#worlds no1 princess real…

[xbcrafted-daily]

elo have a xbiku today 🤲

the dress is (not 100% accurately) referenced from rose cage miku;also ‘worlds no 1 princess’ is a miku song from years ago..

[nbfarlyn]

hi

ok literally no1 cares but im gonna go off anyway..........here’s my list of Top 10 Best Anime Ever That You Should Watch (likely to change at any moment but whatever) (also they were ranked very loosely, they are all good and special!) (also also i linked trailers to each show in the titles for funsies):

10. Kaiba - no not the yugioh character. Kaiba is a super good show if ur tired of typical anime art style/storytelling....its a sci fi story about a world where memories/souls can be uploaded into chips, and can be transferred to different bodies. the protagonist, Kaiba, wakes up one day with no memories and a hole in his chest, and travels to various planets trying to figure out his identity and past. it’s beautiful and interesting and sad, and imo doesnt have enough recognition on this site. 12 eps

9. Uchuu Kyoudai - this show honestly feels more like a live action drama than an anime, in part because the art style is more realistic than usual. but also because the characters are just all so real - there’s very little use of “heres some common tropes so you can immediately know what these guys are all about.” instead you have to learn about them over the course of the (pretty long) series, and honestly...some of the best characterization ive come across in anime! the story is about two brothers, one who is an astronaut and one who is in training to become one. most of the story is about the in-training brother’s journey to achieving his goal of going to space with his brother, but we also get to see a lot about the astronaut brother’s life too. everyone is really charming and good, and i wish there was more anime like this!! 99 eps 

8. Monster - a classic from the earlyish 2000s. it’s a psychological thriller about a doctor who saves the life of a young boy who is shot in the head - only to have that boy grow up to become the main suspect in a long series of murders. the doctor then begins a quest to stop the serial killer, all the while struggling with his own moral dilemmas. it’s an extremely interesting show that immediately captivated me, altho...full disclosure: i havent finished it yet. but im absolutely confident in recommending it based on what i did watch. 74 eps

7. Ping Pong the Animation - i feel like a lot of people didn’t give this show a chance when it aired because 1) it’s about ping pong and 2) it’s rotoscoped. but imo, the rotoscoping was a great choice and the show looks absolutely amazing. it’s about two boys, peco and smile, who are very different but friends anyway...and they play ping pong. but this isn’t a “sports anime” exactly...the focus is on life, and how the two boys navigate it. there are some super beautiful scenes that really left an impression on me when i watched it. the soundtrack is perfect too, and it’s just all around a great experience. 11 eps

6.  Uchouten Kazoku - this is another show that i see people talk about like. once every 50 years. but its so good!!!! set in a world where disguised tanuki and tengu secretly live alongside humans, it’s about a well-established tanuki family that consists of four brothers and their mother, as their father was killed and eaten by a group of humans called the friday fellows years ago. despite that premise, it’s mostly a very lighthearted drama that feels sort of like a slice of life, but with more plot. this is actually one of my very favorite series ever, because everything about it feels so wonderful and magical. it makes you really want to live in this fun and intriguing world. 25 eps (s1 is 13 and s2 is 12)

5. Princess Tutu - the sad magical girl premise has basically been ruined by pmmm, but this show did it first and did it THE BEST. heavily inspired by fairytales, princess tutu is about a duck who is given a magical necklace that allows her to turn into a human by a mysterious man named Drosselmeyer. using her powers, she attends a ballet school with the boy she loves, who is actually a prince from a storybook. her necklace also allows her to turn into princess tutu, who’s ballet dancing relieves people’s suffering and lets her collect the shards of the prince’s heart, which was shattered long ago to seal away an evil raven. the story is wonderful and enchanting, but for me it’s the characters that really make this a great show. although it is bittersweet at times, the sad elements are never excessive and help to make the message of the show that much more poignant. definitely among the best magical girl shows out there. 26 eps

4. Mushishi - another very magical-feeling show. this one is set in an ambiguous time period in a world where beings called “mushi” exist. Ginko, the main character, is a man who’s life goal is to understand what the mushi are. traveling from place to place constantly, chasing rumors of mysterious occurrences, he often finds himself helping people who have been negatively affected by the mushi, as he is one of the few people who can actually see them. despite this, mushi are neither good nor evil. their true nature is entirely unknown, although they take many forms, including mimicking things from the natural world. the show is episodic, with each episode following Ginko on a new journey to discover more about the mushi. there is something really special about this show, at least to me. it’s interesting and enjoyable to watch, of course, but it just has this aura of magic and serenity about it. even if the episode’s content isn’t exactly relaxing, i always felt at peace after watching an episode. good shit! 36 eps (s1 is 26 and s2 is 10)

3. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu - the title translates to “shouwa and genroku era lover’s suicide through rakugo” just so you know what kind of content we’re getting into here. this show is sad, but it’s also like. incredibly beautiful and honestly a masterpiece of storytelling. there are two seasons, the first one dealing mostly with the past and the second one mostly with the present. in season one, we look into the turbulent past of an esteemed rakugo performer, who has taken on his first apprentice and been reminded of his former rival/best friend. from the beginning you know what conclusion the season will have, and it adds a layer of sorrow to everything we see him remembering. and despite knowing the ending, when it happens it still really impacts you emotionally. i didn’t like the second season quite as much for various reasons, but it was still really good and fulfilling to watch. as the title suggests, trigger warnings for suicide apply to both seasons. 25 eps (s1 is 13 and s2 is 12)

2. Hunter x Hunter - this is probably the most popular show on this list, which is exactly what it deserves. it’s not really in the same vein as the other shows i’m talking about, but it’s so good and i love it so it’s going on here. in my opinion this is the best shounen that’s out there! as is typical in shounen, the protagonist is a 12 year old boy named Gon who wants to be a hunter like his absent father. in this world, hunters are skilled people who perform all sorts of different tasks, from crime-fighting to treasure hunting to exploration of uncharted areas. the premise is basic shounen - young boy wants to be the best at the most popular profession in his world. but when you actually start watching the show, it reveals a lot more depth and just excitement, fun, and creativity in general. heads up that later on it does get pretty dark, but the quality is consistent throughout and really like, if you havent already given this show a try then get on that shit stat!! 148 eps 

1. Tatami Galaxy - :))))) finally we’re at my very favorite anime of all time!! the main character, identified only as Watashi, is a 3rd-year college student who has failed to find the “rose-colored campus life” he always dreamed of. instead he spent his time with his “friend” Ozu, who he’s connected to by the “black string of fate,” breaking up couples out of bitterness. but as soon as he realizes his failure, he is transported back in time to the beginning of his first year of college. each episode follows him joining a different campus club and the misadventures that result from that, and at the end of each episode he is once again transported back to year one. the art style is unique and the story is mysterious while also being fun. and while the episodes at first appear to be unrelated, eventually the story comes together brilliantly and culminates in one of my favorite endings ever. i can’t recommend this show enough honestly, it’s just. a great watch. my number one. my forever girl. 11 eps

anyway ya that’s my list!!! i guess i made this for people who are tired of the same old thing all the time......people who want to see fun art styles.....people who are tired of shows about high schoolers and their drama and excessive fanservice.....like this will probably sound pretentious but i think these shows are all a bit more “mature” than a lot of other series? not mature like nc-17 but mature like. they genuinely want to tell a good story....they restore my faith in anime....they inspire me to create better stories of my own.....you could watch these with your mom in the room and not have her be like “wow im constantly seeing high school girls titties wtf are you watching.” like im not saying they’re pure and without “problematic” elements but they are a bit more like. “dignified” i guess LOL. and they’re good. but thats just my little onion.

[misscrawfords]

The Force Awakens Rewatch: Part 1

So I’ve watched the first half of The Force Awakens through shippers’ goggles and it’s really interesting seeing it again after reading so much meta.

Thoughts, many thoughts, under the cut:

- Seems really obvious to me from the beginning that Kylo Ren is not being set up as an obvious villain. His first appearance talking to Lor San Tekka establishes him as someone who shouldn’t be in the position he’s in, that he’s come from somewhere different. Whatever he is, it’s not a 2D villain. The fact that Poe bandies wit with him is also significant. Obviously it shows Poe to be brave to the point of recklessness, but it also undermines Kylo’s authority because neither of the two people he’s confronted are overwhelmed by obvious fear. One stands up to him and claims they basically knew him before he was Kylo Ren (not what he wants to hear) and the other is all, “Yeah, your mask is stupid”. So generally undermining him. He’s violent and filled with the paraphernalia of the dark side - and don’t get me wrong, that still makes him very, very dangerous - but he is no Vader, right from his first appearance. His lack of professionalism continues when he hacks the control panel to pieces after hearing about the droid. Kylo Ren sucks at, well, being Kylo Ren. Do we fear him? Yes. Do we feel that he’s unstable and out of control and ineffectual? Also yes. Is he on any kind of level with Vader? Absolutely not. And this is before we see him without his helmet on or know who his father is.

- Lor San Tekka. I still don’t get him. And I feel like he’s met Kylo before. What’s the history here? And how does he link in to Rey’s abandonment and Luke’s whereabouts?

- Moving onto Rey’s abandonment, this is much more of a “thing” than I remember it being having come down so much on the side of Rey Nobody myself. Like, this is a big mystery! And I feel like that both Rey Solo and Rey Skywalker are being flirted with. The Jakku link between Luke and Rey is tantalising as is the scene with Maz where Anakin’s lightsaber calls to Rey. Then there’s Han and Rey’s instant connection over the Falcon - they finish each other’s sentences, she can fly the ship, Chewie likes her... So both these possibilities are being dangled over the viewer but I’m inclined to think neither correct. I’ve been scrutinising facial expressions and I just cannot on any level believe Han would forget he had a daughter. I’ve not got to Leia yet but she even more would remember the fact! Rey Solo makes literally no sense. The connections between Rey and Han on the other hand work on a meta-narrative level: Han is Rey’s father figure (not her father) and therefore she naturally has things in common with him and quickly bonds with him - he relates to her much as Obi-Wan does to Luke. And of course she is being set up as the future pilot of the Falcon and paving the way to Han leaving the series, so naturally she’s being presented as a worthy pilot and someone Chewie will trust. Rey Skywalker is tougher to disprove expect that Han and Leia would probably remember if Luke had a daughter unless we’re expected to believe Luke had a secret relationship, unexpected child and then abandoned her or didn’t even know? Luke Skywalker, intergalactic player? I don’t think so. We’re meant to think she could potentially be Rey Skywalker... because she isn’t.

Then there’s what Rey herself says. She says her identity is “classified”, “big secret”. I’d forgotten that. Is she just being facetious because she doesn’t really believe BB-8? Or is that true? Does Rey actually know more about her own identity than she lets on to anyone? Is she keeping this secret not only from everyone else in the film but also from the viewers? It’s an intriguing idea. And if that is the case, her parents are certainly not Skywalkers. Her response to meeting Han and hearing about Luke seems really genuine. I don’t like the Rey-the-secret-princess theory because I would like to be genuinely Rey Nobody, an example of someone being special simply because they are not because of a legacy or their blood - a real contrast to Kylo - but there’s something intriguing about it. And so many questions about Rey’s past are raised in the first part of the film that it makes me mistrust Maz saying that the belonging she seeks is not behind her. I mean, I don’t mistrust that - it absolutely is ahead of her - but rather I disagree with the interpretation that that means we shouldn’t enquire after Rey’s heritage. I think the series would really drop the ball if that wasn’t dealt with and it didn’t have some meaning. What that meaning is, I don’t know. Rey Kenobi is a popular theory; I quite like it, and it would fit the evidence. But we shall see!

- Coming back to Kylo and Finn this time. Finn is such a wonderful cinnamon roll! He is absolutely playing the hero roll here. “Because it’s the right thing to do”. In a series that is already skirting uneasily around the nature of the villains, Finn is a shining light of the initially reluctant but good-natured, truly good and morally upright hero. If Rey is going to be more morally ambiguous, the trilogy absolutely needs Finn. He’s an interesting parallel to Kylo too. Both start off wearing masks and Finn removes his mask, decides to do the right thing and proves the viewer wrong about stormtroopers. He immediately puts the viewer off-kilter for what to expect from a SW film. The stormtroopers aren’t uncharacterised bad guys! They’re human beings! They have thoughts and feelings! And faces! And make decisions! And one is going to be our hero! Is Finn’s initial journey where his defection and struggle is pretty quickly over going to set the viewer up for the much trickier journey of Kylo Ren back to the light over the course of the entire trilogy? Something to consider in more details somewhere, perhaps. 

- Finn and Poe have the most adorable meet-cute and banter. I really want to ship them! Finn and Rey however seem to have much more a sibling vibe on this viewing. Their bickering seems much more “ew get off me!” type sibling stuff and Finn climbing over her in the Falcon and Rey grimacing really had that feel about it. That changes slightly as they get to know each other. It’s a really lovely relationship because neither of them has ever had anyone of their own before. Both of them were abandoned children, neither have friends, both have wrenched themselves out of the only life they know, both are desperately seeking belonging and have found each other. And I think their feelings grow - but that doesn’t make it a romantic/sexual connection, though I think Finn does have an unexpressed interest. Rey has no interest in that - she is very single-minded. And why would she want a boyfriend who wants to hold her hand when she needs to get the map to the Resistance and all she wants is a friend?

- One thing that comes across particularly when Finn and Rey meet Han is how young and naive they are and I think it’s intentional. I’ve seen Kylo Ren derogatorily called a villain for Millenials, but that’s kind of true. Finn, Rey and Kylo are all presented as very young. (Their actual ages don’t matter. This is a fantasy world. No1 curr what high school year you would be in.) Because the audience knows and loves Han Solo - he is suddenly the familiar face on the screen, we suddenly see Finn and Rey through his eyes. They’re blundering around in the Falcon, desperately insecure (”I can do this!”), filled with wide-eyed interest in the myths of the previous generation and a naive but earnest heroism and desire to do the right thing. Han is thinking - and so is the audience in a way - “They’re so much younger than I ever was” and “This is the next generation”. It’s really beautifully done actually. And Kylo is part of that too. He’s said explicitly that he’s like an adolescent, full of that rage. He too is struggling in his own way to find his place in the world. I don’t think this is limited to the Millenial generation by any means, but it does speak to a very current outlook on the world.

- Not the first to say this, but Kylo, Finn and Rey all start wearing masks and over the course of the film, these masks are to a greater and lesser extent removed. All conceal their true nature and it’s not at all certain that at least for Rey and Kylo we have seen their true selves by the end of it. Kylo is concealing Ben Solo still and we don’t know who Rey is. Does she? I don’t think the new trio is Rey, Finn and Poe. I think it’s Rey, Finn and Kylo. Awesome as Poe is, he’s not a major character in the mythology of the new trilogy. There’s very little to analyse about him.

- Rey is such a great character. SUCH A GREAT CHARACTER. She’s so domineering and bossy and crabby and utterly single-minded and sees everything as black and white. But at the same time, she has her flower and she doesn’t sell BB-8 and she is excited by a legend of Luke Skywalker and weirdly trusting of everyone who comes her way. She’s managed to survive in this awful, hostile environment of Jakku and it’s just made her determinedly good. In some ways, more good than Finn, who doesn’t want to be a hero - initially he just wants to escape and he lies about it, though of course, he grows from that, as Han did in the OT.

- At the beginning of the film, Finn and Rey are both on the same hero’s journey. But at Maz’s, their paths diverge. Finn is more heroic in the traditional sense - he wants to protect the girl, he does “the right thing”. Finn is the archetypal knight with a code of chivalry. Rey is... it’s hard to explain. She sees everything so clearly and that there is only one way to act - she’s so certain the rightness of the light that the only way her story can go is to challenge that certainty and tempt her to the dark. Rey changes when she hears the call of Anakin’s lightsaber.

- As the film builds up, the intrigue about who Rey is - both her origins and her importance/abilities - parallels the intrigue about who Kylo is. They are both being set up as characters with a mysterious background who have some connection. (Yes, I know this is obvious.) Why does Rey have visions of him? What is this awakening that Kylo perceives before Rey has touched the lightsaber? Why does her vision segue from Kylo to her abandonment flashback? Who says “Rey”? (It sounded kind of like Obi-Wan but???) Equally, Kylo’s background is being drip-fed to the audience over several conversations which it really takes a repeat viewing to piece together. 

- The idea that Kylo and what has happened to him and what will happen to him isn’t the central story in the trilogy is laughable. Like, he is the Skywalker! And he has the most complicated backstory and psyche and link to previous characters. It’s kind of a genius move, making the Skywalker on whom the plot of the trilogy depends into the villain. And I love the theory that the ST will do a reverse of the prequels and Kylo will be a reverse Anakin. He starts where Anakin ended. Will the trilogy see him fall to the light side? This is heavily suggested by his monologue to Vader’s helmet when he says he hears the “pull to the light”. He is undergoing the exact opposite of the hero’s temptation to the dark side. It’s a really interesting and quite novel idea to explore - the villain’s temptation to the light side. Certainly the TLJ trailer suggests this will happen. Also “by the grace of your training, I will not be seduced”. Uh, honey, that’s an interesting verb you chose to use... Nobody talks about being seduced unless a part of them wants to be... And again, a phrase normally used of temptation to sin.

- Incidentally, how effing tragic is that scene when Kylo is talking to Vader’s mask? By this point, we know that he’s Han and Leia’s son and have established that if Han and Leia haven’t had some major falling out, at least are not together in a good place. We may have connected the dots to realise that Kylo is the boy who destroyed Luke’s school. And we’ve seen him bowing before the terrified Snoke. And we’ve seen his temper tantrums. And possibly put him in parallel with Finn and Rey, two other young lost souls searching for meaning and family/friends and belonging. Kylo is trying to find it by pleasing a dead grandfather, the one family member who has had no expectations of him, the only one who has never been disappointed in him. Like, it makes complete sense he’d turn to Vader - but how tragic to see him trying to prove himself to a twisted mask!

Anyway, I’ve watched as far as Rey running off into the woods at Takodama so I’m excited to finish it tomorrow! :)

Go to Part 2.

[4yutaeil]

prince johnny & the mermaid

(its u. ur the mermaid) 

ft. some other nct princes & mermen 

basically takes place in the same au as mermaid taeyong which if u havent read is here! 

so ... ur a mermaid princess from a different kingdom 2 taeyong n the rest of the nct mermaid gang.

& you’re visiting because the Ruler of Ur Kingdom (ur dad) has 2 go for the annual Mermaid Council Meeting and is like “listen you’re the next in line to rule you have to come.. You need to learn what your responsibilities are gonna be” 

n you dont rlly wanna go but you’re like FINE whatever. 

so you tag along & u dont rlly bother meeting the citizens of the nct kingdom bc you’re gonna be there for like a week tops before u gotta leave again so whats??? the Point. 

u basically plan to spend the week in ur Luxurious Clam Shell sleeping.

but you get bored so u decide to swim off towards the castle bc u overheard someone saying how pretty it is so u wanna see for yourself!!! 

bc ur kingdom is in the middle of the Ocean so you’ve never actually seen a castle. or Humans rlly. 

But you’ve heard about them! 

so you’re swimming 2 the castle when u hear someone singing ... and you’re like okay well im the only mermaid here so!! thats gotta be a HUMAN 

so u poke ur head out of the water but u dont .... see anyone? 

but u recognise the song they’re singing so once they’ve stopped u sing the next part of the song back 2 them ... hiding behind a rock so they dont see u O F C ! 

you’re not about 2 get urself caught pffff ! 

& u see a head poke out of one of the windows and ur like TIME TO GO! 

but not without gettin a glance of tht incredibly ,,, ,handsome face ,,, 

anyways this continues for like ! 3 days. u go to the same spot, hear the same beautiful boy singing & sing back 2 him when he stops . 

n he looks out of the window Every! Time! but you’re 2 quick for him 2 see you lol

but then u go back the 4th day ,,, n u hear music but no??? singing?? 

so u go a little closer n perch yourself on a rock tryin 2 get a closer listen, n u hear the most beautiful melody coming from the same room. 

and before u know it you’re humming along.

its not until a little while later tht u realise the music has stopped and ur just going along on ur own and u look up 2 see The Boy(tm)... 

in a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up n these dorky glasses (Y’all know the look im on abt  ..... That Look).

n you’re like .... GOTTA BLAST!!!!!!!! 🐠💨💨💨

n here’s the thing .... prince johnny cannOT stop thinking about u.... nd it was all a ruse ! 

obviously not in a Bad Way he just wanted 2 find out who was fINISHING HIS SONGS BEFORE HE GOT THE CHANCE 

n he didnt.... think you’d be tht beautiful ..... 

& he spots ur tail as ur escaping and he’s like ... HOLD ON A COTTON PICKIN MINUTE ! 

lucky for him ... it was Cupcake Collection Day(tm) for his good Mermaid Pal Taeyong 

so while taeyong is eating his cupcake .... johnny brings up The Topic 

“so uh,,, taeyong,,,  u know pretty much everyone in ur kingdom right???”

taeyong with a mouth full of cupcake: i guess 

“so uh there’s this.... person .... a merperson, if u will, and u Gotta help me find them” 

taeyong: “whats in it for me???”

johnny: “an extra cupcake” 

“make it 12″ 

“6.” 

“ok deal” 

so johnny tells taeyong abt this mermaid ,,,, a Beautiful mermaid with the most Beautiful voice 

“are u sure ur not talking about taeil?” 

“shut up im sure” 

so taeyong is like kk ill help u lol 

“taeyong u cant help him. they have 2 leave in like 2 days” - doyoung

“bUT HE LOVES THEM!!!!” - yuta 

“he hasn’t even met them!!!” 

“IT'S CALLED LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!” 

“that isnt a thing!” 

yuta pulls out a rose & hands it to taeyong “tell them it’s from johnny” 

“where did you even get that from?” - taeyong

“he just carries them around. it’s better not to ask” - johnny 

MEANWHILE you’re at a Boring Mermaid Council Meeting 

“ok listen ,,, we get that ur helping the humans by sabotaging the sirens but ... its gotta stop they’re goin 2 other kingdoms who have Enough Problems” 

and that subject peaks ur interest.

these ... mermaids are sabotaging sirens?? Lmao serves them RIGHT ! 

so after the meeting ,

like, later at night, u hear this off-key singing and you’re like ok what the F

and ofc u gotta check it out because what MerMoron is disgracing ur Entire people like that.

n there u see Merman Moon Taeil, a couple meters behind sirens, hangin out by boats tryin 2 Do Their Thing.

but they can’t because Merman Moon Taeil is singing ,, horribly out of tune and off-key and it Clicks. 

this is how they’re saving sailors lol. singing loudly and off-key to drown out the sirens song . its pretty smart. 

n this guy looks like he’s havin the Time of his Life, so u swim up behind him n join in. 

u 2 are havin a WHALE of a time , singing out of key n just absolutely ruining the sirens favourite pastime 

but then u spot one wander off n you’re like ..... well that’s not suspicious AT ALL 

so u Follow. and then you see this Lone Guy in a tiny boat and you’re like what kinda DUMBASS 

and u poke ur head up to get a look at the idiot that’s on his own & JUST UR LUCK its Cute Castle Guy. 

literally ur only thought is “is this boy actually 100% For Real what is he Doing” 

and u dont! Have time to start singing off key because he’s pretty much already Hooked on this sirens song so .... 

u straight up tackle the thing away from him. No1 is hurting ur Cute Castle Boy with the nice voice. Not on UR Watch .

n ur fightin with this thing for a Good Couple Minutes until it just hisses @ u and goes back 2 its own gang. 

“YEAH THATS RIGHT U RUN AWAY !!! n dONT COME BACK!!” - you until u realise u should Probably check to make sure the boat hasnt crashed or something.

He’s a bit dazed n confused and has No Idea what the Heck just happened

and johnny is so pretty u just kinda stare for a while until ur like Right i should probably ,,, like ,, make sure he doesnt Die.

so with all ur Mighty Mermaid Power u push his boat back 2 shore 

by which time he’s completely Mostly recovered 2 the point he can recognise u and he’s like 

“ITS U!” 

to which you, once again, gotta blast 🐠💨💨💨

but he , being Cute Clumsy Castle Idiot tries 2 be all dramatic and grabs ur arm , 

proceeding 2  FALL Out of his boat face first into wet sand with the occasional wave just .... rolling over him .

and you’re like .... really ??? Really now. Really .

*ur longest deepest sigh ever* 

“are you ok?” 

he holds 1 hand up and does the a-okay sign.

u cover ur mouth so he doesnt hear u LAUGH

he hears it. looks up. gives u that dUMB EMBARRASSED JOHNNY SMILE. (U know the one). 

 n you BLUSH because he’s so gosh Darn CUTE. even if he is an IDIOT. 

“i just wanted 2 make sure u were okay ...” he says in the Sweetest most Caring voice Ever and it makes ur heart melt BEcause .... .

“I COULD HAVE SWAM TO ANOTHER COUNTRY N UR JUST GONNA GRAB MY ARM LIKE THAT U COULD HAVE D I E D!!! I did Not just save u for you to DIE” 

that stupid dumb embarrassed johnny smile is STILL THERE and you’re trying to Convince yourself he is Not Cute Enough for ur poor heart 2 be Racing like This. 

“whatever ,,,,,,,,, im fine thank you” 

but he spots that nasty scratch on ur cheek courtesy of that stupid poor excuse for a sea witch n he .... puts his hand on ur cheek . 

and ur brain is Screaming at u GOTTA GO MY OWN WAY but u cant ... bring urself... to leave bc he’s LOOKING at u ,,,,  

OH Boy ,,,, 

he’s Really ,, Looking at u with those big concerned eyes and ur Poor Heart literally cannot cope like ... his hand is so ,, ,warm and 

even though all he’s done is move a piece of ur hair  ,,, and tucked it behind ur ear ,, 

you’re already feeling a lil bit better.

so instead ur like “pff whatever its just a Scratch” Because You! are One Tough Cookie 

adn u dont need this Beefy arm Boy lookin @ u like That.

“it looks really painful!! Wait here we have a first aid kit in the lifeguard hut!” 

you go 2 stop him but he’s already up and running so all u can do is like ,, roll ur eyes n Sigh & wait for him to come back

n he does and you’re like “Listen u really don’t need to do this im a mermaid we don’t feel pain.” 

he proceeds 2 dab a cotton pad 2 ur cheek & u hiss at him because 

“THAT HURTS !!!” 

“ok 1. i should have warned u its going to sting and 2. ur a LIAR one of the kennel dogs got overhyped & scratched doyoung by accident. he cried like a baby” 

you laugh n johnny thinks ,, its the most beautiful sound in the entire world. 

like he’s got 1 hand by ur cheek trying to clean ur battle wound but he’s just sO ,,, entranced by your laugh that he just , forgets what it was he was doing. 

“hey bud are you ok?” 

“YES! Yes , ,i am sorry i was just ,, where was I.” 

he’s LOOKING at u again and like , you’re honestly Just as lost as he is because ,, 

up close u can finally see his eyes and they are just. so pretty are humans Supposed ??? To be This Pretty?

& suddenly u realise Why humans make statues & paintings of Other Humans because like, wow they’re So Beautiful. 

is there a statue of this breathtaking boy sat in front of you out there somewhere? There should be. 

he clears his throat eventually and runs his hand thru his hair n does a little embarrassed laugh , 

“by the way um ,, did you get that rose ? From taeyong?”

and you’re like “uhhh,, the what from who now?” 

n he hits himself mentally bc DUH Doyoung said u were from another kingdom so like , maybe u never met them he doesn’t know so he’s just like “nevermind!!” 

and that’s when it hits u... You don’t even know Cute Castle Boy’s NAME.

BUT youre leaving soon so u figure it doesnt matter anyways :(

so you’re like uhhh i should ,,, go. thank u for ,,, this.

n he’s like !! wait idk ur name!!!!!

so you tell him,, n he repeats it & like

youve had Literal Ocean Royalty sing ur name to get ur attention but.

it doesnt even COMPARE to the way he says it.

and u tell urself that it doesnt matter. u need to Stop bc you are leaving there is Nothing u can do about it

and he’s about to tell you his name but. it’s just Better for u that you Dont know it and he stays as Cute Castle Guy

so before u can even hear him say his own name You Are Outta There bc!

no! attachments!

esp not to humans!

and johnny ,,, 

poor sweet johnny is just.dumbfounded and lost bc?

what. Just happened. 

the next day ,, Johnny plays his piano hoping that you’ll pop up and sing along to his playing, and when he realises that like,, you’re not gonna show up he just . his hands slump against the keys n he’s just ?

what did he do Wrong? 

eventually he has to meet taeyong 2 give him the cupcakes even though taeyong was No Help at All 

and johnny ends up eating most of them himself and taeyong is like ok buddy spill the beans whats wrong 

so johnny tells him abt you ,,, and that he Finally met u and you Saved Him! but u left before he could tell you his name n you didn’t show up to sing today and 

taeyong feels a lil guilty but He knows there’s not much he can do because like , you’re from a different kingdom ? Ur literally the future ruler ,, so he can’t try 2 convince u to stay. 

BUT You’re not actually Leaving until tomorrow so Maybe. he can convince u to see johnny before u go. 

so he’s like “leave it to me!!!” and finishes his cupcake before zooming off to find you.

but he has 2 find doyoung & taeil first because they need to come up with a Plan

& they find u sitting pretty in ur  little Clam Shell just ... looking Very? Confused and

suddenly the big Plan is out of the window because doyoung swims straight up to you, looks you in the eye and says, “our human friend is a Mess.” 

and you’re like ?? Who even Are you but then u recognise taeil behind him who’s waving at you and you’re like oh ok one of his weird friends.

and you’re like “anyways idk who you’re talking about” 

“our FRIEND. u saved him last night ! His name is-”

“DONT SAY IT I dont need 2 know his name!!!” 

and doyoung is getting a liiiiiittle annoyed because like, despite everything johnny is his FRIEND and he wants him 2 be happy!! so he just backs off and taeyong takes his place like ,

“listen. we’ve known him for a while now & he’s never talked about any1 like this before. n we know you’re leaving but he would rlly love to get the chance to talk 2 u.” 

and now you’re more confused than ever!! Because you’re leaving Really Soon and you don’t! need this! 

but he’s so cute ,,, and seeing that dumb smile of his one last time wouldn’t hurt, , right?

“ok fine tell him. i’ll be sittin on the rock by his window tomorrow at dawn, before i leave.” 

the 3 boys high five n taeyong secretly wonders if he’ll get more cupcakes for this.

The Next Morning at like ? 6am. you’re nervous as Hell. 

you really shouldn’t be doing this because its just going to make things worse for you And for him. 

but you’ll probably never see him again ? So, just 2 yknow, say it was nice to meet him and goodbye, u show up.

Also maybe get a cupcake ? because taeyong literally would not shut up about them and now you really want to try one. 

you show up. and johnny is already there , holding a rose 

(a nice one. not a fake one like the ones yuta carries around)

and he looks Super nervous and you’re also Really nervous but. 

you swim up to him anyway and poke his arm. 

which makes him jump 

and that embarrassed smile comes out again and you can literally feel your heart melting because god he is Adorable. 

and you’re starting to think this was a Really Bad Idea. 

but he looks at you and he hands you the rose, and you’re about to speak when he stops you, 

“I just. Wanted to say thank you for saving me. And the guys told me you’re leaving and that really sucks but I’m really happy you decided to see me again.”

and you just. for once in your life you’re speechless and you just stare at the rose he gave you and. eventually you just manage to stutter out a “you’re welcome” and 

you two are just staring at each other for what feels like Hours. and you’re pretty sure you could do it for a lot longer because he’s just so nice to look at. 

but before you know it, doyoung & taeil are behind you, and they’re like, “you gotta go, your dad is waiting for you.” 

and it feels like your heart is breaking because ! you dont wanna go! you wanna stay and you want to get to know Cute Castle Boy.

but you have a kingdom to rule over in the future. 

so you try not to look too sad as u look at johnny and give him a smile, 

and he cups ur cheek the same way he did the night before ,and he’s pulling you closer and before you know it his lips are on your cheek

and you’re Blushing like Crazy! !!!! because oh my god he just kissed you. 

he finally moves his hand from your cheek 2 your hands,

“my name is Johnny, by the way” 

Fuck.

you cant really do or say anything because you gotta leave Now. 

so you look back one last time before joining the boys and give him a little wave, and he waves back before watching you swim away. 

So, here’s the thing.

When you were a baby, a tiny little adventurous mermaid swimming along dolphins three times your size, 

you had accidentally gotten a little carried away and wandered outside of your kingdom barriers, 

lost and confused, you found a light which you followed into a cave, 

and there you met ur friendly neighbourhood sea witch. 

she hadn’t really been banished from your kingdom, mostly because she knew she wasn’t welcome so she just kept to herself. 

but she thought, hey! if i help the ruler’s kid get back to the kingdom, maybe they’ll realise im Not So Bad and accept me. 

so she takes you in, makes sure you’re safe, and helps you find your way back .

UR FATHER, however, freaks the hell out and starts going off about how,

“This wicked sea witch tried to KIDNAP my child! How dare you! You are Banished” 

so , the sea witch does what literally Every Other Disney Villain would do. 

she puts a curse on you before the king tosses her out on her ass.

This curse,  however. 

when you fall in love, you’ll turn into a human so you can’t Be with them. (because yknow everyone thought you’d fall in love with some Beautiful Mermaid Royalty) 

so while you’re swimming home,

taeil, doyoung and taeyong volunteering to be your escorts, making sure u get home safe and sound.

(you didnt really need them but those boys are Stubborn and also wanted 2 see what your kingdom looks like) 

but because they’re there you don’t really need to stay with ur dad; you’re old enough & ugly enough 2 take care of yourself and show your friends your favourite parts of the journey back

but suddenly you’re finding it really hard to breathe and swimming is Really difficult

and something is Horribly, horribly wrong. 

so you grab whatever you can which happens to be doyoung’s tail 

and he turns around like what the Hell. 

Oh, shit. 

he’s yelling for the other boys 2 help you and ur dad is too far ahead to hear whatever is going on.

so the boys take it upon themselves 2 save U. 

and they’re swimming back to the beach as fast as they can and they get to shore and luckily! 

Johnny is sitting there, looking out at the ocean wondering if he’ll ever see you again. 

and doyoung is just Yelling at him

“DO U HAVE TOWELS GET SOME TOWELS DO U KNOW CPR!!!!!!!!!!” 

so johnny has no idea what the Heck is going on but he runs to get towels, helps the boys wrap you up and take you to the lifeguard hut 

where johnny puts u on the sofa and he’s like , desperately trying 2 get u to wake up. doing cpr and whatever else he can .

like he has no idea whats going on but you’re here and you’re not breathing and he’s panicking because like, he can’t lose you??? He can’t. He Wont. 

and its been what seems like fOREVER but you’re finally! coughing up water and you can breathe again and you’re feeling Very lightheaded and dizzy but all you can really think about is. 

that Johnny’s face is hovering over yours and he looks like he’s about to throw up but then he sees your eyes open and he has Never 

felt this much relief in his Life! 

and before you can even Process what the hell is going on, he’s leaning in closer and you’re kind of trying to figure out what’s going on but! 

he already has his arms wrapped around you so tight, never ever wanting to let go because 

he could live with himself knowing you were out there, alive with the slightest chance of coming back to visit him 

but he would never be able to bear it if you were gone forever .

so he just keeps you in his arms for a Very Long time, whispering in ur ear how scared he was, that he thought he’d lost you. 

the other boys have left u alone, yuta and doyoung arguing outside

“i TOLD U love at first sight was real!”

“shut up yuta they almost DIED” 

“he saved them! he saved them with true loves first kiss” 

“he literally gave them cpr” 

but ignoring those 2 bickering.

u and Johnny are just. holding each other and. you can’t explain it but it feels Right that you’re with him

and he is just so happy that you’re alive and okay. 

and everything just feels like it’s falling into place. 

and before anything else happens you’re just . kissing him .

and he’s kissing you back.

and it all just feels so Perfect.