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ladykissingfish · 3 years

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The Akatsuki as Parents

Obito

Was a bit reluctant when he found out he was going to be a daddy ... at first. Not because he didn’t want kids ((he really did)), but because he severely doubted his own ability to be a father. But the second he holds the baby in his arms, he’s hooked. He will be so eagerly helpful and hands-on that during the child’s infancy, the other parent will rarely have to lift a finger. Diapers need changing? Obito’s on it. Baby needs to be fed at 2am? Obito’s already out of bed and warming formula on the stove. Rash? Fever? A cough? Obito is consulting every doctor within a 20 mile radius on what to do. Note that Obito is a hard-core traditionalist and, if he isn’t married to the child’s other parent before he gets them pregnant, he’ll be persistent about doing so before the kid is born. Sobs the first time his child calls him “papa”. As the child grows older, Obito will be a tireless teacher and mentor, and you better believe that the kid will know every facet of what was once the Uchiha clan. Sharingan training is a bit nerve-wracking for Dad, because while he wants his child to grow strong, he knows the power of the eye is a deadly one, and doesn’t like to see his son/daughter get hurt. Is the type to be a bit more strict with his sons than with daughters, in fact being a complete pushover for anything his little girl(s) wants. Very, VERY likely to insist a girl be named Nohara. Also the type to sneak and let his kid eat lots of sweets (like Obito himself does) before meals, much to the other parent’s chagrin. Also involves the other Akatsuki members as uncles/aunt in the kid’s life, especially Itachi and Sasuke as he wants the kid to be exposed to members of the family more often.

Hidan

The literal first words out of his mouth are “pregnant? Why the hell didn’t you make me wear a condom?!” Takes a long time to warm up to the idea of parenthood, but once he does, he’s surprisingly better at it than anyone would anticipate. He tends to be very fast-paced in his body movements and not really used to being careful, so if he’s holding his infant it’s best to make him sit still in a chair first. Once the kid(s) is older, it’s better, because Hidan’s energy levels will match (and overshadow) even the liveliest of children. It will be a big point of contention between Hidan and his co-parent on whether or not to introduce their kid to Jashinism, and Hidan will eventually promise to wait until the child is an adult to start talking about “all that shit”; although Hidan’s idea of adulthood seems to be when the kid is old enough to use a kunai. Puts a startling amount of emphasis on his kid getting a good education, and will be sure to send him or her to the best village school that he possibly can. The reason behind this is because Hidan himself had a poor education growing up, and is in fact barely able to read or do basic math; and he says over and over that his kid “isn’t gonna be some dumbass like his/her father”.

Kakuzu

Nearly faints when told he’s going to be a father. Will immediately get out a calculator and start figuring out expenses like diapers, food, toys, education ... is so preoccupied that he ends up neglecting the person who carries his child, causing them to go off on their own expecting to be a single parent. Oddly, it’s Hidan who sets the old guy straight. He stays on his case and talks to him until the nonagenarian sees the error of his ways, and goes after the person having his baby. Kakuzu will be gentle with a baby, and show a surprising affinity for making up and singing lullabies. As the kid gets older, Kakuzu will be a bit more strict. “Food is expensive; you better eat every bite on your plate.” “A hole in your pants? No give them to me and I’ll mend them; buying new clothes is unnecessary.” His child will grow up knowing how to stretch a buck and budget money better than any other kid their age. Kakuzu isn’t really one for showing much warmth or affection, but there will be a few rare moments in his kid’s life where his father hugs him and tells him how proud he is of him. Kakuzu knows that the life of a shinobi is hard and therefore encourages his kid to pursue other career paths, such as opening up his/her own business.

Konan and Nagato

These two are so closely intertwined that they could only be parental mates to each other. When a baby comes into the picture, Nagato will still maintain his position as leader of the Akatsuki as Pein, but will insist that Konan quit. It’s for a practical purpose rather than a sentimental one; they both lost their collective parents to war, and Nagato always thought that if he had a child, he’d ensure that at least one parent would be around to always take care of him or her. Konan, however, will still keep in touch with all of the Akatsuki members, who will become very enthusiastic uncles to her child. She’s always been a good cook but with a child she’ll level up to professional chef caliber, creating dishes that are fun and healthy. Her child(ren) will be taught all of their mother’s paper jutsus, and Nagato will work to devise a way for the brightest one to get his rinnegan once he passes. The kids will primarily spend time with Nagato through Pein, and only be taken to meet their father when Konan feels they’re ready. Because Konan and Nagato had a childhood devoid of parental love, they’re often at a loss for how to be affectionate or sentimental, instead putting a lot of emphasis on “toughening” their kids up, so that they’re prepared to face the cruelties of the world. But the kids will know that mom and dad love them; it’s obvious in everything they say and do.

Deidara

Will be the fun, loving, yet highly irresponsible father. As soon as his kid is born he anxiously awaits to see if he or she inherits his explosion-release kekkei genkai; and if the kid DOES, he’s ecstatic. “Art is an explosion” won’t just be a saying in his household; it’ll be a way of life. The child will grow up given complete freedom to express his or her artistic tendencies, with Deidara highly praising any and every impact they make on the outside world. Yet despite being for artistic creativity, he’ll be (surprisingly) strongly against the child joining any kind of organization that’s like the Akatsuki; he regrets his own decision to join as he feels it out a horrible damper on his artistic expression and independence. Likes to tell his young children stories every night, which are actually just heavily edited and sanitized versions of his Akatsuki missions. Like Obito, will be a bit more of a pushover for a daughter than a son, and will love spending hours brushing and styling the beautiful long hair that the girl inherits from him. He’ll let any member of the Akatsuki around his kids except for Hidan (because he doesn’t want his foul language around the child).

Zetsu

There are people in this world who know for certain that their lives wouldn’t be fulfilled by having children, and Zetsu is one of these individuals. While wanting no offspring of his own, he IS rather a good “uncle” to the children of his fellow Akatsuki members ((although the majority of these kids are too terrified of his physical appearance to want to go anywhere near him until they’re at least teenagers)).

Sasori

A child would be hard-pressed to elicit any kind of emotional reaction from Sasori, as the man cleared himself of most feeling when he underwent his puppet transformation. However, one thing that he could never rid himself of, was his ability to love. Even if he has difficulty showing it, he loves his child and would do literally anything to help or protect them. When the child is a baby, Sasori will spend hours crafting tiny puppet-dolls for the kid to play with. As he grew up with a skilled medic grandmother, he possesses a wide knowledge of herbs and healing, which he will painstakingly pass on to his children. Not one to baby his children by any means, as he lives by the philosophy that the world is tough meaning you have to be tougher; however will offer advice, support, and encouragement on any issues that may be troubling his son/daughter. Early on he expresses a desire for his child to learn to be a master puppeteer like himself; however will be understanding if they choose to pursue a different path. Is very smart and naturally mistrustful of strangers, so will likely choose to educate his kids at home rather than send them to a village school. The type to seem more like a trusted mentor or an interesting uncle than an actual father; also the type to relate to his teen or adult children better than young kids.

Itachi

Itachi never feels like he deserves any of the good things in life, because of what he’s done, and therefore doesn’t know how to handle blessings that are given to him. A baby is the ultimate example of this. Itachi will feel as though any child of his would be better off not knowing him or being “exposed” to the cursed Uchiha bloodline, so at first he’ll make it a point to barely be around his baby ((even though this kills him inside)). Surprisingly, of all people, it’s Deidara who will talk him out of this mindset, telling him how important it is for a child to be around their father “even if he is a damned red-eyed weirdo”. Once Itachi allows himself to fully commit to parenthood, that’s it — he’ll be the best damned father in the universe. He’ll be warm and affectionate, especially liking to pick his kid up (no matter how old they are or how embarrassed it makes them) and squeeze them. He’s not much of a disciplinarian, believing that kids need to be able to make mistakes in order to grow from them. The only time he’ll ever get angry is when the child does something that could have resulted in a serious injury. Itachi’s intelligence has always been off the charts, and he utilizes this to help his kid be a spectacular student. In fact, as the kid gets older, they’ll start bringing his/her friends around the house in order to receive Itachi’s tutoring. Itachi’s brother Sasuke will adore his nephew/niece and come home more often simply to be with them. Also Kisame will come around practically every day, and the kid will grow up learning an impressive arsenal of water jutsus to compliment the traditional Uchiha fire jutsus.

Kisame

The tall, somewhat awkward father that scares all of his kid’s friends with his intimidating physical appearance ... until he opens his mouth and they hear a god-awful dad joke come out. Any child of Kisame’s is going to be part shark, and therefore have some affinity for being in/breathing under the water. Kisame’s favorite pastime will be taking his baby (and yes, I do mean baby, as he tends to start his kid on this when they’re young) out for long swims in the ocean. Kisame has always been self-conscious of his looks, so from the time the child is born he will spend a good deal of time teaching him or her to have self-confidence and love for him/herself. Like many of the others in the Akatsuki, Kisame never received much of a formal education, and therefore puts a lot of emphasis on his child going to a “normal” school and giving it their all when it comes to their studies. When the child proves him or herself physically capable, Kisame will start training with them on how to wield/control samehada, as well as fight with a variety of swords. It goes without saying that Itachi will be in Kisame’s kid’s life from the day they’re born, and be their favorite “uncle”.

#the akatsuki #parenting #obito uchiha #itachi uchiha #hidan #kakuzu #deidara #sasori #zetsu #nagato #konan #kisame #i’d call any one of these guys Daddy including Konan 😫

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music-of-dragons · 3 years

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AGOT Dany V

I love this chapter, but it's so sad...

Loose Key for organization:

● Summary ○My Thoughts

● Chapter 5 opens with Drogo setting the Stallion heart before her, it's time for the heart eating ritual 🤢

○ Dany once again thinks to herself that she is the blood of the dragon to give herself strength when feeling uncertain.

● Dany must eat all of the heart and retch up nothing or else the omens for her child will be less favorable. She completely finishes the heart and proclaims that a prince rides inside her in her best Dothraki.

○ Dany is becoming more familiar with the language and appealed to their culture to garner support for her unborn son! She practiced the phrase for days, she is dedicated.

● Khal Drogo himself is tense as they wait in silence for the prophecy of the crone.

~"I have seen his face, and heard the THUNDER of his hooves...as swift as THE WIND he rides, and behind him his khalasar covers THE EARTH, men without number, with arakhs shining in their hands like blades of razor grass. FIERCE as A STORM this prince will be. His enemies will tremble before him, and their wives will weep tears of blood and rend their flesh in grief. The BELLS in his hair will sing his coming, and the MILK MEN in the STONE TENTS will fear his name."~

○ This is the prophecy of the Stallion who Mounts the World, and I believe that the Stallion is actually Daenerys. The prophecy has some very specific imagery which I capitalized for emphasis. So first off, THUNDER, FIERCE AS A STORM, Daenerys's given name is Daenerys STORMBORN for the great storm she was born in that smashed the Targaryen Fleet and held off the Usurper's knives. Second, swift as THE WIND can have 2 meanings. Dany called her silver the wind when she was gifted her, she will also eventually become a dragonrider who flies on the wind. Third, Dany wears bells in her hair long after the death of Khal Drogo, her handmaids add them after each victory, so Dany's coming may very well be sung by the bells in her hair. Fourth, the MILK MEN in their STONE TENTS are the people of Westeros, Dany has plans to conquer Westeros. Once word spreads of Daenerys Targaryen coming to conquer Westeros with her dragons, her name will be feared. The Stallion prophecy will come to pass, so if not Rhaego, who? His mother. The crones sensed it but assumed it was her son cause patriarchy. She will grow from broodmare, to Stallion.

●After the heart eating ritual, Dany, Drogo, and a procession of Dothraki walk to the Womb of the World. Dany bathes in the small lake while the crones watch her and murmur among themselves, then she emerges dripping and shivering.

○ I think the womb of the world will come into importance later in the story, when Dany is decreed the Stallion, but that's for another chapter.

● After the events at the womb of the world, everyone returns to Khal Drogo's hall. There are many foods and drinks being cooked and served, and one of those foods mentioned, is a pomegranate! Dany thinks to herself that she knows no arakhs will clash this night due to the sacred laws and customs of Vaes Dothrak forbidding steel and bloodshed. Dany invites Jorah to sit and talk with her. She learns from him that Viserys tried to steal her dragon eggs.

~Dany had not known, had not even suspected. "Then… he should have them. He does not need to steal them. He had only ask. He is my brother… and my true king."

"He is your brother," Ser Jorah acknowledged.

"You do not understand, ser," she said. "My mother died giving me birth, and my father and my brother Rhaegar even before that. I would never have known so much as their names if Viserys had not been there to tell me. He was the only one left. The only one. He is all I have."

○ I think Dany's response to the news of Viserys trying to steal from her is very telling of her character. She never stopped loving Viserys despite everything he did to her. He is her only living family and she feels that she owes him so much for protecting her, raising her, and telling her the stories of Westeros. It wasn't until this next moment that everything truly came crashing down.

● Viserys comes striding in looking a mess, drunk, overly confident… and wearing a longsword on his belt. The Dothraki are already throwing curses and angry mutterings are all around, the music dies. He has broken their sacred law. Khal Drogo exacerbates his fickle state by telling him his place is with the lowest of the low, furthest from the fires. Drogo says in the common tongue, ~"Is place… for Sorefoot King. A cart! Bring cart for Khal Raggat!" And the hall erupts in laughter. Viserys tussles with Jorah before he is knocked to the floor, then finally draws his blade.

●~Dany gave a wordless cry of terror. She knew what a drawn sword meant here, even if her brother did not.~ Dany is terrified for Viserys, she knows that what he did means death. She BEGS him to put the sword away, to join her on her cushions, she offers him food and drink and even her dragon eggs, so long as he puts away the sword. Viserys turns the blade on Dany, pricking her stomach with the end of the sword. He threatens to cut out Drogo's "foal" and leave it for him. ~Viserys was weeping, she saw; weeping and laughing, both at the same time, this man who had once been her brother.~

○ That last line is so depressing. Dany never stopped thinking of Viserys as her brother until the moment he threatened her son. Dany loves and values Rhaego over anything else, she found happiness and purpose in her pregnancy. When the one who was supposed to love and protect her threatens to kill who she loves most in the world, she could no longer tolerate his abuses, and could no longer see him as her brother. It's heartbreaking for her.

● ~Viserys smiled and lowered his sword. That was the saddest thing, the thing that TORE at her afterward...the way he smiled.~

○ There is no doubt that Dany mourned her brother after his death, no doubt. She mourned for the brother he used to be, not the man he became.

●The next moment has Drogo holding Dany as his men sieze Viserys. By this point, she only refers to him as "the man who had been her brother". She describes Drogo not even looking at "the man". When Jorah tells her to turn away, she say no, and folds her arms over her stomach protectively. Viserys gets his golden crown after screaming that he was THE DRAGON and that no one could harm him. ~He was no dragon, Dany thought, curiously calm. Fire cannot kill a dragon.~

○ Dany's lime about Viserys not being a dragon is an abuse victim coming to terms with the death of her abuser. Viserys struck terror into her heart from the time she was a child by telling her she "woke the dragon" and hurting her. She feared him, she was meek and submissive because of him, she bent to the whims of others who saw her as nothing because of him. When that image finally crumbles before her, she is in shock. She had just gone from pride and happiness, to terror for the life of her brother, terror again for the life of her own child and body, to withdrawn acceptance of the situation at hand. Viserys was never a dragon in the way that he used it. A dragon by blood, but not in character. That's what Dany meant.

Art by Ted Nasmith!

#danymonth2021 #daenerys targaryen #a song of ice and fire #asoiaf #dany #a game of thrones #my meta #arereadofdaenerys #book!dany #book!daenerys

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keitthen · 4 years

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- the dorm heads with a significant other who boops their nose and runs away soon after.

─ first work for twst! i hope you like these!

this is a really cute idea, and please note that the reader is gender-neutral. please enjoy!

He's flustered and dumbstruck. Oh my, just what did you do?

He's not very used to acts of affection, so he is extremely flustered when you are affectionate with him.

When he heard you call out to him, he thought that you needed something, but is extremely surprised when you boop his nose and run away.

It takes a while for it to sink in, but he'll grow as red as the roses he grows, and will definitely yell after you.

It's quite endearing, and the next time you find him, he'll pout cutely at you and boop your nose back.

It's just really adorable.

“Riddle!” he hears your voice call out to him. He was just thinking of coming to you, but you appeared in front of him. Not wanting to waste the chance of spending time with you, he turns around, wondering what you required of him, and opens his mouth to ask you whether you would like to spend some time with him, when he finds your face right in front of his. He is very startled at the sight, and he moves back in surprise, and you take it as the chance to carry out your task. Quickly booping him on the nose, you let out a string of giggles and run away from him. He stands there, frozen in his place, mouth open, when realization finally hits him. His face grows scarlet, and you hear his scream even down the corner of the hallway, laughing even harder.

“(NAME)! COME BACK HERE!”

He thinks of it as a game.

When you first do it, he's visibly confused, but comes to the conclusion that it's just a way you show your affection.

The next time you try to do it, he'll do it to you.

The few times you do boop his nose before he can boop yours, he will chase you around the dorm, playing around with you.

He finds it really adorable, and gives you a kiss after it.

“Leona~” you sing to yourself. Quietly tip toeing, you make your way to the sleeping dorm leader, who's currently having his nap while basking in the gentle sunshine. He looks so peaceful, and you almost don't want to do this, but the word to press emphasis here is almost. You are going to do it, and you will succeed. His face comes closer and clearer in view, and your grin grows wider. Feeling a shadow blocking his sun, the boy stirs from his slumber, and you take it as your opportunity to strike. Quickly booping his nose, you make a run for it, with laughter echoing from behind you and footsteps following soon after. His amusement is contagious, infecting you with his liveliness, as you begin to laugh along with him. Strong arms wrap around your waist, and pull you closer as he boops you in revenge, and your laughter grows. Smiling gently at your enthusiasm, he places a soft kiss on the crown of your head, feeling you relax in his embrace.

Azul is very confused.

Is this a good thing? Were you teasing him? What are you doing?

He just doesn't get it. So, he asks you about it.

When you tell him that it's a way people show affection to each other, he grows very flustered, but is also very thankful.

Does it back to you when you aren't paying attention, and gives you a sweet smile.

Azul was working and looking at a few brand new contracts that the tweels had gotten him, and being completely unaware of your presence. You had been waiting for him to notice you, but it had already been half an hour and he had not yet glanced even once in your way. Puffing your cheeks out, you had enough of him being drowned in his work that he didn't even notice you, and decided to take matters into your own hands. You walked up to his desk, and stood in front of it. “Azul,” you called. The third year looked at you surprised at your sudden appearance (actually, not-so-sudden, it's just that he didn't notice), when you leaned in. His face grew red at the close proximity, screwing his eyes shut, when he felt a light touch on his nose. His eyes open, and he finds you grinning at him. “What are you doing, (Name)?” he asks you, confused. Hearing you chuckle it grows even more. “It's a way to show affection~,” you tell him. Oh, he thinks. He grows red again, but this time he gives you a sincere and loving smile.

Kalim doesn't understand it at first, but giggles soon after.

How could he not, when you're being so adorable?

He immediately boops your nose back, giggling right after. Jamil only sighs at your cute behaviour, but you're blinded by Kalim's smile because it's so bright and brilliant.

It becomes a regular thing between the two of you. He does it to you all the time, so do you.

The two of you were studying together in the Scarabia dorm (more like you tutoring Kalim in the various subjects Night Raven College specialised in), when the thought struck you. You look at him, and seeing Kalim being engrossed in his studies made him only more adorable in your eyes. His tongue stuck out the corner of his mouth, as he concentrated on solving the problems and questions you had given him. Waiting patiently until he had finished his worksheet, you sat in your seat, watching him with a mischievous smile. He turned towards you, and handed you his worksheet to evaluate. Quickly finishing the corrections, you called him. “Kalim,” you began. “Please come here.” The dorm leader, although confused, came towards you as you had requested, when you did it. His ruby eyes widened in momentary surprise, after which he began to laugh. Finding his happiness infectious, you laughed along with him, when you felt him boop your nose. “I've got you too!” he giggled, pulling you into a bear hug.

Vil is taken aback, but then immediately asks you what you were doing.

When you tell him, he smiles at you.

Then while you're blinded by his beauty, boops you back!

Secretly films you doing it, and when he uploaded it to Magicam, he started a trend for couples, for which he gave you a soft and sweet kiss.

Now does it on a regular basis because he finds your laughter adorable.

“Vil~” you draw out the syllables of his name, promptly taking his attention away from whatever you were doing. “What does my dear potato require of me today?” he gives you a lazy grin. You only smile with a glint in your eyes, one that he immediately picks upon, having seen it in the tweels' eyes many times when they were upto something mischievous. He slowly backs away, only resulting in you widening your grin. “Potato, what are you doing?” he asks you, fake fear in his expression while his voice holds an undertone of his own mischief. Giving him a bright grin, you quickly lean in, and boop his nose. He's taken aback, not expecting it, but quickly regains his composure. When he sees you running away, he chases after you, laughing along. And when he catches you, he boops your nose in retaliation, reveling in your joy as he places a few kisses all over your face.

Now, Idia is a otaku, so he probably knows it.

But doesn't expect anyone to do it to him, other than Ortho.

So when you do boop his nose, he's very surprised.

But quickly recovers, and then blushes and turns away from you. Sometimes, he does boop you back, but most of the time he just pulls you into a hug to hide his blazing face.

Probably wonders how he can surprise you with nose boops, and does it at the most random of times.

But he really loves it though.

You watch as Idia clicks away on the keyboard, random numbers appearing on the screen that don't make sense to you, but definitely do make sense to him. “Idia~” you say, momentarily drawing his attention away from the screen. He looks at you, his eyebrow quirked up, silently questioning you. “Pay attention to me~” you whine, to which he just shakes his head. “Give me a few minutes,” is all he says to you. You wait for him to finish, and when he finally shuts down the computer, you throw your hands around him, pulling him into a tight hug. “What are you doing, (Name)?” he asks you. “Hugging you,” comes your reply. Exhaling softly, he pulls you closer, when the idea hits you. “Idia,” you call. The boy looks at you, when you boop his nose. He sits there, silent as one can be, after which his face explodes into a bright red. “H-hey! G-give me a-a w-warning befor-re you d-do that!” he exclaims. You laugh at him, and he buries his face in the crook of your neck, only pulling your frame as close as he can, giving you a thankful squeeze.

If you thought the others were confused, he's even more so!

Was his little human trying to tell him something? Did they need something? Did they require affection? What's happening?

The confusion is visible as day on his face, and it makes you laugh, which confuses him even more.

After you calm down, you explain to him that it's a way of showing affection, he finally understands.

Then immediately boops you back, sending you into another fit of laughter, this time with him joining you.

Does it whenever he finds you especially cute, and Lilia always gushes over it, while Sebek always yells at you when you boop him back.

Now wonders if there are other ways that his little human shows affection with.

“Malleus!” he hears your voice from behind him. He turns around, watching as you run up to him, and place your hands on your knees as you catch your breath. “Do you have something that you require, child of man?” he questions you. Seeing you nod, he wonders what it could be that you require from him. You gesture at him, asking him to bend down to your height, seeing as he was much taller than you were. The fae lowers himself to your height, as Sebek and Silver gasp and Lilia laughs in the background. You look at him seriously, and just as he was about to ask you about what you had needed, you boop his nose. He just stands there, and when you immediately run away, he looks towards Lilia, who's bent in half laughing until there's tears in his eyes. He tilts his head in confusion, which Lilia catches onto, and gestures him to go after you. He quickly catches up to you, and pulls you into his larger frame. “What is that, child of man?” he asks you. “It's a little way to show affection!” you reply. He softens at the answer, lifting you up with much ease, and pulls you as close as possible. He leans in, and then, boops you back! You're taken aback, but then burst into laughter, which he soon joins. Keeping a tight hold on you, he walks back to the Diasomnia dorm, your mixed laughter echoing in the hallway.

─ and that's it! thank you for reading, and requests are open, even if I will be a little slow in completing them!

love,

ria.

#ria #ria writes #twisted wonderland #twst dorm leaders #riddle rosehearts #leona kingscholar #azul ashengrotto #kalim al asim #vil schoenheit #idia shroud #malleus draconia #thank you for reading! <3 #<3 #ria loves you!#twst #disney twst

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bread-elf · 3 years

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youtube

Jiroki's 2021 Memorial Show - Based off of video A female stands at the back corner of the stage, facing towards the side as she’s poised against a pillar. She wears a shimmering mermaid style black dress that touches the ground, accenting her curves and figure quite well. Black satin gloves line her hands and go all the way up her arm, twinkling bracelets and rings decorating her. The music begins to drum up, and Jiroki wastes no time in starting her song. “The Elves are glad to... die for love.” Her head turns to the side, now glancing at the audience. “They delight in fighting...” She inhales a breath. “...Duels.” Jiroki tilts her head, stroking some of her sea green hair in front of her shoulders as she daydreams about someone. “But I prefer a man who lives, and gives…” Pushing herself off the pillar lightly she stands. “Expensive….” Her hands stretch out before her in acceptance, a grin growing on her lips as a luxurious feather boa falls from the ceiling, white unlike her dress but covered in shimmering glitter like the diamonds she wore. “Jewels.~” Jiroki drapes the feather boa around her neck, starting to saunter forward center stage as she sings. “A kiss on the hand may be, quite continental. But diamonds are a girl’s best friend.~” Heels click against the floor as she steps on down to the audience floor, gaze set on %t as she wanders towards them. “A kiss may be grand. But it won't pay the rental on your humble flat!" Grabbing hold of one end of her feather boa she lightly tickles the side of %t’s face. “Or help you at the automat!” Jiroki moves back a little to start to lean against whoever is behind her, resting against %t, and she lets out a weary sigh as she laments. “Men grow cold, as girls grow old. And we all lose our charms in the end!” Then she straightens up, sauntering back to center stage as she keeps singing. “But square-cut, or pear-shaped, these rocks don’t lose their SHAPE!” Her voice rings out, spinning back around as the bass instruments blare in the song. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”

Suddenly, a suitor hurries up on stage, Orinious dressed in a black tuxedo suit. He runs in Jiroki’s directions and then slides on his knees towards her, dazzling and sparkling necklaces dangling on his hands. He holds them up towards Jiroki in offering, and the Kaldorei identifies them. “... Trixany’s!” Another suitor runs up, Caythaes hurrying to Jiroki as well. In their arms they carry folded up silk, bedazzled with gems that sparkle like the starry sky, and they slide forward on their feet and stop just beside her. Jiroki looks to examine their gift as well. “... Sana’dal!” Even more suitors run up! Celedyn and Talthorn each carry an assortment of gems and jewelry from various brand name shops, all intent on gifting them to Jiroki. She turns and glances at each one, able to tell the difference between every one as she points them out. “Ocean’s Lust! Snake’s Skin! Talk to me Ranek Vilmas, tell me all about it!”

The brass instruments blare once more into song. Jiroki quickly moves to get off stage with the help of her suitors. One takes her hand and spins her out, and another grabs her by the waist and picks her up, setting her down further away. They make sure she gets off stage easily and she quickly zips off, looking for a crowd of people to socialize with.

Jiroki nestles herself near a little gathering, glancing at them all with a grin as she continues her song. “There may come a time when a- lass needs a lawyer.” The Kaldorei gives a bit of a sheepish grin at that, with a small shrug from a single shoulder. “But diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Jiroki glances to the other side of her to give more of her advice to those around her. “There may come a time when a- hard boiled employer thinks you’re aawwfuul niiiice.~” Her voice rings out, though then immediately her face becomes stoic to emphasis her next point. “But get that ice, or else no dice.” A cutting motion across her neck, then she strides away.

Jiroki spots Dartan and makes her way towards him, a wide smile spread on her lips as she slides on up beside him, a hand on his far shoulder from her while her other hand begins to walk two fingers up his arm. “He’s your guy, when stocks are high.~” She coos at him. “But beware when they start to descend!” Once her walking fingers reach the top of his shoulders her hand moves away to make a thumbs down at ‘descend’, then pulls away from him.

Jiroki makes her way back towards the stage another time. “It’s then that those louses go back to their spouses!” Turning around, arms extended out with her boa delicately draped around her shoulders. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”

One more suitor comes out, Sharpen Jadescythe carrying the ace of all aces. In his hands he holds an extravagant necklace made out of what looks like hundreds of diamonds, glittering like crazy from the stage lighting. Holding it wide he steps up behind Jiroki, who so graciously bends a little at the knees with a wide smile, and the man drapes the necklace around her lovely neck. It hangs perfectly along her skin, just what she needed to compliment her neckline. “I’ve heard of affairs that are strictly platonic.” Jiroki sings once the necklace is clasped on, moving to Sharpen’s side. “But diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Reaching up she lightly pinches the cheek of the person who just gifted her, doting on him, then her hands run down his arm. “And I think affairs that you must keep liaisonic! Are better bets…” She leans in and plants a quick peck on his cheek, then lightly pats the same cheek with her hand in rhythm with her words, acting cheeky. “If little pets get big baguettes!”

Jiroki laments once more, stepping forward a bit and placing the back of her hand on her forehead. “Time rolls on, and youth is gone. And you can’t straighten up, when you bend!” Jiroki goes in to make a vaguely silly motion of bending forward, though briefly is stuck as she winces. Sharpen breaks character for a moment to help straighten her up; the woman is still in recovery! But he quickly ushers her forward to keep singing. “But stiff back, or stiff knees, you stand straight at-” Her hands raise up to make a ‘silence’ motion with her fists, the music cutting out entirely into quiet. She lets it hang for a moment before only her voice chimes in. “Triiixany’s.~”

A single drum beat is heard as suddenly in the air there’s a sensation of magic amplifying, building up until it literally bursts with the music. “DIAMONDS!!” The room is suddenly BRIGHT as hundreds of crystalized objects are hovering in the air, sparkling like gemstones. Not only that, Jiroki’s dress is now embedded with diamonds, starting around the hem of her dress and then it goes up in spirals around her body. “Diiaaamooonds!” Her satin black sleeves also look like they have been dosed with diamonds, and even her face and hair is now highlighted with glittery makeup to match the room. “I~ don’t mean rhinestones! But DIAMONDS!!” Her hands spread out and the floating crystals all twinkle in time, so close that people could touch them. “Are~ a girl’s best-” Her singing pauses for a moment, the music starting to draw to its end. “Best friend!~ <3” The brass instruments begin to blare for a final time, and all the suitors that showed up before run up to her, all carrying their gems and jewels in hand as they surround her in adoration. And as the final notes of the instruments ring out Jiroki stands there, relishing in all the gifts presented to her. (( @succulent-tart )) (( mentions who are on tumblr @twosidedsana @sharpen-jadescythe @talthorn-sylvoran @ranekvilmas @orinous @mekandawn @straightouttatheashes @trixcuomo ))

#stories #Youtube

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regrettablewritings · 4 years

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Fluff alphabet for Tadashi Hamada if you're stil writing for him, please. B, c,s w?

Indeed, I do still write for the lovely lad. Stuff is below the cut

B = Baby (Do they want a family? Why/Why not?):

Oh, most definitely. Tadashi is a very family-oriented man. Always has been, always will be. So it’s no surprise that he looks forward to the day he can start his own little branch of the Hamada family tree. We’ve already seen how he is with Hiro: He’s protective, he’s encouraging, he’s inspiring, he’s good at getting him to do things he may not want to do even if it’s for his own benefit -- imagine what wonders he could do if those traits were applied to a little mini-him or mini-you or mini-you-both!

Honestly, the subject goes more or less unspoken between you two because it’s kind of a given that Tadashi wants kids. You two would be taking a walk in the park or going to the mall and the moment a stroller passes by, he’s barely playing off how much he’s trying to crane his neck to gaze upon the chubby wonder resting inside. You can see the disappointment in his eyes when he fails. Some days when you’re just at the Lucky Cat trying to get some homework done, you’ll glance up and see him at a table with a baby at it, speaking all kinds of sweet words to them. You’ve seen his favorites playlist on Youtube -- it has a decade-old commercial for Legal Zoom on it. When you questioned why it was there in the first place, you had to witness your adoring boyfriend sheepishly admit that the baby in it was just too cute. And also he liked the pale purple walls and thought it’d make for good inspiration.

“Good inspiration for . . .?” you led, knowing exactly where it was headed. You watched at Tadashi’s eyes wandered and his cheeks and ears reddened.

“For . . . a nursery . . .” he responded. It was a mumble, but you heard everything you needed to know loud and clear.

Well, not everything, of course: You asked him what exactly he envisioned for the future.

He admitted he wasn’t exactly particular about whether he wanted a boy or a girl, let alone first or second -- he just knew he would like at least two children so neither one would be lonely. Corny and cheesy as it was, he would’ve preferred to live somewhere a little closer to the suburbs (“Hey, at least I don’t expect a white picket fence!” he justified). His reasoning being that he’d like a nice, quiet area in which many parks and libraries and schools can be accessible, and so any children of yours have room to grow. However, given the structure of the area, he knew that this was going to be a tough call for a multitude of reasons.

Bottom line, though, he’d be okay with living in the city if it meant he could still provide for you and your hypothetical kids the best he could. He just wants to make sure everyone is happy and healthy. But for now, he’s content with it just being the two of you . . . Emphasis on “for now.”

C = Cuddles (How do they cuddle?):

Usually with a prayer that Hiro doesn’t barge in. No, seriously: That bedroom of theirs offers only the most courteous of privacies by way of a tasteful but otherwise unpersuasive shoji. You want Hiro to see you guys trying to get cozy about as much as Hiro does -- which is not at all, given how he pretends to throw up every time he’s walked in on you two. And how he’s voiced his dislike of it.

Given that Tadashi is ever the caring brother and roommate, he can only get away with so many dry, “You don’t have to be here”s before he just feels bad about it. As a result, the two of you have actually had to create a cuddling schedule built with Hiro’s course times, your availability, and Tadashi’s availability in mind. And God forbid Hiro ever finds out about that schedule because all he needs is one more reason to call the both of you Ultra Nerds.

Worse-case scenario, you two get booted out and have to make do with the couch in the garage, cramped as it is. But you don’t mind: Usually, the reason you two are cuddling is because you’re so butt-tired from coursework that you need to relax and zonk out for a couple hours. Besides, for as lanky and more muscle-based as a guy like Tadashi is, his arm wrapped around you is unfairly warm and comforting. You’re bound to be conked out before you can even utter a complaint, or at the very least you’re way too relaxed to register the fact that you’re both awkwardly strewn about the furniture.

So if it had to be put in a different way (and less about worrying somebody might barge in), you supposed you could describe your cuddling as being the snug equivalent to how a college student eats, sleeps, or lives altogether: You both take what you can get when you can get it and try to enjoy it before it’s time to go to your next “adult obligation.”

S = Sad (How do they cheer themselves/others up?):

Tadashi is a pretty optimistic person so it’s actually hard to get him completely down, let alone long enough for him to actually require a pick-me-up bigger than a brief inner pep talk. Normally all he needs to do is have a quiet moment to himself, some time to cool down, maybe remind himself that things can and will get better. But in the odd moment where this isn’t enough, Tadashi will often turn to his interests.

However, don’t assume this means he’ll hunker down in his lab and focus on one of his projects: He’s long since learned that it’s best to not robotically engineer with sad or frustrated -- way too many power outages have occurred from that.

Instead, he turns to his other hobbies: Living with Aunt Cass means he’s been knowing how to bake for years, albeit the baked fruits of his labors don’t always come out prettily; depending on how free his schedule is (read: not very at all anymore), he may go find a location to go surfing; or he goes to a park to get, like, a cart crepe. Usually being outside in a sunny place (with plenty of puppies and babies around) zaps him back to normal.

Which leaves him with plenty of time to figure out how to cheer you up!

Given his nature, Tadashi has become a wiz at cheering others up. He’s just got this nearly contagious brightness about him. And even if you don’t find yourself as readily bright as he, don’t worry: He’s not afraid to pull old tried-and-trues on you. Being an older brother/almost fatherly figure has allowed him the perfect position to perfect his trade: That is, the art of being goofy for the sake of cheering up his loved ones. He will easily pick you up and jump around with you, hollering about how he’s going to “turn that frown upside-down” -- by actually holding you upside-down.

Not your cup of tea? Then be prepared to witness the most tragic case of Dad Dancing ever recorded in a man below the age of 30, complete with cheesy disco music. You will be forced to witness his arms flailing, head bopping, mouth performing what you had once heard being referred to as “The White Man’s Overbite”. You will beg that he stop “for the love of Mochi.” You will try to have your pleas be heard over the speaker blaring “Got to Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn, only to be further drowned out by your boyfriend’s tone-deaf singing.

But the man will not stop: He must dance in your honor.

And once you’re done wiping away the tears left from cackling, he’ll treat you to some froyo.

If this still doesn’t work, there’s the slightest chance he might pull out the big guns: Tickling. It’s reserved strictly as a worst-case scenario, but he’s going to dance until his feet bleed if he can help it before he has to do that again. The last time he resorted to tickling a little too eagerly, it . . . didn’t end well.

W = Wedding (When, how, where do they propose?):

When? A balmy evening in May. How? With a bit of difficulty. Mind you, Tadashi is a generally organized man on the average day. But on the day he proposes to you – heck, the days leading up to it? He’s a bit of a mess. And it’s in no small part due to how incredibly involved his friends and family had tried to be the entire time.

Make no mistake, he’s very glad that he has such supportive loved ones. However, he found himself constantly fighting off a heart attack every time one of them treaded the line a little too closely for his comfort. (Sure, there’s little suspicion in Honey gushing over wedding magazines with you or Aunt Cass asking you to sample a “brand new wedding cake flavor” she was planning to use for some pastries, but Wasabi asking about your ring size and Fred talking about how kaiju costumes were better than tuxes until GoGo had to slam him down really wasn’t exactly inconspicuous.)

Hiro might’ve been the closest thing to normal throughout it all, much to the elder Hamada brother’s surprise. But even then, he was more of less gesturing for Tadashi to just go ahead and pop the question – albeit, at the most inopportune times in the latter’s honest opinion.

“I can’t propose to my girlfriend in the campus library!” Tadashi rejected Monday.

“There’s nothing romantic about being in the middle of a pizzeria and going, ‘Hey, will you marry me?’” he scoffed on Wednesday.

“Hiro, if you ever propose to somebody in front of a mall fountain, then I’ve failed you,” came his dry response Saturday. He knew his younger brother meant no harm by applying the lightest of pressures; he just wanted all the anxieties over with! But this was you Tadashi was proposing to: You deserved only the best. Only the most heartfelt . . . Which was why, in the end, the where of it all was the Lucky Cat Café. Was it the fanciest establishment he could have done it in? Not really. Thankfully, Aunt Cass was all too eager to oblige his request to have the café to yourselves one evening; it allowed him to properly decorate your favorite table with a tablecloth and a bouquet of your favorite flowers. It was admittedly a tad cheesy, but you certainly didn’t mind it.

But this was where Tadashi had grown up. It was where his family – the core of his being – was, where his friends congregated to relax. This was his home in so many ways and if he was to invite you into his family, he wanted it to be done here. Even if it meant Aunt Cass and Hiro were not too discreetly peeking out from the back. Or that the entire time Tadashi was trying to recite his proposal speech, he kept getting distracted by your friends, whose faces were mashed against a window behind you, waiting to bear witness to this milestone.

Suffice to say, it was a very group-oriented situation. But neither you nor Tadashi would have had anything less.

Thank you for your patience!

#tadashi hamada #tadashi hamada x reader #tadashi hamada imagine #big hero 6 imagine #big hero 6 imagines #tadashi hamada headcanons #regrettablewritings #fluff alphabet #fluff headcanons

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extraintrovertedalien · 3 years

Text

It hurts a little bit too much

'It’s time to grow up. I’m finally doing something that people enjoy! Something that people take time to pay attention to! Why can’t you understand that!'

Au August

Day/Prompt: Day 2 - Acting

Ship: Prinxiety, brief platonic moxiety

Word count: 1780

Cw: swearing / yelling (I'm sorry) / self-deprecation / crying / La la Land spoilers? (some people haven't watched it)

A/N: This is solely based on La La Land but I changed a few things that may change the direction of the story than what was actually in the film and this is my first time writing something angsty so forgive me angst gods </3 Also, Roman wants to be a Broadway actor but signed as a pop band singer instead. Virgil is still like Mia but not as headstrong

@tsshipmonth2020

Virgil has been with Roman for quite a while now. Roman has recently signed a contract for a pop band with his old friend, Janus, despite their doubt about the guy. Virgil wasn’t exactly pleased with what he witnessed when he was invited to one of his partner’s concerts. With the single confused tear left on the venue floor, Virgil has been worried since then about what Roman has gotten himself into.

~*~*~

Virgil was returning home after his dinner out with his friend, Patton; the only person keeping him stable since Roman left for… Boston? Maybe Dallas? He stopped keeping track a while ago.

When he reached the porch of their apartment, he hears the faint instrumental of ‘Only Us’ playing inside. He continues inside to see his partner setting up the table, his back facing him. “Roman?” The man suddenly drops the pot he’s holding on the table and turns to him. Roman let out a sigh of relief before flashing a small endearing smile to Virgil. “Surprise?” The taller man says in a small breathy voice, almost a whisper. “I have to leave in the morning but, I just had to see you,” he continues.

Virgil freezes for a moment before rushing to Roman, dropping everything he’s carrying, wrapping his arms around the other’s neck to kiss him. Roman wraps his arms around Virgil’s waist to keep them steady.

~*~*~

“I’m so glad to be home,” The taller man says with a smile. “Stay,” Virgil replies with a hopeful look; only to be returned with the same look from the other.

The pair are now seated at the dining table across from each other, instrumental music playing in the background.

“How’s your play? Hope you’re not too nervous,” Roman breathes out as he notices the other’s mood shift as he mentions the play. “You know me. I’m nervous about everything,” Virgil jokes with a chuckle. “Plus, what if people show up? I’m gonna perform in front of them. They’ll think I’m terrible,”

“Fuck ‘em” They laugh a little before Roman continues, ��They should be lucky to see it. It’s gonna be incredible. YOU’RE gonna be incredible. I can’t wait.” Virgil looks down on his food with a sad smile.

“I have to leave early tomorrow,” As much as Roman thinks that the statement sounds wrong when it left his lips, he doesn’t want Virgil to worry. “Boise, right?” Virgil inquires still looking at his food. Roman hums in agreement and continues, “You should come,”

“Wish I could. I still have to rehearse cuz’, we’re not all gifted in acting like a certain prince-like man I know,” Virgil teases with a smile. Roman chuckles, “Well, if you wanted me to help you, you could’ve just said so, darling,”

“I guess it’ll have to wait until you’re done with the tour,” Virgil replies with a forced smile. Roman’s face falls. “When are you done?” Virgil continues. “Uhm. Well, we’re only touring so we can make the record. After we’re done, we’re gonna record then, we go back to tour that record…” He trails off.

Virgil processes this information and decides to just let his brain talk. His heart is too soft for this conversation but, it can’t continue hurting for months. Or years.

“Do you like it?” Roman was caught off guard with the question and was confused with what Virgil meant. “The music, the band, the tour, singing on stage. Do you like it?” Virgil clarifies.

“I…” he trails off. “I don’t know how it matters,” Roman doesn’t like where this is going. All this time. All this touring. He thought it was what Virgil wanted him to do. Roman looks Virgil in the eyes, “Do you like the music?”

“I do. I just didn’t think you did…” The pair fell in uncomfortable silence, letting Virgil’s last statement linger between them.

“Why are you doing this? I thought you wanted me to do this. This is what we’ve been waiting for,” Roman is deep into confusion at this point. He’s been in this band for a while, he just wants to know why Virgil hasn’t anything before he signed on the dotted line that would seal his life.

Virgil sighed, “I just wanted to know where you’re theatre is gonna fit into all of this.” He said in such a small voice that, Roman wanted to just sweep Virgil off his feet to make everything better again. “There’s a reason why there are no theatres here because no one is like me. No one likes musicals here. Not even you,” Roman explained.

Virgil can’t take how pathetic Roman thinks of this entire situation. Yes, it’s Virgil that usually overthinks these things and, it’s not entirely impossible for Roman to as well but, this is just pure non-sense to Virgil. “I do like them now, because of you!” He blurted out with a slightly raised voice.

“Well, what am I supposed to do? Wait for you to be successful only for me to build something no one likes? It- It’s time to grow up. I’m finally doing something that people enjoy! Something that people take time to pay attention to! Why can’t you understand that!” Roman exclaimed, determined for Virgil to understand his point of view, not bothering to look at the other.

“Since when did you care about being liked? Why do you care so much about being liked-”

“You’re not an actor! How would you know?!” Roman immediately regrets his statement, knowing he doesn’t mean it. To him, Virgil is the greatest actor he has ever seen and, nothing would ever change that. He glances at Virgil and, sees the destruction his statement has caused slowly unfolding.

“No. No- I- I didn’t mean that, Virgil. I’m sorry. I promise it’s not true-” he tried to reverse his mistake but, to Virgil, the destruction has always been always there, this was just what he needed for everything to fall apart.

“Maybe you just liked me because I made you feel like a better actor,” Virgil stated blandly in a matter-of-fact manner. Roman knew that he was never better than Virgil, as an actor or not. He was heartbroken to hear that his partner thinks that he was just being used. His statement earlier was just a slip-up but this… What Virgil’s feeling is all his fault.

“Are you kidding?” Roman can’t bear to lose someone that he loves so much. Tears well up in his eyes, tempting to let them fall.

“No,” Virgil calmly replied, keeping a stern face.

Both of them, heartbroken, stared at each other, not letting go of what’s left between them.

But before any of them could say anything, Roman’s phone, which he left in the kitchen, rang. His ringtone echoing through the apartment. Roman sighs at the sound but doesn’t stand up. However, Virgil does and eyes for the door. Roman stays frozen for a moment before going after Virgil.

“Virgil, wait-” before he could continue, Virgil had already slammed the door.

~*~*~

You guys can use your imagination to fill in what happens after the argument up to before the next part.

But, if you haven’t watched La La Land, basically, Virgil did the one-man play and Roman didn’t show up and only a few people show up then, he goes back home to his parents in a different state, leaving everything behind. I think that’s all you need to know??

~*~*~

It’s been a few weeks since Virgil came home to his parents. He was devastated to see his old stuff and how hopeful he was to become an actor. Yet, he can’t bring himself to take it all down.

Virgil had abandoned his phone and his laptop to the very back of his closet and sticks to using his mp3 in the meantime. He has been needing some time to rethink his life decisions before facing the real world again. Leaving Roman to pick up whatever he left in Los Angeles.

He was finally enjoying peace and quiet for the first time in a while, until…

HHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

~*~*~

“The fuck are you doing here?!” Virgil whisper-yelled as he walked towards the man, wondering what’s so important that Roman had to follow him all the way to another state.

“Thomas Sanders. The casting director. He was at your play-” Roman began. Just at the mention of the name, Virgil had become more troubled but hopeful at the same time.

“And he loved it so much, he wants you to audition for this HUGE-” Roman stated as he slammed his hand on his car for emphasis, startling Virgil a little. ”-huge movie that he’s got,” He continued with visible excitement.

Virgil shook his head with a little chuckle before running his hand over his mouth, “I- I can’t- I’m not going to that- That.. will kill me,” he continues to shake his head.

“WHAT?!” Roman exclaims, startling Virgil again. “What?! Shh shh! You have to be quiet cuz’ if my neighbors don’t call the police on you, I will,” He attempts to calm Roman down. “No. You have to make sense. You can’t stay here and be miserable for the rest of your life. You need to be reasonable here,” Roman persists.

“Because it’s just another goddamn audition!” Virgil explodes with all the hurt and anger he’s gathered through the years of auditioning for shows. “I’ve been to hundreds of auditions and it’s just the same thing over and over again! I’m sick of it! Yeah, sure, I get callbacks but, where does it end? Another fucking rejection! All of those countless hours of waiting for the phone to ring. Be- because maybe I’m not good enough,” Virgil pauses.

“I’ve been wanting this for years. And, now... Now that I don’t want it anymore. Now that I gave up on it. Another one fucking presents itself to what? Another rejection? I’m- I’m not giving myself another heartbreak, Roman. It hurts a little bit too much,” Virgil admits, already crying. It hurts Roman to see Virgil this way. He’s seen Virgil become so passionate about his play, he needs to let him see that this is not ‘just another audition,’ it’s the reward his hard work is all for. He needs to know.

“You’re a baby,” Roman bluntly states. “Maybe I am,” He couldn’t continue arguing anymore. “But, you said it’s time to grow up. And, I’m doing that so, why won’t you help me?” Virgil continues.

“You have an audition at 5:30. I’ll pick you up at 8,” as much as Roman wants Virgil to grab this chance, he can’t force him to if he doesn’t really want to. He loves him too much for that. At least he tried. “You’ll be out front or not. I don’t know,” Roman continues as he gets in his car and drives off, leaving Virgil standing in the middle of the road, staring at the library in front of him. The library that once helped him set his path to acting.

~*~*~

Perhaps Virgil was out front at 7:30 and got accepted in the audition.

Perhaps he wasn’t.

Told ya I'm not good at angst ;-;

#TSSAUgust #sanders sides #sanders sides fic #sanders sides au #thomas sanders #virgil sanders #roman sanders #ts virgil #ts roman #prinxiety #ts prinxiety #em writes

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thdorkmagnet · 4 years

Text

I Love You 3000

Hey everyone!! Today I bring to you all a short Starco fluff fic, loosely based off of Avengers Endgame.This is also made in collaboration with @phantomnationdraws who drew the amazing piece of art to go along with this!! Please show them some love because there talent knows no limits!! And please enjoy!!

Marco ran up the driveway of his house, panting from exertion as he jogged steadily on the uneven ground, clutching a large box tightly in his hands, making sure not to ruin the steaming hot pizza inside. He didn’t slow for a second, keeping his focus and attention entirely on the front door to his house, which he kicked open without hesitation, lacking the hands to turn the doorknob, already knowing it was left unlocked. After all, any burglar dumb enough to try and break in would find himself biting off way more than he could chew, since both he and Star were well trained in combat.

The red-clad teen was breathing heavily as he stepped into the living room of his wonderful home, the lights all turned off and what had to be at least a dozen candles all lit and scattered about the room, creating an absolutely breathtaking and romantic atmosphere. The boy used the back of his foot to close the door behind him, before calling out loudly to his seemingly empty house, “Star, I’m home!”

Normally, he would keep his voice down this late at night out of fear of waking his family up but both Mariposa and his parents were gone for the night, his sister to stay overnight with her best friend Meteora and his parents away on an overnight camping trip in the Forest of Certain Death with Star’s parents (the four adults becoming very close friends in the few years since the Great Cleaving), leaving the house to just him and Star. Just the way they wanted it.

The boy took a few steps forward, looking around for his girlfriend somewhere in the darkness of the room, only to be practically toppled over as Star appeared out of nowhere and trapped him in a surprise hug. “Marco!” she shouted in delight, squeezing him as tightly as ever, while the hooded teen screamed, holding the box over his head to avoid dropping it as Star continued to cling to his midsection. “I’m so glad you’re back!” the blonde cheered, her voice as bubbly as ever and the boy couldn’t help but grin.

“Yep, I’m back,” Marco said with an enthusiastic smile down at his loving girlfriend. “Sorry it took me so long, Emilio’s was closed after a herd of Snippergriffs apparently got inside, so I had to improvise.”

Star rolled her eyes, finally releasing her grip on her Marco, putting her hands on her hips. “Ugh, dang, Snippergriffs, they ruin everything!” the blonde muttered angrily, cursing the very nature of the pesky critters of her homeland.

Marco, seeing his girlfriend’s distraught behavior, quickly changed the subject as he looked around the room, which almost radiated with an otherworldly glow. “I see you were busy while I was gone.”

Star’s bright enthusiasm returned full-force as she looked around the room with pride, saying with satisfaction, “Yeah, I thought this way it would all be much more romantic.” She arched her eyebrows knowingly on the last word, causing Marco to chuckle. “Do you like it?” the girl asked hopefully, her hands hovering near her mouth in anticipation for her boyfriend’s opinion.

The boy nodded happily. “I love it! It’s perfect, Star,” Marco said, setting the pizza down on a nearby coffee table. “Now then, do you know what today is?” the boy asked, doing little finger guns in the air for emphasis.

“Uhh,” Star began, thinking the question over. “Date night?”

Marco shook his head, “Well, yeah but you know what else it is?”

“Hmmm,” the blonde said, tapping a finger to her chin. “Friendship Thursday?”

The hooded teen frowned in disappointment, asking in a hinting tone, “Anything else?”

Star contemplated this for a few seconds, the boy growing more and more disappointed with each passing second before Star snapped her fingers and said confidently, “The last day for Stop N’ Slurp’s half-off sale.”

Marco shrank at that answer, looking sadly at the ground. He couldn’t believe Star had forgotten how special today was. The blonde seeing the depressed look on her boyfriend’s face, quickly added, “Marco, I’m just teasing of course I know what today is.”

The latino’s sad frown turned into a bright grin as he and Star shouted as one, “The anniversary of the Blood Moon Ball!” The two burst out into laughter at their shared sentence, Star clutching her stomach as she practically doubled-over from her giggle fit, Marco very lightly grabbing onto the girl’s shoulders to keep her upright as he tried to fight through his own laughter. Finally, the two recovered from their laughing fit, wiping tears from their eyes as Marco said, “Can’t believe we still do that.”

“I know, right,” Star said, opening the box of pizza and taking out a slice. She plopped down on the couch, before patting the seat next to her beckoning Marco over. The boy smiled, picking up his own slice, before sitting down beside her, the girl laying sideways on the couch and resting her legs on the boy’s lap as she practically inhaled the pizza slice, munching on it greedily. “It’s funny,” Star said, in between bites of food, not even bothering to swallow as she spoke in a muffled tone. “After the curse was broken, I thought we wouldn’t do that anymore”

“Guess it had nothing to do with the curse,” Marco replied, before taking a bite of his own slice.

“Guess not,” Star said, before moaning in delight. “Oh man, Marco! This pizza is delicious!”

Marco nodded his head in agreement, “Yeah, it is! Looks like we just found our new favorite pizza place, right Star?”

Star giggled, before saying in a teasing tone, “Don’t let Emilio hear you say that, considering what happened last time.”

Marco blushed, looking away from his pretty girlfriend. “Come on, Star. That was like three years ago,” he whined in embarrassment.

Star laughed at her Marco’s cuteness before sitting up and planting a kiss on his bright red cheek. “You’re adorable,” she cooed.

“Not as adorable as you,” Marco replied with a playful smirk, his cheeks just slightly painted pink.

“Aww, Marco,” the blonde gushed, putting a hand to her flushing cheeks. “You spoil me.”

“Oh, then just wait and see what I have planned for later,” the hooded teen said with a wink.

Star’s eyes widened in curiosity, before demanding, “Ooh, tell me, tell me, tell me!”

Marco shook his head stubbornly. “Nuh uh, it’s a surprise,” the boy declared.

“Aww come on, Marco, just tell me,” the girl pouted, crawling into his lap as she gave him sad, puppy-dog eyes.

“Nope, your famous pout isn’t working on me this time,” the boy said, raising his head up so he wouldn’t meet her hypnotic eyes. He knew from experience how easy it was to fall into that trap.

“Oh, Marco,” Star said in a sing-song voice, grabbing his chin and pulling his head down so their eyes met. “Just tell me, pwease.” She gave him the saddest, most heart wrenching look she had in her arsenal, even going so far as to whine and quiver her lip.

Marco felt his will crack, his pupils shrinking as he stared into the gorgeous eyes of his favorite person in the world. There were few things that could sway Marco’s judgement and make him lose all sense of anything, and he was staring into one of them right now, the crystal blue of her wide eyes making his heart do a dance.

“Ok, fine,” the boy groaned in defeat, he knew when he had been bested by his bestie.

The blonde clapped her hands, shouting in joy, “Yay!”

He quickly moved his girlfriend off his lap, before saying, “Be right back, I left it in my room.”

“Okay!” Star called after him, practically hopping on the couch as she watched him leave. In the span of about thirty seconds Marco returned, the blonde having time to engulf another slice of the delicious pizza before staring up at her boyfriend with curious blue eyes, her cheeks still stuffed with pizza.

Marco couldn’t help but grin down at the love of his life, her expression making his heart melt all over again. Could she seriously get any cuter? he thought to himself.

“Okay, so, I was gonna wait a little bit before showing you this,” Marco began, keeping his hands behind his back so as to not spoil his surprise. “But then, someone had to go and cheat.” He gave her a halfhearted glare.

The girl swallowed her food before smirking mischievously. “Come on, you know you love me,” she said flirtingly.

The boy nodded at that before declaring with zero hesitation, “Of course I do. But that still doesn’t make it alright.” He gave her a teasing look, which she returned with one of her own.

“Hey, all’s fair in love and war, Diaz,” Star said with a playful wink.

“Anyways,” the boy continued, getting back on subject before he found himself gushing over his cute girlfriend all over again. “I figured since this is a special occasion, I’d show you this.”

He held out a pair of earbuds to Star who eyed them questioningly. “Uh, Marco, I already know you have earbuds.”

“Put one in,” Marco told her cryptically.

Star hesitantly obeyed, confusion still obvious on her face as she inserted the small circular device into her left ear. But as the soft notes hit her tender eardrum Star’s mouth fell open, listening in disbelief as the smooth melody she knew by heart played, every note practically etched into her heart. A flood of memories came back to her at once, filling her with euphoric nostalgia, as the unmistakable notes of the Blood Moon Waltz played into her ear.

She looked up at Marco with disbelief, who had been watching her closely for her reaction and he smiled brightly. “You- How did you- Where did-” the girl stuttered, unable to find words as a lump formed in her throat, tears filling at the edges of her eyes as she choked on a small sob.

Marco stared down at her with soft, loving eyes as he asked her simply, “Do you like it?”

Star nodded, wiping at her eyes to free them of happy tears. “I love it!” she squeaked out. “How did you even find this song?”

The boy shrugged. “I have my ways.”

“Tom,” the girl guessed.

“Tom,” the boy confirmed with a slight nod. “He had a version recorded just for us.”

“I missed this song so much,” the girl sighed, melting into the music as she lost herself to the irresistible tune.

For a few seconds, the two just listened to the graceful melody, before Marco sucked in a breath and held out a hand to his girlfriend. “May I have this dance?”

Star giggled, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet, before dropping into a graceful curtsey. “You may, kind sir.”

The two shared a laugh as they moved closer to each other, their bodies pressed together as they locked hands. Marco rested a hand on the small of Star’s back, drawing her even closer to his warm presence as he drank in her smell. She always smelled of roses and vanilla and he felt his heart rate increase as she laid her head against this chest.

The boy then began to lead them in a slow waltz around the dimly lit living room, their movements slow but purposeful, moving perfectly in time and sync with their chosen partner. The sound of the gentle waltz drowning out the world around them until it was just the two of them, captured in this moment in time.

Star couldn’t think of when she had been happier, surrounded by warm feelings and sounds as she listened with one ear to the graceful ball music and, with the other, was soothed by the rhythmic pumping of her dear Marco’s heartbeat. The girl snuggled into Marco’s chest after a moment, just loving having him here with her. Nothing in all of Earthni able to make her happier.

Marco clutched Star tightly against him, listening to her gentle breathing as he rested his cheek on the top of her head, her soft hair tickling his skin, and he smiled, feeling complete. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have Star in his life, and there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t thank all the forces in the universe for this chance to be loved by someone as wonderful as Star Butterfly.

The two sighed in contentment as they let the music wash over them, taking them back to a simpler time when it was just the two of them trapped under the glow of a single red light. And just like that, it was as if they were back in that moment, time falling away from them as the music continued on an endless loop, sealing them inside its graceful notes.

The two smiled in bliss, their cheeks beginning to burn as, without warning, a pair of hearts and crescent moons formed on their cheeks, remnants of the magical connection the two shared, one that defied logic and space itself. Nothing in the universe could separate the two again as they shared this dance.

“Marco,” the girl whispered, her eyes still closed as she was led slowly around in a circle.

“Hmm?” the boy muttered, incapable of words at the moment, a swirl of emotions causing his head to spin.

“I missed this,” Star said simply, her hand squeezing his tightly.

The boy paused for a moment, not entirely sure what she meant when she said ‘this’. Until he realized she meant dancing to this song and he almost choked on a sob. “Me too,” he replied softly.

“I’m glad we didn’t lose this moment,” Star continued, and Marco felt his heart swell to almost bursting. “Cause there’s no one I’d rather be here with than you. And I just have to tell you one more thing...” Then Star gently leaned her head in, gazing in wonder at Marco’s loving eyes. She took her chance to whisper something in his ear, something that caused the Latino’s cheeks to turn crimson. Marco smiled dorkily before kissing her forehead softly. “Same here, Star,” he said as their eyes met in another tender glow, pupils shining in the glow of their cheeks and candlelight, reflecting all the thoughts and feelings and emotions that had brought them to this moment. Time had lost on meaning on the two young souls as they continued their dance for what felt to them like eternity.

“Same here.”

#star vs #Star vs fanwork #My Writing #phantomnationdraws #collab #Starco #Blood Moon Ball #post cleaved #Avengers Endgame #If you are wondering what Star whispered look at the tittle ;)

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ghost-band-aids · 4 years

Text

Interview with GHOST and TRIBULATION

The Undisguised Truth

TOBIAS FORGE and JONATHAN HULTÉN have a lot in common. While one of them currently slips into the role of the exalted charmer Cardinal Copia as the singer of GHOST, the introverted TRIBULATION guitarist on stage transforms into a fascinating, expressive being who exists beyond genre and gender boundaries. What is real, what is an artificial figure? METAL HAMMER met both of them during their tour together for a conversation that allows far more than just a look behind the scenes of two of the most popular metal bands at the moment, but also unexpectedly intimate insights.

Tobias, originally you didn't want to be the singer of Ghost. Did the mask help you to come to terms with this exposed role?

Tobias Forge: Yes, well, at least from today's point of view. But I never wanted to be unknown.

What function does your stage make-up have, Jonathan?

Jonathan Hultén: It helps me to put myself in a certain mood. The idea behind it is to isolate and reinforce a fraction of myself, an aspect of my personality. To immerse myself in this is an experience beyond the everyday state of mind.

Strengthen also Cardinal Copia or Papa Emeritus facets of your personality, Tobias?

Tobias Forge: I'm not shy, but I'm not as sociable as Cardinal Copia - and also not a "physical clown" like him. What I do is a kind of mixed bag. I imitate people I find funny or interesting.

Basically, the way actors do it. If you asked Robert DeNiro how he came up with the young Don Corieone, he would probably say: Well, there was this guy in my old neighborhood... The costume gives you the opportunity to completely surrender yourself in that moment and just be that new person. That's interesting, because you only reveal it to a few people for a limited time. You don't have to see how that person lives the other 22 hours of the day. Like with actors: James Bond is cool because you only see certain sides of him. Never in the bathroom or shower. Well, not in the toilet, in the shower. But always in the company of a snake or something he kills.

How long does the transformation take?

Tobias Forge: But you finished much sooner than I did.

Jonathan Hultén: For pragmatic reasons. I like to get it done as soon as possible so as not to get in a bind later. How about you?

Tobias Forge: We have a very tight schedule. Pretty much exactly one hour before the show starts I walk in the door as Tobias and come out as someone else.

What does this transformation do to you?

Jonathan Hultén: You have to enter a stage with emphasis. So it's good to be prepared.

Tobias Forge: And that's what happens within this hour. You slowly start to move differently... I love being a different person for two hours and then changing back. But I need some time for that, usually I stay alone for an hour after the show.

Jonathan Hultén: That's good. As far as I can, I try to do the same. Mostly by doing something that I can be introspective about... ...carry things back and forth or something.

Tobias Forge: I think that's very important. There is potential suffering in art, especially in mental health. The smaller the discrepancy between yourself and the person you are portraying on stage, the harder it is to deal with. If you are merely associated with your stage character, people expect you to behave like that in real life.

And that can be problematic...

Tobias Forge: Exactly, because they created this super human being who can do anything, who has a carte blanche. Everyone applauds, everyone laughs, and everything you do is funny or cool. And if you take it to the bar afterwards... There are bad examples of people who can't get down in normal life, become alcoholics or, well, die.

Jonathan Hultén: Sure, all that can be destructive. But in my case it was very helpful to discover my more explosive, extroverted sides. And to dare to give them more space, because privately I am quite shy. That's also part of the process of building up, which takes a long time.

I gradually gain self-confidence from this, so that I can now express myself better in everyday situations.

Tobias Forge: I think they are one and the same. It's like mental martial arts, where the person who doesn't like the fight, but still has to face it - within the limits of the dojo, of course, so as not to hurt anyone. And, yes, art is basically good for anyone who has the desire to become someone else. It's a generalization, but I think there's a lot of truth in it: many artists choose this path because they weren't very popular at school. Or they can't come out of themselves, but their art offers them an opportunity to do so. It's fun to go on stage, to transform and feed off the energy or admiration.

How you interact with the audience has changed over the years.

Tobias Forge: Sure. The masked person has an advantage of about 70 concerts, so 1,000 hours on stage. If I had given myself the same amount of time to develop without the make-up, without the role, just with acoustic guitar, I might have created a completely different stage personality. But this is completely uninteresting for me, because I prefer this super character! (laughs)

Jonathan Hultén: transformation would then no longer be so dramatic, but much more subtle.

Tobias Forge: And you'd have to be comfortable in your own skin.

Jonathan Hultén: I'm working on it. (laughs)

Jonathan, your solo debut, CHANTS FROM ANOTHER PLACE, will be released soon and you will also be touring with Chelsea Wolfe. Will you be different on stage there than you are here with Tribulation?

Jonathan Hultén: It has become harder to separate the two. They are like different shades of the same color. And I've found that they both borrow a lot from each other. The tribulation performer exists much longer, so he has much more experience. He/she is like an archaeologist who explores an inner wildness and passion. Over the years a lot of weird stuff has been dug up and included.

On the other hand, the solo performer, who has only been around for about three yen and is still is at the beginning of the excavations. However, I expect that also here many interesting things will appear

What can we expect from you live?

Jonathan Hultén: Just like with Tribulation, the atmosphere will be very important. But apart from some dramatic excursions, the show will be mostly silent and contemplative. The silence gives more room for more complex emotions to unfold in a way that I miss in the energetic performances of Tribulation.

These in turn defy the unwritten rules of a traditional metal show, not least thanks to you. Tribulation are considered a death metal band...

Tobias Forge: I wouldn’t call you guys like that.

Do you see yourselves as pioneers? Do you enjoy being different?

Jonathan Hultén: I stopped thinking about whether people see me as stupid, weird or whatever. It's the only way I can do it. Headbanging just wasn't enough. I felt there had to be something bigger, some kind of ectase. This may be weird, but it feels good.

How important are grace and style to you?

Jonathan Hultén: Both are important, but it's equally important not to be obsessively attached to them. Someone once said that grace is a combination of spontaneity and control. It's a good rule of thumb - on and off stage. It's always about balance. Every situation is unique and requires a unique approach.

Tobias Forge: You should be really proud of it, apart from the fact that your music is great. Your performance is dramatically different from any other. Besides the music, your physical attributes and the way you present yourself make you a very unique and interesting person. Strange, cash, different. You should definitely pursue that. Yes, I think you should see yourself as a pioneer.

Jonathan Hultén: Mm, thank you. (chuckles)

What does that do to your audience?

Tobias Forge: If you are a live musician, have an antenna for it and you don't completely care, you always enter a symbiosis with the fans. Give and take, almost like in a physical relationship. You will try to perfect ways to give pleasure to each other. I know it sounds weird, but every decent relationship changes with age. You grow together, you have new needs or ideas. That's why some couples bring in other people, or whips or plugs. It's the same with you and the audience. During our second show I noticed that our audience is very positive, but I couldn't make a rhyme out of it.

Why that?

Tobias Forge: The room was filled with Hard Rock people, the kind of people I've been playing to since I was a teenager. But they weren't headbanging as usual. Instead they did something else.

Jonathan Hultén: Wiggle.

Tobias Forge: Yeah, they were wiggling around. (laughs) And singing and laughing, very different from what I knew from Death or Black Metal shows.

Are there any other special features of your fans?

Tobias Forge: When we played the first headliner shows in America, I noticed for the first time the gender diversity in our audience. Our fans are a lot of girls, a lot of guys, and a lot in between. We've always been a magnet for people who are unhappy with their gender or don't feel they belong anywhere: Kids, many outsiders and outcasts in various fragile states.

Jonathan, Tobias' words seem to resonate with you.

Jonathan Hultén: Yes, they do. I don't speak for tribulation as a whole when I say this, but I personally don't feel I belong to either gender. But I've never felt the need to choose either. Androgyny is what I feel most comfortable with. This tendency probably also applies to performance, whether tribulation or solo.

Tobias Forge: The best portrayal of the devil I've ever seen is from the movie 'The Passion of Christ'. Satan is portrayed by a woman, but speaks in a man's voice and thus becomes the epitome of androgyny, completely genderless. For incorporating this aspect into your stage personality, I give credit to you and the band. Especially when you get together with Adam (Zaars, guitarist of Tribulation) on stage, it seems elfish and feminine, but also masculine. This is incredibly interesting and unusual, especially in the rigid heavy metal genre with this "men are men" and "women are women" thing: Doro Pesch, girl, Manowar, guys, great. But when I think of all the metal bands I like, there are also examples of very attractive androgyny, which is not necessarily sexual. Not to mention seventies rock bands.

You have been confronted with different kinds of music and art forms from a very young age. Does that give you an artistic advantage?

Jonathan Hultén: It helps me to keep my relationship to art fresh, to get excited. Whether in childhood or in adulthood: open-mindedness helps the creative process. If you're not afraid of opening up to all kinds of different music styles, you can find inspiration in the most surprising places. No matter where the idea comes from - the important thing is whether it works. Certainly, this is reflected in all areas of creative work. Become the medium through which the flow of inspiration flows - then collect the gold pieces that this flow carries with it and create something beautiful out of them.

Does the metal context limit your expressiveness?

Tobias Forge: I don' t feel restricted with Ghost at all. There are only a few ideas I can' t realize with the band, because Ghost is a combination of all the things I like about music, cinema and theatre. But if there is enough time in the future, I would love to be in a completely different band where I am not the center of attention. I am a guitarist and would like to sing backup. That corresponds to me much more.

Jonathan Hultén: I'm exploring something new, and it's been quite interesting - and different. There are endless possibilities to discover yourself, artistically and as an artist. Only unfortunately there is not enough time.

I'm afraid that we don't have enough time either.

Tobias Forge: Yes, but these things are existential. They are not only about art and being an artist, but also about how both are connected to the human psyche and why people, artist or not, need art to function in modern times. That, by the way, is also one of the things I appreciate about tribulation: You are artists, not just any death metal band. I don’t want to hang anybody on the fence but especially in metal many musicians claim that they make music for themselves first and foremost. That’s not true! As soon as you go on stage you want to get something back. Even GG Allin! And his gigs were really a confrontational and bad experience for every lover of the fine arts. Playing just for yourself? That's not how it works. You either do it to please or to deliver something. People laugh, cry, clap, scream, whatever... And when they leave, they feel a little bit better. That's entertainment!

Anja Delast/ Metal Hammer

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

Please do not share without naming the origin. I have taken a lot of effort with it and unfortunately it is distributed without stating the origin. It's somehow sad...

#thebandghost #the band ghost #cardinalcopia #cardinal copia #tobiasforge

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locatingself · 3 years

Text

Colin McCahon

‘To Colin McCahon the essence of Christian Art appeared to lie in its absolute honesty. It seemed that a work of Christian Art could be produced by a man not living a Christian life and that such a work need not necessarily be good art or its subject matter be religious. McCahon came moreover to the opinion that Christian Art needed to manifest the suppression of the artist’s personality in his work, that is, an utter humility before the spirit of the work. The work hadto be honest and not “declaiming anything about the artist himself”.’30

L. Beiringa. (1975). Colin McCahon: ‘Religious’ Works 1946–52.

https://www.mccahon.co.nz/sites/all/files/Q_of_F-Part1.pdf

Artist. C. McCahon. (1950) Easter Morning. [Painting]. Auckland Art Gallery. https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artwork/5308

‘From the end of 1946 until the early 1950s McCahon’s drawings and paintings reflected his interest in religious art. Selecting his subject matter from popularly-known biblical events and stories, he reinterpreted them in settings of contemporary New Zealand landscapes, putting emphasis on the spiritual and human values implicit in each scene.Towards the end of 1946 McCahon completed I Paul to you at Ngatimote 1946 (page 67), the first painting in which he placed a cast of biblical characters in the New Zealand countryside.

Although the landscape itself is not paramount in the painting, the titling of the work specifically situates the biblical disciple Paul in a particular New Zealand locale, a farming community on the east bank of the Motueka River near Nelson. By choosing Ngatimote – the correct spelling of which is actually Ngatimoti, and which translates as ‘belonging to’ or ‘place of’ Timothy in Maori – McCahon alludes to Paul’s Letters to Timothy in the New Testament.In this year Gordon Tovey, with whom McCahon had studied in Dunedin, was appointed National Supervisor of Arts and Crafts. A significant feature of Tovey’s directorship was his promotion of the idea that Maori art was on a par with art produced by New Zealanders of European ancestry. This recognition contributed to an already growing interest in Maori culture.

Several of the images were based on McCahon’s memory of Renaissance paintings he had seen in books and chosen for their existential human meaning. Equally, people, places and incidents observed in McCahon’s daily life functioned as triggers. To use but one example, a power-line repairman observed climbing a telegraph pole became a figure climbing a ladder leaned against the Cross in Crucifixion (For Rodney Kennedy) 1947 (page 70).’

Artist. C. McCahon. (1947) Entombment (after Titian). [Painting]. Te Papa. https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/44138

‘Colin McCahon’s interpretation of the execution of Jesus Christ on the cross borrows as much from a vernacular New Zealand setting and European Renaissance art as it does from the Bible’s high-tempo Gospel of Mark. McCahon’s plasticine-coloured hills and sky sing with primary school vibrancy. In the background, Jerusalem’s Temple curtain – which tore in two at the moment of Jesus’ death – is flung high from a simple country church. The speech balloons of Christ and those mocking him below, meanwhile, gain their sense of immediacy from the visual language of comic strips and small-town grocery store signage and packaging.’

Christchurch Art Gallery. (2020). As Time Unfolds. https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/collection/82-50/colin-mccahon/crucifixion-according-to-st-mark

‘While I was at Rodney’s this weekend I saw your Crucifixion painting. It struck me greatly. Not that I am a competent critic of style; but this I found very moving. A Presbyterian rather than a Catholic occurrence. I mean – rawness, Christ suffering, not Christ triumphantly Son of God. The tags of speech are surprisingly successful, recalling (a) cartoon strips and (b) stained glass windows, though there one usually sees only the names of saints.’ James K Baxter in letter

In McCahon’s work, Christianity is contextualised in NZ. This is really interesting because we are so used to seeing Christianity in Greek and Roman settings. But What I love about this is that Christianity is for every nation and is intended for all people, and so it should be linked to people, contextualised to their way of life. McCahon does this by bringing in the vernacular to these scenes . I love this because Jesus was God incarnate, and he lived a total human life - with eating, and being tired, and working for a living. Jesus lived the vernacular life, as well as the spiritual! They entertwine! One informs the other. Coming back to that spiritual linking to the physical world.

It’s also interesting to note that McCahon was influenced by poet James K Baxter, who after sobering up and becoming a Christian, felt God calling him to serve a small Maori community ‘Jerusalem’ - a Maori settlement on the Whanganui River. Baxter went there to serve the marginalised people of the region. These artists also serving people... linking to the marginalised people. showing the relevance of Christ in relationship to us in every day, and to the marginalised in society.

‘In late 1968, as a result of a dream in which he heard the call ‘Go to Jerusalem’, Baxter travelled to a Maori settlement of the same name on the Whanganui River. Here he founded a community based on a fusion of Christian and Maori spiritual values. It provided a base for marginalised people – the drug-addicts, alcoholics, unemployed and homeless whom Baxter called, in Maori, his nga mokai (‘fatherless ones’) – and a place for sanctuary and healing. Here, in 1970, he wrote what is perhaps his best-known and acclaimed poem cycle, Jerusalem Sonnets.’

The pilgrimage of these artists McCahon and Baxter from art to faith, struggles with alcoholism, to serving the marginalised - particularly Maori people in NZ is really interesting to me personally because I am increasingly having dreams that head more this direction... eventually want to live up north with my partner to serve his iwi, having recently gotten involved with some volunteering work in conjunction with Auckland city Mission we have interest in serving marginalised people. And I keep trying to think how this all fits in with being an artist/designer. It’s very cool to know that people have travelled a similar path as creatives.

C. McCahon. (1979). May His Light shine. [Painting] Cornwall Park. https://www.mccahon.co.nz/cm001517

Also interestingly, McCahon’s work - particularly this religious period of work, got absolutely shredded for being ugly and a pretentious attempt at being religious. While quite honestly some of the depictions of Jesus scare me a bit because they are rather ’plasticine’ I think McCahon had a genuine heart that wanted to link these Biblical stories to vernacular Kiwi life, and did not want to avoid suffering. Even thinking about his context - NZ in a time that was filled with poverty Post war and the hard work of the land... these subjects have a deep relevance that in our modern western comfort we think we do not need.

C. McCahon. (1970). Scared. [Painting]. Te Papa. https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/763435

‘A stark, blackboard-like image, Scared contains a brief text scrawled in white: ‘I am scared / I STAND UP’. These two phrases go to the heart of McCahon’s preoccupations: a confession of existential anxiety, couched in the most direct language, followed by a resounding declaration of courage and faith. The sense of urgency is reinforced by the script, which is hastily applied, spattering dots of white paint against the dark background.’

I love this so much. The rawness in McCahon’s work is the communication of a real faith. A wrestling that chooses to trust God regardless. the way faith infiltrates and touches all aspects of life. Someone who had failed and had doubts and struggled and chose faith regardless, and honest as every Christian should be, revealed his need for the grace of God. I also love the way McCahon uses text, this ‘typographical’ work makes me think about the link to design and the use of type to communicate.

M. Bloem, M. Browne. (2002). Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith. Craig Potton Publishing. https://www.mccahon.co.nz/questionoffaith

#maori #nz artist #spirituality #artist with biblical connection #christian art #wrestle #word painting #words

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iffyswriting · 4 years

Text

Star Quality

Pairing: Pardison Fontaine x Black! Thick! OC

Summary: A story with some smut at the end. May give it a part two, I don't know yet.

I don’t know about y’all but that fine ass man right there got my ovaries on LOCK.

I blame my friend, Dom for this. She encourage the whortivity.

Anyway enjoy,☺🥴

The light shined bright on my face, my eyes slightly blinded. Anxiety rested in my chest as I looked over all the people in the stands. So many of them were screaming, pumped up with excitement. So many were screaming my name.

All these people here just to see lil ole me.

I searched through the crowd, hopeful to see his face but I knew he wasn't going to be here.

I wanted to be wrong but what's true is just what it is.

I blinked back my tears as I began with my first song of the night 'Heartbreak'. I started strong, singing my heart out as things went on my lyrics hitting closer to home.

My mama told me to stay away from the industry niggas.

If we both wanted a career, it'd never work she said. I didn't listen because I figured who better to understand me, than someone with my exact goals- we could be an it couple, we could be successful together.

I should've listened.

The year before.

"And you said we'd be late." I teased, taking my bodyguard, Tommy's hand as I stepped down from the car.

"You took your sweet ass time at the Hotel."

"My makeup is a whole regime- one lash out of place and my whole energy is off." I said matter of factually, pleased when he didn’t reply.

I looked up at the radio station, my heart swelling with happiness. I'd never been invited to do an interview before- I've never been famous before either. This year was full of firsts for me and honestly, I'm ready to accept it all.

"Nervous?"

"Not nervous- terrifyingly happy, I'll say."

"Those don't go together."

"A lot of things I do don't but I make it work." He chuckled to my side, his laughter easing my nerves.

Plopping into a chair, I bounced in my seat giving the biggest grin I could to everyone in the room. You could say I was a little too eager.

"We got brand new artist- Sincerity in the building!" He started off cupping his mouth to make an echo effect.

"Wassup y'all!" I said excitedly, my bubbly giggle bursting through.

"I see your animated this afternoon.”

"I'm grateful as hell to be here, that's why."

"We're just as happy to have you." He spoke returning my grin. "Let's talk about your new hit single, Black Jack that just hit number 2 on the top 100 in the U.S. and number 12 worldwide. How does it feel as a new artist to become this popular, this fast?"

"It feels so good and so unexpected. When I recorded it, I had high hopes but they never went up this high."

"I guess that's on me for having such low expectations," I said shaking my head.

"Could you tell me the meaning of the song? Give a little insight."

"Black Jack is about gambling with your life and all the decisions you want to make with so little time. Everything we do feels like we're playing a game of chance and I think my song with its fast-paced beat really gives you that feeling."

"Any inspirations?"

"You'd be surprised to hear this but I had such a huge mixture of music growing up." "Like from Lauryn Hill to Bjork, I was everywhere and I think that really shows in the songs that I make. I like to be versatile.”

The energy in the room shifted slightly and I braced what was he was going to say.

"So recently you've taken pictures with New York rapper, Pardison Fontaine." Tommy gave me a look and I sat up straighter, paying attention. Nervousness started to run through me because anything I say could be critical to my career.

Junior was a lot like other radio people, messy as hell because that's what people like to hear. They're interested in you but they're more interested in the drama that surrounds you because it creates traction.

My manager, Shanice couldn't come but she prepped me the night before telling me what to do.

"Yeah, we took them at Meg's birthday party! It was so much fun." I said nodding my head at the memory. " I took pictures with a bunch of other people too."

"But Pardi is in all of them, one way or another."

"We were sitting together. We talked throughout the party."

"About what?" Junior looked me in the eye, his slick smirk making me scoff. He was trying to get into my head but I stayed resilient.

"About business deals and music really," Pausing, I leaned into the mic closer continuing to talk.

"I can admit he cute or whatever," I said with an eye-roll, everyone else laughing with me.

"But there's literally nothing between us, I super duper promise," I say crossing my heart. " We're just friends- friends, who when they cross paths, take a whole lot of pictures and talk."

"That's it?"

"Dassit." I said quickly, laughing afterward. The disappointment in his face spoke volumes and He looked like he wanted to press further but he knew he couldn't. He moved onto the next question, my interview going much smoother.

Finally leaving the radio station, my phone started to buzz in my hands. I already knew he was gonna call me the minute it ended and I took my time to answer letting it ring a little longer.

"You make me sick."

"Now, I know that's a lie." Pardi, or Jordan as I called him said, I could practically see his smirk over the phone.

"You don't know shit."

"So, I'm just cute or whatever?"

"Ain't that what I said?"

"You've said more than that."

"I been lying." I admitted playfully

"That easily? Wowww-" He faked shock and I bit back a smile, scratching at my hand. Despite my dodging, he did make my stomach flip inside out and made me think things I know I shouldn’t have been.

"You seemed to be so tuned into the radio today- I thought you didn't listen unless you were on it?"

"I had to support my girl."

"I'm your girl? That's crazy."

"You always gonna be my girl." I let out a breathless laugh, my heart thumping in my chest like a drum.

"Okay, Jordan."

"Come see me." He said confidently making me raise an eyebrow.

"See you where?"

"At the studio. You know that's my second home." It was mine too and my mama was constantly down my throat about not being stable with my sleeping.

"Who else gon' be there?"

"Nobody. Just the two of us." Blinking, I opened my mouth trying to find a response.

"You plotting, you're trying to get me all alone."

"You gonna fall for the trap?"

"Maybe” Feeling frisky, I pushed harder. “I don’t feel so convinced, though.”

"If you come, I'll mix something for you."

"Something new?"

"Brand spanking new, baby." He slapped something for emphasis and I shrugged my shoulders like he could see me.

"I'm feeling a little persuaded-"

"I also happen to have some new music- you know I trust your judgment." He came to me for a-lot of things, whether it be a critique or some advice we talked about so much.

"Since you're begging me at this point, I'll show up."

"I can't wait." I could hear his grin and I couldn’t suppress my own anymore, full on biting my lip as a smiled.

"Don't cream your pants, now."

”I won’t even say what I’m thinking,” He chuckled. “See you in a second, Nelle.”

“Bye, Jordan. “ Clicking off my phone, Tommy stared at me- a smirk on his lips. The kind i absolutely hated.

"What?"

"Nose wide open over that boy."

"Just like I told Junior, I'm gonna tell you."

"We're just friends."

*********

Watching intently as his fingers danced over the keys, one by one he let my head lean on his shoulder. He made me feel so comfortable, his shoulder felt like a hard pillow.

"How long you been playing the piano?"

“A long ass time.”He thought for a second. “My mom’s wanted me to be productive with something and music became that something.”

"I want a kind of interlude, you know with the piano playing the back. Soften the soul you know?"

“Yeah, I can see it.”

I opened my mouth to sing a couple of notes as he kept going. He went up higher and I followed suit, going low when he went he low too. He found somewhere steady and I let my voice rest there with him, finishing softly.

The way he looked at me, his eyes trained on my face so hard it's like he was entranced. Being his center of attention made my heart swell.

"I ever tell you, how much I wish I could sing."

"You know how to hold a tune."

"Nah but if I could belt out like I want, I'd be all over the place."

"How you feel singing from your chest." Taking his hand I pressed it right to my breast, and looked him in his eyes.

"It's like grabbing something from within and pushing it out." I took one deep breath and then another his hand rising with each breath I took.

His hand slowly dragged up my neck to touch my cheek. He seemed hesitant at first but I leaned further into his hand, moving in closer.

We kissed softly to test the waters but we weren’t gentle kind of people. The second kiss felt more impassioned and aggressive, as I sighed behind his lips his touches all over my body jolting me.

He placed his hands on my waist pulling me onto his lap. With my legs on either side, I pressed my panties against his clothed shorts grinding on him so he could feel how wet he was making me.

"What we about to do here?"

“The fuck you think.” I said impatiently, swiping my gloss off his bottom lip even though I was going to stain it some more.

“I’m just wanna know before, we get too deep.”

"I know what I want."

"Do you?" Pressing my hand against his chest I started to unbutton his shirt, keeping up eye contact.

"I do."

Scrunching my dress up around my hips, he pushed my thighs apart pressing his fingers onto my clit. He was gentle swiping against it but I want him to be rougher.

He lined up his tip and slid inside making me gasp. I threw my arms over his shoulder, my fingers becoming entangled in his curls as I bounced on his dick our cum echoing in the room.

He gripped my ass, making me bounce faster.

Standing up from the chair, we kissed as he stroked up into me. My back hit the cold glass and something clicked on behind me but with how good he was fucking me I couldn't care less.

"You feel so fucking good-" One of his hands grasped my neck, the other touching the dip of my back to get in deeper. I bit back a smirk, my breasts heaving up and down as he picked up speed.

His deep groans of pleasure, rumbled in my ear and into the pit of my stomach.

I clenched around him slowing things down, his hand tightening it's grip. He guided my face up, sloppily french kissing me our tongues melding together. He pecked my lips one more time gazing at me.

“You gotta take it.” He mumbled, making me wrap my legs around his waist entrapping him.

I pushed him back onto his chair, plunging him back inside of me.

“I’m not the one who needs to take it.” I said breathlessly, kissing his neck lining hickies where his tattoos were.

His chest rose and he shuddered underneath me, his big hands on my back rolls guiding me clearly as I fucked him into the chair. My thighs clapped together and I moaned quietly stopping in my tracks as my orgasm started to crash onto the horizon.

He pushed my thighs back open, circling my clit so I could cum all over his dick. He pulsated inside me and every movement made me feel more sensitive as minutes ticked on.

“Gon head and cum.” He teased me, bringing our lips together once more. He swallowed back my moans, easing me into a steady lull of pleasure.

I came seconds later, a trembling mess. His name tumbled from my mouth in repeated chants, his strong arms surrounding my hips to keep me in place. He sat still in me, his own body barely holding on.

I couldn’t tell if you it was lust, or the fact I had in the palm in my hand but as I ground onto him knowing he was going to cum in me, the power and love I felt was unmatched.

He stopped trying to stop me, relishing in his satisfaction as he painted my walls white. His cum filled me up to the brim and I slid back watching it ooze out a little, the sweat on pooling my forehead sliding between my breasts.

He caressed each part of fat on my body the look in his eyes so intense, my heart barely matched it. He said 4 words that cemented everything and from there I was locked in.

“Let’s do this again.”

#pardison fontaine #pardison fontaine smut #itsiffysworld #fanfiction #rappers #imagine #pardi imagine

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swishy-imagines · 4 years

Text

Hey, so... y’all should rate my Piers playlist. And also inbox me songs you think I should listen to and add.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO3ZtIVn5amEOa5oLXP8OBnC8XlyUIBNB Currently it’s comprised of both songs I feel fit him as a character and also just ‘hey maybe he’d sing this idk’. I’m also head over heels for kbnz (no one is surprised) so there’s a lot of that in there. More info for each track under the cut:

1. it’s legit just his theme

2. It’s a really badass cover of his theme.

3. ALPHADog and OMEGAlomaniac: My friend Veronica really likes this song, and she could read a lot more into it than I could, but I think the lyrics are pretty piers-y. “Standing ovations or booze” sounds like a pun he’d come up with, and the whole thing is about the darker side of showbiz. Also, it totally works as a battle theme. 2:27 is when the opponent starts to dynamax. Come on

4: Just For Myself: Admittedly, this one is on here because it sounds cool. I haven’t read the lyrics yet. stan a3 tho

5: I thiiink this one is called ‘the living ghost is alive’ or smth. I don’t actually know anything about it, I just thought it would be a cool ‘vs Allister’ song. Or ‘duo battles with Allister’. Whichever. I think it was recommended by someone on a pokemon discord but I forget

6. Beat It (FOB bc ofc): Really good cover of the song, and the song itself kind of has Spikemuthy vibes if you think about it? I’m just in love with the guitar really. (I promise these track annotations get deeper)(eventually)

7. Bad To The Bone: I can’t imagine him actually singing this at a concert, but he totally sings it alone in his bathroom when he’s doing his hair.

8: Pour Some Sugar On me: “hey you know what you should do for your finale next time you’re up against Opal” “raihan I am going to wring your neck if you say one more word” . okay but here’s the actual concept: he uses this one in a battle against Raihan and changes the pronouns to get under his skin. Hey since when did Piers make so much eye contact when battling. He didn’t use sunny day why is it suddenly so hot in here

9. Michael: This is on the list because of Clarence. I will admit it. However, I will also ask you to consider it in a situation similar to the one above. Maybe when they get that no-dynamax rematch or something

10. Walk This Way: On the list because it’s a badass song

11. I Hate Myself For Loving You: On the list because it’s a badass song but also because of Raihan

12. I Love Rock ‘N Roll: On the list because it’s a badass song and also because he does

13. You Give Love A Bad Name: Specifically on the list because my trainer character uses an Intelleon, and I realized that. well. shot through the heart indeed.

14 and 15. We Built This City (Twice, For Emphasis): If I had to pick one song from this list to be his Official Character Song, I would pick this one. The ones past this have more meaning to me personally, but this one is the closest while also invoking the least conjecture on my part. This is canon Piers. He built this city on rock and roll, damnit

(also the NSP cover is the superior version sorry but Dan’s voice is the best of any human alive)

16. Too Bad You’re So Beautiful: This sounds a lot to me like a song he would write, even if it wouldn’t be a very personal one. “Too bad you’re so beautiful when I’m king of nothing” is the most personal line in the one, but he totally could have written the rest.

17. The Man Who Stole A Leopard Liepard: The kind of weird song idea I think he might stumble across, maybe with some influence from Clarence idk, and also him singing this would be a godsend.

18. Leave A Light On: Here we start getting into the deeper cuts. Song about imperfection, loneliness, and holding onto hope. The person he hopes he can be for those around him.

19. Excuses: This is like 16- a song totally in his voice- except it’s personal as FUCK. First of all there are two things this man does not have to spare and that’s time and money and sometimes you just gotta complain. At the same time it’s got the whole ‘shit am i using my circumstances to make excuses for my own behavior’ motif that totally he would worry about. And then at the end when he picks up the phone im SOFT ok. it’s 2am i am not qualified to be writing my thoughts about this song this late/early/sldkfjsdgl

20. Hold My Girl:

THIS SONG IS ABOUT MARNIE

21. When I Grow Up: “When did this become a playlist that had musical songs in it???” you ask, and I laugh. You have to listen to the full song for the effect you can’t just skip straight to it but 2:40 is when it hits, that’s when he comes in specifically. You can also have Matilda as Marnie if you want

22. Sheltering Sky: This is him from Marnie’s POV.

#pokemon #pokemon piers #piers #playlist #pokemon playlist #music #youtube #pokemon headcanons #please give me more songs to add!!! always looking for new tunes #also if you want an abbreviated playlist that sums up the vibes: 1 2 3 8 13 14 19 20 21 22 #more abbreviated would be 1 14 20 21 22 but that skips some vibes #please please please please please please listen to Sheltering Sky all the way through #please #i cannot stress this enough #listen to Sheltering Sky #thank you

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misha-moose-dean-burger-lover · 4 years

Text

Baker of All the Cookies in the Universe

Summary/Spoilers: Dean and Cas cry in their kitchen because they love their son too much, and Dean would like to be called Deanathon.

***

“I love you.”

Cas feels warm, familiar hands turning him around, and then Dean wraps them around his waist, pulling him closer with twinkling eyes. His entire face is lit up with a bright smile, and it’s doing wonderful things to Cas’s insides.

“You’re back soon,” Cas says, mirroring the smile, and slinging his own arms around Dean. He likes indulging Dean’s good spirits whenever he can, and Dean makes it easy anyways. His husband is not prone to a grumpy disposition, but he’s rarely hug-his-husband-hello-in-the-middle-of-the-day happy.

Kissing’s different, though.

“I had to be,” Dean answers, the smile seeming to seep into his voice. “Once I’d dropped the little munchkin off at Jody’s, I drove straight home. I had to tell you about this.”

If his voice weren't so joyful, Cas would've worried.

But he just raises his eyebrows, and Dean lets go of him, only to start prancing around the room as he speaks.

“Baking, Cas. That’s all I was up to!” He absentmindedly puts a knife out on the counter back in it’s stand, as he passes the slab where Cas had been making lunch. Babyproofing has become a muscle response. “And it’s not even like I planned it out! I wouldn’t have Jack’s first cookie-bake without you.”

Cas agrees, Dean wouldn’t, and nods. Dean’s been incredibly thoughtful about these things. Jack’s firsts, each one of them.

Cas loves that about him, more than he can express.

“I swear, all I did was think of baking a batch of chocolate chip for him to take to his playdate. Gentlemanly, and sweet. You’ve gotta get these values in at a young age, you know,” Dean rambles on, happily wandering off topic, until Cas urges him to proceed with the story, with an insistent tilt of his head.

Because as much as Cas’d like to hear Dean go off on the importance of chivalry being instilled in their son at the age of four, on any given day, he wants to hear what happened next, with his two favorite people in the whole world.

“I didn’t even know he was looking at me the entire time, Cas!” Dean excitedly declares, stopping right in front of his husband. “I thought he was playing with his word blocks, you know, those large unswallowable ones Sammy got him for Christmas! But guess not.” Dean beams, looking proud of himself. “Kid was more interested in watching me bake!”

“Did he help you?” Cas contributes, dimpling. Dean’s enthusiasm has always been contagious. Something about the eyes.

“No,” Dean waves his hand, dismissively. “I was already done, when I realized. Was taking out a tray, when he suddenly pipes up like, ‘Dean, are those cookies?’” Here, Dean slips into his best impression of Jack’s childish, high-pitched treble. “And I go, yeah buddy, you want one, and he goes, ‘but wasn't it all just white stuff in bowls before’, and I swear, Cas, he sounds so wonderstruck, like it’s magic, and I just -” Dean makes a giddy sound. Cas waits for him to at least finish the sentence, but all Dean manages is a sigh. “He’s perfect,” he ends up moving closer to Cas again.

This time, Cas does the hugging, tugging him close. “Oh, Dean.”

“And that’s not even the best part!” Dean gushes, and that’s the only word that can describe it.

His eyes still twinkle, and Cas wonders if they’re shining with happy tears. For the millionth time, Cas thinks about how incredibly lucky he is. He loves Dean so much - this breathtaking, kind man who can keep his calm through the worst things in life, lose so much and not break down, but also have tears in his eyes from a moment shared with his son. Cas is so, so grateful to have him in his life.

Dean goes on, unaware of how he’s making Cas’s heart sing with just his perfectly euphoric smile. “And when I tell him that that’s just how baking tends to go, he just goes, eyes all wide and baby blue like yours,” He does his Jack-voice again, softer. “‘Dean, do other people know about this?’ And I’m just like - I just - fuck, Cas, I love him so much.”

For the second time, Cas is robbed of the rest of the sentence, as Dean cuts himself off to bury his face in Cas’s shirt. Cas, in turn, gently puts his chin on Dean’s head, morphing it into a hug again. As Cas starts to fondly card his fingers through Dean’s hair, blond in the light of the kitchen, he keeps speaking.

“I don't know exactly why, but it just got to me, Cas. It hit home.” He mumbles, refreshingly confessive. “Maybe it was how he genuinely thought I was the only person who could bake, ever, or - you know what, I know he’s had cookies before, so just the fact that he had no idea how they’re made! He’s just - he’s so little, Cas, he’s so young, and he didn't even hesitate to think that I baked all the cookies in the entire world, and he’s just going to grow up to be so wonderful, Cas,” Dean’s voice seriously begins to quiver. Cas squeezes, tighter. “And we get to see it happen, Cas, and we get to make it happen. We’re going to raise him! We get to raise a kid, and we -”

He suddenly goes completely silent, and then there’s a mortified muffled choking sound, and Cas is almost entirely sure Dean’s trying to hold back a sob in his throat, and it’s just such an emotional moment, that all Cas can do is squeeze his own eyes shut and hug Dean close. If anyone ever did, he knows what Dean’s feeling.

“I had no idea before, did you,” Dean starts, with new resolve. His voice is a little garbled, because his words are uttered right into Cas’s sweater. “Mostly I was just excited for you, Cas. And of course, it'd be nice to have a little kid, someone who’ll call me dad. But I never realized all the other moments I was going to get, and all the other times he was going to make me happy - happy enough to cry, goddammit -” And his voice trails off again, swearing under his breath till he’s only just shaking in Cas’s arms, the overpowering emotion of crying subsiding, and Cas thinks he can hear Dean wiping his face with Cas’s sweater a moment later, but it’s okay.

Everything’s okay.

In fact, he’d even go as far as to say that everything’s perfect.

“Thank you for making me realize how much I wanted this, Cas,” Dean says, in a relatively mellow tone now, having shed off the high with the tears. But he still sounds blissed out, and peaceful, and it’s heavenly to hear. “Thank you for suggesting we adopt. And to be completely honest, I won’t ever thank you for convincing me to do it, 'cause I may be a dumbass in general, but it hasn't gotten to the point where you’d have to convince me into being the happiest man on the planet.”

“Dean,” Cas breathes out, pressing a kiss on his forehead as Dean pulls away, and straightens.

“But thank you for reminding me of what I’ve always, always wanted,” Dean repeats, staring into Cas’s eyes with such unbridled love, that Cas feels himself start to blush. “And thank you for getting it for us.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Cas returns, earnestly. “The two of you are the best things that ever happened to me, Dean. And I’m very thankful to the Universe too, and to you.” He has to pause, starting to feel his throat clog up as well, and Dean seems to sense this and puts a hand on Cas’s arm to comfort him, but it ends up wrecking him weaker because Dean cares so much, and just like that, a tear slips from his eye and Dean’s eyes are glittering again.

Crap, they’re so goddamn soft. They’re tearing up in the kitchen of their house in th suburbs, about cookies and children.

It doesn’t get any more domestic than this.

“And I’ve got to say,” Cas adds, after a beat, when they’re both more composed. “I’m sorry for you, that Jack doesn’t call you dad, if that was the primary driving force in the first place.” Dean tries to deny it, but Cas keeps going, half kidding. “On my part, I’m perfectly content with him calling us by our first names, but we could try to get him to call us dad if you’d like -”

“I don't need him to.” Dean laughs out, breathlessly happy. “He can call me Dean, or he can call me Dad, it doesn’t matter to me anymore. We don't have to get him to do anything about that, Cas. I love things the way they are.”

“If you’re sure,” Cas grins.

“Plus, if I got promoted to Dad, and you were Cas, it would totally seem like you were Jack's gorgeous single parent's boyfriend, and -”

“Excuse me,” Cas interrupts. “I don't think you get it. If you become Dad, I’m totally becoming Daddy.” He pauses. “Or wait, let’s consider this. What are your thoughts on being married to Jack’s Papa, Dean?”

“Hard pass.” Dean throws back, and Cas rolls his eyes.

“In any case,” He adds, shrugging, and still grinning. The heavy moment is all but gone, but the happy stays. “The only reason he doesn’t call either of us Dad, is only because our names are too easy. Dean, Cas, and Dad have equal number of syllables.” He crosses his hands on his chest. “So, I’m choosing to blame you and your obsession with shortening my name for the situation we’re in.”

Dean hums, pretending to be thoughtful. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m okay with calling you Castiel if you call me Deanert. Or better, Deanolas.”

Cas bursts out laughing at the latter, and pulls Dean back in, this time for a kiss.

“Don't like it? Fine, guess you get the right to veto.” Dean chuckles, right before Cas closes the gap. “What about Deanathon?”

And then Cas does the equivalent of shutting him up with a kiss, cupping his face and closing his eyes till the residue of Dean’s laughter has dissolved into a grin so wide it splits his face, and Cas gets to taste his happiness - and he gets to wake up next to him, and be married to him, and raise Jack with him, and he doesn’t need anything else to be happy.

So, Cas finally replies to the statement Dean had begun with, in the first place, just shifting the emphasis.

"I love you."

They move things out of the kitchen eventually, and end up making out on the living room sofa until Jody and Claire come to drop Jack back home.

The first thing Cas says to his son, when he enters, is that his Papa can bake too.

#destiel #deancas #destiel fluff #fluffy destiel #dean winchester #castiel/dean winchester #castiel #jack kline #jack is destiel's kid #adoption #married destiel #just so soft #fanfiction fluff destiel #supernatural #not spoilers #destiel hug

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hadestownmodern · 4 years

Text

Carnival

Hello this is Demeter and Theo’s time, thank you all for coming. I have some soft Orphydice on deck but you all know how I feel about our dear young Demeter

-Danielle

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

Theo sees her before he can hear her; Demeter, all wild curls and overalls, comes bounding over to his little honey stand waving a piece of paper in her hand. When she makes it across the market her smile consumes her, and she can barely manage greeting him with a hug before shoving the paper in his line of sight.

“Look at this!” She gasps, “Are you going? Do you want to go together? Please?” If he had planned on saying no to her, he isn’t sure he would have been able to. The excitement illuminates her, catches in the air around her in a way that would infect anybody in her path. She’s holding the flyer out still and she grabs his hand, puts it inside and closes his knuckles around it.

The flyer advertises a fair-one that comes to town every year, one that he and his family hadn’t been to in a long while. The hype of it all hadn’t seemed necessary; the same rides, food, games…he’d become occupied with other things, had been busy throughout these years helping his family turn their business around. He’d been so busy growing up that he’d forgotten the love of something that had always been such a staple of living in such a small community; things like this brought the world together, gave them a reason to celebrate.

“Have you been before?”

“No, I never got to. Nana tried-she tried a lot. But my mom always used to say things about dirt and germs and money being spent on pretty things that help you ‘show yourself’ which…explains private school perfectly.” Demeter shrugs, kicking her sandals off and sitting herself on her usual perch atop Theo’s cooler. He finds it hard to believe that the wild-natured girl had once been so spoiled, raised so intently on the value of placement in society.

“I wish you’d have gotten to see it as a kid. Some of my best memories are from this fair.”

“Which is why we have to go! Are you really going to deprive me of some of the best memories of your life?” the way she articulates her words, pushing her syllables out with emphasis on every other word, has Theo teasingly rolling his eyes at her. He holds his answer purposefully, watching as she impatiently taps her feet against the cooler.

“I don’t know, I’m pretty busy.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Yeah, I’ve just got a ton of work, I don’t know how I could ever get out of it.” Theo fails at his attempt to hide his smiling-Demeter tilts her head, watches as he awkwardly shrugs at her. He maneuvers around his little stand under the pretense of suddenly being very busy, shifting the crates of returned jars and adjusting his sign. While Demeter watches, he turns each jar on his table so the label is facing out, continuing a rant about how business is booming lately and his grandfather needs help with something she can’t quite understand. She hops up from her perch on the cooler and follows along behind him, sneakily turning the labels any which way. When he notices her he narrows his eyes, unable to stop a laughter that mirrors hers.

“I have a lot to do!”

“Okay.”

“I do!”

“Sure.” She raises an eyebrow at him, taps her fingers on the counter before swiping a bottle of honey from the back of his stock. She twists it open with a snap, dips her finger in and pops it in her mouth with a satisfying hum. “You’re really busy, and I had the best childhood ever. Come on, bee man, we have to go!”

“Only if you promise to buy me some cotton candy.”

“I’ll buy you twenty.”

“Deal.”

Demeter pumps her fist in success, freckled cheeks lifting with a wide grin as she brings one arm lazily around his waist in thanks. She’s a flurry of energy as she gathers her things; a soft, slightly flimsy blanket, a water bottle, and sandals she sticks in a worn canvas bag. She turns to leave but immediately whirls around, snatching the open bottle of honey from the counter.

“You’re stealing!” She throws her hands up in the air, looking at Theo from over her shoulder, airy and light.

“You’ll have to catch me if you want this bottle back!”

He watches her go, barefoot and waving at every person she passes, and tucks the flyer into the pocket of his apron.

They meet on a Mondy night; the rush of the Sunday farmer’s market is over, the clean-up, count, and re-stock typically taking a good portion of the day. Theo had finished even quicker in anticipation, washing and drying jars, stacking them on shelves.

“Where are you off in such a rush to?” His grandfather had smiled at him from his place at the sink, peeling potatoes and watching Theo check tasks off a list with ease. His grandson had never been lazy-not since the day he’d been born-but he’d also never been prone to working so quickly through his jobs.

“My friend and I are going to the fair, and I promised I’d meet her at her house in an hour.”

“Oh?” He picks his head up from his work, his grandfather. Years of working had brought thin lines to his features; across his forehead, in the space next to his eyes, and near the cheeks that bore the trademark dimples he’d passed down to Theo along with his name. They make his expressions sharper, more pronounced. Theo ducks his head as he watches the lines spread upward in question, unamused. “New friend?”

“Yeah, kind of. We’ve been friends for a little while now. She moved into the old farmhouse past the Clancy’s, where that sweet old woman used to take in all the cows that weren’t needing milking anymore.”

“I know the house. And you think this is a good idea?”

“Let him have his fun, Theodore.” It’s his grandmother’s sweet voice that comes around the corner, and Theo looks away instinctively from her pitying eyes. His grandmother’s hands, tiny and shrunken like her stature, reach as high as they can toward his cheeks, before falling on his hands instead. She clicks her tongue, waits for him to meet her gaze. She takes him in, all six and a half feet of him, and nods her head.

“You have fun tonight, Teddy.” She brings his big hands to her lips, kisses them softly. “And you be safe!”

---

She’s ready when he gets to the little farmhouse, visible through the window as he pulls into her graveled driveway. When she sees him coming she hops up, disappears for a moment before flinging open the door, waving. He hasn’t even gotten out of the car before she’s gotten in, throwing her house key in the cupholder.

“Let’s go, bee man!” She pumps her fist, exuberant as he backs out of her driveway, Theo shakes his head as she sings loudly to the radio, bops along to the familiar chords of an acoustic guitar. The ride only lasts for three songs, all of which are belted with the feeling of a performance. He drums lightly on the steering wheel and Demeter sings into her fist, stopping only to pretend to strum a guitar with careful passion.

When they park she hops out of the car, runs to his side and waits impatiently for him to unbuckle. She’s dancing, this time to the muted sounds of the band that’s set up halfway across the fairground. Demeter’s grinning from ear to ear, still singing, grabbing hold of his hand only to reach up on her toes, pushing his side to spin him around. He isn’t much of a mover built so tall and muscular, but he shuffles his body along with hers with about as much grace as he can muster. She wraps both arms around one of his when the song ends and moves quickly toward the entrance.

It’s a lot to take in, the lights and the crowd of people, and Demeter stops for a moment to let her wide eyes soak everything up. Her lips are parted in the beginnings of a soft gasp, completely entranced by the rickety rides and the smell of fresh buttered popcorn from a nearby stand. Then, she’s gone; he follows her rapid footsteps just as she’s fished a stack of dollar bills from her bag, placing them on the counter and giving the cashier a bright, slightly mischievous smile.

“So, here’s the thing.” She leans effortlessly against the counter, gaze cast at the gigantic cotton candy machine. “My best friend here-you probably know him, he knows everybody around here-said that he’d come here with me if I bought him twenty cotton candy’s. The thing is, I don’t think we could eat twenty all in one night and there’s also popcorn that needs to be eaten. So I was hoping that maybe, if you’re up for a challenge, you could try something for me.”

She looks back at Theo before leaning closer to the cashier, speaking low and intelligible. He takes only a moment to think, then shrugs and puts her money in the register. Demeter bounces on her toes as she watches the man get to work, masterfully twirling the large paper cone in the wide, circular machine. When he’s finished, she’s handed a wad of cotton candy bigger than her head.

“Better than twenty?” She takes a big bite, puffy candy hanging from her lips before dissolving. She holds the cone out to him with a sideways nod of her head. He takes his bite and Demeter bops the cone of candy against his nose.

“Better than twenty.”

“I’ve never had this before.” She rips off another piece, stopping mid-air as Theo’s jaw drops.

“You’ve never had cotton candy?”

“Nope.”

“Ever?”

“Never.” Demeter shrugs, holding the cone out to him once more. “The upper crust of society frowns upon cotton candy and fun, especially fairs.”

“Do they also frown upon wearing your own clothes?” He teases. Demeter sticks her tongue out, backs up from where they’re walking to strike a dramatic pose. She’s modeling one of his sweaters, a burnt sort of orange color that falls just above her knees. She’s paired it with slightly worn brown boots; simple, yet bold on the girl who spins lightheartedly in front of him.

“You left it at my house!” Her argument is just as teasing as his call-out, a shrug and a brush of her hair from her face. There’s a catalogue of his things there now, shirts and socks and even a blanket. “I can give it back.”

“That’s okay,” He holds out his hand again, gestures to a row of carnival games. “I don’t need it.”

They play for a while, Demeter’s competitive side showing as they take turns at knocking over a pile of neatly arranged cans, a stuffed elephant the sole focus of their attention. They aren’t sure who chose it first, the white animal decorated with primary colors, but once it’s been decided the pair hangs around the carnival game without so much as another thought.

They egg each other on, taking turns swiveling between trash talk and cheering as they attempt to knock every bottle down. As they win smaller prizes, candy and smaller toys, Theo wheels around and hands them to a group of children that had come to watch. They cheer, too-whether it’s for their win or a loss that will bring them more toys is debatable. Demeter’s in the middle of a long string of tongue-in-cheek mocking when Theo hits the center of the pile, causing all the cans to topple over. She jumps, waves her hands and lets her smile double uncontrollably as Theo holds the head-sized elephant out to her.

“First prize for the baby.” He says. He’s so proud, so enraptured by the moment that all she can do is smile back convincingly, unable to find her focus as he leads her to the ferris wheel. She holds the toy on her lap, nodding to the inflections in his voice. As the ride begins to move, he quiets.

“Something’s wrong.” It’s not a question; he’s known her long enough now to see the sudden change in her demeanor, the way some of the light has disappeared from her eyes.

“It was negative again…I meant to tell you Sunday, but….”

“Are you okay?”

“I just…thought having a baby would be easier. That’s what they teach you in private school-that’s all they teach you. But I think I’m making it harder on myself. I know it’ll happen, I can see it. It hasn’t even been that long…I just need to relax a little bit.”

“Words I thought I’d never hear you say.” She wrinkles her nose, pushes her side against his in defiance. The wheel whirs upward and the pair watches the ground move away from their feet. Demeter turns, watches as he stares at the lights that light the sky around them, whirring in their multicolored show. He seems lost, in a way, and she wonders if he can feel the disappointment she tries so desperately to shake from her veins. The wheel stops right as their carriage hits the top, and they lean against the railing.

The fairgrounds aren’t as sprawling as he’d remembered, their magic having disappeared with time and familiarity. What once had felt like crowds of thousands had dissipated; from this vantage point he can see where they’d danced-where Demeter had stopped in the middle of the crowd and looked up at the lights just turning on to illuminate the places that dusk had begun to darken. He can see where she’d pulled him by the hand, asked to go on the tilt-a-whirl immediately after their feast of cotton candy. He can see where the sugar high had led them to stand apart, tossing popcorn into each other’s mouths.

The seemingly worn-out experiences had been renewed with his company, who leans over the safety bar, pointing and narrating, unable to take in the whole scene at once. The slight breeze rustles her hair, brushes her nose and cheeks with a pink that matches the softness of her features. She hides her hands in the sleeves of his sweater, already a monstrous thing on her small frame. It’s a picture all in itself, the way she brings things to life with her wide eyes and exuberant narration. When the ride starts whirring again she settles herself back against the seat, and he softens at the feeling of her head on his shoulder. It takes Demeter a moment to collect herself, bringing her knees to her chest and her body pressed against his side.

“Hey, at least we’re here, right? I might not have a baby yet, but I’ve still got you.” She sighs, content, and the wheel begins to make another ascent.

#hadestown #hadestownmodern #young demeter #demeter and bee man #she started calling him bee man too it's fine #my apologies to Oli and Annika they know the true ending to this fic I just can't write it #demeter #theo

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johntwick · 4 years

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When It’s Over

A/N: I guess this is kinda a part two to my last fic. Not really though, i’m just picturing the same reader and relationship.

Reading time: 6 mins Word count: 1.3k

The lights shone bright and surrounded you and John walked around New York City late one night. Three-years into the relationship and his hair had grown longer and your love for him had gotten stronger. Hand-in-hand, you smiled watching John talk about his newest purchase, a 1969 Mustang. He was so vibrant, using his free hand to put emphasis on how powerful the engine was. You giggled and John just smirked at you.

“I’ll take you for a ride in it soon. You’ll end up loving it more than me.”

You rolled your eyes and squeezed his hand harder.

You felt so lucky to be dating John. He had told you about being an assassin, but growing up with a father like yours it didn’t really phase you that much. In fact in some fucked up kinda way it made him hotter, knowing he could always protect you. There was also the fact that he could please you like no one else. Your sex drives were so high in the beginning it was unbelievable. Always sneaking off for a quickie, morning love making, sucking him off when he’d sitting on the couch and of course just plain old rough fucking.

It had calmed down but for some reason his longer hair set yours off again, which of course caused his to follow suit.

John was also just really caring; offering his jacket when you were cold, buying you things all the time, making sure your needs were met first, taking care of you when you were sick and the list goes on. It always sucked when he had to leave, it left you cuddling with his pillow and hoping he was safe. You knew that John was a very feared man, but you still worried. The act of cleaning his wounds and stitching him up had become a regular intimate interaction between the two of you.

“Why are you so quiet? You’re never so quiet.” John questioned you.

You swung out and grabbed John’s other hand with yours. You looked behind you to make sure you wouldn’t fall as you walked backwards. His grip on yours hands tightened and you let out a laugh, noticing that he noticed you were nervous about falling.

“I just love you so much! I’ll even scream it to the world!” You cooed at him.

“Please don’t.”

You let out another fit of laughter as you took a deep breath. Before you could yell anything John had a hand over your mouth and you against a wall. He squinted his eyes at you as you looked up in innocence. Since he wasn’t releasing his hand you licked his hand causing him to pull away. John wiped his hands on his jeans, shaking his head at you. You reached up and wrapped your arms around his neck.

“My beautiful, gorgeous, sexy man. I never voice how lucky I am to have you.” You laid your head on his chest. When you looked up John was blushing.

He loved praise, especially when it came from you. It fueled his ego. With you though he still blushed every time. John wrapped his arms around you, totally forgetting you were in public. He pressed a kiss to your forehead before pulling away.

“I love you too. Let’s go back to your place, I have a surprise for you. Should I hail a cab?”

“Surprise huh? Hmm, no it’s nice out and I like walks.” You knew he was dying to give you a surprise. You could tell all night with how excited and nervous he looked. So why not torture him some more?

John huffed, grabbed your hand and you both started towards your apartment. You both joked with each other and messed with each other as you walked. You pulled away to start singing to him when a car pulled up, tires screeching as someone rolled down the window and shot multiple times.

John yelled at you to get down, grabbed his gun that he kept in the waistband of his jeans, aimed and shot back. He knew he got one of them men as the car took off. He ran into the road to see if he could get any good shots but when he couldn’t he turned to you.

“YN, you good?” The scene John saw almost made him throw up.

You laid there on the pavement almost out of conscious with blood everywhere. He sprinted towards you. John fell to his knees the minute he got to you and tried to figure out what was wrong.

Three gun shot wounds. One in your right shoulder, one in your left thigh and one in your lower abdomen. John didn’t have enough hands and was starting to freak out. He pressed down hard on the shot to your abdomen and started speaking to you.

“YN, can you hear me? You’re gonna be okay I promise.” He looked up to find a woman calling the police.

Quickly he took one hand away and brought it up to your neck. Your pulse was weak, very weak.

“Baby look at me, your gonna be alright.” His voice broke.

Your eyes fluttered open as you tried to look at him and then they shut and then finally open again. This time staying open. A sob left John’s mouth as he checked for a pulse again — nothing.

Immediately he began chest compressions, begging you to open your eyes. You were both just laughing and flirting with each other. How does something change so fast. John willed the tears away as his hands moved up and down at a steady pace.

The sirens of the ambulance blared out throughout the city and he looked up at you again. He hoped they could help you, they could save you and maybe protect you because apparently he doesn’t do any of those. A tear finally cascaded down his face as grunts left his mouth.

“You’ll be ok, I know you will.”

He was shoved aside as the paramedics got you into a gurney. They asked if John wanted to come but he declined. He didn’t want to be there if you were pronounced dead. The ambulance headed towards the hospital as John looked down at all the blood on his hands. So many people he’d killed, so much blood on his hands, but he never thought your blood would be on his hands. John was angry now. He was going to kill the men who hurt you.

When John got to the hospital he found your father already sitting there waiting. His head was in his hands as he wept. This was weird for him. He knew your father but not close enough where he felt like they’d be sitting together in a hospital barely holding it together. John made his way over and sat next to him.

“I shot one. If that means anything, one of them has paid.”

Your father lifted up his head. It was weird seeing a strong and almost unfeeling man be so emotional. His eyes were red and there were red marks from where his palm had been digging into his face.

“Thank you Johnathan. You did the best you could.”

Your father put his hand on Johns shoulder but dropped it as he felt him tense.

“I was going to propose to her.”

Just as your father opened his mouth to say something else a Doctor walked in calling your surname. Your father stood up and jogged over to the doctor as John fought the urge to run over there too. All the time he had hope you would make it. So much hope. Yet all that hope went down the drain the minute he saw your father let out a wail and the doctor shaking his head, a remorseful look on his face. John felt cold as he realized he’d never get to touch you or have a future with you ever again. He looked at the blood on his hands.

You were dead.

#John Wick#john wick x reader #there will b a part 2

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kimjongdaely · 5 years

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Mismatched Destinies [Chapter 1]

Fantasy!AU, Royal!AU, Arranged Marriage!AU

Pairing: Chen x Reader

Warnings: Language, violence, maybe future smut

Summary: Your kingdom has been invaded. While trying to run from your pursuers, you accidentally fall down into the “Monster’s Realm.” But they might just be your only hope to fight back.

Prologue│Chapter 1│Chapter 2│Chapter 3│Chapter 4│Chapter 5

You can feel drips of cold water fall onto your cheek, effectively waking you up. As you do, you see flashes of white, pinks and purples scurry away from you. Groaning, you clutch at your head, trying to remember what happened.

Feeling yourself, you don’t think you’re hurt, which is a miracle. You happened to land on a bed of moss which cushioned your landing, but a fall that big should’ve hurt you somehow. You wave the puzzlement away, just glad you’re okay.

The flashes of colors appear again, and upon better inspection, you find little mouse-like creatures coming out from their hiding places in the crevices of the rocky walls. Their eyes glow faintly in the dim lighting, looking at you curiously. You’ve never seen creatures like them before.

“Hello.” You whisper, pushing yourself to stand. “Uh, do you know how to get out?”

They squeak cutely, scurrying around as if both curious and scared of you. You can’t help but smile. As you take a step forward, they immediately back away, heading deeper into...a rocky tunnel. It gets darker, and you don’t really want to follow.

“Um, is there no other way out?” You ask them, wondering if they can even understand. “I need to go ‘up.’” You point upwards, at the light from where you fell.

They squeak harder, still going deeper into the tunnel as if leading you. Their glowing eyes allow for a source of light through the darkness. Sighing, you follow, since it’s the only path you see.

The tunnel seems to go on forever. If it weren’t for the glowing eyes and constant squeaking to reassure you, you think you might’ve given up and gone back the other way.

The dark makes you shiver, and down here it’s surprisingly cold.

At last, you see light at the other end. The creatures’ squeaking gets louder and more excited. You break into a run, eager to get out of this suffocating tunnel.

You blink and squint against the burst of light as you finally get out, the creatures scurrying away and before you knew it, they’re gone. You’re alone now, feeling unsure and uneasy.

You realize you’re still underground, despite how bright it is down here. You think you’re under that big mountain.

But down here...it’s amazing.

You stand amongst a beautiful forest, a distinct path leading through it. The light is warm and comfortable, and you find a flurry of flowers growing around you—flowers you’ve never seen before. They don’t exactly look like the flowers growing above-ground. Little orbs of light—similar to fireflies, but you can’t tell exactly what they are—floats about. They move and shift and follow you as you move.

This place seems nothing like your home above-ground. It’s more...magical. More dream-like. Much more beautiful and calming.

Heading down the path, you keep a cautious eye out for anything threatening. So far you’ve only seen a bunny-like creature with antlers hop by. You can hear birds singing...except they sing actual words. You can only catch glimpses of their songs:

...future...set...change...

...mismatched...destiny...lovers...

You decide their songs don’t make much sense.

As the trees lessen and open up to a more airy path, you find a form sitting against a tree trunk. Cautiously, you slow down, taking small, quiet steps towards it.

It looks like a man. He wears something that resembles a uniform your guards or soldiers did, though it looks much more casual. He has no armor on, just a black button-up shirt and a brilliant red cloak covering most of his upper body, a gold crest clipping it in place around his shoulders. In fact, if it weren’t for the crest, he might’ve been mistaken as a bandit.

His dark hair curls over his right eye, and he looks asleep. Comfortably so as the dappled light dances across his features.

You wonder who he is, or who he serves. You’ve never seen the crest before—a bird-like creature that resembles nothing you’ve seen, surrounded by what looks like tongues of fire. You wonder if he’s friend or foe, but if he lives down here, maybe he could become a friend.

You walk up to him, and he doesn’t wake up. You’d think a guard—or whatever he is—would be more alert. “Um, sir? Excuse me, sir.”

He cracks an eye at you, and you gasp immediately.

His eyes.

They glow a strange crimson, a mixture of reds that keeps shifting continuously.

You back away, trembling.

He smiles, a lazy and amused smile as he sits up, getting a better look at you. He ruffles his hair, still looking half-asleep. “Hey. What’s a human doing down here?”

“I-I...” You struggle for words, still unable to tear your eyes from his strange ones. “What are you?”

He chuckles, a deep rumbly sound that makes you shiver. He folds his arms behind his head, crossing a leg over the other and shaking it gently to an unknown rhythm. “Me? I’m a monster, sweetie. So,” he breathes out pleasantly, “What’re you doing down here, in the Monster’s Realm?” He eyes your clothes, the pretty dress you wear, and you feel very self-conscious under his scrutinizing gaze. “Looks like you’re a noble or a royal, hm?”

“I...” He doesn’t know you, which is good. A monster, he says? You’ve never heard of a ‘Monster’s Realm’ before. Still, it’s hard not to believe him when you’re in a strange place underground, staring at his glowing red eyes. You decide to lie, hoping he might put down his guard around you. “I’m a noble. I accidentally fell down here and need to find a way back. Can you help me?”

“Hm.” He hums, watching the leaves rustle as a breeze blows. An easy smile reappears on his face. “Sure. I was just getting bored sitting here all day.” He stands, brushing himself off. You thought he might be taller, but he stands at a normal height, not exactly threatening. He smiles again. “The name’s Jongdae. You?”

You don’t want to tell him your real name. His eyes remind you of... “Ruby.” You blurt out. His smile widens, cocking his head at you and for a horrible moment you think he might’ve seen through you. But then he nods, stretching.

“Alright then, Miss Ruby. Let’s get going, yeah?” He leads you down the forest path, and a little while longer you enter a pretty town. He stops at the entrance, turning towards you with the same grin. “Welcome to Flurin Town. Now, try not to stray too far from me. Not all monsters are friendly towards humans.”

You don’t need to be told as you eye some monster passerby warily. There are monsters with too many horns, too many eyes and too many limbs all about. It’s difficult to look at, and you try to keep the shivers down.

As you follow Jongdae—closely—through town, you can’t help but notice the monsters eyeing you carefully. You avoid eye contact whenever you can.

He leads you to a small inn, the place looking a bit rundown, but friendly enough. The sign reads: Cinna Inn.

“What’re we doing here?” You ask him. “I thought you were going to show me the way out.”

“Yeah, well.” He shrugs, holding the door for you. “The only way out is guarded by the King himself. You need to talk to him in order to get through. The castle is quite a ways though, so it’d be best for you to sleep here for tonight.”

You frown, but accept his answer. You walk into the inn and a wave of...cinnamon? hits your nose the second you enter.

Jongdae heads straight for the reception, his smile lazy and friendly. “Hey, Bon!”

“Well, well.” The receptionist—a surprisingly tall and furry bunny-like monster—rolls her eyes at him. “What’s the trouble-making sentry doing here?”

“Aw, Bon.” He leans on the counter slyly, an innocent look on his face. “What’s wrong with visiting a friend? Also, I need a room.”

Bon raises a brow. “You? You live, like, down the street. Why do you need a room?”

“Not for me, sweetie.” He gestures at you, and Bon looks at you with surprise. “For this girl.”

“Oh! A...a human!” She exclaims, blinking as if she can’t believe her eyes. “I...I’ve never seen a human before...Wow.”

You manage a smile and a small wave, words failing you at the moment. You can’t believe you’re talking to a bunny either.

Bon composes herself, now eyeing you with suspicion. “What’s a human doing here? I don’t recall humans being able to get past the barrier.”

“She said she “fell.”” He gives a strange emphasis to the word. “Wants to find a way back up. But hey, getting a room for the night is the best thing to do right now.”

Bon takes another good look at you before shrugging her shoulders. “Alright, fine. I don’t usually ask about my customers. But mark my words, Jongdae, if you bring trouble for me, I’ll skin you alive.”

“No trouble.” Jongdae promises, raising his hands in surrender. “No skinning.”

Bon nods, seemingly pleased with his answer. She opens a drawer, pulling out a key with a number tag on it. She hands it to him. “Room 210. That’ll be 50 Reds.”

“Reds?” You repeat, puzzled. Jongdae pulls out a small pull-string bag, pouring some of its contents out. He counts 50 of the smooth, red, pebble-like stones.

“It’s our currency,” he says. “These are called Reds.” He shows you one. It sparkles prettily, not made of any material you recognize. “I think it’s similar to the ‘gold’ you humans value.”

“It’s not a very creative name.” You murmur, handing it back to him. Though 'gold’ is not a very creative name either. You add, “Thanks, um, I’ll find a way to pay you back.”

Jongdae smiles easily, shrugging at you as he puts his bag away. “Sure, sweetie.”

You narrow your eyes at his tone. He sounds like he’s mocking you, like he doesn’t believe you can pay him back. No matter what, you are still a princess. Albeit an on-the-run princess.

He sees the look in your eyes and his smile widens. “Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”

You follow him up a flight of wooden stairs, down the hall. The smell of cinnamon lingers.

He stops at the room 210, handing you the key. “Here we are. Have fun.” He tips an invisible hat at you, and then walks away.

You blink, and he’s gone. You’re surprised at how fast he moved. You unlock the door, taking a look at your room. It’s well-kept and looks pretty clean. It has a musty smell though, but you can get used to it.

Theres a single bed off to the right, next to the window. There’s a small couch attached at the foot of the bed, facing a TV set. To the left is a vanity table against the wall with a large round mirror. The bathroom is right beside it.

You sigh, sinking down on the bed. It’s pretty hard, but it’s something. Now that you’re alone and have a moment to process everything, you feel like crying. You can still imagine the fire, the blood. Can hear screams, the begging, the sobbing.

You put your face in your hands, trying to stop the trembling, the fresh memories.

Oh, what are you going to do now?

Prologue│Next Chapter

Mismatched Destinies Mini Masterlist

A/N: I am freaking INTO this world-building asdkdj I’m so hyped for this. I hope you’re enjoying the fic so far! Please tell me what you thought!

Tags: @skjdln @meryljill-111192 @bloopbloopkai @solarsa @alwayslietohidethetruth @typicalpeople @weirdsofagirls

Tell me if you want to be tagged!

©kimjongdaely

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