#which makes me think it'll be Book Three so that means the final big bad thing will be dealt with in Book Four

[average-if-enjoyer]

The Fernweh Saga as a Netflix Series by @lacunafiction

Happy Birthday Returning Visitors! Hard to believe it's been two years since Book One released. I think I got the date right...

I've already done one of these but I had to do one for Fernweh. Template Credits under the cut and rambling musings. Wall of text warning.

Edit: Caught a typo and I figured out how to change the amount watched bar! So now this scene looks like it happens in a more believable time slot.

Who's Watching (1) template belongs to @bitchronan

Overview, Show Preview and Episode Playing (2, 3 and 4) templates belong to @seungnm

First, I'd like to apologise to myself, the author, and to all Jmancers for Jane's profile picture. It just works so well that the real crime would've been to not use it.

The episode summary is from Blair's perspective. I did the same thing for another IF and having the summary be from the perspective of the main character feels much more... intimate.

I'm not completely happy with the image I used for the episode playing template. Fernweh's woodland landscape always gave me the sense of trees so tall and thick hardly any light escapes.

But the scene shown is where the Returning Visitor picks who they're going into the woods with so it feels like it works.

I know the search itself happens in Chapter 5 but I like the idea for a Netflix adaptation it's slotted in with everything that happens in Chapter 4.

Might mean swapping things around but the more I think about it the more it all seems to slot into place.

But that's enough of that.

I'm very excited to see how Book Two turns out and how Blair deals with being unable to escape. Although it does mean she now has more time to spend with Ruby.

Blair's had a crush on her for as long as she can remember. She's the only person Blair's felt any type of attraction towards. I wonder if that'll come up and how Ruby might react to it...

[moonsbypadfoot]

can you make another theo nott headcanons?? <3

I do not have anything specific in mind but make it angsty?? I guess

also I made the text small so it'll fit your blog's aesthetic <3 ❤️‍🩹

obviously I can make another theo headcanon 🪼

Theodore headcanons | pt. 2 🩶

(I think I'm dyslexic, so please excuse any typos)

+ kind of an x y/n?? , second pov, longer than the last one

for the little woman fans!

🩶

theo draws like a pro but then complain of how 'cattivo' (which you haven't figured out what it meant yet) his drawing is, even though it is beautiful?? Like what??

theo tries to speak as if he's in an Shakespeare book and his friends (Draco, and mattheo) would laugh at him at how ridiculous it sounds because they don't understand him plus, his accent makes it more confusing

after his friends laughed at him, he would get all grumpy and sad. that's where you hopped in.

"theo, what's wrong? " You scrunched your face. "Theo? " you said, once more, but the boy didn't even move a muscle.

I forgot to tell you, when he's grumpy, he gives everyone the silent treatment.

but, you're an exception.

"theodore, what happened? " You sighed, looking down at Theo, who's head was on the table.

"nothing is wrong" Theo scoffed.

also, he doesn't want to bother you, that's why he tends to lie sometimes.

"something is wrong, look at you! " You said, softly touching his hair, trying to make him look at you.

"fine" he pauses "something is bothering me" he rolls his eyes.

"well what is it? " you gave a small smile, after finally convincing him to tell you.

"can you teach me english? "

at that second you swear that you could laugh "Theo? What? You're speaking English right now! " You chuckled

bad mistake ; he got more grumppier.

he gave you a nasty 'mhm' and lays his head back on the table.

"hey I was just joking, but, nonetheless, you're already good at English"

"see? you know when to put 'nonrtheless', I don't even know what that means! "

The next day, you took him book shopping (for everyone's sake, everyone knows a grumpy Theo isn't a good Theo), and you paid for him

Instantly his mood was better, and he took you to drink at the three broomsticks.

theo keeps smiling and looking at the totebag you crocheted for his 14th birthday. inside was the books you got him.

(he was most excited for little women)

theo paid for the butterbeers you both drank.

after that, it became your weekly thing to go to the three broomsticks every Sunday.

theo also starts to call you 'amore mio', but whenever another boy calls you 'love' he immediately assumes things.

at valentines day, he was weirdly quiet, until he suddenly came to you

"y/n" Theo said, not looking directly at your eyes. "yes, Theo? "

"that's for you" theo sighs.

you gave him a big smile, and hugged him, though, he didn't look very happy.

It wasn't a secret that Theo has a big crush for you, well, lorenzo kinda spoiled that for you,

(talking with enzo, 4 months before valentines)

"I may know a guy who likes you" Lorenzo said, all giggly. You gasped. "Tell me who it is! "

"No I can't! " Lorenzo laughs.

"I swear I'll kill-" He cuts you off, "okay, okay fine! But you cannot tell him nor anyone that I've told you this"

he paused for a second. "it's Theo!! "

It also wasn't a secret that you like him, Lorenzo also spoiled that for him

(2 days before valentines)

"Theo, I need you to do a favor for me"

"What? " Theo groans, dog-earring his little women book.

"You need to make a move on your girl" Lorenzo said, making Theo scoff the second he hears that. "hey, she likes you! "

"Ridiculous" Theo said, opening his book again.

"I will, and you must hear me. It's no use, Jo, we've got to have it out, and the sooner the better for both of us," he answered, getting flushed and excited all at once. "Say what you like then. I'll listen," said Jo, with a desperate sort of patience. theodore was a young lover, but he was in earnest, and meant to 'have it out', if he died in the attempt, so he plunged into the subject with characteristic impetuousity, saying in a voice that would get choky now and then, in spite of manful efforts to keep it steady... "I've loved you ever since I've known you, Jo, couldn't help it, you've been so good to me. I've tried to show it, but you wouldn't let me. Now I'm going to make you hear, and give me an answer, for I can't go on so any longer."

After he read that, he realized that if he waits anymore longer you and him wouldn't work out just like theodore Laurence and josephine march.

"Maybe you're right, Enzo, maybe I need to make a move" He said, which made enzo confused but, he was happy either way.

well long story short, that was the start of your lovely relationship.

the whole reason you two got together was because of a book and you think it's absolutely beautiful and poetic 🩷🪼

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I pretty much had two obligatory choices for this title for reasons that will become obvious later. For best effect, you can go ahead and pop open this link in a new tab. Wow is this a cool chapter. So let's start where it starts and that's this little giant boy Collon. Who we've seen before. It's cute and he's scooting off to the banquet after checking in with Giant Makino. In spirit. Giant Makino for real would be too much to handle.

What I find most interesting though is how this little segment frames the rest of the chapter. Particularly with Shanks here. It's not just the first of three times we have a character giving a reminder like this. It's how it builds off of the rest of the scene too. Time matters, and we'll get to the really big way it does. But it starts with the barmaid mentioning Dorry & Broggy would stay here drinking for days if they stopped by. That's an interesting concept and one that makes sense based on what we know of the giants. Their lifespan is so much longer it makes everything they do take longer. That's our introduction to them; a century-long duel after all. I want you to think about that with the much more grave warning we'll leave off on. How it builds off of a previous arc where we were in a rush to leave events that didn't have much to do with our main crew and the one before it we spent a rare prolonged stay on. The world is moving fast and we really don't have any point for the Straw Hats to stay on Elbaf. That matters.

But forget all that nerd shit and look at the fun whimsical pirate adventure moment! Instant favorite panel, immediately on par with the other cool ones like the Knock-Up Stream and climbing Wano's waterfall. This is a part of Norse mythology by the way...though probably not the type your cosplay tough guy Viking enthusiasts obsess over. Called Bifrost, the rainbow road from our world to the realm of the gods. For what it's worth, as much as I dig Miss Goldenweek and her Rainbow of Dreams...another interesting parallel since we meet her around the giants too.

I just love it. It's wonderful and fun and cool and makes me so happy to finally see Elbaf. Same with the village. Nothing much to analyze, just want to note that this is something so long awaited as much for me as it is the crew. I've mentioned it before, but reaching Elbaf holds special significance for me given I originally caught up to the manga on Oimo & Kashi. Just a cool, iconic moment that I know is gonna stick with me forever. I even got a little misty eyed. I fuckin' love One Piece y'all.

Okay, so back to the plot. Who's next? Goldberg, Gerd, and Luffy meet up! We also saw Hajrudin on the rainbow and everyone comes together pretty quickly tbh. I thought the stuff with Gerd cooing over Luffy was adorable. Gerd is adorable. Sanji simping over such a sizeable woman was neat too. Also liked them beating up creepy Road.

But this bit with Loki? That's intriguing. Especially when it's framed the same way as Collon's little flashback to Shanks. Though not the same concept as that and what we'll get to...the point is not dwelling too long here right? Well Loki is probably what the threat of doing that hinges on. And this is a potentially bad outcome for Luffy here. Quite dangerous he's keeping the secret and there's apparently some kind of promise. Sure it'll be interesting to see what comes of it.

But this is what we're all really here for. I mean, the rainbow road is great and all but it's just a pretty scene using Norse mythos for inspiration. This though? Ohhh mama is it right up my alley. Do you remember the last time we saw Louis Arnot? He's the author of Brag Men, the book Nami read from to recognize Little Garden. Cool callback. But the content is what matters here. First of all because he's taking the place of our usual narrator. Which is a concept I've been high on since Wano. Because this narration is an in-universe character it opens up questions of reliability. Arnot hasn't steered us wrong before, but it's there.

"Do not linger in this land for long." Why!? That's gotta mean something. It makes me wonder about Shanks taking off as quickly as he did. It makes me think about getting sucked into some Loki plot a lot more. But simply...why? Could it be some time screw thing? That could be bad if you have some kind of Narnia Time aspect when the world's on fire. Or maybe there's some aspect of the geography that's hazardous. Or it's just really easy to run afoul of giant politics.

We'll have to see. But hidden here is something else intriguing. The silhouette. Is that the guy saying "come" a few chapters ago? He's normal sized. I definitely agree with the common theory that he looks oddly reminiscent of the figure we saw drinking with Crocus long ago in a cover page. I also like the idea of Scopper Gaban for who that could be. A former Roger Pirate could be interesting. With Elbaf being the last real foreshadowed island and Luffy being about as high as he can climb before reaching the Pirate King level...probably gonna end up with at least a lead on the final road poneglyph. Or at least finding a poneglyph. They tend to show up with nonhuman races. We'll have to see there too but it all makes sense for a purpose of being here.

[ambreiiigns]

Me again sorry hello, what do you think is gonna happen next if you have any idea? or anything you want to happen? i hope our doubleblack yaoi boys stay thriving

you again omg hiii 🥰🥰 i have. been like. tossing this over in my head all day. very inchresting

so like for sure. i hope at least. we get to see what happens during the 2 hours timeskip and hopefully how it ends. bc i have No Clue at all 0 thoughts 0 ideas abt any of that. but i hope they'll sell me more of akutagawa and atsushi as shin soukoku. like maybe it's just that i have an insane attachment to the originals but i do feel like the show has been a coward abt investing in the kids ? like. i'm not buying it. they don't compare. but the anime will give me three episodes abt 15 dazai & chuuya WHICH I WILL NEVER COMPLAIN ABT IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS but idk like three episodes for them in a season that is so weirdly paced feels like the easy way out in a way ??? like people enjoy those two so you'll give me a lot of those two when you should focus on building the actual main characters to the same level of those two. does this mean anything. i'm under the impression that the manga does a better job w akutagawa and atsushi but alas i will not be reading that so i can only complain. the last time i sort of cared abt akutagawa and atsushi has been back in s2 finale and i would. like more. come on.

but at the same time i also hope they keep focusing on more characters instead of atsushi ANFNSKFKKDG I'M SO SORRY HE'S JUST A BAD MAIN CHARACTER TO ME. I CAN'T MAKE MYSELF CARE ABT HIM me & brother say that bsd peaks when ranpo's the main character and IT'S TRUEEEEEEE LET RANPO TAKE OVER I DON'T EVEN CARE i wanna see more of. anyone else. if we did a 180 and made akutagawa the main character instead i would Not mind at all.

besides all this the like big question and interesting thought abt what happens next is who will be picked by mori to join the port mafia out of the detectives. we know yosano is out of the picture he is not allowed to choose yosano which is So Funny that fukuzawa would only protect her but ?? not his son ranpo ?? not dazai and/or kyouka who have also been under mori's wing ?? it's funny. i'm really interested abt that tho. bc if like mori picks atsushi i kinda hope not it's a bit sort of obvious if the protag gets picked but it could be interesting maybe it'll make him interesting And he gets to soukoku all over the place. And we get fun new interactions like when atsushi and chuuya interact in wan or whatever it's very fun. wan is the silly spin off that i don't super care about except when i do.

but also ranpo ? in a way heart and soul of the detective agency it would be FUNNY if mori was like i wont that. and i KNOW ranpo would be funny in there he's already been working 24/7 with a former criminal enemy Edgar Allan Poe his boyfriend i wanna see what he does in the mafia. does he bring poe w him. would he have beef w chuuya after the s3 book incident. (chuuya's the strongest little guy so remember the cannibalism arc. ranpo locked himself and chuuya in a book to keep chuuya out of business. the book being poe's ability where he can trap you in the books he writes and ranpo's been using poe's ability like it's his own fnsjkfowf) i'm intrigued.

but THEN. what if dazai. that would kill me a little bit. and it'd be interesting. i'm not going to Lie i would Love it if i got double black permanent reunion but ALSO. it Would be. a little excellent if dazai gets pulled back in the mafia and was like... forced to relapse to some extent after trying to flip himself out for oda and then he's forced right back when he started? yk how his bestie oda died and that was the kick dazai needed to get out of the mafia and be a good person. if he goes back would it all be undone. he can either prove he REALLY changed or he's still the same shitty little guy no matter his efforts. would he spiral LMAO. it would slay. but i would also be really sad for him and i don't know if they'd go there

or someone like tanizaki who's a bit irrelevant he's just a little guy it could be an excuse to develop him more ig kenji and kunikida aren't really sparking anything in me and i don't think koyo would allow mori to pick kyouka fjejfjskf man i REALLY HOPE IT'S NOT KYOUKA IT WOULD MAKE ME SO SAD but the possibilities are cool and fun and interesting and i really wanna see That. power move is if mori says he wants fukuzawa and the detective agency is orphanized

and then in general once the 2 hours situation is fixed the only thing that makes sense is follow thru on what the Fans have picked up w the teasing european authors as new characters i think it's our only option. i think we have no other choices and i am ready to see it. they've been talking a lot abt some british girlies and we feel like that might be the next step.

(( in that same vein sort of i hope we Do in fact get stormbringer MOVIE QUESTION MARK !??!?!?! stormbringer being the light novel set when chuuya's 16 in which he finds out more of his insane backstory. there is either rumors or wishful thinking abt stormbringer movy. i would like it as a movy i am TIRED of wasting episodes on flashbacks i want MOVY it feels too long and too much happening to be adapted in episodes AND if it's a movy it can be its own separate thing that the more casual viewer can skip if they so wish. i don't love a movy that's mandatory viewing tbh if i signed up for episodic stuff yk ?? stormbringer is kinda not central to the story you Can do without stormbringer so it'd make sense to be movy. and i find it so fascinating even tho i know so little and maybe i'll read it but it sure would Slay if we got movy there's some bits i really wanna see animated ))

so SO if we get europeans it make sense to make stormbringer there's french people and frankenstein in there yk ????? i'm ready. i wanna see the europeans it'd be fun. and we ran out of other things we got the americans and some russians they need to keep it rolling. i made a joke that they'd introduce italian authors as a second more powerful mafia lead by dante alighieri i can give bsd the copyrights to that

i guess sigma sticks around and maybe he tells us something abt fyodor i'm fucking tired of fyodor the least he can do is tell me his business. and i kinda maybe would like more worldbuilding ? it might be too late in s6 but like. brother said this and i've been thinking. what's up w abilities is there an Origin is there a reason why some people have them and some people don't is there other mythology that is based on abilities like bram and vampires what about the war. there's a cool post explaining why the war works as like a backdrop we don't really get more of and i'm INTO that but maybe something else could come out of it ? do we get to learn more abt other Mysterious Characters. what about the cat man. what even is elise as mori's ability etc. brother also said he'd like to see more 1v1 between characters and see how abilities work w each other ? or other sort of. fusions like shin skk does and i agree ! wanna see how abilities interact. and i am going to Say This i am ready for more chuuya in the main show i am ready for chuuya to be in every episode thank you. i think it's time i think we can handle him now. thank you :)

[liopleurodean]

Season 12, Episode 1: Keep Calm And Carry On

Don't they normally do the Road So Far stuff in the finale? Kinda weird I didn't notice

Also, they named the episode after the Kansas song, and then didn't even use it. Come on, people

She has no clue what's happening?

Yeah, that's fair

She's not gonna believe that

Because he's your son

That's cute

Yeah...

Honey, it's been over three decades

Oh, Dean...

New title card!

Oh boy

Dude don't walk towards it!

Cas!

That's helpful

Awesome

Don't just ditch the guy!

Maybe the John that she knew

Yeah.

Yeah, that doesn't really make sense

With what?

It's a dude with a bullet wound

This is really not good

They're psychopaths

Seriously?

Oh boy

Yeah, I can imagine

Yikes

They're trying to show that she has a heart, and it's not working

Seriously. Psychopaths

Whatever

Don't underestimate him

If you wanted questions, you should've come in peace

It was your own fault

Doesn't look much like helping to me

I don't believe that

Yeah...

Waterboarding is a war crime

Weird

Looks like fun, actually

What, is it getting hotter?

Yup

Not exactly

Here we go

Yeah, no dip

Well, that'll clue him in

Nice

It's been a hot minute since she's hunted

I love the mini fridge among the old books

Spooky

Cas!

Hugs!

Oh yeah, I forgot that everyone thought Dean was dead

We know, Cas

Fantastic

Cameras?

Oh yeah, she died in the 80s. Wild

Awesome

Baby!

You bet she is

This is sweet

Dean.

He did not want to know that

Nope

Yeah

They didn't see you helping

Hi. Let me introduce you to the United States of America, which is TOO BIG TO WARD THE WHOLE COUNTRY. You have an entire organization dedicated to a country that's smaller than 80% of our states! HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO COMPETE???

Well I'm SORRY that the ENTIRE AMERICAN MEN OF LETTERS CHAPTER WAS WIPED OUT. You know, maybe you could've HELPED US OUT A LITTLE??? Hunters are all that's left! They thought the MoL was a myth!!! So sue them if there's not enough people to keep up with a space LARGER THAN EUROPE

Absolutely not.

Hah! There's no such thing

Good luck with that

I doubt you'd last a day

Seriously???

WHY DO YOU THINK THATS A LEGITIMATE OPTION???

They're insane!!!!!

Lucifer is burning through vessels

They are

I think you are

Sure

It'll happen

They had it coming

And Moe!

Dude.

Surprisingly, he's better than the others

Yikes

Ha! That's what you think

Awesome.

LADY. YOU ARE A PSYCHOPATH YOURSELF

That won't work either

Eugh. Yeah, that would look pretty bad

Yeah, I'll bet

But generally not 30 years later

I mean. It's doable, but not fun

Fair

That's so real, actually

Liar

Nice

That's gotta hurt

Creepy

Mm. Maybe

He's a horrible liar

It didn't stick

Taken

You think???

That was unnecessary

I don't think that will work

Oh, dang

I feel like this should be illegal

Whoa!

Definitely should be illegal

Hey!

Aw, come on!!!

Lady, you are in for some fun times

You're gonna regret that

Oh, that's not good

I want to punch her so bad

What is in those things?

Well crap

Come on Sam, you're okay

Nice!

Sam...

She wildly miscalculated

He didn't actually go for the throat, right? It was just a ploy

Yup

I don't know what she was expecting

He was so close

I have seen. So many gifs of that

I don't think so

Yeah.

Oh, Dean...

The family business

He has to believe that

Oh, I can't look

Awesome

This is not a great place to be

[stonewallsposts]

16 personalities questions: 16-18

Going through these in a more in-depth way gave me the idea that when I finish all these questions, I'm going to go back and use these answers to give more thoughtful responses to where I am on the spectrum of each statement. Then I'll plug those into the quiz and see if it gives me a different personality type than the ENFP-A that I originally got. As I mentioned, I was so closely in the middle that I had assumed I could probably take this on four different days and get four different responses. So it'll be interesting to see where I land after taking this much time to delve into where I fit. But given that I'm doing around three per day, it'll take 20 days total to finish it up, plus maybe another couple to settle Where on each statement's spectrum I fall.  

Anyway, on with the responses.  

16. You enjoy participating in group activities 

In general, yes. I call myself an outgoing introvert, meaning that I enjoy group activities, but eventually I have to get away and be by myself in order to recharge my batteries.  

But I do enjoy getting together with groups of people. 

One of my favorites over the years has been our holiday meetings at my brother-in-law's place. His place has become THE place where I can get together with both my sons. While I talk to my younger son regularly on the phone, and visit him a few times a year in Vegas, and I also get together regularly with my older son, about the only place I see them together is when we all meet for the holiday get-togethers at my brother-in-laws.  

But I love big get-togethers with friends and co-workers as well.  

I had mentioned in a previous section that we have a pretty social office atmosphere. When covid hit back in 2020, and everyone was working from home, my boss was not happy. Our IT guy stayed on premises the entire time. I came back after a month, and a few others came back quickly enough too. 

But as the time stretched on, and people stayed working at home, he was definitely missing the interaction. As we've hired on new people, one of the criteria has been finding someone who is willing to come in. I suppose that selection process has brought in people who are more comfortable socially, but for whatever reason, our office environment is filled with people who like the social aspect. So I love whenever we have parties or office lunches. We regularly gather to chat over things. 

I used to do this at church when I was in leadership, but not anymore. Though we still get together after drive-thru prayer for dinner. Or at least we did last year.  

Anyway, yes, I love group activities. 

17. You like books and movies that make you come up with your own interpretation of the ending 

I think I do. I'm trying to think of some movies or shows that have done this. It's not so much my own interpretation of the ending, but I certainly like shows that make me think. 

I was watching a Korean show called One Spring Night a while back. It's a love story between a young single father, whose ex-wife had deserted him, and an independent librarian who falls in love with him. 

The real hitch, in Korean society, is that he is a single father. Apparently that carries some sort of stigma. People figure there must have been something wrong with him to make his wife leave him, or maybe he just has bad 'juju' that caused the misfortune. Then there is a whole stigma about the woman getting involved with him because she would have to raise a child that isn't her own, which again, is apparently a really big deal in Korean society. All this is complicated by the fact that the girl is in a long-term relationship with a guy who checks all the boxes for marriage material, but who she clearly doesn't connect with, and is feeling increasingly distant. 

When she does finally decide to end it, the boyfriend tries to override this by saying it's not just her decision to make. He goes behind her back to get her father's permission. And then the role of parents in their daughter's decision comes up. The perspective of how both guys match up on the list of marriage material comes into play. 

What made me think was that in the show, this is portrayed as societal pressure. But I was recognizing that here, some of these same pressures are being applied by women on themselves. For example the list of qualifications that many women judge potential mates by, is essentially the same as those employed by the Korean parents. Of course self-imposed restrictions are always more acceptable than those placed on you from outside, so there is that, but at any rate, there was a lot that I found interesting in that show. The role of society and the honor/shame culture that makes it so difficult to go against the grain. 

Another movie that made me think was Munich. The story is about the PLO's killing of Israeli athletes at the 72 Munich Olympics and the subsequent retaliations. The Israeli's decide to retaliate with a series of public executions of the responsible palestinians, with the stated goal that "the world will understand that killing Jews will be an expensive proposition." But then the palestinians begin to hunt the Mossad agents as well and exact even more revenge. The entire scenario brings up questions about following orders blindly, the moral questions involved in doing so. And in particular, it made me think of the Jews entering the promised land and needing to execute the people living there. We know from reading the Bible, that the Lord was finished with the people living in the land, and that they had been given ample time to repent, but hadn't. This judgment was on them for their sins. But the individuals that had to go into those cities and hack down man, woman, and child, didn't have that luxury. They didn't know what the history was, they were merely being told to follow this order, and that if they didn't, there would retribution not only on their heads, but on the entire congregation. That's not an easy thing to swallow. 

I remember the charge that the Israelites gave Joshua- We will listen to you, but only be sure that you are following the Lord.  

There have been a lot of developments over the last 100 years with regard to this. The classic Nazi defense at the Nuremburg trials was that they were 'just following orders'. They had no choice.  

This was overruled in that the sheer moral horror of the acts should have been understood as immoral, regardless of the command structure, and they had, as human beings, a moral obligation to not follow those orders. 

So would I, as a believer, follow an order from God to kill another human? There are all kinds of questions that pop up, I know, but these are the questions that the movie confronted.  

Anyway, yes, I do like books and movies that make me think. The specific statement- do I like such that make me "come up with my own interpretation of the ending"…. I'm not sure I can think of a particular book or movie that has made me do that. 

Perhaps some of the Italian movies, which don’t seem to have 'endings' per se. Their modus operandi seems to be to show a slice of life. Things happen and then the end of portraying the events comes, but there doesn't seem to be a resolution. American movies like to tie things up. Italian movies don't. I guess that's more true to life, but it also doesn't feel as satisfying.  

I'm not sure if this is the kind of thing they are talking about with finding my own interpretation. I decide to google this very thing. Some of the movies they listed, that I had seen were Lost in Translation, Total Recall, Gone Girl, Inception, Blade Runner, the Graduate, and the Prestige. I liked all those movies, so I suppose I do.  

18. Your happiness comes more from helping others accomplish things than your own accomplishments 

Interesting statement. I do love helping other people, and the times I'm most satisfied with in my life have been when helping others. We took in a friend from church who was essentially homeless and kept her dog for 5 months, and then she too stayed with us off and on until she got her own place again. Because of that, we ended up having another lady we knew stay with us for 15 months. She was homeless at the time, and without our help, I'm sure she would have been permanently homeless. She is now back on her feet and doing well. Those were difficult days, but at the same time, some of the things I'm proudest of. Any of the people I've prayed for, and spent time helping, those are moments I wouldn’t trade and I've found them the most satisfying in my life.  

So I suppose that my happiness does come more from helping others, but then again, I wouldn’t be in a position to help them had I not accomplished things on my own too. Or at least it seems that way to me. Perhaps the Lord would have blessed me enough to give out, even had I not been working towards my own accomplishments. 

Back around 2005 or so, I had the opportunity to go to work for Cartoon Network. I was doing freelance work for them on the Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends show, and several of the guys that had been at our studio, had moved on to work full time for CN. I was offered the chance, but chose to remain freelance so that I could continue to devote more time to the ministry work I had been doing. Several of the guys have gone on to better careers because of that move. My freelance work eventually dwindled until I had to give it up altogether and move where I am now. 

I don't know if I would have had a better, more fulfilling work career, but I certainly wouldn't have had as many ministry opportunities as I did. So I have made specific decisions in my life because I wanted to serve others more than myself.  

In the last four years, after having been blessed with more financial stability, I've often wondered if I should have quit freelance earlier and gotten a job. Perhaps I would have been making more, and I certainly would have been in a better financial position, but I'm happy now, I was happy then, so I suppose, while we can always second-guess our decisions, I'm not going to. I'm just going to be content in the circumstances I find myself in and let it be. 

And since the statement was particularly directed towards not just helping others in general, but helping others "accomplish things", maybe I should try to address that as well. I do, when I have the chance, like to see others succeed. I'm not jealous of others accomplishments, I don't get envious when other people are given accolades or recognition. I will offer help to just about anyone that asks me... at least if I know them already. I'm not gonna hand out money to solicitations on the street. But if a friend, or co-worker needs a hand, I'm usually up to help as much as I can. 

The answer to the question then is yes, my happiness comes more from helping others. 

[officialaemondtargaryen]

Age Of Consent [part four]

Summary: Dustin’s older sister thinks Eddie Munson could be a bad influence on her younger brother due to their history. Can he change her mind?

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Henderson!Reader

Word Count: 2,514

What you’ll find in this series: big angst, wholesome fluff, sexual content, drug usage, tobacco usage, and a lot of profanity.

A/N: Tags are closed for this one, y'all, I'm sorry. We got a little flashback in this one! I'm sorry but the thought of a little, freshman Eddie just makes me smile. The whole 'first crush' thing gets me every time. Let me know what you guys think! Part 5 is out tomorrow at 12:00 PM EST.

Read Part Three || Read Part Five

"It'll be like he doesn't even exist."

Your brother's words rang through your mind on repeat over the next few days. Truth was, the only thing that you could think about was Eddie fucking Munson.

Sitting in your room by yourself? You're thinking about all of the nights you snuck him in through your window. At work stocking the shelves? You're thinking about when you would spend hours making out in that dimly lit classroom. Watching a movie with your family? Your mind was most definitely replaying the lazy Saturdays spent in Eddie's trailer getting high while The Evil Dead played in the background.

The door to your room was open as you lay on your bed with a book in your hands. You were trying your hardest to keep yourself distracted, but it was a Sunday afternoon, and you were bored out of your mind. To your annoyance, you found yourself reading the same sentence over and over again and threw your book across the room in frustration.

Groaning, you rolled off of the bed and made your way across the room, picking the paper-back up and placing it back on the shelf. Your eyes fluttered down and noticed your freshman yearbook tucked in among the other books; the green and gold lettering along the spine taunted you for a few moments before you fingered it out and carried it back to your bed.

You placed the yearbook in your lap and began thumbing through the pages, searching for the freshman class of 1981. Your index finger glided over dozens of names; Liggins, Martin, Morris. Finally, a dorky, black and white photo caught your eye, smiling up at you from the page. The corners of your lips turned upwards as you smoothed your thumb over his picture.

Eddie's innocent, boyish features- his short hair, reminded you of the day that you had first met. You were both fourteen, almost fifteen- just two acne-ridden teenagers trying to navigate high school. He was already a non-conforming hellion and you were invisible. Somehow, though, Eddie was the only one who was able to see you.

It was April 1981.

The Spring Musical was two weeks away. You had been spending more time than you would like to admit in the costume department, going over each individual detail, and making sure that every little thing was absolute perfection. Being a freshman in high school, and trying to make a name for yourself among the drama kids, you had to make sure to perfect your craft. And since you weren't able to get a part in the actual musical, your craft was costume and set design.

Wasn't your first choice, but you were determined to make the most of it. Which, for you, meant six or so hours after school in a dark classroom, alone, by yourself.

Journey played softly from the small radio sitting on the fold-out table across the room; your dad's tape was on a constant replay. You had your lead protagonist's first outfit sprawled across a desk, a magnifying glass that you had stolen from Mr. Fritz Science class, and a headlamp strapped to your forehead as you looked over the costume carefully; checking each thread, searching for any stains.

"Uh, excuse me?" You heard behind you- the voice making you jump.

"Holy shit!" You gasped, clutching your chest.

The boy laughed; his shaggy head of curly brown hair, not yet quite past his ears, bounced around his face. "I didn't mean to scare you," he replied. "I knocked three times but I guess you didn't hear me."

"I'm working," you replied to the stranger, reaching up to click off your headlamp. "What do you want? What are you even doing here? It's almost 8:00 at night!"

"I'm Eddie," was all he said as he extended a hand out to you, but all you could do was stare at him. This was probably the first conversation you had ever had with a boy that wasn't your little brother. He pulled his hand back with a frown. "I was helping set up equipment for the pep rally tomorrow, for extra credit."

"But what are you doing here, in this room?"

"I've been trying to start this club, for uh- Dungeons and Dragons, it's a game, you probably haven't heard-"

"I know what Dungeons and Dragons is." You replied flatly, a little offended that he assumed you wouldn't.

Eddie's face lit up instantly at your words. "Well, maybe you can join the club! Whenever I can get the approval for it, that is. We need a place to hold the meetings. Someone mentioned that maybe the theater department might let us share this room with the drama club."

You nodded your head in reply and turned back to what you were doing. "You can try asking Mrs. Kemp tomorrow morning, she'll be here."

"Sweet, thanks, uh- you didn't tell me your name."

"Y/N," you answered.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N." Eddie placed an arm over his middle and bowed before turning on his heel and heading back towards the door. He almost tripped over his own feet, causing you to giggle, and turned back around with a goofy smile. "Hope to see you around."

You closed the yearbook, pushing it off of your lap and onto the floor. Tears began to form in your eyes as the memory played in your mind. If only things were still that simple. If only you could go back. Alas, you were not Cher, and you could not turn back time.

"Y/N," you heard from the hallway and looked up to see Dustin standing in your doorway. "Mom said to ask if you can take me to the arcade."

"Can't you ride your bike?" You asked, slightly annoyed.

"It's raining," he whined.

You rolled your eyes so hard it was painful and Dustin knew he had gotten what he wanted. Taking Dustin to the arcade meant that you would have to hang out there while he spent literal hours trying to beat Max's score on Dig-Dug, which he would never be able to do- you even had a bet going with Keith. Usually, you wouldn't bet against your brother, but Maxine Mayfield was a little badass.

"Oh, wait," Dustin said as he followed you out to your car. "I'll be right back, I gotta call E-Lucas!"

"Hurry up, Short-stack!" You called back to him.

Moments later, Dustin came running out of the house, holding his hat to his head. He pulled the door open and threw himself into your passenger seat, his excitement practically seeping through his pores.

"Today's the day," he smiled, bouncing in his seat. "Today is the day that I beat her high score."

"You think so?" You asked, eyes never leaving the road.

"I know so."

"Whatever you say," you taunted. "You want to bet on it?" You glanced over at him to see him nodding his head. "If you don't beat Max's score today you have to do the dishes for a whole month. Starting tomorrow."

"And if I win?" He asked.

"Name your price," you replied.

"There's a concert that I want to go to next Tuesday."

"On a school night?"

"Yep, so if I win, you have to convince mom to let me go and you know she'll only do that if you go with me." He was too smart for his own good.

"Deal," you held out your hand and Dustin shook it firmly. "But only because no one will ever be able to beat Max's score, so I hope you're ready to do the dishes."

The arcade was almost empty. Not that it was surprising. Sundays weren't their busiest days, and that was precisely the reason that Dustin loved going then- he was able to concentrate more. He made a beeline for Dig-Dug and you stopped by the front counter to exchange some dollar bills for quarters, knowing that he would eventually come whining to you, asking for more change.

Your favorite game was pinball. It always had been. It was your dad's favorite, as well. He taught you everything that he knew- though, there really wasn't that much to it; good timing and a few other secret tricks that you would take to your grave. You held the high score and as far as you knew, no one else had even come close.

As you rounded the other games and saw your favorite machine in the back corner, you couldn't help but think of Eddie again. Flashes of the two of you playing that very game; Eddie standing behind you with his arms around your waist, chin on your shoulder as you punched the buttons trying to keep your ball from sinking. You pushed a quarter into the coin slot and pulled back the lever, sending the small, silver ball flying through the shoot. Your fingers tapped mercilessly on the side buttons, doing your best to stay alive, but time and time again your ball sunk- you just couldn't focus.

"You know," a voice came from behind you. It was your time to freeze up; another life lost as your ball dropped right between the two blockers. "I heard the girl that holds the high score is a bit of a legend around here. A real 'Pinball Wizard', you could say."

You couldn't help but smile at his corny reference. He came into view, stepping around the side of the pinball machine and leaning up against its frame. He looked so incredibly good that you couldn't take your eyes off of him, you didn't even care if he noticed the way that your gaze trailed down his neck to his belt buckle. Which he did- the smirk on his perfect lips giving it away.

"What are you doing here, Eddie?"

"I was bored," he shrugged. "Got tired of sitting around."

You caught his eyes and felt your stomach explode into a million butterflies. His eyes were a weakness. They were perfectly brown and when the sun hit them, it reminded you of all the days you spent in the back of his van on the shore of Lover's Lake, watching the reflection of the light on the water's surface. You could drown in them.

Realization hit you that the two of you were just standing there, staring into each other's eyes. You panicked, quickly looking away, and swallowed the rock in your throat.

"I need some fresh air," you muttered and took off towards the back exit of the arcade so that you didn't have to pass by Dustin who was still deep into Dig-Dug and hopefully oblivious to what was happening a few rows of games over.

The early October air was refreshing as you stepped outside and took a deep breath, trying to level your spinning mind. You were once so confident that you were over that fucking boy, but now you weren't so sure. Twice now you had seen him, and both times he had completely unraveled you without so much as batting an eye.

You took a seat at the picnic table, knowing that he wouldn't be far behind you- and you'd be lying if you said that you didn't want him to follow you. Soon enough, after a few minutes, the back door opened and Eddie stepped out, lighting a cigarette the moment his boots hit the concrete. You were envious of the way that he was so effortlessly cool; with his gaudy metal rings, chains, and leather- a cloud of smoke surrounding him as he took slow steps over to where you were seated. Fuck, he was so irritating.

"He's so sure that he's gonna beat that girl's score," Eddie mumbled, his cigarette hanging from his lips as he motioned towards the arcade.

"He won't," you retorted. "We have a bet going that if he loses he has to do dishes for a month, probably could have made it a little worse for him."

"What'd he bet?" Eddie asked, exhaling smoke.

"Some concert that he wants to go to on a school night," you replied. "I think he said it was this Tuesday." Eddie pursed his lips together so as not to laugh and you made a face. "Don't laugh. It's you rubbing off on him, isn't it?"

He held his hands up in defense and you rolled your eyes. A silence fell over the two of you, save for the sound of Eddie taking drags off of his cigarette and the drizzling rain. It wasn't awkward, which was nice, you appreciated that fact. It was just comfortable between the two of you; a familiar feeling that you truly missed.

"D'you know he was my brother when you approached him to be in Hellfire?" You asked softly, mindlessly playing with the sleeves of your sweater.

"How could I?" He asked, fidgeting with one of his rings. "I never had the pleasure of meeting your family because you were ashamed of me." You wanted to roll your eyes and make a comment, but the pain that laced his voice kept you from becoming argumentative. "But no, I didn't know at first. I figured it out though," the smallest smile crept to his lips. "Total nerd, practically a genius, plays D&D, and his last name is Henderson- there was no way he wasn't related to you."

"Trying to flatter me, Munson?" You asked.

"I don't know, is it working?" He countered, fidgeting with his hair.

"Not at all, try harder."

Eddie smiled, his eyes squinting as he studied you; trying desperately to read your mind, figure you out, and decide if this whole charade was pointless or if, by the grace of God, your brother was right. He hated putting himself out there, he was so vulnerable, and it wouldn't take much for you to absolutely destroy him.

"Let me take you out," he offered, taking a step out onto that metaphorical tightrope. You gave him a look. "Come on," he dragged out. "You know deep down in that ice-block that you call a heart that you want to. It'll be good for you, who knows, you might have some fun."

"Funny of you to insinuate that I even have a heart," you toyed, a smile playing on your lips.

"I was being nice."

"I'm not going to go out with you, Munson." You rolled your eyes as you stood up from the table. "Nice try, though."

You saluted him and flung open the door to the arcade. The moment you stepped inside, your eyes immediately saw Dustin playing Donkey Kong instead of Dig-Dug.

"Give up?" You asked feeling accomplished, standing behind him. Your little brother turned and gave you a slick smile and your eyes widened. "You did not."

You rushed over to the Dig-Dug platform, a state of shock washing over you as you saw Dustin's initials at the top of the leaderboard.

"Holy shit, he did it." Glancing over your shoulder, you saw Eddie standing behind you once again.

"Looks like we're going to a concert," you muttered in disbelief.

Tags (closed):

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[presidentbungus]

after the war, engy calls spy. there are emotions involved. 1647 words

ao3

The phone rings.

Spy, standing to put away his book (he won't be needing it for the rest of the night, he supposes), waits for his caller to speak first, which as usual doesn't take long.

"Bonjour." He can practically hear the lopsided smile forming over the other end of the line. "May I ask who I'm speakin' to?"

"You were the one who called me, no?" He snuffs his cigarette out on an ashtray carefully placed on the windowsill and looks out onto the lights of the city. It's almost enough to make him miss seeing the stars, the way they were out in the desert. "Engineer, need I remind you that I specifically stated this line for emergencies?"

"You say that every time you pick up and ya still keep pickin' up…"

"And need I remind you, Engineer, that Paris is six hours ahead of your time, and that you are calling me at two AM."

"Seven," he says softly. "Seven hours. You weren't asleep, huh."

There are few things Spy hates more than the tone he tends to get when he asks those questions. "You could have woken me up."

"Could have."

He knows there's nothing else to say, really. "… I promise I'm managing without your tenacious insistence."

The sigh that comes rattling over the line makes him want to tear out his eyes, maybe. "Sure. Well, uh… how's everything else going? Smooth, I hope?"

"The status of my operations is classified…" Pause just long enough to hear him start to protest… "But yes, my day was alright."

"Just alright?"

"It was good."

"That's good."

Better, now that you called me.

… That sounds like something he'd say. Spy taps his fingers against the windowsill, letting himself lean against it even if his suit probably shouldn't be touching the plaster. "… Mmm-hmm. And I presume it is the same for you?"

"Yeah. Um, Medic finally wrote me back—got some country's various officials on his tail, I guess, so he told me he's coming down here and I guess we're gonna fake his death again."

"What's the current count?"

"Fourth… or fifth time. I think this time we're just gonna drop his coat in a river and call it good."

"Ingenious." (Pause for the 'shut up' rattling over the line). "And you're sure it'll work?"

"Yeah, sure. Some point they have to give up, right?"

Spy snorts. "Giving up is not a particular talent of a good number of international governments."

"Well, I didn't ask for your opinion, so how about that." There's a pause, then: "What about you, you got any word from anyone else?"

"Mmm… Scout's been sending me letters… it would be touching, if I could read them."

"If anyone could break through the impenetrable wall of Scout's handwriting, Spy, it'd be you. What's he saying?"

What to paraphrase? "That I still stink, that he's finding a bittersweet place in his old home as what I imagine to be a horrible uncle to his sibling’s children, that I should be paying three times as much for child support… and that, regrettably, he misses me and thinks that I should return home for the holidays.”

“Aw. You better make the trip.”

“If work permits,” Spy says, which by now Engie probably knows means: I’ll think about it. “What about you, laborer? Grand plans for Christmas?”

“Well…” He chuckles mischievously, which is a bad sign. “Actually, yeah. I’ve been cookin’ something up for a hot second. Don’t ask ‘cause it’s a secret.”

“Alright.”

Three, two, one…

“You piss me right off sometimes.”

“Gracias.”

“I’m gonna, uh… y’know, it hasn’t really worked out before, but I already got RSVP’s from most of everyone…”

“Oh no, don’t tell me.”

“Y’know how I always wanted to do a big ol’ team reunion? Well Scout was already inviting everyone he had an address for, so, like… might as well…”

“He didn’t invite me.”

“He did, he just didn’t say it was a team reunion ‘cause we were worried you’d try and weasel out of it.” He pauses for a second. “For the record, I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”

“Mmm.”

There’s a pause, for a little too long, and then: “Please just come, Spy. It’d mean a lot to Scout.”

“Just Scout?”

… That was more over the line than he usually goes. Whoops.

“I mean… I’d like to see you in person too. For once.”

Still lighthearted, but there’s a bit of bitterness there. Spy feels like he might’ve messed something up. “I see.”

“… Well… okay. Call me back whenever you’re ready to give an actual answer.”

He takes offense to this, but not enough to risk saying anything about it. “I will.”

“You’re just… you just get under my skin sometimes, y’know?”

“Hm?”

“All those little half-answers and… little digs, makin’ it hard to tell what you mean or not, like… is it that hard to just give a yes or no once in a while?”

Spy purses his lips, and apparently doesn’t give an answer fast enough, because Dell continues:

“It’s just… sometimes talking to you is a puzzle. And it used to be a fun puzzle but now it just gets exhausting, and I don’t goddamn know what goes on in your head but it just feels like apathy, or fear, or just period in general dislike—“

“What do you mean?”

“I’m telling you what I mean. Scout wants you to go home and see some people who care about you for the first time in ages and you won’t even answer me when I ask you to tell me if you’ll come or not…”

“You didn’t ask, you just implied a question—“

“And most people would pick up the goddamn question,” he barks. “What, do you need me to ask it explicitly? Look, are you coming or not? Yes or no?”

His chest burns, a little. “… Yes. Fine.”

“Good. Great. That wasn’t hard.”

“Dell, if you don’t enjoy calling me then you shouldn’t feel obligated to call me.”

He knows Dell enjoys calling him for some bizarre reason—and he knows this isn’t the issue, but it squirms out of his mouth anyway, in the way a lot of things do now. He knows there are a lot of things this is about. He can’t quantify anything specifically and he doesn’t want to.

The silence lasts a little too long, and it’s cutting. “You don’t think that’s what this is about, do you?”

Spy keeps his mouth shut.

He sighs. “I’m just… obviously I’d stop calling you if it was a problem, Spy. You know that.”

Of course he knows. He worries about it every night.

“There are some bits I like about you and there are some bits I don’t like. Same as everybody else. Fortunately for you, there are enough bits I like that I keep coming back—“ he laughs—“because I do enjoy talkin’ to you, even if the bits I don’t like are really goddamn infuriating sometimes.”

“…”

“And I’m, just… you’ve… god, how do I phrase it. Look, I know we’ve reached the time of night where you start shutting down, and I don’t need any more in-depth out of you, alright?”

“… Okay.”

He’s silent for a little bit. “Don’t ever imply again that I don’t like you, okay? ‘Cause I do. More than you…” He trails off. “Probably think.”

“Okay. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. And just… I dunno. I think you’re afraid of me sometimes, and I don’t get it, but I guess sometimes I just don’t get things and that’s fine. But if there’s anything you can do to get it through your head that you’re safe with me, however you define it—just—try it, okay?”

Spy rubs his eyes and his hands come away wet. “I… don’t… know.”

“I know. It’s fine.”

“… Okay.”

“A little bit of vulnerability once in a while ain’t gonna kill you, okay?”

“I know.”

“Do you want me to let you go now?”

He’s sobbing, now. Dell can probably hear it over the phone. “I think so.”

“Okay, Spy. If you need anything else you know where to find me.” He pauses. “Look forward to seeing you there. See if Scout left a date in the letters, and if he didn’t let me know so I can tell you when to be down there. All good?”

Spy hangs up, and stumbles over to his bed, and collapses, cringing when he feels his suit-collar wet with tears against his neck.

Damn it all to hell. Part of him just wants to get his number changed, move addresses, disappear into the ether (which is what he’s good at, anyway)—but the other part, stubborn and treacherous—the part Dell put there—tells him that he couldn’t do that to what are, regrettably, the only people who really care for him. Who care for him for stupid, dangerous, inexplicable reasons, but who care for him all the same, and who he unfortunately cares for as well.

In the end, he knows the conclusion he’s going to reach about Dell before he even starts analyzing the conversation line-by-line like he usually tends to do; it’s the same conclusion he reaches every single time, that he feels more for Dell than he should and it’s probably the same the other way around. He just desperately, desperately wishes he were brave enough to act on it, and he dreads the day that one of them finally does.

He’s still crying like a toddler when he tumbles into uneasy darkness, too exhausted to dream, and when he wakes up five hours later in a puddle of drool he knows something’s changed, and he just hopes it’s for the better, whatever that means.

Dell will call him again tonight. He won’t be ready, but it’ll be fine, because it’s Dell. He will not ponder the implications of this statement.

[cheelduh]

How to strike your way into someone’s heart (Highschool AU)

Part 2 to this. Can be read alone!

Pairing: Childe x fem!reader

Warnings: A lot of swearing I mean what do you expect they’re all teenagers. Lots of brick slapping. Childe clowns Scaramouche. OH YES this isn’t edited at all lmfao have fun.

Synopsis: It’s your big date with Childe after you lost the bet miserably. You decide to pay the occult club a visit in hopes of finding something that can...ease your concerns. Childe on the other hand has Signora give him a friendly piece of advice, believe it or not. 

Note: SRY THIS TOOK ME LIKE A MONTH

For as long as you can remember, you've never believed in ghosts, demons, or souls that lose their way in the endless void, forced to roam the earth in repentance.

Believing in the unknown takes creativity, adventure, maybe even a little sense of fear. Scratch that—a shitton of fear, because humans love to weave in their insecurities and inability to explain something into something of a phenomenon.

Bad luck lies in this category. Bad luck is simply a way to justify the catastrophe that one cannot admit they have fabricated themselves. Everyone wants a reason as to why shit hits the fan, and it can be anything but their own fault.

Bad luck is nothing but a load of bull to you. That's totally why you're standing outside the calculus classroom during lunch break, which happens to be the official meet spot for the occult club.

You raise a fist to knock, but then falter, thinking over your options once again. Is this what it has come to? Putting your faith into the weird kids that once tried to summon Schrödinger's cat for the physics final.

Fischl kicks the door wide open, a smirk playing at her lips once she spots you. "One cannot refrain from the song of your cogitation. The feline for which thou dwell on—"

A squeak leaves your throat and you flinch back, cutting her off. "You can read my mind?"

"Fischl," An icy eyed boy shows up from behind her and points a thumb back. "Mona needs your help."

Fischl squints at you for a brief moment, and then spins onto her heel to go back into the room.

The blue haired lower class man, Chongyun you guess, narrows his eyes at you. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Finally you manage to speak, palms all sweaty. "Yeah uh, I need your help. You know, with occulty things." You use your hands to articulate your thoughts, but ultimately give up.

You're not sure if it's pity towards your pathetic explanation or simply annoyance, but Chongyun widens the opening. He silently gestures for you to follow.

Stumbling on your feet and putting on your big girl pants, you hurry inside of the room, hoping you aren't seen by Beidou. She wouldn't let you hear the end of this.

The temperature instantly drops, and you have to adjust your sight to navigate. There's heavy incense in the air as well as a a few lighted candles from the dollar store, you guess.

Sitting smack dab in the middle of all the demonic markings is Mona, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Chongyun has made his way next to her, crossing his arms with a sigh, and Fischl is busy cooing at her bird.

"Well well well..." Mona's amused, eyes almost twinkling as she gets up from the poor desk that had to suffer the wrath of her ass. "If it isn't Y/N."

Mona is a glorified dick wiper in your books. One time, she partnered up with you in chemistry last year and refused to do any work because apparently her "star sign" said she was incompatible with science. You haven't forgiven her since.

"I need your help." You barely manage to choke out the words, reigning yourself in by clenching your fists instead. It'll be unethical to claw her face, especially since you're the one who's come to her.

"Oh?" She smiles wickedly, revelling in every moment of this no doubt. "Why would the high and mighty Y/N need help from the 'Whoroscope whore'?"

Fischl nearly slips out a laugh, trying with her upmost ability to refrain from rolling all over the floor.

You blink away your tears of almost-laughter, casually sliding in twenty mora across the table dividing you two. If she's a whoroscope whore like you say she is, she'll definitely put it in her bra.

Mona raises a brow, but her eyes linger on the bill for a second too much. "What makes you think I'll do it for money?"

"That's simple," You say, rolling your eyes. "When you see mora, you cling to it like a baby clings to a tit. Now just take it and solve my issues."

She fumes a litany of curses but snatches the money up anyways.

"What do you want?"

You breathe in, then out. "I need a talisman."

Mona raises a brow, hand on her hip. "I'm sorry. Did I get that right?"

How dare she. You will your eye into not twitching, the beginnings of fire thrumming through your veins, scalding hot. How dare she make me repeat myself.

"You know, the thing to fend off evil spirits," Your statement hangs heavy in the air as the cogs in their brains click into place. "I need one that can remove the most evilest thing times ten to the power of twenty five on this planet."

Everyone immediately thinks of Hu Tao.

Chongyun is the first to speak from an area of expertise, seemingly shocked at your words. "Are you sure you want a talisman that powerful? How bad is the evil spirit you've come across?"

You glance out the window, through the semi-open blinds. The apprehension curls in your stomach once you spot Childe chasing Aether with safety scissors, and you've never been more sure of than anything in your life.

Gulping, you turn back to the exorcist. "I'm 110% sure."

He doesn't ask any more questions and goes to fetch the talisman.

Mona clears her throat. "So I hear you have a date with Childe today. Quite the character you've taken to."

"Oh please," You hiss through your teeth, your blood pressure going up tenfold, "you're the one that told him our star signs were intertwined and that we're fated lovers."

She shrugs innocently, stance casual unlike your own that is ready to lunge an attack.

"Here you are," Chongyun hands you a talisman, a colourful mix of some charms, some kind of liquid in a bottle, and about a shitton of other things. "You'll need these if you're going to face the most demonic of all evils."

You think of Childe's stupidly handsome smirk, the playful life of his eyes, and how gentle and considerate he is with you. You think about how cruel he is to others, but how loving he can be to you.

"Oh, I will be."

—

Childe is getting his ass handed to him by Scaramouche on the switch. It's just that he can't seem to focus, not with the forthcoming date all over his mind.

He hasn't experienced these kind of jitters in a long time. Has to endure that foolish smile that's about to plaster all over his face.

Scaramouche may be a son of a bitch with an agenda, but he doesn't appreciate his acquaintances safeguarding their personal crap when it starts to leak onto him. Especially when it comes to video games.

"Okay," The short boy sighs, stretching over the staff room sofa to drop his controller on the cushions. "Let's hear it." He can't even properly enjoy his victories when Childe isn't giving it his all.

"Hear what?" Childe lays his head back, relaxing from all the strain of endless gaming during the lunch hour. He seems too relaxed for someone who's broken into the teacher's lounge.

"Why you're so distracted." Scaramouche points out. "Not that I care—hey! I'm serious here!"

Childe's cracking up for absolutely no reason, rudely cutting him off. "I'm sorry—sorry it's just so hard to take you seriously when you're wearing that stupid fucking hat."

"Don't question the drip." The older moves his head to glare at him, but the thin stripe of silk on his hat swooshes with him, and it's enough to have Childe clutching his stomach in pain as he barks out in laughter.

"Grow the fuck up." Scaramouche says, no doubt exasperated from the constant shit he gets.

"Ok—ok I'm sorry."

There's a knock on the door before Scaramouche gets the chance to intimidate him again.

"Fuck shit fuck who is that? Wasn't there a staff meeting?" Childe whisper yells, panic clear in the ocean of his eyes.

Scaramouche shrugs and downs a can of soda with no care in the world.

Childe would be nonchalant too. If it were a normal day, he wouldn't give two shits about getting caught.

However, he's looking forward to that date he has with you today. Detention is going foil all his lecherous plans.

"It's me." The feminine sound of a threat calls out from the other side. "Open the door." The clicks and clacks of her toes tapping the floor indicating her impatience.

The two sigh in relief, Childe getting up to open the door. It's way too early in the afternoon to deal with this crap.

"Surprised to see me?" Signora greets sweetly, and if not for the murderous glint in her eyes, he would smile back.

"Yeah, I didn't say Bloody Mary three times." The ginger replies, keeping a steady eye on the upperclassman in case she pulls a fast one.

The blonde shoves him aside in offence, and prances in like she owns the goddamn place. Scaramouche greets her with the bird.

"There's this rumour going around—I'm sure you've heard..."

"Oh?" Childe pockets his keys, ready for an attack, not even remotely interested in the topic.

"Something about how Y/N gave Mona a visit today" Signora muses, elegantly taking a seat on the arm of the couch, "with your date and all, I just thought you should know."

"Hah!" Scaramouche bursts out in laughter, tears in the corner of his eyes. "I can't believe she went to get a horoscope reading on how shitty your date's gonna be."

"Get castrated." Childe growls, flipping him off on both hands.

"Now now boys," Signora's lips curl, and she clasps both manicured hands together, prepared to break the fight if it ever reaches its peak. "Settle down. You two are comrades."

"As if I'm comrades with this SIMP!" Scaramouche has to wheeze out the words.

The youngest clenches his fists, unclenches, and then lets a smirk grow. "Oh? I'm the simp? What about that time Mona pantsed you in-front of all the freshmen and you fell in love with her."

Scaramouche glares at him, a glare strong enough to have anyone shaking in their shoes. "I'm attracted at her sheer audacity of trying to fuck I, Scaramouche, the 8th harbinger, over. It takes balls."

"Mad respect." Signora leans forward to place her phone on the coffee table, then approaches Childe. "Moving on, the reason I've decided to bestow my precious intel on you is because I have a favour to ask of you."

"What?" He says blankly, confused that she has a request for him out of all people.

"I need you to let me get you ready for this date of yours." She gives him a gaze that is enough to wither away any arguments.

Childe shares a look with Scaramouche as if to say "am I fucking deaf because I sure as shit didn't just hear that."

"You sure as hell did, boys." Signora intercepts the connection of their two brainwaves with a dreaded sigh. "I hate Y/N. This is the only way I can get back at her."

"Hey!" Childe exclaims loudly, waving his hands in the air incessantly. "What makes you think I'll let you shit on my future girlfriend."

"I'll be doing nothing of the sorts." She points out, giving him a sly smile. "I just know she's terrified of what's coming. The better the date is, the more she's gonna hate herself. What more do I need but to sprinkle some inner conflict within her airtight resolve?"

As favorable as the proposal is, Childe  contemplates for a second. Signora...helping him? This could work to his advantage if he plays his cards right.

His inner turmoil takes him into the future, where you two are happily married with eight and a half kids. If you ever managed to find out Signora was the culprit that was finally able to set you two up, you'd never forgive him.

"Nah I'll take a hard pass." He doesn't want to think about divorce and custody battles this early on. He'd rather face the brunt of Signora's wrath.

Scaramouche chooses right then to make a tactical withdrawal out through the window since he doesn't want to be a witness to a murder he hasn't caused.

Surprisingly— "Fine then." Signora shrugs, unbothered when summoning out a minty juul from no where. She's disappointed nonetheless.

Childe tilts his head, perplexed, but decides against mulling over it for too long. Instead, he strides off to the door, wanting to get the last two periods over with so he can run home and freshen up for this date.

"Oh and Childe?" Signora calls out to him, but he barely acknowledges her, only pausing momentarily without looking back. "A piece of friendly advice. A diligent student like Y/N, there's no way she'd be into rash things like fighting. So try and control yourself, hmm?"

He flashes the senior a sheepish smile, the front row tickets to the illegal underground fight-club burning in the back pocket of his pants.

—

Childe conceals near the bushes by the gate, expertly hiding his shaking hands by pretending to look for something in his back. His goal isn't to seem desperate, even though he's raced out here at the speed of light after Havria's dismissal.

It's not like he's trying to eavesdrop or anything. He just wants a little insight on how you're feeling about this, in case the rumors of you visiting the occult club wasn't a farce.

From his peripheral, he spots you and a familiar figure that is Lisa, leisurely walking side by side as you approach the main side walk.

"Ready for your date, Y/N? You've been daydreaming all afternoon." Lisa winks, and dodges the shove you send her way with experience like no other.

"Yes, daydreaming about punching you in the face." Your left eye twitches in annoyance as you fix your hold on your skateboard.

"Well then, I'll be off—ah!"

The gorilla grip you have on her sleeve takes away all the time she has to get on the last bus she's about to miss.

Your utter strength is enough to make Childe's knees weak. How pathetic he thinks.

"Oh no you don't," You say in a sing-song voice, "you got me into this, so you're going to help."

"Help with what?" Lisa fakes a hard pout as she bats her lashes, trying to collect pity points.

"I—" You inhale, loosening your grip on her and averting your eyes nervously to see if anyone's watching. "Don't make me say it."

The older girl motions for you to continue, and you're sure you've suffered more for less at this point.

"I've never...been on a..." The sentence ends in a trailed murmur.

Childe doesn't think he's ever seen you so flustered. He's about to snap a picture for later, but decides against it. They'll be plenty of moments later on to see your cute expressions.

Lisa's grin is both seductive and terrifying, Childe notices. "You've never been on a date?"

"Shut up!" You hiss, dropping your board so you can cover her lips with your palm, eyes darting around your surroundings frantically. "Not so loud."

He has to bite at his fist to hide his amusement.

As if she has a sixth sense, Lisa's eyes somehow find Childe's through the abundance of leaves, and there's a glint in her eyes that nearly makes him shart his pants.

"Of course Y/N," She replies sweetly to you, who is currently unaware of the staring match going on. "I'll teach you everything you need to know...and more."

Childe doesn't know if that's a good or bad thing. Nor does he want to find out.

—

You ponder on what's taking him so long, more on edge than you usually are. Thankfully, Lisa basically pried your hair down from its usual up-do. Said something about how you can hide your lack of shits given as to not offend him.

Except you think you're giving more shits that you expected to. Why else would your heart be pounding so hard?

"What took you so long?" You sense him creeping up on you, ceasing his chance to pounce.

Childe groans playfully and slaps a hand over his face as he comes into view. "How'd you know?"

"You have a douche-styled gait." You reply as you remove your gaze off your phone to approach him.

He's prepared to shoot a witty reply, but it dies halfway through his throat when he procures a good look at you. Your hair frames your face elegantly, eyes shining despite the tiredness that's so clear, all complete with a cooling spring dress that hugs you just right.

Mouth going dry, he forgets how to speak the common tongue, unable to tear his gaze off your form.

You shift in place awkwardly. "Uh are you okay? Looking a little...blank."

"Sorry—sorry just thinking." Childe stumbles over his words like the complete idiot and a half he is, berating himself countlessly on the inside. He regains his confidence once he spots the light dust on your cheeks. "You ready for the best date ever?"

"The best date huh?" It's the first time you smile today, and he swears his heart leaps in his rib cage. You're the prettiest thing he's ever laid his eyes on. "I'm ready. I better not be disappointed."

"I wouldn't dare disappoint, girlie." He feigns mock offence as dramatically as possible. "I'll show you how to have some real fun. Cool keychain by the way, for good luck?"

It's one of the charms Chongyun urged you to carry with you at all times to keep all forms of evil away.

"Yeah...something like that."

The two of you ease into the walk in a relatively comfortable fashion, contributing with lively chatter and a few jabs here and there. It's not awkward at all, not like you thought it would be. Your nerves loosen up, mind diverting from the roots of the stress of high school.

"—And you won't believe what Kaeya did the other day. I'm telling you there's something wrong with him because that SoundCloud rapper wannabe Venti goaded him into birdboxing through the hallways at lunch."

"And the son of a bitch did it?"

"The son of a bitch did it." Childe confirmed, gasping through his laughs as the two of you converse in psychobabble. "And guess who he bumped into?"

You're choking in laughter, tears in your eyes as you hunch over and shake. "He didn't. Childe—no he didn't."

"Straightttt into Diluc. And he had the balls to feel him up because he thought he bumped into a hot bab—"

Childe crashes into a sturdy chest and stumbles backwards towards you, but manages to catch his balance midway. Both of you freeze when faced with a buff guy from another school, bandages on his fist and a crooked smirk on his face.

Fuck. You think. Classic high school cliché.

Realizing he can't risk the remainder of this date when it hasn't even begun, Childe raises a hand in apology, aiming to be the bigger person instead of socking the kid in the face.

"Sorry. I wasn't looking." He offers to the guy, but you can tell he isn't buying any of it. There are about four more kids who group, a setup that isn't going to end in your favour.

"Hey punk. You don't remember me?" The upperclassmen barks out, glaring holes into your date.

You deadpan towards Childe, but he's too is racking his brain to remember. Ends up shrugging with no recollection.

"I have a list of names but they're in my other pants." Shit, what an a-grade reply. Now you know you're done for. "Listen dude, I'm kind of on a date and the vibe is going great. Don't ruin it."

"It's a good thing she's here to watch then!" The guy yells, stomping so that he's right in-front of Childe, ready to pounce. "You humiliated me in front of my gang last week. I'm here to rip you a new one."

Childe blinks, tries to remember, and when he doesn't, he grabs a wad full of cash from the his Fanny pack and throws it at the guy's feet.

Everyone's eyes bulge out of their sockets, including yours at the amount of money placed there casually on the crack of the dirty sidewalk.

"Hopefully this is enough for the damages." Childe offers, aiming to not further escalate the situation albeit how pissed he is right now. If you weren't here...well that would be another, much more violent story.

With a soft tug, Childe brings you close and begins to pass the guy, until he's abruptly stopped by a hand gripping his shoulder tightly.

"I don't think so!" The guys barks, and his lackeys move to surround you two. "You gotta pay taxes too buddy." Oh he's getting way too comfortable now.

A feral smile grows on Childe's face as he looks over his shoulder. "Oh?"

"Yeah shithead." The guy seethes, puffing out his chest to size him up.

Childe itches for a fight. He can no longer keep in the urge and is just about ready to raise a heavy fist, but is beaten by the sound of a loud thwack, and then a painful groan following.

There you are, standing in front of the trembling asshole, spinning your crossbody bag in circles like it's a nunchuck in all it's glory. There's a deadly glint in your eyes, pure, unadulterated vexation in your features.

If Childe could fall for you any harder, it's probably happening now. In that exact moment, his heart beats in his ears uncontrollably, and there's nothing but raw adoration that piles up all at once.

You're an angel of destruction, a force not to be reckoned with, and shit, you're the eye of the fucking storm.

Fire courses through your veins as you pulverize the guy with your bag, swinging with such expertise it has Childe in awe. "He may be an absolute idiot for not remembering—"

"Hey girlie you're killing me here!" Your date snaps out of his astonishment temporarily.

"—but you don't get to call him a shithead, you asshole!" You snarl angrily, gripping the handle of your bag tightly, decking everyone that lunges at you, letting out strings of curses with every hit. Every hit sends a flock of them either stumbling back in pain, or knocked out completely.

Childe doesn't even get a chance to lift a finger by the time you're done violating them with your heavy ass pink bag. Stands there like an absolute loser.

"Apologize." You pant, prepared to send another flurry of attacks at the leader, who is crawling away with a battered face. "Apologize or I'll—I'll fucking Russian neck tie your ass."

"S-sorry!" The guy whimpers out and tries not to piss his pants at the threat.

Childe is still in too much shock at the whole ordeal to reply, short circuiting.

Another thirty seconds pass until he registers the smaller hand waving in front of his face. He catches your cold hand through his haze, brings it closer.

Running a free hand through his locks, he doesn't hide his astonishment. "You're fucking gorgeous, girlie." He whistles lowly, eyeing you with a new kind of regard.

"I-I uh." Your face is all shades of red by now, the adrenaline from kicking ass wearing down. "Let's go."

"How is that bag so heavy?" One of the fallen gasps out in pain, clutching his ribs as he trembles on the floor. "Like a buh-brick."

A part of your zipper in open, and Childe briefly peeks out of morbid curiosity. His jaw slackens. "Is that a...no, it can't be."

"It's a brick." You murmur guiltily, gnawing at your bottom lip. "Just in case." Fingers tentatively play with the straps.

Childe is head over heels by now, all smitten as a foreign warmth bubbles up in his throat, and he's just about sure he'll puke his heart out.

His next words are picked out carefully. "There's an underground fight club going on—"

You lock and aim for his right kidney.

Worth a try, Childe thinks.

"SIKE. Joking—joking. Just a joke." He insists, gloved hands raised by his ears in defence.

Clicking your tongue, you scowl and rush past him.

It hasn't even been an hour and it's been the most exciting date Childe's ever experienced. When he sees your lips twitch, he knows it's the same for you as well.

"Are we going or not?" You mumble, avoiding eye contact, a tinge of red still decorating your cheeks.

Childe crumbles into his hands at your deadly duality. One that comes for his enemies and one that comes straight for his heart.

[hoodieofholland]

Handsome Man // Professor!Tom

Summary: you think your professor is a really good-looking man and let it slip out of your mouth.

Word count: ~2.9k

Warnings: none, except for some swearing.

A/n: I really liked writing the prof!tom universe and made it longer now (thanks anon that motivated me to write more about it). taking a moment to add that i always get this feeling that first encounter between reader and professor tom would be like fluffy as hell, he'd be so polite and that fucking accent of him ugghhh. Perfect. Anyways, enjoy!

Masterlist

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

"Good morning, everyone!"

You raise your head abruptly, snapped out of your thoughts. Which, by the way, were all directed to the man who was walking down to his desk with a sweet yet confident smile on his face.

"You all are looking so excited with Monday" he says playfully and the class laughs. "Hope I'm worth your tired time here this morning".

You straighten your back, picking pen and book from your backpack as Professor Holland organizes his materials on the wood desk.

You weren't a square at classes or anything like that. But surely you were never late for English classes, neither badly dressed up. You always made sure to pick your best outfit, not leaving out the professional look, all to impress your favorite professor.

Not that you were silly enough to believe something would come out from that strictly professional relationship, but it was inevitable for you wanting to feel pretty around him, as your imagination flew wild whenever he stepped in the classroom.

Professor Holland was really something else. He wasn't only a handsome man, with a noticeable muscular body hidden behind the much formal clothes he wore. He wasn't only the youngest professor in that department. He was intelligent, had a good sense of humor and was incredibly polite.

You could tell by the way girls always seemed to be extra interested on this class that you weren't the only one in the room to feel attracted to your professor.

You always made sure to ne early so you could take a seat in the front row, not to claim for his attention, but to be able to pain attention to the lecture and also get the opportunity to have a good look at him once in a while, mostly when he was distracted, sitting at his desk and taking notes on the classes' essays.

By the end of the lesson, he dismissed the students and you started to pack your things, barely motivated to your next classes. Now that you wouldn't have your professor's look to distract you a bit, it really felt like fucking Monday.

There were only around four students left in the room, and you, who was caring your notebook and pencil on your hands, walking directly to Professor Holland's desk clarify his small notes he took on your essay from last week.

Three girls were standing around his desk, smiling widely as he explained something that were on the board.

"But, Professor Holland..." one of the girls asked the same stupid question again, letting his name roll along her tongue, as she was savoring it. You roll your eyes, flicking your feet as you waited impatiently for your chance to have a time with him.

Professor Holland sighed and gently tried to reassure the group of girls that they could have the assistant to solve their other questions, as he was running out of time and there was another person he had to assist.

Finally, the girls gave in and passed through you, taking the time to send you a look. You just shrugged it off and walked to the Professor's desk.

"Miss. Y/l/n" he greets your, a small smile forming of his lips. Your stomach felt like flipping inside of you and you tried to keep your composure as you reached his desk. "Any questions left?"

"Actually, Professor..." you handed him the paper, a bit ashamed of he remembering it was yours and connecting the words you wrote down with your face. It was so much easier when you didn't see your professor reading your text. "I marked some of the notes you wrote and didn't understand, if you could help me".

He looked over the text, a wrinkle of concentration between his brows, and just when he lifted his gaze back to you, you felt your heart fastening.

"Of course", he gives you a tightlipped smile, grabbing a pen to point some of the corrections to you. "See, there weren't any big mistake on this, you could say I'm just a perfectionist. Actually, this was one of the best essays from the class".

Your eyes light up immediately, feeling too enthusiastic for the compliment. "Thank you, Sir. It means a lot".

Professor Holland nodded once, averting his eyes from you for a moment, his face taking on a more stern look. Then he started to explain his notes and you felt more relaxed as you notice it wasn't really that big of mistakes. You listened with full attention and commented on what you felt like could improve on your writing.

"I feel like if you take your time to rewrite it and survey some of your constructions, this text will be more than excellent" he pointed, handing you the paper again, a proud smile on his lips. Then, he chuckled a bit, playfully, "Obviously, the first score is the one that will be considered for your grade, so it's up to you. But I think it'll be a great work".

You smile happily. "Sure, I'll do it", you take the paper back again and put it inside your folder. Looking at the wall clock, you just notice it's too long past the break between classes. "Shit, I didn't realize it was past your lessons' time already. I'm sorry, I should be going-"

"It's alright, Miss. Y/l/n". He sends you a reassurance smile, putting a hand over yours for a brief moment, but that didn't make it go under your notice. "I'm always satisfied to waste a little more time on my most dedicated students, and even more glad that your questions wasn't about lessons itself", he grimaces and you could tell what he was referring too. "Not in my best behavior saying it out loud, but I was starting to think I wasn't doing a great explanation".

You laugh a bit and shake your head. "Oh, you shouldn't worry about it. I'm pretty sure you're the best professor from this department. Plus, those girls weren't seriously having a problem with the subject" you roll your eyes softly, still smiling, but not quite realising what you had just said.

Professor Holland scowls, face confused as he catches your last sentence. "What do you mean?"

You froze, eyes widening as you gulp. "I-I mean- like, you were explaining it for the fourth time already... it wasn't possible that they didn't get it. I think they were more interested on... you know?".

He narrow his eyes, quirked his brow questioning, expecting you to explain yourself. A shiver pass through your body, embarrassment running right to your blushing cheeks as you struggle to find a proper answer.

"I mean, I think they were interested on... you". You almost cough, looking for somewhere else to stare in the room, avoiding your Professor's concentrated eyes. But as silent is completely made, you have to make sure he isn't mad at your stupid comment. Averting your eyes back at him, you are surprised to be met with his brown ones filled with what seemed amusement.

He was supporting his chin on his fist, a curious look covering his soft feature, hiding a smile behind the thumb pressed against his lips.

"Why would you think that?" He asked in the same amused tone and you never felt more stupid.

You wanted to slap your forehead and hide your entire self on the closest bathroom, but Professor Holland had those glistening brown soft eyes on you, nothing but a relaxed face put in your display, his sultry voice - which you were pretty sure wouldn't sound like this on purpose - incentivanting you to continue.

You cleared your throat and collected your devilish thoughts to think straight.

"I guess most of the girls here think you're, y'know, a handsome man" you shrugged, wanting so much sound casual, as that wasn't your personal opinion.

Mr. Holland raised his eyebrows, you couldn't tell if it was surprise for your answer or for your courage on saying that out loud. Maybe both.

"Did you hear that?", he questioned, tilting his head a little to the side. "From those girls?"

He got you. You knew that. He knew you were just making assumptions, which meant that could only be your own opinion expressed on the vision you had over other students.

"No", you answered under your breath, gulping. "It's just a guess".

Silent was made and you felt terrified. You truly started to think that Mr. Holland was planning the most tough comments on your behavior, that he would try to show you how unprofessional and not ethic at all was your opinion about him, that he was your professor and you were his student, nothing beyond that. But then he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in his chair as his eyes concentrated on you.

He looked like someone who was pondering something, but your nervousness calmed down a little bit at the way he had his gaze over you. Though his eyes were dark, that couldn't be so bad, if he didn't have a mad expression on.

"Is it what you think?" He tried again, the corner of his mouth threatening to quirk. "Do you think I'm a handsome man?"

You close your eyes briefly, feeling past ashamed of it. "I'm sorry, it's pathetic, I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay, Miss. Y/l/n" he chuckles softly. "Don't make a big deal out of it. After all, I'm not much older than you, am I? Shouldn't be so wrong to have an opinion about my looking".

He was taking it so calmly that you couldn't believe. Maybe he was right, maybe it wasn't a big deal. Or maybe he was so used to having girls head over heels for him that it didn't get on his nerves anymore.

You sigh and decide to agree better than discuss anything and make more shame on yourself. "Anyways, I just wanted you to know that-"

"Mr. Holland?"

A voice interrupt him, and you turn your head abruptly to see another professor standing in the door frame, a case on his hand, eyes going between both of you. "Sorry for interrupting, but I'm giving my next lesson here. Is it taking too long, or...?"

"Oh, no", Mr. Holland smiled fondly and stood up, gathering his things from the desk. "Pardon me, didn't realize it was so late. Miss y/l/n, do you have any more questions left?"

You narrow your eyes at him, a bit taken aback as you knew you weren't making any questions seconds prior. He was lying, lying about the reason why the two of you were stuck in his classroom for so long. So you just nodded back and corrected your face.

"No, I'm fine, Sir. Thanks for your time" you smiled a little before turning in your heels.

The other man entered the class and started to put his things above the table, with Mr. Holland beside him. You were about to step out of the room when you hear your professor talking to you.

"Oh, and Miss. Y/l/n?" You turned your head to look at him again. He smiled. "It'd be lovely if you rewrite that essay. You can pass by my office later to show me your corrections, if you want to".

You blink, too surprised to answer right away. With a pounding heart on your chest, you nod, wishing nothing but to work on that useless essay as soon as possible.

____________

The day passes quickly, your mind too occupied with your essay. Missing some of your later classes, you saved time to stay until 6pm in the library, trying to come out with the of your writing whilst correcting the mistakes Mr. Holland pointed for you.

Certainly, that was the most dedicated you've ever been for a work.

But you couldn't resist the anxiety running through your body as you thought about walking down that aisle in the Professor Holland's office direction.

Again, you weren't expecting anything beyond him reading your text again, but the thought of seeing him alone one time was exciting itself.

You finish your work and put the paper inside a case, gathering everything together and walking straight to the aisle of English department.

It was empty and quiet, not a sight of any students neither professors around, as it was past the last lectures for the day.

Taking a few good breathes, you smooth your hand down your skirt before knocking softly on Professor Holland office's door.

"Come in!"

You turn the handle and open the door, closing it behind you. Mr. Holland looked tired, eyes heavy under his glasses. He also seemed busy, reading a book and taking his notes.

"Oh, Miss Y/l/n", he smiles warmly when his eyes lift to your face, waving a hand for you to take a seat in front of his desk. "Glad to see you. I suppose you made the corrections on your essay?"

You smile and nod, sitting down before reaching your paper in your backpack. "I added some other points I thought about when reading again", you hand him your essay and he takes it, fingers touching yours briefly, but enough to send a shiver down your spine.

"Great" he looked over the paper, reading more cautiously at some point in the middle, where the biggest changes were made. He seemed impressed with your work and you couldn't help but feel the euphoria by each time the curve of his lips seemed to form a smile.

You looked over his office. It was small, but enough for one person only. There was a shelf full of books and a pretty tiny table across the room, cups, water and what you assumed to be tea inside a bottle on top of that.

"It's really cozy here" you speak out loud, more to yourself, wandering and picturing Mr. Holland sitting beside his little table and taking his tea while reading one of the shelf's book.

He smiles, lifting his glance from the paper to your face, which was still looking around. "You like it?"

You blink a few times before answering, a bit embarrassed that he caught your vague comment. "Yeah". His face held nothing but a contemplating look. "It must feel really good to have an office all to yourself".

Mr. Holland laughs quietly. "I don't spend too much time here to appreciate that much, actually", he admits. "Most of my time in the building is spent in classrooms and I pretty much like taking my work home, so... But, yes, it's good".

"I'd like it. Y'know, having somewhere you can take a time off and even have lunch when everywhere else is so full of people". You make your point, shrugging.

Something crosses Mr. Holland's face, but he quickly make it disappear.

"Well", he says, looking at your essay again after clearing his throat. "I like it very much. Not a single mistake this time. I can say properly now that this is the best essay I received for last week's work".

You smile widely. "Thank you, Mr. Holland".

He look up at your again, a small and hesitating smile on his lips. "You can call me Tom", when you open your mouth and say anything, he continues, "If you want. Mr. Holland just makes me feel so old".

You laugh at his grimace. "Oh, you're nothing near old, no worry on that".

Tom smiles more freely, if not smugly, and you feel your cheeks darkening in pink.

"Yeah, you think I'm... a handsome man, right?" He teases you and for a moment, it's not like your formal and professional professor is the one in the room anymore. You smiles sheepishly, bitting your lips to try to contain it.

"I'm sorry for that again", you shake your head, but Tom whines.

"If you don't stop with your apologies, I'm going to give you another essay to write". He says playfully. "I'm just joking, y/n".

Hearing your first name coming out of his mouth warms your heart and you feel like exploding in excitement.

"Wouldn't be such a punishment, I think" you admit, looking to your hands.

Tom narrows his eyes, corner of his mouth raising in a smile again. "And why is that?"

You bite your lower lips, pressing your fingers in the palm of your hand nervously as you think about what you're saying next, "Well, if it meant I'd have to come here to show you, I'd gladly write one".

Tom takes your answer slowly, smile growing on his face and he chuckles softly. "Really?"

"Yeah", you nod.

Tom stares at you for the following seconds and it's just as when you glance at the clock in his desk that yiu realize you've spent too much time inside his office.

"I think I gotta go now", you say, standing up and picking your backpack and essay. It wouldn't look good a student getting out of a professor's office so late in the night.

Tom smiled sadly and got up too, watching as you made your way to the door. But before you could open it, you remembered you last talk in the classroom.

"Tom?" You tested the name on your lips, savoring the liberty he had just given to you. He looked at you, waiting. "What was it you were going to say before that professor entered the classroom?"

He took a few seconds thinking and then a trace of a small smile came to his features.

"I was just going to say that I appreciate your compliment" he licks his lips and you smile. "Also, that you should know I think you're pretty gorgeous too".

[rpmemesbyarat]

RP Meme from Netflix's "A Series of Unfortunate Events: A Bad Beginning: Part Two"

I'm sorry to say that the alleged entertainment you are watching is extremely unpleasant.

From the beginning of this miserable tale to the last melancholy scene, I cannot think of a single line, a single word, that does not chill me to my deepest bones.

"Why?" you may ask.

Do you know what the question I'm asked the most is?

Will you please leave the premises?

Why do I do it?

Why respond to the siren song that the Spanish call 'El Theater'?"

For fame and fortune?

For the costumes!

Where are the costumes?

Stay in the car.

Well, we've got to reach them. Try Peru.

I'm keeping an eye on things best I can

I present it to you now in the hopes that the police inspectors, concerned citizens and television executives might finally leave me alone.

I have an appointment for a haircut right now.

Well, in that case, we're going to need a map of the city.

You'll never get away with this.

I already did get away with it.

Put some elbow grease into it!

Who knows what would happen to us on the street?

At least here we have a roof over our head.

Can I warm that up for you? And also give you some very bad news?

When I was a little boy, I would have given my eyeteeth to be raised by an actor.

I have terrible friends.

It sounds like Latin.

Now, I'm sorry if I have to usher you out posthaste, but I've got work to do.

I'll have my new secretary give you a ride home as soon as he's finished typing up that report.

Shall I let them off the hook?

I spent all morning making these cupcakes for you.

They're store bought!

Aren't raspberries delicious?

I'm afraid I may have acted a bit standoffish.

I want you to participate in my next play.

It tells the story of a very handsome and good-looking man, played by me.

A pretty girl like you shouldn't be working backstage.

It's a very important role

What did you call me?

I'm not sure I'm talented enough to perform professionally.

I would prefer it if you participate voluntarily

The point is, I can order you to participate, and you must obey.

I can't stand looking at you anymore.

Killing us will do him no good.

I have never been married myself.

Are you here to continue your research?

I have quite the interest in theater, you know.

I would give up every last wig just to wear a costume.

I'm actually considering a career in law. I find those books quite fascinating.

There are countless types of books in this world, which makes good sense because there are countless types of people.

[NAME], what's happened to your face?

No, no, no, it should be delicate! Fetching!

I just think, even in changing context, that marriage is an inherently patriarchal construction

Are you leaving?

Oh, there we go, sweet girl.

Does that mean what I think it means?

It means you're going to be a star.

You have got the star quality necessary for a small walk-on role

Now, you can see it.

It's a very important part, although you won't be listed in the program.

All my life I wanted to be a bride

It's almost too good to be true.

Spend some time with your new father.

Seize the children!

I have three kinds of butter cream icing here for you to sample. One's vanilla, one has a hint of nutmeg and the other's a little lemony.

I told you never to say that word.

We'll order takeout.

Let me eat cake.

You can't just keep us in here.

What do you think will happen to you then?

I'm gonna stay up all night with a book.

The book was not at all interesting. The book was long and difficult.

What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in your room.

I was in my room all night, and I know what you're up to.

Me? I'm just having my morning coffee

If you use fancy-pants words first thing in the morning,

you're going to end up a very lonely man.

I figured out your scheme.

You don't know the difference between figuratively and literally, do you?

I'm leaping in the air because I'm very happy.

I'm so happy I could jump for joy, but I'm saving my energy for other matters.

This play won't be pretend. It'll be real and legally binding.

A man like me can acquire any number of beautiful women

What's in it for me?

Can you name me a language that was spoken by ancient Romans and is still spoken by very irritating people today?

Whatever will we do?

I guess that proves reading really is fundamental.

But I'm not old enough to get married.

It certainly is so strange to find a child missing, and one so small, so helpless.

When did you see her last?

Did you hear that? It came from outside.

Oh, you're not looking in the right place.

Oh, don't look so down.

Let her go. She's done nothing to you.

Please, she's just a baby.

Just don't harm her.

I would never, ever marry you.

Any animal owner will tell you that a stubborn mule will move toward the carrot because it wants the reward of food and away from the stick because it wants to avoid the punishment of rump pain.

Would it be so terrible to be my bride, to live in my house for the rest of your life?

You're a terrible man.

I may be a terrible man, but I have concocted a foolproof way of getting your fortune.

What have you done?

I wish I had an inventor here.

You came.

You sent for me.

Things are disastrous. Everything's gone wrong.

What went wrong?

Why would anyone listen to a consultant?

Are you free Friday night to attend the theater?

But what shall we do until then?

Could you cut these ropes for me?

You should get some sleep.

It's my turn.

I didn't help us.

You just didn't finish the job.

Let me keep my promise.

Having a brilliant idea isn't as easy as turning on a light.

But just as a single bulb can illuminate even the most depressing of rooms, the right idea can shed light on a depressing situation.

It's so wonderful that, in addition to your many talents, you have a marvelous eye for fashion.

Tell me if this is too much.

How pleasant that you could join us.

What are you gonna do with me?

It was a grappling hook.

I understand she's yours.

I'm not his bride.

You know, some people say that the hardest job in the world is raising a child.

I'll touch whatever I want.

What happened? Why are we up here?

It's so high. You must have been terrified.

I'm sorry it didn't work.

The invention worked fine. I just got caught.

You're gonna need to flip it a couple of times, like, okay?

And don't touch the baby!

Do you think you could invent something to help us escape?

I am certain that over the course of your own life, you have noticed that certain rooms reflect the personalities of the occupants.

If we had kerosene, we could make Molotov cocktails with those old wine bottles.

What are Molotov cocktails?

They're small bombs. If we throw them out the window, we could attract attention.

It's time for the big event.

Taking the role of a handsome man is certainly a brave choice.

Is it a stretch for you?

I think live theater is a much more powerful medium

than, say, streaming television.

Evil plot?

The wedding will be around 10 PM, followed by champagne toasts, reception with cake and finger food, then the after-party at the Mexican place.

All my anxieties are put to rest.

Don't distract me with idle chatter.

Get it absolutely right.

Change of plans. Sit here. Don't distract her.

Don't suppose you know how to play poker.

Would you like to deal?

I am very handsome, but I am only one man.

He's so handsome.

If I can't have him, my heart will literally break.

That can't be true!

But that piece of paper's not an official document.

I think you'll see that it is figuratively real.

I'm afraid this marriage is entirely binding.

This is absolutely horrendous. I won't allow it!

I'm afraid there's nothing you can do.

You were easily tricked!

It was child's play, winning this fortune.

You promised to let her go!

You idiot! What are you doing?

So, you escaped, you little dishrag.

Well, that doesn't count.

You're just being a sore loser and trying to ruin my special day.

You should never be afraid to admit that you don't know something.

This is a very complicated case.

It would take a formidable legal scholar to solve it.

It was thoroughly impressive and utterly convincing.

I'm even considering firing your associate

I was kidnapped

I'll get my hands on your fortune if it's the last thing I do.

You have to capture him! You have to go after him!

You let the authorities worry about that.

Sorry, but the children must come with me.

Some things in life are difficult to understand, even after years and years of thinking about them while wandering alone through desolate landscapes, usually during the off-season.

The world is quiet here.

As with so many unfortunate events in life, just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean it isn't so.

Things are worse than we thought.

Then we don't have a moment to lose.

What's a woman like you building in a place like this?

Leave no stone unturned.

[deiaiko]

A New Life #2

< Part 1

It's morning, Khun got up first. He looked to where Bam is and seems like he's still in a very deep sleep. Khun got out slowly as not to wake him up and went to the bathroom to wash away the sleepiness off his face.

What was he thinking last night?! Brought home a homeless kid? That's not like him at all. He splashed the cold water onto his face. Maybe because he was really tired last night that his emotions took control of him. He splashed the water again and wiped his face with a nearby towel then stared at his reflection in the mirror. This will be so troublesome, he thought, but he can't just throw him out, can he? What done is done, he sighed.

Khun walked to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He measured some rice and put it in a rice cooker pan, might as well add half more cup cause he won't be eating alone this time. He rinsed the rice and pour the appropriate amount of water before turning on the rice cooker.

Then he placed a pan on the stove, heated some butter and cracked an egg then sprinkled it with salt and pepper to make a simple sunny-side-up. He repeated the steps again, and while doing so, he thought about what he should do with Bam.

He has no experience with kids, he won't be a great figure for him. Maybe he can report him to the police station? No, if he recall correctly, Bam despised the idea. Orphanage? No, he was there once, not that it's bad but he prefers not to be there, it reminded him of his old home and it's not a pleasant memory.

About time, the eggs are done and Khun put it on separate plates, he turned around to put them on the dining table just in time to see little Bam already got up and watches him curiously behind the wall.

"good morning", Khun motioned Bam to join him, but Bam quickly ran away. Khun was about to ask what he's up to but it's quickly answered as Bam came back with the cushion.

Bam placed the cushion on its original place but he sat on the floor instead, hoping Khun will use it this time.

Once again, Khun felt that warm feeling growing inside him, it won't hurt to keep the kid for now right? Maybe he could use a company.

They ate breakfast in silence, enjoying the meal and each other presence. It's weekend morning, and that means Khun is free today, he decided what to do. "let's get you a haircut", he suggested, "and then we can buy some new clothes and stuff for you".

Bam smiles and nods.

 ----------

 They were just from the barbershop and Bam got his hair cut. His hair is now short and fluffy, Khun fought the urge to ruffle it, not to mention that he looks way cuter than before because of his big golden eyes. Now he only needs some new clothes and he'll be perfectly cute.

Bam stood in awe as he entered a huge shopping mall, like it's his first time going to a place like this, or maybe it is, Khun didn't comment or ask about it.

"here", Khun offered his hand, "so you won't get lost".

Bam gingerly took his hand but smiled afterwards.

They walk around in the clothes shop for almost an hour. Bam got some shirts, pants, underclothes and shoes, and Khun also insisted to buy him a jacket with animal ears hoody.

It's fluffy and warm, and Khun also said he looks cute when he wore it. Bam will surely treasure that jacket.

Khun is pleased, Bam's happy face is all he needs, the money that he spent was worth it.

Next is equipment. Bam needs a place to sleep but mattress is too big for his room, so they settled on sleeping bag instead, and Bam is perfectly okay with it. Might as well buy him a pillow, a blanket and a towel too.

When they about to get to the cashier, they passed by the kids section which is loaded with toys and dolls, and one particular doll caught Bam's attention. It's a. . .crocodile? But it's brown with red eyes, wearing a red shirt and navy blue short, just as big as a soccer ball. Nothing special about it but Bam couldn't get his eyes off it.

Khun noticed this as well, "do you want it?"

Bam quickly shook his head, he didn't dare to ask him for more, though his eyes betrayed him as he kept stealing a glance at the doll.

Khun stared at him before picking the doll and put it in their shopping cart.

Bam was surprised, happy, but also troubled. "is okay?", he asked shyly.

"of course", Khun gave him a smile, it's a relatively small price to buy his happiness.

Bam's eyes twinkled with joy and he smiles brightly, "thank yhu!"

They passed by a bookstore when they're about to leave the mall, and Khun thought it'll be very beneficial to give him some books to spend time with. "let's work on your vocabulary and pronunciation".

"vokabyulery? Prenensea—uhm?"

Khun chuckled and patted his head, "haha yeah, you have a lot to learn".

 ----------

 They got home. It's past noon and Khun went to the kitchen to make lunch while Bam tries his best to tidy up the groceries. After they ate, Khun helped Bam with the remaining stuff.

It's a tiring weekend, when was the last time he walked that long? Khun flopped himself onto his bed and sighed in content as his body sank into the soft mattress.

Bam watches him curiously, holding his doll tightly in his arms. His face told Khun that he wants to say something.

"you should try to speak more often", Khun suggested, "it'll help you learn faster".

Bam nods, then followed by "okay". He approached Khun and asked him with a low voice while avoiding eye contact, "uhm, what shuld I call yu Mr. . .?"

Right. If he's not mistaken, he only said his name once, no wonder he forgot. "Khun, just call me Khun".

"Mr.Kun?"

"well, I guess that works too".

Satisfied, Bam smiled. Now that the question that bothered him since yesterday was answered, he yawned as the tiredness finally took over.

"tired too, aren't you?", Khun sat on the bed edge and lifted Bam up, 'he's very light', he thought. Then Khun placed him down next to him on the bed, 'only this time', he told himself. And they both fell asleep.

 ----------

 Khun slept for about 2 hours before his phone decided to wake him up. "hello. Yeah. Yeah. Huh? Isn't it— Wait, why don't you—. Argh, okay okay", he hung up. Why can't his team be responsible for once? It's weekend darn it. He sighed and started to work on his laptop.

Luckily he only needs a few hours to fix it, just in time when Bam woke up.

"good evening, Bam".

"good ifning", Bam replied, still half asleep.

"are you hungry yet?"

Bam shook his head. He yawned and got up while Khun closed his laptop. Then they settled on taking a bath first before dinner. They take a bath together because Khun wants to make sure Bam does it right.

"no, it's not like that", Khun facepalmed internally and smiles at the same time. And yes, apparently Bam did it wrong, so he must teach him from the start.

"close your eyes", Khun pour some water on his head and Bam reflexively wiped his face with his hand. Khun took a white bottle, "this one called shampoo, it's to clean your hair".

"shampoo?"

"yes, that's it. Now give me your hand", Khun poured a little shampoo on his palm, "there, now put it on your hair and rub it until foamy".

Bam slapped his head with his palm and laughs when he did, earning a smile from Khun. He rubs his head in a weird and funny way that makes Khun couldn't contain his own laugh. The shampoo smells nice, Bam likes it.

"you don't need to do this everytime though, once every two or three days is enough".

Bam nods, some foam trickled down his forehead. Khun helped him wiped it away.

Then Khun took something from his side, "this is soap, give it some water and then rub it like this", he demonstrated, "after that, rub it all over your body", Khun gave Bam the soap, "make sure you didn't miss anything".

While Bam slowly but surely covering himself in soap, Khun works on getting himself clean as well.

And then Khun got a childish idea that Bam will surely likes. "hey Bam, look at this", he took a tiny bit of shampoo on his palm and gave it a few drops of water, he rubbed his hands and blew a bubble from between his fingers.

Bam looks in awe at the round rainbow floating thing in front of him, "pretty!".

"it's called a bubble".

"ah!", it popped.

Khun blew another one for him. He might regret this later, but now it doesn't really matter because Bam's reaction was priceless.

They eventually rinse themselves, Bam is excited to use his new towel, it's so soft and fits him well. And he's really thankful.

Khun started to cook dinner, and this time Bam finally has a chance to watch him from close by. Khun decided to make fried rice that they still have some rice left, he put some ingredient on the sink, "Bam, can you name some of this?", he tested.

"um. Eggs, onyens, carrots, meat, vejetables", he said while pointing at them.

"not bad", Khun praised, "but to be specific, these are sausages, these are mustard greens and this is cauliflower".

Bam took a mental note and nodded.

Khun prepares dinner while explaining to Bam the step-by-step. From rinsing and cutting to cooking and seasoning.

Bam's eyes twinkled as he stares at the fried rice, it looks and smells delicious and he realized how hungry he is when his stomach growled.

So they ate. Khun noted that the food tastes more pleasant than usual, somehow. Maybe it's because he's looking at Bam's pleased expression while eating, maybe because there's someone he can share the moment with, someone who radiates happiness over some trivial things. And Khun wants to keep it as long as he could.

[sengenweek]

SenGen Week: Day 04 (Correction)

Day 04: January 01

Soulmate au / first date/meeting

-'-

Title: Colorfools.

-'-

A/N: You can see every color, except for the color of your soulmate's eyes. Once you see the eyes of your soulmate, you can finally see the color that has never been available for your sight.

-'-

He was lonely, and had nothing better to do that day, so he'd gone to a nice coffee shop downtown just to kill some time outside his house. Being indoors all the time was getting to his nerves. The coffee shop was a nice place, decorated with whites and browns in a second floor, and a big window with view to the outside, but the view was plagued with people and cars; nothing interesting to see. He opened a notebook containing drafts for his next book, as his drink and snack arrived, he was already engrossed in his writing and thanked the waiter absently.

He wrote and scratched several lines, using at least three of his pages when he decided to leave his pencil aside to take a sip of his coffee, looking once more to the window as he munched on a donut. And he noticed something, someone who looked briefly upwards and Gen got a glimpse of their eyes. Their eyes. A color he'd never seen before, a beautiful and mesmerizing shade enlightened by the sunlight. And as soon as the person –a boy, a teen?– had glanced up, his eyes went back to the floor, leaving Gen to observe a very strange mop of hair that stuck up. He was with two other people, a tall young man, and a girl with long hair, but Gen barely paid them any mind, he was stuck on the other teen, the one with odd hairstyle, and such beautiful eyes. He was about to get up from his seat and run to him, run to catch him. But as soon as Gen had seen him, the crowd had engulfed him.

Red. He knew what the color he'd never been able to see was called. Red. Gen saw it, again, in the traffic lights, in the neon signs of Tokyo, in the package of his favorite drink, Cola. Red. In the cover of his notebook, in the ink of his pen, in the drawings of his deck of cards. Gen saw red, the color that was missing from his life; and he loved it. He loved the color that painted his soulmate's eyes. And he regretted the fact that he may never see this person again, may never even hear his voice.

-'-

The girls at school –as well as some boys– seemed to have gained an interest in someone named Asagiri Gen, a sort of magician. One day, one of his classmates read aloud a quiz from one of his 'psicology' books, and Senkuu quickly disregarded it's value, and decided it wasn't really worth the effort to read more from it, so he didn't even looked at it.

That afternoon when the rest of his classmates as well as Taiju and Yuzuriha had left the classroom, he noticed his classmate had left the aforementioned book in there, so he took it to put it away and return it the next day, he lifted the book and saw it's cover which portrayed Asagiri Gen himself in the front. Asagiri Gen. A magician. A 'writer'. The complete opposite of him. He saw the deep blue of his eyes. He saw it in the night sky, in his father's tie, in the sea, in the wallpaper of his computer, in his jeans. He saw the color he'd never seen before, and got excited –happy, even–. So he thanked Asagiri Gen for putting his face in his trashy book, and left it at that. There was no need for Senkuu to do anything else about this.

And that was a filthy lie, because he tamed his hair down, wore a hat and glasses to attend one of his shows, he sat on the back row, hidden. Asagiri Gen's magic show was no big thing, he used every old trick in the book with a little personal twist. His smile was big and false. Like his show, Asagiri Gen seemed to be an act. Senkuu wondered what he'd be like in reality. So every now and again, he would read one of his trashy books, aimed towards the public to produce sales, and once or twice, assisted to his shows. Never once did he make contact.

-'-

'AD 5738, April 1st'

Whoever carved that was totally insane. Whoever carved that, had kept track of time while being petrified. Whoever carved that, was awesome. And Shishio Tsukasa feared this person. This Ishigami Senkuu person had to be someone worth knowing. He was hopeful to find him alive, despite having heard Tsukasa say he'd killed him with his own hands. He was quickly despached to go find the village of primitive people and the smell of ramen invaded Gen's nostrils.

'Ishigami Senkuu must have lived, then' was his first thought.

He snuck around the people and snatched a bowl, being his usual confident self even as he got surrounded by three of them, aiming very sharp spears –and knives– at him.

"I thought I'd seen your face somewhere before, Asagiri Gen"

He turns to look at the one he can only asume, is Ishigami Senkuu, and his heart beats so wildly in his ribcage he'd swear it would burst it open. He only ever saw them once, he only ever saw him once, but Gen would recognize that shade of scarlet, that weird mop of hair, anywhere. It took all of his self-control to keep his façade. The young man didn't seem fazed at all, he put Gen to work and got information out of him, not that he was going to keep it a secret anyhow.

"All I have to do is make a false report. 'It was only a primitive village.' 'Senkuu is dead.' With that, I can save you, Senkuu-chan"

'^I can save you^ I don't want you to die'

He hoped Senkuu had gotten the message, since he didn't show any reaction to seeing him. And Gen knew he'd never mistake his soulmate.

'But. Soulmate or not, you're amazing, and I want you to live.'

-'-

He didn't know if Gen was avoiding the subject on purpose, but he supposed it wasn't good to just dodge the situation forever. The matter of being soulmates had to be adressed eventually.

"Senkuu-chan~!" Ah, yes, speaking of the devil.

He turns to look at Gen, smiling brightly, the scar on his cheek making his grin far more devious than it should be.

"What are you doing up so late at night?" he questions.

"I could ask you the same, Gen"

"Insomnia~! Your turn~!"

"Stargazing" he grins.

"You like the stars?"

"Yeah, they're a good way to know your location, and the time at night. Although, after so many years, they shifted in their place. They're not where I remember them being"

"Everything has changed" he mumbles nostalgic.

"It's not so bad. With consistent and sustained effort we can bring it back to being more or less where everything was. It'll take years, perhaps even decades, though"

"Ah, yes. You'll work everyone to exhaustion"

"You damn right, I will" he beams.

Gen can only sigh, a tiny smile tugging on his lips.

-'-

An observatory. Gen really surprised him this time. 'He must've remembered when we spoke of the stars' he mused. He really should speak to him now, he knew jackshit about these kinda feelings, but he was sure this was more than just a gift for his birthday, the words the mentalist spoke were far too much of a hint.

As if being summoned by his thoughts –again– the mentalist burst throught the entrance on the floor elegance in his movements.

"Stargazing?" he asked.

"Yes and no. I'm trying to find where the stars are now"

There's a map on the floor, notes and constellations drawn into it. Gen takes a sit right next to him.

"And how is that going?"

"My hand hurts from scribbling so much" he sighes.

The mentalist takes his right hand gingerly, tracing circles and triangles and squares into his open palm, lips pursed –almost pouting–, inspecting it as if it were an antient text.

"Don't tell me you read palms too, mentalist" he jokes.

"Why, yes I do~!" Gen answers gaze never leaving his hand.

"Oh really? And what does my future say?"

"You have a tewible luck. As always"

"Mmm"

Senkuu changes the position of their hands, now he's the one tracing figures on Gen's palm, making him chuckle.

"What does my future say, Senkuu-chan~?" he asks amused.

"It says... You will be kissed shortly"

"Eh? Kissed?"

Senkuu leaned –eyes open– and placed a chaste kiss on Gen's lips. And Gen looks cute when he gets paralized and blushing, his eyes three times larger than a moment ago.

"Thank you, for my birthday present. And for the color blue. It's beautiful"

Gen tries to speak a few times, but he only manages to look like a fish, so he gives up, and buries his face on his sleeved hands.

"Never seen you so flustered before. How cute" Senkuu chuckles.

"You're so mean~!" he pouts.

"Sorry. But it seemed like we avoided the subject for too long"

He spreads his fingers, letting only one bright iris to be discerned.

"I suppose you're right" he agrees. "You knew since the modern days who I was"

"I saw your face in one of your trashy books"

"Heh. I saw you once from inside a coffee shop"

"Really?"

"Yes. It was only a fleeting moment when you looked up" he explained sheepishly. "I wanted to go after you then, but you got lost in the crowd. I think you were with Taiju-chan and Yuzuriha-chan"

"Heh, I probably was"

"I like it. Red, I mean"

"I wonder if everyone just loves the color they'd never seen before"

"Probably most people do" he smiles, finally revealing his face.

And Senkuu takes the chance to steal another kiss. This time Gen responds, draping his arms on Senkuu's neck, the other pulls Gen closer by his waist.

Scarlet and cobalt meet, they suit each other quite beautifully.

-'-

A/N: So, I posted day one again for mistake. Kids, don't go operating heavy machinery when you're sleep deprived, just sayin', ya could get something wrong. Also on:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13464121/4/SenGen-Week-2019-2020

[anitabyars]

Hate to Date You, an all-new standalone contemporary romance in the Dating Series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is live!

Stella Ricci is bored.

Her overprotective family barely let her out of their sight, despite the fact she’s a grown woman. Yes, she loves her job at her family’s café and she’s the best barista in the entire Monterey Peninsula, but is that enough? She’s thinking no. But what else can she do?

Enter Carter Abbott. Burnt out after the never-ending grind of selling high end real estate in Los Angeles, he’s returned home, unsure of what to do next. He needs someplace to crash temporarily until he gets back on his feet.

It's easy for Stella to suggest Carter move in. Temporarily of course. It'll give her someone to talk to. The only problem?

That one night stand Stella and Carter had about a year ago. They never talked about it. They still don’t really talk about it. Despite the fact that the old chemistry has come back full force. Living together has made that obvious. Should they admit that one night wasn't enough? Or will dating each other turn into an epic fail?

Only one way to find out…

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2w55ZNV

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HatetoDateYouMM

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Excerpt:

I’m in the bathroom applying one last coat of mascara to my eyelashes when Carter suddenly appears behind me, his gorgeous face looming over my shoulder. Of course, like the dork that I am, I yelp with a jolt when I first spot him, stabbing myself in the eyeball with the mascara wand.

And like some sort of romcom hero, he rushes for me, his big hands curling around my shoulders and turning me around so I have no choice but to face him. Though I can’t even look at him, considering I’m bent over and holding both hands over my wounded eye.

“Are you all right? I didn’t mean to scare you.” He sounds troubled. Which is good. He should definitely feel bad for causing my injury.

Though really, I’m the one who overreacted and stabbed myself in the first place.

“I’m okay.” I stand up straighter, still cradling my watery, stinging eye. “It only hurts a little.”

“Drop your hand.” He turns away from me, snagging a tissue out of the Kleenex box that’s perched on the back of the toilet, then faces me once more. “Drop it,” he repeats when I still haven’t removed my hand.

Reluctantly I remove my hand from my face, my eyelashes practically stuck together. I’m sure I look a mess and I swallow hard, reaching up to dab at the tender skin beneath my eye, but Carter bats my hand away.

“Let me,” he murmurs as he brushes the tissue underneath my eye, picking up all the excess mascara. “Does it still hurt?”

“A little.” He’s so close. I can see all of his eyelashes, and they’re thick and dark and don’t need a lick of mascara on them, the jerk. He’s freshly shaven, his face nice and smooth, and I sort of want to rub against it. Like a cat.

“I’m sorry I startled you,” he says with the utmost sincerity. “I didn’t mean for you to try to take your eye out.”

A soft laugh escapes me. “I’ve stabbed myself in the eye before with a mascara wand. I’m sure this won’t be the last time.”

He finishes cleaning up the mess I made and then turns me so I face the mirror once more. “Now you’re perfect,” he says, squeezing my shoulders for the briefest moment before he lets go and exits the bathroom, heading straight into his bedroom.

I’m shaken by the encounter and it takes me a minute to get moving again. Since the afternoon at my nonna’s house, we’ve been friendlier. Not so friendly that we fall into bed together, but friendly enough. Which is…nice. I don’t like having hostile feelings toward Carter. What exactly did he ever do to me anyway?

Oh, he just rocked your world and turned you into a firm believer in multiple orgasms, then left you in the dust and never talked to you again.

Right. He did that. And it sucked.

Meet Monica:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and HarperCollins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult, and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/IW5U0y

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2ZAthV1

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

My Review

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sexy & Sweet!

Sweet, Sexy and entertaining with these lovable and endearing characters. I have been loving this series and couldn’t wait to read this new book. “HATE TO DATE YOU”is an absolutely charming romantic comedy that will surround your heart with all THE FEELS! It’s a delightful entertaining best friend brother’s romance that will make you laugh, and swoon for days. Once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.

I am loving this special group of tight knit girlfriends, their easy fun times, as well as watching them as they fall in love. This is what keeps me coming back again and again.

I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review.