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skz-rin · 29 days

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[◉°] ... ⃕ STAY, rin.viee has made a post !

📸FROM RIN : March 31, 2024 - 10.37 PM KST

Liked by i.2.n.8, realstraykids, and 3,518,431 others

rin.viee: Didn't get a letter delivered by an owl for school but this works too ig...

view all 27,678 comments

oorin._: we demand justice for Rin!! She deserves her owl delivered letter. 😤😤

st_aybrain: I'd go to school daily if she studied there !!

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wolfcha1k · 20 days

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NOT MY ART, I ONLY PAID FOR IT, PLEASE CHECK OUT LILY.B_ART ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE OF HER WORK!

Something strange boomed and rumbled overhead, Zenith reclining his head up to gawk inquisitively up at the clouds above. Stray splotches of sunlight fought to push past the overcast sky, golden as starlight.

“The sky speaks?” Zenith asked Asha, glancing towards the princess with eyes bright in curiosity.

She looked up heavenwards before meeting his gaze. “In a way, I guess.” Asha quirked the corners of her lips in a small smile. "It's called thunder, it usually means rain is coming, Zenith.”

“Rain?” He echoed. Zenith stopped walking to continuously gaze up at the sky, intrigued. He heard Asha’s steps and felt her presence as she got close to him.

“Yes, and we better hurry up and find somewhere to bunker down to wait out the storm. Rain isn't really fun to get stuck in,” Asha explained as she grabbed onto his arm, leading him down the trail they were taking through the open field.

He caught Asha's eyes looking towards the cusp of trees in the distance that would offer shelter. “What's so bad about it?”

“Well, it's wet, for one,” Asha told him, lifting a finger from her free hand to start counting the ways. “It makes you get muddy, there's lightning and then there's the wind.” Zenith was charmed by the adorable scrunching of Asha's face as she thought deeply, clearly very passionate about the topic. “Oh! And you can catch a chill.”

“I see,” Zenith replied, smiling at her. He took another moment to admire the sky, listening to the purr of the thunder and drinking in the way the sunbeams shimmered.

As if the world felt ironic and had heard Asha’s complaints, and considering the heavens were full of omnipresence from the Starfolk themselves, it was a plausibility, a big fat droplet smacked Asha’s nose. Zenith stared at her in wide eyed wonder.

“Oh no!” Asha exclaimed for not a moment longer did more begin to fall from the sky and Asha feebly raised her arms over her head. “It's here!”

Zenith raised his face to the sky, gawking at it in bewildering awe. He felt his skin and clothes dampen as each droplet struck down on himself. “The sky cries too?”

“That, Zenith, is what we call rain,” she told him with a sigh.

“Fascinating…” Zenith reached a hand out, feeling the rain fall into his open palm. He flexed his fingers, experimenting with the feeling of water on his being. The large fringe of his hair drooped over his forehead, his braid swaying in the storm's wind.

He breathed in the cool air, chest expanding as his lungs took it in. The mist tickled his nose and he found himself smiling widely at the strange and alien sensations this earthly form bestowed him.

Zenith lifted both his hands, channeling magic as it rippled through him. He felt Asha’s eyes on him and he chanced her a brief, glowing smile before looking back up at the raining sky. He caught the droplets in his magical grasp, levitating them above his palms. He lifted them higher yet, floating overhead.

Asha’s palm was warm on his back. “Zenith, we better—”

He turned to look at her, grinning brightly at her. “Your world is beautiful, Asha.”

She was quiet for a moment, watching him fiddle and play with the rain. Her expression softened and soon she smiled too. “Yeah, I guess you're right about that.” Her braids swished as she looked up at the sky and Zenith's breath caught at the halo of light that surrounded her, misty and ethereal as stardust from the sun. “It's quite a sight, isn't it?”

“Yeah…” He murmured softly, a fondness rushing over him like the rain as it fell. Zenith willed himself a moment longer before returning his violet gaze towards the sky.

Thunder roared in his ears and he wasn't sure if it was from the storm or his heart pounding hard in his chest…

🌠 🌠 🌠 🌠

I purchased more art from lily.b_art again! You can follow the original upload here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lily B. Art (@lily.b_art)

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This is a future scene for Star Light, Star Bright though final version could change possibly since it's super far away chapter wise. Follow the fanfic on Ao3 for future updates because they are coming eventually, me and my co writer just been busy is all lately though we are drafting the project actively still 👍 Also, Zenith totally sounds like Christian Bale's Howl in my head when I write him.

#Wish #wish rewrite #asha x star #star x asha #Star light star bright au #Star light star bright #Not my art #My oc #Instagram

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innocentlymacabre · 5 months

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NOW THEY CALL ME THE PLAGUE⤳ three snippets

taglist roundup post ~~

They say time slows down when you’re in the eye of the storm. When you’re seconds away from making a decision that could change your entire life in one fell swoop, the world starts to move more slowly around you, and you begin to see every tiny detail with previously unimagined clarity. Or maybe you start to move faster, whizzing around at speeds high enough to give you the time to stop and overturn each stone – either way, the world presents itself to you in the most convenient way it can; a quiet act of compassion, allowing you the luxury of altering the course of your life with conviction. Shrouded in the darkness of the near-blackened room, I realise that might have been true at some point. It would stand to reason that it would have. Neither are presently true. When you’ve wade through the currents of time for as long as I have, time always drags around you, and you always drag through time. You’re always moving slower than everyone else, as if reality itself recognises that you’ve been around for far longer than you ought to have.

“You know, if I could shapeshift, I’d never look the same. Don’t know why you keep one look.” Axle chirped confusedly. “I mean I’d keep the wings too – who wouldn’t – but I’d at least change my hair or something each time. Or your scales, I guess. Don’t you get bored of looking the same?”

Their panic began to morph and change shape. In one instant, it felt like they had died several deaths, and in the next, several lives, none their own, washed over them. They were alone now, but there was more than just nothing. Anticipation pooled in a low fog, filling the gaps between the stillness of one second and the next. The taste of a brewing storm clouded around them. A bright and brilliant explosion ricocheted, the cacophonous kaleidoscope of life flowing forth. They were wading through a pool of stars, stardust raining down on them, stardust being kicked up beneath them. With each step they felt lighter, their feet seconds away from leaving the ground. They could feel the silent heartbeat of the universe, beating in time to their own. They gradually slowed in tandem as a new star took its first breath. A deep yearning to join them overtook them. Time had been pulled into a whirlpool, twisting round and round until the beginning met the end and the end had no beginning. Nothing was happening anymore and trees were withering as they grew; reptiles shed and snakes grew; the seas reached up to the sky and stars flowed down; everything that could ever happen was breaking out at the same instant.

↝✧↝

thanks for reading! if this book sounds like your thing, I would absolutely love you forever if you could buy me a coffee to support its development!!

annnnnd I may or may not slip a couple for-your-eyes-only book bundles under the table as a little thanks ;) you also get access to a constantly-added-to host of stories and scripts and bundles!

ko-fi 💜 • newsletter ☕ • instagram • masterlist

taglist (ask to be added/removed!): @caspersgraveyard @zephsthings @mrunmione @razaai @cloudofbutterflies @ozziesdisco @jacqueswriteblrlibrary @whimsy-of-the-stars @at-thezenith @desi-yearning @orgasming-caterpillar @rodentwrites @imnotcalledbutsummoned @athenswrites @coffeeicecube @carnocus @sarandipitywrites

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hexpositive · 1 year

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BONUS - Stardust Sessions LIVE! (Crit Witch Con 2022)

Now available on your favorite podcatcher!

While you're all patiently riding out the podcast hiatus, here's a little treat to tide you over!

Earlier this year, Lozzie Stardust and I were panelists at the Critical Thinking Witch Collective online convention and we did a LIVE run of Stardust Sessions during our joint session on modern witchcraft, with special guest moderator Lee Curtis-Rogers of Do The Magical Thing. We wore our fanciest hats and had a lovely chat about how pop culture and modern witchcraft reflect and represent each other, delving into some of our favorite examples along the way. The audio is available here and the video version, with hats included, is available on my Patreon.

Stay tuned for the winter season - if I find time to breathe while we're moving house, I may pop some Patreon extras here in the feed.

Hex Positive will return in 2023!

Upcoming Events:

Krampusnacht Holidaze Witch Market Saturday Dec 3rd, 11am - 4pm Gallery5 in Richmond VA

Yule Witch Market Sunday Dec 11th, 12pm - 6pm Diversity Richmond in Richmond VA

Check my Wordpress for full show notes and a list of sources, as well as show notes for past episodes and information on upcoming events.

Follow the show on Twitter @hex_podcast for the latest updates! You can also find me as @BreeNicGarran on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and Wordpress. For more information on how to support the show and get access to early releases and extra content, visit my Patreon.

Visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop to purchase my books and homemade accoutrements for your craft!

Proud member of the Nerd and Tie Podcast Network.

#witchcraft #witchblr #podcasts #Hex Positive

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crewman-penelope · 1 year

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Rust and Stardust

Lyutsifer Safin x ofc, explicit, non-con, grapefruit, lemon, dark!Safin, love-stroke, love fever, oh! to storm the walls of Troy like a mad man!

1. Severo-kurilsk

2. Strictly business

3. Sweet anticipation

Halyna seemed to repress the situation she was getting in. Like the teen she was, she swapped open her Mobil and showed Safin all the apps she needed to use daily, explaining why it was so important to her to have internet. After watching some of her silly tiktoks, Safin got the expression, she needs this toys like other need oxygen.

Amused by her seriousness, and after promising her, that she could of course still hang out with her internet friends via Instagram and TikTok, Halyna hooked her arm with his in relief.

Swallowing hard, Safin tried to hold his posture, while a fog of flowerish perfume and his own grown arousal made him feel dizzy.

What am I doing here?

Making their way back from the green house, Halyna was all chatty, but the face of her mother let her shut up quickly.

Alysa, waiting for them in the hallway, looked angry as betrayed. Zorin must have filled her in.

Halyna threw a glance to him, "See you later, dyadya?” and rushed out to her rooms.

Safin stared a second too long at the door Halyna had disappeared through, blinked, and focused on the mother.

He opens his mouth, as his mind searched for any soothing words, his hands open offered to her -

Until her hand hit his left cheek with a hard slap.

His ear was ringing. The left side of his face numb. Hitching breath, then sucking air in between clenched teeth.

He didn't look at Alysa, but shook his head with closed eyes. The left cheek started to feel as if ants crawled along the skin.

He pressed his lips together not to shout at her, counting down to ten, until he felt able to look at her.

Eventually, he caught Alysa's eyes.

Wide and green, like her daughter's, but filled with a bitterness that shocked Safin.

He felt bad for her - alas, he came too close to stop now.

“She will be safe.”, he said. His voice smooth and rasp as always. Good. “You can reach out to her through her phone, Halyna will have internet access for that.”

Alysa stared at him, looking defeated.

“You are going through with it? Really, Lyutsifer!?”

“It's business.”

She looked at him in silent, her face at first all bewildered, then horrified, then... understanding. Disgusted.

“From all the people..”, Alysa whispered, stepping back from him.

Leaning in, she spit on his shoes, turned around and left the hallway without another word.

Well, that could have gotten better.

Halyna didn't pack much. Safin was irritated at first, as he saw her standing in the parking lot with just two bags. His eyes wandered from the luggage to a nervously looking girl. She shrugged and mumbled: “My next trimester starts in two weeks anyway.”

“I see..”, he got out and nodded shortly. She seemed still not to understand the full concept of the deal - nevertheless, he had forgotten that she had school and the right for education.

“It's alright. We can go shopping on the main land, if you need new clothes.”

That made her laugh out for some reason. “I always need new clothes.”

Was it him, or was she teasing him? She surely put on a brave face, it was rather impressive.

In the way to the airport, where his helicopter waited, she made a so called 'boomerang' for her Instagram, swearing that she looked not to show of.

“As long you make no records of me or my men, I have no trouble with you playing around. I don't want you to miss a thing.”, Safin told her, relishing in the fact that she sat aside him in the car.

“Oh, I have to make a video of the Heli fly!”, she responded excited. Her green eyes glowing in anticipation and glee, she turned to the window at her side.

“I'm actually glad to leave a bit early. It is sooo boring here! Nobody lives here, and Papa can only talk about his work.

“And mama?”

Halyna rolled her eyes. “Charity. Child hospitals. Homeless shelter, soup kitchen, and so on. Of course,”, Halyna pointed out, “she is just looking for excuses to hold parties and collect money for the cause.” She leaned over and whispered conspiratorial: “She is more often away than Papa. I even sometimes think she has an affair - but don't tell papa! Will break his hard.”

Safin lift his hand to cover his mouth. She was a Papa-girl, how could he think otherwise?

Safin was sure, if he would tell her about her father's mistresses, she would not believe him. So he let it slight.

“I shall not tell him, I promise”, he whispered even so conspiratorial and patted her arm.

“Now, tell me, how often did you travel with a helicopter before?”

Halyna inhaled deep and bit her lower lip - Safin found himself nearly unable to threw his eyes from her mouth after that.

“We always take the yacht to get to the main land. And the Rovers for the inland tours.”, she confessed sheepishly.

“Then you are in for a treat.”, Safin rejoy, as he smiled as encouraging as possible to Halyna.

“The weather is nice, the evening is wind still and cloudless, and when we arrive there will be already stars on the night sky. I am positive, when you are recording the flight, you get some awesome.. Reels? Is that the word?”

Halyna laughed and wrinkled her nose. “Yes, dyadya, that's the word. Oh, I'm so excited!”

She clashed gleefully her hands together, while Safin just watched her in aww, not fully realizing what he got himself into.

But he wondered how boring a teen could get on his island. It was probably time for some rearrangements and some renovations. Perhaps he could count on her help and assistance for that?

Arriving at the airport, she jumped out, starting to make pictures, while the chauffeur carried her two bags to the helicopter.

“Wow! That thing is big?”, she cheered as she inspected the helicopter.

“I'm flying quite often, so I want some comfort.”, Safin explained, as he climbed in. He reached for her hands to help her up the short steps and direct her to the window seat.

“Use your seat belts, Halyna.”, he warned her anyway. Too easily, a gust of wind can shake one on the ride.

She started to pout. “Must I?”

Safin didn't answer at first, but got through the scenarios in his mind. Eventually he smiled as soft as possible as he sat aside her.

“No.” He himself fixed his seat belt and leaned in to her, while he boldly wrapped his right arm around Halyna's middle. “I will hold you safe. And you have more space for your videos. Savvy?”

His face close to hers, he watched her blush. “Oh. Okay?”, she chirped, embarrassed and focused quickly on her phone.

While she acted busy - or maybe she was to prepare the recording - he held still. Her body was lean and small, but even soft and warm. A female, soft touch was just was he was missing all the time. Halyna was in his eyes perfect to give him that. Her curiosity, excitement, as her ignorance to some subjects made her an easy target. Safin had to remind himself that she was not to underestimate, though. After all, she was a daughter of Zorin.

Inhaling her flowerish perfume - he guessed Kenzo - and watching interested how she scrolled through her phone to make the right setting for the light and movement for a film, he remembered the newer information he had collected about the Zorin family.

The two elder daughter were married. How happily he could not say. But the circumstances of upbringing, as also the fact that both are acting as perfect trophy wives, let him hope Halyna was taught to be more - - behaving. Subversive.

I will find out, he thought to himself, leaning back in his seat. His right hand soothing on the lower back of Halyna's, he observed her gestures. She was still a bit flustered, ignoring his hand for peace’s sake.

It's a start.

#safin sunday #lyutsifer safin #Lyutsifer Safin x ofc #dark!safin #dark!fic #grapefruit #James bond Fandom #Rami malek Fandom #lyutsifer safin fanfiction #Smut #Halyna Zorin #Rust and Stardust 3 #rami malek #james bond #lemon

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thestrangest-doll-inthe-valley · 2 years

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Stories So Far:

*the name of the story will have a hyperlink to the A03 page if it is posted, otherwise most links after the title will take you to posts about the stories

Primary A03: EyesoftheDevilsWater

Secondary A03: Regression Themed Stories (IF YOU DON’T LIKE THEN PLEASE DON’T READ OR HARASS THE DOLL/ME ABOUT YOUR DISLIKE OR DISCOMFORT- ALL REGRESSION SCENES ARE STRICTLY NON SEXUAL), SunlitMoon

Regarding Requests/Asks:

I will: write for fandoms I am part of, complete oneshots and stories requested (they may contain my own twists, will always discuss), answer and write for imagines/head canons, regression stories, romance stories- fluffy and tragic alike, trauma themes and stories, neurodivergent themes and characters

I WON’T: write for fandoms I am not interested (the quality and accuracy would be garbage and time to write it would take forever), write stories or oneshots with pairings or elements or tropes that I disagree with/am uncomfortable with (i.e.: underage/underage intimacy- preteens holding hands and chaste kisses are as far as I will go, more that I cannot currently think of)

Overall: Ask and you shall either receive or be responded to with a polite decline

My Fandoms:

Naruto

The Boys

Hannibal

Jujutsu Kaisen

FNAF Security Breach

Attack on Titan

Stranger Things

Violet Evergarden

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun

Blue Exorcist

My Hero Academia

Devilman Cry-Baby

Chainsaw Man

Stranger Things AUs and Fix its:

Take This to Heart: Ballad of Hellfire and Nirvana: (Classifications Alternate Universe) First Look/Teaser, Second Look/Official Announcement, Steve’s Prequel, Eddie’s Prequel

Beauty and the Fruit Bat: Announcement Post, gifted to and requested by @murdockiplier

The Virtues Behind the Seven Strange Sins: Intro Post

Tulips Were Never Enough: AKA Royal Freak Family (reader insert and poly with Eddie and Steve), Paraphrase Plot Post

Moonflower Beyond the Vale: Concept art, Sneak Peek/Oneshot, Paraphrased Plot

Border of Nowhere: Eddie and Steve Paranormal investigations AU, gifted to and requested by @millyrious

Steve in Borderland: Alice in Wonderland parody featuring Borderline PD Steve and special twist companion character, announcement post

Breathe Me: A/B/O universe with Omega Steve and Alpha Eddie, announcement post, partially inspired by @steviemunson

Soft!Steve Stories: Domestic AU- post season 4 but Vecna did die, Upside Down is sealed, Jane still has powers, Eddie survived, Written for and inspired by @multidimensional-wavelength Chapter 1: Eddie’s Sweater and Steve’s Small Talk, Chapter 2: Batty for You, Now and Forevermore, Chapter 3: Family Weekend

Bottom of the Deep Blue Eyes of Lovers’ Lake: Harringrove AU originally proposed by @belovedharringrove , announcement post

Naruto AUs:

Meteor Shower: (Inspired by Cavetown’s Meteor Shower), Preview Post

Ancestral Guardian: Huli Jing/Jiuweihu AU, Idea Announcement

Fate is a Fickle Thing: Comfort AU, Preview Post

The Boys AUs:

The Boys: Classified: Canary Made of Stardust: Caregiver & Regressor AU, Preview Post

FNAF Security Breach AUs:

Living the Broken Dream: Daycare Attendent-centric requested AU, Ask & Link Post

FFXV AUs:

-The Tide Mother's Baby: Promptis, Mermay prompt inspired by iizumi on twitter and instagram, announcement post

-The Scent of Sunshine and Moonlight: A/B/O verse/ omega verse, Promptis, announcement post

-Follow Him: Promptis, Alternate Universe, Fix- it fic, announcement post

Jujutsu Kaisen AUs:

- Right Where You Belong: Regression becomes a growing epidemic individuals traumatized by curses- whether sorcerer or non-sorcerer

- Nevermore- The Last Beautiful Thing: Six Eyes AU where Satoru hides the terrible truth behind the extremely rare bloodline trait and struggles to let Suguru in

- Polar- Everything In Between: Oneshots primarily focused on various SatoSugu scenes

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musicarenagh · 1 month

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Marc Béziat's Ethereal Elegance: "The Star of Peace" Unveiled In the realm of classical music, a soothing breath of freshness whispers through Marc Béziat's latest single – "The Star of Peace". Unveiling an intricate amalgamation between earthy tranquility and celestial harmony, this piece enthralls listeners into a cosmic dance beneath star-lit serenity. https://open.spotify.com/track/4Bge02661E3KdOSI8KNcfV Blending grand instrumentation with ethereal choral arrangements, Béziat creates an orchestral tapestry that is both gentle on the senses yet powerful in its emotive capacity. The song unfurls like a slow-motion dance of stardust across galaxies; silver-toned choirs interweave with string sections that cascade like shooting stars. It's a soothingly impressive spectacle reminiscent to some extent, of Debussy's dream-like quality splashed with shades of John Rutter's engaging modern choral compositions. "The Star Of Peace" hugs you within a blanket woven from musical threads spun out by strings and voices alike which doesn't just suggest contemplation - it insists upon it! Imagine if peace had its own lullaby -- This would be it! [caption id="attachment_54655" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Marc Béziat's Ethereal Elegance: "The Star of Peace" Unveiled[/caption] While rooted firmly in the traditional classical genre, there’s understated innovation tucked delicately between symphonic swells and whispering harmonies that gives one pause & invites another listen. Despite any immediate comparisons drawn to greats like Bach or Handel due to similar compositional depths, Beziat shines as a distinct supernova in this composition. This piece proves itself easy listening not because it merely fades as unassuming background score but because it instils peace without demanding effort; echoing life’s beautiful paradoxes. Listening feels akin to watching snowflakes fall silently down: silent yet transformative leaving behind their pristine footprint on all they touch- Serene yet awe-inspiring- Exactly what we need more often than we think! And so ends our brief sojourn under Marc Béziat’s “Star”... until next time when silence seeks out harmony by pressing play! Follow Marc Béziat on Website, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

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bookclub4m · 2 months

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Episode 191 - Dark Fantasy

This episode we’re discussing the fiction genre of Dark Fantasy! We talk about horror, grimdark, violence, amoral protagonists, epic fantasy vs small scale fantasy, the importance of tone, and more!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | Jam Edwards

Things We Read (or tried to…)

Berserk by Kentaro Miura (Wikipedia)

The Citadel of Fear by Francis Stevens (Gertrude Barrows Bennett)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Shadowland by Peter Straub

Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn

Twice Cursed edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane

Other Media We Mentioned

Dark Souls (Wikipedia)

Elden Ring (WIkipedia)

Magic Knight Rayearth by CLAMP

Pet Shop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (Episode 147 - Contemporary Fantasy)

Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Wikipedia)

Ravenloft (Wikipedia)

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

Leech by Hiron Ennes (Episode 184 - Horror)

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw (Episode 176 - Fantasy)

Norylska Groans by Michael R. Fletcher and Clayton W. Snyder

Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday (Wikipedia)

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman and various artists (Wikipedia)

Children of Men (Wikipedia)

The Children of Men by P.D. James

Fables by Bill Willingham and various artists (Wikipedia)

Deerskin by Robin McKinley

Links, Articles, and Things

Dark fantasy (Wikipedia)

Category:Dark fantasy anime and manga

Category:Dark fantasy video games

Grimdark Magazine

20 Dark Fantasy by BIPOC Authors

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Eleventh Cycle by Kian N. Ardalan

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

Babel, or the Necessity of Violence by R. F. Kuang

The Changeling by Victor LaValle

Jade City by Fonda Lee

She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse

Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi

The First Binding by R.R. Virdi

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, April 2nd we’ll be talking about the format of Non fiction Graphic Novels and Comics!

Then on Tuesday, April 16th we’ll be giving an update on Media we’ve recently enjoyed!

#genres #fiction #fantasy #dark fantasy

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skz-rin · 9 days

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[◉°] ... ⃕ STAY, rin.viee has made a post !

📸FROM RIN : April 16, 2024 - 08.03 PM KST

Liked by sabrinacarpenter, and 4,313,570 others

rin.viee: coach-ella?

view all 55,420 comments

sabrinacarpenter: so much fun doing this with youu ❤️💋

rin.viee: thank youu for having mee 💋💋

lettersfo_rin: RINCHELLA OMGGG

chvm3r: Besties of the century

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elisewriting · 1 year

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Song Of Stars

She breathed in the night’s aromatic breeze and blew stardust from her lungs with a smile he’d never seen before oh, there’s something sparkling in the air tonight -Elise Poem 52 from Song Of Stars Pinterest- elisewriting Instagram- elisewriting

View On WordPress

#elisewriting #poems #poetry #poetrybook #songofstars #womenwhowrite #womenwhowritepoetry #writer

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krystals-posts · 2 years

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🧜🏼‍♀️ MermaidNinja 💎Krystal 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Captains Log ⭐️ Stardust Date: 08.01.2022 ⭐️ 🔭Krystal’s Kaleidoscope:🔭 Full Video on FB (instagram short) 🚀Recalibrate & Align - Take a little trip… 🛸#astrology✨ Do not sit on that Astro. Gaze up. Go with the flow. - Sail with Saturn 🪐 Play with Pluto. 🐶🐶 Stay curious with Mercury 🤓 Live by the Sun & Love by the Moon. ✨Sky 🗺 Map✨ 🌞 Sun LEO ♌️ Element -FIRE 🔥 🌙 Moon VIRGO ♍️ Element -Earth 🌍 ***👽 Mars is next to North Node 🌙*** and Uranus 🦄*** This means… thunder storms 🌩 of triple shots of espresso ☕️ reaching a boiling point of knee jerk reactions. Things may get a little shaken up and dicey - and not like a martini 🍸 in your bikini 👙. Don’t fret… sometimes things need to get shaken up before they can be stirred into the smooth pools of relaxation we wish for. We are jumping into the month of August with a peak crazy wild cosmic atmosphere. Hold onto your seats because the rides a little bumpy, but when you recalibrate and are aware of the energy you can surf the tides and make the most of the ride. Mermaid 🧜‍♀️ Krystal Forecast: Todays… Monday 8.1.2022 🌊 Motion of Our Oceans 🌊 🌙 High Tide 🌊 🌙 Moon Virgo ♍️- We are super detail oriented and can help sort through and trouble shoot almost any challenge in our lives. We can be super helpful to each other and to ourselves. Good time for health oriented actions and paying attention to our regime and schedule. 🌙 Low Tide 🌊 🌙 Moon Virgo ♍️- Caution ⚠️… don’t bet too foxy and fix or fuss over everything. Relieve yourself with something artistic or a project that beautifies your environment. * * * Remember to Breathe & Hydrate 💧 Always ~ BEE 🐝 YOU #Unique #Unicorn🦄. Mermake today your #OM 🕉 💕 Thank you for the Love 💕 Xoxo 😘, 🦄 KMacK 🧜🏼‍♀️ 🏴‍☠️ 👽 🧚🏼‍♀️ Sessions Available - Calendar 🗓 - OPEN 🖤 Schedule personal yoga session & readings VISIT: mermaidkrystal.com #mermaid #krystal #ninja #pirate #warrior #priestess #sage #goddess #oracle #mystic #blonde #Chickasaw #Hawaiian #celtic #disney #princess #gypsy #crystal #alchemist #horoscope #moon #virgo #cosmos #dancer https://www.instagram.com/p/CguCRRELIL4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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oro-e-diamanti · 3 years

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Quiet Music: Poco a poco forte

In collaboration with @bethanysnow (whose askbox is always open!)

Jealousy was never a good look with stardust in the other’s eyes. Boundaries are tested. Fantasies are made hot and heavy with some alcohol. Will they make it back to the hotel all in one piece?

Content | Fluff

Pairing | fem!Reader x Damiano

Word Count | 5845

Taglist | @damianodavide @lizstans @unitersmoonshine @its-afucking-mess @ethaneskin @dont-let-me-drown-in-you @vampirtet @lividisuigomiti @juststalking @tabi-toast @ethan-torchio-angelo @cheese-toastie-11 @thewitchinthemountain @ethanesimp @sofckinelectric @man3skin @daddydamiano @finelinejpm @superchrystaldrug @ginny-lily @nientedaridere @rainbowmarta @tiaamberxx @shaunthesheesh @enjcltaire @rocketqueen @aleksanderwh0r3 @damianodavidhands @megann-duff @teatrodellavita @coven-daddy @till-you-scream-and-cry @solasullabarca @fanfictionandfluff @makapaka11 @slave4yourlove @geklutst-ei @marriedwithmarktuan @bookish0918 @mehrmonga @kanevill @butterfly-skinnylegend @lidiyabest @killerqueen1985 @ccweasley @bluscryn @deluxeplanteater @ohtorchio @messyhairday-me @bidet-and-legolas @maybanksslut @fuckim-so-gay @demoiselle-en-detresse00 @petit-poussin @fedorable-killjoys @luvbadass @buttercup-beeee @navs-bhat @etaerealboyv @tryymebitch @mell-bell @fenhakwe @solacestyles @softforlukescurls @vicsangel @theimpossiblehologramtree

***

Copenhagen was a whirlwind that barely left any time to breathe. Even the short break Y/n was granted in between was promptly used to make a dash for the nearest tourist shop. Adding a fridge magnet to her growing collection. No misses so far. She’d be lying if she wasn’t proud of it. Victoria gave a little tour through the city, giving ample opportunity to provide the fans with content via various social media platforms. A mad scramble back to the venue, soundcheck, dinner. A gig full of little mishaps, including Ethan losing a drumstick halfway through and Damiano almost tumbling off stage. At least the crew had gotten into a groove, ‘new tour’ jitters finally forgotten. That night, at the hotel, Y/n had found herself standing outside her door, empty ice bucket in hand. Somewhat wondering, hoping, someone would join her. Not just anyone. Him. But she wouldn’t knock on his door and he didn’t come to hers. It wasn’t to be. At least not that night.

The morning had brought the band another wake-up call from Y/n. Everyone was starting to settle into their routine. Get ready, get on the bus, get handed coffee by Y/n. She would be lying if she said she wasn’t enjoying this little comfort of domestic bliss, taking care of the people she was starting to consider friends. It felt right.

***

Damiano’s morning wasn’t quite as peaceful. His thoughts were plagued by images of Y/n. His decision to ‘cool it’ and back off a little seemed to be biting him in the arse. When she had come around to wake him up, she had been in a partially sheer blouse, black jeans and boots and he thought she looked like the perfect little alternative housewife. Luring him out of bed with the promise of coffee and breakfast. Now he was sitting on the couch on the bus, watching Y/n fly around the little kitchenette and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her bum in those jeans.

Nope, he wasn’t going to do anything about it. Not now. The conversation with Victoria two nights ago was still ringing in his head. He had decided she was right - no use in pursuing anything unless he was certain what he was feeling and what he wanted out of it. He would still have enough time to make his move once he figured it out. Right? He didn’t know what Y/n was thinking. Or what she thought of him, so no use dwelling on it. Still the thought struck him, he barely knew anything about her. He should probably talk to her more. Infallible logic, he thought to himself. Backing off and talking to her at the same time. Great.

“Y/n… how do you usually take your coffee, by the way?”

“Lots of creamer, usually. Sometimes a bit of sugar, if I’m feeling fancy. Or if I’m feeling really fancy at a café, I might get a caramel macchiato.”

“Caramel is always nice.” Of course, she would like caramel, he thought to himself. “Do you normally drink coffee or are you more or stereotypical British tea drinker?”

“I enjoy a cuppa when I’m home, definitely. Italians aren’t exactly known for their tea now, are they?” A smirk appeared on her face, maybe a little baffled by the conversation, but happy to humour him. “Lady Gray is a particular favourite. Followed by breakfast tea with some sugar and milk. Before coffee. I can make you some tea sometime if you fancy?”

“That’d be great. You know, I just had an amazing idea actually,” Damiano grinned. “When we first went to Berlin, there was this amazing tea shop - would you want to go when we have the gig there?”

“That sounds lovely,” Y/n replied. “Of course.”

Another step closer to getting to know her.

***

“Right, we’ve all got an hour until soundcheck and some press things, I’m gonna go take Chili on her walk, you lot do whatever you want until then.”

Y/n had expected a few non-committal grunts, a wave, maybe a “see you later, I’ll go have a nap”, but instead, the whole band seemed to be on their highest energy levels. All of them immediately scrambled to their feet, looking for shoes and jackets, proclaiming they wanted to see the city, maybe take some pictures for Instagram along the way. Y/n wouldn’t dare complain about the company.

It didn’t take them long to reach the harbour, walking along the river as they enjoyed the bustle of town and the view. Y/n found herself pulling out her phone, telling everyone to gather around her.

“I’m no photographer, but I do need some memories of all of this. Thomas, stop pulling that face!” Thomas quickly dropped the grimace as she took the picture, the historic old town in the background. Chili was busy running around between the five of them, loving whoever gave her the attention the most. Y/n thought Victoria was reaching for the leash, already preparing to hand it over, but instead the bassist grabbed her hand. Obviously in a giddy mood, she began swinging their intertwined hands between them as they walked. Y/n couldn’t bite back a smile. She had missed having a close friend ever since she had moved to Italy leaving her best friend behind in the UK and she felt like this blossoming friendship with Victoria could truly begin to fill the void in her heart.

The blonde girl pulled her into a deep hug as Chili decided to go bother Ethan instead.

“I want a photo with just you,” Vic explained, pulling out her own phone for a snapshot. Y/n complied with a sigh but wrapped her arms around her, ready to take the picture. Right as the click went off, Victoria pressed a kiss to her cheek, taking her by surprise. Neither of them could hold back a giggle at her face in the photo.

“I’ve got a surprise for you, by the way,” Y/n spoke up as a little break in the conversation offered itself. If only to distract from the affection and it worked perfectly. All eyes and ears on her. “I’ve booked a little dinner for tonight. But not just any dinner. A burlesque one!”

The group let out various cheers. Thomas immediately ran ahead of the group, shamelessly faking a striptease as they kept walking. Damiano made sure to record the performance, already giggling to himself. Thomas was in the middle of shrugging off his jacket, walking backwards, when - ouch! - he bumped into a pole, heavily bonking his head. Everyone erupted into hysterical laughter, and after rubbing the back of his head with a pour for a moment, even the guitarist joined in.

“You alright?” Y/n asked breathlessly, trying to hide the giggles in her voice, genuinely concerned about him still.

“Besides the fact that I just got all of you to drop your panties for me? I’m great!” The blond grinned at his own joke, as everyone else rolled their eyes.

“Yes! Oh my god, take me Thomas!” Damiano gasped dramatically, pushing himself up against Thomas, who grabbed onto his leg to dip him.

“Wait! Hold on!” Y/n shouted, once again grabbing her phone as the captured the moment. “Now that’s one for the fridge.”

***

Backstage was business as usual. Y/n once again took the time to watch the band soundcheck, always feeling soft looking at the way they played without having to be ‘on’, without putting on a big performance. Yet, she was still in work mode, phone displaying the name of a reporter she was waiting on, along with the name of the magazine she was working for. It didn’t take long for her to appear.

The woman was undeniably beautiful. Thin figure, long, red hair, picture perfect makeup. Even her clothes were pressed, luxury brands decorating her, adding to the pristine image. A press pass hung around her neck, acrylic nails tapping something into her phone. Leaning back, Y/n noticed the particular red leather on the bottom of the woman’s heels.

It was only after putting her phone away that she acknowledged Y/n at all.

“Anywhere I can sit down with the band?” Her eyes barely even met Y/n’s.

“Uh, yeah, once they’re done with soundcheck, they will be in the greenroom,” Y/n said, mustering the woman. “You the reporter?”

“Sure, sure. Can I go there now, sit down, get ready?”

Y/n studied the press pass on the woman’s neck, making sure she was actually the person they were looking for and shrugged. “Alright, follow me.”

She led the reporter further backstage. The greenroom was fitted with a couch and a couple of chairs, a vanity in front of the mirror and makeup already carelessly thrown around. A costume rack in the back.

“Make yourself at home.”

“Thanks,” the woman muttered, looking around the room, obviously dissatisfied with it’s slightly chaotic state and - probably - lack of style. “That’s all I need you for, then.”

Y/n’s eye twitched, busying herself with the clothes, reorganising them to distract herself.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but rules are rules. Can’t be in a room alone, privacy reasons and all that. I’m sure you understand.”

“Well then.” She carefully placed herself on one of the chairs, highly aware of her posture, her face, and the fact that she’d be right in view of everybody entering the room. “Maybe you can be a bit of help, then. You know, a little insider information between us girls… How into the whole, you know, rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle are they really? I’m talking, drugs, alcohol… groupies?”

It was no question as to what she was hinting at.

“Well, Damiano has a whole tattoo verifying that he hates parties. Plus, they’re not really known for that kind of stuff. And for the interview, I’d rather you stick to the approved questions that your magazine has discussed with our management. There’s no ‘insider information’ here -” Y/n was about to talk herself into a whole rant, when the door opened and the band moved into the room, joyous and hyped for the show that evening.

Victoria was the first to bounce over to Y/n, kissing her cheek, before collapsing on the couch next to her. Ethan, Thomas and Damiano followed suit. Chili had followed the band, now hopping onto the couch and making herself comfortable on Y/n’s lap. Ethan looked over at the reporter, brow raised. “You here to do the interview?”

“Oh you know it,” she winked. Y/n didn’t miss how her whole demeanour had changed and she couldn’t have been more annoyed. “Lovely to meet you all.”

She held out her hand to Ethan, the smirk never leaving her face, before greeting the others in a similar fashion. She held onto Damiano’s hand much longer than the others.

“Nice to meet you,” Damiano said, politely, sitting down as well.

“Oh, that’s no trouble at all,” she beamed at the singer. “Now, you’re here in Hamburg today, and in the part of town most notorious for having Europe’s largest red light district. Do you feel like that’s the perfect background for your gig tonight? You know, with the music you play and the way you dress - it’s not like you’ve been shy about sex in your career so far.”

They all chuckled slightly.

“Well, sexuality isn’t something to be ashamed about, at least we don’t think so. It’s part of everyday life and part of our own experiences so we put that into music,” Victoria eloquently explained. “And what we’ve seen of the city so far has been very beautiful.”

“Well, maybe I should give you a little tour then, show you the naughty parts of town,” she laughed. “Back on topic though, I imagine touring can be hard, being away from everyone. Do you ever get lonely on tour? For friends or… something else?”

Damiano coughed. “Sure, we get lonely, like anyone else would. But we make a family out of the crew. Everyone on our team is very close to us.” Y/n could clearly see in his eyes that he knew full well what the woman was hinting at. “We love touring, so when you love something, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Ethan nodded in agreement. Y/n could see through all of them easily - none of them wanted to be there.

“Yes, of course, touring can be difficult, but we have fun, so not that bad,” Thomas added.

Y/n didn’t miss the way the reporter briefly looked over her shoulder to muster a reaction from her. “Well I’m sure you’re easily able to find some fun away from your… crew. Lots of parties on tour so far?”

At that point, Y/n was ready to rip the reporter to shreds. But she knew she had to stay professional, and the band was more than able to hold their own, so she stayed quiet. Ethan next to her sat up a little, obviously uncomfortable.

“No, we don’t party. No time.” His vision went dark as he looked at the woman in front of them. As kind and mindful as he usually was, he didn’t shy down when it came to showing his scarier side when he needed to.

“Yeah. We sometimes go to a bar on a day off, but that’s about it. Work is more important,” Victoria threw in as she put an arm around Ethan on the back of the couch.

Y/n felt a wave of pride at the way the band was holding up. It was absolutely no secret to her that they were desperately waiting for this interview to end, annoyed with the reporter and the lines she kept trying to cross, but they stayed polite and professional. She thought that this was what made them real rockstars in that moment.

“Okay, one more question, then. You entered this business really young, you still are, yet you write quite mature music, how do you manage that?”

“We write what we want to write. Perform how we want to perform. I don’t think that has an age limit,” Damiano spoke curtly. His eyes flickered over to their assistant. Y/n was sure he didn’t miss the way she was staring daggers into the back of the reporter’s skull. “And music has always been a passion of ours. We just got lucky really early in life, I guess.”

“Well thank you very much for your time,” the reporter said, standing up, and once again reaching out her hand to say her goodbyes. “Hope to see you around…” As she came to Damiano, Y/n didn’t miss how she stuffed a little note in his hand. “...hopefully.”

“Can I go kick her face now?” Y/n stood up, seething, as soon as the reporter had left the room. “Sorry, no, that’s actually rude. But I’m going to call management and report that woman.”

“Yeah, that… wasn’t cool,” Ethan contemplated. “How about you make that call and then we take your mind off it with the dinner show you booked for us, yeah?”

Y/n took a deep breath, looking at Ethan, whose eyes had turned back to show nothing but kindness. She couldn’t wait to forget about this disaster for the rest of the evening and enjoy herself. With the band in tow, she was sure she would.

***

Damiano hadn’t been quite sure what to expect from dinner that evening - but it wasn’t a table smack in the middle of the first row right in front of the stage. He should have seen it coming, really. When Y/n planned and schemed, she always made sure to get them the best of the best. Determined to make sure everyone was having fun. She truly took care of them like no other.

A waiter was at their table in no time, taking orders for drinks and food, and the openers started before Damiano even had a chance to take a sip of his wine. As soon as it became obvious that the first act of the evening would be pole dancing. The rest of the band started snickering, nudging Damiano’s side. Still, they all watched in amazement as the dancer started their performance, music filling the room.

“You know, I could do that,” Damiano whispered in Y/n’s ear as he leaned in close. She looked over at him - at the performer - back to him.

“Sure you can,” she giggled.

“Oh I can,” Damiano insisted, leaning in closer than necessary now. “And in heels.”

Y/n couldn’t stop herself from coughing, choking ever so slightly on her drink, as her eyes widened and a slight shade of pink appeared on her face.

Damiano simply couldn’t help himself. He knew he had meant to back off, give her a little space, give himself some time to think, but the words simply slipped out. “I can always offer you a private show, you know?”

This time, she only paused for a moment before whispering back, “You teach me pole dancing, I’ll teach you rumba, yeah?”

Fuck, he hadn’t expected her to get the upper hand so quickly. Still, he never once lost his smirk, murmuring a “sure” back at her. She had gotten back her cool, focusing back on her meal now, only looking up to watch the performance every now and then in between bites. She was making it way too hard for him to back off. He wondered if she knew what she was doing to him.

Leaning back into his chair, Damiano watched the performer on stage. They were beautiful, no question about that. Amazing at what they did. It was impossible to keep your eyes off them, even Y/n kept getting distracted. He wondered if she’d look at him the same way if it was him up there. Or if he did a little show himself that night, on stage at their own gig. Catching her attention like the dancer was doing now. Maybe making her lose her mind a little bit. It was worth a try…

The performance was over much too quickly for his liking and only shortly after, the main dancer of the evening was announced to go on stage soon. It didn’t take long for the lights dimming, before fading to black completely. A hush falling over the crowd. A spotlight found a petite, blonde bombshell in the middle of the stage. Perfectly sculpted hair, blue boa feather skirt, a glitter corset that dripped with silver and gold accents. She seemed to be glistening under the stage light, body glitter accenting all the right curves and features. Then she turned around.

Damiano’s jaw dropped - along with just about everyone else’s. She was così bella, un angelo. She walked to the front of the stage as the crowd cheered and whistled. Damiano was enraptured by her. She was mystifyingly beautiful. Each move was carefully planned out, knowing exactly what she was doing and how to do it. She was feeding off the crowd, spurred on by the shouts and comments, as she moved across the stage.

Damiano’s eyes followed her closely. He felt hypnotised by her performance. He had never given burlesque much thought, but this show was changing his mind rapidly. The only thing to pull him out of his was a sigh - a disgruntled noise maybe - coming from his left. It was hard to make out Y/n’s face in the dark, he realised as he turned towards her. But if he’d learned anything about her body language in the past days, he was certain that she wasn’t happy. Her arms were crossed in front of her and she was leaned back in her chair in a way that tried to suggest she wasn’t bothered. But she was. He just couldn’t figure out why.

He was distracted when the dancer was back in front of their table, looking down at them from the stage. She sent all of them a wink, before pulling the elbow-length gloves off one by one and throwing them to the side with a smile. She mesmerised him, even as she moved away from them to give another table some attention. Yet, Y/n was playing at the back of his mind.

Why did she seem so mad? She was the one who had booked this dinner, why wasn’t she having fun? Was she still preoccupied with the reporter from before? Sure, that one had definitely stepped over lines, but he thought they’d all gotten out of there pretty unscathed. And the reporter's number had wandered into the bin immediately. He considered the matter closed.

The woman on stage slowly lowered herself into a split, causing pretty much the whole audience to lose their minds. This was too good. More cheers and applause from everywhere. Damiano heard Vic shouting vague words of encouragement as the woman lost her bra, only pasties covering her nipples now. Y/n let out a little groan and from the corner of his eye, he could see her rolling hers. This time, Damiano wasn’t the only one who noticed. He watched as Victoria and Ethan exchanged looks, then nods, and finally shrugs.

Finally the performance ended, the dancer leaving the stage with another wink and kiss blown towards them. Damiano wished it could’ve gone on for longer. These people knew how to turn sex into art, and he’d by lying if he said it didn’t inspire him.

“Okay, gather up, no time to waste,” Y/n order, getting up from her seat the second the lights were turned back on. “You have a show to play and I don’t want you to be late.”

Damiano threw another look around. Even Thomas, who had been too preoccupied drooling over the dancer to notice anything else, was now staring at Y/n questioningly.

“What’s going on with her?” The guitarist asked as they all gathered their stuff and followed their assistant outside.

“Fuck if I know,” Damiano mumbled. “But I wanna find out, sooner or later.”

***

It wasn’t like her to be jealous. She didn’t care much about what other people found enthralling. But Damiano had looked at the dancer as if she was god’s gift to humanity. Yes, she was pretty, yes, she knew how to shake her arse. Was it all that special? The dancer was petite, a perfect fit for Damiano’s arms. A perfect figure to match his. Y/n was confident, she knew she was beautiful, but unfortunately the rest of the world didn’t always think the same. Unlike the dancer on stage. That woman was more than beautiful… She was palatable, sexy, perfect in all the ways a woman should be. Qualities that Y/n was currently convinced she didn’t possess any of.

Okay, maybe she was jealous. But she didn’t have any right to be. The dancer was simply doing her job. And so what, if Damiano had fancied her? It wasn’t like they were together. She worked for him, that was all. She didn’t have any right to want anything from him beyond that.

The fresh air hit her face as she left the venue, forcing some clarity onto her. She’d have to get a grip and get back to focusing on her job. It’s what she was there for, after all.

***

Victoria bounced over the Y/n as she left the venue, full of adrenaline and happiness from the show she had just watched.

“That was amazing, Y/n! Where did you get the idea for this being today’s dinner?” She asked, hooking onto the assistant’s arm.

“Looked up places we could go online, found this one in a travel blog. Said it had amazing wine so I thought we could check it out,” she explained without looking up from her hands, which were toying with the receipt.

“Well, you sure do have impeccable taste,” Victoria grinned and kissed her cheek. It seemed to pull Y/n out of her head enough to look up at the bassist. But Vic’s smile vanished quickly when she saw the look in her eyes. It was cloudy, gloomy, enough to make Victoria freeze up. Thomas was excitedly chattering about the show in the performance in the background, how hot he thought the performers were, especially the last dancer. Damiano eagerly agreed. Y/n’s seemed to have a flash of venom on her face, and suddenly it clicked in Vic’s mind. Oh, she knew that look well, had carried it herself a couple of times in her life.. She was jealous. Y/n was jealous of the way they all - or maybe, someone in particular - had reacted to the woman on stage. And she was doing a bad job hiding it.

As soon as the car pulled up, everyone scrambled to get it. Y/n immediately started bouncing her leg, still a stormy look in her eyes. If it didn’t seem so serious, Victoria would be amused at the state their assistant was in. Yet, with the expression on her face right then and there, the bassist didn’t dare make a joke.

Damiano was sitting next to Y/n, and Victoria desperately tried to catch his eye. It took a slight kick against his shin to get him to look at her. She flickered eyes back and forth between Damiano and Y/n, motioning him towards the woman. Hoping he would understand. Luckily, they’d long gotten used to reading the other’s face, no need for a verbal conversation. Damiano looked down at Y/n’s hands, still picking at the receipt, and he quickly grabbed one of them. Interlacing their fingers and offering her a smile when she looked up. Her leg stopped bouncing immediately.

“You alright?” He whispered.

“Yeah. Am now.”

Victoria couldn’t bite back the smile on her face, quickly turning towards her phone to be less oblivious. Those two would do just fine, sooner or later, she was sure of it.

***

The concert venue was smaller than some of the others they’d been playing on this tour, but if anything, it had caused the crowd to be even more rowdy. Y/n once again sat to the side of the stage, engrossed in her phone. Damiano snuck a peek through the curtain, before retreating and watching Y/n instead. She didn’t seem half as gloomy as she did at the dinner show. But a certain forlorn quality was still obvious. She had never been this type of obviously sad or upset before. At least not to his attention. Well, he was determined to get her to laugh tonight. Whatever had ruined her mood, he was going to fix it.

The band was getting hyped up, gathering around, some last minute fixes to their instruments among excited chatter. Yet, apparently, it hadn’t been only him who noticed Y/n’s mood. Once again sharing a look with Ethan, Victoria motioned her head over to their assistant. He nodded, before walking over to Y/n, taking her by the hand to get her to stand up, and pressing a kiss to her cheek. Victoria quickly followed suit, then Thomas, who had caught on. Damiano quickly gave a wink before kissing her forehead instead.

“For luck!” He shouted, as he ran on stage, welcoming the crowd. A quick look back confirmed a bashful smile on her face.

Everyone was on fire that night, even Y/n seemed to let go of her bad mood more and more. Damiano didn’t miss the way she sang along to their cover of ‘Take Me Out’, obviously getting into the show more than previous nights. Knowing all the lyrics, dancing ever so slightly… Damiano realised he really had it bad for her.

He decided to go for it during “For your love”. With a pointed look towards her, he slowly started rolling off one arm of his jacket. Then the other. A little mock burlesque show of his own, dramatically shimmying his shoulders as he got rid of the jacket completely. The crowd more than appreciated his little performance, judging by their screams. The rest of the band was eating his energy up, playing harder, going crazier. As Damiano jogged over to grab some water, he didn’t miss the opportunity to turn his back towards Y/n, shaking his arse in a bad attempt at twerking. Turning back, he could see that she was desperately trying to bite back a smile. But he wasn’t done yet.

Making sure she was still looking at him, he began playing with his microphone. Giving it a teasing lick and sending her a wink at the same time. Watching her as he let his hand rest on his chest, slowly wandering lower with a teasing touch, until it rested in his lap. He only managed to keep it up for a second, before he couldn’t hold back the laugh at her expression anymore and turned back towards the audience.

But apparently, Y/n had some trick of her own. Well, it seemed like she wasn’t even aware of them, but they worked on Damiano all the same. She was taking her hair out of the pony tail for the night and he thought the way it cascaded around her face was beautiful. He felt like a movie cliche, watching as the main character let her hair down and everything suddenly happened in slow motion. Yet, here she was, trying to shove a bobby pin back into place, and he was losing his shit. He thought it was ridiculous though. The crazier her hair went, the crazier he went about her. She swayed to the music and for a second Damiano could swear time stood still.

I wonder if she likes her hair pulled… The thought distracted him to the point that he forgot what he was singing, quickly covering it up by animating the audience to sing it instead. He was glad to be nearing the end of the set. He’d never wish to go off stage, per se, but Y/n was once again occupying his thoughts and the way she was moving to the music now didn’t help.

Another song, another bow towards the audience, another well-practised “Danke!”, and they were off stage. Damiano briefly considered going over to Y/n, only to see Thomas basically chasing her away, threatening her with a sweaty hug. Her slightly panicked squeals proved she wasn’t a fan of the idea. He didn’t mind. He’d make sure there’d be more time to catch up with her later.

Briefly dropping into the dressing room, Damiano grabbed his cigarettes and a hoodie, before heading outside for a smoke. The backstage door led to a quieter alley than the famously busy Reeperbahn on the other end. But there were still more than a handful of people walking past, singing, dancing, shouting into the night, beer bottles in hand. It didn’t take long for everyone else to join him. Ethan headed outside first, bumming a cigarette off the singer, before Thomas and Victoria followed. They were once again involved in some sort of mock argument. Y/n stepped outside a minute later, phone in her hand, already back to work-mode and probably checking the plan for the next few days. Everyone was still on a high from the gig, chatting and giggling, but Damiano felt himself taking a step back. He loved watching his friends, loved what they did, loved that he got to do it with them. And now Y/n too, in a way. Not even a full week in and he knew that this tour wouldn’t have been the same without her.

He was rapidly pulled out of his thoughts as a group of men came towards them, obviously way past drunk. Yelling and hollering for no reason but to be annoying and get everyone’s attention. Damiano hated those kinds of drunks. In his experience they were nothing but trouble. He had half a mind to retreat back inside before they reached the group, but even in their inebriated stupor; they were quicker than expected.

“Now, who are these beautiful girls?” One of them slurred, stepping forward.

“Yeah! Bet you give a man a good time,” another one laughed loudly. “And a cheap one too.”

One of them was moving closer now, almost touching Victoria - but without even a moment to process what was happening, Y/n acted. Damiano watched, fascinated, as she grabbed the man’s extended hand, twisting it around his back and shoulder checking him into the brick wall of the alley. No second thought, no hesitation. Shouldn’t the men have been the one to react and take care of their girls? Well, it didn’t seem like Y/n was one to wait to be saved.

In a tone that he had never heard before - and neither had the rest of the band judging by their reactions - Y/n spoke, “You couldn’t afford me, mate. Or my friends. So I’d take your piss drunk self elsewhere, m’kay?”

The men were gone faster than lightning, stumbling to find their footing as they ran, only starting to comment on how she was a “fat fucking bitch” and how they “wouldn’t have wanted her anyway” when they were far enough away. Y/n wordlessly rejoined the group.

Damiano found himself releasing a breath. The whole scene had been over so quickly, he barely registered it. He wasn’t the only one either, he realised. As the other three kept staring at her, amazed and maybe slightly intimidated, while Y/n didn’t even react.

However, Damiano wasn’t just mesmerised by her behaviour. He was thrilled by her - in more ways than one. The way she had handled herself was downright hot. She was fierce, self-confident, and strong. He couldn’t keep himself from contemplating whether this was a side she would let out in the bedroom as well. Was she the type to take control? Order him around? Push him to a wall like she’d done that guy, only with very different intentions? He would be 100% okay with taking orders from her, he decided.

Y/n finally looked up from her phone, apparently feeling everyone’s stares on her.

“...What. I told you I worked security before.” She looked at Victoria, quietly asking her if she was alright. She simply nodded. Damiano still couldn’t keep his eyes off of their assistant. Damn, that woman had more to herself than she let on.

***

Damiano was still thinking about it an hour later. After everyone had gathered their stuff and gotten back to the hotel and split up into their rooms. After he’d gotten in the shower. His mind was still running wild. He quickly turned the water to cold, letting out a hiss at the change in temperature, but he knew he didn’t have the time or the privacy to do anything about his thoughts. Neither would he be knocking on Y/n’s door, desperate for some kind of attention.

Not tonight.

#maneskin fiction #damiano david imagine #damiano david x you #damiano david x reader #damiano david fiction #maneskin imagine #maneskin x you #maneskin x reader #quiet music #bethanysnow #mywriting

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iam93percentstardust · 2 years

Text

Stevetony One Shot Masterlist

Your Darkened Eyes (8k): Post-Endgame Steve is seduced by a young Tony and a darker version of himself

Invisible String (7k): Colorblind Tony can’t see the colors of his Strings of Fate

I Know Places (6k): Mob boss Steve kidnaps Tony

Luminous Glimmers on Ocean Waves (5.5k): Merpeople Steve and Tony meet again for the first time in a long time

At Your Feet (5k): Steve and Tony reunite after a mission

Paper Planes and Silent Joy (5k): Paperman AU

But In Dreams (5k): Post-Endgame mourning and Steve finding happiness where he can

Wave a Magic Wand Over This World (4.5k): Tony makes a decision that nearly destroys his happiness

Thanks for Watching (3.5k): Artist Steve meets Youtuber Tony

Speak Now (3.5k): Tony tries to convince Steve not to marry someone else

It's Gotten Too Darn Hot (3.5k): Tony tries to engineer sexy situations and fails

Champagne Problems (3.5k): Steve and Tony break up after a failed proposal and find their way back to each other

A Day in the Life (3k): An average day in a no-powers AU for Steve and Tony

I'd Search the World for You (3k): A soulmate AU set post-Endgame in the timeline Steve returns to

Hey, Stranger (3k): Steve and Tony try to roleplay as strangers

The Truths We Hide (3k): Loki casts a truth spell on Tony

Today Was a Fairytale (3k): Knight Steve and Prince Tony

Three Little Words (To Turn Your World Upside Down) (2.5k): Steve hasn’t caught up with Tony... yet

Sense of Memory and Desire (2.5k): Steve and Tony stare in a perfume ad

What's Mine is (Not) Yours (2.5k): Cat shifters Steve and Tony

I Found a Love for Me (2.5k): Chair smut

Heartbeats (2.5k): Steve hears heartbeats

Models and Other Odd Things You'll Find on Craigslist (2.5k): Steve needs a model, and Tony is available

Picture This (2k): Steve gets an Instagram account

Don't Blame Me (2k): Steve and Tony fuck in a club

Powerful Men (2k): Mob boss Steve and kept boy Tony

If You Love Me for Me (2k): Secret lovers Steve and Tony arrange their own marriage to stop a war

Wanna Hold On and Feel I Belong (2k): Secret relationship in the far future

And I'm Holding On Tight to You (2k): Fire Spirit Tony tries to court Ice Spirit Steve

Lavender and Sunshine (2k): How Tony and Steve celebrate Steve’s birthday

Star Light, Star Bright (2k): Stardust AU

The Benefits of Dating a Billionaire (2k): Steve likes to fuck Tony in his fancy cars

Beyond the Sea (2k): Pre-wedding fluff

Soft, My Love (1.5k): Soft lazy day fluff

Hey Steven (1.5k): Advice columnist Steve and missed connection Tony fall in love over letters

Jasmine and Peaches (1.5k): Royalty double identity porn

You Can’t Be Married (I’m Trying to Set You Up) (1.5k): Natasha tries to get professors Steve and Tony together

An Angel and a Demon Walk Into a Bar (1.5k): Good Omens AU

When I'm Looking at You (1.5k): Steve makes an anxious Tony feel better

Here's to Las Vegas (1.5k): Oops Vegas wedding

Tiny Stark (1.5k): Size kink porn

Wrapped Up in Your Love (1.5k): Tony does his best impersonation of a blanket burrito

Accidentally in Love (1.5k): Natasha tricks Steve and Tony into admitting their feelings

Ask Me Again (1.5k): Post-Civil War AU with established Stevetony

Sweet Dreams (1.5k): Emotional hurt/comfort after Steve has a nightmare

Slow and Sweet as Honey (1k): Lazy, half-asleep smut

Come Back to Me (1k): Post-Endgame AU where one universe’s Steve gives another universe’s Tony a warning

Just Talk to Me (1k): Steve averts the events of Age of Ultron

Triple-A Rated (1k): Bodyguard Steve

I'll Take Care of You (1k): Tony does a skincare routine for Steve

Let's Go See the Stars (1k): Steve and Tony see Rogers: The Musical

Together Again, Again (1k): Movie night fluff for the 10th anniversary of The Avengers

The Other (1k): Vampire Steve tries to convince Tony to let him turn him

Unbearably Adorable (1k): A deaged koala shifter Tony snuggles with grown grizzly bear shifter Steve

For Pleasure (1k): Omegas Steve and Tony share Tony’s heat

Just Breathe (1k): PWP with twink Tony and silver fox Steve

We Begin Again (1k): Branching timeline in Endgame AU

Underneath the Tree (800 words): Tony and Steve have differing opinions on Christmas

Did You Know? (750 words): Married antics

Hoist the Colors (700 words): Pirate Steve comes back for his royal lover

I'll Be Home for Christmas (650 words): Steve promised he’d be home in time for Christmas

Not-So-Ugly Christmas Sweaters (600 words): Steve gives Tony an ugly Christmas sweater

The Christmas Tree (500 words): Tony gives Steve what was supposed to be a jokey surprise

#alle does masterlists

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blossom-hwa · 3 years

Text

No Air - CHANGMIN

Special thanks to @deathbykpopboys and @wingkkun for letting me scream to them over this au!!!!!! I owe you two the world :D

Pairing: Changmin x fem!reader (fem only because of the second drabble, Stardust - there is no indication of gender in this scenario, however!)

Genre: fluff, like the slightest bit of angst, teacher!au

Triggers: cursing, alcohol, allusions to sex (nothing graphic)

Word Count: 8.4k

There will be no day in the world, Changmin swears, where he doesn’t lose his breath by looking at you.

Alternatively:

Five times you shock Changmin into silence, and one time he finds the courage to speak.

TBZ Masterlist | Stardust (Spinoff) | Touching Stars | Breathe, and Live

Listen. Changmin isn’t unreasonable. He understands that Juyeon is a bit of a party person – more than he is, anyway – and he understands what happens at parties, so he doesn’t care when every so often, Juyeon brings a hookup back to their apartment.

Fine. Understandable. Changmin went to university – with Juyeon, actually – and he knows what happens at parties. He’s done the same thing more than a few times, too, so he gets it, he really does. All he requests is that Juyeon tell him when he’s going out and whether or not he plans to get wasted and have sex so Changmin can go to Chanhee’s apartment or something and wait out the night.

Usually, Juyeon’s pretty good with this, and for that, Changmin’s grateful. His first roommate wasn’t anywhere near as courteous, which resulted in several one-sided prank wars and said roommate eventually moving out when he couldn’t deal with Changmin’s horror movie masks pinned up in random places anymore. Juyeon is infinitely better, both as a roommate and as a person.

So when Juyeon doesn’t fucking say anything this Saturday morning, Changmin assumes this will be one of those weekends where he’s not planning on going out. Fine. Changmin’s only plans for the day are to hole up in his room, alternatively scrolling through Instagram, watching horror movies, and inputting grades for his kindergartners. Whether or not Juyeon is present for his loafing around is irrelevant.

Irrelevant until he comes home near midnight, startling Changmin from the mess of papers on his desk without so much as a text to signal his return. Just as he’s getting up to check if Juyeon’s okay, he hears giggling, fucking giggling, and then Juyeon’s door slams.

It isn’t that loud, but Changmin can hear enough to figure out what’s going on.

Which is why he emerges from his room at seven on a Sunday fucking morning, eyes red and a scowl on his face big enough to send anyone in their right mind running. Yes, seven a.m., also known as an ungodly hour to be awake on a weekend, all because Juyeon couldn’t be bothered to tell him earlier that he was bringing someone home.

(The rational part of Changmin’s mind says it probably just slipped Juyeon’s mind. He’s been busy, lately, and more stressed than usual – something about Sangyeon getting abnormally sick and having to deal with a clueless substitute manager at the daycare – and he probably just forgot to say anything.

The irrational part, though, doesn’t care. And seeing as it’s much bigger than the rational part at seven o’clock in the morning on a Sunday, Changmin chooses to listen to it instead.)

Coffee is the first thing Changmin’s sleep-deprived mind thinks of. Coffee first, then he can contemplate how best to make Juyeon’s life miserable for the rest of the day (no longer than that, because even though Juyeon violated their unspoken roommate code of conduct, he’s stressed and Changmin isn’t entirely evil, no matter what Kevin says).

He’s made his way about halfway across the living room when his nose registers a smell coming from the kitchen that isn’t a caffeinated drink.

And it smells good.

What… what the fuck.

Changmin blinks, at least three times more awake than before. He and Juyeon can cook, minimally, but neither of them uses the kitchen in the morning unless it’s for his daily shot of caffeine. The one time Juyeon tried to cook a breakfast that was more complicated than eggs on toast, there was smoke and Changmin almost called the fire department.

So what kind of person breaks into someone else’s apartment to make breakfast?

Slowly, he starts walking again, trying to be alert. Sizzling sounds grow louder in his ears as he pads closer to the kitchen, all the while painfully aware that this is how people get murdered in the horror movies he likes to watch. Yeah. They get killed trying to investigate the unknown sound in the basement.

And sure, this is the kitchen, not the basement, and the sound is cooking and not weird creaking, but whatever. It could be a demon who likes eggs. Who knows?

(The thought is a bit interesting, actually. Maybe he could get this cooking demon to make him breakfast every morning if he struck the right deal.)

Then Changmin steps into the kitchen entrance and has several aneurysm-inducing realizations in the span of thirty seconds.

First realization: there is no visible cooking demon.

Second realization: there is in fact a person cooking at the stove who could be a demon. Who knows.

Third realization: there are eggs on the stove and the rice cooker is on, implying there will be rice.

Fourth, and worst realization: this person cooking at the stove is probably Juyeon’s hookup from last night, one of the very people he was swearing murder on at two o’clock in the morning.

Probably sensing his presence, you turn around just as Changmin has come to this fourth conclusion. And as you stare at him, he belatedly arrives at several more realizations, none of which are quite aneurysm-inducing but shake him nonetheless.

One: you’re smiling oddly widely for this early in the morning.

Two: you look abnormally put together. And dressed. Especially after last night.

Three: you’re… pretty. Very pretty.

Changmin’s mouth goes a little dry.

“Hi!” you say, still smiling. “Are you Juyeon’s roommate?”

Wordlessly, he nods.

“Sorry about this,” you apologize. “Juyeon said I could use the kitchen when I woke up, I didn’t realize anyone would be home just yet. Did you get back earlier?”

Changmin blinks once. Twice.

How does he explain to you that he was literally two doors down from Juyeon’s room the entire night?

You seem to come to this realization before Changmin can say anything, which kind of a relief because he seems completely and utterly tongue tied at the moment, but also extremely embarrassing because… well.

Who the hell wants to admit that they heard their roommate having sex for half the night?

“Oh, shit.” The words seem to slip from your mouth almost involuntarily, and you press your lips together, suddenly unable to meet Changmin’s gaze. “I… see.” Your voice turns small, much thinner than the comfortable tones you were using earlier. “Sorry.”

It takes five whole seconds for Changmin to finally find his voice. “It’s fine,” he says, words squeakier than he would have liked, but at least his voice didn’t crack. “It… it wasn’t that bad. Really.”

Then he internally starts screaming, because what the fuck did he just say? It wasn’t that bad? Seriously?

“Well, the least I can do is make you breakfast as an apology.” You smile slightly, looking back at Changmin with some of your previous vivacity. “I ate a bit already, this was just supposed to be for Juyeon later. He mentioned he doesn’t really cook so I made more than I probably would.”

It’s that last sentence that makes something slightly unpleasant twist in Changmin’s stomach, words bursting through his lips without a second thought. “Are you dating?”

Your eyes widen and you laugh. You laugh, you really laugh, a laugh that makes Changmin feel like he’s touching stars with how transcendent it sounds. “God, no,” you say, grinning. “Not dating. I only met him last night.”

Changmin tries to smile, tries to curve his lips into something that isn’t just the neutral line his face has been stuck in since he walked into the kitchen. “I see,” he says, very lamely.

You don’t seem to notice (or if you do, you don’t care), just flash him another quick smile before you turn back to the eggs you’re stirring on the stove. For a few minutes, silence falls as Changmin skirts around you, finally putting the coffee maker to use. “Do you want some?” he finds the courage to ask as the coffee finishes brewing.

Looking up from the eggs you’re plating, you nod. “If that’s all right with you.”

Wordlessly, he just tries to smile again, filling a second mug from the cabinet and handing it over to you. “There’s creamer in the fridge,” he says softly. “And I think I can find sugar, if you want.”

“I’m okay with my coffee black.” You flash him the warmest smile he’s ever seen (seriously, who can be this bright this early in the morning? You might not be a cooking demon like Changmin thought before, but you might be an angel, he thinks, an angel sent to make his shitty morning marginally better). “Wakes me up.” Half the mug goes down your throat in one gulp. “I should probably go now, but like I said, the eggs and rice are for you and Juyeon. I hope it’s fine.”

That last bit finally jerks Changmin out of his mostly silent daze, if only to give thanks (while trying not to admire how you seem to shine brighter than the sunlight coming through the kitchen window). “It’s more than fine,” he says. “We don’t really cook in the morning, so I appreciate it. A lot.”

Your grin makes Changmin feel warm and tingly all over. “Thanks.” Lowering your now-empty mug of coffee, you blink quickly, as though just coming to a realization. “Hey, what’s your name? I don’t think I ever caught it.”

Changmin buffers, halfway through his second sip of coffee (how you finished yours so quickly, he has no idea), then registers the question. “Oh, I’m Changmin. And, um, I can wash that. Don’t worry.” He points to the mug you’re about to place in the sink.

“Thanks.” You hand him the mug, and Changmin valiantly ignores the tingle that rushes up his arm when your fingers brush his. “I really should go now, but I’m Y/N. I hope we meet again, Changmin.” Embarrassment comes into your eyes, but you don’t look away this time, only smile more shyly. “Though under better circumstances, maybe.”

A smile spreads across Changmin’s face at that. “I’d like that,” he replies. “See you, Y/N.”

“See you, Changmin.” Then you’re whirling out the door with only a wave and a last smile, leaving Changmin to wonder if those last ten minutes were a fever dream.

(The eggs on the stove tell him they weren’t, but the warmth in your smile keeps trying to convince him otherwise.)

. . . . .

ii.

When Changmin went off on Juyeon for bringing home a hookup (a really nice hookup on whom he may or may not have a tiny crush on), he did not expect to be sitting in a bar with you and several university friends just two weeks later, all as a result of Juyeon finally gathering enough cells to kickstart his poor excuse of a pea brain.

Changmin doesn’t know when or how Juyeon even put together a brain, but he doesn’t like it.

Look, even though he said he’d like to see you again, that doesn’t mean he actually thought it would happen. He meant everything he said – he would really love to figure out whether or not those ten minutes were actually a fever dream, whether or not you’re actually a real person – but he didn’t see how you two could reasonably meet up again. No contact info was exchanged, just two names. And for all Changmin knows, there’s at least a thousand other people in the world with the same name as you.

So when Juyeon comes stumbling into the kitchen a half hour later and Changmin starts ripping into him for not letting him know he was going out before he did, the last thing he expects is for Juyeon to catch on the fact that he’s (really) interested in you as a person. Normally, Juyeon only focuses on kids and dancing, the two current loves of his life. Anything else goes in one ear and flies out the other, especially early in the morning.

Well, maybe he gives himself away a little bit when he attacks Juyeon a little less than usual. Maybe the lack of angry biting does it (in his defense, he was eating your food, which was really good). Maybe it’s the fact that he tried to ask how Juyeon knew you without revealing anything (which never works because Ji Changmin might be many things, but an actor is not one of them. That’s Younghoon’s job).

Either way, something fires up in Juyeon’s stupid little brain and he smirks. “Why are you asking me so much?” he asks in reply to Changmin’s questions. “Interested in Y/N?”

Looking back, he probably should have said something obvious like “who wouldn’t be interested in a hookup who made breakfast?” or just started attacking Juyeon again. That sort of behavior would’ve been believable, at least. But no, Changmin’s brain decides to freeze while Juyeon’s brain takes a power up, so he ends up with Juyeon’s finger right in his face, smirking. “You like Y/N, don’t you?” he asks, grinning way too widely to be normal.

Changmin bolts as Juyeon cackles loudly in the kitchen.

He expects that to be the end of it, honestly. Juyeon may have a teasing streak behind his innocent face, but the threat of a one-sided prank war to rival the one that drove his old roommate out is usually enough to keep him in line.

So now that he’s sitting in front of you, desperately hoping his blush is hidden by the flashing lights of the bar as Juyeon smirks on the side, he doesn’t know what to think. He doesn’t know what to do.

Who let Juyeon gain brain cells?

Changmin literally feels like he can’t breathe.

It doesn’t help, either, that you look gorgeous tonight. Dressed simply but elegantly, you laugh your way through a few shots, teasing Chanhee and Younghoon with an ease that previously was only matched by Changmin himself.

You met Chanhee at university, Changmin learns as he sits there quietly, nursing his drink. As a computer science major, some of your course load aligned with his, and you kept in contact even after graduating. You’ve brought along a couple friends of your own. Julia Choi is abnormally pretty and apparently a physics genius. Lee Jaehyun is ridiculously handsome (if a little ditzy) and works at the same company as you, though in marketing, not research.

But you… you’re the only one who takes Changmin’s breath away. Because not only are you sweet enough and kind enough to make breakfast for a hookup and his roommate, you’re also brilliant. A computer science major who graduated at the top of your major and is now head of a major software development project at one of the biggest companies in the country.

Changmin, the result of a child education major and a dance minor, feels a bit small at first.

At some point, though, people start trickling away. Jaehyun goes home early, cheerfully saying he needs to be back in time to tuck his daughter into bed. Chanhee decides he has to work on his master’s thesis or he’ll go insane, and because Younghoon is his ride, he dutifully follows. Juyeon and Julia then peel off for the dance floor (not before giving Changmin ridiculously weird winks), leaving him to sit at the table with you in increasingly awkward silence.

“Not drinking tonight?” you finally ask, nodding at the water that now fills his glass.

“Oh.” He looks down. “No, I have some work that I need to get through tomorrow, so I’d, uh, I’d rather keep a clear head tonight.”

“Smart.” You rest your chin on a hand, still looking very lucid (and very gorgeous) even after several shots. “What kind of work? We all talked about ourselves tonight, but I don’t think I heard too much from you, Changmin.”

“Oh.” He tries to smile, but it’s so hard to when your grin is so blinding. “I’m the same as Juyeon, really. Child education major, dance minor.”

Your mouth opens in a small “o,” but to Changmin’s surprise, you don’t look disinterested at the admission. If anything, you only look more intrigued. “Do you work at the same daycare as him?”

“No, I’m a kindergarten teacher, actually.” The smile comes more easily now that he doesn’t think you’ll judge (at least not as hard). “I work at the elementary school a few blocks away from his daycare center. But we’re both on the same dance crew.”

“That’s so cool.” You grin. “I wish I could dance, but I have two left feet.”

A bit of bravery rushes through Changmin’s veins. “Is that why you’re not on the dance floor, then?”

Your laugh, though rueful, sounds like magic in his ears. “Partially,” you admit. “But I also have a meeting tomorrow, so I don’t want to show up… dead on my feet. Literally.”

Changmin laughs at that, really laughs (even though it wasn’t even that funny, what the fuck?). “Reasonable,” he replies. “But a meeting on a Sunday?”

You roll your eyes. “Corporate shit,” you say, taking another shot as though it’s the only thing keeping you going (and judging from the expression on your face, it might be). “The higher ups are mean. Luckily, it’s only supposed to be an hour long. Anyway.” You bat a hand, as though waving the subject away (the gesture is endearing, even adorable, and makes Changmin want to cry a little). “I don’t want to talk about my job, that’s boring. What about you?”

“Boring?” Changmin repeats, incredulous. “Seriously?”

“Well, not boring. I enjoy it.” You smile. “But nothing weird has happened lately. Juyeon had some whack stories from the daycare – you’ve got to have a few from kindergarten.”

Two particular memories pop up in Changmin’s mind, experiences that still makes him cringe in embarrassment and horror. The squirrel incident is still too fresh to dig into, but he can tell the dance crew story, he guesses. “Well, I can tell you how I found out the head of Juyeon’s dance crew is actually the mom of one of the kids I teach.”

You lean forward, eyes widened in intrigued horror. “Please do tell.”

The second Changmin saw you sitting at the bar with his friends earlier that night, he swore himself to silence out of embarrassment and awe. As the night passes, though, you manage to lure him out of his shell, teasing him with scraps of information about yourself and learning more about him than he’d planned to tell. By the time Juyeon and Julia have returned, between embarrassment at his weird stories and your offhanded compliments (seriously, he’s never gotten such a sincere compliment on his fake glasses, not ever), Changmin’s blushing harder than he ever has.

The cool air outside calms his frazzled mind somewhat, but a slight brush of your hand against his as you enter a cab with Julia (and he can’t even say it’s because of alcohol, since he barely drank anything tonight). In a daze, he waves goodbye, leaving him and Juyeon to walk home.

“So.” Juyeon nudges him slightly, a stupid grin on his face. “Am I the best roommate or what?”

Changmin scowls. “You’re an ass.”

“Excuse me? I just got you to meet up with your crush, and this is how you thank me?” Juyeon replies, indignant. “I should move in with Younghoon, you’re so mean.”

“I don’t have a crush on one of your hookups,” Changmin snaps. “Just – Y/N’s interesting, okay?”

Juyeon hums, looking annoyingly smug. “Sounds like a crush,” he says before screeching as Changmin jumps onto his back and threatens to bite his shoulder.

(It is a crush. It’s a ridiculously real crush that makes Changmin stop breathing when he wakes up the next morning and realizes he never even got your number.

Juyeon finds him five minutes later, still screaming into his pillow.)

. . . . .

iii.

He finds you on Instagram.

It’s not on purpose. He swears. Changmin isn’t a stalker. It’s just that Chanhee posted another stupid photo of himself with his neck tilted all the way back like always and while Changmin was writing out a comment to clown his best friend, he happened to see that a username with your name in it had also liked the photo.

Okay, fine. He admits that he tapped on the username. But that isn’t stalking, right? That’s just trying to figure out whether or not that person really is you.

It does turn out to be you. And that’s when Changmin has his first aneurysm of the morning, because even though your account is private and he can only see your profile photo, that photo is cute as all hell and he can feel himself slowly dying from it as he faceplants into his pillow.

(Yeah, he hasn’t even gotten out of bed yet. It really is too early for this.)

For five whole minutes, Changmin’s thumb hovers over the follow button. Would it be too creepy, too forward of him to send a follow request, especially since you two have only met twice? Sure, you had a fun conversation last time, but two meetings. It took several years of friendship to give Chanhee his username.

Well, that could’ve been because Instagram hadn’t been a thing when he first befriended Chanhee so many years ago. But still.

Besides, what if you just feel weirded out by it? He can’t exactly explain how he found your Instagram – you might just think he’s a stalker and ignore him. And you didn’t offer your phone number last time, so what if you’re just… not interested? Not even in a friendship?

His brain takes that moment to remind him that he didn’t offer his phone number either. For the second time that morning, he goes to faceplant into his bed.

Then his thumb slips.

And hits the motherfucking follow button.

A screech, a dolphin screech to rival all other dolphin screeches tears itself from Changmin’s lungs as he snaps his head up, staring in horror at the little request sent! message that’s appeared.

Juyeon stumbles into the room as Changmin rolls off the bed, landing with a thump on the floor. Bleary-eyed, messy-haired, his roommate looks down at him with confusion evident all over his face. “… Changmin?”

He just dolphin screams again, this time with no pillow to muffle the sound. Juyeon mutters something he can’t hear, then closes the door with a startling precision, like Changmin’s room is ready to explode any second.

Honestly, it isn’t far from the truth.

It takes at least five minutes for Changmin to gather the courage to pick his phone up again. As he climbs back onto the bed, grabbing the device still nestled between his blankets, his mind races with thoughts of no no no NO NO NO I DIDN’T DO THAT I DIDN’T DO THAT WHAT DO I DO DO I CANCEL THE REQUEST OR JUST LEAVE IT –

You accepted the request.

And you requested him back.

No dolphin screech comes out this time, because Changmin can’t breathe. He physically cannot fucking breathe.

First, he accepts the request.

Second, he throws the phone to the end of the bed, where it bounces once, twice on the mattress before falling to the floor.

What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck why did you accept his request why did you ACCEPT THE REQUEST and WHY DID YOU REQUEST TO FOLLOW BACK –

His phone buzzes against the floor, long and loud, unmuffled by any blankets.

Changmin crawls to the edge of his bed, feeling like a stupid teenager in one of Younghoon’s stupid high school romance dramas. What was the one he acted in back in university? Love Revolution or some shit? Well, he feels a bit like the clueless main lead, though you’re much friendlier than the love interest.

He peers over the blankets. Looks at his phone on the floor. One little red dot has appeared in the corner of the Instagram home screen, right on the DMs button.

Aaaaaaand Changmin can’t breathe again.

This is not doing good things for my heart, he thinks as he finally gains the mental stability to pick up his phone. This crush is going to kill him early, going to send him into cardiac arrest or something –

He opens his DMs. Stares in disbelief at the fact that you have sent him a message.

Hey Changmin!

Changmin may as well just quit breathing at this point if you’re going to keep knocking the air out of his lungs even when you aren’t here. Seriously. If two stupid words, one of which is literally just his name, can render him speechless and unable to think…

Yeah, this crush is definitely going to kill him early.

With shaky fingers, he types out a similar message, hovers over the send button for ten seconds too long, then accidentally presses it. Exactly the same way he accidentally requested to follow you.

Hey Y/N :)

The minute the message sends, he regrets it. What if you don’t like smiley faces? What if that came off too strong? He should’ve just used an exclamation mark like you did, what the fuck you idiot Ji Changmin –

I wanted to ask for your number last time we met, but it totally slipped my mind :(

but now that we found each other here, do you mind exchanging numbers now?

Changmin screams.

(Juyeon comes into the room again to find Changmin screeching into his pillow for the third or fourth or fifth time that morning. After a period of bemused silence, he picks up the phone lying uselessly next to Changmin and immediately snorts. When he finally has the presence of mind to look up again, Juyeon’s already gone, and there’s a new message on his phone, supposedly sent from him.

Yeah, of course! Here’s mine

And beneath the message Juyeon so kindly sent on his behalf is another one from you, consisting of an awesome, here’s mine as well! Let’s keep in touch!! with your number right below it.

If Changmin falls off of his bed again, well, at least no one’s there to witness it.)

. . . . .

iv.

It isn’t every day when Changmin feels like punching someone in the face (not just biting them – punching. The first obviously indicates affection, unlike the second), and he certainly doesn’t expect it when he’s just visiting you at work, bringing you a cup of coffee after a doctor’s appointment put him in the area.

There isn’t a single indication that today is a punching-face day, even when you step out of the elevator, a grin on your face. “Hey, Changmin.”

“Hey.” He hands you the still-warm cup of coffee in his hands. “How’s your day been?”

You roll your eyes. “Let’s just say I needed this,” you say, gulping half the cup down in one go. Changmin’s reminded of the time you downed a mug of coffee in two gulps that first time he met you in the kitchen. “Thank you so much.”

“Anytime,” he replies, smiling.

Conversation flows freely for several lovely minutes in the building lobby – why Changmin was in the area, when his next dance performance is (which you promise to attend, raising a cloud of butterflies in his stomach), how your latest presentation went and whether or not you secured the funding – until you look at your watch with sigh and say you should get back to work.

“Just a couple hours, right?” Changmin says, trying to cheer you up.

You roll your eyes ruefully. “Well, yeah, but in the presence of some of my oh-so-kind colleagues –”

As if on cue, the elevator dings open again, drawing Changmin’s attention. At his change of focus, you look around too, glancing briefly at the two men who walk out.

Your expression twists. Changmin blinks. “Is something wrong?”

“You know the oh-so-kind colleagues I was talking about?” You grimace. “Guy on your right is one of them.”

From the looks of it, both men haven’t noticed you there yet. Fair enough. The lobby is kind of full today, people milling about and entering different rooms. But Changmin is still startled to hear your name coming from one of the men’s lips.

And from the looks of it, you are too.

“… yeah, I heard that’s how Y/N got that promotion.” The tall man you referred to earlier raises his shoulders in a what can you do gesture. “I mean, hooking up with someone for a little extra cash isn’t unheard of, but really?” He sighs. “People are just getting worse –”

Changmin winces, reaching out to take your hand and maybe pull you away. You shouldn’t need to hear any of this, it’s clearly a stupid rumor that you shouldn’t have to trouble yourself with –

You turn around so fast it almost gives Changmin whiplash. “Things are about to get a lot worse, Kim Mingyu,” you snarl, “if you don’t close your mouth right now.”

Both men look like someone has just slapped their faces. Which, honestly, your words might have.

“Of course you’re the one who’s been spreading the rumors.” You pinch your noise between two fingers. “Why would I expect anything more? And in the company lobby, too, seriously. Could you be more unprofessional?”

Mingyu opens his mouth, looking like a gaping fish. “I –”

“No, shut it. This ends here.” You step forward. “You’ve been spreading this rumor since literally five months ago when I got that promotion. Five months. Are you seriously still hung up over this?” Changmin can feel the anger radiating off of you as you stare Mingyu dead in the eye. “Maybe just try and wrap your head around the fact that I work harder and am a better leader – and not to mention a better person – than you? Maybe stop attributing my success to my sleeping with our higher ups and understand that I deserved that promotion more than you?”

The whole lobby has gone silent in your tirade. Mingyu’s mouth is closed, snapped shut. His companion has been inching away slowly, slowly, ever since you started talking.

Meanwhile, Changmin is fully in awe.

“I am so sick of you,” you hiss. “Try spreading your rumors again, I dare you.” You shake your head. “You disgust me.”

Silence continues to reign in the lobby when you finish. You weren’t even talking that loudly, voice kept mostly to a hushed hiss, but Changmin can’t hear anything but your words echoing over and over in his head, pounding the inside of his brain.

You didn’t need him to pull you away. You didn’t even need him to defend you, not in the slightest.

Admiration blooms in Changmin’s chest. You can handle assholes on your own.

With a clipped “excuse me,” you turn around and walk out of the building, breaking the spell of quiet. All of a sudden people begin to move again, whispering, talking, though Mingyu still stands there, ears beginning to turn red. The other man has disappeared.

Changmin turns around and follows you out into the open air.

For a moment, you two stand in silence. You’re still fuming, based on the look on your face, and Changmin is still trying to regain his breath after everything you just said.

“I could punch him,” he finally says, breaking the silence. “I don’t work here. It wouldn’t affect me.”

You look over, eyebrows raised, and for a split second Changmin thinks he’s said the wrong thing. That you’re offended, that you think he’s fighting your battles for you when you can handle them perfectly yourself – it’s something Changmin might have said, after all, during his reckless university years –

And then you smile. It’s short, brief, but a semblance of your normal sparkle reenters your eyes. “I appreciate it,” you say, “but no thanks, Changmin.”

“He’s an asshole,” Changmin mutters. “Seriously.”

Suddenly looking very tired, you nod. “Yeah. And the worst thing is that some people actually believed what he said.”

And again, Changmin is struck into silence. Not necessarily because of you, but because of the audacity that some people have to assume such things without even knowing how wonderful, how lovely, how hardworking and determined and amazing you are.

His fingers curl into a fist, itching to punch Mingyu in the face.

Then he registers the silence. You’re looking at him, Changmin realizes, looking at him with a slight uncertainty in your gaze. He blinks, confused.

Then –

Oh.

You’re probably wondering if he believes Mingyu too.

“What he said is such a load of bullshit,” Changmin says, crossing his arms. “You deserve your place, Y/N, and if people can’t see it, then that’s just their loss. You’re a good person, and I’m glad we met.”

Really glad. Really, really glad.

Because when else would he have been lucky enough to meet someone as breathtaking as you?

A slow smile begins to spread over your face after Changmin speaks. It’s a little sad, a little tired, but still as lovely as ever. “Thanks, Changmin.”

His heart flutters. “It’s just the truth.”

(You send him a text later in the evening, thanking him again. There seems to be something deeper in your words, though, gratitude for something more than just a cup of coffee that you don’t want to reference directly.

He replies with a quick anytime. Then, thinking again –

I know we haven’t known each other for too long, but I’m always here for you if you need an ear.

You read the message. There are two minutes of silence, two long minutes that leave Changmin twisting his blankets between his fingers.

Thanks, Changmin. I really appreciate you.

He smiles.

I really appreciate you, too.)

. . . . .

Today, Changmin decides, is not a very good day.

First, the kids at school were in an extremely active mood today for seemingly no reason. Normally, Changmin loves energy in his classroom, but today, it was a bit too much after a night of submitting reports.

Second, dance practice went somewhat poorly. He couldn’t get this single move right, no matter how hard he tried, and by the time the hour was up, he felt miserable.

Third, Juyeon’s at a party, which is somewhat normal for a Friday. It would be fine if Changmin had a place to sleep, which he did until twenty minutes ago when Chanhee called to say his apartment got flooded and he would be staying with his parents for the next few days.

Which means he has no place to stay.

So here he is, unlocking Stray Studios with the key the owner gave him when he became part of her dance crew. Technically he shouldn’t be here since it’s after hours, but she told him he could practice whenever he wanted, as long as there was an empty room.

And all the rooms are empty after everyone’s gone.

Throwing his bag on the floor, still full of his overnight stuff that he was bringing to Chanhee’s, Changmin scrolls through his phone for the song that was giving him issue. As the first bars begin to play, he gets into position, ready to beat that move into submission.

Then the music stops and his ringtone blasts through the studio.

Practically wheezing with terror and surprise, Changmin picks up his phone, frowning at the name. Why are you calling so late at night?

He picks up. “Hello?”

“Hey!” you chirp, and for some stupid reason, even though his day’s been shit and he’s been frowning for the past half hour, a smile begins to tug at his lips. “What’s up?”

“Uh… not much. Why’d you call?” Then he panics. “Not that I didn’t want you to call, uh, it’s just… unexpected?” He checks the time. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

Your laugh sounds more like a sigh. “Work never stops,” you say. Changmin can hear the exhaustion hidden behind your bright words. It makes him frown, but before he can say something, you’re talking again. “Chanhee called and said you were supposed to stay over at his for the night, but he had to cancel because his apartment flooded.”

“Um, yeah.” Changmin scowls. “Why…?”

“He asked if I could let you stay over at my apartment for the night.”

Changmin’s heart stops. Literally stops. He actually thinks he stops breathing for a moment – at least, he doesn’t register himself taking a breath until you say his name, sounding confused. “Changmin?”

Panic. Lots of panic. “I’m fine,” he tries to say. “Really, I’m fine, I can just go back home, I don’t want to bother you while you’re working –”

“You’re not bothering me,” you say, cutting him off. “Ever.”

A pregnant silence falls. Changmin’s heart beats faster.

Is it just him, or was there something deeper in your words?

Then you start talking again, and Changmin brushes it all off. Definitely just him. “I can come pick you up, wherever you are,” you say. “Why were you going to stay over at Chanhee’s, anyway?”

“Oh.” Changmin grimaces. “Juyeon might bring someone over tonight, and going to Chanhee’s is my usual plan. Really, I could just go home, it’s not that bad –”

“Didn’t you already have to suffer through Juyeon and I?” You laugh. “Think of this as me paying you back for that indignity.”

“You made me breakfast, though,” Changmin protests. “That counts.”

“Well, this counts more.” The clinking of keys sounds on the other end. “Where are you?”

“Stray Studios,” he says, giving up. Even if he keeps arguing, you’ll either win or just show up anyway. “Call me when you get here.”

You arrive fifteen minutes later, just as Changmin’s locking up. He waves, trying his best to stop the fluttering in his heart. “Hi.”

“Hello!” You beam up at him from the driver’s seat. “I forgot to ask, what are you doing at a dance studio so late at night?”

Changmin flushes. “Dance practice gave me issues today,” he says, sliding into the passenger seat. “I thought I’d try to figure out the moves if I couldn’t go home.”

You hum. “What move were you stuck on?”

He blinks once. Twice. “Uh, can’t exactly show you in the car…?”

“Oh, right.” You open the door and step out. “Show me here!”

From inside the car, Changmin only stares. “What –”

“Studies say that trying to teach someone else a concept can help you learn it better.” You grin, faint moonlight shining over your body. “I’m a horrible dancer, but why not try?”

Two seconds in, though, it becomes clear that this is not an ideal situation. Changmin cannot breathe, cannot speak, cannot do a single thing for fear of bringing air into his lungs.

Because if he breathes, he’s going to laugh.

And laugh.

With your limbs flying awkwardly through the air, the expression on your face twisted in concentration, you look something like a marionette puppet gone wrong in the worst way.

“Like that?” you ask, looking over for approval.

Changmin won’t breathe. He will not breathe, will not suck in a single breath, will not laugh –

You deflate, a half-smile tilting your lips as you shove him lightly. “You can laugh.”

Those three words release the dam, and Changmin collapses on the dirty pavement, convulsing with painful giggles as you stand over him, trying to hold back a snort of your own.

“That was –” he finally gasps – “that was –”

“Bad?” You cross your arms. “Horrible? Ugly? Absolutely disgusting?”

Changmin slowly sits up, wiping his eyes. “When you said you were bad at dancing –” He snorts, a leftover laugh puffing form his lips. “Well, now I understand when you said you don’t dance at clubs.”

“Yeah, me too.” Far from looking embarrassed, your eyes are crinkled into the cutest eye-smile Changmin has ever seen. “Feeling better now?”

He blinks, wiping away one more tear. “Huh?”

“You didn’t look too happy earlier,” you say. Suddenly, for the first time tonight, you look slightly shy under the pale light of the moon. “I thought it would be good for you to laugh a little, especially if you had a bad day.”

It takes a moment for your words to sink in, but when they do, Changmin’s heart is in real danger of exploding.

You embarrassed yourself in front of him because he looked like he had a bad day. You embarrassed yourself in front of him so he could laugh.

Seriously?

There is no one, he decides, not a single person in the world more lovely and kind and perfect than you.

“Feeling much better,” he says softly, his wide grin fading into a smaller, but infinitely happy smile. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, Changmin.” You grin. “Now, should we go? You must be tired.”

(There’s only one bed at the apartment, your bed, which you insist that Changmin take even as he tries to push you onto it. In the end, you both end up falling asleep on the floor out of pride, and Changmin wakes up to your arm draped over him and his legs tangled with yours.

“We should’ve just slept on the bed,” you mutter in the morning, trying uselessly to stretch out an ache in your neck. “Would’ve had the same result without the aches.”

He turns so red that you ask if he’s sick.)

. . . . .

+i.

Changmin should probably not be here.

Scratch that. He definitely shouldn’t be here.

Well, technically he kind of should be here? Because you agreed to meet in your company lobby and that’s all he’s doing, waiting in one of the cold seats for you to come down from your office. It’s entirely by chance that he ended up here a little early and you happened to be immersed in conversation with Jaehyun no more than ten feet away, leaving Changmin to just… sit and wait for you to be done. He figured you were talking about work or something and didn’t want to interrupt.

Apparently not.

The lobby’s small, and it’s empty at this mid-afternoon hour. The receptionist isn’t even at the desk, probably gone off to eat or something. It’s not his fault he can hear almost everything you and Jaehyun are saying.

“Jaehyun, there’s no way he likes me,” you say, harsh whisper carrying uncomfortably loudly to where Changmin is sitting, trying desperately not to listen. “Don’t even try to convince me otherwise, he hasn’t done anything to indicate –”

God, he doesn’t want to hear more, he doesn’t want to hear anything more. Changmin’s already curled into himself so much he can feel his spine curving like those roly-poly bugs he used to find on the playground as a kid, but his ears won’t stop listening to everything you’re saying, even if each word that comes out of your mouth just makes his heart drop further and further into his stomach.

Who’s the “he” you’re talking about? Who’s the “he” you like? Biting his lip, Changmin stares down at the tiled floor, trying to sink into the ground.

There’s no way it’s him, Ji Changmin, kindergarten teacher, dancer, no one much and no one special.

“For such a smart person, you’re really dumb with feelings,” Jaehyun cuts in, pinching the bridge of his nose. “How is it that you can find the smallest errors in fifty page reports, but when it comes to noticing how he fucking looks at you, how he literally stares at you every second you’re turned away, you just – you just blank?”

You sigh. “I deal in facts, Jaehyun,” you say. “If I haven’t seen it, then I don’t exactly feel inclined to believe it.”

“Oh my God.” Jaehyun rubs his forehead. “You’re going to ignore every single one of us when we tell you that he’s literally head over heels –”

“Anecdotal evidence is the bane of science –”

“Okay, you’re just being difficult now, worse than my daughter –”

“Changmin doesn’t like me, okay?!”

And that mention of his name is what makes Changmin let out this strangled noise that sounds like something between his high-pitched screams and Haknyeon’s food coma groans, prompting you and Jaehyun to fall completely silent as their heads swing over to him.

For a moment, the three of you stare at each other, completely ignoring the receptionist who’s just come back in and is trying to settle at her desk as quietly as possible.

Jaehyun recovers first, a blinding and evil smile spreading across his face that’s much more suited for his daughter than for himself. “Well, I’ll leave you to it!” he exclaims, patting you on the shoulder. “See ya, Changmin!”

As Jaehyun rushes off towards the elevators, Changmin is torn between screaming and throwing up. You don’t look much better.

“I –” you finally say, swallowing hard. “How much… how much did you hear?”

Changmin’s vocal cords aren’t working. They’re not working and it’s frustrating because he needs to say something, needs to speak, needs to answer your question before you bolt the same way Jaehyun did –

And then his vocal cords decide to work, but they don’t follow the script his brain has outlined.

“I do like you.”

For the first time since Changmin’s met you, you’re the one at a complete loss for words.

And he’s the one with the courage to speak.

“I do like you,” he says again, voice small but carrying in the silence. “I feel like… well, I know we’ve only known each other for six – a few months, but it feels like there’s never been a time when I didn’t like you.”

Five solid seconds pass in silence, long enough for Changmin to start freaking out over the two sentences he just spat into the air. What if you were talking about a different Changmin? What if he just spilled his guts and you weren’t even talking about him? What if you noticed his slip-up and got weirded out by the fact that he’s know exactly how many months it’s been since you met? What if –

You stride forward in several long steps, take Changmin’s arm, and half walk, half drag him outside. The sudden motion makes him stop thinking, if only for the few moments until the two of you are standing just in front of the building, staring at each other but also trying desperately not to.

This is even more awkward than your first meeting when you were just his roommate’s hookup making breakfast at their apartment.

“Sorry.” You swallow. “I, uh, didn’t want to say anything with the receptionist nearby. She’s… a terrible gossip.”

Through the glass front of the building, Changmin can see her trying to sneak a peek of what’s going on. Yeah, smart thinking on your part, even though he probably already said too much.

Changmin bites his lip. “Did you want to say something, then?”

The single second it takes for you to nod and open your mouth is excruciating for him to bear. Honestly, he would’ve run away by now if it weren’t for your hand still around his arm, rooting him to the ground.

“I…” you start. “I really like you, Changmin. A lot. I just… didn’t think you would ever feel the same way?”

It takes a lot of effort to suppress a snort at that. How could he not feel the same way, when he literally fell for your smile the day he walked into you in the kitchen, making eggs and rice without another thought in the world? How could he not feel the same way when he found out that in addition to being kind, you’re intelligent, beyond brilliant, and won’t take shit from anyone else?

He speaks without thinking (or maybe he was thinking too much). “How could I not?”

That shocks you into silence again, shy, embarrassed silence that makes Changmin want to coo, but that’s probably not the best course of action. “Oh,” you finally mumble, eyes determinedly looking at the ground. It’s a bit of a far cry from the confident figure he’s known from before, but you’re endearing and cute and somehow… it all still fits. It fits you.

Then it’s your turn to retaliate. “Does that mean our plans today are a date?”

Changmin blinks. Then he blinks again, feeling red creep up his cheeks and color his ears. “I… I guess,” he says, trying not to smile so widely he looks like a serial killer. A date. A real date, a date with you. “If you want.”

A tentative hand reaches out, touching his hesitantly before grasping it gently. Changmin breathes out once, twice, trying not to scream, as you smile. “I do.”

There is not a day that will pass by in his life, Changmin believes, where he won’t lose his breath just by looking at you. You take his breath away, steal his air like nobody’s business, knock him speechless with every little thing you do.

Changmin’s hand moves in yours, shifting so instead of you just holding his palm, his fingers are now entwined with yours. When you look down, he squeezes slightly.

It’s fine, though, you stealing his breath. He still has courage, just enough to admire, to act, to speak when he must. He has the courage to laugh at your shy expression, to nudge you back when you hit him with your shoulder, to keep holding your hand, fingers linking together as you walk down the street. Because in your blinding smile, in your kindness and intelligence and gentle heart, you’ve given him that courage, that bit of bravery he needs to hold your hand, forever and always.

He has the courage to love you.

(The next time Changmin comes to meet you after work, Jaehyun’s there with his daughter, Hyejoo. He thanks every higher being when you come down from your office because Jaehyun won’t stop peppering him with questions, and even his daughter is getting into the act. Anyway, when you walk over and easily take Changmin’s hand in yours, he shuts up, eyes widening in glee as his mouth opens to say something undoubtedly stupid.

Changmin smiles at Hyejoo. “Bite your dad for me, won’t you?”

Jaehyun calls it witchcraft. Changmin calls it having a degree in child education and being naturally charming. It doesn’t matter. Hyejoo listens to him over her own father.

Changmin thinks Jaehyun’s yelps make the perfect backing track for your resulting laughter.)

If you enjoyed, please don’t forget to reblog and leave a comment to tell me what you thought! Thank you for reading and have a lovely day <3

(1 reblog = 1 prayer for hyunjae he kinda needs it </3)

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imaginesmaimasterlists · 3 years

Text

FIC REC 13/04/21

A bunch of fics that I reccomendated on my Instagram @ irondadiscanon!

It's above my clearance level: In which Peter's class goes on a field trip to Stark Tower, and no one knows why this kid has such high clearance.

To my son: Tony teaches Peter how to shave.

Let's go home: Peter has a panic attack at school, but luckily Tony is there to help his kid.

Don't talk to me or my son ever again: Tony is having the worst day ever, and now he has a meeting with the Rogue Avengers. What he doesn't expect is certain spider baby to proclaim himself Tony Stark Protector.

Darkness will be rewritten: Tony finds a tortured and experimented-on Peter Parker in a HYDRA base and decides to help him because who else will?

Don't you forget about me: “Just throw it one more time.” Sam calls again to Steve. Falcon is hovering up near the ceiling. “One more time, man!”

Steve throws it, but’s too high and a little too fast, clipping Falcon’s wing and ricocheting back. Towards Tony and Rhodes.

“Tony!” Peter screams, throwing a web that catches the edge of the disc, but it’s already too late. His web stretches, elastic against the force of the moving shield.

My old man: Tony takes Peter on a weekend trip to try and change his mind about college and things go wrong. Then, they go even more wrong.

Hold on I still need you: What if Peter was there when John slammed the shield? He calls Tony because the new Captain America is now running behind him, with the shield ready to kill. Tony might not make it in time.

Unless it was for a reason: Attachments and emotions were never his strong suit. Sure, he cares for Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, and of course the Avengers, he knows it. But ever since Peter comes into his life after Berlin, Tony begins to experience feelings that he can’t quite understand until now.

After the events of Peter’s homecoming dance and the Vulture, the high school vigilante and billionaire spend more time together. As their mentor relationship develops further, astonishing news finds its way to Tony. What he finds out leaves him in utter shock.

Fuhgeddaboudit: A teenager and a man wake up in a cell with injuries, no personal memories, and no apparent means of escape.

Someone's watching over you: Peter tells Stephen that it's all his fault and it almost makes Stephen's heart break into thousand pieces....

Dear god: after the snap, peter feels as if everything in his life had changed. his home, his family, his feelings had all taken a huge turn. and for once, he feels ignored by the only family he has left.

Make me strong: It all started when Tony introduced Peter to Skip Westcott. He just didn't know until it was too late.

Premature love: Baby Peter was born to early for this world, but it didn't mean that Tony didn't love him any less.

Kid Peter Parker and his over stressed dad: A group of angst fics about kid Peter Parker and bio!dad Tony Stark

Our last breath, alone and apart: Just because Peter had survived the snap, that did not mean he, Tony Stark or Nebula would survive the failing rocket home.

Idyll interrupted: Peter is just trying to enjoy his book out in the sun. Cue three way too bold paparazzi who ruin that for him, and fiercly protective parents Tony and Steve.

Elephant's memory: Peter and Ned are the targets of a horrible bullying act. Tony finds them and deals with the people responsible.

Paparazzi: Peter is swarmed with Paparazzi at school and freaks out. Tony, of course, comes to his rescue.

Birthday kisses: It's Peter's third birthday and his parents are on a mission to get his food in his mouth.

Stardust: Sometimes a Star Wars reference can save the day.

Peter Stars: Steve and Peter lose their apartment and are kicked out on the streets. Steve has to juggle between jobs to earn whatever money he can, take care of his son while resfusing to let him realize how much they're trouble in, and keep them warm and safe on the city streets in winter.

So, he really doesn't have time to date the billionaire that flirts with him everyday as he buys his cup of coffee. Even if he did, he can't let himself fall for the man. Because if he knew that he lived from a backpack and showered in a public bathroom there's no way he'd still want him...right?

You're always Spiderman: Harley Keener moves into the Compound. He and Peter don’t get on.

Maybe a touch of kidnapping will help with that.

Don't vlog your field trip: When Peter finds out some of his classmates are heading to Stark Industries on a field trip, with Flash eager to "expose Peter's fake internship" to his YouTube viewers, it shouldn't bother Peter in the least. So why is he so focused on it? and what will Tony do when he finds out this has got Peter so upset?

#irondad fic rec #irondad fic #iron dad #irondad imagine #irondad angst #iron dad imagine #irondad and spiderson

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