#also i am sorry if you've already read these because there is absolutely a chance that you might have

[katierosefun]

hi caroline may i ask you some beyond evil fic recs? i read yours and now I'd like to know some of your favorites, only if you'd be comfortable with it tho of course! 🎀

of course, anon! almost all of my bookmarked fics count as recs, so if you're ever looking for some more than the ones i've listed, feel free to peruse through them as well! but here are some that i find myself going back to a lot:

general/teen rating:

the topography of your touch by pepperfield: "After returning to Manyang, Ju-won navigates the ways bodies can interact. Dong-sik adjusts accordingly."

a really lovely character study into dong sik and his relationships. there are some absolutely poetic lines in this story, and perhaps one of the loveliest first kiss scenes that i've read. (i was kicking my feet and giggling through this one, and this story is also just so . . . quiet? in a really lovely way.)

the way home by whir: "Juwon breaks himself apart and puts himself back together, then he returns to Manyang thinking he’s found his way home. In part, it’s true. He’s just wrong about one thing—home doesn’t have to be a place. Sometimes, it can exist in a person. And it’s unfortunate, because Dongsik starts feeling a lot like home."

one of the first beyond evil fics i read, so this one has a special place in my heart! 16k words of a character study on han joo won working through his feelings about dong sik and also, really, what it means to actually have a home. also some stuff about joo won reflecting on his mom too, which is something that really touched my heart. past relationships affecting your perception of your present, etc, etc.

and i watch you breathe, as i stood breathing by @electricalkittens / satiricalsmiles on ao3:  “Han Juwon, you…” Dongsik’s voice is growing smaller, and it is wavering, trembling in the hollowness of his throat. “Why do you keep getting hurt lately?”

okay, so i actually love all of her works, so i do seriously recommend just going through all of her stories, just because the writing is very poetic and makes me see shrimp colors. but i really do adore this one, just because something about feeling like you need to punish yourself, something about not having the best coping mechanisms in the world, something something about i think about that one scene towards the end where i thought oh, god, that’s what it looks like to love someone desperately and mm. i can go on about this fic for a while, but i feel like it’s one of those beyond evil starter pack fics because it really gets at what their future might look like. 

to the stars by merryofsoul:  Juwon has never gotten along with Dongsik. Not since the first day he stepped foot on the Gaenari almost a year ago.An away mission changes that.

god bless this writer because STAR TREK JWDS AU . . . STAR TREK JWDS AU . . . admittedly a little niche, but i don’t think you need to be incredibly well-versed in star trek in order to appreciate this absolute delight of a fic. but you see, i was a star trek girlie at some point in my life, so i was so delighted to read this story . . . because listen. it’s got the classic enemies to lovers element, but also lots of away mission shenanigans in “i am going to pretend that we are lovers for the sake of covering our asses” trope and also the “i can’t stand your ass but also if anything happens to you i would be outrageously upset” beat and i literally had assignments to work on but as soon as i saw this fic i could not resist reading and giggling over it, what a fun ride.

netflix and chill by starlight bloom:   Dong Sik invites Joo Won to Netflix and chill. Turns out they have very different definitions of the expression.

if you’re in the mood for something really just. hilarious and cute. i highly recommend this one, because i could not stop giggling when i read this the first time. a very lighthearted read, and also, there’s something very hilarious about joo won panicking inside because “oh god i am screwed” and dong sik being like “???? !!!! ?!?!?!!??!”. i think we, as a fandom, need to realize that dong sik and joo won also just. very funny when they’re around each other. this fic delivers on that count!

mature/explicit: 

cosmonauts by @b1uetrees / bluetrees on ao3: “ To promise a future is impossible. To choose it is to live.”

i also recommend going through all of this writer’s works, because they’re all so . . . good and tender and gentle and they make my heart sing. i have a special place in my heart for this fic in particular though, just because i think when i first read it, it was like. 4 am. and i was getting ready for the day and this fic had me in such a chokehold that i literally couldn’t do anything for the next 3 hours and then i remember scrambling because shit, i have to go to class--

what isn’t the grave by isozyme: “Juwon moves in unannounced.”

this is one of those fics that i kinda had to force myself to read super slowly, just because i wanted to digest every single sentence and turn it around in my head for a little bit. also, perhaps one of my favorites just because this fic really looks at dong sik and goes “oh yeah, this guy absolutely isn’t going to heal immediately”, and i sort of adore it for that exact reason. dong sik still feels very much so wobbly around the edges in this fic, and that’s like. what i adore. also, there’s one specific image in this fic that has been haunting me ever since. 

no son of mine by ripeteeth:  "What do you want from me?" Juwon asked, and no one has ever said just you. “

do mind the tags on this one!

but god. god i remember when i read this fic for the first time, it unlocked some kind of emotion that i didn’t even realize was sitting there lololol--but anyways! perhaps one of the most . . . most character study on han joo won. a lot of quiet stuff about joo won and his relationship with his dad specifically, so you know it’s going to really hit where it hurts. and, of course, a lot of joo won in post-canon not knowing how to navigate his relationship with dong sik (ah, yes. the quiet fear and wariness that comes with examining love but if the version of love you grew up with comes with conditions and etc, then what the hell do you do when legitimate love decides to eat at your table?)  

to the sun and all the cities in between by 64907: “ Han Joowon and all his firsts after, shared with Lee Dongsik and fondly remembered. “

this fic just . . . . .. i felt like it really re-awakened some of my love for joo won and dong sik, just because it had been a hot second since i read a fic that really examined dong sik and joo won’s relationship as it’s trying to like . . . wiggle through what it might look like post-canon. also, this fic really utilizes how joo won has absolutely or most likely never been in a romantic relationship ever, and there’s something so endearing about that? just like, the slow development of a relationship and joo won and dong sik trying to figure out the odds and ends with that because this is still ultimately new to both of them, and this fic just makes me so happy for them. you’ve got time and etc. :’)

#answered #anon #fic rec #beyond evil #obviously there are many more that i could recommend #also i am sorry if you've already read these because there is absolutely a chance that you might have

[ohbo-ohno]

Hi 🖤🖤 I am so damn late to this party and I am sorry! I was wondering with DLMLIYH, what would happen if/when Ghoap finds out you have mental illness? Like if the reader had severe depression or bipolar?

I read through so many of the other asks and I didn’t see anything written about this but I may have missed it!!

I was just wondering if reader had been trying to hide it, refusing to tell them what’s wrong because they don’t want their mental illness used against them? Would they be helpful and kind? Or would they be cruel and want you to suffer more?

Of course, don’t feel obligated to answer or anything if you’ve already touched on this!

hi omg don't be sorry!!!!! i'm still blown away by how many people read/enjoyed dlmliyh, i'm never annoyed to hear about it!

i thiiiiink i maybe talked about this way early on in my blog (big maybe), but i think that dlmliyh!ghoap care deeply about reader's happiness as long as she doesn't have a chance of escaping. they'd accommodate any mental/physical disability because they want their girl to (eventually) be happy with them. the end goal is a happy relationship where they all thrive, they just have a terrible way of getting there

that being saaaaiiiidddd.... ghost is not above manipulating your (mental) disorder for his own benefit. he'll figure out what makes you tick and if need be, he'll absolutely set you off when he feels like he needs to. you've got ocd of any sort and ghost feels like you've been getting too cocky recently, feels like you need a punishment but you haven't done anything to deserve one, he's not above fucking with you to get you to have an outburst that he can justify punishing you for. nothing that causes you too extreme distress, but enough to make you snip a bit, yk?

and to be honest i could see johnny being a dick about a physical ability, being obsessed with "helping" you (and maybe making sure you need a bit more help than you did before getting with them)

i also think the reader hiding her disability would very much so depend on the disability! it's easier to mask something like adhd than it is schizophrenia, and the severity of each disorder will change too. i feel like she wouldn't be too worried about them finding out because they're responsible for her now - she's supposed to give a shit if these guys don't like that she has bpd? they literally kidnapped her lmfao

thanks so so much for the ask!!!!!

#asks and answers #dlmliyh

[sbk-zgvlt]

Hear me out,,,,, yknow that thing about sebek being good at acting??? like just an absolute theatre kid, yeah? think about it, sebel at VDC, just like wowing EVERBODY with his skills,,,,, (that's it I don't know how to properly send asks I'm sorry 😭)

Anon you've unleashed a monster. And I mean a REAL monster. I am making a full fucking event at this point.

Now, to make things make...a bit more sense in a way, we do this during Sebek's second year. Sorry third years you're off into your internships 😔

So, without their powerhouse Vil leading for VDC, NRC is quite worried. Because despite Vil's harsh training, he KNEW what he was doing and has had loads of experience. We're going to remove the previous VDC members for sake of mixing things up a bit, except for Epel and Jamil.

Epel as a way to...show the torch being passed on to EPEL, AS HE LEARNS TO SEE VIL'S PERSPECTIVE OF BEAUTY, AND LEARNING TO USE THIS KNOWLEDGE THAT HE'S GAINED FROM HIM TO TRULY EMBODY POMEFIORE'S TENACITY...I love Pomefiore

Jamil since this could also signify how he's finally given himself the chance to indulge in things he couldn't before without any outside force pushing him to do so. These two will be the "leaders" for this year's VDC.

They try to recruit with...minimal success. Less people have auditioned due to Vil being gone, and the new first years aren't really that passionate about VDC, especially after last year's shocking result of NRC losing to a single vote.

Their first recruit however is Ortho, eager to properly audition VDC to get a chance to experience it. Unlike last year, he's able to get in since Epel knows how much this means to him as he continues to try and find himself after Book 6 events.

Their next recruit is, to Jamil's dismay, Azul. He's actually suggested by Ortho, who informs Epel and Jamil of a beautiful singing voice that his sensors have picked up on from time to time, ever since last year. Ortho singles it out for the first time, and claims for it to be Azul's voice.

Recruiting Azul isn't easy, as he keeps on bargaining with Jamil to create a contract with him first before he can join. Epel finally points out that participating in VDC is already a great pro for Azul as he could use this as a chance to promote his business. Azul reluctantly agrees, but Jamil can sense that there's something that Azul isn't telling them.

They still need more people, and this is where Azul out of the "goodness" of his heart, informs them that Floyd has actually been interested in auditioning for VDC. This shocks the others, and they question if Floyd even has the skills for VDC. Or if he even has the DRIVE to do so, since Floyd can switch up moods and interests in a whim. This is something that Azul has also been worried about, which is why he initially didn't tell them about it.

But he does say that Floyd can be quite focused when he puts his mind to it, they just need a way to keep his interest from waning. Jamil disagrees with him, saying that it would be too much hard work to do so. They eventually drop it, and continue to try and find more people.

Epel's confidence wavers a bit due to this, his stress building up and turns to the first years for help. He asks Ace and Deuce if they're interested to audition for VDC again, but they turn his offer down since despite the event being fun, they do NOT want to go through training again. Jack turns it down as well, needing to help Ruggie manage the dorm. Uh whether he was made housewarden or vice is up to you.

Sebek, who was reading a book, turns it down too as Diasomnia's moral has decreased significantly ever since Malleus and Lilia leftfor internships. Epel says that maybe VDC could bring it back up again, but Sebek combats this by saying that he has no interest in singing nor dancing. Epel drops the subject.

Then, a scuffle happens in the cafeteria. Floyd is pestering Riddle again. Epel is surprised, as he's seen the Leech twin bothering the Heartslabyul housewarden ever since last year, and that he's still going at it. Ace mentions that he's probably been like that ever since they were first years, and for some reason Floyd thinks Riddle is interesting. This gives Epel an idea.

He makes a plan to lure Riddle to the VDC audition room, while Azul will bring Floyd. This backfires however when Riddle gets suspicious of him, and asks why he wants him to go there. Epel says that it's super important, but Riddle doesn't waver. Eventually, Jamil comes to the rescue and tells Riddle that a second year wants to audition, and before he can continue with the lie by saying "they need a housewarden's permission first," Riddle surprisingly gives in pretty quickly.

Just in time too, as Floyd who has been waiting for quite a while is getting bored of the idea of VDC since the judges aren't even here yet. Azul desperately tries to keep him inside the room but Floyd shrugs him off and is about to leave, but is having a hard time to budge the door open for some reason. When he's about to literally bodyslam into it, Jamil, Riddle and Epel come in.

Riddle is furious once he's learned that he's been tricked, while Floyd is ecstatic. Riddle demands Epel to tell him why he doesn't deserve to use his UM on him right then and there. Epel finally breaks down and confesses that making sure VDC goes well means a lot to him, as he wants to make Vil and Rook proud (I LOVE POMETRIO). As one of the "leaders" of the group, and as a Pomefiore dorm student, he WILL make sure that he'll create an act that will wow the audience, and might even surpass Vil's own. He wants to show Vil and Rook that he has grown (I LOVEEE POMETRIO).

Eventually moved, Riddle agrees to join the group... ONLY after setting down a bunch of ground rules, most pointed towards Floyd. Floyd breaks like, half of them on the FIRST DAY and Riddle almost quits, but realizes how Floyd has been surprisingly focused for training for VDC. He learns that Floyd was also interested in VDC because the twins didn't want to leave Azul alone by himself.

Riddle gets confused by this but isn't able to question Floyd further. He is only able to find out what Floyd means when Azul has to actually practice onstage. Azul freezes up, messing it up causing Jamil to snap at him.

Floyd is quick to defend Azul in his own way, threatening to squeeze Jamil when Riddle finally figures it out and outright asks Azul if he has stage fright. Azul quickly denies this, but after a few more jabs from Riddle he admits it. Jamil gets annoyed, seeing that Azul was boasting all about how he would greatly contribute to VDC only to be stopped because he's "shy."

Vil tells him to find someone who could replace Azul, but Epel stubbornly says that he wants Azul on the team. Vil sighs, saying that he should be grateful that he isn't there physically right now, and tells him to find what exactly about performing onstage makes Azul freeze up. He notes that when Azul practiced, there was no big audience or crowd. Was it just the feeling of being onstage himself? Is he just also "shy" in front of small crowds?

Cue VDC breakup that actually happens, and Epel is down in the dumps. He eventually calls Vil and asks for advice. Vil scolds him and asks why didn't he call sooner, and Epel admits his insecurities of not being able to do Vil and Rook proud. Vil tells him to stop thinking of how they would think of their act because no matter what, they know that Epel will always do his best and give a spectacular performance.

...I love pometrio.

With this advice, Epel tries to confront Azul. It doesn't work until Floyd jumps in as well and tells Azul to stop being a crybaby. This triggers Azul causing him to snap at Floyd until Floyd points out that for some reason, he's regressed back to how he was when they were children. He's seen Azul exaggerating his own actions for the sake of Monstro Lounge publicity in front of many NRC students, so why is he suddenly scared of performing onstage?

Azul isn't the crybaby he used to be anymore. He has people he can depend on now. Jade and Floyd still have his back. But Azul won't admit what's wrong with him until Jamil surprisingly comes into the picture, holding up a post from a certain Prince Rielle with a group of friends behind him with the caption, "Excited for VDC!" Azul is surprised as well as Floyd, wondering how he even found Prince Rielle's post.

Turns out Prince Rielle's group of friends used to be Azul's bullies, and he's worried of what they'll think about him when they see him onstage. Epel thinks back to his conversation with Vil and tells Azul to quit bitching. He didn't work his ass off for VDC for nothing and he is not letting Azul's stage fright ruin this.

Floyd gets confused and says how is Epel's "speech" helping their dilemma. Epel finally gets to the point: telling Azul that he's grown up since his bullies have last seen him. He's strong and capable now, and if anyone tries to mess with him they'll beat their ass for him anyway. THAT Floyd understands and agrees with. Jamil reluctantly says that he'll also offer his own help.

Touched, Azul tries to practice again onstage. He messes up midway but is able to pull through. Jamil says that they can touch up on it, especially since Azul has difficulty with dancing. Either way, he tells him that it was "good enough," but that they'll need to work themselves to the bone if they want to win VDC as they've wasted a lot of time due to trying to find people to recruit and the whole VDC breakup thing.

"Wow Quincy where is Riddle" While VDC breakup happened Riddle took note that Azul's weakness involved dancing, but his talents lied in his singing. Looking through the VDC rulebook, he makes an interesting discovery: Not EVERYONE necessarily has to sing AND dance. And that they can showcase their act through multiple forms of art, as long as it was LIVE and had singing and dancing. I'm making this all up by the way I dont know VDC rules or whatever.

He proposes the idea that they set up their act like a musical play, hopefully based on a story that everyone is familiar with AND where they could accommodate Azul so he wouldn't have to dance as much due to their time constraint. They all go to the library to find a story they can use when Ortho hears a sudden thump.

He goes into an aisle where the sound came from and finds a discarded book of fairy tales lying on the floor. There's a bookmark inside and Ortho goes to its page and sees that it's the story "The Little Mermaid." He suggests the story, saying that Azul could act as Ursula. If they're allowed, maybe they could even have a huge water tank or pull off some holographic illusions to truly encapsulate scenes underwater.

Azul declines because 1) YOU WANT HIM TO ACT AS HIS IDOL!?!?!?!?! and 2) That requires being in his octo-form. Riddle gives the final push they need to convince Azul by saying that this is the chance to prove not only to Azul's bullies but also to himself that he can finally get over his fears and doubts.

So now, they're getting ready for VDC, and it's their last week. Please note that the story of the Little Mermaid is DIFFERENT in twisted Wonderland, so there are tweaks here. Non-evil Ursula and all that jazz.

And then, Epel video calls with Vil. Mostly to catch up and to talk about the progress they've made as a group. He won't tell him what they're actually doing for VDC though. Vil looks at everyone's smiling faces through the screen, smiles as well and suddenly says, "Where's your 7th member?" Everyone freezes up.

"S-seventh?" Epel stutters out. Vil raises a brow. "You need at least seven or eight people for VDC, potato. Don't tell me-" Epel hangs up. Everyone sits in silence. Then, they panic. THEY'RE ONLY 6 PEOPLE?? And now they have to find an extra person.

But there's no time to find a suitable candidate. They would need to interview them, catch them up on the script and the moves-

Epel BREAKS DOWN. All this work for NOTHING because he didn't know about the stupid 7-8 students rule. Everyone is inconsolable, until Riddle suddenly sighs and says that he knows someone they could go to. Jamil refutes this, saying they dont have enough time to find another person and train them, when Riddle just shuts him off and tells everyone to follow him.

Everyone reluctantly does, surprised to see that they're being lead to the Diasomnia dorms. Silver greets them, asking why they're here. Riddle asks if Sebek is around, and as if on cue he walks into the lounge. He gapes at the group before pushing them out of the dorm, ignoring Silver's confused expression.

Sebek demands why they're all here, when Riddle coughs into his hand and tells him, "Care to reveal what you've been doing?" Sebek crosses his arms. "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOURE TALKING ABOUT!" Riddle sighs. "When Epel told you about his problems with recruiting people for VDC, you helped him out, didn't you?"

Everyone turns towards Riddle, confused. Epel most especially, "But, Sebek said he didn't-" "Floyd, when I entered the audition room, you were about to leave, weren't you?" Floyd grins. "Hehe, how did you know that, goldfishie?" Riddle rolls his eyes, "Weren't you?"

"You're no fun." Floyd pouts. "Yeah, I was."

"But when you were trying to leave, I noticed you had a problem with opening the door for some reason." Epel and Jamil look at each other. "Did we lock the other door?" Azul shook his head, "Nope, it was unlocked. If Floyd tried to escape I was just going to use myself as a barricade."

"Yet, why was it locked?" Riddle squints his eyes at Sebek. "Or rather, why was it being blocked?" Sebek doesn't waver. Riddle continues to point out that Ortho had found their story for the play through a book with a bookmark. He asks Ortho to take it out and see if there was anything interesting about it.

Ortho does so and notices that the charm connected to it is shaped like a thunderbolt. Sebek rolls his eyes and says that anyone could own a bookmark like that. But Epel refutes this because when he asked the first years for help, he saw that Sebek was reading a book with the very same bookmark.

At this, Sebek seems to tense up a bit but won't admit to anything. Then, Jamil finally remembers something. Riddle immediately followed him and Epel when he mentioned a second year in the audition room. Jamil was saying it with Ace or Deuce in mind, yet with the extra information now, it seems that Riddle was thinking of another second year.

Riddle tells him that he's correct: he was thinking of Sebek. Because Sebek himself admitted to him that he wanted to audition for VDC. At this, the group beg Sebek to join them, but he still turns them down. "I'M NOT SKILLED AT SINGING NOR DANCING, REMEMBER FELMIER?" Sebek huffs as Epel wilts. "I'M SURE YOU WILL FIND ANOTHER SUITABLE CANDIDATE. NOW, IF YOULL EXCUSE ME-"

"Monsieur Croc, why do you say such things when your performance in the Sleepless Castle was simply just- beaute!" Everyone freezes up when they hear Rook's voice. Epel grabs his phone and makes a fast excuse when Vil just sighs. "You only closed your camera. You didn't hang up, little potato."

After that embarrassing moment, Rook reveals that Sebek is quite skilled in singing, saying that he had a "voice that could even fit operas!" Knowing how Rook is, Epel is even more determined to get Sebek into their team.

Sebek quietly curses Rook in his mind.

...this will also be continued in another post.

#sebek zigvolt #twisted wonderland #twst #twst sebek #sebek twisted wonderland #twst sebek zigvolt #my asks! #vdc encore au #azul ashengrotto #twst azul #epel felmier #twst epel #jamil viper #twst jamil #floyd leech #twst floyd #riddle rosehearts #twst riddle #ortho shroud #twst ortho

[66sharkteeth]

Hey there, 66! Hope you're doing great. I have been going through your account for the past few hours (this reminds me of that one time I stayed up till 2 am as I appreciated all the artworks on your Instagram) so I know you've heard this several times, but I wanted to say it myself too: your work is wonderful. Believe me, I absolutely love it!

I found City of Blank years ago, during its first season. I read it all, and was quite impressed with the concept, intrigued by the plot, and in love with the characters. But before the next season started, I dropped out of reading Webtoons completely, as far as I remember. Long story short, I revisited Webtoon recently, read a few episodes of City of Blank, and was hooked. Yep. I binge-read the entire rest of the episodes in... three to five days?

So I want to commend you on your amazing concept, beautiful and eye-catching art, plot that keeps me reading late into the night (and at the dining table, between my studies, every single chance I get), the characters (really, they're very well-written — please don't doubt that — and unique, with different stories and personalities, I just love them), and the themes too (incorporated nicely, and it does make me wonder what it means to be a human). The way you write grey characters is one of the best things in your story, I feel.

(I feel like I should give you specific examples of what I like, but I have a tendency of talking too much, as you can see, so this will get way too long, I think... and sorry about the already huge chunks of text. but I hope this make you feel happy somehow)

Alright, now onto my actual questions. They're actually not related to the webcomic itself, since I really can't think of anything interesting... But your story is really good, so here are some queries I have about writing in general.

Do you have any tips for thinking of ideas? About concepts, plot, whatever; how to really get your brain in that mode, you know.

How do you create such vibrant characters? My characters are so similar... there are at least three pairs of nearly-identical characters. And how do you make them flawed yet still so likable?

They are pretty general questions, my apologies. It's just that, you know, since I'm getting to interact with the creator of one of my current favourite stories, why not learn something from them? You can just answer with your personal processes or whatever, I just wished to know how you do it.

I'm really looking forward to the next episode (but take your time, I'm okay with waiting). Pretty sad that this is the last season though. I'll miss it. Could you maybe tell me the estimated date of return and how many more episodes we'll have? Just a rough idea will do too.

That's all. (At this point it'll come as a relief to you 😂) Have a wonderful week ahead, lots of love, and know that there are lots of people who genuinely enjoy your work, you adorable shark! ❤️

(also, don't know why I'm telling you, but this is my first ever interaction on Tumblr with literally anyone) (cool site, I like the easy formatting)

(If you've read this entire thing, thank you. Did I bother you too much? I hope not.)

Hey there! Gonna do my best to answer this since it's been in my inbox for a while, but apologies if it's not the most coherent as my head's still in a bit of a fog from a cold.

First off, thank you for the kind words. I remember they made my day when I first got this ask, but they made it again as I'm waking up w/ a throbbing head ache and coughing my lungs out from the NYCC 2023 Con Crud™.

Anyway, gonna answer your questions the best I can, especially because I'm not entirely sure what the best way to answer these kinds of questions are-

Do you have any tips for thinking of ideas? About concepts, plot, whatever; how to really get your brain in that mode, you know.

I think one thing I like to shape a lot of my concepts around is making something unordinary ordinary. I've talked about it before, but one of the inspirations behind blanks is shadow people, like the ghosts. They're so horrifying and creepy to me, and I thought it would be neat if I made a world where the most creepy and scary thing to me was just...super ordinary and mundane. Like a world where you go into your living room and you're like "Man, that shadow person is still standing in front of my tv. How obnoxious."

A lot of my upcoming ideas kind of focus around this concept too. What if we lived in a world where demons were just every day citizens that went to work and school with us? What if we lived in a world where nobody feared death and was excited for it? What if we lived in a world where half the population was in prison? I can't say every single story idea I have falls into this, but I'd say a lot of them do and I find it's often a kick off point for a lot of my ideas.

How do you create such vibrant characters? My characters are so similar... there are at least three pairs of nearly-identical characters. And how do you make them flawed yet still so likable?

Do I make them likable? Sometimes I can't tell when I look at characters like Lyss haha. Because I think she's a victim of how I write characters, which is just... I dunno, write them like they're real people. Everybody is mad at the decisions Lyss made but... I'm sorry. I'll forever die on the hill that everyone are hypocrites and 90% of people would have done the same thing in her shoes. Only a flawless, benevolent, and frankly kind of stupid, person would have just...let Rex go in those circumstances, evil other half be damned. He was still a danger who proved he couldn't control himself, and the same way you'd probably report your best friend who was driving raving drunk after he just smashed into someone, she reported a dangerous person. Even if people hate her for it, I wrote what any person would have done in that situation. And that's how I try to write all my characters, for better or for worse. A lot of Rex's stupid decisions are dictated by his anxiety and depression, and I know from firsthand experience how being in that state of mind can influence your decisions and overall outlook on life and the people who love you, despite what you may think. I guess my advice is just to give them human flaws. A lot of people don't like Nia because she's manipulative, but I write her as a character who 100% practices what she preaches. Yeah, she "gas lit" Rex into joining Blan Corp, but she also 1000% believed it was the best thing for him.

Desmond probably comes off as the more "flawless" characters, but his own self-loathing and... catholic blank guilt is a big part of what pushed Rex away. In the time when Rex was questioning and hating himself for being a blank, why would he ever go the one person who hates himself for being a blank more than him? When he could go to the person (Nia) who celebrates him being a blank, and reminds him he can be loved for being one.

Anyway, that's enough rambling for now. Hopefully that gives you some to chew on.

#city of blank #rex #desmond #lyss #nia

[flyingraijin]

One Day | A. Miya

Summary: When you get asked by Vogue Japan to be the star of their "Day in the life of a Pro Volleyball player" video, you agree because you don't think there's much that could go wrong. You just need to film one day in your life, from morning to evening, and show the world what the outside hitter of one of Japan's V.league Division 1 female teams does with their time.

Unfortunately, your boyfriend is an absolute menace, and decides to act as such for the whole world to see.

Pairing: ProVB player!Atsumu x female ProVB player!reader

Warnings: Post timeskip, fluff, humour, some suggestive jokes/references, swearing, established relationship, mentions of ankle injuries, reader is flexible, disclaimer: i'm not a volleyball player to i probably got some details wrong

Word Count: 13 007

Available on AO3 here

Note: so i'm currently going through an atsumu phase, and while I'm in the process of working on a longer story for him, I decided just to make this as a little side project. It really has no significance but it was fun for me to write, so i'm hoping it'll be fun for you guys to read too ;)

"Good morning everyone! I've just woken up and it's…" you check the time on your watch, squinting through sleep-blurred eyes down at the bright numbers flashing back at you. "... five thirty three am and I do not want to be awake right now." 

From what you can see in the mirrored image of yourself on your phone screen, there's barely enough light in your quiet bedroom for the camera to pick up on you at all. Usually, it wouldn't be practical to film anything in this kind of lighting, but you've had very strict instructions from the team at Vogue to film as much of your day as possible, starting from the very second you wake up. 

Under normal circumstances, you would just turn on the light so the camera on your phone could actually register the fact that you're there. However, you just so happen to have a certain someone snoring in bed beside you; a certain someone who has a day off today and would be very unimpressed with you if you woke him up by flicking the bedroom lights on at five in the morning. 

A small smile crosses your face as you glance over at Atsumu, a smile you hope the camera doesn't pick up on. When being asked by the team at Vogue Japan if you would do a "Day in the life" video as a V.League Division one player for their YouTube channel, as well as a few follow-on interviews, you had tried to bring up the fact that your boyfriend, another div one player, lived with you, and so there was a very high possibility that the video may turn into more of a couple's vlog than anything else. You aren't personally bothered by this but the Vogue Japan people didn't seem to like the idea much, and had so given you instructions to keep Atsumu out of things. 

"This is a chance for the female side of the V.League to get more coverage, " they had told you animatedly when you brought it up. "The men are so famous already, we want you to be the star of this video!" 

Which you also aren't personally bothered by at all; being the star beside your "best setter in Japan" boyfriend is sometimes difficult, and getting your own little piece of fame to keep to yourself will probably be nice. However, you know Atsumu doesn't like the idea at all. 

Which is why, instead of staying in bed for an extra five minutes to mess with Atsumu's hair, as you would usually do, you throw the covers back and haul yourself to your feet, taking your phone with you. You keep the camera recording as you tiptoe your way out of the master bedroom, being as quiet as physically possible so as not to wake Atsumu up. And then you close the door on your way out. 

"Sorry about that," you mumble a little awkwardly down to your phone camera as you make your way down the hallway towards the kitchen. "My, uh, boyfriend was sleeping. And he's a bit of a menace if he gets woken up too early on his day off." 

You're able to switch the kitchen lights on once you get there, and as the screen of your phone is flooded with light, you get your first proper look at what your appearance is like so early in the morning. And it makes you snort in laughter. 

You set your phone down on the kitchen island before holding out your arms and doing a little twirl in front of the camera, showing off your incredibly messy hair, the old Inarizaki High volleyball sweater you're wearing and the threadbare pair of boxers covered in cartoon foxes that you've got on as your pyjamas bottoms. "So yeah, guys, welcome to a day in my life! I hope you all enjoy!" 

You hit the stop button on the recording then and save the video to a folder in your photo album title 'Vogue vid'. Then you switch your phone off and put it face down on the counter top before leaning forward to rest your head against the cool marble. It's not as if you're camera shy - you've been playing sports on TV for a while now- but filming yourself like this is already making you feel a little uncomfortable. 

A long sigh leaves your lungs and your shoulders heave when you realise how long the day is probably going to be. 

“Usually,” you say in as quiet of a voice as you can, as you chop up some banana on your countertop. “I start off my morning with a smoothie of some sort.” Your phone is balanced against one of the jars full of protein powder that live permanently on your kitchen counter, and you glance at it intermittently as you make yourself breakfast. “At lot of the time, you’ll see volleyball players eating a lot. We’re almost always hungry because of the amount of energy it takes in order to play any position on the court. And usually, it is actually recommended to eat a proper, solid meal before getting into hardcore practice. However…” you pause for a second as you throw the chopped banana into your blender. “I prefer smoothies. I used to eat a full solid meal for breakfast, but then during one morning practice a couple of years ago, I was jumping around so much that I threw up.” You grimace at the memory. “Since then, I’ve decided to stick to smoothies. Same amount of nutrition but not as uncomfortable to spike with.”

You shrug a shoulder nonchalantly and then press the power button on the blender, watching as all the carefully chopped fruits and vegetables you’d filled it with are churned up into a pretty gross-looking green mush. Thankfully, your blender has a muffling cover on it, so it isn't so horrendously loud early in the morning, but you still wince a little as what sound that is produced fills the kitchen. Atsumu still isn’t up; it’s only six am by now and despite the fact that you've been in and out of the bedroom since you woke up, changing into sweatpants and a jumper, and packing your bag for the day, you’re sure he’ll probably sleep until at least seven unless he’s woken up inorganically. 

Which you don’t want to do because a) you’ll feel guilty of depriving him of the extra sleep he so desperately needs, and b) he’ll no doubt be a nuisance for the video you’re trying to get done. 

Once your smoothie is mixed completely, you switch the blender off and then go to pour the green sludge into your shaker bottle. You make sure to show it to the camera, your nose scrunching a little as you watch the thick mush slide along the glass sides of the blender jug. Once it’s all been decanted, you set the blender back in place; you don’t bother with cleaning it out, preferring to leave that to Atsumu, since he loves to do that for you when you have days off and he doesn't. 

“It doesn’t taste the greatest,” you say to your phone as you shake your bottle around a little, eyeing the mixture within it. “But I’ll die at practice if I don’t drink it so…”

You squeeze your eyes shut and take a sip, swallowing it before you can really get a taste of the mixture of banana, raw egg, spinach and other stuff. 

You take the next few minutes to make your way through your breakfast, pausing every few seconds for a break. And as you do, you can’t help but glance at your camera awkwardly. The Vogue people had said they wanted every detail of your day, however, you have a strong feeling they’re severely overestimating how interesting your life is. Yes, being a pro athlete is amazing, however, a good chunk of your life is spent doing things like this; standing around as you force down a smoothie that tastes like algae and try not to wake your boyfriend up. 

Which, speaking of….

“Who’re ya talkin’ to?”

The thick voice startles you and you have to slap a hand over your mouth to stop yourself from spitting your smoothie out. Whipping around, you find said boyfriend leaning against the counter at the entrance of the kitchen, still in his pyjamas and with his hair sticking up in every direction possible. Despite this, there’s a sharp glint in his amber eyes and you can tell he’s fighting back a smile - probably from seeing you almost choke on your breakfast. 

You swallow what you’ve got in your mouth and then put your hand on your chest, feeling your heart racing beneath the thick sweater you’d changed into. “Atsumu, holy shit! Don’t do that?”

“What?” Atsumu asks innocently, stepping forward. “I was just askin’.”

“Warn me first,” you say back, rolling your eyes, before turning back to your phone. “I swear, I almost had a heart attack.”

“Sounds like a you problem,” Atsumu mumbles in reply as he steps even closer. In the mirror recording on your phone screen, you see him notice the camera. One of his eyebrows quirks. 

“Watcha doin’?”

“Vogue video,” you say back shortly. Atsumu’s mouth opens a little in realization. 

“Whoa, is that today?"

“Yeah.”

“Damn,” he mumbles, looking disappointed. “I was hopin’ it’d be on a work day for both of us, so I could show off."

You turn to give him an unimpressed look while you force yourself to take another sip of your smoothie. “I think it’s kind of the point that it’s about me?” you tell him, raising an eyebrow. “Since you’ve literally got a whole Netflix show following the Black Jackals?”

Atsumu just makes a face at you, waving away your words of logic. “More cameras, more coverage,” he mumbles back, moving closer to your back. You watch in the camera as he sidles up behind you, only to slip his arms around your waist and press his forehead into your shoulder from behind. The corner of your mouth quirks. 

“What’re you doing up anyway?” you ask quietly, knowing the Vogue video editors can probably just cut this all out once you send them the footage. “Did I wake you up?”

“Nah,” Atsumu mumbles. “The bed was just cold without ya.”

“Aww,” you chuckle, and reach back with your free hand to scratch your fingers through his hair. “You’re such a sap.”

“Only for you,” he says, and then raises his head. You twist your own neck around so you can look at his face, and can’t help but smile when you notice the grin on his lips. Shaking your head, you lean back to press a kiss to his cheek. 

“That’s adorable. But let me go, I’ve gotta get to practice.” 

Atsumu’s grin immediately disappears and is replaced by an over-exaggerated, childish pout. It only makes you laugh harder. “C’mon,” you tell him. “Let me goooo.”

“Noooo!” Atsumu mumbles as his arms tighten around your waist. “Stay with me.”

“Atsumu,” you chastise, setting your empty shaker bottle down on the counter so you can use both arms to wrestle at his grip around you. “I need to go to work. And I need to film this video.”

“Fuck the video.”

"Atsumu!” you slap at his hand. “It’s still recording, dumbass.”

“Don’t care,” he grumbles as he buries his head in your shoulder again. You let out a long groan and then look back at your camera, hiding a smile. 

“This is why I didn’t want to wake him up,” you say to the video matter-of-factly. “He’s like a spoiled toddler.”

That gets Atsumu’s attention and he raises his head to fix you with an incredulous look. “I am not!’ 

“You are,” you emphasis in return, and then take advantage of his distraction to slip out of his grasp and duck away from him. He grumbles in defeat but doesn't try to grab you again, obviously having accepted the fact that you do actually have to do your job. Chuckling, you turn to put your empty shaker bottle in the dishwasher. “Hey, could you get my bag for me?” you ask him as you do so. “It’s in the bedroom.”

Atsumu makes a face at you that you can just feel despite having your back turned. But then you hear his lazy footsteps shuffling out of the kitchen and back down the hallway, presumably to get what you’d asked. Your heart warms immediately. 

“He may act like a toddler sometimes,” you say quietly to you camera once you’ve put your bottle away. “But I still love him. Don’t tell him that though.”

You stop the recording then, and save the video to the same folder as before. Then you take a few seconds to go through your messages, checking to see if you have anything urgent to attend to before you start practice. Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be anything, and you are ready when Atsumu slouches back into the kitchen, your volleyball duffle bag full of your uniform, shoes and other equipment slung over his shoulder. 

“You didn’t have a practice shirt packed,” he informs you as he hands the bag over, “so I packed one for ya.” 

You smile at him in thanks as you sling the bag over your own shoulder. Then you lean forward to kiss his cheek again. “I'll see you at lunch, okay?”

Atsumu nods. “I’ll bring you something from Osamu’s.” He reaches out to catch your arm and pulls you towards him properly before you can head for the door. His lips meet yours in a soft kiss that you both savour for as long as you possibly can. It's rare that you see each other on mornings like these; when one of you has a day off and the other has to go to training. Your rest days almost never line up so you’re not used to having so much lazy time with Atsumu, even if it is just a few extra seconds to spend kissing him. You appreciate it regardless. 

“See you later,” you mumble when the pair of you do eventually break apart. He flashes you a sharp grin in response. 

“See ya.”

And then you’re off, stepping out the door of your shared apartment and bundling yourself in your coat as you begin your journey to the gym that is your workplace.

A few of your teammates are already at the gym when you arrive, some of them already dressed in their practice gear and some not. You smile and wave to all of them as you step in and make for the locker room so you can out your bag down and change out of your sweats and hoodie, and into your volleyball clothes. As you dump your bag down on one of the benches, you pull your phone out again and, after checking to make sure there’s no one else around you changing, you hit record on the camera. 

“So I get to the gym at around six thirty,” you start, deciding that sticking to narrating your day is probably the safest option in keeping things concise. “My morning practice starts at seven and then goes till around ten thirty. We do a lot of stretching in the morning to warm up and then we usually play a practice match; sometimes it's within the team, or other times we’ll have other teams in the area come play against us. It's never anything too hectic, since it is still practice, but it’s a nice way to start off the day.” 

As you talk, you unpack your bag, first pulling out your water bottle and then the wad of medical tape you keep with you at all times. You hold it up for the camera to see. 

“I’ve had to use a lot of this recently because I messed my ankle a little bit a few months back. I’m still cleared to play and practice, but it just adds a little extra support for my muscles and helps me keep it from getting re-injured.” 

You look down again and pull out the next thing nestled in your bag; your shoes. You hold these up next. 

“These are my volleyball shoes. At first glance, you can see they look a lot like normal trainers but”- you turn them over to show the soles of the shoes (you’ll never admit that you'd bought a whole new pair just so they would look nice for the video) -”they’ve got these special gel soles which provide better traction on the gym floor so we don't slide around when we’re playing.”

You put the shoes down on the bench and then begin with unpacking your clothes. You pull out the pair of practice shorts you usually wear; simply black spandex shorts that go to your upper thigh. Then you reach for the t-shirt. 

Only to pull out something that is definitely not what you would usually wear for practice.

Immediately your face falls and you think back to earlier this morning. Atsumu had said he'd packed a shirt for you since you’d forgotten one - you’re starting to think that you actually hadn't left one out of your bag, but instead Atsumu had just swapped your usual shirt for one he liked better. 

Because the shirt in your hand is not the plain white, slightly baggy shirt with just the ICS logo in the corner that's provided for all players sponsored by the brand; no, it’s one of Atsumu’s practice shirts, which is black and not white, and as well as having the familiar footprint logo on one shoulder, also has the logo of the MSBY Black Jackals on the other. 

As you hold it up, you can tell it's not one of the ones he wears currently; it’s definitely too small. Most likely, it's one of the one's he was provided when he joined the team a few years back, when he was considerably less beefy. Despite this though, it's much bigger than the shirt you’d usually wear for practice. 

You scoff openly and then turn to show it to the camera. “This is not my shirt,” you reiterate to your future audience, the disdain evident in your voice. “This is my boyfriend being a twat. But he stole my other shirt so I guess this is all I have.”

You double check just to make sure you hadn’t left one of your other practice shirts in here on accident. But there definitely isn’t one - probably Atsumu’s work again - and so, once you end your video and put your phone down, you're forced to pull the large black shirt on over your sports bra.

At least it's comfortable, you think to yourself as you put the rest of your things away in your locker. And it smells like Atsumu, which is an added bonus. 

Still, you catch yourself rolling your eyes once again as you collect your water bottle, phone, medical tape, knee pads, shoes and socks before heading back towards the main gym. He is such an idiot. 

There are about four other people in the volleyball gym when you get there; with both nets already set up and the courts ready for your usual practice match. It only takes you one glance around to judge that there won’t be any other teams joining for the practice match today, which allows you a sigh of relief. Wearing your boyfriend’s shirt in front of your teammates, you can handle. But if you had to do it in front of another team… no.

You wave at your teammates as you move over to one corner of the gym to set your things down. After balancing your phone up against the wall, you hit record for a new video and then sit back on the floor, keeping yourself in centre frame. 

“So, we’re about to start practice,” you say to the camera, feeling a little self conscious of the fact that there are other people probably giving you odd looks. “And I’m gonna take you guys through my little pre-warm up routine.” You spread your things out in front of you, including your medical tape, shoes, socks and knee pads. First you grab the tape and then bend one leg so you can pull your right ankle towards you. 

“I’m feeling a bit of tightness in my achilles from yesterday’s practice, so I’m gonna tape things up today,” you explain as you start ripping strips of tape and winding them around your ankle in a pattern you're very familiar with by now. “I did ice it last night, so I’m hoping it will all stay fine today,” you add on, as you rub the tape into place. Then you lift your foot to rotate your ankle a few times, testing out the feeling. Satisfied, you put your foot down and then go to pick up your knees pads. 

“Right, next is my padding,” you explain to the camera. “I’m an outside hitter so I’m not usually diving on the floor as much as a defence specialist like a libero might do. However, it’s still important to protect the knees just in case I do have to pull off some kind of crazy receive.” You pull the black pads up over your foot and then along your shin until they fit snuggly over each of your knees. You bend both your legs back and forth a few times to make sure they’re properly in place. Then you look back at the camera. 

“Sometimes,” you say, “I actually wear compression leggings under my uniform. Usually when I’m feeling extra stiff, or when I'm prepping for a big match. They help quite a bit because they stimulate the muscles more, and also protect more skin. But since today is only a casual practice, I’m not wearing them. So the knee pads will be just- ohmygod!’

You let out a small shriek as your soul seems to leave your body for the second time this morning. At that moment, you’d looked up at the screen of your phone and seen a figure leaning over your shoulder staring right at the camera, and it had scared the living shit out of you. Whipping around, you use one of your clean socks to smack at the person responsible, your face burning in embarrassment. 

“Jesus christ, Kira, don't do that!"

Kira Chen bursts into soft giggles of laughter and collapses back onto the floor behind you, holding onto her stomach. “Holy shit, you should have see your face,” she brays through her giggles. For a moment she seems to mimic it, widening her eyes and opening her mouth in an exaggerated gasp. Then she dissolves back into laughter. “Priceless!”

You keep hitting her with your sock, your embarrassment turning into annoyance. “You’re such a cow,” you tell her. “You fucking ruined the video too!’

You turn back to look at the camera, where Kira’s head is clearly still visible behind you, tears of mirth streaming down her temples into her black hair. Looking right into the lens, you give an exaggerated shake of your head. “Sorry, she’s an idiot.”

Kira snorts a few more times before hiccuping herself into silence. Then she sits up again and turns to look at you and then the phone you have propped up against the wall. “What’re you even filming for anyway?” she asks curiously, hooking her chin over your shoulder. You shake your head at her and bend one leg, bringing your foot up close to you again so you can pull your sock on. 

“I’m doing that 'Day in the Life' thing for Vogue Japan. Remember? I told you, like, yesterday?”

Kira’s eyes go wide as she finally seems to remember. Then she turns to grin evilly at your phone. “So this is going to Vogue, huh?”

“Yes,” you tell her, still preoccupied with putting on your sock. Then your mind registers the tone of her voice and you look up immediately to point an accusing finger at her. “But they will absolutely just throw it all away if you do anything too weird! So don’t ruin all my hard work for me!’

Kira holds up her hands in defence. “Don’t worry, I wasn't gonna,” she says in an innocent voice you definitely do not believe. “Sheesh, calm down, woman.” 

You hit her again with your other sock before pulling it onto your foot. “Just warning you. I’ve already got Atsumu pulling stunts, I don’t need you to do anything as well.”

“I’m assuming that's what this is about,” Kira remarks, tugging at the sleeve of your shirt. You only nod in response as you focus on getting your socks even. Then you raise your legs to show your feet to the camera (not in that way).

“Socks are on! Now I would usually do some stretches and stuff just by myself to get my muscles all rolled out and relaxed before we start the proper warm up for practice.”

Kira leans around you to smile at your phone. “Our little Vogue girl here does this as an excuse to show off how flexible she is!” She pats a hand against your back and you thwack it away immediately. 

“I do not!”

"Oh, come on,” Kira says, grinning. “We all know there is no other reason for you sitting here touching your toes and doing the splits and stuff other than to flex - literally - on all the rest of us.”

Your face burns because, maybe, she’s not entirely wrong. But it does also help you stretch properly, you swear it does! The fact that it comes with the ability to impress the rest of your team is just a bonus!

“Don’t listen to her,” you tell you phone as you pull your legs into a butterfly position to begin stretching. Already, you can feel the pull in your leg muscles as you use your elbows to press your knees to the wooden floor. “Kira is just salty because she can't do the splits.” 

Kira scoffs and scoots around, looking like she’s finally going to get up and leave you to stretch in peace. “Bullshit,” she tells you as she heaves herself to her feet. Then something in her eyes glints and she leans down to get her head in frame on the video again. “You’re lucky there's at least one person who likes how flexible you are.”

You blink up at her in confusion. “Huh?”

Kira leans in a little closer, smirking. Then she says, “Atsumu.”

You mouth drops open in shock at the fact that she’d say that on camera. But it only gets worse when she leans in even further and whispers right at you - but loud enough for the video to pick up on - “Don’t worry, I’m sure he just loves the fact that you can get your legs up behind your head-”

You grab one of your shoes before she even gets to finish and hurl it as hard as you can at her head. It misses by just a fraction as she jumps away and sashays off, laughing. 

“You know, for a spiker, you’ve got shit aim,” she calls back at you. And then she turns around. 

It gives you the perfect opportunity to throw your other shoe at her, this time nailing her right in the centre of the back. 

After apologising profusely to your captain, coach, and the rest of your team, and asking all of their consent to film your practice, your set your phone up in a makeshift tripod made out of spare volleyball shoes, water bottles and towels, and then take your future viewers through the warm up that you and the rest of the team do all together. It’s a mix of different stretches and a few exercises that involve setting, receiving and serving the volleyball just to get you bodies back in action. And then, by eight thirty, you’re starting with your first practice set of the day. 

There are a total of fourteen members in your volleyball team, the MSBY (formerly NEC) White Foxes, with a starting line up which includes you as outsider hitter, Kira as libero, and the team captain, Mika Hori, who is a middle blocker and also a former upperclassman from your high school volleyball team, just to name a few. The whole group splits up into two teams of six for each practice match, with two people sitting out to play refs/scorers. Then each team will play a set before Mika scrambles the match ups again. That way, everyone gets to play, and if there’s someone who needs a break in particular, they’re able to sit out without disrupting the numbers. You explain all of this to your phone, and film the way the teams are positioned over the first of the two courts in the gym. Kira remains at your elbow the whole time, slipping in helpful facts when she can, and despite her earlier teasing, you actually appreciate her help a lot. This whole filming thing had been making you uncomfortable all day but now, with someone else around you help out, you don’t feel like a total idiot. 

You stop filming for most of the practice matches, only asking the refs to grab you a few clips of certain rallies or serves when you can. One particularly good moment that gets captured on camera is when Kira jumps up to set from the back for you, and you pull of a pretty crazy cut shot right in from of the opposing blockers, which takes an easy point off the other team and has both you and Kira squealing in excitement and hugging each other. Kira is an amazing libero, but it’s taken her months and months to get the hang of doing proper sets instead of just bumping you the ball, and seeing that you’re getting somewhere makes both of you incredibly happy. 

The team plays sets for the next two and a half hours or so before Coach Yamaha calls for a cool down. And then the whole team gets down to do some stretches before the midday break starts. You set your camera up again, intent on explain the process of the cool down and what you plan to do next, but it ends up being just you and Kira joking around for most of the video, until she eventually goads you into doing a perfect centre split for the camera. 

Once that's over, you film yourself carrying all your things back to the locker rooms and slip a pair of track pants on over your spandex shorts. “It might sound gross,” you say to your camera as you throw your things back in your locker. “But most of the time I don’t shower during the midday break. There’s no point since we do even more training in the afternoon, which is usually much harder work, so we end up sweating more.” You pick up your phone and raise it slightly to show off your outfit, which now constantly of Atsumu’s shirt, your track pants and a pair of thermal booties which you'd slipped on after taking your volleyball shoes off. You point them out to the camera. 

“Technically, these are for dancers. They keep the muscles in your feet warm in between sessions. But I like to wear them too, just around the gym during the break. I do a lot of jumping in the morning, so my feet can get really sore, and I prefer to keep them warm and comfortable throughout the day, instead of having to fully stretch them out again when we get started on drills later.” You lower the camera and then look down into it as Kira comes up behind you to peer over your shoulder. 

“I like to tease her about it,” she says, poking you lovingly in the cheek. “She’s like one of those pretentious singers who wrap warm wet towels around their throats before they sing. It's hilarious. Plus, she looks so stupid.” 

You shoot her a glare. “Hey, it’s not like I leave the gym or anything. No one but you is gonna see me!" Then you look back at the camera. 

“Usually, in this break a lot of the team will go out to get lunch, or will go home and eat there. And sometimes I do that,. And when I do, then I do put on proper shoes. But I’m not going anywhere today.” You turn around to poke Kira’s cheek in return. “The both of us are just gonna hang around here fore the next couple of hours."

“Because we’re lazy pieces of shit,” Kira adds on brightly, to which you scoff loudly. 

“You're a lazy piece of shit,” you clarify. “I just happen to have a boyfriend who has too much energy for a rest day, so he’s bringing me lunch today, that’s all.” 

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Kira mumbles and turns away, grumbling under her breath about how disgusting people in relationships are. You snort quietly to yourself and then look back down at your phone. “Well, we’re gonna go get lunch, so see you guys later, I guess.” Then you hit stop on the recording, pocket your phone and go link arms with Kira as the pair of you leave the locker room and head towards the little courtyard around the back of the huge gym, where you like to spend your lunch breaks. 

Atsumu arrives around a thirty minutes later, stepping through the doors into the courtyard to find you and Kira in the midst of as fierce competition of who can keep your volleyball in the air longer. Your phone is propped up against your water bottle, filming the whole thing, and Atsumu can't help but chuckle to himself as he makes his way towards the pair of you, shaking his head slowly. 

You're so focussed on the ball in front of you that you don’t actually notice Atsumu until he snatches it right out of the air and drops a lunchbox into your hand instead. You jump in surprise and then bend over, pressing your hand to your chest as your heart races for what seems like the millionth time today. 

“Why is everyone so intent on sending me to an early grave?” you mumble to yourself as you puff out heavy breaths. “God, warn me next time, stupid.”

Atsumu places his hand on his own chest, feigning hurt. “That's not a very nice way to speak to yer lovely boyfriend who just brought you lunch.” He starts to reach for the box in your hand. “Maybe I’ll just take this back…”

You snatch it out of his reach before he can grab it, however, and rush to duck behind Kira, who has stopped bouncing her ball to watch the pair of you in amusement. “No,” you hiss at Atsumu, staring at him from underneath one of Kira’s tiny pigtails. “My food.” 

He raises his hands. “I’m just sayin’. Ya don’t seem very grateful.” He looks round to see your phone still filming. “We wouldn't want all yer Vogue viewers to think yer not treating me right, would we, sweetheart?’

You continue to glower at him but hide your face as you slink out from behind Kira. And then you plant a very sloppy, very exaggerated kiss on Atsumu’s cheek. “Thank you so much, dear boyfriend, I’m sure I will enjoy this lunch so very much!”

Kira snorts very deliberately at your sickly sweet voice and even Atsumu has to force back at laugh. He turns to you and then plants an equally sloppy kiss on your own cheek. “It’s my absolute pleasure, dear girlfriend."

You step back and then flip him off, turning away to go sit down at the outdoor lunch table where your phone is balanced. Without even having to be asked, Kira and Atsumu join you - Kira sitting opposite you while Atsumu slides onto the bench beside you. You turn your phone so the camera is now pointing at you, and give a short explanation about the nutrition of a pro volleyball player's diet and how your eating schedule for the rest of the day works. The whole time, you keep the camera focussed on yourself and much to your surprise, neither Atsumu or Kira mess with it. However, as soon as you look down to open but the box, Atsumu leans a little closer to you to pop his head into frame and smirks at the camera. 

You push him away as soon as you notice, scowling. “Oi. Buzz off.”

“Aww, but I wanna be in the video-?”

You shoo him away again, and reach forward to turn your phone purposefully away from him. “This video is just for me and the girls,” you say, emphasising the last part. “Not you.”

“But sweethearttttt,” he whines, and gives you an expression that you're sure you’ve seen before on the face of a sad puppy. “I wannaaaaa-”

But this time it’s Kira who waves him off, leaning forward to swat at his face. “Go show off to Netflix,” she says, sounding just a little salty. “You don’t get Vogue as well.”

That catches Atsumu’s attention and he leans in towards Kira, a cocky smirk appearing on his face. “Oh? Are ya jealous the Black Jackals have their own Netflix show and the White Foxes don’t?”

Kira sticks her tongue out at him. “Of course not. I don't want a shitty camera crew following me around everywhere.”

“It does get annoying,” you cut it after taking a large bite out of the onigiri that Osamu has so generously made for you. It tastes absolutely exquisite, as does everything Osamu cooks. “I can’t go near their gym anymore without one of the Netflix crew sticking a camera in my face. I’m not even part of their team!” 

“Yer an honorary member,” Atsumu says encouragingly, reaching out to pat you on the top of your head. When he receives a sharp glare from Kira, he holds up his hands in defence. “What? You all are! The Black Jackals and the White Foxes are subsidiaries of the same company, we’re all basically on the same team.”

He’s right. Since MSBY bought out the previous owner of the White Foxes, your team has been considered the female counterpart to the Black Jackals. You like to think that you’re known as that because you’re just as good as the men's team, however something your your gut always tells you not to be so optimistic. Still, you do have to shrug casually at Atsumu’s point. 

“I guess. But still, those camera’s are so big! Even filming this little thing is awkward, I don't know how you guys can focus with an entire crew of people hanging around.”

You realise where you’ve gone wrong as soon as you say it because of course Atsumu can focus with a big group of people around. He thrives off attention and you can already see his chest puff out a little as he inevitably prepares himself to begin some speech about how the number of huge cameras is only proportionate to his massive talent. 

You reach out the stuff his mouth full of rice before he even gets started.

Kira eventually moves inside to go fetch some food for herself, leaving you and Atsumu outside in the sunshine. You’ve pulled your feet up onto the bench so that you can hug your knees against the cold while you listen to Atsumu talk. Then, once he’s supposedly done describing the incredibly riveting interaction he’d had with Sakusa on his team’s group chat earlier that morning, you pull your phone out again and set it up - still keeping Atsumu out of frame - so you can narrate some of the smaller details of your life in the way the Vogue team had instructed. 

When Atsumu sees you balancing your phone against your water bottle, he shoots you a scowl. 

“I’m jealous of whoever's gonna be watchin' that stupid video.” 

You pause what you’re doing, not yet pressing the record button, to turn and give him a questioning look. “Why?”

“Because s'been hogging yer attention all day,” Atsumu whines, furrowing his eyebrows as he pouts at you. “I feel neglected.”

You flick at his nose is a response, shaking your head. “Oh my god, you’re so clingy,” you tell him, only half joking, as you attention returns to your phone again. “It’s just one day.”

“But it’s my day off,” Atsumu continues to whine. “I wanna spend time with you.”

You shoot him an exasperated look. “Well, it’s not my day off, and I have to work.” You turn your head properly and lean over to press a fleeting kiss to the line of his jaw. “I promise as soon as this is done, you will have all of my attention.”

That seems to satisfy Astumu for the time being because he doesn’t complain any further as you get your camera at the right angle and then press the record button. You wave at it, suddenly feeling awkward now that you’re out in a more secluded spot with no one but Atsumu around. Then, you pull up your lunchbox and tip it a little to show its contents. 

“So, I usually eat something like this for lunch. There’s a lot of focus put on carbs and lean proteins for our diets, since getting enough energy is important for our performance but we need to be able to build and maintain muscle.” You move your food around a little to point out the different items. “Today I’ve got two onigiri, some chicken curry with lentils, and…” you point out the little closed-off box in the corner of the main lunch box -” something sweet too for that extra boost of glucose. Usually it’ll be some kind of tropical fruit, like pineapple or mango, which has a high GI but the actual amount is pretty small. Today I’ve got watermelon.” 

You put your lunchbox down again and go back to eating. “Usually I'd make this all myself,” you say between bites. “I’d probably go home during the break and make it there. But today this absolutely fabulous meal was made for me by Onigiri Miya.” You pause to give the camera sharp look. “If you ever can, make sure to drop by that restaurant, it is amazing . And when you do-”

But your sentence dies on your lips when Atsumu very suddenly leans over to steal the piece of chicken you're holding right from your chopsticks and pops it into his own mouth. 

You stare at him in shock for a second before your disbelief turns sour and you set your chopsticks down indignantly. “Hey. That was mine!”

Atsumu shrugs at you, still chewing. “I was hungry,” he tells you simply through his mouthful before shooting you a smug look. “And you were talkin' too much.”

You pull your lunchbox away from him, giving him a death glare. “Go ask your brother for your own food if you’re hungry,” you tell him sulkily. That was your last piece of chicken from the curry and not getting it has made you severely displeased. 

Atsumu makes a face at you. “”Samu said it’s double the price for me if I want to get stuff from him. You think I’ve got those kinda funds?”

You roll your eyes, knowing that he absolutely does , considering the salary that a pro-volleyball player for one of the top teams in Japan gets, and the added cut the comes from starring in a Netflix docu-series. He’s just stingy and refuses to give into Osamu’s brotherly tormenting. 

“You're insufferable,” you start, glaring at him. “You-”

But he cuts you off again by leaning forward to press his lips to yours, effectively muffling your complaints. 

You let him get what he wants for a few tenths of a second, unable to deny the fact that kissing Atsumu will always lift your mood no matter what you’re going though. However, you pull back very quickly, making sure not to show him that. “That’s disrespectful.” 

“Yer disrespectful.”

You stick your tongue out at him. “You really are a toddler.” 

The corner of Atsumu’s mouth quirks and then he leans in a little closer, a dangerous glint in your eyes. “Huh. Didn’t think a toddler could rail ya the way I do…”

Your eyes widen at the string of incredibly explicit words that leave his mouth and quickly you shove him away, cheeks flaming in embarrassment. “Fucking hell, Atsumu, I’m filming,” you growl at him as you grab your phone and snap the lid back on your lunchbox. “Fuckin’ twat.”

With that, you rise to your feet and turn away without giving Atsumu a second glance, deciding to go search out Kira so you can actually spend your break with someone civilised. You can hear Atsumu cackling with laughter behind you but you do little more to acknowledge him than raise your middle finger in his direction. Glancing down at the phone at your hand, you roll your eyes when you notice it’s still filming. 

“Remember that things I said this morning about loving that guy,” you say quietly to the camera. “Yeah, I’m taking that all back.”

You slam your finger on the stop button as you push open the door to the gym and storm inside, your face arranged into a heavy scowl but your insides churning with butterflies. 

About thirty minutes later, Mika calls for the afternoon practice to start. You and Kira make your way back onto the court and you set your phone up to speed-run through your pre-warm up routine once again, not narrating it this time. Then, once you're done, you pick up your phone and flip the camera to show the rest of the court and team. “In our afternoon practice, we do mainly technique training and drills,” you say as you do, before flipping it back to show your face again. Kira is at your shoulder again, thank goodness, and you turn your phone slightly to give her some time in the spotlight. 

She pouts exaggeratedly at the camera. “I hate afternoon training.” 

You snort and focus the video back on yourself. “Since Kira’s the libero, she doesn't really have to do spiking or serving drills,” you explain as the pair of you move further out onto the court. “So she mainly has to practices spike receives and ball retrieval, which she’s great at already.” 

“And sets,” Kira pipes in. “Like the one we did earlier. I still gotta work on that.”

“Right,” you nod along, looking away from the camera for a moment to survey the court. Everyone from this morning is back, and the energy is back up with the entire team ready and waiting to get on with practice once again. Your eyes pass over them before flitting up to where, on one end of the large room, there are a relatively small set of stands. Your eyebrows jump in surprise when you see Atsumu reclining across a few seats a couple of rows up. He almost looks like he’s asleep, with one arm thrown over his face. But then he seems to feel your eyes on him and looks up, his gaze catching yours for a second. You just shake your head at the cocky smirk that passes over his face and turn away when he blows you an exaggerated kiss. 

Kira’s eyes follow the same path yours had and then she lets out a snort of her own. Jostling her shoulder into yours, she wiggles her eyebrows at you. “Your boyfriend is watchingggggg.”

You let out a huff through your nose. “He’s trying to distract me," you tell her as the pair of you move to join the rest of the room for your warm up. “He’s trying to make this video as chaotic as possible.” 

“It’d probably be pretty chaotic anyway,” Kira points out. “Since the life of a pro-volleyball player isn’t… well, organised. Most of the time.” 

She’s right, but you don’t want to voice your agreement so you just grunt in response. The pair of you move to sit on the floor on the side of the court with everyone else in your team and you balance your phone on your little makeshift shoe tripod one again. You guys breeze through the warm up this time, focussing a little more on arm and shoulder stretches now to account for the drills you’ll all be performing. Then Coach Yamaha starts all of your off with some serving drills. 

Ever the competitive one, you spend your time working on your spike serve. You’ve already got a killer jump floater, since that was one of your specialties in high school, but after listening to Atsumu boast incessantly about his own impeccable serving abilities and the development of his new hybrid serve, you’ve set a personal goal for yourself to be able to match him with a spike serve that's just as powerful as his. You take a second to sit with your phone and explain what you're doing, how the serving works in volleyball and the difference between a jump floater and a spike serve. You don’t talk about Atsumu purposefully not to give him too much credit and instead bring up other players to use as examples, citing Tooru Oikawa as one of the people you admire most when it comes to power serves. You turn your camera for a second too, to film the opposite hitter and best server on the team, Asami as she steps up to do a spike serve. Then you set the camera back down and go back to your own drills. 

After about forty minutes, you’ve practiced the damn spike serve to death, and while it’s still not anywhere near as powerful as you'd like to get it, you're as happy with what you'd done today  as you can be. Coach then calls for a swap out and you move on to spiking drills. These are always your favourite, since they’re your personal specialty, and you have a lot of fun jumping around like a fucking insect as you slam volleyballs into the opposite court left and right. You won’t lie that you do make an effort to be a little flashier than usual, hyperaware of the camera filming you as well as Atsumu’s heavy gaze from the stands above. You know that he himself sets for some of the very best spikers in the country, Sakusa, Bokuto and Ojiro, so you're hoping you can at least match up to them with the way you're currently performing. The White Foxes have never gone up against the Black Jackals in an outright match, since it's not common for female and males teams to mix, but you'd like to think you could give those boys a run for their money if you ever had the chance. 

Another forty minutes go by and after pulling off a few line and cross shots that would probably have the opponents head spinning if you were in a match, you change drills again. Coach splits the group into four teams and then had you play three on three matches in the two courts. Unfortunately for you, in your first set you end up going against Kira, and so you spend a very entertaining twenty minutes pelting balls her way only for her to dig most of them up. During the next switch, you rant about this to your camera for a couple of minutes as you take a water break. And then, when you head back in, you end up on team with Kira and Mika, which tuns into a hilarious game of just how many points can you beat the other team by. 

These three on three games continue on for the next hour, until everyone on the team has had a chance to play against everyone else. And then Coach finally calls for stretches and cool down. 

“You guy did well today,” she yells out to your team as the group of you all collapse on the wooden court floor, sweating like pigs, with muscles that have just about turned to jelly. You shuffle over to Kira so the pair of you can chat quietly as you roll out your muscles, taking your phone with you so you can show the cool down process in full. You're acutely aware of Atsumu the entire time, knowing that if he’s stayed this whole time, he’s probably gonna ask to do some set training with you once your official practice is over - seriously, it's his rest day and he still wants to practice? What is wrong with that guy - and so you make a point not to do you entire end of practice routine just yet. Kira notices this and wiggles her eyebrows at you, making a comment about you and Atsumu getting some alone time together, but you just shove her away in response, rolling your eyes. 

When the rest of the team does eventually start to trickle out of the room, you make sure to hug Kira goodbye and have her say an official goodbye to your camera. And then you sit yourself back down on the floor with yours legs in the butterfly position and wait for Atsumu to make his inevitable appearance.

Not even two minutes later, you feel a thump beside you and turn to see Atsumu sitting there, rifling through a backpack at his side as he pulls out his knee pads, socks and shoes. You raise an unimpressed eyebrow in his direction. 

“You’re not even going to ask?”

Atsumu turns to give you a smug look. “Well, yer already waiting for me so I figured…”

You swat at his bicep without any malice and go back to stretching. “You’re insufferable.” 

Atsumu chuckles in response and leans over to kiss your cheek. “Only for you."

From then on, the two of you get to warming up again, and this time you spend most of the fifteen minutes talking comfortably to the camera while Atsumu stretches. “Technically, practice is over,” you explain to the video, “but since my clingy boyfriend is just so desperate to spend time with me, we’re going to stay a little long to work on some more stuff.” 

From out of frame, Atsumu sends you a puppy-like pout. “Hey. I can just go home if ya really want?”

Immediately you reach out to grab him as he starts to shuffle away from you. “Hell no, you’re the best setter in the country, no way I’m missing out on hitting some of your sets.” 

Atsumu’s face morphs back into a cocky smirk and he wiggles his eyebrows at you. “S’what I thought.”

You slap him away and then jump to your feet. Coach Yamaha is still standing in the corner of the room reading through something on her clipboard. You move you way over to her, to inform her of the fact that you and Atsumu will be staying overtime to practice. She gives you a sharp look in response over her glasses, a look that really makes you feel like a child being reprimanded. Then she nods once. 

“As long as you watch that achilles,” she tells you. “And don’t be too long. We have a practice match against the Red Rockets tomorrow morning so I’ll need to you be in top shape, alright.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” you tell her immediately, nodding. The Red Rockets are your biggest rivals in the whole of Osaka and you know that Coach Yamaha has a personal vendetta against their coach, so this is a practice match you can’t afford to screw up. It's with this in mind that you promise her to only spend an extra hour or so working with Atsumu. 

Coach Yamaha nods happily at your agreement and then pats your shoulder, satisfied. “Alright. You did well today. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

You say your own goodbye and then move back over towards Atsumu while your coach leaves the room entirely. When you get back to your spot you find that Atsumu has supposedly gone through his entire warm up routine and is now lying on his stomach, kicking his legs as he makes faces at your camera, which is still filming. 

You kick him lightly in the ribs, and make sure to give him your sternest scowl when he rolls over to look up at you. “C’mon, Miya,” you instruct. “We can’t be too long so let's get going.” 

Atsumu’s eyes sparkle as he looks up at you and without hesitation he jumps to his feet. “Alright!’ 

You squat down to pick up your phone then, and place it back on its little tripod. Technically, you don’t need to film the extra practice you and Atsumu are going to do, however, you do feel like it’s something interesting the watchers would probably like to see. “I’ve gotta be a little careful of my ankle,” you say to the camera, watching in its screen as Atsumu goes to get a ball cart of volleyballs from the storage room. “I don’t wanna aggravate it more than it can take. But I’ll try to get some good shots for you guys.” You wink at the camera before getting to your feet once again and jogging over towards Atsumu, ready to start your training. 

As always, you and Atsumu are a perfect match. You’ve known him and Osamu since high school, after all, and he’s been your biggest volleyball rival since the both of you went pro. You've been practicing against each other for years, and as a result you know each other’s playing styles both inside and out. Which just so happens to make you the perfect  teammates when you actually get to play together. 

Not that it would ever happen in a professional setting, but as you hit Atsumu’s beautiful sets agin and again, you can’t help but get the feeling that you’d be unstoppable as official teammates. 

“Gimme shitty sets,” you instruct him as you move back to the line. “Yours are too perfect.” 

He snorts in response. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?’

You shrug in response. “Maybe. But they're unrealistic for me to hit because not everyone is a machine like you. So give me your worst possible sets.” 

Atsumu chuckles and shakes his head. But when you take your run up and he chucks the balls into the air for you, it’s notably far less precise than anything he’s given you so far. You still manage to get it, slamming it down into the opposite court with a satisfying thud, and when you drop back to the ground you can feel the happy smile starting to spread over your face. 

“Again.” 

He throws you another one, in first tempo this time, which goes a little too far out to the right. You have to stretch to reach it and the result means the spike isn’t as precise as you’d like it. But it still goes in with enough power to make you happy. 

“Again.”

The pair of you keep playing, even swapping out a one point so that you can set and give your ankle a little bit of the break while Atsumu does a few spikes. Your sets are nowhere near as perfect as his are but you get the ball where it needs to be and Atsumu sends each one into the opposite court with an incredible amount of power. It makes you smile giddily, taking you back to your roots from before you and Atsumu were anything more than teenage rivals and  neighbours, when you’d practice with each other until it was dark out in the park that was nearby both your houses. 

“Here,” Atsumu suggests, once you swap back to your usual positions. He goes to get a second volleyball and places it on the ground in the opposite court, pretty far back and right on the outside line. “Hit this when you spike.” 

It’s a challenge. The ball is right on the line, and it's difficult to pull off that kind of accuracy without any blockers to force you into taking that tight of a shot. You set your sights on it though, and for added effect, instruct Atsumu to keep throwing his worse sets. 

The first time you try, you're a good three or four inches off from the second ball. As you land back on the ground, your shoes squeaking against the court floor, you curse quietly under your breath. Then you turn to Atsumu. “Again.” 

He sets you another ball and this time, you're a bit closer. The third time the pair of you do it, the spiked ball bumps the still one, but not directly enough for you to be satisfied. And then finally on the fourth try, you’re able to smack the ball right down the side of the court and send the second volleyball fly off when the two of them impact. 

You’re already cheering by the time you land back on the ground, and Atsumu too lets out a whoop of satisfaction. 

“Hell yeah!” he exclaims, moving up closer o you with his hand raised. “That was awesome! And that was probably the worst set I’ve given you all day!”

You smack his palm in a satisfied high five, still smiling. "Again!"

You do the shot a good ten or so more times, until your legs are starting to turn to jelly. After sending both balls colliding with enough force to shoot them both off in different directions on last time, you land back on the ground and then turn to grin at Atsumu, feeling proud of yourself. “Damn, I’m so awesome,” you say, jokingly. Atsumu smirks. 

“Ya sure are,” he comments, and then uses your freehand to pull you in close to him. One of his arms traps you against his chest with an iron grip around your waist while the other goes to ruffle your hair violently. “You could definitely beat Omi-Omi’s ass if you played him!” 

You laugh as his teasing tone but let out a cheer anyway. “Hell yes!”

Atsumu laughs along with you, slowly pulling your closer in to him. And suddenly your face is right up in front of his, your noses bumping against each others as you stare deep into his amber eyes. For a moment you stand frozen in surprise before your cheeks flood with heat. You remember this feeling; just like before, when you were recalling playing with with Atsumu as a teenager, you remember this from your final year in high school when Atsumu became your unrequited crush. The way he used to mess with you, messing up your hair and pinching your cheeks, it’d all made you blush so hard because you were so in love with him. And now, despite the fact that you’ve been together for years at this point, he still has the very same effect on you. 

And by the smug look on Atsumu’s face, he seems to know it too. 

“See something ya like?” he asks you teasingly, his breath fanning out against your face. You can feel it on your lips, and the skin there tingles a little when you slip the tip of your tongue out to brush nervously over it. 

“No?” you answer, only it comes out like a very unconfident question and only makes Atsumu’s smirk widen. 

“Yer cute,” he tells you quietly, seemingly moving closer. And you don’t have it in you to step back as slowly he invades your personal space. And then his lips are on yours, and even though you’ve kissed a few times today already, there's something different about this one. You can feel his fingers digging into your waist, can feel the warmth of his mouth against yours. Without even thinking, you press back into him, sliding your lips over his for a moment before allowing your tongue to sneak out and press against his own. Atsumu lets out a soft groan at the feeling and one of his hands slides up, fingers tangling in your hair as he kisses you harder, and it’s all you have in you to whine back as everything about him totally overrides all your senses. 

Atsumu mumbles you name, rough and broken, and you're on the verge of reciprocating before your senses suddenly snap back to you and you pull back with a squeak. 

“Oh my god, I’m still filming.” 

Atsumu stares at you blankly for a second, seemingly computing your words. Then his eyes widen slightly and he break outs into peals of laughter. “Hah, those Vogue people are gonna have a great time editin' this video!” 

“If they decide to at all,” you grumble out as you move back towards your phone. After pressing the button to end the video, you turn back to Atsumu with your hands on your hips. “They might just scrap the whole thing once they see how much of a chaotic mess my life is.” 

Atsumu shrugs one shoulder. “Fine by me. No one else will get to ogle ya online.” 

You stick your tongue out at him and then go to check you watch. Seeing that it’s already almost seven pm, you decide that it’s time for the pair of you to call it quits for the day. “C’mon,” you instruct Atsumu, jerking your head in the direction of the balls scattered across the court. “Let's clean up and then we can head out, yeah.”

Atsumu nods in agreement and gets to work on collecting the balls. After locking them away in the storage room again, the pair of you sit on the floor to do a few cool down stretches. Then you gather up your things and make your way back towards the locker room while Atsumu stays behind to lounge around on the floor. 

As you walk, you switch your phone on again, and start a new video. “So Atsumu and I just finished with our practice,” you say as you walk. “We did some stretching to make sure we won’t be all stiff and gross tomorrow, since we both have training. And now all that's left for me to do is grab my stuff and then get outta here.” 

Once you get into the locker room, you set your phone down on your bench and then narrate your way through packing your duffel bag up again. You opt to just slip your track pants back on over your shorts and stay in Atsumu’s shirt, figuring you’ll just take a shower when you get home. “Sometimes I will shower at the gym,” you say to the camera as you pull on your outside shoes. “But since I’m the only one here right now, I’d prefer not to. And my boyfriend is waiting so I don’t wanna take too long.” You zip up your bag with a snap. And grab your phone once again. “I’m hoping,” you say, as you start the walk back to the entrance hall of the gym, “that Atsumu will make dinner tonight because I am exhausted.” 

You meet Atsumu in the lobby of the gym. He reaches one hand out towards you when you appear and without even thinking, you take it, lacing your fingers through his. You nod at the secretary at the reception desk as you leave the gym, and then shiver as you step out into the cool evening air. Your face scrunches a little as a twinge of pain flares up you ankle. 

Atsumu looks down, seemingly noticing the step you take gingerly. “Is your achilles still bothering you?’

You make a face and nod, stepping carefully to make sure you don’t roll you ankle on accident. “Yeah. I’ll probably have to ice it tonight and wrap it. But it’s not too bad.” 

“Alright.” Atsumu accepts that, although you can still feel his eyes on you. “But you’ll get it checked if it gets worse, right?”

“‘Course,” you reassure him. “I’m not an idiot, ‘Tsumu.” You lean up to kiss his jaw and offer him a bright smile, trying to prove to him how fine you are. “Promise.”

“Okay.” He smiles back down at you, not a teasing smirk but an actual soft smile that has your heart doing backflips. “I trust you.”

Fuck, you think to yourself as you stare up at him. I love this man so much . 

You jump straight into the shower as soon as you get home. Thankfully, Atsumu does take dinner duty tonight, leaving you to take as long as you need to scrub yourself down and then, once you’re dressed in your pyjamas, turn your phone on and take your future audience through your nightly routine. 

“I don’t wear any makeup or anything while I’m playing,” you explain as you rub cleanser on your face. “But I do still like to just keep my skin clean. I sweat a lot during practice and it feels way better to get all that off and go to bed with my face feeling nice and clean.” 

You make sure to plug a few brands that Vogue has sponsoring this particular video, showcasing their use and assuring the camera that you like them. And then you pick up your phone and take it with you back into the kitchen, to find Atsumu is almost done with dinner. He leaves you to watch it for a couple of minutes while he goes to take a shower himself, and while he's doing so, you take it upon yourself to set the dinner table. You smile at him when he returns, immediately grateful when he scoops food onto your plate, and then sit down at the table to start with dinner. Contrary to popular belief, Osamu isn't the only Miya who can cook, and the food tastes amazing, especially after such a long day for you. You and Atsumu make gentle conversation while you eat and then, once dinner is done, Atsumu clears away the plates while you go to get your cold pack and arnica gel from your little supply of medical equipment. Then you plonk yourself down on your couch and, after setting up your next video, get to tending to your ankle. 

“My achilles is pretty tender and my ankle is kind of swollen,” you say as you uncap the arnica gel and grab yourself a decent amount. “This stuff just kind of helps with easing some of the tension.” You rub it all along you ankle and up the back of your calf, making a face at how cold it is against your warm skin. Then you grab your cold pack and yell Atsumu’s name, instructing him to come sit with you. 

He does so, flopping down on the couch next to you, and without begin asked, pulls your ankle up onto his lap to massage it more as you get you pack ready. You sigh a little in relief, loving the feeling, and bask in it for a moment. Atsumu always seems to know exactly how to sooth whatever injuries you may have. 

“When’s yer next rest day?” he asks suddenly, glancing up at you. Your nose scrunches a little as you think about it. 

“Uhhh, next week Sunday, I think? We have a match this weekend so I’m not getting the usual Sunday break.” 

Atsumu frowns. “Ya think you’ll be all good to play?”

You let out a huff and shoot him a look. “Hey, I said I was fine, remember. I promised and everything.”

Atsumu makes a face. “I just don’t want ya getting hurt,” he mumbles, looking back down at your ankle in his lap. His fingers smooth over your skin gently as he talks. “Omi screwed up his ankle pretty badly a couple of weeks back and he still isn’t totally recovered. This kinda stuff sticks.”

You reach over to scratch at his head, ruffling up his fluffy hair with your fingers. “I know,” you assure him. “And that's why I’m doing all this stuff.” You hold up the cold pack and arnica. “I’m being careful.”

Then you shake you head at him, a teasing look in your eyes. “Now c’mon, gimme my foot back. I need to put this thing on.” 

Atsumu rolls his eyes and pushes your foot off his lap. He watches quietly as you wrap the pack around the back of your ankle, securing it with the straps over the rest of your foot. Then you pat the space on the couch between the pair of you. 

“Come closer. I need to elevate this thing.” 

Atsumu rolls his eyes. “You could just put it on the back of the couch of something,” he grumbles lowly. However, he still does as you ask and doesn't’ move away when you raise your leg to rest your foot on his shoulder. After shooting him a happy smile, you turn on your phone and start filming again. 

“We’re just relaxing now,” you say to the camera, filming your own face. “Probably will watch a movie or read or something. It’s important that we get down time as athletes and then get a proper night of sleep so we can be well rested for tomorrow.” You double tap the screen to flip the camera and show Atsumu being used as your own personal foot rest. “I’ve wrapped up my ankle to hopefully get the swelling to go down and ease some of the tension in my achilles. And I’ve elevated it, which helps drain the blood so it doesn’t swell up any more.” 

Atsumu gives the camera an unimpressed look. “Don’t date pro-volleyball players,” he says seriously to the video. “Ya get used as medical equipment.” 

You reach out to swat at his shoulder, your mouth opening in a hurt expression. “Hey, that goes both way, jackass,” you say as you flip the camera back to yourself. “How many times have I had to bandage up your fingers after practice, huh?” 

Atsumu just makes a face at you. However, you can see by the warmth in his eyes that he’s just teasing you, as usual. Making sure not to disturb your foot, he reaches over to the coffee table to grab the remote for the TV that is mounted on the wall in front of the couch. “Here, choose something to watch.” 

You switch the TV on and go to Netflix, putting one One Piece without another word. The pair of you snuggle down into the couch a little more and stare at the TV as the familiar intro begins playing. For a moment, everything is still. 

Then Atsumu reaches out one of his hands to grab yours. Your fingers lace with his, his palm pressing right up against your own, and suddenly you can’t control the happy smile that’s spreading across your face. 

You watch One Piece with Atsumu for only around forty minutes before the pair of you decide to head to bed. You explain the last few minutes of your day to your phone while Atsumu moves around, flicking off lights around the apartment, and then the both of you head to the bedroom. After both brushing your teeth and taking whatever meds and supplements you might need, Atsumu does a running jump onto the bed, curling up against the duvet with a happy groan. You shake your head at him and make sure to snap a picture - not for Vogue, but for you - before you follow him. Slipping under the covers, you hold your phone above you and hit record on the camera for the last time. 

“Well, it’s ten o’clock and we’re heading to bed,” you say, making sure to keep Atsumu out of frame. “It’s been a pretty long day, but that's kind of standard. I hope everyone enjoyed following me around today. Maybe you learned something, maybe you didn’t, who knows. It’s been fun guys!” You give the camera a final smile. “Goodnight!”

And then you press the stop button and save the last video to the same folder you’d put all the others in. Leaning over, you drop your phone on your nightstand and then turn to snuggle up against Atsumu. He shifts when he feels you, turning his body so he’s lying on his back and can pull you right on top of him. One of your legs slots between his as you bury your face in his neck. One of your hands weaves into his hair and you let out a soft sigh of relief. 

Atsumu chuckles quietly. “So, did ya have fun today?”

“It was weird,” you mumble. “I’m not used to having a camera on me. But it was also kind of fun.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Fun enough ta be on my Netflix show?” he asks cheekily. You scrunch your nose against his neck and shuffle a little, getting more comfortable. 

“Let's not go that far.”

“Aww,” he mumbles, but you can tell he doesn’t actually mean it. He shifts a little too, moving his head until you feel a soft kiss being pressed into your temple. “Well, I’m glad ya had fun.” 

“Yeah. I just feel bad for whatever poor soul has to edit that crap.”

Atsumu snorts. “Well, they just get a nice honest look into yer life,” he mumbles, his voice thick with exhaustion. You can’t help but smile at that, thinking back on the day you’ve had. 

“I guess so.” 

“I love you,” Atsumu mumbles out to you and your grip on him tightens just a little. 

“I love you too,” you whisper to him, feeling your entire body begin to sag with exhaustion. “Thanks for being there today.”

“'Course,” Atsumu says. “Can’t let ya have all the attention.” He gives you another kiss. “G’night, princess.”

Your eyelids are already drooping but you find it in yourself to smile happily into Atsumu's shoulder. “G’night, ‘Tsumu,” you mumble back to him. And then the both of you are fast asleep and there’s nothing but silence in your bedroom once again. 

#💙 blue's fics #miya atsumu x reader #atsumu miya x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu!! #miya atsumu #one day

[not-poignant]

Hi there! I absolutely love your works and, having followed you for a while now, I also really admire you as a person and an author in general. Every update on AO3 and Tumblr is always such a delight. I'm sorry if this ask is coming out of the blue or if it's something you've been asked before, but how did you take the plunge from writing predominantly fanfic to posting original fiction in serial form and also self-publishing novels? I'm currently in the process of drafting two original works after writing/posting fanfic regularly for years, and I'm just lost as to how to set everything up. I have a general idea (post chapter-by-chapter on AO3 and offer early access and some exclusive content on patreon or some other subscription service), but it all feels so daunting right now. Any bit of info or advice on how you got started would be immensely appreciated <3

Hi anon,

Tbh, I went from writing fanfic to original fiction because I had original characters in my fanfiction and readers asked me about them.

I had no kind of...dreams of being an original author in this way, I was published via other pathways already, and fanfiction was really an escape for me, a chance to break with all the conventions of standard writing and just do what I wanted.

But I needed a broader cast than what the movie gave me re: my first fanfics, and I added my own OCs, and left them in the background as much as possible, but even back while writing that fanfic, even the OCs were getting fanart. Sometimes readers would send me anons about them, or ask me more details about them.

Finally, I decided to write some hatesex between them, just something to kind of...idk get it out of my system? Answer what the readers were looking for?

The flow through therefore felt natural. Game Theory flows very naturally on from From the Darkness We Rise & Into Shadows We Fall. And from there, moving into other original works has been easy, in part, because I've often being doing alternate universes from a core of original characters.

If I want to introduce new original characters, I introduce them in stories where pre-existing original characters have already been established.

I didn't even start writing original works with a view to making money off that. In fact I thought it was a very foolish thing to do. A lot of people on AO3 don't want to read original works on AO3 and refuse to do it or only do it if it's PWP / pornography.

I started my Patreon account because readers asked me to. I got asks from very very generous people who wanted to know my Paypal, or asked if I'd start a Ko-Fi, and finally a few people just asked if I'd start a Patreon. I said I didn't think it was a good idea, and they said it was up to them if they wanted to pay me or not, but I should at least consider giving them the choice.

From there, I found it all very overwhelming. I made lots of mistakes. I had to go on hiatus for a year because I promised too much and couldn't deliver on many of those rewards. And for many years I only offered one early access chapter per week for one story, and my main stories were never early access (and still aren't, Underline the Black goes up for everyone at the same time - and while that may change in the future, it's definitely unconventional).

I've always been transparent with my readers that with very few exceptions, if they just wait, they eventually get everything for free. But if they want to support this kind of writing and/or enjoy it, and can comfortably afford to send some dollars my way, they can ensure that I can keep writing this way.

I have for a long time offered no exclusive content at all, I believe that can do well, but it's not my preferred way of doing things.

This career has been incredibly reader driven, anon. I would not personally attempt it cold, without a really fantastic readerbase who encouraged me every step of the way in the first place, because I am a cautious, insecure writer who doesn't like to take risks. So I can't give you advice on how to build this career without the support of the readers there in the first place, and I believe the only reason why I had their support was, in part, because of the actual strength of the writing itself. Which isn't to say it's the best, it's not, it's what I needed at the time and it's what a few other people needed, and that's basically how this works.

If you turn up with the writing, and the audience comes, and they want the story, you have the career.

In terms of practical advice - you can introduce original characters in fanfiction, just be aware that readers tend to be hostile by default if they pull any significant 'screen time' away from the fandom characters (and readers are extremely savvy to authors trying to build a financial business through AO3)

It IS daunting, but the good news is you can do a soft launch. You can open a Patreon or Ream account tomorrow and tell no one. You can mess with your graphics and your tier rewards to your heart's content when you don't have any subscribers. Build a buffer of early access/chapters, and make sure you don't overpromise on anything. Whatever you think you can realistically deliver to readers, cut it in half, because the stress of chapter update deadlines every month can really add up and it's a very different landscape to novel releases.

You can take your time, you can build interest slowly.

Remember you can never ever mention any kind of site where you're getting paid inadvertently, sneakily, or directly on AO3. You can't mention Ream, you can't mention Patreon, you can't mention Ko-Fi, you can't go 'learn more about my writing here' and link to those places. You can't mention buy links. You can only mention sites like Tumblr, Linktree, Twitter etc. Places where the point of sale isn't happening. Not doing so risks AO3's Not For Profit status and risks your entire account, and it's not worth it.

I did an interview with Subscriptions for Authors where I actually talk about many of these things so you can watch (or listen to) the podcast here if you're inclined! It also talks about the importance of community-building, gratitude to the readers, and generosity.

I am here because my readers wanted me to be. So I'm very concerned with making sure I can give them the best writing possible within my abilities. This makes me not very suited to offering 'how to start in this career' advice because it was a happy accident. It's hard to teach something I have never done your way myself, anon, because I worry I'd give bad advice. My writing had people turning up, but I'm not sure anything else I did, added much! I think responding to Tumblr asks and replying to every comment helped too! But...I don't know for sure.

But this career path does make me pretty well suited to offering 'how to keep this going' advice, because I've been doing this for ten years. <3333

#asks and answers #pia on writing #pia on subscription #pia on fandom #i don't know how i got this lucky #but i do know that i stay lucky because i work hard on the writing #so the writing is where it's at #i've been thinking a lot lately on drafting some kind of course on #how to write hooky serials #but if you're writing novels/books that won't be very suitable to you! #i'm not writing serials to turn them into novels #i'm just writing straight up serials that are very messy and difficult to turn into novels lol #idk i do all of this ass backwards #and recently just pulled out of giving a speech on my success as a disabled author #because i actually feel like i'm not good at what i'm doing in a way that is tangibly useful to others #if nothing else anon #make sure you join the Subscription for Authors Facebook #and watch some of the podcasts on YouTube #Christopher Hopper's keynote speech is particularly good

[jo-harrington]

Have you read the flight of Icarus and if so thoughts??

I have! I enjoyed it a lot! I think there's definitely some elements that will be making it into my writing...by way of "I was already writing him like that" but as for particular events that happen in the book...*shrug* I'm not too bothered.

I was gonna write a whole thing (and I have to friends on discord) but...life...so here are my takeaways (Spoiler-ish under the cut-ish).

- He's in-character as far as I could tell. He's our goofy loud simp nerd rock boy, with all the trauma and resulting behaviors that come with it. And I love him. I see a lot of myself in him. I see a lot of my friends in him. I've never been under an illusion that he might be any other way than this.

- Ronnie. OH RONNIE. I love Ronnie immensely. We all need that ride or die friend who also kicks us in the ass.

- Al. Ok.

- WAYNE. UGH. MY HEART. I AM A WAYNE STAN FIRST.

- Ok actually lets cycle back to Al. I AM BIG MAD BUT IN A GOOD WAY. BECAUSE I JUST TOLD MY OWN FATHER OFF AFTER HE FUCKING TRIED TO PLAY GAMES FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME AND RUINED MY BIRTHDAY ON PURPOSE. So a charismatic father who shits all over you and traumatizes you and you've still forgiving him for the millionth time but you may be at your limit...yeah I feel Eddie's pain. I feel him a lot.

- Paige. I like her. I relate to her. I don't think that her job title is accurate. I think she's stretching the truth just a bit to impress a boy she thinks is cute. And then it semi-backfires when he proposes her pitching Corroded Coffin to her boss. And what's she gonna do but a) try not to absolutely burst his bubble and b) also maybe this is her chance to move up the ladder. That's my head canon. But also I feel for her because at 20? I was all in with my job and I was gonna do anything to continue climbing the ladder. And then PEOPLE LIE ABOUT THEIR JOBS ALL THE TIME. Especially when you moved away from your small town to find yourself? I could go on and on about Paige. And Eddie. And Paige and Eddie. Romance? Whatever. It's not a book about romance and it's not a book about her. It's a book about Eddie. There's more to their interactions than that. Sure you get simp Eddie and sure you get an Eddie who fucks. I don't care. Give me the girl who leaves her small town to try and make a future for herself. Oh wait. I'm fucking writing that story. We are pro Paige here. I better not see any hardcore anti-Paige people looking at SMVerse being like "omg I love it." Because do you really? (That got away from me. Sorry.)

- All of the Easter eggs and potential hints as to what's to come in the show. I don't want to give the duffers any credit because they deserve none. BUT DAMN WE HAVE AN AUTHOR HERE WHO BRAGS ABOUT HER TERRY PRATCHET COLLECTION AND IS A WOMAN WORKING IN A NETFLIX WRITERS ROOM AND IS POSSIBLY BIG BRAINING THIS. As someone who works in layers in my writing, I am excited to see what kind of web she has woven with this story and what may come to fruition in the show if at all. Maybe even if Eddie stays dead, we'll still get some good Easter eggs.

There's a lot more I have to say and feel, this is not an analysis, just my spontaneous !!! to the book. And I cannot recommend it more for just...more Eddie shtuff.

#desi <3 #asks

[qqueenofhades]

Oooh okay also regarding Empire of Bones, you already have a couple original historical fiction books out that I've looked at (but unfortunately not had the chance to read yet, college student, no expendable budget for books, etc etc I'm very sorry) and you've mentioned before that they're very much Not Like your fanfiction. Would you say EoB is that same not-fic style or more what we're familiar to reading from you?

Also like honestly anything you'd like to talk about with EoS I'd absolutely love to hear cause the whole premise of a fic-turned-original-story in your style (as in, not the Fifty Shades kind) is so so cool and I love you and your writing and will absolutely be buying all of the new original fiction books you've mentioned as soon as they come out/I have the budget for them! <3

You are an actual angel. Thank you. The thing about publishing said two new novels is that means I have to actually typeset/design/upload them, and I need to do that because I need money (you would think because I work a full time job as program co-director I would have money but haahahaa. Academia. Hahaha) and that is a Hassle. But. I WILL do it, as soon as I stop f'n procrastinating. And don't worry, I 100% recall the too-broke-to-read student days. Alas.

As for EOB, as noted in the other ask, I do think it is the original novel of mine that will most readily appeal to fans of my fics. It is based on KOS and also includes characters/ships/dynamics that longtime readers of mine will quickly recognize, ahem. It is a high fantasy adventure with political, historical, cultural, magical themes, a detailed world, and other fun toys to play with. The main question I have with it is whether I want to shop it to a traditional literary agent, or if I want to publish it myself and be able to make a little money off it right away. I would at least like to try to get it published by a house, but that can take a long time and is a crapshoot, I am broke, etc etc. Either way, I am excited for y'all to read it and think you will definitely like it. ❤️

#anonymous #ask #the empire of bones

[rayshippouuchiha]

So, this is a complaint about my parents, i have health issues, I also have an essay due in 4 days, I've been working on the essay since saturday but on sunday i had a bad health day so I couldn't work on it, my mother has been largely helpful but has repeatedly mentioned I should've started earlier/"shouldn't do this to myself again" over the course of the last three days. Today just now I snapped, saying that I had a different essay to work on 2 weeks ago was met with 'well dad was telling you you needed to start all last week' I explained that I finished the last essay on sunday, and the next day my dad was immediately pressuring me about the next one, I didn't have a class with the guy in charge of the essay until wednesday and he's slow to come back by email so even if I'd emailed him on monday i would still have probably had to wait to get the recommended reading for the essay on wednesday, I didn't have my library card with me on wednesday due to accidentally leaving it behind, struggled to get the sources for the essay on thursday only getting three from the library, but on friday I went to three different libraries and couldn't get them. Thus started studying and working on the essay in earnest on Saturday when I found the remaining two online thanks to the power or piracy. Granted there are definitely moments I could've been working already on the essay. But I literally didn't have all the sources until Saturday, didn't have what sources I needed until wednesday, couldn't look for them on wednesday after getting my library card/college ID due to a family thing so really at best 2 or 3 days in the difference.

My parents of course do not care about any of this and in their opinion were just trying to say it to me while I am insane and quote acting more aggrieved than a population that's had war crimes committed to it.

This is patently unfair! The fucking 'you know your healths like this so you need to be better organised' shit is constant whether or not I have assignments due, but the fact that they just would not miss an opportunity to repeatedly blame me for the pressure I'm under with this essay in particular is the whole reason I lost my temper. Like yes, absolutely I could've emailed regarding the recommended sources for the second essay two weeks ago while working on the former one, but I was under pressure over the first essay then and I didn't think of it, yes I could've started reading the sources I did have this week earlier, but I was focused on getting the other ones because this essay literally requires at least 5 of the recommended reading sources so I was anxious about it. It might be my fault but repeatedly criticising me over it and then acting like I'm bullying them when they gang up to tell me not to act like the victim over my mother repeatedly doing this little dig about starting sooner next time, fucking any chance she gets. (it might come from a place of concern but it doesn't make it easier to deal with when I'm trying to work) Gah

Oh darling. Take a moment, take a deep breath, just give yourself a second to decompress. It sounds to me like you've done the best you could with what you had access to under the circumstances.

As for your parents? Even if your parents are normally supportive that doesn't make them perfect and that doesn't mean you can't be hurt by/frustrated with them.

It's a common trap for even the most supportive people to fall into the mindset of "you can just plan/schedule/organize around your illness" despite that not always being possible.

Things happen, emergencies crop up, you can't force other people to operate on your own schedule, sometimes feeling/being overwhelmed just halts you in your tracks, etc etc.

I'm sorry that you're having these issues with them and while I always advocate open communication if it's safe I do know that sometimes it's not an option/doesn't work.

Just, take a few hours, take a warm shower or eat a snack, something that helps you unwind, and give yourself that moment to reset.

If you're feeling up to it maybe see if you can reach out to your teachers to get a list of essays/resources you might be coming up against in the future way ahead of time so you have more time to get your materials together.

If that's not an option then just keep doing what you're doing, try your best, and know that what matters is that you're still pushing forward.

#RayRambles

[lunasilvis]

I'm sure it's the final consequence of things accumilating over this past year and that's understandable, because yes - I am realizing now I have asked too much of you, took up more space than I should, and I'm sorry for appearing selfish - I will take some time to think over how my actions led to your reaction and will try to learn from that. Thank you. But if I may have room to say anything for myself through here: I wish you had communicated this to me sooner. Instead of through an unexpected blow-up, then raising a wall straight after where now my hands are tied and I can't react. Sorry, I apparently failed to read between the lines at times. Clear communication about your total and unchangeable romantic disinterest would had helped me get over this faster and in a much more effective way, honestly. Thank you for telling me now, my heart already feels calmer now that I know.

It's less visible, but know I have put in work too, through the years to show repent and help build a safe friendship. To come forward and offer explanation, but never expecting or desiring to rekindle. That'd be up to you, and then it became a choice we both made. I'm sorry for coming over in march, probably shouldn't had written to you then after, and I realize now I shouldn't had and let it go. But I thought I could discuss it and the aftermath without judgement. Please don't dismiss me, reduce me to something terrible in your head now that I'm not, and have absolutely worked so fucking hard for to outgrow and heal. If I still am that to you and it has made only minimal or fickle progress, then yes, we cannot be friends, because that is both your but also my old wound reverberating.

I'm sorry if that is your experience, but claiming I perceive you as a voodoo doll - when I have been so busy working through my feelings, and succeeding for the major part (sadly not always in the desired lineair motion, but regardless most of that has been worked through) is cold. I must have mistaken an anonymous text I received a week ago for yours, that's what I meant when I said I mistook some signals. Someone claiming to be you, and calling me 'yours'. That threw me off in a way, and was why I texted you last week. I'm mature and have sufficient self-respect not to transform any grain of platonic interaction into some supposedly misinterpreted romantic interest. But these words are not light in my eyes and I believe they shouldn't be cheap words one just tosses around, so it wrongly struck me as suggestive.

I'm sorry, but will grant you any time and space now. I don't think I deserve being left like this after your word blitzkrieg when I thought it was important to process something, but against our history I'll understand. I won't take up your time or reach out to you, won't search for contact, I respect your decision and I will adhere to your wish to stay away. But if any day in the future you somehow feel enough time has passed – know I'm willing to have an open chat, no expectations, and perhaps be your friend again if that's what is or feels right.

Thank you for everything, the lengths we've gone to keep a beautifully odd friendship. The lengths you've gone through, I never demanded any of your labor deliberately, but will always appreciate and think of you with a calm heart and good thoughts (as your friend, I have no concealed interests whatsoever and have never had them. I hope you do know I have adult decency and respect). I let you call for 3 hours because I care about you as a friend, I let you ventilate your heart because I wanted you to know you have someone who truly cares. Not for my own gain.

All the best and healing your way, as I will have mine too. I hope till someday again, whether that's as friends or just to have the chance to have an equal conversation and to properly talk this out, whether in summer or again in a decade. Whenever you're ready, but it's okay if that day won't come. I'm determined then to make peace with that for myself. I have enough love, patience and respect for you to not cross any lines and to stay in your past if that's truly where our friendship seems to belong for you. But may you ever feel safe enough and ready again, know I'm here.

#personal #Also if it's really that easy for you to toss me out like this - then I think I can be okay with it too #It shouldn't have to be so fucking heavy. but it's okay that it is. I'll let you go now

[meaningofaeons]

!!!! fellow oi reader hello!! may i ask what ois you've read so far sorry for being so straightforward it's just that hardly anybody i know reads oi and it's kinda embarrassing for me ahahaha

gepard feels like he'll fit in so much as either the personal knight trope or captain of the king's guards. stelle could also be the personal knight i guess? but the kind where 'villainess needs somebody on their side so they take in a foreign traveler in to be their maid/knight/personal aide', except said foreign traveler happens to rifle through the trash of everything.

jing yuan already feels like the emperor in hsr, he's just so perfectly regal in that sense. yanqing could be like the captain for jing yuan's guards, or his (adopted) heir who first (sibling-like relationship) meets and bonds with the reader without yanqing or reader knowing each other's true rank.

will there be a magic system? there is the 'mischievous/sly wizard of the tower' position that could go to sampo. i know you'll probably only write for the characters you listed so i'm deviating because i have so much brainrot about this right now, but i'm imagining march 7th also as a novice wizard/magician who's a friend of stelle. herta would also definitely be a wizard of the tower, probably would own/be the head of it. himeko feels so much like the ally duchess/marchioness character, with welt being another duke/marquess (or himeko's adoptive father if you're into honkai impact 3rd lore) or even royal advisor maybe.

blade as the cold duke of the north fits so well - sad backstory, red eyes, dark hair, slightly unhinged personality - a perfect match! dan heng could be the 'mysterious librarian who was the only neutral/slightly sympathetic person to the reader, but also never helped them outright in the first life'. friends with march and stelle, of course. speaking of second lives...

will the reader be reincarnated with a 2nd chance at life fix-it story, with the previous memories of the original timeline's bad ending and character actions? there's so much potential for angst if any of the characters betrayed her or weren''t on her side originally and the reader doesn't know who to trust nor like or love.

sorry for this word vomit, please don't feel pressured, it's just that i love your idea and i've gotten so hooked on hsr!!

( ↀДↀ)✧ GASP (=^✧ｪ✧^=))ﾉ彡☆ HELLO FELLOW OI READER !!!!! HOW ARE YOU ???? I feel the SAME way, hardly anyone I know reads ois or manhwas of any kind so I'm stuck in my own little visual novel enjoying corner (≅ᆽ≅)

I've read tons!! I don't have my full list on me rn (I am at work ;m;) but I can name a few off the top of my head! some of these are less isekai and more reincarnation/time travel, but I'll list them anyways! I'll put them beneath the cut along with my comments on your ideas since it gets pretty long LOL

my next life as a villainess: all routes lead to doom, the villainess turns the hourglass, a stepmother's märchen/fantasie of a stepmother, who made me a princess, actually I was the real one, I fell into the world of a reverse harem game, death is the only ending for the villainess, I will master this family, the tyrant wants to be good, lady and the beast, taming of the tyrant, roxana/how to protect the heroine's older brother, the rebirth of a tyrannical empress, sister in this life I'll be the queen, the duchess' 50 tea recipes, father I don't want this marriage, how to be a dark hero's daughter, the villainess is a marionette, and many, many MANY more.

this is actually only a small part of my list! again, I am at work, so I don't have my full (and unfortunately sorta not updated) manhwa list, but I think this is a good show of what I usually read lol!

I'll start on your comments from the top! FIRST OFF, SAME BRAIN!!! (=♡ ᆺ ♡=) while gepard is kind of a shoe-in for the personal knight that falls for the mc, I was ABSOLUTELY hooked on the idea stewing in my brain about stelle being a knight of some sort as well, with the only conflict being "well there can't be TWO personal friendly knights that love reader..." BUT THE IDEA ABOUT HER BEING THE TROPE OF THE FOREIGN TRAVELER/BEGGAR WITH SWORDSMANSHIP TALENT TO BE THEIR KNIGHT IS ABSOLUTELY GENIUS I BOW TO YOUR BRILLIANT MIND!!!!!!!!! OR MAYBE SHES LIKE A DEPOSED NOBLE WHO READER GIVES A CHANCE TO *:･ﾟ✧(=✪ ᆺ ✪=)*:･ﾟ✧

I agree on jing yuan, and I think that idea sounds rlly cute for yanqing!!! (=´ᆺ｀=)

I LOVE your sampo idea too. I kinda get lucas vibes from who made me a princess minus the maliciousness and adding 100x more sleazy swindly-type guy vibes, he's totally a bastard when it comes to provoking the other love interests behind ur back... the march 7th idea is cute too! I could also see her as reader's maid! and yes herta 100% head mage of the tower thats so real...

I am not mega into hi3 lore but I DO know about the dynamic between welt and himeko!!! I would love her to have a role like duchess tuania in remarried empress, a master of the social world who aides the reader. maybe welt is her adoptive father and she's trying to earn his trust to take over the duchy, and she thinks he won't pass it on to her, but little does she know he thinks she's more than capable and is making plans to give the duchy to her soon!!!

BLADE RLLY IS A SHOE-IN FOR THE DUKE OF THE NORTH HUH... that guy covers all the bases. "the monster duke" of the rumors... I think that's def what his position will be. for dan heng, ONCE AGAIN YOUR BRAIN IS HUGE!! the quiet, scholarly-type ML who helps the reader in business dealings or things requiring an analyst type to help, like maybe information gathering... I think having him run an information guild as the trope goes would be a Bit much for dan heng since I don't see him as much of a leader in that sense, but I think he's definitely got connections to some underground info guilds (=｀ﻌ´=) maybe he is friends w stelle and march as you say, and he is a lower ranked noble who knew stelle and helps the reader as thanks for giving his friend a chance? :o cold, but he cares!!!

I would love 2 hear your ideas for kafka if you have any!!! you have such amazing ideas anon!!!!

as for the reincarnation thing, I'm still not 100% sure yet but I DO like that idea... I love the mc going from villain/ridiculed noble to execution to reincarnating and either taking revenge on those who wronged them, making their life better (and by extension the lives around them who they care for), or both!

thank you again for the wonderful ask!!! you should totally send another one any time!!! I look forward to hearing more of ur thoughts, oi anon!!!! (≗ᆽ≗)ﾉ

#katze contemplates! #m.asks #majesty #majesty: hsr #anon #ALSO IM SRRY IF U HAVENT READ ANY OF THE SERIES I REFERENCED CHARACTERS FROM #I wont infodump abt them unless u let me know u havent read them #I just had to make the connection somewhere LOL #thanks again for the ask!

[clash-of-the-wizards]

IMPORTANT COMPETITION UPDATE(S)

Okay, this is absolutely bonkers. I already have OVER 100 submissions, creeping up on 200, in just over 24 hours. SO I'm making an executive decision. Sorry. I'm allowed to do that.

NOMINATIONS WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, AT 6:30 AM EST !!!!

This now gives you guys approximately 38 hours to throw your wizards at me and hope you get in! Best of luck to all of you, by the way, I'm getting some REALLY fun submissions. Keep them coming!

BRACKET COMPETITORS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 AT 6:30 PM EST

This allows mod Hermann (me) 36 hours to sort out all of the competitors, discuss with their dad about what does and does not fit the qualifications, gather numbers, and figure out if I need to throw together any losers brackets or short-term polls to determine final slots or battles between fandoms

If a poll does need to be thrown together to sort out a battle between a fandom or a tie in votes, that poll will be open for 24 hours. Whoever wins will be included in the bracket

There will only be one wizard per fandom allowed to be entered in the final 32-person bracket

Remember, if I'm late posting, I'm a human with a life! It will be posted, I promise

ROUND ONE OF POLLS WILL BE OPENED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, AT 7 AM

Each poll will be opened for 24 hours

There will be a 36-hour period between the end of a poll, and the opening of the next round. This allows mod Hermann (me) time to sort out contestants, confer with their dad about whatever the hell he has to say (he is your co-mod after all), and create the next bracket and poster images

Is this, by chance, your first post about the clash of the wizards? Want to participate and submit a wizard? Then make sure you check out THIS POST to learn all the rules, and get access to the form you can submit your wizards through.

ALSO IMPORTANT

I use a plethora of hashtags throughout my posts. Let me lay those out for you so you can sort out the important stuff

#clash of the wizards is for all things dedicated to this competition. Wanna post something about it? Throw that tag at it. I also sometimes use #wizard showdown

#clash of the wizards announcements is for posts like this-- important stuff about the competition and the way its gonna work

#clash of the wizards general is for the funny stuff, like random announcements or twosies shoutouts

#wizard propaganda is when I post about or reblog a post about one specific nomination. Wanna post propaganda about why someone should vote your wizard? Tag #wizard propaganda ! I'll probably reblog it too! And if you tag me in it, I definitely will!

#clash of the wizards polls is where all of the polls will be stored, no matter how dire their results may be! Looking for a poll? Check in there!

#mod hermann loves their dad is a much less important, less official tag, just used to talk about stuff my dad is saying about the competition, since he's helping me co-manage it from his study

And another reminder, have fun! So many of you guys have taken to digging into those NICHE ass sources and are full on infodumping to me in the forms, and you guys have no idea how much I appreciate it. Hell, you've given me a months-long read/watch list just by participating! I picked up The Color of Magic from my local library just this afternoon because of you Discworld fans and that fucking pathetic ass man Rincewind! I'm so so so glad you're all invested in this, and you should be proud to be invested in this too! It's obvious we're bringing a community together, and I love it! Thank you!

Now, enough sappy and business stuff

LET'S GET REALLY FUCKING READY FOR A MAGIC USER BATTLE TO THE DEATH, TUMBLR! WOOOOO!

#clash of the wizards #showdown info #clash of the wizards announcements

[lebrookestore]

Honestly there's a lot of conflicting information regarding the censorship, some people say only the ebook version is censored, but Korea does have strict laws when it comes to graphic s*xual content. So, hmmm. I completely understand people who cannot support the idols involved due to personal matters and the fact they even watched/read MIA is enough for them. The unfortunate part is, since it's widely popular and acclaimed a lot of people engaged with it, I can guarantee that many idols who are into animanga did it, so technically no one is safe. The smart thing to do is simply not mention it publicly.

Even saying "I don't recommend it" brings attention to it, and when you have a lot of young impressionable fans you have a certain responsibility. Tyong's situation is tough, because on one hand he has never spoken about it, most people overlooked the manga copy in his story, I definitely didn't notice it, because the fucking boots were the centerpiece of the photo. So it's not like he said "hey, look at this manga I bought, it's so good" that would make me go "are you fucking insane man?!"... but the copy is still there. Is it his? Probably. Does he own all volumes? Idk. It'd make sense if he at least read them. Anyways, censored or not it's still a very disturbing story, but it's important to remember the awful treatment of children technically isn't the main point, it's still there, some volumes or episodes are more focused on other things though. I still don't see the appeal, but I saw a few episodes... against my will. I know people who engaged with MIA in some shape or form and none of them condemn the terrible violence and s*xualization. So, acting like everyone is a p*dophile is a deranged take, it's not only a serious mental disorder, but a heavy allegation too.

All in all, am I disappointed? Yeah. Am I surprised people watched or read a popular piece of work? No. I'm only shocked it got so many volumes and translations as well as 2 season of anime considering the author is actually a p*do. But if you're not into little kids then you'll definitely not find the s*xual aspects enjoyable. I don't believe you're a horrible person for engaging with MIA, but it's definitely not something you should be proud of.

This controversy once again proved that not only kpoppies can't hold their idols accountable without baby-ing grown ass people, but that many of them have hidden agendas and hate b*ners for certain idols and don't care for the actual issue. Dismissing the feelings of concerned fans is very insensitive, but so is sending threats to to people...

Sorry for the rant, the past few days have been so exhausting and I'm so torn and fed up, but also cannot stop thinking about it. And people's extreme stances and confusing information don't help, lol. I don't wanna be a defender, because MIA shouldn't be a thing, there's time and place to show sensitive subjects, but this story isn't it, but I can't bring myself to act like the idols in question (or any person who watched/read it) are total scums who deserve to d**, because they didn't commit a crime and didn't harm anyone directly (apart from hurting and letting down some fans).

i would like to say that you've worded this entire thing very well anon, i think you've covered all the bases and summarised how i feel about the situation as well. it is a very popular manga and chances are several more people have already consumed it. and exactly, the main point of the manga is to be a horror/gore manga, and an important thing to remember is that there is a difference between consuming media with something and condoning it.

it's been completely confirmed that everything was censored and all the scenes containing anything abusive or anything related to the allegations are not included at all! even so, i'm definitely appalled that something like this exists, but then again, several deranged things exist out here on the internet so. sending threats to people however, is absolutely insane to me.

and its completely alright, don't sweat it!! i definitely understand it weighing down on your mind because it certainly was the same for me until it was all cleared up.

#(—💌: love letters) #sigh

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

Hi! This isn't on the fic writer ask game, but I'd been meaning to ask you for a while and this reminded me. I've been reading (more like binging/devouring lol) everlark fics for about a year now, after re-reading it last spring. I'm wondering if you have any fics to recommend that you remember really liking that might be more "off the beaten path/hidden gems" for someone like me. (1/2)

Like it's less likely I'd have come across them on rec lists or old tumblr posts. For example, I read and loved FML by opacity after I stumbled on an old post of yours recommending it. Not saying stories weren't popular when published, just maybe less likely I'd come across them now. No worries about answering if you can't think of any, but I'm always looking for new-to-me stories/authors now that I've read so many. Thanks! :) (2/2)

****

Hey, love! I'm so sorry it took me awhile to answer this one. I have a crap memory when it comes to things like this, especially since I used to read so much more fic than I do now. But! I managed to think up a few fics and writers that might interest you but you're sadly less likely to see their names here abouts on tumblr within the past two years. My apologies if I'm repeating some of the same recommendations that were on that post you referred to here or if they are ones you've already explored.

@everlarkbirthdaydrabbles This was a project run by @peetabreadgirl, @xerxia31, and @burkygirl. The pieces on it are written by a range of writers who were active several years ago. Some of the names may be familiar, others not so much. They ran it for a whole year, maybe two(?), but it's been a hot minute since the blog was active and I am not sure that everything on there got transferred to ao3 or ff. So Happy Reading!

While you're at it, here are their individual ao3 accounts. They all have a lot of great stuff to read, and they often collaborated on pieces together so odds are good that if you enjoy one of them as writers, you'll love all three.

I highly recommend The Night Belongs to Lovers and The One from Burky.

From xerxia check out For Unto Us and Your Mark on My Soul, both of which are two of my personal faves from her. I also have her fic Flashover on my To Read list. Sadly have not yet had a chance to tuck into it yet.

I'm also going to mention a piece that burky and xerxia wrote together -- The Biggest Fan -- because it is not only squish your cheeks adorable but it is also a fantastic ode to the fandom and some of the fanfiction writers at the time it was written, but I will confess shamelessly that this is not an unselfish recommendation as yours truly (and one of my stories) makes a kind of cameo appearance in it as does @mega-aulover hehehe.

And here is peetabreadgirl's ao3. Personally, I recommend Lost and Found and Writer's Block, but again, there are a lot of excellent fics to choose from her as well.

Another writer who I absolutely love love LOVE, and if you haven't checked out her Everlark, you definitely should. @deinde-prandium. Here is her AO3. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with any of her stuff.

Hurry Hard is *chef's kiss* and I gotta give a shoutout for two of my all time fave drabbles ever, In the Background and The Murder Game. Before you finish scouring her page, read Video Relay/Lost in Translation and pester her for an update.

One more excellent Everlark writer to check out is @peetaspikelets. Ao3 here. Her fic Wanted is one of my all time faves asdafsdhsklgfdkjsngsl. So good. Unf.

#distractionsfromthefood #look at that ask

[night-market-if]

Hi! I just wanted to drop by and compliment how emotionally COMPLEX chapter 8 was!!!

-SPOILERS!!!-

The chapter was undeniably terrifying and SO vividly described (as usual!!!), I felt my blood run cold when Elias snapped at the servant who spilled water on Gabriel! But what really captured my undivided attention was how torn I felt about the whole situation with The Dollmaker. On the one hand, what Elias does to the desperate people he "houses and employs" (/uses as DECOR) is absolutely NIGHTMARISH! But it's also shown that his violence comes from a place of such lonely, painful madness. I felt myself feeling sorry for Elias as well as everyone he tortures. I found myself wondering how he could be saved, how everyone in his mansion of horrors could be saved- that in itself could be a whole novel too. He and the "dolls" activated my bleeding heart big time.

I personally don't like gratuitous gore and horror, but I think the way you balanced it with Gabriel's background and the deep emotions of everyone involved made it make narrative SENSE. I really appreciated and I enjoyed this arc a lot because of that!

Elias' character also shows us that Gabriel's existence as a fallen comes with high stakes and my heart also ached for him! And for an MC who is romancing him! I could go on but this is getting very long haha

I know you've already been complimented on how well you write emotions and characters, but I thought with this chapter you REALLY showed that once again! And I wanted to tell you that!!

I usually read the chapter updates before bed, because the Night Market is such an absorbing adventure. Then I can puzzle about the characters and think about the gorgeous environments until I fall asleep. Thank you very much for the adventures!

Read at your own risk if you have not read Chapter Eight

The last thing I was expecting was sympathy for Elias. While I have it, I am the one who created him and know of the heartbreak that led him here. I was not sure if that was going to translate at all into the chapter and even if you are the only one that sees it, it brings such warmth to my heart.

Elias was not this way in the beginning. If you have read any of Paper Moons, you know this. Elias became made due to what happens when a celestial no longer has grace inhabiting their body. Elias had been without his for a while and had been going a bit mad from it, but he had found different ways to cope that kept him from all this. But, when those coping mechanisms were gone, he didn't have a chance.

What Elias does speaks to a weird twisted nature of the Knowing. He does this, tries to 'help' people be perfect, so that when they die, they go back to the one place he wishes to be. It is wrong but in his own twisted sense of logic, it is what needs to be done. I am not a fan of horror in general either but this chapter felt like it needed it and I wanted to highlight that the Barons are dangerous. There are times they cannot just be talked to. That what the MC is doing is a high stakes game.

Thank you so much for all of this. I love reading people's perspectives on the chapter as it helps me shape everything going forward. I really do love that you took the time to share this.

🪷✨🪷✨ If you want to support me 🪷 ✨🪷✨

        Demo 🌿 Patreon 🌿 Ko-fi

#the night market #chapter eight #early release #the barons #paper moons

[juantheashura]

Hey, since in a recent ask you mentioned potentially adding a Aki x Lat x MC poly in book 2 I wanted to say firstly I wholehearted support this as choosing between them when they are both so dang wholesome is the worst and they also have a cute dynamic both with each other and the MC so I think it would totally work. But that being said I think with Aki being so inexperienced both with romantic relationships but also seemingly with just normal health social relationships you do need to go about it super carefully. In my own experience poly relationships need to be super equal and have really good communication. And I feel like if do you want to add that relationship you need to make sure to set it up early right because otherwise if we romance Aki or Lat in book one then start a poly in book two it makes the third person be a bit of a third wheel who is coming into this already established preexisting relationship and especially in the case of like romancing Lat in book 1 then starting the poly in book 2 with Aki like this would still presumably be Aki's first relationship and her first experience being joining a preestablish relationship as a third feels vaguely exploitive. Like you can mitigate that to some degree by how you write them and their interactions but even still for it to feel real or like relationship that would actually work long term I think you need to set it up in book 1 and either have a separate slower burn romance with them both wherein nothing more serious happens until the poly or I think limiting the poly to those who romanced Aki in book one would also work because she's really the part you need to be most careful with how you write given her inexperience. That isn't to say you absolutely can't have book 1 romanced Lat MC start a poly with Aki in book 2 you can but its just I do think you need to be extra careful if you want it to feel like a real healthy stable relationship that would work long term. Like I said I wholehearted do think a poly between them could work and I hope I didn't scare you off doing this I just wanted to add some thoughts based off my own experiences.

Also I've a separate question on a completely different topic, so I know you've said we for sure won't surpass BK or BQ in in the books but I am curious since some of what you have said about why we won't surpass them seems focused mostly on the seer amount of experience and time they have had to grow in strength could the MC given a decade or two eventually reach them or surpass them given even longer?

Also also sorry for any spelling or grammar errors I tried to proof read but my brain is terrible at doing that so chances are high there are more than a few I missed.

Don't worry- I feel relatively the same on the poly aspect of it. I'm very likely not adding a third route in Book 1 for romancing both, I think (at least, not anything directly), but my idea has always been that it'd be a poly dependent on romancing Aki in Book 1, that'd be the only way to be able to get Lat in a relationship as well. Aki needs a little experience with things first, before she starts considering if she wants something more.

I appreciate hearing your thoughts though! I've... definitely never been in a (well, consensually, anyway) polyamorous relationship myself, so I'd be flying relatively by the seat of my pants and what I manage to read about the dynamics. I am definitely thankful for knowing how people with more experience than me feel or think about these things.

As for your second question, it's... a bit more complicated than that, but I'll try to make it a little short:

The Broken King and the Blitz Queen both started off stronger than the MC- as in, their base powers before training were of a higher 'tier' than the MC. That already establishes a gap, but then you have the fact that the two of them had each other to train with as well, meaning that they had a direct challenger through which to better themselves, something the MC doesn't at the moment.

Then you come to the matter of experience. The Blitz Queen, compared to the (current, at least) MC lived in a more unsettled time, which I think we can all agree on. She had to fight more often, and had her powers for longer than the MC (she got them as a toddler, basically), which means she started growing stronger than the MC from earlier.

Then add to that the fact that she had 50~ years to further grow in strength.

Now, consider all that for the King as well, but add the fact he's been using his powers every single day since the Queen died.

All this combined means: Catching up within a decade or two is most likely impossible because the starting gap is oh so huge. You might become someone the Queen or King would have considered a worthwhile companion, but you're definitely more the... say, Piccolo to the King's Goku, or the Sanji to the Queen's Luffy.

#a tale of heroes #ask me anything #wip ask #ro asks #hero monarchs