#will i ever write an actual fic for this? who’s to say

[shadow-kid-cole]

ok i didnt think this would get. any amount of notes. but i’m still thinking about this and the idea of all your secrets laid bare regardless of how you feel about it and, in fact, maybe without your knowledge depending on how lost in the prison you are. we saw with inner demons (and with quests from other games, such as the one with feynriel in da2) that when people are stuck in the fade it’s very much the same as being stuck in their own minds (as above so below, fade reflects reality, etc etc.)they often don’t see the same thing as others. they may not even know that they’re trapped, or might not be able to tell what’s real or not.

depending on who your rook is, there’s so many different ways this could go. how long would it take them to realize, what would be the missing piece that makes everything click into place, how would they react? what would they feel? guilt, shame, anger, even a misplaced sense of betrayal as a protective instinct against the sudden realization of unwilling vulnerability? if they’re already someone without the resilience or adaptability to confront their regrets and escape on their own, chances are they’re not the best at handling their emotions to begin with.

my rook, for example, has a tenuous grip on reality in the first place. i decided that if they’ve been hallucinating varric all this time, which other people from past traumas might they be hallucinating? they’ve spent most of their life hallucinating their dead sister, people they’ve killed, people that have wronged them and vice versa. i think being pulled into the regret prison - and hearing the voices of their companions confirming every insecurity they’ve ever had to boot - would completely break their sense of reality. it would take a Lot of convincing to even get them to go with the team, to even try to escape - because for all they know, multiple people are dead and those that lived hate them. these kind visions of their friends aren’t real. it’s just the same as it’s always been. what’s a few more ghosts to haunt them? (as a lucanis romancer, i think my rook fully believes he’s dead and that’s the last straw that makes them truly give up, and it’s only once he’s there, close enough to actually make physical contact, that my rook could even let themself think about the possibility of hoping none of this is real.)

even after everything, i think my rook would have one moment of true vulnerability, knowing that their team knows everything and has seen them at their worst, and they hate it but everyone’s still here, so they let themself cry and be fussed over and then the moment they’re back at the lighthouse they hide from all that as much as they can and absolutely do not mention it ever again.

but that’s honestly best case scenario. for another rook, how might the guilt and shame of the mortifying ordeal of being known manifest for them? some might handle it well, let themselves love and be loved in return, might secretly be grateful they don’t have to do the hard work of revealing things themselves. others, though. others might react like a feral animal offered a gentle hand in its worst moment, and we all know how that goes.

thinking about the cage for gods quest and a rook that might be too lost in regret to make it out on their own (a la inner demons) and the team having to figure out not only how to tear open the fade but go through the layers of their rook’s psyche as challenges to finally find them frightened and alone and bring them home while experiencing every horrible thing that’s ever happened to them that they never told anyone about along the way. something something keeping your distance as a leader only for your team to witness every horrible broken part of you and rescue you anyway. if you even care.

[myrruwrites]

Streamer!Jinx headcanons.

Just some basic ideas and drabbles pooled into one post. I see a lot of streamer!ellie and streamer!vi, but barely any jinx if any at all. I don’t know, I just think she’d be the funniest streamer ever.

CW: Cursing? bits of Jinx x f!reader. jokes about jinx being cancelled, homophobia mentions.

Streamer!Jinx who got surprised when she blew up pretty fast. For the wrong reasons, Ofcourse (controversy, because she can’t keep her mouth shut), but once it smoothed over she gained a lot of following from it.

She has no filter. None. The second something pops into her head, she says it aloud. She deals with the consequences afterwards.

Her room is either really messy, or oddly tidy. On that note, Streamer!Jinx that decorated her whole setup and desk, plus her headphones. They’re all covered in scribbles and spraypaint.

Streamer!Jinx that sometimes manages to convince you to play on stream with her, addressing you as a close friend to keep you both comfortable and safe online.

She constantly says “chat” and “gang”, even when she’s not streaming. Vi and Ekko pick up on it and comment on it frequently, using it to tease her.

Rages at Minecraft. 100%. She joined MCC, just to ragequit half way through because her team was in dead last. Her chat watched her leave the server and walk out of her room on the webcam. She had to take a whole 15 minuet break and come back with a cup of coffee to calm down.

She would start a Minecraft hardcore series just to hide in a hole as soon as it turns night, before logging off and never returning.

"Guys this is my first episode of... MINECRAFT HARDCORE!

...

Chat this seems to be my first AND last episode."

Jinx who accidentally revealed your relationship on live. She slipped up and called you "darling" or "babe", and her chat never dropped it.

"BABE?!"

"Holy shit did she just call her babe?"

"Ladies, we have a chance!"

"DID WE HEAR THAT RIGHT"

She tried to change the topic, "We’re going to win this round!", to say she lost, and her chat didn’t drop the topic, would be an understatement.

She got cancelled for homophobia once, because she went on a 'just chill and talk' live about how she didn’t approve of Caitlyn and Vi being together. It got taken the wrong way and had to explain that she’s infact Queer with a girlfriend. She defended herself with "Guys, I’m literally dating.." after she revealed your relationship, and then went on a rant sesh about you. She’s the biggest yapper ever.

Her twitch account got banned or suspended once because she got so mad at a kid on Fortnite that she cursed him out and went overboard. (Again, she has no filter).

She mainly plays Minecraft and gun games. But sometimes she’ll do longer lives for charity where she’ll play the chat’s top pick.

She accidentally showed your face on stream once, forgetting to tell you her webcam was on. You didn’t realise until later that day there were edits of you on your own fyp or twitter TL. "Babe, you might wanna see this.."

Jinx still gets confused whenever she sees an edit of herself. Also, she has a public favourite folder of edits of you. She doesn’t know how to edit it to make it private.

Once you got comfortable showing your face on webcam, Jinx hosted a “do my hair and Q&A” stream where you braided and brushed her hair while you both answered questions. Any excuse to spend time with you at the same time as working.

Notes: first time ever writing jinx, so I thought I’d start with headcanons. Do we want a streamer!jinx fic? Like an actual fic? Pls give me ideas on what to write abt her

[mimipolo]

hi darling, how are you?

genuinely thank you so much for writing about Nam-gyu, I love him and it's kind of disappointing to see that there are almost no fics or headcanons about him :(

I am honestly in love with your way of writing (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠✧⁠*⁠。

I would love and be very grateful if you could write something about Nam-gyu dating a girl who is more shy and quiet

thank you so so nuch

have a great day/night 🤍

Nam-gyu x shy!reader

|HIII I'm doing good tysm for asking‼️

|You gave me the opportunity to listen to one of my softer playlists while writing this so kudos to u

He's tries his best to be gentle with you, almost too much. Sometimes he mistakes your meekness for also being weak. Yes weak willed but not necessarily a complete push over. You just prefer to keep to your thoughts to yourself. He genuinely admires you for it because he could never tolerate someone talking shit to his face.

Speaking of he's super quick to defend you, any word he believes could offend you( it offended him more) is immediately being damned to hell. He's holding you close to his side as he shouts at the supposed perpetrator.

We all know he's a super yapper when given the chance so he loves being in your company and talking to you, or well, talking at you. More often than not he's being spoken over or whatever he's saying isn't being received but it's so much more different with you. You're happy to sit and do whatever you're doing as he talks your ear off. Sometimes when he says something especially interesting you ask a question and he's already giddy and ready to explain in unnecessary amounts of detail.

Feels like he's the chosen one because you chose him out of all the loud bastards out there to be with. He wants to brag and show you off so badly but he has to physically restrain himself because he knows how much you'd hate having so many people you didn't know have so much information about you. Sometimes slips in a comment or two...or more to Thanos, nothing too crazy.

You understand him better than anyone else, when he's about to go from frustration to anger, then anger to violence. You're that voice of reason just behind him urging him to reconsider what he's about to say or do. At some point he realises he hears your soothing voice coaxing him to calm down when you're not there. Genuinely shudders at the thought because you have that much of an affect on him?? Terrifying.

Sometimes he likes to sit in silence with you, the windows open and it chills the already cool room as his head lays in your lap. You're humming quietly to yourself as you make a mess of his hair and he's content on staring up at you blissfully as you do so.

Takes into consideration you don't usually like PDA so keeps most of it at home. But any threat of someone even hinting at hitting on you he's softly grabbing your hand to pull you away, mean mugging the person the whole time. You hate confrontation at all costs, remembering how you jumped in shock at him just shouting at someone haunts him endlessly. Avoids doing so unless very much called for.

One thing you'll always acknowledge is how much he tries to remember all the little things about you, the effort he puts into making sure you're comfortable noticeable in every interaction. Even if it looks unnatural on him, he swears he's trying.

Guiltiest pleasure is purposefully making you flustered. Loves turning your head up to meet his eyes just for you to snap your head away as you shrink under his gaze. Thinks it's the cutest thing ever. Especially if you take hold of his wrists and tell him to stop it but don't actually push him away.

One thing he always makes sure of is keeping Thanos in check when he's around. It'd honestly be easier just to avoid him all together but the man is anywhere and everywhere. Has elbowed his stomach roughly when he was halfway calling you Senorita. Would do it again gladly. Got teased a lot after for being so protective you, Thanos clapped his back like some proud father as if he wasn't the main culprit.

He's your number one defender. If you have no fans he's legally dead. Supports every small hobby you do, and insists you make something big with it. Just wants to see you excited about something.

He's a snappy guy with a smart mouth so he has to tripple check himself every time he's slightly upset at you. It's not that he means to hurt you with his words he's just a little too creative. But due to your lax nature conflicts occur very rarely, a sense of peace only you could provide him with. Even if you did argue he'd be folding immediately after he's cooled down.

"Don't hate me kay? I didn't mean it."

"Speak to me pretty, ya know I said sorry."

Doesn't let up until you give out a short laugh, signalling his success.

[evilbirdy]

can u write a se mi x fem reader where se mi goes along with thanos who keeps flirting w her gf(reader) then mocked him later after se mi said that she’s shes dating the readerr T—T

𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 *𝕓𝕠𝕪𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕞 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ~ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢɪʀʟꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ʙʏ ʟᴀʏ ʙᴀɴᴋꜱ

A/N: This might be updated into a whole different story

ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀᴀʟ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴠᴇʀꜱɪᴏɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰɪᴄ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ , ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀᴅᴅɪɴɢ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ꜰɪᴄꜱ ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ʙᴀꜱᴇᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪᴀʟᴏɢᴜᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴜᴅᴇꜱ ɪɴ ʜɪɢʜ/ᴍɪᴅᴅʟᴇ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ. ꜱᴏ ɪᴍ ᴀᴅᴅɪɴɢ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴍꜰᴏʀᴛᴀʙʟᴇ

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: ᴄᴜʀꜱɪɴɢ, ɴᴀᴍ-ɢʏᴜ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ʜᴀᴛᴇʀ (ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪꜱ ʜᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʙʜ), ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ᴄʟᴜᴇʟᴇꜱꜱ/non-confronting?,ᴛʜᴀɴᴏꜱ ɢɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴛɪᴋᴛᴏᴋ ꜰ-ʙᴏʏ ᴠɪʙᴇꜱ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ ꜱᴘɪᴄʏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ʙᴜᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ, ꜱʟɪɢʜᴛ ‘ᴘᴏꜱꜱᴇꜱꜱɪᴠᴇ’ ꜱᴇ-ᴍɪ (ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱQᴜɪɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏɴꜱɪᴅᴇʀ ᴘᴏꜱꜱᴇꜱꜱɪᴠᴇ)

ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ 100% ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀꜱɴ’ᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ, again I’m not trying to make anyone feel uncomfortable or antsy with this fic. SO I might post the more ‘tamer’ versions in the future if you guys want them 😭😭

ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ ᴀ ꜰɪᴄ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴀᴅᴅɪɴɢ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴏꜱ x ɴᴀᴍ-ɢʏᴜ <3

Se-Mi was still holding your hand as you entered the room for the second game. You were told to make a group of five, you followed her as she talking to this quiet player, 125. You let go of her hand for a second, walking around, looking for other players. You drew imaginary circles on the ground when a man called your attention.

“Hey sweet thing,” you furrowed your eyebrows. You looked up to see the famous dude everyone was talking about.

“Yes?” you crossed your arms, tilting your head to the side. What could this dude want with you.

“Well, I saw you looking around for other players and thought I’d help you out baby, I would die knowing I’m leaving a pretty thing like you stranded. Why don’t you join me and my friend here, I’ll protect you and make you feel loved. Like a husband and you are one of my wives,” did this dude just say one of his wives.

You nod slowly, biting your lip trying to keep your laugh in.

“I would but you should know I have two other teammates,” you were hoping that it would shoo him off but he insisted on having you and your teammates on his team.

You turned to your right revealing Se-Mi and her friend to Thanos, much to his friend’s protest, Thanos accepted. You look at Se-Mi keeps giving Thanos small looks.

Before you can grab Se-mi’s hand, Thanos takes yours and pulls you along with him. As comically as she finds, Se-Mi finds it insufferably more. She had to stop herself from punching a wall.

After you completed the game, Thanos kept you around and has been flirting ever since. He would kiss your hand, wraps his arm around you, blow kisses at you.

You on the other hand are became kinda tone-deaf to it, you always acted this way with your friends back in high school. But that’s different, this is a medley of death games not high school. You never really thought anything of it because you didn’t even like men like that and you thought you gave that energy.

Se-Mi got tired of it after the first ten minutes, Nam-gyu wasn’t helping, actually, he was making it weirder with his names towards you.

“Wifey,” you and Se-Mi conversation was interrupted by someone grabbing your hand mid-way. You sigh and turned to the culprit.

“Hello, Thanos,” as funny as this was to you, you were almost getting tired. You wanted to spend time with your girlfriend and avoid dying, this was adding on your plate.

“Hey the new game is gonna start tomorrow, you wanna sneak into the bathroom and get stuff done,” he gave you a weird look, eyeing up and down. You gave him a disgusted look.

“Yeah thanks but no thanks. I don’t know where…that has been, I know for a fact you didn’t bring no protection in here,” you scoffed, you turned towards Se-Mi about to continue talking until he pulled on your arm, pulling you towards him.

“oh come on, you might not survive the next round and I wanna make sure you die in bliss,” you looked at him with more disgust and confusion, you have saved his ass way too many times for him to say that, next time you are just gonna let him die.

“Umm yeah nooo,” you pushed him back, staying close to Se-Mi before she says some shit she can’t take back.

“(your name) how dare you, you do realize that THE Thanos is OFFERING you this, man hoes like you never realize how good you have it,” Nam-gyu yells out, bringing slight attention to people close to you guys.

“Umm no offense asshole, but (your name) would not love whatever Thanos is ‘offering’” Se-mi speaks up, you look at her hands and notice her playing with her rings. Oh no, she usually does that when she is ready to hit someone. You place a hand on her arm, hoping to calm her.

“Oh yeah and how the fuck would you know, huh bitch?” Nam-guy urges on as Thanos tries to make him shut up.

“Cause she is my girlfriend you bastard,” she lunges forward but you pull her back, you look at Thanos and Nam-gyu. Thanos had a shock and confusion look on his face while oddly enough Nam-gyu had a weird smirk on his.

“So does that mean you both like make out and stuff, shit if you both would have done that earlier, I would have liked you two more,” Nam-guy started laughing all wild but he stopped when Thanos hit him upside the head.

“I don’t believe it…are you lying to me (your name)? Nah I feel like you both are playing tricks on me,” Thanos says acting all crazy, waving his arms and stuff.

“Are we’re lying huh,” Se-mi grabs your arm and drags you to the bathrooms.

“Uhh what’s up, what’s wron-,” you were interrupted by Se-Mi caging you against the wall, she leans down kissing your neck, keeping you close.

“W-what? What are you doing?” you say

“Showing him what you love, baby,” she brings you closer to her. One of your hand go up and cling onto her shoulder while the other grips her arm.

You hide your face in her neck as she continues her work. When she was done, she left kisses all over your neck and face.

“If those jerks tries anything like that again, I’m suffocating them in their sleep,” you nod mindlessly and started laughing. She was first confused but then laughed with you.

“What was dude thinking haha ‘oh baby girl I’m gonna show you a good time’ haha and what was that face he was making,” you laughed so hard, Se-mi had to keep a grip onto you.

“I think that was him trying to be sexy,” Se-mi covers her face.

You two laughed so much, the guard had to tell you two to hurry up and get out.

If y’all thought Thanos lives this down, he doesn’t . You should’ve seen his face when you came out in with dark marks on your neck.

Oh and every time you guys talk with him, you love mocking his attempts to get at you.

“Oh no Se-Mi haha the game is about to start, we should haha hurry so I can haha die in bliss,” you fall back against Se-mi, slipping into her lap.

“Oh yes haha, because you are definitely gonna die this round hahah no matter how many times you have hahahaha basically carried us, if it isn’t this one, it will definitely be the next one,” she hides her face with how red it is from laughing.

And don’t worry about Nam-gyu and his weird fetish.

“You two should just kiss, it makes me tolerate you both more,” he says rolling his eyes and playing with his food.

“I’ll kiss Se-mi once you kiss Thanos,” you smiled sickly as he spits out his milk.

“Aww not funny when it’s you huh,” Se-mi leans into you.

“That’s different,” Nam-gyu stutters through his words

“Is it?” you both say at the same time, tilting your heads to the side.

“I mean…I’m down,” Thanos says quietly having all of us look at him.

“WHATTT” you two yelled in unison again.

[seongwars]

strangers by nature | vi

Pairing: heir!Song Mingi x heir!Reader AU: non-idol | arranged marriage | enemies to lovers Genre: angst, humor, fluff in future chapters Rating: NC-17 Summary: After a life-altering car accident, Mingi is given one final shot at redemption—reborn as a fuzzy little puppy. To earn a second chance at life, he must complete three tasks or risk being doomed to the afterlife forever. Word Count: 6.6K Warnings: angst, character d*ath, attacks on animals, mentions of blood, swearing, mentions of mental health, only half proofread, use of crude language

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a/n: it hurt me to write this chapter 😭

You weren’t particularly close to your father. His life revolved around his work—the family business he hadn’t wanted but had accepted out of obligation when your uncles, San and Jongho’s fathers, stepped aside, unwilling to subject their sons to the challenges of running a conglomerate.

Sometimes you wished he had done the same too. 

He was often away, traveling to meet clients or locked in endless board meetings. He wasn’t the type of man to swoop in with comforting words or a warm embrace. Instead, he listened without interrupting, nodded without judgment, and spoke only when he felt it was necessary. Despite the distance between you, his steady presence had a way of making you feel oddly secure.

And maybe that was why, as you paced the length of your penthouse, you found yourself dialing his number. Mingi followed your every move, his small body glued to your side. He kept glancing up at you, occasionally tripping you with how close he was.

“Come on, pick up, pick up…” You muttered to yourself. Your pacing carried you in a loop—through the kitchen, into the dining room you barely used, and then into the living room. Then, you wandered back into the kitchen, your footsteps quickening with every unanswered ring.

“Y/N?”

Your shoulders sagged in relief, and you stopped pacing, planting yourself in the middle of the kitchen as Mingi bumped up against your ankles. 

“Dad!”

“Is everything alright?”

You hesitated, your fingers tightening slightly around the phone. How were you supposed to explain everything that had transpired the last few weeks without sounding unhinged? 

What were you even supposed to say? Hi, Dad. Quick question: Are you sure the woman you’re married to is actually my mother?

Your parents’ marriage had always seemed like a curious thing to you. It was a product of an arrangement. Yet, over the years, your father’s quiet gestures of affection seemed to keep your mother content, even happy.

Surely, he couldn’t have had an affair.

The idea felt absurd, but then again, you’d always felt like a stranger in your own home, an outsider looking in at a family that didn’t quite seem to know where you fit.

“I-I need to talk to you about something. I didn’t want to call mom because…you know how she gets.”

Your mother had a flair for theatrics, a tendency to turn even the smallest inconvenience into a grand production. If you’d called her instead, the situation would have escalated before you even finished explaining. 

“What’s going on?”

“I…” You faltered for a moment, running a hand through your hair before continuing your train of thought.

“There’s this woman who I think has been stalking me. A friend of mine was dogsitting Maro when she approached him at the park.” Your voice dropped slightly, recounting your conversation with Yeosang. 

“She recognized Maro…and referred to me as her daughter.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and you took a moment to crouch down and stroke Mingi’s fur as he leaned into your side. 

“I don’t know who she is,” you admitted softly. “But…something about her felt wrong. And it’s been bothering me ever since.”

“Did she hurt you or Maro?”

“No, but she tried to abduct a little girl a few weeks ago. We stopped her and she fled.”

“Y/N, I need you to listen to me carefully,” he said, his tone suddenly firm. 

You froze mid-step, his words rooting you in place. “Okay,” you said hesitantly, your voice small.

“I need you to stay put,” he continued. “Don’t do anything or go anywhere, especially not alone. I’m going to call the lawyers and have them review the court order and police files.”

“Court order?” you repeated, confusion rising in your chest. “What are you talking about?”

“Call either San or Jongho,” he said instead, his tone softening just enough to sound like a plea. 

“Let them know I’ve asked one of them to stay with you until we sort this out.”

“Dad, what court order?” you pressed, gripping the phone tighter as your heart raced. 

Mingi, sensing your distress, pawed at you insistently, his soft whines urging you to sit down. But you couldn’t move, couldn’t tear your focus away from the ominous edge in your father’s voice.

“There was an incident when you were three. If she is who I think she is, she’s someone we dealt with a long time ago.”

“Who?”

“Your former nanny,” he admitted, his voice steady but grim. “She tried to take you,” he said bluntly. 

“At first, she seemed fine. Kind, attentive, everything you’d want for a child. But things started escalating. Your mother noticed something was off right after she lost her own daughter in an accident. She’d grown too attached to you. Too possessive. We let her go, but before we could take any legal action, she attempted to abduct you.”

“She tried to kidnap me?”

“She managed to evade security at first. It was like any other day. But by the time we realized what was happening, she was already on her way to the airport with you.” 

The room spun, and before you realized it, you had sunk to the floor. The color drained from your face as the weight of the revelation hit you. Mingi froze, his small body going still as he struggled to process the gravity of what he was hearing.  

He let out a soft whine, curling closer to you. He hadn’t fully understood your fears, the reasons behind your walls, the way panic sometimes overtook you without warning.

Now, as a dog, powerless to do anything but sit beside you, the weight of guilt felt almost unbearable.

“We caught her in time,” he continued quickly, his tone shifting, as if trying to calm you. 

“She didn’t make it far. Security intercepted her at the gate just as she was preparing to board a flight. We filed charges immediately and she was arrested.”

“But?” you scoffed. “Your money and influence couldn’t keep her behind bars?”

“We didn’t think she’d ever get out, Y/N. The charges were serious, and the evidence was solid. At the time, we were assured she’d be locked away for decades.” He hesitated, and for a moment, you thought you heard his voice waver. 

“You were so young. We didn’t want to burden you with something you wouldn’t even remember. We thought we could protect you from it all.”

“So much for power,” you muttered bitterly, rubbing your temples. “She seems to be escalating. She’s openly trying to kidnap children now. Who knows what else she’s capable of?”

Your father’s sigh was heavy. “Which is why you’re not to go anywhere alone, Y/N. Not until this is resolved.”

“Dad—”

“I’ll be increasing the security presence around the penthouse as well. And before you ask, yes, I'll be coordinating with Mingi’s family to ensure their resources are aligned with ours.”

The mention of your in-laws made your stomach twist. They were probably unaware of the situation, but it wouldn’t stay that way for long. You could already imagine your mother-in-law spinning the story to her social circle about her damsel of a daughter-in-law and how her poor son was unable to save her. The thought of being the centerpiece of their gossip left you feeling exposed and vulnerable.

“Make sure there’s a secure presence at the hospital too,” you said, cutting in before the conversation could linger on your in-laws. 

“She might try something there.”

Your father arched a brow. He knew you didn’t particularly like being married to Mingi—he wasn’t blind to the strain in your relationship. Truthfully, he regretted agreeing to the arrangement in the first place. He’d witnessed firsthand the coldness with which Mingi had treated you, most notably the way he’d rebuffed your birthday gathering that first year of marriage. It had been a bitter reminder that not all alliances were worth the price they came with.

But upon hearing your request, it made him realize that you had always been kinder, and more compassionate than those around him. While he had always seemed distant, caught up in his own world of business and power, moments like these reminded him that you had grown into someone he was proud of. Someone who cared, even for those who didn’t deserve it.

“Is there anything else that you need?” he asked, his voice softer now.

“No,” you replied, shaking your head slightly. “But I’m not going to live in fear forever. She doesn’t get to have that power over me.”

“I don’t expect you to. I just want you to be safe.”

The line disconnected and you set the phone down, your hand lingering on it for a moment before turning back to Mingi. You felt a surge of emotions–anger, frustration, fear, and a flicker of determination. 

But when you saw him sitting patiently on the floor, watching you intently with his big eyes, fluffy ears, and wrinkled nose, everything inside you softened. The weight of the world seemed to melt away in that moment, and your heart ached with affection. 

“You’re so cute, I can’t stand it,” you squealed, the intensity of your emotions spilling out in a completely unexpected way. 

Without thinking, you scooped him into your arms, pressing your face against his soft fur as you swayed back and forth with him. Mingi melted into your embrace, his small body going limp as he relished your warmth. 

“I just want to squish you!” you exclaimed, giggling as you kissed him between the ears. 

Mingi let out a soft, rumbling growl, not out of annoyance but because he didn’t know how else to respond to the flood of emotions washing over him. If only you knew how deeply he wanted to protect you, not just as a dog, but as the man who had failed to see your worth for far too long.

“I should probably text the group chat,” you murmured, reaching for your phone while balancing Mingi securely in your other arm.

[Y/N]: My dad said I can have a sleepover

[Grumpy Bear]: fuck yeah

[Mountain Mayne]: Can Kira come too?”

[Y/N]: Only Kira, you stay home

⋆

Mingi found himself scowling, scooped up in San’s arms, as the four of you lounged in your living room, covered in mountains of blankets, pillows, and snacks. He wasn’t sure how he’d ended up in this situation, but he was definitely not thrilled when your cousins and San’s fiancée came crashing into the penthouse after you summoned them with a single text.

“Why isn’t the dog distribution system working for us?” San asked, holding Mingi out toward Kira like he was some kind of offering. Mingi shot him a glare, but the effect was somewhat lost given his tiny size and the way his fur poofed up around his face.

“Because we already have three cats at home,” she replied, chomping on a piece of cheese without looking up from her phone. San sighed dramatically, pulling Mingi back to cradle him like a baby. 

“Don’t worry, Maro, I'll save you from your owner and her evil husband.”

Mingi bristled, his fur puffing out even more. He barked indignantly, but it only made San laugh as he nuzzled Mingi’s fluffy face.

“Yeah, if the evil husband ever wakes up,” Jongho snorted from under his fortress of blankets. 

The room fell silent, save for the faint sound of Howl’s Moving Castle playing in the background. Mingi froze, his small body tensing in San’s arms. His ears flattened against his head as Jongho’s words echoed in his mind. 

Sure, he hadn’t been a perfect husband. He wasn’t even sure he’d been a good one. But…evil?

“Oh come on, that’s not fair,” you replied, albeit with an edge to your tone. 

“What?” Jongho raised his hands defensively, his expression a mix of guilt and awkwardness. 

“It was a joke. I mean, come on, the guy cheated, publicly humiliated you… you can do so much better, Y/N.”

“I know a good divorce lawyer,” Kira added, waving her phone as if the solution to your problems was just a call away. 

The truth of their words clawed at Mingi, a painful reminder of everything he’d done wrong. He wanted to bark, to growl, to defend himself, but what could he even say? That they were wrong? They weren’t. Not completely.

You inhaled sharply, your lips pressing into a thin line as you plopped down next to San. He glanced at you, but you ignored it, your focus entirely on the small dog curled stiffly in his arms.

“I get it,” you said finally, your voice clipped as you reached out and gently plucked Maro out of your cousin’s arms. He went still in your hold, his small body tensing as he waited for what you’d say next.

“Mingi has his own problems, but right now, he doesn’t have anyone in his corner. I don’t know what will happen when he wakes up, but it’s not fair to say things like that when he’s not here.” You cradled him closer, your touch instinctively protective as if shielding him from their judgement. 

Jongho exhaled loudly, his earlier confidence deflating as he sank deeper into the pile of blankets. “Fair point,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. That was out of line.”

Mingi stayed silent, nestled in your arms, his mind racing. You could have left him at the hospital. You could have walked away, started over. Hell, maybe you should have. You could have even entertained the thought of dating Seonghwa, or Yeosang, or anyone else. Anyone but him.

But you hadn’t.

You spent countless nights in that hospital room, talking to him, even when he couldn’t say anything back. You stood up for him, even now, when he didn’t deserve it.

Mingi could picture it so clearly: someone else making you laugh, someone else holding your hand, someone else seeing the best parts of you. 

Maybe they were right, he thought bitterly. Maybe you really could do better. 

But even if that was true, he couldn’t bring himself to accept it. Not when there was still a sliver of hope that he might wake up, make amends, and find a way back to being the man you once believed he could be.

“Well, I’m going to bed,” you announced, rising to your feet with an exaggerated stretch. “It’s way past bedtime.”

“I’ll stay here,” San declared. “In case your stalker tries anything.”

“Good for you, honey,” Kira patted his shoulder. “But I’m going into one of the guest rooms because that’s what sane people do.”

“You’ve got this covered,” Jongho muttered sleepily, dragging himself out of the blanket pile. He stretched with a loud yawn and shuffled toward his room without even waiting for a reply.

“We’re supposed to be in this together,” San grumbled, throwing a pillow halfheartedly at Jongho’s retreating figure. It missed by a wide margin, flopping harmlessly to the floor.

As you slipped into your room, the shift was immediate. The air turned quiet and soft, a reprieve from the playful chaos outside. You closed the door gently and set Mingi down on the bed, his fluffy body sinking into the plush comforter.

He sat perfectly still, watching you move around the room. You pulled back the covers on your side of the bed and fluffed the pillows before finally settling in.

Patting the space beside you, you called softly, “Time for bed.”

He padded over, his small paws making barely a sound as he climbed onto the blankets and curled up near your side. When he tucked his nose into the crook of your neck, you giggled.

“I love you. Night night, puppy,” you whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

As you drifted off to sleep, Mingi stayed awake, tracing the gentle slope of your nose to the soft curve of your lips. It all seemed so fleeting, like everything could slip away in the blink of an eye. 

He sighed softly, rolling onto his back and then to his side again, unable to find a comfortable position. San’s snores rumbled faintly through the door, a reminder of the others nearby. But Mingi’s mind was too restless to relax.

His mind drifted to his last task: What did it mean to offer you happiness without expecting anything in return?

Isn’t it about giving you what you wanted? Protecting you, making you laugh, or ensuring you were never alone? But the more he thought about it, the more complicated it became.

How could he possibly give you that when so much of his past had been spent hurting you?

He remembered the times he’d chosen his own pride over your feelings, the cruel words he couldn’t take back, the moments he’d walked away when you needed him most. He had made you feel small, like you were the one who didn’t belong, the one who wasn’t good enough for him, all while he continued living his life while you were left to pick up the pieces of your own. 

“You’re home all the time, don’t you have any friends?”

Your response had been blunt, cold, almost dismissive. 

“No, they’re dead.”

That was all you said to him. No explanation, just a heavy finality that left him speechless. He didn’t know what it meant then, but now, looking back, it felt like a confession, a glimpse into a part of you that was buried beneath the walls you’d built to protect yourself after losing Hongjoong.  

Kim Hongjoong, the ghost of a man who had never left your heart. The man who had held a place there long before Mingi had even existed in your life. And in that moment, jealousy crept in. It was sharp, bitter, the thought of losing you to a ghost threatening to consume him.

He hated that Hongjoong would always carry that piece of your heart he couldn’t touch, a piece that belonged to someone who had once been your everything. Because in this moment, Mingi, more than anything, coveted that place in your heart. 

No matter how much he tried to remind himself that he was here, that he was now, it didn’t quell the sense of inadequacy growing within him. He couldn’t love you with the expectation of erasing your past or taking what wasn’t his to have.

If he was to prove himself, to earn his humanity, it couldn’t be about him. It had to come from a place of selflessness. He had to love you for who you were, even if it meant living in the shadow of a ghost. Even if it meant never being able to fully claim a place in your heart.

Even if it might mean accepting that some parts of you could never belong to him, no matter how much he wanted them to. And as painful as that truth was, Mingi knew it was the only way forward.

He nestled into your side, his fluffy form fitting snugly against you as he placed a paw against your nose. The steady rise and fall of your chest soothed him, reminding him that he was yours, even if it was only as Maro. 

“I’m so bored,” you groaned, hanging your head over the back of the couch dramatically. The ceiling wasn’t particularly interesting, but you were so desperate for stimulation that you started counting the corners of the crown molding.

Kira glanced over from the kitchen, her brow furrowing in concentration as she whisked a bowl of batter with a bit too much vigor. 

“You should try being useful. Come help me bake.”

“I’d rather be anywhere but here,” you muttered, sliding further down the couch until you were almost horizontal. “I’ve seen every corner of this penthouse.” 

“Drama queen,” she said lightly. “You’re safe here. That’s what matters. And besides, I thought you’d enjoy the time off.”

“Time off from what?”

“I don’t know? The hospital? The back and forth must be draining.”

You hummed in response, though that was all you could muster. Draining wasn’t quite the word for it. It was true the days spent at the hospital had a way of blurring together, but you didn’t mind staying there. In some strange way, it felt right.

At the hospital, you had a routine. You’d arrive in the evening, lay on the sofa and stare out into nothingness. Sometimes you’d read, talk to him about trivial things, or just sit quietly, the hum of the monitors filling the silence. It wasn’t much, but it was something. A way to show him that he wasn’t alone, even if he couldn’t respond.

Because deep down, you knew he needed someone on his side.

It wasn’t easy to admit, even to yourself, but a part of you still held out hope for reconciliation. Not the fairytale kind, where everything magically resolved and all wounds were healed, but something quieter. A mutual understanding, perhaps. A moment where he’d open up, even just a little, and let you see the person behind all the walls he’d built.

You knew he was hurting. You’d always known, even when he tried to mask it with anger or indifference. His actions, the coldness, the distance, the biting remarks, were all symptoms of something deeper.  

But there was another part of you, a quieter voice that you couldn’t ignore. The part that braced for no change at all. That prepared for the possibility that when, if, he woke up, he’d still be the same person he was before. That he’d still look at you like you were the problem, the obstacle, the thing standing in the way of his happiness.

That part of you longed for freedom.

You’d spent so much time tangled up in his chaos, in his pain, that you’d almost forgotten what it felt like to just...be.

Maybe, if and when he woke up, he’d be willing to part ways. And maybe that would be for the best.

“I ran out of eggs!”

You blinked, momentarily disoriented. “What?”

“Eggs!” she repeated, holding up the empty carton. “I can’t believe I forgot them. I’m halfway through making this cake, and now I have to stop everything to run to the store.”

“I’ll go with you!” you said quickly, standing up from the couch so fast you nearly tripped over your own feet.

Kira froze, narrowing her eyes at you. “You know you’re not supposed to leave.”

“And you’re supposed to be at the courthouse, but here you are, baking a cake for a man.”

“First of all, it’s called paid time off,” she replied, narrowing her eyes further. “Secondly, San’s stroke game is top tier.”

“Oh my God, stop!” you cut her off, throwing your hands up. 

“I do not want to hear about your sex life with my cousin. He used to eat mud as a kid.”

Kira rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter. “Anyway,” she continued, “your dad would absolutely kill me. He gave strict orders to keep you here. And unlike you, I actually follow them.”

“Come on, Kira,” you pleaded. Your eyes landed on Maro, lounging nearby. You scooped him up in one swift motion, holding him up like a fluffy shield. 

“Even Maro thinks it’s a good idea!”

Mingi tilted his head, his dark eyes widening as he gave Kira his best impression of a sad, helpless puppy.

“Look at him. He’s begging you.”

Kira groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is ridiculous.”

“It’s a quick trip. Five minutes, tops,” you promised, your tone bordering on desperate. “I won’t go anywhere, I’ll stay by your side the entire time!”

She sighed, clearly wavering. “Fine.”

The ding of the store’s bell announced your arrival, and the comforting smell of fried food from the deli counter made your stomach grumble. Kira grabbed a basket, striding purposefully toward the back where the eggs were stashed.

“Eggs,” she said firmly, shooting you a warning glance over her shoulder.

“Got it,” you replied, though your eyes immediately wandered to the chip aisle.

The small store was quiet, almost unnervingly still, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching you. As you followed Kira, your gaze flicked around the store—a habit you’d picked up recently without fully realizing it. Your shoulders tensed, the faint prickling sensation at the back of your neck making you feel exposed. It was probably nothing, you told yourself, trying to brush it off.

Kira tossed a carton of eggs into the basket and turned to you with a raised brow. “Anything else?”

Her voice startled you, pulling you out of your thoughts. You blinked, momentarily disoriented, before grabbing a bag of chips from a nearby rack and a pack of chocolate-covered pretzels from the next shelf over.

“Alright, ready!” you chirped. 

The cashier rang up your items without much fuss, and soon you were both on your way. But as the store door clicked shut behind you, that sense of discomfort returned. You glanced over your shoulder, your movements slow and deliberate, as if any sudden motion might draw unwanted attention.

Your eyes darted to the empty street ahead, scanning the familiar buildings and darkened windows. It looked deserted, but the nagging feeling told you otherwise.

“You okay?” Kira asked, noticing your hesitation.

“Yeah,” you said quickly, the word tumbling out a little too fast. You forced a smile, hoping it looked convincing. 

You told yourself it was nothing, a stray thought feeding your paranoia. But as you turned the corner toward your apartment, your worst fears materialized. A shadow detached itself from the side of a building ahead, stepping into the weak glow of the nearest streetlamp. Your stomach dropped, and your chest tightened when you noticed the glint of the knife in hand. 

“Y/N.”

Your stalker. Your former nanny. 

Kira froze beside you, her posture immediately tense. Her free hand twitched toward her phone, but her other gripped your arm tightly, as if anchoring you in place. You shook her off with a small, almost imperceptible gesture, your lips moving silently to form the words: Call San.

Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t argue. She stepped back, her movements careful as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

“Hey…mom,” you said, your voice trembling but just steady enough to hold its own. The lie tasted bitter on your tongue, but it was all you could think of to buy yourself time.

The woman’s head tilted, her expression softening into something disturbingly tender. “Oh, my sweet Y/N,” she cooed, taking a step closer. 

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long,” she continued. “You’ve grown so much. You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

The delusion in her voice sent ice down your spine. She didn’t just see you as a person. You were a possession—something she believed she owned.

“It’s been a while,” you said cautiously, keeping your tone light, though your hands trembled at your sides. 

“What…what are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to take you home!”

“Right…home,” you repeated, your stomach churning at the word. You took a step back, careful to keep your movements slow and nonthreatening. 

“Why don’t we go for a walk and catch up? I just ate, and walking helps with digestion. Did you know that?”

The woman blinked, her head tilting further to the side. For a moment, she seemed caught off guard by the suggestion.

“A walk?” she echoed, suspicion flickering across her face before fading into hesitant curiosity. “You want to spend time with me?”

You nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “O-Of course! I mean, it’s been so long, right? We have so much to talk about.”

Behind you, Kira moved as quietly as possible, her phone pressed to her ear as she whispered into the receiver. The nanny walked ahead, still clutching the knife tightly in her hand as your figures disappeared into the darkness.

⋆

Mingi paced restlessly around the penthouse, his claws clicking softly against the floor. His tail flicked with agitation, and his ears twitched, straining to catch a sound that wasn’t there. Something felt wrong—deeply, inexplicably wrong. You were only supposed to be gone with Kira for five  minutes. 

But those five minutes had turned to an hour. 

The door to the penthouse slammed open, and Jongho burst inside, his phone pressed tightly to his ear. His face was pale and his brow furrowed deeply as he listened to the voice on the other end.

“Yes, I’m here now,” he said hurriedly, his tone clipped and tense. Mingi froze mid-step, his ears flicking forward as Jongho’s words sank in. Looking for you? His heart dropped. Did something happen to you?

“I’ll stay here in case she comes back. Yes, San and Kira are out looking for her along with law enforcement.”

Mingi’s nose twitched, catching the faint remnants of Jongho’s scent. There was something else mingled with it—the sharp tang of fear. A shiver ran down his spine. Jongho wasn’t scared for himself; he was scared for you.

In his frenzy, Jongho forgot to shut the door completely. It clicked behind him, but the latch didn’t catch, leaving it slightly ajar as he retreated further into the penthouse. 

Mingi knew you were most definitely scared, but were relying on your wit to keep your abductor as distracted for as long as possible. But it could only go so far. You needed help. You needed him.

He darted after Jongho, letting out a short, sharp yip that made him turn with a frown.

“Maro?” Jongho’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Mingi barked again, more insistent this time. He jumped in place, then headbutted Jongho's leg with surprising force, urging him toward the hallway. When Jongho still didn’t move, Mingi let out a sharp yip, trotted to the door, and paused to bark over his shoulder. Come on, follow me!

Out in the hallway, Mingi’s incessant barking continued until Jongho relented, reaching out to push the call button for the elevator. 

Jongho stared down at the little dog, confusion etched across his face. “Why are you so interested in the elevator?” 

Mingi stayed silent in an attempt to get this timing right. Then, as soon as the doors began to close, he darted forward, squeezing inside at the last second. Jongho blinked, momentarily stunned, before the realization hit him.

“I just…got played by a dog.”

Outside, Mingi paused just long enough to pick up your scent on the breeze. Darting forward, Mingi weaved through the bustling crowd, his small frame slipping unnoticed between legs and around obstacles. His nose twitched, staying locked on the trail, as he took off into the night with the promise of finding you

“I’m coming,” he whispered under his breath, to keep himself moving. His legs burned, and his lungs ached, but he didn’t stop.

Your nanny stood a few feet away, as you guided her to a nearby park. Her body taut with a kind of unnatural stillness. Her expression was deceptively calm, but her eyes gleamed with something unhinged.

“How have you been? You’re married right? I see the ring on your finger.”

Your fingers twitched involuntarily, brushing against the cool platinum of your wedding band. It felt heavier than usual under her scrutinizing gaze. “I am,” you replied, keeping your tone calm and steady despite the way your stomach churned.

“Almost three years now.”

“Three years? That’s wonderful. What’s your husband like? Oh, I’d love to meet him!”

“Unfortunately, he’s on a business trip overseas. B-But when he comes back, maybe we could have dinner.”

Her smile stretched impossibly wider, her eyes glinting with a strange light as she clasped her hands together. “Dinner? Oh, how wonderful! Just like old times!”

“Y-Yeah, just like old times. You, me, um, Mingi and…dad.”

“Dad?” she echoed, her voice hollow and strained. “Your father?”

The moment the word "Dad" left your lips, her expression darkened and her grip on the knife tightened, turning her knuckles white as the blade trembled in her hand.

“No! Not him! Not while he’s married to that bitch!” she spat venomously. 

“You know, his wife didn’t love you like I did! She didn’t raise you! She wasn’t there for you!”

Her face twisted with fury, her voice rising as she screamed. “She left you behind! Do you remember that? Do you? She didn’t care about you! She abandoned you—threw you away like trash! But me? I stayed. I cared. I’m your family!”

Mingi’s ears perked up at the sound of that voice. It was her—the same woman who had tried to abduct Yena weeks ago. A low growl rumbled in his throat, but he forced his down, shifting his focus to the sights and sounds around him. In the distance, he caught fragments of Kira’s raised voice, as she argued with the District Attorney.

“She should never have been released!” 

“Her delusions weren’t just untreated, they were escalating. And instead of following protocol, the facility discharged her prematurely without an appropriate plan in place.”

Mingi’s ears flicked toward the sound as Kira’s voice grew louder, her pace quickening.

“The ruling was explicit! The family was to be notified of any changes in her care plan. But no one was! And now she’s out here, putting Y/N in danger!”

The echoes of Kira’s tirade faded into the background as Mingi tuned everything else out, his focus narrowing to a single goal. Find you. Protect you.

She won’t hurt you. I won’t let her, he promised. 

You swallowed hard, your mind racing as you searched for the right words to diffuse the situation. “You’re right,” you said gently, taking a slow step forward as your eyes stayed locked on the blade.

“I should’ve done more to stay in touch. You were important to me, and I didn’t show that the way I should have.”

Mingi crept closer, staying low and moving with careful precision. His small frame blended with the shadows cast by the trees, his paws silent against the ground. His ears were pinned back as he watched the stalker. For a split second, her grip on the knife faltered. Her expression softened, dimming into something more fragile, almost childlike.

But then her face contorted again. “You’re lying!” she screamed, taking a step toward you. 

“You don’t mean that! You’re just saying that to make me go away.” She took a step closer, the knife jerking with her erratic movements.

His nose twitched, catching the faint scent of your fear mingled with her unbridled rage. Her emotions were spiraling out of control, and with every step she took, the gap between you and danger grew smaller.

“I’m not,” you said firmly, taking a careful step backwards. 

“I mean it. You were there for me when I needed someone, and I want to be here for you now. But I can’t do that if you don’t trust me.”

She hesitated, the knife wavering slightly in her grip. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed like your words might be getting through.

Mingi inched closer, his eyes tracking her trembling hand, and his body tensed, ready to spring.

“You’ll leave me again! Just like her!”

That was his cue. With a burst of speed, Mingi darted forward, his small body a blur of motion. His sharp teeth clamped down on her ankle, eliciting a startled cry. She stumbled, but her fury only intensified. She lashed out blindly, her hand sweeping through the air, the knife flashing dangerously.

“Maro!” you screamed. 

Without hesitation, you lunged forward, your heart pounding as you reached for her wrist. Your grip was firm, fueled by adrenaline and sheer determination as you kicked her back, sending her stumbling slightly. With a swift motion, you scooped Mingi into your arms, cradling him against your chest.

As she steadied herself, her arm swung wildly and you raised your arm to shield Mingi. The knife sliced through your forearm leaving streaks of blood, but you didn’t let go, tightened your hold on him as you focused on the woman in front of you.

“I’m sorry you lost your daughter,” you began, your tone water as you tried to bite back the pain radiating down your arm.  

“I can’t imagine the pain you’ve been carrying, or how much it’s changed you. I’m sure whatever happened broke you in ways no one can see. But trying to replace her won’t bring her back.”

You could see the tears threatening to spill over, but they did nothing to soften her. If anything, they seemed to fuel her anger. Her grip on the knife tightened as she took a shaky step toward you. Your heart pounded and Mingi whimpered softly, pressing his small body closer to yours, and you instinctively held him tighter, bracing yourself.

“Police! Drop your weapon!” 

“Y/N!” your dad’s voice rang out. You turned your head just enough to see him running toward you, San and Kira close behind, flanked by a group of police officers.

The stalker froze, her head snapping toward the source of the commotion. Her grip on the knife faltered, and for a split second, you thought she might comply. But then her face contorted with fury once more, and she tightened her hold, her body tensing as if preparing to lunge.

“Stay back!” she screamed, her voice shrill and panicked.

The officers fanned out, their weapons drawn, their voices calm but firm as they repeated their commands. “Drop the knife! Put it down now!”

Your dad reached you first, his hand gripping your shoulder as he stepped slightly in front of you. “Are you hurt?” he asked urgently, his sharp eyes taking in the blood streaking down your arm and the puppy trembling in your hold.

“She cut me,” you admitted, glancing at the blood streaking down your arm. “It’s not deep, but—” You shifted Mingi slightly in your hold, cradling him closer. 

Mingi let out a soft, sleepy sigh, his head resting heavily against your chest as your dad checked you over. His breaths came slower now, each one softer than the last. His little paws twitched as though he were trying to cling to you.

His mind wandered, a hazy string of thoughts pulling him along. He couldn’t wait to go home, to finally feel safe and warm. He imagined curling up in your lap, nuzzling into your arms while you stroked his fur. He thought about Hetmon and all the running around they’re going to do at the park.

Oh, and snacks, he thought sleepily. Lots of snacks. His little tail gave a faint twitch at the thought, but even that felt like too much effort now.

Just a nap, he thought. I’ll rest for a bit, then we’ll go home. We’ll be okay.

When Mingi woke, the air around him was...different. It wasn’t the plush sheets of your bed or the soft pillow he’d grown accustomed to sleeping on. Instead, he found himself in a small, cozy basket lined with a soft cushion, placed near a gently crackling fireplace. 

He blinked, his vision adjusting to the soft light streaming through the windows of a small cottage. The space was intimate, with wooden walls lined with shelves overflowing with books, plants, and stacks of parchment. The scent of tea and ink hung in the air, faint but familiar, tugging at something deep in Mingi’s memory.

The atmosphere was comforting, nostalgic even, though Mingi couldn’t quite place why. 

“Ah,” the man said, his lips curling into a soft smile. “You’re finally awake.”

Mingi’s ears perked up as he turned toward the sound. A man crouched next to him–his features were sharp but his expression was soft and kind. Mingi tilted his head, his ears twitching as he studied the man. He’d never met him before, but his scent was unmistakable. 

It was audacious and bold, much like the jazz notes he remembered sitting on the piano back at home. 

Kim Hongjoong?

<< v | vii >>

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[fangirl-erdariel]

Okay I know no one actually cares but I think it's interesting how this feels like one of those things that's super dependent on the fandom?

Like, for example, in Tolkien fandom, by my experience... the unnamed wives/sisters/daughters (and technically other unnamed characters, but let's be real those are the most common type) tend to get treated as a bit of a separate thing. Like. yeah. realistically in practice, the difference between a character who is mentioned by their relation to another character or something like that, but is not named, does not actually appear in any kind of meaningful way in the story, and absolutely nothing is known about them, and an OC, is... negligible if not nonexistent. But I do feel like they get treated/seen differently in the fandom, like even by people who are totally cool with OCs and enjoy playing with them, the reaction and takeaway to someone going "oh i'm writing a fic about my OC who's a Gondorian noblewoman during the War of the Ring/an elf from Eregion/a sailmaker in the Havens of Sirion" is different than if someone's like "i'm gonna write a fic about Isildur's wife/one of Anárion's daughters/the prince of Cardolan who was buried in the barrow that the hobbits were caught in", like the latter are considered a bit different from OCs even though both of these would be equally made up by the writer

but at the same time in a lot of other fandoms I'm in, those both would be just considered OCs. Like if I were to say in the Musketeers fandom that I'm gonna write a fic heavily featuring Constance's brothers (she mentions having brothers like... once? i think? and no further info on them is ever given), or if I said in BBC Merlin fandom that I'm gonna write a fic about Gwen and Elyan's mother. people would probably be like "oh okay you're writing OC fic", like their reaction wouldn't be any different to me saying i'm gonna write fic about an OC who doesn't happen to be connected to another character in that kind of way

and yeah idk i think it's genuinely interesting how that works. But that question abt whether it's an OC or not really depends on what fandom you're talking about

[ye4gerism]

Hii!! Can I request a fic where reader and Curly have a more happier life kinda au? Which includes them having their own kid/baby? If you want, you can add a bit of smut here and there🤭🤭 (Sorry if i’m being too specific, feel free to reject this request if you don’t feel like writing it.)

𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 - 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

word count 3.1k

content warning pregnancy struggles, parenthood, jimmy has a wife, tension, black reader friendly

author’s note sorry for the radio silence 😳 college is so weird. also, there isn’t any smut in this, anon😭 didn’t know how to fit it in. and…nobody’s really happy here🧍🏾‍♀️anyway, pls enjoy this fic.

synopsis curly doesn’t get on the tulpar and starts a family with you. you have the best daughter you could ever ask for and you finally feel at peace with your husband. but, per usual, jimmy has to butt his way in.

Dinner tonight was inauthentic tacos. It wasn't the taco place you and Curly liked to visit when you were dating but to you, it tasted just as good. The kitchen was filled with the smell of seasoned and spiced meat that was slightly burned at the bottom of the pan.

The swing of the front door follows with two sets of footsteps, one faster and lighter than the heavier one that harmonized with it. "Take your shoes...wait a second kiddo!" you hear your husband call out. Evidently, his pleas didn't work as your little girl met you in the kitchen. "Mommy!" She raises her hands for you to hold her.

"I'll hug you in a moment, sweetie. My hands are dirty. Can you listen to your dad and take your shoes off? And maybe wash your hands and come eat dinner?" you ask. Your four-year-old nods before running out of the kitchen. Curly crossed paths with her but stopped to remind her not to run.

Your husband's head pops over the kitchen counter and once he locks eyes with you, he shakes his head. Curly walks around to embrace you. He gives you a long kiss as he's been out all day at work and with your daughter. "How are you, Mrs. Curly?" he asks, his forehead resting against yours. "I'm good now that you're here, Mr. Curly," you answer back.

"I might have gotten her ice cream after school, which is why she's a little out of control. Sorry," he then says. You shake your head and chuckle.

"Who knows if she's actually washing her hands? I should go check on her - make sure she's not wasting any water." You wiggle yourself out of his arms and start to walk away from Curly but he grabs your hand and pulls you in again - your back against his torso this time. He locks you in with his arms around your belly.

"Who cares? You know I can afford the bill and besides," he leans down and places kisses from your temple down to the crook of your neck, "We don't get much time to ourselves these days." One of his hands leaves your belly and finds its way to the band of your pants. You slap his hand. "Not now, silly."

Curly chuckles and brings his back to where it originally was. Your bodies rock together and he hums. "But hey, it'd be nice to have another. I think we can do one more baby," he says suddenly.

Your body slows. "It was hard to get pregnant the first time and it was even more difficult to have her."

One day, your contractions felt off and irregular. You alerted Curly and sooner or later, he was packing your car with all the baby stuff you needed. You get checked into the hospital and examined by your doctor, who lets you know you're in early labor and that you are fine to go home. Something about the whole thing didn't feel right - so you stayed.

Hours later, they tell you the baby isn't coming - at least the way you expected. The baby isn't in the right position.

They rush you to the operation room, your husband right at their heels. Nurses help prepare the room and dress your husband in a hospital blue hospital garment.

There isn't really much you remember except for the clutch Curly had on your hand and the blueness in the room. Your doctor, after the longest time, tells you that the baby's out but you don't hear any cries and you see how some of your medical team has walked away from your open body.

You don't have much energy to yell and your husband is as confused and panicked. You hear pats from the other side of the room and finally a cry. A wave of relief washes over you and you close your eyes.

The next time you open your eyes, you're back in your hospital room. Curly's asleep on the sofa. You look over to your right and see the bassinet with a pink label reading 'Baby Girl Curly'.

"I don't know if I want to do it again, Curly," you tell him. His hands settle where your c-section scar sits. He doesn't say anything. You did have a conversation once about what it would have been like if you guys had kids earlier but you were both focused on your careers and got married later than what is considered usual by society.

"We're lucky to have one...to have her. Just be grateful for what we could have." You pull away from his grasp when you hear the little footsteps approaching the kitchen.

"My hands are clean!" your little girl exclaims. She holds her visibly wet hands at you. You rip a piece of paper towel and help your daughter dry her hands. "Good job, baby girl. Now, tell me what you want on your taco..."

"Daddy, did you tell Mommy about your friend who we saw at the ice cream place today?"

Curly gives your daughter a pointed look. "Don't talk while you're eating, sweet girl. The taco shells are pretty sharp. I don't want you to choke."

Normally, the three of you would have small conversations throughout dinner but tonight with almost silent with your choice of meal and the awkwardness from your conversation with Curly.

"No, he hasn't," you respond, looking at Curly. He avoids your gaze but if he could see you, he'd read 'it better not be Jimmy' in your eyes. "But I'll ask him later, sweetie."

Curly was booked to go on the Tulpar but decided to pull out when you found out you were pregnant with your daughter. The pony people were pissed, so Curly quit, causing them to restaff the mission. Jimmy's life seemingly got better; you say this because he became the captain of the Tulpar trip and he even got married to some girl he swears he didn't kidnap or brainwash. They also share a daughter. In Jimmy's head, he's one step ahead of Curly but to you, the only thing he lacks is true love and passion.

Dinner's finished and it's time for your daughter to get ready for bed. Curly takes care of bath time, which lasts thirty minutes. You meet him in the bedroom to wish your daughter good night but the moment you get there, her eyes are already closed. Curly sits at the side of her bed, staring at her lovingly. You lean on the doorframe and take in the image of your family.

"I thought about what you said...maybe she's all we need," he says quietly. He looks up at you. "We do have other options though. We can always adopt. I just...I just don't want to hurt you or lose you."

"When we get there, we can talk more. Let's let her sleep, come on," you respond. Curly gets up and meets you at the door. You close it and waste no second asking about his whereabouts.

"Was it Jimmy you saw today? When you went for ice cream?"

Curly puts his hands up in defense. "He just happened to be there with his daughter. He saw us and came over to say hello. Our daughters really kicked it off - you know how quickly kids make friends."

You cross your arms. "There's more you aren't telling me."

"He invited us to do some grilling...like old times!" Curly confesses. "I know you probably don't want to go but I...I think enough time has passed and I haven't seen my friend in a long time. It'd be nice for you to meet his kid."

You scoff. "The kid that he has with his wife that is how many years his junior? Curly, please."

You both share a silence. Curly looks down at his feet sheepishly and you can see right through him.

"And what do you mean friend? The same friend who made it his mission to ruin us? The one who didn't want any of this to happen?"

Curly's even more embarrassed. "You're right. Probably shouldn't call him my friend."

"Fine. Just this once...but I want this to stop, Grant. You live a different life now. Only God knows what would have happened if you got on that ship and, frankly, I'm glad I never have to worry about that."

Curly can't meet your gaze and you begin to feel guilty. You brush your fingers against his arm. "Hey, cheer up. At least you'll get to see your hot wife every day."

He hums before pulling you close to him by your waist. "You're right. I can never be upset about that."

"Really? I'm not convinced. Prove it to me."

You wrap your arms around his neck and he cups one hand under your thigh before lifting you. Curly presses his nose against yours. "Oh, I'll prove it to you."

You giggle at his response as he begins to carry you down the hall to your shared bedroom.

Saturday rolls around.

And the animosity you feel towards the upcoming event returns.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to," Curly says. He's buttoning the last button on his shirt.

"Well, I need to keep an eye on you and your boyfriend."

"I can call and tell him we can't make it."

"Oh, don't do that on my accord! Please, let's go visit good ole Jimmy and move on with our lives!"

You and Curly share a look of annoyance. The past few days, things have been tense between the two of you. You almost regret enabling him to go to this barbecue but at the same time, you just wanted him to get Jimmy out of his system.

The car ride was backed by your daughter's vocals and the nursery rhymes she asked you to play. You admire your daughter through the front view mirror - if anything she was your saving grace. She was the only one who could really brighten then your day. She was all you needed.

Curly finally pulls into Jimmy's driveway. He lives in a one-story dark blue home. His front lawn is decorated with leaves and he has a few lawn chairs out.

Curly gets out of the car first and heads to the back to unbuckle your daughter out of her seat. You sigh at the sight of Jimmy's home; you had to march up to his home with this apple pie sitting on your lap and act like there wasn't a time when he tried to make you feel inferior. Your daughter was going to have a play date with his and your husband was going to crack open beers with him like they're frat bros catching up.

Your husband knocks on the passenger side of the window, waking you out of your thoughts. He lingers for a moment, a firm line across his face. Soon, he walks away from the passenger seat, allowing you to leave. Eyes on the house, you take a deep breath and follow after Curly and your daughter.

Curly knocks on the door and after a few minutes, the locks turn and the door opens.

Jimmy stands before you: hair up to his shoulder, stubble more prominent, and overall, he seems brighter and happier. His signature slouch is gone and stands like an actual man.

"Curly, you made it!" The two men do a handshake and hug combo along with that deep laugh that all men like to do for whatever reason. Jimmy separates from Jimmy and gets down to your daughter's level, which triggers your fight or flight. But the soft look in his eyes calms you. "Hey there again, little lady." He places his right hand out for your daughter to shake. "Aisha's in the backyard if you wanna play with her." Your daughter wastes no time running to the back.

Jimmy stands up and his eyes land on you. Your breath hitches again and you find it difficult to stand next to Curly.

Jimmy shoves his hands in his pockets. "Mrs. Curly. Long time, no see."

"What is there to see, Jimmy?" you say. There's a bit of hostility in your voice, which makes Curly look over his shoulder at you and cringe slightly. His eyes beg you to behave.

Jimmy opens his mouth but is interrupted by the touch of his wife. She takes hold of his arm and smiles brightly at him. She's still as beautiful as the first time you saw her: her skin was like smooth chestnut, her braided hair wrapped up in a way that complimented her smile, and she was tall and slim. And ridiculously young...at least ridiculously younger than Jimmy. The only difference is that her belly was slightly swollen.

"Why are you still keeping our guest outside?" And her voice is sweet. You still don't know how Jimmy landed her...or what he did to convince her to pick him. "Please ignore him and come in." She ushers you into their home.

Their home looks like a home: shoes by the door, baby gifts in the living room, and family portraits everywhere. "Jimmy's was just about to start with the grill, if you want to help out, Curly," Mrs. Jimmy says. Jimmy elbows Curly playfully and gestures that they head outside.

You're left alone with Jimmy's unbelievably gorgeous wife. She takes note of the pie still in your hand. "I can take that. The little one's been craving some apple pie," she jokes, rubbing her belly. She takes the pie from your hands and goes to the kitchen. You follow.

"Remind me your name. Curly's mentioned you but I can't remember your name to save my life," you admit.

"Jada. And you're...y/n, correct?"

You nod. "Yeah, Jimmy doesn't talk about you as much as he talks about Curly but he says you weren't a big fan of his."

And yet, you still aren't.

You decide to change the subject. "So, how far along are you?"

Jada places the pie in the fridge. She takes out a few items - microwaveable mashed potatoes and mac and cheese - before closing the fridge. "I'm five months. Jim wants another girl but I think we're having a boy. What about you?"

"Oh, I'm not pregnant-"

"I-I wasn't making that assumption! I was going to ask if you were planning on having any more..."

You hold your stomach uncomfortably now. "I think I'll head outside now. Just to check on the girls."

You leave Jada standing there uncomfortably.

"This is the first time you two have met, huh?" Jimmy realizes. He's on his first beer. One hand grips the bottle and the other is resting on his wife’s waist.

"I think so," Curly answers for you. You're tucked under his arm and you're fuming. He's on his second beer. The girls are inside, watching a Disney movie. "Babe, you should hear the story of how they met."

Oh, you're very well aware. Jada worked at a sports bar called Sirens and Jimmy was a regular. He'd ask for her and tip her in large amounts. You're not sure what order this happened in, but she fell for him, had his baby, and married him in a courthouse ceremony - all before 26.

"I'm actually going to find the bathroom." You get up and quickly walk towards the screen door.

You close the door behind you and let out a sigh. Aisha and your daughter are on the couch, laughing and eating their hamburgers. They don't notice you and you just take in the sight. If only they could be friends under normal circumstances.

You really don't have to use the bathroom, so you step into the kitchen to breathe. Picking the kitchen as a place to calm down started to feel like a bad idea as all of a sudden you began to feel uncomfortable.

"She's something...just like you. Had a lot to say when I first met her. Smart girl you have there."

You're startled by the sound of Jimmy's voice. He inches closer to you but stops, leaving some distance between you. He sizes you up, attempting to look like the bigger person.

He tries to hide behind a casual tone but you can tell he wasn't being genuine. He never thought highly of you; he didn't like you because you always chose to go beyond what was expected of you. In his eyes, as Curly's lover, you were meant to be obedient and quiet but you defied that. "Hopefully she grows out of that. You were kind of a pain in the ass."

You collect yourself. He may scare the shit out of you but one thing he wasn't going to do was insult your daughter. "She's a blessing," you cut in. "You were well aware of how hard Curly and I worked to become parents. He'd call you on the phone and tell you what was going on. You think I didn’t know about that? And still, after so many years, you talk down on me. Give it a rest, Jimmy."

Jimmy's face goes pale and suddenly he’s not so smug anymore. He was there for the negative tests, the false positive, and understood Curly's desire for a family.

"In a way, you're still her stupid, fucking uncle that I can't rid of. So be that. Don't look at my child as some sort of inconvenience," you finish.

The last time you both were in a kitchen, Jimmy had you in a corner. He violated you. He sent you running home. But you won't let it happen again. "Thank you for inviting us, Jimmy. Best of luck to you and your family." You walk around him, leaving him with his own thoughts.

You're sitting in your bed, finishing up some work when you're interrupted by a light knock. You put away your iPad, ready for your daughter to emerge.

But instead Curly enters the bedroom.

Since Jimmy's barbecue, Curly's been sleeping on the couch; he goes after your daughter's tucked-in and returns to your bedroom before she wakes up. He really really pissed you off with his carelessness. However, some part of you took responsibility for even allowing him to accept Jimmy's invitation.

That invitation wasn't just to grill but to briefly bring back bad habits.

"I know you don't want to see me right now, I want to apologize to you." Curly sits at the edge of the bed. "I don't know why I got comfortable. I really don't have an explanation. I should have declined Jimmy's invitation. I'm sorry, my love."

You tap your lap, allowing him to come closer to you. Curly rests his head on your thigh and you finger through his hair. "Ever since the day we've met, you've broken a lot of promises and have talked me through plenty of apologies concerning that man-"

"And it ends today. I'm really sorry I put you through that."

You don’t say anything back but continue to play with his hair. Your relationship was built on promises, most of them broken by him. One can only hope he’ll do right by you now.

[celestiamour]

hi again i rlly liked ur headcanons for choi su-bong x shy fem reader and i was wondering if u could pls write headcanons of him x foreigner fem reader? ty and have a good day 🫶

ft. choi su-bong x f! reader — squid game

╰₊✧foreign! reader┊0.5k words

contains: headcanons!! reader’s native country is unspecified but she speaks her native language and english while studying korean! 

➤ author's note: alright, this is the last for the short specific reader headcanons, the next thanos fic will be an actual one-shot <3 

╰₊✧ notices you immediately both because you’re a cute girl and because you stand out in a crowd like he does. korea has a very homogeneous population, so people tend to take notice of you quickly. he probably greets you with a casual “what’s up” and decides right then and there that you’re going to be friends or maybe something more, you don’t really have a choice in the matter because people who stick out like you should stick together! he doesn’t mind if you’re shy because of your broken korean, he’s a master of language and wordplay and will gladly help you out!

╰₊✧ because he’s teaching you stuff he already knows and isn’t learning anything, he’s actually a lot of fun to study with. he always finds a way to make it fun and easy to remember with high-fives each time you get a question right. i feel like he was an awful student who went through a lot of tutors (only during exam season when he needed to get his grades up to pass the class though), so he knows all the best tips and tricks that worked on him when he was younger. 

╰₊✧ is probably one of those guys who asks what the swear words are and what cultural insults there are. he wants to use them other people so that he can get away with saying shit to their faces without getting caught, something that he already does in english but would like to know more

╰₊✧ even if you may not fit traditional korean beauty standards, he thinks you’re so hot. might use the term “exotic” because he doesn’t know better, but he won’t use it again once you tell him that it’s objectifying. 

╰₊✧ once you two start dating, he will seriously want to learn your native language. i can see him as someone who appreciates linguistics and admires multilingual people, loving to listen to music of all genres around the world and having a pretty diverse set of favorite artists. he might pout and bitch that it’s too difficult at first, but he’s surprisingly smart when he wants to be and will be conversationally fluent in about a year (it would be shorter if he was more consistent in his studies but alas).

╰₊✧ really looks forward to visiting your home country! he’ll try his best to be as respectful as his obnoxious ass can be, although i see him being accidentally offensive a few times because he can be a bit ignorant. loves to meet fans there and would probably go out of his way to make at least one appearance there if he ever had a worldwide concert tour no matter how off-course it may be. 

╰₊✧ when it comes to meeting your family, he puts all of his knowledge to the test to win their approval (god knows he needs all the help he can get when he looks the way he does, especially if you have a conservative family). however, he doesn’t really care if they don’t approve of him as he finds it to be more of a bonus than a requirement. 

╰₊✧ 100% wants to come back during your honeymoon, maybe even have a second wedding to adhere to your traditions if you so desire it. don’t worry about finances, he’s got it all covered!

[etherealrin]

PLEASE more rin x reader with the friends to lovers trope

₊˚⊹♡ 0x1=lovesong?!

the three times your childhood best friend itoshi rin realizes that he loves you + the one time he says it

warnings: none // wc: 3.8k

note: hai i hope this delivers what you wanted! fic + title loosely inspired by txt's 0x1=lovesong. female reader, kinda messy writing & ik that sae returns to japan when its winter but i make the rules here so it's actually summer. badly proofread!

one.

the first time itoshi rin met you was when he was a toddler, on a sunny, cloudless day at the park.

rin stared dejectedly at the bright green, now malformed, chunk of plastic he held in his tiny hands. it had previously been a dinosaur figure, possibly his favorite one so far too.

of course he had to break it and ruin the fun for himself.

rin's head whipped around, left, right, left, right—he was looking for comfort, in the form of his older brother sae—who was nowhere to be found. it dawned on him that even then, in a bustling playground full of lively kindergarteners, itoshi rin found himself alone. a zero in a world of ones.

as he sat there on the sidewalk, mourning his latest tragedy, the last thing he expected was for a little girl to approach him.

"hi," you said shyly. rin tore his gaze away from the broken pieces of his toy and looked up at you, curiousity in his eyes. you were pretty, he thought immediately. although you were both barely four, there was a simple elegance in the way you held yourself, and an obvious kindness in your delicate features. he wondered why you had chosen to approach him when so few of his peers ever did.

"hi," rin repeated back at you, exhaling sharply.

"um, do you want to play family with us?" you stuttered a little as you asked, motioning to three other children behind you. even at the age of four, rin's teal eyed gaze was still piercing. "we need someone to be the dad."

you wanted him to be the dad? rin rarely recieved invitations to play with other children, let alone was he well-versed in this game called family. but for some strange reason, he really wanted to try it. maybe it was because of you. you who had noticed his despair and tried to save him, in your own way.

"okay," he said decidedly, looking at you and your group of friends with wide eyes.

"yay! we can play for real now!" you squealed to the kids behind you. "my name is l/n y/n," you stated, staring at him expectantly. oh. you wanted to know what his name was.

"itoshi. itoshi rin."

"okay itoshi-chan, let's go!" and then you were dragging him off to the playstructure and under the slides, where your "house" was.

"just rin is okay," rin blurted out. "i have a brother so itoshi is confusing anyway."

"okay, rin-chan it is then! let's be friends!" your joyful grin made rin's tiny heart twist with a feeling he didn't understand. why did it make him so happy to be wanted by you? why did you even want to be his friend in the first place?

"alright!" he replied with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

rin doesn't remember much else from that day, but he knows that it was one of the better memories he holds from his childhood.

two.

a lot had transpired since that fateful day at the park, and the two of you were attending the same junior high as first-years. somehow, you had wound up in a majority of the same elementary school classes as well, thus you and rin formed a tight-knit friendship. twelve year old rin was going through somewhat of an edgy phase (that he never really grew out of.) hence, he was also going through a period where he was even more tight-lipped in class, despite his growing popularity. recruited by his older brother sae, rin had fallen into the clutches of soccer since first grade, and he had something that could only be described as a genius talent for the ball game. he was the only first-year who had made the soccer team, and rumors were that he was likely next in line for the position of captain, which was usually exclusively given to third years. he had soccer practice almost daily now, and you had art club after school, meaning your schedules aligned. as soccer practice often ran late, you developed a habit of making your way over to the fields after art club was finished to wait for rin. then the two of you would walk home together. rin never put too much thought into the simple act of you waiting for him, until one afternoon, you weren't there.

huh? he had thought. maybe you were running late or something? rin had just finished the last of his laps around the grassy field, and he surveyed his suroundings with slight dissapontment. you really weren't there?

"itoshi-kun, what's up?" a second year asked him, noticing his odd demeanor.

"nothing," rin quickly answered. but a slight frown stuck to his face, though the older decided not to push it. rin found himself yearning to see your face, missing the back and forth banter that was so ingrained into his day.

"right well, happy birthday! get home soon," his teammate wished him, walking away. birthday? with a jolt, rin realized that the boy was right, it was, in fact, september ninth. he had never really enjoyed his birthday that much, given it was too close to the beginning of the new school year and just reminded him of how much longer he would have to suffer before summer break. rin started for the cool metal benches where his soccer bag was, beginning to pack up his things and change out of his cleats.

"hey, underlashes!" a voice suddenly cut through his thoughts. so you were here after all? rin dropped his shoes.

"y/n, i really don't appreciate the brother reference," he complained. secretly, he was relieved to hear your teasing. he'd never admit that he didn't mind the nickname that you had given him after you proclaimed that the itoshi brothers had under eyelashes longer than should be humanly possible. something about it was rather endearing.

"oh, cheer up," you began. "you'll be thanking me after this one." rin took a proper look at you and bit back a laugh. you looked like you had just run a marathon given how your red your face was, paired with the small beads of sweat trickling past your forehead. yet somehow, each lock of your hair still fell perfectly to frame your face. you smirked and shoved a small white box into his hands. "i had to run to get here in time, ya know?"

rin looked at the box quizically, recognizing the logo of his favorite bakery in an instant. he untied the pale blue ribbon holding it together and inhaled deeply, content.

happy birthday rin! was written on the small matcha cheesecake that you had gifted him. the small motion makes his heart swell.

"i thought you might like matcha since you like ochazuke so much," you explained.

"i do like it," rin's voice comes out softer than he meant it to. the same old odd feeling was back in his chest. he still couldn't quite place it. it made him naseous and somewhat giddy, like a kid high on cotton candy. he didn't know if he hated it or loved it.

"happy thirteenth, rin!" he felt the familiar, inviting warmth of your smile, and suddenly all was right in the world. as you sang happy birthday to him and slapped a party hat atop his messy dark hair, rin felt like you were the only two people on earth. he felt like he was home, more so than he ever did in his own room. you had a way of bringing that sensation to him, through the nine years he had known you.

after you had finished belting out the last notes of the melody, rin said with a slight grimace, "thirteen is an unlucky number."

"you're not superstitious, so shut it! don't jinx yourself!" you reprimanded him. "oh, but speaking of, i got you that new horror game that you wanted. it hasn't come yet though, it's still being shipped."

"really?" oh how rin's eyes and facade lit up at the mention of the video game.

"yeah, you can go curse yourself all you want once it's here."

"...thanks." itoshi rin was often described as a cold boy. and you were just about the only person he could open up to. rin questioned for a second if it was normal for him to feel that ecstatic over a mere video game.

"hey, look! the sun's setting!" you exclaimed, poking his shoulder lightly. rin's train of thought stalled, instead choosing to direct his attention towards the patch of sky which you were pointing at. streaks of yellow, orange, and red danced across his vision as the sun became slowly swallowed by the earth. "it's beautiful, isn't it?" you asked him.

rin turned to meet your gaze and almost passed out. he swore you looked like an angel sent from heaven itself in the glowing warmth of the sunset, you beamed at him. had you always looked like this? your eyes shone like a million stars, and he felt a smile tugging at the corner of his own mouth. if you had asked him if he was blushing, he'd say no way in hell, but truthfully his face was a little red and it definitely wasn't from his previous workout. rin was suddenly reminded of how he felt when he met you.

"yeah," he breathed. "it's nice." what he really wanted to say was that you were nice, not the sunset. the sunset, for all its glory, was barely lukewarm compared to you. no, that wasn't it. you were radiant, and rin had known that from the very moment he saw you, so many years ago. but for now, he'd have to settle for just this, whatever your friendship was, he was much too scared to lose it.

three.

a little over two years had gone by since that evening when you had celebrated his birthday with him, and the end of rin's third, final year in junior high was approaching. sae had left for spain, scouted by the top soccer club there, and rin wanted more than anything to follow in his footsteps, to be the second best striker in the world after his brother itoshi sae. though sae's leaving had left him a bit lonelier, your friendship was still as easy-going as ever, and rin prayed that it would never change, as sappy as it sounded. he also tried (and failed) to ignore the increased stares between you two, that seemed to take place everywhere. sometimes, he thought that there was some sort of romantic tension between you two, and there had definitely been no shortage of mixed signals. maybe there was a hint of yearning in both your expressions? that year, the only class you shared with him was advanced mathematics, and he loathed the subject immensely. he likely would have cut class entirely if it weren't the only time of day he saw you that wasn't during lunch.

and it's during lunch one day in the month of february that you asked rin something, almost causing him to choke on his noodles.

"she what?" rin askwed between strangled coughs.

"yumi-chan wants to know if you're thinking of giving anyone chocolates for valentine's day," you repeated to him. was rin dense or something? either he was just that, extremely dense, or he chose to ignore his ever-growing fanclub. girls had begun to gush over him after he had been picked for the soccer team's captain last year, and it was also that previous valentine's that rin had recieved about a hundred confessions, ranging from girls in your grade to underclassmen, to even your seniors. you tried to pretend like the fact didn’t bug you, but it nagged you in all the wrong ways. your only saving grace is your recollection of how last year, rin had just stood there awkwardly, accepting gifts yet not seeming satisfied with any of them. he looked as if he were waiting for someone's confession, one that never came.

you never asked him about it though, not wanting to dance between the border of normal questioning from a friend and being plain nosy. however, you did mull over it from time to time. was it possible that rin really had been waiting for someone? or had he just been pissed off?

"you can tell yumi that i don't plan on giving anyone anything, especially her," rin spat with distaste, bringing you back to the present.

"the poor girl has done nothing wrong to you," you tried to defend her.

"doesn't mean i have to like her," rin retorted.

"i'll tell her, in gentler wording that is. you know this won't stop anyone from giving you chocolates next week anyway, right?" you wondered if he heard the slight grimace in your voice.

"on feburary fourteenth i will have suddenly been in a very tragic car crash and unable to attend school," rin declared. you could tell from the conviction in his voice that he might actually be plotting a way to skip that day.

"righttt, whatever you say."

unfortunately for rin, he suffered no such vehicular accident and was, rather angrily, perfectly healthy and in attendance at school that valentine's day. it was time for math class, again, and rin had already recieved eighty two chocolates. he thought he might break his own record that year given the school day had barely begun. what he was not prepared for was the sight of you, standing in front of your desk as a boy, whom rin could not remember the name of (he's sure it was some npc anyway) thrusted a pink heart shaped box towards your body. no, there could be no mistaking it, that boy had just confessed to you.

something akin to envy took over rin's body and before he was even aware of it himself, he was standing next to you, glowering at the boy. rin had been mad plenty of times, but he was practically ready to spit fire right then.

the boy hurriedly scurried away, like a mouse, and rin stared daggers at his back.

"hey rin!" you greeted him, as if nothing was wrong.

"who. was. that." not a question but a demand came from the boy with the blunt bangs in front of you.

"rin, it's fine. that's just tokimitsu, and i swear he's harmless," you answered quickly, doing a poor job of concealing the excitement bubbling up inside of you that rin cared. “he was probably just being nice anyway."

"sure didn't look like it, he was blushing like he walked into a makeup store and fell in that damn pink powder," rin griped.

"why's that bothering you anyhow?"

"i- uh," rin didn't know how to answer that. he didn't even know that he could get jealous over you until then. and how would he tell his best friend that? after all, friends weren't supposed to feel that way for each other. it was wrong for him to be this possessive over you. rin assumed that it was just because he had known you for so long, and that he didn't trust this half-baked tokimitsu guy. he's lying to himself.

"he just pisses me off, i guess," was the answer that rin gave you.

"so what'cha got there?" you motioned at his bag, obviously stuffed full of confessions and candy. "sharing is caring..." rin wondered if you were frowning as he unzipped the backpack and told you to take anything you wanted, hiding under an excuse that the chocolate would ruin his diet as an athelte.

when the final bell tolled for the end of school, rin was waiting outside your class.

"rin? don't you have practice?" you were surprised at his sudden appearance.

"nope, cancelled." rin lied through his teeth. he then dragged you away, setting a brisk walking pace that was opposite from the direction of his and your houses. you shrugged and followed. you didn't have anything planned so you assumed it would be fine.

you were about a block away when you realized where rin was headed towards: your favorite cafe. oddly, he didn't even enjoy their pastries, he had told you they were too sweet for his liking multiple times.

rin led you past the door, weaving through a small crowd of poeple, and stopped abruptly at a table for two. he nodded at the light pink menu that sat atop the marbled top.

"you order," he announced. rin still couldn't take his mind off that infuriating moment in math, and had he been compelled, almost possesed, by a strong urge to take you to the cafe you frequented on that valentine's day. i'll one up you tokimitsu, he thought.

you were still scanning the menu when the waitress approached you, notepad in hand.

"if you're having trouble deciding, we're doing a special promotion for couples today on the strawberry snow parfait for two!" she suggested, looking at you both.

couple? you guessed that you could see where she was coming from. you and rin might have looked like a couple, but before you could clear up the misunderstanding, rin interjected. he knew that strawberries were your favorite fruit, given how often you brought them to school.

"sounds perfect, thanks," he said, and the waiter was off with a nod of her head, scribbling something down. hold on a minute. rin had agreed that you two were a couple to her? you wondered if he was that desperate to get the promotion.

"rin," you hissed. "we're not technically a coup-"

"shhhh!" he shushed you. and as if compelled by an yet another mysterious force, rin took your hands in his. "they don't know that, and you like strawberries, right?" he finished with a wink.

maybe you had died and been brought back to life by that wink, because with the way your heart threatened to explode back then, you definitely shouldn't have lived through it. knowing that he remembered your love of strawberries made you somewhat giddy.

you didn't trust yourself to say anything back yet, only nodding in silent agreement. it was also that day when you realized that you might really, really have feelings for the boy sitting across from you with the compelling cerulean eyes.

plus one more.

you since graduated junior high and somehow beat the paper thin odds, winding up in the same high school as itoshi rin. and you never stopped thinking back to that february fourteenth, even after months had past and it was now novemember of your first year as a high schooler. rin only became better and better at soccer, so naturally you, his best friend, were present at every home game he had. but rin had changed that summer before the start of first year, on an oddly cold night where sae had returned to japan earlier than expected. rin refused to mention much about it to you, but you knew. it had scarred and changed him, his attitude was at its worst and he played with a newfound rage, something that demanded people to notice him. really look at who was going to surpass itoshi sae, his tepid excuse for a big brother.

it was only a few short months after the start of high school and rin's debut as the star striker of the soccer team. rin had been seen and scouted by countless numbers of japanese clubs at this point, just like he'd hoped, and you had encouraged him to go wherever he thought would be best. even if it meant going far from home, and far from you. but for rin, no offer was good enough to surpass sae's yet. so he stayed in place, until he had called you abruptly today at seven in the night. the call had been brief and rin failed to mention anything of importance except telling you to meet him at the park immediately.

he never specified which park, but you knew for him that there could only be one.

when you arrive at the now faded playstructure that you first met itoshi rin at, you're hit by a wave of nostalgia. the sky is exactly as cloudless as it was in your memories, and the crescent moon smiles down at you. were you two really sixteen already? had it been twelve years since you befriended the slightly teary eyed boy with the broken dinosaur figurine?

"hey, y/n." rin's voice is oddly lower, and his tone is serious.

"rin," you smile at him. "did something happen? why'd you wanna meet here all of a sudden?"

"this is it," he whispered, showing you an enveloped containing a letter that read with "the JFU invites you to an elite training camp for the national team…" in glittering gold letters. "my chance to become the world's number one striker, to finally being recognized by sae again..." he trails off, the hurt in his voice all too obvious and too painful for you to hear. "it'll be far, and i probably won't be able to come to school for a while. won't be able to see you for a while."

"rin, you have to go," you steal glance at the boy who had been by your side for all of these years. you wish you could tell him that you'd be okay without him, but there was no point in lying. that's why he had called you all the way over here.

"just- just promise me one thing y/n," rin says, practically commanding you to look at him again. you're enthralled by the deep blues of his irises, and you think that you might never be able to look away.

rin doesn't ever want to look away either. he's at a crossroads right now, he's more aware of that than ever. rin doesn't think he can go down the right path in peace unless he tells you this one thing, what he's been wanting to say from the very instant you made his life worth living.

"please, don't leave me behind," he begs, his voice hushed but urgent. "i can't lose someone else i care about." shit, he has to tell you the truth now. "the boy you met at the park that day, the one that you wanted to play with, he's been in love with you ever since." its a quiet admission of what was so obvious to everyone else, but so incomprehensible to you two.

rin thinks that he’s ruined it all, this was the end of the line for you and he’d just have to live with that rejection.

on the other hand. you're stunned into silence, entranced by the boy who had drawn your attention since you were four, and you know that your words will fail you again. in the pale moonlight, he looks perfect, sculpted by michelangelo himself. so, you do the only thing that you know can express what you feel for rin. you screw your eyes shut and press your lips onto his, gripping the edge of his soft gray hoodie.

a gush of relief floods rin and reacts a second later. you swear you see fireworks erupting. the kiss nothing less than movie worthy, he's the male lead, you're the main love interest, and the world fades to nothing around you two as you're consumed by rin's love.

when you suddenly realize you're not breathing and neither is he, you push away in a rush. rin's cheeks are hopelessly red, and you assume your own aren't much better off.

"wait, let's do that again, please," rin gasps, breathing heavily while tugging you towards his chest. his black bangs cover his eyes just a bit, and you reach to swipe them out of his face.

rin thinks that he is going to melt, more helpless than a popsicle left out in the sweltering suimmer sunlight. he cradles your face gently, kissing you once again.

the two of you stay like that for a while, and you're not sure how late it is when he pulls away for the final time, but all the stars are out in the sky now, glinting and sparkling.

you hope that there were no children left playing around at this hour.

"so, you'll send me off tomorrow morning?" rin asks. it's unfathomable to him how you can make him feel so complete, so full. you're definitely the one for him.

"that's a promise."

"and you love me?" he asks again.

"even after the end of the world, i will," you assure rin, tracing the grooves on the palm of his hand.

zero multiplied by one should always equal zero. at least, that's what the fundamentals of mathematics declare. but with you as the one, rin thinks that zero times one might equal something else: love.

a/n: if u made it here MWAHH big kiss. probably the longest thing i've written in a while and not planned out at ALL, sorry for the crappy world building and stuff, i tried... also tried to keep it more in line with canon. i’ve never written with japanese honorifics hopefully i didn’t mess up too badly 🙁 side note i think rin would actually enjoy 0x1=lovesong vibes

masterlist!

[abusivelittlebunny]

omg would u ever write a full fic of ur arranged marriage au?/do u have any other thoughts on it i loveddd the comic

The new Queen of Spain

I will!!! I already have it planned out actually and ranted about it in the manic manner I do to some mutuals, it will be DELICIOUS and definitely my style which may not suit for some people but I ain't here to win a popularity contest.

For more thoughts on the arranged marriage au I'll be continuing below the cut, just hiding it in case you don't want to get spoiled!

Charles is 19 here, he's the oldest omega princess of Monaco. (I wanted him to be about the age that Carlos first met him at irl where he called him innocent looking)

His older brother, Lorenzo (28) is an alpha and the heir to the throne but he must surrender it after the war in which Spain conquered Monaco and made it into a vassal country. He would have been executed but Charles begged for mercy and offered himself to save both of his brothers.

His younger brother, Arthur (16), is also an omega and both him and Lorenzo are currently in captivity and are used as bargaining chips

Carlos is the alpha crown Prince and is 30, his current age simply because I find him more handsome and intimidating as well as disillusioned at this age which will be a key part in the story

His disillusionment mainly comes from having been set to marry the omega boy Princess of Holland, Max since he presented and the two of them did actually want to marry and had a sweet romance but the engagement was broken off by their fathers, the two kings, who were bickering so much it nearly started a war

Max was then married off to Christian Horner, who came from British nobility but with not enough power to take the throne for himself from his young wife

Daniel is also a Knight in the service of the dutch Royal family and is Max's not so secret alpha lover. He is hoping to marry Max one day but Max also has other alpha lovers and is less jaded.

Carlos doesn't forgive his father for ruining a marriage that could have been based on love and mutual respect but he is promised a bride even better than Max in Charles.

However Charles is already betrothed to Jules Bianchi and his father insists on keeping to that marriage.

As Carlos' father once again fails political negotiations which lead to another war where Monaco becomes a vassal country to Spain, the King of Monaco as well as Jules fall in battle.

Jules married Charles right before heading off to the war so their marriage, while based mainly on mutual love, was left unconsummated and Charles is now a young virgin widow who at first accepts his fate to become a nun in a monastery but upon Carlos Sr seeing the young princess, his fate is set to change

Sr lies to Carlos and says Charles has already been deflowered therefore unfit to be the wife of the future king and produce the next heirs to the throne. He instead deems it a better choice to marry Charles himself as a diplomatic way of asserting that he no longer wishes the war to potentially continue and establish alliance

Carlos is of course absolutely furious as he has been denied a bride he was set for for the second time. He has omega maids set to keep him company in secret in Lando and Oscar, but he would never be granted marriage to a simple servant despite his white lies to Lando keeping him hoping that one day they'd marry.

Lando is fully delulu, in love with Carlos since the first day they met, while Oscar sees things for what they are and he's the sort of sassy maid who has little patience for Carlos' promiscuous ways but he still feels a pull towards him. He's often the voice of reason Carlos needs to shut down to keep his pride

Fernando was a Spanish Knight and a close friend to Carlos Sr and through that connection he could arrange himself a very beneficial marriage to the omega son of the governor of Canada, Lance. Fernando is the one trying to reason with Carlos over the benefits of being spoiled on the options of political marriage with other gorgeous brides.

These brides include omega Princesses like George of Britain or Franco of Argentina, the omega son of the president of the US, Logan Sargent, or that of the governor of New Zealand, Liam Lawson, and let's not forget Charles' younger brother as well, Princess Arthur himself.

George is in love with the head of the British army, sir Lewis Hamilton but he is a divorced man with a still living ex wife in Nico, therefore his family won't allow him to request his marriage to the man. He also proves to be a prime bestie to Charles in these trying times, mainly because he despises princess Max and the enemy of my enemy logic stands. But that friendship may fracture once George starts to realise Carlos may be actually a good marital prospect...

Max is however a very chill rival to Charles in terms of their relationship to Carlos; Charles is at first scared of Carlos, he is a captive princess after all, he has no reason to fall for Carlos even if he is the most handsome alpha he has ever seen in his life. It is Max who reassures him that if he feels unsafe, he should go to Carlos because his heart is made of gold and he's the most trustworthy and kindhearted alpha he knows.

Charles both appreciates the advice but is also wary of the flame that clearly did not die out between Carlos and Max and his jealousy will only grow later down the line.

Talking of jealousy, Lando will be stirring shit with a wooden spoon because of the hatred he feels for Charles for stealing Carlos' attention away from him and it will be juicy.

The only non toxic couple here is once again Pierre and Yuki who are respectively a French alpha Duke and Charles' ally and a Japanese omega princess who is Max's ally. This doesn't mean they won't take part in the drama though.

Now, the fic will begin on the shitshow that is the wedding reception itself and rather than one mega fic I will be making multiple smaller ones set in this universe.

[bitchface24-7]

Hi V! I was wondering if you felt comfortable doing a fluff fic of reader x viktor or jayce comforting reader on her period ?

All goods if you can't!!

I really enjoy your writing and I live all the attention to detail you put into your stories !!

THIS SUCKS… - VIKTOR & JAYCE X READER

synopsis: you're on your period, you feel bloated, agitated, and your stomach hurts. You can't tell if you're hungry, if you're cramping, or if you really need to shit. Your lovely boyfriend sees you struggling, and takes care of you the best he can.

warnings: menstruation (obviously), pain, fluffy fluff of our boys taking care of us.

genre: m/f or gn/m

p.s. I'm going to write this in the style of bullet points. Also, why not get both? This isn't Jayvik, so if you prefer one over the other, you can just read one part. Love ya! ❤️

VIKTOR X READER

You dread everytime your menstrual cycle hits you. It's painful, messy, and makes you agitated at the littlest things.

It makes you unintentionally be snippy with Viktor, something that upsets you even more since he hasn't done anything to deserve that treatment.

He's incredibly understanding. As someone who deals with chronic pain he understands that pain can make you act in ways that you typically wouldn’t.

Your pain may not be 24/7, but he knows it comes once a month for a week straight.

He has pain killers, a heated weighted blanket, and light food that surprisingly fills you up ready for you.

He’ll even make you sweet milk when you ask for it.

You typically do parallel play, he’ll continue to work, but he’ll make sure he's in the same room as you.

More times than not, he's cuddled up with you in bed, your pleading eyes and pouty lips will be his downfall. He can never say no to you.

Viktor makes this part of your life so much easier, and you can't thank him enough for it.

(its actually his way of thanking you. You take care of him all the time. Adjusting his spinal brace, his leg brace, making sure he has his cane. Helping him take off his assistive devices when he asks. Making sure he eats, he sleeps. He appreciates your care and love more than you'll ever know. So he tries his best to help you when you need it.)

JAYCE X READER

Jayce has a good idea how to take care of menstruation aches and pains. He's practically Cait’s older brother. He was around when she went through puberty.

It was not a pretty sight.

He knows you'll crave sweets, chips, sushi, fried chicken, really anything super flavourful and bad for you.

He knows teas help with cramps, so do heating pads, and lightly massaging your lower abdomen.

He knows you'll alternate between wanting to be alone, and being cuddled.

He knows you'll accidentally get snippy, feel bad, and want to hug him.

He knows it all.

It’s like it was ingrained into him on how to take care of you. He just appreciates that the hellish years he had to deal with a pubescent Cait paid off in the end.

(no he swears she was going to kill him at one point)

Being able to cook delicious food because of his mama makes it even better. He’ll make so much food you honestly wont know where to start. But they'll for sure be something there you can stomach.

They'll always be there to take care of you ❤️

Hi Anon! Thank you for the compliment! Sorry this is much shorter than you probably expected, I just don't deal with my period often? I go like one to three months in-between cycles and I just take care of myself when it happens. I medicate myself and essentially sleep away the pain for a day and a half, then I'm back to normal, I’m just bleeding now as well.

The longest time I went without a period was six months back in 2022 (I was 20 and had gotten it in November after my assumption of extremely early onset menopause LMAO, after that I got a tracker app to help me remember when I get it) and no I was not pregnant. Unless I’m Mother Mary reborn, that wouldn’t be possible.

[mcrololo]

Bechloe fic recs

(in no particular order)

You Make Me Believe In Magic by @shikariix

In the opening stood a woman with a tiny frame, bending forward slightly and breathing heavily. The light pouring in from behind her made it hard to see just how dirty and scratched up her clothing was. “Hey, uh,” she started loudly, still panting, “not to freak anyone out or whatever, but there's kind of a dragon on the loose. You all gotta evacuate.”

What can I say? It's got magic, it's got dragons, it's got gay flirting AND a kick-ass moodboard that inspired the whole shebang. Exactly up my alley, and if you said 'hell yeah Rolo, me too!' then what are you waiting for!! (nudges the author to write the soft epilogue i so truly desire) (in the meantime also read this new years one-shot & also this incredible piece of writing by my love and heart)

All is fair in Love and War by @pulledpurplecurtains

It's not about having feelings. It's about what you do with them. There's never a choice where the heart is concerned. The mind, however…the mind always comes up with choices. And sometimes life tends to happen as well.

Honestly I'm due for a reread of this but I remember immensely enjoying this fic. I certainly had a blast getting the go ahead to analyze it, almost as much as Ana probably had writing it! They're in high school, they're in gay love & also they are idiots. What else would you need?

"Something angsty, Rolo," you might say. And boy do I have the fic for you by the same author! (read the tags, be mindful of the warnings)

it takes two (to be santa claus) by @becasbelt

With their marriage on the brink of divorce, Beca and Chloe vow to do whatever it takes to give their daughter one last perfect Christmas- even if it means tracking down a rare American Girl doll two weeks before Christmas.

I know I already recommended this the other day but I just... It's so fucking good. I don't have words. Actually I do, go read it y'all (and when you're done then also read the cream in my coffee by the same author because I'm also still thinking about that one.

i think (s)he knows by @pinkpastels113

The Starbucks espresso machine broke again and Chloe is supposed to be taking care of everything, but the mechanic who showed up to fix it is making her job more difficult than it already was.

I forgot how much I love me a coffeeshop AU until I read this one. I don't often see flustered Chloe Beale in fic but here it's so blatant and I adore it so much!! I need more flustered Chloe Beale in my life pls (also go read this one too it's so fun!)

All I Ask of You by @kailoraurelius

From day one, Beca has always been there for her. If Chloe can count on anything, it's Beca. So now, pacing her kitchen anxiously, she waits for Beca to show up. Chloe has something very important to tell her…

Listen, Stained Glass will always have a special place in my heart, but I think AIAOY actually knocked it off its place because the found family characterization in this one just HITS. It's off the charts!! It's got everything; love, humor, and me on the floor crying (positive!) tears because the writing is so so beautifully descriptive.

naked in manhattan by @afh48

"Hi, it's Chloe! I know you just landed, and I know you're probably busy. But I would love to see you! So call me when you can!"

From the first chapter onwards I was HOOKED. I love experimental works and what is a first ever fic if not finding your writers voice? I enjoyed the journey of unlearning internalized homophobia; of characters clearly making decisions that were bad for them because of fear. But the fluff is the sweet, sweet cherry on top!

those days turned into nights by hedaswolf (the baddestwolf)

Beca kisses Chloe in the heat of the moment after winning Worlds. Of course, she proceeds to avoid the topic altogether. You can imagine Chloe’s surprise when Beca suggests they change their flights so they can drive to Stockholm in search of Swedish Princess Cake. But how long can Chloe go without bringing up the kiss? or, the Denmark to Sweden roadtrip fic that no one asked for

I swooned reading this. It's romantic, it's funny, it's angsty because they're pining idiots.... On top of that it's in 2nd pov and I LOVE 2nd pov <3

Life on Shuffle by @yelena-belover

“I know you don’t know me, Beca. But I’ve basically known you my whole life.” Bechloe // The Time Traveler's Wife AU -- Beca Mitchell suffers from Chrono-Impairment, a rare genetic disorder that causes her to spontaneously and uncontrollably time travel. Living life out of order isn't easy for Beca, and it's just as hard for Chloe, who struggles to cope with her frequent, often dangerous absences.

Chapter 8 and 11 shattered me in all possible ways. The way this fic weaves the timeline together so seamlessly... Time fuckery is hard to write, and it needs to be done right in order to feel satisfying; though still an ongoing fic, this one does it so masterfully that it scratched all of my itches as is.

Forgive Me These November Days by @obstinate-questionings

Why Chloe Beale didn’t graduate—and why she finally did—as told through yearly celebrations of Thanksgiving.

This fic made me take the first step into loving myself. imho it's one of the best Chloe Beale character studies out there and I genuinely can not stop thinking about it. If you're having a rainy day and need a pick-me-up, I definitely recommend reading this!

[lilac-hecox]

Dude you are taking all this criticism and fighting like a champ, I think I’d have dissolved in tears if I poured energy into writing and got this back from like anyone. But oh my god. Are you not tired? Like not in a derogatory way, like a genuine please take a break I’m worried for you way because I’d be exhausted dealing with half this shit but you’re still answering asks and reblogging stuff and arguing your case to people who seem determined to hate you and you are honestly a stronger soldier than I’d ever be holy shit.

Also I lowkey feel like I’m watching the dissolving of smoshblr lol, like I know we (or at least the part of it I spent the most time on (Ianthony side, although I love the amanangela people I fear I do not comprehend the amanangela people)) were kinda faltering a little with the lack of Ianthony content but dude the fucking in fighting now the fact that there’s now utilized Smosh drama tags and update accounts. Feels like literally just last month like half of active posters on smoshblr were engaging in like two truths one lie or making fun little graphs and stuff and now we’re like tearing ourselves apart

(Except I think I’m overdramatizing because I’m pretty sure literally almost every actual tumblr user is on your side and a lot of the anon hate is coming from like the same few people who came over from Twitter probably? I still think we’re definitely a community it’s just making me a tad sad lol)

But yes anyway o7 and please take a mental health break at some point, love your fics and ur writing bro.

I think I am going to take a break. I hate that smoshtwt did this to me to the point I feel I need a break. I know they'd just laugh at that. They laughed at a different heartfelt post I made before.

I was just telling a friend that at the moment I'm worried that smosh and my fics are going to get associated in my head with this bad and yucky feeling and it will ruin both for me.

I truly hope not.

It's clear most of smoshtwt hates me and jaycee feels no inch of remorse for what she did and said to me.

She says she can't control what smoshtwt does but she knew what would happen if she posted my tumblr username on her smoshtwt. She knows the community and what it's like and what they do.

I want her to leave me alone. I don't know if she's going to keep making blogs and coming back but if she does a third time idk what to do at that point.

I appreciate the support from everyone here who has supported me. I do love smoshblr but right now everything feels bad.

So, congrats jaycee and smoshtwt, I guess?

[chippedshake]

prompt request: cherry and bob on their first date WALK WITH ME ON THIS ONE

okay okay so I will definitely be writing this in the near future but for now here's the skeleton of my idea because I'm impatient ok (i've never written either of these characters so bear with me):

we open with a Marcia and Cherry scene

Cherry's getting ready to go on her date with Bob and she's kinda not all that excited because she's gone out with guys before and she always thought they were sweet and smart and nice and whatever but they turned out to just be assholes who were into her because she was pretty and popular

so even though she likes Bob, she can't convince herself that he's different from everyone else

I have developed a whole strategy for how she'll pick out her clothes

I love Marcia so even though she isn't in these bullet points you better believe she's gonna be in the fic

Then Bob appears

Cherry describes like an archetype of what first dates are usually like and Bob will subvert. every. single. point.

like 1st one is the guy always shows up with flowers that are always a pain because they die quickly and Cherry doesn't even like flowers all that much but lo and behold Bob shows up with a chocolate chip cookie from her favourite place

when she asks he says she mentioned once that she doesn't like flowers and finds them depressing and that they ran into each other in the bakery a couple months ago and she said it was her favourite place

Bob is down bad okay

1.5th point because I'm adding this later and don't feel like editing everything: the guy will always say "you look pretty" the moment they see her and Cherry doesn't like it because it feel artificial, like it's just their obligation to say it

Bob trained with Bev (idk if you've seen/heard of the musical but she's a Soc girl they made up to be friends with Cherry and Marcia) about what to say to a girl and compliments her earrings in particular and the colour combination

then the 2nd point is that they always bring her to a way too fancy restaurant that neither of them really like

They go out for a picnic and it's actually a really pretty setting and Bob is a terrible cook so he brought like sandwiches or something that his mom had to help him make

also 3rd point. guaranteed awkward silence when they have nothing to talk about, followed by the guy rambling about himself.

First question Bob asks: what do you wanna work as

and they talk about how Cherry wants to be a kindergarten teacher

then she asks the same question back and he says he wants to be a lawyer

when she asks why he just says his dad's a lawyer

maybe a cute moment where she says he’s his own person? idk

4th point: at some point the guy puts his hand on her thigh or something and she tries to wriggle out as subtly as possible

subverted, as usual

I'm sorry but Bob absolutely will earn the "stood out from the crowd" and "he was sweet" title, okay? In Ponyboy’s words: Cherry's smart. She wouldn't like him just 'cause he's good-looking

5th point: they're ridiculously smooth and are still flirting with her on the date, and it feels like they're trying to conquer her or something and it's incredibly uncomfortable

Bob stutters a bit and messes up and goes back on his words and will accidentally make like fifteen innuendos and apologise each time but Cherry likes it because it makes her feel like he actually likes her and is nervous (that's because it's true mijita)

finally, 6th point: they always try to kiss her goodnight even when she makes it abundantly clear they won't be seeing each other again

Bob actually fucking shakes her hand and goes to head back to his car

They end up hugging goodbye and make sure to coordinate a second date

the end

they're very cute and I love them. I hadn't ever thought about them really so thank you for the ask <3333

[quibbs126]

My brain was thinking of that idea I had of “megop kid that only Megatron knows about” again today before I accidentally took a nap

I would put these thoughts on a reblog of that post, but I’m too lazy to go looking for it at the moment

But anyways my brain decided to concoct the angsty scenario I mentioned there, in which the kid joins the Autobots and Megatron almost kills them, until he realizes who this is

I think the specific circumstances here are the kid being a new recruit in the Autobot ranks, and them and Optimus going on a mission that goes horribly, with Megatron showing up and Optimus getting incapacitated, and Megatron decides to beat up the new person because why not (actually I never figured out the reason tbh, but it’s not important)

He’s right about to kill them, but something about their appearance causes him to recognize who this really is and his act drops briefly in shock. But he keeps up his composure for now (he can’t let the Decepticons potentially see a weakness in him) and decides to spare them, telling them to go back and tell the Autobots he has their leader, and then tells them specifically to never return. When asked why he decided to show mercy, he says it’s because it matters little whether or not they live, the outcome would be the same either way; he also will enjoy seeing the dread in their face if they ever cross paths again, now that they know what he’s capable of

Later on he has Optimus captured and he decides to “interrogate” him, aka talk smack to him. But also in this case, secretly actually interrogate him on whether or not he knows the truth about his new recruit, and whether or not Optimus knowingly put them in danger and made them a soldier. He finds that no, Optimus has no clue the significance of this younger bot, treating him as he would any new recruit

I’m unsure whether or not Megatron would tell him the truth or not here. I want to say no, and that he decides its best only he knows. But I also kind of want yes for the idea of Optimus now knowing this information, but has no clue what to do with it once he gets back to Autobot base. Because his source of information is Megatron, but this is also way too out there for Megatron to have just made up. Also that’s kind of a bombshell to drop on this kid who assumes they’re just some random Transformer from nowhere in particular. So he has to live with it and he isn’t good at keeping up lies

The kid might have gotten that something weird was going on with Megatron during that confrontation, but the best they can assume is that Megatron must have been reminded of someone when looking at them, because they shouldn’t have history with the Lord of the Decepticons

But anyways, after all this, when Megatron finally has a moment to himself in complete privacy, he does feel really guilty about the fact that he nearly killed his own child. Yeah he got rid of them a long time ago, and he’s never had much of a burning desire to be reunited with them or anything, but it still affects him. He’s got very mixed and complicated feelings towards them, and he doesn’t know what to do with it. He’d rather they didn’t show back up at all, though it would have been worse if he hadn’t realized at all and he’d gone through with killing that recruit

Alright, done with the summary. Honestly, could probably make a fanfic out of it, but whether or not I will, that’s to be seen. As I’m sure y’all know, I come up with a lot of ideas I don’t actually do anything with. Also I don’t know if I’d do anything beyond this. If I were to go through with this fanfic, I should; feels like we need some payoff and learning of truths, but writing one idea into a fic is hard enough, actually continuing that story would be practically impossible for my scattter brain. Just look at the one fanfic I have written for Transformers

But yeah, it sounded neat. Though I remembered as I wrote this, I think the main idea surrounding the initial concept was Megatron not being able to say shit about other cross-faction kids due to his own secret one, and this stays a bit too much I think. But you know, still worth at least a fanfic concept I suppose

[ckret2]

Pardon me, however, have you ever considered getting help on WAIGLZ or any other fic of yours? Such as a ghost writer or someone to help you with art so it can get done faster?

I am just curious because I thought it would be really coolio to work with you or something, idk.

Please have a truly wonderful day/evening and toodaloo! ^ ^

+ Btw, if I sound rude at all, that is %100 not intentional tone is kind of hard to translate through text lol

I appreciate that the question is meant kindly; but why would I want somebody else to tell my story for me?

It might not make a difference to an audience member; y'all simply just wanna see the rest of the story, it doesn't make a difference who made it because from the consumer's end it still reads the same.

But it makes a hell of a lot of difference to the writer.

If i wanted a ghostwriter I could just chuck my outline into chatgpt. it would be just as good—which is to say it would be very bad—because in both cases it'd be written by someone/something that doesn't intimately understand the vast web of ideas the story's built on and the hundreds of tiny tiny goals I'm looking for places to thread into the story and the exact themes I'm trying to achieve and exactly where and how I want to make it funny and make it heartwarming and make it hurt; and in both cases I'd have to rip the product apart and edit it to sound like the story i'm trying to tell rather than sound like a 40% accurate retelling of my story that was based off of a barebones summarization.

Like, how many times have you seen Gravity Falls? Probably at least once or twice? If you sat down with an episode summary—only the summary, not the transcript or gallery—and tried to rewrite the script word-for-word and redraw the episode shot-for-shot, do you think you could get every word and every angle right? And you've already seen the episode! You remember the finished product! Imagine trying to guess at all that based off of the summary alone if you'd never seen it before!

So now instead of writing my own story i'm merely editing SOMEONE ELSE telling a water-downed version of my story. It takes me just as long if not longer; and on top of that there's no joy in it.

And if that's what i wanted to do with my life... at least shoving it in chatgpt would get me a first draft to edit faster.

as for art: about a decade ago i was writing/drawing a fancomic and tried to split it with friends so i was writing and they were drawing. it slowed down the whole thing immensely. took 4x longer to get art than doing it myself would've taken.

At the time, I updated multiple times a week (my art was worse then lol); and when I asked someone else to do art I had to keep choosing between:

delaying my next post for days while patiently waiting for a friend, with no guarantee they'd actually finish;

impatiently waiting and trying to find a way to politely repeatedly pester them about finishing the art; or

give up on waiting and do the art myself, which would hurt them deeply, especially if they'd already started it and I just went "nah you're too slow, I'll do it myself."

The thing is, I put my passion project ahead of my other hobbies. Why would somebody else put my passion project ahead of their own hobbies? It would be unfair and unkind for me to ask somebody to do that; but I'm not willing to slow down and wait for somebody to do some art for me when it's finally convenient for them; so therefore I'd better do my own art.