#we live based on crumbs
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Sweet little nothings.
Felix Catton x reader
Summary: Felix does sweet things absentmindedly for the reader, making her fall more and more in love with him.
Words: 679
Warning: Talk of someone saying something rude, suggestive comment
Author's note: This is an ask based off of this wonderful post!
Masterlist <3
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“Did you eat today, angel?”
It was a genuine question, one that Felix asked often. His beautiful girl looked up from her book, a slight blush on her cheeks.
“Oh, uh… I…. I don’t think so.”
He leaned back in his chair, a small smile on his face. She was too precious. Too sweet. She couldn’t even remember to eat she was so invested in the day’s activities.
He stood, grabbing her wrist gently to pull her up next to him. He then pulled her against him, kissing her gently on the nose, his voice a low whisper. “D’wanna eat here or out?”
She looked up at him, meeting his pretty brown eyes with her own. “…out? I… I need out of the house… if that’s alright?”
He grinned, “That’s more than alright, angel. Go get your coat.”
She didn’t hesitate to do so. She pulled the jacket around her, fumbling with the zipper hurriedly.
He walked to her calmly, placing his hands over hers. “I got it.” He then easily zips her coat for her. His arms wrap around her neck, fixing the hood. “There, angel. You ready?”
…
The two sat in the restaurant, quietly enjoying their meals.
“So… he said what to you?”
She shrugged. “It was stupid. I don’t think about it often.”
His eyebrows pull together as he sets his fork down, “Well, does it bother you?”
She sighs, twirling her own fork in her hand, “It did at the time. Now? I don’t know, Lex. It’s fine.”
It was his turn to sigh as his hand moved up to cradle her cheek gently. “It’s not fine if it bothers you, angel. He shouldn’t have said that.”
She stares at the nearly empty plate in front of them, a distant look in her eyes.
His thumb moves up her cheek, lightly brushing a crumb from her face. “I mean it. Say the word, and I’ll make sure he apologizes. Truly.”
She lets out a soft laugh, “It was almost a year ago, Lex. He probably doesn’t remember.”
“Oh, he will when I remind him.” He lifts his fork, stabbing the last piece of their shared steak. He holds it out in front of her face. “C’mon. You need the protein.”
She leans forward slightly, her lips wrapping around the fork, taking the piece graciously.
He smiles, “Let’s say we pay the bill then head back to Saltburn. I have a little surprise for you, angel.”
She was thrown off, but agreed nonetheless.
…
The servants opened the front doors to the mansion, letting the couple walk in. She happily let him pull her to one of the many living areas, this one in particular being his favorite one.
He pulls her in front of his body to give her the first view before his arms move over her shoulders, pushing the doors open.
A huge bouquet of flowers sat on the coffee table near the couch. Her favorite snack sat on a tray next to it. She was speechless. “You… you did this? For… me?”
He wore the happiest grin. “Indeed, I did. Well, Duncan helped, of course. Now, go on, angel.”
She walked further into the room before she stopped again. Her favorite movie sat on the TV, waiting to be watched. She spun around to look at him. “Lex, this is incredible! But… why?”
He shrugged moving to pull her into his arms again. “Don’t need a reason. Just wanted to. Besides, I know you’ve been wanting me to watch this movie, and what better way to do so?”
She hugged him tightly before whispering in his ear, “If you keep this up, I don’t think we’ll be watching much of the next movie.”
He grinned, pulling her to the couch to begin their movie night together.
…
Duncan came in once to check on the couple.
The girl lay against the boy, her head resting on his chest as she slumbered. The boy, however, continued to watch the movie reverently, his fingers moving in her hair as if a natural instinct.
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#felix catton#fanfiction#felix catton imagine#felix catton x reader#felix catton x you#jacob elordi imagine#jacob elordi x reader#saltburn fanfiction#saltburn 2023#saltburn#saltburn movie#jacob elordi
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Queer TV
This is a strange time to be writing an editorial on queer representation. While the past year has seen an incredible uptick in queer stories being told with humor and heart on the small screen, 2022 has seen a record high of 238 proposed anti-LGBTQIA+ bills in the US—nearly half of them targeting trans folks. Representation is important, though, and demand for more queer stories is growing (and, to some degree, being met), with a lot of good books and comics making it to our screens. With that in mind, think of this as your selective chronological tour of all the times we won in the TV landscape of the last year (October 2021–October 2022).
Our dataset year started off with the much-awaited adaptation of Robert Jordan’s fantasy epic, Wheel of Time. With such extensive source material (15 books if you count the prequel, which is where the seeds of the sapphic storyline in Rafe Judkins’ adaptation are to be found), the viewership, generally speaking, was divided into book fans and show-only fans, and both camps shitposted and meme’d and reviewed with abandon.
The biggest queer-centric show we saw in the last year was the adaptation of @aliceoseman’s comic Heartstopper (@heartstoppercomic). Co-created by Alice Oseman themself, this adaptation was very sensitive to the much-loved source material. And, being native to Tumblr, these characters were bound to be welcomed with open arms when they hit the screen in an ebullient explosion of queer joy.
A run-down of the past year would be incomplete without the incredible queerdos of the Revenge who swashbuckled their way into our hearts. We’re referring, of course, to Our Flag Means Death’s Gentleman Pirate and his merry band of (living-wage-paid, no less!) shipmates. Your favorites included genderqueer Jim ‘not-a-fucking-mermaid’ Jimenez and Oluwande, Lucius Sprigg and Black Peter, Frenchie who just hates cats, and The Swede, who keeps his heart but loses his teeth. Then, of course, we have Blackbeard himself, or simply Ed, who is struggling with his identity (villain or softboi).
Based on the story by @veschwab and produced by @belletristbooks, First Kill was another adaptation that fans of vampire stories got very excited about. Add to that the fact that this was very much a sapphic enemies-to-lovers scenario between hunter Calliope and young vampire Juliette, and the pre-show excitement was palpable. The post-season disappointment even more so as fans turned to their dashes to vent about the lack of good lesbian and wlw representation in 2022’s TV landscape.
Where the cancelation of First Kill left us reeling, the Rockford Peaches from A League of Our Own came in clutch and soothed our sapphic souls. You love the show which you affectionately shortened, in good old Tumblr fashion, to a silly little acronym: aloto. Whether you’re in it for the gal pal aesthetics, the butch energy, or Uncle Bert, or some good old fashioned baller drama, there truly was something for all of your wlw whimsies here. Let’s go, Peaches!
@neilgaiman’s The Sandman series finally came out to much acclaim, and came out so gay that armchair reviewers of the homophobic sort really struggled to wrap their minds around quite how gay it is. We got pansexual serial killing Corinthian! Pansexual, demon-hunting, women-kissing Johanna Constantine! Some very loaded moments between Morpheus and Hob Gadlin! This is what dreams are made of (sort of)!
This whole list would be nothing, nada, a crumb of zilch whizzing around a black hole, if it weren’t for the writers who created many of these stories in the first place. So thank you to them. And to you, Tumblr, for celebrating the good and standing up for each other through another year. Here’s to a kinder 2023.
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˖⁺｡˚⋆˙lover | DR3˖⁺｡˚⋆˙
pairing: daniel ricciardo x reader y/n (she/her)
genre: social media au, established relationship
warnings: extreme fluff i fear LOL
summary: in which you and your boyfriend are each other's "lover"
a/n: i made a kind of more angsty dr fic with a pregnancy announcement (HERE) so this is baso a way more fluffier version!! based on taylor's song lover🩷 hope it's not trashhh & also not sure if it's obvious that it all takes place over a period of time
request!!!: danny ric x female reader anouncing shes pregnant maybe idk and theyre so in love idk
my masterlist
instagram ->
yourusername
liked by danielricciardo, yourbff, and 432,784 others
yourusername we could leave the christmas lights up till january 🎄
tagged: danielricciardo
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user1 AWWWW the lover lyrics😭
user2 THIS OUR PLACE WE MAKE THE RULES 🥺👏
yourbff this is sickly sweet
yourusername just living my truth😊😊
yourbff im not jealous at all
danielricciardo i love you my sweet girl!!
yourusername i love youuu best christmas everrr
danielricciardo here's to many more 😝
user3 make them stopp🥺🥺🥺
user4 this is our placeee we make the ruuules
user5 there's a dazzling haze 🥰 a mysterious way about u dear 😍
user6 she rly said..... have i known u 20 seconds or 20 years?
danielricciardo
liked by yourusername, landonorris, and 812,203 others
danielricciardo can i go where you go?
tagged: yourusername
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user7 no way😭😭😭
user8 CAN WE ALWAYS BE THIS CLOSE
user9 FOREVER AND EVER
yourusername my lover 🫶🫶🫶 forever and ever
danielricciardo you are beautiful
user10 she looks so beautiful
user11 what are they doing to us😭😭😭
yourbff never felt so lonely at the holidays as i do right now
danielricciardo my bad
user12 she's just like us😭😭
user13 next thing u know they'll be letting their friends crash in the living room coz this is their place they make the call
user14 dont give them any ideas
user15 ENOUGH!!
yourusername
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yourusername everyone who sees u wants u
tagged: danielricciardo
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user16 are you highly suspicious y/n
liked by yourusername
user17 THE TEDDIES
user18 tbh they prob do want him
user19 yup. i do
danielricciardo i only want you
yourusername & you have me
danielricciardo good
maxverstappen1 staging an intervention for you both to stop being so in love on the tl
yourusername you're just jealous because you're in love with my boyfriend & you cant have him
maxverstappen1 keep your voice down y/n.
yourusername everyone knows max. sorry
danielricciardo 🤔
user20 MAXIEL
user21 maxiel crumbs.. world peace is restored
danielricciardo
liked by maxverstappen1, yourusername, and 781,572 others
danielricciardo loved u three summers now, but i want them all ☀️
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user22 🥹🥹🥹🥹
user23 can 😭 i 😭 go 😭 where 😭 u 😭 go 😭
user24 can 😭 we 😭 always 😭 be 😭 this 😭 close 😭
yourusername there will never be another summer where u dont have me!!
danielricciardo ❤️ forever & ever
user25 why r they sooo cute
user26 ladies & gentlemen will u please stand 😝 with every guitar string scar on my hand 🖐️
user27 i take this magnetic force of a mannnn
yourbff not more
maxverstappen1 i know it is getting ridiculous now
landonorris let's break them up 😊
yourbff good idea
danielricciardo you guys are awful and mean
yourusername 😮
landonorris my bad
user28 LOL
yourusername
liked by maxverstappen1, yourbff, and 881,724 others
yourusername all's well that ends well to end up with you 🥹💍💍💍
tagged: danielricciardo
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yourbff my babies🥹🥹🥹
landonorris you switched up rq...
maxverstappen1 🤨🤨🤨
yourusername shush every1
danielricciardo my wifeeee
yourusername lucky lucky me
user29 my heart's been borrowed and urs has been blue 💙
user30 my favs finally engaged omgg😭😭
charles_leclerc congratulations 🥂
liked by yourusername, danielricciardo
lewishamilton congratulations guys ❤️
liked by yourusername, danielricciardo
danielricciardo
liked by yourusername, landonorris, and 987,802 others
danielricciardo at every table i'll save you a seat
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user31 loverrrr🥺
yourusername i love you omg omg omg
danielricciardo i love you forever and ever
user32 god this is sick & twisted !!!
yourbff some of us are single. jk congratulations u beautiful people im so blessed to have been apart of ur day 🥹
yourusername love u more than words
maxverstappen1 congratulations 💍
liked by danielricciardo, yourusername
landonorris congratulations guys thanks for inviting me 🍾
liked by danielricciardo, yourusername
pierregasly such a beautiful couple, congratulations again
liked by danielricciardo, yourusername
user33 ugh their love is just so beautiful
yourusername
liked by danielricciardo, yourbff, and 789,973 others
yourusername couldn't really hide it any longer could we🤰
tagged: danielricciardo
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user34 NO WAYYY
danielricciardo i am so so blessed and lucky
yourusername no mee
user35 OMGGG congrats to everyone's fav f1 couple
yourbff congratulations u gorgeous girl cant wait to meet baby!! 👶
yourusername you & me both 🥹
landonorris can i babysit
danielricciardo probably not safe
yourusername how is a baby going to babysit
landonorris age shamers. im 24!!
yourusername then act like it maybe 🥰
maxverstappen1 so happy for you both!
liked by yourusername, danielricciardo
danielricciardo
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danielricciardo could we always be this close? our life since baby was born. sorry for being so silent 🥰
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user36 omg never apologise for that congratulations to you both
yourbff congratulations again to the most beautiful family in the world
danielricciardo we love you!
user37 omg look at them😭😭
user38 we've come so far
maxverstappen1 you guys really won at life
danielricciardo 😘 means a lot coming from you
user39 my maxiel heart
yourusername my lover ❤️
danielricciardo forever & ever ❤️
THE END 🤍
#f1#f1 fanfic#f1 smau#f1 fic#f1 imagine#f1 x reader#smau#daniel ricciardo#dr3#dr3 x reader#dr3 imagine#dr3 fluff#maddie's smau
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🌺💖🎀Simon's Little House Wife🌺💖🎀
Gif credit goes to @poohbea
Warning ⚠️: slight body insecurities on Simon's end, female reader, reader is referred to be short like 4'11 height, reader being called wifey or lovie simon is referred to as hubby, reader having a slight belly pouch, and NSFW MINORS DON'T INTERACT
Being Simon's short little house wife who enjoys cooking and baking sweets for her hubby cause he's big and needs a the nutritional food he can get.
Simon who wasn't a big fan of sweets until he tasted a cupcake from his lovie.
Simon who can't help himself to just only one plate and will eat how ever much servings as he possibly can
Lovie who has to cook for a literal army meaning the pot that can have everyone eat the same leftovers for 5 days(I'm pretty sure we all know the pot) cause her hubby has an appetite as big as him.
The pot never really having 5 day leftovers inside but only enough for lovie and hubby to have for lunch the very next day
Lovie who make sure there is always sweets around, like cake, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, pies...just baked goods in general
Simon who starts to gain a bit of weight but doesn't know until someone tells him
Wifey who enjoys seeing the weight he put on cause it was her food that did that, and Simon is much more comfortable to cuddle with since he isn't all muscle anymore and has a nice dad bod going on
Simon who did his on base medical exam finding out he gained weight cause the doctor asked if he was bulking again (doctor was afraid he was going to go from walking brick wall to a walking tank cause he's already menacing enough)
Simon who is confused and when he really sees himself that's when he notice the weight gain
Simon who comes home and eats only a little bit of food and wifey being confused as to why that's happening
Wifey asking simon what's wrong you always EAT my cooking and that looks like a snack for you
Simon who tells her his insecurities saying he gained weight and he fears that he's no longer attractive
Lovie giving him that look before saying that she knows about the weight gain and that he's still the simon she married and that he's much more comfortable to cuddle now that he's not pure muscle, and his body heat keeps her warm at night, and it swells her with pride knowing that her food is that great and that he is getting the nourishment that he needs, and that he also eats her out like a man starved leaving no crumbs behind
So with that said simon is like I want dessert first and lovie being excited cause she made a yummy peach cobbler and Simon having to tell her not that kind of dessert but I will have me a piece of that cobbler when I'm done with you and my dinner
Lovie not being able to wait anymore goes in the living room lies down on the couch and lifts the skirt part of her dress up and removes her panties so Simon can get to eating which he does until reader has to push him away and squeeze her thighs together like she's gonna crush his skull
Simon who is content with his life
Lovie who brought in a batch of cupcakes for 141 cause it was prices birthday and it gave her and excuse to be a little baker
Soap saying that his LT's wife looks like a milf cause the sundress + belly pouch = mom bod and she also mothers the 141 and ghost reprimanding soap
141 getting a taste of lovies cupcakes and everyone telling ghost that they can see why he gained weight cause his lovie just makes really delicious food
Wifey who is like say all what you want about my hubby but I love him just the way he is, he looks even more grizzly, he knows exactly how to satisfy me and I love my walking tank he makes my size kink go brrr and he keeps me very warm when it's cold just like a bear and she just starts singing cuffing season by SZA
Simon bringing his wife in for a hug cause his wife is his hype woman and he can't get over how loving she is
141 wanting to have a wife like Simon's cause they're all jealous of the treatment simon is getting from his wife
#lunamoonbby#simon ghost riley#ghost#simon ghost riley x reader#simon riley#ghost cod#ghost x reader#i wanna have his babies#simon riley x reader#ghost riley#ghost call of duty#cod ghost#simon ghost riley smut#simon ghost x reader#call of duty simon ghost riley#simon x reader#simon ghost x you
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I have so many thoughts and headcanons about the Gojo clan... You have no idea. 😭 Also, I'm talking out of my ass and everything I say is fictional and from pure imagination... Don't take it seriously.
The Gojo clan may or may not span 40 generations based off of how long ago Suguwara Michizane lived...
and ummm... That's a lot of generational wealth 🤯.
Imagine if you married into that -- married Satoru Gojo. You're automatically the highest-ranking woman in the family, on top of having access to all that money. 😆
Listen, some of the world's richest families like the Rockefellers currently span 7 generations and they're worth billions of dollars.
Damn I really need a full backstory on the 3 major clans. I need to know how rich they are and how they maintained and/or grew that wealth until the modern day.
There's plenty of drama and info on the Zen'in clan. We get crumbs and pieces about the Kamo clan...
But info on the Gojo clan is close to nada, and I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM DAMMIT! I'm so thirsty for more worldbuilding in JJK, you have no idea.
At this point, just seeing Satoru's parents would make me happy.
I have a headcanon that Gojo's family, apart from being sorcerers and political powers in the jujutsu community, are probably mixed bags of company shareholders, politicians, lawyers, philantropists, etc.
Yeah, it's said that the Gojo clan is a one-man army that consists of Satoru Gojo, but I interpret that as Satoru outshining every other family member -- especially every other practicing sorcerer in the family. (There's simply no surpassing the wielder of the Six Eyes and the Limitless technique).
The Gojo clan is a sorcerer clan first and upper tier members of Japanese society second.
Some of Satoru's male relatives are probably Shinto and Buddhist monks. The point is to have a foothold in influential religions among non-sorcerers.
I like to think that maybe one sorcerer in the clan has Limitless... maybe his grandpa, but the man was never as efficient with it as Satoru Gojo.
Maybe the majority of the sorcerers in the Gojo clan fight with Grade 1 cursed tools and good-old hand-to-hand imbued with cursed energy. Maybe other cursed techniques exist within the Gojo clan too... It's all just overshadowed by Satoru.
I also think the Big 3 actually tend to keep to themselves (e.g., the Zen'ins having their own military unit). Their spawns don't ALL go to Jujutsu High, do they? It's a choice for them rather than a necessity. Like, Jujutsu High was established primarily for sorcerers who come from "somewhat normal" backgrounds, unlike people from the Big 3. Satoru was born into jujutsu sorcery and it's the only life he's ever known, whereas people like Suguru who come from non-sorcerer families are brought into Jujutsu Tech to learn about what it means to be a part of jujutsu society, and to teach them that they're not, you know, mentally ill because they can see curses.
Quick side note, I imagine Jujutsu Tech as the bridge between the branch of the Japanese government that is aware of the existence of curses and the jujutsu society as a whole. It just kind of makes sense that way, especially when you consider where their funds to pay people come from -- not from thin air, that's for sure. I mean, how else do the higher-ups get the funding to pay their actively practicing sorcerers, especially the special-grades? Does jujutsu sorcerer pay roll come from citizens' tax money?
Also... On top of Satoru Gojo having access to his clan's generational wealth and assets, how much is he getting paid as an instructor at Jujutsu Tech? Is that salary separate from his special-grade sorcerer salary? Is he technically working 2 full-time jobs?
Man is rolling in cash...
Anyway, I want to circle back to the point that Satoru Gojo is the most active sorcerer in the Gojo clan when it comes to interacting with the higher-ups and being a constant presence in Jujutsu Tech. Obviously, his fingerprints are all over Jujutsu society politics as well.
I headcanon that Satoru comes from a big family, actually. Satoru is an only child, but I imagine lots of cousins and aunts and uncles and distant relatives, and the Gojo estate is probably one massive compound where most of the family lives. Like, they can live in that huge ass ancestral property if they want too... There's plenty of room.
The clan also likely owns several other properties and probably small temples or shrines across Japan. They have one ancestral seat and other properties. That goes for the Kamo and the Zen'in clans as well.
That real estate portfolio be popping.
As for actual size, think Heian estate in ancient Japan big. It's expansive.
Maybe the sorcerers in the family would be fond of living in the Gojo estate. The others, especially the ones who hold positions in the government or the military or who have public-facing jobs have their own homes registered under their own name, and not... you know... registered under the family with the clan head.
Another headcanon is that the clan head is capable of assigning properties and other clan assets to family members if he chooses to. Satoru Gojo can give away houses if he wants too, like a nobleman or European feudal lord. But for real, the Gojo clan might have been part of the nobility in ancient Japan, only losing their noble titles after the Imperial family changed the rules around the 1940s.
Speaking of, it's probably not a reach to assume, that the clan head has his fingers in many many honey pots. 🍯 That is to say, Satoru Gojo has access to more money than he can spend in a single life time. And after he's passed, maybe the money just goes back to the surviving members of the clan.
I need to know Satoru Gojo's net worth.
I think each of the Big 3 has their own hierarchy and their own family politics. Again, the Zen'ins are a prime example...
For the Gojo clan, I headcanon that there's a small council of elders -- people way older than Satoru. Satoru's own father is probably part of that. Put his grandfather and a couple of uncles and aunts in there too.
How do they work? I imagine it's pretty similar to how the Small Council functions in Game of Thrones. Like, there's someone in charge of managing finances, someone who keeps an ear on clan politics, someone who has a foothold in the national military, etc.
I imagine they have a bi-weekly gathering. They offer counsel, but the final decision in any dilemma they discuss always falls to the clan head -- Satoru Gojo.
I also headcanon that Satoru has a penthouse somewhere in Tokyo -- a place he considers as his own residence, away from clan politics and the rest of his probably snobby family.
But Satoru is always busy, so his penthouse is way too clean. It looks like no one lives there.
This is the vibe of the penthouse... I have his penthouse in my Sims 4 game.
Speaking of snobby... The Gojo's clan general reputation? I would say... They're intellectual people, some of them are likely obsessed with history, and rigid and formal when it comes to observing traditions. I imagine they have a tendency to be really elegant.
Whenever the Zen'ins look at them, the stereotypical thought is, "Look at those pompous, snobby, jackasses."
In the succeeding years since December 7, 1989, the Gojo clan's sense of pride has only grown, because well... The most powerful and strongest sorcerer of the modern age came through their lineage.
Needless to say, Satoru Gojo is the pride and power of the Gojo clan.
Satoru's parents were practicing Grade 1 sorcerers... really active in the field, and Satoru's grandfather was Clan Head for a time.
Satoru's mom retired from fieldwork after she married Satoru's dad and after she got pregnant and became a mom. I love my headcanon that she's a shrewd politician and is all about maintaining good standing with the elders while doing intelligence gathering. The woman maintains a network, so she's always in-the-know.
Satoru doesn't make it easy for his mom especially when he goes around and does what he wants. e.g., Becoming a benefactor to Megumi, saving Yuji and Yuta, etc. She's actively working to cover his tracks wherever she can.
Satoru's mom is actively looking for a wife for him, for obvious reasons. The plan never came to fruition because of the Shibuya incident and Ch #236.
Satoru's father is more politician than actively practicing sorcerer by the time Satoru was studying in Jujutsu Tech. He's all about maintaining solid relations with the other clans, the elders, and collaborating with the branch of Japanese government that knows of the existence of jujutsu sorcery. He probably works with the Japanese government too.
Satoru Gojo visits the family estate once in a while... for other business, but primarily for hearings and clan meetings. It's peculiar to look at during these meetings because Satoru is the only person in that room who isn't wearing traditional clothes. Like, I headcanon that he shows up in casual attire, or his Jujutsu Tech uniform, complete with the blindfold.
His mom probably tried to talk him into wearing traditional clothes for these meetings when he was younger, but it just never stuck. Satoru is Satoru, after all.
After Satoru Gojo passes away, I like to imagine the Gojo clan takes a bit of a backseat. It's probably the wiser course of action too, considering everything that's happened in Japan after October 31, 2018.
[I know some people think he's the only survivor of the Gojo clan, but you gotta think of the fact that he learned about Hollow Purple from some people. Someone taught him FBE as a kid.]
#jujutsu kaisen#jjk imagines#jjk headcanons#jjk#gojo satoru headcanons#satoru gojo#gojo satoru#gojo x reader#gojo x y/n#gojo x you#gojo satoru x y/n#gojo satoru x reader#satoru gojo x reader#wbad blog#wbad fanfiction#gojo clan
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❝friends of the web❞
plot: you have a fear of spiders, but you've made a promise to work past it. peter thinks your determination is really quite adorable.
pairing: tasm!peter parker x gn!reader.
cw: fluff, humor, established relationship, spiders (not graphic), reader has arachnophobia but is being so brave about it, based on the poem "ten legs, eight broken" by I, e on tiktok because it fundamentally changed the way I interact with small bugs forevermore.
words: 1.2k.
a/n: I have had pretty bad arachnophobia my entire life and after reading ten legs, eight broken a while back, it convinced me to start saving little spiders I find in my house. this fic is 100% based on how that ends up going every single time. minus peter parker coming to save the day
He's careful, stomach coiled tight to control his breathing. One hand is delicately pinching a bolt with tweezers, the other holding his webshooter frighteningly still. One wrong move would trigger the suspension, and about four hours' worth of fluid refill would end up all over his research notes. He has to be slow. He lowers the tweezers another half inch.
Gently, the bolt's thread catches and he releases the breath he'd been holding. In that same moment, you shout and his tweezers slip.
It's the feeling of webs spraying him in the face that he registers first, their tendrils catching onto his glasses and eyelashes and lips. Then it's your rushed breathing, the pumping of your heart nearly beating out of your chest. He doesn't feel a tingle along his spine but your shout jolts Peter out of his spell. In an instant, he's batting away the webs and throwing himself out of his office with enough velocity to take down a wall. He's expecting scorpions, vultures, lizards, his hearing zeroing in on you, and-
-and he turns the corner and there's you, crouched on the floor, hands cupped in front of you—cocooning something. "Hey, hey, hey, whoa, whoa." Peter's eyes flit around the room, looking for the threat his senses ought to have picked up on by now, and kneels beside you. He focuses on your hands and your complete and utter lack of urgency. "What's going on?"
You glance to the side, so quick he doesn't even think you register the panic on his face, "Pete, thank God. Can you talk to this thing for me?"
You move your hand and the other breathing thing in the room becomes apparent. A spider, barely the size of a crumb, is crawling over mountains of carpet thread. It's moving quickly but in circles, clearly confounded by the terrain. Peter looks at you. He drags each syllable out as he asks, "What is happening?"
You shift and Peter shifts with you, keeping an eye on the spider, "This thing- this spider is such a jackass."
"Yeah?"
"I'm trying to get him outside and he won't go."
You've got a flier for Pilates in the Park clenched in one hand, while the other is cautiously putting a wall between the spider and the abyss under your sofa, a place where even Peter dares not go. "Why don't you just kill it?"
Clearly that was the wrong thing to say. You look horrified at him as you answer, "I can't kill him!"
"Do we- are we sure it's a him? Have you decided he's a him?"
"I made a promise to myself that I would stop killing."
"I don't think... okay, what is going on here?"
You struggle to explain and focus on the spider at the same time, "It's a resolution I made for the new year. That even though I'm terrified of these things, I won't kill them anymore because... because they're living beings just like me." Peter watches you bite your lip, a twinge of pity sewn into the divot between your furrowed brows, "So I'm putting them outside whenever I see one... if only they would stop being jackasses about it."
Peter half-laughs, half-sighs. The little spider crawling around on the ground is none the wiser to your inner peril, "This isn't just because your boyfriend is, like, 1/3 spider, is it? I won't take it personally if you hit him with a shoe."
You snort and place your flier in front of the escaping spider, watching it crawl over the word "yoga" before making a u-turn for the carpet, "Of course not, my spider overlord."
You try to scoop up the spider again but every time you lift the paper, it dives off the other side and back into the carpet. "How long does this usually take?" Peter asks. He sits back on his ass, propping up a knee to rest his arm on.
"Ten minutes at best. If I don't lose them."
"Hm. And this works for you?"
You pout up at him, scooping up the spider again and watching it fly off once more, "I usually manage to get them outside, I'll have you know."
"And the screaming?"
"I never said it was a peaceful process."
"So, let me get this straight," Peter leans into you, "you spot the spider, you grab the nearest piece of paper, you try to get the spider on the paper, and then you...?"
"Scream and run until I make it to the window."
"Why- why the screaming?"
You wince, trying not to lose the bug in the carpet, "Because I'm scared they'll touch me." Your boyfriend tickles his fingers along your arm and you shiver, swatting him with your free hand.
After another failed attempt, Peter places his hand in front of the spider's path and it crawls into his palm to get to the kitchen. Before it can cross over into tiled territory, it's forced to a sudden stop, and Peter takes advantage.
It takes him three strides to get to the living room window, yank it open, and release the spiderling into the wild.
You're standing behind him with a look of frustration on your face, even though your shoulders have finally sagged with relief, "How'd you convince him to sit in your hand like that?"
"I didn't. Sticky hands." Peter wiggles all his fingers at you, amused.
"Wh- that's it? Do they not usually listen to you or something?" You grab one of his hands and quickly realize he's using that ability on you this time. He's got you stuck in a handhold.
"I can't remember when I ever said I could talk to spiders."
"I mean, it seems like a pretty fair assumption," you grumble, trying to shake his hand away before giving in, "they put their juices in you after all."
"Why would you say that?"
"Thanks for the help, by the way. I'm still... getting used to not panicking when I see them."
Peter raises his other hand to your hair and gives you a kiss on the temple, smiling against your skin, "You are so, so, so brave."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's pretty brave to show mercy to something you fear, right? You could've killed it or asked me to do it, but you didn't. You wanted it to live."
"It doesn't mean to scare me," you bring your intertwined hands up to your mouth and press a kiss to his knuckles, "I'd want it to take pity on me if it was the other way around."
"I think the spiders will appreciate that."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Then why do they give me such a hard time?"
"Well, you're so scared of them that you don't even realize they're just as scared of you. You gotta make 'em like you, you know?"
"Got any tips for that?"
Peter guides his free hand to your waist, rocking you side to side, "Hm. Buy them sushi. Take them to a midnight showing of Night of the Living Dead. Tell him you think his nerdy rambling after the movie is sexy..." You giggle into Peter's chest and his heart swells, "Don't laugh! It worked on me."
You tilt your head up and he steals a kiss without hesitation, making you stumble on what you say next, "How about you just come let them out for me next time, hm?"
"And if I'm not around?"
"...make me a super scientific spider catching gadget?"
Peter hooks his hands underneath your thighs and hikes you up around his waist, "I'll make you one if you refill my web fluid for me."
"You can fill me with your web fluid."
"Okay. I'm putting you in time out, freak."
taglist: @yikes-buddy @alexxavicry @theclassicvinyldragon @marina-and-the-memes
#peter parker x reader#peter parker scenarios#peter parker fic#peter parker fluff#peter parker#spiderman x reader#spiderman scenarios#spiderman fic#spiderman fluff#spider-man#tasm#marvel#mjwrites
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GojoHime: Evidence and Discussion
Jujutsu Kaisen isn't a romance series. It's a horror action series that focuses more on platonic bonds and camaraderie between its characters. That being said, just as any shounen series, it has its fair share of ships, each with its own assortment of crumbs and small details.
GojoHime is a particularly interesting ship to look at. Being a massive fan of it myself, it's fun to pick through the evidence that supports it. I'd like to share the evidence that I and many other GojoHime fans have found. I'll be starting with the smaller, weaker evidence first and working my way up to the strongest evidence.
Before I start in earnest, I want to clarify that this isn't made to attack any other ship. People can ship whatever they want, and no ship in the series is canon (aside from exceptions like Hakari and Kirara). I like GojoHime so I want to talk about it. That's really it.
With that out of the way, let's begin.
First, let's start with the evidence outside of the manga itself. This one isn't very compelling, but it is cute. In Japan, there is a chip brand called Bakauke. Bakauke has two mascots known as Borin and Barin, who are girlfriend and boyfriend. When Bakauke collabed with Jujutsu Kaisen, Utahime and Gojo were chosen to represent the Borin and Barin respectively, thus being depicted as girlfriend and boyfriend.
Moving on to evidence found within the actual manga, we see that on the splash page for Gojo and Utahime, the print behind them depicts arrows known as a Yagasuri pattern. In Japan, this is a symbol often used for weddings. It's meant for good luck because "a shot arrow does not return," and therefore, a married woman does not (or should not) return to her parents.
We also see depictions of them under an umbrella often used at weddings. Sharing an umbrella is also a common romantic trope in Japan.
Other smaller evidence exists in the form of their phone call. This consists a beeper code, where the number of their call spells out "I like you" in code, and another interesting detail is that Satoru calls Utahime from his recent contacts, implying that he calls her often.
Gojo and Utahime were made to be opposites. Aside from the obvious "opposites attract" trope, it creates a compelling visual story between them. Man and woman, strong and weak, modern and traditional, blue and red. Satoru hates alcohol and loves sweets while Utahime loves alcohol but hates sweets.
Gege said Gojo only puts down his Technique with people he trusts, which we see him do with Utahime. He trusts her enough to have to actively put his Technique back in place after she throws a teacup at him.
Moving on to some of the strongest and most convincing evidence, we have Waka Inoue, Utahime's very own technique, and Gege's past works.
Gojo had a picture of Waka Inoue as his background as a teenager. He clearly finds her attractive, as is common, considering she's a popular model, but the reason why this is important is that Inoue shares a lot of similarities with Utahime.
Both women have noticeable bangs, they're the same height (166cm), and they share a love for alcohol, karaoke, and sports, specifically baseball. Waka is described once as a "competitive crybaby who hates to lose," and as we see in the Anime, Gojo has a way of firing Utahime up and she is also prone to being a bit of a scaredy-cat and a crybaby. We also see her more competitive side come out during the baseball tournament between Kyoto and Tokyo.
Moving on to Utahime's Cursed Technique, as some Japanese fans have pointed out, Utahime's Soro Soro Kinku (Solo Forbidden Area) is based on a real love song about forbidden love with lyrics about a masked lover. The records from the singer, Akina Nakamori, are called Utahime records, and the singer even does Gojo's unlimited void hand sign during her live performances of her song, "Fin."
The most compelling bit of evidence for me is Gege's past works. Two of his three one-shot manga have characters who are very similar to Gojo and Utahime. The male protagonist is usually cocky and teases the female protagonist, while the female protagonist gets annoyed at his antics but is otherwise down to earth and kind.
In Nikai Bongai Barabarujura, the protagonist, Noroma, reminds me of teen Gojo in appearance and behavior. He is "the strongest" who teases Nodoka, the female protagonist, for being weak but has an obvious respect for her drive and inner strength.
In Kamishiro Sosa, we have a similar set-up as before. The male protagonist, Ganji, is very energetic and careless with the female protagonist, Rekko's, feelings, and is seen to have a very similar type of banter as Gojo and Utahime have.
Gege clearly likes that type of pairing, which isn't surprising given the bickering couple and rivals to lovers is a popular trope in romance. It's not unusual for Mangaka to reuse old ideas, and that seems to be what happened with Gojo and Utahime. Even their appearances share similarities.
As you can see, GojoHime has a lot of thought put into it, and it's very interesting to see the little details Gege has put into their dynamic. There's definitely a reason why so many adore this pairing, and I'm glad Gege has paid attention to that.
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posting my submissions here to influence people and make it harder for @artsimpourtzi to cheat
tomdaya
- bestest moment of the year:
- most underrated moment of the year: the 72-hour trip to london after paris just to see tom's family with claire<3
- most unexpected moment of the year: london was never the same after this
- best pretzeling exhibit: zendaya falling off her bike and tom kindly helping her walk back home
- sappiest moment of the year: doing charity work together<3
- best photo of the year:
- best couple outfit of the year: matching tz<3
zendaya
- best moment of the year: winning her first golden globe and cca
- best street outfit of the year: pissing off the dailymail chic
- best red carpet look of the year:
- best down bad moment of the year: get ready with me to be my boyfriend's cheerleader for the day while he plays the worst game of basketball you will ever see
- best online moment of the year: of course this would happen the day before my birthday cause she did it for me
tom
- best moment of the year: june 1st you will always be the best day on the calendar
- best look of the year: valentino belt saved lives
- best down bad moment of the year: this is just 1/4th of them
- best online moment of the year:
- most unhinged quote of the year: girl get up
about tomdaya
- best noon moment of the year: humbling his superstar parents
- best tomdaya captain of the year: it's a tie between marina doby nails and mark thompson from gettyimages
- best tomdaya tea:
- most unhinged anti theory of the year:
- most memorable tomdaya rumour of the year:
- best account of people seeing them but no pictures: getting exactly 0 crumbs from tz during virgo's groove not once but twice😔
- most insane tomdaya family and friends moment: choose your fighter
tomdaya fandom
- best unglad art piece: all of them
- the ultimate papi award: monacunt
- the "you had to be there" tumblr moment award: i judge your level of fun based on the way you reacted to this
- biggest delulu moment of the year that came true: londonchristmas™ and concerttz™. can you guess what they both have in common?
- best tumblr running gag: revenge will win every tbt contest ever until the end of time
media
- song of the year: 😝🤪😜🤪😜🤪
- best tcr episode: if daniana has 0 fans it means i am dead
pop culture
- best new couple: we know you made this category so kylothée don't go home empty handed
- worst breakup: latisharry😢💔
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What is the family? So deep runs the idea that the family is the exclusive place where people are safe, where people come from, where people are made, and where people belong, it doesn’t even feel like an idea anymore. Let us unpick it, then.
The family is the reason we are supposed to want to go to work, the reason we have to go to work, and the reason we can go to work. It is, at root, the name we use for the fact that care is privatized in our society. And because it feels synonymous with care, “family” is every civic-minded individual’s raison d’être par excellence: an ostensibly non-individualist creed and unselfish principle to which one voluntarily signs up without thinking about it. What alternative could there be? The economic assumption that behind every “breadwinner” there is a private someone (or someones) worth being exploited for, notably some kind of wife—that is, a person who is likely a breadwinner too—“freely” making sandwiches with the hard-won bread, or hiring someone else to do so, vacuuming up the crumbs, and refrigerating leftovers, such that more bread can be won tomorrow: this feels to many of us like a description of “human nature.”
Without the family, who or what would take responsibility for the lives of non-workers, including the ill, the young, and the elderly? This question is a bad one. We don’t hesitate to say that nonhuman animals are better off outside of zoos, even if alternative habitats for them are growing scarcer and scarcer and, moreover, they have become used to the abusive care of zoos. Similarly: transition out of the family will be tricky, yes, but the family is doing a bad job at care, and we all deserve better. The family is getting in the way of alternatives.
In part, the vertiginous question “what’s the alternative?” arises because it is not just the worker (and her work) that the family gives birth to every day, in theory. The family is also the legal assertion that a baby, a neonatal human, is the creation of the familial romantic dyad; and that this act of authorship in turn generates, for the authors, property rights in “their” progeny—parenthood—but also quasi-exclusive accountability for the child’s life. The near-total dependence of the young person on these guardians is portrayed not as the harsh lottery that it patently is, but rather as “natural,” not in need of social mitigation, and, furthermore, beautiful for all concerned. Children, it is proposed, benefit from having only one or two parents and, at best, a few other “secondary” caregivers. Parents, it is supposed, derive nothing so much as joy from the romance of this isolated intensity. Constant allusions to the hellworld of sheer exhaustion parents inhabit notwithstanding, their condition is sentimentalized to the nth degree: it is downright taboo to regret parenthood. All too seldom is parenthood identified as an absurdly unfair distribution of labor, and a despotic distribution of responsibility for and power over younger people. A distribution that could be changed.
Like a microcosm of the nation-state, the family incubates chauvinism and competition. Like a factory with a billion branches, it manufactures “individuals” with a cultural, ethnic, and binary gender identity; a class; and a racial consciousness. Like an infinitely renewable energy source, it performs free labor for the market. Like an “organic element of historical progress,” writes Anne McClintock in Imperial Leather, it worked for imperialism as an image of hierarchy-within-unity that grew “indispensable for legitimating exclusion and hierarchy” in general. For all these reasons, the family functions as capitalism’s base unit—in Mario Mieli’s phrase, “the cell of the social tissue.” It may be easier to imagine the end of capitalism, as I’ve riffed elsewhere, than the end of the family. But everyday utopian experiments do generate strands of an altogether different social tissue: micro-cultures which could be scaled up if the movement for a classless society took seriously the premise that households can be formed freely and run democratically; the principle that no one shall be deprived of food, shelter, or care because they don’t work.
Sophie Lewis, Abolish the Family
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you said, baby, no attachments - r.c.
part one || part two
word count: 2k
summary: after a very stupid, very impulsive night with rafe, you make a lot of questionable decisions.
warnings: mentions of sex, suggestive!!! friends-with-benefits but without the friends, mentions of drinking, cursing, little angst, little fluff.
a/n: FIRST EVER RAFE FIC!!!!! i have such a massive crush on drew starkey and tbh i’m shocked ive waited this long to write my bae rafe. anywayssss if this doesnt flop lol there may or may not be a pt 2 im working on!!! my plan is for this to have four parts, but that could change and i might condense it. this is based on casual by chappell roan!!
Stupid things have good outcomes all the time. JJ lives by that phrase, and after hearing it for years, it’s rubbed off on you. But apparently, that’s not a good excuse in an argument with him, and here you are, palms sweaty and slipping off your bike handles, repeating the words over and over and over like you’re trying to convince yourself they’re true.
Today’s stupid thing? Responding to a text from none other than Rafe Cameron. Okay, that’s been your stupid thing for about a month.
You had a little thing going with Rafe. It started at a party, a drunk hookup, neither participant quite realizing who the other was until they woke up in bed together. You had practically run from Tannyhill like the house was on fire, only after both of you fought a little, fucked a little more, and then promised never to speak of it again. You had thought that this pact also entailed speaking to each other, but about a week later Rafe caught you at work, smiled at you, and hit you with some stupid line you couldn’t quite remember. Something about being the prettiest girl in the room, which wasn’t exactly hard, considering you were indeed the only girl in the room as you worked the counter at the country club’s pro shop. When he slipped back his signed receipt to you, there were 10 digits scrawled across the bottom below his signature.
“Rafe, what is this?” you had to ask, tone a mix between a laugh and a sigh.
He shrugged, and attempted to grab his bag and run out, but you slid the fancy paper bag away from him. “I thought that we said we weren’t gonna talk to each other anymore,” you had stated softly, smiling at the way his cheeks tinted a little pink.
“Nah, I said I didn’t wanna talk about it,” he stressed, “But talking to you is way different.”
You just rolled your eyes and pushed the bag back to him, and he waved you goodbye as he left.
You can count on one hand all the interactions you’ve had with that boy, and that had to be the oddest. Well, maybe not as odd as having sex with him.
A week passed before you texted him. It wasn’t for anything really important, a scolding, if anything. All you did was remind him that again, he can’t just randomly take his shirt off while golfing. It’s a sophisticated establishment, the old ladies complain, blah, blah, blah. His response?
rafe c. - so you’re saying i distract you?
Yes, unfortunately, that is exactly what you’re saying.
The situations just get weirder, when the first time the two of you hang out is when you call him for a ride to the grocery store. No one’s at the Chateau, you’re out of gas, and every form of transportation you could possibly steal for a bit is with their respective owners. You doubt you could’ve balanced on JJ’s bike anyways.
The ride is a little awkward, but by the end you feel.. Comfortable. At peace, almost, in the Kook prince’s passenger seat with his hand ghosting over your knee. In the grocery store, it’s painfully obvious Rafe has never been shopping for food in The Cut. He’s wrinkling his nose at the cheap prepackaged salmon you buy, with generic bread crumbs. But then he helps you comb through the bell peppers to find decent ones, and carries your groceries to his truck. He even lets you play whatever you want over the aux.
You’re waking up with him in your bed the next morning, pushing him out the window so no one sees him.
And that’s how it starts, and how it continues- brief text convos, long hangouts, good sex and fake nonchalance. He stays true to what he said, and you don’t talk about it. To anybody. That was the whole thing- it was understood that it was a secret. No strings attached, forbidden kind of kook and pogue relations that would have your friends livid.
So why are you so nervous on this particular evening? Maybe it’s because Rafe let it slip to Sarah that you’re hooking up. Maybe cause Sarah just had to say something to John B, who then told JJ, who then fought with you in front of the entire group. Everyone knows, and everyone is telling you you’re crazy. It’s not something you can handle, so when you see that Rafe asked you to come over, you’re hopping on your bike and speeding to Tannyhill.
When you get there, you automatically rush into Rafe’s room, a sweaty mess.
He’s laying on his bed, in just boxers as he scrolls on his phone. He jumps when you walk in, setting his phone down quick and standing up like you’re the queen or something.
Your gaze tracks to a bottle of lotion and a box of tissues on his nightstand, and you groan and fake gag as you flop facedown onto the mattress.
There’s an almost soundless little intake of air, but you do hear it, and cut Rafe off before he can even speak.
“I’m not helping you get off!” you declare loudly, and the boy visibly deflates.
“Come on,” he whines, like a little kid not getting his way. “You came in at the perfect time.”
You roll over so he’s in your peripheral vision, and huff. “I’m mad at you.”
He sticks his bottom lip out, a little mocking as he crawls onto the bed beside you. “Awe, what’d I do now?” Rafe lays on his side, head propped up on his hand as he watches you. He likes to watch the way his lamp reflects in your eyes, and how you roll your eyes everytime you catch him staring at you. His fingers creep up your side, but you push him off. Oh. You really are mad, he thinks.
“Why would you tell Sarah?” you ask, voice quiet as you stare him down. The apples of his cheeks turn a little pink, and his eyes widen.
“Uh, what did I tell her?” Rafe lies, because he remembers exactly what he said to Sarah, and the way her jaw dropped after he spoke.
“I just- I really like her, Sarah. Forget about the sex and all that shit. When I’m talking to her, it feels like…” He’s stumbling over his words, not quite able to say what he wants. “She’s fresh air, and I feel like I’ve been stuck in a room without windows, or some shit.”
He was never much of a poet. He also remembers the vise-like grip she had on his arm as she told him she would kill him if he ever hurt you. Rafe promised he could never.
But right now he lies, lies and tries to level his voice. He’s a little shocked that you believe him, or at least don’t press the topic further.
“You told her we were sleeping together!” You hiss, lightly smacking him on the side of his head.
He winces, but internally he’s heaving a sigh of relief. He makes a mental note to never get drunk with his sister ever again as you continue to rant. It’s something about the Pogues wanting to kill him (nothing new), along with a couple of jabs about how he’s just the worst, and that he's annoying, and blah, blah, blah. Rafe isn’t really listening, rather just thinking about his stupid decisions. One of which is looking real pretty as she yells at him. Pretty enough to fall in love with. He absentmindedly tucks your hair behind your ear and you instantly exhale, losing your train of thought altogether in record time. It’s like you have the attention span of a damn goldfish around him.
You just groan again, and murmur, “I can’t stand you,” right before you press your lips to his.
Rafe laughs against you, pulling you on top of him in one smooth motion. “Good thing you’re sitting on top of me then.”
His hands slip under your shirt, and your fingers push through his hair. The calluses on his hands scrape against the soft skin of your stomach and catch on the lace of your bra. Hard hands for daddy’s money, you think. Your fingers tuck against his jawline, cradling his face while his tongue slips against yours, his lips curling up when you make any little noise.
You pull back to catch your breath, and Rafe just stares up at you, kind of punchdrunk.
“Rafe?”
“Mhm?” He reaches up to brush his thumb over your lips.
You’re silent for a second as you think about what you’re about to say. ‘What- What are we doing?”
Rafe’s mouth is parted, and you can’t quite decipher his expression as you watch his eyes flick over your face. He swallows, and says, “Whatever you want.”
You don’t really hear him, and blurt out, “I need this to be casual.”
“Casual?” he repeats.
“Strictly like, sex. No strings attached.”
He sits up, pulling you with him so you’re still on his lap but he’s eye level to you. He’s hard underneath you, but you ignore it as you continue to speak.
“Okay, just sex. Why?”
It’s actually very hard to ignore, literally and figuratively. Rafe is thinking the same thing when you clear your throat and move a little on him, subconsciously.
You shrug. “Listen, I don’t have the time for anything more than that. Plus, we know we couldn’t date, like ever.”
He nods, fake-stretching as a means to buck up against you. “And why couldn’t we date?” When you give him an incredulous look, he continues, “Just to play devil’s advocate. Not that I don’t agree with you, cause I totally do. I just wanna know what you’re like, thinking, if we’re on the same wavelength, or whatever…” He trails off, knowing he’s babbling and should stop.
You laugh a little nervously. “Okay, Cameron.” You take a deep breath, and hope that what you’re about to say makes sense. “I have an itch to scratch, and the only thing I want to do is scratch that itch.” You pause to think. “Itch that scratch?”
“You had it right the first time,” Rafe laughs, but the lilt of it is a little annoyed.
“Okay, whatever. Anyway, you’re good at scratching that itch.”
He grins with pride, bottom lip tucked between his teeth, and just the way he’s looking at you makes you squirm.
“Really good at scratching that itch,” you exhale a little shaky. “But y’know, I don’t really like you as a person.”
His eyebrows shoot up, eyes wide. “The fuck? Thanks a lot.”
“You’re an asshole, Rafe. Plain and simple. I’m not trying to be a bitch, but come on.” You’re thinking of all the times he’s been an absolute dick to your friends.
He’s thinking about all the things he’d lay down for you. “Not to you.”
Your words evidently sting him a bit, and you go red. You hadn’t really meant to hurt him.
You groan. “You know what I mean. My friends hate you. We just couldn’t work.”
Rafe doesn’t really know what to say. This isn’t really the way he thought this would go, but then again, what did he really expect? Everything is jumbled in his head, and all he wants to do is get high and forget about the conversation. But, even though you basically just told him that he's unlikable, you’re still regrettably pretty, and still on top of him. He grips your hips hard, holding you in place as he rolls against you. “So fuck buddies, but we can’t stand each other?” One hand snakes underneath your shirt to unclip your bra, and he does it faster than you can blink.
“Exactly,” you say somewhere in between both of your shirts coming off. “Just stress relief.”
His hands are hot all over you. There’s a hardness in his gaze that’s so different from the softness of his touch.
“We have to have rules,” you manage to state when you’re shimmying out of your shorts, breathing hard while Rafe toys with the little pink bow on your panties.
“Whatever you want, pretty girl.”
It’s a filler phrase, you think. He must desperate for you to shut up and fuck him, so he’s saying anything.
He’s still thinking about how he’d do anything for you. Anything.
You still for a second to catch your breath, and say, “No feelings. No staying overnight. And we can’t go anywhere together that we would be seen.”
“Why not?” Rafe groans as your clothed heat slips over him.
“Rafe! People will talk. They’ll think…”
He presses a finger to your lips, effectively shushing you. “That we’re fucking? Well, hate to break it to ya, baby, but we kinda already are.”
“And no calling me baby.”
Rafe ignores you and slips his hand between your legs, and you forget that you’re supposed to hate him.
likes, comments, and reblogs are greatly appreciated!
#outer banks fanfiction#outer banks#outer banks imagine#rafe cameron#rafe cameron fanfiction#rafe x reader#rafe obx#rafe cameron angst#rafe cameron fluff#rafe cameron smut#obx fanfiction#obx2#obx fic#obx netflix
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God can we please learn from our mistakes and not turn the qsmp into something that's just completely inaccessible to casual and new viewers?
Also let's avoid turning it into some grim-dark angst fest? Like there's horror elements but there's more hope and community on this server than anything else.
Also the whole "you all are sleeping/not appreciating/talking too much about" thing is old. This is how people get burnout. No one can watch all POVs and making people feel like they're being rude by not watching someone is just not where it's at. Yes, people can still talk about a Minecraft server without watching 9 hours of streams a day. No POV is all knowing, and talking about stuff based on the POVs you watch is pretty much in line with how the characters process information too.
And when someone's favorite CC, be it Jaiden or Wilbur or whoever, isn't around and their fans cling to mentions of their fave? That's not them making everything about some other person. It's just someone living off of crumbs and trying to enjoy the material through the lens of the POV they like. No one is trying to reduce anyone down to another character. They're just having fun.
Everyone's just trying to have fun and we can do that without being elitist or making the material unfriendly to casual watchers.
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omggggg u should do something where joel is secretly (or not secretly) filming us while we have sex so that he can watch it when hes away on business trips or something.
I'm afraid Just the Tip!Joel might be doing this to you as his maid 😳. This Joel's house is high-tech, high-surveillance which we see a few yrs later in Silence can never be bought. Based on Just the Tip, he's only done stuff with you in his big fancy living room so far, which is definitely well covered by cameras due to the huge windows and proximity to multiple points of entry.
He also may start coming onto you while you're cleaning, and the location may seems like happenstance. But it could very well be strategic based on how good the surveillance angle is. The kitchen is near an entrance (the garage) so it's well covered by a camera. He's figured out where the best angle is and he's kind of devious about this. He may even secretly spill some crumbs to get you in the right spot, then slink up behind you, take the broom out of your hand.
Even if you won't fuck him again yet, he still gets off watching himself try and seeing how much effort it takes you to resist. The way you close your eyes when he's pressed up against your ass, crowding you against the kitchen table. The way your lips part when he nibbles at your neck. The way your head falls back when he gropes your breast, and you bite your lip.
He feels like he's not doing much wrong because he doesn't keep the videos forever. Just until he gets the next one. Then he goes out of his way to delete the old one and clear his conscience. He doesn't need them because he also has footage of you bending over in the course of your regular duties.
All Joel: @ethanhoewke @silkiers @eiviea. @evyiione
#joel miller x reader#joel miller smut#joel miller imagine#joel miller#pedro pascal smut#pedro pascal#toxicanonymity ☠️#ask box
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(:̲̅:̲̅:̲̅[̲̅⬩⊱ Housecat ⊰⬩]̲̅:̲̅:̲̅:̲̅)
Rip so I ended up writing another Genshin fic, this time to purge my Pantalone brainrot. I’d like to credit these posts by @bye-bye-sunbird and @ddarker-dreams as inspiration.
An additional thanks to my beloved victim @diodellet for the lovely peer reviews and to @yandere-romanticaa for your interest in reading this ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
This post is Part 1 of the fic!! Part 2 is linked below and covers the remainder of the story from Pantalone’s POV o(｀ω´ )o
Lastly, enjoy the depravity. I suffered bc of this and now it is everyone’s turn <3
Tw:: YANDERE, unhealthy relationships, manipulation, coercion, electrocution, spice, mention of nsfw, MINORS DNI
Note:: Female cat-hybrid reader, pre-release Pantalone based on current lore crumbs
♡ 10.4k words under the cut ♡
i. scarlet quartz
Your fiancé is nowhere to be seen.
A look around the ballroom only confirms your solitude. Your parents are chatting within their social circle, far too busy to give you any attention. Your sister, in a similar vein, is approaching prospective business clients. Your friends are absent.
You glance at the decorative mirror on the wall. Your ears are folded back and your tail is thrashing. Your carefully-planned outfit is one out of many colorful images reflected in the glass.
Why are you even here?
The terrace is a breath of fresh air. You close the double doors and walk over to the ledge, taking in the view of Liyue Harbor. From your level, the lights of the city resemble dainty yellow jewels. The sky is studded with a glittery expanse of stars.
Your Scarlet Quartz jewelry gleams under the dull moonlight.
You had spent hours picking your dress and accessories. But what is the point if no one will appreciate it?
“Miss?”
Warm light spills from the open doorway. It disappears just as instantly.
The person approaching you is a stranger, a fashionable figure clad in dark clothing and violet jewels. His spectacles are adorned with a bejeweled silver chain.
Your ears flatten. “I beg your pardon, sir. Do I know you?”
Elegant appearance. Wavy black hair with a light streak in it. Snezhnayan style of clothing. Who were the Snezhnayan names on the guest list?
He gives you a polite smile. “We haven’t had the honor of meeting before, I’m afraid. I am the owner of the Northland Bank; you should be familiar with the alias ‘Pantalone.’ And you must be ______, correct?”
The Regrator.
You curtsy immediately. Any attempts at hiding your shock are dashed by the involuntary movements of your ears and tail.
“Yes, I have heard about you! My apologies for not recognizing you immediately, Lord Harbinger.” You pause, looking up. “And how do you know my name?”
“The Lai Lineage is well-known for their luxurious feline features. From that point, it was easy to narrow down your identity.” He peers at you through his lashes. “Am I mistaken?”
“No, you are correct.” You straighten your posture, tail poised. “I am Lai ______, youngest child of the family. What made you visit the terrace?”
He walks over to your side and faces the ledge. “I simply wanted to appreciate the view of Liyue from above. Quite the lovely sight, isn’t it?”
Your gaze returns to the city lights. “I agree.”
You can still hear the muffled sounds from the ballroom. Chattering voices, dance steps, the foreign orchestra. The music switches to a slow, lively waltz.
You glance at Pantalone. His gaze is transfixed on the stars this time.
“Will you return to the ballroom? I am sure that many people are looking for you.”
“And what about you?”
You twist the bracelets on your wrist. “I will stay here for a while longer.”
“Well, in that case, may I have this dance?” He turns to you and holds out his hand.
Under the moonlight, his invitation could not look any more tempting.
You take his hand. “It would be my pleasure.”
He is wearing black gloves with an assortment of bejeweled rings. His perfume is a strong blend of sophisticated fragrances.
“Shall I lead?” he asks. His other hand is already touching your back.
Your free hand rests on his shoulder. “You may.”
The music continues. Pantalone leads and you follow.
“Has anyone told you that you are a good dancer, Miss ______?” he asks.
Your tail brushes against his legs. “I’ve received formal training, but I don’t have many opportunities to dance in Liyue. What about you?”
His grip on your hand tightens. “I am self-taught for the most part.”
“I could not tell. Your dancing is excellent, my lord.”
The waltz is ending. Right before the final spin, an idea hits you.
Pantalone twirls you. You activate your Vision.
“Oh?” He almost stumbles. The fire reflects in his glasses.
“Just a few special effects!” You wave your fingers, producing more thin flames. The sparks encircle the two of you in red threads and curlicues.
He laughs, pulling you closer. “What a lovely surprise!”
The music stops. The flames dissolve into the air.
“Well, Miss ______.” Pantalone adjusts his glasses. His eyes are wide open, gazing at you in wonder. “That was quite the dance. I was not aware that you own a Pyro Vision.”
You give him a bright smile, revealing the glowing red accessory on your belt. “Did you like it? It gets everyone’s attention.”
He is still holding you. “It was absolutely enchanting.”
The doors creak.
“______?”
You let go of his hand. A familiar pair of fluffy ears peek out from the doorway.
“There you are! Were you here this—” Your sister stops in her tracks. “Lord Harbinger?”
“Chairman Lai.” Pantalone’s polite smile has returned. “I just had the pleasure of making your younger sister’s acquaintance.”
Her tail swishes. “I hope she has been pleasant company.”
“Only the best.” Pantalone gives you one last smile before he walks to the doorway, bypassing your sister. “Thank you for your time, Miss ______. I hope to see you very soon.”
The doors close behind him.
Your sister faces you. “Were you on your best behavior?”
You nod. “Yes, Jiejie. I was surprised; I didn’t expect the Regrator to be so charming.”
She shrugs. “Knowing someone by reputation cannot compare to meeting them in person. From what I’ve heard, he is one of the more…approachable Fatui Harbingers.”
“He is quite the catch.” You smile at her. “Suitor number four, maybe?”
“Hardly!” she scoffs. “Shady associations aside, his family background is a mystery. I doubt he comes from reputable means.”
“Whatever you say. By the way, have you seen Chairman Jin?”
“He was speaking with the Qie heiress earlier.”
“Oh.” You run your hands through your hairstyle, subtly hiding your ears. “Jiejie, can I be your plus-one instead?”
She frowns at you. “I have associates to speak with. If you are bored, you can remain here or go bother someone else.”
“...All right.”
You reenter the ballroom and walk past your parents’ group.
Pantalone is speaking to them.
He catches your eye and smiles.
ii. vajrada amethyst
A few days after the gala, you get dressed for a new occasion.
“A meeting with the Regrator?” you ask your handmaiden.
Ru helps you into your dress. “Yes, my lady. Your sister and Chairman Jin are interested in opening a joint enterprise. It is a major investment so they are requesting a loan from the Northland Bank.”
“Hence the family dinner.” You attach your Vision to your belt. “But why am I attending?”
“I heard that you spoke amicably with the Regrator at the Shang family’s gala.”
Of course. Why else would you be included?
For jewelry, you select Vajrada Amethysts set in silver. Your engagement ring clashes with your outfit, so you slip it off your finger and leave it in your jewel box.
⬩◈⬩
“Lord Harbinger!” Your father bows. “We are honored to be in your company!”
Pantalone enters the room. “You flatter me. Have I kept you waiting?”
“Not at all,” your mother replies. “We arrived just a few minutes before you.”
“Thank you again for handling the dinner reservation,” Jiejie tells him. “It must have been difficult to reserve a room at Xinyue Kiosk on such short notice.”
“It was hardly a hassle.” Pantalone takes the empty seat between Baba and Jiejie.
The seat across from you.
He smiles at you. “We meet again, Miss ______.”
You bow from your seat. “Thank you for your invitation, Lord Harbinger.”
Tea is served. A few minutes later, Pantalone speaks up.
“So this is the esteemed Lai family.”
“Excluding our son,” Baba corrects him. “He is currently a student at the Sumeru Akademiya. He plans to join the family business once he graduates from the Kshahrewar.”
“You must be proud. And I understand that your eldest child has been in charge of the company for a few years now?”
“Yes,” says Jiejie. “I have been involved from an early age.”
“And what about Miss ______?”
Silence. You stare at your lap.
Mama’s tail hits your leg under the table. “Little ______ has…other skills. Our ancestors’ legacy is of no interest to her.”
Not if they had taught you anything about your family business.
“She is engaged to the heir of the Jin family,” Baba adds quickly. “If our son passes his thesis this year, they may hold their wedding as soon as he comes home.”
“I am already aware of that.” Pantalone drinks his tea, peering at you over the rim of his cup. “Do you have anything to add to that, Miss ______?”
You shake your head. “No, I don’t.”
Your saving grace is a knock on the door. Masked waiters enter your private room with Fullmoon Eggs, Golden Crab, and other Yue delicacies. The conversation turns to the food, restaurant comparisons, which wine pairs best with certain dishes.
You finish your meal and take a deep breath. So far, you have shown perfect behavior. This should prove useful for the Jin family dinners.
“Now,” says Pantalone, “I believe it is time for us to discuss your little business venture.”
The mood shifts.
Mama and Jiejie are doing an excellent job at keeping their ears in check.
Pantalone’s voice becomes serious. “You and Chairman Jin are requesting quite a large sum of Mora. Even speaking as a banker, your calculations seem a little improvident.”
Mama shakes her head. “The Lai Lineage has been expanding their wealth since the Cataclysm. It will not end with us.”
“I see.” Pantalone taps his fingers on the desk. He is wearing the same set of rings. “If the Northland Bank agrees to the loan, you are expected to pay us back in exactly a year, naturally with interest. Do you have that much faith in your proposal?”
“Of course, Lord Harbinger. We trust our daughter.”
“And what do you think, Miss ______?”
What?
You look up. Pantalone’s professional smile has returned and his hands are clasped together. But his charmingly polite image is completely negated by his gaze.
He looks as though he is staring directly into your soul.
Your ears lay flat against your head. “Excuse me?”
His gaze remains fervent. “Do you believe that your family is worth my time and resources?”
Now your family is looking at you.
“I believe so.” You hold down your tail. “I would be pleased if my family could work with you, Lord Harbinger.”
“Well, I can always recognize a good investment.” Pantalone nods at one of the masked waiters. “Tomorrow, we may go over the contract with the Jin family. For now, I propose a toast.”
The waiter brings over a foreign bottle and a set of wine glasses. The wine is blood red with a rich aroma; you recognize the label as an expensive brand from Fontaine.
Pantalone swirls the wine in his glass. “By the way, I will be regularly visiting Liyue over the course of the year. I am quite interested in what the region has to offer these days. Would any of you have the time to extend your hospitality?”
“Oh, ______ can do that.” Jiejie sounds confident this time. “She is extremely familiar with the city’s shopping centers and fine arts establishments.”
At least she is not complaining this time.
He turns to you. “Do you mind?”
You smile at him. “You can count on me, Lord Harbinger.”
You have no one else to spend time with, anyway.
“Excellent.” Pantalone raises his glass, rings gleaming under the light. The smile on his face is, without a doubt, directed at you. “I look forward to our new partnership.”
iii. smaragdus jadeite
The next day, your family allows you to visit their office.
You almost get lost in the maze of hallways, but you find your way back by the time Pantalone leaves the conference room.
“So where do we start, Miss ______?” He looks as stylish as ever. The fitted dark suit and silver chains compliment his figure.
You glance at the doorway. Jiejie is holding the signed contract, tail sticking upright. Chairman Jin is drinking his tea.
He does not bother to greet you.
You face Pantalone again.
“I thought we could start with the Heyu Tea House for their opera performances. Then we can go to the Mingxing Jewelry—the owner knows me—and eat at Liuli Pavilion for dinner.” You stare at your purse. “Are you fine with that?”
“It is worth my time.”
The two of you walk to the exit. Before you leave the building, he turns around to face you.
“Oh, and I must say. Your choice of apparel today is absolutely stunning, Miss ______.”
⬩◈⬩
“My lady, this letter was addressed to you.”
You can only stare at the envelope in Ru’s hand. “Me?”
The seal carries the official symbol of the Fatui. Upon opening it, you are greeted with a familiar fragrance and an embossed sheet of stationery.
-
Miss ______,
I must thank you again for your hospitality. My time in Liyue was immensely enjoyable on account of having you as my personal guide.
My next business trip is scheduled to take place in two months’ time. Would you be so kind as to greet me once you receive word of my arrival?
Yours, Pantalone
P.S. A new boutique in Snezhnaya has recently caught my attention. I believe that these purchases will make a fine addition to your wardrobe.
-
“Ru?”
She tilts her head. “Yes?”
You hold up a pair of violet ribbons trimmed with black lace. “I would like to tie my hair. Any style will do.”
⬩◈⬩
During his next visit, you bring him to your favorite boutique.
“What do you think of this?” You hold up a Noctilucous Jade brooch this time. “I noticed you have a fondness for diamond patterns.”
Pantalone allows you to pin it on his shirt. “Are you a regular customer of this establishment, Miss ______? The employees seemed particularly familiar with you.”
“I am.” You take a step back and twirl around the room. “This shop specializes in clothing from different regions and time periods. I take great joy in styling my outfits.”
His gaze flits to your neck. “That explains your affinity for foreign necklines and vintage hanfu. Or is that simply to make room for your necklaces?”
You are wearing a heart-shaped locket this time. “I simply adore necklaces. They make beautiful statement pieces.”
The shopkeeper returns from the backroom. “Lady ______, I forgot to inform you that the brooch is part of a set. Would you or your friend like to try on the matching necklace?”
They open a velvet box. The silver chains and diamond-shaped jewels are arranged esclavage-style. It would look nice with your dress.
Pantalone turns to you. “Are you interested?”
You turn around, facing the mirror. “Can you help me put it on?”
His touch is warm. You remain still as Pantalone unclasps your locket and replaces it with the jade necklace. His fingertips press against the back of your neck.
“Does it look lopsided to you?” he asks.
“A bit.”
The main pendant is not centered. You raise your hands to adjust it, but Pantalone is already doing it. His hand trails across your clavicle.
His perfume is different. It smells the same but there is a hypnotic edge to it. Did they change the heart notes?
You are sure that Pantalone can feel your tail swishing between your bodies. “It looks okay now. Thank you.”
He meets your gaze in the mirror. “The necklace looks wonderful on you. I have no use for it, but I would like the brooch for myself.”
It suits him. “In that case, would you like to pay for the set together?”
He raises an eyebrow at you. “Miss ______, you already asked the shopkeeper to set aside a few rings for you. What will your family say when they see the bill?”
“They don’t mind.”
If they cared, they would have encouraged thriftier interests.
“Whatever you say. How many more shops shall we visit? I cannot imagine that you brought me all the way to Liyue’s fashion district for a few jewels.”
“Oh, naturally. There are still so many stores to visit.”
You miss this. When will your friends find the time to revive your shopping trips?
You smile at him. “You are quite attractive, Lord Harbinger. It is fun to dress you up.”
“Hmph, flattery will get you nowhere.” Pantalone walks over to the counter and returns the brooch to its box. “But since it is coming from you, I will believe in your sincerity.”
⬩◈⬩
Your parents arrange another date between you and your fiancé.
“Sorry for being so busy lately. The Qie heiress and I have been negotiating business dealings with her family’s company.”
Just how stupid does he think you are?
You smile at him. “It’s perfectly fine.”
Chairman Jin is still staring at the menu. He holds your hand and you resist the urge to leave the table.
“Let me make it up to you. Are you busy later, love?”
You almost laugh at the sound of that word. “Not at all.”
“Would you like to visit my estate later? Our bedroom has already been furnished.”
Not again. Archons, spare you. “Sure. By the way, how is work lately?”
“The new enterprise is going along splendidly,” he replies. “The Regrator will be pleased with our progress.”
“I most certainly am.”
Speak of the devil.
The two of you look up. Pantalone offers a friendly smile.
“Miss ______, Chairman Jin, what a lovely surprise. Am I intruding on your date?”
You shake your head. “Not at all. Are you dining here with someone?”
“Unfortunately, my companion had to cancel at the last minute,” he explains.
“You can sit with us, if you want.” Chairman Jin thankfully lets go of your hand. “Wanmin Restaurant serves a variety of delicacies. We can order more if you are with us.”
“I appreciate the gesture. Do allow me to foot the bill.”
Pantalone drags a vacant chair to your table. The waitress arrives and you place your orders.
Chairman Jin begins speaking. “Regarding our most recent report—”
Pantalone cuts him off. “This is no formal meeting, Chairman Jin. It would be rude to talk business in a social situation, unless you plan to explain the details to Miss ______.”
He blanches. “Of course. My apologies, Lord Harbinger.”
It is difficult to suppress the smile on your face.
Pantalone turns to you. “It just occurred to me that despite our months of friendship, I know little about the two of you as a couple. How did your engagement come about?”
Stick with the story.
“Our families have been good friends for generations,” you explain. “Chairman Jin is the same age as me, but I spent most of my time with my childhood friends. Regardless, we fell in love when we least expected it.”
Love. What a cruel lie.
Pantalone nods. “What a charming story. I would not have expected it from you.”
“What about you, Lord Harbinger?” asks Chairman Jin. “I am surprised that an eligible bachelor such as yourself is still single. You have so many admirers.”
“Oh, me?” He straightens his glasses. The jewels on the chain glint under the light. “I already have my eye on someone, but I have yet to make them mine.”
What a lucky person.
Your fiancé nods. “Good for them. I wish you the best of luck.”
“Thank you.” Pantalone looks at your left hand. “By the way, Miss ______, I couldn’t help but notice your ring. Your sense of fashion is impeccable as always.”
“Oh, this?” You point at the ring on your index finger.
Normally, you would be happy with his observation. But not today.
“That is her engagement ring,” Chairman Jin explains. “I chose it for her.”
The ring is a thick gold band topped with a vibrant green jewel. If not for the basic design, you would like to wear it more often.
Pantalone leans in for a closer look. “What kind of gem is it?”
“Smaragdus Jadeite.” Chairman Jin gestures to his Dendro Vision. “A perfect match, isn’t it?”
“...A fine choice.” Pantalone sits back, a tad faster than his usual pace. His polite smile returns. “Only the best for your bride, after all.”
⬩◈⬩
A black cat interrupts your tour of Yujing Terrace.
“Oh, hello!” You crouch down in front of it, a string of purrs and meows leaving your lips.
The cat remains in its spot but responds with a high-pitched yowl.
From behind you, Pantalone laughs. “I almost forgot about your feline biology, Miss ______. Is it true that the Lai Lineage can communicate with fellow cats?”
You shake your head. “The Lai bloodline is already mixed with human blood, including that of my father. Aside from a few differences in biology, we are certainly more human than feline.”
If only you had that ability. The stray cats in your neighborhood would have made lovely company.
He is still standing over you. “And what of your species? Are feline hybrids classified under different breeds, similar to ordinary cats?”
“I would not know. I’ve heard of the Kätzlein Bloodline from Mondstadt; they are renowned hunters, so their genes must carry specific abilities and physical traits. Whereas the Lai Lineage has always been a family of businessmen and aristocrats. And we certainly lack the sacred powers or duties of the Adepti.”
You point at your ears. Your tail loosely wraps around Pantalone’s ankle.
“The rumors about our fur are true. My handmaiden always tells me that my ears and tail are incredibly fluffy. Given the shape and texture, I have reason to believe that we are more similar to domestic cats than wild felines.”
“That would be a logical conclusion.” Pantalone crouches down to poke the tip of your tail. He looks at the black cat. “The cat is a stray, isn’t it?”
You nod. “No collar, and its fur is quite matted. Poor thing.”
“We passed by a pet shop earlier. Would they take in the cat?”
“I doubt it. That establishment only sells purebreds and exotic breeds.”
“That is their loss. A common feline has its own charms.” Pantalone faces you. “What are your thoughts? Do you believe that a cat’s value is to be ascertained from the moment of its birth? In order to determine its desirability and its place in the world?”
He must really like cats.
“Not at all,” you reply. “I believe that any pet should be liked for its personality, not its background or circumstances.”
“It is good that we see eye to eye on this matter.” He stands up and gestures for you to do the same. “I would like to continue my tour. We can buy some cat food for our little friend before we leave.”
iv. azurite
“A letter from my brother arrived this morning. He passed his thesis.”
“In other words, you and Chairman Jin will be married soon.”
“We still have two months to prepare for the wedding.”
Pantalone doesn’t look at you. “Congratulations. The wait is almost over.”
You stare at the ceiling. The crystal chandeliers resemble twinkling stars against the dark wallpaper. Whether it is his own mansion or rented property, Pantalone’s estate in Liyue is as grand and mystifying as its sole resident.
The living room is still strewn with board games and cold teacups. Pantalone had been merciless in every match, particularly those which featured strategies and mind games. You could only play along and lose to him.
“You are invited, of course.” You open your purse and take out the gold-sealed envelope. “I told my family that I would give this to you personally.”
He makes eye contact with you. “You do not look happy for a bride-to-be.”
Your ears twitch. “Perhaps I am just salty from our last game.”
Upright officials are hapless in household affairs.
He stares at your hand before accepting the invitation. “No engagement ring? I rarely see you wear it.”
You shrug. “It does not match all of my outfits. Chairman Jin doesn’t mind.”
“And here I was, thinking you might be looking out for my personal safety.”
“Are you pertaining to your lack of a Vision, Lord Harbinger?”
The room becomes silent.
Why did you say that?
Pantalone’s eyes flash. “The Fatui Harbingers are equipped with Delusions; but to state the obvious, the gods have never gifted me a Vision. Let us leave it at that.”
You hang your head. “That was absolutely tactless of me. I apologize.”
“Don’t worry, I know that your intentions were not malicious.” He glances at your hip. “What is the story behind your Vision?”
“I would rather not divulge the details,” you reply. “All I can say is that it happened during one of my birthdays.”
“It must have been quite the wonderful present, then.”
“You could say that.”
-
It happened shortly after you ended your “tantrum” over the news of your betrothal.
Your parents threatened to disown you. You realized that if independence was without financial comfort or luxury, you were better off taking advantage of your fiancé’s apathy.
Your Vision had been the perfect consolation prize. A gift unlike the material distractions from your family, one earned through your own individual abilities.
If only your family’s attention had not been due to their fear of your flames.
-
Your Vision glows against your belt, a ray of promise. The only special thing about you, forever deprived of its full potential.
“Thinking about it now, I do question the criteria for receiving a Vision,” you mutter. You turn to face him. “I respect you immensely, my lord. You are ambitious, multiskilled, and far more worthy of receiving a Vision than me. I am blessed to have you as my friend.”
For a moment, Pantalone only stares at you. Then he begins laughing.
“I am equally fortunate to have met you, ______. You never fail to amuse me.”
Your name sounds so lovely when he says it.
“Keep calling me that, please,” you mutter. “After my marriage, fewer people will call me by my first name. I will be mainly addressed as Mrs. Jin in the future.”
“I understand.” Pantalone rests his hand on your shoulder, a warm smile on his face. “I should continue preparing my wedding gift. I have a feeling that you will enjoy it.”
⬩◈⬩
After the wedding invitation, Pantalone stops requesting your company. A short letter addressed to you explains his “influx of work and a mission from the Tsaritsa.” Your engagement ring becomes a frequent accessory over the next month.
Chairman Jin remains scarce. Your parents and future in-laws take charge of the wedding plans, from the program to the guest list to every decoration.
Your dress is delivered to your room, an old-fashioned garment which looks more like a costume. Your friends find time in their busy schedules to help you pick your jewelry.
Your final choice is a set of gold bangles studded with azurites.
⬩◈⬩
Your family is shouting.
“Ru.” You stand in the corridor, clutching your shopping bags. “What happened?”
Ru sends a nervous look to the other servants. “We are not sure, my lady. They have been like this ever since they returned from the office.”
You could hear them as soon as you stepped through the front door. The commotion is coming from your parents’ private study.
You knock on the door. Jiejie is the one who opens it.
“Jiejie.” You can’t look her in the eye. “Is something wrong?”
“Everything,” she huffs. “Why don’t you come inside?”
The room is a mess of papers and folders. Your parents look absolutely haggard.
Your tail puffs up. “What happened?”
Baba is the first to speak. “Your sister’s idea was a failure.”
What?
Jiejie glares at you. “Don’t ask for the details. You wouldn’t understand. Just know that we were doing well up until recently.”
“Recently,” Mama says bitterly, “when the past months were already plagued with minor incidents.”
You don’t understand. “How?”
“I don’t know!” she snaps. “All you need to know is that we are ruined once the Northland Bank demands their repayment. We plan to install locks on the doors, for Archon’s sake.”
“Are you sure? Have you spoken with the Regrator? I could…”
“Do what?” asks Jiejie. “Little ______, in case you have forgotten, your friend is a Fatui Harbinger. Do you think he will forget about this if you ask him nicely?”
You look away. “...No. But is there anything I could do to help?”
“You could stop burning away our fortune, for once.”
A slap would have been less painful.
“That is enough.” Baba gives you a tired look. “Just go to your room. Leave it to us to sort things out.”
“That is the problem!” Jiejie shouts. “The two of you spoil her too much. Do you think it is fun reviewing her receipts and watching her laze around the house?”
The two of them begin shouting again. Mama intervenes.
Even when you are the subject of the argument, none of them notice your departure.
⬩◈⬩
“My lady!”
Ru is the first to approach you.
You walk past her.
Your shopping bags are still in the corridor. What did you buy again? A dress imported from Mondstadt. A ribbon for your tail.
Useless.
Ru takes a step back. “My lady, your—!”
The paper and fabric burn easily. You let the ashes slip through your fingers and scatter onto the carpet. Mama will scold you once she sees the mess.
Regardless of what happens, you are still moving out of this house.
The night sky is cloudy. There are no bright stars to greet you.
“Ru.”
“Y…Yes, my lady?” She remains in the entrance, staring fearfully at your Vision.
“Please prepare a carriage. I would like to see the Regrator.”
v. shivada jade
The estate is heavily guarded compared to your last visit.
“My lord!” The masked servant—no, Fatui agent—kneels before the door. “You have a visitor!”
The door to Pantalone’s office remains closed.
“State their name and purpose.”
There is an authoritative edge to his voice. The agent glances at you.
“Your visitor is Lai ______. She was insistent on meeting you to discuss her family business.”
Warm light spills from the open doorway.
Pantalone is wearing his classic outfit, another dark suit embellished with violet jewels and silver adornments. He looks perfect, not a hair out of place.
“______, I’ve been expecting you.”
Your tail wraps around your waist. “You have?”
“I figured that you would come to me for answers. Your family does not strike me as the type to share business details with their own child.”
The scent of his perfume is soothing. You had almost forgotten that aroma.
Pantalone places a hand on your shoulder. “You look terrible, darling. Why don’t you come inside and make yourself comfortable first?”
“Thank you.”
The office is tidy. The cozy atmosphere is a welcome change from your parents’ study.
Though you rarely visit it to begin with. That room could be in perpetual disorder and you wouldn’t have noticed the difference.
Pantalone gestures to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit. Would you like something to drink? I had just told a servant to brew a pot of osmanthus tea for me.”
You take a seat. “That would be nice.”
The desk holds an abacus, some pens, and a stack of reports weighed down by bright blue jewels. Shivada jade slivers, you think.
Pantalone’s chair is almost thronelike, made of upholstered dark fabric and intricately carved wood. As he sits down, you can easily imagine just how terrifying and powerful the sight must be for anyone else in your place.
You are not here to negotiate business with the Regrator, however.
There is a knock on the door.
“My lord, your tea is ready.”
“You may enter.”
The door opens. Another Fatui agent bows and places a traditional tea set on the desk. They carefully pick up the teapot and fill two cups.
Pantalone turns to them. “You are dismissed. Unless the matter is of utmost importance, my meeting shall not be disturbed.”
The sharp look in his eyes is enough to scare you. You had almost forgotten that your friend is a Fatui Harbinger.
“Yes, my lord.” They leave immediately.
The osmanthus tea is wasted on you. You can only manage a few sips before you put down your cup.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I…I don’t know why I came here.”
Pantalone’s gaze is sympathetic. “How is everything at home?”
“Not good.” You grip your tail. “Can you tell me what is going on?”
“Certainly.” He opens a folder and flips through the documents. “Simply put, the Jin-Lai enterprise has been a financial failure. On top of low profit and revenue, there have been recurring issues. Shipments gone missing, payment miscalculations, and most recently, the withdrawal of several major clients.”
“I didn’t think it was that bad,” you mumble. “My family had been so confident about the proposal. You even decided to fund it.”
“Even the most meticulous can fall prey to happenstance. Your family just so happened to be unlucky—or incompetent.”
No wonder they kept you in the dark.
Pantalone looks up from the folder. “I hate to break client confidentiality, but I believe you should know this: The Jin family is struggling financially to a far greater degree.”
“I see. That…they must be so anxious.”
“I am more concerned about you.” He holds your hand across the desk. “At this rate, your family and your future in-laws are set for financial ruin. And this does not account for their debt to the Northland Bank.”
You squeeze his hand. “And if we find a way to pay off the loans?”
“Even then, your wealth could not possibly be restored to their former glory.” He says it with full confidence, leaving no room for doubt.
No more shopping trips or material consolations. You will only become a bigger burden to your family.
Your cheeks are wet. You don’t know how long you have been crying.
“You poor thing.”
Soft silk presses against your face. You accept the handkerchief.
“Thank you for telling all of this. I…I don’t know why you are still so kind to me,” you sniffle. “I can’t give you anything to repay the favor or to help my family.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. As a matter of fact, I can offer a solution to one of your problems.”
You look up in confusion.
Pantalone is looking at you differently.
“I will confess that you have intrigued me over the past year,” he tells you. “You are quite the captivating jewel, ______, but your value is clearly underestimated by your family and your fiancé.”
Your tail puffs up. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
Pantalone is still holding your hand. He intertwines your fingers.
“I am asking you to become my wife.”
What?
“Lord Harbinger,” you stutter. “This is not a funny joke.”
His gaze narrows. “Do you take me for the type to joke about the marriage contract?”
“No!” you reply quickly. “I just…I don’t understand. Why me? You just said that my family owes you money and has no chance of paying it back. Shouldn’t you at least discuss this with my parents first?”
What could you possibly give him?
“Oh, ______. Do you still not get it?” He speaks slowly, as though he is teaching you a basic fact. “I am proposing to you, not the Lai family. Is that so difficult to comprehend?”
You nod. He sighs and lets go of your hand.
“Then think about it from your perspective. What do you gain from this?”
Financial stability. A partner who actually cherishes your presence.
“You, of all people, know of my status as the Regrator,” he continues. “I can provide you with comfort and luxury far beyond your current means. If you become mine, everything you desire will be yours.”
There must be a catch. This is too good to be true.
“And what would be my duties as a Harbinger’s spouse?” you ask.
“In my case, you will attend the occasional social function as my partner. But for the most part, you only have to live with me in my estate in Snezhnaya.”
It does not sound too bad. Not too different from your current situation.
His lips quirk into a smirk. “There are also your marital duties but that should not be a problem since you already find me, in your words, ‘attractive.’”
You cover your face. “Please don’t—! I am still trying to process everything.”
“You would be wise to make a quick decision, ______. Time is of the essence, and opportunities like this rarely arise.”
You look up.
Pantalone’s hands are clasped together and he is staring at you, waiting for your answer.
At this rate, he is the only person who will ever want you.
Your hands are trembling. You grip your tail and put on your best smile.
“In that case…I accept your offer. Thank you for your benevolence, my lord.”
He smiles. “Excellent. I knew that you would see reason.”
Despite yourself, you feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
“Is there a contract I need to sign?” you ask. “Anything to make this official?”
“We can sign the marriage documents later. But for now…” Pantalone stands up and leaves his desk. “...why not seal it with a kiss? It is best to familiarize ourselves with each other before our wedding.”
“If that is what you want.” You leave your chair and stand in front of him. “Um, how would you like to do this? Do you have any preferences? Eyes closed or open? With or without—?”
“Oh, ______.” He laughs and pulls you closer. The only thing protecting you from his gaze is his glasses. “Just let me take care of you.”
With that, he presses his lips against yours.
The kiss is anything but demure. As soon as you pull away for air, Pantalone reclaims your mouth is a rough manner. His hand cups the back of your head, the other one settling on your waist.
You are practically drowning in his perfume. He isn’t giving you a chance to escape.
“My lord!”
Whoever they are, this Fatui agent seems important enough to open the door without permission. They kneel immediately.
Pantalone breaks off the kiss and glares at them. “Were you not informed that interruptions would not be tolerated?”
This is the first time you have seen him look so openly irritated.
They hold up a sealed envelope. “I bear a message from the Jester.”
Pantalone sighs. He is still holding you, and you know better than to establish any distance from him.
“Leave it on my desk,” he tells them. “Before you retire for the night, pass on a message to the Lai family. Tell them that their daughter will be staying in my estate as a guest and that they may see her at our wedding next month.”
Next month?
You clutch his arm. “Wait, isn’t that too soon?”
He raises an eyebrow at you. “Is there a problem with that?”
“People will talk.” You stare at the floor, tail between your legs. “They will question the cancellation of my old engagement and the timing of our wedding. They may even suspect that you were already courting me over the past year.”
He only laughs.
“My darling, I am one of the richest, most powerful men in Teyvat.” He grasps your chin and gives you a light kiss. “My status will not be threatened by a few silly rumors.”
vi. noctilucous jade
Your wedding is completely different from your parents’ original plan. The color scheme features violet accents. Fatui personnel are hired as security. The guest list includes important names from Snezhnaya and other regions.
Your main piece of jewelry is the Noctilucous Jade necklace purchased from your favorite boutique. Pantalone is just as touchy when he helps you put it on.
“Did you ask my family for it? Was it awkward?”
You are still getting used to your reflection. The custom-designed wedding dress is the most beautiful outfit you have ever worn, with its elegant silhouette and detailed embroidery. Your hair is styled with black satin ribbons.
It is almost unfair how dashing Pantalone looks in the traditional attire for Liyue bridegrooms. He is wearing the Noctilucous Jade brooch along with his usual violet jewels.
“They showed no animosity,” he replies.
To him. You are a different story.
After a short pause, he adds, “There is no need for you to return to their house. Your necessary possessions have already been packed.”
Your ears twitch. “What do you mean by necessary?”
“Sentimental items. The clothes and accessories which seemed particularly important to you.” Pantalone secures the clasp of the necklace and adjusts the pendants. “I can buy a new wardrobe for you in Snezhnaya. We can visit the shopping districts together.”
“...All right. My family can just resell my things. The money will help them immensely and you won’t have to deal with extra luggage.”
Has the necklace always felt this constrictive?
Pantalone’s hands move to your tail, securing the ribbon bow. “Your tail has been erratic all day. Pre-wedding jitters?”
“More like reunion jitters,” you reply. “After all, I am seeing my family and high society for the first time in a month.”
“You will be fine.” He meets your gaze in the mirror. “For a second, I assumed you were having second thoughts about marrying me.”
⬩◈⬩
The ceremony goes smoothly. You and Pantalone are officially proclaimed as spouses. The Flower Ball is caught by Xingqiu. Guests approach you to congratulate you on your marriage.
He was right. Everyone is acting as though your original engagement never existed. If anything, you are receiving more attention as the Regrator’s wife.
While Pantalone chats with business associates, you approach your friends. They are happy for you, if not confused by the change in your situation. Their wedding gifts include long-sleeved dresses and fur-lined coats for the Snezhnaya fashion scene.
You belatedly realize that your meetups will become even more infrequent. At least you finally have your own responsibilities to keep you preoccupied.
Towards the end of the event, your family privately approaches you and Pantalone. Your brother’s presence is what breaks some of the tension.
“Gege.” You leave Pantalone’s side to hug him. “It is good to see you again. How long has it been? Ten years?”
He looks so different, dark eye circles included. You saw his wedding gift earlier; you will enjoy trying on the gold princess-length necklace from Sumeru.
“Nine. You’re all grown up.” His tail intertwines with yours. “Sadly, I have to return to Sumeru immediately. I accepted a job offer after…what happened. Are you well?”
“I haven’t felt better.” You turn to the others. “How are all of you?”
“You don’t need to worry about us,” is all your mother tells you. She gives Pantalone a stilted smile. “Lord Harbinger, our child will be in your care.”
Baba does not even look at you. “Thank you for the generous dowry, my lord. It was unimaginable, considering our circumstances.”
Pantalone only smiles at him. “Oh, please. You should differentiate a debtor’s kindness from a son-in-law’s observance of tradition. By the way, is Chairman Jin in attendance?”
He was invited?
“He isn’t,” says Jiejie. Her ears twitch. “I spoke with him recently. Given the timing of your union, he felt betrayed—his words, not mine.”
The audacity. “That is too bad.”
“Well, that is quite rich coming from him,” says Pantalone, “given that my wife was not the first to breach the pre-marriage contract. It can be argued that infidelity is a far greater violation.”
He knew?
You stare at him. You vaguely register your brother’s questions and the others’ silence.
Pantalone only shrugs. “He was hardly inconspicuous.”
⬩◈⬩
In the month leading up to your wedding, Pantalone was gracious enough to provide you with a guest room in his estate. His own bedchambers are far from comfortable.
“My darling, there is no need to look so afraid.” His smile does not match his gaze. “One would think that I am about to ruin you.”
Why do you feel like a captured prey rather than his lover?
The candles and rose petals do little to comfort you. The dim light casts dark shadows against Pantalone’s figure and sets his eyes aglow. He looks like a beautiful devil, alluring and ominous all the same.
You dig your nails into the mattress. “Forgive me, my lord. It is our first time, after all.”
His thumb traces swirls on your thigh. “Haven’t I waited long enough?”
He was already impatient in the days leading up to your wedding night. Somehow, the heavy makeouts and fleeting touches were still insubstantial preparation for you.
Your tail curls. “You have. My apologies.”
Your Vision rests on the nightstand, the only other source of light in the room. You wonder if it will look good with your new outfits in Snezhnaya.
Pantalone’s next gesture is more comforting, if not sudden. Your reaction is half yelp, half purr. He only laughs and continues scratching the base of your ear.
“Are you purring? And you claimed to be more human than feline.” His words are cruel and sweet. “Does this help?”
“It…it does.” You look up, biting back another purr. “Can we kiss, please?”
“Of course.”
The kiss is passionate as always. Flavored lip balm. Heavy perfume. The chain of his glasses grazing your skin. Gloved hands wandering, cold rings leaving goosebumps in their wake. Your own gasps and pleas for air. A laugh and a kind smile when he decides that he has had enough.
He is greedy. So, so greedy. Yet he always gives as much as he takes.
“My precious jewel.” Pantalone’s eyes are half-lidded. The smile on his face is equal parts angelic and sinful. “After all this time, you are finally mine. Won’t you indulge me?”
⬩◈⬩
“Pantalone, that is enough. My ears are already clean.”
“Are you sure?” He strokes the back of your ear, sending another shiver down your spine. “I am only being thorough. This is my first time grooming a cat, after all.”
You stare at the water. “Please stop teasing me.”
The bubble bath is an unexpected luxury. After all of the kind words and intimate touches, it was your husband’s insistence on proper aftercare which made you cry from the sheer gravity of his affection.
You were equally dazed by the sight of the Regrator with his glasses off and his hair clipped up. But before you could fully appreciate his domestic beauty, he had insisted on scrubbing your back.
“Do we have anything planned tomorrow?” you ask. “What about our honeymoon?”
He moves on to your tail. “I have to continue my work in Snezhnaya. We may have a long vacation once I am less busy.”
Busy. “Of course. I’d like to get used to our home as soon as possible.”
“Your tail is shaking. Are you still nervous?”
“Why do you ask when you already know the answer?”
The thought of the future terrifies you.
You had been prepared for the Jin family mansion in Yujing Terrace, not an unfamiliar manor located all the way in Snezhnaya. You had been raised for Liyue high society, and now you must learn to fit in with a completely different crowd. Your years of local etiquette lessons were a waste.
No mistakes. As the Regrator’s wife, you must be perfect.
He places his hand on top of yours. “Don’t work yourself up over this. I will be with you every step of the way.”
“Thank you. I will be in your care.”
Underneath his fine gloves and fancy rings, Pantalone’s hands are slightly rough. Your fingertips brush against his bare skin, feeling the calluses and light scars.
He tenses. “Your hand is so soft.”
“I can lend you my hand cream later.”
“I doubt that it will change anything.” He takes your hand and lifts it to his lips. “This is lovely. I can get used to doing this regularly.”
You shift your legs under the water. The bubbles disperse, and you catch a glimpse of the love bites decorating your thighs.
He had been cloying and relentless all night. The bath isn’t helping your sensitive state.
“I would appreciate it if you could be more gentle,” you admit. Your face burns. “You were quite…intense.”
His teeth dig into your skin.
You gasp. When you turn your head, Pantalone is still holding your wrist and there is a ringlike bite mark around your index finger. His smile is far from innocent.
“I just need to train your body for that.”
vii. sango pearl
The Regrator’s manor in Snezhnaya is palatial. The local architecture, dark and light color palette, and classy decorations create an ambience which is both subdued and exquisite. The veneer of refinement is unlike the opulence of his estate in Liyue.
Despite his moments of extravagance, your husband has a calculated eye for this. Perhaps you can send some pictures to your family.
The staff contribute to the mysterious atmosphere. They all wear masks, from the guards to the domestic help to your two personal handmaidens. They keep themselves scarce and answer only to your husband’s commands.
Ru will be sorely missed. Hopefully, she has already found a new family to work for.
The doors and gates are always locked for security reasons. You will have to get used to that as well.
⬩◈⬩
You quickly learn the full extent of Pantalone’s responsibilities. From the Northland Bank to Snezhnaya’s economic policies to his Fatui missions, he is always working.
“I’m home.” He shrugs off his fur coat and kisses your forehead. “How was your day?”
You wrap your arms around him, breathing in the scent of his perfume. “It was all right.”
Dull, to say the least.
What are your friends’ day-to-day activities? Yuehua is leading her family business. Yinji is in charge of her household’s affairs. Liangqu is a full-time parent to her baby.
Pantalone expects none of those tasks from you. While he is at work, you spend the long hours styling your Snezhnaya lookbook, taking naps in your empty bed, and experimenting with your Vision. You rarely have any social functions to attend.
At times, you feel more like a pet than a wife.
“______, you are a terrible liar.” His hand cradles your face. “If you feel lonely or neglected, you should tell me. I will make time for you.”
You lean into his touch. “Thank you. I wish I could do more for you.”
Pantalone hugs you back. His hand squeezes the fluff of your tail. “My priceless treasure, you worry too much.”
⬩◈⬩
Your new wardrobe is an elegant mix of blacks and violets. Every outfit is delicate and tight-fitting, prioritizing form over function. Picking your jewelry is the most difficult part.
“What do you think of this?”
You turn away from the mirror. The Sango Pearl necklace is an old gift from Liangqu. The warm tint adds color to your otherwise dark outfit.
Pantalone is already fully dressed. “Unoriginal, don’t you think? We are attending one of the most important galas in Snezhnaya. Every other guest will be wearing pearls.”
Your ears lower. “Of course.”
You have an image to maintain as the Regrator’s wife.
“I have a better suggestion.” He unclasps your necklace and sets a black velvet box on your vanity table.
“Another gift?” You shake your head. “You are too generous, my lord.”
He only smiles. “As lovely as your wedding ring is, I thought a one-of-a-kind piece would make a bolder statement. I had it commissioned for you.”
“Just for me?”
Nestled inside the box is a silver choker with sharp, intricate designs and violet diamond-shaped jewels. A scattering of purple flecks adds a bright pop of color—what kind of crystal particles? Amethyst? Crystal marrow?
“It’s gorgeous!” you exclaim. “This must have cost you a fortune.”
“I spared no expense.” He picks up the choker and clasps it around your neck.
It is a perfect fit. You smile at him in the mirror.
It even matches his signature jewelry. You are beginning to look the part of his wife.
Pantalone looks just as pleased. “It looks beautiful on you. Your outfit is almost perfect.”
You frown at your reflection. “What do you mean by ‘almost’?”
“It is only a minor detail,” he assures you. He points at your belt. “Your Vision clashes with the color scheme. That is all.”
⬩◈⬩
Pantalone leaves for a mission in Liyue. You stay in Snezhnaya.
It would have been a good chance to see your family and friends, but your suggestion was rejected immediately.
-
“This is a mission, not an ordinary business trip. I do not have the time for leisurely visits,” he had told you.
You kept your mouth shut after that.
On the day of his departure, Pantalone bid you goodbye with a kiss and locked the front door. From the balcony, you watched him leave the estate.
He looked up and waved at you before entering his carriage. That was all it took for you to smile and mark your calendar.
-
You are becoming restless in his absence, however.
You ask the guards if a private shopping trip would be permitted. They refuse.
Your handmaidens remain silent. One of them is a mousy little thing who can barely hide her fear of you. Her hands are always trembling as she clasps and unclasps your jewelry.
She rarely touches your necklaces. You wear your special choker on most days.
A week into the mission, she approaches you with a letter sent from Liyue. Your smile falters when she informs you that it is from Pantalone.
Your friends and family haven’t sent any letters. Have they forgotten about you?
The stationery is heavily scented with his perfume. Enclosed in it is a black hair ribbon.
-
My dearest ______,
How are you? As of now, my mission is progressing smoothly. During my travels, I purchased some magnificent gifts for you and the Tsaritsa. Expect a package to be delivered to the manor shortly.
You must be curious about the state of affairs in Liyue. According to my informants, your family has moved to a smaller estate and is steadily paying off their debt. Your friends are doing well, albeit they appear to be quite busy with their own personal matters.
Try not to worry too much. I will return to you as soon as possible.
Love, Pantalone
-
You stare at the final line, repeating the first word in your head. Then you take out your stationery set and write a response.
You can’t find the heart to feign mutuality. You end it with, “Sincerely, ______.”
viii. electro crystal
After much pleading, you are finally allowed to visit Zapolyarny Palace.
“Are you bored?” Pantalone puts down his pen and pets your ears. “I told you that I would only be doing desk work.”
You shake your head. “I am perfectly fine. It is nicer than waiting at home.”
You have to question his request of having you seated on his lap, however.
Your husband’s workplace is even more labyrinthine than your family’s office. The atmosphere is chilly and serious. You know better than to leave his side.
His office is comfortable, though. A spark of warmth filled your chest when you noticed your framed picture on his desk.
“Lord Harbinger!”
The door slams open. A Fatui officer rushes inside and kneels.
Pantalone’s hand presses down your ear. “Is it so difficult to knock first?”
You stare at your lap. You still haven’t gotten used to the sight of his glare.
Their head nearly touches the floor. “Forgive me, my lord! But the Jester summons all of the Harbingers for an urgent meeting.”
You feel your husband’s sigh before you hear it.
“Can you wait here? It is best that you don’t get involved.”
“Of course.”
You leave his lap. He stands up and puts on his fur coat.
“I will come back once the meeting is over,” he promises. He squeezes your shoulder, thumb brushing against your choker.
You nod and take the adjacent chair. “Take care.”
Pantalone turns to the officer. “Guard the door. Should anyone enter and bother my wife, there will be immediate repercussions.”
“Yes, my lord!”
They leave the office. The door closes.
You glance at the desk. There is a stack of folders which have yet to be organized. Perhaps you can finally help your husband with something.
Based on the reports you’ve seen him sign at home, the documents need to be arranged by date. It is an easy task, and you go through it quickly. His smile will make for the best reward.
Feiyun Commerce Guild.
You pause. Wasn’t that guild one of the main clients of your family’s enterprise?
No sign of incoming footsteps. You open the folder.
The documents are incomprehensible. Numbers, statistics, business terms which your parents had never bothered to teach you. Your family’s business is mentioned a few times.
There is an envelope amongst the papers. The seal is already broken.
-
Lord Harbinger,
After reading your report, the Feiyun Commerce Guild agrees with your predictions regarding the future of the Jin-Lai enterprise. We will cancel our partnership effectively.
-
What?
You read the rest of the letter. Xingqiu’s father goes on to mention the responses of the other clients. The letter is dated three weeks before they officially withdrew their investment.
This can’t be…Jiejie was right. You can’t understand any of these business terms.
You check the other folders. None of them mention your family.
The bookcase. You check the shelved reports, scanning for any familiar names. At the end of the top shelf, concealed by the adjacent book, you find a folder entitled “Lai Family.”
You still don’t understand any of the documents, but the first few graphs show upwards curves and positive predictions. The next few papers are calculations and lists of hypothetical worst-case scenarios.
No, all of those scenarios happened. And it is all written in Pantalone’s handwriting.
The remaining graphs show downward curves and negative numbers. At the end of the folder, there are more notes written in familiar penmanship.
Why is there private information on your family?
Your family history. A personality study on your parents and Jiejie. A brief mention of Gege’s studies in Sumeru. Entire pages dedicated to you, with a note on Chairman Jin.
Your hands are shaking. Your tail wraps around your waist.
Your husband…he caused your family’s downfall. To get to you.
⬩◈⬩
“After her!”
Another Fatui officer begins chasing you. You dash down the corridor, narrowly dodging their tackle. It is difficult to run in your dress and heels, but you persist.
Guard the door? No, their job was to keep you locked inside.
A new recruit blocks the exit. A Cryo Cicin Mage from the looks of it.
All of your pursuers have actively avoided harming you, but she could freeze you immobile. You have to attack.
No harmless red threads this time. You direct a flurry of orange flames at her, but she skillfully dodges it.
Your neck hurts.
Did you confuse the mage for her Electro counterpart? You feel as though electric currents are shooting through your neck. The pain is unbearable.
It is the final shock which knocks you out.
⬩◈⬩
The first you thing you register is the shackles on your wrists.
Thick silver cuffs chained to the bedposts, decorated with violet jewels.
The bed is familiar. Your pillow and blankets.
The aroma of perfume is overpowering.
“I was wondering when you would wake up. Did you sleep well?”
Pantalone.
He is seated at the foot of the bed, holding your Vision. He lifts it up to the window, watching it glow in the faint moonlight.
“So this is the gods’ blessing I was deprived of,” he muses. “It is less impressive up close. I may just prefer my own Delusion.”
Give it back.
Pantalone moves to your side.
“I have to give it to Sandrone,” he says. “She used just the right concentration of Electro Crystals to avoid any explosions. She made quite the effective shock collar, didn’t she?”
Your choker.
Your neck still hurts. The shackles make soft rattling noises as you sit up.
“Let…let me go,” you stutter. “You…”
His gaze is absolutely terrifying. You can’t get the words out of your mouth.
“And to think that I would later appreciate Pulcinella’s suggestion for a half-day rest,” he says. His hand reaches out to pet your ear.
You flinch. “Stay away from me! You…you ruined my family. To get me to marry you.”
“Honestly, ______,” he says, placing your Vision on the nightstand. “Cute as you are, I am surprised that it took you this long to discover the truth. But I suppose that perceptiveness is simply not your strong suit.”
His kiss is aggressive. He holds your face and bites your lip when you struggle.
You resist, anyway. Your tail swats his glasses. “No! Stay away or I’ll—”
“Or you’ll do what?” Pantalone pulls away from you and picks up his glasses. “Be rational, darling. What can you do?”
He taps your clavicle. The pain is immediate.
“Your family is at my mercy. All of your assets are under my name. And from what I’ve seen, you are utterly incapable of taking care of yourself. So tell me, ______, how do you plan to leave me?”
You don’t know.
Everything he says is right. You only know how to take, never give. And how could you be so selfish as to ruin your family any further?
You look away, blinking back tears. Pantalone presses his handkerchief against your cheek.
“Shh, it’s all right,” he tells you. “You are safe with me.”
There is no kindness to be found in his smile.
“You are my most valuable possession, after all.”
♡
Read the continuation ft. Pantalone’s POV!!
Read the Author’s Note after Part 2!!
The rest of the story will take a darker turn and cover more of Pantalone’s tactics. What will become of Darling’s happy marriage?? Just how cruel can the Regrator be?? Find out now ˙˚ʚ(´◡`)ɞ˚˙
Absjsnaajanaaha I hope you all enjoyed Housecat!! It took up even more time and pain than Herbarium, but I’m happy with how I portrayed Pantalone’s manipulative side. The sexual tension and spice are a testament to just how thirsty I was while writing this ;-;
Tag a Pantalone enjoyer!! @shumidehiro @dear-yandere @harmonysanreads @theinnerunderrain @petrichorium @pantowone @northcafe @aluraveil @frostedclementine @teabutmakeitazure @xreaderarchive @uhhhh-hi-im-sorry-for-this @shadowthief78 @zhxnglii @lambdrop
#pantalone#yandere pantalone#yandere pantalone x reader#pantalone x reader#yandere genshin#genshin x reader#fatui x reader#yandere fatui harbingers#tw: yandere#tw: dark#tw: manipulation#spicy warning#mdni#fem reader#jessamine-writing
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hey, hi, hello! 💜
it’s your new bestie, aka your feysand anon. once again you did an excellent job by my request. the part of the feysand x reader headcannon where reader goes to the hewn city for the first time was amazing, but since i got a taste of it, i’m wanting more. i would absolutely love a fic based off that. i just know that you would leave absolutely no crumbs. maybe have it ending in just little bit of smut at the end?
whatever you do with it will be amazing, like you. thank you & i hope you have an fabulous day!
Hewn City
Feysand x reader
A/n: AAAHHH THANK YOU BESTIE! I hope you like it and I hope YOU have a fabulous day 💜 also u need to dm me so we can talk more about Feysand ☺️
Warnings: kier being a douchebag
Sitting in front of your vanity Feyre and Mor were putting the finishing touches on your hair and makeup. This was your first visit to the Hewn City as Rhys and Feyre’s partner. You were nervous, but you knew nothing bad would happen to you.
You didn’t particularly want to meet Mor’s father, Kier. Rhys and Feyre told you what happened centuries ago. All you felt was rage toward the male that made your best friends life a living hell.
“All done!” Mor said in a sing-song voice. Feyre kisses your temple, “You look beautiful sweetheart.” Your blush was hidden by the pinkish glitter Mor had brushed on your cheeks moments ago.
You stood to give your outfit one more look over before heading downstairs. Mor winked at you through the full body mirror and left. Feyre came up behind you, snaking her hands in front of you to hold yours, resting her chin on your shoulder.
Your dress was a deep violet that it was almost black. The fabric shimmered with your movements. The high slits on both sides showing off your legs, the top only covering your breasts and wrapping around your neck. It was like you were the night sky Rhys ruled and Feyre shined in. Without you there is no them, they had said.
Your tattooed hand played with the fabric. You had a whole sleeve on your left arm to match their tattoos. Its dark swirls like theirs with stars to fill in the open spots.
A knock on the door has you and Feyre turning. Rhys had a bright smile on his face, his eyes twinkling with love for his favorite girls. “Wow. Just wow. You look stunning, both of you.” As he padded over to you two Rhys opened his arms and embraced you.
Pulling away he cupped your face looking down at you. “How are you feeling?” You swallow audibly. “Nervous. But I’ll be ok. You guys will be there, I know you’ll keep me safe.” Feyre placed a hand on your lower back, “Always, love.”
A little while later you were standing outside the throne room with them. Mor, Amren, Azriel, and Cassian already waiting on the dais. Your nerves acting up as you twisted at the silver rings on your fingers. Rhys stroked a finger down your spine to calm you, whispering in your mind, “What’s wrong love? Don’t be afraid to tell me.”
Keeping your eyes forward you respond, “I guess I’m just nervous about all of it. About the mask you and Fey will wear, the one I will wear.” “We’ll be in here the whole time reassuring you love. Don’t worry.” You nod at that, shaking out your arms and taking a deep breath.
The three of you walk past the kneeling crowd on to the dais. You stand between their thrones as the High Lord and Lady take their seats. Rhys gives you a wicked grin and motions for you to sit on his lap. Once your seated he scans his subjects, commanding them to rise.
Dinner started and Mor brought you all glasses of wine. You took a long swig to help with your lingering nerves. Feyre reached out her free hand to hold yours, rubbing her thumb over the back of your hand. You and Rhys smirked at each other and he began to kiss your neck.
Your eyes fluttered shut as you softly moaned at the feeling of his lips. “How are you feeling?” “Better now that your both touching me.” A feline smirk played on Feyre’s lips. “Tell us if you’re too uncomfortable. Az can take you home if you don’t want to stay.”
Opening your eyes you see Kier approaching the dais and tense up. Seeing the male in person you realized how pathetic he truly is. The three of you turn your attention to him. “It’s alright darling just stay calm, as you were before.” Rhys said softly. “He’s useless. Don’t let anything he says get to you. Bite back and keep your face bored.” Feyre adds.
As Kier aired his grievances to Rhys, he and Feyre continued their soothing touches. They knew they had to listen to Kier. But that didn’t stop them from looking bored or that he was an inconvenience. Once Kier had moved on to petty topics of things that would only benefit him Rhys cut him off and dismissed him.
Kier bowed but decided to show off his attitude loudly, giving Rhys a glare you should never give a High Lord if you wanted to keep your head. “One whore wasn’t so now you have one to share?” Half of the room fell silent at Kier’s comment.
You found Mor, Cassian, and Azriel close by. She was fuming and the Illyrians looked like they were about to attack Kier.
Rhys tapped your leg and you stood. Feyre stood too, pulling you into her, keeping a hand on the small of your back. It was clear the two were seeing red at Kier’s comment. You tried to take their advice and keep your face as bored as possible, but you couldn’t help but be a little hurt by his comment.
Rhys menacingly stepped toward Kier, coming toe-to-toe with him. Rhys towered over him, making Kier look even more pathetic than he already was. Kier tried to apologize quickly but Rhys held up a finger silencing him.
All you could do was watch. Rhys didn’t hurt Kier physically or verbally. No, you and Feyre could tell he delved into Kier’s mind and was mentally messing with him. When Rhys was finished punishing him, Kier’s eyes were wide. Sweat was beading on his forehead and his skin was a sickly pale shade. “You are dismissed for the rest of the evening.”
Kier walked off, heading toward the door that leads to his living quarters. The party resumed once the door was shut. The three of you went back to the thrones. You went back to your spot on Rhys’ lap, smiling at the two of them. “Are you ok?” Feyre asked. You nod and rest your head on Rhys’ shoulder and nip at his neck.
tags: @nyotamalfoy @auggiesolovey @bubybubsters @baybay123455 @msiecrane @aroseinvelaris @twsssmlmaa
#acotar#acotar fanfiction#acotar reader imagine#acotar reader fic#acotar imagine#feysand#feysand x reader#rhysand x reader imagine#rhysand x reader#rhysand x you#rhysand acotar#feyre x you#high lady feyre#feyre archeron#feyre acotar#feyre x reader
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I love your personality for dottore’s character! I like how he demonstrates his intelligence in a way that is not overbearing and cocky and how his actions have deep meanings behind them and not just for his satisfaction like most interpretations. how do you go about making such a character? Is it from purely your own perspective or is it influenced by other characters,books,philosophy concepts or any other piece of media?
Hi!
Some of his character is a personal interpretation but it’s based on a foundation from several other analyses and canon material that we have from the game.
Namely, some of the following Reddit threads:
Sadist or Scientist?
Dottore as a Villain and Sumeru’s Dysfunction
The Heresies of Il Dottore
There’s also a very long thread in this sub that’s living rent free
Along with the manga where we get a few crumbs for Celestia lore/Dottore’s perspective on allogenes, the Archon quest voicelines and Scara’s character quest, and Zandik’s notes found in the overworld.
@/ellalalala and localplaguenurse and haeresysabound also have their own analyses that prove really helpful and look at different facets of his character.
Most of it is a logical progression of how someone like him would think. He’s rational, observed before he acts, and doesn’t so much predict as follow the logic behind someone’s previous patterns of behavior. He’s arrogant to a fault but it’s posturing; a lot of people display that kind of behavior in the real world.
Most of the time, I start with a situation and, based on all of the above, I play, “what would Dottore do?”
He’s ultimately insatiably curious, chasing knowledge for the sake of it, just to see what happens.
Machines help him to understand the world and his interpretation of it. It goes to show how detached he is to consider a human body is nothing but a machine of its own, capable of surpassing the divine.
He’s more human than anyone because he seeks to understand and push the limitations; humans are naturally curious creatures who long to make the world better and leave a legacy behind.
But it’s not chaotic. It’s not The Joker style of curiosity where it’s bombastic and wild, a twisted version of a joke.
I’d argue that Webtorre is The Joker while Omega and in-game Dottore is Scarecrow.
And this is where myself (and others) differ because I do not think Dottore is a sadist. That he wants to harm people. It’s very obvious in several notes that, while not signed, are written in a manner that you know it’s Dottore. There’s one that lists several subjects and he considers the actions taken by a subordinate (I think it’s torturing one of them? Something drastic, will check) to be a waste of resources.
Is he apathetic? More than likely.
Does he enjoy seeing others suffer? Probably not. Why else would he be looking for a cure for Elezar, even as a byproduct to understanding the Withering?
He would probably actually be a failure at relationships precisely because he doesn’t know how to connect with people. If he would want to pursue a meaningful connection, there’s a lot stacked against him between trust issues built up over centuries, a detached worldview, and more than likely, a skewed sense of self (he’s arrogant but to a fault where he’s clearly still sensitive about how no one but himself sees him as a scholar). So many of the meaningful reasonings to his actions stem from this in particular.
My personal suggestions for additional insight would be:
Most renditions of the Scarecrow from Batman. How he sees fear is how I imagine Dottore understands knowledge. The more you have of it, the less you can fear, the better to understand the world around you.
I’ll put more here as they come to mind, because I’m definitely forgetting others at the moment.
#thank you for this!#dottore#il dottore#one day I will write an essay that additionally condenses all of this#there’s so much lore that needs to be extrapolated lol#but I am under a time crunch rn and this was what my brain spit at me
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So while rewatching the live action trailer a 50th time i kind of started thinking about something.
There's a few moments in atla that always seemed untouchable to me. Not only because they were well executed when it comes to storytelling, but also bc we never actually see the moments in question. Examples are: the attack on the air temples, Ozai burning Zuko, Katara's mother's death. We hear about these from other characters who happened to be there, or in case of the air temples: we hear the moment being retold as history. It's the latter i want to expand on.
The original cartoon never shows us even a glimpse of the attack on the air temples. You could say "well it's a kid's show they can't show a brutal genocide" but honestly, we're talking about a cartoon that showed a skeleton on screen in the third episode, showed the main character getting electrocuted and plummeting to his death, and showed a man being drowned by a spirit. The reason they didn't show it imo, is because it makes sense for the narrative. This attack was a century ago. Everyone that witnessed the attacks and was old enough to remember them is dead. Bumi is the only person we know of that was alive at the time and old enough to somewhat remember, but he wasn't present. It's comparable to world war one for us. There's nobody alive currently that properly remembers WW1. We're being told about it in history class, we get shown those weird black and white videos of smiling soldiers on their way to their death, pushing carts through the mud, them shooting a few canons, the trenches etc. But there's no first hand recollections. The creators really drove home the point of the airbender genocide being ancient history to the current inhabitants of this world by never showing us the attacks itself, and only having it be a known historical fact. It's just something that happened, it was long ago, nobody remembers it. All they know is there's no more airbenders, they're extinct, and nobody remembers jack shit about airnomad culture and philosophy except those that study it (aka professor zei) and even then, it's based off of destroyed architecture and hard to find historical texts that i'm sure the Fire Nation tried their best to erase. The viewers of the show only get information about air nomads through Aang, and whatever flashbacks from his own memory he provides. It leaves us wanting to know more, and it feels extra tragic knowing we'll only have Aang to rely on to tell us the tales of his people (for atla specifically, i know we now have more info due to the avatar novels).
Netflix however, literally opens their trailer with three shots of the attack. The comet, then the fireballs being shot, then the firebenders and airbenders facing off. I don't like this decision to show the battle that took place, because then the point of it being ancient gets a bit lost. We as the audience get more information than the main characters have, and idk but to me that kind of ruins the experience?
Same with Zuko getting his scar. Not only are they gonna show us that, they put it in the trailer. Why? This is a very important character moment in the show that we don't even get to see bc it's told from Iroh's perspective and he looked away the moment it happened. Before this we were given crumbs as to how Zuko got his scar. And Netflix is just tossing it our way like Peeta tossed bread at Katniss Everdeen.
I might feel differently abt this when the show airs (although not likely lol) but currently i'm just kind of mad at these creative decisions being made man
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