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tanenigiri · 2 years

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Review #18 - Restart After Growing Hungry

Japanese title: リスタートはおなかをすかせて (Restart wa Onaka o Sukasete)

Story and art: Cocomi

English publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

Number of volumes: 2 (complete)

Highlighting the importance of clarity.

(This review contains story spoilers.)

There’s a certain charm to Restart After Coming Back Home that makes it such a good manga to reread. I think a lot of its appeal comes from its unique vibe, brought about by its rural setting and relatively older characters compared to most other series I’ve covered for this project - both leads are in their mid-20s. Sure, its plotline may not be groundbreaking, but it presents it in a very well-thought-out way that it’s still able to deliver something quite deep.

So I had high expectations going into Restart After Growing Hungry, which takes place around three years after the end of the first volume’s main story. While I do prefer the first volume, I do think this sequel maintains a lot of the unique charms of the series and manages to add even more depth to its two leads. It also unexpectedly builds on an almost offhand remark that Mitsuomi makes in the bonus chapter of Restart After Coming Back Home - he says that even if he and Yamato had been together for three years by that point, they haven’t actually put a label on their relationship, but they’ve managed to stay by each other’s side anyway.

This turns out to be one of the major running threads of this volume, with both Mitsuomi and Yamato being unsure of what exactly both of them share. It’s made complicated when Mitsuomi’s mother brings up the partnership system that would give their relationship a sense of formality, though it wouldn’t give them the same benefits as a marriage. This alludes to a real-life system for LGBT couples that’s become more common across Japan throughout the years - here’s the Wikipedia article on it if you want to find out more.

With this theme in play, it’s no accident that the volume begins with an actual marriage - that of Harada, Yamato’s high school friend, with his longtime girlfriend. I really like how this volume evolved Harada’s character, as right off the bat, Mitsuomi says that while they still get on each other’s nerves, Harada has become part of his and Yamato’s “support system.” And true enough, when someone at the wedding is about to bring up the rumors about Mitsuomi and Yamato that are circulating around the town, Harada is quick to divert the topic, as he knows that neither of his friends are quite ready to tackle those rumors just yet. (Mitsuomi does make a remark that if they do address it, it would’ve taken away the spotlight from Harada on his own wedding, but I think even he believes that Harada has less selfish reasons for doing what he did.)

But when Mitsuomi brings up the idea of the partnership system to Yamato later in the story, he’s surprised to hear that Yamato doesn’t think it’s necessary, but not in the sense that he was angry that he thought the idea was rubbish - Mitsuomi himself says right after that he had the same reaction as Yamato when his mother told him about the system. It’s not outright explained until much later on in the story, but I think as early as this point, he recognizes that Yamato has built yet another wall between them because of this, and it’s exacerbated by how Mitsuomi himself is confused about it. The partnership system would’ve given them something solid to define their relationship, and Yamato dismissing it gives Mitsuomi the impression that he didn’t want the relationship to be defined - and a confrontation later on gives Mitsuomi the worry that Yamato didn’t want the relationship, period.

I think it’s a fantastic take on the “misunderstanding” plotline that seems to make its way in a lot of the series I’m covering for this project, as the misunderstanding runs a lot deeper than “they aren’t talking about it properly” because Mitsuomi and Yamato themselves haven’t really found the right words to voice out what it is they actually want to say. Mitsuomi wants to have a concrete definition of their relationship, but he doesn’t know what their relationship actually is - or, rather, what it means to him and Yamato both individually and as a couple.

Meanwhile, Yamato wants to tell Mitsuomi that he loves him, as he’s revealed to not have been able to vocalize that in the four years they’ve been together, but he’s not sure if he can actually back up the gravity of those words because of all the uncertainty in the air. And it’s exacerbated by the introduction of two minor characters from Mitsuomi’s past - Ochi, an old classmate who they run into in the wedding and again in Mitsuomi’s job, and Higuchi, a former workmate who’s introduced as a sort-of mentor figure for Mitsuomi in his previous job.

On my first read, I thought the story dwelled a bit too long on these two characters - though it did give us some really nice scenes - but after rereading it, I thought their own arcs made a lot more sense, as what they add to the main conflict is pretty important, especially in Yamato’s perspective. Here were two completely different sides of Mitsuomi’s life that Yamato knew nothing about and is seen to give his boyfriend a sense of fulfillment, and Yamato’s afraid that what he brings to the table won’t measure up. This definitely has a lot to do with his troubled past and how it’s affected his thinking of himself and his ability to love others, and I think it’s pretty realistic that it still clouds his judgment after all this time, as even with the sense of closure he got from the first volume, it’s something that he’ll always have to deal with.

The story wraps up this plotline with two contrasting events - a visit to one of Yamato’s old orphanages and an accident that brings him to the hospital. The latter event took me by surprise, but I’m glad that it ended up not being this whole life-changing event that would’ve dramatically changed their relationship - both Mitsuomi and Yamato actually come out of the hospital with a lot more clarity in terms of their issues, and it’s pushed by the former event.

At first, I was a bit confused about the inclusion of the orphanage visit (aside from being a really cute scene), but it hit me while rereading that this was building up to the idea of Yamato finally being able to see Mitsuomi as family. That’s obviously a huge deal for Yamato, whose sense of family has never been concrete, but it’s an equally enormous deal for Mitsuomi, as it finally gives him a definition of their relationship that both he and Yamato could agree on.

It’s no surprise, then, that this scene is followed by the resolution of both of their personal conflicts - Yamato gives Mitsuomi the first of many “I love you”s, and the two of them secure a partnership license. I do think it’s a happy ending that they’ve both worked hard to get, so I’m very satisfied with it. After all, they deserve to be formally recognized as partners, and Restart After Growing Hungry shows exactly why that is.

Random thoughts I couldn’t fit elsewhere:

There are actually two more scenes in the main story that happens after Mitsuomi and Yamato get their partnership license - a short celebration with their families and Harada, and a really cute scene where they’re spending time with Harada’s new baby girl. It’s definitely not lost on me that the main story is bookended by scenes involving Harada that allude to where Mitsuomi and Yamato want to go with their relationship, as it’s in this final scene where Yamato brings up the idea of raising a family with Mitsuomi. (I also have the same reaction as Harada’s wife throughout all this.)

I also really like how the story makes it a point to show that both Yamato and Mitsuomi are progressing with their professional lives. Yamato brings up the idea of selling produce online, and Kumai-Jiichan even says that this is one of the few times Yamato’s taken initiative with their farming business. Meanwhile, I mention them in passing above, but both Ochi and Higuchi drive home this point on Mitsuomi's side. Mitsuomi consoling Ochi about the death of a loved one earns him some unexpected praise from his father, while Higuchi himself recognizes that his old coworker is doing just fine after leaving their company. I think both cases are a great way to show that the two leads are moving forward on their own - though obviously with the help of the other - making it a nice parallel to their relationship.

One thing I’m still at a loss about is the title - why is it called Restart After Growing Hungry? At first, I thought this was gonna play on the literal and metaphorical meanings of hunger, and I was already preparing myself for this to be on the steamier side, but we only got a few bits of both sides of hunger throughout the story. I have a feeling there’s something lost in translation here, like a metaphorical meaning to hunger that’s specific to Japanese culture or something - let me know if you have an idea what’s going on!

Thanks for reading! You can read my review of Restart After Coming Back Home here. While I still like the first volume more, I thought Restart After Growing Hungry was a great sequel, as it tied up some loose ends and added even more depth to Yamato and Mitsuomi’s relationship. Like I said above, I came out of it very satisfied with where they ended up, and the story does a good job of making you want to root for them. It’s a great series, and I definitely recommend it!

#Restart After Growing Hungry #Restart wa Onaka o Sukasete #Restart After Coming Back Home #Cocomi #Kozuka Mitsuomi #Kumai Yamato #Harada Hiromu #BL manga #manga review #manga

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toixxx-ace · 2 years

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I just read Restart After Coming Back Home and I forgot how much I love Cocomi's manga! I've read Oh My Hero before during a free trial of a digital manga website and it was so sweet

#cocomi excels at sweet romantic stories <3 #i also have the second volume of this series so I'll start reading it right away #restart after coming back home #cocomi #restart after growing hungry #bl manga

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hydrangeawise · 2 years

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Since Restart After Growing Hungry by Cocomi is back in stock at my trusted online bookstore, I want to recommend it (and the prequel Restart After Coming Back Home as well) real quick because it's such a neat story about queerness in a rural area (and about starting anew, in my opinion at least). It's a gentle story with lovely characters (Restart After Growing Hungry has a bit more tension, but it's nicely resolved!) and makes me miss home a bit :D

Oh, and there is also an Only One Bed situation in the first volume!

#being loved by you puts my heart at ease #b rambles #I know this is vague af but there are summaries online to this is just my ~feelings~ on the matter #restart after coming back home #restart wa onaka wo sukasete #restart wa tadaima no ato de #restart after growing hungry #there was also the line and yeah

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helloheyhihowdyheya · 11 months

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Did You Miss Me?

Druig x fem!reader

Masterlist

Summary: When the Emergence began, Druig had to erase your memories of him. Now, he's come back to remind you.

Word count: ~4.5k

Warnings: Angst, Druig pining. Some swearing. Lots of fluff. Powers? Druig erasing memories.

A/n: I'm not done with Druig yet haha. I might write more for this story if anyone's interested. I'd love to know your thoughts, I'm pretty happy with this one. Thank you as always for reading <3

He watched you from afar. Trying to blend in with others around the park, he watched as you and a friend sat out on a blanket in the soft grass. Small plates of food and glasses surrounded the picnic basket, and you looked as beautiful as you’d always been.

From someone else’s view, he’d probably look relaxed lounging in the shade of the large tree, his back pressed against the bark. But his throat felt tight, his chest aching at what he saw. It’d been years, and you still took his breath away like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Then you laughed at something your friend said, the sound of it swimming to his ears and stayed there as he replayed it over and over again. Beneath the afternoon sun, he wanted nothing more than to lay beside you on that blanket — talk about anything or nothing, as long as he was near you. But you hadn’t laughed like that with him in a long time, hadn’t looked so at ease and happy when he’d said goodbye last time. How could he be the one to ruin that?

–

On that rainy Saturday, running around the little bookshop you’d been working at for a few years now, you barely caught a breath in between helping readers around the store. Weekends tended to be busy, but on a stormy day like this one, you couldn’t blame all the people coming in to hide from the rain or to spend a quiet day finding their next book.

During a spare moment, your eyes traced down the shop’s windows. You watched raindrops race each other down the glass and make the cement below grow darker. Absently, your hand reached up to your neck, trying to massage a knot out of the muscle running down to your shoulder.

You thought back to when you’d first come here, and you let your vision unfocus for a moment, the images of the occupied customers turning fuzzy. Trying to remember how exactly you’d gotten here always felt just out of reach, falling through your fingertips — like you’d been at home living your life one day, and the next, you’d decided to move here and begin your new life.

It’d been just as rainy the first day you came to the city, but the chilly storm had felt like a restart against your skin. In the back of your mind, you’d always wanted to have a bookshop of your own and live a quiet life among other readers, and perhaps a sweet cat.

And you’d done it, taking a job from an older woman, Carrie, near the edges of the city. Most days, you arrived early to help set things up and went home after your shift, or when Carrie shooed you away during a particularly slow day.

Your first-floor apartment was nothing to complain about, except for the draft your landlord kept “forgetting” to fix. You’d even gotten that cat after he’d refused to leave your door until you fed him — black as night, affectionate, and always hungry. You’d named him Orion.

Still, when you sat at a restaurant alone and listened to couples laugh together or when you couldn’t quite become lost in a book as easily, some part of you felt… off. Like you were one of the window raindrops that never moved, just watching all the rest pass by without you. And you were missing out on something.

Now, standing there behind the checkout counter and watching the water spill down outside, you saw a man looking in. People passed by with curious gazes all the time, but he stood on the sidewalk with an umbrella and hooded denim jacket. You couldn’t quite make out his face, but in the back of your mind, it felt as if your window raindrop had moved an inch or so. And that jolting feeling only sharpened into surprise when someone walked up to you.

“Excuse me?”

You blinked, your awareness coming back to you as a woman said those words with a soft grin. When you looked back at the spot, the man had left already — like he’d never been there to begin with.

Shaking your head, you returned the smile. “Sorry about that. How can I help you?”

She told you the novel she was looking for, and you happily brought her to the aisle as you both made small talk. You tended to avoid it, especially with all the current events that seemed to continually fill the news, most of them involving everyday threats and the superheroes to stop them.

But that’s what books were for you, you thought while giving her the novel — a brief escape from life to live another one. And even the customer’s excited thanks brought you back to your mind, away from those thoughts of the past, the ones you couldn’t quite reach.

They stayed away as you finished your shift and returned home, taking a warm shower and making yourself a cup of tea. But that night, through the rain that’d turned into a vicious thunderstorm, you dreamt of friends.

At least, they seemed to be friends as all of you — nearly a dozen people — sat around a dining table. The smell of the warm food nearly had your mouth watering, countless plates of it passing from person to person. Drinks and laughter flowed between these friends that you didn’t know the names of and faces you couldn’t recognize.

You also couldn’t catch any of the words they said, but you smiled with them as a feeling of familiar comfort settled into your body. Somehow, you trusted them. And as someone at the other end of the table raised a toast, to all of you — their family — you lifted your glass alongside everyone else.

While they spoke, the man sitting to your right wrapped his hand around yours and gave it a soft squeeze. Your eyes glanced down to where your fingers intertwined, each one fitting together just right.

But before you could look up at his face, a loud crack of thunder erupted, startling you awake in your dark bedroom. In the middle of the night, only the noise of your deep breaths filled the air, replacing the sounds of laughter and glasses clinking together.

In the silence that suddenly felt like too much, you shifted, staring up at the ceiling. Sweat created a slick layer across your skin, coating you in a haze. Sleep fought you for the rest of the night. When the morning sun washed onto your face, it felt all too soon.

But despite your tired eyes and having work off today, you eventually pulled yourself out of bed. The day was bright, and you were going to make the most of it… or at least change out of your pajamas. Your hand swept over Orion’s black fur as you went through your morning routine. You tried focusing more on the bristles of your toothbrush or the taste of your breakfast rather than on how familiar last night’s dream felt.

But you weren’t in a dining room, you were here in your apartment — the one you’d been alone in for a few years. Well, except for Orion, as you were promptly reminded while sitting on the couch. He nuzzled up against your arm, clearly thinking your time was better spent petting him than reading the new book you’d gotten.

You opened up the window next to the street before scratching under his chin. His purring joined the noises of birds and traffic in the background while you opened the book. You’d only made it two chapters before Orion jumped up, meowing toward the window screen.

“What is it, buddy?” you asked, sitting up so you could see out the window, expecting to see a critter outside. But you saw nothing, not even as he wriggled his head into the corner of the screen — the broken side that definitely needed to be sealed again. Your hands reached out to grab him back, but he’d squirmed through before you could stop him.

“Shit,” you whispered under your breath as you scrambled toward your door, your book clattering to the floor. Running outside and around the side of your building, your heart pounded, knowing Orion could go right into the street or get lost out here. You caught the end of his tail going around toward the parking lot — and the busy road beyond it.

–

He shouldn’t have been at the bookstore, not after creating this new life for you — away from him — when the Emergence began. After erasing your memories of him for your own safety. He’d said he’d come back, but he also promised to do what was best for you.

He should’ve left days ago. He’d be halfway home by now. But that’d mean leaving you, for good.

–

As you turned the corner, you didn’t find your cat sprinting away. Instead, he stood at the edge of the parking lot, his head happily rubbing against someone’s jean-clad legs. For a moment, you stopped short, watching Orion act so affectionately toward this stranger. All you could say was, “I’m so sorry, I’ve never seen him do this before.”

You scooped him up in your arms, despite the ongoing meowing protests he let out. When you lifted your head, ready to thank the man, your eyes caught on his. Any words fell flat in the back of your throat as you looked into the eyes rippling with the color of the ocean. Your eyebrows furrowed together, your head tilting to the side as you took in this man, a baseball cap covering part of his face.

“...Do I know you from somewhere?” Your question hung in the air between you two, your arms wrapped tight around your cat. Feeling a bit silly for even asking, you shook your head. “I, uh, work at a bookstore, so I probably see countless people every day,” you said, followed by an unsure laugh.

“Maybe,” he responded, offering a small smile — one that made your stomach flutter. He nodded, about to turn away when you opened your mouth once again.

“I didn’t thank you… for stopping Orion from getting away.” You held up Orion, giving him a smile of gratitude.

This stopped the man, his head tilting this time. “Orion?” he asked, an accent hanging onto his words. His eyes watching you began to soften. “I like the name.”

You weren’t sure why, but the way the man’s gaze settled on you and your cat made you feel calm — like your body resisted going back to your apartment just yet. Orion certainly didn’t take to just anyone.

But this was a stranger, and you had your cat back. So you gave another thank you and left the man. Before any other escapes could occur, you closed your apartment window with hunched shoulders and a sigh.

–

Standing outside the apartment, he rubbed a hand down his face, releasing a silent groan. That part of him telling him to leave, that you’re happier and safer here in this new life, sat heavy on his chest. Maybe in another life, you’ll have her, it said, trying desperately to convince him. But he wouldn’t have her in another life. Because he had thousands to live, and you only had one.

The other part of him thought about the life they could lead together — one where he didn’t have to force himself to forget your smile that made his steps falter. He’d nearly come clean just from how you had looked at him, your eyes sticking to him like honey.

He’d balled his fingers into a fist to stop from running a thumb across your cheek, from smoothing out the worries that filled your body. He wanted you to engulf his mind the way his powers could do to others, living out the rest of time entwined together in every form.

And dreaming of a life he’d selfishly choose — taking you away from everything you’d created here — hurt worse than walking away right now.

But… you’d recognized him. He saw it pass across your face. And you remembered that Orion was his favorite constellation. You remembered him.

–

For a bit, you tried to get back into your book despite Orion’s incessant meowing at the window. When you hadn’t made it past the one paragraph you’d been rereading for a half hour now, your mind reeling with the eyes made from the sky itself, you turned on the TV instead.

That night, after falling asleep with takeout in your stomach and an old rom-com playing in the background, you dreamt of a bedroom. Your bedroom, and of a man you couldn’t quite see the face of.

Morning light washed the room in a golden color, where you saw the back of him staring out the window. All of it shimmered under a fuzzy haze as his contagious laughter made you blink the sleep out of your heavy eyes.

You drew in the image of his soft hair, the color of warm syrup, and his pants that you could’ve sworn you’d seen before. Or least smelled, the soft scent of him bathing you in coffee and leather, along with something you couldn’t pick out, but it felt… familiar. He wore no shirt, the planes of his back open and calling for you to brush your hands along, mapping the freckles.

But you blinked again, and the bedroom shifted. Moonlight flooded the room this time, leaving the corners pitch black. The man with the brown hair paced back and forth, but his face again always sat in the shadows.

Somehow, you knew you’d had an argument this time — not a resentful fight, but a tense conversation that pulled your relationship, whatever it was, at the seams. Anger didn’t fuel it. You knew because in the cavity of your chest sat a deep sadness and worry. Your hand itched to reach out to him, but no matter what you tried, you couldn’t move.

All you could do was sit there and watch as whatever worry ate away at him. You woke up that morning with tear-stained cheeks. No one stood looking out your window like they belonged there. The early sunlight didn’t feel as warm as the one in your dream.

Your mind struggled to keep away from wondering what all this meant, even during your busy shift at the bookstore. It all felt half-hearted as you turned from customer to customer and shelved books in between.

You only snapped back into the moment when a child ran by and knocked the display you’d just built to the ground. You supposed that was one way to take your mind off of things. But silently, you cursed whichever god of fate was against you as the display also hit your water bottle, spilling it onto your shoes. A pained sigh eased its way silently from your mouth, the noise joined by the soft squelching under your feet.

The kid’s dad offered a “Sorry” and a look that said, “What can you do?” You thought there were several things he could do, but you just swallowed them down with a smile as you went to grab paper towels.

Between bending over to soak up the water and spending too long rebuilding the book display, your back ached by the end. Your fingers clenched and unclenched in painful movements, too tired to massage the knots from your stiff neck.

Carrie sent you home a little early, rubbing a wrinkled hand down your arm. “You did better than me. I would’ve poured the water in my shoes on him,” she laughed, and it brought a real smile to your face.

It kept you going as you made the walk to the nearby cafe despite your uncomfortable feet. You were at least going to end this day with a well-deserved drink in your hands. The scent of the shop’s bakery section hit you, and no sprinting children were in sight — already an improvement. You kept your eyes on the menu while you waited in the short line, already knowing your order but hoping reading the words would keep your mind off the day so far.

After the man in front of you finished paying, you ordered your go-to drink full of enough caffeine and sweetness to keep you from taking a nap the second you made it home. Off to the side, you mindlessly scrolled on your phone while your drink was being made. But quicker than you expected, another barista called your order.

You’d only taken a small step forward when a man grabbed the drink first. Pausing, a moment passed before the same order was called again for the next drink they set on the counter. Your steps began again, your hand wrapping around the cup and savoring its warmth against the skin of your palm.

The man grabbing the identical drink with all your usual add-ons — same size and everything — smiled at you. “You’ve got great taste,” he said, offering a small grin. “Got hooked on this drink a while back.”

Your smile in return dropped for a second as you finally looked at him. Your gaze found the sweep of his syrupy brown hair, traveling down to the intensity of his eyes on you.

“Hey, you saved my cat,” you said, looking between the drinks and him in slight disbelief. You weren’t sure why you were talking to him, but you found it came naturally to say something. Inclining your head toward him, you said, “I never got your name.”

He nodded. “Dru works.”

–

“Dru…”

He watched you curl your mouth around the name and knew you were going to be the death of him. He’d already known this when you first met years ago, but watching your lips say even half his name was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. And when you told him your name, he nearly laughed — as if your name hadn’t been his favorite word.

Makkari would’ve called him a coward.

–

“Well, Dru, thank you again for keeping Orion from becoming a street cat,” you said with a grin. You took a sip from your drink, the two of you moving off to the side.

“Oh, ‘s no problem. My pleasure.” You loved the lilt of his words, the way they wrapped around you in a hug. “But how’s he doing? Hope there’ve been no more escape attempts.”

Shaking your head, you let out a sigh. “No, thankfully. He just incessantly meows while I’m trying to read.”

You watched his teeth dig into the corner of his lip as he smiled. “Ah, not very relaxing then. D’you read a lot?” he asked, taking a drink — his gaze never leaving you.

“Only as a career. And most of the other time,” you laughed, your fingers picking at the lip of your cup. “I work at the bookstore next door. Do you read much?”

You quickly added, “I won’t judge if you don’t. You just came across as a reader.”

His eyebrows rose high, his mouth dropping open a little. “A reader? I don’t come across as one of those models on those steamy romance novel covers?” he said with a teasing look in his expression, his shoulders swaying. “I’ve got some things to change.”

You couldn’t stop the giggles from bubbling up at his comment. “No, no! I see it now,” you told him through a wide smile.

You pretended to look him up and down (really, it was only for the joke. Your eyes didn’t linger at all). The leather jacket and dark jeans hugging his body certainly fell into line with those cheesy romances you’d seen (and read). Holding back a grin, you pursed your lips. “After rescuing Orion, I think you’d be perfect for something like… My Purrfect Savior.”

His smile turned sly, disbelieving as he shook his head. “No… they can’t really be that bad.”

You nodded, letting out a breathless chuckle. “I swear on my life.”

His shock turned into a wide grin as laughter took over him, his shoulders shaking as he leaned toward you.

But the sound of his laughter, full of something warm and bright, had your smile dropping. Staring straight at him, maybe through him, you knew it felt identical to the one you’d heard in your dream last night. It felt like a blow to your stomach, sending you hunching over slightly.

His own face sunk, and suddenly, you hated that you recognized that look. It came with hundreds of moments that crushed against your ribs.

In an instant, memories rushed back into your mind — images of him, of his family, of your life together. A gasp escaped your mouth as you staggered back away from him. A whisper passed your lips.

“Druig.”

–

Fuck.

He knew you were going to hate him. But you sure said his name like a prayer.

–

Your breaths felt too shallow as Druig took your arm and your drink, guiding you out of the cafe with quick steps. The sun felt too bright against your eyes, suffocating. Or was that your lungs not working?

He took you to a bench to sit down on, his hand hovering over you — hesitant. You weren’t sure whether you wanted to be wrapped in his arms or to punch him off the bench. Your shaky hands pressed against your face, trying to keep you grounded.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart. The man who was just a stranger now called you sweetheart, and he was no longer a stranger. He was your Druig, the one that’d erased your memories of the Eternals to keep you safe — against the wishes of your heart and the hot tears stinging your eyes when he’d told you. Despite you agreeing in the end, it’s for the best. It’d made the risk of him dying easier… if you didn’t know he existed in the first place.

“Please say something,” he whispered, his fingers finally making contact against your back, softly rubbing up and down.

The touch felt electric, buzzing full of a million things unsaid. After a minute, you rubbed your eyes with the backs of your hands, risking a glance up at him. “Is it really you?”

It’s really me. He spoke it into your mind, the first time he’d done so in years. The words came with a comforting weight that loosened a sigh from you.

As you stared at him, seeing tears of his own well up, something clicked into place. You lunged forward, wrapping your arms around his neck. “You’re okay, you’re okay,” you whispered over and over again against his skin.

“I’m okay,” he murmured, resting his cheek on your head. “I’m sorry, this is not how I meant things to go. I… I almost didn’t say anything.”

“I should’ve known that when we agreed to do this,” you said, a bittersweet laugh coating your voice.

Silence passed, and you could feel the unspoken words in his throat. Still, you waited until he said, “Are you sure? I can make you forget again, if you wan-”

“Druig,” you said, the sweetness of your voice almost offset by your exhaustion. “Please, shut up. You’re not leaving me again.”

He let out a long, shaky breath that shook to your core. His tense shoulders finally slumped, his body leaning into you even more.

“I couldn’t stay away from you.”

“I know,” you whispered, just holding onto him. The rise and fall of your chest fell in line with his. Silently, you thanked whatever fate brought him back to you.

It wasn’t fate. It was you. Not much could’ve made me stay away from you.

Pulling back, you glared at him, though you were too happy to see him for it to look very real. “I don’t think I missed that part of you.”

He offered a sorta apologetic smile. “Couldn’t help myself. Missed all of you, your mind too.” He rubbed his hand down the back of your head, stroking along your neck as if to make the point.

You understood what he meant, especially all those moments when you’d felt like something was missing. It was always him.

“So it’s all over then? The Emergence — I saw it on the news a while ago, but what happened?” you asked him, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

He brought his forehead to yours, letting out a soft breath. “We stopped it. Then I had to get things settled in the aftermath, traveled with Makkari and Thena for a few years. I’m sorry I was away for so long, but…”

You knew. He did it for you, to make sure your life would stay safe.

“I’ve missed them,” you sighed out, smiling at the memories of the other Eternals. “Oh and thank you, for saving the world,” you said with a weak laugh.

He just smiled with you as he swiped his thumb along your cheeks, dragging the last tears away. “My beauty. I don’t know how you remembered. With my powers, that’s never happened to anyone.”

A soft smile grew along your face. “I’m not just anyone, Druig.”

His hands pulled your face closer. “No, no you’re not,” he whispered against your lips. His mouth brushed along yours before fully kissing you. It tasted of the years apart, as if making up for lost time. He kissed you until your lungs begged for air, making you reluctantly move back, settling in next to him.

He grabbed your drinks — the one you’d gotten him hooked on — and pulled you into his arms once again. You weren’t sure how long the two of you had been sitting there, the warmth still present on your lips. It wasn’t until the sun began to dip below the city’s skyline that you said anything.

“Love?” you asked, your eyes resting shut. His arm fell around your shoulder, the two of you watching the world together.

“Hmm?”

Laying your head back against him, you whispered, “Play me a memory of us. A happy one.”

So he did, flashing a memory into your mind — one where you met the other Eternals for the first time, their family immediately embracing you. And surrounded by joy and laughter, you still held onto Druig’s hand. A tether keeping you close, a lifeline.

The warmth of it seeped throughout your body, holding you tight. It played out all through the way home. You reminisced on the memories you’d missed and imagined the new ones you’d be making.

And back at the home you’d share together for a while, after finding your old life again, you laid with Druig in bed. Between retellings of all the events he’d survived, the two of you found moments of happiness — bright stars amongst the dark background. Or a strike of lightning illuminating the window, showing two raindrops entwining themselves.

The entire time, his hand traced shapes along your skin, his touch never leaving you for long. You savored the weight of him pressed to you, an ever-present reminder of what you’d missed, of what you’d both sacrificed. You fell asleep to his soft voice brushing against the curve of your ear, whispering “I love you” again and again.

That night, you dreamt of no one.

—

@reidslovely

#druig #druig x reader #druig x female reader #druig x fem!reader #druig eternals #druig x you #barry keoghan #the eternals #marvel

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slimeylee · 1 month

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📻 🌹|| she's bound to pass the test , as princess of hell ! like her daddy , she is madly power-fell ! ♪ /lyr

♡ switch ! alastor ( he / it ) switch ! rosie ( she / it )

[ this is a SFW tickle fic . NSFW DNI / DNF ]

-- warnings >> mouth tickles

..... 861 words , 5,637 characters

I'm a Cannibal , It's What I do

Alastor and Rosie sat besides each other , sipping tea and laughing . Rosie had been talking about a situation that she ran into earlier that day . " You should've seen her face , Alastor . I mean , it was hilarious ! " Rosie took a sip of its tea .

" Ohh , you and your humour ! " Alastor elbowed Rosie playfully in the ribs , earning a small squeak . Alastor glared at her , his smile growing wide . She could tell it was a genuine , mischievous smirk and that he was up to no good . " Alastor , don't you dare . I see that look in your eyes ! " Rosie exclaimed, backing away .

" Ohohoho , but I do believe I must examine why you made such a sound , my dear ! You're not hurt , are you ? Pehaps I should check ... " Alastor crawled toward Rosie , a nervous smirk on her face as she scooted away . " Now now , Alastor , there's really no need . I'm fINE !- " Rosie yelped as Alastor tackled her down . It sat on her waist , smirking evilly down at her .

" Now , Rosie , don't worry ! I'll be very careful , " Alastor teased , knowing that Rosie reacted a lot more to gentle tickles over rough tickles . It began counting Rosie's ribs , gently sliding along them . " One ... " Rosie immediately started giggling softly , swatting at Alastor's hands . " Two ... three .. Rosiee ~ I can't make sure you have all your ribs while you're smacking my hands , dear ! Oh , now where was I ? " Alastor teased , ' forgetting ' what number he was at .

" Alahastor , don't play redihiculous , yohou were at three - " Rosie's laughed softly , it's cheeks turned pink . " Oh , but how could I be so sure ? I think it's only safe for me to restart ... don't want to miss any now ! Let's see ... one .. two .. " Alastor's fingers trailed down Rosie's ribs . " YoHOhou're soho mean , Ahahalastor ! " Rosie squawked at the sensations , chuckling brightly . " Your laughter is music to my ears , darling ! Three ... four .. five , " Alastor continued , placing teases in between his counting .

After Alastor finished counting one side , he scribbled in between Rosie's bottom ribs . Rosie squealed , laughing as she gently bucked her hips . Alastor then began counting Rosie's other set of ribs . It couldn't help but gently squirm beneath Alastor , giggling and sucking in it's stomach . " You're doing so good , Rosie ... almost doone ! 17 , 18 , 19 .. " Alastor's finger continued to trail down Rosie's ribs . " 22 ... 23 ... and 24 . Wonderful ! You still have all of your ribs , sweetheart . But I do need to make sure they aren't broken . " Alastor said , bringing his head down .

" Oh , Alastor , don't you dare ! NononoNOHOHO ! " Rosie cackled out , throwing its head back . Alastor had begun nibbling Rosie's ribs . " Does this hurt , dear ? " Alastor asked , his smile growing wider . " NOHAHA! Ahahal! Ihit dohoesn't huhurt ! Ihi'm fine ! " Rosie bucked her hips , squirming . " How marvelous , dear . But oh , I am rather hungry at the moment ... " Alastor grinned , leaning down and nibbling all along Rosie's ribs .

" AHAHAlastor ! Noho nihihihibbling ! Ahahaha ! " Rosie whined , squirming desperately beneath Alastor . " I'm a cannibal , dear , it's what I do ! " Alastor exclaimed . Through her laughter , Rosie scoffed . " Wehehehell , you wanna know somethihin' ahabout me ? I'm a cahahannibal too ! " It immediately started to fight back .

The two laughed as their playful fighting went , before Rosie got the high ground after a bit of struggling . " You're not going to get away with that without a bit of revenge ! " Rosie smirked , before she leaned down and immediately nibbled Alastor's ribs . The deer threw his head back with a cackle . " AHAHA ! Rohohosie , nahaha ! " He chuckled , arching its back gently as Rosie nibbled over each of its ribs .

" What's the matter , sweetheart ? Can't take what'cha dish out ? " Rosie smirked , scribbling her nails in between Alastor's ribs as he laughed freely . " Nohohoho ! Rohohosie , plehease ! " Alastor pleaded , his grin wide on his face . Rosie shook her head . " Oh , Alastor , such a sensitive thing you are ! I just love ya laughter and your big grin . " Rosie complimented , a big smile on her own face as Alastor's cheeks began to tint a gentle pink .

Rosie leaned her head back down and nibbled Alastor's ribs . It let out a deep squeal , squirming beneath Rosie as it cackled . " Ahaha ! Rohohosie ! " He snorted . " Hey , I'm a cannibal , it's what I do ! " Rosie repeated Alastor's words , smirking as she unbuttoned his coat . Alastor glared down , its eyes widened . " I know what you're doing !- Rosie , no ! I don't - AHAHAHA ! " Alastor cackled , throwing his head back . Rosie had lifted up Alastor's dress shirt underneath his coat , blowing a raspberry directly over his ribs . " ROHOHOsie ! I gihive ! Stohohop PLEHehease , dear ! " Alastor giggled , squirming beneath Rosie .

It lifted its head from his ribs , smirking . She crawled off of him , letting him catch his breath . " That was rather fun . I enjoy spending time with ya , Alastor . " Rosie smiled , sitting to the side of it . Alastor sat up , " Ah , me too , dear . I truly wish we'd see each other more often . " He smiled softly , looking over at Rosie .

" Well , if ya ever pass through this place again , we must catch up on some more chatting . And rib eating ! " The two cannibals laughed , before standing up .

" I'll see ya later , Al . Thanks for stopping by ! " Rosie exclaimed , kissing Alastor on both cheeks . She gave him a hug , before walking him out the door .

#slimey-fics #lee!alastor #ler!rosie #lee!rosie #ler!alastor #switch!rosie #switch!alastor #hazbin hotel tickles

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nerdpoe · 8 months

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A Jotunn, a Pirate, and a Wraith walk into the DC Universe-

Debated making this it's own post, but since it's been put up on Ao3 I might as well.

Part 2 (and one really, this started as an addition) , Ao3

Danny has an Ice Core. He isn't aware of it, but this does, in fact, greatly influence how his ghost form looks as he grows up. A ghosts Core is essential to how they mature as a ghost, after all. A speculative piece on the group's possible Adult Ghost Appearances as they grow up. (Yes Dan too)

The summoning ritual was finished, and John braced himself for Klarion's imminent arrival. Bruce could only hope that what the mage had to offer would be considered valuable enough for the chaos demon's assistance.

But something was off.

Instead of the burst of hot air that so often heralded Klarion's arrival, there was a silent rush of cold.

And someone much more intimidating stepped through.

The man's hair was white, his eyes were a pale, glowing, piercing green, and his skin was as pale as the snow that had started to fall. Taller than Superman, quieter than Batman.

He wore a furred mantle that bore no resemblance to any animal Bruce knew of. His hair was braided out of his face, his armor bore shimmering Ancient Nordic designs that were so old, Bruce couldn't find a single rune he knew.

Hovering above the man's head was a crown of solid, glittering ice. It sloped and spiked, and every movement shook snow from it's small peaks. Above that, hovering between reality and a dream, a miniature Aurora Borealis flickered in and out of view.

The crown was less a crown and more a small group of mountains, plucked from Norway and shrunk into something befitting the being in front of them.

Looking upon him forced Bruce to confront his own mortality, because this entity was dripping with lethality. Not the type he was used to, not the kind that could be met with the cold steel of a blade or the sudden, numbing hot-cold pain of a bullet.

The kind of mortality that he feared.

The quiet death in the wilds; alone, hungry, and scared.

Staring at the being that had been summoned, Bruce was struck with the feeling that he was watching a wolf as it observed him. Patient. Cold.

Knowing that no matter what it did, it was going to get a free meal if it only took a day or two to wait.

Bruce was broken from that silent, obtrusive knowledge when the entity looked away from him, eyes searching the battlefield.

Then the being took a silent step forward, ice tendrils branching out from where he stepped, his eyes having entirely fixated on the Mage that had summoned him.

The cultists that had been working for Nergal slowly turned and started standing in line with the Justice League, prepared to defend against...this.

Whatever this was.

Constantine backed away slowly, swearing under his breath and shaking.

The entity looked towards the cultists, letting out a small, disdainful hum.

As one, the cultists bolted, leaving behind their tools and sacrifices to summon their false god.

The Justice League, far too preoccupied with whatever was in front of them, couldn't do much to stop them.

The being took a deep breath and sighed through his nose, causing a gust of wind cold enough to make Bruce's skin sting.

"Well, this is awkward," the being sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Uh...did you guys need me for something? I was kind of in the middle of hiding from the Observants."

Bruce's brain paused. Rewound.

Restarted.

Assessed.

Oh God this was another Clark; frightening stature, polite, down to earth nature.

"I'm sorry, hiding from the who?" Bruce heart himself ask faintly, as he forced his body to understand that he wasn't in any present danger from the...person in front of him. The man turned his attention from the wheezing magician and back on Bruce.

"Kinda like a council, super annoying, keep trying to make me do paperwork."

"I...see. We were actually trying to reach Klarion, is he unavailable?"

The man sucked in air through his teeth and rested his hands on his hips, scuffing one of his shoes on the ground.

"Oof, yeah; Klarions a little bit in Time Prison right now. Genuinely didn't think anyone wanted to willingly deal with him, or I woulda sent you guys like, a note or something. Want me to just do what you were gonna have him do?"

Constantine stared at Bruce with wide, terrified eyes and shook his head.

Bruce considered it.

"What price would you have? We wanted the cultists captured and their artifacts broken."

Constantine graduated to desperately crossing his arms in an "X". Superman was looking at Bruce like he was insane. Bruce ignored them.

"Uh...my little sister is actually a huge Static Shock fan. Any chance of an autograph?"

"I can arrange that."

I highly advise reading the original prompt, as it has many additions from other writers and artists. It also has fanart!

#Jotunn!Danny #Pirate!Dani #Wraith!Dan #dcxdp #dpxdc #dp x dc #dc x dp #phanfic #ice core danny #freedom core dani #vengeance/lightning core dan #if vengeance can be a core so can freedom because i say so #nyeh

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feedyoutillpigsfly · 10 months

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Truths and lies...

Trigger warning: health risks of extreme morbid obesity and lack of clear consent

***

Truth: there was more than two thirds of the pie left, and you had already eaten a large pizza and 3 garlic breads with 4 litres of soda

Lie: I told you just one more bite over and over until I had managed to stuff the entire pie into your fat gut

***

Truth: you looked like a swollen pregnant lady with triplets in that dress, except the saggy breasts and triple chin gave it away that you were simply obese

Lie: I told you it was slimming and flattering, and convinced you it must have shrunk in the wash when I had difficulty helping you get it on.

***

Truth: you found the couch to be harder to get out of lately, and had been consistently needing my help to get up out of bed as well.

Lie: I hadn't told you I had been adding weight gain powder to your thrice daily milkshakes to assist with the weighing down process.

***

Truth: your parents came over and were shocked to see you'd put on over 150 pounds since you last saw them. They had a chat with you about eating healthy and exercising which triggered you to cry. After, you say you're hungry and I happily oblige.

Lie: I brought you plates upon plates of food and fed you mouthful after mouthful into your tear stained, round face. I didn't tell you I had added edibles to your food to assist with your emotional state as well as your appetite.

***

Truth: one day, you decided to attempt to get up instead of calling for me as usual. You managed to get to the edge of the bed and put your poor swollen feet on the floor. One step and your ankle twists. You hear a loud crack before shooting pain has you crumpled to the floor.

Lie: I pretended I couldn't manage to lift you up, so I called 911 and I watched as a team of 6 firefighters get you on a baratric stretcher. Xrays revealed a break in multiple small bones and doctors reluctantly recommended 4 weeks of bedrest for my out of control fatty.

***

Truth: it's now been 5 years since the accident and your feet have rounded out with your ankles covering most of them. You happily sit/lay with your mouth sucking on the always available creamy flavour of the day. I haven't seen you take it out willingly since you got it.

Lie. I didn't tell you it was highly addictive and full of caffeine to keep you awake as often as possible due to the increased risk of your death each time you sleep, the sleep apnea mask won't seal to your puffy cheeks and forehead. They simply don't accomodate people of your size.

***

Truth: chest pains have become a constant and 4 stints have helped but we're not designed for people like you. After the 5th attack you stopped being afraid of death and rather welcome it as the pain you endure at my expense has worn your will to live away. Your life force was replaced with renewed vigor for eating, your last source of joy

Lie: you asked if next time I'd simply let you die, I didn't tell you that I was determined to keep you alive and growing and until your heart is finally unable to be restarted, I would have you resuscitated over and over and over.

#death feedism #heart attack #female feedist #feedee encouragement #immobility

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jariten · 2 months

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Snowy Months

モブサイ��100 (Mob Psycho 100), ONE 月館の殺人 (Tsukidate no Satsujin), Yukito Ayatsuji & Noriko Sasaki ふたりはだいたいこんなかんじ (The Two of Them are Pretty Much Like This), Takashi Ikeda 雪の妖精 (Snow Fairy), Tomo Serizawa リスタートはおなかをすかせて (Restart After Growing Hungry), Cocomi サプリ (Suppli), Mari Okazaki)

#mob psycho 100 #noriko sasaki #takashi ikeda #tomo serizawa #cocomi #suppli #photoset #colors

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chienchaud-et-soupe · 1 year

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Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō and Restart After Growing Hungry are two great manga to read and relax with. I've noticed some charming similarities:

Both are largely set in a quaint countryside town

Both detail the life and times of their lead(s)

Both utilize shading to great effect, giving otherwise simple panels greater depth

Both place a special emphasis on nature

Both feature indeterminate time-skips between chapters (ie, days, weeks, etc.)

Both cultivate a calming atmosphere and offer readers a wider perspective

The two manga are a treat to read, especially as autumn turns to winter. If you're looking to relax, consider giving them a shot.

#ykk #Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō #restart after growing hungry #restart after come back home #manga

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the-sappho-of-lesbos · 2 years

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book recs that aren’t super difficult to find?

You know what anon fair ahahaha 😂

I’ll do my best!! (But also keep in mind I haven’t read all of these - so I can’t say much in terms of trigger warnings or how good they all are )

(But also if this about Galveston 1900: Swept Away and The Grass Widow , you can currently get kindle versions of them!) the same goes for other ones on this list , if physical copies are hard to find i either read it online or had a kindle copy (especially for the graphic novels - many have been read online or via apps that offer them )

< lesbian and bisexual women >

- Manga/Graphic Novels

* Kase- San and Morning Glories

* Beauty And The Beast girl

* goodbye to my rose garden

* our teachers are dating

* ring my bell

* love lily /love lily (depending on the site)

* impulse

* Magan and Danai

* dykes to watch out for

* jane’s world

* collectors

* renai idenshi

* tamen de guishi

*moonlight garden

* the two of them are pretty much like this

* bittersweet con panna

* still sick

*on a leash

* you are always crafty

* Sora haena

* doughnuts under a crescent moon

* a joyful life

* girlfriends (this was my first one 🥺)

* secret of the princess

* pixels of you

*roadqueen : eternal crush

* motorcrush

* always human

*kiss it goodbye

*thats Ms Bulldyke to you

* Amongst Us

*pregnant butch : nine long months in drag

*fun home

*giant days

(I’m going to stop here because I feel like it’s getting kind of long ahaha)

- Fiction books

* stuff by Bridget Essex / s.e diemer (if you want some light , cheesy and some easy reads)

* Annabel and I

* Roses and Thorns

* Crossing The Wide Forever

* sword of the guardian

* lily of the tower

* in the distance there is light

* Lancelot : Her Story

* the better to kiss you with

* she gets the girl

* backwards to Oregon

* tell it to the bees

*anne on my mind

* fire logic (it’s a fantasy series)

* luminous dead

* around the houses (I think? I don’t know if it’s OOP or not)

* love at cooper’s creek

* whiskey sunrise

*awake unto me

* shaken to the core

* water’s edge

* a hole in the world

* courting the countess

* survival instincts

* my secrets your lies

* the fate of stars

* the jasmine throne

* architects of memory

* notes of a crocodile

* legends and lattes

* princess of dorsa

*the space between worlds

* written in the stars

* the abyss surrounds us

* honey girl

* passing strange

*the lilac mines

* everyone in this room will someday be dead

Not a complete list but I’m hoping I was able to get a few different genres in there ^_^

< gay and bisexual men >

- Graphic Novels and manga

* our dining table

*restart after growing hungry

* secret xxx

* never understand

* my brother’s husband

* I think our son is gay

* check please

* fence

*bloom

* tipping over you

* the less then epic adventures of Tj and Amal

* koisuru barairo tenchou

* joou to shitateya

* zankoku na kami ga shihaisuru (definitely very intense and triggering)

* letters for Lucardo

* taproot

* what did you eat yesterday ?

* Fake

* other boys

- Fiction

* Honesty

*bear , otter and the kid series

* anything by Ginn Hale

* luck in the shadows

* all that’s left in the world

* wonders of the invisible world

* the man who fell in love with the moon

* Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

* the stone prince

* the way you are

* the prince’s boy ( by Paul Bailey)

* the god eaters (last time I checked the author had a version online you could read for free)

* survivor stories by JP Barnaby

* the living one

* brute

* when skies have fallen

* confessions of a mask

* memorial

* this is kind of an epic love story

* wolfsong

* the last Romeo

* young mungo

* Beijing comrades

* swimming in the dark

* less

* the page turner

* hide

I think I did an okay job of spreading across genres for this one too aha.

But thank you very much for the ask! I hope maybe you are able to find some on there that interest you! But as I said I haven’t read all of these so please be sure to look up revised and trigger warning lists if you are worried :)

I hope you have a great day! 💕

#my hubris is being a hipster lol #asks #anon #answered #lgbt books

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hyuntaena · 2 years

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What Rules? Part 2 || c.bg NSFW

Pairing; Beomgyu x Reader

Genre; FLUFF LOTS OF FLUFF and a smidge of smut

Summary; after the events of two weeks ago, you can’t seem to ever focus on your practices. However, one of your members had a plan, and he was going to make sure and find out what had happened that night.

Tw; a cuss word, and some suggestive content.

Wc; 1.8k+

Part 1 here

TAGLIST: @boba-beom

————————

With the beep of your alarm clock, you slam your hand on it immediately, almost causing it to fall on the floor. Laying there, questioning why you decided to get up so early, all you could do was sit and stare at the ceiling for a couple of minutes before deciding to get out of bed. Walking to your closet, you pick out a simple outfit to dance in. After eating breakfast and tidying up your apartment, you begin to walk towards the door but stopping as something catches your eye.

It was the badge from a couple weeks ago. Suddenly you get a quick flashback to that fateful night, where Beomgyu had done an unspeakable act on you. This caused a blush to immediately rise on your face. You clearly haven’t forgotten about the time, as it would sometimes keep you up at night. You grab the badge and shove it into your bag, thinking about how you could potentially use it once again. Walking out, you make sure to lock your apartment, and you soon head towards the building you all practice in.

With a huff, you quickly change the song as it wasn’t suiting your style at the moment. This has been the case for the past couple of songs, and you could tell your team was getting bored. However, you come across a song you’ve never heard before. You read the title, confused, as you don’t remember adding this song onto your playlist. Listening to the lyrics, you turn to Taemin who simply shrugs at your unspoken question.

Ooh, she said “We can do whatever you want

You can fuck me in the back of your car”

But I won't ever get to stay with her

‘Cause all i ever had was one day with her

You slowly bop your head to the beat, a smile slowly growing on your face as it suddenly reminds you of a certain boy somehow. How you only had one day with him. You restart the song, and you line up to the side of the room, the others seemingly doing their own thing as you try and attempt to make a dance to this newfound song. However, you stop in the middle of the song, suddenly realizing where the song could have come from. It definitely could have come from him. You sigh, skipping the song before you got too tired of hearing it. It was a TXT song, and all you could go back to was him once again. HIM.

He has been clouding your mind ever since then, and everything reminds you of him. It's been so distracting, that practices have been a struggle for you. Even Taemin has noticed the struggle, and he tries to talk to you about what has been distracting you, but you simply shake your head each time. It was always a bad time, and no one would even believe you if you said something. The five of you get into formation halfway through the song, and you practice it for the next couple of hours, until Taemin cuts the practice off short.

“We’re gonna be cutting off practice short, as y/n and I have some business to attend to.” Taemin announces, and the others nod in agreement. You look at him in confusion, before he holds up the badge, making your eyes widen in shock. Good thing you grabbed yours today, because you completely forgot you were going there today. You quickly run to your bag, grabbing it and taking out your badge. You had no idea these still worked, or that you even had permission to keep using them. Taemin wiggles his eyebrows at you and you can't help but do a playful nudge to his side as you both walk outside towards HYBE. On the walk there, you both stop and gather snacks at a small cafe, as you both were very hungry. However, you make sure to pack extras for the both of you, as you have a feeling you would be there a lot longer than you expect.

When you arrive, you quickly scan your badges and head towards the closest dance room, peeking in and making sure that there was no one inside– There were only a group of five in the room. Taemin walked in anyway, and you try your best to drag him back as to not interrupt the group practicing, but you miss his shirt by a couple of inches. This caused you to fall to the floor, the door swinging open with a loud bang, quickly gaining the attention of the six boys. All they could do was chuckle, and you immediately stand up, brushing yourself off while ignoring their laughter.

“We’re Taemin and y/n, the two choreographers in our dance group.” Taemin does a slight bow, as do you, before quickly glancing back up at the boys. You recognize all of them immediately, as they were obviously TXT. You slowly looked at each of them, before your eyes landed on a very familiar face. Him. Beomgyu. He raised an eyebrow at you, his slit suddenly disappearing from your sight, before he gave you a big smile and wave.

“We’re here to watch you all practice, and to take notes on how you run things, okay?” You mention, their eyes immediately snapping to you. They were giving off a weird vibe, as if they had known everything that had conspired that night. But Hueningkai clapped his hands together, and they all got into formation for CROWN, one of your favorite songs to dance to. As they danced, you noticed that two out of the five were wearing crop tops, while the others were wearing sweaters or regular t shirts. Beomgyu was one of the two, and you couldn’t seem to pinpoint why there were a bunch of flashes on his stomach, more specifically his belly button when he moved. After they finished CROWN, they met up as a group to figure out what needed to be fixed, and you made a mental note to simply be more involved with your members.

“Y/n! What did you think?” Beomgyu yelled out, and you quickly went out of your thoughts to answer his question, which was an obvious “awesome” from you. They practice it a couple more times, before deciding to take a break and think about what they wanted to practice next. You whipped your phone out, quickly texting the group chat about what you had witnessed and what you needed to work on as a team. Before you knew it however, Beomgyu was standing in front of you. You almost drop your phone in shock, But you both quickly reach to grab it, your hands brushing past each other. You look up at him in confusion, but all he could do was smirk while handing you your phone.

“It’s been some time hasn’t it?” He says softly, and you nod slowly, him grabbing your hand to put it in his. You both stand there comfortably, his hand intertwined with yours as you both talk about your lives. He talks about how he practices every day to get better and better, and you talk about your life as a simple dancer. Where you were born, what your hobbies were. Beomgyu soon learned almost everything about you. The break seems to go on longer than you both anticipated, as the other members send glances your way while whispering about something with a smile on their faces. You continue to get to know each other slightly, and the thought of last time grazes your mind, causing you to look down. This time, you finally notice what was glistening in the light as he danced– a belly button piercing. This caused your brain to think, about how he would sound as you kissed and licked around the piercing, going lower as-

“Y/n? You okay?” Beomgyu looks at you with a worried expression, and slowly lifts your head up with his fingers, noticing your blushing face. Before he could say anything though, Soobin coughed, signaling that they needed to get back to practicing. This caused Beomgyu to quickly let go of your hand, you immediately missing the warmth of his hand on yours. They begin once again by practicing PUMA, which you have never really tried to learn due to the intensity and teamwork that was needed.

“This seems super difficult yet easy.” You whisper to Taemin, who simply laughs, before turning to look at you with a smirk. You turn to look at him as well, immediately knowing what was coming next.

“You and Beomgyu seem very close. What happened that night?” His smirk somehow grows even bigger, and all you could do was glare at him. With this look, all he could do was nod, as if he somehow figured it out. You shake your head before turning back to the boys, watching them very intently as they practice the song over and over again.

After a couple of hours of watching them practice, you begin to get tired as you see the sun begin to set, a yawn leaving your body. This causes Taemin to also yawn, as he stretches across the floor he was laying down on. By now the boys were almost done with their practice, and you couldn’t help but daydream about Beomgyu and his piercings. How they would feel against you, like how they were last time. You quickly shake yourself out of these thoughts before you embarrass yourself again, and you begin to gather your things. After the song ends, they begin to do their own things, and Beomgyu walks towards you once more.

“You heading home? I can drive you there if you want since it’s a bit dark out.” He says softly, and you turn to Taemin, who is too busy talking to Yeonjun and Taehyun about lord knows what. You look back at Beomgyu who has a cheeky grin on his face, and you nod intensely. You both walk outside towards a simple car, and he hops into the driver's seat as you hop into the passenger.

“Don’t tell Taehyun that I'm using his car.” Beomgyu winks, before pulling out onto the street. As you drove towards your apartment, you told him which turns to take and where to stop, all the while his hand was resting on your thigh, his rings cooling down your warm skin.

When you arrive, you both sit in comfortable silence. His hand still on your thigh, he gently rubs his thumb up and down, his gaze fixed on you. You look over, a smile gently coming across your face, as you reach a hand out to run your fingers through his hair. You both stare into each other's eyes for a quick moment, before Beomgyu begins to speak.

“You know. I’ve never met someone so amazing and awesome like you.” He says slowly, making sure to pick and choose his words wisely. You grin at these words, and pat the hand that was resting on your thigh. You try to speak, but nothing seems to come out. What he says next makes your heart flutter.

“I really like you, y/n.”

#beomgyu x y/n #txt x reader #txt imagines #txt #tomorrow by together #beomgyu

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