#wicked ass character fr

[sqwdkllr]

Keeping all my thoughts on the au so very close to my chest until I explode

The faint humming of a microwave in the distance ,, ,

[kavalyera]

this might be just wishful thinking but i hope the high table series spinoff characterizes and humanizes iosef tarasov considering alfie allen can pull off asshole characters that end up being liked more due to more writing

[stxneflxwers]

dominance.

⋯⁂ summary. you've gotten your hands on him - now it's his turn to submit.

⋯⁂ a/n. short and sweet, barely edited, etc. brain is on some bullshit fr

���⁂ characters. zhongli. neuvillette. alhaitham. afab reader (neutral prns).

⋯⁂ cw. men getting pegged WOO YEAH!!!! each character will have their own individual tags prior to the writing. all lowercase.

zhongli.

cw. mating press. mild edging. masturbation.

"dearest, please... ah—" zhongli moans - rather pathetically, too. "let me... let me... hng—" he grunts, hips wiggling to meet your own with each thrust, but it's proving to be difficult as you suddenly push his tense thighs to his chest.

"sorry - what was that, cutie?" you mock lightly, a wicked grin on your face as you pound into his tight ass, "you gotta speak up." you coo as your pace slows down significantly and your spare hand flicks one of his hard, reddened nipples.

"agh," he groans, "s-stop tormenting me...!" his head throws back, exposing his neck for you to attack with nibbles and kisses. "mmh! beloved!" he whimpers when you do exactly that, one of his hands moving to gently grab the back of your head. "faster - harder, p-please...!"

he sounds so desperate. you can't help but finally grant his wish after hearing so much of his begging over the past hour.

"your wish is my command, pretty boy." you give him one hard thrust, causing him to hiss in a mix of pain and pleasure, "but, i do have a little request..."

"y-yes...?"

"touch yourself as i fuck you." you command, grabbing his hand on your head to wrap it around his own thick cock.

"mmh... so naughty..." he rasps. "a-alright, i will...do so - ah!" he breathily yells your name and his eyes roll back as you immediately pick up the pace and ferocity of your thrusts.

"what a good boy you are."

neuvillette.

cw. doggy style/from behind. you show him 0 mercy. he cries a lil bit (but it's outta pleasure i swear).

neuvillette pants - each breath hard and ragged. his hips are forced still by your command and your tightened grip on his narrow hips. his face digs into his folded arms, muffling some - but nowhere near all - of his whiny, desperate moans.

"enjoying this, neuvi?" you whisper into his red, flushed ear - double-checking, you understand that your pace may be overwhelming for him.

"j-just dandy!" he moans, eyes tearing up and rolled back as he tries to keep up with you.

"aw, gonna cry? so sweet..." you murmur, "what if i went faster?" you tease, knowing he's quickly already turned into a babbling mess of a man.

"mhm!" he hardly responds as his hands move to grab the pearly white sheets beneath him, nearly tearing them to shreds.

"hehe, you poor thing..." you snicker.

the moment you pick up the pace, he's already cumming all over those poor sheets...

alhaitham.

cw. riding. alhaitham a bit of a tsundere. spanking (like once lol.)

alhaitham refuses to give you the pleasure - the honor - of getting to hear him moan. and he also refuses to admit how good he feels right now. you've teased him far too much tonight, so now he's restricting a bit of your freedom as he rides the hell out of your strap.

and then you give his plush ass a nice whack with your hand. he groans loud and clear at last.

"good. give me more of that, you lazybutt." you insult light-heartedly, but you mean it with all the love in the world.

"ngh!" he groans again as he shifts position into a more comfortable one, riding you faster and harder than before. "n-not as lazy as you - especially right now—!" he retorts with a broken voice.

you slip a hand around his torso.

"what are you doing - ah!" he thrashes a little bit when your hand grasps his cock tightly before pumping it at an impossible pace.

"so sassy... do you need another lesson to learn?" you mock (lovingly).

"you are the one who needs a lesson—mmh!" he moans - high-pitched and whiny when you massage his balls with your other hand, causing him to cum right away...causing it to hit his chest and a bit of his face.

"oh? what was that?" you grin behind him.

he pants heavy and loud, unable to respond. for now, that is.

[wickmitz]

i think you absolutely hit the nail on the head with a lot of this post! there is certainly a lot of deeply rooted misogyny inherent in the fandom, as well as an obvious double standard that is rather tiring to repeatedly see. people show overt sympathy towards characters like rocky, mordecai, freckle, and the likes -- meanwhile critcal eyes are constantly turned towards mitzi and ivy in particular, two women who are expected to act like mother figures or behave more maturely in comparison to their male friends and counterparts. you can’t discuss how rocky has agency without someone still implying that mitzi should be responsible for him anyway, simply because rocky is mentally ill and needs help. ivy is expected to innately understand freckle, a boy she barely knows and a boy who refuses to set any boundaries, and is also held to a standard of ‘maturity’ that freckle himself is exempt from. freckle, a character who has such severe anger issues to the point of going on scary, murderous rampages, is given more inherent grace than ivy, a misguided girl who’s worst crime is being forceful and pushy. and, like rocky with mitzi, freckle’s reserved nature is more than just a personality trait he has! when ivy implies rocky told her about their shared past, freckle looks nauseous and panicked -- he is not only shy, but purposefully guarded around ivy, perhaps due to fear she’ll discover things she won’t like. but is this discussed? is this a factor people consider in the frepper relationship? that freckle is just as responsible for setting boundaries as ivy is responsible for respecting them? from what i’ve seen, no. women in lackadaisy are treated as if they’re omniscient figures rather than human beings with a lot of their own issues on their plate ; where they should know everyone’s suffering intimately, and then take responsibility for said suffering, even if it’s not their fault. it is not up to the men in their lives to tell them how they feel or to ask for help, nor is it up to any of the men to perhaps care for the women in turn … it is wholly the women’s burden instead.

mitzi is insanely stressed out of her mind, going through intense grief, is suffering from multiple relationship losses and threats to her life and business, and is currently holding all of that pain inside of her that she can’t and won’t share. she’s in a bad state of mind ( and i point this out constantly in my wickmitzi analysis here and here ) and is, frankly, in no condition to care for herself -- much less multiple other people. but despite her own pain, she tries catering to the lives around her anyway. and not once do i see anyone claiming mitzi ‘needs someone to take care of her’ or ‘be nice to her’ or what have you. she is expected to burden this alone and to suck it up and care for the other characters, more importantly male characters like the band, rocky, and zib. she is expected to coo and be kind and soothe all their wounds and be agreeable, meanwhile fans view zib’s rather cruel words and behavior towards her in vestige as justified -- or, at least, they never bring it up, simply because it doesn’t matter to them. instead, i see mitzi’s actions in that section be constantly brought up, as proof that zib deserves better and is a poor little meow meow who mitzi is oh so cruel towards. people claim mitzi is undeserving of zib’s loyalty and is using it ruthlessly for her own gain when … again, zib is fully capable of making his own choices, and mitzi cannot force him to stay. she is still blamed for his misery regardless though, the same way she is blamed for anything rocky does, simply because he’s ‘doing it for her,’ despite her sometimes not asking for it. people say mitzi’s selfish for holding onto atlas the way that she does, and that she deserves to be justly punished for making others suffer with her … but mordecai, someone who has the exact same motivations and grief, someone who has actively done worse with said grief ( like shooting viktor in the knee and completely disabling him for life ), is offered sympathy. people want mordecai to move on but they want him to have a happy ending afterwards as well, to reconcile with everyone he’s hurt and to heal properly. but mitzi? she deserves to be alone and in jail or dead, apparently. for some reason, her actions are ‘unforgivable’, even if she hasn’t done anything to the severity as mordecai has just yet.

we’re so down for lacy and elsa because they stay in their lane and don’t bother the men lmao.

this part in particular was rather enlightening to me, because i’ve always known something was up with this but could never articulate why lacy and elsa were popular and seen as ‘better’ than the other women around them. elsa and lacy are traditional caretakers, with both of them having subservient positions and adhering to the orders of men without fuss. in lacy’s case, she even goes above and beyond, to the point where it’s implied and joked about that wick wouldn’t survive a day without her at his side. this dynamic is treated as cute and funny, and to be fair, i also find it cute and fun! but it is also rather unfair that lacy is burdened with all these extra tasks she’s not required to do. and this also says something about wick himself. he’s a thirty-something year old man who’s so utterly reckless with his drinking and choices that he has to have a young twenty-something woman handle him at all times. yet lacy is praised for this! for caring so deeply about wick and being protective of him! and wick’s part in all of this isn’t ever brought up, seen as questionable, or is considered to imply a multitude of flaws on his end. elsa, similarly, plays clean-up for her husband and brother often. they throw some random man on a table with his brain exposed and tell her to fix it, and she does. they decide by themselves to start rumrunning for the lackadaisy again, and when marigold comes to their door, she covers for them without faltering. elsa, on the surface, is the exact kind of woman most people can tolerate because she’s quiet, good at caretaking, soft and sad looking, and is out of the way. she is not invasive and her presence is never loud, and she leaves the men be for the most part, you know? serafine is also more well regarded by the fandom, but that’s simply because she’s ’unabashedly evil’, meaning her flaws can be turned into quirks and the likes. it’s a rather interesting phenomenon, in the sense that it all comes back to the black and white mindset fandoms have so rapidly developed nowadays.

there’s so much more i could say here honestly. and there are many points i could also repeat. like, yes, as much as i adore rocky, it is undeniable that he is an extremely difficult person to be around. and that, like it or not, mitzi is 100% within her right to be disappointed or frustrated with him when he messes up, especially since rocky messes up big time. this does not make her cold or uncaring or ignorant or evil, it makes her human. tracy said it the best herself here :

Yes. There are characters that care about Rocky, but it's complicated. It is possible to love someone, for instance, while not really being able to abide living with them. It's possible to care about someone without wishing to be inseparable buddies with them.

The core of Rocky's nature does make it difficult for him to find places where he easily fits in, and that much is not really his fault. However, he does have agency, and he has - with gusto - taken on a role that calls for him to lean into the destructive aspect of his nature. It's fine to feel a bit sympathetic about the first part, but that doesn't mean that he should get a pass on the rest, narratively speaking. Some of the lumps he's taken have been unearned, but many of them have been the results of his own (often violent) machinations.

so claiming that, on top of all of mitzi’s own issues and trauma and stressors, she has to take responsibility for rocky in his really messy entirety is rather cruel, and frankly not a good idea at all. and while he does deserve grace and care, so does mitzi … and everyone else in the cast. rocky is not particularly special because he’s suffering hard, because everyone else is suffering to a degree too, and i fail to understand how such kindness can’t be afforded to everyone else -- especially characters like mitzi and ivy. nobody talks about how ivy was forced to witness rocky get hurt like that, how she had to hold a gun at two men who were trying to kill them to try and save his life, and then had to take care of said friend afterwards because he’d otherwise just waste away in his car by his lonesome. she’s only eighteen! she was scared shitless! and yet prevailed for rocky’s sake and her own, despite having no help whatsoever. it’s shocking how quickly i can forget the pain mitzi and ivy have gone through simply because it’s never brought up by fans due to how much it pales in comparison to the men’s pain … i guess? even if their suffering is as simple as having money stolen from them or being too shy to … tell a girl no? i’ll see essays upon essays analyzing the men’s agony and their ‘very complicated!’ bonds with one another, but the women are reduced to being mentioned occasionally in those essays, and are mostly dehumanized in mitzi’s case. i feel like if you refuse to think about the girls in lackadaisy, then you are missing a rather large part of the story itself too. and it’s just … sad to see!

this post, nor my own additions to it, aren’t claiming that the lackadaisy women should be treated like angels or that they are flawless. these posts aren’t even hating on the men of lackadaisy either! i mean, both of our blogs have wick in the name, how could we actually hate that man in any capacity? this post is merely calling out some very odd takes that have been seen before, ones that keep circulating, and i think op is valid to bring it up. it’s okay to have biases and the likes, we all do, but if you’re trying to take lackadaisy more seriously, then perhaps make sure you’re viewing every character through a similar lense rather than vastly different ones. at the end of the day this is literally the ‘flawed, messy, and immature characters’ tragicomedy comic after all.

reading comprehension check! women do not ask men to be obsessed with them. women are not responsible for the things men do because they are obsessed with them. this goes double if a man repeatedly downplays the lengths he goes to and the horrific things he does due to his obsession with a woman! thanks for coming to my ted talk

[cheonstapes]

LASER TAG (various characters)

saw this on pinterest and isnsjsjesisisiaisj😊😊😊😊😊😊.

also first post omg!! lil bit nervous icl ＾＾　enjoy, feedback is appreciated!! s not proof read- it’s 5 am and i am tired🤗

wc; 500+

pairing; any char x reader

cw; gn! reader (use of princess), suggestive, dry humping, making out, betrayal, reader is shorter than character, reader being dramatic (me fr)

soft pants left your lips as you surveyed the area, bright neon lights dancing around the darkened maze. with the laser gun held tightly in your hands, you take a few steps forward, the loud music muffling your movements. you peek round the corner, a puff of air leaving your nose as you spot a figure moving closer.

he pauses- looking around lazily before his gaze settles on you. you can’t see him, your back against the edge of the wall, as he stalks towards you- a teasing smirk on his lips. you freeze as the sound of ruffled clothes nears closer, immediately jumping out from behind and pointing the laser gun at them. “hey! back the fuck- babe?” you slowly put the gun down as you stare at him, a beat passing before a mischievous smile graces your lips as you raise the gun again.

“any last words?” you smirk, head tilting. he lets out a low chuckle, closing the distance between the two of you. the gun is pressed against his firm chest as he looks down at you, eyes hooded and his lower lip tucked between his teeth. “that’s how it is, hm? not gonna give your man a pass, princess?” he leans into your face, breath fanning against your skin. his hands caress your sides, pinching at your exposed skin.

“n-not a chance. it’s a game, babe, i‘m not fucking loosing.” your words catch in your throat as his hands trail lower, teasingly brushing over the curve of your ass. he grips your plump cheeks tightly, pulling you flush against him. a wicked grin stretches his face, his hands working eagerly against your flushed skin. “mm, y’know i’ll always root for my baby, anyway.” he moves his hands to your waist, murmuring softly. “gimme a kiss ‘fore you kill me, at least.”

you roll your eyes playfully, wrapping your arms around his thick neck, pulling him down to your face. he wraps both of his arms around you, lifting you up to press you tightly against a wall, connecting your lips in a hot kiss. his tongue teases yours, hands squeezing the soft flesh of your thighs as he grinds his hips into yours. the bulge in his pants throbbed as you pushed yourself harder against him, breathy moans mingling with his grunts. saliva drips down your chins, the room suddenly feeling 100 degrees hotter as you run your hands through his hair, tugging on the strands to deepen the kiss.

he pulls away abruptly, flashing his teeth as he holds you tightly. your gun lay abandoned on the floor next to you, your eyes locked onto his- his face making you weak in the knees as he smirked down at you softly. “thanks for that, baby.” you smile, giggling as you lean into his touch. “mm, you’re welcome, handsome.”

“‘n sorry for this.” your brows furrow at his words, leaning back slightly as you look up at him in confusion. “huh? sorry for what-“ you gasp as you hear the loud *beep* that sounds from his laser gun, the light on your jacket flickering out as the announcement of your elimination rings through the room. you gaze up at him, disbelief coating your words. “you fucker! what happened to rooting for me?” you smack his chest, pouting angrily as he laughs that deep laugh of his, crossing his arms and looking down at your annoyed self. “well, it is a game, babe. ‘n i’m not fuckin’ loosin’.”

- bakugou katsuki, gojo satoru, renji abarai, eren jeager, childe, tetsuro kuroo, meguru bachira, ryusei shidou

[blue-razzslushie]

Hogwart Legacy AU: Prof.Sharp

Hey chat, how would you feel if I said I forgot I was doing the deep dive of characters with my MC? I was busy dragging myself out of art block but HERE WE GO!!! (I picked this one via a spin wheel, this one is longer then the others ones I've done because firstly my MC is closer with this John Wick wannabe then the others I've done so there's more to write, and secondly because I may or may not be making a fanfic for these two losers, so I have more ideas etc ^^

First Impression:

Sharp:

✭He's heard a lot about the new student even before entering his class, Survived a Dragon attack and first day of classes saving Hogsmeade from Trolls?? Impressive sure but. . . Problem child much??

✭Pretty skilled with potions for a first timer, Not to mention the fact that they managed to stay on task even after Mr.Weasleys attempt at persuasion. Yet again Impressive, and impressing this man is like taking a Dungbog.

Rory:

✭Honestly didn't understand the constant talk about the professor once actually meeting him. They've heard him get called Intimidating, which is true, then again they've faced a troll and an enchanted armor. However, he isn't purposely cruel like they've heard. . . He's just blunt. Just like them fr!

✭Almost immediately one of their favorite professors, straight to the point. That's how they liked it. They liked potions anyway, its like baking in a way. . . They like baking :]

Overall Dynamic/Relationship:

✭ah yes, the classic and never old trope of a grumpy ass man taking a traumatized child under his wing. Starts off as a Mentor and Apprentice Duo, changes into a Adoptive father child duo. [Which they both PROFUSELY DENY for as long as possible] Y'all know it, you love it, it's great. Don't lie you know it's great

✭Mfs are literally same person different font prove me wrong. Sarcastic, Grumpy asf, Straight to the point, PAINFULLY blunt. Like come on man! They give Joel and Ellie or like Batman and Nightwing istg prove me wrong it's impossible.

Over the storyline [Also Fanfic lore!!]:

I don't really mind spoiling parts of the thing I'm writing, if anything it'll help people understand the relationship more!! So here on out I'm gonna talk about my AU so there will be interactions out of game!! It isn't apart of canon!! [Theses events begin to take place after the first trial]

✭One of the most important things Sharp was well known for, his miraculous perception and observance skills. Over the first half of the semester, the Potions Professor clearly noticed things the other staff didn't

✭The new 5th year always seemed to be running in and out of school, Barely making it to classes and at times not attending them at all. Every time, Fig always somehow had a alibi or excuse for them. Not to mention they somehow always have bruises or other random marks on them.

✭Nobody was that clumsy, especially them, he's seen them before and they are in no way a clutz who rams into things as they claim to be.

✭Let me tell you, His spidey senses were TINGLING.

✭Something was going on here, something behind the lines. He was going to find out what, that's for damn sure. If a student is in danger, he'll get to the bottom of it. Damn firm sense of justice

✭First thing he tried to do was ask the Fig about it, as he seems to be knowing more then he's letting on. Especially with his odd request for the potions master to try and find out whatever he could about the Goblins for Merlin's sake

✭Professor sharp MAY have implyed either Fig is purposely putting the student in danger or he didn't care about them all too much. As you would expect, that didn't settle so well, tense conversation turned to a heated argument. Ending it with a slam of a door and getting absolutely no where in his investigation.

✭He could ask the student directly, but judging by how stubborn they are. He doubts he would get a straight answer. . . If one at all. Not like he could tell the headmaster without any proper proof then a suspicious feeling, as if the irritating man would listen.

✭He was at a standstill, deciding to take a walk to thing. . .when he paused at seeing a disillusioned student walking around the main hall. . .wait a minute is that

✭It was Rory, speak of the devil. As he would with any other student he confronted them, after all this hadn't been the first time they've been caught by staff sneaking around at the dead of night. He ultimately decided a weeks worth of detention was suitable, he was in a mood okay give him a break

✭Rory of course was NOT pleased by this news, they had things to do. Ancient magic to discover, trials to prepare for, Demiguise statues to find!! They didn't have the time to scrub cauldrons!! Nevertheless they had to go, despite Figs protests to sharp which fell on dead ears

✭The detentions were. . .not as horrible as expected to say the least. Instead of scrubbing cauldrons the entire time, it became more of a extra class. Sharp, in his downtime brewed potions for the hospital wing and. . . Another project for the headmaster. He always did it himself but since they were here, why not get the kid to help him out a bit? Get ingredients for him, mince them, juice horklumps etc,,,

✭Sharp, for some unknown reason sort of enjoyed the students presence. They were helpful, but not a pushover. Respectful, but also seemed to have a sense of humor judging by the few sarcastic back and forths. They seemed to actually like to learn, being a fast learner at that. A wonderful quality when he began to actually sort of Mentor them with things other then Potions

✭Rory sorta felt the same way, it was a simpler thing to do that week, something that while not being optional was still enjoyable. Turns out the professor has a LOT of story's about His Auror days he surprisingly seems fond of speaking of. While he does emphasize the dangers and tribulations of the job, he doesn't seem to have hated it. If anything it still seems like just as much of a passion as it was when he was an Auror. Maybe they could be an Auror someday. . .

✭After the weeks detentions were over, It was almost a silent agreement that Rory could still return to help and learn a few tips. That was until around winter [aka, after the third trial]. They seemed to act a bit different, More anxious and jumpy. Slowly beginning to not return as much to the classroom. The Professor didn't mind, Whatever, they have their own things to do. However don't think Sharp forgot about the odd behavior from earlier this year, he still knew something was going on. Still kept a good eye on them

✭Rory after the confrontation with Ranrok and the Loss of Lodgok, unfortunately ran out of wiggenwelds and was in no shape to get to the ROR. So It wasn't until they walked into the potions classroom at 3 in the morning under the impression that the Potions Professor was already gone, drenched in blood did all hell broke loose

✭WHAT. WHEN. HOW. IS THAT A ENTIRE CHUNK OUT OF THEIR ARM MISSING???? WHY ARE THEY MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM BEING MAD????Safe to say the Professor wasn't pleased to see the student on their deathbed. After getting a few potions in them, it was the quickest this man has moved towards the nearest floo flame to the Hospital Wing

✭Next morning Sharp DEMANDED answers. They tried to pass it off as a wrong place but come on he isn't that daft!! Same time he was trying to push answers out of them, fig came to visit! That made his mood somehow sour more. How was this man so calm? This kid almost died!?

✭The Professors got into a squabble like schoolchildren until Rory had to break it up, promising the professor answers later. Nurse Blainey shooing him out of hospital Wing for "trying to interrogate a patient at 8AM". Sharp was pissed, but decided to be patient. He swears to Merlin if he gets another blatant lie he is going to throw a FIT.

✭He got answers. . . But it wasn't anything he was expecting. Ancient magic? Goblins?? Ranrok?? He had to sit down for a moment istg. This kid was single handedly trying to save the wizarding world while SOMEHOW KEEPING IT UNDER WRAPS? If he wasn't so damn worried and downright flabbergasted he would be genuinely proud.

✭He was asked to keep it on the downlow for now, by both Fig and the student. He honestly didn't know what to do, so he just vowed to help as much as he could. Much to Figs dismay of course. . .

✭He got radio silence from both the kid and their mentor for the next day. Seemingly to vanish off the face of the bloody earth. It wasn't until Professor Weasley was pounding on his door yelling about an attack on the school did things become more tense. Of course Rory had something to do with this. . . Didn't they?

✭Rest of the battle of hogwarts goes as usual, wasn't until the goblins began to actually fall back did the professor set his mind on the kid again. Attempting to find them, and eventually he did!! Yay!! He found them in the slowly but surely collapsing cavern, more distraught and upset then he had ever seen. Oh. . . Not yay

✭Fig was dead, they were in the middle of having a blown panic attack. This wasn't what he was hoping to come back to. He tried to help as much as possible, wasn't too much help tho. He was never good with emotions

✭Rory felt dizzy, fuzzy. . .like really fuzzy. It was like they weren't in control of their own body. After a moment if struggle passing out themself. Which the potions professor. . .absolutely wigged out. Eventually the other professors showed up just in time. . . Well not really

Aftermath/Future:

✭Rory was apparently in a small coma, damage to the head, body over exhausted, not to mention a concussion and several other severe wounds. They were inthe hospital Wing for a good few days

✭To say the professor was worried was a rather huge understatement. Besides Professor Weasley he was up in the Hospital Wing the most. Killed his leg, but that wasn't on his mind. As much as he knows he liked the kid, it felt odd to feel this worried about someone. Ever since his partner died (who aka in my Au was a brother to him) , he's never really felt so concerned, He hid it under a scowl tho

✭Once Rory woke up, they got their ear chewed off for not coming to him with this sooner, not being careful, giving him a heart attack. And also they unfortunately got the harsh demand of a full explanation, nothing left out. They agreed (thank Merlin he did NOT have the patience to fight with them on it anymore)

✭The next week or two they did not leave this man's sight. It only got worse after they managed to sneak out of the castle with Mrs.Onai and defeat Harlow. He was totally correct in his first assumption they were a problem child. If they tried to get out if the castle, "And just where do you think you're running off to?".

✭After the school year ended, and the MANY meetings with the ministry were over. Sharp was officially given the role of Rory's new mentor to help catch then up over the Summer. Not that neither of them had a problem with that of course. . . He did have a few more stories to share after all

I AM SO SORRY THIS IS SO LONG, I HAVE BEEN HYPER FIXATING ON THEM SO BAD AND LIKE GUH. Curse my cringe ass Parental issues. But anyway, Probably going to start writing the fic I mentioned now that this is gonna be posted. I have an outline for what I'm writing so it'll be nice! Still expect a few drawings here and there dw!!

[gothcsz]

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒆 / Chapter IV.

PAIRING: Javier Peña x Original Female Character

SUMMARY: The beginning of the end...

WORD COUNT: ~7.5k

RATING: 18+ Mature topics such as sex, drugs, murder, the occult, religion, cannibalism and other triggering matters will be explored in this body of work. Minors DNI.

CHAPTER SPECIFIC TAGS: The start of a very wicked love triangle, slowburn slowburn slowburnnnn, mentions of religion (Catholicism), porn WITH plot !!!, some characterization, other things that I'm probably forgetting.

DISCLAIMER/WARNINGS: The Javier Peña referenced in this body of work is solely based off of the character that appears in Netflix’s Narcos and not the actual person. Very canon divergent and I will tweak things as I see fit to compliment the narrative of this story. While efforts have been made to be accurate in terms of canon timeline, a lot of details will be fictionalized.

A/N: this took me longer than i anticipated solely bc i hate rereading my writing lol i'm tryin suuuuper hard to get javi's characterization down so i hope i'm doing him justice fr 🙏🏽 the plot is slowly getting started and i'm just rly hype for it bc i love the whole southern gothic vibe like it EATS!!! anyways feel free to drop any type of feedback/support on this blog or ao3. i'd really appreciate it <3

♰  read on ao3. ���

♰  playlist | pinterest | series masterlist ♰

“You know, most guys woulda thrown in the towel by now.” Paloma tells him, legs steadily peddling her bicycle as Javier drives in his cruiser alongside her. 

“Most guys are idiots, querida.” He replies cooly, one arm dangling lazily out of the driver’s side window and his aviators sitting pretty on the bridge of his nose.

Paloma’s laugh rings out beautifully and he can’t keep himself from smiling. “S’no wonder they quit on you. You’re stubborn as hell.” He grumbles, thinking of the various times that she’s rejected his offer to drive her wherever she needed.

Initially, Javier’s behavior bordered on being a downright nuisance, deliberately encroaching on her personal space with excessive proximity. It wasn’t entirely due to his duties; rather, he found amusement in witnessing her irritation. The combination of her sharp retorts and accompanying eye rolls became an addictive response he couldn’t resist provoking.

It was entertaining, to say the least.

Amidst his constant patrolling, Javier got to learn more about her little by little. Details like what her routine consists of and how she interacts with others.

It’s abundantly evident that Paloma is adored by nearly everyone she encounters. Her kindness, wit, talent… beauty. It’s thoughts like these that had him second guessing how he was approaching the sheriff’s orders.

It was making him feel like a stalker, honestly, so he decided to pull back a bit. She is grown, after all, and she’s reminded him of that fact almost daily. 

So, Javier gave her the space they both need. Not following her around everywhere or posting up outside her job. During his downtime, he is able to put more analytical attention on the current homicide case. Starting with the guy that had lingered at Nina’s funeral.

He asked around, trying to get any information about a potential boyfriend or anything of that nature but came up empty handed.

Paloma grins proudly at his words. “You say stubborn I say strong-willed. I do appreciate you easing off, though.” She looks over at him and he admires how pretty she looks beneath the sunlight.

Brown hair clipped up into a messy updo and a soft, yellow sundress adorning her body. A hidden gem in this vast and obscure town.

“‘Least I could do. Helps me think, too, drivin’ around.” Javier keeps himself from reminiscing on his days in Colombia and the endless amount of stakeouts he’d been apart of. Sure, his ass would get numb and most of the time they acquired nothing but it helped him analyze any and every detail he could examine; often the copious amount of time he spent trying to piece everything together lead to a bigger break in the investigation.

He’s just applying the same technique here. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to make anything out of it all.

“Ah, so the car is your go to spot? Mine is the abandoned tracks over by Montrose. For some reason, I think better there… if that makes any sense.” The conversation continues easily and naturally. That is another thing he’s come to learn about her, Paloma is very amiable.

“It makes sense, muñeca. You shouldn’t go by yourself, though. Don’t know who could be followin’ you all the way out there…”

“I think it’s an officer that goes by Peña and I’m pretty sure he’s stalking me.” She teases him and he rolls his eyes, letting out a dry chuckle.

Javier really wants to urge her to let him take her to work but he knows she’ll challenge him.

Thinner strands of her hair stick to her neck and other damp areas of her face; the sweat on her thighs which he can see gleam beneath the hot sun each time she pedals. That leather seat she’s sitting on must be uncomfortable.

“I’m sure he’s just trying to make sure that you don’t run into any trouble. Which is why I think you should let me give you a ride to the library before you pass out and die of heat exhaustion tryin’ to bike there.” Javier tilts his head to the side to look at her and she stays quiet, thinking over his words before letting out a defeated sigh.

“Fine, but only because it’s hot as shit and I may or may not be jealous of the A/C in your cruiser.” He can’t help the smirk that tugs at his lips as she caves in, rolling the vehicle to a smooth stop and putting it into park so that he could mount her bicycle to the back of it.

Javier’s eyes trail over her form as her back is turned to him, grabbing her things out of the small basket. If her father knew the scandalous thoughts he had about her— he’d have him quartered and drawn. That does have a wave of guiltiness wash over him since the man is trusting him fully to look out for her and her wellbeing.

Which he is, in that regard Romeo has nothing to worry over, it’s Javier’s attraction to her that’s messing with his conscience.

It doesn’t help that Paloma plays into it, feigning innocence when she gets a reaction out of him. Maybe he shouldn’t be so reactive.

“I got it.” Javier insists, taking ahold of the metal handle and brushing up against her as he does so. He feels her body stiffen at the sudden touch yet he keeps a satisfied simper at bay.

“Thank you, officer.” She recovers smoothly with that intriguing timbre she uses when they banter flirtatiously.

It is so wrong yet so right of them to continue whatever this is. Seeing just how far they can take it before the inevitable happens. Javier will hold off as much as he can, really he will, for the sake of his job and budding friendship with Romeo… if she ever decides to be explicit in her demands, however, it’s going to take a lot of willpower to not give in.

Once the bike is secured and she’s in the cruiser, he hops back into the driver’s seat and begins the drive into town.

The ride is silent at first, Paloma shoving her face in front of the small vents on the passenger side and letting the gust of air cool her down. He catches glimpses from his peripheral as she digs through her bag to pull out a satin handkerchief, wiping her face and neck, then her thighs.

He can’t help as his stare follows the motion of her dragging the fabric along her smooth and sweaty skin. Almost jealous of the damn thing, imagining it to be his touch instead.

“I wouldn’t be in this predicament had my car been fixed…” she breaks their silence, peeking over at him as she fixes up her hair. It’s clear he understands the implication behind her words.

“I did volunteer myself to take a look at it, didn’t I?” Javier responds as she sprits some perfume onto her wrists and behind her ear, rolling on some deodorant and just like that Paloma’s freshened up. Now the cab of his cruiser smells like her and it’s going to drive him fucking insane.

“If I remember correctly, yes.” He stops at an intersection, finally being able to look at her properly. 

“You free Saturday?”

“You askin’ me out on a date?” Paloma’s eyes twinkle in pure mischief.

“Your dad would kill me if I did that.”

“In front of the whole town, too. Make an example outta you.”

“I’m tryin’ to steer very clear of that, so no, baby, unfortunately I’m not askin’ you out on a date. I’ve got time to stop by and take a look at it before I go in for my shift.”

Paloma purses her lips in thought as Javier trudges forward, the terrain changing from dirt road to asphalt as they near the library.

“Yeah, you can come by at lunch. Daddy’s out all weekend on some huntin’ trip with his friends so… I’ll be home alone.” It’s tantalizing, the way she drops that tidbit of information at the end. Javier is well aware of Romeo’s absence but he hadn’t stopped to think what that meant for him and Paloma.

As if there is a him and Paloma.

She flirts and eyes him like she would let him have his way with her but she is also strong-willed and and clever enough to be leading him on.

He’s just now built some rapport with her and he doesn’t want to jeopardize it. They can continue flirting without crossing the physical threshold. 

“Alright, nena, I’ll see you at lunch Saturday.” He’s in front of the main entrance to the building now.

“It’s a date, officer.”

“You must want me dead.” He huffs.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.” She pauses, biting down on her lower lip, “It’ll be our little secret.” Paloma whispers before opening the door.

He begins to swell in his pants as her voice drops into a whisper, words coated in seductive suggestion at the idea of them fooling around inconspicuously. 

“Wait, your bike—” He’s already reaching down to unbuckle himself when she stops him, leaning in through the open window of the now closed door.

“Don’t worry about it. You can take me home later. I get off at 6.” She winks at him, pulling back and turning on her heels to walk inside.

Javier slumps in his seat, head falling back against the headrest as he reminds himself how fucked he is.

When Saturday afternoon rolls around, Javier’s heart is racing in anticipation of his alone time with Paloma at the Leighton residence.

All week he’s been plagued with profane scenarios of what could potentially unfold. Partially because he hasn’t gotten laid since returning stateside but also for his unwavering carnal desire for her.

The fact that she is irrevocably off limits only intensifies his yearning. He wants Paloma so bad because he can’t have her.

That’s lead to him finishing into his fist in the shower, images of her kneeled before him with her mouth wrapped around his cock at the forefront of his mind.

The first time it had happened, he felt like a damn teenager getting off to a crush. But then it continued to happen and at that point he just let his fantasies run amuck. 

It’s not like he’d ever tell her or anyone for that matter, so his illicit imagination will continue to be just that: fleeting thoughts. Guilty pleasures only he can indulge in.

He pulls onto the property with ease, cutting the engine and sitting there for a minute to collect himself. It’s embarrassing for Javier to give himself a pep talk at his grown age, ‘keep your shit together’ his new mantra.

With his metallic toolbox in hand, he’s ready to knock against the screen door when he hears music playing faintly nearby. He follows the tune, rounding the corner of the wraparound porch to the backyard.

The music is recognizable now, a Fleetwood Mac song and his eyes fall on the girl lounging peacefully.

Paloma’s in a hammock, her long legs crossed over one another and hanging from the side. She’s reading a romance novel, he notes, from the incredibly cliché cover of a buff man with a half dressed woman in his grasp. He can faintly hear her humming along to the song, fingers tapping in rhythm against the hardcover of the book.

“Hola muñequita.” Javier greets suavely which has her peeking over her book then smiling wildly when she sees him.

“You made it!” Paloma excitedly stands from her spot, allowing him get a better look at her. She’s got on a red bikini top and a jean mini skirt. He wasn’t prepared to see this much of her bare skin and it throws him off entirely. So much for that pep talk.

It is a magnificent sight, though. Thankfully his sunglasses shield her from his wandering gaze, but with the intensity of his stare, she can probably feel it.

Javier knows her figure is divine, all the different outfits she wears both around town and on stage showcased her assets tastefully. However, seeing her in a top that’s almost too small and a skirt that’s definitely too short has those desires of his ramping up viciously. 

It doesn’t help that she’s got a dainty, golden cross necklace hanging from her neck. It rests tantalizingly against the smooth skin right above the swell of her breasts. So many things he fantasizes about doing to her and none of them holy. The piece of jewelry reminds him that he needs to back off. 

Amidst his leering, Javier notices a faint scar running from the left side of her hip up to below her breast and he’s curious to know how it got there.

“You had an inclination that I wouldn’t make it?” He returns to the conversation before it’s painfully obvious that he’s checking her out.

Paloma smirks, meeting him halfway as he descends the steps of the porch to approach her. Her hands cross behind her back and she stares up at him through her mascara coated lashes. “Figured you’d probably wanna spend your Saturday afternoon at home instead of playin’ mechanic.” She sways lightly and he narrows his eyes at her. 

He can see right through her act, not that she’s being very subtle.

“I’m a man of my word. Already been puttin’ off this visit longer than I should have.” He can’t help himself from bringing his finger up to twirl a strand of her hair, enjoying the silkiness of it against his touch before letting it fall softly against her.

If they hold their gaze a second longer, one of them will break and while Javier is certain that it’d be blissful, it would also be a mistake.

“Here, I’ll take you to her. She’s in the shed.” It’s like she can read his mind, nudging her head in the direction of the small structure and she turns to begin leading him there, in which he follows wordlessly, not being elusive at all as he gets a better look at her from this angle. The skirt is just barely covering the curve of her ass, and a flash of red is revealed each time she takes a step.

He bites down on his tongue harshly, adverting his gaze and thinking of literally anything else to keep his erection away.

He surveys the area of the backyard, not seeing a pool or any body of water nearby and he wonders why she has the bathing suit on.

Not that it should matter to him. She’s probably just tanning, you pervert. It’s hotter than hell out today.

Paloma’s humming again as she goes to remove the wooden plank that keeps the door of the shed closed, grunting as she struggles to pull it free. The soft sounds she emits do nothing but make it harder for him to show some fucking resilience.

“Do you need help—” Javier’s cut off as she successfully slides the thick piece off, resting it against the metal wall and dusting her hands off on her skirt.

“Appreciate it, though.” She flashes him a toothy grin, the wide doors creak as she pulls them open; revealing a beautiful vintage car. 

Javier lets out a low whistle, perching his sunglasses on the top of his head and placing his toolbox on the ground as he walks around the vehicle to get a better look at it.

His hands fall to his hips, circling the area slowly and shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re tellin’ me the mechanic didn’t jump at the chance to fix this thing?”

“Like you said, most men are idiots.” He can’t help but laugh, exhaling from his nose.

“S’always interestin’ to see it in practice.” He returns to the front of the car, propping open the hood and getting a better look inside. “You got the keys?”

“In the visor.” She replies, “Good luck tryin’ to get her to start. All she does is stutter before given’ out entirely.”

Javi makes a note of that, acknowledging her with a hum, already seeing a few things out of place and he’s eager to get to working on it.

Before turning to law enforcement, Javi had the inkling to become a mechanic. Plenty of his uncles worked in auto shops and he has vivid memories of spending hours there with them learning everything he could under their supervision.

Experiences he holds near and dear to his heart, it’s part of the reason why he’s so clever and dexterous.

“I’ve got some stuff I gotta get done. Try not to miss me…” Paloma’s voice rings out and Javier hadn’t noticed that he zoned out.

He glances at her over his shoulder, “I’m more interested in gettin’ to know Darla, if I’m bein’ honest with you, hermosa.”

Paloma had to excuse herself before she quite literally jumped on Javier and had him take her against the hood of her car. The way he looked with his hands on his hips, eyes focused on admiring the vehicle had left her in a trance that she was sure if she stared any longer, she would have started drooling.

Something about the promise of seeing him sweaty and greased up had her mind spiraling with different erotic fantasies that would surely send her to straight to hell.

So she properly lets him be, busying herself with a few chores she has to get done before leaving for the creek with Sloane later. It is the first time Paloma will be meeting August and she’s nervous even though she doesn’t look it.

She finished the book Slo had passed on to her in a matter of days, intrigued to learn more about August’s ideas and the concepts he’s clearly very passionate about. When she relayed this over to Slo, the middleman between the two, she wasted no time in conjuring up a plan for them to meet. Originally, it was going to be more intimate with just the two of them but Paloma stressed that she was not ready for that so Sloane was quick to make it a group affair by suggesting they hang out by the creek.

It’s why she is currently clad in a bathing suit, with the summer at full send; being down by the water seemed like the best way to spend the latter half of her afternoon.

Right now, though, she’s more focused on not trying to fuck her dad’s friend slash co-worker.

Some time passes, and when Paloma takes a look out in the direction of the shed, she sees that he’s ditched his flannel, leaving him in a white undershirt and his broad shoulders are now on full display as he leans over the hood.

That’s when she sees it. It glistens beneath the sunlight, a silver pistol tucked between his jeans at his lower back. She knows officers carry a weapon on them at all times, but the unorthodox placing of Javier’s further adds to the appeal of this alluring man. God damn him and his desirability. 

Paloma’s mind now wanders to the repeated wet dream she keeps having, the one where Javier takes her on the wooden railing of the porch. Specifically, the variation where he’s kneeled in front of her, her dress covering his face as he devours her entirely.

She interlocks her fingers in his hair and tugs at it, in which he responds by wrapping his lips around her clit and sucking on it harshly. That leaves her wailing and panting his name over and over and over again…

The force in which her thighs clench together is enough to snap her out of her delusions. She’s no better than a man, really, and she huffs to herself as she reenters the house to grab the six pack of beers, her guitar and notebook before sauntering over to him.

She’s more than capable of handling just being around Javier without thinking sinfully. It’s why she’s walking like a woman with a purpose, trying to prove to herself that she can be totally normal about this… budding friendship she has with him.

“How’s it goin’ in here?” Her voice cuts through the sound of the radio that continues to play softly. She brought it in here for him to have some entertainment before she hurried off to the house.

Javier pulls back, lips twitching up into a smirk as he eyes the beers in her hand. “Goin’ fine. Whoever you took her to really fucked it up. No wonder he couldn’t figure out what the problem was. It’s everythin’.” Back of his hand wipes sweat from his brow, some of his hair matted against his damp skin. “I thought you didn’t drink.”

“Never said that. I just said on occasion.” She reminds him, popping the cap off of two beers then handing him one. He thanks her softly, wiping his hand on the already stained rag and tucking it into his back pocket. 

Her knees almost go weak at the action, but she’s a woman on a mission, remember?

“So what’s the occasion today?”

“It’s hot as fuck outside.” They share a laugh and tap their bottles together before taking a long sip.

“And the guitar?” 

Paloma sits on the wooden chair nearby, her spot whenever she comes in here to keep her dad company while he’s in the middle of building something. Most recently, some planter boxes she’d requested for their garden.

“I figured since I had some new company, I could play something for you. It helps move the writing process along.” She kicks her sandals off, tucking her legs beneath her and laying the guitar across her lap.

“I’m getting a peek behind the curtain of Paloma Leighton’s illustrious writing process? Well, I’m truly honored,” he remarks, dripping with sarcasm. She rolls her eyes at his jest but can’t help but chuckle, taking another sip of her beverage and downing it in one gulp.

She catches the intensity of his gaze lingering on her throat, tracing the subtle movements with each swallow. Paloma can’t help but entertain the thought: does he fantasize about her as she does about him?

“Don’t feel too special. I’m always playin’ somethin’ for someone.” She sets the finished bottle aside, thumbing through her notebook until she finds the adequate page and folds the tattered front so that it lays flat on the thick arm of the chair. 

As she does this, Javier lights a cigarette and puffs out a cloud of gray smoke. “You do it all yourself?” She can hear the curiosity in his tone and for some reason, it makes her blush.

“For the most part. The band just helps bring it all together. They add the umph to it… s’not always the case, though. Sometimes I oversee the entirety of it. From the lyrics to the melody and everything in between. It’s real fun.” She begins to tune her guitar, brows pulling in concentration as her ears perk up to catch any inconsistencies until she’s thoroughly pleased with how it sounds.

Javier remains silent, his fond gaze lingering on her as he takes a drag from his cigarette. With practiced ease, he lifts the beer bottle to his lips, alternating between the two vices at a leisurely pace. As he delves deeper into understanding her, the allure intensifies, dangerously blurring the lines between flirtation and something more profound.

Something more. He’s trying real fucking hard not to see it like that. 

Javi’s never been inclined to seek deeper connections with his partners. Emotions and commitments tend to complicate matters, a burden he’s well-acquainted with in his already convoluted life. He sees no need to add unnecessary strain by entering into half-hearted relationships.

This is why he exclusively pursues sex, seeking gratification without the complications of emotional entanglements. His experiences in Colombia, where he didn’t mind paying for intimacy, epitomized this mindset. There, a mutual understanding prevailed: their encounters were solely about shared pleasure, with no expectation of anything beyond.

In the short months that he’s been here, Javi has finally began finding some kind of peace in Seminary, all things considered, and while fucking the sheriff’s daughter would be a bad move— catching feelings for her would be a hundred times worse.

“It’s a little morbid, m’still workin’ on it and it’s fairly short. S’just the chorus.” Javier nods, letting her know that he’s listening as she begins to sing.

“If I die young, bury me in satin Lay me down on a bed of roses, Sink me in the river at dawn Send me away with the words of a love song. The sharp knife of a short life, Now I know there’s no such thing as enough time.”

Her voice is softer, southern accent complimenting her strums on the guitar and while he enjoys the electrifying performances she puts on stage; he loves hearing her like this.

Rich and smooth. Like miel (honey).

“You’re right, it is morbid.” He comments, truthfully, and Paloma lets out a breath.

“I tried not lettin’ what happened to Nina get into my writing. No need to keep dwellin’ on it but damn is it hard to keep it away. Figured I’d just get it out of my system and get back to workin’ on my other stuff.” 

“There’s nothin’ wrong with dwelling on it…” He begins tentatively, already sensing a pang of regret for broaching the subject. Once more, he finds himself grappling with the challenge of articulating his thoughts effectively.

“I know, but for my peace of mind it’s best I just get on with it.” Her shoulders rise and fall in a shrug, fingers plucking at the guitar strings again.

For the next hour or so, they immerse themselves in conversation, delving into a wide array of topics. While Javier meticulously tends to the car’s engine, Paloma remains by his side, offering her company. Amidst their discussions, they explore trivial details about each other’s lives: favorite movies, food preferences, and other basic facts. Through these exchanges, Javier learns of Paloma’s irrational fear of reptiles, her affinity for sleeping with her windows open, and her distinct preference for waffles over pancakes.

Javier indulges in the easy flow of their conversation, sharing with her his fondness for spy novels, his penchant for card games, and reminiscing about his favorite arepa spot in Bogotá.

The latter captivates her, drawing her focus entirely. “I can’t wrap my head around the fact that you lived there for such a long time. It’s just unimaginable to me... A completely different country... so fascinating.” She muses, her tone tinged with wistfulness.

He’s eager to shift away from this subject, recognizing her genuine curiosity and good intentions. However, he’s apprehensive about delving into discussions about his past work and experiences, topics he’s not ready to broach. With a brief, dismissive response, he seeks to subtly steer the conversation in a different direction.

“Yup, lotta crazy shit…” He returns his attention to the engine and Paloma catches the hint and doesn’t say much else after.

“Paloma!” The sudden call of her name has them both turning their heads to the opened doors of the shed where he sees a girl her age standing on the porch, searching the area until her eyes fall on the two of them and she beelines in their direction.

“I’ve been knockin’ on your front door like a crazed woman for the past five minutes! There’s a random truck parked out there, what’re you doin’—” When the girl’s gaze lands on Javier, her entire body language switches and he raises his brows at the change. “I didn’t know you had company. Who’s this handsome fella?” 

Javier is accustomed to captivating the attention of women, especially the striking ones. They consistently cast him that same flirtatious glance, their gestures taking on an added want of attention. This encounter proves to be no exception. With her bottom lip captured between her teeth, she checks him out not so subtly, her gaze lingering on his toned arms before returning to meet his gaze, a playful spark dancing in her eyes.

Maybe this is exactly what he needs: a diversion to divert his attention from Paloma. Despite his intense desire for her, he knows it would only lead to complications in the future.

Pursuing women younger than himself is not the path he wishes to tread, especially since he (allegedly) left his playboy days behind in Colombia in pursuit of a fresh start.

Yet, amidst his longing for Paloma and the current lack of romantic encounters, Javier finds it difficult to view things in this new perspective.

Always thinking with the wrong head. It’s his achilles heel.

“Javi. What’s your name, gorgeous?” He smirks flirtatiously, wiping his hands clean on the rag again and reaching out to take her hand in his in a handshake.

“Sloane.” She squeezes his hand gently before letting go, sultry smile still present on her countenance.

“Sloane, pleasure to meet you sweetheart.”

Paloma doesn’t like the nasty feeling she gets as she watches the interaction. It’s clear as day that they’re flirting, and honestly what did she expect out of her best friend, and now, charming acquaintance?

She’s well aware of his rapport in Colombia and the daily flirtatious behavior towards her. Paloma’s also aware of how willing Slo is to fuck anything in her line of vision. Yet, not being on the receiving end of the former is odd and has her feeling things she doesn’t want to feel.

What really has her skin crawling is the way he calls her sweetheart and introduces himself as Javi. He’s never told her to call him that.

Honestly, she probably would have felt more green if he had called her hermosa or any of the other Spanish names of endearment he’s reserved for her. 

Reserved for her? She sounds so possessive. 

Sloane giggles, “You’re the one who’s been followin’ her around all over town on daddy’s orders, huh? P, you didn’t tell me he was this hot. I woulda told you to count your blessings had I known.” They exchange a look that Paloma really can’t stand catch sight of, so she interjects.

“Sorry I lost track of time. Javier’s been lookin’ at Darla tryna fix her.” His name rolls of her tongue smoothly and this has a smug smile sprouting on his face. 

No cowboy or officer or Mr. Peña. Just Javier.

She gets up from her seat, sliding her sandals back on and leaving her belongings where they lay.

“There’s a part or two that’s missin’ but it shouldn’t be hard to get ‘em. Other than that, my work here is done.” He turns his back to the two girls and Sloane mouths over to her.

Oh my god?!

Paloma shoots her a look as Javier slams the hood of the car closed.

“Thank you, Javier, I really appreciate you doin’ this for me.” Her tone is genuine, despite the jealousy that had consumed her just then.

“No problem, cariño, I’ll let you know when I get my hands on those missin’ parts.”

“That sounds great! How much do I owe you for—” He cuts her off with a wave of his hand, collecting his things. 

“Don’t worry about it. M’doin’ this out of the kindness of my heart. S’what you do for a friend, right?” Speaking of hearts, hers skips a beat at being considered a friend and she feels her cheeks getting hot. Get a grip!

“Yeah, I guess so.” Paloma refrains from saying thank you again, not wanting to overdo it but she really is appreciative of his hard work.

Maybe she could find another way to show just how much she appreciates him doing this for her.

“Gabriel’s waitin’ for us out front, baby. We’re already runnin’ late.” Slo’s voice snaps her back to reality and she nods. Javier clears his throat and side steps her.

“Hope y’all have fun. Be safe, hermosa. Call me if you need anythin’.” Warmth spreads within her chest at his words, which would have annoyed her had they been coming from anyone else.

There has definitely been a shift in their dynamic, but she can’t quite place what it is. The bitterness she felt just then definitely a factor.

“Sloane, darling, hopefully I’ll see you ‘round town soon.” And just like that, the warmth is gone as he addresses her best friend, a wink thrown in her direction before he’s leaving the two girls in the shed.

“Okay, you have a lot to catch me up on. Frankly, I’m pissed you haven’t sent him in my direction. I mean, look at him. That’s a whole man right there, dear lord I was about to cum just by shakin’ his hand!” Paloma cringes but she doesn’t let it show, instead pulling excitement from their afternoon plans to uplift her mood.

“How about we get goin’ before Gabriel ditches our asses and we’re left walkin’ all the way down there.”

It’s not much longer after that that they make it to their destination and Paloma rejoices in the feeling of the cool water against her hot skin. She ditched her mini skirt along the way, currently sitting in a more shallow end, head falling back against her shoulders as she soaks in the sun.

She can hear Gabriel and Sloane splashing around nearby, and she contemplates joining them when the sound of her name gets her attention.

“Paloma, yeah?”

She head snaps in the direction of the voice and her breath gets stuck in her throat once she sees the source.

He stands tall, his figure slightly lanky but gracefully lean, his golden locks tousled. His eyes, a light shade of blue and captivating, hold a magnetic charm.

With a quick glance, she takes in the intricate tapestry of tattoos adorning his skin. They seem to complement him perfectly, she muses, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his already handsome appearance.

And for the second time in such a short period of time— Paloma finds herself subtly squirming in her spot, a familiar sensation stirring within her legs.

This man, though, much more age appropriate and everything about him screams intriguing.

“Depends who’s askin’.” She can’t help but tease, one eye closed and her right hand coming up to block the sun from hitting her face directly. She’d forgotten her sunglasses at home and that annoyed the shit out of her once she realized.

“A friend of a friend. May I?” Gestures to the empty spot in the shallow water besides her and she nods, “You’re much prettier than I remember.”

Eyes follow him as she lowers himself besides her, their bodies softly brushing up against one another and she shivers slightly despite the blazing temperature, “We’ve met before? No way, I definitely would have remembered you…”

“Technically— no we haven’t met but… I was with Slo that day at the library. M’August.” He introduces himself and her stomach knots.

That’s when it hits her, a very vague recollection but a recollection of him nevertheless.

“Right, wow, that feels like forever ago.” She shakes her head, gently swaying her hand beneath the water. Suddenly, she feels much more nervous. She’d spent a good part of her week obsessing over his book and now he’s sitting right next to her while they’re both half naked.

His explicit poem comes to mind and she shakes that thought away quickly before her whole body turns into a bright shade of red.

“Time is a very tricky concept. You want these?” He conjures up a pair of shades and her brows raise at the action. “Noticed you’ve been scowlin’ ‘cause of the sunlight.”

A small smile spreads on her lips and she nods, he passes the accessory over to her and their fingers touch briefly against each other and she swears she feels fireworks.

Paloma really has to stop being such a helpless romantic. That never ends good for anyone involved.

“Thank you, August. You’re so observant.” She slips them on and lets out a small sigh, her head falling back between her shoulders.

She can feel his eyes all over her, but she doesn’t mind it. “Slo tells me you’re a fan of my work?”

She can’t help the laugh that slips from her lips and her eyes widen once she realizes that that wasn’t the most appropriate reaction for her to have. “That… came out really wrong. I’m so sorry.” She shakes her head at herself, “I did enjoy the Paragons of the Sacrificed book.” Is honest in her opinion, looking straight ahead at the glistening body of water to avoid further embarrassment by looking at him.

“Don’t apologize, I know Slo has a tendency to… over-exaggerate.” They shared an amused laugh at the expense of their friend but it’s all in good fun. She feels some of her nerves lessen.

“I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the book, though. S’the whole point why I wrote it. Sharin’ new things to new people.” He explains.

“New things, indeed. You cited a lot of notable publishings. Got me lookin’ more into the history of religion… I can’t help but feel a little ignorant, y’know? So much knowledge out there and I’m so… uneducated.” Paloma scoffs at herself, self depreciation at its finest.

“Oh, that just isn’t true, little dove.” The nickname has Paloma looking over at him; he’s gives her such a warm and charming look that sends the butterflies in her stomach into a flurry. “Is it alright if I call you that? Seems very fitting… paloma is dove in Spanish.” A fact she’s very well aware of, since her mother reminded her about it all the time growing up.

“Yeah, I quite like that. No one’s ever really called me it before.” She replies almost sheepishly and he brings his large hand down to rest on her knee which has her breath hitching in her throat.

“Doves represent peace, love and purity … your parents sure did somethin’ namin’ you that.” His squeezes his grip on her knee briefly before pulling his hand back.

Pure? That’s possibly the last word she’d ever used to describe herself.

“As I was sayin’... throughout your life, others’ opinions have shaped your perspective. Eventually, you decide to see the world through your own eyes. Do some explorin’ of your own. It might take time to reach this realization, but what’s important is your willingness to learn and challenge conventional beliefs. So much knowledge out there, s’up to you to seek it and form your own opinions. S’way better than just followin’ what other people want you to think. Bit hypocritical comin’ from me considerin’ the group I lead but that’s different.”

Unbeknownst to Paloma, she finds herself captivated by every word that escapes his lips, hanging on to each syllable as if they were precious gems. His voice carries an irresistible attractiveness, his words akin to twinkling stars scattered across the vast expanse of a darkened sky.

He’s leading her to him… towards something in the same way constellations help sailors navigate the sea. 

They spend the rest of the day just… talking. He delves deeper into the intricacies of a group he belongs to—individuals adrift in the world, much like himself. Together, they’ve traveled through the majority of Texas, exchanging stories and delving into philosophical musings, united in their quest for deeper meaning and connection to something greater than themselves.

That leads Paloma to learn that he’s from Fayette, which is a few towns south, and that he, Sloane, and Gabriel all grew up in the same trailer park together. They’re the closest thing I have to a family is what August tells her and she feels sentimental as the statement tugs at her heartstrings.

She also learns that all three of them have a criminal past, which surprises her entirely and he explains to her that it was during their adolescence and it wasn’t anything major. Just stupid shit to pass the time.

She believes him without asking any further questions.

It’s not until they’re both getting bitten up by mosquitos that they decide it’s time to head back.

“It’s finally nice to put a face to the name, August. I hope I get to see you again… maybe read another one of your books?” Paloma bites her lip as they walk side by side.

“Likewise. Next time I’ll make sure to bring it to you personally. Don’t need Slo playin’ messenger and misconstruing our words.”

They make it back to Gabriel’s truck, he and Slo leaning against it and sharing a joint as they eye the duo. Paloma slips her skirt back on.

“‘Bout fuckin’ time. I need a shower, bad.” Sloane huffs, passing the joint to Paloma whom rejects it which gets an eye roll out of her friend and then handing it over to August who accepts it with no hesitation.

Paloma sees a motorcycle nearby and her curiosity gets the best of her, “S’that your ride, August?” She flips her hair over her shoulder, looking at him. He lustfully eyes the exposed skin of her neck and shoulders before nodding.

“Sure is. You ever been on one before?” Thick smoke emits from his lips and nose as he passes the joint back over to Gabriel who finishes it off wordlessly.

He’s so quiet, Paloma observes, but her attention returns to August.

“No. They look real cool, though.”

“You should let me take you home. Give you your first ride on one, little dove.” The offer is rather suggestive and she doesn’t mind it. She’s very interested in getting to know him better.

Paloma would have taken him up on it had she not been wearing the outfit that currently adorns her body. “Maybe next time.” She smiles at him softly and he nods, she looks away sheepishly as she blushes.

They share their goodbyes then she’s piling in to Gabriel’s truck after Sloane and on her way back home.

The day’s events echo through her thoughts as she gazes out of the window, Javier’s presence now intertwined with that of August’s. A sense of excitement bubbles within her, unfamiliar yet exhilarating—the attention she’s receiving is unlike anything she’s experienced before.

Two distinctly attractive and intriguing men have unexpectedly entered her life, each leaving an indelible mark. Rather than overcomplicating matters, Paloma resolves to embrace the moment and allow things to unfold naturally. It’s a thrilling prospect, injecting a sense of excitement into her life that she hasn’t felt in quite some time.

“Oh fuck.” Paloma curses as she sees her father’s vehicle parked by the front yard and him sitting out on the porch.

Looks like he’s gotten back from his hunting trip early. It is nearing ten o’clock and she knows she’s about to be interrogated on her whereabouts. 

She’s relieved that she hadn’t taken August up on his offer to bring her home on his motorcycle. Now that would have sent poor Romeo over the edge.

“Oh, baby, I feel for you.” Slo pats her thigh compassionately and Paloma groans. Dread creeps up her spine making her wither uncomfortably.

“He wasn’t supposed to be back ‘til tomorrow mornin’. Ugh, he’s so not goin’ to let this go.” The truck stops and both Gabriel and Slo flash her an understanding yet somber look.

“Thanks for the ride. I’ll call you tomorrow, ‘kay Slo?” The girl nods and they both hug before she’s exiting the vehicle and preparing herself for what’s to come. Paloma tugs her skirt down, noticing that it had ridden up much higher than what was appropriate. 

“Where the hell have you been, girl?” He asks once she’s close enough to survey him. He’s drinking, that’s never a good sign.

“We went out by the creek and—”

“The creek? With who? At this time of night? Paloma, how can you be so reckless. Especially with what the hell has been goin’ on around here?!”

Anger contorts her features, her expression tightening with indignation as he addresses her as though she were a wayward teenager, rather than a capable woman out in the company of her friends.

“And dressed like that.” The tone in his voice makes something within her snap and she crosses her arm with attitude, getting defensive.

“Like what? I was by the water and I’m wearin’ a bathin’ suit. S’that illegal now?” Paloma is so ready to go inside, shower, and get in her bed.

“Is this what you do when I’m not around? Sneakin’ off lookin’ for trouble in the dead of night?”

“It’s only ten and I really didn’t expect to stay out this long. I got preoccupied. Why are you makin’ such a big deal outta this?” She defends herself and it’s ridiculous, really, that she even has to.

He doesn’t say anything else and she just rolls her eyes. “I’m goin’ inside.” And that’s exactly what she does, walking right past him and indoors where she intends to take a very long, hot shower to help her forget about this spat of theirs.

Their arguments follow a familiar pattern: he erupts with emotion, then retreats into silence. Occasionally, he offers apologies, while other times, they linger unspoken. Paloma, however, is well-versed in navigating her father’s dramatic outbursts, having grown accustomed to them over time. It’s not the theatrics that trouble her; rather, it’s enduring it that proves challenging.

The shower runs while she takes a good, long look at herself in the mirror. 

Paloma finds herself approaching a crucial juncture, feeling increasingly prepared to confront her father in a heart-to-heart conversation. This discussion, she knows, will culminate in her revealing her decision to leave town and prioritize her own needs for once. While the thought of causing her father pain weighs heavily on her heart, she recognizes the necessity of taking this step in order to forge her own path in her life.

The steam rises from the hot water, gradually filling the room with its thick, swirling embrace. Paloma’s reflection blurs and fades amidst the steam, prompting her to shed her clothes. With each layer discarded, she feels a sense of liberation, a moment of vulnerability before she finally steps into the welcoming cascade of the shower.

[soleillunne]

OKAY OKAY SO!! do you have any book recs?? i want to get back into reading, it feels like i've mostly been focused on writing these days

i have a bunch but most are fantasy!

the folk of the air trilogy - holly black

enemies to friends-ish to enemies to lovers, mc is a badass and the li is so in love (hes also a menace but mc kinda covers that lmao)

this is a 3 book series with a new series that just dropped that happens after the events of these 3 books

the order is: the cruel prince, the wicked king, the queen of nothing, stolen heir (the new book) but there are also books you can read in between (that i havent read myself)

by far the best book series ive read, i would sell my soul to read it again for the first time

circe - madelline miller

this is a story about circe, a godess (i think) from greek myth. the writing was beautiful, but since its myth, if youre not interested i dont reccomend

(same goes w song of achilles by the same writer)

shadow and bone & six of crows - leigh bardugo

(this one has a two season series on netflix too if youre interested)

shadow and bone - 3 books;

mc is so op honestly, she discovers magical powers early in the book and finds out shes grisha (ppl that have magical powers), but not just any grisha, shes a legend grisha, one of a kind

i dont really remember who she ends up with as its been a while since i read the books but one li is an ass while the other gives golden retriever vibes and i didnt like either of them /lh

six of crows - 2 books;

now listen, i didnt actually read these two books but in the tv show the two series are shown at the same time and i like the characters in this one more

badass gang, thats it. (look more info pls dont trust me)

the kane chronicles - rick riordan

percy jackson is so famous people forget this absolute gem right here.

the idea is the same as percy jackson, except this time its about egyptian gods instead (also techically mc isnt a child of the gods)

it has 3 books, with extra crossover books w pjo (that are also really good once you have the basics)

the midnight library - matt haig

i'm actually not sure what category this falls into.

mc has an accident and ends up at a library at exactly midnight, where the weird librarian tells her that this library is her life (of sorts). basically each book in the library is how her life couldve been like based on some decisions she made

and she keeps going to these other versions of her life by reading the books until she realizes hey, she wants to live, and goes back to her original life

not my favorite, but still an okay one

dune - frank herbert

this is a classic, but it was really good

i dont remember the details, all i really remember was that i had sth for the mc

fr tho its really good, give it a go if long books dont intimidate you

as for books to get into reading again, hmmm

cries okay so dont get mad but the cruel prince got me out of a reading slump

momo - michael ende

this book is so well written istg

mc is a child, first of all. and i dont mean like a teen i mean shes 8 max, shes a literal child but its okay bc there isnt that much action in this one

the main idea of the book is about how precious time is, but its told through such an interesting way. there are time thieves that steal other people's time to live, making it look like theyre helping people save time on mundane things, and momo stops them (not in an insane way i promise)

the secret garden - frances hodgson burnett

this is a classic, but dont let that fool you this is a really well written book

this one has almost no action in it btw

mc is also a child here (shes maybe 12 at most), she moves into the mansion of her uncle after her family dies where she starts to behave like an actual child instead of some spoiled princess/lh

so one day while going on a stroll in the garden area (?) bc no one is there to take care of her now, she finds a secret garden and decides hey since no one seems to care for this garden, this is mine now

also there are other children that she befriends along the way that help her w the garden

def recommend

extra;

anne of green gables (this is so long honestly i ended up just watching the series bc the fact that its 8 books intimidated me at the time - ill get to it eventually)

miss peregrines home for peculiar children (also same as above - i loved the concept tho and ill read it eventually)

percy jackson - a classic

Jayden's Rescue & Old Scroll - vladimir tumanov (these are techincally chrildrens books but theyre also great books so)

[treesap-blogs]

Last of my Trans Rights Readathon reviews!! “The Wicked Bargain” by Gabe Cole Novoa

(Strap in everyone, this is going to be a long one! Not only did I have a lot of thoughts on this, but it was somewhat an excuse for one of my hyperfixs to make a cameo. I don’t think I’ve had a 2K word review since The Dragon’s Promise?!)

Hello, Tumblrians! This wraps up my fifth and final review of my Trans Rights Readathon reads!! This one in particular might’ve been anticipated by y’all, as I’d mentioned both looking forward to it and listening to it on Audible for weeks. This particular review will be covering The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa!

I feel this is the only one with a worthwhile Book Discovery Backstory(or whatever fucking name I’ve used before), to be honest: I haven’t shared on here, despite it being the platform to do so (this is just a bookish account for now and I’ve yet to post art outside of that), but I’ve been an Our Flag Means Death fan for about a year now! I’ve gotten attached to the characters, especially a select few, and consequently, I followed a good chunk of the actors on Instagram. For reference, Jim’s my favorite (although my other top three are Oluwande and Jackie, as a sidenote), so I follow their actor, Vico Ortiz, on Instagram! Turns out they do voiceover work, particularly with audiobook narration(which I found out about in November but only remembered beginning of this year?), and they made a story post in January or so that was day 2 of them recording in the studio the narration for this book. The next day they actually made a video dropping the title of it, and I rushed to go check it out! It’s absolutely delightful, reading a gay pirate book narrated by my favorite from the gay pirate show. (Even if I suck ass with staying focused with audiobooks and as a result also had to have a hard copy on hand lmao. I haven’t listened to one since my seventh grade art teacher played all three audiobooks for The Hunger Games. Sidenote, who decided those were for kids?! They’re terrifying!) Despite that being the main reason I got into the book and knew about it in the first place, somehow I ended up forgetting it was actually real and not just something I’d gaslit myself into believing until a week or two until the release date💀

(No but seriously though I followed Gabe Cole Novoa’s Instagram and regularly commented under his updates, I had grown into a certified actual TWB fan between February and when I actually read it in March😭)

So yeah! The more you know, haha. Sorry about the long rant, and also to my dear friend who may be reading this and who I have ranted about my fictional crushes enough times that he can recognize some of them (including the aforementioned) by just pronoun, based on context alone.

BUT YEAH! So the ultimate question: was this book worth the hype? Not just from me, personally, but for most of Tik Tok and some of the bookish Crew folks who’d caught on to its existence? My final verdict? Yes, yes it was. It was an absolute blast of a book.

Ok, onto my actual review now! This is already plenty long, and we haven’t even talked about the plot.

The Wicked Bargain follows (newly) 16 year-old Mar León De La Rosa, a Latine nonbinary (transmasculine) teen working alongside their father on the ship he’s captaining(and became notorious for), La Catalina. (It’s worth mentioning that this book takes place somewhere in the beginnings of the Golden Age Of Piracy, I think the exact year the story starts is legitimately 1717?) On the night of their sixteenth birthday, however, El Diablo comes to claim their father’s soul because of a deal he made with him when Mar was born, then killing everyone else on La Catalina except for him and Mar. Mar has to find a way to get him back before it’s too late, having to learn to hone their own magical abilities (fire and ice elemental stuff!) if they have any hopes of successfully defeating El Diablo, and finding a new home in the ship, La Ana, that saved them from drowning at sea. (Of course, there’s other notable characters: like my personal favorite, a gender-fluid demonio named Dami with somewhat questionable morals, and the son of La Ana’s captain, Bas, who Mar much to their dismay ends up falling for.)

(Sidenote: premise for this sounds sick as fuck, right?! There’s so much plot going on though that it’s taken me five tries to correctly condense and explain it to my friends. Five! Like..go to the Goodreads page, you’ll see what I mean. I legit needed to take a breather the first time I went ahead and read the blurb back in January ‘cause it’s a mouthful.) (I’ve noticed that the bullet-point explanation/“tagging” format used by a few Bookstagrammers works in their favor this time because they can just use a couple quotes, include “found family”, “magic”, “gay pirates” and “a deal with the devil” and call it a day.)

So as you can tell, plot-wise, this book is packed. There’s some other details and aspects I left out because it would be spoiler-y to include them, which can be overwhelming for a few (especially given on how long it takes for Mar to pick things up and start throwing baddies around, yeah it takes a while for them to actually be comfortable with using their abilities)(this does not work within the time constraints of the deal and every time it would mention weeks going by and the moon phases changing I’d be like “oh no”)! It took a bit of getting used to on my part, but it keeps things moving along and it ties into the swashbuckling part of it all (see: pirates, haha). This does not work in the ending’s favor, however, because it ended very quickly to the point where it felt a little abrupt. 

I really liked the cast of characters! (I think ensemble casts are starting to grow on me a bit.) A lot of them were so much fun, the obvious favorite being Dami. While a few of their schemes got…convoluted (especially in the last act, but that was kinda mandatory for it to work), I absolutely ate up their moral ambiguity and their banter with Mar. This book also had a solid villain, too! (And an interesting pick as well, being that it’s..the literal devil lmao.) El Diablo got a kickass introduction, cementing him as a threat and a force to be reckoned with in the story’s plot, and he remained menacing throughout basically the entire book. I enjoyed that a lot, he’s probably one of the more solid YA villains I’ve read about! (Even if I have a few questions about his identity at the end. We don’t have a spoiler section for this review, so I’m keeping things vague at that?) As for the non-villainous/morally gray characters I liked, Bas, although he got a horrible first impression with Mar, remained a fun character to bounce off of them. (“Them” singular, I mean bouncing off of Mar lol.) Eventually, when the romance between Bas and Mar was introduced into the plot, I actually liked it and thought that there was a gradual shift in Mar’s opinion of him rather than a total 180 just to make it work(maybe it was because the drag from listening to this and it taking me four times as long to read, though, that made me think it wasn’t rushed). (LMK what you guys think in the comments!) 

To wrap up my discussion on the other characters, Tito got mentioned only a few times I think, but he was one of my favorites too. He was just really sweet, I liked how caring he was towards Mar (especially during the point of the book when they were terrified after being discovered by him) and I appreciate fictional dudes like that. I missed him when Mar and Bas were the centerpieces of the second act and not the La Ana crew as a whole, because it meant there wasn’t any more time to be spent with him :(

Anyhow! Now, Mar themselves. They’re in emotional pain for a lot of the book, and have a sizable amount of trauma attributed to their magic(which is just called the Spanish word for it, magía, here). That prevents them from seeking out solutions related to that. I get it. But damn I was SO annoyed at them for just. Making things drag out?! Literally half of the book would’ve never happened had they just realized they had these super powerful abilities at their disposal!! The one time that Dami tried to get them to use their abilities was kinda convoluted (did the rest of the crew seriously have to be involved, too?!)(and by involved I just mean endangered bro), but their reasoning was understandable imo. When they were frustrated at Mar for their hesitance I was too oh my gods. (Seriously though, when Dami was basically about to pull their hair out because of anger and stress, I was too, and started full-on laughing because it was basically my reaction. I felt seen by that! Sigh.) Anyhow. That issue aside, I loved their characterization as a transmasc non-binary protagonist. I related heavily to their feelings of gender dysphoria, and appreciated as a Spanish learner that the La Catalina crew (and some other folks who knew about Mar not being a boy but non-binary) added the “e” ending to their Spanish when referring to them. Also, little bit of a personal note but I thought it was interesting how they presented really masculine and were alright with “boy” being used as a descriptor for themselves sometimes; a lot of non-binary rep is kept strictly androgynous(well, particularly in television because books are more diverse I noticed), and as a non-binary person who also identifies as gender-fluid and uses male/masculine labels occasionally, this was yet another facet of their gender identity I connected with :). 

(Additional thoughts on the nonbinary representation: I appreciated having this be in a story within the historical fiction genre, because although yes, the characters aren’t real, there’s still that acknowledgement that queerness has always been around. It especially helped to have that be told through the Latine lense that Gabe Cole Novoa wrote it in, because in non-European/white cultures, it’s been an integral part of them but got erased by colonialism. Colonization was semi-frequently mentioned in this book, due to Mar’s cultural background, so that was a point of complexity that was brought up along with it. I’m glad that got to be highlighted here, it’s a layer of queer history typically not talked/written about in mainstream narratives because they're mostly white-centered.)

Magic system I’m a little on-the-fence about, to be honest, because we have some idea of how the strain on Mar limits their usage of it and it ties into the plot(I liked the added detail of them having to use their magic every 2 or so weeks because it would build up!), but they also get pretty powerful with little to no training and I wish the book was a bit longer so we could get more time to develop that. And, as the paragraph on Mar’s characterization gave away, we didn’t get a ton of action scenes involving magic! It stilted its development, sadly, and kinda led to the sudden influx of power in the quick ending. (I was expecting Dami to try to train them a little more! I guess that didn’t happen. Maybe it could, in a version of the story where there were a few more pages and the pacing was a little less clunky towards the last act.)

Ok, in conclusion! I loved TWB a lot. (That’s the acronym that Gabe Cole Novoa uses in regards to it, and I picked up on that because it’s fun! It’s like talking about something with a dedicated fandom.) Even though it didn’t get the highest rating of my Trans Rights Readathon books due to the pacing hindering it a little, I think I enjoyed it the most out of all of them (maybe I’m a bit biased though, see the Book Discovery Backstory). Mar, Dami and Bas have stuck with me for weeks after I initially read about them on-page in March, I still have my hold receipt for my library copy(which I had to return, sad face) stored away in a tiny box in my room, and I’ll be reading anything Gabe Cole Novoa publishes from here on out :).

(Also, I tried drawing digitally for my last fanart piece bc I just got a new iPad and it’s easier for me to sketch on this one, for some reason! I hope you’ve enjoyed the addition of my fanart!)

(Edit, August 10, 2023: I removed the second piece of fanart from this post only to include my art of Bas and Mar. My Dami drawing was inaccurate to how they look on the cover art for The Diablo’s Curse, and I felt the need to take it down for that reason.)

Book rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

(Book content/trigger warnings: Drowning, confinement, grief, gender dysphoria, some instances of underage drinking, semi-frequent mentions of colonization, mention of racial slavery.)

~Paz, signing off!

Trans Rights Readathon Reviews: 5/5

[smokeybrandreviews]

Winds Over Neo-Tokyo

I just read that Taika Waititi's live action remake of Akira is still in the works and, f*ck, if I'm upset about it. his cat is the absolute wrong choice fr this film. And i say film because he wants to remake the anime classic, not re-adapt he manga it’s based on. This sh*t is devastating because Waititi doesn’t have the chops to deliver on the entire vision that is Akira. Mans doesn’t make epics. He makes cute little character dramas, wrapped in clever humor. That’s fine for, say, a There film or Jojo Rabbit but Akira? Bro, there is nothing “fun” about Akira. It’s an existential hellscape masquerading as a nihilistic, dystopian, nightmare. Nothing Taika has ever made, makes me believe he can deliver on such heady material. That said, there are several directors that i think could and i wanted to highlight them here.

Denis Villeneuve

I think, aesthetically, Deni is the best choice for this sh*t. He’d bring the spirit of  Katsuhiro Otomo’s masterpiece, but gift us a more epic and cinematic visual presentation. He’d do what he did with Blade Runner, i think, and give us something very special. That said, mans is busy finishing up the best Dune adaption to date so i get why he’s not tied to this picture. Such a goddamn shame, that.

Alex Garland

Ex Machina and Annihilation. That’s it. That’s the pitch. If I'm objective and not completely up Denis’ ass because of how goddamn gorgeous his films are, it’s Alex Garland. This man has proven he can do Cyberpunk with Ex Machina and delivered some uniquely grotesque body horror with Annihilation. he less said about Men the better but, even in that weirdly pretentious train wreck, you can see the potential to deliver on the existential trauma everyone suffers from in Neo Tokyo.

Robert Rodriguez

Book of Boba Fett aside, Rodriguez delivered Alita: Battle Angel and nailed that sh*t perfectly. Alita is, arguably, the best anime adaption we have o date and that was all thanks to Rodriguez respecting the source materiel. I think he could deliver a very solid, very faithful, Akira adaption, though, he wouldn’t be my top pick.

Neill Blomkamp

I don’t understand how this dude wasn’t the first one called for this project. I mean, have you seen his catalog? Elysium, alone, nails the emotional tone necessary to bring Tetsuo’s journey to the big screen and dude’s sci-fi sensibilities are unassailable. District 9. Chappie. Everything out of Oats Studios. He’d do Neo Tokyo mad justice. Blomkamp is the obvious choice and he didn’t get a meeting? Really?

Leigh Whannell

Leigh is probably the best fit for his film in terms of experience , availability, and budget. This man has worked wonders with nothing and all of his films feel tactile, like they use way more practical effects than they actually do. Plus, his background in horror will go along a way to delivering that Tetsuo meltdown in the Olympic Arena at the climax. If you’re not convinced, go watch Upgrade and tell me this man can’t deliver a fantastic Akira adaptions for pennies on the dollar of what it will take Taika.

Chad Stahelski

The other half of the brain trust that gave us John Wick, Stahelski has proven himself to be one of the best action directors in the business. I think that level of creativity lends itself to he stylized nature of an anime adaption but, specifically, Akira. Some of the brilliant set pieces he dreamed up in the John Wick series go a long way to lending confidence in his ability to capture the gritty, urban, feel of the Cyberpunk genre.

Michael B. Jordan

And the dark horse entry bringing up the rear! Jordan is a card-carrying weeb and he can actual direct his ass off. Creed III is dope as f*ck and that scrap at the end was brilliant. Mans literally said, out loud, he took from anime like Megalobox, Naruto, Hajime No Ippo, and Dragon Ball Z to make that happen. What that says to me is he knows his sh*t, that he would treat this adaption seriously and give us something a fan would want to see.

If i had my pick, i think Garland or Blomkamp should be directing this production. They definitely have the chops in terms of experience and vision to give us something really special. It’s insane to me that f*cking Taika Waititi is the guy in charge of bringing one of the most influential films, not just an anime classic, to live action. The same f*cking guy who sh*t the bed with Thor IV. The same f*cking guy who played a fat, brown, imaginary Hitler. Like, this man makes quirky comedies and you want him to helm the entire production to one of the bleakest films ever made? Really? I’m not trying to say Waititi is bad at his job because he isn’t. I love Jojo Rabbit. I love Thor: Ragnarok. I love What We Do in the Shadows and Reservation Dogs. None of this sh*t screams Akira to me. Dude’s out of his depth with that material and I'm terrified he’s going to make it some goofy, juvenile, chuckle-fest when it’s not supposed to be at all. Now, if we're talking a Bartkira adaption, Waititi might just be perfect for that...

[smokeybrand]

Winds Over Neo-Tokyo

I just read that Taika Waititi's live action remake of Akira is still in the works and, f*ck, if I'm upset about it. his cat is the absolute wrong choice fr this film. And i say film because he wants to remake the anime classic, not re-adapt he manga it’s based on. This sh*t is devastating because Waititi doesn’t have the chops to deliver on the entire vision that is Akira. Mans doesn’t make epics. He makes cute little character dramas, wrapped in clever humor. That’s fine for, say, a There film or Jojo Rabbit but Akira? Bro, there is nothing “fun” about Akira. It’s an existential hellscape masquerading as a nihilistic, dystopian, nightmare. Nothing Taika has ever made, makes me believe he can deliver on such heady material. That said, there are several directors that i think could and i wanted to highlight them here.

Denis Villeneuve

I think, aesthetically, Deni is the best choice for this sh*t. He’d bring the spirit of  Katsuhiro Otomo’s masterpiece, but gift us a more epic and cinematic visual presentation. He’d do what he did with Blade Runner, i think, and give us something very special. That said, mans is busy finishing up the best Dune adaption to date so i get why he’s not tied to this picture. Such a goddamn shame, that.

Alex Garland

Ex Machina and Annihilation. That’s it. That’s the pitch. If I'm objective and not completely up Denis’ ass because of how goddamn gorgeous his films are, it’s Alex Garland. This man has proven he can do Cyberpunk with Ex Machina and delivered some uniquely grotesque body horror with Annihilation. he less said about Men the better but, even in that weirdly pretentious train wreck, you can see the potential to deliver on the existential trauma everyone suffers from in Neo Tokyo.

Robert Rodriguez

Book of Boba Fett aside, Rodriguez delivered Alita: Battle Angel and nailed that sh*t perfectly. Alita is, arguably, the best anime adaption we have o date and that was all thanks to Rodriguez respecting the source materiel. I think he could deliver a very solid, very faithful, Akira adaption, though, he wouldn’t be my top pick.

Neill Blomkamp

I don’t understand how this dude wasn’t the first one called for this project. I mean, have you seen his catalog? Elysium, alone, nails the emotional tone necessary to bring Tetsuo’s journey to the big screen and dude’s sci-fi sensibilities are unassailable. District 9. Chappie. Everything out of Oats Studios. He’d do Neo Tokyo mad justice. Blomkamp is the obvious choice and he didn’t get a meeting? Really?

Leigh Whannell

Leigh is probably the best fit for his film in terms of experience , availability, and budget. This man has worked wonders with nothing and all of his films feel tactile, like they use way more practical effects than they actually do. Plus, his background in horror will go along a way to delivering that Tetsuo meltdown in the Olympic Arena at the climax. If you’re not convinced, go watch Upgrade and tell me this man can’t deliver a fantastic Akira adaptions for pennies on the dollar of what it will take Taika.

Chad Stahelski

The other half of the brain trust that gave us John Wick, Stahelski has proven himself to be one of the best action directors in the business. I think that level of creativity lends itself to he stylized nature of an anime adaption but, specifically, Akira. Some of the brilliant set pieces he dreamed up in the John Wick series go a long way to lending confidence in his ability to capture the gritty, urban, feel of the Cyberpunk genre.

Michael B. Jordan

And the dark horse entry bringing up the rear! Jordan is a card-carrying weeb and he can actual direct his ass off. Creed III is dope as f*ck and that scrap at the end was brilliant. Mans literally said, out loud, he took from anime like Megalobox, Naruto, Hajime No Ippo, and Dragon Ball Z to make that happen. What that says to me is he knows his sh*t, that he would treat this adaption seriously and give us something a fan would want to see.

If i had my pick, i think Garland or Blomkamp should be directing this production. They definitely have the chops in terms of experience and vision to give us something really special. It’s insane to me that f*cking Taika Waititi is the guy in charge of bringing one of the most influential films, not just an anime classic, to live action. The same f*cking guy who sh*t the bed with Thor IV. The same f*cking guy who played a fat, brown, imaginary Hitler. Like, this man makes quirky comedies and you want him to helm the entire production to one of the bleakest films ever made? Really? I’m not trying to say Waititi is bad at his job because he isn’t. I love Jojo Rabbit. I love Thor: Ragnarok. I love What We Do in the Shadows and Reservation Dogs. None of this sh*t screams Akira to me. Dude’s out of his depth with that material and I'm terrified he’s going to make it some goofy, juvenile, chuckle-fest when it’s not supposed to be at all. Now, if we're talking a Bartkira adaption, Waititi might just be perfect for that...

[11queensupreme11]

PERCY JACKSON AU FOR TSUNAMI

BRO YOU READ MY MIND!! I’m actually planning to make a separate book for Tsunami one-shots, headcanons, mini series, etc AND A PERCY JACKSON AU WAS SOMETHING I HAD IN MIND FOR IT!!!

Okay I don’t have anything planned plot-wise but I do have most of their godly parents and stuff!

Mizuhime: POSEIDON OF COURSE  (tho I’m tempted on making her half god and half naiad rather than mortal... idk yet)

Sukuna: Tartarus, easily the most terrible and wicked being in the universe. Super fitting for Sukuna 💖 Only issue is that I have no idea how I can explain Sukuna’s birth since Tartarus (the god) probably doesn’t even leave Tartarus (the place). Anyways, I’m kinda tempted to put him in Camp Jupiter instead of Camp Half-Blood

Gojo: Ouranos, the king of the Protogenoi and the greek personification of the heavens. Lowkey fits Gojo and his parentage would explain why he would be considered the strongest of the demigods... until Sukuna comes in and challenges that spot 😈

Kashimo: Easiest decision ever. ZEUS DUH!! Do I even need to explain??? ⚡️ BUT I also want to make him a legacy of Ares because of his battle-hungry nature ⚔️

Megumi: Lupa, the Roman goddess of wolves. At first I was gonna make him the son of Erebus (the greek primordial god of darkness) but decided against that because Primordials are the most ancient and thus, the most powerful and I didn’t wanna make him that strong cuz that would be putting him in Sukuna and Gojo’s level

Yuji: This was kinda hard for me but I went with Hermes! He’s the most versatile of the gods; his domains being roads, shepherds, thieves, travelers, hospitality, heralds, diplomacy, trade, language, writing, money, athletics, swordsmanship, and has high intelligence with inventions and alchemy. I can see Yuji being his kid!

Choso: THIS WAS SO HARD FOR ME. I couldn’t find any greek god of blood or anything so the best I could come up with was Apollo 😭 Which is hilarious because imagine Choso’s emo ass in the most sunniest cabin of Camp Half-Blood 💀 Anyways, in this AU, his half-bro will still be Yuji, but they have the same mom and different godly dads 👍

Yuta: Hades for sure!!! He will also be tempted to kidnap Mizuhime to the Underworld and just keep her there for himself (like father like son 🥺). This would totally piss Poseidon off and possibly trigger another war, but oh well 😂

Okay, onto other non-love interest characters!!!

Nanami: ATHENA!!! Only man in this series with brain cells fr 😌

Nobara: Hecate cuz of the voodoo doll thingy she does 

Uro: Jupiter!! But she’ll have Jupiter’s domain over the sky rather than lightning. She’ll be Kashimo’s Roman half-sister too lmao

Ryu: Mars! This is obvious because of his battle-hungry nature, but unlike Kashimo, this dude’s more chill. One thing I noticed about Mars was that he was more chill compared to his Greek counterpart so ya

Maki & Mai: Nemesis, but more so for Maki cuz she canonically gets revenge against their hella abusive family by slaughtering everyone 🥰

Inumaki: APHRODITE! Inumaki’s beautiful (look at that hair) and his cursed technique is hella similar to Charmspeak! However, in this AU, he’ll be able to speak more freely because he can activate and deactivate Charmspeak at will 

Panda: Um... idk. He won’t be a demigod but he can be... Camp Half-Blood’s mascot?? IDK 😂 Maybe I’ll have some god or goddess create Panda to guard the camp or whatever???

Noritoshi: Apollo, but from Camp Jupiter instead! 

Todo: Ares. For sure. There’s literally no one else it could be 

Aaaaaand that’s it for now! If any of you guys have other suggestions for Choso and Noritoshi’s godly parents then please tell me 😭 I don’t really wanna make them Apollo’s children 

[just-some-random-blogger]

"Well, I've heard that he comes across as a pompous ass, if that's what you mean."

LMMAAAAOOOOOOOOO SAUURRRR GOOOODODDDD

He moves to stand in front of you, finding your eyes. "Dear child, might I suggest steering clear of the Marquis and his associates whilst he is in residence with us here? It would simply be for the best. His reputation does preceed him."

WHAT HER DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE SMH

John Wick hated the name, but he liked you, so the name stayed. Him and his then wife somehow became your second set of parents, with your dad never around and your mother usually drowning in her fancy liquor.

AAWWWWWWW GIMME HIM

I SQUISH MI JOHNNY BOYY

"Whoever this Marquis is, I can handle him," you say determinedly. "I'll just act normal, do my job, go about business as usual."

LMMMAAAAAAOOOOO NO HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH BUT GO OFF I GUESS

"You know me," you call after him, an impish grin on your face. "I'm only a shadow."

He is never beating those pompous ass allegations. You can't help but smirk from your post behind the concierge desk.

HAHAHAHAHHH

You look down briefly, smoothing out invisible creases on your black button-up shirt. Don't laugh. You roll out your shoulders. Compose yourself.

NNNNAUUURRR 😭😭😭😭😭😭 THATS SO MEEEE HAHAHAHB BSJEJWNWKS ME ASFFFF LMAAAOOOOOO HELLPPP 😭😭😭😭😭😭💳

"What is your name?" He asks, a perfect brow raised in anticipation.

Why he kinda-

A momentary pause, before he repeats your name. You want to hate the way he says it, as if he testing it on his tongue, seeing how it tastes.

SEEE SEEE SHE LIKE ME FR HAHAHHAHAHAHSKEIEJEJSNNSN 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

He finally walks away. But of course, of course he has to drive a chill up your spine as he calls over his shoulder, "Have her come up to me in twenty minutes."

🧍

"So much for your being 'only a shadow', hmm?" Charon echoes your sentiment, which has just been apparently disproven.

NAJSHHSHSHHSS IM SORRY CHARON I CANT HELP THAT IM THE MAIN CHARACTER

"Mmm," he hums, and tilts his head. "Tell me, what was so funny?"

NSJSJJSHSJSJSJSB AINT NO WAY THIS PETTY DUNDERHEAD CALLED FOR THIS LMMMMMMBBBBBAAAOOOOOO

"No, sir, I... I must admit, I don't quite remember what you speak of. I smirk to myself all the time. I've got plenty of inside jokes and all that."

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 MEEEE NAUUURRRRRR THIS IS TRULY A YN READER INSERT EXPERIENCE HAHAHHHHAHA

"Are you... well in the head?" He twirls his fingers beside his temple. The bastard.

PLEEEASSSEEE HES SO FUNNY FOR NOTHINNNGGGGGGG ANJAJWNWJKAKAKAS

"Yes, Marquis." You take a deep breath, but you can't help yourself. "But I assure you I'm just as demented as you are."

First of all i would have said no im not HAHAHAAH 🤪🤪🤪🤪✌️✌️✌️ SECOND OF ALL SHE REALLY JUST- 🧍

"Well," you say carefully, knowing the wrong word might set him off, "you could let the fool go. You've already taught him a lesson."

SHES CALLIN THE SHOTS NOW RATATATATTATATATATATTAT

"Leave us," the Marquis finally says. Well, shit.

🧍😗🍵👌 welp

"I hope you aren't busy," he says, walking to the other room.

[tucks hair] WHY HE KINDA

YOU WOULDN'T EVEN CARE THOOOOOO IF SHE WEREEEEE 🤬🤬🤬🤬👹👹👹🙅🙅🙅

You grumble under your breath, "So much for being a shadow."

Like i said

BUT GET IMMMMMMM GET THAT MONEY GET THAT DESIGNER SHITTTT EAT HIM DO IT FOR USSS

MORE MARQUIS MOREEEEEEE I LOOOOOOVED IT, L - O - V - E - D ITTT!!!!!!!

le marquis et le moineau - (ill)fated

Marquis de Gramont x f!reader

synopsis: one of several short stories, set up as a prequel to this oneshot of le marquis et le moineau. This is set in the early days, depicting the beginning of what would turn into a dangerous mutual infatuation.

more of moineau: le marquis et le moineau ▪︎ other works

word count: 2.5k ▪︎ themes/warnings: slow burn, mentions of violence (it's the John Wick universe ofc), language

"Welcome to the New York Continental. How may I be of service?" Charon asks in his flawless genial manner.

You stand behind him, his shadow in training. After only 3 short months as the 'Assistant to the Concierge' - (a title you picked over 'Assistant Concierge', in reference to a certain beloved TV series) - you've come to learn the ins and outs of the Continental.

What makes it tick. The demands of its peculiar crowd of usual guests. What is required to keep such an establishment up and running.

In truth, it takes a lot of fucking work. Much and more need to be swept under the rug so as to not attract attention. Guests need to be kept satisfied, their particular requests adhered to. As long as it is well within the rules of the High Table, of course.

The only thing separating you from the animals.

As if everyone in this sort of life has not already become animal. Well, isn't ignorance such bliss.

The man who introduced himself as Chidi says, "I have come ahead of my superior, the Marquis de Gramont. Needless to say, we must ensure that everything is well-prepared for his stay here in New York. Wouldn't you agree, Charon?"

"Of course, sir." Charon tilts his head. "I will personally see to that, don't you worry. Is he still set to arrive tonight at the planned hour?"

"He should be here at 6 this evening. I trust that the... agitator is being dealt with?"

Charon walks in front of the counter, taking a parcel from a bellhop. He keeps his gaze trained on Chidi. "With compliments of the Continental, sir. The proprietor has ensured that the liability will be brought to the penthouse of the Marquis."

"Very good." Chidi taps Charon on the shoulder once, before walking away, a satisfied sneer on his face.

"Just remember, sir," Charon calls out to him, making his stop in his tracks, "that no business may be conducted on Continental grounds."

"Hmm."

After a moment, you move to stand beside Charon.

"So, sir, what was that all about?"

He turns his head towards you fondly. "I'm sure you've heard of Marquis Vincent de Gramont."

"Well, I've heard that he comes across as a pompous ass, if that's what you mean."

Charon simply raises his eyebrows at you, already accustomed to your blunt, sarcastic manner of speaking. "Well, he will be staying with us for a couple of days, as he has some... business to deal with."

"I won't even ask."

He moves to stand in front of you, finding your eyes. "Dear child, might I suggest steering clear of the Marquis and his associates whilst he is in residence with us here? It would simply be for the best. His reputation does preceed him."

You can't help but smile at Charon's nickname for you, one that heralds back to when your family first moved across the hall from him in one of the High Table sponsored apartment buildings in downtown Manhattan.

You had been only 12, but you were already well aware of your father's line of work. One that required him to be away on business to faraway cities each month, and caused him to rub elbows with the dregs of the underworld.

Not all of them were bad though. You grew fond of some of his associates, namely Charon, of course. And the one they called the Baba Yaga, but to you he was just Johnny.

John Wick hated the name, but he liked you, so the name stayed. Him and his then wife somehow became your second set of parents, with your dad never around and your mother usually drowning in her fancy liquor.

More than a decade later, your father met his end on one of his jobs. One that was only supposed to be "quick and easy". He promised he would be back to you in no time, with a box of your favourite chocolates from Paris.

But he never came. And neither did the fucking chocolates, which truthfully, you now hated. Your father lost his life in that city, so you grew to loathe everything about it.

And now comes the Marquis, the man practically in charge of all of Paris. Not to the public eye, of course.

If Charon asks you to steer clear of him, it must be for good reason.

But you've never been good at following orders. Or staying out of trouble. Or keeping your mouth shut.

"Whoever this Marquis is, I can handle him," you say determinedly. "I'll just act normal, do my job, go about business as usual."

Charon takes a deep breath, resigning himself. "Very well. Just try not to catch his eye." A tenant raises her hand, demanding his attention, so he starts to head her way.

"You know me," you call after him, an impish grin on your face. "I'm only a shadow."

The Marquis de Gramont stands in the ornate lobby of the Continental, surrounded by his posse. Clad in an impeccable three-piece cream suit, his hair perfectly coiffed, his polished shoes gleaming to the naked eye.

He is never beating those pompous ass allegations. You can't help but smirk from your post behind the concierge desk.

You look down briefly, smoothing out invisible creases on your black button-up shirt. Don't laugh. You roll out your shoulders. Compose yourself.

Winston and Charon had greeted his entourage upon entering, and they've been hashing out the details of his stay for the last minute or two. Apparently, the Marquis has some very specific demands. Of course he does.

Those in the group exchange some final words, nodding to each other, seemingly satisfied. Charon raises his arm, directing the Marquis. "Right this way, if you please."

Hands on his hips, the Marquis makes his way over to the private elevator. Which only means that he will have to pass by your post.

You try to keep your head down, as a practiced sign of cordiality. Also, so that you don't let out an impromptu sneer. But you can't help it. Right when he passes by, you raise your head.

And he is already looking straight at you.

The corner of his lips is in a downturn, as if he is judging you where you stand. Pompous prick.

You don't let it faze you. "Welcome to the Continental. We hope you enjoy your stay," you greet him, eyes not leaving his in some sort of defiance.

"Hmm." He walks by, slowly, and you only want to urge him on. But just when he is clear of the reception desk, he turns on his heel.

"What is your name?" He asks, a perfect brow raised in anticipation.

You answer him, keeping your voice steady. You've learned a long time ago not to allow men like him the chance to intimidate you.

A momentary pause, before he repeats your name. You want to hate the way he says it, as if he testing it on his tongue, seeing how it tastes.

But hell, that French accent can make anything sound heavenly.

"Is there a problem, monsieur?" Charon has moved to your side, wary of the attention from the marquis.

Marquis de Gramont barely acknowledges Charon with a sideways glance, before looking back to you. "Non, no problem at all."

He finally walks away. But of course, of course he has to drive a chill up your spine as he calls over his shoulder, "Have her come up to me in twenty minutes."

You grit your teeth in an attempt to maintain cordiality. "Excuse me, sir?" He could have at least addressed me himself.

Nothing. He doesn't even look back at you as he enters the elevator, head dipped in hushed whispers to his security team.

"So much for your being 'only a shadow', hmm?" Charon echoes your sentiment, which has just been apparently disproven.

Winston draws closer, worried look on his face as he says, "Quite a conundrum, dear one. I'm considering sending someone else in your place, however, he did ask for you markedly."

Your stomach churned. "Maybe he just needs some attending? Room service? Basic cleanup? I don't know..." Basic cleanup being clearing the blood of the surfaces of his penthouse, especially after he deals with the man the establishment had caught and presented to him.

Deals with. But not kill. Never that. Not whilst on Continental grounds, that is.

Winston responds, "Perhaps so. I trust that you will handle it? I know you can, child."

You straighten yourself. "Of course I can. He's just some overgrown French brat."

But what the fuck does he want?

"If anything," Winston adds calmly, "and worst comes to worst, your dear Uncle Johnny would surely be happy to lend a hand."

Of course he will. Feeling much lighter, you shoot a smile at Charon and Winston, before returning to your post behind the desk.

18 more minutes.

The Marquis stays in the biggest penthouse of the Continental. The most exclusive part of the property, made even more opulent per his request.

New pieces of artwork are hung on the walls, requested from some New York Baron's private collection. Not that he had a choice.

The man - the traitor - known as Laurent had been staying at the Continental in the week prior, stupidly believing that he is free of the Marquis.

It only took one phone call, and of course, Winston had to relent. They kept Laurent in one of their best suites, lulling him into a false sense of security, all while preparing for the Marquis' arrival.

Then Laurent's room was filled with nitrous oxide, and he was tied up and taken to the Marquis' penthouse.

Laurent sits in a lone wooden chair, nearly unconscious in the middle of the drawing room as you enter, a gash of deep red on his temple.

Chidi sits directly in front of him, seemingly carrying out the interrogation. His superior, on the other hand, lazily sits on the plush couch on the far side of the room. Looking as if he'd rather be anywhere but here. As if there isn't a man being tortured right in front of his eyes.

One of his men announces your arrival, but you sense the Marquis has already noticed your presence.

You clear your throat. "You asked for me, sir?"

"Mmm," he hums, and tilts his head. "Tell me, what was so funny?"

"I'm sorry?"

"When you first saw me in the lobby," he stands, stalking over to you, "you smirked. I wish to know what it was that brought you to react in such a manner."

This is why he asked for me? Because I smirked? Oh, for fuck's -

He steps forward, closer. "Cat got your tongue?"

"No, sir, I... I must admit, I don't quite remember what you speak of. I smirk to myself all the time. I've got plenty of inside jokes and all that."

"To yourself?"

"Yes."

"Are you... well in the head?" He twirls his fingers beside his temple. The bastard.

"Yes, Marquis." You take a deep breath, but you can't help yourself. "But I assure you I'm just as demented as you are."

A gloom falls over his face, and you sense his security team tense up. Preparing for him to say the word.

Your eyes trail around the room, and continue, "And everyone else in this world of ours."

The Marquis stares at you. Half-indignant, and dare you think it, half-amused.

His lips twitch, fighting back a smirk of his own, and his eyes rake your figure. From your uniform shoes to your hands to your lips. Then back to your gaze.

"Fair point." He shrugs, and the room settles once again. His men look away from the pair of you.

He turns, beckoning you to follow. A few feet in front of Laurent, he asks, "What do you make of this?"

Of this? You mean of him? The way the Marquis speaks, as if Laurent is merely a thing to be dealt with and not a person, bothers you. But such is the way of your world.

"Laurent Castillon. French-Italian sommelier. If I understand correctly, he cheated you out of what would have been successful dinner plans."

Sommelier, an arms dealer. Dinner plans, whatever you can concoct with the use of guns. You're more than accustomed to the language, having picked it up over the years.

"Excellent." The Marquis clasps his hands, pleased. "Now, what do you make of this? What would you do, if you were in my shoes?"

He is testing you, prodding you on. Seeing if you would curl back in your shell or flinch.

Is there a wrong answer here, or is this all just some game?

"I would set things right, I suppose."

"You suppose?" He repeats, dissatisfied. "We don't deal in half measures."

"I would - ," you look him directly in his eyes, "I would make him pay."

Something sparks in Marquis de Gramont's eyes. Recognition? Appreciation? Excitement?

"Won't that be a waste?" He takes a step closer, eliminating the space between you.

Stand your ground.

You shrug, "Such is life."

He smiles, "Indeed, petit moineau."

In a flash, without breaking your gaze, he takes a handgun from the inner lining of his jacket and shoots Laurent in the knee. He keels over, screaming.

The familiar sound rings in your ears, making you dig your nails in the flesh of your palm.

The Marquis does not even flinch, does not even look at Laurent who is writhing on the floor in pain.

"And what now?" He rubs an eyebrow with his thumb, still holding his gun carelessly with that hand.

"That depends." What the fuck did he call me? Moineau? "How gracious do you feel tonight?"

"Why?"

"Well," you say carefully, knowing the wrong word might set him off, "you could let the fool go. You've already taught him a lesson."

A long, torturous pause. He does not seem to like that suggestion.

"Take him away." He gives a sudden order, and all his men rush to obey. Seconds pass, and Laurent is out of your sight. Only Chidi and two other men are left hovering in the corner.

"Leave us," the Marquis finally says. Well, shit.

The door shuts behind the men, and you are left alone, with one of the most notorious men in the city. Perhaps the world.

"What's going to happen to him?" You find yourself asking, to fill the silence and also because you're genuinely curious.

He looks at you in confusion, as if the answer is the most obvious thing. "He dies, of course."

You swallow, a picture of forced composure. "Of course."

He rolls his eyes. "Sure, not here on the Continental and all that nonsense. But it does not matter. He dies anyway."

He dies. He says that so easily, like a life means nothing. It probably means nothing to him. Your father would probably have only been another life to spend, just another one in the roster, in his eyes.

"I hope you aren't busy," he says, walking to the other room.

"What did you have in mind?" Why can't he just send me away already?

"We shall dine together. I could use the company."

You grumble under your breath, "So much for being a shadow."

"Pardon?" He asks, just before reaching the archway to the dining room.

"I said, it would be my pleasure."

"Hmm."

Two can play at this game, Marquis.

My HotD series works are not going to be discontinued. The next part to fire like yours will be up next, but don't hold me to it 🖤😉

More Marquis, just as it should be.

And even more to come - taglist open!

[florafey]

Thoughts on QoN

I started reading The Queen of Nothing on 19 November, 2019, and finished it about fifteen minutes ago on 23 November, 2019. Much as I did with The Wicked King, here are my thoughts while reading.

Spoilers, of course, are under the cut

- Oak is EIGHT??? I’ve been writing him like a three year old this whole time lol whoops sorry Oak

- Idk how to feel about this whole Vivi/Heather thing it smells like manipulation to me

- Lmao Jude’s a freelancer gotta love it

- I have now named my Goblin Brain Grima Mog how dope is that name fr

- Jude is an adrenaline addict and that’s a fact

- “It feels good to be fighting someone other than myself” SWEETIE CARDAN LOVES YOU

- Oooooooh I like Grima Mog I have a feeling she and Jude are going to cross paths again, maybe in Faeire

- (Also not surprised by Grima’s prediction of Cardan being dethroned soon that boy hates his job more than retail workers during the holidays)

- Oh look, three books in and Jude is finally admitting her feelings for Cardan

- I love the juxtaposition between Taryn in her pretty dress and Jude literally being two steps from death and not seeming to care lol

- Hmmmm okay I want to believe that Taryn killed Locke but couldn’t this just be a way to get Jude back into Faerie??? Idk why they would want that but I don’t trust Taryn 

- (Also I hope Locke is dead it would be Taryn’s one redeeming quality)

- ooooooohhhhhh shit Taryn’s PREGNANT AASHHSJSDKJDKSSKLDSJDJSJ HAHAHHAHAH this is too good oh no

- There’s literally zero chance of this plan of Jude pretending to be Taryn is going to go well. Or even close to well

- “Squeeze hug” awww that’s gonna be in a fic I promise

- This feels like The Parent Trap

- I’m sweating

- ITS CAAAAAAARDAAAAAAAN 

- Oh and his tail is out wow good for him

- Fuck a duck I love his tail

- And gold eyeliner, stellar cosmetic choice if I may say so

- Yep I knew it see here she goes off to his chambers he’s gonna find out eeeeekkkkk

- He knowsssssss he been knew of COURSE he been knew how could I be so stupid to think he didn’t know it was Jude this whole time I’m a clown and a fool

- Wow I’m kind of soft right now I love my babies and they clearly love each other but they’re being so ANGSTY AAAAAA

- “Wisdom is for the meek” uhh??? Madoc what are you talking about bud

- Ahhhh see now Jude is getting protective over her throne and crown, she’s blooming into a Queen....good shit for sure

- Also Jude better be the spy she was born to be now that she’s in Madoc’s camp and he thinks she’s Taryn

- Oh, she’s going foraging in the woods? By herself? Yeah, this is gonna go great, Oriana, really

- Yeah def can’t trust Grimsen although I love how Holly Black describes his work and how they’re beautiful but also deadly and cursed

- I’d like to hear more about how he tried to kill Cardan with that ruby earring and failed lol

- tHE GHOST??? What the hell is he doing here???? Am I the only one who just thought homeboy was dead?? Yikes lol

- Ugh Locke was such a Man good thing he’s rotting now

- “You’re scheming” “I’m always scheming” yeah ain’t that the truth bby

- uh oh MOMMY KNOWS heheheheheh

- Well no wonder Cardan turned out like this look at how he was raised, poor boy

- I mean, to be fair, look at Jude while you’re at it

- Oh hey it’s the Roach

- OH HEY ITS CARDAN

- Awwww Vivi went to Cardan because she thought Jude was in trouble and not only did he go to the Roach to go get Jude but he came too !! wow for people who can’t stand each other they make quite the gang 

- I love how inconvenienced Cardan seems by Locke’s death but not actually sad lol what a mood

- Breaking into Grimsen’s forge does NOT sound like a good idea no sir

- Ugh king and queen wow

- I cannot WAIT for Madoc to realize the Jude is the High Queen I cannot

- AYYYY MY GIRL GRIMA MOG what did I tell y’all, hmmm?

- Wow Madoc really just stabbed Jude like that and is going to leave her ??? the disrespect

- Ohh my god oh wow her blood is making flowers grow she’s a QUEEN wow look at that, you go bby

- Ah fuck Jude, you got set up by the bumb ass father you have

- ABAHAHAHAHHHAH this isn’t funny but Jude falling from the rafters onto the banquet table is on par with the beauty of Kaz and Wylan falling through the ceiling onto Van Eck’s dining room table heheheh

- @hollyblack can I breathe??? Shit girl

- Cardan said THATS MY WIFE 

- Wow Cardan washing Jude’s hands herself??? This boy is in loooove

- Oak and Jude’s maid playing Uno ????? Iconic

- “You’re generally terrifying” oh same Cardan

- So Jude really could have pardoned herself this whole time!!!!!! Come ON sis how didn’t you pick up on that WE picked up on it (don’t worry tho we know you’ve been stressed it’s okay you’re here now)

- And Cardan really expected her to pardon herself I have no words for this boy 

- Jude and Cardan’s relationship is so strange but at least it’s healthy now, you know?

- Look at Cardan being vulnerable and Jude not being mean to him for it 

- He’s being KIIIIIND WHAATTT

- “This is my room, and that’s my wife” AAHAHAHHAHH

- Cardan touches her hair oh my gooooooood i’m dying send help

- Can y’all tell I’ve been deprived lol

- Hahahahah Jude trashed Lady Asha, as she should 

- So I think I like QoN Cardan the most, although I did find Cardan in the first two books terribly entertaining to read about (Srry Jude)

- So Taryn seems to be behaving better than she did in the first two books, kind of being a badass, knowing the Ghost’s true name and all

Cardan likes hearing about slushy machines are you kiDDING ME????

- “Our marriage is an alliance” okay but you sleeping in his shirts isn’t, now, is it? Or how about him petting your hair? Or you thinking he looks cute in gold eyeliner?? lol Jude get real

- Aw I like this Fand/Jude freindship us girls gotta look out for each other

- Grima Mog more like Grima MOM lol

- “Big horns, little dude” LMAO HEATHER STOPP

- I’m enjoying Heather, I have to say

- Finally they kiss it only took TWO HUNDRED PAGES 

- oh guys they really like each other im soft

- Casual hand holding? yes 

- I can’t believe these are the same idiots who were trying to drown each other in the first book 

- look they’re trying to be vulnerable and without armor I’m gonna cry

- I feel quite uneasy about this Queen Suren girl who’s parents have her leashed somehow

- Oh wow fuck Grimsen am I right

- Oh SHIT Cardan really broke the crown like it didn’t mean shit to him...the development...the wisdom

- Cardan really said I want my WIFE and my PEOPLE 

- Oh wait fuck fuck fuck oh no stop wait

- Lmao Jude collapsing on the floor is literally me whenever I have to be in charge

- Okay there’s gotta be a way out of this, I didn’t mean it literally when I said Cardan was a snake

- Hey, Jude’s like, smart as shit, no?

- Hahahaha she basically said “Cardan is like, 90% of my impulse control”

- I love how Taryn is hyping Jude up throughout this while shitshow, I love how the two of them have developed past their book one probems

- The Bomb teasing Jude about the dust on her skirts made my day

- Look at Jude really having healthy realtionships with the women around her, I’m so proud of my little murder gir

- Nicassia better come in clutch here, I don’t trust Jarel or Nore not one bit

- Uhhh that story Heather told about the snake that wanted to marry the princess made me howl with laughter and I don’t think it was supposed to

- Vivi got Cardan a snowglobe that says “Congratulations on your promotion” for his coronation gift and he kept did DID EVERYONE HEAR ME I SAID VIVI-

- Oh damn Kaye alright no need for all that

- Ohhhh I had totally forgot about the dress in book one that Jude ordered but received a different one instead... Cardan sent it?? wild 

- Okay I hope Jude knows what she’s doing but when has she ever not

- The UNDERSEA HEEEEEELLL YEAH

- Oh look and Cardan!!!!!!! Yeah Jude knew what she was doing that’s my girl

- Awwww look at that hug wow the development these two have been through is unreal I’ll keep saying it 

- “I knew little else, but I always knew you” KILL ME

- Oh wow mortals and mingling more with the folk this is good

- Robert of Jersey lmaoooo

- So the Ghost and Taryn ??? Kind of funny but I’m kind of here for it

- I’m literally so close to tears and I’m not kidding they’re having a fucking WEDDING CELEBRATION in the MORTAL WORLD with a banner that says “Congrats Newlyweds” yeah I’m crying now thanks a lot Holly

- Cardan adjusts his paper crown in the microwave reflection so it’s skewed......I don’t think I can react any more I really afjsflsdk

-Wow that was better than anything I could have imagined, hoped for, dreamed of

- The character development, the plot, the resolution, EVERTHING was astounding I’m blown away

This was long as shit If you made it this far, I appreciate you lol. Now go read all three Folk of the Air books again. Go now

[yuhuangzhou]

*yikes*

because i’m absolute trash i did this whole thing in reverse order...this is my overdue questionnaire!

NAME/ALIAS: aza (i love it when people can only respond to me with my name in all caps it means i’ve done a good job) AGE: 23 but i feel old as time DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE HEIST MOVIES? the thieves! SO MANY of the ocean’s movies (but 8 specifically)! baby driver (love the soundtrack integration!)! dog day afternoon! OH AND ALSO that part in sense8 when they’re breaking certain members of their cluster out from the gov’t holding facility!!! love me some sense8!

y’all...this got super long so i’m putting it under a read more. i’m so, so, sorry...getting real tired of my own shit fr fr

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER’S AESTHETIC:

sweatpants paired with pumps, stupidly cold days where the sun is bright as shit and you’re hot in the direct sun but so cold in the shade as you’re walking with a jacket on, the cold side of a pillow that you’ve flipped over on a hot night, excessive pillows on a bed, sneakily dumping your shot of baijiu, soju, or vodka down a sink or into someone else’s cup or into your own water cup (more on that below!), the kind of smile where your whole face just goes in on it - HARD - like eyes are just CHEESING and it make you feel good when you get one of those directed at you, hair perpetually down and curled or in a low pony (we ain’t showing no back of the neck for free, y’all!), when your ice cream cone breaks at the bottom but there’s the chocolate there to stop the melted cream from trickling out the bottom (coming in clutch)

IF YOU HAD TO COMPARE YOUR CHARACTER TO ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU PICK?

zhiruo falls a bit under the “lovable alpha bitch” stereotype so if any character i’d say among the lines of galinda/glinda from wicked or even a bit of quinn fabray from glee...during the moments where you didn’t absolutely fucking hate quinn fabray and also the writers for butchering her character/personality from season to season but mostly glinda vibes. zhiruo’s got lots of character development incoming - stay tuned!

IF YOU WERE IN THE PRESIDENT’S CLUB, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SPECIALTY?

honestly maybe the getaway driver...i don’t road rage but when someone’s trying to race me i get really competitive and leave them in the dust but DON’T DO THAT KIDS DRIVE AT THE SPEED LIMIT! otherwise personality-wise probably medic 2!!!

WHAT DREW YOU TO THE PRESIDENT’S CLUB?

love, love, love heist movies! also - the canons were all so well thought out and the skeletons for them so varied and wonderful! plus, seeing the faceclaims and variety of muses and muns is so!!! awesome!!!

LASTLY, SHARE SOME FUN OR INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER

doesn’t drink. not even socially. has somehow gotten by with getting a club soda and a lime at bars and pretending it’s a vodka soda. OR, getting a shot poured for her and dumping it into her water cup and just never drinking from the water or she’ll get a new one. OR dumping it down the sink when everyone’s knocking it back (if they’re in a kitchen/home) or just generally weaseling her way out of it. got SUPER FUCKING sick at like 13 and never got out of her head about it. if you can get her to drink you are SOMETHING else then! has been tipsy/drunk a total of like, four times in her lifetime. good luck if this is your muse’s goal. it’s a worthy one but i’ll be hard!

she does have a stress or social cigarette every now and then though. but she IS that bitch that uses a cigarette holder because she doesn’t want her fingertips to smell, especially if she’s handling precious, priceless art soon after.

fucking l o v e s jewlery. like it’s her achilles heel. heels come a close second though

zhiruo’s not married (clearly) but she wear a big ass teardrop diamond (smth like this) on the ring finger of her left hand. started doing this when she was 27 because people kept asking her about it and now when randos ask she just goes ‘we’re very private but i’m very happy.’ less people ask about it now since her reputation kind of precedes her/that basic info is known among her contracts/contact in her professional life BUT in regards to president’s club...will forget it’s there though - at this point it has no meaning it’s just an accessory she constantly wears. so, let the chaos ensue if your muse is like *eyes emoji* who’s the bae? zhiruo: what credit where credit is due - came up with this while talking to @prdaimu​

hates sandals. hates slides. just doesn’t believe in them. anyone who consistently wears them she’s just *gagging noises* and will refuse to look at them from knee down.

when she’s done with a conversation or completely done with her train of thought she raps her knuckles against the table or any surface she can get a hand on twice

is really insecure about her height (she’s not short, she’s average height....) BUT it’s because her adopted parents are REALLY tall and it’s just become this weird complex even though she doesn’t give shit about anyone else’s height

really has a weird thing for glasses. thinks they’re super cute and attractive

also has a thing for FRAMES. a good frame should compliment an art piece or be virtually unnoticeable. she has many hard opinions on frames so if you want to hear her talk on and on about something she cares about...ask her about the ugly ass frame around the dali piece at the moma in nyc!

[strangely-amusing]

Delitescent

Characters : Yukhei (Lucas)  x You

Genre : Romance, Soulmate!AU

Wordcount : 5451

Warnings : Curse words

Note: Title probably won’t make sense, but yeah. I said it before, I’m not good at making titles. If you have beautiful words to share, please do! If you have similar names with the ones mentioned in this fic, please understand that i do not mean to offend anyone and the names that i use for the background characters are totally random.  Please do NOT plagiarize. This is an original story, and if you found any similarities with other writings then it is pure coincidence. I hope you all can enjoy this!♡

Delitescent [adj] - concealed; hidden; latent.

“Yukhei!”

The tall guy grinned at the familiar voice, walking over to the table. He high-fived his friends lazily, throwing greetings here and there. He then took a seat on the plastic chair, leaning into the seat. “Sup?”

Johnny shrugged, taking a drag out of his cigarette. “Doyoung almost got arrested last night but that’s all.”

Yukhei snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. “I swear he’s trying to get himself arrested. He always does dumb shits.”

“He’s just trying to get into the officer’s panties, you know. I gotta admit she’s pretty cute.” Yuta chuckled, flicking the end of his cigarette. “but i don’t really fuck with the police.”

Yukhei and Johnny nodded, agreeing with their friend. Yukhei then noticed there was something off and looked around as if he was looking for someone. “Where’s TY hyung?”

Yuta shrugged, offering him a box of cigarette. “have no idea man.”

“Probably with his soulmate.” Johnny said nonchalantly, taking a long drag of his cigarette. Yukhei scoffed at the mention of the word, taking the box from Yuta’s hand. He then took a cigarette and put it in between his lips, taking out a lighter from his jeans pocket. He lit it up and took a long drag, letting the smoke fill his lungs before breathing out a cloud of smoke into the air.

“There he is, now.” Johnny suddenly said, pointing to a figure walking in their direction. The guy had a smile on his face, which was unusual for him. Yukhei stared at him in wonder, face scrunched up. “What’s with the creepy ass smile?”

Taeyong rolled his eyes and slapped his shoulder, taking a seat beside him. “No need to be rude, geez.”

Yukhei winced in pain, slightly surprised at the impact of the hit. Yuta chuckled, offering the box of cigarette to Taeyong. “Seriously though, what’s wrong with you?”

“No thanks. And I’m just in a good mood today, isn’t it wrong?” Taeyong said calmly, body relaxing onto the chair. Yuta raised his eyebrow, confused that Taeyong declined his offer. Taeyong never turned down cigarettes, this was the first.

“If you’re in such a good mood then why aren’t you smoking? You smoke like, 24/7 man” Yukhei squinted his eyes at him, confused by his unusual behaviour. Taeyong shrugged, taking a sip of Yuta’s soda instead. “Just trying to cut down on the tobacco that’s all.”

Yukhei let out a string of forced laugh, flicking the end of the cigarette. “Bullshit.”

“Did she make you do this?” Yuta questioned, a little bit amused that someone had actually succeeded in restraining Taeyong. Taeyong was a free spirited guy, and he despised any kind of restrain. This was new, and somehow amusing.

Taeyong shrugged as an answer, but the smile on his face told the answer. Yuta shook his head with an amused grin, taking a drag out of his cigarette.

Yukhei watched as one of the wildest and craziest guy he had ever met getting all soft just because the thought of a girl. He scoffed and blew another cloud of smoke into the air. Whipped as fuck.

“Is she that pretty?” Johnny joked, also amused that a girl managed to get Taeyong all soft just by the thought of her.

“I swear she’s the most beautiful person i’ve ever met.” Taeyong replied in a heartbeat, the smile on his face was genuine.

But to Yukhei, It was sickening.

Yukhei rolled his eyes, taking a huff out of his cigarette. He blew a cloud of smoke right onto Taeyong’s face, provoking the elder’s wrath. “the fuck dude?”

He shrugged, the corner of his lips quirking into a smirk. Taeyong squinted his eyes at him, his lips pressed tightly into a thin line. “Just because you don’t believe in soulmate doesn’t mean you have to be rude to those who believe.”

“Soulmates are bullshit, you know that.” Yukhei replied in a flat tone, taking yet another huff out of his cigarette. Taeyong shook his head at the younger’s behaviour, his face scrunched up in disgust. “You’re an asshole.”

Yukhei merely smirked at the insult, blowing another cloud of smoke into the air.

“Damn right I am.”

♡

“Oh my god, did you really meet him yesterday?? Did his words match with the ones on your arm??”

Annoyed, Yukhei purposely put his tray down a tad bit harder, resulting in a rather loud banging noise. But the girls behind him didn’t seem to notice, too busy gushing about their friend’s soulmate.

“I’m a bit confused though, are the words supposed to be the first words our soulmate say to us?” One of the girls asked, looking at her arm in wonder. The other girls rolled their eyes, shaking their heads in disbelief. “No silly! Its the first time you hear their voice, so it doesn’t have to be addressed to you. It could just be when you hear them talking to others.”

“I see! All these years i thought our first meeting is going to be terrible!” The girl said, proceeding to show her friends her inked arm. Yukhei glanced at the girl’s direction, noticing the curse word written on the inside of her wrist. He let out a scoff, shaking his head in disbelief. “Soulmate ain’t shit.”

One of the girls heard him and proceeded to offered him a smile, giving him a pat on the back. “Don’t worry. You’ll find yours soon.”

Yukhei grimaced in disgust when he heard her words, ready to spill insults from his mouth. “Soulmate this, soulmate that, You people are always talking about your goddamn soulmates when no one fuckin’ asks! Don’t you have better things to do than just staring at those goddamn words on your arms all day like a fool?!”

The chattering in the busy restaurant suddenly vanished, Yukhei being the centre of the attention for his sudden outburst. The girl was shocked, and she retracted her hand immediately. Yukhei scoffed, realizing that the spotlight was on him. He then grabbed his wallet and phone from the table, leaving his food untouched. He glared at the girl one more time before leaving, gaze as cold as ice.

“Fuck soulmate.”

Stepping out of the restaurant, he quickly made his way to the nearest fast food chain, stomach still grumbling. He entered and ordered a sandwich, opting to eat it on his way home rather than in the restaurant where unwanted incident like earlier could happen again.

With a BLT in hand, he slowly walked home. Munching on the sandwich, his gaze travelled everywhere. He couldn’t help but to scoff when he saw a couple walking hand in hand, their blushing faces and the sound of their giggles made Yukhei sick. He then quickly threw away his unfinished sandwich, not feeling hungry anymore.

Yukhei fastened his pace, wanting nothing more than just to sleep and take a rest from the seemingly cruel world for awhile.

“I’m home.” Yukhei said in a flat tone as he entered the house. There was no reply, as expected. He locked the door behind him and took off his shoes, an exhausted sigh leaving his parted lips. Today was quite eventful, it almost seemed like everyone around him was rubbing it in his face. Their soulmates, their first meetings, all of the things that Yukhei despised.

He walked to his room, all while cursing out all the people he saw today. He lazily changed his clothes, opting for only a black trainings. He threw himself on top of the bed, recalling this evening’s incident. He groaned, covering his face in embarrassment when he remembers how he basically shouted at a random girl in the middle of a restaurant. He didn’t mean to shout at the poor girl, but her words triggered something in him. Hearing the girl gushing about her soulmate was one thing, but hearing the girl’s words for him was another.

“I’ll find mine soon, she said.” He scoffed, lifting up his arm.

“Fuck soulmate.” He said once again, looking up at his bare, ink-free arm.

♡

It was 8 PM when he finally woke up from his nap. Eyes half lidded, he went to the kitchen to find some food. The house was dark, not a single light was on. He sighed, turning on the lights. “I should’ve turned it on before i slept.”

He opened the fridge and cursed when he found only a bottle of expired coke in the fridge. He loudly shut the fridge, walking back to his room lazily.

He sat down on his bed and grabbed his phone from the night stand, checking for any important calls or texts.

There were 3 texts from his mother, which he immediately ignored. He already knew the message without having to open it, so he deleted the texts as soon as he saw them.  The other 4 texts were from different people, 2 from Yuta and the other 2 from an unknown number. He opened the text from the unknown number first, mildly curious about the text.

Fr : +82-2-5XX-3XX

Hey cutie

Yukhei raised his eyebrow, slightly creeped out. He then re-read the text, trying to recall if he has drunkenly given out his numbers at the club last night. When he was sure he didn’t, he opened the second text.

Fr : +82-2-5XX-3XX

Wanna hang tonight?;)

Yukhei squinted his eyes at the text, now doubting his memory. He then ignored the text and proceed to open the ones from Yuta.

Fr : Bro

I just gave Soojin your number.

“Who the fuck is Soojin??” Yukhei mumbled to himself, trying to recall any Soojin he might know. Confused, he opened Yuta’s second text.

Fr : Bro

She’s kinda dumb, but she’s smokin’ hot, man.

The corner of his lips immediately curved into a wicked grin as he read the text. He didn’t remember knowing any girl named Soojin, but if she was smokin’ hot just like Yuta claimed, then he’ll be on his way in lightning speed. He immediately opened the previous messages and added the numbers to his contact. He licked his lips as he typed in an equally suggestive reply, thoughts already corrupted the minute he read Yuta’s second text. Getting an address in under a minute, he then immediately stood up from his bed, the smirk never leaving his face.

He hastily put on his clothes, grabbing his wallet and phone, and a couple of small foil packaging. Reading the address on his phone once again, he then left the house in a hurry.

♡

“Fuck, Does this chick live in a goddamn cave or what?” Yukhei cursed out, pupils focusing on the small screen of his phone. He had been trying to find the girl’s address for the past 30 minutes, and yet the GPS didn’t help him in any way. The GPS told him that he had already arrived, when in reality he was in the middle of a park in the middle of an unfamiliar neighbourhood. He tried calling the girl numerous times, but it seemed like either she was drunk or just extremely stupid because instead of giving Yukhei the right direction she sent him nudes. He admitted that she was indeed hot, but how was he supposed to do anything about it when he can’t even find her address? Letting out a desperate sigh, he decided to go home. “Fuck it.”

He turned around to head home, a cyclist from the opposite direction passing near him. He paid him no mind and continued to walk, still mumbling about how stupid that chick was.

A loud thud from behind him immediately caught his attention, his head automatically turned to search for the source of the sound. In his sight was the cyclist that he saw earlier, and a girl on the ground. He immediately caught up with what happened and proceed to approach the two. The cyclist saw Yukhei and hurriedly sped off, mumbling a quick apology to the girl. Yukhei gritted his teeth in annoyance, opting to curse him out.

“Asshole!”

Yukhei then watched as the cyclist disappeared into the dark, fingers balled up into a fist. He then heard shuffling sound near his feet and looked down at the figure on the ground. “Oh god, Are you okay?”

You nodded, trying to hold in the piercing pain on your knee. The guy was intimidating, and you couldn’t bring yourself to meet his eyes. He looked at you with worried gaze, crouching down to match your height. “I’m Yukhei, I just want to help.”

You nodded, trying to stand up slowly. Yukhei’s hands immediately went to hold your arms, supporting your weight. Yukhei carefully observed you, trying to find any wounds or bruises that might hurt. “Are you hurt?”

You didn’t quite hear him because you were too busy looking around, trying to find the book that you were holding earlier. Yukhei noticed your wandering gaze, instantly looking around as well. “What are you trying to find?”

You pressed your lips into a thin line, opting to ignore his question. He stared at you in wonder, mildly annoyed that you basically just ignored him. “Hey I’m just trying to help yo-“

You immediately ran to the bushes near by when you spotted a familiar maroon book, effectively cutting Yukhei off. Yukhei stood there, dumbfounded that he just got ignored by a girl that he just helped not 5 minutes ago. He watched as you carefully picked up your book, face scrunching up in annoyance. “You’re searching for your book. You could’ve just told me you know.”

You looked up at him for the first time, giving him a sheepish smile. Yukhei parted his lips to say something, but found himself stunned at the beauty in front of him. Although the park  was poorly lit and almost half of your face was covered by your bangs, you were easily the most beautiful person he had ever met.

Yukhei met a lot of pretty girls in a daily basis, and all he felt for them was nothing but lust. That might be the result of meeting them in night clubs and bars, but this was new for him. Meeting someone in the park was never his forte. But then again, this was something he didn’t expect to happen.

“Um, well, do you need any help getting home? Its kind of dark, something like that might happen again.” Yukhei offered, his voice a little bit unstable. He cursed silently to himself for almost stuttering, wondering why a girl that he just helped was making him feel this way.

You looked up at him, still a little bit intimidated by his looks. But he just helped me, right?

You nodded after a while, resulting in a smile blooming on Yukhei’s face. Your fear quickly vanished, Yukhei’s smile was turning your impression about him 180°.

You then started to walk, Yukhei following close behind.

“What’s your name?” He awkwardly asked, fiddling with his fingers. This was the first time in such a long time that he had to ask a girl’s name, and he couldn’t help but to feel a tad bit nervous.

You glanced up at him, lips curving into a small smile. He’s actually very cute.

You then pointed at the corner of the book cover, tapping softly on the hard cover. Yukhei leaned closer, trying to read the small word.

“Y...Y/n? Is that correct?” He asked, eyes squinting at the small letters. You nodded, suddenly feeling shy at the close distance between the two of you. Yukhei noticed and immediately stepped away to the side, creating a distance between the two of you.  

He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t help but to feel scared around you. He was scared he might accidentally do something he’ll regret.

All of these feelings were new to him, and it made him slightly confused. Yukhei was a smooth talker but ironically, he found it hard to find interesting topics to discuss with you.

He stared at you in wonder, a part of him amused at the effect you had on him.

She’s different.

♡

You stopped right in front of your house, sighing in relief. Finally.

It wasn’t like you didn’t enjoy the past 15 minutes you had spent with Yukhei. He was surprisingly cute, and his cheesy jokes made you smile all the way home. But that was the reason why you wanted to get home as soon as possible. You didn’t want to develop any feelings for him, and it was bad enough that he was literally the definition of your dream guy. The guy of your dreams that somehow helped you and walked you home in the middle of the night? It sounded too good to be true.

You turned around to face Yukhei, offering him a small smile as a sign of gratitude. The smile he had on when he first offered to walk you home was gone, and for a moment you were worried if it was because something that you did.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you could’ve just declined my offer, you know.” He bitterly said, chuckling humourlessly. “I mean, I get it. My arms are covered in tattoos and I reek of cigarettes, but it would be way less offending if you turn down my offer in the first place rather than accepting it but not saying a word during the whole thing.”

You panicked for a moment, wondering how on earth he would think that way. But then you realized that he was a stranger and he didn’t know a thing about you, you should’ve known that this would happen.

You sighed, frustrated that he got it wrong. But to think again, you were the one to blame.

Yukhei heard your sigh and misunderstood it as an answer. “I’ll leave now. Don’t worry about me memorizing your address, I’ll probably forget it the second I set my foot outside.”

Yukhei turned around to leave as soon as possible, but a little tug at his sleeve stopped him. He raised his eyebrow when he found you holding to his sleeve tightly, preventing him to leave. “What are you trying to do?”

You sighed once again, unlocking the front door and gesturing him to come inside. Yukhei raised his eyebrow, confused by your sudden invitation. “Are you sure? I’m basically a stranger, you shouldn’t let me inside.”

Without a doubt, You nodded and stepped inside, taking off your shoes. Yukhei stepped i, still wondering how he managed to get into this situation. “Should i close the door?”

You nodded, walking to the kitchen and leaving him at the front door.

“Is she really letting me inside?” Yukhei mumbled under his breath, closing the door. He knew he could use this opportunity to try to lure you into bed, but he didn’t feel like it. It was odd, considering that the reason he was outside in the park was because he was tryin’ to fuck.

The clinging sound of the glass caught his attention, and he quickly locked the door and made his way to the kitchen.

You were stirring your drinks, the smell of cocoa lingering in the air. Yukhei sat down at the opposite side of the counter, not sure what he was supposed to do. He then took off his leather jacket and put it on the stool beside him. He watched as you finished making the drinks, eyes darting between the mugs and your face.

You then pushed one of the mug towards him. Yukhei slowly took the mug, still unsure about him being in your house. “T-Thanks?”

You smiled and nodded, taking a sip of your own cocoa. Yukhei then took a sip as well, the hot liquid washing the ashy taste of the cigarette left behind. He then gulped down almost half of the mug, liking the way the drink makes him feel all warm. He then put his mug down, a genuine smile decorating his face. “Its hella amazing.”

You chuckled silently at his response, merely nodding. Yukhei was content with the current situation, the hot cocoa, the comfortable atmosphere, and you. But there was still one thing that bothers him.

“Hey... not trying to be rude or anything... but why did you let me in? What are you trying to do exactly?” He asked in a rather small voice, afraid that you might take it the wrong way. You put down your mug and pulled out your phone from your pocket.

Yukhei stared as you typed something in your phone, bewildered that you basically ignored him, for the second time of the day. He was pissed,  ready to lash out his anger. “If you only want to igno-“

You looked up at him and held out your index finger, an indication for him to stay quiet. He opened his mouth to complain, but decided not to as you shot him a glare. “Fine.”

You then nodded and typed in a little more, before giving the phone to Yukhei. He took the phone from your hand, eyes full of doubt. He then looked down at the cracked screen of your phone, trying to read the small letters.

You waited as he read the little message that you wrote for him, taking yet another sip of your cocoa. Yukhei then put the phone down on the counter, eyes wide and jaw hung open. “Y-You’re mute?? Oh god I’m so fuckin-“

You shook your head in his poor choice of words, instantly shutting him up. Yukhei covered his face with his hands, groaning. “God i’m such a jerk.”

You watched closely as he continued to curse himself, amused by his reactions.

“I just--Oh god I’m so sorry for assuming shits.” Yukhei groaned, too embarrassed by his previous words to look at you in the eyes. You tried to cut him off to say that it’s okay, because it wasn’t even his fault to begin with. But Yukhei didn’t stop, still cursing himself for being so ignorant.

You decided to wait until he’s done, finding it fruitless to try to interrupt him. You then took the time to observe him from head to toe, blushing slightly when you take a good look at his face. He was attractive, that was a fact. But there was something about him that draws you in, and you weren’t sure if it was his eyes, his jaw or his arms. You didn’t know why but somehow his arms caught your gaze. His arms were veiny and there were small tattoos here and there, but there was something off and you couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Y/n? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

You looked up at his face, slightly embarrassed that he just caught you ogling his arms. You shook your head with a sheepish smile on your face, silently apologizing for not paying attention.

Yukhei noticed that you were looking at his arms and automatically looked down at his arms as well, trying to find what it is that catches your attention. “Are you looking at my tattoos?”

You shrugged, not really knowing how to answer his question. You were technically looking at his tattoos but at the same time you weren’t because his tattoos weren’t exactly the thing that you were looking for.

Yukhei raised his eyebrow at your response, the last thing in his mind now at the tip of his tongue. “Were you... by any chance... looking for my soulmate mark?”

You blushed madly, surprised that he actually managed to guess it right. Before you could reply however, he covered his arm protectively. His expression turned sour, and his gaze turned murderous. “Just so you know, I don’t believe in soulmates.”

You were taken aback by his defensive response, slightly scared by his predator gaze. You glanced at his now covered arm and something clicked in your mind. He doesn’t have a mark, that’s why he is being so bitter.

You stared at the guy in front of you with pity, now understanding his sudden change of behaviour. Although some people were born with no marks, the condition was rare. Very rare that only less than 1% of the world’s population suffered from the condition. You knew this because your mother used to be one of them. Since you were young, the word on your arm always made you upset. Every time you feel sad, she would always tell you how she lives in constant fear of not having a soulmate for 2 decades. Luckily, at the age of 24 she finally got her mark.

But not everyone was as lucky as her. In some cases, some people stayed with no marks all their lives. No one knew why it happened, but then again no one could explain the mysterious mark on their arms either.

There was a possibility that Yukhei haven’t got his mark yet, but judging from the guy’s toxic mind-set about soulmates, he probably wouldn’t care when he got one.

The atmosphere turned uncomfortable, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. You then silently typed in something into your phone, attempting to cheer him up. Yukhei refused to take the phone from your hand when you offered him the phone, so you decided to play it out loud.

“I’m sorry, I just thought that your soulmate must be so lucky to have you as their soulmate.” The robotic woman voice blasted from the speaker of your phone.  

Yukhei looked up at your face with confusion written all over his face. “You don’t even know me.”

You shrugged, typing in yet another response. “I don’t, but i do have feelings that you’re a great person. And my guess is usually correct.”

Yukhei scoffed at your cheesy response, but a moment later cracked a smile, shaking his head in disbelief. “Well, if you say so.”

You grinned in delight, happy that you succeeded in making him smile. You then typed in another response, carefully picking your words. You then put the phone down and played it out. “To be honest, I think that having your arm bare is better than having your arm with a mark like mine.”

Yukhei stared in wonder as you proceeded to rolled up your sleeves, showing him the word written on your arm.

ASSHOLE

Yukhei chuckled when he read the word on your arm, imagining how embarrassing it must’ve been to have such a word embedded on your arm. You chuckled along with him, staring at the word on your arm.

“Wow what a shitty soulmate that you have there.” He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. You couldn’t help but to agree with him, the word on your arm had been causing troubles since literally the day you were born.

“I guess you’re right. Yours is pretty embarrassing.” Yukhei said, still chuckling. His laughter slowly died down, and his mind wandered. He then looked at you and found his lips curving upwards into a smile. “This might sound weird since we just met like half an hour ago, but I’m so glad I met you.”

You chuckled, not knowing what else to respond to his unexpected confession. You mouthed him a “Me too” as an answer, blushing profusely.

“I don’t know, its just that i feel like you’re different, you know?” He continued, but then added an explanation quickly. “Not because you can’t speak, don’t get me wrong.”

You shook your head, a small smile decorating your face. You knew he didn’t mean it like that, and even if he did it didn’t really offend you since you were different from other people and it wasn’t something bad, you were perfect just the way you were.

Yukhei couldn’t stop staring at you, not even trying to hide the fact that he adores what he sees. His mind wandered to the moments earlier, when he first saw you. For a moment he got a little bit pissed, remembering the cyclist that hit you over and just left you on the ground. But then he tensed up. He then slowly looked up at you, eyes wide.  

You noticed the lack of joy in his expression, confused by his sudden change of mood. You quickly mouthed, “Is something wrong?”

Yukhei gulped. “Remember when you got hit by that cyclist earlier?”

You nodded, wondering why he suddenly wants to talk about it. Yukhei bit his lips, looking up at you with hopeful gaze.  “Don’t you remember what i said?”

Confused, you scrunched up your face. You then shook your head, genuinely confused by the direction of the conversation. Yukhei let out a low groan, pinching the bridge of his nose.  

“Oh my god, I am your shitty soulmate!”

Your eyes widened as you quickly looked down at your arm, jaw hanging open upon the realization. He IS my shitty soulmate!

You looked down at the word on your arm, then at his face. So he’s the one who gave me this mark!

You looked up at him with a wide smile on your face, delighted that you finally found your soulmate, although a part of you wanted to punch him so bad because of the mark he gave you. Yukhei ran his fingers through his hair, laughing breathily. “That’s why i have no soulmate mark... it makes sense now.”

Seeing his adorable joyful expression, you decided you could punch him later on. You couldn’t help but to smile along with him, the lively atmosphere was making you all warm inside.

Yukhei stared at his bare arm, now smiling instead of frowning like he used to. “All these time i thought i’m a lonely piece of ass, I didn’t even realize the possibility behind the lack of mark that i have.”

His gaze then landed on you, who were still looking down at your arm with a goofy smile. His expression softened as he saw your smile, heart beating faster at such sight. “Hey.”

You looked up at him, a smile decorating your face. Yukhei chuckled, slightly blushing because of how beautiful you looked. “Look I know this might be weird since we literally just met..”

You could feel the blood rushing to your cheeks as your heartbeat accelerated, patiently waiting for the rest of his sentence.

Yukhei let our a rather sheepish laugh, still not believing how ridiculous your first meeting is. “I’m so sorry for marking your skin with such an inappropriate word.”

You broke into a wide smile at his remark, shrugging. You then typed in a response into your phone, playing it out loud. “Its better now that i have a heroic story behind it.”

Yukhei covered his face in embarrassment, chuckling lowly. “What kind of hero gives his soulmate an awful mark??”

“You.” The robotic voice blasted from the speaker, making Yukhei looks up at you. He then shook his head, his lips stretching into a wide grin. “I’m no hero, You know that.”

You raised your eyebrow, smiling playfully as you quickly typed in another reply. “You kinda are, but go off i guess.”

Yukhei chuckled at your response and unconsciously pinched your cheeks, his hand felt cold against your skin. You blushed at the sudden physical contact but made no attempt to hide it, he was your soulmate after all.

His laughter died down, but his hand remained still. The room was quiet, but there was no need of words when you were connected by hearts.

Although you liked the physical contact so much, you decided that it would be better for the two of you to bond over something.

You then typed in a sentence into your phone, playing it out loud for him to hear.

“Horror movies?”

Yukhei chuckled loudly, pinching your cheeks once again. “God, you really are my soulmate.”

Your lips curved into a smile as you stood up to grab a few snacks from the fridge, gesturing him to come over and help you. He was about to stand up when his phone vibrated, and he quickly pulled it out. There was 1 new message from Yuta.

Fr : Bro

How was she?

For a moment Yukhei was having a hard time remembering the person Yuta was referring to, You being the only person in his mind right now. But then he remembered the reason why he was walking in an unfamiliar park in the first place. He then glanced at you, who were preparing snacks, and glanced down at the screen of his phone. His lips curved into a grin as he typed in a short reply. He then put his phone in silent mode and put it in the counter before joining you in the kitchen.

To : Bro

I’m so glad she’s dumb.