#this show is so ridiculous in such a good way it has enchanted me

[crimson-and-clover-1717]

Stede Bonnet, Renaissance Man (Or an Exceptional Man who Thinks He’s Mediocre)

I’ve posted before about Stede’s love of beauty. He’s an aesthete, finding wonder in art and creative self-care rather than the transcendental. Stede’s a freethinker. He challenges the orthodoxies of his time, rejecting forced heteronormative behaviours, and even questioning the accepted traditions of piracy.

The thing about Stede is he often asks ‘why?’ It’s partly what makes him dangerous to some. This slant towards subversion is much of what Izzy observes and detests. It’s one of many reasons Stede must be kept from Ed. Like a number of Renaissance-style thinkers before him, Stede refuses to go along with the status quo. He is ‘doing something original’, questioning dogma. Many find it ridiculous, bizarre even. And it’s significant that instead Ed finds Stede enchanting, because it demonstrates who Ed might be given the chance to find his own path.

Stede is also a polymath and likely an autodidact - I doubt he learned about ‘insane foliage’ at school. He is self-motived and seems to have knowledge across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Literature, drama, botany, entomology, psychology, art, textiles. Stede’s very much about the life of the mind.

And he’ll approach areas at which he’s not so gifted, such as cartography and sword-fighting, with the enthusiasm of a dilettante; when he can��t succeed the traditional way, he simply subverts the discipline and does it his own. However, the most important thing for me in defining Stede as a Renaissance man is his humanism. People are front and centre. Sometimes that person is himself, and he loses sight of others. But it’s okay as that’s the point. Humanism is partly about being a messy individual who can do better. And Stede is someone who can learn and alter his position when circumstances change. He might not do so in the best way all of the time, but he is a quick-learner and highly-adaptable.

Stede also understands that no culture or institution is bigger than the people within it. The most important thing is human dignity - it’s what he shows and teaches Ned’s crew: that they deserve to be respected as people. Stede also has a strong moral core. When he messes up, he feels it deeply. He demonstrates strong ethics towards the natural world too - he’s absolutely disgusted by turtle vs. crab. Stede believes not so much in human superiority, but human responsibility, and this is the flip side of having dignity as a human being.

Another aspect of Stede’s humanism is his belief that culture should be accessible to all. Some of this might be naivety on Stede’s part rather than a well-thought out philosophy, but he believes in it intuitively. Stede wants the crew to have access to his library despite not recognising they can’t all read. He gives them musical instruments and sports facilities - he’s interested in what makes people flourish. And Stede practically invents art therapy!

His ship is also a safe-space for human relationships to blossom - romantic, platonic, and in between. Zheng’s ship might appear to offer collective harmony, but it’s mandated and dogmatically applied. Opting out of morning tai chi for a 24-hour shagathon might be viewed as an act of dissent. No such big brother is judging you on Stede’s Revenge.

And all of this is because of the man Stede is, and the influence he has on those around him. Sometimes it falls on deaf ears. Many don’t like what Stede’s offering. Others actively rebel against it. But anyone with an ounce of goodness will get what Stede Bonnet is about and embrace it. Stede doesn’t seem to understand his own power, it comes from such an authentic place. For me, it makes him all the more endearing.

[bengiyo]

Last Twilight Ep 12 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

Last week, we learned that Day’s surgery was unsuccessful. We time skipped over his mom figuring out things to see that Mhok is having anxieties about Day and conflating them with Rung. Mhok has become overprotective even as Day has begun using his cane and exercising more independence. Mhok lied about a job opportunity in Hawaii and upset Day. Day reacted in the most extreme and broke up with Mhok.

So…we’re just skipping over the aftermath of that fight? They really just broke up and now it’s years later and Day is graduating? That whole journey ended on one lie? Be serious.

Did they really try to fake me out like Mhok might be the groom for Porjai? Be serious now.

Man, they really want this escalator scene to give It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, but I just don’t think you can earn that in a time skip this abrupt.

Suddenly Aof cameo.

Mixed feelings about Mhok assisting Day like this. At least he revealed himself at the end? It’s giving Revenge of the Nerds (1984) or The Goonies (1985).

Day has had Mhok blocked for three years???

Are we really just gonna start flirting after three years like this? Come on, now. What has changed??

All the meddling is cute, but I’m still at the three years no contact.

Unbelievable. Mhok says he did a bunch of emotional work and then thanked Day for breaking up with him, only for Day to say, ‘I’m glad we can discuss this as adults,’ without saying anything else. “This is real damn ridiculous. This is belemptious.”

Mom, why aren’t saying any of this to Day???

I do appreciate that Day and Night worked out their issues, but everything with the supporting cast feels like it’s all happening between scenes. Like why is the dad here? Are he and the mom going to reconcile? Do we care about this in any way specific to these characters?

Aof seems to like when one of his leads is holding back really hard for some reason, but Day is just not a good execution of that at all. I am not on his side the way I was with Phupha, Jim, or Pran.

If Mhok gives up the work and life he’s built for himself for three years to be with Day, I’m going to be just as annoyed as I was at the end of Enchante with Akk having to work his way to Paris to be with Theo.

So…Day has done no emotional work on his issues with Mhok in three years? I don’t even think Mhok’s issue was about even pitying Day. What the fuck is this?

That car is about to get towed!

I just know Namtam had a good time running around in an airport wearing a wedding dress.

We’re doing this whole reunion scene, so has Mhok just…processed his grief about Rung? We’re just gonna get back together now? Mhok is still talking about his mistake? We’re just gonna take over the aftermath of Night and Porjai’s wedding?

Eye donation? Oh…..this is about to take a turn.

I don’t like timing this to right after the unearned romantic reconciliation. This is a bad look. I had seen some posts earlier, and this is as bad as described.

I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with Day getting his vision back, but putting it in the finale like this and rushing over the other conflicts makes it feel like a reward. It also has them quickly advancing past any other developments in Day’s life as he potentially reapproaches things he had before.

I’m feeling conflicted about them returning to the mountaintop, because there was so much acceptance in that first scene. I don’t know that there’s good mirroring here of any sort for this.

Final Verdict: 5, This Was a Huge Miss. I’m not sorry for this low rating on an Aof show. I cannot in good faith give this a 6 as decent but boring. The imbalanced writing between the romantic leads left me extremely dissatisfied for most of the back half show, and quickly showing your blind character adapting and even thriving in his circumstances just to have him monologue about being normal again at the end was so not the moment. @lurkingshan has already covered what this show messed up as a good starting point, and I want to state plainly that I will no longer be grading Thai BL on the curve of what the show is trying to be. It’s been ten years of Thai BL, and decades of BL and yaoi before it. These shows will be graded for what they are.

Jojo and Aof had big misses in the last year. Tee dropped the ball multiple times. Golf had a weird outing. New Siwaj failed me completely. We cannot worship these creators. They are just trying to make cool stories and help sell the juice. Sometimes they make really cool pieces that we love forever. Sometimes they flop. Aof tried something here and it didn’t reach the heights we expected of him. Directors are not gods. It’s fine for them to flop. There’s enough BL airing that a few shows being letdowns doesn’t leave us with nothing else to watch for weeks.

Still, I will say that I liked the chemistry between Jimmy and Sea, and I thought Mark and Namtam made a decent pair. When this show was good, I liked the moments.

[hard-core-super-star]

make every mistake [H.Steinfeld]

pairing: hailee steinfeld x reader

summary: you run into your ex at the vanity fair party, almost a full year after your breakup, and are forced to accept some hard truths.

warnings: technically none; bitter exes being bitter but also getting distracted; A LOT of references to cheating [very open to interpretation, though; more than one reference to JA; rubix please get over sunkissing challenge; did not proofread at all so it might not make the most sense at times; does this count as a ventfic?

wordcount: 1.5k

a/n: i was supposed to be writing something else [what a surprise lmao] but...it's sunkissing's anniversary and unfortunately, that song still means a lot to me and i needed to be nostalgic for a second. plus, last year's vanity fair party is what inspired me to start writing fanfiction again so...consider this a very weird, bitter, and nostalgic first anniversary celebration. i hope you enjoy and thank you so much for your love, support, and patience this past year, i plan to continue writing for you guys for a LONG while <3 [and yes, this is sunkissing (sad girl edition)]

* * * * * * * Whoever coined the phrase,”wrong place, right time,” as a good thing seriously owes you some compensation. It implies that there could be something possibly good in the situation you’re in but what could be good about being stuck at the same party your ex is also at?

Of course, that person might get along with your friends who have been trying to convince you that this situation is a fantastic opportunity for you to show how happy you are. Something that would work if it were true.

But it’s not.

How could happiness be anywhere on your radar when every time you interact with someone, they’re quick to remind you your ex-girlfriend is currently parading around with a quarterback? Not to mention, the amount of cheating rumors hasn’t been helping you feel much better about the situation.

Maybe you’re overly petty or arrogant, maybe even codependent, but time has done little to heal the wounds caused by a certain actress.

Which is why you were supposed to be out having fun in the first place…although maybe all of this could have been avoided if a certain 22-year-old hadn’t lied her ass off and told you there was no chance in hell your ex would show up.

All you know is you’re stuck in a room full of people you don’t care about, anxiously looking around every few minutes hoping you won’t run into her. It’s exhausting but it’s also highly addictive.

You’re in the middle of debating ditching Billie and the rest of your friends instead of torturing yourself for another hour when you catch a glimpse of the person you’ve been trying to avoid all night. 

Your eyes find her for just a few seconds and yet the whole world seems to stop all at once. 

Just like the first time.

You wouldn’t say you have a habit of romanticizing the past…except when it comes to Hailee Steinfeld and her ridiculously enchanting energy. A lot of things have changed since the day you met but the one thing you’re sure will remain a part of you forever is the way your heart takes off running when she's around.

Running away would be easy. It would probably be the solution to your impending problem and yet you stay. Because as much as you hate to admit it…you’ve missed her. Seeing just a glimpse of her feels like ecstasy after spending so long trying to erase the thought of her from your mind.

You know you’re chasing after someone who isn’t even there anymore, someone who vanished the day Hailee chose to go out to dinner with that guy instead of coming home to you. The person you love has been shoved back into far more closets than you can count but you’re an addict and the thought of getting her back for just a few minutes gives you a greater high than anything else ever could.

So, despite the thousands of reasons not to, you find yourself walking toward her. You tell yourself it’ll be fine, she’s in the middle of ordering a drink and the chances of her paying attention to you are close to zero.

You quickly learn close to zero isn’t enough.

You arrive at the bar right when she’s turning around to go back to whoever it is she’s pretending to get along with tonight. Her eyes instantly find yours and whatever liquid courage you had fades away in that very same instant.

For a second, you expect her to walk away without even acknowledging your presence, but then her mouth opens. “I can’t believe you actually left the house for this.”

There were a thousand sentences you were hoping to hear her say and the one she chose is nowhere on it. It does nothing except remind you of all the infuriating reasons why you can’t be around her anymore.

“Gee thanks, don’t sound too excited.”

She merely shrugs, acting like she can’t see the way your smile drops. “Just being honest.”

At some point in your relationship, you would have made fun of her for sounding so much like the characters she loves to play on TV but today, her attitude pisses you off like nothing else.

“Honest, huh?” You scoff. “That's gold coming from the cheater.”

There’s a flash of something in her eyes, mostly annoyance, and you know damn well that’s exactly what you’re looking for. A sign that she’s still human despite how much she loves to pretend like she doesn’t have feelings anymore.

Unfortunately, you’re sure her reaction has more to do with the fact that you’re in a room full of people who could overhear you than anything else.

“Oh, come on. I didn't cheat on you,” she says in the exact same tone as all the times before.

“Right, right, you just casually had dinner with your new boyfriend while we were still dating.”

A crack begins to form in her facade but you’re too annoyed to celebrate. 

All she does is groan before placing her drink down on the bar and coming toward you. She wraps her hand around your arm, seemingly unaware of the sparks her touch ignites, and drags you toward the first secluded area she finds.

“Are we seriously going to have this fight again?” She questions you once you’re away from prying eyes.

“Sure,” you reply. “The only thing we ever do is fight.”

“Stop acting like I’m the only one in the wrong here. We both made mistakes.”

You scoff. “You’re right, I trusted you wholeheartedly. What a stupid mistake.”

“Oh my God.” She throws her hands up, frustration dripping out of her every pore, and yet she makes no move to walk away from you. “You haven’t changed one bit.”

“Changing isn’t always such a good thing. Just ask Martini and Brando, I bet they love the weather in Buffalo.”

It’s another cheap shot and you know it. Most of all, you see it. The flash of hurt that lingers in the eyes you know so well. 

“Don’t,” she warns.

You can’t stop yourself from adding more fuel to the fire despite her warning. “Why? Is that more honesty than you can handle?”

“y/n, stop. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re right, I don’t know. Because I have no idea who you are anymore.”

It suddenly strikes you that you’ve had the same exact conversation with her before. You don’t know why you keep doing the same thing and hoping for a different ending. Especially considering Hailee is the most stubborn person you’ve ever met.

“You’re not the only one,” she says with a sigh, practically deflating in front of your eyes. “Believe it or not, you’re not the only person I’ve disappointed lately.”

“No offense but that’s the most accurate thing you’ve said in a while.”

A small chuckle escapes her and the sound instantly brings you back to simpler times. To spontaneous dates at the beach, random car drives to the middle of nowhere to watch the sunset, sleepless nights spent helping her rehearse for an early morning shoot the next day.

To being in love.

Back when your love actually mattered.

“Do you ever regret it?” You find yourself whispering into the space between you after a long silence. “Regret us?”

Her answer might split you in two but you're tired of the desperation that clings to you from the sheer amount of unsaid things that still linger in your mind. 

“No,” she replies, her voice so quiet you almost miss it. “I regret how things ended, I regret what I did to you…do you?”

You shake your head before you can stop yourself, the truth spilling out of you just as fast as the tears that painted your face the day she left. “I regret…how much I love you…how impossible it is for me to hate you.”

For a split second, you catch sight of the Hailee you once fell in love with. The one with warm eyes and the softest smile imaginable. The one who could easily break your walls down with a single chuckle. 

“Give it a few days,” she replies. “It’ll stop being so impossible.”

 It’s ridiculous how enamored her words make you. It’s also stupid and infuriating that no matter how badly you want to walk away from her, you can’t find a way to make your feet move. You’re stuck and that growing smirk on her face tells you she knows exactly how much you’re struggling.

“No witty comeback?” She questions, her head tilting slightly to the side in an almost mocking gesture.

“I’m just trying to decide if I should slap you or not.” Your words hold no real bite to them, even if you wish they did, and you both have to pretend neither of you notice the way you lean toward her.

Her eyes betray her as they slide down your face until they reach your lips. Her gaze rests there for longer than would be appropriate for an exchange between old friends. But you’re not old friends. You’re something more. Something that exceeds categories and reasons.

Something that rests completely in the space between your mouths.

It should be easy to turn away from her…but it isn’t…and you can’t stop yourself from meeting her half-way when she leans in close enough for you to feel her breath on your lips.

It’s a mistake.

But it’s one you make as easily as falling in loving her.

[lowkeyremi]

Hello Maya! Before I start my request, I just wanna say, I love your writing!!! I've been reading your things for a few weeks now (I'm new to tumbler) and I'm hooked!!

Anywho- I was listening to "Enchanted" by Taylor Swift and it gave me the idea of fem!reader meeting Satoru at some big event for sorcerers and falling hopelessly in love with him

heyyyyyy thank you for reading my stuff and i'm really happy you made a request, i've been hoping someone would bc i want to write ideas other than my own. i'm not huge on taylor swift so i had to listen to this song lol its pretty good :) you ask and i shall provide!! also i'm sorry if this isn't what you had in mind :')

Enchanted S. Gojo x fem!reader

wc: 1.1k

content: fluff, meeting and getting together

The night hadn't been going so well. You spilled some of your drink on your dress. That was borrowed from your friend might you add. Three guys that showed any potential interest were already with someone and their dates angrily pulled them away from you.

There are whispers about the oh so famous Satoru Gojo, and how he's finally made an appearance with his long time friend Nanami.

You've heard plenty about him, he's the famous sorcerer from Jujutsu High that has six eyes. He can solve any problem and he's said to be very hot. Honestly you're kind of a hater, you think people are gassing him up for no reason.

You've never personally met him but his description makes it hard to miss him if you see him; white hair blue eyes, but he'll likely be wearing an eye mask.

A sigh escapes your lips as you walk toward the bar for another drink, you would have invited your best friend but she's not a sorcerer and would not get it at all. "Hi, sorry for being back so soon, but could I get a strawberry margarita?" The woman behind the bar nods.

Before she can walk off though, a silky, carefree voice makes a request with your order, "Me too! Never tried strawberry margarita. Sounds pretty fruity." This day is already bad so you turn your head to see who just made it even worse-

A pretty white haired man stands by your side, piercing blue eyes peaking through sunglasses that look down right ridiculous at such a formal event. "Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors??" Is the first thing you ask, no 'Hi how are you?' or 'why are you ordering drinks on my tab?'

"Cuz I could make everyone faint with my pretty blue eyes." He smirks, confidence evident in every word.

You look confused and he finds it cute. A foreign feeling stirs in your stomach. "Just kidding. I'd waste my power if my glasses were off. Actually, I was advised not to wear them, but I didn't wanna wear my mask for this event. I have it in my pocket just in case though." He's so light and bubbly you almost forget what you were fuming about.

"You're Gojo right?" He smiles and gives a quick nod.

"And you must be 'girl with a stain on her dress', huh?" You fight the urge to roll your eyes.

"Woo that was a good one, almost made my stomach hurt from laughter." You counter sarcastically; the moodiness coming back to you.

"Haha, my bad. Anyway when we get drinks I'll find us somewhere to sit and I'll make you laugh for real." That confidence is still there. You love funny people, they're exciting to be around.

"I'm holding you to that. I need a good laugh." His smile consists of all his pearly whites and is enough to make you, or anyone around you melt.

He goes to pay for your drink, and even hands it to you. "I have to say you are way less selfish than people make you out to be."

The man in question shrugs and smirks at you, "I am very selfish about certain things, childish even. It's only the first date though so pretend you don't know about that." He waves his hand dismissively. You couldn't even care about the fact he admitted to selfishness, you're stuck up on the part where he said this is a date.

"Who said this is a date?" He notices you're trying to play it cool, but he can see right through you.

"I did. I mean if you want, we can think of it more as a blind date since it wasn't planned." Something about him doesn't rub you the wrong way or make you angry at all. He's definitely an odd ball, but he's able to make you feel something in your gut that you haven't felt in a very long time, maybe not ever, actually.

"I- what- you can't just-" You cut yourself off, lost for words, trying to comprehend what he'd just said.

He intertwines his fingers with yours. They're cold to the touch, long and slender. He does that thing where you rub your thumb across all the other fingers. On top of that he gives you that love struck gaze. You're all kinds of confused because why is someone like him trying to flirt with you??? He could literally have any other pretty sorcerer but he's walking you over to a fancy table to sit and talk.

"Ugh, you're supposed to have warm hands to contrast my cold ones." He complains, and if you weren't already stunned then you definitely were now. He's swinging his arm back in forth, with you mirroring it because he's holding your hand.

"I can't help my hands being cold, maybe you should be the one with the warm hands." He shrugs at your response. The swinging stops when you two reach a table big enough for four and pulls out your chair for you.

"I normally don't do this but you're definitely worth it." a lopsided grin covers his face.

As nice as all of this is you look around for cameras. Your mind is telling you he means no harm, but you can never be too sure.

"Okay, is this some kind of joke or show?? Where are the cameras because this can't be real." The white haired six foot something giant's face contorts into something very (ugly) funny. His face scrunches up at your words.

"I can't believe you'd suggest something like that! I'm serious, I just want to be a normal guy and have a normal encounter with someone. So, can you just pretend I'm a normal date and not Gojo Satoru?" He's telling the truth and for the first time tonight you fully relax.

"Okay, hi normal guy. What do you like to do?" You ask playfully feeling enchanted by his charismatic presence. He makes you feel a sense of freedom like you never have before.

The rest of the night the two of you goof off and talk about all kinds of things. Eventually he's being dragged out by Nanami because of how drunk he is. He'd given you his number, "Call me!!!" He whines loudly while being led to the car he arrived in.

"Okay! When I do, don't forget everything from tonight." You yell back to him.

"Like hell I will!" And he was telling the truth because about two hours later when you were winding down for bed you get a call from an unknown number. Usually you wouldn't pick up but you have a feeling that the person on the other side was none other than Gojo normal guy.

"Hello?" You don't get a response for a few seconds, your stomach drops thinking you had miscalculated...

"I miss you already, when can I see you again?" He asks sleepily.

[frogchiro]

Am I straight horny from reading eremite thirst? Yes. Do I want to dress up in Babel's clothing infront of them? Yes. Yes I do. I mean Babel got some hip windows and I know damn well her clothes are MADE to he ripped off

AS YOU SHOULD BE NONNY

rfhgueguegu I just looked up Babel and good golly please step on me lady

and you're right her clothes are as hot as she is, i'm going genuinely feral for the hip windows, as would the men of your group <3

fem!reader, slight nsfw, the usual drill; hot, big and horny Eremite men having the ultimate hots for you <3

Since you're staying with them permanently now, you decided on incorporating their style and culture into your life and what better to begin with than clothes! You bought them from a traveling merchant during a short stay at the Caravan Ribat before continuing further into the desert.

You had to set up camp for the night and since there has been a successful hunt with minimal damage your boys decided that a small celebration is in place; you could swear that they'd find any excuse to celebrate and make you dance for them so that they could use it as a way to grope you and eventually drag you back into the tent an have their way with you.

SO, you decided that this little gathering is a perfect way to make use of your new dress! It's a bit skimpy but it feels as if it's weightless, the dark gauzy fabric perfectly accentuating your curves and hugging all the right places.

Just as you got the last piece in place, a booming voice just outside your tent made you slightly jump as one of the men announced that they've set up the fire and roast and they're waiting for you which earned you a few loud and excited whoops of delight from the others.

You smiled slightly and made your way to remove the flap of the tent and reveal yourself getting kinda anxious what would they say about your new outfit, would they like it? What if you ended up looking ridiculous and-

Your train of thoughts was immediately brought to a halt when you noticed all the men staring at you, their eye bandanas temporarily removed and looking-or rather leering-right at you.

You noticed the look right away; dark, hungry, lustful, that of predator just about to pounce on a unsuspecting prey. You got bashful as you slowly stepped into the area where they were sitting in silence still, just looking.

Before you could say something to get the out of this trance you let out a yelp as suddenly a pair of strong arms belonging to Geo Enchanter wrapped around your middle and dragged you straight into his lap while the men sitting next to him flocked closer and started to run their hands all over you.

"And just where did ya get this thing Little Lady, hmm~? Think you can just walk dressed like that and expect a man to behave?"

The dark skinned man growled into your ear before nipping it lightly and letting his big scarred hands wander all over your body and slip under the sheer chest piece to tease your quickly stiffening nipples.

"I-ah! I-bought it. From that cloth merchant back at the Caravan Ribat. Y-You were so silent when I walked out, I thought you didn't like it-!"

Your ramble was quickly cut short by a slight swat to your bottom and the booming laughs of the surrounding men; just when did they all get so close?

"Well, ya can be pretty sure we like it, don't we boys?", Sunfrost's quip was answered by delighted calls.

"Then let's show this pretty Lady how much we love it~"

That sentence basically sealed your fate and they took you right then and there, on the laid out on the furs under the shining stars and night sky. When they were finaly finished with you, you were back inside the shared tent, all of the men tired out and panting with fatigue.

Right there in the middle of the sweaty bodies laid your naked form, the beautiful dress torn to shreds earlier in the night by the hungry hands of the Eremites; a shame really, the dress really was pretty but hey! At least you can be sure that your boys liked it too, right~?

[m-jelly]

@ladycheesington <3

A sweet offering

Levi x fem!reader

Hybrid AU, Future/modern AU, romance, fluff, falling in love, kitsune Reader, wolf Levi, talks of mates.

Levi hasn't found his mate yet and he is lonely. He wants to find his mate, the love of his life, and everything, so he does something his friends recommend that is slightly a joke. He goes to the forest and presents a basket of offerings to gain a woodland wife. He doesn't believe it will work but is shocked when you turn up. It is love at first sight for you both.

I might make this a long fic one day

@ladycheesington @levisbrat25 @nyxiieluna @li-anne @galactict3a @youre-ackermine @thebobaprincess @2moth-anon2 @cypidity @notgoodforlife @demonsimp6 @nbinairyn

Ridiculous. Silly. Fool. Hopeful.

A mix of emotions rushed through Levi as he considered the situation he was in. Love was something he wanted so much. He has seen his friends gain their mates and he had yet to find anyone. The longing inside him to find his mate was strong.

Friends had told him that there was a very ancient way to find a bride. A heart filled with longing could enter the enchanted forest and find the opening. Within the circle opening, he must present a basket full of selective treats and wait for a bride to take them.

So that's what he did and it was the reason why he was sitting in a bush in the afternoon. He was pouting slightly as he gazed out at the basket of sweet baked goods he had made. He didn't think he would meet a bride, but he was hopeful enough that it would happen so he remained.

His wolf ears twitched on his head when saw the bushes rustling. He leaned closer as his tail flicked. He gasped a little expecting someone like him to come out, a human-looking person with animal ears and a tail but instead, a pretty fox jumped out and ran over to the basket.

His heart sank a little when he thought he had only attracted an animal, but he was surprised. A beautiful cloud of smoke appeared and then the most divine woman leapt out. You.

He admired every inch of you and felt his heartthrob in his chest. You were his mate, there was no question about it. You more a beautiful off-the-shoulder robe that shows off your chest. The wrap was done just right so your legs slipped out sometimes. Your fox ears were so pretty on your head and your tail was so fluffy. You were adorable and beautiful beyond words.

As you shoved the sweet baked goods into your mouth and moaned in delight, Levi was moving closer as if pulled by something on a deep level. He walked across the grass as he admired you sweetly. All he could think of was the word mate in his head getting louder and louder. It was clear to him now why he had been so lonely, it was because his true mate was in the enchanted forest all this time.

You stopped eating and looked up to see the most handsome man you had ever seen. The word mate throbbed inside you as you took him in. He wore a tight smart shirt with fitted trousers and ankle boots. His raven hair was so pretty and his face was perfection with the button nose, plump chubby cheeks and kissable lips. His silver-blue eyes were hypnotic.

You knelt and twisted your body to look at him. "Did you give me this offering of sweet things?"

He sat on the grass in front of you. "Y-Yes."

Your tail wagged fast. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yes."

You gasped in delight and smiled when you introduced yourself. "Who are you?"

"I'm Levi."

You crawled closer to him and sat right in front of him, your faces close making him blush. "Levi, I keep hearing the word mate when I look at you. Do you hear it too?"

He blushed hard and nodded. "Y-Yes. I hear mate. You are my mate, my true love."

You squealed and dove into his arms making him fall back. "Mate!" You nuzzled your face against his chest and hummed in happiness. "Finally."

Levi growled in pleasure as he felt your heat merge with his. He wrapped an arm around you as he used his other to lean on. "Yeah." He smiled at you with soft and gentle eyes making your heart flutter. "Finally." He chuckled. "I've been searching for you for so long."

You gripped his shirt tightly. "Does this mean I am yours and you are mine?"

He nodded. "If you want it. I do."

You hummed a laugh and kissed him. "You're my mate, mine."

"Mine."

"So, do you want to come over to mine?"

He blushed bright red. "I w-would like to take you a d-date."

You sat up on his hips and smiled. "I would love to! I've never been on a good date before. A lot of people use my kind, which is why I live out here. I'm so glad I met you. My real mate." You welled up a little and smiled so sweetly. "You care about me."

"I do." He sat up and wrapped his arms around you. "I really do. So, a date."

"Yes, but I want to take you home!" You jumped up and yanked Levi to his feet. "I want to cook you dinner as a date! I want to show you my garden and my things."

He chuckled and grabbed the basket. "I would love to." He held your hand tightly and walked with you. "I know we have a strong connection and it is like we've known each other for a lifetime, but I still want to date you and woo you, if that's okay?"

You nodded as your heart swelled with joy. "Yes! I want the same. I want to spoil you."

He lifted your hand and showered it with kisses. "I will treasure you."

You snuggled up to him. "Me too."

He smiled at you and just gazed for a while before a cute home with a lush garden caught his attention. "Holy shit. what a beautiful home."

"This is my home!" You dragged him to your home. "It is yours now too 'cause'cause we're mates!" You giggled. "I hope you like it. I grow a lot of fruit and veg. It's very cosy inside." You helped him inside and showed him where to take his shoes off. "I also have a lot of books. I like sitting on my porch with a book and tea."

Levi purred. "I love that too."

You gazed up at him. "May I kiss you?"

He nodded and leaned closer. He softly pressed his lips against yours and sighed. "May I stay with you for a few days? I want to go on many dates and just connect on a soul level with you."

"You can stay as long as you want."

He hummed. "Dangerous thing to say. I won't want to leave."

You giggled. "I'm okay with that."

[cheeseceli]

Falling in Love [deeper than I've felt before]

Pairing: Hyunjin × gn!Reader

Genre: fluff, slowburn

Warnings: reader drinks alcohol at some point, not proofread.

Request: part 2 of Moving On but can be read individually

a/n: it took a while to go to the plot but i promise y/n moves on lmao; the ending is a bit rushed? But creativity had left me sadly. Also this was posted accidentally so I'm so sorry if there is something which seems off

The day has come. And you still can't believe how dumb you were from accepting the invitation to go to your ex's wedding.

You were going straight to the biggest heartbreak you'd ever have, but there was no turning back now. You said you would be in the damn party so you will be there.

"Seriously Y/n, I think you shouldn't go." Yeji, a friend of yours, said while helping you figure out something to wear "Just tell him that you were sick or something. I can lie to him if you want"

"I said I'd be there and I'm not one to break a promise."

"It's barely a promise. He admitted himself that it would be awkward, it's better if you skip it. You're just torturing yourself at this point"

"I'm going. Besides, maybe that's what I need to finally move on. It's been 3 years already. I need that."

Yeji sighed. She openly disagreed with your point of view, there should be another way of moving on without shattering your heart into pieces, but she wouldn't insist anymore.

"We have some hours until the wedding. Let's go to the mall, we need something good for you to wear" she got up from the edge of your bed "unless you wanna go in pajamas."

And that's how, four hours later, you were fully prepared to the wedding. Even though you looked great, you still felt a pain in your chest because of the price you spent. The situation was starting to become a little ridiculous, you couldn't believe you wasted so much money on an outfit you'd never wear again because it'd probably bring a lot of bad memories.

This better have a good outcome.

But deep inside you were happy that Yeji made you put some effort in how you'd look because the place was beautiful. The decoration was really enchanting, with a lot of white and green flowers and you could even hear the sound of a piano. It looked like the wedding was designed to fit a disney princess' movie.

The guests were also gorgeous. Some of them were still your friends while some were "ex-friends", as you lost contact with them after the break up. There were a lot of people you didn't know there, friends and family of Changbin's partner you assumed. It looked like you could actually enjoy the night if it wasn't for the current scenario.

You ended up sitting in the table with all the other Itzy girls and for some moments you were able to forget the bad feeling in your chest. That was until the ceremony started.

Needless to say that you cried during the vows. They were so happy, Changbin was happy. At the same time that your heart was aching, you felt a a weight out of your shoulders. It was like you were finally given the chance to set free from your past and not be attached to it anymore.

Changbin wouldn't come back. You shouldn't wait for him.

It was less painful than what you originally thought. Seeing how he cried after seeing his partner and how he didn't hesitate to kiss them, you could even feel happiness. I'm happy you're happy at last. That's how you were able to clap and celebrate for the now married couple, along the rest of the guests.

Now, of course, you needed to drink. Realisation was still sinking in and you couldn't say congratulations to the couple while being sober. That's why you went straight up to the bar once people started to dance and sat down in the first free chair you could find.

"Y/n?"

You looked to the side and saw Hyunjin. The fact that sooner or later one of the stray kids members would show up slipped of your mind and you were actually surprised for seeing the boy in front of you. Even though you were still friends with Changbin, you barely talked to the kids. The last time you saw Hyunjin was two years ago, you think. He got even prettier, you noticed.

"Hey" you finally reply "it's been a while."

"I know right? Wasn't expecting to see you here though."

"I wasn't supposed to be here I guess... I might be leaving soon"

It seemed that Hyunjin understood the circumstances, it was reasonable your urge to leave. But at the same time, the night had just started and it's been a pretty long time since you last talked to everyone. They missed you. He missed you.

"At least have a drink with me" he proposes, already calling the bartender "I wanna know what you've been into." How could you say no?

So you and Hyunjin drank together while catching up with each other and God, you did miss a lot. Hyunjin was talking about every show they attended to while you gossiped about a drama that was happening in your work place. He showed pictures of his paintings while you showed pictures of your pets. He even gave you a minor spoiler of their next comeback. You laughed a lot during some hours.

While you were telling him about the last trip you did with some of your friends, a different song started playing and everyone got out of the center of the room. You looked at the commotion to find out it was when the just married couple begun their dance. You were observing them, so you failed to notice Hyunjin's gaze on you and his little smile. He truly missed you.

"Are you guys okay?"

You looked at him, taking a while to understand what he meant. By the time you comprehended it, he regretted and tried saying "I'm sorry, shouldn't have asked".

"We're okay" you answered "we should be at least."

"No hard feelings? Were you able to, you know, move on?"

"I'm moving on as we speak. I think this is my last chapter with him."

He was looking at you with curiosity. Like he actually wanted to understand your feelings, like he actually wanted to listen without judgements. So you kept explaining:

"Maybe I was ready for a while, I just didn't want to let go. I've never been good with changes. I just didn't want to lose the possibility of everything being fine without any change." you grew consciously of the man's attention on you, so you tried to brush it off by laughing "Sorry for the therapy session all of the sudden."

He giggled "Don't worry, I don't mind. I'm happy for you, to be able to keep going. Happy for both of you."

The dance was close to an end and everyone was cheering, but Changbin and his partner looked like they were in their own world, lost in each others embrace and smile. You could see their love in their eyes. That's what they deserved.

"I am happy too."

You were being genuine. Its like another weight was lifted off you. You were slowly collecting the pieces of your heart and putting them together. You were healing.

When the newlyweds finished their first dance as a married couple, the guests applauded in joy and went back to the dance floor when another song started playing. Hyunjin drank the last sip of the drink he ordered and stood up. You didn't want to admit but you were kinda disappointed that he was already going. You started to wonder if you had said anything wrong or said too much, that was until he offered his hand to you with a smile.

He saw your confused expression and explained it clearly“Let's dance. You're not planning on staying in this bar for the whole night, are you? ”

“I am, actually. Besides I'm going home soon, there's no need to-”

“C'mon Y/n. ” he interrupted you while moving forward to hold your hand “You cannot come to a wedding party and not dance to at least one song. I promise I'll stop bothering you after this.”

Hesitantly, you held his hand back and got up.

“Was my offer to stop bothering you so tempting? You're even smiling” he said, making you laugh.

“Shut up.”

The room was filled with couples and friends. You didn't notice that the song that was playing, falling in love by cigarettes after sex, required a slow dancing. You just noticed it after Hyunjin was really close to you, holding your waist with both hands and smiling dearly for you. You soon placed your hands in his shoulder.

“You weren't so bold before, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Normally you wouldn't invite someone to dance, you were always kinda shy. I remember I begged you to dance with me in my own birthday party and still you denied.”

“That was when I was a trainee, how do you even remember that?”

“Oh it made me cry for weeks”

He laughed, bringing you closer to him. You guys were barely dancing, you were just hugging each other and swinging from side to side.

“Were you always this dramatic?”

“You're one to talk.”

“Well...” Hyunjin said before sighing, like he was wondering what words to use for what he was about to say.“we can say that I regret not accepting your invite to dance back then. And who knows when I'll have another opportunity.”

You were the shy one now. You really didn't expect to Hyunjin to be so bold, even though he didn't say nothing considered too much and you probably were analysing to deeply. Trying to not blush, you decided to light the situation: "I say it was the alcohol that made you so straightforward."

"Oh that helped of course" he laughed. And you kept talking the most random things while being on each other's arms, dancing to a love song like it was something casual. When the first song came to an end, he was ready to say goodbye to you, even though that was the last thing he wanted in the moment.

"I don't mind dancing for another song" you said. You don't know what made you change your mind so quickly, but then you saw his smile and understood the change of heart. That smile was worth a lot of dances.

You probably danced for more than two hours. In slow songs you'd just hug each other while talking about your life, in happy songs you would dance like crazy and proceed to judge those who were better than you and sometimes you'd just follow hyunjin's lead to try to follow a dance routine. You just stopped when Hyunjin was covered in sweat and your feet couldn't handle anymore. Then you both went to the bar, laughing like that was the funniest thing to ever happen on your life.

"Y/N!"

Looking to the side, you were met with Yeji. You noticed that her breath wasn't even, which meant that she was probably looking for you for a while now.

“You're still friends with Yeji?”

“Yeah, we still go out sometimes. Why?”

“Just wanted to know.”

“I was looking for you everywhere” Yeji was now right in front of you, breathing heavily “Me and the girls are going back to the dorms, we need to be up early tomorrow. Do you want to go with us?”

You searched for your cell phone, wondering what time it was. It was a little bit past midnight. You wanted to be there for more time, you felt like the night was just starting, but sadly the Itzy girls were your only ride back home. That meant you needed to go now.

You glanced at Hyunjin, who was looking at with expectation. For a second you thought that he was trying to convince you to stay for a bit longer, to enjoy the night with him. But it couldn't be this, right? So you just brushed it off.

“Well, I'll be going then” he gave you a small smile, but he was averting his eyes, trying to not look directly at you, but still he got closer to hug you goodbye “I hope to see you around.”

“Don't go missing this time.”

You laughed at his little joke and he giggled back. You believe it would've been easier to go away if he kept looking at somewhere else, but now his eyes were on you and you felt like you couldn't move. You truly wished the night could be longer.

You had your thoughts interrupted when Yeji faked a cough by your side, making you and Hyunjin both come back to reality and making you get away from his arms. Only then you started to walk away, trying to not look as much as you could.

“Bye Hyunjin.”

He just nodded his head, trying to not say bye. You and Yeji started to walk away, saying goodbye to the ones you'd find in your way.

"Oh wait" you remembered your friend "I still have to congratulate Changbin and his partner, I didn't get the chance to do that earlier."

"They were talking to his parents last time I saw them. Do you feel better?"

"Kinda? I mean, it will take a while to be 100% over this but I already feel a weight off my shoulders."

Yeji smiled and, even though she didn't say anything else, you could see she was happy for your growth. Now you could only wish you would heal and find yourself in a better situation from now on. Maybe you could fall in love again, deeper than you've felt before.

Feedbacks and reblogs are very much appreciated!

[dre6ming]

The delicate beginning rush

Epilogue- Timeless

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Austin Butler x singer/actress fem reader

Warnings: fluff, mentions of alcohol, crying, pregnancy

Plot: finally after a long love story we get to see Y/n and Austin take their next step in their relationship and we have a few glimpses at what they’ve been through in the past 14 years

Word count: ~ 8400

Disclaimer: i didn’t have the patience in me to go and proof read this chapter, so just ignore the mistakes. I hope you can understand all the time jumps I did and I hope I was coherent enough

Timothee Chalamet

"I propose a toast for the lovely couple and I may be offered as much as a minute of your time I'd like to tell you what a great timeless love story we have before us... "

Taylor Swift *whispering*

"Hi I'm Taylor and we are now going to sneak up on the bride and see how she's doing. We're in this beautiful place, just south of Barcelona in Spain. It's currently

*looks down at the watch*

"10:34 am August 13th 2032..."

Timothee runs from the back and grabs the camera from Taylor laughing as he does so, taking a moment to look at himself in the small screen and fix his curly hair. "Hey, it was my turn with the camera.." Taylor jokingly says trying to grab the device back. "Well now it's mine... get in here Swift!" Timmy says turning around and catching Taylor in the picture. "As I was saying before, we are here to celebrate the wedding." Taylor says, glancing at Timmy with her best and most playful side eye. "And we were asked to film the most chaotic wedding video and I repeat chaos is mandatory." They both giggle as Timmy finishes up his sentence, before turning the camera back around to film the enchanting decorations, witch his friend has picked with most care and thought. The floral arrangements composed of daisies, purple star flowers and yellow dandelions formed a pathway to the small wooden house where all the magic was taking place now.

"Got cold feet yet sœur?" Timothee asks, making his way through the white curtains hanging form the door frame. He can see the back of her head, still that same 5.6' figure he saw 18 years ago, but yet different, her shoulders carrying a different cadence to them, the lines of her body talking about the yeast that passed. Her red hair friend was just in the middle of fixing the veil up in the intricate braid number she has going on. At the sound of her best friend's voice she turns around swiftly almost knocking to the ground Roxanne. "Timmy!" Y/n squeals hugging the one who's been like a brother to her, her face momentarily hitting the camera, the perfect moment for Taylor to steal it back. "Smile for the camera!" Taylor says as all 3 friends hug and smile to the lens. "I can't believe this is happening...fells so strange." Y/n sighs

Just then her mom makes her way into the room, looking at the watch in her wrist, very obviously annoyed with the small delays that showed up through out the day. "The cake will be here an hour later than it should, so I hope you have a good speech Tim." Her mom warns the curly haired boy, who suddenly feels slightly terrified. "I do ma'am." He nodded.

Taylor turns the camera filming the room, the mess on the make up vanity, the clothes thrown around, the pile of tissue clearly used to wipe away tears, everything looking out of a 2000 romance movie.

Billie Eilish

"Ey yo, I have the camera for the next few minutes and I thought it be a great moment to see this very wedding scene." Billie says making her way into the bathroom, where in one of the small stalls, Roxanne and y/n's mom hold up the puffy dress as the bride relieves herself. "Tell me this isn't the mort wedding scene ever. Hey there bride queen!" Billie waves to the clearly flustered girl, who tries to hide her face in the palm of her hands as the women around her laugh. "Enough with the embarrassment for the bride, I'm going find the groom, I've got my suspicions he's doing something ridiculous right now, bye ladies!" She exits the bathroom of the venue, her eyes searching for the blonde mess of hair that belongs to the groom.

After walking around for a minute she finds him hiding in the bushes, guitar in hand, sweating and shaking, as he snacks on some M&M he stole from the candy bar. "Hey there big guy!" Billie scares him, Austin taking a hand to his heart making sure it still beats. "Billie, Christ you scared me" the man laughed, loosing his bow tie the slightest bit. "Say hi to the camera, handsome boy!" Billie encourages pointing to the camera, as Austin awkwardly waves, a quivering smile ghosting his face. "What are you doing hiding in the bushes?" She asks, thinking if she should turn the camera off. "Talking myself up, I sang for her countless times, but it was never..." he breathes deep, before speaking again. "She was never my wife before, it's strange." Billie actually felt her heart heavy with joy for her dear friend, thinking that this is the one y/n chose to call forever. "Well she's still the same person she was 24 hours ago" she tries to calm his nerves, but the chuckle that leaves Austin's lips is mocking. "She's not, she's now my forever and I got to do right by her!" The blue eyed boy looks straight into the camera, the lens capturing the glimmer of true love in his orbs.

"Ok so play for the camera, she'll see it later!" Billie encourages him, as he picks up the guitar pick with shaky hands, clearing his voice once before hitting the cords of the instrument to form the most beautiful of sounds.

"Is it romantic how all my elegies, eulogies me..

I'm not cut out for all these clinical clones

These hunters with cellphones...

Take me to the lake where all the poets went to die, I don't belong and my beloved neither do you.

Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry

I'm setting off, but not without my muse..."

Austin proceeds to sing the whole song which he knew Y/n loved so much, but he couldn't help but add a small personal touch to it.

" I want auroras and sad prose

I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet

'Cause I haven't moved in years

And I want you right here

A dandelion grew up out of ice frozen ground

With no one around to tweet it

While I bathe in cliffside pools

With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief"

He changes the lyric, instead of the red rose Taylor originally mentioned, he sang their flower. The dandelions have become a symbol of their love and it all started with Y/n 10 years ago when she wrote the beautiful love song that he was now referencing. It wasn't rare that Austin went back to the things he knew she loved, mainly because he also loved them.

"Very well done Austin, think you can do that again in a few minutes?" Billie raises her brow at him, showing him that devilish smile of hers. Austin once again blushes a deep shade of maroon, licking his lips before laughing lightly. "How my darling wife Billie? Is she happy?" He asks, his eyes shining with wonder and excitement. "She was perfectly fine, peeing gracefully as ever.." Billie laughs biting her lip, before sitting down next to Austin, carefully trying not to her her dress covered in dirt. "She's perfectly happy Austin, trust me-" before Billie could say any more light footing was heard form a far, and then the thin figure o Timothee makes it's way out of the dark. "My turn!" He says to Billie, stretching his arm out for the camera in her hand.

Sighing she complies, giving his the recording device and leaving the two men peacefully. The silence grows thick, it was not so long ago that Timmy and Austin weren't the best of friends and Timmy had it out for Austin, but all that was a decade old and now the two were friends.

Timothee smiles at Austin turning the camera on, with out letting the blond man strumming the guitar know. He sits down in Billie's place, putting the camera down in the grass so that the angle might catch the two of them. Austin is to troubled by his own thoughts to notice that tho. "So man, you did it, you married her." Timmy says patting Austin on the back. Austin puts the guitar down next to him and rests his elbows on his knees, fidgeting with his long sleek fingers. "Feels unreal, to be fair I never thought she'd be ready for this, but then again I know I wouldn't have loved her any less if she hadn't." Looking up at the starry sky Austin remembered very clearly the night he first talked to Timmy about marrying Y/n.

...5 years ago...

Coming back from a short trip of visiting his sister and her family, Austin's pocket felt so heavy as he drove all the way to Timothee's apartment. In the pocket he had the ring his sister gave to him, he hadn't asked for it, but she gave it to him. It was their mom's ring and back when his mom was alive she gave it to Ashley so that she would give it to Austin.

Back then he asked her: why now? And why never back when he was in a decade long relationship with Vanessa? His sister had answered simple, looking out the window at Y/n who was playing in the pool with her kids, chatting with her husband and her and Austin's dad. She had said "I look at her and I see something I never thought I would see in any girl you would ever date, she completes you and you complete her. You both can work independently but together you thrive, she loves you honestly and you love he so. I don't know when you'll ask the question, but I know if you're ever going to ask it, it's her who's going to be asked, it has to be."

Driving now though New York, he could see his sister's eyes in the back of his mind, looking exactly like his moms, telling him with such truth that she believed Y/n was the one. Austin would lie if he said he was surprised, because he had known Y/n was the one, since he herd her voice filling the theater at the premiere of the movie that changed his life forever, just like she had.

He arrives at Timothee's place and lets himself inside, calling out for his friend. "Tim, hey man, I gotta talk to you about something.." Timmy appears in front of him in seconds, eyes curious about why Austin was here hours after returning from his and Y/n's trip to visit his sister. "Is y/n?!" Of course Timmy's first thought would be that Y/n was hurt or something, but Austin calms him down quickly. "She's fine, I just need to tell you something." Austin then pulls out the velvet box that was nicely sitting in his pocket and shows Timothee the gold ring. Timmy gasps, his eyes ready to fall out of their sockets. "Ok." Was all Tim could muster.

Sitting down at Timothee's kitchen table, Austin drinks his water slowly, looking at Timmy who's analyzing the ring, with his bows drawn together in concentration. Austin wishes now more than ever that he could read thoughts. "So you're going to ask her to marry you?" Timmy finally speaks, looking at Austin with a unreadable expression. Austin can feel himself breaking a sweat and taking a big gulp of water from his glass, he licks his lips, getting ready to speak. "Well.. actually.."

...present time...

"I remember the day you came to me with that ring, I saw it in your face, that you knew it was her ring, but you also knew that she wasn't ready to have it. Austin I believe there is a lot of things that need to go into a relationship for it to succeed, but watching you two I realized that when it's the right person it doesn't feel like an obligation or a dreadful effort. I know I have only seen the outside and I know there was great effort that the both of you put in, but you both seemed happy doing it." Timmy tells Austin, who fiddles with his wedding ring, as he remembers that day as well and how he explained why he knew that wasn't the time to propose, but that he would know when that time would be. Surprisingly to him, Timmy trusted him and kept the secret of the ring for 4 years, not once letting Y/n know that Austin had it. "There was a lot of effort, I was almost 30 when I met her, but I felt like I was 15, something in me didn't feel quite grown up yet and she was almost 20, but the things she had been through made her feel much older. I think we met perfectly in the middle and even on those nights that we went to bed mad at each other for some stupid thing, we still knew that when the first ray of light hit the ground we would make amends to each other." Austin speaks from the heart and he does it thinking of those times he saw tears in her eyes because he was less the respectable towards her, he can count those times on the fingers from both his hands, which in a decade long commitment doesn't seem like too much but to Austin it feels like a lot.

"People fight, my parents fought and so did hers, but they didn't love each other, so the best thing they could do was let it all fall apart, it's not the case with you two, you know it, she does as well, you'll be just fine and you'll be an awesome husband and maybe some day dad." Hearing those words Austin thinks back to his proposal and how much they both cried that night.

...1 year ago...

4 years, that's how long Austin held onto the ring his sister gave to him. Tonight however, it's finally time, he knows, he feels it deep inside his soul that she's finally ready to say yes to him. He feels the sweat gathering at the back of his neck, as his heart beats faster with each passing moment. Y/n is in the shower, getting ready for bed and he can hear her humming softly. The clock on her nightstand shows 1:34 am. He is sitting down on her bed, still dressed in his pants and shirt, the light smell of smoke and liquor hanging around him form the party, her birthday party, her 28th birthday party. He remembers being 28 and he remembers how lost he felt back then, how uncertain everything felt, beck then he was scared for his career, he was unhappy in his relationship and he felt like he had lost all control of his life, little did known that only a year later he would meet her. She brought him so much happiness and light and he can't see himself ever being without her again, he has already lived 29 long years without her.

As soon as he hears the door of the bathroom opening he springs up, hiding the small velvet box in his pant pocket, walking to the bathroom to take a shower himself. "Hi baby, did ya have a good shower?" He asks leaning down to touch his lips to hers, that funny feeling of bones turning to mush enveloping him whole in an instant. Y/n hums against his lips, holding tight onto the towel covering her. "I did, I'll wait for you in bed." She says to him, jokingly grabbing his ass and giving it a firm squeeze, making Austin jump a little, as she walks away giggling. He looks at her and her elegant walk, he loves her laugh and he loves the way the hair at the back of her neck sticks to her skin, he loves the way the small droplets of water that she missed when drying herself, shine in the light, making her look shimmery.

Austin tries to be as quick in the shower as he can, wanting to catch Y/n still awake. He had this proposal planned in his mind for months now and even though he rethought over and over again, afraid it would be too little, he always ended with the same conclusion, it was Y/n and he knew her, really knew her.

After drying his hair quickly with a towel and putting on his soft pajama shorts, taking the ring out of the pocket of his pants, he tiptoes his way to the living room. He takes a moment to admire the New York light from up here, he remembers the first time he saw those lights and he remembers how stupid he felt for having his heart set on someone so much younger than himself. He doesn't however remember ever thinking, back then, that he'd end up here, still with her, 9 years later.

Shaking himself awake for the daydreaming, he sits down at the large black piano, lifting the cover up and walking his long fingers along the cold keys. Taking a deep breath he starts playing, not wanting to be cheesy he spent days thinking about what song to sing to her, but he always came back to the same one, not being able to understand why, maybe it was because when Y/n wrote it with Joshua, she confessed to thinking about him.

Y/n Wrap me up in all your—,

I want ya

In my arms, oh, let me hold ya

I'll never let you go again like I did

Oh, I used to say

As his voice fills the room he hears her calling out his name, but he doesn't stop singing.

I would never fall in love again until I found her"

I said, "I would never fall unless it's you I fall into"

I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her

I found you

He hears the tiptoe of her bare feet against the marble floors in her apartment and he can already feel the tears stinging his eyes, as his emotions grow, forming a knot in his throat. "Austin?" Y/n questions coming into the room, but he doesn't turn his head to her no matter how much he wants to, he tells himself this is his challenge to get his Eurydice just like Orpheus did, so his shuts his eyes closed, forming the picture of Y/n in his mind as he keeps singing.

Heaven

When I held you again

How could

We ever just be friends?

I would rather die than let you go

Juliet to your Romeo

How I heard you say

Her voice accompanies his and he feels the salt streams travel down his cheeks and chin. Then he feels her hand on his shoulder and it's only now that he dares open his eyes and look at her.

"I would never fall in love again until I found her"

I said, "I would never fall unless it's you I fall into"

I was lost within thе darkness, but then I found her

I found you

The sing to each other, him with tears in his eyes and her with a compassionate, somewhat confused look. She takes his eyes off of his, when something in the corner of her eye, catches her attention. When she sees the gold dainty ring, she gasps loudly, taking a few steps back, covering her mouth with her hands in surprise. Over the years Austin had given her jewelry as gifts, even rings, but this ring, this one she knew. She had seen it in old pictures of Austin's mom. The ring was a meticulously designed gold band with a small ruby attached to it, it was even more beautiful in person.

Austin stops playing as soon as he sees her reaction, a million bad thoughts pass through his mind as he thinks that this was wrong. He wipes the tears away with the back of his hands, taking the velvet box in his hands and coming down form the piano bench to sit down on one knee in front of her. He clears his throat before speaking.

"I imagined this a thousand times, I never knew what I wanted to say exactly. I've been holding onto this ring for 4 years now and I couldn't tell you what made me believe that now is the time. Maybe something changed in you, maybe something changed in me, or maybe it was both of us that changed. I love you and I would be the happiest man to call you my wife and my partner in crime forever, however I want you to know baby, it's ok if this is not what you want, I love you regardless of a paper the legally binds us. I want you to understand that I will always be here, always. I am part of the family that you made, the family that will always show you love. So Y/n will you do me the extraordinary honor of marrying me?"

Y/n was speechless, she had not seen this coming. She remembers know, how she used to think about marriage and being a wife, all the bad thoughts about the subject coming from her dysfunctional family. But now, after 9 years of being loved by Austin her mind had changed.

"Yes, yes I will marry you Austin! With all my heart, it's always going to be 'yes' for you!" She says, crying and laughing at the same time.

With trembling hands Austin takes her left hand in his and put the ring on her finger. It's a perfect fit! So maybe it was fate all along. He jumps up to his feet and wraps his arms around her, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. Holding her so tight, he could feel her heart beating against his. They were two pieces of puzzle, being put together in a perfect connection.

...present time a few hours before...

"Hi Y/n and Austin, this is Roxanne, and I am your bridesmaid-" "One of them" Taylor and Billie correct Roxanne, causing the ginger girl to huff jokingly. "Ok one of your bridesmaids. We are now on our way to find the bride and get her ready to go for her man." Roxy says to the camera, walking along the other three women, in the direction of the room where Y/n was patiently waiting for them. When they open the door the expect to find a stressed bride, but not a crying one. Roxanne cuts the video and puts the camera down, as they all rush to see what's happened.

"Y/n, my sweet girl what's wrong?" Y/n mom asks, hugging her daughter tightly, as the small framed girl shakes with cries. Y/n finds herself speechless less only shaking her head. Taylor hands her a glass of cold water, which she happily takes, drinking it all. "Can I talk with Roxy?" All women exchange a few questioning looks, before exiting the room and leaving the two best friends to talk. Roxanne gets up from her seat and immediately gets on her phone. "Ok so where are we running away to? We're in Spain, so anything in Europe should be easy, but if you want to go home or somewhere else that's fine too, I got the car up front, we don't need any bags we'll just buy new everything." Y/n breaks out laughing, which further confuses Roxanne, who really believed her best friend got cold feet and the secret escape plan they had only discussed once was afoot.

"Rox I'm not crying because I want to run away, I'm crying because I am so grateful, growing up I never thought you could be happy and in love, I thought that was fiction. I never thought a boy would make me blush, would make my heart skip a beat, I never thought I'd fall for a guy. I'm just a bit overwhelmed and..." saying the last part y/n got a big lump in her throat and wiping away a few more tears she took a deep breath. "I'm going to tell you something and I need you to never say it to anyone." Y/n says being as serious as ever, looking straight at her best friend. "I swear, I won't, you know you can tell me everything." Roxanne assures her, sitting down next to Y/n. "Matt just called, they needed to kick my dad out, because he was already drunk out of his mind." Roxanne feels herself get worried, she knows this was Y/n biggest fear, because even with all the rehab work that she payed for, her dad did not seem able to drop the alcohol, he had promised her that how would for this day only so that he could walk her down the aisle, but that seems to be long gone now. "I'm so sorry" Y/n shakes her head not letting her friend get all sad and weepy about this.

"Don't be, I did my best, I really did, some people just don't want an out or they just can't, I don't think I care to know anymore. I just don't want mom to know about this, Matt is going to walk me down the aisle and we'll say dad's flight got cancelled." Y/n says before putting some eye drops in her eyes to help with the redness form crying. The two of them settled on this agreement and after hugging it out, Roxy let everyone back in the room, so that they could get the blushing bride ready.

Standing now at the other end of the aisle, where no one could yet see her, she feels the cold feet everyone has been talking about, but it was a different kind. Y/n knows she loves Austin, she knows he's the one, but the ever present question still stands: "Will marriage ruin them?". She remembers being young and just like any curious kid asking her mom about how she met her dad, it was before the fighting between them was an everyday occurrence. Her mom described someone so different from the man Y/n knew as her dad, so in her little mind she made the connection that marriage was what ruined them, then as she grew up when her parents would fight, her dad had this thing he always said: "it's been 9 torturous years" (y/n was 9) "it's been 10 horror years" (y/n was 10) "it's been 16 fucking ruined years of my life" (y/n was 16), her parents had her 7 years after getting married. At first she thought the years were just a weird coincidence, but they matched with every passing year, so she made the second obvious connection, SHE had ruined them.

Someone touching her arm gets her out of her trance, it's Matt, smiling down at her, looking so happy and proud. "I am so proud of you Y/n I've watched you grow up since you were 8 years old and I admire the woman you are now." She opens her mouth to respond but she doesn't get to, as the music started playing. "I won't let you fall, I promise" Matt whispers as they start walking in the direction of her future husband.

As they round the corner and she can finally see him, in his black suit with his caramel hair sticking in place, with his ocean blue eyes staring at her like she's the most precious thing on earth, all the doubt in her mind goes away and she knows, she knows she'll be fine.

Looking into his eyes, she can't even tell how or when she got face to face with him and it's not until Matt puts her hand in Austin's that she feels two things at the same time. She feels extremely happy and ready to make this man hers forever, but she feels the absence of her father now more than ever. "I got you, my darling!" Austin mouths to her, bringing her heart to life inside her chest, making her forget everything. Y/n nods her head at him and stepping face to face with him she smiles.

"I was blind, walking through life with tunnel vision, wanting to see only what's straight ahead of me, always focused on the next thing, never alive in the moment, then I saw you, standing in a crowded room, looking so perfect and beautiful. I bumped into you on purpose and after a few words you made my tunnel vision extend, day by day, moment by moment you made me see more, you took away my blindness and showed me the world, showed me what the quiet things in life give you, showed me what balanced is and you kept me up. I love you and I can't imagine a more perfect someone for me than you, my darling." Austin says his vows with tears in his eyes, looking at her and she feels herself wanting to start sobbing, but refrains from that, knowing it's soon to be her time, for her vows.

Clearing her throat before speaking Y/n gives the vows a quick assessment in her head. "Never blush just because a guy smiles at you, never think about a boy, never have a crush, never make the first move, never fall in love - are all affirmations I wrote in my diary as a girl thinking love was just fiction and every guy out there just wanted me for some ulterior motive, not because I was worthy of love. But then, then came Austin, with his Prince Charming smile and his perfect hair... with his soul and humor, with his heart. His heart that has been laid out to me, for me to love and take care of and for that I am so honored. I can't express how relieved I am that all I was afraid of, never came true and that all I wished to never happen, like falling in love, did happen. People find each other in the most wonderful of ways, Austin has 80% of the credit, I get 20% for looking beautiful in a crowded room."

After the vows are said, the officiant reads a few more things, before finally saying. "You may now kiss the bride." And Austin does. Leaning in, pulling Y/n flush to his chest, trying his best not to comb his hands through her neatly styled hair. It's weird how in the time they've known each other, they have kissed multiple times a day, but yet this kiss right now? This feels like the first kiss, like the best kiss, like a kiss that sealed it forever.

A few hours later everyone is sitting down at the tables, watching Timmy give his speech, one of the many speeches that were expected tonight.

"To be honest I never thought I'd be making this speech. Of course somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that the possibility was there, but I preferred to stick to that little 11 year old girl who had problems producing her "R-s"" everyone giggles at Timmy's comment about your past speech problems and you wish to be mad at him for ever disclosing such a big secret, but looking at him, fiddling with his mic, you can't. "She was always so down to earth and focused, she did have a habit of getting stuck in her head, still does, then one spring it all changed. My best friend and sister, was blushing at her phone, writing love songs, daydreaming even in the middle of conversations." Thinking back at her self, Y/n does now realize that's exactly how she acted. "I didn't give it to much thought, thinking it was just a passing thing, but it obviously wasn't, since we're all here." Austin leans in to whisper a sweet 'I love you' his hot breath brushing her neck, making shivers travel down her spine as Timmy went on with his speech. "I still remember the day I found out about that prick over there." He says pointing at Austin, who tries to playfully hide his face with the palm of his hand as Taylor turns the camera to them for a second.

Timothee giggles brushing a hand through his hair. "I never wanted to kill somebody like I did that day. I mean you have to give it to me, she was my girl, my little sister. But I'm happy to say that Austin proved himself to be quite the catch, nice looking guy, tall, sweet, funny.." "I love you too Timothee!" Austin shouts, making everyone erupt with laughter. "Yeah yeah, Y/n actually slipped me a 20 asking that I say all this, you know, keep that in mind before your head explodes." Timmy jokes and Y/n smiles knowing she didn't give him any money and all he was saying was in fact coming from the heart. "I was lucky enough to witness this love story, see it evolve and I was always so captivated by this 6th sense they seem to have about each other. Y/n doesn't actually know this, and with Austin's blessing I'm telling you, that he actually had the ring he proposed with for 4 years before he finally popped the question." Y/n was somehow not surprised to find this out, she had the feeling that Austin had been ready for all this way sooner than she was, but that he had waited for her. She looks at her now husband, taking him his features and noticing every new wrinkle that decorates his face, his smile lines had gotten a lot more pronounced, a sign that the two shared many laughs together.

"And he came to me, walked into my apartment and showed me the ring. I was taken back, I didn't know what he wanted from me. Was he looking for my blessing? Did he want to know if I thought you were ready for marriage? Imma be honest with you Y/n nothing had actually prepared me for what came out of his mouth and the only person who anticipated it was you actually, just a few weeks prior." Both y/n and Austin are confused, they don't know this part of the story and are now eager to find out what Tim means .

"See 5 years ago, a few weeks before Austin came to me with the ring, Y/n and I were in Vegas, Austin was also with us, we were there to celebrate the wedding of our dear friends Taylor and Joe, but that specific moment I'm thinking about Austin wasn't with us, he was back at the hotel." Timmy looks at Y/n as if to say 'do you remember?' And she nods, remembering exactly the talk they had.

...5 years ago Las Vegas...

Walking in the summer heat in Vegas was definitely an experience, only very few places are open at this time of the day so it's pretty quiet, no need for security, just a nice walk with her best friend, before the wedding of her friend and mentor Taylor. All the wedding fuss has made Y/n think about the whole situation again, she hasn't done it in a long time, since that night at the Oscar's, when Vanessa brought the subject up. Now 5 years passed and she can admit to loving Austin just as much, if not more, of that were even possible.

Passing the stores she looks into the window displays as Timmy tells her about something, she can't remember what, because she stopped paying attention to him long ago, getting stuck in her own head. One window shop in particular makes her stop in her way, it's a small wedding boutique, the dresses displayed aren't necessarily anything she would wear, but the sight of them makes her stop mid step . Timothee notices she's stopped so he does the same, following her eyes to the dresses. A million questions get assembled in his brain as the two stare at the white fluffy dresses.

"Would you marry him?" Timmy asks in a low voice. Y/n takes a deep breath. "Some day, yes! If he'd ask me today I'd probably say 'no', but if he asks me in 3-4 years, I'll say 'yes' with all my heart" she was being very serious and Timmy had to ask. "Why 3 or 4 years? What's that number?" Y/n shrugs her shoulders and returns to walking, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I couldn't tell you, I'm just not ready yet, I feel like he is though, I've seen him looking at the rings in jewelry shops every time we pass one and I can somehow feel it in him, I can't explain." She is rendered speechless as she tries to put words together. "And do you think he knows? That you're not ready?" Timmy asks.

Just as on cue Austin walks out of their hotel, noticing the two friends walking and waving at them before walking their way. She looks at him with bright eyes, her whole face lighting up at the sight of him. "He does."

...present time...

"'He does!' Was all she said, before he reached us and we never spoke about it again. I saw back then that she could see herself dressed into one of those gowns shaped like a pastry and I saw it hurt to admit that she was not ready for it, but I also saw how much comfort it gave her, that she knew Austin understood. Now why I say she's the only person to anticipate Austin is because of the talk he and I had when he showed up with the ring also 5 years ago, but weeks after my talk with Y/n."

...5 years ago...

"So you're going to ask her to marry you?" Timmy finally speaks, looking at Austin with a unreadable expression. Austin can feel himself breaking a sweat and taking a big gulp of water from his glass, he licks his lips, getting ready to speak. "Well.. actually.. I know she's not ready." Timmy let's out a relieved breath, because he was only thinking back to his talk with Y/n and he knew that if Austin were to answer differently, he would have had to be the one to tell him, what Y/n said to him back in Vegas. "She not ready, but I am, I think I've been for a while now." Timmy remembers her saying exactly that, that Austin is ready, so now Timmy's only fear is that Y/n was wrong and Austin wasn't going to wait for her, that he was going to leave her over this. "I'm going to wait, I'll see it in her eyes when she's ready, I can't say when that will be? Maybe 3 or 4 years."

...present time...

"'Maybe 3 or 4 years.' The fucker knew, how he knew I couldn't tell you. But that's why I told you all of this, because they've always known and they've been one step ahead of each other. There is no logical explanation other than the fact that they were meant for each other. I love you sœur and I'm happy that you found your person." Tears bream Timmy's eyes as he gives the microphone to Taylor, going straight to Y/n to hug both her and Austin.

Taylor waits for the moment to calm and then she smiles brightly at the couple. "I met Y/n when she was 16, a very difficult age, when you go through a lot of challenges and changes. I think part of why I was so attracted to her as a human being was because I saw myself in her. After meeting her I had promised myself to keep in touch, to guide her as much as I could, maybe this way she would not make my mistakes. So imagine my surprise when she walked into one of my studio sessions and she wrote an entire Love verse, only to later admit to me in the car, teary eyed, that it was about Austin. I was happy for her, but I was also terrified, he was her first love and that is a very important title, because you never forget it. Somehow all the stars aligned and she met the one who seems to be forever. A few months into her relationship with Austin, she and I found ourselves back into the studio and we were re-recording my version of Speak Now, on there I have this vault song, called "timeless" . After I played her that song she started crying and she said to me 'Sing this when I get married!' So I'd be a bad friend to not do it."

Taylor gets down at the piano that the band used and starts playing the cords of the song Y/n loves so much. Austin grabs her hand and guides Y/n to the center of the dancing ring, pulling her into his chest and swaying away to the sound of the song. Eyes locked into hers, he smiles at Y/n and both of them know that they really were timeless and that soon years would've passed and they would looks back at the pictures smiling, because even in a different life she would've turned his head in a crowded room.

...4 years after the wedding...

Life takes us on mysterious roads, some bumpy, some slippery and some easy going, but never boring. She was 19 and he was 29 when the met, it all seemed so forbidden and wrong, neither of them had the courage to dream to a future so unbelievable as the one they are living in.

"Austin don't get her wet, I didn't bring a change of clothes!" Y/n shouts at her husband, as he walks hand in hand with their 2 year old straight to the water. "Don't worry, I won't!" Austin shouts back laughing and Y/n closes her eyes, knowing full well that he definitely will. She enjoys the warm weather of September in L.A., angling her face towards the shy sun, as she pats her stomach, that has yet to start showing her pregnancy, event though she can swear that she feels the tiniest bit of a baby bump. She hasn't told Austin yet, but she's thinking of doing it soon, maybe today. She still remembers the day she told him about Manon.

... 3 years ago...

For the past week Y/n has been feeling like something was off, like she was just waiting for a cold to catch up to her and put her in bed for a few days. So she thought it's better to get ahead of it, that's why she's now in the waiting room at the doctor with Matt, Austin was away filming and she didn't feel like driving.

When her name gets called in she gets up and goes to talk with the doctor. After a short talk her doctor hands her a pink box and instructs her to go into the bathroom. Y/n has missed periods before, because of stress and just because periods are sometimes irregular. Her and Austin were using condoms and she doesn't remember it ever breaking or them forgetting to use one. Her anxiety is through the roof as the nurse draws her blood while she and the doctor wait for the test to come with an answer. "Here you go mrs Butler!" The doctor says when the timer beeps, but Y/n doesn't have the courage to look, asking the doctor to do it. "Well this one seems to be a positive, we will also do the blood test to confirm, but if you are comfortable I have an ultrasound and we could have a look." Y/n agrees and after getting her blood drawn, she lays down on the table with her shirt up, as the doctor puts the gel on her lower abdomen.

The doctor turns the screen to her and she doesn't really understand what she's looking at, until the doctor points to a white dot in the sea of black. "That I would say is a healthy pregnancy at about 5-6 weeks."

She leaves the doctor's office white in the face, which concerns Matt a bit, but he doesn't ask more than 'are you ok?' Knowing that she'll tell him when it's time for him to know.

Y/n lived the next 3 days until the last test came back as a zombie, not really talking or eating. Even Austin noticed the difference through the phone, but he could leave the set of the movie he was directing so he was counting on Timmy to tell him what's happening, only no one knew.

Straight after the blood work confirmed that she was in fact pregnant she drove herself that day to her gynecologist and she did all the tests possible, there was no doubt, she was going to be a mom. She cried in her car all the way back to her place and then cried for another few hours in her bed, clutching to her chest the tiny black and white pictures the doctor had given her. She was scared, scared of not being a good enough mom.

When she calmed down, Y/n picked up the phone and called Austin's phone, not caring that with the time difference he was sleeping. "Y/n?!" Austin responded in his sleepy voice and she broke down crying just hearing his voice. "Come home!" Was all she said before closing the phone on him and crying again.

Austin jumped up in bed, took his phone and documents in a small backpack, called his manager James and had him book the first flight back to New York City. He drove like a mad man, making it to the gate of the plane last. The 5 hour long flight felt like forever and the 50 minute drive from the airport back to Y/n's place felt like torture. When he walked in he was greeted by their pets, 4 cats and 2 dogs, but no sight in Y/n. His heart was racing and going to their bedroom he found her asleep, for a second he feared that she was dead, but then he saw her chest move with each breath and calmed down. "Y/n!" Austin said desperately, kneeling next to her bed and caressing her face. She opened her eyes with a flutter of her lashes, handing him the crinkled up picture that she was holding to her chest. Austin knew what it was, he had seen this type of picture at his sister, at his friends and even at Roxanne 2 years ago when she and Joshua had their son.

His blue eyes looked at her, scared to ask, but hopeful. "I'm pregnant!"

... present ...

Her calm is disturbed by the squeaking of her daughter, Manon and the laughter of her husband. Y/n opens her eyes, just in time to see Manon escape her father's arms and runs straight into the water. Austin is quick to catch her but not before she gets all wet, so he's now bringing a very upset, drenched little lady, to her mama. Y/n pull up the big beach towel and taking of her daughter's wet clothes, she wraps her up in the fluffy towel, holding her close. Austin sits next to them cuddling close, the two parents squishing their kid into a sandwich of love.

"Told you!" Y/n tells him giggling and he smiles in disbelief, shaking his head, leaning in to touch his lips to hers. Even now 13 years later the meet of their lips makes the two of them melt from the inside like it was the first time. "I love you!" He says, peppering kisses all over her face, to the shell of her ear, making her shiver, a soft whimper leaving her lips. Austin pulls back and looks at the blonde girl wrapped up in the beach towel, sleeping soundlessly. These two girls right here, are his whole world and his heart actually aches with how much love his has for them. He sees Y/n in every feature of their daughter and he's so happy to be a dad. Just then like struck by lightning Austin looks up at Y/n, who just like him, was looking at the small child sleeping. He could look at Y/n forever, she always looked so beautiful. Now that he was 44 he could see the age catching up to him when he looked in the mirror, but she, she looked like she did all those years ago when she stole his heart without even knowing. "Can we have another?" Austin finds himself saying before he can stop the words from leaving his mouth.

Y/n looks up at him in surprise and smiles. "Already beat you to it!" She laughs taking his big hand in hers and guiding it over her stomach. "Really? But we?" "We weren't trying" was what he wanted to say and Y/n nods knowingly. "We didn't the first time, maybe we should sue the condom company." She jokes and they both laugh.

Watching the sunset together all felt right, everything felt like it was supposed to. Austin and Y/n have everything they dreamed and more, life always finding ways of surprising them in the most beautiful of ways. And the both reminisce over the past 14 years, thinking back to the Delicate beginning rush, that started it all and being thankful for all the stars that aligned in their advantage.

"I love you my darlings!" Austin says, kissing Y/n’s temple.

The end!

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[bbanghiitomi]

PART III: you give me headaches...

| masterlist | previous | next |

synopsis: first day of trial will surely put some pressure into your bones, but you'd rather think about how annoyingly enchanting this prosecutor is than the sudden need to scream in embarrassment — add the fact your client isn't cooperating.

pairing: idol!prosecutor!mdanielle × non-idol!defense-lawyer!fem!reader

U⁠ ⁠´⁠꓃⁠ ⁠`⁠ ⁠UU⁠ ⁠´⁠꓃⁠ ⁠`⁠ ⁠UU⁠ ⁠´⁠꓃⁠ ⁠`⁠ ⁠UU⁠ ⁠´⁠꓃⁠ ⁠`⁠ ⁠UU⁠ ⁠´⁠꓃⁠ ⁠`⁠ ⁠UU⁠ ⁠´⁠꓃⁠ ⁠`⁠

Day 2: Trial

"i think i've done enough voice training for this." you mutter, arms crossed on your chest as you breathe steady breaths — you would love to not think about anything other than the amount of trust mrs. jeon has put on you. it's like gambling, considering the fact you've never really been into an actual courtroom before. "you sure did! i've never heard you as loud as you are today before." hyein bobs her head with a proud smile, you definitely have a loud voice but a very gentle personality — can get snarky but very easily embarrassed.

"you think i'm gonna be fine?" you ask hyein, pulling your arms off of your chest and opening your hands to show off your sweaty palms. hyein laughs and shakes her head. "ah, you think too much! just chill, the worst thing that could happen today is mr. jeon getting a guilty verdict." she shrugs, you look at her with a sweaty forehead, hoping to god she won't manifest a bad fate.

"oh you don't say that..." you wish min heejin was here to give you a heads up, it's not good for your health to be absolutely shaken by a bad verdict, disappointing mr. jeon and his wife that he obviously loves very much.

apparently, mr. jeon likes to differ.

"come on judge! just give me that g-verdict already!" he shouts with all his chest puffed up as he is being escorted by the bailiffs to the lobby. you grimace, completely not understanding what's gotten into your client, why is he like this?

"that's bad, why does he want a guilty verdict so bad." you mutter to yourself as you tap your shoes on the floor, hyein sighs and scratches the back of her head. it's not the first time she's seen clients like this, her mama has gone through the same before based on her stories.

but knowing you, you're probably about to piss your pants now.

"that's probably just what he thinks, he must be thinking that he's guilty." hyein tries to calm your spirits down, but there's nothing as bad as hearing your client blatantly admitting his crimes, it's ridiculous!

how do you have more faith for him than he does with himself?

is it just right you hold on to his innocence when he doesn't even see it?

this is so messed up.

"mr. jeon please don't say that. we all know you're innocent." you tell him, making sure to make a very serious eye contact with him. he seems to shift his gaze away, not wanting to look at you straight in the eyes — you feel something click inside you, this must be some sort of a habit he does when something isn't right.

you ignore it and sigh. "well then, i'm going to need your full participation in the trial. your wife believes you, she's going to be really sad if you get a verdict other than not guilty." you continue, raising a brow at him. he ignores your remark and continues to do his thing before he finally things of answering.

"see if i care. i just gotta let things go which way it wants, there's no fighting back — you get what i'm saying?" he tells you, you grumble and bite your inner cheek. "i don't get it." you tell him.

there's a pair of footsteps right behind him, and you assume the big man has got to be his father.

"don't just say things like that, listen to your lawyer, young man." his father scolds him, you give the old man a look before nodding.

"we've been doing this business for so long, and you want me to be scared of some prosecutor!? beside, i'm not gonna find any other job when this is what i was made for." mr. jeon argues, and you start to worry about what kind of job his family has, you feel your knees tremble and you couldn't help but laugh sheepishly.

"you don't know what you're talking about." his father says.

hyein looks at the father-son duo and you, before chuckling. "sounds like, they've been doing some good voice training too." she says, you put a hand on your forehead before sighing.

you start to sweat harder and thinking to yourself.

this isn't good, how come i have not realized this sooner? i'm so screwed, why have i never thought of talking to my client before this trial?

10:00AM — District Court, Room 304.

"the court is now in session for the trial of jeon heojoon." there's other people inside the courtroom beside you, hyein, danielle, the judge and the defendant. you already expected this but it still feels like something you never knew was about to come.

you know what to say. "the defense is ready, your honor!" you say, hoping your voice wasn't as loud.

danielle giggles, snapping her finger. "i'm ready as always, your honor." with so much confidence, she tells the court.

you're so screwed, you don't like the way she's looking at you with her glimmering eyes, the way she's currently looking like an absolute star.

god, you hope she'd disappear from your sight.

but that's just not possible right now, beside the lights and the expensive accessories on her— she's just probably one of those things inside this courtroom that shines so bright it could hurt your eyes.

you hate it at the same time it's mesmerizing.

"as always, danielle doesn't fail to impress everyone." hyein shakes her head with a playful sigh, you hate how accurate it was — danielle is just truly... impressive without much effort.

"ah prosecutor danielle, you're back! long time no see, were you on a leave absence?" the judge asks, looking over his seat, seemingly fond of danielle's presence.

ah — how do you compete with that?

"oh, you know i've had so much free time that i have thought of joining a girl group for fun. we've been doing quite well and i just thought i'd give the career a much deserved attention." hyein watches as danielle talks, it seems like hyein herself knows how important the group is to danielle and her performance as a member too. you would hate to admit that they're very close but it's just the truth.

unfortunately not close enough for hyein to know anything other than danielle's life as an idol.

"it's just hard to say no to your fans when our songs went super viral, right hyein?" you look at hyein who perks up at the mention of her name and laughs and you don't fail to notice her thick australian accent. "oh yeah! say judge, what's your fave song!?" hyein asks, smiling at the judge who immediately starts thinking to himself.

"ah! i love your songs but my favorite would have to be super shy! such a great song." you grimace, starting to think everything here is just a huge joke to them — you're seriously about to cry, it's not helping that the sudden surge of fear starts crawling up and they're all laughing!

"ah... i was a bit worried. you might still be concerned about that one trial." the judge says, danielle shakes it off and looks at you. "i wouldn't want to miss this one, your honor. this is worth more than any fanmeets and photocards of my group, right? i'm also curious about what this girl has to bring to the table — min heejin's cute little minion!" she says with so much enthusiasm, you furrow your brows but ignore it before shaking your head.

hyein does nothing but just stare at danielle doesn't say anything too, you think — she might be thinking about something but doesn't want to say as it was out of her usual.

with a hit of the gavel, you know it's time to take your stand seriously.

"understood, now will you start giving your opening statements?" the judge tells danielle, but she shakes her head with a mischievous smile on her face.

"can i say something? isn't this courtroom too serious?" she says, the judge widens his eyes and speaks. "it is the court of law after all."

"we need to get the audience jumping up and pumped up." she snaps her fingers and the courtroom starts playing some stupid music, to which you grumble and the judge looks at her in disbelief.

"the audiences are not going to jump! this is a courtroom!" he scolds the prodigy prosecutor.

"in order for me to get down to prosecuting, i need to get up first! so, the victim — a doctor in the seoul center, dr. park minseok was found driving a food truck inside the public freedom park." danielle starts explaining, a very proud and distinctive smile on her pretty face. you stare at her in disbelief as you watch her from the other side.

"oh why? i wonder why a doctor would be driving around using a food truck?" the judge asks, danielle nods and looks at the judge. "oh well? the only way to find out is to ask the defendant, right? because it's an undeniable truth that mr. jeon shot dr. park." danielle finishes.

you look at her before swallowing a lump in your throat. "calling it, undeniable, seems a bit of a stretch." you tell the prosecutor, who then only gives you a smile before leaning on the bench and gesturing to mr. jeon.

"hey, if you're going to glare at anyone, why not do it to your brave client? because his crime was witnessed, quite clearly." she argues back, calmer than you will ever be. you sigh and look at the judge who nods his head.

"oh very well, please admit this witness to the stand." he says and danielle snaps her fingers and in less than a second, the courtroom became silent, every chatters die down and it leaves everyone, you, the judge, and hyein all in a state of confusion.

"i swear, i'm starting to think danielle's a fairy." you roll your eyes as hyein speaks.

danielle stands there, not saying anything until the judge says something. "what's the matter?"

danielle shakes her head. "judge, what about the motive? why would the son of a very famous family, intend to murder a doctor?" you widen your eyes before slamming your hand on the bench.

"objection!" you shout, your voice echoing the whole room and surprising the judge. "that's! no! mr. jeon does not have to explain anything!" danielle only laughs and smiles at you, endearingly.

"but what if he wants to? he requested that he gives a shout out to his gang." the judge widens his eyes when he hears danielle say that, he hits the gavel. "what does that mean!?" he asks, the chatters grow louder.

no way... this is! unfair! you think to yourself.

"when our manager tells us to hit the stage with heat and ferocity, danielle really did huh? she got you good." hyein comments causing you to rub your forehead with a deep sigh.

"well then, it's unusual but we may have the defendant stand about his motives." the judge says.

right there, you know you'd be screwed. it may not be over yet, but it's just starting... danielle might no go easy on you...

[lunas-otome-blog]

Luna's Review: Café Enchanté

Official Summary:

When Kotone inherits her grandfather’s Tokyo café, she discovers the shop holds more secrets than anyone could imagine.

The café is a meeting spot for beings from multiple, mystical worlds. You’ll meet the king of demons, a humanoid beast, a fallen angel, and more.

And when government agents monitoring non-human activities show up at your door, your new café is about to become a lot more colorful.

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(Spoiler Free) Luna's Thoughts:

(Just as a reminder, I'm writing this for myself to keep track of my thoughts and leave a record of the games I've played. Others are welcome to read and feel free to provide your own thoughts, but please, no hate! They're just my opinions, nothing more.)

I was excited for this game. The premise sounded amazing: a cute cafe full of magical beings from other worlds? Sign me up! I love the colorful cast of characters, and the art is undoubtedly gorgeous.

But, while I enjoyed elements of this game, the setting falls apart almost immediately, and has very little to do with any of the routes, with the exception of the true end. The whole game is actually incredibly dark, complete with bloodshed and death in every route, which is normally not a bad thing, but it feels a bit misleading here.

You're told almost at once that the cafe is somehow sustained on payments from only a handful of romanceable characters, none of which use human currency or seem to have jobs that would involve payment, with the exception of the one human bachelor Rindo. This is nitpicky, I know, but I found it frustrating because it would have been so easy to write a way around this.

Let me be clear that I don't necessarily mind a game with a ridiculous premise. I love Mystic Messenger, and the entire game hinges on the fact that you have moved into a stranger's apartment and have somehow remotely taken on party planning for a charity group of people you haven't met. But the thing about Mystic Messenger is that the ridiculousness is upfront, right at the beginning, and once you get past it and accept the game for what it is, you can enjoy it.

This is not so with Cafe Enchante. There are many times in this game where just a little more thought could have made things make more sense. To me, the whole game was plagued with sloppy writing and baffling plot details that could have easily been avoided or explained in a different way — not to mention the litany of literal editing errors. It's also not translated very well in places — or maybe it is, and just written poorly in its original Japanese. Either way, it reads awkwardly a lot of the time

Overall, I was not impressed with this game. It just goes to show that pretty artwork and a fun initial premise do not necessarily make a good product.

Below are my thoughts on each route in the order I played them.

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(SPOILERS BEGIN HERE)

Ignis Carbunculus Route

This is the route I got first, without trying. I actually did not want to get Ignis first, because I figured he was the tsundere character in this game, and I like to do those a bit later. He's actually not particularly tsundere at all, just hypermasculine and therefore not great at expressing emotions other than rage.

This is one of the darkest and, in my opinion, one of the laziest-written routes in the game. You're expected to believe that Ignis went on a rage, literally killed and ate many of his own people, including his family, forgot about it and then just continues on with his life, only to be conveniently reminded of his dark past at the right moment to advance the game. And the rest of his clan has been tolerating him because they're afraid of him, and for whatever reason, Ignis has never noticed everyone hates or fears him??

Ignis is also the only member of his species who can eat. The rest don't need to because they're born with all the calories they need for the rest of their lives apparently, meaning the beasts of the literal beast world don't kill each other for food, just sport. And oh, yeah, that's somehow also Ignis' fault.

I felt like this route could have been simplified in a way that made more sense. Instead, the writers had a vision and manipulated many small details to make the rest of the game work within that vision, resulting in a lot of strange decisions.

I'm aware this game isn't meant to be realistic, but Ignis' whole plotline seemed very contrived. It's like they had something written already but realized certain elements weren't congruent with other aspects of the game, so they just...manipulated elements of Ignis' route until it kind of fit.

Overall, I think Ignis' route was my least favorite. It felt the most rushed, the least polished, and assumed a lot of things conveniently went unnoticed for years in Ignis' life. There was just too much coincidence in this route for me.

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(SPOILERS)

Il Fado de Rie Route

This was the second route I played, and overall my favorite route. It felt the most cohesive out of all the characters, and it was the longest aside from the true end.

That doesn't mean I don't have my gripes with it. My biggest one is that Il, who has apparently based his entire personality, including his name, on an otome game character, makes the baffling decision to tell Kotone about the game and literally recommend she try that character's route first, only to immediately regret it when he realizes she's going to notice something is off.

Like, I could understand it if the personalities were just similar, but he took the name, too. I cannot believe he would be so stupid as to forget the game that he stole his persona and name from and then just freely give away that information. What pisses me off so much is that Kotone could have so easily encountered this information on her own. Have her buy the game independently to surprise Il, and then discover the overlap herself. Why on earth would he just give her that information? It's lazy writing.

I did really enjoy how angels are basically human androids and god is a supercomputer. That was rad as hell and is a brilliant explanation for why angel magic is math based. I'd say this route has the best worldbuilding, including the gorgeous pretty-boy side characters.

I don't feel completely satisfied with how Il's route was resolved, as there's still some question to how much of his personality is his own, but ultimately it was the most solid route in the game. I didn't think I would like Il as I don't particularly enjoy his character archetype, but in the end I was pretty attached to him. His characterization in the true end route was adorable as well, and I adore his friendship with Misyr.

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(SPOILERS)

Kaoru Rindo Route

Rindo was my second favorite route in the game. I think it's super funny that Kotone keeps talking about their age gap even though he's the second youngest character in the game at 42 years old.

His route is also (to my knowledge) the only route that lets you just straight up kill the person you're trying to romance, although it does dead end the game if you make the choice not to save him when you can.

The worst part of this route for me what the treatment of Rindo's sister, Shizuku. She doesn't get a proper sprite in her human form, so you have no idea what she looked like, and it makes it kind of hard to feel anything for her. I did like the utter horror of watching Mikado feed her with his blood with no explanation.

This is one of the darkest routes and the only one where a side character with a sprite actually dies. And when he does, you feel bad for him because he was just trying to protect the woman he loves.

It did feel a little predictable to have Rindo become non-human after oodles of conversations about whether or not humans and non-humans can have relationships. Honestly the game writers are cowards for not making Rindo look more extreme as a non-human. Make him a freak!!

I do appreciate that he remains non-human at the end, though. I feel like forcing him to become human again would have eliminated any of the growth he made during the route.

Personality-wise, Rindo is one of the cuter characters IMO. He's flirty but as soon as things get serious he backs off. Super adorable!

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(SPOILERS)

Canus Espada Route

This route was...ok. Just ok.

Honestly, I was bored through most of it. I can't really say why. It just didn't appeal to me that much.

Right at the beginning it annoyed me by assigning a gender to Vennia. Like, he could have just been left nonbinary. It's canon in this game that fairies don't have genders anyway, so it would have been fine to continue using they/them pronouns. I guess otome games haven't gone that way yet but it would have been nice.

I did like Vennia's relationship with Titania, and in the end, when he betrays Kotone, it felt natural. You can't hate him because you know he just wants to protect his sister.

I thought maybe his headlessness would be plot relevant but on the contrary, we get literally no explanation for why he's headless and nobody else is. I get that they wanted to make him an interesting character, but we know his ancestor was not headless, so why is he? Aren't there other dullahans in Medio?

I do think it's hilarious that we don't ever get to see his face. The implication is that he does in fact have one, so I had predicted it would be revealed as part of his route, but they stuck to their guns and kept him headless throughout the entire route.

Idk why I wasn't impressed with this route. Worldbuilding-wise it was one of the more solid storylines. It just wasn't particularly shocking or interesting to me, so I didn't love it, but I suppose I didn't hate it either.

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(SPOILERS)

Misyr Rex Route

This route was, quite frankly, absolutely ridiculous. This was the most obvious case of having an overall idea and not having the skills to execute it well.

So many things happened just because Misyr willed it to. For example, he gains magic powers and a semi-human form simply because he wanted to visit a four-year-old on earth? How does that even happen? This is already ignoring the fact that he transformed into an ash monster through forced evolution or whatever, which is already a stretch, mind you.

And if that's not ridiculous enough, we then get introduced to Noah, who is somehow an entire world. I actually found him to be more interesting of a character than Misyr, now that we know that Misyr's entire life consists of going to one cafe and doing nothing all day.

The most disappointing part of this route was Asmodeus, who was largely not relevant at all other than the initial shock of realizing Misyr wasn't the demon king. Why bother making such an annoying character for a brief gag? He could have been so much more but instead he's reduced to an unlikable flirt who kidnaps Kotone in order to provide an excuse for a cute CG, and then we barely see him ever again.

This whole route stinks of worldbuilding with no consideration for how certain elements would affect the rest of the world. You know how sometimes worlds in fictional programs (ie: Black Mirror) build their entire concepts around one aspect of society and don't bother fleshing out everything else? That's basically this whole route in a nutshell. It falls apart under the tiniest bit of scrutiny.

To top it off, the good ending of this route, and therefore the whole game, involves Kotone becoming the world herself, largely losing her human form, now cursed to live for eternity as a realm that turns people to ash????? Who decided this would be a satisfying ending for an otome game?

The one element I did like was the explanation for why non-humans look so much like humans. I think it's super cool that humans used to have superior technology and lost it and everything else grew from that. I like the biblical references as well.

Ultimately, though, this was a disappointing way to end the game for me.

[joannerenaud]

Enchant the Heavens review

I've been revisiting a lot of my favorite old historicals since my beloved kitty Peggy died about a month ago, and one of them is Enchant the Heavens by Kathleen Morgan.

When I was a college student I loved romance novels, particularly historical romance, even though most of my friends at the time thought it was ridiculous and made fun of me for reading them. It made me even more stubborn, and I clung to the genre like a barnacle onto the hull of a ship. However, there was one book at the time that was too cheesy even for me, and that was Enchant the Heavens.

I found the cover embarrassing. Look, my teenage self thought, the hero’s hands look like he’s about to crack the heroine’s skull! And the hero, Marcus, was so earnest. The book was so earnest. The culture at the time was saturated with snark and irony, and sadly, I was not immune. I set the book down.

Years later, in 2011, I revisited Enchant the Heavens, and I found myself… well, enchanted. I was swept away by the epic nature of the story and the endearing characterizations. And I reread it just a week ago. I admit, I was afraid the suck fairy might’ve visited it over the intervening years. But I found myself devouring it happily just as I did all those years ago. And it’s good.

Enchant the Heavens was the first novel Kathleen Morgan ever wrote, and it was a labor of love. It’s a big, passionate, visceral, breathtakingly earnest romance.The story involves a British chieftain’s daughter, Rhianna, and the Roman governor’s nephew, Marcus, during Boudicca’s revolt, and their love is an anguished, star-crossed love that takes a great deal of blood and tears and hard work to resolve. Unlike most romances set during this period, the Celts aren’t romanticized into nature-loving New Agers, and the Romans aren’t evil. And neither the heroine or hero give up their cultures or identities in the end; in fact they work on uniting their communities in the aftermath of war. It’s mature and refreshing.

The language does have a lot of archaicisms that kind of annoying. ‘Twould! ’Twas! Naught! Okay… You just have to run with it. But if you’re willing to dive in, there is a lot to love about it. Rhianna is not afraid of revenge, or using her sword, which is really delightful (to avoid spoilers, I won’t tell you who she kills). Marcus is a reasonable guy too, but there’s just the right amount of deeply felt angst that is perfect for a story about forbidden love. Sometimes I feel that Marcus and Rhianna verge on being idealized archetypes then actual people, but it kind of fits with how epic and operatic the story is. (It really captures the vibe of ancient Irish stories like Deirdre, which was the author’s intention.) The author walks the line of having them be larger-than-life figures, but they still grow and change, from a thoughtless girl and a career-driven aristocrat to a responsible, compassionate leader and a humbled man ready to sacrifice his dreams to help his lover and her people.

The research put into this book isn’t perfect— towards the end of the book, there’s an hummingbird, native to the Americas, in Rome — but it’s thorough and thoughtful, and I liked the depiction of the historical figures. For example, the depiction of Nero, who has a brief and memorable cameo, is almost miraculous in how… sensible it is (and ahead of its time given this was written long before the current reassessment of Nero and the 2020 show at the British Museum). There’s no orgies or lions or gladiators or martyred Christians or any other cliches that I’ve seen over and over again in the few historical romances set in this period. It’s astonishing.

Anyway, this book is long. It’s also epic and sweeping in every possible way, and I have a feeling a good chunk was left on the cutting room floor. I would kill to have the original, unedited draft. Rhianna’s relationships with her friends Eilm and Cordaella are given short shrift. Also I feel the destruction of Camulodunum, and Rhianna’s role in it, was also cut a lot. I would have liked to see more of that, and Rhianna coming to terms with how her actions affected innocent civilians.

But the pacing, given how long it is, is surprisingly tight. I thought the consistent themes of freedom, symbolized by the goshawk, was really beautifully done; not heavy-handed, but subtle; and the story really embraces the pagan religions of the time in a way that’s delightful. There’s so much I can’t get into, or this review would be twice as long. There’s battles, druids, psychic visions, continent-spanning political intrigue, murder, and possibly supernatural white boars sent by the gods.

And the ending is really satisfying. I wish it were 20 to 30k longer, but it’s great as it is. It’s an absolute banger of a story. It’s not perfect but I’d give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Of course, what really sucks about it all is that this was going to be the beginning of a series, and the hero’s best friend Quintus was going to get a sequel.

There was, in fact, one sequel (Enchant the Dream) featuring the heroine’s brother Cerdic. But then the author converted to Christianity sometime in the late 90s, and her entire pre-conversion historical and fantasy backlist are completely unavailable. (Of course, her post conversion backlist is available.)

It pisses me off so much, because Enchant the Heavens is so good! And I wanted to see Quintus’s story! But that’s never going to happen. And there’s never going to be a legal digital copy of this book either, because the author has seemingly disavowed it.

But we’ll always have Enchant the Heavens, and even if Morgan wants to forget her pagan past, I am grateful she wrote this book. I highly recommend it.

[mortuarywriting]

📚 🧚‍♀️ Just one or both if you'd like 👉👈

I can do both!! These were super neat to think on!! the second one is absolutely why this gets a read more. I went off the shits. So sorry about that.

📚 how do you come up with the fics you write

Hmmm sometimes it's seeing the right prompt, sometimes its seeing ideas being tossed around and thinking on it, sometimes its taking the canon and seeing how a seemingly small but significant shift would impact it and how that would domino effect! I love playing with worldbuilding sandboxes so much that sometimes the fics themselves fall to the wayside ">>

🧚‍♀️ favorite characters of all time

OUGH this is such a hard one!! How do you choose a favorite child!! I'll scoop from the top and be read for filth for it I think but. Worth it i think. Anyway you get them alphabetically

Auron - Final Fantasy X

This is it. This is your story. It all begins here.

I. boy I am really not immune to Dark Knights in the FF franchise the more I think about it but! Auron has always been such a good character and I associate him so much with a song I LOVE... Auron is just one of my favorite companions, I love the insight he brings and how he was a Guardian for Yuna's Father as well as her. He's also one of Two Nickels I realize I'd have for Dark Knights in Final Fantasy Game who [REDACTED].

Death - Darksiders 2

All who live know my name, all who oppose me shall know Death.

Caaan't find a decent pic of him and I don't really wanna go and redownload the whole game for screenshot purposes yet. Aywho-

Darksiders 2 is all about Death, the oldest of the Nephilim/Horsemen of the Apocalypse proving the innocence of his brother War (seen lower in the list) for the crime of allegedly starting the Apocalypse early. Between this game and the Abomination Vault book preceding any of the games I really appreciate these two, Death being a ridiculously smart but also an apathetic asshole who only cares for a small handful, plays things close to his chest... He's a neat character and I appreciate just how far ahead he seems to plan and the lengths he'll go to make sure it all goes as he wants it to. Metal as hell.

Because War has his I also have to show Death's horse so this is Despair

And this is his Reaper Form

Fray Myste - Final Fantasy XIV

Bastard of the Brume, Fray was taken in by Ser Ompagne and became trained in becoming a Dark Knight with Sidurgu. By the time we meet them Ompagne is long dead, and Fray has just been defeated in a duel.

We find Fray, pick up the Dark Knight Soul crystal from where it had fallen beside him, and he becomes your mentor upon your waking up. You touched something that would hurt yourself and others along the way and BOY HOWDY does he have excellent threats of violence. Will follow you around on your job quests and heal you while you're being a dumb tank. He writes your quest journal entries and is such a sassy bloodthirsty shit

Fray is the other of the Two Nickels I realize I'd have for Dark Knights in Final Fantasy Game who [REDACTED].

Jarlaxle Baenre - Forgotten Realms

I am Jarlaxle. I have been everywhere.

Lets start with Jarlaxle was born the third son of the Highest House in Menzoberranzan- a city where the houses are constantly trying to kill the house ahead of them for status and do so to not get caught, their goddess Lolth favoring those who get away with no evidence to damn themselves. To that end there's a firm rule enforced by Lolth- every third son is to be sacrificed to her- two male children are expendable and acceptable but any further are sacrificed after birth.

Jarlaxle's mother, ruler of the highest house and having kept that seat for Ages, went to acquiesce with that upon Jarlaxle's birth.

Lolth told her no. Jarlaxle was to live, he was too interesting.

He has since made this an everyone else problem. Man has connections in the underdark and surface, everything he wears is in some form enchanted, he's proficient with just about everything, and he is so fascinated with various things and just wants to see what happens next and how it can help him get ahead. I love him. I wanna study him under a microscope. Every character that's been in a campaign he's turned up in has vibe checked him and decided they want out of the room right now immediately. Most notably my dude who was sometimes part moose said "I'd like to leave, actually"

Urick - Drakengard 2

A masked man who lives a life haunted by the curse of death. Three years ago, after a tragic incident, he made a pact with the Reaper, although the price he paid for this pact is unknown. At first glance he appears to be a carefree, lively character who could never bear a grudge. However, on rare occasions, his jovial facade can't quite conceal the truth...

To preface the significance of this-

A Pact, also known as a Contract (契約 Keiyaku?) in the Japanese version, is a contract system in the world of Drakengard between a human (or other humanoid race) and a beast. By merging their souls together, the human gains supernatural powers, and both participants gain a second chance in life should either or both be close to death. The human must pay some price for the pact, and if one should be fatally injured, it means death for both unless the pact is broken. Beings who have formed a pact with each other are referred to as "pact-partners".

Urik's pact is his mortality. Straight up he does not have a heart in his chest anymore. He's just a generally chill guy and while I haven't gone through Drakengard 2 in years (thanks playstation for 0 drakengard or drakengard 2 rep) I remember him fondly. I forgot how much I loved him and that his wiki trivia describes him as "Urick is good at playing dead." The game quote they chose for him is "Just because you can't make any friends, doesn't mean you should take it out on the rest of us" which is what he says as he's about to save your character's life.

plus lookit this smile

War - Darksiders

You can look me in the eye when I kill you.

Darksiders is a game about oops, the apocalypse started on earth! Heaven and Hell start duking it out in the streets and humanity suffers for it. Humans die out, earth is in ruins, and all of it is conveniently laid at the feet of War - youngest of the Four Horsemen who has gotten in trouble for fighting with humanity before (please see left arm being fuckoff huge gauntlet. That's a prosthetic. Death cut his arm off for that bullshit in the comics).

Now, War is a man of his word and high code of honor- he said he'd leave humans be and he did. He's been framed and the Council- those in charge of keeping the balance and the bosses of the Horsemen- gives him a shot to prove his innocence and find the actual culprits with a Watcher keeping tabs and reporting back.

This is his horse, Ruin

This is his Chaos Form

War is voiced by Liam O'Brian and the Watcher is voiced by Mark Hamill. so that's fun. Samael in game could also get it but that does not a fav make.

Also fun lore fact: all the horsemen's horses are the same species. The horse just reflects the rider once they've bonded. Fun magic shit.

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

The Lawnmower Man is a film at odds with itself. The story hates and fears computers while attributing magic abilities to them. The special effects department loves computers and uses them at every opportunity, even when practical effects would’ve been far easier. In the middle is the audience, forced to suffer through terrible dialogue and a laughable plot that entertains - but only in unintended ways.

Dr. Larry Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) works for Virtual Space Industries, using psychoactive drugs and virtual reality to augment the intelligence and combat effectiveness of his test subjects. After a chimpanzee goes on a rampage, Dr. Angelo pivots his research to focus solely on the intelligence-boosting treatments. He recruits his intellectually disabled greenskeeper, Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey) as a new test subject.

Even if this film was faithfully adapting Stephen King’s 1975 short story, he would’ve wanted his name removed. It boils down to a clumsy mash-up of Flowers for Algernon and Carrie (or Firestarter). When Jobe begins the film, he looks like Harry Dunne from Dumb and Dumber. He’s hanging out with his neighbor, a kid whose cartoonish father abuses his wife and son nightly. You know it’s only a matter of time before bad dad gets his comeuppance and that it’ll probably be a gruesome lawnmower-related death. Why else would the camera linger on its ridiculous design for so long? Then again, maybe he’ll get torn apart by Jobe’s emerging telekinetic powers. As far as superpowers go, they’re pretty useful, particularly once he also learns to read minds and project his thoughts. Meanwhile, his IQ skyrockets to genius levels. Too bad all of these skills fail to impress “The Shop”, the clandestine group funding Dr. Angelo’s research. What results they were after, I don't know. Their original plan of raising an army of ape soldiers pales compared to the destructive power Jobe now wields. It must be an ego thing, as “The Director” always appears on a giant TV screen the size of an entire wall when he’s holding meetings. Whenever he shows up, his camera’s zoomed in so close he’d be a shoo-in for Big Brother.

It’s hard to tell which is more comically evil; "The Director" or Jobe’s abusive adoptive father, Father Francis McKeen (Jeremy Slate). His death is one of the film's biggest disappointments. It shatters any leftover good faith you might’ve had towards the movie. Throughout, we see many shots of virtual reality that are about as enchanting as you'd expect considering the film was made in 1992 and only had a $10 million budget. Your kind heart wants to give the movie a break, thinking "It’s the best they could do at the time." Then, Father McKeen gets it and the effect is pathetic. Worse, it’s the sort of thing that has been done better thousands of times before and since. If director Brett Leonard can't get this simple thing right, there's no point giving The Lawnmower Man the benefit of the doubt; it's a bad movie.

The villains give you plenty to laugh at. The question is, will you laugh harder at them, the random bully that works at the gas station who continuously picks on Jobe, or at the intellectual titan’s girlfriend, a wealthy divorcee who makes bad inuendos and lounge around in her nightgown all day. It’s some of the least erotic material I’ve ever seen, which makes her scenes a riot.

This movie keeps getting wilder and dumber the longer it goes but also overstays its welcome. 108 minutes is too much - though it makes me wonder what the 142-minute director’s cut is like. What else prevents The Lawnmower Man from being a true bad movie classic? Mostly, the fact that the movie is "almost there" far too often. Though you’ll get a chuckle out of the dated special effects, you can tell they might’ve been impressive way back when. It’s not like the tombstone in Plan 9 from Outer Space. Also making you feel slightly bad for laughing at the picture is the ending, which is well done.

There’s an idea in The Lawnmower Man; it never quite comes together. Though it has occasional moments where you can see what the film wants to be and it might even reach its potential, they're drowned out by dated special effects, laughable villains, failed attempts at eroticism and a plot that makes less sense the more you think about it. How they followed this up with a sequel, I have no idea. If it’s as fun as this, I can’t wait to see it. (Theatrical version, August 20, 2021)

[ladystrallan]

Once Upon a Time season 6A thoughts

I’m rewatching OUAT and I wanted to share some of my opinions on each season!

- This is all your fault Jafar…

- ‘Away, peasant!’

- Another saviour??? Okay

- Ooh captainswan makeout

- That boat/blimp is cool

- Why is Mr Hyde ridiculously overpowered???

- What is this music lol

- Omg I’m gonna cry

- They’re back in the dark one castle

- Where they first fell in love

- “I’ll make her fall in love with me again” aaaaaaaaaaa

- I missed rumbelle so much

- The beauty and the beast song…

- This is so cute

- “I blame you” WTF REGINA

- She literally treats Zelena so terribly because of robin dying

- Like it wasn’t her fault

- And she lost her true love too

- She had to kill him herself which is arguably more traumatic

- Omg yassss rumbelle kiss

- Wait noooo

- Wtf the guy is their unborn son???

- That’s kinda weird

- Noooo I hate this

- “Robin is at peace” lol he was obliterated

- OMG THE EVIL QUEEN

- “What’s a jukebox???” Love the background acting

- Woah regency era

- The count of monte cristo lol

- They ran out of fairytales and they were like um… I guess we’ll do this?

- Wtf is Regina doing there???

- Why is she wearing a mouche??? This is regency not rococo

- Literally 60% of the drama in this show is caused by Regina

- The town line is back…

- Why is he sniffing her???

- Ewwwww why is EQ flirting with rumple

- Disgusting

- How does no one notice him slowly pouring poison into the wine?

- Ooh he couldn’t kill her

- Does she remind him of his dead fiancée???

- “Hi sweetie, mommy’s back” lol

- The way she enchanted Henry’s phone

- Ooh she killed him

- “We do like it rough don’t we” nooooo

- She did a little dance

- “Oh I’m not here because of your daddy issues” lol

- The mouse running on the ‘O’ lol

- Ooh she’s marrying the footman

- I love Ashley tbh

- “I’m trying to save you” YOU LITERALLY SAID YOU BLAMED HER FOR ROBIN BEING OBLITERATED

- “You look like a trash bin and have the education of my cat” omg lol

- NOOOOO

- Not the stepmother with the gun

- “You filthy little rat” I can’t—

- Omg she stabbed her

- YASSSSS DR WHALE

- Ooh they’re moving in together

- His accent!!!

- Ew why does the EQ keep flirting with rumple

- Yasssss dark one choke him

- Wait what

- You can’t kill a half personality???

- Love this dramatic violin music

- “Technically it’s a serum” lol

- RUMPLE

- He is literally everywhere

- Every single story he is involved

- Me when I eat something spicy

- Not the rumbelle marital problems… Please just be in love

- The iconic ouat villain theme

- I HATE RUMPLE’S NEW HAIRCUT

- The long hair looked so much better

- “RISE AND SHINE” lol rumple

- OHHHH THEY KISS (Hyde and Mary)

- Yassss Rumple

- Wait wtf

- Why is Hyde unkillable… way too op

- Ohhhhh he switched the vials

- Omg did they fuck???

- “I will never love you. You are weak” OHHHHH ROASTED

- HE PUSHED HER OUT THE WINDOW OMG

- Okay Jekyll actually sucks

- Slay belle

- Omg he got impaled

- Of course they both die

- Okay just kill Regina then

- “Why did you do it?” “You” omg

- ITS JASMINE

- She was my favourite princess when I was a kid

- Love this evil sister spa day

- HE KEPT THE SHEARS

- “There will be no scurvy here” lol

- Not the step dad angst

- OMG ITS THE BROTHER

- NO NO NO NO

- Belle is going to walk in on EQ kissing Rumple…

- I can’t

- Ok good she just dropped off the pics

- Its from the underworld…

- I miss Hades :(

- EWWWWWWW Rumple x EQ/Regina

- Not this…

- DISGUSTING

- She’s turning green again!

- Omg is this the curse where one of them is always asleep???

- This could literally be the plot of a romcom

- I like how Aladdin has replaced Robin as the resident thief

- ITS THE DRAGON

- Omg he turned into a dragon

- I can’t do this anymore… Rumple x EQ is VILE

- NO DON’T KILL GIRLBOSS ZELENA

- He’s lying he still loves belle I know it

- Lol they’re trying to make us believe that EQ is more powerful than Zelena

- YASSSSS hopefully this is the beginning of a rumple redemption arc

- Why is she still blaming Zelena… omg

- Rumple has the worst most evil genes possible… pan + the dark fairy

- My prediction is that it wasn’t Rumple who used the magic on Belle

- I hate EQ

- So creepy and predatory

- “Call Jeremy” who’s Jeremy???

- AUGUST! I honestly love him

- Omg hook is all old and fat

- Not pile of bones Belle…

- Ugh that’s so stupid

- If they’re going to bring anyone back it should be Hades

- Wait how is august grown up in storybrooke??? Didn’t blue turn him back into a little boy like max 3 years ago???

How I feel about the characters this season

Love: Zelena

Like: Rumple, Belle, Hyde, Hook, August, Jasmine, Aladdin

Neutral: Emma, Snow, David, Henry

Dislike: Regina, Blue

Hate: Jekyll, The Evil Queen, Gideon

Season rating: 4/10

I kind of didn’t like this season. I did not like Regina blaming Zelena for Robin’s death, Rumbelle being broken up, or the whole Gideon plot. There were some good moments but mostly me being frustrated. I did kind of like the land of untold stories plot line though.

[disproportionatelysculpting]

I have many memories flooding in me, nostalgia has it's grip around my neck.

From that summer days lying on the floor with my cousin and falling asleep, to going to my favorite park, traffic park in Nagpur with dad and trying to reach the sky on swing to playing with a girl who became my bestie in a day or two who told me that when plane crosses from your house, don't go on roof or they will give you a rose and kidnap you and so many more insane lies, to visiting my neighbors house and watching om shanti om for first time on that bhaiya's pc to going to restaurant, Rasoighar, the name of the place, as a prize on getting good marks. I remember being enchanted by the lights there and the simple decoration that felt like wonderland to me back them. I remember feeling happy.

From sitting in train on summer vacation waiting to reach my nani's house, playing silly games with my sisters, sacrificing my eyebrows to be done with a rubber band because my sister learned that from her friend, to sharing lotte choco pie chopped into little quadrants in whole family because it was new to market and dad bought one pack with family of 9 kids and many more adults, to the time I slipped and wounded my pinky toe because me and my sister thought it would be nice idea to slip on soap floor while bathing and the cows my nani took care of, the garden was green for most times, my nana's hobby. I remember feeling home.

From watching the carpet of Parijat each morning of springs with dad while I waited to be picked up for school, to that embarrassing memory of me running in school during lunch because my parents visited school and I wanted to look cool, to all the didis and friends in my auto and that one time driver uncle treated us with popsticks, and I stained all of my shirt and skirt with it, to the colony where we waited for other students and the koyal's voices singing early morning, to the boy I danced with for school programs, to playing with all those forgotten faces and nameless humans with crayon shreds and sharpeners. But I remember I was smiling noticing things.

From chopping my hair and throwing out of balcony, front side of the apartment that too, to visiting the house beside ours that looked like a mansion to me back then, to that aunty putting mishri mala around me on Holi to stealing unripe mangoes from the trees from a neighbor's house, to going to my mausi's apartment and all those unfamiliar alleys and roads.

From the weird chaos on my birthdays to the times my dad fed me each day and how I threw a hand on dad and one on mum while sleeping to show I loved them equally while sleeping, to being recorded dancing by my dad while my mum singed the songs and I danced around and sitting on the walls watching Ganesh visharjan with nani and eating ice cream because I got my teeth removed that day from by a dentist and to the time I was left at my dad's friend house and all the fun I had with his daughters.

There are so many more I didn't wrote but those times were so nice, some were not, but most were, or they seemed. Because

From being beaten by my mother over something silly and told to sit out of house on stairs for hours until I said sorry, to my dad putting pencils in between my fingers each time I made mistake in maths, to getting scolded because I couldn't cycle properly when I was learning it to that friend's father death, I saw his dead body in coffin and people crying, I was crying in my room later, I didn't know why back then , I was a kid, death was a foreign concept, to the countless time I fell and broke my knees and lips and burnt my hand, to that night my dad was watching a robbery documentary and I had a nightmare of being kidnapped while I was sleeping in same way, to being told how house was more peaceful when I wasn't there, and that feeling of jealousy for my unborn sibling because I was scared I will lose the love I had. I remember feeling ridiculed by my mother over simple things I thought was love.

Now that I think everything seems made up, or just unreal. Do other people remember it all? was all of this only special to me? were the smiles other gave me real? because I remember it all, the happiness I felt as a kid in this little things, how life was just simply colored and some things have left such a deep memory in me, they resurface once in a while drowning me in memories I want to relive. Those 2 and a half year of my life seems the only happy period I had in constant, ever since then I have had happy moments but not a happy period of life. I wish it didn't lose it colors and every feeling stayed the same. But is that past even same as I remember? would it have been different if we never moved here, if I didn't turn out like this? If my family didn't got more problems added? would things be different if my life like the memories never changed? I am mourning the life I lives and grieving the lost potential, but is there any way that went back and stayed same?

[fortheturnstiles]

2, 10, and 42 for movie asks!!!!!

2. Your most rewatched movie 

to no one's surprise... THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!!!! letterboxd tells me i've logged it 12 times but i know i've definitely seen it more than that, my running count for midnight shows is somewhere between 15-20 by now i believe?? truly a mystery but i've seen that damn movie so many times i can see it projected onto the insides of my eyelids when i close my eyes. second to that is stop making sense which i put on often because i'll be listening to talking heads and think 'i could just be watching stop making sense, the greatest movie ever made, right now' and then i do :)

10. Favorite movies from your childhood

i'm interpreting this one as movies that were my favorite when i was a child. i was a big shrekhead as a kid. i think i liked Shrek 2 the most. there was also a period of time where i was absolutely Obsessed with the 1968 musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang starring dick van dyke and sally ann howes. the song that was the most enchanting to me was 'doll on a box' where the two of them pretend to be giant wind-up dolls and perform a song in front of the evil monarchs. i think i was fascinated by the way dick van dyke moves (i also remember liking mary poppins a great deal). i also was shown a lot of studio ghibli movies, my parents must have found out that Kiki's Delivery Service existed and put it on for me because there was a character in a movie who had my name. honorable mentions: Harriet the Spy (1996), Spy Kids (2001), Robots (2005)

42. A movie that made you go 'wtf was that'

hard to think of a good one for this because i feel like i watch so many freaky movies that my bar for really really weird shit has gone way up. in recent memory a movie i watched that was deeply bewildering and also hit the perfect good/bad sweet spot was Dario Argento's Phantom of the Opera (1998). fucking ridiculous piece of cinema. it isn't a very good adaptation of the source material whatsoever so i cannot compliment it in that aspect at all but what it DOES have is gore and silliness and horniness. and that's all i could ever want in a movie really. it also has a phantom whose backstory of being an outcast is not related to an event where he was disfigured, instead he was just an orphan who was left in a basket in the sewers and the thriving colony of rats who lived there saved his tiny life and raised (?) him. he has some kind of relationship with the rats that borders on the erotic. so . yeah. there's one specific dream scene where he has this vision of giant rat-humans in a mousetrap thing. i was going to include a picture but i think the description will suffice for you because you just have to see the image for yourself in the film. there are also two characters who are like the resident rat catchers of the paris opera i guess?? and they have this rat killing contraption-vehicle thing that reminded me of "the cleaners" in Labyrinth. oh and somebody dies getting impaled by a stalagmite. movies!