#the event will continue as soon as i'm able to draw again though!

[deadangelos]

Happy pride month!!!

#pjo #percy jackson #nico di angelo #not an ask #ooc #pride #pride 2023 #we interrupt this event for - annual pride Nico!!! #mun's getting top surgery [checks calendar] today so had to doodle the boy before i'm unable to draw for a bit #the event will continue as soon as i'm able to draw again though!

[minevn]

(I'm sorry for the mistakes) Are you okay? Sorry to intrude, but I hope your mental/physical state is ok and you are taking good care of yourself! (^-^*)/

Hi! It's okay, thank you for asking! I typically like to do asks in order, but I thought this would be a good ask to kind of get things out there and talk about what's been going on with me and Mine!

As for if I'm okay, I don't really know. I can't say I'm okay but I know that it could be a lot worse(because I've felt way lower then this before) I'm not really sure how to take care of myself other then repressing things but I am seeing a therapist and we've been talking about how to handle my emotions as they come. I do wish that I was able to see a therapist before my repressive coping habits took over but due to circumstances I'll get into later I just wasn't able to.

As for Mine stuff, I am still very slowly but surely working on my asks. I do have a few done but once again I like to answer my asks in order. Last night I thought it would also be smarter to do my asks backwards from how I've received them so that way I could just que them all up instead of writing the first ask I got and then lacking motivation and ideas for the later asks. I guess rn I'm going through a bit of writers block? I think it's that mixed with my extreme lack of motivation. As for my event, I have thought about lowering the number and then raising the numbers again for a later milestone! I tend to always put a lot on my plate and 50 requests may have been a bit more then what I could handle as of now. Another thing as well is that even though I love drawing, I don't draw super often. I get hit with random waves of motivation and it's very easy for me to lose that motivation. So I have the sketches mostly done for the drawing requests I've gotten, but if I have no motivation to draw then the drawings turn out looking wonky and just all wrong and then I'm no longer proud of them. I still plan on doing the events and I'm so sorry that my lack of motivation happened like as soon as I hit 100 followers, It doesn't feel fair to you all but I seriously cannot thank you enough for your continued support. Everyone has been so nice and no one has come into my dms rushing me with anything, seriously thank you all so much for that! Another thing as well is that Mine is not my only story, if you follow my main account I have most of my stories listed there and there's like over 50 stories. it's like that because I have so many ideas but once again I lose motivation so easily, and as mentioned earlier I like to put a lot on my plate, I don't like to just work on one story at a time and it causes me to get burnout which I'm sadly going through with Mine. I was answering asks nonstop when I got them, getting asks motivated me to get up out of bed, I was so happy and overjoyed to get asks, and don't get me wrong I still am! I love getting asks and seeing what ideas you want me to write for, although I was also overwhelmed at first, I had gotten so much support which I hadn't expected to ever. I honestly wasn't expecting anyone to like my stuff but I was ready to still work on Mine because I work for ME. But I wasn't happy with how the sprites were turning out, I wasn't getting inspiration for any music soundtracks, and I'm struggling on the script, I've got Minato's week planned mostly but it just feels so BORING! He's the first route, it needs to drag you in a bit more. So far there's been like no yandere tendencies which sure maybe that fits for Minato, but I'm just not proud of it at all so I need to rewrite Minato's week planning. The more I wrote asks the more I felt disconnected to these characters, it felt like I wasn't writing them like I was before, which I tried telling myself that it was fine because when I first made this blog Mine hadn't even been in the process for a year and I thought we could go through developing these characters together, but it just didn't feel right. I also started to dislike their designs. I felt that I had designed more interesting characters before and they just felt so boring, I like their hair and faces, mainly clothes design is where it felt lacking. Jun, Aki, and Yani have the designs I like the best honestly, their clothes feel more intricate.

Anyways yeah that's me and what's been happening, sorry for the long post and venting. I'm still working on asks when I find the motivation to and I did make some progress on them a day or two ago. I hope I can get out of this slump and come back better then ever. Once again thank you all for being patient with me and for supporting me still! I love you all!💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

I'm going to go a bit more in depth with things, sorry for the long post! You don't have to read what below if you don't want to, it mostly explains more of what's been happening with me, but I've also touched on a lot of my reasons for not posting above! Honestly I lot of it is venting, so please don't read if you're struggling with any below!

TW FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, DEATH, ABUSE(?), MENTAL ILLNESSES

So a couple years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I didn't really understand it, like it didn't feel like it's affected me that much but I've learned a lot more about it and can definitely see in which ways it has impacted me. When I started Mine I wasn't exactly in a high state of Mine but getting asks and seeing people like my work for once in my life really raised my moods, but I really struggle with staying happy. No matter how much I want happiness to stay, it always leaves. Right now I'm going through one of my lows. Honestly, I typically ignore my lows the best I can, It sometimes work and sometimes it doesn't, this is one of the times where I can't repress my feelings, and as mentioned earlier I do think a part of it is because I've been talking to my therapist about embracing the negative feeling, admit that I'm not happy and work through it instead of hiding it. Not that I blame my therapist, I'm really hoping that it works and I'm choosing to listen to my therapist because I want to get better, honestly I could've ignored everything she told me and kept repressing my feelings but I want to be happy so I'm really trying to embrace the fact that I'm not okay and work through it! I don't know how long this low will last, but when I get out of this low I want to work on Mine and get the same excited and happy feelings I had when I first started. Mine might go through some changes but overall I want these characters to have the same personalities and backstories, the only thing that might change with them is their clothes.

Along with my bipolar disorder, I've been diagnosed with major depression with psychotic features, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. Needless to say these all impact me greatly. The lack of motivation, struggling to get up out of bed or go to sleep at a normal time, and even eating and drinking and going to the bathroom. I've always found it easier to take care of others rather then myself because that's just how I was raised. To always put others above myself. As I've gotten older I realized that that's not how that should work, but it was already pushed into my brain and I still struggle to take care of myself. I'm always stressed, can't sleep right and I can't wake up before 5pm. Sometimes I'll sit in one spot, fidgeting while I wait for some motivation to strike. But I can't even think because of course when I think my mind never goes to good things. Thoughts about just wanting to give up(Which don't worry too much, I won't do it, even if the thoughts get to be too much), my repressed memories coming back, mom and her death and neglect before dying, dad and his temper tantrums, my grandma and how she's one of the only people in my life to care and love me, and how I wish I could talk to others easily but of course my mind gets fuzzy and I can't speak and how almost all of my friends have left me, how I feel defective and unlovable. The thoughts don't stop, every time it just gets worse and worse and I can't stop questioning what I did wrong and why no one wants to be my friend. People just use you and then toss you out when they're done and it's so cruel, I want someone who actually wants me in their life and who values me as much as I value them, someone who treats me like a person with actual feelings rather then a robot or an object. But it's so hard to find people like that, as I said there's a lot of cruel people out there and to those who aren't cruel I have a hard time trusting them due to past experiences and I know it's not fair to those kind people but gosh being vulnerable is so hard. And I know it's really early to question if I'll ever meet anyone I can trust 100% because I'm only 18 but gosh do I know about death, I know that death doesn't care about your age. I could die later tonight or sometime this week or next month or maybe I do die in many years, but then what about the people I meet and value, will they be taken away from me as well? Do I want to put my heart on the line just to end up losing them eventually? Could I handle another death? I don't know? I really don't, It already hurts to think about losing my sister and my bestest friend in the entire world, I'm already so lucky to have them in my life, what if I lose them too?

I'm going to start getting into things that I didn't get into earlier this post. I put it down here because it might be triggering and I didn't want anything too sensitive to be at the beginning, I want people to be able to skip this stuff for their own mental health. As mentioned earlier I wasn't able to get therapy for a bit because I didn't have a legal guardian. My mother passed when I was 11 and I've never met my biological dad. My sister I mentioned earlier is my half-sister(I call her sister cause it's easier and no matter what she's still my sister) and her dad took me in very shortly after my mother had passed(I won't be calling him my stepdad, once again because it's easier to just say dad and no matter what he's still my dad, no matter what grudges I have against him) Anyways I didn't have a legal guardian for 6 years, finally getting adopted in January. I had no insurance as well(Btw I don't blame my dad for any of this, he kept getting scammed by the shitty lawyer. So yeah I couldn't get therapy and well I learned how to repress my feelings because of my dad, because y'know he can throw tantrums and be angry and cry all he wants but god forbid someone else is angry or sad. Looking back at it though, mom played a part as well, she just neglected me and didn't give a shit and I learned that no one cares about me.

On a lighter note because gosh I need it. I don't plan on going until I get out all or most of my stories! But my stories have a lot of morbid themes and concepts. One because me too, but I still think it's important to touch on things I haven't been through because others might have and it's a morbid world. I want those people who feel alone in this world to feel seen and heard. Abuse does happen, death happens, suicide is very real, hate crimes happen every day and yet I feel people don't talk about it as much as they should. Like sure the topic will blow up, but after like a couple weeks or months, boom it's forgotten and that's just...wrong. I plan on making it very clear that the topics I write about in my stories are not meant to idolize or romanticize these topics or to make jokes at them, it's just that messed up things do happen. I know how it feels to be and feel alone, like no one will ever understand what you've been through, and I want my stories to be some kind of comfort for those people. I'll put clear disclaimers and tw's on my games and stories so those who don't want to witness that stuff can avoid it. I understand that as well! Like yeah the world is messed up but I already go through that and I don't want to see it in media and stuff, I've definitely been there too. I think I want my games to encourage people who might be struggling to not give up though! You see these characters go through something tough but they're still alive and they get there happy ending(Though not all of my stories have happy endings)

Anyways yeah that's me and what's been happening, sorry for the long post and venting. I'm still working on asks when I find the motivation to and I did make some progress on them a day or two ago. I hope I can get out of this slump and come back better then ever. If any of you are struggling with anything mentioned above, I hope you're able to get help, please don't give up, you're important! Once again thank you all for being patient with me and for supporting me still! I love you all!💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

#🎤-asks #🌟-abt star #tw vent #tw death #tw mental illness #tw abuse #tw sui ideation #Also me losing motivation has nothing to do with you guys #I hope it doesn't come across like I was blaming you guys cause that's not the case at all #I was just losing motivation and felt lost on how to write these characters

[ieatbingsuandcry]

True Identity

A/n: None of these events happened in the game. This is all based on imagination. I don't know how many chapters I will write for this, nor can I give an estimate on how fast updates may be. I'm still fairly new to this, so please understand. Suggestions or ideas are welcomed, so long as they are respectful. That is all I ask. Thank you :) .

ATTENTION: I DO NOT OWN GENSHIN IMPACT AND IT'S CHARACTERS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

WARNING(s): Violence

Genshin Impact, Albedo! x fem reader

Summary: Y/n ,the new comer, in Mondstat, is welcomed. With her new allies she's made, they pursue the investigation of what happened to her in Dragonspine. She's friends with everyone. Well, almost everyone. When she sees Albedo, she begins to feel as though she's going crazy. Albedo being as popular amongst Mondstat people doesn't help her situation. Is her mind playing tricks on her? And who will believe her?

Pt. 1: Girl With No Name

🍃𝕄𝔸𝕊𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕃𝕀𝕊𝕋 / ➪ 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭

*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ*

The winds blow harshly in Dragonspine at night. There are nights where it is calm and nights where the sounds are haunting. The snow thickens more, and fire is not strong enough to withstand these harsh cold winds. Everyone within the Mondstat region knew not to be outside at night in Dragonspine, so why were you?

Your feet took you as fast as you could get away from the psychopathic man who seemed to be hot on your trail. But with such harsh weather conditions, it was difficult for you to move any faster. Your mind tells you that it's either fight or flight at this point as your heart beats fast with desperation to get away as quickly as possible. Just as you think you've found a path that leads out of this snowy place, the broken bridge before you makes you think otherwise. You feel colder than you were before and look down to your ungloved hand, its fingertips harshly red and your nails with tinges of purple slowly creeping up to them. Just before you decide to glide your way across, the man yanks you from the back of your top, and you are thrown into a wall of snow.

"Argh!," you grunt in pain, body too cold to move any more.

The man chuckles as he walks closer to you,"Why run my dear? Don't you want a vision still? I told you that for as long as you be good, you will be taken care of and get your wish. My connections are very powerful." He smirks.

"No! I-im not y-your expe-riment an-ym-more!", you shout to him, but your voice shakes.

He laughs as he draws closer and closer to you, holding a syringe in his hand,"Stay still, this'll only hurt for bit."

You observe your surroundings quickly and feel for anything behind you. As your hands continue to search, you feel something sharp cut your left hand. You don't care to know what cut you. Instead, you hold your hand still on top of that object and brace yourself to throw it at the man before you. Just when he crouches down slowly in front of you, you take that chance and hit him in the head with whatever it was that cut your hand. The man yells in pain and drops the syringe, and with the rest of the strength you had left, you push him over to your left. He falls to the edge of the broken bridge, and you glide to the other side, not caring if he was going to see another day. All you wanted to do was make it somewhere safe.

As you reach the ground once again, you follow a path with burnt-out torches, hoping not to come across any monsters from the abyss. You were in no shape to fight, your left hand bleeding immensely, and the pain slowly becoming unbearable. Your vision starts spotting with black, and your entire body feels more numb than ever before. Just as you're about to give in to rest, you spot grass on the other side.

"J-j-jus-t a li-litt-le m-m-or-e," you tell yourself.

As soon as your legs touch the grass and your body feels the change in temperature, that is when you pass out. You're barely able to make sense of who or what is around you at this point. You just hoped that some miracle by the archons would swoop in and save you.

Your body lies there, cold as ice. The explorers nearby notice your figure and rush quickly, all conversations coming to an immediate halt and everyone rushes to you.

"Come and eat everyone, dinner is served!" the chef at a campsite yells.

The team of explorers now happy that the wait for dinner is finally over. Albedo sets his book on a table nearby and starts to walk towards the chef to get his dish, but all of a sudden, people are yelling not too far from where he stands.

"What's going on?" Explorers question, some scared, others curious. Albedo turns his head toward the direction of where the yelling is coming from, and he squints his eyes to try and focus more.

"Aw, come on! Dinner just got done. Don't tell me it'll have to wai–", one of the explorers is cut off before he can even finish his sentence.

Albedo moves to see what the yelling is about. Just as he sees what's happening, he rushes to grab a medical supply kit.

"I am sorry, everyone, but dinner will have to wait," he says as he then rushes to the scene. More people rush to the scene.

When he reaches there, someone's already wrapping a blanket around you and examining your hand. But the people helping are just explorers, none of them know much about emergencies like this. Albedo kneels down and places you onto his lap. He examines your state quickly and proficiently, assessing the big gash in the left palm of your hand.

"I need transportation right away! Find me extra blankets and prepare a tent. I'll need at least two females to follow me," he says out loud, and everyone follows his instructions.

Albedo rushes to the tent meant for you and places you inside swiftly but gently. He then leaves and allows the two explores to change you out of your clothes. You, now bare underneath with blankets wrapped around your body and a heating lamp placed a few feet away from you. Once the explorers are done, Albedo goes back into the tent and holds you gently in his arms.

"Mr. Albedo, transportation is here,"someone tells him, and he nods.

He gets up off the ground with you being carried in his arms. Once you're both on the cart, Albedo makes sure that your head is rested carefully but cozily on his chest. He examines your facial features and notices dark eye circles underneath your eyes. Your body shivers unconsciously, and his eyes widen slightly. He holds you tighter in his arms, hoping that his body heat is at least enough for you for now.

What happened to you? he wonders, concern rests upon his face, questions in the air but unable to be answered for the time being. He's never seen you before, so who are you, and if his conclusion is correct, then why were you in Dragonspine? In his book, you're simply a girl with no name for now.

#albedo x reader #genshin x y/n #fem reader #genshin fanfiction #fanfiction #genshin impact #albedo

[kimbap-r0ll]

Congrats reaching a milestone! Just recently found your blog through this event and I really like how inclusive your blog is♡

(I enjoy Events like this- maybe too much) Can I request both romantic and platonic match ups?

My physical appearance is fairly average. Small underdeveloped structure (kinda Chubby), deep set eyes with dark brown iris, Pale brown skin and black straight hair around armpit length. Basically just your typical south east Asian

Personality is where things get confusing. I'm a Libra, my MBTI is INTP but I think my 9w1 enneagram might complicate things a little. I'm a difficult person and it requires loads of patience to deal with me due to my secretive, detached, and insecure personality, which others may find annoying.

However, once I'm comfortable enough, I'm very loving, affectionate and supportive. A little reserved at first, but I'm talkative once I develop trust and tend to info dump out of nowhere, as I like sharing my happiness with others. My soft personality and appearance lead others to believe that I'm naive, but I'm quite perceptive. Pushing people away who continuously cross my boundaries is a Fairly easy task for me no matter how close I am with this person. Maybe because my dominant emotion is fear so I tend to be protective of myself.

Reading and drawing (I'm bad at it but I still find it enjoyable-) are my most prominent hobbies and I'm an underachiever who constantly doubts my abilities, which is why I admire hard working people who have honed their skills and know what they're capable of. Self-development is very important to me, and I wish I could change some of my terrible habits, so it will be nice to have someone to guide me and keep me grounded because I am easily distracted and discouraged. I'm bad at "trying" because putting effort into something only to be faced with failure is disheartening for me so I can sometimes be perceived as lazy due to my fear of failure.

Hello, thank you for the request! Sorry this is so late! But, I think that for you, the best matches from twst would be...

Romantic: Jamil

Look, it's Scarabia!

Jamil's the type of person that you would admire (and so would everyone else honestly that man's got everything-) and he would admire you in return. He's always worked hard to be the best at so many things, and yet he knows what his boundaries are. But with you, he sees you doing things that make you happy, even if you might doubt your abilities here and there. He likes that you are able to talk about things that you are passionate about to him, and how much you go out of your way to share happiness with others. Whenever he's stressed out or even just a bit down, you manage to get him back up. He's really thankful for having someone like you!

If you're ever worried you'll get sidetracked or discouraged, Jamil's going to make sure you're worry-free as soon as possible! He does have a tendency to keep things organized and he can be laser-focused, and that personality of his probably extends to helping others get focused again. If he ever sees you get distracted while working on homework, he won't redirect you right away, but once it passes a certain mark he might ask you to go back to the homework haha. He might do it for you tho honestly. Also, discouragement? In his presence? He might as well send it to the ends of the earth since he knows how horrible those kinds of things can be. Whenever you feel disheartened or start to feel a wave of that fear of failure, he'll stop you and look at you in the eyes. He'll tell you not to worry, that in the end the effort you put in is what matters and your abilities are worth admiring. Jamil may seem like he nags a lot at first, but he truly cares for you, and if anyone decides to make you feel discouraged, well, the guy's gonna face Jamil's venomous tongue.

Overall though, I feel like Jamil would be a good vibe with you! He's someone that loves new ideas and hearing you would be so much fun. He truly admires you for who you are!

Platonic: Leona

Look, it's Savanaclaw!

He probably thought that when you said you were lazy, you were talking about him. But he doesn't see you as being lazy at all, since you probably do more things than he does haha. More importantly however, Leona understands your fear of failure and "never being good enough" due to his own background. If anything, he wants to make sure you never feel that way, since to him you're admirable in every way. He definitely doesn't want you to get discouraged, and though he won't seem like it at first, he truly cares for you. When he sees you down, he'll grumble a bit and tell you to stop sulking since to him you aren't at all a failure. He'll probably ask you to show him a drawing if you were working on it, then he'll whistle a long tone before telling you "damn it's pretty good, herbivore." He doesn't comment a lot, but with the way he's smiling you can tell he really liked it.

I feel like he won't go out of his way to help you with bad habits or not getting distracted, but he's definitely someone you can go to if you just want to have a chill vibe. He doesn't talk a lot, but he does enjoy listening to you. Please tell him about all kinds of things, he's really interested in getting to know you (but he's too emotionally constipated to actually let you know :/). Also, he's super respectful, so he'll never overstep a boundary you have!

Overall he's like the chill and supportive friend, and honestly who wouldn't want to vibe with someone like that!

#twst #twisted wonderland #twst headcanons #twst imagines #twst x reader #twst scenarios #ask box #twst matchup #twst matchups #twst scarabia #scarabia x reader #scarabia headcanons #twst savanaclaw #savanaclaw x reader #savanaclaw headcanons #twst jamil #twst jamil viper #twst jamil x reader #jamil headcanons #twst leona #twst leona kingscholar #twst leona x reader #leona headcanons

[doushin]

slo's monthly report #2402: february

it is the second edition of slo's monthly report, where i aim to share story once a month, but if i fail to do that (cough, i failed twice already...) i'll just use this as a medium t share what i've written!

UNCOMMON ACTS OF LOVE (/ gorou) // 2 drafts | estimated to be 4k++ words this story was for the steambird's writing event. i worked on this quite extensively throughout the month of jan, but it didn't work out so i didn't touch it for a while... only to return in feb, made some changes in plot, and i managed to get the ball rolling. so far it's flowing as i intended it to be, but i might find myself in another roadblock and might have to go back to the drawing board. honestly, not very certain that this follows the prompt to the T, but i hope that the scenario is interesting enough to be considered 'uncommon'. this story is currently my highest priority.

LIES, AND THE TRUTH THEY REVEAL (/ heizou) // 3 drafts | estimated to be 2-6k words this... story is a little difficult. it started as a cute idea i wanted to quickly write for valentines day, and then as i wrote and thought about the plot, i realised... it didn't really work out? at the same time, i was looking through old titles that my friend gave. i knew i wanted to write something for heizou, so i found a title i thought would be fitting... which influenced the original plot and now it's something a bit more complex. because of that, i've sort of placed this wip on a hold, and i will see here my brain takes it. this story is currently on the back burner. i am not sure if this will even be written in full.

i have been pretty busy as of late, so finding time to squeeze writing has been a hassle. however, i don't think this is something detrimental. i believe that not working on my wips may be a period of "rest", and when i do return my brain would be more energized to think myself out of the troubles i might have with certain stories.

at the same time, i looked through my wips for january... and i think it would be good if i tried to look through one of them again. i think i paused bennett's wip (no title) because i re-read older drafts and preferred that over the newer ones. but now that i've not looked at it for quite a while, i think i can just start over. it's probably the plot or my understanding of the plot that held me back from being able to understand it properly. hopefully i can complete it soon!

but of course, gorou's fic first. i left my draft at a good spot: i know what's going to happen next and i'm quite excited to write it down. i hope i can be productive and therefore find time to sit down and relax.

so far so good...! i hope i can carry this momentum of writing in march! even though i'm not posting anything, at least i'm still writing! will try not to start any new ideas and continue what i have in march :P

#monthly report

[ei-w]

Hi! Little update about coming time and later plans & personal experience regarding IB 2023.

Soon, IB posting is happening. This year, I joined as an author and artist, too. (Also, asking for beta help due to being not native...) If you turn it around, it is like four things at the same time to pay attention to, give feedback, be constantly on alert and keep in mind contact - no wonder I became burned out by the end of the summer.

Overall, writing was fun (I planned to make this story within PhicPhight, but I figured it would turn longer than I'd be able to make it within a month), and I'm glad for the beta help I got, and it was the very first time I joined as an artist. And just right at the time of the registration as an artist I bought my Wacom. I had never done digital art before - except on my phone. So, it was fun to figure out. (I spent the first few days screaming in panic, then I thankfully found an app I can use on my 'basic' level.) I learned a lot while doing 'arts' - sorry, I still think I can draw.

By now, I'd probably do those drawings a little bit differently than I did, more smoothly & quicker and knowing what I am doing - or at least more than that time. My arts within IB were literally the firsts I did with my device - no exaggeration. Every stroke with the pencil was a new thing, a learning method with brushes and colours and layers. So, in that aspect... the final product ended up okay-ish. (But I'm critical, ofc)

As being extremely exhausted and mentally drained out by now with everything, I decided that this was my last InvisoBang for a while - for two years at least. And although I joined the E-I event as an artist, and I have drawings planned, I can't imagine that I'd be able to finish those to the view I imagined them. Either they will stay sketches, or I'll drop out - I considered at the beginning to join as a writer, too, but very soon, I came to see that it wouldn't work (I still hope though that I'd manage a short story, but let's confess I am just hanging on a last weak rope.)

To summarise everything: IB is on to end soon. Masters is on to continue for me with a new semester, funnily, at the same time. If I plan to continue doing anything with writing, for a while, I'd like to return to edit my long story. Beyond that, drawing when I feel like it gives me more freedom than writing does - also causing less stress than dealing with words all the time in another language than my original one and edit over and over again texts to be presentable for the public, losing meanwhile in the process passion over my lovechild and wrote creations.

So, all things summed up, if E-I happens for me as an artist, then it happens, but after that, until my master's studies last (which is 1.5 years), I won't join any other event, especially not IB.

Thank you for being around until now (and while I posted under my other blog and accounts)! <3

- Alice

[shadowsong26fic]

Coming Attractions!

First Monday of the month, so here goes!

(And, as is often the case with these, I'll be keeping an eye on my askbox for an Open Question Night. Anything I've posted about here or on AO3 is fair game; I do take prompts but am not necessarily very fast at filling them)

Year of the OTP

I'm still behind on all of these, haha...I still have to do the three origfic ones for June (but...honestly, I didn't...really like most of the June prompts, ah well) and all five for July, plus get caught up on August. Goal is to get all of that done by the end of the month, but we'll see how it goes (especially since this month involves the Actual Moving sooooooo yeah)

Other SW Fic

Mostly putting this here to say that Precipice is not dead because I refuse to let it die; granted I haven't been actively working on it as much as I should lately, but I will update Someday, I promise. Unless I end up falling out of the fandom entirely, that fic continue.

BSG Fic

Once again plugging the Big Bang/Mini Bang event! There's still time to sign up! We are particularly low on betas, and could also use a few more artists. So given the numbers I'm not going to participate as an author myself (though I'll beta and probably jump in to podfic). Also the idea I had I'm not sure how to structure it (Zarek character study; the general idea was him looking back on his first arrest as he waits for his execution; drawing some on that great quote of his from Kobol "It's a lot easier to get blood off your hands than on it" or something like that; sort of approaching the questions of how much of his rhetoric does he (still) actually believe; some things about charisma and leading other people to their deaths; I was going to title it 'The Blood of Angry Men'...)

Other projects--aside from the OTP stuff, I am still slowly putting The Other Battlestar together. No real ETA on that, but it is coming. And it is going to be. Extremely Long, lol. Even if I do end it after Pegasus, which is my current plan (because while I have Some thoughts, figuring out how drastically things would shift after that is. A Pain. I can more or less do In Spite Of A Nail between Atia and Kimble to get the fleet in Close Enough to that same position by the time that encounter happens but. After. Man.) But yeah, very long, because...I don't need to cover/rewrite everything, but there's a Good Chunk that does need to be reworked, plus covering those six months from the Pegasus side...It's probably going to be Precipice-length (200-250k) by the time I'm done, lol.

There are always other things noodling around in my head, but that's pretty much all that's sort of Actively In The Works.

(But sign up for the event! Join us!!!!)

Les Mis Fic

Yeah so this is the current primary brainrot, lol. Papa and J... is picking up again; Ari will start learning some things in the next chapter! And will find it way easier to identify J than initially expected, lol.

For the stuff Ari won't be able to learn (due to letters/records being lost, either deliberately or because...just...::gestures at the 19th-century French governments:: ), I'm going to post a companion piece after P&J finishes, working title Provenance.

The other project which I'm hoping to start posting soon is a Groundhog Day AU, working title Acheron. I'm excited for that one but. uh. Definitely heed the warnings when it comes out because. Yeah.

Other Stuff

I'm doing the occasional origfic snippet that's not connected to the OTP fills; plus bouncing back to some of the AtLA projects I started on at the beginning of that fandom renaissance, but nothing super concrete coming up.

But also pod_together! Writing is done, recording is mostly done (I think?), I'm really excited for how this one's turned out. Leverage in the style of Shakespeare, it's a delight. (Three scenes; one with Eliot and Parker set fairly early; one with the whole crew in the Exposition scene; and a soliloquy from Sterling which was actually the first thing I wrote XD)

I also haven't forgotten about Incinctus, especially since Nocturne finally has an actual Trailer. But I think I'm going to need to rewatch the show and get in the right headspace in order to actually update it (which I do want to do! I just. Got stuck on the next chapter that needs to come out, haha...)

fun fact: watching castlevania was actually how i ended up getting actively back into bsg fandom XD

...I think that pretty much covers it! Like I said at the top, Open Question Night, and I'd love to hear about what you guys are working on, too!

also this is a reminder to me to finish putting together the Story Details form/do a reminder post about the first GBB checkin coming soon...

#coming attractions #miscellania #open question night

[tired-teacher-blog]

Title : My savior/ My demise

Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Status : Completed

Characters: Dabi/fem reader (with a healing quirk)/ other mha characters' appearances

Genre : Angst/ fluff/ Romance/ NSFW in later chapters/ Tragidy/ contains manga spoilers

Summary : Your once calm and peaceful life takes a surprising turn to the unexpected when you meet the infamous villain Dabi. What will happen when you discover a side of him that no one else knows? A side he only shows when he's with you. Will your story have a happy ending?

Please do not read if you're a minor!!

Note : This is loosely based on the manga as I had to tweak some of the events to fit this plot. No major changes though, just a bit to include you in the story.

Explaining y/n's quirk: You have a healing power; you're able to extract people's pain, illnesses, injuries and everything in between with a simple touch. You're able to activate and release your quirk at will because using it for long periods of time without rest weakens you.

Masterlist

AO3

Previously:

He blinked a few times before answering your question with another:" What's your name?"

Chapter 2 :

You didn't expect that response, but you answered him anyway:" I'm y/n. So pleased to meet you." You finished with a smile.

_" Well y/n be careful out there." He patted your head and just.. left.

You stood there for God knows how long, thinking about your encounter with the infamous villain.

A couple of weeks had passed before you could meet him again, during which you found yourself glancing at the river side every morning on your way to work and every evening on your way back.

You kept a close watch on the news to see if anything about him came up. You didn't understand the reason for your interest. He's a villain, a criminal. If anything, you should despise him or at least wish to never encounter him again.

Weren't you supposed to feel lucky he didn't kill you that time? Yeah you should!

Then why were you feeling the way you were?

Was it because he seemed different than what everyone thinks? Or maybe because he didn't hurt you even though he could have easily done so? Or perhaps because you felt bad for him for some reason?

You couldn't understand your feelings at all.

All you were sure of was that you wanted to see him again.

And you finally did. You were walking out of the hospital's main entrance one evening when someone grabbed your arm, covered your mouth and carried you to a dark alley near by. It was pitch black, so you couldn't make out who your attacker was. You were frightened, but instead of fighting back and screaming and possibly even losing your life, you decided to remain calm and see what happens.

As soon as your eyes adjusted to the dark, your heart skipped a beat after recognizing the person in front of you. It was him, the villain they call Dabi.

_" Sorry for sneaking up on you, I just didn't want to draw attention to myself and you seem to be the loud type." He spoke seriously.

_" WHAT?!! HEY!!" You were offended.

_" Yeah, exactly." He nodded.

You didn't really care that he had just insulted you, you were just happy he was there with you.

_" So.. what brings you here?" You asked in a softer voice.

He didn't answer you right away, instead he looked to the side and pondered for a moment before saying:" I'm not really sure."

Is it possible that he was as confused as you were?

_" Are you in trouble?" You were genuinely concerned.

_" I'm always in trouble." He snorted.

_" Oh right.. sorry." You smiled shyly before adding:" so, did you have dinner yet?"

He didn't know what to say to you, you had a talent for rending him speechless.

_" Oh no! Don't get the wrong idea! It's not like I'm asking you out on a date or something!"

You raised your hands up defensively before continuing:" It was an innocent question I swear! But you can forget about it okay? Please, just pretend I didn't say anything, and I.." you were going on and on and on with no signs of stopping, and he couldn't help the tiny smile that appeared on his face. You were kinda.. cute?

_" I'll have dinner with you." He interrupted your rambling:" but I can't be seen in public."

_" Oh right! Well there is this amazing yatai¹ close by and their food is great so how about we buy something and sit by the river side then? It's dark already so there is hardly anyone around."

He nodded.

You couldn't understand what's gotten into you, you were not the kind of person who would invite a stranger for dinner, let alone a certified villain. But there you were walking side by side as if it was the most natural thing to do.

Dabi was having the same struggle with his thoughts, he didn't understand why he came to find you, neither did he comprehend his inability to take you out of his mind. All he knew was that he wanted to stay by your side.

It was a short walk to the yatai, he stood a bit further while you went to buy your food.

You ended up buying a bunch of stuff: takoyaki², yakitori³ and yakiimo⁴.

You held the bags up, tilted your head to the side and said:" I'm sorry I didn't know what you would prefer so I bought stuff at random."

_" That's fine, thank you." His voice was soft.

You smiled at him and gestured to the spot where you two first met:" You wanna sit over there?"

_" Yeah that's fine." He knew you picked that spot on purpose.

Empty food containers were sitting next to the both of you. It was quiet for a moment until Dabi spoke:" Why are you being nice to me? You know who I am and what I do so why?"

You didn't expect him to say something like that, but you answered him honestly anyway:" I donno, I guess it's because I see a lot more than that in you."

_" What do you mean?"

_ "I mean this." You replied while pointing at the both of you:" Does this fit into the image that the public has of you? Having dinner with a civilian who you're supposed to be enemies with? I guess what I'm trying to say is that deep down, I believe there is a good person in you."

_" You're wrong." He snorted.

_" I'm never wrong about these things, that's how I managed to survive up until now." You answered him with a giggle:" I steer clear from any threat i sense."

_" It doesn't matter anyway, it's not like this is gonna change anything."

_" It matters to me!" You practically screamed before lowering your head and apologizing.

He kept looking at you for a moment and then asked:" How did you know I was in pain the other day? Are you a clairvoyant too." He was being sarcastic and you didn't appreciate it.

You lifted your head up, glared at him and answered:" No I'm not, but I just knew."

_" I'm asking how." He was persistent so you decided to give him the answer:" Your eyes, your eyes gave you away."

He was speechless for a moment, but managed to snap out of it and ask you another question:" And what do my eyes say right now?"

You looked away for a moment trying to calm yourself down:" I donno, I'm not sure."

It was fun seeing you flustered for a change, so he pushed further:" I guess you're just full of it then."

_" What? I told you I'm good with this so don't make fun of me."

He laughed at your response. Not an evil mischievous laugh, no, it was a sweet and genuine one. You could tell, so you gazed at him and smiled.

He looked back at you, the remnant of his laugh still evident in his features. You reached your hand out to him but stopped a few inches away from his face:" You are still in pain aren't you? Did it help last time? Do you want me to do it again?"

He nodded, and you closed the remaining distance between you two.

You lightly touched his face and activated your quirk at the same time. You kept looking into each other's eyes and you felt something; your heart started thundering in your chest. But why? Was it because you finally started thinking rationally and regretted getting closer to him?

No that wasn't it at all.

You were lost in your thoughts until you heard him say:" Toya, that's my real name."

Your face lit up:" Toya, I like it! Can I call you that from now on?"

_" Do as you wish." He answered you almost in a whisper.

Your body moved on its own and you found yourself.. kissing him.

He pulled you even closer and sucked your lower lip lightly. You moaned at the sensation and opened your mouth for him. His tongue danced with your own. You felt his arms on your back stroking you gently. And suddenly, it all stopped..

_" Sorry, I donno what came over me. I have to go." And he left.

This was how your meetings with him tend to end.

You were left there, for the second time with a mixture of emotions that you had no idea how to deal with.

He was so unfair.

(To be continued...)

1.Yatai: small food stalls that can be found along japanese streets and at festivals.

2.Takoyaki: golden balls of fried batter filled with little pieces of octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and spring onion.

3. Yakitori: grilled chicken skewers. It is made from all parts of the chicken, such as the thigh meat, tail meat, and even the skin, each with their own unique flavor.

4.Yakiimo: a type of Japanese sweet potato baked over a wood fire and served in brown paper packets.

#bnha #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #my hero academia headcanons #boku no hero fanfic #boku no hero headcanons #my hero academia fluff #my hero academia imagines #dabi x reader #dabi x y/n #dabi imagine #dabi fluff #dabi headcanons #dabi x you #dabi smut #bnha toya #toya todoroki #mha toya #toya x reader #touya todoroki #mha dabi #bnha dabi #bnha todoroki touya #my hero academia todoroki #my hero academia fanfic #my hero fanfic #bnha fanfiction #bnha smut #bnha fluff #dabi fanfic

[nanagoswife]

Une Danse d'Amour Inconscient

A request by @generousrunawaydonut

Summary: You and Obi-Wan are forced to go undercover as a couple and he can no longer hide how he feels.

W/C: 3.3k

Warnings: Mention of alcohol, angst, mainly fluff

A/N: Title translation (from French): A Dance of Unconscious Love

No I didn't use French because I'm Canadian (okay maybe a little because I was forced to learn it). Either way, this was a fun request to write. I may write a different version of this, but I'm not quite sure. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy (sorry if there's some rough areas)

- - -

If he were to say that he wasn’t nervous for the night ahead, he’d be lying. Usually, a mission like this wouldn’t be a problem. He was to go undercover and attend a Republic Senate gathering.

Going under cover wasn’t usually necessary, but there was a life at stake. Your life. Then, there was the way the two of you had to do this.

You were known as one of the most well-spoken senators in the whole of the Republic. It wasn’t a shock with how both you and the senator from Naboo got along. The two of you were a united front on every issue that was addressed.

That was what you were going to do, but you were a target tonight. Obi-Wan had been assigned to protect you during this event with one condition that bothered both of you in different ways. For you, the problem was that you had to be undercover. Sure, your fellow senators will know it’s you, but you needed to not draw attention tonight in your planet’s usual fashion. So, you went to Padmé.

For Obi-Wan, his issue was far different. He had known you for years and the two of you were close friends. There had been many assignments that included him having to protect you. Through these years, though, he grew to care for you more than just a friend. He was hopelessly in love with you.

Every moment with you, he felt like he was going to implode while on the outside he betrayed none of these feelings. He was only able to keep it to himself because there was no way you felt the same about him. At least he convinced himself you didn’t.

What made him nervous for the night was that, just for tonight, you had to act like you were a couple. There was so much about this that Obi-Wan was anxious about. This night could either make or break him, and he was really leaning towards the latter.

Now, he was outside of your door. Well, he was outside of Senator Amidala’s door. Either way, he felt like an idiot as he was dressed in an all black suit. The collar on his black dress shirt was a strange sensation as it rubbed along his neck, only being tightened by the bowtie underneath. He would’ve loosened it if Ahsoka hadn’t chastised him ten times for doing it before he left the temple.

Finally, taking a deep breath and pulling himself together, he knocked on the door. It didn’t take long until the door slid open. His breath hitched when he saw you. If his heart wasn’t racing before, it sure was now.

You were absolutely beautiful in the subtle but oh so elegant lavender Naboo dress. It flowed around you and he never thought you could look even more beautiful than you already were. This was not going to be an easy night for him.

For a moment, he caught a glance of Padmé who tried to hide her chuckle at his reaction. She knew him so well that, even though he hadn’t said anything to her, she knew how he felt about you. Padmé winked before going back to her own process of getting ready.

When your eyes met him, he saw as your eyes went wide. You never saw him in any clothing that wasn’t his robes or cloaks. This was something that shocked you, but there was something that was more appealing. You thought he looked more handsome than you already thought he was. His eyes seemed to be a more vibrant blue that you absolutely adored.

After he watched you survey his, well, disguise, you met his eyes and smiled. “Good evening, Master Kenobi.”

“G-Good evening, Senator Y/L/N.” His words almost caught in his throat when he replied. Where did his composure that he had worked on for so long go? He couldn’t help it as he looked into your stunning eyes.

“Senator Amidala is just finishing up. Would you like to come in for the meantime?”

“Of course.” When you turned around, he took the moment to take a few deep breaths before following. He could do this. Tonight was no different than any other day he’s spent with you. He was here to protect you and make sure that you can do your job without the usual attention from the crowd.

Before he could fully step through the door, Padmé piped up, “Oh there’s no need for you to wait for me. Master Skywalker will be here soon to escort me.”

That sentence would have bothered Obi-Wan had he not felt the way he did about you. How could he tell his padawan not to do something that he was failing to do himself?

Then, he pulled himself together again. He couldn’t let his feelings be known. It was against The Code. They were unrequited. The only love you had for him was one of a friend. One that was platonic. He was sure of it.

With that, he enabled himself to clear his mind from all of this before offering you his arm. You were a friend. A friend that, when you slipped your arm through his, brought a sensation that he wished could be a normality.

When the door had closed and the two of you made your way to the speeder that was waiting, you squeezed his arm and smiled as you looked up.

“You look great, Obi.”

“I could say the same about you, my dear. You should’ve been born on Naboo,” he said in a teasing tone to hide his true meaning.

“Are you ready to be my boyfriend for the night?” you asked with a sweet chuckle. Although he returned it with his own chuckle, his heart was threatening to sink. This was one of many instances that only further backed up his feeling that you thought of him as nothing more than a friend.

“We better start now,” he said before giving in and pressing a kiss to your temple, “in case people are already watching.”

The feeling of his lips on your skin lingered. All you could do was wish that he would do that again and again, making his way until his lips met your own. But that would never happen. He was a Jedi and he wasn’t allowed to have attachments. Besides, you were sure he wouldn’t love you in that way anyways.

Obi-Wan didn’t see the redness fill your cheeks as the two of you reached the speeder. He opened the door for you and helped you step in before closing the door.

The speeder ride over to your destination was filled with your usual conversation. It helped both of you to forget about your feelings for a bit. When you had landed, he once again came around and opened the door for you to step out.

Thanking him, he offered you his arm again. “Shall we begin the charade?”

With a smile that hid the feeling of sadness that flowed through you, you nodded and once again looped your arm through his. It was a comfort you never knew you needed until now.

The walk to the event room was silent as the two of you prepared yourselves. Obi-Wan was now hoping that people wouldn’t be too quick to notice you. This night was about being discreet. Anybody you would talk to tonight would know the situation. The only reason Obi-Wan was acting as your boyfriend tonight was another thing to throw people off. It was a well known fact that you weren’t romantically involved.

Once in the room, he was relieved no one took their usual notice to your arrival.

Leaning close to your ear, letting his lips just graze it, he whispered, “Are you ready?” Although this was just for show, the intimacy made you have to repress the shivers that threatened to go down your spine. Obi-Wan enjoyed the closeness, and pressed a kiss to your cheek before you nodded your affirmation.

With that, the two of you joined the crowd of people that were spread out in the room. It didn’t take long for you to start going to work. There was a new bill that was to be passed in the senate in a few days, and you were making headway. Almost everyone you talked to walked away, promising you their vote.

This only picked up once Padmé joined in not long after. It was an honour for Obi-Wan to see into your process. The majority of the time, to continue playing it up, he had an arm around your waist. He didn’t really listen to anything said, but he did memorize the determined and genuine expression on your face as you and your friend talked to one senator after another.

Eventually, Obi-Wan had to separate from you. He needed a drink, but you were still in a conversation. Anakin was nearby and he told his old master that everything would be alright while he was gone.

So, Obi-Wan was leaning against the bar. There was so much running through his mind, but he couldn’t help but love what tonight has been like. He was showing you how he really felt without you knowing it. If he were being honest, he was surprised that you didn’t question how open he was for showing the moments of affection. Tonight, he felt like the two of you really were a couple and it wasn’t frowned upon. This is what felt natural.

Bringing his glass to his lips, he smiled at the thought. He knew that you didn’t love him like he did you, but, if this was all he could get, he would take it.

“Is being away from me that relieving?” you asked from beside him, slightly startling him at the same time. He was so deep in thought that he hadn’t noticed you even approaching. Yet, he smiled as he met your eyes.

“On the contrary, my dear. I was relishing in the thought of your many victories of the night.”

He raised his eyebrows playfully and you couldn’t help but chuckle. The sound was always music to his ears. There was no sound more wonderful and comforting.

“Speaking of which, did you manage to snag another one?”

Your smile slightly faded as you looked down. “Unfortunately, no. No matter how much I tried to make him see from multiple points of views, he was too rooted in his own.”

“I’m sorry, darling.” The endearment made your smile reappear.

“Either way, we have plenty of votes and so many others have set out on helping our campaign. Padmé said it was time for a break, so she went off with Anakin and I came to find you.” The tone of your voice was supposed to be slightly teasing, but it didn’t come out like that.

Obi-Wan didn’t notice. He didn’t notice because it was something he was inexperienced with. The hints that so many others would pick up in an instant were foreign to the man you were hopelessly in love with. Out of the entire galaxy, you had to go and fall in love with the man you were sure wouldn’t love you back. Or, at least, wasn’t allowed to love you back.

Instead of meeting one another’s eyes, you both looked out at the dance floor. You both caught sight of the Naboo senator and Obi-Wan’s former padawan. The two of them seemed to be in deep conversation as they danced together. Watching the two of them, there was no doubt that they were deeply in love with the other. It was something that you constantly had to talk Obi-Wan through so that he didn’t say something wrong.

Looking out at them was actually sweet. Padmé had confessed her love for Anakin to you. She even pointed out how you and Obi-Wan had seemed close as well. That conversation led to empty bottles of wine and your friend holding you as she handed tissue after tissue.

Now, you looked out at the couple and you couldn’t help but think back to moments with Obi-Wan. Padmé tried to insist that your feelings were reciprocated, but you couldn’t think of a single moment that showed that. Now, you did.

It gave you an idea.

“Would you care to dance?”

When you looked back towards him, he looked uncertain. Clearly forgetting why they are in this situation.

“Come on, Obi. It would look bad if my boyfriend refuses to dance with me,” you said with a teasing tone to lighten the mood.

“Oh, alright.” If he were being honest, he wouldn’t have said no even if he wasn’t pretending tonight. Not only that, but he could never bring himself to say no when you called him Obi. It only shattered any restraint he had. Every. Single. Time.

Putting his drink down, he offered his hand to you. When slid your hand into his calloused one, there was a comfort that filled both of you as he led you to the dance floor. He made sure to be closer to the middle both for protection and so that, in a way, the two of you had more privacy. He didn’t want prying eyes watching as he was sure that he would soon crumble the longer he looked into your eyes.

Once he found a place that he liked, he stepped up in front of you and kept his eyes on yours, placing his free hand on your waist. When you placed your other hand on his shoulder, you stepped closer to him. The close contact was driving you both insane.

With ease, Obi-Wan led you as the two of you moved together. He didn’t dare break eye contact with you as you moved perfectly as one. Your own eyes were shining as you smiled up at him. He was smiling back, and as the moment continued, his will to keep everything in was slowly shattering. For the briefest moment, he considered leaving as he was scared that he actually would let it out. There was no way he was leaving you, though.

He pulled you closer by your waist. If he needed to, he could use the excuse of the situation, but he didn’t need to. His heart seemed to swell as it picked up speed for the hundredth time that night as he watched your eyes only soften at the action. He was sure you could probably feel how it was threatening to hammer its way out of his chest.

Truth was, you could feel it, and you wouldn’t be surprised if he could feel yours. It gave you a strange reassurance as there was also something in his eyes that you could see that finally, after years, had given it away.

With the hand on his shoulder, you moved it to rest on his cheek. He ever so subtly leaned into your palm, making you giggle lightly at the ticklish sensation of his scruff, and his will completely shattered.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice catching in his throat.

“Yes, Obi?”

“I need to tell you something,” he started then began to ramble, “and I’m sure you probably don’t feel the same way and I want you to know it’s fine. I just need to get it off of my shoulders and I know it’s against The Code and I will understand if you want someone else-”

“Obi,” you cut him off, slightly chuckling at his ramble. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be fine.”

You began to trace small circles on his cheek with your thumb. You were sure you knew what was coming, but you still thought that maybe it wasn’t. Could this really be happening?

“I- You are the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. Despite my best efforts, you became more than a friend to me,” he said with a slightly shaky voice.

Your heart was swelling with pure happiness. This was exactly what you thought he never felt. It was what you thought he would forever keep quiet.

“I love you, darling. I love you so much it hurts. It hurts because I’ve always felt like you don’t feel the same.” He stopped the dance and just focused on you; focused on the feeling of your hand on his bearded cheek. “But I think I may have been mistaken.”

The smile on your face only grew as happy tears filled your eyes.

“Apparently, I was too.”

Confusion crossed his features, bringing out the adorable little crease in between his eyebrows.

“I thought that I was the one who had unrequited feelings, Obi. I thought that I was the one who was unbearably in love with you.”

Finally, a smile appeared on his face. The hand that held yours brought your hands to his lips. This time, you didn’t push the chill away, but let it make its way up your arm and down your back.

Then, he pulled you even closer while letting go of your hand. You were about to be upset about its loss until he placed his calloused hand gently on your cheek.

“I love you, Obi,” you almost whispered.

Slowly, he leaned in closer. When he spoke, his nose was gently nuzzling yours and his lips hovered over yours, “I love you too, my darling.”

And finally, the one thing you’ve dreamed of for years finally became reality. His lips met yours, soft and sweet, just like you imagined. And the one thing that he had only imagined, that you now acted on, was moving your hand into his hair.

The sensation was a relief to you both. You enjoyed the feeling of the soft strands as he loved how you lightly tugged at them. It increased the passion behind the kiss as you relished in the moment. This would probably be the last time the two of you could do this in public and have an excuse. So, you both took advantage of it while you could.

When the two of you parted, you rested against the others’ forehead. Smiles were plastered on your faces and you both believed that nothing could wipe them from your faces. Not in this moment. Not when the two of you loved each other and finally knew it.

“How much longer until you need to go back?” Obi-Wan asked quietly, a little breathily as he was still catching his breath. You knew that you should go back and get more votes, but you wanted to stay in this moment. You wanted to stay with him on the one night you were open to love him the way you wanted to.

“Soon. But, I have a plan.”

“Do you now?” he said in a playful tone, raising an eyebrow, still not separating from you.

Chuckling, you nodded against him, “Stay with me while I campaign a bit longer. Then, after, we could have the rest of the night to ourselves.”

“I like the sound of that.” With that, he kissed you again, lips lingering against yours in a quiet, peaceful moment.

“Ahem,” you heard someone clear their throat. Startled, the two of you pulled your lips away as you looked over. It was Padmé who wore a knowing smile. A quick glance and Anakin was not far with his own smirk directed mainly at his master. “We should get back to mingling.”

She winked and walked away with Anakin not far behind.

The two of you looked back at each other and couldn’t help but chuckle. There was no way you were going to live this down. But, you didn’t care. The two of you had more important things to think about. The top of that list, how the two of you would go about the rest of this night. Together.

@stardancerluv @where-fantasy-meets-reality @jaydenwoo @madmax2003 @generousrunawaydonut

#obi wan x reader #obi wan kenobi #obi wan x you #obi wan #obi wan fanfiction #obi wan fic #obi wan fluff #obi wan imagine #obi wan kenobi imagine #obi wan kenobi x reader #obi wan kenobi x you #obi wan x y/n #obi wan in a suit #obi wan star wars #obi wan oneshot #ewan mcgregor #master kenobi #general kenobi #obi wan angst #anakin and ahsoka #padme amidala #fake couple #fluff #did i mention fluff?

[fireflykaizoku]

Lari babeeeeeeyyy ♥ Could I please get a sweet boy Corazon coffee shop au bc I'm just a barista who loves coffee shop aus... ♥ thank you my darling

aceee my loveee! ❤ Of course! Cora needs more love 😭❤ i love this clumsy man I hope you like it!

Less than twenty minutes and you’d be ready to go home after a long day. Sometimes, it was hard to tell which was more difficult: some of the customers or your coworkers and manager. But just a few minutes and… Your thoughts were interrupted when you heard clients going inside the, until then, empty coffee shop. You sighed.

Trying your best to hide your unamused face, you greeted the two men with a smile. One of them was a man with a wide smile, blonde, very tall and very good looking, to say at least. Next to him, there was another man, with dark hair, tattoos and a frown.

— Good evening, how can I help you? — you asked, looking at the clock seeing you’d have to stay longer than you wanted to.

— I’ll want an espresso and… — the shorter guy said, and glanced at the other man. — What about you, Corazon?

Seemed like “Corazon” has never been to a coffee shop before, by the time he took looking at the menu, and taking too much of your time too. He also kept asking questions, like what was the difference between a latte and a cappuccino. The blonde also wanted to know what you recommended. His voice was deep, and it was beautiful. If it wasn’t so late, you’d be able to hear him ask about every beverage patiently.

“I recommend you ordering quickly so I can go home soon”, you thought. But you simply smiled and suggested something from the menu. He still didn’t seem sure, until his friend (or son? Or boyfriend?) started to hurry him up, telling him not to get any hot drinks. He ended up ordering a caramel frappe. You wrote their names on each cup, Law and Rosinante.

You were hoping they’d get their coffee and drink somewhere else, but instead, they sat on a table near the door.

They kept talking, while you took care of a few things you needed to before closing, and soon enough you understood why the Rosinante wasn’t allowed to have a hot drink. You heard the noise of something falling, someone say “shit” and another voice say “Corazon!” When you looked, the man had dropped his drink all over his clothes. You rushed to give them some napkins and clean the floor.

— I’m so sorry… — he looked at the tag placed on your shirt. — (Y/N). — your cute customer said, getting the napkins and touching your hands by accident in the process. Your cheeks got warm, and you looked somewhere else to hide your embarrassment.

They left soon after that, with the blonde still apologizing. The day after you had forgotten about the “event”. Until later that afternoon, thank god not right before closing time. Rosinante walked in, alone this time. Still smiling as usual, until he fell while walking towards you. When he finally got up, he apologized again for the day before, decided to order something different, a frappuccino this time, and enjoyed his drink without talking much.

The day after the same thing happened, and he chose an iced coffee. He didn’t drop anything, but almost choked on the muffin he was eating. Apparently, he was clumsy. Or maybe it was a bad week. And then, the morning after, Rosinante was there again, ordering an iced mocha. For the next two weeks, he kept going to the coffee shop every day. Most of the times during lunchtime or later at afternoon. Sometimes he got late, but he always showed up ordering something different to drink and trying a different flavor of muffin or cake.

You got used to it, wondering if he’d fall or drop something this time. Maybe he’d hit his head somewhere, but due his clumsy nature, something happened every time. The man also tried to make a conversation often.

It was Friday night, again when you were ready to close, when Law and Rosinante entered the shop. Law with his usual espresso, and Rosinante choosing a special coffee from the menu. The men seemed to be chatting, when you couldn’t help overhear the conversation.

— Corazon, I won’t go ask them anything! — you heard the raven haired boy whispering. Or trying to whisper, since you heard everything. — You’re the one who’s interested, and I’m no wingman.

— Law, be quiet! — he replied, obviously flustered. — I asked you to be discreet.

Law just grunted, obviously not caring about the man’s pleads.

— Please, I don’t know how to approach them. Just ask if they’re interested, that’s all. — he continued.

— I’ll go with you, let’s go.

After a while, the man nodded. Both got up and made their way towards you, who was preparing an order. They stood there, patiently waiting for you to finish. It was a bit awkward, while Law was staring at you quite serious, Rosinante was fidgeting with his fingers, looking around the place.

— Yes? — you asked them when you finished doing your task. — May I help?

— Rosinante wants to talk to you. He needs to ask you something. — was everything Law said, before going back to his table.

Corazon’s cheeks went a dark shade of red, and his hands started to get cold. He kept tried to say something, but seemed very nervous. You tilted your head, waiting for him to say whatever he had to say, assuming he wanted to order something. Or maybe complain, even though he was always nice and polite. No, he probably wouldn’t complain about something.

— Just ask it already! — Law yelled from far.

Rosinante took a deep breath.

— I meant to ask… Do you want to go out sometime? Maybe for a coffee or something? — he corrected himself right away, not giving you time to say anything. — Maybe not for a coffee, I mean, why would you go to a coffee shop during your break? — he asked himself. — But we can go somewhere else.

You smiled, not just because you’ve been wanting to go out with him, but because he looked very cute when he’s shy and blushing. You stared at his features long enough when you realized you still needed to answer.

— Yes! — you replied, showing your excitement way too much. — I mean, sure.

— Awesome! — he replied, very amused. — Can I have your number?

You gladly took your pink pen, carefully writing your number down on a napkin, drawing a little heart too.

The blonde took the small piece of paper, smiled and happily walked towards his table, only to fall again. Apparently you would have to get used to this clumsy man, not that you cared. It was one of his charms.

#donquixote rosinante #rosinante x reader #corazon x reader #one piece x reader #one piece #one piece scenario

[seasonofthewicth]

nobody does it like you do - act 6

The final part!! I hope this is a satisfying conclusion! Thank you so much to everyone who has reblogged/commented/shared - it has meant so much. Special thank you again to @morganofthewildfire I'd still be working away at this fic if it wasn't for you, I don't know I ever would have finished it off. Your comments and analysis helped me so much and made this fic better than I could have alone, I'm so grateful.

13k - masterlist - ao3

--

There are five weeks between the eventful wrap party and her first day shooting the Netflix miniseries in Antica. Five weeks for Aelin to sort her shit.

It’s ambitious, and probably unattainable, but she needs a goal.

She needs something to draw her mind away from Rifthold and the director she knows is no longer there.

She gives herself a week of self pity. A week of lying around her sparsely decorated and impersonal Orynth apartment dwelling and pointedly ignoring the headlines she knows have been released. Elide let her know only one picture was captured of her with tears in her eyes leaving the party. Only one and gods bless Elide she shut it down.

Aelin lies on her uncomfortable couch in well-worn pyjamas with unwashed hair and runs through the photos on her phone of her and Fenrys, her and Manon, and the group of them together on set doing whatever shit they used to do.

She spends more time than she should like that. She sits there until her coffee table is overflowing with takeaway wrappers and Aedion and Elide have stopped texting more than once a day. She’s awful for ignoring them but she’s still mortified.

She hasn’t been able to look Aedion in the eyes since he dropped her back at her apartment after their long flight home from Rifthold. He didn’t say much. After he managed to again get her out of the party with minimal press she had cried, curled up between Aedion and Lysandra in their bed, and he didn’t offer judgement or instruction.

He just held her, whispering words she can’t remember but appreciates anyway. Now she hasn’t replied to any of his texts.

She hasn’t texted Fenrys or Manon either. She doesn’t know what to say.

She knows Fenrys jumped immediately into another movie, an action movie she knows he’s been chomping at the bit to get training for, and Manon into the second series of her show that she’s probably too famous for now.

They’re busy. They’ll understand. At least that’s what she tells herself.

The worst thing she does in that week is pour over the photos she has of Rowan. She didn’t realise she had so many but her camera roll is full of silver and green.

There are photos of just him, looking like Rowan, tall and handsome and understatedly happy, smiling covert little smiles at Aelin behind the camera. He was used to her instructing him to pose by the end of filming, she loved snapping away as he did anything. Eating, sleeping, smiling, everything - if it was Rowan she wanted it captured.

Now every photo is a knife to the chest.

The ones of the two of them together are worse, they twist the knife, pain splicing through her until she can hardly breathe. There are pictures of their cheeks pressed together, eyes shining, some serious, some silly. In all of them Aelin can clearly see her own happiness.

She can’t stop looking at them even as tears swell in her eyes and her throat gets tight.

For one week.

Until it’s been seven days since her flight landed back in Orynth and she gets up off her couch and deletes them. She almost doesn’t, her thumb hovers over the button for a good minute before she presses down but then it’s done and they’re gone. She showers and changes her clothes, she throws away all the rubbish on her coffee table and makes a plan.

Filming the movie with all of them it was easy to feel better than she did before, surrounded by new and exciting things, new people who didn’t know her before or treat her differently because of it. It was easy to lose herself in who she was there and with them.

Now though, she’s back to real life and real life lasts for an uneventful three weeks.

She tries what she can, she reads, she runs, she bakes, she teaches herself how to knit. None of it is satisfying and it's hard to make it stick. It’s all boring and never quite captures her attention the way she hopes. Never captures her attention enough to tear it away from Rowan and Rifthold.

A week before she flies out to Antica it changes.

She stumbles upon the change, completely accidentally, and she doesn’t realise what she’s needed until it's right in front of her.

Her usual run route is obstructed by construction and so she takes a left where she usually takes a right, heading down into the west side of the city, the side she doesn’t often frequent.

She used to. She used to spend hours strolling the streets letting the warmth of the sun and Sam’s hand in hers settle into her skin as they observed the numerous bakeries and small boutiques. Thankfully the scenery appears to have changed since.

The chill breeze of the September Orynth air teases the loose strands of hair tickling her face as she comes to a stop outside the sleek shop front. The wooden panels are painted a dark, glossy black and the windows are polished so brightly they reflect what’s left of the sunlight.

Music of Mistward the sign reads in curved, white lettering.

She can see her reflection in the shop window, her cheeks flushed, hair unruly, her running gear nowhere near to what would be appropriate attire for the shop dripping in class but she can’t turn away.

A bell tinkles as she pushes through the door, her headphones gripped tight in her fist as the gentle jazz playing over the sound system greets her. She doesn’t like jazz, it’s not her thing, but along with the musk of wood in the air it’s soothing in welcoming her in.

She passes walls of guitars and violins until she reaches the instrument that caught her eye. It’s sleek, black lid propped open revealing the elegant strings, pulled tight in neat lines. The sharp contrast of the keys against each other, bright against the deep black of the case. Her fingers ghost over them, dying to press down.

She hasn’t played since those days in Rowan’s Doranelle home. She’s wanted to, longed to feel the cool keys under her fingertips and the flood of the music pouring out of her, but the cheap keyboard in her Orynth apartment wouldn’t do Rowan’s beautiful instrument justice.

Aelin would rather not play at all than attempt a cheap imitation of what she felt there.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” A voice sounds behind her, low and raspy but cheerful all the same.

She turns, taking in the older man, his grey hair cut short and his classic shirt and slacks pressed crisp. She glances back to the piano before facing him fully.

“Stunning,” she breathes.

The man steps forwards and offers her his hand. She slips her hand into his and he pumps firmly as he introduces himself.

“Emrys,” he says. “Welcome to Music of Mistward.”

“Aelin,” she says, surprised to hear her voice thick.

“Great to meet you, Aelin,” Emrys says with an ancient smile. He nods towards the piano. “Do you play?”

“No,” she says and Emrys’ smile flickers. “Yes, I mean I used to. I want to,” is what she settles on.

He nods, satisfied, before taking a step closer to the piano. He runs a hand over the top, almost reverently and smiles to himself.

“Antique,” he starts, “almost one hundred years old but well loved. I acquired it recently - here we deal mostly in antique instruments, it’s a passion for both myself and my husband. The previous owner only sold it to me when she inherited it and didn’t know how to play, she wanted it to find a good home.”

He shares a smile with her as if she’s in on the joke but her breathing still hasn’t settled.

“Satin Ebony finish,” Emrys continues, “eighty-eight keys, all original but preserved to the highest quality. Accompanying bench, cut with refreshed velvet. I don’t know in all my years I’ve seen such a fine instrument as old as this.”

Aelin glances back to the piano, it’s big, it won’t fit in her apartment in Orynth but she doesn’t care. She can… adjust. She hasn’t felt a pull like this in a while, she doesn’t want to deny it when she does.

“How much?” she almost demands from the man in front of her.

He appraises her and she knows what he sees. Her bedraggled state and the tension through her shoulders doesn’t give the impression of someone with this much cash to throw around. She abruptly ignores that the way she probably can afford this is because of Rowan’s movie.

When he doesn’t speak she repeats herself, more firmly. “How much?”

“Our price includes delivery and tuning on arrival.” He seems apprehensive of telling her the truth. Aelin waits.

When he finally reveals the figure Aelin blinks. And then she extends her hand. “I’ll take it.”

To his credit Emrys just nods, shaking her hand. “You don’t want to at least play it first?”

Aelin feels the smirk she hasn’t worn in a while creep onto her face. “Is there a risk you’re pulling a fast one on me?”

Emrys returns her smile, a playful glint in his eye. “Not a chance, Aelin. Please follow me to the register where I can take your details.”

Aelin almost stumbles. Almost, but then recovers.

“Any chance I can pay a deposit and then let you know where you’ll be delivering sometime soon?”

Emrys winks knowingly. “Absolutely.”

She follows him to the counter, signs away part of a disgustingly large total of money but leaves with a sense of satisfaction. It’s an accomplishment, a step for purely selfish reasons.

The first thing she does when she leaves the shop is call Elide.

Aelin meets her new therapist two days before she flies out to Antica.

She hasn’t called her old one in months and thinks that’s probably a sign. And she’s all about changes at the moment.

She isn’t shooting in Antica for too long, only a couple of months until she’s back in Orynth and then back to Rifthhold for press. Her stomach drops everytime the thought wanders into her head.

She’s excited to be back in Rifthold, but the company is daunting.

Fenrys and Manon will easily be pissed at her disappearance. She knows Manon will play aloof but she also knows she’ll be upset, Fenrys too. Aelin didn’t mean to hurt them, didn’t mean to drop off the face of the Earth, and she knows she’s let them down but Fenrys and Manon remind her of Rowan. She couldn’t trust the conversation not to eventually steer towards him and Aelin isn’t ready for that.

Their break-up feels weirdly anticlimactic. After everything they built to, Aelin just dipped.

She knows it seems that way to Rowan at least. She hasn’t texted him, or rang him or anything since the party. She’s wanted to, wanted more than anything to hear his voice as she cried, but it’s not fair to him to drag it out and she knows that. She knew when she drew the line she had to stay on her side of it, no matter how much it hurt.

She had cried until her head pounded and her throat was raw. She cried until her eyes itched with no tears left to fall, until all that came out of her was hoarse screeches as she ached to hear him call her Fireheart one last time.

But no one needs to know that, she had kept it as hidden as she could.

She definitely didn’t need any more paparazzi pictures of her with red-rimmed eyes looking downtrodden. She couldn’t bear the thought of Rowan, or worse her mother, seeing them.

She knows Fenrys and Manon; Aedion, Lysandra and Elide would see through her flimsy excuses and so it was easier to stay quiet.

She’s not thinking about facing them yet. She supposes that will be something that likely comes up with this new therapist, but so far on her own, she’s choosing avoidance.

She gets Maeve’s number from Dorian, and she comes highly recommended by a number of Dorian’s other high profile clients. She’s well-versed in non-disclosure agreements, secret sessions and back street exits; she feels like the perfect fit for Aelin.

Unofficially, Dorian lets her know Maeve takes no shit, and that’s also just what Aelin needs.

They agree to online sessions while she’s in Antica, but Maeve recommended an initial meeting and Aelin is open to all of her suggestions.

Their first hour is not directly her most life changing but it’s a start.

“Welcome, Aelin,” Maeve says, sweeping an arm out towards the firm-looking, orange couch in the centre of the room.

Aelin takes a seat, mutters her thanks and glances around the room.

The room should feel cold with the exposed brick and minimalistic decor, the only furniture being the couch Aelin perches on, the almost regal armchair Maeve reclines in and a lamp, but it doesn’t and she gets comfortable tucking her feet beneath her thighs and leaning against the arm.

“So,” Maeve begins, surveying her in the way only a true professional can. “Let’s get started.”

Aelin feels bare beneath her gaze, and like everything about Maeve and her practise it should be unnerving but she just blinks against the scrutiny.

“Why are you here today? You could start with sharing why you have made this appointment.”

And isn’t that the million gold-mark question?

Aelin takes a deep breath through her nose and raises her chin.

“I don’t want to move backwards,” she admits. “Or maybe I just want to know I’ve actually moved forwards.”

Maeve’s expression stays calm, but Aelin knows she’d be smirking if she could. She’s well aware of how therapy works but even so, speaking her thoughts aloud can help to verify them in her own mind.

Aelin hopes so at least.

Their hour is over quickly and Aelin is resolved that Maeve is a good fit, reassured in Dorian’s claim that the woman takes no shit. Her all-knowing assessment of Aelin should have been unsettling but the frank dissection is what she needs.

Online therapy, especially fitting it around shooting might be a challenge but it’s for the best. As much as she values her independence and standing on her own two feet, Aelin is big enough to admit that facing her mother again may require some professional guidance. Seeing Rowan too, but again, she’s not thinking about that yet.

Antica is hot and Aelin is sweaty within seconds of stepping out of the air-conditioned luxury of the airport. That feeling lasts the entire time she’s there, disrupting the otherwise enjoyable time she has shooting the series.

Her new co-stars are fine, they invite her out with them and make her smile but she can’t help as though a part of her is always comparing them to who and what she left in Rifthold. Aelin tries her best to enjoy her time there with them, she hosts dinner parties and invites them to a game of Aedion’s but nothing quite hits the same as her time spent on The Crescent City.

She rationalises it to Maeve, that The Crescent City was a big turning point in her life and that it has nothing to do with Rowan, Fenrys or Manon, but she’s not sure she even believes it herself.

She spends the rest of her time in Antica trying to convince herself, and Maeve, that she’s moving past it. That she’s moving forwards or else she’ll move backwards. She’s not sure how much of it is futile.

The Crescent City is done, whether she likes it or not, and she can’t deny it changed her in ways she didn’t expect. It’s a hard pill to swallow that maybe it changed her beyond return to how she was before. She also can’t quite figure out whether she thinks that’s a bad thing or not.

They have a dinner for the core cast and crew, including Rowan, once they’re all back in Rifthold for the beginning of the press cycle. They have one night to reacquaint before they’re shoved into the whirlwind that is interviews, photoshoots and promotion.

She’s seen the trailer already and it’s just as she expected but more. It’s dark and dreary with flashes of brightness from herself and Fenrys and she’d want to watch it if she chanced a viewing as a member of the public.

What is surreal, is to see herself in a polished version of the film they were creating. Or at least a part of it.

She said each of the lines, rehearsed them over and over until they fell off her tongue without thought, but she still doesn’t recognise the girl in the trailer. A droplet of pride slips down her chest at the realisation that it’s not Aelin in the trailer but Feyre. She knows she’s good, has known it all along, but the realisation and reaffirmation is ecstasy better than any drug.

She hovers outside the restaurant, watching through the window, needing a couple more seconds before she submits herself to the assault of them all again. She still hasn’t replied to either Fenrys or Manon and the thought presses on her like lead but it’s too late to change that now.

If she’s honest she’s concerning herself with Fenrys and Manon in the hopes of distracting herself from the fact that she’s seconds away from Rowan. Seconds away from him in the flesh, his solid body in front of her that she had learned almost as well as her own.

Her palms are clammy and she wipes them against the fabric of her trousers. The upcoming interviews and photoshoots will all be styled for her and so she’s relishing in her last moments for a while of truly dressing like Aelin.

She takes a step towards the restaurant door, the tip of her trainer bumping the wood when a voice sounds behind her.

“Well, hello there, Stranger.”

Aelin braces herself, hand paused outstretched where it had been reaching for the door.

She turns, biting her lip as she faces Fenrys. He looks the same as he did, skin still golden, eyes still dancing with mischief, but his golden curls are trimmed shorter than the last time she saw him. His expression is carefully blank.

“I- Hi… um,” she stumbles over the words. “I’ve missed you.”

Fenrys breaks almost immediately. “Oh thank the fucking gods.”

He surges forwards and wraps her into a tight hug. Aelin clings to him, fighting the tears in her eyes as she buries her face in his chest. She’s gone far too long without this, without him, and it’s all her own fault.

“Do you have any idea how much I missed you?” Fenrys asks. “Oh wait, no you don’t. I’m assuming your phone broke, or was stolen or something since you never replied to any of my texts letting you know.”

Aelin knows her cheeks are stained pink. “I’m sorry,” she admits.

“I know.” His voice softens, losing the teasing edge as he presses a gentle kiss to her cheek.

He pauses before he speaks again, his eyes running over her face. “You could have texted me anytime, you know. Manon too. I know you might forget or try to convince yourself otherwise, but we are your friends. You could have called us about literally anything.”

Aelin feels like she could cry. She’s not sure that she isn’t.

“It doesn’t have to be about anything serious, especially not related to the movie,” or Rowan he doesn’t say but Aelin hears it. “We just wanted to hear your stupid voice.”

Aelin pouts. “My voice isn’t stupid.”

She pokes her tongue out as he rolls his eyes, easily falling back into the dynamic they had shaped a few months ago.

“Not what I meant,” he says before pausing, taking her in as she stands in front of him. “You can’t lose us that easily, you know. We’re like rats or fleas or something. Hard to get rid of.”

“Nice,” she comments, but her chest is tight at his words.

He smiles at her before adding, “and you had fucking better text me back.”

Aelin laughs through the sniffles he’s kindly ignoring. She pulls her phone out of her pocket and finds his contact. Hi she sends and feels his phone buzz against her.

“Much better,” he says and releases her from his arms. “Now, are you ready for a night of the finest dining all on the studio credit card?”

Aelin laughs again. “Lead the way.”

He shoots her a wink and waltzes ahead to hold the door open for her.

Fenrys’ presence shouldn’t reassure her the way it does, especially after the way she has treated him but she clings to him anyway. He’s her buffer for now, a crutch for tonight and tonight only. Once tonight is over and tomorrow begins she and Rowan can be professional, they managed it for months during filming and this should be no different.

Rowan still looks the way he did the night she broke his heart.

His silver hair falls elegantly over his forehead as he bends his head to talk to Manon, the pair of them are engrossed in a conversation as she and Fenrys walk over, not spotting them yet. She loves his hair, loves the thick silver waves and the way they feel between her fingers. She loves the way any attempt he makes to arrange the thick strands is never quite able to tame the beast. She loves the shirt he has on, with the sleeves rolled up exposing inches of tanned skin and dark ink, the same worn green cotton she wore numerous times around his living room all those months ago. She can still remember the feel of it against her bare skin.

His smile is the same, his green eyes crinkling as his lips barely part as he does his best to hold it back.

His smile is the same until he spots her.

He catches sight of her when she reaches the table and his smile drops, the shutters closing over his expression so fast she wouldn’t know he knew how to smile had she not just seen it.

It tears her chest in two and any attempt at a smile on her part is futile. It’s all she can do to make it to her seat without stumbling and she’s sure she misses any other greetings she gets as she slumps onto the chair opposite Manon. She absently notes Fenrys dropping in at her side.

She can’t look away from Rowan, her eyes scanning to try and find anything that distinguishes him from the man she loved all those months ago. She finds nothing. He’s still Rowan and Aelin still… fuck.

He recovers before she does, ever the collected courtier, clearing his throat and nodding.

“Aelin,” he says and she adores the sound of her name on his tongue.

“Hi Rowan,” she manages and hears how weak she sounds. Rowan hears it too. She can tell from the purse of his lips and the tension in the hand he rests along the back of Manon’s chair.

Aelin allows her eyes to drift to Manon and she finally catches the thunderous expression the younger girl wears.

“Hi,” she whispers and Manon blinks.

“Hi?” Manon repeats incredulously.

Aelin is fucked.

“Five months and I get a hi?”

It’s loud and a few heads turn their way. It’s simultaneously mortifying and everything Aelin deserves.

“I’m sorry,” she says plainly.

She could lie, make up some useless excuses but in the end there’s nothing else but the truth and if Manon wants her to grovel she will, she’s just not sure this is the time or place.

Fenrys shares her thoughts. “Later, Manon,” he says, gently.

Rowan’s eyes stay firmly glued to the tablecloth as Manon frowns, seemingly unwilling to let it go.

After a few seconds, seconds Aelin spends waiting for the ground to open up and swallow her, Manon nods. She nods and turns to Fenrys, demanding to know what he’s ordering. And just like that Aelin has a moment to catch her breath.

She knew this dinner wouldn’t be easy, knew she’d be walking into the lion's den of her own making, but she hadn’t expected it to be as hard. Hadn’t expected seeing Rowan to feel like a slap, hadn’t expected Manon’s hurt to scrape across her skin leaving her raw.

She tries not to think she deserves it, Maeve would only raise a brow as if to say we’ve been over this. The thought is sobering, and she manages to lift her head.

It is what it is, what’s done is done and she can only apologise and move forwards.

As much as she tries to resist, Aelin finds herself watching Rowan throughout the night. It’s scary how familiar he feels, he should feel like a stranger, but he feels like she knows him too well. He laughs when she expects, rolls his eyes when she predicts. He orders what she thought he would and he sips away at an orange juice the way he did the first dinner they all had together.

Aelin already feels so different than she did the last time she was in Rifthold and he seems unchanged.

She observes for most of the night, feeling drained despite her minimal contributions to the conversations. She speaks when spoken to and actively avoids speaking when Rowan does, she definitely doesn’t respond to anything he says even though she wants to at least twice and wants to laugh a couple more.

She makes it through and clings to Fenrys again as they all leave, linking her arm through his as they leave the restaurant. He knows what she’s doing but graciously guides her out of the building. Once on the pavement outside the restaurant he pauses and turns to her.

“What hotel are you staying in while you’re here?”

The rest of the group are milling about, calling taxis and bidding their farewells. Aelin doesn’t know how she’s getting back yet, she’s assuming she’ll split a ride with someone.

“Um, the Glass Castle, I think,” she says, desperately trying to recall the name of the hotel she dumped her bags in a few hours earlier.

“Boo,” Fenrys laughs, pointing his thumb down. “They’ve got me in the Torre Cesme. Think I’m ages away from you.”

Aelin laughs, disappointed but ready to order her own taxi back when a voice she didn’t expect sounds.

“I’ve just ordered a cab to the Glass Castle, I’m staying there too. You can jump in if you want.”

Rowan.

She shoots Fenrys a panicked look but his expression is pure glee.

“That would be great thanks, Boss,” Fenrys says, shrugging his arm out of hers and nudging her towards Rowan.

“No problem, Boyo.” Rowan offers Fenrys a dark grin at the nickname and the sight of it stills her. It’s new, he used to roll his eyes whenever Fenrys would drop it into conversation, but now Rowan’s playing along. And the grin, the curl of the lips and the narrowing of the eyes, it’s sexy as fuck.

It’s only taken one night and she’s back in the danger zone. She doesn’t want to be, hell, she wants him to take her back to his hotel room and peel off her clothes but this is Rowan. She’s spent the last few months trying to get over him, falling into bed with him the first night she sees him again would not likely be defined as progress.

He’s also not likely to want that after what she did.

“You don’t have to,” she says. The first direct thing she’s said to him since their greeting.

“I know.” A slight shrug of his broad shoulders. “But we’re going to the same place, it wouldn’t seem logical to take different cars.”

Logic. That’s all it is.

“Right.” She doesn’t think she’s ever felt so awkward with him, not even at the start. “Thank you,” she says, following him to the car.

Fenrys shoots her a grin as he slips into his own taxi. Traitor.

Rowan holds the door open for her and slips in behind her. She tries not to think anything of the fact he could have easily taken the front seat.

The ride is silent apart from the easy chit chat he makes with the driver, another thing she’s not sure she noticed him do before, and she stares out the window as the city passes by. The streets of Rifthold are not her home but she feels a brightness as she glances down the curving roads, spotting groups of people milling about enjoying the night.

She knows the first call she made to Elide in weeks was the right call. Elide is the only person she’d trust with her bank account and access to real estate listings. The link to the flat her friend had sent over has stayed open in her browser since she got it.

It’s modern with classic twists, situated in a recently renovated old warehouse with miles of exposed brick and rustic wooden panelling. She loves the master bedroom the most, with its adjoining en suite with a huge bathtub she can picture herself soaking in. She has a viewing booked in two days but doubts she’ll even need it.

It’s not long before the taxi pulls up outside the hotel and she follows Rowan through the glass doors. He presses the button for the lifts and Aelin shifts in the awkward silence.

Awkward is not something she’s used to with Rowan. Or it wasn’t before.

The doors slide open and again she follows him inside.

He pauses with a hand hovering over the buttons for the floors. “Which floor?”

“Nine.”

Aelin hates these one word exchanges compared to the hours they used to share talking about everything and nothing. She can’t believe this is the man she was so vulnerable with.

His short huff of laughter drags her gaze to his face.

“What?”

“Makes sense,” is what he says, shaking his head and pressing only the button for the ninth floor.

The ride takes seconds, a minute at most, filled with the silence between them.

When the doors open to the ninth floor she steps out, determined not to follow him again, and she feels him follow her. Even now she’s so aware of his powerful body and the way he moves it. She shouldn’t be so attracted to the power emanating from him, from the breadth of his shoulders to the sureness of his steps. She wants him, doesn’t think she ever stopped, except now he’s the forbidden fruit. Forbidden only by her own actions.

She reaches her door, room 905, but pauses with her key tucked in her hand.

“Thanks for letting me share your cab,” she says, finding herself desperate not to say goodbye yet. “I can transfer you for half.”

That finally, finally, cracks a whisper of a smile but she’s not sure she enjoys his laughter if it’s at her. “Don’t worry about it.”

That should be the end of it, she should open her door and shut it behind her, they have a few weeks ahead of them that will be hard enough without any complications.

She left him and he seems gracious enough to have mostly moved past it.

“It was good to see you, Aelin,” he says, seemingly unwilling to let the night end as well. She doesn’t let the seed of hope sprout because what would be the point?

Nevertheless, Aelin smiles, leaning back against her door.

Rowan continues, “even if I wasn’t sure how the night was going to go.”

Her attention is spiked. “What do you mean?”

She can’t lie, a part of her expects him to back down at the edge to her voice. He doesn’t.

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to pretend nothing ever happened between us.”

She blinks, giving herself a second to process.

Maybe this isn’t the same Rowan from all those months ago. That night he let her walk away from him, gods know she needed it, but a dark little part of her had wanted him to fight her harder. Fight harder for her. When he hadn’t she’d taken it as her sign.

She knows the expectation was toxic, if he had fought her it would have only pissed her off, but she wishes she’d had someone to tell her it was the wrong choice. It would have helped to hear in the moment, rather than be faced with Rowan months down the line that she wants and can’t have.

The Rowan in front of her, the third Rowan she’s known, stares her down. His eyes peel away each of the layers she’s worked with Maeve for months to don in a second.

“I wouldn’t do that to you.”

It’s honest and maybe she’s not the same Aelin as a few months ago either.

That’s what she had asked for that night in the cool air, to move past them with as little commotion as possible, stirring up as little attention as they could. She hadn’t wanted to let them eclipse the movie and yet that ended up being exactly what she had accomplished.

Now though, Aelin knows better.

Rowan nods as his eyes dart across her face. He seems to step closer without realising. Aelin notes the motion, still so aware of him and his proximity to her.

His tongue darts out to wet his lower lip. “I was so angry at you for leaving.”

Aelin loses her breath at his confession.

Eventually she manages, “was?”

He looks away from her, glancing down the dark hallway, his jaw tight. When she’s with him she forgets about the world around them, there’s probably-definitely-CCTV in this hallway but he’s here and she can’t let him go yet.

His fists curl and uncurl as he takes a deep breath.

“Was,” he says shortly. “I was so angry at you, the way you did what you did was shit.”

Aelin swallows. He’s not wrong.

“I know.”

“But now I don’t know.” She lifts her eyes to his, swimming in the openness she doesn’t deserve. And fuck that. That is such bullshit. She meets his stare, returning all that he isn’t saying. “I spent a long time thinking about it, thinking about you, and it took me a while but now I get it.”

That hurts more than she expects. She didn’t expect him to be all over her the minute they reunited but his understanding was always a kicker.

“I know why you did it,” he continues. “And that took most of the wind out of my sails.”

Aelin frowns. He can’t possibly know why.

“I don’t think you do.” He tilts his head, an invitation for her to expand. “Or you’d know that nothing has changed.”

“Hasn’t it?”

His question throws her. Completely.

She tilts her head up to look at him, closer to her than he’s been all night, pushing her to keep being honest with him.

She’s dazed being this close to him again after so long, the green of his eyes stronger than she remembers. Or maybe her brain had assured her the memory of him couldn’t have been real.

“I don’t know,” she admits, unable to fight the way her body leans into him.

His teeth graze his lower lip and she follows the motion.

He’s silent for a beat too long and her skin is thrumming under his attention. She doesn’t know how she’s gone this long without him, she doesn’t know how she thought she’d survive never having him again.

“Let me know when you figure it out,” he says finally, drawing back and a rush of cool air fills the space he had taken. “Goodnight Aelin.”

He turns and she watches his back down the hallway. He slips easily into a room a few doors down and she’s left watching the path he’d taken, feeling the weight of his eyes on her lips.

Her head thuds against the door as she screws her eyes shut. She wants to scream, wants to chase him down the hall, wants to fly back to Orynth where she was safe.

She doesn’t do any of those things.

She tucks herself into her hotel room and readies herself for the whirlwind that’s about to hit. These next few weeks are going to be hard, not just dealing with the Rowan situation, but she can’t fight the excitement she feels.

Fuck. She’s back in Rifthold, back where she loves, doing what she was born to do.

This is big. She can feel it.

The Crescent City is not her first project, and so she’s been a part of press cycles before, she knows how they go. What she doesn’t know is how a press cycle for something like this works.

The only word she can find is insanity.

There are somehow earlier mornings than they had while shooting and often longer days. She gets poked and prodded in hair and make-up for hours before they spend all day sat in a hotel room filming repetitive interviews for various magazines.

She and Fenrys are genuinely friends and yet they still have to put on a show in front of the cameras. She plays up her laughter when he cracks a joke and he makes sure to never look away from her for longer than two seconds when she speaks or a producer behind the camera makes a comment.

She loves Fenrys but it’s exhausting. Her only blessing is that for most of her engagements she’s with Fenrys and Manon with Rowan conducting his own interviews separately as she had hoped.

Sometimes though, given their relatively similar ages and general level of chemistry, they get grouped together.

The four of them are filming a video for Buzzfeed, filling in a quiz to find out which character from The Crescent City they’re most like. She’s unsurprised to discover her result is Rhysand and it’s fun even if her heart does pound every time she has to act like she’s unfazed and friendly with Rowan.

There’s a moment, just a moment, where she almost breaks from her friendly and unbothered interview persona. It’s her turn to read the question, what item could you not survive without on a desert island?

It’s Rowan that speaks. “Her shampoo,” he says, “it’s jasmine.”

There’s a split second where she doesn’t speak, where all she can do is stare at Rowan, stunned that he remembered and thought to mention it now.

In that split second she’s transported back to memories of them together in the shower at her rented apartment, kissing lazily under the spray after spending hours between her sheets. She remembers dumping the shampoo into her hand and then onto his head, massaging his thick locks and surrounding them in the scent of jasmine.

She remembers how he kissed her neck as she did, trailing his hands over her silky curves, slick with the soap, with his kisses building in heat until her hands dropped to his shoulders. He’d lavished kisses down her chest until he’d jerked back, shampoo in his eyes and she’d laughed until he was safe and pressed his lips again to hers, continuing where he’d left off.

She’s shocked he’d bring this up when there’s a camera on the two of them and she can only imagine the comments it will spark. She’s not sure she cares if it keeps Rowan’s eyes on her.

“It’s luxurious for a reason,” she says when she recovers, tossing her thick locks over her shoulder. “Well worth it.”

She doesn’t miss the flicker in his own mask at her comment.

That kind of interaction will no doubt ignite the sparks she’d only ever wanted to avoid.

As the press cycle goes on and on, and they get closer and closer to the premiere it only becomes harder for her conviction to hold.

She tests her own argument, the clear line she drew in the sand, when she manages to keep it professional with Rowan and she’s not sure where that leaves her. She had thought they would overshadow everything about the project and now she’s not sure.

She said nothing had changed and he had challenged her.

She’s still not sure who’s in the right.

Everything is simultaneously completely new and exactly the same. Rowan is still gorgeous, still charming in his own reserved way, still almost reverent when he talks about his craft throughout interviews. He still talks with his hands and Aelin still can’t draw her eyes away from their motions, she still craves the touch of them on her skin. He’s still seven years older than her and the director of her big break.

Yet there are differences.

They’re still often on the same page, offering similar answers and backing each other up but now he never backs down from a challenge. Now he doesn’t hold back those comments she knows he was always dying to let slip. She should be annoyed, everytime he drops a line that pushes her to expand a little part of her wants to roll her eyes.

She doesn’t though. Her blood heats and her skin prickles. She loves this with him. Loves the dance they play, the teasing, verbal games that shouldn’t start her off but do. She loves the smirk he wears when they end up down that path, and she knows she wears it’s mirror image.

She always ends up squirming in her seat and it should be wrong but it isn’t. The cameras can’t see below their chests and the flush in her cheeks could easily be from the warmth of the day.

She’s beginning to wonder if she’s powerless against Rowan Whitethorn. If she’s powerless against the green of his eyes or the curl of his accent. The slant of his brows or the points of his teeth when he smiles.

She doesn’t know that it’s just one thing. It’s all of the things, it’s all of him, and more so than ever she’s completely fucked.

But they aren’t talking outside of the interviews and photoshoots, and the knowledge of which hotel room is his itches her toes every night. It would be so easy to sneak down the hall, to knock on the door and slot her lips to his when he opened.

It’s only a couple of nights before the premiere when the temptation becomes too much. She’s been around Rowan all day, surrounded by the smell of his aftershave, the notes of pine and freshness and Rowan and it’s too much. She strides down the hallway, resolved in her decision and closes her fingers over the button for the lift.

She needs to be elsewhere or she’ll make some bad decisions.

She’s come so far, survived months without him, she can’t cave due to proximity.

The hotel bar is deserted when she walks in and makes a beeline to the bartender. Yeah, maybe after her wobble at the wrap party a bar isn’t the best decision she could make but her options are limited. Trying to sleep with Rowan is, after all, probably the worst of both options.

“Just a sparkling water please,” she says to the barman who nods and returns a moment later.

“Put it on my tab.” A voice from the end of the bar.

A laugh bubbles out of her chest as she closes her fingers around her glass. Of course he’s here. She should have spotted Rowan the minute she walked in and it’s cruel that the reason she didn’t was that her thoughts were too wrapped up in him.

“Be careful what you sign up for,” she says as she walks over, her steps measured as she comes to a stop before him. Her hips swing of their own accord and his eyes dart up and down the length of her. “I can put a number of these away.”

The smile he gives her is surprisingly unguarded. It seems he’s done holding himself back too. Aelin loves it.

“I don’t doubt it,” he says, nodding at the stool next to him. She obliges as he speaks again. “It’s hard to switch off sometimes.”

He’s always on the same page as she is. Aelin shrugs, taking a sip of the drink he bought her.

They’re quiet for a moment, both unsure of how to break the silence between them when one of the last things they knew was the taste of each other’s lips.

“I keep thinking I’ll get used to it, that one day this will just be my job, but I never do,” Aelin says eventually, tracing a fingertip through the condensation gathered on her glass.

Rowan nods, smiling softly down at the bar and taking a sip of his own drink. An orange juice as usual.

“It’s hard to sleep at the end of days like today,” he says. “It’s why I’m in here.”

The bar is dark at the late hour, and quiet with no one else in there but them and the bartender. There’s something about the late hour, the darkness and the stillness surrounding them a break from the recent rush, that feels a little bit too close. She feels a little too exposed under the weight of his gaze but she rolls her shoulders back and leans an elbow on the bar as she turns towards him.

“I thought you’d be used to all of this by now,” she says and he cocks his head.

“Why?” His question is coy, begging her to expand.

“This is not your first rodeo and all of that,” she says with a smile.

Rowan laughs softly, the sound curving around her like an embrace.

“It can still be overwhelming after your first big movie,” he says gently, but with an edge to his voice that she needs to immediately get rid of.

“I don’t doubt that,” is what she whispers and his brow seems to soften, sensing her lack of malice.

She hates the way they’re in the position where he assumes the worst of her. She has to make that change.

“I don’t think if I get to do this for the rest of my life that it would ever feel normal.”

“No,” Rowan agrees, “I don’t think it could.”

“So then we need this film to do well.” Aelin shifts on the stool, finding herself leaning closer to him without conscious thought. He doesn’t retreat. He stands his ground until they’re only inches apart. “Lest we find ourselves fading into obscurity.”

“I doubt you ever could,” he says with a laugh and it’s the best thing she’s ever heard.

As he looks at her, his expression soft in the dim light, his smile holds something special for her and her chest lifts that she managed it. That he was willing to give that to her.

“My agent sent over the initial critic reviews earlier,” he says and her stomach plummets.

“And?” she demands, her voice wobbling slightly. Her confidence from a minute ago vanished.

This is the moment where she could sink, the moment this could all be over.

“And they’re good,” he almost whispers.

“Good,” she repeats and it’s not a question but he nods.

She wants to throw herself at him at the news, a couple of months ago she wouldn’t have even hesitated, but now she sits clenching her fists and trying not to smile too wide. It feels like a waste. She’ll never get this feeling again.

She turns to him and he’s smiling so she does what she’s wanted to for months. Aelin leans forwards and wraps an arm over his shoulders, pressing her chest to his.

His arms slip up slowly over her shoulders at first, unsure but gaining confidence as he tightens his grip around her, drawing her further into his chest. Aelin laughs a little, throwing her other arm around him and resting her face against his shoulder.

It’s not enough, it never could be with him, but it will do. She’s just happy he didn’t push her away.

Eventually, after a length of time that feels far too short, she pulls back to see him gazing down at her with an expression she can’t name. His brows are drawn in with his lips gently parted. He’s happy but apprehensive, open but distant. Aelin will take what she can and the distance between them has always been too far.

She wants nothing more than to close it, to draw herself into him and he into her, but she can’t. They’re here for one thing and one thing only and she refuses after what they’ve been through to mess it up again.

She knows he can read her own expression but she doesn’t care. She’ll hide from everyone and anyone but she’s realising she could never hide from him.

She wants Rowan, will probably want him for the rest of her life, but she made the call and he’s wrong, things haven’t changed.

Apart from all of the things that have.

The day of the premiere Aelin feels sick.

Her stomach twists and she tosses and turns all night and the dark circles under her eyes are brutal as a result. Her make-up artist tuts but diligently packs concealer on until Aelin looks well rested. Or as close as she can.

She’s trying not to think of the stretch of carpet she’ll have to walk tonight, a smile plastered across her face as she poses for the hundreds of cameras. Their premiere is one of the biggest of the season and, along with Fenrys, she’s the star.

She’ll have nowhere to hide.

Aelin sits in front of her mirror, her hair and make-up are done but she’s yet to get dressed. She takes herself in, making sure to note every strand of hair to every line of her lips, feeling as though she needs to remember this moment. The moment before it all explodes.

They’ve been building to this for almost a year now and this is as close to a culmination as she’ll get.

Her dress is something fierce. Endless, flowing velvet in the darkest shade of black. Long sleeves and a fitted bodice with an almost indecent dip in the back. The dress would be modest without that cut out, she can’t wear any underwear it dips so low.

It would be a simple dress, some might even dare to say boring, if it weren’t for the back. The majority of the fabric that remains is covered in gold embroidery taking the form of a dragon, coiled to strike. Aelin adored the dress the moment her stylist revealed it to her. She didn’t consider any of the other dresses, didn’t even acknowledge them as options.

The dress is what she needs, something strong, something to help her hold her head up high. She can walk the red carpet and stare down every single person who doubted her and know that they were wrong.

Aelin doesn’t need their approval. She doesn’t need the reassurance of faceless commenters, she doesn’t need the support of the magazines and the newspapers. She doesn’t need her mother’s approval. On anything.

Aelin is confident and self-assured and she can walk the red carpet knowing that.

Her sessions with Maeve have helped to reassure her stance, but she’s realising day by day she’s known it all along. It’s just taken a little bit of digging to uncover it.

She slips into her dress and it slides on like a second skin. She takes in her appearance, the arch of her brow and the red smirk of her lips makes her look intriguing, like a confident young woman.

Aelin was born to be an actress but she’s proud to say the sight in the mirror is real.

She poses for a few photos before she’s led out of her room and into the car, waiting to take her to the theatre.

She spends the ride in silence, barely listening to the jabbering of the aide in the car with her, and she focuses her thoughts on the calm before the storm. She takes deep breaths and centres herself the way Maeve has taught, she knows this could so easily be overwhelming but she’s determined to enjoy it.

The car stills and she can hear the noise of the crowd outside. She takes a final deep breath and allows her lips to spread into a smile. This one is genuine, nothing forced about it, and she pauses for one last beat.

This is big and Aelin is ready.

The car door opens and the sound hits her like a wave, slamming down onto her and it's so loud she can hardly think.

This is it. This is the moment she has dreamed of.

The nights where this image was all she could cling to to make it through could never have compared to how it feels standing here now, screams of her own name wrapping around her and urging her on.

Her steps are slow and purposeful as she glides down the path forged for her, the red carpet beneath her stilettos is plush and bright. She pauses where she’s instructed, rolling her shoulders back and smirking at the cameras with a hand on her hip.

She knows she looks incredible and the shouts of the photographers do nothing to change her mind. They are here for her, they’re all here for what she has accomplished, along with Fenrys, Manon, Chaol and Rowan and everyone else involved.

There are so many forces upon her, the flashing of the lights, the screams and shouts calling her name or Fenrys’, the magnitude of what this is could knock down a lesser individual but all it does is raise Aelin up.

She’s been through worse than this and survived, she’ll stare down the lense of all of these cameras, of everyone who has ever spoken her name and she won’t cower, she won’t just survive. She’ll thrive.

A warm hand lands on her waist and somehow the flashes of the cameras explode.

“Hey, golden girl.” Fenrys’ words are almost hard to hear even though his lips brush her ear. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Aelin wraps her arm around his back and grins, “I thought I’d at least show my face.”

He returns her smile and together they pose for the cameras, their shoulders back and smiles confident. She’s not sure this could be better.

Until she turns slightly to her left and gets flashes of silver where she and Fenrys are gold.

Rowan and Manon, posing for their own pictures mere metres away. He looks spectacular, the deep black of his tuxedo doing nothing but bringing out the depth of his tan and the shine of his silver hair.

He’s smiling his public smile and it’s gorgeous even though it’s not her favourite of his smiles, she loves the private ones he used to save just for her, and her own smile falters at the sight.

She’s here with Fenrys and it’s not wrong but it doesn’t feel right. The arm around her waist shouldn’t belong to Fenrys.

She should be where Manon is, smiling up at Rowan while they marvel at what they’ve accomplished. She knows her smile has dropped and she fumbles for anything to plaster onto her expression other than the longing she feels for Rowan.

As if she’d called his name he turns to her, green colliding with blue, and she knows he feels the same.

And that hurts far more than all of the months they spent apart.

All the months she spent hurting, trying to deny what she always knew, trying to pretend that they were anything other than a force of nature. They had been an eclipse, threatening to over take all of this but she was wrong. Rowan was wrong too.

It doesn’t matter whether everything or nothing has changed because she wasn’t right in the first place.

She should have known better than to think that whatever flimsy decision she made could halt what they were, what they should be.

She can only hope he forgives her. She can only hope he feels the same.

But the thing about this new Rowan is that she can’t read him the way she used to read her Rowan, she can’t tell if the way he steels himself and turns away from her is a dismissal or if the look they shared had been just as painful for him as it had been for her.

“A masterpiece.” - Rifthold Reporter

“Fenrys Moonbeam shines alongside Aelin Ashryver in The Crescent City. See our full review here.” - Wyrd Stone

“Latest Rowan Whitethorn flick smashes Box Office records.” - Valg Weekly

“Unapologetic, daring and thought provoking. Award nominations expected to follow for The Crescent City.” - Terrasen Tribune

Her phone has not stopped buzzing for the past four days.

Dorian texts every waking hour with the updates he gets, the numbers coming in and all her latest offers. It’s surreal. She knew they were good but she’s not sure she ever really expected this. Aedion texts her a picture every time he sees or hears her name, it should be terrifying the frequency with which he texts her but she has to fight back her smile each time he does.

She managed to find an hour the night before to call Lysandra and the majority of their call had consisted of Aelin repeatedly asking what the fuck was happening while Lysandra cackled down the phone.

She’d even got a text from Lorcan. It was alright, he’d written. Followed by, I hope I die before ever having to watch you make out with someone like that again.

She’d sent three middle finger emojis and a kissy face in response.

Now is probably not the best time to move to a different country but she’d signed her name on the papers two days before the premiere and Rifthold is calling, irrespective of the fact she’s only been back in Orynth for two days.

Most of her stuff headed out yesterday with the moving company leaving Aelin with two suitcases to fly back to Rifthold with tomorrow.

There’s one last place she needs to go before she heads back to finally get a good night's sleep before her flight tomorrow. She’s never set foot in this graveyard before, she’s never had the courage to dare before, but she’s emboldened. By the success of the movie, by her progress in the past year, by her sessions with Maeve. This has felt like a natural step.

The shining, black headstone is understated and classy and completely to his taste.

Sam Cortland. Beloved son and brother, taken far too soon.

Aelin waits with her head bowed, allowing all of her emotions to rush through her veins. She doesn’t fight them, it would be pointless to try, and she embraces the tears that gather. Eventually she steps forwards, placing the smooth, small stone on the crest of the headstone.

She rests her hand on the cool stone for a moment before sinking down and crossing her legs beneath her as she leans against it.

“I’ve missed you,” she says aloud, “I can almost hear you telling me to stop being such a sappy shit. I can’t help it, it’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”

She pauses, letting the wind drift through the field sweeping her words away.

There’s no one else here but her and Sam, no one else she’d want to hear her confession.

“I wonder what you would have made of all this. I think you’d tell me to enjoy it all, to not miss a moment, and I’m not. I’m just choosing the ones I want to savour. And this is one of them, Sam. I wish you’d been there with me, you would have loved it, the cameras, the lights, everything.

“I have to keep pinching myself to know it’s real, I did it, and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come and see you.”

She sighs, letting her head tip back to rest against the stone. She didn’t prepare anything to say, didn’t realise she’d even want to speak to the open air but here she is.

“I’m not the same Aelin as the girl you knew anymore,” she says after a few moments of silence. “I didn’t think I would have the capacity to love again after you but I did, and I feel terribly guilty that I do. I have to remind myself that this is what you would have wanted, you would have wanted me to be happy.”

The silence in the field is more than an answer enough. So typically Sam to give her an answer without so much as speaking a word.

“I was happy,” she says, trailing a fingertip along the words etched into the stone. “I will be again.”

A faint haze of sunlight drifts through the Orynth autumn clouds, a whisper compared to the chorus of brightness she misses in Rifthold, and she stands, brushing off the dirt from her jeans. She touches the stone one last time before turning and heading out of the graveyard.

Her visit was years overdue but her chest didn’t crack open the way she had expected, the tears hadn’t been relentless the way she had expected. She’ll visit him again the next time she’s back in Orynth, probably visiting Elide and Lorcan for Yulemass, and she’ll visit again and again for as long as she lives.

But for now, she has a plane to catch.

Months later and two days before the Oscars, when they’re all back in town for the ceremony held in her new home city of Rifthold, Fenrys throws another party.

She’s managed, this time, to stay in touch with Fenrys and Manon, having made up with the younger girl before the press cycle had finished. Aelin knows her upset was real but partly suspects the animosity was a front. She even finds herself participating in the group chat with the three of them and Rowan. She’s only texted him one to one once to wish him a happy birthday and they had caught up briefly but not texted since.

She’s missed him in a different way to the last time she missed him. This time missing him doesn’t feel necessary, it feels wrong not to text him, wrong to be away from him and she’s itching to see him again.

It’s no one's birthday this time but they’re all together again to celebrate, no matter the results they’ll see in two days. Aelin is very carefully measuring her excitement about her own nomination for best actress. Fenrys is up for best actor, Rowan best director and the movie best picture.

She’d almost dropped her phone in the toilet when she found out from Dorian a few weeks ago.

The party is small but still in full swing by the time she arrives. Big names from the industry, all in town for the ceremony, are scattered all around Fenrys’ Rifthold apartment. He’d bought a place here not long after Aelin and she’s secretly relieved she’s not the only one so moved by their experience.

She waves to a few people she knows and tries to stay calm when she spots Sartaq Khagan in the corner chatting away to a small group of people. Holy shit Fenrys has some famous friends.

Aelin finds herself a glass, tops her orange juice off with a splash of lemonade and begins her rounds. So many more people want to talk to her after the movie dropped.

Her mother had been one of them, and Aelin’s thumb had hovered over the accept button for a moment before decidedly pressing decline. She had blocked her mother’s number a moment later, and then she had made some calls closing the bank account her mother kept topped up and arranging for every penny she’d ever received from Evalin Ashryver to be paid back.

It had hurt, emotionally and financially, especially in the month she’d moved to Rifthold, but it had been worth it. To never let Evalin pass any judgement over her life again was a relief worth any cost. Aelin’s hoping there’s a possibility she could end up with a reward.

She doesn’t know how long she spends talking to big name after big name and it’s a realisation that drops onto her that she fits in here. Aelin Ashryver is a big name. No matter the outcome of the ceremony she has prospects, already a number of projects lined up and she’s loving every minute of it.

She drains her cup for the third time tonight and heads back into the kitchen. She’s barely seen Fenrys all night, and she doesn’t even know if Manon is here.

She frowns into the fridge, there was definitely a full bottle of orange juice in here the last time she topped herself up. She shuts the fridge and spins around.

“Looking for this?”

She should have known.

Rowan looks predictably gorgeous in the dim kitchen lighting. All tanned skin and silver smiles. He’s dressed in her favourite look of his too, worn denim jeans and a soft cotton shirt.

It’s the softness in his gaze that really takes her though, it seems the animosity from the last time they saw each other has faded if not disappeared. Her chest squeezes at the thought. She has no idea what could have triggered it but she will take it.

“Nope,” she says, stepping over to where he stands with an arm braced against the counter at his side, the other holding out a bottle of orange juice. “I was hoping Fenrys would have some chocolate in there but I guess this will have to do.”

She takes the bottle from him, her fingertips brushing his and she feels her cheeks heat at the innocent brush.

His smile is genuine and she knows what he’s remembering because she’s thinking of it too. The first time she visited his house during filming and their moment in the kitchen. They’ve been through cycles, she supposes, but hopefully now for the better.

“I’m sure we can find you some somewhere in here,” he says as she fills her cup, pulling open the cupboard next to his head.

Aelin smirks. “I’m going to leave the rummaging through Fenrys’ cupboards to you. You could find anything in there.”

Rowan winces, closing the door before returning her smile. This is friendly and the hope that’s been planted in her chest begins to sprout.

“Yeah, maybe not,” he says with a conspiratorial smile. “We wouldn’t want to risk it.”

Aelin pauses for a moment, taking in the glory of him in front of her. He’s still Rowan, he’s still tall and deliciously broad. His silver hair is slightly more grown out and there are a couple more lines around his eyes but she doesn’t care, in fact it’s charming. He’s still and always will be stunning. She takes a sip of her drink before she takes one of her biggest risks so far.

“I’ve missed you,” she says, not daring to look away from his face.

He bites his lip, his tongue darting out to soothe the skin before he speaks. “I’ve missed you too.”

The smile that spreads across her face is all too telling but he’s smiling too so she doesn’t think it matters. He definitely feels the same and she’d be annoyed at the months she spent worrying but the relief is too sweet.

“Good,” is what she says, far too happy they’re here to bother with pretending she’s anything other than ecstatic. “Congrats on your nomination.”

His eyes dart to the floor and then back up at her, he’s too modest about his own skill and Aelin adores it. “Thank you,” he says softly, “you too.”

“Thanks,” she says. “I couldn’t have done it without you. All of you.”

“Me neither,” Rowan says.

He’s close to her now, closer than he has been to her for months and her skin cries out for contact. She almost can’t believe she’s here now, talking to Rowan without any animosity, days before the Oscars that she’s nominated in.

The smile that takes over her face is completely of its own accord. She’s floating and it seems Rowan is too if the beat they share, exchanging incredulous smiles, is anything to go by.

“It’s crazy, right?”

She’s been asking herself the question for so long it seems only natural it slips out to him.

He laughs softly, and the rough sound curls straight to her core.

“Definitely,” he agrees, his voice low. “I don’t think last time felt like this.”

Aelin slaps a gentle hand to his chest and ignores the thrill that shoots through her at the eventual contact. “I get it, this is not your first nomination.”

Rowan rolls his eyes and she didn’t know how much she missed this, playing with him. She adores his reaction every time, the begrudging amusement he only lets shine through to make her smile.

“Some of us have never been nominated before, this is all completely new.” Aelin takes a sip of her drink. “I had to give up my social media accounts to Elide, it got so crazy.”

Something flickers over Rowan’s face at her comment. “Really?”

“Yeah,” she says, her eyes darting across his face trying to decipher the expression. “She’s always had access and I still do so I can post if I want to but it just became a lot. It stopped being fun when I would see what people were saying, whether it was good or bad I don’t want to see it anymore.”

Rowan nods before his eyes lock onto hers, the intensity in his expression shreds her control.

“And you said nothing had changed?”

Aelin gets it now.

She shifts her weight, leaning as close to him as she can without sliding herself completely into the circle of his arms. “I was wrong. Lots of things have changed,” she says, her voice quiet but strong. “And lots of things are now right that weren’t before.”

She doesn’t mean to skirt around the truth, hiding in veiled words and double meanings, but as always, Rowan sees her. He sees her meaning and he smiles. It’s the most beautiful smile Aelin has ever seen him wear.

“I’ve been looking for you two.”

Fenrys bursts into the kitchen, startling Aelin back from Rowan. She hides her guilty smile in her drink and notices Rowan doing the same. Fenrys just grins, clearly enjoying whatever he thinks he’s seeing.

“You’re missing out, we’re playing kings in the living room if you want to join?”

Rowan glances at her before he turns back to Fenrys. “I think we’re good, thanks.”

Fenrys’ smile turns smug and Aelin resists the temptation to flip him off. She’s in too good of a mood to be annoyed at him.

“Okay, see you later, lovebirds,” Fenrys says, already on his way back out of the door.

Aelin pretends she isn’t blushing as she turns back to Rowan, his green eyes shining.

“This might sound crazy,” he says with an alluring tilt to his lips, “but do you want to get out of here?”

She’s reached a point she truly never thought she would.

She’s an Oscar-nominated lead actress in a box-office-record-breaking movie.

She’s happy, healthy and out from underneath the thumb of Evalin Ashryver.

The part that’s most uplifting, the part that has her unable to wipe the smile off her face as she strolls down the streets of Rifthold, is the arm she has tucked through Rowan’s.

They’ve been walking for a little while, enjoying the cool night air and the ease with which they managed to sneak out of Fenrys’ party. Her heels are killing her and Rowan very graciously offers her an arm to lean on and each time she takes a step in time with him she smiles.

“I never thought I’d like doing television,” he says.

She didn’t know he’d taken on a miniseries, similar to the one she’d done after filming, but she’s loving the recap she’s getting of the months they’ve been apart. The chill of the air is more than fought off by the warmth of Rowan by her side. The streets are mercifully empty and she can bask in the knowledge that it’s just the two of them out here, that they’re insignificant, that anyone who sees them will immediately dismiss them.

“I always thought I’d stick to movies, singular stories but I enjoyed it. I guess change can be good.”

Aelin laughs softly and squeezes his arm. He looks down to her, a question written in the slant of his brow.

“Change can definitely be good,” she says as she takes in the sights of the skyscrapers surrounding them. “I would know that I suppose.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I bought a flat recently.”

“You did?”

He’s so graciously giving her the floor to say what she needs to say and she holds his arm even tighter.

“It’s right here in Rifthold.” Aelin avoids his gaze, lest he think it’s a speedy invitation and that that’s all this is. “I bought it just after we were back here for press, I realised that I adore Rifthold and being here. I missed it when I wasn’t here and I don’t feel there’s anything holding me in Orynth anymore.”

Rowan laughs softly, his feet scuffing the floor.

“What?” she demands.

“I swear I’m not following you,” he says and she feels a smile creep onto her face. “I bought a loft here too.”

Aelin gasps. “But your house was gorgeous!”

Rowan’s smile twists as he looks away from her. “I didn’t say I sold the house.”

Aelin cackles as she squeezes his arm, the sound joyous and bright as it echoes around them. “I knew being Mr Big-Name-Director has its perks.”

“It does,” he agrees with a smirk.

Aelin wants to kiss that smirk. Wants to pull him down and twist her fingers through his hair as his own tangle along her skin.

Instead she says, “I copied you somewhat too.”

He only raises a brow.

“I bought a piano like the one in your house. It was too big for my old flat in Orynth and so I knew what I had to do.”

“That’s good,” he says as his arm drops out of hers. She almost pouts until he instead tangles their fingers together. Her smile says it all, reflected back in his own. “You play beautifully.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks are glowing. “You’ll have to come over and I’ll play for you sometime, neighbour.”

“I’d love to.”

Aelin slows, using the hand tangled with his to pull him to a stop too. Her free hand trails a gentle path up his chest before coming to rest at his collar, her fingertips tracing the golden skin peeking out from his shirt. His free hand finds her waist.

They’re close, closer than they have been in such a long time when he speaks.

“I don’t know what you think has or hasn’t changed.” His hand leaves hers to cup her cheek. “But I still feel the way I used to about you.”

Her heart takes off, pounding within her chest.

“I do too, Rowan.” Some of the easiest words she’s ever said to him. There’s something about the way the streetlights shine through the silver tips of his hair and the way his calloused fingers feel between hers that she’s feeling brave. “I loved you then and I love you now.”

His eyes flicker across her face as his smile dawns, taking over his face as he smiles so brightly. This is all she’s ever wanted, to have a Rowan like this, with pure, unfiltered happiness in his eyes as he looks at her.

“You love me?”

“I do. To whatever end.”

His lips are barely a whisper from hers and she only acknowledges the thought that they’re in public for long enough to realise she doesn’t care.

“And I love you.”

His words are simple, but sweet. They wash over her and settle into her skin as his lips land on hers. He kisses her with what she can only describe as love. His lips pour devotion onto her and his hands light a fire inside her as he tastes her tongue.

They kiss for longer than she can keep a track of, wrapped up together illuminated only by the street lighting. She’s missed this, missed him, and she can’t help but feel right when his hands are on her. She can’t help but feel right as she stretches onto her toes to throw herself into his kiss.

This was never wrong, this was one of the first things she knew was right.

She loves him and he loves her and nothing and nobody else matters.

She doesn’t win the Oscar, and neither does Rowan. Fenrys does and she screams herself hoarse cheering him on as he makes his way to the stage.

The moment that takes the cake is when The Crescent City takes best picture. She takes to the stage with some of her best friends to recognise what they achieved together and maybe she is a soppy shit but she definitely cries. Fenrys laughs at her and Manon grins but Rowan just throws his arm around her shoulders and it's worth it.

Afterwards, she logs into her Instagram account for the first time in a long time. She posts a picture of Rowan looking absolutely delicious with his tux unbuttoned and his bow tie hanging untied around his neck with a greasy burger in one hand and hers in his other.

Posting him is a statement but she doesn’t care. In fact, she wants the world to know. She wants the world to know that nobody does it like he does. Nobody does it like they do.

#rowaelin #nobody does it like you do #aelin galathynius #rowan whitethorn #throne of glass #rowaelin au #ndilyd #i cant believe it's the last part of this fic #crazy #hope you all enjoyed

[aetherarf]

Not the one who requested the scara x tall!fem reader but as a female who's taller than the average in her country i'm thanking you with all my 173 cm of height :") honestly it was soooo good! loved it so much! ><

If this isn't too much to ask, could you write something more with that prompt? Say something like Scara wants to show off how cool and beautiful HIS tall gf is during some sort of diplomatic event he had to attend because all the other harbingers were already doing other missions and some ppl there decide that it's a good idea to comment on the height difference which sort of hurts his s/o a bit :') thank youu

I'm glad you could enjoy it! Also, of course! This can, arguably, be a continuation of the other but I'm not linking it for... Tumblr-Is-Stupid reasons.

[[ Summary: Scaramouche doesn't like big frilly events... However, even if he's forced to go to one, he's going to give you an opportunity to show off... and maybe he's showing you off as well.

Word Count: 1'311 ]]

You looked in the mirror, twirling a little as you looked over the dress...

At first, you were... hesitant. It felt getting measured, and having to discuss specifically what you wanted, but looking at it now... Oh, it was wonderful.

Scaramouched walked up beside you, setting his hands on your waist, pressing a kiss to the back of your shoulder, "You look good," he praised, sweetly.

"Only because you knew that designer," you said, thinking aloud beyond all else.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Are you ready? The Tsaritsa is cruel to those who aren't overly-punctual."

Looking over your dress, ensuring there wasn't anything wrong with it, and examining your entire appearance in one last check...

"I'm ready."

Scaramouche stepped back, grabbing your hand, "Come, let's get going." He pulled you closer to him, an arm around you as he set his hand on your side--

Oh, you knew exactly what he was doing--he wasn't just going to a meeting, he was intending on showing you off. A warm feeling in your chest--He adored you so, he's willing to show off his love.

Before walking out the door, you bent down to give him a kiss, him trying to stand on his tip-toes to chase your lips... Only to huff, quietly pout, realizing that he couldn't exactly reach up and force you to kiss him.

He always got so huffy whenever he realized this.

...

As you walked in... you realized how mentally un-prepared you were. It was... massive. A grand, almost terrifying chandelier as you looked up at the ceiling, and it seemed that even your dress, at the time you had thought would might be a little too dramatic, eye-catching, it was actually one of the most mundane outfits in the room. From extremely rich merchants and industrymen to the other Harbingers themselves who seemed to adore drawing attention to themselves, with their clothes, their masks...

At least you didn't feel self conscious about being stared at anymore.

"Hey," Scaramouche said, garnering your attention, "I need to do something, I'll be back in a few minutes. Okay?"

"Oh, alright. I'll just... probably mind my own business."

"That's for the best. They're all monsters, here... Try not to get eaten up by them."

He sounded oddly serious as he walked away, you watching for a moment as he left, disappearing past the crowds of people.

Oh well. After looking around, feeling lost, you spotted a few chairs at the edge of the room, away from most people. It was probably for the best, reasonably easy for Scaramouche to spot you when he came back, and you wouldn't accidentally intrude on others... on whatever conversations, business or otherwise, they would be having.

You sat down, looking around... distantly, you could recognize many people of prestige, ones you've seen written about, or only in the distance as others listened to them speak, or nearly worshipped them as though they were divine.

Was Scaramouche posing a risk to himself, bringing you?

You suddenly felt self conscious once again, damningly so... And you shook your head, sighing softly.

"Well hello sunshine," you jerked your head up, looking at someone who was standing before you--A charming young man, with pretty blue eyes and messy, copper colored hair.

Childe, you believed this one was called.

"Oh, am I in the way of something," You asked, about to stand, but he immediately sat in a chair beside you.

"Of course not... I was just curious. You were sitting alone, and I wondered might be going on in that head of yours," He looked at you with adoration, and pure curiosity... you could only be flattered.

"Ah, I'm... just someone's plus-one," you said, "He's busy right now, so I just decided to wait for him."

Childe's eyes widened slightly, and his smile grew to a grin, "Oh, he left you, did he? How cruel. After all, you're like a beautiful white fawn wandering into the forest of grey wolves... How could he leave you like that?"

You laughed, unsure and nervous. Rejecting him flat out might not be the best idea, but...

"Ahem," You heard his voice, and Scaramouche walked over--not sitting beside you, but right on your lap, grabbing your jaw and jerking his head to kiss you--intensely, your face burning with the shamelessness of his action, and when he pulled away, you were gasping for breath, and he had your lipstick on his lips. He jerked to look at Childe, a smug smile on his face, "Oh, Childe, were you saying something to her?" He asked, and he... stared.

"Uhm, just chatting, I should probably go talk with Signora or something. See you later, Balladeer."

"Bye." He said, and then he looked up at you, "... He was flirting with you, wasn't he?"

You were still reeling, and you wouldn't lie, seeing Scaramouche with your lipstick on him was a prettier sight than you'd like to admit. "Y-yes, I was just trying to be nice."

"Being nice gets you eaten alive out here," he said, wiping the corner of his mouth, trying to wipe off his face, "Damnit."

"I, uhm..." you fumbled for a moment, and provided your lipstick, "I don't think it'll come off, but you might be able to just apply more and make it look good." You admitted, and he took it without question, applying it...

It, shockingly, managed to work on him. He handed it back, "Yours is smudged a little, fix it. We're going to start the dinner soon, I can bring you to the restroom so you can have a mirror to do it with."

"Right," you said, lightly tapping his lower back so he'd get off of your lap, "That'd be nice.

After a quick trip to the restroom, cleaning off the mess on your face and trying to calm down after such a shameless display, even if you had done nothing but sit there and mind your own business, and when you came out, he offered his arm for you to hold onto as he escorted you to the massive dining table, sitting down with the countless other Harbingers and big-name figures within Snezhnayah.

The Tsaritsa stood at the head of the table, and her voice--Gods, it was booming, and it sent a shiver down your spine. However, it quickly proved that this was something she had spoken about it constantly, over and over again, a sort of rite to promise that the words spoken here not be forgotten...

But focusing on it was hard when Scaramouche's hand rested on your leg, lightly pushing up the skirt of your dress to gently rub the skin, you lightly tapping his leg with your hand, warning him.

"Your skin is soft," He whispered, plainly, and his hand stilled, but it did not move away from your leg.

... Only for him to begin stroking your skin once again,

"Shouldn't you be paying attention?" You asked, voice low and quiet, terrified of a possible punishment...

But his smile, oh, that damned smile, you knew he was up to trouble...

"I'll behave," he said, softly, "But you owe me."

"I always owe you," you said, not trying to tease, but realizing how much he could toy with those words now that they were in the air between only the two of you.

"We'll talk when we get home." He declared.

He said this--And you knew, if he was any other man, he would end up wanting some... favor. A very particular one you could think of.

But Scaramouche?

He'd drag you to bed, and press kisses to your face until you were falling asleep, and if you even tried to leave just to go to the restroom, he'd whine, crying for you like a spoiled baby.

Maybe you did spoil him.

He was too sweet, in the quiet and safety of your home, not to spoil.

#genshin impact #genshin x reader #scaramouche #scaramouche x reader #genshin scaramouche x reader #tall fem reader #fluff #fluffy bark #// ig #bark writes #fallinfl0wers #request

[thefanficmonster]

I may or may not have just sent the 3 word challenge in my real account instead of anon... I'm sorry. Please don't answer there. :)

When you post, post answering here please.

Again, much love,

📚🌻

Don't worry dear! Your identity shall remain a secret 🥰 Here's yet another fic with my Resident Evil OC: Gwen Winters (she’s an adult guys, don’t worry. However this is still an Older Man/Younger Woman relationship)

The words dear  📚🌻 Anon gave me in their previous ask were: Unruly, endurable and system. Please enjoy!

What happens in the gym....

Pairing: Chris Redfield x Female OC

Warnings: Swearing, Spoiler Free 😊

Genre: Angsty Romance

“Sure, throw me in the fire like you always do, Leon!“ Chris snaps, clenching his fists tightly as he glares at his best friend while the two stand in the dimly lit gym.

“Chris, you’re a BSAA captain, for the love of God! You should know better than to complain about something as little as this!“ Leon, while significantly calmer tone and demeanor-wise, is glaring daggers of his own.

“Why me, damn it?! And why her?!“ Chris is not done with his attempts to get out of the situation Leon’s trying to land him in and his partner’s honestly done with it.

“And why not?! You see the same potential I see, why would it be so hard to train her? She’s a quick learner, she’s disciplined when she wants to be and she’s already skilled to a certain degree. You’ve made soldiers out of total wimps before, why is she such a hassle to you?!“

“Because she’s disciplined when she wants to be and I guarantee she won’t want to when she’s around me. She’s unruly, selfish, arrogant and a Chris-phobe. I’m telling you, she hates me!“

It’s about time Leon’s had enough of this conversation. To be honest, he was done with it as soon as it started but he stayed, thinking he’d be able to change Chris’ mind but seeing as how this is a hopeless case, he’s just been wasting his time. “Does she? Or are you projecting your hate for her onto her?” Slinging his duffel bag containing his training gear over his shoulder, Leon finally makes that realization that these are ten minutes of his life he’ll never get back and storms out of the gym without another word.

Chris doesn’t attempt to stop him, in fact, he’s relieved he left. He sighs, silently hating himself for all the shit he said and how he meant none of it. It was all hard bullshit and he doesn’t know whether to be thankful or disappointed that Leon didn’t realize. Either way, he’s been cleared of possible suspicion, even if training the newest BSAA rookie still remains as his task.

Gwen Winters, she’s such a fucking handful. One cannot tell if it’s because she’s angry with the world, angry with herself or just straight up picked up on the habits of the family that took her in when she was rescued from Raccoon City where she was held as an experiment hamster. A chemistry project basically. Ethan and Mia were recovering from the events back in Louisiana at the time, still probably are, that is not some shit you get over, so they thought having another person in the house would help them. And help Gwen did. See, Gwen isn’t a handful with everyone. In fact, she’s a real sweetheart and Chris knows it too, despite his bogus claims. He knows she’s got a heart and soul of gold and is built with the will of a BSAA soldier already. All she needs is a bit better fighting skills and she’s good to go. 

He sees how she acts with everyone around him. She’s been quick to make friends with Jill and his sister Claire and she’s even got Leon’s liking and trust which is hella hard to get, especially after all the shit with Ada. She’s overall a super sweet and lovely girl, even with him from time to time. He’s seen her welcoming, friendly smiles whenever he stops by the Winters’ home. He’s heard her laugh at the jokes he rarely cracks.

Then why does she act like she hates him so often? And why does he claim he hates her?

Chris is snapped back to reality by the sound of rough impact. It’s a very distinct noise, one he places immediately: the sound of fists hitting a punching bag. It’s the middle of the night, almost midnight actually, and knowing how lazy the soldiers on his team are, he can only assume it’s either his sister or Jill, given that Leon just left. However, they’ve had people sneak in to train for free before, so it’d be for the best if he went to check who was releasing some pent up energy on the poor punching bag. Judging by the intensity of the punches being thrown, sounds like the person might be angry as well.

And they have every right to be. Because they are Gwen.

Chris’ face goes a bit red at the sight of the infuriated rookie giving the punching bag her all, punishing it the way she’d want to do to her superior she just heard call her all the names she hates being referred by.

“Winters I-“

“Unruly?“ Punch “Selfish?” Punch “Arrogant?” Punch

She stills herself, sighing and wiping the droplets of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, “You say all that and expect me not to be a Chris-phobe?” She lets out a bitter laugh, rolling her shoulders before continuing her wrath over the piece of equipment she’s threatening to destroy. She hasn’t spared him a single look yet, something he’s rather grateful for because the last thing he wants to see is whatever her gaze is hiding right now. “I’ll talk to Leon.” She says, her voice leveled and breathy, far from the pissed off tone she was just using. This calmness is a lot scarier though. “I’ll tell him I don’t want you to be my trainer. To be perfectly clear, I never wanted you to train me in the first place. I’m just not the type to complain, you know. I’m not picky. Beggers can’t be choosers. I take what I can get. And you were all I was offered, but...” she trails off, delivering a particularly hard punch, “It’s not gonna work. I may not be picky, but I know when to draw the line. I know when I deserve better.”

“Kid, you really have no idea what the case really is here.“ He attempts desperately, taunted by the thought of acting on his instincts and approaching her even if that means being the recipient of one of those hard punches.

“You know, I’m strong. I’m skilled. I can hold my own in a fight quite nicely. I’m endurable. I’m not afraid to work my ass off and sweat and pant like a dog after workouts. There’s not a line I wouldn’t cross, but you still choose to make me feel lesser than any soldier you’ve ever come across, that’s really lovely of you, Captain Redfield.“

“Winters, please...“

“It’s ok, I won’t tell Ethan and Mia. I’m sure they’ll send you to hell over it. I’m not petty like that.“

He’s had enough. He’s had enough of hearing that hurt tone in her voice. He’s done hearing these words she’s so certain are true but aren’t. He’s done lying to her and to himself. Before he can even think twice about it, he grabs her by the arms gently but firmly, turning her to face him despite her hostile attempts to free herself from his hold like a wild animal caught in a trap. He’s surprised when she relaxes, probably seeing that as a quicker way out of the situation rather than struggling though if she tried to free herself any longer he would’ve probably let her go.

“Fucking hell, Gwen, listen to me.“ He looks her dead in the eyes, catching onto the spark of shock created by his use of her first name. But he also sees something else, something that looks dangerously a lot like tears. He knows she won’t cry, especially not in front of him, but knowing that he’s the cause behind the welling of those crystal droplets in her always shiny, always smiling eyes breaks him. When she doesn’t look away nor protest, he continues, “I can’t be your captain. I can’t be your trainer. I can’t be any of that. I’m a strictly professional man, and it’d be highly unprofessional of me to take you in as my soldier.”

“But why?“ She’s fully aware she sounds like a whiny kid - exactly how she thinks he envisions her sometimes - but she couldn’t care less. She wants and needs answers. She knows she won’t be able to fall asleep or keep coming back to the training center if she doesn’t get them.

It’s blatantly clear this is far from easy for Chris. His first instinct is to look away, let go of her, run away like he always does - not that she’d let him do such a thing but still. He’s finds the words impossible to spit out yet he oh so desperately feels the need to get them out of his system. And so, he gathers all the strength within him and finally forces himself to say it.

“Because a captain isn’t supposed to look at a soldier the way I look at you.“

Sure, it sounds cryptic as heck but he has no doubt she’ll catch on. Gwen is a smart and sharp girl, among many other things. She confirms this when barely three seconds after he’s said it, he notices her eyes widening

“Sir, I-“

“Don’t.“ He says simply, a small, regretful smile playing across his lips as his hand slides down her arm to take hold of hers, “I just admitted my dirtiest secret to you and you are still gonna remind me how unprofessional I am by using my title, Kid?“

She purses her lips, the shock momentarily replaced by her signature mild glare, “Well, you just admitted your biggest secret to me and yet you still choose to call me ‘Kid’, huh?”

He chuckles, letting his other hand repeat the movements of the first, “Sorry, force of habit.” His thumbs brush against her knuckles briefly as his head falls, his gaze fixating on where their bodies are connected, “You know, I didn’t tell you this to get myself any pity or anything. I just wanted you to understand and....wanted to get it off my chest. Ethan will kill me if he finds out, won’t he?” He suddenly asks, regaining the courage to look up at her once again.

She giggles, “Who says he’s gonna find out?”

Chris bites the inside of his cheek, shaking his head, “You’re right, there’s nothing really to find out abo-”

Gwen has never been a chatter nor can she tolerate when people beat around the bush so she’s quick to cut them off sometimes, no matter how rude that may seem or sound. However, just to clarify, her chosen method of cutting a person off isn’t always kissing them. Just saying - this is a special situation requiring special methods.

Taken aback by the sudden feeling of her lips on his, Chris’ eyes close automatically but not even a second later he responds to the kiss properly: wrapping his arms around Gwen’s waist as her hands travel up to cup his face. The kiss is short - too short if either of them is to be asked - but it’s worth all the words they didn’t say despite wanting to.

When they pull away, Gwen gives him a mischievous smile, “Now he could find out about that and then shit would go south. That’d suck, wouldn’t it Chris?“

He’s only ever heard her say his name twice, once in passing conversation with Claire and once earlier when she paraphrased his term ‘Chris-phobe’, both time spoken with some dose of dislike he now realizes was a cover-up all along. Turns out the two are a lot more alike than they initially thought. Regardless, hearing her say his name with fondness instead of bitterness makes his heart flutter, his body yearn to have her closer, his lips wanting to be in contact with hers again. But he’s a patient and self-controlled man, he’s nothing if not willpower sculpted in a human body, so he keeps his distance, waiting for her to pick the moves, waiting for her to make the decisions just like she’s his captain.

“Big time.“ He manages to say, voice coarse all of a sudden, barely able to leave his throat. “So it stays here, right?”

She giggles again, bringing her lips within an inch or two away from his, taunting him, threatening to break his self-control, “What happens in the gym stays in the gym, Redfield.”

Golden rules of discretion, ones he mustn’t break ever. Especially not when his captain - Captain Gwen Winters - holds so much power over him.

#resident evil #resident evil 8 #resident evil village #resident evil 7 #re8 #re village #re8 village #resident evil chris #resident evil chris redfield #re chris redfield #re chris #chris #chris redfield #chris redfield fanfic #chris redfield x reader #chris redfield x oc #chris redfield imagine #karl heisenberg #lady dimitrescu #leon kennedy #ethan winters #mia winters #rose winters #fic #fanfic #fanfiction #fandom #fluff #romance #request

[kpopstanships]

Hii may i request a Holiday Prompt Ship for Red Velvet? For the prompt is choose Secret Santa :)

Note: This is a request for our limited Holiday ship event, if you are interested in joining please see this post for more information.

@wjnterchild Secret Santa with KANG SEULGI

You hummed softly to yourself as you watched the girls all open their gifts. The soft melodies of classic Christmas songs accompanied by cheerful laughs and the sound of wrapping paper. This was a tradition for you all, getting together and exchanging gifts as soon as they got a break from schedules. This year, you decided to make things more fun by doing secret Santa, everyone drawing a name at the beginning of the month to buy a present for. Even though you were Joy's secret Santa this year, you decided to get them all something just for the fun of it. The sun had set and you were all gathered around to exchange presents, you being so focused on watching everyone else that you totally forgot you were supposed to receive a present as well. That was until you felt a gentle tap on your shoulder, turning to see Seulgi smiling as she held out a small box.

“Surprise! I’m your secret Santa this year!” she exclaimed as she handed over the box. You smiled shyly at her before turning your attention to the present. The box was light and you couldn’t hear anything inside so you honestly had no idea what it could be. You didn’t even remember saying what you wanted when the girls asked or did they even bring it up? The memories were fuzzy but you couldn’t worry about that now, focusing your attention on the present you quickly pulled off the wrapping paper. Looking inside, you couldn’t help but smile as you pulled out the game case. It was one you had mentioned wanting to try but weren’t able to get when it first came out, you were surprised she remembered that. Tapped to the front of the case was a small letter with a heart. You felt heat rise to your cheeks as you read it before putting both back in their box and turning to an anxious Seulgi.

“Hopefully that’s the right one, I couldn’t remember if it was that or-” you cut her off by jumping up and pulling her into a soft hug. The act itself lasted longer than you were normally comfortable yet but you couldn’t bring yourself to pull away. Whether it was the joy of the present or just the season, the woman in your arms felt like home for a moment. Though it was short-lived as you realized what you were doing and pulled away, clearing your throat and turning away shyly.

“You got it right don’t worry, I’m surprised you remembered,” you teased softly as you pulled away, “though even if you did get the wrong one I would still love it, thank you!” She laughed softly and nodded as she moved to sit next to you, her own presents laying beside her.

“I should thank you as well for thinking of me, I love it,” she said, holding up the stuffed bear you bought for her. Hugging it close, she laughed again and shook her head, “Though I don’t think you understood the concept of secret Santa since you did get something for everyone.”

“Who said I couldn’t be everyone's secret Santa?” you asked, “I love all of you and didn’t want to leave anyone out.”

“That’s sweet but that’s not a very secret Santa if we all know we’re getting a gift from you,” Seulgi teased. You hummed for a moment before perking up again.

“Well in that case I’ll just have to be Santa then, won’t I?” The sound of laughter filled the room as the two of you continued to joke around, maybe you wouldn’t mind being Santa, especially if this was the reaction you’d get. Time for you to start planning for next Christmas.

Thank you for participating in our event and happy holidays if you celebrate. If you wish to request again you may!

BONUS: I have a little extra time now that I'm off so if you would like a full scenario based on your ship please message me on my main blog @sugakookielix and I will be happy to write one for you!

~Admin Katt

#submission #ships #kpop ships #kpop ship #kpop #red velvet ships #red velvet #seulgi #christmas games #christmas #holiday event #holiday #kpop scenarios #scenarios #red velvet scenarios

[thesoulesscollection]

(Request) Soft, Fluffy Stickvin

Request: maybe some henry x charles fluff? just something soft and sweet.

Really simple one-shot this time. So I hope it's still good even if I may have slightly rushed this one out. Also, tidbit for anyone curious. In this one-shot, Henry signs and its written down in italics. As well, another fun fact and I just found this out thankfully, the sharp teeth! Charles comes from Twitter user, t455audra since I thought it was an interesting concept for Charles

Even when joining the military at the young age of eighteen, building years experience under his belt to be what he is now a total powerhouse deviously hidden behind a soft, youthful appearance, he still couldn't stop the ex-thief entirely from toppling over them both onto his bed below. As the bed loudly squeaked under their constantly shifting weight though neither weighed all too much to begin with even combined together. Then it stilled in a sudden, dead weight from Henry carelessly plopped on to the shorter man where he witnessed how absolutely exhausted they were from recent events. Always busy on their feet with the constant wave of missions thrown their way by new enemy forces drastically different, worse from the Toppat clan, it left them tired to the bone. Now it was done, over with til the next day where they had to do it all over again yet caught up alone at this moment in his room laying on his old, worn out bed the two men can finally relax at least for Henry who remained unmoving like a heavy lump on Charles.

"Hey? What's that for?"

A sleepy grumble was what the pilot heard being spoken when watching how the gangly man stretched out on him nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

"You do know you weigh a ton?" Charles lightly jokes. "You're suffocating me"

In a short lived relief Henry moved off onto his side, off of Charles, crystal blue eyes rolling in false annoyance.

'Not that heavy. You're just so tiny and soft, that's all' Henry instead signed, a rough, scratchy chuckle slipping past his thin lips thinking it's highly amusing noticing upon moving back, pinning him in the process, the smaller man helplessly squirming underneath him, 'And you look so adorable. Perfect for a nap even'

Breathless chuckles filled the empty room, arms lazily slung over Henry's slumped shoulders drawing them in close, warm breath hitting their faces.

"Uh huh. You're just saying that 'cause it makes you feel all big and strong? What you are is my goofy, dancing nerd"

'Hm. You love me anyways' Sharing a laugh, Henry continued on, 'I do. Quite literally. I really love your lil' reactions to it most of all'

Though Henry knew better than to bring up the man's appearance all too often since one, it can be annoying for his partner to deal with on an almost daily basis and secondly, the pilot was a force to be reckoned with at all.

"You should take me more seriously, Hen. I may be the youngest pilot here but I'm the most experienced?" Lazily nodding with a soft hum, Henry silently did relish in being able to flaunt it over the pilot who tiredly huffed out. "I can easily make you'll regret it"

Immediately Henry interrupted the man's little babbles with a kiss, an amused grin widening upon seeing the soft face flush like a tomato. Attacking the flustered pilot with gentle kisses doting every freckle to scar, Charles didn't fight against it, instead laughing taking its place. When peppering more kisses, Henry didn't regret a thing to be where he was now giving his partner little time to properly react. Only reaction given was warm hands shakily clamping down, dull nails lightly scratching at the surface of his shirt loosely hanging off his frame. Muffled sounds were made, likely the man won't admit to it though obvious it was to the ear.

Soon in a careful effort, Charles nudges himself away, "H-henry. Ssstop it. We need to sleep soon, y'know. And you can be really cranky in the morning"

Henry broke it off moments later with a sigh because exhaustion would surely start to kick in, seeing the wide mouthed yawn from Charles showing off unnaturally sharp teeth and he feels like his work is done to his immense pleasure.

'Okay. Okay. Goodnight'

Another kiss came to be but this time it was given by the pilot, a lopsided grin on his face, now laid out on his side facing Henry, both men huddled up close under the thick blankets calling it a late night.

#Ask Box Is Always Open #Asks Are Always Appreciated #Anon Or Not #Henry Stickmin Collection #The Henry Stickmin Collection #Thsc Charles Calvin #Thsc Henry Stickmin #Henry Stickmin #Charles Calvin #Henrles #StickVin #Fluff #Domestic Fluff #Romance #Romantic Fluff

[af1899]

THE REAL BEST NEWS OF THE UPDATE

The whole banner is boring, these are the real best news tonight.

POGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Yes, after a long wait of over 4 years, Sophia is finally getting her first alt and as a free unit, which is very nice.

Part of the artwork, as well as the event information, should be out in less than 2 hours since this post's date/time.

Anyway, I'll now comment on a few things about the new units now formally revealed with skills and artwork.

Trailer

Thoughts

The seasonal units come to no surprise as they were all previously leaked (thanks again Intern-kun!) but there are some interesting things in this reveal and the associated notice.

First of all, you're perhaps wondering how well I did with my guesses on the attires Male Grima and Kurtnaga would be doning plus the free unit potentially being Nasir, well... completely wrong with the last two, Kurthnaga isn't dressing like a Jiangshi, actually looking more like an... emperor? But if you know his role in the Tellius games, then it makes sense, either way he looks nice, I was right with Male Grima, more dressed up than his Female counterpart and the like, but Okuma Yugo takes on drawing Male Grima again and he looks so cool.

However, I'm still shook one of my biggest favs in Elibe got an alt like, out of nowhere, I was totally expecting some Tellius unit that'd go along with the theory I had in mind, nevethless, I'm excited to build her and comment on her gameplay elements (that'll be done once I have her properly built, but I need to prepare some resources in advance), I'll also talk about the event stuff later on, I hope today but something came up recently, so we'll see.

The banner itself remains the same: an easy skip with nothing I do feel like I need right away.

Male Grima is fodder galore for me, fortunately, he's easy to fodder for two full passive skills if one of them is [Sturdy Stance 3]. He's quite fearsome to face if you initiate on an ally of his near him, and he'll be pretty durable, replacing his special with [Moonbow] is also a good call, then add a movement assist, a [Atk/Def Bond] as [Sacred Seal] and he's set. It's also worth noting he's a colorless breath armor unit, giving him less likelihood to get WTD.

Rhea... Idk if that weapon type and animation would give away some important spoilers, but even though I know something regarding her identity, I'd rather continue avoiding spoilers, I have no way to play her home game. She's also another fodder galore unit in my eyes; but onto what's she like as a unit, not as great as Male Grima, and she relies on both keeping herself healthy to reduce incoming damage and deny follow-ups, plus healthy foes to deal follow-up attacks, not the most reliable thing but not too shabby either, keeping her health on check shouldn't be as difficult.

Kurthnaga has a rather interesting weapon over there, it makes its user beefier in enemy phase and you can inherit it to any dragon unit of your liking, the rest isn't exactly too interesting except for maybe [Even Pulse Tie 3] being on a seasonal semi-demote, it's a decent skill that can (in part) counter some teams or units but most of the time, you'll find it useless. He's also added like Spring Narcian, introducing a new {Experience} skill and an inheritable weapon, plus on demote too. 🤨

Lastly, Sothis is with Male Byleth, it seems to be the better fit for her out of the two despite his not-so-recent Legendary alt, since his Female counterpart leads a Duo with Rhea. Fodder galore as well but this one has some things to point out:

Welp, that's Múspell's C-skill but without {Joint}-esque effect all right, and you can give it to dragons, it'll likely stack with Múspell's C-skill, resulting in a slightly bigger boost in damage dealt and reduction on damage taken, most likely at least.

As a unit, this Duo is also best used on enemy phase, with a Lv.3 {Stance} of any kind being their best A-skill, they should be able to handle themselves just fine, but they're still vulnerable to arrows, green bow users like Rath or Python (for accessable choices) or Shamir with [Deadeye] should be able to quickly dispatch the Duo, they'll also most likely be used in offense than defense I think, they still don't seem super threatening, but their selling point would be the Duo Skill, which can help some units deal with Fallen Edelgard and some other dangers that tend to deny follow-up attacks:

...And it can be re-used on the same map.

Anyway, it seems everyone here has some sort of focus on being tankier and enemy phase oriented, yet there's a clear ounce of difference in how to use them, but nothing I'd exactly find super broken or must-have, the Duo might come in handy though.

I'll just free pick blue if available, otherwise I guess I'll go for colorless, green or red, I'm moreso looking forward to Sophia... speaking of her, it's possible she'll also play similarly to the units in here and her OG form (being slow and tanky, best used on enemy phase), if that's how she plays out, then [Close Counter], [Atk/Res Rein 3] (though I need a Brady first to properly fodder Plumeria) and [Pact Blooms+] are ready for her, but I'm short on B-skills and other expensive stuff, maybe [Flier Formation 3] since I have one last Díthorba to spare, I could pick [Quick Riposte 3] but my OCD wouldn't let me live with her just inheriting it up to Lv.2, and my only source without promoting anyone is Nah, so I'd have to do with alternatives, we'll see...

Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you get who you want soon in the banner, hopefully Sophia will do great for you if you plan to build her also.

#feh #fe heroes #fire emblem heroes #fe sophia