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blingblong55 · 6 months

Text

In the air- 141

Based on a request:

BLINGY LOOK https://twitter.com/david_kennedy11/status/1703563780523696558/photo/4 I CANT ANYMORE IM GOING THROUGH THE SAME PHASE I NEED THIS IN WRITING NOW KSHFALHLHFKLASHFLHAL (If it don't bother you, pls a fic of the ppl in the tweet on reacting to you buying smelling a candle that smells like them/their fav scent) --- GN!Reader, fluff, established!relationship

As your boyfriend was still on deployment, you grew to miss his scent around your room or flat more and more. Recently, you found a small business that did custom-made candles, so of course you ordered one. When it arrived, it sat pretty on a shelf in your room, candle-lit evening, you in bed and cuddled to your pillows and blankets. He walked in, ready to surprise you when he smelt himself as he approached your room. You weren't aware of his presence until you heard his boots being taken off and placed under your bed.

Soap:

The smell was known all too well, and he absolutely grinned when he noticed the label on the candle. "John MacTavish." it read.

It brought comfort, that his partner would do this because they missed him and that his scent roamed the flat when he was away.

"Yer did this for me?" His big strong arms wrap around you. A little nod from his lover sends the best butterflies to his stomach. It was the best way to flatter him.

He had to admit, he blushed really hard when you went looking for your laptop to show him the website.

It was as if he was a little boy, blushing and having this inside feeling of utter happiness

He actually made a mental note of the website/seller to order one with your scent, a small size of course for when he was away and missed you.

Gaz:

The second he wrapped his arms around you, he noticed the smell but what was more notable was the candle with a sticker of his name.

"Kyle Garrick." He looked at you and then you shyly looked away. "Love, what's this?" he picked up the candle, taking a smell and smiling.

His lover, the prettiest thing in this world, has a candle of his smell. It was cute, his blush and how he too shied away.

He didn't let go, he couldn't let go of you for an hour. He knows how much you missed him and to know it went this far to get a candle, yeah this man was over the moon.

Like Soap he too knew he must buy a candle with your scent, it would bring comfort after flying upside down helicopters or having as run-in with cartels

After all, he and you, whether any one liked it or not, would have the home you created smelling like the other.

Price:

He wasn't much for showing too many flustered faces but this? oh boy did it send him to a different world

Like Gaz, he didn't let go of you for a while, mainly because this was how he rubbed his smell on you and because as you were squished by his arms, he made sure to memorise the website/seller name.

He is the kind of man who really does take the small gestures or things that someone goes out their way for very seriously, it means more and it's far more special

"Do I really smell like that, darling?" He looks over the candle, "Johnathan Price" the label red, only very few people knew his actual name and having it displayed in this room was an honour.

Ghost:

When I tell you he felt like the most special and important person, I mean it. "Simon Riley" proudly stuck to a candle glass, a grin on his scarred face

Kisses upon kisses, "Oh my love," he said between kisses. The scent he knew best, mainly because you always told him that it was your favourite on him.

This for him was a reminder that he does and always will have someone to wait for him back home, his little love.

That night, you saw his soft side, the one that loves to overexaggerate being sick and the one who pouts and lets you baby him

And like the others, he too will have a candle order arriving with your name and the smell of his comfort place, you.

Tags: @anonymuslydumb @liyanahelena

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succikko-draws · 7 months

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My gift for the hilarious @ladytyburn for the Nagato Birthday gift exchange! Expanding again on her office AU (this is why Kisame has been un-fished a bit YES it felt wrong but I'm strong)

[Image ID: A three page digital comic about Nagato's birthday.

On the first panel, Konan seems to be thinking hard, a cup of coffee in her hand, Itachi stands next to her and asks: "What's wrong Konan?" She explains: "It's Nagato's birthday on Tuesday... And I don't know what to get him..." Itachi innocently answers, thinking about old Madara: "Oh I know the struggle, I never know what to get my grandpa. Old people haha." She put a hand on his shoulder, and tell him through gritted teeth: "Itachi... Nagato is 35." Itachi is very embarrassed and apologizes. Before he can add anything he's interrupted by Deidara who put his hand on Itachi's shoulder, saying to Konan: "You could buy me art!" She asks: "Can you guarantee it won't explode?" to which he answers: "Nope!" so she dismiss the idea. Hidan includes himself in the conversation, suggesting: "Easy! Buy yourself lingerie and surprise him!" Deidara and Itachi are mortified, scolding him: "Hidan! That's so inappropriate! And you can't theorize about the boss' private life!" Konan dismiss the idea, unphased: "Nah I already have enough and picked one already for that night." Itachi is even more mortified, feeling like this is Too Much Info. Sasori chimes in holding a doll still in her box, suggesting it for the present, but Konan dismiss it as well. She says: "I want something truly special. More personal-" Sasori attempt to chime in again, saying: "A you shaped doll-" but she angrily dismiss him again, pushing him down with her hand. Kisame tells her wisely: "You know him the best, Konan. Trust yourself. Pick something that will make you think of him."

On the next page, Konan is out of the office, wearing casual clothes with a small green backpack and wanders what seems to be a mall, still upset and thinking: "... Something that will make me think of him..." Her attention is caught by something and she smiles at last, saying: "Oh! This is!..." On the next panel she holds a book over her head triumphantly, exclaiming: "Our old teach's new book!! Yes! This is perfect!! He loved the first one!" She is standing next to a book display with a poster of Jiraiya in a funny pose and goofy expression, the poster reads: "New! By 'best seller' '''author''' Jiraiya." On the next panel, time has past and it is now Nagato's birthday. He is late at work, just closing his laptop, appearing tired and saying: "-Sigh- It's already 7 pm. I didn't see time pass by... Again... Time to go home." But as he comes out of his office on his wheelchair (wearing his coat and froggie slippers), he is surprised by loud exclamations and the pop of multiple party horns and confetti thrower. His employees yells: "Happy birthday boss!!" While he looks horrified and genuinely scared.

On the next panel, the office is all prepped for a party, a tablet is set up with Zetsu the plant (wearing a bowtie), a cake and a bottle of champagne. Hidan is holding balloons and is yelling, pointing at the table: "We even got you a cake!" A banner hanging on the wall reads: "Happy 635th birthday!" Deidara is screaming: "I got fireworks!" holding one up in the air. On the side, Kakuzu is sleeping on an office chair next to a table with a cup on it. A caption reads: "was drugged to avoid a money tantrum." Nagato is all confused, hair disheveled by the shock. Konan is standing in the middle, holding her present, looking all embarrassed, she tells him: "I'm so sorry, I didn't know they'd do this..." She then give him the present, watching him unwrap it with a soft smile, reminiscing a dear memory of their teacher putting his hands on their head when they were kids, Nagato holding his book preciously. She says: "I took Kisame's advice and picked something that made me think of us... I think you'll love it." The background behind her is made of grey and pinkish roses. But when Nagato unwraps the book he totally misses the author name and is instead shocked to read the big warning in the corner: "R18, this is porn." He turns red and sit shocked and confused with the book in his hands. The background behind him is a collage of ahegaos (I'm sorry). Konan put her hands next to her face, smiling wide and asking: "So... Do you like it?" Next to her is a caption pointing at her: "Genuinely did not check." She looks so happy but Nagato is still red and confused, he doesn't want to offend her and ruin her happiness so he answers: "Y-yes thank you." Everyone in the room (even the plant) looks at him with a knowing naughty smile as he gets even more embarrassed, Nagato frowns wondering: "Why in front of everyone!" /.End ID]

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selfaware-bungou-stray-dogs · 10 months

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Hii!! Thank you for writing my shy teen writer request! I wanted to ask for a sequel for that fic, where there was an accident which managed to send the characters back in their world. The reader thought that the bsd cast were back to normal (non self aware) but they were wrong. After that happened the bsd cast tried to open the portal again but it took a few years for the portal to open again. When they were able to go back to the real world the reader was already 17 years old (14 when they 1st met) and they had published more books throughout the years. Some of them became a best seller and reader was finally known as a professional writer at the young age of 17. Now their parents want them back for the money and tries to guilt trip them. Reader leaves some habits of the bsd casts in their books like an Easter egg. They also were able to become more open with people and make friends. I'm just wondering how the bsd characters would be proud of the reader lmao

Srry if it's too long and ty for writing my request, I love your fics! ❤️❤️

Hello! I am so glad, that you liked, how I do your request.

Here you go, second part. I hope, you like it. Hope, you are having a great day!

Reunion

Self-Aware! Platonic! BSD Characters x Teen! Reader

Description: Because of an accident, BSD gang is back to their world. You are sure, that they have lost their self-awareness. You have to move on.

Three years later, your family is finally back to you.

Hurt/Comfort. Reader, miss BSD gang. Reader, become a writer.

Sequel to Your dream matters

Warning: Elements of angst. Gold diggers for Biological Parents. OOC. English is my second language.

___________

You don't know, what happened. One moment you were having fun with your new family. Celebrating the six-month anniversary of their arrival and your adoption. Celebrating your achievements.

The next moment, the bright light fills the room.

When it fades, your family were gone.

You were searching for them. You called, you cried.

But no one came.

When you check the BSD Mayoi app, you saw, that they were back in the app.

But why they aren't coming back?

Did they lose the self-awareness?

That night, you cried as never before.

You begged them to come back. You begged them not to leave you.

For the next few days, you feel terrible. Thankfully, Alcott and Fitzgerald made sure, that your biological family will never get custody over you again. Besides, thanks to Fitzgerald, you won't have money problems. And that your parents will never touch that money.

You knew, that you can't spend the rest of your life crying about your friends. You need to move forward.

After one week of crying, you open your laptop and start writing.

To honor them. To honor their love. To honor their belief in you, you will be a writer.

___________

In the BSD world, your family were panicking. The portal glitches and send them back there. And now it can't be turned on. Worse of all, they lost their access to your phone and app. They can't even leave a message for you.

But they can hear you...

Your tears, your pleas.

"G-guys? A-are still there? P-please, answer."

"Work! Start working, you damn portal!" Poe hits portal with his first. Nothing.

"D-did you lost it? H-have you lost self-awarness?"

"No! [Y/N] WE ARE STILL THERE!" Oda was screaming, hoping, that you will hear them.

"Please... Just one message... Guys..."

Fyodor was nervous. He tried to hack the app again. So they can leave a message for you.

Nothing.

They were separated from you.

The work on trying to find the way to you start all over again.

_________________

Three years later

________________

"So, when will the new book came out?" asked Mary, looking at you with anticipation. "And what the book will be about?"

You chuckled and answer.

"Can't tell. You know pretty well, that I don't like giving spoilers for my books. Even to a friend. Sorry."

Mary pouts. Her brother, Arnold, rolled his eyes and playfully solve her.

"Told you, that [Y/N] won't answer. They value their work and won't spoil it to others."

Mary glared at her brother, but quickly look back at you.

"Fine, keep your secrets. But, I hope, that the detective who liked adding jam to grape pie will be in the book. Or writer, who loves raccoons. Right, Arnold?"

Arnold nodded.

"Yea. But I also would like to see a thief, who liked to hum old songs, and a postman, who cared about orphans. Anyway, want to hang out today?"

Your smile faded for one second, but you quickly compose yourself.

"Sorry, guys, but not today. Today I will be busy."

Siblings nodded in understanding. You are a professional writer, you must be busy with writing a new book.

You say goodbye to your friends and start walking home.

They didn't know, that you won't be busy with writing.

____________

You have changed for the last few years.

You became seventeen.

You were no longer shy, you had friends. You start going out with them. Not only that, but you could stand for yourself.

And you have become a writer.

Some of your books became bestsellers. And all of your books had good reviews and people liked them.

You became a known writer in seventeen.

Life was quite good.

But today you won't do any writing or fan meeting.

Today you had a special day.

That day, three years ago, your family got back to their world and loose self-awareness.

You moved forward. But you still missed them.

After they got back, you stopped watching and reading BSD. You don't want to see your family been hurt. You didn't read any spoilers. They weren't characters for you anymore. For you, they will always be your family.

You didn't delete BSD Mayoi. It serves as a reminder of your family.

Your books were a way to honor them. You add BSD Cast's habits to your characters.

For Ranpo it was a detective who liked adding jam to grape pie.

For Poe, it was writer, who loves raccoons.

For Fyodor, it was thief, who liked to hum old songs.

For Oda, it was a postman, who cared about orphans.

And so much more.

You miss them. Today you will have a small dinner to honor your lost family. You were preparing for that dinner for the last week.

_______________

Meanwhile, in BSD world

________________

Three years.

It takes them three years to open the portal again.

Tonight, they will be back to you.

BSD cast were ecstatic. They can't wait to return to you. Their Precious Guiding Light. Their child, siblings, grandchild.

The Cast gather in a Meeting Room. Fyodor Dostoevsky, finally hacks the app and get access to your phone.

They want to see how much has happened while they were away.

They found an interview with you. About been a young writer.

They were so proud of you.

Poe, who was mentoring you three years ago, had tears in his eyes. You achieved your dream.

Oda also has tears in his eyes. He was so glad, that you manage to prove others wrong.

Fyodor, while he wasn't crying, were extremely proud of you.

All of them were proud of you.

They can't wait to tell you about that in person.

____________

You finally get home. And you didn't like, who you saw on the doorstep.

You glare through the window at two people who were standing at your doorstep. Your biological parents. You can hear them talk. Once again, they were talking about getting a custody over you again.

They wanted to have an access to money, that Fitzgerald has left. And to the money you get from your books.

"[Y/N], dear, we have missed you! Please, let us inside. Let's talk!"

"[Y/N], stop running! We want to have our baby back!"

"[Y/N], you are our flesh and blood, we deserve your gratitude!"

"[Y/N], we are your parents! These people, who took you away from us, don't care about you! Where are they now? Where were they for the last three years?!"

You walked away from the window. You called the police. They took your parents away for been on your private property without permission.

You were left alone with your thoughts. Their words hurt. You tried to hold back tears. You need to prepare dinner for tonight.

____________

In the evening, you set up a table in the dining room.

Your family favorite food. You were careful with it, it still was packed. There was nothing, that will spoil soon. Tomorrow you will treat your friends. But right now, it is dinner to honor your lost family.

You place your phone on the table and open BSD Mayoi app. You start talking.

"It's been three years, right? O wish you were there. I miss you all so much... What?"

And, once again, the bright light fills the room. The same light, that shined three and the half years ago, when BSD cast appeared in your room.

________

They were looking at you. You were looking at them.

All of you were silent. You can't believe it.

And, once again, like three and the half years ago, Ranpo walked forward and smiled.

"Hello, Guiding Light, nice to see you face to face-e-e"

You crashed him in a hug. You were crying. Because of happiness.

"You... I missed you all do much... Family, my family... You are here again. You won't disappear again, right?"

Ranpo, with tears in his eyes, whispered.

"No, [Y/N], we won't. This time, we are here to stay."

__________

The next hour was full of tears and hugs. They didn't let you be alone for one second. After you finished with one hug, you were quickly pulled into another. After all of you were 'calm', at some extent, Oda place his hand on your shoulders.

"[Y/N], there are something important we must tell you. We are so proud of you, our little writer."

"Odasaku is right, We are so proud of you!" grinned Dazai.

"You manage to capture my intelligence in this character. I am so proud to be an inspiration for him" smile Ranpo, petting your head.

"I am glad, that my lessons come in handy. I am proud of been your teacher" Poe's voice was soft.

"Little Bird, you rocks. I am proud, that you make your dream come true" Nikolai's eyes shined with pride

"I am proud of your success, [Y/N]" Fyodor squeezed your hand.

One by one, your family told you, how proud they were.

You feel, like you were in heaven.

The life was good before. Now it was perfect.

You were a writer. Your dream come true.

You became confident.

You had friends.

And, most importantly, you had your family back.

_________

Bonus.

"Dad Fitzgerald, Brother Ranpo, Uncle Ango, how came that my bio parents, has lost everything and now charged with stealing and fraud?"

"Um... We don't know, right, Fitzgerald?"

"Yes, Ango, we don't know... Ranpo?"

"No, we don't. Hey, [Y/N], want to play Cluedo?"

"... You know, what, fine. I won't question that. Get the game, Ranpo"

#self-awareau #self-awarebsd #bungou stray dogs au #bsd #bungou stray dogs #bsd x gender neutral reader #gender neutral reader #bsd anime #platonic

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sincerelyrki · 5 months

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TRACK ONE (1) : Lee Heeseung

STRAWBERRY COUGH (n) (s) [upcoming]

Lee Heeseung never thought the day would come, the day his dealer permanently went out of business. Through word of mouth, Heeseung managed to hear about you, the unknown seller who chooses their clients very selectively. Heeseung had almost lost all hope as his attempts to find you came out fruitless, his desperation only growing. Now insert Park Sunghoon, the man who happened to not only be your top client but also Heeseung’s best friend. or in other words, how far would Lee Heeseung go just to get another taste of his favourite strain, Strawberry Cough? (hint : very far)

greedy [ suggestive oneshot ] 1.8k ♡ ★

heeseung was greedy. he was addicted to the feeling of you, he needed you.

so sweet [ smut oneshot ] 1.8k

heeseung was yours to ruin, to punish.

sweet eternity [ vampire one shot ]

↳ teaser

no contact [ suggestive oneshot ] 1.8k

It really wasn’t his fault that he got jealous when other men talked to you, even with your little no-contact situation.

cherry lips [ fluff + suggestive oneshot ] 1.1k ♡

Heeseung loves the cherry aftertaste on your lips.

but i love the taste of you [ smut oneshot ] 3.9k

Heeseung never did enjoy lollipops, their overrated taste never interesting him. But perhaps tasting it from your lips could change everything. As for the laptop? It just happened to be in the perfect place, at the perfect time.

TRACK TWO (2) : Jay Park

i love you, tenderly [ fluff drabble ] 469

to jay, everything is sweeter coming from your lips

TRACK THREE (3) : Jake sim

MINI SKIRT (i) (s) [started] ♡ ★

You know Jake Sim and you love Prada, it was already a perfect combination. You just happened to always be in the same place as him, at the same time. And that place just happened to be the Prada store. It’s not your fault that your Prada collection expands as your interactions grow. Especially not considering that Jake couldn’t stop himself from fawning over you (and your mini skirts).

11 : 11 [ timestamp ] 0.3k

you wished for forever

timber [ fluff oneshot ] 0.6k

jake comes come to find you doing just dance with his members after you told him you were too busy to hangout with him in the morning

i love you the most [ fluff oneshot ] 789 ♡

Jake has always found you beautiful, he adores everything about you. But if you ask him about what his favourite thing about you was, he always responds by saying he loves every part of you. But as he’s staring at you through the camera lens he couldn’t help but change his mind.

la lune n'est pas à nous ce soir [ fluff oneshot ] 1.0k ♡

It was hard feeling so deeply for someone knowing that they didn’t know about your existence. Jake couldn’t stand it anymore and knew he had to somehow get your attention. Even if it meant giving you his biology textbook that he needed for his next period.

a cherry for my cherry [ suggestive oneshot ] 0.87k ♡

“you’re sweeter than cherry” - sweeter than drugs, april june

pretty baby [ smut oneshot ] 884 ♡

Jake’s pretty baby makes the prettiest sounds, it’s only fair that the others get to hear them too.

TRACK FOUR (6) : Park Sunghoon

beautiful [ fluff drabble ] 1.06k

park sunghoon thought you were the most beautiful thing to exist. oh and he loves your lipgloss.

dance with me [ fluff oneshot ] 760 ♡

sunghoon thinks you hurt yourself, but all you want is to kiss him

a poets draft [ street racer oneshot ]

You were convinced that Sunghoon was incapable of loving, and he was prepared to sacrifice everything to prove you wrong.

↳ teaser

best hidden secret [ suggestive oneshot ] 1.1k ★

In Sunghoon’s opinion the worst part about being in a secret relationship was the sight of all these men thinking they had a chance with his girlfriend, but he knew no one could make you feel the way his touch did.

say it, you’re mine [ suggestive oneshot ] 1.1k

your brothers best friend has always been there for you, even when you ask him to fake date you to make your ex back off.

everyone should know [ slightly suggestive oneshot ] 626

your boyfriend couldn’t just sit around and watch another man shamelessly flirt with you. he had to do something, even if it meant revealing your relationship.

TRACK FIVE (5) : Kim Seonwoo

season of lilies [ angst oneshot ] 0.6k

the lilies have never stood as beautiful as they did after you left.

TRACK SIX (6) : Yang Jungwon

kitty [ fluff oneshot ] 2.9k

Jungwon’s your kitty, it’s a shame the world wasn’t here to see it. Or in which Jungwon gets jealous at his girlfriends annual halloween party.

forelsket [ angst + fluff oneshot ] 379

forelsket : noun. the euphoria felt at the beginning of falling in love. (to be in love).

TRACK SEVEN (7) : Nishimura Riki

PIKA PIKA (i) (s) [hiatus]

Niki knew that the pikachu’s on stage with them were real people dresses in a costume but that doesn’t mean he can’t get shocked after accidentally revealing one of their identities. his shock quickly changed to amusement as the revealed pikachu could only think of one thing to say as the tension in the room heightened- “pika pika?” it’s not like you could avoid him after humiliating yourself either, you still have all of tour left.

tulips bloom in our tears (w) [ reincarnation series ] ♡

in your first life you promised riki that you would love him the same in every life, and he promised he’d love you forever. what you didn’t know was that the gods heard your promises, and they cried for you. your fate in that life was already decided, you were born to die early, and he was born to live forever. the gods tears fell from the clouded abyss, disguised as rain. they cried for the wandering boy, the boy who couldn’t get in. they wished for a miracle, oh and what a miracle it was. the couples fate was changed, they would meet and fall in love all the same in every life. who knew all it took was a wish on the tears, the everlasting tulips bloomed in the holes of their melancholic love and created their own heaven.

the morning dancers songbird [ fluff oneshot ] 1.1k ♡

After a song mixup and the threat of being disqualified Nishimura Riki thought that he’d lost the opportunity he’s been waiting on for years. With the opportunity hanging by a thread, you came rushing in like a songbird, singing your song and saving his team.

pretty little braids [ fluff oneshot ] 0.6k

you would never have expected to find pink hair in your brush, especially not when you have black hair.

TRACK EIGHT (8) : ot7

lipstick stains [ hyung line ] ♡

words left unsaid

TRACK NINE (9) : requests

the perfect moment [ riki fluff oneshot ] 2k

it was a mistake [ pt 1. riki angst twoshot ] 655

mango perfume [ pt 2. riki angst twoshot ] 1k

cupid’s arrow [ heeseung fluff oneshot ] 774

the perfect picture [ jake angst oneshot ] 1.1k

#sincerelyrki #some links will bring you to a different account #please ignore that 🙏#i moved all my works to this account #and will be posting everything from here now :]

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sabjolelectronics · 10 months

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writer-by-the-sea · 1 year

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College Professor Elliott x Gn! Student

Part 1 of ? I stopped, my words trailing off as I gazed into a pair of eyes in the front row. Two beautiful eyes, breathtakingly perfect eyes that stared right back at me, unafraid to maintain eye contact with me, unafraid of the successful author standing directly in front of them… Ready to challenge anything I might throw their way.

Chapter one: The meet cute

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

A sea of eyes watch me as I pace back and forth before them, the sound of laptops opening, bags zipping, pens on paper, and the occasional snore from one of my already uninterested students; the true college experience. When I was younger I never saw myself teaching a class. My main goal was to become an author. A New York Times best seller, famous and rich beyond my wildest dreams!

It was much easier to obtain than I’d ever imagined.

Thirteen novels later and I was here, teaching a class full of young and eager faces; each one just as desperate to accomplish the same goals that I’d managed to do early on in my career. They always took every word I spoke as the one and only truth, the end all of how to become a published author and a well known one at that.

After all, the class was called ‘Humble Beginnings - How to publish your first novel.’ Humble being that it was my last name, a little joke to myself when I came up with the class title. It was very much the opposite of ‘humble’ especially when I stood before all of them, dressed in clothing that most of them could never afford, my hair perfectly styled with products shipped from all around the world, the watch on my wrist costing more than my first car— Humble Beginnings… when in reality, it was all pure luck and a dash of talent.

I begin by scribbling my name on the white board in the font of the class, something I don’t find myself using often and will usually only keep my name up the entire semester. Professor Elliott Humble. I hate being called ‘Mr. Humble’ but Elliott feels too familiar in this setting.

I turned and looked out to the class, taking time to memorize the faces as I scanned over them. Some excited and eager to begin, others nervous and scared of what’s to come, and one in the back with his head thrown back as another light snore rips around the room. “Theme stated, can anyone tell me what that means?”

A few hands raise, those who have already done their research, those who may have read ahead on the required book in my class— not one that I’ve written myself, but one that would be very beneficial to any future writer. Save the Cat! Writes a novel.

I point to someone a few rows back. She wore a brown oversized sweater and a mustard yellow beanie. My quick thought is that she’s a bit of a hipster, someone who dreams of writing the next most inspirational and unique novel. A dream that will fail once they come to learn the truth of publishing. “Yes, you. Let’s hear it.”

“Theme stated— A hint at the transformation that the main character will make.”

“Wonderful!” I grinned, earning a blush from my praise. And nothing new there, it was common to attract a few shy glances and not so subtle swoons from my audience. Be it from my interviews, book signing, or here in class, someone was bound to develop a little crush. Usually the entire class by the end of the semester. So much for being Humble.

“Can anyone give me a good example of a theme stated?”

More hands go up this time, either they now knew what it meant or they were too nervous to try to answer the first question of the class.

I hummed as I looked out at the class, one man vibrating in his seat with excitement. I could already hear his answer, something from a Marvel movie or maybe Star Wars. He wore glasses that were too small for his face, a worn out Iron Man t-shirt, and a chain necklace that showed off a single heavy lock that hung just above his collarbone. “What’s your example?”

“You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.”

“Ah, that’s a very good one!” The student was beaming, proud of himself and rightfully so— it was a very good example. “The Dark Knight, correct?” DC and not Marvel, but close enough.

“Yes, Mr. Humble!”

I cringed a bit at hearing my name, luckily it seemed that no one noticed. “In The Dark Knight, we see Harvey Dent and Batman, both considered heroes. Dent in his attempt to rid Gotham of crime, and Batman as a vigilante protecting the city.” Can’t say I was prepared to reveal my own slightly nerdy side of myself so early on. But it couldn’t be helped. “Later on, Dent becomes a villain while Batman allows himself to be considered a villain for the greater good of Gotham.

“Some of you may be tempted to shake your head or roll your eyes. You may be asking yourself, ‘why would I ever want to be so on the nose with the theme of my story?’ And it’s rather simple, a strong theme, a strong statement in the beginning of your novel or script, in Batman's case; can take your work from being your average basic story, and into something so much more powerful. Something that moves your audience, something that captures their attention and holds onto them for dear life…”

I stopped, my words trailing off as I gazed into a pair of eyes in the front row. Two beautiful eyes, breathtakingly perfect eyes that stared right back at me, unafraid to maintain eye contact with me, unafraid of the successful author standing directly in front of them… Ready to challenge anything I might throw their way.

“Uh, I-,” I turned my back to the class, quickly pulling my collar away from my throat, my tie suddenly too tight. Clearing my throat, I spoke again, “What else do some of you think is the most important factor in a novel?”

I meant to keep going on, to ask for more examples, to spin more on how important the theme stated was but— I turned and looked back to the class, forcing a smile to them and looking at the newly raised hands to pick another answer. But then my eyes fell back to them. No hand raised, but still paying full attention as they waited for the chance to learn more. I knew I was blushing now, my cheeks no doubt turning bright red as I ripped my gaze away from them again. I pointed to a random student, not paying attention to anything about them as they answered.

“A novel outline?” They were unsure, their voice going up at the end of their answer. But it was an alright answer, a more obvious one, but still a decent enough answer.

“Yes, good point! Outlines are important. Not everyone uses them and it’s something we’ll dive into throughout the class— I’ve done both methods, outlining and not, and.. I’ll tell you which novels sold better,” I teased.

The class laughed, some of them nodding along with me, most likely the ones that struggled with outlining and wanted to know how to avoid it.

“Now, I’d like to take a little bit of time to get to know some of you. I’m going to end class a little early—“ Some students dropped their jaws, looking around the room at each other in confusion. “Don’t mistake this for kindness,” I said quickly. “You’ll be receiving your first assignment and it will take some time.”

I chuckled at some of them as they groaned and relaxed back into their seats. “Homework after the first class? I know, I’m so cruel. But—“ I jogged to my desk, grabbing the first book that sat on top, one of my own. I smacked the cover and showed it to the class, not my first novel but it was one of the best selling ones. “If you want to become published, you have to write every single day!” I tossed the book to someone in the third row, some gasps escaping as they caught it.

“Tell me your name and your future novel genre!”

The student looked to their left and then to their right, uncertain and apprehensive to answer.

“Look at me,” I said softly. “Don’t worry about the others, tell me what you want to write.”

They shrugged, their fingers playing with the edges of my book as they stared at the cover. “It’s kind of lame.”

“I promise you, it isn’t,” I said. “No genre is boring, except maybe a manual on how to change a lightbulb.” A few laughs came through, and the student smiled. The laughs were what we needed to get them to open up a bit. “So?”

“Historic fantasy.”

“Ah, yes. A battle of blades between elves and humankind! How can they ever settle the war between their people?! A marriage alliance? A fight to the death? Or perhaps an even stronger enemy arises that forces them to work together!”

The student laughed, “Goblins and- and trolls!”

“I’m excited to see what you come up with! What’s your name?”

“Tony,” he was grinning now, facing me fully and no longer hiding his face behind my book.

“Excellent, Tony. Very nice to meet you. Toss the book to someone else!”

Tony nodded and stood, looking out to everyone around him and trying to decide who to throw to. He tossed it carefully a few seats away from himself, landing on the table of another student. She grabbed it quickly and stood up, holding my book to her chest.

“I’m Angie, and I want to write romance.”

“A personal favorite of mine,” I replied. Most of my novels were, in fact, romance. Something I felt I excelled in, and most likely the reason she was really here. To get into the head of her favorite author. “Meeting for the first time and falling in love, reawakening the romance of a dying marriage, or a forbidden romance between two criminals — so many possibilities!”

“Rose Petal is my favorite book of yours!”

“Thank you,” I said with a laugh. “Please, toss it on!”

Angie didn’t even hesitate, she quickly threw the book into the front row, nearly nailing the student in the back of the head but luckily they were able to turn and catch it. They stood slowly, their eyes locking with my own as they held the book with both hands. I made my way to stand in front of them, reaching for the book and taking it from them, my fingers caressing across the back of their hands as I took ownership of the book once again.

“And you? Are you wishing to write romance as well?”

“No,” they replied, their voice so soft the students in the back missed it.

I waited a moment, my attention focused fully on them… I found that I could stare at them for hours, days, weeks even. I allowed myself to study their face and memorize every gorgeous detail. “What is it?”

They smiled before they replied, a smile so wonderful that I almost missed their reply—

“Horror.”

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