#trying to find at least one normal one among them but then i remember that they have a special interest that they are very passionate about

[tassjis]

I realised that all my blorbos are either

A. neurodivergent

B. insufferable to be around if they were real

C. Both

[navramanan]

I go through these short periods of time feeling very okay and good even only bc i distract myself from what pains me until it catches up again and the cycle repeats itself

[alicerosejensen]

I love your page so much omg. I‘m literally obsessed with your work😭🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Also I have this imagination in my mind going on about how Leon would try to help his girlfriend from recovering from her mental health issues since she’s always helping him. I was recently thinking about how he would react finding her not moving on the bathroom floor and trying to bring her back! I rewatched American horror stories and the scene with tate and violet in the first season episode 6 (ig?) is always in my head. I‘m still recovering from my past and my unhealthy habits and tbh recovery never felt better.

If this is too much for you or triggering please ignore this.🫶🏼❤️

I had a terrible period in my life when I was a few steps away from doing something like this in my life and unfortunately this shit often comes out. I'm not sure that such texts help me work through my psychological traumas, which were, in fact, inflicted on me and continue to be inflicted by close people who do not consider me a person, but at least such works help me to vent my pain, which I cannot permanently bury in myself.

I have been postponing this request for a long time because I was probably waiting for the right moment to write this text.

There are mentions of suicide, psychological trauma, severe self-doubt and anxiety, so if this is not acceptable to you, then please just block it.

Perhaps there is a similarity with my previous texts, but I am writing this with strong emotions now that I am trying to cope with it again.

the text is chaotic, I repeat, written while I was under the influence of strong heavy emotions. Maybe I'll delete it later, when my brain gets back to normal a little bit.

If a songbird doesn't sing well, they wring its neck.

Maybe it was the costs of Leon's profession and the result of his constant missions, after which something human is gradually dying in him despite the constant struggle to save everyone. Raccoon City was supposed to teach, if not to survive, then make him begin to understand that some are doomed to die.

Leon Kennedy was taught not to offend, but to protect the weak, especially weak women. But it is difficult to calm the flow of disordered thoughts and put aside the fear that has seized him in order to clamp bloody wrists and apply something to them to stop the blood. Leon knew many strong women: Ada was perhaps the first among them, he did not know either her past or her real name, only the present that pushed their foreheads against each other; Claire, a fighting friend of misfortune that he met in that ill-fated city; Ashley, who turned from a baby eagle into a proud eagle; Angela Miller and others…

Your strength dissolves in the water, coloring it scarlet while your heart stubbornly still beats, let the rhythm noticeably shorten.

In truth, over the past few months it became clear that this was the only way out. When even your loved ones considered you an expired product and did not hesitate to remember this and remind you every time. In the end, their words turned into an obsessive worm that settled in your head, slowly day after day, month after month, devouring you and the circumstances seemed to be not in your favor. Instead of support, you somehow faced reproach, as if the universe was screaming that you were an wrong person, nature's mistake who had no right to live.

Escape attempts were doomed to failure. At first you tried to suppress it in yourself, helping Leon, because, in your opinion, he was the only one who had the right to complain about life, although he did not do this in front of you, because everyone said that you had no problems: you have everything limbs, there are no fatal diseases, all loved ones are healthy and there is a roof over your head, as if this is enough to not fall for nonsense and not walk around forever with a sad face.

This was the last time you shared your experiences. You didn’t even bother telling Leon, but everything inside was torn from constant pain. The feeling was as if you were being beaten by two extremes that led you to the edge of an abyss where you ultimately voluntarily jumped.

no, you really loved him, it was just other people’s words and your own speculation that convinced you, despite your strong relationship with him, that Leon would find someone better, someone more confident in himself, someone who would not be you because you had already missed the chance for a good life because it moved too slowly. Ultimately, a couple of sips of alcohol with sleeping pills and a sharp blade in his hands simply promised to correct the mistake in the form of you with your own hands.

You didn't have the courage to do it any other way.

But you really didn’t think that if you could try to open up to your loved one, you would meet support and not condemnation. Perhaps in a mad world he would be the only one who would heal your wounds as you healed him in your time. Leon clenched his teeth, feeling tears flowing down cheeks, seeing these crimson stains, when he pulled your body out of the bath, holding you close to him, repeating “I’m holding you. It's allright"

He so carefully laid you on his lap, managing to pull out a first aid kit and then bandages to tightly, albeit carelessly, wrap them around your wrist in order to somehow stop the bleeding. At least you were still breathing, thereby giving him hope that everything could still be fixed. the darkness and emptiness came to life, calling in a whisper to dissolve into eternal silence where there is no pain or condemnation. Your body will be in a grave under a gray stone, while the remains of your soul will float like a small grain of sand in infinity.

For Leon, everything happens in a fog; he tried more than once to save people, but he had no right to lose in this battle, even if you yourself surrendered to death. Shaking his head, brushing away the tears, he wrapped your body in a large terry towel, kissed your temple and picked you up, trying to somehow warm you, pressing you closer to him. the ability to provide first aid in the field and pull suicides out of the other world is not the same thing. Leon would have thanked God if he had believed in him, convinced that blood loss was the least of the evils that you had caused yourself, until he saw the remains of some substance at the bottom of the glass that stood on the table along with an almost full bottle of alcohol.

You really didn't give him a chance.

The ambulance took several minutes, which seemed like an eternity. In fact, Leon wasn't sure if it was worth trying to make you vomit when you'd already lost so much blood that it was already seeping through the bandages. Surely you would need a transfusion and Leon is ready to give you all his blood if only you would wake up. Holding his breath, he carefully looked at your chest, watching whether you were breathing and fortunately, your heart was still beating, slowly, but it was still fighting for life.

He stroked you on the head, kissed you, promised that he would take you somewhere else, quiet, where no one would dare to offend you, even if it was your family. You could have just asked him for help, just cuddled up to him and he would have protected you from other people’s attacks, but you preferred to remain silent. Kennedy was tired of waiting for the medical staff to let him in, although relatives should be allowed to see the patient first, but the position of a government agent sometimes had its advantages, and they concerned not only the high salary. When he was let in to you, it seemed to him that you had become half your size while you were lying on the bed, curled up under the blanket. It didn’t work out to pull off a beautiful suicide, which meant that soon angry relatives would come here with new sweat of bile especially for you. They won’t care about your feelings, but Leon sat down next to you, trying not to intrude too much into the space in which you imprisoned yourself, as if this blanket cocoon could be a separate world where you could hide. He spoke to you carefully, hating himself for not being able to understand in time what was wrong with your behavior; perhaps if he had been more attentive to you, the incident could have been avoided. You would see a psychotherapist, take a course of medication, and your environment would definitely be taken care of.

You cry, not letting him come to you, hating how you weren't just left to die and how much you hate this world. Hysteria after hysteria, nervous breakdown after nervous breakdown, in the hospital you repeatedly tried to commit suicide, but the attentive staff managed to prevent this before you inflicted fatal injuries on yourself, and if after some time Leon still managed to carefully break through your armor, then your loved ones This did not concern relatives in principle. You only allowed one person to visit you while you were undergoing psychological treatment and you behaved calmer and calmer, listening to the velvety words that soon all this would be behind you.

“We’ll go home soon,” Leon smiled, gently holding your hand and kissing your forehead, just glad that you’re alive, that you’re breathing and that your psycho-emotional state is slowly but improving. “You know, I have a surprise for you, I think you’ll like it when we get home.”

Soon what happened will become another nightmare in his life, a blessing with a good ending, but for the sake of this happy ending, Kennedy is ready to descend into hell at least every day.

You nod at him and smile a little, fearing that the gift is some kind of party on the occasion of your discharge. In fact, the last thing you want is to see someone’s faces, especially those who diligently hammered into your head how insignificant you are. Why do you even hope that the doctor will postpone your discharge, but the plans for your further treatment were completely different.

On the other hand, after taking antidepressants and psychological help in a special medical institution, how many men are ready to stay with their girlfriends who have been there for several months? For Leon, it seems this was not a significant problem, or he simply carefully did not show it. However, there were no parties, no calls, you simply returned now to his home where there were new interior items. it became somehow more comfortable... but something else surprised you.

Puppy. A small puppy of a couple of months old ran towards you and Leon to meet both of them, but stopped and began sniffing your shoes, while something thawed in your heart.

“Animals seem to help us well, They feel when we feel bad, it seems to me a good idea to get us a little companion,” Leon said quietly, stroking your back while you were busy with the puppy, rejoicing at the little living soul who will love you with the same pure and devoted love.

Ultimately it should have a happy ending too. Leon is ready to go to great lengths so that his beloved songbird starts smiling and singing happy songs again, even if it is necessary to remove other birds from her family who sleep and see how to pluck all her wings again.

You and he also have a chance for a happy ending.

[zarvasace]

Next is Depth! He is dark Sky. (He gets his own special dramatic portrait—the perspective mostly works? Idk I need to practice and find some good refs for this sort of thing.) So much rambling about him and his design under the cut.

Masterpost

The most striking thing about Depth is how normal he looks. Disregarding a few odd features, he looks like Just Some Guy, at least until he opens his mouth. He occasionally feigns being mute around others so he can keep the charade of being human up for longer, since his voice sounds truly awful. Depth is paler than Sky with much darker hair and orange-red eyes, but is otherwise identical. He doesn't mind that, and chooses to play it up a bit with very similar clothes, too. His tunic is rust-colored, opposite Sky’s spring green, and his chainmail is pointed and jagged on the ends instead of smooth. He wears a purple sash with more angular designs and lines, which matches the purple charm that keeps his cape on. 

Depth’s sailcloth is both a source of pride and a sore spot. He made it to contrast Sky’s, dark and tattered, but one of his very secret desires is to get one as beautiful as Sky’s, made by Sun, maybe dark, but functional and lovely and a reminder of her. 

See, Depth doesn't understand Sun—he doesn't actually know her, though he has memories from Sky. He wants her to be a damsel in distress that he can rescue, he dreams of her choosing him over his Light, but he doesn't realize that she won't. He loves his idea of her. While Depth follows [insert LU bad guy here]’s directives, he makes his own plans and he has his own agendas, and many of those plans aid him, in some way, to win Sun’s affection. 

However, as Depth has been growing into the leader role, he's starting to become attached to the other Darks. He's annoyed by them, but his plans have started to expand to benefit them in a way that doesn't necessarily benefit him, too. He might have a little altruism in him, after all. 

Despite that, unfortunately, Depth remains someone who would not save the world, but someone who intends to damn it over and over again. He doesn't flinch at the thought of Demise’s curse, in fact, he would welcome it. He likes the idea of having a purpose and a destiny. He wants to coddle the few people he cares about and would set everything on fire to do it. He says he loves Sun more than Sky ever could, but he would lock her away to keep her "safe."

Depth is the de facto leader of the group, since he's driven and has ambition. He has a very strict idea of what the other Darks should be doing and gets upset when they don't do it. He hates being touched and is ruthlessly practical. Once, when Nothing was being particularly annoying and tried to steal Depth’s sailcloth, Depth broke at least one of Nothing's fingers. He hasn't gotten close to injuring someone like that again, due to equal parts nobody bothering him like that again and him trying to be a little gentler. He doesn't hesitate to threaten injury to keep order, though. 

Depth knows about Ghirahim as a sword, and wants to wield it, but is under the impression that he needs to prove himself worthy first. (Whether or not [LU bad guy] actually intends to let him use it is a different story.) Depth is one of the more skilled sword fighters among the Darks, remembering formal training, but his sword isn't anything special. In a fight with Sky, they would be evenly matched if it weren't for Sky’s ability to use a Skyward Strike, and Depth's inability to block that much light. 

Depth’s special ability is his voice. In a mundane way, the others try to not make him use it, because it's almost painful to hear. In a magical way, Depth’s voice carries over long distances. When he sings, he can summon creatures like bats, crows, rats, and snakes, and they'll listen to him for a time. When he screams, his voice is a magical, short-range wave of destruction. Yes, he's an evil Disney Princess. Depth doesn't feel any strong affinity for the animals he attracts, but he doesn't let Dire or anyone else hurt them, and he doesn't send them to their deaths. He mostly uses them as spies and distractions. 

Depth is one of the more dangerous members of the Dark Chain—not because he’s physically imposing or particularly powerful, but because he can see beyond the next mission and is determined to ruin the Lights once and for all. He's one of those who would happily kill his Light—but only after Depth shows him how he has lost everything dear to him. 

[fanfic-obsessed]

Mediation...?

This one I came up with as I walked to work, and so we will all explore it. It is a Post Empire AU. I know, I do not usually go for post-empire, but the horror and humor of this idea spoke to me.  

Let’s take a look, yeah?

The AU part is that both Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker survived through the end of the Empire. So we don’t have to deal with too many changes too early, Obi Wan was severely injured and in Bacta for the entire time of the OT (or he got injured again just before the events of each movie, whichever works better). 

After Vader comes back to the light, he is fitted with prosthetics that actually fit (including being the correct height). He is still required to wear a mask ,but it is more like Plo Koons than Vader (covering his mouth and nose but not his entire face). The burns he got from Mufastar meant that he had no hair, and the suit he wore for those years meant that he was unnaturally pale. As a consequence he no longer looks like Vader (not just because he lost 5 inches in height with the correct legs).  

Most of the galaxy does not know that Vader and Anakin Skywalker are the same person. Anakin was also largely forgotten, and the few who did remember him (without knowing the Vader connection) would quietly muse about how much Vader seemed to hate Anakin Skywalker, the Hero without Fear (there is no doubt in my head that the person Vader hated the most was Anakin). 

The Rebels do know that Anakin and Vader are the same person. Even as they are working to build the New Republic, no one is quite sure what, if anything, Anakin Skywalker should be charged with (War crimes. So many war crimes, they would need to invent new war crimes specifically for Vader-Though to be fair he is not the only living member of the Empire’s ruling body for this to be true). If he does need to be charged, and they could figure out what with, does his fall to the dark side constitute a mitigating factor (some kind of diminished capacity) or an enhancement (like a hate crime)? Where does killing the Emperor fit into any sentence he would have to serve? Is there even a way to enforce any sentence that a court could impose?

All of these questions and more would have to be answered before any trials could commence (including: how far does “following orders” mitigate actions, and how far up the chain of command can that excuse be used?). In the meanwhile Anakin hangs awkwardly around with his son when he is able. 

Luke wants, deeply, to help his father become comfortable around people again. He also does not quite…understand is probably the best term…understand the depth of the horrors that Vader/Anakin created in his 20 years in the suit.  In his mind he knows, and has been told, most of what Vader has done, but to a certain extent he separated Anakin and Vader in his mind so there is a bit of disconnect (Some understandable cognitive dissonance). 

He is at least aware enough that he is not looking to find Anakin friends among the rebels, who would naturally think of Vader first (and thus it would be uncomfortable for all involved). He understands that asking someone like Leia to try and befriend the being that tortured her then blew up her planet is not a good idea. 

But there is one person he knows thinks of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader as two different people. Obi Wan Kenobi.  Who is decidedly avoiding Anakin (in this Anakin can not blame him, the return to the light means that he does actually need to face everything he has done), but is also low key avoiding most people. Mostly Obi Wan is staying around the clones that still live (both to help those clones with their own guilt over their actions while chipped, the fact that their aging has finally been brought to human normal,  and frankly because he likes them more than most people these days-I imagine at least Cody-CodyWan for the win-, Rex, Gregor, Appo, and Wolffe but there are a good crowd), and the few Force users that survived the Purge. Also spending time with Leia.

Now a few things need to be made abundantly clear at this point. Luke does not know of the horrors Anakin perpetrated, as opposed to Vader (For all that Palpatine labeled him Vader before the march on the temple, I always headcanon that his last act as purely Anakin was the slaughter of the children in the council chamber but even then he did not truly become Vader until after he finds out that Padme died), not really. Few enough who live remember the march on the temple, what it meant that the temple (the home of the Jedi) was pillaged and burned. Fewer still ever knew that it was Anakin that led the march and slaughtered the children.  

Oddly enough, Anakin Skywalker is the only person in the galaxy who knows the true horrific extent of his own crimes. 

So Luke, with all the best of intentions, notices that Obi Wan is avoiding Anakin, and decides he will help his father and his teacher/mentor/uncle/that weird dude that lived in the desert makeup. Luke is attributing the awkwardness to Anakin’s 20 years as Vader (which, if we are being completely honest, is the least of the issues between Anakin and Obi Wan).

Luke decides he is going to hold something like a mediation to bridge those 20 years. Anakin is, at this point, incapable of denying Luke anything and agrees (in spite of the fact that even he can tell this will go poorly). Obi Wan does not actually agree as Luke does not tell him what they are meeting for, but once he arrives is semi blackmailed by Luke (leveraging the whole ‘you told me my father was dead thing/you lied to me my whole life’) which really only works because Obi Wan is also fairly vulnerable to young Skywalker children who remind him of the people who Obi Wan has lost (Satine would have done something similar, Obi Wan think nostalgically). Thinking that an audience would help create a more neutral location, Luke makes sure that Obi Wan is accompanied by a few of the clones (Appo in particular), and that Leia, Han, and Mon Mothma (as one of the few people who remember Padme and Anakin) are in the room. There are others. 

Now Luke has all the best intentions with this, but he is, at best, missing some very critical information. At worst he is taking after one of his father’s worst traits (so sure he can fix a relationship that is not his, and is probably better left broken). 

Both Anakin and Obi Wan silently agree to humor the sunshine boy.  At first they try to keep it to lighter disagreements and misunderstandings  (who saved who and who made the situation worse kind of thing). Anakin brings up at one point being unhappy that Obi Wan hid his children from him for almost 20 years, Obi Wan corrects that he hid them for almost 10 years from Vader, since he believed Anakin actually dead for the first 10, during which Vader maintained that Anakin was dead. Anakin withdraws his objection.

Then Anakin brings up the limb removal on Mustafar (which causes most of the room to go still, no one but the clones-whom Obi Wan had told- knew about the Mustafar fight). Obi Wan shoots back with an slightly irate rejoinder that it was a really measured response considering that Anakin had just: led a group of brainwashed soldiers into their home and slaughtered as many men, women, and children that he could; choked his very pregnant wife; ignored repeated attempts Obi Wan made to end the fight without further violence. 

It was at this point that Appo started to have a panic attack (being one of the few surviving Clones who was actually there in the temple).  Obi Wan looked over at Luke, apologized and said this was not a good idea.  Then left with the clones, all trying to calm Appo back down. 

The entire room is just…dead silence. Like Luke everyone, barring Anakin who did know this was going to go so badly, had sort of forgotten that Obi Wan was more than the weird desert guy who hung around with the clones, and sometimes Leia.  Luke is sitting there, really pale (He did have good intentions).

Like the people who realized the Jedi suffered a genocide when the Empire came into power had mostly died, the few that had survived all these years had buried that knowledge under the subsequent horrors of the Empire (They also largely forgot, or didn’t understand the horror of the chips both in the context of Order 66 and following orders in the Empire). It was not done out of maliciousness, or even ignorance, because the Jedi and the Clones (in that they lost everything of themselves and their culture in a moment) may have been the first genocide of the Empire but it was not the last. 

I’m not sure where it would go from there, other than Anakin is charged with so many war crimes and accepts whatever punishment is determined.

[featherwingfae]

Ok So this one is for the Fae/Faerie kin that also identify as Therians or feel a connection with certain animals.

I've seen many Fae/Faerie kin who are also Therian, and I'll admit I have a connection to some animals myself and have been found to mimic their behaviors. However I don't remember living like an animal. Now it's possible that they are simply kin memories that have not yet surfaced, but I don't feel like that's the case. I can remember being said animals just not living as them. For example I would romp and play as a fox among other foxes but I did not survive the way they did. For me it was merely fun. Not unlike a child playing pretend. I feared no hunters and I did not need to hunt for food myself. And if ever I did hunt it was simply part of the game rather than survival. I know there are plenty of Fae that could and would change into the forms of animals, and as fun as messing with humans might be, I just don't think it was the only reason Fae would go about as animals. Which only furthers my belief that sometimes it was just for the pure fun of it. And I'd imagine that just as some people have favorite animals so too do some fae. I don't think it was always just a one time thing either. Fae can communicate with the natural world in ways most humans would only dream of, imagine just being that one deer in the herd that just disappears and reappears but after years and years of interaction the rest of the herd (while probably sensing that you are not quite a deer, no matter how much you may look like one), has also come to accept that you are not a danger to them. Perhaps over time you've kept an eye on this one herd and their descendants. steering them away from the occasional danger or leading them to the juiciest greenest hidden pastures. You become a kind of faerie god-deer (like faerie godmother). And after so much time acting like a deer, you find yourself slipping into the animalistic habits even when you're not taking the animal form. But you don't mind. Your experiences are part of you, it was only natural. And perhaps after a while you find that the courts and humanity are just not all that interesting to you. You think about the deer. Your deer. The herd you'd been watching, protecting, guiding. You start spending more and more time as a deer. It's fun, it's free and after a while most predators learn to keep their distance from your herd. You are still Fae but the deer is part of you now, perhaps just as important as the part of you that is Fae.

I'm curious are there any Fae/Faerie kin who resonate with this at all? Do you remember (if in fact you have any kin memories at all. Not everyone does. And there's nothing wrong with that 😊) being an animal living, surviving as an animal? Or, do you remember being interested and/or amused playing as an animal while all the time knowing that the other animals can sense that you are different? Does the Fae/Faerie kin side and the Therian side feel like two separate lives or do they feel almost blended? Do you remember being afraid when you were an animal or did you know that you had almost nothing to fear? That no matter what, you were a magical being that could charm, trick, or enchant your way out of most situations?

Please understand I'm not trying to invalidate anyone. As far as I'm concerned no one can tell someone who or what they are but them. If you resonate at all with this post it doesn't make you any more or less Fae/Faerie kin or Therian. In the end, only you can know who you are. I also write this post for the Fae/Faerie kin who don't quite feel Therian but find themselves acting in animalistic ways. Those that feel connection and memory but still just don't quite feel they are/were animals (at least not normal ones). Kins that feel like it was/is more play than survival but who still find it quite satisfying to shriek, bark, meow, growl, chirp, squawk, etc.

If you've read this far, then I appreciate you and may you have a most marvelous and magical day/night 😊🍀✨🌙🍄☀️👁️

Till next time

[jjuwuni]

shortcut to heaven | yang jungwon x oc

pairings — yang jungwon x reader

genre — fluff, angst, college!au, fake dating trope, drama, occasional smut (minors dni please)

summary —  Two strangers seemingly cross paths, everywhere they go. 

Would they find their heaven among their chaotic lives? 

“ That’s right, I’m talking to you, ” Jungwon, THE Yang Jungwon, with his arm, outstretched, index pointing right at me, “ Do you want to be my girlfriend? Fake girlfriend, that is, so make sure you don't end up falling for me. ” With his right dimple in full view, he smirks at me. 

And that was the day my whole life turned upside down.

warnings — a SOCMED AU but with heavy narrations, fake dating trope with some twist n' turns, compared to my other stuff this one is definitely more on the cute, fluff side hehe so not much warnings in terms of content ! OT7 enha is present, as well as probably other 4th gen idols, will use nwjns minji as the faceclaim for y/n, alcohol, drunken mishaps, profanity, there might be slightly dark themes surrounding family and love, no mnc i assure you, making out, smut etc. will happen so minors 👀 watching you !

[ preview (w/ character list) here ! ]

A/N: this is the first part of the STH series!! hope you like it!! it's quite a jam-packed chapter ^^ do let me know what you think and let me know if you want to be added into the taglist as well.

taglist: @jwnghyuns

MEET THE POWER RANGERS & THEIR SHENANIGANS

WON GETS SULKY AND TAKES TO TWITTER 😆

NARRATION — YJW'S POV

Jungwon fixes his hair in place under his beanie that morning, spraying a good amount of his Dior Sauvage perfume and heading down a long flight of stairs toward the foyer of their estate. Yes, estate. 

Some would describe his life as being born with a silver spoon. Or in the Yang’s case, a diamond-encrusted spoon. His life was everything but normal, with their family being one of the most well-known families belonging to the 1% of society. 

The best part? He was bound to inherit this all. 

Him, Sunghoon, Niki and Heeseung have been friends for as long as they all can remember. Though varying in ages, the four of them have hit it off since they were all in diapers, with their parents being friends since their childhood days as well.

To put it simply, the three other guys’ families were also a part of the same bracket of society. 

Some would also describe Jungwon as having everything in life. 

But one thing was missing. 

The one thing that he’s been working hard for the most. 

Han Sooyoung. Jungwon has had a crush on her since they were classmates back in high school. She was everything he could ever, ever want. If he were to be the king of the world, he would want no one else but her to be his queen. 

Here’s the catch though, she doesn’t want him. 

Or at least, that’s what she says every time. But deep down, Jungwon knew that she was only trying to play hard-to-get, and who was he to deny her of that? If it meant that he would get her in the end, Jungwon was willing to move mountains for her.

WELCOME TO JINAE'S LIFE !

NARRATION — READER'S POV

Jinae was fucked, to say the least. After coming back to her dorm at 4am, she didn't realize that she passed out on her bed out of pure exhaustion. As much as she didn’t want to work nights, she knew she needed the extra money for her daily expenses. 

Ever since she set foot into her university journey, she told her parents not to worry about her anymore. She no longer wanted to be a burden to her family. After all, her family was chest-deep in expenses and debts.

Which is why she resorted to becoming a working student - juggling two jobs along with her academics. Hard as it was, Jinae thought this would be for the better.

This is why she studies hard and works hard. She desires to one day give back to her parents, after all the sacrifices they've made for her and her older brother, working tirelessly for them to be able to put food on their plates and a roof over their heads. 

Luckily, she made it in time, just in time, as the second group just finished their presentation. 

When Jinae entered through the back door of the classroom, all she heard were resounding cheers and woooo’s! all around. Sitting next to her best friend Sunoo in the back row, she couldn’t help but scowl. 

YANG JUNGWON was front and center, with a rather cheeky smile on his face, as if taking in all the cheers from their classmates and relishing in the moment. Of course, he would get that kind of reception from their peers. He was well-loved, no, scratch that, worshipped - no matter where he went and no matter what he did. 

But to someone like Jinae, it was all so superficial. Everyone is just being nice to the guy with the money, the guy with the clout, the nepo baby. Even though she was certain that he didn’t know nor even had the slightest inkling of her existence, Jinae abhorred people like him. 

Because people like him come from families who take advantage of people like her parents. 

She’s seen it all firsthand.

She watched as affluent families demolished their houses and told them to move out, she’s seen her dad beg on his knees, wishing they wouldn’t take their house away just so they could build big buildings around the city as a display of wealth. 

And so, no one could blame her for harboring such feelings around people like Jungwon.

Not that she would say it out loud though, because this university is his. He and his friends had everyone wrapped around their fingers. Even their professor, who can currently be seen smiling and clapping for Jungwon’s group.

"Yo, good luck out there." Remember when she just said that Jungwon probably didn't know who she was? Well, maybe she was wrong on that end because she heard him say that next to her ear as they passed each other on the way to the front of the class, coupled with a little tap on the shoulder and the smile he had on earlier still in place.

Jinae could only sneer, it sounded so condescending coming from him.

EYES EMOJI @ THIS TBH

WELCOME TO THE RANGERS HIDEOUT ! (a visualizer)

NARRATION — YJW'S POV

Going down from his Audi R8 silver vehicle, Jungwon makes his way toward the back area of the Yang estate. A couple of years ago, this part of the estate was pretty much a forest. But the four friends decided that as they were getting older, they needed their own mancave-slash-hang-out place.

A place where they could all just meet up after their long days, talk, drink, and hang out. 

The entrance to the hideout looked unassuming, you wouldn’t think that there was anything there, just a mound of soil and grass and a cave opening, but as you head down a flight of concrete stairs and walk up to the steel door to open it, you’re greeted by a different world. 

The four of them built this idea from scratch. And no one knows about the passcode to the cave except the four of them (and the people who are tasked to clean it every so often, of course). 

As Jungwon enters the rangers hideout, (yes, it’s what they call it, as the four of them were OBSESSED with power rangers growing up), he spots Ni-ki playing pool in one corner, with a sullen Heeseung standing at the other end - clearly giving us an indication on who was winning.

Sunghoon, on the other hand, was set up in the bar area, laptop and books open, with a glass of scotch in his hand. 

Jungwon decides to join Sunghoon by the bar, grinning at him whilst sitting down on the bar stool next to his, “Are you seriously doing homework? Hyung come on, will you live a little?” 

The older only chuckles in response. With that, Jungwon doesn’t pry, he knows the kind of immense pressure Sunghoon is in. His dad and his family were part of a long line of lawyers and prosecutors, and if he were to aim for Harvard Law School, he needed a flawless transcript. 

“Yo, Jungwon hyung, how'd it go with Sooyoung this morning?” The younger Ni-ki asks, making his way over to the duo by the bar. 

The older between the two had to stop himself from cringing, “Eh, you know. The usual.” Rubbing his nape, he could only shrug his shoulders. “I brought her tulips. Have them flown in from Europe. She took them, said thank you, kissed me on the cheek then left me to go to class.” 

Ni-ki inhaled through his teeth, it was tough seeing his best friend like this. “Bro, seriously, I know we make fun of you a lot but are you ever planning to give up? Clearly, Sooyoung doesn’t like you like that. And you know what? It’s so sad to see THE Yang Jungwon getting rejected over and over.” 

It wasn’t like he wasn’t aware of that, Jungwon knew he looked like a fool at this point after relentlessly pursuing her for years. But he couldn’t help it. “The heart wants what it wants, Niks.” 

“Oh puhlease, save the cringe sayings for someone else, hyung.” The younger replies, his face clearly showing a look of disgust. “I admire your persistence. That's all I have to say.” 

The other two older guys watched on, donning sad smiles, knowing that they both couldn’t talk Jungwon out of it either. The three of them know him well enough to say that once he sets his mind to something, he tunnel visions.

[rathologic]

P1 Saburov and Viktor are so terribly underrated and it's such a shame because their characters are immensely interesting and way more developed beyond "evil corrupt politician" and "isolated and rich single father with much children cooler than him", which is how I've seen some people halk about them. You are doing god's work

Oh deeply... I do think there's an effect where an important part of both of their arcs as rulers is that they're rendered obsolete halfway through the game, as soon as the Inquisitor shows up and overtakes their authority. from that point on only their associated healer gets to interact with them at any depth, but both of them are also planning to die (...normal reaction to being rendered obsolete) so it's harder for their dialogue to stick outside what's most vital for quests. also since nobody plays changeling route :-(

I see victor reduced to 'wifeguy' more than 'guy with important kids' more often (and enjoy it, even partake!) but he stands out to me as having the most personal, even self-centered wants in the cast- repairing his relationships with (living) family, the wish to leave and finish his university degree; in fact I'd say victor is someone who's been deprived of the things most important to him for a long time, and is in a position where he could get them back, if he only abandoned the project of leading the Town towards utopia which the kains have devoted themselves to for the past 5 years / forever. and nina's soul is present in and tied to that project, but there is some level on which only victor remembers her as a person instead of a divine instrument- and that lends itself to the ability to grieve and move on. if victor kain walked out of pathologic I think he'd ultimately be happy, and I think he's unique among the rulers for that. but the tragedy of all of the families is that they're embedded in a town and traditions that Will Not Let Them Out

whereas saburov is like. he grew up in this town, his mother would've been a Mistress herself, the town's needs and impositions as a structure are so ingrained to him that he doesn't conceive of any selfhood or duty that Doesn't involve his role as The Saburov, putting himself on the line for everything that might befall the town. and the patterns are also so ingrained to him that he starts to think he can change or at least outsmart them. come to think of it, the whole first half of changeling route is his trying to find someone responsible for the plague, and ultimately when there is no such person he takes that responsibility onto himself but He Tries so hard first... clara's presence disrupts the balance and therefore taking her in might allow him to control the balance (and per recent discussion there's a masculinity in his need for control), except the conjectures he makes don't really apply to something completely new and unknown. and to his credit saburov loves changing his mind when presented with new information and there's a lot of guilt accumulating because of it and ultimately he gives up that control to clara, being one of few characters to genuinely grow over the course of the game. But in a way that's still symbolically equivalent with death 🙂

So they're two self-abnegating people who are the "less important" member of their ruling family and become surpassed by their daughters in the town to come, but from totally perpendicular backgrounds that cross just at this point... it's very fun that they don't get along as administrators when rulerhood is the one thing they kind of share

[leonawriter]

Idea where there's one of those "the gang goes on an adventure, but then they forget" plots like, say, could even base it on PQ2 (though I haven't gone through it all the way yet), where before they forget, they leave themselves messages.

So, they come back to the real world, go "well, that was weird!" and try to just move on back to normal. But they keep finding these bits of scribbled notepaper in among their things. An odd bit of popcorn.

Maybe their selves before they forgot never even hoped that they'd be able to remember, exactly, but the messages are there for them so that it doesn't matter.

Akechi finds "Here's Yu's phone number, he said to call" and "Don't forget that Naoto Shirogane was impressed with your deductions" and some angry scribble about "just how many Persona users are there?". Strange riddles about not letting bears get too close to you, or they'll think they can get up to and say almost anything.

Those are the ones in the easiest to hide and easiest to find places, at least, and by the time he's found those he realises that there could be more, and starts looking.

Finds ominous things like "they know" and if that nearly caused a mental breakdown, finding "there was an accident. they saw Loki" with a scribbled out "Akira likes him- me - he really is" that's never finished really does.

Just.... the idea of things happening, BIG things happening, and even though they forget, they leave bits of it behind that makes them question and ask - what happened to make me say that? What do I mean by that? Who's Yu? Why did I think I should stop? Why did I think these people were worth asking for help from?

And the idea of things changing, because of that. Akechi opening up to the group. Akira calling Yu first, and someone in one of the newer groups calling someone from SEES and finding out what happened to them after they 'left' and time started to move for them again.

They don't need to ever remember - just the idea of what happened still having an effect on them later.

[winterdadandspiderson]

WINTERDAD AU #1

(part one because this got way too long. this is essentially the plot of an old fic i started back in 2020 and what would've happened of i'd continued it. i might try and write it again one day, perhaps, if i don't give up after 2 chapters. anyway here we go)

- mary parker was a shield agent when she met the winter soldier, both were on a mission. they fought, but never got as far as mortally wounding each other. mary would always slip away. it was like a game. bucky had been kept out the ice for a few weeks at that point, running a long job. but the longer he's out, the more he starts to remember little pieces, who he used to be.

- mary feels pity for him, seeing through the stone cold image hydra forged for him, to the person within. they fight. but then they also talk. they keep seeing each other while bucky scouts. eventually one thing leads to another and they develop a relationship of sorts. 

- mary later discovers she's pregnant but bucky never finds out. he's taken back, wiped and put under the ice once more. mary quits her job at shield so she can provide for her kid and keep them safe. knowing full well if anyone in shield or hydra caught wind that she was carrying the winter soldiers child, they'd never be safe.

- she's sad that bucky disappeared again, she knows hydra likely had him wiped and iced again. but she moves on, meeting richard soon after who she tells she's expecting a son, that the father disappeared without a word (technically not a lie) he tells her he'll love him like he's his regardless.

- when her son is born she names him peter james parker (during the few weeks they met, the last time they talked, bucky ended up remembering his first name, mary wanted peter to have at least a piece of him)

- peter ends up looking a LOT like bucky. he has the same shade of dark brown hair, facial structure which shows as he grows. but he has mary's eyes)

- the plane crash was really just an unfortunate incident. peter still goes to live with aunt may and uncle ben when he's seven. and then things go as they usually do in canon. the avengers form, yada yada all that stuff, you know the drill.

- when he's 14 peter is bitten by the radioactive spider. BUT. an important detail here is that due to the expiermentation bucky was subjected to by hydra and the enhancements which altered his genes, some of that, though remaining dormant, passed onto peter. but it didn't really do anything, it was just there. but it did keep him alive after the spider bite. without those enhancements in his blood peter would've died. instead, he gained his powers.

- uncle ben still gets shot, which as usual influences peter to become spider-man. and months after tony still comes along and recruits him to fight in germany. peter does.

- when he briefly faces bucky ("you have a metal arm? that is AWESOME, dude!") neither know so that also goes as normal. bucky is bewhildered by the kid who managed to block a hit with so much force behind it, while also shocked to know that he was just that, a kid.

- now one vastly different thing here is that while the avengers do split for a good year, steve and tony eventually talk and make amends. the avengers reassemble, deciding that they need to put the world before their feud. they're not on super good terms, but they tolerate each other. tony still refuses to forgive bucky.

- homecoming happens during the time where things are still rocky between the avengers so peter still deals with vulture alone. but he does see tony more often, stopping by for lab days to work on his suit among other things, to keep up the "internship" charade. tony grows fond of him, though he doesn't admit it.

its post homecoming where things start to go wrong.

[blood-red-hummingbee]

EVERY NUMBER FOR JACKROSE

BRING IT BITCH >:D

THERE ARE A FEW MORE MATURE ONES IN THIS ONE SO JUST BE WARNED

Jack's is time spent together and acts of service, Rose is time spent, gift giving and physical touch (parallel play works amazingly for them)

Heheh, Rose gave Jack a hickey once and he got all blushy and red. She tends to be littered with love marks, easily hidden (she loves it :3)

Besides cuddling; cooking and training! It always turns into a race which ends with them collapsed on each other.

Rose. She's not super insecure about a lot, but her parents (though she doesn't like to acknowledge the existence of her paternal DNA contributor) had a... rough relationship to say the least. Jack's always quick to give hugs and kisses and soothe her worries.

In order, Rose (forehead kisses), Jack (hand kisses, though that's typically only when they're feeling silly), and both :3 (neck kisses)

I think it's quite obvious that Rose is the big spoon! /jkjk (it's Jack)

Jack would stand, Rose would find somewhere that doesn't count as a seat to perch or happily sit on Jack's lap

Rose. She's enamored with his hair, always twirling it, scratching his scalp/ears, and among her weirder habits, she loves the smell of it (When she can actually reach ofc) (side note, I actually loved to smell my mom's hair when I was a baby apparently, and I find dog smell quite comforting actually)

Rose. If those two are together she's in physical contact with him, whether it's straight up getting a piggyback ride, or interlocked pinkies

For Rose, compliments turn her to mush. So after she's gotten her fill of making Jack a blushy mess through touch, he gets her back with endearments

His arms. Whenever he wears something sleeveless her brain goes goopy (she's adopted the habit of biting him softly, and he started doing it back. They scared several of their friends the first time she nommed on his forearm and he got her wrist in retaliation). For Jack, it's her legs. Cater convinced everyone to try the Watermelon Challenge for his Magic Cam. She succeeded. (She noticed his sudden demeanor change when she's in her running shorts and has started finding excuses to wear them more often)

Rose's routine. She's not the best at keeping one, let alone a healthy one. It's been a bit of an uphill battle trying to get her to sleep at a normal time and drink water

When Rose is upset, Jack drapes himself over her, like a weighted blanket. It works every time (followed shortly by figuring out whatever she's cranky about and fixing it). When he's upset, she makes him yummy food from her home that she can't remember the name of. It works most of the time. She can usually get him to crack a smile when she jokes (not really, she's serious) about lighting his problems on fire and roasting marshmallows over them

Jack's the caretaker (as stated above... somewhere), and he's definitely better at it. She can manage though! It's easier to take care of someone or something else than herself

She steals his clothes. All. The. Time. He doesn't mind except for when he can't find a single of his sweaters and has to dig them out of her stash

They get along on most things but when they do disagree, they take a bit of space to calm down (in time they learned that keeping at it while their tempers clash only makes things worse). Once their calm, they come back with logical arguments and find a compromise if they can

Jack's... not the best at stating his feelings, often overcompensating and saying the opposite of what he means. Meanwhile, Rose has read and watched enough rom-coms tO DESPISE THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE AND OVERLOOK HIS WORDS FOR THE EMOTIONS BEHIND THEM.

Usually when Jack comes across a spider, he'll smush it, but Rose likes to escort them outside. If she misses with the cup or paper, she get as far away as she can and ask him to take care of it.

Rose is the intimacy initiater more often than not, though Jack is equally enthusiastic and gets more comfortable with starting it as their relationship goes on

She gets peeved pretty often about how early he wakes up. She understands why, but she gets fussy about his routine being so strict. On the other hand, Jack thinks it would behoove her to try to get more structure in her day to day.

Surprisingly, Jack said it first. Kinda. It was a sleepy mumble, and Rose took it in stride. When she said it the next morning, he went bright red and muttered it back.

I've actually written a drabble about this :D 'task failed successfully' if anyone's curious. Rose kissed him first.

No, not seriously. They use endearments sometimes (usually in Rose's other language, the one she can't remember the name of [spanish]) but their names are short enough to not need nicknames, and they both honestly suck at coming up with names

I'M GONNA DO THIS IN PARTS CUS THERE'S A HUNDRED AND I DON'T WANNA MAKE IT TOO LONG <3

[nico-hypno-den]

owner’s guide #1

Mutts

so i’m writing this because i want document my experience with different pups just what’ve i learned what i’m learning and how cute they all are.

important preface: all dogs deserve love kindness and respect even if you get rough with them always make sure to reassure them be kind and gentle afterwards at the end of day a dog only really wants one thing love and praise. respect boundaries and remember sometimes your dog has to act like a person respect that shit don’t put them into puppy space without consent. Also also take care of your dogs needs now i’m not saying force them to eat or drink but try to remind them remember doggies aren’t the smartest so it’s good to check up on their basic needs now and again. ok onto the fun shit

what is a mutt; a mutt is probably one of the most common types of dog i see on this site you can identify them as such

• dumber than average

• very needy

• so pathetic it’s cute

now these are just some common traits again i’m new to all this so please correct me if i’m wrong (i’ve also only had experience with one mutt so forgive me) but those are among my experience the easiest to manage every mutt is different but if in doubt heavy praise will break a mutt easy. A mutt is not the disobedient type the rarely put up any actual fight. but one thing that may be an issue is they’ll try to cling to things such as dignity and personhood and as we all know it’s pointless for a dog to have that so personally what i recommend is a training regimen basically the goal is to slowly humiliate them until they view degrading acts as normal and common now again tailor this to the dog mutts have different tolerances what may work for my mutt might not for yours for example mine is a mixed mental and physical style regimen one exposing him to the world and two forcing him to externalize things via speech which i’ve learned is something that he finds really degrading. Your mutt may not work like this for some you might need a light touch not every mutt is gonna be on the level of like no underwear in public type shit but again talk to and discuss with your mutt their tolerance. now onto telling them about the training regimen so sometimes your dog might not even know their being trained now this is a secret weapon if you reveal it right at the start the dog may find it really hot especially when they have to guess if something is related or not which will quickly twist up their head making them even dumber or you might reveal it midway through like i am right now (hi mutt yes i have a plan made specifically for you it’s multi step tho you probably already guessed at least a bit i was doing this) this may result in shock realizing that they’re being trained to lose their dignity bit by bit until they’re just shameless pup. bye y’all up next is a hound and how to handle them.

[eighthpassenger]

Custom Made | CateLuke x Reader

You’re the newest recruit to the Seven! Big honor!

You’re lab-made, like Homelander, and they used some of Soldier Boy’s DNA making you, which means he considers himself your older brother. He’s ecstatic about ‘not being alone’ anymore. It’s very intimidating, but you quickly see what a privilege it is to automatically get into his good graces. You’re protected, which is actually really helpful because you’ve never been out of the lab before and it’s really overwhelming. The fighting and power part, you’ve got handled; the social? Not so much.

Backstory: After taking over Vought, Homelander found out about your existence, the only other successful test tube Supe. He was pissed. Broke you out of the lab, incited and helped you kill all the workers who ever kept you locked up or experimented on you.

Now to the fun part: Cate and Luke find the particular mix of your strength and navieté intoxicating. 

Canon Divergence: Cate told Luke what was going on soon after Indira asked her to (Indira asked her too much too soon, not enough loyalty earned yet here). They stormed and exposed The Woods to rescue Sam, a bit of a massacre still happened and Cate and Luke were appointed the Guardians of Godolkin. Luke became part of the Seven as Golden Boy as everyone expected, but Cate followed to Vought Tower on her own merit. Sam’s still around. The Godolkin Gang is still alive, they're just still in GU. This is a darker version of Luke bc I love when he cracked <3

They start by befriending you. They’re so nice! And your age, to boot! How lucky really, that they're just so easy to be around. Wouldn't have anything to do with Cate using her powers to pick up on your thoughts and steer themselves in the right direction to gain your trust and put you at ease, of course.

They offer to teach you about what normal people do; Cate especially smiles sweetly as she mentions her own isolated childhood, saying she has the best tips to get used to people and catch up on stuff.

Luke though… he’s just kind and reassuring. Always making sure people don’t crowd you too much, that you don’t get overwhelmed… Shows you his favorite things to do, since he's the one with the most normal childhood (and isn't that a fun thought). Sam joins sometimes, and you relate to him due to the being locked up and experimented thing, too. Really, it's like you were custom made to fit in Cate and Luke's lives.

They have to tread the fine line that is getting your attention without upsetting the balance that is having Homelander be overprotective over you.

Homelander actually finds it amusing and adorable. Says that as his sibling, a superior even among Supes, you deserve your own fans, and at least they’re decent Supes on their own rights. 

He takes his brotherly duties seriously, and when he gives them a shovel talk it’ll be terrifying. He encourages you to use them, to have fun. Cate and Luke are mildly terrified he'll realized they're trying to manipulate you, but he's confident that as his sibling that just couldn't happen.

Like it'd be hard for them to sway you one way or another with their kind words and reassuring smiles, their encouraging touches. You just killed someone on accident because you got overwhelmed and lost control of your powers? Don't worry, Cate will make sure no one remembers anything, and Luke will burn any evidence away. Anything you want to do or try, they'll encourage as long as you take them with, like two smooth-voiced deviled in your shoulders. Isn't one of those supposed to be and angel? The cartoons they showed you seem to indicate so, but it's not like you're eager to complain.

You were already kind of screwed up due to growing up in a socially limited environment, only being experimented on and trained, and killing the ones who ‘raised’ you didn’t exactly make you more stable.

Now, with such influences around you, who knows what you’ll become?

[yanban-san]

Obscurity - AU-Tober #1

Going to try to do the Au-tober thingy by @marchy-emmet. :) Here's the first one! Not beta read at all. 🥲

(Tags: implied x-reader, Submas, SFW)

Gear Station runs like finely tuned machinery. Like the perfect rhythm of a well wound clock, everything moves in pace to it's beat and purpose- Never too far, never late, never early, but precise and exact- Though the passengers and customers of the station and it's network may forever be in disarray, the station itself, and all of it's trains and rail lines, were never found in any state other than perfection, it seemed.

The trains ran all across Unova- Everywhere. Anywhere. Always bustling, almost always packed full of busy people and young pokemon trainers- Except a few lines.

The Battle lines.

The Battle Subway was a bit of a novelty, a tourist attraction. "But isn't that rather dangerous?" People would say, envisioning a harsh, intense pokemon battle taking place on a train-

And yet, that's what happened. Multiple times. And the Battle Subway was no more worse for wear.

"It was a fine experience," A trainer would remark. "That last battle was tough, though."

And the last battles were tough. Impossibly so.

"The last trainer…. was kind of strange, though." "Oh, the name? I can't remember that-" "It was just some guy, right?"

But the two who held the last battles of the Battle Subway were far from just 'some guys'.

They were the Subway Bosses.

Emmet hummed as he flipped through one of his social pages on pidget. No notifications, not that that bothered him. It was normal- In person, and online, he and his brother blurred into the background of existence it seemed- And no one paid them any heed to an almost alarming degree.

But still, he thought- And his hand hovered over an app on his X-transceiver. Applink. Applin-link. A dating app.

He hesitated, and clicked it open.

No messages.

Sighing heavily, he sat down at his desk and continued to write, hand combing through his thin, wiry silver hair. Was it too much to ask that he and his brother find someone? Surely there was someone out there who would find them charming, and, more importantly, remember them. Notice them.

Though they did have one further problem, Emmet continued to think on as he walked to the break room. It was lunch time- And he was at least looking forward to the sandwiches he and his brother had made this morning.

"Good afternoon!" He called out, entering the break room. None of the Depot Agents acknowledged him, many already chatting among each other or going to grab snacks and drinks from the vending machines or the large fridges-

Emmet sighed.

"They usually take notice of us when we're together, brother."

Emmet turned his head. Ingo. His fellow in suffering this stupid, stupid curse.

"…Good afternoon, Brother."

Ingo patted his younger twin on the shoulder, and the two of them grabbed their sandwiches, sat down, and waited. They weren't hidden- Sitting in the middle of the lunch room, and they certainly should have been noticed- Their coats were certainly noticeable- Their whole affect was striking…

But no one did.

No one ever did.

It really was like a supernatural curse, it seemed- Though it'd gone on as long as the two had been alive, it seemed.

Emmet's sandwich was gone quickly- As was Ingo's. They normally didn't socialize or particularly interact with the staff of Gear Station- They did their work, rode the train back to Anville Town, and-

Woke up for the next day.

No notifications on the X-Transceivers as they readied themselves, and headed down to the station.

"Good morning," Ingo greeted. The ticket master of the Anville stop yawned, turning to his coffee.

"Good Morning!" Ingo called out again, raising his voice. The poor worker jumped in his chair, before taking note of the two imposing men in front of him.

"O-Oh dear, uh… Good… Morning?" He blinked, looking at the two- Wearing Gear Station emblems on their hats-

"I am Emmet, and we need to get on the train."

"O-Oh right, the- Subway Bosses- Sorry Sir, didn't notice you there."

As always. "No worries." Ingo replied. No use admonishing the poor young man- He'd forget it by the following day, anyway.

At least in the confines of a subway cart they were more noticeable. It was difficult not to notice them there, given that the two of them standing side-by-side practically created a visual wall that couldn't be seen through. Something about them was particularly intimidating in this setting- Perhaps that was how they became bosses here, after all.

How did they, though? Ingo sometimes wondered- He couldn't quite remember himself, either. Perhaps an artifact of whatever caused them to be ignored, forgotten, and obscured was causing them to forget themselves. He couldn't remember how long he and Emmet had worked at Gear Station- Nor how they'd risen to the position that they'd found themselves in.

Were they ghosts? Ingo wondered- No, they seemed corporeal enough. There weren't any reports or news articles of two conductors dying either, that they could point to for evidence. Though the thought made his heart sink and his stomach grow cold. If ever he did find out what happened- Why they were like this- he hoped it wouldn't be something so… macabre. The thought made him quite melancholy.

It was in silent moments like this, riding to Gear Station, that Emmet usually found his voice- And his voice was often on the subject of their predicament, or, often enough, his pokemon- Battling took his mind off their problems, and strategizing was something he and his brother greatly enjoyed.

"Do you think Chandelure cursed us?"

Ingo scoffed. "Absolutely not. Chandelure is good, she wouldn't have done something like this-"

And Ingo's beloved companion let herself out of her pokeball, floating in front of the two.

"Maybe she did something on accident?"

The lantern-light shook itself, a sad look on it's face. Emmet felt a little guilty for his words- And apologized. The singing, glassy ghost pokemon floated in front of the two, swinging contentedly from side to side- If she could fix what ailed her trainer, she would, but she did not know- The fires of human souls were all the same to her, and Ingo and his brother looked no different to her than the multitudes of trainers she did battle against, or the commuters on the twin's beloved trains. There wasn't much to be done, it seemed- Perhaps this was just their fate.

Ingo sighed, and it wasn't long before the train pulled into Gear Station. The familiar sound of the announcer over the tanoy heralded the end of their ride, and the two stepped out and off, and to work that day.

Ignored, as always.

Luckily, the agents seemed to remember their existence, at least as their "bosses", when things needed to be done. And so, they rarely had trouble with getting their actual, bureaucratic work done for the day. Ingo couldn't complain- The office work they were used to was boring, yes, but the work of Gear Station made him and Emmet happy. That was one thing he could remember- He loved trains, and Emmet did too- But Emmet did love his pokemon and getting to battle with them every day.

Their existence at least, was peaceful, if lonely. Ingo remembered when the Gym Leader of Nimbasa had come to their line once upon a time- And they'd actually managed to hold a conversation with her. They even exchanged numbers, with the intent to train together on occasion.

She never answered- And Ingo was inclined now to think it a product of their curse, rather than her just ghosting them. He looked up from his work, feeling his neck crick as he did so. Ah, he'd been far too focused on the documents he'd been filling out and signing. Emmet groaned, and Ingo could see his leg bouncing in rapid annoyance at whatever he was focusing on.

"Emmet, why don't we take lunch early today?"

"I verrry much agree." He answered shortly, immediately standing up. Well then, there was his answer.

"I don't want to sit in the cafeteria today though. Depressing. Verry much so."

Ingo shrugged. They could eat in the common area, under the glass roof of the gallery off the atrium and amid the indoor garden of Gear Station. Yes, that sounded nice. Watch pokemon and their trainers pass by, enjoy their meals- They did do that on occasion, when the reality of sitting alone in the cafeteria, ignored by their own employees and coworkers hit a little too hard.

The two made their way over to the pretty side station- The glass roof letting in sunlight, sparkling and casting gridded shadows of the great iron beams holding the glass above them- Broken up only by the dappling of leaves of great bushes and trees. The seating wasn't too full, so the two went off to order their meals from one of the eateries in the market adjacent to Gear Station- That connected through this very gallery. The heavenly smell of stir fries and curries and grease and sweets was lesser over here, but the twins could still smell it, and the aroma only became more and more intense as they approached the market- Making both of their stomachs growl.

"I want curry." Emmet announced, and off he marched to go and acquire the food- Ingo following after him. The two moved around people, rather than anyone moving around them, in spite of their height and rather foreboding appearance. And soon they stood in line, though that did not stop someone behind them from bumping into them- "Oh sorry, I didn't quite… see you there," They would hastily answer, suddenly feeling strange they didn't notice the two striking individuals in front of them- Only for the same thing to happen again. And again. And a few more times for good measure.

Up until the twins got up to finally place their order- And waited. The staff were busy- Waiting for someone to come up to the counter to order at their stall within the market.

"Excuse me!" Ingo yelled, rather loudly. It was the only way to get anyone's attention, it seemed-

But this time, no one noticed.

"Excuse us," Emmet also attempted to grab the poor cashier's attention, but they still didn't notice- Focusing instead on fiddling with something under the counter, as if blind not only to the twins but to the few people waiting behind them as well.

And you were getting impatient yourself- The two in front of you were certainly… intimidating, you thought- But- Had they offended the cashier? Could the Cashier not hear them? You weren't one to normally intervene, but… Well, you were hungry yourself.

"Excuse me," You interjected.

The twins ignored you. "Ahem, Excuse me," You interjected a bit more forcefully, and tapped the shoulder of the one in black. The market was quite loud- Perhaps they just couldn't hear you. But the way the one in black jumped- The obstinate frown on his face made him looked downright horrified. You hadn't meant to frighten him-

"Are you talking to me?" He asked, almost incredulously. Your own face matched his- Confusion and a sharp frown. "Well, yes. Is there something the matter? I'd like to order my lunch."

The two looked at each other. The one in white, a pleasant smile on his face, answered you first. "That's what we're trying to do. You seem good at getting people's attention. Here. Speak to them, please."

Your curiosity stopped you from rebuking the request- This was certainly strange. You'd seen a few people run into the pair, but you'd chalked it up to people not paying attention in the bustle of the market and just getting pushed around- Which happened.

"Alright, what did you two want to order?" You asked, as the cashier cheerfully turned to you, smile on her face, and suddenly jumped in shock as you addressed the two men flanking you- And a minute later, you had three order tickets, and a few more minutes later, you had your lunch- And they had theirs. "Let us pay for you. It's the least we can do," The one in black offered- And before you could really utter out any objection, he offered you a bill of money that more than covered your meal.

"Glad I could uh, be of help-" I guess, you thought. What a strange pair- Twins, evidently, and to you, at least, they were the most striking pair in the entire market- And all of Gear Station. Well, no matter. You should really be getting home, and so you went to bid them farewell.

"Actually, would you- I'm terribly sorry to inconvenience you, but would you take your stop with us?" The one in black asked.

The one in white stood at your other side. "Yes! Please. We would like to talk to you, a little bit."

You considered it a moment. Their silver eyes sparkled at you, filled with a strange emotion- An almost hopeful look.

"Okay, sure. Who are you two, anyway? I feel like I've seen you… on the trains before. Aren't you two trainers?"

"I am Emmet, and this is my brother, Ingo."

Ingo bowed lightly. "We're quite glad to hear you've heard of us before, too."

"Yup! Verrry glad!"

It was going to be the first of many lunches shared with the strange bosses of Gear Station.

[thedragonagebigbang]

Bang Creator Interview: Tumblr: @crabs-with-sticks  |  AO3: CrabsWithSticks

The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!

Found Family in Crisis!!!!!! How This Local Woman's Life Just Keeps Getting Worse!!!  

Jacs and Dema talk music, tragedy, DMing tabletop games, and OCs who won't follow the damn rules

Dema: Good morning! Happy Saturday. Are you writing today? 

Jacs: I'm hoping to! Though I might be taking a break from my actual project to do some fun oneshots. Give myself a bit of time away from the tragedy of my bang fic and write something happy haha

Dema: That is very fair! Especially with heavier fics. How do you get in the zone to write, regardless of the project? Or does it vary depending on the vibes of your fic?

Jacs: Normally it involves getting nice and cozy under a blanket on the couch with a good cup of tea. I'll sometimes put a playlist on to get into a particular vibe, I've got a bunch of character playlists which can help get into the perspective of whatever oc I'm writing that day.

Dema: I won't get too specific with this question but, if there is one song on your playlist that especially fits your bang fic, what would it be?

Jacs: Hmm, I'd say probably 'Sampson' by Regina Spektor. The song is based on a tragic biblical story and is all about what could have happened if things had worked out differently. If the love had been enough to save them, then they wouldn't have been remembered by history but they would have been happy.

Dema: Oh okay, arrow straight to the heart. I see, I see.

Jacs: Yeah, I'm a known tragedy enjoyer, just rolling around in the sadness like a dog in a puddle. In order to get optimal levels of tragedy you gotta have some happiness first just so that readers can really see that it didn't have to be this way (but they never could have changed it).

Dema: I can't wait to read it! I also love tragedy, and especially in that ratio. Is there a particular one-shot idea you have kicking around, to cleanse the palate?

Jacs: Not sure! Though probably something with my oc Luca Trevelyan with Dorian, though I haven't actually managed to get very far through that particular playthrough yet....I'm a bit of a serial oc creator who then never gets around to actually playing them in the game.

Dema: Do you always make your OCs in game? Even if you don't get around to the playthrough? 

Jacs: Yep! It’s probably my favourite part of Dragon Age, or any CRPG. I really like thinking up characters, with their conflicts and histories. I'm a forever DM in real life, so I'm fairly used to making up characters and then never playing them, although at least with Dragon Age I already know the events of the game they'll be going through, so I have a better idea of their development arcs. I am trying to do a re-playthrough of the whole series before Veilguard comes out, but we'll see how successful that is haha.

Dema: Do you find that DMing has informed the way you structure your stories?

Jacs: I'd say that it probably has. When I DM I'm always keeping a hand on the pulse of all the characters, their emotions and where they're at in their arcs, because my aim is really to tell a good story. So I think it can help me to see things from the big picture as well as a more mechanical perspective. Though sometimes I do need to tell myself to stop looking at the big picture and just focus on what is at hand.

Dema: I'm a bit in awe of DMs. To me it seems like being the conductor of an orchestra, except all your musicians are improvising. Do your characters sometimes feel like players? Or do they tend to stay within the lines?

Jacs: They do end up getting away from me sometimes, or they'll do something that leaves me going 'huh, why did you just make that decision', because I know it's accurate but I'm not entirely sure why. Though sadly there's no actual player to ask...just my brain. I was intending to make quite a whimsical and happy Brosca, but she just keeps doing morally grey things!

Dema: HAHA ah yes, relatable. I find it's such an interesting balance, for me, between wanting everything in the story to feel a bit inevitable (especially in a tragedy!) and embracing the realism of some things just not having a clear explanation, especially character decisions.

Jacs: Yeah for sure! It's great when characters are messy and contradictory, I just wish it wasn't so hard...I had a character at one point who was making a whole bunch of decisions I wasn't expecting or had planned for, and I'd try to think 'ok why is this character doing this?' and all she supplied in return was 'I'm lactose intolerant'...which honestly was a very in character response; just straight up ignoring the question. 

Dema: A character in writing, or a character in a campaign you were DMing?

Jacs: A character I was writing.

Dema: Hahaha, incredible.

Jacs: I sometimes have, I guess little 'conversations' with my characters in my head where I tap into the section of my brain that they live in.

Dema: That's a great strategy! Is that how your characters first come to be?

Jacs: Hmm, I think the conversation part comes a bit later when I have some context for them, either in their history or in the game itself. It starts off as a lot of collaging together different ideas until it makes a full character. Often I start off from a particular theme or emotional angle I'm interested in exploring. So one started off as 'religious trauma', and another from 'idealism in a cruel society' and so on.

Dema: Has that first theme or idea ever come from a really unexpected source? And related to this, do you tend to be primarily inspired by the source material itself? I know that's a big reason so many of us love DA in particular.

Jacs: I think the themes are usually all ideas that I'm already interested in, but it's super fun seeing the way it can connect to the worldbuilding and lore. I think it's really important for characters to have specifics which tie them into the world around them, so thinking about how their family might have lived in the particular part of the world they're from, how they and the people around them either adhere to or go against it, and what impact that would have on their story. It's really fun looking at how a theme can change based on where the character comes from, like a character with conflict based around religious trauma is going to be different if they're human, Dalish or a city elf, and the world will react to them differently because of that.

Dema: Now I simply must ask you if you ever write AU fics.

Jacs: I haven't written many to be honest, though I do have some ideas for some. It can be hard translating a story that is really rooted in the specifics of one particular world and translating that to another. So I'm always really impressed to see when other people do it so well! I often find you can find a good parallel for one aspect of a character, but then you have to try to fit a second aspect or character conflict in and it doesn't fit the new world at all!

Dema: I feel the same!

Jacs: Writing; it's hard man.

Dema: It is! So why do you do it!? And a follow-up question: writing is hard, and you're signed up for a Big Bang! What made you interested? Is it your first one or have you done this before?

Jacs: It's like a wonderful little puzzle; except it can be all wibbly wobbly and just like real life it doesn't always need to make sense- it's lovely just to embrace the humanness of character writing!

So a bit of context, I recently finished postgraduate studies, and realised I didn't have any hobbies! I used to love creative writing of any sort when I was but a young whippersnapper (they say, in their mid 20s), so I decided to embrace the cringe and get back at it. I've never participated in any fandom events, or even written something this long that wasn't academic! But I'm really loving the community around this event and getting to chat to other writers as we all write (and suffer) together!

Dema: In the last minutes, and just for fun: can you come up with a click-bait title for your fic? Without giving anything major away, of course.

Jacs: Maybe something like 'Found Family in Crisis!!!!!! How This Local Woman's Life Just Keeps Getting Worse!!!’  (To quote the venerable Sir Terry Prattchet: And all those exclamation marks, you notice? Five? A sure sign of someone who wears his underpants on his head.)

Dema: Ten out of Ten, would click again. Thank you so much for setting aside this time to chat with me!

Jacs: No worries! I had a great time!

[middleearthpixie]

Brilliant Disguise ~ Chapter Twenty-Six

Summary: Speech therapist Josephine Asharm has been brought into Erebor to work with Bifur, but trying to find her place among people who eye her suspiciously would be difficult enough under normal circumstances, but when Sophie finds herself caught between the king, his most trusted lieutenant, and the dwarf she’s there to help? She’s certain no good can come of it. Being of Man, not only does she stand out in the dwarf kingdom, she’s not entirely certain she’s actually welcome there at all. 

Thorin only agreed to allow Sophie to live amongst them out of a sense of duty to Bifur, who is recovering from an odd head injury (is there any other way to describe having an axe blade lodged in one’s head, only to have it later dislodged during the Battle of the Five Armies?) Before the battle, he spoke only khuzdul. But since it? He’s regained the ability to speak Westron—if only he could but remember any of it. As for Thorin? He’s trying his damndest to ignore the speech therapist, not to mention his own growing feelings for her, even as he is also recovering from his near fatal wounding in the same battle. 

Both Sophie and Thorin are haunted by their pasts and are uncertain of their futures, but sometimes, chances must be taken…  

Pairings: Thorin Oakenshield x OFC Josephine (Sophie) Asharm 

Warnings: None 

Rating: T

Word Count: 2.2k

Tag List:  @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard

@legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being

@rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-mer-6195 @sherala007 @enchantzz

@knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell

@jotink78 @sorisooyaa @ruthoakenshield @frosticenow @quiall321

@dianakc @msjava1972 @buckybarnes-thorin @glassgulls @evenstaredits

@heilith @asgardianhobbit98 @albionscastle @absentmindeduniverse @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms

@sazzlep @night-ace

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here.

That night, Sophie had trouble sleeping. Between the pain in her ankle and the nightmares that plagued her, no sooner did she doze off than she jolted awake either in pain or terrified. Sten haunted her sleep, mocking her with his icy smile and oily words as he promised her that not only would she never be free of him, he would take Heather away from her forever. She heard the splash of him hitting the water. The squelch of the hammer striking him. The way the water reddened around him. And finally…

Silence.

And each time she lurched awake, Thorin was there, wrapping her in his arms, whispering reassurance that she was safe, that Heather was safe, that Sten would never trouble her again. Then he held her until she drifted back off to sleep, only to repeat the scenario throughout the night. 

Sophie awoke to find herself alone. For a brief moment, she wondered if she’d imagined the previous day’s events. But then she shifted and the sudden throb in her ankle assured her that it had actually happened.

Still, she sat up and carefully slid to the edge of the bed, where her crutches were propped against the beside table. It took her a moment to situate herself, and then she carefully maneuvered from her room. 

It was slow going, but she moved to Heather’s room, only to find it empty, her bed neatly made. A hint of apprehension twisted her belly. Thorin might have gone back to his own flat, but where was Heather and why hadn’t he at least left a note?

She tried not to panic, but her nightmares clung to her, made her crutch toward the sitting room with her heart beating almost triple time. She had to see Heather for herself, to make certain her nightmares had been just that—only nightmares. 

And as she came into the sitting area, she stopped as short as one on crutches could stop and as she did, Heather looked up. Putting a finger to her lips, she whispered, “Shhh, Mama. Mister Thorin is sleeping.”

Sophie smiled. Thorin was indeed sleeping, stretched out on the sofa with one leg straight, the other bent, his foot flat on the floor. Heather sat in the vee of his legs, a picture book open across her lap. “I was reading to him,” she whispered as she closed the book and then carefully climbed over him. 

He snored, but remained asleep and Sophie gestured to the knit blanket draped over the sofa’s back. “Why don’t you cover him, love?” 

Heather nodded and came around to tug the blanket down, before carrying back around to cover him. Then, she whispered, “There.”

“Why are you both in here?” Sophie asked.

“I had a bad dream, Mama. When I came into your room, he was there. I thought he slept on the sofa?”

Sophie smiled as she smoothed Heather’s hair away from her face. “He was sitting with me last eve, because I had a bad dream of my own.”

“Why?”

“I don't know. Sometimes your mind likes to play tricks on you.” She gestured for Heather to follow her into her room, where Heather climbed up onto Sophie’s unmade bed. “What did you dream?”

Heather’s nose crinkled. “I don't remember, Mama. But Mister Thorin said I could sit in the sitting area and read, so we didn't wake you.” 

She looked up at Sophie, her blue eyes narrowed. “Does he really sleep on the sofa?”

“Why would you ask?”

“Because he was under the covers with you, like I do when I cuddle with you. Was he cuddling with you?”

Sophie smiled. “He was. As I said, I also had bad dreams.” 

“Why?”

Sophie hesitated. She hadn’t planned on telling Heather about Sten, but at the same time, she also felt Heather had the right to know. Not all of the details, of course, but just enough to know she never need live in fear of Sten any longer. 

“Mama?”

“There’s something I need to tell you, love. About your papa.”

Heather’s eyes widened. “Is he here, Mama? Did he come for us? Do we have to go back with him?”

Her voice rose with each word, fear creeping into her words and expression and Sophie carefully sank onto the bed beside her, letting her crutches slide to the floor as she hurried to gather Heather in her arms. “No, love, no… you’ve nothing to fear, sweetling.”

“I don't want to leave here, Mama. Please don't make me…”

“Shhh…” She drew Heather across her lap, rocking her gently as she smoothed Heather’s tangled dark hair. “You’ve nothing to fear, baby, I promise you. We are not leaving Erebor. Not any time soon.”

Heather lifted her head. “Do you promise?”

“I promise, love.” Sophie brushed Heather’s hair away from her face. “And you never need worry about him coming back, either. He will not trouble us again.”

“Why?”

“Because he—he had an accident. On the lake. Mr. Bard told me about it. Yesterday, when I was in Dale.”

“He’s… gone?”

Sophie nodded slowly. “He is gone.”

“And he won’t come back?”

“He won’t come back.”

“Ever?”

“Ever.”

Heather smiled. “But Mister Thorin is here.”

“Yes, he is.”

“And he won’t leave, right?”

“I don't think so, no.” 

“Good.” 

Sophie pulled Heather closer. “So, you’ll be happy to remain here?”

Heather nodded. “I would, Mama. It means I can see Miss Oakmane every day and play with Gimli all the time.”

“And what more would you need?”

Heather bobbed her head more emphatically. “Nothing, Mama. That would be perfect.”

Sophie gave her a gentle squeeze. “It sounds perfect, sweetling.”

Heather nestled her head against Sophie’s breast and cuddled quietly for a long moment, but then, she picked up her head. “Mama?”

“What, love?”

“Can I—” she looked toward the door, in the direction of the sitting area—“Do you think…”

“Do I think what, love?”

“Well…” Heather linked and unlinked her fingers, studying them intently. “Do you think Mister Thorin… that is…”

Sophie bit back a smile, but she didn't hurry Heather at all. Instead, she waited, her smile becoming more difficult to hide as Heather’s forehead wrinkled and her eyebrows drew close together. She had the feeling she knew exactly what Heather was going to ask, which made her eyes sting. 

“Do you think Mister Thorin would be mad if I called him papa?”

“What do you think?”

Heather shook her head, her expression beyond serious now. “He told me ’adad means papa and that he would like being tha—” her eyes went wide and she pressed her lips together. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”

“Why?”

“Because I wasn’t. I told Mister Thorin I wouldn’t say anything.”

“You’re keeping secrets with him?”

“Are you mad, Mama?”

“It depends on the secret,” Sophie replied carefully.

“I can’t tell you, but it’s a good one. Promise.”

“A good one?”

Heather nodded. “A very good one.” 

“Then I won’t be mad. And, I think Mister Thorin would like it very much if you called him papa, but just to be sure, you should ask him.”

“I will. But,” Heather looked up at her, “please don't tell Mister Thorin I told you about what ’adad means.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Relief swept across Heather’s face. “Thank you, Mama.”

“There you are.”

Sophie looked up as Thorin appeared in the doorway, his hair poking up in all directions and his eyes puffy with sleep. He rubbed the back of his neck with a wince. “How’s your ankle feeling?”

“I’ve had better days, to be honest,” she said, patting the bed. “Come and sit.”

He offered up a sleepy grin as he sank beside her. “We should think about going up for breakfast.”

Heather sat up. “Can I go find Gimli, Mama?”

Sophie nodded. “You may, but if he is not in the Great Hall, you are to come right back here.”

“Yes, Mama.” 

Heather climbed down from the bed and hurried from the room, leaving Thorin to offer up a look of concern. “Aren’t you worried she’ll get lost?”

She shook her head. “Not any longer, really. She knows Erebor almost as well as you dwarves, you know.”

“So, she’s come to think of this as her home, then?”

“To a certain extent, yes.” Sophie shifted slightly as her ankle began to ache. 

“And what about you, Mrs. Asharm?” His eyes softened, his smile almost mischievous. “Have you come to think of Erebor as home?”

She met that soft gaze, a gentle flutter rippling through her belly as she did. “I have, yes. I don't like to think of the time when I’m no longer needed here.”

“What makes you think that will ever happen?”

“Bifur is doing remarkably well and really no longer requires therapy, so…”

“And what if I asked you to stay, mesmel? Would you?”

“Are you asking me?”

“I might be.” He smiled then as a hint of color swept along his cheekbones. “I’d actually not planned on this, but I think perhaps this suits better.”

“Thorin,” she asked softly, even as her heart beat a triple-time staccato against her ribs, “what are you going on about?”

“I love you, Sophie. And I don't want to think about a time when you might not be here, either. So, perhaps we should arrange it so neither of us has to think about it.”

She barely heard him over the thunder of her pulse in her ears and her throat and mouth felt oddly dry as she whispered, “How so?”

His fingers skimmed along her cheek, tucking her hair behind her left ear as he said, “Will you marry me, Sophie?”

Her heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“I love you, I love Heather. I want us to be a family and I know that the timing isn’t the best, but… it feels right to me and I can only hope it does to you as well.”

“Thorin…”

“Marry me, Sophie. Be my queen and I promise to treat you as such for the rest of my days.”

Sophie’s eyes stung with unexpected tears as she gazed into the blue eyes she’d come to know and love so very much. “And you want to take on a ready-made family?”

“You know how I feel about you, and how I feel about Heather and yes, I am ready to do just that.” He smiled, his fingers lingering along her neck. “So, will you marry me?”

“Are you certain?”

“I have never been more certain of anything, Sophie.”

“Absolutely certain?”

“Sophie.” His eyes glinted, crinkling at their outer corners. 

“One hundred percent certain?”

He leaned in to press his lips to hers, his kiss soft and lingering and when he drew back, he whispered, “Do you need more convincing, mesmel?”

“Ask me again, Thorin.”

His smile widened. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

He rose over her, covering her, and as his lips met hers, he whispered, “Mênu tessu.”

Sophie wound her arms about his neck, pulling him flush. “As you are my everything as well, Thorin.”

He bent to capture her lips with his, his kiss soft at first, but then deepening as he shifted to settle between her thighs. She parted her lips, her toes curling at the silken glide of his tongue along hers. A hint of pain flashed through her injured foot, but it was quickly forgotten at that soft caress. 

She let her fingers slip along his hair, let them wind through it, as the soft tingles took root deep within her. She welcomed his weight against her, and a hint of disappointment swept through her as he pulled away to whisper, “We should probably not do this, in case Heather comes—”

“Gimli wasn’t in—what are you and Mama doing, Mister Thorin?”

Thorin drew back with a soft chuckle. “Nothing, mimûna.”

“Were you… kissing? Ew.”

As Thorin rose once more, Sophie sat up, tucking a wayward curl behind one ear. “You don’t approve, Heather?”

Heather’s nose wrinkled. “It sounds so… squishy… when you do it.”

“Squishy?” 

Heather nodded. “Squishy.”

Thorin reached down to tousle her hair. “Then perhaps it’s best you stopped it, Miss Heather. Besides, there are a few things I need to attend to and I could use your help.”

Heather stared up at him. “Me?”

He nodded. “Remember, you said you would help me.”

“I did!” Heather turned to Sophie. “Can I go with Mister Thorin?”

Sophie looked over at Thorin. “What do you have to do?”

He grinned. “You will just have to wait and see, mesmel,” he told her, bending to brush her lips with his. “But trust me, you will like it.”

“Thorin, what’s going on?”

Heather beamed up at her. “It’s a secret, Mama.”

She looked from Heather to Thorin, and when he winked, she had the feeling their secret had something to do with his proposal. With that, she smiled and nodded. “Very well. I suppose you will share when the time is right.”

“So, I can go with Mister Thorin?”

“Yes, love. You can go with Mister Thorin. But, make sure you keep him out of trouble.”

“I will, Mama.”

Thorin winked at Sophie as he scooped Heather up. “You rest, mesmel. We will see you later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

He turned his smile to Heather. “Shall we go, then?”

She nodded. “We have a lot to do.”

“Then you should go,” Sophie told them, settling back against the pillows. “Especially if you have a lot to do.”

Heather grinned, her arms looped about Thorin’s neck. “You’ll love it, Mama. You’ll see.”