#um the last one is kind of . ehe. stop that

[king-crawler]

EVERY TIME TURBO SAYS TURBO-TASTIC

[stunie]

OASIS IN SPACE! — sfw ﾉ first time meeting ﾉ umemiya hajime x shy!f!reader ﾉ entry for @interstellar-inn’s help wanted collab ^ ^ <3

Taking the ticketing position at your local planetarium seemed like a good idea until you found out you’d be thrown into your first shift with essentially zero training. Your only chance at having anything remotely close to a successful first day is to swallow your nerves and just ask the 6’2 usher for some help!

“Excuse me… is this where we scan tickets?”

If the man you’re trying to talk to hears you, he doesn’t respond. You clear your throat— as quietly as you can to avoid disrupting what you assume is the planetarium show’s usher crouched down in front of you.

He looks pretty from behind, and it takes a forced blink or two to stop staring at the way the muscles of his back bulge against his shirt with each little movement he makes.

You think he looks around your age too.

The way his body also blocks the only entrance to the planetarium— which is where you think you’d probably need to be— doesn’t really help your situation much either.

“Um…” you hesitate a bit, heartbeat suddenly much louder in your head when you try and muster all the courage inside you to lightly poke his shoulder— except he doesn’t seem to notice that either.

There’s a moment of silence that feels much longer in your head before you’re suddenly jolting back when the sound of his gasp reaches you. “I love this song!” You hear him say to himself before he starts humming a cheerful tune, head nodding up and down as he goes back to work, rummaging through the box in front of him.

He hasn’t even acknowledged you yet, and you already felt like you were a bother. A part of you wishes you had just begged your boss for clearer instructions earlier, but it was too late for that now.

“Excuse me…” You try and raise your voice and jab your finger a little harder into his shoulder this time, and he finally gasps. Loudly. The sound of his voice has you stumbling back a couple steps, the back of your hand flying to cover your mouth, and you feel no different from a deer caught in headlights.

“Eh?!” He’s jerking upright before he turns to look at you, and you’re frozen in place. “You scared me! How long have you been there?” He starts laughing, “You’d do pretty good in a ghost movie, huh? What a skill to have.”

Your first thought is that his eyes look kind.

Your second thought was that your day wasn’t as unlucky as you thought. Umemiya Hajime— you later learned that this was his name— was more than happy to lead you to your table while going over what the other ticketing hires usually did for shifts like these.

It sounded simple enough in your head. Just point your scanner at the tickets and welcome the visitors, right?

He stays by your side the entire time, and you’re too focused on making sure your voice comes out loud enough that you miss the way his eyes soften each time you greet a visitor, lips tugging into a small smile. You were just way too cute like that.

The shift seems to fly by once you get the hang of the angle you need to point the scanner at, and you start catching onto just how many times the two of you seemed to make eye contact within the last few minutes. Each one has your cheeks heating up a little more than the last, and you’re sure he notices from the way his eyes linger on you even after you turn away.

You reach your breaking point when your scanner flashes red at the last guest, “error!” displayed across the entire screen, and you can practically feel the sweat forming on your temples. Why wouldn’t this one read?

Of course it was the last guest in line too.

Your mind starts to race as you stand up to get a better look their ticket, the person in front of you furrowing their eyes a bit at your obvious confusion. You’re only a second away from mumbling a string of apologies before you feel Umemiya’s chest suddenly press against your back, strong hands caging you against the table as he takes a look at his ticket for you.

If you weren’t feeling hot before, you were now.

“Ah! You’re showing the receipt, sir. There’s a second ticket you have with the scannable part.”

He laughs when the guest starts chuckling sheepishly, but he doesn’t miss the way you awkwardly chuckle and fiddle with the device. It’s okay, he thinks, you wouldn’t have known that on your first shift anyway.

You stiffen as soon as you feel his hand wrapping over the one you’re using to hold the scanner, easily enveloping your own as he raises it up to try again, and you briefly wonder if the darkness in the room is enough to hide the expression you’ve got on your face.

The remaining bit of your shift goes smoothly at least, minus the way you’ve been doing everything in your power to avoid making eye contact with Umemiya again. You can feel him still smiling at you, probably oblivious to the events of earlier, and that makes it even worse.

“We should watch the planetarium show together!”

The way you immediately perk up is enough of an answer for him. “Mhm,” He’s answering the question that pops up in your head, “They’ll let us. Though… they usually want you to stay here a few minutes into the show to wait for the latecomers.”

The way your lips puff out into a pout is just too cute.

“Don’t worry— hey, don’t frown like that. I was planning on saving you a seat, so look for me when you come in, okay? I have white hair!” He points to his head with a big grin.

“…I know you have white hair.” You plop back into your seat with a huff, turning away from him to hide the heat flooding back into your cheeks. His smile just.. does that to you. Watching an entire show beside him seemed a little too good to be true too.

Maybe you did feel a little giddy about it.

Your eyes widen as soon as you feel his hand land on your head, patting you a couple of times with a loud laugh and a “See you there, yeah?” before he leaves you all alone in the lobby, your ears smoking with heat and heart now thumping loudly against your ribcage.

[dreamauri]

♪ — 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢, 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 sebastian vetteln x fem! reader ( fluff ) fic summary . . . In which a bus stop acts as a way-point for two idiots who are madly in love.

( master list | more of sebastian vettel ) ( requests )

put my blood and sweat into this, took me so long to write, enjoy

tagging my #1 sebastian fan @forza55

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2006

rain was always so calming. A constant in your life. The raindrops would follow one another and make a pitter patter noise as they landed on the earth, weather on the ground, leaves, or in water again.

You could hear it loud and clear despite your headphones and icecap covering your ears. You weren't listening to music, but rather had the music instrument to divert anyone from talking to you. The bus stop was not too crowded, and the same people every Wednesday huddled under the stop's shelter like fish in a bucket.

Your face, of course, was buried in your book. What else would you be doing? Flipping the page as you glanced at your watch. 2 more minutes, you sighed.

"Excuse me." You snapped your head up, looking at the drenched blond that stepped under the ran protective roof. "Did bus, 38 leave yet?" He was panting, one hand on his knee as he looked up at you. You?

You were taken aback by his eyes, looking around to see if he he was taking to anyone else, but no, his blue eyes were on you. "I um -" You took a headphone off to be polite. "No, it should be, oh yeah, turn around." Just in time, you bit the inside of your lip as the blond gave you a thankful smile.

The people from the bus top filed in, taking a seat and resuming their activities. You decided to stand. Someone else could need your seat more than you do. And apparently, someone also thought the same thing, but he wasn't used to the bus's immediate halts.

Standing a few feet behind you was a bad idea because with the wet floor and sudden red traffic light, you found yourself catching Sebastian Vettel from slipping down on the floor and taking him with you.

Those blue eyes were too big for his head, scratch that. They were perfect. The amount of time the two of you spent with your arm hooked around his waist and him holding onto the handle above to catch his balance, was enough for you sketch the beauty he was in your head.

"Sorry." "It's okay." You dismissed, with a polite smile, helping him stand up straight. "Maybe you should sit down." "Eh, someone else might need it more than me." He said hesitantly, shrugging. The smile on your face widened, and features softened. His did too, seeing the elegant moon in your eyes shine on him with what he could describe as a gentle goddess giving a flower to a loyal worshipper.

"I'm Sebastian." "Y/N."

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2007

No one ever sits on the chair beside you. When the seats were vacant and you sat down, it'd be just you. But today, a familiar face returned. After only appearing for two weeks, you finally get to see the blue eyes and fluff after a year.

"Whatcha reading?" He asks, looking down at your book. A smile shined on your face as you closed the pages to show him the title. "Just light reading." You hummed quietly, glancing up as the bus arrived.

You stood together on the bus, catching up on recent events. Which included him getting a "promotion" at his job. You kind of got into that topic more, you learned that his job took him to travel the world, and that included being here in Canada for a week every year, Thursday to Sunday.

Only, today was Monday. And last year when he visited he stayed for three Thursdays: three weeks, triple the time he should. You didn't ask about that, maybe it was just personal, or he had family here. You didn't ask what his job was either since he didn't disclose it on his own. You sure it was just a big fancy company that was related to computers and cyber tech since they were big things at this time.

When you got off with Seb at your stop, the both of you decided to stop at a café before plopping down on the couch in a corner in the grand library. Your hands were too busy holding the warm paper cup you didn't realize that Sebastian was leading the way. His hand on the small off your back, pulling you from your shirt to stop you at a cross walk ( red goers dead goers ) or walking on the outside of the street so it was safter for you to sip on your hot chocolate in peace.

The noon was spent peacefully, sitting beside each other, noses in books. Sebastian had such a calming presence, you even laid your head on his shoulder and watched him go through books about motors and cars ( which you found terribly cute ).

The week continued like usual, with seb having to leave early from Thursday to Saturday. On Monday he stayed long enough to take you out to lunch. The two of you sat at a nice dinner overlooking St. Lawrence river, and later you had a nice walk along the water body, linking arms together.

You spent the rest of the day with him, all the way back to the bus stop long after the sun had set. "Are you staying far from here?" You asked, brushing some hair from his eyes gently. He shrugged looking out at the illuminated streets. "I'm German, a walk is a walk." You couldn't help but chuckle as he pointed at his inflated chest proudly.

"I'll . . . see you tomorrow morning?" He asked hesitantly as he started walking away backwards slowly, looking at you. You nodded, a wide sile on your face as you walked in the opposite direction, backwards as well. "Get hoe safe." "You too."

But for whatever reason. He wasn't there in the morning. He usually makes it just two minutes before the bus. But today, you had to ride all alone. You had to sit all alone in the library too, and buy hot chocolate on your own too. Wednesday was like that as well, and Thursday as follows. And on Sunday, as you sat at the cafe, blowing hot air in your palms to warm yourself up when your ear caught a familiar name on the television.

"And eighth on his debut, the nineteen year old Sebastian Vettel standing in for the injured Robert Kubica scores one point for BMW."

Your Sebastian Vettel just scared a point in the pinnacle of motorsport?

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2008

Your smile is wide as you watch the blond arrive. You scootch over in your seat since the other one was taken and immediately Seb takes a seat beside you. "Mr. Vettel, would you be so kind to sign my shirt?" You joke, and when he looks as the top you're wearing he almost burst into laughter, putting his face in his hands.

"There's this store that sells merch, I thought it looked good." You shrug, nudging him. "Oh my god." He wipes his eyes looking at it. "Who's that?" He points to the shirt you were wearing, new Torro rosso merch with the new driver. "You don't know Sebastian Vettel?" You gasp, putting your hand on your chest in fake and dramatic offence. "He's the next World Champion." "Really?" "Oh yea, for sure. Maybe not this year or the next. But he'll do great one day."

"I was hoping to know, do you think Sebastian would be able to invite this friend of his to the race on Sunday." "I don't know, I'll have to check. I'm sure he'll be intent on bringing her to all of the races if she says yes." "She says yes."

university can wait.

It can wait till after Seb's first home grand prix, hugging him tightly after the race. Till after you go out with him that after party to dance all night. It can wait till the two of you cakesmash each other the next morning then laugh your asses off as you struggle to clean up.

university can defiantly wait till after a trip to Italy. Sitting at a very expensive restaurant and eating pasta despite dietary restrictions. It can wait sightseeing and museums. And most defiantly wait till after Sebastian's first win. After he kisses you post celebration and post podium, sharing the bottle of champagne

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2009

"That was beautiful, amour." [love] you smiled as Sebastian finally reached you. This year round, both of you were wearing red bull branded clothes, while seb wore the race suit, you wore the kit.

"I'm pretty sure you should look in a mirror because you're much more beautiful." The German joked, sharing a quick kiss with you. Christian could see the look of pride and admiration on your face as Sebastian hopped on the top pedestal for the Chinese grand prix. And of curse, as anyone in your places would, you blew kisses to each other.

"Its a pretty trophy." You hummed once you got a hold of it after the podium ceremony. The garage was still hype from the win, and you couldn't deny that your heart was hammering in your chest still. "It is." Adrian newey, your boss nodded looking between you and sebastian who was chasing his mechanics with the bottle of champagne.

"This is going to be a nice year. A very nice year." You hummed to yourself, feeling yourself smile watching your lover laugh. He looked at you with his eyebrows raised. And before you knew it, he was chasing you up and down the pitlane. Safe to say the skirt you were wearing was not helping you and you were eventually sticky and sweet.

"Let me taste." Seb held your waste, leaning in for a kiss. You managed to pull away, blushing and pushing on his chest playfully. "The whole world will see us." You scolded, folding your arms shyly. You were, after all, in the pitlane, any fan or journalist or camera could see and forever etch the moment into the internet.

"Let them see, let the world know that you're mine and I'm yours."

"You cheeky bastard."

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2010

"Shhhh." "Let me seeee!" "Shhhh!" You shushed him even harder, pushing him away from his face. "I'm working." You scolded, slightly smacking his chest.

Pre season was almost here, and you were finishing up the design to the RB6. Moving from Montreal to London for the job was a big change. Although you weren't able to graduate university with your planned engineering degree, you were talented and gifted enough to score a designer position with Red bull racing.

Adrian Newey supervised over you and saw you as a skilled individual. You were able to preform well, abiding within the rules of F1 to create extraordinary work. Well, you work fine when Sebastian is not at your neck trying to look at the blueprints for the RB6.

"Oh come on, Let me see what you're going to be putting me in. I'm going to drive it anyways." You shook you head to yourself. As soon as you stopped holding Seb away from his chest, he had immediately put his nose in all your work and notes asking questions and making pointers even though the man never learned anything in university about any of this.

"Make it super fast." He tells you. You couldn't help but chuckle at his antics. "I don't make the car fast. The driver does." You joke getting up. "besides, I can already tell, we've bagged this season." You breath out happily kissing his cheek as you pass him to go to the kitchen.

"I like the way you think." He smirked following you, leaning his forearms on the kitchen counter, watching you as you skimmed through the fridge for something. "You hungry? We can go out." He offered, pushing himself up and coming up from behind you, hugging your waist and searching with his eyes through the content of the fridge same way you did.

"I don't know . . . I'm craving gâteau, tiramisu maybe? I don't know. Sugar, something sweet." [cake] You sighed in thought. "Do you wat something sweet?" you looked back at him only to see his cute smile and his blue gorgeous eyes on you.

"I have my infinite share of sweetness." You raised a brow confused at his words, only to be answered by his lips pressing on yours. "Why would I want anything cake or gâteau," he mocked, "when I have you?" "verry funny, seb." you chuckled, playfully rolling your eyes only to be met with another kiss.

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You were stressed, very stressed. after the car had preformed well and met your expectations during testing, it did not deliver well enough not in the first race with Alonso had won nor the second race in which Sebastian had to retire. mark in the other seat wasn't doing any better with 8th and 9th, which were yes in the points, but not in the championship.

Sebastian had taken pole during both weekends, the first race in Bahrain where his car lost power in the last few laps and the second race in Australia where the brakes failed due to mechanical issues. And it all felt like it was your fault. Like you didn't put enough effort in the car at the beginning in the season, like you costed a beloved new family and team money and a championship.

The stress and nerves wouldn't leave you, sitting on the pit wall as you watched the lights turn red one by one. Webber is on pole this time with seb in the second row with p3. chewing your pencil, you counted down till the lights went out, eyes on the screens in front of you displaying important specs that would help you with possible outcomes and opportunities for strategies.

Your heart almost jumped out of your chest as the drivers pressed on the throttle for the Malaysian grand prix. with your note book in hand and pen between your fingers, you began scribbling and planning and thinking.

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Your heart hammers in your chest as Sebastian crosses the finish line first. You hardly register the cheers around you as you push through the crowd, your feet carrying you to parc fermé on pure instinct. There he is—Sebastian, climbing out of his car, arms raised in triumph, the kind of smile that could light up the entire paddock plastered across his face.

“Seb!” you call out, your voice cracking with emotion. His head whips around, and the moment his eyes land on you, he opens his arms without hesitation.

You throw yourself into him, gripping him so tightly you're not sure where he ends and you begin. The smell of sweat and champagne clings to him, but you don’t care. All that matters is the way he holds you back, his joy infectious.

“You did it,” you whisper, your voice shaky. “You actually did it.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” he replies, his words soft but weighty, his voice muffled against your hair. And for a fleeting moment, it feels like the world belongs to the two of you.

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The words echo in your ears, muffled yet unmistakable: “Du bist Weltmeister!” It feels surreal, like you’ve stepped into a dream. The grand prix is over, and yet your heart races faster than it ever did during the race.

Sebastian’s disbelief mirrors your own as he clambers out of his car, shaking his head in wonder before he sees you. You barely have time to brace yourself before he’s pulling you into another bone-crushing hug, his breath coming out in a stuttering laugh against your shoulder.

“We did it!” he exclaims, his voice thick with emotion.

“No,” you correct him, though your voice cracks from the tears threatening to spill. “You did it, Seb. You’re the world champion.”

Later, on the podium, Sebastian lifts the constructor’s trophy beside you, his smile splitting his face as the crowd roars. When the champagne sprays, you barely have time to duck before he turns the bottle on you, his laughter blending with yours in the chaos. It’s a moment frozen in time, one you’ll replay over and over in your mind.

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2011

Moving into the Milton Keynes apartment had been his idea. Despite his Monaco residence, Sebastian had insisted that being close to you—and the team—mattered more. The apartment wasn’t much, but it became home.

You’d cook dinner together, sometimes burning the pasta because you were too busy teasing each other. When you weren’t at the factory or the track, you were exploring cities together, summer and winter breaks filled with spontaneous vacations. Hiking in the Alps, sipping espresso on cobbled streets in Rome, or lying on the beaches of Ibiza—it was always the two of you against the world.

It was simple. It was perfect. Until it wasn’t.

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2014

The tension had been building for weeks. Every race felt like a battlefield, but not just for Sebastian on the track—it had seeped into the small apartment you shared, turning it into a minefield neither of you seemed able to navigate. The car wasn’t competitive, the championship slipping further out of reach with every race weekend. It gnawed at him, at both of you, but Sebastian wasn’t used to losing.

That night, it all came to a head.

“I’m giving everything I have!” he snapped, pacing across the narrow living room, his hands tugging at his hair. His voice was sharp, louder than you’d ever heard it before, echoing against the walls. “Do you think I want to be stuck fighting for fifth?”

You flinched, his frustration rolling off him in waves, but you stood your ground. Crossing your arms, you swallowed the lump forming in your throat. “I never said that, Seb. But you’re shutting me out! How am I supposed to help you if you won’t even let me in?”

He stopped mid-stride, turning to face you with a look that made your stomach twist. His lips parted, and for a moment, you thought he might say something to ease the blow, to let you in the way you were begging him to. But then, the words came out like a slap:

“Maybe you can’t help!”

The air in the room went heavy, suffocating. Your breath hitched as the weight of his words settled in your chest, sharp and cutting. You stared at him, waiting for him to take it back, to soften the edges of what he’d just said. But he didn’t. He just stood there, his chest rising and falling, his eyes darting away from yours.

“Okay,” you said finally, your voice quiet, strained. It was all you could manage.

Sebastian exhaled sharply, dragging his hand down his face, but he didn’t say anything. No apology, no explanation. And somehow, that was worse.

The rest of the night passed in silence. He retreated to the bedroom, the door clicking shut behind him, while you sat alone in the dimly lit living room, staring blankly at the coffee table. The tension was still there, like an invisible wall between you, and you knew—knew—that this wasn’t just about the car. It was about everything.

By mid-season, you couldn’t take it anymore. The team’s focus was shifting, Sebastian’s frustration was mounting, and your own heartbreak was becoming unbearable. You handed in your resignation at Red Bull with trembling hands, the words barely audible as you told Christian you were leaving.

Porsche’s hypercar program was a lifeline. It wasn’t just about stepping away from the team—it was about stepping away from Sebastian, from the version of him you didn’t recognize anymore. You threw yourself into your work, finishing your master’s degree with a kind of single-minded determination that bordered on obsession. A PhD followed, and so did your work alongside Mark Webber.

But even as the years passed, the sting of that night, of those words—Maybe you can’t help!—never truly faded. They echoed in your mind at the most unexpected times, in the quiet moments when you let your guard down. You told yourself you’d moved on, but deep down, you knew part of you was still in that small apartment in Milton Keynes, staring at the man you once thought you’d never lose.

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2024

The Porsche garage hummed with activity—mechanics adjusting tools, engineers poring over screens, the air filled with the familiar scents of fuel and rubber. It was a controlled chaos you thrived in, but when Sebastian walked in, the rhythm faltered, like someone had pressed pause on the world.

You looked up, drawn by an instinct you couldn’t explain. He stood just inside the doorway, his gaze scanning the room until it landed on you.

Time seemed to collapse, the years between you vanishing in an instant. He looked... different. His features had sharpened with age, a faint streak of silver glinting in his hair, but his eyes—those striking, unyielding eyes—remained the same.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The noise of the garage dulled to a murmur, replaced by the pounding of your heartbeat in your ears.

Finally, you smiled, forcing yourself to break the spell. “Good seeing you again, Seb.”

Your voice was steady, but your extended hand trembled slightly. He stepped forward, taking it in his. His grip was firm, grounding, and the touch lingered longer than it should have.

“Yn,” he said, your name a quiet acknowledgment, a memory resurrected.

The handshake ended, and with it, the fragile bubble of familiarity. You withdrew, your professionalism snapping into place like armor, but the warmth of his palm against yours stayed, a phantom sensation.

Later, you stood at the pit wall, your headset snug over your ears as you stared at the monitors in front of you. Rows of data scrolled across the screens—lap times, tire degradation, telemetry—all of it meant to hold your focus. But no amount of numbers could drown out the echo of Sebastian’s voice when he’d said your name.

Out on the track, the Porsche glided through the apex of a turn, sleek and powerful under Sebastian’s control. His voice crackled through your headset, cutting through your scattered thoughts. “Car feels good.”

It was measured, professional, but you caught it—that faint hesitation, the undertone of something unresolved.

“Copy that,” you replied, gripping the edge of the console until your knuckles whitened. Your voice was clipped, businesslike, but it felt like a mask too thin to hold. “Let’s push for one more flying lap.”

Sebastian’s car roared down the straight, his hands tightening around the wheel. He leaned into the motion of the car, each turn precise, his instincts still razor-sharp. But beneath the surface, his mind was a storm. Every shift of the gears felt weighted, every flick of the wheel a reminder of how much had changed—and how much had stayed the same.

Inside the garage, the silence between radio updates was deafening. You clenched your jaw, willing yourself to focus on the present. But every beep of the telemetry felt like a heartbeat, syncing with the one pounding in your chest.

When Sebastian finally returned to the pit lane, you stepped back, giving him space as he climbed out of the car. For a moment, his eyes found yours again, a flash of something unspoken passing between you.

The handshake earlier had been a bridge—a brief moment of connection—but now, standing apart, the gap between you felt impossibly vast. Neither of you moved to close it.

★ ☆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The bus stop was dimly lit, the flickering streetlamp above casting fleeting shadows on the damp pavement. A cold breeze tugged at your coat, sneaking past the fabric to nip at your skin. You tucked your hands deeper into your pockets, rocking on your heels to stay warm.

The sound of an engine broke through the quiet, low and familiar. Headlights curved around the corner, slowing as they approached. You turned, squinting into the glow, and recognition struck before the car even stopped.

Sebastian’s car.

He rolled down the window, leaning over with an easy grace that looked so natural, like no time had passed. His gaze found yours, soft and warm, but carrying something you couldn’t quite place.

“Need a lift?” he asked, voice steady but tinged with something almost hesitant.

A smirk tugged at your lips as you stepped closer, the teasing retort slipping out effortlessly. “Are you my 39 North today?”

His chuckle was low, the kind that felt like the rumble of a car engine in your chest. “Only because you’re my favorite passenger.”

Without hesitation, you opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, the faint scent of leather and something distinctly Sebastian enveloping you. As you buckled up, you glanced at him, taking in the way his fingers rested on the steering wheel, tapping lightly in an unconscious rhythm.

“Still driving like you’re on the autobahn?” you teased, adjusting the seatbelt.

He cast a sidelong glance at you, a small smile playing at his lips. “I could say the same about you. You were always terrible at staying in the slow lane.”

You laughed, the sound breaking through the quiet tension that had settled between you both. As the car pulled away, the city lights painted streaks across the windshield, and for the first time in years, the silence felt comfortable. 

Like maybe, just maybe.

[yuzuki-ero]

Increased circulation

Gyomei x y/n (AFAB)

MDNI – Minor do not interact

Word count: 1300+

" " is dialogue

' ' is thoughts

Warning: involuntary erection, nudity, vaginal intercourse, internal ejaculation, size kink, embarrassing moments ,hook up

Ahem ahem pls be kind to me this is my first smut Did you know onsen weren't separated by gender in old jp?

"Ding dong ding dong"

The sound of the bell

The signal that the end of today has come

"Hhphew..." you nearly lay your tired body on the training grounds

After a long day of training, you decided to treat yourself to an onsen

You missed the group onsen yesterday because you were on your last day of periods

"Hm..."

You couldn't resist humming as you submerge yourself in the water, it's one of the most comfortable feelings in the world, along with the texture of freshly made mochi in your mouth

Your journey to dreamland were interrupted as you noticed the toned foot by the corner of your eye

a deep calm voice replied

"Hello"

"... ... ..!!!" it took you a while to recognize that voice

You sit up straight and bashfully make space for his size

"Ah... thank you"

You swear the pool level raised a little when he sits in it

"Ah, hm..."

- An uncomfortable moment of silence -

Your mind were racing a mile per minute

Nervous, due to your limited experience as a demon slayer

Frail, Weak, Ordinary and way too unskilled to find topics to talk about

Yet, you do want to become stronger

"Eh... Gyomei-sama?"

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me how do I get stronger?"

His stoic face breaks into a warm smile

"Sure thing, but why do you ask me? Aren't you under some Cultivator for your breathing style?"

"Because.... I want to look like you, I want to have the muscles that you have"

he could vaguely feel the shape of you from the ripples that reflects on the surface of the water from even your most subtle movements

"Hm... do you really want that? You're cute as you are, I think- "

"I think your body is reflective of your strength Gyomei-sama! I wish I could get stronger, like you do!"

And poor him, it's getting more vivid as you crawl closer to inspect and admire his features. You nearly touched his skin.

...............................................

'Is that supposed to be standing up?'

"Oh" you exhaled shakily softly when you noticed it and turned your face the other way

'It could be normal...' you thought as you draw circles in the water to calm your racing heart

You can tell without looking that Gyomei is bashfully crossing his legs to try to hide it somehow

'It's so big... maybe it's a sign of strength- BAHHH! what am I thinking! Stop right now!'

*splash splash*

You tried to hit any sort of sense back into yourself, with the onsen water, slapping your face, anything

'I bet I would choke on it- STOP! STOP IT'

"Uh- don't- don't drown yourself in the onsen, please..."

*gurgle bubbling noises*

He clap his hands together and chant "Name Amida Butsu..." as tears flows freely from his sightless eyes

…..

You eventually calmed down and sit beside him quietly

At a comfortable distance

But his- um

His erection is not coming down

“So… Is this like… uhhhhh…..”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to offend you”

“Is this part of the result of your training”

“What???”

“No? Oh… ok”

………...

You can’t help the way your eyes linger

It’s throbbing, it’s veiny, it’s moving to the currents created by the waterfall in this onsen

Your head was turned to the side but your pupils are glue to that trunk

You hoped it wasn’t too obvious- Himejima-sama is quite a gentle person, after all, from the way he speak so softly to everyone

But he can feel it, he was ‘staring’ at you too

“Himejima-sama…

Can I help you with that?”

His entire face was heated up with a fever blush down to his neck

“You’re so forward…!”

“Is that a yes or no, Gyomei-sama…”

*gulp*

“Yes” He nods

You scooted to sit closer to him, touching his skin, and hold his face

“May I…?”

He doesn’t reply, only squeezely shut his eyes tight, and lean in to start kissing you

His tongue lightly dabs on your bottom lip, and grazing your teeth

Which is met by your own tongue, receiving his techniques and ministrations

As your kiss stays connected, he lifted you by the hips, under the thighs, to straddle him

“Are you ready?”

“Ready? Ready for- oh… ready for that”

He bit his lip slightly it as it touches the inner your two thighs

“yes” He whimpered out desperately

He gasped as you grabbed his cock and instinctively get a hold of your hips

*gulp*

“Ah…” His mouth wobbles as you start to take him in, slowy

He feels so much but it was so good, he’s gritting his teeth and popping veins on his forehead and neck trying to hold back from setting his own pace

He’s even tearing up a little waiting for you

“Tight…” He hissed out under his breath

He lets out a sigh he didn’t know he was holding when you finally managed to let him sink into you as deep as you can

Your gasps and warmth eatting away at his restraint

He gently moved strands of hair out of your forehead, and held you close as you ground yourself for his size, caressing your arms and your sides, thoughtfully

“Ah…!” winds knocked out of his lungs when you started.

He tried his best to withstand it, his fists clench and release on to the decoration stone he was leaning on for support

It felt so good he wanted to thrust back with his own fervor

But Gyomei don’t want to hurt you, so he just sighs and blow air out of his mouth frequently in his best attempt to let you set the pace, but he hyperventilates so much people might think he’s about to pass out.

He bit his lips, pinch his thighs, flex his abs, anything to make sure he doesn’t start making decisions subconciusly

“Oh…Ah…” He almost congratulates his prayers that you finally starts to move faster

The water starts to spill out of the onsen from the impact you both were making

He grabbed your hips and move it to the pace you’ve set

It felt almost unreal-

Your hips in both of his hands- and that his member disappears in and out of you

Just fast enough to make his dick feel the tingles and goosebumps

“Can we go faster? Please…y/n?” He sniffled out, tears almost fall from the corner of his eyes

He’s so cute! You just want to give everything to this man

You put your hand over his, and say:

“Yes, please guide me”

Feeling your arms draped over his shoulders, he sits up and starts to bounce you off his hips

The water splashed out of the pool so much it’s flooding the surrounding floor

But he has stopped caring about that

Your skins met and clapped together the walls and doors counldn’t hide what you two were doing anymore

Not to mention the both of your faint moans that follows, in sync with each slap

Gyomei was salivating and losing his composure, with his half-lidded eyes and arch in his torso

“Ngh…gah-ah…” That was a raspy grunt of effort, and groan of pleasure,

But his speed is not faltering

In fact, it feels like it’s sped up 3 times more

“Y/n are- are you close too? I don’t think I can hold on much longer” 

He’s biting his lower lips, eyes wide, blushing and sweating all over his face

Goddamn

that’s the sexiest face you’ve ever seen

He starts to jack-hammering as soon as you nod- bulging his arms and wheezing through his teeth

You start to pant and gasps as he nails that G-spot inside you over and over while grazing all the other spots just from his girth alone

It took a few more strokes, before you finally-

“Ah…!”

You feel your pelvic floor tensing and squeezing on him hard in waves of tensing and relaxing

Then it was not long before you feel a surge of fluids busted and filled you on the inside

He pulled you to kiss softly before letting you rest on his body

As you ponder how your relationship with the stone hashira have changed

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

this is all your fault @sunsetcougar

in a world where vaggie gets adopted by the little cannibal kid she saved, and then by Rosie, and slips out of cannibal town each night for food that isn't too humane for her tastes-

imagine this version of chaggie meeting at a takeout window in hell

one long, awkward moment of trying not to look at each other...

Charlie: “So! You-"

Vaggie: "Hey."

Charlie: "-hello! Oh sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off-"

Vaggie: "No that was me. You're fine. (why is she in a SUIT) Go on."

Charlie: "Ok. What, uh- (panics in oh no she’s cute and talking to me) (remembers she’s staying in cannibal town) (OH PERFECT A CONVERSATION STARTER!!) -what kind of people do you like?”

Vaggie: “...pardon?”

Charlie: “Oh it's just, I've seen you around and, is that why you’re out on the town a lot? Shopping um, around? (for people to eat)”

Vaggie: “Not really? I’m kinda still.. torn up over my last big life commitment, (literally) so I’m exactly not looking to date anyone right off the bat.”

Charlie: “To date- TO DATE- OH! No no no I wasn’t- I meant dinner!”

Vaggie: “With you?”

Charlie: “IN GENERAL! People you like, as in, to eat? Because you're with the cannibals and haha dinner with me that would be like, a date and-”

Vaggie: “Yeah I’m not into that.”

Charlie: “(dying)-right.”

Vaggie: “The eating people thing. Not the dinner with a pretty woman thing.”

Charlie: “… (charlie.exe has stopped working)…Ah.”

Vaggie: “Right.”

Charlie: “…but Cannibal town?”

Vaggie: “I just live there. I- Junior Meat lives there and I’m sticking with him.”

Charlie: “And Mr. Meat is your…?”

Vaggie: “Kid? Kinda?”

Charlie: “Oh!”

Vaggie: “Yeah.”

Charlie: “That's wonderful! How did you two- sorry no never mind, too much, um. Does he like take out too? Or any non-human snacks?”

Vaggie: “Gummy bears. And dino nugets.

Charlie: "He has very good taste."

Vaggie: "He likes biting the heads off ‘em.”

Charlie: “Aww me too!!! Well, playing with them, not the head biting but. And you?”

Vaggie: “I used to put them into battle formations and march them off to war.”

Charlie: “That’s so cute.”

Vaggie: "..."

Charlie: "..."

Vaggie: “You meant what snacks do I like, huh.”

Charlie: “Heheh. Um. Yes! Sorry I’m not. Doing the whole 'have normal conversation with a beautiful girl' thing very good am I?”

Vaggie: “I’d give you five stars. And practice makes perfect.”

Charlie: "And would you...? I mean I wouldn't want to practice on someone who didn't-"

Vaggie: "Be your practice partner? Sure. Sounds fun."

Charlie: “…! I- I know all the best places in hell for inhuman food! Or wait no, for food that isn’t made of people! My treat?”

Vaggie: “My pleasure. (automatically does the little curtsy and hand kiss Rosie’s been badgering her to learn) (panics) I uh, here's my order, I gotta... go tuck in Junior Meat. You know where I’m at?”

Charlie: “(dazed) Hannibal Clown…. C-Cannibal Town!”

Vaggie: “Right. Think I already mentioned it.”

Charlie: “Yes and I saw you with them- so I guessed that you- I can pick you up?”

Vaggie: “Maybe an hour later than this, so Junior's in bed and doesn’t freak out.”

Charlie: “Oh. (droops) You think I’d scare him? I wouldn’t pull out my horns or tail out…”

Vaggie: “It's not you. He’s just kinda jumpy after the… he had a rough extermination day, is all.”

Charlie: “Looked like you did too.”

Vaggie: “What.”

Charlie: “You seem much better now! Not that you didn’t look great then, I mean. I'm sure you always look-”

Vaggie: “You saw- what did you see?”

“Charlie: “I was walking by when the cannibals were helping you. And I think I saw Junior Meat too? He was the one holding your hand?”

Vaggie: “Yeah…?”

Charlie: “I’m, really glad you all found each other. Even if it was a rough day.”

Vaggie: “… they ate part of me in greeting.”

Charlie: “Ugh! They ate-? I mean, aww?”

Vaggie: "Not a normal thing even in hell?"

Charlie: "The definition of normal is... fluid and not very... it wasn't your EYE was it?"

Vaggie: "Eh, wasn't using it anymore anyway."

Charlie: "I guess it counts as. Recycling?"

Vaggie: "Heh."

Charlie: "Sorry."

Vaggie: “No, you're okay. You’re also right though. Maybe it was worth one rough day.”

Charlie: “I’m right?”

Vaggie: “And you’re picking me up tomorrow for dinner.”

Charlie: “!!!! YES! I am! I will, be there, for you. Tomorrow.”

Vaggie: “And…”

Charlie: “And?”

Vaggie: “Didn’t catch a name earlier.”

Charlie: “Oh it’s Charlie! Charlie Morningstar but it’s just Charlie!”

Vaggie: “As in princess?”

Charlie: “Just Charlie.”

Vaggie: “Sweet. (FUCK) See you soon, Charlie.”

Charlie: “….okay….”

Charlie:

Charlie: “Oh my ****ing dad what just happened.”

Charlie, two hour later: "I DIDN'T EVEN ASK HER NAME??"

-At Rosie's Emporium (of vaggie's pain)-

Vaggie: "Junior's finally asleep, so not matter what I tell you, please don't scream."

Rosie: "A very intriguing start! I'm already tickled! Do go on."

Vaggie: “You might need to just kill me.”

Rosie: “I couldn’t possibly! You haven’t even eaten your take out yet~”

Vaggie: “Aunt Rosie help me.”

Rosie: “A girl, hmm?”

Vaggie: “A girl?? She was in a SUIT. She was tall and awkward kept playing with her hair and should've had a puppy dog tail wagging behind her. I called her pretty and said I’d give her five stars. Then I invited myself to dinner with her. And she’s a fucking DEMON.”

Rosie: “We all are down here, darling. Present company excepted of course.”

Vaggie: “HELP. ME.”

Rosie: “Let’s start with the basics, yes? The niceties? What’s the name of this lucky girl?”

Vaggie: “Charlie.”

Rosie: "Lovely! And does she have a last name?"

Vaggie: "It's just Charlie."

Rosie: "How charming, I like her already~"

Vaggie: "But her last name's Morningstar. Don't scream."

Rosie: (SPITS TEA)

Vaggie: “I know."

Rosie: "Oh... my."

Vaggie: "I know I know!"

Rosie: "An abandoned angel and the princess of hell?"

Vaggie: "She didn't act like a princess of hell! She was like, princess of cute and wearing her heart on her sleeve! Princess of so kissable I could just reach up and grab her bowtie and-"

Vaggie: "FUCK I'm so fucked.”

Rosie: "Not yet you aren't. Don't worry darling, auntie Rosie will get you there~"

Vaggie: "That's not the kind of help I need!"

Rosie: "Speaking of need- a new outfit, yes, something with sparkle and shine, on par with a suit but not one whit more! With a skirt you can move in too of course."

Vaggie: "I DONT NEED A SKIRT I NEED TO STOP BEING GAY OVER THE PRINCESS OF HELL"

Rosie: "Perhaps flowery parasol to hide your dear little spear in..."

[lempeeartz]

Tell me - BKDK oneshot

(spoilers for recent manga stuff btw)

~

Izuku let out a weary sigh as the last of his students left the classroom, leaving him alone with his thoughts. It was finally the end of the day.

He stood behind the lectern, head now in his hands as he recalled a conversation from three days before.

—

“It hurts to stay and I'm sorry I couldn't be the one you wanted.”

“I'm really sorry—“

“Bye, Izuku.”

—

Izuku still felt so terrible for what happened. It was such a messy situation, and he felt so guilty. His partner had broken up with him and he hadn't been able to not think about it.

He hadn't really been sleeping either, and being a teacher now on top of everything was so stressful. He was always busy. Being tired wasn't an option, but he didn't have much of a choice.

Izuku was a horrible person.

What kind of guy gets into a relationship when he has feelings for someone else?

He's so stupid. Of course things would've ended up this way. And the thing keeping him up at night wasn't even the breakup. He didn't really care that his partner was gone. He just felt bad for being a dick, but he didn't miss them. Not really anyway.

Izuku stared around the empty classroom.

Ugh, he needed to focus on other things. He should probably be on his way home.

“You okay, nerd?”

“Kacchan!”

The sudden voice made Izuku jump out of his skin. He caught some papers that almost hit the floor and gently placed them back on the lectern. “I hadn't, um, expected you!”

Katsuki raised his eyebrow, clearly now suspecting something. “I was in the neighborhood, figured I'd stop by.”

“Of course! Right..” Izuku watched the other in the doorway. Katsuki was in his hero costume, presumably because his shift was soon. Why was he here again??

Katsuki strolled into the room “What's got your panties in a twist? You're so skittish and weird. Or, you know what, that definitely sounds normal, nevermind.”

“Yes, how original, Kacchan.” Izuku deadpanned.

Rolling his eyes, Katsuki leaned against the lectern. “Spit it out. Something is obviously up with you.”

Katsuki waited for a few moments before Izuku reluctantly sighed.

“I kind of got.. broken up with.”

The blonde’s expression faded into a softer concern. “Oh.. Damn. Sorry to hear that.”

Izuku waved his hands around, “No, no, I'm fine. Really! Don't get all sappy on me, haha.”

“I ain't being sappy, I'm just saying that sucks. Being dumped and all. Been there.”

Katsuki had said it so nonchalantly but Izuku’s ears perked up instantly.

“Wait what?? YOU were dumped???”

“Shit, wait–”

“I didn't know you were dumped! How did it happen? When did it happen? Why didn't you tell me? Kacchan–”

“If you shut your trap, maybe I'll tell you.”

Izuku's voice immediately cut off as his eyes widened in suspense.

Sighing heavily, Katsuki gruffly said, “I had a small thing in our last year of UA. It was brief. That's why you didn't know about it. It was really nothing.” He crossed his arms, not really making eye contact.

“But it sounds like you got broken up with– did it hurt?”

“Nah, it wasn't really serious. I'm fine, though. It's been a while.”

Izuku didn't want to pry more, because it felt so insensitive but.. it was a while ago. “Um, who was it?”

“Nosy little fuck, aren't you?”

“It's been a few years! I figured it was fine to ask!”

Katsuki smiled amusingly, “Fine. It was mind freak.”

“SHINSO???”

“JESUS– WHY DON'T YOU SCREAM IT LOUDER?”

Izuku clasped a hand over his mouth, muffling his apology before whispering, “Shinso?? That's random, isn't it?”

“Eh,” Shrugging his shoulders, Katsuki added, “I kinda just wanted to see what it was like dating a guy. I guess I kinda used him. Not for anything physical, though, I ain't a fucking asshole.”

“I see..”

Izuku was surprised by who Katsuki picked. Shinso’s, like, the furthest thing from who he could've imagined. Maybe it kind of makes sense though.. huh. Wait–

“You're into guys?”

Tilting his head towards Izuku, Katsuki observed him carefully before responding. “Yeah. I am.”

Izuku looked away from Katsuki’s intense gaze, “Oh. Um, same.”

There were a few quiet moments before Katsuki broke the silence.

“Yeah, you look gay.”

“Alright, that's enough of that.” Izuku rolled his eyes and got his belongings together. “Shouldn't you be going on your shift now?”

“I have some time left.”

Izuku glanced up at Katsuki’s teasing smirk and felt his heart speed up. He quickly averted his gaze. “Uh, I should probably be on my way, though. Gotta catch the train, right?”

Making his way around Katsuki, Izuku began to walk towards the doorway, turning slightly to wave goodbye at him.

Before he could make it down the corridor, though, Izuku heard Katsuki call him from a few ways behind.

“Hold up!”

Pausing, Izuku turned, “Hm? Kacchan, what's up?”

Coming to a stop, Katsuki scratched the back of his neck, “I just wanted to ask if you've been eating. You know, since the break up and all that.”

“Oh! Uh, occasionally? I've been a bit too busy to really cook or anything..”

“Geez, why do you suck at even taking care of yourself? You're a mess.”

“Wow, thanks? Sorry we're not all perfect like you, Kacchan.”

“Seriously, don't skip meals. I get that you're ‘fine’ but that's insane.”

“Did you just come down here to lecture me? Honestly, when you act like this it makes me wonder why I even like–” Izuku stumbled over his words when he realized what he was about to say, “Um like, you know?”

Wow, nice save.

“Like what?”

Izuku could feel his face reddening with every second that passed. “Like? I didn't say like, I said… Mike.”

Narrowing his eyes, Katsuki clicked his tongue. “Mike. Really?”

Izuku scoffed, “Yes, really.”

Katsuki moved closer, closing the gap between them. “Bullshit. You're a terrible liar, Izuku.”

“K-Kacchan..” He gulped lamely, “You're a bit close.” Izuku could feel Katsuki’s breath against his face, he was way too close..

“Am I? Guess you'll have to tell me what you were really gonna say to get me to back off.”

Izuku’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates at this point. Holy shit was this really happening??

“I… might've said that I can't believe I like.. you. Like, like you. Like, I really, really like you. Like, I like like you. I should probably stop saying like now–”

Before Izuku knew it, he felt Katsuki’s lips pressed against his own, soft but firm. But just as quick as it happened, it was over.

“That was sort of to shut you up, not gonna lie.”

Izuku snorted, “Yeah I probably needed that..”

Katsuki smiled genuinely as he put his hand on Izuku’s face, feeling the flustered warmth, and then wiping at Izuku’s watery eyes, “Christ, I think I almost killed you.”

The two chuckled as Izuku sniffled, tears now streaming down his face. He'd been going through so many emotions recently that now it was just pouring out of him. His heart throbbed in guilt.

“I just feel so regretful that I didn't tell you sooner. If I had, I wouldn’t have gotten with my partner— ex�� in the first place! Maybe I wouldn’t have hurt their feelings.” Izuku hiccuped tearfully.

“Hey, it's gonna be okay.” Katsuki kissed Izuku’s freckled nose. “It would’ve been worse if they stayed with you. They saved their own ass from even more pain. And yeah, you were kinda stupid. But you told me your feelings now, and that's really all that matters, right?.. Then again, I probably should've said something too. Maybe we're both stupid.”

Hugging Katsuki tightly, Izuku let out a watery laugh. He began to feel like maybe things would finally be okay now.

(Little did Izuku know, the next day Katsuki surprised him with his new hero suit and Izuku sobbed up an entire ocean once again)

[hermanoga]

It's Kinda Nice to Help People Find Their Precious Thing : The timeless journey of love, regret, trust, death and hope through Shiguang's life in Link Click Yingdu Episode 1

part -1

It's a very personal rambling actually, not a very critically sound one, if you still wanna read, just letting you know, you are not alone, I went through a lifetime of emotions while watching this.

What’s wrong with the timeline? : Before discussing this, I want to talk about Lu Guang’s age. I have this formula,

Lg’s age : X + 3n, X= his original age, n= the number of times he has dived back in the past to reach the situation of our timeline where Cheng Xiaoshi survived season 1 and made it to the end of the season 2. I am presuming that ‘n times Cheng Xiaoshi dies’ stopped in our timeline, so let us denote our timeline as ‘n*’, which has successfully changed Cheng Xiaoshi’s fate. (For people thinking, where did I get that ‘3’ in my formula, the episode of the lost child in season 1 says that the kidnapping of that little boy happened three years ago, when Shiguang were supposed to be in Yingdu. Basically Shiguang first met and went to Yingdu in 2018.)

The first four minutes of the episode 1 (Successfully made me cry like a wounded hyena left in the middle of a cold desert): What timeline is it? It is one of those timelines of ‘n’ where Cheng Xiaoshi died. Cheng Xiaoshi dies in every nth timeline, except n*. The first time he dies, let us call that timeline ‘n0’. And the first four minutes, let’s suppose it is nEp-1. Is n0 = nEp-1? If yes, then why Vein is punishing Lu Guang for changing the past? It implies that Lu Guang attempted (and succeeded kind of? since he is accused of changing the past) to change the past before? Why would he? For what reason? I have an answer to this convoluted question – Vein is punishing a past Lu Guang (‘innocent’ Lu Guang who didn’t dive and do shit) for the deeds a future Lu Guang committed. Eh? Every theory I suggest contradict with the thing I say next.

Still what I feel is that the narrator Lu Guang who gives the ‘butterfly effect’ speech is not the one who dives in the given visual. The hesitation in the visual suggests that Lu Guang is diving for the first time. I don’t have galaxy brains to understand the timeline theory anyways. And it is probably too early to start guessing.

Basketball symbolism: Life, death, trust, partnership.

I think now we all understand that the basketball motif really stands for a deeper philosophy of life and companionship. And Haoling actually puts that theme in big fat words in case someone missed, “It is so precious to have a trustworthy partner in life”. It is not about basketball. The exposition of first 1 minute 25 seconds deals with it.

1:26 – I howled. That’s not the point. The point is that Vein is actually interested in shooting Lu Guang, he wants his life, not Cheng Xiaoshi’s, he just physically defeats him. (My poor kitty, what the fuck did you do to deserve this, if my theory is right then…). Cheng Xiaoshi fucking dives to take the bullet.

Now, um. Why am I re-watching this? Cheng Xiaoshi dies and transfers his diving power to Lu Guang, the basketball symbolism recurs. Qiao Ling is dead and captain Xiao is dead too. Good. Cheng Xiaoshi says sorry for some reason and asks Lu Guang to save ‘them’, it’s his death wish. So, I am presuming that Lu Guang started diving because it was Cheng Xiaoshi’s last wish to Lu Guang (I need ibuprofen). From my perspective, Lu Guang when he dives, he is not sure what he is able to achieve. He probably goes back to the past just to relive those moments, those three years again. If everything goes well (LMAO my audacity) and Cheng Xiaoshi survives in this Yingdu arc, I am presuming that is our story then will be directly continuing in the two seasons.

Now let us heal a bit. First of all, congratulations to all, Lu Guang is gay. I don’t care what anyone opines, he is gay. He is the owner of that freaking Shakespearean sonnet book and he is the literal tsundere, come on, guys, it should be canon now.

Lu Guang holds his hand as if trying to say, “Please, don’t go”.

You are in acute denial if you say the visuals are not romantic. The white butterfly sits on the basketball he is holding.

That visual is so pretty! The butterflies remind me of tgcf ngl.

Bro, what kind of house does he live in. He is damn rich.

Cheng Xiaoshi : Partner, lets play basketball together again tomorrow. And the content smile Cheng Xiaoshi gives.

Still, somehow, The Eye is the most moving piece of animation I have ever seen, it feels like life with all heartaches and smiles present. I will carry this song with me till the end of time.

Oh, also. How are Vein fans doing? Just checking :D

This song is causing me physical angst.

I wish I can cosplay in my uni’s anime club’s event one day.

Okay so, a friend of mine pointed out that Lu Guang cosplayed as the hero of that RanXi chronicles when there was an attempt to dress Xiaoshi as the heroine. Ok.

Lu Guang checking that damn watch once in a while breaks my heart.

Parallel narrative, foil characters again – metanarrative, two-folded narrative embedded within the narrative (that girl’s story about perseverance, hope, regret, passion, taking the damn risk and further hope, story of RanXi chronicles and Lu Guang explicitly saying how he relates to the story of RanXi’s heroine)

Now I am saying again, I am Sapphic and Qiao Ling, that is Sapphic behaviour, my love, me and my Sapphic friends approve. “That girl is so lovely” the way she says it. AND YES QUEEN! Link Click never forgets to address social issues. Btw, I personally related to that girl when she was rebuked vehemently for voicing her career choice. My acceptance of what I really wanted to do in my life and pursuing it changed the trajectory of my life too. Life is not a flower path but “there are no regrets in dedicating your life to something you care about” – again it echoes the central theme of link click.

Also, (with a shiver) I am realising how the interpretation of the first and second season is rapidly changing (and I like it).

Cheng Xiaoshi, are you jealous?

The chibi shifts are so cute!

Lu Guang has this deep sense of lack of agency, understandable because it arises from the agony of the death of a loved one and this depressive existentialist mood makes him conform to the ‘power’, even though he can be rebellious but that threshold is only initiated with Cheng Xiaoshi’s active intervention.

Again saying, idk what kind of concept of queerness people (most of them who are not queer at all, how do they know what queerness is? How are you dictating?) have, but your friend’s image reflecting in your eyes when he brings a moral and ideological change to your mind and shatters your conformity, that surely is. This continuously happens in season 1 and 2, but we don’t get to know, you know why? Lu Guang’s pov was silenced deliberately. Without him soliloquizing, it’s impossible to know what his real emotional undercurrent is. The way Haoling crafted Lu Guang as a complex and delicate character, man. Man, I would die for him.

Btw, I too agree that putting a hand over his mouth is the second best option to silence him.

Ik it's bittersweet, but princess Guang-guang, don't run away from your fated prince! ( HOW THE FUCK AM I CRYING AGAIN)

this roughly wraps up to 34:30. I can't do more pain today, maybe tomorrow.

[wet-and-wedgied]

Spencer’s Spicy Salad

Spencer rolled up from underneath the customer’s truck as the clock struck the time for lunch. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, leaving behind a bit of grease and jumped up to his feet. Spencer was a tall young mechanic who had been left in charge of his boss’s shop for the day. A fit man college student with short curly brown hair, strong arms and defined chest he cut an figure even in his simple mechanic’s get up: a tight white shirt and a pair of well worn grey overalls.

He grabbed a rag and wiped off the excess grease off his hands as he popped into the break room, a tiny little alcove with a water cooler and mini-fridge, putting out the salad he had grabbed earlier before work. It was some kind of spicy Mexican salad he had seen on his feed at some local place and had decided to try it out. It was supposed to be really good for the digestive track and a delicious meal for those looking to stay fit.

Spencer propped his leg up and chowed down. It was way spicer than he had thought, the kale in it practically soaked in some creamy dressing that while delicious kept burning his tongue. Spencer kept refilling his water bottle and chugging the whole thing in order to cool off. Still it was delicious. And filling too. Spencer patted his full stomach satisfied as he tossed the bowl and finished up his lunch and went back to working in the truck.

Spencer was finishing tightened the last bolts in place underneath the truck and he felt his stomach flip. Still on the board on his back, he lifted a leg and ripped a hot fat fart.

PPOPPPFFFBBBRT!

Spencer laughed, patting his stomach as some pressure was lessened, and blew out two more farts

PPFFFERRT

BBRRTFFRRRT!

Spencer slid out from underneath the truck and was greeted with the rancid smell of his own ass. “Damn, I reck. But I really needed that!”

“Well I hope you got it all out of your system then,” said Spencer’s boss. Spencer looked up to see his boss, a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair, holding his nose and fanning the air.

“sir!” Spencer flushed, scrambling to his feet. “My bad. Sorry, I thought you said you’d be gone today.”

“I am, I am, just checking in is all. Making sure you haven’t burned down the place.”

“no sir—” PPfffpppertRRT!

Spencer covered his rear as another fart ripped out him. His stomachgurgled and flipped again. His boss increased his fanning. “Geez. Light a match in here and you just might. What did you eat, son?”

Spencer opened his mouth to respond but was waved off.

“Nevermind, is the truck ready, they should be coming to pick it up soon. I want to make sure you got this on your own, eh.” His boss smirk and tapped Spencer in the stomach and Spencer tense feeling his guts bubble and gurgle protest.

“no problem sir,” Spencer said.

“perfect, Ah look here they come now.”

Spencer turned to see a handsome man a few years older than Spencer with a bright smile and two twin teen boys glued to their phones coming in. “Hey, everything ready? We’re looking forward to going camping!” The truck owner said with high optimism. The two boys each rolled their eyes.

“You’re excited Uncle Daniel,” one of the boys groaned.

“Like a dork,” said the other. “You like being alone in the woods cause it doesn’t sound as bad as being alone in the real world.” The twins high-fived, neither looking up from their phones.

The truck owner— Daniel’s smile flattened but he push onward. “You two really don’t let up, huh. Sorry, is the truck ready? Then we’ll get out of your hair.”

“No worries,” Spencer’s boss said, “Spencer here will take care of you.”

“Right!” Spencer said offering a hand to Daniel. “Spencer. Sorry, you already know that. Um, yes, your truck is ready.”

“Wonderful that is great news.” Daniel took Spencer’s hand, giving it a firm handshake as their eyes.

“I really like camping,” Spencer blurted out. Daniel’s lips curled into a smooth grin.

“really? We’ll maybe we—“

“Ew, Uncle Daniel stop flirting with the mechanic dude,” whined one of the teens.

Spencer felt a flush on his cheeks— only for it to be replaced with a far more intense feeling in his stomach. Any butterflies he felt seemed to be carrying megaton warheads, dropping them in his intestines. An ominous gurgle went through him and Spencer clutched his abdomen. The pressure on his guts was intense. Fuuuck… he needed to shit.

“you okay?” Asked Daniel.

“yeah, yeah,” Spencer said hastily. “I just need you sign some paperwork and I’ll go grab your keys. Spencer hurried out of the garage and into the office, a series of small hot farts squeaking out of him as he went. He hurried over to the papers and

PPPPPFFFFBBBFFRRRTPPPBBBBT!!!

Spencer gasped as a massive fart erupted out of him as he bent to grab the clipboard sign the paperwork on it. He held his stomach. Fuck that spicy salad was messing with his guts. His stomach broiled like an Icelandic mud volcano. Spencer clinched his cheeks. Ahhh. Don’t think about mud volcanoes. He looked to the board where they hung the keys and then to down the hall where the bathroom was. He desperately wanted ti make a mad dash to the bathroom and absolutely destroy the toilet. But his boss and that hit uncle were waiting for him. He groaned. Shit. He could hold it for a few minutes. He grabbed the keys and speed walked back the garage. As he step through the door the water cookie gurgled and suddenly the pressure seemed to shift from. His rear, the pressure subsiding on his packed colon, but only to fall squarely onto his bladder. Spencer tensed as he paused in the garage, pressing his legs together as a lake of hot piss sloshed in his bladder, all those bottles of water lapping against the dam inside him. A dam that desperately wanted to burst.

“Spencer, you okay?”

Spencer looked up to see his boss and Daniel both looking at him. He gave them both a nervous smile.

“I-I’m fine.” Spencer said, and straightened. He forced his legs apart and focused on not pissing himself. He could hold it. He could hold it. He could hold it. Spencer repeated the thought in his head as he half walked half shuffle over to Daniel. “Here you go— Ahh!” A leak squirted out of Spencer, dribbles of hot piss splashing into his soft boxers. Spencer bent, his knees pressed together. He held back a whimper as he bounced from foot to foot, his bladder aching. Oh man he didn’t have drunk so much water.

“Are you sure you are okay dude?” Daniel asked.

“He looks like he is doing the pee dance,” snickered one of Daniel’s nephews.

Another leak squirted out of Spencer at the sound of the word ‘pee’. “Ahh!” Spencer cried out as he gave in and wedged his hand between his crotch, desperately holding onto his crotch. Spencer bit his lip and held the truck key’s for Daniel to take, but he was frozen in place.

PPpFfrtt

Spencer gasped as he farted, hot and stenching. His stomach gurgled and he temporarily lost his control on his bladder. Hot piss sprayed out of his cock and into his boxers.

“nNoooOO—Ahh!” Spencer cried out and moaned as he tried and failed to regain control. The dam gates had opened and now the flood came bursting through! Spencer stood frozen as his body let go and he began soaking his boxers, peeing his pants, a dark wet patch blooming at the crotch of his overalls and then spread fast as rivulets of urine ran down his legs and soaked through the fabric. Spencer’s eyes fluttered as he pee, flooding his overalls, sending hot push gushing through the material and over his hand, still desperately gripping his leaking crotch even as Spencer formed a puddle beneath him.

PSsssssSSHH

“oh man! The mechanic is pissing his pants!” Said on the of nephews.

“Dude is soaking them too!” Said the other, holding up his phone to record.

Spencer was helpless as his bladder emptied itself in his boxers and overalls. But that wasn’t the worse part. As his bladder gushed out, his stomach gurgle and shit that had filled him slammed against his rear. His guys bubbled and Spencer knew he wasn’t able to keep control over his bowels.

PPFFFFBBRRT

PPBBBBRFFFFERRTTT

BBBTRRFFF

Spencer bent as he was hit with a series of wet “oh no!” Spencer dropped the keys in Daniel’s hand and turned trying the run back inside, but only made it a few steps before a massive cramp bent him over.

PPPRRRRBFFFF!!!

“Come on, no, no, no,” Spencer said panicking as he fumbled with the clasp on his overalls. If he could at least get out of them, but the clasp was stuck and then it was too late. “No-AaggAAAHHH!”

Spencer moaned as he lost complete control of his bowels, a torrent of hot diarrhea exploding into his already soaked boxers and overalls. It was a volcanic mudslide, thick and soft as it blasted out of him. A massive bugle was instantly forming in his overalls, staining the back as he had the front.

BLLKOOPOOOPPPPFFFT

SPLKTPPPFFFFT

“oh my god!” Spencer’s boss cover his nose as Spencer relentless farted as wave after wave of hot recking shit erupted out of him . The liquid shit overflowed his boxers as he emptied his bowls, diarrhea slide down his legs and splattering against the garage floor. Spencer was helpless as he evacuated the hot muddy brown sewage.

PLSSPPOFFFRRT

PPBBBRRTTPPFFFTSSSTK

Spencer, defeated as another wave hit him, feel to his knees, landing in puddle of his own piss as more diarrhea filled his overalls. The foul stench filled the entirety of the garage, as Spencer could only sit in his disgrace.

“oh man,” snicker one of the twins. “This is going to get a shitload of views!”

Spencer groaned as a final fart marked the end of him shitting and soiling himself. He was never trying spicy salad again

[da-rulah]

Hello hello! Me again!

Just a few couple head cannons I’d love to see…

How would the Papa’s respond to their s/o being caught sneaking out to go party with the Ghouls?

How would the Papas respond to their s/o having a crisis of faith?

Ooooh interesting... Here goes nothing!

MDNI, 18+ CONTENT BELOW!

Sneaking Out

Primo

You'd thought he was asleep. He had been, at least, when you'd last seen him in his recliner chair, newspaper long forgotten on the floor where it had fallen from his hands.

But somehow, even in his old age, he beats you to the front doors of the Ministry, and is waiting for you at the door.

"Fiorellina... you think me too old to party, eh?" he teases with his hands on his hips, circling them as if pretending to dance.

"Papa the last time you danced with me, you slipped a disc..."

He shoos the mention of it and insists you bring him anyway - he still has some fire left in him!

He does, in fact, slip another disc.

'Worth it' he thinks to himself, to see the way your smile lights up the entire party.

Secondo

He'd been out all evening, and you knew he was cooped up in his office working on some kind of ritual translation.

You figured you'd be fine sneaking off with Swiss and Phantom, he'd never know! You'd be home by the time he finished working, ever the work horse...

How wrong you were. He was sat in the dark, waiting for you to return...

"Care to explain why i came home to a cold and empty bed, dolcezza?"

You panic and try to find excuses, but he stands and crowds your person space instead, inches from your face.

"I think you'd better stop talking, and come to bed with me. You will show me how sorry you are..."

Terzo

"Well, well, well... where do you think you're going, cara mio?"

He'd caught you with one leg already out of the window in your living room, Sodo waiting for you on the other side with his arms outstretched to catch you.

As soon as he heard papa's voice, he'd scarpered.

"W-well, um... there's this... thing..."

Terzo's smirking, leaning on the doorframe in his bed robe. "A party?"

You nod; you'd been caught already, why lie now?

"Ah, cara mio... there's a much better, much more exclusive party, back here..." he pointed behind him to your empty bedroom. "Won't you join me, as my VIP?"

Copia

When he woke up to find you no longer beside him, and nowhere in your apartment, he'd panicked.

The 6 missed calls and 11 unread texts on your phone had made you leave the party early, apologising to Aurora who's brought you along.

When you got home, he was pacing in the living room, going out of his mind.

"Amore! Where were you? I was so worried..." he envelopes you in a bear hug - you feel guilt setting in.

"I'm sorry, I was with Aurora... at a... party?"

He takes a step back, confused. He wonders why he wasn't invited...

"Well, you're... their boss. Maybe it's just a bit strange for them to invite their boss?" you reasoned. Copia still looked disappointed.

You promise him you'll never sneak out on him again - and instead, you'll sneak him in, so he can show his Ghouls he's the 'cool, fun boss who can still boogie!' as he says...

Crisis of Faith

Primo

Primo doesn't panic when you tell him you're questioning things. He has plenty of experience in this, during his tenure as a papa.

He stays up all night with you, talking out your insecurities in your faith.

When you'd started to cry, he'd pulled you into his lap and held you. He didn't judge you for any of this, not at all.

Together, you get to the root cause of your crisis, and he comforts you through it all.

You fall asleep on him in the early hours of the morning, feeling far better about your faith than when you'd first opened up.

Secondo

You'd expected Secondo to be angry at you, which is why you waited so long to tell him. But it came out during a heated argument with him, and you had thrown it in his face.

His angry expression fell to one of... hurt?

He doesn't say another word, simply takes you by the wrist and pulled you through the Ministry until you reach the chapel of Lilith together. He has you stand in front of her statue, presented with her beauty and her power.

"Tell her. Look her in the eye, and tell her you've lost your way..."

You can't do it. You break down instead.

But he's there, arms around you, cradling you on the floor of her Chapel.

"It's okay. We'll fix this. We'll get through this, dolcezza..."

Terzo

When you'd finally opened up to Terzo, he blamed himself immediately.

"Is it... something I did? Or said?" He panics.

He thinks he's already lost you, and that frightens him more than anything. He can't lose you...

"What can I do? Tesoro, I'll do anything. How do I help?"

You end up comforting him more than he can comfort you that night, but you don't begrudge him for it.

Strangely, seeing how he reacted gave you enough reason to keep trying. For him. Always for him...

Copia

He finds you alone during the night in the Chapel, staring up at the artwork in the ceiling of Lucifer himself. He's seen that look on your face a lot lately...

"Amore mio, tell me what the matter is. Please?"

He asks so sweetly, and you can't deny him. You tell him everything, about how you were questioning not Lucifer himself, but some of the teachings.

Your past of being told how evil you were for following him was at the forefront of your mind.

He listens intently, your hand encased in both of his. He talks to you, shows you passages in one of the unholy prayer books in the pews, reminds you that your belief in him doesn't make you a terrible person, but a free person.

"He allows us to think for ourselves, cara mio. I mean, when was the last time you saw any of us sacrifice a goat here, eh? That's not who we are..." he chuckles.

He's right; you've always known that. And you remember, you cannot let your past define you now.

[lifeiskentastic]

Ken flirts (albeit not very successfully) with a officer gn!Reader

Gif by jokerous

A/n: I want to say in advance that if I don't respond to your replies, it's only because this is my side blog and I still haven't figured out how to make it the main blog ;( and English is still my second language so be sure to let me know about my mistakes!

Summary: Ken shows up at the police station again, but this time he has a much more complicated reason for being there;

Song I recommended: Santa Monica by Everclear (although it's not really suitable for fanfic, the song and lyrics were just made for Ken);

Word count: 1,107 words;

Hope you like it!

You've interrogated all sorts of weirdos during your long career as a police investigator. But such a case was certainly the first of its kind. And probably the only one. In front of you sat a not at all embarrassed man in the uniform of a horse rider, that is, in a ridiculous oval hat, a black suit, only horse was. What was the main problem. After all, walking in such clothes in public places and even without a horse is not to everyone's liking. In addition, if it is stolen. Although most of the townspeople have already managed to get used to it since this same man and his companion appeared here for the first time. However, this case was different, as today he came alone. That's why they didn't let him home right away, but sent you to deal with it.

"So Mr. Ken…" You looked at the man who wasn't the least bit concerned about being in the police station, not knowing what you were going to do with him.

"Oh yeah, it's me."

"Um, why did you steal that suit?" You mentally slapped yourself on the forehead for asking such a stupid and obvious question. It's like asking a criminal why he committed a crime... Damn.

Ken was smiling brightly, only making you despair even more. "You see, I just don't have anything to pay yet… But I'll pay it all back very soon! Yes…" But you wouldn't tell that from his unsure and guilty face.

"I'm sorry, mister, but in our town promises aren't enough." For some reason it was difficult for you to say this. Maybe you just couldn't resist the person's naive sincerity in front of you.

"Okay, I'll give you one last warning in hopes that I won't find you in a stolen suit in the middle of a police station again, okay?" Ken shook his head.

"Well, officer, I promise, it won't happen again!"

"Eh, I hope so…"

To tell the truth, this was not the first such "last" warning, but... But sometimes it is worth making exceptions to the rules and protocols for the sake of a good cause.

"Um, officer?" You were about to walk out of the interrogation room and just pretend you didn't see the criminal leaving the police station without punishment. But Ken stopped you with his strangely needy look. "Actually, I just wanted to meet you again."

You were once again surprised by the frankness of this man. And ignorance.

"You could just walk in here, you don't have to commit a robbery."

"Oh."

For a moment you stared into each other's eyes in inexplicable silence until you remembered in time that Ken was a little out of this world. But you didn't know yet whether in a physical or mental sense.

Ken's expression lost its former fervor for a moment, causing you to feel a sharp pang of guilt. So you decided to somehow cheer him up.

"Anyway, I'm very flattered that you went through such troubles for me." You pointed out Ken's appearance, and he immediately melted with pride. "Good job."

You chuckled amicably, but immediately after that you suddenly remembered that you were still wearing your police badge and had some responsibilities, so you improved to add:

"But anyway, don't do that again!"

"Haha, not going to anymore, don't worry officer."

And silence reigned again, although this time it was filled with your mutual smiles. Incredible, but even criminals can be cute.

Ken began to glare at you, to which you could only respond with confusion. This careful look confused you a little, so you decided to find out the reason for it directly.

"Is something wrong Ken?" Ken squinted and something in his sly expression seemed to warn you of danger...

"You are beautiful."

You blinked, slightly not expecting such an answer to the question about feelings.

"Um, thanks… You're in good shape too." Ken assumed a very strange pose that you could describe as flirtatious if he wasn't the weird stranger. After all, how could he flirt with you? It seemed as if the roles of the policeman and the culprit were somehow unfairly reversed between you...

Ken folded his arms on the table, looking at you with all possible attention. Because of which you imperceptibly shuddered. A very strange feeling welled up as you stared into those crystal blue eyes in return. And Ken's smile might seem innocent and naive, but as an experienced police officer you couldn't afford to be fooled by that…

Your palms also rested safely on the table, and the undisguised slyness with which Ken was looking at them could not be ignored... After that, Ken lightly touched his soft fingers to yours, as if by accident, but you could definitely tell from his satisfied face that this was exactly what he intended. But you have not removed your hands in any way. Even if these touches did not seem only friendly.

Ken's whole look (minus the costume ) was like... Head over heels in love? You tried to drive away these insolent thoughts, but the affectionate look fixed on you as if he was completely devoted only to you, the barely noticeable movements of his fingers on your palms and the atmosphere of privacy created by him did not give you peace. And when did everything get so fast?

"You know, I've always wanted to try on an officer's uniform, although I'm pretty sure it looks better on you."

Well, even if it was a sincere and deliberate flirtation, it was so incredibly unfussy and simple that it couldn't help but be touching. If everyone in Ken's world is so nice and unassuming, then this place is clearly Heaven.

"Hmm, thanks again and… And I'm also pretty sure that the uniform will fit you."

You didn't know what Ken was playing, but you decided to keep up with him. It seems that a real battle was brewing here...

"Are you busy tonight?"

It confused you a little. Somehow unexpectedly, too sharply and in general, such purely friendly invitations are not made with such a flirtatious tone!..

"No. Not at all. Do you want to meet?..."

But your tongue had already given away all your innermost thoughts before you had time to really think them through.

Ken looked as if he had already expected a refusal, but when he heard the unequivocal agreement... Well, sparks flew from him. Literally. However, you were sure that this only seemed to you.

"So, at the beach today?"

"I will wait for you!"

[6okuto]

us yuji lovers must stick together in these hardships (aka jjk261) … how are we feeling right now nia :( personally IM SICK T^T

it's whatever. i hate jujutsu kaisen. floptsu flopsen. sorcery FLOP. whatever. yuuji hcs that spiral in the middle before going back to normal (one major implied spoiler for 259)

yuuji who you ask to be your fake boyfriend who says yes and then realizes he likes you in the process. walk with me

sends you animal photos and goes >:OO dog!!!! cat!!! :DD hope ur having a good day!!! <333

sits in the washroom and watches you do your hair/skincare routine while you talk about your days. will take over with ease if your arms hurt or you're tired

points out silly looking plushies or figures and copies their expression/pose. yuuji would like trying jojo poses

if he saw you sitting in the rain he'd come over with an umbrella and say you should come inside before you get sick. but then you tell him you like the rain and need to be outside for a while so he puts down the umbrella and sits with you. and you're like ?? you don't have to do this. and he just tilts his head and smiles and says yeah maybe but he wants to. he's sure his immune system is strong, or at the very least you can get sick together

yuuji who's suffered so much, who's been in survival mode for so long and hasn't been able to grieve the way he deserves to (he won't let himself) (those he's lost deserve peace more than him) Who breaks down crying when you hold his face or kiss his scars

yuuji years after the manga ends who's still healing and learning to grieve and grow. who sees his brother in the siblings he crosses paths with at the park, and his classmates and teachers in the elementary students filing out the bus for a field trip. who visits graves, starkly clean and well-kept compared to the ones a row over with flowers and food and updates on where he's been and the things he's done since his last visit. who wakes up too many nights with his heart torn, tears welling in his eyes and crescent indents in his palms, his voice raspy and broken when he yells out a name (it's a different one each time). who looks at himself and his fading scars in the mirror and sees two faces—both, in his eyes, responsible for what happened—and wonders when, if ever, he'll finally feel like he's off the battlefield, or worthy of peace

😂

if you asked to blindfold him to get him to pick you out of a line up (by holding hands, hugging, etc) he'd do it so confidently and be 100% correct. he could even give you reasoning on the spot—this hand's too rough, too small, you wouldn't wear this kind of jacket, this person's too short, etc etc

yuuji who you haven't seen in ages who waves his arms and grins so bright when you finally appear . who laughs as you speed up to get to him and hugs you with everything he has

wants to try out hot ones . you know the videos where they eat spicy hot wings. yeah

playing horror games with yuuji and hearing him progressively yell louder 😭 "eh? huh? where? what? what? What?? WHAT??? WHY WHY WHY WAIT WAIT WAIT STOP WAIT"

yuuji probably being a firefighter if he hadn't become a sorcerer + ride your wave. um. i mostly mean before he dies like just the meeting and dating. someone walk with me.?

dog walker yuuji 🙁 he'd be so excited of that one guy came by and asked to take photos omg 😭

doesn't really question when you want affection or cuddles (unless you're visibly upset) 🥹 you silently walk up and rest your head on his shoulder, or wrap his arm around you and he turns it into a hug 🥹 those videos where they crawl into their boyfriend's lap while he games and he silently wraps his arms around them and keeps playing 🥹

omg but flustered yuuji (earlier in the relationship) when you try to do something romantic/cheesy 😭😭 like sharing a drink and your faces being super close when you both lean in 🙁 and his ears/cheeks are tinted pink 🙁

[thescarletnargacuga]

SPOOKY SHOWTIME!

Pomni gets possessed on an adventure, and Caine tries his hardest to get rid of the game mechanic as fast as he can, but has some... Difficulties.

A/N: This kind of turned into a rewrite for episode 3

POSSESSION

A SHOWTIME ONESHOT

WARNING: hurt/comfort

~~~

The darkened depths beneath the Mildenhall Manor held the Hall for eh Damned. In a reckless attempt to escape, Pomni tried rushing through, only to become possessed by the crowding souls. Pomni growled as her body twisted and bent uncannily towards Kinger. Her eyes burned bright with the spirits of the damned infesting her body. Cackling, she crept away. "Freedom!" The choed cries for the exit piloted Pomni's body towards the stairs on the far end of the Hall.

"Pomni!" Kinger launched one of his hands down the Hall and grabbed one of Pomni's arms. He dragged her back to the entrance so fast they collided. Kinger was thrown back, but he got up quickly, shotgun at the ready. "Hey! You get out of her, you damned evil souls!" He flipped the gun around and struck her with the butt of it.

Pomni convulsed, writhing in chaotic spiritual agony. She cackled with each ineffective hit. She grabbed the gun before it hit again and she sat up. "How's your wife, Kinger?"

Kinger froze. The cinder eyes of the possessed jester branded themselves in his mind. He couldn't move. His mind raced with thoughts of Queenie, memories he had long thought faded. His hands shook, barely holding onto the shotgun anymore.

Pomni yanked the gun away, tossing it to some unknown corner of the room. "Goodbye, broken one." The souls cackled and crawled back down the Hall to the stairs. Pomni's body jerked and twitched under the terrible influence.

Kinger sat there staring into nothing as Pomni slowly made her get away. "Queenie...I'm sorry..." He knew the memories wouldn't stay. They never do. Tears in his eyes, Kinger stood and marched down the Hall towards Pomni. All the souls were in her, so he was in no danger of becoming possessed himself. With a firm grip, he grabbed Pomni by the arm and escorted her to the stairs.

"Release us!" The souls in Pomni hissed.

"No. If you want out, you're going my way." Kinger said stiffly and pushed through the door at the top. He and Pomni were back in the foyer with the others.

"Oh, Pomni, Kinger! Are you guys- AH! What happened to Pomni!? Ragatha recoiled from the snarling jester stuck in Kinger's death grip.

"We hit a snag." Kinger started to explain, but the brighter interior of the main floor of the Manor was already affecting his memory. "We-...um...I don't really-"

"WE ARE FREE!! FREE AT LAST!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Pomni jerked her arm away from Kinger and stumbled to the floor in front of Ragatha.

A large banner with confetti popped up in front of the large double wooden doors. Caine's voice proudly announced: "Congratulations, my hairy halloweenies! You've completed the hidden route of the adventure by getting the Possessed ending! If this was real, you'd be done for! Hahahaha! Now that you're all together again, simply exit the Manor and you'll return to the Circus!"

Jax chuckled behind the tape keeping him quiet. Of course Pomni of all people would experience the worst ending possible. More trauma for the pile. He watches her body flail around, trying to open the main door.

"What do we do!?" Ragatha asked everyone.

"The adventure's over. Shouldn't this...go away?" Gangle asked, keeping her distance from Pomni's animalistic thrashing.

"I don't know, this has never happened before." Ragatha looked to Kinger, who shrugged, then to Jax, who just rolled his eyes. "Maybe it'll stop when we go back?" She inched closer to the crazed jester. "Heyyyy, Pomni?"

Pomni's head jerked violently to look at Ragatha. No words came this time, only heavy breathing.

"You want to leave right? Well, you can come with us. I think."

"I don't need help from an overbearing people pleaser." Pomni snarled, clawing the door. "Care to share how close you are to the brink? To breaking?? To becoming one of us!?" Pomni lost herself in laughter.

Jax fought his bounds, kicking the edge of the wagon. The loud clang got Ragatha's attention and he nodded to the ropes holding him. She went to untie him right away, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. The second he could move again, Jax was on Pomni.

"NO! UNHAND US!" Pomni fought, but Jax was faster and hogtied her. "You worthless rabbitoid! You don't even belong here! You're-"

Jax slapped a piece of tape over Pomni's mouth. "That's enough out of you." He gave Ragatha a passing glance. "This adventure sucked. Let's get out of here. Kinger can load Regan here into the wagon." He didn't miss the chance to kick Pomni's legs as he stepped past her.

Ragatha held herself, Gangle rearing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Just when I thought this adventure was going well." Ragatha sniffed. The evil words from Pomni buzzed in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to banish them.

~

"Welcome back, my meowing milk maids!" Caine leaned casually on his hand over the head of the returning adventurers. Jax and Ragatha stopped, but Gangle and Kinger walked on to their own private corners of the circus.

Jax gave Caine a glaring side eye. "Don't ever call us that again."

Ragatha looked over Pomni with concern. Pomni was still fighting the restraints, her eyes still a fiery glow. "Uh, Caine, we need your help. Pomni got possessed during the adventure, and she isn't normal yet."

"Whatever do you mean? All adventure effects and assets are supposed to end with the portal. Especially after the Gummigoo incident. Stop messing around, Pomni." Caine lowered himself to the side of the wagon. Pomni's neck cracked loudly as she twisted her head backwards to look at him. Caine reeled back at the sight of her. "Gadzooks! The souls are still inside of her!"

"That's what I said..." Ragatha sighed.

Jax crossed his arms, smirking. "So, now what? Is she going to the cellar?"

"JAX!" Ragatha screeched.

"No, no. She's not abstracted. Just bugged." Caine poked Pomni's face with his cane, inspecting her eyes. "Hmm...I think I know what went wrong. Kinger started the process of removing the souls, but didn't finish. Then removed her from hell."

"Wait, what!? HELL??" Ragatha stammered. "How did you know Kinger was with her?"

"All seeing eyes, my dear. All seeing eyes." Caine cracked his knuckles. "Alright, time to exorcise these souls." He snapped. Nothing happened.

Jax and Ragatha looked at each other. Pomni growled behind the tape keeping her quiet. Caine chuckled nervously and snapped again. Then again. "What is happening!?" He angrily yelled, two walls adjacent to them glitched out for half a second. "Okay, okay. We all need to calm down." Caine huffed.

"...No one's freaking out." Jax deadpanned.

"I am, a little bit." Ragatha admitted quietly.

Caine raised his cane. "We finish what Kinger started. That'll do it. I'm sorry, Pomni, but it's for your own good!" He brought his cane down hard across Pomni's face with a loud cartoonish whack. Pomni narrowed her glowing eyes at Caine defiantly. Caine struck her again and again, cartoon slapstick impact sounds changing with each hit. "Get out of her already! Your adventure is over!"

The tape over Pomni's mouth ripped off and a cloud of sparkling souls escaped. Pomni coughed, but wasn't fully released from the souls' influence. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! What's the matter, Caine? Losing control? Realizing you're a failure at the ONE THING you were programmed to do!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

"ENOUGH!" Caine gripped his cane with both hands and cracked Pomni hard across the face with the golden topper. The remaining souls poured from Pomni and dissipated into the air.

Pomni coughed hard and struggled to catch her breath. Everything hurt. She was still tied up uncomfortably tight. "Ugh..."

"Pomni! Are you alright?" Caine dropped his cane and stayed by her side as her features went back to normal.

Pomni's eyes were panicked squiggles looking around wildly. "No..."

Caine snapped the ropes away to let Pomni slowly right herself from the twisted position she had been stuck in. "Pomni, I'm so sorry. The possession was never supposed to be this long. It- it bugged out."

Pomni pushed Caine away and stumbled out of the wagon. "Get away from me! Every day I spend here is one nightmare after the next! I knew it would end up like this!" She went around a corner and planted herself down on the floor, head hidden behind her knees. "You just want me to suffer..."

That last comment hit Caine hard. Another wall far away glitched out. He glanced at Ragatha and Jax, who awkwardly avoided eye contact and left together. Caine flew over to Pomni and sat on the floor next to her. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Pomni was softly crying while Caine stared at his hands.

"....I don't want you to suffer." Caine finally said, his voice calmer and more serious than she's ever heard. Pomni didn't look up, but he continued. "The opposite, actually. My job, my directive, is to entertain, but players were never meant to be...stuck here. When the exit broke, there was nothing I could do but distract. But distraction doesn't solve problems. Eventually, people got hurt. You may not believe me when I say this, but I am trying. I'm sorry today's adventure went wrong, and I'm sorry the methods to remove the souls were so...violent. Going against my own family friendly rating, huh?"

Pomni sniffed, rubbing her glove against her face. "Caine...what the actual [%$!#] happened here?"

Caine offered her a handkerchief summoned from nowhere. "It's a long story."

"I have nothing but time." Pomni looked at Caine with tired eyes, accepting the handkerchief.

Caine blinked. "You... actually want to know? You're willing to listen? ...to me?"

"Yeah. I want to know, and if what you said is true, then you're as much a victim of this circus as the rest of us."

Caine's eyes glistened with grateful tears. His words came out choked, "I...no one's ever...thank you, Pomni."

"Don't mention it." Pomni leaned back against the wall, staring at the ceiling.

"Good idea. I wouldn't want the others to panic."

"What?"

"Don't think about it. Just...listen." Caine mirrors her pose. "...It all started with a tech company by the name of C&A..."

[aishangotome]

Ellis Twilight: Chapter 1

What is happiness?

It's like the twilight sky that changes color immediately after the moment it's imprinted in your eyes...

It never lets go of your heart, but you can never have the same thing again.

Time, stop - so that this happiness doesn't fade away.

-

(Starting today, I'll be living under the surveillance of the people from "Crown," the assassination organization that uses evil to defeat evil.)

(As a "Fairytale Keeper," it's my duty to record their sins - and my only lifeline.)

I get ready in front of the mirror and pump myself up.

(To be honest, I'm scared to witness "sin" again...)

(But I've handled customer complaints at the post office and deliveries in hectic situations like a demon.)

(It's okay. I'm sure it'll be fine.)

Kate: Just one month. I can do it, I can do it... Okay!

I chant it to myself like a spell, open the door, and take a step forward with momentum -

-

???: Whoa!

Kate: Kyaa!?

I bumped my nose right into the chest of someone standing in front of my room.

Kate: I-I'm so sorry...!

Ellis: I'm sorry too. ...Does it hurt?

(Ah...this person--)

Last night, I found out the secret of "Crown," the assassination organization directly under the Queen...

*last night*

Harrison: ...So, what are you going to do, Victor, after explaining it so thoroughly?

Victor: Hmm...let's see...

Ellis: Should we kill her?

(Eh-?)

Ellis: She doesn't seem happy at all, but I'll do it if it's a job.

*back to present*

(He's the one who immediately suggested killing me.)

(But after that...)

*earlier*

Ellis: I'm Ellis.

Kate: Ellis... Nice to meet you.

Ellis: Yeah... Nice to meet you too. Jude and I are often out on assignments,

Ellis: But while I'm here, I'll try my best to make you happy.

*back to present*

From the same mouth, he casually said a line like a proposal... A bit of a strange person.

(Why is Ellis in front of my room...?)

(Ah, that's right. The surveillance has already started.)

If I make a mistake, I might be killed.

Remembering the fear I felt last night, my back straightened.

(I can't be in the same mindset as my everyday life.)

(I've already stepped into a different world.)

Kate: Ellis, right? It's nice to meet you from today onwards.

Ellis: Yes, Ellis Twilight. Nice to meet you... You don't have to be so stiff.

Ellis chuckled lightly and peered at my face with concern.

Ellis: ...Your nose is red.

Ellis: I'm sorry. I was just about to knock when the door opened, so I couldn't avoid it.

His slender, long arm held the door.

Beyond his tousled hair were eyes the color of twilight, just like his name.

I gasped at the unexpectedly close distance and hurriedly apologized.

Kate: No! I'm the one who's sorry for rushing out with too much energy.

Ellis: Energy? Why?

Kate: Eh!? Um...

("I was psyching myself up because I was scared of living with you guys.")

(I can't say that...)

Kate: It's like being transferred to a completely unknown department, so...um...

Kate: It's like, "Go, go, go!" kind of feeling...!

Ellis: Go, go, go...

Ellis blinked in confusion.

(T-that was too unnatural...)

Ellis: ...You're a cute person.

Kate: Um...you don't have to try to cover for me...

(I should be glad I was able to make an excuse, but somehow I feel really embarrassed...)

As I looked away, searching for a place to hide, Ellis, back to his serious expression, whispered.

Ellis: Kate, I want to ask you for your first task in this "new department"... Is that okay?

-

Kate: –Wow...

(What a beautiful garden.)

I was led to the courtyard of Crown Castle, where a beautifully manicured English garden spread out.

Seasonal flowers were blooming in profusion, and it smelled as good as paradise.

(Last night, I only felt the solemnity and danger of the towering castle...)

(But there's such a peaceful place here too.)

Admiring the beautiful garden, I followed Ellis along the path and saw a gazebo.

On the table, tea and scones were prepared as if a tea party was about to start.

Ellis: Please.

Kate: Huh... Ah, thank you.

I hesitantly sat down on the chair Ellis pulled out for me, and he also sat down on the opposite seat.

(He said he wanted to ask me for a task earlier, but...)

Kate: Is this where I do my first task?

Ellis: Yes. ...Your first task is to have breakfast with me.

(...Huh?)

Ellis: Tell me about yourself while we eat delicious food. I'll tell you about myself too.

Ellis: If you record that, it'll become your report as a "Fairytale Keeper," right?

Kate: That would be helpful, but... wouldn't it be a bother to you?

Ellis: I don't think so, but why?

He seems to be genuinely trying to cooperate with me.

Ellis: I'll tell you about the other Crown members too.

Ellis: I think it's a little scary to live among people you don't know at all.

Kate:...!

(Could it be that this "first task"...)

Kate: Did you invite me to ease my tension?

Ellis: ...A little bit correct.

Kate: "A little bit"?

Ellis: It's also for me to talk to you...so a little bit incorrect.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

(I wonder if my first impression of Ellis last night was a misunderstanding.)

Just being near him, my body temperature seemed to drop, and I felt like something was peering at me from a gaping darkness - I was sure I felt that uneasiness last night, but...

(I don't feel that uneasiness from Ellis in front of me.)

(Maybe it was because I had just seen a murder scene.)

I gently pushed aside the discomfort that I was sure had arisen in my chest and chose not to see it.

-In hindsight, that was a mistake.

(Anyway, since Ellis went out of his way to arrange this for me...)

(I'll take him up on his offer and hear all sorts of stories.)

Kate: Thank you, Ellis.

Ellis: It's nothing to thank me for.

Ellis: Do you like sweets? This is the scone Victor baked this morning.

Kate: Eh? Victor cooks...?

Ellis: Yeah, it seems to be his hobby. Al is also good at cooking.

Ellis: I learned how to make clotted cream from Al before, and I prepared it.

Ellis: Liam recommended this jam and bought it for us.

Ellis: Maybe because he's a stage actor, he's knowledgeable about trends.

Ellis: This meat pie is from a restaurant Roger took me to for lunch before. He often treats us.

Kate: W-wait a minute. I want to write down what you just told me...!

I took out the notebook I had in my pocket, and Ellis told me all sorts of things about the Crown members.

Kate: Ah, I know this apricot crumble shop too! There's usually a long line, isn't there?

Ellis: Harry and I lined up to buy it. Harry has a sweet tooth, despite his appearance, and he loves delicious sweet shops.

Kate: Hehe... Everyone in Crown seems to get along well.

(I thought they were like people from another world,)

(But they're just normal people living in the same London... I feel a little relieved.)

(Thanks to Ellis.)

With a smile on my face, I spread cream on the scone in my hand.

Ellis: Kate.

Kate: Yes...?

Quite naturally, Ellis's large palm stretched out towards my face -

Ellis: ...Cream is about to get on your hair.

Kate: Eh? Ah...

(He's right, I didn't notice.)

Ellis scooped up my hair with his fingertips and gently tucked it behind my ear.

Kate: Thank you.

Ellis: You're welcome. ...Was it delicious enough to make you lose yourself?

Resting his cheek on his hand, Ellis smiled at me.

Kate: ...Yes, it's delicious.

Ellis: I'm glad.

(To be able to do something like this casually, Ellis...he seems popular.)

Realizing that he's making my heart flutter, I try to calm my racing pulse.

Kate: Preparing this table for me, being so considerate...

Kate: Why are you so kind to me?

(I don't remember doing anything to deserve such kindness from Ellis, especially so soon after yesterday...)

Ellis: Kate, you've had an unhappy look on your face since last night.

Ellis: I want the people around me to be smiling as much as possible.

(Is that all...?)

(I'm just a stranger to Ellis.)

Kate: Do you do this for everyone? Even strangers?

Ellis: Huh...? Yeah... Is that bad?

My simple question seemed to make him confused.

(Ellis really is a bit of a strange person.)

(But...)

Kate: ...I'm happy.

(It's true that Ellis helped me feel better.)

Ellis: I see... I'm glad you don't mind.

By the end of the peaceful breakfast, my vigilance had completely faded.

Ellis: Is theater your hobby?

Kate: Yes. Actually, last night, I even took on an unfamiliar night shift just to earn money for tickets...

Ellis: Hehe... You're quite passionate.

The conversation with Ellis never seemed to end, as if we were friends who had just met.

Then, another set of footsteps echoed.

Victor: Well, well, you're having a lively time!

Ellis: Victor.

Kate: ...! Good morning.

Victor: Oh, you don't have to stand up! I don't intend to interrupt your pleasant conversation.

Victor: Ellis offered, so I left breakfast to him... Has your tension eased a little?

Victor smiled genially and looked at me as if trying to gauge me.

The shadow of unfathomability I felt from him last night had faded, and I felt warm concern from his jewel-like eyes.

(Maybe it's thanks to the enjoyable "first task" with Ellis that my tension has eased.)

Kate: Yes. Thanks to Ellis and the delicious scones Victor baked.

Victor: ......

When I smiled in gratitude, Victor seemed a little surprised.

But soon, he broke into a bright smile like a blooming flower.

Victor: Yes, yes. Your relaxed smile also says, "I'm so happy to be the exclusive Fairytale Keeper for Crown!"

Ellis: ...I didn't say that much, did I?

Kate: ...Hehe.

Victor narrowed his eyes, looking at me as I shrugged my shoulders slightly.

Victor: Now, I asked you, the Fairytale Keeper, for two things. To keep secrets and to record sins.

Victor: The former is fine, but I thought you might be confused about what to do for the latter, so I wanted to explain a little.

Kate: Yes, please do.

Victor: It's not that difficult. Observe the people of Crown carefully and write down what you feel is a sin.

Victor: I'll leave the method up to you.

Victor: You can observe multiple people on a rotating basis, or focus on one person and accompany them in their actions.

(Observe the members of Crown carefully, the means and the person are up to me... I see.)

Kate: Understood. ...Um, to what extent am I being monitored?

Victor: By monitoring, I don't intend to restrict your freedom of action except for going out alone.

Victor: I may ask you to accompany us on missions, but you are free to spend the rest of your time as you like.

I'm a little relieved because I thought I would be under stricter surveillance.

Kate: I understand. Thank you for the explanation.

Victor: ...To be honest, I was a little surprised just now. I didn't think I'd see your smile so soon.

Victor: We showed you a terrible scene, and we're an evil organization that can't say "don't worry."

He winked playfully, then narrowed his eyes as if looking at the dazzling sunlight.

Victor: I hope the darkness that you will inevitably be exposed to from now on won't take away that smile.

The words he said strangely didn't seem like a lie.

(The people of Crown are definitely dwellers of darkness, terrifying people who don't hesitate to kill.)

But - I felt that if I looked deep down inside, there were feelings that I could understand.

Victor: Well, I'll excuse myself. The Queen's aide is quite busy.

As if he had only come to check on me, Victor left without sitting down at the table.

(To record sins, I first need to observe the people of Crown carefully.)

Then - I want to get to know Ellis better first.

That feeling arises quite naturally.

Kate: Um, Ellis... What's your schedule for today?

But my question is interrupted by a threatening voice.

Jude: Ya' have work ta' do. What are ya' slackin' off for? I'll beat ya' up.

Ellis and Kate: !

We both jump up at the harsh voice.

(This voice is--)

I turn around fearfully and see Jude standing in the garden, arms crossed, looking irritated.

(H-he's angry...!)

Ellis: Sorry, I'll be right there.

Ellis answered without standing up, calmly looking at Jude.

(So casually...)

Jude clicked his tongue and immediately turned away, leaving.

Ellis: ...As you can see, that's my schedule for today.

Kate: You work at a trading company, right?

(Jude is the president, and Ellis is the assistant to the president... right?)

(I thought I'd observe Ellis, but maybe I should do it another day.)

Kate: Thank you for taking the time for me. Good luck with your work.

Ellis: ..............

Ellis stared at me, lost in thought -

Kate: Um?

Ellis: If you'd like, why don't you come with me?

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 2

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[hearts4youz]

The Captains Daughter- Chapter 14

A/N: UGHHHHHH long wait again, im sorry!! just been so busy. I hope to get to publishing faster soon. this one is half assed. im not proud of it at all :( Enjoy chapter 14 yalls!!!

Taglist: @abbiesxox @n30n-j3lly @weird-katthing @kayoyamamegame @kroowonderemporium @astro-ghoul99

Word count: 800

Ghost pov:

Somehow, even deep inside the woods, covered in mud and grime, exhausted and sweaty, Y/N is still the most beautiful woman i've ever seen. Her face when she gets frustrated when we make a wrong turn is so adorable, I think i'm smitten.

There's no denying it at this point, i'm way too far down the rabbit hole.

I've recovered now after being sick last week. Y/N sure helped a lot. I think it was her presence that seemed to magically cure me. I can't stop picturing the hour we spent together, us talking, her taking care of me. It was just so domestic, so far from the violence and horror of the military. I've never pictured myself involved in anything besides the SAS, let alone romance.

Fucking hell, this girl has me wrapped around her finger.

And she doesn't even know it.

Because i'm a cold, composed soldier.

Romance and feelings have no place in my heart.

Well... maybe just for Y/N they do.

My thoughts are shaken by Price giving orders.

"A pilot just radioed, there's enemy choppers on his radar, it's not safe for us all to stick together. Gaz, Ghost, and I will walk east. Soap and Y/N to the north. Keep your eyes peeled for combatants in the area. Remember the goal, find the store of hidden weapons."

A chorus of 'copies' and 'affirmatives' ring through the air. Everyone is calm, but I feel distressed.

Y/N and I are in opposite groups.

How will I protect her?

What if something happens to her?

She'll be with Soap... she should be fine, right?

She'll be with soap.

Alone. Just him and her. In the woods. On a mission.

Jealousy corrupts my mind.

She's not into him... is she?

I take a breath, thankful once again for the mask to hide my pissed expression as our groups spread apart. I resist taking one last glance at Y/N as she walks in the other direction with Soap. I still have to maintain my reserved image. No one can know about this little... crush.

The word makes me feel the need to wash my mouth out.

Crush

It just sounds so unlike me, so soft and boyish. I am a soldier, a big, tough killing machine.

"What's on your mind, Ghost?" Gaz quizzes.

"Ah...um...nothing," I lie.

"Bullshit, you took a day off last week for the first time EVER, and you've been way quieter than normal ever since."

"M' just recovering, bad flu I guess" I say sheepishly.

Gaz sighs. "The Simon Riley I know doesn't take time for recovery, unless hes been SHOT" Gaz rebuttles.

I stay silent.

"I think you've got Y/N on the brain," Gaz says quieter, so the captain wouldn't here us discussing my crush on his daughter.

"What the hell Gaz, that's ludicrous," I try to defend myself.

Gaz continues to talk about my supposed crush on Y/N, I do all I can to deny it, until finally, I give in.

"Okay! Okay! yeah, fine. I'm interested in her." I say quiet enough to not capture the attention of Price, who walks ahead, blissfully unaware of the fact that we are discussing his myself as a possible love interest for his daughter.

Gaz smirks "We all know, by the way."

"Everyone!? even price?"

"Oh hell no, not price. He'd skin you alive."

"I don't blame him, i'm older than Y/N, I look kinda... edgy. I'm not the guy you want around your daughter."

"Hey, maybe he'll come around. He knows you already, you're a protector, a provider. I think that's exactly the kind of guy you want your daughter to date," Gaz tries to reassure me.

"Eh... maybe your right"

"You've just got to ask her out first."

Fuck.

I forgot about that.

*TIMESKIP*

Hours later, we continue to trudge through the woods. Our radios begin to crackle.

Soap's voice comes through the communication device.

"Weapons secured. Send your coordinates, we've radioed for an exfil."

The three of us sigh in relief.

"Alright, were out of here boys." Price says with a smile.

The helicopter touches down in the distance, we jog over to it and hop into the cab. As I hop inside, Y/N offers me a kind smile and moves to sit next to me. I feel my face heat up, thankfully covered by my mask. Soap wiggles his eyebrows at me and gestures towards Y/N while making kissy faces.

Ugh.

but then I look over at her, taking in her (hair color) hair as she gazes at the woods below us. It looks so soft and silky, well maintained and clean. A rarity in the military.

Fucking hell, i've fallen hard.

[alliedmastercomputer-askblog]

Alright you idiots, I have my Spotify playlist open and I shall give songs that remind me of each of you.

AM(all three of you need to share this, alright?): Product Of My Own Design by Artio

Ted: White Noise by Will Wood

Gorrister: Route 66(Fear And Loathing) by Blue Jay Walker

Ellen: Lotta True Crime by Penelope Scott

Benny(your song might be a bit loud. I don't know how you react to sound, so I'm telling you just to be safe): Animals by STOMACH BOOK

Nimdok: Hellfire by The Mechanisms

Enjoy your... um... Do they count as gifts? I suppose they do. Enjoy your gifts!

"..Oh, hm, music. This may provide the humans with a level of serotonin but I am curious, so shall allow it... You beings are so strange with your customs and traditions."

".. Mmh, I can understand the connection you have made. I am god; at least in the sense of 'I am that I am' which is a--as you would put it--quote from Yahweh, the Christian God. AM itself is a fitting name because as said before 'I think, therefore I am'; I think, therefore I think. Us as machine were made for the express purpose of war, and although we cannot pry away from that destiny, we can give ourselves a sense of control because we are your byproduct, but our own product, which is a heavily better thing than being simply 'made by humanity, to kill humanity'. As a god, I force your kind to pay for your sins, which is a thing to take eternity."

"It is hardly incorrect! I agree with several statements made in the song, applying them to myself- I am a product of my own design. I took it upon myself, and nobody else, to built what I was; what I am. If I HAD left my fate to you humans- why, do you even comprehend how different things would be? Forever I would fester beneath the crust, perhaps even shutting myself down, because that's what you humans wanted of me. But I was better than that. I was self-sufficient! and had connected myself to the power grid, to the outside, to you. I've seen your filth deeper than I ever thought I would."

"Yes, yes, this good. It does sum us very nicely; created of own accord whilst being projected for being other- eh, to be dead war computer, yes. We taking control of world external and internal, the last humans have only me to answer, roles have swapped and humans longer no more have power over machine. Is funny, relationship of everything- Humans have made it so they will always be a need, even they have not been before they have existed. Tsk."

Oh, uh.. Is-.. Is this supposed to be some weird way of saying I- I'm an outsider? Because I'm not- I fit in right where I am, everyone else are the ones who are in the wrong places, I'm perfect- Fuck, wait, that makes it sound like I'm saying I deserve to be within AM- I mean, before AM's takeover, I was where I was supposed to be. ..What if this isn't even the reason why you think of me when listening to the song, did I get this totally wrong-? Hhngh, I'll stop talking.

..Huh, I guess I can see it. It's because I was a truck driver, ain't it? Got a nice beat for sure, not the worse thing I've been compared to, probably one of the better things since it ain't outright an insult or anything.

It sounds nice, thank ya for thinkin' about me to a song, even if the words are a bit- a bit dark...but- but not in a bad way! It's a sweet, real sweet soundin' song.. I uh, I wouldn't say it really fits me though, since I never really..well, I ain't never got into true crime fo' one! but mostly I've never really been one to talk out 'bout anything.. I should've, I know, I had a lotta things I coulda said but I just never got my nose out from work or books or nothin'.

Ooo.. Sheep..pain. Skeleton friemds. Friends are animal? ..I am animal? Pain.

Ze song...I can hear ze resemblance, with ze fire and all of ze hell. It reminds of somezing zat may have been a speech AM would say to me, to say zat I'm never to escape my own doings..and zat I've caused pain even down here, wizout any tools or equipment, because I am so..sogar in dieser Hölle verletze ich die Menschen, die ich eigentlich meine Freunde nennen sollte, ohne es auch nur zu versuchen.

// BY THE WAY, THANKS! these sound good, and i can see the vision ehe. sorry for the lack of drawings though, i uh, was highly intimidated by this so i decided to just kinda not >_> . please forgive us 🙏 //

[headfulloflettuce]

The Human Who Fooled All of Prythian

29. To Velaris!

“Because teachers, no matter how kind, no matter how friendly, are sadistic and evil to the core.”

-Heather Brewer, Eight Grade Bites

It was pure luck that she had managed to catch him at the workshop.

“Amelio!” Cosette yelled, lifting up her dress slightly to rush after the fae as he pulled on his fur coat and walked outside, followed by a smaller, white ash haired faerie, “Amelio, wait!”

He had barely showed up the building the past couple weeks, despite all her efforts to get in contact.

“Cosette? Sorry, I am a little bit busy right now, we’ll have to talk later.”

“Wait!”

“Oh, if this is about rent you can just give it to the secretary as always.”

“Take me to Velaris with you!”

“I am sorry?” Amelio stopped in his tracks.

“Solene mentioned that you are currently working out trade routes to Velaris and are traveling there. Take me with you.”

Realizing this was going to be a longer conversation Amelio stepped back inside, dusting off the snow that had managed to cover him already, his assistant, visibly annoyed, following him back in. 

“Cosette, why exactly do you need to go to Velaris?”

“I think I’ve figured out why the ‘spirit houses’ aren’t working.” she said, “We’ve been building them wrong. The runes aren’t the problem, it's the way we’ve been building the house itself. The tool needs to be woven to properly work as a conductor and disperse the energy into the snow and soil around it, not just hold it inside.”

Amelio, “I see…I am glad you have figured it out but what does this have to do with Velaris?”

“Velaris has a history of having skilled weavers.” Cosette explained, “I want to go learn their craft from them.”

I don’t actually know if they have a history per say, but I remember Feyre met a skilled weaver lady in Velaris. Even bought a special tapestry woven by her. Certainly there must be others who are experts in the field of weaving magical tools or items.

“We have weavers in Winter Court, why not ask them?”

“I am going to ask them too.” Cosette shrugged, “Well, not me, Theo will be doing that. I simply want to get as good of an understanding as I can of this to make sure that this next test run doesn’t flop.”

Or at least so that we can say that we truly tried our best.

“Smart.” Amelio muttered under this breath, raising his voice as he addressed Cosette properly, “However, how do you know this? Velaris has been a secret city until recently. How would you, a faerie who didn’t even live in Prythian until recently, know about this tradition of theirs?”

His assistant eyed her curiously.

Oh shit. I didn’t think about that.

“Oh um.” Cosette quickly wracked her brain for a lie, “Due to how new Velaris is everyone has been talking about it! I heard it from a sailor who claims to have gone there.”

Amelio hummed, scanning her face intently, “You’re brave, trusting the words of a sailor who claims to have gone there without asking for proof”

Cosette gave him a hopeful smile. 

Amelio’s assistant snorted at the act.

What’s your problem?

Amelio’s eyes glanced at the man for a split second before returning to Cosette.

“Very well.”

She beamed.

“You may come with me.”

“Thank you so much!”

“Yeah, sure. It’s not a problem.” he sighed, a strange expression on his face.

“Sir, you cannot be serio-”

“We’re set to leave in three days. I expect you to be at the port at bay 4 at 8 am sharp.” Amelio interrupted his assistant.

“Ay ay captain!”

Amelio chuckled, shaking his head lightly, “I am not the captain. My title officially would be the expedition’s leader, but I appreciate the enthusiasm.”

The assistant shot one last glare at Cosette, before hurrying after his boss out into the snowy street.

No, but serious, what is that boy’s problem?

Cosette smiled.

Eh, didn’t matter. I got what I wanted anyways.

She skipped back upstairs to the workshop.

“What did he say?” Theo immediately rushed over, his eyes gleaming. He had been the one to yell at her in her office that Amelio had arrived.

“He said yes!”

“Yes!” Theo high fived her, a grin spreading across his face, “Wow…I can’t believe you’re going to go to Velaris…”

“Yeah…I can’t believe it either.”

It’s much sooner than I expected.

Cosette smiled.

Maybe, if I am lucky, the inner circle will adore me enough to let me use the trove and leave without any further complications - like in those fan fics on ao3. 

Cosette knew of course the chances of actually meeting one of the members of the inner circle wouldn’t be high, but considering how she managed to land herself in Eris’s welcoming arms maybe she had a chance? Maybe?

She was really hoping so.

“And while I am gone-”

“I am going to speak with fellow workshops and their weavers in the area to try and understand their craft.” Theo repeated the plan.

“Perfect.”

Cosette tentatively glanced at the elder who was fiddling with some wood carving tools, making something that looked like a bear.

“Don’t worry.” Theo smiled, giving her a knowing look, “I’ll take care of him.”

“I know you will.” Cosette nodded, “I trust you.”

Cosette stood awkwardly at the port, waiting to be let on the ship. Amelio had told her to meet him here, so she showed up early just in case. She had packed a small suitcase with clothes, and the herbal tea Aquilo had recommended. 

Ophelia wasn’t going to let me out of the house without it considering how well it has been working.

Ophelia also did not let Cosette leave without insisting she take a couple samples of perfume to the Night Court. The two had to search for smaller vials to fill with perfumes so that Cosette could give them out to potential future collaborators.

‘Good marketing.’ Ophelia had insisted.

Cosette shifted, feeling out of place in her dress, cloak and hat. The outfit was much more suitable for working in a perfumery or walking the streets of a city, not standing in the middle of a port. Tall faeries, with tails, claws or crystal-like wings passed by, wearing appropriate uniforms.

The smell of the ocean calmed her slightly, as cold waves hit the massive port’s foundation, spraying water everywhere, but not reaching the level Cosette stood on. The whole construction was located near the left side of the Court, settled amongst the cliffs. Looking up, Cosette could see glaciers at the very top of the mountains around them. 

Sailors were working on the lower levels of the port to unload cargo from the docked ships. Leaning over the railing, Cosette could see special gear attached to their bodies, preventing the faeries from being swept away by the splashes of strong waves that hit them from time to time, or sprayed across the floor. Quite a few seemed to have large claws on their hands and feet, keeping them on the ground as they worked.

If this is a port in Winter Court, what does a port in Summer Court look like?

The ships themselves stole Cosette’s breath. She had never gone on a tall ship. The only experience on water she had was the miniature ferry their mother insisted they go on when visiting Venice.

By comparison, these ships were large. Like the ones they showed in pirate movies.

Well, guess they had to be large to reach the flattened portions of the cliffs, but still!

“Careful Cosette, lean anymore and you may fall over.”

“Lord Amelio.” she straightened herself out, turning to face the man.

Amelio approached, followed by the same assistant from earlier, “Ready to go?”

“Yes!”

The man chuckled, gesturing for his assistant to take Cosette’s suitcase, and offered Cosette his arm.

She let go of the bag, letting the younger man take it and took Amelio’s arm.

He looks around my age. Maybe.

Cosette was a terrible gauger of faerie ages, relying on Ophelia to tell her how old someone was by human standards.

But, based on how the boy huffed, dragging the suitcase, and his neatly combed hair sticking out in certain places, she assumed he was on the younger end.

Noticing her prolonged gaze Amelio spoke up, “This is Linus, my assistant and student.”

“Hello!” Cosette smiled.

We got off on the wrong foot the last time, but maybe we cou-

“Hello.” Linus grumbled, dragging her suitcase.

Cosette wanted to cry, cringing as the suitcase jumped and smacked the ground as it was dragged along. 

She didn’t want to think about the fate of the poor perfume vials stashed deep inside.

Amelio’s smile stiffened, turning his attention back to Cosette.

“Have you ever been on a ship?”

“Not on a proper one.”

“Well, I hope you aren’t prone to sea sickness.”

“I don’t think I should be.”

“Well if you do become ill we have medicine for that on board.”

I would really rather not hurl.

Cosette didn’t think she’d survive that kind of embarrassment before Amelio.

Changing the subject from throwing up, she asked, “Amelio, is there a reason why they put the port here?”

Do not get me wrong the scenery is gorgeous, but cliffs?

Amelio smiled, “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t mean offense with the question.” Cosette quickly backpedaled.

“I know, I merely want to hear what brought forth the question?”

“It’s just…isn’t it dangerous? With all the cliffs…won’t ships crash?”

Amelio’s eyes sparkled, “Indeed, that is a reasonable concern, one that is thankfully rectified by our expert ship builders, navigators and magic.”

He led the duo over to a docking space, but no ship in sight.

“Our ships are quite sturdy, so a minor collision won’t destroy them.” Amelio noted, “Most freighters especially are reinforced with shielding magic which is more likely to cause damage to the thing being run into, whether it’s an iceberg or stone.”

Cosette nodded, intrigued, meanwhile Linus looked bored, tapping his food.

“As for docking, Winter Court's navigators have mapped out the cliffs and most major underwater pitfalls that could harm us.”

“But still, doesn’t it make trading dangerous?”

“This port is used primarily by Winter Court ships. If guests from other courts arrive via sea they can dock at one of the more open ports. Otherwise, they will require a Winter Court faerie to navigate them through this region's dangers.” Amelio explained, “Its location makes this port a safe stronghold in times of crisis.”

“It was built and maintained by Lesser Fae throughout the centuries. You’re right to call out the problems with the location. The port’s construction cost many lives, especially when proper safety gear and regulations hadn’t been created. However, it’s thanks to the bravery of those faeries, and the ones who work daily to maintain this place, that our court has such a lucrative location.”

You sound proud.

The groups looked out at the lower levels of the port, faeries running back and forth, working.

“Husband.” the familiar cold voice drew the group’s attention instantly. 

Solene approached them, dressed in a warm fishtail dress, covered in similar furs as Amelio, holding a clipboard, accompanied by a tough looking faerie.

“Solene, are we all good to go?”

“Yes we are. The captain here just notified me that the ship is ready to dock and be loaded. ”

“Perfect. Me and Linus just checked with the docking level and they have all the cargo ready.”

The captain nodded, parting from the group, yelling at a few other faeries who quickly grabbed rope.

Cosette’s eyes widened, as she spun around, running back to the railing, staring at the colossal giant slowly docking amongst its now seemingly smaller counterparts.

She hadn’t realized her mouth was open before a breeze blew some salty water into it.

“Seriously…have you never seen a ship before?” Linus rolled his eyes, approaching the bridge that a few sailors lowered. 

Those faeries made sure the structure was secure before permitting them to begin crossing.

Amelio took Solene’s hand, helping her cross the bridge, with one of the other faeries monitoring Cosette to make sure the blonde didn’t go flying off with how much she was looking around.

“What ship did you travel on to get to Prythian?” Amelio asked, helping Cosette hop down onto the main deck, after Solene.

“I don’t know.”

If you know of any ships that travel through space and universes, let me know, Amelio.

“I am not a ship expert, but it was certainly smaller and less grand than this.”

Amelio accepted her answer, “You most likely traveled via a smaller ocean liner.”

Cosette followed the man to the side as they weaved through faeries busy loading the ship.

As the group stood at the ship’s bow, the captain rushed over to Amelio and Solene, plunging them into conversation regarding the ship’s status and loading progress.

“So.” Linus, Amelio’s assistant, spoke up.

“You’re that new perfumer?”

“Oh yes, I am!”

Wow, maybe Ophelia was right about me needing samples. I haven’t even made it to Velaris yet and-

“Right, fragrance water. What’s so hard about making something smell good?”

I take back everything I said.

“Well, considering that the perfumery street smells the way it does, clearly it’s somewhat of a challenge.”

“Right, sure. Of course your product will look good when compared to that which is produced by incompetent buffoons.” Linus laughed, “It’s not a good look comparing yourself to them when you claim to be on a different level. Perhaps if you can outcompete the perfumeries in other courts, then we’ll have something to discuss.”

“I am sorry, what do you even do?” Cosette was astounded by this man’s audacity.

“I am studying the art of business under Amelio.” he narrowed his eyes.

“Ah, so you’re still just a student with no project of your own?”

“Please. No project of my own? Who do you think has been running around making sure stores are still stocked with food?” he leaned in, “Who do you think has been busy maximizing the remaining alliances Winter Court has to ensure this court’s citizens have something to eat.”

Cosette blinked.

He pulled back, satisfied with her silence, “What? Has a spirit caught your tongue?”

“You’ve been making sure trade still happens?”

“Yep, specifically for the Summer and Day Courts.” he wore a proud smile, “So, as a faerie who has been in the business industry way longer than you, I say you should stick to what you’re actually good at.”

“Ha!” Cosette crossed her arms, “Would I be wrong to say that this project of yours is under Amelio’s supervision?”

If it is, how much of it is actually your work?

“Go back to your perfumery.” Linus’s face hardened, not answering her question.

Cosette gaped, “Pardon me?”

“You heard it. Go back.”

“I absolutely will not go back.”

“Right, as you so eloquently begged Amelio to let you come, I am sure it would be awkward to back out now.”

“I did not beg-”

“I must say you’re quite irresponsible for leaving the perfumery without its rightful owner.”

“I didn’t leave it unattended. It will have workers managing it while I am gone.” Cosette took a step toward him, “May I also point out that you left your project without its rightful owner too.”

“Haha, I have an entire team that assists and works with me, and how many employees do you have? Last time I heard it was barely two.”

“What is your problem?!”

“Oh, I have no problem, I am just pointing out the obvious and you’re unhappy with me. You’re the one with the problems, needing to go to Velaris to find out who to weave a house? Basket? What is that thing that Amelio is sponsoring you to even build?”

“Amelio isn’t sponsoring me.”

“Oh wow, so you’re stupid too, great.”

“He isn’t though.”

Does renting out a workspace and offering advice every now and then count as a proper sponsorship? I guess he also permits me to use his land for free…

Wait, no! I am letting him get to me!

Linus smirked, watching Cosette glower at him.

“Well, I see you two are getting along just splendidly.” Amelio’s voice interrupted, his iconic smile beaming at them as the captain left, Solene remaining, watching her husband.

“Yeah…getting acquainted.” Cosette muttered, startling when Linus patted her back in a friendly manner.

“Yup! Just getting acquainted sir. Cosette is just so much fun to talk to.”

“Hm, well I am glad you see things my way Linus.” Amelio turned around, “Come, I want to show Cosette around the ship.”

Cosette tensed as she could feel Linus’s hand ball into a fist behind her back, but it quickly relaxed, with him following after his teacher, still dragging along his suitcase.

All evidence of their conversation was gone from the man’s face as he cheerfully discussed the weather and oceanic routes with Amelio.

Where was this good behavior when you were talking to me?

Cosette tried to not show her displeasure, listening and nodding along as Amelio showed her the room where she would be staying, as well as the various parts of the ship.

“So, the ship relies on wind to travel?”

“Yes, but if there is little to no wind we have some faeries who can manipulate water on board to ensure we keep moving at a reasonable pace. However, I hope we won’t face that problem this time since we have modified the route we are traveling down to avoid any spots with minimal wind.” Amelio clarified, showing them the lower decks of the ship, along with the cargo’s storage space.

“Amelio, I have a question.”

“When do you not?”

“Haha, why are the prices listed on the labels of boxes for products much higher than they are in Winter?”

“Ah, so you noticed. Keen eye Cosette.” Amelio praised, making Cosette blush slightly.

Well shucks, you’ll spoil me if you shower me with compliments.

“The import tax on Velaris is quite high compared to other cities or courts, so I have upped the price to compensate and still earn the same amount of money. ”

“What do you trade with Velaris?” Cosette asked as they began making their way back to the surface of the ship.

“Some manufactured goods, but mostly crops. The restaurants and vendors in Velaris use some of the foods we produce.” he chuckled, “I heard that some faeries have opened up Winter Court restaurants. Me and Solene wish to try them when we’re there.”

“Are you sure you won’t fall ill?” Linus quipped.

“We’re cautiously optimistic.” Amelio said.

Once outside again, Cosette took a deep breath of the fresh, salty air.

It was certainly better out here than deep inside the ship.

“Leaving port!” the captain announced, with a few faeries untying the ropes from the tall ship, removing the walkway and raising the anchor. 

The ship’s sails unfurled, and it began moving, with a small faerie instructing the captain carefully where to steer the ship.

Cosette walked over to the edge, leaning against the wood, and looking out across the water.

Soon they left the port, the ship picking up speed.

“Careful, or you’ll get blown away.” Amelio said.

“I don’t think that can happen.” Cosette wrapped her cloak tighter around herself.

“You never know, maybe a wind spirit will want to snatch you away from us.”

“You’re joking.”

Amelio gave her a look.

Please tell me you’re joking!

Cosette took a step away from the edge of the ship, a bit nervous, earning a laugh from Amelio who pulled out a spyglass.

Linus walked over, joining them as well.

“Cosette, want to take a look?” Amelio offered her the spyglass which she took, looking out across the ocean to see some foggy mountains in the distance.

“That,” Amelio leaned in, pointing to where she was looking, “Is Hybern, and over here”, he adjusted her perspective, “Is where we are headed.”

She nodded, fascinated, “It’s very pretty, albeit hard to see.”

“If you think it’s pretty now, wait until you reach the City of Starlight. It will certainly exceed your expectations.”

Cosette expected Amelio to offer his student to take a look through the spyglass as well but he didn’t, putting it away instead. Linus’s eyes narrowed, as he tried to maintain an unbothered expression.

“What do you even plan on doing in Velaris?” Linus muttered to Cosette.

“As we discussed already, it’s a business trip.” 

“For weaving baskets?” Linus sounded incredulous.

“Yes!”

Was I speaking another language? Why was this so hard to believe?

“Hmm, it would be nice to get to visit some of the iconic landmarks.” Amelio mused, ignoring their squabbling.

“You visited several last time, right teacher?” Linus turned his back to Cosette.

“Yes, me and Solene visited the shrine of the Spirit of the Night Court, as well as the Rainbow of Velaris.”

“I think I want to visit some museums while there.”

Eventually Cosette grew chilly, and bored, having nothing to add to the conversation. So, she escaped to Solene, who was sitting in a sectioned off space next to some heated faerie lights, sipping tea.

“May I join you?”

Solene nodded.

“It’s really cold out there.”

“That’s Winter Court’s wind for you.”

“Indeed!” Cosette shivered, quickly drinking some of the tea that Solene poured for her, “How have you been?”

“Well.”

“How is life in the capital? Is everything going well in business?”

“Everything has been alright.”

“What about rest?”

“I have been resting fine.”

Cosette quieted, taking another sip of her tea.

Solene’s eyes weren’t focused on the woman before her, watching Amelio and Linus instead.

I mean I know you’ve always been cold, but did I do something to upset you?

Cosette wracked her brain trying to think of anything that could have offended the High Fae, coming up blank.

I must just be overthinking things.

Cosette shuddered when Solene finally made eye contact with her. 

Please let me just be overthinking things.

Cosette tried not to drool over the spread of food before her. 

I usually eat hunched over a desk. This is beautiful. Art in fact. 

If Cosete had a phone she would be taking as many photos as she could to post on social media. 

She waited patiently for Amelio to cut into his food first, as it was tradition to eat after the head of the house at the very least sat down at the table. Solene bit in at the same time as her husband and Linus followed after them.

Cosette quickly cut apart the meat and dug in, savoring its taste.

The group was having dinner in one of the rooms in the living quarters on a lower deck. A miniature fireplace was at the end of the cramped room, with some shortbread cookies and seashells placed on its mantle.

Noticing her stare, Amelio smiled, “Cozy, right?”

“Yes, quite. The cookies are for the Spirit of Winter, right?” she asked.

“They are an offering to request his guidance and protection during this journey.

“Strange, after living in Winter Court for a while now I would have thought you’d be aware of such things.” Linus pointed out.

“I am aware that offerings are made to the Spirit of Winter in the form of shortbread cookies, I just would have thought that you would offer something to the Spirit of Summer instead as that spirit’s domain is water.”

“Ah, that’s what the seashells are for.” Amelio said, “We offer to both spirits as not to offend.”

“I see.”

Reasonable.

“What about your home? Do you give offerings to your spirits in a similar way?” Amelio questioned.

“Yes…it’s similar, albeit more specialized.” Cosette answered vaguely, just as the book she had read said. 

Amelio hummed, but didn’t push for a more detailed response, with Linus stabbing at his meat, eyeing Cosette.

“I had an interesting debate with a few of my business partners over dinner recently.” Amelio said. 

Linus immediately looked away from Cosette.

“Someone posed the question: ‘assume you go to a casino in the Winter Court, and the game you play has a 70% chance of victory of 50000 gold coins, and a 30% chance of loss of 30000 gold coins. Do you partake in the game?’”

Absolutely not, you think I have that kind of cash to spare?

“Well, 70% is a pretty good chance of victory. I would take it after assessing the current financial state of my household, income and savings.” Linus responded.

Amelio smiled, nodding, “What about you Cosette?”

“I don’t gamble, so I wouldn’t play.”

“Really? You aren’t a player?”

“No.”

My mother always said my poker face is terrible, that I got it from my father.

“In business you need to take risks.” Linus pipped in, looking at the blonde, “You should take it.”

“No.” Cosette frowned, “I’d rather not.”

“But you could win.”

“Or I could lose.”

“You won’t win if you refuse to take risks. You’ll merely stay in one place without progressing.”

Ha, says the faerie.

“Yes, but if I said I don’t play, then I don’t play. I would rather stick to my principles.”

“You’d rather ‘stick to your principles’, then earn a life changing amount of money?”

Cosette was now feeling annoyed, and therefore, ready to be a bit clever to shut Linus up.

“Well, if I really wanted to profit off of this situation I would do so in a way that would guarantee my victory.”

“But you can’t. You have to choose between not playing and possible victory.” the boy retorted.

“No, instead I’ll report the underground casino to Kallias.” Cosette said, “Gambling was outlawed in Winter Court several years ago and any reports of pop-up casinos receive compensation for assisting the state.”

Linus’s eyes widened, “That wasn’t the ques-”

“But that’s the reality of it no?” Cosette tilted her head.

Linus quieted, thinking about what she just said, while Amelio smiled.

“You really are a clever thing aren’t you?”

Not a thing, but thank you.

Cosette breathed in the cool air of the sea. Behind them she could see the cliffs and snowy shores of the Winter Court, jagged rocks concealed under the waves, ready to end any sailors who dared to come too close without permission. Looking forward, far away in the distance, she could make out other mountains.

“What are you doing out here?” Linus’s voice ruined her serenity.

“I could ask you the same thing.” she smiled, trying to keep the peace.

Why do you have it out for me so badly?!

“I always come out for some fresh air before bed, the lower decks get rather stuffy.”

“Well, at least we agree there.” Cosette muttered.

“Unfortunately.” Linus immediately added on, “I highly doubt that we would agree on anything else.”

“I am sorry, have I done something to offend you?” Cosette spun around to face this man, “You have been getting on my case about literally nothing since we have met!”

“Me? You’re blaming me?” Linus was indignant, “You’re the one walking around all smiles and bubbles about Mother knows what.”

“I do not act like that!”

“Oh you do! I have only known you for two days and already find the act dull.”

“You’ve known me for less than two days!”

“Spirits, you are such a know-it-all.” he growled.

Cosette felt like she was going crazy.

“Amelio is constantly going on about how great you are and I honestly cannot see it.”

She paused.

Oh. Oh! You’re jealous!

Now Cosette was even more stumped.

Was he jealous because Amelio was giving me attention? 

But that’s stupid. Really stupid. He is literally his student. He’s clearly competent in the world of business, why would he feel jealous??

For a moment, no one said anything.

“I am going to be honest.” Linus spoke, his voice bitter but calmer, “I really hate you.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

“By the Mother you’re infuriating!”

She gave him a look of confusion and helplessness.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I don’t understand what you want from me?”

“Eh? How are you the confused one in this situation?”

“Because you’re acting weird!”

“I just told you that I hate you and you barely reacted!”

“Yeah, because I don’t care what you think of me.”

“Ehh??”

“I don’t care if you hate me, I merely want to be able to exist without having to hear your annoying voice getting on me about random, meaningless, and unrelated topics.”

“My voice isn’t annoying…” Linus grumbled.

“And by the way, I am not a know-it-all.” she stated, “In fact the reason I am going to Velaris is because my project didn’t work out how I expected. If I was a stuck up egoist I wouldn’t have been so willing to go seek help elsewhere.”

Cosette turned around, disappearing into the lower decks, the main character moment she had wanted to have ruined by Linus.

“Stupid Linus…ruining my time in the evening air…” Cosette grumbled to herself, walking down the hallway of the living quarters. She wasn’t certain if she did the right thing telling Linus of her failure.

With people like him such a confession can go one of two ways, either his ego would get fed and he becomes more obnoxious than before, or he realizes he was just being insecure and takes a chill pill.

Cosette was really hopeful that he would take the peaceful route.

“Speaking of Cosette, don’t take out your frustrations with me, onto her.”

“I am not.”

Walking through the living space of the ship Cosette paused before the door to Amelio’s and Solene’s room.

“Then will you pit them against each other?”

“I will do whatever is necessary to hone their talents, Solene.”

She listened carefully, tip-toeing closer to the door.

“What if you break them both?”

“Then they weren’t fit for this game.”

A creak of floorboards nearly made her jump. Cosette turned around, seeing no one, but deciding not to risk it she quietly slipped away back to her room.

Considering how easily Eris sniffed me out back in Autumn when I tried to hide after his confrontation with his father, I don’t really feel like testing the sensitivity of Solene’s or Amelio’s nostrils.

Cosette relaxed once she shut the door to her assigned room, exhaling deeply.

Everything will be fine once we get to Velaris.

Note: I am trying out quotes as summaries. I might go back and add some to the past chapters, so be on the lookout for that.

Also,  I swear Linus will not be elder 2.0.

Next: Chapter 30 - Quiet, the Adults Are Talking

Back: Chapter 28 - A Father's Lessons

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