#you’re the only person doing tumblr right btw

[cursedcola]

Prompt: "Will You Marry Me?"- Proposal Headcannons Characters: Everyone :) Part(s): Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia (Pt.1 !) (Pt.2 Here!) Fandom: Twisted Wonderland Warning(s): None. I mean, unless you don't want to marry any of them. Just don't read if that's the case. ALSO SLIGHT SPOILER FOR CHAPTER 7 IN SILVER Note: These are all if he is the one proposing btw. Also, I went overboard. I had to break Diasomnia into 2 parts because I exceeded tumblr's character limit. I have favorites I guess :/

This man is a child masquerading as an adult. As in to say that he resists any illogical emotions until they bottle up and explode. The traditional pathway for finding a life partner typically follows: stranger -> acquaintance -> friend -> crush -> lover ->partner. You know, as it normally goes when bonds form.

Sebek....is not a textbook case in this regard. His path is a bit more customizable

stranger -> person he is forced to interact with -> acquaintance of Lord Malleus -> Acquaintance of Lord Malleus that Sebek approves of -> Friend that Lord Malleus approves of -> Repressed Crush -> Acquaintance that Sebek avoids at all costs -> Acknowledged crush -> Acknowledged crush that Lord Malleus approves of -> Respected individual with mitigated interactions -> Courting -> awkward situationship -> lover -> awkward situationship (with better communication) -> spouse

Enough said.

This process isn’t as complicated as it may seem on paper. While there are many steps, Sebek is fortunate enough to have people in his life willing to force commitments onto him. It also helps that he has blind trust in a select few. This makes him a bit naive and easily influenced. A boon in the right hands, and a bane in others.

In short, Sebek is emotionally constipated and only acts when there’s a driving force. Otherwise he just gets frustrated. This is extremely apparent at two stages: ‘repressed crush’ and ‘awkward situationship’. Scratch that. Three stages.

Beginning at ‘repressed crush’ - Sebek realizes that he likes you when you ask about how his training is going. He happened by your dorm during his morning jog, and was more than happy to go off on a tangent of the strict regimen developed to forge a perfect knight.

Except that’s not what you wanted to hear. You were more interested in his health and how he was enjoying himself rather than how his work was benefitting Malleus.

His heart fluttered, as if a shock of electricity thrummed through his body. Having never felt this before, Sebek mistakes it for a lapse in his strength and runs off at a much faster speed than before. Forget a light jog, he had enough energy to run 500 laps around the school track.

Don’t you get it human?! You were distracting him! His body was at rest too long. Now shoo, you’re hindering him from doing his duty.

He represses these budding romantic feelings and ‘misinterprets’ them as deviant behavior. He even goes so far as to blame it on ‘useless hormones’ and convinces himself that it’ll pass. He spares it no thought until his pining becomes apparent to everyone except for himself

Que the driving force. Despite Sebek believing otherwise, he does have friends and his entire love-life can be credited to their affectionate stupidity.

Simply put, Ace takes every chance to seamlessly flirt with you whenever Sebek is around. Not in a subtle way either - he's making some risky comments and trying to eat up every moment of your time. The others in your year are well aware of what he's doing too. Deuce thinks he's being unnecessary, but also agrees that Sebek needs a push so he lets it happen. Epel has his gripes with Sebek, but admires him for his manly tenacity. So he's 100% in support of giving an extra push and even tries to copy Ace. Except... yeah, he's pretty bad at flirting so he gives up after one try. Jack is against it at first, not wanting to hurt your feelings in the process but gets talked into it after seeing you get salty over Sebek being distant. Ortho, bless his innocent soul, thinks of it as a fun experiment. Lil guy just wants everyone to be happy.

You have no idea though, which is great because all of Ace's attempts fail hardcore. Sebek and his chivalrous ways (jealousy) won't stand by if you're being constantly bombarded with 'unwanted' romantic affections.

Nevermind that you don't seem to be taking Ace seriously at all. It is still not proper behavior! It would be a stain to his Lord's image if Sebek knowingly let Malleus' beloved friend endure such a hardship.

Every time Ace makes an attempt, Sebek shuts him down faster than you ever could. You have no idea how he does it, but Sebek is always around when it happens. The timing is honestly creepy....until you catch on to what's happening because the Ramshackle prefect isn't a dumdum.

"So....prefect, how about we go get dinner together tomorrow? Just you and me, what do ya say?" Ace slides into the seat to your right during breakfast. He leans in on his fist, eyeing you with a mischievous grin that crinkles the heart on his cheek. Just as he does, Sebek occupies the seat at your left and pushes Ace back with his palm.

"Do you ever rest?! They will do no such thing, now eat your meal before it runs cold. The chefs worked too hard for their efforts to be wasted by a delinquent!" Sebek answers on your behalf like clockwork. This event was not an uncommon sight to anyone, neither was Sebek failing to control his volume, so no other student paid the show any mind.

Normally you'd let them spit a few words at each other before returning to their own devices. Yet letting this continue just felt cruel, especially knowing that Ace was doing it to get a rise from your friend. Although Sebek wasn't innocent in the matter either

"Alright - Ace, would you knock it off? You don't even like me that way so quit messing with my head. I thought you were better than this," you say in between bites, side-eyeing your friend with a disapproving glare "And you!" you turn to Sebek, "I can answer for myself. Why do you even care? It's not like you're in charge of my love life. Just because someone wants to date me doesn't make them a delinquent...sheesh"

Why...why does he care? Sebek short circuits at your scolding, opening and closing his mouth to rebuttal yet coming up with nothing. Angered by his own turmoil, he grabs his meal and goes to sit with others from his dorm.

Stupid human. How dare you be so haughty and ungrateful? He was just protecting you from....from, what exactly? It's not like you going out with Ace would impact him in any way. It's not like you were in danger or upset with his advances. If anything. he was doing a good job at keeping your relationship professional for the sake of his liege!

Go ahead and date that childish hooligan for all he cares! Sebek won't be there to protect you when you're lost, or lend you a scarf on cold winter days. Ace can be the one to call you before bed every night, and keep your yearbook photo on his desk. Possibly keep his favorite candid photo as a bookmark for his diary, not that Sebek would know anyone that keeps a journal. He can have your birthday written in his calendar with a heart drawn around it, and have your picture in his wristwatch. He can set alarms to know when your classes end and walk you home. He can worry when you're sick and listen to your obnoxious prying....he can receive all your affections, and have your loyalty. Listen to your silly ramblings and receive those random 'i just thought of you' presents that Sebek always has a dilemma over what their purpose serves

You can be Ace's headache, and Sebek's heart will be lighter for it. These attachments he's formed were a lapse in judgement and will never be allowed again.

...

Sebek asks his lord for permission to court you. The next morning Malleus wakes to find the devotee bowed outside his bedroom, forehead attached to the floor and hands laid flat on the ground in reverence. Sebek proceeds to begin a long rant about how he's succumbed to his inner demons, and that he has sinned for letting another in his heart - Malleus cuts him off, happy to see love blossoming and interested to watch it all play out. He tells Sebek to take good care of you, before leaving. Meanwhile Sebek is sobbing at his lord's blessing

Once he's gathered himself, Sebek runs to your dorm and pounds on the door with fervor despite the early hour

Grim shakes you out of sleep, grumbling something about an 'annoying bastard' at the door before flopping back in bed. He shoves two pillows over his ears and tells you to fix the problem. That's when you hear the thumping, it's relentless and somehow sours your mood beyond what you thought possible. Mornings were not meant to exist on the weekend. So with an irritated groan, you slip on a robe over your pajamas and answer the door. A fist pauses in the air, moments from striking you. Sebek freezes momentarily, his body going ridged before coughing into his fist. A light blush dusts his cheeks.

“G-good morning, human. I apologize if I've disturbed your sleep, but I have an important announcement that cannot wait any longer" Sebeck studders, focusing on the door pane instead of your disheveled morning appearance.

“Alright" you sigh, resigning yourself to his whims, "what is it?"

Sebeck bows at the waist. "I am in love with you. Please accept my affections."

And so the motions continued on. A most unconventional pairing - possibly the hottest topic of the school year, in the words of Cater Diamond - was formed. Sebek was cautious of Ace at first, their previous spats leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. When he found out the truth, he was both appalled and grateful. So much that he scorned all his friends for weeks on end for pulling a stunt like that - but also thanking them. He apologizes for calling Ace a delinquent, and his heart changes a bit in response to their 'unique' display of care. Their intentions were good, and in the end it worked out. So he can pardon the indiscretion.

Life goes on until your relationship forms an 'awkward situationship'. The first time is brief. As it is with most cases of young love, the binding force that ties you to them crumbles. On earth it is highschool. In Twisted Wonderland it is NRC. Sebek knows where he's going - to serve the Draconias . The grey area is what you plan to do...because as much as his affections have grown, Sebek isn't willing to give up his dreams for you.

He's astonished when you decide to follow him to Briar Valley. He doesn't even have to breech the topic - arrangements were already being made without his input. You wouldn't be staying at the palace against his Lord's wishes. Instead a small cottage was built at a safe distance from the main city. Close enough for you to visit the castle, and far enough for you to feel comfortable and not out of place.

Seeing you taking his wants into consideration alters Sebek's perception of your relationship. You truly were lovers, and not a passing 'hormonal induced fling'. You loved him, and it's here when he truly begins to consider a forever. It was like the time when he first called your name, no longer calling you by 'prefect' or 'human'. He had done it many times in private, yet doing so to your face altered his brain chemistry. He loved the way your name rolled off his tongue, and the way your attention became his at the call.

Which leads us to the third and final major block-aid. Years have passed, and Sebek's well grown as an established knight for the Draconia family. He works alongside Silver, and many other comrades in arms. Everything is exactly as he dreamed. Malleus has become a beloved, strong king. Sebek is respected, and you are thriving as well. He didn't have much faith in your ability to last alone - it's not that he doubts your abilities, but he did doubt his people. When you first moved to Briar Valley Sebek was well aware that there were many like his past self - fae with a hatred for humans. He worried you would struggle to fit in.

Yet you surprised him. The tensions did exist against your kind, but you managed to card a space for yourself in Briar Valley with ease. You didn't even work in the palace, instead choosing to work towards becoming a children's teacher and work towards helping future generations of fae feel comfortable around humans.

His family adored you - with his mother in particular fawning over how Sebek fell down the same pipeline she did. His father offers you both advice on being an interspecies couple - and Sebek actually found himself listening.

Huh. Character growth. Is this what it's like to mature?

All is perfect, yet not. Sebek is forced to confront this when news travels that a human was attacked on their way to the palace. The dread that coursed through his veins was unlike anything Sebek's felt in his entire life. Under Malleus' rule, humans were slowly becoming more prevalent in Briar Valley. They hadn't mentioned your name specifically, but he jumped the gun.

Against his better judgement, Sebek abandons his post and rushed to the city's clinic. The injured human wasn't you, thank the seven, but the dread lingered. So he ran to the school you taught at and practically barged into your classroom. Luckily it was empty as the day was near end. Sebek hadn't known that yet still behaved recklessly.

He rushed to your side, talking faster than your brain could keep up with while checking over your body. He flipped topics like a teen trying to pick a college major - scolding you for worrying him, blubbering gibberish about how you'd no longer be allowed to walk alone, and myriad of other things.

Sebek was so shook, that he completely forgot about his knightly station. Malleus didn't punish him for abandoning his post. Not like it mattered, considering Sebek was already doing ample damage on his own. The realization hit him like a stone punch to the gut - there was a threat to his liege, and instead of focusing on apprehending the criminal he chose to find you.

Malleus' power or his dismissal of the matter meant little in the overall picture. Sebek failed. He's ashamed beyond belief.

and yet, he can't help but wonder what ight have been. What if you were the one attacked and he chose to stay? He would have failed you in that scenario.

He's surprised to find that the prospect his failure hurts just as much - if not more. His lord is powerful, and there are many to serve him. Your last moments could have been spent in a cold medical bed, surrounded by strangers. Fading away and taking Sebek's dreams with you.

............

Ah. Since when had that word become plural? His dream was always to serve Lord Malleus. Now there are more - he wants a family, and he wants to go to that play you were organizing with the valley's children next weekend. He wants to become a greater knight to protect the city that houses all the people he cares about. Again, plural. Lilia, Silver, his siblings and parents, all the human and fae who are loyal subjects to his most revered. You, and your decedents to come.

It's frightening. How valuable one's life can become. His always belonged to the Draconia bloodline to do with at they pleased - now Sebek's in pieces. Is he truly worthy of being a knight if he cannot give his whole heart?

He doesn't blame you for this. In his youth Sebek might have tossed your relationship aside in a heartbeat - that, or he might've demanded Malleus dismiss him and send him to repent in exile or whatever. Sebek has a problem with embellishing with dramatics.

BUT... he's more mature now. Mature enough to realize that maybe he can have his cake and eat it too.

So, he asks Lilia for advice. At this time the general merely lazes around the castle like a bat on the wall - acting as an advisor and observer. Surely he'd know what to do.

"There is nothing wrong with sharing a heart amongst many. If anything, the toughest decisions make us stronger. The more you have to lose, the stronger you will become to protect"

Preach it grandpappy. Lilia wants to see his grandkids so stop the slow burn already.

It's deja vu because Sebek wants to propose as quick as possible. Just like when he confessed, the man nearly runs to your home on impulse. You can thank Lilia for your proposal not taking place at 3am with your door being broke in two (Sebek is much stronger than he was in his teens, and sometimes miscalculates his strength).

Instead, Sebek finds himself anxiously clutching a ring in his pocket the following week. It was the night of a school play you were hosting - one he was looking forward to since you were so proud in your work. Ergo, Sebek felt pride as well by default.

How unfortunate that he can't focus on the show. With his mind reeling so much, it's taking all he has to sit quietly in the audience. His eyes follow your movements as you direct the kids, and for a brief moment you smile at him from the stage.

Zap. Alright. Don't clutch metal when you're a living thunderbolt. Duly noted. If anything the jolt of pain brings him back to reality.

When the play ends, and all the children have gone home with their families, he finds you back stage sweeping confetti. His plan was to congratulate you, and take you to a nice restaurant where he could do this properly.

Except he can't wait. When you turn around from putting the broom away, he's already taken a knee and holding the ring out. Those diligent gold iris' not pulling away for one moment, as he holds the ring out between two fingers and his other hand placed over his heart as if taking an oath.

"Before you say anything - You have sacrificed time and time again for my happiness - my efforts are insignificant in comparison. I have taken your patience for granted like a spoiled juvenile. There was a time when I found this kindness of yours unnecessary. I thought it a distraction - a test of my strength to fulfill my destiny. I see now that I was foolish”

Sebek pauses, grinding his teeth together in regret and anguish.

“I had not known fear until you. I have more to lose now than ever before. Last week I abandoned my post - my purpose- In that moment, all I could think about was if you’d been attacked, then my life would be over. You make me lose all sense of logic and reason…so I demand that you take responsibility and marry me!”

{A gold band with an obsidian base. Gold and silver flakes are sealed atop the obsidian plate using resin. Very practical, yet charming nonetheless. Humans typically wear matching bands, yes? Sebek sees no purpose in getting separate designs since the point is to show proof of partnership. He needs a practical shape that will not interfere with combat, yet also wants it to be an aesthetic choice. Sebek could care less about looks, but if he’s going to give you a ring then it will be the best possible option to match to your worth}

Silver is beautiful like still ocean waters. He's breathtaking - literally and figuratively. With the beauty of a fairytale prince, personality of a wise knight, and deadliness of the deep sea. It's easy to be sucked in when Silver seemingly has no flaws. So easy that at one point there were rumors of him being a living doll, created by the fae to be a perfect solider.

These perceptions all rely on his outward appearance: the knight in shining armor. Albeit so, being so perfect almost makes him unnoticeable. Compared to his rowdy peers with quirks and notable personalities - Silver truly is a doll. Like the complacent child praised for being more mature than their siblings. He is as easily forgotten as he is admired.

Some would say that this is a flaw in itself - because no one is naturally perfect. No one is so complacent and calm at birth. It's simply a desirable flaw. One that hurts him, yet has ben praised by others.

Silver is strong. Silver is diligent. Silver is beautiful. Silver is breathtaking and yet not the showstopper - like gold. Gold brings warmth while silver is cold. Imperfections in gold give it character, and can be seen as art. Imperfections in silver are seen as unsightly scratches.

Silver knows this, yet doesn't want to be gold. He doesn't deserve to be gold.

Silver doesn't deserve anything. He has already taken so much simply by living. He has a world to be grateful for, and not enough time to repay his debts.

He is content being Silver - if he could then he'd be copper. Lesser. Yet he is Silver, a reminder of the blood he carries.

He will remain unremarkable yet dedicated. He will dedicate everything to his family and friends - do whatever he can to break free of his sleeping curse and help others. He will give until he cannot give anymore. Then he will give more, to repay all he has received.

....For as much as he is content with this life, Silver still envies gold.

You are beautiful like a new dawn. Ushering in each day with a vibrant display that commands attention. People instinctively admire you despite the risk of hurting their eyes. You heal the world naturally, and help others simply by existing. People take you for granted, because inevitably the moon will rise, and the cold will inevitably return.

You were bathed in golden light. This Silver noticed the moment he laid eyes on you. He couldn't tear his eyes away.

Silver envies gold.

........

You envy Silver. His calm, his family, his dedication despite being limited by his crippling drowsiness. Out of the students from Diasomnia, he was the one you lingered towards more often than not. The freshmen revered him for his skills, and he was a true gentle soul. You at first couldn't believe that he was Lilia's son - how did such a kind boy come from a rambunctious tease? Revelations of his past brought much to light, and now you couldn't think of him being anyone else.

Silver was loved like the first snowfall. He had a family that loved him dearly, no matter how short his time with them would be. He was raised to bring happiness to others, and protect their hearts using his demure temperament.

Silver was modest, and silver glistened when you'd expect him to the least. As the wind caressed his hair during an afternoon siesta, or sparks lit in his eyes while swinging his sword. How the horses nuzzle his side after equestrian practice, showing full trust and affection. Even in the sweat dripping from his brow, shining as he easily finishes a set of push ups.

Yet nothing struck your heart more than the melancholy he'd emit when no one was looking. How quickly he'd fade into the background, only popping in when necessary or if someone gave him note. In these moments Silver gleamed brilliantly, yet a shadow put out his shine.

You thought the melancholy inviting. It felt so natural, so real. Except you believed it balanced dangerously between despair and serene. The larger question being which side would he evidently fall towards.

.........

Silver admires gold.

He couldn't stop the pull. He just couldn't. Not with how you seemingly watch him when no one else does. Who wouldn't feel special? With the way you take note of things he normally wouldn't think of, and recklessly delve into helping others with no regard for yourself. Whether you desire the trouble is beyond him - the matter is that you see every issue through. There isn't a soul who doesn't know of the ramshackle prefect.

Perhaps this is his torment to endure. To get a taste for what he could have been, and willingly be tied to it.

Silver stares into a vanity mirror, his expression neutral despite the growing emotions inside. A slightly tattered sheet is tied around his neck like a bib, covering his front and part of his back. A shiver runs down his spine as you comb through his hair, deftly trimming the edges with a pair of kitchen scissors with the precision of a professional. A shiver runs down his spine every time your fingers linger against his scalp, either from tucking stray strands or combing through layers with your fingertips.

Your expression is stern, eyes intensely focused as you cut around his ear, afraid to nick him in the process. He finds the expression adorable yet bites his tongue. Silver couldn't think those thoughts. Not when you offered to do this out of the kindness of your heart.

Nonetheless, his heart thrums. If it were possible he'd think the organ about to pop out at any moment.

"Finished!" you smile in satisfaction and tussle Silver's soft locks for good measure. In one fell swoop, you undo the knot around his neck and pull the makeshift apron off of him. Silver nods, a slight smile teasing the edge of his lips. He stands from the chair and steps over any hair on the floor, reaching for the broom to clean before you could think to. "Thank you. I no longer need to schedule with a barber. This will save much time," In truth he had no intentions for a haircut. You were the one to notice how his bangs hindered his vision, and offered to help. Silver couldn't bring himself to deny your kindness. "You really like it? Hehe. Y'know, maybe I should start a shop on campus? I only started doing this since there aren't any affordable salons....maybe with it I can finally afford to fix the guest room!" you cheer and prattle on about all the different possibilities. Occasionally you'll ask for Silver's input, or even give an off hand compliment about how he was the perfect 'test subject'. Your company is intoxicating, he realizes. Talking with you is as easy as drinking water. Before Silver realizes, night has fallen and you've fallen asleep on the couch. Despite his better judgement, he finds himself wandering the Ramshackle door. He compulsively cleans up the mess you'd both left behind during his visit, doing the dishes from dinner and rearranging things here and there. As he does so, Silver notes all the little improvements around the dorm. It feels more like a home than a school building. Then again you do live alone. He wonders how often you host visitors, and if you unknowingly ensnared them just as you've done to him. He covers your shoulders with a blanket and steps outside under the moonlight.

It’s cold.

...............

You wake up the following day to find all the windows shut, your living room clean, and a warm blanket covering your shoulders. Your eyes peer around for silver, yet turn up empty.

Of course. Silver has a dorm to return to and people that would miss him if he returned late.

Shuffling around the silent dorm, the rickey old floorboards creek underneath your weight. In manufactured motions, you brew a cup of tea and pour it into the only well-used cup from the cabinet.

As your cup brews, you sit at the table with the blanket still clutched tight over your shoulders.

The tea goes cold, yet you are warm.

................

Silver loves gold.

but silver and gold don't mix. The question always is: silver or gold? When deciding a piece of jewelry to match your skin tone, people will ask 'silver or gold'? The metals are not meant to mix because they clash. It's an outfit catastrophe.

Yet, Silver cannot help but wonder. As he lays with his head in your lap and the sun and silence coaxing him to slumber - what if an outfit existed to compliment both silver and gold?

"Silver..are you sleeping again?" you tap his cheek with one hand, and his eyes open instinctively. Despite his drowsiness he will always look for you. Yet right now he's never regretted the magnetic pull more. With the sun casting a golden overcast, you peer down at him from above with tender eyes typically reserved for one's child. Your glow is breathtaking, and he cannot help the sinking feeling in his stomach that he is unworthy. With such gentle hands combing across his scalp and eyes that look upon him so tenderly - he is afraid to steal your warmth. And yet… "You are beautiful," Silver lets it slip, his hand reaching to brush against your jaw as if under a spell. He feels unnervingly calm. Not in his usual way, where he is constantly observing and playing a game of mental chess. This is a true calm, and he knows now that this is a point of no return.

Silver is beautiful like a still ocean. You are beautiful like the rising sun. When combined, a perfect image is formed just waiting for an artist to stumble upon it.

Against his wishes, the world has granted the child of dawn another gift. The gift of true love. 'True love's kiss will break the curse' and while it is childish to believe so in this case, Silver does so wholeheartedly.

When with you, the days pass like minutes. He wants nothing more than to forgo need for sleep, if only to work harder towards becoming a man worthy.

Silver envies gold for it's effortless demand for love, yet he no longer wants to be gold. He no longer wishes he were born copper.

Gold loves silver, so Silver he will be.

And with time, both Silver and Gold will be ground to dust regardless.

He thinks of this on a winter evening while holding a ring up into the moonlight. It's cold outside, yet he doesn't mind. The chill atop his nose does nothing but tinge it a lovely rosy color.

He looks through the windowpane into a home masquerading as a school building. His reflection is familiar yet changing rapidly in comparison to his family. The years have aged him, yet not by much. Silver is stronger, his soft jaw a bit sharper. His bangs have grown long again, it would soon be time for a cut. Perhaps he'd enlist a 'barber' after relocating back to the castle in briar valley.

Inside you sit at the couch, sipping from a well-used mug with Grim on your lap and watching cartoons. Silver's bag rests on the armchair, unzipped with nightly necessities spilling out the side. A slightly newer baby blue mug sits on the coffee table, with steam evaporating into the air as it waits to be used.

Silver smiles, walking towards the door and walking inside. Heat warms his cheeks and he is calm.

"I know I am unworthy of you, the thought plagues me to this very moment. Yet I cannot help but love you - like wishing on a star yet knowing deep in the depths of your heart that miracles are made not granted. I've received many, so I would know. My father gifted me life through love - and with you I understand how it is possible. I cannot imagine life without you. I promise this, I will cherish you and protect you for as long as you allow it. Would you marry me?"

Months later a ceremony is held in a secluded forest, in the yard of a cottage where a child first learned love. As an adult, he joins his most precious in matrimony, offering his sword to be sworn faithful.

You are beautiful like the first breech of daylight - and for once, Silver is happy to be a man of dawn.

Silver and gold.

Silver and gold.

Everyone wishes for silver and gold.

How do you measure it's worth?

Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth.

{A ring forged from a silver band, gold leaf embellishments, and a moss agate core. Enough said.}

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #diasomnia #sebek zigvolt #sebek zigvolt x reader #silver x reader #twst silver x reader #silver vanrouge #twisted wonderland imagines #twisted wonderland scenarios #twst imagines #I FREAKIN FINALLYT FINISHED THIS SERIES

[mamayan]

Hi! and wow! I actually never made a request on tumblr before today. To get to the point: Tumblr is lacking in Sanemi Shinazugawa content so bad (your Yobai writing was so perfect btw!!!) I would LOVE it of you made a arranged marriage fic of reader x Sanemi or maybe a college bully sanemi x teacher reader or something ^^ im not picky but i love to see what you would do with it!! 💕XOXO

Nonnie I’m so glad you slid in my box with these treasures, like goodness I sort of want to write both, but I wouldn’t do them justice in just one ask. How’s this? If you like how I write this, throw another ask in for the arranged marriage. I’m feeling this modern AU right now♥️

College AU: Bully! Student! Sanemi Shinazugawa x Professor! Fem! Reader

tw: NSFW • Modern AU • Taboo Relationship (Student x Teacher) • Reader has hair long enough to pull and is shorter than Sanemi here • Blackmail • Spanking • Oral (M) • Fingering (F) • Rough Sex • Degradation/Mild Humiliation

“Mr. Shinazugawa, thank you for coming in today.” You sat perched like a little bird behind your desk, ass scooted as far to the edge of the seat as possible with your legs crossed. Your pencil skirt, with a slit up the leg, revealed your soft skin for his dark gaze as he lazily slides into the leather plush seat in front of your desk.

It’s just after your office hours had closed, the campus winding down for the evening as classes finished up.

Your pretty face was serious, lips set in a grim line as you faced him with your hands folded in your lap. He felt his irritation spike as your pathetic display of posturing in front of him. His face didn’t hide his disdain either, sneering at you as he leaned back and spread his arms over the back of the chair, legs spread wide as he slouches disrespectfully. “What’s up Doc,” he calls your title with hardly any care, rolling the words like one might speak to an old friend and not their college Professor. You’d earned your doctorate, unlike this trouble child turned demon.

Unfortunately you couldn’t have him expelled, the Ubuyashiki family whom owned and founded this prestigious University being on very good terms with Sanemi’s family. The only time you saw him behave with even a semblance of human decency was in front of the the chairman, but Kagaya is a young man of a calm and patient disposition, far to lenient with Sanemi by your personal standards. The man in question nothing short of a delinquent, face covered in menacing scars with his white hair gelled back, amethyst eyes being eerily similar to that of a wild animal.

Unhinged, violent, a bully.

One too many students had complained to you, some even sent to the hospital, and it was Kagaya Ubuyashiki himself who’d asked for your help personally. Explaining that Sanemi needed your assistance and guidance to find the right path. He’d buttered you up so well you’d caved and agreed to have a one on one with the vibrating feral dog before you.

“I think you have some idea of why you’re here Mr. Shinazugawa. Despite your incredible aptitude in my class, and from what I hear from my colleagues, their classes as well… you’ve not given the same courtesy towards your fellow students and professors.” It was putting it as politely as possible, because this man nearly killed the department head of Astronomy. Granted, that Professor was a dirtbag and had been bumping up grades for sexual favors from his students, but you certainly didn’t condone that sort of savagery. No matter how good it felt to see him in a wheel chair looking defeated and broken. That was only one instance though, his multiple fist fights on campus, destruction of property, and overall cruel disposition made him a hazard.

Sanemi merely rolled his eyes, smirking when he caught your eye twitch in irritation. “So what? This a fuckin’ intervention baby?” You startled at the intimate nickname, becoming enraged at his teeth baring grin. “You wanna fix me or somethin’? I might think about it if you get on your knees and suck my cock.” His snicker of amusement and wide provocative eyes were roaring to match your rage.

“If you don’t take this seriously Mr. Shinazugawa—,” the moment you stood to point a finger, he was standing too.

Towering over you, his smile gone and person radiating bloodlust. He didn’t step forward, didn’t need to if he wanted to make a point, because even just him standing doing absolutely nothing was enough to send a shiver of fear down your spine and choke on your next words.

“If I don’t take this seriously… then what Ms. PhD? Hmm? You’ll do fuckin’ what?” His voice had dropped an octave and the baritone of his timber was nothing if not damn terrifying. You briefly wondered if you’d get fired for throwing yourself out the window behind you, because this was ridiculously scary. You should’ve made Mr. Ubuyashiki stay, your confidence draining with the blood from your face. His dark expression doesn’t change, but he’s drinking in your fearful expression and cautious widening eyes with inner glee. You couldn’t see it, but the little lip quiver and your eyes getting watery had him rock hard, fully enjoying the submissive display and making his teeth ache to sink into the pretty skin you so boldly flashed when you uncrossed your legs to stand. “What’s wrong? You were so damn ready to lay into me, now you wanna be cute and quiet?” His teasing edge was more mocking and dripping with ridicule than he intended, but the affect he wanted was the same.

Stroking those flames of yours higher.

“This is highly is inappropriate—,”

“Like masturbating in your office on the weekend?” You physically freeze, face falling as horror dawns on you.

“If we want to talk about inappropriate, then why don’t you face the mirror on yourself.” His smile only grows with your anxiety.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about—,” he laughs, digging his phone quickly from his pocket and unlocking it swiftly. When he faces the screen towards you, there’s a video playing.

Of you. Doing exactly that, two fingers shoved down your skirt when you quietly pant and work yourself over, leaning against your desk. It’s way to HD and close up to be anything else but a hidden camera on your desk no less, panic flooding yourself as you swipe off the papers looking for whatever the hell held the device. All the while in your frantic search, Sanemi let the video continue at full volume, your little gasps and moans getting louder as you gasp now for air for different reasons.

It’s in your name plate. Nearly invisible but you find it and nearly tear it apart with shaking hands as you look at up at his evil face grinning down at you.

He likes that the cocky pretentious look on your face is gone. “Who’d have thought the golden Professor around here would be such a fucking slut when no one is looking. All these books and numbers must not satisfy huh?” You wanted to scream at him.

“Y-you set this up…? Why?” You couldn’t fathom it at all, why the devil incarnate would do such a nasty thing. Did he want you gone? If so, he could easily convince Ubuyashiki, so it must just be to torment you. You’d never had a confrontation with him until today though, and that video was taken weeks ago. Your pretty eyes pricked with tears could only look at him in complete disbelief.

“Why? Are you fucking kidding me right now? It seems your brain is only book smart baby, of course it’s because I wanted to.” His sneering grin is absolute in it’s intention to hurt. Even as tears spill and you’re forced to reconcile not only are you likely getting fired from your dream job, but he’s probably going to spread it all over the Internet. You’d never get hired anywhere else if that gets out. It’s not like it’s revenge porn or something like that, it’s clearly your office on campus during work hours.

“Looks like I’m not the only freak around here, isn’t that right Doctor?” He moves now, shutting the video off and sliding his phone back in his pocket, stepping around your desk towards you. You don’t have much room to step back before you’re up against the wall. His body boxing you in as his arms shoot out and palms slap flat on either side of your head, your flinch goes ignored as he leans down nearly close enough to kiss you.

He smells like something sweet, juxtaposed to his cruel and serious expression.

“You wanna keep your job and dignity?” You don’t want to let the tears fall, but they do.

You nod anyway, even as you pathetically sniffle and glare up at him hatefully. It’s got all the venom of a bunny to him.

“Then get on your knees. I wasn’t fuckin’ kidding earlier.”

You hate him and yourself. You told yourself this job was stressful, justified your dirty secret, but it ended up being the nail in your coffin. This would be another though.

“B-but you’re my student…”

“It didn’t stop you from fucking your fingers in here, so I don’t really see a problem.” It’s like you swallowed a lead weight as you move to kneel like he asked, not looking at him even as he refuses to give you more space, still leaning against the wall behind you.

It gives him a great view to look down on you, your form quaking and so unwilling he wanted to laugh. You were acting tough still.

His pants are baggy and loose, the denim waist band barely on his hips and you can see up his shirt now, the hard lines of muscle on his torso and soft smatter of hair down his navel into his waist band.

He’s not wearing boxers.

“I suggest you fuckin’ hurry before I start looking for somethin’ to post to end my boredom.” His words light a fire under you, hands moving swiftly and desperately now. It has him grinning savagely, watching you easily pull his pants down and expose his hard leaking cock to the cool air.

He lets you pause for a second, feasting on the hesitation and awe you express as you lightly grip him. Your fingers don’t touch all the way around. It drives him wild as he bucks his hips, hissing in pleasure as you finally lick his tip tentatively.

“A bitch who fucks herself in her office doesn’t kitten lick cock,” his threat is there, and you force yourself to open up and take him in your hot mouth.

He’s loud as he moans, and when you cringe back from his little thrust deeper into your mouth, he steps forward to press you back against the wall. Seeing you pinned, looking up at him with your mouth full of his cock, almost makes him cum on the spot.

Almost.

Instead he pulls out slowly, your hands on his thighs as if that’ll stop him from going too deep. When it’s only his tip in, he slams back forward, laughing at your tears spilling and mouth sputtering around him. Your throat gagging and constricting as he stretches the thin tight airway until it burns, pulling back slowly again and repeating until all you can think about is the cock in your throat and the scent of something sweet, like a confectionery.

He didn’t think it’d feel so good. The sight of you deep throating him and the feeling of your mouth on his cock far too amazing to stop himself from an early ejaculation.

Unfortunately for you, he comes a lot. Thick ropes of cum shoot down your throat, the surprise of it causing you to cough, making some of it go up and out your nose as the jolt of pain brings a fresh wave of tears.

“Fuck—, you better swallow all of it,” he all but snarls down at you, looking feral and rabid as he works his hips and cock around in your mouth while you struggle to obey.

When he pulls out finally, load emptied in your stomach, his hand reaches down and grips your jaw. The force of it making your sore jaw and mouth open back up, and it’s too late to close before his spit lands on your tongue. You try to jerk away, to spit it out as the humiliation washes over you, but he’s stronger. Forcing your head back against the wall, he clamps your jaw shut, laughing as you nearly bite through your own tongue in frustration.

“Don’t piss me off, fuckin’ swallow it.” You like him more when he’s being teasing and mean, not this serious Sanemi which invokes fear and commands your obedience.

You swallow, hatefully you swallow and even more hatefully curse him in your mind because you were aroused. Painfully aching and panties soaked to your embarrassment. He smiles, not the twisted kind but approvingly, as you listen. The indignant and humiliated look on your face absolutely adorable covered in your own tears and his cum. He’s nice not to make you wipe it off and lick it up this time.

“Stand up,” he doesn’t wait for you to follow, sure that you’ll try and take your sweet ass time and he sadly only has half and hour left with you by appointment standards. You were after all the most beloved Professor on campus, and many people wanted your time. He wasn’t different in that sense, but he also isn’t content to play the part of a good student and wait for you to fall in love with him like some stupid romance movie.

He’d much rather you like this.

Sanemi manhandles you until he’s seated in your desk chair, pulling you into his lap, back against his chest. You aren’t given time to protest when he yanks up your skirt and uses his thick thighs to spread your own.

Feeling him against you like this, you realize he’s all muscle. Not a soft spot to be found, as he tears off your underwear next, exposing your cunt to the cool air as you feel his cock hardening again beneath your ass.

“S-Sanemi—!?” He opens your cute little blouse up next, batting your hands away easily to yank your bra down and reveal your breasts and hardened nipples.

“Fuck you’re soaked, you like suckin’ my cock that much?” He ignores your whine of protest, your efforts to stop him minimal and half hearted, especially when he lets his rough thick fingers trail through the copious arousal dripping from your pussy right now. “Should I have kept going? See if you’d cum just from fucking your mouth?” He cups your face and turns your head to look at him, unable to stop the hoarse moan that leaves you when he sinks a finger inside your tight heat. “Y-you’re wrong…” you still stubbornly glare and argue back, eyes still sparked with defiance he found delicious.

“Oh? So this isn’t from sucking my cock? Then what’s it from, watching yourself get off again in this office? You a fuckin’ exhibitionist or something?” He’s teasing as he slowly pumps his finger in and out of you, the wet noises echoing in your office and stifling your next words as you pant and weakly grip behind you onto his shirt.

“If that’s the case, I don’t mind turning us around and drawing back the curtains…” he speaks the words softly, right into your ear as he licks the shell of it, your pussy clamping down hard on his finger. Your office faced the main part of campus, even in the evening students and teachers walked that area.

He chuckles, “You really like the sound of that, don’t you whore?” You gasp as he adds a second, gritting your teeth to stop the sounds of pleasure from spilling freely.

“Fu-fuck you—!” Your words drip venom, but he only sighs, as if disappointed in your answer. Shaking his head as if there’s nothing he can do about it.

“That’s the point baby, I’m going to fuck you,” he effortlessly lifts you up with one arm around your middle, the iron bar that is his arm suffocating as you struggle. He slips his fingers out, the gooey trail of slick connecting his fingers to your pussy making his cock twitch as he rubs the leftovers on the tip, slicking himself up as he lines himself with your entrance.

“Just like this,” he lets gravity do the work, and you’re so wet it slides in despite the a sting and ache of the stretch, his girth splitting you.

“Hah!” You try to jerk off, but he keeps your from doing so with his arm still wrapped around you, groaning as your pussy begins to spasm and tighten up painfully.

“Holy fuck are you coming? Shitttt,” He’s delirious with pleasure, your orgasm wrecking you both as you twitch and moan, struggling to even breathe as your body betrays your mind. It feels too good. All of it. Your legs spread wide and his cock in full view splitting you open as you cum around him. He can’t stop himself from rutting up into you, cursing your gummy walls as they massage and strangle his dick, pumping his cock as your pussy gushes slick.

“Shit you really are a slut, to cum all over your student’s cock like a bitch in heat, and I’ve hardly touched you, ah,” his head tilts back, both hands now anchoring your hips as he bounces you, tip hitting your deepest parts as you cry and moan. Quick to be overwhelmed and overstimulated.

When his balls draw tight, he shoves you off him roughly, forcing you to hit the desk as he pushes your face down into the homework you had been grading earlier. He hunches over you, sliding back inside from behind as he yanks your hips up when your legs try to buckle.

“Not fuckin’ done with you—!” He looks enraged, face flushed bright red as he pants, watching his thick cock get swallowed over and over again inside you. “Not done ever actually,” he laughs, moving his hand off your face to sink into your hair, gripping a fist full and yanking your head back. Your cries are no longer muffled, your tear and drool covered face now sporting a few ink stains as he really begins bucking his hips, using your hair as leverage to keep you in place.

Your body seizes up again, another hard orgasm rushing up as Sanemi lands a sharp slap against your right ass cheek. Then the left side. “Fuck yes, clench your pussy just like that!” He’s speaking through his teeth, hissing in pleasure as he paints your ass with his hand, loving how tight you get on impact and how wet you are.

“Sanemi—m’gonna cum—!” Your tongue feels swollen as you speak, mumbling out your words as your peak approaches. You aren’t even thinking anymore, his cock turning you stupid as he grunts and continues his savage pace.

“Bet it’s been forever,” he laughs, “—no, I bet you’ve never had this pretty pussy fucked like this before, have you?” You’re out of it, too drunk on the high to comprehend his words. “Don’t worry baby, I’m gonna fuck you like this everyday, you’re not ever gonna forget how it feels for me to fill this pussy—!” He flinches as you cum, moaning long and loud as his cock succumbs to the pleasure and he follows you close after. His balls taunt with tension as his dick works to fill you up just like he said.

He lets you drop back to the desk as he pants, skin sweaty as he wipes his forehead and looks down at you.

You’re heaving too, limp and drooling as you recover slower than him. Your clothes completely in disarray as you lay mostly exposed. He lets his dick slide out slowly, softening just a little and helping him ease out as he watches a well of white begin to ooze out of you and onto the fancy pristine wood flooring below, your legs trembling in the cute black heels you sported.

Sanemi reaches over you wordlessly, to the potted plant which has decorated your desk even longer than your new name plate.

He pockets the little camera hidden in it, before he starts yanking up his pants and fixing his clothes.

As he walks around your desk, he looks down just as you look up. His smile disgusting as he quietly says, “Thanks for the fun. I’ll see you the same time tomorrow Ms. Slut,” he laughs at the rage bleeding into your eyes again.

He’ll enjoy re-watching your first time together tonight when he can get the footage uploaded to his computer. Tomorrow he’ll be sure to take you from a new angle.

#sanemi shinazugawa #Sanemi Shinazugawa smut #Kny Sanemi smut #kimetsu no yaiba smut #Sanemi smut #kny #demon slayer #demon slayer Sanemi #demon slayer Sanemi smut #request filled #bully! Sanemi #Sanemi Shinazugawa x reader #Sanemi x reader smut #kny x reader smut #student Sanemi x teacher reader

[fandoms-rants]

Btw im very happy i finally found someone that agrees that allison had no right to be a fox 🫡

Hit me with your honest opinion about her, please

I had to suffer through years of allison worship

Well I want to start by saying I’ve yet to read the books(been busy with class) so my opinions of Allison are mostly formed from fanfics and tumblr. And I too am happy to meet someone else that doesn’t like her.

I honestly am just annoyed by her. She just comes off to me as nosy, pushy and unwilling to take no and mind your own business as an answer(which is half the reason I don’t think Andrew would ever do more than tolerate her). I know fics have a tendency to exaggerate characters worst traits but her betting on Andrew and Neil’s sexuality and their relationship, not to mention her(and some of the other foxes) seeming purposeful blindness to the fact Neil and Renee are as dangerous as Andrew and perfectly capable of defending themselves against him if necessary. I’m not saying she doesn’t have a reason not to like or distrust Andrew and I know the feeling is mutual but Allison’s(and some of the other foxes) blunt hypocrisy in refusing to see Neil and Renee as anything other than innocent flowers that needs to be protected from big bad Andrew just gets on my last nerves. Not to mention how most people write her forcing Neil to buy clothes outside of his comfort zone and get haircuts he doesn’t want or like(or he simply doesn’t want to cut his hair) as if his opinion on what he looks like doesn’t matter. Mostly for me it’s Allison’s(and most of the foxes honestly) inability to accept a plain no and mind her own business when it comes to Andrew and Neil and their relationship.

And I know this fandom tends to ship Allison and Renee and I get it but I just don’t see it working long term. I read a fic where they were in a on/off relationship after graduation for years before calling a quits because they were two very different people who lived/wanted to live different lifestyles and wanted different things out of life , so they ended it before they lose their friendship too which is now my personal hc and how I see it going for them. I read another fic where all of Allison’s betting spiraled into gambling and her invasiveness grew into outing young employees l(by being nosy and betting on their sexuality) that work underneath her and while even I think this is a very bad take on her, I could also totally see this happening like it not completely out of character for her.

Honestly, I never really considered her not really being a proper fox and only got accepted for the PR. But when I read your tags I was like huh you’re not wrong. Her past(I think correct me if I’m wrong) is mommy and daddy not agreeing with how she wants to live her life which is sad but I wouldn’t really call it fox material.

#aftg #my answer

[cutieeeszn]

Hobby’s to pick up:

Okay, if I’m being honest. I am very inconsistent with my hobbies. I end up dropping them all. But having hobbies and activities really help you in multiple ways. Finding new friends, learning new things, disengaging from electronics. (I see y’all) so here are a few hobbies to look into. Some of them ive tried/been trying to get into. And these are the ones I’m most consistent with. :)))

Crochet

Crochet or knitting is so calming. And really not that expensive. It’s simple to learn. And you can do it over playing some music. Let me know if there’s any crochet tutorial accounts you’d love to know!

Drawing

- ah. This one is simple. Many tutorials available. I’d say, begin with finding out your art style. Experiment. Go crazy. You can trace some drawings first, as practice. Slowly move on to actually drawing. And remember, be creative. Finding your own art style is so important and influences how good your drawing may come out.

Learning a new language

This one is fun. Duolingo…my best friend right now. I’m doing French. It’s a beautiful language, and after a while of learning French. (3 weeks) when I’m listening to songs I can understand some parts. I also find it so entertaining comparing them to English words and how they link. 21 days forms a habit. So, doing duolingo. Kind of an habit now.

Embroidery

Again, calming. It’s beautiful to see how the images end up. And it’s more fun when you draw your own images. Really cheap I believe, varying from where you’re from. But making pillows, frames and little pieces is so lovely with embroidery.

Writing/ Poetry

This one is good and interesting as a hobby, personality trait. And for your mind. Training your brain to express its thoughts in different words, sequences and hidden under other meanings. Is so beautiful.

Digital scrapbooking

My instagram is filled with these. Actually, I only have one post. But it’s a digital scrapbook. Using CANVA and 17v28 to make these scrapbooks are so fun. Not messy, and so easy.

Dancing

Not only does it look snazzy. Dancing has so many health benefits. Hip Hop to ballet to jazz. Now I think about it, I miss being a dancer.

Reading

Be a book warm, have no shame about it. Really. Let me know if you want some book recommendations. Books take you into another world, let you view things. It’s trust beautiful when you find the right kinda book.

Creating a tumblr blog

I just started this. It’s fun though. That’s all I can say.

Fashion Designing

I sewed a shift dress. Well, kind of. It’s so fun making clothes. Although, fashion design was a school subject. It’s very fun to do. You can remake clothes at home. Turn an old skirt into a shirt. Go crazy. (Btw, when you take classes you start noticing fashion design features in your clothes. I noticed seam allowances, overlocking.)

Learning to play an instrument

I’m guilty of picking and dropping instruments. Currently, it’s guitar for me. I was really good at clarinet, and eh and piano. But now, I’m going back to guitar. Learning and instrument has many benefits. Study wise, talent wise, im pretty sure mentally too!

Normal Scrap Booking

Same thing as digitally. Just pulls you away from the screen ;)

Photography.

Capture those moments. Cherish them. Post them. Print them. Annotate them. Write about them. Just capture them.

Sincerely,

bliss5tar.

#aesthetic #black girl luxury #hobbies #new hobby #feminism #girl advice #biblical femininity #crochet #for you #my hobby #advice #girls icons #that girl

[ijustreallylikepirates]

I got an anonymous fanfic request so I’m going to be merging it with my fic on Alec’s birthday to just make it a bit longer. Hope that’s not much of an inconvenience or a bother.

I hope y'all enjoy this. I put my heart and soul into these fics just for y'all. Yall are a great group of people. Tumblr people are better than real people. Anyways I’m gonna stop yapping and here’s the fic.

Btw this fic is gonna be like really long so sorry bout that lol

Disclaimer: swearing, making out (shocker)

Finally, the day I’ve been waiting for for so many months. It’s finally my birthday.

I went full out for Nick on his birthday so I think he might spoil me like he tends to do even when it isn’t my birthday.

I don’t know what he’s planning but it’s gotta be something good with all that money he has. Perks of having a rich boyfriend.

I don’t only love him for his money though, if that’s what you’re thinking. There’s so much I love about him, like his personality. He’s so sweet, he treats me well, the way he always has a dirty joke for me. We have created so many amazing memories together it’s just hard to not love him. He also has the prettiest hair that just swoops when he turns his head in every which direction. His eyes are just so blue I get lost in them like I’m swimming in the Aruban ocean every time I stare into them. His skin is just so soft that when I hold his hand, it feels like I’m holding hands with a marshmallow.

I do quite love the expensive things he buys me though.

As I’m laying in my bed reading Fellow Travelers in the dim lamplight of my bedroom, Nick slowly opens the door and looks at me. Surprised to see me awake he says, “Good morning, birthday boy.”

He pushes the door open completely, and walks over to my bed. I smile as he pushes back the covers and lays his head on my pillow right next to me.

He kisses me on the cheek and asks, “Whatcha reading?”

I wrap my arm around his shoulders and show him the book cover. “Fellow Travelers.”

He lays his head slightly onto my shoulder and asks, “What’s it about?”

“It’s about these two guys Hawkins and Tim who fall in love in the 1950s which obviously wasn’t a very great time for queer people. So they just had to keep their love a secret and make it through the McCarthy Red Scare trials and the Lavender Scare.”

Nick stares at the words on the pages. “I have no idea what any of that means but okay.”

I just laugh. “If you’d read it, you would understand.”

“I haven’t picked up a book since what, high school?” He laughs. “Unless you read it to me like a toddler.”

I poke his nose with my finger, then kiss him. “You really want me to?”

“Hey, what the heck, love. I love hearing the sound of your voice so yes please.”

I laugh and kiss him again. “You’re so stupid. I can’t believe I’m dating you.”

“You love me.”

“I do actually.”

I put my bookmark in between the pages of my book, then place it down on the bed next to me. I turn to the side and wrap my arms around Nick’s back.

My face is now very close to his. He just smiles and places his hands on my waist.

He kisses me. “I have big plans for us today.”

I smirk. “Oh yeah? How much money do you plan on spending on me today?”

He kisses my forehead. “Don’t worry about that, love. Just kiss me.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever, British boy.”

“Hey, you’re British too so-”

But I obviously can’t let him finish that sentence.

I quickly press my lips onto his. His eyes widen and a noise that sounded like a tiny scream escapes from the back of his throat.

When I pull away, he blushes and says, “Wow. I fucking love it when you kiss me like that.”

“What?”

“Like when you kiss me when I’m in the middle of a sentence. Or just when I don’t expect it at that moment. It’s my favorite thing ever.”

I blush and run my fingers through his hair. “You’re actually stupid. I fucking love you so much.”

He nuzzles his head into my chest. “I love you even more,” he mumbles into my chest.

I remove my fingers from his hair and rub his back. I kiss the top of his head.

We laid there for a while. He sneakily placed kisses on my chest a couple times, and I held him close to me, listening to his quiet breathing.

But after a while, he lifts his head and kisses me. “Well, we should probably get up now. It’s been a while, we can’t just lay here in your bed forever, birthday boy.” He sits up and pushes himself to the edge of my bed. “Come on. I made you breakfast.” He picks himself up off the bed and walks out the door.

Before getting up, I lay in my bed and stare at the door, the blanket pulled up over my chin. God, I love this man.

I throw the blanket off, grab my book, and get up. As I walk out the bedroom door, he has set a plate on the table. I smile and walk over to the table. But I didn’t even notice what he had cooked for me.

On the plate sat Menemen, or Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Menemen is one of my favorite Turkish dishes of all time! I wonder how he knew?

I laugh and ask, "You went out of your way to make me a Turkish breakfast?" I pick up the fork next to the plate and spear my breakfast.

I fork the eggs into my mouth and...

Oh.

Oh. My. God.

I close my eyes and throw my head back. "Mm. This is so good!"

Nick giggles as I fork more eggs into my mouth. "Thank you. I wanted to make some kind of breakfast from Türkiye. Cause y'know, I thought you would like it considering you're always trying to get me to try Turkish food."

I laugh and fork another bite of egg into my mouth, then pick up my book in my other hand. "You spoil me."

He smiles and says, "You deserve it."

I just chuckle and open up the book. But before I can take the bookmark out of the book, Nick takes the book out of my hand and snaps it shut. "Jeez. If you want gay love stories, I'm right here."

I laugh as he places the book back down on the table next to me. I shake my head and finish the last couple bites of my breakfast.

When I set my fork down on my now empty plate, Nick quickly picks up the plate and brings it over to the sink. As he starts to wash the plate he asks me, "So how was it? Was everything alright?"

"Everything was delicious, Efem. Why do you ask?"

Nick raises an eyebrow at me and says, "Well, I just wanted to know because it's the first time I ever cooked Turkish food for you and it's also your birthday! I need your first meal of the day to be perfect!"

"Well, it definitely was perfect. Thank you so much."

"You're so much more than welcome, Alec. And of course I'm going completely out of my way to make sure you feel like the most special person on this Earth." He turns his head around and says, "Now go put on something nice. We're going out."

I just roll my eyes. "Alright. Whatever you say."

I get up from the chair and walk over to Nick. I give him a quick peck on the cheek before heading off to my bedroom.

I close the bedroom door behind me and start looking through the drawers in my bureau. I pick out a nice blue button-down shirt and some black dress pants. I slip on some ankle-high white socks and a pair of shiny black dress shoes. I pull a leather belt through the belt loops of my pants, then slip a navy blue overcoat over my arms.

I quickly scan the room. I grab my phone off my bedside table and put it in my back pocket. But just as I'm about to leave the bedroom, I remember something.

My wallet.

I know that it's my birthday and Nick probably won't let me spend any money, but I never leave the house without my wallet. Ever. Like if there is ever a situation where I need to show my ID or driver's license, they'll be there right in my back pocket. Or like, what if Nick forgets his wallet today?

I scan the tops of my nightstands, but don't see my wallet on either table. I do a quick search of the bedroom; in my drawers, under the bed, under my pillows, inside my bedsheets, everywhere I could think of.

Then, I have an epiphany.

Nick.

I roll my eyes and sigh. "Not this again. Nick!"

"Yeah?" he calls back from the other room.

"Did you steal my wallet again?"

Silence.

"Hello? Nick?"

More silence.

I sigh. I walk over to my bedroom door and walk out. "I swear. Nicholas fucking Milton, you give me my wallet back this-"

And that's when I saw what he was doing.

He was just standing there in the middle of the living room, his hands in the pockets of the cashmere suit jacket he now had on, my wallet lodged between his teeth.

And honestly? I definitely blushed.

I just stood there for a second, then look Nick in the eyes and say, "Nick."

He just smirks. Well, as well as he can with my wallet in his mouth.

I walk over to him and hold my hand out. "Give it back to me now."

He slowly shakes his head.

"Now."

A low giggle from the back of his throat.

I shake my head and close my hand around the wallet. He clamps his jaw down tighter on my wallet.

I pull on my wallet, but my hand slips. "Come on, give it back!" I try to pry it out again. "You're going to get teeth marks on my wallet. That was expensive!" Another pull. "Come on!"

He just looks at me blankly, that horrendous smirk on his face.

God, he's so frustrating! I groan loudly.

But then... I smirk.

"Oh, Nick..." I say, leaning closer to him. "If you give me back my wallet, I'll reward you."

From in between his teeth, he says something like, "Wih wha?" which I assume meant, 'With what?'

I lean even closer. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll kiss you. Maybe we could, I don't know..." I lean over and put my lips dangerously close to his ear. "Make out..." I whisper into his ear. I place a gentle kiss on his neck as I pull my face back.

He was frozen, his whole face completely red. I hold my hand up to his mouth and he unclamps his teeth. My wallet falls into my hand, and I close my hand tightly around the smooth leather. I do a quick check to see if he didn't take anything out of it, then slipped it into my other back pocket.

"Thank you," I say, tucking my hand behind his neck. I lean in and press my lips onto his.

He doesn't waste a second kissing me back. He puts his hands on my waist and pulls me close to him, kissing me harder.

His tongue brushes against mine as I push him hardly against the wall, making the room shake a little. One of the paintings even falls off the wall. But I'll fix that later.

I bring my hands down to his back, then start lifting up his cashmere suit jacket and white undershirt with my index, middle, and ring fingers.

I felt his hands trail down my waist and onto my ass. I press my body up against Nick's, warmth surging in between us.

I could feel his heartbeat against my chest. Or was it mine? No matter. Nick is so hot, I don't even care.

All that I could hear was my and Nick's breathing, the sound of his golden watch quietly ticking, and the occasional kissing noises. To be specific, very wet kissing noises.

He squeezes my ass as my hands start to trail up his back. His skin is so soft and warm.

I feel like I'm on the moon. We've made out many times before, but this just felt so much better. I don't know what was so special about today's makeout sesh. Maybe because it was my birthday. I don't know.

Wait...

My birthday! Nick is supposed to be taking me out today but we're up against the living room wall sharing saliva! And yes, before you germaphobes say anything about that sentence, I know how weird it is but like come on! It's Nicholas Milton iii, the hottest man on this earth!

I slowly pull away from Nick, a trail of spit stringing between our lips and breaking apart, spilling onto our bottom lips.

Nick goes in for another kiss, but I put my finger over his lips. "What time is it?" I ask him.

He pulls his hands from my ass and checks his watch. "11:00."

I retrieve my hands from his back and say, "We should get going." I back up from him.

He nods. "Just promise me you won't spend any money today. It's your day and you deserve to be treated like a princess."

I scoff and roll my eyes. "You already treat me like a princess every day, but okay. Come on now, the anticipation is killing me! I really want to know where you're taking me!"

He laughs. "Okay, okay! Just one more second. I have to grab something.

I watch as he walks into the other room. I raise my eyebrow when he comes back into the living room, holding something inside his cashmere suit jacket. That's...suspicious.

"Come on, let's go," he says, grabbing his car keys and opening the front door.

I look at him with my eyebrow raised, then follow him out the door and close the door behind me. We walk over to the car, and I climb into the passenger seat.

Nick opens the back door of the car. I pull down the sun visor and pretend to look at my hair in the mirror, but really, I watch as Nick slips something black and grey into one of those reuseable Stop&Shop bags. Very suspicious.

He then shuts the car door and walks over, climbing into the driver's seat. He shuts the door and starts up the engine.

I realize I still have the sun visor down, so I quickly run my fingers through my hair and pretend to look at it with a pout.

Nick leans over and cups my face in his hand. "Your hair looks fine, love." He kisses me on the cheek and shuts the sun visor. I blush as he puts the car in reverse and backs out of the driveway.

~

For the whole car ride I stared out the window with my legs crossed, trying to figure out where Nick was taking me.

But wait a minute...

I recognize this route!

This is the way to Barnes&Noble!

Nick really is spoiling me today, isn't he? Plus, I wonder what's in that bag in the back seat...

I turn my head to look at Nick and ask, "Are you taking me to Barnes&Noble?"

He smiles and nods. "Yep. I'm going to let you buy as many books as you want with my money."

My jaw drops. "Are you serious?"

"Mhm."

"Are you sure you want to let me do that?"

"Anything for you, baby."

I look back out the window and smirk mischievously. I rub my hands together and say, "Oh, you're about to go into debt."

Nick raises his eyebrow and says, "I'm starting to regret my decision."

I just laugh.

When he pulls into a parking spot in front of the Barnes&Noble and stops the car, I quickly jump out of the car and start running to the store.

"Come on!" I shout back to Nick as I jump up the curb.

"I'ma coming!" he shouts back, laughing in between sentences. "Wait up!"

I get to the front door and I look behind me. He's still running across the parking lot. I smirk and fling the door open as I shout, "Too slow!" and run through the door.

Nick laughs again and shouts, "Hey! Wait!" but the door shuts before he can make it there.

I don't even look back to check if Nick was behind me; I just ran behind one of the shelves. I started looking for books and piling a bunch into my arms. Hey! Nick said I could have as many as I wanted, so I'm picking up as many as I want.

But... I still want to be nice, so I'll limit myself to 20.

By the time Nick finds me, I have 19 out of the 20 books I limited myself to in my hands. Well... as good as I could hold them all anyway. I had them stacked in my arms, trying really hard not to drop them.

As soon as Nick sees me in the adult romance section, he rushes over to me. He laughs and asks, "Do you want some help with those?"

"Yes please," I say as I pile half the books into his hands.

Nick staggers a little, but quickly regains his balance and tightens his grip on my books. He huffs and asks, "What books did you even pick up?"

I look at the books and say, "Red White and Royal Blue, A Taste of Gold and Iron, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, In Deeper Waters, Good Omens, Out of the Blue, Less, Kidnapped by the Pirate, the Apollo Ascending series, and the Shadowhunters Mortal Instruments series."

"Is that it?" Nick asks.

I just realized I have a guilty look on my face. "Yeah? I thought about it, and I realized I don't want you to spend that much money on me just for me to buy ink on dead trees."

Nick's eye twitched. "Alec... when I said you could buy as many books as you wanted, I meant it. Go fucking crazy. I don't care if you want to spend all my money on your ink on dead trees because it's your day and that's what's important to you. Go pick up some more fucking books and we're not leaving here until you have all the books you want."

I look at Nick, absolutely dumbfounded. "Oh... are you sure?"

Nick's eye twitches again. "Yes!"

"Like... 100% positive?"

"Yes!" Nick looks around. "But I think we need something to hold all these books though. Do they have like, something for us to put them all in?"

I consider this. "I don't think so. But you can ask one of the cashiers for one of those big paper bags."

Nick nods. "Alright. Come on, let's go get one."

He starts walking towards the front desk, me following closely behind him.

There was nobody checking out and there was only one cashier. Nick walks right up to the desk and says to the cashier, "Hello!"

The cashier looks up from her magazine but doesn't say anything.

"Uh, can I get one of those big paper bags?"

The cashier raises her eyebrow and picks up one of the paper bags from behind the desk. "This one?"

Nick nods enthusiastically. "Yes! That one!"

The cashier's face turns skeptical. "For what?"

Nick points at me and says, "I promised my boyfriend I'd buy him as many books as he wanted, and I really underestimated how many books he'd really buy."

The cashier just chuckles. "Are you going to actually come back and pay for them?"

Nick raises his eyebrow and lets out a small quiet gasp. "Are you calling me a criminal?"

"Just a genuine question, sir."

"Of course I'm coming back to pay for them! I'm too rich to start stealing shit!"

I laugh. "Stop flexing on your money."

He laughs too. "I'm just saying." He takes the bag from the cashier. "Thank you very much."

She laughs and picks up her magazine. "You're welcome. And happy shopping!"

I take the bag from Nick and dump my books into it. He dumps the books that I made him hold into the bag.

I look up at the cashier and say, "Oh, I'm definitely happy," before walking off to another shelf.

Nick loudly exhales and says under his breath, "At least he's happy," before following me.

~

By the time we made it out of the store, it was 4:00PM. I wish I was joking but I literally spent 5 whole hours in Barnes&Noble.

But I bought a lot so that makes sense.

Along with the original 19 books I picked up, I had bought The Love Hypothesis, The Song of Achilles, Dreamland, all 5 Heartstopper volumes, Nick and Charlie, This Winter, Radio Silence, Loveless, I Was Born for This, Solitaire, The Paris Library, all 6 volumes of Fence, and The Clean Slate Ranch series. 46 books total.

I also bought two Elvis records, a Queen record, and a Cardigans record.

Altogether that came to £498.94.

Now, sitting in a fancy restaurant, my books and records safely stored in the car, we laugh about that insane price.

"I mean, come on!" Nick shouts, swirling his wine around in his glass. "Almost £500 for 46 books and 4 records? That's crazy!"

I take a sip from my wine and say, "I mean, in America my shopping haul would probably amount to $1000."

Nick raises his eyebrows in shock. "Really?"

He takes a sip of wine as I nod.

"That's bogus!" he says, accidentally spilling a drop of wine on the tablecloth.

He quickly wipes up the wine as I say, "Inflations." I take a sip of my wine.

He laughs. "Sometimes I don't know about America."

I don't respond.

Nick raises an eyebrow at me. "Something wrong?"

I finish off my glass of wine and say, "Do you ever think about... Disventure Camp?"

Nick's eyes widen a little and he takes a sip of wine. "Sometimes... yeah. Why do you ask?"

I fold my hands in front of me and twiddle my thumbs. "I just can't stop thinking about the friendships I destroyed on that show or could've had. Everything I lost because I joined that show."

Nick puts his wine glass down and puts his hand over mine. "What do you mean?" he asks solemnly.

I sigh and say, "I lost a woman I really loved because I couldn't see it for my myself how shitty of a husband I was being. I haven't seen my son in almost a year. I really thought I could waltz onto that show and win the money to fix my marriage! I'm so stupid and I lost everything! It's been a while but I... still feel guilty about everything."

I grab Nick's hand and start playing with his fingers. "And I had people I was really close to on the show that I lost because I was so set on winning the dumb game! I had great friendships with Ellie, Connor, Grett. I couldn't even maintain 3 friendships without fucking anything up? And I can't believe that I let myself get tricked by Fiore! I could've won that money; I could've fixed my problems! But I didn't and I lost everything!"

"Hey! We all got tricked by Fiore! She was a little demon child, but we couldn't help it. We all underestimated what she could do, and it didn't turn out good for any of us. And I was great friends with Ashley, Lill, and Will in season 1, but I just recently made a Facebook groupchat with them and we're all talking again. Maybe if you talked it out with Ellie, Connor, and Grett, you could restore your friendships! I don't know if that'll work for you but it did for me."

He took my face in his hands and says, "And you definitely didn't lose everything. I'm here! I was the fresh start you needed, and we are currently going steady! I definitely needed you for my character arc and you needed me for yours. I'll be here to help you through everything. I'll be there when you need me most. Just call on me, and I'll be there for you in the blink of an eye."

A tear falls from my eye. "I... don't know what to say. Thank you so much."

Nick smiles and wipes the tear away with his thumb. "All I want is for you to be happy. Come on now, don't be sad. It's your birthday!"

I put my hand over his and close my eyes. "Yeah... yeah, I guess it is."

~

Dinner came and it was great. I wasn't expecting much because it was such a fancy restaurant, and usually fancy restaurants never have the best food in the world.

Me and Nick were back in the car, driving somewhere else now. He had his hand on my thigh as we listen to Billy Joel on the radio.

I laugh. "I don't understand how you can plan so much stuff to do for one day! You didn't have to spend so much money on me today. I mean, come on! It's just my birthday!"

Nick gasped. "Just your birthday? It might as well be Christmas! Your birthday is one of the most important days of the year!"

I just laugh as he pulls up to our local park and parks his car against the curb.

I look over at him and raise my eyebrow. "The park?"

He smiles and says, "Go on. Go find a nice spot. We're going to watch the sunset and I have presents."

I smile. "How did you know I like to watch the sunset?"

"I always see you staring out the living room window with a book open in your lap. The sunlight always makes your eyes look so beautiful."

I just blush and open the car door. "Whatever." I step up the curb and look around.

There was a nice spot next to the lake, a nice patch of sunlight in the grass. Perfect.

I look behind me at Nick, who is walking over to me with the reusable Stop&Shop bag. I really want to know what he put in there earlier. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

I wave him over, a big smile on my face. He laughs and starts running.

Once he gets over to me, he places the bag down on the grass. he reaches down and pulls a blanket out of the bag. The same blue fleece blanket we had laid over us after our first date.

He laid the blanket out on the ground. "Here. Sit. I don't want your hot ass to go green."

I laugh and sit down on the blanket. He sits down next to me and pulls the bag onto the blanket. He reaches into the bag and pulls out a small box wrapped in blue paper; a red envelope attached to it.

"Here," he says, handing them over to me. "Here's your present."

I take it from him and smile. "Aw, thank you. But you didn't have to. You've already done so much for me today!"

Nick rolls his eyes and says, "Just open the damn present."

I laugh and remove the card from the box. I put the box down on the blanket and go to open the envelope, but Nick grabs my arm.

"Wait! I want you to open the present first!"

I raise my eyebrow. "But why? It's good manners to open up the card before the present."

"I know but... I think you'll like what's in the card more than the present itself."

I just stare at him, confused. "Al... right then. If you really want me to."

I put the envelope down on the blanket and pick the box back up. I slowly unwrap the paper.

There was a small mahogany box. I open the lid and...

Oh. My. God.

Inside the box was the most beautiful watch I had ever seen. Emerald green and gold, beautiful sheen, smooth leather wristband. It was so... vintage!

I take it out of the box, staring at it in awe. I put it around my wrist and observe it.

"Oh, wow. Nick, this is so beautiful!"

"Even more beautiful than me?"

I scoff. "Oh, shut it." I look away. "And no, you're still more beautiful."

He laughs, then leans over and kisses me on the cheek. "Now open up the card."

I pick up the envelope and pry it open. Inside was a card with flowers and the words 'Happy Birthday!' on the cover. When I opened up the card there were two sheets of paper, but I shoved them aside to read the card.

There were no actual words on the inside, but Nick had written in his swoopy handwriting, "I love you so much. Happy Birthday Alec xoxo -Nick."

I blush. Then I close the card and look at the pieces of paper that were inside.

And when I tell you my initial shock when I read what was on it. The sheets of paper were two plane tickets to Istanbul, Türkiye!

I look at Nick, my jaw dropped. "You didn't!"

He smirks and says, "One for me, one for you."

I just laugh and throw my arms around his neck, tackling him onto the blanket. I start showering him with kisses, as he laughs and laughs.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, you're the best boyfriend ever!" I exclaim, getting up off of Nick.

Nick sits up and just laughs. "I know you always wanted me to see Istanbul so... why not take you there myself?"

I lean in and kiss him. "Oh, I promise you are going to love it there!"

He smiles and blushes. "I bet I will."

We look into each other's eyes for a moment. Then Nick seems to remember something. "Oh, I have cake for us!"

He reaches into the bag and pulls out a cake in a plastic tin. It had white frosting and the words 'Happy Birthday Alec!' written on it in chocolate lettering.

Nick smiles weakly and says, "Sorry that I couldn't bake you a cake myself. You know I'm a shit baker."

I laugh. "Yeah. You're a great cook though."

He blushes. "I really do try to make good food."

"Try my asshole! Your food is fucking amazing!"

He turns even more red. "Aw, really? Wow." He places the cake down on the blanket next to me and covers his face with his hands.

I just laugh.

After a while, he takes his hands off his face and picks some forks, a cake trowel, and paper plates out of the bag. He removes the lid off the cake and cuts two slices of cake with the cake trowel, then puts each slice on a plate.

He puts a fork on one of the plates and hands it to me. "For you, my king."

I blush and take the plate. "Oh, stop it."

We sat there together side by side, eating our cake with one hand, our other hands lying next to each other on the blanket, our pinkies crossed over.

Once we finish our cake, the sun had started to set.

I look up at the sky. It's colored in many shades of yellow, orange, purple, and pink. It was absolutely mesmerizing. I put my hands in the pockets of my overcoat and smile up at the sky.

Suddenly, I hear a click from next to me. I look over and see Nick holding up his camera.

"You sneaky bitch!" I exclaim, laughing.

He pulls the camera away from his face and laughs, saying nothing. And oh my God, the light from the setting sun was reflecting in his eyes, mixing in with the blue and making them shine. And his skin seemed to be glowing.

I blush and say, "You're so pretty."

He blushes. "You're so gay."

I gasp. "Oh no! I've been outed!"

We laugh.

I lean onto his shoulder and let out a breath. "I really wish I had my book with me."

"Who says you didn't?"

I look up at Nick. "What?"

He turns around and reaches into his bag, pulling out Fellow Travelers and handing it to me.

So that's the black and grey thing he slipped into the bag earlier. My book! I take it and smile. "You're so stupid. I love you so much!"

"I knew you'd want your book with this sunset so... I brought it, just in case."

I turn to the page I left off on and say, "How do you know me so well?"

He puts his hand on my waist and says, "Well, we've been dating for like what? A year now? I should know you pretty well."

I just shake my head at him.

He kisses me on the top of my head and says, "Happy birthday, Alec."

~

What a day this has been. Laying with Nick in his bed, I think about everything he did for me today.

"Alec?" came Nick's voice out of the silence.

"Hm?"

"That thing you called me earlier. What does that mean?"

I raise my eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"That name you called me at breakfast."

"Efem?"

"Yes. Efem. What does it mean?"

I chuckle. "It means 'my daredevil boy' in Turkish."

He smiles and runs his fingers through my hair. "Well, that checks out."

"Mhm."

We plunge into silence again.

"Alec?" Nick asks again.

I laugh. "Oh my God, what now?"

"Sorry. One more thing. Remember how you promised to read your book to me earlier?"

I smirk. "What? Do you want me to read it to you now?"

"Yes please. I really want to know what happens."

I just laugh. "Hold on."

I get out of his bed and go to my own room, scourge through my bookshelves, grab Fellow Travelers, and go back to Nick's room.

I climb back into his bed next to him and open the book to the first page. "You ready?"

He snuggles his head into my chest and says, "Mhm."

I take a deep breath and start. "Very snazzy, Mr. Fuller."

And as I read to him, listening to his quiet breathing, I really truly know that this right here, the little moments like this with Nick, is what true love looks like.

OMG THIS HAS TO BE MY FAVORITE FANFICTION IVE WRITTEN SO FAR CNIDWBXHKDSNCH!!! THEYRE SO GAY OMG

anyways I’m sorry again for how long this one is lol I got a little silly again

I really hoped you enjoyed this one guys especially you anonymous person who asked for this

Anyways have a great day yall and there’s more fanfictions to come!!! Ily all bye!!! <<<333

#disventure camp #disventure camp all stars #odd nation cartoons #alec disventure camp #disventure camp alec #alec x nick #dc alec #alec #alenick #dc nick #nick disventure camp #nick #nicholas milton the third #gayboy #gayguy #gay #gay men #gay love #gayman #vintage gay #lgbtqiia+ #lgbtqplus #lgbtq positivity #lgbtq community #lgbt pride #lgbtq #lgbtqia #lgb alliance #queer characters #queer pride

[fumifooms]

do you have any character analysis posts you're working on? i'm currently mulling Daya/Dia over in my head right now. In general, I'm thinking a lot about Kabru's team because they don't show up much in the manga and won't be in the show much longer as noticeable players, but have quite a bit of outside-the-manga content to comb through. Personally, I like the idea of Rin and Dia becoming friends with Marcille post-canon, but I want to know them better first. I know Rin pretty well already. 1/2

(for example, Rin/Dia/Marcille seem to like clothes, and i want to draw them clothes shopping.) And I ask this not to put all the work on you! I want to discuss these characters with somebody, and you're one of the only ones I can think of who enjoys doing in-depth dives into the side characters of Dungeon Meshi. You, summerboletes, shisurus, and ambrosiagourmet are some other blogs i can think of that made great meta posts. You can reply to this privately if you want! 2/2 (think about it. daya has a boyfriend and marries him post-canon. marcille loves romance and loves clothes. it'd be adorable if she helped daya find a wedding dress. like kabru introduces them and dia (god i'm so used to writing 'daya') mentions her wedding and marcille immediately pounces on her with eyes sparkling in excitement. i plan to write this fic one day)

This idea is so cute! I’ll also check out those other blogs you mentioned when I have the time to hehe~ I do latch onto minor characters easily but it doesn’t mean I have much to say about everyone. Dia (agreed btw, the situation with Daya vs Dia is confusing)… I do like her, but I feel like her Adventurer’s Bible profile sums it all up quite nicely and straightforwardly honestly. You’re right though her reaction to the treasure bugs was so cute and honestly surprising considering her appearance and demeanor, she does like pretty things and jewelry I could def see her going shopping. More content of her would definitely be fun, I’d read your fic!! I do love imagining how everyone’s relationships are like in Kabru’s party, the intricacies of it… I haven’t mulled it over enough though. I’ve been thinking of Mickbell more because of recent posts though, also Rin… If you’d like, the dunmeshi discord I’m in would be a good place to brainstorm about it I think! Hmu for an invite if you want

Summing up the posts I’m working on was long so here’s a cut out of mercy

I have 78 drafts on tumblr currently oh boy… The thing about my process is that I ramble easily but then I need to compile panels to illustrate the points and that’s real tedious… Character analysis wise - I’m most hyped about a Falin one on the topic of if she’s a people pleaser, how much does she care, what’s her way of thinking etc etc, also her differences with Laios because I hate seeing people seriously say they’re the same person. - Also a Cithis one that I just need to streamline at this point. I want to analyze her demeanor, poke at her psychology and analyze her relationships, she’s fascinating. - Oh I’m so stupid I almost forgot to mention the one I’ve been working on currently about Thistle, the age shenanigans but in an in-world way where yes it’s wonky and it means something. He hauntssss me I have so many thoughts on Thistle & Falin lately. Like, offtopic for the analysis but… Falin loves nature and Thistle is named after a flower… Imagine her post-canon coming across wild thistles and feeling a rush of fondness and she doesn’t know why… Thistles have thorns but they taste sweet… Peel of his thorns and eat him pls.

I have more Chilchuck & family thoughts coming, and more Toshiro & family, but these will have more of a casual brainstorm & speculating tone to them, I also just need to streamline these… Like I am obsessed about Toshiyuki and Chilchuck’s alcoholism I’m sorry

Beyond those the topics of the character analysis become more specific, like - How much social awareness does Laios have? Not none, not a lot, but the specifics can be blurry in ways I think are interesting, he was sensitive to people’s judgements in his hometown after all, and he does worry about others’ perception of him… He does know that buzzcut guy was taking advantage of him, etc etc. - There’s an extensive one I want to make on how the winged lion reflects abusive relationships, like how he targets all his ‘meals’'s specific weaknesses and draws out the worst in each of them. A lot of Dunmeshi is about unity and overcoming prejudices & differences & flaws and forming deep and long-lasting bonds despite it all, and amongst all of it it’s like… How flawed relationships with flawed people can still be made into somehing good and healthy that make the world brighter… Except the winged lion there to represent abusive relationships which you need to fucking DITCH, lol. - And on the topic of Dunmeshi & relationships I want to talk about it and queerness, especially in the queerplatonic sense of blurring lines, and Izutsumi + Laios’ relationship to touch should feature in those.

And my crown jewel but I’m soooo hyped about the Marcille & Chilchuck’s arcs one I’m working on it’s gonna go over so much stuff I’m obsessed about, like the importance of books in Marcille’s life, what the succubi reveal about the characters in what ways, the theme that’s so prevalent in Dunmeshi of idealization, Marcille’s imagery as a dungeon lord, a shepherd a general a princess a monster a damsel a woman in mourning…

But that’s enough for heavy ones, side characters wise: doing quick posts like for the gold-stripper characters has been great, but those usually come to me on the same day that I post them. I might make some analysis posts on say Mickbell or Holm or Otta, but I don’t have the thread I want to follow yet. Flamela’s been on my brain so much too…

Mostly though there’s just a lot that I wouldn’t write analysis for, but that I’d love to explore in fanfics! For example, the hienbeni I want to write the most rn is about the surges of anger that Benichidori gets, impulsive and stressed out. I haven’t made a post on my Izutsumi & Benichidori brotp and all the interesting parallels I think I have, but I’ve written a fic on it! Same about Chilchuck’s daughters and their relationship with his alcoholism, etc. I explored the guilt and confliction he may feel about his wife in my fic Enough as well, etc etc. You can see my fics here! For Kabru’s party lately mickrin has been having a chokehold on my brain, I’d love love love to explore Rin’s and Mickbell’s characters and issues through fics for them. As I think you might have figured, I love to explore characters through the lenses of relationships they have with others (Cithis & Mithrun and Pattadol, Thistle and Falin, etc), and that’s why for example I love to make posts that pitch ship ideas, I think specific dynamics can really have a lot to say about either characters. Oh another one’s toshimari, I want to make a fic about them and their feelings of being foreigners and not being able to integrate well to The Island, through the plot of them going to a restaurant as coworkers and the food they eat there~

These are only the ones I have at the top of my head though………. Someone help me Hopefully this post wasn’t boring lol, but yeah those are my wips rn. Need to make posts on toshimari, kabushuro, cithaios, cittadela and ships like that I think have interesting potential too. Many of these I’ve mentioned here I’ve had in my drafts for like 6 months btw gdvd 😭

#Fumi updates #Rinsha fana #marcille donato #diamond of sadena #Ask #wips #I like to have a ‘narrative’ of sorts when doing analysis posts so things feel like they have an aim #which is why finding an angle or focusing on specific scenes or a dynamic is important #Like i might make a dia x holm post that details what i think their personality traits and life experiences are and how i think that could #explore their characters in interesting or fun ways but a dia or holm analysis on their own eh idk. I do think Holm’s more cryptic though #What do his spirits mean to him? How does his religion affect him? He freezes up when there’s too much going on… I love you #I’m just rambling now though save me

[prettyboysdontlookatexplosions]

had to spiritually disinvest from one of the people in my childhood friends group chat partly because i was generally internally weighing some personal principles around friendship and reciprocity and then more deeply because i just could not handle the combination of facts where (1) she is one of those people that other people just kind of instantly adore and are magnetized to and follow and center and her presence kind of dominates whenever she’s around and also (2) she is a person who constantly becomes visibly disinterested in conversations while you’re talking to her. it’s not her fault that this hits right at all my deepest hang-ups but like I Cannot. i am not evolved and healed enough to feel positively about a person who attracts people effortlessly despite engaging in behavior that i personally classify as treating people badly. complaining about this on the internet now because the group chat is talking about trying to do a get together and she’s floating dates for when she might sorta possibly maybe kinda potentially be in the city but she is even more impossible about committing to plans than my mom is so that kind of talk just makes me mad because i feel like i’m watching three charlie browns rush at lucy with the football and i’m the only one whp sees what’s happening. can’t disinvest from the childhood friends group chat in general btw because it’s very important to one of my soulmates and it’s not that big a deal i’m just annoyed and tumblring while eating my night snacks. also to be clear if you met the person you would almost definitely think she was very cute and sweet. unless you tried to talk to her for longer than 90 seconds and are sensitive to the feeling of someone tuning out literally in the middle of your sentence.

[girlgerard]

Thank you for posting that. As a brown person you said exactly what I felt too. Just to add also, the things gerard has done in his comics are not actively malicious - they are just typical of the genre. And I personally felt many of the accusations didn’t really stand up to thought. I didn’t see red and blue as Japanese coded, I always saw the black character in national anthem as an emblem for the current BLM protests and the animalistic powers a reference to the Black Panthers (no longer being complacent but open to violence to end racism). The UA show decisions are entirely in the hands of Steve. Also there’s a clear incorrect understanding of a white saviour complex - they clearly mean white exceptionalism, a white saviour is a white person who frames themselves as ‘rescueing’ pocs, which they never once mention in the post. They clearly just think white saviour sounds good. That’s just to name a few. And lastly to add, as a poc I don’t want to hear constantly how my idol secretly hates me. Many big white tumblr posts mean well, but they have been sharing this post saying shit like ‘gerard is racist’, ‘gerard doesn’t care about pocs’. Like can they please stfu? The shit they are saying is fucking offensive not just to Gerard but to me and other pocs- way to make this fanspace feel like a place for only whites. If gerard hates us - we might as well fuck off then! I’ve muted the post for the reasons above and many more. It only serves to make this place more isolating and uncomfortable for pocs

thank you and yes exactly exactly exactly. red and blue are a very heavy handed AIDS metaphor, they do not read as an asian metaphor to me either. and yes you’re totally right about their misuse of white saviourism.

god those posts are so fucking disgusting. do people not realize that saying ‘oh btw your fave celebrity wants you dead and hates you so so so much <3’ is the opposite of welcoming to minorities. gerard way doesn’t actually hate me, one because i do not know them, two because they are not a fucking skinhead. the most they’d do is mispronounce my full name four times in a row because it’s indian.

people really do need to get it thru their heads that having conversations about racial diversity and framing it in these angry antagonistic violent tones don’t do shit to make us feel safer. white people screaming ‘X IS RACIST X IS RACIST THEY HATE POC’ feels like armor, like a shield they put up so they can say that they’re progressive without having to engage in nuanced discussion they don’t feel ready for.

if a conversation about racism makes a shit ton of brown people feel uncomfortable, maybe you should reframe the damn conversation lmao

#i will say that just because white exceptionalism is typical to the genre doesnt mean it should be excused. it’s still fucking upsetting #but youre right that it isnt like…..a Gerard Issue or a malicious violent move theyre literally just white and stupid sometimes LMAO

[lil-snake-crowley]

alright so idk i just wanted to share an anecdote and my journey as an aroace person.

So this story starts the beginning of my freshman year. my second day really because it was just us on the first. now this needs prefaced by saying, i don’t have a lot of friends. it’s not some sad horrific thing - i mean id like a couple more friends but i’m not keen on a giant group. so at this point i have one solid friend, and i make it through the day like scouting out who’s nice and who i could get along with. my last class of the day is acting and i’ve already seen these people once or twice helping out with drama and i quickly get the understanding that they’re chill and id get along with them. the acting class is in the auditorium and we’re told to sit stage right in like two sections. i just pick a seat way off to the (stage) right, around people but not directly next to anyone. over the next week or so i start settling in and end up joining the big group twords the middle. i sit next to these two friends who i think are pretty cool and they seem to like me.

and the year progresses. i don’t become besties with one or the other but i make friends in general. i’m not sure if i could like become best friends with one of them because they had a really tight bond. like hallmark movie best friends. like the small part that isn’t ineffable about this relationship will be explained later on. but i am making other friends (i’m just gonna go with initials bc these ppl follow me on tumblr) and i become really good friends with w. we have some common interests but generally we just vibe yk.

now i’m gonna skip ahead a couple months to the school class play. all of us are involved in this - the previously mentioned acting friends (m and p) are both actors along with me and w is on stage crew. so one day w and i are mopping the stage or something just talking. i can’t remember exactly how it went but w has a boyfriend and he talks about him sometimes. but w really only refers to them as “my boyfriend” so i’m just going with it and pretending i know who it is. anyway at some point while we’re talking i must’ve said something like “who is your boyfriend btw” and they’re like ohhh l. and i just feel so dumb. they’re always together and interacting and i’m just like how did i not realize. i think about it for like a full day realizing how many things have gone over my head and how oblivious i am. fast forward a week or two to opening night. i’m kinda nervous because this is my first play-and also my first performance but i only had one line and i knew i could nail my characters. i have one bit in scene 3 then i change and im not needed til scene 7 so i mostly sit around and if it wasn’t crowded i sat in the fem dressing room. it’s about intermission time and we’re kinda sitting in a semi circle doing makeup as a bunch of queer (not girl) afabs. we’re talking about past relationships and stuff and coming out when p is talking and they say something along the lines of ‘and my dad was like you seem to be besttt frienddsss with m’. everyone understands and acknowledges it. then i realize. i’m like wtf. and i go ‘you’re with m??’ just lost and they confirm. this was like 10x more obvious than w and l. i have no clue how i didn’t see it. but 3 months in i realized that there relationship was romantic.

i don’t know why i care but i do. i wanted that friendship. i wanted a relationship like that. i thought i could have that if i found the right person. and in a single phrase i realized that i can’t. i know i can’t be in love. i accepted that long ago. but i struggle to accept this. maybe i didn’t believe in true love or whatever before i met them. but the way that they look at each others like they’re all they need. like it’ll be okay as long as they’re together. like i can see the hearts in their eyes. the way that they talk. the way they’re always laughing with each other. they way that they just effortlessly get each other. i don’t want to date them. i mean i’m aroace and lesbian at that. but i am so incredibly jealous. it’s like i see them together and it feels like a dagger in my chest. then i want a dagger in my chest. the jealousy consumes me.

at the beginning of that year i thought i had come to terms with myself. i’m not sure if i have. but i haven’t seen anyone talk about feeling this way, and if you’re like this, you’re not alone. we’re gonna make it through. it doesn’t matter how many friends you have or how relatable they are right now. you’re gonna find your person. and i hope someday i can find a plutonic m to my p

i really struggle with friends. i currently have 2 solid friends that i talk to most days. i know that i’m not either of their number ones. i’m aware that i put in eighty percent of the effort into our relationships. at least with one of them. but i know that people do care for me. and that i may never be able to fall in love, but i still get to be loved. and i still get to love. i just have so many more people to share my love with. i love you.

#aromantic #aroace #arospec #acespec #asexual #jealousy #feelings #real life #i never read through this sorry on the spelling/grammar

[doodle-pops]

omg!!!!!! i would’ve loved to hear ur thoughts on the angsty mortal x immortal😞 sorry tumblr is being weird for u!!

but to be fair, in my defence!!! i would’ve frozen up and panicked if an elf confessed to me. imagine it’s someone’s as great and respected like glorifindel. like don’t get me wrong, he’s a great statue of a man. but i personally would’ve believed he would be lying to me and playing some sick joke 💀💀 like how can you THEEE balrog slayer like some nothing of a human being 🤔 r u sure you’re not making a mistake here⁉️⁉️

but personal grievances aside, in terms of plot sake, let’s just make it angsty!!! i can see that reader might be coming from great insecurity, as you said, and is not thinking right. imagine being a bystander and watching that go down 😭 omg id cringe so hard, it’s like watching a public proposal and the person being proposed to says no outright and now….everyone is just frozen stiff with awkwardness. now what???

maybe to add another layer and dramatic flare to it, what if it was an enemies to lovers dynamic? maybe that’s why reader would he adamant about being against the confession 🤔 they just fully believe that they won’t be good together—constantly bickering and arguing. there’s no common ground! so why now, of all times, did this elf fall in love with them? for what purpose? some twisted and cruel consequence that is love? (heavy desperation included BTW maybe both sides are mutual, but one is more on extreme denial while the either is just grasping at straws atp)

also side note, if the elf in question was someone insane like IDK faenor during that phase of his, it’d be reasonable that reader would try and run away from them 😞😞 that man is fine…do NOT get me wrong. but he ain’t my damage to carry 😫

Tumblr is being very weird. I also hate that new feature where all the coloured text are underlined. Like??? Ew no, the aesthetic is ruined 😭.

I agreed with that Feanor statement. Like yes Mr made with perfection in mind, body and soul you are fine but I'm not carrying your baggage 🤚. Deal with your issues before stepping to me angry fire boi.

For the whole idea of the elf out of nowhere confessing their undying love for a mere mortal reader, it would be a scary experience. "Who are you and what do you want from me?" Insecurities will be kicking us hard in the head when the comparisons are being made. A great elf courting a mere mortal 😳. "Sir, are your eyes in need of being checked? 20/20 vision?"

This post is so coincidental because last night I was teasing @lamemaster about plotting a Maedhros enemies to lovers angst fic 😈. I like the idea of watching people lose their minds over the back and forth mutual pinning and hating. And I absolutely agree with you on the "suddenly out of nowhere they realised they love me!" Like what do you mean love? When you despised me?? And we were at each other's throats??

Being a bystander leads to secondhand embarrassment. I would be screaming in lowercase for reader to disappear. This leads to another #huh? #cringeworthy #isheforreal? #erupickupyourson

Conversely, I do enjoy the idea of reader and elf enemies to lovers troupe stem from two houses feuding. Generational feuding that transcends through history and they're the ones who decide whether they end it or continue. That's interesting though, an elven house feuding with a mortal house 🤭. Not only insecurities get introduced but superiority and egotism to drive the dislike they contain.

For a plot twist, I would enjoy if reader and elf still didn't end up together. After all the turmoil and biting at each other's throats, they remain neutral #friendzoneforlife 😗👉👈

#[ plot doodles ] #there's nothing better than an enemies to lovers troupe #let's just pour more salt in the wound #enemies to lovers au

[wodania]

Do you have Betha Blackwood thoughts and feelings you can share with the class? 👀

Okay sorry it took so long to get to this 😭 because I have so many and can’t decide which are my favourite so I’m just gonna rapid fire headcanons and thoughts right now. I’m basing this all off of the fact that she’s only ever described as stubborn and wilful and stuff like that. Dunk and Egg story featuring Betha come soon please I need more of her. I won’t even complain if it disproves every single headcanon I have of her. I just need her severely.

I think both her and Egg are shorter than average. Short mean people. Love them.

In terms of the kids, Rhaelle takes after her mother the most, appearance wise (Daeron is second in terms of most like Betha, though I like to imagine that he’s like Egg personality wise). She’s also a mommy and daddy’s girl. She’d be a grown woman and Betha and Egg would still call her their little baby. Unproblematic queen btw.

She and Egg both run circles around Dunk. First he had to deal with Egg and now he has to deal with a second Egg. Betha Rohanne blah blah blah stubborn wilful women blah blah blah ‘egg don’t mess with that girl or you’ll end up almost drowning in a stream’.

Her and Egg’s sisters are the best of friends. They’re always hanging out and gossiping somewhere. She knows all of the worst stories of her husband from those two. Rhae and Betha are especially close, but that’s also because I hate female romantic rivals tropes and Egg also hates the idea of his sister wanting to marry him. George please rid of us incest for at least one generation. The Aerion story and love potion story was enough. Give Egg a break please.

I feel like she’s more of the strict parent of the two. Egg seems to hold a lot of resentment towards his children’s decisions but feels that he’s been backed into a corner and can’t do anything about it. Betha is technically in the same position but I feel like she’d certainly make it verbally known to her kids that they fucked up big time. Not that Egg wouldn’t, but she does it more. Maybe toss a slipper at Duncan when he gets a little too mouthy. Like let’s be real most of her kids make some pretty shitty decisions that really end up fucking Egg over. Let Betha be a little mean for a little bit.

Nonetheless, I’d say Jenny grows on her. Egg isn’t a hateful person, so I feel like Betha wouldn’t be either. Even if accepting Jenny is difficult for the both of them at first. In fact, I’d like to imagine that she tries to warn Jenny away from Duncan by telling her all of the embarrassing and annoying things this man has done ever since he was born. “I’ve had to deal with all of this shit, are you willing to deal with it?” Jenny says yes.

Betha’s the more dominant of the two. At social gatherings she’s always standing in front of Egg, she’s always speaking louder than him, and she’s just overall more of a recognizable figure. This changes a bit when Egg becomes king, since obviously they need to watch how they behave in public, but before he was king it was super obvious to anyone. But if you’re close to them after they become monarchs, it’s still obvious that their dynamic hadn’t changed.

all the femdom betha comments in my tumblr tags how you doing rn 😁 no reason to bring it up just wondering what y’all are up to

Irish :)

#my asks

[drunklollipop]

(shaking you by the shoulders) YOU GET IT. YOU GET ITTTT. ITS LIKE AN EVIL SPECIAL INTEREST. LIKE A CAR WRECK.

From an autistic person, Autistic Blaire is so true and real. I get she’s supposed to be malicious about gender but she’s deliberately written to want the best for people but not understand boundaries. If someone sat her down and told her (and the author wants to write her as anything but the ex-girlfriend) and said “hey, you’re cis. So am I.” she’d back off. But nobody can say what they mean despite the fact that they do nothing but talk at each other for 300+ pages. You’re right about the QT collective being more interesting/entertaining but they’re the same 1-2 personality traits as all the other side characters who show up to talk for a few pages and then disappear for 5 chapters. We know they’re not gonna get with either of our leads so they’re just “tall stoic one”, “mom and daughter”, “short buff one”, “misogynist” “crushing on misogynist” “trans guy who wants a boyfriend” etc etc. I get everything I need to know out of less than a sentence so I don’t care where their lack of arcs go. Anyway can’t wait for ballroom night in 2 years where all that happens is Blaire asks that DJ lady what her pronouns are, she doesn’t understand what that means, they all go home after 20 pages of filler dialogue and Riley cries alone or something. And Jaden can finally meet One member of the QT collective in maybe five more chapters if we’re lucky where she’ll continue to not understand gender and nothing will happen.

HELP YEAH she'll spend 500 more pages on edging the readers and introducing 10 new brave radfems who appear in one chapter and are never mentioned again and 5 on jaden and riley (the endgame relationship btw) getting closer (idk riley gets jaden a glass of water and jaden is like HOLY SHIT... I'M GONNA CRY... IS THIS WHAT FRIENDSHIP FEELS LIKE...) and the fans will eat it up.

also kinda unrelated but ive noticed a lot of lb fans like hcing riley as autistic and i dont get why. she is so nt its unreal. i guess its cause most of them are like 16-17 and only ever heard about autism from tumblr meme posts so now they think autism is when shy and awkward.

so funny how rusty is all like yeah im an ally and im chill about autistic riley but then when she accidentally writes characters with actual traits (blaire and jacob) its always a mockery. oh look this woman doesnt get boundaries haha its like shes in a cult. haha this kid struggles with empathy and has a rigid set of interests what an entitled moid.

babygirl also reads like that a bit cause while shes a skyscraper sized strawman i feel like her character is inspired by furry transfems on twitter who age regress to cope either with csa or inability to be a functioning adult by neurotypical standards (or both in most cases). also mad funny how lesbian male separatists used to be basically anarcho communist and now theyre a bunch of neoliberal assholes who think being communist is like the cringiest thing you can be (rusty basically implied this in her babygirl design notes. fucking lmao)

[clumsiestgiantess]

Tserem’s story is actually too long to put all in one sitting, so I’ve decided to split it into two halves with a cliffhanger in the middle. You’re welcome.

(his ref is here btw)

I had his text in a cool font to show his strange accent; kinda sad it doesn’t transfer over onto Tumblr, so just pretend Tserem’s lines are in Caveat font.

I'd only started a rebellion which nearly usurped the King and massacurred his entire bloodline.  I see no need for a death sentence.  It would be the noose for sure — a public hanging to make an example out of me.  I stood patiently in the small courtroom, my arms and legs chained to the cold, stone floor.  Meanwhile, the King, my judge, jury, and soon to be executioner stood haughtily from a podium above me.  Light filtered in through gleaming stained-glass windows above his large wood-carved chair, bathing him in a yellow halo-esque glow.  That visual had to be intentional.

"Filthy rebel leader," the king addressed me, refusing to use my name, though he must know it.  It was by accident that I became a household name.  I hadn't intended for my less-than-ethical ways to spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom.  Then again, it wasn't hard when many were left starving and homeless.  These days people are desperate enough to do just about anything.  Scarlet became an accursed whisper in the wind.  Scarlet like the blood of her enemies.  Scarlet like my own blood which seeped onto the floor from the wounds I'd generously been given on my way in here.  "You will be sentenced to death by-”

The King's advisor quickly pulled him aside; I strained my ears to hear what he said.  "If you hang her in the square, you will have another riot on your hands.  She will not only make a good example of those who do not follow you, she will become a symbol of what those cretins are fighting for."  Damn.  He was right.  I was betting on some sort of trouble to go down during my execution.  I'd even hoped to escape in the chaos.  "It is best you do something more.. secretive."  I tried to tell them that no matter how they killed me, my death would still stand for something.  It has to mean something, right?  However, a metal clamp held my mouth closed, digging into my jaw as I tried to speak.  The King cleared his throat, returning to the podium.  "Rebel, you are sentenced to death… by sacrifice."  

My eyes widened in shock, and my mouth would've hung agape had it not been for the clamp that held it tightly shut.  I strained against my chains.  Death by sacrifice was supposed to be a myth.  Only vague tales claim that the King had tamed the Beast of Shrieking Hill.  And still only rumors claimed that he'd done so with human sacrifices.

"Guards!" the King commanded, "Take her to be readied for the ceremony!"  I cried out in dismay, thrashing in my chains as two armored guards dragged me away.  This time, I wasn't taken to a cell.  They dragged me past the reinforced prison doors to a hallway that came to an abrupt end.  We waited there for a while.  I attacked one of the guards, testing how easy escape would be.  It wasn’t easy enough.  The guard I hadn't attacked cracked the blunt end of his sword over my head, and I crumpled to the ground.  My vision was dotted with black spots, but once they subsided, an old hag stood in front of me.  I flinched, unsure if I was really seeing her or if that guard had knocked the sanity out of me.  The King, followed by his elite personal guard, came up behind the old woman.  My two guards were dismissed, replaced by two of the King's very own.  They held me aside as a third stepped up to the end of the corridor.  They did something to the wall — I couldn't quite see, but it had something to do with rearranging the stone pattern — and suddenly it split wide open, revealing a tunnel straight into the earth.

I was dragged inside first, and the rest of my entourage followed suit.  We walked for what felt like eternity, yet it was over too soon.  The end of the tunnel led into the middle of the forest, where an inconspicuous cart waited.  I was bound tighter and thrust into the back while the rest of the party rode in seats surrounding me.  One of the guards, and the King of course, rode up front to steer.  I was thrown about, jostled roughly every time the cart hit a bump, which was quite often on this derelict road.  

Again the trip was over after eternity, yet only a moment.  The sky had darkened to deep hues of purple and pink.  My stomach dropped as I saw what awaited me.  A long stake lay on the ground with only one small cross-section for me to stand on once it was raised.  I tried to slip away from the guards while they removed my chains, but I should've known better.  These were the best of the best.  I barely made it more than a few inches before their almost inhumanly fast reflexes grabbed hold of me once more.  

Fear gripped me once I was tied to the stake.  My death suddenly became a very real prospect to me.  I would never let myself beg the King for mercy, but I would certainly voice my fear.  Especially once the old hag leaned over me with a bowl of strange liquid between her hands.  She dipped her fingers into it and reached out to put it on me.  I screamed between the fabric of the gag in my mouth, squirming away from the sickly sweet smelling ooze as it dripped off her fingers.  

Despite my best efforts to escape, I could do nothing but watch as multiple guards came to hold me down while the old woman did her work.  The king watched everything from afar, his cold emotionless eyes glaring at me from the edge of the clearing.  First, the woman used the awful stuff to draw markings across my face.  Her long nails were so sharp that she cut into me slightly and I yelped, though it couldn't really be heard through my gag.  Then, she pulled down the neck of my tunic and took another dip of the strange oil.  She drew a symbol over my sternum, pressing roughly into my skin so it was drawn in both oil and blood.  The liquid stung my fresh cuts and I shrieked in pain.

The old hag whispered unintelligible nonsense over me and the guards hoisted me and the stake upwards until it was stuck firmly into the ground.  Now, I was held a good ten or so feet off the earth.  By then, the sky was completely dark and the only light came from the few torches dispersed about the clearing.  The King stepped up to the mountainside in front of me with a torch in his hand.  It was only then that I noticed the gaping hole in the rock face, void black against even the torchlight, like an endless pit.  A similar pit yawned in my stomach as I stared at it in horror.  

"Beast, I offer you tonight another sacrifice!  I hope you may find her suitable, and fill your insatiable appetite."  I retched at the thought of being eaten.  Terror seized my chest as everyone in the clearing proceeded back down the path they'd come.  I cried muffled pleas, begging them to reconsider, but they were soon gone.  Alone in the clearing, I squeezed my eyes shut and hoped for a quick death.

Nothing but the sounds of animals and rustle of leaves on trees in the crisp night air could be heard from the forest.  However, as the sun slid away, another sound started beneath it all.  It was barely noticeable at first.  One moment it was hidden, the next, I was sure I heard it — the tapping of something hard stepping over stone.  Only, it wasn't stepping, really.  The sound was more akin to scuttling, like a massive bug.  This was strange, yet even more terrifying.  I expected the beast to be some awful demon or dragon, maybe a huge hairy monster.  The prospect of something unknown frightened me more than any of those creatures did.  I had to take a look.  

To my relief and disappointment, the torches had all gone out while my eyes were shut tightly.  My heart flew into my throat when I saw the cave — its opening was practically unseeable so that it looked as if it had grown wider in the dark.  A long, snaking body spiraled out of the abyss, spindly legs skittered about its sides as it glided closer.  I wanted to scream, but I couldn't make a single sound.  The very front of its body lifted up, rearing back its head.  I couldn't see what it looked like, but then again, I didn’t really want to.

The creature's creeping body skittered closer, circling the stake once before bringing its head up to examine me.  Dilated snake-like eyes glistened in the dark.  Finally, it seemed my body had caught up with my brain.  I screamed, writhing on the stake in a poor attempt to free myself before the monster could swallow me up.  The creature flinched away from me for a moment before drawing closer.  A forked tongue brushed my chest where the oils were drawn, making my breath hitch in terror, my whole body going cold.

Two massive appenages, almost twice the size of its scuttling legs and far more muscular, lifted from its body from a place a bit below its head.  I thrashed and screamed as the limbs moved in towards me.  At last, I managed to break free of something.  The gag in my mouth fell around my neck.  "Wait!" I cried, "Please!  I'm begging you!  Please don't eat me!  I've done nothing wrong!"  This was a bold-faced lie, but it was all I could think of.  The creature froze in place, pupils narrowing, scrutinizing me from above.  No wonder I was placed on a stake so high in the air.  This monster was as likely as long as the entire castle bridge; its snaking body still sat partially in the cave with no end in sight.  

The creature leaned backwards on its impossibly long body, and for a moment I thought it had somehow miraculously listened to my words.  It was too good to be true — not even my own supporters believed much of what I said.  They only believe in what I did.  Once.  To a few people who really deserved it.  The lengthy creature wound back only to strike at me with lightning speed, ripping me right off the stake.  I shrieked as the shadowy form of the monster overtook me, and I was plunged into darkness.

A throbbing pain in my side startled me awake, and I found myself pressed into a rocky lump of the floor.  Wait.. I woke up.  I'm alive!  My head spun as I sat up and gazed at the room around me.  Glorious light bounced off crystalline structures that grew from floor to ceiling all over the cavern.  It was so beautiful that I was almost certain that I had died after all.  A pristine pool of water reflected the ceiling like a mirror.  My stupefied shock was suddenly overcome by fear as the twisting shadow of the creature that attacked me slid behind the rocky outer edges of the cavern.  I scrambled backwards, searching rapidly for a way out.  

"What do you want with me!?" I cried, standing up despite my dizziness.  "Why don't you just get it over with already?  Stop toying with me and eat me!"  "I thought you said you did not want me to eat you."   I gawked, staring at the creature's form as it stopped moving and gazed at me from the dark.  "Y- You can talk?"  The voice that echoed from the creature's side of the cavern was masculine, and thick with an accent I didn't recognize.  His remark sounded almost amused.  "Why are you-" I suddenly collapsed on the ground, dizziness catching up with me.  I hadn't drank anything over the past who-knows-how-long; I'd probably been unconscious for a while.

"The water in this cavern is for drinking." the creature told me.  I took his words as an invitation and rushed to the water's edge, scooping the cool liquid into my hands and guzzling it as quickly as I could.  I kept an eye on the shadow of the creature the entire time, just in case he tried to attack me while I was turned from him.  Once I finished, I continued my question from before.  "Why are you hiding back there?"  The creature was silent for a moment.  His shadow edged closer, but never came into the light.  "I am hiding because you will be terrified if you see me.  I have tried to take a more human form, but it is not very human."  A more human form?  His shadow didn’t look human at all.  It was twisted around a third of the cavern.  “Well, I’m already terrified of you, so what does it matter?” I replied.  The creature was quiet, slithering back and forth between the columns of crystal.  “I suppose you are right,” he muttered, sliding into the light.

A massive, serpentine body coiled towards me; I followed it with my eyes all the way up to his torso, which faded from scales to tan human flesh.  The beginning of his body — from his torso to his head — looked almost completely human, except for his startling yellow slitted eyes and slightly elongated mouth.  "See, I told you that you would be scared," he grumbled, gesturing to my pale face and horrified expression.  I stumbled backwards, nearly falling into a smaller pool of water behind me.  "Are- Are you going to eat me?"  Panic bubbled into my voice.  I could hear it echo over the stone walls around me.  It was then that I realized that the creature's large body was blocking the only exit I could see.  He grumbled annoyedly, rubbing a hand over his face tiredly.  I backed away further, worried that I'd angered him.  Suddenly, the creature laughed.  His jaw unhinged as he did so, causing me to whimper involuntarily.  I was so sure he'd eat me — that he'd simply swallow me whole.  "Oh, I suppose I should not be laughing," the creature mused, catching himself.  "After all, it is my job to eat humans who are sacrificed to me.  Do not panic little creature, I do not intend to hurt you."

He could easily tell that I didn't believe a word he said by the way I had myself pressed against the back wall, so he continued.  "Look, if I were going to eat you, why would I have waited to do so now?  I could easily have eaten you tied up on the stake."  "I- I don't know!" I cried, "Maybe you like to toy with your food before eating it?  Didn't you just tell me that it's your job to eat me?  Why would you not?"  The being's eyes narrowed in thought for a moment.  "You are rather smart for a human.  I knew I saw something worthwhile in you," he mused.  "Alright, if you wish not to believe me, I do not mind.  You may go free.  I am sure you have family of some sort that are worried about you."  

Shock and sorrow seized my chest simultaneously, mixing into hostility.  "I don't have a family," I murmured as the creature made way for me at the entrance.  "The King's army killed them trying to get to me!  You work for him, and I don't believe a word you say!"  "I DO NO SUCH THING!" the creature roared, scaring me into silence again.  "I work for food.  The King just happens to be my supplier."  He slithered closer to me, leaning over the pool of water, casting ripples over its pristine surface.  His human hand reached for me and I gasped.  The length of it was almost four feet tall.  Thankfully, the creature pulled it back to his side at the last second, re-thinking his actions.  

"I am Tserem.  A being from another world with powers your human mind can barely comprehend, yet I too have what you call family.”  His shuddering sigh made my hair stand on end, but his voice sounded genuine.  “He took yours from you, and he took me from mine."  The creature, Tserem, leaned back like he'd done the night before, though this time he didn't look as though he would strike at me.

His words finally seemed to take hold in my mind.  “You’ve come from another world?  I’ve heard of other realms.. but another world?  What does that mean?”  His foreign accent, devilish appearance, and strange name all made much more sense.  “I have a proposition for you,” he told me, ignoring my questions.  “I have saved your life so I ask you to listen, at the very least, to what I have to offer."

"My name is Scarlet," I replied, "I'm a symbol of a rebellion against the king.  What could you possibly have to offer me?"  "Besides your life?"  He chuckled as my heart nearly beat right out of my chest.  "That was a bad joke, sorry.  You are called Scarlet?"  I nodded hesitantly.  "Come then, I will show you what I mean."  Tserem beckoned for me to follow him, and I cautiously stepped up to his side while he waited for me by the cavern opening.  Nodding brusquely, he slithered into the next cave.  This one was smaller than the other and dimly lit with torches rather than crystalline light.  

Once I stepped in, he gestured to the wall behind him.  An ugly metal clamp cut into the rock wall.  A gigantic, thick chain stemmed from it, coiling across the floor and into Tserem's lower back, digging beneath his snake-like scales.  I can't say I pity this monster, but the metal inside his skin must be horribly painful.  "I could easily go out and kill the King myself.  However, I am trapped here.  I have asked many other sacrificed humans if they wished to help me escape, but none of them have helped me, and some of them I…  could not bother to ask."  

Was it my imagination, or did he hesitate just then?  "I mean, if you give people the option to go free or help a creature like you, I'm guessing most of them chose to get out while they could."  He nodded, a faraway look in his eyes.  "What did you mean when you said you didn't ask some of them?" I asked suspiciously, "Why did you pause for a moment when you spoke?"  I don’t think I’ll like the answer, but for my own safety, I think I should have one. 

Tserem shuddered, "The only things I can eat are animals stupid enough to wander in here, and the humans that are given to me.  Most animals scent me and run long before I can reach them.  Sometimes, when I hear a human writhing on that pole, I am…  I am too far beyond starving to think about sparing a free meal."  "You..  You don't even give them a chance?" I whispered, horrified.  "Those are people!  You can't just eat someone!"  "When you are starving and angry and alone, yes, you can," he spat back.  

"So if I agreed to help you but you got hungry, would you eat me?"  Tserem began to look sick.  "I know you are intelligent beings, but I must do what I can to survive.  I do not want to eat humans, but like my living situation, I have no choice.  The King could feed me anything else, yet he decides to only feed me his own kind."  I stepped down from my argument.  He was forced to live in a cave, forced to eat living ‘sacrifices’.  Like me — forced into becoming a symbol of the rebellion through a few vengeful acts — he became this way through the terrible mistreatment of him by the King, just as I had.  Tserem was a monster by circumstance, not by choice.

I took a deep breath of air, summoning up whatever courage I had left within me.  "Alright.  I'll help you.  Just.. swear to me that no matter how hungry you get, you will not eat me."  Tserem nodded eagerly.  "I would never do such a thing," he replied in mock horror.  At my steely glare, he quickly backed down.  "Yes, of course I will not hurt you.  So, do we have a deal?  You will help free me?"  "You promised me something in return," I reminded him.  "Hmm, I was hoping you would forget about that part.  What would you like?  I can give you riches, power, knowledge…"  Tserem went on and on, listing wishes to grant like a genie in a bottle.  None of his prospects interested me, though.  All I really wanted was my old life back, but that was impossible now.  Out of everything he listed, I supposed I wanted protection the most.  If I'd had protection from the start, I could have saved my family rather than avenge them.

"Protection!" I blurted, "I'll take protection!"  Tserem smiled genuinely down at me.  "Deal!  Scarlet, if you free me, I will owe you a great debt.  I will pledge allegiance to you over the King, and will protect you with my life."  My eyes widened at the thought of having my own personal otherworldly bodyguard.  My mind wandered to the glorious idea of storming into the castle with him by my side, forcing the king off his throne of neglect and deceit.  

"Deal," I replied, holding out my hand for him to shake.  It was a habit, really.  I hadn't expected him to do the same, so it surprised me when his gigantic hand reached for me again.  I flinched away, but soon regained my composure once I realized what he intended to do.  It took all the courage I had to keep from diving into another part of the cave as Tserem inched closer.  Two of his gigantic fingers gripped my whole hand between them.  I expected his grip to be crushing, like a snake coiling around its prey.  However, he was shockingly gentle, delicately shaking my hand with the smallest amount of force.  I could see from the concentrating expression on his face that he was trying his best not to hurt me.

Once he let go, I fell to the floor, exhausted, all threats finally dealt with.  It was daylight outside; I could see it shining from further ahead in the caves.  Still, I hadn't slept all night, and I'd been on high alert ever since I'd been captured.  There’s no food in prison — at least nothing edible.  By now, I’m running off pure fear and adrenaline alone.  Though I was in a strange cave with a creature I barely knew, I got up and searched for somewhere to rest.  I should be safe here.  Not only had Tserem vowed not to eat me, he'd pledged to keep me safe, if I freed him, that is.  I will free him, but not now, not when I'm nearly passing out with exhaustion.  Tserem seemed to notice that I was rapidly losing consciousness at just the right time.  I nearly fell to the floor, but he caught me before my head collided with stone.  I yelped, feeling a sense of vertigo as the gigantic being cautiously pulled me into cupped hands.  In a half sleep, I watched as he slithered off and lay me down in a pile of furrs.  The moment I felt the soft surface beneath me, I fell into a dark and dreamless sleep.

I woke up in a cold sweat, grasping at the furs beneath me.  A nightmare of yesterday’s terrifying events was still fresh in my mind.  Tserem was still asleep when I woke.  He was coiled in a large, scaley heap on the floor, his human torso lying over the top, mouth agape in a snore.  I turned back to the furs and jumped at a strange bristling object I saw nearby.  A whole berry bush sat beside my sleeping place, torn right out of the ground.  This must be my meal.  I’m quite literally starving to death at the moment, so I guess this will do.  While I ate my fill, I watched Tserem.  It was harder to be afraid of him while he was sprawled out across the floor like that.  

Cautiously, I tiptoed past him and wandered the caves, coming to the large opening at the front.  I could see a vast spread of the kingdom lay out before me in the early morning sun.  Clouds caught on the peaks of mountains all around, and light glinted off windows of the houses below.  “Beautiful, is it not?” Tserem asked, startling me.  “I would enjoy living here if I were not trapped here.”  I glanced up at him, watching as his expression sunk to a remorseful stare.  “Hopefully you won’t be stuck here much longer,” I replied.  “How were you planning for someone to free you?”  Tserem slithered back into his cave, and I followed far behind.  I just couldn’t keep up with the sheer size of his winding strides.

At the metal base, Tserem bent down and pointed at the rock face that held the plate.  “I have been working at this wall for many years now.  If you could bring me something as leverage, I will be able to pry myself free.”  I glanced at the opening again.  “What about the stake outside?  Can’t you just use that?”  Tserem huffed, “Do you really think I have spent all these years sitting here but have yet to try that flimsy little stick out there?  It it useless.  It snaps in two before the plate so much as creaks.  I can yank this metal out with my own hands quicker than that stake.”  

“Alright, alright,” I digressed, trying to calm Tserem’s sudden wave of anger.  “What else could we try?”  Before either of us could come up with an idea, the sound of a wagon coming up the path echoed into the cave.  I stepped to the opening curiously, but Tserem yanked me back inside.  “Hey!  What-“  “Are you trying to get yourself killed?!” he whisper-yelled at me, “You are supposed to be dead, remember?”  Tserem peered outside then shot back in, centipede-like legs sliding out from under his skin to create more traction.  “You have to hide!  They are coming to ensure you have died, and report back to the king.”

I looked wildly around the barren rock walls and floor.  “Where?  There’s nowhere for me to hide!” I whispered in a panic.  “Come with me.”  Tserem skittered away into the next cavern, gone in a moment.  I ran after him as fast as I could.  The moment I was inside, gigantic fingers wrapped around my torso, hoisting me into the air with a single hand.  I screamed in terror, but was immediately silenced by a light squeeze.  “Quiet!  They are close enough to hear you!”  “Then why did you grab me, you ass, put me down!”  I shoved at his grip, but it didn’t even budge.  My entire hand just barely fit around the thickness of his finger.  “I grabbed you because you are too small and slow,” he hissed, “Also because I am putting you somewhere safe until they leave.  Oh, I do need this.”   

My overcoat was torn off of me.  I sputtered the angry beginnings of an argument, but Tserem was already lifting me up.  His lanky body extended until I was nearly at the top of the cavern.  He placed me on a rock ledge high above the floor, like a parent placing snacks on a shelf that was too high up for a child to reach.  Lowering himself to the floor, he took my overcoat and placed it between his teeth, shredding it to pieces that drifted to the stone below.  I nearly began to curse at him again, but I realized that if people were coming to check if I'd died, they would easily mistake my shredded garment as proof of just that.

Tserem slithered to the entrance, but not before giving me a final glance over his shoulder.  "Once they leave.. I will not be able to come for you for some time.  Please do not do anything rash on my behalf.  I will return; do not worry."  I desperately wanted to ask him what that meant, but Tserem slithered away at the sound of people at the entrance.  Voices drifted down the rock tunnels to me.  I leaned closer to listen, but I nearly fell off the ledge in doing so.  In the end, I decided clarity wasn't worth the risk of falling to my death.  Tserem would hopefully explain things later.  There were at least two voices I didn't recognize.  They yelled angrily back and forth as a shrieking hiss filled the air.  I could only assume the noise had come from Tserem.  Nothing else would be able to make a cry like that.  Suddenly, a tremendous thud revertibrared through the walls, and shortly after, the sound of clanking armor.  I know that sound all too well.  Street Patrols wore armed plates to protect themselves as they broke up fights, or started them.  

Three people filed into the cavern wearing much heavier armor than the Street Patrols do.  They scanned the seemingly empty cavern as I quickly pressed myself to the wall behind me, afraid that one of them might glance upwards and spot me.  "Hey!  Look up there!"  My heart seized in my chest.  How had they seen me already?  "There are shreds of cloth over here!"  I let out a relieved breath.  The guard, or whoever they were, said 'up there' referring to 'up ahead', not 'hey there's the fugitive that was sentenced to death still alive up on that ledge!'  "Looks like hers to me," someone commented.  "Search the area!" another commanded, "See if you can find anything else left of her."  

I hope my shredded undercoat is enough to convince them I'm dead.  Should I have tried putting some of my blood on it?  Thankfully, the guards weren't too keen on staying here very long.  They took the scraps of my clothing and left.  Once the clanking of their armor dissipated into silence, and I was sure they were gone, I called out to Tserem.  "Tserem!  Are you alright?"  He didn't respond.  I couldn't even hear movement, or breathing for that matter.  His last words to me repeated in my head: 'I will not be able to come for you'.  He said he'd return, but what if something had happened?  What if that cry he made was in pain?  I have to get to him.

The question is how to get to him.  The ledge I'm sitting on is so high that if I stand up, I can touch the cavern ceiling.  Scanning the rocks below me, I internally mapped out a path I might be able to traverse to get down.  However, it consisted of various death-defying leaps from one crystalline structure to another.  I decided to wait and see if Tserem would come back first; the deadly way down would be a last resort.  After about ten minutes, I gave up on waiting.  What if Tserem needed me?  He can't give me protection if he's dead!  

Carefully sliding myself over the side of the rock ledge, I dropped down to the first crystal of many.  The beginning few descents went smoothly enough.  I managed to jump the deadliest gap with only a minor heart attack after nearly sliding off the other side.  It wasn't until the second-to-last jump that I messed up.  My foot landed wrong as I came down, ankle twisting painfully to the side.  I cried out, almost falling off the ledge completely, but I managed to catch the very tip of it on my way down.  Dangling from the smooth crystal surface, my fingers couldn't keep a firm grip.  A few moments after catching myself, I fell the rest of the way down, colliding with hard stone.

Needle-like pain shot through my left arm, which had taken the brute of the fall.  You numb-brained idiot! I scolded myself as I yelled in agony, He told you to wait for him for good reason!  I took a moment to breathe through the initial shock of pain, then moved to sit up and assess just how badly I was injured.  That turned out to be a horrible idea.  I came to a shuddering stop halfway up, then practically fell back to the floor.  A few minutes later, I managed to get my torso upright to see what had broken.

Firstly, my right ankle was already swelling tremendously.  The skin around it began blossoming into an ugly purple.  Next was my left shoulder.  It hung limply at my side, detached from its socket.  I gagged at the sight and tore my gaze away from it.  Besides a few minor scratches and a lot of bruises, those were my most significant injuries.  I half-crawled half-dragged myself over to a large rock formation, using its side to hoist myself up.  It took almost everything I had to get moving.

Despite my injuries, I'm determined to see Tserem.  If I don't, all of my wounds will have been for nothing.  I hobbled into the connected cave.  Tserem's limp tail lay across the floor.  As painlessly as I could manage — which was still tremendously painful — made my way over and followed his body to the entrance.  As I passed the metal clamp on the wall, I realized that the armored men had also tightened his chains so he could no longer leave the cave.  My shocked gasp echoed across stone as I continued on.  A spear was lodged into Tserem’s side, dripping with a strange clear liquid.  I realized with a start that he wasn't breathing, and one word came to mind.  Poison.  The clear liquid on the spear must be a sort of poison, keeping him from taking a breath.

Try as I might, the spear was lodged much too deep for me to pull it out single-handedly.  I tried only once and doubled over in pain as I moved to use my left arm.  Crawling to his head, I lay exhausted in the grass just beyond the rough stone of the cave.  It felt like I'd been poisoned, too.  I couldn't move a single muscle.  I started to wonder if we might both die together, when a raspy gasp tore through my quiet groaning.  "Tserem!" I cried weakly, watching from the ground as he slowly lifted his head.  Relief washed over me, but I hesitated as he hissed angrily.

"Ahh!  Another forsaken spear in my side!  What did they lace it with this time?"  He whirled around and tore the spear out of himself, cursing as the gash gurgled with fresh blood.  Tserem hissed again and turned slowly to head back inside, nursing his wounds.  "Wait!" I gasped as loudly as I could.  It hurt me a bit to hear how weak I sounded.  "Tserem, I-"  He turned around in shock, slithering towards me.  "What in all the worlds..?" he muttered, staring down at me.  "I- I tried to climb down from the ledge," I whimpered, "And I.. fell."  Tserem sighed.  It wasn't a harsh, disappointed sigh, but rather an airy, pitying one.  "I should know by now that humans do not listen.  Come here, let me help you."  

Tserem's hands descended towards me and I flinched, causing pain to ricochet throughout my body.  He hesitated as I shrunk away from him.  "I can not leave you at the front of this cave.  Other humans might find you."  I knew I needed to get back inside, but the thought of being held in the palms of someone's hands was frightening to me.  His size was easier to ignore from a distance.  Here, on the ground, with his gigantic form leaning over me, I felt defenseless.  I am defenseless, even from another person thanks to the injuries I've given myself, nevermind a gigantic bug-snake person.  I squeezed my eyes shut as Tserem reached for me again.  To my immense relief, his touch was shockingly delicate.  He knew just as well as I did that he could easily hurt me further.  A simple pinch of his fingers could snap my arm completely off.  I tried to block thoughts like that from my mind.  He was only trying to help me.  

Tserem carefully carried me back inside, setting me down on the pile of furs once again.  I yelped in pain as my left arm brushed the soft surface.  His slitted pupils slid back and forth, assessing how badly I was injured.  "Well," he murmured, "I will have to fit your arm back into its socket, and you will need something cold to place on your ankle and the rest of your bruises.  If I only had my things, but I left them when I was taken."  "Wait, weren't you poisoned?" I asked weakly, "How are you still alive?  Last I checked, you weren't breathing."  "I got better," Tserem said absent-mindedly, searching for something in the craggs of the rock wall.  "What do you mean, 'you got better'?" I replied, bewildered.  Tserem continued searching instead of answering me.  When he found what he needed, he returned to my side.  A shiny, black piece of stone was placed over my ankle.  It was freezing to the touch, and I yanked my leg out from under it.

"Keep it there," Tserem insisted, nudging my leg beneath the stone again with the tip of his finger.  "The cold will stop the swelling."  "I'll just let it swell, then," I responded, annoyed by the fact that he'd simply placed my leg beneath it again.  "If you let it swell, you will not be able to walk.  Do you want to hobble around for the rest of your life?"  he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.  It sounded almost threatening with his unfamiliar accent.  "If not, I suggest you let it sit for a while."  I grumbled a weak objection, but I have to admit, though not aloud, the coldness was numbing the pain.

"Now, what to do about your arm?"  I shifted nervously as he stared at me.  "I must put it back in the correct place, but you will be very much against this."  Of course I would.  I'm almost certain that he'll ruin my arm further by trying to put it back the way it was.  Most doctors I know would simply amputate the limb.  However, when I relayed this to Tserem, he stared at me, appalled.  "What!?  You do not cut off a limb simply because it becomes dislocated!  Do you humans know nothing about how to take care of yourselves?  No wonder you have such short lifespans!"  I should probably be offended by what he said, but I was curious about something else.  "Why do you know so much about healing?  And why are you not dead?" I asked again, "Wasn't that spear poisoned?"  Tserem sighed, "I can explain that while you recover.  Let me finish this first."  I glanced at my limp arm.  "And.. you're sure you won't crush my arm when you put it back in place?"  "I will do my best."

Sucking in a deep breath to brace for the pain, I watched, wide-eyed as his fingers took my arm between them.  My figure was so small in comparison, he could've been holding a doll.  My entire arm was the same length as his hand.  I shut my eyes again, waiting for something awful to happen.  A loud CRACK split the silent air, and I screamed at the unbearable pain, scrambling out of Tserem's grasp.  It took me a moment, but shortly afterwards, I noticed that the stinging feeling in my arm had been replaced with nothing but a dull ache. 

"I have more of those cold stones.  You should probably keep one over your shoulder too," Tserem mused.  I slowly sat back up, testing my arm gently.  "I- I can't believe it.  Why did the pain stop?  It sounded like you snapped my arm clean off.  For a moment, I thought you lied and had amputated my arm after all."  “The human body is not as vulnerable as one might think.  It is capable of healing itself surprisingly well,” he told me, handing me another stone for my shoulder.  This time, I took it without hesitation.  I was going to ask him how he knew so much about the human body when he himself wasn’t one, but I realized that his top half seemed to be human, and I remembered him mentioning that he tried to take a human form.

“What are you?” I asked once I was settled in with Tserem’s strange cold rocks.  “You look like you’re multiple different things mashed together.  You can offer me things like power and knowledge that most people only dream of, and you can apparently overcome poison like it’s a small illness.”  Tserem nodded slowly, “I suppose I should try to explain, though you might not understand.  I told you that I am not from this world, yes?”  I nodded.  “There are many more worlds out there.  Some are like yours, some are like nothing you will ever know.  My ancestors are not from this world, but I was born here.  I have lived in other places occasionally, but this world is my favorite.  Well, it was my favorite until I was chained here.”  Tserem huffed, tail lashing the floor.  "To answer your questions, the name for what I am is not easily pronounced by the human tongue, but I am an-" he spoke a string of accent-laced syllables that I couldn't dream of repeating correctly.  

"I'll.. just call you Tserem.  That's a hard enough name to pronounce already,” I replied.  "Ah, and about my abilities…  You see, every one of my kind can take the genes of other lifeforms and splice them into our own to help us easily adapt into any environment.  We can take up to three different types before the older ones are replaced.  The only genes we keep constantly are our own.  I could revert back to my true form at any time, though it hurts quite a lot with these merciless metal rods in my back."

I stared at him, confused.  He was speaking my language, but I couldn't understand pieces of what he was saying.  There were a few words strung into his explanation I'd never even heard before.  Maybe they were words from his own language.  "What are jenes?" I asked, thoroughly interested, "What are they and how do you take them?  I.. don't really understand."  Tserem nodded knowingly, "I did say you would not understand.  And it’s genes, not.. jenes."  I couldn’t tell the difference, but I didn’t tell him that.  "Is there a way for you to explain it so that I might?  And what about you recovering from being poisoned?  Does that have to do with genes too?"  He chuckled, "In a way, yes.  Hmm.."  Tserem thought for a moment, brow furrowing in concentration.  "Well, every creature, every living thing from humans to plants, have things called genes, though they have a much longer scientific name, many refer to them as genes, or in shorthand, RNA.  These genes determine how a living thing looks, and even how it behaves, like instructions, if you will, for life itself."  

"Wait, wait…  You're saying that my body has some kind of written instructions inside it somewhere that tell me how to live?" I asked incredulously.  "That doesn't sound right."  "It is.. hard to explain, and I am no expert on this, but in a sense, yes.  The instructions are invisible to the human eye, stitched into the very flesh of a creature."  

What Tserem said barely made logical sense.  How did instructions get sewn into me?  Who put them there?  What would happen if I were to remove them?  "Anyways, my kind can take these.. instructions.. from other living things, and use them to help rewrite ourselves.  This is why I look like, as you said, 'multiple different things mashed together'.  I am made of multiple things; I copied their genetic material."  Suddenly, I saw his figure in a new light.  Tserem wasn't a strange hybrid like other legendary creatures; he somehow stole the instructions for creating other creatures, and built himself from it.  

"So, do you look anything like this?" I asked, gesturing to his mis-matched appearance.  "No, nothing like this at all."  Instantly, my mind ran wild with images of what Tserem might truly look like.  "As for your final, most incessant question: how did I overcome being poisoned?  See, all of my kind have the ability to copy genes and add them to ourselves, but each of us are also born with a more unique ability that comes from our true form.  Some abilities are extremely rare or are considered lucky or attractive, while others are more commonplace, sometimes almost useless.  Mine is the latter, nothing too extraordinary.  My immune system is extremely powerful.  It can cure me of any and all ailments within a few hours."

"Nothing extraordinary!?" I repeated, "You can never get sick!  You’ll never have to die of an illness, or so much as feel affected by it for more than a few hours!   How is that 'nothing extraordinary'?"  Tserem shrugged, "Where I come from, my powers are fairly useless.  With modern medicine, there is no need for a good immune system.  Someone can have my exact powers by simply drinking a salve, or taking a pill."  My mouth hung open for so long, I might have accidentally swallowed a bug.  "You.. Your kind found a way to cure every disease?" I whispered, awestruck.  Tserem nodded, looking thoughtful.  "Yes, the first being to get this ability in my long family history came up with it using their blood.  Of course, these days it is entirely replicated, and not blood at all.  Hmm, I guess I did not realize that something so commonplace to me might be so mind-boggling to you."  

Tserem began talking about more things I didn't understand, but his voice was fuzzy — my head clouded by way too many thoughts.  I finally cut him off when he took a breath.  "Could you just.. leave me alone for a bit?" I asked, only the faintest hints of anger in my voice, "I need to process some things you said."  He paused mid-sentence and gave me a small smile, "Yes, I will be in the crystalline cave if you need me."  The room became eerily quiet once the echoing sound of his skittering legs died off.  

Alone with my thoughts, I tried to sort out the information Tserem had given me.  He was right to say I wouldn't understand it all, but the parts I did understand seemed frightening and slightly wrong.  If Tserem's kind had the medicine to heal any and all illnesses, why didn't they share it with us?  I tried to convince myself there was a valid reason — that maybe the medicine only took effect on their own kind — but I had a sinking feeling that there was a different reason, or rather, no reason at all.  Whatever Tserem is, his kind is so advanced that they have everything and anything a human could want; he'd even given all of it away as offers to me, almost as if they don't matter to him.  Humankind likely seems like one big barbarian tribe to them.  

In this way, I guess it makes sense.  Our kingdom wouldn't offer our grand technology to barbarians.  Tserem's kind just doesn't see us as worth the effort to care.  To them, we’re practically another species of animal.  The pit in my stomach yawned wider; I could sense the nasty feeling of bile rising in my throat.  I didn't like the notion that I was something small and primitive, not worthy of someone's time or effort.  My nerves spiked, and the pain in my ankle came back again, throbbing even beneath the cold rock, which was starting to warm up.

"Tserem!" I called.  There was a tinge of fear in my echoed voice, and I'm not sure why.  He was willing to give me his kind's technology — well, what he has of it.  Nonetheless, I still felt sick.  "Tserem!"  "I'm here!" he called, sliding back into the cave, "What is it?"  "I.. need another cold rock."  He chuckled, "Alright, give me a moment."  I watched numbly as he went over to the notch in the wall and brought me back some fresh stones, taking the warmer ones back.  Tserem's brow furrowed as he examined me for a moment.  "You look ill," he noted, concerned, "Did you get that poison in your system?  Was that why you kept asking me about it?"  In a strange way, it was comforting to see Tserem panic over me.  He did care, but was it only because he benefited from me staying alive to help him?  "No, it's nothing like that," I assured him.  A heavy silence filled the cave as I tried to work up the courage to ask him what I wanted.  "If it is not pain, then what is troubling you?"  I could have waved him off and told him not to worry about it, but there was a genuine anxiousness in his voice and his cautious movements that changed my mind.

"Do you really care about me?" I asked.  My heart raced in my chest; did I want to know the answer?  I was so frightened, when he opened his mouth to reply I began speaking to stop him.  "It's just... When you explained how your kind has everything, and knows so much, while humankind barely knows about itself…"  I struggled to explain, not even sure Tserem would understand.  "We must seem like animals or barbarians to you, because you don't bother to share anything with us.  So, knowing all this, I have to ask you if you really care.  Are you only luring me here with trinkets from your world long enough for you to escape this place, or are you genuinely trying to help me, too?"  Tserem was quiet for so long, I feared I'd figured out his scheme.  Finally, he let out a long sigh and pressed his hands to his temples.

"That.. that was my plan – has been my plan – for a long time now.  Do not be mistaken on my jugement, though.  I do truly believe your kind is smarter than they seem, and can become something incredible with enough time.  Case in point," he added, gesturing to me.  "The truth is, many of my kind do see yours as.. What word was it?  Oh, barbarians and animals and such.  However, that is not the case for all of us, and it is not the case for me."  "But- But your plan.." I stammered.  "My plan was rather rash and selfish due to my imprisonment here for so long.  There was a time when I was more.. desperate.  I have learned my lesson since, and learned that there is more to humankind than I realized.  This is the reason I offered to let you go when you felt trapped here.  In my earlier years here, I would not have let you leave."

"Still, I am being selfish even now by holding the gleaming prize of protection above your head," Tserem realized guiltily.  He turned away from me ashamed, but at the same time, I saw otherwise.  "But you haven't," I said, waiting for him to turn to me again.  "You have been protecting me, even before you said you would.  You saved me from being killed-"  "By myself," he finished, "I saved you from myself.  I do not think that counts, Scarlet, but thank you."  "Hold on, I'm not done," I assured him, "You also saved me from the guards, even when I made a big fuss about it."  "Yes, and now you are injured because of my hiding place," Tserem interrupted.  I gave him an annoyed look, which pacified him some.  

"First of all, it was entirely my decision to try and get myself down after you warned me not to.  Second of all, if you hadn't hidden me there, I likely would've been caught.  So, will you stop putting yourself down and listen to me?"  Tserem's eyes widened a bit and he nodded.  "Good, because I can say, without a doubt, that you've saved my life three times.  I know that you’re trying to help me, I just wanted to know your reasons why."  He was silent for a brief moment.  "My reasons are completely righteous, I swear.  I have no intention to leave you to fend for yourself, or cast you aside once I am free.  As I have said when you arrived: if you free me, I will owe you a great debt.  I will pledge allegiance to you over the King, and will protect you with my life.  I promise I will treat you with respect, like you are one of my own kind.  You just have to trust me."

Tserem cautiously held out his hand to me, and I offered him mine.  I watched amazed, as he clasped my hand, so small in comparison, over the pads of his finger.  "I do.. I do trust you, though sometimes I'm scared to," I confessed.  "But that's nothing new," I added quickly as Tserem pulled away from me, "I don't really trust anyone."  “I am thankful to have your trust, then,” he replied with a small bow, but came up with a pained hiss, gripping his side where the spear had pierced him.  “I must continue healing this.  Can I borrow one of your furs?”  “Sure, I don’t need the whole pile.”  Tserem took one of the larger pelts and offered his thanks before slithering back into the crystalline cave.  I inched myself upward to peer into the room, watching as Tserem cleaned his wound with the fresh water there, making sure not to spill blood into the precious resource.  After patching himself up and tying the fur around his wound, Tserem scuttled back over to me.  “How long do I have to sit here with these rocks?” I asked him.  “Hmm, about an hour more.  You should be sitting with them every so often until your bruises disappear, but if you feel pain in your ankle, or if it starts to swell again, then leave it under a cold stone a while longer.”

I did as he asked, and within a few days I was back on my feet again.  For the most part, I’d gotten used to living with someone who was about the length of the market square.  At least once a day his lanky, snake-like body would block my path and I’d either jump over it or ask Tserem impatiently to move.  He’d always roll his eyes and chuckle; sometimes he’d dare to tease me for my small size.  He’s the one who’s the wrong size, but that was an argument that neither of us ever won.  Once I was fully healed up, Tserem and I began concocting plans to free him from his chains.  A violent storm emerged a few days later.  Both caves began flooding nonstop.  By mid afternoon, the water level was almost up to my waist.  I hated every sopping second, but Tserem relished it.  He told me that where he used to live, the humans there celebrated the harsh rains, and he did too.  

“Well, I hate this.  A lot,” I grumbled, wading through the cave towards him.  My foot hit a rock that was concealed by the murky water, causing me to fall over beneath the surface.  I came up to the sound of Tserem’s boisterous laughter, which calmed to a smirk as I glared at him, my soaked hair falling over my face.  “Come here, let me get you somewhere dry.”  I huffed and turned my back to him, crossing my arms defiantly.  “I’ll find somewhere to sit myself thank you very much.”  Storming off into the crystalline cavern — which was lower down and definitely higher than my waist — I managed to climb on top of an outcropping that rose just above the surface of the water.  However, my dry little safehaven didn’t last very long.  The flooding water soon spilled over the rocks I took shelter on.

“Tserem!” I called annoyedly, “The water’s too high!”  Everything was silent, and for a moment I thought he was ignoring me, but as I peered into the other cave, I realized he was gone.  Ripples brushed the surface of the water, snaking their way in my direction.  I watched the subtle movements, frightened that some water creature had taken shelter in the cave.  A surging wave washed over me as the mysterious creature leaped out of the deep water and fell back with a splash.  It was Tserem the whole time.  I was about to scold him for scaring me, but I held my tongue as I watched him slide gracefully through the water.  On the dry rocks, he was awkwardly bound by his chains, clanking around with a constant scrambling ruckus of his many centipede legs, which echoed throughout the caverns.  In the water, he was entirely different.  His snakeish form glided through the water without a sound as he happily swam laps from one part of the caves to the other.  

“Did you perhaps take the genes of a water snake?” I asked, slightly amused by his eagerness to enjoy a good swim.  “I do not think so,” he replied happily, “I just like the water.  Before I was captured, I lived in a rather dry desert.  I suppose I am in the habit of enjoying so much water because it was scarce for me then.”  “A desert?” I questioned, “I’ve barely been past the outskirts of Farthing.”  “Of what?”  “Farthing, you know, where we live?”  Tserem shrugged, uncaring of the name of his prison.  “Can you put me somewhere higher up?” I asked once he’d finished swimming around.  “If I do, will you try to climb down again?” he asked accusingly.  “No,” I grumbled, glancing at the spot I’d fallen from.  “The rocks are slippery, though.  I still think you will fall.”  “But I’m sick of being soaking wet!” I complained.  “Hmm.. Alright then.”  Tserem slid over to the place I stood and reached for me again.  I braced myself, but didn’t pull away.  Being grabbed was slightly less scary knowing that it was coming.  

Vertigo clenched in my stomach and I tucked my legs up beneath me, gripping Tserem’s fingers for support.  I would have to teach him a more comfortable way to pick me up eventually.  Especially if he’s going to stay around and offer the protection he’d promised.  Using his centipede-like legs, which unfurled from a long pocket that opened beneath him, Tserem clambered up the rocks until he came to a large area far above the water’s surface, created by loosely interwoven crystals.  If he’d placed me here, I probably would’ve fell right through the gaps, but Tserem was big enough to sit over them.  He curled up over the tops of the crystal structures.  Laying out his tail in front of himself, he placed me gently on the wider part, offering me a place to sit.  I sat as still as I could, unsure about the cool, scaled surface I was placed on.  It expanded and shrank beneath me with every breath Tserem took.  “Is this high enough for you?” he asked me almost mockingly.  I answered with a satisfied yes, trying to hide my slightly baffled expression.

The ugly weather forced me to stay in that hidden place for a day and a half until the water finally drained out of the cave.  With every hour that passed I slowly grew accustomed to my temporary living arrangements.  The first few hours I spent practically clinging to Tserem, but by the last few, I moved freely around the space, avoiding the gaps between crystalline spires and lounging boredly on Tserem’s lanky snake body.  At the violent storm’s end, I was brought back down to the cave floor.  I paced around and stretched my legs as Tserem frowned annoyedly at our pool of fresh water, which had been tainted by the muddy rainwater.  “This is the only part I dislike about the rains,” he muttered, “They contaminate my pristine water supply.”  

Later, on Tserem’s urging, I spent an hour and a half lugging a gigantic tree branch over to the cave opening for him to use as a lever.  His excitement over the rain carried into his impatience to be free.  The moment the branch was close enough to the cave, I collapsed to the ground, exhausted.  I watched, unamused, as Tserem easily dragged the gigantic piece of wood inside, after I’d spent ten minutes moving it a few inches.  He lodged it into the crack between the rock wall and the metal plate with terrifying strength.  I instinctually drew back as he threw himself into the column of wood.  His snake body coiled and his human muscles rippled, shoving the wood further and further back while the plate groaned under the stress.

A loud crack echoed through the cave.  “You’re doing it!” I cried, “It’s breaking!”  Moments later the wood splintered down the middle.  I had only a few seconds to recognize what would happen before wooden shrapnel exploded through the cavern.  In a flash, Tserem coiled his scaled body over me like a shield.  Splinters of wood bounced harmlessly off his protective scaly armor.  “Th- Thanks,” I stammered, slightly taken aback by the fact I’d nearly been impaled by jagged splinters.  “Are you alright?” Tserem asked.  “I think so,” I replied, checking myself for any pieces of wood that might’ve embedded in me.  Once I was sure I hadn’t been hit, he turned and examined the half of the log still wedged between the rock and the metal plate.  

“I have an idea,” he announced, “but it will likely be rather painful.”  I frowned, looking between Tserem and the broken log.  “What is it?”  “If I wrap my chains around the log and pull it back out, the pressure should be enough to bend this plate off the wall.  However, yanking on my own chains will feel like yanking off my own scales.”  I shuddered at the mere thought of that intensely painful feeling.  “I can find something else,” I offered, “I could go see what else the storm blew over.”  

Tserem gave me a doubtful look, “You can barely even stand after dragging this branch, and as of this moment, we have no drinkable water.  You rest, I will try to reach one of the trees.  I might have a bit more room now that my chains are slightly falling off the wall.”  I hadn’t realized that we had no water to drink, and I was already parched.  Stepping back, I watched as Tserem strained against his chains.  I cringed at the painful looking grimace on his face as the metal tugged beneath his skin.  Tserem’s fingertips just grazed a large tree outside, but he couldn’t get far enough to actually grab it.  No wonder there was a misshapen clearing surrounding his cave.  If only I had half his strength, I could easily go out there and push the tree over.  That would be all he’d need to get rid of his ugly restraints.

After a few more narrow misses, Tserem fell back into the cave, out of breath.  I silently regarded the situation for a while.  “What if.. What if you reached outside backwards, with your tail rather than your arms.  Your tail is a lot longer.”  Tserem huffed and sat up, “If I turn around, the chains get shorter, see?”  He demonstrated by turning into the cave.  The chains wrapped around his torso as he shifted, pulling him deeper inside.  “I suppose my tail is longer than my arm, though.  I will try.”  Tserem leaned against his chains once more.  Centipede-like legs slid out from beneath him and began slowly stepping backwards into the open.  I held my breath as it inched along the ground, the tip slowly curling around the trunk of the tree.  It wasn’t long enough to grab it, but it was just long enough to reach.

With as big a shove as Tserem could muster, the tree creaked and began falling over.  Upon hearing the tree bend, Tserem slithered back inside and whirled around.  With the extra distance covered by the leaning tree, his fingers could reach the trunk.  In two swift tugs, Tserem ripped the tree right out of the ground.  I watched in silent awe as he bashed the tree against the metal plates over and over again.  His ferocity was slightly terrifying, and I couldn’t help but imagine what might happen if a person were to be on the other end of his wrath.  With a few more strikes, the metal plate fell off the wall.  An echoing clank rang out long after the plate had fallen.  “I…  I did it,” Tserem said in a hushed voice.  I blinked and he was gone, only managing to see the last tip of his tail zip out of the cave opening.  

“FREEDOM!  AT LONG LAST!”  I watched with a wide smile as Tserem slithered around the clearing.  He was so much faster without having to walk around on multiple small legs.  Tserem slid up and down the forest, dodging through trees at lightning speed, when he was suddenly jerked back with incredible force.  He yowled in pain and I rushed over to his side.  “Tserem, what-?”  I stopped short at the sight of him.  Blood dripped down his back from where the chains burrowed under his skin.  The metal plate had gotten hooked on one of the jagged rocks nearby.  At the speed Tserem had been going, the metal links had almost been yanked entirely out of him.  I stood helpless as Tserem gasped in pain and fell to the ground.   Racing to his arm, I tried in vain to get him up, but he was far too big for me to move more than a few inches.  I stepped up to his face to talk with him, but when I did, his eyes were closed.  He’d passed out.  I thought about bringing him some water to wake him, before realizing the small amount of water I could take in my hands wouldn’t be close to enough to wake him.  There really was nothing I could do for him.  Wait, yes there is.  I raced inside the cave and grabbed one of the large furs from the pile where I slept.  Dunking it in the water, I waited impatiently for it to become completely waterlogged.  Though the dirty water could potentially infect his cut, it wouldn’t be long before his impossible immune system healed him.  Back in the clearing, I stood at Tserem’s side once again.  He was lying face down.  How am I going to get up to his back?  Studying him, I traced a path I could climb from his arm to his back.  I’d just begun hauling myself onto his forearm when the sound of hoofbeats thundered into the clearing.  I whirled around just as someone cried “Halt!”

#oh noes they’ve been caught in the midst of escaping! #dnaliens universe #g/t #giant tiny

[gemsofgreece]

As a certified linguist I want to kinda smack that person a bit. Not only were they rude and entitled, they also did not do their homework. So this is @ them: Yeah seas and oceans are used interchangeably in poetry sometimes to. You know. Refer to bodies of water to point out their vastness. It’s not factual. A sea is not an ocean (check etymology btw you’ll find yourself nicely surprised.) But a literary term is literally never more applicabile than a factual one unless you’re writing poetry. And I’m pretty sure a Tumblr post caption for a photo is not somewhere you should refer to poetic language with an assumption that everyone knows you did. Entitlement and stupidity.

I hope you’re okay after this mess. ☀️

Just in, Anon, from this lovely person:

At this point I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that @lilbbyhaiku is very very young, otherwise I do not know what to say.

Again let's remember they lost their marbles for this tag:

I have never seen a more dramatic response for such a thing in my life. Like, I was literally acknowledging I was nitpicking from the beginning, even though I knew I was factually correct because like you said, I did consider it could have been said in a liberal, poetic fashion. Or perhaps they didn't know and it is human to not know.

However, we should also note that in American English the meaning has deviated in literal speech as well because I have seen it many times used and misused in an entirely factual context. For example, I was once conversing with an American and I told them I was from Greece and their first question was "Wow have you ever been to the ocean then?" which on one hand shows they know Greece has - generally - access to water, on the other hand either they don't know where Greece is located, which is their right of course, or the word has been standardized in American English as the primary word for any body of saltwater. If you also see here on Tumblr, people tag all photos picturing the sea, regardless of place, as "ocean". Happens to A LOT of my Greece posts as well. It has been standardised, fine, the issue is it can be really inaccurate and misleading for countries that do not have access to oceans, especially because the word ocean exists in so many languages and I believe in the vast majority its meaning has not deviated like in American English. Besides, the website they linked as the "ultimate source" does misuse the term in an entirely factual, supposedly informative context. A travel guide page, of all things.

So I honestly thought I wouldn't receive a response to that tag of mine or that they would say "oh okay i didn't know that" or "yeah I know I just used it in a liberal way because this happens occasionally in American English" and then I would be like "cool just clarifying for people taking this literally" but I certainly did not expect that shitstorm lol where I was told to fact-check, then I was called a troll because I did not find a random "Greece vs Turkey" personal post first thing and then I was presented with the wrongest travel article out there and told to shut the fuck up.

But the more I see of that person's responses, the more I realise there is not a reason to perpetuate this, either they're too young or they are generally not handling this well so let's drop it. I will also delete my reblog of their post because honestly sod it.

#the weirdest discourse I had in my life #about a jellyfish and oceans #anon #mail #linguistics

[boy-gender]

something i wanna mention re: your post about the bots stealing photos, it’s important to note that many of these come from transphobic, exorsexist, and intersexist targeted data breaches and are sourced/scraped from malicious sites/boards like the k-farms.

i’m ace and sex-oscillating (sometimes i’m fine with seeing sexual things sometimes i’m not) and even when i’m at my most sex-repulsed i want everyone to know that the sex workers in the tag are some of our most vulnerable population members (no matter their gender(s) or exact identity/terms) because they’re being targeted by these sites.

idk sorry if this is reiterating your post but you’re the first person i’ve seen mention the importance of “these photos are stolen btw” instead of “oh yucky porn” like. y’all some of these are photos which were only intended for one or two people to see. these workers can now no longer regulate that OR how people interact with them.

they get so much harassment because of stolen photos when it’s been ripped out of their private accounts…. it’s awful

Thank you so much for adding that. I sometimes forget that not everyone is aware of how dangerous sex work, even purely online not in person sex work, is. I should have emphasized more that sex workers are not the danger; they're largely *in* danger.

And not just of being harassed, having their material stolen, or being targetted, but also by the death of internet privacy and net neutrality. Bills like fosta-sesta, and it's successor kosa- which is moving forward as we speak- are steadily erasing protections for anyone who creates nsfw content anywhere on the internet. It removes software and data tracking that allow sex workers to vet their johns before they interact with them, especially if they're going to meet up in person, and that data was one of the CHIEF ways human traffickers are found and arrested, and their victims tracked down.

KOSA isn't just a danger to fandom- though it is *also* a danger to fandom- but to very real people doing a job as old as time. Outlawing the expression of sexual materials is never going to stop sexual activity, it just forces it to be done in the dark, where sex workers, a large chunk of whom are queer, are at increased risk of being harmed, killed, or losing their ability to make a living.

One of the things I said in my post was that sexual materials belong on tumblr like they belong anywhere. Some people may point to the fact that that's no longer allowed under the terms of service- regardless of what tumblr "clarifies," they still ban it, especially from trans people. I was here before then. I was here when net neutrality still existed. And I am going to continue to operate under those attitudes until the end of days. I don't post sexually explicit materials myself, but I am never going to tattle on people who do, and people who do report those real users (not the bots) to staff disgust me.

If you're sex repulsed, I get it. I'm personally repulsed by the smell of pomegranate perfume. It's a trigger for me. But I am responsible for my feelings- it wouldn't be right to demand everyone everywhere stop wearing pomegranate perfume, and by going in public, I run the risk that I will bump into someone wearing it. I will have to remove myself from that situation.

And the same is true for if you don't like sexual content. You are responsible for what you do with those feelings. It's okay to have them; you can feel however you want about sex! But it's not okay to demand that other people cease harmlessly expressing themselves to conform to your feelings, and it's not okay to act like a fucking cop and purposely try to interfere with their job because you have the ick and don't approve.

Sex work is labor. Sex workers having ways to protect themselves and others is as close to "unionizing" as sex work gets. Stop interfering with what are basically their labor regulations. Block and move the fuck on!!

Do report the bots though. For SPAM. For STEALING MATERIALS. Not for the sex.

#thank you for this ask anon #good additions

[louisisalarrie]

hey hey, hope you're well and those nasty hate anons're leaving you alone!

i've been thinking about the harry coming out as bi theory from back in 2015 with xander (i saw a post on tumblr a few days ago lol) and there is a lot of talk about how louis wouldn't come out without harry but like, would harry really come out without louis?

it seems so... unbalanced? one sacrificing ones own freedom for someone who would be willing to come out with someone else? idk if i'm reading something wrong or misunderstand something and maybe i'm projecting my own issues onto this situation (i've been in this same situation before and it ended badly for me so)

anyway, if or when L&H (together ir separately) come out, i personally only see it happening with a big bang and tell all. with all the shit going on the past 14 years, all the influential people involved,, like i guess what i'm getting here is, do you (with your knowledge) think theres another way? one that could be happening relatively soon (like next 5 years) or is it gonna be a retirement thing? meaning when they've retired theyre just like "yo btw"

another question: do you think they want to come out?

Heya anon!

First off, and most importantly, i am so so sorry to hear you had a negative experience like that. I hope you know you’re wonderful and loved and deserve the very best 🧡

And secondly, welcome to the show!

That post that you’re referencing, i do strongly believe that theory. It makes perfect sense as to the shift in Harry’s behaviour, and confidence, and i think it fits really well into watching him grow over the years, and how mgmt we’re gonna seed it. And then… it all just stopped. Anyway, it’s a great post if you haven’t read it!

So, let’s discuss this from the info we have, and the knowledge we have of Louis and Harry as people, and their sticky situation. Coming out is different for everyone, and everyone has their own time when they’re ready, and i am in no way invalidating anyone’s personal experiences with coming out with this post. I’m not going to assume exactly what they think and want, but i will put my two cents in and base it off what i think is best for them in a career sense, and their relationship to be strong after the official come out.

Okie dokie, with that in mind, let’s get right to it!

Louis did wear a big chunk of their relationship being closeted through Simon. I am in no way saying Harry had it easier, but Louis was older, and Simon saw that Harry would hang off Louis’ every word and action. He saw the dynamic, we all did, and if you were in Simon’s situation, you’d get Louis to sort it out, right? At the nip of the bud, you choose the 18 year old to get the 16 year old to do what you want them to do, because he looks up to Louis. Louis can guide him by being older and wiser and more of a dominant personality. The obvious choice was Louis, and starting there. And Simon did.

That day after the wonderful gay club show, Louis was flown out directly to Simon’s place in LA or whatever mansion he was in at the time, and chastised the fuck out of him. Hes said that before. Harry and Louis were all over each other that night, and they were so damn happy. But Simon doesn’t fly them both out to settle this, he just flies louis out. He puts Louis in a position where he’s telling Harry what to do, rather than chastising them as a team (which im sure he did at other times, but anyway, this is the stem).

So, sweet little Harry as he lives and breathes, is trying to be all in for Louis, and Louis is making sure he doesn’t overstep the boundaries. We’ve seen it a heap of times, and that’s really important to note. Louis did the denials, Louis had the long term gf, and Louis dealt directly with Simon, more so than Harry, i imagine. Harry had to have the womaniser image so he was always busy with that, and Louis had to have the commitment so they were never single at the same time (until all of the members were coincidentally single at the same time which was amazing hahaha).

So, we can already see the imbalance there, with proof. Anyway, as Harry grows into a more flamboyant person and starts wearing gucci and louder colours etc., people are already questioning his sexuality. He’s this sexy, charming man, with an image of already having a lot of partners, so it was easier to believe if he came out and was “experimenting”, rather than being in a long term het relationship. You get what im saying?

So, out of the two of them, it seems more likely that Harry comes out. He gets a lot of press, larries are getting excited, but also, Larry gets mentioned a few times in the media around 2015, during this Xander and H thing. And while Harry is the “frontman”, gets all the attention and we can already see how much of a superstar he is and mgmt/the Azoffs can see a very successful solo career for him, he’s allowed to be a bit ambiguous. Bring up the ratings, keep things fun and sexy and exciting. Even during One Direction, Louis just wasn’t as popular to the GP. so, it’s an easy choice. Harry.

(Also Harry is louis’ baby and he’d want to protect him at all costs and let him be free over his own happiness)

My bet is mgmt wouldn’t let them come out together at the same time bc that’s too much of a scandal, but also it exposes them. It’s a compromise. But, it doesn’t end up following through and Louis’ stuck with a stunt until the time is right and Harry is continued to be seen with every leggy gal who needs a bit of promo. The narrative was changing, and the seeding for Harry back then has even worked now. He’s so much more free. So, yeah. He’s a lot more free to do what he wants, and he also doesn’t have a kid tied to him. Unfair? Yes. But i believe Louis did do this whole thing for the sake of Harry, and mgmt wanted it to be Harry.

Now, about how they’ll come out… i mean… a tell all would be great, but they’ll be sued by a million folks who still hold a great deal of money and power over them. I truly don’t think a tell all will happen for a long time. It doesn’t seem plausible to me right now. And the thing is… if mgmt hadn’t have dealt them any stunts, and let them be single the whole time, they could’ve come out way sooner and been like “yeah we’re dating and we didn’t want to make it public” and get away without the whole forcible closeting thing. It would’ve been a smart move. But it’s all in the name of PR, and relationships and sightings of the boys with girls make money.

Anyway, who knows. They might break and just say fuck it and do it. But with budding careers, they need to be smart about this. Harry is at the height of his career (i think his absence from everything right now is very smart btw), and Louis is on the rise. They have to end the bbg thing (I’ve talked about my theories on this before and how best to end it, and i think i should probably send it to mgmt to save their asses), because I don’t think Louis would wanna be tied to that for the rest of his life.

However, Harry and Louis are enemies to the GP right now. So they’re gonna have to seed a friendship, then a relationship, and it’s gonna be a much longer process than a big bang. Depends on how savvy both their marketing teams are. But also, Harry is kinda.. halfway out? People don’t really believe he’s straight. Hes not yet given himself an official title to the public (he doesn’t have to), but he’s got one foot out of the closet. Louis is still stuck in fucking Narnia at the moment.

So if Harry wants to wait until louis can come out and they do it together, that’s great, but absolutely nothing about louis’ sexuality has been seeded. I think even at this point in his career it’s not gonna get much attention from the public, and bbg is still hanging over his head. So it’s kinda like… Harry is halfway out with a hell of a lot more freedom but hasn’t officially come out, who knows? Maybe he is waiting for Louis? Or he’s just enjoying the ambiguous nature of it all. He doesn’t have to announce anything and he’s on top of the world. Most people are seeing him for who he is.

Louis is just so focused on his career right now that I don’t think he’s pushing for the same amount of freedom. He’s trying to make a name for himself and a solo career that separates him from the idea that he’s “riding Harry’s coattails” or whatever tf people will say if they came out as dating. So I think he’s super focused on doing what he loves, and yeah. He’s not as fussed right now. And he’s still in a sticky situation with bbg, so he’s doing what he can to hint at us that he’s still there and thinking about it and it’ll happen, but not right now.

I truly think they both do wanna come out, even if it doesn’t seem like a priority for Louis rn, and Harry is kinda halfway there. It’s a weird little awkward timing for them I think. And don’t get me wrong, I want them to do whatever makes them happy and what’s right for their careers, but until we get some serious seeding and not just stuff larries pick up, it won’t happen.

Unless yeah, a big drop of everything and they expose everyone. Stranger things have happened. But it jeopardises their careers and networks big time.

Anyway, this turned way longer than I thought, and I probably repeated myself a bunch bc im exhausted from work, but if you have any specific questions about what I said, you’re more than welcome to send through! These big topics are always hard to grasp anything. Damn, im still rambling. Sorry, and thank you anon! Big love to you x

#anon #answered #bbg #stunts