have taken the clock longer to reach 4:30PM. So by the time the beloved minute hand struck 4:29 you practically lurched from your seat, almost tasting sweet freedom before a face showed up right before you slipped through the exit.

Hyeongmi’s face.

What she’s talking about you can’t seem to understand, mind trained on escaping and escaping alone.

“C’mon now, you two are the only two in this building without a date. It’s been four years, Y/n! You need to let loose!” Hyeongmi emphasizes, dizzying your head the longer she shakes your shoulders.

“You do realize everyone has the hots for him but that he only hangs out with you, right? I’m telling you, it’s a sign—“

“Sorry Hyeongmi, I really have to go-“

Fastening your bag tigher across your body, you make a mad-dash as far away as possible, pretending to ignore the “use protection!” she shouted before the crisp evening breeze nipped your nose.

Use protection my butt, you grovel, ushering the scarf further above your chin as if to secure as much warmth possible.

She doesn’t know anything, not about how you took him under your wing as your apprentice the first year he joined, not about how much Minho loves cats, or how the keychain on that crossbody bag of his is a keychain you bought for him.

Simply placing it, she’s a person lead by the assumptions of others and adopting them as her own.

It irritates you.

Veering to your right, you thank his decision to house nearby, arriving at the foot of his porch after a mere ten-minute walk.

Delivering a few knocks on the townhome’s doorway, you note the paint chipping, colorful exterior worn from the sun’s rays.

Everything from the few cracks in the sidewalk to the relatively invisible stain of coffee on his doorknob lay memorized by frequency—his property second nature to you.

“Never have I hated being single this much,” You whine, slumping onto his couch after hurling your bag atop a hook in the foyer.

And despite the lack of response, you can tell Minho heard you. The faint, breathy chuckle enough evidence of his presence.

Perched on a chair he’d likely dragged from the kitchen, a feline companion occupies his lap, both comfortably relaxing on the patio, wine glass in hand.

Accordingly arranged on the countertop is another glass (you presume as yours), that you pour the vinegar-tinged substance into.

“I mean.” Slightly struggling to haul a neighboring chair to his side and simultaneously avoid splashing wine everywhere, you eventually find an equilibrium.

“It’s not like I asked to be single, I’m just too busy to consider a relationship, y’know?”

Minho absentmindedly hums, urging you to take a much-needed sip of the orchid-colored liquid.

Finally, you sigh out the last of your evening’s thoughts.

“..Hyeongmi caught me on the way out.”

Nor does this occasion need a reply either, the man’s suppressed giggle suitable enough.

“Mm.. I’ve got an idea.”

Carefully allowing the elongated glass to clink atop a translucent table, you cross and uncross your legs, welcoming the rustle of life around you into your eardrums, easing the cluttered space of your brain.

“Shoot.”

He clicks his tongue, gaze flitting to the emerging moon overhead.

“If we’re still single by twenty-five, we date each other.“

Making a surprised sound to yourself, you break into unadulterated laughter, about to call him hilarious before taking into account this is Minho you’re referring to, and the likelihood he’s joking on any matter is unlikely.

Sure it sounds cliché, but it’s Minho, why not?

…And perhaps that decision was made with a few glasses of wine in play.

“I’m in.” You grin, returning his outstretched hand by bumping your glasses before downing the remaining gulp, cheeks aglow, alcohol ridding your breath a distasteful stench.

Tipsy. Minho is charming normally, but especially when he’s tipsy.

He’s got this way of speaking that could get any unsuspecting girl reaching to unzip his pants in a second, sultry, half-lidded eyes drinking the person in front of him, talking like he has sugar lining his lips.

When Minho is tipsy, he’s tempting. You didn’t need four years to teach you that.

That, and the spare pajama set folded in his top drawer reserved solely for you on nights like this—too gone to go home.

Although, as you rise to your feet and head to the bathroom, pulling said silk pajama shirt over your head, Hyeongmi’s words reverberate again.

You do realize everyone has the hots for him but that he only hangs out with you, right?

Hm. Minho was always a recluse though. And with your history, obviously he’d have some liking for you.

It’s been four years, Y/n! You need to let loose!

Turning to stare at yourself in the mirror, you sulk, head hanging low.

What if you did something tonight? Something risky, something testing the limits this friendship borderlines. You’re both drunk, likely willing.

Then again, does Minho want this too? Did he ever intend to “let loose”?

Anxiety plagues you, hurriedly scurrying your pants over your legs and exiting to find Minho still seated in the same spot, appearing all the more tempting without having to do a thing.

You blame the alcohol.

Stamping forward as if you prepared a speech, you stop just behind his chair, mustering any ounce of liquid courage manageable.

“Minho.”

He grunts.

“You’re really pretty.”

Let loose. This is letting loose when it comes to Minho.

What, you thought you were gonna fuck? Yeah, that’s a funny one.

Winding himself around to see you, his lips wind into a sweet smile, urging you closer with a mere look before he reaches forward and taps your nose, dark eyes roaming your face.

“I’ve always thought you were pretty too.”

And perhaps, caught in a trance from his glittering stare, something did happen those four years you’ve been together after all.

You blame the alcohol.

The impulsive part about this “date at twenty-five” pact you had forgotten to consider was the fact both of you were twenty-four, meaning in less than a year whatever plan Lee Minho had stirred up after plenty glasses of wine would oil it’s gears into motion.

Thankfully Valentines comes and goes, and Summer creeps dangerously close, the longer hours of daylight and lingering sunshine enough to make every work-day feel extra laborious.

First day of summer, Minho texts you, asking if you want to join him on a walk.

Mind you, it’s 10AM in the morning, an hour you couldn’t fathom waking up at on the first day of summer.

You groan and flop back down, shutting off your phone and slamming the pillow over your head in a pitiful attempt at falling back asleep.

Only for your doorbell to ring twenty minutes later.

Over.

And over.

And over.

The urge to screech compels your barely-awake form, legs wobbling out of bed to feebly reach the doorway in a sleep-ridden haze.

Of course, lo and behold, Minho lies responsible, clad in running shoes, a pair of shorts, and a black nike zip-up.

He’s evidently pleased—whether from how disheveled you appear—or that he actually got you out of bed in the first place by the lingering smile tugging at his lips.

You hate to say it, but he’s annoyingly attractive, there’s no denying.

“Caught you at a bad time, hm?” He tips his head down to make eye-contact, peering through wild hair and lidded eyes at your half-alive self.

All you can manage out is a minuscule grunt, about to close the door before Minho jars his hand in, inviting himself inside much to your dismay.

Like instinct, he heads straight to your closet, surveying the chaos his insistent door-bell ringing caused before fetching a sweatshirt to pull over your head and a pair of socks from your drawer.

Though, as you wake up a tad bit more, you hurriedly keep him from putting your socks on for you as he bends down, shying away with an irritated whine.

“If this is what dating you is like I’m calling off the pact,” You mumble, stomping toward the door with Minho pushing you forwards without chance of escape.

He giggles, seeming to contain utmost glee witnessing your temper tantrum.

“Oh trust me sweetheart, the fun never ends.”

He’s hopeless too, apparently.

Lucky for you, your friend’s visits occurred sporadically, meaning the 10AM wake up calls weren’t a daily routine of headaches.

In contrast, summer passed by in a flash, and you were shoved head-first into a packed schedule for a second time as the autumn leaves shriveled into crisp browns and oranges.

Autumn was always welcomed. It meant the chilling cold was approaching, yes, but it also signified apple cider being added to the downstairs café menu and—on those especially chilly mornings—bundling your neck in the scarf Minho bought you last christmas.

As for him, he frequents pointed shoes and straight-legged pants, his fudge-colored hair perfectly complimented by pumpkin scented fragrances and dusky red backdrops.

Brisk mornings call for thinking. And as you walk, you come to the indefinite conclusion apple cider fits Minho. Sweet, but not saccharine. Warm to the touch, reminiscent with a charming aftertaste. A silhouette that comes and goes as it pleases, leaving soon enough for you to crave it back again.

Regarding summer, he was sort of like a beach day. A vacation in the midst of roaring deadlines, the comfortable lull of waves buzzing your mind into a hazy, salty escapade.

Although as December plucks each oak of its splendor, a call on Sunday morning truly marks the season of winter.

“..Y/n?” Minho murmurs, his voice groggy, hoarse. You make a sound of acknowledgment in response.

“I think I’m sick, can you drop off some meds at the door?”

Pressing your phone close to your ear, you debate on your desire to scold him, remind him each time he gets a winter cold he should dress warmer.

Of course, your lips stay shut (just like they always have for the past few years), and you reply with a “Be there soon, hang tight” before ending the call and gathering your belongings.

At the supermarket you check out seaweed soup, multivitamins, and allergy relief—things of which you hope will alleviate some of his symptoms.

Eternally grateful for the spare key you’d been given a while back, you enter the home, calling his name until an exasperated sign of life was heard (more like coughed) from the bedroom.

Inside lay Minho, a distressing array of tissues scattered in all directions, clustered beyond belief. His nose is soured pink from incessant stuffiness, lips cracked and dry. Dark circles sag beneath tired eyes, worn disposition evidence of his condition.

Quick on your feet, you scour the bathroom for a thermometer, the device’s loud beep signifying a blaring fever as you hover by his bedside.

Watching the bowl of instant soup spin aimless circles in the microwave, Minho’s call knocks you out of your daydream, worriedly padding to where he lays.

“Come here.”

You oblige, arriving to his right, about to ask the matter until his fingers link with your own, bringing the back of your hand to his jaw, resting there.

If you had been warm before, an entirely new definition to sweating has been reached at this point.

“You’re warm,” He whispers, rubbing his face against your hand like a needy cat wanting attention.

How unfair a human can be this round.

Practically bounding from the inside, you use the excuse of the microwave beeping to race off, hurriedly disappearing into the kitchen while remaining ignorant to the way Minho’s gaze follows you.

Returning with a soup platter meticulously carried between your tight grip, you sigh with relief upon sitting the steaming concoction down. Oh so slowly, a frown grows at your face upon noticing the expectant stare boring into your head.

“Yes?”

He juts out his bottom lip like a kicked puppy from your nonplussed tone, nudging the covers over himself till only those calculating eyes peek out.

“I’m not feeding you.”

Minho all but whimpers, and you suppress the urge to smother him with a pillow right then and there, hating how easily he sends goosebumps prickling the back of your neck, heat scalding your ears.

“No.”

“Y/n.”

You quite literally feel like the cruelest person in existence because why is he looking at you with that face, saying your name like that.

Grumbling beneath your breath, you begrudgingly collect a spoonful, bringing the utensil to his already pursed lips.

Spoonful by spoonful do you feed him as if he’s a dependent toddler, his satisfied hums earning a stern glare in return.

Only when he finishes eating do you get up, reprimanding him on taking his meds without much bite to your words.

“And don’t take too many of these, alright? If it gets really bad, call me again. Otherwise, try getting sleep.”

“Yes ma’am.”

And of course he has to be endearing.

Such a pain.

You’ll stop by tomorrow.

If Minho was the apple cider in autumn and beach days in the summer, he’s the prettiest of snowflakes in the midst of winter.

Memorable, fleeting. Melting in your touch.

The annual Christmas party the company hosts steadily approaches, your coworkers ringing your phone insistently with noticeable anticipation.

Though just like autumns chill, December soars past idly, reigning in a new year and a new digit added to twenty when asked your age.

Your winter premise only heightened the anxiety compiling in your gut, a feeling you hadn’t recognized until the following day—the first day back to work in January—dawned.

January 1st’s introduction means you’re both officially twenty-five, and you’re not sure if it’s the fact Minho hasn’t texted you yet or the valentines pact in itself setting you on edge.

What would it be like to date Minho? Would he kiss you, the same way male leads in K-dramas did? Hold you as you sleep, wish you goodbye with a kiss to your cheek?

The mere thought sends rivets of electricity blazing your fingertips, feeling like an utter fool for imagining such scenarios.

Now you’ve haunted yourself for worse, leaving only dread in tow.

Arriving at the office the first day back, you attempt at making yourself look as collected as possible, definitely not bothered.

Worse, the root of your troubles walks in unbothered as you’ve been trying to do for the past few hours, the room working in deplorable silence before a note wedges itself behind your keyboard, Minho slipping past in its wake.

It takes all your will-power to ignore the crumpled piece of paper as best as possible, your index itching to unravel whatever lay inside.

Noon is when you finally give in, lungs failing to produce air upon reading the contents, practically choking on nothing.

Come over to my place after work.

What is this, his way of declaring your pact officially in action? What if he calls it off, saying it was only a joke glasses of wine granted?

As Hyeongmi said before, everyone has the hots for him, so why don’t you? Why does the thought of him calling it off put you on edge?

Or maybe you do. Maybe you do have feelings for—

Woah. Stop there.

Luckily, your internal chess match went unnoticed, leaving only the buzzing of your ears and the ticking of the clock loud.

A certain fondness sat between either of you from the start, since becoming acquainted you’ve instantly clicked—sly remarks and playful teasing merely one more thing keeping you alive (minus coffee).

So when something crossing the border between friends and lovers arose, a sort of nervousness bubbled in your gut.

Minho was a shoulder to cry on for you, but was it like that?

You could rely and depend on each other whenever, but could those feelings ever turn into love?

Of course they could, and they likely would’ve if it weren’t for either of you being so work-oriented—making you even more worried.

Although, you can’t simply flee. You’re an adult.

..And Minho will find you in a heartbeat if you decide to run.

Never had you been hesitant to leave office until now, and trodding one foot in front of the other causes your legs to turn into jelly.

Minho probably isn’t this nervous. He’s probably in a great mood, treating the occasion like it’s just another casual day.

Never before was it difficult, whether difficult is referred to as placing a key in a doorway or walking inside, everything seems so.. eminent.

Like when you walk through this door, an entirely new side of Minho will show face. A romantic side of Minho.

Yet, there’s no rose petals lining the hallway, nor scented candles scattered here and there.

What is there to expect with dating in your twenties anyway?

Plus, Minho’s well, Minho. If he wanted to, he likely would’ve flat-out asked already.

Something you’re surprised about, however, is the triangular string decor swooping from the ceiling, the party hats by the sink, a single birthday candle placed in the center of a cupcake. Simple, perfect.

Although, the perfect factor came with the man responsible, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, bracing himself on the countertop with a particular glow in his irises—whether it be from the lit candle you aren’t sure—that sets your stomach into a garden of butterflies.

A surprise party. He threw you a surprise birthday party.

And it’s then as enter the kitchen, brain barely recognizing each advance forward, you realize it.

You really, really want to date him.

And you really, really don’t want to screw this up.

Staring at each other, you rise up on your toes to place a careful, feather-light peck on the smooth, flushed skin of his cheek.

Slowly, he turns his head, a conniving smirk revealing the outline of his teeth whilst investigating your breathlessness.

“Someone’s daring,” He mumured, cocking a brow amusedly.

You poke his side, groaning that he shouldn’t look too far into it before he nudges you, your frown returned with a subtle nod—directed at the forgotten cupcake.

“Well you already gave me a kiss, so wish for something else.”

“Choke,” You respond, but there’s still no bite to it. Some things never change.

Minho gently holds your hair back for you, allowing you to lean over and blow out the candle. No bite.

Your wish?

Let Minho and I go well. I like us.

Every bit of it was the truth.

Hopefully this wish of yours can come true.

Maybe.

Seated on the living room floor do you finally relax, your shoulders slumping down after hours of monstrous tension. Seems you’d forgotten he was your best friend before anything else.

“So.. how does this work?”

‘Work’ as in, the dating deadline’s here, what’s next?

He purses his lips—a habit of his—blinking rapidly.

“Like friends? Except we get the kissing and sex pass in between, right?”

You smack his shoulder. He smiles, childishly extending his pinky out to you.

Linking yours, you press the pad of your thumb against his. An unspoken gesture.

“Together?”

Through thick and thin. Your way, as it always was, always had been.

He has stars in his tawny-globes for eyes.

“Together.”

Minho’s hands are warm in the midst of frigid temperatures.

Spring isn’t too far off, but the bitter winds remain ceaseless and unrelenting, whipping your hair every which way, scattering a plethora of goosebumps along your skin.

Never had you held hands like this with someone before, nonetheless Minho, and yet, a connection lies inside the initial awkwardness. The silent assurance, whether it’s his thumb smoothing your palm or occasional squeezes, telling you he understands, that you’re not alone, or how he patiently waited by the door the entire time you were getting ready, claiming he didn’t want to dirty your place with his shoes.

It’s sort of revitalizing. Curious and inquisitive in his lingering touches, additional notes—reminders on your coffee cup, questions asking whether you want to stay over afterward, if he can give you a kiss on the cheek.

One in particular you recall:

I miss you. Scribbled in bleeding ink.

Your introduction as lovers had been a field day of trials and questions for the two of you, though when it came down to the public’s knowledge, you began debating on the “curiosity killed the cat” theory.

This morning, catching a glimpse of the company’s logo in the distance, you assign yourself as the cat. Too interested, now suffering the consequences.

Granted, you wouldn’t take back moving to relationship status, but it was a lot easier to brush off comments if you were Minho.

Hyeongmi being the main one responsible for said comments.

Morning passed by seamlessly, prioritizing work above all else, too busy typing away to for any interruptions.

..Until a midday conference.

Seated right next to each other, his fingers slowly thread with yours beneath the table, sending the man a perplexed (and slightly nervous) expression in response.

More so, the comforting casualness caused you to barely recognize Mrs. Song reaching below to fetch her fallen pen, a gasp of surprise stilling the conversation at her realization.

“Are you- Are you two holding—?”

Panicked, you smack his hand away, stomach plummeting.

Not expecting him to stubbornly grab your hand again, a miniature frown draws across his perfectly rose lips.

Pouting.

Lee Minho is pouting because you’re not letting him hold your hand.

Unbelievable.

If the situation could escalate further, the she-devil herself (Hyeongmi) throws her head down to spare a glimpse, allowing you to fully accept your demise. A demise that, one way or another, needed to happen.

This was simply an early death.

“You’re kidding! No way you guys are a thing?” The eccentric girl mouths the last words, eyebrows drawn to her hairline.

And just like that, your relationship with Minho ventured out of your pocket and into a brand new wilderness.

“So…what’s it like living everybody’s dream?”

Headed to the bathroom, Hyeongmi stops you, leaned over the mirror, carefully inspecting her plum-colored lipstick.

“What?” You pique, confusedly glancing between her and the empty stall you’re trying to nonchalantly slip into.

“I mean, the entire company’s talking about it. Tell me, are you guys actually official? Or is this all just for the attention? No offense, but-“

“I...”

Want to punch you in the face.

You keep it to yourself.

“I’m gonna go.”

Synonymously, both your bladder and your appetite completely disappeared.

Although, she doesn’t leave you alone.

You’re frantically searching for excuse after excuse, speed-walking and taking the stairs any chance available.

Unfortunately for you, she’s everywhere. At some point you’re certain a tracking device is hidden somewhere on your clothes.

Almost there. From silently pleading help with your eyes to legitimately hiding in your workplace, today couldn’t have been more of a joke.

Or so you thought.

“Y/n?”

“Yes, Hyeongmi?”

“With Minho,” She nervously fiddles with her earrings. “You don’t have to tell me but.. how’s the bedroom?”

Apparently, it can go lower.

Before you can respond to her shamelessness, a grip fastens on your shoulders, cologne distinct enough you can tell exactly who it is.

Your beach day.

“Hyeongmi, you do realize that’s rude, yeah? Let’s not cross boundaries we shouldn’t cross, got it?”

All the while Minho smiles, this cloying, “I dare you” sort of attitude no one can argue with.

Averting her attention, she speedily raises up, humorlessly laughing off the tension while excusing herself from the room.

“You okay?” He whispers, breath ghosting over the shell of your ear, pressing a chaste kiss there.

Yeah, there’s no getting used to this.

“Yep,” You say, though there isn’t much sincerity it.

He knows.

“Wait for me here, let’s walk home together.”

Ah. You want to kiss him.

“Minho.”

He turns on his heel.

Kiss me.

You’re holding his collar now, the option on the tip of your tongue, his lips a hairbreadth from yours.

Close, closer.

No. Not yet.

Either way, what do you know about kissing? What if you screw up?

Not yet.

“..Okay.”

Your gaze flits down to his lips if only for a second. A small, cheeky grin adorning his face as he follows your movements.

It’s hard to focus when he leaves, because all you can think about is the possibilities. What if you had kissed him? Would he have kissed you back?

By the way looked at you, the logical response would be: yes. Most people don’t stare at someone like that without the intent to kiss them, right?

Though somehow, you can’t help but feel unprepared, a complete novice in this battlefield of love.

Where Minho took you afterward was a mystery, merely happy to be away from the confines of your desk—letting his eager hand guide you wherever he pleased.

Shielded beneath the shade of two trees, your destination, Yeouido Park, is a spectacle during the transition period of winter to spring. You’d oftentimes spend hours here, basking in the relief a break grants. A spectacle where you two first truly met.

“Alright, be honest with me.”

He spins you around till you’re face to face, carefully analyzing your facial expression.

“Are you really okay? After Hyeongmi said that, I couldn’t stop thinking..”

Oh. That careful crease in his eyebrows, sympathetic.

He’s breaking your heart.

You realize now why everyone falls in love with him.

“Of me?”

The words come out involuntarily, a step forward in the newness, paving light through the darkened abyss.

“Yeah..” He says, a little winded while doing so.

Minho cares, he always had, yet, it’s your first time hearing it aloud.

“Y/n.”

Blinking yourself back into reality, your face grows warm, not intending to deliberately space out right in front of him.

He leans forward, causing you to shrink back into your skin as a kiss is planted right atop your nose, the man wearing a satisfied grin.

“Hey- You can’t- It’s not Valentines yet—“

“And why would I wait until Valentine’s day?”

Another deeper red burns your cheeks, and you scorn the way he gets under your skin—a way that makes every insult dissolve like powder on your tongue.

He notices, but decides not to prod further, lightly bumping your hip with his own as a signal to follow.

“Tomorrow is the day, y’know,” You mumble, kicking rocks with the tip of your shoe.

“Are we gonna turn into those couples?” He asks, pretentiously puckering his lips, eyes squinted shut.

You burst out laughing.

“I would break up with you first, sorry Minho.” Said puckered lips transform into a playful scowl.

“What? No treat for valentines?”

Blinking babydoll eyes up at you, you wrinkle your nose, coming to recognize what “treat” he was implying.

Earlier you would’ve kissed instantly, but an inkling of stubbornness kept you from giving into him this time.

Sneaking behind you, he ducks down, voice low enough for only your ears to hear.

“Didn’t seem you were too against it earlier.”

And with that, he races off, entirely too happy with himself and not likely to live down your reaction. Because you can’t disagree.

Since when were Lee Minho’s lips so kissable?

Knock.

Knock.

Your attention strays from the mirror at the sound, wondering if it was simply a figment of your imagination only for the sound to ensue.

Knock. Knock.

Who would be at your door at this hour in the middle of the week?

There’s a name on your tongue, but you don’t contemplate any longer, tiptoeing to the doorway to peer through the peephole.

And the sight before you makes every ounce of suspicion worthwhile.

Minho, holding a bouquet of roses and things unknown behind his back, is reciting.

He’s staring at his shoes, bouncing back and forth on his heels nervously.

Lee Minho is nervous.

Wanting just to stand there and watch him rehearse, you finally give in after a third knock scares you out of your wits—hesitantly opening the door and trying to placate the most surprised expression possible.

His eyes round as saucers, you literally watch the gears in his head turn in real time, extending the flowers out to you.

“Happy valentines. These are uh, for you.”

And his ears are red.

You’re going to implode from how cute this is.

Attempting to stave down the alarming amount of happiness you’re experiencing, you hold the flowers in one hand, awaiting whatever lie behind his back.

Although, as the outline of a box of chocolates appears, so does… a shampoo bottle.

What.

Bathing in a long silence, you can’t help but wonder you’re genuinely hallucinating. Glancing from his face to the literal shampoo in hand, he mirrors you, confused for a reason you’re trying to figure out as well.

“Is that… a shampoo bottle?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you were running low the last time I came here.”

…

You’ve never received a valentine before, but this automatically took the cake.

Is it possible to fall in love after you’re given a shampoo bottle as a gift on valentines? Apparently so.

Nonetheless, work flashed past, barely able to register a thing between the many congratulations you received and the absence of Hyeongmi (assumed to be due to the brown-haired charmer beside you).

For now, you savor the freedom of the day, finally able to escape the pains of before and wallow in a new kind of excitement. Love.

Love delivered by Minho himself in the form of mini scraps he’s folded into hearts, slipping heart after heart onto your desk at any opportunity to the point you bump his leg beneath the table in warning.

He cheekily smirks in return, stupidly innocent face scheming with malice.

He’s getting an absolute kick out of this, and you hate to admit you enjoy it just as much.

As usual, you wait behind for him to catch up on your daily commute home—an activity you did long before any romantic feelings became involved.

That’s it. Minho’s pinpoint of romance.

Shampoo bottle, walks home, extra coffee, notes.

Minho doesn’t openly express his love, not unless he feels either adventurous or obligated. Instead, he studies. Your habits, the things you enjoy, your actions, preferences. That particular coffee order you liked, how you had ran out of shampoo.

Oh how you love him.

Though, rounding the sidewalk to your place, Minho grabs ahold of your wrist. In response, as soon as you turn your head, you’re mere centimeters from his face, simply standing there, proximity willing either of you not to move.

Initial words dying out, he slightly edges to the side, cocked in a way that has your mind racing.

Nose, cheek, but never lips.

No.

Your hands act before any other part of you, blocking his lips from yours.

“We-“

The look he’s giving you, shock.

You feel a hundred degrees hotter.

“We need to go inside,” You excuse yourself fast, the man tailing behind, grip still loosely attached to your wrist.

Quickly shutting the door behind you, it’s an immediate embarrassment flooding your frame that allows you to speak, words bursting outward in an uncontrollable cacophony.

“Minho I’m so sorry I have no idea what I was doing, I shouldn’t have done that, it was a stupid idea. I didn’t mean to offend you or anything-“

“Hey, slow down. I’m not going anywhere.”

His tone serves as the much needed breeze fanning your face, cooling you down enough to articulate sentences properly.

“I’m sorry, we’ve just never kissed on the lips and I feel like I’m gonna be horrible and kill the mood. This is stupid, I know, just.. bear with me please?”

His eyebrows furrow, forming together the equation piece by piece.

“You’ve.. You’ve never had your first kis—?”

You hush him furiously, slumping onto the couch dejectedly.

Yet, Minho doesn’t laugh nor pick fun regardless of how hilariously idiotic the occasion is. He’s quiet, concerned almost.

You add that to your long list of things you love about him.

Inhaling gradually, your focus flits to the window, collecting yourself, easing the frantic rush-hour traffic rampaging in your skull.

If you were one of those paper hearts he made, he’s pulling apart each careful fold in this very moment. Unraveling the layers till your bare self is exposed in all its anxiousness.

“I hate it. It feels like a part of that teenage youth everyone talks about is something I’ll never get to experience. I was too busy caring about school, and now I feel like I’ve missed out.”

Soaking in a quietness, you jump when he places a hand over yours, softly tracing the skin of your knuckles, glossy as he watches, carving each perfect aspect of you into memory.

“Well you may not be seventeen, but you’re never too old to learn to kiss.”

One hand cupping your jaw to garner your attention, you’re met with a glass-like visage.

Gentle.

“And I can teach you how.”

It’s always been business, you’ve always been business. Which is why, now confronting what feels to be the highest peak in your love life, you’re left a completely blank canvas. No rules, no instructions.

It’s terrifying.

“Min- Minho, I really haven’t done this before.”

You hastily pique, scooting backward in the cushions.

Curse the shakiness of your voice.

“If you don’t want to do this, tell me. We won’t.”

You quickly shake your head.

No, you want this, you’ve wanted this too badly to back out now.

“Then let’s take it slow, okay?”

It’s horrifically awkward at first, a tiny peck, then a bit longer till your arms creep over his shoulders, his fingers once holding your jaw steady now resting on your neck.

Best word to describe it? Messy.

“Breathe through your nose.”

“Minho— I’m suffocating here—“

You sputter back, quite literally heaving for breath.

Yes, it was otherworldly kissing him, and he was an insanely good kisser, but did this really require your lungs to practically burst?

“Are you teaching me how to give a blowjob or kiss?”

His smile transforms mischievously, a sneering laugh slipping past. You already know he’ll make a sly comment.

Minho winks. “We’ll get to that later.”

“I lost my urge to date you. Bye.”

“Noooo Y/n~” He whines profusely, warm hold on your waist beckoning another kiss filled with hushed giggles and incessant jeers from either party—ensuing a halfway unbuttoned shirt and quite possibly the most greedy ten minutes known to man.

Out of breath, he pulls back from your stomach, the ticklish feather-light kisses planted there earning a stifled giggle from you while he blinks upward, seeming to be focused on something.

“Minho?” You question, ignorant to how unbelievably obsessed with you he is, more than ever in this moment.

From your damp, sweaty skin to the few hairs stuck to your forehead. Your swollen lips, the way you laugh, your stomach dipping with the action. He doubts he’ll ever get tired of this.

Reaching forward as if caught in a trance, he tenderly tucks a piece of hair behind your ear, voice barely audible upon pressing his forehead against yours.

And in the seclusion of your living room, tangled up together on the sofa, it’s just the two of you existing in this world.

“I hope you know I really meant it when I said I thought you were pretty too.”

Ah. He remembers. All that time ago.

Of course he does.

Kissing you for a time you can’t remember, you begin to wonder if that birthday wish of yours had came true after all.

Your feelings for Minho had always existed somewhere inside of you. Your head, your heart. A tiny inkling into something more, a could be. Two individuals wishing, waiting to make a move.

It seems the Valentines Pact sealed the deal.

sunboki, may 2022 ©

FIC TAGLIST. @gimmeurtmi @jisuperboard @porang-poranglinos @palindrome969 @stayceebs97 @inniescandy-01 @idklin0

[creechurrr]

Hey! I just read the first chapter of your starhalo fic and oh my god, your writing is so good!! Like, genuinely I'm just captivated with the way you write the characters and the scenes. And I'm just really excited to learn more about this au. Also, I'm not going to lie, I almost teared up a little while reading it- the angst hurts so much but it's so good!!

I'm so excited for the other chapters to be released and I definitely cannot wait to see how the story unfolds. Also, it's super interesting how you kind of started at the end, then are now revealing Etoiles and bad's relationship throughout the story!

Tldr; I love your writing and this fic is insanely cool!

Aww thank you!! This means a lot to me :') I love angst, muhahaha! Later this month I'll release the second part, but I'm very excited for the 3rd one most of all. Thank you so much again for the kind words ♥️

[ruka-eru]

Short Scene (20.2)

Short Scene 20.2 (I love you more than my money!)

Type Of Story: Short Scene, Continuous, Unfinished

Genre: Love, Romance, Drama

(#Author long Hiatus Notes: Please read previous previous scenes before this scene and heads up for awkward writing. WARN: 18+ -Gonna private this later-)

Flashback before Atsuko at Takamina’s Luxury Condominium,

Around 8AM…

At Takahashi’s Residence…

— ATSUKO POV—

I’m rushing to her home right now. After I got a call from her, I cannot even sleep. She made me worried about her. My instinct feels that she isn’t home, but still, I don’t have any other places to go except here. I quickly move my body from my car and heading towards Takahashi’s residence's main door.

*DING! DONG!* *DING! DONG!*

I pushed the bell and waited quietly, hoping that she was the one who will open the door. But it seems that I was wrong, it is her mother who’s opening the door right now. I feel really weird because in this very large house, the owner of the house who’s actually the one greeting me at the main door?

“Ohaayo~!”

Greeted Minami’s mother without looking at me at first, as she was facing down to the door.

“Haii, ohayo”

Hearing my voice, she’s suddenly turning up her view.

“Ehh, Acchan?”

She asked in surprise face.

“Yes, ahh… Actually, I want to see Minami…”

I just saying straightforwardly to her.

“Oh, you’re here to see Takamina—nee?”

“Haii…”

I just nodded.

“Oh dear… she’s not at home right now. She’s at other place with her friends…”

Hearing her mother explanation is making me a bit shock.

“She’s not at home? Is it since last night?”

I’m questioning her mother in worried expression, making her suddenly invites me to enter the house.

“Can we speak inside? Did you come alone?”

Asked the mother.

“Yes! I came alone.”

After that, we’re sitting on the couch in her living hall. Her house seems nice. The interior looks very elegant. But the only one that concerned me is, I only saw two maids and one butler? In this huge villa?

“Why do you wanna see Takamina? Is it regarding a job?”

“No, I just feeling worried about her, because she called me last night and then she’s suddenly hanged up the phone without explaining further details. I tried to call her back, but she didn’t pick up. I really want to see her right now..”

There, I’m giving my reason to see her. I hope that her mother will tell me where she is so that I can meet her. I need clarification on something about last night. Her statement, saying that she loves me. Is it true?

“Umm… how can I tell you this….”

I could see that she’s feeling hesitation to tell me. I wonder what exactly is happening right now.

“Is she running away from the house again?”

I accidentally blurted it out because I cannot wait any longer. I need to know the truth now.

“No! She’s not! How can I explain this…”

She’s still feeling hesitation, making me begging her to speak the truth.

“Please Takahashi-obasan, tell me where she is. I really need to know. I wanna meet her!”

As I said while holding on her hands. Watching at my movement, she starts to finish her words.

“Actually, whenever on weekends, she will sleep somewhere with her friends, Jurina-chan and Sae-chan, and that place is their secret place. They will be together only on weekends. Previously, it was at Sae-chan’s apartment, but I know they moved out to other places. And the place that they are living now has higher security. Only people who have access card can enter the place…”

Her mother explained everything to me.

“May I know where the place is..?”

Hearing my question, making the mother continued her words,

“I can tell you where the place is, and I can give the access card for you to enter the place. But with one condition, I want to know what’s your purpose, Acchan? Did your father tell you to do this? To ruin Takamina’s place?”

She asked me, making me widen my eyes when hearing her questions. Before I can answer it, as she continued her words again,

“I know the reason why you agreed to be our partner previously. It’s because you want to ruin TakaHiro Corp. You only want to get an advantage from us so that your company will be on top…”

I become speechless at the moment. She knows everything. She knows that I was making a deal with my father. But that was before I really know who Minami was! Before this, I thought Minami is an annoying person. I thought she was a low mentality person who always want to take advantage of high-class people. I thought she was a poor person who will do anything to become on the same level as us. But I was wrong! She’s already rich! But still feeling very humble. She will still be helping them even though those people look down on her. No matter what class those people were, she willingly helped them sincerely.

She’s still annoying to me…

She’s annoyingly kind…

That is Takahashi Minami that I know now….

That is the person…

Who I fell in love now…

“You were right….”

I said while slowly standing up from my seat.

“Everything you said was right. I do agree previously because I was following my father’s command. But now…. ”

As I said while looking sharply into her eyes.

“I already falling in love with Takahashi Minami….”

“What?!”

Asked her mother while shook her head. She’s also standing up from her seat and facing with me.

“I said… I already falling in love with your daughter, Takamina, and I will not ruin your company!”

Hearing my statement, her mother still did not believe me.

“Are you making a joke right now, Atsuko-chan?”

Asked the mother with disbelief face.

“I’m not joking. I’m telling you the truth! I really need to meet her now! She needs to know that I love her.”

“Are you sure you really love her? Because I don’t want you to play with my daughter’s heart. Besides, does your father know about this?”

“He doesn’t know. But I will let him know someday, but not now. You know what will happen if Maeda-sama knows about this right? And I’m pretty sure you also don’t want to make a mess!”

I give her a warning and continue with my words,

“Yes! I do really love her! I’m falling in love with her kindness….”

I give a sharp gaze to her mother, making her speechless for a while. Then, she let out a long sigh while saying,

“Humm… I just want my daughter to be happy. I will not be getting in her way anymore. She deserves to get happiness. After the trouble she was in with her friends previously, I really hope that she will meet someone who can makes her happy with her life…”

As she explained and continued,

“I don’t know what’s happening between you and her previously, because I still not getting the information from my informer. But I hope you won’t dare to break her heart because if you do, you and your father’s company will be ruined in a blink of eyes. TakaHiro Corp will not collapse easily because it’s already well known in the world. Just forget what you have deal with your father. And whatever you do, I have my eyes on you…”

Hearing her statement is making me swallow hard in my throat. Her face looks serious, and I never saw she’s being like this before. I guess, she does love Takamina a lot, but she never showed it before.

Well I guess, like mother like daughter…

Then, I could see that Minami’s mother go to the bookshelf that near LED tv’s cabinet. She took one of the books and open it. It seems that she’s taking out something from there.

“Here…. This is the address and the access card of that place. Promise me not to tell Takamina that I’m the one who’s giving you this…”

She gave me an envelope that has the details of Minami’s hideout place. This sneaky obasan… she sure has a lot of secret from Minami. It seems that she was always watching on us…

“Thank you so much! I promise that I won’t break her heart! I will make her happy.”

As I said while receiving the envelope. As I want to walk away from here, she’s suddenly saying to me…

“Ahh…and also, the password of the door is the date of your birthday…”

She said while wink at me. I’m on the other side is feeling confused. I wonder what she meant. I just ignore her but still keep in mind with her words. After taking the envelope, I quickly move myself and disappear from the house. I’m rushing to the place that her mother gave me the address.

— END OF ATSUKO POV—

End of Flashback

- - -

- - -

Inside Takamina’s bathroom…

“My Gosh! I cannot believe that Maeda Atsuko is here, in this house?!”

I said in my mind while walking around my room.

“What have I done?! I must be crazy to kiss her like that before! And yet, my hand…”

I look on my hand and suddenly thinking about our hot time previously.

“I grope her breast! Fuck…”

Just thinking about it again, making my heart beating so fast! Her breast is so smooth and squishy!

“My gosh Takamina! What are you thinking?! You pervert!!”

I said again while pulling my hair. Then, I go inside the bathroom as I'm preparing myself to take a bath. I started to fill the warm water into the bathtub. I think it will take about 20 minutes to fill in so that I can drown my body inside the water. I'm so stressed right now! I'm feeling really embarrassed to meet Rena, Yukirin and also, her!

“Oh my gosh, Takamina….”

That’s the only words that repeating on my mouth right now. I’m standing in front of the sink mirror and watching to myself. I’m slowly rubbing my face before starting to brush my teeth. After I’m done, I wipe my mouth with a small towel that’s located near the sink. Then, suddenly…

*CLICK! (door open)*

It is Atsuko who’s suddenly appeared inside my bathroom!

“Eee—hhhhh!! What are you doing in here?!”

Half-shouted from my voice while widening my eyes.

“I want to take a bath with you, Minami~”

She said while smiling to me. She’s slowly getting closer to me, making I’m moving my body backward, as leaning my back to the sink.

“What?! NO!”

As I said while raising up my hand to stop her getting closer to me.

“Why? Don’t be shy with me… well… not after what you have done to me before…” She said seductively to me before biting her lower lip. I know what she meant. It was meant to my movement previously, the groping her breast part! Her movement is so sexy right now, making me think this is a dream.

“No, no no…. this is just a dream. This is just a dream!”

I shut my eyes while lower down my head and holding on it.

“Why are you saying like this? Do you always dream about me?”

I could feel that her hands are touching on my neck. She’s already close to my body now.

“Oh… shoot…”

I mumbled before receiving a deep kiss from her. She’s kissing me again! Feeling this sensation, I move up my hands on her cheeks, and stopping her from kissing me.

“Why are you doing this? You really love to play with my heart huh—?”

I’m not playing with your heart, Minami….”

“Then, why are you doing this?! ”

I keep asking that question because I don’t want to be confused anymore. She should just tell me the truth!

“Because I love you!”

I perk my ears when she’s saying the words. At last, she confessed it to me. I still cannot believe this. Maeda Atsuko has falling in love with me?! You’ve got to be kidding me!

“I really love you Takahashi Minami…. I’m sorry if I hurt your feeling on previous days… It’s because, I tried to deny myself. But last night, after I heard your confession, it’s making me realize that I love you too…”

Hearing her explanation is making me relieve and somehow, it’s making me wanna jump in happiness! She loves me for real!!

But wait, this might be a trick, so I decided to know the reason why that she loves me?

“How can I know that you really love me? What’s the reason? Why do you love me? Is it because that I’m rich? You suddenly change your heart nee—?”

There, my foul mouth is making her mad again!

*Smack*

She’s suddenly slapping my face but this time, is gentle…

“Don’t you dare saying that! I never changed my heart!”

She said in angry tone, making me gulping hard in my throat. As she continued her words,

“I love you because of your kindness! Not only towards me, but towards other people too…”

She gives full explanation to me while looking deeply into my eyes. Sometimes, she has scary look but sometimes, she also has a warm heart, that making me more in love with her…

I must be crazy… I know…

“I’m sorry that I make you angry…”

I lower down my head.

“It’s okay… ”

As she said while slowly moving her head closer to me. She intertwined her forehead while looking deeply into my eyes. Her hands move up to my neck and she’s softly rubbing on it while saying,

“I just realized that I love you now… Will you accept me to be your girlfriend, Minami..?”

“Sure I do!”

I said to her and give a short kiss on her lips, but then…

“Haaaakkk! I need to switch off the water!”

I quickly move my body closer to the bathtub and stop the water. It seems that it is almost full. I’m taking three bath bombs and drop it into the bathtub to make the water foam. Once I’m done with it, I turn my view to Acchan again but then…

“What?! Why—why are you naked?!”

I shut my eyes tightly after saw she’s naked in front of me! I cannot even look at her anymore! My Gosh! What is wrong with her?!

“Mou~ You are so cute, Minami! You have never seen someone naked before?”

How can she ask me that question now?! Is this looked very common to her?!

“Of course I never seen someone naked before! Are you insane?! Why—? Have you seen someone naked before?! Is this looked normal to you?! You’ve got to be kidding me right?!”

I speak too fast, making she’s suddenly wrapping her arms around my waist, and drag me closer to her body. I could feel that her breast is pressing on mine!

“Minami, you are so cute right now… with your dimples… I love it whenever you show it to me…”

She said to me before giving a deep kiss on my lips. Then, she broke the kiss and whisper beside my ear…

“I do see someone naked before, because I watched porn…”

Hearing her words, of course is making me shocked! I accidentally open my eyes and look at her face.

“I know you also watched it too~”

She gives crinkle nose smile to me, making me frown and saying to her,

“I’m not!”

I slightly blush when she’s suddenly moving her face to my neck and kissing on it. At first, I thought she was just kissing me. But then, when feeling the teeth on my neck, I just realized that she was actually sucking on it, making me slightly moaned her name.

“Unnhh, Atsuko…”

I close my eyes, when feeling the heat over my body. She’s sucking hard on my neck, making my heart is beating so fast. I feel like my heart gonna pop out of my chest! It has been a while, and after she’s feeling satisfied with her work, she licks on it before looking deeply into my eyes again.

“I want to take a bath with you~”

Again, she’s grinning to me until I can see the top of her nose wrinkle. She’s so beautiful whenever she smiles that to me. It’s making me crazy! I just stayed silent for a while because my brain cannot think anything at the moment. I wanna look down, but I’m too shy to look on her naked body!

“Take off your clothes now~”

She suddenly wants to lift up my singlet, I quickly stop her.

“Wa—wait!”

My voice stuttered a bit. I could feel that my cheeks are burning! I guess, I’m blushing right now! “Mou~ Why?! Don’t you wanna take a bath with me?”

She pouted.

“Gosh! This is so embarrassing! It is my first time taking a bath with someone! I never done it before!”

Half-shouted from my voice, explaining to her.

“I’m your first?”

She asked me.

“Yes you are!”

I said with firm voice. Then, I continue my words,

“This isn’t your first time?”

“No, because sometimes, I’m taking a bath with my good friends of course… with Yukirin, Rena, and Mariko-sama..”

“What?!”

I asked with shocked face.

“It’s normal to take a bath with other girls~ Why you seem so shock?”

“Because it’s not normal for me! I never taking a bath with Jurina and Sae. Though they asked me too many times, but no!”

“Mou~ Why are you so cute right now~? Come here~”

She harshly removes my singlet and toss it away. I’m on the other side cannot stop her because she’s full with her energy right now. Then, she moves her hand to my pants and start unzip it.

“Wa—wait! I will do it myself! But I want you to turn around for a while!”

Hearing my instruction, she’s suddenly frowning at me.

“What? No!”

“Do you want to take a bath with me or not?”

I asked her.

“Fine!”

She didn’t protest, as quickly move her body around to the other side. I just don't want her to see my naked body. It's really embarrassing! Watching on her movement, I furiously undress myself and get into the bathtub.

“Okay, I’m done! You can get in now…”

I said to her while closing my eyes. Currently, I’m sitting in the bathtub as my back lay at the edge of the bathtub. I placed both of my arms at the corner of the bathtub. Due to my right hand still has bandage, I cannot make it wet. Thank goodness that currently, the water has foaming a lot. I'm pretty sure she cannot see underneath.

“Why are you closing your eyes?”

She said while slowly sitting beside me. I could feel that she lays her back on the right top of me and pressing on my breast. I could feel that she’s actually sitting between my legs. I’m blushing a bit when feeling her smooth back on me.

“Open your eyes, don’t be shy with me…”

She kissed on my right cheek and then, I could feel that she grabs my left hand and make it wraps around her torso. Feeling her bare skin under the water, I slowly open my eyes and could see that I was like hugging her from behind. Once she saw my eyes opened, she starts kissing on my lips again. Our tongues made dominant.

This time, I won’t let her win, as I keep sucking on her tongue and then, playfully toured around her mouth. She gasps a bit when I wildly move my left hand and start to squeeze on her right breast. I twist my index finger, playing with her harden nipple before softly pinch on it. She moaned in sensation between the kisses when feeling my wild movement on her. Then, I tried to move my right hand, as I want to fully hug her, but she quickly grabs my right wrist and stop me. She broke the kiss and saying,

“It’s not healing yet, don’t make it wet…”

She meant for my right hand. Watching on her movement is making me frustrated because I want to touch her body. I want to feel the softness of her body…

“Urgh, fine…”

I said in frustrated and move my kiss under her ear. I nibble her earlobe before sucking hard under her ear. I leave a mark on it. After that, she’s searching for another kisses, as we’re kissing again without stop. We breath between the kisses and I don’t know why my left hand starts to move wild again. I think it’s because I’m getting excited. My heart cannot stop beating so fast…

As our bodies are drowning under the warm water… As our bodies are massaging towards each other…

And her butt is sitting on my center…

It’s making me feeling really really excited about it…

I’m moving my left hand as start to spread her legs widely. Then, I slowly brushing my two fingers on her core, making she gasps in excitement. She moaned and suddenly broke the kiss. I thought she doesn’t like it, as we’re looking towards each other for a while. Her face becomes really red, and she didn’t stop blushing heavily on her face. While we’re looking to each other, I stop my fingers. We’re both stayed silent at the moment, but then…

She grabs my left hand and leading to her core again. I slightly widen my eyes when feeling her movement. She doesn’t say anything but my guess she was enjoying it…

She leads my two fingers to rub on her core again. Then, I gently move, brushing her core slowly, making she’s kissing deeply on my lips. She moaned again and again when I start to fasten the pace. Sometimes, I twist my fingers on her clit making she arches her back. It has been a while that I’m seeing her pleasantness. So, I decide to make a blunt move as push my middle finger inside her core. She broke the kiss and moaned my name,

“Unn~ Minami…~”

She looks deeply into my eyes. At first, I slowly pumping my finger in and out in slow motion because I don’t want to hurt her for the first time. It has been a while for her to feel comfortable with my movement. I could feel that her pussy starts to grip hard on my finger, so I decide to fasten the pace and pumping it fast inside her core. She moaned louder than before while moving her hand and start to hold on my left cheek.

I keep moving my finger very fast, because I could feel that I’m thrusting on the right spot, her g-spot. She looks very sexy at the moment, because she keeps moaning my name without stop.

“Hyannn~~ Minami…. It’s so good…”

Her voice cracks a bit while she shut her eyes tightly. Me on the other side, still doing what I was doing as I want her to reach her climax. Due to my fast movement, bathtub’s water is churning without stop.

“Ummm, I’m cumming….”

She whispered to me.

“Cum for me, baby…~~”

As I said while start kissing her deeply on her lips to prevent her moaned louder in the bathroom right now. After a few thrusts, I could feel that she arched her back and her body seems trembling a bit, stating that she reached her climax. I’m waiting her body to relax again before removing my finger from her core. She seems tired at the moment as she lays her back on me like previously again.

We’re both looking at each other silently for a while…

Then, she’s the one who break the silent as she’s saying to me,

“You don’t want to see my naked body… but you want to fuck me…”

Hearing her statement is making me blush heavily on my face, as I turn my view to the side. Seeing my reaction, she’s holding on my chin, making me facing with her again. As she continues her words,

“You are so pervert Takamina… but I love it~!”

She kisses on my lips.

- - -

- - -

To be updated...

[perexcri]

Percyyyyy I am a crying mess on the floor. My son! My poor poor son. Even in this universe he cannot escape the shadows.

(Why did the Ministry have that thing in its basement/cellar?????)

This puts a Lot of the first parts into context 😭 Will trying So Hard to not use Too Much magic—as well as being unable to help himself using it around Mike.

‘It was guilt, and it plagued him up the stairs to his room even with Mike’s arm around his shoulders, hanging around him like a cloak he could never shake off. It didn’t help that his best friend was right next to him all the way up the stairs, and for several hours, before the shadows finally took him in their arms into the realm of dreams, he faced the stone walls and felt only wave after wave of guilt and despair. This was all his fault, and there was nothing he could do; everything was broken, and there was no way to put it all back together.’ Ow ow. Written too well! Even before I read your author’s note I could tell that this was somewhat an allegory for depression because I Felt this whole section of the chapter and especially this paragraph. (I’m so sorry you were feeling so low while writing this I understand what its like. I hope you are feeling better now, and if not I send you sunshine and good vibes and hot tea!)

‘I meant it when I said always.’ Michael stabbing me in the heart ow I’m face down on the floor in tears.

I wish they will be able to escape even though I know they won’t. They just,,, deserve to be happy. But that happiness is likely far off for them:((

As always you make magic with your words! I hope you’re having a wonderful week!!

i apologize for the tears Vee T_T please accept these hearts as my humblest and sincerest of apologies 💜💜💜

ooooh yeah and the shadows in the basement cellar - i think my original intention for that was just to have them represent kind of what i think (in a lot of ways) the upside down represents in the show? like to me, the upside down in the show kind of works as this metaphor for things below the surface of a typical small american town that emphasize its seedy underbelly, like the upside down is literally these things that are poisoning the town yet most of the town refuses to address. idk if that makes sense (i just woke up and am very tired lol) but i guess i kind of wanted it to show in this fic that the ministry isn't being entirely truthful and that they, like any other institution in this setting, are potentially doing a lot of harm that nobody is really addressing. they have secrets like everybody else despite the fact that they want to act like they're above it all

ahh but i'm so glad it's helped put the first couple of parts more into context!! i love when stories are told non-chronologically specifically because you find out the context for certain scenes much later, so it makes me happy to know i was able to write something that did that T_T

and ahhhhhh thank you friend!! i am feeling much better, but i will always accept sunshine and hot tea from others :] i'm both sorry that it could be relatable for you to read about (because yeah dealing with that is Not Fun), but i'm also glad you could find some understanding in it?? idk something something "we read to know that we are not alone" something something

AND OH MY GOSH WAIT THE ALWAYS LINE - i added that thing very last minute (by my standards at least, which means it was mid-afternoon when i added it and i posted this chapter at night aksjflkdjsal), so i'm glad you liked it!! i thought it was a nice addition, but also painful considering,,,well. you know.

yeah the inevitability of everything is weighing heavily upon these two right now T_T there's just one chapter left in this part, and i think you can already tell what's gonna happen. i did tag this fic as angst with a happy ending for a reason, though, so please just bear with me through the pain!!

Vee your words mean the world to me :] 💜 i hope you're having a great week too, and i am sending you lots of warm soup!! 💜💜💜