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xervn · 2 months

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like a french girl 🎨

part 2 - like a | art major ellie x dance major reader

first chapter | next chapter

ao3

summary: ellie had been struggling with finding the perfect model for her art final. that was until she saw you

18+ MDNI | 3.7k words | tags; college au, pining, still sfw for now, texting, no use of y/n, not proofread

a/n: if you're not imagining the prof as nick offerman you're not doing it right.

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The song finally ends and all the other dancers in the studio scatter, just as breathless and exhausted as you are, leaving the room reeking with sweat and the remnants of unbridled passion.

You try to steady your breathing, leaning forward with a hand bracing your thigh, fanning yourself off by pulling at the collar of your tee. Today’s practice was more exerting than usual, especially since you were the one leading it.

You might’ve showed off a little because you overheard some of your classmates undermining your talent; claiming they could do your own choreo better than you can. It wasn’t like what they said bothered you, however, you needed to set the record straight.

You’ve always been an amazing dancer, you have the awards, the scholarships to prove it. You’ve scraped your knees bloody to get to this point in your life. You weren’t gonna let a few shit talkers ruin a great thing. So, yeah, you’re absolutely winded because you wanted to prove a point, but you don’t regret a second of it. The looks on their faces was enough to clear any doubts for the rest of the year, for sure.

You drag your feet over to your stuff huddled in a corner, dodging past everyone else in a rush to leave. You pick up your water flask, taking a much needed chug. Mid-drink, you hear the doors of the now empty studio swing open and you swivel around only to see Dina in her black leotard, clutching her bag on her shoulder as she jogs towards you with a suspiciously wide smile.

“Hey, D. You don’t look like you want anything at all.” You say sarcastically, scoffing as you set your bottle down.

“Oh, come on! I can’t see my best friend?” Dina asks, resting her hands on her hips. All you can do is stare at her with an unmoving expression of doubt, folding your arms with a perked brow.

“My best-est friend in the whole world. Ever.” Dina adds on.

You don’t think Dina could make it any more obvious so you decided to wrap it up yourself. “Dina, what is it? I swear to god if you say Jesse…”

The expression on Dina’s face pointed in every direction that it’d be about him. You groan, amazed that you’re having this conversation again. She’s been pestering you for weeks now about meeting this “amazing” guy she’s been recently dating. She insisted that he’d be like another gal pal, but obviously you doubted that. You’re sure he’s as great as Dina says, but you find it awkward to meet him like that anyways.

“Just hear me out!” Dina practically begs, clasping her hands together and everything.

“Dina— I love you, but I don’t wanna be a third wheel for an hour.”

Her wide grin returns, looking oddly ecstatic to hear you bring that up. “Okay, well, what if I told you that you won’t?”

You already told yourself you made up your mind the minute this conversation started, but you gesture for her to continue anyway.

Dina’s face lights up as she goes on, “Jesse’s going to bring his friend too, then it’ll be the four of us!”

You’re not sure how to feel, it does cancel out the one annoyance you had, but now it sounds like a straight double date. The thought alone makes you cringe a bit.

Dina can tell, rolling her eyes before speaking, “His friend’s a girl, and she’s cool.”

You just silently make out an ‘oh’ and Dina snorts at your expression. Well, now there’s nothing keeping you from going, but you don’t feel like letting Dina have this one that easily, so you intensely rub your chin as if there’s something else to be considered.

“I’ll buy you food! Cinnamon rolls!” Dina exclaims with a hint of desperation. You giggle and stop the act, finally giving Dina a smile and a nod. She’s already pulling you in for a sappy hug and you return it with an eye roll, making sure she doesn’t go too crazy now that she’s finally convinced you.

“So, when are we doing that?” You ask.

“Today. You're so sweaty, gross.”

“Rude— Today?!”

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After a nice shower and a trip to a small on-campus bakery, it was time to go meet Jesse and his friend with Dina. Just to make conversation, you tell Dina about your embarrassing encounter last night as you two walk around campus.

“You mooned a stranger?! Listen, when I said you should hook up with someone while I was gone, I meant through a party or an app. Not the window!” Dina exclaims, not even attempting to hide the amusement in her voice.

Honestly, you were amused by the situation too, it was hard not to be. “Shhh… I didn’t moon her, she just happened to be there. Plus, my ass was mostly covered.” You reply with a playful grin before biting into your promised cinnamon roll. You didn’t really have anything to be embarrassed about, either way it’s an emotion you deal with often. First of all, you’re a dancer; you’ve tripped during a routine before, danced a few humiliating moves. It’s a part of the process. Second of all, your ass is fucking great and we’re ending on that note.

Dina tsks and shakes her head at you in pretend disappointment. Unable to take her seriously, you dissolve into laughter.

You two walk across the courtyard and into the school commons; a tall and open building, with the walls of it being large windows. For the time of day, it wasn’t that busy. You decide to scope out the small crowd, and play a little game with yourself to see if you can find out who Dina’s man is before she tells you.

Not him. Definitely not him. Maybe him? Nah. Who is that?

“Over there!” Dina taps your shoulder excitedly and points in the distance, but you were already looking that way.

There was a girl, maybe an inch taller than you in a black, patch-covered varsity jacket that definitely didn’t fit her, facing a taller guy that looked exactly like Dina’s type. You weren’t positive why you were drawn that direction, all you knew was that there was something vaguely familiar about that girl. You tried to put the pieces together, but you gave up not even two thoughts later; shrugging it off.

The guy looks towards you and Dina, smiling brightly as he beckons you two over. Dina links arms with you and drags you along before you can even acknowledge it. As you two start approaching, the mystery girl finally turns around and offers a small smile to Dina, only for it to drop the second she lays eyes on you.

Your eyes lock on hers and you’re absolutely mortified. It was definitely that girl. Y’know, the one you saw through your window? That girl. Even if you didn’t see her all that well last night, the struck look on her face gave her away. This funny situation was getting less and less fucking funny as you and Dina stride closer. The panic starts to override your sensory abilities, the unusual feeling etching into your thoughts. Maybe you should just own it? Pretend you don’t remember? Should you run away? You think you should—

“— meet Jesse!” Dina says, looking at you expectantly. You were so lost in your own thoughts that you didn’t notice you stopped walking. Now the girl is way closer than she was last night. You could keel over and die now, really.

It’s not like you’ll see her again. You wish you could turn back time and slap yourself for jinxing you like that. You glimpse up at her, and, fuck, she was looking back at you. You guys needed to stop doing that. Even worse, she’s just as hot as you were hoping she wasn’t. The hair, the outfit, the decorated carabiner hanging off the loop of her jeans? She’s a fucking lesbian wet dream.

You whip your head away, and unbeknownst to you, she’s still staring; gawking, even.

For Ellie, ever since you walked up, all that’s been going through her head was, ’I wanna draw her’ over and over again. Seeing you up close was even better than she could’ve ever imagined. Your… everything was better than she imagined. She initially locked eyes on you when you were still passing the courtyard and she was in awe of that smile of yours. She was obsessed with how you laughed, how you threw your head back as you did. For a moment, she wondered what was funny. For a moment, she thought about what she’d give to hear it. She had to look away and face Jesse so her whole body didn’t turn red from just watching you.

She only understood the gravity of the situation when you finally approached. What were the chances you were Dina’s friend? You were really in front of her now, an arm distance away. She has literally never been happier to go out before. She was genuinely glad Jesse dragged her out here for once.

For as long as she could, she admired you; already color-matching the shade of your skin, your eyes. Appreciating the plumpness of your lips, how expertly your gloss spread across them. She wants to appreciate more of you, but from the way you looked away from her, she worries you might think she’s a pervert and honestly, you’d be well within your rights to think so.

Ellie catches her stare, dipping her attention onto her feet instead. You catch the sheepish action in the corner of your eye and it automatically tells you everything you need to know. If she hadn’t seen anything, she wouldn’t be acting like that, right? Let alone remember you. You wish you weren’t agonizing over this, catching these little traits was only making things worse.

It’s painful; the situation. The whole thing didn’t even cross your mind until recently. You can’t make eye contact with anyone in front of you anymore, so you nervously say hello along with your name while looking out of one of the several windows.

Dina forces a smile, since she already introduced you herself, giving you a quick ‘what the fuck’ look on her face before turning back to Jesse who still hasn’t caught a whiff of the tension. Your behavior was incomprehensible. You’ve never acted this way around new people. The whole reason Dina begged you to come was because you were so personable, so you can only imagine her confusion now.

Jesse and Dina exchange looks before Dina attempts to continue the convo. “So, Ellie, what’s your major again?” Ellie. Now the (extremely good-looking) face has a name, great.

“Uh, drawing. Art.” Ellie says, awkwardly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as her eyes darted everywhere but you. You were making it awkward, she was making it awkward, and all for different reasons.

Dina nods along to Ellie before saying, “Oh, really? Didn’t think you guys left your rooms.” Dina teases, slow-turning to Jesse who already has a fist bump waiting for her.

Ellie shakes her head with half a smile. “Ha, ha. Very funny. Yeah, I guess I needed some sunlight.”

“Yeah, right. I had to bribe you out with a DC comic.” Jesse chirps in, his tone taking a dramatically repulsed turn.

Ellie immediately punches him in the arm, “You haven’t even read the comics, asshole.”

Jesse’s hand shoots up to soothe the spot as he laughs.

“Well… I think DC is better than Marvel if you ignore the movies.” You spit out and Jesse and Dina are immediately groaning at your comment. The only reason you said anything was because you felt inclined to take Ellie’s side since they were ganging up on her. Not to mention you might’ve traumatized her, so you might as well attempt to make buddy-buddy. You weren’t lying though, you read enough comics in middle school to know; even if your appearance and style might’ve indicated otherwise.

Ellie teeters at the side, not expecting you to speak at all, let alone take her side. She didn’t think she deserved to hear you speak more than she has already, but here you were, making her blush over a silly shared interest.

Ellie stuffs her hands into her jacket’s pockets, twisting her lips before gaining the courage to speak to you. “That’s because it is. They haven’t read Sandman yet.”

“Oh, shit. Sandman was really good! Death was definitely my gay awakening now that I’m thinking about it.” You respond, glancing off as you dwell back on it.

Ellie definitely blacked out for a moment after hearing “gay” and “awakening” leave your mouth in the same sentence. Now there’s a part of her wondering if she has a chance with you.

She doesn’t say anything, she can’t say anything since she doesn’t trust her voice. You can’t tell if she’s super awkward or homophobic, but she doesn’t look like the latter. She just gulps loudly and you take note of… this whole interaction and store it in your brain for a later date, like a sleepless night.

With the sudden silence befalling, you both look over to see that Dina and Jesse are still passionately ranting and raving about how trash DC is, so passionately they look like they might kiss about it. Like, their faces are inches away from each other. You and Ellie are absolutely baffled at how this is even possible. They’re talking about superheroes. Superheroes! The sight makes you wanna hurl. You scowl and look elsewhere, catching Ellie grimacing in the process.

Her brows are furrowed, lip upturned, and her nose is slightly scrunched up to the point where she kinda resembles a squirrel. You snort to yourself at the comparison. Okay, she’s adorable, so it took everything in you to contain your laughter. Obviously, you did a poor job since Jesse and Dina turn to your stifled giggling, following your eyes to see a plainly disgusted Ellie judging them.

They get flustered, shyly laughing it off while Ellie pretends to scold them. “Welcome back. Now cut it out.”

Ellie turns to you with a surprisingly bewitching smile that catches you way off guard, and mouths out ‘gross’ while stealing a glance at the couple.

“Pfft, I think it might be time to change topics.” You say, biting back the smile forming on your lips. Ellie is unintentionally endearing, you can tell because, well, she’s growing on you. Maybe you’ve been overthinking the whole thing? From the looks of it, she might’ve just needed to warm up to you. You like that conclusion much more than anything else. Anything else being a possibly unflattering angle of your ass cheeks.

Dina chuckles before nodding, “Okay, well,” Dina puts a hand on your shoulder and looks between Jesse and Ellie, “She’s a dance major too. The trendy kind.”

“Trendy kind?” Ellie asks, focusing on you as she waits for an answer.

You roll your eyes at Dina for the silly description and fixate back on Ellie, finding yourself unusually nervous under her stare. “I’m focusing on commercial dance choreography. For singers, concerts, things like that.”

“She also did ballet for ages.” Dina chimes in. You nod reluctantly, since it was a long time ago, but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t still use those skills.

“Oh, that explains it.” Ellie says, looking directly at you, clearly without a thought. She doesn’t mean anything bad by it, it just explains why she was weirdly infatuated with your back; your posture. Either way, that was supposed to stay in her head and not for you to hear.

You raise a brow, barely tilting your head to the side as you ask, “Explains what?”

You hold your eye contact with Ellie this time, silently waiting for an answer.

“Oh— err—“ Ellie stammers. She has no idea how to save herself. Even if she did, she doesn’t think she’d be able to say it when you’re looking at her like that. Looking up at her quizzically, slightly pouting out your full bottom lip. You’re a bit intimidating, you’ve always been a bit intimidating to everyone. However, Ellie finds herself oddly attracted at the same time and it’s really fucking with her brain. You aren’t even trying to be threatening though, you only want to know what she thinks of you. For no particular reason.

Ellie, flustered beyond comprehension, can only shrug and manage out, “Uh, nothing? I guess, um, that’s how you two met?”

You calm your expression, afraid Ellie might melt if you put any more heat on her and for the record, she would’ve, but not for what you think. You couldn’t read her at all and it made you wanna rip your hair out.

You end up giving her a small nod while a trace of curiosity lingers on your face.

Coincidentally, Ellie can’t read you either. Do you know she was the one “creeping” on you last night? If you don’t, then maybe all hope isn’t lost for her. But, of course, she can’t fucking tell. One second you’re looking at her like she’s a ghost, the next you’re giggling at all her jokes. But she’s not an idiot, she knows that as long as she doesn’t completely scare you off; she can complete her final. The only question from here is if she’ll ever gain the courage to ask you.

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The answer to that is no. No, no, no. You’ve been integrated into Ellie’s life for weeks now. Although it hasn’t been daily you always show up at least twice a week, over three when she’s lucky. It’s been weeks and she still can’t ask you.

In her defense, you guys are never alone. You haven’t even walked by Ellie since the dance wing and art wing are nowhere near each other. You’re always with Dina, she’s always with Jesse. All four of you occasionally meet up for lunch, or spot each other at student events and parties. Never just you and her. Ellie has tried to rehearse just asking you casually with Dina and Jesse around, but that sounds like a fuckin’ humiliation ritual. Imagining you saying “ew, no” or bringing up how she was ogling you through your window in front of them.

It’s not like you’ve been giving her the impression that you would. It’s actually far from that. You’re a walking ray of sunshine. You always, and I mean, always say hi to her first. Ellie might be a little nuts, considering it’s only between her and Jesse, but she swears you do. Sometimes, you even avoid him to get to her first and she thinks it’s the cutest damn thing ever, but as far as she knows, that’s just her imagination playing a sick prank on her delusion.

Good news is that her work has improved since she still gets to see you often. She steals glances at you, taking mental pictures of you whenever she can. If someone told her to draw you eating a damn french fry, she’d be able to do it perfectly.

Her professor leaves less marks on her work than usual, and with finals rapidly approaching, Ellie thinks this is the best she’ll ever be able to do. It’s way better than before and the chances of you modeling for her are slim to none, so she’s trying to convince herself she’s perfectly fine with wrapping it up here. Acting like it doesn’t eat away at her to not be able to draw your full body, all its perfections and imperfections.

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You’re chatting with some friends as you gather your stuff up to leave, when your professor calls out your name. Your head shoots up in that direction and you quickly excuse yourself as you walk over to a scruffy looking older man shuffling around paperwork.

“Yes?” You stand neutrally at his desk, completely unaware of what he has to say to you.

“You’re failing. Failing horrendously,” He shifts in his seat to look at you better, “You know you are human right? You labeled the rectus femoris the tibialis anterior for fuck’s sake.”

The… what? You had absolutely no idea you were failing and no idea what he was saying. Yeah, you spent zero time studying, but it’s human anatomy. It’s just a stupid mandatory course. The classes with actual dancing are what you put your time and effort into. What type of asshole teaches a science course at an arts school, then fails the students? Whatever.

You bite your tongue before speaking, forcing a faint smile. “Oh, well, can I make up the grade…?”

The man pinches the bridge of his nose before pulling out your paper from the stack and in front of you. “You’re not understanding, out of 640 muscles in the human body you got one correct. The pectoralis major.”

Honestly, you have no words. Seeing the paper in front of you was pretty humbling.

He laces his fingers as he continues to gruffly speak, “I don’t know if it’s because you’re gay or something and the only thing you can identify are boobs, but this is an easy grade. You had to get at least 200 correct to pass.”

Did he just? Your jaw dropped ages ago, and you start to say something but he immediately cuts you off. “I don’t wanna hear it, take your paper. Study, and I’ll let you retake it. Do not make me have to fail you.”

You purse your lips, conflicted with how he called you out and how he’s giving you a redo. You just snatch the paper and storm out of the classroom.

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dina: LMFAOOO

you: its not fucking funny

dina: is it becus ur gay or something

you: STFU!!!!

you: what do i do ffs

you: finals week is coming up soon and im stupid

dina: you shouldve taken the course with me last semester

you: help me study

dina: foh i barely passed

you: 😭😭😭im so screwed

dina: no ur not

dina: don’t worry

dina: ask ellie

Ask Ellie? Your thumbs shake over your screen. How could you ask Ellie? The amount of strength it takes to talk to her in real life without turning into putty is insane. You guys don’t even cross paths enough for you to comfortably ask for a favor, but you really need to pass this class. It definitely wouldn’t be the worst to finally talk to her one on one... hang out with her more… see her more… Fuck it.

you: what’s her number?

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what's this? click!

tag list: @bready101 @pascals-doll @macaroni676 @khai-le @pedropascalsbbg @seraphicsentences @starlight-savegery @snowy-vee

a/n: marvel solos but i think ellie would love dc

#ellie williams #ellie x reader #ellie x you #ellie x y/n #tlou2 #ellie williams x female reader #ellie the last of us #ellie williams x reader #ellie x fem reader #lesbian #ᝰ like a french girl

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semisolidmind · 11 months

Note

How does the Modern Reincarnation AU work in the Twice as Bad AU? Especially with MK and everything? I know it would probably be completely unlikely that Peaches would get the opportunity to die with her two monkey hubbies always around her, but what if her dying happened on the journey? Like her death was something that happened while the monkey demons were restrained and couldn't do anything about it, causing them to wait the couple hundred years until she pops up again?

(Also, I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for your creativity and art! You're awesome. Hope you have a great day! 💙)

oh man oh boy (also thank you skye, you're making my day :))

(so both monkeys have wrist and ankle cuffs in this au, and the cuffs work like a less harmful version of the circlets. anytime reader says a certain command, they throw the demon wearing them to the ground. i imagine that the moment reader dies, the cuffs fall off.)

it's utterly silent when they hit the ground.

the boys are distraught. they're inconsolable. theyre angry. whatever demon caused reader's death will be torn apart peice by peice, tortured until death. and then...

...nothing. the monkey demons shut down beyond an occasional terse word. they're still technically bound to the journey by the circlets and the bodhisattva's command, and so they continue on. they only speak to their companions when necessary. macaque spends most of his time in the shadows, and wukong walks behind the group. they take out their sadness and rage on the myriad demons that get in their way. the journey concludes with wukong and macaque denying their enlightenment and going home to flower fruit mountain.

their conquests become especially brutal for the next couple hundred years.

–––

centuries later, mk comes into the world. wukong finds him wandering the mountain, and adopts him as his own. macaque is an uncle figure to the boy, helping in his training and teaching a different worldview. mk grows up knowing very little about humans beyond what his monkey family tells him. regardless, he's curious and wants to know more.

the two elder monkey demons are jaded, and their resentment for the celestial realm and humanity has only grown. though, they'll both slip into wistfulnesss occasionally, telling mk about reader and what she was like. he heard plenty of stories about her growing up, and he always finds himself wishing he could have met her. it's the only time mk will hear his caretakers speak positively about a human.

when mk asks to go into the city, wukong refuses. he doesn't want his son around any mortals, and were it not for his "infinite mercy," that wretched city would be dust by now. it's only when macaque agrees to go with mk that wukong relents. macaque, who's somewhat more knowledgeable about modern humans than his brother, tells mk what he knows about how the mortal world works. mk doesn't get the chance to make his friends until later in this au, when he's allowed to make short solo excursions into the city to buy groceries.

he's taking too long on a run when it happens.

mk has encountered mei, and thinking the dragon heir was trying to start a fight (given the monkey demons' history with dragons), mk battles her. while the two have their brawl that eventually ends in tentative friendship, macaque waits at a rendezvous point.

when mk doesn't show after twenty minutes, macaque lets out a long-suffering sigh and sets out across the roof tops and alleyways to search for him. the kid, for all his strengths, has never been good at time management. after a while, macaque is able to track him to a little noodle shop in the downtown area.

the dark-furred simian watches from a nearby rooftop as mk and...a disguised dragon? girl? go inside the shop. macaque melds into the shadows, following them in through the half-shuttered doorway. the shop isn't anything to write home about; simple decor, simple noodles, a suspiciously familiar pig demon manning the kitchen, a woman managing the register—

macaque stops cold.

it only takes a second for macaque to get a read on the woman's soul. and upon closer inspection, she looks familiar too.

heartbreakingly familiar. same hair, same eyes... same smile, aimed at mk as she welcomes him. this woman—she's their reader, reincarnated. she has to be. mk makes a joke, something about monkeying around, and the girl laughs; the same joyful sound he remembers from all those centuries ago. it's the same. she's the same.

a shadowy tear makes its way down his incorporeal face. she's here. alive.

he has to tell wukong.

#bad end wukong #twice as bad au

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eskymoos · 2 months

Text

Keegan P Russ As a Romantic Partner

Headcannons by Eskimos

I. A Methodical Maestro with a Playful Twist It's been confirmed that his personality type is ISTP, which means that his brain is his strongest weapon. He is methodical and very tactful with his language and would always offer a hand to you. Feeling lost? He's always there with a good solution. Feeling sad? He's the guy to ask for advice. Even if he lacks experience in some fields he's very quick to learn and perfect them so I suppose he'd also be a bit competitive. Keegan doesn't miss an opportunity to beat you to everything you like. All while playing dumb in order to cherish the amazement on your end. *** ''How'd you do that?! Wow!''

''Just luck, I guess,'' he'd say with an indifferent shrug while a childish grin creeps onto his face.

*** II. The Jester of your Heart Keegan is very reserved but he's a skilled people reader. He would quickly get used to your moods and soon you wouldn't even have to tell him when you're feeling sad. He just steals a glimpse and he already knows what to do. However, sometimes the cocky side of him comes out in the most inconvenient time and things tend to get more spicy. Whenever you give him the silent treatment for no reason, he begins threading on thin ice with you. *** ''Whatcha want for dinner, sweet pea?'' *Silence.* ''What's wrong, my beautiful?'' He asks, coming closer to you. When you turn the other way to further provoke him, he guides his hands to your hips and presses the weight of his chest to your back. ''Funny little thing. Have you given a vow of silence? I like when we play this game, y'know.'' His hands drop lower and lower and his mouth comes to caress the back of your neck. His hot breath makes your hairs stand. ''Your heart's beating fast.'' III. Under the Hard Scales of His Heart

Independence is Keegan's last name. He never learned how to embrace the art of teamwork, though his job required it. At times he was too disconnected to properly do the job. In a relatioship he might have some trouble turning to you for assistance. Whenever something is on his mind, he blocks out the world and faces it on his own. He's likely to turn down tips from other people. Not from you though. The first time you lent your hand for help, he was quite surprised and even a bit suspicious. It unlocked a part of him he never knew he had. He felt cared for and seen. In time Keegan learned to trust your word and be less stubborn when you tried to aid him. IV. Tsunami of Love

That's what he is. A natural disaster. A tornado of energy and a tsunami. Behind closed doors he is much less calm. His love language is mostly acts of service and physical touch but sometimes the two mix together into something even more grand. If you happen to be struggling under a pile of undone work, he would find the perfect moment to distract you. Before you can even get a word out, he has already picked you up from the chair and carrying you to your room bridal style. *** ''What are you doing, Keegan?!''

He continues to march through the house and whistle proudly. Keegan tosses you onto the bed like you don't weight anything at all.

''Stay here.'' He commands, exiting and closing the door behind him.

In a few minutes time he comes back with your favorite chocolates and a beer for himself. ''I will be your only occupation today.'' *** V. The Kids' Favorite The way I see it, Keegan would have very specific sense of humor. His jokes can be very sharp and borderline offensive but the moment a kid comes in sight he turns into a soft cinnamon roll.

He has this energy that kids absolutely adore because he's a great listener and adapts to the circumstances easily. There's something about the purity of the young generation that makes him feel protective. ***

One time you saw him play with a small group of children after a difficult operation. He was kneeling down in front of a little girl and his eyes glimmered as she tried to pronounce his name. The child obviously had rhotacism (cannot pronounce the letter r) and he found it quite adorable. ''Keegan Russ. Russ. Can you say it?'' Keegan bit his lip, holding back a chuckle.

''Keegan Hhhus.'' The girl tried to repeat it but failed terribly. Keegan burst out laughing.

''Rrrrrrrr,'' he growled playfully and she giggled at it.

''Grhhhrr!''

''Oh, you're growling at me now? Come here you.'' Keegan extended his arms to trap her in a harmless embrace.

There was something about his love for children that won your heart every time. ***

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krnzysh · 1 year

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BODY AND SOUL !

SUMMARY after a certain pyro user plagued your mind, you find yourself failing to catch sleep. but what would happen if the same person you were trying oh so desperately to get your mind off of finds you and reveals unspoken feelings?

CHARACTER Diluc Ragnvindr x gn!reader

WARNINGS gender neutral reader, mentions of death, mention of the word 'fuck' once, slight abandonment issues, kissing scene from an inexperienced writer, not proofread! lmk if I missed any

WORD COUNT 1269

[💬] LOVE, AIKA uhm another fic inspired by pride and prejudice from me<3 this is a small fic I made back then and it's been in my drafts for about a month now? so here it is! I hope u enjoy~

The bright sun was only starting to rise, and the cold and gentle breeze from the night before blew dandelions away.

Why were you even awake in the break of dawn? That was the question you asked yourself.

But there was only one answer, you were up all night thinking about him…

Diluc Ragnvindr, the master of dawn winery, the most eligible bachelor, The uncrowned king of Mondstadt himself. The man who has captured your heart just from a single glance.

Meanwhile, you were just an ordinary citizen. You worked at Floral Whisper together with Flora and Donna.

With Donna’s never-ending rants about Diluc — who you have feelings for — you find your heart clenching whenever she does so.

How could someone like him, a noble of high status, fall for you? Nothing less but a mere commoner.

As you shook those thoughts away, you find yourself gazing at the beautiful terrain of Mondstadt. The luscious green grass covers kilometers of land. The streams of water rippled from the smallest breeze of wind. Mondstadt itself truly is a piece of art.

This was supposed to be a night walk to clear your thoughts and help you fall asleep, yet you were so engrossed in your thoughts that you felt as if the clocks stopped and you were in your own world.

You cherished the stillness of the night, no noise whatsoever, unlike how rowdy it can get during daylight.

But the faint rustle of footsteps broke you away from your thoughts, thinking for the worst you freeze in your place.

You close your eyes, hoping that atleast they could give you a quick and easy death.

But to your surprise a touch on your shoulder had you opening your eyes.

Whoever touched you had warm hands, they were so gentle, as if scared they could break you like a porcelain doll.

“Hey, it’s just me…” The person greeted you, the voice soft and very recognizable.

You turn around to see him, the same man that occupied your thoughts, leaving you with sleepless nights.

“Sorry, I thought it was someone.” You apologize for the action earlier, really you couldn’t blame yourself. Although there were patrolling knights, there are still hunters and monsters.

Diluc on the other hand was curious, why were you here? So early in the morning? So to satisfy his curiosity, he asked; “What are you doing here, when the sun hasn’t even risen yet?”

Taken aback by his question, you kept silent for a while. You just can’t tell him ‘Oh I came here because I couldn’t stop thinking of you’. So you thought of a quick excuse;

“I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go on a walk…” It wasn’t really a lie, I mean, you were unable to sleep.

He stared at you suspiciously, as if questioning your answer, he always knew, but he kept quiet, understanding that whatever really was the reason you just didn’t want to share.

That’s why you fell for him, he knew you to the point that you didn’t even need to say anything but he already knew, he could read you so easily as if you were a children’s bedtime story.

Coupled with those behaviors of his, you just couldn’t help but fall for him in general. Everything about him was just so, loveable. You couldn’t help yourself but fall for him more and more as you spent time together.

You got to meet him when he was still a young child together with his brother, kaeya. Your father was Mr. Crepus’ bartender at Angels Share back in their days.

You were with him when he was still smiling so genuinely, with no care of the world.

You were with him when his father died and he broke any contact he had with his brother.

You were with him until he stopped talking to you, pushing you away.

Only a couple of years ago, he finally came to his senses, apologizing for his actions and asking if he could still rebuild that friendship you both once had.

“[Name]!” He called your name, shaking your shoulders, eyes held worry in them. “Are you okay? You spaced out again…” He asked.

“I am, sorry for worrying you.” You give him a soft smile to assure him. But Diluc couldn’t help but sigh, worried for the person he loves so dearly.

He loved you so much, he would fight Celestia and the Abyss for you just to keep you safe. But he was a coward, scared that once you find out his feelings for you, you would both grow apart again.

But he doesn’t know, that you love him, so dearly. You were both in love with each other. It was painfully obvious to the people around you, especially Kaeya.

You both stay in silence for some more time, just gazing at the rising sun. You looked so ethereal in Diluc’s eyes that he couldn’t help but ask himself, ‘Do I really deserve such an angel?’

Although he wanted to stay with you, he still had work to take care of. He turned to leave you alone, sensing you wanted more time gazing at the landscape before you. “[Name], I am going to head out now.”

Before he could even move, soft fingers grabbed the sleeves of his coat, clinging onto them as if begging him to stay.

You were shocked, your body moved and clung to him.

“[Name]...?” He hesitantly asked, he too was taken aback by your bold moves.

Lowering your head, you looked into his eyes, finally taking that risk.

The nerves got to you, stopping you from uttering a word ‘Fuck, I’m just stalling him’ you bow your head down, staring at the grass and fiddling with your hands.

Sensing your nerves, he just stayed there with you, silently gazing into your head.

“[Name], can I… no, may I tell you something?” He spoke up after a while. To his question, you merely nod your head as a yes.

He let out a deep breath before proceeding; “I would like to tell you…” he started.

Raising your head to look at him, you noticed the tips of his ears burning red, ‘He’s flustered…?’ you thought.

“You… have bewitched me, body and soul, and I…’ He stopped for a little before continuing;

“And I love, I love, I love you… And I wish from this day forth never to be parted from you” He finally confesses, gazing at you with the softest eyes that hold so much love in them.

Shocked… After all this time, he also loved you? After all those sleepless nights of thinking if he loved anyone…

Who he held so dear in his heart… was you…?

You couldn’t control the rosy tint that was dancing along your cheeks.

Approaching him, you took hold of his hand and rested your cheek on it… “Well, it would be a lie if I said I hold no feelings for you, ‘Luc..”

When he heard those words leave your mouth, a prominent red tint spread across his cheeks.

He brought you closer to him, faces only inches away from one another.

You closed your eyes and leaned into him, as he captured the softness of your lips with his. You felt butterflies flutter around your stomach, you were sure he felt the same sensation.

In a bystander's eyes, it looked as if you were angels sent by Lord Barbatos himself with the sun rising behind you both, illuminating your figures and giving them a shining glow.

But to you, you were content, here, just having him already felt like heaven.

#333 𓄳 「 krnzysh's anthology 」#genshin x reader #genshin fluff #genshin impact x reader #genshin x you #genshin imagines #genshin fanfic #diluc #diluc ragnivindr x you #diluc x reader #diluc fluff #genshin impact #genshin diluc #diluc x gender neutral reader #diluc ragnivindr x reader #diluc ragnvindr #twilighttheatre

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loveandmurders · 1 year

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I read the “Why am I not dead already?” Which had Bo having a fight with his S/O and asks Vincent why wasn’t she dead (I prefer to keep it g/n please)…. Could you do a Vincent one? Similar thing too on how the reader was telling Vincent “Why am I still alive? Why haven’t you turned me into a wax statue like the rest of the group I came here with?” Keep up your great work 🖤🤘🏻❤️‍🔥

Hello there! I’m so happy you sent me this request and I hope you’ll enjoy this <3

You can find Bo’s version here.

Gender neutral reader with no physical description.

WHY AM I NOT DEAD ALREADY (Vincent’s version)

Warnings: mention of murders, Bo being an ass, two cute insecure babies, angst/comfort

It had been a few months you were now living with the Sinclairs. You even had your own bedroom in their house.

You came to Ambrose with a touristic bus, and you never left. Like the rest of the group; except you were alive when none of them were.

You were the little artist of the group, drawing and looking around with bright curious eyes. You caught Vincent’s attention right away and you got spared.

But you didn’t know for how long.

You were sitting in the House of Wax, in front of three people of your group, now turned into wax sculptures.

You were staring at them, as if they could answer your silent questions.

Bo hadn’t been very nice with you this morning; and he had reminded you to be good or you would end badly.

Vincent hadn’t been there to stand up for you. And truth to be told, it wouldn’t have changed anything.

You had asked yourself quite often why you were still there, and Bo’s words only reminded you even more that you clearly were an accident.

There was no way you should still be alive in the Sinclairs’ plan.

And it worried you. You didn’t want to get killed now you had started a relationship with Vincent. You truly liked him and enjoyed your time with him, and the little dates and cute cuddles with him.

You were afraid you were naïve and Vincent was just toying with you, ready to kill you when you wouldn’t think about it.

You sighed and were so caught up with your thoughts that you didn’t hear the masked twin walking closer to you.

He was surprised to find you in front of those sculptures, and by how silent and thoughtful you seemed to be. You looked a little bit sad as well, and it broke his heart.

He knew he wasn’t offering you the best of life, and he was really afraid you were “dating” him only because you thought he would kill you otherwise.

He hated how he couldn’t find the right words to let you know that he had fallen in love with you pretty much the instant he saw you the first time. And how his affection toward you only grew, because you were perfect to him.

He silently sat next to you, on the ground, and he softly reached for your hand that he brought on his lap.

You had tensed a little before relaxing again under his familiar touch. He brought your hand to his masked lips and you gently smiled at him, even though the questions swirling inside your head were hurting you.

You stayed like that, silent. But it wasn’t really comfortable like it usually was.

Vincent wasn’t an idiot and he knew that something was wrong because usually, your head would be on his shoulder and you would be tenderly kissing his neck and shoulder before cuddling closer and settling on his lap.

You were very affectionate with him and it never failed to flutter him, but at the same time he absolutely loved it. You could even make him forget about his art when you were snuggling against him and loving on him.

He was touch and love starved, and you were making him happy like never in his life.

And even if Bo was still a little bit suspicious you would run away, one day, he liked you because Vincent was so full of joy and energy and renewed passion for life now you were around. Lester also loved the warmth you were bringing to Ambrose and enjoyed chatting with you.

Vincent turned toward you and started to sign: What’s wrong, my love?

You shook your head; you didn’t want to talk about it because you weren’t sure how Vincent would react.

Even if you liked him, your instincts never failed to remind you that you were now living with killers who could so easily hurt you. Vincent could destroy you - you really believed he was the most dangerous out of the three boys -, and you didn’t want to upset him.

But Vincent wasn’t going to let the subject go that easily. Even if he understood boundaries, he needed to know. He couldn’t stand the idea of losing you.

Did I upset you? If so, I’m very sorry and I’d love to make it up to you, he tried again and you nibbled on your lips.

“You promise you won’t be mad at me?” you asked and his eye widened at this question. He really didn’t want you to be afraid of him.

He was quick to shake his head and to lift his mask so he could kiss the back of your hand, as to show you he could only love you.

You took a deep breath.

“Why am I not dead, Vinny? Why didn’t you turn me into a wax sculpture like the rest of the group I came with? Why did you keep me around?” You babbled without looking at him. His mask was preventing you from knowing what he was thinking anyways.

Vincent’s heart dropped at those questions.

He had really hoped you would know by now that if he kept you around was that because he couldn’t imagine going back to an existence without you by his side.

He was silently panicking, trying to find the appropriate answer, the one that would appease you and prove you that you have nothing to worry about him, or Bo or Lester.

But his silence was actually frightening you and you finally looked up at him.

“Oh so you’re going to kill me at one point” you said and you smiled very weakly at him. You really should have known better.

So far, you had always tried to convince yourself that if you were still alive it was because you were special or something like that; but the boys were probably getting lonely and Vincent just needed a pet for a little while before getting rid of it.

But you should have known better: you had never been special to anyone before; so why would it be different now?

You looked down at your lap but Vincent grabbed your chin to make you look up at him. He shook his head.

You’re my partner, I would never hurt you, even less kill you, he finally signed because he thought the easiest was to be straight forward.

You nibbled on your lips once again and he gently moved a finger over them so you wouldn’t hurt yourself.

“I don’t understand… I mean even Bo said this morning I needed to obey or I would get killed. And there are so many tourists, and hot and smart people coming by to Ambrose, so why would you keep me?” you continued to voice out your fears.

Bo is an asshole, but he likes you more than you think Vincent replied but he made a mental note to kick Bo’s ass for having said such things to you. Vincent needed you to feel safe around them, more than anything.

He would go insane if you ever tried to leave him.

And you are hot, and smart, and crafty and affectionate and a ray of sunshine in there. It… It is impossible to not fall in love with you. Vincent finally admitted. It was the first time he told you he loved you, but he knew you needed to hear it even if you weren’t ready to say it back.

You watched him with wide eyes. You weren’t certain he was saying the truth or if he was manipulating you. It was hard to know with Vincent but the way he gently tried to bring you closer to him, the way he softly stroked your hand, the way he was so worryingly looking at your reactions… It was saying a lot.

You were too shocked to answer at first.

Say something, please? He pleaded with you and you went back to reality.

“So I’m here because you love me?” you said, even though you couldn’t believe someone as amazing as Vincent could be in love with you.

When I first saw you, I thought you were an angel. And your laugh was the most beautiful sound I ever heard. It was the first time I didn’t think my art could do justice to someone. You were so lively, so curious about everything around here. Even Bo was amused by all the questions you were asking. Turning you into a wax sculpture would have been a waste. Even though I wanted to keep you here, as my muse. I’m so grateful you have started to feel affection towards me.

“Your muse?” you repeated, completely taken aback by everything Vincent was telling you.

He nodded, I’m awfully late in my House of Wax projects because I spent hours drawing and sculpting you, but it’s never good enough for me to show you. You are beyond perfection and my art can’t reach it.

You were absolutely speechless so you simply wrapped your arms around his waist and hugged him. He brought you closer, making you straddle his lap so he could have you all against his chest. His hands were tenderly stroking your back and sides.

“So no one will hurt me here?” you asked, just to be sure

I promise you you’re safe. I’ll have a discussion with Bo but he would never dare touch you, Lester either. And we all keep an eye on you when tourists are around.

You didn’t ask if they were watching over you to protect you or preventing you from escaping them.

And you…? He started but stopped mid sentence, not sure how to ask you to appease his own insecurities.

“And me?” you wondered

Do you really like me or do you just pretend so I don’t kill you? And before you could answer he quickly added: I mean it wouldn’t change anything about what I feel for you. Even if you didn’t want me anymore, you would still be safe. It would just be very heartbreaking for me to have to keep my hands from you after you let me worship you for months.

Worship was definitely the word and you would lie if you said you didn’t adore it.

“I was scared at first, you know. You killed all those people with your brothers and I didn’t know what you were going to do with me. So yeah, I was docile because I wanted to live. But then you’ve always been good to me, and no one ever treated me so well actually. And you’re a genius, I love to talk with you and watch you create. You’re really amazing and I really like you, even though a little voice in my head never stops telling me that one day you’ll grow tired of me, because everyone always do and you are a killer” you tried to explain

Vincent was very flustered that you called him “a genius” and “amazing”, and he almost felt shy. He couldn’t believe you liked him either, but it warmed his heart. He couldn’t get enough of you, and he was so relieved he could continue to treat you like his personal little divinity.

I’m afraid you will change your mind when you’ll see my face though he admitted but you shook your head

“I strongly disagree… And as long as you have me, I’ll have you too” you reassured him as you leaned your forehead against his.

He held you even more tightly and let out a little sound of happiness, like a soft purr and you truly smiled.

You stayed like that for a little while, enjoying each other’s warmth and affection.

You both felt quite safe, reassured and appeased after this conversation. You were glad you had it, even though you were aware you might need to have it again from time to time, just to be certain that he was still in love with you, and that you weren’t afraid of him.

“Vinny?”

“Hmmm?”

“I wanna see the drawings you made of me. And before you say no, because they aren’t good enough. As your muse, I feel like I have the right to see them”

Vincent looked up at you, a little bit surprised by this new side of your personality.

You were going to be such a playful tease now Vincent had reassured you… Not that he minded one bit, quite the contrary actually.

Taglist:

@feathery-ass

@g0thl3zz

@erasable-mustache

@cavern-creature

@peachycupotea

#House of Wax #house of wax x reader #house of wax x you #vincent sinclair x reader #vincent sinclair x you #vincent sinclair x y/n #vincent sinclair x s/o #vincent sinclair headcanon #house of wax headcanon #bo sinclair x reader #lester sinclair x reader #slasher headcanons #slasher x reader #slasher x s/o #slasher x you #slasher x y/n

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kiri-tatsu · 1 year

Text

The one of the stars broke their contract

A pointless argument between Kaveh and Alhaitham about the scribe’s knowledge was being tested by the blond, until Y/n stepped in giving them the information they craved. Y/n just wanted to tell them a bit of home before the contact sign they were binded by burned on their skin as if testing them. It was just a little argument about some history, how did this end so terribly?

tw- angst,little to no comfort, reader dying, lots of crying, some kisses, a bit of reader being in the afterlife, not proofread

wc- 2837

Y/n had just finished all their commissions for the day, and decided to go pester their two favorite boys, the acting grand sage and the famous renowned architect of Sumeru. Just as they had used their own key to the scribe’s house, they could hear the yelling of the blonde. “Your whole little research project makes no sense!”

They sighed as they knocked lightly before opening the door, “Hey,” they called out as the seen Alhaitham sitting on his couch a book in hand, as he rests comfortably while Kaveh was standing up and turned to the front door. “Y/n!” He called out his eyebrows furrowed, “Tell Haitham his research sound ridiculous!”

Y/n raised their eyebrow as they glanced at the two, “And what’s his research about?” They asked confused as they slipped off some of their daily outfit to be a little more comfortable, Kaveh crossed his arms as he motioned for the scribe to talk, “Well, go on then.”

Alhaitham sighed as he closed his book, “I think the archons... Are responsible for the fall of Khaenri’ah, that’s all I wrote on my paper,” he shrugged as Y/n stared at the two and Kaveh laughed out loudly crossing his arms and looking smug. “See how ridiculous that sounds?” Y/n shook their head, their confusion was replaced with seriousness.

“How do you even know that information?” The two’s head snapped towards Y/n, as they spoke those words out, Kaveh let out a laugh, one that made it sound as if Y/n had gone insane, “Don’t tell me you are seriously considering playing along with this jerk’s claims?” Y/n shook their head as they sat on the sofa across from Alhaitham and motioned for Kaveh to sit next to the scribed whose eyebrows were furrowed.

“If I tell you anything now... Then nothing leaves this room, no matter what, understood?” Y/n who was usually different than this serious face that had on sent a shiver down both men’s spine, they nodded leaning in to hear their words.

“Okay, first things first,” they muttered as they held out their hands and small, tiny stars appeared in their palms, “I am a lesser god, I was never known, but I was never wiped out, I am the God/dess of the stars,” The two glance at Y/n with bewildered eyes, “And how come you never told us?” Alhaitham spoke up as he leaned back with his arms crossed.

“I never thought it was necessary, but...” They bit their lip, “I will tell you of my home before I tell you about the cataclysm, okay?” The two nodded, “I come from a place called Earth, far away from here,” Alhaitham raised his eyebrows, “Isn’t that like another land outside of Teyvat?”

Y/n shook their head with a small smile, “It is actually not of this world, this is just one of the many worlds out there,” Kaveh had been silent as he stared at them, “You’re... You’re not lying... are you?” But he already knew of their answer.

“Back home on earth,” they started as they tried to remember of their life from so long ago, “We were so advanced; technology, architecture, culture, fashion, art, anything you could name here, we had it far more advanced,” Kaveh raised a brow a bit suspicious of their words, “ well, do you have any proof of this ‘Earth’?”

Y/n had to this for a moment as they held out their hand; small glowing lights appeared in their hand, a little dark haze floated around the light, before something appeared in their hand, “Well, I have this, but it never really worked here since it’s practically useless in this world,” a small device, rectangular shaped, they held it out to the two, Alhaitham reaching for it to inspect it. “What is it?”

Y/n smiled, “It’s a phone; communication, easy access to information, socialization, and entertainment,” the scribe raised his eyebrows as Kaveh leaned over his shoulder to look equally curious and amazed. “All that with this little thing?” They nodded as Alhaitham handed it over, and it disappeared once it was in Y/n’s hand.

“Are devices like this common? Where you're from?” Kaveh asked as the god nodded their head with a smile, “Everything in my time is more advanced that Teyvat, but back home, there was no such thing as vision, or elemental energy,” Alhaitham nodded slowly tyring to process the information.

“Do you... ever miss home?” Kaveh’s question took them off guard, they had to stop to think for a minute, “I miss the scenery of something familiar, but no,” Kaveh frowned at their answer, “Why not?” Y/n didn’t really need to tell them why, but they knew the two wanted to know. “Humanity is in shambles back home.”

Alhaitham’s eyebrows furrowed, “How... How is it in shambles if it's so advanced?” Y/n shook their head, “People don’t have any reason to do what they do; robbery, mass shootings, pointless bickering that led to the start of wars. Humans are greedy everyone knows that, but back home they are far worse.”

The two men frowned at their words, “Such a shame, they have so much potential, yet they destroy was it going for them,” Kaveh muttered with a small scowl upon his face. “Do you think it could get better for your people?” Y/n shook their head, “There is no telling if it could or couldn’t.”

The two seemed surprised at their bluntness, “How... How so?” Y/n felt their hands ball up into fist in their lap, “Society... They try to make you a slave to humanity; work a job for shit pay only to have such high expenses to live. And they would shape you up into dolls; if you aren’t one thing, you're doing life wrong, or if you aren’t pretty you need to fix it, because it’s your fault... People are just cruel.”

“Surely life isn’t like that for everyone... Someone must have enjoyed their lives right?” Y/n nodded as they could feel their throat tightening, “Yeah... Those people had jobs they loved, people who loved them, families who care, and had a very comfortable life... I envied them,” they could feel tears start to prick their eyes.

Kaveh smiled at them sympathetically, “I can start to see why you don’t miss home now,” he mumbled as Alhaitham looked over at him, nodding. “It such a shame too,” Y/n’s tears had begun to fall from their face as Kaveh got up a bit panicked and wrapped his arms around them. “Gods... I’m sorry, this is so pathic of me...”

The blond shook his head, “It’s not you just miss home a bit, it’s normal to be homesick from time-to-time Y/n, not everyone is tough enough to not miss home,” they nodded as they lightly pushed Kaveh back and he went back to his seat next to Alhaitham waiting for them to continue talking.

They could feel their palms start to sweat, a lump forming in their throat, and the heat of a geo symbol that tied them into a contract started to burn as if knowing what they were about to do, “So... About Khaenri’ah... Uhm, where do I even begin...” They muttered and Alhaitham and Kaveh looked at them expectantly, “Well, first things first, yes, the archons were indeed behind the fall of the nation.”

Alhaitham crossed his arms, glad that his information was right, but why is the actual question. “Mind further explaining, Y/n?” They nodded trying to gather their words while ignoring the burning symbol, “Khaenri’ah was too advanced for Teyvat; a civilization without a need for a god.”

“The archons felt threaten and wiped it out; no one speaks of it because they made a promise to each other to not speak of it...” Kaveh pointed at them as his finger at them, “But you were there... weren’t you...?” His words died on his tongue as he looked up at them only for them to not be able to meet his eyes. “You’re... You’re in on the promise, aren’t you?” Alhaitham spoke up, his eyes not bothering to leave their shaking figure as a small nod came from them.

“After the cataclysm, Rex Lapis had decided it was best if no one talk about it, everyone agreed and I was the odd one out by disagreeing,” they slipped their shirt of their shoulder a bit to show of the glowing geo symbol on their skin to the two who stared at them wide eyed. “And... Why is it glowing now?”

Y/n bit their lip as they could feel tears burning their eyes, “Since I wasn’t an archon, I was forced into a contract with Rex Lapis. The terms stated if I were to ever talk about what had happened on that day... He would know and would hunt me down,” their words had hit the two hard, but Kaveh stood up shaking head. “And what happens when he finds you Y/n?”

They tried to swallow the lump in their throat, but it was no use as tears fell from their eyes, “Please... I don’t want to,” they sobbed as they leaned to cover their face with their hands, “The contract... If you stated any information, Rex Lapis would know... And you’d die... is that it Y/n?”

Alhaitham’s words made them cry louder, so the two boy knew the wieght of their words, “Why? Why would you tell us then know that you could die by telling us the information?” Kaveh yelled as Y/n looked up; tears falling down their face, and their lips quivering. “Someone deserves to know! I can’t keep doing this!”

Alhaitham shook his head, “But isn’t Rex Lapis dead?” Y/n shook their head, “If he was indeed dead, this symbol would have disappeared,” they choked out through their cries, and Kaveh engulfed them into his arms trying to soothe them the best he could. “So that’s it? You gave up valuable information just to satify our curiosity at the cost of your life? Y/n that sounds so ridiculous!”

Alhaitham shouted over their cries, and Kaveh glared up at him, “Will you give it a rest now? They lnow what they did just be glad they did it!” Alhaitham scoffed, “How could I be glad knowing that my knowledge is proven right by the cost of Y/n’s life? You think I wanted this? If I would’ve known, I would have never asked in the first place!”

“Hey, you’re not the only one losing someone you idiot! I am too,” Kaveh yelled at he felt Y/n shaking more in his arms, “I don’t want them to die either, why don’t you see that? I love them!” Everything in that moment seemed to stop as the two began to process the blonds' words “You... You can’t...”

He heard them mumble into his chest, and his own tears gathered into his eyes, “I can’t help it... Y/n I love you... And I’m too late with saying my feelings,” he muttered as Alhaitham sunk onto the floor in front of the two resting his head onto the god’s lap. “I do too... how much... how much time do you have Y/n?”

Althought he didn’t want to ask, he knew Kaveh wouldn’t have, and they both want to spend whatever little time the two had left with their beloved, “I can sense him approaching fast.... I don’t have long now...”

“I wish I told you sooner,” Kaveh whispered against their hair as he placed a kiss on top of their head, “I love you Y/n,” Alhaitham looked up, tears threatening to spill form his eyes as he closed them burying his face into their lap, “We both do.”

A knock at the door made the three break apart, Kaveh looked up, and Alhaitham glanced up at them, “Is it time...?” Y/n nodded as they moved out of the two’s grasp, the two followed after them as they opened the door; a man in white robes, his arms glowing and his eyes cold and intense.

“You know why I am here, right?” His voice held authority, and was oppressive, Y/n nodded as they kneeled before the archon; Alhaitham and Kaveh watched as they couldn’t move; the blond was sobbing as Alhaitham grasped his hand in his, his own tears falling from his eyes silently. “I broke the one rule under our contract; therefore, I will pay the price.”

The archon’s eyes were glowing, they held absolute power, and for a brief second you would be able to see the pity in his eyes as he held out his hand. “You will pay the price now,” but before they could feel their life slip from their grasp, they stood up quickly. “Can... Can I at least say goodbye?”

Rex Lapis’ eyes softened for a moment as he turned his back, “You have only a minute, hurry now,” they nodded as they turned to their two boys’ a bittersweet smile upon their face as their arms reached for them, the two not wasting time to engulf them into their arms. Kaveh sobbed heavily into their shoulder as Alhaitham pressed a kiss to their forehead, his own tears dripping down onto their messy hair.

“I love you two,” Y/n managed to choke out through their own sobs, but it only seemed to tighten the two men’s hold on their figure. They pressed a kiss to both of their cheeks before reluctantly pulling away from their hold. “Remember to look up in the night sky, in the stars you will find me once more.” The door opened as they walked back to Rex Lapis, “Please, let’s do this elsewhere, I don’t want them to see...”

His eyes narrowed at the command, but nodded after a few seconds, “As a last wish, I will grant you your request,” and then the two were no longer standing in Alhaitham's home, “It was rather foolish of you to ask to die elsewhere, no you will die alone, is that what you want God of stars?” Y/n shook their head, “I didn’t want to leave them, but I don’t want their last moments of me being brutally killed before their eyes Rex Lapis.”

The archon nodded as his polearm was at his side, “I wish to remember you as a person, I am not the man I was 500 years ago, so now God of stars, what is you name now?” His steps to them were slow and calculated as Y/n wiped their face of their tears. “My name is Y/n...”

And with that, they could feel a breeze lightly tickling their cheek, and they found themselves on the ground looking up at the night sky. They could feel the pain all over their body as they could hear the faint sound of dripping. A hand brushed some hair out of their face, “It’s such a shame you had to go like this God/Goddess, you were one of the few after the archon war,” they heard the man say, before the last moments of their life was filled with the image of the night sky.

The world around them felt warm, as if embracing them in a hug, they felt like they were floating in water as they struggled to open their eyes, a faint voice calling for them. When they opened their eyes, it was pitch black, the warmness around them no longer felt as welcoming. “Y/n...” The same voice repeated, and they looked around, “Who... Who’s there?”

A small light allowed them to finally see them self in this abyss, the light wrapped around them like a hug, that because it was a hug, they turned only to see the person they hoped to never see here and now, in the afterlife.

His body glowed as if he was made from the sun, his features looked more heavenly as his eyes still glowed their brilliant ruby red as they did before, but now, he looked translucent, “Kaveh...” they muttered as they reached out for him before stopping. “How are you here... this is... this is death, why are you here?”

A frown graced his features, as he reached for them, his touch was warm against them, comforting and the feeling of safety blossoming, “I... I died...” They nodded sadly, “I died during a trip to Liyue,” he muttered, “It was about a few years after you had passed,” Y/n furrowed their eyebrows. “Does time work differently here?”

Kaveh nods as he gulfs them into a hug, “And Haitham?” A feather like kiss upon their head made them melt in his embrace, “Living out his life as the grand sage now.” At least they had one, now they had to wait a little longer for the next one, but now they didn't mind as they would be reunited with their loved ones here.

If only they actually never said anything in Khaenri’ah, maybe all three of them could’ve lived happily together, but Y/n was a god, so maybe, just maybe, this was actually for the best.

definitely wasn't using character.ai and got this idea, god no lmao. thanks for all the support so far, just know the second most voted will also be written, so thats the next project after this one <3

#alhaitham angst #kaveh angst #alhaitham x kaveh #haikaveh #alhaitham x reader #kaveh x reader #alhaitham x reader x kaveh #genshin impact #genshin angst #genshin x reader #rex lapis

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stardewlily · 5 days

Text

Bubbles

A Stardew Valley fan fiction about the relationship between Sebastian and my farmer, Lily. A sweet little one-shot that falls between chapters four and five of my longfic, My Everlasting Light.

Notes: Thanks to @krobusfan for giving me the inspiration for this story with their lovely art!

Synopsis: A silly little gift from Sam opens Seb's heart to new hope

Cast: Original Female Character, Sebastian, Sam

Contents: Friendship, Developing Relationship, Pining, Angst, Fluff

Warnings: None

Sebastian glared at the cigarette he'd just lit and let out an annoyed huff.

"Ah shit!" He stubbed it out on the heel of his sneaker. "It's such a bad fucking habit, I'm doing it without even thinking!"

"What's up, dude?" Sam said breezily as he ferreted around in his coat pocket. They had just finished band practise for the day and were having their usual break outside before parting ways. "You're normally happily puffing away by now."

Seb muttered angrily under his breath. "Yeah, well, I'm quitting, okay?"

Sam looked up, finally seeming to have found what he was looking for. "Quitting? How come?"

"I've got my reasons…"

Sam grinned slyly. "Lily doesn't like it, huh?"

Sebastian flushed. "No, I just figured it's about time I stopped. It's not good for me."

"Whatever you say…"

Seb felt his face glow even more uncomfortably and tried to stop his hand from automatically reaching for his cigarette packet again.

"It's just, you've been spending so much time with her lately… and, well…"

"She hurt her ankle, dude, she needs help! I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't lend her a hand, would I?"

"Okay, okay…" Sam started shaking something and Seb peered over curiously.

"What have you got there anyway?"

Sam's eyes twinkled. "Watch…" he turned away for a moment and Seb could see him fiddling with something, then a stream of bubbles rose slowly into the air.

"What the…?" Seb's eyes widened. "Bubbles?"

Sam laughed and turned back, pursing his lips to blow through the little plastic wand he'd pulled from the bottle he held in his hand. "Cool, huh?" He puffed more purposefully, growing a bubble of almost impossible proportions before letting it sail silently away. "Haha, remember how we used to do this all the time when we were kids?"

"Yeah… I remember." It seemed like such a long time ago now. Another lifetime. It was one of the reasons he'd started smoking, almost like he was sticking two fingers up at the childhood that had hurt him so much.

"You want a go?" Sam raised a playful eyebrow.

"Ah, I'd feel stupid."

He did want a go. He really did. Dammit, was that another cigarette in his fingers? When had he even…?

Sam smiled knowingly. "Here ya go, dude." He shoved the wand back in the bottle and handed it over. "It's yours, I got plenty more. Pierre's selling them by the boatload and Vinnie's busy buying out his entire stock!"

For a long moment Seb just stared at his friend's outstretched hand, not sure he was allowed to own something like this.

"Go on, man, you might like it. Think of it as addiction therapy, every time you wanna light up, blow some bubbles instead!"

"Okay," he threw his cigarette away and took the proffered item. "Thanks, Sam."

Sebastian sat on the steps leading up to Lily's porch, restlessly twisting the bottle Sam had given him between his fingers. He should be knocking at her door, starting his afternoon of work on her farm, but, for some reason, all he could do instead was stare at this stupid bottle, tears pricking suspiciously at his eyes.

Why the hell had he even accepted it? Blowing bubbles was just for kids and he hadn't been a kid for a long time. Wasn't sure he'd really been one even when he was. His hand itched to reach for his cigarettes again and he cursed himself for buying them that morning. He'd thrown all his others away when Lily had hurt herself so badly to get him the frozen tear he now wore around his neck, yet his dumb ass had still picked some up on his way to Sam's, just as he'd always done every day for Yoba knew how long.

He cursed again. The tear. Lily. Both so precious to him. More than he could ever admit.

This time he did reach for the packet. He pulled it out, threw it on the steps and ground it angrily underfoot.

The door behind him opened, he jumped guiltily and turned to see Lily hobbling her way out onto the porch, her little black cat, Nyx, scampering at her heels.

He shot immediately to his feet, alarmed by her limping when she should be resting, caught in the same agony of conflicting emotions he always felt on seeing her.

"Lily! You shouldn't be walking on that ankle yet!"

She smiled apologetically at him, the look on her pretty face making him want to cry. Ah shit. What the hell was wrong with him? First he was nearly blubbing over a bottle of bubble mix and now this?

"I'm sorry, Sebby," she sat on the steps with a little sigh. "I just thought I heard you, that's all."

He echoed her sigh and sat back down next to her. "Yeah, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I was at band practise with Sam."

"That's okay," her voice was sweet and gentle. It always made him feel so… so…. "I know you have others things to do beside help me on the farm!"

His gaze shot up. "None of that is more important than you!"

Agh, what was he saying? His face blazed. His heart tried to beat its way out of his chest in shame.

"Ah… um… I mean…" his gaze fell to the ground again.

"What's that you have there?"

His entire body jerked. Had she seen the cigarettes? How could she not? They were an obvious, mushed mess on the ground. He'd told her only the other day he was quitting. What would she think of him?

He forced himself to look up.

"Sebby…" Oh Yoba, her eyes were so soft, so beautiful. "Is that bubble mix?"

His heartbeat slowed, his muscles relaxed. She wasn't judging him, she never did, never had. Not his Lily. Never his Lily.

"Can I have a go?" she asked shyly.

Of course she could. He handed the bottle over wordlessly, completely unable to tear his gaze away from her. He would give her anything. Had felt this way ever since he met her. Ever since they became friends. Ever since he had found himself wanting more.

Nyx climbed into her lap as she took off the lid, patting playfully at the wand, and Lily giggled as she lifted it to her lips and blew. Sebastian watched, entranced, as a stream of iridescent bubbles rose into the air, causing fresh delight in her pet who leapt up to chase them only to fall back with a look of utter feline surprise at the soapy pop that quickly followed.

"Oh Nyx!" Lily's laughter pealed out as Nyx hopped and meowed indignantly, scrubbing frantically at her nose with her paw. "But I just know you'll chase the next one anyway!"

More bubbles flew out and Sebastian couldn't help but laugh too as the little cat did exactly as Lily had predicted.

And then he stared, just stared, at the scene in front of him, not realising that the haze he looked through was the tears he was too afraid to shed.

The woman he had come to love, surrounded by bubbles, hazel eyes sparkling, auburn hair waving in the fragrant spring breeze, the sweet sound of her laughter reminding him of a time in his childhood he had almost forgotten, reminding him that it was never gone, never too late, the beauty he had thought forever lacking in his life was right there, right in front of him.

He just had to summon the courage to take it.

~The End~

Cute little page dividers by @chachachannah / Boring old plain green ones by me!

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changingplumbob · 2 months

Text

Foster Household: Chapter 8, Part 4

Harvey begins a midlife crisis, Carson has a difficult school day where most of the faculty are jerks, and Keira discusses her future home with Kayleigh.

With a midlife crisis threatening to over power him Harvey does his best to do the things he loves. He hasn’t fished at night for quite some time so he goes out to his boat and casts a line. Normally he sails to deeper water but tonight he is content to search the shallows.

Keira: Hey mum, is this right

Kayleigh: What do you mean honey

Keira: I’ve seen you do this figure painting like a billion times but I’m not sure I have the proportions right

Kayleigh: You do, I promise

Kayleigh (level 10 in painting) mentors Keira while she paints and in the end we have Keira’s second masterpiece!

Kayleigh: Harv, where have you been

Harvey: Fishing, and thinking

Kayleigh: Penny for your thoughts

Harvey: I just… I’m feeling old. Like life is getting away from me. I don’t think I’m going to reach the top of my career before retirement

Kayleigh: I know you’ve always been ambitious. While I can’t magically promote you, I do have an idea of something that could help you feel young

PILLOW FIGHT

Kayleigh: Take that scoundrel

Harvey: I shall never yield villain

Kayleigh: Is that so? A pillow to the face should change your mind

Harvey: Ouch

Kayleigh: Are you okay

Harvey: Sneak attack!

After a passionate battle Kayleigh emerges victorious, and the pair have some woohoo making Harvey feel young, at least for the night.

In the morning the midlife crisis hits, and leaves Harvey yearning for creativity. He gets up early to watch the sky change colour and get inspired.

Keira: Are you still hugging trash

Carson: For good luck

Harvey: I thought your first day at high school went okay

Carson: Yeah but this is the first active day. How did you find Mr Amarinth

Keira: Who

Carson: The principal

Keira: Sorry, it was Mr Booth when I was there

Harvey: Just be polite and show respect, he shouldn’t have any reason for complaint

Mrs Hensley: CARSON

Carson: Woah, woah, what?

Mrs H: Being at school and not in class? You should be ashamed of yourself

Carson: But it’s only 8am, there must be a mod problem, no classes are even on right now

Mrs H: I care not for your nonsense! I’ll let you off without detention this once but I still find you suspicious

Carson: Don’t worry, I’ll get to my classes

And he does! He’s first in with Mrs Tinker for art.

Carson as an art lover is excited to see what he’ll learn today.

Mrs T: Alright everyone, let’s get our books and- William?

William: Yes Mrs Tinker, sorry, I’m just putting it on silent

Mrs T: Make sure you do. Today we will be introducing your young minds to the idea of negative space. While many works of art focus on the clear image, the space surrounding the focal point can be used to show a design all of its own. Let me illustrate, I assume you’ve all seen the FedEx logo? I’ll draw it. Notice how the design has an arrow here. While it is not the flashy part of the logo it is used in conjunction to show the brand as a delivery service

Carson takes some time to think about this. Stuff that isn’t there being part of a bigger picture? Weird.

Mr Amarinth: Another Foster

Carson: Oh hi Principal Amarinth, how are you today

Mr A: It appears you will not be following the example of your siblings. Mrs Hensley told me you almost got detention this morning, you are on warning

Carson: But it-

Mr A: No buts! I’m observing Mrs Tinker’s class this afternoon and I expect to see you all involved in the curriculum

Mr Amarinth gets up and most of the student exchange confused looks.

Mrs T: Don’t worry, it’s a routine check. I’m sure you won’t let me down

Darwin: I’m sure I will

Carson: So how do you work this again Onyx

Onyx: Oh social bunny? It’s not too complex. You send people friend requests right? And then you can check out what they’ve been up to

Carson: What happened to catching up in the real world

Onyx: I don’t know, I guess it’s not a teen thing anymore. You settling in okay?

Carson fills Onyx in on the bizarre encounter from this morning and Onyx assures him that Mrs Hensley is simply a hard ass who enjoys scowling at the students more than teaching them.

Carson: I thought high school was meant to be full of attractive people

Onyx: What do you mean

Carson: I’ve glanced around and honestly… not finding anyone that makes my heart flutter

Onyx: I mean I’ve spotted some okay ones but we must have different tastes

Carson: Yeah. I just figured I’d be swept over by some hot senior you know

Onyx: Dude, we’re only 13, we got plenty of time to chase relationships later. Right now I’m chasing cheerleading and hopefully a horse

Carson: Right. I guess I do have scouts to keep me occupied

The warning bell sounds and the teens head off to computer science.

The class starts and sure enough Principal Amarinth is in there watching like a hawk.

Mr A: Paola! Why don’t you have your exercise book out

Paola: I can’t hold it and blow my nose

Mr A: You’re on warning! Get to work. Amie! Is that a phone

Amie: I’m sorry Mr A, my mum’s just got some surgery scheduled for now and I wanted to-

Mr A: You’re on warning!

Carson: Mr A is that-

Mr A: My name is Amarinth Carson, use it, anything less shows disrespect

Carson: I didn’t mean-

Mr A: Enough! You can think on it in detention. Don’t think I missed you doodling back there Miss Bjergsen. If you refuse to write properly I’m sure the office has some jobs you can do

Angel: *sighs* Yes Mr Amarinth

Mr A: Pancakes!

Onyx: Yes sir?

Mr A: Can you tell me the last thing Mrs Tinker said

Onyx: umm… remember to make sure it’s plugged in?

Mr A: Wrong! Tell you what, stay in detention with Carson. Perhaps sitting and thinking will do you wonders

The bell for end of day rings, most of the students head off except for Carson, Onyx and Christen.

Mrs T: I’m sorry about that everyone

Christen: Mr A clearly did not take his chill pills today

Mrs T: Christen dear let’s not stigmatise mental illness. Onyx, cheer practice will start soon. Mr Amarinth is bound to be buried in paperwork, you go and I’ll mark you as present

Onyx: *already running off* Thanks Mrs T, you’re the best

Mrs T: I’m not sure what he expects us to do with all this time

(but seriously what do you do? At my New Zealand high school detention was done during lunch breaks, no one had after school or weekend detention)

Christen: Oh we should play hangman

Carson: Actually Mrs T I was wondering if I could talk to you some more about what you were saying in art this morning

When Carson finally gets home Harvey is busy cooking and Kayleigh is stuck in her art headspace.

Carson: I’m back

Harvey: Did you have fun after school

Carson: Not exactly, I had detention

Harvey: Did you have to scrape gum off desks

Carson: No, we just talked about art. I guess it was kind of fun if I think about it

Harvey: That’s the spirit kid. With the right attitude, you’ll get through anything

Marta: Doing homework already

Carson: Yeah. Mr Amarinth basically thinks I’m a step away from getting expelled (yes I, the watcher, actually got a pop up saying this)

The homework doesn’t take too long though and Carson ends the day playing some games with Onyx, Darwin and William through the wonder of the internet. Kayleigh does more painting, Harvey does more stargazing, and Marta and Keira spend the time kissing and taking romantic selfies.

The next day Harvey starts tending his garden, which is one of the activities that will help curb his midlife crisis. The bees don’t even attack him today!

Carson: Mum

Kayleigh: Yes Carson

Carson: I‘ve been thinking, I’m basically an adult now. I should be able to go wherever and do whatever, just like my siblings did as teens

Kayleigh: Well I’ve no objection. Get out there if you want to, teenage years are for trying things

Carson: So I can go to a nightclub (flashback to this nonsense)

Kayleigh: If you think you can get in, sure, go for it

Harvey has elected to stay in Sulani for his fishing shift today. While there’s a nice, secluded cove nearby Harvey decides to try out the spot in the bay. He gets some familiar fish and snags a rare bluefin tuna. Of course Bluefin Tuna are endangered so he quickly throws it back.

Kayleigh: How is the house hunt going

Keira: Slow. We’re not sure if we want a small solo place or an apartment

Kayleigh: I can see benefits for both

Keira: Exactly! We’ve got enough for a small place but an apartment could be more discreet

Kayleigh: Well yes and no. In apartments you always have nosy neighbours. Plus there’s the problems of noise

Keira: I guess. I just don’t know if I’m adult enough to handle leaky pipes or fried electronics by myself

Marta: You won’t be by yourself carino, I’ll be there

Keira: Yeah but not all the time, you’ll have work to

Kayleigh: Oh I have an idea. Your dad and I will take Carson out for dinner, and you two can practice being the only ones in the house. I suspect you’ll handle it better than you think.

Marta: How about it carino? Date night at home

Keira: If you’re there it sounds perfect

Previous ... Next

#sims 4 #the sims #the sims 4 #R0808 #ChangingPlumbobStorytime #FosterHousehold #HarveyFoster #KayleighFoster #CarsonFoster #KeiraFoster #MartaRomero #OnyxPancakes

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grandhotelabyss · 5 months

Note

In an old interview with Tyler Cowen, Knausgaard called Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius the greatest story ever written—a sentiment with which Cowen agreed. (Cowen seems to read everything, but there's something about an economist—an orthodox heterodox economist, no less!—making pronouncements on literature that makes me suspicious of the claim. Then again, he once wrote, "Shakespeare is very likely the deepest thinker the human race has produced." No argument there.)

Personally, I might bestow the honour on The Dead, but it's really more of a novella, and I'm admittedly quite the Deadhead. (To be clear, in the high arts a "Deadhead" is the moniker we attribute to readers obsessed with the poetic intensities of swift cessations: Death in Venice, The Death of Ivan Ilyich, the deaths of Sula, Septimus, Billy Budd, and Pierce Inverarity, etc. Indeed, poetic intensities and swift cessations may simply be the novella tout court. On the subject of jam bands—and cheese—I remain mysteriously silent.)

Might Joyce have authored the greatest story, the greatest novel, and the greatest love letters? (Forgive me, sweet Jane, for such futile superlatives against your soul-stirring pen. I am half agony, half cope.) I suppose Borges is more Beethovenian in his revolutionizing of the form, whereas Joyce aimed for a Bach-like perfection as it existed at the time.

Of course, one mustn't forget the dozen or so contenders from Poe, Kafka, and Chekhov, not to mention The Lottery and A Good Man is Hard to Find. What do you think? As always, thank you for your splendid insights! And to the anonymous hundreds reading this, or, at this point in my unsolicited soliloquy, the anonymous dozen skimming, please subscribe to John's serialized novel!

Thank you, David! Yes, I find Cowen dispiritingly, exhaustingly, demoralizingly well-read. Someone I admire on Substack recently gave a list of 10 pieces of advice for undergraduates, and I liked nine of them, but I didn't like the first: everything, he said, is interesting. But everything is not interesting. The undergraduate, the veritable ephebe, is right to be bored by some things. If I found everything interesting, who would I be? I almost cultivate my non-interests. With so many books I do want to read in the world, it's a relief to know there are also many books (books about economics, for example) that I do not want to read. Really, only obsessions matter. The personality, to be a personality, must have its limits, as must the work of art, even if as a novelist, I do aspire in my own way to the "everything and nothing" Borges imputed to Shakespeare, or to the Homeric as against the Virgilian in Mark Van Doren's line that Virgil is a style, Homer a world. Only Borges could be Homeric in a short story, though; for the rest of us—yes, even for Joyce—it takes a novel. A fellow Deadhead, I agree with you that that is a novella in the death-obsessed ranks of the great novellas. I add Heart of Darkness, The Metamorphosis, and Nella Larsen's Quicksand to your fine catalogue.

(Incidentally, when I was in college, a friend dragged me to see a jam band called The String Cheese Incident. They played a theater on the ground floor of Soldiers and Sailors Hall on the University of Pittsburgh campus, upstairs of which the great Gothic scene of Lecter's escape in Silence of the Lambs had been filmed a little less than a decade before. Jam bands don't do it for me; I was heavy bored at that concert, I have to tell you; Chesterton's neglected cheese be damned, poets have their right to silence on some subjects—because, again, everything is not interesting.)

Now to your question. When I think of great short stories, I do not, like George Saunders, think of 19th-century Russians. (19th-century Russians are better at length, when they go on and on and on—even, if you ask me, Chekhov, as I said earlier this year in praise of his novella, The Duel, a great novella not quite belonging to your catalogue inasmuch as it defeats death, more or less.) No, I think of 19th-century Americans. I think of "Ligeia" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Man of the Crowd," and I think of "Bartleby, the Scrivener" and "The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids" and "Benito Cereno," and I think of "The Author of Beltraffio" and "The Middle Years" and "The Figure in the Carpet." Above all, I think of Hawthorne, of "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Minister's Black Veil" and "Ethan Brand" and "Wakefield" and "The May-Pole of Merry Mount" and "The Artist of the Beautiful" and "The Birth-Mark" and (my favorite) "Rappaccini's Daughter." A great deal of Borges is already in those stories, these tales or parables or half-allegories—I do agree with both Knausgaard and Cowen that Borges's "Tlön," or maybe "The Aleph," must be the paradigm of the modern story—and a great deal of Kafka, Jackson, and O'Connor, too.

Honorable mention: I am not an expert on the 19th-century French, but "The Unknown Masterpiece" by Balzac is a new favorite, which I read for the first time just this year. A good tale in its own right, but to have anticipated, almost to the point of clairvoyance, the whole future course of art in one short story from the 1830s—!

Caveat: "Rappaccini's Daughter" has 3000 fewer words than The Dead; and "Benito Cereno" is double the length of "Rappaccini's Daughter." Why type some titles in italics and some in quotation marks? The distinction between novella and story must be qualitative rather than quantitative, with the distinction not quite only about death, since all three narratives at least include if they do not dwell upon swift cessations. "Rappaccini's Daughter" and "Benito Cereno" seem to me to be stories because they are about one thing, as opposed to The Dead, which, like The Scarlet Letter, is about several things—and as opposed, of course, to Moby-Dick and to Ulysses, which are, Aleph-wise, about absolutely everything ("[A]ny man unaccustomed to such sights, to have looked over her side that night, would have almost thought the whole round sea was one huge cheese, and those sharks the maggots in it"; "Cheese digests all but itself. Mity cheese"), and make everything as interesting as ever everything can be.

#literary criticism #short stories #nathaniel hawthorne

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eveandtheturtles · 1 year

Note

For Donnie requests, if it tickles your fancy:

How about another one set in the tactical universe? (I so enjoyed the one you wrote for Leo when I asked last time)

Maybe a similar format to the last one but, say. Four times reader/OC (who is an art thief or whatever you like) outwits/outlucks/outruns/plain-old-tricks Don and one time he catches her?

But plot twist it was a game all along so it turns sweet or spicy (however you like, I'm down for and/or both)

(Eyyy, a returning customer! We like thay here! You said OC and activated my trap card tho lol)

Bayverse!Donnie and Kara in Tactical AU! (I am almost sure you guys are sick and tired of this ship lmao sorry xD

This one is getting a strong T!

Tactical AU belongs to @donathan

Here are my headcanons for my own spin to it if anyone is interested! And here is a link to Leo's version. Can't wait for someone to request Raph.

@madammuffins @turtle-babe83 @thelaundrybitch @sharpwindow @dilucsflame33 @pheradream15

(if anyone wants in on this list let me know!)

I. This case took him and his brothers all around the world. But it all began in New York after their handler gave them the order.

The Met event was fitting perfectly the M.O. of the thief. Donnie has been preparing himself for this. He studied extensively the previous crime scenes and had to admire the cleverness of it all.

He instructed the ground team on what to look for and how to behave. He himself kept his distance, for obvious reasons. They were going to monitor the event around the clock. The human team during the day, and the turtle brothers at night.

While the guests milled about the museum, Donnie was watching the feed from the cameras closely. This was the second day of surveillance. His sensors weren't picking up any suspicious activities either. Of course, he didn't expect the thief to be bold enough to do something during the day - this didn't fit the profile he built but all good thieves usually tried to scout their targets beforehand.

Donnie sighed and licked his lips. He switched to the computer database of all the security and staff that were currently at the museum. No one in particular stood out. Maybe he was wrong about it being the Met?

Once the gates to the museum closed it was turtle time.

The brothers took over from the day shift. As far as the security knew, they were just some special task force. The ski masks hid their faces and various leather straps disguised the shells as weird backpacks.

"This is so boring," Mikey whined over the comms. "You sure I can't liven up the place a little?"

"If you'd even think of setting off anything-!" Leo's warning resonated sharply in their ears.

The youngest snickered. "Chillax, bro, I was joking."

"Like you did in Budapest?" Raph snorted.

"That was an accident!"

"Let's make sure no more accidents happen," Leo warned him. "Especially not in the Met."

Donnie smiled listening to his brothers' banter as he patrolled the corridor he thought had the highest chance of being hit by the thief.

He listened keenly to any sound that would come his way. The empty corridors would echo them back to him. Unfortunately, it was all silent. Just the sound of his own breath coming back to him and the soft sound of his feet. The brothers were unnaturally quiet for their large size. When they wanted. Mikey usually could be heard three blocks away.

Donnie adjusted his night vision goggles as he entered a new area. He added his own security measures on top of the ones the museum had. There was no way the guy could escape them.

Suddenly one of his sensors tripped. The silent alarm got activated in one room. Donnie turned on his heel and ran.

"We have a hit!" He told the others and directed them to the correct location.

He got there first. Visor focused, looking for anything out of place. Nothing.

"What the-"

Suddenly, another alarm tripped. And another. And another. His whole grid lit up in red and he cursed. That fucker!!

"Donnie, what the hell is going on?!" Leo shouted over the comm.

"He is using my system as a smoke screen!" Donnie shouted back and cursed. He shut it down and popped the standard Met security.

Did he really figure out the system in one day? What the fuck was going on.

"He's in the Maya exhibit!"

"Raph!"

"On it, Fearless."

Motherfucker, Donnie cursed at himself and sprinted. He brought up the schematics of the room on his holoscreen.

"I have the visual!" Raph announced on the comms, which was immediately followed by a string of curses. "Stay still you slippery bastard!" And then. "I lost him but he is heading to the roof!"

Donnie smiled. Predictable.

"I'm on it!"

But then he came to a screeching halt. The fucker was heading to the main door! What?! Ballsy motherfucker.

Donnie jumped down the stairs.

"Freeze!" He got out his gun and fired a warning shot.

The thief didn't stop. Just kept running straight. Donnie followed. Then froze. The figure just passed through the glass door and the terrapin realized he was following a hologram.

"Please tell me one of you got him?" He asked his brothers, breathing heavily, feeling frustration building up.

"I saw him in the Danish exhibit but then he proofed!" Mikey responded.

"I thought I got him by the African exhibit," Leo said, his tone clearly indicating a similar failure.

Donnie cursed.

"You'll get him next time," Leo tried to comfort him.

"Yeah, thanks," he responded. The words were bitter in his mouth.

II. Weeks of intense research and work later the turtles were in Italy. Donnie once again figured out the thief would be there.

All the feed from the Met was tampered with and Donnie worked for hours to fix it. To just get three frames. Thankfully, he had seen the hologram. Raph also had a description, though not very helpful. "Short like a fucking kid and slippery like a weasel," he said. That much Donnie knew.

He managed to estimate the thief's height to be 150cm (about 4'10"). If they were dealing with a rowdy teen the turtle genius was going to be super pissed and impressed.

Right now he was riding on a huge adrenaline rush as he watched the thief through his scope. The guy was running away from Leo, who took the chase.

"I got you," Donnie muttered to himself. He aimed the shot. He wasn't going to kill the thief. Just incapacitate him with some tranquilizers.

It was the end of the road for their target either way. The line of houses ended and only a large plaza awaited. No escape.

The thief faced Leo. Then turned his head and looked straight at Donnie. The mask came off. Green skin - like the yellowing grass in autumn, face and bald, larger than average head dusted with freckle-like spots of various shades of brown, green and yellow. Pointed, pierced ears. The eyes, big, yellow, playful.

The thief winked and… just disappeared.

"Dude!" Mikey's voice activated the Comms. "The thief an alien!"

"Donnie, you okay?" Leo spoke up.

"You missed, nerd," Raph snickered. "So much for Mr. I-Never-Miss," he put on his Batman's voice.

"Shut up Raph," Donnie shot back. He was thinking intensely. She-, he was certain the thief was a she, looked straight at him. She knew his position. She led them to that corner of the street. This was all a game for her! "I need all your guys' phones!"

"Why?" Mikey whined. "I didn't do anything!"

Turns out Mikey did do something. A couple of days before he clicked some link on a website from his phone and that got the thief an entrance into their systems. That pissed off everyone and earned Mikey some extra training and cleaning time as well as a lecture on Internet safety.

What was concerning was that their criminal most likely got into their Top Secret files if she knew how to get to Mikey…. She knew who they were. Meanwhile, they knew nothing of her.

III. Next stop was Egypt. A short jump from Italy. They were going to monitor the Museum of Cairo. Why? Because right before he cleared all their electronics one message went through. “Up for another Caaper?”

When he checked the source it went dead. A burner phone. Now he had a dilemma. Either ignore it or follow… On one hand, it could have easily been a typo. On the other… In Cario there was a wooden statue of Ka-aper from the 5th Dynasty.

He chose to follow and that’s how they ended up there. Was she really going to steal the statue that was about a foot shorter than her? He thought back to the image of her in his mind. Who was he kidding, she absolutely would.

So they were staking out the museum. “Third time the charm, eh, Donnie?” Raph teased.

“Do you guys think she has like a spaceship? With lasers?” Mikey enthused over her. He wouldn’t shut up about the alien bit since Italy.

“You can ask her when we catch her,” Leo told him in a very tired voice.

Donnie didn’t join in on the conversation. He was in the room with the statue. Monitoring the screen, flipping through the feed from the cameras and paying attention to every single alarm there was. He didn’t want to miss any suspicious flicks or changes.

“Donnie, you alright over there?” Leo called to him, snapping him out of his focus.

“Yeah, yeah I’m here,” he responded.

“Anything moving?”

“Not yet…”

Why did she want to steal that particular statue?

Time ticked by… Suddenly he felt someone watching him. He turned around. Yellow eyes, right over his shoulder. He reacted immediately by throwing a punch at her. She was hanging by a rope from the ceiling. Pulling away, avoiding his fist by a hair. She flipped around. He pulled his gun and aimed at the rope. She kicked his hands and vaulted off the wall. He kicked at her legs and she fell on her back with an audible ‘oof’. He tried to grab her but she folded and jumped up to her feet. Punch, evade, retaliate. They danced across the floor.

He had to adapt himself to her small height, throwing him off a little. She had no problem with his.

Suddenly she reached for her belt and threw something at him. He ducked. She jumped again, using his knee as a boost and jumped over his back. He spun around. A puff of smoke in his face and his world went dark.

He didn’t know how long he was out. Mustn't have been long because she was still in the room, finishing up securing the statue to some ropes to pull it up. He groaned and got up.

“Stop,” he said, his voice hoarse. He reached to his thigh and pulled his second gun. Despite the headache his aim was steady.

She turned to him. Smiled. And pressed something on her forearm. A force yoinked him backward. Slamming him against the wall. He gritted his teeth. Magnets? When?, he thought angrily as he watched her ride up on the same rope she came down with.

She winked at him and blew him a kiss. 3-0.

IV. Donnie admitted that he may be a bit obsessed. The woman infuriated him and kind of… He dared not to go where his thoughts wanted.

His memory took him back to Italy and Egypt. Her bright yellow eyes, sparkling with mischief and excitement enthralled him. That confident smirk. He wanted to wipe it off of her face! He wasn’t sure how yet.

She tricked him three times! Them! She tricked them three times! Maybe the fourth time was the charm….

He knew his brothers were making some bets behind his back but he didn’t care.

They were in Tokyo, Japan, this time. She left him another clue in his pants while he was passed out.

His brothers were on the ground, while he stayed behind. Their eagle eyes. She wouldn’t slip past him again!

“I don’t think she’s gonna show up this time bro,” Mikey said. “You almost got her before, you think she’ll show up?”

“Thieves sometimes stop when they get scared but I doubt we scared her enough,” Leo sighed.

Donnie’s phone vibrated. He’d usually ignore it during the mission but this time… He quickly glanced at the screen.

After that one text she sent him before Egypt… Leo would probably yell at him so hard if he knew… But Donnie didn’t fully shut down one channel. He made it possible that if she wanted to contact him he’d be open for it.

And lo’ and behold. There was a text.

Unknown number: こんにちは！(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧ I left you something at this location~! Take it as a reward for almost catching me 4 times now! And thank you for missing in Florence ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎

Donnie jumped up to his feet and cursed.

“What’s up Donnie?” Leo checked in on him.

“I’ll be right back, this is important!” He tried to ease off the incoming protest, but also just in case he turned off his comm.

The attached location led him to a posh bar, just around the corner from the art gallery. He made sure his ski mask was on as he entered the establishment. Of course, all the eyes turned to him. Meanwhile, he only looked for one set of eyes. Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be seen.

“Excuse me,” he asked the bartender in Japanese, “something was supposed to be left here for me?”

The man eyed him, a bit fearfully but nodded. “What drink would you like, sir?”

“I’m just here to pick the item up.” Donnie tried to explain.

“The item is a drink and a letter for you after you get your drink.” The bartender insisted.

Donnie sighed. “Something fruity with rum then.” Why the hell not. Fuck it, they failed again. He might as well drink off the thieves tab. He waited for the drink to arrive before he lifted the mask up a little just enough for him to be able to drink. He took a sip. Damn it was good. He snorted and shook his head. This whole thing was so ridiculous.

As he was in the middle of his order the bartender slipped him a cream coloured envelope with a red lacquer stamp on it. Classy.

He broke the seal and opened the envelope. He read the letter.

Donnie smiled and shook his head. "God damn it."

He turned on his comm, which earned him an earful from both Leo and Raph.

"Guys, she's going to be in New York next," he told them.

"How do you know?"

"She told me," he said, draining the rest of his glass.

V. Was he annoyed that she was stringing him along so much? Probably. Was he excited to finally snap some handcuffs around her wrists? So, so much.

It wasn’t easy to find her. The riddle this time was a bit more complex than the one for Egypt and Japan. Then there was the matter of actually finding her in the urban jungle that was New York.

But when he did… He didn’t tell his brothers. It was his little secret. He didn’t want anyone following him there. He slipped from the compound when everyone else was asleep. The coordinates led him to a red brick building with an industrial elevator.

Thermal scanner told him where she was. He took the stairs as the safer option and climbed. Quietly, like a ghost he entered the large open-space. The wooden floor creaked under his steps and a loud bird attacked him. The creature wasn’t from Earth. It neither cawed nor barked. The noise was offending to his ears nevertheless.

Then a whistle. He saw her standing a couple feet away from him. She extended her arm and the bird perched on it. It had a muzzle and sharp teeth like a dog. scales mixed with feathers and claw tipped wings, almost like a bat. The legs were birdlike all-right. A long tail wrapped around the thieves arm securing it in the spot.

<Hello,> she signed. <I see you finally found me> She smirked.

<Thanks for the hint,> he signed back.

<You welcome.> She stroked the bird’s head and it purred. With a flick of her elbow it flew into the air again and sat somewhere among the pipes.

<So, how do you want to do this?> She asked. <I got some weapons for you to choose from.>

<I brought my own.> He reached to his belt and pulled out his collapsible bō staff.

She regarded him with an appreciative nod. Then she walked up to the wall. She pressed on a brick and a panel dropped down revealing a collection of staffs, spears and other weapons. She picked two thich sticks.

<Escrima?> He asked and she grinned. He got it.

They charged at each other. Blow after blow, the weapons clashed. She was nimble and fast, using her environment to her advantage. He, with the experience from Egypt, handled her better. No more blows that went over her head. She had to block him, make an effort to evade.

He hoped whatever they broke during the fight wasn’t something priceless.

Finally, he had her against the wall. Adrenaline buzzing in his ears. He hasn't won yet though. He knew it. Her golden eyes bore into his. Suddenly, both dropped their weapons and their mouths clashed.

The morning came, brutally invading Donnie’s eyes. He groaned and stirred trying to avoid it. When he couldn’t quite move his arm he looked up. One of his hands was handcuffed to the headboard and he smirked remembering that particular move.

He looked around. Karaa was sitting on the bed, eating a breakfast roll and smiling at him. She reached out and released his arm, which got a bit stiff.

<You’ll need to get dressed, your brothers and major Douche will be here soon,> she signed, smiling her usual impish smile. <Have some breakfast.>

<So, I passed?> He grinned.

<You will get points deducted for teamwork probably but…> she leaned down to kiss him. <I will give you some bonuses for performance.> She wiggles her eyebrows with her best bedroom eyes.

He got lost in their kiss but pulled back when a thought occurred to him.

They started communicating after Florence. They didn't know at first who they'd be going in the against exercise. It was all part of it. Karaa though she found out things. And also being trapped by the US military she didn't see any objections in helping the boys out.

<Oh, yeah. They will not know what hit them.>

____________________________________________________

Bonus content!

*Text in Japanese above reads: "hello"

So I decided to do this one with the OG version of Kara.

Karaa (how the og spelling is, ye I know super original lol) was first created in 2014 as my Megamind OC. In the fandom we already had whole lot of Blue guys running around and... one Red, that came from desert part of the Meg's planet. I went like, so let's complete the traffic lights set and I made Karaa + the whole lore etc for jungle dwelling aliens of Megamind's planet.

This is how she'd look like. (art by Scarlette and Koda, I'm not sure of Scarlette's current handle it's been a while since 2014 XD)The earrings serve purpose also as disguise generators/cloaking devices.

Here's link to how Pi'ehra, her bird looks like.

I'll probably draw her tactical AU look soon!

#eve scribbles #tmnt donatello #tmnt donnie #bayverse turtles #tactical au #donnie x kara #donnie x oc #tmnt fanfiction #tmnt bayverse #tmnt 2016 #tmnt 2014

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pinkykats-place · 1 year

Text

BakuDeku Christmas Fics

AO3 SFW Recommendations

Disclaimers!

None of the stories linked below are mine.

All are SFW … still read tags.

Art not mine! Credit to @nikkiyan.

Note: If you read any of these stories and like them please let the author know with a kudos and/or comment!

christmas sweater get-together by todorokitops

Summary: In which Bakugou Katsuki gets tricked into wearing a shitty get-along Christmas sweater with who else but the damn nerd. He's gonna be the laughing stock of the entire class Christmas dinner, isn't he?

(And is he fucking seeing things now or has Deku always looked this pretty up close?)

Complete | 2 Chapters | SFW

Skating with hell class featuring pissed Katsuki by Ejrin

Summary: Even something as simple as skating can turn into a disaster if U.A.’s class 1-A, nicely dubbed as hell class, is involved. In the middle of this disaster is Bakugo Katsuki obstinately trying to impress the boy he likes without a good clue how to start. In the meantime he saves the situation more than once.

Complete | 2 Chapters | SFW

the brightest light is you by blueberrybirb

Summary: Katsuki and Izuku's first Christmas together in their new home.

One Shot | SFW | Pro Hero AU

a call away by RedHalcyon

Summary: “Deku, it’s only a couple more days.”

“I know, I know, but…” Izuku bites his lip, “Why’d it have to be during the holidays?”

Kacchan doesn’t say anything for a long moment. Izuku thinks about how Christmas Eve is less than an hour away from bleeding into Christmas Day, and how the love of his life isn’t by his side to celebrate with him.

One Shot | SFW | Pro Hero AU

Under The Twinkling Lights by RewriteTheUniverse

Summary: Izuku and Katsuki have been together for over five years, since just before graduation, but due to the rigors of being heroes, they've never been able to spend the Christmas holidays together.

Now, they finally have time off together in the holidays, so they take the time to put up decorations around their apartment.

One Shot | SFW | Pro Hero AU

Red & Green by Minglisabeth

Summary: Fluffy holiday one shot Ft. my Bakugou/Midoriya family.

One Shot | SFW | Aged Up

A Piece of Me by jaayhem

Summary: Katsuki finds the perfect Christmas gift for his boyfriend.

One Shot | SFW | Aged Up

Woven Green and Orange by asinnocentasillneverbe

Summary: One gets a collar for the holidays and wears it for the other. Instead of turning ‘erotic,’ the mood is fluff and adorable.

One Shot | SFW

Pro Hero AU | OmegaVerse

Silent Nights and Cold Hearts by LylacRaeven

Summary: On Christmas Eve, the power goes out and the temperature starts to plummet.

Midoriya starts worrying for his Kacchan, knowing he doesn't fare well in the cold, so he wants to keep him warm.

However, what to do when the last possible option is sharing your own body heat?

One Shot | SFW

Suspicious Mistletoe by Klanglilie

Summary: Katsuki wants a kiss... okay, he wants a kiss from Izuku... But how to get one, when he isn't brave enough to finally confess to his childhood friend?

The Bakusquad comes up with a plan... will they succeed?

{One Shot}

Cold Chocolate by Ana_Writes

Summary: In the middle of the night Katsuki wakes up to a strange sound against his window. It was Izuku who visited him, using the window instead of the door because of course but... is that hot chocolate he's holding? Oh. Alright then, Katsuki can let him in.

It was so much worth it. Not only for the chocolate.

One Shot | SFW

Pro Hero Deku x Quirkless Baku

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imrosalynangel · 4 months

Text

HELLO YOU GUYS, I WENT BACK TO ONE OF MY CONFORT FANDOMS, CAPTAIN TSUBASA!!!!! BIG TEXT ABOUT SONA, OCS AND HCs AHEAD, LET'S GO!!

Tw mention of the f slur and silly nsfw art!

★

I present you: my sona 😏

HANAKO MOMONOI, LET'S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT HER SHALL WE? :3

SO, Hanako is a mixed Venezuelan/japanese girl, she has been in the nankatsu school since elementary, usually drawing, writing or doing all kinds of weeb, friki stuff. She was a pretty average individual 'til the shutetsu boys were transfered, her whole world change since that!

Hanako got a silent and shy crush on Hajime Taki, but she couldn't grow so close to him 'cause of being a girl (and not having access to the team football practices), SO she ended making up a BIG ASS LIE to be with her crush, she made herself an alterego called Hanato, a self claimed "brother" who practiced football and was really really good at it (Hanako didn't do any sports lol 😭)

Hanato visited after classes and when the team was practicing, SUSPICIOUSLY when Hanako was already home 🙄. Hanato's fame with football in Venezuela would cause a bit of a stir among the boys, more importantly, in Taki; who became very close with Hanato (and with Hanako via chat messages and occasional friend dates, all by Hanato's lectures about his "sister" lol) Even developing somewhat confusing feelings towards him, due to his somewhat androgynous beauty and the way he sold himself as a master.

This triggered Taki wanting to be trained by Hanato, insisting very much to him, to the point he couldn't resist more and ask him directly to train him out.

GOSH DUDE PLEASE SHOW ME THE TRICKS YOU ALWAYS TALK ABOUT, YOUR TECHNIQUES, EVERYTHING!!! IDK I'LL SUCK YOUR DICK IF YOU DO IT OR SOMETHING, BUT PLEASE TRAIN ME!!

This encounter obviously got Hanako REALLY nervous, so much that she ended up accidentally revealing her identity to Taki.

-Real girly voice- WHAAAAAT???!!! NO DON'T!!! I'LL SUCK YOURS FIRST, YOU SILLY F*G!!!

This obviously let Taki very confused, but after talking things a bit this little secret became mutual between then, being used as a excuse for getting together more often and for Hanako entering to watch private practices of the team. This persisted for two years, then at 18 years old Hanato "had to go back to Venezuela for proffesional football training", this also lend space for Hanako and Taki to make their one year relationship public!

Oh and also the whole Hanato thing made Hanako realize that she was genderqueer 😭

18+ SILLY SKETCH AND HC AHEAD!!!!!!

You still here?

Oh and their first time was in one of the schools bathroom/showers. Taki also liked both ways since he knew about the lie, SO he had no problem in letting her top!

- H-hey... When you said you got "many plans" for our two years aniversary I didn't think being fucked by my other 'skin' was one of them...

- nngh WELL YES IT WAS, I DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. NOW PLEASEEE DON'T BREAK YOUR CHARACTER, IS NOT ENJOYABLE IF YOU DO-!!

Now onto some big thing!! I was drawing all my ocs onto a lineup, here's a wip!

There they are!! Hanako and Yui! (The short haired girl)

Yui is an oc!! She's a girl interested in tarot and gossiping!! She owns a gossip blog and also knows a lot of witchcraft and such. She's kinda fancy, like Rarity! She's also friends with Hanako and Masao Tachibana's girlfriend! But that's a history for another post.

I'll say goodbye for now! Please have this silly meme in order tho thank you for reading this! ^w^

#captain tsubasa #captain tsubasa fanart #captain tsubasa oc #captain tsubasa sona #hajime taki #tsubasa ozora #kojiro hyuga #masao tachibana #nankatsu #shutetsu #OMG THIS IS SO LONG I'M SO SORRY #BUT THIS FANDOM MEANS A LOT TO ME #MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SHARE

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gingerlee-holds · 2 years

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TV Tickle Time

This is a tickle fic! If you don't like it, don't read it ^^

This is based on this prompt from Fluffomatic:

(Ler!Sebastian and Lee!Varras)

Fluff was extraordinarily fun to work with and I look forward to any cooperation in the future ^^ They made art for this!! you can find it HERE

Triggers: Nothing but fluff baby (well maybe swearing)

Enjoy!! Reblog please cuz likes do nothing ^^

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

"I don't ever want to leave this bed, Abigail…"

"And we won't ~! Not if I have anything to say about it!"

"B-but… I have to get those papers done-"

"Work can wait, Natalie~"

A sudden thunderclap shook the windows as Sebastian munched on the popcorn he had made, the cheesy old movie playing on the TV. The tall, long-haired emo sitting next to him reached over to snag a handful, but Seb quickly swatted his hand away.

"Ah, ah! Make your own, Varras!"

Varras scoffed, smiling to himself as he turned back toward the movie. "Where did you find this thing?"

"The VHS player or the movie?"

"Yes."

Sebastian chuckled. "My parents keep everything," he said. "Thought we could watch this while we're waiting out this storm."

"Smart." Varras looked back at the bowl of popcorn on his friend's lap. Then, he sighed and got up from his spot, saying, "I'm gonna go make some popcorn for myself since you won't share."

"Cope, you menace," Sebastian responded playfully. He looked back toward the screen and gasped softly, placing the bowl on the table. "No, no, wait! Just a little longer!" He pulled his taller friend back down onto the couch.

"Huh? But you said-"

"Here, you can have some of mine!" Sebastian flashed a disarming small smile to put Varras at ease. Internally, he was hoping to get Varras relaxed enough to have the tickle scene that was coming be a surprise. He slid the bowl across the table invitingly.

Varras raised an eyebrow as he took a piece. "Thank you…?" He spoke cautiously, suspiciously. Finally, however, he pushed his questions out of his mind and turned his attention back to the movie.

"Sweetie, I have to work-"

"You don't ~!" The second woman confidently smiled as she stroked her girlfriend's cheek. "You have nothing more important than snuggling~!"

"I'm sorry, I really-" Natalie tried to get up from the bed, but Abigail pulled her back down. The girls giggled and argued playfully as they gently wrestled around on the bed.

Varras sighed as he looked at the clock. All this fluffy romantic stuff was grossing him out, and he was counting the seconds until he could leave. However, a sudden squeal brought his attention to the old television set.

The two had tumbled off the bed offscreen, and Natalie's bubbly laughter was bouncing off the walls of the little room, hysterically begging for mercy through cackling. The camera cut to an overhead shot of the two on the floor, and Abigail was spooning her sweet girlfriend, her fingers scribbling over her belly.

"MEHEHEHEHERCYYHYHY!!!" The little girl squealed and wiggled around under the cruelly-ticklish fingers.

"You know what to say to get me to stop, darling~!" Abigail kissed Natalie's neck, making the smaller girl blush as she squealed again.

“OKAHAHAHAY!! IHIHIHIHI’LL TAHAHHAKE AHAHAHA DAHAHAHAY OHOHOHOHOFF!!!”

"Good girl~!" Abigail stopped her assault and picked up her giggly girlfriend off the floor bridal-style, placing her gently on the bed. "I have lots more planned for today, cutie~!"

Unbeknownst to Varras, he was as red as the tomatoes he farmed. He had been staring at the screen, unblinking for the last minute as the scene continued. Sebastian had noticed and was secretly eyeing him, observing and silently adoring the emo's cute reactions. He had to contain a giggle when he saw Varras flinch when Abigail had gone for Natalie's lower belly.

Finally, Sebastian leaned forward a little and paused the movie. "Are you alright, Var? You've gone quiet." His voice was warmhearted and concerned, but there was an unmistakable glint in his eyes.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine, Seb- I'm just thirsty, is all-" He took a sip of his Dr. Pepper as he looked away.

"Are you sure? You're red in the face~"

Varras silently cursed his embarrassingly-pale skin for so quickly exposing his blush. He cleared his throat. "It's nothing-"

"Wanna know what I think~?"

"Hm?"

"I think someone's in a lee mood~" Sebastian smugly smirked at the emo, waiting for him to make a move.

Varras blushed and hid his face behind his hands. "H-huhushhhh-!"

"Never~!" Sebastian pulled his taller friend closer and gently slid a hand up into his shirt, wiggling his fingers gently along his sides, making the emo giggle and squeak cutely. "So unbelievably ticklish~"

"Noooohohohohohoooo! Nohoho teheheheheasing!" Varras giggled out.

"Shhhh, I'm trying to watch the movie, cutie!"

"B-buhuhut-!"

Sebastian laid a finger on Varras' lips as he glided a single finger up and down along his ribs, making Varras squirm a bit. They sat there for a while, Sebastian gently tickling his friend to pieces as they finished the movie.

Finally, after a half-hour of mercilessly-soft tickles, the screen faded to black as the music reached a crescendo, the words 'The End~!' appearing on the screen in a big loopy font.

"There~! How'd you like the film, Var~?" Sebastian chuckled as he looked up at his friend. He was blushy down to his shoulders, and he had given up squirming a while ago.

"I-ihihihit wahahahahas cheeheeheesy!" Varras squeaked out.

"Awh, so you didn't like it~? But you were smiling the whole time! I think I even heard lots and lots of cute giggles~! It sounds like you were having fun!"

"Nohohohohhoho!! Ihihihihi’m nahahhahahat cuuhuhuhuhute!!” He blushed as he looked away.

Sebastian gasped indignantly. "What! Utterly unbelievable!" He then scribbled his fingers over Varras' lower belly, sending the emo into hysterics.

“NAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA WAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAIT-!!!!”

"Take it back!"

“NEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEVEHEHEHEHEHEHHEER!!!”

Sebastian giggled as he gently pushed Varras onto his back, straddling his thighs. "Last chance~!"

“FUHUHUHUAHAHAHACK OHOHOHOAAHAHAHAHAFF!!!”

"Oh~ Very well then! Have it your way~!" He innocently smiled as he leaned down and placed a big raspberry on Varras' belly, making Varras screech and arch his back desperately.

“OKAHAHAHAHAY OKAHAHAHAHAHAY!!!! IHIHIHI’M SAHAHAHAHRRYHYHYHY!!”

His shorter friend smiled as he let up on the merciless tickles, going back to gently grazing Varras' soft skin. "I knew that would convince you~!"

Varras gasped for breath, softly giggling as he relaxed. "Youhuhuhu're vehehehery pehehersuahahasive-"

"I know!" Sebastian chuckled.

The emo yawned as his eyes slowly began drifting shut, the exhaustion from the tickles and the soothing sound of the rain on the windows putting him to sleep. "Thahahank youhuhuhu…"

"It's my pleasure, cutie~! Gettin' sleepy~?"

Varras yawned again. "Mhm…"

"Aw, poor thing~! All tuckered out~" Sebastian ran his fingers through his friend's hair soothingly, letting the emo drift off into sweet dreams. Sebastian laid down once Varras was asleep, resting his head on Varras' chest. "Goodnight, Var~" Soon, they were both sleeping peacefully as the rain poured outside.

#kayde wrote something woah

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omegasmileyface · 2 years

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Of All the People - ch. 5

a little one to close out today's chapters. still written by @attackradish and also me and also @ectolemonades with art in chapter one from @/toasty-ghosti :3

whole fic summary: After a stupid dare puts Dash Baxter in the lab at Fentonworks during the middle of a ghost fight, he finds himself a little more spectral than usual. Apparently Danny Fenton’s gone through the same thing (someone has got to call OSHA on these guys eventually), and who could better help Dash than his hero? His lame, stubborn hero?

warnings: existential crises. In later chapters, Spectra.

words: 971

AO3 link

first chapter

previous chapter

next chapter

===

Would practice ever end?

Dash ran line drills alongside half the team after losing a practice scrimmage. He’d messed up simple plays, but his mind was occupied with finishing out practice, leaving no room to berate himself over his mistakes.

His head pounded, his lungs burned, his leg throbbed, and he could feel every single ache in his body at once.

One minute the 30-yard line was in sight, the next the AstroTurf was rushing toward his face. He tried to swiftly pick himself up to finish the drill, but his left leg failed to give any support.

Dread washed over him when he heard Tetslaff’s whistle. Two of his teammates got on either side of him and hauled him to his feet while the coach jogged over to them.

“You’re done for the day, Baxter. Go home and get some rest, you look like Hell.”

“Coach, I’m fine." Dash's voice was strained from the fatigue of his lungs. "Just let me take 10 and I’ll be ready to go again.”

“No, go home. Probably wouldn’t hurt to go see a doctor, too.” Tetslaff redirected her attention to Kwan. “Park, you’re dismissed from practice to help him out of here.”

Kwan called Dash's mom as they walked off the field, arms around shoulders in unspoken support. Dash looked over his shoulder, where practice had already resumed without him.

===

Dash was lucky his own doctor was available for urgent care the next day. He didn't want this to be shared with anybody else.

"You would have told me if something really bad happened, right, sweetie?"

Dash swatted his mom's petting hands off of his head, even as she pouted. "Yes, Mom, I just got this ache out of nowhere."

"If you say so. Gosh, I hope it's nothing serious, I know how excited you were to get to State again this year."

"I'll be fine. Besides, they need me on the team! I'll feel great again after tomorrow."

When a nurse came out and called his name, Dash tried to ignore his mom blowing him a kiss before pulling out a magazine. If he didn't see it, no one else did, either.

He was as silent as possible as the nurse took his measurements.

"Huh. Your heart rate and blood pressure are both a bit low. Has your morning routine been any different today than usual?"

Dash's worry must have shown on his face, because the nurse was quick to move on.

"I'll leave a note of that so you can talk to Dr. Lopez about it privately. That's it, she'll be in in just a few minutes. Have a nice day, Mr. Baxter!"

Fuck, goddammit, he hadn't even seen his doctor yet and there was something suspicious for her to see. At this rate, forget football, he'd get kicked out of town because the GIW would come and kidnap him!

Dash practically leapt out of his skin when the doctor knocked on the door and stepped in.

"Hi, Dash! Are you having a good day?"

Dash nodded, still not trusting himself to speak.

"That's good. Just let me check up on everything before we get to looking at that leg injury."

Dash's heartbeat, the one that was apparently unusually slow, only sped up as Dr. Lopez read over the clipboard. Eventually, she gave a contemplative hum and frowned a bit without looking at Dash.

"It looks like your body isn't quite up to speed for the day. Did you take a nap before coming? Make sure you're drinking water after you wake up, whether in the morning or not. This could point to something, so give me a call if you start to find yourself unusually tired during the day."

"...Yes, ma'am."

Once Dash half-heartedly described his leg pains, his doctor suggested a quick X-Ray on-site to make sure there was nothing wrong with the bone.

There was something wrong with the bone. Apparently, it looked to be healing from a break. A mostly-healed one, like he had broken it months ago. He hadn't, obviously. Thank God Dr. Lopez accepted "I got hurt in a ghost fight" for an explanation as to how it could be so unnatural.

…Still. There was a fracture. Whatever had happened to Dash's leg that night didn't disappear when Danny apparently pulled healing magic out of nowhere. And his doctor couldn't find anything wrong with his chest when she listened in, just shaky breathing and complaints about pain.

She was convinced it would pass with time, and the femur would heal naturally, but Dash wasn't as sold. Dying was permanent. It's not the kind of thing you heal from.

Dr. Lopez told him to keep exercise light. Take Ibuprofen when in pain, no more than 1600 mg a day. Call her if he needed anything stronger. And no sports. Come back in two weeks and they'd see if he was in better shape. But Dash wouldn't be in better shape. The two weeks would pass and no part of Dash would be healed. The bench would change to a car ride home and Dash wouldn't even be able to do anything for the football team anymore, and that was the one thing he could still do right these days but he'd never be able to play again and who would he be? Who is Dash Baxter without his one right fit?

Dash figured losing his identity, his place, his use, his life, would be the first thing to happen when he died. Instantaneous. No more Dash Baxter.

Turns out it was just slow enough to let him mourn.

He didn't hear a word his mom said when she checked out of the clinic and drove him home. For all he knew, she wasn't even talking to him anymore. Who was there to talk to, anyway?

#''what the fuck‚ fenton‚ i thought being part ghost was going to slay absolute penis!''#we definitely know how to write about football haha :) its not like all 3 of us have been nerds all our lives #danny phantom #invisobang 2022 #my writing #swagger bishie #halfa!dash #halfa dash au #dash baxter #teddy ghost #check ao3 for more tags!

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archiveikemen · 1 year

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Abe no Yasuchika Main Story — Chapter 15

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by downloading and playing their games.

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He pushed my shoulder, causing me to stumble backwards and my back hit the door.

I ducked my head in fear when I realized I couldn't escape.

Yasuchika: You naughty girl.

Yasuchika: Since you're so desperate to find out more about me, why don't I personally share about myself with you?

Yasuchika: After all, you might never be able to return to the Shogunate.

(Does he know… what I was investigating?)

(Relax, Yuno. Don't panic.)

I took a deep breath and smiled.

Yuno: I have not the slightest idea what you're talking about. Is something wrong, Yasuchika?

Yasuchika: …

(Lord Yoritomo, this is fine… right?)

I recalled a conversation I had with Yoritomo.

== Flashback Start ==

It was on the day I met up with Yoritomo to report to him about my investigations in the mansion…

Yoritomo: Listen carefully. There is a high chance that Yasuchika is already suspicious of us.

Yuno: Um… that doesn't sound good.

Yoritomo: Whether good or bad, there has been a lot going on in the Imperial Court.

Yoritomo: As long as we don’t openly confront them about those, they will keep quiet in order to avoid causing a scene.

Yuno: Is that so…

Yoritomo: If they're up to no good, it means that they could be planning something that involves the war between the Shogunate and the Rebels.

Yoritomo: But since you’re part of the Shogunate, you can’t interfere with that either. So you can just take it easy.

Yuno: That's a relief to hear… although it's impossible for me to take things easy.

Yoritomo: We will pretend to behave as we usually do, but in our hearts we know that we are fooling them.

Yuno: Fool them… can I do that?

Yoritomo: Absolutely not.

(He didn't even hesitate!)

Yuno: Can you at least pretend to hesitate a little before straight up rejecting me…

Yoritomo: Letting you deal with Yasuchika directly without a solid plan is too dangerous.

Yoritomo: I only want you to remember one thing.

Yuno: What is it…?

Yoritomo: Smile.

(... Smile?)

Yoritomo: Basically, it means… “I’m not going to surrender to your threats, but I don't want to hurt you either.”

Yoritomo: He will know what your smile means if he reads between the lines.

Yoritomo: At this moment, the Imperial Court has yet to reach the point where they can simply get rid of you. So that should be enough to keep you out of trouble.

== Flashback End ==

Yasuchika: … Right. If you’re clueless, that means I was just overthinking.

(... I think I can go with the excuse that it was a coincidence that I witnessed what happened just now.)

Yasuchika: Well then, did it surprise you to see something like that?

Yuno: Yeah… it did.

Yuno: I always thought that the art of yin-yang magic was a graceful power used to help people. So, why?

Yasuchika: You want to know why I’m using it to do evil deeds?

Yuno: … Yes.

Yasuchika: I receive countless requests from court nobles to help them defeat their political opponents using black magic.

Yasuchika: Usually, I’d turn them all down. But recently… I just thought it's not a bad idea.

Yasuchika: Ayakashi want to harm humans. Humans want to harm one another. They're the same thing, don't you think?

Yuno: What about the victim…?

Yasuchika: I’ll interfere if things get too messy.

Yasuchika: But I don't really see why I should involve myself in a fight between people who take advantage of their political positions to fill their pockets and the spirits of the mountains and rivers.

I couldn't tell what I was feeling at that moment. Was it anger? Or sorrow?

I clenched my fists tightly and forced back my tears.

(I don't know whether black magic has anything to do with the Imperial Court’s plan, but I can’t keep silent about this.)

Yuno: … Then, what about you? Personally, what do you think about all this?

Yasuchika: Hm?

Yuno: Back in the garden at the castle in Kamakura, you showed me your yin-yang powers.

Yuno: You told me that you invented that spell when you were a child to make it look like there were stars glowing everywhere in the dark night sky…

Yuno: Do you really want to use black magic to hurt people?

Yasuchika: …

Yuno: You’re capable of such beautiful things.

Yasuchika: Pretty things are of no use.

After a stifling moment of silence, Yasuchika lifted a corner of his lips.

Yasuchika: Yin-yang magic is the work of human beings, it’s no miracle.

Yasuchika: Unlike the kind of powers Ayakashi have, we have many restrictions. The more powerful we become, the greater the price we have to pay.

Those words were like poison to my heart.

Yasuchika: We could sacrifice a bone, a piece of flesh… or more than that.

Yasuchika: But for a goal we’re willing to even go down on our hands and knees for… it's only a tiny price to pay.

(What’s making him want to go to such extremes?)

Yuno: What is your goal…?

Yasuchika: Well.

Yuno: Is it for Lord Akihito?

Even though I stepped closer to him, I couldn't see any hints of discomposure in his face.

Yasuchika: If you want to go that deep into my heart, you’re going to have to pay for it.

Yuno: What’s the price?

Yasuchika: For example, I could get in the way of your plans.

Yasuchika: How about I stop you from participating in the war and helping the Shogunate?

Yuno: … No way.

Yasuchika: You can't do that?

Yasuchika: Then I’m done talking.

(— He’s cornering me.)

Yasuchika: The two of us live in completely different worlds, and see different things.

Yasuchika: Don’t you think it's better for you to avoid dealing with people like me?

Yuno: I…

Yuno: I’m going to be your assistant until the day I return to Kamakura.

(Even though you’re on the enemy’s side, my desire to understand you is genuine.)

Yuno: Is it wrong for me to look up to someone who lives in a different world from mine, and want to understand him?

Yasuchika: … Yuno.

Overwhelmed by emotions, my voice grew hoarse.

Yuno: Despite spending so much time with you already, I still don't know a lot about you.

Yuno: But… just because I don't understand someone, it doesn't mean that I can't like them.

Yasuchika: …

(I’m well aware that what I’m saying right now could be dangerous.)

I bravely looked straight into Yasuchika's eyes.

Yuno: — Please excuse me.

Yasuchika didn't stop me when I opened the door and left.

After Yuno left…

Yasuchika: …

After standing still for a while, Yasuchika placed a hand over his chest.

Yasuchika: It's all in my head.

Ibuki: What's all in your head?

Yasuchika: …!

Yasuchika frowned at Ibuki, who entered the room through the open door.

Yasuchika: What are you talking about?

Ibuki: I was surprised to hear that. I just happened to be passing through the corridor when I came across a crying Yuno, it made me hesitate to mess with her.

Ibuki: It was worth my effort coming in here to see that stupid look you have on your face.

Yasuchika: I wonder how the hell have you been alive for 1200 years but still have nothing better to do for entertainment apart from mocking others.

Ibuki: People like you are the ones keeping me entertained.

Ibuki: So— what’s the matter, Yasuchika?

Ibuki gleefully directed his gaze toward Yasuchika's hand.

Ibuki: I’m going to laugh my ass off if you tell me Yuno stabbed you in the chest because you went overboard.

Yasuchika: Like hell I’ll do such a thing.

Yasuchika: But…

Ibuki: But…?

Yasuchika mumbled reluctantly.

Yasuchika: I don't know what it is… it's like there's something in here… and it hurts.

Ibuki: …

Yasuchika: What's with that face?

Ibuki: — Nevermind.

Ibuki shrugged. He seemed to have changed his mind after wanting to say something.

Ibuki: Maybe it’s an eel bone that got stuck again.

Yasuchika: Huh? What the hell are you saying?

Ibuki: When you were a kid, I was kind enough to feed you the best eels I could find. But you made a fuss about it, remember?

Yasuchika: You knew I hated them, and yet you kept using them to pester me.

Ibuki: Even a man who would break his own fingers without a second thought can say such weak things just because he choked on an eel’s bone one time.

Yasuchika: Those are two completely unrelated things. This is why you demons don't get human emotions.

Ibuki: — At least I have a more “human” interpretation of what could be happening to your heart than you can ever come up with.

Yasuchika: …? Come what now?

Ibuki: Nothing.

Ibuki pretended he didn't mutter those words under his breath.

The day before the meeting Doman mentioned…

(Yoritomo mentioned that Yasuchika could be trying to forcefully gain control of the Imperial Court’s internal affairs.)

I had already reported to Yoritomo regarding Yasuchika’s usage of black magic.

As I was strolling through the garden in between my errands, I recalled a past conversation.

(By providing the court noble with black magic, he will defeat all his political opponents. Then Yasuchika will take advantage of it and force that court noble to join his side, and change the balance of power in the Imperial Court in his favor…)

(Is that what Yasuchika is trying to do?

(If that is the method that will give him results in the shortest amount of time… I can see why he chose to do it.)

Ibuki: Got something on your mind?

Yuno: Oh, Ibuki.

Ever since then— I had been spending time with Yasuchika and the others as usual, although that was what it looked like on the surface.

I looked down at the baggage he was carrying.

Yuno: Are you headed somewhere?

Ibuki: There's going to be a festival tonight, so I thought I’d stay outside Kyoto.

Yuno: During the festival, all the Onmyoji will be working together to perform a ritual to reinstall the magic barriers surrounding Kyoto, right?

Yuno: Considering it’s a large-scale ritual, I thought you would stay behind to help Yasuchika.

Ibuki: Unfortunately, my presence will only get in their way.

(Get in their way?)

Akihito: Yuno. Ibuki.

Yuno: Lord Akihito!

I bowed when I saw Akihito walking towards us.

Ibuki: Oh, Akihito. Are you going to tonight's festival?

Akihito: I won’t get in its way, but I won’t be of much help either.

Akihito: I have some business to attend to outside Kyoto, so I won’t be going to the festival.

(I see…)

(If Yasuchika were to make use of the Imperial Court to backstab the Shogunate, what roles would the two of them play?)

(Of course, they’d be involved in the planning process.)

— The Shogunate has been looking into the backgrounds of Akihito and Ibuki, but they haven't found anything so far.

Akihito: Yuno, are you going to assist Yasuchika?

Yuno: I’ll help out a little with the preparations for the ritual.

Yuno: Since I can’t help him with the ritual itself, I guess I’ll just stick around to watch what happens.

Akihito: It’s a grand-scale festival, you should take the chance to enjoy the beauty of Kyoto.

Ibuki: Don’t get lost, yeah?

Yuno: I’m a grown woman!

(How I wish… all suspicions will be cleared up and we can laugh together like this again.)

My heart ached because I truly enjoyed our friendly chats.

As night fell, the festive lights in town lit up.

(The festival is so lively!)

After walking around the night market for a while, I moved away from the crowd to take a break…

Woman: Excuse me! By any chance, have you seen a lonely little boy around?

Woman: His kimono has green dye patterns on it.

Yuno: I don't think so… is he missing?

Woman: Yes, he vanished the moment I took my eyes off him… I wonder where he went.

Watching the mother panic made me feel bad for her.

Yuno: If you want, I can help you look for him. I’ll take him to you if I find him.

Woman: Oh, um… will that really be okay with you?

Yuno: It's dangerous for young children to wander off by themselves.

I made an appointment with the mother to meet up in a few hours, and left to search elsewhere for the missing boy.

…

Yuno: Hm… it's so hard to look for someone here.

(I ended up in a place where there's not a single person in sight.)

Suddenly, a fog surrounded me and made me feel uneasy.

(Yasuchika should be in the middle of performing the ritual now, right?)

I couldn't help but smile wryly at the way Yasuchika was the first person I thought of in such a situation.

At that moment —

I heard the faint jingling of bells amidst the thick fog.

(There’s something up ahead… oh!)

An old makeshift shrine came into view.

A group of people dressed in white and carrying parasols were walking around it in a procession.

(That shrine looks kind of strange. And why are they dressed in white when there's a festival going on?)

(I had a bad feeling about going somewhere outside the main town like this…)

I got the creeps and hid in the shadows when…

A strong gust of wind blew away one of the parasols in the procession.

(Ah.)

Ayakashi 1: This is useless.

The face that was previously hidden by the parasol had only one eye.

Yuno: …. Ggh…

I crouched down and tried to stop myself from screaming.

(Could it be that… everyone in that procession… is an Ayakashi!?)

Ayakashi 2: I’m hungry.

Ayakashi 3: Master Doman, you told us that we would have humans to feed on.

Ayakashi 4: Eat. Eat. Eat.

(Those Ayakashi are the work of Ashiya Doman!?)

(There's too many of them… I need to hide.)

Ayakashi 5: It is just as you said, Master Doman. All the Onmyoji in the capital, with the exception of one, are a bunch of idiots.

(That “one” is referring to Yasuchika, right? And Doman is involved again…?)

Ayakashi 6: It was so easy to fool them all.

Ayakashi 7: After tonight, Kyoto will belong to the Ayakashi.

Ayakashi 8: That's right, there’s even a festival tonight.

Ayakashi 9: Our festival!

Ayakashi 10: Hold on.

The procession that had been going on as they spoke, suddenly stopped.

(Eh?)

Ayakashi 10: I smell a human being nearby.

Yuno: …!

(Was I discovered!? What should I do—)

Right when I was about to run for my life…

Child: Uwaaaaaahhhh…!

(A child…?)

One of the Ayakashi picked up a small child from behind the bushes.

Child: Let go of me! Mommy…!

(A kimono with green dye patterns! This is the little boy I’m looking for…)

Ayakashi 10: It’s a human child. Let’s eat him.

Ayakashi 11: Count me in! I want to eat too!

Ayakashi 12: Give me one of those pretty little eyeballs.

Child: Ueee… someone… save me…

(... Darn it, I can't just leave him alone.)

Ignoring my fear, I sprinted towards them.

Yuno: Take your filthy hands off that child!

All Ayakashi: …!

I snatched the little boy away and held him tightly.

Ayakashi 13: This woman…! That's my prey!

Child: B-Big sis… who are you…?

Yuno: Run!

I pulled his little hand and started running.

All Ayakashi: Hey!

(Kyaa!?)

My body was shoved from behind by an invisible force, causing me to fall forward.

Child: Big sis!

Yuno: Don't stop! Run!

I pushed the little boy’s back to urge him to run, then turned around and raised my palm at the Ayakashi.

Yuno: Powers of the Nine Tailed Fox — take away their powers!

An invisible attack from one of the Ayakashi sliced through the air.

But a golden mist rose from the ground and absorbed its powers with every attack.

Ayakashi 14: What the hell!? Who is this woman—

(That child must escape to safety. I need to hold them back…!)

I scolded my legs for trembling.

Yuno: Just a little more…

(... Fortunately, I have some experience in dealing with Ayakashi. Thanks to Yasuchika.)

I felt the burning in my palm and stared straight ahead.

(If only Yasuchika were here.)

But I knew that was too much to wish for.

(I'm suspicious of Yasuchika, and he’s aware of that… we don't have the kind of relationship whereby I can call him for help.)

Ayakashi 15: This lowly human being is so arrogant!

Ayakashi 16: We can get rid of her fast if all of us attack her at once.

(... Uh oh.)

Tossing aside their parasols, all the Ayakashi approached me at the same time.

(Is this the end of me?)

I was beginning to lose all hope, but then—

Yasuchika: — Looks like it's not only humans who tend to get too carried away during festivals.

Yuno: Yasuchika!

A revoltingly reassuring voice sounded out. Yasuchika was standing right next to me.

(Why is he here…?)

Yasuchika: … You need to quit being so reckless.

Yasuchika: I seriously can’t take my eyes off you for even a second.

Yuno: You really came to save me…

I felt a warm hand on my head when I was about to burst into tears.

Yasuchika: You did a good job hanging on by yourself so far. Good girl.

#ikemen genjiden #ikegen #ikemen series #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #otome #ikemen yasuchika #ikegen main story #yasuchika main story

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