#this one is ! from another list [will probably jump around hee]

[sunnydayaoe]

Inktober Sharktober !! day 1-2? this list skips a day inbetween [verry nice] Fairytale Shark !!

[jungwnies]

☆*:・ﾟenha birthday special

syn ' how they treat you on your birthday pairing ' bf!enhypen x gn!reader

author's note ' since it's sunoo's birthday month as well as mine i thought i would do a cute birthday special :)

word count ' 1.15k

이희승 ' lee heeseung

he would be the one to do something so intimate

he doesn't really get a lot of time with you considering their recent comeback

but today he is dedicated to treat you well

either cooks breakfast or has breakfast ordered so when you wake up you can eat immediately

takes you out for lunch

takes you out shopping

literally treats you like a prince(ss)

buys you a very sentimental gift tbh, like a promise ring or necklace and makes you swear to never take it off

when you get back from lunch the boys pop out of no where as well as some of your friends and surprise you :(

heeseung took you out because he wanted to throw you a surprise party and let's say you were definitely surprised

you weren't expecting a party, but when you saw everyone your heart felt warm

(rest underneath the cut)

박종성 ' park jay

kind of similar to hee

very intimate day but lowkey you guys just stay in

he doesn't want to go out

he makes you breakfast in bed, has your favorite movies

literally greets you in the morning with a bouquet of roses or your favorite chocolates

its like valentines day but your birthday

maybe a little more than a kiss in the morning, if you're thinking what i'm thinking hehe

makes you dinner and makes you dress up because he sets up candle lights

dims the room

and then pulls out his gift

which is probably so expensive, and definitely has your birthday carved into it

just a sweet and intimate day with the two of you guys since he feels like he never gets time alone with you :c

심재윤 ' sim jake

greets you in the morning with flowers & your gift

it's definitely a necklace, he loves the way they hang from your neck ;)

tells you to get ready so he can take you out for breakfast and lunch

literally has a whole bucket list for your birthday filled with things you told him you wanted to do over the past few months

he takes you everywhere

the amusement park, the han river, a Photo Booth, an aquarium, a cat/dog cafe, literally you name it and he's taking you there

you were confused why you were at the hybe building as the last stop

but when you walk in literally all your friends, family, and enhypen including some staff you've made friends with over the years of you dating jake jump out and surprise you

why does this lowkey make you wanna cry though? like why is jake so sweet

and then gives you another gift

a promise ring because he swears he will always be by your side no matter what

literally tells you happy birthday and tells you he will be at every birthday for you even if he's out of the country

he will come back just for you :(

ugh i love him fr !!!

박성훈 ' park sunghoon

literally doesn't know what to do so he asks for help

he thinks surprise parties are stupid tbh

he wakes you up in the morning with breakfast in bed though

tells you he loves you all the time

he takes you out to eat and takes you shopping

he literally takes you into a helicopter just he can show you around all of south korea lOL

will literally buy anything if you ask

he sees you eyeing something? it's already in the car

he feels bad for not throwing you a party but honestly who even has time for that 🙄

takes you out to one of your favorite places to eat, literally rented the place out just for the two of you guys

makes it all cute and romantic (jay told him to do this!)

pulls out a necklace and apologizes if you didn't enjoy your day which lowkey makes you sad

you did enjoy your day!

promises next year will be better, but nothing will top the night the both of you had together 😉

김선우 ' kim sunoo

omg he plans the cutest day ever for you

wakes you up with literally a dozen gifts

jewelry, clothes, plushies, just all of your favorite things

makes breakfast for two

it didn't turn out the best but the effort was there and that's all that matters

asks you what you want to do today because he something planned for you later

and he takes you out to wherever you told him

literally so much fun whenever you're with sunoo it's really unbelievable

surprise party at the end of the day at a really cute barnhouse

all your friends and family and enhance are there to surprise you

literally themes it after your favorite things

literally makes you want to cry

양정원 ' yang jungwon

PLEASE HE'S SO CUTE

wakes you up face to face with him

he's doing his bling bling eyes and he's like "happy birthday jagi"

UGHHHH sick to my stomach because he's so cute

when you get up from bed tell me why enhypen jump out behind the couches and yell scaring you but also greeting you good morning and happy birthday

surprise breakfast party :c

because he wants to spend the rest of the day until night time just alone with you

takes you out and around showing you everything and buying you whatever your eyes land on tbh

ends the night with snacks and your favorite movie

and then he pulls out the gift he bought you

which makes you want to cry because it's so

ITS SO SENTIMENTAL UGH

screaming crying and throwing up over this

waits for you to fall asleep before you do and then wishes you happy birthday one more time right before it hits 12am

😭

西村 力 ' nishimura riki

so sneaky serious mastermind

literally pretends to forget it's your birthday

LITERALLY DOESN'T SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR THE WHOLE DAY AND IT MAKES YOU KINDA MAD

you ignore him and he feels bad but he's gotta go through with his plan

it's around night time now like 9pm and riki is like "let's go out"

and you're like okay maybe, maybe he's just been waiting

he takes you to one of your favorite restaurants, but why was it dark inside?

when you walk inside every shouts happy birthday and riki kisses you and apologizes

literally looks at you with such sincerity and he's like "i'm sorry babe, but if i didn't ignore your birthday i would've spilled"

pulls out a gift from the inside of his pocket and hands it to you

literally the prettiest necklace /or bracelet

literally took like like 2 months to pick it because he couldn't decide which one you'd like more

ends the way with the two of you guys in bed watching your favorite movies

being cuddled up with riki >>>

2022 © jungwnies thanks for reading - reblogs, comments, and likes are appreciated!

[epickiya722]

burnin’

My first impression: I was immediately taken back by her character design. The green flaming hair, claws, and fangs? I was here for that!

My impression now: Burnin has jumped on the list of my favorite BNHA characters. She's just so fun! Even her bits in BNHA: Vigilantes made me happy. (If there is a BNHA spin-off you should take interest in, it's Vigilantes.) Out of all the fire users, she's my favorite.

Favorite thing about that character: As I mentioned, I really like Burnin's design. She's literally a hothead, but I love that for her. Also, her quirk. She's can take chunks of her hair flames and throw them at people or shape them into weapons. She can also fly! Like, out of all fire related quirks, that's probably the most creative.

Least favorite thing: I hate there's little backstory for her. If there's one sidekick I want some backstory on, it's her.

Favorite line/scene: In the OVA, the one with Mr. Smiley, Burnin has this scene where she got so mad she wanted to shoot Mr. Smiley with a rocket launcher. Meanwhile, Kido and Onima are just staring at her like "... maybe you should calm down". That had me laughing. 😆

Favorite interaction that character has with another: There may not be a lot of scenes, but I love her, Kido and Onima as a trio. Other then the whole rocket launcher scene, there's this bit in Vigilantes where they go "FLAMING SIDEKICKERS" and I just love that.

A character that I wish that character would interact with more: If you have followed me for long enough, you already know I need her and Miruko to interact. Not even just for shipping intent, but I would to see how those two would act around each other.

Another character from another fandom that reminds me of that character: The only one that really comes to mind is that flame from Howl's Moving Castle, Calcifer. Oh, wait, every time I heard Burnin in dub, I think of Musa. I remember first hearing her and childhood memories came at me. I grew watching Winx Club, so I'm going to know Lisa Ortiz's voice. (So yeah, I also know she voiced Amy Rose, and in Winx Club, Lisa also voiced Icy, Digit, and Mitzi.)

A headcanon about that character: Okay, if you read my BurnBunny fics, you may notice that I sometimes describe Burnin's hair another color other than its usual yellow-green color. It's because I headcanon that depending on her mood or what she's doing, her hair flames changes colors. Think it would be neat if her hair could do that.

A song that reminds of that character: Fire Again by Ashnikko! Love that song, just give me Burnin vibes. I actually didn't really know it was a sing for Valorant, at first! Which is funny to me because Burnin looks like she belongs in a video game. Put her ass in Mortal Kombat! I want to see fatalities she can do!

An unpopular opinion about that character: Someone is gonna disagree but... Now, in 349, she mentions how Endeavor is good at his job, but she couldn't care less about his family affairs and I know some people gave her heat for that (hee hee), but personally, I'm on the same page. Whatever the Todorokis had going on isn't her business and at this time, defeating the villains is a priority. Of course, what Endeavor did to his family is terrible and I bet Burnin would also be horrified by it. The time to be involved in their family issues is just not appropriate. And it's not like the Todorokis want everyone to be involved in their business, fight their battles and whatnot. Storywise, it makes no sense for Burnin or anyone else to even be involved with the Todorokis dealing with Dabi. Personally, I just feel like some people wanted to hate on a female character.

Favorite picture: Remember how I mentioned the rocket launcher scene? That's one of the pictures!

Send Me a Character...✨️

[jakekgs]

Hii! I don't know if your requests are open but if they're not, just ignore this! I would looove to see you write an enhypen reaction to reader being jealous and a pouty to them?

enhypen’s reaction to, you being jealous.

this was so fun!! thank you so much for this request!!

HEESEUNG

definitely too scared to make fun of you, hee is one of the most considerate people (in my opinion) n such an attentive boyfriend, it wouldn’t take him long to pick up on your jealousy.

“baby?” “what do you want, hee?” “i’m sorry.”

you can feel yourself tear up at his response, tired of hiding your gaze from his, you’d get up and wrap your arms around your boyfriend, head buried in his shoulder.

“you can’t help being hot.” you eventually sigh.

starts laughing at your response, and whispers jump in your ear (DON’T WORRY THIS IS PG!!!)

fails miserably at any attempt of being sexy when the pair of you fall on the bed in a fit of giggles.

spends the rest of the night with you, kissing everywhere you’d let him and putting on your favourite film, or something sappy enough to have you crying into his side.

now that he would love.

100% whispers positive affirmations into your hair while you fall asleep, reassuring you that he couldn’t ever want anyone other than you, probably claims he’s way out of your league too.

JAY

another really attentive boyfriend, this one is more a fact, jay picks up on little things n mood swings of the members all the time!! he’d be so understand too!!

“y/n?” “jay?” insert him frowning in tiny. “you never call me jay, what’s wrong?” “it’s your name, nothings wrong.”

watches with furrowed browns you leave to your shared room, he gives you the space he’d want until he sees you reappear in his clothing.

an oversized shirt with some sweatpants of his, your hair far messier than it was when you had both left for the date earlier that evening.

you knew, logically, it was not his fault that your waitress had been all over him for the entirety of your stay, even going as far as to ‘accidentally’ forget to take your order.

he knew you were annoyed, had it been the other way around jay would’ve started a fight in the middle of the restaurant.

“i’m sorry.” you’d both blurt out at the same time.

“i love you.” again, the two of you spoke in sync, your giggles filling the once tense air around you. i can see him pulling you into his embrace as gently as he could.

JAKE

my star sign twin!! literally one of the most jealous mfs on this list!! (a close second to sunghoon ofc ofc)

as much as i love him, he definitely can be a little clueless, n while being attentive he’s very easy going and definitely tries to find the humour in every single situation so you’d have to make it obvious.

and pouting is the only way to do that, of course.

he’d gasp as soon as he saw you. “baby, why are you pouting?” just tilt your head at him with a raised brow and give him a second. “you’re jealous?! what.. why would you be jealous?”

“jake.. the girl at the dog park asked for your number and she was beautiful.” depending on who you are, i know i’d probably get upset at this, so feel free to imagine your own reaction ofc!

“and?” he definitely wouldn’t understand, may even raise his voice because he loves you so much it doesn’t make sense to him. you didn’t respond, feeling almost stupid but thinking what you had. “y/n, you’re the one that’s out of my league.”

he knew you didn’t believe him, despite the small smile tugging at your lips. strikes me as the type to open whatever window in the apartment that faced a busy street, and shout about how amazing his partner was. (you.. by the way).

kisses your face over n over again, pausing every once in a while to confess his love for you, mixed with promises of marrying you and loving you for as long as he can.

involves layla somehow (that poor pup-) bc he knows you die a little every time he calls you her mum :((((

SUNGHOON

he is so confused PLS DONT DO THIS

“why are you pouting?” “y/n stop it i hate seeing you like that.” “y/n explain or stop.”

stands in front of you so that you have to face him, grabs your face in his hands and just lets his eyes pour into your own.

“hoon stop that, it’s weird.” “tell me what’s wrong.” “are you trying to hypnotise me right now??? what is happening???” eventually gives you no other choice but to tell him how you feel, which wouk due happened eventually but… moving on!

“the girl we saw at the rink today– i don’t know it’s just.. i know you’re old friends but her hand was touching you the entire time and i know you don’t like pda that much so i wouldn’t expect you to be all over me, but it’s just–“

cuts you off with a kiss!!! a passionate one that almost has you tripping on your own feet, had it not been for his arms around your waist.

when you both, inevitably, pulled away for air, he’d hold you even closer, gently pressing his lips to the space between your brows, gently muttering for you to continue speaking.

“i know you didn’t see it like that, or her like that, and i don’t blame you… i blame her, i’m just mad.” you huff. “she could see we were a couple, hoon, we were holding hands.”

he agrees with every word that leaves your lips, nodding the entire time, making sure to not invalidate your feelings whilst also reassuring you that he’d never want anyone but you.

SUNOO

he’s so observant it wouldn’t take him very long to notice the distance you’d put between the two of you, why didn’t you wanna share a blanket when you watched big hero six >:(

doesn’t want to pressure you into telling him but cannot go this long without speaking to you or HOLDING YOU STOP THIS RN.

“y/n,” you cant even look at him?/!/?/! confused baby alert!!! “baby, can you look at me?”

you do it instinctively, not wanting to cause an argument between the two of you. “what did i do?”

“i’m just being dramatic, sunoo, don’t worry.” he doesn’t believe you. “i’m overthinking, it’s fine, really.”

“don’t lie to me, y/n.” THIS MAN IS SO SCARY… so you end up telling him ofc!!! 😁

“i was just on twitter and ‘cause i follow some of your fan accounts and stuff… this one video came up and it was people shipping you with a fan but she was… i don’t know you just looked really happy.”

cue sunoo looking at you with stars in his eyes, his hand finds yours under the blanket he forcibly wrapped around you whilst you spoke.

“y/n,” you look at him. “i’ve wanted you since the moment i saw you. we’re together and i still want you. just you.” if your hairs long enough he’s pushing it behind your ear rn i know it!!!! “ignore that kind of stuff, they do it with me and hoon too.”

“well, sunghoon i could take, i’d just kick his knees.”

JUNGWON

“why are you being weird?”

“why are you flirting with the staff?”

poor boy’s jaw hit the FLOOR, would take you somewhere away from any prying ears with a hand on your wrist. “what are you talking about?” doesn’t let you out of hold until you tell him!!!

feels awful for making you think like that, especially when he sees you play with the sleeves of your jumper :(

“y/n i wasn’t flirting with the staff, they tend to get a little awkward sometimes so i was trying to make her feel a little bit more comfortable.”

starts smirking at the way you try to hide your smile, definitely pulls you into his embrace by your waist.

“i love you, okay? the girl i’ve fallen in love with.”

you nod at his words, your face finding home in the nook of his neck, embarrassed for assuming such a thing.

“i’d never do that to you.”

“i know you wouldn’t, i’m really sorry.” THE TYPE TO CHUCKLE ABOUT HOW CUTE YOU ARE WHEN YOU’RE EMBARRASSED BUT COMPLIMENT YOU NON-STOP AFTERWARDS!!!!

would you buy you a stupid amount of sweets and flowers for the next WEEK just to make sure you know how loved you are :(

RIKI

GET THIS BOY AWAY FROM HIS GAMES RIGHT NOW

you had no idea who he was playing with, assuming it was some friends from back home since he was speaking japanese.

the last thing you wanted to do was to disturb the game, so you settled for dramatically falling on to his bed and waiting for him to finish, knowing little to no japanese meant making sense of the very few words you did know.

ai ????? had your ears deceived you… or had your boyfriend just used the word love whilst playing a video game. opting to say nothing, your turned on your side, leaving your back to face him and not long after that had he stopped talking, the bed beside you dipping due to his presence.

“y/n, are you awake?” he knew you were awake. “i know what you heard.”

you didn’t reply, faking to be asleep was far easier than this conversation.

“baby?” no response, niki sighed but you could practically hear the smirk on his face. “you have no reason to be jealous, i was playing with konon.”

still faking your slumber but feeling worse than ever for becoming so annoyed, you turned in your ‘sleep’ and niki wrapped his arms around your ‘sleeping’ figure with a heartfelt chuckle.

“i know you can hear me, i’ll tease you for this when you’re awake.”

masterlist, request.

© JAKEKGS 2022

[jiminrings]

coach! jungkook and y/n!!! jk being extra extra clingy

mvp: clingy

pairing: jungkook x y/n

wordcount: 3k

notes: aHHHHH coach!koo remains as i think my most popular piece and this is actually the first actual drabble he gets!! :D

read most valuable, the piece that started it all!!!

so you see

this isn’t a brag or anything pinky promise

but uh jungkook.,..

jungkook rARELY feels insecure ok

those two words don’t belong in the same sentence!!

THEY AREN’T EVEN IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH!!!

but god is he lying when he says he doesn’t feel the tiniest bit insecure with this mINgYu fellow

not to be that boyfriend but uhhh why don’t you laugh with him like THAT

:(((

“kook do you have someone in mind for a guest coach??”

jimin asks for the third time this week, looking mAjorly frustrated as he plops himself in the swivel chair

the dish was that y’know what!! it happens!! THIS happens!!!!

jimin’s been the longest assistant coach (and generally a coach) your team has ever had

he was practically there from the start!!!

whether he admits it or not, jimin’s a binding piece for you and the girls no matter what

then jungkook became head coach right

now the things was....

burnouts happen!! it’s normal!!!

it’s normal to LOSE your drive and passion for your sport as an athlete <3

the last season ended on a good note for sure because after all, you won the championships!!

not to mention that you were hailed mvp hee-hee :D

but then some months have passed

and the new season was supposed to start three months ago but of course it just had to be rESCHEDULED

it’s not necessarily an entirely bad thing

the extra time gave you more time to heal after your injury and your conditioning back to your prime is at top-notch!!

but it just can’t be helped

you and the girls??? your momentum??? aBSOLUTELY PUT-OFF

the training for next season just started last week and jimin and kook rEALLY prepared for this ok

there’s another reason to why kook is almost practically living at yours and jimin’s place nowadays lmao

... it just doesn’t work

it feels like every trick in both their books have been thoroughly used and it’s just not a challenge for you anymore

not to fLEX or anything but

basically the drills and the workouts just feel like warm-ups nowadays :D

and the warm-ups feel like a brisk walk in the park :D

that is both an insult and a compliment to jimin and jungkook because wOW!!! omg we instilled discipline and mastery to them <3

but at the same time it’s like you should nOT be giggling while i make you practice your pancake dives repeatedly

the two of them just need to BOOST everyone’s morale!!!

“actually, i finally found someone!! just thought of it last night but i didn’t wanna knock on your door because jupiter was in the living room and he thought i was an intruder aGAIN”

lol

sometimes jimin can’t wrap his head around that he sees jungkook perhaps almost ALL the damn time

he wakes up disoriented and he sees you on the couch with a bowl of cereal and look!!! my best friend slash roomie already made me breakfast :D

then he plops to the couch and there is this bEEFY entity lying on it covered with a blanket and???? jungkook???? what are yOU doing here

then jimin’s taking a spoonful of his cereal while he’s thinking because uH are the two of you screwing???

“hyung that’s my cereal”

“i put yours in the refrigerator jiminie!! i know how you like it cold!!”

aH and then it hits him

oh right the two of you are a couple now and jungkook just likes crashing and sleeping over at his apartment with you

when his oWN place is not even thirty minutes away wtf

<3 anyways get out of my way jungkook that’s MY spot on MY couch <3

jimin perks up at that because god fuck finally!!! he needs to make calls immediately

“well? who is it??”

jungkook pauses for a dramatic effect before he claps his hands, also eager to start this mini workshop of sorts for a week to boost team spirit

“mingyu!!!! he was my teammate from my former team and well there’s no rival conflict or anything like that!! perfect score!!!!”

that’s-

hmmmmmm

“y’talking about kim mingyu? tall guy, slicked hair, jumps high??”

“you know him??”

jungkook squints to himself because after all that was a little bit of a sTOOPID question

their games were televised and jimin’s a coach how could he nOT expect that

“yeah, yeah. he was my junior in high school and we were kinda friends i guess...”

there’s something in jimin’s tone and jungkook tries to dig in to that because well he thOught his hyung would be a bit more excited

jimin knows that kook could hear the cringe in his voice and it makes him scratch at the back of his head

“ah, you should probably keep y/n away. mingyu... well he was pretty mUCH notorious for stealing everyone’s girlfriends and opportunities from people and such.,.,..”

he still has a bit of resentment for mingyu ok

he was a fucking vULTURE

whatever he did first or whatever he wanted, mingyu would do and pursue the exact same

and jimin was definitely irked because people were hailing mingyu as the cool guy or sth for the things that he was copying off of jIMIN!!!!

they weren’t just coincidences!!!

they say imitiation is the best form of flattery but fuck that jimin is NOT flattered

“aish c’mon, jimin. you uNDERESTIMATE me!!! y/n only has eyes for me, silly!! :D”

aha

aHA

jungkook may have been too confident this time

he knows you still LOVE him!!!! right??

pls say right

there’s this wrenching feeling in the pit of his stomach when he sees you and mingyu doing one-on-one drills as he goes through you all

it was just a simple rally!!! a back-and-forth of the volleyball!! nOTHING major right??

wrong

jungkook could only focus to how focused YOU look

and to how at one point mingyu gave you a tricky throw back and you still managed to give it back to him and how you gIGGLED!!!!

g i g g l e d

then you gave a tricky throw back to mingyu and passed it back and this time he laughed and you cACKLED!!!!

oh my god why is jungkook feeling this way

jimin’s standing beside him and he could hear these little growls from jungkook???

like it’s not exactly gROWLING but it sounds like it

it’s a hybrid between a light snore and a growl and with how jungkook has his eyebrows knitted he is definitely nOt sleepy that’s fo sure

ugh are the two of you fighting again???

does jimin need to give jungkook a wake-up call again or-

wait

hold on

OH

hE KNOWS WHAT’S HAPPENING

the jeon jungkook is inTIMIDATED by mingyu!!!!

wow

he’s never thought that a day like this would come in which jungkook isn’t knocked down a couple of pegs bUT HERE IT IS :D

in your opinion this is GREAT for the team morale!!! coach mingyu was just a breath of fresh air for a guest coach and u are enjoying it

he’s given the team new insights and it helped break the collective burn-out!!

kook just feels insecure ok

and threatened

which is why the moment jimin called for a ten-minute break, jungkook immediately sITS you down

“hi hi okay whAt are you doing???”

you’re endeared but you’re taken aback because jungkook’s immediately hovering above you, swiping and patting down the sweat from your forehead

“i’m taking care of you, silly!! :D”

that’s nice, maybe???

you don’t wanna think much of it hehe jungkook’s just being a caring boyfriend u guess

although he’s never done this before ur gonna admit and you’re stILL dumbfounded

he’s going all-out

even getting a cold towel to put around your nape to help you cool down fetched you a sports drink aLLLLL by himself

he’s even gonna lift up your shirt and wipe down your boob sweat himself and tHEN you stop him

“koo baby i can do that by myself y’know!!!”

although it looks like jungkook doesn’t get why you dON’T want him to take care of you????

doesn’t waver though :D

just lifts your shirt in the slightest bit and shoves a towel to your sports bra and there he goes

“want a snack?? ah, want me to order pizza?? nO?? okay fine i’ll order oNE extra box just for you and me and i gUESS jimin if you want!!!”

it’s a spitfire of questions and you can’t even answer because jungkook’s already hopping on his merry way!!!

not before he presses a fat kiss to your cheek and exaggerates the mWAH sound

aha maybe he’s just being extra loving today

... maybe

“what do you want for dinner??”

“oh i was just thinking what about if we just order-“

“baby wHY do we need to order when your boyfriend is perfectly capable in making you dinner!!!”

ok then

????

something may be wrong with jungkook

it’s just not in his nature to take care of you this attentively

he takes care of you of course but not to the point that you don’t even have to move a single inch because he wants to do eVERYTHING

“jimin??”

you immediately call out when jungkook’s out from the apartment because he said that he’d be out in a flash to get some things from the convenience store because he’s gonna make some dAMN cocktails in his own words

“yeah???”

jimin’s showering atm and that doesn’t stop you from conversing by pressing yourself to the door

“did we lose a sponsor for the team or something????”

“no....? i even received another offer just awhile ago!!! what are you on about??”

oh really?? that’s nICE!!

but that isn’t really your point and you quickly recover before you get sidetracked

“huh?? nothing, minnie!! jungkook just feels a little... off,.,..”

jimin stops lathering his body wash on his loofah then because oh my god he thought he was the only one!!!

you asking basically confirms that jungkook being weird has nOTHING to do with you and his previous theory is 100% correct

you aren’t that bothered with jungkook being affectionate with you!!!

in fact you like it because wow.,.. love.,.. love that for me :D

but uh

this degree tho

“jungkook you are very uHh attached to me, aren’t you??”

here’s a list to how he’s been extra extra cLINGY to you

you were watching 50 first dates because it was the first thing that popped up when you opened the tv then the scene of the waffle house came on and you cOOED

and jungkook immediately jumped into action

by action that meant him literally DIVING to the other end of the couch where you were lying down and cuddled you

“i’m making you that tomorrow for breakfast!!!!”

you were a little sappy after that and it ended late and you just wanted to wash up before bed because there was still training tomorrow

nonetheless you were gonna wake up the next day because your boyfriend IS the head coach and ur roommate IS the assistant coach so u don’t really have a choice

might as well wrap up the night early

you had to wriggle yourself out of jungkook’s death grip to go to the bathroom and when he finally got his bearings???

you’re brushing your teeth :D

then jungkook’s just sat at the closed toilet seat :D looking at you :D

“wow... look at you.... ur so cute brushing your teeth”

“shwshshshw thwank you??”

it didn’t stop there however

of course you cuddled!! jungkook even takes his shirt off for it because in the middle of the night he could randomly get hot and fussy

this time jungkook was the bIG spoon

it’s no surprise that he likes being babied at times hee-hee but wOw so this was the feeling of warmth!!! of being wrapped around by a furnace!!!! it’s nice!!!

the next days however.,.,.

it was getting a little overboard

every single time he had the opportunity to, he would nuzzle his head to your neck and cling onto you until you tAP out

doesn’t care if mingyu sees him chasing you around with a towel on one hand and ice water on the other :D

of course why would he care :D

after all he iS the boyfriend and mingyu isn’t :D

when you bring down one hand as you just let the other scroll down your phone??

hOLD !!! IN TER TWINE !!! I MUST HOLD

you scratch that part of your scalp that randomly gets itchy when you are incapable of itching it???

kook drops everything he’s doing to scratch at your hair and even presses kisses to your hairline!!

even in sleep he was aTTACHED!!!

kinda like how he’s a koala and u are the only branch left in the world for him to cling on

he has his leg trapping you down and his arm on your middle and you’re just about to maneuver yourself so it would be cOmfy

but then kook takes that as a signal that he was still too loose so he cuddles up even MORE

you’re just about to grunt but then you look over to jungkook and-

!!!!

HE’S AWAKE

you immediately squeak and jungkook shuts his eyes sO quick and so hard that it becomes even more obvious that he’s awake

his eyeballs are trembling underneath his eyelids lmao

even his lip is twitching and his breathing isn’t as relaxed if he were ACTUALLY sleeping

“wanna tell me about it??”

...

“... no i’m asleep”

“want me to talk until you fall asleep??”

“yes pls i’m asleep anyway”

jungkook is even cuter this way :((

when he is beyond oblivious that he’s adorable by just being like himself basically

“training was great today!! i don’t know if you saw, but mingyu and i had a contest awhile ago to see who jumps up higher!! so mingyu-...”

jungkook oPENS his eyes at that only for them to twitch

all he hears is mingyu mingyu mingyu and frankly it’s iRRITATING

he reacts exactly when you mention the guest coach’s name and it makes you halt

“hmmm so it iS about him, huh?? jimin was right,” you mumble underneath your breath but he hears you nonetheless and it makes him huff

jungkook completely detaches and turns away from you in an instant as if he’s throwing a tantrum that makes you reach out for him more

“is that why you’ve been clinging onto me??”

he can’t lie he’s extremely sOFT the moment you try and wrap your arms around his huffing figure

“figured that if i’m attached to you by the hip, then you’d only think of me and nOt him”

he’s kind of ashamed as he admits because he feels like he’s being childish with his feelings

he’s not so used to being vulnerable and it makes him uHhHh vulnerable????

he doesn’t like it

“i don’t like mingyu, koo.”

he feels you pressing a tender kiss to his cheek that makes them squish

he hAS to have a stronger resolve than this

“then stOp mentioning his name!!”

he was tHREATENED that’s for sure

he doesn’t need to say that aloud because god what for <3 he’s already suffering he doesn’t wanna speAk

“you do know that you’re my oNLY best boy, hmm??”

buttering up jungkook could be a little tricky

but you seem to hit the notch just pERFECTly this time because he’s basically putty

“yeah? i don’t really know about that”

he’s a wHORE for affection!!! that much he’s realized halfway through the week of being attached to you

you seem to be also forgetting that jungkook’s shirtless and he’s taking his comforter down, a cheeky smile gracing him that you snOrt as soon as it registers in your mind

:D

“remind me?”

[writer-k-pop]

The Teacher (l.d.k) - Waning Crescent Hotel

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see. Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent) Word Count: Ending A - 4.4k / Ending B - 4.2k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist | Masterlists

After Mun Hee runs away from me, I'm left to search for someone who can give me the answers that I want to know. In the lobby I search everywhere for Jiwoo, Yong, or Soon Bok but they're not around. Deeply exhaling, I begin to search the halls for them seeing as I, stupidly, left my only communication device in the garden. The main floor yields no results, forcing me to search the 100 level.

As I near the 160 rooms, Soon Bok's aggressive instructor voice reaches my ears. I pick up my walking pace and near the room that she's in. 168.

"The left side of the corner goes UNDER the right side." Soon Bok demonstrates with her hands. "No, no, under. UNDER."

I lean against the door frame and, with amusement, watch her get fed up and take the sheet corner from the employee and fold it herself.

"Under." She repeats the instruction and rises to full height. Picking up her clipboard again, Soon Bok turns on her heels and nearly jumps out of her shoes when she sees me standing in the doorway. "(y/n)!" The other employees in the room shoot into an upright position at the mention of my name.

I wave a hand at them, dismissing them back to the duties at hand. "I don't need that. Don't do that again." I tell the employees, letting a tiny ounce of annoyance slip in to emphasize my distaste for the attention.

"Can I help you with something?" Soon Bok asks without malice and steps closer to me.

"Mmm," I hum, "What room did you put Dokyeom in?" I ask, tapping her clipboard.

She glances down for a second, "218."

"How long is here for?" I continue to ask for information.

"9 days." Soon Bok states simply.

I nod, "Good to know." Then I glance behind her at the trying-not-to-be-obvious obvious gazes from the employees, "And I think the manual says left over right, Soon Bok." I say loud enough for the room to hear.

Soon Bok pushes me out of the room, "(y/n), stop it."

I let out a short laugh and notice the employees in the room stop moving, shocked that their cold CEO can let out a laugh. Some of their eyes even grow large. Others don't really know how to process the new information. I, on the other hand, enjoy their confusion immensely.

"Hey!" Soon Bok looks over her shoulders at her mannequin employees, "Get this room ready. And it's UNDER." She instructs with an underlying threat that they all understand.

With another small push, I'm standing in the hall and Soon Bok closes the door behind her.

"Will you stop messing with my employees, please?" She pleads, readjusting her clipboard against her body. "At least give them a few months before you pull stunts like that."

"But where's the fun in that?" I ask, playing innocent.

"You're going to confuse them and send this hotel into a downward spiral." Soon Bok explains, walking away from me.

I quickly catch up to her and match pace. "The Gods would never allow that." I reason. "When I'm gone, they'll keep this hotel running swimmingly. And instead of hearing my annoying voice, you'll get to read instructions off of little notecards left ominously on your office desk." I say with a cold chill.

Soon Bok just blinks blankly at me before nodding her head to the side, "But I won't be able to joke with anyone."

"Mun Hee and Yong will still be here." I remind her.

"Mun Hee doesn't understand half of my jokes and Yong is really busy with the rest of the hotel." She says with a sigh.

"Oh." I'm at a loss for words.

We reach the elevators and Soon Bok presses the 'up' button.

"I'm headed to the 800's, do you want to come with me?" She inquires, watching the number in the little square above the elevator doors decrease.

I shake my head, "No. I have some champagne to finish in the garden."

"Alright, enjoy your champagne." Soon Bok smiles warmly at me as the elevator reaches us.

Now, I watch as the number above the elevator doors increases until it stops on 8. Just one less than the amount of days I have to wait for Dokyeom.

~The Ninth Day~

Thunder booms through my ears, lightening cracks across the dark sky, and rain hurtles at the windows of the conference room. I needed a change of scenery for today's form signing and decided this was a good, quiet place. My fingers drums against the table as I rest my hands on either side of a stack of boring forms with another stack a little further away. I stare at the pen laying on top of the stack in front of me.

Sighing, I pucker my lips and give into my hotel duties. I pick up the pen and start scanning the top paper.

"And if the blah blah blah creates an un-blah blah blah with the blah..." I mutter under my breath. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

I finally reach the bottom of the page and a small 'x' next to a blank line tells me that's where I need to put my signature. Putting the pen to paper, my muscles pull my signature from memory. Two seconds later, I pull the pen away and reveal the signature that I consider retched but other seem to consider beautiful.

Thunder claps again, this time so close that the walls rumble. I sigh and place the signed paper on top on the other signed papers. Then I work on reading the next one, and it's a stapled packet.

The door opens quietly but I think nothing of it as it's probably Yong coming to check up on me. But it's not Yong's voice I hear.

I hear giggling. A child's giggling. Children giggling. And pattering footsteps.

"Hi." A young girl runs up to my right side with a smile.

"What are you doing?" A young boy asks from my left side.

"Yeah, what are you doing?" Another child asks and as I look around, more children crowd around me.

"Hey, give her some room." Dokyeom's voice says to the children from the doorway. "Be polite. Remember what we learned." The children back away a few steps but stay relatively close by.

I raise my head up and meet his eyes. He smiles brightly with his eyes squinty.

"Sorry, they wanted to come and visit." Dokyeom says sheepishly, "And I couldn't say no to that."

I hum with amusement and look down at the children who all smile up at me with bright smiles. "You can come visit me anyti-"

As I lift my head up to Dokyeom's, a crack of lightening flashes through the room and I'm left alone. Like I've always been. They were never here. My brain just created them and my eyes thought...

I sigh and rub my hands over my eyes. I should've known it wasn't real. I wasn't allowed to interact with his students but that didn't mean he couldn't tell me countless stories about them.

Refocusing, I reread the first section of the stapled packet and trudge my way through the rest of it. On the last page, there's a spot for me to put my signature.

My hand floats just above the paper when the echo of Dokyoem's hand guiding mine takes over.

'You may have better cursive than most of my students.' He chuckles, 'But you'll never have better cursive than me. Let me show you how it's done.'

I remember the smirk he had on his face when I glared at him. The ghost of his chest pressed against my back grows more prominent and I can feel his warmth as he guides my hands through the loops and straights of the cursive of my name.

'See?' Dokyeom's voice whispers, 'Doesn't that look so much better?'

I look down at the paper and notice I've signed my name in the way that Dokyeom showed me. Something I haven't done since I left him. Running my hands over the dried ink, a smile full of warm memories grows on my face.

I set the pen down on the table and hold the papers in my hands while resting my elbows on the table. Tilting my head side to side, my eyes trace over the ink and after all these years, I think I finally see the beauty in Dokyeom's version of my signature. There's a childish vibe tangling with a chic one. Much like his real personality. It's why he was such a good teacher. Playful with the students and polite with the parents.

Flipping the packet to the first page, I place it on top of the signed pile with one hand while the other picks the pen back up.

As I near the bottom of the final form, somebody actually knocks against the conference room doors.

"Come in." I say, while signing the form.

"You're still signing those?" Jiwoo asks, stepping into the room and I set the pen down.

Looking up at him, I smirk, "Actually I just finished."

Jiwoo nods, impressed, "I actually thought it would've taken you longer."

"You underestimate the magic in these hands." I raise my hand and wave my fingers at him.

He laughs out loud, "There's no denying that you have magic."

"Do you need anything?" I ask, thinking that not much time has passed since he gave me the forms at nightfall.

"Just your presence in the garden." Jiwoo says calmly.

"It is not..." I trail off, looking around for a clock but of course, I never set one up in here.

Jiwoo pulls out his phone and shows me the time, "Oh, it is." He smiles warmly and replaces his phone in his pocket.

I push back from the table and walk to the doors. "I guess the storm screwed up my timing."

"Well, you can't see the moon so it makes sense that you lost track of time." Jiwoo comments.

"The moon doesn't dictate that." I argue as I reach him at the doors.

He raises his eyebrows like the answer is obvious, "For you, the moon dictates everything. Including your mood."

I open my mouth to defend myself but Jiwoo speaks before I can even form a word.

"You know it's true so don't even argue. Crescent moons you're in your best moods. Full moons require 2 bottles of champagne and Blue moons require a minimum of 4 bottles." He lists off the reasons and I have to admit, it is true. The moon reminds me why I'm here and I retaliate by swinging my moods to the different phases.

I sigh and lower my head in defeat, "Alright, you win. Just be prepared for the next Blue moon, I will not be so kind." I threaten him.

"If you're still here." He points out and then nods his head towards the hallway, "He's waiting for you."

My head rises and I happily smile, "I'll be going then."

Jiwoo waves goodbye and I make my way through the halls. My feet continue to walk me to my garden while my heartbeat beats harder. By the time I'm a few feet away, I can hear and feel my heartbeat in my ears.

"You are a tree. T. R. E. E." Dokyeom's voice trails out from the garden. "A really pretty tree."

I walk in and find Dokeyom facing the tree with his hands clasped behind his back.

"I think that's the first compliment it's gotten in its entire life." I say while holding back a giggle.

But Dokyeom is startled by my 'sudden' presence and nearly jumps out of his skin.

"AH!" He screams, jumping to face me. With eyes wide and blinking like a deer in headlights, Dokyeom just stares at me.

I cover my mouth with my hands and try so very hard not to laugh.

"Why would you sneak up on me like that!?" He screeches when he's collected himself.

"I'm sorry." I stifle out, really trying not to laugh because I should be feeling kind of guilty but... it's Dokyeom. "I forgot how easily you scare."

"Has it really been that long?" Dokyeom pouts.

I lower my hands and smile sweetly, "I guess it has."

Dokyeom instantly wraps me up in a tight hug and my arms instinctively wraps around his waist, resting snugly against his form.

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long." He whispers into my ear, all traces of his earlier scare gone.

"I'm the one who should be sorry." I tell him, glancing over at the bare tree.

"No way." Dokyeom pulls back and holds me by the shoulders at arms length, "You don't have to be sorry. I guess neither of us have to be sorry." He realizes with scrunched eyebrows.

I hold his hands that are still at my shoulders reassuringly, "I guess I won't be sorry if you won't be sorry."

He straightens up and nods, "Fine by me." Dokyeom then walks behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Though, you did wait a long time."

"Dokyeom." I warn him and turn my head to glance at him.

"Just saying." He mumbles through a pout, then he wonders, "Where did you go?"

"Back here." I tell him and hang my hands from his arms.

"Just here?" Dokyeom wonders, looking around the garden.

"Just here." I confirm. "Someone has to run this hotel."

"Who's going to run it when you leave?" He asks, giving me a small squeeze.

I shrug, "Whoever the Gods pick."

"Ah, I see." Dokyeom says softly.

I tap his arms to release me and begin to walk forward towards the bench. Dokyeom follows but keeps his arms wrapped around me.

"You know that Yong lady?" He asks as we settle onto the bench.

I chuckle, "Yes, I know her."

"She reminds me of you." Dokyeom says.

"How so?" I question.

"Well," He clears his throat, "She's got this like cool, unbothered aura around her but when you get her talking, I can sense she's softer and more relaxed. Like you. And, and, I told her a joke once and she laughed but then a guest arrived and it was like someone flipped a switch. She changed her resolve so fast." He explains.

"This is a hotel." I remind him, "We have to be on our best behaviors for the guests."

"We? I never saw you out on the floor though." Dokyeom comments innocently.

I give him a questioning look.

He readjusts his posture so he's angled towards me, "In the nine days I was here, I never really saw you out in the hotel helping guests."

"I, I don't really do that work." I stutter. "I'm usually in my office... or here." I nod towards the tree.

"So then 'they.'" Dokyeom giggles.

"What?" I ask.

"They have to be on their best behaviors for the guests." He corrects my earlier statement. "Since you're in your office or here."

"No, I mean, yes, but I occasionally help guests too." I defend myself, stumbling over my words a bit.

"Wish I could've seen it." He puckers his lips.

I roll my eyes before saying, "You know what I wish I could've seen?"

Dokyeom looks over at me with curiosity, "What?"

"You teaching." I nod at him with a small smile.

"Why?" He asks, his eyebrows scrunching together.

I shrug, "Why not? You always talked about how much you loved it and you were always going on and on about your students. So I've always wanted to see you in your element."

"You remember all of those?" Dokyeom wonders, "Like all the stories I told you?"

"Maybe not all of them, but a good majority." I tell him, "I never forgot them."

"Even with 12 others you didn't forget them?" He asks, looking at the bare tree.

I smile and link my arm with his, "You're a little difficult to forget."

"I am, aren't I?" Dokyeom looks back with a playful smirk. I laugh at his ability to switch moods so quickly.

Pulling him closer, it's now my turn to rest my chin on his shoulder. "Will you tell me more?" I ask, batting my eyes at him.

"More stories?" He asks and I nod. "There's not really much to tell."

"I still want to know." I tell him and his shoulders relax while he inhales deeply.

"Alright, let's see." Dokyeom grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. "I will say that it was a bit difficult after you left."

"A bit?" I question his wording.

"Okay, extremely." He corrects himself, "But I couldn't really show it in front of my young students. I kept teaching though, for a lot of years. When I retired, I think I was the teacher highest number of years at the school. My kids were nagging at me for years to retire because they could take care of me and their mother but I guess I was kind of stubborn." He chuckles, "Eventually I left the teaching world though."

"You married?" I ask with relief, "And had kids?"

Dokyeom nods happily, "I did. My relationship with my wife took some years but then the kids came quickly."

"How many did you have?" I question, pressing his arm tighter into my chest.

"3 kiddos." He says proudly, "My first son grew up to be a chef. My daughter went on to be a doctor. And my youngest son followed my middle child, he became a doctor."

"You must've been proud. Having children who could support you once you retired." I sigh happily that his children lived comfortable lives.

"I was. I am." Dokyeom says and nods. "Though I never understood how my oldest became a chef. He was always so clumsy and then he went on to choose the career with some pretty big and sharp knives."

"He didn't every hurt himself, did he?" I ask, suddenly worried for a soul I had only ever seen from a distance.

Dokyeom shakes his head, "A few knicks here and there but no, he was never seriously injured from his job. His silliness did cost him a few bruises though."

"Oh no." I breath out but Dokyeom simply laughs.

"Like once, he was playing with my daughter's daughter and somehow got his feet tangled in her toys and face planted onto the floor." Dokyeom recalls, "My youngest son gave him shit about it for weeks. The poor kid couldn't live it down until the next time he clutzed up."

I let out a breathy chuckle and he continues with stories.

"My daughter was so aggressive towards my oldest sun but she was an absolute protective angel to my youngest son." He say with a smile. "But my youngest would always try to combat it and protect her from any and all things dangerous. Including her future husband." Dokyeom suddenly points a figure at me, "And no, I did not tell him to do it."

I raise my free hand up in the air, "I wasn't going to ask." I say with a giggle.

He narrows his eyes at me, "But you were thinking it."

My eyebrows lift slightly. "Maybe."

Dokyeom barks out a small laugh and his eyes sparkle with delight. Just like they did back then when I could pull laughter from him like a magician pulls the scarf from his sleeve. With ease.

"Were there any more stories from your teaching?" I ask, "Those were always my favorite."

"That I do remember." Dokyeom says and squeezes my hand. "Mmm, let's see." He thinks for a couple seconds before telling the story of a school picnic that somehow ended in a large water fight.

I listen in awe and wonder as he retells the tales of his classroom where everything from stuttering presentations to wild test answers were seen. He tells me about how some single parents were super, super nice to him and I have to point out that I'm sure they had some other motive. Dokyeom, of course, doesn't believe me until I point out that the super, super nice single parents were usually mothers. His face of realization is pure gold and I memorize it in a flash, not wanting to forget it.

From school stories, we move to stories of his household. The quiet years when it was just him and his wife to the chaos of raising three kids. He vividly remembers when his daughter went to her first school dance and how fast his heart was beating because his precious princess was growing up. Dokyeom swears he was not that protective but his sons were telling everyone about his 'over'-protectiveness.

Dokyeom says he did a lot after he retired and his stories certainly prove it. He has stories from his simple life, from his experience with grandchildren, and from the outings he had with his friends as they all aged together.

Throughout all the stories, Dokyeom's warm smile never fades and I hold onto that warmth, even when the sun's warmth begins to disappear below the horizon.

"I hope it's going to be warm." Dokyeom shivers and presses closer to me.

"It will be." I say softly. "It's simply perfect."

"Do you think any of my students will be there?" He wonders, staring at the chrysanthemums sitting at the base of the bare tree.

I run a hand through his hair, "Maybe. Depends on how many lives the Gods gave them."

"I hope none of them are there yet." He wishes, "They all deserved to live many, many lives."

"I'm sure they lived a great many." I tell him, "After all, they crossed paths with you."

"They did, didn't they?" Dokyeom lets the thought lift his spirits a bit. "Will you walk with me?" He asks, gripping my hand tighter.

"Of course. I will go as far as I can go but I will go with you." I reassure him.

He nods and we stand up together. With my hand wrapped securely with his, we walk out of the garden. One foot in front of the other and I feel like each step gets heavier and heavier the closer we get.

"You won't forget, will you?" Dokyeom asks but doesn't look at me. Instead he looks straight ahead with his head held high.

"Forget what?" I ask, watching his face closely.

"That I have a mole on my left cheek." He lists off the items he doesn't want me to forget, "That I'm afraid of lady bugs. That I'm a movie nerd. That you can't be trusted with the directions because that one time you got us lost for 3 hours. That I still remember the night you tried to surprise me for my birthday but you tripped over your own feet and spoiled it. That I was one of the 13. And that I love you."

We stop in front of the departures door as he finishes. I turn to him and lift the corners of my lips in a small smile.

"I won't forget." I tell him, "And that means you also can't forget that I love you."

Dokyeom gives a single curt nod, "I would never." He grabs the door handle and swings the door open, "Wow, the sun sets fast." He comments at the darkened sky.

"She's got places to be." I joke and step out, "And I like the moon better anyway."

"Everyone always told me I was like the sun," Dokyeom says, "But secretly, I always did like the moon better."

"I do remember you telling me that." I say as we get closer to Shin and the waiting car.

"February 18th." Dokyeom blurts out suddenly.

"Your birthday..." I trail off in confusion.

He nods, "That's the one thing you need to remember. You can forget the others if you can't remember them but please remember my birthday."

"I remember all 13 birthdays." I grab both of his hands in comfort, "I never forget birthdays."

Dokyeom presses his lips together, "Just, just make sure you eat an apple on my birthday."

"An appl- why?" I'm taken aback at his request.

"You know," He looks at me with wide eyes, "Apples are things you give to teachers and I was a teacher so you should eat an apple every year on my birthday. To remember your teacher."

I glance over at Shin and he also has a look of confusion, though not as obvious as mine. "I-"

Dokyeom giggles, "I was joking."

My confusion dissipates and a small smile reaches my face. I reach out and cup his cheek in my hand, "I'm going to miss you. You and your jokes."

He grabs my hand and presses a kiss into my palm, "I'm going to miss you, too." Dokyeom then pulls me into a tight hug and nuzzles his face into my neck.

I close my eyes and breath in his comforting scent. The one that could always settle whatever storm the Gods had brewed up. The one that would wrap around me on the coldest of days.

All too soon, Dokyeom pulls away and presses a kiss onto my lips. Then he pulls away completely.

"I love you, (y/n)." He says confidently, not caring who may or may not hear.

"I love you, Dokyeom." I smile and wrap my arms around my waist.

Dokyeom smiles happily and walks to the car. Shin waits until every last bit of him is inside the car before he definitively shuts the door. The car begins to drive away and in the back seat, Dokyeom turns around and waves at me. I raise an arm and wave back, hoping he can't see the tears filled with sadness that line my eyes.

Only when the car is completely swallowed by the forest fog do I lower my hand and replace it at my waist. It is then that a white chrysanthemum waves its final goodbye before withering away.

I wait at the forest's edge for a few more minutes and let the tears fall. But the hotel's glow grows bigger and I know the hotel is in full swing. Which means I have more work to do and more loves to wait for.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel) to choose the next guest.

"What's the first thing you're going to do on the other side?" Dokyeom asks, looking towards the setting sun.

I shrug, "I honestly have no idea. What are you going to do?" I throw the question back at him.

"I'm going to try," He emphasizes 'try,' "To find you and win you over."

I giggle, "You might just succeed."

Dokyeom hops onto his feet, "Then let's go test this theory." I stand up next to him and he grabs my hand.

"Not just yet." I tap the top of his hand with my free hand, "I have to say goodbye to my people first. They're technically my family."

"Of course. I always knew they were close to you but I never realized how close." Dokyeom says thoughtfully.

"It's hard to know when you didn't have the whole story." I tell him with a knowing smile.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

"So this is it?" Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. "This is the day you leave us?"

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he's being so sappy. "Maybe I'll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year." I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

"Don't you dare say that. You better not return here." He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, "I won't come back. I promise."

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should've done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family's service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

"When you leave today, you won't be able to find this place again." I inform him, "I hope that you'll be able to go and live your life happily."

Jiwoo nods, "Thank you for letting me work with you. I won't ever forget you."

I smile sadly, "You will. But thank you."

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

"You'd think after all these years of waiting that I'd be prepared for this day." She says through sniffles.

"Thank you, Yong." I rests my hands on her shoulders, "For everything. Thank you."

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

"Keep this hotel running beautifully." I tell her before Dokyeom grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Dokyeom and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

"(y/n)." He says when we reach him, "It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest." Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

"The honor was mine." I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I'm free. I served my years of punishment and now I'm free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel's many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

"(y/n)?" Dokyeom softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, "Are you ready?"

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's go."

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Dokyeom securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

[wot-tidbits]

Live Signing Session—Dragonmount Patreon Stream

SOURCE

SPOILERS FOR THE WHOLE SERIES!

QUESTION:

It has been 13 years since you were selected by Harriet to finish the Wheel of Time. After 13 years have passed, like, has the shock worn off yet?

BRANDON SANDERSON:

Yes and no. There are times when I look back and I just I’m like that was really a surreal event in my life. Nothing quite can ever compare to getting a phone call being asked to finish the Wheel of Time. I look back and I’m like how did that even happen?

For those who don’t know, I didn’t apply for it. Harriet just called me and it’s really, really strange. At the same time the fact that I am a best-selling author has kind of settled in because I have to deal with it every day and I’m very used to it at this point. And so the public’s attention being on me, I have gotten used to that. The fact that I got that random phone call still is really weird when you look back at. I don’t know if you have things in your life like that, where you’re like: “Man, that really happened!” That is really strange, like winning the lottery, right? I always describe it as winning the lottery that you didn’t know you’d entered. It’s more like actually getting an inheritance you didn’t know you were getting, but someone you loved of course had to die for you to get the inheritance. So it’s still wrapped up in weird emotions for me.

QUESTION:

The way that Harriet became aware of you was because her friend Elise Matheson was printing out blog posts and other news clippings that were online where there was a news report or tribute to Robert Jordan and yours was on that list and Harriet read that and ran with it from there. So it almost seems to me that you’ve written some amazing things, but maybe that blog post might have been the most important of your career in some ways.

BRANDON SANDERSON:

The single most significant three paragraphs in my entire career are probably that little blog post. […] The weird thing is that I was late. I spent about a week thinking about, “What do I write?” and everybody had tributes come out like the day after and I didn’t jump on that. You see me posting things later when I do blog post reactions. I often am like, “I want to think about this.” And so if I hadn’t waited who knows if that would have come up in the search results.  First, because it was brand new when Elise was looking for things. Who knows, if I’d waited one more day it wouldn’t have popped up? If I’d written it the week before, maybe it wouldn’t have either. That’s just one of those things, right?

QUESTION:

What would you say to 2007 Brandon?  

BRANDON SANDERSON:

I have read this book where you go back in time, and it never turns out well. I would not go back in time and say anything to myself because I would end up as my own grandfather somehow. And then I would need, like, Christopher Lloyd to show up and help me fix all the problems in my life.

But if I take it non-jokingly, I don’t know. I’ve never been asked this one before. It’s usually your young writer self, what would you say? I honestly have no idea. Maybe I would say it’s gonna be alright. You’re gonna do a good job. Don’t stress this as much as you are. But maybe it’s stressing it that made me do a good job? And I haven’t stressed over a book as much as those books ever. Except maybe my very first release with Elantris. But I am not high stress person, so even that level of stress is nothing compared to what I know a lot of other people stress about.

The nice thing is that by 2007 I was confident in my writing. There were things I needed to learn. There were going to be some hard things I needed to learn and I learned them over the next five years. And it was a tough growing period of writing.

I might say take another stab at Mat once you think you got him. Listen to Jason (Denzel) when he says Mat’s off. Because you (Jason) were the first to point that out to me. I might say Padan Fain. A lot of people are going to think there needs to be a little more. Can you write like 2000 more words on the Padan Fain narrative arc for a Memory of Light? Remember to do that. Brandon, they’re gonna split into three books anyway. Stop stressing about trying to get them all into one book. They are not gonna let that happen. Tor’s not gonna throw that money away. They are going to insist on three books. So plan it that way from the beginning and maybe the timeline issues and Towers of Midnight would have been solved. I’m mostly looking at warning myself to prepare things for the future.

QUESTION:

You and I have talked about that in the past. Rand had a very climactic moment at the end of The Gathering Storm. And then you had some moments but it largely became Perrin and Mat’s book in Towers of Midnight. And then we got back to Rand again…                    

BRANDON SANDERSON:

I actually like that breakdown. I don’t think I’d change that. I think that Rand in Towers of Midnight being a little bit like Rand in the Dragon Reborn where you’re getting some distance from Rand, because he’s gone through a major change and you’re seeing him externally for a little while.

Actually, I think that’s a selling point of the Dragon Reborn and I like having echoed that in my three, where you know that distance [is there] and then you get back in his head and you’re like: “No, this is the Rand I still love”. This is the same person, he’s just developed. He’s changed a little bit. And that distance, that time with distance, it just gives you a different perspective on the character.

Like I said you are in Rand’s head in the Dragon Reborn, but he feels like a different character, and then we get our Rand back in book 4. I really like how Jim pulled that off. I wasn’t doing that intentionally, but in hindsight looking back, it feels like the right way to do that.

I would try to fix the timeline issues though.  I did a lot of work in the Gathering Storm when it was one book to overlap Perrin’s climax and Rand’s climax at the kind of center point of the story which became the two endings of Towers of Midnight and the Gathering Storm. And because those originally had been overlapping back and forth timelines and were split into two books—which again I kind of like how it went—it was clunky since it wasn’t designed that way from the get-go.

QUESTION:

About the deleted chapters you did for the charity novels and are there anymore that might appear?

BRANDON SANDERSON:

No, the only other scene I think I’ve mentioned before; I have like that brief like two-page scene where ladies weave the bridal wreath for Rand. I’ve talked about that before. That’s the only significant chunk they got cut that’s left and it’s only like two pages. The ones were like full things, so someday we’ll find a place for that. I don’t think we have yet, but someday we’ll find a place for that, but it’s only two pages. It is real short.

Did I tell you why that got cut? I should mention it. So it was actually really cool. I wanted to get Rand engaged, have the bridal wreath and have all three of them like weave it together and kind of use some Aiel tradition there and whatnot. And it was a really great scene. I enjoyed it. Everybody liked it.

Then we put the book together. Because often I will write—when I have a large number of viewpoints, I will write a chunk of viewpoints from a character’s viewpoint, and then at the end is when I really start putting things together and then I have to smooth between these things and make sure that the pacing is right. Because you don’t want all sorts of dry scenes together. You don’t want too many action scenes together, unless it’s at the end where you do want a lot of action scenes, and you want to kind of be bouncing back and forth. There’s just a rhythm and feel to it that usually I have a pretty good instinct [for] while I’m writing knowing how they’re going to fold together.

But once in a while you get something that just sticks out like a sore thumb and this was one. Because it was opposite the Talmanes’ scenes going in Caemlyn and like dramatic scenes of people getting stabbed by myrddraal and nearly dying and all this stuff. And it was more powerful stuff. It was really nice tense stuff and then you jump back and the girls were like “Tee-hee, I am like this branch that I’m weaving into the bridal wreath. It has thorns!” And it just did not work!

I’m making it sounds sillier than it was. It wasn’t that silly, but it did not fit thematically. Harriet was like “Oh, this does not match at all.” I’m like “Yeah, you are totally right.” So we cut that one up, which made me feel sad because I did want to get them engaged. I know a lot of people have been waiting for that, but it had to go just for the strength of the opening narrative. That one’s around. It’s fun. You can imagine [it] exactly as what it is. All three go out and gather different things to put into the thing and you don’t seem them gathering, they just come together and say “Here, I brought this. It’s a good match for us because of this” and they kind of weave it all together. Maybe someday we’ll get that but there’s not a whole lot left.

Getting the Perrin through the Ways out—like, I had wanted to find a place for that for a while because I really liked that sequence. I’ve mentioned before that when I look back at it, I’m like, “it needs a lot of revision,” so I actually had to spend a lot more time revising that sequence for the charity anthology than I did the other one, which I just kind of chopped up and it was good to go. Because that had lasted all the way until the last edit, but the Perrin scenes got cut out earlier after we did a bunch of just timeline rejiggering and things like that. Harriet had not been pleased with my depiction of the Ways, and looking back—I think I mentioned this in the Forward—she was right. And that took a lot of revision to make feel right, which I wasn’t planning on spending, like I spent two weeks revising that little sequence for the charity anthology, but I wanted it to be good.

It was fun because when I sent it to Maria to look through to make sure I hadn’t broken anything too big continuity-wise even though it’s not canon, she wrote back. She’s like “This was so nice, being able to actually read Wheel of Time and edit it again.” It was like a bright spot. And that’s kind of how I had felt on it. So it was nice to work on but it was way more work than I expected. The bridal scene will not get similar treatment if we find a place for it in a future Unfettered or something like that.

QUESTION:

Aside from that do you have other scenes still remaining, deleted scenes that could potentially see the light of day?

BRANDON SANDERSON:

I don’t think there is anything else at all. I don’t think there are even any scraps or fragments. Everything that Jim wrote I put in the book in some way. There is maybe some Q&A stuff that didn’t get in the book. In one of his Q&A’s with Maria in the notes he was talking about … No, no, this wasn’t from the Q&A. It was just notes from books back that they found dug in there that they were having Rand use the Choedan Kal. Jim had in the notes Rand using the male one at the end of the series but that one was destroyed. It was the access key that was destroyed. I’m like so do we find another access key or was this just old information contradicted other things? Because this was like he was writing book eight or something, he was thinking about doing that and they found a little note file for it. They’re like maybe we use these things, maybe we find another access key or whatnot.

There is stuff like that in the notes that would be fun to release. The fans could like imagine the what if because it’s entirely possible that rather than going with the Callandor solution, Jim would have gone with the Choedan Kal that he would have decided: “No, no, the right thing to do is to find another access key” or something like that or whatnot. And then you have a different twist on the ending using that. There are things like that that could be fun to see from the notes. I don’t know how much has been dug up, how much of it Harriet put in the library.

QUESTION:

Mat and Tuon are my favorite characters. Is there anything little or unknown about them that you can share with us?

BRANDON SANDERSON:

Everything I had from Jim that was in the notes I was given—now, remember, I had people look through the notes and give me the stuff that they thought was relevant, Maria and Alan did. So there’s entirely possibly like a lot of the things that are notes that I didn’t see were drafts of appendices that Robert Jordan added things to, and then taken out from like book 7 and 6 and 8 and stuff like that. And there might be things in there.

Everything I had either was in the books—or because that last scene was written by him, the one with Mat and Tuon in the epilogue—he had done a draft on that scene so I was pointing everything toward that scene to just get it in. So that I could drop it in as close as how he’d done it as possible. The only thing that I know is that Mat does go to Seanchan and that eventually he’s found in a gutter without his hat having gambled it all away. And he’s muttering “I lost it all” or “I gambled a lot away” or something like that. That’s in the notes for the outriggers.

The notes for the outriggers are three sentences and one of them is about Mat having lost it all. We can guess he goes to Seanchan. We can guess that he ruins, messes things up and then spends several books fixing them again which is how Mat basically rolls. That would be my guess.

We can guess that Perrin has to go. We think Perrin thinks he has to go to kill Mat. We don’t know but one of those sentences is Perrin is going travelling on a boat thinking about how he’s got to go kill a friend. So there’s got to be some tensions between the continents and things like that, and I would assume that hijinks ensued, but your imagination has got to go on this one. That is literally all I know about Mat and Tuon going forward.

Fun fact is that this was somewhere in the notes but they hadn’t shown it to me, I came up with a new name for Tuon and then Maria’s like: “Oh, Jim came up with one of these” and it was two letters off. We’d both come up with the like exact same new longer name for her. And that was cool, that I had been enough on the same wavelength. And we of course used his. But that’s kind of fun because I think we were both looking at the list of Old Tongue words and found something that worked together and came together and it sounds like fortune and that’s the same direction I’d gone.

Maybe he’d written something that had told me that I should go that direction but either way, that’s a fun thing. There is a little email from Maria saying: “Hey, we should use Jim’s name for this!” And then it was almost exactly the same. I felt  very cool on that day. I can’t remember what mine is because Fortuona ended up in the book but mine also started with f, o, r and then I think I had an extra syllable in there and I had Tuon in there as well but maybe my ending letters to it were different or something, I can’t remember.

QUESTION:

I know you’ve spoken a lot about that you’ve read some of these early scripts and…

BRANDON SANDERSON:

Yeah, I’ve read the first six. Still haven’t seen seven or eight.

QUESTION:

I know you’ve had a chance to talk to Rafe (Judkins). I am really curious what your take is going to be and how you’re going to be involved or how, if I can use the word “possessive” of it, that you’ll be when they hopefully get to the end of this saga. When they’re in their season seven or eight and it’s covering your books and to see how much they keep and change. And how much they’ll have to change because their previous changes will lead to, you know, have ripple effects.

BRANDON SANDERSON:

This is uncharted territory for me. And I have no idea. It could be like Game of Thrones where despite the changes they stay pretty much according to what are the big events, so what I wrote ends up there. But it could go completely different.

As I’ve said to people, I envision this as a new turning of the Wheel. It’s the same souls but in a different actual turning of the Wheel. It’s not the one that Jim and I worked on. It’s a different version of it. And so some of the same events are happening, others are different and being rearranged and so. I don’t know. Like my experience has been fantastic working with Rafe (Judkins) so far. But the sum total of my involvement is: I talked to Rafe and tell him what I felt about various scripts and things. I went on set one time and I was mostly there so they could interview me for b-roll to use in their “making of” and to actually let me meet the actors and things like that.

I am not a significant player in the series. I don’t know, maybe they will want me to be more of [one] when it gets to my books. My instincts say that I will become less and less needed. And I am not even sure how much I was needed right now because Rafe knows, has a vision, and is doing a good job with it.

I’ve been in his shoes before but it’s almost like the handoff, at least the way it’s supposed to work, between past presidents where they like leave a letter and are there for a phone call if you have a question for them, but mostly you find your own way. And that’s kind of how it is with me.

QUESTION:

Did you ask them about having a cameo?

BRANDON SANDERSON:

I didn’t ask them about having a cameo, no. Maybe eventually in my own things I want to have a cameo but in the back of my mind I was like if I do a cameo I should do it when they get to the material I wrote. That’s more appropriate and so I haven’t asked for one yet. I hope the series takes off and then they get to mine and then we stick in a Brandon cameo.

For those who haven’t heard one of the things I want to do for my books when they get made is I want to die in various different—like I show up, I’m like the Kenny from South Park of the Cosmere or whatever. In every season there’s a version of me that dies in some horrible way, you know, just like a redshirt [from Star Trek] or something like that. I think that would be a lot of fun. You need people falling off the wall, getting eaten by koloss. I’m one of those people. Stuff like that. It just feels like revenge the characters could have on me and it could be this fun little thing. Stan Lee covered the cute cameo. I could cover the gruesome death cameo role.

QUESTION:

Having been through a full three books and years of working on it, what sort of high level general advice would you offer to the people, the writers in the writing room working on the series?

BRANDON SANDERSON:

I actually talked to Rafe about some of this stuff. Number one was of course, Mat’s harder to write than he looks. I actually did say ask Jason (Denzel). Mat is harder to write than he looks.

I talked about the kind of soul of the Wheel of Time. What makes the Wheel of Time work. I remember talking to him about the interview that I heard with Jim where someone asked him summarize the Wheel of Time and he hummed and he didn’t want to do it but he eventually said what it’s like to be the normal person and be told you need to save the world. They put that burden upon you that you’ve got to save the world and you’ll probably die doing it and it’s not a burden you wanted. What do you do with that? If there’s a core theme of the Wheel of Time it is either that, or the core theme of old things become new and new things become old, used in interesting and different ways both with the characters and the world building and things like that.

I talked about some of that stuff. But really what worked for me and what anyone has to do who’s in this situation is read through the books, feel the books and then try to have that in mind when you’re working on it. Anytime I started to get lost, I just went back to the books and read what Jim had written and it pulled me back in. When I was working on—and I reread the Eye of the World when I was working on the deleted scene we talked about—it threatened to do that to me again. I was pulled in I’m like “Ooh, this and that!” and the books are just so descriptive, with lush use of language in a way that never feels like it bogs down. You just have to go to the books. He won’t do it the way I did it and that’s all right as long as he’s going to the books and he’s like feeling the soul of those books.

-------

Huge thank you to @highladyluck for being my editor.

[thequeenb]

Steamy training

Pairings: KamilahxMC

I really wished Kamilah trained us again so here it is.

It was decided. Amy would be the one who would go inside unnoticed and Kamilah wasn't proud of that plan. Amy insisted and was more than ready to take down the Unchained who brought terror to New York once more.

A playful smile played on Kamilah's lips. "Now then i would like to show you how to fight" Kamilah said with an expression which was hard to read at the moment. "But you trained me already" Lily turned around with a mischievous smile "Oh do tell" Kamilah rolled her eyes "yes i did in Prague, it was.." flashbacks of her hands spanking Amy came to her mind ".. memorable" Kamilah's smile gave away enough for Lily to laugh "Go train lovebirds".

As they entered Adrian's train room Amy remember their last training session and how amazing it felt, she couldn't help but smile "Is this Adrian's stuff?" Kamilah nodded "Some stuff are Jax's but yes". But a sword covered with a cloth caught Amy's attention. "Is..is that.." Kamilah quickly followed Amy's gaze and took her hand in hers. "I am so sorry..i asked Jax to get rid of it he didn't listen.." she was speechless she didn't knew how she could react and that made her worry "i want to see it" Amy's words echoed to Kamilah's mind "Amy.." but she knew well how stubborn she was so with one last look she removed the cloth and revealed the sword. Amy's eyes widened in recognition, that was it, the sword that ended her life. She saw Gaius big smile, Jax's sword into his hand, it brought back all the memories all the pain. Kamilah reached and hugged the girl tight. She wish she could take that pain away. She remembered how she was moving her hand uselessly above the sword, watching the girl she love die in her arms.

Amy noticed Kamilah's wet eyes. "Hey, i am here ok? We need to focus on the future, this sword meant a lot to Jax, so i want him to use it for good, to fight for us, our people" Kamilah shot a proud smile at her "You are amazing aren't you?" Amy smiled "i try"

"You might noticed that you body feels different than it felt when you were human" Amy nodded in agreement "So i want you to charge towards me" Amy knew it was failure before she even started but she did so. Kamilah was positioned in the middle of the room. Amy with her new speed charged towards her and Kamilah with one move lift her above her head making her land on the mattress. Surprisingly her touch was soft and gentle, Amy smiled but then she noticed how serious Kamilah was. "Let me show you the right way now".

"You need to focus on your adrenaline and your own body to find the strength inside you" Amy was distracted by how good Kamilah looked with her hair up, and those lips god she wanted to kiss her so bad and forget training. "Are you listening?" Kamilah arched her brow "Oh yes" Amy said lying hoping she didn't asked her to do something hard "Okay so do a flip above my head" Amy's eyes widened "I beg your pardon?" Kamilah smiled "you can totally do it come on dont waste time" Amy swallowed hard knowing she had to do it. She ran as fast as she could though it felt like time had stopped, focusing in her adrenaline she jumped high enough and did a delicate flip before landing. "I did that! Wow" Amy's excitement made Kamilah chuckle "thats a good start, now you see that wall?" Amy nodded confused. "I want you to run on it". Doing a flip seemed hard enough but running on a wall? "Come on i wait" Kamilah said crossing her arms. Not knowing how it will end Amy run jumping on the wall. Closing her eyes she expected to fall flat on the ground but instead she run like the wind on the wall. She opened her eyes and saw Kamilah smiling proudly. Suddenly she got an idea. Jumping off the wall she caught Kamilah off guard landing on her sending both down on the mattress.

They looked at each other until they bursted into laughter "I admit that was good, not perfect but not bad" Kamilah said looking at Amy who was above her.

Suddenly Amy felt an electric feeling running down her spine. She remembered in Prague how Kamilah was on top of her kissing her. She looked into her caramel eyes and saw warmth and vulnerability. Without another word Amy's lips crushed Kamilah's. Their tongues danced together as Amy's hands pinned Kamilah's over her head. "Oh?" Kamilah grinned knowing where this goes. She enjoyed Amy's dominant side. "Be a good girl and undress me" she said smiling. Kamilah didn't respond but the excitement in her eyes couldn't be ignored. She did as she was told, revealing Amy's skin with each cloth she was taking off, finally Amy was only in her underwear. She ran her hands down Amy's back reaching to kiss her but Amy pinned her down once again. "Did i said you could touch?" Kamilah shook her head as Amy kissed her neck. Both of their eyes were now red, their fangs could be seen. Amy knew every spot that drove Kamilah crazy. She sucked the sensitive skin near her throat making her shiver. Working on Kamilah's clothes she was finally naked. She was so warm and Amy could hear both of their hearts beating like crazy.

Amy was still new with her senses, she felt so overwhelmed when her skin contacted Kamilah's. "I need you Amy" Kamilah said breathlessly, Amy chuckled "i didn't hear the magic word" she said trailing kisses down her stomach. Kamilah didn't respond instead a low moan could be heard. Amy grinned biting her thigh "I still didn't hear it". Kamilah shiver to Amy's touch "Please.." she finally begged enjoying the sight of Amy between her legs.

Thats all she needed to hear, her tongue traveled from her thigh into her center where she needed her the most. Amy moaned against her, she tasted Kamilah before but now it was 10 times better. She could sense each muscle on her body that arched, she could hear her lover's breath stop, all that made her continue, she wanted more and more. Kamilah stroked Amy's hair pulling her closer even there was no space separating her mouth from her wet center.

"Mmm you taste so good" Amy said sliding a finger inside her to feel her wetness. Kamilah couldn't hold herself more, hearing Amy say that and feeling her inside of her made her let loose completely. Amy smiled as she heard Kamilah's moans echoing through the walls.

When the pleasure calm Amy held Kamilah tight in her embrace looking deep into her eyes.

"I love you" Amy said nuzzling into Kamilah's neck. Kamilah's heart was racing and she knew Amy could hear it. "Your heart is beating like a drum" Amy said giggling, but Kamilah wasn't there she was lost in thought.

"And i love you..i love you Amy please dont go" Kamilah said crying, she dared to look down at Amy who now had her beautiful eyes closed, her heartbeat could hardly be heard. "No please Amy i love you dont go please!!" Kamilah cried out hopelessly.

"Earth to Kamilah are you ok?" Amy said concerned. Kamilah realized she was probably zoomed out for a minute or so "I love you too Amy, i tried to tell you when you.." the words caught up in her throat, she couldn't even say them. Amy understood immediately "Oh Kami" the girl hugged her tight. Kamilah feeling Amy's body against hers made hee relieved and safe.

"I am here now, i promised you i would be here"

"And i promised to spend that life with you" Kamilah said kissing Amy softly.

They might not know what the future will bring them but they care a little now because they both knew they had a reason to survive.

Tag list: @lightning-fury @scarlet-letter-a0114 @idkbutkamilah @ilovetaylor13m @la-guera-69 @sleeping-with-her06 @amorettemcsky

[ftslianne-blog]

            (  KIM  DOYEON  ,  CIS  FEMALE  ,  SHE/HER  )  did  you  just  see  LIANNE  RYU  pull  up  on  campus  for  the  new  semester  ?  they’re  the  TWENTY  ONE  year  old  in  DELTA  ZETA  ALPHA  right  ?  i  heard  they’re  a  TREASURER  .  it  makes  perfect  sense  because  they’re  RANCOROUS  ,  but  at  the  same  time  BEGUILING  .  i  wonder  when  the  black  sheep  is ��going  to  drop  the  big  secret  that  they  PAID  OF  THE  PEOPLE  SHE  USED  TO  BULLY  TO  KEEP  HER  REPUTATION  INTACT  .  anyway  ,  i  constantly  hear  them  blasting  SPICE  GIRL  BY  AMINÉ  ,  tell  them  to  keep  it  down  ,  it’s  quiet  hours  .

            whew  ,  miss  doyeon  could  step  on  my  neck  !  hello  angels  and  gems  ,  i’m  koa  and  i’m  super  excited  to  be  here  .  i  love  a  good  greek  life  rp  ,  so  i  was  happy  to  come  across  this  in  the  tags  !  i’m  not  gonna  lie  ,  lianne  is  a  pretty  brand  new  muse  but  kind  of  a  mosh  of  characters  that  i’ve  played  in  the  past  ,  so  let’s  cross  our  fingers  that  all  goes  well  .  my  discord  can  be  shared  dependent  on  request  as  sometimes  it  doesn’t  want  to  let  people  add  me  ,  but  if  you’re  down  to  plot  in  the  dm’s  i’m  fine  with  that  too  .  i  have  a  link  to  some  connections  that  can  be  found  here  ,  and  at  the  bottom  of  this  intro  you  can  find  some  more  !  without  further  ado  ,  here  is  miss  lianne  ryu  !

BIRTH  NAME  :  ryu  do - hee  .  PREFERRED  NAME  : lianne  ryu  .   NICKNAME(S)  :  lia  ,  exclusively  . BIRTHDATE  /  AGE  : january  17th  ,  1999  /  21  . ZODIAC  :  capricorn  .   HOMETOWN  :  sherman  oaks  ,  california  (  take  a  peek  )  . GENDER  : cis  female  . NATIONALITY  : korean  -  american  . ETHNICITY  : korean  . HEIGHT  : five  foot  ,  eight  inches  (  5′8″  )  . LABEL(S)  : the  sovereign  ,  the  million  dollar  baby  ,  and  the  amaranth  . ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION  : biromantic  . SEXUAL  ORIENTATION  : bisexual  . OCCUPATION  : international  relations  major  at  ucla  ,  treasurer  of  delta  zeta  alpha  ,  and  outsider  hitter  for  the  women’s  volleyball  team  . LANGUAGES  SPOKEN  : english  ,  korean  ,  and  conversational  french  (  as  a  major  requirement  )  . POSITIVES  :  beguiling  ,  candid  ,  ebullient  ,  intelligent  ,  and  cosmopolitan  . NEGATIVES  :  rancorous  ,  haughty  ,  bull - headed  ,  unscrupulous  ,  and  sanctimonious  .

background  .

            bang  ji - eun  and  ryu  tae - ho  were  students  at  the  university  of  southern  california  when  they  met  one  another  .  tae - ho  was  a  human  rights  student  with  intent  on  becoming  a  lawyer  ,  and  he  encountered  the  beautiful  romance  language  and  literature  major  that  was  ji - eun  when  they  both  attended  a  peaceful  protest  .  the  two  wound  up  next  to  one  another  and  sparked  a  conversation  from  there  ,  and  once  their  protesting  was  over  ,  they  decided  to  go  on  a  date  that  very  same  night  .  their  relationship  was  something  of  a  whirlwind  ,  and  within  a  year  ,  the  two  were  eloping  at  the  courthouse  .  

            their  families thought  they  were  crazy  ,  especially  since  their  rings  consisted  of  little  cheap  ones  from  macy’s  (  and  tae - ho  proposed  with  her  favorite  food  )  but  it  was  that  shared  weirdness  that  kept  the  couple  together  .  as  tae - ho  worked  his  way  through  law  school  following  their  graduation  from  usc  ,  ji - eun  jumped  right  into  working  for  a  publishing  firm  .  the  couple  didn’t  come  from  a  wealthy  background  by  any  means  ,  but  they  were  living  comfortably  .  after  a  couple  of  years  of  marriage  ,  tae - ho  graduated  from  law  school  and  went  to  work  as  a  defense  attorney  .  it  wasn’t  an  easy  job  ,  but  he  loved  what  he  did  and  made  that  evident  in  the  work  that  he  did  .

            fast  forward  a  few  more  years  ,  and  ji - eun  has  moved  up  in  her  company  as  has  tae - ho  .  they’re  making  more  money  ,  and  they  make  their  move  to  the  beautiful  suburbs  of  sherman  oaks  .  they  work  hard  for  more  years  ,  and  just  as  they  enter   into  their  mid - thirties  ,  they’re  welcoming  their  first  and  only  baby  girl  into  the  world  .  they  decide  to  name  the  big  brown  eyed  baby  do - hee  ,  and  she’s  showered  in  their  love  .  her  parents  began  calling  her  lianne  from  the  time  she  was  a  baby  ,  often  switching  between  korean  (  where  they  called  her  do - hee  )  and  english  (  where  they  called  her  lianne  ,  but  sometimes  the  lines  blurred  )  .  as  lianne  grew  older  ,  her  parents  made  even  more  money  with  her  mom  becoming  the  editor - in - chief  of  the  publishing  house  and  her  father  becoming  one  of  the  most  sought  after  defense  attorneys in  the  los  angeles  area  .  

            for  lianne  ,  that  meant  growing  up  with  whatever  she  wanted  .  however  ,  her  parents  were  still  quite  hands - on  with  her  ,  so  she  was  never  left  in  the  care  of  nannies  .  she  grew  up  doing  everything  she  could  imagine  ,  but  that  didn’t  stop  her  parents  from  putting  her  in  different  week  long  camps  over  the  summers  .  she  tried  her  hand  at  tennis  camp  ,  basketball  camp  ,  ballet  camp  ,  and  even  a  stem  camp  ,  but  when  she  was  in  middle  school  she  attended  a  volleyball camp  right  before  her  seventh  grade  year  .  she’s  been  hooked  ever  since  .  lianne  always  made  sure  to  keep  up  her  grades  while  playing  because  she  never  wanted  to  miss  a  game  ,  so  it  was  no  surprise  when  she  obtained  a  partial  athletic  scholarship  to  ucla  !

            during  her  high  school  years  ,  though  ,  it  was  no  secret  that  lianne  was  at  the  top  of  the  social  ladder  .  she  played  a  sport  ,  was  whip  smart  ,  and  was  student  body  president  so  it  wasn’t  all  that  shocking  for  her  to  be  mean  to  the  students  around  her  .  it  wasn’t  necessarily  on  purpose  ,  but  she  can  be  quite  domineering  at  times  .  she  didn’t  know  how  to  take  no  for  an  answer  despite  not  being  ridiculously  spoiled  as  she  grew  up  ,  but  she  was  also  in  the  mentality  of  being  an  only  child  so  she  ultimately  did  get  what  she  wanted  .  she  definitely  wasn’t  the  bully  that  got  onto  people  about  their  lack  of  money  ,  but  she  was  definitely  going  to  get  in  your  face  about  voting  for  her  for  something  she  was  running  for  until  you  stuffed  the  ballot  with  her  name  .

            lianne  is  an  international  relations  major  at  ucla  and  she  joined  delta  zeta  alpha  during  her  sophomore  year  ,  and  worked  her  way  to  becoming  the  treasurer  of  the  srat  .  she’s  super  into  her  major  and  will  probably  go  off  to  work  in  politics  as  a  political  analyst  ,  or  she  might  pull  a  meghan  markle  (  also  an  international  relations  major  )  and  dismantle  a  royal  house  .  you  know  ,  icons  only  .  that  being  said  ,  she’s  still  relatively  new  so  i’m  still  working  out  some  kinks  ,  but  that’s  the  gist  of  my  daughter  !

headcanons  .

she  cruises  around  los  angeles  in  a  white  volvo  xc60  .  we  love  a  practical  queen  .

she’s  been  playing  volleyball  since  she  was  in  middle  school  ,  and  has  stuck  with  it  ever  since  .  she  does  club  during  the  summers  to  remain  in  shape  ,  but  she’s  sad  that  it’s  coming  to  an  end  .  

some  people  don’t  think  she’s  an  international  relations  major  because  she  wants  to  be  ,  but  she  does !  

that  being  said  ,  she  doesn’t  dress  as  conservatively  as  most  business  majors  but  she’s  very  serious  about  her  major  .

she’s  100%  based  on  red  head  doyeon  at  this  current  moment  but  black  haired  doyeon  is  gonna  make  an  appearance  once  i  get  tired  of  it  lmao  .  

a  tennis  skirt  enthusiast  .

she  uses  way  too  many  emojis  in  her  texts  and  that’s  never  going  to  change  .

she’s  most  comfortable  in  her  own  space  ,  but  she  likes  being  around  other  people  as  well  .  her  favorite  thing  to  get  food  from  is  leo’s  taco  truck  and  that’s  probably  never  going  to  change  .

personality  .

overall  ,  lia  is  a  girl  who  knows  her  worth  and  isn’t  going  to  let  you  forget  it  .  she’s  really  smart  ,  but  not  in  an  annoying  way  ,  and  she  definitely  won’t  dumb  herself  down  for  anyone  .  she  likes  to  have  fun  and  when  she’s  out  for  the  night  she  definitely  won’t  be  thinking  about  school  ,  but  if  she’s  studying  ...  don’t  even  ASK  her  to  go  out  .  you  gotta  have  a  solid  work  /  life  balance  ,  y’know  ?  very  headstrong  and  it  takes  a  lot  to  admit  that  she’s  wrong  ,  but  she’s  also  the  worst  person  to  cross  ,  so  be  careful  !  she’s  fun - loving  and  she  isn’t  an  outright  bitch  for  no  reason  ,  but  she’s  not  gonna  take  that  and  just  sit  back  with  it  .  she  barks  back  .

desired  relationships  .

            as  for  some  connections  ,  i’d  genuinely  love  just  about  everything  !  i’ve  listed  some  specifics  down  below  ,  but  if  you’d  rather  work  based  on  chemistry  or  if  you  want  to  simply  brainstorm  we  can  do  that  !  also  ,  if  you  had  anything  that  you  wanted  to  do  ,  please  let  me  know  !

a  best  friend  !  they  don’t  necessarily  have  to  be  from  delta  ,  but  honestly  someone  who  she  gets  along  with  the  best  and  who  she  can  really  be  herself  around  .

i’d  die  for  an  enemy  /  rival  ?  someone  who  she  genuinely  does  not  vibe  with  or  like  at  all  ,  and  there’s  really  no  way  of  them  ever  becoming  friends  .  they  probably  subtweet  each  other  or  be  really  shady  on  instagram  ,  but  they  feed  into  their  dislike  for  one  another  and  probs  let  their  friends  hype  them  up  sometimes  ?  i  don’t  want  to  godmod  the  plot  ,  but  it  could  it  could  be  fun  !

some  generic  things  like  friends  with  benefits  ,  gym  buddies  ,  high  school  friends  ,  confidant(s)  ,  good  or  bad  influence  ,  one  night  stand(s)  ,  ex(es)  ,  enemies  with  benefits  ,  and  frenemies  .

ooo  ,  a  squad  from  high  school  !  maybe  they’ve  since  drifted  a  part  or  they’re  still  as  close  as  ever  ,  but  omg  reliving  high  school  memories  🥺  .

alright  i  am  a  lover  of  any  and  everything  written  in  angst  ,  so  please  give  me  an  angsty  exes  thing  so  i  can  hand  you  my  heart  on  a  silver  platter  !  

a  slow  burn  /  will  they  ,  won’t  they  would  be  so  much  fun  too   ESPECIALLY  if  there  are  extenuating  factors  on  why  they  can’t  be  together  and  ugh  .  please  rip  my  heart  out  i’m  actually  begging  you  to  .

[unfortunate-stranger-losers]

Six Baudelaires AU, Part Two {AO3} {Masterlist} {Part One}

Chapter Twenty-Six → in which Klaus impersonates a Doctor

“So,” Nick asked, sitting on the dirt, “What’s the plan?”

Lilac pulled on her ribbon and said, “Klaus and the girls found some discarded uniforms. Too small, ripped or torn, dirtied up, stuff like that.”

“Looks like they were left out here for trash collection.” Klaus said. “But we can use these! They don’t look too rough, we can easily use them as disguises.”

Nick narrowed his eyes. “Disguises?”

Sunny nodded enthusiastically. “Doctors!” she said.

“Klaus wants to dress up as doctors and sneak Violet out of the hospital.” Lilac said darkly. “I think there are so many ways that plan could go wrong.”

“So long as we really act well,” Klaus said, “People might just think we’re short doctors. Everyone always buys into Olaf’s disguises. So why can’t we give it a try?”

Nick flinched. “You want to be like him?”

“We’re just…” Klaus paused, glancing at Soli.

“Using everyone’s dumbassery to our advantage.” Solitude shrugged.

Nick smiled a little, ruffling Soli’s hair. “Fair.”

“Not fair.” Lilac said, putting a hand on her necklace. “What if we get caught?”

“Yeet Babbitt.” Solitude said.

“Bite.” Sunny said.

“Stab.” Klaus said.

“We don’t have weapons.” Lilac reminded him. “And they have Violet. Listen, I want to get her back, too-”

“So do you have a better plan?” Klaus asked.

Lilac paused. “The vents. They look big enough to crawl through comfortably. We could go through there…”

“And then we have to stick to the shadows.” Klaus said. “And we can’t get directions or find people who could help us. If we get caught, we have no excuses.”

“But it’ll be safer.”

“No, it’s just… safer in one way, more dangerous in another.”

“Don’t fight!” Solitude said, throwing her hands over her ears.

Klaus and Lilac stopped a moment. “I’m sorry, Solitude.” Lilac said. “But we’re not fighting.”

“We’re not mad at each other.” Klaus promised. “Just a little stressed.”

Nick hesitated. “In the doctor disguises… would we have to… to see them?”

“The troupe?” Klaus asked. Nick shut his eyes and nodded, scratching his arm, and his brother continued, “Possibly.”

Nick sighed. “Then I have a plan.”

“Nick plans are best plans.” Solitude beamed.

“Whazzit?” Sunny asked.

Nick bit his lip. “Klaus, you and Li go in as doctors. I’ll go through the vents with the girls.”

“What?” Lilac jumped.

“You two get the info you need from the staff, or, hell, even the dumbass singing Volunteers.” Nick said. “We’ll follow you in the vents, serve as backup if anything should happen. Once you find Violet, we’ll follow you out. We get back out here, hotwire a car, find our way somewhere… somewhere else.”

“No.” Lilac shook her head. “No, we’re not splitting up.”

“We won’t be.” Nick said. “I’ll be right with you the whole time. And it’ll be safer for the girls to not be walking around the hospital.”

Sunny shook her head. “Calil.” she said, which meant something like, “I’m staying with Lilac and Klaus. They might need a biter.”

“Um, no.” Lilac said.

Sunny gave her a glare, and then picked up a large coat. “Lif!” she said, which meant, “Someone wear this and strap me inside, I’ll fit!”

“I could do that.” Klaus said. “I’ve carried you in baby bjorns before.”

“I… I don’t know.” Lilac said. “I don’t want any of you getting hurt. I can’t…” she shut her eyes. “I can’t lose anyone else.”

Klaus threw his arm around her, and said, “Nothing’s going to happen. But none of us are just going to sit around while that creep has our Violet.”

Lilac bit her lip. “I just… when I think about her…”

“We won’t let anything happen to her.” Nick promised. “But we have to get her back, before they can get her away from us.”

Slowly, carefully, Lilac nodded. And then she said, “I… I just want you to know. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you all stay safe.”

Nick leaned forward and put a hand over hers, and Solitude grabbed the other and said, “Same for you.”

Lilac shut her eyes and then said, “If we’re going in disguise, can you… help me with something?”

“Of course.” Klaus nodded.

Lilac bit her lip. “We’re going to need to do something with my hair. The braids are… too recognizable.”

They were silent for a long moment, just staring at her. Then Nick scooted forwards and grabbed one of her braids. Slowly, he started to unravel it, and then Klaus took one, and then the toddlers wandered over and managed to reach up and unbraid one each. As they worked, Lilac pulled her ribbon from her dress, wrapping and unwrapping it around her palm.

When her siblings finally moved away, Lilac took her hair in her hands, shutting her eyes as she tried to figure out what to do. Then she took her hair and pulled it up, wrapping and piling until she had a messy bun. She tied it with her ribbon, making a bow, which she normally never did. She pushed a stray hair behind her ear and said, “How’s this look?”

Klaus leaned forwards and gave her a hug. And then the toddlers and Nick joined in, and they all sat together in silence for a long while.

As soon as Nick climbed into the vents, he realized he’d made a huge mistake.

Solitude was already crawling ahead of him, with Babbitt hopping ahead of her, peering through the grates to make sure they were ahead of their siblings. Nick slowly moved forwards, trying to keep from shaking, and then he whispered, “Soli?”

“Hmm?”

Nick took a deep breath. “These vents are a lot bigger than I thought, but, um… they’re still pretty cramped.”

Solitude shrugged. Of course it didn’t seem cramped to her, she was only a little over two feet tall.

“I was just… I’m not sure I like how small it is.”

Solitude peered over her shoulder, looking very confused. That made sense; she’d never known him to be claustrophobic. Not at all. She probably didn’t get it. “Oh?”

“So, I’m just saying… it should be big enough, but if I start to… to freak out, cause I already feel real nervous right now, can you just… find a safe place to let me out?”

Solitude paused, and then said, “Okay.”

“Thanks, Sol.”

Solitude gave him a bright smile. “No problem, bro!”

Babbitt hopped ahead, and Solitude followed. Nick took another breath, looking down the vent. He could see light this way. He could see the way out.

You’re going to be fine. You’re not there anymore. Lilac, Klaus and Sunny are out there.

And Violet needs you.

“Klaus, move faster.” Lilac hissed.

“I’m sorry, do you want to carry the baby?”

“Yes, actually. But there’s no time to switch, is there?”

The costumes were very rushed; Lilac was normally pretty good with them, having put together her own outfits a lot, as well as spending a lot of time with their Mother whenever she went over costume inventory for her performances, but they had been in quite the hurry and they were all very stressed.

Klaus’s large jacket had been tied around Sunny, making it seem like he was simply a bit overweight. They’d managed to scrape together a fake beard out of some more clothes from the trashbag, while Lilac had also put on a large lab coat, barely covering her long black dress. Her bun was holding, thankfully, and she’d also thrown on a surgical mask from a discarded box; they were apparently too small for regular doctors.

“Sunny,” Lilac whispered as they turned down a bend, “How you feeling?”

“Claustrophobic.” they could hear Sunny say from beneath the coat.

“We’ll be out soon.” Klaus said. “We just need to find where he’s keeping Violet.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s still at the hospital, because he wouldn’t leave without…” Lilac shut her eyes. “Without dealing with us. But she could be anywhere.”

That was when the intercom turned on.

“Attention! Attention!” came Count Olaf’s voice from the speaker; the Baudelaires were disgusted to hear he sounded joyous, giggling between every other word. “Today is a very important day in the history of Heimlich Hospital! In precisely one hour, a doctor here will perform the world’s first cranioectomy on a fourteen-year-old girl. We all hope this very dangerous operation is a complete success, and nothing goes wrong! That is all.”

They heard some more laughter, and then Esme’s voice. “Darling, you forgot to turn the microphone off.”

The intercom buzzed out, and Lilac said, her voice shaking, “Klaus, what’s a cranioectomy?”

Klaus narrowed his eyes. “Well, cranio means head, and ectomy is a medical term for removing something.”

Lilac paled. “Klaus…”

“Decap?” Sunny asked from beneath the coat, meaning something like, “Are they  going to cut off Violet’s head?”

“Son of a bitch…” Klaus muttered. He looked up towards the vents, hoping his other siblings were there, just being quiet in case someone came down the hall. “We’ve got to find her right away.”

“If she’s going in for surgery,” Lilac said, narrowing her eyes and trying to keep calm, “He’ll have her disguised as a patient.”

“And Hal said this hospital runs on paperwork.” Klaus said. “So she should be listed somewhere. Where would we find a patient list?”

Then they heard a chorus of song down the next hallway.

“We sing and sing all night and day, And then we sing some more. We sing to boys with broken bones And girls whose throats are sore!”

Lilac and Klaus shared a look, and then Klaus said, “I have an idea. Follow my lead.”

She nodded, and Klaus grabbed her hand and dragged her down the hall.

They could see the Volunteers Fighting Disease ducking into a room, and the two children waited outside a moment.

“Excuse me?” said a patient from inside. “I was supposed to get painkillers this morning, but the nurse never arrived.”

“Oh, silly, we don’t have any of those!” said the bearded man. “But we have balloons!”

Klaus and Lilac shared a skeptical look, and then they heard more singing as the Volunteers started to exit.

“Tra la le, fiddle dee dee, Hope you get well soon. Ho ho ho, hee hee hee, Have a heart-shaped balloon!”

The bearded man exited last, with a clipboard in hands. “Excuse me!” Klaus called, dropping into a thick british accent. “Sir!”

The bearded man turned around, still grinning. “Why, hello brother!”

“Hello… brother.” Klaus said. “My name is Dr Faustus, and this is my assistant…”

“Doctor Howser.” Lilac said in an austrailian accent, thinking very fast. “We’re going to perform surgery soon.”

“Yes,” Klaus said, “But we seem to have lost our patient list.”

“Which we need.” Lilac said. “Seeing as we need to find our patient before we can perform surgery.”

“And after surgery, our patient can get balloons.” Klaus added.

“Well,” the bearded man shrugged, “I hate reading the names of patients anyway. Here you go!”

“Thank you very much, brother.” Lilac said, taking the list.

“Love to be of service!” said the man, and then he marched off with the other Volunteers, still singing.

“Glad we don’t have to stick around them much longer.” Lilac muttered.

“Since when could you do an Austrailian accent?”

“You don’t know everything about me.” Lilac scanned the list. “Nick, Soli, we’re finding a storage closet to duck into. We need to figure out where our sister is.”

As soon as they shut the closet door, Klaus took off the lab coat and beard, and Lilac also tossed her coat aside before helping Klaus get Sunny to the floor. A vent broke open, and Nick jumped down, catching Solitude and Babbitt as they leapt after him.

“There are hundreds of names on this list, and it’s organized by ward, not name.” Lilac said, slamming it onto the table. “Everyone take a stack.”

“Do you think anyone will find us in here?” Nick asked nervously, looking around the cramped closet with a very uncomfortable expression.

Sunny glanced around the room, taking inventory of the boxes of rubber bands, cans of alphabet soup and low, dirty-looking sinks. “Pesh,” she shrugged, which meant, “Not until somebody needs rubber bands, alphabet soup, or clean hands.”

Nick took a stack of paper, passing one to Solitude, who didn’t know much about reading but knew what Violet’s name looked like. Lilac and Klaus each took a stack, but after several minutes of panicked flipping, they found nothing.

“She’s not here.” Lilac looked about ready to cry. “She’s not here.”

“Alias!” Solitude suggested.

“Soli’s right.” Nick said. “She could have a fake name.”

“That’d make sense.” Klaus said. “He’s using a fake name, why wouldn’t he use one for her?”

“But which name is hers?” Lilac asked.

Nick stared down at the paper. “Anagram.” he said.

“What?” Lilac said.

“Anagram!” he said. He grabbed a can of alphabet soup and tossed it to Sunny. “Sunny, bite!”

Sunny nodded and bit open the can, and Nick took it and ran to the sink, pouring it down the drain.

“Pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity.” said Solitude, dumbfounded.

“Nick, sweetie,” Lilac said, very worriedly, “What are you doing?”

Nick reached into the sink, pulling out specific noodles. “Finding Violet.”

“How?” Klaus asked.

“He’s using an anagram, dumbass!” Nick said. “Al Funcoot = Anagram. Al Funcoot is… is his name with the letters mixed up. If he wanted to hide Violet, but didn’t want to forget where she was, he’d disguise her with an anagram.”

He dumped several noodles on the table and said, “These letters make up Violet’s name. We need to find a name that has these letters.”

“Which ward would she be in?” Klaus asked, immediately grabbing the papers.

“I have the surgical ward.” Lilac said, slamming a paper on the table. “If he’s disguising her cranioectomy as a surgery, he’d have her there, right?”

Klaus scanned the list of names, as Solitude and Sunny climbed onto a chair beside the table. “All of these names could be anagrams.”

Sunny picked up a V noodle and showed it to him.

“Sunny’s right,” Lilac said, “Ignore any names that don’t have a V.”

Klaus nodded, grabbing a pencil and crossing out names. “Alright,” he said, putting the paper back, “Help me try to spell these names.”

The Baudelaires mixed up the noodles, trying to find a name that matched. And after a few panicked minutes, Nick said, “Found her. Laura V Bleediotie.”

“Room 922 of the Surgical Ward.” Lilac read.

“We’ll need to get our doctors’ uniforms back on.” Klaus said. “Nick, Soli, back in the vents.”

Nick flinched a little, but nodded and picked up Solitude, who held out her hands for Babbitt. “Will you be okay?”

“Just follow us.” Lilac said. “Once we’ve got Violet, get out of the vents, we’ll get her out, and then we run.”

[for-a-flower]

Caretaker of the Ruins

          Toriel and Frisk continued into the next area then down a wide hallway.  There were three evenly spaced drainage canals across the path.  Wooden bridges had been constructed over them to allow safe crossing.  While Toriel led the child across the bridges, Flowey emerged from the ground behind them.  "Who is this human?" he mumbled.  "How come their determination is stronger than mine?  I couldn't even fight them.  Are they really just that determined, or is there something else going on here?"  Flowey's little eyes grew wider.  "Wait . . . could it be . . . Chara?"  He observed the human for a few more seconds.  "The hair is similar, but that's about it," he said.

           Flowey glanced away thoughtfully.  "Either way, whoever the human is, they're stronger than me.  I can't stop them at the moment, but maybe I can change things to my advantage instead," he said.  Flowey smirked.  He glanced on down the hall again.  Toriel and Frisk had already moved on.  Flowey scowled.  "Slow down, will you?"  He sunk into the ground to follow.

           In the next room, Toriel slowed near a dummy by the far wall then faced Frisk.  There was a worried look in her red eyes.  She glanced away.  "As a human living in the underground, monsters may attack you.  I will tell you how to handle these situations," she said.  "The process is simple.  When you encounter a monster, they might want to fight you.  But try to strike up a friendly conversation instead.  Stall for time, and I will come to resolve the conflict."  Toriel motioned toward the dummy beside her.  "Here.  Practice with the dummy."

           Frisk looked puzzled.  He stepped up to the object and stared at its dull colored, wooden head.  He glanced at Toriel.  "You want me to talk to it?" he asked.

           She nodded.  "Go on.  Do not be shy."

           The child paused as he searched for the right words.  "Hi," he said.  "How are you?"

           A proud smile came to Toriel's face.  "Ah, very good!  You did very well."  She led the human to the next area.  "There is another puzzle ahead," she said as she walked.  "I wonder if you can solve it on your own."

           "Maybe," said the child.  "I'd like to try."  Toriel's pace increased and Frisk had to nearly jog in order to keep up with her.  She turned a corner.  The child rounded the corner a few seconds after, just as a large frog creature jumped at him.  It tackled the human, slamming him to the ground under four, wide frog feet.  Frisk gasped.  The frog let out a deep croak as several glowing objects appeared over its head.  Frisk squirmed nervously yet quickly tried to think of a way to implement Toriel's suggestion.  "Hey um . . . you have . . . nice eyes," he said.  The Froggit paused a moment.  It didn't seem to understand but looked flattered anyway.  The magic around it vanished.

           Toriel spoke with a stern voice as she rushed back to Frisk's side.  “Whatever do you think you are doing?!”  She gave the creature an angry glare.  The Froggit's eyes widened in fear.  Toriel pointed a finger down the path.  “Leave at once!”  It leaped off the young human and hopped away as fast as it could.  Toriel stared in its direction with a look of death until the Froggit had left their sight.  She smiled and returned her gaze to Frisk.  The child was staring up at her from the ground where he lay.  “Here, get up.”  She offered him a hand with a kind smile.  “I will not let anything harm you, young one.”

           Frisk took her hand and stood.  “Thank you.”  Toriel continued down the path with a smile as if the encounter had never taken place.  After crossing through another entrance, she stopped at a wide bridge that lead over a pool of water.  The bridge was covered in spikes from one end to the other.

          "Well, this is the puzzle, but . . ."  Toriel sighed.  "Um . . . here."  She held out a hand.  "Take my hand for a moment," she said.  Frisk reached to take her hand again.  “Do . . . you trust me?” she asked.  Frisk nodded.  Toriel managed a smile then started leading the way forward.  Spikes retracted in front of her as she walked only to spring back only inches behind Frisk.  The child nervously glanced over his shoulder.  None of them hit him but they were plenty close enough to be frightening.  Once safely on the other side, Toriel let go of Frisk's small hand.  "The puzzles seem a little too dangerous for now," she said.  "I . . . do not want you to get hurt."  Toriel continued into a long, narrow hallway then slowed and glanced down at dry soil.

           Frisk stopped beside her.  "Toriel?"

           When she spoke this time, Toriel's tone was more serious.  "You have done excellent so far, my child," she said.  "However . . . I have a difficult request to ask of you."

           Frisk was puzzled.  "What is it?"

           Toriel made eye contact with him then continued her thought.  "I would like you to walk to the end of this hall by yourself."  She glanced away.  "Forgive me for this."  She broke into a full run away from Frisk.

           For a second the child stood there with confusion and surprise.  A dreadful feeling came over him as soon as Toriel had gone from sight.  That sense that he was being watched had returned.  Frisk suddenly spun around and caught just a glimpse of a yellow flower sinking into the ground.  He stared then nervously glanced around the hall.  He was becoming paranoid of that flower now.  If there was one thing he didn't want, it was being alone with that thing again.  Frisk frowned then bolted down the hall in fear.  "Toriel!" he called.  He tripped over a crack on the path and fell.  Frisk got back to his feet and continued down the empty hall as quickly as he could.  He passed between tall, brick walls on either side.  Frisk hurried to the end, but as he approached all he could see was a doorway to another room and a pillar to the left.  Frisk stopped to catch his breath.  To his relief, Toriel stepped from behind the pillar with a smile.  Frisk sighed, all his worry immediately gone.

           "Greetings, my child," said Toriel.  "Do not worry.  I did not leave you.  I was merely behind this pillar the whole time."

           "I'm just glad to see you," said Frisk.

           "Thank you for trusting me."  Toriel paused, her smile fading.  "However, there was an important reason for this exercise.  To test your independence."

           "Why?"

           Toriel didn’t seem surprised by the child’s question.  She answered him calmly.  "I must attend to some business, and you must stay alone for a while.  Please remain here, by this pillar.  It is dangerous to explore by yourself."

           Frisk glanced at the tall, stone pillar.  "Uh . . . okay."  He still didn’t like the idea of being alone while Flowey might be around.  "But what if-"

           Toriel's face lit up.  "Wait.  I have an idea.  I will give you a cell phone."

           Now he was interested.  "Really?  I've never had one before."

           Toriel nodded.  "And if you have a need for anything, just call."  She took a small device from a pocket in her robe and handed it to Frisk.

           He took it with a smile like most kids would when given something.  He felt so special.  "Thank you!"

           "Be good, alright?" said Toriel.  Frisk nodded.  She turned and ran up ahead.  Frisk paused then quickly glanced behind him.  Nothing was there.  Either Flowey had gone elsewhere or had managed to move fast enough so as to not be seen this time.  Frisk sighed and stepped up to the corner on the pillar's opposite side.  He reluctantly sat down against the wall, setting the phone and stick on his lap.  He stared down the hall for a while.  If the flower was going to come back, he wanted to see it first.

           Flowey pushed up from the ground behind the pillar.  He peeked around it to catch a glance of the child before retreating again.  After a second, the flower peeked around the pillar once more.  The human was tapping on the screen of his new cellphone.  A few moments passed before he lifted the object to his ear.  Frisk waited as the phone rang.

           Toriel answered with a pleasant greeting.  "This is Toriel," she said.

           "Uh, I just want to say hi," said Frisk.

           Toriel laughed.  "You only wanted to say hello?  Well then . . . hello!  I hope that suffices.  Hee hee."  She hung up.

           Frisk paused.  "That was fast," he whispered.  She must be busy if she hardly had time to chat on the phone.  Frisk caught himself thinking of his own mom.  It kind of was odd.  Toriel reminded him of Anna.  Frisk sighed.  He already missed his parents and his home.  He wanted to know more about Toriel too, so he called her again.

           "This is Toriel," she answered.

           "Can you . . . tell me about yourself?" said Frisk.

           "Oh . . . well, I'm afraid there is not much to say.  I am just a silly little lady who worries too much."

           "Don't worry, mom.  I'm alright," said Frisk.  He cringed a little.  That had slipped out by complete mistake.  A pause followed.

           "Huh?” said Toriel.  “Did you just call me, mom?"

           An embarrassed grin came across Frisk's face.  "Uh . . . yeah."

           "Well . . . I suppose . . . Would that make you happy?  To call me . . . mother?"

           "You kinda make me think of my mom . . . because you said you worry too much."  Frisk glanced down.  He poked at the dirt with the stick in his other hand.  "She's probably worried too much about me right now.”

           "Well then, call me whatever you like," said Toriel.  "I do not mind.  Goodbye."  She hung up.  Frisk sighed and put the phone in his pocket.  There was no point waiting here.  He might as well try to find his way to Toriel.  Frisk stood up and kept moving.

           Flowey watched from behind the pillar as Frisk left.  "Finally got bored of waiting, hm?" he said to himself.  Flowey snickered then added in a whisper.  "I know how you feel."  He burrowed.

<Previous  Next>

Full Chapter List

[definitelynotaminion]

Alright, send me prompts. Preferably Naruto

And preferably femslash because I’m trying to get Bingo on my sapphic september card but I kind of need a break

PROMPT LIST http://blackkatmagic.tumblr.com/post/176501846800/caydenhathaway-ok-but-you-know-what-trope-i

Accidental sex

“Anything you can do I can do better INCLUDING THAT” sex

“You played a prank on me and now I’m going to play one on you except oops this accidentally got hot” sex

“You made an inaccurate assumption about *insert sexual or sexuality misnomer here* and I’m going to teach you the truth” sex

“You think you’re so smart so I’m going to teach you a lesson” sex

“Do you think I look good/hot/provocative in this? Wait is this turning you on???” sex

“You don’t know what *insert kink here* is and I’m really bad at explaining things and now we’re doing it oops” sex

“I bet I can dance/move/act like that and I don’t even have to be a dancer/stripper/actor/whatever wait are you turned on?” sex

“I lost a bet to you and the circumstances were supposed to be a joke but I took them seriously” sex

“You were joking about something and I took you seriously” sex

“You seem to think that __ won’t feel good and I intend to prove you wrong” sex

“You’re intentionally getting under my skin so I threaten to spank you/playfully spank you and now you look like you just got banged against a wall” sex

“I didn’t know you were a sub and when I called you a good boy/girl you almost cried” sex

“I didn’t know you were a dom and when I called you Sir/Ma'am you almost jumped me” sex

“Playing a prank on our freinds to make them think we’re a couple and now we’re in bed together” sex

“I’m fixing you *insert appliance/furniture/house thing hee* for you and now I’m sweaty and half naked and you’re drooling” sex

“I noticed the way you were watching me eat this popsicle so I purposely started making it an inuendo and now we’re both hot and bothered” sex

“Haha that thing they do in movies/porn/online is so corny like no way that’s actually hot haha oops it is” sex

“Freinds can totally watch porn together and nothing can happen…. no they can’t” sex

“I showed you *insert sexual thing here* as a joke but you’re actually turned on” sex

“You found my sex toys and I teasingly offered to demonstrate them welp here we are” sex

“I started pretending to dirty talk to you an hour ago and it stopped being pretending 58 minutes ago” sex

“All I’m saying is that I’ve been told I’m a good lay, wanna find out?” sex

“You said you don’t like __ but I bet the people you were with just don’t know how to do it, I, however, have experience and bet I could make you like it” sex

“We platonically slept together last night because of circumstances and we both woke up horny” sex

“This started as a tickle fight and it isn’t tickling anymore” sex

“We’re just bros being bros and doing something 100% platonic but somehow we’re turning eachother on because of not-so-burried feelings for eachother and we can’t make it stop” sex

Accidental sex ok?

OR: Other prompts. I’m not picky.

Actually here’s another list from Kat’s blog

Prompt List of Sarcasm

13 September 2018

SOURCE

eternalmikaelson:

“Well, what can I say? I’m a badass.”

“Define normal.”

“Do I get bonus points if I act like I care?”

“Just remember if we get caught, you’re deaf and I don’t speak English.”

“Don’t look for any redeeming qualities. I don’t have any.”

“It’s amazing how fast the world can go from bad to total shit storm.”

“I love you. You enormously stubborn pain in the ass.”

“And you wonder why you’re still single.”

“Remind me to kill you. Please.”

“I’m listening to you. I’m just not paying attention.”

“That’s a little melodramatic, don’t you think?”

“Were you dropped on your head?”

“She’s crazy. And just when you think you’ve reached the bottom of her craziness, there’s a crazy underground garage.”

“She may seem like lollipops and rainbows but I bet behind close doors she’s latex and whips.”

“If my day gets any worse, I’m asking hell if they’re having an exchange program.”

“Sorry. I don’t speak skank.”

“If I survive, can I go home?”

“My middle finger salutes you.”

“This is a whole new level of moronic, even for you.”

“I don’t think I could ever stab someone. I mean, let’s be honest. I can barely get the straw in the Capri Sun.”

“I don’t have enough middle fingers to let you know how I feel.”

“Insanity run in my family. It practically gallops.”

“Oh darling. Go buy a brain.”

“Somebody’s cranky.” “Somebody needs to shut up.”

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

“All due respect, but that’s a bunch of crap.”

“I am one of the few people in the world who can murder you and leave no forensic evidence behind.”

“Excuse me. I have to go make a scene.”

“What did I tell you about calling her/him the devil?” “That it’s offensive to the devil?”

“I heard that!” “You were supposed to!”

“I need therapy after this.”

“You didn’t get in trouble for lying. You got in trouble for lying badly.”

“I’m not weird. I am limited edition.”

“I turned out liking you a lot more that I originally planned.”

“I think you’re weird.” “I think you’re boring.”

“If history repeats itself, I am so getting a dinosaur.”

“You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?”

“I’m afraid I’ve been thinking…” “A dangerous pastime.”

“I’d explain it to you, but you’re brain would explode.”

“Wow, there’s a big surprise. I think I’m going to have a heart attack and die from surprise.”

“I’m gonna hit you so hard, it’ll make you ancestors dizzy.”

“Even when we were kids, I always kicked your ass!”

“Sarcasm is the body’s natural reaction to stupidity.”

“You’re good. A monster pain in the ass… but you’re good.”

“Well, excuse me, psychic wonder!”

“The female of the species is more deadly than the male.”

“Don’t look in her eyes, she might steal your soul.”

“She’s hot, but she’s evil.”

“Do I regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably.”

“I already know that I’m going to hell. At this point it’s really go big or go home.”

“Go on, knock his teeth down his throat.”

“You’re going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters, animal abusers and people who talk at the theater.”

“What’s the point in screaming? No one’s listening anyway.”

“I’m not a damsel in distress. I’m a damsel doing damage.”

“So stick that in your juice box and suck it.”

“Never take life seriously. No one ever comes out alive anyway.”

“This place hold a lot of memories for me. Some bad, some… No. No, no, all bad.”

“A little gasoline… blowtorch… no problem.”

“Good, bad, I’m the one with the gun.”

“I know you can’t kill anybody, ‘cause I can’t kill anybody.”

“You’re insane, but you might also be brilliant.”

“What you call insanity, I call inspiration.”

“Sometimes I question my sanity. Occasionally it replies.”

“Why should we date?” “Because we are attracted to each other.” “I am attracted to pie, but I do not feel the need to date pie.”

“Why does everyone assume the worst of me.” “It saves time.”

“I like you. You’re different.”

“You successfully cured him/her of anything interesting about his/her personality.”

“Neither one us is drunk enough for this conversation.”

“You’re questioning my methods.” “I’m not questioning it, I’m saying it’s stupid.”

“Wow, somebody needs a Happy Meal.”

“I didn’t do it!” “Then why are you laughing?” “Because whoever did it is a freaking genius.”

“Idiots. I’m surrounded by idiots.”

“You couldn’t handle me even if I came with instructions.”

“I care so little, I almost passed out.”

“Well behaved woman rarely make history.”

“You’re so weird.” “You have no idea.”

“The universe may not always play fair, but at least it’s got a hell of a sense of humor.”

“You haven’t even seen my bad side yet.”

“Obviously you have mistaken me for somebody who gives a shit.”

“How’s life treating you?” “Like I ran over it’s dog.”

“Rule number one: don’t bother sucking up. I already hate you, that’s not going to change.”

“Oh God, we’re not gonna have to hug or anything, are we.”

“I’m so glad you could come.” “Cut the crap. Give me a drink.”

“You make no sense to me.” “Welcome to my life.”

“Have fun being deal.” “I will.”

“Damn, you’re strong for a little thing.”

“It’s called thinking. Go with it.”

“I made a new friend today.” “Real or imaginary?” “Imaginary.”

“Where have you been all my life?” “Hiding from you.”

“I’m getting real bored and impatient. I don’t do bored and impatient.”

“The girl is strange no question.”

“Do us a favor… I know it’s difficult for you… but please, stay here, and try no to do anything… stupid.”

“I know most people don’t like me; I don’t care, I don’t like most people.”

“You are a very strange person.” “Well, thanks for noticing.”

“I can tell that you think what you’re saying is funny, but… no.”

“I didn’t steal it. I permanently borrowed it.”

“I’m not shy. I’m just examining my prey.”

“If you pull out my earphones, I will pull out your lungs.”

“I don’t dislike you, I nothing you.”

“Are you crying? No, I’m impersonating a fountain.”

“Ah, he’s playing hard-to-get. That’s cute.”

“You’re kinda anti-social, you know that?”

“I feel like a freakin’ soccer mom.”

“My advice is much more subtle. Stop being an ass.”

“I’m just gonna pack up and go straight to hell now.”

“My ex? Yeah, I’d still hit that. Except this time it would be with a car or baseball bat.”

“She’s complicated like the DaVinci code, you know but harder to crack.”

“And just like everything else we do around here, it’s about to get weirder.”

“Such big evil in such a little thing.”

“Why do I still like you, knowing you’re a total asshole?”

“What does not kill you will likely try again.”

“Oh honey, I would but… I don’t want to.”

“And hello to you too… little homewrecker.”

“I’m gonna make you wish you were dead.”

“I don’t need anger management. I need people to stop pissing me off.”

“What doesn’t kill me might make me kill you.”

“In another life, I think I was in a mental institution.”

“I’m not crazy. I’m just interesting.”

“Don’t make me pop your ten grand sand bags honey.”

“This is fun.” “Seriously, we’re trying to hide a body.”

[monkeystrokes8]

FIRST SET.

Bill spotted Charlene coming into the bar as the drummer-of-the-week put a shimmer on the high-hat for an overdramatic finish to “I Still Miss Someone,” meant to tug heartstrings but making Bill laugh. Probably because they were only five songs into the set and he’d already downed half an Old Style and three fingers of tequila and Charlene was especially dolled up in a velvet-curtain red jumpsuit, white fringe spilling off her shoulders like carwash drying strips.

It was a worrisome moment too. Like the song said, there was a real good chance he’d "never get over those blue eyes."

The crawl of circling dancers quickened as Del hit the opening notes of “Fox on the Run.” Coca-cola cowboys in white straw Stetsons two-stepping with Mary Kay consultants flirting with hippie college kids shuffling around with unstoppable geriatrics. The Broken Axle was the most confounding joint Bill ever played, a broke-down country-western roadhouse smack dab in the middle of an R&B mecca. The Sunday afternoon gig was a three-hour affair, a last hurrah before the tragedy of Monday morning, with time to sleep most it off.  

Charlene blew Del a kiss and settled into her regular booth with the books. From the angle of his piano bench, Bill could steal as many looks her way as he could handle. A blessing and a curse.

Bill never intended to fall for the May pinup girl recently hitched to December’s falling Nashville star taking one final bow as proprietor and house-band leader of a honky-tonk Memphis bar. But after just a few weeks playing this gig, Charlene was in Bill's head but good. Anyway,it wasn’t all his fault. She kinda started it.

In about an hour, Del would call his young wife to the stage for a George-Tammy or Porter-Dolly or Conway-Loretta number to end the second set. As mismatched as their ages, they made a classic country duo, and true to stereotype of young women knocking boots with yesterday’s headliners, Charlene’s eye seemed to wander. Last week, leaning into the mic for harmony on "Golden Rings” she glanced past her husband’s neck to give the new kid on keys a salacious wink that would make Tanya Tucker blush.

Del Hopkins and the Railroad Spikes was once the hot ticket; Saturday nights at the Ryman, flame-job customized tour bus, 8x10 taped to the front window at Ernie’s Record Shop. The reason Bill took this gig. A resume including a stintwith the man who co-wrote “Double Eagles on a Single Bed” opened doors.

He was just setting out. He'd heard the horror stories coming out of Nashville. The Broken Axle on Sunday afternoon was the place for an ivory-tickler with a quarter in his pocket and a shirt on his back. Riding a legend’s coattails in a town where he could afford rent.

At the casual audition, after running through Del’s mandatories (Ray Price, Charlie Rich and other piano-centric standards) on the bar’s banged-up but surprisingly bright tack piano, Del offered him a trial run that Sunday, “That is, if you think you can keep up.”

Del wasn’t talking about music. “Sunday's a party here,” he said. “We play it loose, have a big time, and the crowd follows suit. A day of hoots, hollers, longnecks and picklebacks. And I expect the band to lead the charge."

That was the deal. You had to drink like a steam locomotive and still stay in key. According to Del, it didn’t get tricky until halfway through the second set, when the boozin’ picked up speed like the Orange Blossom Special.

“Only trouble we ever had was a drummer who went squirrely and turned into Neil Peart after a couple shots. But our last piano player handled it fine. May he rest in peace.” Del raised his bottle.  

It was a smart business model. Del would mumble something into the mic about being thirsty, or hair of the dog. Fans jumped to buy the band shots. Del would lift his glass. “Bless your hearts, you sweet things,” “Thankee kindly to the good folks at Table 5”, etcetera, then roar the Hee Haw catchphrase, “Sa-lute!” The crowd would howl like a pack of hounds picking up a scent and head to the bar for shots of their own. Then Del would do the Ole Possum hiccup and cheek-pop from "White Lightnin’." The crowd drank it up.  

And therein lay the rub. Bill didn’t drink hard liquor. Gave him the spins. A couple beers, fine, but liquor was not his friend. Never had been.

The first time the pigtailed barmaid showed up with a trayful, Bill tried to slyly dump his shot into the cuff of his Wranglers. The crowd bellowed and Del cracked wise about how he thought Carolina hillbillies were wet-nursed from a still.

From then on, Bill did his best. The band was harmless enough: a doughy family man with a penchant for thrift-store ties on stand-up; wispy-haired guy with a scrunched-up face on fiddle; and drummer-of-the-week, so far a runaway teenager, a poker-faced Lurch and a grizzled hipster looking like he just woke up. Whoever felt like sitting in. Del handled vocals and guitar, white pompadour piled ridiculously high, Sun Session tee with rolled-up sleeves, silver-dollar-studded Telecaster on his knee.

The problem was Charlene. When Cupid runs out of arrows, he calls his pal, Inebriation, the cherub with the cocktail shaker of Love Potion #9. Bill pried his eyes from the curvaceous cowgirl, pushed the soft crush of velvet out of his head, and concentrated on the 88s.

Del hit the closing licks of “Mama Tried” and the band broke for smokes and leaks.

Charlene was waiting at the edge of the stage with a chopped-pork sandwich on a paper plate. “You hungry, sugar?”

Bill hesitated. Was it proper to accept a BBQ sandwich from another man's wife you’ve pictured wearing nothing but a smile?

“Oh. Hey. Thanks.”

Before he could take the plate, Charlene walked it to her booth. “C’mon over here, baby. Let's get to know each other a little.”  

She slid into the banquette. Red velvet on red vinyl, a devil's playground. Bill took a nervous glance around, then looked at the sandwich, determined not to make eye contact.  

He’d seen sandwiches coming out of the closet-sized kitchen slopped together by the cook who also maintained the ancient building's plumbing and electric. This one was made with TLC, the perfect balance of sauce and slaw, hickory-smoked hunks tucked neatly in a warm bun. Had she made it herself?

“So you just moved from Carolina, huh? All by your lonesome?”

The word “lonesome” struck a chord. A sour one.

He was alone in a small apartment in a greasy-grit-gravy town. It wasn’t just sex he was missing. He was looking for a friend, too.

Bill squirmed. Del was nowhere in sight, but with the whole bar stealing looks in their direction, he felt more on stage than when on stage. He nodded yes and took a bite.

And then, goddammit, he looked in her eyes. A pale-blue invitation to go skinny-dipping.

The eyes on the back of Carly Simon’s first album. Eyes he’d been in love with since rummaging his father’s record collection at age six.

And Carly’s lips. Charlene had those, too.

Bill didn’t put all his love marbles on looks, but he believed in physiognomy. Granddaddy was the spitting image Jimmy Stewart, and by god, they were the same stand-up guy,cracking knuckles and folksy truths.

And here, glowing like a heat lamp over a BBQ sandwich, was the face of his dream girl. He couldn’t help but think--just like Carly sang it--loving her would be “the right thing to do.”

“Well you won’t be flying solo for long, I’m sure of that. Cutie pie like you is gonna get scooped up lickety-split in this town.

Bill was hoping his infatuation would cool. Now she was calling him “Cutie pie.” Worst of all, Del was a decent guy.

An impatient snare drum counted down. The band was back. Bill looked from the raised eyebrows of Del to Charlene to his half-eaten sandwich.  

Charlene gave his arm a pat. “I’ll wrap it for you.”

There was a shot waiting on the piano.

SECOND SET.

“You’re leaving us hanging, boy,” Del twanged. “Much obliged to the lovely fillies who drove all the way from Knoxville. Sa-lute!”

Tequila. Bill swallowed his gag reflex as the band kicked into “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line.”

The dance floor filled, promenade line colliding like state-fair bumper cars.Del took a request that Bill had to fake his way through. Thankfully, Charlene would be up soon with her usual song list.

Only she wouldn’t. The music stopped, and Del reached for the tallboy tucked into an overturned toilet plunger clamped to his mic stand. Charlene gave a playful finger snap and he dug out keys and jangled them,teasing her, then handed them over.  

“You know I love my wife,” Del told the crowd, “when I let her drive the Caddy.” Del drove a 1966 red convertible. “But we’ve got important people flying in from Nashville today, and they get the best. Y'all are just gonna have to put up with us ugly plugs until she gets back.” Charlene blew another kiss and waved goodbye to the bar. There was a chorus of comic disappointment, followed by opening licks of “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.”

Important people from Nashville. That explained Charlene’s get-up. Del had lots of old pals from his salad days in the biz. Bill fantasized some big-buckled scout discovering the fresh talent on keys. “Son, I'm gonna make you a star.”

The band was two verses into “Streets of Bakersfield" when a procession of rowdy bikers in cheap leather vests plowed though the front door. Sunday cruisers, bellying to the bar slapping clumsy high fives. By the sound of it, this wasn’t their first stop.

Del didn’t seem to notice.

Pigtails was back at the stage with another trayful. Bill suddenly didn’t feel so hot. Del raised a glass. “This one goes out to the cowpunchers at Table 8,  

           May you never lose a stirrup,            May you never waste a loop;            May your can stay full of syrup,            And your gizzard full of whoop!

           Sa-lute!

The fiddle player screeched into “Orange Blossom Special.”

Holy hell. Bill was smashed.

The bar roared with drunken thunder as the Special picked up speed, chug-a-chugging through the pass like a runaway train, pistons clanking, smoke belching, letting off steam, as the fiddler tried to saw his instrument in half. Woot woot!

Del was grinning wide, the bell of the antique register clanging away like the Old 97. As the train pulled mercifully into the station with a final scratch of the fiddle, Del made a slashing sign across his throat. Break time.

“Play some Johnny Paycheck!” One of the bikers.  

Del held up a palm. “The boys and I are getting pretty tuckered up here, gonna take a pause for the cause and be right back for the last set.”

The bikers weren’t having it. “Paycheck!”

Bill knew from experience. Always keep an eye on yahoos yelling "Paycheck!" These guys were assholes.

Del remained composed. “You fellas cool it. Don’t start no shit there won’t be no shit.” He took a swill of beer. “Back in ten. Play nice, everybody.”  

Bill stood up, his head spinning. He bolted out the fire exit for some fresh air. And possibly a place to puke.

Charlene was back, leaning against the Caddy, now wearing a denim jacket, daintily puffing a cigarette (she smokes?) talking to an older gent in a rumpled suit and woman in a flowered dress that reminded him of his mother. VIPs? Whoever they were, they’d seen flashier days. Nonetheless, Del seemed overjoyed to see them, bounding over with enthusiastic handshakes and kisses. “C’mon in, we’ve saved you the best table in the house!” Charlene waved them away, lingering to finish her smoke.

The bikers came ‘round the corner. Bill smelled reefer. "Hey-hey mama say the way you move, gonna make sweat gonna make you groove," one sang with hackle-raising lechery.

Within seconds, Charlene was surrounded by the saddlefat gang of wanna-be toughs, like a fat farm production of West Side Story.One darted forward as if to touch her ass, then pulled away, a show-off kid putting his hand over a fire.  

The tequila did the talking. “Piss off, dick lips,” Bill said.

Five heads twisted. “Excuse me, douchebag?" said a gray flattop.

“You heard me fuckface.” Bill balled a fist, then remembered the piano player’s credo. Protect the hands at all costs. He was praying for a crowbar to magically appear when a bald guy the size of a gas pump cold-cocked him in the nose. Lights out.

THIRD SET.

He woke surrounded by cases of beer and canned tomatoes. Charlene was dabbing his bleeding nose with a bar towel.

“There you are. Big man without a plan. How you feelin’, honey?”

Bill adjusted his makeshift pillow, a restaurant-sized pack of corn tortillas. “Okay, I guess. Stupid, but okay.”

“Ain’t nothing more heroic than a man who can’t fight jumping into one. Specially defending a damsel in distress.”

The glorious lips descended onto his, her face backlit by the storeroom fluorescents. Bill allowed himself two seconds of heaven, make that ten, okay screw it, a full stanza, before turning away.

He was about to sputter this ain’t right or some such nonsense when Charlene entered the storeroom. Bill blinked. He was either hallucinatory drunk or suffering one mighty concussion. Seeing double. Two Charlenes looked down at him.

“I see you two are getting along just like I thought you would.” Charlene looked at Charlene. “Give the guy a chance to wake up, Carla. Otherwise you’re taking advantage.”

“He’s as cute as you said, Charlene. Sweet, too. You know what I like alright.”

“Twins know.”  

“Indeed we do.” Carla stroked Bill’s hair, laying the damp towel on his forehead. “Everything good out there?”

“Fine and dandy. Del and a couple cowboys ran them a-holes off, they was scooting anyway thanks to Prince Valiant here. Worried about getting sued or whatever BarcaLounger bikers worry about."  

“Mom and Dad good?”

“Yep, already having a time. Dad’s eating peaches and peanut butter, and Mom just bought a round. She wants to know if you’re okay.” Charlene shifted her gaze to Bill. “Del says take the rest of the day off, and I’m gonna dedicate 'Fist City’ to you for sticking up for my Sis."

Charlene turned to leave, stopping at the switch by the door. “You two coming out, or should I turn the lights off?”

Bill grinned, still goofy. He play-slapped Carla on the thigh. “Go have a shot with your folks, I’ll be out in a few.”

“Baby, that’s the one thing that separates me from my sister,” Carla cooed. “I can’t drink worth a damn.”

[used-npkin]

A ranked list of the kdramas I've watched so far (just for fun)

Just a warning that this post won't be my most eloquent as it's for my own enjoyment. This is all personal options and I'm just doing it for fun ☺ if anyone wants to recommend me some dramas (k or c) or talk about the ones I have watched I'm always down just shoot me a message :).

1. Legend of the Blue Sea

First of all mermaids?? Fate? Reincarnation? Cheong Shim comes to land after the man she loves, a conman in Seoul who can't remember her. Legend of the Blue Sea was the first kdrama I watched and it has a very special place in my heart. I thought it was really cute and I love to torture myself with miscommunication between characters (or memory loss and reincarnation lol). I adored all the characters and I got really emotional. I also have a soft spot for period dramas and while this was set in modern day the flash backs were awesome. Looking back on it now the plot is a little cheesy but it was fun, sweet, and had the perfect amount of angsty drama and heartfelt moments. I do think Chi-hyun deserved better though.

2. Hello Monster/ I Remember You

Holy shit I loved this one so much. I watched it after being in a slump on dramas for awhile and it was such a beautiful breath of fresh air. The romance wasn't forced or the main point. And remember how I said I love amnesia tropes and to torture myself? Professor Lee Hyun returns to Korea and helps an investigative team, triggering memories of when his father was murdered and his younger brother disappeared. First I was eager to see the case solved and then it just became so much more. I was really invested, the plot was different, I was so involved with these characters. I was wary of watching a crime drama but it was so amazing and I could ramble about it all day but I also don't want to spoil. I'm sure I'm not doing it justice with my explanation but I encourage everyone to look it up and give it a try! Lastly Cha Ji-an was amazing female lead, a very kick-ass detective.

3. Weightlifting Fairy Kim-bok Su

This drama was amazing. Kim-bok Su is a female weightlifter going for gold and the show was inspired by the life of actual gold medalist weightlifter Jang-mi Ran. She eats, she's ambitious, she kicks ass, she's cute, her friends are awesome. The only thing I didn't really like about this drama was the bad Second Lead Syndrome I got. Not that the main is bad, he's actually awesome and their romance was cute and funny. It doesn't just focus on Kim-bok- her childhood friends dream and a dancers struggle are also important parts of the show. It's was a fun coming-of-age story and felt very natural as I watched while still getting me emotionally invested.

4. The Lover

OK aside from everyone fangirling over JoonJae's and Takuya's tragic gay romance (which is what got a lot of people into this), I really enjoyed this. The Lover is 12 episodes long and follows the lives of 4 unmarried couples living together, each episode over a 24 hour period of time. The humor was crass, dick and fart jokes galore, especially the first 2 episodes. But between the crass humor there's always a bit of a lesson about love or living together (after the first 2 episodes) and it makes it really sweet to me. I couldn't sit down and binge this show, and the screen time is torn between 4 couples so you may not get to see your favorite couple as much, but it was fun, and it's very obvious the actors had fun filming it and that just makes a show more enjoyable to me.

5. Moon Lovers- Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Alright this was the second drama I watched and I did get really invested in it, maybe not as much as my friends would have liked though lol. It's a Korean remake of a similarly named cdrama. A girl gets transported back in time to the Goryeo-era and has to navigate her way through this new life. She's spunky, and cute but her actions do have consequences. The princes were so interesting, although obviously some are meant to be more likeable than others. It started out light hearted and cute while making you feel a little guilty but then gets much more angsty. You're just hoping for the best but nothing ever seems to work out. Maybe I would have liked it more if it wasnt obvious who the main romantic interest was from the beginning. And I'm still gonna be really upset about Jung because he deserved so much better 😢.

6. Goblin

My man Gong Yoo!!! Goblin was a little odd to me- the romance didn't feel forced but it felt a little rushed and out of place but once it was established they were in love they were. Shin is cursed to be immortal and his destined bride is the only one who can kill him. I'm a sucker for angst and fate. The characters were cute, serious when necessary, and loved each other. The side characters were funny, and also just as tragic as our main couple. The only thing I seriously disliked was that when they met the female lead character was underage (by a year but still :/).

7. Because This is my First Life

Cute girl who's driven to be a writer gets kicked out of her house? A house poor man needs a roommate? They end up getting married so they can live together? This drama was enjoyable, and when I predicted what would happen I was always a little off so it didn't make me feel it was totally obvious and kept me invested. The side couples were cute, they didn't gloss over any sexual harassment, and eventually the main couple ends up falling in love in their own amazing way. The only thing I didn't understand why it went from them being ok living together and then she was kicked out and then they got married? I understand it's a different culture and his mother visited but still it kinda seemed to jump around to me... I was invested in how they spoke to each other and how they navigated their own feelings and hoping they would make it work (👀 And I don't know if anyone else sees it and it's not important to the plot but I can totally see Seok Hwa on the autism spectrum)

8. Fight for My Way

Choi Ae-ra and Go Dong-man are childhood friends who are both trying to achieve their dream, one of being an announcer/reporter and the other in the UFC. They're underdogs and both struggle to reach their goals. Their other friends Seol-hee and Joo-man also have a very cute story. Although I enjoyed Fight My Way I wasn't as engaged with it as I was in other dramas and at one point I just ended up watching it to finish it. While I wanted the characters to achieve their dreams I personally didn't get invested in it like others. I dislike any plot with the characters parents interfering in their child's relationship (different culture I know but still it's ridiculous) especially how violent Ae-ras father was. And eventually was annoyed when Ae-ra, who otherwise is an amazing motivated character, gave Dong-man an ultimatum between her and his job. Joo-mans coworker also annoyed me but it wasn't the worst.

9. Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon

The maternal line of Do Bong Soon's family passes down incredible strength from one woman to another. The CEO of a game company hires her as a body guard and she bargains with him to launch her game. There's an entire subplot about women being kidnapped and held hostage while her friend Guk-Doo, an officer, is investigating. Shes cute while obvioisly very strong and independent. I kind of got second lead syndrome from this but Minhyuk also ended up being very cute and loving (and so very, very extra). What I didn't like was their positions and how it occasionally felt like a power imbalance. I also was not a huge fan of the joke gay scenes or the overly aggressive, antagonistic, gay man (or his gum habit eww) and I felt that was poor of the network. A cute drama but it ended up being kind of boring to me.

10. Secret Healer/ Mirror of the Witch

I found this one browsing on Netflix and it seemed interesting. A barren queen uses black magic to conceive and ends up having cursed twins. To lift the curse she tells the Shaman to kill the baby girl. Instead he secretly hides her away and tries to break her curse. The plot seems straight forward enough but theres a lot going in with the other characters that really flesh out the story. The only thing I disliked were the time skips in the beginning, it was really tiring. I binged the first few episodes but once it got around 5 or 6 it started taking forever to finish, maybe because I tired myself out or they kept using time skips to forward the plot. If it wasn't for that I would have probably put it higher on my list.

11. Hwarang- The Beginning

I wouldn't call it an accurate period drama but Hwarang was still fun to watch. I think it was the third drama I watched? It was a lot different from the previous 2. I don't think I'd rewatch it again but I'm glad I watched it at least. A peasant comes into an elite city and joins an elite band of warriors with the secret prince, everyone is trying to find out who the prince is and overthrow the queen? I don't think I'm explaining the plot very well but I don't think there's a lot to explain either. The cast was great, and I did want to see the characters succeed but I don't think it was the greatest drama in the world, nothing was particularly inspiring or heartfelt to me personally.

[writer-k-pop]

The Bookseller (j.w.w) - Waning Crescent Hotel

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if you this is the first post of this series that you see. Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent) Word Count: Ending A - 4.8k / Ending B - 4.7k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist | Masterlists

"And there's a problem with one of the elevators." Jiwoo says sheepishly and I close my eyes in frustration, a scowl growing on my face.

Stopping in the middle of the hall, I look up at the ceiling and pucker my lips together. "What's next? The front doors break?" I say up to the Gods, not caring if they are actually listening or not.

Jiwoo raises his eyebrows at me, "You wanna be challenging them like that?"

I lower my gaze to him and narrow my eyes, "I will do as I please."

Jiwoo holds up his hands in surrender.

Taking a deep breath, I compose myself again, "Add it to the maintenance list and I'll wrestle with it tomorrow." I instruct him.

"Will do." Jiwoo nods and we continue on our way.

"Is he still with Soon Bok?" I ask him, getting tired of hearing only the sounds of our shoes hitting the flooring.

"Yes, she should be finishing the tour and should be heading to his room." Jiwoo answers just before we hit a more open area and guests mill past us.

"What room?" I ask, ignoring most of the guests even though they offer polite smiles.

"Number 177." Jiwoo informs me. "The one with the huge book shelf wall."

I smile, already knowing the answer to my thought, "Well, let's hope he enjoyed books in his ..." I look at him to finish my sentence.

"Oh," Jiwoo quickly realizes what information I'm searching for, "6 lives."

I nod, "Pretty average. But let's hope he enjoyed books in at least some of his 6 lives."

Jiwoo shrugs, "If not, it's a nice aesthetic wall."

I pat him on the shoulder, "I'm glad you think it's good for staring at. Because I definitely spent hours picking each book so that it could be just a good photo opportunity." I finish sarcastically.

"Not everyone's a reader." Jiwoo rolls his eyes.

"They should be." I retort.

"Anyway..." Jiwoo changes the subject as we reach the edge of the lobby, "Will you be joining the us for the celebration this weekend?”

I open my mouth to give my regular 'no' answer but two males cut me off. They barrel through the front office doors, a brunette following a few steps behind a blonde one. Both seem angry and on edge.

"I saw you with my girl!" The brunette shouts.

"I don't what you saw, man, but I was never WITH your girl." The blonde one responds and flicks a certain unpleasant finger behind him, "So leave me the fuck alone."

The lobby slowly gets quiet and not a soul moves, not even me or Jiwoo. Jiwoo out of fear and me cause I kind of want to see where this leads.

The brunette jogs ahead of the blonde and forces him to stop, "Just tell me why you were with my girl and then I'll leave you the fuck alone." The brunette seethes.

"Dude." The blonde holds out his hands, "We're best friends. Why would you think I'd be with your girl? Do you really think that low of me?"

"You know, after the stunt you pulled with Henry, I wouldn't put it past you." The brunette spits.

The blonde gets right up in the brunette's face and presses finger into his chest, "None of that was my fault. I was the one who got played and yet everyone seems to believe otherwise."

"The evidence is pretty clear." The brunette grits his teeth.

Jiwoo slowly leans over as if any faster and the men's radar would latch onto him. "Shouldn't you do something?" He whispers.

I shrug and look at him, "They're only yelling right now. I don't have to do anything until the-"

The sound of someone crashing against a column cuts me off. I look over and find the brunette pushing off of the pillar, anger steaming off of him. The blonde drops into a fighting stance.

Sighing, I uncross my arms, "Now I do something." I mumble, quite annoyed that they would cause such a scene when they're dead. It's not like they could kill each other here.

I stalk closer to the brawling men who now have a fistful of each other's shirts. When I'm a few steps away, I clear my throat loudly to get their attention.

They both glance at me for a second before returning to staring at each other.

"Leave us alone, sweetheart." The blonde says lowly.

"This is none of your business." The brunette adds.

I scoff, "Actually, this is entirely my business seeing as you are acting ridiculous in my hotel."

The men land a few punches on each other but remain close.

"You want to kill each other?" I wonder but the men don't answer, "You're already dead so there's no point in trying."

Both men pause, look at me, then back at each other. And a new kind of fury is awoken in them.

"YOU GOT ME KILLED?" They both scream just as I was thinking they were going to back down.

They begin going at each other again but this time with more anger and all I can do is groan. After giving them a couple seconds, I walk towards them to pull them apart. I grab both of their arms and before I can 'magically' send them flying away from each other, the men swing the arms I'm grabbing. With their combined force aimed at my stomach, I'm sent skidding backwards on my side across the floor.

When I finally stop sliding, I jump to my feet, ready to kick both of their asses. But when I look up, Mun Hee is restraining the blonde one while the brunette is being shoved backwards by a guest.

"Hey, cool down man. Cool down." The guest says and my ears instantly recognize his voice: Wonwoo's.

"(y/n), you okay?" Jiwoo jogs over to my side, worried.

I swat at my pants, "I'm fine." I answer him without taking my eyes off of Wonwoo as he stands in front of the brunette male.

"You probably shouldn't have told them they were dead." Jiwoo states and I shoot him a glare. He frowns and nervously glances around the lobby.

"Let's try this again, shall we?" I clasp my hands behind my back and look at the brunette then the blonde with cold eyes. They both instantly realize they may have screwed up and lower their defenses.

"If you would've actually stopped to look at where you were, you would've stopped at the front desk and understood what was going on." I explain as they step closer, Wonwoo and Mun Hee not far behind. "And what is going on is that you both have died. Congrats." I give them a sarcastic smile. "And unfortunately, your souls don't have another life lined up so." I gesture to the hotel, "You have come here to greet your past lives once more before heading to the place where your soul will rest peacefully.... Hopefully." I say, mumbling the last word in disgust.

The men look at each other in a bit of shame and embarrassment.

"From my understanding," I continue, "You both died because you were fighting over some bitch-"

"She's not a bitch." Both males cut me off with the same sentence before sharing a menacing look which has Mun Hee and Wonwoo on alert for another fight.

"And you walked right into the street, where, well you know." I finish, ignoring their intrusion. My words sink in and they both soon realize that I'm being serious and am not joking, which turns them somewhat somber.

"So what do we do?" The blonde asks.

"You go get assigned a room, stay here for the duration of your lives, and then get the hell out of my hotel." I snarl. "Oh, and stay out of my sight. I'm already annoyed with you two."

"Oh, actually." Mun Hee chuckles and raises a hand, "He's supposed to go to Hotel Blue Moon." He points to the blonde male who's eyes widen.

"What is that?" The blonde asks, afraid it might be somewhere along the lines of hell. And man do I wish that is true.

I glower at the lobby wall, "It's the place where souls go before living another life." I say, ready to have a very strong word with the Gods.

"What about me?" The brunette wonders, glancing at me like he’s afraid to be left here in my hotel.

"Can I see your palm?" Mun Hee steps forward and examines the man's palm. "Hmm... You too. You're not supposed to be here."

With my annoyance nearing my tolerance levels, I turn away from the small group but before I walk away, I tell them, "Get out of my hotel."

Without waiting for them to respond, I walk away hoping for silence so I can mentally scream profanities at the Gods and Hotel Blue Moon. But instead of silence, I hear footsteps following me.

I run a hand through my hair and turn to face the idiot following me.

And by idiot, I mean the man who let me sit in his book store for hours and the man I loved.

"Hi, sorry." Wonwoo nervously rubs the back of his neck, "Uh, I was just headed to the library." He makes up an excuse.

I press my lips together then point back the way we had come, "The library is back that way." I inform him.

He turns around and I use the chance to slip down an unknown hallway, hidden by a tapestry.

"Actually, I was..." I hear Wonwoo turn back around, "Going to ask if you were okay." He finishes before sighing.

I turn my head to the side and look down at the floor, listening to his footsteps retreat back towards the lobby. Part of me feels kind of bad for ditching him like that but another part of me doesn't want to get close to him until he's the soul I knew.

Which is going to take 6 days.

~The Sixth Day~

"What's wrong with you?" I ask Mun Hee who is laying on my couch, his eyes squeezed shut in pain.

"The Wonwoo guy asked me to bring him a bunch of supplies last night." He groans and I walk to my desk to add some more files to my growing stack.

"What kind of supplies?" I question and lean back against my desk.

"Books, paper, glue, binding, and some book covers if we had them." Mun Hee says and I chuckle because of course Wonwoo would want those supplies.

He was a bookseller when I knew him but he cared for books just as much and found a lot of joy in fixing old books.

"Ugh. My shoulders are killing me." Mun Hee rolls his shoulders backwards.

"You're already dead." I remind him.

"Way to shoot a man while he's down." Mun Hee sasses.

I shrug. "Eh."

"So much love." Mun Hee mutters.

I chuckle and move to sit in my desk. But before I can, the door opens and Yong pops just her head in.

"Hey, Wonwoo's in the garden." She informs me and I nod with a smile, "And have you seen Mun Hee? He disappeared a while ago and I haven't seen him anywhere."

I point to the couch and Yong steps into my office to look, "Right there."

"Mun Hee!" Yong raises her voice a touch, "Get back to work. Goodness, I am not your mother."

Mun Hee rises to his feet, "Feels like it sometimes." He grumbles and then follows Yong out of my office.

When I step into the hall, I hear their echos of laughter floating farther away. After securely closing my office doors, I turn down the hallway and head for the elevators. I rock back and forth in my heels anxiously while the elevator slowly approaches my floor. The elevator finally arrives and opens its doors. I quickly rush inside and furiously press the lobby floor button.

"Come on." I encourage it to go faster but hey, like everything else about this hotel, it doesn't listen to me.

Eons later, the elevator reaches the lobby and releases me from its squared hold. I rush out and nearly run into Jiwoo.

"Woah, hey, where's the fire?" He wonders as I continue past him.

"Can't keep my man waiting." I throw a wave at him over my head and his only response is laughter.

About halfway down the hall, I pause to control my breathing and straighten out my dress. After I'm satisfied with the way I look, at least the way I think I look, I walk the last little bit to the garden.

Peeking in, the midnight moonlight illuminates the area with a crisp, clean look. The bare tree somehow looks less dead but only very slightly. The usually hidden bench is out in front of the tree and its subsequent chrysanthemums. And sitting on the bench, with his nose buried in a book as per usual, is Wonwoo. A simple broad striped sweater hugs his shoulders and his glasses sit prominently on his nose. With one leg bent over the other and the book in his hands, he looks like the perfect gentleman.

"Took you long enough." Wonwoo comments and turns to the next page of his book, "I nearly finished three chapters while waiting for you."

I roll my eyes and walk around the bench, "I had things to do, Mr. I-can-read-500-pages-in-5-hours."

"That's a bit exaggerated." He closes one eye in thought but then breaks out into a smile. "Come here." Wonwoo grabs my hand, pulls me down, and securely wraps me in a hug. He doesn't care that his place in the book is lost as the front cover closes shut.

I chuckle and snuggle close into him.

"I missed you." He breathes out after a bit of silence.

"I did too." I mumble into his chest. "I'm sorry for leaving."

Wonwoo shrugs and I readjust to be sitting properly. "It was what it was. I'm just glad to know that you weren't dead."

"Well, I can't exactly die." I give him a silly smile and nod towards the tree.

"I know that now." Wonwoo says a smile on his own lips. The smile that knocked me off my feet every day.

"What were you reading?" I ask, glancing at the book now in his lap.

Wonwoo picks it up and holds it out in front of us. "The one I've read a million times."

I squint my eyes in thought, "You've read a lot of books a million times, so which one is it?"

Wonwoo chuckles and knowing that I can still make him laugh with my mundaneness makes me very happy. "Sherlock Holmes." He says, setting the book aside.

"Is it still fun to read after the first time?" I wonder.

"Of course it is." Wonwoo answers as if I lost my marbles. "You get to go back and pick up on details that you missed during the first read."

"Yeah, but you have to read it all again." I give a small, shy smile.

"But you would rather spend all your time staring at me while I read." Wonwoo stretches out his arms arrogantly.

I hit his chest playfully and he retracts his arms while laughing.

"I heard you're the reason Mun Hee was in my office complaining about his back." I say following a groove in the tree with my eyes.

"Am I? Oh, is it from all the stuff I asked him for?" Wonwoo wonders then clicks his tongue, "I told him I could help if it was a lot. But he said he was fine so I just sat in my room."

"Sounds like something Mun Hee would do." I nod my head, "How did you like your room by the way?"

Wonwoo smiles contently, "I loved it. The wall of books was beautiful. You had all my favorites in there." He nudges my shoulder with his shoulder.

"Took me ages to find all of them. Some of them were quite old." I say with a slightly apologetic look.

But Wonwoo shakes his head, "Don't worry. I fixed them all."

I look at him in wonder, "You fixed all of them?" I ask.

He nods, "Yeah, most of them just needed some binding repairs and the rest weren't that hard to repair."

"So that's why you asked for the supplies and broke Mun Hee's back." I realize though I should've realized sooner.

Wonwoo laughs and my heart flutters happily at the sound. "That's why I needed the supplies."

"You didn't read all of them in that time, did you?" I double check and give him a questioning look.

He boops my nose and scrunches his face at me, "No I didn't. It took me a whole lifetime to read all those books."

"A whole lifetime." I repeat his words.

"How did you even find all those?" Wonwoo asks, playing with my hand, "I read most of those after you left."

I smile bashfully, "I kind of guessed."

'You guessed?" Now Wonwoo gives me the questioning look.

"After I left, I just kind of kept an ear open in the book world and sometimes I would come across a book that just felt like you would really enjoy. So I brought it back and started a collection in that room."

"But other guests use that room." Wonwoo pouts, feeling kind of jealous that other people would've read those books before him.

"Nah, only the right touch can get certain books off the shelf." I tell him with a knowing smile, "I made sure that no one but you or I would be able to read the special ones. To every other guest, it's just a really aesthetic wall."

"Well, look at my girl go." Wonwoo says smugly.

"So." I say, wanting to change the topic.

"So?" Wonwoo responds, turning his body slightly to face more towards me.

"I wanna know..." I pause.

"Mmhm?" He nods once, encouraging me to keep speaking.

"Did you end up married to your books or did some lucky girl come and steal your heart?" I ask with a genuine smile of curiosity.

Wonwoo chuckles but I notice the light behind his eyes dims ever so slightly. His chuckle dies down but he doesn't say anything. Instead he just looks at the tree, contemplating.

"You know I'm not mad if you did move on." I clarify, "I honestly wanted nothing more than for you to be happy and I wanted you to find it after I left. You deserved that happiness."

I know Wonwoo hears me because he chews on the inside of his cheek but he still doesn't say anything.

"What you didn't deserve was falling into the pain of me and my punishment." I say apologetically, "It happened to twelve others and I never for a moment thought any of you deserved that pain."

Wonwoo wraps an arm around me and pulls me close again, "Oh, it's not your fault. It's that damn demon's and trust me if I ever get the chance to meet it, I will get revenge for what it did to you." He presses a kiss to my temple before whispering. "I did marry."

I smile and ignore the slight pain slicing through my heart. Even though my words about wanting his happiness are true, it still stings.

"I met her like 5 or 6 years after you left." Wonwoo recalls and the memories sparkle in his eyes, "She first started coming in and reading her own books. Then she'd come in and read the books I had on the shelves. Then she started to watch me while I repaired books."

"That must've been awkward." I giggle.

"It was at first." Wonwoo agrees, "But then she did something and I knew she was supposed to be in my life."

"What'd she do?" I ask, intrigued.

"Remember the first edition book you and I repaired together?" He wonders.

I nod, "How could I forget that? I was finding glue in random places for weeks."

Wonwoo chuckles at the memory, "You're the one knocked over the glue can."

"You're the one who put it on the edge of the table." I banter back.

"Anyway." Wonwoo squeezes my arm, "I kept it in a showcase box near the back of the store. Hardly anyone asked about it and those who did only wondered if it was for sale. But she, she inspected it and then asked if I had put it together."

"And what did you tell her?" I probed.

"I told her that I had repaired with someone special. I think she could see or hear the bit of sadness in my voice cause she didn't dig deeper." Wonwoo explains, "So then I asked her what made her think that we'd done it by hand. And she," He laughs, "She said cause the back cover was crooked and on the part that poked out, she could see some writing. Somehow made out my name."

I chuckle and think back to the night we stayed up for hours trying to decide what to write there. Like it was our will that would go down in history as the most important document ever. The warm tea cup in my hands and the burning candles that painted the room in rustic comfort.

"And then that was that really. We dated for a while, got married. and then we raised three kids." Wonwoo continues his story.

"Three kids?" I inquire.

Wonwoo nods proudly, "Three. Changkyun was my oldest then came the twins, Soyou and Lisa. Changkyun protected the girls well and the girls grew up tough all thanks to him."

"Nah, I'm sure you had a large part in that too." I reassure him. "You were always tougher than I. Even in future lives." I reference the first day of his stay.

"Oh, I totally was going to ask you if you were okay that day, but you just disappeared." Wonwoo remembers and pouts that he didn't get the chance to ask then. "Part of the punishment I'm guessing."

"Actually I don't know. I never really tried so I don't know if it's against the rules or not." I admit. "But I, uh, I didn't want to find out."

Wonwoo gives me an understanding look, "Totally understand. It couldn't have been easy being stuck here for all those years."

"For the first hundred years, it was awful." I tell him, "But after that, I grew numb to the passing of time. It just kind of happened like that."

"So while you were numb to time, I was terribly sensitive to the passing of time." Wonwoo ponders the thought.

"Kids grow up too fast?" I guess.

Wonwoo looks at me with confusion cause how am I supposed to know what it's like to have kids.

"I overhear guests chatting with each other and a big part of the conversations are kids and how they just grow up so fast." I explain pointing a thumb behind us towards the hotel.

"Ah, I see." Wonwoo murmurs, "But yeah. They just kept growing and then all of a sudden, my wife and I were empty nesters and then a second later, we had grey hairs on our heads and grand babies in our arms. Completely crazy."

I giggle at his amazement, "So what did your kids end up doing?" I ask and he dives into the stories of his children and his life with them.

I sit and listen to his low voice tell the tales of the bookstore, how some years the store would be overrun with teens and then next year it would be filled with fresh out of college adults. He immerses himself in the ocean of stories from his life while I float along the with the waves and let his voice take me through the stories.

All too soon, though, the setting sun freezes the ocean and my tree's crooked branches set me back in reality.

"The setting sun always represented an end with another beginning." Wonwoo stares at the western windows where the last rays of sunlight are slowly being swallowed up by the night. "But this one is just an end."

I stare at his face, hoping to memorize all the pieces I missed before. Like he does during a second or third read of a book.

"For your worldly soul, it's an end." I say, "But for your true soul, it's the start of an eternity of peace."

"What do you think happens on the other side?" He asks, looking back at me.

I give a small shrug, "I don't know, but you'll find out today and someday I'll find out too."

"Could it be like the books?" Wonwoo wonders.

"Depends on which book." I tell him with a tender smile.

"Touché." He tilts his head. "You know," He leans closer to me, "I know I have to go, but I really don't want to." Wonwoo giggles.

I laugh before pressing a kiss to his cheek, "But we do." I remind him, trying to keep the sadness out of my voice.

Wonwoo sighs, "We do." He repeats and stands up before helping me up. "Were you always this fashionable?" He asks after looking me up and down.

I raise my eyebrows, "Uh, yes, and fashion has changed since we were together."

Wonwoo grabs my hand and swings it between us as we walk, "Well, the change looks absolutely stunning on you."

The lobby is quiet as the hotel's opening hours are just around the corner. We quickly make it to the back door and like a gentleman, Wonwoo opens the door for me.

The cool night air rushes by us and we both stand on the landing just taking in the scene.

"Remember the night by the river?" Wonwoo wonders when he starts walking towards the forest, Shin, and the car that will take him.

"The night when you said you loved me?" I ask and he nods, "The air feels the same, doesn't it?"

"Exactly the same. " Wonwoo nods, gripping my hand tighter. "Do you think the Gods are doing this on purpose?"

I look up at the dark sky that's littered with tiny little lights from thousands of miles away. "At this point, I'm certain everything that happens to me is because they," I point upwards, "Want it to happen."

"Well then, I guess I'll have to thank them for letting me happen to you." Wonwoo smiles and I feel his eyes on me.

Lowering my gaze, I meet his gaze, "But I caused you pain. Like freakishly awful pain."

Wonwoo shrugs, "Still don't regret meeting you." He says as we reach the car.

Shin has the door open and is waiting patiently.

"This is the end of my worldly journey then." Wonwoo comments, glancing at the forest and its fog.

"Now you can rest. Forever." I place my hands on his cheeks and he rests one of his on top of mine.

"You know, hearing it now, it isn't as scary as I initially thought." He says a placid smile on his lips.

I kiss him through a smile, "Says the man who would be willing to jump from the highest heights just for the thrill." I mumble against his lips.

"Answer me this, will you?" He asks and rests his forehead against mine. I nod and he asks, "If you were to have met me without a punishment, would you have stayed with me?"

I stare into his eyes and move to rest my arms on his shoulders, "Till the very end." I say with honesty rallying behind me.

"That's all I need to hear." Wonwoo says then presses another kiss to my lips. When he pulls away, his eyes are glossy but I know he won't cry. "I love you, (y/n)." He whispers.

"I love you too." I tell him, feeling my own eyes fill with tears.

Wonwoo pulls away and lowers himself into the car. After Shin shuts the door behind him, the car drives into the fog.

The tires crunch over the gravel road and Shin stops next to me.

"That was the bookseller?" He asks.

I nod, a tear slipping down my cheek.

"He was a good man. He shall be very comfortable." Shin reassures me and walks back into the hotel.

With Shin gone, I let the tears fall freely. Letting the tears fill with the sadness and pain of being left then let them fall and land wherever they please. My heart cracks into a million pieces and it takes everything within me to keep it from exploding into more pieces. It is then that a white chrysanthemum withers away in my garden.

After a while, the moon has risen high into the sky and my tears have dry though my heart hasn't stopped aching. But even now, I have a hotel to run and others to wait for. So I run my hands through my hair, detangling it, and wipe away the left over tears. Just as Wonwoo always told me, I straighten out my shoulders, hold my head level, and walk back into the hotel with purpose.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel) to choose the next guest.

"Did you ever think today would come?" Wonwoo wonders.

"I knew it would come but I just could never definitively say when it would come." I tell him, "Like when an author has a story and a perfect plot in their mind but putting it on paper is harder than imagined and they’re not sure if the story will ever leave their mind."

“Good analogy.” Wonwoo chuckles, “Come on. Your story has left the author's mind." We stand up together and I instantly grab his hand. Like a child latching onto their favorite toy.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

"Hey, Mun Hee." Wonwoo calls out, "I would've helped you with the supplies. You didn't have to carry them by yourself and hurt your back."

Mun Hee vigorously shakes his head, "No, no. I didn't hurt myself, I'm just sore. I haven't worked my body like that in ages." He gives excuses.

"Well, you should start again. Who knows what other guests will request." Wonwoo advises and Mun Hee gives him a thumbs up.

"So this is it?" Mun Hee asks and looks at me with tears appearing in his eyes. "This is the day you leave us?"

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he's being so sappy. "Maybe I'll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year." I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

"Don't you dare say that. You better not return here." He says angrily through his tears and I hear Wonwoo chuckle behind me.

I chuckle, "I won't come back. I promise."

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should've done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family's service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

"When you leave today, you won't be able to find this place again." I inform him, "I hope that you'll be able to go and live your life happily."

Jiwoo nods, "Thank you for letting me work with you. I won't ever forget you."

I smile sadly, "You will. But thank you."

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

"You'd think after all these years of waiting that I'd be prepared for this day." She says through sniffles.

"Thank you, Yong." I rests my hands on her shoulders, "For everything. Thank you."

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

"Keep this hotel running beautifully." I tell her before Wonwoo grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Wonwoo and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

"(y/n)." He says when we reach him, "It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest." Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

"The honor was mine." I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I'm free. I served my years of punishment and now I'm free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel's many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

"(y/n)?" Wonwoo softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, "Are you ready?"

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's go."

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Wonwoo securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

[idontwanttowhy]

Review: True Beauty (2020)

Synopsis (copied from earlier post)

Im Ju Gyeong is a high schooler who likes horror comics, heavy metal music, and spending time in the local comic book store. She is bullied by a group of students at her school because they find her “ugly”, which leads Ju Gyeong to her wits end. When she moves to a new school, she decides to change her life around by using makeup to cover her bare face. Her new “goddess” level looks bring her a lot of attention, though not without a lot of stress. Her complicated relationships with two of the best-looking guys in school (and mortal enemies), Lee Su Ho and Han Seo Jun, doesn’t exactly help. Can Im Ju Gyeong keep her secret, and what will happen if she is found out? 

MZ Overall: 7.5/10, it was a fun watch!

There were some truly funny moments in this show, and despite dealing with many dark themes, for the most part True Beauty kept it light. It pretty much departs from the source material after the first half, which was good... until it wasn't. I didn't really care that much about the main couple in the end, and felt that many of the last plot points were just "eh." Ultimately if you're looking for something with a great plot combined with the best parts of this show, I'd say watch Extraordinary You (2019); it definitely helps that they make several references to EY throughout!

MZ Review: (spoilers ahead)

The strong suits of this show were definitely the humor and relationships of all the characters. Ju Gyeong's siblings often stole the show with their scenes, and her friendships and classmates rounded out the romantic elements of this show nicely. I have mixed feelings about how they handled all of Ju Gyeong's friends finding out about her bare face (though there wasn't much to find out imo) but I'm happy that Su Ah stayed her friend, and that they were able to fight the bullies that tormented Ju Gyeong and Hye Min together. Even the way they wrote Su Jin's character was understandable, and I'm glad that they didn't just write her off as a villain to the very end. Do I wish they would have explored her thought process a little further? Absolutely. But something is better than nothing, and I saw room for them to be friends again even with everything that happened. The most delightful development was the friendship between Su Ho and Seo Joon, which was so refreshing considering that usually being love rivals is the thing that ends friendships, not the thing that brings them together. Enemies to friends is such an underrated trope! Probably the only relationship on this show I didn't like was Ju Gyeong's parents', and it doesn't get better at all. Overall they make Ju Gyeong's mom pretty unlikable, which is fairly in line with the webtoon, but I guess I was wishing that they would explore her character a bit more. The dad was a welcome edition to the Im family household and their dynamic, while hard to watch at times, still added a lot to the show.

Now, this might be a controversial statement, but I hate time jumps. Hate. H A T E. Plenty of dramas I've loved (looking at you Start Up) have done this to me and it doesn't necessarily take away from my overall experience, yet I can never get fully into the relationships again afterwards. There is something so wrong to me about there being what is effectively a pause on people's whole lives for however long the jump is that just doesn't sit right. True Beauty does not escape my ire in this area, and in fact this was one of the worse experiences with a time jump that I've had. First of all, I was really thinking that they had departed from that part of the storyline when Ju Gyeong and Su Ho started dating in the first place, so to have this happen was surprising. Then, Su Ho turned around and broke up with her? For... what exactly? She said she wanted to stay together, and he broke up with her knowing that he was going to pursue her again when he got back to Korea. What would have happened if she had moved on? To that point, my third (and always my biggest) pet peeve with this was that Seo Joon didn't confess while Su Ho was gone. UGH. Absolutely the worst part of any time jump is this. Like, dude, if you are so in love with her, are you really going to wait two years to start anything? UGH.

Anyway, I'd say overall it was fun to watch and I'm glad I spent the past months watching this show with my friends. The good parts outweigh the bad, and I think it is a welcome edition to any watch list.

AC Overall: 6.5/10, I watched it

So. True Beauty started off promising, with some intriguing elements to keep me, someone who normally doesn’t watch high school and/or strictly rom-com kdramas, interested. But, I gotta say, they found their groove and stuck to it. It’s everything I imagine high school kdramas have-teenagers being teenagers, with love triangles, bullying, and friendship drama. These last 11 episodes or so became typical, and definitely veered away from the webtoon (which I’ve now caught up on, shocker!) and stayed in the less chaotic world of teen romance with decreasing focus on the whole makeup thing. I gotta say, nothing really crazy happens, so if you’re up for teenagers being teenagers and like having second-lead syndrome, True Beauty is for you. 

AC Review: (spoilers)

For me, however, I was definitely less invested once I realized they weren’t going to follow the webtoon’s path of having Su Ho go away before he and Ju Gyeong could start dating, and having Seo Joon as an actual love interest. Instead, Su Ho and Ju Gyeong got cute high school bf/gf scenes, and my boy Seo Joon didn’t shoot his shot. I was disappointed, probably because I prefer that Seo Joon and Ju Gyeong got a chance in the webtoon, and Su Ho wasn’t so destructive. But no, drama Su Ho said “it’s all about me” and did what he wanted (like a stereotypical teenager, I suppose) despite Ju Gyeong’s feelings. And for two years, Ju Gyeong couldn’t let go of Su Ho, probably because they had gone too far by the time he left (and after), and thus Seo Joon didn’t get an in. So the time jump in the drama’s case wasn’t an opportunity for Ju Gyeong to move on and then (maybe-we don’t actually know yet) finally choose Su Ho after exploring other options. Instead, it was--pointless? a fake time jump? because nothing really changed but their jobs and Su Ho’s hair. Su Ho himself made it clear when he came back AFTER 2 YEARS and acted like nothing happened. 

Outside of the triangle, though, I did appreciate that Ju Gyeong and Su Jin were able to make up. And it seemed like a genuine I-turned-my-life-around-and-am-really-truly-sorry-for-being-a-bitch kind of apology; they even threw her “volunteering in Haiti” in there, which was...interesting. A topic for another post. AND we got our favs! ~Grapefuit~ and Hee Gyeong got a funny proposal and wedding fitting for their relationship. Ju Gyeong’s brother was still simping for Seo Joon’s sister, which–I guess. 

I did wish the premise of Ju Gyeong "being ugly” and “hiding behind makeup” was explored more...it fell of once she was found out, went through it, and then was able to show her classmates that she could still bag Su Ho with her natural face (not that it was strong to begin with but-). So, if you want more consistent commentary on beauty standards and physical appearance, check out the webtoon, maybe try out the kdrama My ID is Gangnam Beauty or try another webtoon, Lookism, for a male perspective on appearance, and some action (I’m sure there are others...these are all I’ve watched/read pretty much). 

Overall, it wasn’t a bad watch, especially with others and some drinking games. Read the webtoon if you shipped Seo Joon and Ju Gyeong and want a proper time jump (with more ~developments~), and watch the show for a more developed Su Jin, more side characters, and a typical high school kdrama.