#there is no way they properly address any feelings towards each other

[midnight-mourning]

Two Animatronics Dancing—Oh, and You. You're Here Too

Holiday Spirit! au Chapter 2

*peeks into tumblr, looks around, drops this and runs*

Anywho, this chapter was a bit of a struggle for a bit there, I also just randomly felt bad so apologies for the delays, please enjoy! I went for the kill :)

having said that, Content Warning: Borderline/implied suggestive content, reader discresion is advised.

Ao3 link for those who don't wish to suffer (you should come back once you're done and read the tags and take the poll tho >:)c)

Word Count: 7306

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

"Oh, I um—" You're still processing this is happening, you need to think, lest you make a fool of yourself in front of the king. 

You take a breath and bow. "My name is Y/N, your Majesty."

"Please, rise. After what you've done it's me who should be bowing to you." He chuckles, then waves you closer. "Allow me to thank you properly, if you would."

With a swallow, you walk forward, ignoring the tightening of the hold on your arm before it releases you finally. 

Once you make it to the carriage is when you finally pay attention to the others inside. Neither the younger prince nor the princess look happy to be there, though the princess seems to be greatly enjoying teasing her brother every few moments. The older prince seems aloof, annoyed, but when you catch his gaze he shoots a wink your way. 

Before you can think on it further the king is firmly clasping his hands around one of yours, shaking it. "Your quick actions have saved me quite the trouble. Might I ask how you had such knowledge?"

You give a—slightly mumbled—explanation regarding your work and your shop, to the king's delight. 

"Ah, so it's you who's been repairing my guards so quickly." The king chuckles. "I must say, fine work. Almost like new!"

You nod. "We try our best, your Majesty."

"I want to thank you for your work." The king announces, thinking for a moment, then snaps his fingers. "I'll be hosting a grand ball in three weeks’ time, I insist that you join in the festivities as the guest of honor."

Your eyes widen, putting your hands up. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the older prince—god you're terrible with names, what is it again?—straighten up slightly, small frown on his features as he watches his father.

"Oh, you're far to kind, your Grace. I wouldn't want to intrude—"

"Nonsense!" The king scoffs, then shakes his head. "No, I've decided. I'll see to it myself that you get a proper invitation." He turns away from you then, addressing the crowd. "Three cheers for the smithy!"

The crowd responds in turn and you feel like curling in on yourself. Not just because of the attention, but because of the King himself. There was something about him, something behind those eyes and that smile that you found off putting. Which, not the attitude to have towards a man who could wave his hand to decide your fate, but you're trying here. 

Soon after, the precession begins again, and continues without any further issue. You're still processing the entire ordeal however much later as you sit in the tavern up the street from your home and shop. Said shop having received an abundance of visitors in the past few hours.

Consisting of either new customers, curious festival goers, or fellow villagers congratulating you. 

You didn't even do anything that major, you just unplugged a few wires!

Your crew gave you hell about it, their teasing was incessant once they found out the news. 

It all had been so much that when Bri walked in your shop with the proposition of getting drinks like old times you all but jumped at the opportunity. Tossing off your apron and gloves and leaping into her arms—an old inside joke you used to play on each other—and with a laugh she carries you out of the shop and to the tavern. 

Now, here you were, the sun long gone and a pint in your hands that you've been nursing for the past couple hours. You'd have drank more if you firstly didn't have work tomorrow, and if you could manage to get a sip without being interrupted by a thank you or the likes. 

After the last person leaves, having been one of the chattier ones, you set your forehead on the bar with a groan. 

Bri pats your back with her free hand. "There, there, o great and powerful smithy. People are just being nice. Eat it up while it lasts."

"I think if I 'eat' anymore I'll burst." You say into the wood, then turn your head to the side to look at her. "It wasn't even that big a deal, I don't know why he made it seem like such."

Bri tsks, taking a sip of her own pint. "He's the king. A major disruption happened during an event he was present for. He has to make a big deal out of it. Especially considering how bad it could have been."

You cringe at that. You'd found out after the fact that Bonnie's malfunction had caused him to not only lose control of himself, but prior to being tackled to the ground had attempted to point his weapon at the King. That had been the lone shot you'd heard, with the miss ending up in the sky instead. 

"Just be glad it's a one and done thing, could be worse in that regard."

You sigh. "True. Very true."

"You know, I wasn't expecting to see you out today." Bri looks up down to you with a soft smile. "You've come a long way."

You scrunch your nose. "Don't remind me. It's disgusting." You protest as she flicks your nose. 

"Getting through your grief isn't disgusting, you idiot. It's an accomplishment. One you should be proud of."

You sit up finally with a stretch. "Thanks. And what about you? What's new?"

"So much, and yet, nothing at all. I've missed it here though, I've been pissed off three years in a row that I wasn't assigned to come back." Bri huffs as you laugh. 

You grab your pint, taking a sip. "Guessing it's cause of the threats?"

"That's what everyone's thinking, but personally I think there's more to it than that."

That grabs your interest. "You don't say?"

"Yeah, and I'd say it's because so many animatronics have been acting up lately, but that just started when we arrived here." Bri shakes her head. "I shouldn't be talking about this, you're probably tired."

"No!" You say, then cough, trying again. "I mean, no I um, find it interesting. I'm the one doing all the repair work, you know. Is that really the best you've all been able to come up with is just beating them senseless?"

She shakes her head again. "No, that I'm not entirely sure on, but I've noticed there's been a large number of bots stationed in certain locations throughout the castle, and town, for that matter. Places that just seem odd, you know?" She takes another sip of her pint, finishing it and waving her hand for another. "But I swear, it's when they come back from those locations—already a bit banged up mind you—that the glitches start happening."

You take all this in like sponge. Then, licking your lips you ask—"Which spots out of curiosity?"

"Town, just look anywhere that there's way too many guards. In the castle it's been the library, the west tower, and the—"

"And just what are you two chatting about?"

You turn in your seat, finding Sun is standing behind you both. Behind him is Moon. 

Bri laughs, twisting to face them both fully. "Well look who it is! Didn't expect to see you two shmucks tonight."

"Shmucks is a bit harsh." Moon quips. 

Sun nods. "We prefer the term bozos, or fools."

The three of them chat back and forth for a moment before Bri remembers what she was saying. 

She turns to face you again. "Oh right, you wanted to know about the guards—"

"So, celebrating are we?" Sun interrupts, taking a seat on the stool between yourself and Bri.

You attempt to lean around him, but he sets his elbow on the counter, head in his chin, essentially creating a wall between you and Bri.

You frown. "We were, before you jutted in."

His grin only widens a tinge. "That's not much a greeting, friend."

"Well, considering you just now decided to acknowledge me, I could say the same to you."

You hold each other's gaze until a hand is set on your shoulder; Moon. He sits on the opposite side of you, taking your free hand to press to his smile.

"They're right, Sun. Good evening, Diana. How are you?"

You scoff, small smirk on your lips as you turn to him a bit more, ignoring the ticking sound behind you, and the tapping—of what you know is—a golden claw. "Just because you gave a proper hello doesn't mean you're any better."

"Late is better than never." Moon argues.

You reach for your drink again with a nod. "To some extent, I agree with you."

"I'll take that." Moon waves to the bartender, surprising you.

You keep your eyes trained on the pint that's set in front of him, then to him when he raises it to his mouth, pausing to meet your gaze.

"Something the matter?"

You're in denial. "You can drink?"

"I'm older than I look." He chuckles.

Your eyes narrow. "That's not what I mean and you know it."

"We're living machines. We have thoughts, feelings, and pain." Sun remarks, and you turn in time to watch him sip his own drink. "With all that considered, it be cruel to not be able to."

You twist in your seat again, genuinely curious and outright confused. Be it your own impulse or the small amount of alcohol in your system, you reach up with both hands to hold his face. He's less than impressed.

You rub your thumb's over his cheeks, brow furrowed. "What material is this? It's... spongy."

"Decided to acknowledge me now, have you?" Is his mused response.

You huff. "Let's call it even. Answer the question."

"Silicon. I believe." He puts a hand on one of your wrists. "Now are you quite finished?"

You don't care to take the hint. Still examining. "No. Why the mostly constant grins then?" You glance over to Moon slightly to be able to address both of them.

"More appealing to the public eye." Sun states.

Moon shrugs. "Laziness."

You nod, releasing Sun finally and reaching for your drink. "Never seen the like before."

"Well, seems you don't know everything after all." You must have genuinely annoyed him, you can hear a whirring sound emitting from him, just above the sound of the crowded tavern.

Moon chuckles are you bluster at this. "Who said I did?"

"That's the word going around, after the show you put on today." He offers up.

"Hardly. Believe me if I knew it was going to cause that much of a fuss I wouldn't have—" You pause, remembering the alternative. "Well, I suppose I still would have."

Moon sets down his—now empty pint—waving his hand for another. "What's done is done. You did the right thing."

"Though maybe not the wise one." Sun mutters into his mug. But before you can question him on it he's looking over you to his counterpart. "I'm not helping you back if you drink yourself into a stupor."

Moon's eyes crinkle, resting his head on the back of his hand. "Aren't you such a good friend, Sunny?"

"We're not friends." He bites, looking away, cup creaking under the force his hands apply to it.

Moon must've not been expecting that response. His grin falters, then he tsks, facing forward and taking a long drink from his pint, setting it down again with a muted thud.

Silence. Then, a realization.

"Wait a moment." You lean around Sun easily this time. "Where's Bri?"

Sun hunches further over the bar. "Dancing. Left some time ago. While you were busy 'chatting'."

You glare at him at moment but say nothing more. You'll leave him to his brooding. You twist around to face the rest of the tavern, taking a moment then spying Bri among the dancing parties.

"Why that little—" You glance back between the two animatronics.

Of the two, Moon seems in higher spirits, contently musing over his drink now. You'll take your chances on him, then.

You stand, grabbing his hand. "Come on."

"You want to dance?" He sets the mug down, surprised, but stands up.

You start dragging him out to the floor. "Hardly. I want to give her 'what for' for abandoning me, but it's a partner dance and I don't want to make a scene." You turn back to him for a moment. "That a good enough reason?"

His faceplate clicks, then his surprise turns to his normal grin, snickering. "Enough for me."

"Good."

The two of you integrate into the group seamlessly. You've never been much of a dancer, but despite this, the two of you move well together. It's some jovial, upbeat, song, and you fall in step together well. Despite being much taller—and you think maybe just a tad tipsy—Moon makes a good partner. You enjoy it more than you were expecting to.

However, you remember your goal again when Bri dances by you, not a care in the world. You make eye contact and she grins at you, speaking just above the music.

"Look at you! Thought you weren't the dancing type."

You scowl. "I'm not. You left me!"

A spin about the room, then returning to your original positions.

"Oh, you were fine. I left you in good hands." She nods to Moon. "Isn't that right?"

He nods. "Indeed."

"Of course he's going to agree with you!" You huff, then shake your head. "I'll forgive you if we can finish our earlier conversation."

"Right now?" She asks and you nod. She's not even surprised, just protests. "But I'm dancing!"

You open your mouth to respond, but before you get the chance you're spun away again. You curse under your breath, glaring up to your dance partner.

"I wasn't finished." You state.

Moon bends so you're a little more eye to eye. "I know. But this isn't the time or place."

Your frown deepens. "Just how much did you hear—"

Moon takes the lead. Or at least, more so than before. The two of you begin to dance faster, grander, more elaborate. You can hardly keep up.

One moment you're on the outer edge of the circle of dancers, but now find yourself front and center, some space having been cleared out for the two of you to take the stage. The musicians begin to pick up pace to match your energy and you can't do anything more than focus on not making a fool of yourself. Much less think.

You're about to be protest being tossed around like a ragdoll when Moon spins you back into his chest, leaning down for a moment.

"Let go and let yourself enjoy the moment." He mutters, then spins you back to face him. "For once, don't worry about anyone but yourself. Please."

The sincerity in his tone makes you hesitate. Something about it striking a familiar chord. So, you relent, relaxing and letting the song take you.

Keeping up becomes easy after that. Simple. A smile growing on your face as you take joy in seeing if the animatronic can now keep up with you. And as he picks you up for a final spin you feel something you haven't for a long time. A sense of happiness you rarely feel these days. It's in that aftermath while people are cheering all around you that your eyes meet with a face watching you from the bar.

Sun's glare is scorching, posture far too relaxed for the frown he's wearing beneath that hardened gaze. Your eyes meet and your stomach twists. Triggering some long forgotten memory with faces you can't recall and names that are still deeply buried.

When you escape it, shaking your head to move it back to the recesses of your mind, you see he's facing away again, ordering another drink.

Had you been paying closer attention you'd have realized he was watching the entire time.

"Are you alright?" Moon asks and you look back to him You envy the fact that he's not out of breath like you. "I apologize. I suppose I got a bit carried away for a moment."

You take a few deep breaths, nodding. "Fine. Just next time? Ask before assuming I can keep pace."

"Won't need to." He says, leading you off the floor as another song picks back up. "Now I know your tempo."

The night ends for you sometime after that. You'd not intended to be out very long in the first place. And with those damn guards seeming hellbent on keeping you from talking to Bri—even while intoxicated themselves—there was no point to you lingering any longer. 

So, you say your goodbyes and leave the tavern, heading home. Your head hurts, either from the stress of today, or the stress for tomorrow, and maybe because of that last pint you chose to chug before leaving. Who's to say, really?

You're ever so curious to what's happening up in that castle, now more so than ever. While there's nothing you could do about it, you can't help but be concerned for what it all might mean. Not to mention, another child went missing this evening. Just before dusk this time. If your shop hadn't been flooded with spectators you'd have volunteered yourself, instead of just letting part of your crew go.

You think it may very well have been haunting you since, hence your insistence to ask about the damage to the animatronics. It was a distractor, a way to keep your mind from wandering and fretting over the what ifs. You shake away said with ifs right then and there, your siblings are safe. And you'll do everything in your power to keep it that way.

The crunch in the snow behind you alerts you to the fact you're being followed. It's late, and you have another few streets to traverse before you can get home. So, you stop. Reaching down as if to tie your boot but in reality are grabbing your knife. It's not much, but it'll get the job done when needed. And you're hoping it's not needed.

Slipping it into your sleeve, you stand up and turn around. "May I help you—you're joking."

"You're the joke if you thought you were going to walk home alone, Bright Eyes." Sun stands behind you, his tone not being nearly as intimidating as he thinks he's being with that slight sway to his stance. 

You scoff. "Some good you'll be. I can handle myself just fine, Pretty Bot." You feel your brows shoot up at that, likely matching the look on Sun's own features you're guessing. 

He relaxes quicker than you though. "You think I'm pretty? How sweet."

"Don't start. It was merely a slip of the tongue." You scowl, but take his hand when he offers it. The nickname troubles you. But you're too distracted by him leaning down into your field of view to think on it further. 

His gaze is half-lidded again, lazy. But you can still sense a sharp wit about him. "From my understanding, drinking makes you more honest, not less."

"Then I'll be blunt with you and say it was meant to be taken as an insult, how's that?" You say, marching forward finally. It's cold out here and you don't have time for his, whatever this is.

A pause as he thinks on it, nothing but the sound of your combined footsteps in the snow.

"Hurtful, but I won't hold it against you for suddenly becoming bashful."

You huff. "That's not—"

You're cut off as Sun suddenly spins you around and into a dip, bending low.

"Don't you dare drop me." You warn. Though his grip on your hand and back are firm, secure. 

He tuts. "Oh, let me have this, won't you?" He mutters something you can't quite catch, almost seeming to be staring through you before setting you upright again. Starting to walk again without another word. You call it a bit of drunken foolishness and let it go.

The streets are eerily quiet the closer you get to home. Of course, off in the distance behind you the noises of the night market still flit about. But down the road you're traveling it's nearly dead silent. It holds a peace that soothes you and your worries. 

Temporarily. 

"You shouldn't have accepted that invitation today." 

You look up to the sunny bot, brow raised. "And I suppose you believed I had much a choice in the matter?"

"You didn't." He shakes his head. 

You scoff. "Then what should I have done then? I shouldn't have accepted but I had no other choice."

"The castle is no place for someone like you." 

Your eyes narrow. "Because I'm a commoner?"

Sun stops, turning to face you. Both hands take your shoulders as he bends so you're eye to eye. 

"Because they'll eat you alive."

You swallow, frown deepening. "You're a big help now, aren't you? Appreciate the vote of confidence." You shrug yourself out of his grip, marching on without him. 

"Wait, that's not—" There's static for a moment and he rushes to catch up with you, almost falling in step quickly with his longer legs. "Please, forgive my wording, Celeste. I'm not the most fluent at the moment."

You huff. "Yeah I can tell—What did you just call me?"

"I, I'm only—" He doesn't get to finish, as right when he manages to catch up with you again, he slips on a nonvisible patch of ice, falling back into the snow. 

When you turn to look back at him, his eyes wide, you see a slight fear in his eyes at your still hardened glare. But the ridiculousness of the situation and how overtly frazzled he looks for the first time ever, makes your burst out laughing. You clutch your stomach and throw your head back, not a care in the world for who may hear you. 

It takes you several moments to calm down enough to lower your volume to quiet giggling, looking back to him with tears in your eyes. 

"I, I haven't laughed that hard in years. Thank you."

You see his rays spin, able to do so with his hat lying abandoned in the snow. Then, he shakes his head, grumbling as he tries to collect himself to stand. 

"Here, take my hand you drunken klutz,"—you extend it down to him, giggling again while he looks for his hat—"Behind you, Pretty Bot."

He twists around, grabs it, and before you can think further his free hand grips your own, and pulls you down with him. Your eyes widen, stumbling and falling on top of him, your knees landing hard on the packed snow around his torso. 

"Ow." You groan, looking down for a moment, before glancing back up to tell him off. "Was that really necessary—" You cut yourself off, you weren't expecting to be just inches apart. 

His hand comes up to hold your cheek, eyes focused intensely on you. "Yes. Definitely." 

You just stare at each other for a moment, well, you more so at him. It finally clicks what he's looking at when his thumb swipes over your lips. Your cheeks start to burn and you cough. 

"Your hand's cold. And my knees hurt. So I'm getting up now."

You don't have to shift out of his grip, he release you himself, hand letting go as if he'd been burnt. He keeps that same troubled look on his face as you both stand up and start walking again. At this rate you'll be surprised if you ever get home. 

But, you finally turn the corner for your street soon enough, the pull of being in your bed growing stronger by the minute. 

"What did you mean that you hadn't laughed that hard in years?" Sun asks in the quiet.

You shove your hands deeper in your pockets, looking to the ground. "What did you mean by 'they'll eat you alive'?"

Silence. 

"You first."

You scoff, but relent. "I'd say it was the grief, but that's only been a year or so." You shake your head. "I lost a part of myself to someone, a long time ago. They took my laughter with them." Your hand comes up to your necklace gripping it tight before releasing it. "Your turn."

"The two you ran into on the street last week are nothing in comparison to actual nobility. They see everyone around them as lesser, including those at the same or higher ranking to them. And I fear should you attend in three week's that we won't—" Sun falters, shrinking in on himself. "That I won't, be able to protect you."

You mull over his words. "Who cares?"

"Pardon?" He looks over to you, drawn out of his thoughts. 

You stop walking, turning to him and poking a finger into his chest. "Why would anyone care what happens to me, especially you? You hardly know me."

"Hardly know you—" He stands straight now, towering over you. "Why do you have such a lack of care for yourself? And why would time matter so much regarding whether I care for your safety or don't?  I—let me ask you, that child that went missing yesterday, or the one today, do you have any connection to them?"

You shake your head. "None at all."

"And yet, you went searching for them last night, and would have tonight as well had you been able to, no?"

"Of course. Without question." You shrug. "What's your point?"

Sun stares at you a moment, then laughs, bringing his hand up to his faceplate and gripping one of the rays at the top of his head. "You've answered your own question, Celeste. And mine." He shakes his head, looking back to you. "Do your knees still hurt?"

"Terribly. Thanks a lot."

He nods. "Thought so. My apologies, allow me to remedy it." Before you can think, he's scooping you up, one arm under the back of your thighs, the other your shoulders as he carries you bridal style the rest of the way to your home. 

Flustered, you allow it to happen, assuming he'll set you down once you get to the door. 

"Do you have your key?" He asks, not setting you down. 

"I, it's unlocked."

He nods, taking a moment to open it and then bending his head to step inside. He locks the door for you, then turns around with you still in his arms. Seems he was serious about this. 

Your living room is quiet, dark, and you spare a glance at Clara asleep on the couch as Sun takes muted steps back through to your kitchen, then up your stairs when you point to them. 

"You have a lovely home." He murmurs when he reaches the top. 

"Thanks." You whisper back. "My room's at the end of the hall, but stop in the nursery for a moment."

Sun obeys, allowing you to peek in and see that Gabe and Lisa are both sound asleep. You feel lighter as Sun walks the remaining way to your room.  He sets you on the bed, stepping back once he does so. The comfort of your bed underneath you almost makes you want to flop back then and there to sleep, but you resist the urge and take off your shoes and coat. 

You get up and walk past Sun to set them by your bedroom door, snatching up your sleepwear as you do so. You walk back and around to the opposite side of the bed, staring at him as he simply looks on. 

You make a circle motion with your finger. "You mind turning around? I don't have one of those fancy room dividers."

His rays spin again, hat tight in his hands. "Oh! Um, sorry. I should, leave." He turns to go. "Have a good night—"

"Stay." You just manage to snatch his wrist, having had to climb up onto the bed and reach out for him. 

He glances back to you, eyes wide. 

You shake your head. "It's late, it's cold, and I doubt you have enough of your wits about you to make it back to where you belong alive. Not after you're little spill earlier." You chuckle, then nod. "It's fine. Stay."

His rays tick to the left a few times, then to the right. Then, he nods. "Okay."

You let him go, sitting back and he turns around once more, unmoving this time. 

"The other two going to be alright without you?" You ask as you slip out of your clothes. 

Sun nods. "I told Montgomery where we'd be earlier this evening. And Captain Perry is more than capable of handling her own." He chuckles. "And her liquor. Of the two it would be Moon that would be of concern, but they'll be fine."

You snicker. "That's Bri for yah. And captain huh? She's been busy." You realize that your knife is missing, and you start looking around for it. "Shit, where did I put that..."

"You dropped this in the snow earlier." Sun holds up your knife, still facing away. "Such a large weapon for a small thing like you."

You scoff, climbing back over the bed to take it from him. "Hardly much at all. Do you consider everyone shorter than you to be 'a small thing'?"

He snatches your wrist then, turning slightly to face you. slight grin on his features. "Truthfully yes. But especially those who take more risks than they should, like an immature teenager."

"I'm two seconds away from headbutting you right in that smart mouth of yours." You mutter. 

"Proving my point~"

You take your wrist, and your knife back. "You know. I could have still been half-dressed. Then you would've seemed like a creep just now instead of slightly humorous."

That stupes him. He stutters out a rebuttal as you set your knife on the nightstand on the left side of the bed, laying back on it a moment later. 

"Well? Don't just stand there." You pat the bed beside you. "You're sleeping in here so I can keep an eye on you."

It takes him a moment, then he sits down with a tsk. "I have no reason to harm anyone in this house."

"I have no reason to trust your words." 

Sun removes his boots, then reaches up to unbutton his coat, revealing a white undershirt soon thereafter. "You trust me in your home but you don't trust the things I say?"

"Action speak louder than words." You quip as he folds the coat, setting it on the end of bed with his hat. The last thing he removes is the claw from his index finger, setting it on the nightstand on his side. "Not the gloves?"

"You wouldn't like my hands." He says, laying down, then turning over to face you. 

You remember the feeling of that claw on your face earlier in the night. You wonder what's so wrong with his hands if he believes they're any worse than that. 

"You're bed is small."

You huff. "It's not built for nine foot tall animatronics, you mean."

"Just eight, though I know someone of your height and stature could hardly tell. The entire world must feel large to you." He snickers as you roll your eyes. 

You feel bold, your last minute drink seeming to hit you now of all times. You grabbed his clothed shoulder, pulling him closer. "Then curl up a bit then. Make the most of the space."

Before he can protest, you reach down and pull his legs up, and then entangle with yours. 

Seeing his wide-eyed, open-mouth stare you scoff, ignoring the heat on your cheeks. "What? You think you're the only man I've shared a bed with? Only person for that matter? I was stuck in the nursery with Lisa for seven years, and she is simultaneously a cuddler and a kicker."

"I, I s-see." Is his only response. 

Now you can't ignore the burning across your face and ears. "It's only weird if you make it weird."

"Weird? I'm not making it weird, you're the one who's bringing it up!"

"Because you're giving me that look, stop it!" You hiss.

His hands come up and over his face, muttering something. 

Your face is on fire now. "Since when are you bashful? Seriously, this is nothing—"

"Your knee, Celeste. For the love of the stars, move your knee." He manages to get out. 

You glance down. "What—oh." You quickly pull it back towards your body. "Sorry."

"I can't understand you." He shakes his head, finally letting go of his face. "Not in the slightest bit."

"Maybe that's intentional." You chuckle as he scoffs. 

Sun glances over to you again, resting one hand by his head. "You're incredibly smart and yet, so foolish. Selfless to a fault and again, foolish because of it. You cautious to trust anyone, and yet you'll invite them into your home and your bed, and then act as if it's nothing! I just, you're so confounding."

"Would you like to know a secret?" You ask in the quiet. 

"I suppose I have nothing better to do."

You laugh softly. "I don't know why I do the things I do sometimes. Life's complex, it's made me complex. Even I can't wrap my head around it sometimes." You shake your head, looking away for a moment then back. "There's just, something about you that made me decide you should stay. And that's all there is to it."

Sun nods after a moment or two. Then—

"That's a piss poor answer, Bright Eyes."

The days that follow are filled with you doing your best to evade the two animatronic guards. Not because of what happened that night with either of them, though. Rather, you're trying to find out what's happening to their compatriots after your tip from Bri.

It's nothing more than a curiosity at first, but it occurs to you that they're actively trying to stop you from investigating further. Which only serves to take your curiosity to genuine interest, then to zealous inquisitiveness that almost starts to eat away at you a bit. Every nook and cranny you seek to turn over, they're there to lead you away or distract in some manner from it. The elephant in the room has doubled in size, and it's only a matter of time before it breaks through the floorboards, sending you all tumbling down. 

Not to mention, every night, like clockwork, there's a report of another missing child. The total number having grown to six. Everyone's in a panic, and very little can be done to soothe the worries of those who are fortunate enough to still have all their children accounted for. Yourself included. 

Despite their overall annoying presence the past week, you cannot deny that you do feel safer having one of them nearby while you go to and fro with your siblings in tow. 

There's something going on here, and you don't know the connection point but something has to be related between all of this, there's no way there isn't some link. The disappearances started occurring after the festival began, and Bri told you there wasn't these glitches happening back in the capital. But what relation the two have to each other, you don't know. 

And how the two guards watching your every move fit into it, you couldn't make sense of that in the slightest. 

"Musing to yourself, Diana?"

"Something like that." You mutter into your cup.

You were sitting on a bench near the grand tree in the town square. Lisa had asked you if you could visit the festival again today, and needing a bit of break yourself—for more reasons than one—you agreed. 

Gabe's sitting on the ground beside you, playing in the snow, while Lisa dragged the sunnier of the two guards out to dance with her among the others gathered in the square. Though, he didn't seem to mind. To his credit, he had seemed to prove to you he was good with kids.

Moon as well, as he bends down to toss some snow on Gabe's legs. Your little brother giggling and smacking his gloved hands into it. 

Moon sits up again, chuckling and nodding to your mug. "With how tightly your gripping that, I'd say you need something stronger."

"Shit. Sorry." You relax your hold. 

He takes it from you, taking a drink himself. "No need to apologize to me. It's not my mug."

"There's just, a lot on my mind." You sigh and lay back against the bench. "Too many things happening in what's supposed to be a quiet village."

"A lot of them aren't your problem though, are they."

You scoff. "They are and they aren't. Your pals are coming in to me by the dozen daily. Can't help but wonder as to why. Because we both know there's more than just, glitches, happening."

"And why do you think that?" There's still a cheekiness to his tone, but there's an edge of something else underneath. 

You look over to him. "Because neither of you have shown up once in over two weeks. I'm getting repeat customers by now, and yet, not a lick of damage to either one of you. I've been checking."

Moon stays quiet, but you hear the tiniest little creak on the mug. You continue. "And I think we both know this is past the point of coincidences. Wouldn't you say?"

He doesn't. He says nothing at all as he hands your mug back and you take another drink, downing the remaining warm liquid.

"And besides that, my bigger overall concern is keeping my siblings safe, first and foremost." You reach down and ruffle the hat on Gabe's head, eyes on Lisa as she spins about, not a care in the world. "I'm starting to worry about how well I'm able to do that."

You're surprised by a touch to your shoulder, jumping as you see Moon's much closer now. 

With a tenderness you weren't expecting at that moment, his hand moves to your cheek, words murmured, but firm. "Nothing is going to happen to them. I won't allow it. We won't allow it."

"You can't guarantee me that." You counter. 

"I can and I will. Rest assured, your siblings are safe, but if you keep up this meddling then—"

"Then what, Moon?" You feel your frustration rising again, but keep your voice even. "What do you know that you're so obviously hiding? What are you trying to keep me from finding out? Are you in on this? Should I be scared?"

This angers him, grip tightening just a tinge. "No, never! How could you think such a thing?"

"You haven't give me much reason to think otherwise based on your actions—ah!" You jump, pulling back after feeling a sting against your cheek. Reaching up, you touch the spot, pulling away to see a small speck of blood. 

Looking over to Moon, he's horrified, eyes wide as he stares at your hand. 

"Selene I—" He reaches out for you, then sees the claw and buries his hand against himself. "I'm so sorry."

You put your hand to the spot again, an even smaller drop appearing on your finger. It was just a prick. A tiny one. You relax. "It's fine. You hadn't meant to."

"That's no excuse." He searches around, finding a handkerchief on his person and handing it to you.

You wave him away. "There's no need for that—"

He takes your hand, setting the cloth in it and folding your fingers around it. "Take it. Please." He squeezes your hand gently before letting go. 

You raise the handkerchief to your cheek, holding it there for a moment before pulling away. However, Moon insists you keep it there for longer, pressing his own hand against the back of yours for a bit to ensure you do. 

"I apologize for accusing you. It was wrong of me." You say, watching the dancers once more. 

Moon chuckles, it's half-hearted. "You have a right to be suspicious. I understand."

"That's no excuse." You repeat his words from earlier, glancing back to him with a small smile. 

It takes him a moment, then he laughs again, more genuine this time. 

"Hey! Time's up!"

Both of you turn to see Lisa standing in front of you, hands on her hips. 

You raise a brow. "Time's up for what?"

"It's my turn to hang out with Mr. Moon!" She says, huffing. "He promised he'd help me build a snowman for the competition!"

Moon laughs, standing up. "I was going to keep my promise. But I didn't want to interrupt your dancing."

Your sister turns to you pointing at you, then behind her. "It's your turn to dance with Mr. Sun."

"I, what?" You ask. "Lisa I'm not—"

She grabs your free hand, pulling on you with a strength no eight year old should have. "Hurry up! He's going to look silly if he doesn't have a partner when the next song starts!"

"Go on, I'm more than capable of watching them both." Moon urges and helps you to your feet. "Allow me the chance to prove that I mean what I say. If you may."

You glance back to him for a moment, then over to where Sun stands, sending you a wave with a mischievous glint in his eye. He did this on purpose. You turn back to Moon with a nod, offering him back his handkerchief, he shakes his head. 

"Keep it. I have no need for it."

You nod again, stuffing it in your pocket and looking down to your sister. You flick her forehead and she protests, releasing you finally. You bend down to her height, stern. "Have fun, but behave." You ruffle her hand and stand up again. "Love you."

She grumbles out a 'Love you too' and runs over to Moon, who picks up your brother. You give them a final wave goodbye as you walk over to where Sun stands, hands behind his back, grin as wide as ever. 

"You're not clever." You quip. 

He rolls on the balls of his feet, then offers his hand to you with a bow. "And you, owe me a dance."

"Keeping score are you?" You take his hand and he leads you into a spin amongst the other dancers. "I'd say you're well ahead if that's the case."

Much like his counterpart, he dances well, leading you effortlessly through the song. "Ah, ah. Let's keep that little bit of information to ourselves, shall we? We wouldn't want the wrong people to hear about it."

You laugh, shocked. "And you're cheating! My, my. I took you for a lot of things, a cheater wasn't one of them."

"Cheating implies I've done something unfair, but is it unfair if he was doing it first?"

"'He started it!'" You mock. "That's you, that's what you sound like."

Sun hums, but you see that small twitch in his eye that makes you grin. 

"You're better at this than I'd thought you be." He examines. 

You huff. "I take it back. Now you're losing severely."

"That's not up to you to decide." He thinks for a moment. "But if it was, are you say, open to bribery?"

You laugh outright, and shake your head. Maybe Moon was on to something when he said you should just let go when you dance. Let it take your worries away for a while and just enjoy the moment. 

Because wow, if it isn't something when you do.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

And to think, we still have four more chapters :D Just you wait, it gets so much worse. (for you. me personally? having the time of my life)

Well, thanks for reading!

Tag list (if you would like added, see this post for more info, you can also dm me!):

@scarletcowboy @beemyhuneybee @fishm0ther @deviouscrackers @elsajoyagent8 @luckyyyduckyyy @zenkaiankoku @jogimote @local-shrub @milosmantis @robinette-green @everlightreader @sinister-sincerely @starredeclipse @dangerva @juukai @crystalmagpie447 @mothgutz236 @lizyxml @divinit3a @amarynthian-chronicles @crystalfay

Bonus:

I left it up to fate that Sun would spend the night, like deadass (proof below)

So you can thank the wheel for that.

Buuuuttt I have another thing I'm debating (not nearly as intimate don't get getting ideas on me now) So,

What this was for will be revealed in the next chapter, and your implicit biases WILL be shown and i WILL tease you all for it /j

[vixscribs]

despite benrook being a decently popular ship I can't seem to get behind a lot of fan content I see. Those are coworkers. There's no way they're snuggling and shit that's highly unprofessional.

[breeyn]

An essay rebutting the “bad writing” claims of s2 ofmd. Spoilers herein.

I’ll preface this with saying you’re obviously allowed to like and dislike whatever you want. I am in no way opposing that. And your reasons are your reasons. Have at. (Also - this is a collection of observations from the past few days, I’m not calling anyone out)

I AM going to rebut the idea that season two was poorly written and lost the spirit of what the show is about.

My favourite movie of all time is Empire Strikes Back. It’s been my favourite movie since I was four. I’m pretty sure it’s a fave of David Jenkins, too. He and Taika have made absolutely no attempt to hide their love of all things 80’s - Prince, the Princess Bride, Kate Bush, Star Wars, etc.

I have ancient video tapes (that I can’t play because who has a vcr) where Lucas is interviewed by Leonard Maltin? Malkin? I dunno. Who cares. Maltin asks him about the Star Wars (original trilogy) story arc. Lucas says “in act I, you introduce all the characters. In act II, you put them in a situation they can’t get out of, and in act III, they get out of it.”

That’s how it works. This is how stories and literary structures work.

Of course you’re not satisfied with season two. You’re not supposed to be.

The arguments I have read on why s2 loses the spirit of s1 is because no one heals. No one learns anything. No one moves forward properly. The person who makes the biggest move towards healing dies. The two main characters end the show doing the exact fucking thing they had promised themselves and each other they wouldn’t do. Our romantic lead still doesn’t understand his value or make any headway on addressing his tragic flaw. It makes no goddamn sense.

My gremlins in weird: it’s not supposed to. In Act 2, EVERYONE LOSES. This is how it goes.

I’ve read a lot of people saying “but this felt like a series finale, not a season finale.” We all know that outside politics play a part here, the strikes make everything precarious. I remember the last writers strike. It destroyed tv for fifteen years. Anyone remember Pushing Daisies? Some of y’all have never had your fave show cancelled with zero resolution for the characters and it shows.

Daddy J did us a kindness. He softened the blow of a tough season. After the brutal cliffhanger of s1, he gave us a little softness and hope. All those things you’re mad aren’t resolved? It’s because THE STORY ISN’T OVER.

No one on earth thinks “stuff all your trauma into a box and ignore it” is good advice. A way to actually live. This show did not have enough screen time to throw out dialogue for no reason. There was foreshadowing in s1 for s2, and there is foreshadowing for s3 in s2. This is a well-crafted story by very smart people who care very much for these characters. There is zero chance Frenchie explained the box in his head for no reason. The reason people have not resolved their trauma and growth is because they haven’t done it *yet*.

And friends - it’s not thinly veiled. They straight up fucking tell us what they’re doing.

Luke Skywalker spends the first two movies fucking up and desperately trying to prove himself and just generally being an idiot. Sound familiar? He ignores the lessons he is supposed to be learning to go off and do what he feels like doing, and loses fucking badly. At the end of Empire, Han is gone, Luke and Leia wave goodbye to the Falcon that has Lando and Chewy - the rest of their crew - aboard. Everyone has lost everything they care about. Vader is undefeated. Yoda is pissed. Nothing is resolved.

You see where I’m going?

If you think I’m stretching this too far, welp, when Ed tells Stede he loves him - the climax of the finale - Stede quotes Han fucking Solo. Like - *it’s right there*. The story structure. The reason everything is unresolved.

So yeah. They wave goodbye to their ship because they have wounds to heal (like Luke’s hand). The people aboard the ship have things to find. Ed and Stede have *not* learned their lesson about whims and how not to be like Anne and Mary. It’s not stupid that they’re doing the same thing, and it’s not pointless that we were shown Anne and Mary. It’s all relevant.

The resolution comes in Act 3. None of these people are done. The story is far, far from over. And just in case the studios want to be dicks about it, David Jenkins was lovely enough to not repeat my enduring heartbreak over Pushing Daisies.

Thank you, @davidjenks 🖤

[sunflowerhae]

Ch. 23 The Big One™️

Do you answer the door, do you not answer the door? Do you answer the door, do you not answer the door?

To be honest, you were too scared to even go NEAR the door, what with the person on the other side pounding on it at 9 in the morning. You had just gotten back from Jaehyun’s house and looked like a hot mess. What if it was Giselle on the other side, ready to ream you a new one for ditching her last night at a party SHE invited you to (god you really needed to apologize properly)? What if it was Jaehyun ready to demand where you ran off to - as if he even has your new address?

You felt sick. All morning you’ve felt sick, right from the moment you woke up in an unknown bed, with a stranger laying next to you. Sure, you dated Jaehyun only three years ago, but three years is enough time to turn even our closest friends into strangers. The minute you woke up and saw the sleeping boy who you once found beautiful, you couldn’t stop the silent tears from rolling down your face. God, what would haechan think of you? Sure, he didn’t know about jaehyun quite yet, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be disappointed - it couldn’t mean you can’t feel bad. And boy, do you feel bad. Even if haechan doesn’t see you like you see him, you cant help but feel like you cheated on him. Maybe it’s delusion, but you don’t care - you inadvertently hurt him but hurting yourself.

You were thankful you could just sweep this all under the rug, right after you give your friends SOME form of explanation for ditching Giselle last night, and it didn’t hurt to put on a brave front for them and pretend you were proud of yourself - just for your own dignity. You won’t see jaehyun again, but at the very least you can make it seem like you used him and left him just like he did you - would they be proud of you then? Definitely not after you realize you sent it not just to your friends, but to HAECHAN and his friends too.

Lord kill you know.

Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe by showing haechan that you can also like someone else, it will help you get this silly fantasy out of your head that Haechan actually likes you. Maybe he’ll say “oh! Y/n this is GREAT - we can go on double dates together” and that will heal you of the disease called love you currently have. Probably won’t - but maybe?

Well, regardless of that, you have to face the music. That’s why, with a deep breath, you pull the front door open - not bothering to check who’s on the other side. It’s not Giselle staring back at your in anger, or even Jaehyun in confusion - but it’s the boy you were just thinking about, staring at you in disgust. The both of you just stand there for a moment, taking it all in. You actually haven’t seen Haechan in a week - the last time being you briefly passed each other in the hallway and stopped for the casual “how are you” “fine and yourself” before going on your separate ways; pretending like you never knew each other as more than neighbors; pretending like he doesn’t occupy your thoughts 24 hours of the day.

The moment is over, you realize, when Haechan shoves past you and turns around to stare at you from his place in your living room. He looks like he’s ready for battle - a determined look on his face and his feet stood rigid like poles. You slowly trail after him, breaking from the path to branch off into the kitchen - still in his line of sight but not quite near him. Haechan scoffs at the irony.

Close but so far. Just like she has been from the moment I learned who she was.

“Would you like some water?” You ask, not looking at him but instead with your back turned towards the cupboard.

“No, that’s not why I’m here,” you stop with your hand midair - the tone of his voice shocking you. Haechan has never yelled at you, never raised his voice in anger, never even had a sharp undertone that couldn’t be passed as humor. Haechan has never given any sign that he was even capable of getting to that level of anger, at least not with you. But as you hear the shake in his voice - the unmistakable presence of fury - you understand that there’s another thing to haechan that was omitted from you. “Im here because you need to explain to me what I saw.”

You turn to him slowly, and send an almost humorous look that shoots shockwaves down Haechan’s body. He could never in his right mind deny your beauty, or deny his love for you. No matter how angry that look made him, because it meant that you weren’t taking this as seriously as he meant it to be taken, he cannot deny his feelings.

“Haechan, what are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about those pictures, y/n. What the fuck was that?”

“Oh, those little things? I don’t know what you’re asking me haechan but I’m sorry I sent them in that group chat, I meant it to be a private thing” you shrugged, going back to getting two glasses of water, once again turning back to the counter.

Even though you couldn’t see him, Haechan shook his head in disbelief, not seeing how you could be so nonchalant about all this. “I don’t care about the group chat, y/n. Why were you in some guys bed?”

You laughed at this, “well haechan, when a boy and a girl like each other very much-“

“Y/n! Stop acting stupid- I’m serious!” He looked at you, seemingly exasperated by your behavior. You raised your eyebrows at the boy, coming up to him now with two glasses of water. You tried handing him one but he just softly pushed your hand away, shaking his head while turning away with a sigh. You rolled your eyes as you set both cups down on the coffee table, choosing to match Haechan’s energy somewhat by standing along with him. You don’t know why, but you get the feeling you should prepare for a fight - maybe because Haechan is acting like you both are about to fight right now.

“Haechan, I’m confused right now. Why does this make you so angry?” It’s Haechan’s turn to act like you’re the crazy one, what with his eye roll and quick snap of his head to your face - like you just asked if the Earth was round.

“Because Y/n I’m worried about you! What the hell is going on with you these past couple weeks? You’ve been running around to parties and sleeping with strangers and you haven’t been talking to ME at all! Is this a cry for help?” Now it was your turn to be mad. Who exactly does this kid think he is?

“Yknow what haechan - I will not have you come into MY home and treat me like this. SIT DOWN,” You point to the couch, angry that you have to treat a grown man like a dog. The “man” in question huffs, but still does as told and plops down on the seat behind him, still as antsy as ever with his leg bouncing as he waits for you to continue, “I’m going to be straight with you haechan, my LIFE is going to parties and running around. I’m not a student or an office worker, I am an entertainer professionally. My friends - par Jaemin - are professional entertainers. We don’t just sit at home all day - occasionally we GO TO PARTIES and NETWORK with other entertainers. As for the STRANGER, one it wasn’t a stranger at all, but in fact someone I’ve known for YEARS and have a history with. Two, if you MUST KNOW as my friend it won’t be happening again, but if it does or doesn’t really isn’t any of YOUR business. And lastly, let me tell you - there’s a reason we aren’t talking right now, haechan. Because I never know WHO I’m going to get! Will it be the Haechan who plays games and loves to go get food at 3 am and stay up watching all the twilight movies in order, or is it donghyuck who keeps secrets and doesn’t tell his friends he has a crush on a girl. I get that you want to know about my life, but you can’t get mad at me for not talking to you when it’s not like YOU talk to ME. I haven’t received texts that you want to hang out or anything from you! Meanwhile you SEE I’m busy working and yes haechan I know I should have been more communicative to a friend but can you blame me when lately I feel like I barely even know you? You have no right to storm in here like this and demand I tell you anything when you’re the secretive one in this friendship!” You release a big sigh, finishing your rant and staring at the boy who looks back in shock.

You’re right. Haechan knows you’re right, on all fronts. It’s everything he has told himself and what everyone has been telling him these past couple weeks. He feels nothing but shame as he looks at the ground. God, he’s really fucked up. He took a beautiful opportunity and turned it into nothing but a lie. He knows this is going to hurt, but he can’t keep lying. There’s just one thing he doesn’t understand before he owns up to everything.

“What girl?” Haechan looks at you in confusion as you finish taking a drink from your glass. You look back in equal bewilderment, and annoyance. Is that really ALL he got from that?

“What do you mean what girl, Haechan?”

“You said not telling you about a crush on some girl - what girl.”

“Huh? The girl you said you had a crush on that went to your school? The one Ningning told me about - haechan are you feeling okay?” You look at Haechan, and watch as the realization turns in his head, and his eyes go wide like saucers. Before you can understand what’s going on, Haechan springs from his seat and starts pacing around your living room, “Haechan, you’re scaring me.” You mumble out as you stand as well, following the boy with your eyes.

Suddenly he stops in the middle of the room, back where he began, and he turns to you - only for you to see the fear in his eyes. Before you can even comment on it, Haechan is bursting, “y/n, I lied.”

Your head tilts in confusion, Haechan taking this as an opportunity to keep going, “there was no girl - never any girl. Ningning panicked when she was talking with you because the girl she was talking about was…you. I like you, a lot. And I thought you didn’t like me back and it would be easier to lie about it so you could forget and then years and years down the road I would confess over a cup of coffee and you would laugh because the damage was done and forgotten. But, regardless of that I lied and I’m so sorry and I hope you can forgive me.”

Your head was reeling. If you didn’t have a headache before, you definitely have one now. First, haechan is mad, now he’s apologizing for lying - and he likes you. Haechan likes you. Now you feel especially shitty about those pictures.

You plop back into your seat with a sigh, your eyes focused on the floor as you process this. Haechan, thankfully, stays quiet - letting you have your moment. After what feels like forever, you look back up at Haechan in determination, “I forgive you. And I like you too”.

Haechan starts laughing maniacally almost immediately, like someone said the funniest joke he’s ever heard. This goes on for 20 solid seconds before his laughter fizzles out as he realizes you’re not laughing with him. Then, his eyes get even wider than possible and he softly asks, “wait, really? But what about Jae-I mean..that guy?”

You shrug with an apologetic sigh, “it was a drunken mistake, haechan. I felt so bad for it after and yeah I was playing it up in the group chat but honestly, I felt like an idiot. I like you so much and I was just so petty about us not really talking and the whole name situation that I acted before thinking. I’m so sorry, do you forgive me?” You hold your breath, hoping he’ll get the memo that you’re completely serious.

Thankfully he does, as he immediately attacks you in a hug that has the both of you almost falling over in the chair. You laugh into his neck, and you both stay like that for a moment before he’s pulling himself back and looking at you in awe, “of course I do - oh thank GOD! Fuck, y/n you have no idea how happy I am! God I KNEW jaehyun wasn’t right for you and I’m so glad you decided not to get back with him!” Haechan’s laughing, the smile on his face is blinding.

And just like that, your world comes crashing down and the sickness returns. Your breath catches in your throat as you slowly push Haechan off you in..fear. Haechan is confused, and rightfully so you guess, but you can’t calm yourself down as you stand up from your chair and back away from him.

You’ve always prided yourself on your memory. Ever since you were a little girl, you could solve memory games faster than anyone in your grade, you’ve always been able to remember obscure details about someone that they said in passing - and you’ve ALWAYS been able to recall what you’ve said to people.

And you know for a FACT you never told Haechan Jaehyuns name. There’s only one place you’ve ever publicly mentioned him - and that place is your twitch. You typically save your twitch videos and upload them to YouTube, but you’ve already looked through every single one and deleted any mentions of jaehyun from any form of your media. You did that probably a year ago, to officially say goodbye to him. You know there’s no videos of the two of you online - you’ve SCOURED the internet. And most of all, you know for a fact that there’s no fanmade videos that mention the both of you - Jaehyuns company made sure of that before he debuted. So that means….

“Haechan - how do you know who Jaehyun is?” Haechan’s face goes pale as he realizes his slip up. You both look at each other in silence for a good minute, waiting to see who will move first. Haechan knows there’s no point in gaslighting you. If you could remember to be scared just at the mention of Jaehyuns name from Haechan’s mouth, he’s already been caught.

“Y/n…” he finally gets out, and you know what that means.

Almost like a whisper - because you’re too weak and ill to get anything else out - your voice cracks as you ask, “how long”. Haechan goes to speak, but you know he’ll try and bullshit you, so you repeat yourself louder this time, “HOW LONG HAECHAN”.

He sighs, giving up. This is what he wanted, after all. This is what he chose when he decided to lie to you, “two years-“ you gasp and turn away from the boy in disgust, “renjun introduced you to me”.

You were played for the fool. How many times did you tell your friends that haechan just…gets you. How many times did you ask yourself how it’s possible for someone to know things about you before you even say it - for someone to be so in-tune with your needs like…he studied them. “Oh my god,” you groan out, feeling like you’re going to throw up. You see out of your peripheral vision that haechan tries to shuffle closer to you, possibly trying to comfort you as you lean on your counter for support. You immediately stand up straight and back away from the stranger in your living room.

“Are you a stalker?” You yell.

“No, god - y/n! You moved in here AFTER me,” He yells back, “please I understand why you’re upset but you have to know it’s not like that!” He pleads, but it goes in one ear and out the other. You look anywhere else but at haechan, feeling panicked.

“How much did you like me…how much of a fan were you..” you ask now, secretly knowing you won’t like the answer.

“I don’t think I should say-” The boy is red, redder than before. He knows he’s close to crying but he’s holding on as much as he can - as much as anyone can while his world tumbles down.

“-TELL ME DONGHYUCK, HOW MUCH!” You interrupt, practically begging. Haechan flinches at the use of his full name, and sighs, feeling the first couple tears drop.

“I…I had a picture of you in my room.”

And there it was.

You gasp, shocked. The room is rigid - even your cats have scattered at the ice cold feeling surrounding the two of you. Your chin wobbles as you stare at the pathetic version of the boy you loved, standing in front of you now. No amount of forgivesness can heal this, you think. Haechan, desperate now, tries one last time to step closer; to invade your bubble and life more than he already has. You’re not letting him get a fast one on you though, because what you need right now is for him to leave.

You take a step back in fear, anger, and shock. You point to the front door, and as confidently as you can muster, you tell the man, “get out, now.” Haechan looks at you, not in shock, not in sadness or guilt, but..in acceptance. Like he knows there’s nothing else he can do or say; he knows he fucked up.

He walks to the door normally, although he doesn’t try to hide the tears anymore. He sees that you, too, have started crying - which angers him even more. As he makes it to the door, he turns back to you one last time and says, “I understand I fucked up. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. Just..please, if you find that you need answers - you know where I am.” And he doesn’t wait for your reply, instead just walking out the door, and you don’t wait to see him off before slamming it shut and locking it behind him.

Your reply never would have come.

GG! (Good Game!) 👾

Wordcount: 3k

☆ Masterlist ☆

Prev ─〇───── Next

⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

Taglist: @n0hyuck @dudekiss3r @injunnie-lemon @yewshi @222brainrot @dokgrayson @lttlekomori @multifandomania @sunflowerbebe07 @beommii @markeroolee @lionzyon @snflwrhaerecs4u @starfilledgaze @lostinneocity @insaneanddrained @chenlesfavorite @hyucktion @lampcults @nctjunie @oreosareara @stqrgr7 @catpjimin @chan-yeoldelling @hahaechans @joonsprettygf (can’t tag bolded)

<message or comment to be added to taglist; status: open>

[vertical-sekai]

Introductory post!

WHAT IS VERTICAL SEKAI?

Vertical SEKAI is a fan made alternate universe of Project SEKAI made by @shiraoyagi .

It is a unitswap based on the number order of each character in the files. These numbers are organized vertically to create new units rather than how they are done horizontally in the original game. To demonstrate (because I couldn't find a more concise way to word this), I created a chart.

The above image shows how the numbers are organized by unit in canon. For reference, 1 is Ichika, 20 is Mizuki, and 21 is Miku.

The below image shows how the numbers are organized by unit in the Vertical SEKAI AU.

DISCLAIMER: I did not shuffle the VS numbers because they serve the same function in this AU as they do in the canon game. Ideally, I'd sort them vertically to determine their default unit placements, but unfortunately, by doing this I would create a massive plot hole in AURORA's lore, so I decided against it.

I don't expect anyone to know the character numbers off the top of their head, so I'll also list the units properly below (with altered unit placements to reflect the story).

re:birth

Ichika Hoshino (Guitar and Lead Vocals)

Haruka Kiritani (Bass)

Akito Shinonome (Drums)

Rui Kamishiro (Synths)

Three people who have given up on their dreams join a girl who reaches for the faint remnants of hers.

Their SEKAI is the Park SEKAI. Miku and Len are the first to appear there.

Forever Dream!

Kanade Yoisaki

Saki Tenma

Airi Momoi

Touya Aoyagi

An unconventional idol group that aims to save someone with their performances.

Their SEKAI is the Stage SEKAI. Rin is the first to appear there.

(FD!'s Stage SEKAI is significantly different from MMJ!'S Stage SEKAI, they just share a name and a basic concept [a stage]).

AURORA

Tsukasa Tenma (Composer)

Honami Mochizuki

Shizuku Hinomori

Mafuyu Asahina (Lyricist)

An unassuming group of street musicians that took Vivid Street by storm overnight.

Their SEKAI is the Wonderland SEKAI. This SEKAI contains only Tsukasa's feelings. Miku and KAITO have been there a long time.

The Phoenix's Castle of Ashes and Ressurection

Kohane Azusawa (Scriptwriter)

Emu Ootori (Lead actress)

Ena Shinonome (Set, makeup, and costume design)

Shiho Hinomori (Director)

A theater troupe that is keeping the magic of a theme park's oldest stage alive.

Their SEKAI is the Castle SEKAI. Luka is the first to appear there.

day.light

Minori Hanasato (Illustrator)

An Shiraishi (Lyricist)

Nene Kusanagi (Composer)

Mizuki Akiyama (MV Editor)

An online music group that mourns impossible dreams.

Their SEKAI is the Abandoned Livehouse SEKAI. MEIKO is the first to appear there.

(I know I'm bad at naming units, but I tried my best... some of these names may be subject to change in the future)

So now that we have the basic mechanics of the AU laid out...

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACCOUNT?

This account is basically how information about the Vertical SEKAI AU will be distributed. It is basically an ask blog.

You can either ask questions to me on this blog directly, or you can ask questions to the characters in the AU, and in that case, I will try to respond as in character as possible.

In Vertical SEKAI AU canon, these questions are given to the characters (when addressed to them) in the form of fragments of feelings that float around their SEKAIs (similarly to how after lives work in canon). This means that in character questions can only be asked to characters who have access to a SEKAI, so... sorry, NPC enjoyers (although I'll still answer questions about them myself)!

Tags on this blog will be sorted as follows:

#vertical sekai au as a general tag for the AU.

#oc ask for questions directed towards the Project SEKAI OCs.

#cr ask for questions directed towards me, the creator of this AU.

#non ask for posts that aren't asks. This is for original content I make and upload of my own will, in other words.

I will add more sections to this post in the future if any frequently asked questions come up. Thank you for reading!

[sinisterexaggerator]

Uncharted Territory

Hunter x Gen! Reader

Warnings: None. Fluff and a kiss. A little bit of angst in relation to wartime and heartfelt goodbyes.

686 words

Notes: I decided to write a series of "goodbye" ficlets where the reader takes / removes something from each of CF99 as they part ways.

Crosshair || Echo || Wrecker || Tech

---

War was rampant; your situation was not special, yet guardian angels had been delivered to your doorstep. They were clones, though unique in comparison to all the others, tools of the Republic who had come to save the day.

Even so, their stay was short. You had offered them your home and an open hearth. The leader of the pack had expressed his gratitude for your hospitality, those men who had been stationed on your planet the last few weeks finally packing up their things in preparation to vacate your humble village.

Hunter came for one last visit, alone, wanting to privately address you and the time you had spent together. He was used to hard goodbyes, though this was uncharted territory.

You were sure he could hear the pounding of your heart, the stoic sergeant pausing before your open door. Managing to keep your grace, you ushered him inside, somehow fighting off the deep-seated ache that had taken root behind your ribs.

“Off so soon?” you asked, attempting to relieve a bit of tension, knowing good and well he had come to bid you a fond farewell. You were not sure your eyes would ever again meet his, so warm and brown, taking this time to commit to memory his tawny, tatted face.

“Unfortunately,” Hunter replied, making a motion with his hand. “We have to be on our way,” he stated, bringing attention to the fact he did not have much time to spare.

You would sigh, giving him the best smile you could muster. You were easily betrayed by your emotions, stepping forward toward the man who carefully studied your every move.

“You could always stay,” you proposed, knowing he would never leave his squad behind. It was wishful thinking, even if naïve to entertain.

“I can’t,” he breathed. He did not enjoy having to disappoint you. “Listen—” he started, but you would interrupt him by leaning forward to undo the knot of his bandana.

“One more time?” you asked; Hunter only nodded. Gently, you sifted your fingers through his chestnut locks.

Hunter closed his eyes, letting the sensation overwhelm him, nerve-endings tingling by way of your gentle caress. Plush lips parted as you ran the full course of his curls, this action repeated thrice when your hand finally came to rest along the bend of his strong jaw.

He would open them again just as you kissed him, settling into the soft flesh of your lips. He scooped you forward, pressing your body against his, firm and strong, and clad in that damned armor.

You surrendered in totality, sweetly moaning this clone’s name. “Hunter.”

As if ravenous, his tongue found yours, his embrace enveloping your form. He was a soldier; he was destined for battle. You could only give him this small reprieve.

And yet, it was too much, Hunter pulling back to keep himself in check. Everything about this felt too good, too right. It had to end before it could properly begin; he would be unable to find the motivation to leave this place or your cozy house.

You felt a brush against your other hand; Hunter softly squeezed your fingers around the bit of fabric in your possession. “You can keep it,” he offered, though you could only smile again.

You shook your head and moved to refit the bandana to its rightful place; you cinched the back and stood a pace away, admiring your work - more than that. He was worthy, a hero among his kind.

“No,” you started, “I have all I need to remember you by,” you promised, lightly resting your hand atop your chest.

Hunter’s own smile was subdued in return, bittersweet. “Stay safe; make sure I don’t have to rescue you again,” he playfully asserted.

“Don’t give me any ideas,” you muttered, gifting to him one final kiss; the feeling lingered, dying slowly, Hunter trusting that you would be all right.

Nothing more was to transpire. With that, he turned to rejoin his squad. Even if he was planning to depart from your muggy, Mid Rim world, Hunter would never leave your heart.

[considerablecolors]

⚠️ SPOILERS FOR S4 & DISCUSSION OF SA ⚠️

hey so umm THEY NEVER ADDRESSED ALLISON TRYING TO ASSAULT LUTHER IN S3 WHAT HAPPENED HELLO. I KEPT WAITING WITH BATED BREATH TO SEE HOW THEY COULD POSSIBLY ADDRESS THAT TOPIC WITHOUT FUMBLING IT AND THE ANSWER WAS JUST. TO NOT EVEN TRY. I GUESS.

"everyone in the family is mad at me because i changed the timeline" ok yeah sure but I CAN THINK OF ANOTHER REASON TO BE MAD

and before anyone says any shit this is 100% not an excuse to be racist and sexist or to hold allison to different standards than your favorite white male characters. part of what made that scene in season 3 so disturbing to me was the fact that the writers chose to have the only black woman main character in the show do that to a white man. she's one of two women in the core siblings cast at this point. she's also a character that initially, while prone to making mistakes and abusing her powers, always loved her family. in fact, her love for viktor and insistence on not giving up on him even when he was hurting the others was one of the main themes of the first season.

why did we have her do that of all people. why did we have anyone do that at all. it was completely unnecessary to do (and to SHOW ON SCREEN) but to have the gall to do... that... and then not even address it and have allison and luther act completely normally to each other...

ALSO UM. luther canonically not remembering his first time having sex because he was under influence, getting mind controlled by his sister to almost get sexually assaulted, and then becoming a stripper despite showing basically no interest in the actual aspects of it... girl am i going crazy or is this not a coincidence, in a competently handled show this could be an exploration of the way sa victims will end up sexualizing themselves but no. instead we get jokes about him wearing thongs 24/7 and A FLASHBACK TO HIM AND HIS SISTER THAT TRIED TO ASSAULT HIM DANCING TOGETHER LIKE THAT'S CUTE. HELLO. ARE YOU THERE LITTLE GIRL ON A BICYCLE IT'S ME I JUST WANNA TALK.

also here's the deal. luther is also not perfect at all. none of the siblings are, that's the point, but specifically, luther was incredibly shitty and abusive to viktor in season one. but the show took the time to properly address it, have characters act differently towards each other as a result, have luther explicitly apologize to who he hurt and show genuine remorse, and throughout the next three seasons they took time to have him make up for it.

allison didn't get that chance, and that leaves such a bad taste in my mouth, and not even in the context of the show itself as much as the real life implications. im white, so i can't really give much of a genuine perspective and may be looking into things too deeply, but... the fact that allison consistently tends to be one of the most villainized characters in the show and portrayed specifically as manipulative and abusive and selfish... as the only black woman in the show since season 1 (unless i am forgetting someone)... feels so so so gross. (also having ray leave her and her child offscreen like come the fuck on)

everyone is talking about the treatment of five's character lately (and RIGHTFULLY so, believe me), but... allison AND luther i am sorry i am so so sorry they did this to y'all omg

[kiwinatorwaffles]

hmm. i'm usually not one to post about these topics but i think i've gathered enough thoughts on wilbur's abysmal apology towards shelby to form a cohesive message.

WARNING: the rest of the post will discuss abuse and also a lot of my personal experiences as someone who has hurt other people in the past. obviously not to the extent that wilbur has, but please move on it you don’t want to see it. thank you and stay safe.

being stuck in a hard place, whether it be living conditions, mental conditions, or any other factor, will naturally hurt the person going through those tough times. and hurt people hurt people. but i think there's a pretty Big Fucking Difference between doing bad things in the past and actually owning up to your actions after regretting it VS doing bad things in the past and turning a blind eye against those you've hurt to wallow in your own ego and misery.

i’ve experienced my fair share of abusive friendships, but when i was fifteen, i WAS the toxic friend. (yes, i’m aroace. friendships aren’t the same as a romantic relationship but they can be just as strong. i value my platonic bonds as much as allos value their marriages or date partners.) i was going through a huge depressive episode. it was tough for me, but during that time, i made fun of my friends' interests to their faces because i couldn't personally understand it, and i also vagueposted about the little things they did that ticked me off right where they could see it. it got to the point where they had to make a separate group chat to talk about their interests where i wouldn’t see it. i hurt all of them, and it ended in them confronting me about my actions. they put me in my place and called me out for my horrible attitude.

after seeing my friends' perspectives, i realized just how awful i was to them and sincerely apologized to each of them. i recognized their feelings towards my actions and didn't make excuses. even though i was going through a hard time myself, my abuse towards them was absolutely NOT justified. as i recovered, i made sure not to hurt them any more, and years later, our friendships are still going strong.

my experiences aren't nearly as extreme as what wilbur has done to shelby, but i think it's pretty fucking clear that his apology was flaming dog shit served on a trash dump. like, i was a fifteen year old. he's a Grown Ass Man with a big platform. he dug his own grave by talking about himself first instead of actually addressing his mistreatment of shelby first and foremost. he didn't even MENTION shelby by name. talking about his "strides to betterment" without even directing his apology towards the person he actually hurt is just pathetic. that whole spiel about how he "thought" the whole exchange was consensual is fucking wild. he didn't even apologize for that; he moved on right afterwards.

we can infer that wilbur has been struggling with being a person who has done bad things through his songs and lovejoy's music. he might have been going through a hard time and maybe even regretted it (though his apology really makes it seem like he's just doing it for damage control), that STILL doesn't validate any hurt he might have caused. the least he could’ve done is to sincerely apologize to shelby, even if she didn’t accept it. but he couldn’t even do that.

it's just disappointing that, as someone who has a platform of millions of followers, he displayed an act of shallowness. in the end, his attempt at sincerity fell flat and benefited no one, especially not the people he abused. if he had properly apologized, even if his apology wasn't accepted, it would've shown people in a similar situation how to apologize to the people they hurt in the past in a mature and sincere way.

so, yeah. FUCK wilbur soot. focus not on the fact that he has done bad, but that the one he abused didn’t get a proper apology. support shelby and other victims of abuse. listen to their experiences and spread awareness of these cautions. uplift their voices, not his.

for those who have connected to his and lovejoy's music that have gone through a similar dark time in their lives, i also extend my heart out to you. it must also be hard to see someone who reflected your struggles of betterment reveal himself to be someone who really hasn't gotten better at all.

but you don’t have to be like him. you don’t need to follow in his steps as long as you own up to your mistakes, even if you can’t talk to those you hurt anymore. in the end, what matters most is that you apologize in a sincere way and make sure you don’t repeat those mistakes going forward.

you CAN get better. if anything just so spite that british boy’s ass

thank you. kiwi out ✌️

[yourfavoritebookclub]

WINGLEADER: A Xaden Riorson POV Fanfiction

CHAPTER 6

Imogen and I walk along the Iakobos River, our steps near silent as we snake our way through the reedy grass to the cluster of large oaks at the bank.

We stop at the roots of one of the larger trees and Imogen pulls off her hood to give me a long look.

She leans in towards me, voice quiet. “Can you please stop giving me the silent treatment?”

When I don't respond, she turns her head to look me in the eyes, “Xaden, seriously. You weren’t there, she was talking about my parents being murdered. Am I supposed to just let trash like her get away with that? It’s dis—” I lift my hand to silence her. “Don’t finish that sentence, Imogen.” I ground out, my anger rising at the insult.

Hurt and confusion flash across her face and I feel a twinge of guilt. She doesn’t know that with every look, every confrontation, every day that goes by where Violet is in my presence, my self control slips a little more.

“The rest are close.” Sgaeyl says from her position in the sky. 

My eyes lift, “We can discuss this in front of everyone. It’s a message for all of you.”

The two of us turn towards the line of trees as the rest of the group converge beneath the giant oak.

My shadows are comfortable here, they feel cool against my skin. As they unravel, my senses extend along every tendril. I can hear every small nocturne creature and subtle wind.

I can also hear the soft, quick breathing above me. What Violet Sorrengail is doing out here, is a question I’d love to know the answer to. But it can wait. This moment feels like another opportunity to push her and see which way she falls.

There are small introductions between everyone, most of them are known, but some of the first-years are from smaller families who haven’t been properly acquainted with everyone.

There’s a palpable anxiety coursing through the younger cadets. I get it, but it’s time to push it to the side, step up, and do their jobs. We protect each other. Panic isn't an option. 

Garrick is angsty about the losses this week. We all are. Our numbers are small enough as is. 

Garrick addresses the group, his eyes hard, “We’ve already lost Sutherland and Luperco, that’s just how it is your first year, but we can’t afford to lose a single one of us. Division amongst ourselves will be your greatest weakness.”

There’s soft rustling in the branches above as Violet moves from branch to branch.

Imogen turns to the first years, “Like it or not, we’re going to have to stick together if you want to survive until graduation.”

“And if they find out we’re meeting?” One of the younger girls, Gwyn, asks the group.

The fear is clear on all of their faces. They’ve all been scared for too long. But that’s what we’re here to change.

I need to inspire courage, but also remind them that we’re confident in the system we’ve created.

And remind them who they’ll be answering to if things get out of hand.

I cross my arms and lean against the tree, keenly aware of Violet, now directly above me.

“We’ve done this for two years and they’ve never found out.” My eyes scan the group, “they’re not going to unless one of you tells. And if you tell,” I say, raising a brow, “I’ll know. Like Garrick said, we’ve already lost two first-years to their own negligence. There are only forty-one of us in the Riders Quadrant, and we don’t want to lose any of you, but we will if you don’t help yourselves. The odds are always stacked against us, and trust me, every other Navarrian in the quadrant will look for reasons to call you a traitor or force you to fail.”

There’s no use in feeding them bullshit if their lives are on the line.

“How many of you are getting your asses handed to you in hand-to-hand?”

Four first-years raise their hands.

Four.

“Shit.” I exhale, pinching the bridge of my nose. This is not good. After the bargain was made a few of us older kids made sure there were systems in place. Training regimens were created. Academic Curriculums, and tests that mimicked what they’ll face upon entering the quadrant. Tools to ensure every serpartist’s kid was well equipped before they put a single toe on the parapet.

The headache is back.

Garrick, always a step ahead, says, “I’ll teach them.”

After the amount of training, and natural skill he’s had, Garrick’s fighting is instinctual. Good for winning fights, not great for trying to teach someone.

I look at Garrick and shake my head, “You’re our best fighter–” 

I’m interrupted by Bodhi, “ You’re our best fighter.”

“Dirtiest fighter, maybe,” Imogen corrects him with a laugh.

There’s some laughter, and even a couple smiles from the younger ones.

“Fucking ruthless is more like it,” Garrick says, grinning at me.

I keep my mouth shut and let everyone get it out of their system before moving on.

“Garrick is our best fighter, but Imogen is right up there with him, and she’s a hell of a lot more patient,” If the two of them want to be mouthy then they can do it together. “So the four of you split yourselves up between the two of them for training. A group of three won’t draw any unwanted attention. What else is giving you trouble?” One of the first years, Kieran begins speaking before anyone else, his voice full of anguish,“I can’t do this.” My stomach lurches.

I can’t deal with this right now

“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice going cold.

“I can’t do this! The death. The fighting. Any of it. A guy had his neck snapped right in front of me on assessment day!” The boy's voice is growing more frantic, and every word out of his mouth is filling me with guilt.

“I want to go home!” Kieran continues, “Can you help me with that ?”

Everyone turns to look at me.

I did this to them.

Bile rises to the back of my throat.

No, this was the only way I could save every person in front of me right now.

I didn’t have a choice.

And neither does he.

I swallow, frustration bubbling up to the surface.

We don’t have time to comfort and coddle. Our goal is to survive. Everything else is an afterthought.

“No,” I say, shrugging my shoulders, feigning indifference.“You’re not going to make it. Best accept it now and not take up more of my time.”

My words come out harsher than intended, but I mean them nonetheless 

The color drains from Kieran’s face, and his thin frame begins shaking as my words hit him.

Bodhi turns to look at me, incredulity written on his face. “That was a little harsh, cousin.”

“What do you want me to say, Bodhi? I can’t save everyone, especially not someone who isn’t willing to work to save themselves.” I keep my voice calm, even as the guilt tries to press itself in on me.

“Damn, Xaden.” Garrick says, that same disbelief lacing his voice. “Way to give a pep talk.”

Did none of them hear me after the parapet? We are not special. We will face blood and horror, and the likely possibility of death. Giving me problems that I can’t solve doesn’t help anyone, it holds us all back. This is just a fact of our reality. 

“If they need a fucking pep talk, then we both know they’re not flying out of the quadrant on graduation day. Let’s get real. I can hold their hands and make them a bunch of bullshit empty promises about everyone making it through if that helps them sleep, but in my experience, the truth is far more valuable.” I turn to look at Kieran, “In war, people die. It’s not glorious like the bards sing about, either. It’s snapped necks and two-hundred-foot falls. There’s nothing romantic about scorched earth or the scent of sulfur.” 

I point to the citadel off in the distance, “This isn’t some fable where everyone makes it out alive. It’s hard, cold, uncaring reality. Not everyone here is going to make it home…to whatever’s left of our homes. And make no mistake, we are at war every time we step foot in the quadrant.” I lean closer to him, and the other first-years in front of me. They need to drill this into their fucking skulls, “So if you won’t get your shit together and fight to live, then no. You’re not going to make it.”

I assess each of them, making sure they’ve heard me loud and clear.

Good. Time to move on.

“Now, someone give me a problem I can actually solve,” I say, this time addressing the whole group.

Aria, one of the first years, speaks up, “Battle Brief.” 

That, I can handle.

She continues, “It’s not that I can’t keep up, but the information…”

Imogen steps in to soften the obvious conflict in Aria’s voice. She leans in, voice gentle “That’s a tough one.”

Some of my irritation with her softens. Imogen’s fearless, and has a nasty temper, but she’s always been a buffer between me and everyone else.

And she’s right, It’s hard to know what we know, and still placate the professors.

I’d speak a bit more freely if I didn’t have a certain someone perched on the branch above me. I'm already sticking my neck out by letting her stay. 

“You learn what they teach you.” I say giving her a pointed look. “Keep what you know but recite whatever they tell you to.” There are several nods, and I feel satisfied that everyone understands what’s at stake if they fuck up.

“Anyone else?” I say, looking up at the moon. It’s shifted considerably since we got here, which means we’re cutting it close. “You’d better ask now. We don’t have all night.”

There’s a heartbeat of silence before someone in the back says, “When do we get to kill Violet Sorrengail?”

My whole body tenses, my heartrate climbing, and I have to clench my jaw to keep from snapping. In the span of a few seconds I’ve become completely possessed. Just a handful of days around her and I’m already losing my mind at the thought of anyone touching her. She’s mine . 

“Yeah, Xaden, When do we get to finally have our revenge?” Imogen says, her voice turning mockingly sweet. 

I am now acutely aware of every fast breath coming from Violet. 

I throw a threatening look at Imogen, “I told you already, the youngest Sorrengail is mine, and I’ll handle her when the time is right.” 

I don’t think I even know what that means right now. There are a lot of ways I’d like to handle– 

No.

That’s not even a thought worth entertaining.

Bodhi decides to be Bodhi and stir the pot, “Didn’t you already learn that lesson, Imogen? What I hear, Aetos has you scrubbing dinner dishes for the next month for using your powers on the mat.”

“Her mother is responsible for the execution of my mom and sister. I should have done more than just snap her shoulder.” Imogen argues, her cheeks flushing in anger.

“Her mom is responsible for the capture of nearly all our parents. Not her daughter.” Garrick looks Imogen in the eyes, “Punishing children for the sins of their parents is the Navarrian way, not Tyrrish.”

This is getting exhausting.

“So we get conscripted because of what our parents did years ago and shoved into this death sentence of a college–”

“In case you didn’t notice, she’s in this same death sentence of a college. Seems like she’s already suffering the same fate.” Garrick says, shutting down Imogen’s argument.

Apparently everyone here needs a reminder of who Violet is in all of this.

“Don’t forget her brother was Brennan Sorrengail. She has just as much reason to hate us as we do her.” I say to Imogen before turning to the first-year, “And I’m not going to tell you again. She’s mine to handle. Anyone feel like arguing?”

No one speaks.

The moon has shifted even closer to the horizon. Time to get these walking headaches out of here and deal with the one above me.“Good. Then get back to bed. And go in threes.”  

The group clears out and I walk towards the citadel, slowly cloaking myself in shadows until I’m invisible in the dark. I can’t help but smirk as I backtrack to the oak tree and slip behind where Violet is currently positioned.

She’s patient. It takes her a good ten minutes before she finally climbs down from her perch and drops to the ground. 

Still cloaked in shadows, I lunge, pulling her tight against my chest. Every place where our bodies connect is buzzing like a live wire, and I resist the impulse to drop her. 

It’s overwhelming, intoxicating, and dammit if I don’t love every second.

“Scream and you die,” I whisper in her ear. I don’t want to let go of her, but I force myself to remove my arm from around her neck.

Before she can even think about retaliating, I’ve replaced my arm with the edge of a dagger. “Fucking Sorrengail.” I snap, pulling back the hood of her cloak to reveal her face.

Fuck. 

I can’t help the way my cheeks heat as she leans her head back to look me in the eyes.

I push my chest against her, forcing her eyes forward before she gets a chance to read the undeniable need on my face.

“How did you know?” She says, her lip curling. For someone who’s convinced I’m going to kill her, she has some bite. “Let me guess,” she continues, “You could smell my perfume. Isn’t that what always gives the heroine away in books?”

Perfume?  

I bend my head toward hers, my lips brushing against her ear.

She’s irritating as hell. And yet here I am, excited that I have her all to myself.

“I command shadows, but sure, it was your perfume that gave you away.” I say sarcastically, my voice barely above a whisper.

A thrill goes up my spine as she gasps. “Your signet is a shadow wielder?”

My lips are still at her ear , “What, Aetos hasn’t warned you not to get caught alone in the dark with me yet?”

My voice sounds rough, even to me, and I resist the urge to put my mouth on her, to bite her ear, kiss her neck. I’m in a fog, consumed by being near her.

My grip loosens a fraction as my concentration slips, and she spins towards me, dagger raised, “Is this how you plan to handle me?”

“Eavesdropping are we?” I ask, brow lifting. 

Seeing her like this, like she was before the parapet, angry and wild, is doing something to me, and I can’t get enough.

I sheath my dagger. “Now I might actually have to kill you.” The cold look in my eyes is in stark contrast to the way my mind is pleading with her.

Please, don’t say anything. 

Because for all my bravado, I don’t know if I have it in me to kill her. I’m worried about what it might do to me. 

It would wreck me.

She backs away, reaching into her cloak to pull out another dagger. 

Despite her uneven footing and awkward defensive stance, Violet with her daggers out, ready for a fight is…

Fuck, It’s hot.

“That stance is really the best you can muster? No wonder Imogen nearly ripped your arm off.” I say, heaving a sigh. I don’t have it in me to kill her but there are several people who do, and will succeed with her defensive position so…lacking.

“I’m more dangerous than I look,” she says, but her cheeks are flushed and her ears have turned pink at the tips, contradicting the anger in her voice.

She’s being cute, and I can’t help but smirk. I like playing with her, “So I see. I’m quaking in my boots.”

Quicker than I would’ve expected she flings both daggers towards me.

And completely misses.

I look at her dully, if not a little disappointed, “You missed.”

“Did I?” She says, reaching for the two other daggers she has tucked into her cloak, “Why don’t you back up a couple steps and test that theory?”

What?

I smooth my face into a mask of irritated boredom, but from the way she’s looking at me, I know she saw the question in my eyes.

My shadows swirl around her ankles, pulling to touch her. I yank them back, hard, smothering my own desire.

My eyes don’t leave Violet’s as I take three steps back until my back hits the tree.

Where the  hilt of each dagger sits perfectly between both sides of my head.

Oh.

Good girl, Violet.

“Tell me again that I missed.” She threatens, flipping the dagger in her hand to hold it by the tip.

I still can’t take my eyes off of her. 

I smile, “Fascinating, you look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”

I will my shadows into something more concrete, forming them into hands, the slender fingers moving to pluck the daggers from the bark, and drop them into both of my palms.

I’m still smiling at her like a fool. I think I’m going into shock.

My body has completely abandoned my mind, and before I realize what I’m doing, I’m moving towards her, steps slow, “You should show that little trick to Jack Barlowe.”

Violet blinks in surprise, “What?”

She clocks how close we are to each other and raises her dagger.

I’ve done my job a little too well if she thinks my only motivation is to kill her. “The neck-snapping first year who’s very publicly vowed to slaughter you.” I tease, lifting an eyebrow. 

One more step and the tip of her blade is pressed against my middle. I’m still smirking as I reach under her cloak and sheath one of the daggers. 

I lift the other side of her cloak, and the smirk slips off of my face, every ounce of playful banter gone.

Underneath her cloak, her hair is twisted into a loose braid that falls over one shoulder and down past her breast. The silver strands, now exposed to the moonlight, glint as she shifts her head to look up at me.

I can barely breathe for wanting her so badly.

I want to wrap that braid around my wrist and yank her towards me.

For a single heartbeat I’m dumbstruck before I pull myself together and sheath her other dagger. “He’d probably think twice about plotting your murder if you threw a few daggers at his head.”

Violet’s face looks half irritated, half confused, “Because the honor of my murder belongs to you?” My words from earlier play through my head. Mine . “You wanted me dead long before your little club chose my tree to meet under, so I imagine you’ve all but buried me in your mind by now.”

I look at the dagger pressed between us. She looks closer to burying me than the other way around. 

A small shiver of fear courses through me. I’ve made a dangerous gamble in letting her hear all that was said tonight. “Do you plan on telling anyone about my little club ?” 

“No,” She says bluntly.

I can feel my eyebrows knit together. The answer I was hoping for, but not necessarily the one I was expecting. “Why not?” I ask. My head tilts to the side as I examine this girl in front of me, so different than I had assumed. “It’s illegal for the children of separatists officers to assemble in—”

“Groups larger than three,” Smart little thing.

She continues, “I’m well aware. I’ve lived at Basgiath longer than you.” Arrogant little thing too.

“And you’re not going to run off to Mommy, or your precious little Dain, and tell them we’ve been assembling? ” I can’t help the contempt that drips off my tongue at the thought of Dain. Of his hands on her face, searching through her memories.

“You were helping them. I don’t see why that should be punished.” 

I give her an assessing glare.

She looks thoughtful, her mind turned inward for a beat before her eyes refocus on mine, “I’m not going to tell.”

I can’t get my hopes up, but they’re soaring anyways.

Her defenses are slipping away, rotating back to a familiar look of fear.

I don’t want her to be scared of me.

She needs to be scared of me. She should want nothing to do with me. 

If I can just manage enough self restraint to put some distance between the two of us.

“Interesting. We’ll see if you keep your word, and if you do, then unfortunately, it looks like I owe you a favor.” I say, my thoughts of staying away are already completely abandoned.

I turn to go and she calls after me, “You’re not going to handle me?”

“Not tonight!” I yell over my shoulder, a smirk on my face.

She makes an indignant sound, “What are you waiting for?”

Gods I can’t help but play with her, “It’s no fun if you expect it. Now, get back to bed before your wingleader realizes you’re out after curfew.”

“What?” She almost shrieks, voice full of confusion.

 I start to pull my shadows around me, cloaking me from view, but not before I hear her shout, “ You’re my wingleader!”

Yes the hell I am. 

In the shadows my smirk has bloomed into a fierce grin.

[wc-confessions]

As someone who’s experienced and gotten mental trauma from being verbally bullied and/or verbally peer abused in my life-

I honestly dislike how bullying and/or peer abuse is handled in Warrior Cats.

I’ll list some examples here. Please note though that some bits of the series that I mention here I have NOT completely finished reading and/or fully remember, with those parts being filled in from the fandom and/or wiki, so I apologize if I mention any information here in a incorrect and/or wrong way.

Example One: Tallstar’s Revenge

Shrewpaw taunts Tallpaw and calls him “Wormpaw” in order to take fun of Tallpaw’s heritage of his parents being tunnelers. He also unsheathed his claws once while training with Tallpaw as well.

And after Sandgorse - Tallpaw’s father - dies, and tries to go into the tunnels due to the fact that Tallpaw’s father was $h!tty towards him because Tallpaw’s training to be in a Moor runner instead of a tunneler-

Shrewpaw literally says to Tallpaw - a grieving, mentally unwell cat - that literally no one would love or miss him if he died or was gone.

Like- I know that Shrewpaw was also grieving his mother, and probably blamed Tallpaw for death, but’s that’s NO excuse for him to say that to Tallpaw, especially since Shrewpaw himself know the crushing grief and anger of losing a parent.

Your grief does NOT excuse your shitty actions and/or willingly stating bad and harmful $h!t towards others.

But for some reason, instead of the narrative of the book as something not excusable and/or at least putting weight on it to the point that Shrewpaw acknowledges how bad he was to Tallpaw and gradually work his way into being a better person (towards Tallpaw)-

The book instead makes him somewhat like “What? Huh?? I was only teasing you. I didn’t know you were hurt by my bad treatment towards you! :(”

And the book just went along with it and Talltail just believed that awful excuse and just forgave him for that? For some reason??

Example Two: Fire and Ice, and Into the Wild

Sandpaw was a rude bully to Firepaw, insulting and talking badly about him and being xenophobic towards him.

That is until after Fireheart saves her life within Fire and Ice, and Sandstorm grows as a character and treats him nicely after that traumatic and/or mind-changing event occurred.

And it, indeed, does make sense for her character, since she probably internalized and believed the xenophobia within the clans and her viewing Fireheart in a different light after literally saving her life (despite how $h!tty she was him), so her changing her behavior towards him does make sense, and I like that she grew as a person and/or character from that experience.

However, despite this, it does NOT excuse her behavior towards Fireheart when he was a apprentice, and please correct me if I’m wrong about this, but despite how bad she treated Fireheart in the past, he just…forgives her quite quickly and calmly within Fire and Ice after she treats him kindly?

Because I would honestly like it if Fireheart was still quite at least still a bit bitter towards the Sandstorm past treatment towards him, to the point that has to process his disliking of her and/or Sandstorm gradually proves that she’s a better person towards him before they’re chill hanging out with each other.

Example Three: Leopardstar’s Honor

And the fact that Leopardpaw literally gained TRAUMA from Skypaw nearly DROWNING her, to the point that Leopardpaw couldn’t even SWIM in the WATER without being reminded of the fear and pain she felt (possibly nearing drowning) when Skypaw suddenly pushed her head underwater.

And instead of Leopardpaw feeling connected to her mentor to the point that she reveals this traumatic event that occurred and was caused by Skypaw with Skypaw being rightfully punished and/or condoned for it, and her mentor and Sunpaw helping Leopardpaw learn to process and/or overcome that trauma that Skypaw gave her-

Skypaw NEVER gets punished or at least properly addressed for what she did to Leopardpaw, and her mentor - or at least her friend - does NOT learn about what happened to Leopardpaw, resulting in them to believe that she has a average cat dislike for water instead of a fear of water from a TRAUMATIC EVENT that occurred to Leopardpaw.

And while yes, while I suppose there’s a chance that this is probably something that’s a more realistic and/or capable thing to occur within real life-

The fact that this trauma that Skypaw caused Leopardpaw to have wasn’t properly addressed and/or dealt with in a way that honestly doesn’t feel good written honestly…quite irks me a bit.

Of course, I’m NOT surprised that the Erins weren’t able to treat this subject good and/or with proper care (and probably with the most of the serious subjects that they put into their writing)-

I still honestly can’t help but feel quite irritated and/or upset about it, especially when such a sensitive and/or serious subject (that’s already undermined and improperly addressed as h*ll) within a book series whose readers are or at least includes literal CHILDREN isn’t properly treated and/or presented that good (or even decent.)

Please note once again that my knowledge of these parts within the series may not be complete and/or as accurate as they should be, so if I stated or mentioned anything wrong and/or incorrect correct here.

I’m so sorry if I didn’t properly word and write anything well within this confession either, I’m wrote this with zero sleep yet at around 2:15 am - 3:00 am. I’m also sorry if I overreacted to some of the information within this confession as well.

Thank you for reading this rant, and I hope that you have a good day and/or night today.

.

[dreamingofawhiteswan]

Yandere Boombox x Reader who resists and exposes

WARNING: Yandere themes, violence and murder, stalking mention, gaslighting.

Notes: This was fun to write. I hope I have characterised him well.

You are going to take that stupid visor off his face and beat him to death with it. Honestly, you will.

Every single time he comes into view, this unescapable hatred fills your very soul. That smile and little hearts showing up on the screen make you want to pummel it into pieces.

He slings his arm around your shoulder, artificially winking at you. "Hey! Glad you could make it." He threatens you. "Wouldn't be complete without my sweetie!" You wish he would choke in those words.

Had you not been blind, you wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. You've made countless requests to stop dating, to make Boombox not refer to you as if things were normal, but he just keeps doing it. Any attempts to correct him are laughed off, his relaxed demeanor almost like a drug that prevents others from thinking properly.

You remember when this vile hatred began to flood your systems.

It was a day you spent with another one of your friends, one-on-one. You'd lived a normal life up until then, but a hand shot out from the alley you were walking by. It grabbed him, practically at the throat.

You rushed into the alley, trying to find your friend. But then you heard an ugly snap. You didn't know what it was, but it made your blood turn to ice. Your entire body, inside and outside, went rigid.

And then, you made eye contact with him. He was still wearing that visor, even though nothing showed on the screen. He dropped your friend on the ground, revealing through the gap between his feet that your friend's neck had been twisted into an impossible angle.

And he turns his body to you. You recognise who it is immediately.

Neither of you speak a word. Your tongue has gone dry, the way his neck looked imprinting itself into your mind, as if it was your own corpse you had seen. The creak in your bones almost audible.

And your blood which had frozen began to defrost. In fact, you could hear it begin to boil.

You ran towards him, the one you had once called a friend and lover, and slammed your fist right into his face. A crack, almost identical to the one you had heard, screamed through the air. And the vile beast fell down.

You stared at the body, unsure what to do. You feel your legs moving in an unknown direction, only for the rest of you to move along with it. You close your eyes, feeling cool air brush past you as each step reverberates through you. And then you open your eyes as you feel your hand touch the cold of a door handle.

Ever since that day, you loathed Boombox.

He showed up at your door the next day, not even a bruise on where you had punched him. "Bad vibes" he claimed, stating his visit was just from a horrendous gut feeling that something went wrong. You glare at him, standing up and screaming at him to cut the act out.

He acted terrified, that visor lighting up with a panicked expression. You're certain that if you saw through it, it would expose his inner glee. He acts, speaking as if he's done no wrong.

Eventually, he spares you by leaving, keeping that perfectly pitiful expression on his face. You almost slammed the door on his back, only stopping yourself out of fear of bothering the neighbours.

And now, back in the present, he's been putting up his little picture perfect front. All snuggles and love and it makes you want to vomit. But you hold back, only stating a small "Don't call me that...".

Boombox laughs off your comment, pushing himself closer as the song from his gear floods your ears. It's always on, and you've tuned it out in your hatred.

It doesn't matter what this conversation is about. It doesn't matter who you're with, or what he's talking about. You need to get out of here. His grip grows tighter as he nuzzles you, and you can feel pinpricks wherever he touches you.

Suddenly, a voice, your saviour, directly addresses you. It's a simple question, just a check-up. You don't even recognise who it is, but you shove Boombox away, grab their hand, and drag them off.

Perhaps, in their shock, they didn't resist you as you two enter an alleyway. Looking back at the person and seeing one of the Skateboards, they absolutely could have thrown off your grip.

This one, Greenboard, starts with a "Hey! What gives?". If they noticed, that means they'll believe you. They aren't being controlled by that stupid song or whatever, you can finally throw up all the things you've had brewing inside you, and they'll listen because they know it's true.

All of it. The murders that he always makes sure you witness, the constant staring from the strangest locations, the incessant knocking at your door, the way he stares you in the eye as he puts something into his gifts...

...And the duality. How in front if everyone, he acts as he always has. Any bruise you inflict vanishes when he wants them to. The way he visits you, acting all concerned and normal.

"Well gee, certainly sounds like you got a bad case of the stalks..." They begin. It's almost funny. It would be funny if they didn't follow it up with "But are you sure they're the same guy? I mean, there's gotta be more than one Boombox, it's not impossible to think that one's a bad apple..."

They don't understand. They don't understand. You've been going through hell and they don't understand. They heard all you said and they don't understand. You want to ask them why, scream at them why, until the voice you dread comes by.

"Sugar? Greenboard? You two okay?"

Your eyes darken as Greenboard's lighten up. "Oh, BB! Good timing, I think your hunny boo's got a stalker."

"Wait, seriously?!" Boombox exclaims, as if this stalker and him were not one in the same. "That's... Horrible!"

"Yeah, yeah! What's even worse, it seems another Boombox is doing it." Greenboard pats you on the back, pushing you towards your tormentor. "Go on! Just say what you said to me, and we can sort this right out!"

"Greenboard, have some tact." Boombox interrupts before you can spit out your truth. His visor closes in an annoyed expression, everything forcefully unreadable, "They're probably shaken up from saying everything."

Boombox's visor turns into his thinking animation, one you know he doesn't need to use. "I have an idea. If what you say about a stalker is true, then why don't you live with me for a while?"

You start protesting. You deny that offer, as harshly as you can. All you want is for him to drop the act and admit it's him, but your outburst only puts Greenboard more on edge. Sure, Boombox changes to a shocked expression, but you both know it's a lie.

"Oh Swords, this is worse than I thought..." Boombox begins. Those lips of his prepare to seal the deal, to doom you to listening. "I think I really should keep you safe..."

You turn to Greenboard. You beg with your eyes that they don't let you go with this monster, that they see the obvious lies he spouts, that the gaze behind the visor is one of pure joy, but to your horror...

... All Greenboard replies is "Yeah, who better than you? You're their boyfriend."

[ninainthetardis]

Other things that I absolutely despise in the Oak/Wren situation:

- Oak was fine before she came along and made him feel so horrible that he started to question whether his own family really loved him or he somehow compelled them to feel that love and sense of protection towards him. I thought the point of love is that the other person truly sees you and makes you feel accepted the way you are, not pushing you to doubt your worth or make you feel awful about yourself.

Oak was there: "I see you, you're not a monster, you're not good either but I love you anyway and I trust you even if you imprisoned me". And meanwhile, she was there: "your love means nothing, I can't trust your feelings, any word you say is a lie even if you can't properly lie. You are awful" And then she proceeds in attempting his family's murder (while he was trying to save hers).

Basically, she thought of herself as unlovable, so she treated him like shit and at the same time, she wanted him to feel like shit and to feel unlovable as well. And Oak was there: "I know she didn't mean to hurt me, but that stings". I think she meant it, dude. Look how she's been treating you since... well, day 1.

- Suren being problematic is never addressed in any way, except in those two lines she wrote in the letter she left for Oak at the end of the book, before fleeing like a coward. Such an issue deserved more focus. And surely not an endgame for them.

And even before that, when she said she was wrong for imprisoning him, she then immediately proceeded by accusing him of abandoning her, manipulating him into believing that him, as a KID, took away from her the chance to grow up in Elfhame. When he did all he could, at that age, to help her. One moment, Oak was thinking that he had indeed talked to Jude to help her, the next he was blaming himself for not knowing Suren could not go back to her human house. Not doing enough. As if she actually talked to him about anything at that time.

When did Suren actually prove herself sorry for all she put him through? Two sentences are not enough. And Oak is all "it's OK I forgive you" while she makes him feel horrible even for the tiniest of his mistakes.

She constantly guilt trips him to deminish her own wrongdoings.

She is so self-centered that she doesn't even consider that other people - amongst those who live in Faerie at least - have been through horrible things, too, like she did. She has a difficult past. Hence, she feels entitled to give everyone hell. To put Oak through hell. The one person who's always cared about her. This is so awful.

When Vivi used faerie magic on Heather, Jude remarked it was wrong more than once, and even scolded Vivi for doing that. They were not even the main couple, and there's been the right amount of focus on the problematic in their case. Heather left Vivi because of what she did, and then they worked things out. In time.

Heather acknowledged the wrongdoing Vivi did to her. Oak doesn't even realise what Suren did to him. That is a major issue. Cardan and Jude are well aware of the shit they did to each other. Tiernan and Hyacinthe, too. And they all did serious shit to each other, very different from keeping a secret from each other. They worked it through. They worked it through in time, "because they live in Faerie and there are worst wrongdoings there". Because, let's be real, irl none of those couples could've worked things out. And even them, they proved to each other things. In Oak and Suren's case, only Oak proved himself to her. And how are we supposed to accept that when she's the one who did the worst things to the other?

All Suren got was Oak saying that he loved her and wanted to be with her despite everything. He doesn't even fucking resent her for a moment, because she gult tripped him into believing he deserved all of it. That's the classic abuser's manipulation of the victim modus operandi. And this sort of toxic and abusive dynamic is too similar to what happens irl to a lot of people to advance the claim "it's fictional. That's a fantasy novel. They're fairies". It should have all be handled much differently to be acceptable, even if just because it's a fantasy novel about fairies.

[padfootagain]

Where We Kept Our Magic (IV)

How We Parted

Hello lovelies! Here is a new part for my Muggle!Reader AU!! I hope you like this new scene, tell me what you think!

****

Pairing: Sirius Black x Muggle!Reader

Warnings: it’s a little sad :(

Summary: You and Sirius meet when you’re still young, and yet you fall head over heels for each other. But everything gets complicated when you learn that Sirius is a Wizard! Now, your whole world has to be reimagined. -This series is made of many independent snippets taken from Sirius and Muggle!Reader’s lovestory –

Word Count : 1792

The weather isn’t so warm anymore. September is upon you and with it, a cool breeze has settled over London. The trees remain green and lush for now, but you know they will soon colour themselves in warmer tones, before letting their leaves fall.

Sirius is lying in the grass, by the Serpentine. His head on your laps, he lets you run your fingers through his hair, heaves a content sigh at the soothing feeling. It’s a quiet afternoon, or perhaps it’s only getting late, and families are home already. But Sirius has no intention to move. After all, you’re here, with your fingers in his hair, why would he want to leave?

Besides, tomorrow morning, he’ll go King’s Cross station, run through a wall and board the Hogwarts Express. And then he’ll be off, just like that. Just like that…

He doesn’t see how this can work. How can he even write to you? He can’t use an owl… Euphemia and Fleamont have offered to go the post office, but Sirius is reluctant. He doesn’t want to bother them…

Still, he doesn’t want this to end. He likes you. An awful lot. Actually, he’s starting to truly fall for you, all the way down towards love, but he can’t bring himself to say it out loud or to even think of the word. It’s too hard for him. After living with his family, love is too close to hatred for him to look at you and think of that word. After all, there isn’t an ounce of hatred in his heart targeted towards you.

Anyway, this is not the point. The point is that he’s about to leave for Scotland, and you won’t. The point is that he has no clue how to contact your properly. He’s given you a fake address that will lead to the Potters’ house so you can write to him, but again, he doesn’t want to bother them. He bothers them enough already…

“What’s going in this busy head of yours, honey?”

Honey. You’ve started calling him that about three weeks ago, and he adores it. It sounds so sweet, so much like you in your yellow sundress. So unlike him, in his dark t-shirt and heavy boots. So unlike him, with his name tainted with night…

Sirius merely hums in response, closing his eyes again, the leaves of the oak tree you’re leaning against disappearing beyond his eyelids. You don’t let him get away with it so easily though, he’s almost endeared by it. He would have been, any other day, if the wait of separation wasn’t so heavy on his heart today.

��Sirius? You’re alright?”

He shrugs. He knows he’ll give up in a few seconds, your fingers are too gentle as they get lost in his hair, your warmth too soothing.

He looks up at you again. He’s put his leather jacket on your shoulders about half an hour ago, before he lied down, because he noticed you were shivering. You look adorable. You look beautiful. He never wants this to end. He wants to keep his jacket on your shoulders forever…

“Just… a little sad that I’m leaving,” he admits. “Which is weird, cause I’ve always been eager to go to Hogwarts before.”

You nod, a small smile on your lips.

“Is it because of me?”

“Who else could it be? Certainly not because of Jackie, she’s insufferable.”

“You like her. And she likes you too.”

He can’t refrain a smile at that. He’s surprised when one of your hands leaves his hair to reach for his fingers instead.

“I don’t want us to break up,” you admitted, earnest and suddenly vulnerable, perhaps more so than what you intended.

“Me neither.”

“I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait for you to come back. It’s only a few months before Christmas. Besides, I’ll write to you, daily if you miss me too much.”

Your tone is teasing, but Sirius winces, and your heart shudders at the sight, a crack runs through the porcelain of it, ready to break altogether.

“You don’t want me to write to you?”

You see Sirius hesitate, and you hate it. And he knows you hate it. It hurts him too.

“I want you to write to me,” he finally answers, after a rather long pause, choosing his words carefully. “But you can’t write directly to my school, it won’t work. And I don’t want to bother the Potters too much…”

Slowly, you nod.

“I see. I understand. Perhaps… not too often?”

Slowly, he nods. He looks worried now, sad even. And he is.

You run your thumb across his knuckles, the tip of your fingers grazing his silver rings, the metal cold against his warm skin.

“They’ve already taken me in after I ran away last summer… I don’t want to be a burden.”

Slowly, you nod. You don’t ask anything, even if Sirius guesses that questions are burning on the tip of your tongue. But you don’t ask. About his family, about why he ran away… you never do. And he’s grateful for it, but sometimes he wonders why you don’t.

Are you afraid? Or simply kind?

He sits up without warning, and his back is almost to you now. He heaves a sigh, putting even more distance between the two of you, and you hate it.

Still, you don’t ask.

His eyes drift towards the river, towards the dirty, muddy water filled with lost feathers. A group of swans swims away, without taking a single look back.

“Sirius?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re okay?”

“Of course.”

A pregnant pause. An expectation. You take him aback with your statement.

“I don’t want you to leave. I’ll miss you.”

The ghost of a smile grazes his lips, he reaches for your hand, but doesn’t turn to you for now.

“I’ll miss you too.”

His hold is a little too tight, you know he’s holding back. You’ve grown used to it. Gently, you splay a hand across his spine, the fabric of his t-shirt soft under your palm despite the dust and the dry grass that have clung to the material here and there.

“Please, don’t hold back,” you ask so gently, Sirius’s eyes fill with tears. “It’s our last afternoon together before Christmas. Don’t hold back. What’s bothering you?”

He clears his throat, the tears gone, replaced by a tightly set jaw.

“You never ask.”

“What do you mean?”

“You never ask about my family.”

You shrug.

“I know that it’s difficult for you to talk about it. I reckon… that you’ll tell me more about it when you’re ready. I don’t want to push you, if you’re not ready.”

At long last, he turns to look at you again, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t know what to say, anyway…

He hesitates before speaking again. Because it sounds silly. He reckons you won’t understand. And it would hurt a lot more than he can admit. But there’s a weight on his heart, and he wants to lift it, even if it can’t last for long.

“I’m going to see my brother at Hogwarts.”

“Regulus?”

He nods.

“I don’t know how I feel about it,” he confesses. “I miss him. But… I also hate him.”

“Do you hate him? Are you simply angry?”

He considers the question. It’s a little too accurate, and he smiles.

“Yeah… I think I’m angry. I’m angry he chose to stay. I’m angry I can’t protect him anymore. I’m angry he doesn’t have the guts to break free. I’m angry he’s uncertain about my parents beliefs.”

“But you still miss him.”

“Yeah… yeah, I miss him.”

He sets his gaze on the river again, lets go of your hand to wrap his arms around his knees.

“The first time I took the train, my mother was so proud. And I both loved it and hated it. And I think… I’m angry because it didn’t really change. I don’t believe in any of the conservative bullshit my parents are so adamant to defend, and I’ll never forgive them for how much they hurt me and my brother. And yet I… every time I get on that train I see my mother’s face beaming at me and looking at me as if I was the most extraordinary thing in the world, and I long for this feeling again.”

He heaves a sigh.

“I want you to write to me. But the Potters… they didn’t have to take me in, and they did. I don’t want them to regret doing that.”

“I’ll write to you once a month. Would that be alright? That’s not too often.”

Slowly, Sirius nods.

“Okay, I’ll wait for your letter, and I’ll reply.”

“Okay.”

He’s surprised when you wrap your arms around him from behind, when you rest your cheek against his shoulder blade. He loves it though. He feels soothed all over again, his busy mind quietened again. The face of Walburga disappears, and the muddy water is back instead, with its white swans almost disappearing now, in the distance.

“Why do I miss them, when I hate them?”

You tighten your hold on him before you answer.

“They raised you. They loved you, even if it hurt. They taught you how it is to be loved first. You have to rewrite that definition, with better people, better examples. But they’re still your family, even if they hurt you. Your mother still looked at you with pride that day, even if she hurt you only a few hours before. It’s not black and white, like everything else in life. I reckon… it was so familiar a feeling, such a mingling of pain and love, you can’t really tell them apart anymore. Am I wrong?”

Sirius shook his head, stunned.

“I don’t dare asking you questions about your family, because I know it hurts,” you go on, your tone infinitely kind. “But I still care. Do you understand? I care about you, about who you are… I just… don’t want to hurt you. But you can tell me about it whenever you feel ready, okay? I’m… it’s not disinterest, it’s just… caution.”

Slowly, he nods.

“Thank you.”

He holds your hands in his, twisting his neck to press his temple against your hair, closing his eyes.

And his gratefulness tastes like love, but he’s not ready to admit it. You’re right, he needs to redefine the word, before speaking it again, and aim it at you.

When he kisses you, a few minutes later, it tastes like goodbye, but it’s not as sad as you expected it to be. And when he tells you he’ll wait for you, that he’ll wait for Christmas, that you can count on him, it’s easy to believe him…

[coconox]

my whb progress

as of nov. 11, 2023

i feel like i should've done this when i finished chapter 4 like weeks ago but better late than never ig

general info

lvl: 31

status: f2p

when i started: launch (10/03 my timezone)

ver: erolabs

team setup

post-halloween event my team consists of 5 light chars, 1 some other element (usually either leraye, belial, or paimon)

before that though i did use marbas before minhyeok, though sadly i'll probably rarely use marbas or any of the healers in the future since the artifacts when they work properly heal faster :')

here's my team in action!

here's everyone with their lvls and artifacts!

skill lvls: (normal attack-ultimate-passive)

mammon (cake): 4-4-4

mammon (selfie): 1-3-1

satan (selfie): 1-4-1

beelzebub (selfie): 1-3-1

leraye: 1-3

minhyeok: 1-3

secret club

i mainly focus on mammon, so i'll just be showing those here. i'm 1 story away from completing mammon (cake)'s and 2 stories away from completing mammon (selfie)'s!

materials

i do the absolute bare minimum for dailies and weeklies nowadays. since most of my chars are higher than lvl20 i've just been focusing on unholy board for most of the time i've been playing. as much as i wanna focus on skills i'm kinda held back by the game's very limited access to pies (you can only get them in shop + it's the rng boxes most of the time). hopefully there'll be more options to get pies that aren't purely dependent on rng in the future 😔🙏

i also wish candies weren't rng either, or there is rng but also an option to exchange one type of candy for another. as shown above i have absolutely way too many candies for the other kings and almost none for mammon :'))) the grind truly never ends

overall thoughts / reflection

this section is just something for me to look back on when i do a progress post again in the future. i'll break this down into sections so i can stay consistent with laying out all my thoughts. also this won't be spoiler-free

STORY

i find it somewhat interesting? i can't really put in a bunch of input since we've only explored one of the many areas of hell. i set my game to have a male mc, and there's still a lot of issues with making pronouns consistent :'). i do have a few cgs missing despite completing all the chapters that are out currently but those missing ones might be for future chapters so idk (kinda bothers me a bit to see missing cgs despite completing everything). unholy board stories are also ok? it's pretty tedious to get through so many objectives for only a little bit of story and also all the h-scenes and devil's tango bits in unholy board stories are written like they were made for wattpad lol

GAMEPLAY

tl;dr very tedious lol

addressing the elephant in the room, i'm aware there's still a lot of bugs. i won't be going too in-depth about them since they're only temporary and didn't make that much of a significance towards my overall gameplay so far (aside from the leather gloves not working, but that got fixed in the halloween patch).

i'm glad we have autoclear in resource stages but i wish we had autoclear in story stages as well (and in the future event stages too). it would also be nice if there was an autoplay feature, though that's more of a personal preference since a lot of games i play have that option and i don't get bored from doing everything manually.

the 6-7 stages in chapter 4 seemed a bit unnecessary? the story itself is rather short so i guess i can understand why they would wanna pan out as much playtime as possible, but at a certain point it does get really boring and demotivating to progress. it also sets a certain precedent for future chapters, if the battles in between each small bit of story keep slowly increasing how many stages will chapter 10 have? chapter 20? i honestly would've preferred 3 battles in between each story, or if you're gonna have 5 battles in between each story, have some of the story in those battles. aside from the tutorial, an example would be in chapter 3 right as the angels attacked the hospital and mammon took mc out with him to fight (3-73). those battles could've 1. gave a tutorial on how to use mammon and 2. talk about how strong he is like in the story right after those battles (3-79).

on a different note, i wish the "meta" wasn't so skewed towards all the l cards. as i progressed through the story i would look up guides on bilibili, only to find that most if not all the guides are heavily dependent on l cards (and levi which is the only king i don't have 💀💀), only non-l card would usually be leraye 💀. it also feels a bit unbalanced considering light and dark are usually the recommended element for every battle and can go against literally every element including their own. i wish there would be more opportunities for other elements and characters to shine and hold up well so that even if you don't have certain l cards, you can progress through the game just as well as those with the certain l cards

RESOURCES

i briefly mentioned this while going through the materials i currently have but i wish a lot of them weren't so rng heavy. it really adds to making the game tedious especially when you have to level multiple devils of the same element. having a resource stage for candies and pies would be great. it would also be great to not make everything so expensive ㅠㅠ 116 gems for one (1) candy?? a multi of red keys costing almost 2k gems?? atp i just focus on leveling up rather than getting pulls

GACHA

after the whole 'minhyeok needing yellow keys' situation i've just been hoarding keys and using gems on stuff like ap since i have nothing else to really use them for aside from pies. the gacha rates seem really,,,, sad, and the fact that the bloodshed cards banner is p2w only sucks, which kind of makes me worry for future cards being released. i got pretty lucky with getting both mammon's signature artifacts, as it's one of the requirements to progress through unholy board, but other than that i never really had the best of luck with any of my pulls. i got minhyeok at hard pity, and it took idek how long to get leraye, my conclusion is just that my luck sucks in this game lol

[baby-bunny-san]

Ikemen Villain Prologue Full 1-9

Part 1

It’s easy to be happy when life is a fairy tales.

Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. For example, so…

A forest you shouldn’t enter, a door you shouldn’t open, a secret you shouldn’t know.

And ---

Kate: This is all I’m in charge of. Thank you very much for sorting the mail.

Colleague: Hey, isn’t the top one is a love letter? It’s a big responsibility, Kate

Kate: The responsibility is the same for any letter. Because the person who wrote it is full of heart. Then Let’s go

Put the letter in the delivery bag and open the door of the post office ---

(Today is even more lively… Was it social season?)

During the reign of Queen Victoria, London was literally the most properous British capital in the world.

While immigrants, workers, industrialists, and aristocrats are crowded together,

Everyone is living the same today as yesterday, filled with their own troubles and joys.

Kate: come on, let’s deliver today as well!

I am an ordinary citizen working as a postman in such a city.

(Phew, tired)

While delivering the letter as usual, the gas lamp started to light up again today.

(There are only 2 left for today. The next address is --- ah)

A strong wind suddenly blew, and an envelope flew from my hand into the sky.

(I can’t…)

The wind carrying the envelope blows through the dim alley.

Kate: If I lose sight of it, I’ll be in trouble…!

Rather than rushing to chase after it, the envelope fell to a point as if it were being sucked into it.

Towards the silver-haired man who appeared from the alley, who was slender even in the twilight.

(It was good…!)

Kate: Excuse me, it’s being delivered

???:….

I rushed over, and the man kindly stooped down to pick up the envelope that had fallen at my feet.

???: Go ahead, my lady.

He picked it up and hold it out, that’s all, but perhaps because of his inhuman beauty and gracefulness of his movements, my gaze was stolen.

Kate: Thank you very much

???: You’re welcome

(This person’s eyes are red. It’s like…)

---- It’s looks like blood.

Dark alley, outstretched palms, ruddy eyes… all of them,

A shudder ran down my spine as if it was going to take me somewhere that wasn’t real.

Red-eyed man: Are there only 2 deliveries left?

Kate: Huh?

His cough brought me to my senses. Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of London came back to my ears.

Kate: Sorry, I’m dazed.

Red-eyed man: Hurry up. It will soon be dark.

As we passed each other and made a fuss, he disappeared into the crowd.

For some reason, the lingering sweet scent of buckwheat made my heart flutter.

The red-eyed man: Thank you, Victor.

Black-haired man: If it’s you, I’d be happy no matter how many hours I’ve been waiting… Oh, did something good happen?

Red-eyed man: Ah… There was a cute robin who seemed to sing with a wonderful voice.

Black-haired man: Heh… If you’re interested in someone, I’m curious too

(He was a strange person, how did you know the number of deliveries?)

(From the way he dressed, he looked like an aristocrat, so I don’t think I will ever see him again)

I walked around the city with a feeling of relief and a desire to talk a little more

I like the moment when people’s heart moves, so I chose a job that delivers letters filled with feelings.

I have no complain about the days when I continue to deliver someone’s feelings, and I think that my current daily life may be happy life that suits me.

Although I also think that the world may change at some random time.

(I wonder if it’s a guy who asked for something that doesn’t exist)

Kate: Well okay, I was able to deliver properly today as well

It was when I praised myself as if I was making an autosuggestion.

???: Wait!!

(.…!)

Part 2

A girl and a man with an angry expression appeared in front of me,

Girl: Ouch!

The necklace sways and glitters in the twisted little girl’s hand.

(Thief?)

Man: I will make that arm unsuable!

What the man raised was a poker

(If it’s hit hard with something like that, bones would break!)

In the momentary events unfolding in front of the sun---

Kate: Wait

---- Involuntarily, a voice came out

Man: What the hell are you??

(No way!)

Kate: Hey, for now, let’s return what you stole. After that, I will listen what you have to say.

Girl: Ehhh

Man: Ouch!?

(Eh!?)

The girl took moment to kick the man’s arm and disappeared into the alley

Man: Wait, you bastard, damn you, what are you doing?

Kate: I’m sorry…

Even if you regret sticking your neck in…

Man: Pay for what I was stolen! Will you pay for it?

Kate: Yes, I will pay you

I cried and took out my wallet

Black-haired man: …I see. That’s certainly a lovely robin

Kate: ah… I did it

(For the jeweller, it was clearly the bad peson who stole things, but)

(I don’t think it’s a good thing to blame a girl who is cornered to the point of stealing…)

Everyone knows that there are people suffering from poverty in the east of London.

Without knowing what kind of feelings the girl has when she steals, I can’t just sit and watch her get hurt

(But in the end, the girl committed a crime and escaped)

Kate: I don’t know if it’s good or bad

I’m running out of tickets for this month’s theater

It’s a small hobby that I pay for myself to go to the theater once every few months with my salary that I’ve saved

(I was supposed to save from this delivery, but this month I have to deposit it)

Kate: Well, there’s no point in worrying about it, if it’s money, you can earn it again

------------------------------------

Kate: I’m back

Director: Kate, it’s just right… No, but it’s dangerous at night…

Kate: what’s wrong?

Colleague: that’s right, there are vacancies for night delivery workers, and there are not enough people

(Night delivery, that’s it)

Kate: Please let me go

Director: Oh.. that’s.. to be honest. It helps. The delivery area is a safe townhouse area, but please don’t wander around carelessly

Kate: I got it

(Good, now we can make up for the negative amount from earlier)

(It’s my first time delivering at night and this area… if you’re careful, you will be fine)

Black-haired man: well--- guys, are you ready?

Cat-like man: Of course, Victor. It’s been a long time since we’ve been on a mission together, so it’s exciting

Subjective man: You’re too excited, you will get hurt if you get too high, so calm down

Hunting gun man: well, if it’s not a serious injury, I’ll fix it. If you die, we will have one less person to work with

Cat-like man: Thank you, Roger. As expected of a former doctor

Blond hair man: .. ah. I have to go too

Gentlemanly man: Yeah, it’s a wonderful night. There may be something you’re looking for at the target’s mansion

Blond hair man: yes… I understand

Sly-eyed man: if you’re going, can you go quickly? Unlike the nobles, I don’t have time

Tall young man: I don’t have any business talks or collection plans tonight

Sly-eyed man: Hey, you can’t be honest like an idiot. Shut up

Red-eyed man: As you can see, Crown is ready, Victor

Black-haired man: Haha, That’s nice. Well then, let’s get started

Tonight too --- loyalty to your evil

Part 3

(Delivery at night is fine once you get used to it, next is the last one)

Among the row of townhouses, it was a particularly splendid mansion

(Oh.. this mansion doesn’t have a mailbox)

(It’s night, so I can’t speak too loudly… what should I do?)

When I gently touch the gate, I heard a faint squeak and the gate opened inward

(Open. Careless)

Kate: Excuse me. I’m from the post office. Is there anyone here?

When I pass through the gate and look into the dimly lit entrance hall

(Piano sound?)

Out of nowhere, I heard a light melody

The light and joyful tone that echoes in the dark without the sound of the wind makes you feel something strange

(i’m sure it’s the man in this mansion who is playing. If you leave the letter unattended, it might get lost)

(If I don’t deliver it properly)

I’m afraid to take a step forward

My own footsteps along the polished hall mingled with the melody of the piano

(somehow, I feel restless)

Eventhough I should be fullfilling my duties, I feel like I’m making a decisive mistake for some reason

(Hand it over quickly and let’s go home)

(The sound … seems to be coming from the hall ahead)

Knocking on the door, but the melody doesn’t stop

I put my hand on the doornob as if I was rushed by anxiety

Kate: um.. excuse me. ------Nn

(.……. eh?)

A bright red fountain appeared in front of me

Byu-- the object with bright red splatters throbbing and rolling on the floor with a sound

(W… What?)

My eyes met with the “it” that rolled at my feet

“He” had a bitter expression on his face, and had a knife he had held stabbed into his neck

Kate: ………!?

My throat makes a sound. A lukewarm liquid dripped down, and discomfort ran down my spine

(Why)

???: this this, I didn’t expect an audience to come

I heard a voice that gave me a further blow, and my throat, which was still tight, trembled

When I looked around-----

Eight shadows darker than darkness,

They silently stared at me, illuminated by the gray moonlight

As if trying to figure out who I am….

One of them slowly stands up from the piano in the hall

Red-eyed man: what’s it? Isn’t that the robin I met during the day?

Kate: ahh…eh?

It was the red-eyed man I met in London at dusk

I stared back at them, unable to understand anything beyond that

Cat-like man: do you know Will? Anyone know us?

Red-eyed man: we just talked a little bit on the street, Liam, she don’t know about the Crown

(Crown?)

Cat-like man: I see, then you are in trouble, what should you do?

The man looked at me and smiled softly, with a glamorous tone that doesn’t match the complete crime scene

(Looks fun, even in this kind of situation)

His friendly pink eyes sparkle with curiosity

Subjective man: I’m sorry if you are really frightened, but this is a set for a stage play, isn’t it?

A man who looks like a playboy poke at the corpse with his chine and gives me a sideways glance

Kate: Uh, lie…

I remembered the lukewarm feeling, and my voice came out involuntarily

Subjective man: It would have been better if you pretend to believe me. What are you going to do Will?

Red-eyed man: Of couse, we should take her to the “Palace fo death”

Sly-eyed man: I told you to lock the door

Hunting gun man: Haha, I didn’t think you would trespass. You’re a pretty bad girl, arent you?

Tall young man: Why don’t you come over here, you cant run away anyway

Fear ran through my body the moment I heard those word - I can’t escape

(... anyway…. I have to run away!)

I scolded my trebling legs and try to retreat

Blood-red eyed captivated me

Red-eyed man: Come, poor robin

(Ehh??)

For some reason, my legs began to move toward him the moment he whispered sweetly

(why? I cant stop..?!)

Kate: I hate it…

Ignoring my will, my legs suddenly stopped right in front of him

Red-eyed man: Excuse me

He gently pulled me around my waist as if he were waltzing

(... being killed..)

As soon as I close my eyes. The scent of buckwheat tickle my nose, and the soft feel of it gently caress me

Red-eyed man: it’s ok

(a…)

He smiled and gently released me from his arms

All of sudden, I lost all my strength and collapsed on the spot

Red-eyed man: I’m late in introducing myself. My name is William. William Rex

With the moonlight behind him, he bowed reverently and held out his hand to me

(William Rex…)

The blood-stained fingertips are slowly opened as if inviting

Red-eyed man: I invite you to dinner tonight. Guest, what’s your name?

Part 4

(I could not escape..)

Eight mysterious man put me in a horse-drawn carriage and gracefully drove through the city at night

Beyond the window, with the cityscape of London. The majestic palace flew away---

(where am I going? And what will happen to me?)

I left the delivery at that mansion. But I wonder if I can receive the salary for that

Moreover, it’s doubtful whether I will be able to return home safely

(the fact that they are acting in group and working in the same place means that these people are people from an organization)

(Then.. from now on. I’m sure you’re going to report me to the person in charge)

Gentlemanly man: Kate-san..

Kate: Y..Yes

When I lifted my head up, I saw a gentleman with a mysterious smile on his face

Looking out the window, the carriage passed through the forest and crossed a bridge

Gentlemanly man: we’re arrived. This is not the root of evil that could be the end of your life, but our base

Kate: Wha…

As soon as I get off the carriage with a conforting escort, I was fascinated by the Gothic castle in front of me

Surrounded by forests and ponds on all sides, the clear tower that pierces the night sky gives off an overwhelming presence

Its’ a place that makes you want to bow down unintentionally

(i never thought there was a castle like this in London…)

Kate: Is this.. real?

Gentlemanly man: Yes, unfortunately, it’s neither a dream or an illusion. It’s painful reality that you cant escape

(actually.. or rather, didn’t this person just say something outrageous?)

(The end of life, root of evil, etc . Oh no. My head--)

I get dizzy and unsteady on my feet

I bumped into someone and hurrily turned around

Kate: sorry

Blond hair man: It doesn’t matter… are you okay?

(Near…)

The man who held me by the shoulder looked at me from a distance where I could touch his delicate-looking golden hair

(this person.. he is too beautiful and scary. He looks like a bisque doll)

In a work of art-like form, only the dark and ashy eyes are staring at me with the warm of a living creature

Kate: I’m fine, thank you

A man with a blond hair and blue eyes: …yes

(ah, that)

A man with a blond hair and blue eyes:…..

(don’t let go…)

As I was puzzled, a hand extended from the side and stabbed the blond man’s hand

A man like a cat: El, don’t run away

Kate, do you like to talk to me? I want to know more about you

(wow..)

I was confused by being sandwiched between men on both sides

Hunting gun man: hey, both of you, leave it for later, reporting to Victor is the top priority right now, right?

It’s not too late to get to know each other even after deciding what to do with the girl

It was a big man with an intelligent and powerful appearance came to my rescue

The rational look behind the glasses calms my fussing mind

(at this moment, I feel like this person is the most communicative)

Kate: … What will happen to me?

The things I’ve always wanted to hear came to my mind

Hunting gun man: weel? It’s up to us

With an egoistic grin, I erased the sentence “I feel like I can stand you” in my head

William: Kate, this way. Follow me

Kate: Yes. Rex-sama

William: Ahaha, don’t be so formal, William is fine

Kate: okay… William-sama

(Wow.. amazing)

Once you step into the castle, it’s as if the world has changed

(To think that I would set foot in a place like this even once in my life…)/ I never thought I would set foot…

A castle that is an magnificient as it looks, and is said to be the property of the British royal family. A dangerous, mysterious, and beautiful unknown world was spreading out before my eyes

(it’s a base for people who might be criminals, but..)

William: you seem to like it

A shilver ran down my spine. When I turned around, William was laughing gleefully

William: let’s go. Soul Reaper is waiting impatiently.

Part 5

Black-haired man: Welcome back, my beloved cursed people!

We stepped into the spacious dining room with trepidation, and the ‘Soul Reaper’ greeted us with a crackers.

(Cursed..?)

Black-haired man: Huh..? that girl is…

(This person is, the ‘Grim Reaper of the Palace’?)

I was a little perplexed by his friendly and frank attitude

His jewel-like eyes and long, glossy black hair reminded me of a night sky with twinkling stars

William: she’s Kate. She happened to be at target’s mansion

Black-haired man: wow. That’s … a fateful coincidence

William: Kate, he’s Victor. He’s the Queen’s aide

(The queen’s aide?)

Victor smiled as he restrained me with one hand when I was about to bend my knee

Victor: good evening, Kate. I see you’re brought here…

Kate: Yes, Victor-sama. It’s as you said

(To think that such an amazing person is a noble.. who the hell are they?)

The fear that clings my body is increasing, and I feel like I’m giong to cry at any moment

(i don’t want to be killed without knowing why)

(But what should I do?)

I was so tense that I couldn’t even break into a cold sweat, and my head gradually faded and turned white

Victor: If you were there by chance, you would be terribly confused without knowing the situation

Kate: Huh…? Yes….

(That’s right. Anyway, I have to grasp the situation and stay calm..)

Before I panicked, my thoughts clung to Victor-sama’s words of sympathy

Kate: well, can I ask you some questions?

Victor: You’re polite, okay, what do you want to ask?

Kate: what was it that I saw? What the hell are ‘crown’ and ‘cursed’?

Cat-like man: Ah, I see. I’m sorry I didn’t explain. You were worried, weren’t you?

Both are about us

Subjective man: Hey, Liam

Cat-like man: a cursed person is a human who has been cursed since he was born into this world

Kate: Cursed? Human?

Cat-like man: yes. I was born destined to commit crimes and suffer a tragic end.

(Are all these people saying that?)

Cat-like man: the ‘cursed people’ has been born in this world since long ago… and has been destined to commit crimes and died as they were supposed to

Cat-like man: for example, when drawing a curse, I can’t control my curiosity. And in the end, I’m destined to be killed by curiosity/ it’s fate to be killed….…Ah, it’s about me

Kate: what do you mean to be killed by curiosity?

Cat-like man: for example, according to the records, my previous cat’s curse is… Arson, robbery, self-multilation, adultery, and all kinds of evil deeds… just to satisfy my curiosity. Even though he was abandoned by his family and loved ones, and even when he was torture and had his limbs torn off, he cried and laughed.

Cat-like man: “it’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this”. In the end, he jumped into a sulfuric acid bath and melted to death while laughing out loud

He told a horrifying story worthy of being called ‘the end of a tragedy” with his eyes swaying happily

Hunting gun man: it’s said that various fairy tales were created based on the existence of this ‘cursed’. Nowadays, the causal relationship is reversed. And it’s called ‘the Fairy Tale Cursed’

(fairytale, curse,… such a story)

Hunting gun man: Can you believe it? I just tasted it myself

Kate: eh..?

Hunting gun man: ‘cursed’ possesses ability that normal humans cannot have

Sly-eye man: hey, that story is a confidential matter… you guys are light-hearted

(unusual ability)

Suddenly, what happened to me just now come back to me

---------- In the target’s mansion -----------

William: Come, poor robin

(... why? I can’t stop!!)

At that time, my body betrayed my will, as if I was manipulated my William-sama’s words

(No way… Really??)

When I unintentionally/ instinctively turned my gaze to William-sama, he gently loosen his eyes as if he is leaning back

William: My curse is a self-righteous king. It’s my ability to act as I’ve ordered/ command

(Do what you ordered, it’s like magic…)

Reason reflextively tried to deny it, but my body that was actually manipulated by him

The story is undeniably true

And one more thing, I noticed something

(A man who died in that mansion) I remember the anguished expression of the man who took his own like and the knife he held in his hand

(I thought it was too unnatural to commit suicide)

(But, maybe that person…)

(William-sama ordered him to forcibly put a knife on his neck?)

Kate:…!!

A frightening hypothesis crossed my mind and I quickly turned away from him

William: ‘cursed people’ are treated as criminals and psychopaths. At present, the UK is the only country that has nationally controlled and organized such risk factors

Kate: Nationally… organized?

William: Ah. An organization under the direct control of her Majesty Queen Victoria, composed only of cursed people. That’s us, the Crown

William: From espionage assassination, we undertake behind-the-scenes/ shadow works that the police and military cannot handle

(That’s right. … the murder scene I saw earlier)

(was it an assassination mission carried out my Her Majesty’s orders…?)

Victor: for the prosperity of Britain, ‘conquering evil with evil’ is the mission of the ‘Crown’. Well, in fact, who are ‘cursed’, are free to carry out their own evils

Victor: For me, it’s the most important thing

(a group of assassins for the nation, defeating evil with evil…)

(I’ve learned a terrible secret…)

I should have grasp the situation in order to calm down, but I was struck by even more fear and stood dumbfounded

Subjective man: yes, it’s a more serious situation than you imagined

So, what are you going to do with such a polite explanation, Victor?

Victor: Hmm… That’s right…

Tall young man: shall I kill her?

(eh-----?)

The worst option suddenly surfaced and I turned around in a panic

Tall young man: she doesn’t seem happy at all, but is it’s work, I’ll do it

(eh….eh!!?)

I’m sweating and I wonder what the other people’s complexions are like

Everyone is calm and doesn’t change one complexion…

I understood that taking the life of a single person was a daily accurrence of them

Victor: Hmm, that’s right

(I have to explain somehow…!!)

(I have to persuade him somehow!)

(If the reason for being killed is ‘knowing the secret’)

Kate: I swear I will never tell anyone alse what I just heard!

Victor: Hmm… What? What?

Kate: I’m absolutely confidential, postmen are trained to maintain confidentially

Victor & William: ….

(isn’t t really impossible?… if that’s the case)

Kate: if you say you can’t trust me, you can keep an eye on me until you trust me, I’ll definitely prove it

(so please, don’t kill me)

I stare at Victor with a cringing feeling

Viktor: I see, that’s good. Adopted!!

Kate: huh?

Victor: From today onwards, you will be the Crown exclusive ‘fairy tale master’

Part 6

Kate: Fairytale master….

Tall young man: … what?

Victor: the position I just created. I’ve wanted to record the spectacular evil deeds for a long time. From now on, Kate will live in this castle and act together with the members of Crown

Victor: Crown members, keep an eye on her so she doesn’t reveal her secret

Meanwhile, I asked Kate to write down how they commit evil, it’s like writing a fairy tale.

It’s will be a valuable resource for research into the curse, and it will also serve as a Crown activity report for her Majesty the Queen

Sujective man: just because it’s too much trouble for you to make a report, so you’re going to force it on her

Victor: I think it’s the best idea! If it decided, I’ll have to show you around this castle

Kate: Wait, wait!

(it looks like I escaped being killed, but I have to decide something important!)

Kate: One month. For 1 month, if I fulfill the role of the fairy tale master and keep the secret to the end…

Can you release me, please?

Victor: ……….

William: fufu… that’s unusual, Victor, I can’t believe you’re taken aback. Okay, Kate. If you want, I’ll trust you and release you when you finish your one month term

William: Should I send a direct notice to your workplace saying that you’re going to work at the Imperial Court for a month? Okay, Victor?

Victor: of, of course Will

(that’s good. For the time being, the neck skin seem to be connected)

(1 month… if I can keep the secret, I can go back to the daily life)

(while writing down the crimes these people commit)

William: If you don’t know the names, it will be inconvenient. Everyone, introduce yourself

Cat-like man: Yes, yes, then I’ll start

(... that?)

When I saw him stepping onto the stage as if he was dancing, I suddenly felt a sense of deja vu

Kate: I’ve heard about you somewhere!

(this person is an actor who appeared on the stage I went to see last month)

Liam: Do you know me? I’m so happy. My front face is a stage actor , and the back face is a crown. My name is Liam Evans

Please take care of me from now on, cute Kate-chan

With a light wink like a twinkling star, Liam kissed the back of my hand

My heart, which has been tense with fear and anxiety, loosened slightly

(i though Crowns were all nobles, but that’s not the case)

Kate: Nice to meet you, Liam-san

Liam: call me Liam. No honorifics, okay? And this is my buddy Harry

Harrison: it’s a bad friend’s mistake… Harrison Gray. Harry or Harrison, whatever you want

I’m a liar fox cursed. Now, it’s a lie or it’s true?

Harrison smiled thinly, his milky hair swaying, and the scent of mint tickled my nose

Kate: it is true?

Harrison: hmm, do you think so?

You can check the answers, you have a month

(.. you’re kind of an elusive person, I can’t read your emotion at all)

(There is no doubt that he is very popular)

Alphonse: then, let us say hello next. Sorry for the delay, my name is Alfons Sylvatica

 To be able to spend a month playing with a love robin like you… I’m really looking forward to it

(Hmm? You said you would play with me?)

Alfons: this is Elbert Greetia. Please consider me his friend as well as his aide

Kate: Elbert.. nice to meet you

Alfons-san, Elbert-sama, nice to meet you

Elbert: … El, is she beautiful?

(eh!?)

Alfons: yes, as much as you

Hunting gun man: hey hey, what a rude thing to say in front of a lady

(Well, it’s true that there aren’t many people more beautiful than master Elbert)

Roger: I’m Roger, I used to be a doctor. Nice to meet you, girl

When I instinctively braced myself for the ferocious smile, Roger-san raised his eyebrows as if amused.

Roger: well, it’s been a month. Let’s take it easy, huh?

Kate: yes, Roger-san

(also, I don’t know the name…)

Looking around the dining room, I noticed 2 people who had barely talked to each other, and turned my gaze to them

In particular, the man in the long jacket doesn’t even try to hide his stoic aura, has the air of a real ‘villain’

It’s unapproachable, to be honest

When our eye met, the twisted/ distorted his face in disgust

The man with sly eyes: tch…. disgusting

(eh…)

A sudden intense disgust is directed at me

Victor: well, don’t say that, take care of yourself, Jude

Jude: I refuse, what are you thinking about catching such an ordinary person/ mediocrity by brandishing the Queen’s power?

(ordinary person..)

(..eh, maybe you’re defending me right now?)

Although he seemed to be different from the members of Crown, he may be a surprisingly conscientious person

Kate: Thank you very much, Jude-san

When I greeted him with a little hope in my heart, Amethyst’s cruel-looking eyes narrowed

Jude: I feel sorry for you for being forced to brign you here. Did I rescue you?

Kate: eh?

Jude: I’m just kidding. what are you expecting?

(wha..!?)

Jude: well, it’s okay if you do your best. You can hold it for a month and then run away and be killed

After pouring harsh words and showing a cruel smile, Jude-san left the room

(after all, he was a cold person… and also a type with a strong habit)

(is that peculiar way of speaking, is he an immigrant from somewhere?)

Tall young man: he’s like that to everyone, so don’t worry  about it.

Kate: wow!

Before I knew it, a tall young man was standing next to me

(suddenly, I didn’t notice it at all)

(this person just said ‘let’s kill’ me…)

Ellis: I’m Ellis

With a calm and gentle voice, just by being by is side, you can feel the temperature frop

It made me uneasy. As if something was peeking through the open darkness

Kate: Ellis-kun, nice to meet you

Ellis: Nice to meet you, me and Jude often go out on business

While I’m here, I’ll make you as happy as possible

(Happy?)

From the person who tried to kill me a few minute ago, I was taken aback when a line like a proposal popped out

(i wonder if it’s a unique social commentary/ etiquette)

Kate: Thank you. What kind of work do you do outside?

Ellis: Trading company. Jude is the president. I’m an assistant

(That person is a president…)

Victor: okay. Have you all identified yourself with this? It seems that there are some children who haven’t reveal the curse

Well. You will find out yourself while you’re working as a ‘fairy tale master’

Bang, clapping his hands and Victor-sama happily laughed

Victor: Then, before we show you around the castle, I would like to show you a welcome trick

Liam: wow! Clap clap clap------

Roger: don’t waste precious time again

Harrison: are you insane? I’d rather take a shower than stare at such a poor thing

Alfons: well, isn’t it nice to see the idiots of wierdos who are happy to expose their clumsiness?

Victor: I need collaboratorss, but who won’t run? El?

Elbert: I don’t like it…

Victor: hmm. I wonder why your sad profile is so attractive. Then what about Ellis?

Ellis: if that makes her happy, fine

Victor: thank you for your altruistic and devoted course of action. Then lay down on the table over there-------

(suddenly, the magic show started…)

They are laughing happily in front of you, and they are taking one life without delay tonight

Even the laughter seemed stir up fear when I remembered the sight at the scene of the murder

William: are you scared?

Kate: …! William-sama

Part 8

Still unable to meet his gaze, I lowered my head and stared at his feet

William: it’s polite to give an honorific title. I’d like to have a more informal relationship with you. Just with William

Kate: yes, William

(.……look)

I couldn’t help but obey the order, so I gave him a title in my heart

William: that’s right. I won’t use my power recklessly. Can you show me your face?

Invited my the gentle tone of voice, I fearfully raise my gaze upwards

William: are you scared of us?

Kate: yes, I’m scared

I thought It was rude to say something like this, but my voice spill out on its own

Kate: I didn’t know anything about you. Or about the existence of this world…

If It came true, I wanted to remain ignorant

But I, who didn’t know, can’t go back

William: do you want to know more?

I feel like I’m going to flinch at the words

Kate: I think I want to face each other in my own way

It’s necessary because I need to fulfill my mission and be trusted…

William: ….huh?

William narrowed his red eyes as if exploring, and gave a faint smile to his lips

William: well, let’s wait and see

Victor: Yeah, as you can see, Ellis surviced the rain of knifes unscathed!

Liam: wow, that’s amazing! As expected of Victor

(oh..no! Even though it was my welsome trick, I didn’t see it at all!)

Harrison: yeah, wow. Good work Ellis

Roger: didn’t you get stab with a knife?

Ellis: it was a little tough, but it’s barely okay

Alfons: as expected of kinetic vision and reflexes

Elbert: … relying on the physical abilities of the collaborators… isn’t that a trick?

Victor: well then, this is enough for the welcome entertainment

Despite the cold attitude of the audience, Victor spread his arms in a good mood

Victor: May I show you our castle of evil, Crown Castle?

Part 9

Victor: come on, miss robin. Don’t stray from me

Once you’re scented by the darkness of the castle, you can’t come back

Parting from the members of the Crown, I went out into the hallway as Victor-sama led me

Kate: Yes, Victor-sama

Victor: Victor. Isn’t it sad that I’m the only one with William being called out?

(Both William and this person are clearly high-ranking people, but----)

Kate: Victor. Please guide me

(i feel so good)

Victor: This is the common room. It’s a room where we drink, play, have party and discuss strategies.

Ah, don’t touch the leftmost glass on the third row from the top. Dangerous things will pop out

(i wonder what will come out… a knife? Pistol?)

Victor: This is Roger’s laboratory, and also the infirmary. If you get injured, you should get medical treatment here. Crown’s mission is dangerous side by side. Ah, but fortunately they are still alive and well. Miraculously

(a life-threatening mission is an everyday occurrence?)

Victor: This is the hall. Balls and evening parties are held here. But this castle is special, and we rarely invite people.

Victor: Even the servants hire a small number of reliable people. To protect the secret that you have learned

(if you’ve gone that far to keep secret, why was the mansion unlocked?)

Victor: and here is your room

Kate:…eh?

What I was shown was a clean room with white as the base color, and a classy room that seem to be inhabited by the upper class

Kate: did someone live here?

vidtorL no. When you were being introduced by everyone, I ordered the servants to prepare this room for you

(in that moment, such a thing? I didn’t even feel the presence of a servant…)

Kate: ah….

Suddenly, I found a typewriter on my desk and let out a voice

Kate: how did you know I used a typewriter?

No one should know that I have been practicing for several months so that I can also do writing work

Victor: huh? Is that so? I didn’t know, just coincidence. I thought it would be useful to have for making a report

Victor blinked his eyes curiously and stared at me meaningfully

Victor: miraculour coincidence… even on the same day, twice

(twice..?)

Victor: I feel like it’s fate that your’re here

Well, don’t stay too long in the lady’s room too long. If anything happens, ring the bell there

Your exclusive maid will answer your request no matter what. Oh, write down the instructions

Kate: thank you, I understand

Victor: also, there are quite a few people in the Crown who are morally bankrupt

Leaving someone in the room can be synonymous with surrendering your body, so be careful

(though I didn’t see people here so hungry for women)

Kate: I remember it well

Victor: finally, let me convey my thanks

Kate: thank you…?

Victor: oh, thank you for trying to talk to us

You tried to have a dialogue with us while watching the scene with your own eyes

You think I was person who could understand you?

Since you are that kind of person, let me give you one piece of advice

After a month, if you want to go back to your normal life, don’t let them steal your heart

Kate: will they steal my heart?

Victor: yes. Curses are destined for tragic ruin

If you want the kind of happiness that pure maidens dream of, don’t fall in love with them

(love…)

The unexpected story confuses me

Kate: I didn’t even think about that…

I’m just going to prove I can keep secrets and go home

Victor: Maybe it suites you, who has free wings

Victor narrowed his eyes deceitfully as if he was holding it

Victor: nevertheless, if you choose to share the fate with them. Darkness will gladly welcome you

My body trembles at the bewitching smile

Victor: Good night, Kate

Kate: Good night, Victor

Thus, with the sound of the door slowly closing, my sinful life began

It’s easy to be happy when life is a fairy tales.

Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. For example, so…

A forest you shouldn’t enter, a door you shouldn’t open, a secret you shouldn’t know.

Don’t fall, love

However, the world of darkness suddenly appeared, revealing its abyss and tempting me

What will happen to my heart and body if I touch those fingertips beckoning me?

I have a certain feeling that something will change decisively

Breaking the taboo of ‘don’t do’, what lies ahead-----

-----I don’t know yet

The copyright belongs to Cybird. There may be some mistakes in my translation, feel free to tell me if you see them.

[dearweirdme]

https://www.tumblr.com/dearweirdme/750029125678514176/httpswwwtumblrcomdearweirdme7499257226966302?source=share

I love it when anons write dissertations on taekook blogs just to try and make their relationship seem "normal" and exactly like the other members.

Tae was constantly hanging out with jk in 2023. So it took them 3 years to properly mend their relationship after the soop talk?

So Jk and tae were growing apart and since tae wasn't living with them anymore and jk decided to address Tae's mood and their relationship infront of their fans. Instead of writing that festa message, he would've idk, texted him? Instead of addressing their growing distance infront of multiple cameras capturing every angle, they could've talked privately? It's is what people do IRL isn't it?

"If they intended to make taekook follow a script of “being awkward” like you claim, then why did they basically fill ITS with alot of taekook being soft and affectionate with each other" well according to you there's different kinds of closeness. Physical closeness doesn't mean mental closeness. So why are you even taking a note of them being affectionate and soft? If I have any kind of awkwardness b/w me and my friend, I would not feel as free with them as I normally would. I wouldn't be as affectionate and soft with the friend who I have underlying issues with.

Tae left his own room to go cuddle with jk in its. Not to wake him up, just to sleep with him. Jk sat between Tae's legs, for quite some time bcs there were multiple cuts. The instances you gave comparing this are sometimes done as a joke(re. Jin grabbing tae's crotch) or things done for a purpose (re the water wiping). As for that jk caressing jm's bare skin, I've not seen that clip, but even so, those are seconds of touches, those touches don't last for eternity. That's the difference.

"We have seen Tae kiss or sniff Jin and Jimin on their napes" you've seen tae kiss jimin and jin's napes have you? Bcs as far as I remember he's done that only to jk, twice. Maybe your jk shapeshifted into jm and jin?

"eaten food that has fallen out of each other’s mouths" as far as I remember, only jk has done that, with tae.

"what does Jk consoling a crying tae mean" everyone, including jk, was crying that night. Tae was turning towards joon but jk grabbed his head and put it on his shoulder. He did not console anyone else, jimin did. Jimin went to hobi, tae, jk. He is always hyper focused on tae in stressful/important events. We've seen multiple instances where jk goes completely still when tae starts speaking.

"Jk cares about Tae just the same way he cares about all his members" way to generalize their relationships. Be a little mature about this please. I know people love to say that they love each other equally, but realistically that's not possible. There are members who are closer to one than the other.

STOP WITH THE DIFFERENT CULTURES NARRATIVE ALREADY. God I am tired of jikookers and solos bringing up the different culture thing to try and cancel everything that has no other explanation. They live in sk, not saturn. There might be some cultural nuances that might play a part in some narratives but completely dismissing everything...that's just idiotic.

Tae said he wanted to be closer to members in seasons greetings. But he said he had gone on a trip with jk, in '21. Before the wooga trip that you so happily mentioned. You sound like one of those jikookers who used to try and make tae look like the odd one out bcs of wooga. But he is hanging out with jk and wooga together. His friends supported only jk's solo. Wooshik only followed jk and tae. Idc how many times you all try to spin the "they are all equally close" narrative, tae is closest to jk in BTS. No other member hangs out with Tae's friends. You picked up fringes to prove that tae hung out with every member in chap 2 when even jikookers(atleast the sensible ones)know that tae and jk were attached throughout chap 2. Taekookers have a literal calendar to prove that 😂. Solo era, when they weren't obligated to meet everyday, they chose to hangout with each other. Eg, the day tae came back to sk, he was already making plans to go to jk's to eat makguksu(which btw they can't stop talking about), and he flew for that Celine event the day after that.

Tae has said multiple times that he used to share his troubles with jk, that they used to cry together. This is during the time when he had moved out. But according to you tae moving out was one of the reasons they grew apart. Yoongi texted just those two, they were together even when they received his text, no other member knew about it. During the worst year of their lives, they chose each other. How immature are you to believe that two people who have always been so close, who've always been there for each other, who share such a deep bond, will grow apart bcs one of them stopped being fun?? Are you kidding me?!!

So, to answer your question, yes, we do listen to taekook. They are the only ones we listen to. Maybe you should start doing the same. Instead of trying to find receipts that somehow make tae the aloof member, try to focus on your ship, if you have one( I think you do, the one that starts with j and ends with 13 😉)

Hi anon!

To be fair, I don’t think that anon is a jkkr, they usually insert Jm somewhere, which this anon hasn’t done. And I understand that if you don’t pay extra attention to Tae and Jk.. you just believe what is given to you. You take what you think you know of Sk culture and think.. yeah, skinship is just a physical act, it doesn’t speak to their connection.. all of BTS are close. But there are just such big differences between the extent of that skinship and the context around those moments between Tae and Jk and them and other members. When you don’t care to look at the context and the specifics of those moments though.. yeah sure it might all look the same and it fits in whatever you’ve been told to think.

All of BTS are close. Their food and drink sharing is troubling to me 😂🙈. Most of them love an occasional hug, some of them have occasional very little physical boundaries. All of that is a sign of closeness. But Tae and Jk go the extra mile.

If Tae and Jk just had minor awkwardness in their friendship this wouldn’t have been a point of focus in ITS, if Tae and Jk had medium to mayor awkwardness between them we would’ve seen that in the way they interacted physically.