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shizukateal · 3 years

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The Holy Quintet: The BEST DRESSED Magical Girl Team EVER. Part 2: Characters made of symbols and shapes.

Part 1 here.

Mami Tomoe

Mami Tomoe’s outfit is a work of genius that really humbles me as an aspiring character designer. Watching the perfection in its simplicity only boggles my mind trying to reverse engineer the thought process behind it. Even if they already had decided on the huntress theme before they finished her, how did Ume Aoki came up with cutting the sleeves like that? Or with the perfect skirt shape that allows the corset to show all of her curves while puffing at just the right height to not make the hipline transition awkward and giving the shape of a flower? How long did it take her to find this particular color scheme? Did she immediately know where to put the purple to balance the outfit without feeling artificial? How did she realize that the stripes on the socks would add the ideal touch to the whole setup? Or the perfect way to turn the soulgem into a hair accessory? I would have gone the easy way and put it in the chest ribbon like the amateur I am! Did she have doubts about it while she was figuring out the exact design of the boots?!

This outfit does everything. It’s sexy without being unnecessarily tasteless, it’s girly and fancy but battle-ready, it even passes the silhouette test, it’s nuanced, almost realistic. Even Mami’s hairstyle, which in a lesser design would look too childish, is perfect for her. Mami’s whole theme is that she’s a little girl desperately trying to convince herself that she’s an adult. Her low drill-tails are doll-like, which is to say a little girl’s idea of what a fancy adult woman looks like. The side-swept bangs also give a youthful roundness to her face while being elegant, and the way the hat and hairpin complements the whole thing is just * cheff’s kiss *.

Kyouko Sakura

Kyouko is a fire gal, and as such her shape is a triangle, so her outfit is a halter top coat that widens into the frilled overskirt. Her ponytail also feeds into this theme, with hair bits sticking wildly on the top like the fire sparks of a candle, and the ribbon is just scrappy but cute enough to compliment her personality. Haha, ponytail, get it? Like a horse? Or in her case a de-horned unicorn, ergo her spear. Her look also gives us the impression of an outlaw with her pirate/rider boots, long coat and gloves, fitting her lifestyle, and her soulgem is on her chest, indicating her more emotional nature. I think the boldest decision was to leave her hands ungloved, or at least I know I wouldn’t have done that, but that’s why I’m glad I wasn’t in Ume Aoki’s position when Madoka was in production. The white details on her undershirt and boots also put an elegant touch of complexity that completes the whole thing. What I’m trying to say here is that Kyoko has the ““easiest”” design of the other puellas, but it’s still top notch.

Sayaka Miki

Sayaka’s outfit is a balancing act, trying to keep it’s knight aesthetic clear without relying on heavy armor to do so and thus allowing Sayaka’s more romantic, femenine side to show, not to mention her water + music/mermaid theme. Her whole getup is very ingenious. Her short hair allows the cape to flow without seeming excessive and heavy or an inconvenience, her hairpin prevents the cut from being bland, but still keeping a somewhat tomboyish look, and her skirt has a distinct asymmetrical cut that, with its white outline, gives the idea of a wave. Her boots are short, comfy, practical, and their shade is just different enough that they avoid the look from feeling kinda boring within its color pallet, without straying away from it. I’m honestly amazed at how well they pulled of her belly-button soulgem as well, especially without taking away from the knight theme, hell they even used that in their favor! That is ingenuity. It was also a genius idea to hold the cape on a choker to make it all fit better with a sweetheart neckline.

Homura Akemi

As I mentioned before when I talked about Senjougahara, Homura is a rhombus, not just in her soul gem but in the rest of her body: she is pointy, slim, and long. She is the tallest and lankiest amongst the Holy Quintet, her outfit primarily highlighting her legs and her hair ending in jagged points. What impresses me the most about it is that the shirt is very weirdly cut for a concept as straightforward as “school uniform”, but it works. I can imagine a much easier version of it without the undersleeves or the collar. Speaking of which, the shape of them draws attention to her soul gem on her hand, which is placed there to symbolize how she’s the most “hands on” magical girl. Her time motif is present in her back ribbon, which looks like clock hands, same with Moemura’s braids, and in her shield, which is small and attached to her wrist and also is actually a sand clock. That shield is a really neat, concise, and smart way to tie up the entirety of her wish, huh? Speaking of Moemura, it’s really interesting to see the conflict between the two versions of this character in their differences. First we have the hair, of course, then the red glasses. I sense that there’s more to those than what I’m interpreting here, but the best I can do is conclude that aside that Homura tosses them out because they represent her weakness the fact that they’re red means they also represent her emotionality, which Madoka returns to her when she gives her her red ribbons (which also represent the string of fate, of course, and also confidence in oneself). But the part that interests me the most is her heels. Moemura doesn’t fit them, she trips on them constantly, but for Homura they are a symbol of her maturity and composure. Naturally, the first time we see Homura break down after narrowly killing Kyubey before they could do a contract with Madoka, she trips on them.

@leafbladie also pointed out to me that the reason it looks like a school uniform might be because school is the only place where she could make genuine human connections.

Madoka Kaname

Kyouko is a triangle, Homura is a rhombus, and Madoka is, fittingly, a Star, aka. a cluster of points shooting out from a center, which also blends well as a flower motif. Or to put it even more eloquently, she’s the flower from the ground that will eventually become the star in the sky. It’s in her skirt, gloves, socks and ponytails. And the rest of her? Is a deception in its simplicity. After all, this is what you expect from the leader of a magical girl team, right? Pink! Ribbons! Frills! Come on, you’ve seen this outfit before, it’s practically the same as Cure Peach’s! But Madoka is aiming for something more specific: she is both a fairy AND a witch, the two faces of the Magical Girl, creatures of fairytales often related to either nature or to the stars, and it works precisely because she uses that shape. Madoka is a balance of roundness and pointiness, it’s just that those points are softened by the pastel coloring. Her balance in ribbons and frills is excellent as well. I should probably write a separate post on how those 2 elements work in general, but suffice to say that we all know way too many magical girls that just put those things everywhere. Two on her ponytails to highlight them, one behind her neck, two on her hips to smooth the hipline transition, two behind her shoes. Huh, speaking of those, Madoka has surprisingly tall heels, right? Taller than Mami’s and only matched by Homura’s. Really tells you who the 2 most emotionally resilient members are in the team.

The last piece I’d like to highlight is her weapon, which I’m jealous of because I did that concept for an OC of mine and now if I do it everyone is going to think that I got it from her. But in any case, yeah combining a druidic staff into an also druidic bow whose arrows are also shooting star analogues is the perfect choice for this particular character, the Goddess of Magical Girls.

And this, everyone, has been my reasoning and analysis of the genius of the Holy Quintet’s character designs. Follow me if you want more magical girl outfit analysis.

#puella magi madoka magica #magical girl fashion #madoka kaname #kyoko sakura #homura akemi #sayaka miki #tomoe mami

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ready-to-obeyme · 4 years

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[OM!] College!AU Zoom University Headcanons

For the 7 Demon Brothers + Solomon

Scenario: Headcanons about how you interact with the demon brothers online during online lectures via Zoom (an online video platform that universities have been using to teach classes) and their habits using it

Notes: gn!MC, Considering most universities (including mine) are all online AGAIN fall quarter and we’re going to be using Zoom forever……. i kinda wish i DID have online classes with the demon boys (and Solomon)

Lucifer

Video off, mic off, no profile pic just the typical first and last name, so you don’t really talk to him but you do see his name pop up in the Zoom chat to ask clarification questions

Accidentally has his mic on sometimes

First time you interact with him is when you private message him “hey, I think your mic is still on” because everyone can hear his brothers arguing in the background

The mic is soon turned off and you get a response back “thanks. Sorry you had to hear all of that”

“Yeah no prob. How many brothers do you have anyways?”

“Too many.”

Thus starts your relationship with him as zoom buddies, asking each other privately what the professor just said and some clarification questions

If you’re shy about asking stuff, he has no problems asking for you; never makes you feel dumb about your questions

first time you hear his voice during midterm season when the professor doesn’t see your messages (“you’d expect them to know how this all works by now” he messages you dryly) and he asks his question out loud before the professor can move on

(lowkey think he’s hot just from his voice)

Then highkey finds out he’s hot when his video is accidentally on for a few seconds when he’s distracted with Asmo or Mammon in the background

Bonus points if you tease him about it

Shows up at office hours when the TA is late and you just talk to him, exchange emails and numbers ;) y’know for homework help

If you’re going to do group projects, he seeks you out first-- god forbid he’s stuck with someone who doesn’t do the work ONLINE

Mammon

Mic is ALWAYS accidentally on until the professor mutes him or tells him to mute himself

“Oh, sorry prof!!! My b!!”

Private messages you on purpose to ask a clarification question because he doesn’t want to seem dumb asking it to everyone or to the professor

You wonder why he chose you but then you realize it’s because you had asked a question yourself earlier in the lecture or answered a question

It becomes a recurring thing-- like EVERY lecture

If you’re not annoyed at him, then you might suggest that the two of you share a document for notes or tease him about just having you teach the lecture if he’s confused

“Actually, that sounds great!” he types to you before you could say jk “that’d help me a lot, thanks!!”

Smh why did you sign up for more work for yourself but oh well, he seems like a nice guy

Is also a very attractive guy, you realize, when you schedule a zoom meeting with him and actually see his face

Realizes why he keeps asking questions is because he plays card games on a split screen instead of paying attention to lecture (same tho)

Invites you to join him by private messaging you a link to join (and you do eventually when lectures gets boring)

Sometimes sends the invite link to the whole class by accident

He admits he wouldn’t even attend lecture and would just watch the recording but you’re always there so he goes

Which means you suppose you should keep going to lecture if anything to have him go as well

Leviathan

Already the master of online classes tbh and has no problem with the format

Finds it kind of annoying when there’s technical difficulties, but he just quickly switches to a tab to watch anime

Probably is just watching anime on another tab if the lecture gets boring or slow anyways

He’s always the first one to answer forum/discussion posts because he’s just very tech-savvy and good at replying to people

First interaction is probably him answering one of your questions on the discussion question and from then on after you start messaging him privately during lecture when you have a question you think he can help with

A little hesitant on helping you, but you’re also just really nice to him so he’s okay with helping you, I guess

Give him your email? Why? So he can send you the book pdfs and previous practice tests of course, why else??

O-Oh, you want to add him on social media? Just to ask for homework questions right? Okay, yeah, sure! o////o

If video is on, you see the reflection of anime in one of his mirrors and casually ask him which episode he’s on

Has never been so shook or attentive in his LIFE

Satan

He is a godsend during every breakout room because he ACTUALLY TALKS instead of leaving you in a quiet room alone with three other strangers

You think you’re lowkey in love with him when he has no problems volunteering to present to the professor and putting his thoughts into words so eloquently

He also appreciate you talking during discussion too, and enjoys the conversations the two of you have while you’re not even sure the other blank profile pics are even there anymore

He’s the one to suggest making a shared doc to share notes and study together-- the man is productive and efficient about this, what can I say?

Manages to convince you to go to office hours with him and meet up for studying hours and ooooh he’s hot

He’s actually a very good study buddy, especially when he’s teaching you something you’re confused about, but also just good to study together with (when you’re not too busy staring at him)

The only reason why you’re focused during class because he’d look disappointed at you if you weren’t-- that’s on you for caring about what he thinks, but he’s just so PUT TOGETHER how do you NOT look up to him?

Finds out that he’s actually just a mess like everyone else when his brothers come in during one of your study session and he says “excuse me,” mutes the mic and goes off screen; you can see some shadows in the back as satan shoves his brothers out of the room and manhandles them till they leave

Is kind of embarrassed he forgot to turn of video too but you just think it’s funny because you relate to the lack of privacy of online classes (and perhaps annoying siblings)

Asmodeus

How the hell does he look awake and lively at a 9am lecture class????

Is that make up??? Is he… wearing PANTS??? (you don’t remember the last time you put on actual pants)

The most functional-looking person in the entire zoom lecture, asides from the professor

Has video on all the time-- because honestly why wouldn’t he? He actually looks good

Definitely not paying attention most of the time, and you see it on his face

Messages you first when you actually wear something nice for once because you’re going to go to the supermarket afterwards

“Ooh, where’d you get that accessory??”

The two of you end up not paying attention AT ALL and instead just gush about each other’s outfits

Definitely is not afraid to ask for your social media so you can follow each other and ask for homework help I guess but MAINLY to talk to each other because online classes can get sooooo tedious

Really really wants to be able to meet you in person someday when it’s safe (“we’d look so cute together!!!”) but settles for facetime or zoom meet-ups

Really does not hesitate to make friends and make the best out of social situations despite remote format bless him

The only time he doesn’t turn on video is after a night of drinking with his brothers (“it was mammon’s birthday” he types into the chat with you, “ugh i’m probably going to go lie down, let me know how lecture goes”)

Beelzebub

Always eating-- even if this wasn’t online, he’d also be the one to bring snacks-- his whole LUNCH to class to eat so this isn’t too surprising

You think it’s hilarious when he actually brings his laptop or phone (whatever he’s using zoom with) to the kitchen and literally makes dinner during the lecture

Sometimes you watch his tiny video of him putting stuff into the oven than the lecture slides and you bet your entire class is doing that too

Sometimes you ask him jokingly what he’s cooking and you’re surprised when he pauses and answers your question mid-dinner making

“Lasagna. You want some?”

“Yeah send it over through mail bro”

You don’t actually know if he’s actually retaining any lecture information, but apparently he’s doing decent enough-- still, if you offer to share your notes, he’d be so grateful

“Where do you live?”

“Ldfjalskjd why are you going to send me food?”

“Yeah. What’s your address? I’ll send you a box of cookies or something.”

Basically he just does NOT care what the entire class sees him doing; he could be cooking, eating, working out-- he’s listening to the lecture out loud but he’s giving you a show (whether it’s a cooking show or a work out video depends on the time of day)

Belphegor

If the lectures are recorded, you’ll never see him, especially if the class is early in the morning LOL

If you do see him during lecture and video is on, he’s always in his pajamas or sleep clothes, a pillow in front of him

During discussion, if video is required, he probably has a screenshot of himself awake as a profile picture so he can snooze away pretending like he’s actually there

You definitely notice because he’s the first video to show up in your gallery and his video is like never moving HAHA

You finally message him when the TA splits you all into breakout rooms when you’re all supposed to be finding the answer or discussing something to be shared later

Kind of awkward at first because he’s like… asleep, but when he wakes up blearily, he does participate-- if only for your sake and for discussion points

“Hey… wake me up if the TA or professor asks us any questions, will ya?” he says as he puts his head down and sleeps

Since you and him are now officially breakout room buddies, you message him when you have a question and know that he’ll probably respond to you by the end of class because he actually knows the material despite sleeping through half of the class

Is actually very appreciative of you that you volunteer to speak on behalf of your breakout room if no one else does because that means HE doesn’t have to do it

Bonus:

Solomon

The one to make the groupchat/slack link and send it to everyone in the class so we could actually help each other in the class

Shares a link to a google folder with resources

Highkey more useful than a TA sometimes

Super helpful, efficient, and charismatic… but suspiciously so

Like where did he get all these pdfs? Where did he get all these 100% test from previous years? And-- is that an answer key??? To what???

Video isn’t on ever, so you have no clue what he looks like… until you’re in the same discussion as him and he turns on his video for breakout rooms

He always, ALWAYS sits at the island in the kitchen and sips coffee whenever you have discussion with him

Responds back to you almost immediately if you ask him questions during lecture (because honestly, why not-- he seems smart and has his life together) but if anyone messages him in the groupchat, surprisingly takes a while to reply… maybe he’s busy?

Anyhow you’re not gonna question it; you’re gonna pass this class and Solomon is carrying everyone to an A+

#obey me headcanons #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me belphegor #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me #ZOOM UNIVERSITY BABY

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cookie-cutter-communications · 3 years

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Following the thief now… it was quite a challenge for the half-bot. It hasn’t been more than a few moments, yet they had already disappeared into the teal hues of this manor. The paths were winding and twisting with confusion, no doubt it would get to Cyborg soon enough.

Aimlessly moving about whatever path they could find, they took the time to open most of the doors they came across. Most of the stuff was boring- some bedrooms, a library, a few balconies- ooh! Those were the gems they stole last night! They looked at the bunch of them, a grin of pride brought to their face as their visor lit up with delight. There were so many colors that flickered in the morning light! They didn’t think silly little rocks could invoke such delight! Well- they didn’t really, they didn’t have much of a purpose- but they looked edible! ...Maybe they could eat one? Hm… Roguey wouldn’t be looking, so a small one would be fine, right? Picking one up with their mitten, they examined it closely. They didn’t know what it was, but it was red and blue! Neat! What was not neat was the reaction their systems had when it was brought close! There were loud static pops around their head, their arm seizing a little while their mind buzzed persistently...as if there was a sudden storm that had filled their form! It was enough to get them to drop whatever it was, and it fractured the moment it hit the floor. Abruptly, all of these things would collectively stop, and Cyborg groaned as things just seemed to go back to normal. Mmm, that was kinda mean! Maybe they were inedible...The rocks were finally fighting back against their fate, bummer. They were going to have to find a way around that! Haha, wouldn’t that be funny…!

Moving along, other rooms weren’t worth noting- it was cyborg’s perception of things, after all- Though they did happen to come across some large, vacant spaces. Hm… that creepy scientist would probably make use of this space. However, past those rooms, they would finally walk into the room that Roguefort had nestled themself into, full of fabrics and things of the like with lengths of it loosely reaching for the center of the room. There was a soft humming from the thief as they looked about them, then down to a sheet of paper they had scribbled things down on. The moment they felt even the slightest movement, however, they squeaked, their gaze darting to where they had noticed something else moving.

“...O-Oh. It’s just you.” “Yeah, the dumbass passed out. Soooo, now I’m left with you!” “...You don’t like what I’ve done.” “I sure don’t!” “Yet you’ve lied to me.” “H-Huh?” “I was told I would have fun during all this, yet we’ve all hurt each other. I’m also losing my sense of self... I think it’s fair to call ourselves even.” They glanced at the half-bot, who, after a few moments, huffed at such a remark. “Whatever, fiiine. Your offense was still worse, though.” “...If you assume so. I still plan on apologizing to you both with at least something of worth.” “Is that why you’re here?” The question got a nod out of Roguefort. “I don’t wish for us to drive each other apart-” “Tch, you say that when you let Aloe of all people live here-” “Rather, I think we should try to befriend each other.” “...We need to take you to another gem place, don’t we?” “Hear me out, will you? It would benefit us both to become friends with what could be considered a worst enemy. That way, they have fewer reasons to turn on us, and perhaps they’ll have a bit of a turnaround and realize that helping us with the husks is beneficial.” “...So...There was a reason you let them stay here…” “Cy, it would have taken five seconds to explain...perhaps you should try to think a little before acting?” “I can do many things, but that’s impossible!” Such a phrase got them both to laugh a little. The taller continued to scribble down things, prompting Cyborg to sit next to them and look at what they were doing. “...What is that?” “Well, I’ve felt that we’ve all been through a handful of things, so… If we’re becoming nothing like what we were, I figured that our physical identities should be shed.” “...What?” “I’m making outfits, Cy.” “...Ohhhh!!!! Why didn’t you say that before?” They giggled, bapping them on the back. “I didn’t know you made things like that!”

“I still wish to remain eloquent, is all. And, why wouldn’t I? I’m a thief, it’s only fair that one would have to come up with their own disguises. All of ours, whoever made them...oh dear. They are in such need of repair.” They smiled, glancing at the other. “...By chance, do you know what Aloe likes, aesthetically speaking?” “...Why are you asking me that?” “I wish for it to be a surprise for both of you, and I don’t know what either of you likes most.” “Oh...um. They like green!!! And gold, I guess… They’ve always seemed like they wanted fancier clothing, I think…? I dunno, they always seemed unhappy with how they looked.” They would trail off, feeling some guilt that they knew not the origins of. To get their mind off of it, they looked at Roguefort, who was scribbling out a little design for them. “...Do you have any preferences for yourself?” “Mmmm, I wanna be fluffy!!! With little neon colors, maybe more orange!!! It looks really neat, and-” At this point, they would begin to ramble about what they’d like, all of which the thief would be sure to scribble down. It was a lot more specific than Aloe’s, that’s for sure! By the time they finished, they looked down, and noticed something...odd! Roguey didn’t have a single mark down on how they wanted to look!!! Hm!

“...We could try going on another heist tonight if you’d like.” “We?” “We! You’re not half bad at trashing the places we steal from, now are you?” “Hmhm, I would never be half bad!!! I’m the best when it comes to a little destruction!!” “Ah...then we shall embark on our little adventures soon enough. ..Would you mind speaking with Aloe for a little while when they wake up?” “About what?” “Just… anything, really. I don’t want us to fall apart. As useful as it would be to befriend them, I’d rather it be a genuine friendship, not some flimsy attempt to force them to stay.” “...Fine. Uh, so, we’re gonna go and do stealies tonight, yeah?” “We are, yes.” “Hm!!! I will destroy all the paintings you’ve collected!! And then I'll get food! And... then talk to Aloe, ew. I’ll do a lot so you can make silly little outfits!” “And it is much appreciated.” the stealer of jewels watched them dart away, before turning back to the page.

~ “...So, it’s been weeks, and they still haven’t been able to think of something to wear?” “I mean...yea. They said they wanted to give us the outfits for us today since you somehow are feeling better. Why are they missing out on the fun stuff?” “Perhaps they’re having an identity crisis.” “A what?” “...Right, you’re still dumb. Uh… I think we could try to make something for them…” “But we don’t know shit about making clothes!” “That’s why we attempt to do such a thing, Cyborg.” Aloe huffed, reaching for some of the pale yellow fabric strung along the length of the room. “Should we keep the color scheme the same?” “HELL NO! I dunno what would work nicely with that cheese, but I know they’d want some tacky fancy stuff…”

“I mean, they don’t look half bad in fanciful things.” perhaps a darker shade of teal…? Off-white… With a few light purples. “Do you have any ideas for them?” “Mmmm, I like the cape they have! It’s like a portable blankie!” “Is that all you can think of it as?” “Definitely! I will steal it someday!” “Already taking notes from them, I see… How odd.” “Hm?” “I never thought you would be able to adapt to the changes someone else has.” “Oh, no no! Nope! Not even close! You’re not even in the same ballpark! Y'see, they’re chaotic. We both share a brain cell, that’s how I manage to do that.” “...I’ll have to conduct an experiment on that later.” “H-HUH?” “You’re second-guessing yourself now, hm? Having regrets?”

“Shut up! Ugh, let’s just...work on this. I can’t believe you managed to get better, I was hoping you’d die again.” “Very nice of you, thanks.” They shot a glance at the pouting Cyborg. Nevertheless, they’d continue working on the outfit, which would very easily take over a few hours. The half-bot attempted to help, but the most they could do was suggest ideas and hold pieces of cloth in place. Boring!!! That was up until they were about to start making the cape- That was something Cyborg snatched right up! “I’m making this part!!! Mine!!” “...Allow me to help, at least a little.” “No! You helped with everything else, I should get a little say in this!” They held the fabric close, but the scientist would grab onto it. “I understand, but I’m following the design you wish for them to have!” They would try to yank it from them, but their grip remained strong. The prototype of the cape was in a deadlock between the two.

“No! Nono, Roguey needs something from me! You already got your grimy hands on everything!!” They seemed a little desperate, continuing to pull at the fabric. “Let go!!! You never let me do anything!!!” “You let go! You can come up with a design for this, it will be just like the rest!!!” “No! I wanna make this piece!!” “Well, you’re going to mess it up!” “I won’t, Dumbass!!!” “That doesn’t want to make me let it go any faster!!” “Well, then I’ll MAKE you let go!!!” They yanked on it as hard as they could, which did get Aloe to fall back… Only because the cape was ripped in half. The anger the half-bot exuded simmered down as quickly as possible thereafter. They could only stare at what they had caused with a bit of shock, and even more guilt. It… It’s only been a few weeks, yet… They still weren’t over the thought of killing the scientist… “...I’m sorry…” “Hgh...it’s fine…” They let out a heavy sigh, shaking their head as they sat up. Ough, that wound from all that time ago still hurts like a bitch. “Perhaps we could just...work on it together. It...Hah, it’s even torn in half…” It was clear to Cyborg they were just trying to make the most of this inconvenience… and it made them feel a little better that they were at least trying to make amends. It was...still way too small to matter, but it was big enough to be noticeable! “...Mmm...sure.”

“I’ve noted you both were in the room I was in while designing outfits for you both...whatever was your business in there?” “Well, we uh-” “We made you this really cool thing!!!! We think you would like it lots!!!” Cyborg said, seemingly happier than they were before the two of them walked into the room. This caught the thief off guard, a warm smile brought to their face shortly thereafter.

“Well, I’m pleased to let you know that I’m here to show you both your outfits… Made from what we all think you both would like most!” They unveiled the two designs they had been working on, handing each to their respective owners… Who seemed to cherish them. “There’s so much fluff on this!!! More than I asked! I thought there would be only neck fluff, but this??? This much????? I love it! I dunno who thought of it, but thankies!!! It’s also so bright!!! And the orange is all shiny...It makes me so happy!!!” They hugged what they were given as if it were some form of a plush. Not a moment later, they zipped away, likely to change into it. Aloe simply stared at what was given to them, looking it over as if attempting to find a single flaw… “How is there not even a single loose thread…?” “Ah, I have my ways. Yours was a lot of fun to make, Aloe.” “Hah...it makes me feel bad…” “Why’s that?” They tilted their head inquisitively, perking up when Aloe showed them the outfit the others had made for the thief of the night… “We...did our best, but it doesn’t look that great…” They glanced away as Roguefort took what was offered, also looking it over. “It’s not that bad! Some of the stitching is weird, yes, but… I like to think it gives the piece flavor.” They grinned, no hint of contempt on their face. “The only thing I wonder is why the cape was presumably torn…” “Ah, we got into a bit of an argument… We stitched it up together soon after and tried to hide it with a ribbon...” “Hm...the concept is interesting! Do you mind if I make a few changes?” “Not at all. It’s something to make you more comfortable with yourself, after all.” “Then, I’ll likely put a few more ribbons to match what you’ve chosen for me. It’s...a nice change of pace, the colors you chose.”

The moment they got the chance to move back into the fabric room, Roguefort did, sighing as they closed the door behind them. Right… They just had a few things to take care of. The ribbons, checking up on the outside world, and...one other thing they nearly forgot about entirely. There was a closet on the far side of the room. The phantom silently moved over to it, looking back to the doorway to make sure nobody was looking, before opening it up and peering in. There it was...this odd cane they never really found a use for until such a moment, when they recalled the dangers that lay ahead of themself...and everybody else. Taking it, and lightly dusting it off, they looked to a nearby window. The number of husks staring back, smiling with the faces of the damned… it was growing. It’s gone from one to twenty, and they could tell some form of danger was lurking. Glancing down at the cane, they gently lifted the handle away from the base of it. The moment they saw the sharp glimmer of metal, they closed it again. So...this wasn’t just them hallucinating things about what this was capable of. Perhaps it would prove to be useful? They knew not. What they did know, however, was that it would be put to the test soon enough. Best not to dwell on it now. Right, their outfit...there was quite a bit to fix. ...Where were the ribbons put? Ah, there...the spool had a little happy face on it, likely drawn by the happy-go-lucky bot themself. What a curious little group they have befriended...

#cookie run #cookie run au #a.loe #cy.borg #rogue.fort #written by yours truly #it's been a little while wouldn't you say?#Soon your time will come and all of this won't matter any longer.#That cane is just the tool to your demise roguefort #Let it be known that keeping thoughts alive in one's brain is a dangerous tightrope to walk upon.

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thewhizzyhead · 3 years

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djfjjgh okay well first off I’m nowhere near as creative as you are, and second I had the basic concept before I knew what a musical was, so it was kind of structured as a kind of realistic fiction story, which I proceeded to forget about haha-

then my friend sent me picture of a book called “a pho love story” and it’s basically Romeo and Juliet with rivaling pho (I’m too lazy to get the right markings) restaurants and it just!!! made many so happy!!! because it was Vietnamese American teens dealing with Vietnamese American things (and hoisin sauce. so much hoisin-sriracha-lemon-pepper-bean-sprouts in the pho and I’m just 🥺🥺) and then all the ideas came flooding back ya know-

so basically it was going to center around these two Vietnamese girls, right? and they’re both closeted because yes, projection whaaahahaaaa but also because. you can get kicked out of the house for smaller things than being lgbtq so-

*flashbacks to the time 5 year old me could not sleep at all and was very very distraught so I was put on the front porch in the middle of the night while heavy rain fell for about 3 scary minutes*

anyways, one of them, Linh, has really really strict tiger-parents, is a straight-A 4.0 gpa student (wait that rhymes.. straight A gpa.. gasp), president of the student council, debate club, I’m trying not to project here so let’s just say she’s everything her parents want her to be, and aims for even more (because if she’s not more than her parents want, what if they suddenly raise their expectations and become disappointed? What then?)

and I know I said it was originally going to be a story, but I do have an inner desire to songwrite, so whenever I’m laying in bed at night I try to make things rhyme and well. “I’m your perfect Asian child / I’ll do anything you ask / I’ll try and try until I die and maybe even after that / cause I’m your perfect Asian child / and you know what that means / I’ll never be enough / and you’ll keep yelling at me” is kind of the chorus she has? idk anything about song structure but. yeah.

and the other girl, Renn, has more relaxed parents, who actually believe in mental health (*cries in i wish*) and don’t have too high of an expectation. they still have a bit of the strictness, because it was how they were brought up, but they’re trying, even if they don’t do a really good job at times. this is partly because Renn started not caring about what they thought and distancing herself drastically whenever they started becoming very tiger-y, and they don’t want her to run away like she threatened to because they do care, so they try their best to be supportive. Renn is a good student, because she does like school (it was an escape for her, even if she doesn’t need an escape as much anymore, but she and Linh will bond over it), but she doesn’t care as much about math and the like as much as she loves writing. And her parents try to be supportive of her not going into STEM, (she prefers they use STEAM for obvious reasons), but they do lament she’ll be poor the rest of her life- not that Renn cares anymore. Renn is also sort of planning to come out, albeit only once she knows for sure she’ll be safe, because her parents are still unpredictable.

the little thing I came up for her was “I don’t think you realize / I’m never coming back / I’m not the girl you thought I was / I’ve long since changed track / I’ve finally found my freedom / and if you don’t understand / then I guess this is goodbye / I’ll take my final stand” haha this totally isn’t what I wish I could say without having a breakdown in front of my parents what-

anyways, they meet one day at a boba place, where Linh is studying and Renn is just attempting to buy out their entire stock of boba ice cream bars jokingly. Renn eventually says something like “con có nhiều tiền, cho con mua kem điiiiiiii” (translation: I have a lot of money’s let me buy your ice cream pleaaaaase) and Linh scoffs, because saving money, ya know? (there’s probably a grammatical error or two in there but hey that’s just how it is-)

and Renn is like “what? too stuck up to spend a little, enjoy a little?” to which Linh replies “not stuck up, just realistic.” and Renn doesn’t believe her and keeps poking fun, and Linh is like fine! What’s your idea of fun, then? And Renn is like I thought you’d never ask~

so then over the course of a couple of weeks or so, Renn and Linh get kind of close (but supposedly still hate each other), but then Linh’s parents start getting mad that she’s “hanging out” more than she’s studying- which causes Linh to kind of panic and just cut off ties with Renn entirely in an attempt to go back to her old habits

Obviously this doesn’t work, and Linh only feels worse about everything, but on top of all that Renn is kind of hurt because she doesn’t know why Linh just started avoiding her and so cue the ✨drama✨ fjfjjgf

and yeah! That’s about... the most I planned out haha- :3 (I still think your musical has a much better plot and cooler ideas than my.. whatever this is though-)

-🍵!!

dude. dude. holy fuck. tHIS IS GOOD. THIS IS SO SO GOOD HOLY FUCK WHERE DO I START. FIRST OF ALL I LOVE THE CONCEPT OFNA WLW VIETNAMESE MODERN ROMEO AND JULIET STORY (pls don't make the girls die tho) AAAAAAA twists on the romeo and juliet story are really really interesting! Second of all AAAA hard relate on the star-student-asian stuffs fjcjd third of all ooohh i really really like the verses you have here (hard relate on renn's verse cause ow) they are legit really freaking good!!! I wish i was um a lot more eloquent on expressing my thoughts on this but I really find this super interesting and I hope you keep on making this anon!! Feel free to tell me more about it if u wanna YAYYY

#this is legit a good idea tho AAAAA #renn and lihn have my entire heart #i hope u keep on developing this idea tea anon YAYYYY #yay tea anon's here!#ask me stuff

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victorie552onepiecespeedrun · 4 years

Text

Reading One Piece pt 158: “Mom?”

Chapter 395

Thoughts:

- Fpos/cs: Three BW stole marine ship and are running away! You go, BW, you’re safe now! What about Mr.2

- Villagers are running for their lives and can you blame them

- Cp9 people found Poneglyph in the basement and are pretty creeped out. How did archeologists get that stone here. I will have to learn how to spell Poneglyph for good, won’t I

- Aww, Saul came into town to get Robin! I think it will be counterproductive but it’s still awesome and touching, ok

- Huh, Spandyne DID contact “Gorousei”! (different scans again but it obviously means the government top dogs so I don’t care) But it won’t help doctor Clover, he’s not so eloquent as Tom The Shipwright. Sorry man, government has you as “dead” in their books already and they don’t want to make any corrections to change that. Imagine the paperwork, doctor Clover, the paperwork

- Yep

- Ok, doctor Clover has things to say, time to sit and listen

- “No matter what lies in the past, humans create history, and thus they must accept everything. If we come to know things without feeling fear, we may be able to create some form of countermeasure!”

“That’s mere idealism”

“Is that so? I think you’re saying you can’t because it’s not convenient for you to accept this!”

“…”

Haha, government just got served, I love that song

- Nowadays, the truth we wish to know most is more the Poneglyphs reason for existence as opposed to their contents.” You know what, that is a good question. How and why are they everywhere?

- Apparently the message people in the past wanted to sent future generation was too important to put to destroyable paper. I dig that

- Ohohohoho!

- “People that left behind the stones had an enemy” ok “Their enemy would continue to live on in the history” eh. But they WERE destroyed so sure, why not “Right after 100 Years of Blank Pages… The World Government was born” I see what you’re doing here. And wow, 800 years, was there any empire that actually lasted that long

- “The 100 Blank Pages were erased by the World Government’s hands as inconvenient history!!!” HA, tell them doctor

- Single country with a great civilization has been erased from existence long, long ago. I don’t see why anyone would cover destroying the single country for 800 years. After some time people just stop caring, you know? They could stop hiding the fact after, like, 300 years, I think. History becomes history for a reason

- Yeah, I don’t think Spandyne and Gorousei care about that impromptu history lesson. What did they expect, they let a scholar start talking. Of course he started a lecture

- At least they call that a hypothesis. Sure, it could hold in court but they don’t exactly have a proof. Unless you count being evaporated by government for looking for proof a proof (I am)

- What’s so cool about that mysterious country that revealing it’s existence to the world would change everything?

- “The name of the country was…” ?

- OH FUCK

- THEY SHOT HIM!!!

- “Ohara knows too much!!” And will know even more, you bastards!!!!!

- Oh poor Robin

- CHAOS HAS STARTED

- Spandyne looks for golden den den mushi!!! GET THE FUCK AWAY ROBIN PLEASE

- “It’s Buster Call time!” don’t steal my lines, Spandyne

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

- THE LIBRARY IS ON FIRE

- “Shouldn’t it be okay if it’s just our heads that roll!?” …metal

- They’re taking Olvia away, they want her alive

- …shit… Robin and Olvia… shit…

- Nonononono, don’t give me flashbacks, damn you

- “Are you my mommy!?”

“no”

- Fuck fuck fuck fuuuuuck

- whyyyyyyy

- everyone is crying and I will too, damn it

- oh god, Robin

- “I’m Robin! Even though I am bigger… You really don’t remember me? I always waited for you to come back! Are you really not my mother? Someday… I’d just like to go for a walk with you, holding your hand!”

- SHIIIIT, she’s telling them she can read Poneglyphs

- “I don’t… want to be alone anymore!!!”

… …. … ….

*sobbing it the distance*

rOP 157 rOP 159

#one piece speed read #uncovering destroying the country after 100 is too early #I'm from Poland i would know #123 years of 'nothing' and then BOOM back on the map baby #we're also still salty about it #there's so much plot things here I don't know what to look at #for now I'm just remembering King Roger looked for Poneglyphs too #we WILL learn more about it #oh dear Olvia #maybe as a mother you shouldn't leave Robin but also you have your own hopes and dreams you should pursue #and becoming a mother shouldn't crush those dreams #I have Robin's aunt for your information #she really went Cinderella on poor Robin #how could she #spoiler #spoilers #have a nice day #rOP 158

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if-found-return-to-gusu · 4 years

Text

Pretty Park Picnics with a Prince Pt 1

I’m honestly exhausted. I’ll go to bed in a minute but I wanted to make sure I wrote everything down first so I’d remember it forever.

I can’t afford to lose these memories so for now I’ll use tumblr as my heart shaped box to keep them safe. Lock and key.

Admittedly it didn’t start that great. As you know if you’ve been actually reading what I’ve been writing, I woke up late. So I threw on some make up to hide the dark circles, ran a brush through... well at least most of my hair before tying it up and skated as fast as I could.

Now I know these streets like the back of my hand so I thought I’d try to type out some of my feelings to try and take the edge off, y’know? Now that I decided this was kinda like a public access diary I may as well use it.

Well ran straight into a stop sign. Ah the irony... or... is that irony? I always get that confused. Being forced to slow down by a stop sign...?? Irony or just inconvenient? IDK. (Like I know the technical definition of Irony so I don’t think that was technically ironic but that damn song ruined it for everyone and now I get confused okay???)

ANYWAY (Fuck one day I’ll right out what happened WITHOUT going on 400 tangents... wait fuck this is another tangent isn’t it? FUCK!!) A.N.Y.W.A.Y.

I FINALLY get there. Fortunately the skate park is pretty close to where I live. (It’s the only reason I go there because it’s own by the Jins. Ugh. Fortunately they don’t go there very often but when they do it’s always trouble. But the next closes skate park is at least another 10 miles away so uuuuuugh.) (.... more tangents. Jeezubs creeps. ) I finally get there and I see Lan Zhan standing there so still and patient

holding a basket of what had to be food that was...

It was so full it didn’t even close!!! And he was holding it all casual like it didn’t way a million pounds. It must have. How long had he been waiting.

So I called out to him the moment I saw him because I was just excited okay?

Except, like I said earlier, I was skating as fast as I could! So you can guess what happened, can’t you?

Skateboard keeps going but I face plant RIGHT into Lan Zhan’s chest. (I could feel his damn PECS through that shirt though. Like HOT DAMN. He must be RIPPED . Wouldn’t mind being able to find out for sure one day ;) No wonder he didn’t have any trouble holding that basket. ((Speaking of he managed to put it down before CATCHING me flawlessly because as I’ve stated before and will say again, Lan Zhan is perfect.))).

And so I’m freaking out a bit and he holds me patiently until I finally figure out that I should remove my nose from his damn pectoral cleavage. Fortunately I didn’t get any make up on him since he usually wears such light colored clothes.

(I then freaked out because my skateboard was GETTING AWAY so I chased it for a second then came back. Said sorry and laughed it off.)

Lan Zhan... I don’t know if it’s just how he looks but sometimes when he looks at me... it’s just.. this tender look in his eyes. I can’t look away.

Maybe it’s just wishful thinking that it’s a look just for me. Definitely wishful thinking. A nice dream though.

Well anyway. I tried to be a decent human and help him carry that basket since he was holding it so long and FUCK it was heavy.

I mean I could manage, but I decided it was a nice opportunity to try to be cute. So I put it on my skateboard and pushed it with my foot. haha.

Okay maybe not the smartest idea but it got us to the picnic area, didn’t it?

And Lan Zhan indulged me as he always does. And he carried it the last bit even though I said I could do it. He’s always so NICE.

So I helped spread out the blanket and stuff instead. (Somehow he managed to fit.. just. omg so much food AND a blanket to sit on in that basket. I mean the basket wasn’t SMALL or anything but like this man’s organizational skills must be like Tetris MASTER level. There’s no way I could have crammed so much in there!!!

So we finally get situated and settled and this SMORGASBORD of food. Like he must have stayed up all NIGHT cooking it all! And it was all so amazing to LOOK at. Like I don’t think I’m a bad cook (No matter what Jiang Cheng says) but I can’t ever make anything that LOOKS so good. I mean I guess it makes sense. The man runs the most adorable cafe in the world so ofc he knows about presentation.

But anyway I was thinking about how much time this must have taken and the effort and just ahhh. So I finally take a proper look at him. He’s always so stoic and dependable that it’s hard to tell when he’s overexerted himself. But the signs were there. He must have been exhausted. His posture said he was tired and so did those bags under his eyes. And he still stood there to wait for me all that time even though I was so damn late.

I need to make it up to him.

So I, being the gremlin I am, just reach out to him and stroke his cheek a little. Like I could smooth away those signs of exhaustion that dared mar his beautiful face. (He’s still beautiful though. Take your breath away beautiful. Stop and stare beautiful. How is he not a world famous model? I bet he could pull it off if he wanted to. Be on the cover of every magazine in the world. Make all the girls swoon.)

But yeah anyway. I just like.. pet his cheek with my little gremlin hand (Omg his skin is so DAMN SMOOTH? WHAT PRODUCT DO YOU USE LAN ZHAN??? I MUST KNOW!!) and just say something like “Are you okay? Have you been sleeping okay? You need to remember to take care of yourself” or something like that (Like I have any right to talk. )

And then I realize what I was doing lasd;flakdsf;jl like who does that? Like just start cupping his cheek and fussing over him??? (I couldn’t help it. ) But before I could pull my hand away, HE LEANED INTO IT! he closed his eyes and leaned into my hand like he was a little bunny.

It took everything in me to keep myself from jumping him right there.

But he leaned into me and just nodded a little with that little multi-purpose “mn” he always does. Then looks at me again and says “You too’

Well I think he said something more eloquent and teasing but in essence it was “you too.” I was too distracted by how close we were.

I need to pay more attention. Every word he says to me is precious.

So we laugh a little (or I do at least but he laughed with his eyes. ) and settle in properly again to start eating.

And........

Part 2 comin up.

(Sorry for all the long ass posts. But I got a lot to say)

#long post #(Modern AU!)

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xiaomomowrites · 5 years

Text

Affection [Oneshot]

100 prompts: Cuddle Attack on Titan | Eremika

Summary: Mikasa notices, Eren gets really affectionate when he's really tired. When he falls asleep on her, again, she freezes, eyes wide as Armin raises an eyebrow at their compromising position. Eren was blatantly cuddling her in public.

Find this story on AO3 and Fanfiction! [levi-nii-san | ampalayeah]

A/N: Oh man, so they dropped chapter 118 and you best believe I lost my shit haha. The plot thickens! Have some sleepy Eren to help you cope, maybe. And leave me some feedback! I always appreciate it! This is set after chapter 50~

Mikasa notices, Eren gets really affectionate when he's really tired.

The first time she noticed, she thought nothing of it. Though it wasn’t necessarily normal, it didn’t seem too out of the blue. She sat, reading an updated manual on her gear in the kitchen, as required by their captain this morning. Her eyebrows met in the middle as she tried to understand what the point even was of reading this nonsense, if she already knew her equipment inside and out just from hands-on experience.

She was starting to suspect that Levi was just keeping her off of her feet while her ribs healed, since she got busted for working out the other day.

But since Armin has had his nose in his book all morning across from her at the table, she assumed it might be worth her time.

Eren had his book half open on the table in front of him, but he had fallen asleep beside her; his cheek was pressed up against her arm while his hand rested gently on her thigh. The slouch in his posture could not possibly have been comfortable, but the way his face looked so relaxed indicated otherwise. She dismissed it, thinking he was just tired.

This last week has been rough for him and everyone knew that he very much had trouble sleeping at night. The experiments and training that Eren had been tirelessly working on with Levi regarding his Titan’s hardening ability had absolutely taken a physical toll on him. On top of that, some nights he would just wake up in a panic, blaming it on the stress of feeling like a failure, flashbacks playing so vividly in his sleep.

“It’s fine,” he would dismiss it when Armin and Mikasa tell him the next day that those bags under his eyes look like they could pack enough shit for all three of them. “Once I figure it out, I’ll be fine.”

Except he wasn’t, and it showed when he would fall asleep randomly during the day like this.

It started off innocently (after all, this isn’t the first time he’s ever fallen asleep beside her). She assumed that since she was the closest thing around, it made sense to use her as a cushion as opposed to the hard wooden furniture that decorated the entire cabin. Mikasa noticed his breathing slow steadily; the quiet rhythm of his breaths somehow synched with hers as she found it harder to focus on her reading.

As soon as he crossed over into deeper sleep, Eren shifted: he moved his head from the side of her arm up onto her shoulder in a rather affectionate manner, so that she felt his warm breath on her neck. Since there was nothing to support him from behind, the only way to balance himself was his arm now wrapped around her midsection as his whole weight rested on her.

The young soldier froze, eyes wide as Armin raised an eyebrow at their compromising position. Eren was blatantly cuddling her in public.

“You okay?” Armin asks, looking up at them.

“Uh,” Mikasa steadied herself with her elbows on the table, the book in her hands now completely forgotten. She shot Armin a pleading look, and he almost chuckled at the panic in her face.

“Just tell him to move.”

“Mmm...but he looks so comfortable,” she lifts her arm slightly and his eyebrows knitted together slightly at her movement. “I know he hasn’t been sleeping well, I don’t want to wake him.”

Armin shrugs in agreement, “I suppose so. Suit yourself then.”

Mikasa clears her throat awkwardly, shifting ever so slightly to get more comfortable (since she now had to be comfortable enough for the both of them) as she attempted to put her focus back on her homework.

But when her efforts seemed futile, she sighed in defeat.

She turned her head slightly to see the peace that decorated his features. He moved again a little his hand found its way into her untucked shirt and she gasped as his grip tightened slightly around her waist.

Across the table, Armin tried not to laugh.

Mikasa considered calling his name to wake him up; it seemed more practical and comfortable to sleep on a bed. He seemed so weirdly comfortable as it is, however, and there was no denying that part of her enjoyed this. So she decided against it.

And she would have been fine too if it weren’t for the intense thumping in her chest that distracted her from reading. He shifted one more time to press himself even closer to her (if that was even possible, at least she didn’t think so) and warmth surged through both of them. The last time he even let himself get this close to her was back when they were kids plagued by nightmares and thunderstorms. But after joining the military, there just weren't opportunities to be this proximate. And she honestly thought they had outgrown this need to be so attached at the hip.

In reality, Mikasa was more confused than she cared to admit. To be fair, the situation would have probably been confusing to anyone, even Armin, for it seemed as though Eren was only this touchy when he was tired or asleep.

At least, that was her theory.

The second time she noticed it, she was cleaning her gear, as Levi had assigned to be the chore for the morning. The young Ackerman sat on the floor, her tools scattered in front of her as she was intent on finishing this before lunch. It wasn’t too difficult of a chore, but it required taking some things apart to clean before assembling it back together. It was supposed to be, as the captain had so eloquently explained, ‘a task to both clean their shit and teach them about the mechanics of it’.

It should have been an easy task, more or less, until Eren had fallen asleep beside her again. She vaguely remembered him mentioning at breakfast how his lack of sleep could be blamed on another shitty nightmare and anxious thoughts last night. Mikasa knew better than to pry any further if that’s all he wished to say about it. Besides, it would give her another opportunity to gather data for her hypothesis.

What she didn’t expect was for him to knowingly fall asleep in the middle of their chores, when he knew Levi could come in at any given moment.

Yet, the next thing she knows, his head is in her lap and he’s cuddled up to her again. She is wary, for neglecting two chores in a row would probably piss Levi off exponentially this time. Eren had an excuse, she didn’t.

Mikasa extends her leg and he groans a little, irritated. She stifled a giggle at how childish he seemed, but nevertheless attempts to wake him up carefully.

“Eren?” she asked softly.

“Hmmm,” he moaned gently in response, his voice was deep and husky when he spoke, “stop moving, Mikasa.”

As Mikasa’s heart drops down into her stomach and she felt all symptoms of fight or flight take action, she realized that he indeed knew it was her whom he was being so affectionate with. She immediately ceases all movement and he relaxes, wrapping an arm around her upper thigh to get more comfortable.

With her heart pounding recklessly in her chest accompanied by a heat that settled in the pit of her stomach, she decides to let him sleep instead as she finishes her task at hand. Nevermind the leg he was holding onto, it wasn't necessary for the chore.

Eren seemed much more lively after he woke up, as if that short nap had been all he needed to power through the rest of his chores. Mikasa sat beside him after lunch as it was his turn to clean his ODM gear.

She watched him intently work his way through taking it apart effortlessly. If she didn't know any better, his body language implied that he was indifferent to her presence. Yet, he seemed content with her company.

Although the two had the gift of understanding each other without words, sometimes it was hard to tell with Eren. A whole storm of emotions and thoughts were stirring up inside of her as she resolved to test another theory this afternoon.

“When did you do this?” he asked out of nowhere, his gaze still set on the gear in front of him.

“This morning,” she answers simply, fully aware of the erratic patterns of her heart as she scooted closer to him on the bench. Eren didn’t flinch. "When you took a nap."

"Oh," he nods approvingly, "that was a good nap."

"Was it?"

He glanced up at her from his equipment, a little bewildered. Perhaps she was just trying to make conversation. He smiled a small smile at her, "Yeah. I feel more well rested."

Mikasa couldn't fight the smile threatening to show on her face, "That's good then. Levi won't say it but he's been a little worried about you."

At that, Eren scoffed, "Sure. What else did he need us to do today?”

“Just clean, I’m sure.”

“Ah,” he nods in confirmation. “Are you off the hook then, or…?”

“I finished already,” she told him. “He didn't say anything else.”

“Hm,” he hums in response, before Mikasa takes a deep breath and boldly puts her theory to test. He was being quite amicable right now, there might not be a better time. She was already close enough to him and he hadn’t moved from her, so she gently leans over and rests her head on his shoulder.

At first, Eren tensed immensely, and had she been watching his expression, she would have seen a cute and rather prominent blush adorn his cheeks and spread up to his ears. He felt warm all over, and her faint scent intoxicated him at her proximity. He inhaled, attempting to relax his heart rate that had skyrocketed at her actions.

She smelled like soap. Or perhaps it was perfume? It reminded him vaguely of those bath and candle stores his mother used to visit with them back then. Suddenly his heart felt lighter, and the ugly thoughts that kept him up at night and pestered him during the day were nowhere to be found. The temptation to just pick her up and take her back to bed to sleep in close proximity for the rest of the day was so strong.

He wondered how he would be able to sleep tonight without this.

When Eren came to his senses, he shrugged her off, doing his best to sound annoyed.

“Mikasa, come on,” he snaps gently, afraid to upset her, “I’m busy and people will see.”

The girl in question sat up, confused and flustered, and muttered a quick apology before standing up altogether. She wasn’t sure where she was going, she just needed to get out of there.

“Where are you going?” he asked, as soon as he felt the warmth of her closeness disappear. Remorse decorated his voice, and he wondered how much of an idiot he would look like if he called her back and confessed what he was truly feeling, just so she wouldn't go away. But Mikasa didn't notice his inner turmoil over her own embarrassment.

“Ah, to clean.”

“You said you already-”

“I’m sure Levi will have something,” she mumbled in a hurry, and almost missed the look of disappointment in his face if she had left any sooner.

Mikasa had disregarded her theory for the rest of the week, the embarrassment of her bold advancements still haunting her and keeping her from trying to figure out what it was with Eren being so tired around her.

After that last incident, she had spent another five minutes spiraling in her thoughts and theories before deciding it was futile. Maybe there were just some things about her best friend that she couldn't decipher, and that's probably okay.

Eren had fallen asleep on her two more times in that time, in which Mikasa did her best to not nurse the need to know what was up. Especially since each time it was still inconclusive; if anything it only managed to confuse and fluster the poor girl. But this distraction followed her even into training with Levi, causing her to twist her own ankle in the middle of a late-night sparring match.

“Hm, looks like we’re even,” the corporal teases as he bends down to examine her injury. She scowls up at him, but is far too tired and doesn’t have the will to make a snappy retort. What he said next caught her completely off guard. "What's on your mind, kid?"

"Hmm?" The younger Ackerman looks up at him from the ground, clearly not expecting the captain to notice something was up, let alone confront the issue. His eyes looked the same, but there was a softness to it as he crouched down to her level.

"Your mind is somewhere else." Levi states bluntly, as he hands her a pack of ice.

"Oh, uh, right, I just...um…"

"Is it about that idiot?"

Mikasa sank back, unable to make an excuse before muttering a pathetic, "yes."

Levi chuckled, and Mikasa tried to fight the smile on her face. "Don't think too much about it, he probably doesn't even know what's going on either."

It was vague, but Mikasa had a feeling the corporal had an idea what was going on. He just seemed to get it.

"I suppose," she resigns, accepting his hand to help her up. "Thank you."

"Yeah," Levi reaches up to pat her on the head. "Now get some rest. And stop over thinking."

Mikasa gracefully limps back to her quarters, aggravated as ever at being incapacitated yet again, when she spots Eren fumbling with the doorknob to her room.

“Eren?”

“Mmm,” he looks at her, eyes half lidded, leaning lazily on the doorframe. She realizes he’s either sleep walking, or he had gotten up, half asleep, (perhaps to use the restroom) and instead hobbled over to her room unconsciously afterward. Eren steps aside for her to open the door and then follows her in, dazed, as sleep had a confusing hold on him.

She sets the pack of ice beside her bed and tosses her scarf and jacket messily onto the bedside table. Meanwhile, her guest waited patiently for her to finish dressing down. Groaning from exhaustion, pain, and irritation, Mikasa kicks off her boots before turning to face her childhood friend. “It’s late, Eren, go to bed.”

“Yeah,” is all he says, before tackling Mikasa down onto the bed with him ungracefully. She gasped in surprise as he wiggles around to make himself comfortable around her, their limbs eventually tangled in a mess.

Eren eventually settles down, silence and peace overtaking the atmosphere. All except for her increased heart rate that she could feel up in her ears. But even as Mikasa’s head was spinning with confusion and she was so sure her ears were a bright vermillion red (the color of sheer embarrassment), she also felt oddly at peace. Despite the dead weight of his limbs resting heavily over her slim frame, and her two recovering injuries, she felt so warm and soft. It was an inexplicable comforting feeling.

He moves once more, burying his face into her shoulder and mumbles something that sounds vaguely like “g’night, m'ksa, love you.”

It takes her an hour to fall asleep that night.

Frustrating.

At the end of the week Mikasa decides to leave it at that, concluding that though Eren is maddeningly inconsistent and wildly confusing, that’s just how he is.

When she woke up that morning he was already out of bed. A cold, empty feeling threatened at her chest despite understanding that she had slept in and he couldn't afford to do the same without an excuse. It wasn’t (shouldn’t be) anything personal...right?

The young soldier sat up ungracefully, grimacing as she is painfully reminded of her injuries. All that doesn't matter though when she notices a new ice pack sitting beside her neatly folded scarf and jacket. Only then did she also notice how the side of the bed he had slept on was smoothed down and the blanket that she was sure was a mess from all the moving last night was neatly draped over her figure.

Her cheeks felt warm all of a sudden, but she figured it would be presumptuous to assume...

She finds him sitting on the floor of the kitchen at noon beside Armin, after the squad had finished cleaning for the morning. He was leaning against the wall, just watching the rest of their team goof off around before lunch. Mikasa takes her cleaning bandana off and sits beside him, carefully giving enough space in case he gets all weird about their proximity in public again.

“Hey,” he greets her.

“Hi.” She glances over to him, noting how relatively perky he looked today.

"You look like you slept well,” she comments without thinking.

"I did," is all he says, and she looks away after noticing the way the corner of his mouth turned up into a small smile. Or maybe she was imagining it.

Eren looks over to Mikasa and his expression softened when he noticed how tense she was. Her shoulders were stiff and the way she was sitting could not possibly be comfortable. Her eyes seemed drained, and though she looked content to finally be beside him after a long morning, she definitely looked exhausted.

Mikasa had gotten enough sleep, she told herself. Or maybe not, it was hard to tell. Perhaps it was more mentally exhausting having to entertain the (unwanted?) thoughts of Eren's warm figure pressed up against her all night as she worked through her chores. If it weren't for the way her heart rate skyrocketed every time he moved against her, she thought, it definitely could be something she could get used to. Besides, that was probably the best sleep she’s had in a while.

At the end of the day, the most frustrating part of it was that she still wasn't any closer to figuring him out. Should she ever get used to his sleepy affection, it would be absolutely tormenting to have to deal with withdrawal if it ever stopped. Especially since all this was happening without any explanation whatsoever.

The shifter sighed, a twinge of guilt tugging at his conscience. He knew what was up.

"Did you not?"

"What?" Her gaze snapped to him after being yanked out of her spiraling thoughts.

"Did you not sleep well?" The object of her affection repeated slowly.

"I did," she told him easily, smiling at him. But he wasn't buying it.

"Mikasa," he warns.

The girl in question wrinkled her nose, clearly not used to being put in the spotlight by him like this. "I just...my injuries were making it hard to fall asleep I think."

Eren looked at her, guilty. "I'm sorry. I know I move around a lot when I sleep."

She looks up at him again, surprised that he would even bring it up at all. She was under the impression that he just pretended it didn't happen every time. Maybe she was onto something after all.

This time her smile was genuinely, "it's fine, Eren."

He stares at her for a minute, a plethora of emotions fighting their way for a place in his heart.

“Come here,” he commands gently. For a moment she just looks at him, confused, as he looks like he’d really rather not say it again. “Mikasa,” he calls her name instead, snapping her out of her thoughts, and extends his arm to her, inviting her into his bubble.

She looks at him weirdly at first. Nevertheless, she leans closer slowly until he puts an arm lazily around her shoulder and pulls her in to close the rest of the distance between them. She immediately relaxes, and for the first time in a long time, the two seem genuinely and completely at peace.

Eren rubs her arm affectionately, and she nuzzles up to him, eyes closing on their own accord. He presses a kiss to the top of her head, both of them blissfully unaware if anyone else was watching.

“Thank you,” he tells her.

“What for?”

“For everything,” he says vaguely, and watches as that doesn’t quite satisfy her curiosity. "It's been hard to sleep lately, what with everything that's happened."

"You haven't given it enough time."

"I know, but it's not like we're given that much of a luxury. I don't even know how long we'll be here. I can't just stop to grieve."

Mikasa hums in response, prompting him to control the conversation. He hasn't opened up like this in a long time, but with both of his best friends on either side of him, in the midst of a relaxed day, it just seemed like a good time.

"The nightmares keep me up at night, they're so fresh. Of all our losses, of Hannes...of almost losing you…"

She reaches forward to rest a hand on his thigh reassuringly. "It's alright. I'm here."

"I know. I know, I know." his voice sounds shaky. "I just...I hated seeing it the first time, and it sucked just as much seeing it replay over and over again, especially in my sleep where I had no control over my asshole of a subconscious. Some nights I just didn't want to sleep. But when you were close by, whenever I was on the verge of sleep, just...being so close to you let me submit. It felt okay."

They sat in a comfortable silence for another minute before he quickly adds, "sorry."

"You don't need to apologize," she reassures, finally at peace within herself. It was completely a surprise to get this closure, let alone to know that the real reason for his odd behavior was because of all the comfort he found with her.

"Thank you, Mikasa." He says gently, before turning his attention back to Sasha and Connie arguing over a ladle.

“Hmmm,” she hums, fully content, feeling sleep slowly take over her. A nap before lunch in his arms sounded fantastic. "You’re welcome.”

#attack on titan #aot #shingeki no kyojin #snk #aot fanfiction #snk fanfiction #attack on titan fanfiction #eremika #eremika fanfiction #Eren Jaeger #Mikasa Ackerman #eren x mikasa #mikasa x eren #ao3

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musingsofaperpetualdaydreamer · 5 years

Text

I’m not good with words, I wish I could say something beautiful and eloquent that could adequately convey how I feel about this album. But here’s my best stab at it anyways. You my love are insanely talented. This right here is an actual masterpiece. And no, I’m not being hyperbolic. You masterfully weave these poetic lyrics into this magical tapestry that you breathe to life into with your vocals and beautiful melodies and rhythms that serve as a beating heart beat pulsing through it all. They’re more than just songs. They transport you to another dimension where you’re watching memories and scenes play out, sometimes layered on top of one another.

That’s what I love about your music, in drawing from your own life and putting your heart and soul into it, your music is so much more than just songs, they’re like little pieces of you that are now hold a life of their own. Kind of like Pensieves in Harry Potter. It’s so rare and a quality that is just your signature. But it never feels old and tired or too foreign, every album is new in its style and approach but they’re always you and beautifully done. The fact that you put so much thought and care into it all means the world. (Oh wait I just realised this is also sorta like the concept of the Lover music video. We’re the girl and every album is the magic snow-globe giving us a little peep into your world haha).

This album really stands out to me amongst the others though. I love them all to death (I will still forever remain adamant that RED was robbed of her Grammy for album of the year). This was extra special in that it was like a beautiful kaleidoscope of the different shades and seasons of love and tiny pieces of all the different old Taylor’s scattered amongst the pieces of the self you have currently evolved to. You listen to it in awe, everything is precious and magic. It’s so beautiful. Your mind is so beautiful. Your heart is so beautiful. You are so beautiful.

There are truly no bad songs. I genuinely mean that. Listening to the entire album feels cathartic. You feel everything. You really captured the intensity of all of those different emotions, their depth and range, and even the complexity of feeling multiple conflicting emotions simultaneously. Your bravery in allowing yourself to be so vulnerable, continues to inspire me.

It’s not just the songs, reading your diary pages was really special and I am so grateful that you trusted us enough to do that. I still find it crazy when I can relate to lines in your songs, writing/poetry and now pages of your diary where I’m like, wait that’s exactly what that feels like or I used to be or am exactly like that also! I know you’re like this huge superstar that most likely has zero clue I exist, but growing up with you over the years you really feel like a good friend and you some how manage to make me feel special and understood.

This album has made me cry and want to go back in time and hold you and make it all okay again but also cry lots of happy tears, and cry from the euphoric joy of experiencing the magic of listening to it all, shout that’s my baby that’s my girl and glow with pride, dance, scream, beam from my heart, smile so much my face hurt, feel like I was wrapped in a burrito blanket of the fluffiest forever this is home love, feel enraged, inspired and motivated, cackle, daydream, think deeply, laugh, bop and dance so hard I thought I might pass out, dramatically clap and be like YESSSS GIRL, clutch my heart and fall on the ground, drown in so many feelings, lose my sanity, choke, die dead, like dead dead finito dead and ascend to astral planes I didn’t even know existed. What a heavenly death this is. I feel so blessed to be able to listen to it.

It’s such a powerful album I still kind of feel like I’m floating outside of my own body. It doesn’t seem real that I really get to pour over all these lyrics, commit these songs to memory and incorporate them into the soundtrack of my life (yeah I’m that weird whimsical girl that likes to romanticise everything and imagine her life as a movie and attach songs to memories).

I am so so glad you get to own this album this time. Which feels almost strange to say, you should own the art you create, to suggest otherwise is an injustice. You seem so much more confident in this one, so much freer and it shows in the lyrics and how much your creativity has just soared to impossible heights. This is you at your best.

This album is a masterpiece. I am incredibly proud of you and everything and achieved and become. I am so thankful for this album. Thank you for being you. I love you more than I could ever really say with words. You mean so much to me. I am so so glad that you have found the kind of love you used to dream about and love yourself so much more. You deserve every happiness in the world. I hope this era brings you peace, love, delirious joy and lots and lots of unexpected good magical things happen to you and all your dreams and wishes come true.

Love always,

Mariam 💖✨

#taylor swift #taylurking #lover #miss americana and the heartbreak prince #oh lord they’re all stuck in my head #what a heavenly way to die

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alloverthegaf · 6 years

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So you said you wanted prompts so here's one I tried to write but never did because I'm not a good writer and also I'm lazy: *So the idea is that person A is a barista and person B learns A's hours and come in specifically to see A and order something complicated and annoying. And give A a hard time. But today, A is already having a bad time.* anyway if you want to try that haha

I like it and it’s perfect for Merthur which is not something I generally write but hopefully @dementorsatemysoup will get a kick out of it?

There’s a lot of swearing, mostly a horrendous abuse of the word ‘asshole’, and it cuts off very abruptly because it kept going longer than I meant it to and I ran out of patience lmao but hopefully you like anyway

The first time the Handsome Asshole, as he comes to be known in Merlin’s head, enters the cafe where he works is something of a prophecy for how their relationship is destined to go. He steps up to the counter, six people waiting in line behind him, and proceeds to order quite possibly the most complicated, douchiest beverage Merlin has ever had the displeasure of making. He lists off no less than eight modifications for his coffee, and though Merlin has two years of practice with his customer service smile, he can feel it getting tighter with every specification. Clearly, the Asshole who is Handsome is oblivious to Merlin’s - and his other customers’ - impatience, because he then goes back and lists it all again to make sure he hasn’t missed anything. Merlin assures him, through gritted teeth, that he’s got it all written down and will take extra care not to forget anything, and takes a moment to compose himself before he takes the next person’s order.

Despite the unfairly attractive man - tall, toned and beautifully blond - being an unequivocal douchebag, Merlin does his best to get the ludicrous order right, but they’re understaffed, it’s 8am, and there’s a horde of uni students who are about five minutes away from moaning for brains.

He gets the order wrong, and boy does he fucking hear about it.

It doesn’t stop the man from coming back, though. Two days later he’s back, this time at 4 in the afternoon, and Merlin could swear his face lights up with evil glee when he sees who’s behind the counter.

“Think you can get it right this time?”

Now, Merlin understands that the main reason he even has this job is because his uncle runs the place. He’s very grateful to Gaius for hiring him, and he knows that every time he mouths off to a customer it’s Gaius that has to hear about it. He never actually means to bite anyone’s head off, but he’s never been so great at keeping his mouth shut around bullies and the “think you can not be a prat this time?” slips out of his mouth before he’s even processed the words in his head.

Handsome Asshole’s eyes widen to saucer size and while a part of Merlin is panicking and already trying to think of a way explain this to his uncle, the rest of him is doing a mental self-five. He wishes he had his phone on him to take a photo of the guy’s expression. Maybe he’d print it out. Stick it on one of the front windows.

In the end, he doesn’t get abused. The man orders a flat white with two sugars and doesn’t say another word, but he stays as he drinks his coffee, and Merlin swears he can feel eyes on him the entire time. He waits, afterwards, for the inevitable dressing down from Gaius, but it never comes. Asshole must not have complained after all. Huh.

Maybe he realised he was being a prat after all.

But then, one week later, Handsome Asshole is back and apparently determined to up the ‘Asshole’ levels. His order seems twice as complicated as the first one, and he changes his mind about what syrup he wants about three times. Every time he does so, his smirk grows just a little wider, a little bit more smug, and Merlin can practically feel his blood levels rising. He considers getting it wrong on purpose, just to inconvenience him, but it’s pretty clear by this point he’s just being difficult on purpose so Merlin devotes every ounce of his concentration to making it perfect.

Judging by the surprised look on Handsome Asshole’s stupid handsome face, he succeeds. Mentally, he starts a tally in his head. Counting their first meeting, he sees it as 2 - 1 with him in the advantage. It’s his turn to smile smugly. Asshole looks at him with something like contemplation.

From there the pattern is set. At least three times a week Handsome Asshole - or HA for the times when Merlin’s too busy to properly mentally insult him - comes in and orders something ludicrous. It’s different every time, and every time Merlin makes sure he gets it just right. It comes to the point where Merlin neglects other customers’ orders in sake of HA’s, and as soon as he realises this he curses the man, but he can’t seem to make himself stop. Every time the man sips his coffee, or tea, or iced double whip soy latte with extra foam and two straws, and that expression crosses his face, Merlin feels like it’s a win.

Then comes the Very Bad Not So Good Day, as Gwen refers to it, or Absolute Shitfest, as Merlin prefers. It’s exam time for the uni students, and their milk wand is playing up, and a toddler knocks her babycino (and why is that a drink, Merlin thinks as he’s hurriedly mopping it up, just give her a goddamn juice box), and then a woman wearing gold and pearls like a bird that’s collected too many shiny things for its nest yells at Gwen and very nearly makes her cry, and Merlin has just. Had it. With this day, with this job, with humanity in general, Merlin is done, and he’s trying to gather the strength to last the two hours he has left of his shift while squeezing Gwen’s hand in comfort when the Asshole - because Merlin’s not feeling charitable enough for the ‘Handsome’ part today - strolls in like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

Merlin takes a deep breath, lets go of Gwen’s hand with a final squeeze, and steps up to the register. He stands tall as Admittedly Still Maybe Slightly Handsome Asshole walks up to the counter and opens his mouth to no doubt make his day twenty times harder, and Merlin just snaps.

“No.”

Asshole stares at him. “Excuse me? No?”

“No.” Merlin knows he should backpedal, excuse himself, just take the damn coffee order and spit in it when no one’s looking like any normal person would do, but he’s started now and he can’t seem to stop his mouth forming the words. “No, I will not make your skinny cap with three sugars and an extra half shot, or your mochachino at precisely 82 degrees temperature and four marshmallows, no, you don’t get a half-water chai latte with no foam and a dash of vanilla, no, okay, no. I’m done. I have had the day from hell, I am tired, my friend is crying in the back, and I’m about two seconds from throwing a mug at someone’s head, so no.” He breathes in, long and deep, and lets it out, taking advantage of the stunned silence. “I’m willing to do a flat white. One regular, plain, no frills flat white. I may throw in a spoon of sugar if you agree in the next five seconds.

To his utter shock, the man nods. “Okay.” Suddenly, it’s Merlin’s turn to stare. The man’s looking serious for about the first time since he ever stepped foot in this cafe, and is watching Merlin with dark eyes, calm and composed.

“Okay,” repeats Merlin dumbly, “okay.” He turns to start the very simple, very plain, very… boring coffee order.

“Is your friend okay?”

“What?”

Handsome Asshole cocks his head in gentle enquiry, and fuck, fuck if Merlin has stop calling him Asshole then all he’s got left is Handsome and he can not deal with that - “you said your friend’s crying. What happened?”

“Oh,” Merlin says, confused and unsure where to step in the face of this suddenly caring and apparently nice man, “uh, yeah, she uh - just, a customer was really awful to her, a few minutes ago.”

“I’m sorry,” is the man’s answer, and okay, what?

“Seriously? You’re sorry?” Merlin sets the mug down on the counter with a hard clunk and the man flinches as the coffee spills over the sides. “You’re sorry? You’ve been making my life hell since the moment you came in here but someone else gives one of us crap and now you’re sorry?”

“To be fair, I’ve only ever given you crap. I’m always nice to Gwen.”

Merlin throws his arms up wildly. “Oh, well, in that case.”

He hears an inelegant snort and stares at Very Handsome Asshole who is poorly hiding a grin behind one hand. Merlin channels his Uncle Gaius and raises a very unimpressed eyebrow. “Okay, seriously, what’s the deal? Why have you got it in for me?”

“I don’t,” is the reply, as the man lowers his hand but leaves the grin in place. “Not, uh, not like that, anyway.”

And that - that just makes no sense to Merlin, who responds with a very eloquent “what?”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed this but you’re incredible entertaining when you get all riled up.” Merlin opens his mouth to give an improvised but impassioned lecture on the morals of riling up service people for fun when he quickly adds “and cute.”

Merlin thinks something in his brain has fallen out of place. “What?” he says again, because apparently that’s what his vocabulary has shrunk to.

“Your ears get very red,” the man says, and the high points of his cheeks seem to flush in sympathy. “And your eyes get kind of wild and you start biting your lip and, uh.” He rubs the back of his neck. It’s the first time Merlin has ever seen him act self-conscious. “Well. Couldn’t help myself, I suppose.”

Merlin stares at him. And stares. The staring goes on for so long that the coffee sitting ignored between them goes cold. Finally, as if only just managing to register what was said, he exclaims “you’ve pissed me off for near three months because I’m cute?!”

Some of the other patrons look over curiously at the rise in volume. Handsome Man shifts uncomfortably under the sudden scrutiny. “I’ve been told I’m not so good at flirting.”

“You think?”

#merlin #Anonymous #merthur #small fics #my writing #dementorsatemysoup

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theglassishalfsomething · 5 years

Text

Darcy Interviews Bing: Romance

1. Do you believe in love at first sight? If so, convince me!

I do believe in it! Proof: a family friend of mine met his wife at a Catholic youth group meeting and told the friend he went with to the gathering as they were leaving that he couldn’t live without her. He just knew. They’ve been married for 30+ years now.

Look- we’ve talked about this. I don’t believe in relationship at first sight- that’s crazy. And I don’t think that the love is fully formed or mature but I think it’s real, I think it’s love, and I think it can happen at first sight (meeting).

I’m not saying it’s the only way people fall in love. It’s not the way a lot of people do and that’s totally fine. I also think it’s something that irresponsible people can use as an excuse for irresponsible behavior and it doesn’t justify anything in terms of recklessness or even foolishness. You still have to get to know someone before you commit to dating them, you shouldn’t be reckless. But what’s in your heart, though fragile, undeveloped, “no proof, not much” IS love. That’s what it IS. It’s not something else!

And in a sense all love is love at first sight. As Christopher Marlowe says, “Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?” Sometimes it just takes us longer to see it- the first sight happens down the road but it still happens in a moment. I totally get why people love the Darcy/Lizzy love story more than a more conventional love at first sight. I too am probably more moved by “I cannot fix on the hour or the spot or the look or the words that laid the foundation; it is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I’d begun” than “I just knew” but then idk !!! they’re both beautiful!!

I tend to get in fights with people about this and I haven’t yet succeeded in convincing anyone of this and also it doesn’t really matter because I think it’s probably wiser that people don’t go around believing it and being convinced that the cute person you made eye contact with on public transportation is THE ONE and you “just know”. But I just. In my heart of hearts I believe it’s real.

Matt Damon met his wife at a bar okay!!!! Saw her across the room !!!! and KNEW. I didn’t make that up- that happened to him.

2. If you could spend an hour talking about love with one person, living or dead, who would it be?

Well, in truth I’d talk about it with my family and friends but as I already DO that I’m going to go with Taylor Swift and/or (hopefully and) Jane Austen. I think it would be pretty funny if they were both prosaic about it though. Being an artist and being an explainer/rhetorician aren’t the same thing and I love the idea of both of them being not very eloquent about something they’re so GOOD at talking about in other ways. Like the way you once described Megan Whalen Turner and Adam Driver as discussing their work in the same matter-of-fact, understated, unflowery way. (I think about that a lot.)

This question got away from me. I’d still want to talk to Taylor about it though haha.

3. Do you think that “opposites attract” is a more consistently true principle of successful romance, or can two similar people work together?

WHAT A GOOD QUESTION AND ONE ON WHICH I HAVE MUSED MUCH SINCE YOU FIRST POSED IT TO ME

I think in the end it comes back to the idea of balance. (#reylo, #willieverstopbeingthemostannoyingaboutthisNO) Romances, friendships, any kind of relationship works great and beautifully when there are complementary differences that create a natural check and balance between two people. We’ve all got to steady each other out you know. But romance especially calls for those differences in temperament and even outlook where faults as much as virtues help keep the other in check/help push the other to grow. Damon is so sarcastic, Elena is so sincere. She grounds him and cuts through his defenses; he draws her out of her seriousness and out of her head and makes her have a little more fun. Ben is contemplative and thoughtful and questioning, Rey reckless, impulsive, and action-driven. He steadies Rey’s unthinking action, she helps shake him out of his inaction. They’re better together. I could go on.

“Opposites attract” has definitely been overblown because I think having the same fundamental priorities and beliefs and values is most important in a marriage- the most important thing let’s be real- and even in terms of interests and outlook similarities are good. But the edge of difference in personality and approach is good- it’s what creates the spark! It’s what makes it work. Thank God (truly) that we aren’t all the same.

4. What is the greatest lie about romance that is widely accepted?

That romantic love can be separated from morality, from charity, and thrive. It can’t. As Lewis says in The Four Loves, “The rebellious slogan 'All for love' is really love's death warrant (date of execution, for the moment, left blank).”

On a (somewhat loosely) connected note, that’s why I side-eye those romances that start out and then continue against the wishes and support of family, friends, a wider community. I don’t want to overstate it! Parents, friends, community can be close-minded, unfair, hateful, wrong etc. FOR SURE. But marriages that start out against everyone else in their circle with no intention or desire for reconciliation, with just the two people involved feeling that “this is us against the world, we can defeat all odds!” are not a good idea. A couple’s reasons for cutting ties and starting out in isolation may be necessary but should never be undertaken lightly or as a matter of course because we all need support. We need each other.

“We’re In Love And Anyone Who Says We Cannot Do Whatever We Want Because Of That Hates True Love” feels like a default attitude in today’s culture, especially for teenagers, whenever any objections are raised. Objections should be raised. Sit DOWN and be willing to work your way through them and prove that you’ve thought about them and are ready for the risks and the work involved to make this the best thing it can possibly be. Stop being stupid!!! Your love is not the answer to everything!!!!! Your love cannot be your sole guide!!!!

But I mean, true love that wants the true good can. But that’s different from passion, emotion and it’s not what everyone is operating from you know? We’re messy and human.

5. What do you dream of for your own romantic future, if you do?

Judging by these answers, it seems that I think it’s far too big a risk!!

But I mean, dreaming. Hmm. wow this is making me feel very shy. (Can I lower my font size so it’s like I’m whispering.) I want.............I don’t know. Alright, apart from someone who agreed with me on what was most fundamentally important- faith especially obviously- I’d want to love and be loved very deeply. I want all the things we talk about- friendship, trust, someone who helps me grow, someone who challenges me, someone who loves me a lot whom I loved as much in return. It’s- yeah. This isn’t a good answer but it’s such a hard question.

6. Is I love you the most romantic thing that can be said, or are there other words you would choose?

you know I think “I love you” IS the most romantic thing !!! !!! Before you asked this I would have thought that I didn’t think that and I do love other verbal ways of expressing love but there is something about the words themselves that get to me. Whenever I hear it onscreen I kind of tear up a little bit. It’s why I always tend to ship canon couples at least a little bit because it’s like “BUT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER”. You know how I feel about Tyler and Caroline which is not much but there’s that one scene where he writes her a letter and it’s like “I will always love you” and i’m like “SHOOT ME I CAN’T TAKE IT.”

They’re such beautiful words, so straightforward. So ageless. They don’t change! Human beings have been saying them to each other for centuries.

7. How, in this crazy fandom world, do we identify relationships that are ACTUALLY toxic, versus those that are growing/developing/in need of work?

ahem ahem aHEM A relationship isn’t toxic because screenwriters decide to have the characters say it is without backing that up or with writing bad decisions. I’m not bitter I say bitterly with a bitter expression.

Relationships that are built on nothing but bad things- selfishness, control, abuse, lies- are toxic. Relationships that are separated from the pursuit of the good are toxic.

That said, and it’s a big “that said”, we’re all broken, we’re all damaged, we’re all wounded and sinful and I believe that things can get better, that people can heal so a lot of rhetoric around this topic strikes me as wrong. Tumblr especially tends to label conflict, challenge, and imperfections as toxicity and it’s just- no. Those are all parts of a healthy relationship in this fallen world.

Another way of putting it is that I think, in fiction especially, relationships that don’t DEAL with anything, that don’t involve the struggle of communication are not good. Lies and surface-level resolutions aren’t good.

I’m not qualified enough to talk more about it. (I mean it hasn’t stopped me so far but it’s stopping me here.)

8. Is love a choice?

Yes, but you can’t always control how you feel initially. You can always control what you do though, and it’s the doing that’s the most of love. To paraphrase Lewis, the feeling is just the spark that ignited it.

(*sings* “I can’t decide if it’s a choice, getting swept away”)

9. How do you like your romance, in fiction: full of light and sunshine, warm and constant, or tragically resolute?

All of the above. If I had to choose one I’d say “warm and constant” but all of it absolutely kills me. Screams into the void.

10. Tell me what kind of man I should marry.

Someone principled, steady, witty, kind. Also someone who’s a good cook and also who likes dogs so that you know they’re real and have at least one fault in your eyes.

#darcy interviews bing #romance #my answers get progressively shorter #i could ramble forever but it's getting late #amazing questions emma

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pastelconstellations · 5 years

Text

i spent a lot of time thinking today.

i think its the quietest ive ever been. for once i didnt have anything to say anybody.

i think its because i didnt have the energy to blame anybody. not even myself.

not to say i didnt let my brain have its way with me, i just didnt bother excusing it.

ive been thinking about disappearing. but im not sure where i would go, its more like a pipe dream. where i want to go isnt all that accessible though.

seattle seems nice. but i know running away would never fix a thing, id just be crying in a greenhouse rather than where i am now.

throwing stones against my walls might be more dangerous.

im bored of my problems, of my brain, of where i am. i think i used to see magic everywhere but now i just feel like everybody else.

theres no glitter in the air, no writing on the walls we’re dancing in, ill wake up tomorrow and it will be sunny, just like always

it will be another normal day.

mm. i know i have things to say but nothing is coming to mind. thats a bit abnormal for me.

haha, is this what giving up feels like?

maybe i havent given up hope, but maybe im tired of waiting.

yeah. im definitely tired of waiting.

i thought about the way to love me (hello my love, peering in)

i thought about what its like to be loved.

its hard to look at yourself the ways others do, you know? like, i dont think im worth the time. maybe thats why ive let myself wither away.

i talk about this a lot, but when i think about how you love me i think about all the therapists who ever asked me to list things about myself

things that i loved

and we’d sit in silence until i eventually i cried. “nothing. theres nothing”

they usually accused me of not trying. “there must be at least one thing?”

“no. no. no, sorry”

but you, you you you you you you could sit there and paint the walls with things you love about me (ah, please dont do that)

and im not sure how to swallow all of that, still. i really wish i could.

maybe ill never understand, but ill let you love me anyway. even when i could think of every reason you shouldnt, that out of every person who has ever or will ever exist i may be the least interesting of all of them

but okay. okay. okay.

okay.

the concept of soulmates is interesting. obviously, clearly, i -- we -- believe in it. it still doesnt really feel like a fair trade....sometimes i wonder if it was just a result of my begging that the universe did that but thatd be silly.

the truth is weirder. that i really am your soulmate.

...

what the fuck isnt really all that eloquent.

i love talking about how much i love you, if i didnt i think i would explode like dynamite from all the feeling flowing through me. loving you is the most beautiful thing i have ever done, its the most important thing i will ever do.

so i wish i could understand at least a little bit why you feel the same. not that i dont believe you, and every part of me thats always been wanting your soul to reach out to me accepts your love but god we really dont see the same thing when looking at me.

i think a lot about how i find it easy to talk a lot about how much i love you not just because i love you (the main reason), but because its...believable? who wouldnt love you...no one will ever be shocked i love you.

i wouldnt blame anyone for being shocked you love me. im no one.

you know, i also thought about how my entire life ive always been second best. you know? maybe my obsession with that comes from neglectful parents, never having love to fall back on when all else fails.

when all else fails i know youll still be there.

...

in the next life will you still find me and choose me? will you still love me?

thats a stupid question if the next life is what im hoping it will be

but ill ask anyway.

#i really just went and word vomited my every thought on the page after being silent for like 24 hours #i need to get a DIARY #vent//#my longest vent ever jesus christ

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blancasplayground · 6 years

Text

Best and Worst of AoS Season 5

Here is my season five postmortem, in the form of a roundup of what I loved and didn't love. It got really long, so I won't spend too much time on the intro. Let's just dive in. Obviously, major spoilers for the entirety of the season follow.

Best: The Future

For the first half of season five it felt like the team was stuck in a dystopian YA novel. In a good way. It was a bold move to completely change the look and feel of the show, but it worked from both a narrative and production standpoint. Not only did it make the best use of the reduced budget, since they could film primarily indoors on smaller-scale sets, but they didn't have to deal with the goings on in the MCU back home (that would come later -- and it's not on the "best" list). Creating a future from scratch requires tremendous imagination and planning, and they delivered a rich backdrop. I was sorry to leave behind the characters we met there, like Tess and Flint. Of course, they had to return to the present eventually, but they did a really good job of world-building for those episodes.

Worst: Contradicting Time Theories

The showrunners have said in interviews that there were a lot of heated discussions in the writer's room about time travel logic, and it shows. Back in the season-three episode "Spacetime" they gave us one answer (which happened to be one I really liked) -- time is an illusion. As Fitz explained, the past, present and future happen simultaneously. We just experience it in a linear way because we're limited to the third dimension. So it cannot be changed. But when they blew up the Earth for the season’s main storyline, they also blew up that theory, because they HAD to change the future now. They weren't going to allow the world to be cracked apart. It's not that kind of show. Plus, they’re still tied to the MCU, so they couldn't let that future play out. And yet, when they returned to the past they had characters still behaving as if it were fixed (the whole "invincible three" idea, which so many people disliked), but trying to change it anyway. Either the future is pre-determined or it isn't. Trying to have it both ways makes for sloppy and confusing stories. It also gives viewers a headache.

Best: Fitz's Journey

Fitz's absence was notable in the first few episodes, but to make up for it we got "Rewind," one of the best episodes of the season. We saw Fitz struggling with his dark side, only to have to embrace it in the future to save Jemma and Daisy in the most badass way (a total "baller move" as Daisy put it). The blend of pre- and post-Framework Fitz was exactly what they needed at the time. Unfortunately, it may have opened the door for The Doctor to take control in "The Devil Complex." He got a chance to marry the love of his life, but that happiness was short lived. His psychological break (which was an incredible reveal and riveting to watch from an acting standpoint) and what he did to Daisy split the team and the audience, sparking a lot of debate about the nature of good and evil both on screen and off. Which, I think, was exactly the point. Was he redeemable? Could he have learned to control his dark side? Could the team ever learn to accept this new version of Fitz and his morally questionable, yet undeniably effective, methods? We'll never know. Which brings me to . . .

Worst: Fitz's Death

(Jemma gif because I can’t watch that death scene anymore.)

(But this is almost as bad.)

We've been over this, and the wounds are still fresh, so I won't rehash what so many others have said more eloquently. I will point out that the issue is not with the death itself. They had to do it in order to bring back Cryo Fitz (or perhaps because they knew they could), who hasn't experienced the majority of season five. It's an intriguing idea, and should open up a lot of pathways for his story next season. Also, it gave Iain another chance to show off his crazy talent (like he needed more this season, but whatever, we're grateful). It's just the way they did it, and the fact that anyone thought this would be an acceptable sendoff for a fan-favorite character if it really was the last episode. The fake-out (which wasn't even a proper fake out because they REALLY DID have to bury Fitz) undercut what should have been a bigger moment -- Phil's departure and impending death as well. They botched it, plain and simple, and there's no taking that back.

Best: Philinda Endgame

They took their time getting there, but May and Coulson finally expressed their feelings for each other (at least, the human versions), each in their own signature way. May finally telling Phil she loved him just to shut him up was classic May. And that kiss behind the shield ought to go down as one of most iconic TV kisses in history. I sincerely hope they get lots of parasailing in, and, despite it being a lovely sendoff, that we'll see one or both of them back next season. Incidentally, I believe the fact that Robin drew the two of them on the beach in Tahiti before they changed the future means that they wound up together in the previous version of the loop too. Of course, Phil had to be gone to allow May to become Robin's mom, and now I'm giving myself a headache again. See what you've done, season five!

Worst: Team Infighting

This show is never better than when the characters work together as a team, whether it's on an action-packed mission or simply solving a problem on the ground. Which makes the decision to split everyone up along multiple fault lines later in the season a confusing and super frustrating move that wasn't at all fun to watch. Families fight, sure, but the divisions this year were deep, involving the loss of trust and respect, and the questioning of each other's core moral principles. These are not minor squabbles. I'm not sure what they were trying to accomplish by stepping up the tension and having them take sides against each other in the face of their greatest challenge yet, but I don't think it worked out the way they wanted it to. I would love to see everyone come back together and be a family again, as long as it's done realistically without sacrificing characterization.

Best: Graviton

With this season possibly being the last, the writers took the opportunity to pick up a thread they'd left dangling in episode three. Ever since the introduction of gravitonium way back when, fans have been wondering if the show would follow through and deliver the major comic-book villain Graviton. Considering this season could have been the show's swan song, it was a good time to deliver on that promise. And they did, in a way that was surprising yet somehow fitting. Glenn Talbot has been a thorn in Coulson's side since he showed at the end of season one, so to have him become the final Big Bad is a satisfying, if tragic, fate for the character. Especially since, in his twisted mind, he believed he was doing the right thing, right up until the end.

Worst: Ruby Red Herring

Sorry Dove Cameron fans, but the show let your girl down. Despite the potential in her first few episodes, Ruby never lived up to the compelling, cutthroat (or cut-arm, haha) villain they set her up to be (her hooded alter ego never even got a cool villain nickname). As it turned out, she was only there as a distraction, to confuse the characters and the audience about the real identity of the Destroyer of Worlds. And just as she was getting interesting -- the way she watched and mimicked Fitzsimmons alone told us more about her cold upbringing and the lack of human connection in a few moments than we got in all her episodes before that -- they killed her off to give the team something else to fight about.

Best: Nostalgic Callbacks and Fan Service

We got so many callbacks to previous seasons throughout season five. Maybe it's because the writers knew there was a chance this would be the last year, so they packed in as many references to the history of the show as they could. There was also the milestone 100th episode, which naturally lent itself to looking back. In addition to paying off older plot points (see above re: Graviton) they directly acknowledged their loyal viewers with that "small but active fan base" line. It was exciting seeing Mike again. And good to have Davis back too, with his mysterious survival story (that I hope they never reveal). Not to mention Hunter (which I will, down below). These were all gifts to long-time fans and we ate them up.

Worst: Infinity War Tie-In

If you're going to go there (and yeah, they had to, given the show's history), then fully commit to it, rather than using the cop out of ending the season just before the movie's biggest moment. Anyone who's seen it knows that the ending could potentially have a major impact on the show. So embrace that (imagine Phil handing Mack the keys to Lola, only to watch them fall to the ground). Or they could have used the multiverse to disconnect from the MCU once and for all. There were already so many questions going into the finale, whether they would or wouldn't go through with the snap was one debate I could have lived without. And it's still up in the air as to whether it will be a factor next season. Given that the airdate is after the next movie comes out, I'm inclined to think not, but I kind of wish we didn't even have to worry about it.

Bonus Bests:

The Return of Lance Hunter

Every single moment he was in was pure gold. I really hope we haven't seen the last of him.

Fitzsimmons Wedding

I mean, obviously. So beautiful and emotional. A shining moment of light to balance the darkness of the rest of the season..

Deke

I love Deke. End of story. He is still around and he will be back. See my explanation post here. I have no official confirmation of this, I'm just thinking positively.

One final note: These gifs were pulled from all over. I’m still rather new to Tumblr, so if you see something that’s yours and would like credit, let me know (and also if you could let me know how to do it that would be great).

#agents of shield #agents of shield s5 #aos #fitzsimmons #philinda #phil coulson #daisy johnson #leo fitz #jemma simmons #alphonso mackenzie #yoyo rodriguez #deke shaw

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decembercamiecherries · 7 years

Text

Walking on Moonlight

Word Count: 2218

Summary:

“Killua?”

Killua grounds his teeth together. “I’m not mad.”

Gon hums. “Okay. But, you know, you kind of sound like you are, so-”

“Gon!” Killua snaps- for real, this time. “I am not mad, okay?! I’m just. Kind of…”

“Pissed?”

This is a fic written for my friend Kaz, aka @softkillua! I told him ages ago that I would write him anything for his birthday today and this was his request! This is a killugon trans crew au in which killua is transgender male and Gon is generfluid- you can find more about this universe in Kaz’s sideblog @thehxh-transcrewau! And lastly, this fic was beta’d by the kind and wonderful @murderxbaby, thank you so much for helping out with this!

I hope you like this Kaz it was a pleasure to write with your characters ^-^ and I wish you a very happy and wonderful birthday!!!!! Eat all the cake haha

P.S. Check out shimmy-sham’s beautiful artwork to go along with this fic!!!

The walk is silent.

Not awkward, really, because things can never actually be awkward when it comes to the two of them spending time together. They know each other too well for that. But the walk is still quiet and kind of weird, and Killua is already more flustered than he would like admit after the events that occurred in the past few hours.

Because Gon had taken him out. On a date. Like, a real date. Not their usual “Hey, hey, Killua, let’s go get ice cream!” or “OH! Killua, let's go home and watch a movie. Aunt Mito’s out for the night!” kind of date that Killua is more than used to and happy with at this point.

No. Like a real, real date. The kind where they’d driven to some fancy restaurant with a fancy name Killua would never be able to pronounce with an equally fancy menu plastered with even more fancy names. On top of it all, Gon insisted on getting all dressed up and nice and pretty and Killua- Killua hated getting dressed up. Hated it with the fiery burning passion of a thousand suns.

But he did it, because it was for Gon. He let Alluka straighten his hair, tie it half up in an eloquent set of knots and braids while the rest cascaded down his back, for Gon. He put on dark jeans and his best sweater- even though it scratched at his skin and itched- for Gon, because Gon liked how those colors looked on him, and Gon was worth it.

But that didn’t mean Killua was exactly happy about it.

“You okay?”

Killua scowls at the question. “Fine,” he bites out, trying his honest-to-god best not to snap (but he’s pretty sure he ends up doing it anyway). “Amazing. Just- you know, peachy.”

Gon laughs. It’s a mix of bells and chimes, the swell of an ocean wave, and the freedom of a bird soaring through the sky. Gon’s laughter is beautiful, honestly. It’s probably one of the most- if not the most- beautiful sounds Killua’s ever heard, or ever will. Killua can’t help the way his sour mood lifts a little at the joy spilling from Gon’s perfect lips.

“What?” Killua asks, brow furrowing.

Gon cuts them-self off, still giggling slightly when they ask, “Are you still mad about dinner?”

Dinner. Dinner, Gon says, like it’s not that big of a deal, like they hadn’t gone and made this entire thing ten times more bizarre and weird than it already was by insisting that they pay for the whole bill and not let Killua hand over a single penny-

“Killua?”

Killua grounds his teeth together. “I’m not mad.”

Gon hums. “Okay. But, you know, you kind of sound like you are, so-”

“Gon!” Killua snaps- for real, this time. “I am not mad, okay?! I’m just. Kind of…”

“Pissed?”

Gon lets out another peal of laughter when Killua whirls around and punches them in the shoulder. “AH, Killua, ahaha-”

“Shut it! Ugh!”

“It’s the truth though, right?”

“No! It’s not!”

Gon nudges him, golden eyes sparkling with mirth in the faint glow of the moon. “What is it then, hmm?”

“I. Am not. Mad.” Killua turns sharply away from Gon’s burning gaze and glowers moodily at the path ahead of them. He refuses to lose himself in the magnetic pull embodied by the one and only Gon Freecss.

In the distance, Killua spots a wooden bridge that curved over the opening to the harbor. He keeps his own blue eyes trained on that as he mumbles, “It’s just, weird, okay? We never do stuff like that, Gon. Not once in the entire time we’ve been dating have we ever done anything that fancy. Where the hell did all of that even come from?!”

Out of the corner of his vision, Killua sees Gon bob their head thoughtfully. “Hmm. That’s true! But, that’s exactly why I wanted to do it, you know?”

“…no. I don’t know.”

Gon clasps their hands behind their back and they disappear from view in the folds of Gon’s long skirt. “Well! That’s kind of why I did all of this, actually? I was just thinking that we’ve never gone on an official date before! We’ve always done a lot of little stuff but never anything official. And that’s what I want for us!”

“G-Gon,” Killua chokes out. He can feel an ugly blush creeping up his neck, blooming across his cheeks and spreading all the way to the tip of his ears. It’s hot and uncomfortable and the small butterflies in his stomach really aren’t making this experience any easier. “That’s…c’mon, we’ve been dating for years now, you never needed to do anything ‘official’. We’re as officially together as we’ll ever be.”

“I know! But Lea and Kurapika go on these really nice dates all the time and they’re always doing a ton of special things for each other. This was never about doing something that ‘needed’ to be done. I wanted to do that with you, because you’re wonderful and amazing, and you deserve to be treated like that.”

Killua ducks his head at that, knowing his entire face is scarlet. Gon’s words were genuine, tender. They weren’t lying about any of that; they were being honest and blunt as usual, and it was…

“Embarrassing,” Killua mutters and hears Gon stifle a snicker.

“You’re the only one embarrassed, Ki-llu-a,” Gon says teasingly. Something warm and soft brushes against Killua’s knuckles and as mortified as Killua is right now, he doesn’t stop Gon from weaving their fingers together lightly. Gon squeezes once and Killua tightens his hip in response.

They’re 20 years old. They’ve been dating for years and know each other even longer than that. And yet, having all that knowledge doesn’t stop Killua’s heart from bursting at the simple contact of Gon’s calloused skin against his. Their hands still fit as perfectly as ever, Killua’s longer fingers fitting snugly against Gon’s broader ones. He still loves the way Gon’s thumb absent-mindedly traces circles into the curve of his bone, how Gon sometimes squeezes his hand too tightly when they get overexcited about something, the light swinging of their arms to match the pace of their feet…

It’s good. It’s good and wonderful and perfect, and it’s so much more than Killua could’ve ever dreamed at the tender age of 12, before he and Gon became an actual thing. It’s so good that it makes him wonder if he’s worth it, sometimes.

But then he sees the happiness brighten Gon’s eyes whenever they lock onto Killua’s face, the automatic curve of their lips whenever they call out Killua’s name, and Killua knows the answer.

Gon gasps suddenly and points ahead with their free hand. “Killua, look! It’s a bridge with fairy lights and water, and-”

“Yeah, I know.” Killua fondly rolls his eyes at Gon’s enthusiasm. “I saw it earlier. Why are you so-”

He yelps at the sharp tug of his arm. And then they’re both running, feet pounding on black cement as Gon half pulls, half races Killua to the wooden bridge. Killua’s lungs burn and his heart pounds, but Gon holds onto his hand tightly the entire time.

The pair only slow after their shoes hit the first wooden block. When they finally stop, both are a panting, sweaty mess. Killua can feel his bangs sticking to his forehead as the adrenaline leaves his veins. His mouth tastes like metal and Gon- Gon is still holding his hand somehow.

Killua swallows thickly at the realization. His gaze slowly traces up the line of Gon’s arm, over their neck to land on their wonderful face. Gon is staring straight ahead, eyes twinkling with simple joy at the yellow lights twisting around the bridge’s railing. Gon tugs gently at Killua’s arm to lead him forward.

“C’mon,” Gon says softly and Killua obeys without hesitation.

The sight at the top of the bridge is beautiful. Killua’s mouth falls open and he gapes at the harbor that unfolds before them, moonlight flickering across shallow waves while stars shine like scattered diamonds in an endless sky of midnight blue. The air is cooler here, fresh, and filled with the low trickling sound of the river under their feet. Killua lets go of Gon’s hand to wrap his long fingers around the wooden railing, drinking in the wondrously peaceful scene around them.

He doesn’t even react when a pair of warm arms wrap themselves around his waist.

“Pretty, right?” Gon says into Killua’s ear. Their warm breath ghosts across Killua’s skin, and Killua can’t help but lean back with a sigh.

“Yeah,” he murmurs. He feels soft and fuzzy and content. Gon’s muscled arms around him always have that effect on him. Killua knows he is safe here, in Gon’s embrace, tucked against their beating heart. No one can hurt him as long as Gon is holding him like this.

Killua reaches back to scratch Gon’s head, earning him a happy hum from the person he loved most in the world. Killua admits lowly, “It’s beautiful.”

“So are you.”

Killua’s heart throbs. “Gon-”

“It’s true,” Gon says stubbornly. “Really, Killua. You are. I’ve never seen anything prettier than your smile. You glow from the inside, you know?”

Killua didn’t know. He didn’t understand how Gon could be so patient with him on his worst days, when the depression was heavy and thick and all he wanted was to lay in bed until the world ended. He didn’t understand Gon’s infinite adoration for him, or their unconditional love. He didn’t see most of the things Gon say they love about him. But that’s what love is, isn’t it? Loving someone for every part of them- even the parts they themself couldn’t see.

Killua lets out a long breath, tilting his head backwards to rest against Gon’s shoulder and lifts his face towards the stars. “You’re so weird,” he grumbles as he tries- and fails- to ignore the prickling heat creeping to his cheeks. “People can’t glow, Gon. I’m not a star.”

Gon giggles and nuzzles their nose into Killua’s styled hair. “I think you could be a star, maybe.”

The heat rushing to his skin was growing unbearable now. “Don’t be an idiot.”

“I’m not! I’m just saying, you have pretty silver hair and nice pearly skin and eyes like the sky, and you look like a star, I think! That’s all.”

“That’s all,” Killua parrots back sarcastically and Gon nods enthusiastically.

“Yeah! I mean, I could go on if you want-”

“No, Gon.”

Gon laughs again, light and happy, and butterflies flutter back to life inside Killua’s chest.

It’s stupid. Stupid and cheesy and dumb. But being here, wrapped in Gon’s arms with the heavens spread above them and the quiet chirping of crickets floating through the air…it makes Killua feel like he and Gon belong together, somehow. Like they really are two pieces of a whole, like they are meant to be like this forever.

A slight breeze swirls around them. Gon sways a little in response, forcing Killua to move with them.

“Gon,” Killua starts as Gon begins to hum something, lips pressed to the crown of Killua’s head. “Gon. What are you doing.”

“Nothing,” Gon says, sounding entirely too innocent.

They keep on swaying back and forth. The motion gets stronger, more lavish and flowing, until suddenly Killua finds himself being spun around to face Gon’s beaming face.

“Gon-!” he gasps out but Gon is already grasping his hand, guiding him forward while their second hand presses into the curve of Killua’s spine.

“It’s just a little dancing, Killua,” Gon says. Their voice is so melodic, so enticing, Killua can’t help but be swept away.

“There’s no music,” he says, glancing around anxiously in case someone was watching. He nearly trips over his feet in the process but Gon catches him easily, keeps the pair of them moving as if Killua never fell in the first place.

“Don’t need music, when I got you, baby~”

Killua scoffs at Gon’s teasing. “Yeah, whatever. Sunshine.”

Gon loses it at that. Their whole body shakes with chortling laughter and Killua has to whack them on the shoulder, face burning, before they finally stop.

“You’re so ridiculous.” Killua tugs lightly at Gon’s slicked back hair. He’s not sure how much he likes it; the amount of gel Gon used to get it to stay back like that probably cost them a pretty penny. It was sweet of them for trying though, despite how much more Killua loved Gon’s normal, soft spikes. Gon had tried to look nice for him, just like Killua had done.

“You still love me, though!” Gon chirps brightly and Killua feels his expression soften.

“Yeah,” he admits quietly, silently relishing in the awe that flows into Gon’s beautiful golden eyes. The lights make their tan skin glow, and for a moment, Killua understands what Gon had said earlier. Love made people glow, made them shine. And they were shining here together, under the moon and stars. “I do.”

He cups Gon’s jaw, taking a split second to absorb the warmth radiating from Gon as the other gazed back at him, before pressing his lips to Gon’s and melting into their embrace.

#dc writes #killugon #hunterxhunter #killua zoldyck #gon freecss #au #trans crew au #dc gifts #softkillua

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emmerrr · 7 years

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I asked for trc and tfc prompts and @midtempohands said: maybe something about ronan and adam planning out their future post-college and ronan having a healthy perspective about the barns being his home but not a place he needs to be tied to emotionally forever?

This was super fun to write thank you, and I hope you like it! <3 I’m gonna put it under a read more ‘cause it got a little long. I want to cross-post it to ao3 because my theme is probably not the easiest to read fic on but I don’t know what to call it. someone name it for me and I’ll put it on ao3 too haha.

(also if anyone else wants to, feel free to direct a prompt to my ask box! doesn’t have to be shippy!)

The summer before Adam’s final year at college somehow manages to feel both shorter and longer than all the summers that have come before it. Shorter because Adam picks up a lot more hours at Boyd’s than he usually does making it almost feel like he hasn’t come back at all. Longer for pretty much the exact same reason; Ronan still feels like he’s waiting for Adam to come home, the time they snatch in between the working hours blissful and yet never enough.

Adam’s plan is to save as much money away as possible so that he can drop one of the part-time jobs he has at college when he goes back and devote the extra time to his studies and internship applications, in preparation for his post-graduation future.

Ronan broods about the loss of time. But he does it quietly, when Adam’s at work and not there to witness it. He’s driving Opal up the wall.

He’s half-tempted to just transfer all of the money Adam would need for the year into his account, but he knows it would just cause a row of colossal proportions. Ronan and Adam fight nowhere near as much as they used to, but whenever they do, it is almost always about money.

The problem being, of course, that Ronan’s always had it. He’s flippant about it in a way that Adam’s never been able to be. He doesn’t feel guilty about it because it’s a waste of time; he can’t help it any more than Adam can, and Adam doesn’t want his guilt anyway. He just wants Ronan to try and understand, and that? That Ronan can do.

He knows how Adam works. He has always known.

Adam’s extended absences during the summer, especially given the reasons for them, mean Ronan has plenty of time to think about the future. Adam being at college, whilst at times been so heart-wrenchingly difficult, has also allowed a certain amount of routine. Not that Ronan’s ever particularly cared for routines, but it’s not to say he can’t get used to them, and he had got used to Adam’s. He knew all of Adam’s college dates, knew when he had time off, knew when he’d be home, or when Ronan could go and visit. And these dates fell at almost the exact same time every year.

Once Adam has graduated, however, all of that goes out the window. It’ll be an unknown for both of them; something new to navigate, especially if Ronan remains at the Barns. It’ll mean even less time to see each other, and Ronan is tired. So fucking tired of long distance. Missing people is exhausting, not to mention it seems pointless if there’s something he can actually do about it.

This is what he’s been thinking about on Adam’s last day of summer vacation. A day that Adam spends the majority of at Boyd’s, annoyingly enough. He wasn’t originally going to work it but Boyd called last minute having been let down by not one but two other members of staff, desperate enough that he said he’d pay Adam double overtime rates. An offer too good to refuse.

“Don’t pout, I’ll be back in time for dinner,” Adam had said on his way out of the door.

“Fuck off, Parrish,” Ronan had replied pleasantly.

It’s an overcast day, the humidity making it feel muggy and uncomfortable as Ronan goes about his day. He gets a lot done; he mows the lawn outside the farmhouse that leads down to the first of the fields, sees to the vegetable and fruit patches he has growing, cleans out half of one of the barns, and tidies up the entire house (with the exception of his own bedroom, which is currently a mess as Adam’s been in the process of packing and the sight is a stark reminder that he’ll be gone again soon). Opal disappeared sometime in the morning and hasn’t reappeared yet. Ronan’s not concerned; she often takes herself off to wander about the place, treasure hunting or tormenting Chainsaw. She always comes back again, usually completely filthy and having exhausted herself with her day’s activities.

Ronan’s making spaghetti bolognese when Adam gets back from work. The side door that enters into the kitchen swings closed and Adam lets out an exhausted sigh.

“That smells amazing,” he says, hooking his chin over Ronan’s shoulder and pressing a kiss into his cheek.

“It’s just spaghetti,” Ronan replies, rolling his eyes, but he’s pleased and Adam can tell. He nuzzles into Ronan’s neck for a moment and then retreats to the kitchen table, sitting down with a groan like it’s the hardest thing he’s done all day.

Ronan looks around at him and Adam smiles at the attention. “Long day,” he explains. “It’s nice to sit down.” He turns his good ear towards the door that leads off towards the rest of the house and listens for a few seconds, then turns back to Ronan. “Where’s Opal?”

“Your guess is a good as mine,” Ronan says wryly. “Terrorising the local wildlife no doubt.”

Adam snorts; the corner of his eyes crinkles in amusement and Ronan is undone. He checks to make sure his pasta isn’t bubbling over, and when he’s satisfied that nothing on the hob needs his immediate attention, he sits down opposite Adam. “Listen, Adam, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Adam raises both eyebrows. “Is this going to be as ominous as it sounds?”

Ronan scowls. “Fuck off, no, it’s not ominous.”

Adam’s expression turns serious. “What is it?”

Ronan’s not good with words. Not even after all this time; he’d still rather let his actions do all the talking for him. But he’s also an adult now, and he’s learned that there’s some things that really do need to be said out loud.

“It’s just that — it’s your last year now. And when it’s over you’ll be graduating and you’ll get an internship in a city somewhere, and your structure won’t be like it is now. And I guess I was wondering where you want me to. . . to fit in with all of that?”

Adam frowns now, proper confusion spreading across his face. “Ronan, what do you mean?”

Ronan huffs in exasperation and wishes, for one fleeting second, that he was as eloquent as Gansey. “I mean do you want to keep doing what we’re doing now? Seeing each other every so often except maybe even less than before? Or do you want me to come with you?”

Adam goes stock still, eyes widening a fraction. Slowly, he rests his forearms on the table in front of him, clasping his hands together. When he speaks, it’s even-toned, the words picked carefully. “I wasn’t aware that second point was an option.”

Ronan narrows his eyes. “Of course it’s a fucking option.”

Adam smiles, quick-silver. “You’d come with me? Really?” It’s like he can hardly dare to hope, and it settles Ronan’s resolve.

“You know I would,” he says. “If you really think about it, you fuckin’ know I would.”

“But Ronan, this place, the Barns. . . it’s your home.”

Ronan shrugs. “Yeah, it is. It’ll always be my home. But honestly, it feels less like home when you’re not here,” he admits. It’s a pretty sappy thing to say, and Ronan has been known to let a few sappy things slip when it comes to Adam, but still. He has a reputation.

Adam grins wider, then looks around the room. “You wouldn’t sell it, would you?”

Ronan thinks about it for a minute, but the idea of someone else calling the Barns home unsettles him. Just thinking about another family making memories here makes his skin crawl. The Barns is a place of dreamers and dreams, and as such it should remain the property of dreamers and dreams. “No,” he says. “It’s — fuck, it’s part of my heart, you know? I could never sell it.”

“Good,” Adam says quickly. “That’s good. You shouldn’t. That way we’ve always got it to come back to, if and when we want. And you could split your time if there were things you needed to do here that you couldn’t do wherever I am. . .” he trails off and bites his lip, clearly lost in thought as he considers the logistics, but that’s okay. This is good; it finally feels like they’re planning for their future instead of planning separately and just hoping for the best. Communication is still such a tricky thing, but look at them now?

Adam meets Ronan’s eyes again. “Are we really doing this then, Ronan? Are you going to come and live with me properly, wherever I end up after graduation?”

“Adam,” Ronan says, and he reaches across the table and twines his fingers with Adam’s. “I want a life with you, and that doesn’t really work if I never get to see you. So, yeah. I’m gonna come and live with you, as long as that’s what you want.”

Adam smiles again, laughs breathlessly like he can’t quite believe it, then lifts Ronan’s hand to his mouth and kisses his knuckles — a move he learned from Ronan. “Yes, Ronan. That’s what I want,” he says.

A stillness settles inside Ronan, calm finally flooding through his veins after a day of feeling unsteady and unsure. Adam is still leaving tomorrow, then there’s still almost a year to go to sort out everything that would need to be sorted out. They don’t know where they’ll be yet, there’s Opal to consider, and all sorts of other niggling grown-up responsibilities that no doubt will need to be taken care of.

But the important thing is, they’ll be together.

“Lynch,” Adam says, and there’s a sparkle in his eyes.

“Yes, Parrish?”

“Your spaghetti water is bubbling over.”

#the raven cycle #trc #trc fic #pynch #tumblr prompts

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