#needless to say these took me 2 centuries

[sunnysidewrites]

Demon prince!Seungcheol

Inspired by this prompt: “I’m a demon, not a hot water bottle. Stop cuddling me.” “But you’re so warm.” “Like hell. Fire, brimstone, eternal burning.” It had absolutely no effect whatsoever, and the demon sighed, wrapping one arm around the other. This is my re-debut (although not sure if this counts as a re-debut or if it's just a one-time thing) after nearly a 6-year hiatus and needless to say I am extremely nervous and excited!!! (talking in idol terms luv that) I am hoping that also means my writing quality has matured as well (I think??? or not but guess we will find out)! This is for everyone who knew me back then and is still around to see this play out! sorry if it's not the best i am EXTREMELY rusty but hope you enjoy lovelies <3333

wow omg it’s great to dive into writing after so long im getting emotional

you know the drill folks let’s get to it!!

Humans and demons have lived in co-existence for centuries and it’s more or less a chaotic neutral environment given the unique circumstances of these 2 different… races?

It can be difficult to distinguish the demons with the humans since they try to blend in seamlessly for their own sense of peace and security

Despite a big chunk of demons integrating with humans, there are still parts around the world, albeit small, where they have their own territory to control

They usually operate in more traditional political systems, such as still maintaining kings and queens

Humans can live there as well, but it is predominantly demons who are seen as the norm and the former as commoners/lower class

You happen to be one of the lowly commoners who have been working as a maid in the castle since you were young

you and Seungcheol, the Crown Prince, were actually kinda close as kids!!

you could tell all he wanted to do was let loose and have fun but was forced to follow the rules and take everything seriously 24/7

even as a 5 y/o you could see how much he yearned to be a regular kid but duty calls :”((

there were many times you hung out together in secrecy since you as a lowly maid could not be caught DEAD associating yourself with someone of such a high status

and add being human on top of that!! <3

But Seungcheol didn’t care you were literally his first and only friend at the time

Any time a guard looked for him, he and you would duck somewhere to hide together, stifling your smol little giggles im dead

As he grew up and more burdens were placed on his shoulders, you could no longer keep the same innocent, playful friendship between the two of you

Your interactions with him went from running around in the garden to stealing quick looks at each other when you passed by him in the hallways

He went from a happy lil child to a very assertive, stoic man who always picked his kingdom over anything

Despite his new persona, he would occasionally still show you very rare displays of fondness??

You would sometimes randomly find gifts on your bed with a note and well it doesn’t take a genius to know who it’s from

“I swiped the last cookie for you before Penny stole it and I know you would become a demon yourself if someone took your sweets”

“I noticed your uniform was ragged and a little ripped so here’s a new set. be more careful or our next encounter won’t be as pleasant”

“Here’s an extra blanket loser don’t freeze to death on me”

Your heart feels warm knowing that he still shows you his softer side to you while he’s practically a statue to everyone else

Now you were both in your mid-twenties and he’s been busier than ever with political meetings and social gatherings

You were his main maid since out of all of the staff, you were the only one who could really put up with his absurd requests and got along with him in a manner no other maid could, even the older ladies

There were times he summoned you to his headquarters for the sole reason of wanting some company

He would bring up some dumb question and you would be like no offense but this is kinda useless

But little did you know he would do that intentionally to see you crack a little smile, maybe even a laugh in there since he’s been seeing you look more despondent lately

“Even though we can’t run around the palace like how we did as kids, I’m still here. I’m the same Seungcheol – well, actually not really but I still look out for your wellbeing”

“Thanks, not-the-same-Seungcheol”

It’s rumored that the Crown Prince is coming of age to take over the throne soon, but before doing so he needs to find a bride yes it’s one of those tropes ok deal with it

You’re cleaning the hallways one day with some other maids and you can’t help but overhear their gossip

“Did you hear Prince Seungcheol is now engaged??? I think it was just last week”

Your ears perk up and your scrubbing slows down slightly so you can focus on their conversation

“Yeah, I heard the woman is a princess from some neighboring kingdom… It’s really hitting soon that he’ll be the new king”

“I don’t know how long she is going to last… he’s so cold and doesn’t seem to care about anyone. but what can you expect from a demon?” 

They both giggle and move to another room to continue cleaning and you can’t help but feel fired up from the way they were talking about him as if they knew anything about him

Sure, he was not really the friendliest and was very brutally honest with his curt words but it didn’t make him a bad person

Your heart aches after hearing the news and you recall a past talk you had with Seungcheol when you were younger

“Do you believe in love?” you asked him, the both of you lying down on the grass while looking up at the vibrantly blue sky

“Pshh, not really. Father always said marriage is for the people, not for love”

“But shouldn’t you love someone in order to marry them? you will be spending the rest of your life with them”

“I don’t think that is what he wants from me. I would be letting him down”

“Is that what you really want, though? to be stuck with someone you have no feelings for?”

he sighs deeply and looks down. “Well, I guess not… I do care a lot for someone”

your heart dropped. guess he already has his eyes set on someone else. “o-oh, well that wouldn’t be fair to you or to them right?”

he shakes his head, quickly glancing at you before looking away. “but it wouldn’t work out anyway. I wouldn’t want to drag them into the mess of my world. I want them to be free of what I go through. I just hope they know I’ll always care for them from afar.”

You shake your head out of a daze, painfully reminded of how raw that moment still feels

I wonder if he still cares for that person he mentioned, you think to yourself as you continue scrubbing the tiles. But what does it matter now that his future is sealed with someone else?

Shortly after that day, it was formally announced to the kingdom that the Crown Prince and the soon-to-be Crown Princess will be holding a wedding ceremony in just a short few weeks

On the outside, you smile politely and clap your hands but it takes every fiber of your being to not want to fling the door to your cramped bedroom and collapse on your bed and spill the tears you were desperately attempting to hold in 

As you stared at him and his fiancee out the balcony waving to everyone, you swear you thought you saw him give you a forlorn look that lasted for a millisecond before he returned to his usual expressionless state

From that moment on, you barely saw Seungcheol at all

This man was constantly getting pulled in all different directions, especially with the royal wedding around the corner

The night before his big day, he summons you to his room again and your mind is buzzing with loads of thoughts of what he could possibly want to talk to you about

You cautiously enter and close the door slowly before turning back towards him

He looks more disheveled than usual, his hair tousled, his usual prince attire crinkled and slightly unbuttoned

“You look stressed, what's wrong??”

He closes his eyes and sighs for a moment before slowly opening them again and says while still not making eye contact with you, “I… I feel like I’ll have so many regrets once tomorrow comes”

You’re like why is that??

“Do you remember me mentioning I cared a lot about someone back then?”

Your heart drops to your stomach. “Yes… why?” thanks for the reminder

“I keep thinking about them… and all of these what-ifs. I know I can’t do anything about it, but–”

“Of course you can do something about it! I know you’re a stickler for the rules, but if the cost is your happiness, is it really well worth it?”

He shakes his head, looking even more troubled than before. “I can’t risk putting them in that position. Yet I… I want to,” he articulates slowly, as if it’s only dawning on him now that he’s finally learned what he truly feels

You feel as if the waves of heartache and anguish are drowning you but you try to be strong for him and present a smile if not for him, then for yourself

“I think you know what you need to do, Seungcheol”

And with those words, you quietly bow out and make your way to your room

The next morning, you wake up with puffy eyes from crying all night and begrudgingly get out of bed to get ready for the busy day ahead

After a hectic morning and afternoon, the ceremony finally begins

The moment we’re all waiting for is “Speak now or forever hold your peace”

And the most baffling thing happens because it’s not you who speaks up, not some secret lover, not some random citizen in the audience

but it’s Seungcheol himself

“Wait – I don’t think I can go through with this”

SCANDALOUSSSS

That’s right, he causes a whole uproar and everyone is like what tf is he talking about?!?!?

You are unfazed to a certain degree due to the conversation you had with him last night but you’re still confused on where this is going to go

Never in a million years would you have imagined for him to say his next words

“I’m in love with someone else: Y/N”

And all the maids around you gasp like WHAT. IS. HE. TALKING. ABOUT.

You aren’t sure whether to feel mortified or happy but whatever it is, all eyes are now on you

The current King is like MISTER?? WITH A H U M A N????

“I know it’s never been done before, having a demon and a human marry each other. but I’m tired of always having to do the right thing and for once, I want to do something that is right but for myself”

You’re looking at him in complete bewilderment and disbelief like you were talking about me this whole time??!!

“If we can prove that humans and demons can come together, it’ll be a huge stepping stone politically for everyone involved. I can’t change how I feel about her but I can change our worlds with her by my side”

He makes his way towards you and grabs your hand and this time he does not break eye contact even once

“I want to be with y/n, and no one else”

You’re melting like putty in his arms it’s honestly really sweet!!!

The King eventually caves in although he’s obviously not happy with all of their efforts wasted but he’s cool enough to welcome in this new change

Everyone’s reactions are pretty mixed understandably but they don’t seem like they hate it which is probably the best reaction you’re gonna get

“You’re not asking for my hand in marriage are you?? bc that’s a little too quick on a first date”

He shrugs and nonchalantly says, “Not until you’re ready” JESUSLFSJDS

The rest of the day is a whirlwind of crazy events that you get caught up in as the Crown Prince’s new lover now 

By the time it’s time for bed, he summons you for the last time as you being a maid and not as a Girlfriend

Well turns out he’s actually a big baby and the whole time he tried to conceal his feelings for you all he wanted was for you to be by his side pshh lame amiright

“You sure move fast with wanting me to be in your bed already and we haven’t even gone on an actual date yet”

“Shut up and just lay beside me”

After you turn off the lights and get under the covers, you can’t help but notice he’s extremely hot (literally and physically) and considering it’s 20 degrees you’re taking all of that warmth

Of course, Seungcheol tries to make it a big deal and get you off of him even tho he secretly enjoys it

“I’m a demon, not a hot water bottle. Stop cuddling me.”

“But you’re so warm.”

“Like hell. Fire, brimstone, eternal burning” 

Like that was gonna stop you who does he think he is for putting you through all of this and at the very least not giving you some cuddles???

He sighs and wraps one arm around the other after he notices your breathing slowing down

“I don’t have to care about you from afar anymore,” he murmurs, brushing your hair out of your face before also slowly losing consciousness

#my post #seventeen #seventeen seungcheol #seventeen scoups #seungcheol #scoups #seventeen imagines #seventeen scenarios #seventeen headcanons #seventeen au #seungcheol imagines #seungcheol scenarios #seungcheol headcanons #seungcheol au #scoups imagines #scoups scenarios #scoups headcanons #scoups au #demon au #demon prince au #demon prince!seungcheol #demon!seungcheol #demon prince!scoups #demon!scoups

[sotwk]

I just read "A stab to the heart", and first of all, I loved it, just... perfect! The way the Thranduil is so worried for her and he can sense when she wakes up is just way too good for me!

Honestly, the last line of the fic: "We saw ada frightened" just hit me so deep that I had to come here. So, I didn't check to see if you have already written about this in the headcannons masterlist (and I'm sorry if you did and I haven't noticed!) but how do you think that Thranduil and their kids reacted when she died? Like, how their feelings and thoughts after this? I've always assumed Thranduil being an extremely good father, so I can't truly imagine him being mean to any of their kids, but how do you think that they (specially Thranduil) took the news that their queen had died?

Eeek! What lovely feedback and an even lovelier fic-related question! (I am so lucky and grateful to get such nice Anons in my inbox; I am spoiled.)

A Stab to the Heart (Fic Link)

Part 2 of this 2-part fic is over 50% written, but has been stalled in the basement of my brain for over six months now (yikes)! Hopefully I can shove it back into motion soon!

In regards to Thranduil being so in-tune with his wife that their minds are practically in a constant state of ósanwë (Elvish mind-link), I would like to point out a few key details about their relationship:

"A Stab to the Heart" takes place in Third Age 1012. By this time, Thranduil and Maereth have already been married for 1,188 years and have been mutually in love for an additional 1,700. And ever since they married, they were hardly ever parted for any significant amount of time (as opposed to most other Elven couples, like Celeborn and Galadriel, who would live apart for years). Needless to say, you would be hard-pressed to find a couple more tightly, lovingly bonded then the Elvenking and Elvenqueen were to each other.

THEIR ROMANTIC HISTORY: (Link to related HCs HERE) It took Thranduil about 50 years of sporadic meetings to realize he was falling in love with Maereth. However, he knew his father would loathe the idea of his son pairing off with a Noldor (much less one descended from Fëanor) and it would have great repercussions on their kingdom, so Thranduil tried to ignore his growing feelings and sought to maintain just a friendship with her.

Maereth nearly died in the Sacking of Eregion, and Thranduil had been there to witness it; he had held her while she was gravely injured and felt the terror of her slipping away from him. Ultimately, she was saved by the healing of Elrond, but this experience left a permanent mark on Thranduil. From that day on, he found the only thing that ever scared him in his life: losing Maereth to the Halls of Mandos.

What do you do when you realize you love someone so much you cannot live without them? You ask them to marry you, of course! And so Thranduil did, but it took another thousand years of determined courtship to get Maereth to say "yes".

The Aftermath of the Elvenqueen's Death

I have yet to fully write the story of this terrible tragedy (I'm intimidated by it, to be honest), but a version of it was written, including the immediate aftermath, in my Thorin-centric fic, "The Broken Shield", where Maereth died during the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. I wrote out more details of her death in this headcanon post.

As for the reactions of the family (those who were left, anyway)?

OH BOY.

(SPOILERS to the SotWK AU, if anyone cares about that sort of thing, under the cut. Also, it gets pretty sad, so I apologize for the emotions this story may cause.)

Thranduil very nearly died from heartbreak. This was the darkest point in Mirkwood's history, the kingdom that had already been fighting off spiders, orcs, dark creatures, and poisons for centuries. All that was nothing compared to the realm's grief over their Elvenqueen's death, and fearing the likelihood their beloved Elvenking would either die from heartbreak, or finally leave them for the Undying Lands.

Note that by the time the Elvenqueen died, Thranduil had already lost three out of five of his sons. Only Gelir and Legolas remained, though he also had his daughter-in-law, Itarildë (Mirion's widow) and two grandchildren, Crown Prince Aranion (heir to the throne) and Princess Anariel.

Upon his return home to Mirkwood to bury the Elvenqueen's body, Thranduil was uncharacteristically cold and seemingly emotionless. He turned into stone (metaphorically) as a way of holding himself together, for the sake of the people who depended on him. He did not have strength left to properly comfort his family, and could only parrot the kingdom's motto, telling them they "will endure".

Gelir, the most impulsive of the Thranduilions (and second to Turhir as the most hot-tempered), lashed out in vengeful rage. Legolas just barely convinced him not to immediately ride out to seek revenge against the Orcs.

However, about three years after the Elvenqueen was laid to rest, Gelir once again tried to convince his father to allow him and Legolas to lead their armies to rejoin the Dwarves (Thrain's people) in their war against the orcs. Thranduil refused, and instead decreed that all travel to other realms was forbidden while the Dwarves fought their war.

Frustrated by this (and still grieving his mother), Gelir finally broke down and rebelled openly against the Elvenking. He attempted to leave Mirkwood on his own, only to be chased down by his father and dragged back to the Halls in chains, where he was thrown in prison.

Does this sound harsh? I take a pause in this dramatic tale to point out that Thranduil was a very, VERY good father to his sons all their lives. The Princes were over 2,000 years old by the time their mother died; not only were they adults, but they were wise enough to know that they were not exempt from their kingdom's laws, and should understand the grief their father carried from all these terrible losses. Not only did Thranduil need to demonstrate the strength of his authority, but he also refused to risk the death of another family member, even if it meant imprisoning his own child.

After the war ended in TA 2799, Gelir was finally released from prison, after being held there for 3 years. But instead of making peace with his father and submitting to the King's decrees, he openly criticized Mirkwood's isolationist policies, which had become even stricter after the Elvenqueen's death.

Legolas, caught between the two dearest people in the world to him, could not get them to reconcile their differences.

After another year of strife between father and son, Thranduil gave Gelir an ultimatum: reaffirm his fealty to the Elvenking and his laws, or be banished from the kingdom. Gelir, believing his home had become a "cage" that he refused to be locked in, chose banishment.

Gelir asked his brother to come with him, forcing Legolas to choose sides by staying with Thranduil. He remembered a prophetic plea his mother once made to him many years before her death: "above all, choose your father". His decision was also influenced by the special closeness he had with Thranduil.

Thus, Gelir left the kingdom in the winter of TA 2800, and cut off all contact with his family. Legolas was the only Thranduilion left.

For a century (TA 2800-2900), Thranduil struggled against his personal demons of anger and grief and longing to be with his beloved wife again. In spite of his depression however, he continued to govern his people effectively, but only with the help and loyalty of Legolas and his devoted daughter-in-law and grandchildren. (Note: SotWK AU does NOT accept the coldness and rift between Legolas and Thranduil as shown in the film adaptation. Legolas ultimately proves to be Thranduil's most steadfast son. The conflict between Tauriel and Thranduil, and her romance with Legolas, do not occur in SotWK either.)

In TA 2850, when Gandalf uncovered Sauron's identity as the Necromancer--something Thranduil had suspected for centuries, but his reports went unheeded--the Elvenking slowly began to return to himself, remembering the hard battle that still needed to be fought to protect his kingdom.

In TA 2911, Thranduil even began to loosen the restrictions against traveling outside of Mirkwood, when he allowed Itarildë and Anariel to join Gandalf in giving aid to the Hobbits of the Shire during the Fell Winter, just as their family had done previously during the Long Winter (TA 2758).

By the time Thorin and his Company arrived at Mirkwood in TA 2941, the remnants of the royal house of Thranduil were back in fighting form, although the Elvenking would always carry a longing for his wife that would not be healed until their reunion in Aman over a century into the Fourth Age.

For more Thranduil/Mirkwood headcanons: SotWK HC Masterlist

Elves HC Tag List: @a-world-of-whimsy-5 @achromaticerebus @aduialel @asianbutnotjapanese @auttumnsayshi @blueberryrock @conversacomsmaug @elan-ho-detto-elan-15 @entishramblings @freshalmondpandadonut @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @glassgulls @heranintomyknife23times @ladyweaslette @laneynoir @lathalea @lemonivall @LiliDurin @quickslvxrr @ratsys @scyllas-revenge @stormchaser819 @talkdifferently6 @tamryniel @tamurilofrivendell

Other useful links:

Introduction to SotWK

Fanfiction Masterlist

Fanfiction Request Guidelines

#sotwk answers #thranduil #thranduil headcanon #legolas #legolas headcanon #elvenqueen #sotwk oc #sotwk headcanon #mirkwood #mirkwood elves #greenwood the great #tolkien #the hobbit #lotr

[xxsycamore]

𝐈𝐤𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬… 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐬! [Part 2]

↬ May 10th was Maid Day!! The residents get the perfect idea of letting Sebastian rest for a day while they take care of the chores in his stead… while dressed up as maids. Of course, they need a little guidance about what needs to be done, so naturally, they address Sebastian as their Goshujin-sama and ask for orders!

► Find Part 1 here! [Napoleon, Mozart, Leonardo, Isaac, Vincent, Theo]

Arthur as a maid: The Chatty Maid

This maid's mouth moves more than his hands! Arthur is past the stage of complaining how he prefers to see pretty girls in maid outfits and not a bunch of men, and has moved to the stage where he entertains himself with "bothering" them instead. Since Mozart can't do absolutely all the cleaning on his own, Arthur took the task of sweeping the floors... which is a great excuse to visit all other maids around the mansion and see what they're up to, especially Theo and Isaac. Needless to say, he's not exactly committed to his task...

Jean as a maid: The Ruthless Maid

Jean is a beautiful angel of death in his long monochrome maid dress. He uses his sword to remove spider webs without a problem. Though, taking out the trash is his true forte! Soon, however, the other maids start hearing some questionable noises, like furniture being moved around. It's not until they spot Comte's favorite armchair among others of his belongings thrown out through the front door that they realize exactly what Jean means when he says he's getting rid of the trash in the mansion.

Dazai as a maid: The Troublemaker Maid

This maid only makes more mess! Cleaning the windows is best fit for Dazai, as it serves as a punishment for the one who is at fault for getting fingerprints all over them...however, Dazai is all for the "work smarter, not harder" policy. Just as the others are about to blame the Ruthless Maid for the horrifying hounds of broken glass, it turns out that Dazai has begun de-windowing the windows. "No need for cleaning if there isn't anything to clean!" combined with a pinch of "You won't have to get up to open for me when I knock on your windows anymore!"

Shakespeare as a maid: The Dramatic Maid

This maid appears very hurt that they haven't invited him to celebrate maid day at the mansion - but worry not, he appears in his own maid dress( & hair gathered in a small ponytail) at the door nonetheless! Shakespeare enjoys the chaos happening around him, gathering ideas for his next play. He ends up being made to clean after the others, but it's fine by him. Contrary to expectations, he makes a pretty decent maid.

Comte as a maid: The Clumsy Maid

This maid has never held a broom in his whole life! Comte has a hard time with the roles swapped around, as he discovers the difficulties of taking care of the household as a servant and not as a master. He ends up knocking things off the shelves while dusting, breaking plates while doing the dishes, hanging the curtains upside down... even for a sensible centuries-old being like him, some things remain hard to tackle without experience. Has a lot of head-tilting moments as he's genuinely confused with how it keeps happening.

Bonus: Sebastian as a master: The Worrywart Master

This master is...just not cut out to be a master. With Sebas' natural sense of discipline and reasonable strictness, noone expects him to be such a wreck when put on the other side of things. Once all the maids are dispatched on their respective tasks, it all gets quiet, and he's left to ...sit on the large armchair, and, supposedly, rest? In just a couple of seconds he stands up, goes to the painting on the wall that he noticed is tilted a liiitle bit to the left, and fixes its position. He returns to the armchair. Then he stands up and fluffs up the pillows on the couch because someone didn't do their job, and it would just be quicker. Sebastian is so not used to staying idly that he simply doesn't know how to stay idly; what's more, he feels bad about letting his dearests masters push themselves so much (he's clueless about just HOW MUCH of a mess is happening, even if he has his suspicions). Once the day is over, relief is written all over his face... both master and servants start bowing and thanking each other, the maids for the hard work Sebastian does for them on the daily, now that they saw up close just how tough it is - and Sebastian, for the gesture they did for him but also for finally letting him take care of what he does best...

Taglist:

@arsnovacadenza @ale-teodora @kimi00twin @otomelady @privilegedpancake @g-kleran    @pumpumnnnp @thesirenwashere @ravenarld @kimmy-banana @devonares @animeworldsposts @randomanimatedhusbandoseeker @galaxyprison @sadshaxk @starshards26 @pro-cat-stination @acethephoenix256 @ikevamp-shrine-2 @nad-zeta @crystal13unny @keen19thcenturygoatsstudent @lordsister @ikemen-banshou   @themysticalbeing @canaria-blackwell @otome-scribbles @rhodolitesrose @coornn @kpop-and-otome @queen-dahlia @kisara-16 @chaosangel767 @ikemenlibrary @queengiuliettafirstlady @aurora-morning @aquagirl1978 ​ @ikemenlover24 @violettduchess @mcofthemansion @joy-the-reader @katriniac @ikemen-writer @tele86 @cilokgoang @ikemendood Let me know if you want to be tagged/untagged!

#ikemen vampire #ikevamp #ikemen vampire arthur #ikevamp arthur #ikemen vampire dazai #ikevamp dazai #ikemen vampire jean #ikevamp jean #ikemen vampire comte #ikevamp comte #ikemen vampire shakespeare #ikevamp shakespeare #ikemen vampire sebastian #ikevamp sebastian #ikevamp headcanons #ikemen #ikemen series #otome

[lucllle]

CW: (CONSENSUAL) somnophilia 

You and Xiao had been lovers for over a century, the fact that both of you were immortal contributed to your compatibility. Xiao didn’t display affection publicly, but when the two of you were alone, he was like a grumpy cat that yearned for your touch. 

If there was one thing that Xiao valued the most in the relationship, it was trust. So, it’s needless to say that he was especially flustered but thrilled when the two of you started having intercourse. The vulnerability you displayed for him while you were at his mercy was quite literally heavenly; it was this that turned him on the most. 

Over time, the two of you began to experiment with things like overstimulation, and Xiao discovered that your tears and sobs of pure bliss made him weak in the knees. However, because the two of you were usually occupied carrying out the duties bestowed upon adepti, Xiao usually arrived to you sprawled across his bed; unconscious. You didn’t require slumber to survive, but you found it to be a pleasurable experience, even if it was only for a short while. Unbeknownst to you, Xiao took these moments as an opportunity to appreciate your beauty, often staring at you until you woke up. 

—--------------------------------

You walked to the balcony, sensing Xiao’s presence in the area. You jumped up to the roof, finding the adepti staring off into the sky. He looked over to you, greeting you with a small smile. You sat down next to him, returning the gesture gladly. 

“ Uhm, Xiao, I was thinking… “ He turned his head to look at you curiously.

“ What is it? Is something troubling you? “ He stiffened as negative thoughts clouded his mind, but you quickly grabbed his hand.

“ No, no- Nothing like that. I was just thinking that I wouldn’t necessarily mind you taking me in my sleep. You do understand what I mean, right? “ You rubbed the back of his hand with your thumb, snapping him out of his daze. 

“ In your… sleep? Do you really trust me to such an extent? “ He spoke quietly, his cheeks reddening a bit at the thought. 

“ Of course I do. I’m not saying you have to, though, but I think it might be something worth trying out. “ He remained silent, his eyes unfocused while he seemed to be imagining the scenarios you suggested. 

“ Xiao? Are you alright? “ He looked up at you, his face now completely red. He swallowed audibly, his adam’s apple bobbing. You cupped his face with your unoccupied hand. “ Xiao, just what’re you imagining in that head of yours, hm? “ He flinched at this, but then leaned into the warmth of your hand. 

“ You know very well the effect you have on me… How will I know when I can touch you? “ 

“ I’ll let you know by the number of hair ties on the headboard. 1 would be for touching, 2 for bringing me to “completion”, 3 for entering me, and 4 for… “ Your face heated up at the thought. You leaned toward him, whispering in his ear while you interlock your fingers with his. “ …when I’d like you to finish inside of me. Do you understand? “ Xiao stilled almost completely, but he did squeeze your hand. You backed away from him to look at his face, smiling.

“ ….Must you be so tempting? “ He wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you close to rest his head in the crook of your neck. “ I’ll keep your words in mind. “ The two of you enjoyed the moment, appreciating each other’s presence. 

—---------------------------

You arrived back at the Inn, relieved that you had finally completed your duties for the day. You traveled to the balcony, staring at the sunset. Your chest fluttered at the thought that you and Xiao could at least be looking at the same thing if you weren’t together. You soon retired to your room, sitting on the bed of your shared bedroom. You laid down, heaving a sigh. You glanced at the end table, specifically at your hair ties that were on it.

It had been a few days since you and Xiao first mentioned him taking you in your sleep, and even after that he asked questions about it, mostly questioning if you were sure, but he would also discuss consent with you. You smiled, sitting up and grabbing your hair ties. It had been the first time you’d used them, and you didn’t plan on holding back. You grabbed four, wrapping them around a corner of the headboard before you went to sleep.

Not long afterward, Xiao arrived at the inn as well. He spent a few minutes on the rooftop before wandering into your bedroom, looking around to find you sprawled on the bed. He sighed, relieved to finally see you. He crawled into bed next to you, sitting down. His attention soon went to the headboard, his mouth going dry at the sight of the four hair ties. He looked down at you, eyebrows furrowed, as if he was deciding to take initiative or not. The thought of it became terribly tempting, his hardness pressing against the fabric of his pants. 

Xiao made up his mind, carefully gripping your shoulder before he made you lay on your back. He crawled over, sitting up between your legs. He took the blanket off of you, being met with the sight of you in your small shorts and tank top. He put a hand on your thigh, slowly caressing the flesh. Occasionally, he would indulge himself and grip the fat, absolutely enamored by its softness. He worked his way under your shorts, feeling the lace of your panties. His breath became unsteady, glancing up at your face to make sure you were still asleep. 

He extracted his hand from under your shorts, instead going for their waistband. He pulled them down your legs slowly, lifting them by the back of your thighs before sliding them off completely. He kissed your calf before putting your legs down carefully, now focusing on your torso. Since you were simply wearing a tanktop, he lifted your shirt just enough to expose your chests.

Both his hands started caressing your torso, one of them gripping your waist while the other cupped one of your breasts carefully. He was close to practically cumming just at the sight of you like this alone, but if he were to cum tonight, it’d be on or inside of you, not his pants. He grunted at the feeling of his cock rubbing against the fabric, quickly freeing himself of his clothes. He placed your legs over his thighs, resting his cock against your lower belly while he leaned in. He left feather light kisses all over your body, occasionally nipping at your flesh. 

Xiao placed your nipple between his middle and pointer finger, rubbing it slowly between them. He worked his other hand down to your panties, sliding under them to circle your clit. He enjoyed hearing your small whines while he touched you, but made sure not to wake you up just yet. 

Eventually, his hands completely left your body while he moved further down the bed. He leaned down, his face dangerously close to your heat. He pushed them to the side, spreading your lips with his thumbs. He kissed your clit, staring up at your face, examining you carefully. He wrapped his lips around it while his hands traveled elsewhere. Xiao’s left hand gripped one of your thighs gently, the other one busy prodding two of his fingers inside of you. He inserted them slowly and carefully, watching you as you stirred in your sleep. Once you were calm, he slowly thrusted them in and out, sucking at your clit. 

He felt your walls flutter against his fingers when he scissored them inside of you, your quiet gasps and moans driving him into a daze. His cock twitched when you finally came, almost as if he couldn’t wait to enter you. He lapped up the last of your juices before sitting up in front of you, hooking your left leg around his waist while he lifted the other one to rest on his shoulder. The fact that Xiao could simply spread you as much as he wanted turned him on even more, though he didn’t plan on going many rounds tonight. He was just testing the waters, after all. 

He rubbed the side of your hips, waiting until your body mostly recovered from your first orgasm. Once you were calm, he wrapped his length in his hand, stroking it while he gripped your thigh. He sped up the pace of his strokes, and soon started to thrust into his hand, desperate for some sort of release to ‘even the score’. He soon paused his movements when he looked at your unoccupied hands, letting out a shaky breath. He grabbed one of your hands, carefully wrapping it around his shaft. He inhaled sharply before he started to thrust into it while holding you in place, staring at your face. Your thumb moved slightly, rubbing against his slit when he thrusted. He came right then and there, letting out a groan.

He looked down at your stomach, which was where most of his cum had landed. Some of it made it up to your chest, though, and he couldn’t help but think it looked sexy. He let go of your hand, slowly placing it back at your side before he took it in his own hand again. He positioned the tip at your entrance, prodding it inside of you. He shivered when he felt your velvety walls around it, biting his lip to hold back his voice. He looked down at you while he pushed himself inside you, inch by inch. It took at least a minute for him to bottom out inside of you, since he wasn’t going to throw caution to the wind just yet. 

Xiao went out of his way to soothe you by rubbing circles into your hip again, making sure you wouldn’t wake up as soon as he started thrusting. He pulled back slowly, and then thrusted back inside of you. He practically whimpered at the feeling, gripping onto your hip. His head fell forward while he thrusted in and out of you, slowly picking up speed. You started to wake up when he reached a moderate pace, which he didn’t fail to notice. He decided that he wanted you partially awake when he finished inside you, though, so he didn’t necessarily mind. 

“ Xiao… “ You moaned out his name, reaching out for his hand that gripped your hip. His other hand moved to hold the back of your leg before pressing it to your chest. He leaned down, kissing you before he rested his face in the crook of your neck. 

“ It’s alright… This is a dream, you don’t have to do anything. Be good and take it, okay? “ You nodded desperately, clenching around him. He kissed your neck, his arm sliding under your back to wrap around your waist. You reached up to grip his hair, letting out a whimper when he bit your flesh. He sucked at your skin, giving you a hickey before backing away. He lifted your leg to his shoulder like before, staring down at you. You felt tears welling up in your eyes, already sensitive from your last orgasm. You wiped some of his cum off his stomach before you licked it off your finger. He slowed down when you did this, probably to watch you more carefully.

“ You’re doing so well. Don’t worry… I’ll take care of you, just… “ He moaned mid sentence, thrusting into you shallowly while he spoke. “ Be good for me. “ You could feel your warm tears streaming down your face when he started thrusting into you faster, pursuing his high. You gripped your leg around his waist tighter, pulling him closer to you. Xiao twitched inside of you, his movements growing ever so sloppy. 

He leaned in a bit, taking your hand and wrapping it around the back of your leg to hold onto. He let go of you, instead placing his hands beside your head. He started plunging into you at a rapid pace, whimpering when he felt you reach down to the base of his cock. You spread two fingers around it, making sure they rubbed against Xiao everytime he thrusted into you. Eventually, he frantically bottomed out completely, the two of you moaning when he painted your walls white. He continued to rut into you until you had completely milked him dry, letting out a sigh. He leaned closer to you, wiping your tears from your face before he kissed you. Xiao finally pulled out of you, watching his cum seep out of your cunt. 

He laid down next to you, wrapping his arms around you before he used one of his hands to caress your hair. “ You can rest now. I will take care of the rest. “ 

The next morning, you woke up completely clean. He had washed you carefully in your sleep, but even in his sleep one of his hands had traveled to grip one of your breasts. It wasn’t often that Xiao slept, but it was a beautiful sight.

#alatus xiao #xiao smut #xiao x you #xiao x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact smut #genshin impact #cw: somno #smut #female reader #afab reader #xiao genshin impact

[jhara-ivez]

Impressions of Praha #2

This part will cover mostly Praha Castle and the Charles Bridge. And lots of windows. I have to say first that I am... slightly spoiled when it comes to monumental buildings. Therefore please pardon me when my judgement of what I saw in Praha is maybe a bit underwhelming. Anyway, let's start. This is Charles Bridge leading to Praha Castle. It was build in 14th Century by... King Charles of Luxembourg.

There are some streetvendors obviously but they only sell the typical stuff, like painting or caricatures and little bracelets and stuff. Nothing too fancy but tourist seems to like it for some reason. More important is this dude below. You might have seen him in tumblr posts already :D A good golden boi. (yes, of course I touched him too for good luck)

When you cross the bridge you have to walk through 2 big towers. The gothic one is dating back to 12th century and is therefore older than the bridge itself. The other one is the youngest part of the bridge, built in 1454 and made from sandstone.

Then, of course, you have to climb another hill. Once you managed and didnt die of pain in your feet you will reach Praha Castle. With an awesome view over the city. In the back there you can even see the "dancing houses", which I didnt visit up close.

If you buy the tickets for Praha Castle.. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow the mass of tourists. There are 2 building in which you can buy tickets. For some reasons the whole mass of people will walk to the right one, completely overlooking the left. Meaning you have hundreds of people waiting in line on the right, while the left one is.... walk in, pay, go outside. I suppose the other tourists were too floored by what greets you once you step inside the castle grounds.

This is St. Vitus Cathedral. For me not that impressing from the outside and inside (as I said I am spoiled by other cities). HOWEVER. .....

..... THE WINDOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hell, I fell in love with the WINDOWS!!!! Look at this!!!!!! There is even one by Mucha himself!

The windows come in many different styles too. I think I spend more time ogling the windows than anything else. Admittedly, cathedrals do mostly look the same if not for some location based oddities. So please excuse me for not taking pictures of the... uh... ordinary stuff. Which is still expensive and what not, but not feel like striking features for me. Oh and.... I'd like to present my archenemy.

As you can see Praha Castle does not use one, not two, but more or less eight (!) different kinds of pavement. Needless to say - I suffered. And I suffered some more. Because you can visit the other buildings as well. Starting with Vladislaw Hall. Although quite interesting when it comes to how it is build - the kind of ceiling is self-stabilizing, meaning you don't need additional pillars to keep it from falling, also you have one entrance where you could ride inside on a horse if you came for a tournament as a knight - I nearly had a meltdown when I saw the rest.

That line of waiting tourists.... is not all. I was waiting in that line when I took the photo. What are they all waiting for? A window. More or less empty rooms with one important window. The window where the Prague Defenestration started. Needless to say I was incredibly underwhelmed.

This is the view out of said window, where (I think) two people fell down and somehow lived. ....... Anyway, much more interesting was the second floor! Look!!!

I have no idea who they all are, but isn't this pretty? Nearly all walls are covered in coats-of-arms and names and dates. I loved it. Next stop: St- George Cathedral. Not that imposing, for me personally rather bland, but interesting in terms of which elements were used for decoration. Especially the arches in an early frankish-moorish style.

At that point I was nearly unable to walk. There was one part left, a tiny street with old houses. However I do know severaly medieval tiny streets that are much more interesting so I wasn't that impressed.

And then at last the stairs of hell down the hill to the exit. Why stairs of hell? Because it was 2 uneven stair steps - then a slant with uneven stones - 2 uneven stair steps - slant - stair steps - and so on. A LONG WAY down. In winter probably deadly. In spring... not deadly but tiring. At the base the people sat down almost immediatly, on benches, on steps, on the ground. Just overall exhaustion. And that's it. As mentioned I still visited the Depeche Mode concert later that day, after returning to the hotel for a much needed rest. Our next bigger plan involves London. But that will take a while because money.

#travelling #czech republic #praha #prague #prague castle #charles bridge #mucha #stained glass #late medieval

[violets-in-her-arms-writes]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday!

Tell me about the culture in your world in regards to death and the afterlife.

i.e. what are the most common beliefs about it, is there fear surrounding death or something else, are there any gods of death and how to people in your world feel about them, is there an afterlife that people believe in and how does it work, what rituals and practices are there in regards to the dead (burials, mummification, burying them with important objects, burning the body, etc), and anything else you would like to share

<333

Thank you so much for this !!! ♥♥

It took me forever to answer because I actually had to think about this one, but here I am 😅 I went into details for two species instead of the 5 (vampires, Faes, mermaids, werewolves & witches) I had in mind, because I need to think more about the others, but I hope you'll like it anyway ^^

So... The thing about La Fledgling is that it's a story about endings. Lou is immortal, Jo is not. Lou (and most of their friends) will live forever or something close to forever, Jo will die. She has limited time and so much to do, which means that, concrètement, she hasn't really thought about what comes after.

(Which means that I, the author, hadn't thought about it either, but let's blame it on the character, shall we? 💀)

So... Death...

For the vampires:

Vampires can die (insert *people die if they are killed* meme here), as vampires tend to do in other fantasy stories. So decapitation, silver, symbols of faith (and real faith, just waving a symbol won't work - you have to believe), fire, sunlight, stake through the heart... the classics will work, but if you really want to be original and take them by surprise, you could also poison them through the blood servants they feed from. I'm just throwing this out there, no reason.

Several vampire families were killed during the hunter/vampire wars, entire Coven burnt to the ground, knowledge evaporated, entire lignées brought to the brink of extinction. Needless to say, it terrified the vampires who then decided to retire from the public eye and live secular lives among themselves, where they don't have to interact with humans (much. Feeding is another story entirely).

They feared death during these few centuries when it came knocking at their doors, but during the novel, none of the vampires think about death as something that concerns them. Death is something humans and semi-mortal creatures go through, and something that happened to them a thousand years ago.

There is no afterlife for vampires, because they are not supposed to die.

(The rest of the species and their view on death can be found under the cut 🦇)

For the Fae:

Fae live until they get tired of living, at which point they can choose between several options :

become a tree -> really popular, as long as it's not in the moral realm because on Earth you tree might be cut down and you will spend the rest of eternity as a very ugly couch or coffee table

spend a few years as an animal and live as a cryptid in either the fae realm or on Earth (I'm not saying le Dahu is a Fae but... yeah that's exactly what I'm saying) -> marginally less popular and often time not the definitive choice. Old Faes who don't know if they really want to "fade away" or not will spend a few decades or centuries as an owl, a cat or some kind of made up animal/creature, and when their time is up, they'll seen if they want to go for option 1 (*be the seed*), option 2 (go back to their ancient life and keep on living until they get bored again) or option 3 (below)

reincarnate -> the least popular choice by far (Iris Adam, who chose to get reincarnated 250 times is an outlier and shouldn't have been counted), because the fates like to mess with faes and there is no guarantee a Fae will be reincarnated as a Fae in her next life. She could be human. Or a cockroach. Or the southern wind. Or she could be a Fae but come back wrong. Really, there's nothing sure about this option.

Fae who chose to become trees all planted their roots in the same forest and they can be heard, from time to time, giving unsolicited advices to the younglings having fun beneath their branches.

For the witches:

They mostly have the same approach as the humans, except they live up to 500 years instead of 80, which mean they start worrying about it a lot later. They still are the weakest (physically speaking) of all the magical and semi-mortal species, which means they are much more prone to accident and very few actually reach past their second or third century.

For the mermaids:

They also live very long lives and have the advantage of being away from humans most of the time, so when wars or conflict start again on the surface, they can just... swim away and wait for the storm to pass. The older a mermaid gets, the bigger she is, and the more she has to eat. There are only three really old (we're talking several thousand years old) mermaids because they feed on weaker mermaids - or, more precisely, younger, weaker or otherwise hurt mermaids are send bound and pre-broken to the deep caves in which the dwell and the three leviathan feast of the flesh of the unwilling.

Death is either a sacrifice (eaten by a leviathan) or a victory (not eaten by the leviathans bc they 1) died in combat so they at least were not eaten alive or 2) ran away on land to escape their fate which brings its own problems)

For the werewolves:

Mix between the witches and the mermaids. They die of old age (live longer than humans, less prone to disease or accident than witches) or in a fight and then they get eaten by the rest of the pack so that their spirits and knowledge can stay with the pack. Yay.

For Jo (sole human in this crazy friend group):

She doesn't think about it. She'll die when she'll die. She used to be really religious, but her faith was shattered when her whole family was murdered and Lou became a bloodsucker, so she doesn't really believe in an afterlife (be it hell or heaven). But should she be proven wrong, she's ready to throw hands with whomever is here to welcome her.

#i'm sorry this is so so long 😭 #if you read all of that thank you and i'm sorry #inbox 💌 #wip: la fledgling #worldbuilding wednesday

[nuinindia2023]

Day 7

July 15th, 2023

Hello from Aurangabad! My name is Scott, and I’m excited to give you all a glimpse into what has been (in my opinion) one of the best days of our trip so far! After hearing so many good things about the Ajanta Caves (a World Heritage Site) and the village visit we’d be going on today, we were all excited to hop onto the bus to go, even if it was at 7:30 AM! On our way to our first stop, the Ajanta Caves, we got to meet with and hear a bit from our amazing guide, Amod. For the rest of the 2+ hour drive, some of us took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep, while others worked on some assignments and took in the scenery!

After a bumpy (but fun) ride, we were given a celebrity’s welcome to the Ajanta Caves! Dozens of shopkeepers spotted us from our bus and gathered around, trying to sell us trinkets like Buddha statues and magnets. After our time in the limelight, we were all ready to explore our first stop!

The Ajanta Caves were like nothing I’d ever seen before. As our guide explained, the dozens of caves were actually monoliths carved out of the hills around the site many centuries ago. We all enjoyed learning more about Buddhism and seeing the intricate carvings and paintings throughout the site.

Once our guide had finished walking us through many of the caves and explaining their contexts, meanings, and significance, we set off for some free-time adventures around the site. Some of us took the opportunity to try some fresh pineapple treats, while others (including me) speed-hiked to the top of a hill we saw nearby, where we were able to see a pagoda and waterfall! Even though it started pouring on us as soon as we got to the top, we all still had a great time.

After grabbing a quick lunch, we headed off toward the village of Paal! A little while (and one impromptu roadside goat-adjacent bathroom break) later, we arrived at our destination! This visit may have been one of the craziest experiences of my entire life. When we arrived at the village temple, there were only a few people around who began speaking with our group, but after a while, dozens of adults and children gathered around to see the new arrivals. We had the opportunity to hear from village leaders about aspects of local life such as governance and religion, enter the local temple, hear some children practice their English, watch monkeys jump around (and throw coconuts at some of us), and be photographed by and with locals so many times. A journalist even showed up and began recording us on his phone! Walking (or in some cases motorcycling) back to our bus, we interacted with the local residents even more and cherished the opportunity to see life from their perspectives for a short period of time. Needless to say, we all enjoyed the experience and were a bit sad to be leaving so soon.

Later in the evening, we arrived back at the Lemon Tree and went our separate ways. Some of us grabbed dinner at the hotel restaurant, while others ordered food, napped, and continued our classwork. We are all a bit tired, but are very happy to have had such a nice day and excited to see what’s in store for our last day in Aurangabad tomorrow!

Good night from India!

- Scott Rappaport

[khelinski]

Snowpocalypse

To Michelle, the best sister a brother could ever have.  

 And there it was, the ‘storm of the century.’ The one everyone talked about as ‘Snowpocalypse.’ I was just a little tyke when it happened. But I remember it well enough. The one everyone proclaimed, ‘the end of the world, as we know it.’ Everyone freaked out days before the ‘storm.’ It was as if - BOOM – a zombie invasion just exploded or 2012 came a year early. February 2nd, 2011 – Mother Nature decided to give Michigan a surprise of epic proportions. And boy was everyone surprised. But I can’t talk about that day without mentioning the events leading up to that day.

It was all over the news.  

2 FEET OF SNOW.  

COMING TO A GROUND NEAR YOU!

Rated T.C. for…

….TAKE COVER!

Everyone at school was talking about it - the sheer excitement of SNOW. In those days, I loved the snow. Making angels. Snow fights. Building a snowman (or fort). That is, of course, until I learned how to drive. Scraping the snow/ice off the car. In the cold. De-frosting the car. In the cold. Driving in a cold car. From one extreme to another, I went from loving snow to hating snow as I progressed in life!

But in those days, I LOVED the snow. And I couldn’t wait for it. All that powder-substance to play with. As if Mother Nature decided to dump her cold dandruff for our own enjoyment! As my sister and I got out of school, we ran immediately to the house. We both took the same bus together. The neighborhood is like any other neighborhood in the ‘burbs. And our house was nothing extraordinary. Yellow sidings, red bricks - next to two colonial houses built in the 1970s. It wasn’t much, but it was home. All my childhood memories reside in that house.

My sister and I got to the door, opened it with much excitement, and pestered mom into going grocery shopping for the kick-butt snow day. She insisted there wouldn’t be one. Schools usually don’t determine school closings until early in the morning. She even turned on the local news to prove us wrong. To her own horror, school closings were already listed on TV. As luck had a role in our own desired destiny, our school was part of that list. I jumped up and down with so much excitement! My sister followed suit, just to mimic me. She was in that stage of her young life where mimicking every possible movement I made would benefit her in some way.    

“Fine,” my mom said with an aggravated tone. “You guys have no school tomorrow. But I am still not going to the store.”

“Please, please, please, please,” I pleaded. My sister repeated every please I said, but with louder decibels.  

“NO! We have food. Cupboards. Pantry. Fridge. Find it, eat it!” mom said with annoyance and anger.

Needless to say, this was a disappointment. Sure, there was food in the house. In fact, if a zombie invasion did come to pass, or if the end of the world does occur at some point – we are surely covered if we needed to take cover. BUT! This was a snow day. This had its own level of urgency. We needed SNOW DAY food. Or, to be more appropriate, ‘Snowpocalypse’ grub! No matter, we waited till dad came home from work. If we knew anything in our short little lives, dad was always the one to go to when mommy dearest says N, O! And like clockwork, as he came home and as we pestered him, he said in exact words, “that’s a great idea!”

“Now, we have food. Don’t tell me we don’t have any food,” mom shouted in the other room.

“That might be, but we don’t have snow day food!” dad said in defense.

“Snow day food?” mom asked.

“Yeah. I am going to take the day off tomorrow. Spend some quality time with my family!” dad answered.

And just like that, we were off to the local grocery store. Mom pointed out how busy it would be.

“Nonsense,” dad says. “It’s not like the end of the world or anything.”

But to his surprise and mom’s prediction, the parking lot was packed to the max. We parked to what seemed like God’s country and walked great lengths to what appeared to be a full-fledged zoo. Everyone in the store was completely out of his or her mind.

           “It’s like Y2K all over again!” dad said.

We got our cart and fought through the clutter of bodies, aisle-after-aisle. It was decided we should have Chili (a very appropriate snow day meal). Sis and I even got some candy out of the deal (only had to do some ear-piercing whining first, works every time!) We got in line, and waited for what seemed like an hour (of course five minutes in a long line does seem longer in the scheme of things). People in front of us had shovels, salt, generators, a cart full of ‘emergency food’ (water/bread/milk/alcohol), and even that urgent pack of gum. It was insane! Even at a young age, I grasped how crazy people were acting. It really did have that feel of the day before the end of the world.

As we left the store, the snow started to fall. People were running to and from their cars as if it was acid rain! I stuck my tongue out to catch the snowflakes in my mouth. Like clockwork, my sister followed suit. The snow was starting to accumulate on the ground. We got to the house. And would you believe it, it was close to bedtime! My excitement couldn’t contain itself. I stared out of the window, watching the snowflakes fall from the sky onto the ground. What little grass was left turned into white pavement. The white pavement got higher and higher from the ground, creating a winter wonderland landscape. All I can think about is playing in that magical white cold substance, rolling my entire body in the majestic white crystals. Taking a handful of it at a time to make a snow-fort that will become my own Fortress of Solitude. Throwing endless snowballs at any enemy that steps inches toward my fort. I will create a bodyguard snowman in front of the fort, so no unsuspecting and unwanted guests intrude. The distant sounds of shoveling and snow blowing will be my soundtrack for the day. Hehe…the entire backyard was my oyster. And I was going to seize every minute of it. That’s what I dreamt about that night!

What everyone predicted Snowpocalpyse was going to be like, and what ended up being were two completely different scenarios. Not even the weatherman predicted what ultimately came to be. It ended up being a very unusual day and was placed in the record books. 

I woke up to birds chirping. The sunlight from the outside window was completely blinding in every-which-way. In fact, the sunlight rays interrupted my snow-covered-dream. I looked outside, and was bare witness to the very definition of a WTF moment; my mouth was wide in length. I even gasped for dear life. I almost thought I was still dreaming. I had to pinch myself, slap my face, and instantly close/reopen my eyes just to make sure what I was seeing was real enough. The predictions/forecast/assumptions and my entire planned-out snow day, dream, didn’t match up to the display outside.

Instead of 2 feet of snow delivered by Mother Nature herself, I saw what appeared to be a May sunny sky-like morning. Sun in the middle of nothing but blue sky and not a single cloud in sight. The calmness was at a standstill. All the snow dissolved into the water for the grass. Any appearance of Michigan winter evaporated in thin air overnight. In its stead was a Michigan spring day, awaiting its guests to entertain everything it had.

The heat from the sun-blasted through my window-screen. I slide the glass window open and breathed in-and-out the fresh spring air. There’s just something about the early spring air that is pleasurably intoxicating. The air was mild and warm. The next thing I saw was even more of a shocker. Instead of my sister and me running around in the magical snow that was promised to us - my parents appeared to be playing tag outside. They were running around, laughing, smiling, and kissing each other. YUCK!

I got dressed and went outside to join my parent’s madness. The warm sun hit my skin, and my allergies immediately hit me like a semi-truck crashing without warning. But I didn’t mind it. It was a treat to see my parents in a good mood. It has been quite a while. And it was good going outside and not having to wear gazillion layers of clothes.  

We went back inside and watched the news. The weatherman coughed on-air and apologized for the drastic change of weather. Brief video shots of other states that received the care-package of snow were mixed in with sound-bites of various reasons why what we were supposed to get differed to what was currently outside. The weatherman couldn’t even explain it. But anyone that lives in Michigan long enough knows how random and how unpredictable weather can be. It can be spring/fall/and/winter in a single 24-hour day, and not be explained why or how. And that’s precisely what happened. Coincidentally, it was Groundhog Day, and the predictions called for an early spring. No one expected it this early. This was, as they say, record-breaking. The highest temp February 2nd saw in its history in the great city we lived in was 65 degrees, and that was in 1984. Well, ladies and gents – 2011 saw 76 degrees. And I was one of the lucky ones to have experienced it.

Instead of rolling in the snow, I ended up rollerblading. Instead of making a snow-fort, I rode my bike. Instead of throwing snowballs, I threw the good ol’ Frisbee back and forth with dad. It was a day to remember. Mom’s annoyance wasn’t detected at all.  She was out in the sun, reading her current People magazine. My sister was riding her Big Wheel around the front driveway. All the neighbors were out experiencing the same ‘snow day’ I was. Instead of the sounds of shoveling and snow blowing with the occasional colorful adjectives I wasn’t allowed to repeat, or I would get that nasty Zest bar soap in my mouth, I heard the noise of basketballs slamming down on the pavement. I listened to the echoing sound of rotating wheels on bikes. I heard the sound of laughter. Girls next door were in their bathing suits, soaking the hot sun. I wasn’t at that age yet to appreciate such sights! In those days, cooties were still highly contagious!

The day went by quickly. There was a family vote that it wasn’t a Chili-like-day. Instead, dad went to the store and grabbed some burgers to put on the grill. The smell of barbeques was shared backyard-to-backyard like an outbreak. We finished the day by relaxing underneath the sunset. We had a bonfire in the backyard, instead of a fire in the fireplace indoors. We melted marshmallows on a long stick fork, instead of having melted marshmallows in a cup of hot chocolate.

That day was like a preview of what to look forward to in the summer. The freedom summer brings, compared to the constraints of what winter brings. I am not sure why the weather changed so rapidly. That one single ‘Snowpocalypse’ was a one-trick-pony. The next day, it snowed. Not the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it two-footer. But any signs of early spring disappeared.

Days and weeks went by, and there were a few snow days – nothing like what February 2nd would have been like. Years went by, and there were some memorable ‘Snowpocalypse’-like days. I have kids of my own, who experienced their own magic of snow days. And like myself growing up, the magic dissolves from an opportunity to play in the snow all day to just sleep-in all day! But unfortunately for them, there was never a day like February 2nd, 2011 – a ‘snow day’ not to be reckoned with. The ‘Snowpocalypse’ I barely survived!      

K.H.; February 11-12, 2011.

#Snowpocalypse #short story #self written #coming of age #black clouds & silver linings

[with-love-from-hell]

Pet Names (Part 2)

Mc’s nicknames for the Obey Me! Brother’s and dateables.

Find part 1 here. 

Same rules as part one, but reversed: For each brother, I gave a three different name types: general, romantic, and teasing. A general name is used on a pretty regular basis (whenever addressing them without using their name).  A romantic name is used in special circumstances- like when you are trying to be more affectionate or comforting. A teasing name is used during times when they are more flirty or playful (or during sexy time).

<<AHHHH thank you all so much for the love on my first few posts. I dont have many followers yet, but the interactions with my works have been greater than I expected! Thank you all for admiring my writing. If its not too much trouble, a follow would be much appreciated! I definitely plan on keeping the momentum going with the writing- I will try to post at least once per week, if not more. Again, this took a long time and a lot of thought so I hope you all like it. I tried to make it match part one as best I could!>>

written for a GN!Mc who has a pre-existing romantic relationship with the brothers or dateables (whichever one is your fav!)

Cw: swearing, sexually suggestive, maybe spoilers for lessons 16+?

MINORS DNI PLEASE

Lucifer

General: Luci

The first time the name "Luci" rolled off your lips, Lucifers heart stopped. He hadn't heard that name in centuries, and it's associated with people (or angels) he now has a general distaste for. However, the sickly sweet sound of the name dancing around his head was so intoxicating, he couldn't help but fall deeper in love with you. You are absolutely the only one allowed to call him this. Once Mammon heard you say it, and he tried it too as a way to make fun of him. Needless to say, a certain white-haired demon was strung up from the banister that night. Occasionally you will shorten it to "Lu," but for the most part "Luci" is the tried and true option that is just so dang adorable (And we all know Soft!Luci just loves the fact that you see him as adorable).

“It's really no problem, Luci. Anything to ease your workload."

Romantic: My Love

While Lucifer calls you "Love" on the regs, its more likely for you to call him that during more intimate moments. Not because you don't want to, its just "Luci" has kind of taken on the most endearing title for day-to-day living. Whenever Lucifer hears you call him "my love," he will be putty in your hands. If he's in a good mood, he will do quite literally anything you want. If he's in a pissy mood, it will instantly dissipate. 10/10 perfect name for a romantic evening with Luci.

“Thank you, My love. You look very handsome too.”

Teasing: Baby, Lucifart

While Lucifer's teasing names for you have more gentle and mischievous undertones, yours are very blunt and definitely take playful jabs at his pride (which he hates but also adores). Calling Lucifer "Baby" will instantly put him in the mood for more than just flirting, so don't use it unless you mean business. As for the latter, definitely only use it when he is in a playful mood. Otherwise, he may not talk to you for a couple days. (Seriously tho, I think "Lucifart" is the funniest fucking thing in the whole world. I saw it in a fic once and every time I think about it, I can't stop laughing). I feel like he would hate it at first and actually get mad, but when he finds out you're just being playful, he'll calm down. Just don't use it too much, or when he's in a pissed off state already...unless you have a death wish. And if you dare call him "Lucifart" in front of his brothers, he will either kill everyone in the room or implode from embarrassment.

“I'm more than aware. Perhaps Its that im trying to get a rise out of you, Baby?

“Lucifferrrr. Lucciii. Luuuu. Lucifarrt...”

Mammon

General: Hun, Baby

At first you probably just called him "babe" back, but you got so used to hearing it from him, it was just too weird to use back. So you probably then switched to "Baby," only slightly different, but you noticed the immediate blush paint his cheeks and tips of his ears, and it stuck. "Hun" is another go-to that Mammon not-so-secretly loves, and you can definitely see his eyes light up when it passes your lips. While the pet names are generic, that's what he loves about them. Its a nice reminder that your relationship is simplistic- theres no difficulties he has in loving you! And the nicknames you give him tell him exactly the same.

“Oh, Hun. I need a little bit more info on this grand idea before I agree...um...what's that behind your back, Baby??”

Romantic: Treasure

I have seen others hc the other way around, but it feels much more realistic that Mammon would absolutely MELT if you called him "Treasure." He's Greed incarnate...he loves money and luxury. The only thing he loves more than that is you. And if he hears you call him his second favorite thing in the whole world...damn. He's THAT important to you??? Cue blushing mess Mammon. Obviously you only pull out the big guns when he's upset, feeling insecure, or when he's extra affectionate. This is the easiest way to his heart tbh. You will often add "my" to it when feeling a little more cheeky.

“Yeah, it did suck. But thats okay- you didn't have to get me anything. Just being here with my Treasure makes everything alright!"

Teasing: Tiger, Demon

Yep- you throw both of these right back at that simp when he tries his hand at teasing you! If you want him to go on for hours back and forth on a roasting battle, call him "Demon." If you want to immediately Make him lose all sense of confidence and tell you to "s-stop..", you gotta call him "Tiger" in that sultry voice (you know the one). He will stop dead in his tracks right there.

“I'll be right there, Tiger. Just let me...Adjust myself."

"What?! I'm not doing anything, Demon!"

Leviathan

General: Player 1, Lord of Shadows

Obviously your general pet names for Levi would match the ones he has for you. He may be a little flustered the first few times you use them, b-but its not like he wants you to stop!!! You're his Henry, after all! You don't use either any more than his actual name, just so he doesn't get too used to them...because you're secretly afraid he will stop reacting so adorably when you do use them. He will also absolutely begin to refer to himself by these names, which is just the cutest thing ever. Often you attach "my" just as an extra assurance that you're definitely still interested in him...please just validate this insecure baby )':

“Dont you worry, my Lord of Shadows! I'll be there soon!"

“Of course! I need my player 1 just as much!"

Romantic: Nessie

We stan our adorably anxious Sea Monster Otaku in this house. Therefore, its only fitting that you pick a special endearing nickname when you want to be more romantic. "Nessie" seemed to fit best, not only because the one time you told Levi about the Loc Nes Monster was definitely the day you realized it was real and it absolutely was Lotan messing around in Loc Nes. But he was especially captivated by the nickname for the creature. "Nessie." Something so sweet sounding to describe something that was supposedly hideous, frightening, and not well understood. Levi related hard to the plight of the Loc Nes Monster, and you definitely notice- and then name just...stuck. you loved the way his chest puffed up in pride, shortly before his cheeks flushed pink the first time you called him "Nessie." Now its something you use whenever he's in need of a confidence boost, or when you're feeling a little more sentimental.

"You mean so much to me too, Nessie. I'd feel so lost without you."

Teasing: Cutie, Sexy

Using "cutie" as a teasing term for Levi is honestly so perfect. He will become a blushing mess immediately. Of course, if you really want to throw him off, you will need to go with something that will really make the blood rush out of his head and into his...head...and using "Sexy" is a way to do just that (Levi.exe has definitely stopped working). Either way, you will be dealing with a super flustered Levi whichever route you take. Just make sure not to tease him too much, or he might explode.

“Hey there Cutie. Mind if I sit on your lap?"

"Me? Oh- I'm not doing anything, really. Just wanting to spend some time with my Sexy man."

Satan

General: Spade, Poe

Your general nicknames for Satan are much more unique than his for you. You felt almost obligated to give him some names that are references to literature, and Satan loves it. When you first gave him the pet name "Spade," he just about lost his mind. You're giving him the namesake of famous detective Sam Spade?! (Yes you read his favorite detective novel and just couldn't help it). Goodness, you may as well have just proposed right there. Another name that just happened to stick was "Poe"- obviously referencing Edgar Allen (as gross as he was blech). You introduced him to your favorite story by the Author, The Pendulum, once you two started growing close, and Satan was hooked. The name serves as a momento to the moment you began having feelings for him.

“I'm happy to see you too, Poe. What are you reading?“

"Listen, Spade. Just because I offer Mammon suggestions on his schemes doesn't mean I'll suddenly get brain rot."

Romantic: Emerald

Obviously this one comes from his sin- the hue that surrounds him when he begins feeling resentment, the flickering light in his eye when he begins to tense, and the shimmer of his tail as his demon form takes over. He can definitely be terrifying, but there's a ethereal beauty to the vulnerability that shows during times where he loses some composure. You typically use this pet name to comfort him, occasionally tossing in accompanying words- such as "precious" or "brilliant." His anger will often immediately lessens the minute he heres you utter the name- a gentle reminder that he is losing control and needs to recollect himself. With your comfort, he often can regain his composure and calm himself down, but not without the delightful purs that come when he gets affection from you.

“hush now, my brilliant Emerald. Just breathe.”

Teasing: Blondie, Professor

Okay, so teasing Satan is about as fun as poking a rattle snake with a stick, but you gotta be really careful not to take things too far. Usually thats pretty hard to do, since he has quite the soft spot for you, but you need to recognize the signs of the rattle that signifies his wrath. To extend your time teasing him, using gentler pet names can help! You've settled on "Blondie" for the most part- not something insulting, and Satan honestly is more confused than anything as to why you decide to tease him using this nickname, but he gets a little excited when he sees how funny you think it is, so he goes with it. "Professor" is another name you're fond of when you want to tease him- especially when he starts giving a long-winded Ted Talk to you on something without even thinking about it.

"Thanks for the lecture, Professor. Can we makeout now?"

“Okay Blondie. Do your worst.”

Asmodeus

General: Babes, Adonis

Again, Asmo is the king of pet names, so you gotta get a little creative here to give him a run for his money. You probably started with something simple that did tend to stick, like "Babes," and Asmo does love this one so you do still call him it quite often. But when you called him "Adonis" for the first time? Wow. He knew he made the right choice in making you his one and only. You will often attach other words to it, like "darling" or "lovely," just to spice things up.

"Oh Babes! I missed you too, my darling Adonis!"

Romantic: Moonshine

While Asmo prides himself in treating you to the most romantic relationship you probably ever had (if not who tf are you dating?!), but he's so used to people trying to go over the top for him, something more simplistic may be more alluring to him. But while this is true, he still wants something that is uniquely reserved for him and only him- especially when he's upset! Wouldn't want him to get worry lines, now would we?! "Moonshine" was probably perfect for this! It describes his gloriously bright personaliy that can be so intoxicating, and is a bit more on the unique side!

“I know, Moonshine. I hope you know you're my world."

Teasing: Fox

Look, teasing asmo is like dangling a piece of meat in front of a caged leopard. You better realize he will instantly get turned on the minute you start being more flirtatious and reciprocating his advances. Calling him "fox" is a good way to really get his heart beating faster- especially if you use that special sexy tone to say it.

“Well, I wouldn't be so special if i didnt know all your dirty little secrets, now would I, Fox?"

Beelzebub

General: Beelie

You absolutely had to pick a general pet name to really show how much you love him and his personality, so you quite frequently like using plays on his name! More often than not, you use "Beelie" to refer to him more casually. He loves the little extra sweetness to his name that you (and only you) can bring, and he feels so happy inside when he knows that you see him as the gentlest of giants!

“I'd love to go to Madam Screams with you, Beelie!!"

Romantic: Pooh Bear

Am I the only one who thinks of Pooh whenever I look at Beel? No? Just me? Okay... Well, regardless, this nickname came to you immediately when you had brought back some flavored honey from the human world and you caught Beel sucking it down straight from the Jar. He was so embarrassed and felt bad for eating your delicious treat, but the puppy dog eyes he gave you and the softness of his apology...it just instantly sparked the pet name. Beel adores that you came up with this name for him, and feels so glad that he he can share in a piece of your childhood with you. You often toss out "Pooh Bear" when he's not feeling well, when he's upset, or when you're feeling a little more sentimental.

“Thank you, Pooh Bear. Just being here with you has a way of making me feel better."

Teasing: Puddin'

Instant blushing Beel every time you use this name. Not only is it a great choice in a snack, but you definitely give him just glint of passion in your tone when you use "Puddin" that drives him WILD. Of course, after you do use it, you better have some pudding on stand by- or be able to provide him an equally satisfying snack (if you know what I mean...)

"Hey there, Puddin'. Why don't you come a little closer?"

Belphegor

General: Baby

Just as Belphie doesn't feel the need to get creative with pet names, neither do you. You both just call eachother "baby" back and forth and honestly? It works. You don't really worry about whether the brothers will overhear like he does, though (much to his irritation. Maybe this is why he teases you so much???). But he really does love the way it sounds in reference to him!

“Huh? Oh...I'm sorry, Baby. I just wanted to cuddle a bit is all..."

Romantic: Sunshine

You and Belphie may have a complex history, but really he has proven himself a great partner despite his past. You do notice Belphie finds himself often insecure, wondering if you're happy with him, or what you even see in him. Because of this, you landed on the pet name "Sunshine" when those insecurities rear their ugly head. You gave this name as a reminder that his is such a brilliant light to your life, and you cherish the moments you have with that are filled with such a warm and cozy love. You wouldn't trade it for anything.

"I love you so much, Sunshine. Words can't even describe."

Teasing: Brat, Punk, Cowboy

Because Belphie is relentless in his teasing, you really have to up your game to give him a taste of his own medicine. Referring to him as "Brat" is a great way to get him pouting and flushing red instantly. "Punk" is a good alternative, often making a playful jab at how he absolutely looks like a mid-2000s emo kid who works at Hot Topic. And of course, there's the obvious "Cowboy," that you came up with in a brilliant moment of word association. This one is probably his favorite, and he uses it as an excuse to begin to wrestle with you (playfully and without full strength, of course) so he can truly show you who you're messing with.

“Belphie you are such a brat."

"Alright, Punk. Give me your best shot!"

"Nice comeback, Cowboy.”

Diavolo

General: Dia

Once you give a pet name to Diavolo, he is fully head over heals for you. His pet name back to you comes after you give him "Dia," mostly because he wants to wait to see what you'll come up with. He loves the special shorter version of his name- it makes him sound much more approachable and soft,, which is exactly how he wants to be with you. If you ever use his actual name, he will pout so hard at you. Please, just humor him.

“Good morning to you too, Dia! I always sleep well when I get to wake up next to you.”

Romantic: Baloo

Similar to Beel, Diavolo is delighted that you give him a name that allows him to be closer to your childhood memories. It makes him feel like hes been close to you forever, and definitely warms that soft spot in his heart for you. Naming him "Baloo" after the bear in The Jungle Book is just so fitting. He's strong, silly, and so very soft. After explaining what it means in the human world, Diavolo is all over it.

“Oh, Baloo. You are so good to me.”

Teasing: Daddy

I absolutely think that Diavolo is either too giddy when you try to tease him, or too dense to understand you even ARE teasing him that ALMOST NOTHING WORKS to make him a blushing mess. However, once when he was relentlessly teasing you during a RAD student council meeting you mumbled "whatever you say, Daddy" to him and the mortified expression he made, followed by the eruption of laughter from everyone in the room (except Lucifer, who was stunned that you had the balls to say that to LORD FRICKEN DIAVOLO) made you realize you finally found his Kryptonite. Now you use it ALL the time, especially when he has been teasing you a little too much.

“Of course, Daddy. I wouldn't miss a student council meeting for the world!”

Simeon

General: Bambi

Just as Simeon calls you "Dear," you often return the sentiment by calling him "Bambi." He melts every time he hears the name pass your lips. Just like Diavolo and Beel, he loves being able to have a connection to your childhood- making him feel like hes known you for millenia. He also loves how "Bambi" matches his pet name for you! And of course, Simeon is definitely reminiscent of a deer- gentle, kind, and elegant.

“Its good to see you too, Bambi. My day was alright! How about yours?”

Romantic: My Angel

This one is a no-brainer, and didn't take a master of wordsmithing to come up with why this fits him. However, Simeon adores the addition of "my" to his title, elated that you see him as yours! Whenever Simeon has had a rough day, or is feeling a bit worried or insecure about his decision to have a relationship with a human, giving him the little reminder that he is as pure as an Angel, and that he's your "Angel", will comfort him so much, and have him back to his normal self in no time.

“Of course, My Angel. I want nothing more than to be in your embrace.”

Teasing: Grandpa, Sexy

Like Diavolo, Simeon can sometimes be a little dense when it comes to teasing (or maybe he's just pretending to be?), but either way, we all know this man is so far behind on all modern slang and even modern tech, that its only fitting to call him "Grandpa" when you tease him. He will laugh about it, but you see the embarrassment behind those beautiful eyes and you know he's gonna get you back! If you really want to get him hot and bothered, call him "Sexy." He will absolutely be at a loss for words and scramble to find the nearest Bible to get rid of the sin that you just manifested within him. (Hide your shame, Simeon. Hide your shame).

"Easy now, Grandpa! You don't want to break a hip!"

"You know I wouldn't miss spending time with you, Sexy."

Barbatos

General: Honey

You probably started off with calling him "Hun," but because you don't see him too much, it felt a little impersonal. Elongating it to "Honey" was perfect, and you love seeing the small shimmer in Barbatos' eyes when you use it to refer to him. Like Barbatos, you probably only use this to refer to him now because of how rare of a treat it is to see him throughout the day, let alone find some time to chat.

“Oh! Hi Honey. I'm having a wonderful day- how about you?"

Romantic: Hummingbird

This wonderfully endearing name came from how quickly Barbatod moves from one task to the next with attention to detail and grace. You couldn't help but think of the delicate little bird as he zoomed through the castle attending to Lord Diavolo's needs. The first time you referred to him a such, he cocked his head at you and asked you to elaborate. But once you explained, he was pleased to know he reminded you of such a delightful animal. When he is clearly overworked or feeling fatigued, this is the best thing you can call him to relax him and make him melt in your hands. Adding a "my" to it increases the effect ten fold.

"I am happy you finally got a break tonight, my hummingbird.”

Teasing: Doll

Again, since I support the hc that Barbatos is a freak, you better come up with a good name to match his if you actually want to tease him. The best way to do this is to call him something with a more submissive connotation- that will really get his cheeks flushing. Your go-to is usually "Doll," since it seemed to get a reaction every time you used it. You don't tease Barbatos back much. Because frankly, you know the consequences of doing so with him...(wink)

"Well, I sure am happy to hear you're at my service, Doll.”

Solomon

General: Hun

Again, because Solomon at first doesn't appear to fond of pet names, you go for something more simple. But you quickly realize he becomes attached to you calling him "Hun," and you see a sadness behind his stoic face whenever you use his actual name over the pet name he has grown so fond of hearing. He will never admit it though (I bet this bastard can give Lucifer's pride a run for its money at times)

"Of course, Hun. Which one is it that you need?”

Romantic: Liebling

Because his romantic pet name for you is a little more special, yours for him should be as well. I feel like Solomon is well-traveled since he is immortal (and has had the fricken time), and has experienced several lifetimes worth of various different cultures- which is why using a pet name in another language may hit different for him. Using "Liebling" when he's feeling down or having an existential crisis regarding his own mortality (which happens more often than you'd think weirdly enough) will bring him the most comfort. Adding "my" to it will seal the deal even more.

“I'm right here, my Liebling. Just relax."

Teasing: Master, Harry Potter

Again, Solomon feels like another who would be hard to fluster. I feel like the only way to really get him bothered is to stroke at his ego a bit. Using "Master" as a way to reference him turns him on immediately, so be prepared for that because he has no fricken breaks. When you want to tease him more playfully, calling him synonymous names to "Sorcerer" is a good way to get him in a huff, because of the connotations with human nerd culture. But if you really wanna get him annoyed, call him "Harry Potter"- especially if he's in the middle of a spell or creating a potion.

“You can tame me if you really desire to, Master."

"Alright now, calm down Harry Potter. Its not like you're creating life."

...

Hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading (:

Part one

#Obey Me! #obey me! fic #obey me #obey me! imagines #obey me leviathan #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #obey me barbatos #obey me diavolo #obey me simeon #obey me solomon #obey me! shall we date #obey me swd #swd: OBEY ME #headcannons

[thegrapeandthefig]

Spiritual protection in the Greco-Roman world

This was this week's hot topic, so I'm using the opportunity to make some things clear from a purely hellenic and historical perspective. Needless to say I am tired of seeing modern magical concepts being slapped on ancient beliefs and I am not writing this post unbiased.

Amulets Etymologically, the word amulet probably means "something that can be carried". It's, personally speaking, my favorite type of protection. Technically speaking, an amulet could, therefore, be a lot of different things as long as they serve two main purposes: tutelage (protection) and prophylaxis (preventive).

Let's go through some of the most common types:

Bulla: typically given to male roman children 9 days after birth. It is worn like a locket where other amulets are placed (typically phalluses).

Lunula: a crescent moon pendant worn by little and young roman girls until their mariage.

Fascinum, tintinnabula and other phalli: the symbol of protection par excellence, found in many shapes and forms. The tintinnabula is more potent, as it also has bells, which are considered apotropaic as well. Bells could also be put around children's and animal's neck for a similar protective effect.  

The Eye (mati): still widely in use, it appears as soon as the 6th century BC on Greek cups. Sometimes added on the phallus for a double protective effect (also true for wings).

Gorgoneion: Often worn simply as a pendant and easily found a bit everywhere, from house thresholds to carved on bullae.

Hercules' Club:  late Antiquity amulets shaped like wooden clubs and most common in Roman Germany between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. An examplary speciment bears the inscription "Deo Herculi", thus confirming its link to Hercules hero worship.

Amulet strings: Mostly seen for Athenian children. It is a cord with several amulets attached to it that is worn diagonally (or on the chest) instead of around the neck so the child can't choke on it.

Garter and waist amulet strings: Mostly worn by Greek women. Their function is debated, but it seems that amulets that were worn this way might have had something to do with easing childbirth, menstruation and sexuality in general (eg. to avoid miscarriages or, the opposite, as a contraceptive).

Coiled snake ring/bracelet: Common protection for young Roman women. 

Depiction of gods on medaillons and other objects: quite a straightforward way to put yourself under the protection of a deity. Helios and Semele together seem to both have been a popular choice.

Coins: Especially old reused coins, sometimes pierced in the middle but not always. This is especially the case for coins which have the image of a deity or hero (Alexander the Great got very popular for this function). Other notable examples include Fortuna, Nike or Helios. The image on the coin matters more than the coin itself.

This is not even an extensive list, but it's worth noting that when we're talking about the ancients, we're talking about people who have been put under some kind of magical protection since their first days of life. I personally have used 2 types of amulet cited above so far, a silver coiled snake ring which I worn until it broke, which I replaced by a fascinum. This one travels with me, as I keep it with my apartment keys but I have 2 consecrated phalli in my apartment that also serve a purpose: one to Dionysus and one to Priapus. The latter being by definition, a protective deity. 

Protection starts at the threshold

I know this can be hard to pull off, but in ideal conditions, you’d want to have a small altar or shrine by the main door of your place. Amulets are meant to follow you around, but protecting your space is just as important. In one of the ridiculous arguments I’ve witnessed this week, someone said, and I paraphrase, that “you could have negative entity living in your house and fucking your life up” when trying to honor the gods, which is “why you should banish". The problem here is banish against what? If the answer here is "negative spirits", then, by hellenic standards, this is a whole other process that: 

1) Doesn't happen at the altar 2) Protects the household on the long term instead of a one shot thing

This, alongside other elements of ancient greek theology, is why you don't need to "protect yourself when you approach the gods" and other ridiculous claims I've seen. If you need to protect yourself in such manner, it means you never either 1) developped kharis with a deity to protect you or 2) took care of protecting your place. 

The first protection for a typical greek door would be an aniconic pillar dedicated to Apollo Agyieus aka "of the street" because that pillar was outside of the house. This Apollo, protector of entrances is also called Thyraios in later sources: 

Apud Graecos Apollo colitur qui Θυραῖος vocatur, eiusque aras ante fores  suas celebrant, ipsum exitus et introitus demonstrantes potentem. The Greeks worship Apollo under the name Thyraios and tend his altars in front of their doors, thereby showing that entrances and exits are under his power.

-Macrobius, Saturnalia 1.9.6

It's important to note that the same epithet is attested for Hermes, which makes total sense since he and Hekate are also traditionally linked to the protection of thresholds (represented by hekataia and herms). 

Why am I insisting so much on doors? To quote Johnston: 

"Divinities who guard the entrances to cities or private dwellings would be expected to avert all sorts of dangers that might threaten those dwelling within, from burglars to mice, but in ancient Greece (like many other places), they were particularly expected to ward off unhappy souls and other demonic creatures, who were believed to congregate at entrances for two reasons. First, because inhabitants vigilantly used protective devices to keep them out, these creatures were imagined to lurk near entrances, patiently awaiting those rare moments of laxity when they might dart back inside."

It's important to note that the protection granted by threshold deities, whether it is Hecate, Hermes or Apollo is that it concerns both the mundane and the spiritual, restless spirits are one thing but it seems to extend to general ills.

Conclusion

I should add, before wrapping this up, that there is an evolution in time with how the Ancients considered their protection to work. As such, between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, amulets weren’t so prevalent. The gods were considered the only ones who had the ability to protect. After the end of the 5th century onwards, there is a gradual shift towards a more “DIY” approach to protection, where human action is considered impactful, thus making the use of atropopaic amulets relevant. 

Further reading: 

Faraone C., The Transformation of Greek Amulets in Roman Imperial Times, 2018

Habib R. R.,  Protective Magic in Ancient Greece: Patterns in the Material Culture of Apotropaia from the Archaic to Hellenistic Periods, 2017

Johnston I. S., Restless Dead: Encounters between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece, 1999

Kerr M. D., Gods, Ghosts and Newlyweds: exploring the uses of the threshold in Greek and Roman superstition and folklore, 2018

Porto C, V.,  Material Culture as Amulets: Magical Elements and the Apotropaic in Ancient Roman World in: Philosophy Study, 2020

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic paganism #hellenic religion #hellenic polytheistic #hellenismos #ancient magic #greek magic #hekatedeity #apollodeity #hermesdeity #witchcraft #witchy #i can't believe yall made me write this

[bills-pokedex]

Happy Birthday and a happy new year Bill from me and Kairi! So, Kairi's got a set of masks, one for each day without repeating a pattern, and is already putting together a list of places to visit once the crisis is over, and at the top of her list, is Lavaridge Town, followed by Fallarbor town. do you and Lanette have a handy tour guide for Lavaridge?

LH: Bill is apparently not answering asks he tried very hard to get me to ignore are from last year, so I'll go ahead and take over from here:

1. Thank you! I'm saying this for Bill, because we all know he's very appreciative about well wishes.

2. I know this is going to be breaking away from the usual format, but the truth is that though Lavaridge is a tourist destination, the number of tourist spots are . . . limited. Part of this is because space is limited; Lavaridge is built into the side of Mt. Chimney, which up until recently was an active volcano, so it hasn't really had the ability to build up. Most developers who've even considered taking projects there just end up building in Mauville instead—not Fallarbor, as Fallarbor suffers pretty much the same issue except we're in a valley and not on a mountain.

As for what is there, first, there's the gym, of course, which is one of the two reasons why you're going there. You'd think I just mean you're going there to win a badge, but it's also a landmark for anyone interested in Hoennian history or the history of pokémon leagues in general, as Lavaridge's is one of the oldest gyms to remain in a single family—as in, it's remained in the Moore family since the Hoenn League existed. And before that, the Moore family had been staples of Lavaridge, essentially leaders of the proto-gym that had existed there before the formalization of the league in the 1950s. Moores have basically been battling in the name of Lavaridge for at least a century, and that's not even mentioning the fact that one of them had been the Hoenn League's first fire-type Elite Four member and one of the original Elite Four. Needless to say, historians and history buffs in general have a lot of reasons to drop by the gym, but many of them visit to take a look at the age-old techniques still perpetuated and taught by the current gym leader, Flannery.

The other reason you might go there is to relax. Because it's the town furthest up Mt. Chimney, Lavaridge is home to a number of hot springs, as well as nutrient-rich volcanic mud and sand. Naturally, there are at least eight onsen in the area, including one attached to the pokémon center. Or, at least, they call themselves onsen and had at one point been traditional onsen, but they're now more all-inclusive spa resorts that surround or at least claim one of the hot springs in the area. And all of them are well-recommended by tourist websites and personal experience alike. Most tourists to Lavaridge come just to relax at any one of these—and to give their pokémon a chance to relax as well. As I've mentioned, they try to be all-inclusive, so they're hoping you're not just relaxing there but also staying and eating. (You could stay and eat elsewhere—including the other onsen—of course, but really, there's a lot to be said about convenience if you're going there for a relaxing trip.) Out of all eight, I would personally recommend the Mirakaross first, but each of them are fantastic for just melting the stress away.

Besides these two things, there are a few more spots worth noting, namely:

The Hino Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan and also one of the few shrines in Hoenn dedicated to just Groudon. (There was a sister shrine in Mossdeep dedicated to just Kyogre, but it was largely damaged by the floods that took place a few years ago with Kyogre's last awakening.)

The Lavaridge Herb Shop, the oldest traditional medicine shop in all of Hoenn. (Warning: Although its products are mostly for pokémon, pokémon generally don't like the bitter taste of herbal medicines. Go there if you're curious, but don't buy anything for Kairi.)

The Jagged Pass Preserve . . . or in other words, the rugged trails leading up to Mt. Chimney's caldera. It's great for hikers as it's a tough walk and a spectacular view once you get there, but it's also great for trainers, as the terrain and local pokémon combine to form an excellent challenge for pokémon gearing up for a gym battle. Two warnings, though: 1) If you go all the way up to the caldera itself, be careful, as Mt. Chimney is still very much active, and there are volcanic gases, a giant pool of lava, and occasional magma up there. 2) Don't go looking for Team Magma's hideout. Though it's been cleaned out by police, no one's quite sure if there's anything dangerous still in its depths.

The Lavaridge-Mauville Cable Car. I know. It doesn't sound exciting, but it's worth it for the view.

The Lavaridge Volcano Museum. If you're interested in science—and of course you are if you're here—then you really should make time for the Volcano Museum as well. Not only will it teach you about the inner workings of, well, volcanoes, but you'll learn all about each of Hoenn's own as well as the formation of the region itself. Not to mention the history of Mt. Chimney, naturally.

Lavaridge is also home to several fire-based festivals, including Hoenn's largest fireworks display during the appropriately-named Fireworks Festival . . . but that's in late July, unfortunately. On the other hand, there's also the smaller Hino Festival, which is a month-long festival starting in early March to celebrate the end of winter.

Other than that, it's really recommended that you go to Lavaridge to rest and relax—which, honestly, after this year and the past year, I think we all deserve it.

Enjoy, anonymous and Kairi!

#travel guide #pokemon worldbuilding #asks

[houseboatisland]

I'm rather curious for your own takes on Thom Thom~✨💙

Edit credit to @/ComradeOpThomas from Twitter, this is my ideal Thomas!

(Season 5 Thomas is the best Thomas, I don’t make the rules)

I started this hoping for it not to become a whole biography, but it just kept pouring out of me, so here's a very, very long post indeed lol

Thomas is NOT an L.B.S.C.R. E2 Class. He’s actually a unique design born to the North Western Railway in its earliest days… and in remarkably sad circumstances.

When the Railway Executive Committee first took over in August 1914, they were repulsed at the state of the Sudrian railways. Here were several argumentative companies operating in isolation from one another, with geriatric engines and stock, and one of them hadn't even run a train or maintained its permanent way since the start of the century. A key agenda item of the R.E.C.'s was a continuous, efficient railway system to quickly move men and materiel to the Island's eastern coast were Ireland to side with Kaiser Bill against John Bull. The existing standard gauge railways would have to be more or less torn up and rebuilt from scratch, and several new miles of track laid in to make for a single fluid network.

This required, among other things, many new engines. Several came over the Channel as and when could be spared by the Mainland, but as it became increasingly clear that the war would not be over "by Christmas," this wasn't an ideal long-term solution. The R.E.C. was especially upset that it had to put so many of its tender engines onto construction trains when their strength could be better used on other work. Two tank engines off the former Wellsworth and Suddery Railway, No. 1 "Short" and No. 2 "Stumpy" were by now nearing fifty years old, and exhausted mechanically.

The R.E.C., out to keep costs down and use resources to the fullest, ordered the N.W.R. to scrap these two engines and use the best parts of each to create one new engine. Measurements were taken, plans were hastily drawn up, and Short and Stumpy were quietly cut up in January 1915. Several fittings were made new for what odds and ends neither engine could contribute a usable part. The resulting new engine was "Thomas," who was put to work fresh off the shop floor.

Thomas at this point became the N.W.R.’s No. 1 quite by accident. He was the first engine to be built at Crovan’s Gate, and the REC misinterpreted this on his builder’s plates as an intention by the N.W.R. TO make him No. 1. So when Thomas gained his number, the R.E.C. and the N.W.R. both assumed this was deliberate by one another. And it was just too much of a hassle and too unimportant to change, so No. 1 he stayed.

As for his name, Thomas is named after Thomas Reginald Payne, the North Western Railway's first Chief Mechanical Engineer. Payne had made Thomas' construction a reality, from drawing up his blueprints to supervising his piecing together. Payne, who was CME from 1914 to his death in 1951, never forgot this connection to "his" engine, and often wanted to be on the shop floor whenever Thomas was in for repairs.

Thomas’ “infancy” was in a word, harsh. He was working around the clock, surrounded by engines who came and went, and did little if any socializing. Foremen were ordering him about at every turn. His first friend ever was the new N.W.R. No. 2, Edward, the former Wellsworth and Suddery Railway’s No. 5 and only tender engine, who knew his old crewmates were chopped up to make Thomas. Thankfully, Edward knew better than to let Thomas in on this, lest he give him some sort of existential crisis, and he made quick work of making himself a mentor to the little engine.

In these conditions, Thomas’ “cheeky” and anti-authoritarian streak took shape. His whole life thus far had been work and taking lumps from his superiors, most of whom were English and not Sudrian. This morphed into a disrespect for big engines, who wanted him to be their errand boy as construction work began to ebb and focus shifted to running trains. Ever the contrarian, Thomas only doubles down on his disrespect for tender engines when he finds out that that’s “the traditional order of things.” Edward is of course exempt from this attitude, but in his tensest moments Thomas can even lose patience with HIM momentarily.

The war finally ends. January 1919 sees the N.W.R. out to make an identity for itself as peacetime takes hold and Parliament quietly rumbles about Grouping or outright Nationalization. Thomas is the first engine to wear "Hatt Blue with Red Stripes," the company's planned standard livery. This isn't unique to him for long, however, and Thomas' new line of work from hereon is Station Pilot for Vicarstown. Needless to say this is upsetting to him. He's not moving up and down the Island like he was when building the railway. He's still rushed off his wheels. He's expected to be answerable to tender engines as he makes up their trains. Most importantly, he's still having as much difficulty as before to make time to make friends. This new job is in every respect everything Thomas could have wanted to avoid, and there's no telling if he'll ever even get out of it. January 1919 is thus where "Wants to See the World" Thomas begins.

Thomas still gets to see Edward regularly, and he is for a pinch joined by two other tank engines shunting at Vicarstown. They're also ex-Wellsworth and Suddery Railway, Nos. 3 and 4 "Edwin" and "Victor." Thomas befriends Victor, who is a friendly old joker, but dislikes Edwin who has become cranky in his old and as a 2-4-0T has a tendency to slip and not be of much help. They leave him too, in 1922, when The Fat Director relocates them to run other branchlines on the Island. So, 1922 onward, we meet Thomas as the sole pilot, thoroughly busy and thoroughly lonely.

This seems more or less canon, but The Fat Director probably sent Thomas to Wellsworth after his runaway with Edward's trucks in anticipation of giving him the Ffarquhar Branch once he was a matured engine. He didn't give Thomas the line just because he rescued James in fine style, that was really what made his mind up.

Thomas looks kindly enough on Henry as a big engine at this time, he and Edward as mentioned aren't necessarily the kinds of "Big Engines" he dislikes. He'll occasionally give him a tease or two, or lose patience with his health, (something he now deeply regrets years later,) but there's no real malice in it. Think of him as the little brother poking fun at his bigger brother for having one arm in a cast, but altogether still feeling sorry for him and accommodating him how he can. Henry for his part appreciates Thomas, but takes his teasing very seriously considering how sensitive and implicating it is to, you know, his whole existence.

My idea of Thomas' relationship with Gordon is heavily inspired by @/mean-scarlet-deceiver's: Thomas is initially awed by Gordon's arrival and finally confident the N.W.R. can survive, but quickly resents him when he shows his true colors as a "big engine" through and through. I wouldn't even call Gordon and Thomas "friendly" until their alliance at Toryreck Mine. From 1923 all the way up to then, depending on when you place it, they... legitimately dislike each other. There's no affection beneath all the ribbing and jibes, they ACTUALLY disliked each other that whole period of time.

I'm still hashing out my headcanon of 98462 and 87546, (just know that those aren't actually their numbers,) but it's safe to say Thomas hates their guts, and '62 and '46 hate his guts in return as a servant willing to speak up for himself.

Thomas and James were a couple from 1924 to 1933, when they broke up amid the Big Engine Strike. I'd really rather reserve this for a post of its own at a later date.

Thomas and Percy are good friends, but I wouldn't go so far as to call them "best friends" like the TVS has so often hammered in. They clearly come to blows whenever the tension's too much. I like to explain that away as a shift in Thomas' character. With him doing more passenger work as Percy and Toby handle the stone trains, and his increasing fame, Thomas begins looking down on Percy, not long after he transferred to Ffarquhar in 1955 in fact. This might also have to do with unresolved feelings between them both. (Hey, remember that little green engine you kissed once just to try it over twenty years ago? He's your roommate now, probably forever. Play nice!)

#ttte thomas #ttte worldbuilding #ttte #ttte oc: short #ttte oc: stumpy #ttte oc: thomas reginald payne #ttte edward #ttte the fat director #ttte james #ttte henry #ttte gordon #ttte 98462 #ttte 87546 #ttte percy #ttte toby #ttte daisy #ttte shipping #engines kissing #thomas x james #thomas x percy #tw death #ttte oc: edwin #ttte oc: victor

[nevaryadl]

Jacqui and Takeda take their daughter around to practice saying names [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4, you are here] cw: happy crying, long post, briefly implied windwolf

"Unleash her!"

Raiden looked up from his book. He was quite enjoying some leisure time outside, since it was one of the few and rare sunny days at the Sky Temple. He was even enjoying an apple. At the sound of the shout (was that Takeda?), he did look up and then smiled fondly at the sight of Jacquiline and Takeda's sweet child running towards him, beaming nearly from ear to ear as she raced over and then gracelssly threw herself into his lap. He just laughed, putting his book and his apple aside as the sweet child righted herself in his lap and smiled up at him.

"Hello little one, to what do I owe your presence?" Raiden smiled.

"Great gran-pa Raiden!"

Raiden started for only a second, before melting and smiling even more warmly at this adorable child.

"Yes, that is me, sweet one," Raiden smiled as the little one beamed so proudly at him. "Well done."

"Got it in one," Jacqueline beamed as her and Takeda finally joined the two of them. "Also figured we wouldn't get you like some of the others. You had years and years of me and Cassie callin' you grandpa."

"Trust me, my heart is full to burst," Raiden smiled. "But still... what a little treasure."

"Ain't she?" Takeda grinned.

~*~

Liu Kang and Kung Lao, back from the dead and now retired from active kombat, were both enjoying the rare sunny day at the Sky Temple by sitting out in the sun and doing as old men like them were prone to do... sleep. Under the shade of a tree, the two old warriors enjoyed soaking up some of the warmth and sunlight and enjoyed some peaceful slumber. Which mostly went uninterrupted until... Kung Lao sensed someone near and, casually flicking his hat up, was greeted with the sight of Jacqui and Takeda's child trying /very/ hard to sneak her way over. But seeing him move, the little one yelped through a grin and then giggled when Kung Lao smiled back at her, sitting up proper against the tree and beckoning her over.

"Hey there," Kung Lao smiled as she came dashing over, eagerly getting into his lap. She grinned so cutely when he took his hat off (thankfully just a casual bamboo hat) and put it on her head, making her giggle before clumsily grabbing the edges to lift it up to look up at him.

"Huh?" Liu Kang said, eyes blearily blinking as he sat up out of the grass and looked around. When he saw the little one wearing his brother's hat, he smiled sleepily as he dragged himself up into a sitting position, smiling at the sweet child. "You are... Takeda and Jacqui's child, yes?"

"Gran-pa Li- Lu lu! Gran-pa Lao!"

The two men paused, before their eyes watered with joyful tears. Needless to say they were absolutely floored by this sweet child and even more so by being refereed too as 'grandpa'. And the two Earthrealm champions, mightiest warriors that Earthrealm had concieved in centuries, teary eyed and completely enamored with this sweet child, were found a moment later by the ever proud and beaming as they joined the three.

"She get you?" Takeda beamed.

"Yes," Liu Kang and Kung Lao croaked out why Jacqui and Takeda just beamed.

~*~

Bo Rai' Cho had just finished up training for the day. Master as he was, as he grew older, coupled with his fighting style, he had to keep up his physical health. That usually meant weight lifting and more strength based exercise, as other forms of training were simply too much given his body type and his old knees. So now he was enjoy a large jug of cold water and a good sit down outside, enjoying the fair weather for the Sky Temple and just taking a moment to relax and catch his breath.

And that was how he was when he heard little footsteps dashing towards him, himself looking up from the jug in his hands to see an adorable little girl running towards him. It took him a moment to realize who she was, the young girl did remarkably resemble her mother, though with a certain flair from her father as well. And of course he offered her a smile, one that grew as she came over and lifted her up hands with a universal 'please pick me up' motion. He reached down and plucked her the little one up and blopped her onto one of his legs.

"Hello little one, where did you come from?" Bo Rai' Cho beamed at her.

"Uncle Bo!" The little one chimed.

"Well, it seems that even if they are at the age of being parents themselves, they haven't quite outgrown being the 'Kombat Kids'," Bo Rai' Cho snorted, but grinning all the same because the little one was cute.

The little one just giggled at him, before eagerly pointing at her approaching parents.

"She get you?" Jacqui asked.

"Not quite, but excellent try!" Bo Rai' Cho chuckled, bouncing his knee to bounce the little one, much to her ample giggling delight.

"Aw... it was cute though, right?" Takeda asked.

"Very. And I look forward to the day that she can say my full name," Bo Rai' Cho smiled.

The little one just grinned.

~*~

Kung Jin had an idea that Jacqui and Takeda were taking their kid around to everyone, trying to get her to start pronouncing names. Something about both introducing her to her massive blood and adopted family and also helping strengthen her speech skills now that she was up to starting to talking 'properly'. He also knew that they were being little shits about it and getting people all teary eyed and misty over the little brat trying her hardest to say names...

So he was wisely hanging out at the Sky Temple and trying to avoid them. For now, he trained with Kai and merely kept an ear out for little running feet or the sound of Jacqui and Takeda snickering. No way in hell would they get him...

"Hello!" Kai beamed at something behind Jin as they prepared to square off for another round of sparring. Jin only had a moment to process it before hearing little feet dashing over to the two of them, turning to see the little squirt that he was worried about seeing, all grins as she came bouncing over.

She dashed more immediately towards Jin, body checking his legs to throw her arms around them before looking up at him with those big puppy eyes. He could already feel his will eroding...

"Where did you come from?" Kai asked, squatting down to her level to offer her a sweet smile.

"Uncle Jin! Uncle Kay!"

Kai just looked enamored and Jin had to count back from thirty to keep the 'too cute' tears at bay. He absolutely was not going to let Jacqui and Takeda take this one, they already got Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya and who knew who else. He absolutely was not going to get teary eyed, no matter how cute this little brat was... he had to be strong...

"Up! up!" The little girl asked, letting Jin's legs go to reach up and make grabby hands at him. And figuring maybe that would help keep the gushing at bay, Jin reached down and scooped her up. She grinned oh so smugly as Jin held her. She really had managed to get both of her parents' smug ass smiles tossed together into a new and even more smug smile.

"Oh, Jacqui and Takeda's kid," Kai processed, standing up to be level with her.

"Ain't she a doll?" Jacqui beamed as her and Takeda finally caught up with her kid. "Ain't that right, Jin?"

"Yep," Jin clipped out, because the little girl had his ponytail in her pudgy little hands and was now holding it up to her cupid's bow to make it look like she had a long mustache and oh god there had to be a limit on how cute this kid could be.

"Heeeey sweetheart?" Takeda said, Cheshire grin that did bode well for Jin. "I think Uncle Jin has a boo-boo. Wanna give him a kiss to make him feel better?"

The little kid nodded eagerly and laid a cute little kiss on Jin's cheek and that was it. His eyes brimmed with overjoyed tears that had Kai 'd'aww'ing at him and Jacqui and Takeda just looking smug.

~*~

"Hello little one!" Fujin cheered, rushing up to meet the little one, ducking down low to sweep her up into his arms and squeeze her tight against his chest, before letting her go just enough to give her a smile and soak up the sight up of the little one beaming right back up at him.

"There she is," Nightwolf smiled as Fujin brought her over to where they had been sitting together to enjoy the sunny day when the little one came running towards them. He beamed as she was let down, only to rush up to him to throw herself at him in as much of a hug as her little body could fit him into. "Hello little one, how are you?"

"I hear," Fujin grinned as she let Nightwolf go to sit between them. She went for his long braid, as she usually did and because Fujin just let her and would likely let her until she no longer wished too. She gently fiddled with it, old enough to know not to tug on it, grinning when she rubbed the soft end against her soft cheeks. "You have been causing quite the mischief, my dear."

The little one stuck her tongue out.

"Huh?" Nightwolf asked.

"Takeda and Jacqui have been going down, encouraging her to say names and have people be overwhelmed by cuteness," Fujin beamed, laughing when the little one stuck a length of his braid between her puckered lips and the underside of her nose, making it look like she had a long mustache. "Isn't that right?"

The little one giggled, letting the braid fall, before enthusiastically nodding.

"Well... are you ready, love?" Nightwolf grinned.

"Here we go," Fujin grinned back.

"Gran-pa Night-woof! Great gran-pa Fujin!"

Needless to say, they both were easily overcome with how cute she was and both beamed as their eyes watered and the little one just beamed happily.

"She get you?!" Takeda called from a distance.

"Yes!" The two happily shouted back.

#mk #Mortal Kombat #Jacqui Briggs/Takahashi Takeda #Jacqui Briggs #Takahashi Takeda #Raiden (Mortal Kombat) #Fujin (Mortal Kombat) #Liu Kang #Kung Lao #Kung Jin #Kai (mortal kombat) #Nightwolf (mortal kombat) #Bo Rai' Cho #long post/

[thatasianstereotype]

Shit. I Got To Deal With This Bitch (Again). 

The third installment of my Adrien x Damian AU. 

First: Fuck. I’m Gay. 

Second: Damn, You’re Looking Fine. 

Well, would you look at that? I’m not dead after all. And this took a while to put together understatement of the fucking century. The reason is because life is a busy little shit the English language will not cooperate. I’m thinking of a scene I want to write and somehow words are lost in translating that into the computer and I end up with a white blank screen in the end. 

But moving on to the fic. At first, I was going to have the whole Gabriel-being-put-in-jail and former-friends-thing put as an aftermath because I really wanted to write Marinette and Adrien meeting the Waynes. But I decided to make the aftermath a full-blown fic from @michaelshadow7779′s ideas and extend the trilogy into a four-part series. 

This part will be focused on what happened to Liar-la, Ms. Bustier’s class trying to gain back their friendship with Marinette and Adrien, and Gabriel getting a special visit from both Robin and Ladybug. 

Again, this is a crack writing where creative liberties were definitely taken. 

.

.

.

Lila Rossi is a fucking bitch and everyone —Like everyone this time— knew it. 

Her reputation was now in shambles (she’s now known as that pathological liar or that lying bitch) and Ms. Bustier’s class could only stare at her with hatred and anger —feelings that were once directed at Marinette. 

No one entertained her lies anymore. No one really hung out with her anymore. She sat at the back of the class, staring daggers at both Adrien and Marinette all day (just wishing for an akuma that will never appear).

Unfortunately for her, Lila couldn’t transfer out of class and with only 2 more months of the school year left, she couldn’t transfer out of school so she was stuck dealing with the consequences of her actions: being a fucking social outcast.

Because the class was not at all happy with their supposed friend. Tensions ran high during school. Things took a turn for the worse when Ms. Bustier tried to “fix” things in her own way, mentioning how the only reason Lila lied was because of her “disease” and the girl simply wanted to make friends. 

Needless to say, the class did not appreciate their teacher making them out to be fools all this time. 

It was Alya who ripped her a new one. Césaire definitely has a set of lungs on her. And Adrien would be lying if he didn’t say how utterly satisfying it was to watch.

Karma was a bitch. 

Payback was a bitch. 

And Adrien was fucking living in the aftermath. He wondered if it was mean (probably but he didn’t care) that he wished he had popcorn right now. 

All in all, life returned back to normal. 

Well, kind of. 

.

Unfortunately, with the 2 months left in the school year, Ms. Bustier couldn’t exactly be let go because apparently Mr. Damocles didn’t want to deal with the whole paperwork, trying to find a new teacher to replace her, and dealing with the so-called Akuma class. 

That fucker. 

So essentially, he left her at the mercy of her unhappy class, saying she will be let go at the end of the school year. 

Ms. Bustier was unhappy with the arrangement. The class was unhappy with it too. Probably even more so. Since they still got to deal with Rossi’s bitch ass on a daily basis. 

The remaining 2 months of school were spent in a passive-aggressive war. Teacher vs. Students. Where technically the teacher should be respected and they should learn from her but the class was unleashing their collective pettiness. 

And Caline Bustier was fucking done with this job. She wanted to go back in time to when she thought being a teacher was a good idea and shake her past self silly. At this point, she was just counting the days until she can leave for good. 

“Kim. That’s the third time you slept in class this week. If you don’t pay attention, you won’t pass the test next week.” 

“Hold up. I got to ask the certified pathological liar where I put all the fucks I give.” 

“Ok. Don’t forget to ask Marinette if you can actually trust her answer.” 

It was glorious. 

Adrien and Marinette were definitely enjoying the show. 

.

Marinette put down her sketchbook and stared at Damian for a minute. “You’ve been here for a month and a half already. Are you still doing business for your dad?” 

Damian Wayne became a common sight around Françoise Dupont High School and can usually be seen around Adrien and Marinette. After a week of constantly seeing him hang around lunch or in after school activities/clubs, seeing a Wayne soon lost its novelty and people accepted it as the new norm.

“I’m already done with what I need to do at WE’s Paris branch.” He casually plucked flowers from the ground to make a crown for his mon amour who was happily chatting with Luka and Kagami.

“So why are you still here? Don’t you have your own education to finish?”

“My schooling is of no concern. I already earned my diploma a few months ago. It was not at all difficult when I’m already light years ahead of my peers in regards to the dismal educational system my Father forced me to attend."

She raised an unamused eyebrow. “Uh huh. And your family isn’t worried at all about you, a minor, being in a foreign country all by yourself?” 

“They know I’m here. I already informed Father that I will be extending my stay here.”

“And he just accepted it? Just like that?”

"I’m responsible enough to handle myself. I surely do not need Batman watching over me. And you don’t need to worry at all. I’ve been away from home for far longer.”

“You’re completely missing the point.”

“On the contrary, I thought I answered the question perfectly.”

.

When they weren’t playing a petty war with Bustier, the class was trying to get back into Marinette and Adrien’s good graces by inviting them to everything and trying to include the pair in their lives again. They wanted to be friends with their Everyday Ladybug and Sunshine Child again. 

“Want to do homework together?”

“How about a study session?” 

“We’re having a sleepover at Juleka’s place, Marinette. We can talk about each other’s love lives like the good old times.” 

“Wanna see the new movie that came out, Adrien? I’ll even pay for your favorite snacks.”

“Come on you two. Let’s hang out in the park. We can get Andre’s ice cream too. It’ll be fun.” 

Spoiler alert: It don’t work. At all. 

.

“Hey Marinette, Adrien! Why don’t you sit with us today?” Alya eagerly waved at them from where she was sitting with Nino. 

It was a part of a long list of efforts that the class is trying to include the pair in. And it would be nice if it was just to be nice and friendly, you know. Adrien wasn’t going to be outright mean to them even though they fucking deserve it after how they treated the beautiful and kind goddess that was Marinette because Mari asked him to “Play nice, kitty”. 

But the class kept trying to slide the whole Liar-la thing under the rug as if it was nothing. As if they didn’t shit all over their good name for a two-faced bitch. As if they had no part in making them feel like outcasts just weeks before. As if they didn’t called them hateful names or gave them scornful glares. 

And that’s just fucking wrong. Because it wasn’t nothing. And they weren’t good pals anymore. So stop fucking acting like it. 

Adrien was so done with his former friends/classmates. Marinette even more so. 

Because apparently, saying “Yeah, We want nothing to do with you anymore.” is not fucking clear enough that the pair wanted nothing to do with their former friends. 

Like what the actual fuck. 

Luckily, Mari can sense her kitty’s bad mood and quickly laid a hand on his arm and led them to their seats in the middle row since Liar-la took the back and they will be damned if they sit next to her. 

Alya was utterly aghast. She and the others were trying their best to have things be back to where they were before. Doesn’t Marinette and Adrien want things to be like they were before? When everyone was friends and they were making happy memories together? 

Why won’t they accept their olive branch? They’ll be friends again and everything will be okay just like it was before Lila came. 

Let it be known that Alya Césaire was not a patient person. Like at all. 

She was fuming (like you could see the smoke coming out of her ears) as she walked up to Marinette’s desk, just bursting at the seams with frustration. “I don’t get it. Why are you so cosy with Adrien instead of us? Did you forget he supported Lila too? 

“That was—” Marinette spoke up in defense of her everything-that-actually-matters brother. 

But Alya ignored her and bulldozed right over, slamming her hands down on her desk. “Yeah. He changed his mind later on but the point still stands that he was on Lila’s side just like us so why are you willing to be friends with him but not me and Nino? We were best buds.” 

“Adrien was friends with Lila unwillingly, unlike you guys. His douchebag of a father wanted him to play nice with that harlot for some reason and he had to go along with it or risk being pulled out of school.” 

Alya rolled her eyes (She literally rolled her eyes at that) before crossing her arms in front of her chest. “Please. That’s probably a pretty little excuse he gave you be on your good side again. We all know Gabriel will never actually do it.”  

“Are you perhaps referring to the man who rejected the idea of a birthday part for his own son or makes Adrien attend constant photo shoots and a crazy schedule to follow that makes it hard for him to hang out with his friends regularly. That Gabriel?” 

At that, Alya faltered a bit as she uncrossed her arms. 

“Look, Alya. I’m fine with being friendly classmates but I’m not going to be your friend again.” 

And Alya —who wanted things to just be okay again and wanted to go back to being Marinette’s best friend, who was tired of days trying to put so much effort into being Marinette’s best gal again only to be rejected every single time— just let whatever came into her mind to slip out of her mouth. She didn’t watch what she said next and in doing so burnt the last bridge she ever had to Marinette. 

“Maybe Lila was actually right for once when she said the only reason you’re close to Adrien was to use him to get ahead in the fashion industry.” 

Oh shit. 

She really done did it now. 

It was at this point that Marinette’s infinite patience and kindness snapped. Adrien scooted his chair back a bit to get out of the crossfire. He’s a dumbass kitty but he still has self-preservation. 

The grip on her pencil tightened as her eyes narrowed and grew darker, her voice ice cold.  

“You were the one who decided we were done being friends, Césaire.” 

Alya was taken aback, frozen at the biting harshness Marinette directed at her. Whatever comeback she had died in her throat. 

Mari let out a deep breath and her voice was back to neutral. “Look. Maybe someday in the future we can be friends again. But not right now. Please respect my decision.”

And that was the end of that. 

Well kind of. 

Because the ice queen treatment didn’t deter her at all. Alya still persistently tried to get Marinette to be friends with her again until Nino pulled her away and forced her to stop it with her ridiculous antics which aren’t working. 

The rest of their former friends now classmates got the message and left the pair alone. They were friendly and cordial with each other as common courtesy dictate but they had no interaction beyond that. They were nowhere near as close as they once were before Liar-la happened. 

Anyway, school went back to normal. Well as normal as it could be with all the recent changes.

Nothing was as it was before. 

And Marinette and Adrien were fine with that. 

.

Mari was hanging out with Aurore and Mireille for the afternoon so Damian and Adrien had Mari’s room all to themselves. They were currently playing video games. 

And although the Wayne boy was the perfect gentleman who doesn’t let his hormones rule over common courtesy and a proper courtship, Plagg was there to supervise the lovebirds (with a boatload of cheese to keep him company of course). 

He likes to think of himself as laid back and chill who cares deeply about his kittens. And Adrien is a pure innocent little bean. 

Don’t get him wrong. He does like Wayne as a person. The kid’s attitude and personality is a fun riot to witness. But the major plus is how it is beyond obvious Wayne adores and cares greatly about Adrien. He is a good boyfriend to his chaotic gay sunshine baby. 

But after all the shit and drama that went down with his scumbag of a dad, Plagg was just feeling a tad protective of his kitty. 

Just a tad. 

.

They have been dating for close to a month now. He wonders if they are going to do a one-month anniversary. Is that excessive? Or was that normal? But Adrien still can’t get over how he landed such a hot and amazing guy as a beau. 

If only he could go back in time to visit his insecure and confused little self and reassure him that they had game all along. 

“Fuck. I lost.” 

Dami smirked. “That makes it 7 to 5 in my favor.” 

“I don’t care if you’re drop dead gorgeous. I’ll beat your pretty face in the next round.” 

Hot-And-Sexy had an amused grin on his face. “I love you too, babe.” 

.

Marinete and Damian are finally making a plan to get Hawk Moth to answer for his crimes. Needless to say, they have their differences on how to handle Gabriel Agreste.

“I vote to have Hawk Moth taste my blade.”

“We’re not killing Adrien’s dad no matter how much he deserves it.”

“I can get away with it.”

“So can I. But murder is still illegal.”

Naturally, discussing how to confront Gabriel and coming with a good solid plan that satisfies both teenagers took some time.

.

Adrien entered Mari’s room, humming a bit as he carried a tray filled with homemade snacks. He perked up seeing his two favorite people in the world getting along so well.

“Hey guys! What are you up to?”

Damian and Marinette glanced at each other for a split second. They didn’t want their Chaton to worry about Hawk Moth so they didn’t share any specifics.

It was Dami who spoke up. “We are discussing the legalities of assassination.”

Mari facepalmed.

Luckily, Adrien was a pure oblivious child. “That’s nice, babe.”

.

With all the strange things he’s seen (namely, the Miraculous and getting powers from tiny little talking animals), Gabriel will like to say he shouldn’t be surprised. 

But he was. 

Luckily, he had enough self-control to not show his surprise in an obvious way, just a raised eyebrow towards the two superheroes standing in the middle of his office. 

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Mademoiselle Ladybug and Monsieur Robin?” Pleasant and neutral. 

Ladybug he can kind of understand her presence. He is a supervillain after all. Wait. Maybe ex-supervillain now. Because he hasn’t been doing villain things for a while now since he misplaced Nooroo’s brooch and couldn’t find it no matter how many boxes of unsold Miraculous replicas he went through. And he went through a lot (that is not an understatement). Amazing how much free time he has when he isn’t stalking on the watch for negative feelings. 

But what was Robin doing here? He wasn’t aware the Gotham sidekick was in Paris in the first place. 

“We are aware of your alter ego, Hawk Moth.” 

He sighed internally. This wasn’t going to end well. But he hasn’t gotten this far by bowing down easily. 

“Just because I am a genius recluse does not mean I have supervillain tendencies.” 

Ladybug was unimpressed as she crossed her arms and stare at him with a deadpan look. “But you do have supervillain tendencies. I have yours and Nathalie’s miraculous who told us all about your plans.” 

Huh, no wonder he couldn’t find them. 

But anyway, the gig was up. Nooroo and Duusu were very emotional blabbermouths. The main reason why he couldn’t let them out of his sight —besides needing them to transform into bad guys of course. 

“Then you know I had a good reason why I became Hawk Moth.” 

“To bring your wife back. Yes, I am aware of your ‘master’ plan.” 

Maybe he can appeal to their sympathy. After all, heroes got to have empathy, right? “It was for Adrien’s sake to have his family back together.”

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. 

Because next thing he knew he had a razor sharp sword against his neck. He didn’t even see Robin move. 

“Do not speak of his name, you traitor scum.” The Gotham hero growled. “How dare you preach about your son’s happiness when you are the one who have been neglecting him for the past years. Do not say you care for the boy when you never once showed an ounce of love towards him.” 

Why is Robin so protective towards Adrien? Do they know each other well? 

But Gabriel’s questions were immediately banished to the back of his mind. Because right now, he was righteously fearing for his life. Prison sounded better than death. He glanced towards Ladybug. He knew she, at least, wouldn’t let him die. She was the picture perfect hero after all. 

Who was facepalming at the situation. “For the last time, we are not killing Agreste.” 

Unfortunately, Robin did not remove the sword. “And as I keep saying, no one will have to know.” 

“I will. I am literally standing right here as a witness.” 

“You may look away if you are squeamish.”

“...That’s not the problem.” It was time for Ladybug to pull out the big guns. “And if you go through with this, you will make your boyfriend cry and he will no longer want to date you.” 

It took a few seconds but Robin eventually lowered the sword and addressed Gabriel. “Do not presume that because you have no received death today that you do not deserve it. The only reason why your guts have not decorated this room is because I do not wish to make my mon amour shed tears for such a despicable man.” 

Ladybug spoke up next. “We are going to report you to the authorities. Robin and I have enough evidence to put you away for life.” 

To live for another day, Gabriel makes the smart choice of quickly surrendering right then and there. 

.

“Mon amour, I come bearing both good and bad news.” 

Adrien looked at Dami confused. “Okay? What’s the bad news?”

“Your sister have unfortunately stopped my attempt to slay your wicked father.” 

Aww. 

Adrien’s squishy little heart filled with endearing fondness at how much Hot-And-Sexy cared about him. 

“Killing my father isn’t worth going to jail, Dami. I’m sure you can pull off orange but Mari will probably bar me from ever visiting you to teach you a lesson.”  

He considered that for a moment. “That is true. Marinette is a frightening terror.” 

“She’s the greatest thing to happen to me.”Adrien swooned at his goddess before remembering his boyfriend was with him. “You’re a very close second.” 

But Dami was smiling fondly. “I know. I knew what I was getting into when I asked you out. I will never get in the way between your sibling bond.” 

Aww. 

He could feel his squishy little heart almost explode from all this sugary cuteness from his vain and egotistical Adonis.  

“You’re adorable. So what’s the good news you have for me?” 

“Marinette and I have finally dealt with your father. He will answer for his crimes in front of the Parisian authorities and you will not deal with the repercussions of being related to someone as vile as he.” 

“Does this mean I don’t have to legally change my name to Dupain-Cheng after all?” 

“You’re already one. Not sharing their name does not make you any less of one.” 

Adrien beamed, smiling brighter than any sun. He loved being part of the Dupain-Cheng family and it was nice to be acknowledged as one of them. 

“Of course. Being a Wayne is an honor too.” Damian said casually as if he was simply talking about the weather. Only the twitch of his fingers belied his nervousness. 

Adrien interlocked their fingers together. “You have to buy me a pretty ring first, Mr. Hot-And-Sexy.” 

.

The next week was kind of crazy to say the least. 

Gabriel Agreste was outed as Hawk Moth and Natalie as Mayura to the public. They were promptly put in jail. 

For all their contingency plans, Marinette and Damian had nothing to worry about after all. Adrien being a literal sunshine and Paris’ darling model was what saved him from being a pariah and outcast. The public knew that Adrien was the victim here and not part of Hawk Moth’s plans at all (Be serious. Can you imagine Sunshine child actually having an evil streak in him? No? That’s right. Because it is impossible). People were more sympathetic about Adrien having such a douchebag as a father than the possibility that he was evil like said douchebag. 

After that whole drama mess, Ladybug and Chat Noir announced their retirement to Paris’ dismay. But eh. Without akumas running around, they can leave Paris’ future to the police (since it’s you know, their job to keep the peace and not teenagers who is still winging it as they kick ass). 

Marinette and Adrien just wanted to focus on their future without any other crazy shenanigans.

He already said it before. But it still bears repeating.

Lila Rossi is a bitch.

The only thing Gabriel did right was throw her under the bus when he was caught. He told the police and superheroes how Lila helped him cause akumas with her lies and manipulation. Who knew her destroyed reputation could plummet even further? Understandably, her mother was not at all pleased with her daughter’s antics.

For being a terrorist and an indecent person, Lila was immediately arrested and deported to Italy (and that’s the last they ever heard of her thank everything Mari thinks is holy). 

.

With the whole Hawkmoth thing out of the way and he didn’t have to worry about his shitty dad ever again, Adrien can now focus on his biggest challenge yet. 

School will be over in a few days and summer will be here. Which means: It’s time to finally meet the Waynes. 

Oh fuck. He was going to meet the Batfam. 

And even though Dami assured him that his family will like him, he was still nervous. 

Fuck that. He was absolutely 100% freaking out!

Thank goodness Mari was coming along for the ride. 

Previous

Next

.

.

.

Taglist:

@iglowinggemma28

#ml x dc #ml salt #ml salt fic #lila rossi salt #alya cesaire salt #bustier salt #gaydrien #adrien is a hot mess #adrien agreste x damian wayne #adridami #adrien deserves better #marinette deserves better #bamf marinette #a 3.7K fic people #crack writing

[cycloplasm]

have been working on this guy since 2020 and finish him only now. it’s almost 2022. i am fast AND efficient!!! Anyway this Star Apple- Star being his first name. He’s a jewel wasp.

Much like Bloodlime, Star Apple was initially programmed to be the first female fruitbug (the new first, given by that time Bloodlime had already transitioned). Unlike the former though, Star IMMEDIATELY disliked being a girl, and would actually threaten the in-universe Fruitbugs creator to change his initial gender. Many fruitbugs have been impish enough to annoy their creator (in a more or less direct way, depending on the courage of the individual), but NEVER before had there been one ‘foolish’ enough to go against him that way, and potentially face dire consequences such as being deleted completely. This was big enough of an event to reach Fig- one of the 2 Fruitbug god characters and official moderator of the game. Fearing the whole cast of characters would be punished because of Star’s threats, Fig appeared in front of Star and said ‘I will trans your gender, just PLEASE be quiet afterwards.’ Needless to say, Star accepted, became a male character and was, indeed, quiet afterwards. The Fruitbugs creator was taking a nap so he is unaware of any of this and didn’t even realize his lastest character’s gender changed.

Star Apple thrived in gender euphoria for a long time, until upon a casual exploration of one of the game’s caves, he found the sword he’s pictured above wielding, creatively named Evil Sword by the creator. It was created to serve as 'evil' equiment for the player to find- its item description says it tormented NPCs for centuries with its 'nefarious plans'. Its vague description interested Star enough to break the rules of the game again, and took it for himself; making it unobtainable for all players. Through both’s evil magic mixing, they gained immense power and a game-breaking ability. Literally! Star has a special attack that can fry the console’s wires and make it explode, potentially harming the player! As you can guess that makes the game unplayable afterwards, if it can even be salvaged at all. Star actually likes to use this attack- he only uses it if he’s extremely mad/insulted, so he feels like hurting the player is justified. All the Fruitbugs- even the more ‘neutral’ ones, feel like Star crossed a line and not only call him ‘the most evil entity in the game’, but also make some actively try to take him down. So far, none succeeded. Even the Evil sword fears its owner, given how evil he is. To add to it all, Star, being a jewel wasp, has venom that can ‘zombify’ cockroach fruitbugs and NPCs temporarily, and make them do his bidding until they wake up. The normally tough sewer mafia leader Lemon greatly fears Star because of this, and taught his sons to fear jewel wasps more than even death itself. They don’t even know real life jewel wasps give roaches an even worse fate than ‘just’ being a zombie- let’s NOT tell them about it... The exploding console thing has made the news in the real world, with one interviewee saying ‘I miss the times where the only problems with Fruitbugs was that the sentient fictional character could buy a house while I couldn’t. Now the fictional characters can buy houses, send me death threats and destroy my console, but they won’t even let me date them.’. The news lasted until it was found that anyone who had their console burst in their hands had severely insulted one of the game’s trans characters before being hurt.

If you somehow get past all of Star Apple’s crimes, and play the game the way it’s intended... I regret to inform you that you can’t date him. Unless you’re a trans masculine individual yourself- Star is one of the very few Fruitbugs with their own orientations, and in his case he’s a ace gay t4t/translovingtrans. The game actually lets you/the player pick their gender(s), but it never specifies if the in-game gender is cis or trans- in other words, Star just somehow knows who is transmasculine like he is. He can even detect closeted ones, but not all. Trying to fool him will get you nowhere and he’ll just completely disappear from your game; starting a new one can work though, but only if you wanted a fresh start and play the game as a trans masc. With fellow trans mascs, Star is actually.... Pretty pleasant? His evil side is still clearly there- he’ll be pleasant in the sense of ‘does (x) annoy you? I can kill it if you want.’. There’s many violent things he’d do for you, and doesn’t actually expect:want anything violent in return. Call him out at your own risk though, he can threaten to hurt you and break your console if you cross his limits. The ideal relationship with Star is to let him do his.... Little in-game violence and hurting other players things, and just be yourself around him. Star is open to any type of personality outside of confrontational ones- if he loves you then he’ll love you for who you are and genuinely support you through hardships, especially gender-related ones. He can be surprisingly heartfelt sometimes if needed.

One last thing: the Evil sword? He is dateable. You can date him, if you do very specific things, in a specific order, and in specific days of the year. Please sympathise with him, for his situation is essentially a fictional character bullying other fictional characters, only for a fellow fictional guy to force him to hurt gods' hands.

#o #fruitbugs #rose'socs #fruitbugs star apple #there's another name for this fruit- that i initially picked but upon reasearch it has... Certain meanings #and ones i'm not comfortable naming a character of mine after- esp a trans man (even if he doesn't have THOSE) #notes; 1) the white part of his face are actually scars! they were caused by light type attacks. #I've seen many good-aligned characters with scars made by darkness. I thought it would be fun to #have a character who has been scarred by light. Esp my ''''most evil''''' fruitbug #2) in his true form he has 3 rows of mandibles. he has them in his regular form as well but he rarely opens his mouth enough to #have them be visible. Idk if it's clear but it goes: row 1: lighter mandibles on the sides of his face. row 2 red+made of gums. Surprisingly #sharp despite the gum texture. row 3: bigger darker mandibles. then it's the throat #in his regular form the mandibles look like regular canines/teeth but are white. the the 2nd gum row looks the same though. #3) it's actually super rare to have a true form have more than half of the face be the same as the regular form's- star is a special boy #i probably wanted to say even more but i forgot what else i wanted to say. have fun. date the sword

[wondernimbus]

ottery st. catchpole — cedric diggory

pairing: cedric diggory x female!reader

request #1: Hi! Do you mind writing a Cedric x reader fic where y/n loves and is the best baker? She hands him a treat and he finds himself slowly falling for for her (idk smth really cute please!) Thanks :))

request #2:  Can you write Cedric and the reader sharing their first kiss together? 🥺

a/n: decided to combine two requests since i thought they’d work well together! 

The muggle village of Ottery St. Catchpole was a fascinating place.

The first time Cedric had gone there at age eight, he'd thrown on an odd assortment of muggle clothes: a pink strawberry-patterned shirt, overly large bell-bottoms from his father's closet, and a pair of flip-flops. He learned quickly that that was not the kind of attire that would get him unnoticed by the Muggles—rather the opposite, actually, as he earned odd stares everywhere he went. But there were no "ordinary" Muggle clothes in his closet and nor did his father, so the next time he went to the village and came across a clothesline hanging unguarded outside of a Muggle house, he snatched himself two shirts and a pair of jeans and made sure to leave a thank you note under their door.

Free to wander the village without skeptical stares of Muggles following him everywhere, curious, eight-year-old Cedric made sure to explore every inch of it from the park to the chapel to the tavern.

But his most favorite, perhaps, was the bakery.

It was a quaint little place, tucked away in the corner away from the bustling main road. Its battered sign read "Old Corner Bakery", and underneath it there was a window display of the most delicious, succulent-looking pastries Cedric had ever seen in his life. It looked—though he would never let her hear him say it—even better than the ones his mother would make at home.

And so one day, Cedric, oblivious to the workings of the Muggle world and the fact that their currency was very much different from theirs, walked through the door, marched right up to the counter where his tiny head only barely peeked out from, and held up a single golden galleon. "One of those, please," he told the old lady behind the cashier, pointing at a mouth-watering custard tart on display.

The old lady reached out for the galleon, baffled. "What is this?"

"For a custard tart," replied Cedric, handing it to her.

"I've never seen anything like this," she said in wonder, holding the galleon up to the light. "Good grief, is this real gold?"

Cedric frowned, puzzled. "It''s a galleon."

The lady's face fell. Scowling, she handed it back to him. "So it's a toy," she sniffed. "I would tell you to scram, but I've seen you pass by here ogling at my pastries once or twice before. I'll give you one for free. What was it you wanted again?"

Cedric, although a little confused by how she wouldn't take his galleon, beamed in delight. If it was for free, he wasn't going to complain.

And so Cedric walked out of the bakery a few moments later with half a custard tart in his hands and the other half already snug in his stomach. He wondered to himself if all Muggles were like this; if he went to that shop near the town square, would he get more stuff for free?

He tried, and needless to say, failed.

The next day, Cedric came back to the bakery bearing two sickles. As happy as getting free food made him, something about exploiting an old woman's kindness didn't sit right with him. If she didn't want the galleon, maybe she would take a sickle instead.

But when he walked through the bakery doors, he found that the old woman was nowhere to be seen. Instead, in her place behind the cashier, there was a little girl about his age.

"Welcome to Old Corner Bakery!" she beamed, childish face shining brightly. "How may I help you?"

Cedric drew towards her, a pout on his face. "Where's the old lady?"

"The old lady?" she asked. "Oh, you mean grandma!"

He nodded.

"She's in the kitchen—baking, you know. I handle customers like you when she's too busy and I'm not doing homework," the little girl explained, grinning.

"Oh," said Cedric. "In that case, I want a cauldron cake!"

She tilted her head to the side, brows furrowed. "What's that?"

"A cauldron cake," he repeated. "Have you not got those here?"

Bottom lip jutting out in thought, the little girl scratched her head and hopped off of the stool she was apparently standing on to look over the cashier; as soon as she did, she disappeared behind the counter and into the kitchen. "Grandma!"

The familiar voice of the old lady replied, "Yes, dear?"

"Do we have cauldron cakes?"

"What?"

Cedric waited patiently by the counter, hands fiddling with the two sickles he held in his hands. "Cauldron cakes, grandma!" the little girl yelled louder.

"Never heard of 'em!" the old lady replied from the kitchen.

A moment later, the little girl was clambering back onto her stool behind the cashier. "I don't think we have those here," she told Cedric, and then, in a curious tone, "They sound delicious, though! What are they?"

A wide smile stretched across Cedric's round face—he looked as though he'd been waiting to be asked that for centuries. At a rapid pace, he began to gush, "They're chocolate cakes shaped like cauldrons and they've got melted chocolate in them and sometimes my mum uses this spell so that the chocolate doesn't run out and you can keep eating forever. She takes off the spell sometimes, though, because she says if I keep eating I'll get as fat as dad."

The little girl giggled, but then, with her eyes wide, asked, "Did you say spells? Like magic? The kind wizards and witches use?"

Cedric's eyes grew as wide as, if not even wider, than hers. He took a quick step back and cleared his throat, eyes darting around the bakery in panic. He'd forgotten, for a moment, that she was a Muggle—he'd almost revealed the secret of the wizarding world to her and defied his parents' warnings!

"Um," Cedric stammered, stuffing his two sickles back into his pocket. "Nevermind. Sorry!"

And just like that, he dashed out of the bakery, leaving the little girl staring after him, thoroughly intrigued.

—

Cedric did not go back to the village the next day under the irrational fear of accidentally revealing the wizarding world's biggest secret; that magic existed. Obviously, an eight-year-old wizard letting such a thing slip to yet another eight-year-old Muggle would little affect the wizarding world, but Cedric, childish and oblivious as he was, did not want to take any risks.

And so it took him a week before he mustered up the courage to go back into the village. He hadn't been planning to go into the bakery—he only hoped to catch a glimpse of the pastries by the window—but he found that the little girl was sitting outside on the front steps, munching on a piece of bread.

Mere seconds from legging it, the girl looked up and their eyes met. "Hey!" she called out, perking up. "I know you!"

Cedric froze from where he stood several feet away. He thought it'd be rude to bolt when she'd already noticed him, and so he walked forward tentatively, half-expecting her to start badgering him with questions about wizards and witches and magic. But she only patted the empty space next to her and beckoned him to sit down, that same cheery smile on her face that Cedric had seen a week ago.

He sat next to her on the stone steps, crossed arms propped on his knees as he turned his head to look at her. She was tearing the bread she held in her hands into two halves, the other half of which she handed to him.

"Thank you," said Cedric, taking it.

"You're welcome!" the little girl replied, face positively glowing with the warmth of a thousand suns. Taking a bite out of her now considerably smaller chunk of bread, she tilted her head and said, "I don't think I've ever seen you at school before."

He took a bite out of his own, eyes skittering away to look at the pavement. "My parents teach me school stuff at home," he told her. It wasn't a complete lie, although he guessed that the things that she learned in her Muggle school were a stark contrast to the magic he learned from his mum and dad.

"Oh, that sounds fun!" the little girl said, beaming. "Don't you get sad, though? Not having any kids your age to play with? Assuming you don't have siblings."

"I don't," replied Cedric through a mouthful of bread. It was some sort of strawberry crumpet. "I'm an only child. I suppose it does get lonely, sometimes, but that's why I go out here—to the Mugg—I mean, the village."

She nodded, mouth moving to form an o shape. "Neat. So you don't have homework?"

He shook his head. The girl's shoulders slumped and a frown quickly found its way onto her face. "I wish I didn't get homework," she said sullenly. "They give us a whole stack of it over the summer. I hate it."

Cedric bit the inside of his cheek. He didn't quite like the frown on her face; something about it made him feel unsettled, like something had gone wrong in the world. He nudged her shoulder with his. "It can't be that bad," he said, offering her a tiny smile. "There's.. there's worse things than homework. Like—I don't know—losing ekleksiti or whatever you call it.. or unintentionally fumbling with the Quaffle and messing up your team's goal.."

"You mean the football?"

"Yeah.." Whatever that was.

She giggled, turning to smile at him. "You're funny."

There was something about her tone of voice—along with the overall aura that she carried—that awfully reminded Cedric of summer days playing Quidditch outside with his family and warm wind in his face and lying in the grass seeing the clouds drifting above him.

It was that feeling that made it easy for Cedric to forget almost immediately about his illogical fear of exposing the magical world. It was what had him smiling back at her, round face just as bright and filled with the kind of mirthful innocence only children would have.

—

Cedric came back to the bakery the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that. Both the little girl—who he learned was named [Y/N]—and her kind, albeit slightly cranky old grandmother, grew fond of him. The latter would make sure to bake him his favorite custard tarts, and [Y/N] would sit with him by the front steps of the bakery, talking about every tiny thing their brains came up with.

"Have you got a favorite movie?" [Y/N] asked him one day.

"A favorite what?"

"A movie. Don't tell me you've never seen one!"

Cedric scratched the back of his neck, abashed. "I don't think so. Is that a Mu—I mean, what is it?"

Looking utterly astounded, [Y/N] began to ramble on about moving pictures and fairytales and stories.

"I've seen moving pictures—but you're telling me they don't talk to you?" quizzed Cedric dubiously.

Frowning, she nodded. "The pictures talk to each other. Sort of. Although it would be cool if they talked to us, don't you think?"

Still trying to wrap his head around the concept of images that don't talk to you but talk to other images whilst following a story of sorts, Cedric rubbed his forehead. "This is giving me a headache."

[Y/N] giggled, shoving the last of her custard tart into her mouth. "Let's go see one one day! A movie, I mean. It'll be fun!"

Prying his palm away from his face, Cedric nodded and couldn't help but grin right back at her. The excited gleam in her eyes shone with the promise of more than just one day seeing a movie; it glowed with the promise of a friendship that would last for a long, long time. That gleam of promise was reflected in Cedric's own gaze, and rest assured it would stay there in the rest of the years to come.

—

Three years seemed to pass by in a blur of endless chatter, ridiculous inside-jokes, and shared pastries out by the bakery's front steps. The pair grew and their friendship did so along with them. Cedric learned to grow cautious about what he had come to call his "magical secret", although he suspected that [Y/N] had started to grow skeptical along the way despite her never bringing it up.

When his letter from Hogwarts arrived, Cedric knew that he had to tell [Y/N]—that, or make up some excuse. Or perhaps invent something akin to the truth, but not quite.

And so it went like this: "My parents are sending me to school."

[Y/N]'s eyes widened. They were sitting in their usual spot out by the bakery's stone steps, identical biscuits in their hands. Out of nowhere, she smacked Cedric's shoulder; he turned to face her, clutching the spot where she'd hit him. "What was that for?" asked Cedric, eyes as wide as hers.

She smacked him again, bouncing with the excitement of a five-year-old child waking up on Christmas day. "That's great!" she squealed, stuffing her biscuit in her mouth and chewing frantically. "I can introduce you to all my friends and we'll get to see each other everyday and not just on the weekends!"

Cedric's heart sank. "Um.."

"And we can do homework together and I won't have to walk back home alone and—"

"[Y/N], I'm not going to your school."

She paused. Her face fell and drooped into a frown so disappointed that Cedric had to tear his gaze away. "What—where are you going, then?"

He scratched the back of his neck, lips pressed together in a weak grimace. "Somewhere far."

[Y/N]'s brows were furrowed. "Where?"

"I don't know. Somewhere in Scotland, I think. I'll be back home for the summer, though."

Her shoulders had slumped, and so had Cedric's. The disappointment was evident in the sulky lines of her face and it was making Cedric feel all sorts of things he normally wouldn't feel around her; incredibly downcast being one of them. He'd known this day was coming one day or another, and so would the day he'd have to leave and not see her for several months—the day that loomed only a week from then.

"When are you leaving?" asked [Y/N], gaze fixed on the pavement, a pout on her tiny face.

"Next week," replied Cedric.

He couldn't bear it. He poked her side, which immediately led to her jumping up and frowning at him. (He'd discovered over time that it was a big tickle spot of hers.) Once he'd gathered her attention, he said in a quiet voice, "I've got a secret. Do you want to hear it?"

Still looking somewhat sullen, she nodded. [Y/N] would never pass up a chance to discover some big, mysterious secret, no matter her mood.

And just because he wanted to cheer her up, along with the fact that he knew he couldn't keep this from her—his best friend of three years who knew everything about him from his favorite pair of socks to his biggest fears—he leaned in, eyes wide, and whispered in a hushed tone, "I'm going to a school for wizards."

She drew back, brows pulled in together in the middle in pure incredulity as said, "You're joking."

"No," said Cedric, grinning. And then, in that same hushed voice, "You have to promise me you won't tell anyone, okay?"

Still looking utterly bewildered, [Y/N] nodded slowly, gaze locked with his.

"I can show you magic, if you like."

At this, her eyes grew wide and a moment later she was nodding excitedly. "Where? When? How?"

"Right now!" replied Cedric, relieved at the smile that split her face and replaced the disappointed frown from before. "Wait here, okay? I'll be back!" And then he sprang to his feet and dashed off.

Cedric was true to his word; he came back half an hour later bearing a mysterious purple package in his hands. [Y/N] was still sitting patiently where he'd left, and she looked up at him calling her name.

"What is that?" she asked, hands reaching out for the box, which Cedric handed to her. Turning it over in her hands, she saw the words "Chocolate Frog" written across the paper lid in shiny golden letters.

"Open it!" Cedric urged, sitting down next to her.

And so she did. Carefully opening the lid of the octagon-shaped box, she let out a loud shriek as a chocolate-colored pair of squirming frog legs poked out from behind it. Out of surprise, the package fell from her hands and onto the pavement, but Cedric's instincts were quick; he hurriedly hopped off the steps to grab the package, hands firmly clamped around it as he brought it back to her with a wide smile on his snickering face.

"Guess you don't scare easy, huh?" he grinned, teasing. "It can get away if you don't hold onto it as soon as you open the package. See, watch."

Heart still beating rapidly, she leaned over with wide eyes and a curious gaze, watching as Cedric carefully opened the lid. He caught something that, sure enough, looked like chocolate—but it was moving in his clasped fist.

"A chocolate frog," said [Y/N], eyes the size of golf-balls.

"Yep," said Cedric, bringing the still struggling treat to his lips and taking a huge chunk out of it. "Don't worry—it's not an actual frog. Just shaped to look like it."

Gobsmacked, [Y/N] stared as he handed her the bottom half of the chocolate frog, the legs of which was still squirming. "That's—woah," excitement bubbling in the pit of her stomach at having witnessed actual magic (albeit in the form of the so-called chocolate frog), she brought it to her mouth, where it instantly stopped moving and dissolved into a creamy mess of delicious chocolate.

Eyes glinting with the same elation that was in hers, Cedric sat down next to her and pulled a card out of the box. He handed it to her.

[Y/N] stared down at the small card in the palm of her hands. "Woah," she said again, voice a stunned whisper. Imprinted on the card was a photo of an old man whose beard stretched all the way down to his waist. He was wearing sparkling magenta robes and looking straight at her, a gentle twinkle in his wizened, old eyes. An odd name was emblazoned under his picture—"Albus Dumbledore"—but then he reached up to adjust the spectacles on the bridge of his nose, and [Y/N] let out another surprised gasp. "He moved!"

Cedric was grinning. "Magic, I told you!"

Exhilarated, [Y/N] looked back down at the card in her hands. The old man—Dumbledore—winked at her through his half-moon spectacles. "Is he—" she swallowed, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, "Is he a wizard?"

Cedric nodded, beaming. "And so am I."

For a few seconds, [Y/N] could do no more than open and close her mouth in pure shock. All of this was a lot to take in—but perhaps her being of the mere age eleven helped, because while the ordinary Muggle adult would have downright refused to believe it, an imaginative young girl like her who had yet to discover the world took the news kindly.

"I'd show you more magic," Cedric said bashfully, "But I don't really know how to yet. That's why I'm going to Hogwarts—the school I was talking about, you know—so I can learn how to use magic. Spells and potions and all of that stuff."

At this, [Y/N]'s lips once more drooped with the threat of yet another painful frown, but she picked it back up with a small smile. "Here," she swiveled around to face him on the steps, knees knocking with his. Holding her pinky finger up between them, she said, "You promise me you'll write, okay? And you have to tell me about all the stuff that you learn there and all the other wizards and witches you meet—there are witches, right?"

Cedric nodded, lips pressed together in a tiny smile as he laced his pinky finger through hers. "I promise. Expect there'll be owls knocking on your window every week or so."

Her eyes widened once more. "Owls?"

He grinned. "We use owls to send letters and stuff around."

"Oh. Neat."

They broke out into a fit of giggles. "Okay," said Cedric, pulling his pinky finger away. "But you have to promise me you'll keep it a secret."

[Y/N] nodded earnestly, a look of the utmost seriousness crossing over his face as she pressed her palm to her chest like she was swearing an oath. "I'll take it to the grave with me, Ced," she said, eyes sparkling. "Trust me."

—

And trust her he has done, for the past few years of his life. Cedric would leave on the first of September every year, but not before bidding her farewell and promising to write at least once a week. To make up for the time they've lost, he would spend almost every day of the summer and winter break with her. His parents understand; he has long since told them about the Muggle girl at the bakery who his heart has grown close to. And perhaps it is his parents who first notice when the friendship that he has with her begins to blossom into something else. Something more.

"Out to meet with your friend already?" asks his father upon catching Cedric already on his way out of the front door. It's his first day back home from his fifth year at Hogwarts, and he has barely even finished unpacking his bags.

Cedric grins. He is a young man of age sixteen now, no longer the tiny eight-year-old boy he once was when he first met [Y/N] all those years ago. And yet despite all that has changed—despite his broader stature and the fact that he now towers over his father—he is still the same compassionate boy he has always been; the one who has always had a love for pastries and a certain girl at the bakery, although he doesn't quite know it yet.

"She's waiting for me," says Cedric, oddly exhilarated. His heart beating with the anticipation of seeing her for the first time in several months, he waves a brief goodbye to his father and dashes down the hill leading to the Muggle village of Ottery St. Catchpole.

He goes down the same path he always has; past the small patch of trees at the foot of the hill, through the town square, and finally, in front of the bakery. The door is propped open as though it has been waiting for him to enter, and voices waft out onto the street from the inside.

A smile already having found its way onto his face, Cedric takes the front stone steps two at a time before stepping inside.

"Be careful, grandma—oh, no—no, let me do it."

"It's fine, I can—Cedric, dear boy, you're back!"

A tray of freshly-baked cookies are set aside on the counter before a familiar elderly Muggle woman rushes at him and envelops him in a hug, mitten-covered hands wrapping themselves around his middle—the farthest she can reach him at his tall height and her own short legs. Cedric meets [Y/N]'s gaze over her grandmother's shoulder; she is leaning on the counter, lips pressed together in a barely-suppressed smile as her eyes shine with the kind of light that reminds Cedric of everything good in the world.

It takes a while for [Y/N]'s grandmother to stop fussing over him. When she does, she disappears behind the kitchen with the promise of coming out with a fresh batch of his favorite custard tarts.

And then he and [Y/N] are left alone in the bakery, where Cedric wastes no time and hugs her as close to him as he can. He wants to tell her that he'd missed her—terribly so—but he knows that she knows, and so he just holds her to him and hopes that the words come across alright.

A moment later the two of them are outside of the bakery, sitting on the same stone steps they've perched themselves on so many times before.

"So let me get this straight: you intentionally didn't write about the fact that there was a mass murderer inside your school because you didn't want me to worry?"

"Well, the matter was taken care of—"

"And there were soul-sucking demendoids or whatever you call them roaming the castle and you didn't mention it to me in your letters because you—"

"I didn't want you to worry, yes."

[Y/N] stares at him, deadpan. "And I suppose if you suffer a horrible death you won't care to write to me either because you don't want me worrying."

"Well, if I were dead, I'd hardly be able to write to y—"

"Oh, you get my point!" says [Y/N], rolling her eyes, but she's laughing as she shoves him lightly on the shoulder. Sighing dramatically, she shakes her head. "You learn a few magic tricks and suddenly you cut me out of your life."

Cedric scoffs, but his annoyance is only about as convincing as [Y/N]'s, as he has a smile of his own on his face. "I leave a few details out of my letter and suddenly you want to end our friendship."

"I don't want to end it," protests [Y/N]. "I just don't want you keeping out the bad stuff from your letters just because you don't want me to worry. If anything, I want to hear more about the negatives than the positives so I'll know that I'm not the only one having a hard time."

Cedric raises his brows, the smile on his face drooping as he angles his head to look at her face from where she's leaning on his shoulder. "Why? Tough time at school?"

She shrugs, shifting a little. "Kind of. It's ridiculous, actually. My best friend—well, second-best, since you're first—thinks that her boyfriend," she makes a face, "likes me. She didn't talk to me at all during the last few months of school and I highly expect she'll still be an arse about it when we come back after summer. Rubbish, really." Cedric has fallen silent. When she looks up at him, she finds that there is a frown on his face, so immediately she reassures him by saying, "You don't have to worry, Ced. I've got other friends. Better friends—wizard friends. Or friend. Just the one."

Cedric raises his eyebrows at her. His mood has dampened a little; it shows in the disappearance of the crinkled smile lines around his eyes and the way his lips have tugged down.

"Oh, come on," says [Y/N], sitting up straight. "Don't look so bummed. I've told you it's not a big deal."

He looks away, and then, quietly, "I just don't like the idea of you having a hard time."

A grin slowly stretches across her face. A moment later, she starts laughing. "Always so caring, aren't you?" she teases, reaching out to poke his cheek.

Cedric rolls his eyes, clutching her hand and prying it away from his face. "Whatever," he mutters, making a face at her. She giggles and does one right back, and just like that, they're laughing again.

It's incredibly easy for the innocent, youthful part of Cedric to come to the surface during times like these, when he sits down in front of the bakery with his best friend at his side as they return to their naive, childish shelves and bond over everything and nothing with all sorts of pastries clutched in their chubby hands. Cedric finds that, no matter how much time has passed, [Y/N] still feels the same: warm and comforting and reminiscent of home.

—

Time passes as it has always done, and sooner than both Cedric and [Y/N] would have liked, the day of September comes looming above them a mere week away.

They are on one of the many hills surrounding the village of Ottery St. Catchpole—their favorite one, actually; the one that has a perfect view of the village if they sit at the very top, which is what they are doing. The night sky looms above them as they do as they have always done: talk. And whenever they lapse into silence, they bask in the comfort they have always found in one another.

At present, they are laying on their backs on the grass. Usually, they'd be pointing out random shapes they each notice in the clouds, but it is nighttime and only wisps of smoke from the village chimneys drift across the dark blue canvas. There are only a few stars visible through the pollution hanging in the air; "I could count them all on one hand," says [Y/N], arm stretched upwards as though reaching for the sky. "Bit sad, really. I remember when we were kids there were still a lot of them. Sort of."

Cedric, with his gaze similarly glued to the stretch of sky above them, lets out an exhale. "We can see the stars at Hogwarts," he tells her quietly like they're sharing a secret, which, in a way, they are. "We don't even have to go to the Astronomy Tower to see them—when we look up, they're right there. Right above us. It's.."

He trails off.

"Ethereal?" [Y/N] suggests, tone hushed.

Cedric nods. "I wish I could take you to see them, but. You know."

"I'm a—what was it you guys called us lame, non-magical folks again?" she rolls onto her side to face him, arm tucked underneath her head as her eyes narrowed playfully.

"A Muggle," Cedric says, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. "And that doesn't make you lame. It just makes you.."

"Non-magical," she snorts.

"Doesn't matter," mumbles Cedric, shifting to turn on his side as well. "You've got a different kind of magic." And his tone is teasing, but there's a hint of underlying emotion hidden beneath that he wonders if [Y/N] picks up on.

"And what's that?" [Y/N] asks, feigning a haughty look. "Is it my—let's see—supernatural charms? Or my mystical beauty?"

Cedric laughs. "Something like that."

Facing her, mere centimeters away, Cedric sees that moonshine is dancing across the skin of her face; he sees the very stars they were speaking of gleaming in her eyes, and all of a sudden the atmosphere changes and he can't quite breathe properly.

The look on his face doesn't go amiss. The playful smile on [Y/N]'s face falls and reveals underneath it something more—something that has Cedric's heart beating wildly in his throat and his lungs seizing up in his chest.

Ethereal, Cedric thinks to himself as his gaze locks with hers and he finds himself drowning in the sea of constellations inside her irises. The stars at Hogwarts hold no competition to those which he sees in that moment in [Y/N]'s eyes. He wonders if they have always been there, waiting to be noticed, or if they have only just surfaced now.

And then Cedric finds himself leaning in and somewhere in the middle, she meets his lips with her own.

They pause for a moment, as though giving each other time to pull away if they want to, but neither of them do. And he really can't quite tell who moves first—him or [Y/N]—but they let each other's lips begin to whisper over one another's in gentle, slow carresses. They string up, unhurried and soft, one kiss flowing into the next with endless patience and want, and [Y/N]'s lips are inviting and alive and Cedric almost doesn't want to pull away, but he has to, eventually, and so he draws back, eyes blinking open.

He wonders, for a moment, despite the fact that she'd kissed back, if he had gone too far. If he had crossed the line that had always rested between them that made the difference between friendship and.. whatever this was.

But then familiar crinkles appear around [Y/N]'s eyes as she smiles at him. "I believe I've discovered my magic."

Cedric takes a brief moment to respond. Letting out a quiet exhale, he keeps his gaze fixed on hers as he furrows his eyebrows a little and asks with a tiny smile of his own, "What's that?"

She grins and jokes in a hushed, almost theatrical tone, "Seduction."

Cedric's face relaxes into a proper smile and he leans forward, pressing his mouth against [Y/N]'s for the second time. He feels the happy curve of her lips and feels his own curving up in response until they aren't really kissing anymore; just smiling against each other's mouths.

Ethereal, Cedric thinks to himself again, not for the first time that day. Absolutely bloody magical.

—

The muggle village of Ottery St. Catchpole was a fascinating place, but perhaps the reason why Cedric thought so was not because of the buildings and the bustling streets themselves, but because of the little bakery owned by a Muggle grandma and a girl whose heart Cedric knew even better than his own.

When the first of September comes around and brings with it the inevitable need to say goodbye, a pair of friends bound together by the passing of time sit on the front steps of the Old Corner Bakery, joking and talking and making promises to write. [Y/N]'s grandmother has insisted on Cedric bringing along snacks in case he gets hungry during the train ride, hence the paper bag full of custard tarts he clutches in his hands.

"I think she loves you more than I do," says [Y/N], watching her grandmother disappear back into the bakery, weeping.

Cedric laughs. "Tell me something I don't know."

And then suddenly it is time to say their farewells, and Cedric is hugging her goodbye but it doesn't feel like enough, so he pulls away, places his hand on the back of her head, and presses a kiss to her forehead. He would press their lips together but he knows that will make it harder to say goodbye, so for now, he settles for this.

"You promise me you won't leave the bad stuff out of your letters, okay?"

"You can count on me."

So Cedric waves goodbye to her with the same gleam of promise from all those years ago sparkling in his eyes like stars that have yet to die out. He can't promise to stay, but he can promise that he will come back—and he will. He always will.

a/n: whether or not cedric comes back to ottery st. catchpole next year is entirely up to you (cough triwizard tournament cough)

#harry potter #harry potter oneshot #harry potter oneshots #harry potter imagine #harry potter imagines #harry potter x reader #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fanfic #cedric diggory oneshots #cedric diggory oneshot #cedric diggory imagine #cedric diggory imagines #cedric diggory x reader #cedric diggory