#my daily persistent headache

[alexei-home-fromthewar-at-last]

I have consumed so much caffeine. Mwahaha I am unstoppable!

#I am feeling so good this is amazing #I know caffiene is only a temporary fix for my pain #but compared to how I usually feel I am doing GREAT!! #I can already feel the migraine coming back #but oh well #migraine #chronic migraine #new persistant daily headache #new daily persistent headache #alexei’s silly little thoughts

[inupibaldspot]

Back off, kid.

Pairing: gojo satoru x reader

Note ₊˚⊹♡ : this is a part 2 but you don’t really ly need much context haha.

·:*¨༺ Part 1 ༻¨*:·

“You know you guys don’t really look alike.” You say as you bring your hands up and rearrange the tuft of hair to your liking, you hum when the other wise spiky persistent hair bends obediently.

While in-front of you there was a younger dark haired boy, face completely pink but doesn’t dare let any part of his body move from your touch. “We aren’t related so we shouldn’t look alike.” Fushiguro tries to act as normal as ever.

“You know he has been introducing himself as your dad in your PTAs.” you pull away with a smile. “Satoru says they get so shocked and think he is a teen-dad.” You laugh as you trail back to the memory, Gojo’s snarky comment on ‘If I’m Megumi’s dad then you’re his mom; Which makes you my wife~’ remains unsaid.

When you pull away, Fushiguro finally feels his body release tension and finally he lets out a sigh. He hopes Tsumiki comes back finishing her club meeting soon.

“Why are you sighing like a old man, Megumi?” You get up from cushion floor as you then proceed to sit on the nearby sofa and cross you legs, giving him a teasing smile.

Fushiguro looks away from you with a huff. “Just a small headache.” and maybe even a chest pain. Both caused by you.

You hum as you then let out a ‘ah—!’ as you then proceeded to smile and pat on you nap. “Come here.” You smile proudly.

Poor Fushiguro Megumi’s face burst into steam from the heat radiating off his face. “Like hell I can!”

“Megumi…” you said in a soft tone which make the younger boy flatter. “I’m not teasing, I’ll just give you a massage.”

The boy huffs and sits infront of his feet as he felt your gentle soft hands guide his head to you lap. His frown dissipates as he then lets out a sigh of relief upon the movement of your hands near his temple.

You let out a giggle to how Fushiguro was acting like an old man, maybe this is what happens to people who deal with Gojo on a daily basis. “How’s school? from next year you’re going to be a middle school student,megumi.”

It’s been a while since you visited, already finished with highschool and now acting as an active jujutsu sorcerer has kept you busy but still then you would always visit once a week, make them a good meal while also bringing in some groceries. You didn’t have to but you’ve always done it, your soul was so unwavering it warmed Fushiguro to his very core.

“I’ve been using the notes you’ve prepared for me so school is pretty smooth for now…” Fushiguro finally replied as he still doesn’t move his head from your lap, his eyes closed and arms crossed infront of him, cheeks with a rosey color.

“Thank god.” You beam, Fushiguro watches from the crack of his eyes. “It was actually my notes from back in the days. I always kept them with me.”

Fushiguro closes his eyes, the more he watches you the more he feels his heart constrict as if it ran a marathon. “y/n, I want to say… thank you—ugh!” The poor boy’s was pushed off your lap with a sudden but controlled push. “What the hell?”

“I’m so tiredddddd, y/n.” The voice almost purrs as there is a tuft of white hair on the plush of your thighs. You blink at Gojo who seemed to be looking at you from behind his bandages with a wide smiles plastered on his face. “Gimme a massage too~”

Fushiguro knows this scene too well.

Perhaps he wasn’t as subtle as he thought but any time he was too close to you, Gojo who is in his early 20s and almost a decade older than him always manages to throw him away. And now he watches you frowning and reprimanded Gojo for acting like that.

He sighs. “I’m leaving.”

You and Gojo quickly turn to his direction. You had a confused look to your face then it contours to something of worry. Was he mad at Gojo? Fushiguro could almost hear your thoughts.

Where as Gojo who currently has his head on his lap and one of his hand playing with your finger, give him a confused look before it turns into a full blown egotistical. ‘I won!’ smirk.

“Got homework.” Fushiguro turns and leaves.

“Satoru, you’re always acting like that to Megumi.” You say as you tear your hands away from his and then give his head a light ‘chop’.

“Then he shouldn’t touch what’s mine.” He huffs , as he closed his eyes and forms a sassy pout.

“What’s mine?” You question. “Did Megumi take something of yours?“

“No…Right now, it’s still with me.” Gojo opens his eyes, which makes your breath hitch. his eyes ever so beautiful as the evening glow assist its glimmer. “You know what I mean right?”

Your breath hitches and suddenly the room is much hotter,your heart races as it blooms in warmth.

Gojo’s face softens as he looks at your flustered face. “What I mean is… I’m in lo—UGH!”

“Sorry”

Suddenly a new enters the room, the same dark haired boy who left moments earlier. “My pencil slipped from my hand.”

“Megumi, you brat!” Gojo stands up, with currently a pencil stabbed on his forehead. Megumi threw it because he knew Gojo wouldn’t even think of letting his infinity be active when he was near you after all.

Gojo watches as Fushiguro gives him his usual deadpanned look before it turns into a full blown egotistical. ‘Hah! As if I’ll let you confess on my watch’ smile.

Taglist ˙✧˖° 🫧 ⋆｡— @lysaray @thirtykiwis @sillysillygoofygoose @hotvinimon @olivianyx @anan-baban @shirabaee @genticcs

Reblogs, like and comment are appreciated! Love this work? out other here

#IF YOU GO DOWN YOU GO DOWN WITH ME MEGUMI #jujutsu kaisen #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen imagine #jujutsu kaisen x reader #gojou satoru x reader #gojo x reader #gojo imagines #gojo satoru imagine #gojo imagine #gojo satoru x reader #gojo x y/n #gojo saturo #fushiguro x you #fushiguro fluff #Fushiguro megumi x reader #Fushiguro x reader #Megumi x reader #Megumi fluff #jujutsu kaisen fluff #jjk gojo

[nhularin]

you got me looking for attention

PAIRING riki x reader GENRE highschool AU, best friends to lovers, she fell first but he fell harder type of dynamic, fluff WARNINGS none i think? not my best work LOLLL not proofread WC 0.6k ANNOUNCEMENT the nwjns series will be updated daily since i literally have nothing to do durinf summer break

❕series masterlist

September 30, 1998

"i like you, riki"

your head was rested against his forearm, with the voice of your homeroom teacher muffled in the background. there they go again niki chuckled to himself, finding your words strangely amusing

in a seemingly endless loop, you poured out your heart, to niki time and time again. at his house, on your (platonic!) walks at night and now in class. each time, he responded with a laugh, a sparkle in his eyes, and a lighthearted remark that danced in the air. with each passing moment spent together, your infatuation for him grew, intensifying the butterflies that fluttered wildly in your stomach.

at first, you found comfort in his laughter, feeling proud of yourself for being the reason of his momentary happiness.

but as the confessions persisted, doubts began to sneak in. "am I bothering him?" you wondered , guilt and doubt creeping into you.

days turned into weeks, and you found yourself growing even more weary of pouring your heart out to someone who seemed uninterested. with a heavy heart, you resolved to stop with the confessions, fearing you were only annoying niki, a playful game that he enjoyed. you longed for a connection that went beyond friendship, but jeopardizing what you both had right now is far from what you wanted

eyes wide you picked up what the hell does he want at 2 am? not that youre complaining of course, you would sacrifice your favorite snacks just to hear his voice.

"hello?"

"ah, yn" you heard him whisper from the other side, his voice deep and raspy "i didnt think you'd pick up"

"whats so important that you have to call me so late at night, mr ' i-am-an athlete-and-need-my-beauty-sleep' ?" you joked, knowing that the boy will scold you for keeping him up so late later at school

"shut up" a smiled etched on your face and light laughter tickled your ear "i know its not the best thing to do over call but its about your confessions" your heart raced. is this it? is he going to reject you like you've always dreaded?

"You know... all those times you confessed, I laughed it off not because I wasn't interested," he confessed, his voice laced with a mix of nervousness and sincerity "but because I couldn't believe someone like you could ever like me. i mean, you are you and i am me"

silence filled the air

"ah.... im sorry for calling, but i've been tossing and turning thinking about.. you. youre a real headache y'know"

your eyes widened, unable to process what niki said. your heart leaped with a mix of surprise, relief, and a newfound hope. this is it. this is it.

"youre such a jerk" you laugh playfully, the past doubt and insecurities washing away at his words "you got me looking for attention while leaving me question everything"

in that moment, nikis laughter transformed into something deeper, his confession reaching across the wall that had kept them apart.

and with a smile illuminating both of your faces, you bid your goodbyes, promising that you will talk at school the following morning and knowing that from that day forward, your laughter would ring with a newfound meaning.

two souls, once blind and in denial to each other's affections, now found comfort in the affection they shared.

#3/7 of enhypen as newjeans songs! #k labels #kflixnet #hyfenet #enhypen headcanons #enhypen fluff #enhypen imagines #enhypen scenarios #enhypen x reader #niki x reader #niki fluff #niki enha #niki imagines #enhypen niki #niki angst #nishimura niki #enhypen

[beanibon]

Bottom!98Knives x DomAFAB!Reader

Part Two

Summary: you have endured Knives countless abusive speeches ever since Vash convinced you to babysit his brother while he ran errands in the town. Eventually it became too much, to the point you had to put your mutt in place.

warning: this fic is an absolute kinkfest, I apologise. Also heavily Trimax implied (mostly anatomy wise not actual spoilers).

TW: oral (F!receiving), face-riding, overstimulation, pegging, hate sex, inexperienced sex, fake orgasm (gotta humble knives somehow), cockwarming, creampie, sex toys, bondage, gagging, degradation, choking.

Another bitter lecture on why humans were an insufferable species, those words filled with venom that bounced off your slouched shoulders. Head already pounding with a headache, you had regretted agreeing to watch Vash's spiteful twin, bearing his verbal abuse on what appeared to be a daily basis now.

Yet despite those words spat your way, like you were the very reason of his hatred for humankind, Knives still found himself begrudging spooning your smaller form. The only issue with that was you were still subjected to his rants, until they were all that filled your dreams, dreams that use to be full of nothing but pure happiness.

"Incompetent species your kind are, useless and disgusting to gaze upon. Your very existence plagues this world, may you all burn one day." You rolled your eyes, yet kept silent about how his actions contradicted his words. The arm slung lazily over your waist as your back was pressed uncomfortably into his chest, his aura suffocating.

"Do you ever shut up, I'm trying to sleep and you're grating voice is causing my ears to bleed." You sighed, voice bitter as Knives squeezed your waist.

"You dare speak to me in such a tone? I will make sure you regret every word spok-"

"You piss me off," Knives' taller form was now beneath you, the rage on his face obvious from your position a top of him. "Acting high and mighty, but then crawling into my bed like a bitch in heat. You're fooling no one bar yourself."

Knives looked furious, teetering on the edge of rage if you persisted your outburst. He was furious, until the moment you tore that silk nightgown from your body.

"Someone ought to put you in your place," You hissed, fingers embedding themselves into his platinum blonde hair, pulling at tuffs until his face collided with your cunt. As your weight sunk onto him, squashing his face underneath you and the pillow he rested upon previously. "I know you don't require sleep, that's one positive we now have all night to make sure you're returned to your brother a dumbafied mess."

The growl against your clit had your thighs shaking, suffocating Knives between them. When he made no move to advance in your pleasure you took it upon yourself, grinding your hips against his contorted face. Chasing your high as Knives clawed at your body, mind indecisive as whether to stop you or indulge you.

It took a few minutes until you felt something wet slot its way inside your folds, lips suckling at your intimate flesh. Knives had decided to indulge your humanly needs, hands gripping your ass, a need to dominate even in this particular predicament. But he'd soon find out you had no intention of allowing him an inch power, stamping out that idea like embering flames.

You greatly despised the hands holding your waist, dragging you along his awaiting mouth. None but impressed, you raised your hips to break away from his reciprocation, bile in your throat as he slammed you back down hungrily. So you let him have his fun, manipulating him to believe he had the upper hand, that he was the one bringing you unrelented pleasure as you moaned sweetly.

In reality it was painfully obvious that Knives had no idea what he was doing, having never touched or seen a woman's body. His hungry lapping was sloppy, unsure of what to focus on, sure his teasing suckling against your flaps had you keening enthusiastically but that's where it stopped. Forcing you to press your neglected clit sharply against his nose, grinding against it to offer some relief. Knives may not have been pleased with this, but it didn't matter, soon he'd be finding out just how 'in control' the fucker truly was.

Once it hit the ten minute mark you knew you weren't going to orgasm any time soon, and as embarrassing it was you didn't have a choice to stop this unpleasant mouthing. Face red as you let out an loud moan, thighs clenching Knives face as you faked an orgasm, quick to remove yourself as your eyes glared at the man smirking at you. God he looked like an idiot, and how you desperately wanted to make him whimper like one.

"You humans are such simple creatures, chasing your disgusting pleasure highs and here you are calling me a bitch in heat, when you so beautifully cum." You wanted to gag, perhaps even admit you faked it to get him to stop embarrassing himself.

Without so much as a single word you got up, crouching down to grab a locked crate from underneath your bed. Knives watched with a quirked brow, sitting up as he crossed his legs, amusement in the form of sly smirk.

"Giving me the silent treatment? You truly are petty," Unknown objects were beginning to line up on the bed's edge, Knives frowning at them in confusion. "What are these?"

"You'll know soon enough, but this bitch in heat wishes for you to properly fuck her, think your Lordship could treat me with his cock?" Your voice was laced with something, malice? No, that couldn't be it.

Knives smirked, chuckling as fingers propped your delicate face to look at him. "Who am I to deny my sweet human bitch?"

The room was filled with desperate pleas, moans soon muffled harshly by the ball gag slammed against teeth. Nails dug into the sheets, clawing frantically to try and escape.

Knives felt his drool pool around the ball gag, tears filled his blue eyes as he whimpered, jolting at another harsh smack to his ass.

"I don't know whether to be disgusted or amused that you're getting off to this," That silky voice, belonging to the only devil present in the room as you smiled wickedly down at his form, running the whip teasingly along his cock. "Next time, don't test my patience."

Another snap of the whip, Knives crying against the plastic gag, trying to crawl away from your sexual torture. Only you brought him cruelling back, pulling him arms back as you clicked a pair of pink, fluffy cuffs around his wrists.

Laughter made Knives shiver, eyes wide and filled with fear as you leaned against his arched back, fingers pressed delicately against his rim. "Good thing you've already cummed for me three times, otherwise this wouldn't be as enjoyable. For you at least." The way Knives tensed had you giggling, shoving his face into the pillow as you angled the strap on against his prepared hole.

You could hear the frantic pleas from the man, muffled as he begged for you to stop. Except they only acted to urge you on, slamming your hips into his anus, earning a high pitched moan from the usual calculated and cruel twin. Satisfaction at having turned him into a drooling, moaning mess beneath you as you pounded into him at ruthless pace.

Knives with eyes full of beautiful, bliss out tears, looked back at you, not having the strength to muster even a glare as you winked at him. He wanted to curse you, strangle you for withering him to a submissive being completely at your mercy. Yet despite it all, Knives couldn't help but find some pleasure at how you had him drooling a muffled version of your name at each thrust against his prostate.

"You likin it? What a filthy excuse of a creature, indulging in such a disgusting act of self pleasure." Your words reflected his own, cruel and condescending. Those deceitful fingers drawing lines along his spine, causing his back to arch against the touch.

Leaning against his back, breasts dug into shoulders as your teeth nibbled at his ears. Laboured breathing sounded heavenly, eyes rolled into his skull as he covered the sheets beneath you two in bioluminescent cum.

"Such a filthy whore."

"Please....no more...I can't."

"You can't? I thought you were a superior being, stronger than any mere mortal that walked this hellscape?" Knives whimpered, hiding his tears has you dragged your hips excruciatingly slow along his pelvis.

Hands placed against his chest, fingers pinching his nipples as you stilled, appreciating how his cock twitched against your cervix. You had to admit that Knives looks angelic beneath you, the feathers sprouting at random an added extra as he struggled to keep eye contact.

"You've satiated your desires, please you can't need anymore." Knives hated begging, but what else was he to do when it came to appeasing the succubus milking him until he was dry.

"My sweet Knives, you should know by now," You leaned forward, pulling the collar tighter around his throat untilheet out strangled cough. "I'm insatiable."

Knives could no longer see straight, cum dribbling endlessly from his throbbing cock, encased in your hands as you pumped the fleshlight up and down along his shaft. His mouth was wrapped around one of your nipples, not like he noticed at this point, numb to overstimulation.

A stuttering cry sounded from the blonde, releasing your nipple at the pain of coming again, fresh tears staining his feather covered cheeks. Those soft, silk like feathers encased your body, their touch gentle against your skin.

Collapsing against your chest, face buried between those warm pillows as he sobbed. Incoherent word vomit spilled from his bruised, drool coated lips. Shivering at the way you giggled, finally freeing his flaccid cock from the textured fleshlight.

Taking the collar off his neck, smiling proudly as Knives sucked in much needed air, thankful to be able to breath properly. You moved him to the side, his body limp as you circled his cock with a finger, watching it stand yet again in painful anticipation. Knives whimpered, wondering what other cruel torture you had in mind, no longer surprised at your insatiable desires.

"Still wanting more? My, my, my how adorable you are my sweet slut." Your voice was no longer cruel, you may have whipped his ass raw, choked the air from his lungs and fucked him into another dimension, but you no longer had that malicious undertone. Instead opting to sweetly degrade him, praising him for how he came for you over and over again, getting hard after each touch to his cock.

Legs hoisted over his head, Knives tried to focus on what you were doing, panting as he felt something enter him again. It was large, not to mention unnaturally wide as he grunted at the intrusive toy. What had his body convulse and contort with pain and pleasure was the intense vibrations against his prostate, drawn out whines filling the small room yet again as his legs rested against your shoulders.

"Good boy, now he can't forgot that gorgeous cock of yours." Something snapped against his tip, the small band squeezing the head of his pulsating dick. "Just to make sure you last as long as possible, don't want you coming too soon, especially now that you're on the verge of breaking."

You re-inserted his cock into the fleshlight, only this time pressing a few buttons on the side, intense vibrations causing Knives hips to buck up, back arching. You flipped him over, laying on your back as you wrapped your legs around Knives face.

"Now eat me out properly this time, I want to cover that face in my cum, mark you as my personal whore." You cooed, fisting tufts on his hair as grinded his face against your dripping cunt.

This time Knives knew what to do, mustering enough energy to suck and lick your clit. His actions were slow, sluggish as the smallest of movements were agonisingly painful to perform. Releasing your clit, Knives began lapping at your pussy, pressing a shaking thumb against your bud of nerves.

Moans spilled from those cruel lips, along with praises and mocking coos. Yet despite the way you mocked him, Knives couldn't help swelling with exhausted pride at finally pleasing you, hoping this torture would now end.

And thankfully it did, the moment you crushed his head between your quivering thighs, gushing over Knives fucked out face, you halted the devices vibrations. Freeing his abused cock and anus from their toys, Knives collapsed wings wrapping themselves around his body as if to protect himself from your satiated lust.

Gentle hands brushed themselves along those wings, weight sat upon his back as he caught his breath. Knives prayed to whatever holy being that you had had enough, eyes drooping at the exhaustion tugging at his limbs. Arms encased his feathery form, your warm body pressed against his back as kisses were placed along any exposed patch of skin. Humming filled his ears, drifting him into a much needed sleep.

"Heya Y/N! Hope Knives behaved last night, so sorry about leaving you with him again." Vash, finally back from whatever errand he was running, stood awkwardly at your door.

A smile tugged at your lips, cruel and devilish. The look had Vash confused as you stepped aside to let him in, leading him to the living room.

There, collapsed and sprawled out on soft, velvet couch was his sore, strained twin brother, face contorted as the discomfort of moving had him remain in place. Not even Vash's gentle greeting stirred Knives, who was still covered in last nights sins, too exhausted to even make it to the shower.

"Is he okay?" Vash asked quietly, noticing the many tear stains on Knives cheeks.

"Oh he's fine," You waved off Vash's concern, pouring warm water into a mug. "He was very well behaved last night, the most obedient he's ever been actually!"

Wings sprouted from Knives instantly, startling the younger twin. Knives face was bright red, hidden by the pillow that covered his face as the feathers quivered in excitement at the praise. His body reacting eagerly as if you'd take him then and there, disregarding his stupid brother's presence.

"You might have to carry him home though, he's exhausted from helping me move some furniture around." You lied, sliding some freshly made tea towards the Humanoid Typhoon, blowing to cool your own drink.

"But everything looks the same? What furniture did you move?" Vash asked innocently, warming his hand on the mug.

You quirked a brow at Knives, catching his gaze sent a shiver along his spine. "Just rearranged a few things in my room."

#trigun #trigun smut #millions knives #trigun 98 #trigun 1998 #million knives #millions knives x reader #knives smut #knives millions #knives x reader #million knives x reader #millions knives smut #millions knives x you #98 knives #98 knives x reader

[dollyyun]

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 | chap 16

SYPNOSIS: wherein Hwang Stella's life is tangled in a predicament involving her clandestine identity as a racer, her seemingly daily life as the official heir to the Hwang Empire, and seven guys with whom she has a complex history with.

PAIRING: enhypen members x fem oc

GENRE: 18+ (mdni), reverse harem, chaebols, semi-college & racing, eventual adulthood, non-idol au. this fic is written in first pov.

WARNINGS: expletives, suggestive themes.

WORD COUNT: 8k+

TAGLIST: @aishigrey @kgneptun

🍒 MASTERLIST 🍒

A pleasant aroma penetrates my nostrils, rousing me from my deep slumber, but it also awakens me with a throbbing headache and an overwhelming sensation of fatigue. My eyes feel heavy and refuse to open, but I know I have to get up. I try to move, and a sluggish groan follows as I lift a limb. Every muscle in my body aches, wholly sore from last night's activity.

Not only does my throat feel dry as sand, but it is also sore as a result of the obvious implications of screaming excessively. I flutter my eyes open, despite the remnants of slumber still eminent, and force my upper body to rise.

A series of winces leaves my lips as I carefully move my legs over the edge of the bed and plant my feet on the cold floor. As I stand, his shirt that I'm donning falls, reaching my thighs, and I begin to move forward, but my eyes shift to the bathroom door that is opening.

Heat weaves across my cheeks as soon as he steps out of the bathroom, with his towel wrapped and hanging loosely around his hips, displaying his abdominal muscles and his attractive v-line, while moisture from the prior shower sheens on his skin. My eyes slowly trail upward, and I'm startled to see a bruise on his shoulder blade before I recall how hard I had bitten him.

Finally, my eyes meet his, and I feel even more flustered by the fact that he has been watching me check him out, given the apparent smirk on his handsome face.

"Had a good sleep, princess?" Sunghoon asks rather cockily, his fang-like teeth peeking as his smirk deepens. His eyes appear to be scanning my countenance before a low whistle is elicited from him as he ambles towards me. "The other guys are going to be fucking pissed at me."

A frown tugs at the corners of my lips. "What do you mean─" My word is cut short at the moment I turn my head to where the vanity mirror is, and I instantly understand what he meant. Fresh, purple bruises, or rather, hickeys, are visibly on both sides of my neck, as though I'm a canvas painted by an artist.

"I can't go out looking like this." I say, turning my body to face him, but a soft gasp escapes from me when he stands close to me with our bodies touching. The intensity of his dark gaze pins me, evoking the familiar heat swirling in my tummy before I subconsciously back away from him, but he moves as well.

I had almost forgotten how painful it is to walk, resulting in me staggering my steps back. My lower back hits the vanity table behind me, preventing me from making any attempt to escape, especially when he leisurely places both of his hands on the table, trapping me. "Sunghoon." I finally manage to find my voice, but even so, it comes out meekly.

"Yes, princess?" He breaks into a grin while mischievous intent glints in his eyes. He has levelled himself to my height, allowing me to stare straight into his eyes without having to tilt my head up.

"We can't." I find myself telling him, swallowing harshly while my hand grips the edge of the table behind me.

He tilts his head to one side, seeming to be feigning innocence. "Can't what?"

Despite the heat still persisting on my cheeks, I shoot him a scowl. "You know what, Park."

He cocks one eyebrow at me. "Back to first name basis, I see." My heart lurches in my chest at the moment he hoists me to sit on the table. He leans in before stopping beside my ear. "I recall a certain someone screaming my name deliriously last night, no?"

The touch of his callous palms on my bare thighs as they move upward tantalisingly slowly reminds me of when he held me while he delivered pelting, unforgiving thrusts and how his long, slender fingers curled around my neck, blocking the airways.

I squeeze my aching thighs together, reprimanding myself for being aroused just from recalling last night. It appears my mere movement catches his eyes as he glances down briefly before looking back at me with a smirk. "I thought you said we couldn't." He asks mockingly, and his hands rest on my waist underneath my shirt, abruptly pulling me closer to his body, resulting in my thighs being forced apart with him standing between them.

"Sunghoon." A pathetic whimper leaves my lips as he purposely presses his bulge against my heat. "I'm still sore."

"I know." I feel him kissing the side of my head before burying his nose into my hair, as though to smell my scent. "And I'm glad, because it'll serve you as a reminder the next time you try to escape from me." He says, lethally softly, sending shivers down my spine. He presses his lips on my cheek, kissing me deeply before slowly trailing his kisses down my neck. "You look beautiful with my marks."

"It's going to be hard to conceal them." I manage to utter, despite my shaky breaths. My hand latches onto his forearm, rolling my eyes to the back upon his suction on my soft spot. I must not cave in. "Sunghoon, please."

"Alright, I'm sorry." His breathy chuckles against my skin send flutters to my heart. Thankfully, he pulls his lips away from my neck. "My princess is still exhausted and sore." He feigns a sympathetic smile, causing me to roll my eyes in slight annoyance. "Tell me, what can I do to alleviate your pain?"

"You can start by giving me some space." I say with a slight attitude that has him raising an eyebrow.

"What did I say about giving me an attitude, princess?" Sunghoon tuts, remaining unmoving. "You're lucky that I'm feeling nice enough to help bring you into the shower." He doesn't give me time to react as he abruptly has my legs locked around his waist with his hands underneath my butt cheeks, bringing me to the shower.

"Sunghoon!" I shriek, reflexively wrapping my arms around his neck to stabilise myself. "I can walk by myself!"

The annoying smirk that sends a flutter to my heart rises on his lips once more. "But princess can't even walk without going all wobbly." He catches me by surprise with a peck on my nose. "How adorable." He coos.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

"Feels better, princess?" Sunghoon asks softly, lifting his head to meet my eyes. My legs are over his thighs, and his hands are massaging my sore legs. Presently, we are in his living room after having finished our lunch, which he ordered for us.

I lean sideways against the couch, smiling lazily at him with a hum. "Better." I tell him while he continues to massage my legs. My eyes glance at the clock hanging on the wall. "I really should head back to my apartment."

"What? So soon?" Sunghoon halts his movement, and when my eyes return to his face, I can't help but chuckle at how he is resembling a sad puppy. "But I just got you back." He mumbles, his lips forming into a small pout. I can't believe that this is the same man who had me completely ruined to the point where I passed out.

"Guess who's the adorable one now?" I coo, imitating the way he teased me earlier. I find great amusement in seeing how annoyed he looks, with his nose slightly scrunched.

"Call me adorable once more, and I'll─"

"Sunghoon." I cut him off, my tone is nowhere stern, yet the softness in it is enough to silence him. With a faint smile, I open my arms wide for him. "Hug me?"

Without a word, Sunghoon complies, leaning forward before enveloping me in a hug. A chuckle leaves my lips as he squeezes me tight, and his weight on top of mine causes me to fall back, but he supports me with his hand on my back, gently bringing me down until my back hits the soft.

He presses soft yet lingering kisses on my neck, still holding me, as though he's afraid I might disappear again. Butterflies awaken in my tummy as he continues to shower me with kisses, eliciting giggles from my lips as he trails his kisses to my face until his lips slot over mine.

Contradictory to the kisses we had last night, this feels a whole lot different. He's taking his time in kissing me, as though memorising the shape of my lips. He's kissing me like I'm made out of glass. He's kissing me like he never wants to be apart from me again.

"I've missed you so much." He mumbles against my lips before slowly pulling away. As he gazes down at me, my eyes soften upon seeing how vulnerable he looks right now. My hands reach up to run my fingers through his locks, which feel soft.

"I'm sorry." I deliver my apology once more in a whisper. A sad smile arises on my lips. "I promise I won't leave again."

Sunghoon grabs one of my hands before lowering it and bringing my palm towards his lips, kissing it softly before he adjusts my hand to cradle the side of his face. "I'm sorry too." He murmurs, sadness gleams in his eyes. "The last time we spoke before you disappeared was when I came over to your place, and we─" He swallows harshly, his Adam's apple is visibly bobbing up and down. "We were screaming, and you were crying because I chose the guys over you."

"It's okay." My eyes soften. "Back then, I didn't think rationally, but now I understand why. You couldn't possibly choose your ex-nemesis over them when you've been friends with them for so long."

"But this time, I'm going to choose you." He leans down to place a kiss on my forehead. "You, you, and just you."

My heart clenches. "But─"

"The other guys would too." He cuts me off with a deep kiss on my cheek. "This time, we'll choose you."

"But why?" I ask, my voice comes out shaky. "I'm not that important─"

"You are, princess." His firm voice is enough to shut me up, as does the look in his eyes. "When you left, I wasn't in the right state of mind. I felt like I had lost my other half." Pain reflects in his beautiful eyes. "I felt like my life had lost all its meaning. I reeled in regret—regret for not choosing you, regret for how we last spoke."

Unable to see him looking heartbroken, I raise my body just a little and loop my arms around his neck, bringing him back down with his head now resting on my chest. "I'm sorry, Hoon." I whisper, my fingers treading the back of his hair lightly.

I feel his arms tightening around my figure as a response. I plant a kiss on his crown before hugging him fervently. "I don't know what awaits us in the future, but with you guys by my side, I know that we can go through anything."

"That's right, princess. You have us now. We'll protect you." Sunghoon presses one last kiss on my jawline. "I'll be damned if we lose you again."

And so, a comfortable silence envelopes us as we continue to bask in each other's warmth, with him listening to my steady heartbeat.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

It turns out I didn't head back to my apartment as quickly as I thought I would. Instead, I overstayed my welcome at Sunghoon's crib and spent almost the whole day with him. Four long years had us catching up on what we had missed in each other's lives.

Even when we catch up and chat like long-lost best friends, Sunghoon still has his arms wrapped around my body or just needs to touch me, keeping me close to him. It is as if he has long since been touch-deprived, which I find endearing because I never thought there would be a clingy side to him.

"How am I supposed to go home if you're clinging to me like a koala bear?" I muse, standing still in the middle of the kitchen with an empty mug in my grasp while he has his arms latch around my body.

Sunghoon lets out a sigh and leans his head on my shoulder. "But it's too early." He murmurs.

"Hoon, it's nearly ten." I retort, placing the mug in the sink. "I swear, are you the same guy who made me come nearly five times last night?"

"Seven." He corrects me and plants a kiss on my shoulder while I blink my eyes at him. "I bet the other guys can't break my record." A smirk touches his lips, to which I shoot him a scowl, despite my cheeks probably bearing blushes.

"It's not a competition."

"Oh, yeah, it is." Mischievousness glimmers in his eyes. "Yes, we agreed to share you, but it'll always be a competition when it comes to you, princess." Just then, his face turns serious. "Did you seriously mean what you said when you haven't slept with anyone else ever since you left us?"

I open my mouth to respond, but a certain someone appears in my mind. My eyes widen in realisation. Shit. I had totally forgotten about Jen. Alas, guilt gnaws in my stomach as I avoid his attentive gaze.

"What's wrong, princess?" He asks.

I bite my bottom lip hard, still not looking at him. "I did." My voice barely above a whisper.

"You did what?"

Mustering courage, I look at him with rueful eyes. "I slept with someone,"

"Oh." His arms loosen around my figure.

"With a girl." I continue, searching for his eyes, and he looks genuinely surprised, but there are no traces of bitterness. "She's my best friend who attended the same private school as I did here." I begin to ramble. "It just happened when we were talking about our first kisses and boyfriends at her apartment. I guess we were drunk and intoxicated, and I couldn't lie about how lonely and vulnerable I felt just for a minute."

"Princess─"

"One thing led to another, we slept together." It feels like my chest is constricted, making it hard for me to breathe. "But I swear, we're only best friends and nothing more─"

Sunghoon's lips silence me, kissing me hard enough for me to melt in his arms and forget about whatever was on my mind. He pulls away slowly as I flutter my eyes open. Amusement flickers in his gaze. 

"I'm not mad."

My eyebrows furrow. "You're not? Are you sure?"

"I mean, I had no right to be mad because we weren't together at that point in time." He says before smiling lightly. "So, does this mean that you're not straight?"

"I don't think so, but I do find women attractive." I scratch my head, uncertain. "I don't know."

"It's okay if you don't know, princess." He caresses my cheek, and a boyish grin appears on his lips, shooting arrows into my heart. "But I can't say for sure that I'd be willing to share you with another woman who wanted you. Sharing with the other guys is already overwhelming enough."

I chuckle softly. "Don't worry. My heart desires only the seven of you."

"Yeah? Truly?" His voice drops, rasping as he abruptly leans his face closer to mine, his breath hitting my cheek while his lips graze ghostly across my skin. "You can't take back your words, princess."

"Sunghoon." I feel him nipping at my earlobe playfully. "No funny business."

"I don't care." I don't even realise he has me pinned against the counter, his hands are firmly on my hips. "We've been apart for too long, princess." His sultry voice in my ear sends my heart racing. "Besides, you're at my place. So my place, my rules."

Just as he is about to kiss me, the doorbell chimes, startling me as I jolt, while Sunghoon appears pissed as he clenches his jaw. I can't help but laugh, earning myself a glare from him.

"Go get it, Hoon." I wipe away an imaginary tear, still laughing while he shoots me a scowl before trudging away to the main door. I glance to the side, spotting some candies in a small bowl before I reach out to grab one. Just before I can open it, a familiar voice startles me.

"Stel!" Riki greets me as he enters the kitchen, not giving me time to react when he abruptly latches his arms around my frame.

I reciprocate the hug and close my eyes briefly to inhale his nice cologne as I bury my head into his chest. My action must've amused him, as his chest is vibrating with deep chuckles leaving his lips, awakening butterflies in my tummy. As I lift my head up, my eyes immediately meet his.

"What are you doing here?" He asks, his lips forming a grin.

I raise my eyebrow at him. "Do you not want me to be here?"

"Of course I do. In fact, I'm glad you're here." He presses a kiss on my forehead before hugging me tight with my head in his chest. "By the way, it's my turn to spend time with you tomorrow."

"Oh?" Intrigued, I settle my gaze on his face once more. "Are you guys taking turns to spend time with me now?" I ask with a chuckle.

Riki heaves a sigh. "The cons of sharing a girlfriend." The instant the word 'girlfriend' flies out of his mouth, he smacks his lips shut while his eyes go wide, as though he wasn't meant to say it.

I hum lazily as I drape my arms around his neck, ignoring the fact that my craning neck is beginning to hurt. "So I'm your girlfriend now?"

Riki visibly gulps before giving a nervous smile. "Uh─Oh look! I have to help Jay and Sunoo set up the table!" I feel his arms around my waist loosen before he completely removes them and immediately runs away from me.

Concurrently, Sunghoon enters the kitchen, staring at Riki with a quizzical look before he settles his gaze on me. "What's gotten into him?

"I don't know." I frown. "Are they all here?"

"Nah. Only Jay, Sunoo, and Riks. I forgot that they wanted to have supper at my place tonight," Sunghoon tells me, leaning sideways against the entry wall with his hands tucked in his pockets. "Which also means that you should stay a little longer." He adds with a grin.

"Fine." I cave in before starting to make my way out of the kitchen, but just as I walk past him, he stops me with his hand, grabbing mine.

"Stella, wait."

I look at him expectantly with an eyebrow arched, and to my surprise, his face has a tinge of nervousness despite his unwavering eye contact with me.

"I know that it's way too late to ask," He releases a shaky breath. "And I should've done this sooner, but I couldn't find the right timing, and even now, I don't even know if the timing is right."

"Sunghoon." I grab his other hand, squeezing it tenderly. "Slow down. Why are you─"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

My breath catches in my throat while my heart stops beating momentarily. It feels like our surroundings are in a blur, and the world stops spinning. The old Hwang Stella would never have thought that her rival-slash-enemy since elementary school would be saying those words to her.

Sunghoon, however, looks crestfallen at my silence, but he doesn't know that I'm greatly stunned. Disappointment resides in his gaze. "It's fine if you─"

"Shut up." I say whatever is on my mind. The astonishment on my face is soon replaced by a wide, genuinely elated smile. "Shut up!"

Sunghoon blinks his eyes, clearly taken aback by my odd passive-aggressive enthusiasm. "But I'm not saying anything."

"Park Sunghoon, you─" It is as if I don't have the ability to express my felicity and act upon whatever my body and mind are telling me. I look at him once more before breaking into a fit of laughter and surprising him as I lunge towards him for a hug.

"Woah!" He catches me, chuckling down at me. "So what's your answer, princess?"

"Yes." My voice is muffled against his chest, overwhelmed by this happiness.

"Yes?"

"Yes, you idiot!" I exclaim, pulling away from his chest and looking at him in his glistening eyes. "I'm yours, Park Sunghoon."

"Damn right, you're mine." He leans down to kiss me squarely on the lips while I smile into the kiss. He pulls away to resume hugging me with fervour.

"This is romantic and all, but are we going to devour these pizzas already or what?" Sunoo's snarky yet playful remark draws our attention as we look at them, who are standing just a few feet away from us.

"Congratulations for being the first one to propose to her." Jay tells Sunghoon with a smirk.

Sunoo playfully narrows his eyes at Sunghoon. "You may be the first, but I'll let you know that my proposal will be more romantic than yours."

Sunghoon scoffs, still holding me close with his arms, almost encasing me and obstructing my view of the three of them. "Doesn't matter. At least I'm the first."

"Ah, I should've proposed first earlier." Riki mumbles to himself, but I can hear him, which brings a small smile to my face.

"Let's just eat." I announce with a chuckle before we make our way to the dining area. Throughout the night, I don't think I have ever smiled or laughed that much, while my heart warms at the fact that I'm back with them, albeit incomplete without the rest.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

When Riki told me that today would be the day that we spend time together, I never expected for him to bring me out to a boutique that sells the finest premium tuxedos, and it's not just the two of us.

"How do I look?" Jungwon immediately obstructs my view of Sunoo and Riki as he stands in front of me, making me blink my unfocused eyes before looking at him. Once I do, my mouth agape.

I mean, I've seen him in tuxedos before, but right now, he looks beyond charming. Maybe it's to do with the fact that he looks way more mature now. The dark tuxedo fits him just right, and with each movement he makes, I can discern the muscles beneath the material flexing.

Heat weaves across my cheeks as soon as his eyes meet mine. He cocks an eyebrow at me, probably noticing my loud silence. "Do I look good or nah?"

I clear my throat in an awkward manner before mustering a weak smile. "You do look good, Jungwon."

Jungwon narrows his eyes at me. "Really? I'm not convinced."

A sigh leaves my lips before I rise from my seat and step forward, instinctively tying and adjusting the black tie drape around his neck. It appears my bold action seems to surprise him, but I ignore the way he's looking at me while my gaze is fixed intently on his tie.

"There." With the final touch, I give him a smile and pat him on the chest. "Trust me. You'll have heads turn."

"I don't want just anyone else to look at me." Jungwon murmurs, boring his eyes into mine. "As long as you think that I look good, then that's all that matters."

My cheeks feel warm, while my lips are threatening to break into a smile. "You look really good." I compliment him rather bashfully, and instantly, his once serious face breaks into a radiant smile, his dimple making its appearance on his cheek.

"Hey, look at this guy." Sunoo appears next to Jungwon, slinging his arm around the latter. "You sneaky brat. I asked you for help, but you sneaked away to go to Stella instead."

"Thankfully, I was there." Riki says, standing on the other side next to Jungwon while he rolls his eyes and continues to speak to both of them while I am left speechless by the handsome sight of the three of them dressed impeccably in tuxedos.

It looks like my silence is loud for Sunoo as he finally turns his head to face me with a charming grin that shoots arrows into my heart. "What do you think, darling?"

Alas, I have all their attention. I bite the inner flesh of my cheek, butterflies swarming wildly around in my tummy upon their handsome gazes on me. "I think you guys look really handsome." I smile weakly.

"I love it when you compliment us." Sunoo steps forward to grab my cold hand in his, and instantly, his smile drops. "Your hand is so cold. Are you alright?" Sunoo's question alarms Jungwon and Riki, as their faces drop.

"I'm fine, Sunoo. I guess the air conditioner here is too cold for me." I assure him with a small smile before opting to change the subject. "Anyway, you guys haven't told me about the reason why you're buying tuxedos." I raise my eyebrow at them. "I'm one of your managers, so I know what your schedules are, so are you guys going to any external special events?"

"We've been invited to a wedding. Sunghoon's brother, to be exact." Riki informs me, prompting my mouth to form the shape of 'o'. "Do you want to come with us? The wedding's this Saturday."

"Ah, I don't want to be an intruder by coming to a stranger's wedding uninvited." I say sheepishly. "Besides, I'm attending a wedding on this coming Saturday too."

"Whose wedding?" Jungwon asks, curious.

"Yeji's." The thought of my older sister brings a smile to my face. "I wish all of you could come with me, and you might meet my older brother and biological father."

"Wait, they're here?" Riki's eyes go wide as a socket. "Damn. We surely did miss out on a lot."

And so, I run down the details, trying my best to shorten them since we've been in the boutique for way too long and we don't want to get chased out of the establishment.

"Well, I'm glad that you've finally reunited with your real family." Jungwon smiles warmly at me, to which I reciprocate. "I would like to meet Hyunjin Hyung again."

"What is he like?" Sunoo asks, but is interrupted by Riki.

"As much as I, too, would like to know, we should quickly purchase our tuxedos." Riki shoots them a lazy grin. "Plus, today's supposed to be my date with Stella."

Instead of being upset, I am surprised to see how understanding Sunoo and Jungwon are as they nod their heads before they disperse, probably changing back into their clothes and leaving Riki with me.

Riki looks at me and wears a soft grin before stepping forward to embrace me in a hug. "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" I ask, chuckling as I reciprocate the hug. There's something about Riki and his hugs. It makes you never want to let go.

"Because I promised that I'd bring you out on a date, but I had forgotten about my plans with them to buy our tuxedo for the wedding." He heaves a sigh before pressing a long kiss on my crown. He cups my cheeks, tilting my head up. "I promise that right after this, it'll just be you and me, Stel."

In return, I beam with a smile while my eyes form the shape of a crescent. "I don't doubt it."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Riki's hand is intertwined with mine, fitting each other like a perfect puzzle and causing me to feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside due to how secure I feel. We are presently at the Central Park, which we took on his temporary motorbike to get here, and we had just finished dining for lunch.

Earlier, an hour or so ago, Sunoo offered to help bring back Riki's purchased tuxedos since there was no storage box on his motorcycle. Despite how Jungwon and Sunoo seem to respect that today was Riki's turn to have me all to himself, they still displayed their blatant affection for me and even earned themselves glares from Riki. It is rather amusing to see how apparent Riki's jealousy is.

"Why are you laughing?" Riki stops in his tracks, prompting me to stop as well. I look at him with the smile still persisting on my lips before breaking into fits of chuckles, which brings him a frown on his striking features. "Stel."

"Alright, fine." I recover myself. "It's just that I've never seen you being so jealous the way you were earlier when Jungwon and Sunoo were hogging me."

Riki doesn't lift a smile, his face remaining serious while his grip tightens on my hand. "I'm actually a very jealous person." He tells me, and it takes me some time to realise how deep his voice is compared to four years ago. I catch the way his eyes flicker at my neck, making me self-conscious and aware that no amount of concealer could hide these hickeys by Sunghoon. He returns his gaze to mine. "I'm just good at hiding it."

"Until earlier, I saw you glaring at them." I state, grinning. "It looks like you're not as good as you thought you were."

"How could I not be jealous when you're supposed to be mine for today?" Riki startles me when his arm slithers its way around my waist, pulling me closer while my palms rest on his solid chest.

My breath catches in my throat as his handsome gaze pins me in. I am suddenly reminded of Riki being shorter and more adorable when he was young, when he used to ignore me as though he were intimidated by me. Now, he's way taller, and he emits an aura of maturity. Being in his arms right now makes me feel safe and warm.

The wind by the park is in my hair as it flows, and the longer our eye contact persists, the more the butterflies in my stomach intensify. I've never felt this way around Riki before. I mean, sure, I've acknowledged that I loved him more than just a friend before, but right now, it feels different. There's something raw and intimate in this moment with him.

"Just for today?" I ask teasingly with a grin, despite the butterflies in my tummy that make me want to throw up.

Eventually, a soft smirk unfurls on his lips, and he grabs my hand tenderly before raising it to place a gentle kiss on my knuckles. His gesture of affection alone is enough to make my heart beat harder. He doesn't stop there, still kissing my hand until his lips touch my palm.

"Stella." My name sounds perfect from his mouth. He gazes at me deeply, his arm around my waist tightening. "There is no denying that I've always been whipped and head over heels for you." He starts off. "Even back then, when you were uncertain about your feelings for me, I didn't give up the love I've always harboured for you."

My heart swells with love. "Riki." I utter his name with my lips quivering, a tad emotional over this.

A soft smile on his lips is enough to make me crumble, but I hold myself together. "I'm so, so sorry for what happened four years ago. I made a mistake by choosing racing over you." His eyes turn crestfallen. "If I hadn't chosen racing, then maybe things might turn out differently, but I know that there is no point in lamenting what's done."

"It's okay, Riki." I cup his cheeks. "I've already forgiven you."

He places his hand on top of mine, leaning into my touch while his eyes hold so much love for me. "Your kind disposition was what made me fall for you, and even now, so," He pauses, his eyes glistening. "Hwang Stella, will you be mine─"

"Yes." I cut him off, but he shakes his head while chuckles leave his lips at my eagerness.

"─forever?" He continues.

"Until my last breath." I say softly, and that is all it takes for him to seal me into a kiss that is filled with thousands of emotions. When a tear falls to my cheek from his eye, I smile against his lips and pull him closer, allowing him to savour this moment for as long as he wants.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

With his arm around my shoulder as he side-hugs me closer and my head resting on his chest, our gazes are fixed on the city across the vast river while the skies are painted in dusk. Presently, we are situated in a park near the Brooklyn Bridge. After his confession, he decided to drive me around, and dare I say that I've missed the feeling of riding a bike.

We've been sitting here on the ground with a small picnic mat that fits us just right, and we've been catching up on each other's lives. We were in our own little world until we finally realised that we had been here for an hour or so. Least to say that I'm happy for him and his life goals.

"Come to think of it. Why didn't you continue racing?" Riki's question makes my content smile falter. "I even heard that there's legal drag racing here in NYC, so why didn't you? You were an amazing racer."

I sigh, glancing down with my finger fiddling the hems of his top. "I guess after the incident at the Seoul Grand Prix, I was traumatised, especially when Jaeyun got into a coma after he tried to help me." As I recall, my eyes glisten. "Racing used to be something that was more than just a hobby to me, and my life revolved around it. But even though I've missed racing, I don't think I can go back to it."

"I get it." Riki says softly. "You've decided to close that chapter of your life and start anew. I'm proud of you, Stel."

I tilt my head up to look at him without moving my head away from his chest. "Thank you, Riki. It means a lot to me." I smile, but something comes to mind. "I realised that you've never had any endearments for me, unlike the rest."

"I prefer calling you just by your name." He gives me a boyish grin and ruffles my hair. "Besides, your name is already beautiful. Stella. A beautiful, shining star who lights up my dark world."

I scrunch my nose, feigning disgust. "Since when did you decide to become so cheesy?"

"Since I've fallen deeply in love with you." He startles me when he pulls me down with him, resulting in me landing acutely on top of him while chuckles are elicited from me.

With the back of my head resting on his arm and my leg draped over his, I look at him, appreciating his beauty. Despite how he is dressed akin to a stereotypical bad boy, in all black, including a leather jacket, his disposition is nothing like one. My heart flutters as he turns his head to look at me, prompting me to stop twiddling his necklace.

"Why are you blushing?" He asks, raising his eyebrow at me in an oddly attractive way.

"I'm not." I release his necklace and pat my cheek, hating how it feels warm. "I'm probably just cold."

"Come here." He engulfs me in a hug, forcing me to bury my face in his chest, and I gladly do so while inhaling his heavenly cologne. It feels like I'm being swallowed just by his arms and legs alone. "Feel better?"

"No." I look up at him with a cheeky grin, to which his eyes soften. "I think I would feel better if you kissed me instead."

"Just say that you want to kiss me, Stel." He smirks.

My lips form into a small pout, to which his eyes glance down. "Kiss me?"

"As you wish, my lady."

With his hand cradling the cusp of my jaw, he leans down and presses his lips gently on mine. One thing about him is that he kisses me as though I might break, not that I'm complaining. He kisses me longer than I thought before he pulls away, leaving me to gasp for air. He doesn't stop there, and instead, pepper kisses all over my face, bringing giggles out of me due to how ticklish they feel.

"We should really head back." I say in between the giggles. A squeal emits from me the moment he dips his head down to press a kiss on my neck while his hand grips firmly on my waist. "Riki!"

"I say we head back whenever I want." He rasps against my neck, nipping playfully at my skin. "Besides, I've been apart from you for too long, my lady."

"My lady?" I snort.

"Yes." He presses a deep kiss on my cheek before staring deeply into my eyes. "You're my only lady, my queen."

"I guess the charming knight has risen to become the prince consort, then." I jest, acting as though I'm a royal from the mediaeval era.

He smirks. "Of course. How else will I achieve winning your majesty's heart?"

I peck him on the nose. "You didn't have to, because I would've appointed you as my prince consort even before you decided to court me."

Riki rolls his eyes. "And you said I'm the cheesy one."

I grin gleefully. "That's what happens when people are in love, right?"

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The air in the car feels cold, and the silence is oddly comfortable with his hand holding mine on top of his thigh while his other hand grips on the steering clutch, driving us to the destination he intends to bring me on a date.

I take a glance at Jungwon, admiring how charming he looks in a black button-down blouse that looks compressed on his body with the sleeves pulled back to his elbows, allowing my eyes to appreciate the sight of his veins that look attractive on his forearms and hands. His raven hair falls over his forehead, almost obscuring his eyebrows.

I can't believe that this man is my childhood best friend, and I'm going on a date with him.

Jungwon must've noticed my stare on his countenance, given the fact that he is smirking, but he doesn't look away from the road. "You should take a picture if you plan on staring longer."

I open my mouth to retort, but pauses as I contemplate his suggestion. After I make up my mind, I shrug my shoulders and pull out my phone from my purse before snapping a quick picture of him. He looks taken aback as he stares at me briefly.

"I didn't mean literally." He says, chuckling, while I busily use the picture to change my lock screen wallpaper. He must've peeked at my phone. "The others are going to be so jealous when they see your lock screen."

"Maybe." I grin. "But today is all about you."

"That's right." With my hand held firmly yet tenderly in his hand, he raises it to plant a kiss on my knuckles without tearing his gaze off the road. "I have you all to myself today and many more days to come."

The butterflies in my stomach intensify while my cheeks feel warmer at his charming gesture and how he does it so effortlessly without any consideration for my racing heart.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Jungwon brought me to a cinema for our first destination. He had been wanting to watch this action movie, which I ended up enjoying, but most of all, I enjoyed how he didn't let go of my hand throughout the entire time. Then we went for lunch at a famous restaurant that had tonnes of excellent reviews. We ate, talked, and even laughed as we reminisced about our adolescent years.

Now, we are presently at a mini-fair with a fairly large crowd of people, with our fingers intertwined, while I look around in awe at how pretty the ambience of the festival's lights is under the night. The squealing and cheering sounds from the crowd are discernible, as are the mini-rides the organisation has set up.

"What do you want to do first?" Jungwon asks, drawing my attention back to him.

"Um.." I look around with my lips pursed before my gaze finally lands on the photo booth machines under the tents, and thankfully, there are no queues. I look back at Jungwon with a grin. "Let's go there!"

I don't give him time to respond as I drag him along with me. I've always wanted to take pictures at the carnival photo booths and even had a wish list to go to if I ever had a lover. As soon as we enter, Jungwon inserts a five-dollar note into the machine.

"Hurry, Won!" I say as the screen is counting down from ten. Finally, the camera takes our first shot with just us smiling with my arm around his. For the next shot, I poke his cheek, which he entertains as he purses his lips, feigning annoyance. We continue to take silly shots with each other, our chuckles emitting in the limited space of the photo booth machine.

"Okay, last shot." I turn to look at him with a smile, but my heart lurches in my chest at the moment he cups my cheeks and leans down to press his lips on mine, prompting me to flutter my eyes closed. In an instant, the camera snaps one last shot, but he doesn't pull away.

"Jungwon." I murmur against his lips, attempting to pull back, but he swallows my gasp at the moment he abruptly pulls me close to his body with his arm around my waist. I can't help but melt in his arms and kisses, not caring about anything else.

He backs me up until he has me trapped in between him and the wall behind me. His lips move against mine slowly yet passionately, making me feel like there's a whole damn zoo in my tummy. I gasp once more when he tucks my bottom lip between his teeth, nipping it playfully before resuming kissing me, this time in a sense of urgency, as though he had been dying to do that.

After what feels like eternity, he pulls away, panting lightly as he leans his forehead against mine. "Is it cherry?" He asks in between pants.

"Huh?" I look at him confusedly.

"Your lips, Bubs." His thumb brushes gently on my bottom lip. "Your lips taste like cherry."

"Yeah, it's cherry." I manage to utter, smacking my swollen lips together before mustering a smile. "Do you like cherry?"

"Nah." He chuckles breathily, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "But I guess I'll have to get used to liking it from now on."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

We make out like two hormonal teenagers in his car, with my thighs spread and settled at the sides of his as I sit on top of his lap. The sound of our lips smacking resonates in his car, while the background music sounds faint since he had the volume lowered. One of his hands is holding me at the side of my waist while the other rests leisurely on my bare thigh as my dress has been pulled up just slightly.

How did we even escalate from spending time at the mini-carnival fair, where we had genuine fun, to this? I mean, not that I'm complaining.

A shiver runs down my spine upon his touch on my skin, as does the way he is drawing circles on my thigh. Needing air, I pull away from him, and he attempts to chase me with his lips, but I place my finger against his moist lips, the aftermath of our session.

"You've got to slow down." I tell him with breathy chuckles. "It's not like I'm going anywhere."

"I can't help it." He slowly wraps both of his arms around my waist while his eyes are looking at me like a cat waiting for its treats. "You taste so good, and you feel addictive."

"Oh, do I, now?" I hum lazily as I lean forward to play with the collar of his blouse.

"Yeah. So, so good." He rasps, his dark gaze pinning me in. "Can I kiss you again, please?"

"But my lips need a break." A pout forms on my lips. "See how swollen they are?"

His eyes soften before he heaves a sigh. "Fine. This will do." With his hand holding my back firmly in place, he leans forward and dips his head into my neck. Testing waters, he places a gentle kiss on a specific spot that has me shivering before doing it again.

"You smell good too." He murmurs against my skin. "Everything about you is addictive, Bubs."

I merely hum in response as I tread my fingers lightly through his soft, silky hair, allowing him to do whatever he wants. The intimacy with him holding me and kissing my neck sends a wave of blush to my cheeks as they heat up.

"Wait, shit." Jungwon halts, cussing lowly, before pulling away. A tinge of frustration is written across his face, which brings a frown to my lips. "I got too carried away to the point where I forgot about something important."

I raise my eyebrow at him. "Which is?"

He tucks his bottom lip between his teeth, momentarily looking away from my curious gaze. I allow him to take his time while my fingers are still treading lightly at the back of his hair in an attempt to soothe him.

A sigh leaves his lips before finally returning his gaze to mine. "You're my first love, Stella, and even back then, I knew that I didn't want anyone else to be in my future except you." He says softly, his hand reaching up to caress my cheek tenderly.

"You've seen the worst and the best of me. Even though you're my best friend, I found a lover in you. I didn't want to marry anyone who wasn't you. It's the reason why I fought hard against my father, who dictated my life choices, including whom I married." He continues with a soft smile. I remain silent, all the while my heart is pounding hard against my chest.

"We've been apart for too long, but my heart still wants you even after all this time. The only woman I ever want is you." He leans forward to bump his nose against mine, chucking lightly. "So, Hwang Stella, can I be your boyfriend?"

My heart nearly combusts while the zoo in my tummy goes wild. His eyes search for mine, but they are glistening with unbridled joy. "Yes." I answer with a gleeful smile before I lean in to kiss him hard. "A million times yes, Yang Jungwon."

"Thank God." He sighs into the kiss, slowly pulling away. "I can't imagine how hard I needed to work to win your heart if you said no. But then again, you'd eventually be mine, one way or another."

I shoot him a playful scowl. "Feeling confident, are we now?"

"What can I say?" He shrugs his shoulders, appearing smug. "Confidence is the key."

I roll my eyes, but nonetheless, a smile touches my lips. "So, boyfriend." Playfully, my finger grazes on his chest, moving upward slowly. "Are we still continuing where we left off, or is it time that you take me home?"

A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as he grabs my finger, stopping my movement before he raises it to his lips and kisses the tip. "How about we continue at your place instead, girlfriend?"

PREV CHAP | NEXT CHAP

#enhypen #enhypen poly #enhypen reverse harem #enhypen wattpad #heeseung #jay #jake #sunghoon #sunoo #jungwon #ni-ki

[another-lost-mc]

JES YOU UPDATED, the kids miss you/j

I've been busy doing a lot of nothing, if that makes sense. Well, maybe not nothing - a random assortment of rl and blog odds-and-ends that don't seem very productive but I'm going to call it self-care. lol

(read more cause this got longer than I thought it would.)

I don't usually take March Break off work, but my empty schedule this year surprised me and I didn't really know what to do with myself. I spent the first few days fending off a persistent headache, then I spent some time re-watching Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel while I worked on some crossover/fusion potential with OM. Today the headache is back and I'm dog-sitting which shouldn't be as distracting as it is. (She's only a little Boston Terrier but my cats get all worked up about it even though they're the ones stalking her around the house for no reason.)

I've also been playing Honkai Star Rail. I have no idea what I'm doing but it's kind of fun. I want to give Genshin Impact a try too, but I'm not sure I want to play both. (I know dailies are optional blah blah blah but if I'm going to spend time doing busywork like that, I might as well go back to playing WoW.)

Someone sent me another ask about my current WIPs so I think I'll just ramble about them here.

The canon cast and OC post for surgery!anon. I'm trying to balance fluff and angst and realism and make it comforting at the same time (aka what I would've wanted to read before mine). There's some overlap with a post about Solomon's humanity that's it's own separate WIP.

Naming conventions in the Devildom and CR. These are my worldbuilding ideas to explain how Solomon has an established pact with Bathin (my OC for Mephisto's younger brother) since he's part of the Ars Goetia. This also discusses how those same ideas apply to Luke.

Fleshing out the angel OC stuff with Gabriel and Uriel. They're situated in the AU where MC is sent to the CR for the exchange program and not the Devildom which is why I haven't talked about them much. I have the fem!angel OC as well but I don't know what to name her (I want her to be like Zee where she's an "ordinary" angel). To be fair, she's probably not going to show up much outside of the story I originally wrote for her.

Genderbending-the-OCs anon, you have no idea what this is doing to me. It changes their kinks and their dynamics and how they would approach MC and I am mentally screaming into a pillow right now.

I've been writing directly in my Tumblr drafts lately, but I found a holiday fic for Solomon in my google docs. I thought it was a WIP but then I re-read it and it turns out I actually finished it and somehow forgot about it? Like...how does someone even do that. Anyway, do we want a smutty Solomon Xmas-in-March fic? (It's only holiday-ish because of a corny mistletoe joke on his part.)

On a random note, part of me regrets not making separate blogs for AT and my OCs (for organizational purposes) and I'm lowkey tempted to do it anyway.

If you read all this, you get a prize! Enjoy some chibis that I've been collecting like they're for my OC Pokedex. These are by sempa and ocha respectively.

#jes.replies

[glowwithkristen]

Nurturing Your Well-Being: Signs of Emotional Overwhelm and Calming Affirmations for Self-Care

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to neglect our emotional well-being amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining a healthy mind and body. Recognizing the signs of emotional overwhelm is the first step towards implementing self-care practices into your routine. Additionally, incorporating calming affirmations can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, promoting a more balanced and resilient mindset.

Signs of Emotional Overwhelm

1. **Persistent Stress**: Feeling constantly stressed or on edge, even in situations that wouldn't typically cause stress, could indicate emotional overwhelm.

2. **Difficulty Sleeping**: Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns may signal underlying emotional strain.

3. **Fatigue**: Feeling exhausted despite getting an adequate amount of sleep is a common indicator of emotional overwhelm.

4. **Irritability**: Becoming easily agitated or snapping at others over minor issues could be a sign of underlying emotional distress.

5. **Withdrawal**: Withdrawing from social interactions or activities you once enjoyed can signify emotional exhaustion.

6. **Physical Symptoms**: Headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues may manifest as a result of prolonged emotional stress.

7. **Difficulty Concentrating**: Struggling to focus or make decisions could indicate that your mind is overwhelmed with stress.

Calming Affirmations for Anxiety and Depression

1. **"I am worthy of love and compassion, especially from myself."**

2. **"I embrace each moment with a sense of peace and gratitude."**

3. **"I release all worries and fears, allowing myself to find inner calm."**

4. **"I trust in my ability to overcome challenges, one step at a time."**

5. **"I am capable of handling whatever comes my way with grace and resilience."**

6. **"I honor my emotions and give myself permission to feel without judgment."**

7. **"I choose to focus on the present moment, letting go of past regrets and future uncertainties."**

8. **"I am surrounded by love and support, even in times of darkness."**

9. **"I nourish my mind, body, and soul with kindness and self-care."**

10. **"I am enough, just as I am, and I deserve peace and happiness."

Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining emotional well-being in today's hectic world. By recognizing the signs of emotional overwhelm and incorporating calming affirmations into your daily routine, you can cultivate a sense of inner peace and resilience. Remember, self-care isn't selfish—it's a necessary practice that allows you to show up as the best version of yourself for both yourself and those around you. So, take a moment to breathe, listen to your inner voice, and nurture your well-being with kindness and compassion.

#mental health #aesthetic #self love #self care #self improvement

[rasendamn]

like daylight

🌀 i once believed love would be burning red- but it's golden. 🌀

uzumaki naruto x reader

warning: angst

Rivals (noun): a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity.

-> Synonym: Uzumaki Naruto

He was the bane of my existence; his annoying cackle and proclamations of his future as a Hokage.

Yet, he was as warm as the sun, if not warmer.

His nagging attitude gave me headaches whenever we were together; his protector complex and daily combat challenges.

Yet, his eyes were the most calming shade of blue I have ever beheld.

His constant need to one-up me was tiring; his inability to let me fight for once and prove myself.

Yet, he motivated me to become a better person, like he was always capable of doing with our enemies.

He was someone who never gave up no matter how dumb it seemed; his embarrassing need to persist in what he sets his mind to.

Yet, he lead the world into a new phase of hope.

He gave me hope.

His smile, his hair, his strength, even the whisker-like lines adorning his face. They screamed daylight.

A pure, golden beam of warmth. So addicting, and so, so dangerous.

I would be lying if I said I didn't begin to find him attractive after his 3 year absence from Konoha- and if his ninja way was to never go back on his word, mine was to stay true to everyone else and myself.

You can say that it's shallow: switching up from scoffing, arguing and competing to blushing, bantering and protecting. Why? Because of his looks?

Maybe it is, but one should know that it was his character that illuminated mine. I didn't have a wonderful childhood either. But like a coward, I let myself drown in it, while Naruto swum to survival.

He just happened to be the hand that pulled me out with him.

I don't know when he himself changed his mind about me, but I thank whatever God there is that he did.

And here, even as I lay staring up at the mourning sky, I thank that same God for making me strong enough to protect him. Even if it meant breaking his heart by leaving.

The once searing pain in my stomach subsided, and I like to think it's because he's holding me.

They say that the manner of a Shinobi's death is what measures their character. And what a wonderful way to die.

His tears are blessing my fragile state, and his hands are pouring his life into me, and his eyes are urging me to stay.

And despite all that, all I want to do is memorise every inch of him- his beautiful face, his admirable physique, his can-do attitude. What a wonderful way to die.

"Don't cry."

I hear myself say.

I see my hand cup his battle-ridden face, the dimmest I have ever seen it.

"You'll be okay," I bless him with.

He shakes his head furiously, breathing so intense with quivering lips.

Oh, his lips. One of my favourite things about him. I still remember when he first pulled me in. When both of us could no longer hold back.

Dinner at Ichiraku, like always. Only that we couldn't stop the tension from building up anymore.

He walked me home, even though I lived the opposite direction. We even took our time.

Glances here and there. Hands brushing. Laughs permeating the quiet air.

And when he suggested that the night was still young, he brought us to a breath-taking spot overlooking our village.

We talked. And talked. And talked.

Then, under the moonlight and stars, we told each other what we'd been hiding from each other even as teammates.

And slowly, every so slowly, he pulled me towards him. In that moment, I questioned how I was able to live all these years without him with me like that.

He brings me back from my distractions, telling me to stay awake. Telling me that Sakura will be here soon. Telling me that he can't let me go. That I can't leave him.

"Please."

Who is he begging? Who is he asking mercy from? Who is saving me, when I saved him?

Sasuke, my old friend, the person I used to confide in, the little boy I grew up lonely with. Even he stares in disbelief from a distance.

What have I done?

The question is written all over his face. But I forgive him. I understand his hurt. I just wish it could have gone differently. I think we all do.

I hear Naruto curse Sasuke out. And I feel his arms wrap tighter around me. So I kiss his tears away. But they keep coming. I tell him to find it in his heart to forgive, because my sacrifice was not only for him, but for the boy whom my sympathies went out to as well.

"I can't do this without you," he gulps, holding me with such care, like I could break into a million pieces. With him here? Never.

He makes me complete. Whole. Or half? Since he makes up the other.

"Yes," I smile, "You can."

"No-"

"You must." I urge softly, stroking his whiskers, line by line. Stroking his fluffy blonde hair.

"Please," he begs with my name; I love how he says my name.

"Let me bring you to Sakura-chan."

I shake my head again, holding his hand down as he makes a move to leave his fated battle.

Stubborn as ever. What did I expect?

"I gave you an opening, didn't I?" I say with as much grit as I can, trying to sound like my cocky self, "Now what are you gonna do about it?"

He ignores me, the azure in his eyes roaming my face.

"Please," his tears glisten with so much pain, "I can't let this happen. I just got you- I can't- please- I can't lose you now."

I wipe them away again, not caring if my own ran down my face.

"You always had me, Naruto," I whisper to him, "My heart and all. Ever since your annoying self at thirteen declared you hated me."

He cries even harder, hiding his face from me in agony.

"And you'll never lose me," I bring him back to bless me with his gaze, "You think you can get rid of me this easily?"

We both know what I plan on doing, but this man, this boy, isn't only mine. Everyone looks at him to create change in this dark world.

If he was my beam of hope, then he can be everyone else's.

I reach up, swiping a finger gently against his headband to keep it clean, Konoha's symbol adorning him in pride.

"I'm so proud of you, you know?" I focus on fixing stray blonde strands- he can't end this fight with hair I nagged him to cut in fear of obstruction; turns out I am always right, "I just know you'll make a fine Hokage."

He just watches me, freely crying over me, as if protecting the both of us from the rest of the destruction.

“You know, you’re as beautiful as when I first met you,” he plays with my hair out of habit, smiling in reminiscence.

And it seems, he’s also trying to drink in every single detail of me, unwilling to look away in fear of my departure.

"You liar."

I can't break down anymore. For him. I change the topic, needing to let him know that this? This is inevitable. I would much rather spend my last moments in peace with him.

"I can't wait to meet your parents," my voice cracks, for I can't help it any longer.

He sniffs, fighting against his closing throat.

"They'll love you."

We smile at each other, even daring to share a laugh.

He presses his lips to my forehead with so much love, even if it is the gentlest touch he has ever graced me with, "Just like I love you."

He leans in. I wrap my hand around his neck, and we close our eyes to savour this moment.

"I love you." I proclaim.

I pull back, letting him hear the words I have always wanted to say to him.

"Thank you," I say to him, "For everything. For strengthening me. For loving me. For fighting with me. For fighting for me."

All of my feelings, my unspoken words, my hopes and dreams.

No, he is all of that himself. He is everything I feel, every overwhelming thing I can't bring myself to say, every hope, and every dream.

With these parting words, I kissed him one last time, pouring my all into him.

I feel the power of the Tatsu, hidden in me as the only thing I have of my clan, empowering him; this will do well with Kurama's strength. How I'll miss that sly fox, too.

Both of you, keep each other safe.

Then, he can win as I hold his hand, letting him know that he will never rid of me despite his fears.

The will of fire, like it always has, burns brighter than ever.

For he: my rival, my teammate, my loved one, is the flame of hope.

He is the daylight that this world waits to see once more, over the horizon of a new dawn.

🦊🍥

#naruto x reader #naruto uzumaki #uzumaki naruto #angst #naruto shippuden #Spotify

[darksunrising]

Bard On Bard Violence (5/?)

Masterlist of the Echoes of Faerûn Series

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×

Rating / Warnings : Mature audiences. Slight dubcon in this chapter.

Fandom, Pairing : Baldur's Gate III, Raphael x Tav (focus), Astarion x Tav (background)

Author’s notes : Echo is starting to get used to his newfound warlock powers, when Raphael's next summon comes in early, much too early for what the contract allows. Did he miss a footnote, or is there something fouler at play?

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×

Echo figured after he had gotten some sleep, that he’d be feeling much better. That this uncomfortable tug at his heartstrings was only manufactured by the excitement of the hellish party, and that terrible liquor. Unfortunately, it becomes obvious as he drags himself out of his tent, lured out by the enticing smell of breakfast, that he will not be offered any mercy, save for a persistent headache that does distract somewhat from the emotional turmoil. Not everyone seems to be up - it’s early, the clouds still bearing the bright colors of sunrise. Gale, perfect man that he is, is busy cooking breakfast over the campfire, and Echo can hear the faint sounds of metal on wood indicating Lae’zel has been at her daily training for a while now.

“Did you have fun at the demonic sex party?” Astarion’s voice comes slipping into his ear, as arms do around his waist, planting a little kiss at the back of the tiefling’s neck. Always sneaking, that one, though Echo never gets surprised by him. His perfume sometimes comes before him, and sometimes, it’s a near supernatural instinct that he’s near, a compulsion to turn back and pull him close.

“It wasn’t a sex party”, Echo groans through the little smile floating on his lips. It might have been better if it had been a sex party, at least, he wouldn’t be so confused about that last... interaction, with Raphael.

“I always knew, deep down, that this Cambion was a boring nerd”, the vampire sighs, squeezing his lover to his chest briefly before he lets go. He’s usually not that demonstrative so early in the morning, which Echo has to assume is a tiny bit of possessiveness leaking through. He can’t say he doesn’t enjoy that a little. “Though you do famously have a soft spot for those”, Astarion adds, a bit louder. Echo gives him a playful shove as he gets to the campfire to beg for sustenance to the wizard.

“I love you too, Astarion”, Gale says, handing a plate to Echo when he reaches him.

“Thank you, I owe you my life.” He drops to the ground, legs crossed, and digs in with the hope that some food will manage to eradicate his hangover.

“I would go to Shadowheart, if you are having trouble with processing alcohol”, Gale says with a tone of sage counsel, and the face of teasing mischief.

“Of course, because I would love to tell her to exert herself healing me from my inability to hold one glass of infernal liqueur”, Echo replies in between two bites.

“Well, at least you did not die from it. I know of a warlock, once, who-”

Astarion sighs loudly as he leaves, and Echo gladly sits next to the wizard to listen to him. He’s usually the talkative one, with all the Bard thing, so it’s quite relaxing to listen to someone else, for once. Not that Astarion isn’t chatty, he certainly is, but Gale has an encyclopedic knowledge of tales and trivia that would probably make him a great teacher. It’s also easy to only pay half a mind to what he’s droning on about, and let himself be soothed by the sound of his voice. Gods know he needs the distraction.

× × ×

The merry band of heroic misfits has had quite a few days, since Echo’s first favor to Raphael. He’s had more than one occasion to try out his newfound abilities, delighted to remark how much more easily warlock spells come to him, even those he had started working on learning before striking the deal with Raphael. He’s focused on spells that call for ice, maybe an act of defiance, maybe the Canian blood coursing through his veins, even so far removed. Wyll had been an incredible help mastering the few spells he’d picked, Mizora much less so, now that she enjoyed lounging around at camp like she didn’t have anything better to do.

Whenever the spell he casts calls upon his infernal pact, Echo swears he can see something shift in the rubies dangling from the tip of his horns. He did ask Gale if the ‘gift’ had been enchanted, and the wizard had found no foul play, which didn’t really set his mind at ease. Not that he didn’t trust Gale, but getting repeatedly bent over by forces beyond his comprehension had made him a bit careful, if not downright paranoid at times. Everything about this deal had gone on a little too well, and he knows that Devils, by design, do not make unprofitable deals. That much Mizora had made clear, giving her opinion unprompted.

Raphael’s second letter, arriving much earlier than the contract allows, does set his mind at ease in that sense. So, the Devil had found that loophole. He should be a bit mad about it. Unfortunately, he’s still annoyed he’s been cast out so unceremoniously the last time, and he would enjoy an opportunity to give that Devil a piece of his mind - maybe also on how to respect contracts, since he’s at it. He slips the edge of his bladed tail at the corner of the envelope, and opens it in one fell swoop. He picks the little card out, and reads the words aloud, bracing for the teleportation spell laced within.

The House is now almost familiar, after the party. He knows the corridors, which doors are locked to him, and which are not. He expects to be transported in the main hall, or Raphael’s office, with some prepared, flowery line to greet him. He doesn’t expect a ridiculously large bed, and an equally ridiculously underdressed Raphael lazily lounging on it, his gaze piercing through Echo like fire through paper.

“That’s awfully presomptuous even for you, Raphael”, Echo says, trying not to choke on the words. He’s wearing a harness, and nothing but, for crying out loud, what in the name of- The devil on the bed interrupts the train of thought with a mocking little laugh, wings fluttering behind him.

“Raphael? Oh, do come closer, little mouse, look again”, they taunt him. It is Raphael’s voice, but besides the obvious, something does seem wrong. Their face is too, smooth, youthful, their hair lacks any grey, their eyes his laugh lines, and those between his brows, sculpted after Gods know how long reading contracts at candlelight. Not that Echo’s paid too much attention to all that.

“Who are you?”, Echo asks, not risking a step forward, but refusing to flee either, helpful as it would be since the letters are a one-way trip each time.

The Devil smiles, flashing their teeth as the tips of their forked tongue run over the sharp points. “I am curious, above anything else, about my Master’s new... pet.” They roll that word off their tongue like a delicacy, still keeping that predatory gaze fixated on the little tiefling as they slip off the bed. “You’ve gotten him in quite a state, you know.”

They’re just as tall as Raphael in his non-human form, towering more than a full head of height above Echo, horns and wings nonwithstanding. Every movement is the pinnacle of grace, and they scarcely stays still at all, making it very hard for Echo not to look at their perfectly sculpted body, the hard ridges into their hips, the veins snaking underneath the skin, barely suggesting their heartbeat, slow, strong. He wonders if that too, is a true likeness to Raphael.

“Well, delighted to meet you, Curious Aboveall, I’m Echo”, the tiefling replies, doing a neat little mockery of a bow, and hoping the Devil has a sense of humour, at least. If they do, their response is still to catch Echo’s chin between two fingers, the claw on their thumb digging into his lip.

“Cheeky little thing, aren’t you?”, they purr, their tail brushing against the side of his hip. “I see why he likes you.” There’s a warmth to their skin not even Raphael has, and Echo starts to understand why some bards like to pretend just a smile can fell a man.

“You’re-” His voice pitches higher, involuntarily, before he can catch it. “You’re an incubus, aren’t you?”, he asks, blessed by a sudden insight when he finds himself parting his lips for the stranger, his heartbeat strong and erratic against his ribs.

“And smart, as well! Aren’t you quite the catch?”, the Devil coos, their tail gently slipping to the inside of Echo’s thigh before it retracts, and they let the poor mortal go, circling him like a wolf does a wounded elk. “I’m Haarlep-”, they whisper in his ear when they pass behind him, and does a smooth little twirl, arms and wings opening in what looks like a debauched version of Raphael’s power play, “- Raphael’s personal incubus, and living testament to the man’s vanity.”

Isn’t that a turn of events? Somehow, Echo can’t bring himself to see Raphael have use for an incubus, though the proof seems rather indisputable. He can’t imagine he’d need one, though he considers, shamefully, that his own personal bias regarding that matter may be tainting his thought process. One more intersting, and pressing question, might be what Raphael would be doing summoning Echo into his incubus’ chambers, all the while not respecting the contract’s clauses.

“Well, Haarlep”, Echo starts, trying to regain his usual composure. “Could you perhaps tell me what I’m doing here, considering Raphael is not supposed to summon me until about two days from now, as per our contract?” Legal speak, legal speak, do not look at the Devil’s tits.

“Oh, Raphael didn’t summon you”, Haarlep laughs, and brings a hand to their chest, leaning in a little, almost conspiriatorially. “I did. And I thank your eagerness to respond, it’s only rare Raphael leaves the House for any substantial ammount of time.”

A slight shiver runs down Echo’s spine, though he lets nothing transpire of this. If Raphael is gone, that means he’s in the House, with no means to leave, and without his... Ally? Patron? to help. “You could have come to the party, I was playing for hours”, Echo says, tilting his head to the side.

“I was unsurprisingly banned from that specific event, probably not to disturb your mortal sensibilities”, Haarlep replies, faux-devastated.

“Considering Raphael sent me to kill Yurgir, I don’t think my delicate sensibilities are that high into his priorities.” 

“Anywhoo”, Haarlep dismisses with a sigh, and pulls Echo back to the bed by hooking two fingers into one of his necklaces, prompting a little cry of protest that gets utterly ignored until he’s been pushed into the plush mattress. Haarlep’s large hand pins the tiefling down with humiliating ease, and their smile looks almost hungry. Fortunately for him, something clearly stops working in Echo’s brain to make the distinction between fear and arousal, which is demonstrated on his face by a deep purple blush, and a heartrate that really can’t be good for his health. “I want to know what you did to him.”

Echo’s expression veers into confusion, though it’s still clearly the most subdued of the emotions currently affecting him. “I- I didn’t do anything to him”, Echo protests like he’s on the stand.

“Oh, please”, Haarlep scoffs. “Hours after he dismissed you, he was still pacing his office like a caged feral beast, you must have done something.” The incubus leans in, lips parted, inches from Echo’s face. “I can find more pleasurable ways to make you talk, but you’d be gambling your soul, little mouse”, they purr, low and quiet.

Echo feels like he’s swallowed a lemon, and he’s fairly certain he’ll need a long bath after this, if he ever goes back to camp again. He can’t say he’s not the slightest bit tempted. Haarlep is almost straddling him, they’re so close he can feel their warm breath on his lips, they smell so nice-

“I kissed him”, Echo blurts out, the words almost enough to end that last remaining half-inch between them. “That’s it. He didn’t even seem to enjoy it all that much.”

Haarlep freezes, and for a second, their eyebrows shoot up before they have a deep, throaty laugh and lets themself fall to the side, supporting their head with a folded arm.

“That certainly would do it, yes”, they drawl, shoulders still moved by little chuckles.

“... Would you care to explain a little?”

The incubus, clearly very satisfied with the inner turmoil on Echo’s face, takes their time answering, lasciviously stretching, laying on their back in a way that somehow manages to highlight all their features in the most flattering way. “Raphael does not kiss, darling”, they say, lazily, looking at their nails - shorter on the right hand, Echo notices, of course he does.

“What do you mean?”, Echo presses them, with half a mind to use the same tactics on them, though he doubts he’d have the same effect on an incubus.

“Whenever he needs to fuck someone, he sends me to do the dirty work - and believe me, his clients should be all the happier for it. And he doesn’t kiss me, that’s not the sort of relationship we have.” That one sounds particularly sarcastic, though it doesn’t help Echo understand.

Haarlep pauses, waiting for a response from Echo, and pouts when they get none, the bard, for once, finding himself mute. “You're probably the first person who's kissed him in eons, or Fuck Knows how long. No wonder he was so shaken.”

“I did ask”, Echo blurts out. 

“Even worse”, Harlep replies, voice silky sweet. “Having a choice can be such a burden”, they continue, extending a hand to trace the tiefling's jawline, a claw slipping down his neck. 

“And you would love to spare me that trouble, wouldn't you?” Echo's voice is slightly strangled, though he's not entirely hostile to the idea. 

Haarlep has a deep, silent chuckle, dark and rumbling through their chest. “Oh, far from it, little mouse”, they whisper as they get closer, slipping a thigh in between Echo's, their wings forming an almost protective cocoon around them.

“I would like to make you beg for me”, they purr, slowly pressing themself against Echo's core. “I would have you whimpering my name like a prayer with just my thumb, I would make you discover new Gods with my tongue, I would take your soul for my own and feast on it like the finest dessert...” Their voice is low, deep, every syllable igniting nerves in Echo’s spine, every twitch of his body bringing him closer to making a huge mistake. It’s getting hard to form any coherent thought, especially when the incubus presses their thumb to his lower lip to coax his mouth open.

“Come on... Play with me, pretty please?”

The sound Echo makes in response is unsuitable for any and all kinds of audiences, and his hand quickly finds one of the many leather straps of Haarlep’s harness to pull them in and close the last inch of distance between them. The incubus has an ominous little laugh against the tiefling’s lips, and tips his jaw open to slip their forked tongue in, enthusiastically welcomed by an eager sigh. Echo doesn’t understand immediately the gravity of that particular mistake. Only when the first spark of electricity runs down his spine and makes him arch his back and roll his hips into Haarlep’s, only when he starts feeling so empty he almost begs, does he remember. Haarlep is an incubus, and they laugh, a delightful, if slightly mocking sound.

“Such a shame, such a shame dear Raphael is not here to save you”, they murmur in Echo’s ear, their clawed hand lightly scratching its way down Echo’s body, reaching for a thigh to splay it aside and run their thumb between his legs, pressing the thin fabric of his pants in until the poor tiefling whines.

“I don’t think- mmmh-” Echo starts, suddenly interrupted when the incubus’ expert hand easily finds the area to focus themself on, rubbing lazy circles through the fabric as it soaks itself in his juices. “- I don’t think he’ll be- plea-ased if you- if I-” It’s getting increasingly challenging to not only talk without interrupting himself with humiliatingly keen noises, but form full sentences in his mind before trying to utter them.

“I can take Raphael’s punishments”, they reassure him with a predatory grin. “Especially if that means I get to enjoy your body before he can.”

He could push them off. He could try, at least, do something else but let his body respond to the little impulses led by Haarlep’s spittle. Arch your back. Grind on his fingers. Beg for more. Whimper their name, worship their mouth, pull them closer, closer~

“I would remind you it’s very impolite to play with your food, but I assume the barest sense of decorum would be lost on an incubus.”

The voice reache’s Echo’s ear while the other is busy with Haarlep’s little praises. He tips his head to the side to find the disapproving glare of Raphael, embers still dancing around his human form, arms crossed over his chest. You’d assume the dread that seizes the tiefling like a cold hand reaching through his body to tug at his guts would manage to choke the moans out of his throat. It doesn’t, and he can only keep his hands to Haarlep’s shoulders like he actually did anything to stop the incubus.

“Raphael, what a nice surprise! You usually don’t rush home so fast”, Haarlep teases, utterly undisturbed, completely ignoring Echo’s squirming and attempts to close his legs.

“Get out”, Raphael sighs, with a little nod towards the door. “My lenience has its limits.” It’s evident there’s an ammount of controlled anger in the Cambion’s voice, though it’s still unclear to Echo who that anger is directed towards. Haarlep pouts, though they do remove their hand from Echo - with a last little press to make him squeak -, not breaking eye contact with Raphael as they lick their fingers clean. They remove themself from the bed, and wink at the still trembling, discarded tiefling before they walk out, dramatically slamming the door behind them.

The sound reverberates in the room, and it takes Echo a little to gather himself enough to sit up, and look in Raphael’s general direction, absolutely refusing to entertain the idea of looking him in the eye.

“I’m sorry-”

“Did they hurt-”

The voices rise and fall in unison, leaving the room in empty silence once again. Echo sighs, hands plastered to his face for a second to try and tone down the burn he feels all over it.

“I... Don’t know how that happened, I feel...” He has a dry laugh. “... Ashamed would be a weak word for it.” Humiliated, horrified, very keen to disappear into the ground. Especially since he still feels that burning stir in his body, desperately yearning for the touch they’ve been denied.

“You were tricked by an incubus”, Raphael replies, with only the barest hint of a smile on his lips. “Many mortals have befallen the same fate, and I do not hold you responsible for it... Though I am a tad disappointed you fell for it.”

“Hey, I had no clue anyone but you could summon me!”, Echo replies, suddenly finding the energy to bitch through sheer indignation.

Raphael’s made his way to the bed, leaning on one of the posts, one eyebrow cocked. “Do you think I would be so quick to disrespect the terms we set for our contract, my dear?”, he asks, looking down at the tiefling with the same unaffected manner he usually does. That little word has the same effect it always does.

“I figured you managed to work a loophole into the final document. I came to yell at you, originally.”

“So, what you assumed then, is that I was both dishonest, and so uttely addicted to your presence I could not wait even two days before calling upon your services once more?”, Raphael replies, tilting his head to the side. He tuts in mock disapproval, and the look on his face goes right to Echo’s core.

“You know-”, Echo starts, pointing at the Cambion with little regard to the disparity in power. “- It’s so unfair to be like this when I-” He interrupts himself with a little huff, tail thumping at the bedding before he can focus enough to will it still.

Raphael has a proper laugh, still mockingly insulting enough to make something stir in the poor tiefling. “I enjoy you, but I am still a Devil”, he starts, before leaning in closer. His smell is intoxicating, the earthy, heady aroma deliciously underlined by saccharine notes of cherry. “My very Nature dictates I should take advantage”, he hums, seemingly enjoying putting Echo through metaphorical Hells as well.

“Will you?”, Echo replies, unable to look away from the warm, brown, distressingly human eyes staring down at him, or to disguise the desperation in his tone.

Raphael hums. “Haarlep has gifted you with a need you can only quench through time or release”, he muses, eyes dipping to the tiefling’s mouth with languid obviousness. “... But I do not make a habit of finishing my incubus’ meals myself”, he finishes, standing back straight, and raising a hand ready to snap his fingers.

“Raphael, please-”, Echo blurts out, resenting how pathetic he sounds.

“I look forward to our next meeting”, he says, ignoring his pleas save for donning a very self-satisfied smile, and snaps Echo back to his tent.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×

Comments are super appreciated, and you can dm me if you want to be on the taglist if that’s still a thing people do!

#baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 fanfic #raphael bg3 #raphael x tav #haarlep #haarlep x tav #astarion x tav #astarion #fanfiction #bard on bard violence #echoes of faerun

[letitrainathousandflames]

"...and then, in the end, Rey sighs and says 'Skywalker' The end."

At that point, Han had been already zoned out for the past fifteen minutes, absently fidgeting with the dice in his hands.

Leia had her face in her hands and kept massaging her forehead as if trying to get rid of a persistent headache.

Chewie let out a low thrill that had made C3PO gasp, for no other of the several languages he was fluent in had such a harsh string of swear words. Artoo, however, warbled in agreement with a profanity of his own.

And Luke, well. Last time anyone had seen him this horrified, he had just learned that Darth Vader was his father.

Lando, sitting across of them on the table - surrounded by several sheets of flimsi, datapads and differently sided dice - looked between his friends nervously.

"So uh... how did you like our first campaign, you guys?"

Leia's words came muffled through her hands.

"'Let's play this fun game I learned of in Corellia', you said, 'it's called dungeons and zillos, and we can make up characters to have fun with', you said..."

"W-well." Lando shrugged, offering an uncertain smile "Wasn't it fun?"

Leia whipped her face up, weary after a week of daily reunions with the group and controlling her character - a girl named Rey - by tossing dice around and making increasingly terrible choices thanks to the increasingly terrible twists and turns in the narrative they were forced to follow.

"Being trapped in a trash compactor about to crush me to death was more fun than that, Lando!" Han screamed, shoving the small figurine of his likeness at the other man’s face “I got kriffing killed by that sick evil banthashit of a son you created for me!”

“And so did I!” Luke chimes in, scoffing at his own figurine “And you made me wear the same ugly old robes the entire time I was there! Then you gave us those other characters to play with, Finn and Poe, and then you pushed us out of the storyline to have that Kyle-”

“Kylo” Lando corrects him with a wince

“Kylo whatever try to push a romance with Rey-”

“As if I would raise that creep of a son!” Leia interjects angrily, squeezing her Rey figurine in her hand “And honestly? My girl Rey should’ve killed that wannabe-darth vader dead on the spot!”

“C’mon, you guys!” Lando defends himself “At least the plot was good!”

Amidst the angry yelling that followed, Threepio piped up:

“Master Lando, if I may, I’m afraid ‘Rey Palpatine’ does not configure what could be called a good plot.”

Artoo whistled something that could be roughly translated as “yeah, no shit.”

#minific #anti sequel trilogy #never happened #neeeever happeneeeed

[siremasterlawrence]

Humiliating The Man Of Steel Part 1/2

Clark Kent has no idea why he woke up at exactly at 11 am on a Sunday morning in the midst of the sunlight.

He finds himself rolling off the bed onto his feet slipping into his slippers he lifts up onto his feet.

Now standing at full length his shadow long in length towers over him as he walks off into the kitchen.

He feels a sense attacking his mind taking the form of constant flashed consistently over powering him.

The power draws him down bending over a headache persisting on he falls to his knees in utter excruciating pain.

His hands immediately reaching for his lean perfectly size forehead starting to shake his head to drown the noise.

The noise is constantly ricocheting over and over again bouncing from side to side of his brain.

He tries to ignore it turning on the television screen a buzzing sound erupts with static sounds and black and white screen.

The pan fell from his hand onto the floor it spins out of control slamming to the floor splashing the bacon and eggs everywhere.

In a instant the light bulb in his mind drains of all energy buzzing out of control it shatter into a million pieces.

The shards spread through remnants of his mind bringing him to a holt the sound calls to him.

His feet are moving automatically without

a second guess propelling him closer and closer to the screen.

He knelt down in front of television screen in truly amazing absolution his body falls back like a rock.

Clark rises to his feet in a zombified state

he races to the window jumping out of the window he launches into the sky.

He flew off soaring in the sky a man views his every move from the giant glass globe of epic proportions.

The sunlight radiating over him shining so brightly energizing him to face whatever foe he dares.

The man smirks in a sexy superhero blue suit, gold mask, gloves and gold boots to match.

He is quite stunning, young, handsome, and nerdy black villain building a collection of hero’s.

At the daily planet Clark sweeps into the main building through a open window and walks into the hallway.

He enters the main office making a bee line to his future wife and co-worker Lois Lanes desk with a wicked smile.

Lois raises upward to his feet staring at him so lovingly, she is unable to see the truth that he is corrupted.

“What’s up Smallville? You are late.” She ask him thinking he is the same guy she always knew.

“I came here for you to give me interview my darling. One that will change the path of this world forever.” Clark whispers.

Lois Lane is a world renown reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper grabbing a pen and pad while a video records them for live tv play back.

Lois is horrified by the strange things Clark is saying about how horrific human lives are and how useless people can be.

Clark floats into the air holding his breath in then using his super breath blow the entirety of this building apart.

Clark laughs evilly letting his voice harshly reverberating through the city in resounding fiery passion of hate. The citizens and a crew of reporters stare in horror.

The fear, screams and the share nightmare of a scene he is witnessing before himself breaks him from his streak of villainy.

Clark freaks out in pain his eyes water then burn up with laser vision shooting towards space and he burst out in a cry.

The tears slowly stream down his face at the sight of Perry, Lois, Jimmy and both of his parents laying lifeless on the floor.

A darkness covers the area in a pitch black cloud of darkness water pours raining down on him.

Clark is snap back to reality to see a young African American man standing on a huge building across from him.

Clark flew over to him landing on the roof top to face him head on standing toe to toe.

“Who are you? Why are you doing this?”

“You figured that out fast, you may call me

Blue Cosmic for now.”

“How did you manipulate me into doing this?”

“You are easily controlled with magic or mind control you fool.”

“Truth be told all I did is unleash the real you from within.”

“You will never control me and you shall never own me.”

“My power is running deep into your blood.”

“Your veins are popping all of your dna is transforming.”

“My influence coursing at super speed into that mind of yours.”

“I no longer need to hold back at least with you than.”

“Feel the pain of thousand suns.”

“I am The Last Son of Krypton.”

“I know all of your tricks now”

“You can’t best me again”

“Are you quite sure about it?”

“Cracking your bones”

“You seem to be embracing the darkness “

“Shut up!”

Superman had enough leaps into the air with one punch he hits me head on sending me flying.

My body due to a punch boroughs a wide hole into a massive rock formation as rubble falls onto me.

He lands on the ground his red boots can be seen from miles away, I punch the rubble till it’s nothing.

Once I am on my feet again Clark positions himself to fight me Instead I snap my fingers with a loud clap to it.

The sound is a rush air pooling to gather past Clark reshaping a portal behind him.

The portal opens up using his own strength against him he drains Clark shoving him into the portal.

Clark is thrust forward into a spiral void of nothingness and everything all at once.

His life plays on constant reminder of what he once had and who he no longer is.

The world hates him now, people are lost in sea to terror and he is at the mercy of this man.

“You poor fool Clark”

“You could have anyone and anything “

“Be a criminal like you”

“I am no criminal “

“No thanks!”

“Even now you resist”

“I will never give in”

“I will never give up”

“Fuck you!”

“Fall into the void”

“Succumb to it”

“Be one with the void”

“Yyyyyeeeeesss”

“No I cannot…I won’t “

“You have no choice “

“I will escape this”

“I will bring you to justice”

“I will win, truth and justice always does.”

Falling from the void Clark lands onto a odd plain of existence where time itself does not exist.

“Welcome Superman!”

“You can’t use your power”

“There is no sun”

“You have been stripped of your power.”

“You fail to be victorious now.”

“All this free will comes crushing you down”

“I am all that encompasses this.”

“This reality can’t hold me back”

“The Man Of Steel can’t be defeated.”

“You have so much more to learn.”

“As if you can teach me”

“Will see bitch.”

The end

#Hypno Succumbing

[psykoticrefuge]

DIY

Content warning: discussion of biohacking and both medical and slang terminology of sensitive areas

<--><--><--><--><--><--><--><--><-->

Not only do I like to science stuff, the PDA (persistent need for autonomy <or> pathological demand avoidance) tism type brain is a big, do it yourself kinda vibe. And as such I've ordered some progesterone cream to stimulate breast growth.

You wanna science along? Come with.

Background stats:

9 months HRT

8 of which was sublingual estradiol 2mg thrice daily (if you remember a previous post I had extra and was taking 4 pills a day and felt amazing)

Spironolactone 50mg twice a day

3 weeks in on depo estradiol injections

First week: 0.3ml/5mg and the last day was BRUTAL

Past two weeks: 0.4ml/5mg and feeling good

I do have an endo prescribing Spiro and E but reluctant to do prog yet

Cis women in immediate blood family and extended are typically gifted in the bewb department

Currently a tanner 3 tanner 4 cusp, unknown cup and band size

I've used the cream two days now and let's talk turkey:

I ordered the cream from Amazon and it's bio identical progesterone from yams. Smells great. Bottle says to use one pump (1.3g of cream) once or twice a day on soft skin areas. I started the same day as shot day and I'm applying the cream evenly between both breasts twice a day. The bottle also says to cycle it depending on menopausal or not. No instructions for trans folk. I'm doing this off of research and anecdotal evidence.

Today was a rough mental health day, combined with a rough physical pain day. Unsure if mood affected by introduction of new hormone. Over the last 3 weeks day 2-4 after injection are usually higher days. But also it's a very heavy time to be trans so again, can't make pure judgement call on mood effects. The nipples are more sensitive, like I can feel subtle movements of my top while I breathe. I'm prone to headaches and there is a listed migraine warning but so far no worries in that department. I probably won't post updates daily but will keep track of progress and write about it.

#trans #trans pride #transgender #diy hrt #progesterone cream #progesterone #biohacking #self science #mtf #nonbinary #transfemme

[bones-sprouts]

help i have written like 700 words about my version of venus de milo on a monday night

venus has always been the best. always. shes the smartest, the fastest, the most versatile.

she was invaluable.

she would never be cast aside for someone else because there was no one who could replace her. even so, she was always pushing herself to the limit, desperate to not be surpassed by anyone else.

her powers developing was the best thing that ever happened to her. a new skill! a new skill that she, and she alone, possessed! 

she practiced at it constantly with usagi, prying into people's minds to see what they held within. mama would be proud. she would be the best forever.

her powers developing was the worst thing that ever happened to her. it started with tremors in her legs and sharp-as-glass headaches. they were easy to ignore, at first. then, there was an accident.

she'd been training with donnie and mikey when she felt her legs begin to give out. she ignored them and pushed harder, just as she had always done. her head felt like it would burst. she persisted. her nose started pouring blood. 

the others stopped her.

she spoke to draxum after mikey begged her to find what was wrong. she told him her symptoms, and he gave her a face unlike any she'd seen before. one of pity.

"child," he started, small and regretful, "i am so sorry. when i made the five of you, i failed to consider some.. logistical issues."

he told her mystic energy was meant to be drawn from the outside world, but he'd been arrogant. he made her have to draw her power from within so she could gain access to the mind more efficiently.

he told her it was killing her. her system revolted against the power draw and started attacking itself. the power itself fried her from the inside out.

he told her she had to stop, but the effects would still be lifelong.

she didn't listen.

she kept training, training, training. she could take it. maybe others weren't able to draw power from within, but she was different. she was made for this. she was the best.

the only one who would agree to help her was donnie. the others were cowards who made arbitrary limits, like they knew her body better than she did. the two of them worked constantly, pushing to become better. worthy. loved. normal. powerful. 

she kept going on missions for big mama, and rose the ranks until she was practically second in command. her powers were undoubtedly the reason. yet another reason why she shouldn't stop.

during one such mission, as she tried prying into the head of some rival mafioso, she felt the tremors and the headache and the nosebleed and the worst stabbing pains in her stomach and her chest that she'd ever experienced. it was like a dull, rusty knife was clawing its way down her guts.

she fell to the floor. 

she woke up several days later, on a hospital bed.

while she'd been out, shit had clearly gone down. everyone was bruised, bandaged, and had a dull sheen in the eyes.

she wanted to know what was going on. she tried to use her powers to read someone, but they wouldn't function. she felt like a part of her was missing.

they explained that she'd burned herself all the way out. her body started heavily reacting, and when big mama found out her star soldier was down, she took drastic measures.

the moment venus wasn't the best anymore, she tried to seize the power for herself. drain it right out of her pathetic lackey. there had been a battle, a bang, and now she was here.

her power was gone. not only that, but it seemed her body was still rebelling like something was wrong. she was told that she would likely stay that way. that she could manage it, but never defeat it.

she didn't know if she could handle that. she could slay any other enemy, solve any other problem, eliminate any other threat in an instant. but this wasn't any other problem.

her joints hurt, sometimes so much so that she couldn't stand. her stomach sent pain unlike anything else on the daily. she stood much less of a chance in training than she ever had before.

she wasn't the best. she would never be the best again. 

could she live with that?

#venus de milo #venus #bauau content #bauau #sprouts writes #shaking like a small dog. thoughts brain got me for a minute

[nyheadache]

New Daily Persistent Headache is very treatable

New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is condition that is defined solely by the fact that the headache begins suddenly one day and does not go away. There are no scientific studies to suggest possible underlying mechanisms or treatments. Some patients develop it after a viral infection while others, after a period of stress and many with no apparent trigger. In my latest book, I mentioned how a…

View On WordPress

[akindplace]

I have been having terrible migraines. I am having difficulty typing, walking, talking, and I am falling a lot because of the dizziness. I am on medication for it and hopefully it will go away during this week.

My migraines are not just a simple headache. They are called refractory migraine (there is some scientific debate on the name of the disease and how to treat it since people who have it don't respond to most treatments).

"The term refractory migraine has been used to describe persistent headache that is difficult to treat or fails to respond to standard and/or aggressive treatments. This subgroup of migraine patients are generally highly disabled and experience impaired quality of life, despite optimal treatments."

This is an article that talks about the disease and how hard it can be to define it and the difficulty in treating it. I recommend reading it if you have constant migraines that impair your daily life, maybe it can help you understand what's going on and you might feel encouraged to seek help.

[thistransient]

- There’s a new building going up across from the southbound platform of my MRT station- this morning I watched a man wearing full PPE and a harness with tether carefully clip and unclip himself as he made his way along a beam to adjust some snagged safety netting. I mused that I was definitely not in Thailand anymore. 

- Yesterday after two weeks of increasingly migraine-esque headaches my brain decided to take more drastic measures and I had an equally interesting and unpleasant experience that involved a tolerable level of pain but an intolerable amount of nausea, dizziness, brain fog, mood swing, numbness, and the general sensation that Something Was Not Right. The fact that I was doubled over with my head between my knees did not seem to hold any significance for my activity partner at the moment, who persisted in prompting me to contribute sentences despite my earlier statement that I would not be participating and she could write whatever she liked (she’s a competent heritage speaker with better Chinese than me! I would also bet money she’s further down the ASD spectrum than me too). By the break I had reached my limit and told the teacher I needed to leave.

- Did I go home though? No. Leaving the classroom (and the torturous group activity) improved things enough that I decided to forge ahead with my plan to go file for my residency visa (since I’d already brought all the documents and steeled myself spiritually). Despite having been to the Bureau of Consular Affairs previously on another mission, I managed (unsurprisingly) to get mixed up and go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (different building, similar name in Chinese, and evidently the target of enough confusion that they had a tearaway pad of little maps with the route to the proper location clearly outlined). The Bureau of Consular Affairs is not as efficiently designed as the Immigration Office. It is easy to take a queue ticket from the wrong ticket dispensing machine if the proper one is obscured by someone standing or sitting in front of it, and if one cannot read the text on said ticket or is not closely examining the labels of the counter windows, one may sit there waiting for Visa Services despite holding a ticket for Document Authentication. I figured this out after a few minutes, though largely by luck because my phone battery was dwindling and I was desperate for other things to stare at. The foreign (I would have said western if I hadn’t seen her passport from slightly southeast of Europe) girl in the queue with me did not (despite speaking decent Chinese on the phone), and had a hysterical fit (in English) when the Document Authentication man told her to start over. On one hand, it was slow, it took over two hours to get from #29 when I arrived to my #40, and she claimed she was here on her lunch break, on the other hand there’s no need to yell so loudly about it that everyone learns this information.

- The course of true love never did run smooth, when I finally got to the sole counter window providing Visa Services I was told to present the card attached to the U.S. bank account I’d provided as evidence of financial support, plus ATM receipts proving I could actually withdraw funds in Taiwan. Naturally it was in a drawer in my room because I use my Taiwanese bank card for daily expenditures. I went home to get it. I also went to an ATM inside an HSBC branch (no currency conversion fee) and while I was putting away my receipt I looked up to see one of the bankers on the phone pointing directly at me and giving what could only have been my description (I caught the colour of my shirt) which was baffling because...is it a crime to use a bank ATM? If it was, there was a guard right by the door, who had in fact opened it for me? Was I totally mistaken about what was going on? I honestly couldn’t be arsed and didn’t stick around to find out. Back at the Bureau, I refused to give a photocopy of the back side of my card because for some reason the new ones this year have got the name, number, and security code all together. If this causes problems later, I will argue about it, but for now I’ve got a receipt to go pick my passport up in two weeks, fingers crossed.

- Finally I went home, did not go out again, did not do any homework, fell asleep around 21:40, and woke up at 7:12 which was very fortunate because I’d apparently neglected to set any of my usual morning alarms. Today the headache was still lurking behind my right eyeball but was chastised easily enough with an ibuprofen and I made it through class. I have grand plans to do absolutely nothing this weekend. No language exchanges. No adventures (except maybe to the baozi stand, to prove I can consume a chocolate-filled 包子 without dripping it completely down my shirt this time). No strenuous brain activities, no bright noisy public places, no risky foods. Preferably no staying up past ten. They really weren’t lying about the sign:

#i know all of this sounds like a bad time #but this week i also discovered my school's lone single user gender friendly accessible bathroom #lurking in the far corner of the disused 5th floor #which has made up for everything else #maybe the banker lady just really loved my shirt and was calling all her colleagues about it idk #it was blue plaid i got in at a uniqlo in the Gimpo Airport Mall ten years ago