#trinity rain answers

[padfootagain]

Love in Verses (VII)

Chapter 7 : And so I still wait, like a lonely house, for you to see me and inhabit me again. Until that time, my windows ache.

Hi! Here is another chapter! On the menu for today: lots of aching, some terrible ideas and a plot twist!

I hope you like this new chapter! Tell me what you think!

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Pairing: Hozier x fem!reader (professor!AU)

Warnings: slow burn, angst, hurt, hurt/comfort, tooth-rotting fluff in later chapters, some scenes in later chapters will have heavy sexual themes even if it’s not explicit nsfw description, so minors here

Summary: Your life seems perfect. You're engaged, your career is thriving as you become an assistant professor at Trinity College, and this Andrew Hozier-Byrne you're sharing an office with seems to be a nice guy you hope to call a friend soon. Life seems to be smiling at you... until everything goes sour. When your fiancé breaks up with you, your perfect world shatters. And when your colleague also gets his heart broken soon after, your shared office seems to be a curse rather than a blessing. But Andrew seems determined to mend your broken hearts... Will things finally go according to plan?

Word Count: 2148

Masterlist for the series – Hozier’s masterlist – Main masterlist

Sonnet 65

Matilde, where are you? I only just noticed behind my necktie and above my heart, a certain melancholy between my ribs: It was that, all of a sudden, you are gone.

I needed the light of your energy so much. I looked all around me, devouring hope, and saw that the space without you is a house, with nothing left in it but tragic windows.

In the pure silence now, the roof is listening to the falling of ancient leafless rain, to feathers, to what the night has imprisoned.

And so I still wait, like a lonely house, for you to see me and inhabit me again. Until that time, my windows ache.

Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets, 1959

Elwood was the reason Andrew crawled out of bed the next day. A Sunday morning filled with rain, the colour of the sky matching his mood. The dog came licking at the hand hanging from the side of the bed, and Andrew was annoyed, for sure, but the second his eyes fell on his lovely dog, he could only groan in exasperation and sit up.

He looked at the empty spot in his bed, undisturbed and cold. It felt like staring at the chasm that had claimed his heart since Sam had left. Empty, dark, frightening, lonely…

He didn’t even know who he was anymore. He used to be Sam’s partner, what was he now?

Single.

The word echoed in his head and chest and brought a new set of tears to his eyes. And he had thought about marrying her…

What a fucking fool…

Elwood let out a whimper, looked up at Andrew with begging eyes. God, he had to get up, take care of his dog. He couldn’t just lay there all day, he needed to take Elwood on a walk, despite the rain and his bleeding heart. Feed him, scratch him behind the ears for being a good boy…

Andrew needed to get his body functioning again, there was no use in lying there all day anyway. That was what the logical part of his brain was saying, trying to coax his body into motion, but his muscles simply refused to respond. He was exhausted, didn’t have the strength for it. He knew he couldn’t let himself spiral into a depressive episode, he had to wrestle against it or else he would drown in it.

He heaved a painful sigh.

“I’m coming, buddy. I’m coming,” he mumbled to Elwood.

The dog rubbed his snout against Andrew’s legs as he rested his feet on the cool tiles of his floor. He took a couple of seconds to gather his strength and stood up, his back aching after laying down for too long.

He grabbed his phone as he got dressed in a hurry, checked the voicemail left by his mother asking how he was feeling, his brother’s text, Alex’s five unanswered calls. He tugged the phone in the pocket of his jeans without answering to anyone. He would deal with society and people later, for now, he needed to find the strength to get decently dressed, find his keys, find Elwood’s leash.

He didn’t eat or drink coffee before leaving, he simply secured Elwood’s leash, and walked out of his apartment, brain buzzing with static noise and body numb. He pulled up his hood once he stepped into the street, the feeling of the rain finally bringing him back to reality, anchoring him for a moment.

His head was swarming with thoughts, with questions, with hate towards himself. But more than anything else, he couldn’t understand what was happening. Sam had refused to even move in with him, saying that they needed to grow as people before doing that, saying she didn’t feel ready to share her space with another person. But Andrew was beginning to realise that her refusal had never been about her need to grow, her need for independence, her need for self-discovery. It was about him. Andrew had been the problem all along, and she had strung him along for years, talking about future plans they would accomplish in their thirties, like the finish line was this new decade that stretched ahead of them. But the truth was, she simply didn’t want to do all this with him. He wasn’t enough, and he never was. He was the fucking problem.

And he had thought she was the one…

He still thought she was the one. He still loved her. He still wanted her back.

He waited for Elwood while the dog sniffed around a tree, the rain heavy on his coat, the rhythmic pattern of raindrops drowning the noise of the busy city. And Andrew thought of you, of the weight of your body in his arms as you collapsed last night, the streetlights shining on your tears, the pain in your eyes…

You wanted your ex back as well. Frank. Frank.

Frank who had seduced the love of Andrew’s life, Frank who was now going to marry the woman he loved, Frank who had shattered your heart and was now responsible for your pain…

Frank… Christ, Andrew hated him. He had seen him for only a moment, and yet he hated him. He hated him for all that he had taken from him, taken from you…

And he seemed to be Andrew’s perfect opposite. Handsome. Charming. Charismatic. Extraverted. Blond with blue eyes, a smile to die for, a bubbly personality, the kind who easily made friends, who loved socializing. And he wasn’t a stupidly tall, clumsy tree like Andrew was. He was muscular, clearly worked out a lot. An image you would expect to see on the cover of Vogue magasine. Andrew wasn’t. Andrew wasn’t, and he had thought Sam liked that he wasn’t like that, that he was him. Clearly, he had been wrong. He could feel all of his insecurities bubbling up to the surface again, about his appearance, about his height, about his personality…

Was Sam bored of him? Did she realise he wasn’t attractive or something?

Elwood tugged on his leash, brought Andrew back to the present.

No… no, he couldn’t believe that the last eight years had happened for no reason. And he couldn’t believe that she was going to marry a man she had met two months ago. That wasn’t like Sam at all. She was… she was acting stupid. She was having some kind of crisis, he didn’t know what it was. Maybe she felt bored in their relationship, but he could make efforts for her. To go out more, to develop his social skills, to be more charming, to surprise her more… he would do it. He would hit the gym if she wanted. God, he’d do anything…

This whole situation with Frank made no sense. And Sam needed to realise that she was acting without thinking, clearly, that this was crazy.

The rain got heavier, Elwood was getting cold, so Andrew decided to shorten their walk, and he hurried towards his home again. Head low, staring at the glistening curb, he thought about how he could bring Sam back to her senses. Elwood was pulling on his leash now, cold and wanting to hurry home.

Surely, there was a way to make her see that this made no fucking sense… right?

You were surprised by Andrew’s call that morning. The buzzing of your phone woke you up, you answered with a voice groggy with sleep. He apologised for waking you, asked if you could meet him at a coffeeshop that afternoon. You were taken aback by his invitation, but you accepted anyway. You needed to get out of bed, eventually, and seeing Andrew gave you a reason to get dressed and get your body moving.

You were wearing sweatpants and an old cardigan under your coat as you waited for Andrew to arrive at the coffeeshop, and the truth was, you didn’t give two shites about your appearance today. You were too sad for that, too stunned as well…

You didn’t notice that Andrew was fifteen minutes late, you were busy with your thoughts. When he sat down on the opposite side of the small wooden table, you barely noticed him.

“Hi! Sorry, I’m late…”

“Hi! It’s okay…”

“I hope you didn’t wait for too long.”

“No, that’s alright.”

You forced a smile as your gaze caught his, but you read the same desolation in his reddened eyes, in the dark circles under them. He had spent his night crying too…

“How are you feeling?” he asked a polite question, but you saw in the way he stared at you that he really meant it.

“Terrible. You?”

“Like proper shite.”

“Yeah… I reckon that last night was… a lot…”

“I didn’t know Sam knew Frank. I had no idea…”

“I didn’t know either. I would have told you, had it been the case.”

He nodded, cleared his throat.

“Want a coffee? Tea?”

“Coffee would be nice, thanks.”

He went to get your drinks, offered you a warm porcelain cup when he came back.

“Why did you want to see me?” you asked quite bluntly, but you reckoned there was no reason to circle around the issue.

“Erm… I… I thought we ought to talk about what happened last night.”

“How so?”

“I… First, I want to make it clear that it’s not going to change anything in how I see you. And I… it won’t change anything concerning our work.”

Slowly, you nodded.

“Same. None of this is your fault.”

“Good… grand… I’m glad to hear you say that. Like… I was worried you would resent me for Sam and Frank.”

“Looks like we were both the ones who got fooled.”

“Yeah… big time…”

Andrew was nervous. Very nervous. The way he kept on touching his face, on readjusting his glasses, on rubbing at his palms were obvious signs. He averted his eyes and seemed keen on avoiding all eye-contact for a while. You wanted to reassure him.

“I… I’m not going to lie, I’m devastated by the whole thing. But I’m well-aware that none of this is your fault, Andrew. It won’t change anything in the way I see you, and I won’t resent you or… or feel uncomfortable working with you.”

He slowly nodded.

“Is that why you wanted to see me?” you asked, but Andrew bit on the inside of his cheek for a moment before he would answer.

“Partly, yes. I reckoned that we needed to discuss this together before we would be back at Trinity. But… there’s also… I wanted to talk about something else. I wanted to make you an offer.”

“An offer?”

He let out a long exhale, before finally gathering the courage to look at you again. You stared at his hazel eyes, silently questioning what he meant.

“Look I… I understand that we’re colleagues, that this is highly unprofessional of me but… I love Samantha. I want her back. I want her back, and to be honest, I’m ready to do anything to get her back. And… judging by your reaction last night, and for the past few weeks… I can clearly see that you want Frank back as well.”

“Of course, I want him back.”

“Honestly… this whole thing is ridiculous. It’s nonsense. Sam and I were together for almost eight years and all of a sudden… she gets engaged to a guy she met two months ago?! No offense towards Frank…”

“No, no, I agree! Like… Frank and I were engaged, he pushed back our wedding because he wasn’t ready and all of a sudden he’s ready to marry a woman he barely knows! Like… I’m sure she’s great, but he doesn’t even know her at that point!”

“Exactly! They’re clearly making a mistake, I don’t know what’s gotten into their heads, but it’s madness…”

“It is! And they don’t seem to realise it!”

Andrew nodded, stared at you for a moment.

“I want to make her realise that she’s acting stupid, that she needs to think things through, that this is a mistake. And I think you want Frank to do the same, right?”

“Yes, of course. But I’ve tried talking with him, and he shuts me down every time…”

“Sam does the same. But I’m determined to show them the truth. And I… I want you to help me.”

You blinked, frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“I want Sam back. You want Frank back. We both agree that they’re acting in an illogical way, and that they’re making a mistake. We need to show them, make them realise this whole thing is a terrible idea, bring them back to their senses. But I don’t think we can do that on our own.”

“And what would you propose we do then?”

“We need to show them that this wedding is a terrible idea. We need to ruin their wedding.”

You raised a surprised eyebrow, taken aback.

Ruin their wedding?

Show them they weren’t meant for each other?

Andrew offered you his open hand.

“This would be highly unprofessional,” you added, and Andrew merely nodded.

“It would be, yes. And I’d understand if you refused. But I don’t see another way out. Do you?”

You didn’t. There didn’t seem to be any other way out of this mess. And at least, you wouldn’t face all of this on your own anymore.

You stared at Andrew’s hand, long, pale fingers stretched towards you. When you shook it, your hand seemed ridiculously small in his.

You looked up to catch his hazel eyes with yours again.

“You’re right. Let’s ruin their wedding.”

[leezlelatch]

With the Morning Dew

18+ MDNI. Primo x GN! Reader. Fluff, teasing, soft penis play, old men with old bodies.

You wake slowly. The sunlight of the morning curtains you with warmth, and you stretch your body in that pleasant way that relaxes your muscles nearly back into sleep. But the smell of a freshly brewed cup of tea lures you from the sheets, and you open your eyes as the sweet humming of your Papa gradually blesses your ears, growing closer until the cracked bedroom door opens and reveals your lover.

“Ah! Buongiorno, my petal!” Primo rasps, smiling widely at the sight of his sleep mussed love. He holds a cup of tea in his aged hands, settled carefully on the saucer with the bluebell design. “How were your dreams?”

“Full of you,” you answer, smiling sweetly as you take the warm cup from his hands. Primo’s eyes sparkle, and he leans down to drop a kiss to your forehead.

“You seek to tempt me so early?” He gently teases, fingers sliding down your cheek to tap your chin. “Drink your tea.”

You smile, satisfied with yourself, and take a sip, citrus bursting across your tongue. Primo moves around the bed and settles in beside you, sliding across the sheets with a soft grunt. He breathes out a sigh and adjusts his robe, and you lean into the warmth of his body. Primo’s arm wraps around your waist, a large hand splayed across your belly.

“I intended to wake with you, petal, but these old joints protested rather painfully,” he sighs, eyes watching you tenderly as you enjoy your tea. “They argue when I lay down, and they kick up such a fight when I stand up!”

“We could stay in bed today,” you suggest, setting your cup aside on the bedside table. You shift to rest against his side, pressing your face into his robe to calmly breathe in his scent. “I could get that lovely herbal cream, and show your joints who this body really belongs to.”

Primo laughs, carefree and happy, and he squeezes you to him, placing a kiss in your hair. “Amore mio, my silly one. I shan’t argue with that, although I must request a…a…,” he snaps his fingers in thought. “Ah, sì, rain check.”

“Something going on today?”

“I agreed to speak with a few initiates on the significance of the unholy trinity - the Almighty, the Antichrist, and the Ghost.”

“Oh, Professor Primo,” you giggle, your cheeks pink with mirth. He shoots you a look and pinches your nose, giving it a little wiggle.

“I see you forget you are in the presence of the Unholy Father Papa Emeritus I,” he growls.

“On the contrary,” you press your lips to the hollow of his neck. “You remind me quite often.”

His growl settles into a low purr, and Primo’s grip on you tightens. He tilts your head up with a finger and claims your lips. Well-practiced and thorough, the man plunders your mouth with lips and tongue, effectively silencing you under the power and sensual grace of the first Papa.

You part for a breath, and manage to speak even as he draws you back for more. “Maybe if we don’t have time for a massage, I could help you relax in another way,” you whisper, fingers pulling at his robe.

Primo’s hand finds your hair, tangling his fingers in the strands as he settles further into the pillows and watches you with darkened eyes as you untie his robe and part it. He’s completely nude underneath, a reflection of many years of life and good Italian food.

His cock lies soft against his thigh, and you press little kisses from his belly downward, his hand gentle, yet guiding on the top of your head. You nuzzle against his softness, sliding your tongue along the length of him. His cock twitches with interest, perhaps swells a little, but ultimately remains as is, and you find your Primo to be so incredibly perfect. Just the way he is.

Soft play has become one of your favorite things, something you’ve learned in your time with your Papa. And the way he sighs, his jaw falling slack, as your fingers explore him is enough to make you pant in need, your thighs rubbing together, desperate for some kind of friction.

Primo’s fingers tighten in your hair and he pins you with a look of promise. “Amore, you will be hoarse from the cry of my name before I leave this room.”

Your cheeks flush and you moan around him, his hips jumping, and he smiles at you predatorily. “Good Petal,” he murmurs.

Your fingers massage his balls, ensuring that every inch of him is attended to, and when he climaxes, it isn’t messy, isn’t intense. It’s a breath of relief, a relaxation of his muscles, and the gentle trembling of his thighs. Primo looks nearly in a daze when you come back up his body to kiss his lips, and he smiles so dreamily at you.

“How did I find you?” He whispers, rubbing his nose lovingly against yours. “What did I do? My precious. Amore mio.”

You cradle his face in your hands and smile. “You were just…Primo, and that makes all the difference.”

[sovaghoul]

Idk I just started typing. More Unholy Trinity (Æther/Rain/trans (ftm) Dew) below. CW pregnancy

Rain drew lazy patterns in the hair on Æther's chest as the tour bus bumped along the freeway. It was a question the Water Ghoul asked several times a day, even in the middle of the night, as it was now. It seemed the afterglow of lovemaking made him miss Dew more strongly. Æther felt much the same.

"what do you think he's doing now?"

"Hopefully resting. Pregnancy isn't easy, so much energy needed for growing a whole new life." He absent-mindedly played with Rain's silky curls, until Rain shifted to look at him.

"can we call him? please Æther? do you think he'd be mad?" Rain's brown eyes pleaded, and while Æther found Dew's bright blue melted his knees without fail, his sub's sub was nonetheless persuasive.

"I wonder which of us he'd be more likely to answer," Æther mused.

"you, i'd think. if it were me, he might think something was really wrong. but you're his Dom. i think that means he'd be inclined to obey without thinking. that's what i'd feel."

Æther nodded, mulling it over before fishing his phone out of the compartment on the wall of the bunk. It surprised Æther when Dew picked up halfway through the second ring.

"Figured you'd be asleep by now." Dew's whispered pants sounded almost embarrassed.

Æther paused a beat before responding. "Same to you love. Are you alright?"

"Mhm, yeah, m'fine. Just um. Just miss you both. A lot. And these fucking pregnancy hormones..." Dew cleared his throat, unsuccessfully trying to stifle a soft moan.

Æther broke out in a knowing smile as his Quintempathy fed him even over the long distance. "We just...'missed' you too. But knowing us, I'm betting we have more if you need help. Don't we Rainy?"

Rain looked up and saw the smile, and returned it. He nodded eagerly.

"Your sub agrees, Dewdrop. How can we pleasure you?"

[soraviie]

in the public eye.txt

━ type: bts x gn! reader ━ navigation

━ about: crack, fluff, not so mildly suggestive - the holy trinity

━ a/n: requested by anon, hope you like it :) This of course greatly varies who the hypothetical MC is. If a familiar figure obviously there's more freedom in pointing them out in public but I'll go on the path that MC is ya know a normie. Also, this sits sort of borderline on realistic meaning privacy is essential so obviously the guys wouldn't be extra chatty

━ previously posted on soraviii

NAMJOON: The thread itself started relatively innocuous with only a comparison of two pictures found in an absolutely godless place where all voices shrieked into a void - Twitter. But then unfortunately it went viral and soon the internet was flushed with conspiracy theories with hats more frazzled and shinier than those professing that the Earth was actually donut shaped. But it garnered eventually so much traction that the veil of the ocean, one between I-army's and K-army's was like a miracle in the night breached and soon weverse too was caught by a storm.

"He's in love he's got to be," writes a lovely person underneath the brief username of min_yoongi_has_no_business_being_this_fine

"Yeah, with that wife and seven children of his kekekekeke," writes cutiepiemomo.

jijinjung: take a look at the picture year ago, it's the same setting! meaning joonie went there twice now but he's so much happier in this latest picture

jwehopeshoe in reply to jijinjung: it could be the break...

furryspecialist: you mean to tell me that the ultimate boyfriend material is a boyfriend? shocker

chimspuppykitty in reply to furryspecialist: naurrrr we're not going to ignore how big of a player Namjoon looks like? that man better call himself pro pitcher cause he's throwing it out ToT

seokjinslefttoe in reply to chimspuppykitty: dude collects little shoes what player please??? T-T player of our hearts only

Personally with having nothing else to do it was amusing to scroll through this madness but then one specific comment catches your undivided attention.

a_nameless_stan: Whether or not, Namjoon is dating we must still be respectful. That said, I have to say he looks in love because he IS in love. It's quite a shame he is not free to share the pictures of the gorgeous person who captured his heart. I can only imagine that this person glows brightly like a sun. These pictures must be the only way he's able to share this person even if it's his face taken by them. But I believe that love like this is shared, you can see the feelings in his eyes as he's looking at the photographer and the photographer clearly values him as all the pictures are warm and visibly adoring. I wish them only the best and hopefully one day we'll be mature enough to see a picture of them together without the one-sided wall of anonymity.

seokjinslefttoe in reply to a_nameless_stan: say, you don't happen to be Namjoon himself do you 0_0

a_nameless_stan in reply to seokjinslefttoe: don't be ridiculous. My name is susan. I am clearly 17. Also what's up with your username?

"Ugh, it's been such a long day," Namjoon sighs the second he's one step inside the bedroom, dropping his entire weight on top of your legs.

"Oof! Hello, Susan of clearly 17," you tease. "Does that mean that I'm taking advantage of you?

He glances up through the hood of his jumper, leaking light water. It must have rained on his bike ride back home.

"So you saw that?" he gives an appeasing smile, one he pulls to be forgiven almost immediately.

"I did," you answer and grasp his cheeks planting a light kiss on his forehead. "Though I must say one of these days you'll let my name slip by."

He nuzzles into the blanket and quickly you sink your fingers into his hair. He was growing it out and you had become particularly fond of tugging at it.

"Don't remind me. I nearly shit myself last week when they asked me the whole thing of whose moans were those in the song's background," he whines, voice muffled as his face pressed into the duvet.

"Yes, that was rather risque," you admit. "Though I guess those seven children of yours won't just make themselves."

"Shut up," he mutters with an audible smile.

furryspecialist: so that was totally namjoon right?

seokjinslefttoe in reply to furryspecialist: yeah, gonna delete my whole account now this is too embarrassing :')

YOONGI: He moves in silence. Like a cat. In an absolutely firm statement of his nature, no one can ever expect what Yoongi is up to, where is he? What is he doing? So it's fair to say, you're more protected with him than behind the wall of the Pentagon. There are no slip-ups, no mentions except the happiness that radiates from within him. The soft smiles are accompanied by glances to the phone to read a message of yours. It's as much of a cryptid hunting as any to find if Min Yoongi is dating. And if yes, then who? The most dedicated proof is most often cited in the form of a peculiar vlive made in the middle of a late evening on an unsuspecting Wednesday. No picture, no explanation, just thirty minutes of a black screen and Yoongi's soothing voice coming through - to talk, to discuss what's in store, to calm down people whose mental wellness hinged on this peculiar cat man.

As you knew better, being the infamous cryptid themselves, you saw him hunched over a kitchen table, talking absent-mindedly on his phone. Moving about as quietly as possible you remained as much as a mystery as you always had been but Yoongi who'd been nursing a drink the whole night had worked himself into a delighted mess. He tries to be serious but sees you and giggles. And then worse begins to ask you questions.

Someone wonders whether he's been working out lately and with a shy yet simultaneously cocky chuckle, he meets your eyes and you know the shameless gleam in his eyes. You fear it. He's being too aware of his own power, it's no good for your strength.

"I dunno, why don't you check?" he answers with a giggle and a faint flush to his cheeks and invites you greedily to grope him. You only shake your head with a smile of your own as you continue making tea.

He reads another question.

"What's beautiful to you?" he reads and then lifts his head once more to pin you down.

"What I see in front of me."

You snort.

"Shameless," you mouth at him and he gives a demure, blushing smile, partially hidden behind a palm.

"You still love me though," says he and ends the live stream. To most people it remains just as another addition into digital mishaps of drunk BTS but for the dedicated folk, the lone sailors to whom your existence was their personal white whale, this was the one single harpoon they could wield. All to no avail of course given how when asked about it and whether or not he was hiding away a whole partner, Yoongi merely graces them with a polite, inscrutable dryness.

"You're imagining things," annoyingly, he smiles.

JIN: To the larger public they are but trifle comments.

"You want to marry me?" he speaks out loud whilst reading a question simultaneously occupying himself with eating rice. "I'm sorry, you'll have some stiff competition. You won't survive."

"Mr Kim, what would you like to say about the rumours of you starring in a k-drama?"

"I'd say I have my hands full. Being a romantic interest sure takes a lot out of a guy."

They're so offhand and weird and spoken with such a tone of amusement that inevitably they get brushed with him being himself. Exactly how he wanted.

"You're making me look like a crazy jealous person," you glare at him lowering the phone to see him rush into the private room in a restaurant.

"Dearest Kim Seokjin, if you don't accept ARMY's love, I'll fly out to personally present it to you T_T," says an anonymous commenter an hour ago. Jin levels the screen with a cool sarcasm.

"How fast can you run?" he asks. "Someone might chase you back where you came from."

This is, of course, the incident you're referring to though it could be any other hundred little remarks.

"Well, you are very protective of me," he shakes his shoulders, innocent, a man never done any wrong as he shakes out his umbrella. "Let's eat?"

You scoff with no malice.

"I don't plan on sharing you with millions of other people. What would I even get? A single strand of your arm hair?"

He winks and gives a flying kiss before eagerly diving behind a menu.

"If you're lucky."

But as they always do the tables turn and in a family event, Jin clings to you like a plastic wrap around a sandwich, his palm never leaving the small of your back, body heating your side like an ambulatory radiator.

"Mr Sir, what is this?" you whisper, navigating the social maze of his relatives.

"My cousin," he sneers with an angry pout. "Keeps staring at you. Have some people lost their shame?!"

"Look who's crazy protective now," you nurse the champagne glass with a slimy sense of satisfaction. He rolls his eyes but the corner of his lips quirk.

"I don't plan on sharing you either."

"Not even a clone?"

"Not even a clone. There's only one World Wide Handsome."

HOSEOK: Expensive. Expensive is all the world sees. The frequent gifts of luxury, mostly of clothes and lingerie, a single comment observing that his own fashion seemed to gradually involve a part of couples set - a jumper, a hoodie, a belt. But beneath it all, you're in his music, he needs to mention you, needs to show you discreetly to the world. You're a mention, an abstract form of lover he's both chasing and running away from. Perhaps it's an apology, a symbol of guilt for not spending enough time, for all the limitations you have to endure.

If he could, all his pictures would be of you but he can't. Though you're always present. Your laugh in the background of his Instagram stories, a part of an apartment whose decor is clearly not his own can be partially seen in the photos, he can be seen laughing with someone in the background, taken by an unsuspecting person. And when people question him - how he feels, what are his worries - he always ends them with "a friend convinced me", "a friend helped me through". One would assume that "a friend" is an inappropriate term for a partner. How does one friendzone their partner, some would even ask but "a friend" means so much to him, it means he has a wall to lean on, his fortress of comfort for when perfection surrounds him whole.

"Mr Jung, that is a very interesting bracelet," an interviewer remarks and Hoseok immediately twiddles with the hematite, recalling the moment of purchase, a rainy, overcast day but possessing the rare moment of being able to walk with you around the city.

"Thank you," he bids politely. "A friend and I got a matching set."

Namjoon shoots him a light glare. He was always pushing it.

"Must be...an important friend," the interviewer chuckles awkwardly, sweating about whether or not he'd be in the middle of a torrent scandal the next morning.

"They are," Hoseok beams with a bright smile.

JIMIN: Hides you away like a pearl in a seashell. He himself reveals little of his private life and being forever protective, it naturally extends that no one knows about you, except for very few people. In a perfect world, he'd get to flaunt you but the world is flawed and he tries to keep those flaws far away from you.

The only things to notice are shifts in his demeanour, his hobbies, and his likings. More than once he's been asked of sporting perhaps a colour you professed you liked on him, eats your favourite candy, has your favourite dolls hung on his bag, your gifts he wears like a badge of honour (and your clothes as well) but it is one shared between the honourable - you and him (and Taehyung most likely).

"Can I post this?" you ask him as he lays his head in your lap, purring if he could.

"Lemme see," he squints at the picture of two shadows against the wall - a tightrope between anonymity and publicity, one he walks quite well. "Sure, it's cute."

For a while, he goes back and you assume he's sleeping but then he mutters into the slowly warming apartment air.

"Do you feel bad that I hide you away?"

"Not particularly. I'm not an idiot, I know what I got myself into when I agreed to date you."

"Thanks," he grumbles dryly. You lean down to kiss his head.

"I just mean I appreciate your efforts of shielding me from all you endure. To have #Jimin come after me," you shudder. "Thanks but no."

"Still, it's normal for couples to post their pictures online..."

"And it's normal for some to not post anything at all. Don't stress about it too much, we have everything here. No need to parade it."

He hums and hugs your legs tighter.

"There is something I would like us to do," he mumbles, forcing your hand to glide over his hair. "I'd like to make a movie."

"A movie?" you echo, confused.

"Yeah, the kind where you have no clothes on."

You click your tongue and flick him on the back of the head.

"Ah, you pervert."

TAEHYUNG: Wants to scream your name from every rooftop in the world and wants to gatekeep you forever. Occasionally posts a weird picture of a piece of your hair or an eye or a hand, awfully cropped and extremely blurry. He's a blurry sort of guy.

"Taehyung-ah why are you going around photographing random people kekekekeke" writes user tete._.tata on weverse.

"I'm crazy lol" he responds.

"Taeyung-ah what's with the random body parts??" writes user StreamHobiYouCowards

"Beauty. P.S. I like your username."

And while the rumours surrounding his love life are incessantly flowing like the Niagara waterfall this is by far not the most suspicious he's been or to be frank, the weirdest thing he's said.

But miracles do happen, old dogs learn new tricks, a river changes its bed and Kim Taehyung shares what he feels, though still sufficiently obscure.

"It's a horrible feeling to miss someone and be able to do nothing about it," he remarks nostalgic on a short v-live. "You know I need to have some right here," he gestures as though putting you by the waist in front of him. "To know they're safe and healthy. Not let my eyes off them one bit."

"Wouldn't your eyes get tired," writes user YoongiMarryMeIfTaehyungAllows.

He sees the familiar username and blooms into a broad smile.

"Hello, good to see you," he bows in front of the camera. "You haven't stopped by in a while. I must say I do not allow the marriage to happen. Nope! Not going to happen!"

"Aw shame," responds user YoongiMarryMeIfTaehyungAllows. "But wouldn't your eyes get tired? To have them always on a single person...What about blinking Mr Kim?"

"I can always use eye drops," he explains sweetly.

"Mr Kim you are incorrigible," writes the same user and he nods, fluffy curls flopping like clouds in a breeze on his head.

"I am," he agrees. "But since I didn't give you permission to marry Yoongi, I guess I'll have to do it instead."

The chat goes absolutely berserk but user YoongiMarryMeIfTaehyungAllows remains cool and composed shooting only a clearly well-thought-over proposition -

"What if we both marry Yoongi?"

He thinks about it for a second.

"That would be agreeable."

JUNGKOOK: You're like an optical illusion or a spirit. Always there in the mirror or the reflection. When he's working out you're (forced to be) there, when he takes a selfie you're in a stray reflection. Memes are made that this could be the new sight test opticians could use but at least it doesn't go much further than that.

What they don't know how cemented you are into the streams of trusted few who can see his hidden posts or videos set to private. Has memorized your dates in full 10-minute videos and your face is permanently etched in the database of his secret Instagram account. He views them as small pieces of art, one shard of a diamond that makes you you. More than once has sent the wrong stupid couple selfie to the wrong person. Bang Si Hyuk being the first victim, Yoongi being the second. He's happy for the two of you, he is, but seeing yet another picture of Jungkook's hand on your ass as he's cuddling makes him throw up a little bit in his mouth, he's not going to lie.

"Please don't tell me you sent that picture to Bang PD again," you whimper face pressed against the bedsheets. He just had to be so menacingly cute about taking a picture of himself kissing your neck. He just had to be too god damn convincing for anyone's good so now you're facing the mortifying chance of being asked should HYBE be concerned about a possible existing sex tape.

"Nope," Jungkook frowns at the phone. "Worse. Sent it to Namjoon."

"Well it's not that bad," you sigh with some relief.

"It's the worst!" he groans.

"Oh, because your boy crush will have a certain proof of you cheating on him?" you tease and he flushes with a pout playing on his lips.

"He's not my boy crush," denies he looking like, you know, a liar.

"Sure, Mr "my happiness started when I met Namjoon"," you roll your eyes. "It's unfair you're putting such unattainable body standards on me. How can my thighs compare?" you lament the harsh reality poking him accusingly in the chest and he smiles, crossing his arms behind the head.

"I like your thighs very much," he coos, hooking a finger around the band of your underwear and letting it snap into place. "Especially would like them here," he then points at his mouth.

Unseen go Namjoon's various responses.

"wrong chat bro"

"please tell me you didn't send me this on purpose T.T"

"Jungkook hello? You were just here a second ago what the hell are you suddenly doing right now?"

"oh I know what you're doing"

"ew that's gross brb bleaching my eyes"

"also blocking you. goodbye."

© soraviii/soraviie 2022-2023

[kissorkill16]

Fill My Empty Heart: A Hello Neighbor Fanfic

By JJ

Summary: After Mya's death, Aaron committed suicide. Mr. Peterson, desperate to have a family again, kidnaps the depressed and heartbroken child across the street, Nicky Roth.

Chapter 18

Trinity was listening to the radio in the kitchen.

"Good afternoon, Raven Brooks. Lovely weather we're having today! No more rain, just cloudy skies."

"That's nice.", thought Trinity.

It's been weeks since they've continued their plan of making Mr. Peterson go crazy, and nothing seemed to be working! All of their attempts failed when he just kept a calm demeanor.

And not only that, but his rules were getting out of control too. Not only were the kids not allowed to go outside, but he wouldn't allow the kids to open the curtains so they wouldn't even think about going outside.

It's been really rough for the kids.

"It's been three weeks since a group of kids went missing in Raven Brooks. The kids names were Trinity Bales, Enzo and Maritza Esposito, and Ivan Torre. Their parents said that the children told them that they were just going to a sleepover and would be back in the morning, but they never returned. Police continue to search for the children as we speak."

"Trinity, honey! Is that the radio?"

Trinity jumped up and immediately shut off the radio as Mr. Peterson stepped into the kitchen.

"Sorry, Dad. I was trying to play music.", she said.

"It's alright, dear.", said the man. "But why don't we turn off the radio for a while until they're done with the news."

The girl nodded and walked out of the living room, stomping her foot on the floor as she walked up the stairs.

Later that night, Mr. Peterson was tucking Nicky into bed, and then Nicky asked a question.

"Why did you take me?"

Mr. Peterson stilled in place. "What do you mean, darling?", he asked.

"Why did you take me?", Nicky asked again. He knew he was probably risking his freedom right now, but he just wanted the man to answer him honestly. "I had parents, and I had friends, and you just took me away from them. Now you took them away from their families. Why?"

Mr. Peterson looked at Nicky for a minute, and Nicky hid himself under the blanket. But instead of scolding or growling, Mr. Peterson just sat on the edge of the bed.

"Because...Nicholas, you were so close with my children.", he said. "Aaron and Mya loved you like you were their brother. Everywhere I saw them, you were with them.", he let out a small laugh. "Diane almost saw you as her own son, and I remember her asking me once if I ever thought about having a third child."

Nicky laughed a little and sat up.

"When I lost them all, I was beyond destroyed. My wife, my son, my daughter, they all died. Taken from me and leaving me all alone.", said Mr. Peterson, "My family was very important to me, Nicholas, and I could see that Aaron and Mya were very important to you too."

Nicky furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Mr. Peterson sighed and put a hand on Nicky's shoulder, "Aaron's funeral, you screamed and you cried. You didn't want to believe that he was gone, and neither did I. No one understood the pain you felt, no one except me, because I felt it too.", he said. "I isolated myself from the outside world, I was scared of lashing out at others and hurting innocent people. But you were already so broken inside, and you were already lashing out at the people you loved."

Nicky's eyes widened as he flashed back to all of the times where he was angry at the world for taking Aaron and Mya away, where he lashed out at his parents, his friends, and other people at school.

He was a nightmare out there.

He thought that they were all pretty happy that he killed himself.

Nicky felt tears fall down his cheeks.

"Nicholas?"

Before he knew it, Nicky began to cry and bury his face in his hands.

"They're all happy to know I'm dead.", said the boy, "I was a monster out there, and now that I'm gone, they're all probably -"

Mr. Peterson gently pulled Nicky onto his lap and wrapped his arms around him.

"Stop it. Don't say that, young man.", he said sternly. "Your family and friends still love you. If they didn't, do you think that your disappearance would've made it to the news? Do you think that your friends would be trying to drive me crazy just so I'll throw you all out?"

Nicky began to relax in the man's hold.

"You are loved, Nicky. Even if you haven't been the easiest to deal with, your friends and your family still love you very much.", said Mr. Peterson. "And I know it'll be hard for me to do this, but to prove it to you...tomorrow, I'm letting all of you go."

Nicky's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Really, Nicholas.", said the man. "Your family would be so happy to know you're alive, and the same goes for all of your friends."

Hearing this, Nicky smiled and wrapped his arms around Mr. Peterson.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Peterson!"

Mr. Peterson smiled warmly and gently patted the boy on his back. He knew it would be hard, but he knew he had to do this. It was the right thing to do, and Nicky needed to know that he's still loved.

"You're welcome, Nicholas."

[obscurecharactershowdown]

Obscure Character Showdown FINALE

[image ID: the first image is of image is of No Significant Harassment, a shadowy figure standing behind a sleeping pink-red, fox-like creature. their green hands seem to be holding up the floating creature. the second image is of Granger, a girl with green eyes and short, wavy or curly black hair. in her hair is a red hat or ribbon. she's wearing a black turtleneck sweater, blue overalls, and a green coat. end ID]

No Significant Harassment

[NSH has beaten Akama (The Idiot (1951)), Libby Day (Dark Places), Sally Swing (Betty Boop), Shrimp (The Upturned), Oopsy Bear (Care Bears (2007 series)), Hikaru (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu), and Diggory Graves (Hello from the Hallowoods)] They're just a silly little guy. A jokester. Significant harassment if you will. Anyway, a more in depth run down: They're a city sized supercomputer built by a Buddhist adjacent society to figure out how to transcend the 'Great Cycle' (semi-metaphorical cycle of death and rebirth) in a safer way than the previous method (submerging oneself in the 'void sea' which is a mysterious golden liquid that dissolves whatever it touches). Despite being built for this express purpose NSH never really shows a pressing interest in ascension, even cracking jokes about those who are still looking for a solution. Whether this is due to indifference, dislike of, or humor to cope with being unable to ascend is not clear and really up to interpretation. Example: NSH: I wish them super good luck in that endeavor. How is it going to happen? Have the overseers gnaw through bedrock until their entire can crashes down in the void sea? BSM: Please be respectful when speaking of the Void Sea. Grey Wind, where did you hear this? CW: I really shouldn't say. He's going to attempt some sort of breeding program. Thought you might want to know. NSH: Haha with the slimers, lizards and etceteras? Surely the answer was in a lizard skull all along! He's very flippant, but does care very intensely for those close to him. NSH: Moon? It's me again. NSH: I do not know if you are receiving these. Please signal in any way you can. NSH: I need to talk to you. I need to know you're okay. NSH: … NSH: Its difficult for us to assist you over this distance. NSH: Even more difficult for us to do anything in the midst of these tantrums. NSH: Were going to try everything that we can. NSH: Just hold on a little longer. (Context for previous convo: They genetically engineered a super organism of a slugcat (the species you play as in Rain World) to help reset his coworker/sibling after her collapse and restart her systems. He was so desperate to fix her that he accidentally messed up the slugcat's (Hunter) genetic code and as a result it became riddle with the Rot (relatively similar to aggressive cancer) :( which parallels his other coworker/siblings condition who also has the rot. ) He canonically uses he/they pronouns too! Nonbinary swag! NSH has major internet troll vibes. He has sent a data pearl of "something distasteful" to his neighbors on several(?) occasions and causes chaos. If he had access to the wider internet he'd probably be an influencer So…yeah! Vote NSH this website likes the allure of heavy machinery and stuff like that so… there you go. Kind of a blorbo. End post.

Granger

[Granger has beaten Chopfyt (Oz), Wolfman (Darkwood), Gaap Goemon (Mairimashita! Iruma-kun), Forest Friend (Gris), Turnip (Chicory: A Colorful Tale), Gary (Faith the Unholy Trinity), and Stag Malinay (Krystar First Fragment)] so granger is the main character of the indie game "NeverHome" Chapter one, which is only $1 on Steam, is called NeverHome: Hall of Apathy. if ur a fan of young protags being put in RPG maker horror games, then this is the game for you!! so granger is just that… she wakes up to find herself in a strange, hostile world. she, along with the friends she makes, must solve the various puzzles before them while creatures are out to kill them… and along the way they can uncover the secrets of these never ending halls… her dynamics with the cast is also super fun… each character gets their moment or moments with granger. and what's so cute is that there's unique art for each pair that highlights the fact you cant get through these halls alone!! she also has her own theme song!! here!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_vwtmIj5cw it's called cyclical tragedy AND HERE IS AN ANALYSIS OF THE THEME!! MUSIC THEORY!!! written by my good friend @HIEMIOLA "cyclical tragedy" embodies the protagonist, granger, through the music theory behind the track and ties itself back into the main track as well. to begin with an overview of the track, the key is D minor and hte time signature is 3/4. the piece begins with a broken minor third starting from the tonic. that is, it begins on the main note and moves along the main chord, D to F. the next set of notes are C to E, which is shifted down a step. the phrase repeats again, this time D to F, then G to E, which is an inverse movement from the original sequence. even in this first part, we could tell that the protagonist begins from square 1 with a simple pattern, then tries it again when it works. however, the inverse breaks that expectation of repetition, thus showing the diverse variations of solutions she comes up with using just the tools she has (the two notes moving in thirds). just like the game, she is given a handful of objects as well as a knife to defend herself and solve the mysteries of the world she exists in. with her creative uses of the items given to her, she continues on her way through the plot. we will keep moving. the melody begins. true to the title of the track, the melody cycles around the same beginning note, D, that she always returns to at her square 1. this is a nod to the save states she is allowed to keep to make sure that we the players don't lose the game, but it also references the health bar that appears as a circle around her avatar. the melody, mapped out, is also moving in an up-down wave movement across the sheet music. granger is creative with the knife she has and the quest items she obtains throughout the story, but she is not entirely reckless. rather, she knows when it is time to return to the safe rooms to rest. to time her returns requires skill because she must run to cover without being caught by varying her path so the enemies don't corner her as she tries to return to the room. most of the time, she is successful, shown through the consistent return to the beginning note. let's keep going. i would like to turn your attention to the main theme briefly. in the bass notes, you can hear arpeggios and outlined chords. this makes up the bulk of the accompaniment in the main game theme. [mod note: the rest of the essay, and some more propaganda, is continued under a cut because tumblr will not process more text than this in an indent. sorry to split it up, please continue below for the rest of the essay and additional propaganda (including art) !]

the third variation of granger's theme also has arpeggiated chords in the accompaniment while the melody features broken chords. at this stage, the pattern switches to eigth notes instead of the quarter notes at first. with greater movement and heightened senses, she runs throughout world and befriends other people, thus interacting further with the environment. while she isn't exactly someone we would call open, she is respectful to the people she first meets and has no problems with asking them for help when she needs it. because of her openness to working together, she speeds up her progress by asking for aid at obstacles that would be too difficult for her to overcome on her own, such as asking a teammate to break things, move things, or reach into smaller holes. fusing the main theme elements with her own theme marks this step as the inciting incident that sets her on the path to escape from this world. we'll continue.

continuing the same part, we hear some secondary fifths. i'm not entirely sure if this is what you call it, but it is a nod to the parallel key, D major. depending on what theory class you take, this could also be considered the other half of the key. i dont know how else to describe it, but i digress. these are glimpses to different dialogue options she could take, glimpses to a different key or a different ending. because this game only has one chapter ending so far, we are unsure of what other paths granger will end up in; we only know that there are certainly other endings she will experience, only to begin the cycle again when the save state is loaded for players to reach another ending. both A major and G major are chords that signify different choices that may lead her elsewhere only for her to return back to the tonic or main note, D. despite this, she keeps going, as will we.

at the midpoint of the track, we see a quick shift in patterns. instead of upward leaps in the notes, the melody falls in stepwise motion. true to the plot, this is another turning point of the game when she is forced to make a choice: continue or stop. after facing the spoiler event, her once determined personality is challenged as she struggles to keep herself and her team together. despite being the headstrong protagonist who spearheaded solutions, even now she finds herself doubting and taking smaller steps, smaller risks.

even after all of this, she rises to the challenge as the melody returns to its beginning sequence. true to a protagonist she gets up again despite the events that transpired and keeps her team moving in their lowest points. the thirds return as she finds more objects to solve more puzzles to open more rooms to save more friends. this repeating part of the track only solidifies her resolve as the piece ends with a broken chord in the main key, her key, of D minor. despite everything that transpired, she stayed true to herself."

the game is also so, so charming with the art, music, and story made by the same person… its so clearly loved and full of passion!! i love listening to the game's ost on occassion!! since it's all on youtube!

ok one last thing thing!! on may 8th, the game hit 100 downloads (on both steam and itch.io). you can see the creator of the game celebrate that with this lovely drawing of granger: https://twitter.com/NeverHome_Game/status/1655761270694633472

so at most, only a bit over 100 people have played the game… id like to say that makes it obscure!!

anyways granger and neverhome!! we love to see our protagonists put in horrific situations and isn't she super cute with a lil bow on her head? she is my daughter…

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[iamthecomet]

Com- if you’re still taking requests and should feel so inclined a lil rain Aether comfort for your fellow unholy trinitier? Love you Kay bye smooch

Anything for you, Kro. ♥

Something's up with Rain. Admittedly the water ghoul has had a harder time adjusting to life topside than any of the others. He's always been a little shy, reserved, distant. Aether tries to involve him in more things. To make it clear that he is welcome, that they want him here. But Rain always keeps his distance. He stays on the outside of ghoul piles, always in a position that means he can slip away in the middle of the night. On movie nights he sits on the floor next to Mountain, close enough to touch but not actually doing it. He curls into himself instead knees draw up to his chest, chin pressed to his kneecaps as he fixes his eyes on the screen and doesn't look at anyone else. But today is different--worse. Aether doesn't want to seem weird. He watches all of them like this. He can feel them all, his power connecting him back to the world and his pack. Despite Rain's self-imposed distance, he lives in Aether's chest, connected.

So, Aether knows when it's normal and when it isn't. Today, isn't normal. The usual calm ebb of Rain's existence feels tense, roiling, a deep sea thunderstorm.

Rain doesn't finish his tea at breakfast, or his food. He takes two bites of his lunch.

He misses every single one of his marks during rehersal in what seems less like forgetfulness and more like non-compliance. He plants himself halfway up the steps between the keyboards and the drum kit and stays there. He plays flawlessly. But he doesn't move. He doesn't look at anyone. Aether thinks about going over to stand near him, to check on him, but he watches as Dew tries to do the same thing. Aether hears the growl Rain emits from where he stands. Dew snarls back, but doesn't get any closer. And Aether doesn't push. Not yet, not here. Not in a room full of expensive equipment. Sister will have him sent back to the pit if he's the reason Rain floods the room and fries everything.

He lets it simmer. The whirling that is Rain in his chest, turns into a maelstrom. Rain doesn't say a word at dinner, he pushes his food around. He pushes his chair back just as Cumulus starts talking about the movie they're going to watch tonight, and leaves. Not bothering to look at any of them as he does. The table descends into silence.

"Does anyone know what that's about?" Aether asks. There's pain now, where Rain resides in his body. It's a dull ache, insistent. Aether looks around the table, at a series of worried faces. But no one has an answer. Even Mountain, who is usually privy to more of the water ghoul's thoughts than anyone else just shrugs. "He was fine yesterday," Dew says unhelpfully. Aether pushes his plate away. "Don't wait for me for the movie."

He goes to Rain's room first. He gets no response when he knocks. The door is unlocked when he tries it, and the room is empty. Rain's boots and coat are gone. Aether leaves the Abbey. He finds Rain at the lake. He's sitting cross-legged on the edge of the dark. Moonlight casts over his form, catching in his dark curls. Aether half expects Rain to get up and bolt as soon as he knows he's there, but he doesn't. He doesn't move at all except for his body to sag down, shoulders curling into each other as Aether gets closer.

"Rainy--"

"You don't have to do this," Rain cuts him off. His voice is flat, cold. Aether sits down next to him, their knees bumping as he does. "Do you want to talk about it?" "There's nothing to talk about." Aether looks over at him. Rain's eyes are fixed on the lake, on the reflection of the moon on its glassy surface. "I can feel it, you know." "Feel what?" Rain asks, his voice is dull like he's asking out of duty, not because he actually wants to know. "You. All of you actually. Right here," Aether rubs his chest absently like if he presses hard enough he will feel them branded into his skin. "So, I know you're lying." Rain huffs out something that could almost be a laugh, there's cynicism in it. He still doesn't look over. "I don't belong here." The words send a shock of pain through Aether's chest, like just saying them is splitting Rain open. He believes them, wholeheartedly. Aether reaches for him and then stops, unsure if that's going to help or make it worse. "You do." "You don't have to come out here and talk to me out of pity you know? I know it's all a lie. You just put up with me, all of you, because you have to. You can tell me the truth." Aether does touch him then, reaching out to put his hand on Rain's knee. He half expects Rain to pull away. He doesn't. But Aether can feel how cold he is under his hand. He can feel how hard Rain is shaking. "Rainy, we love you." Rain scoffs. "You don't have to do this to make yourself feel better, Aeth. It's fine. I can handle it."

"Look at me."

Rain turns his head to face Aether, it's slow. Aether immediately realizes why when he sees the unspilled tears in Rain's eyes.

"It would be better if you stopped pretending you wanted me--"

"We do want you," Aether squeezes Rain's knee. He puts his other hand on Rain's cheek. Rain closes his eyes. Aether can feel the way he fights against leaning into it. His heart breaks a little more. "You do belong here. We love you. You're part of our pack. You're one of us, Rain. You always have been."

"I suck at it. I don't know how to--I can't do what you all do with each other. I can't fall asleep watching movies curled up in between you all. It's not--my thing."

"That isn't a pre-requisite for us to love you. No one cares about that. Give me your hand." Aether takes his hand from Rain's leg and holds it palm up.

Rain hesitates, but listens, sliding his hand into Aether's. Aether brings them both up to his chest. He places them right over the place Aether feels Rain the strongest. Directly in the center of his chest. Aether focuses on it. He tugs on the strings that attach him to Rain. T

He doesn't have the words to make him feel better, to make him believe that he belongs here. That Aether loves him with every fiber of his existence. Rain is a part of the universe that is Aether, and the easiest way to prove that is to show him. Aether closes his eyes. He grips Rain's hand a little harder. He latches onto the power in Rain's body, and he pulls.

Rain gasps, lurching forward as if Aether pulled on him physically. And then, he goes silent. Aether knows he can feel it--that he can feel all of them, wrapped through his body like lifelines. A circuit. A solar system. "I'm...Aeth...that's--"

"I would never lie to you, Water Lily," Aether whispers.

Rains tips further forward. His forehead bumps into Aether's. All Aether can smell is petrichor. All he can feel is Rain. He opens his eyes to meet cerulean blue eyes, searching his. Rain's hand flexes over his chest. "It's so much," Rain breathes. The churning in Aether's chest has calmed, less frantic. Close like this, connected, Aether can feel Rain's awe, the shock. Aether tugs on the connection a little more, just to try to open it up a little. Rain lets him--either because he wants to know more or because he's too stunned to resist. "I don't know how much of them you can feel," Aether whispers into the small space between them. "But I can give you this, just so you're sure." It's easy to funnel a piece of himself into Rain. It's the same muscles he flexes for healing. Rain's hand grips tight at his shirt when he does it. His eyes go wide.

"Is that...you?" "Yes. So you'll know what I feel, for you. You don't ever have to doubt that I love you. That I want you. That you belong here. Magic doesn't lie."

Rain sags into him, forehead slipping off of Aethers to thump down onto his shoulder. Aether cuts the connection, and he drags Rain into his arms. Stroking one hand up into his hair, dragging through the curls as Rain shudders against him.

Aether knows it's a lot, maybe too much. Forcing that connection, shoving himself into Rain's chest like he wanted to make a home there, it's an overstep. But it was easier than trying to talk through it. Dew carries a piece of him too, from a night just like this. Aether would give himself to all of them if he could--just so they could experience one-eighth of what he does. So they could feel the strength of their bond, the permanence of it.

Rain clings to him like Aether's a liferaft. "I can still feel you." Rain rubs absently at his chest, his voice breathless against Aether's neck. Aether nods. "Now you'll never have to doubt it again."

[thessalian]

Thess vs The IMDB Game Again

As I may or may not have mentioned, I preordered Horizon: Forbidden West the minute it came up for pre-sale - the first time I've done that for a game since Dredge (and before that since ... I think Dragon Age 2, honestly). And then I thought: "Sylens. Lance Riddick. Oooooooooooh that's gonna hit different, given he passed not long after that..." So, at least in part to cheer myself up, I played the IMDB Game with Forbidden West. You know, "I've Heard That Voice Before", but with a restriction of "What have they been doing since HZD, if they were in HZD?". While doing that, I answered that question about a whole bunch of other bits of media that I hadn't run through the IMDB Game that comprehensively yet.

For instance, Erend - John Hopkins. ...Well, to avoid spoilers for a massively huge game, if you're playing BG3? Look up "Arnell Hallowleaf", because they don't really name the guy in any IC way and it's easy to miss any indication of it OOC because that's some fraught shit in the House of Grief. And if you really want irony, his first introduction to video game VA was "Sword Coast Legends", so hopefully his poor character got more of a look at the Sword Coast than poor Hallowleaf ever did...

Varl - John Macmillan. Those of you who watched The Sandman? That's the version of Morpheus Nala sees, when she sees him in hell. Was also in a couple of episodes of House of the Dragon as Ser Laenor Velaryon, if you're into that kind of thing.

Tilda Van der Meer? That's a new character. Let's see ... Carrie-Ann Moss?!? TRINITY? ......Wait. No, I'm sure I knew that Aria T'Loak was voiced by Trinity from the Matrix movies and just forgot. There is no way I would just not know that.

Kotallo - another new one. Hrm. Noshir Dalal ... Huh. That reminds me that I need to actually sit down and watch Candela Obscura. As it stands, I've probably heard him in Guild Wars 2 somewhere. (I really should log back into that...)

Regalla, another new one... Angela Bassett. Well. They got some names for the sequel, didn't they? Seriously, while she's Ramonda forever for some people, for me it's mostly everything she played in American Horror Story.

Erica Luttrell. I know that name. I know I know that-- Ah. Aura Lorelei. I'm sure it says something when she's done so much and I mostly recognise the name through Critical Role-- Huh. Wait. Various voices in Dragon Age: Origins!

Right, that's enough of that. Mostly because I should probably nip to the shops now, if I'm doing so, because a big dark cloud just kind of blotted out the nice partly-sunny day and I'd rather not walk out in the rain.

[weird-dere-fics]

Twyla’s Love Stories

My self ship masterlist <3

Multiple boys

In the tags:

I can do this to him meme

when women try to proposition them

haikyuu thoughts

Written by me:

Friendly reminder/comfort I wrote for myself

Asking for some fav’s ussies >:3

not quite self ship but they hate the rain TT__TT

my top 3 on my birthday 🥺 [2023]

What favs have me as in their phone before we’re together <2

Kids with 2 of the holy trinity lawl

What I admire in my faves (self reflect-y)

From others:

comfort from @/kweenkatsuki

Art:

(💘)

Kurosaki Ichigo 🖤 / Zangetsu (Hollow Ichigo) 🤍

🖤 In the tags:

Ichigo being best dad 🥺

1st creampie of 2023 <3

🖤 Written by me:

my dream where we were married <3

when i’m hyperactive lawl

me @ ichigo lmao

night owl time --> sleepy roadtrip ft chernemi tingz (@/saneminx)

my dream where he confesses his feelings for me

Sunday vibes (02/05/23)

🖤 From others:

comfort from a nonnie

Just Ichigo things from @/cannibalhawks

Courage potion from @/potionpeddlerpatchy

🖤 Art:

commission from @/sdrawberrii-mochii aka @/your-fellow-passerine

🤍 In the tags:

When he is a danger to society but a sweetheart to you <3

🤍 Written by me:

(💘)

🤍 From others:

(💘)

🤍 Art:

(💘)

Bakugou Katsuki

In the tags:

(💘)

Written by me:

(💘)

From others:

why Bakugou and I are perfect together according to @/kingkatsuki

who in the bakusquad would fall for u quiz (answer was p accurate)

Art:

(💘)

Yukihira Soma

In the tags:

That’s what good pussy sounds like LMAO

Dumbass and dumbass but smarter

Written by me:

Thirsting

From others:

Valentine’s card from him 🥺 (from @/potionpeddlerpatchy 💕)

Moodboard from @/crowned-peony <3

Art:

Cute style comm from holiday event by @/54prowl

Sugawara Koushi

In the tags:

riding a mechanical bull with cowboy suga (but also bkg kdhjfkd)

Written by me:

when i get sick (with @/my-neighbor-todoro n oikawa)

From others:

(💘)

Art:

(💘)

Kunigami Rensuke

In the tags:

(💘)

Written by me:

(💘)

From others:

(💘)

Art:

Valentine’s commission from @/54prowl

Other

In the tags:

(💘)

Written by me:

Cool people (Inumaki Toge)

From others:

(💘)

Art:

(💘)

[sheriff-t-money]

"I broke my rules for you."

From this meme prompt.

A heavy sigh fell from thin lips that tightly pressed together after its escape. Somewhere to his right, he heard Bobby give a guttural, confused, sob. It broke Travis' heart almost as much as the sight before him.

Kaylee. Everyone's energetic ball of light. Extinguished in a pool of her own blood. 'This is going to destroy Chris,' was the only thought running through his mind. It was the only thought he allowed in his mind. For now.

Amelia's death had nearly broken him as it was. It was only for the sake of the kids that Chris had kept himself together. This? Travis didn't see a way back from this.

And he had let it happen.

It all began with a push of a single domino. A decision to keep two early-bird counselors in prison cells. It wasn't Max. He had no idea where that boy was currently locked up. It was Laura Kearney.

Motive, means, opportunity.

The holy trinity in law enforcement.

Outwardly, he was as stern and stoic as ever. In fact, he was probably overcompensating. Because he was one second away from a fuckin' breakdown. He'd caused this. He hadn't pulled the trigger, but he had sure as fuck presented the means and opportunity on a literal silver platter.

Where had he gone wrong? He tried mentally retracing his steps over the past two months. He'd be mindful of letting them get too close. Hell, he kept the most important room, his personal armory, locked up tight.

The answer became clear. He'd fuckin' underestimated her. Travis had made it his career to be a damn good judge of people. Hell, in the grand scope of cops, he thought he was pretty damn lenient. Kearney, on first impression, was a typical young adult still finding her way. Plenty of dreams and few answers.

The few interactions he had allowed himself to have with her revealed . . . a few more layers. A deeper complexity. But he had stopped himself there. That night spent having as close to a heart-to-heart as he could muster was a mistake. He'd revealed too much to her.

He'd mistaken her understanding for sympathy.

The fuckin' problem was he had no idea what to feel about this . . . situation. This damned horror story he was submerged in. He had a foot in both sunlight and in the shade. Laura Kearney had killed a monster that would have killed her right back without a thought.

But she had also killed his niece.

And damn it if Kaylee wasn't a beautiful soul. That girl was going to go places instead of being trapped here like her bum of an uncle. Now, she was floating here with the chemicals in the pool slowly eating away at her dead flesh.

Travis' body is aching. He pushes himself up from the kneeled position he was sitting in beside the pool. The rain threatens above. He can hear the distant roll of thunder and smell the moisture in the air.

"Call Pa, Bobby," he says finally, keeping his tone controlled. Bobby's face was wet, leaving red streaks down his neck and the front of his overalls. "She needs to go home. I'll," and he hesitates, quickly clearing his throat to avoid the slight catch that formed in it, "I'll . . . tell Ma."

Travis turns, dark eyes shadowed even deeper, bags under his eyes heavier than normal, to take one last look at his niece. He allows the memory to burn. More guilt to carry to his grave. Another weight to his shoulders.

He won't be able to rest from this. Not even when his body is turned to ash. Guys like him didn't deserve peace.

Turning away, he exits the pool area and starts the long trek home. He only allows himself one thought. A new thought.

'Why the fuck did I break the rules for her?'

[padfootagain]

Love in Verses (XVII)

Chapter 17 : ‘Dear pine cone, let me hold you as you open’

Hi! Here is new chapter! Some cuteness and bounding between our MC and Andrew…

I hope you like this chapter! Tell me what you think!

****

Pairing: Hozier x fem!reader (professor!AU)

Warnings: slow burn, angst, hurt, hurt/comfort, tooth-rotting fluff in later chapters, some scenes in later chapters will have heavy sexual themes even if it’s not explicit nsfw description, so minors here

Summary: Your life seems perfect. You're engaged, your career is thriving as you become an assistant professor at Trinity College, and this Andrew Hozier-Byrne you're sharing an office with seems to be a nice guy you hope to call a friend soon. Life seems to be smiling at you... until everything goes sour. When your fiancé breaks up with you, your perfect world shatters. And when your colleague also gets his heart broken soon after, your shared office seems to be a curse rather than a blessing. But Andrew seems determined to mend your broken hearts... Will things finally go according to plan?

Word Count: 3483

Masterlist for the series – Hozier’s masterlist – Main masterlist

It was early

It was early,   which has always been my hour     to begin looking       at the world

and of course,   even in the darkness,     to begin       listening to it,

especially   under the pines     where the owl lives       and sometimes calls out

as I walk by,   as he did     on this morning.       So many gifts!

What do they mean?   In the marshes     where the pink light        was just arriving

the mink   with his bristle tail     was stalking       the soft-eared mice,

and in the pines   the cones were heavy,     each one       ordained to open.

Sometimes I need   only to stand     wherever I am       to be blessed.

Little mink, let me watch you.   Little mice, run and run.     Dear pine cone, let me hold you       as you open.

Mary Oliver, Evidence, 2009

The rain made a reassuring rhythm as it fell on rooftops and windowpanes. It was kind of perfect for today’s ventures through bookstores with Andrew. You both had books to buy, had decided to go together. Of course, you had two titles in mind, and had already five books in your arms. As per usual.

By your side, Andrew was softly humming. A habit of his, you had discovered. One that came through when he was fully relaxed and happy, a sign of contentment. Today’s tune was fitting the moody weather and the warmth of bookshops. Autumn in New York…

“Andy… I need your professional expertise.”

He looked up at you, glasses perched on his nose, hair tied back but loose curls still fell around his face, a couple of them hiding his right eye and the freckle above it. He looked welcoming, warm, like a blanket and hot cocoa in winter, like the cracking of fire in the hearth of a safe home.

“Devotion, Mary Oliver?” you asked, holding up the book in your hand.

He grinned.

“A must-read, obviously. Breathtaking. I have a copy though, if you want to borrow it. It’s a good selection of her poetry.”

“Would you say I will want to go back to it constantly after I’ve read it?”

“I do go back to it often,” he conceded, and you heaved a sigh.

You placed it on the pile of books that was slowly but surely growing in your arms.

“You have a terrible influence on me,” you sighed, making him roll his eyes.

“I’m merely answering your question.”

“My bank account hates you and your reliable recommendations, just so you know.”

“I’ve finished The Song of Achilles, by the way,” Andrew mentioned it as if it was but a detail, but you noticed the smile he was trying to refrain.

“And?”

“It was… good.”

You raised an unimpressed eyebrow, making him laugh.

“Alright, alright… I liked it a lot, actually.”

“How much did you cry?”

“What makes you think I cried at all?”

“Huh… because you have a beating heart, obviously?”

You saw the glimmer in his eyes, the tug of a cheeky smile on his lips that he tried to hide. You knew he was going to make a stupid joke, and that you would fall for it and laugh.

“How do you know I have one?”

“You’re alive,” you answered, playing along as you narrowed your eyes.

“So you think! I am actually un-dead. You foolish mortals should quake in fear before me.”

“How do you hide the smell of decomposition so well, then?” you asked back, and you noticed the way he was surprised by your answer, the absolute thrill he had because you were yielding into his dark humour.

“Perfume. Like the French.”

“You know it’s a myth.”

“Is it?”

“No idea.”

“I learned from the best, in the 1600s, when it grew out of fashion to stink.”

“So, what are you? A zombie?”

“No, I’m not! I’m not a brainwashed decomposing corps, how dare you?”

“Because you think you’re a vampire?”

“I would be a grand vampire!”

“Definitely a tall one, for sure.”

He narrowed his eyes at you, struggling so hard not to laugh you knew he had stopped breathing.

“Careful, mortal.”

“What are you gonna do? Sink your teeth in my jugular? Well, go ahead!”

You offered your neck to him, were surprised when his smile faltered and he fiercely blushed while staring at the skin you were now exposing.

“Besides, I’m sure I would get rid of you easily,” you teased again, replacing your scarf as it was before, and Andrew seemed to be breathing once more.

“You seem to doubt my vampiric powers to an annoying degree,” he went on again, following you as you walked further down the poetry section, before you’d stop again to look at another shelf of the same aisle.

“Hmm… maybe you are a vampire, indeed,” you pouted, acting like pondering a question. “I bet your white arse does get burned at the smallest ray of sunshine.”

Andrew couldn’t refrain his laughter anymore, it came out in a loud wave, the sound alone making you grin.

“Right, that’s right,” he nodded, doubling with laughter.

“Crispy bacon, I bet.”

His laughter came back renewed in a new wave. It lit up the entire shop, even the world beyond it.

“I cook in the sun,” he nodded, trying to calm down although his words still came out distorted by the lack of air in his lungs. “I become edible, at one point.”

You laughed too, bright and happy, the way you felt with Andy that rainy afternoon.

You didn’t have a care in the world in that moment. Basking in your shared laughter over some silly jokes, in a bookshop you loved, spending all the money you could have saved for later in life, but who cared about later? There was Andy laughing, the pile of books under his arm, the light reflected on his glasses, the pitter patter of the rain. Wasn’t that enough to fill up a world? An entire life?

You were so glad he was your friend now…

“You didn’t answer. How much did you cry?” you asked again, picking up a book, but placing it back on the bookshelf almost immediately, not liking how it looked.

“Quite a lot,” he finally admitted.

“Told you, you would. What did you think?”

He heaved a sigh, and you knew what was coming. You knew he was about to babble away for ten minutes and analyse everything in depth and question the changes made compared to the Iliad, and be too clever for his own good… He was an academic, after all.

He did exactly as you had predicted, you smiled the entire time, discussing some points with him, giving your opinion which he listened to attentively, bouncing back on your arguments to carry the conversation further. And you loved it. Every second of it. Being challenged that way about a book you had loved made your brain buzz in the best way.

You heaved a dreamy sigh, turning towards the shelves filled to the brim with books to buy.

“Oh, but can you imagine though? What it must feel like to have someone loving you that much?”

You ran your fingers across the spines of books before you, read a few titles; it was like touching dreams.

“Do you imagine what it must feel like to write about love that way? To love someone so much you write about them? To have someone writing about you?”

You smiled, a soft gesture as you let your hand fall back by your side.

“What else could we write about, though?”

You turned to Andrew, surprised by his sudden silence, and found him staring at you with an unreadable expression, you weren’t sure whether he was sad or simply deep in thoughts. You noted the red on his cheeks, though.

He seemed to hesitate, his lips parting, and then closing again.

“Like that could happen to us,” you laughed at your own silly thoughts. “Right… I’m done, I can’t allow myself to buy more books! Are you ready? Or do you require more snooping around?”

A smile was back on his lips, although Andrew still seemed a little shaken, you didn’t know why. He nodded anyway, looking down at the five books he was holding.

“I’m all good. Erm… I’m gonna order one, they didn’t have it. I’ll be quick.”

You nodded, let Andrew ask for the book he wanted, while you watched the rain fall outside, the lines it drew on the windowpane, the silhouettes hurrying back and forth in the street.

You didn’t hear Andrew joining you again, you jumped as he spoke.

“Ready?”

You had a new conversation going while you waited to pay for the books; and when it was time to walk out of the bookshop and part for the day, you didn’t want to. It was still early, you had no place to be on that Saturday afternoon. You wanted to finish this conversation with Andrew, you wanted to listen to his deep voice a little longer, let his calmness soothe you…

He looked into the street before you, holding the door open for you, but you remained motionless by his side. The rain was heavier now. It was so cold outside, you wondered if snowflakes weren’t hiding in the droplets.

“Want to get a coffee?” Andrew asked after a short silence.

You looked up at him, exchanged a glance. You read the same eagerness to stay in his eyes. You grinned.

“Yeah, I’d love that.”

You were laughing at Andrew as you ran to the coffeeshop set right across the street when he slipped, almost falling, and cursing loudly at the clumsiness of his tall limbs. The rain was so cold over your face, you savoured the feeling the same way you enjoyed Andrew’s hand on your back when he told you to hurry inside.

“Wow… your standards for that date are… very high,” Andrew declared, pushing his rebel strands of hair behind his ear.

He cursed in a sigh, mumbling something about his hair tie not ‘doing anything’, and he pulled on it to free his hair. He shook his head to let his curls free; you tried hard not to stare, failed miserably…

“You asked for like… the dream date. The absolute dream. I’ve given you the absolute dream. The unreachable standard.”

“So… a movie in a field or clearing, a picknick, at night, and with lights hanging from trees.”

“Yes.”

“That’s insane.”

“You asked for the dream! That would be so fucking romantic!”

“It’s not even feasible, on a purely logistical point. How do you watch a movie in the woods? On a laptop?”

“No! I want it like… projected on a screen, like in cinema.”

“You want to go to an outdoor screening…”

“No! I want to be alone with the guy!”

“That’s impossible.”

“Projectors do exist, you know!”

“How do you create that set up where there is no one…?”

“I’ve never said I will ever get that! That it will happen! I’ve just said… that if anything could happen… I would like a date where we would be just together, in the middle of nowhere, watching a movie we both like and eating good food in a magical setting. Or it doesn’t have to be in the middle of nowhere, it can be… like… in a garden!”

“In this economy? Who owns a garden? Are you a millionaire?”

You rolled your eyes at him. Bantering with Andrew was such a nice sport…

“Why not just… go to a cinema?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

Black, no sugar nor milk. Always the same order. Predictable guy…

“You can’t talk in a cinema. But you’re supposed to get to know the other person during a first date.”

“A restaurant then? You’ll go to the cinema for a second date.”

“Restaurants are okay,” you conceded. “And again, you asked for the dream. The one that is not achievable. That no man would ever do.”

“Because it’s not logistically possible.”

“Because no man would go to such length for someone else.”

Andrew raised a surprised eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the sudden pessimism in your voice. The mood shifted a little, from casually playful to something more serious, even a little sad.

You kind of hated your own thoughts, hated your weakness that made you unable to hold back the rest of your words, but they spilled out anyway.

“Especially not for me.”

Andrew’s expression changed from surprised to a deep frown. He opened his mouth to argue, but you interrupted him before he had as much as a chance to say a word.

“Never mind that. Anyway… let’s talk about something else. It’s your turn to answer a question!”

You narrowed your eyes, mischief back on your features, and if Andrew didn’t seem fully convinced by your sudden change of subject, he yielded anyway.

“Alright, I’m all ears.”

“I can ask you whatever I want?”

“Sure… I might not answer though.”

You looked for something that would make him blush for sure, just to tease…

“Weirdest place where you’ve had sex?”

Andrew broke into laughter, clearly uncomfortable now, and blushing like a tomato all the way up to the tips of his ears. He nervously ran his fingers through his hair. And yet, when he looked at you again, there was something wicked in his gaze, something beyond playful.

“That… is a very personal question to ask a lad.”

“You’re the one who started asking about my dating preferences.”

“Dating and having sex are quite… different. One is much more tamed.”

“Only if the date isn’t that good.”

He smiled, his tongue poking against the inside of his cheek. You knew he liked that, the challenge of talking to someone witty.

“Fair enough,” he nodded, still staring at you, his voice lower and deeper than usual.

Your stomach clenched, you felt warmth spread across your entire frame under the combination of his stare and his suave ton.

He knew how to be a dangerous flirt, alright…

“I’m afraid I’ll be a little disappointing though. I haven’t had crazy experiences,” he admitted. “I guess… I don’t know… a car?”

“A classic!”

“It wasn’t very nice, to be fair…”

“Really?”

He winced, taking a deep breath.

“Very long limbs in a secluded space is all I’m gonna say about it.”

You chocked on your coffee, laughing so hard your belly was soon painful. And Andrew was laughing as well.

“Oh, no! The woods! That’s weirder!” he changed his answer, looking at the ceiling as he seemed to look through his memories. “Yeah, the woods, actually.”

“Risky business. I bet you’ve traumatised an entire family of badgers.”

“Several of them, definitely!” he chuckled, drinking and taking a bite of his cheesecake.

“Alright, next question!” you eagerly asked, making Andrew smile.

“Erm… like… erm… If you could go anywhere in the world now… Like… you’re just, transported like that,” he explained, snapping his fingers for good measure, “where would you like to go, and why?”

“Oh… It would have to be a place far away if I can teleport there and not suffer through twenty hours of flying… erm… Probably Australia or something like that. Or New-Zealand! Oh yeah… going full on hardcore Lord of the Rings fan in New-Zealand, that would be nice.”

“You’d make a very good elf,” he chuckled, but you shook your head.

“Oh, I want to be a hobbit! Quiet, eating a lot of good food, reading books, complaining about people all day long, like… with your busiest time of the day being going for a walk through the nearby fields. Yeah, I want that life.”

Andrew’s gaze softened.

“That sounds nice, indeed.”

You looked for a question to ask him while munching on your cupcake.

“Where would you like to live? Like… if you had an unlimited amount of money, and you could just… buy any house, anywhere in the world… where would you like to live?”

Andrew hummed as he was thinking of an answer, looking by the window at the rain that was still falling and showing no sign of stopping. In the coffeeshop, Mumford and Sons were playing, you hummed along the tune while you waited for Andrew’s answer.

He heaved a sigh.

“I’m… so boring,” he admitted with a smile. “But I… I would really like to live in Wicklow. Like… in the countryside, in a very small town, and to have… like… some land and a huge garden. Some old house where you can feel the weight of time and of people who have lived there before, but… I mean, modernised, cause… comfort, you know?” he joked, looking at you again. “But yeah, I… I would really like to live in a quiet house, a place with a soul. And I want a garden. I… I would really like to keep bees, one day.”

“Bees?”

“Yeah… they’re my favourite insects, even animals to be fair. They’re so… interesting and quite cute. And I just… Can you imagine? Taking care of your bees, and making your own honey? I would really like that. I would really like that a lot. Nothing extravagant, nothing unreachable just… a house with a garden, and a couple of hives. Besides, Elwood would need a garden. I’m lucky, my parents live in the countryside. I… I think I’d like to live quite close to them, actually. When I was a child, we settled in Wicklow, and it was so nice. I loved growing up there. We didn’t have a farm but we were outside any big city. And it was just so nice. I’d like that.”

You felt your heart grow warm at his words. Something so simple he wanted. Bees and a garden, some place for Elwood to run…

“You are aware it would cost you your liver to have a cubicle in the middle of a field, right?” you asked, trying to think about something else than the way your heart was making happy jumps now.

He rolled his eyes.

“You said that I didn’t have to think about the money. With unlimited budget.”

You nodded, checked the time.

It was starting to be late, your coffee was almost empty and you had finished your cake. Time to go home.

Instead, you looked up at Andrew, noticed how long his eyelashes were as he looked down into his cup of coffee. Your request passed your lips before you could think the words you were speaking.

“Ask me something else.”

A week later, Andrew was back in the bookshop, although, he was on his own this time. The book he had ordered had been delivered, he was coming to pick it up. He wouldn’t buy anything else, just what he needed. He had already bought too many books with you, the previous week, learning that you could not be trusted either in a bookshop. He wasn’t surprised. A fond smile spread on his lips at the thought.

He was about to go pay for the book when something caught his eye. A name he recognised and that made him immediately think of you.

Dante Aleghieri

He walked over to the table where a few books were displayed, including this nice copy of the Divine Comedy. He picked it up, turned the book into his hands, weighted it as he hesitated. He hadn’t read that book since his college days, several years ago. At the time, he wasn’t interested in that story, and he reckoned he was too young to understand it. He had studied later on the bits and pieces that Seamus Heaney himself had translated, but that was all.

You loved Inferno though. You had found something in it. He wanted to find out what it was. Besides, it made him think of you…

He heaved a sigh, walked to pay for both books, carried them home.

That evening, he picked up Dante instead of finishing the novel he was currently reading. He checked on Elwood, who was softly snoring in the corner of the living room, before heading to bed himself. He readjusted his glasses on his nose before slipping under the covers, turning off his phone so he wouldn’t be interrupted or distracted, and he started reading.

He was drawn into the story now, more so than he remembered being the first time around. Of course, it was a book written over seven hundred years ago, with such Christian outdated thoughts that some pieces were lost to us. And yet, there was something haunting in its imagery, something touching in the pain inflicted. He made a mental note to research more about the political context that was debated in the book, he didn’t remember the story being so heavily driven by Dante’s political views, but it was. It was mostly political, mostly Christian too. He kept on reading through Canto I and II, until he had to stop, his breathing caught in his throat, his eyes clouded with tears as he reached Canto III.

Through me you enter into the city of woes,

Through me you enter into eternal pain,

Through me you enter the population of loss.

The words carved above the entrance of hell made him put down the book, stare up at the ceiling. It was silly, that wasn’t what the words meant in the context of the book, and yet… there was so much loss in his life at the moment…

 Through me you enter the population of loss.

The words played through his head again and again. What a beautiful way to describe grief…

He let out a breathy chuckle, blinking his tears away and smiling instead.

He should never doubt you. You seemed to always be right…

[lehouxnap2]

Hii. I'm gonna answer here because i feel like i annoy the other ones in the other blog. Idk.

Share ten different favourite characters from ten different pieces of media, in no particular order, then tag/send to ten people (anon or not).

Tagged by @anisecandy thank u. I love this shit.

What if... i add picsss

1. Joker - DC comics

2. Deidara - Naruto Shippuden

3. Robocop - Robocop (1987)

4. Reiner - Shingeki no kyojin

5. Wrathion - World of Warcraft

6. Viktor - Arcane

7. Nathan - Misfits

8. Prince Rain - Mortal Kombat

9. Leeloo - Fifth element

10. Trinity - Matrix

.

No way im tagging 10 people. Everytime i do so i get no answer so I rather not. If anyone sees this. Please. Be my guest and do it. And tag me lol

This time i didn't choose the same top 10 but it made me remember how many characters out there i love.

[empyreanemissary]

Vajra: Fertility 18/3/23

From the last post: “Indra is a fertility god, Parjanya. The rains are not just something satiating but fertilising. One pole expels sperm, the other exists within. Both seek to create and replicate themselves, but the divine methodology is different.”

The lightning bolt is the emergence of intelligent life from the moment of conception, which is in itself a product of intelligent life. Life begets life.

Zeus split humans up so they would have to reunite in separate form. Within one half is something which magnetises to something in the other half, forging something alive. We talk about reality as bond between Shiva and Shakti; existence itself is a union of things interplaying with one another. Everything, to Polarity, is coded with a system of attractions, neutralities, and repulsions: Everything is programmed to attempt to couple with one another, coded to the rhythms of sex, the ebb and flow of the waters emanate from God’s dual-sexed dance.

Wielded lightning then is control of how things manifest - are created - and the programming of the next generation of existence. First: Gametes are held programming, life recreates itself with footnotes and edits for the next generation. Second: Zeus is Time, Zeus is the Origin and the Next, the infinite-finite pool of informational programming and the flow of electricity between points in the Brain of God. Time is expression of change like Space is, God’s spectrums, holders of unique programming and states of being.

Brahma seats himself between change and preservation - external time and present now - and takes the throne for both, holds them collared and leashed to his Chariot. The Wind and the Sky entwine into one spear through which the programming slips into the next stage. Zeus is masculine, the four-armed god aligns with the phallic and penetrating, his staff as an expression of the basal fertility of nature represents that which splits the sky’s thighs and reprogrammes, but the peacock dance is neutral, intersex; he will always to some degree be androgynous and non-binary.

Zeus split beings in two, though. What brewed in him to make him do that? Divine order: That which separates king and people. The courage and skill to claim the Trinity Crown comes with the territorial instinct; in order for there to be a king there must be a people, competition for first place breeds more losers than winners and is a system to be escaped in order for one to win. This questions surrounding Zeus’ splitting can’t be answered in one subject and set of symbolism, but the relevant part is that he speaks himself into Creation, the Sky repeats itself, he himself is split from his wife and as such he splits beings into two - so that he may know himself, so that we may know ourselves, so that we may understand what he has seen and how he has seen it, and so that his teachings - gruelling, form-bending, mind-breaking - may be all the more potent and irreplaceable.

Holding the lightning is holding the ability to mend the split at will through knowledge of opposites in self, self in other, Consciousness outside of Matter, and the bridging between them. To wield the lightning bolt is to become both Zeus and his wife, the original being who recognises itself so fully in its other as one and another half of God that it bridges that gap and becomes four-armed once again. As the clouds and the static create lightning, to hold the lightning is to be both glorious sky and her ruler once again. There is no Zeus without his body, there is no lightning without the true coupling between ribbon-worm-tongue consciousness and encompassing matter, there is no king without laws that confine both he and his people - yet the king holds the power to twist those laws.

[kissorkill16]

Aftermath of a Breakdown: A Hello Neighbor Fanfic

By JJ

Summary: Without Nicky's help, Trinity has no choice but to go to the source.

The kids stood back in shock as they took in what they just witnessed. A moment of silence passed by before Delroy spoke up.

"Tch! Well, he was no help.", he said. Maritza nodded.

"Agreed.", she said, turning on her heel. "All in favor of going home and calling it a night, raise your hand."

Everyone raised their hands. Everyone except Trinity.

As everyone started to leave, Trinity stomped and turned on her heel and sprinted away before anyone else. But instead of going back home, she ran down the street, ignoring the thunder that ripped through the air and the rain that fell on her head.

Everyone was confused.

"Trinity!", Enzo called out to her, making her turn around. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the source.", replied Trinity.

"Dude, it's late and it's gonna start raining soon!", Maritza said.

"I don't care. I need answers, and I need them as soon as possible."

Trinity didn't care how late it was, and she didn't care if it was gonna rain. She wasn't ready to give up yet. She turned back around and continued running down the street, leaving her friends, and the kids just went back home.

[mlmxreader]

Hello to my lovely author! Hope all is well with you 🖤.

GG! Don't worry, I do get sleep, I'm just a raging insomniac but surprisingly, I usually get 8 hours of sleep every day, helps that I'm on summer holiday from uni at the moment. But when I woke up and saw the list of Hardy characters 😏😈 (too much power hath been given to me, hehe). When I get more time, I promise that I will definitely be spamming your inbox with prompts for that list!!

Okay, okay, okay (will mainly being using Alfie, because I love him and have devoured all the fics you have of him) **metaphorically cracks knuckles because IRL, I simply will NOT**

Now onto the praise you well damn deserve:

Characterization: Mr. Alfred Solomons comes through in each and every line uttered and not just in the dialogue you write for him but the mannerisms, his thought process, what leads him from one action to the next. It just is fully and undeniably the musings of that man. All his cheeky little comments and the nicknames: sunshine, treacle, love🫠🫠🫠. My fav interaction of all time:

"How you gonna court martial me, Captain Solomons?"

Gently, Alfie tugged you closer. "However the fuck you want me to, Sergeant Solomons."

Funny, cheeky and hot. The holy fucking (and FUCKING) trinity.

Also love when reader and Alfie are already a couple and how you write the mutual: if you fuck with them, I will rain holy fucking hell upon you. One of my fav lines to this effect comes from Protective:

"Alright," you sighed. "Alright, yeah... and for the record? You're my husband, and I'm not gonna fucking sit by and take it when people chat shit." Alfie laughed softly as he nodded slowly; he knew you would, just as you knew that he would do the same for you without hesitation. You were protective of each other, loyalty wasn't even a question so much as a given.

From Shock Troop (these two also have my whole ass heart):

"I know you don't like t'be reminded," he said softly. "But remember what I told you? I fuckin' told you, then an' there, that I ain't leavin' your side. Ever. And I'll always fuckin' stick up for you." 😫😫😍🫠

Your writing in general, the way to portray and set the scene (especially within The Wrong Side, Run Away With Me, and Eastern Front Chills) is exquisite. When reading the conditions Alfie and reader have to go through during the war, you are fully placed within that environment. And this also translates into understanding the motivations and mannerisms of the characters within the text. You do it so beautifully 😍, I simply cannot. The shaking hands, anxiety, guilt (whether survivors guilt, or from having to be forced to participate in a meaningless war), your work is just top tier. I cannot emphasis how much I absolutely love it!

Honourable mentions:

1. Soft!big tiddy Bane snuggling with his boyfriend instead of bashing the shit out of Sionis has my whole ass heart.

"Oh, little one," Bane tutted, shaking his head. Gently, he moved you onto your back, and pressed his forearms onto the bunk either side of your head so that you were terribly close to that mask of his, forced to look into his eyes. "Nothing is more important than you. I shall tell the Scarecrow that he can wait. If he's as eager to break the Bat as he seems, then he will."

Yeah, you can fucking lay on me like a bloody weighted blanket any fucking day, babe.

2. And of course jealous Alfie because that shit is just fucking hot, it's just non-fucking-negotiable. A fact of bloody life. I can fully understand why reader goads it along because bear man getting possessive the way he does, letting everyone know exactly who the fuck gets to touch and kiss up on reader like that is him and only HIM, holy hell Mr. Solomons 😏😏😏

Anyway, the gist: you're bloody lovely and so is your writing you absolutely amazing and beautiful man!!

Til next time 🖤🖤🖤!

🐍anon

I will admit: the first time I read this, I did tear up a little, so I just wanna, before I get into actually answering, just say thank you ever, EVER so much. you are an absolute angel, my mate, like, literally. you are an angel.

I'm glad you got some sleep, though!!! I really am, and I hope that you slept well 🫶🏻 the list is... it may or may not be complete, we'll see 👀👀 we shall see 👀👀 I gotta update my "official" list to include those characters but still. 👀 request to your heart's content, my friend. you know you're MORE than welcome to spam my inbox at any time, any day - the 19th will be a little tricky, bc that's when I get my tattoo, but other than that!!! I will be available lmfao I can promise you that much!!!

I know you love Alfie 😭 it brings me great joy to my heart to know that someone loves him as much as me ngl 😭🫶🏻

the praise just... thank you, so, so, so, so much. genuinely and sincerely, thank you. it means a lot to actually hear that people have picked up on the little things and I kinda wanna cry bc... just thank you!! 😭😭🫶🏻

of COURSE we had to include Mr Big Titty Bane himself!! dhfksjfkskgks where WOULD we be as a society if Christopher Nolan had told Tom Hardy to put a shirt on (probably a lot worse off tbh) but thank FUCK HE DIDN'T

jealous!Alfie just... yeah 😫 need him. bad.

anyway: thank you. really. I'm at a loss for words, really, but just know that my gratitude and my appreciation is at an all time high and I would both kill and die for you without hesitation.

I love you, please take care!! 🫶🏻

[booksandwords]

Return to Sanctuary (Anthology)

Read time: 2 Days Rating: 5/5

Edited by Carol Shaughnessy Contains contributions by: Sherrilyn Kenyon/ McQueen, Nicki Nance, Lina Acevedo, Sabrina Diaz, Sheri-Lynn Marean, Cole Jackson, Hunter J Skye, Leigh Bulls, Alice Sable, Cynthia Agutun, Trinity Blaslo, Dawn Chartier, Eva Nela, Sarah Compton and C Stripes.

To me this is not as strong as Sanctuary. It at least doesn't feel as well organised, Love's Absolution is a strange way to start, too tightly tied to the previous book. Second Chance for a Forever Mate is a strange way to end at least to me, utilising arcadian wolves it rightfully uses their base forms in the mating process something that I've never been a fan of (not an uncommon opinion). I can see the choice to use Stripes' inclusion last could leave a bad taste in readers mouths. It could however have been a decent first entry with Nance's last.

What is improved in Return to Santuary is the variety of supernaturals used in the stories. I found Santuary focused heavily on Werehunters this one is more diverse most importantly including more Dark Hunters as ocs. There is an origin story for one of the more enigmatic couples in the Hunterverse, some surprising pantheon appearances and a story written in entirely in what I shall refer to as the Simi speak. It is clearly one for the fans for through. There will be a story for everyone and probably a story that will leaving them going "Ahhh... no not for me". To me at least this is what an anthology should be, diverse.

Love's Absolution by Nicki Nance

“I’m not a doctor, but I think it’s your species.” Dev sat down against the wall and put his elbows on his knees in anticipation of a long talk. Shem glared down at him. “What?” Dev pointed at him. “You, my friend, are human. Mistakes come with the territory. Hence the term ‘human error.’” — Dev Peltier and Shem

Love's Absolution is a continuation of Mourning Shadows Nicki Nance's story from Sanctuary. It's a firm addition to that world, though something tells me you may be able to pick it up and read it without knowing Mourning Shadows. It builds on the world that Nance created in that story. It feels like an alternative reality, our timeline but not. What we do find out that I appreciated is the inclusion of Shem's family, particularly his maternal line. Shem comes from a long line of very strong women... the Devereaux women. It is a story of family and forgiveness. There is an on-point Ash conversation that cannot be ignored.

Music and Storm by Lina Acevedo

The sensation of her body next to his when they escaped to dance in the rain, the smell of the rain, their feet buried in mud, the sound of thunder, their laughter and their hearts racing like a song. A kiss that she had wanted and had never happened. — Eliša

This is the story of Egyptian Dark Hunter Eliša and squire Basilius Nizar. And huh... I honestly did not see that ending coming. I'm not going to think too hard about the interplay of pantheons here. If one of the big six can be hiding out in a different pantheon we may as well use it. The ending kinda feels off to me. Are squires tied to a single hunter? If not why isn't Nizar made Eliša's squire? I know Queen of All Shadows plays with a squire Dark Hunter relationship (Brynna and Xander). Either way, it is a choice interpretation. Leaves them happy. Answers the whys of their history. And Eliša is a truly interesting Dark Hunter with her mix of power and perhaps damaged mind.

Follow the Thread by Sabrina Diaz

He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. His blue eyes were even more intense in the light. His blond hair was cropped short in a way that suited his face. She noticed that he had burn scars on his face and arms. But that only made him more attractive to her. The scars proved he was a survivor. — Nyssa

This is different. It blends multiple well-known Greek myths but centres them around Sanctuary as a base and point of safety. Exactly as it is intended to be, as was I suspected the brief of the entries as well. Nyssa is a strong heroine well matched to the traumatised Ladon. I like the shades, the way Nyssa sees supernatural beings, showing, their most common presentations. It is so good to see Eris or a Devereaux woman in any piece. The Devereaux's are just a matriarchial tour de force and Eris is well Eris.

We All Got Beasts by Sheri-Lynn Marean

“You really think they guard treasure?” “It is, and maybe. At least I hope so,” Genna said. “A girl can’t have enough sparklies.” “Exactly,” —

Okay, let's be honest this is so hard to read. It's reading a whole story of Simi speak essentially, props to the author for that alone. Is just a cute little adventure kinda story. Genna is an acquired taste but her relationship with Thaniel is cute. Trying to make the gnomes come to life just to protect what is most precious is so sweet. like Nicki Nance's story, this is a pair to her piece in Sanctuary, though stands alone with more ease.

Saved by Stone by Cole Jackson

She was young enough to get carded for a drink and old enough to be served it. A girl her age would rarely come out alone at night and those that did would know to keep an eye over their shoulder. He watched her a moment more and realized that she wasn’t from around here. — Garin

There is a fantastic cyclic feeling to the ending. The hero, Garin has such a good voice. He's a gargoyle everything about him screams Victorian, his prestenation but more importantly his manner of speaking. The choice to give him that older voice is one of the best, it's like keeping the manner of speaking for a Dark Hunter after they made their deal with Artemis. I like that someone wrote a story using a protagonist who comes from a place of conflict with the Peltiers and the Sanctuary staff. Not everyone is on their good side, and bears have long memories. Aimee does her brilliant insightful female thing here too when it comes to Garin and Frankie's relationship.

Wendigo Weekend by Hunter J Skye

I hadn’t meant to select such an upscale hotel, but they’d had a cancellation and I was a lunatic with a credit card. — Ari

This is a very different take on self-discovery set before Bad Moon Rising. Wendigo protagonist Ari feels almost voiceless though. It almost seems like Hunter J Skye decided to use the Hunterverse and Return to Sanctuary as a way to introduce readers to a new mythological creature. One with a dark side. Also, it comes from Native American myth, not something we see a lot of in the Hunterverse. This is a story that does brilliant work with Lo. It shows a caring side of her we need to see more.

Bayou Honeymoon by Leigh Bulls

Jamison had come back from New York. She’d said she loved him, and her life wouldn’t be complete without him. He remembered their wedding day. When asked, she’d said, “We do” instead of the normal “I do.” It was her way of telling everyone she carried his child. — Rafe

This one is all mystery all the time. Leigh Bulls tells the story of a late honeymoon for werewolf, Rafe and Jamison his pregnant human wife. It features frequent appearances by Menyara freaking out the tourists, telling them their unborn child so is highly important. But you never get any real answers as to why Jamison's son is so important. You know, I like it as a piece of storytelling it is effective. If there is a third vol it will be curious to know if this one continues on.

Enter the Sanctuary by Alice Sable

“What the hell are you?” Acheron snorted. “I’m your best friend and your worst nightmare all wrapped up in tight leather pants.” “Mmm, sexy,” Tory whispered. Acheron grinned and kissed Tory’s forehead. “Later, baby.” — Logan, Acheron and Tory

I'm not sure that to make of this. Great use of the one demon army that is Simi. Tory being the big boss she is, one theme of the series all the men are cowed by their women. Fang being allergic to subtlety. I like the concept of the elementals but not so much how they were played out. The lore governing the elementals is effective, blood is an earth element. Alice sable does introduce an interesting play on the infamous sign "You entered the Sanctuary in peace, now go in peace.” (Acheron). Side not which book did we meet Psyche and Eros in? I remember it happening but not when.

In Another Place by Cynthia Agutun

There was darkness in him, but also light. He had a heart filled with love, fighting to keep the darkness at bay. My intuition told me that at some point he would meet someone who would tip the balance and add more light to his life. I gave him a smile. “Keep fighting. Never let the darkness overtake your heart. The light will come.” — Cassie

Cynthis Agutun uses a smartly heroine in her story. Commonly, especially in the Chronicles of Nick, we are introduced to characters that are born of dual and conflicting natures. This is exactly what Cassie is, the daughter of a demon and a guardian angel. She runs into the most iconic dual nature character in the entire Hunterverse... Nick Gautier. Agutun is the only person to use the canonical Nick, post the breakdown of the relationship with Ash. Cassie's quote was directed at him. The whole story is just clever

Sanctuary's Sheltered Heart by Trinity Blaslo

She is the tornado that flies by but notices everything not touching a thing Her heart is that of gold, yet no one dares goes digging to find it. Only a true one will be her king. — 🎼 Sanctuary 🎙

Look this is just weird. Not sure if that is good weird or bad weird. It more makes an unexpected twist that doesn't sit well with me. I did like Simi's absolute loyalty though and Sanctuary repaying it. But Lore's "his woman" language got old fast. That sort of pocessive linguistics without her knowledge or mutual agreement puts me on edge. Particularly given the background for this couple.

Awakwnwd by the Dark Hunter by Dawn Chartier

“I’d rather believe you’re a vigilante.” A deep laugh escaped him. Something he hadn’t done in a long time. He wasn’t sure what possessed him, but he reached up and cupped her chin. “I’m no dark hero, Alyssa Brooks.” — Alyssa and Cole

I quite like this. Cole is perfectly charming. Alyssa is sassy and nearly realistic given the pull that does exist. Also, she's a librarian. 😇 Dawn Chartier was aware of the word count limits and it made the right choices with their characters and the plot. It feels like the compressed early parts of a novel. You get just enough of a feel for what is going on, where they come from, what their hang-ups are but it is about them, their now and not their pasts. It's seemingly one of the few in this collection that goes explicit and it does that well.

How a Demon Made a Friend by Eva Nela

"You shouldn't be walking alone if you can't defend yourself properly." He growled aggressively. “But… Well, that also gave me a chance to meet you.” He smirked, flashing his sharp teeth. “I'm Xedrix.” — Xedrix

OMG 🤩 it was only when I looked up Xedricks that I realised what this is. This is the first meeting between Simi's older brother and owner of Club Charonte, Xedrix and his partner, Dimme demon Kerryna. I barely remember these two but I remember meeting them in Bad Moon Rising (how is it that book is a point of confluence for so much?). That said it did leave me so confused. Kerryna comes across as a moralistic demon. But what did surprise me was the main Peltier in play, Kyle. It's so nice to see a different cub. Eva Nela also honours Nicolette in the best possible way.

Plague of Pantheons by Sarah Compton

“Gwendolen is a grown woman. She should have the right to decide for herself what must be done. She doesn’t seem like the type to stand in the background.” — Aimee Peltier

This is a well thought out pairing. Gwain, Knight of the Round Table now a Dark Hunter and immortal Gwendolen. Though immortal Gwendolen is only 23, she is the daughter of Celtic goddess Cerridwen and Roman god Saturn. I call it well thought out because there is serious compatibility there culturally and personality-wise. This one certainly leaves the reader feeling like there is more to come. Gwendolen is not as strong as I would have liked but maybe it is more Saturn is super protective and she is wholly trapped. Not too many people could break that shield.

After I finished reading this I looked up what Cerridwen and Saturn functions were. Saturn was the God of time, wealth, agriculture, and liberation, Cerridwen is slightly more difficult but modern interpretation has her as the goddess of rebirth, transformation, and inspiration. There are other interpretations that have her as the Crone in the female cycle and as Underworld Goddess. They wouldn't necessarily be incompatible. But their daughter could be very interesting when she comes into her powers. Am I overthinking this? Yes but don't mix pantheons and expect me to not think about contexts.

Second Chance for a Forever Mate by C Stripes

“You should come to the bar. Show everyone you’re still alive.” “That’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it?” Beau locked gazes with Serre. “Am I still alive?” — Serre Peltier and Beau

Gosh when was the last time I saw Serre? I adore seeing thing the Peltier cubs. Katagarian wolf Beau's story is built from a sad base, the loss of a mate days after they claimed each other, so before they tied their life forces. The loss of his Cassie has as you would expect destroyed him to a degree and made him very reckless, yet he is still the pack alpha. For me, it is more about him and his growth than his relationship with Madigan St. Jules. he knows something about her is different. Nothing wrong with it and it is so good to have a second chance. I always struggle with Katagaria and the animal base forms. What that means for consummation. Really that is not my thing. Regardless of how much I like a plot.