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uchiwife · 1 year

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[ No Uchiha Massacre AU.]

Characters: Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Itachi, Sabaku no Gaara, etc. ( some characters will only be mentioned.)

Category: Epic friendship, romance, humor, fluff, unrequited love or is it?, angst, open ending.

WARNING(S):Sakura is not a reliable narrator. Her thoughts shouldn’t be taken at face value. They’re her own. She doesn't necessarily reflect what others think or reality.

Word count : 3,137k

a/n : English is not my mother tongue, so please excuse me for any mistakes I might commit in it. ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ

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───── ❝ 五歳 ❞ ─────

───── ❝ 十二歳 ❞ ─────

───── ❝ 二十歳 ❞ ─────

In her childhood, Sakura remembered vividly spending hours in the Uchiha compound. She’d become best friends with the second heir of the clan. The youngest. She remembered running around his beautiful garden, admiring the koï and feeding them. She remembered admiring his mother's vegetable garden and the flower beds that could be found here and there.

Sasuke, the second Uchiha heir, along with their second blond best friend Naruto had grown up together so to speak. They’d done some stupid things together. First, they followed Naruto in his pranks, helped him to re-decorate the heads on the Hokage monument with paint. Naruto's mother, Kushina, had literally chased the three fleeing mini-thugs, yelling, with a ladle in her hand and threatening them with laundry duty of the entire Shinobi corps for a month. Thanks to Sakura's tactical intelligence and Sasuke's military intelligence, they’d managed to escape to what they called their secret tree house. They hid there to escape any punishment. Needless to say, their plan didn't work out so well.

The only comfort and pride that the three children felt in this memory was that it had taken 18 hours to find them. It was Sasuke's older brother and cousin who had found them.

They hadn't had a good day, or even a good week after that. They were punished, of course, but strangely enough they were praised for their teamwork. And they were only 5 or 6 years old at the time. Everyone was complimented on their skills. Even their escape was praised for what it was, even more so when they had managed to escape their "enemies".

Sakura always remembered fondly “des quatre cents coups” they had done in their childhood. That's why she had so many memories in the Uchiha district or in Naruto's house surrounded by his parents. Or her own.

But, today, she would have done anything to escape the complex.

She was currently in Sasuke's room. On his bed. The young man was polishing his Kusanagi, while Sakura was lying across the mattress, her head resting on one of Sasuke's thighs. He didn't seem to mind. He was used to it. He wasn't an overtly tactile person, but he was as open as one could be even more so with Team 7.

The pink-haired girl was desperate. Forgetting what she saw earlier was simply not possible. She had gone to find the first available person. Surprisingly, it had been Sasuke. Naruto was on a date with Hinata and Ino was on a mission with team 10. So her friends weren't what you would call "available." Of course Naruto would probably have dropped whatever he was doing to make sure his Sakura-chan was okay.

She’s like a sister to him. They’d all grown up together after all, but Sakura thought it was selfish to interrupt him while he was enjoying a moment with sweet Hinata. God knows it took that idiot a long time to ask the Hyuuga heiress out.

He had foolishly thought that he had no chance with the girl.

She snorted at the thought.

Idiot. If only he knew.

Hinata only had eyes for him. It was even before the academy. Now that they were together and happy, she wasn’t going to spoil their date.

Sasuke wasn't a bad choice anyway. She was actually very close to him. He knew things about her that even Ino didn't know ( And she prayed that the pig never found out because she might suddenly disappear.)

He hadn't questioned her when she’d snuck in through his bedroom window while he was polishing his Kunai. He had seen her puffy red eyes and she was wet from the rain : that had been enough for him to silently invite her into his den. He’d allowed her to borrow one of his old pants and a t-shirt that had become too small for him and she’d decided that a hot shower was in order. Sasuke let her be.

And here they are now :

Sakura on his bed, her head on his lap, a book on her stomach and him taking care of his Kusanagi. He knew she would talk when she felt ready. Sakura didn't like to be rushed. She liked to take the time to unravel her feelings so she could understand them better. And soon the Uchiha heard Sakura's voice. She spoke softly, but he could hear the notes of frustration, sadness and anger in her voice.

“ I can't believe he did that! I hate him so much!”

Sasuke closed his eyes and took a breath. Okay. Here we go again. He said nothing, listening, knowing anyway that Sakura was just going to vent whether he wanted it or not.

“No but can you believe that asshole!? Kissing that... that... Ugh. I can't even be upset with Hana-chan. She's really too cute. It's his fault anyway!”

At the familiar name, Sasuke looked up, arching his eyebrow.

“Hana? As in Hana Inuzuka? Kiba's older sister?”

Sakura huffed, annoyed.

“Yes! Now is not the time to drop your brain Sas’ke!”

Sasuke scowled and pinched the girl who yelped at the sudden gesture. She glared at him and then put her head back on his lap. God only knows what a comfortable couch he could be.

“You should be thankful that I haven't kicked you out yet.”

Ah that, Sakura scoffed:

“You love me way too much to kick me out and if you did I would probably rat you out to a) your mother because she loves me and b) your father because he loves me even more since I treated and cured your mom's disease a few years ago.”

The boy winced at the thought. He preferred not to have his mother on his back. So he gave in. For now. He too could blackmail Sakura and go complain to Mebuki-Obasan. The smartest of the Shinobi military corps knew better than to mess with one of the best Jônin cryptographers in Konoha's decryption unit. Sakura had not only taken after her mother's intelligence but also her fiery temper. He preferred not to interfere when these two women were in conflict

So he patiently listened to Sakura complain without having to ask which asshole she was talking about because he knew. Oh yes, he knew. Unfortunately.

“Go on.”

“Don't tell me what to do! Hm. What was I saying ? Oh yeah... Can you believe that asshole? Kissing Hana?! Of all people! When I go to tell Kiba that! Ha!”

“The fact that you think Kiba can beat him up is very cute. Delusional, but cute.”

“Shut up, you idiot! You're supposed to be on my side!”

“I'm not getting involved in your teenage melodrama. Besides what you're saying doesn't make sense. Why would he go and kiss Hana? He's never shown more than a friendly interest in her.”

“ I dunno, Sas’ke! Just ask your asshole of a brother! And anyway I thought it was Shisui who was interested in Hana!"

Sasuke snorted.

“Yeah when he was like 15. That sicko is hitting on Anko now according to the rumors. That guy has no sense of self preservation. It's a wonder how he survived all this time.”

Sakura stood up abruptly, grabbing him by the shoulders and luckily for her, he had already sheathed his Kusanagi.

“This is a serious matter! How do you want to coexist in a world where your brother is marrying a woman that isn’t me !? Think about your mother and yourself. You will be so devastated not to have me for a daughter-in-law and sister-in-law. I would hate to break your heart.”

Sasuke chuckled. CHUCKLED. That girl is crazy.

“Of all the people involved in this, I think you're the one who would really be heartbroken. Itachi has no reason to date Hana and I remind you that you already turned him down when he asked you to go to the spring festival with him a few years ago.”

Sakura frowned, tightening her grip on her best friend's sturdy form.

“It wasn't like that and you know it! Tsunade-Shishou had asked me to be Gaara's escort. Honestly I could hardly see myself refusing the Kazekage. Going with Gaara to the festival was diplomatic.”

“Straddling him in an intense make-out session was also a diplomatic tactic? Maybe you wanted to give him a taste of the sweets of Konoha?” He replied with a smirk on his lips.

Sakura blushed furiously and punched him, holding back her blow enough to do no real damage but hard enough to hurt.

“Shut the fuck up! We promised we'd never talk about it again!”

“You still naively think that Itachi doesn't know that you had a relationship with the Kage of Suna? It’s hilarious. It doesn't take a genius to do 1+1. Your missions to Suna and its borders were a little too frequent back then.”

“Like your brother is a virgin!”

“That's disgusting, Sakura. I don't need to know that.”

She huffed. Sure, Sakura and Gaara had had a three year relationship, but in her defense, she really didn't think Itachi cared about her back then. Hadn't he told her "not to waste time on him. He's so busy with his duties to Konoha and his clan." Only to see Izumi glued to his arm? Tch. Lying bastard. Her 15 year old self had been heartbroken. She had had a little crush on Itachi as a kid. He was so cool. But little Sakura chose instead to train to be a good Shinobi like her parents. So although she marveled at Itachi's prowess in the recesses of her mind and with Ino when she was creating flower crowns at the age of 5, she figured it would be wiser to pretend she didn't care about the older boy.

She had flirted and dated casually in her teens but her first time and first real relationship had been with Gaara. There had always been something she couldn't name between them, but she had ignored it in favor of her training. Even back in the Chuunin exam he had complimented her in a rather strange way. In fact his compliment sounded like a threat and with his icy green gaze she wondered if he didn't want to crush her with his sand.

Luckily for her Sasuke and Naruto had been there and had been suspicious and protective of her. And very rude if we want to be honest. At 12 years old these two idiots couldn't care less about being diplomatic at an international event that aimed to bring foreign countries together in its land. Thank goodness they had matured since then.

And look at her now! A beautiful young woman and an accomplished 20 year old shinobi who was getting upset because her not-so-secret crush was kissing the sister of one of her good friends. What a bastard! And to think that she thought things had changed. Needless to say, she was probably kidding herself.

Well, fuck him! If Uchiha Itachi couldn't see her value then it was his loss! I mean sure, they weren't a couple. So he hadn't cheated on her or anything, but she liked to think they were friends at least. Okay, a friend who desperately wanted to see him naked, but a friend and fellow ninja nonetheless.

Why was she so upset anyway? She dropped her forehead against Sasuke's shoulder, loosely wrapping her arms around his neck. She smelled his perfume. She liked the smell of her best friend, probably because it was similar to his brother's, it was comforting. The difference was that she didn't feel like tearing off Sasuke's clothes just by smelling his scent. The boy in question watched her, eyebrow raised. He noticed the change in her behavior. He could have pushed her away, but he was far too familiar with her proximity to be entirely offended by it. So he sighed and awkwardly patted her back, which made the girl chuckle.

“You really suck at comforting sad girls, Sasu-chan.”

He glared at her at the nickname, though she couldn't see it.

“My name’s Sa-su-ke.”

“Don't care. Let me cuddle you, Sasu-chan. I need affection from a handsome guy.”

He snorted, but made no move to dislodge her, if anything, he even made himself comfortable in his bed by lying down, his head resting on his pillow. Over the years, Sakura had had phases like this. And she always turned to Naruto or him. Naruto it wasn't really a problem, the jerk himself was a hugger. for him, it took longer to allow and be comfortable with this routine. But he had made an exception. Because it was Sakura and she and Team 7 were his second family.

His fingers ran absentmindedly through her pastel pink locks. Her hair was soft. One of the characteristics he found odd about Sakura. Her hair was always soft. Yet she wasn't so vain, but when he realized that her hair was silky at any time of the day he had finally asked her about it. She had simply answered that being a Shinobi didn’t prevent her from being a woman. And that being both was rather a lethal weapon. Especially in certain types of missions.

He preferred not to think about these missions. He knew that seduction missions existed, he'd probably done one or two in his career, but he'd never been a big fan of the process. He felt Sakura relax against him, her chakra much less agitated than it had been when she had come through his window two hours earlier.

“You should stop doing that Sakura.”

“Doing what?” She asked confused.

“Hurting yourself.”

“That's not what I'm doing. Your brother is simply sending mixed signals."

He frowned slightly, lips pursed.

“He's been stressed lately.”

“He seemed fine to me when his lips were on Hana's.” She couldn't help but retort bitterly and in return Sasuke sighed wearily.

“I overheard a conversation between my father, the Yondaime and the Godaime a few weeks ago. There’s tension between Iwa and Konoha. Lord Fourth said that if it continues like this they could reach a point where an open war could break out. The council and the Hokage would like to avoid the scenario of the third war to happen again. They started to talk about a political alliance. An archaic one if you ask me.”

Sakura was surprised, but not as surprised as she would have thought. She was aware of the political climate surrounding Konoha and the other countries, she was the fifth Hokage's apprentice after all, but to hear Sasuke confirm it was... wait. He’d said "political alliance?" She began to think, connecting the dots in her head to come to the most plausible conclusion. Her eyes widened.

“You mean...”

Sasuke nodded with a tense look, Confirming her fears.

“I'm afraid so. There’re rumors that Ônoki-sama's granddaughter would be in the lead. Now imagine what a political marriage would bring between the heir of a powerful clan and the direct granddaughter of the Tsuchikage.”

Sakura felt her stomach knot up. And judging by Sasuke's tone, he wasn't very happy about the news. She swallowed hard and looked down.

“Your father must not have liked it...”

“He was furious. For him it would mean sacrificing his heir. He would prefer that the incident that happened between Kumo and Konoha not happen again. They don't need another dôjutsu thief.”

“That doesn't make sense. Your brother is the heir of the Uchiha clan. A valuable asset to the village and asking him to marry a woman who...” She clenched her fists, “is throwing him into the lion's den.”

“It was common back then. They did it to create alliances. Just like Shodaime and Mito Uzumaki did, but their case is slightly different.”

“And... what does your brother think?”

Sasuke turned his onyx gaze on the young woman, gauging her with his eyes, gauging her possible reactions.

“He's not thrilled, but... he's Itachi. He will do as the Hokage commands. He's dedicated and loyal like that. He has the good of the village at heart."

Sakura felt tears tingle her eyes. A sense of loss invading her whole being.

“This is unfair...”

“The life of a shinobi rarely is. Nii-san will always do everything to protect and serve the village. That must be his will of fire. I don't believe he is devoted to anything other than that.”

With a small smile on her lip, Sakura raised her head and her gaze met his. She shook her head gently, cupping one of his cheeks.

“You’re wrong. There’s one thing your brother cherishes more than the village and more than anything else in this world.”

“What is it?” He asked, curious as to what could possibly be more important to Itachi than his duty to the village.

Sakura offered him one of her sweetest smiles. Her sea foam eyes held a deep affection. The kind she reserved only for the men of Team 7.

“You, Sasuke. Itachi will burn the world to the ground if it means you're safe.”

He stood speechless for a moment, his eyes wide. Him? Was he really...?

Unbeknownst to them, Itachi heard their discussion lurking in the shadows behind the door, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his chakra signature suppressed, undetectable to anyone looking.

He was torn between many conflicting emotions. Some of them were incomprehensible to him. One of them was probably jealousy and he felt guilty about it.

He felt guilty for envying his little brother's closeness to this woman. But there was not much he could do about it. The bond between Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura was very strong. It’d always been. Not the kind that could be broken.

He closed his eyes, calming his heartbeat. Sakura was right. He did love Sasuke more than he loved Konoha, but then again she was missing something. She didn't know that there was another person who came very close to that feeling. The irony was that the second person was in the arms of the first.

They weren't doing anything wrong, he didn't think his brother and Sakura were engaged in that way, but Sasuke wasn't tactile with just anyone, it was rare. He would have liked to be one of ‘her boys’ too. In fact, there were many things he would have liked to be for Sakura over the years.

As he pulled away from the wall and away from the muffled laughter he could hear through the wall, Itachi wondered how happy he could be with Sakura if she agreed to be his wife.

More importantly, could he still be? Was it still time or was it too late?

A question he would consider later. For now, Shisui was waiting for him on their training ground and Uchiha Itachi was not known for being late.

───── ❝ 終わり。❞ ─────

Hey!🦋 I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to comment, reblog and/or like. It's always nice to have even indirect interactions with you guys.✨ Even more to know that someone is reading my stories.

Thanks to those who have done so in my previous posts. I want you to know that I really appreciate it.🥹🥹💗

#itasaku #uchiha itachi x haruno sakura #itachi x sakura #sasuke and sakura #non uchiha massacre #naruto uzumaki #sakura haruno #uchiha sasuke #shisui uchiha #itachi uchiha #naruto fandom #gaasaku #team 7 naruto #shisui x sakura #team 7 shenanigans #gaara x sakura #sasusaku #friendship #SoundCloud

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vivantesopales · 1 year

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for mari 🌼

a soft-sad rainy night remix of 10 gorgeously written fics (including tomarry, harry & tom°), recced in parallel with lines from the poem ‘Into the Breach’ by ocean vuong

To the Hilt | M, 36k | @duplicitywrites

It’s simple: I just don’t know / how to love a man / gently.

Featuring an epic, human-AI romance between gamer Tom and garden bot Harry, To the Hilt is mind-blowing, deliciously sci-fi, and has a distinct, grim palette that feels almost dystopian. The story offers a fresh take on the android trope that diverts its plot-line from the traditional cautionary narrative, and the bittersweet ending gives me the worst, the best, you know what I mean, hangover. So please, do proceed with caution.

Lost in London° | T, 7k | @take-the-unknow-road-now

Tenderness / a thing to be beaten / into. Fireflies strung / through sapphired air.

It's impossible not to adore a tiny feral Tom who runs around in the streets of London and sets litter bins on fire. His friendship with Harry in this fic is so pure, so so pure. I still get ridiculously emotional thinking about them, and their chaotic little day trip feels a bit like a childhood memory I hold very close to my heart, now, after my third reread.

Dead Leaves on a Wet October Day | T, 29k | @trelloreads

You’re so quiet you’re almost / tomorrow.

In the beginning, Trello's writing vividly portrays Tom as an evil ghost that kills and wreaks havoc for funsies. He’s grumpy, he's dramatic, he’s hilarious. But you know the kind of fics that'd have you giggling out loud, just generally embarrassing yourself in public until they rip your heart out without a warning so that you'd have to go lie down for a while to recover?

Friendly advice: tissues at the ready....

Kings of Flowers and Skulls | T, 20k | @merrinpippy

The body was made soft / to keep us / from loneliness.

A soft, soft fic in which our two boys – two kings, in this instance, Harry of the eternally sleeping and Tom of the dead – find themselves gravitating towards one another after their first, curious encounter. Intimately written in a melancholic, fairytale-esque tone, there's just the right amount of fluff and comfort to counterbalance the pervasive loneliness in their daily lives.

In Dreams We Speak | T, 6.9k | @a-sentimental-man

You said that / as if the car were filling / with river water. / Don’t worry. / There’s no water. / Only your eyes / closing.

Philosophical at times and wonderfully trippy, this fic is an entire experience. It's a Sandman crossover – the first and only one I've read, actually. There's just something so eye-opening about the prose, and the casting certainly promises tension: Tom as Lord Dream and Harry the Master of Death. Whilst the cherry-of-top – Death herself as a supporting character – is what gives the story an unique, elegant aftertaste.

Alive Really Isn’t Your Color | T, 5.5k | merrivale

I never wanted / the flesh. / How it never fails / to fail / so accurately.

A deep dive into Harry’s post-war state of mind. Merrivale's writing captures depression in its raw, simplest manifestations, where living as the Master of Death (not really alive but unable to just die either) seems more and more like a curse Harry can't shake off. An understated, heartbreaking character study, this fic also closes with a scene that never fails to fuck me up (in a powerfully emo way).

The Care and Keeping of Tom Riddle’s Diary | T, 7.9k | @wynnefic

But what if I broke through / the skin’s thin page / anyway / & found the heart

With several unexpected turns along the way, this fic hits me right in my soft spot. It's so heartbreaking to see Diary Tom bonding with Harry over a sense of loneliness. Both shaped by chronic isolation, their protectiveness towards one another feels integral to their dynamic.

Jump right in – if you don't mind being turned into a puddle of goo by Harry, an adorable little bean who should be protected at all costs, and his adorable interactions with Tom.

Made of Clay° | E, 100k | @phantomato

To love another / man—is to leave / no one behind / to forgive me. / I want to leave / no one behind.

When Thoros Nott inserts himself and his son Theo into the lovely domestic equation of the Riddle household, the past is bound to catch up with Tom – retired Dark Lord, father of one – and impact his life with his 'adopted' son, Harry Riddle (oh yes the subtlety, I love that silly silly man) (Thoros: *coughs* abducted *cough*).

Phantomato’s handling of complex dynamics between complex characters is nuanced, graceful, as always. If you ever find yourself craving a good comfort fic or stories with the found family trope ... or if you think you might enjoy Tom being a suburban dilf for 100k – and no, this is absolutely not a logic trap😉 – here it is!

The Eyes in the Bramblebush | T, 12k | @relic--crown

To keep / & be kept. / The way a field turns / its secrets / into peonies.

Brought before readers by rich imagery and well-crafted moods, the high school setting in Bramblebush imparts a nostalgic note to the story. The dark vulnerability in Tom's character makes him an intriguing study in contrast, especially when Harry gets to be the one to dislocate him from his perfect, preppy, First Violin persona (which, don't get me wrong, is a 10/10 in its own right).

But You Promised?° | Not Rated, 1.2k | @whotooklortan

The way light / keeps its shadow / by swallowing it.

Cast against the backdrop of WW2 and the Blitz, the bond between Tom and his guardian seems especially precious as he grows from a bitter, disenchanted child to someone secure enough to trust, to rely on Harry. The slow disintegration of his mental barriers, however, only foregrounds the angst when it all to leads to one crushingly realistic twist at the end.

dear @onbeinganangel, happy birthday. i hope this little weave could, maybe, at some point in the future, give you the hug and/or the good cry you need – the same way these fics have comforted me in the past few difficult months; and of course, the same way your company and your writing have always sustained me emotionally. 😌💛

#tomarry #tom & harry #tom riddle #tmrhp #mari 🧵#these are fics that gave me lots and lots of feels #that all fall somewhere on the spectrum between hurt and comfort #their one common thing is that #i would like to reread them on rainy nights #with many cups of tea #but i think in terms of vibe that says a lot #opal's library

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royallyprincesslilly · 2 years

Text

Title: Forever & Ever & Ever & Ever---But Not Right Now **

Lewis Hamilton x Reader

Warning: Heavy, Heavy, Heavy angst, 18 + Mature Content, NSFW, Mild Smut, TW: Possible Toxic Love

Words: 5.4k

Summary: You and Lewis have had an on and off relationship for the last 3 years. You’re never together for too long before one or both of you initiate “taking a break”. However, the breaks never last long and you always end up right back in each other’s arms.

Note: Inspired by a song by FLETCHER; “Forever”. This has quite a bit of angst, but I hope you enjoy. I tried my best with British slang (I think I failed LOL; I apologize)

Note II: Any Italic Text after the first/opening line is conversation from a memory. Hopefully that’s clear. Also, I’m trying a different way to incorporate text messages. Lemme know what you think. Also don’t come for me if you hate reader...I kinda do too.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this, please, LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG!!

***NOT Edited/Proofread***

***Interactive***

~~~~~~~~~

-Lewis-

This is—you know who this is, Y/N. Sorry I couldn’t pick up, I promise it’s not personal, leave a message and I’ll call you back. Text me if you want a reply faster. Kisses.

Beeeeeep.

“Hey poppet—sorry, old habits. Y/N, it’s Lew. Um—I—I thought you’d pick up. Guess I was barmy for that. uh—I’m back in town for a spot. I know Mart said he was having some sort of thing tomorrow night and I wanted to know if you’re going. Give me a call—or text. Whatev.”

He sighed then ended the call and tossed his cell phone onto the table in front of him. Part of him felt as if she shouldn’t have called but the other half that made him call felt disappointed. He didn’t know why he’d expected you to pick up. In the last month, you’d probably picked up forty percent of his calls then called him back ten percent, however you always texted him back. The contents of those texts weren’t exactly stress free most of the time.

Thinking back to the last text exchange from a few weeks ago, he gripped his head then raked his fingers through his freshly loosened hair that still held the crimp from the braids. Groaning, he dropped back onto the lounger couch and stared at the abstract chandelier above him. as if he needed to refresh his memory, he grabbed his phone then found the messages.

Thursday, July, 13

MSG Poppet: Sorry didn’t see this till today. (10:00pm)

MSG: Funny, I saw you’d read it when I sent it. 3 days ago. (10:05pm)

MSG Poppet: 🙄 Really? I must have glanced it and forgot to reply. I was really busy. (10:30pm)

Friday, July, 14

MSG Poppet: Are you mad now? (12:15am)

MSG: Poppet: You are, aren’t you? (12:25am)

MSG: Why would I be mad Y/N? (12:27am)

MSG Poppet: Because whenever we talk you always get mad at me. It sucks. (12:30am)

MSG: Seriously? I wonder why I’m always getting mad at you. Like really Y/N, do you think it doesn’t suck for me too? You think I want to be mad? (12:31am)

MSG: 😩 I’m sorry. (12:45am)

MSG Poppet: No. Don’t apologize, I know it’s my fault. I know I’m horrible for what I’m doing. 😔 (12:50am)

MSG: Then stop. God, I don’t want to do the beating each other up bit. (12:51am)

MSG Poppet: Me neither. It just always happens when we talk. (12:53am)

MSG: Poppet, I want things to be different between us. (12:59am)

MSG Poppet: I gotta go. Talk later. 💋 (1:00am)

Re-reading it only made him see the hopelessness of your relationship. Anytime he began to get serious with wanting to address the problems you disappeared. When he disappeared, you reemerged with texts and calls only for when he reciprocated for you to fall off the face of the Earth again. When he tried to bring up your relationship you always found a way to change the subject and inevitably the subject was dropped until the next time. With you for the last three years everything had been one roller coaster.

Thinking back to the start of your relationship, he could officially call it a whirlwind romance. The night of his victory party was epic. The DJ was playing banger after banger, the drinks were strong, and the women beautiful. He’d only planned to stop by for an hour or two because he was exhausted after everything he had to do after the win. However, when he was sitting with his friends just enjoying the good vibes you caught his eye from across the room making a killing at a pool table with each impossible trick shot.

From the minute he saw you sitting at the edge of the pool table with your fishnet stocking clad legs crossed and the bright red stick in your hand that matched your bright red lips, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. He watched you egg everyone on making them place higher and higher bets on the odds of you making a successful shot sequence that you called out then proceed to hit every single shot. From afar, he couldn’t tell one thing about you but from afar he was sure he’d fallen in love with you right then and there.

From then, one or two hours turned to three or four, then five, six, until he was watching the sunrise with you on the hotel penthouse suite’s balcony, both of you wearing absolutely nothing. It was a night to never forget, a night where he laughed more than he’d ever laughed, flirted heavier than ever and felt the tightest connection he’d ever felt. A connection that led to soulful kisses and the most night of sex he’d ever experienced. When the sun began to rise, he didn’t want his time with you to end. You felt the same and that one night led to an impromptu two-week vacation for two in Mallorca where the only activities done were eating, swimming, and fucking.

From that two-week vacation, things between you took off literally and figuratively, where he went you came along, when he was racing you were in the stands in the family section. In between work, you were there to make sure he made time for play, and it was through him you’d experienced may of your firsts. He was having the time of his life and each day he fell deeper and harder for you. The number of deep conversations you had over the first year blew his mind, he felt you knew him better than most and treasured you like the queen you were.

He'd been so deep that he didn’t see the flip side coming. At the sixteen months mark of your relationship, you’d started to act differently. His calls went unanswered, and his call back took longer and longer, his texts went hours without a reply and then the way you were with him felt as if you were trying to put distance between you. When the words came out your mouth “I think we should take a break”, he actually felt his world stop. He was right about to get in his car for a race. He’d called you because he wanted to hear your voice before. It had been a big mistake. Not only did he lost that race by coming in third, but he’d also crashed which led to him placing third.

As for the reason for “the break”, “We’ve been together so much that I’ve pushed my life and goals to the side. We need to focus on ourselves.” Did it break him? Hell yes it did. He was completely blindsided by it and what made it worse was you dropping off the face of the Earth for the next three months. If he wanted to find anything out related to you, he had to see it on social media. You were having the time of your life and none of it looked goal oriented, unless your goals were all about living it up. You were at parties, events, modeling gigs, afterparties and even on the arm of a few other celebrities for a night or two. That was what hurt him the most. You’d begun to act like a new person, someone he didn’t recognize. That made him want to turn back into who he was before you. To dull his pain, he did revert. He woke up beside a different woman nearly every morning, sometimes two or three. He couldn’t remember a name to save his life and all their faces blended together after a while. However, nothing really helped.

When he’d bumped into you a few months after the breakup at the same restaurant, he could feel something was there between you. The pull to you was as strong as it ever was, not a damn thing had changed for him. He still wanted you—still loved you. Throughout dinner he tried to keep his eyes off of you but failed. Every time he looked over to your table, he found your eyes on him and that little bit of contact broke open the gates that he’d built around his heart the last several months. You smiled and he knew that you knew you had him right where you wanted him.

That night, you showed up to his hotel room and like the idiot he was he invited you in to talk but there were no words spoken—not with your mouths. They say make-up sex was the most incredible thing ever. He could attest to that but that hadn’t turned out to be make-up sex. It was I miss you; I love you; I need you sex for him but for you though he wanted it to be the same, and though it felt like it was the same, he feared it was something else.

“I think I could love you forever and ever and ever and ever.” Those were the words you said to him when he’d told you he loved you. His heart skipped a beat when you’d said them, then it plummeted when you said, “As long as forever and ever and ever and ever don’t start right now.” He didn’t know what the fuck that meant, but he did. It all boiled down to not wanting to be with him. Not wanting him.

“You know I think you’re perfect. It’s timing. You’re the type I’d want to spend my whole life with, but you won’t be the one I’ll spend tomorrow tonight with.”

Your words felt like a professional punch to the gut. He had to actually bend over to catch his breath from that one. It cut deeper than he could admit. That was when the argument began.

“What the fuck kind of shit is that to say to me after you just spent tonight with me?!”

“We’re just in two different places.”

He was stunned. It was like speaking to some embodiment of you, an embodiment who hadn’t experienced the last year and a half.

“So, what the fuck was the last eighteen months about? What place were we both in then? Different places too?”

You’d sighed like this was stressing you out, but he didn’t care. He needed an answer.

“Answer me!”

“We were but—I just—I can’t—uugh. I want to be young, Lewis.”

“How am I stopping you from being young? I know I’m a few years older than you, but I’ve never tried to shame you for it.”

“Uuuugh, I wanna be young and party every night, I want to act dumb with my friends, meet different people, live free and carelessly without thinking of anyone else and worrying if what I am doing will hurt or if I have to say sorry for it. I want to have experiences and know what it’s like to be shameless with my body. You are the third man I’ve slept with. You’ve slept with tens of women and feel no shame over it.” You were shouting now as if by raising your voice the shit you were saying would make sense. It didn’t—not really.

“So, you came home with me tonight to fuck me and what disappear again and fuck someone else tomorrow and the night after that and on and on? What the fuck do you really want, Y/N? What!”

The silence in the suite suddenly became deafening, a drastic change from the shouting match from seconds before. He watched two tears roll down your cheeks and his gut twisted. He hated fighting with you, hated what was happening and half of him wanted to comfort you but the other half couldn’t bring himself to cross the space between you. It was much vaster than it appeared to be it was a chasm that couldn’t be crossed with a few strides.

“How am I supposed to feel, Y/N? Have you thought about that?”

“Of course! I just—I don’t think we should--.”

Unspoken words hung in the air between you.

“We should what? Don’t bite your tongue now!”

“Be together—right now,” you finished.

He stood there staring at you. There was so much turmoil bubbling within him, so many conflicting emotions, so many unspoken words, unspoken hurts. You must have seen it through his eyes because you took a step to him but without even thinking he stepped back. The action made you stop in your tracks and another set of tears rolled down your cheeks. Unable to help himself, a tear steaked his cheek.

“Lewis--,” you began taking more steps to him. This time you didn’t stop, you crossed to him and cupped his jaw then swiped his tear with your thumb.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“You’re not.”

Your eyes met and the interesting part for him was he saw the same turmoil in your eyes, saw pain. It only made him angrier though. You lifted your other hand and cupped the other side of his face, and you stood there not speaking though he wished you’d say something—anything to wipe away the last ten minutes. He silently plead with you to do just that but the longer you remained silent the more pieces his heart shattered into. Someone had to walk away first or else he would say or do something else and made a further fool of himself.

Lifting his hands, he gripped your wrists then pulled your hands away from his face.

“Lewis—don’t—please--.”

He sniffled then cleared his throat. “You should go—go be young, go party every night, go be dumb with your friends, go meet different people, go live free and carelessly without thinking of anyone else or worrying if what you’re doing will hurt them or if you have to say sorry for it, go have your experiences and know what it’s like to be shameless with your body--,” he had to pause them because the emotion in him clogged his throat stopping the next words.

Clearing his throat, he held your eyes and fought against you fighting to put your hands back on his face. He knew if you touched him again, he would brush this under the rug. He was too close to playing your fool again. Clenching his jaw, he forged ahead, “Go fuck as many men as you want to and don’t feel not an ounce of shame. Go live your life Y/N, go live it—without me.”

You scrunched your face and a river of tears streamed down your cheeks.

“No, I don’t want to lose you though,” you feebly replied.

Ignoring you he continued, “I wish you every happiness and I hope you find exactly what you’re looking for.”

He pushed your hands down once and for all and only held your eyes for a few more seconds before he turned away from you and walked off.

He couldn’t fight the emotions that the memories brought on. If only that had been the last time, you’d seen each other or been entangled in each other’s arms. What followed was a year of back and forth. You would claim you missed him too much and wanted to try again and you’d try but five or six months later you both took turns on who was the one to end things. The last time eight months ago was you. he didn’t know why he just hadn’t moved on already. It wasn’t the sex, he was sure of it, and it wasn’t him being out of options, he had plenty and it wasn’t because he was a masochist, he preferred the Dom roll.

Deep down he knew the reason. He saw a future with you. his family saw a future with you. He knew your deepest secrets, you knew his, he knew the reasons behind everything you did and knew that you past played a greater role in your present than you let anyone believe. He saw you and you saw him and no matter what he was sure you were tied to his life for a greater purpose. Maybe you were meant to teach him love and real pain, maybe you were his test in life, maybe you were sent to really make him inspect himself and his life to make real changes. His father had always said before every man settles down for the rest of their lives, they’ll all have an enlightened moment to show you real love and he’d had that moment with you years ago. The only doubt he had was that he was uncertain that if love hurt if it was in fact real love or infatuation.

The next night he walked into Mart’s party a few hours late and put on the front of being the life of the party. An hour or so into it he’d faked it till he made it. He’d had several drinks and his worries were miles away. All he wanted to do tonight was drink, dance and have a good time, he’d earned it. He didn’t know if you were there but by the time he was huddled in a dark corner with a gorgeous ebony goddess with long legs and hypnotizing eyes he’d forgotten you—for the most part. He didn’t know how long he’d sat there and talked to her, or how long he’d avoided other women at the party who’d been showing him attention. What he did know was that he felt you before he saw you.

Fuck, he thought before his eyes moved off of the beauty he was sitting beside and slid across the room as if a south magnet attracted to its north. When he found you, your eyes were already glued to him. God, you were beautiful, he thought to himself before he tried to look away. However, he failed that attempt. It was like you were commanding him and you willed his eyes only to be on you. A slow smile spread your lips and the only reason he was able to look away was the buxom beauty beside him who placed her hand on his jaw and turned his head back to her.

“I prefer your attention here, lover.”

Her smile was seductive and mysterious all at once and that only intrigued him further. That was where his attention remained until he went to the bar an hour later for refills on their drinks. As he waited, he scrolled through his phone catching up on any work-related missed messages or emails.

“Ignoring me now?”

The hairs on his spine went up at the sound of your voice. When he looked beside him there you stood in your low-cut dress that complimented your shape and complexion so fucking well. He hated that his instinct was to look over your body, hated the fact that the look over your body was not a quick glance, hated that the look over your body elicited a reaction. His cock pulsed painfully and hardened.

His eyes scurried to your face and the mischievous smirk on your lips said you knew the effect you had on him. Goddamn you, he thought, turning his face back to his phone.

“Aw, come on don’t be that way.”

“What can I do for you, Y/N?”

“Y/N? I was Poppet last night.”

He clenched his jaw at the reminder of his slip up on his voicemail.

“You actually listened to my voicemail, wow. Do you want a cookie?”

He looked at you, your smirk hadn’t faded. Placing your hand on your hip he fought the urge to look at the fullness he knew was there.

“Nah, cookies are for little girls. Big girls prefer better rewards.”

You gave his body a once over as you sank your teeth into your plum painted bottom lip.

“Bigger—rewards,” you added, eyes glued to the front of his pants.

He was sure you could see your effect. Knowing it would be worse to try and hide it he stayed where he was but cut his eyes.

“Boo, you’re no fun,” you said with a whine in your voice. “Don’t tell me little miss long legs took all of that and left none for me.”

He could hear the saltiness in your voice. He smirked then turned to you. He had the upper hand right now even though you knew that his body wanted you.

“So what if she has? What business of yours is that?”

You stared at him bit didn’t speak.

“Think she wants to take more than fun from me,” he said lurching his hips forward for emphasis making sure you got his gist.

It was then your smirk slipped, and he knew you were grinding your teeth.

“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you—poppet.”

You flared your nostrils, rolled your eyes then turned to the bar placing yourself shoulder to shoulder with him.

“Jealous, that’s laughable. I doubt I have anything to be jealous about. Yes, she’s gorgeous but beauty doesn’t tend to hold you for long.”

Your voice was dripping with cockiness. Shaking his head, he scoffed. “As if you would know what holds me for long.”

“I think I do—me.”

Your eyes met again, and the fire, electricity and pull were still there. Fuck he was stupid, he thought. Shaking his head, he looked away. It was then the bartender slid him the two drinks he’d ordered but he also placed four shot glasses in front of you. They smelled familiar.

“See you around, Y/N.”

Before he walked off, you slide two his way then raised your eyebrows. “For old time’s sake?”

You waited but you didn’t look in the least bit worried he’d turn you down. This confidence was one of the many things he loved about you. In the beginning, it was endearing and sexy, now it was sexy but rubbed so wrong. Sighing, he took up one of the glasses then held it up ready to knock it back.

“No toast?”

“What do you want to toast to?”

You smirked and took up your own shot glass.

“To tonight.”

He quirked his brow confused by your meaning but shook his head and knocked it back. A second after he put the glass onto the bartop he grabbed the other and waited for you. Your smirk was wider, and he watched you cross to him pressing your body onto his. You went to his ear.

“And you getting to bury that bone inside of me in that dark corner behind the bar.”

Your lips grazed the tattoo on his neck before you pulled back to slowly down the drink never taking your eyes off of his. He hesitated for a few moments then drank it down. Once finished, he leaned to you and felt victory when your eyes dipped to his lips and angled your head back ready for his lips. Passing them, he went to your ear.

“Oh, I’ll bury this bone inside of someone in a dark corner tonight, but I doubt it’ll be you who gets the pleasure, poppet.”

A once sweet and loving nickname between the two of you was now used as a weapon and he knew you knew the difference of its usage every time he did it. With that, he moved from you with drinks in hand and walked off. It took a few moments, but your reply came just as he expected.

“I look forward to making you eat those words.”

Giving himself credit, he scoffed he may want you, but he wouldn’t give in. Two hours later it was apparent he’d given himself too much credit because he was currently behind the same bar, in the dark corner you’d alluded to, balls deep inside of you with your legs wrapped around his waist and your back pressed against the wall. The loud bass of the music had the wall shaking throwing off his thrusts just a little but thankfully drowning out your screams, moans, and squeals. He didn’t want this in the tabloid rags the next day. He didn’t need the entire world knowing how stupid he was. He felt it.

“Yes, yes, fuck Lewis! Right there, right fucking there!”

He groaned then pistoned his hips into you enhancing his speed. With each thrust forward, you grabbed onto him while your head banged into the wall. It didn’t seem to hurt because upon every collision you smiled. Perhaps you were the masochist and perhaps he liked that a little bit.

“Fuck you’re gonna make me cum all over this big dick,” you whined as you began rocking your body like a wave and using him as your anchor.

”Fuck—lemme feel it. Lemme feel you.”

You both moaned and panted. He was chasing the pleasure that only seemed right with you, you hit different. When you bit his earlobe and dug your nails into the back of his neck, he knew just how close he was and by how tightly you clenched around him as if you were preventing him from disappearing, he knew you were too.

“Fuck me papi, fuck me so good I never forget who I belong to.”

He didn’t know if it was the use of his pet name, a name he hadn’t heard from your lips in over eight months or if it was your words.

“Fuck me so good I never forget who I belong to.”

Pulling back, he looked into your eyes and even in this dark corner he could make them out perfectly. His fast movements slowed and changed. In the blink of an eye, he’d moved from fucking you senseless to making love to you in this dark corner of this club. In a matter of seconds, he’d gone from a drunken desperate need for release to the chains on his heart rattling threatening to break apart. Your jaw dropped, and your hand cupped his jaw. Fuck he thought, his weakness.

“Only you papi, only you,” you whined.

What the fuck, he thought. Were you so drunk off your ass that you didn’t know what you were saying or was he fucking you so right that this was the pleasure talking?

His brain struggled to catch up to his body and the need to cum washed over him like a tidal wave.

“Fuck, your pussy feels so good.”

“It’s your pussy,” you instantly screeched.

That was all he needed to hear before he was cumming with the force of a heard of angry bulls. He came so hard that he almost pummeled you through the wall. You screamed in his ear and held him close as your body shook. Neither of you moved for several long minutes. Neither of you spoke. It was like in this moment in time everything was stilled—paused and the past hadn’t happened, and the future was still this optimistic beautiful dream that was within reach. A happily ever after was still possible. He was reluctant to let that go. Even when fatigue attacked his body and limbs, he still clung to you, even when he could feel his seed seeping out of you and down his still hard dick, and even when he felt the shake of your body subside but another tremble begin. This was the trembling of crying.

It felt like the time was persistently nudging him fighting against his will to keep it stopped. It was a battle between his three-year desire for nothing but you and time who wanted his eyes to open to reality—or perhaps his destruction. Time was a relentless fuck and like a barreling train his surroundings came back. The loud music attacked his ears and the beating against the wall became impossible to ignore. Another thing that was impossible to ignore, was the wetness on his shoulder, the shoulder your head was draped over. The protector in him knew what was happening and he wanted to make everything right, wanted to help you. When he started to pull back, you held him there.

“Stop, wait. Don’t look at me.”

Your voice was clouded. It was the last confirmation he needed that you were crying.

“Poppet--.”

“Please don’t call me that. It’ll only make this harder for me,” you whispered against the shell of his ear.

Harder for you? You held him tighter, though he expected you to push him away. He waited for you to continue but you didn’t automatically. It felt like hours before you spoke again.

“Fuck your timing. Oh god, why.”

Your body shook again, and he heard your sobs over the music. Burying your face into his neck, you muffled the sound but the force of which your body shook rocked him to his core. Trying his hardest to remain strong, he held you not daring to move one muscle.

“Po—Y/N,” he began.”

“I wish—I wish so fucking bad--. If I could love you then I would love you. You don’t even fucking—understand.”

You sniffled as you spoke through your tears then buried your face into his neck again. You breathed him in at the same time he breathed you in. The strength he’d been clinging to so desperately was gone. A tear slipped from his eye, and he clenched his jaw hoping to prevent any more.

“Y/N--,” he began but you cut him off.

“I can’t—I--.” You groaned then took a breath.

“I’m letting go—and even though it hurts—fuck it hurts so fucking much papi.”

The usage of his pet name again didn’t miss him and that was what ruined him.

“Poppet.”

“Close your eyes. Please.”

Clenching his jaw, he listened. Slowly everything drowned out, the throng of people rubbing up against each other around him, the music, the scent of the different drinks being made that was mixed with the scent of weed, and everything in between. All that was left was you and him.

“If I could love you and dear god I want to, I really, really want to love you right. But right now—I’m letting you go. I have to. Fuck—I have to.”

You sounded like you were trying to convince yourself. He was barely hanging on at this point.

“You have to let me go. You have to let me let you go. Can you do it?”

He shook his head and held you tighter at the same time you held him tighter.

“I can’t—but I have to, or you’ll hate me more.”

“I love you.”

“You deserve more.”

With that, you released him and unwrapped your legs from around his waist. He pressed you into the wall more refusing to do what he knew he had to do. It had come to the point where holding on was more painful.

“You can’t love me for the both of us.”

Those were the words that broke through. It dawned on him now that he had been doing just that this whole time. It wasn’t about if you loved him or not. You weren’t there. Reluctantly, he stepped back allowing himself to slide from the warmth of your body. Though your feet were back on the floor, neither of you moved. His arms were still wrapped around you as yours cocooned him. Neither of you met the other’s eyes, both avoiding things and each other. You pressed your forehead into his chest right where his heart was currently shattering.

“Forever & Ever & Ever & Ever,” you said. He didn’t know how he heard you above the music and loud chatter, but he heard you loud and clear.

“But not right now,” he replied.

You released a soft sigh then hit your forehead on his chest three times then walked around and away from him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***I don’t have a Lewis Hamilton Tag List. Just tagging randomly. If you’re interested in him lemme know via Asks if you want a tag in future fics.***

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TagList:

@chaneajoyyy @caramara3 @valkryienymph @babyflowa07 @est1887 @halfrican-heat

#forever & ever & ever & ever one shot #lewis hamilton #lewis hamilton fanfiction #sir lewis hamilton #sir lewis hamilton fanfiction #lewis hamilton x reader #lewis hamilton x you #lewis hamilton x black reader #black fanfiction #angst fanfic

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tiktowafel · 8 months

Note

Hey, I love your art style and your work on class 1B. I was just wondering if you have any recommendations for fics that are 1B centric, maybe even stories with someone like Setsuna as a main character. I love the MHA fandom, but it's sometimes hard to find those good stories with all the fan generated content, an I was hoping another 1B lover would know what's what.

thank you, and sure! i don't actually read that much fanfiction (my taste is rather narrow), but here are a few ones that i read and enjoyed! i'll put it all under the cut because my summaries ended up making this list kinda long lol

'Class 1-B' is Trending #1 in Japan - 9k words and absolutely hilarious crack oneshot with a lot of chatfic/social media elements. Tsuburaba accidentally turns one of Monoma's rants into an international meme, which results in 1-B becoming incredibly popular and the League of Villains being defeated in the dumbest way imaginable. the fic is restricted to AO3 users, since i don't have an account there i can't check if the link works but i really hope it does :'D

Adrift - long (13k words) and extremely angsty space horror oneshot with Setsuna as the main character. AU where class 1-B are a space crew and a mission goes terribly wrong, leaving Setsuna, the sole survivor, floating hopelessly in space and thinking about everything that happened. 10/10 made me feel extremely uncomfortable for the rest of the day

Mindfucker Has Closed the Chat - 9 chapter 17k words long very chaotic Monoshin chatfic (with one non-chatfic style chapter) where Monoma texts the wrong person and ends up befriending Shinso without knowing who he's talking to. the fic is tagged "attempt at humor" and i gotta say that the attempt was 100% successful, this thing is hysterical and i audibly laughed several times while reading it

Picture Perfect - i know i hardly ever talk about Kosen on this blog despite the fact that it's one of my favorite ships, but one day i'll post something about them i promise- anyway this tiny 2k word fic is pretty much what made me ship them. it's just... very good and very sweet yknow

Unlikely and Unusual - a oneshot collection made for one of those rarepair month events. it's not specifically a 1-B fic, but some of the oneshots feature 1-B characters and the ones i read are very cute :)

the one and only The Heart of a Hero - 345k words and recently updated after a long hiatus, basically a 1-B fandom legend. It has everything: drama, epic fights, romance, slice of life, character backstories, it's pretty much what BNHA would have been if it was about 1-B. A lot of things in it are inaccurate to canon because it was first written before the joint training arc even came out, but that just makes things more interesting in my opinion (dude i actually wish Reiko's quirk was like this in canon)! it's actually one of the main reasons why i got so invested in 1-B in the first place, i couldn't recommend it more!!

The author of THoaH has also written many other, shorter stories about 1-B, so their entire profile is worth checking out! my personal favorite out of these fics is I Want to Break Free, a 6k word oneshot focusing on Setsuna and her family.

and now for what is probably my personal favorite:

When Die Rolls Differ - 294k words and counting, canon divergence/butterfly effect fic where class 1-B is the class who gets attacked at the USJ instead of 1-A and becomes more involved in the main conflict of the series as a result. honestly i don't even have the words to describe it, it's so good, the character interactions and backstories, and the fights, and the humor, and the way 1-B students fit into the events that originally only featured 1-A characters, and the everything!! just!! dude!! it's amazing!! and there's so much love and thought and creativity put into it!! please check it out because this fic has my whole heart <3 it's also on a break right now, so you have time to catch up

aaand that's it for today! there are probably more fics that i like, i just can't remember them rn, so i'm planning on updating this post every time i remember a nice fic or find something new!

sorry this took so long i may have procrastination issues

#bnha #class 1b #fanfic recs #tikto's textposts

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dreamerinsilico · 5 days

Text

Fic writing questions

tagged by @yuniemaki - thank you for thinking of me!

how many works do you have on ao3?

2. what's your total ao3 word count?

344,183

Kind of wild to me, but the VAST majority of those words happened more than five years ago.

3. what fandoms do you write for?

Mostly The Sandman right now, although I'm still a Hannibal person and I think I feel some BG3 coming on eventually. I've meandered my way through various video game fandoms over the years and am likely to return to Pillars of Eternity. Rather less likely for the Bioware stuff, but maybe the upcoming DA game will, in a stunning subversion of my expectations, make me care about Dragon Age again.

I really enjoy the Yuletide fic exchange, so I write for whatever small fandom I get assigned that year (so far I've done Wayward Children, Left Hand of Darkness, and Goncharov), and I'm hoping to get more into exchanges.

4. what are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Constellations of the Things We Left Unsaid - multichapter Reaper76 thing I actually finished and was writing when Overwatch was popular

His Pale Steed - early Hannibal fic, I think it was my second

Best of Cruel Intentions - also earlyish Hannibal fic, and the start of my very excellent mutual betaing relationshihp with @tiggymalvern

Let's Try Another Kind of Peace - T_T WIP crawling out of the well to shame authorkind (also Hannibal. Yes, I still do have intent to get back to it.)

Solstice - Actually tickled and delighted this made the list; it's the second fic I ever posted to AO3, and it is Aela/F!Dovahkiin smut from the Skyrim kinkmeme back in the day

5. do you respond to comments?

A majority of the time, yes. Especially if I get a meaty one to actually talk about!

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

....yeah, not really any competition there, it's I Recall, which I wrote for a Pillars of Eternity minibang about my Watcher, Acantha's past-life doomed romance with Iovara.

7. what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I'm not sure how to answer this one! I'm kinda all over the map in terms of the tone of the fics I write, and I don't know how to really differentiate between different happy endings.

But let's shout out You Sang Me of Some Distant Past (Dragon Age, F!Hawke/Morrigan, which canoe I will paddle until the end times) - this was my first ever big bang entry, and I'm still happy with it a decade later.

8. do you get hate on fics?

I think the closest thing to hate I've ever gotten was someone saying my Labyrinth fic had Sarah using too many big words in her head.

9. do you write smut? if so, what kind?

My AO3's linked all over this post, you can just go look.

But uh, lot of D/s, lot of knifeplay, I think are the two big themes.

10. do you write crossovers? what's the craziest one you've written?

I have written one (1) crossover! There's Someone Scratching Softly is a Hannibal/Wayward Children crossover where Jack Wolcott is in therapy with Hannibal. It's the leviathan shadow of a much larger AU Hannibal fic I've done a lot of brainstorming on, and I posted it on a whim one day (I hadn't originally intended to, when I wrote it) and was very pleased with that decision, because a few fans who know both canons came out of the woodwork to gush at me about it.

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

No idea, but probably not; I don't write enough plotty epics to make it likely.

12. have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I'm aware of. (A couple of delightful people have podficced some of my short Hannibal fics, though! I was very excited.)

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope. Wouldn't completely rule it out as a possibility, but not something I've done date.

14. what's your all time favourite ship?

I don't really do all-time favorites? I do whatever I've got the most brainrot about currently. I don't have a good way of ranking favorite ships relative to one another!

15. what's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Relentless Splinters I Recall is the parent fic, sort of, to I Recall, which I mentioned above. It was a very ambitious idea and I love what's there, but I will be very surprised and impressed with myself if I manage to pick that thread back up at some point. I don't think I'm really cut out to do game novelization fic.

16. what are your writing strengths?

Economy's probably the biggest one; I know very well that I can get a lot done in a relatively small number of words. I also really enjoy writing dialogue and like to think I'm good at it.

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

I'm not the kind of person who can spawn wild AUs or plotlines easily, and I often wish that I was. (I don't think I'm bad at plot, but if I'm writing something plotty there is a lot of very deliberate brainstorming and probably workshopping with a friend or two, and it takes a ton of effort.)

Also just, you know, getting words on the page. (It's hard! It's hard! It's really really haaaaard! ~*)

18. thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I think anything from a curse word to a short phrase can have a place, but usually find it obnoxious when writers put in whole exchanges in (usually google translated) Other Language.

There was a post going around at some point discussing how bi/multilingual people do and don't mix languages that was very good and valid.

19. first fandom you wrote for?

Labyrinth (1986)

20. favorite fic you've written?

Oof, that's hard. Something, something, can't pick a favorite child.

However, with the caveat that I have a lot of favorites for a lot of reasons, the Goncharov fic I wrote for Yuletide 2023 still pleases me to an outsize degree. Sometimes I think I'm funny.

Tagging @tiggymalvern @stylishanachronism @firebatvillain @xenosimp @pragnificent @softdedue @the-bees-patella @dsudis and anyone else so inclined <3

#thanks for memeing me!#on fanfiction #my fic

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absolutebl · 2 years

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This Week in BL - It’s Getting Messy

April 2022 Wk 3

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most. Although I’m liking a lot of them right now.

Ongoing Series - Thai

La Cuisine (GaGa Sat) Ep 7 - Ram taking a photo of Chup being happy because everybody likes his dumplings is the cutest thing ever. Also gnawing-on-knuckles adorable confession scene. I love this show.

Cutie Pie (YouTube Sat) Ep 9 - not a whole lot happened but what did was pretty sexy. More pretty thn sexy, tho. Frankly, I’m a little bored with Lian & Kuea, I’d like to see more of the other couples.

Star in My Mind (Fri YouTube) Ep 3 - it’s dangerous to give Mek a guest appearance, he’s so damn charismatic, we just pay attention to him. (Please don’t ask me why Dao isn’t using phi or P’Fah as direct address with his older brother, I’ve no idea. Speculation: they lived in Germany, so westernized family dynamic or a European parent?) Anygay, add in drunk boys all crushing on and flirting with each other + an epic a jealousy cuddle and suddenly I’m loving this show. It doens’t take much with me, okay?

KinnPorsche (iQIYI Sat) Ep 3 - Finally, I’m starting to jive with this one. I like it when we get to see Porsche as a capable bodyguard, and I prefer it when it’s more serious (and messy gay) and less slapstick. So for me, the 2nd half of this ep was actually good. Great kiss, although it came out of nowhere. Still, I’m warming up to KP. I think it helps that Jeff finally showed up, if only in silhouette.

What Zabb Man! (YouTube Sat) Ep 3 - in classic Star Hunter style this is a delightful hot mess, but in this case emphasis on delightful and hot. Oh it’s also messy af but I’m digging it and digging in.

Meow Ears Up (GaGa Tue) Ep 2 - I am getting very “indulgent daddy” vibes from Mr. DD, and I’m not mad about it. Of course, I know we are in the kitty play arena (yes, it’s an actual kink) but still this daddy is awful fond. It’s great.

Dear Doctor, I'm Coming for Soul (iQIYI Weds) Ep 5 - The slow burn romance in this series is really well done. Not to mention all of the external tension with the doctors in competition and their various cases, it is great. This is a solid little show, a doubt it’ll end happy tho.

Triage (AISplay Mon) Ep 1 - Tin, a doctor, gets stuck in a time loop where he must stop a drunk college kid from dying in order to escape the loop. (I feel like I saw this Kdrama a few years ago and didn’t like it.) I am NOT a fan of time-loop narratives (I think I’m the only person on the planet who actively hates Groundhog Day) but I DO like a strong premise and this cast is killer - so I’m sticking with it (if possible). I don’t see how they will stretch the premise to 10 episode but I’m game to watch them try, and I hope it gets better distribution because I think this has broad appeal and is very well done.

Cupid's Last Wish (YouTube Sun) Ep 4 - I guess I liked the “boy deals with a period” bit, glad they depicted that part of bodyswap, but still I’m not vibing with this show.

Miracle of the Teddy Bear - ON HOLD, waiting for YT distribution

The Tuxedo (GaGa Sat) Ep 8fin - GMMTV: watch us regularly squander glorious chemistry on terrible scripts. The Tuxedo: hold my beer. I’m not gonna bother to review this because it MADE NO SENSE and I refuse to give it any bandwidth, but I really hope we see these boys again in something better and more worthy of them. 3/10 NOT RECOMMENDED

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Plus and Minus (Taiwan Viki Fri) Ep 3 - gosh it’s just GREAT. How nice to have Taiwan back in the game. Honestly, I love their style. Is “ classy queer” a thing, like the opposite of camp? This is it. Kinda the antidote to SCOY, should you need such a thing. Which I DO.

Fukou-kun wa Kiss Suru Shikanai! AKA Mr Unlucky Has No Choice But to Kiss! (Japan Viki Fri) Ep 1 - honestly it’s JAPAN and they kissed in the first episode? What freaky alt-reality have I entered into? I LIKE it here. But, are they crossbreeding with Taiwan again? *settles back* Let’s just enjoy the ride on this one, I think it’s gonna be ADORABLE. But, never forget, Japan’s attitude is ALWAYS “here, hold my beer.”

The Promise (Vietnam YouTube) Ep 1 - stepbrothers trope, enemies to lovers, high school, reunion romance. Narrative has a “memoir” framework. Sort of Cherry Blossoms After Winter if they were enemies and a grumpy/tsundere pairing. Okay so maybe not CBAW at all. Seems like it could end up being sad, but production values are pretty high for a VBL so I’m gonna watch it.

Gossip

New Thai BL Ai Long Nhai has started filming (based on y-novel of the same name by Nathakorn). Familiar faces include Porsch (Bright in Together With Me), Meen (Tul in LBC2), Yacht (everything), Gun & Pak (Valen & Kaitoon in Love Area) Jom (Jin in Nitman) Nice (Arthur in Second Chance). I’m excited, this is obviously a pulp, but that cast is really GOOD.

Thai BL Ghost Host, Ghost House has also started filming, stars Tod (Peat from Love Area).

KBL Love Class starring Kim Tae Hwan and Han Hyeon Jun, drops May 13th on Bilibili to the Asian market, no word on international distribution.

Idol Romance's KBL The Circumstances Of Pungdeok Villa Room 304 (based on a novel by Blue Code) will star Yoon Seobin & Kim Jiwoong (8 eps, 25min ea). That’s the same couple from Kissable Lips and I think this is Korea first instance of a repeat pair. Interesting. I thought they had great chemistry (although I didn’t like KL) so I’m happy about the casting. Plot: Happy-go-lucky third-generation chaebol kicked out by his father and told to man tf up. Ends up accidentally cohabitating with coworker of his dreams. Or something like that.

Kpop group DKZ’s prior album first week’s sales? 1,482. Latest comeback? 107,965. Why do we care, BL universe? Because the reason for that 100x increase? Most likely Park Jae Chan’s appearance as SongWoo in Semantic Error (and companion promo activities). Apparently he had to convince his company to let him do it. Do you feel drunk with power? I do. (source KPOP Junkee)

See also:

Parents & Family

Meeting the Family With a Fake Relationship

Do You Love Me? by whitchry9 (K, 641 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Family, Epic Bromance) – John asks Sherlock perhaps the most important question.

Once Upon A Time by ProfessorSquirrell (T, 908 w., 1 Ch. || Family, Snippets of Life, Romance, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Implied Drug Use, Angst with Happy Ending) – There is a room in Sherlock's mind palace where nothing gets deleted. And it looks like this...

Crisis Averted by Spartangal22 (T, 2,188 w., 1 Ch. || HLV Fic, Missing Scene After Confronting Mary, Canon Compliant, Sherlock Whump / Mary Shot Sherlock, Family / Friendship, Hospitalization, Sherlock POV, Holmes Brothers) – Lying in the hospital, Sherlock receives some surprising visitors, and manages to deal with two problems he's been having lately. A missing scene from HLV about a formal introduction that was never made and a visit that was never shown.

The Only Available Transportation by blueink3 (T, 5,379 w., 1 Ch. || Post S4, Fluff and Angst, Insecure Sherlock, Caring John, Parentlock, Sherlock’s Birthday, Family, Misunderstandings) – It’s possibly the desperation that’s seeped into his voice despite his best intentions, or perhaps it’s just a mother’s intuition, but she knows that whatever he’s calling about is Serious, hangover be damned. “What’s happened?” she asks, tone soft and as comforting as a hot cup of tea on a cold winter’s night. “Mummy,” he begins, voice catching. “I think John may be moving out.”

On the Steadfast Approach of an Oncoming Darkness by 2bee (T, 7,772 w., 1 Ch. || Apocalypse, Minor Character Death, Sort of Parentlock) – The world is ending. Not fast, but slowly, like falling asleep with a fever.

The Name Game by ItsClydeBitches221B (K, 8,958 w., 1 Ch. || Humour, Family, Platonics / Friendship, Sort-of Parentlock, John/Mary, Mary is Nice, Five and Ones, Baby Watson, Mycroft Loves Baby Watson) – The names that baby girl Watson comes up with for her extended family. Or: how everyone—Watsons, Holmes, and others alike— just learned to give up and embrace their weirdness.

The Burning of the Leaves by blueink3 (M, 15,915 w., 3 Ch. || Post S4, Angst, Reichenbach, Parentlock, Past Jolto, Idiot John, Sherlock’s a Mess, Puppies, Fluff, Possessive / Jealous Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Sherlock POV, Matchmaker Sholto, Melancholic Feelings, Emotional Sherlock, Domesticity, Love Confessions in the Rain, Kissing in the Rain, Pet Names) – After the events of series 4, Major Sholto invites John and Sherlock to lunch one day. It nearly proves to be too much for their tenuous relationship as the past haunts the present, putting the future that Sherlock so desperately wants at risk.

Permanent Fixture by vitruvianwatson (E, 18,836 w., 9 Ch. || Post-S4, Parentlock, Slow Build, Friends to Lovers, They’re Good Parents, Blushing Sherlock, First Kiss/Time, Explicit Consent, Sexual Content, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Big Feelings, Crying, First Kiss, Fluff, Anxious Sherlock, Inexperienced Sherlock, Emotional Communication, Love Confessions) – Now, as Rosie sat curled up against Sherlock’s side, John watched and wondered exactly how he had ended up here. Domesticity had never suited him before, not at any point in his life. His disastrous marriage had been proof of that. But somehow, here in the warmth and safety of 221B Baker Street, here with Sherlock Holmes reading medical jargon to his daughter, Sherlock’s bony feet nudging against his leg, John couldn’t imagine anyplace that would make him happier.

Dropping the Act by jadztone (T, 27,258 w., 10 Ch. || Parentlock, Fake Relationship, Mary’s Family, Post-S4, Cuddling & Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Pining, Christmas) – Sherlock and John are quite happy living together with Rosie in Baker St. They might be even happier if they didn’t act towards each other like their love is only platonic. Mycroft brings troubling news in the form of Mary’s parents wanting to know just what their grandchild’s home life is like. The boys decide to spend Christmas pretending like they are in love in order to seem more like a "normal" family. It's easy enough to pretend when all you're doing is dropping the act.

An Acquired Taste by kinklock (E, 31,059 w., 4 Ch. || Vampires AU || Vampire Sherlock, Misunderstandings, Bat!Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Humour, Magical Realism, Fluff and Angst, Blood Drinking, Holmes Family, Slow Burn) – At Montague Street when Sherlock was forced to sate his body’s needs, he was at least able to wander about the flat as much as he pleased. At Baker Street, it was mini-bags in a mini-fridge and bedroom confinement.

Chaperones by MissDavis (T, 34,114 w., 7 Ch. || 11 Years Post-S4, Fake Relationship, Parentlock, Disney World, Bed / Room Sharing, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, First Kiss, Obsessive Sherlock, Insecure John) – Right. Of course. Everyone assumed they were a couple and no one would question it. John put his elbows up on the table so he could rest his head in his hands. "You want to pretend to be a couple so we can chaperone a trip to Disney World with Rosie's class and you won't have to share a room with a stranger?" "Exactly." Sherlock beamed at him. "Don't worry about the cost. The Birmingham case last month paid more than enough to cover expenses for all three of us."

Where The Ghosts Have Voices by HappyJuicyfruit (M, 37,691 w., 12 Ch. || Supernatural AU || Ghosts, Magical Realism, Light Horror, Fluff and Smut, John Can See Ghosts, John Whump, Emotional Manipulation, Dark Magic, Coma, Injury Recovery, Blow Jobs, Anal, Happy Ending, John’s Past, Mr Holmes, Powerful John, Holmes Brothers, Sherlock’s Past, Past Viclock, Drug Abuse, Hair Pulling) – John has lived his whole life as an outcast. It is only when he meets Sherlock, that be realizes being a freak might not be such a bad thing, and that the curse he has lived with his whole life may be a gift after all. (TO READ)

Anchor Point by trickybonmot (E, 49,856 w., 80 Ch. || Truman Show AU || Psychological Drama, Suspense, Slow Burn, Dark Characters / Fic, Alternating First/Third Person, Protective John, Anxious/Worried Sherlock, Tender Moments, Love Confessions, Hand/Blow Jobs, Cuddling, Jealous John, First Kiss/Time) – The world tunes in nightly for Sherlock, the ultimate in reality TV: Sherlock Holmes, a real person with a legendary name, unknowingly lives out his life in a staged setting contrived by his brother. Things get complicated when a retired army doctor joins the show to play the part of Sherlock's closest friend. This fic borrows its concept from the 1998 film, the Truman Show. However, you don't need to have any knowledge of the movie to enjoy this story.

The Hollow Woman by ScopesMonkey (M, 51,335 w., 22 Ch. || Post-TRF, Major Character Death, Mystery, Romance, Friendship, Family, Angst, Crime, Reunion, First Kiss / Time, Nightmares, Doctor John, Jealous Sherlock, Jealous John, BAMF John, Angry John, Dub-Con, Rough Sex, Bottomlock, Possessive John, Villain Mary, Open Ending) – Forced to return to London sooner than expected, Sherlock falls into a case too close to home. Part 1 of the Hollowverse series

Repairing the Broken Things by BakerTumblings (M, 75,252 w., 15 Ch. || S4 Compliant, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Medical Trauma, Hospitals, Big Brother Mycroft, Misunderstandings, Realizations, Severe Accident, John Whump, Pneumonia, Medical Procedures, Bed Sharing, First Time, Healing, Happy Ending) – "I'm calling today to notify you that there's been an accident."

Points by lifeonmars (E, 53,791 w., 42 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || HLV Rewrite / Canon Divergence, Married Life, Pregnancy / Baby Watson, Drinking to Cope, Boxing / Fisticuffs, Clueless John, Angst, Minor Medical Drama, Tattoos, Christmas, First Kiss/Time, Eventual Happy Ending, Love Confessions, Doctor John, Sexuality Crisis, Slow Burn, Case Fic, Drugging, Blow/Hand Job, Emotional Love Making, Parenthood, Passage of Time) – What if His Last Vow never happened? This fic picks up a few months after John and Mary's wedding, in an alternate universe where Magnussen doesn't exist, but Mary is still pregnant. Life continues -- just in a different direction. And slowly, Sherlock and John find their way to each other.

The Monument of Memory by J_Baillier (M, 79,663 w., 14 Ch. || Post S4 Fix It Fic / S4 is Canon, Angst, Family Drama, Guilt, Case Fic, John Loves Sherlock, Complicated Feelings, Mentalism / Hypnosis, Murder, Grieving John, Sherlock is a Bit Not Good, Team Work, Trust Issues, BAMF John, Psychological Trauma, Protective John, Autistic-Spectrum Sherlock, Parentlock, John POV) – A genius traumatised by a past he's only beginning to recall. The psychopath sister that time forgot. A missing woman and a mentalist who may or may not be a murderer. And, in the middle of it all, stands John Watson.

Kintsukuroi by sussexbound (E, 91,823 w., 20 Ch. || S4 Compliant / Post-TLD, Grief / Mourning, PTSD, Internalized Homophobia, Therapy, Past Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Nightmares, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Depression, Anxiety, Bed Sharing, Love Confessions, Cuddling, Suicidal Ideation, Masturbation, Minor Character Death, Sexting, Frottage, Inexperienced Sherlock, Rimming / Anal / BJ’s, Emotional Turmoil, Finding Each Other) – “I love you.” Sherlock sees the words hit John with almost physical force. He reels back a little, jaw twitching and eyes filling. “I love you,” he repeats, a little softer, a little more gentle, as earnest as he possibly can. Because they’ve been teetering on the brink of this thing for years, and it had become painfully obvious over the last few months that they were at a tipping point. This had to happen. Now it has. Now they can see where they end up. The tears in John’s eyes spill over, and he wipes at them angrily. “Do you even know what that means?”

The Summer Boy by khorazir (T, 94,706 w., 6 Ch. || Post S3/Post TAB/Alternate S4, Friends to Lovers, Asexual Sherlock, POV Sherlock, Flashbacks, Bullying, 1980′s Kid Sherlock, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Inexperienced Sherlock, Grief/Mourning, Pining Sherlock, Case Fic, Sherlock’s Past, Awkward Conversations, Anxious Sherlock) – About half a year after the fateful events at Appledore, Sherlock and John embark on a private case in Sussex. For Sherlock, it’s a journey into his past, bringing up memories both happy and sad that he has locked away for almost thirty years. For John, it means coming to terms with the present – and a potential future with Sherlock. Part 1 of the The Summer Boy series

The Wedding Garments by cwb (E, 105,390 w., 36 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Alternate Future AU || Alternate First Meeting, Dating / Arranged Marriages, Romance, First Kiss/Time, Heavy Petting, Cuddles, POV Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn / Falling in Love / Dev. Rel., Nervous/Anxious Sherlock, Jealous/Cranky, Hiking, Vacation Homes / Honeymoon, Sherlock’s Family, Horny John/Sherlock, Patient John, Massages, Hand Jobs, Assassination Plots, Hand Jobs / Oral Sex, Case Fic, Emotional Love Making, Bath Time Fun) – This is the story of a young consulting detective who wants nothing to do with marriage and an army doctor who wants to find true love. It's 2020 post-Brexit England and the British government is encouraging arranged marriages. Candidates meet through state-run agencies and date in hopes of finding love (and tax benefits). Sherlock doesn't need or want a spouse, at least not until John Watson shows up. Hesitant to give in to his more carnal urges because of the way they derail his mind, how will Sherlock progress toward the more intimate aspects of a relationship? The answer lies in a very special wedding gift.

The Bang and the Clatter by earlgreytea68 (M, 137,049 w., 37 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Baseball AU || Slow Burn / Dev. Rel., Possessive/Obsessive Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Body Appreciation, Depression, Closeted Sexuality, Family, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Ogling Each Other, Anxious Sherlock, Panic Attack, Drunkenness, Talk of Forever, Big Feelings™) – Sherlock Holmes is a pitcher and John Watson is a catcher. No, no, no, it's a baseball AU. Part 1 of Baseball

The Lost Special: Family Matters (As Do Relationships) by ShirleyCarlton (M, 144,688 w., 40 Ch. || S4 Fix It Fic, Unreliable Narrator, John’s Mind Bungalow, Friends to Lovers, Happy Ending) – Sherrinford is not really the name of some high security prison. That was just a figment of John’s frantic coma dream. And Eurus is not actually Sherlock’s sister. That’s just something random she said to John before shooting him. Sherlock and John were never actually estranged. That was just their act to cover up what really happened to Mary – or Rosamund Moran, as her real name has turned out to be. Sherlock does have a secret sibling, though, and his name is Sherrinford. After finally eliminating Moran – though in a rather dramatically different way than they had envisioned – and exposing the truth about Eurus, John encourages Sherlock to delve into his past and to find out whether the reasons to keep Sherrinford away from Sherlock were the right ones, and to discover what really happened in 1981. Along the way, Sherlock and John gradually, finally, stop keeping each other at a distance, and eventually become a proper family of their own.

Proving A Point by elldotsee & J_Baillier (E, 186,270 w., 28 Ch. || Me Before You Fusion || Medical Realism, Insecure John, Depression, Romance, Angst, POV John, Sherlock Whump, Serious Illness, Doctor John, Injury Recovery, Assisted Suicide, Sherlock’s Violin, Awkward Sexual Situations, Alcoholism, Drugs, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn, Body Image, Friends to Lovers, Hurt / Comfort, Pain, Big Brother Mycroft, Intimacy, Anxiety, PTSD, Family Issues, Psychological Trauma, John Whump, Case Fics, Loneliness, Pain) – Invalided home from Afghanistan, running out of funds and convinced that his surgical career is over, John Watson accepts a mysterious job offer to provide care and companionship for a disabled person. Little does he know how much hangs in the balance of his performance as he settles into his new life at Musgrave Court.

#steph replies #johnlock fic recs #my fic recs #parents and families #meeting the family #Anonymous

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londonalozzy · 3 years

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Don’t Tell Bucky 1/2

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Summary: The reader arrives home one night after drowning her sorrows, thinking she doesn't stand a chance with the guy she loves most, Bucky Barnes. She is so out of it that she ends up revealing all of her feelings to the first person she sees. The man himself.

Masterlist

I've been teased my whole adult life about what an old fashioned, hopeless romantic I am.

Yes, I'm an Avenger. Yes, I can kick ass when the occasion arises. But the rest of the time, the usual place to find me, is curled up on the couch with my head buried in a Jane Austen novel.

A couple of years ago someone came into my life that I thought was the key to it all. He was destined to be the Darcy to my Elizabeth, the Edward to my Elinor, the Mr Knightly to my Emma. Oh, how wrong I was!

When Steve first brought Bucky to Avengers HQ it was like a modern day version of when Bingley introduced Mr Darcy to the people of Meryton at the ball in Pride and Prejudice.

He was the archetype of the aloof romantic hero. Tall, dark, handsome, brooding and quiet. He kept himself to himself, observed everyone with eyes of an eagle, and only spoke when spoken to. I was well and truly hooked.

As weeks turned into months, Bucky and I came to an understanding, a friendship that only got more complicated as time went on. After everything he had been through, it was hard for him to open up to people, to let his guard down. What he did yearn for though, was companionship, someone to sit beside, someone to just be there if and when he needed them. I became that person for him.

Every time I decided to sit silently with a book in hand, it wouldn't be long before I had a certain super soldier at my side, just embracing the company, not having to worry about putting on a show for people he didn't feel comfortable with.

The complication in our relationship came when I realised how much I had come to depend on him being there for me.

My aching for him first made itself known when he started going out on missions that I wasn't apart of, when he went on all day training sessions away with the guys, and whole nights out when his confidence finally got a boost. I missed him. I missed him with every fiber of my being.

"So, I'm guessing you've heard the latest gossip on Barnes?" Nat asked me one morning over breakfast, her eyes not leaving her plate of blueberry pancakes as she spoke.

"Gossip? What are you talking about?" Any news on what Bucky was up to was music to my ears. I'd barely seen him these last few weeks, and it was seriously messing me up in more ways than I'd like to admit.

"You mean he's not told you? You? Princess Y/N?"

To say Nat was surprised by my ignorance was an understatement. This must be something big if she is shocked about it. When did it change to others knowing more about Bucky than I did? I thought we were best friends. He calls me Princess for Christ's sake.

"Maybe you should ask him yourself," Nat suggested, reaching across the table and rubbing my forearm. "I just assumed he would have told you first."

Now I'm seriously freaking out. "Nat, please just tell me what the hell is going on."

"You know Theresa down in medical?" Oh, shit. I've got a bad feeling about this.

"Yeah. What about her?"

"They're dating." Oh no!

It felt like my heart had leapt into my throat. I couldn't think, never mind know what to respond with. I knew it would happen eventually. I knew he'd end up with someone. I just assumed it would me. How stupid could I be?

"Y/N, you need to tell him how you feel." Why does Nat always have to be so good at this observation stuff?

"I don't know what you're talking about," I choked with a traitor tear in my eye, and a jump up from my chair when I suddenly felt the need to escape.

Nat followed me down the hall to my room, putting herself in front of me as I tried to change into my running gear. I had to get out of there. "You can't pretend this isn't happening Y/N. This is Bucky we're talking about. Your Bucky. You'll regret it if you don't tell him."

"Yeah, well I'll regret it a hell of a lot more if I do tell him and then lose him completely."

Nat grabbed my arms, stopping me in my tracks. She was one of my closest friends for a reason. She knew what made me tick, what scared me, what mattered the most to me. It's just not a risk I can take though.

"If you don't talk to him, all of this will get bottled up inside and it will ruin your friendship anyway. Y/N you need to get this out."

She was right. This was Nat. She was always right. My head and heart couldn't handle all of this new information. I didn't know how to deal with it, how to react.

So much for that epic romance I thought I was destined for. Looks like, for me, I'm only meant to be the friend, the side character in someone else's love story. I'm Eponine and not Cosette.

Deciding to lay off of me for the rest of the day, Nat rounded up Wanda and a few others and we headed out for a few drinks. Well, what started out as a few drinks anyway.

By the early morning I had at least 10 too many tequila shots in my bloodstream, partnered with a sore throat from overly emotional karaoke renditions of some of the best known heartbreak songs. I was a mess. A mess that could barely remember her own name.

"Are you drunk?" A random voice echoed through the hall as I stumbled around, trying and failing to get into what I hoped was my room at 2am.

"Why would you think that?" I replied to the swaying figure as they moved closer to steady my feet.

"Probably because you're trying to unlock your bedroom door with a lip stick. Plus the fact that the door doesn't have a lock on it anyway. What's up?"

Ignoring the nosy stranger, and giving up on getting into my room because the handle kept moving all over the place, I went in search of the nearest soft thing I could find to park myself on. Standing up was over rated anyway.

"You don't normally drink like this Princess," the randomer observed, leaning over me as I started making rug angels on the shag pile in the common room.

Why is this guy talking like he knows me? Who the hell does he think he is calling me that? "I've just got a lot on my mind. And don't Princess me. Only Bucky gets to call me that."

"Noted," the randomer laughed with a shake of the head, then joining me by laying at my side.

Staring at the ceiling as the silence engulfed us, I decided to confide in this handsome newbie. "If I tell you something, can you promise you won't tell anybody?"

"I promise," he responded without hesitation.

"I mean it, nobody can know. Especially Bucky. He can never find out." I pulled him into a sitting position and put my hands on either side of his face, trying to stress how important it was that he keeps this to himself. He really was pretty.

"I swear, Bucky will hear none of this from me."

"Ok. Here goes," I jumped up, frantic all of a sudden. "I want him to break up with his girlfriend, and it's seriously stressing me out."

"Why would you want him to do that? She's a nice girl isn't she?," pretty boy questioned in confusion, getting to his feet as well. Why did he care so much? Where the heck did he come from anyway? I swear, if this is one of Tony's robo experiments again I'm gonna flip.

"I'm sure they're perfect for each other," I groaned. "I just know that I don't want him with her. At first I had no idea why. He's one of my closest friends. I should want him to be happy right?"

"Of course," Mr Blue eyes confirmed with a furrowed brow and by gripping onto my now clammy hands.

"Then I started thinking about it. Why was I feeling like this? Why was it bothering me so much? I realised, it wasn't just this one girl I have a problem with. It's all girls. All except one."

"Who?"

"Me."

"Wait? What?" He bellowed, leaping backwards and pacing the floor. "You want m...I mean Bucky to go out with you?"

"Yeah. I mean, I think so."

"Y/N, you can't just come out with something like that and respond with I think so," he screeched out in loud exasperation, so much so that I burst into flood of tears.

"Why are you shouting at me?" This guy is such a meanie.

When he saw how upset I was he immediately calmed down, placing his palms on my face and wiping the salty drops away. "Y/N please don't cry. This is just a lot to process."

It took me a while to calm myself down, hiccups escaping my lips as the crying finally subsided. Slowly, the angel man, stranger, person, thing walked me over to the couch and sat us both down. His eyes were boring into me, beautiful azure pools that looked slightly familiar. Maybe it was those bath bombs Steve keeps buying from Lush. I don't know.

"Why do you even care about all this? It's not like you know him or something?" I enquired, now looking at anything other than in those beautiful bath fizzer eyes.

"Just try to explain to me what's going on in that crazy little head of yours," he pressed.

Oh well. I may as well carry on now I've started.

"I've been with the Avengers for a long time. They're my family, my home. And don't get me wrong, I know they care about me, love me even. It's just easy to be sidelined, you know? To become an after thought when you're part of something so big. Bucky changed that. When I met him, it was like everything shifted. He became the reason I smiled every day, why I looked forward to getting out of bed. For the first time in my life I felt like I was at the top of someone's priority list."

"So are all of these feelings because you think you're gonna lose that? You think you're gonna lose him? I swear to you it won't happen." If it only it were that easy.

"I wish it was that," the tears building up once more as I eventually decided to look at him properly. "It would make all of this way less complicated."

"What is it then?," he pressed in urgency.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm head over heels in love with the guy."

#bucky #Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #reader #james barnes #Winter Soldier #Sebastian Stan #marvel #Avengers #captain america #falcon #fanfiction #fanfic #imagine #oc #romance #comedy #drama

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yurimother · 3 years

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LGBTQ Comic Review - Amongst Us Book 1

A masterful combination of comedy, subtle romance, and incredible sensuality

I make no attempts to hide my complete admiration and infatuation with Shilin Huang's Yuri webcomic Amongst Us. The slice of life AU featuring reimagined versions of the lead characters from fantasy series Carciphona as a lesbian couple has held a special place in my heart for a long time. I named the series one of the best Yuri works of the past one-hundred years, can frequently be found lurking in the author's Twitch streams, and even have a wall in my office dedicated to the artwork of the main couple (or I did before my office became a remote classroom). So, when a Kickstarter by Shilin and Hiveworks Comics launched promising a print version of the work, I was eager to support it financially and promote it with my humble platform. The Kickstarter took place in March, and books were initially estimated for release in May of 2020. However, as you have probably realized by the dates alone, the world went very South around this time. A combination of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, a healthy amount of bad luck, and what I am inclined to believe, for various reasons, was some awful mismanagement by Hiveworks led to numerous delays. Indeed, by the time the book finally shipped, I had moved, so my copy arrived a little later as it had to be forwarded. But, at the end of this frustrating and anticipation-building event, I finally have the volume in my hands, and it was worth the wait. While I adore the webcomic, this gorgeous print volume completely enthralls me. The book is absolutely the preferred way to read this spectacular comic.

Before getting into the exquisite details of Amongst Us Book 1: Soulmates, I need to take a minute to praise how well this book is put together. The paperback binding is thick and features amazing spot glass that sparkles in the light. This feature only accentuates the fantastic and bright the cover illustration of main characters Veloce and Blackbird loving holding each other is. The back cover has a simpler but more imaginative illustration of the two flying through the sky, and the character's expressions tell you everything you need to know about this fantastic, odd couple. There are a few things you will notice upon opening the volume. The first is how well Amongst Us made the challenging transition from vertical webcomic to the page. The assembly and paneling are fantastic and clear, and chapters feature stylized illustrations and title cards. You will then see the inside cover, a powerful display that perfectly contrasts the front's glowing and tender love. Finally, there is Shilin's presents moving forward and dedication, where she lovingly dedicates the book to her partner, Kristen.

I assure you, as good as the book's presentation and assembly is, the contents within are even better. Amongst Us follows Veloce and Blackbird's bombastic relationship. The two women are eccentric and striking musicians in their early twenties, and I swear you will never forget them. The slice of life storylines are, per the genre's definition, mundane and include events like shopping at the mall, riding the train, and having lunch with a friend. The charming simplicity of the story serves well to the reactions of the characters. Shilin effortlessly transitions from adorable moments of affection to explosive and hilarious comedy and irresistible and delightful moments of sexual tension; Veloce's neck and jawline alone could topple a monarchy. Often, slice of life works can become dull or repetitive, but these stories and the frequent changes in tone help the reader stay engaged and excited.

Putting slice of life aside for a moment, it is also important to note that Amongst Us is also has an interesting place within the Yuri genre, or "Girl's Love/GL" as it is often called in webcomic circles (originally an analogous term of Boy's Love). Webcomics have often been a bit more adventurous with their storylines and styles than Japanese manga. While the genre rose to popularity in the space thanks to digital manhwa and manhua, some (not all) of the Yuri tropes did not carry over between the similar mediums. Many modern webcomics and webtoons take their inspiration more from manhwa and manhua GL, which has developed its own canon and tropes over the years. However, even for a webcomic, Shilin's work feels somewhat divorced from most other worlds of Yuri. This first volume exists mainly against the Yuri genre's expectations. However, the next book, which flashes back to the couple's origin, undoubtedly is more in line with convention, for better or worse. It feels like the author decided to screw the norms and write a work that she would enjoy, and I am so glad that she did. Veloce and Blackbird are young adults, out of school in an established relationship with no drama. This (sadly) unconventional setting is made all the more irregular because of just how distinctive, and unwonted Blackbird and Veloce are.

Blackbird and Veloce, originally from the fantasy world of Carciphona, take on a new life, literally, in this wonderful modern reimagining and homage. You do not need to be a fan of the original work to enjoy their bizarre and larger-than-life personalities. Indeed, when I read Amongst Us online for the first time, I had not ever even heard of Carciphona. Veloce is the quieter and more stoic of the two, although she is not afraid of showing a more relatable and human side as she reacts to Blackbirds wild antics. Veloce's (not)straight man approach is hilariously sobering. But, her best moments are in those when she lets loose a little bit, like when she is rendered drooling by the promise of her favorite smoothie or in her stoic yet alluring flirtations with Blackbird, only to get close enough to steal a healthy chomp of ice cream.

Blackbird, on her part, is completely insane. She continuously pulls of wild antics like jumping on Veloce to surprise her or singing an especially threatening song after a glorious battle over lunch. However, she is perfectly capable of showing her love and admiration for Veloce in her own cheeky way. However, true to form, each softer or more personal moment between the two is often immediately and perfectly juxtaposed with comedy, with the apparent exception of the book's touching and thoughtful finale. Veloce and Blackbird will both more than please readers individually, but you will fall in love with them as a couple. I must have read this at least a few dozen times between the webtoon and the book, and I am just as enchanted as ever by their loud and unapologetic love.

The ordinary misadventures of Blackbird and Veloce are accompanied by genuinely astounding artwork. No, that statement does not do Shilin's illustrations justice. Veloce and Blackbird lead from the page thanks to stunning, full-color illustrations that detail every moment of hilarity. Every movement from the slightest smirk to the over-the-top dramatizations of regular events thoughtfully and beautifully sprawl across the pages and invite you to stare for hours. Shilin is the only person possible who could make something as simple as someone softly singing Happy Birthday so epic and sultry. Speaking of which, my goddess of Yuri is this work titillating. No, there are no gratuitous scenes, but just the characters leaning over each other or touching the other's chin makes my hands shake. My only small complaint is that some early chapters show their age slightly with noticeably lower quality linework and flatter colors than the dazzling and dynamic work demonstrated towards the end. Still, even on its worst day, Amongst Us looks better than most of its peers and the entirety of its many inferiors.

Amongst Us is nearly the perfect work. It has a uniquely compelling and mirth-inducing way of displaying a young yet very unordinary couple's everyday life. Its characters, from design to personality, are instantly memorable and striking. Despite being ready to rip each other's heads off at the drop of a hat, or rather because of it, Blackbird and Veloce feel the perfect and natural couple we so rarely witness. Shilin's masterful combination of comedy, subtle romance, and incredible sensuality is astounding. This book is worth it for the outstanding and vibrant artwork alone, but its combination with excellent writing create a sonorous and majestic modern romance unlike any other. I believe that Shilin has created something genuinely special here, and I can confidently say that out of the hundreds of webcomics I have read, this one is the pinnacle of its kind and my absolute favorite.

You can purchase Amongst Us book 1: Soulmates exclusively on Shilin's online shop and read the webcomic now for free on Twitter, Webtoon and Tumblr @okolnir.

Ratings: Story – 9 Characters – 10 Art – 10 LGBTQ – 8 Sexual Content – 5 Final – 10

#yuri #reviews #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtq+#queer #gay #anime #manga #amongst us #shilin #lesbian #gl #wlw #girls love #comics #comic #webtoon #webcomic #cute #funny #lol

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dragonrajafanfiction · 3 years

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Club Takamagahara (End) - Dating Game

Woo Doggy! This has been fun to write and I mean FUN. Having no real holds barred and getting really silly was a lot easier than I expected and I had a great time with this arc.

One of the biggest complaints in the mobile game fandom is the Main Story offers no love interest for the MC and it trails off at this part as the MC is reduced to a go-fer for every NPC’s sidequest. Well I say NO MORE, you will be quite literally the center of everyone’s attention from here on out.

Cars lined up around the entire block of the street and women were lined up along the sidewalk for their tickets. From 8 to 10 p.m., the busiest time of the night was when the stage was filled with shows by the performers, from ancient erotic dramas like Cleopatra and Marc Antony to Chu Zihang's swordplay; off stage, the guests were already drunk. The guests who came late were often groups of girlfriends who had eaten dinner elsewhere and came to join the singing and dancing party in Takamagahara, the performers had to go over and greet them, there was a shortage of manpower everywhere. Both the escorts and waiters were running to work, Whale was roaring outside the dressing room backstage, like the circus troupe master.

The message of the Romanceable MC Contest had caught fire and boosted to epic proportions. Princess Night was in full swing and featured all the top names in Male Escort business. Even before they got out of the cars, the women were screaming and taking pictures having lined up for hours.

The white Cadillac Escalade stretch limousine rolled like an anaconda and reflected the millions of electric lights of the Tokyo night. It took up half the block, but there was space left for cars like this, reserved for the VIPs of the Takamagahara elite. No one could park there on pain of towing and a hefty fine.

A man in a hooded cloak pulled the lollipop out of his mouth. His bright green eyes scanned the crowd waiting outside. He crossed his legs one over the other and leaned back. “What percentage of the fans out there are mine?”

“From the ticket sales it seems that you are about 30% of the crowd today, Master Inoue.” The driver, a veteran and son of drivers, had been there for him since he first made it big hosting the Bliss Hall. This driver was so skilled at avoiding paparazzi that he put him under a lifetime contract. Now he was much older, but his driving was still as sharp as ever.

The man in the back seat was barely visible, dressed in all black and keeping the lights down so that it looked just like an empty limo. He huffed with a slight smirk. He crossed his arms and looked down. “Wow. And I’m supposed to have competition?”

“You are the top male escort in Tokyo, Master Inoue,” rumbled the driver again.

That sharp green eye flicked up to the rear view mirror. “Second… to the top. If you would, sir. But apparently Ruri Kazama isn’t competing.”

Ruri Kazama. The name was so legendary among the escorts of Japan that they scarcely dared to utter it. Although he rarely appeared outside private showings, the man reigned supreme as the king of the male escort business.

“He’s unlikely he would have been able to respond on short notice, Master Inoue…”

“No one skips the Takamagahara…” He looked back outside, pushing back the thick velvet curtain slightly.

“You’ve skipped it by 3 hours sir.”

“I”m only here to see one woman. There’s no need to see any others or stay here too long. I come here, win her little heart, and leave with my prize money.”

“You’re really not going to entertain your fans, sir?”

He grinned, his radiant and white smile shining in the dark of the limo. “There’s value in scarcity. If I popped up in full all the time, there’d be no chase. And as you know very well, my most excellent driver… It's all about the chase! If you would, please?”

The driver put the truck in park and stepped out in his sharp suit and driver’s hat. He pulled the handle on the pearly side door and opened it.

Shining black cowboy boots covered in sparkling rhinestones stepped down from the limo. He moved as smooth and graceful as a dancer in skin tight leather pants. His black leather jacket was open to reveal his bare chest and sculpted abs. His hair, bleached white streamed from a black cowboy hat decorated with shark’s teeth.

His appearance sparked immediate mayhem, screams, and mad panting. Dozens of hands reached out desperately, stretching their fingers towards him as though they were pulled by an extremely powerful magnet. They were all screaming, “Diamond!”

Master Inoue - or to his fans, Diamond - stood still as a statue, hat tipped over his eyes, listening to their desperate pleas with his eyes closed.

It seemed arrogant, but for him, it was always like this. From the time he was a child, people couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. When they caught sight of his brilliant green eyes they were drawn to him before he even knew the difference between boys and girls. Sitting in the stroller, all he had to do was smile and the women would come and coo and smile and ask, please, can I hold him. Please!

“Please! Hold me, Diamond! Never let me go!”

Diamond lifted his head toward the voice. It was a woman in her thirties, tears in her eyes, begging with the desperation of a leper before Christ. If he just wanted to, he could heal her broken heart. He walked casually towards her and saw her eyes get bigger and bigger and then he took her delicate hand in his and gently kissed it.

The woman, struck with a Pentacostal frenzy, trembled and fell to her knees sobbing in desperation, clutching her hand and rocking back and forth. She would probably never wash that hand again.

The little favor revved the up crowd even more and the bouncers hurried to line up and make a barrier. That kiss was all he would grant. He turned and walked through the velvet rope staffed with burly workers with black masks over their eyes. They opened the doors to Takamagahara and he stepped inside. Immediately, two more workers turned to lead him to the VIP area.

“So who’s the lucky lady tonight?” Deep down, he was quite excited. His clients were usually 35 and older. For thousands of dollars, he would have dinner at a fancy restaurant, followed by drinks in some VIP Lounge. Or he would be asked to clean the house naked. Or pretend to be her boyfriend for the night. There was the common misconception that his clients were old or undateable. But that wasn’t his experience at all.

People who had $5,000 to spend on a naked butler could have anyone they wanted.

And they wanted him.

This challenge was new for him. The club picked his woman and they would be paying his escort fee.

His only task would be to ‘Love her.’ If she felt that then she would give him tickets. Whoever got the most tickets was the winner. When she picked his ‘route’.

---------------------------

It wasn’t that you got a private party, MC. This was a show. You were on the floor with everyone else. Rather than sticking to the edge of the crowd you got your table in the shape of a figure 8 in the middle of a raised platform filled with fish swimming about and surrounded by plush red couches in the shape of women’s lips. And already, the bottles were open.

You’re wearing another dress, not a cheongsam this time. It was a light green satin tube dress that hugged your figure and barely covered anything. Your hair was long and down your shoulders and your make up again was light. For such a simple look, you had spent hours in the spa that day while they made sure your hair was softer than it ever had been. You smelled like lilac and roses.

A man with short blond hair cropped above his ears, blue eyes and a black shirt so tight it conformed to every muscle in his body yelled above the music. “Where are you from?”

“Uh… Russia!”

“Russia! Woooow! Are you some sort of Oil Baron?”

“Yeah!” You yell figuring nothing you said mattered. They wouldn't remember anything anyway would they?

He flicks his wrist and produces an unopened rose stem, seemingly from thin air and offers it to you. “To me you’re worth more than all the oil in the world. I hope we get to know each other well, MC.”

Below the shirt, He wore pale form fitting jeans that hugged his considerable muscle just like Caesar’s outfit did. But his shoes were casual sneakers without ornamentation.

You accept the rose he offers you, feeling a bit shy.

Another man in a golden blouse that is made of fabric so sheer you could see the belly button piercing underneath, pulls out a cigarette and lights it up. He puffs out a perfect ring of smoke between his thin lips. “That would be Oil Baroness, Calypso…” He says. “She must have more pull than just money to bring us all to the same table.” His voice was deep and carried through the noise. He pulled another drag and sipped his liquor. But he was looking at you with calculating dark eyes.

A silver coin goes spinning on the table. A man in fiery red hair tied back in a ponytail, puffy red coat and a long chain over his bare chest lifts his chin at you. His eyes are as silver as that coin. “Heads or Tails, MC?”

“What am I betting on?” You ask.

His smile spreads further. “I just said heads or tails.”

“Hey, go easy, she’s new!” The man in the skintight black shirt returns with a bottle of vodka and pours it into a glass.

The redhead slaps his hand over the coin. It’s painted with an elaborate henna tattoo, elaborate, like stained glass. “You’re not going to win by going easy…”

The smell of the vodka is the mix of rubbing alcohol and gasoline. Light a match and it might produce a plume of flame! You lean away, repulsed, but the man next to you brazenly pours himself a glass and downs it. Sighing roughly like he might breathe fire, he grins. “That’s the good stuff! But you must drink it every day right?”

“Yeah!” You take cautious sips but the burn builds and builds until it overwhelms you and forces you to stop and cough into your arm.

Caesar, Mingfei and Chu Zihang were nowhere to be found. It was clear this club was over occupancy and over staffed so there was no rescuing you. All the waiters were running around. From somewhere in the hall, glass breaks.

A finger taps your shoulder. You’re met by a bright green gaze in a pale face.

You flinch as a crown is laid on your head.

“Your Majesty…” The man bows to you.

“Your Majesty!” They all echo with bows and kittenish smiles. For years, you’d never considered trying to date anyone. You lived like you were preparing for war. Then the war came and never let up. Now, you’re surrounded by men who could honestly be called the handsomest in Tokyo who were placing their hands on their broad chests and bowing their heads in fealty.

Off stage, the women on the floor whooped with delight.

Cowboy hat tipped over one eye, shirtless in his jacket, with a bare hairless chest, the man who gave you the jeweled tiara leaned over the couch. Every muscle stood out in carefully carved relief and your eyes followed them down to where they disappeared below his waist. The elastic band of his boxers peek up from the pants. You’d seen naked people before. But they were all familiar, people you knew and were fine with. This is the first time encountering the bare chest of a complete stranger and he’s so close you can smell his sweat. “Wow…” He says quietly, in a low purr next to your ear.

“I’m sorry?”

“You are… beautiful.” His eyes roamed about your body with a lopsided smile, his eyebrows raising. “I have to say I am caught by surprise.”

If your face gets any hotter it might catch fire.

He vaults over the couch, plops next to you and leans in, filling your vision. He gives a quick wink. “I’m yours for the night.”

“Diamond is always this forward but the truth is, he’s the most inexperienced of all of us.”

Diamond shoots the yellow shirt a glare. “I’m experienced in everything she would possibly want, Armani.”

“Yes, but we must go gently, gently…” The black shirt lightly rustles your hair. “We don't want to scare her off.”

“I’m here to do what she wants me to do…” Diamond waves the other men away before addressing you again. “Well, what’s your name?”

You tell him.

“Beautiful… let me guess? Russian?” His hand crept over to envelope yours in a steady grip. His fingers were so much larger than yours and soft like they were bathed in milk every day. There were no calluses. When Mingfei or Caesar touched you, there were roughened, thick patches of skin from hours of practice at the shooting ranges. His nails were even, shining and unbroken.

He raises your hand to his lips and gives it a small kiss. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. You can call me, Diamond.”

“Okay, Diamond.” You glance up at his eyes. He follows your gaze down when it falls again, trying to hold it as much as possible to the point where he leans over and tilts his head to do so. Every time you look up, those eyes are there, to catch that glance, like a serpent hypnotizing his prey.

He holds your drink out to you and you accept it with thanks.

“Are you cold? I noticed you’re keeping your feet tucked under.”

“Yes, it’s… a little cold.”

He shrugged off his jacket and laid it over your shoulders. It was very warm and you realized that the smell of the cologne he was wearing surrounded you like a thick heavy fog. You could now see his body in all its glory. You belatedly realize that the observation of your being cold was just an excuse for him to remove one of the few pieces of clothing he had!

His shoulders.. The way his neck curved into them and then down to his back. You’d seen shoulders like his before but for some reason, in seeing someone new, made your eye rest on it that much longer, on the way the muscle hugged his bone . The cold in the room made his nipples stand out and...

“Anything else I can do to make you more comfortable, Your Highness?” He stayed turned to you. The way his abs wrinkled. That little valley on his side that disappeared when it met the leather pants. You were naturally observant. Everything you saw was getting laser etched into your mind. In an effort to stop it, you return to his eyes but even that wasn’t safe. He was so close, you could notice small flecks of blue and gold that enhanced the color.

“Your eyes are really pretty.” You say this, but it doesn’t sound right even in your own ears. It wasn’t really his eyes you wanted to say something about.

He gives an easy relaxed smile, his eyebrows lift once. “Your eyes are prettier.”

“No they’re not.”

“I think I’m gonna barf. Let a pro show you how it’s done.” The redhead plants one arm between you and Diamond and ignores his furious glare.

His lips were really pink, almost cherry red, but you don’t see any sign of gaudy lipstick that Caesar wore. Everything about this man was gorgeous, even the light smatter of freckles on his nose. And everything about him was natural, save his hair color. The breath from his nose tickles your lips. He’s not backing away, he only tilts his head a bit.

You start to imagine what it might be like to kiss him. He draws a bit closer… closer. You close your eyes and wait. Wait… nothing.

“Can I?” He asks, quietly pleading.

“Uh...huh?” You press the words out from a stomach that was already squeezed tight like a fist.

“Good. I’ll keep that in mind for later.” The redhead pulls back and sashays back to this spot on the couch, giving Diamond a sharp snap of his fingers, just inches on his face. “Get on my level.”

“Alright, Alright, point taken.” Diamond pours himself some vodka.

The man in the yellow blouse, Armani, tilts his glass a bit. “Popularity is just a sign of good marketing and ubiquity. None of us can doubt your social media prowess, Diamond, but this is much higher class.”

He’s then staring at you with a half-lidded gaze. “Perhaps the baroness should accustom herself to someone who has dined with high officials. The ones with real power.”

“Okay…” You whisper, you’re completely captivated, unable to move.

“But that’s boring.” The Redhead sighs. “She needs to have more anticipation and suspense!”

“Your name is Chance because whether or not you’re any good is a complete crapshoot.” Armani sips his whiskey.

“But you could hit the jackpot.” He winks at you. “I’m one in a million.”

A loud popping sound made you suddenly duck but he held you close. Confetti and glitter rained from the ceiling and cascaded over your skin. You look at your arm and watch the play of the disco lights on the sparkle.

“It’s time to give out Star-Heart Tickets! Who is the Ikemen who’s won this round?!” Whale is still emceeing this event and apparently was watching you. A waiter comes by with a basket full of stars with hearts in the middle.

You look at face after glorious handsome face. They were all leaning forward, smiling, waiting. Off stage people were yelling. Bets were being taken. “Diamond! Diamond!”

“PIck Armani he’s the best!”

“You’ll love Calypso!”

“Go with Chance!!”

“I don’t know…” You say, your voice weak. You look at your glass but it seems like the level has hardly moved even though you already feel dizzy.

“No one!” Whale shouts loudly.

There must be a microphone because you’re not sure how he’s hearing what you’re saying. A gasp ripples through the crowd surrounding you and they fall to a confused silence. All the men sitting around you sit up straight, their faces each registering different levels of surprise and consternation. Save Chance, who whooped loud. “Yeah! Now this is what I’ve been waiting for! Let the games begin!” He pumped his fist.

Chance makes a mighty leap on the table and stands in front of you, all six feet of masculine bravado. “Let me give it to you straight. It’s true, I’m not always everyone’s cup of tea, I go buck wild sometimes.” He sweeps his arms across the table at the other men. “But if girls just fall into your lap at the first sight, how do you know how to compete? Ya don’t!”

Armani stares up at Chance and slowly sets his whiskey down. The others also suddenly changed their demeanor, grave determination and desire in their eyes.

#Dragon Raja

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recentanimenews · 3 years

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FEATURE: 21 Great Anime You Should Absolutely Watch In 2021

Happy Anime Day! With every season bringing a plethora of new series, there are now countless shows and movies, both new and old, to watch. Whether it's adventure, comedy, romance, or drama you're looking for, here are 21 anime series you should add to your watchlist in 2021.

1. My Hero Academia Season 5

When it comes to the next chapter of My Hero Academia, 2021 couldn't come fast enough. Season 4 showed audiences just how high the stakes really are and how dangerous the enemies can be. Season 5, which recently premiered in March, will not only deliver high-level action, but we'll also get more time with the great slate of heroes and villains showcased last season.

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2. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train

After hearing the news of Mugen Train dominating the box office, the time has come for North American audiences to experience this highly anticipated film. Mugen Train will be available for digital release this summer and will help fill the void fans of the series have been feeling since the season ended. And we can always revisit Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba in the meantime.

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3. The Devil Is A Part-Timer

The Devil Is A Part-Timer! offers lots of comedy with all the appeal of your traditional fantasy series, but it takes place in the modern world. Demon Lord Satan gets transported to Tokyo, and while his original goal was to take over his homeland of Ente Isla, Satan finds a better path to world domination ... climbing the ranks at the local MgRonalds! It's fun, it's wacky, and it's one of those series we never thought would get a second season, until now.

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4. Given The Movie

Talk about a bag of mixed emotions. Like the series, you'll feel proud and happy one minute, and then a pile of mush the next. Given The Movie provides a touching viewing experience following these fractured characters as they navigate their personal feelings, as well as expressing their innermost emotions through music.

5. Hunter X Hunter

2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of Hunter X Hunter. Whether you've never seen this series or you've re-watched it hundreds of times, come celebrate this epic title's milestone!

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6. MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD

MEGALOBOX brought all the charm of a '90s anime, but with the story of a futuristic society that takes boxing to a whole other level. Gearless Joe made a name for himself in Season 1, and although things have changed and gotten complicated, he's "not dead yet." For Joe, the fire still burns within him, and he seeks to fight once more.

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7. Osamake: The Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose!

Finally, a series where the childhood friend captures the heart of the MC ... I hope? It is a harem after all! Osamake: The Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose! has a whole lot of comedy, a whole lot of shenanigans, and a noticeable amount of ... revenge. It looks like an epic competition is about to get underway!

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8. Chihayafuru

If you're experiencing Haikyu!! withdrawals, then Chihayafuru may be the next best sports anime for you! Now don't be fooled. Although Chihayafuru is all about Karuta, a Japanese card game, it still delivers the same level of development and high-stakes settings as other sports anime. This may be one of those series you always saw around but never watched but if there was ever a time to binge, it's now!

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9. Tokyo Revengers

With the manga receiving much praise, probably one of the most anticipated anime adaptations for 2021 is Tokyo Revengers. Motivated by tragedy, Takemichi Hanagaki finds himself in the past, climbing the ranks of the Tokyo Manji Gang in order to change destiny. He may not appear the toughest, but he's determined to get through the intense situations he finds himself in.

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10. To Your Eternity

Knowing this is a story from Yoshitoki Oima, creator of A Silent Voice, To Your Eternity, will surely be an adventure that tugs on your heartstrings. Audiences will witness an intimate journey of life and death revolving around an emotionless orb with no identity but can take the shape of those around it. There will be elements of time, drama, emotion, plus Hikaru Utada performs the theme? ... Sold! Want to know more? Check out the full manga catalog here.

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11. Shaman King

A Shaman King reboot was the best present fans of the original series could've gotten as the title just marked its 20th year since the show premiered back in 2001. Fans will be transported back to their childhood, all the while looking forward to a new story that reflects the manga. The series recently aired in April in Japan, and fans in North America can expect to watch the series sometime later this year.

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12. Horimiya

If you've been searching for a romance anime unlike any other, then you should watch Horimiya if you haven't already. This series takes everything you know about anime romance tropes, and delivers a series of fresh new twists, making for a warm and cozy viewing experience.

13. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

If in between all the action and comedy you need a good slice of life series about friendship, Anohana is the series for you! The original series aired 10 years ago, but sometimes a trip down memory lane is exactly what you need. Plus a new visual and news of an upcoming project will surely get you pumped to hit play.

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14. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2

Thinking he'd be the hero in this new fantasy world, Naofumi Iwatani ended up being hated, shunned, and stigmatized at the beginning of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1. But as he journeyed on, he developed genuine relationships, gained valuable trust, credibility, and gratitude from others. Season 2, airing in October, is ready to continue with Naofumi's journey and progression.

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15. Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S

Miss Kobayashi Dragon Maid has it all! This series draws you in with its cute appearance, but it surprises you with its mature moments and shocks you with some unexpected sizzle. Plus it has dragons, maids, and sweet raps! Be sure to check out the second season's adventures this July.

16. One Piece

If you haven't already committed to the legendary behemoth One Piece, now may be a good time to start. The anime is set to hit its 1,000th episode this year, and while diving into a series that's so far along can seem intimidating, if you've been spending a lot of time binging TV lately, this series could be your next big marathon.

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17. S8 the Infinity

Take the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video games, and mix them together with vibrant, aesthetically pleasing animation and cool action scenes and you have S8 the Infinity. Sports anime has been really expanding its catalog lately, and this series is an entertaining addition to the genre.

Image via Hulu

18. The Wallflower

A little bit of nostalgia is nice to mix into your anime watchlist. If you're a fan of Ouran High School Host Club, then you'll love The Wallflower! It's got some handsome boys, a cute and quirky girl with a fascination for all things dark and scary, and all the ridiculous antics of a harem!

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19. Death Parade

Death Parade has stayed under the radar, but it at least deserves to be on YOUR radar. A story about the afterlife where a bar represents limbo and its bartender decides the fate of the souls in front of him whether they experience reincarnation, or disappear into the void by playing a game. This is a psychological, thought-provoking drama with some mystery, as we don't know the true nature of the people in the bar, or what led them to where they are. Those secrets will eventually be revealed as the game plays on.

20. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Like Hunter X Hunter, this year also marks the 10-year anniversary of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Madoka was and to this day still is a defining series that was a real game-changer for the magical girl genre, showing just how much danger magical girls face. It's a must-watch if you haven't already, so make a contract with yourself to watch or re-watch this series sometime in 2021.

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21. How To Keep A Mummy

How To Keep A Mummy is a heartwarming episodic series to watch when you want to have a feel-good time! Friends and classmates spend time together with their mythical creature companions: A precious, tiny mummy who anytime he holds anything will make your heart melt, a somewhat hot-headed but caring oni, a clever dragon, and a fluffy baku. After catching up on everything on your watch list, have fun with this series to round out 2021.

What anime will you be watching in 2021? Let us know in the comments!

Veronica Valencia is an anime-loving hot sauce enthusiast! You can follow more of her work as a content creator on Twitter and Instagram.

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: Veronica Valencia

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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wovenstarlight · 3 years

Text

YWBK update: chapter 25 + liner notes

yesterday will be kinder has updated! you can read chapter 25 here, or start from the beginning here

okay, on to notes and commentary! first time i’m doing these, let’s hope this works out. commentary under the cut to save people’s dashes

Hamin laughs. “Given how bad you are at not being suspicious, that’s understandable.” “Oh, come on, I’m not that bad.” Hamin screws up his whole face in a squint. “Okay, so maybe I’m a little bad.”

this part was really funny to me when i wrote it because i was like “hmm reasons for DHM to understand why HHJ wouldn’t work in the guild” and then i was like Wait. Their Whole First Meeting, Dude. DHM was lowkey convinced for the longest time that HHJ was like, on the run from the KR version of the mafia, and got plastic surgery to look like his little brothers, and is possibly in some sort of witness protection program??? or something??? how else does he not have cops on his ass this man is so suspicious all the time

“I don’t think… They said the dungeons were, like, different worlds? Did they find people there?”

mafia theory second place. dungeon theory first place

“Like, humans? Um. No, no humans.” “So then you can’t be from there. Okay.”

dungeon theory shot down. mafia theory back in the running

“Hey,” he says cautiously. “I’m— I’m gonna go get us some water, okay? Why don’t you… take a minute.” “Okay.” “The bathroom is over there, if you need it.” “Okay. Thank you.”

after four years working alongside a guy you start to notice when he’s feeling a little out of it and needs a bit of a break... but as JHW mentions later you also learn to be a little subtle about giving him one

jung heewon What’s with your typing? It reads like Jihye’s [HYJ]’s fine. Very energetic Too energetic? He’s going to burn out. How do I make him calm down

Epic Burnout Man makes a reappearance! when translating sclass one of the things that makes me want to shake HYJ most is his habit of constantly adding things to his to-do list while he already has 1 billion things on his plate. and all the time he’s whining about “UGH there’s SO MUCH WORK to do” No One Asked You To Do It

Anyway. the point is. HYJ isn’t about to be beat by HHJ at Developing Issues 😔

jung heewon I haven’t spoken to him directly about this because if he’s anything like you he’ll take it as an insult You wtf whts tht supposed 2 mean quit typing jung heewon Better not say shit, mr “No, I can’t take days off and cater to my interests or go out with friends or on a date, I’m too busy taking care of the kids and making sure their needs are met, no I don’t care that there are thousands of people out there balancing personal enjoyment and romance and work AND kids at the same time, are you suggesting I be a BAD GUARDIAN to MY KIDS?”

see above re: not being too direct with pointing out when HHJ’s having Issues because he doesn’t react well

You wht but our eyes r fine jung heewon Even if having glasses doesn’t run in the family, you should still get him checked, just in case

top 10 funny time travel moments: referring to you and your past self as “us” (our = my eyes are fine), but other people think you mean “our family” (our eyes are fine = no family history of long/shortsightedness)

Also. Sooyoung-ie says hi [Attachment: 20XX1213_144516.jpg]

ok no lie this was one of the parts that pissed me off the most, even though it’s Literally One Line, because. i love chat exchanges. i really do. when done right they’re a lot of fun to read. But Do You Know How Long It Took Me To Figure Out A Calendar For The Events In This Fic. now everything’s TIMED i have to count HOW MANY DAYS IT’S BEEN since XY event so i can CORRECTLY NUMBER the FILE ATTACHMENTS!!! this sucks!!! it took me fucking forever to pin down a timeline just so i could write this chapter plus the few before and after it!!!!

anyway i gave up when i reached year. i just put 20XX. fuck it. we are running on fairy tail time now. (actually i think that’s XXnumber number? XX76? or was it X796. something like that. Who cares i stopped watching fairy tail forever ago)

Fuck it! Hamin will understand!! “If you Awaken you should come work with me,” Han Hyunjae says all in a rush.

“HAMIN WILL UNDERSTAND” => he literally was cool with me giving zero context for half a dozen absolute balls to the wall nonsense bullshit things i’ve done before. he’ll be fine with this too. dog_in_burning_house_this_is_fine.png

“You already know about the guilds, those are going to be for dungeon Hunters, but I was thinking of forming something like an independent group of contractors. Awakened people with skills that aren’t useful for combat, but that might… that will be generally useful. It’d be you and me, and maybe one other guy I met recently. Probably more in the future.”

given that HHJ has no idea currently that peace exists (i’m so sorry baby i’ll find a way to shoehorn you in soon i miss you so much) he’s got no intentions to start a kiseungsu business yet! he mostly wants to live quietly while just acting as a manager for other Awakening-related services, like YMW’s forge and DHM’s tracking service, along with the information exchange/lowkey spy ring that he’s planning on setting up with JHW and the bar. since HYH is fine associating with him in this timeline, HHJ’s thinking he can get a foot in the door that way, then eventually spread out into dealings with most major guild leaders

RIP to this plan. you were well-made but you will not last long.

“Please, I can’t tell you how I know that, I really can’t, it’d put me and my brothers in danger if it got out. But—” “No need.” Hamin looks slightly alarmed, and Han Hyunjae feels himself settle at the obvious concern in his eyes.

MAFIA THEORY RAPIDLY RISING TO PROMINENCE??? THIS IS NOT HOW DO HAMIN WANTED HIS GUESS CONFIRMED

“I spoke to the Task Force Head and she said that there’s been discussion about hosting a meeting for the nearby high-rankers, where they’ll announce the guild proposal and see who else is interested in trying it out.”

“they’ll announce” i’m sorry king 💔 you deserved a nap

(OH ALSO FUN FACT choi eunyoung is a canon character, not an OC of mine! she appears in uhhh i think late 140s? 150s? something like that)

“I think there’s… probably only one other S-rank who’s Awakened right now?”

Hehehehehehehehehehehehehhehe

Hamin beams. “No, they’re doing great! Spookie’s taken really well to the new housing situation, but I think Spots might miss the store…”

shoutout to @daemonic-dawn for letting me borrow a pet name, love u king. i had a much longer ramble about pet names here but i finished typing and realized it was all entirely off topic so i removed it for convenience

Hyunjae makes an annoyed noise in the back of his throat. “Don’t— I mean.” He huffs, visibly taking a deep breath, and Yoojin frowns reflexively. [...] “Is everything alright?” Yoojin kind of wants to be annoyed at his tone on principle, but he forces his shoulders to relax, matching Hyunjae’s posture. Though he can’t stop himself from being a little short when he answers.

things the brothers have learned in four years living together: getting confrontational often leads to arguments that just fizzle out anyway, so it’s way fucking easier to consciously tone down their combativeness in advance when talking to each other about things they have problems with, instead of screaming their heads off and then having to calm yoohyun down afterwards to boot

“I guess. Whatever.” Yoojin slumps. “Can I…” “Hm?” Hyunjae blinks at Yoojin as he gestures to the spot on the bed beside him, then jolts. “Oh! Yeah, sure, c’mere.” He opens his arms, and Yoojin goes over and flumps on the bed, head in Hyunjae’s lap. Almost immediately, Hyunjae starts stroking fingers through his hair, and Yoojin relaxes into the touch, listening as Hyunjae continues speaking.

cuddles 🥺🥺🥺 sorry i don’t have any other commentary here just. cuddles. extremely and overwhelmingly comforting for a man who spent the better part of 8 years(?) with no major positive relationships, and a kid who spent 12 years of early life basically abandoned by his parents. you had best bet they gave up on not hugging each other 1 year into this whole mess

Yoojin hums in acknowledgement. It’s not like he’d ever let himself get hurt; he has too many responsibilities to his family and friends. If he wants to be good enough to keep up, he can’t afford to fuck up like that. But… hyung will worry if he keeps working so hard. He can slow down a little for him.

Problems disorder man when will you stop. the way he sees “getting hurt” as an inconvenience and an obstacle to his duties rather than a danger to himself. the way he doesn’t really care if he himself gets hurt, but if it’ll worry his family, then it’s a no-no. it’s just. wow. i know i wrote this but i hate him

“Not really. I talk to Myeongwoo about it sometimes.” “Ah, right, Myeongwoo.”

haha gays

“Don’t be weird about him,” Yoojin warns[...]. “I won’t, promise.”

if the “i won’t” line had a dialogue tag it’d be “Han Hyunjae lied”

“Is Eunwoo still in his relationship?” “Mhm, happy as ever. Apparently they’re trying long-distance, now that Eunwoo’s gone off to university abroad.”

three guesses for who eunwoo’s dating and you won’t need the first two

Hyunjae raises his hands like he’s going to deny the accusations levelled against him, so Yoojin seizes him by the collar and shakes him until he cries for mercy

oh my o/rv ass struggled so bad with not writing “shakes him like a man betrayed” here. it killed me not to. but in the end i prevailed (against, uh, myself. don’t think about it too hard.)

“Jeez, okay, he’s an F-rank!” “Eh?! Then why—” “He’s also got an SS-rank potential skill,” Hyunjae admits[...].

play-by-play of this scene because god if i draw any scene in this fic it would be this one just for the sheer hysterical nature of HYJ’s reaction:

YOOJIN: I HATE YOU WHAT THE FUCK WHY. TELL ME HIS RANK

HYUNJAE: HE’S AN F

YOOJIN: WHAT? WHAT THE FUCK?

HYUNJAE: he’s also got an SS-rank skill,

YOOJIN:

#star.txt #work: yesterday will be kinder #writing commentary #my writing #making impulse decisions today. very tired. godonight i hope you enjoy but also you'll have to enjoy without me

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