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peonybane · 5 years

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Agape and Pragma: Chapter 11

Pairings: OT7 (BTS) x Reader

Word Count: 4.9 k

Genre: Hybrid AU, Fluff, Angst, Sci-Fi, Crack, Smut

Chapter Specific Notes: Fluff, Crack, SMUT

Warnings: Some barely there MxM, threesome, light anal play, female and male receiving oral, ..., wall sex. Jungkook is a very excited lover. That should be it.

Summary: Your entire world had be torn asunder by just one lab test. Time heals all wounds, but does it really? What will it take to feel whole again?

Hybrid Types: Peacock Jin, Serval Yoongi, Golden Retriever Hoseok, Gray Wolf Namjoon, Scottish Fold House Cat Jimin, Great Dane Taehyung, and French Lop Eared Rabbit Jungkook

a/n: Thank you very much to @ropeseok for helping me out with this chapter. This was giving me really bad anxiety but I couldn’t have gotten through it without her guidance.

<— Previous (Chapter 10)

You had just parked the car in the driveway when you took a deep breath, leaning back. It had been a few weeks since that day and you still couldn’t believe it. You! Out of all people, in a polyamorous relationship with seven (Seven!) other people.

Thinking back on it, you were glad that when Namjoon had returned later that night, you all sat down and laid down the rules of the relationship. The idea of ‘what is mine, is yours’ was implemented within the relationship, with one exception: since there were a few of your lovers that were solitary Hybrids, no one was to enter another’s room without their permission. This was to create a safe and comfortable environment for this relationship if it were to survive. The other rule was to be respectful of each other’s boundaries. You told them you had wanted to take this slow: it was a lot to process and this was going to be a process for you to accept that you were worthy of all this love. You needed time. And they all agreed to this.

As you got out of your car, grabbing your things, you chuckled to yourself, it wasn’t that you all weren’t affectionate— far from it exactly. Taehyung now openly capitalized you and Jimin during cuddle time: one hand on Jimin’s butt (occasionally petting his tail, making him bristle but purr in this strange combination of sensations) and the other would be on your hip, rubbing gentle circles as he buried his face in your neck. Jimin at these time would rub his face wherever he could on you that was safe, purring loudly. Jin was far more directly flirty, especially when he’d wrap his arms around you or Jimin in the kitchen. Yoongi insisted upon openly holding hands whenever he could, even if this meant that he’d have to shyly hold Hoseok’s hand. Hoseok and Namjoon didn’t change too much in their demeanor towards you or the others, but there was a stronger tenderness to them, especially when they’d kiss one of you all on the cheek, something that was certainly new. Jungkook became openly attached to Namjoon, shyly flirting with the both of you, which both you and Namjoon would shyly flirt back, granting you stifled giggles from the others.

Overall, everything was new… it was better… even if you’ve not slept with any of them since that first time. But that was alright. Especially since you had told them you had wanted to take it slow.

Opening the door, you were greeted with the smell of dinner. It smelled like Jin’s signature braised beef with beer glazed vegetables. Even on his one day off every few weeks, he just wants to cook. You set down all your stuff on the table near the door, slipping off your shoes: you’d get them later.

Entering the living room on your way to the kitchen, you greeted by an unusual sight.

Yoongi was laying on the couch. Which was unusual in it of itself; as tired as he could be, he preferred sitting at his piano unless it was cuddle time. To make matters even more awkward, he laid there with his legs splayed out, his tail flicking angrily out from under him, his eyes were closed. But no, that wasn’t even the worst of it. He laid there, an ice pack in hand… over his crotch.

You stood there, staring, your brain playing catch up. As silently as you could, you headed for the kitchen, where the sound of sizzling and a bit of laughter could be heard.

Entering the kitchen, Hoseok immediately threw himself at you, enveloping you in a hug, his tail going at a million miles an hour. “You’re back! Welcome home!”

“Thanks, Hobi! I missed you guys. Didn’t think this would take so long.”

At the table, Namjoon replied, “Nah, don’t worry about it. In fact, you’re just in time.”

As you pulled away from Hoseok’s hug, you noticed that they all looked at you expectantly, the two youngest trying their hardest to keep laughter under control. You sighed, “Ok, I know I’m probably going to regret asking this, especially since Kookie and Tae look like they’re going to explode, why is Yoongi on the couch with an icepack on his crotch?”

At this Jungkook and Taehyung couldn’t contain themselves anymore and lost it, laughing like a bunch of grade schoolers. Jimin led you over the table as Jin barely contained his own laughter. Jin asked, “Do you remember the time I left the bathroom after we first moved in?”

You blushed. Of course you remembered. It took you weeks to get that image out of your head. He continued, “Well, I said that not all of us are exactly human down there. Namely… Yoongi?”

Tilting your head, you asked, “Yoongi?”

There was some more sniggering at the table before Jin continued, “Well, Yoongi has… serval anatomy down there….”

“Which means?”

Namjoon sighed, “Well, cats have barbs on their… penises.”

3… 2… 1… [Brain reboot initiated]. “WHAT?”

This incited the others to howl with laughter. You turned bright red, hiding your face in your hands. Jin reached over and rubbed your back, prompting you to look over at him. He gave you a gentle smile as Namjoon said, “Alright, quit laughing. It’s alright she didn’t notice. Anyways… you already know: Hybrids can have human genitalia, our animal counterpart genitalia, or somewhere in between. Yoongi was born with his more… animalistic genitalia, i.e. barbs. I know there’s a procedure to have them removed but I don’t know much about it. Jimin?”

Everyone turned their attention to Jimin. He coughed, clearing his throat. “I was born with human genitalia, so I didn’t have to do the surgery but I’ve read about it. Male feline Hybrids when they become a sexually active they’re given the option of a surgery to remove the barbs. It’s kinda hard to describe but more times than not because of the fact that they’re cartilage rather than something like hair, they won’t grow back. Most other toms I know have it done when they’re in their teens. No idea why Yoongi’s waited for so long.”

Suddenly a thought popped into your head. “Wait, if Yoongi’s only having the barbs removed now and I assume there’s no condom yet that can deal with the barbs—“ Jimin shook his head, confirming your suspicions, “then does that mean Yoongi’s a virgin?”

The room fell silent for a moment. Jin coughed, “Well, Yoongi ran in the same circle as Liam, so… not a virgin necessarily. But when it comes to, well, sex with a woman, yes. I suppose he is.”

It took another moment for your brain to process what he was saying. Was… was he saying that Yoongi finally went through this procedure… for you? The thought made you both shudder and blush. You were brought out of your musings by the man himself, finally being tempted by the smell emanating from the kitchen.

“Smells good. I’m starving.”

Yoongi took his usual spot at the table and you couldn’t help but stare at him. After all, the thought of him doing that for you made you feel both guilty and strangely happy that he’d do something like that for you.

As if sensing why you were staring at him, Yoongi smacked the back of Jin’s head. “Yah! Why’d you do that?”

“You and your big mouth!”

^~^~^~^~^

Later that evening, you found yourself in your room, reading. To be honest, it was a rather boring article. But thus is the life of science fiction editor: you had to keep up with things within your genre. A knock on your door grabbed your attention. Putting down your magazine, you couldn’t help but think that it was perfect timing. “Come in!”

As the door creaked open, Jin’s enormous frame took up the doorway. You smiled at him as he entered your room. “Oh boy, what have I done to deserve this attention on your night off?”

Jin giggled as he came closer towards you. “Oh, you know. Sometimes even a handsome bird like me wants to be cuddled and talk about nothing.”

You chuckled as you patted the spot next to you, for which Jin practically dive bombed for, making you giggle. He settled in next you, laying on his side. You turned to face him, getting comfortable yourself as he rested his hand on your hip, rubbing it gently as he playfully kissed your nose.

The both of you stayed like that for awhile talking about everything and nothing at all, though it seemed like after a while, the goal of it all was to get you to laugh. At one point, Jin started started making fun of how Jungkook slept, making you giggle. As if he hearing his name and your giggles, said rabbit Hybrid seemingly materialized.

Jungkook knocked on your door, earning your attention as he leaned against the doorway. He smirked, “Heard you talking shit, Jin.”

Despite his words, the little bunny smile and twinkle in his eye gave away his mischievous intent. “Maybe he was, Kookie. Come. Join us!”

“Yah! Traitor!”

Jin started tickling you, causing you to try to squirm away as you laughed. You had thought that Jungkook would be your knight in shining armor. But you were wrong: he was in league with Jin, taking up the space behind on you on the bed, trapping you between the two of them as he joined in on the tickling.

Your face became red as you started losing your breath, squirming against Jungkook, trying to get yourself from their hold.

Jungkook suddenly went rigid behind you. Jin stopped immediately as well, his eyes going large. As you twisted around to look over at Jungkook, you noticed the reason. You swallowed. “Kookie… why are you hard?”

He started turning bright red. “You— You were squirming around! It… It’s a natural reaction!”

You began to giggle, Jin joining in. “It’s fine, Kookie! I know, I know you couldn’t help yourself.”

Jin continued to laugh. “You really are a rabbit, huh?”

“Yah!”

Jungkook reached over you, smacking Jin on the shoulder… which inadvertently pushed his erection between your ass cheeks, making you squeak. Both of them stilled and you felt blood rush to your face as their heated gazes bore into you. Jungkook stroked the hair away from your ear to whisper your name into it. “Is… Is it too much to assume that we can touch you tonight?”

You worried your bottom lip with your teeth, but glancing up at Jin’s face reassured you. “No. I want you.”

Jin gave you gentle smile before leaning in to kiss you. You hummed at the softness of his lips, closing your eyes. Against your lips, you could feel him make a small sound of pleasure as he reached up and ran his hand through your hair, tugging at it gently. You whimpered, seemingly causing Jungkook to twitch against your ass.

“Come on, my turn!”

Jungkook tugged Jin’s hand away from your hair (which he let go so he wouldn’t hurt you) and laced his own through, tugging you away from Jin so he could kiss you himself. Jungkook’s kiss was far more… hungry. Your neck strained as he seemingly devoured your lips, sucking and nipping wherever he could, his hips gently rutting against your ass unconsciously.

You were helpless under his assault, whimpering and moaning, trying your best to fight back, to nip back, anything to show him that you were not going to take being pushed around… for long.

When Jungkook finally let you go for air, a string of saliva breaking as you both panted, Jin cleared his throat. “As hot as that was I think some clothes need to disappear.”

You blushed, biting your bottom lip, prompting Jin to grab you from Jungkook’s hold, much to the younger’s displeasure. “Yah! I wasn’t done!”

“Oh, pipe down, bunny. Strip while I work on her.”

That seemed have shut him up as Jin began feeling up your chest, making you mewl in happiness. He smirked as he buried his face in your neck, kissing and sucking as he ran his hand under your nightshirt now. You whimpered, but not to be out done, you reached down and cupped him through his pajama pants, making his stiffen… in more ways than one. You giggled. Victory was yours.

Your victory was short lived however when you felt Jungkook at your backside again, this time though, naked. You shuddered under the heat of his body. Jin nipped, just below your ear, making you cry out a little and pull away from him. “Hey!”

Jungkook giggled from behind you. “Getting a little excited there, huh?”

Jin sneered at him. “Like you’re one to talk.”

You rolled your eyes. “Hey! No fighting, you two.”

Jungkook blushed then kissed your cheek. “Sorry. We’re just both a little excited. Especially now that you’re ours.”

You smiled at him, your heartwarming. “Of course. And you both are mine and each others.”

Jin nuzzled your neck. “In that case, sweetie, let’s get you undressed.”

You nodded, sitting up. Before you could reach for the bottom of your shirt, Jungkook was already removing it for you. With every inch of skin becoming more and more exposed, he kissed a line up your spine, making you shiver. Jin sat back, watching the both of you as he smirked. Goosebumps covered your skin the moment you sat there, your upper half all exposed to the two of them.

“Sweetie?”

You swallowed. “Y-Yes?”

Jin smiled softly at you. “How do you feel about preparing Jungkook while I get you ready?”

Your eyes grew large, realizing what he was asking. But you wanted to, nodding. Jin directed you to lay on your front, having your hips elevated by a pillow. You weren’t quite sure what he was planning but Jungkook clearing his throat caught your attention.

Looking up, you were greeted with an unexpected sight. Jungkook was… well, his cock was built kinda like how he was: it was on the shorter end of average but was thick. If you could describe a cock as muscular… this would be it as it rested amongst a trimmed forest of dark hair. “You’re… normal.”

The room was silent for a moment before Jin’s high pitched squawking filled the air. You buried your face in the duvet, the blood rushing to your face in embarrassment. “Oh, shut up Jin!”

Jungkook stroked your hair until he was able to goad you into looking up at him. You glanced up at him through eyelashes and you were greeted with large doe eyes and a cute bunny smile. You couldn’t help but smile at that.

You noticed that Jungkook had softened from the laughing outburst from Jin. You had to apologize and remedy that. Resting up on your elbows, you reached out with your dominant hand and grasped him, causing him to sit rigidly.

Jungkook leaned back on his elbows, watching you intently. God, his gaze was intense. It was like he was trying to bore holes into you. It was a little embarrassing as you started a steady, slow rhythm of stroking him. You jumped a little as Jin started tugging your pajama bottoms down, prompting you to look over at him.

He smirked at you before Jungkook grabbed your face and brought your attention back on him. “Eyes here.”

You couldn’t help the slight humiliating blush from coloring your cheeks, but you decided to placate him by reaching out with your tongue now and giving the tip of his cock little kitten lips. Jungkook hissed and you could practically feel Jin trying not to laugh from behind you as he removed your panties. You continued to lick at Jungkook’s tip as Jin finally removes your panties. Once they were off, you couldn’t help but gasp at what came next.

Jin buried his face in your pussy, licking one long strip from your clit to perineum. You let out a strangled hiss at the feeling, while pleasurable, surprisingly foreign. Jungkook snickered at you. You shot him a glare before reaching around and tugging at his little cottontail gently, making him yelp.

Jin giggled. “Now, now, you two. That’s no way to act. Don’t make me punish you.”

You looked over your shoulder at Jin as he kisses your left butt cheek, never breaking eye contact with you. You blushed heavily at the dark gaze in his eyes and the way the iridescent blue skin of his ‘feathers’ danced along his shoulders and the back of his upper arms. Jin smirked at you and winked, making you turn even redder in embarrassment and, well, lust.

Jungkook gently tapped your cheek, regaining your attention. You looked back up at him wide eyed. He shot you a dazzling smile before shyly glancing down at his own erection then back at you, begging you silently.

You couldn’t help but oblige him. You took him once more in your grasp, this time licking him from base to tip, making him take a sharp inhale of breath. Giggling at his reaction, you proceeded to take him into you mouth. Jungkook whimpered.

From behind, Jin began licking at your clit, gently teasing your entrance with his finger. You stiffened, Jungkook’s cock halfway in your mouth. Jungkook threaded his hand through your hair helping you move up and down his cock as Jin distracted you by licking at your clit.

Your head was swimming. Between the feel of Jin’s tongue at your clit and the fresh, musky smell of Jungkook filling your head, you weren’t sure how long you’d last like this. Jin slipped one long finger into you, making you stiffen, whimpering around Jungkook’s length. Jungkook moaned, “Mmmmmm. That’s it, baby.”

Jin pulled away from you, giggling. “Sweetie… I need you to pull away from Jungkook for a moment. I don’t want you to bite him… on accident anyways.”

Jungkook guided you by your hair off of him. He let out a heavily breath, you saliva still connecting the two of you. His cock jumped at the sight, breaking the string. And Jin removed his finger from you. That’s when you felt it.

You gasped, unsure of this new… sensation. Jin giggled behind you. He must be using the finger that had previously been in your clenching pussy and now gently teased your puckered entrance. You whimpered at the sensation. The reaction was immediate: you clenched trying to keep him out.

Jungkook stroked your hair and Jin kissed your right butt cheek. “It’s ok, sweetie. Relax. I won’t force it.”

You took a deep breath, trying to relax. Jungkook cradled your face in his hands and began kissing your cheeks, making you immediately relax into his touch. Jin kissed the base of your spine as he slipped one finger into your ass. “There… that’s my girl. Good girl.”

You shuddered at his words. The intrusion was… uncomfortable. But it didn’t hurt. The best way to describe was… foreign. Slowly and gently, Jin got you used to the sensation. And it began to feel… good. Goosebumps rose up on your skin and you let a breathy moan after a few minutes.

Both Jungkook and Jin stiffened. Jin cursed and withdrew his finger from you. “Damn it! I can’t do this anymore.”

Immediately, you felt scared. Did he not want you anymore? Was he disgusted by your reaction? Did he no longer like the prospects of a polyamorous relationship?

Your worries were cut short as Jin grabbed you around the waist, man handling you until you faced him as he laid back on his back, pulling you on top of him, smashing his mouth against yours. It was a whirlwind of sensation: he was all over you and it yet not enough. Your legs draped over his waist and cock nestled between your pussy lips. You pulled away from the kiss (or rather from Jin devouring your lips) gasping for air. You looked down between your legs and your pussy clenched around nothing at the sight.

He was large… probably a little longer than Namjoon if you had to guess but not nearly as girth. And if it was possible… it was even prettier erect than flaccid as it stood against a little smattering of blue, iridescent hair. You glances towards at Jin’s face as he looked at you adoringly, your hands resting on his broad chest. “Be a good girl for me and ride me. Otherwise… well… you might not be able to handle the both of us fucking you as hard as we want. We’ve waited too long, sweetie.”

You bit your bottom lip and reached between your bodies, rising up on your knees to line him up with your entrance. You slowly descended down on him. The stretch burned and it felt like it went on forever as you whimpered and whined. “Why are you so long?”

Jin giggled. “That’s just how I am, sweetie.”

Finally, you found yourself firmly seated in his lap, your pelvis pressed against his. “F-Full.”

Jin throbbed in you and he let out a groan. “So, tight.”

He slid his hands up your chest and fondled your breasts, making you sigh happily. You slowly began riding, albeit awkwardly. It’s been far too long since you last rode someone. It felt like you were a virgin all over again.

It was a struggle, wanting to desperately please him. You wanted him to know how much you loved him. How much you wanted him. Suddenly another set of hands were on you, making you stop in your awkward gyrations. You looked over your shoulder and was met with Jungkook’s bunny smile. “Need some help, baby?”

Before you could respond, Jungkook harshly grabbed your hips, setting your rocking at a brutal pace. You couldn’t help but moan. You were helpless between them, especially when Jin let out a deep sound from within his throat. It was almost like a growl but distinctly avian in nature.

Jungkook was challenging him… and he was going to meet that challenge. Jin brought his hands back to your thighs as Jungkook helped guide your hips, and began bucking up into you. You cried out. It was like they were working together to break you. You cried and squirmed against them. It almost hurt… but deeper though it felt good. You couldn’t stop the words that tumbled from your lips, “Y-Yes! Jin! Jungkook! F-Fuck! More!”

Your orgasm surprised you, causing you to violently squirm off of Jin’s length as you cried out in pleasure. It was if the motion of you coming off him or the sound of you cumming that did him in, but he groaned loudly, cursing as he came all over your lower belly.

Shaking, you collapsed on top of him, whimpering as Jungkook rubbed your hips from behind you. Jungkook kissed along your spine. “Come on, baby. Please?”

You couldn’t say no. Especially when you looked over your shoulder and he was staring at you with those doe eyes, his large floppy ears adorably framing his face. He looked strangely innocent in this moment. You smiled at him and nodded. You knew you were going to be sore and exhausted. Might as well get it all out of the way and enjoy it, right?

His innocent gaze quickly gave way to a dark predatory smirk. He was a predator disguised as prey. Jungkook picked you up off of Jin (a feeling that was strange as hell) and jiggled you around, causing you to yelp, until you were facing him, your legs and arms wrapped around him like an octopus. He whispered in your ear, “Get ready, baby. I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’re going to forget everything except for my name.”

Your pussy have a phantom clench around nothing at his words. He must of smelt it, because the next the thing you knew, you were being pushed much rougher than he probably meant against the nearest wall as he growled. He leaned into, balancing you between his chest and the wall as he took his cock in one hand, directing it to your dripping cunt. He growled in your ear, “I had planned on fucking you against the door so the others could hear the music of your moans and smell you clearly. But our needy girl had other thoughts it seems, dripping and clenching all over nothing.”

With no further warning, he plunged into you, making you scream in pain and pleasure. It was a bit painful, the way he, well, jackrabbited into you. But, god, it felt so good, as well. Intense. It was like he was pouring years of desire into you. And all you could so was cling to him for dear life, moaning and screaming as he battered away inside of you.

From the bed, Jin made eye contact with you in his post orgasm haze. As if sensing how overwhelmed you were, he got up from the bed, heading for you and Jungkook.

Jungkook stilled. Jin stood behind him, pressing his chest to Jungkook’s back. He stroked your sweat covered hair, you nuzzled into his hand, making him smile. His other hand grasped Jungkook’s hip, just below your knee. He whispered in Jungkook’s ear. “Don’t break her. Give her deep, slow thrusts. Make her cum. Hard.”

With his hand on Jungkook’s hip, Jin slowly guided the younger’s thrusts into you. You gasped and whimpered. Jungkook kneaded your ass as he pushed himself slowly, but deeply into you, grinding his pelvis against your clit. You started shaking again, this time, from your orgasm building into a rage inferno.

Jin kissed and sucked at Jungkook’s neck, making his pace stutter. “That’s it, Kookie. Keep doing that and you’ll make her cum hard all over you cock.”

You blushed at Jin’s words, which in turn, made him wink at you. Jungkook must have sensed the change in atmosphere because he nipped at your earlobe. “He may be here. But right now, I’m the one who’s cock is going to make you cum.”

His words made you clench. He moaned in response, giving you a particularly hard thrust. You gasped. He took the opportunity and stole your breath, kissing you.

Your hands found the base of his ears, tugging at the hair there. He began thrusting into you hard, but still maintaining that slow pace that Jin set him on. Your orgasm was building. It was bubbling up within you. You managed to pull away from the kiss, to cry out, “J-Jungkook! C-Cumming! J-Jin!”

Pussy spasming, you tugged harshly at Jungkook’s hair as you moaned. Jungkook followed you soon after, giving you one last harsh thrust before flooding you with liquid white. He stood there for several minutes panting as you weakly held onto him, shaking. Jin gentle pet the both of you as you calmed down. Jungkook slowly pulled out of you, making you both hiss, then set you down on wobbly legs.

Jin immediately took his place, picking you up and carrying you over to the bed. Setting you down, he made you lay there, your legs spread open for him and he massaged your sore thighs. Jungkook joined the two of you, bringing a wet washcloth from your bathroom over as he began cleaning you of the cum. You giggled, still orgasm drunk. “Cleaning up your mess, I see.”

Jungkook blushed, Jin giggled. “Of course, sweetie. Especially with how rough we were.”

Once you were all cleaned up, you made grabby hands at the both of them, wanting them to join you. And they did. The moment Jin settled in next to you, you turned to him and said, “Turn over. I want to play with your feathers.”

Jin laughed but complied, “Not much to play with, but knock yourself out.”

Once his broad back was facing you, you couldn’t help but be fascinated by the iridescent blue-green skin. Even the burned sunset orange and the sunrise purple of the feather eyes were iridescent. You traced the feathers, most of which started at the base of his spin, fanning up and outwards, some spiraling. Jungkook pressed himself to your back, joining you in tracing the designs. Goosebumps rose on Jin’s skin, but he gave no other indication of whether or not he was enjoying this.

You took your chances and kissed one of the semi faded feather eyes. Jin shuddered, the feathers on his back almost shaking the same way a peacock would shake his feathers to display. You and Jungkook giggled, causing Jin to yell at the both of you indignantly, his ears turning red.

The three of you stayed like this, giggling and talking. It was the strangest feeling, being spooned by Jungkook and then you spooning the even larger man that was Jin. But it felt right. So right, that in between their warm bodies, sleep took you in its hold. You felt so loved and and safe in that moment.

As always, reviews, comments, asks, and tags are always loved! ~Peony

Also, please note that I do NOT do tagging lists. Please see my FAQ for why.

Next (Chapter 12) —>

Agape and Pragma Masterlist

Masterlist

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newsmutproject · 4 years

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Easy Sells, and Harder Sells

After about a month of reading submissions, here are some tips from the NSP Editorial Team on what’s proving to be a “hard sell.” But first, what's more likely to garner you a “Yes, please!”

I. Easy Sells

First and foremost: something gripping from the first line, with efficient use of the tight wordcount, consensual sexiness, and an approach that celebrates the diversity of human experiences, has a very good shot.

The editors of Erato have a personal preference for what might be called “tasteful” word choice (”pussy” sometimes grates, but we get there’s not a wealth of alternatives; “love sausage” is right out, and we like to see “come” over “cum”).

We’re excited when authors make love to language the way their characters make love on the page, embracing the playfulness and sensuality of words.

We also look for sex scenes that are immersive, using all the characters’ senses and showing their personalities. Editor Alex Freeman’s Sex Writing 101 post discusses ingredients of a strong sex scene.

While stories that take place over multiple scenes or use summary can work well, in flash fiction especially, the tight focus of a single scene can be powerful--and an in media res opening can be especially good at catching our attention.

SPECIFIC IDEAS WE LOVE TO SEE:

Arousal nonconcordance. Let’s change some narratives around what it means to “want it”.

Couples with mixed or varying libidos, and how they support each other in that.

Stories that change a narrative

Related to the above, non-penetrative sex. Not that there’s no room for penetrative sex in Erato--there is!--but we definitely don’t consider it a realer, more normal, or better kind of sex.

Editor TC Mill would love to see some small penises that are not presented as tragic or unsexy. I’d enjoy seeing stories where a smaller penis is a plus!

We love to see stories that include body hair, cellulite, stretch marks, scars, and body fat rather than denigrating them or praising their absence. “Flawless [often white] skin” is as much of a cliche in our slushpile as the big cocks, and it doesn’t do much for us either. Meanwhile, check out the pictures, comics, writing, and art we’re reblogging as just a gesture at the range of people whose stories we hope to see told.

A sense of rapport between the characters is super sexy.

Experiments in writing style and structure are always fascinating to us--we’d love to include a variety of pieces that show off the different ways you can use language--especially when combined with body-positive, inclusive content.

Humor is welcome--sex can be hilarious--but is especially successful when the characters are in on the joke (we’d rather laugh with them than at them. Humorous send-ups of society’s quirks and foibles may also do well. Stories where the joke is that characters have sex in unusual ways or are not normatively attractive will not be a fit for the spirit of this anthology.)

We're thrilled to see #OwnVoices submissions, including but not limited to stories from writers who are of color, from outside the United States, working class, disabled and neuroatypical, and trans and nonbinary.

All such stories will receive eager consideration, but our submissions to date have not included many stories with trans men, or with trans or nonbinary people with male or nonbinary (rather than female) partners - so stories bridging that gap will be exciting to us!

Consensual kink is splendid. We’re also super excited to receive poly stories, especially ones that fit lots of characterization into the small space of a flash fiction.

II. Harder Sells

Stories that are very short (under 350 words or so) are often not competitive against longer pieces. Our tip: consider combining super short pieces into longer stories/prose poems around a certain character or theme–we’re happy to publish stories split into sections or chapters!

If your piece is 2,005 words long, you can still send it in. If it’s 2,300+ words long, seriously consider more editing to make it truly fit the “flash” spirit and form.

Even when stories fit within our wordcount guidelines, they can feel slow-paced or have an unclear focus. Watch for padding, pleonasms, and meandering.

A last thought on length: some submissions are “flash fiction” by virtue of being the mere synopsis of a longer story. This rarely works.

Horror and tragedy are intriguing for us, but to see how well a story fits with this particular anthology, ask two questions: First, are all involved parties affirmatively consenting? Second, does any character suffer a permanent injury or death as a result of the sex? We’re looking for a “Yes” to the first and a “No” to the second, respectively.

SPECIFIC CONCEPTS THAT ARE TRICKY TO PULL OFF:

First off, sex robots have become a bit of a meme among the editorial team. Few of these stories work for us, whether because of the consent angle, because we don’t relate to the anxieties about technology, because they’re more straight-up sci-fi than erotica, or something else. On the flip side, though, if you’re reading this and going “I will be the one to prove the sexiness of robots!”, please take this as encouragement. Also, sex with robots =/= sex robots.

Infidelity plotlines–it’s not impossible to make these sympathetic or at least interesting, but the space constraints of flash fiction make it tougher.

Characters don’t need to be saints; flaws and mistakes are interesting. But stories where they constantly objectify or insult the people (esp. women) around them are not going to stand their ground against stories in which characters don’t do that.

It’s wonderful to see stories about sex workers in their personal lives (where the job is just one aspect of them), but stories in which the protagonist has sex with a sex worker because it’s the quickest way to write sex into the story often come off as rushed, objectifying, and/or emotionally flat.

Descriptions of breasts by cup size or penis sizes in inches [or centimeters] (especially when above 8 inches) ring as unrealistic and, to us, uninteresting.

Since all stories will receive a round of copyediting, a few typos or grammar errors will not lead us to reject a story. However, if the author seems to be on general bad terms with the Muse of Language (to quote “Slushkiller”), or inattentive to the reader’s experience, they will probably receive a rejection encouraging them to proofread more or seek a beta reader.

III. NO-GOs

Sending stories with the following content will lead to a more or less rapid rejection, wasting both your time and ours:

Stories about characters under the age of 18.

Sex and kink acts (including voyeurism and exhibitionism) that all participants do not consent to.

One-sided sex generally (see: sex robots and many of the stories where erotic content is driven by hiring a sex worker). Solo sex and masturbation are welcome, though (since all participants are consenting and involved!), as are mutually consensual voyeurism or exhibition.

Sex between therapists and patients is a hard boundary for one of our editors, and this & similar situations for other professions are also likely to run afoul of our consent guidelines.

Concepts reliant on transphobia, homophobia, racism, sexism, ableism, fatphobia, and other asshole moves (this auto-reject policy does not include stories where these prejudices are acknowledged as part of a character’s lived experience).

#writing advice #nsp status update

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stopforamoment · 5 years

Text

Pernicious Passion: Part Five

Please check out the Pernicious Passion MASTERLIST for the complete list of writers and artists who inspired this series! Bastien Lykel belongs to Pixelberry, and Kara is a real-life talented PB writer. Events in this fic are purely fictional because this is just a fun spoof!

Author’s Note and Summary: Thank you to @strangerofbraidwood for the crack fic edit that she created for my birthday! In this chapter Bastien and Kara get into a fight, and she doesn’t fight fair. Some of the Tumblr fan fic writers get thrown under the bus . . . Shameless plug for @strangerofbraidwood who is a talented wlw fanfic writer. She is in the process of writing fan fics that include EVERY female LI in the Choices universe (and female characters who should have been LI!). Please check out her MASTERLIST. You won’t regret it! 💕

Cordonians Gone Wild is the creation of @ao719 @cocomaxley @leelee10898 and @speedyoperarascalparty

There are links to other artists and their works within this chapter. Thank you everyone for being a part of this!

Part Five (1,270 Words)

Bastien was naked when she walked into the room.

Edit created by the hilarious and talented @strangerofbraidwood

No one had ever seen a pixelated character without underwear before, and the bright light blinded her. She heard rumors from fan fics like @jovialyouthmusic Protect and Serve series and @bobasheebaby NSFW ABC list that Bastien was well-endowed. Dammit! Why do the fan fic writers have control over the size of his penis and I can’t even see it? Go figure @strangerofbraidwood a wlw writer, would have the guts to create this edit. She doesn’t even like dicks, yet she did this for other members of the fandom. My god, how many other readers have I ignored and offended? “Apple Cobbler, my eyes are up here.” Kara’s face was already flushed, but her cheeks grew even warmer when she realized Bas caught her staring. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re so . . . amazing.” “But Kara. That’s just it. I’m not amazing. At least not the way Pixelberry portrays me. It’s the fandom who made me amazing. I owe it all to them, and I owe it to them to make sure I’m in more scenes. Even if it’s just to give them a little backstory of Jackson training me. A flashback to me eating dinner with the Walker family. Hell, @stopforamoment made it clear that she would pay over 100 diamonds just for a brief flashback of me eating chocolate chip cookies with Drake and Savannah while they watch TV.” “But Bas, demographics show that our younger readers aren’t interested in older men.” “Really, Kara? Tell that to @mfackenthal. She’s president of my fan club. And believe me. In the Tumblr world, she has clout. In fact, I think I’m going to DM her now to request an interview on the Mfackenthal Show.” Kara lunged for the phone. “Bas, no! Please! Give me time to fix this! You’re right. You are developing a strong following. More people are coming around. But it’s not enough.” Bastien sighed. “Kara, you’ve been using me. Controlling me. Keeping me tucked away for yourself. But that isn’t fair to the fandom. Even if people aren’t romantically interested in me, they want to know more about how things were like at the palace when Drake, Liam, and Olivia were growing up there. They want to know more about Queen Eleanor. If it’s true I had a crush on her . . . or even more.” “But Bas, where will you go if Pixelberry doesn’t want you anymore? Stay with me. I’ll keep you safe. I’m the only one who truly loves you.” Bastien shook his head. “No, Kara. This isn’t love. It’s infatuation. As crazy as the Tumblr fans get with their in-fighting over pixelated characters, and the glitches with suspended accounts and tags not working, it’s the only place where my character can truly grow. You’ve stunted me, Kara. And I think it’s time I work with @mfackental to get the best exposure for my character. I’m so sorry Kara. I wish it didn’t have to end like this.” “Bas, the Tumblr world isn’t sunshine and roses. There’s anon hate and pornbots. Legit accounts that get suspended while the writer waits MONTHS for resolution from the Tumblr team. It’s brutal--even for your character. Do you know that @cordoniansgonewild have you chasing after four strong, amazing women? No one can outsmart them, Bas. Not you. Not even their husbands. Queen Anitah has stolen the royal jet from right under your nose. They’ve drugged you and drawn penises on your face while you were unconscious. They’re ruthless, Bas. Please.” Bastien shook his head. “It’s all in good fun, and the focus is on the women. I’m fine with that because I love strong women.” Kara caught the faraway look in his eyes and she felt her stomach clench. “You’re thinking of Oliva, aren’t you?” Dammit @bobasheebaby and @stopforamoment for starting the whole Baslivia movement! The bright light between Bastien’s legs was getting noticeably brighter as he thought about his favorite Baslivia fan fic moments. @tornbetween2loves for giving him those steamy scenes with Olivia in her Shifting Focus series. When they were playing pool and she distracted him by slipping off her red thong, purposely bending over to give him a show. And then she used the thong to pull back her hair. The scent was intoxicating. And that time when she showed up wearing a trench coat and fedora. Fuck. @stopforamoment still can’t get that picture out of her head, it was so hot. And those fucking backseam stockings Olivia was wearing. He thought the bright light between his legs would explode with a show of fireworks. Kara’s eyes narrowed. “What about @emceesynonymroll and her Finding Riley series? You had a sex dream about your Queen right in front of her, and you had to play it off as a nightmare. Then you quickly rolled over, hoping you wouldn’t need a manual release.” The light between Bastien’s legs started to dim. “Kara, you aren’t fighting fair.” But Kara was only getting started. “And @stopforamoment and that slow burn from hell with over 96 chapters before you even got a real kiss on the lips? How many times did you have to masturbate because Rinda was so clueless about your feelings for her, or how sexually attracted you were to her.” Bastien’s jaw twitched. “Tria was worth it.” “What about @bobasheebaby?” Now a warm smile played across his lips. “Yes. She’s one of my favorites. She has so many series about me, and I’m allowed to explore my full potential with her. My sexual orientation. Multiple partners. My kinks. And I am more than just a guard with her. I can also be a mobster. A father. She understands me better than anyone else, and she’s sacrificed so much for me as she argues with her evil muse.”

Kara scoffed. “Really, Bas? Do you know what her Mistress of Evil muse has been up to?”

Bastien shook his head slowly. The ending of When Fairytales Break almost broke him. “No, Kara. It’s how that story needed to end. But I have so many other happy moments with Olivia. Olivia and Caleb. Harlow. Beth. Liza. Even Christy. And that Bastien NSFW ABC list she created with some help from @stopforamoment? They went through so many pairs of panties as they wrote it for me and the fandom.” The light between his legs began flashing uncontrollably as he thought of those panties.

It was a blinding strobe light, and Kara knew she needed to control it before she had an epileptic seizure. “But what about her latest Evil Liam series Be Careful What You Wish For?”

Bastien’s face paled and his strobe muted to weak flare ups. “That fic focuses on MC Rebecca’s love for Drake, and how Liam is getting in the way of their happiness.”

“Yes, but . . .” Kara’s voice lowered as she prepared to deliver the fatal blow.

“No! No plot spoilers, Kara! I haven’t finished the most recent chapter yet!”

CHAPTER SIX

#pernicious passion #wacky drabble #wacky drabbles challenge #do not open that box #bastien lykel #kara loves bastien #trr choices

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isla-dubois · 5 years

Text

task 001 :: ooc survey

a survey???

((jk love you :3))

PREFERRED NAME — Lo

PRONOUNS — she/her/trashcan

AGE — 24

PINTEREST — n/a

DISCORD — n/a

TUMBLR (PERSONAL/MUSE/RPH) — historicallo.tumblr.com ((i’m never there but hey!))

MYER-BRIGGS — ....I honestly took it so long I don’t remember

HP HOUSE — Ravenpuff

ASTROLOGY — dat damn gemini

DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY? — yeet

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED RPING ON TUMBLR — oh GOD it was so long ago. maybe 15?

WHAT YEAR WAS IT? — 2010

NAME A RANDOM ROLEPLAY THAT STICKS OUT IN YOUR MEMORY — NOS was my first

WITHOUT GOOGLING IT FIRST, WHAT DO YOU THINK SIR ELTON JOHN’S NET WORTH IS? — two million penises

NAME THE FIRST SONG ON YOUR DISCOVER WEEKLY ON SPOTIFY OR THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES ON APPLE MUSIC / ITUNES SHUFFLE — sunset lover by Petit Biscuit

NAME A BOOK THAT YOU READ IN SCHOOL THAT YOU SURPRISINGLY LIKED — The Picture of Dorian Gray

NAME A BOOK YOU HATED THAT MOST PEOPLE LIKED — LORD OF THE FLIES. MURDER ME NOW.

WHAT TV SHOW DID YOU RECENTLY BINGE? — Alias Grace. It was bomb.

FAVOURITE QUOTE — “though she be but little, she is fierce”

LINK TO A VINE THAT EXUDES YOUR ‘ENERGY’ — (x)

DO YOU WRITE OUTSIDE OF RP? WHAT DO YOU WRITE? — I got my degree in Creative Writing :3333 I specialize in historical fiction and realistic drama. my medium I specialized in is script/screenwriting yeeet

THREE YOUTUBERS YOU STILL TRUST — farfromesubtle (all of those bastards), superraedizzle, booksandlala

A CELEBRITY CRUSH THAT JUST WON’T QUIT — (x) (x) (x) 😍😍😍😍😍

EVER MEET A CELEBRITY? SHARE YOUR STORY — no BUT the beach my family has a house at, adrian brody also has a house there so ????

WHAT’S YOUR PICTURE-PERFECT NIGHT? — literally watching bootleg theatre shows with friends while drinking and talking about different theatre things

A CONSPIRACY THEORY YOU KINDA BELIEVE IN — ....none I’ve heard of actually??

ARE ALIENS REAL? — probably

GHOSTS — yes. actually have had many an experience with them

BIG FOOT — no

THE LOCHNESS MONSTER? — no

WHAT WAS THE GENRE OF YOUR LAST DREAM? — realistic. so realistic I wonder if it happened xD

DO YOU STILL PLAY POKEMON GO? — yesh :3

WHAT’S A FILM YOU LOVED WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG AND RECENTLY WATCHED, ONLY TO FIND OUT YOU DON’T ANYMORE — LITTLE FUCKING MERMAID. DON’T GET ME STARTED.

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? — alice in wonderland memorabilia, books, student debt, and fennec fox stuffed animals

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUT YOU’RE TWO LAZY? — piano. I’ve tried many a time.

THREE LANGUAGES YOU DON’T SPEAK, BUT WISH YOU COULD — french ( I speak some), sign language (same), japanese (literally know like three words)

A GUILTY PLEASURE MOVIE — The Room. Ugh my love.

A GUILTY PLEASURE MUSICAL ARTIST — Biz Markie. One song that is my guilty pleasure is 6 figures.

TELEVISION SHOW — I don’t watch a lot of tv anymore but I did watch A TON of Maury with my mom when I was little sooo

NAME A FICTIONAL CHARACTER FROM TV/FILM/MOVIE/GAME/BOOK THAT YOU FIND YOURSELF PROJECTING ON / YOU RELATE TO — Beatrice from Much Ado about Nothing and Jo from Little Women

DO YOU FOLLOW ANY SPORTS? WHO DO YOU ROOT FOR? — Only college hockey and SUNY OSWEGO BABBBY

HOBBIES BESIDES WASTING AWAY HERE? — video games, reading, art, drinking, writing, procrastinating on writing, and improv comedy.

PLUG A TV SHOW / MOVIE / BOOK / VIDEO GAME / ETC… YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD CHECK OUT — BIOSHOCK, BIOSHOCK 2, AND BIOSHOCK INFINITE. THEY MAY BE OLDER BUT UGH. THEY GOOD. also check out farfromsubtle youtube pls and thank. they so goood.

WOULD YOU EAT A STRANGER’S FINGER FOR A MILLION DOLLARS? — JUST PASS ME THE SALT

TEAM EDWARD OR JACOB? - team fucking anything else. TEAM SATAN

LIVE-ACTION DISNEY MOVIES, YAY OR NAY? — don’t get me started. I appreciate the work that goes in, but pls just do new IPs disney. you have enough writers.

ON A SCALE OF 1-10, HOW MUCH DID YOU HATE FILLING THIS OUT? – about a 6

#livingtask:001 #LIVINGTASK #livingtalk #((watch out she's out of character ;; ooc))

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jedifighterpilot2727 · 6 years

Note

You said you were open to writing more of Love Me Harder. I may have asked this prompt from you previously but I’m trying again because I’ve asked many other writers and nobody seems to want to fill it. Here goes: Lena really enjoys seeing Kara in a strap-on, as in she finds it extremely hot. So she asks Kara to wear it all day on their next date night. Established SuperCorp preferably, feel free to take it in whichever direction you wish. I understand writing smut is difficult. Thank You. 🙂

Hi! So a few things - Yes, I am open to writing more Love Me Harder, and I am open to prompts! Unfortunately, due to real life and the sheer amount of prompts I get, I can’t fill every prompt I get! I keep them, just in case something strikes my fancy one day down the road (one of the prompts I filled last week had actually been sitting in my inbox for close to a year! -eek!) I feel horrible about not being able to write every single prompt I get, but when I’m writing regularly then I usually get 2-3 prompts a day, and that’s just physically impossible! I do read each and every prompt I get, and a lot of times just getting them inspires me to write, even if it isn’t for that particular prompt! (knowing that y’all want to read what I write is so encouraging!)

I too, have favorite writers, and I’ve definitely sent prompts in before and been disappointed when they didn’t get filled, but it’s important to remember that writers are people too, and they may not have the time or energy to fill every prompt they get (even if they really want to!)

Also, I’m going to be honest, your first ask was worded differently and it came across as a little transphobic (Women with penises - strap-on or otherwise - are still women, and if they are in a relationship with other women then they are still in a homosexual relationship, and there is nothing heterosexual about it) and it made me a little uncomfortable. I’m not sure if that was your intention, but either way, I wasn’t going to post to it.

I’ve written Kara with a strap-on before and I will probably write it again, and I will definitely add to Love Me Harder if I feel inspired to do so! Everyone is free to send in their prompts; but please if you do so, try not to be disappointed if it doesn’t get written! I thoroughly appreciate that everyone loves my smut so much, and I seriously never thought that this kinky little fic would get this big! So thank you all for being so horny, seriously!

Normally I would just keep this ask in my inbox for later if I ever got struck with inspiration, but I felt like you might need a bit of an explanation for why I haven’t filled your original prompt.

Note to all my readers: I love you all, I love your prompts, I love your weird kinky prompts you want filled, I love the random rom-com prompts you send me, and the angsty heart-wrenching prompts - I love it all! I sincerely regret the limits of my muse, and I wish that I could fill every single prompt and churn out 5k words a day of heart felt prose! Interacting with you all is honestly one of the best parts of being a writer, and I hope we can carry this relationship on when I write regular fiction! You all are amazing and wonderful, and as much as I probably complain, I am amazed that you all like what I write enough to trust me with your headcanons and prompts! So thank you!

#sorry this is long #also #transphobia tw #just in case

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rebelthroughreading-blog · 6 years

Text

The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa

Young Ehwa is beginning to learn about her body and sexuality as she ages and develops through the seasons.

Quick Information

price: $11.83

number of pages: 320

ISBN: 978-1596434585

publisher and date: First Second; First American Edition 2009

author’s website: https://us.macmillan.com/author/donghwakim/

genre: juvenile fiction, graphic novel

main subjects: coming of age, mothers and daughters, love

Plot

As young Ehwa moves through her life, she slowly but surely begins to see the blossoming woman she will become when she is older. As she ages and develops, with the help of her mother and her neighbors, she begins to learn about her body and feelings, exploring the beauty of nature and sexuality. As her story progresses, her mother, a widow who owns the local tavern, too deals with the issues of sexuality as she is a single woman who never remarried after the death of her husband. Searching for love, she and her daughter grow together preparing for a day when both may be women ready for new love.

Who’s reading it?

Written on a 9-12 grade level, the same ages would be interested in the story.

Why did I read it?

Anime and manga are highly influential and appealing genres in art mediums. Young adults who do not read anything read manga, because they watched one anime or the other and were infatuated. There is something about the art style and stories that captures the attention of many readers. In the manga style, The Color of Earth offered a slow-paced, coming of age story that could only be told through the gentle glide of a picture journey. The art was gorgeous and the message powerful, which made it hard to ignore.

Evaluation

Ehwa’s story is a coming of age tale unlike others. Instead of learning about herself and growing up in that she no longer is childish, the readers see the side of her that comes from her literal body development. She does not just mature in mind but in body as well. She sees things readers may not expect her to understand at such a young age, and though a bit frightening, is a powerful story element when considering who she is and who she will be in her future.

As the story begins, Ehwa is only nine years old. She is innocent, unaware, and confused. She sees her friends, two boys, in a peeing contest to see who has the longer range. When they see her, they talk of their gochoos, the nicer way of talking about their privates, and their sizes. Ehwa does not understand why her two neighbors have one and she does not, and upset that she is deformed, runs home in the rain. She asks her mother, and her mother explains that only boys have those and women have something far more valuable and secret that they can never share until they are ready. As the years go by, Ehwa experiences new things that make her question herself and her life, she comes home in the rain, and inquires of her new knowledge to her mother who always concedes to Ehwa’s curiosity and corrects and elaborates her daughter’s thoughts. Always, Ehwa finds the rain, and always, Ehwa grows more into a woman. The rain is only one of many of the imagery uses throughout the story.

Ehwa is still a child throughout the entire book. Though she is developing into a woman, she still makes childish mistakes and chooses her actions through childish logic. She tells white lies about her purpose of being somewhere and is embarrassed and unsure of what to do when caught. She sneaks a peak at Bongsoon’s privates when offered to her despite knowing it is wrong, because she cannot help herself but to do so. In order to become a woman, she must first pass through the phase of being a child. So often, books go straight from one stage to the other and forget that the journey is long and continuous.

Ehwa’s mother, a widowed tavern owner, has not remarried or found love since the death of her husband. Many of the neighboring men go to the tavern regularly and tease her relentlessly for the single life that she leads, wishing loudly that they could sleep with her or at least with anyone who is not their wives. She always ignores them but remains content to know that they are wrong about her. She does, however, find love in a traveling salesman who is an artist as well. He makes her happy despite only being around every so often and never staying long. Ehwa sees her mother’s longing for him, and wishes that the Picture Man, as she has named him, would stay longer to keep her mother happier. Only a few years after having begun her journey through her sexuality does she understand the feelings for which her mother has for the Picture Man.

Despite being a translation, the words are beautifully chosen. Each create a picture in the mind resembling the softness of flowers and gentle breezes. Ehwa’s journey is not hectic or crazy but a steady-moving stream with occasional bumps but nothing extraordinarily unruly. She flows from one scene to the next like a poem. Her words too reflect the poetic nature of her life. Her mother is wise as is the Picture Man. Each time they speak, they speak truths that will help Ehwa with her life as she develops into a young lady. She listens carefully, understands as much as she is able with her knowledge capabilities, and learns through others.

The Issues

sexual content and suggestion

The entire book is centered on numerous sexual suggestions and explicit sexual content. The first panel of the first page are two beetles having sex. Within the first few pages, two boys not only pee out in the open where Ehwa can see them but the art shows their penises. Ehwa often looks at herself, something that the readers too see. The readers see her mother naked several times and once when beginning an amorous evening with the Picture Man. When the children are older, a girl shows a boy her private area several times. At another point, one boy is openly masturbating in front of Ehwa and chases after her as he propositions her to do the same as the other girl and show him her “persimmon seed.”

So why should we read it?

Ehwa learns at an appropriate pace for her. She does not have one journey set over the course of a few days, weeks, or even a year. Instead, the book takes place over five years. She slowly learns what she needs to know in order to keep living her life without being held back by important information about herself that she does not yet understand. She has to see her mother’s naked body in order to understand her own. She has to see others’ transgressions and indecent behavior in order to truly comprehend the gravity of the situation. She uses what she sees to learn about the world for the better. She can only learn by taking in all of this information, the same as all young adults.

How can we use it?

This book answers so many questions that young girls have about their ever-changing bodies. This is an alternative to The Body Book that no teen wants to read anyway. Reading something like this that makes the changes seem beautiful as opposed to gross and ugly can help young adults come to terms with what is happening to their bodies and their minds. Budding sexuality can be difficult to handle with the surge of hormones, confusing and often contradicting thoughts, and the literal pain of life surging to recreate itself inside someone who is not prepared. The illustrations add to the perception of natural and beautiful. Every picture shows the juxtaposition of a beautiful girl with the beautiful nature around her. She is always compared to the flowers and plants that bring life to the world.

Booktalk Ideas

Ehwa and her mother are extremely close. They often speak on intimate terms about their sexuality as Ehwa grows. Does her mother ever explain too much for such young ears? Does she not explain enough and potentially is causing her inevitable trouble?

Ehwa is compared to flowers the majority of the book. Other things compared to flowers are women’s sexuality, Spring, and the young monk’s bald head and gray clothes. What do all of these things have in common? What is different? Why would the monk also be compared to flowers when everything else is feminine in nature?

What else can I read?

Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Awards and Lists

YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens list in 2010

TLA’s Maverick Graphic Novels List

Booklist’s Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth

Professional Reviews

Francisca Goldsmith (2009), Booklist - http://go.galegroup.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A202484443&v=2.1&u=csusj&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w

Karen Coats (2009), Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - https://muse-jhu-edu.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/article/266208

#kim dong hwa #young adult #coming of age #graphic novel #comic #sexuality #women #developing #mothers and daughters #love #self love #korea #manga #YA #female #female main character

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