#which is a sentence i never thought i'd type

[bullet-prooflove]

@noxytopy I spent four years working/baby sitting a guy who had the illness. His family owned the company I worked for and because I was good with people and a calming influence they'd leave him with me to 'keep an eye on him' and they would never tell me when he was off his meds. I would realise because of his behaviour and notify them and they'd be like oh yea we know. I was put in a lot of unsafe situations because of this.

He had massive substance abuse issues and was highly erratic. When he did coke, which was often it would negate the effects of the court mandated medication he was supposed to have so he'd go into a spiral.

The other problem was, he was extremely clever so when they did get him sectioned and I mean lock down sectioned, he would escape because he would fashion tools out of stuff like the interior railing of a sliding drawer and use it to jimmy the window panel and leave through the window.

He had major issues with authority figures so he had multiple arrests for smacking police men. There's a shit load of other dangerious shit he did too but he always a avoided a prison sentence because his family really played up the mentally ill card (which he was) but they also enabled some of his behaviour too. By the end of my tenure there, they were completely at their wits end and just let him get on with it. When he was medicated he used to spend all day gambling, smoking and drinking fizzy drinks because he was in withdrawl from the coke. Noone really knew what to do with him because he didn't help himself even when he was in a more lucid mindset.

Because we spent alot of time together and I was a reasurring presence he came to trust me, so even when he was at the height of some of his delusions he'd be like I'm gonna give all this secret government info to you incase I go missing. The info was literally him typing on a message board he'd made to himself but he thought he was hacking the govementment and controlling the banks.

In a way it was endearing, but at the same time he presented a very real danger because he wasn't in control of himself, he'd come back from the bathroom high and I'd be like guys he's just done a line in the bathroom, his pupils are huge and he's telling me how he's travelling through a portal to kill Hitler do you wanna do something about that, like take him home? And they'd be like 'nah he's cool with you, we need to work on this proposal' - that I was completing anyway.

Wow typing this back is nuts to me back I didn't even realise the madness of some of the situations I was in at the time, it became so normalised. This isn't even half the insane shit he got up to.

Eddie Diaz - pumpkin 🎃 snake 🐍 heart ❤️

Tagging: @kmc1989 @gatefleet @tigolebittiez @mckinleysbones @totalstitchlover19

Companion piece to:

Box Breathing - Eddie's been struggling since Christopher left.

Always - You make a promise to Eddie.

Real - Eddie tells you he wants something real.

A Future With You - Eddie makes a realisation during a one on one game of basketball.

Cash - Eddie discovers your secret Instagram profile.

You have a thing about snakes, you always have. It’s an innate, bone deep, primal fear that alleviates all of your irrationally. Eddie discovers this when you open up an orange and black gift box with pumpkins on and you let out the most ungodly scream he’s ever heard. It echoes through the entire fire station as you hurl the box over the balcony and Eddie watches it hurtle through the air, the snake sailing out of the box before it completely disappears from view.

The look on your face in that moment, he’ll never forget it.

It takes them over two hours to find that snake nestled up against the hot pipe in the bathroom. You spend that entire time bundled up on the roof, refusing to come down until it’s been removed from the premises.

It’s Eddie that finally approaches you, Eddie that brings you his quilted jacket because the temperature is starting to drop and he doesn’t want you to freeze to death. You’re trembling when he drapes it around your shoulders and he knows that it has nothing to do with the cold.

“I had my ex sectioned last Halloween.” You tell him as you sit on a lawn chair, your hands wrapped around a fresh mug of tea that Buck had deposited by the door. “He was schizophrenic and when he was on his meds it was great but when he wasn’t…”

You trail off because you don’t want to go into all of that, the hallucinations, the erratic behaviour, the violence…

It was never intentional, always in the throes of a break, but the bruises the next day, the fear for your safety it was very real.

“One of his things was symbols, he used to see them in everything, clouds, puddles, oil stains. He also used them a lot, sometimes as love notes, sometimes as threats.”

“Is that what that was tonight?” Eddie asks you gently as he leans forward in his chair, studying you. “A threat?”

“No.” You say quietly, your thumbs tracing lightly over the glazed pattern on the mug. “Snakes, they mean eternal love. It’s his way of saying that he’s still in love with me, that he wants me to come home.”

“Is that what you want?” Eddie asks you, his voice a little rough. “To go back home, to be with him?”

“No.” You tell Eddie, your gaze flickering up to meet his. “You’re the only one that has my heart Eddie, you should know that by now.”

Love Eddie? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[waffliesinyoface]

im going to do a full dark megaman playthrough for this run of BN4 to make it more enjoyable. I just hit Netopia Area, which has a chance of dropping Static *, one of the exclusive darkmega chips, from in-battle GMDs. 

Netopia is. not. being helpful about actually spawning said GMDs.

I’ve only gotten a couple, and while some of the rewards have been nice (I just started using V-coded chips and it gave me Magnum V), most of them have been like. “2 bugfrag”. Which is not helpful.

This is, apparently, the only place in the game you can get Static *. The only other location for Static period is one shop in the undernet, in a terrible code, for 16000 zenny (in a game that hates giving you money).

Do I need it? Not really. Am I using primarily darkchips anyways, rendering much folderbuilding kind of irrelevant? Yeah. Will my gamer’s desire to store any and all useful things into the inventory allow me to rest until i’ve gotten four of the things? Hahahaha not fucking likely.

This is the real reason hisgby joined the WWW in the first game!!!!!

[karleksmumskladdkaka]

DIABOLIK LOVERS DAYLIGHT Vol. 7 Mukami Ruki Animate Tokuten Drama CD: “Sleeping Together ★ With Vampire"

Audio

No, not that kind of sleeping together.

...And yet somehow not really the other kind either because despite it's title there is LITTLE TO NO SLEEPING TOGETHER GOING ON AT ALL except at the very end TᴖT TᴖT TᴖT My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

Ok ok I'm obviously being overdramatic. Misleading name aside the CD is enjoyable and cute just...not at all in the way I was expecting (that being something akin to the Sleeping Vampire Scenario from Vandead Carnival but, alas, no). But oh well, I got to hear Ruki be all deredere towards the end so it's fine I guess lol

Ideally I'd create an actual translation to go along with this (I might do so sometime in the future, unless someone more competent does it first) but for now I've put a summary of the story under the cut. I ask that you please have mercy on me though, I am not used to writing this kind of stuff and it probably shows >﹏<;

Regardless, I hope you enjoy ( ﾉ^ω^)ﾉ ⋆⁺₊☽⁺₊⋆

UPDATE: The CD now has an actual translation courtesy of my fellow Ruki stan @otomehonyaku o(^o^)o please go check it out if you haven't already!

[Disclaimer: I always allow my stuff to be used for translation purposes, as long as I am credited. But please do not reupload the audio anywhere]

Summary ~*×*☆*+*~

[Please note that there may be mistakes or I might've misinterpreted parts of the CD. I apologize in advance (╥﹏╥)]

The CD starts with Ruki encountering Yui, who is carrying an unusually large package. Curious, Ruki asks her what she's doing, and learns that Kou has tasked her with delivering the package to him (Ruki). Ruki is somewhat perplexed as he doesn't recall requesting anything of the kind. Yui suggests that it might be a surprise gift, but Ruki is skeptical. He wants to ask Kou directly but is reminded that he is currently away on a location shoot. With a resigned sigh, Ruki decides that he has no choice but to open the package in Kou's absence. He asks Yui to hand the package to him, and then invites her to come along to his room to find out what's inside. She eagerly accepts, and they head off together.

In Ruki's room they take a seat (on what I assume to be the sofa) and open the package. Inside, there are various wooden pieces resembling parts of something, along with a letter from Kou. Ruki reads the letter aloud and it's revealed that the package contains a (*drumroll*)... puzzle! And not just any puzzle but a ✨️3D puzzle✨️. In the letter Kou encourages Ruki and Yui to assemble the parts together to discover what they will form. Since he's got spare time on his hands Ruki decides to have a go at it, with Yui joining in.

After a while of working on the puzzle, Ruki asks Yui how her part is coming along. She shows him, and he comments that she's doing better than he anticipated. He helps her out with some difficult pieces before instructing her to continue on her own. Yui asks Ruki if this is his first time putting together a 3D puzzle, and he replies that he's tried some before, but that this particular type is new to him. Yui is eager to learn what it is they are building, and Ruki, not wanting to dampen her anticipation, pretends he still can't quite figure out what the finished thing will be either (awww ♡). Ruki suggests that rather than moving their mouths they should focus on moving their hands as with their current pace the puzzle won't be finished. He reasons that the faster they move the sooner they'll have their curiosity satisfied. Yui agrees to work faster and Ruki promises to do the same.

They pick up the pace and eventually the puzzle is done. The assembled pieces have formed a small foreign castle, and Ruki reveals that he suspected as much from the start. He surmises that Kou must have remembered their expressed desire to visit such a castle after seeing one by chance on one of his TV shows. Ruki acknowledges Kou's attempt to make the two of them happy in his own way. He praises Yui for doing a great job despite not knowing what they were actually assembling, noting that the part she made fits perfectly into the castle.

However, there is no response from Yui, causing a puzzled (ahaha) Ruki to remark on her lack of reaction to something she had been so excited about. Turning his head to the side to look at her, Ruki discovers that she's fallen asleep with her head resting on his shoulder. He comments on the privilege of such a sleeping position but acknowledges that it's understandable she'd fall asleep since it's past their usual bedtime. She had seemed so engrossed in their work that he didn't notice her drifting off.

Ruki carries Yui to his bed and gently places her there, saying that she should have just told him that she was tired. He realizes that she likely made an effort to stay awake until the end, though she ultimately fell asleep. Deciding that it would be a good time for him to go to sleep as well, he tidies up and hides the little castle under the table, so that he'll be able to see Yui's reaction to it in the morning.

Returning to the bed, Ruki asks Yui to scoot over to make room for him, but she's sleeping too soundly to hear. He lies down next to her and (in true Mukami Ruki fashion) begins observing Yui's sleeping face. He notes how relaxed her expression is and wonders if it's because she's tired out from using her brain (lmao rude). Ruki then ponders what kind of face Yui will make when she wakes up—will she feel guilty for falling asleep before the puzzle was finished, or will she be surprised and embarrassed to find him laying next to her? Regardless of what her reaction will be, Ruki knows that it'll be enjoyable to witness. But he's certain she'll be happy once she sees the completed puzzle and admits to himself that he really wants to see that expression on her face. He's aware that it's out of character for him, and thinks that he might even have trouble falling asleep from the excitement (asdfsdjfj this is too fucking cute I can't)

Ruki decides that he should thank Kou for the useful gift by making him his favorite food for dinner tomorrow. The mention of dinner causes Yui to stir (what a relatable Queen), and Ruki teases her for being greedy. He assures the still-sleeping girl that she doesn't need to worry; he'll make her favorite dish as well as a reward for her hard work on the puzzle.

The CD ends with Ruki saying how he looks forward to seeing Yui's reaction the following day.

Fin ~*×*☽*+*~

- _(´ω`_)⌒)_

[raysrambles]

on the day the election results got announced, one of my friends wasn't at school. she was the friend that I had the most classes with, and I remember as the hours ticked by the painful knowledge that she wasn't sick, not physically, but that she just couldn't bear to be there that day.

i overheard classmates talking. "how are you?" asked one; in a broken voice, another: "I don't know".

"I'm scared," was the most common sentence I heard that day. "i can't live like this," said someone in the hallway; "we've still got each other," said another in what I desperately wanted to believe was hope.

"I prayed last night for the first time since I was five," said a friend of a friend; I looked out the classroom window at the cloudy sky and wondered if there was a god, and if he had heard them.

I watched people break down crying in the middle of class. by the end of the day, several kids had left school early.

"I need to get out of here," I said to my friends at lunch. "we're not going to make it another four years," said one of them grimly. how dystopian, how orwellian was it that a group of seventeen year olds were so casually discussing their escape from the country they had grown up in, the country that had raised them only to throw them to the dirt before they were even able to vote?

after school i drove to another school for a debate tournament. one of the judges who I hadn't seen in a year and with whom I'd only had one or two conversations came up to me and asked "how are you doing?"

"could be better," I admitted, "but I'm surviving." that was a bit of an understatement; there were tears in my eyes even as I spoke.

"I'm here," she told me, this woman who I hardly knew, and I realized that she was asking because she remembered one of our only interactions, a year ago, where I had casually mentioned being trans--

--and her gaze flitted down to my shoes, where back then I had had beads in the colors of the trans flag, beads that weren't there anymore, not because of any change in myself but that of the world around me.

"I'm here," she said again, and we stared at each other for a few seconds. I managed a "thanks", not trusting myself to say anything else.

that night I went onto Instagram. someone I hadn't spoken to since we fell out over a year ago had texted me a simple "I love you and am with you" type of message. all of my friends and even people I hardly knew were posting about the election, and I remembered

back when Biden was elected, the Republicans I saw online reacted with hatred, disgust, doubt for his abilities

but now all I saw from the ones who had lost this battle was fear

when the other side lost, they had the privilege of hatred

now that we've lost, all we can do is fear.

terrified sixteen, seventeen, eighteen year olds, in flurries of messages to long-gone friends and frantic posts. I had never felt more united, and yet I could not relish in our closeness because I knew it was not the closeness of friends but the closeness of soldiers too young for war, huddling close as their imminent death rained down from the sky, searching for some last comfort at the end of their too-short stories.

"I won't pretend this isn't as bad as it is," I typed out, "honestly I'm freaking scared. But we owe it to ourselves not to let this be the end of our beliefs.

"We still know we're right, even if the government doesn't agree. We're still all in this together.

"Love to everyone who's affected by this. I'm right here with you. Stay safe everyone."

I posted the Instagram story, praying to a god I didn't know that the words were true.

the next night when the house and senate election results came in, I cried, and it was not pretty crying, it was a child wracked with sobs in the dark on the floor of their room because they were only seventeen and terrified for their future.

I spent a long time writing that night, something I do to process my thoughts when everything is too much. I will simply offer this passage, which I think speaks for itself.

"Shall I tell them I am afraid because of the election? Shall I tell them that all day I have felt like a child masquerading as a man, scared of the boogeyman as i am scared of the fascist-like creature whose grasp is tightening and whose claws never cease, closing in on lives like a predator its prey? That I am a child scared of insignificance, of a fate I did not choose, of becoming a meaningless name among many, not of democracy falling but of not being the one who felled it?"

So to everyone celebrating the election, I'm glad that you're happy, truly I am. But I ask you to think of me and my friends, still children, most of us not quite old enough to even have our say in this country, as you laugh and rejoice and mock all of us who you defeated.

How many times must we cry, must we fall, must we watch each other die before enough will be enough?

Will it ever be enough?

[strangersteddierthings]

Beg You to Love Me

"I'm surprised you even remembered, Harrington," Eddie shrugs, hoping he comes off as aloof as he wants to, instead of shaky and unsure like he feels. He was sitting atop the picnic table, arms behind him trying to look as unaffected by Steve's presence as he can, but he's been thrown for a loop ever since Steve emerged from the woods instead of Robin Buckley, like he was expecting.

"Of course, I remember. I- I've never forgotten," Steve whispers, head down and fists clenched at his sides. He looks more like a child being wrongfully scolded than a man defending himself.

The words pull a scoff from Eddie, though. Never forgotten? What the fuck ever. "Right. Something to hold over me, then, if I'd stepped too far out of line? Mutually assured destruction?"

Steve's head snaps up and he looks horrified, which Eddie will admit to almost believing. Steve doesn't seem like the type to join the drama club but his acting's pretty fucking good. "What? No! I would have never- I would never have said anything about us to anyone."

"Right. Sure. Of course. Your own reputation to think about there."

Something like hurt flashes across Steve's face before it frosts over. This is the face he's used to see on Steve. Cold and distant. "I- whatever, man. I don't even know why I thought..." but Steve doesn't finish his sentence. He just shakes his head and turns his back on Eddie, heading back the way he came.

He doesn't know why that sparks a rage from deep within him. "Yeah, that's right. Tuck tail and runaway again!"

"I ran away?" Steve shouts back, turning sharply on his heel to glare at Eddie. "You think that I ran away?"

Eddie just spreads his hands to the empty clearing as if to say 'look at all this room around me you've never occupied'. "You weren't here, were you?"

"Because you told me to not be!" Steve stomps back to Eddie but stops a couple yards away.

"Like fuck I did," Eddie argues back, because he didn't tell Steve to go away. He'd told him-

"'If this isn't good enough for you, there's the fucking door.' That's what you told me," Steve quotes, "I thought it was pretty fucking clear what you wanted."

"Yeah, I fucking thought it was clear what I wanted," Eddie snarls, lunging from the picnic table, closing those last few feet to get into Steve's face. "Yet here we are!"

"Don't act like this is my fucking fault. Like you weren't the one who forced it to be my fault. My decision-"

"Yeah, it had to be your damn decision! You were dragging it out-"

"-because you were too much of a coward to do it your-fucking-self-"

"-acting like you were. Acting too good to actually slum it with the trailer trash-"

"-so of course I made the choice that was best for me. Because I deserved more-"

"-like what I had to offer you would never be good enough for the goddman King-"

"-than just being your hookup when I wanted to be-"

"-like I wasn't good enough to be your friend, much less-"

"-your fucking boyfriend!"

"-your fucking boyfriend!"

The contrast of this sudden silence that falls following their screaming match that ends with identical sentiments is jarring. Eddie feels wrong-footed and lost. Confusion and hurt mixing in him that he can see reflected on Steve's face.

"What?" Steve is the first to break the silence, drawing into himself. Arms crossing to hold himself at the elbows as he takes several steps back, as if to be able to see all of Eddie will clear the confusion he's feeling.

Eddie just stares back, slack jawed for a moment. That's. What. No, wait. Really, what? "What what?"

"You- you said 'if this isn't good enough for you, there's the fucking door'. How was I- I thought you- you were breaking up with me!" Steve cries, "you. You said that to make me pick, because you knew I wanted more and you didn't. That's- you were breaking up with me!"

Eddie's in just as much disbelief. "No, you broke up with me! I said if this isn't good enough but, like, I meant if I wasn't good enough. And you left! You walked out because I wasn't good enough to be with you!"

Steve looks stricken and he claws harder at himself, sort of folds into himself like he's going to be sick. "No. No no no, that's- then that means I- it's all been my fault. No no no no."

Eddie stares wide-eyed and frozen as Steve talks to himself. Eddie kind of feels nauseous. There's no way that this is possible. That these last two and a half years of heartbreak have been because of miscommunication. That they both thought the other was breaking up with them and neither actually wanted to.

"Why didn't you- Why didn't you say something?" Eddie asks.

Steve laughs at that, sounding a bit hysteric. "Me!? Why didn't you! I wasn't- I wasn't going to beg you to love me like I had with my parents. You were the one who told me I shouldn't have to do that!"

Yeah. He had. When Steve had broken down and cried on his bed, in his arms, wondering what it was he had done to lose his parents' love. Eddie told him it wasn't his fault, never would be, and that he would never need to beg for love from someone who does love him. It was the same advice Wayne had given him when he'd taken Eddie in.

"I already thought you were wanting to break up. You were being so distant, I thought..."

Steve sucks in a deep breath and nods, "Yeah. Yeah I was. I was scared of scaring you away. Of being too much. Because I- what I felt for you was a lot. I was afraid I'd chase you away if I continued to be so clingy. I pulled back, to reign it in but. Fuck. Fuck!"

Eddie drops to a squat. His legs feel like jelly and he can't keep standing. He squats and looks down so his hair becomes a curtain separating him from the reality of the situation, if only for a moment. Fuck is right.

He's spent his junior and first senior year being pissed at Steve. Hurt by him and what he thought happened. And it's- if Steve's being honest, it's all been for nothing. If they both wanted a deeper relationship, they could have had it. They might still be boyfriends if Eddie hadn't been so wrapped up in his Munson Doctrine. He'd been convincing himself Steve was embarrassed of him, and was working on breaking off their- whatever they were. But he hadn't been.

He's thought such terrible things about Steve over the years. God, what has Steve thought of him over the years? No. He doesn't want to know, actually. That's not what he cares about right now.

He lifts his head to see that Steve's plopped himself onto the ground, sitting cross legged, elbows on his knees and head in his hands.

"Steve. Steve!" He calls Steve's name out until he looks up, looks at him, "why'd you come out here?"

He laughs again, slightly less hysterically, and he's shaking his head like he can't believe what he's about to say. "I. Fuck, I was coming out here to beg you to love me."

"No you fucking weren't!" his tone is filled with disbelief.

"I was," Steve repeats, sounding amused and heartbroken at the same time. "I really, really was. Graduation's coming and I know you want to get out of Hawkins the second that happens and I'm. I was running out of time trying to get you to notice me again, so I was going to beg."

Notice him again? As if Steve doesn't haunt his every waking thought. As if he doesn't dream of Steve every night while his eyes seek him across the halls and in their few shared classes like he's the goddamn night sky and Eddie is a sailor lost at sea needing the north star to guide him home. Eddie's never not noticed him, and he thinks he has to come out here and beg? "When someone loves you, you don't have to beg."

"Yeah, I know," Steve sighs, defeated, which lets Eddie know that Steve does not, in fact, know. He looks away from Eddie, down to his lap.

Fuck, it's like every fantasy Eddie's had of them making up and then making out has been handed to him on a silver platter and he's blowing it. His words are too vague, too easily misinterpreted. Again. He falls forward on to his knees, hands catching him so he's on all fours like an animal. "Steve. I mean it. You don't have to beg."

"I get it, Eddie," Steve huffs, not looking at him. Not actually understanding.

Eddie starts to crawl the distance between them. Steve looks up then, probably to see what the fuck Eddie was doing with the shuffling sounds and the chain on his belt clacking. Eddie watches Steve's eyes go wide, mouth dropping open to a small 'o'. "See, the thing is, Steve," Eddie says, pulling himself up to be just on his knees to shuffle the last few inches closer. Steve leans back to keep his eyes on Eddie's face, which opens his lap up. "You said you know, but I don't think you do." Eddie brings his hands to rest on Steve's shoulders and Steve lets him. "You don't have to beg." He uses his hold on Steve's shoulders to balance himself as he swings a leg wide, to straddle Steve, then shifts his weight to repeat the process with his other leg before settling himself into Steve's lap. Steve's hands land on his hips and Eddie isn't sure if it's intentional or a reaction to Eddie plopping himself in his laps but he's going to believe it's the first one. "You've never had to beg with me."

Steve sucks in a sharp breath and then he collapses into Eddie. Steve's hands on his hips slide up and pull him into a hug, as close to Steve's body as he can get, while Steve shoves his head under Eddie's chin, into the junction of his neck and shoulder and breaths him in like it's the last breath Steve will ever take. "We're so stupid."

"Yeah," Eddie agrees, as he lifts one hand to hold the back of Steve's head while the other drops to rub soothingly at his back. "Yeah, we are."

They sit in the dirt, the closest they've been since that summer between '81 and '82. They should probably talk about. They're going to have to, if they want this to work. Full sentences with no hidden meanings, even though the thought of that kind of vulnerability makes Eddie skittish. It's going to be difficult, but it'll be worth it. Steve has always been worth it.

Eddie wants to say 'I love you', just to get it out, in the open, and not just implied, but there's a different first step to take. One that's actually a little easier. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Me too," Steve whispers, "I'm sorry. I should have-"

"Shut up," Eddie cuts him off, voice quiet and soft as he can be. "This is, and I cannot stress it enough, a we situation."

The huff of laughter on his skin from Steve feels like the start of something. A new beginning, a start over. A re-do.

A goddamn miracle.

Later, they'll drag themselves apart and up. Make it to the back of Eddie's van in the school parking lot to talk. Going to either's house feel too much, too soon. Their big fight happened at Eddie's home, and Steve's house isn't warm enough for the kind of comfort they want to share.

They'll have a talk. Filled with long pauses, stumbling over words and fears and insecurities because this is the hard part of a relationship. Getting it all out in the open so they can learn if they'll even work. The fear that they aren't going to be compatible anymore looms but doesn't deter. They both want a second chance, to give it a real shot, by the end of that first talk. But taking it slow.

They'll discuss what went wrong the first time (diving in without talking about anything certainly played a big part) and how to avoid that.

But that's later. Right now, Eddie just holds Steve, and Steve holds him back, and it certainly feels like the beginning of something good.

-

@i-less-than-three-you @nburkhardt @afewproblems

[pomefioredove]

Hi !! I love your writing! I think you've nailed the twst characters personalities really nicely <33

So if possible, I'd like to have some hcs Sebek, Ruggie, Jack, Jamil and Deuce would realize that they have a crush on the reader (in which the reader is basically their closest friend atp) and how'd they'd react to it. Would they be the type to shove it back down or get it over with? Something else entirely, maybe??

Hope this isn't too much. Thank you in advance! Take all the time you need!

hii first off thank you so much!! <3 and ofc ofc I LOVE pining (and friends to lovers?!)

pomefiore part

summary: how they would have a crush on you type of post: headcanons characters: deuce, jack, ruggie, jamil, sebek additional info: romantic, reader isn't specified to be yuu except in sebek's part because I found it funny, reader is gender neutral, deuce is a cutie patootie

𝐃𝐞𝐮���𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐞

oh, he is in utter turmoil about this

on one hand: he really, really likes you

you're such a wonderful person

the kind of partner he'd be proud to introduce to his mom

on the other hand...

he really, really doesn't want to mess this up

you already have such a great thing going on as friends!

if he ruined that, he would literally never forgive himself

and Ace would make fun of him for it until the very end of time itself

so, of course he just sits on these feelings. maybe if he focuses on something else, they'll go away?

spoiler alert: they do not

they definitely do not

if anything, trying to ignore them just makes it worse for him; suddenly he's becoming an entirely different person around you

it's like a switch is flipped the second you're in the room

he becomes clumsy, easily flustered, can barely string a sentence together

Ace gives him hell about it, of course

and when there's no hope of hiding it any longer, he just confesses

(not that it wasn't obvious already... but for his sake, you'll have to pretend like it's shocking news)

𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐥

he's actually... pretty upfront about it?

once he's got his feelings on the matter sorted, anyway

...which takes him a few weeks

when he first recognizes his crush on you, he pours himself into his training

not as a distraction, really; he just finds it easier to think when he's working out

he really does want to think this one through

much like Deuce, Jack understands that he'd put the friendship at risk if he were to confess

unlike Deuce, however, he's somewhat aware that ignoring and hiding is a coward's way out, and will only push you away

so, once he's very sure about his feelings, he confesses

it's not exactly like a confession, though

more of a... lecture?

just informs you that he's developed feelings, doesn't want them to affect the friendship, and leaves the decision up to you

won't freak if you don't reciprocate, but... he might be a little bummed out

okay... more than a little

𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐡𝐢

first thought: he doesn't have time for this

Ruggie has a job, school, and a whole neighborhood to feed back home

now a partner? no, that's completely out of the question

besides, it's not like you'd ever reciprocate. who'd wanna spend every date eating dandelion salad?

no one, that's who

of course he doesn't bother asking, but he assumes that goes without saying

but he's busy enough to put those feelings on the back burner and deal with them some other day

...if only he wasn't so distracted by thoughts of you, that plan might have worked!

by his third slip-up, Leona's had enough and demands he's gotta sort out whatever's bothering him if he ever wants to show his face there again

(he might've been in a bad mood)

but, unfortunately, Ruggie knows he's right

it's better to be rejected now than to spend the rest of his school days mulling over it

so, he just spills the beans, as plain and simple as possible

tries to walk away as soon as he's done so he doesn't have to see the look on your face

you can imagine his surprise when you pull him back

𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫

actually has a pretty similar reaction to Ruggie

Jamil can't possibly fathom having a partner in a world where he doesn't even have his own freedom

in a sense, he just doesn't want to drag you into his life

in another, more important sense, he would be devastated if you rejected him

so he just... ignores it

of course, Jamil knows that pretending the feelings aren't there won't do much, but he doesn't really have a lot of options

he's not one to talk through his feelings, after all

not that anyone asks...

and his ability to interact with you as if nothing is different is astonishing

even if it feels like he's melting inside

though, you may catch him smiling more at you these days

he just can't help himself

when he's got his other stuff sorted, you'll be next on the agenda

𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐤 𝐙𝐢𝐠𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭

you claim to have no magic, and yet you bewitch him into caring about you just as much as his liege?!

well... maybe not as much...

but close! very close!

even admitting that to himself feels like high treason

nonetheless, you have to be something very special to distract him from what he calls his "true purpose in life"

he sees you and feels... ill?

he's light-headed, he's dizzy, his stomach feels funny...

and he's been thinking about you more so than usual

yes, you're friends... he'll even admit he's grown quite fond of you in comparison to the other people you call "friends"

but this is... unusual

surely, you've placed some kind of curse on him!

Silver is the first to hear about it

poor boy is too tired to deal, and so he passes on the problem to Lilia

who just chuckles and makes a lot of odd references and metaphors that no one of this century would understand

no, Sebek has to come to the conclusion that he likes you all on his own

(like-likes you)

and after some pestering from Lilia, he admits that perhaps you and he could protect Malleus... together!

(he's going to have to work on the wording of that confession)

[avantroodles]

Bitsy's Bane

Inspired by that one scene where Bitsy just kept twirling that pasta in the background. I even thought about its strange little stats for fun.

Heavy, two-handed weapon that deals 2d6 bludgeoning damage and has 3 pasta charges. Upon a succesful hit, the wielder can decide whether or not to activate a skill using 1 pasta charge where the target must roll a dex saving throw. If the target fails, it gets restrained by pasta, if the target succeeds, the pasta charge gets consumed anyway but nothing happens. Alternatively, the wielder can consume 1 pasta charge to heal 2d4.

When you run out of pasta charges (which is a sentence I never thought I'd type), only the oversized fork is left which can be wielded like a spear. It's technically faster but only deals 1d8 piercing and, for some reason, deals twice as much damage to sea creatures.

To recharge Bitsy's bane, you just need to get some pasta and twirl it on :)

[loves4ge]

office hours

nanami kento x gn!reader

workplace romance

you had to give it to him, the man was dedicated. you don't think you've ever seen nanami kento not working. it was actually kind of disconcerting. made you want to almost invite him for happy hour. almost. you looked at your little office desk succulent, the small mug of markers and pencils, and a tiny picture of you and your little cat.

you thought it was quite plain, but compared to nanami's near-empty desk, it might as well be festive.

"did you send over the email yet?" that was nanami. he asked you politely, in a measured voice that was distant without being rude. you turn to face him, god, he looked good in that tie. your mind processed his question slowly, as you just stared at him.

"um, sorry- the email? what e- oh! yeah, i sent it. sorry, i'm feeling a bit scatterbrained, i suppose." you wanted to crawl into a hole and die. nanami would not be invited to your funeral. you'd die a second time if that happened.

"alright then." and that was it. the quota of your talking time with nanami today was up and you'd have to survive on that sentence to fuel your crush on him. the gravelly tone in which he said alright, you could almost imagine how he'd sound like when he would say sweetheart.

god, you sounded psychotic.

"i'm not a psycho. i'm not a psycho," you repeated in whispers, typing your keyboard with aggressive strokes.

the clock struck 12, and people started filing out of the office for lunch. you texted a friend to see if she could join you for lunch but fate likes to kick you at the worst times possible; she was going to lunch with her coworkers.

your coworkers were nice, but you'd rather not spend a minute more with them unless at gunpoint. even then, you'd probably weigh the pros and cons. you'd love to have lunch with nanami, but after he turned your first two invites down, you never really built up the courage to ask again.

you stood up, making sure you had your wallet on you. you glanced at nanami; he was still seated. pursing your lips, your fingers curled into a fist out of hesitation.

"no plans for lunch today, huh?" you asked, an awkward smile painted onto your face. lord have mercy, your nerves were so visible, it was painful.

"i do." you immediately thought of another place where he could say that phrase, with you standing opposite him—you were psychotic.

"oh, well. guess you can't keep me company today, haha." you wanted to close your eyes out of sheer embarrassment. who says haha?

"that's not true. i could, if you wanted me to." your eyes shot towards him. suddenly, your mouth was dry.

"uh, well. so you'd like to have lunch with me?"

"yes, i'd love to." oh my god, he said love.

"you're sure?" he cracked a slight smile at that, and you were sure your heart was going to burst. in fact, there was 20% chance you were already dead and this was your reward for suffering through a lifetime of humiliations. you weren't sure if this was an appropriate time to pinch your arm to check.

"yes, i'm sure. you have any place in mind?"

nanami kento was going to kill gojo satoru for being the inconvenient piece of shit to ever live. not only did he have the most unserious "emergencies", he also had them at the worst possible times.

first, it was when his beautiful coworker, the one with a blue-potted succulent, invited him for lunch. nanami had noticed them when it was their first day at work, their desks being so close to each other and all. and who wouldn't notice them? nanami certainly had.

the second time nanami had to help with an emergency, it was when you invited him to dinner. this was three weeks after the first invite, so it was obvious that you had worked yourself to ask him. god, it killed him to turn you down.

"no plans for lunch today, huh?" he turned from his desk to look at you. this was a month after the dinner invite. he didn't have any plans for lunch today. he was behind on work, actually. he needed this lunch hour to catch up on things. besides, he had a big breakfast. he could always get something quick to eat at his desk from a convenience store.

"i do."

he was going to kill gojo satoru, right after he took you out for lunch.

[valiantstarlights]

Which Hob Gadling Are You? Quiz

Instructions: Get a pen and paper (or open your notes app) to keep track of your answers and scores. Select one response and add +1 to your tally. At the end, the letter with the most number of tally marks is your result. There are 8 possible results, as there are 8 versions of Hob. Enjoy! 😊✨

--

1.) How well do you flirt?

Not sure. There's no one to flirt with. (A)

Fucking terrible. (G)

Not trying, not interested. (E)

Somewhat of a disaster, but I'd like to think there's hope for me. (B)

Not sure. I think I'm decent at it, but... (C)

I'm often not sure if I'm being flirted with, but if the person is my type, then I'll do my best to flirt back! (H)

I know what I'm doing, and hopefully it's my date tonight. ;) (F)

Honestly? I'm at a point in my life where I don't care if I'm good at flirting or not. (D)

2.) How much do you wanna fuck/get fucked by your date?

0% - Not right now. I have other priorities. (E)

25% - I'm not actively thinking about it, but if they're interested, then I'm game. (B and D)

50% - Why not? My date is super hot and I'm very interested in them. But if they're not in the mood, then that's fine, too. (H and C)

75% - Look, I'm making an Effort here. It would be nice if my date could show some interest. (G and A)

100% - OH HECK YEAH (F)

3.) Finish the sentence: "How..."

did you know that I'd still be here? (B)

long should I wait? (A)

did you know my name? (H)

wonderful to see you again. (D)

the hell did I fuck that up? (C)

rude! (G)

do you want me? ;) (F)

much longer until my order gets here? (E)

4.) Pick one word from the list:

Life (E)

Patience (A)

Change (F)

Courage (H)

Wonder (B)

Contentment (D)

Friendship (C)

Prosperity (G)

5.) Do you hate Shakespeare?

Ugh. Do we have to talk about him? I have more important things to worry about. (E)

I'm so glad you asked. Here, make yourself comfortable. I have a 6 hour presentation on why he sucks. (D)

I'd rather read a phonebook. (A)

I don't know who that is. (B)

(sighs) If I say no, will you leave me alone? (C)

THAT FUCKING BASTARD (G)

I watched one of his plays. Still think he's overrated, though. (F)

What's a shake spear? Is that a weapon or something? (H)

6.) How likely are you to say stupid shit?

Everything I say is stupid shit. (G)

Only when I'm drunk. (H)

I have no filter, so... (B)

I'd like to think I have learned not to be so careless. (E)

Fuck! I thought I had it! Apparently not. Gods motherfuck I'm never speaking again. (C)

I'm trying, okay? I really am. (F)

I said stupid shit once and I regret it until now. (A)

Very likely. Just wait and see. Any second now. (D)

--

YES OR NO QUESTIONS: If your answer is yes, +1 to the letter indicated.

7.) Do you believe in love at first sight? (H)

8.) Do you get excited over things/topics that others consider boring? (B)

9.) Are you content with the life you have right now? (G)

10.) Do you still feel hopeful, despite the horrors? (E)

11.) Are you always DTF (Down To Fight)? (F)

12.) Have you ever fallen in love with a friend? (C)

13.) Would you wait/Have you waited for hours for your friend/s to arrive? (A)

14.) Are you willing to wait however long it takes for the love of your life to appear in your life? (D)

--

15.) BONUS: Which is your favorite Hob?

1389 (H)

1489 (B)

1589 (G)

1689 (E)

1789 (F)

1889 (C)

1989 (A)

2022 (D)

--

RESULTS:

Mostly A's = 1989 Hob

Mostly B's = 1489 Hob

Mostly C's = 1889 Hob

Mostly D's = 2022 Hob

Mostly E's = 1689 Hob

Mostly F's = 1789 Hob

Mostly G's = 1589 Hob

Mostly H's = 1389 Hob

[southtopaz]

PSYCHO KILLER - SCREAM

Summary: in which Iris Morris has to navigate her personal relationships while surviving a psycho.

Warnings: Fem!reader, angst, mention of violence, swearing, Tara Carpenter x Fem reader, multiple parts, slow burn

Word count: +4,5k

A/n: the next 3 chapters won’t follow Scream 6 plot as I wanted to add more storyline to the characters outside of the movies. If you want to read just Scream 6 plot, skip to Part 12. English is not my first language, so I apologize for any grammatical mistake.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12

Iris wiped down the counter of the bustling coffee shop she worked at, her focus shifting to the door as it swung open. Tara walked in, beaming, and Iris's face lit up with surprise. "What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, stepping around the register.

"I finished earlier today so I thought I'd come visit you! How's your day been?" Tara leaned on the counter, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Extremely busy, talked to way too many people today, my social battery is over". Iris replied, rolling her eyes tiredly. "And don't even get me started on the Karens and the grumpy customers".

Tara laughed a little bit at her distress as she rubbed her shoulder in comfort. "But tell me, What about you?"

"Same old, we learned some things about movie making and then we watched a short film, it was a great day". Tara replied. "I was thinking we could check out that new taco place tonight. You in?"

Iris grinned, her excitement bubbling. "Absolutely!. I can't wait to relax" They exchanged ideas, the hum of the café fading as they planned their evening, savoring the joy of just being together.

Iris wiped her hands on her apron, leaning closer to Tara. "You have no idea how much I needed this surprise," she said, brushing her hand softly against Tara's.

Tara smiled, her voice softening. "I just wanted to see you. How about we get some beers with those tacos?"

"That sounds perfect," Iris replied, her heart fluttering at the thought of their evening. "I think you just made my day ten times better".

Just as Tara opened her mouth to respond, Miles, Iris's coworker, chimed in from the other side of the counter. "Hey, Iris, can you stop flirting with your girlfriend and get back to work?"

Both women flushed, exchanging quick glances. "We're just friends!" Iris blurted, her cheeks burning.

"Well can you and your friend stop flirting with each other and get back to work?".

"... We were not....". Iris paused mid-sentence as she noticed Miles turning away to focus on the coffee machine, oblivious to her response. "Okaaaay," she said with a sheepish smile at Tara. "Can you give me just five minutes? I need to help with the line forming." Tara nodded, a playful glint in her eye, and Iris turned back to her work, stealing glances at her friend as she poured drinks and took orders.

Iris busily attended to the steady stream of customers, exchanging smiles and friendly greeting as she prepared drinks. The shop buzzed with energy until the final customer stepped in.

It was a girl around their age, she had blonde wavy hair that framed her heart-shaped face. Her striking green eyes were bright and expressive and she had a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks, while her confident smile reveals a hint of playfulness. She was pretty and she definitely knew it.

"Hello, what can I get for you?".

The girl, with a confident grin, approached the counter. "Hey there, can I get a caramel macchiato?".

"Sure anything else?"

"That depends, do you want to drink something?" She winked, her flirtation unmistakable.

Iris blushed under this girl's gaze, she wasn't used to this type of attention. She chuckled awkwardly, trying to remain professional. "Just the macchiato then". she replied, glancing at Tara, who stood nearby, her expression darkening with each passing second.

The girl jokingly pouted and then she gave her card. "How come I never saw you here... Iris?". She asked as she tried to read her name tag.

"You probably did, you just don't remember".

"I'm pretty sure I would".

Tara crossed her arms, her jaw tightening as she watched the interaction unfold. Iris turned to start making coffee, but the girl walked around the counter to keep talking to her.

"I'm Ashley, nice to meet you," the blonde said, her smile bright.

"Likewise," Iris replied, trying to remain friendly. Tara felt a surge of annoyance—why was Iris being so nice to this girl?

Finally it seemed that Ashley felt someone sending daggers at her way and she turned around, seeing Tara for the first time and she quickly took notice of the girl's face.

"You guys together?" Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before Tara could respond, Iris quickly answered, "She's my best friend."

"Oh cool," Ashley said, smirking at Tara, who scoffed in indignation.

"Here's your coffee," Iris said, trying to shift the focus back.

"Thank you, cutie," Ashley said, and Tara almost gagged in disgust. Who even said that these days?

"Would it be too bold of me to give you my number?" The way the blonde leaned in closer made Tara's stomach churn, and she couldn't help but glare, silently willing Iris to step back and focus on her instead.

"I mean, I... sure?" Iris stammered, caught off guard.

Ashley grabbed a napkin and scribbled her number, quickly handing it to Iris. "Don't feel pressure to call me, but I'd really like it if you did." With a final smile, she turned and left, leaving Iris staring at the napkin in surprise.

As Iris turned to wipe the counter once again, she caught Tara's eye and noticed the mix of irritation and sadness on her face.

"What?" Iris asked, noticing Tara's tense expression.

"Nothing. I can't believe you accepted her number," Tara replied, frustration lacing her voice.

"I didn't want to be mean," Iris defended.

"Well, are you going to call her?" Tara shot back.

"I don't know, maybe? I haven't really thought about dating again, but it might be good for me."

Tara lowered her gaze for a moment before meeting Iris's eyes again. "Yeah, who knows?"

"You okay?" Iris asked, puzzled by Tara's sudden shift in mood.

"Yeah, I'm just getting a headache. I'm gonna head home. See you there." Without waiting for a response, Tara turned and left, leaving Iris staring after her, a mix of concern and confusion swirling in her mind.

A few days later, Iris found herself sitting across from Ashley at a trendy little restaurant. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and clinking glasses, but Iris felt a tightness in her chest. She wasn't sure on going on this date but she figured what's the worse that could happen? She needed to move on somehow and maybe going on dates would help her. When she mentioned her date to Sam and Tara, Sam had looked surprised, cautioning her to be careful, while Tara simply told her to have fun before retreating to her room. The sudden shift in Tara's demeanor left Iris feeling confused and slightly hurt as she didn't understand why Tara was suddenly avoiding her.

As the conversation flowed, Iris attempted to focus on Ashley's stories, but her thoughts drifted back to Tara, a constant, unwelcome distraction. Ashley was charming and confident, her laughter infectious, yet each time she leaned in closer, a flicker of doubt ignited within Iris.

The memories of her last relationship flooded back, betrayals that left scars she hadn't fully healed. And she found herself wondering if she could ever go past that. Everytime they laughed she kept thinking if Ashley was going to pull a knife and stab her in the stomach until she realized how insane she was sounding.

"So, what do you like to do for fun?" Ashley asked, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I, um... I like hanging out with friends," Iris replied, her thoughts drifting to how much she missed Tara's presence. "Especially Tara. She's always up for something fun."

Ashley raised an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance flashing across her face. "Is that the girl from the other day?" At Iris nod of acknowledging, she continued. "Sounds like you really enjoy her company."

Iris bit her lip, realizing she had mentioned Tara too often. "Yeah, she's important to me," she admitted, feeling a pang of guilt.

As the date continued, Iris struggled to engage. She kept imagining Tara's smile, her laughter, and the way she seemed mad at her when she left that night. The connection with Ashley felt forced, and every time she tried to push aside her lingering trust issues, they bubbled back to the surface.

By the time dessert arrived, Iris knew this wasn't working but she continued engaging on the date to not make it worse for the other girl who was clearly trying. When the bill came, Ashley offered to pay but Iris declined as she felt like it was the least she could do, after all, she wasn't really planning on seeing her again.

As they wrapped up the evening, Iris smiled weakly, grateful for Ashley's tries, but deep down, she felt a mix of relief and disappointment.

After their date, Ashley walked Iris home, their footsteps echoing softly against the pavement until they reached her front door.

"This is me," Iris said, managing a weak smile. "Thank you for coming with me."

"It's no problem, really," Ashley replied, stepping closer with a hint of eagerness. "So, I had fun—maybe I can get a kiss?" She leaned in confidently, and in that moment, Iris felt an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. As their lips touched, she felt... nothing. The kiss was light and fleeting, and Iris pulled back almost instinctively, a wave of confusion washing over her.

"I'll see you Ashley". The girl quickly realizing that Iris wasn't going to invite her in, said goodbye and left.

When she stepped into her apartment, the familiar scent hit her, but it did little to lift her spirits. She sighed heavily, letting her purse and jacket tumble onto the sofa, feeling the weight of the world settle on her shoulders. The silence enveloped her as she trudged to her room, her feet dragging across the floor. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she dropped her head into her hands, disappointment curling in her chest.

It wasn't long before the sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness. She looked up to see Sam standing in the doorway, concern etched across her face.

"Hey, so the date didn't go well? Did she suck?" She asked, trying to inject some levity into the moment.

"She was actually really charming and nice," Iris replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then why do you look like that?" Sam pressed, her brow furrowed with worry.

"I just can't," she murmured, frustration lacing her words.

"Can't what? Have fun on a date? Of course you can."

"Do you have fun on dates?" she shot back, her heart racing.

"I don't go on dates at all," she admitted, her tone somber.

"And why is that?" she asked, sensing the familiar heaviness that hovered between them.

"You know why," she said quietly, their shared history hanging in the air like a ghost.

They both sighed, the sound filled with a shared despair. "Then I guess you also know why I didn't have fun today," she confessed, feeling the sting of her own vulnerability. "She was sweet, and maybe if I didn't carry all this baggage, I could have actually liked her. But I spent the whole night fighting with my thoughts, literally thinking about anything and Ashley was the last thing on my mind."

"What else did you think about?" Sam asked, her gaze piercing yet gentle.

"Just stuff. It doesn't matter," she replied, but they both knew it did.

"I understand that. Are you going to start therapy? You study psychology and yet you don't go," she nudged, a note of concern slipping into her voice.

"I know, I have to. I thought I could do it by myself, but clearly, it's not working," she admitted, shame creeping in.

Sam moved beside her, enveloping her in a tight hug, the kind that felt like a lifeline. "Eventually, we are going to be fine," she whispered, the warmth of her words wrapping around her like a security blanket.

"Aren't you afraid you're never going to love someone again?" she asked, the vulnerability creeping back in.

"It's not something I'm thinking about right now," she replied, though her eyes revealed a deeper turmoil. "But you, Iris, you have to understand that nothing that happened was your fault."

"What if that's the only type of love I'm ever going to get? Toxic and manic?" Her voice trembled, the fear clawing at her insides.

"One day, you're going to find someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved, warm and healthy," she reassured her, her sincerity grounding her.

"I hope so," she whispered, the hope feeling like a fragile thread.

"Who knows? Maybe it's someone you already know or someone you haven't met yet," she said, a hint of optimism breaking through.

"I'm just scared, Sam. I'm so angry and terrified that I will never love again," she confessed, the tears threatening to spill.

"Don't think like that okay? That love is going to knock on your door one day, and I hope you don't let it go to waste," she replied, her voice unwavering.

"One day, you're going to find it too, you know?" Iris added softly.

"We will see. Now come here," she said, pulling her into another embrace, a moment of solace amidst the storm.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted their quiet moment. Tara entered, her expression shifting to concern as she assessed the atmosphere.

"Hey, I saw you were here," she said, her eyes flitting between the two. "Are you guys okay?"

Sam stood up to give them space. "Yeah, I'm gonna go to my room. You guys talk," she said, offering a soft smile before slipping outside.

Tara settled next to Iris, who looked at her in surprise. "I thought you didn't want to talk to me," Iris said, her heart racing.

"Why wouldn't I?" Tara murmured, her gaze dropping to the floor, a hint of sadness in her tone.

"I don't know, but I'm glad you're here," Iris said, tentatively reaching for her hand. Their fingers brushed, sending a small spark through her.

"Did you have fun?" Tara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Not really," Iris admitted, the weight of her disappointment still heavy.

"Why not?" Tara probed gently.

"It turns out I'm too traumatized," Iris laughed quietly, the sound tinged with bitterness. "Also, I just didn't like her."

"Well, she certainly did like you a lot," Tara remarked, a small scoff escaping her lips.

Iris chuckled at that, warmth spreading in her chest. "I don't care. I'd rather be here," she said, her fingers intertwining with Tara's. "With you."

She felt Tara's sharp intake of breath and the way her grip tightened. "I'm glad. I'd rather be here with you too," Tara whispered, her eyes searching Iris's.

Tara leaned in closer, their shoulders brushing, the warmth radiating between them. Iris could feel the soft thud of her heart, an echo of hope. They sat in a comfortable silence, fingers still intertwined, the weight of the past lifting just a little in the warmth of their connection.

Two months had slipped by since that failed night and Iris and Tara had gotten closer than ever. Their friendship had deepened, filled with laughter, late-night talks, and moments that made Iris's heart race. Yet every time the atmosphere turned slightly out of the friendship context—when their hands brushed or their eyes lingered a moment too long—something within Iris would clench, and she would pull away, retreating into her protective shell.

When Iris returned home from work, she felt a sense of excitement bubbling inside her. She had planned a night in with Tara and Sam, as it was her turn to pick a movie and she decided to go with a classic one she knew Tara would love and  she also packed a bag of her favorite snacks. The smell of home assaulted her nostrils as she unlocked the door of their shared aparment. 

Iris stepped inside and paused, taking in the sight of Tara sprawled on the sofa, her hair slightly disheveled and a silly smile on her face as she looked up from her phone. "Hey, girl!" Iris beamed, plopping down beside her, the cushions sinking beneath them. "So, I found the perfect movie for today. It's kinda old, don't know if you know it, but I think you'll love it!"

Tara grimaced slightly, her brow furrowing as she cleared her throat. "Mmm, I can't today."

"Why not? You okay? We can do something else..." Iris's heart sank at the prospect of their plans being changed.

"I have a date," Tara announced.

"What?" Iris's voice rose an octave, disbelief washing over her.

"I have a da—" Tara began, but Iris quickly interrupted "Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time."

"Since when do you have dates?" Iris emphasized the word "dates," making exaggerated air quotes with her fingers, disbelief and annoyance flooding her senses.

"Since now," Tara replied, her tone nonchalant as she met Iris's gaze.

"But why?" Iris pressed, a knot in her stomach tightening and she didn't really understand why.

"Well, it's easy, Iris. If you want someone to go on a date with you, you just ask them." Tara fixed her with a serious stare. "So he asked me, and I said yes."

"Now why the fuck would you say yes?" Iris stood abruptly, a surge of frustration fueling her actions.

"Why wouldn't I? Maybe going out with someone would do me good." The words felt like a punch to Iris's gut, echoing the same phrase she had given to Tara when she had gone out with Ashley, which only made her blood boil.

"Well, you can't go," Iris declared, as if she had the final word in the matter.

"What the fuck? Of course I can go!" Tara shot back, rising from the sofa as well, the tension in the room palpable.

"No, you can't! It's dangerous! You don't know who this person is! What if he's some random trying to be Ghostface?" Iris's protective instincts were on high alert, her heart racing.

"Bullshit, you didn't think about any of that when you went out with Ashley!" Tara retorted, her frustration matching Iris's.

"It's different," Iris countered, her voice rising as they stared each other down, the atmosphere crackling with unspoken emotions.

"Why?" Tara demanded, her eyes challenging Iris to say something, the air thick with tension.

"What's his name? Do I know him? What does he look like?" Iris fired off a rapid series of questions, anger overtaking her.

"What's up with all these questions?" Tara stood her ground, a mix of irritation and curiosity on her face.

"I'm just asking, that's all! You're still not answering!" Iris felt her pulse quicken.

"This is insane. It almost sounds like you're jealous," Tara said, her voice low and curious, a smirk forming on her lips at the idea. "but that would be impossible, right?"

"Of course it would be impossible, jealous? Me? I'm not jealous! Don't be ridiculous! I'm only asking because I'm worried about your safety! They could be a total creep for all I know!" Iris's emotions spilled out, raw and vulnerable.

"Eee, what's going on?" Both Sam and Mindy appeared from the kitchen, drawn by the rising tension in the room.

"Tara is going out with a potential killer" Iris declared dramatically.

"Iris, what the fuck?" Tara looked incredulous.

"What?" Sam was now fully alert, glancing back and forth between them.

"No one is a potential killer. His name is Drew, and he's Chad's friend from football," Tara clarified, rolling her eyes.

"And? C'mon, Sam, back me up!" Iris implored, frustation creeping into her voice.

Sam hesitated, torn between agreeing with Iris and her sister's firm stance. She sensed the urgency in Iris's eyes but also the pleading look in Tara's expression. Seeing Iris acting so weird about it was definetely something to talk about, maybe this would be the push the girl needed to finally do something. Plus she had a tracking device on Tara, she will be keeping an eye on her. "Okay, go, but you message me all the time, and I'm keeping the tracker," Sam finally relented.

"You still have that tracker? Jesus, Sam," Tara remarked, half-amused, half-annoyed. Sam simply stared at her, unwavering. "Fine."

Iris felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. "So just like that?" She couldn't hide her shock.

"Just like that," Tara affirmed, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she patted Iris's arm before heading to her room to get ready.

"I can't believe you let her go!" Iris exclaimed, her disbelief bubbling over.

"Well, what did you want me to do? Lock her up in the room?" Sam countered, her brow raised in challenge.

"Yes!" Iris's response came out sharper than intended.

Mindy, who had been watching the entire scene unfold with barely contained laughter, chimed in. "You're so jealous I almost feel sorry for you." she declared, amusement lighting up her face. "But then I remember you are an idiot and I go back to normal".

"For the last time, I'm not jealous!" Iris shot back, her cheeks flushing.

"Saying it ten thousand times doesn't make it true!" Mindy teased, her laughter infectious.

"Fuck off, Mindy, and fuck you too, Sam!" Iris huffed, storming off to her room. "Fucking traitor" She mumbled under her breath. As she slammed the door behind her, she could still hear the sound of their laughter echoing down the hall, only fueling the fire of her annoyance.

Inside her room, Iris paced back and forth, the weight of her emotions crashing over her. She didn't understand what she was feeling but she hated it and she needed it to stop. She tossed her phone onto the bed, staring out the window at the night sky, which seemed to reflect her inner turmoil. The thought of Tara laughing with another person, enjoying a night that could be shared with her, twisted her stomach into knots but she wasn't fucking jealous, she was just worried. Honestly who the hell would name their child Drew?.

Iris lounged on the sofa, the soft fabric cradling her as she flicked through channels mindlessly, the muted glow of the TV casting gentle shadows around the room. She had lost track of time, her thoughts drifting between the day's events and the comforting rhythm of her breathing. Just as she began to feel the weight of solitude, the front door creaked open, and she turned around meeting with Tara who gently waved at her.

Iris's expression went from surprised to concern, it was still too early for her date to be over. "Tara!" Iris jumped up. "You're back already?"

"Yeah, it was... not great," Tara admitted, biting her lip as she approached Iris. "I realized pretty quickly it wasn't what I wanted."

Iris couldn't help but admire Tara as she stepped through the room, the soft glow of the hallway light catching the shimmer of her dress. The deep emerald fabric hugged her curves in all the right places and a delicate silver necklace, adorned with a small, glistening pendant, glinted as she moved, adding a touch of elegance. Tara's hair fell in effortless waves around her shoulders, framing her face beautifully, and Iris felt a swell of admiration, thinking how effortlessly stunning her friend looked, an image that would linger in her mind long after the day ended.

"Oh, that sounds awful. I'm really sorry," Iris said, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words. The tension from earlier still hung in the air, frustration and embarrassment swirling inside her. She had replayed the incident in her mind, and while the anger lingered, it was overshadowed by her embarrassment over her own outburst.

"Na, it's okay. I don't really care," Tara replied, settling onto the couch beside her. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her casual demeanor surprising Iris. "Plus, he wasn't really my type."

Iris couldn't help but chuckle at Tara's attempt at humor. "What's your type then? Muscular guys, blondes?"

Tara paused, her gaze fixed on Iris as if she were analyzing her, weighing her words carefully. "Brunettes with a terrible sense of humor."

"That's oddly specific," Iris laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Is this the moment you tell me you have a crush on Chad?" She pretended to gag dramatically, eliciting a soft smile from Tara, who continued to gaze at her with an intensity that made Iris's heart flutter.

"Oh yeah, the love of my life," Tara teased, and they both burst into laughter. "Maybe we can watch a movie?"

"You're not tired?" Iris asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Not for you," Tara replied, a soft grin spreading across her face. Iris felt a warm blush creep up her cheeks, so she looked away, nodding in agreement. "Give me five minutes so I can get into my pajamas."

A few minutes later, Tara returned, her comfy sweatpants and oversized tee a stark contrast to her earlier outfit. They settled onto the couch, the soft cushions sinking beneath them as Tara reached for the remote, while Iris pulled a cozy blanket over their laps. As Tara scrolled through the options, Iris found her voice again.

"I'm sorry," Iris blurted out, guilt flooding her system. "I shouldn't have freaked out earlier. I just—"

"No, Iris, it's okay," Tara interrupted, stepping closer. "I get it. You care about me. I just... I didn't expect you to be so upset about me going out with someone."

"But I get it, with everything that happened last year, it's not easy to trust people".

Iris was surprised by Tara's understanding and as she nodded in agreement she couldn't help but feel bad as it felt like she was lying. She just didn't know at who, Tara or herself.

"Still, I'm sorry, it won't happen again".

"Okay, I appreciate it". After a few moments of silence, Tara spoke again, glancing up with a smile. "I found this rom com, thought it might be fun."

"I'm in," They exchanged casual remarks about the movie, the tension from earlier fading away, replaced now by a cozy atmosphere.

As the story unfolded on screen, Iris felt Tara shift closer, their thighs brushing against each other. She glanced at the girl who was utterly absorbed in the film, her eyes bright and animated.

She felt Tara move uncomfortably in the couch just as she brought the blanket closer to her.

"You know you're taking all the blanket away from me," Iris said with a playful grin, her voice light with amusement.

Tara looked at her, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I'm cold," she replied, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips, her eyes darting back to the screen.

"Well, come closer then," Iris suggested, her tone inviting.

Iris felt the warmth of Tara's body enveloping her, a soothing presence that made her heart swell. She instinctively draped her arm around Tara, pulling her closer. Tara nestled into her side, letting out a contented sigh that sent a rush of warmth through Iris.

"Is this okay?" Iris asked softly, glancing down at Tara, who was now looking up at her with a smile.

"More than okay," Tara replied, her eyes sparkling.

"You know, if you wanted to cuddle, you could have just asked," Iris said, wiggling her eyebrows. Moments later, she felt a gentle slap on her arm.

"You think you're funny but you're just a little shit"

"Thank you". Iris couldn't help but smile, feeling a wave of affection wash over her.

As the movie progressed, Iris found herself losing track of the plot, completely captivated by the feeling of Tara curled against her. She absentmindedly played with a strand of Tara's hair, twirling it around her fingers, each touch sending tingles down her spine.

Tara shifted slightly, her arm slipping around Iris's waist, pulling her in even closer. The intimacy felt electric, their bodies fitting together like two puzzle pieces. Iris's heart raced as Tara nestled her face into the crook of Iris's neck, breathing in the familiar scent that always calmed her. She found herself lost in thoughts about how Tara had looked for her date, a vision that lingered vividly in her mind. Suddenly, an urge to express her feelings bubbled up within her, and she felt this need to share what she thought.

"You know, I don't really remember the last time I saw you in a dress," Iris said, a teasing smile creeping onto her lips.

"Yeah, it's not really my thing, but I wanted to try something new," Tara replied, laughter spilling from her lips like music, a sound that resonated deep within Iris. "Did I look ridiculous?"

Iris shook her head, her pulse quickening. "I thought you looked beautiful." The words slipped out, filled with sincerity and warmth.

Tara's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, and she locked eyes with Iris, her expression a mix of surprise and delight. "Really?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling, as if she could hardly believe it.

"Yeah, stunning," Iris replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tara didn't say anything else but she reached out , intertwining her fingers with Iris's. As they continued watching the movie, their hands remained clasped, the warmth radiating between them a comforting reminder of their bond.

[marengogo]

Are You Sure?! - #1: A Vampire’s Utopia

Who by Jimin focused playlist 

[Music is a very big part of my life and I’m MOSTLY INCAPABLE of writing without music, so I just thought I'd share what I am listening to while writing this]

–🐺–🐺–🐺–

Hello my JM & JK Loving Gurls, Bois and Enbys! 

How have we all been since Thursday? 😌 Who’s watched both episodes at least 3 times? 🤡 Who’s gonna keep watching the episodes until Thursday? 💜 Who’s been left marvelling, yet again, about how intricately beautiful human beings are 🙋🏾‍♀️…

Oh! Only me?! 👀.

... Well what can I say? If it weren’t for my undying love for movies I would have definitely chosen a job related to psychology. Now whether I would have turned out to be a help or a menace to society, is anyone’s guess, after all, there is no sense, or point, in speculating things that have no way of presently happening due to decisions made in the past. However, do y'all know what we can speculate on? The present based on actions that actually happened in the past.

I’ve admittedly rewatched both episodes of AYS for the fourth time yesterday for research purposes obviously, and what brings me here is that now very infamous moment there are presently ao3 books being written on this particular moment ? The one when my cutie-patootie twin-flame very concisely summarises his and JM’s “solo/chapter 2 relationship”, up to that point (which to be precise, is the period of time between 14 July 2022: Hobi’s Listening Party and 13 July 2023: AYS in USA… exactly 1 year: DAMN!) as per below:

First time I saw this part, the first thing I did was snort and then I immediately thought: DRAMA QUEEN and trust me, I would know. Oh, and let it be clear, I can only attempt to speculate on my twin-flame, especially in cases like this when I strongly feel that my boi has been … misunderstood. If it weren’t clear enough from the title, this is indeed a JK post you know JM-blood thirsting vampire etc etc etc.

Let's start with the fact that I beleive that JM was simply trying to start a simple bit of banter when he said:

And I would sincerely like to apologise to JM cause, indeed, this simple type of banter would have warranted a just as simple type of reply. Something like what JK eventually ended up saying after he allowed his thoughts to come forth and take the stage, but we will address this in a second:

But no.

You see, homeboi over here seems to be the type to hold on to things and will not let go until he’s cleared things, or situations, in the way he has known and/or perceived them to have happened, which tend to happen a lot when you are a very emotional person, who isn’t necessarily as eloquent. The most important thing to understand here, however, is the fact that whatever topic such people decide to discuss is all according to their most sensible account of facts and perceptions. They don't mean to offend or distort truths, they just ... emote for lack of better words. For example, it is a fact that, during that period, JK & JM were both busy, it is apparently also a fact that JK didn’t call, but according to JM it is not a fact that he himself didn’t call. 

Does that make JK a liar? In my opinion, not only can't I know what actually happened, but in fact, that is absolutely not the point of the case at hand. The way I see it, this is simply how JK has perceived this particular absence in his life, during that particular period. In fact, let’s dive even deeper.

Because of those two sentences, you’d I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MANY DO ... think that JM and JK actually never met each other during that particular period of time 14 July 2022 - 13 July 2023. Now, I am sure we all remember him sorta/kinda pining on weverse during the period from 3 February 2023 and 14 March 2023, right?:

But let’s quickly look at a timeline of the 14 July 2022: Hobi’s Listening Party and 13 July 2023: AYS in USA period. Below are dates when they definitely met, with other members, that we are aware of. I’ve also inserted his most relevant weverse pinings, and the period of time they were busy at the same time, just for me to have a time reference:

・14 JULY 2022: J-HOPE’S LISTENING PARTY - OT6 (Yoongi was sick)

・1 SEPTEMBER 2022: JUNGKOOK BIRTHDAY - JM waint with Hobi to celebrate his birthday

・15 OCTOBER 2022 - BUSAN CONCERT - OT7

・12 DECEMBER 2022 - JIN’S ENLISTMENT SEND-OFF - OT7 

・most likely FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 - LIKE CRAZY DANCE PRACTICE - JK went to see JM practice

 3 Feb 2023 - 14 Mar 2023 ——— LIGHT WEVERSE PINING - The above collage period

・25 MARCH 2023 - MEMBERS MEET WITH JIN DURING HIS HOLIDAY - OT7

27 March 2023 ——— HEAVY WEVERSE PINING - JK posting “I miss you”, then watching Suchita and reacting to JM content.

・18 APRIL 2023 - HOBI’S ENLISTMENT SEND-OFF - OT7

April - May ——— both JK & JM are travelling around the world for work and/or pleasure.

・25 JUNE 2023 - D-DAY in SEOUL ‘DAY 2’ - VMINKOOK at Yoongi’s concert 

・13 JULY 2023 - AYS in NYC - JK & JM (and staff) have dinner at ANTOYA 

… If you asked me, it would appear that JK’s issue is actually the fact that they didn’t get a chance to go out alone, just the two of them. Yeah … My twin-flame seems to always have had strong, almost impulsive, reactions when it comes to anything concerning JM, it is actually probably the most vocal he becomes for a non-talkative guy that is.

Can you recall any other member, other than JM, he was ever upset about because he didn’t get to hear their music? Can you think about any other member other than JM, who JK would most likely be spending time rehearsing, eating, doing nothing during band activities? Can you think of any other member other than JM, for whom he’s made a bit more of an effort during birthdays and special dates? Once again ... If you ask me ... JK truly values his time alone with JM, which is why I think his perception felt so fatalistic/dramatic we all know that for example, JM did go to the Golden Listening Party in October ... 

And don’t get me wrong, I definitely don’t believe it to be a one-way affair. Are You Sure?! exist exactly because JM would seem to also appreciate his alone time with JK, be it in front of a camera, in a hotel room, or whreever. After all, they were supposed to only go for one trip, but not only did they magically whip out time to go on two more Jeju and Sapporo, but they are now talking about doing this until they are 50. LOL I’ll be in my 60s but I’ll tune in! . And then, to top it all off … They ended up enlisting together. The way JM wanted to “make a video of their adventures and freedom” before enlistment, you’d think they’d be apart for the following 18 months because of said enlistment 😒.  

It’s actually quite funny if you think about it. Between the two of them JM is most definitely the shiest, but JM is most definitely the better one at expressing himself. Y’all can obviously disagree with me, but from where I stand, my twin-flame is actually smart as hell one day people will finally acknowledge that, but he is not the best with words. I’m sure in JK’s Utopia, the world is a place where people sing to each other in order to communicate, instead of spoken words. Alas, this is not JM-blood thirsting Vampire Utopia, and in the world where we presently live, JK seems to be the type who’s first reaction to stressful situations is finding the funny side of things and when that fails then he needs to do something about it; anything.

Now, as always, everyone is entitled to their opinions, in fact, many have made it very clear that to them JK was feeling “off” in these episodes, but to me, not only he was being his typical weird self, but I also I discovered a few new aspects, for example, when he truly cares about something, his devotion has really no limits. But let me use some images, and some words, to better explain how I perceived JK in these two episodes. Remember how JK once substituted the word Love with Jimin, in a Boy with Luv lyric Jimin nothing stronger? Well I’d like to do the same thing and sub the word Love with JK in the following very famous biblical paragraph and associate specific moments in both episodes to each line:

JK is patient, 

If this is not the testament sequence of a man who’s been waiting to spend time with you, no matter what, then I don’t know what else is.

JK is kind.

He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud.  

He does not dishonor others, he is not self-seeking, 

LOL … one day JK will be able to pull a prank on JM; I believe in you.

He is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs.

I shouldn’t have to say this, but ... there are no “wrongs” done between JM & JK, what they do with each other is joke, have accidents and play around - but gotta say this just in case!

Last but not least, though JK was coughing like there was no tomorrow, wouldn’t you think that JM being vehemently sick, would be grounds for the whole show to be cancelled? In fact, we didn’t even know there was going to be a show, so nobody would have missed anything and at some point they could have used the footage in a bangtan-bomb, or during Festa, or something. … The fact that they were willing to keep going and even show us themselves in such a vulnerable state, the fact that because of it JM was so worried and doubting almost everything, and the fact that JK ultimately wasn’t worried and regretted nothing, kinda reinforced for me just how much they truly wanted to be together on that trip at that time it was basically overdue. 

In conclusion, though my Twin-flame’s strongest suit isn’t communication, and his recollection of events may or may not be as accurate due to emotional perception, his heart is ALWAYS in the right place, sturdy, confident and ready to let JK be the best he can be, at all times. I mean, you don’t have to take my word for anything I've just said but below is JK a mere 10 days after they separated from NYC/Connecticut ... look at him ... giddy AF and hella playful if you ask me and once again … weverse pining.

I guess one alone trip wasn’t enough after all 😉.

Always respectfully yours 🫰🏾💜,

Marengo.

[myusuchaa]

with you in a distorted fairy tale ༻¨*:·.

'dark if ' chapter 2 - elbert greetia

<- Chapter 1

This is a fan translation and may not be 100% accurate. I do not own anything. Cybird reserves the right of ownership for all in-game content.

author's note: Throughout this story, Kate refers to Elbert with feminine pronouns 彼女, and Elbert's title is the Queen 女王. Therefore, in sentences where Elbert is the main subject, sometimes you will see Elbert's pronouns listed as she/her. (i.e, "Elbert removed her hands"). This may be a bit confusing to read through, but I wanted to keep the translation as accurate and close to the original material as possible.

Mirror Alfons: I've come to see the Princes gathered here--... Ah, no well, to see what was going on, but...

Mirror Alfons: My dear Elbert and Miss Kate, why on earth are you two so exhausted?

Mirror Alfons: Not to mention, I don't even see any Princes around.

Kate: Ah, those who came here all posed some type of problem, so we've asked each and every one of them to leave.

Some of them actually went after Queen Elbert, others were after the gold and silver treasures of this castle, and still others were only interested in picking up the maids.

To top it all off, the moment I was alone with a suitor, he tried to attack me.... the list just goes on and on.

Queen Elbert: All the men we called here today have been rejected.

Mirror Alfons: My goodness, what an utter failure. Well, at least Miss Kate seems somewhat alright.

Kate: Whenever there was a problem, Queen Elbert would step in.

Queen Elbert: I didn't think a single one of those men would make you more beautiful.....

Kate: Exactly! Yes, thank you Queen Elbert...

If I thanked him, Elbert would smile at me.

To be honest, I don't remember any of the faces of the men I met today. Elbert's smile was just so dazzling... I was sure I'd never forget it.....

Mirror Alfons: Oh my... you two are staring at each other quite passionately. You two must have become quite close, no?

Mirror Alfons: Why, when I picked you up, you had all your hair standing on their ends, much like a stray cat.

Kate: Well... when you took me in, I mistakenly thought that Queen Elbert was a scary person.

I was wary of Elbert because there was a possibility that he would harm me, just like the true fairy tale story.

Kate: But, after spending more time with her, it became very apparent that Queen Elbert is a nice and kind person.

Kate: How could I not fall in love.... with someone like Elbert?

Queen Elbert: .....thank you, Kate.

Kate: It would be amazing if Elbert was actually a prince...

Since Lady Elbert was a Queen, that would be impossible. And if someone as wonderful as she were to appear before me, I would choose him as my prince with no hesitation.

I mumbled these thoughts to myself....

Queen Elbert: Thank you Kate.... to be admired in such a way, by you.... makes me happy.

Queen Elbert: And... the way you are trying so earnestly to find your prince, makes you seem radiant....

Queen Elbert: I feel like I'm getting closer to finding the most beautiful thing in the world that I desire.

I was once again captivated by a happy Elbert's exquisite smile.

(...aahhh no! I have to find my prince! I don't have any time to be attracted to the Queen!)

I was desperate to calm my pounding heart, which was beating wildly on its own.

Kate: Ahem, well.. In any case, I'll try my best to find my prince again starting tomorrow.

--time skip--

The search for the Prince lasted several days, only to end with fruitless results.

Queen Elbert: Let's take a break from searching for princes today.

While finishing breakfast, Elbert spoke up.

Kate: Yeah, we should... we won't find anyone at all if it keeps up at this rate.

(If this is the turn out so far, then no doubt what is missing from this story is the Prince.)

(To straighten out the story, I think it would be best to find someone to just fill in as the "missing Prince".)

(The Prince huh.....)

I unconsciously looked over at Elbert, who was having breakfast at the opposite side of the table.

(No, noo... She is a Queen!! She can't be a prince!!!!....)

Queen Elbert: ....Kate? You look gloomy.... is something wrong?

Kate: No not at all! It's just troubling, not being able to find the Prince.

(It was such a shame that Elbert couldn't become the Prince... and more so that I can't say that out loud.)

I put on a silly smile to cover up my thoughts.

After studying my face for some time, Elbert softly spoke.

Queen Elbert: Since we are not searching for princes today... I would be delighted if you join me in browsing for new clothes for you. If you'd like...

--after the tailor brings a catalogue--

Kate: Waaaoow!

After breakfast, Elbert showed me to a room filled with dresses and jewelry.

Tailor: Thank you very much for your order this time.

Tailor: We have a ride range of items today, from trendy articles to designs that have been loved for ages.

Tailor: Please let us know if you need help in trying on any of the items.

Kate: Heheh... Lady Elbert, anything here would look good on you!

Queen Elbert: Ah, no, not now... Today, I am choosing your new dress.

Kate: M- mine?!

Queen Elbert: A new dress will surely help you find your prince.

Queen Elbert: Plus, I thought this would be a nice change of pace for you...

(Oh... I think Elbert is trying to cheer me up because I'm feeling down since I can't find a prince.)

(.....what an extremely kinda person...)

Kate: Aah.. thank you so very much, Elbert!!

Kate: Since this is a rare opportunity, I'll take you up on your offer!

My heart is filled with Elbert's consideration for me, and just thinking about it makes me feel better.

Then, after looking at some dresses with Elbert, I decided to buy one that I particularly liked.

Queen Elbert: ....just one dress?

Kate: Yes, and it's plenty! Thank you for everything.

To treat me, Snow White, so very well.... Queen Elbert is certainly different from the Queen of the original story.

(Maybe this... is a direct consequence of the distorted fairy tale?)

As long as I could remain by the kind Elbert's side, maybe I would be alright staying trapped here...

I then shook my head to clear away the selfish thoughts that crossed my mind.

Kate: By the way, why don't you pick out a new dress too, Lady Elbert?

Kate: Or next time, please allow me to find one for you!

Queen Elbert: Oh, no I-......

Elbert lowered her eyes in confusion, but I think she was just being reserved.

I looked around the room at all the dresses lined up. Then-

Kate: Look, what about this one, Elbert? I think this would look great on you.

Tailor: Ah- pardon me for intruding but... Miss.. that clothing is for men..

Tailor: Even though the Queen is indeed the type of person that could look good in anything, this is... a bit...

Kate: Eh?! *looks at the clothing she is holding* A-aaahh yes... you are very right.... please excuse what I said!

(Truly, the outfit I chose is clearly a man's outfit from every angle.....) [1]

[1] Here, signs are showing of Alfons's power weakening and Kate getting confused at what is true/what she is seeing. She is outwardly agreeing that Elbert is a woman, but her instincts sense and feel Elbie to be a man.

(Why exactly did I think this would suit Elbert so well??)

(Even though Elbert is clearly a "woman".)

Queen Elbert: Kate. I appreciate your thoughts, but I like my current clothes, so I don't think... I need anything new....

Kate: Oh is that so..

Queen Elbert: I'm so sorry.. even though you took the time to choose something...

Kate: Oh no! Sorry for being so intrusive...

In the end, Elbert only bought a dress for me, and nothing for herself.

--after dinner--

When returning to my room after eating dinner, Alfons called out to me.

Mirror Alfons: I heard that, apparently, you were trying to buy some men's clothes for Elbert.

Kate: Oh.. at that time, I thought those men's clothes would look good on her.

Kate: ..... That's strange, isn't it? Lady Elbert is a beautiful woman......

Mirror Alfons: Yes, that is strange indeed. "Lady Elbert is a beautiful woman."

As he agreed with my sentiment, Alfons removed his gloves and stroked the back of my neck.

Kate: ....? What.. what was that, suddenly....

Mirror Alfons: You started speaking strangely, so strangely that I thought you had a fever.... alas, your temperature was normal.

Kate: Normally, you don't check the temperature for a fever at the nape of the neck....

Although I was confused by Alfons's behavior, ultimately it was Elbert that occupied all the space in my mind.

Kate: ...Alfons, why is it that Elbert collects beautiful things?

Mirror Alfons: That's an easy question to answer, though, well.. I'm not sure if I should answer it.

Kate: Hmm, as I thought.....

Mirror Alfons: *unsettled* 'As you thought'...?

Kate: When Elbert says she likes collecting beautiful things, she sounds desperate and... painful...

Kate: It didn't seem like she was just collecting things just because she liked to.

It almost felt like she was forcing herself into a corner and exacting punishment by having to find something beautiful.

Kate: So, I'm glad to know there are at least some circumstances as to why it's difficult to say so..

Kate: I will be sure not to ask Elbert herself why she collects them...

Mirror Alfons: And so, you decided to ask me beforehand.

Kate: Yes. I was sure even attempting to bring it up would hurt Elbert's feelings.

Mirror Alfons: .......

Mirror Alfons: ..........maybe you can heal El's wounds.

Kate: ...what?

Mirror Alfons: ..I've changed my mind. Let me show you.. the truth.

Saying that, Alfons handed me a key.

--scene switch--

I went to the location Alfons told me about and used the key to open the door.

(What hides in the basement of this castle...?)

Alfons told me to use the key to get into this room, but nothing more.

(I guess one can tell just by looking at it but... it's freezing cold down here..)

Rubbing my numb hands together, I had walked a few steps into the stone room when I spotted something.

(Is that... a coffin?)

In the center of the room was a gorgeous coffin made of glass.

(In the original story, the one in the glass coffin is supposed to be Snow White.... me...)

I was almost frightened at the scene, but I managed to endure it and take another step, peering into the coffin.

(Who is inside this...?)

The coffin bed was covered in flowers and a woman was lying on top of it.

(An extremely beautiful woman...)

And I was sure she was dead, for she wasn't moving at all.

It was so beautiful that I lost all sense of being scared.

(But why is there a body in Queen Elbert's castle...?)

Queen Elbert: ...Who is there?

Kate: ..!!!

Queen Elbert: Kate...? Why? Why are you here..??

Seeing me standing in front of the coffin, Queen Elbert's face stiffened.

Kate: Th-.. well that's... I-.. Alfons gave me this key, and then I...

Queen Elbert: Al, huh...

Kate: Elbert... who is this woman?

<- Chapter 1 Premium End -> coming soon

page dividers by @/adornedwithlight

[youremyheaven]

Frequently Asked Questions:

I get some version of these pretty much every day so I thought I'd make an FAQ:

What is my dominant planet/How do I find it?

If you knew enough about astrology and your birth chart, you would know which planet influenced you the most. Most people acutely feel a combination of at least 2-3 planetary influences most strongly. In reality, every single planet and nakshatra in our chart influences us but we probably aren't self-aware enough/knowledgeable about astrology enough to see how it impacts us. Each planet correlates to a different area of your life. Since Sun represents the soul/outer self and Moon represents the mind/emotions, its safe to say these 2 placements impact every area of life but when it comes to relationships/creativity/beauty, you channel your Venus whether you're aware of it or not and same goes for all other planets. Whenever you do something of a creative bent, you tap into your Ketu, your education is affected by your Mercury and Jupiter, so on and so forth.

If you're very new to vedic astrology or if you haven't been able to figure out your dominant planets, just let it be!! This is not a puzzle to be solved, there is no way for you or somebody else to mechanically calculate your "dominant" planet. I don't know you, I don't know what you look like, what your personality is like, so there is absolutely no way for me to tell what influence comes through most acutely.

Also, the concept of "dominance" itself is pretty much a made up one (thanks Claire Nakti) so literally, just chill out!!! Read about your placements, and learn more about astrology instead of trying to claim planets. You're influenced by your whole chart, its that simple. That's it.

2. Which website should I use?

You can use astro seek.com or the Cosmic Insights app or the Jagannatha Hora app. On astro seek, you have to adjust to "whole sign" instead of Placidus though. On the others, that's the default setting, I think.

3. Which ayanamsa should I use?

I stick to Lahiri

4. I have xyz nak/planet/house, am I doomed/ugly/forever alone/unlucky?

NO

Astrology helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses, there is no placement that comes as a death sentence of some sort. I feel like most people don't understand that your birth chart is supposed to make you self-aware of your natural inclinations, tendencies, patterns etc so that you can work with them/make necessary changes etc. Your chart is NOT set in stone. Human behaviour is far too complex to be narrowed down to a birth chart. It shows your INCLINATIONS, which means that if you're self aware, you can make necessary adjustments to work on unhealthy habits/tendencies.

Astrology is not "this is who you are, you suck",, it's a tool for self-growth.

If you have difficult placements, you need to pay more attention to them and work on those areas. Why on earth would you just accept that everything is fcked and its game over for you bc of what the stars said??? Sorry to be rude but that's dumb af?? You were not put on this earth to be miserable until the day you die, EVERYBODY has difficult placements, if you remain ignorant of it/avoid it, you will continue to live in ignorance and suffer from the same things you always have and not know why.

Astrology makes it possible for you to understand yourself and evolve.

5. I'm not Hindu, can I still worship Gods/Goddesses/chant mantras?

Every single religion is made up. God never said only brown people from the Indian subcontinent can worship me. But that said, do your research and actually be invested in it. I feel like some people approach this in a Buzzfeed-y "Which Disney Princess Am I?😍" type of way which is 🤦🏻‍♀️but religion isn't something to be sampled, if ykwim?

You don't have to attain Guru levels of religious insight/expertise either. Most practicing Hindus probably know very little about their religion and truth be told, Hinduism is soooo vast, expansive, varied and eclectic that people practice it in thousands of different ways across the country with their own unique rituals/customs, so everybody who practices the religion makes it their own, in some ways?

Build an altar if you can, dedicate a certain time of the day and space of your room/house to just prayer. By making something sacred, we feel its divinity permeate our lives. Rituals are a major part of every religion because acting with intention helps us feel like our lives have meaning.

Always chant after you've showered, sit facing east, look at a picture of your deity or visualise them and chant quietly. Most people use prayer beads but you can also just count them on your fingers. Its often said that when you chant, others should not be able to hear you. If you use prayer beads, keep them covered in a box after use. You've energetically charged them with your chanting and its not good to leave them exposed because they'll pick up on other vibrations from the surroundings. Do not chant after you've just eaten!!

Picking a deity is all about intuition. If you don't feel called to anybody, just chill out and keep studying their mythology. You can always chant 'Om'.

I used to chant Buddhist mantras like 'Om mani padme hum' and 'nam myoho renge kyo' and they're not directed to any deity so if you're worried about that, you can always chant non-deity mantras as well.

The purpose of chanting mantras is to keep your mind calm and still. Even if you repeat a certain affirmation in English several hundred times, it has the same effect.

[yoditopascal]

holy shit.. someone who writes shizuo x reader... i never thought i'd see the day...

aaanyways... may i request something that involves the reader being VERY into shizuo but also kinda scared to approach him given his reputation, but he ends up catching on and realizes he probably has to make the first move...? thank you!!

RIGHT?! Like idk why more people don’t write for him he’s my stankalank 😔

Also SORRY this took so long I couldn’t figure out how to end it to save my life 💀

Trust me

You had known Shizuo since grade school. The two of you being in the same classes all throughout middle and high school. It was natural for you two to gravitate toward each other. 

During high school you two would walk to and from school together, when it rained he always bought an extra umbrella because he just knew you’d forget yours like always, at lunch you’d both sit on the roof or outside in the courtyard and eat together. When Izaya came along you were the one who’d patch up his wounds and when he was upset you were one of the very few people who could calm him down.

To say you had developed a small crush on the man during the time you had gotten to know him had been a huge understatement, but anytime you even thought about confessing, your shyness got the better of you.

“Just tell him already!” Shinra’s slurred hushed voice was immediately silenced by you.

You were both at Russia sushi, celebrating Celty and Shinra’s anniversary week. Shinra had ordered some sake for the table which soon turned into two and then three, Celty cut him off after the fourth. That’s when he started ordering shots.

“I can’t!” You slurred, throwing your head down on the table with bang.

“What do you mean you can’t?” Shinra giggled, as he leaned his whole body across the table to ruffle your head. “it’s not that hard just go up to him and profess your love!”

“Keep it down, I don't want the whole city to know!” You squeaked cheeks impossibly warm and completely flushed from both the alcohol and embarrassment.

“Trust me, the whole city already knows.” He deadpanned. 

‘I don’t get it, you like him right? Why not just ask him out?’ Celty typed out on her phone, tilting her helmet to the side.

“I caaaaan’t it’s too embarrassing Celty!” You whined pressing your cheek back down to the cool table

“Come oooonn! What’s the worst that could happen?” Shinra waved you off.

“You don’t get it! He’s so cool and strong and handsome and strong and just…him!”

‘It’s just Shizuo. He won’t hurt you.’ Celty typed

“I know that. It’s just that as he’s so-so-“ you couldn’t even finish your sentence.

‘I get it, he can be pretty intimidating at times’

It wasn’t that you wasn’t that you were scared of him but what if you pissed him off by confessing to him? Being on your friend’s bad side was the last thing you wanted. 

But then again what if you never confessed? You didn’t want to spend the rest of your life swallowing down your feelings. What if Shizuo found someone else while you were being too chicken shit? The idea of him with someone else made your stomach roll, you couldn’t stand the thought of it!

“…maybe… you guys are right.” You admitted from the table.

“That’s the spirit!” Shinra cheered, pouring you another shot. 

The three of you drank and talked some more and before you knew it Russia Sushi was closing and Simon was ushering you, Shinra and Celty out of the door so he could clean up. 

‘You sure you can get home on your own? You’re pretty wasted.’ Celty typed as she balanced Shinra in one arm and her phone in the other. The pair had opted to walk as Celty didn’t want Shinra falling off her bike.

You waved her off as you started drifting in the direction of your home.

“I’ll be fine, I'm just around the corner.”

So was Shizuo. You thought to yourself,

“See ya around!” Shinra called out to you as he drunkenly waved, stumbling over Celty as he did so.

You waved back as you rounded the corner leaving their line of eyesight, just as you made your way to walk to your apartment you paused for a moment, thinking, before making another turn in the opposite direction. Home could wait, you had something important you had to do first.

When you reached the apartment door you started at it for a solid five minutes before leaning up to knock with a shaky hand. 

“The hell are you doing here?” A sleepy voice asked as the door opened. Shizuo stood before you in boxers and a t-shirt sleepily scratching his stomach as he yawned. 

“I came to see you!” You slurred, it was well past midnight and you were being far too loud for his liking.

“Go home you’re drunk.” He shushed you stepping out of his apartment in his slippers as he went to lead you back towards where you came from.

“But I missed you.” You said this time a little quieter just now aware of how loud you were being.

“I just saw you a few hours ago.” He sighed as he leaned on his door frame, he could tell you weren’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon, thank god he didn’t have work in the morning.

“Hang on I gotta- I came over to tell you something.” You stuttered, starting to lose your confidence.

“What is it?” He said crossing his arms, all this would have been amusing had it not almost been 3 in the morning.

“I-I” you opened and closed your mouth trying but failing to find the right words to use as you started at h intensely.

Shizuo sighed heavily. “Look it’s late why don’t you-“ he started but you interrupted him.

“You’re so pretty Shizuo.” 

He blinked down at you once then twice a pink tinge rising to his cheeks. In all the time he’s known you he’s never heard you be so bold.

“I-is that what you wanted to tell me?” He asked, rubbing the back of his neck, starting to feel a little nervous, it was a foreign feeling to him.

“No but I thought that you should know.” You stumble forward a bit and Shizuo catches you.

“How much have you had to drink?” He asks as he steadies you on your feet, hand lingering on your forearms as if to help balance you.

“Only a little, Shinra had way more!” You tried to play it off, cheeks heating up at Shizuo’s close proximity.

“That shitty four eyed bastard.” He said through gritted teeth, of course Shinra was involved.

“You should smile more y’know? You have a really nice smile.” You smile up at him, cheeks completely flushed as you stared at his face again leaning a little bit closer this time.

“Why don’t you stay here tonight? You’re way too wasted to be out on your own.” Shizuo backed away as he finally let you go, he went to open his apartment door and let you inside.

“I can take care of myself!” You said following his lead “And stop distractin me, I'm trynna to tell you something!” You cried as he closed the door behind you two.

“I’m sure you can.” He chuckled at you as you stomped your foot childishly. 

“And I’m happy to let you.” Shizuo raised a finger and flicked your forehead. “After you sober up.”

You deflate and start to pout. This isn’t what you came here for at all. You better hurry and tell him before you lose your nerve.

“But I lo-!”

“Tell me later. Let’s get you to bed.” He said, leading you by the shoulders to his bedroom.

“You can have my bed for the night, I’ll take the couch.”

“I don’t wanna put you out Shizuo, I can-“

Before you could finish your sentence Shizuo shoved some clothes into your arms and ushered you into the bathroom to go change.

After what seemed like forever you finally reemerged from the bathroom in an old pair of boxers and a t-shirt Shizuo had let you borrow. 

A blush rose to his cheeks at the sight of you in his clothes. Bust he shook his head and brushed the thought aside as he noticed you fidgeting with your hands nervously. 

“Care to tell me why you came to crash here in the first place? Your place isn’t that far from Russia Sushi.” He asked as he led you to the bedroom again. 

“I don’t know! Me and Shinra got really drunk and I was super anxious and just thinking too much.” You began to ramble as you sat on the edge of the bed “ I didn’t want to go home and didn’t really know where to go and just well… I trust you Shizuo.”

You trusted him.

No one had ever told him that before.

“I think I knew you’d take care of me is all.” You said looking down at your feet.

Shizuo didn’t know what to say. Here you were pouring your heart out to him and he was just- what? 

What was he doing? What did he want to do?

Silently he forces you to lay down in bed and tucks you in. 

It didn’t matter what he wanted to do about it right now. All that mattered was that you were vulnerable and you needed him.

As he turns out the light and goes to leave the room you call out to him one last time.

“You’d be such a good boyfriend, you know?” You yawn with closed eyes.

Shizuo choked on the air in his lungs.

“G-get some rest.” He stutters as he carries himself to the living room and plops down on the couch.

For the rest of the night sleep eluded him.

Was that what you came over to tell him? That he was pretty and you trusted him?

What about that whole boyfriend thing?

Shizuo pushed a closed fist to his forehead and closed his eyes, trying to sleep. He had a lot to talk to you about in the morning.

The next morning you felt like absolute dog shit.

“My head….” You whined as you slowly sit up.

The action makes your stomach turn and you find yourself rushing to the bathroom.

“Morning” a voice grumbled from behind you. You wipe your mouth with the back of your hand and stand up from the toilet to be greeted by Shizuo, dressed in his usual bartender attire, shuffling from foot to foot awkwardly in the bathroom doorway.

“I’d ask how you’re feeling but I can tell you probably feel like shit.”

“Worse than shit.” You corrected scooting past him to sit on the bed. Just as you were about to lay back down you realized…. Wait a minute. What was Shizuo doing in your house?

“Sh-Shizuo?” You ask quirking your head to the side

“Yeah?”

“Not that I mind but what are you doing in my apartment?”

“You mean what are you doing in mine? I was wondering the same thing.” He said crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned on the door frame.

Memories of the night before come flooding back to you in an instant.

Oh shit. So it wasn’t all a dream after all.

You damn near fall out of bed as you jump up to your feet.

“Ahhh I’m so sorry Shizuo I don’t know what I was thinking!” You cried.

“It’s fine, better you come here than anywhere else.” He sighed, going to sit on the edge of the bed. He patted a spot next to him for you to sit which you obliged nervously.

“Why’d you drink so much anyways?” He asked curiously

“I don’t know! It was Shinra and Celty’s anniversary and he kinda just talked me into it!”

An awkward silence enveloped you two as he gritted his teeth irately before he broke the silence

“… next time I’m going with you.”

“Huh?”

“Can’t trust that asshat as far as I can throw him.” He grumbled as he closed his eyes and nodded his head set on his resolve.

Your cheeks flushed at Shizuo just casually inviting himself along with you the next time but you nodded your head anyways

“O-ok…thanks Shizuo.” You said shakily 

“About what you wanted to tell me last night…” he started

Your cheeks flushed again.

“I-I have no idea what you're talking about.” You said looking away, liquid courage had long since left your system.

Shizuo saw your expression and your aversion to his hard gaze and instantly knew, no matter how hard he pressed you, you’d probably never tell him the truth.

It was up to him to tell you instead it seemed.

“Listen…” he swallowed hard. “I-I think you're pretty too.”

Your heart stopped beating in your chest. No way was this happening right now.

“Wha-“ you started but was cut off.

“Ahh I’m not really good at this shit.“ he interrupted, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Shizuo?”

It was now or never he thought.

“Uhh,” he hesitates for a second, clearing his throat into his fist.  “did you maybe…wanna go out some time?”

“I- what”

“You don’t have too if you don’t wanna, I just thought-“

“No!” It was your turn to interrupt him. “I-I mean I’d love too Shizuo!”

“You sure?” He asks raising an eyebrow at you, he didn’t want to force you into anything if it made you uncomfortable.

“There’s nothing else I’d want more, trust me.” You finally smile closed eyed up at him.

[angstywaifu]

The Lost Sister - Part 6

Synopsis: Xaden is known as an only child due to his sister who 'died' during the Rebellion. Little do they know she didn't die and has been so close this entire time.

Garrick Tavis x OC A/N: I couldn't resist posting this so close to the other part. I'd say I'm sorry for the slight cliff hanger.... But I'm not. Also I've started writing some of the stuff around threshing, what do you guys think Ophelia's signet should be? What dragon will she have? Also what should we make Garrick's signet? I've seen a few theories on his being pain due to his dragons name, and honestly kinda leaning towards it. As per usual if you want to be on the tag list let me know! And if you guys have any prompts or ideas for small little one off stories/one shots, please pop them in my asks! Would love to give some other ideas a go. Probably leaning more towards our rebellion boys (Xaden, Garrick, Bodhi and Liam), but happy to give some others a go.

The Lost Sister Masterlist | Masterlist

Garrick leans against the wall at the end of the bed, his hazel eyes watching me like a hawk. He hadn’t take his eyes off me since scooping me off the floor. I’m a little disappointed he managed to put a shirt on before bringing me here. I could have used the view while the healer works at cleaning the blood off my face and mending my nose. Every time I flinch or wince as the healer works, I swear I see Garrick’s hand twitch as if wanting to reach out and stop her. The healer walks away to get me some healing balm to take with me to help the last of my nose heal and to help with any bruising that may decide to show up. As she rounds the corner, Garrick pushes off the wall and pulls up a chair next to my bed. He reaches up and tilts my head towards him with his right hand. His eyes assessing my face and the work the healer has done. When he’s satisfied I’ve been healed adequately his eyes meet mine. His hand still lingering on my face.

”You two really did a number on each other.” He says with a chuckle.

”You finally going to tell me what the hell is up with you and Imogen.” I say more aggressively that I intend.

Garrick flinches at my words and his moves his hand from my cheek to his lap as he looks down and starts to fidget with this hands. Some of his dark curls falling in front of his eyes. Definitely not the response he was expecting from me.

“I promise you there is nothing going on-”

”Bullshit.” I spit out cutting him off mid sentence.

He looks up at me shocked and almost scared. Something I can safely say I’ve never seen from Garrick towards me. Granted I don’t think I’ve used that kind of tone towards him before in the entire time I’ve known Garrick, which is pretty much my entire life. He hangs his head and goes back to fidgeting with his hands, the chair creaking under his weight as he moves around. Clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

“For me there’s nothing going on with her. We hooked up a few times, but that was it.” He admits, his shoulders sagging with the confession before looking back up at me with sad eyes that almost plead forgiveness from me. “But I made it clear I wanted nothing serious. But it is becoming clear those hook ups meant more to her than just something casual.”

”You never struck me as the casual hook up type.” I admit to him.

He slowly nods in agreement before looking away again, intently focused on his hands again. “Honestly I’m not. But there are times while you are here where you just need someone. And the person I needed. The person I wanted more than just a casual hook up with.” His eyes flick up to mine, and I swear my heart stops as if I know what’s coming. “Well I kind of thought they were dead till recently.”

His words come out so quietly I barely hear them. But I do. My heart rate starts to pick up as his words sink in and silence falls around us as we just stare into each others eyes. There is no doubt that Garrick meant me. It’s not like anyone else has come back from the dead recently. Garrick who I spent most of my child hood and teenage years crushing over, has just confessed they feel the same way and all I can do is sit here and stare at him like a deer about to get torched by a dragon. And I’m sure my face probably looks similar to that deer right now. His words start to sink in as he stares at me hopefully. His eyes pleading at me to say something. Say anything back to him. But I can’t. All I can do is stare at him in shock, despite wanting to hear this exact confession from him for years.

At that moment the healer comes back with the healing balm, completely oblivious to the tension in the small closed off area. “Here you go lovely, just apply it to any bruising as it appears.” She says sweetly as she hands it to me.

I tear my gaze from Garrick as I stand and take the healing balm from her, before quickly walking out of the room. I hear the chair Garrick was sitting on scrape against the floor. As soon as I’m out the door I take off. I vaguely hear Garrick call my name as I run back to the riders quadrant.

Part 7

Tag List: @riorgail @going-through-shit @fw-gt @bbkissme99

[where-ismydonkey]

DCA PROMPTOBER - DAY 3

GOOGLY EYES

"Sun, we need to have a serious talk." you walked up to him one morning, arms crossed. It was too early for any parents or children, but they'd be arriving soon. So you needed to have your talk with him either now, or never.

Well maybe not never, but later in the day would be such a drag.

The bot was too busy rearranging a nearby tower of blocks to pay attention to you, though. He was sat on the floor, staring intently at the wooden structure as one hand reached out and placed another block on top. His other hand tapped a rhythm against the mat, "Good morning to you too, and I'm surprised you're capable of such a thing."

"Huh, snark before the morning even starts," you noted as you approached him, before settling across the robot on the floor. His rays, fluttering like always, stuck out from behind the tall blocks as you sat cross legged. You smiled and said, "Anymore and I'd say you're deflecting."

Sun was unfazed as he picked up another block, "Humor me for a moment, and let me know what on earth I would be deflecting?"

You squared your shoulders, staring at him like it was obvious, "Uh, I dunno? The fact that Claire informed me you requested for seventeen boxes of googly eyes! Which is obviously not in her already batshit budget for the daycare, so would you like to pay for them or should I?"

He placed the block on top of the current stack, "Well, if you're offering—"

"Finish that sentence and I'm telling the children it's slime day."

"Your threat is ineffective," Sun scoffed and waved you off, "You would also have to clean up afterward."

"Not if I leave, I don't," you stuck your tongue out. He huffed, and you added seriously, "But come on, what the hell?"

"Language!" he chided. And he hesitated for a second until he admitted, "And if you must know, I wanted to order them for arts and crafts."

"Well, no shit."

"Language!" he scolded, exasperated.

"Fine, fine," you sighed, and realized he had shifted to fully face you. Moving over to meet his gaze, without anything in between you two, you rose an eyebrow, "But seventeen boxes?"

"I thought it would be nice for the children and Moon and I. We'd like something to pass the time too," he went on, "And since we typically aren't allowed anything for ourselves, we thought..."

You furrowed your eyebrows as he trailed off. And contemplatively, you frowned. The next words to come out of your mouth would not be good for your bank account.

But they were your coworkers and since you saw them everyday, the two of them being sad wasn't an option. If only for your piece of mind, you would help him and Moon out. Yeah, that made sense.

Totally.

"So, I dunno about seventeen boxes," you began unsurely, "But, uh, maybe I can help with a few?"

Sun went quiet. But it took you longer to realize since he couldn't move his face, and you were waiting for his response. But the perpetual motion of his rays halted, and instead silence took over the playroom. Almost completely, as you two continued to stare at one another.

And it wasn't until you awkwardly coughed, however many minutes later, that you tried to joke, "Hey, anyone in there?"

"Hm?" like lightning, he shot up straight. And his rays spun once more as he sputtered, "Yes, we'd like—That would be nice—Thank you."

Weird, you'd never seen him like that.

"You're welcome." you said, observing his suddenly jittery movements. And he was quick to reach over for another block, intent on continuing the stack. And from where you sat you held back a smile, because what was some money for a few boxes of googly eyes and happiness?

—

WOOO DAY THREE!!! i just started typing and ended up with this, and im pretty happy with it hehe. and alas i work tomorrow but im gonna try my hardest to keep up with this!!!