#everything so perhaps i shall try again this year

[devilofthepit]

i am so much more mentally ill than i was last year but also in different ways. the problems i had a year ago have not gone away but i care significantly less now #growth unfortunately my current problems are now worse.

#i dont havé the mental fortitude to look at the long ass new years resolution list i made in my notes app when my phone was dying on the bu #s back from school #but i saw someone posting abt their resolutions and i remembered tjem and man everything i cared about was so stupid likr none of it mattere #d all my problems were so small #i mean i remember the state i was in around this time last year and thays not entirely true i was dealing witj scjool and a job etc but most #of my resolutions were just to stop caring so much abt things that #i never should have cared about in the first place #not that my problems are that bad now. many of them would be solved by not having a fever and not pmsing #some of them tho. are representative of larger issues. but i handle them #i just want to mot have to handle them for once i think having a fever is my body’s way of telling me to slow down and relax and not try to #have everything together but ive been sick for so many days that its getting old and i want to be done and there are legit things to do like #fucking finals #but i will survive life goes on etc #im not usually a new years resolution person but i think it might help to be more thoughtful and introspective instead of repressing #everything so perhaps i shall try again this year

[astrologylunadream]

Who is in love with you +why?🧸🍑🌸♡ (Pick a card/Tarot love reading)

Hellooo it's Lunadream💌 I will show you right now who is currently in love with you and what made them so! hope you find your message🌸💫

Notice: Only take what resonates because the most important thing is your own judgement!♡ If anything doesn't resonate, don't worry! It's not your message right now <3 (Entertainment purpose only. All rights reserved)

Now, shall we begin~? ^w^ Think of the your person, and pick whichever pile that fits the energy you're feeling~🍂💗

Pile 1🌸

Pile 2🍮

Pile 3🤍

Pile 4🎃

Take your time and choose carefully with the heart~♡

On to the readings —> 💕

Pile 1🌸

Sign energy: School, Heir, Sloth, Sleep, Care-taker, Sun, Venus, 12th house, 6th house, Taurus, 🛩🌹🖤🐭

🧸Your energy: Hellooo my pile 1's are very cute >w< The dreamy type, loves to take cat naps. May have venus in 12th house or taurus in 6th. I'm seeing a youthful appearance for this pile, you take good care of yourself and often engage in skin-care routines, healthy diet, ect. Make yourself very beautiful naturally💗 You have a feminine aura about you, very soft and angelic. You are very quiet at times and may seem half-asleep due to your peaceful nature. You have such calming vibes, very pleasant and beautiful. I feel like this pile have many suitors or perhaps secret admirers you aren't aware of!! I'm getting royalty from another country/land vibes~ may be a descendant of royalty or simply lots of money, the kind rich girl/boy in your social setting.🛍 Some of you are/were very popular in school. Genuine sunshine vibes <3 You just have such a sweet shining appearance, and your personality is like a little flower so graceful and delicate.🌻 Taurus, Libra, Leo, Pisces, Virgo are signs for my pile 1. You could have venus in Pisces or Taurus/Libra. You may be into the color black or feel drawn to people who wear black, like the dark to your light aesthetic kind of thing~☯💗 You love romance and dream of it often, love daydreaming and drifting off to sleep as you imagine the perfect love story. Cinderella vibes♡ Some could be year of the rat or have a pet mouse/rat.

🍑Who is in love with you: Scratch, Accident, Privacy, Rose colored lenses, 8th house, Cancer, Saturn, Taurus, Capricorn, 5th house, 🤗📌🏖⁉️ Alright my pile 1's this is someone you may know already!! Such secret admirer/hidden crush vibes rn💞 This person has a lot of scorpio/plutonian energy, very intense. Cancer, Capricorn, Taurus and Leo placements, they definitely have Scorpio somewhere in their inner planets. Their aura is magnetic and mysterious and almost dangerous in a sense. They are very private and keep to themselves, they avoid huge crowds and parties, they prefer to be alone.👤 They like being in the comfort of their own home, doing their hobbies and things they enjoy all by themselves. This person likes feeling safe, in a quiet environment, and doing whatever they want. I'm getting that they like going to the beach at night lol. They may have injuries or scars, might have glasses due to eye sight issues and this could be contact lenses aswell. They have restricted themselves from romance for a long time, they just spend time alone because they don't trust or believe in having a relationship with someone, they are hesitant to give it a try. So they just stick to themselves and do most activities alone.☹💔 They tell themselves that they don't need anyone, loner mentality. They may have had past experiences believing in love and seeing everything through rose-colored lenses and it ended terribly for them and it stabbed them in the back, leaving them with trust issues and resentment for having any sort of bond with another person. :( I'm seeing a slow warming up to my pile 1 as they finally start to fall into love again when they look at you, it's like their world is being shown in color, reminds me of the wizard of oz...😩😫💌💞 and they're like "tf is this?!?! What am I feeling rn?? Is this love?!!!"⁉️💗

🧁Why they love you: Trust, My love, Mouth, Drama, Name, Water, Capricorn, Cancer, Eros, Earth, 🆕️🟪👎📸 Okaaay I'm sensing a situation right now, you guys definitely stepped into this person's life and they were like 😳🤯🎆 It just hit them, and like this person has a lot of drama around them. So much crap they deal with and you just came in and I feel like you stuck up for this person lmao I feel like pile 1 just finally stood up for this person and just 🤚 to all those who were stirring up drama for this person💀 I feel like you were there for them when they needed it, and when everyone didn't even care about this person and you stepped in and said the truth, you said what needed to he said and your person LOVES you for that just know my pile 1 like omg they find it so attractive and just so empowering.😍😫✊ They felt like they finally found someone genuine, someone they could trust. And it made them so emotional too they felt like they could open up finally, like a new beginning for them.♡ They feel so safe with you by their side, and omg your name is a huge turn on for them btw they love your name and love saying it (and other ways too...😳) They love how compassionate you are to them and everyone who needs it💗 You ground them, and they feel so secure with you. The biggest reason they love you is because of how safe you make them feel and how much they trust you because they trust you a lot my pile 1's and this person does NOT trust easily I'll tell you that.😩 They love how you care so much for others, they know you have a big heart and this attracts them to you even more!!

💌Messages from your person: Tell me your secrets, You don't owe me anything, I wanna marry you, You keep doing this, I know your secret (What is the secret pile 1??? They're so serious about you!!🥺💍💖) Extra cards: Unheard, Mystery, Attraction, Pain, Hobby, North node, Leo, Venus, Gemini, 7th house (Literally they see a future in love/partnership with you the cards speak for themselves you guys!!)

Thank you my pile 1's! If you feel this resonated, you may tap the heart to claim this message!💫🌸

I hope you enjoyed your reading! ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ If you did be sure to let me know pile 1 with the blossom emoji~🌸 Thanks for scrolling through, Hugs hugs hugs!! See you in the next reading💗🌸💗🌸🎀

Pile 2🍮

Sign energy: Chest, Purple, Emotions, Passion, Stage, 3rd house, Eros, Mars, Virgo, Moon, 🔮📵🎤🛸

🧸Your energy: Heyyy we have a pretty person in this pile!! Your energy is radiating I'm getting lots of Virgo, possibly Gemini, also Aries/Scorpio and Cancer for you guys. Okay so let's see I'm getting really spiritual and uplifting vibes from my pile 2's, you are so emotional and that's what makes you so beautiful🥺💖 Singing/performing may be your passion, or you may really have a thing for music. I'm seeing lots of devotion to music like I'm hearing it's your life omg, You have a lot on your mind, and you think and feel a LOT too. You are at a point in your life where you are very self critical and strive for the best, you are willing to do anything for what you love, including love itself. My pile 2 is very protective over their heart and you guys are not letting it get broken, you have an amazing talent for speaking for your feelings. Your playlists say more about you than you ever could😂😭 You love comforting voices/asmr. I feel like you have really soothing voice aswell <3 You have a lot you stress about when it comes to relationships, my pile 2 should just have more trust in themselves, trust the process take it slow and be open to recieving love because you guys deserve it and it anyone can be loved it's pile 2.🥰⭐ You have a passionate mind and spirit and you put a lot of energy into everything you do, if I could give your brain a hug I would lol it sounds so funny🤣🤣 but seriously, take care of yourself and your mind because you tend to overthink and over feel a lot🥺👌💓

🍑Who is in love with you: Yandere, Winter, Chase, Love letter, Height, Capricorn, Vertex, 6th house, Mars, Uranus,🤙😒🐈🍓 Wow... just wow this is quite the person in love with my pile 2's... where do I even start-😫🤯 Okay you guys this person is really into you I mean REALLY into you... the vibe is just almost suffocating with this person's feelings towards you. Yandere is coming through so yeah they've got extreme ride or die feelings for you guys. Virgo, Capricorn, Aries/Scorpio and Aquarius could be in this person's chart. They could be above average height or have a strange height. They are most likely taller than you, they often tower over you or stand next to you in a way that asserts dominance so to speak. This person is someone you see often, they could be a co-worker/classmate or such. They could be born in winter so Capricorn and Aquarius are likely signs for them, also you may have met this person during winter. They are head over heels for my pile 2's and definitely very into them romantically, they are very masculine by nature and act that way toward you. They express their love in a more assertive/forward manner to you. I'm getting kabedons, grabbing your wrists and chasing you down lmao this person is so into you for real. They may send you love letters often or even daily. They are super committed to you and a little clingy too, huge simp vibes🤭💌

🧁Why they love you: Intuition, Toy, Careless, Flirt, Honest, Taurus, Fire, Air, Venus, Pluto, 🐚🤲🏖🌪 They love you because of how genuine, honest and true you are to yourself and others. They are actually obsessed with this aspect of you and the way you are truly yourself. They really went with their gut and just fell into loving you my pile 2's lol this person can actually be pretty quick to fall in love I'm getting. They don't think things through and just let their feelings take over🤭 They love your feminine energy and passionate nature. Honestly this person can't get enough of you😍😭 They are in love with how you show your emotions and how strong and sensible you are with them (even if you don't think so <3). This person may have started to fall for you after being flirted with/flirting with you. For some of you there may have been a very subtle flirting but they took it so so so serious and now they're like, obsessed with you🙃 Lol they love how you speak and your voice made them fall in their seat lmaooo they love how comforting and sweet you are. And that little spark within you that always keeps you going, they really love that about you.❤ They might have realized how cool you are and just brush things off not letting it effect you all that deeply. I'm getting for the most part this person just really enjoys the chase with you and is in love with obsessing over you guys🤣 Watch out cuz just because someone loves you doesn't mean they're "the one" (be careful pile 2 I'm getting some really unhealthy obsession vibes from this person with you and this could even be someone who finds you easy to manipulate/control so always trust your own judgement!!) They got really into your giving energy/soft aura and now they're hooked.

💌Messages from your person: Stop thinking about me, Stop ignoring me, I can't hide it from you, Am I perfect for you? You can't hide your feelings for me (They are definitely thinking about you rn) Extra cards: Society, Amusement park, Luck, Words, Favor, 6th house, Pisces, Chiron, Gemini, Sun

Thank you my pile 2's! If you feel this resonated, you may tap the heart to claim this message!💫🌸

I hope you enjoyed your reading! ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ If you did be sure to let me know pile 2 with the flan emoji~🍮 Thanks for scrolling through, Hugs hugs hugs!! See you in the next reading💗🌸💗🌸🎀

Pile 3🤍

Sign energy: December, Feelings, Seduction, Feet, Caution, Taurus, Neptune, Water, Venus, Moon, 🌇🔚📿🧍‍♀️

🧸Your energy: Feminine aura is prominent in this pile, I'm getting alluring siren beauty vibes🔱🖤 Such powerful seductive qualities and you guys are so attractive😫💋 May have Taurus in 12th house so Aries rising is likely. May have venus in water sign (Cancer/Scorpio/Pisces) or Venus conjunct moon placement. Some of you could love winter or winter clothing, could be born in winter specifically december. You are very charming and beautiful, ahh I am loving the vibe of this pile🥰 You are very cautious of love, it both intrigues you and scares you at the same time. You may worry about sharing your emotions so closely with another person, or wearing your heart on your sleeve. You have a heavy heart and a very fragile one, you know this so you keep it safe and guarded at all times. You don't open up from fear of being vulnerable which has led to you seeming cold or apathetic, but you do feel emotions quite strongly actually. You have a soft imagination and you wish to be beautiful (spoiler: you already are😇). You feel as if love purposely trips you making you fall harder than you would have liked. You may live in the city or love watching sunsets, you love when the sun sets and the moon rises. Jewelry looks great on you, pearls and onyx probably looks godly on you🥺🖤 Some of you are a bit of a loner type, waiting for someone to step in and say "hey why are you alone? You look too gorgeous to be all by yourself"😫😩😭💞 Omg I hope that's the person who loves my pile 3 lmaoooo

🍑Who is in love with you: Affection, High standards, Blame, Hug, Socialization, 3rd house, Lilith, 12th house, Sagittarius, Fire, ☀️🤐🤵☄ OMG I'm sensing a hot couple with you two JUST SAYING😭🥵 Omg we haven't even started yet I need to calm down!!! They got that look about them omg... they're really popular and liked by so many people it's like, who doesn't like them?! Wide smile, messy hair, dangerous eyes...💀 Omg pile 3 why am I freaking out so much this is great- Their voice makes you high that's what I'm hearing LMAO you wanna hate them but then you can't omg I'm hearing this persons a catch like others would KILL to date this person...🤯 This person lights up the room I mean set it on fire🔥 They have a way with words, and omg they have a knack for telling dirty jokes at parties and like they're so smooth about it-😳 I'm just gonna say it this person is probably really hot my pile 3 the person in love with you is HOT. But you wanna know what?? The worst part of all is they just wanna give you a hug!! They don't want a wild night or some naughty crap they just want to make you smile😭😭😭 They seem like a bad boy/girl but for you they're so sweet I can't...💓 They just wanna make you laugh and talk about your interests. They find you so amusing and exciting to be around, some of you may have a bad impression of this person. So you could be really on the fence about them, or shutting them out completely because you think they're bad news. I'm hearing "don't blame me" you may blame them for some reason!! They could be someone you like and blame them for your feelings😝💕

🧁Why they love you: Past, Magnetic, Acceptance, Passion, Dare, Chiron, Scorpio, North node, Pisces, 2nd house, 😭⁉️😟🦥 Awww I feel like they saw you and was like 🥺!! Like when you see a little cat on the street and you just melt😫💓 I'm getting fast attraction vibes with this one, this person probably fell quick for my pile 3's. I feel like they were like "wow who's this hottie?" Or something like that omg just like such raw passion🥴🔥🧲 Mars in 1st house overlay vibes~ It could have been a dare from their friends to try and win you over, but they just fell deeper in love with you😍 I feel like it was first physical attraction that led them to seeking more about you, then once they saw the deeper shades of your heart they felt even more inclined to love you!! They love your magnetic aura and how you're healing yourself from damaged emotions. They think you're so strong and your endurance is very attractive to them, they have much passion and respect for my pile 3 and just overall so much love!❤ They want to he that shoulder to cry on when you finally open up to them, and they love the true you, the emotional and vulnerable you. They love your chaotic little mind, they also really fall in love with you when you cry. It makes them feel drawn to protect and be there for you, to experience everything you are feeling. They're the type to put themselves in your shoes, just so they know exactly how you feel. They love watching you grow and heal, and transform into the the strongest most powerful person you can be.🤧🖤

💌Messages from your person: Sing to me, I thought it was all in my head, Focus on me, I wanna kiss your neck, You make me so happy (Ahhh so cute😍❤) Extra cards: Angel, Out, Cafe, Girlfriend, Innocence, South node, 11th house, Scorpio, Leo, Fire (My pile 3 they wanna ask you out on a date <3)

Thank you my pile 3's! If you feel this resonated, you may tap the heart to claim this message!💫🌸

I hope you enjoyed your reading! ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ If you did be sure to let me know pile 3 with the white heart emoji~🤍 Thanks for scrolling through, Hugs hugs hugs!! See you in the next reading💗🌸💗🌸🎀

Pile 4🎃

Sign energy: Accusation, Admiration, Fear, Company, Fit, Gemini, Lilith, 9th house, 5th house, Saturn,🧚‍♀️🌇✌🦋

🧸Your energy: You give ethereal fairy/pixie vibes, you probably dreamed of becoming an air pilot as a kid😆 You enjoy having people over in your home. You felt restricted in your early years by others, so you admire those who can live freely and live in chaos and fun. You desire change in your life and all you want to to have a good time, others have tried to dampen your fun and good vibes. For some you may have had an older sibling that got on to you a lot, or told you to be more responsible😞 Could have been told you don't fit in with your family, because you are different. But my pile 4 you are so special, you are like a fairy!!😉 So magical and joyful~ you are a child at heart no matter the age, and you probably believe in fairytales at least a little🤏😇💫 You have changed a lot over the years and learned so much, you have many role models. Your child-like nature is both a blessing and a curse, many people hated you for being so light and joyful. But so many people love this about you, those who gave you a hard time felt bad that they couldn't face life as bright and care-free as you do. You truly are a gift to this world⭐

🍑Who is in love with you: Ability, Inactivity, Change, Soft spot, Friends, 2nd house, 8th house, Moon, Uranus, Chiron, 💄🤹‍♂️🌻😚 Omggg this is someone you know pile 4, this could be your best friend or a friend of yours. Could be friends of friends also, lgbtq+ vibes with this person, they could totally be a friend that has a secret crush on you!!🙊 This could be a childhood friend, perhaps someone who always cared for you all along. They are deeply in love with you pile 4 and they are so delicate with you, the way they speak is like a flower so calming and still. Could be Cancer, Taurus, Scorpio or Aquarius placements. I just realized the juggling emoji with the rainbow so that's another confirmation for any lgbtq+ in this pile :D This person loves you in such a pure adorable way, they light up when you smile. And they have the means to truly heal you my lovely pile 4, I mean they could really treat you well. They want to take care of you and probably always did/do.💝 I'm getting that if this is a childhood friend situation that they always cared for you like tend to your injuries, gave you bandaids, shared their lunch, honestly so sweet😭🥺💗🩹 You guys may not have a label for your relationship or it could be very confusing for you both, "are we friends? Do they like me? What are we??" What I'm hearing. This is a very emotional and empathetic native, they are so involved in your comfort and care. They want to check up on you a lot and ask if you're okay <3 This person is genuinely out for your best interest.

🧁Why they love you: Think outside the box, Devotion, Practical, Capricorn, Happiness, Earth, Scorpio, 5th house, 9th house, Saturn, 🌅🧤🎓🗻 I think they realized how smart and capable you are and just how you showed everyone that you aren't childish in a bad way and can actually achieve whatever you put your mind to.🤗 This person is in love with your perseverance and dedication for the things you care about, they love your care-free and fun yet able mentality. They especially love how dedicated you are to being happy and creating your own happiness, that really makes them fall in love💘 They find your mind so interesting and unlike any other, your ideas and beliefs are so unique and innovative to them. You are their little box of happiness awww and they wanna take you with them everywhere they go🥺 They think you're really smart and you never stop amazing them. Every little thing you do inspires this person, and makes them fall deeper in love with you. I feel like they try to think rationally about their feelings for you, because they wanna be thoughtful and rational just like you can be. But of course you make them so emotional and just so many feelings are ignited within this person for you. They love your success and all that you have achieved with your will. They are in awe with the things you do and say, your happiness makes them feel safe. They fell in love with your bright eyes and strong personality.🌈

💌Messages from your person: Cheer for me, No one makes me feel this way, It's karma, I have no boundaries with you, I've changed (I feel like you've inspired this person to keep going and stay strong!! You have shown this person how to be strong and believe in themselves and they honestly adore you for that🥺💓) Extra cards: Show, Interpretation, Sight, Conflict, Softie, Pluto, Jupiter, Neptune, Vertex, Sun

Thank you my pile 4's! If you feel this resonated, you may tap the heart to claim this message!💫🌸

I hope you enjoyed your reading! ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ If you did be sure to let me know pile 4 with the pumpkin emoji~🎃 Thanks for scrolling through, Hugs hugs hugs!! See you in the next reading💗🌸💗🌸🎀

Wanna see more readings like this? Check out my tumblr for accurate readings for you!💗🌊🌸

Thanks for reading! \(*^w^)/💌 -Lunadream <3

#love reading #pick a pile #daily tarot #astrology reading #pick a photo #pac reading #tarot pick a card #love tarot reading #free tarot #tarot #love pac #tarot pac #tarot readings #tarot love #tarot reading #tarotblr #tarotcommunity #pick a picture #pick a card reading #pick a card #astrology readings

[wincore]

indelicate | liu yangyang

pairing: yangyang x fem!reader

synopsis: missing the last train out of new shanghai was not on the to-do list. however, your project partner liu yangyang promises fun, dazzling lights, and the warmth of a human connection for this festive weekend. perhaps even in the era of diamond and steel, the human touch means something after all.

genre: oriental cyberpunk, f2l, fluff

warning(s): swearing & several innuendos. also out-of-date jokes sorry guys i wrote this in 2021

words: 11.9k

a/n: this is just a rework of an old fic i posted here with another character! if you find any inconsistencies, it's probably because of that LOL also this is not a wincore revival but i did miss everyone on here !!

i. city plaza

Some idiot, somewhere along in history, decided to renovate a city into something so dazzling that the population shoots up to a hundred and fifty percent of what was before, and the rest of the damage comes along with the people. Promises are made and broken to build this city of extravagance. You have the belief that the more people there are in one place, the more difficult it gets to live there. This dazzling hellscape means colliding into too many people on the streets, too many bright lights outside your dorm room when you’re trying to sleep and the god awful sound of deafening firecrackers at every new year celebration.

Another idiot somehow roped you into his ‘midnight adventure: traditional version’ once he heard you missed the last train ticket out of the city. Liu Yangyang has a terrible way with words—but he has a way.

You were, by some unfortunate gamble of the gods, partners for a project that accounted for sixty percent of the grade. While that affair is over, you still haven't rid yourself of the predicament that is Yangyang. Gorgeous, yes, but too overwhelming. You smack your head against the car window only for him to jump in his seat beside you, hand gently driving over your forehead to check for damage. The neon city lays around you, and festive light projections float across the sky in intricate shapes of the ox and written messages. This is going nowhere. You came to this city sacrificing everything and yet suddenly, everything’s hanging on a string again.

The city lights of New Shanghai are cruel. Everything in this place is cruel.

Which is exactly why you’re in Yangyang’s car, parked by the middle level city plaza on New Year’s Eve. It is, in fact, illegal to hover by the city plaza on New Year’s Eve but Yangyang seems to either not care or simply doesn’t know. You forget the law doesn’t exist for rich kids. Out of all man-made wonders, rules are the most interesting. 

“Shall we go?” he asks, voice bubbly as ever. Every morning, he chirps like the alarm birds outside your window. Yes, it has made you want to sleep forever at times.

“It’s just one night. And I’ll be with you, so you don’t have to be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid,” you snap. 

“Not afraid of the dark either?”

You pull your jacket closer to you. Here, the cold streets of the techno-jungle make you shiver more often than not. If you dare go out without friends, a city so grand will inevitably drain the life out of you. Your body alone cannot withstand the dazzle. And—you can’t be afraid of the dark after you’ve complained about the lights.

You look at Yangyang and back to the cityscape outside—large conglomerative blocks of buildings, some hosting advertisements with the faces of inhumanly beautiful models and some with the ‘Happy New Year!’ text animation floating about in increasingly complex patterns. You see the revolving top of one of the grandest skyscrapers, a Dior hotel, not the tallest but certainly the most pleasing to look at. It gleams from red to orange like the pulsating heart of a giant metropolitan beast. There are more funky buildings to look at, some not even the shape of austere corporate skyscrapers.

“Do you wanna go there?” Yangyang asks all of a sudden. “I heard the lounge is closed off from eleven. I can call some friends and we can book a room though—”

“No. No way. I’m not going to spend new year’s eve in a Dior suite.”

He grins. “Thank god. It’s so boring there. Only models and businessmen and whatever freak shit they do.”

You sigh. Liu Yangyang is a whole story in itself. He’s rich and popular—a dream of many—but so few are as welcoming as he is. When you’re in that position, you’re bound to have a little metal seep into your heart. Some hidden part of you, however, tells you to loosen up when you’re with him; just let it go and have a good time. There’s no reason why you shouldn't. The economy is on a steep incline, the people are happy and no other city compares to this place. You could learn a thing or two from Yangyang.

He looks at you questioningly, eyes waiting and the curve of his lips still. You notice his platinum blond hair is more styled than usual, you can almost smell the gel on it, and for a moment, you wish you looked as good as he does. A dark leather jacket accentuates his shoulders, the plain T-shirt underneath not of the flashy type. He looks like he’s ready for club-hopping and you, anything but. If you knew earlier that you’d be by the Strip around midnight on New Year’s, you'd have dressed better. 

“If you stay any longer in my car, people are going to assume we’re…y’know,” he states, quirking his eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure it’s illegal, though. Like, who thought fu—”

You were wrong. There is absolutely nothing to learn from Liu Yangyang. 

“I would get out of this car immediately and fall to my death before I let that happen,” you retort, crossing your arms.

“No, hey. What an inauspicious sentence. Besides, and I’m not bragging but you should know I’m really good at using my assets—”

“Don’t say a word.”

The heat of embarrassment flows into your cheeks at his implication. You look out the window, weighing out the pros and cons. The scenery is so bright that sometimes it hurts to look outside. It’s not midnight yet but the main streets are already getting crowded for the processions; the sound of laughter and conversation ring in the air. It makes you somewhat sad to not be home for this. But as they say, living in a big city can only be done if you sell your soul to it.

You’re directly above the level one city plaza, the people below looking unsettling in the way they’re so small and far away—they don’t even seem human at this distance. You wonder if you look like that to the people above this, to the level three elites who sit on top of the whole city..

You look back to your companion, who’s transfixed on the bakery across the road—either that, or just really, really zoned out. Knowing Yangyang, it could be either. When you tilt your head, waiting, you find that he has pretty features—a shaped nose and round, curious eyes, all in perfect alignment with plump, pink lips. His metallic ring earrings shine when the light hits them right. No wonder you get girls asking how close the two of you are often. Even in a world pushing manufactured love, boys like him make others daydream. You wonder why you’re the one he loves to drag in with him.

Yangyang flinches when he finds you staring at him. You clear your throat, looking away and hoping you can sweep this under the rug.

“Are you- are you by any chance mad at me?” he asks, a nervous smile awkwardly tugging at his lips.

“I- what? No. I’m not mad at you.”

“You look like my mother when I don’t clean my room. Or Ten's cats when I try to kiss them.”

A tiny laugh escapes you before you get back your poised demeanor. “I’m- I’m not mad at you.”

He smiles at you wordlessly and you feel a little conscious. You glance outside when the plaza music starts to get loud and look back at him, debating whether you should just give in.

“So… you’ll let me brighten your life now?” he asks in his regular baritone, grinning wider. “The semester’s over and it’s festival time! I bring good luck, I promise.”

Liu Yangyang is not a happy serendipity. He simply cannot be. However, he does make you laugh more often than you’d admit.

“Whatever. Go ahead. I just don’t want to be hungover on a Friday.”

“You don’t- you don’t have to drink to have a good time.” He laughs. “I would know. I’m sort of a lightweight. I don’t know why I told you that. I’m supposed to be cool.”

You giggle, taking a moment to think.

“Fine then. Show me your magical access key to our beloved Mobius Strip, the mightiest, grandest structure in all of New Shanghai.”

“Well, if you put it that way… I am pretty cool, huh?”

His smile is too harmless for you to roll your eyes. He’s too gentle, you realize all of sudden, to be as awful as all the uni frat boys you’ve had the misfortune of talking to. You watch him as he drives; his arm moves with ease and he tries to make conversation but you can only hum and respond in singular words. The closer you are to the Strip the more nervous you get. It’s like visiting all those dark places that your mother explicitly warned you not to visit as a teenager—but you’re an adult now. No one owns you. No one should be able to own you. The determination builds up slowly over neon lights and hazy street shops.

Nights here are the fun part. Everyone says that. Other than the fact that you can barely make out the colour of the sky under the vivid city lights, there’s something very enticing about the streets, the upper streets that wind around the city.

Yangyang drives the car to a level three street, the behemoth structure of the Strip now so close that all you can see beyond your window are its placid, white walls stretching out to infinity. You can see little gardens and shops, peeking out from between each strip and one of the shopkeepers wave at you the moment you pass. Yangyang says something along the lines of “thanks for the free noodles” to the woman, before gliding higher. 

“Grandma makes the best glass noodles here,” he says, excitedly. “I’ll take you sometime. If you like.”

You hum, noting the joy he expresses at the idea of something so simple. 

Level three streets are already thousand and a half feet above the ground. You try not to look down; heights aren’t something you’re very fond of even if you love the sky. You note construction work for street levels four and five, shivering at the idea. The winds of change are fucking cold.

Yangyang swerves the car off-road at one point and you clutch his arm by reflex.

“What the fuck? Don’t do that without warning me,” you say, breathing quicker. You do not do well with: sudden movement, jumpscares and boys with pretty smiles.

“Sorry,” he says, looking at you with concern. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

You let go of his arm, more embarrassed at yourself than mad at him. Driving the car closer to the Strip, he brakes carefully by the parking lot. The walls are covered in red wallpaper, a few lanterns attached to drones, floating along the path inside. It looks like a rooftop parking lot, though the mysterious dim lighting makes you walk closer to Yangyang.

“I heard this is gonna be a really cool event—they’ve got the latest AI tech hosting and crap but let me tell you the best part.”

He pauses for dramatic effect. 

“The food!” He says, spreading his arms and grinning. “The food at private events is the best thing you’ll ever taste.”

You open your mouth but close it again in part horror, part confusion. “You’re… taking me to a private event?”

“Ah, don’t look like that. It’s really fun, promise.”

“I’m not even dressed for it,” you blurt, embarrassed.

Yangyang shakes his head. “Don’t worry about that. It’s for rich kids, you know? If I’m being honest, none of them know how to dress.”

His confident statement gets a giggle out of you and you relax a little. You walk with him, further into the square platform and away from the cars. The sky disappears behind the dark roof and for a moment, you feel like you’ve entered a different dimension. It’s like the architecture models that your professors had on display for the Shanghai History class in your freshman year. Old stuff, that is. Before this place even had the first skyscraper.

You turn to your side and narrow your eyes at Yangyang, suddenly wondering how he finagled his way into bringing you here. Your iron-clad will is not so much iron after all. It’s not even steel, you think, once you catch yourself staring at Yangyang a bit too long.

You step forward to find the entrance to the club; it’s a little lonely to look at in the beginning. Then it clicks that it’s probably the back door. The red pillars encase a black door between them, the overhang of the gateway just a little above Yangyang’s head. You can see the hip-and-gable style roof of the larger building behind, looking like a skyscraper instead of the usual historical buildings you’ve seen on the internet. In glowing red letters, it displays a blinking ‘Club 2’ near the top of the door.

The moment you step on the stairs, a bunch of advertisements pop up on the door, bright bubblegum colours hurting your eyes. Yangyang taps at the little x at the corner of the display till it disappears and finally the door is a regular door. The colour is jet black like any other screening platform. 

“I thought the rich were exempted from ads,” you say.

“They’re… more likely to buy things though.”

You make an ‘ah’ sound in contemplation when a whirring makes you jump into him. A little spherical drone flies its way out of an opening in the wall and stops right in front of the two of you. 

“Sicheng-ge!” Yangyang says, waving frantically at the camera.

The little drone circles around Yangyang’s head before stopping right in front of his face. It runs a scan before turning sharply and beeping at you. 

“My plus one!” Yangyang declares, pulling you by the waist. “Or whatever it’s called.”

Your ears feel warm but you don’t push him off. The camera focuses on your face, likely scanning to identify your age and occupation. When it’s done, a beep resounds and the door slides open to reveal a dimly lit pathway. The main entrance is much brighter, Yangyang promises, but for now it’s just the warm glow of the lanterns, Yangyang’s neon red striped jacket and the mechanical whirring of some sort of device in the darkness.

“What’s that sound?” you whisper and Yangyang stops. 

He pauses to think. “Oh, they’re Sicheng-ge’s drones. He’s got like a million of them. I'll introduce you—he’s hosting this club event, by the way.”

He smiles at you reassuringly. If Yangyang’s not bothered by it, you’ll follow his lead. Though, you do take more nimble steps and stay close to him like he’s your lighthouse. (In a way, he is, with all that neon shining on his jacket.)

You’re surprised to find a garden, but then it gets stranger when you see brighter lanterns in the middle area. You see figures and before you can react, Yangyang takes your hand and into the central platform.

ii. orchid club square

Yangyang was right. None of them know how to dress.

The two of you stand in the middle of a crowd, who are in fact dressed either for: a) an impromptu pool party or b) a Sunday morning lecture. You blend in somewhat well given the variety though Yangyang’s painted looks have attracted the attention of quite a few giggling, murmuring onlookers.

You clench your jaw in mild annoyance. 

“This is a tour,” Yangyang whispers to you. “I thought… you’d like to know what everything’s about.”

You feel grateful to him for once. Having some sort of knowledge about what you’re getting into makes you feel better about any situation. A set of mechanical clicking fills the air.

A woman—no, an AI bot is the first to greet you. She has pale white metallic skin and her dark strands of hair are in a traditional updo. Her lips are imperial red, shaped in a way that makes her seem as though she’s smiling but also not at the very same time. She holds an extravagant fan by her face at the perfect right angle, the patterns on it painted to imitate an ancient cherry blossom tree. 

“Good evening, everyone,” she says, her voice pitched up and enthusiastic. It’s a little funny to imagine metal so lively.

You smell oranges and lavender as soon as she flicks her fan once and precise. 

“Welcome to the New Shanghai nightlife!” The bot continues jovially. “The oldest surviving city on planet earth, the birthplace of the human race.”

“You are in virtual space,” she informs. “It might look like a courtyard stretching to infinity but it is only an illusion. However, the club is five hundred and sixty one metres wide and six hundred and twelve metres long. It is large enough to hold twenty-one blue whales in a line. That is, if they still existed of course.”

She giggles algorithmically.

“Where you stand right now,” she says, turning her head in a swift mechanical motion to you and you flinch. “This place is called the orchid club square. As you know, only VIP access lets you in.”

You glance at Yangyang worriedly and he shrugs. There’s no way she could know, right? That was oddly specific. But then she moves her head left to right to address the whole crowd in perfect grace. When her movement starts to get a little too eerie to watch any longer, you fix your eyes on the garden instead. You have no way of telling part real flowers from virtual ones and even so—all of them are beautiful. Maybe reality doesn’t make things any prettier.

However, when you look at Yangyang, the thought gets tossed out. You shake your head, in an attempt to get rid of the image of his face. It’s a little too late to be feeling this way. Either that, or the night is taking its toll on you already. The day was exhausting, considering it was the end of the semester.

The AI guide’s chatter fades into something quieter when you move the club square. It’s a rather empty space, fitting for a rave or just housing large crowds. The decorations are for the new year celebrations, banners of the ox in auspicious colours and a few drones projecting the rest. There’s a garden of evermore orchids lining the area in a perfect square and it’s so precise that it’s pleasing to look at. There’s a door at one edge, similar to the one you encountered before entering the club square.

The music that wafts through the air is so gentle, you almost forget there’s a celebration. The beat makes it livelier and even so, the rhythm of your heartbeat matches it in a soothing sort of way. Turning around, you spot the musical ensemble. It’s another AI, peering over a guqin with trained habit.

She looks the same, except she wears an electronic mask over the lower half of her face. It displays a blue musical note made up of noticeable pixels. She has no fan—instead, her fingers strum the guqin rhythmically, programmed with precision and grace. The sound is accompanied by the woodwind notes of a flute, though you’re not sure where that sound emanates from. There’s also a soft drumbeat which seems to come from the guqin bot herself.

You gasp when a few painted goldfish float through the air, almost real to look at if it weren’t for the glitch effect of holograms. One of them swims closer to you, opening and closing its mouth in rhythm and you giggle at its face.

Yangyang laughs, long finger pointing at the critter in amusement. “That’s adorable.”

He looks like a little kid and you giggle at his expression, with wide, delighted eyes and mouth open in focused mirth. He pokes at the goldfish and it makes a bubbling sound, gears shifting in ticking time before suddenly biting at his index finger. Yangyang lets out a low yelp, retracting his hand before clearing his throat in embarrassment.

“You’re like a cartoon,” you tell him, in between laughs. “No way are you real.”

He grins, in that same way he always looks at you and you look away, feeling hot in the face. It’s too enamored a way to look at someone. But of course, that couldn’t be true—he’s Liu Yangyang and you’re you. Parallel lines do not meet, even if they’re headed in the same direction.

“I think you’re unreal,” he mumbles.

iii. club 2

The doors open to a rather spacious arrangement, with several tables one one side and a sort of dance arena on the other where people are trying to out-dance each other. The intensity makes you move further away from it. It seems a little too festive and you can feel the energy slinking away from you. The music is more upbeat but you suppose the DJ tried to make it sound more eastern; the result is pleasing. He wears a smooth black helmet with a neon red beat visualizer on it, with written SFX appearing from time to time. Two pulsing golden horns glow at the sides of his head. You stare at it for longer than you’d like before composing yourself. You’re very impressionable when it comes to parties. 

There are two floors to the club, above the bottom floor itself. The other two floors mostly seem to consist of private booths, however, covered with gossamer silk that glow iridescent. A few floating lanterns sway by the upper floors. The ceiling is open to a midnight blue sky and the stars look much larger than you’ve ever seen them—you suspect it’s an AR mesh over the ceiling. A few light shows project little dancing dragons and coins over the sky and you find them too cute to not stare at.

“Wow,” Yangyang says, right after walking in. “Why is Dejun on the table?”

You look where his eyes are focused on, though it’s difficult through the crowd of people, and find Dejun and Kunhang in some sort of old anime transformation pose atop one of the tables. It’s surprising that they’re not the weirdest pair here. 

“Now, bear with me, it’s going to be boring as hell till the countdown and the fireworks,” he explains, waving his hands around. “But it’s a good place to have fun and make friends. You know?”

“Friends?” you ask, a little nervous. You’re not very proficient at making friends and it makes you anxious.

“Yeah! Don’t worry. ” He makes a strange gesture, bordering between posing for a beer ad campaign and looking like a motivational speaker for the army, before furrowing his eyebrows. “You just have to be confident! I’m learning too!”

He lets out a sweet laugh and it makes you laugh in turn, hand covering your mouth so you don’t embarrass yourself too much. You don’t believe the words much, but the glow over his cheeks makes you reconsider.

“You look really nice when you laugh,” he comments, a bright glint in his eyes.

“Whatever,” you reply, punching his shoulder lightly.

Just then, you feel a gentle tap on your shoulder to find Lana from your ethical AI class, smiling at you warmly. She looks a little tired, of people more than the time. Like you, she is also a scholarship student—and not a day has gone when she hasn’t soothed your anxiety about your classes. In stark contrast with Yangyang, you would trust her over him for most tasks. Even if you weren’t partners, you’re okay with the outcome. You glance at Yangyang.

“(name)! Oh my god, I didn’t know you were coming here,” she says. “Did Yangyang kidnap you?” 

“I mean, sort of.”

“Hey.” Yangyang looks at you with betrayal.

“And how did you even manage to do that cool ass project with him as your partner?” she continues, squinting at him.

“Honestly, I don’t know either. He can be surprisingly helpful though.”

Yangyang looks from Lana to you in exasperation. “I’m literally right here,” he grumbles. 

Lana laughs at his expression, patting his shoulder sympathetically. 

“I just can’t believe you let him kidnap you and not me,” she says in mock indignance. “I’m a much better chauffeur, you know?”

“Do you even have a driving license?” Yangyang asks, laughing.

“I got mine before you, rat. Anyway, (name), I’m playing the guzheng. Do you wanna come see?”

“No,” Yangyang interrupts, suddenly grabbing your hand. “I… I mean you guys can go, of course. It's just the countdown’s close, so we have to go to the viewpoint.”

“That’s exactly where—ah. I see.”

"We'll join you another time, Lana," he says quietly, a cute grin on his face like a little boy would make to an older sister for more shares of chocolate. 

"No, no. I actually remembered I left my friends in the corner. See you!"

She leaves her epiphany unsaid, offering you a smile and taking her leave abruptly.

“I thought you told me to socialize,” you complain to Yangyang. 

“Yes, I’m so proud of you for that.”

“Yangyang, I swear if you treat me like a kid—”

“I’m not, I’m not. Sorry,” he says, scratching the back of his head. “I just need to borrow you for tonight. After all, I promised you, didn’t I?”

You sigh. “Fine then, what’s this viewpoint you’re talking about?”

“Oh, we’ll get there.”

Someone’s watching you. You turn around a full three-sixty but find only the same crowd of college-age kids. No one sticks out much, apart from Dejun, Kunhang and Ten, who are at this point performing some sort of strange ritual unbeknownst to any new year tradition, with a hell load of yelling.

“Oh my god, you’re dancing too?” Yangyang says, grinning ear to ear. “I didn’t know I’d have that much of a positive influence. Wow.”

“I’m- I’m not- never mind.”

Yangyang furrows his eyebrows. “What did I tell you? More confidence! See—”

He takes your hands in his, pulling you further onto the dance floor. You feel a rising panic but swallow it. There’s a beat of silence in which the two of you look at each other. Yangyang proceeds to perform the stupidest sequence of movements you have ever seen, certainly too awkward for his body to accept as natural but it doesn’t seem like he cares. He’s having fun.

You find yourself laughing. Taking timid steps, you try to loosen up although the inevitable embarrassment arrives in flushes of heat across your face. There are stars in Yangyang’s eyes when you join him—not the artificial jewels in observatories but the real kind that you used to see in your hometown.

You take a wobbly step back. It’s starting to get disorienting. If it were the real sky above you, you might even have felt better. Perhaps the purpose is to get dizzy.

“I’m a little thirsty,” Yangyang says, motioning to the table with food and drinks at a corner. “I’ll head over and be back.”

Unsure what to do, you follow him like a lost lamb and though it would be embarrassing at any other time, any other place, now and here are not part of that.

The red and golden lights of the neon patterning the walls don’t seem as harsh anymore and you let your eyes rest on the boyish figure of Yangyang. You haven’t figured him out yet. Something tells you he’s more than a shallow image of the party-loving rich kids of Shanghai. In fact, in quiet, personal moments, he looks more out of place than you do—despite all that bright neon. You open your mouth to ask something when you’re interrupted by a dizzy Yangyang spinning into you. 

“Sorry, (name),” he says, rubbing the base of his palm against his forehead. “I genuinely thought I was going to win that game.”

You shake your head, letting him get back to whatever spinning game they were at. He smells like wine and something tells you he’s poor at holding his liquor. The stakes must be high for that game, you figure, because you see Yangyang set aside his beloved shoe on the floor. To be the only scholarship student here suddenly feels scary and awkward.

Yangyang once again tugs at your arm, the touch reassuring as though he understands how you feel. But it isn’t true. There’s no way someone like him can understand someone like you.

“Yangyang,” you call. “Do you come here every year?”

“No, no. I do come for drinks though. I’m only here right now because a friend is hosting this.”

You shrug.

“And you,” he adds and you feel a hot flush rise to your face. “New years are the only time this place is PG-13.”

“I’m not a child,” you snap.

“My mom says childish people say that.”

“Then it's very rich coming from you, Liu Yangyang.”

He laughs heartily, leaning away. A creeping thought grows in your head that you missed out on a lot. But then again, you’ll always miss out on things if you’re not rich enough for them.

Yangyang flinches suddenly, almost knocking a plate off the table. He moves quickly, turning so that his side leans against the wall and the other arm cages you between him and the wall. His frame covers your view from whatever, or whoever arrived at the entrance that made him react so obnoxiously.

However, his lips hovering just a little over yours makes your breath hitch in your throat. This is the worst possible position you could've gotten into. The smell of mint interrupts your thoughts and you look at him with as annoyed an expression as you can muster over the heat of your face.

"Yangyang, what the fuck do you think you're doing?"

“I am… admiring the wall. Ooh, it’s got velvet over it, did you notice?”

 “You’re going to have your head in it too if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

"Just… sorry. Let’s stay like this for a few moments."

He flashes you an apologetic smile, his face close enough to make yours grow even hotter. A nervous chuckle erupts from his lips. 

"Oh my god, get off. People are going to think we’re making out."

"We could do it for real." 

"I'm going to scratch your eyes out."

"Sorry, sorry."

“Who are you even hiding from?”

“I’m not hiding… okay, forget that. Bodyguard-watcher-dude. It’s kind of hard to explain.”

“You have a bodyguard?”

“More like a babysitter.”

You try not to laugh, considering the proximity between your faces. “How come you have a babysitter? Actually, wait, I think I know.”

He huffs over your face and you restrain yourself from landing a swift uppercut to his jaw. Now you know the minty smell comes from mouth freshener.

“He’s a prosecutor. It’s weird that he stalks me in his free time. Even- even if… my parents are paying him.”

“They think you’re doing something illegal?”

“No. I don’t think I am.”

You rest your head back against the wall, rolling your eyes. “Really? That’s your answer? God, your brain cells rotted somewhere along the way, didn’t they? It’s all those parties.”

“I’m starting to feel like my mom hired you too.”

He looks back, and noting the absence of his so-called babysitter, he pulls back from you. You didn’t realize you were holding your breath and you let it out in a shallow effort.

“Your babysitter’s gone?”

“Not a babysit—I regret saying that. Look, I really don’t think they appointed him because they think I’m doing something illegal. I have never done anything illegal. Except that one street race but that’s because Lucas told me it was perfectly legal.”

“The what?”

“Anyway, the point is, let’s look forward to good fortune for this year, hm? Leave all the burdens to last year.”

“Fortune doesn’t favour fools.”

“I’m not stupid,” he complains, spreading his arms to express it further. “Mostly.”

 You laugh, turning your attention to  the food table.

“Ooh, pineapple tarts,” he exclaims, hand reaching out to grab one when you smack it.

“You’ve had, like, fifteen already.”

“Mhm,” he says, with a few more stuffed in his mouth.

There’s a pause.

“It’s me, isn't it?” you ask quietly. “I’m not supposed to be here.”

He gulps, lips parting and closing. “I brought you here. So you don’t worry about it.”

Rich people suck. You believe that strongly. But sometimes, just sometimes, when you have everything you can ever want, you start to want the same for everyone around you. Some people are special. You find Yangyang genuinely fascinating for being someone who makes friends when he’s supposed to be making more connections. You find him fascinating. 

It makes sense for someone like him to be the way he is.

iv. fireworks viewpoint

“That’s the old Shanghai Tower,” Yangyang points to a building in the distance. “It used to be the tallest building once but… well, it looks like the little guy now.”

Lunar New Year’s celebrations are a big, big deal in New Shanghai. It means a break from university, work and every other affair to have as many priorities sorted in anticipation of the new year. And the impact is evident from this height, when you can see the city in its golden glory. It looks warm out there for once—although you’re not very sure if it’s because of the warmth that comes from right beside you. The little wooden boats float by on the river a little far off, various images blooming as holograms above them. You giggle at the large animated fishes swimming above the river with blank expressions and painted button eyes. 

The golden clock shines bright in the sky, its holographic hands ticking down to midnight. It looks like something out of a fantasy movie, scattering golden pixels everywhere with each minute passing. The size of it alone reminds you of the scale of this city.

This is an empire. It's owned by the kings and queens who built it over the bones left from sacrifices. It's going to be owned by heirs and heiresses. You feel a looming sense of dread come over you. It's so beautiful and it can never belong to itself. It must always belong to someone. It’s the terms and conditions of human creation.

"Hey." Yangyang taps you on the shoulder and you try not to flinch. "What are you thinking?"

You hum. "Stuff."

"This place is pretty cool, huh?"

That, you can agree with. "It is. It's so amazing that I can't believe I'm here sometimes."

Yangyang laughs slowly. "I hope more people can live here. Not in level one. You know. No one should live in desperation."

You hold back a scoff, though you end up frowning. What does a rich kid know of desperation? He might as well be prince, and princes do not know how to beg. It must be something of a saviour complex. You shrink away from him. The new year music is starting to ring a little too loud in your ears.

"That would be difficult," you mutter.

"Not if you lower the cost of living conditions—ah. Sorry." He pauses and you feel a flicker of surprise in you. “It’s not appropriate to discuss. Or so my parents tell me…”

The expression comes from empathy. You’re sure of it. There’s some sort of passion and not the kind of coloured fire that flames up in parties, but a different one. The kind that says, if you can’t bear the heat then you can’t learn how to forge. You scoff. Which prince has possibly known heat?

“I- I get angry too,” you say quietly. “I think it’s something to be angry about.”

He smiles at you, leaning against the balcony railing. 

You’re interrupted by a man in the attire of a waiter and it causes the two of you to jump away from each other. It’s not like you were very close in the first place but the proximity of shared words can play tricks on people. The man offers the two of you a screen and Yangyang’s face lights up almost immediately.

“We can order food with this,” he says. “Or book a table. The top strips are all reserved for members of the club. That’s the big daddy restaurants.”

“That’s… pretty cool,” you say, leaning in to glance over the browsing menu. “But don’t say that phrase to me again.”

“I can. And I will.”

“Ugh. Move on.”

“Okay, so we should drop by the convenience store for some ramen. I heard they taste better in the middle of the night,” Yangyang suggests all of a sudden, leaning in further.

It gets difficult sometimes to not be bothered by him, especially when there is a lack of distance. You look at him, pause and then sigh. “Sure. I guess. Are those free too?”

He opens his mouth in sudden realization and grins sheepishly at you. You roll your eyes.

“Do you have money then?”

“Uh.”

“How do you not have money? It’s the New Year!”

“I… uh—”

“Okay, you don’t have to answer that. But I’m not paying for you,” you complain. “You could always ask your parents for some money. What’s the point of being a party kid?”

‘Party kids’—it makes you laugh in amusement—is the colloquial term given to the children of businesspeople who had a direct hand in the economic progress of New Shanghai. You would sell your kidneys to be one and it still wouldn’t be enough.

His smile wavers at your statement but he shakes his head. “If I call my mom, she’ll start scolding me again about how my apartment room needs to be cleaner. Blah, blah, blah. You know.”

“She’s right- wait, you don’t clean your room?”

“Don’t take her side, (name).” 

You bite down a smile and he offers you his biggest one. 

“Oh, that place looks new,” Yangyang exclaims, a long index finger pointing to the preview of a sushi restaurant. You glare at him, his face nearer to yours than you would prefer but his eyes are fixed like a child ogling halloween candy.

“Let’s go,” he urges, looking directly at you. 

You furrow your eyebrows, shaking your head vehemently. “We don’t have money. Or bit-credits.”

He sighs, deflating as though you just snatched the candy right from his hands. “But… I haven’t been there before.”

“So?” You exhale, pinching the bridge of your nose. “You don’t have to try every food place in the city.”

“I need to eat,” he says as though it’s a very reasonable response. “I’m still growing!”

“Not mentally.”

He drops his smile, looking at you blankly. “You don’t have to get so smart with me, let me tell you.”

You snicker at the ‘offended’ expression on his face.

In the next moment, your attention shifts to the sudden crowd of people rushing to the balcony. Yangyang pulls you closer to avoid getting pushed by them, and you look around confused. It all makes sense when they start chanting the numbers, counting down from ten. You can only stare in awe at the clock and the otherworldly glee in the rhythmic chants. It’s like they don’t feel anything but joy at this moment. You let yourself smile.

The clock strikes twelve. The sound of the bell resounds throughout the city and the firecrackers burst into a thousand shades of red and gold across the sky. There’s moving images of animals, floating text and other animations which make the night sky seem like a screen. The sparks of the fireworks look like golden snow, or even happy little pixels.

You point your finger to the sky excitedly but when you turn, Yangyang’s eyes aren’t on the sky but on your hand outstretched towards it. He faces you, rather hesitantly as though caught red-handed.

“You’re- you’re… so pretty,” he says, softly and shrugging as if answering a question.

You wish he wouldn’t look at you like that. It’s the lonely speaking, right? The euphoria of human connection in this time and age—it can make you believe anything. There’s a myriad of colours blooming in the sky behind you, a city dazzling with diamond and ruby lights, people with much more stories to tell than you do. This city, this city, this city. This city will break your heart. 

“It’s kind of crappy,” you mutter, to which Yangyang quirks an ear.

“Wh-what is?”

“This city. It’s got bright lights and fun and all those promises of success. But all I see are people desperately trying to survive. All I see are the same faces at the top and—I’m sorry. I’m getting carried away.”

“No, no.” He makes a vague gesture. “I’m listening.”

“We’re at their mercy,” you whisper. “My life is not my own. That’s crappy.”

Yangyang hums in response. “You're right. What’s the point of living a life that’s not your own?”

Looking at him again, you see the entire figure of his being against the fireworks and all the beautiful creations of the human race. His almost silver hair falls perfectly by his forehead, the contact lenses looking like glazed frost over his eyes. Just as vibrant and excessive as the city itself, Yangyang belongs here. This is his kingdom. 

No, that’s not quite right perhaps. Yangyang belongs anywhere because he brings warmth. You're suddenly grateful he's with you because no one you know would possibly go out of their way to make you feel comfortable like this. You know Yangyang loves people and crowds. No one would do that for you at the expense of their own enjoyment. You smile at the prospect of solving the blinding mystery that he is.

"We… should leave," Yangyang says, all of a sudden. He eyes a man at the corner of the balcony, dressed in a business suit and looking blank. He sticks out like a sore thumb. You're not sure why he's in that getup.

"Okay," you say, not sure why you're so agreeable tonight.

Maybe it's the night. Sometimes all you can do is drag your feet over the asphalt and hope it'll be sunnier tomorrow.

v. two-four-seven convenience store

College boys are the most god-awful creatures on earth.

“Hey, do you always reach class on time?” Yangyang asks, eyes curious. He keeps asking a question every five minutes or so, trying to keep up conversation. You've already told him he doesn't have to. However, it makes you strangely comfortable to hear the sound of his voice periodically. You won't tell him that.

You nod, returning your gaze to the window, though the advertisements block your view. You can always try skipping the ad every five goddamn seconds. 

It's your first time riding the train that travels through the Mobius Strip, and certainly the first time in a luxury cabin. Since it’s free for members of the new year club, you can heave a sigh of relief. You will never in your life, even if it’s genetically elongated, ever be able to afford a luxury cabin.

"Oh, that looks so good," Yangyang says, large hand smacking against the window to get rid of the colourful advertisements. 

"It's a convenience store, Yangyang," you say. "It's got everyday ramen."

"No, look. It's a different brand. And they're giving a burger for free with two ramen cups!"

You furrow your eyebrows at him. "Well, I guess it's cheaper too."

"Oh, we can go to one of the upper restaurants too. They're free, remember?"

"I like convenience stores," you mumble. There's something about the lack of even lighting and crowds that made them a comfort spot for you.

“Quick,” he says, pulling you off the seat when the train stops.

“Yangyang!” you warn. He's so easily excitable that you find it hard to believe he's real sometimes.

However, when he turns around with his big puppy-dog eyes, you curse at yourself before you curse at him. Sighing, you follow him down the steps, his hand tenderly holding yours. Sometimes, you wonder if the human touch means anything at all in this diamond and steel era. Yangyang’s palm is warm against yours.

The ramen tastes awfully delicious on stolen time, and you would complain more if it weren’t for Yangyang looking at you with so serene a look. It annoys you and you try to grab his attention by waving your chopsticks in front of him. When it doesn’t work, you resort to swearing. You’ve never seen anyone respond with a smiling hum after being told to “eat shit”.

“Oh, this tastes so good,” he states, cheeks puffed with food. “I think I’m going to cry.”

“I- I think you’re crying because it’s spicy.”

“Oh.”

As usual, Yangyang pokes and prods at you with questions about your daily life, like you’re the most interesting thing in a city full of blinding lights, world-class robots and cyber-enhanced technology. You don’t understand how he doesn’t just grow tired of asking every single detail about you.

Apart from the fact that Liu Yangyang is most certainly an environmental hazard, some part of you cannot believe that he's truly terrible. There's something innocent about him, but all at once, something quiet and mysterious. 

“Why are you always so curious, Yangyang?” you ask finally. “Why are you always running off to different places?”

“Because experiences never come twice,” he answers after some thinking. It seems to be a little difficult for him to articulate, deep contemplation over his features when he continues. “This city… all the lights and clubs and arenas, all of it will be gone someday. Like we don’t have telephones or those big computers anymore.”

You rest your chin on your palm, leaning in.

“This moment, right here with you… I’ll never experience it again,” he tells you. “We can have more midnight convenience store ramen sometime later but… each time will be different. I’d rather live now.”

You smile softly. “That’s a funny thought to live by.”

“Yours isn’t any better,” he says, patting your head. “Also, I’m like hot and young and popular and not a cyborg—how can I miss parties?”

You shake your head, laughing. He’s ridiculous. He’s completely ridiculous. In that moment, when you look at him, Yangyang seems to be smiling in a daze, eyes on your face.

“You look nice when you smile,” he says quietly.

"Thanks," you respond. "I should keep it a secret then, huh?"

"Not from me," he says, smiling. 

Somehow, the extra minutes you have at the convenience store turn to a few multiplayer games and then, ditching technology, to an arm wrestling match.

"I feel like this game is kind of unfair," you say after losing almost immediately. He's clearly got stronger muscles. Does he work out? Probably against his will, you bet.

“My right arm’s a lot stronger than my left arm,” he says, before looking a little horrified. “That wasn’t a masturbation joke, by the way. I am so sorry.”

You roll your eyes. "Give me your left hand then- wait. You're right-handed?"

"That's not the- uh." He thinks for a moment, trying to gather words. “That’s not the reason.”

“I, uh, I heavily damaged this arm when I was a kid—don’t look like that, there’s a fun part to this. It’s made of titanium! And some other things. The names are too complicated.”

You drive your fingers over the arm, so warm and real and flushed red, anything but metal and code. You find curiosity blooming in you more than ever before.

“You know why I’m not with family,” you say, straightening. “But why aren’t you celebrating with your family?” 

He gets quiet, thinking to himself for a few more moments. You almost regret asking when he answers, a hesitant sound leaving him first.

“None of us, uh… none of our parents can spare more than three hours. They’ll come in the afternoon tomorr—today.”

You can’t exactly respond to that very well.

“So all of us go hang out at the New Year’s Club.”

You frown. "But it's not a celebration without family!"

"We have new year lunches. And… it's the future. Traditions die. Very few grieve them for fear of being stuck in the past."

You feel partly horrified and partly dismal. "I… You could come with me next year, if you like."

You're not sure where the offer comes from but Yangyang lights up at the idea.

"I can? Oh, we'll have so much fun!"

"Slow down. There's a year to go."

Yangyang laughs. It's surprising the way he turned out. He must have gotten tired of waiting by the door. And now you know all the things about him that his parents don’t.

You smile at him, warming up to the idea of you and him as friends before scoffing at it again.

Right in the next moment, Yangyang dips suddenly to the ground, crouching below the table. You look around in surprise and fall to your knees with a yelp at the tug on our wrist from Yangyang.

“What the hell?” you hiss. “You’re starting to act really weird.”

“I- Sorry. It’s an emergency,” he says, but there’s no sign of distress in his voice. He simply smiles at you. Perhaps he’s never heard of the emotion as of yet.

“Your babysitter?”

“I say that once and on accident—yes, it’s my babysitter.”

You chuckle. He’s simply too cute at times. 

“We have to be discreet now, okay? It’s like—what’s the movie called? Oh, Mission Impossible.”

“I’ve never seen that.”

“What? How can you not? It’s a classic! It’s got so many cool—ah, I’ll show you another time.”

You hum, staring at Yangyang’s facial features tense up and relax again as he scans the vicinity outside the window of the convenience store. It’s full of people, even at this hour so you can’t possibly know who’s looking at you from there.

Yangyang turns back to you. “Have you ever been to blue moon station?”

“The one with the pretty walls? No. No, I’ve never even gone beyond Strip Two.”

Yangyang smiles at you and right then, you feel like you’re about to resent whatever’s going to happen next. It’s in the ebb and flow of tonight’s itinerary, however, and you relax your shoulders just as he does a roll across the floor, looking back at you with a grin for executing it flawlessly. 

“You’re so silly,” you mutter. 

“I heard that,” he whisper-shouts back.

You’re not as afraid as before, you realize. The lights are absolutely mesmerizing.

vi. blue moon station

It drops a few degrees in temperature once you step foot onto the platform. You can see a bunch of scattered tourists, cameras hanging around their neck and a look of awe over their faces. 

Yangyang takes off his jacket, shivering immediately but offering it to you nonetheless. When you refuse, he places it gingerly over your shoulders.

"Is that a…?"

"A tourist bot, yes."

"Oh my god, it's so cute," you say, crouching by the little red robot, a teal-colored smiley face popping up on its monitor.

"A lot of tourists in this station," you note.

"Yeah. It's very… visually pleasing."

That's true. The walls are screens with three dimensional graphics, immersive enough to catch one's eye. A single tree grows through the middle of the station, evergreen and alive with holographic flora and fauna. The sun shines eternally over the tree. It's so beautiful that you had trouble taking your eyes off it at first.

The walls next to you are currently displaying a walk through a fantasy forest, crafted by a visionary artist, no doubt. A blue butterfly flies past you and you stare at it before zoning out.

Sometimes, the lights are too disorienting. You start to feel dizzy, massaging your forehead when Yangyang brushes the tips of his fingers against your shoulder.

“You good?”

Yangyang crouches beside you with watchful eyes.

You nod, turning your attention to the tourist bot. It displays a plethora of information about the architecture of this place which you're sure no tourist will bother to read beyond the first two lines. 

“You can make it do cool tricks too,” Yangyang says. “Watch.”

Yangyang pokes at it with his index finger, drawing a pattern over the screen. The bot proceeds to do an old internet dance, waving about its arms and hips. You laugh at it and Yangyang looks at you with the pride of a third grader with first place on their science project.

The colours on the walls change and you see the animation of a man and a fox, furrowing your eyebrows as you try to recall that image. They seem to be broadcasting fables through the holograms. You can’t deny that they’re pretty—glowing with auspicious colours and as animated as the real world itself. As if by compulsion, you hold Yangyang’s hand. It’s nice to feel the human touch real once in a while, especially in the overwhelming loneliness of city nights.

Yangyang looks at you brightly and right then, you feel less inclined to leave him.

“You know, I could teach you better ways to flirt than just grab my hand,” he says, grinning like an idiot.

“What?” 

You move your hand. “I’m not flirting.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean that,” he responds quickly. “Can I please have your hand back?”

You shake your head, laughing. He worries you. Some part of you says you shouldn’t be worried. It’s not like you’re close friends. (Friends, maybe. Close, not yet.)

The night has a different opinion.

—

“Found you,” a voice declares, and the two of you jump into each other with a scream.

The man in the suit looks at you with a fatigued look in his eyes, hair somehow still neat though he breathes like his lungs are on fire. 

“Care to tell me why you’ve been skipping my calls?” he asks after catching his breath. “It’s not like I wanted to follow you—you just needed to tell me.”

“I… I was busy?” Yangyang flashes a smile. “Kun-ge, I honestly had no idea you called. I don’t even have my phone.”

The man shakes his head. “Fine. Just head over to Jasmine for the night. And you can bring your date too.”

He gestures at you and you want to deny it as quick as you can. You do not, however. It’s almost like you’ve warmed up to the idea of it rather well.

“Okay,” Yangyang answers quietly. 

vii. jasmine private lounge

You enter a lounge with the capacity of around a hundred people. Despite that, there are hardly five present. The walls are black with neon jasmines pulsating from blue to red. A grand piano lies still in all its elegance in the middle of the lounge, played by a plain white AI. It feels like an expensive place to be, and more so, it feels like someplace you’re not supposed to step foot into. There's a bar table at one side, opposite to the entrance which glows a hypnotizing purple. A flat lettering on the wall declares the time to be 3 A.M.

You and Yangyang sit a little too close on the artificially warmed couch, waiting for Kun to return. Yangyang reassures you that you haven't done anything wrong but the illicit outing of yours certainly says otherwise. You contemplate tasting the cocktail Yangyang ordered before finally giving in and find it pleasantly warm to taste. You take another sip.

“It’s a little strong,” Yangyang warns. “Don’t have all of—you had all of it.”

You shrug. Your throat certainly feels better now. This lounge is fucking cold.

"You know, Yangyang," you say with the warmth of confidence on your face. "You're a really nice guy."

He smiles incredulously. "Thanks. You're really nice too."

"And you're pretty decent-looking—"

"I know that."

"—and also popular. So why are you always hanging around me?"

"Uh, that's your question?"

You nod. Placing your cheek against your palm, you try not to sink into the couch.

"Because you're really cool!" He answers before clearing his throat. "I mean. I think you're fun to be around. You make me see things clearer."

"And what exactly are you wanting to see clearer?'

"You."

You blink aside your astoundment, straightening. "What?"

Your question is left unanswered because a man enters and sits across the two of you, a loud huff of annoyance leaving his mouth. It's not just his disposition but the architecture of his face that grabs your attention. He looks like an AI robot so perfectly crafted with coloured lips and flawless skin that you end up staring till Yangyang elbows you.

“He’s not an AI,” Yangyang whispers.

You furrow your brows and notice it is, in fact, true that he's not an AI. There are no ridges over the joints or hollowness in the eyes. He wears the same frost-patterned smart lenses as Yangyang does. However, it doesn't change the fact that the man is beautiful to look at.

“I’m never hosting a new year party again,” he mutters, sinking into the couch.

“It actually sounds kind of fun,” Yangyang interjects. “I can’t wait for my turn.”

“I’m sorry. Good luck standing at Longhua temple for three hours till midnight just to make sure nothing goes wrong. Without dinner.”

Yangyang makes a face at that.

"That's Sicheng-ge," he says, turning to you. 

"Ah," you say in response, remembering the name vaguely. 

"He let us into Club 2," Yangyang says, noticing your lost expression.

"I think Kun's looking for you," Sicheng says, eyes trained at the back. 

His hands fidget with the dim blue buttons at the edge of the table, till a small compartment reveals itself under the glass. An old world-style cigarette is slowly pushed up and Sicheng picks it up. He offers the next one to Yangyang, who accepts it hesitantly. No one smokes tobacco anymore when nicotine is so readily available. Alas, human nature is to want things deadly and out of reach.

“So how’s Cat?” Yangyang asks, fumbling with the plasma lighter he picked from a compartment on the side.

Sicheng smiles a little, the smoke from his cigarette snaking around him as he raises a hand to dissipate it.

“She’s doing fine. Running everything as usual.”

“Of course. Boss lady.” Yangyang does an awkward salute.

“Oh, a new hair color too. As pretty as flower fields in the spring of ‘22.”

Sicheng’s lovesick rambling is interrupted by Yangyang hacking his lungs out. You turn to him and he avoids your gaze, reaching for a crystal blue  glass of water one of the helper bots offer. So, he’s not even a smoker? Why did he think you would care? 

“Anyway, Kun is glaring daggers at me now. You better get out of here.” Sicheng grimaces.

You turn around to see Kun by the bar table, gesturing towards Yangyang to come. You're not sure why but either of those men make you nervous. 

"I'll be right back," Yangyang says, scrambling up and leaving you in a long awkward silence with Sicheng.

“So, uh, I’m assuming you’re oblivious to that lovestruck puppy following you around?” Sicheng asks, raising an eyebrow. “Or is this some game you guys are into? I’m not judging you for that.”

Your face heats up and you fidget with your collar. “The- A what? Game? Uh? I- huh?”

Sicheng tries to press down his smile but it’s evident enough for you to see. Did you say something funny? Did Yangyang say something funny about you? Oh, you’re going to kill him.

“For all that he talks, he’s kind of terrible at pulling together his own love life.” 

“I- I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

It still unnerves you to look at him. He certainly looks more android than human when he’s not making any particular expression.

“Don’t mind me,” he says, offering you a reassuring smile. “You should find Yangyang before he lands the two of you in trouble.”

You turn to look at Yangyang through the glass and turn back nodding. Sicheng offers you a parting smile and you hesitantly make your way to the bar table.

"This isn't in my job description," Kun tells Yangyang just before you arrive. "I didn't know being a lawyer included babysitting."

The tips of Yangyang's ears heat up when he notices you.

"It's not babysitting," he murmurs. “Also, you’re not my mom.”

"You, Ten, Kunhang, all of you give me such a hard time," he continues but pauses right when he notices you. 

"Oh, hello. (Name), isn't it?" He says, smiling politely. He's quite young and handsome for a lawyer. "Yangyang talks about you a lot."

"Oh," you respond. "Really?"

Yangyang glares at the older man. "You don't have to say everything, Kun-ge."

"You interested in law?" Kun asks, offering you a seat between him and Yangyang.

You make a face. The law is a tool for the rich and powerful. But then again, what isn’t? The world is in your hands when you have billions to spare. However, you still can’t imagine being a rich man's guard dog your whole life.

Kun chuckles. "You kids are interested in tech more, aren't you?"

Yangyang interrupts, "You talk like you're fifty years old."

Kun grimaces, resting his face against his hand. Shooting a glare at Yangyang, he finishes the rest of his wine.

You're not exactly interested in tech or engineering or the big kid jobs either. You just want a way to survive this man-made food chain. Rich eats the world till there’s nothing left on the plate. Then again, you'd rather be a pet than get eaten.

"Anyway," Kun turns to Yangyang. "If you see Ten, give me a call."

Yangyang signals with a thumbs up gesture, watching as Kun’s figure slowly makes its way out of the gate. It’s the two of you again and suddenly, you feel a strange sort of feeling overcome you. Leaning your throbbing forehead against Yangyang’s shoulder, you take some soft breaths and skip the part where you question your actions. It’s pleasant, at the very least. He shifts his chair closer, extending his arm around you so that your head rests against his shoulder more comfortably.

“You must be tired,” he mutters.

“You didn’t answer me,” you say. “Answer in a way I understood, at least.”

“Hm?”

“Why do you hang around me?”

“Do you not… want me to?”

“No. I like your company, actually. I can’t believe I said that out loud.”

Yangyang laughs. “You’re… you’re really perfect. As a person. At least to me, you seem that way.”

You scoff. “You’re a long way off there.”

“No. No, you felt like clockwork,” he continues. “When I first met you. I couldn’t believe you were real.”

You do work like a delirious robot on clockwork steroids. But you’re not very proud of it. You don’t think overworking is a good personality trait to have—even if it’s for survival. However, the faraway look in Yangyang’s eyes suggests that’s not what he means.

“I felt like I understood you,” he continues after a short pause.

You find it unbelievable. That’s the one sentence you could never imagine coming from him to you, much less agree with. But right then, as his warmth seeps into you, you want to agree desperately.

Yangyang feels an unexpected trickle of doubt down his throat. No matter how many times he’s practised in front of the mirror, the words don’t come out right when you’re with him. With everything you do, he feels more drawn in. There’s something familiar and something honest. And if he’s honest himself, he just likes you. What sort of a hypocrite should he be categorized as, to tell his friends to ‘just confess’ to their crushes when he’s a complete idiot when it comes to you? It can’t be that little voice from his childhood that tells him to stay in order.

Yangyang understands that there are rules to this world but he doesn’t get what those have got to do with him. He sighs, the sound somewhat grim when it comes from him.

"I've seen it before," he says, "People come from all over the country with hopes and dreams, and they get their hearts broken by capitalism."

You frown.

"I don't want you to go anywhere," he mumbles. "I hope you'll stay… even if- even if you feel like that, you know? If you're feeling lonely, I could—"

"Yangyang." You smile. "I’m quite comfortable here."

When you bury your nose into the crook of his neck, Yangyang thinks this is it. This is how he ends the sorry excuse of flirting he’s been trying with you and says something he regrets. It was never this difficult with the other crushes he’s had. He’s always left opening his mouth and then promptly closing it like a goldfish out of water every single time he wants to bring up dating with you. He’s always honest. So, what’s the big deal this time? This is so horrendously not cool of him.

You straighten. “We should get back home.”

“Can you- Can you not move so far from me, please?” Yangyang murmurs, hands gripping yours.

You smile, to yourself more to him but that’s one he likes the most.

“You’re a really interesting person, Yangyang.”

“I am?” He clears his throat and repeats the question. 

“How are you so nice to people?”

“I think people are nice.”

“Why do you like parties?”

“They’re fun.”

“When the party’s over, who do you go to?” you ask, words mushing into each other.

“Home,” he answers, gulping down what seems like more words. “Like always.”

A hush falls between the two of you. You’re asking quite the questions.

“I’m sweaty,” you mutter. “I hate being sweaty.”

“You look wonderful though,” Yangyang mumbles, more to himself than to you. “Not that being sweaty makes you wonderful. You’re just nice.”

There’s another hush, the notes of the piano playing a faraway, romantic tune. He turns away and looks back at you again, but right in that moment, you lean forward to press your lips against his. It’s so sudden that he almost falls over backwards, his feet planted firmly on the ground the only thing preventing that from happening. The next thing he thinks is that your lips are on fire and it’s the most comfortable feeling he’s ever experienced. 

The two of you fit into each other like clockwork, Yangyang thinks. It’s the one thing in his life that feels whole. Not that he isn’t whole by himself—he just loves your warmth. For a moment he feels like he’s on cloud nine and the next, his heart plummets when he feels you go limp in his arms. 

It breaks his heart a little but he doesn’t—can’t bring himself to say much. He’s not this bad when he’s drunk, is he? Pulling you up by the waist, he texts Kunhang to bring his car down to the lounge.

This is going to be a long night.

viii. home 

You wake up to the sun in your eyes and immediately know you're someplace you shouldn't be. This isn't your bed. The sun doesn't reach your bed in the morning. This isn’t the dormitory. You see a cubical alarm clock, a pixelated smiley face on it as it displays 10 A.M.

You get up and immediately shriek. You’re not wearing any clothes. Pulling the blanket up to your chin, you look around the room. It’s huge; the walls are multicolored with a little section opposite the bed reserved for photographs. There’s a lot of junk all over the floor that you don’t pay mind to when you notice Yangyang.

“Yangyang?!”

He rouses blinking slowly, hair going every which way and his eyes still unfocused. He looks like he’s had a difficult night.

“Why are you on the floor?” you ask, shrinking further into the ridiculously soft bed when he gets up. Massaging the back of his neck, he looks like he's looking at a mirage instead of a real live person. Unfortunately, he’s not wearing a shirt and you look away after a prolonged minute of staring. This is getting ridiculous. What are you doing here?

“Yangyang!”

“Huh? Oh!”

He seems to be finally awake. You should pop the question before it eats you alive.

"Did- Did we…?"

Yangyang blinks at you in confusion before a loud "oh" erupts from his mouth.

"No!" He says in between laughter. "No, we didn't. Oh my god, you’re so funny. You took off your clothes saying it's too hot and smacked me with them. I didn’t look, by the way.”

Your jaw drops. You can’t even form words through the pulsing headache.

“Your clothes are on the chair. And I didn’t touch your underwear. Out of respect."

You avoid eye contact in embarrassment. 

“And… well, you did kiss me once. Twice.”

You look up alarmed and he raises his arms in defense. 

“You- you were drunk so I had to push you off. You cried a little after that. Sorry.”

“Oh god.” You cover your face with your hands, sitting down on the bed. That has to be the most embarrassing thing you could have done.

“You- Don’t worry about that. You’re a good kisser. I was kind of surprised,” he offers in an attempt to make you feel better but you only grow hotter in the face.

“And- And I liked it,” he adds in a panic. “Wait, I don’t mean it in a creepy way.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t anyone else.”

“What?”

“You. It’s okay if it’s you.”

You give him a weak smile, still not over the embarrassment.

Yangyang laughs. “I… I think I should’ve said this before but… can I take you out on a date?”

“What were we doing last night then?”

“Well, that was- ah. You’re teasing me. Motherfucker.”

You giggle into your palm. When he takes a seat on the bed, you make a distressed sound and he jumps up immediately.

“My clothes,” you hiss. “Get out of the room so I can wear them.”

“Right,” he says, pointing an index finger at you.

He turns around right then. "By the way…"

You shriek, pulling the cover up all the way to your nose.

"Sorry," he says, averting his eyes immediately. "If- if that was a date, did you like it? Do you wanna go on another one?"

You can see him practically sweat bullets and you laugh at the innocuous questions. He’s too cute. You can’t believe you made yourself shake off the thought every time it crossed you. However indelicate his touch is, you welcome it nonetheless.

"Yes. Yes, I'll go on a date with you. You annoying, stupid, bratty idiot." 

“Okay, that was mean.”

Watching his figure leave through the door, you relax your shoulders. In the end, people will always be people. No matter what shiny new toy you give them to play with, people will always search for happiness, and they will laugh and cry and fall in love with people and places and things over and over again. It's lovely to be human in an era of diamond and steel.

#yangyang x reader #nct x reader #wayv x reader #yangyang scenarios #nct scenarios #wayv scenarios #yangyang fluff #nct fluff #wayv fluff #yangyang fanfic #nct fanfic #yangyang fic #moonwrites #dawg idk what im doing imma be honest here

[tarjapearce]

Lips anon! Reader gifting Miguel a nude portrait. He was expecting literally everything but that and had to double take for the first time in years. It's certainly not a bad surprise. Quite the opposite really 🤭

Straight to the beginning of his private collection, for his eyes only. He does his own commission later 🤭

🤭🤭🤭❤️ (Im adding the read more from now on to make it easier to navigate through the blurbs ✨~)

Portrait inspired by this one 👀

Sighing, you scrolled through your phone, trying to get a perfect gift for Miguel. Mugs? No. He had a little collection on his own and always ended up using the same red and blue one Gabi had given him on Father's Day, stylographic pens? He barely used them. Probably more t shirts his size since you were using them more than he was.

Giggling at the thought your fingers typed the idea. And then, it came like a revelation. That scene of the Titanic, replayed in your watch list. A drawing perhaps? No. A painting. A painting shall be. You kicked feet and squealed for yourself as Miguel only watched you curiously.

"What are you up to?"

Giggling you shook your head.

"A little secret."

-----

The studio painting was a professional one that did exactly as they had advertised, portraits and nsfw portraits for couples. Despite the initial nervousness and lack of confidence, the woman in charge of your portrait cheered you up. First, they would take pictures to capture your form. Then you'd have to decide the the theme.

Reinassance. It was impossible to not love it.

A small scenery was set up, and soon, your pictures were taken and they'd tell you that the painting would be ready in a week.

You certainly couldn't wait, but you knew that the gift was going to worth the wait.

----

The doorbell rang and you shoot up from the seat to receive the package. The painting was a medium sized canvas, carefully wrapped in a box with a bow. Your body erupted with thrill, upon seeing the portrait. You looked like you really belonged to that era and someone had taken you as a muse.

You seemed natural even, it was gorgeous. Couldn't wait for Miguel to see it. You wrapped the thing back and placed it on his office's desk. With a

"For your eyes only" a little heart at the end of it scribbled.

---

Miguel came from work, shoulders slumped with an 'I need coffee' face. You kissed him welcome but remained quiet on your little endeavor.

He disappeared into the bedroom to change and then he went to his office. Your nerves wrecked as you heard the rustling from the box. And then silence.

In fact, Miguel was a bit weirded out by the white box laced in a bright red bow in the middle of his desk. He had read the note and bit by bit unwrapped the portrait.

His eyes widened in surprise and his mouth gaped. Every curve he knew like the back of his palm was painted with such delicacy that made his heart and something else throb. His cheeks grew warmer and his breath hitched for a second. Stunning. It was erotic and artistic. So so beautiful. You peeked in from the doorframe and giggled at his reaction.

"Ven pa'cá" (C'mere)

You approached him with a bashful smile.

"You like it?" Large arms hoarded you to then sit you on his lap as he brought the portrait to his eyes once more.

"More than that. Finally someone paints you the way I see you."

Your hands covered your face in embarrassment

"Ah stop it. Just thought it was a good gift."

"The best so far." He kissed you and looked at the portrait again, "Just look at you. Toda preciosa y mía." (All precious and mines)

You hugged him and nested your head on the crook of his neck.

"Love you."

"También te amo, chaparrita."

#miguel o'hara #miguel o'hara x reader #miguel o'hara x you #💋 anon #atsv miguel #soccer family ⚽🕷️ #t writes✨

[tabbiwritesgenshin]

failing light | various

synopsis: how would they act when you die

genre: angst

word count: 1,119

a/n: I don't have anything interesting to say but can I add how baffling it is the support my previous post got? like damn, i went from 20 notes to 253. tysm y'all omg

Collei wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, to yell, her whole world had crumbled in only a few glances, yet she couldn’t. She was struck with both fear and shock, you were her most beloved person in the entirety of Teyvat, you were the only person who had shown her any love in a long while and now..you were just..dead. She could only stare at your body for what felt like hours until she eventually lost consciousness.

Eula clutched your body with all she had, she had to make sure your last moments were ones of peace. She tried her best to contain herself, to ignore her tears, to do everything she could to look strong for you, yet, she couldn’t. She was left as a crying mess as the concept of losing the only person who loved her dawned on her mind. 

Again she had lost, again Ei had weeped, again was someone else taken from her, again, she felt hopeless, like she had lost everything she held dear. She wanted to move on, she wished to maintain strong, that’s what you desired, that’s what she promised to you..yet she couldn’t. The pain was too much, the grief overtook her. Again would she retire to her Plane of Euthymia, again would she abandon everyone, again would she despise herself.

Ganyu was afraid, she was scared, terrified of the idea of losing you. She tried everything she could yet nothing worked. The half-Qilin tried every bit of knowledge she had on medicine to try to save you, even those used only by the Adepti, if she could, she’d even give out her life for you. Perhaps it was due to the panic of losing someone again, but during her numerous attempts to extend your life, she hadn’t accepted the fact that you were truly gone.

Kujou Sara was unfortunately experienced in the concept of loss and death so when you approached her with heavy battle wounds, she knew better than to panic. Her pain and grief were incomparable to whatever suffering she had seen before in her life, yet, she kept strong. She didn’t want you to pass in fear or sadness. The moment you died it shattered whatever facade was left in her. She collapsed onto the floor, still clutching your cold body. The mighty Tengu general of the Shogunate was lost..truly destroyed.

The skies were split and thunder roared as The Raiden Shogun weeped to your lifeless body. All semblance of hope..all happiness which she had ever felt in her life vanished as her eyes gazed at the ones which had given her so much with so little in return. No longer would the Shogun hold back against humanity, she would make all who dared harm her beloved pay, none shall be spared. All will suffer for the sake of eternity so no one she held dear would fear again.

Rosaria always acted like she didn’t care, Rosaria always acted like nothing mattered to her, even when she had someone to love, someone who loved her, she still acted with this cold exterior, yet, when she was faced with the news that the most significant person in her life had died every facade she had, every coldness in her heart, they were crushed as a sense of hopelessness would crush her like a boulder. Never again would that be a facade, after you had died, after she was left alone once more, that coldness overtook her heart and no amount of warmth could heat it ever again.

The Anemo Archon Venti would hold you on his lap as you slowly passed away, even in your last moments, his love was there to comfort you. Even after you were gone, he would not leave this position, even when you were buried, even when everyone thought you had died alone, even when everyone thought you two hadn’t even spoken to eachother, he would always be present in the place of your passing. Every night, every month, every year, he would sit there for hours at a time, drinking away as he talked to himself in only praises of yourself.

The Wanderer felt different, he was the creation of a god, mortals were below him, none were equal to him, he was above every single one of those worms, yet, there was one of those so called “worms” that for a single moment, for a brief second, could make him believe he was only a human, that he could feel happy, he could feel everything those he called below him could feel. There was only one person who could make him happy, only one person who could help him forget about his betrayals yet even them suffered, even them were hunted down due to his past, even them suffered because of him. Some would say, that the Wanderer, after so long, would return to who he was, even for a single minute, would enjoy murder once more.

He knew it would happen, a karmic debt was placed on Xiao a long time ago, he knew it, he knew that those around him would suffer because of it, but even then, the mighty conqueror of demons could also fall prey to the enticing and intoxicating love he used to think he was undeserving of. His more rational side was prepared for such an occurrence, of losing his most loved one yet deep down, he knew he wasn’t, he knew the moment you were at the brink of death, he would sacrifice his own to keep you safe..but he was too late, you were dead before he could heal you, before he could save you. Never before had the Yaksha felt such deep hatred, such unfeeling rage, so much was it that when he was done with his vengeance, when he had bathed in blood in the name of love, he felt nothing but a consuming sense of hollowness.

Zhongli grasped your hand with all the softness and grace he could have. He had a rather long talk with you, reminiscing about the fond times you two had, the love you shared, the pain and the happiness you had shared. He knew it would come to this, he knew that this would happen eventually. You were a mortal, a mere human, he was an archon, a god. Once you were gone, once time finally caught up with you, he couldn’t help but to shed a tear. Once again, none who would share his memories, once again, another loved one had been hit with time. Some could say that from that day, the enigmatic consultant of the Wangsheng funeral parlor seemed more distant, more cold, even.

#collei x reader #eula x reader #ganyu x reader #ei x reader #kujou sara x reader #rosaria x reader #raiden shogun x reader #venti x reader #wanderer x reader #scaramouche x reader #xiao x reader #zhongli x reader #genshin impact #genshin #genshin angst #genshin impact angst #genshin impact imagines #genshin imagines #❥ tabbi writes ❥

[dollfaced-erin]

𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕘𝕠𝕟'𝕤 ℂ𝕣𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕖 (Blade x F!Reader x Jing Yuan)

warning ! Angst !

PART 1

A Vidyadhara's most telling and distinctive feature is their pointed, sharp ears. A long-lived species, Vidyadhara molt after living for six or seven hundred years, repairing their bodies then hatching anew from pearl-like eggs with their memories wiped.

That is, if they do return to Scalegorge Waterscape for the self reincarnating process.

What if...they remain dormant for who knows how long ?

Everything was dark. She couldn't see anything. It was cold, like she was submerged in a sea of ice, all alone, without warmth or light to guide her through.

Then...she opened her eyes, to see...a glimmer of light, distant from her. Her memories, perhaps ?

Her earliest memory...was the voice of a young boy calling out to his aide.

"She hatched !" the young boy called out.

"Young Master, it's not wise to..." an older voice said, stopping midsentence. "She's...she has horns and a tail as well...?"

In that blurry light, she saw two figures hovering over her, so close yet so far...a young boy with...long dark hair and sticks on his head, and an old man with greying hair and red clothes. They seemed...awfully familiar...

"Can you hear me ? You're my sister now !" the young boy said happily, though she understood not of what he meant by that.

"Young master !" the old man chided, sighing with a soft laugh leaving his tired lips.

Then...it was dark again...

"My Lady ! You mustn't !" a voice of an older woman called out.

The figure was blurry too. But she had a sense of warmness flooding her. This sense of...safeness and...familiarity. Though she couldn't see the woman's face, she knows she knew this woman.

"What would your brother say if he saw you ?" the older woman chided, coming closer to that source of blurry sight. The woman was much taller than her, as she had to look up to see the blurred out face of the older woman.

"He wouldn't say anything ! He would just laugh and say 'oh, just leave her be. She's just having a little fun'." her own young voice said.

Then...it was dark again.

"Please Dan Feng ! You must do it. We cant leave him to die ! Not like this ! Please, take my bone marrow !" a familiar female voice sobbed.

"We cant leave him to die. Not when it was our fault to begin with !"

It was her own voice.

And as she opened her eyes again, it was much clearer than any other visions she had earlier. But it was the worst she could've hoped to see. A man...with white hair...down on the ground before her as she kneeled. A man next to her with dark hair and horns on his head. Tears were streaming down his teal eyes as he looked at her.

"I..." he whispered. He looked sorrowfully at the body of the man before them, growing lifeless as they spoke. Then he nodded.

"I understand. For you, I shall endure all punishments." the man, Dan Feng replied.

"Please...when I reincarnate, give me this jade pendant. It shall remind me of who I was and who to find..." she said.

A horrible pain tore through the back of the woman in the void, as she screamed in agony and suffering. The woman in the void screamed as she curled up in that void, shutting her eyes tight. The pain...was unbearable. The feeling of talons digging into her, pulling out a large chunk from her, made her want to choke and cry.

But the suffering and guilt in her heart was enough to overpower any pain of giving up, shoving it back to the depths of her mind. The pain of losing a loved one due to their stubbornness.

And a warm feeling engulfed her hand.

"(Y/n)..." a distorted voice called from afar.

(Y/n) ? Is that her name ?

"(Y/n)...wake up..." the voice called out again.

"This is all just a dream. Wake up."

And as she opened her eyes once again, her vision was fully clear, as she was staring up at a ceiling. Her (e/c) eyes were wide as she panted, trying to calm down her erratic heart. She felt no pain in her back anymore, but it felt...so real.

But she didn't know this place. And...she was laying down, facing the unfamiliar ceiling. Beneath her...it was soft and cold...

"Dan Jia...?" a familiar voice called out. "Can you hear me...? Are you really...awake...?

The woman instinctively turned to the voice, and as she had suspected, the warmth engulfing her hand was none other than another human. Another human who held her hand from the corner of the casing her body was rested in. A casing full of blue flowers, acting as a mattress for her body.

A man with long and messy white hair...and such...warm honey gold eyes...a deep and suave voice full of gentleness at times and fierceness at some.

The lion...she had registered him in her memories.

"Jing Yuan..." the woman softly whispered, her voice hoarse from years and decades and centuries of unuse.

Though that name was familiar to her, that name wasn't her.

"I'm...not Dan Jia. I'm (Y/n)..."

Yet another one from his memories had changed their identity.

Jing Yuan looked at her, blinking a little in shock. His mouth was left agape, unknowing how to respond to what she said. But he gathered himself back, and smiled at her warmly.

"Yes, my mistake. Good morning, (Y/n)..."

#honkai star rail #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail x you #hsr blade x reader #hsr x you #hsr blade #hsr jing yuan #hsr jing yuan x reader #hsr jing yuan x you #hsr angst #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan x you #blade x reader #blade x you #hsr x reader #hsr #dragon's cradle

[aita-blorbos]

(Spoilers for Magnus Archives)

AITA for burning my childhood house down

Hello, Jon.

Apologies for the deception, but I wanted to make sure you started reading, so I thought it best not to announce myself.

I’m assuming you’re alone; you always did prefer to read your statements in private. (slightly strained) I wouldn’t try too hard to stop reading; there’s every likelihood you’ll just hurt yourself. So just listen.

Now, shall we turn the page and try again?

WIBTA for starting the apocalypse

I hope you’ll forgive me the self-indulgence, but I have worked so very hard for this moment, a culmination of two centuries of work. It’s rare that you get the chance to monologue through another, and you can’t tell me you’re not curious.

Why does a man seek to destroy the world?

It’s a simple enough answer: for immortality and power. Uninspired, perhaps, but – my god. The discovery, not simply of the dark and horrible reality of the world in which you live, but that you would quite willingly doom that world and confine the billions in it to an eternity of terror and suffering, all to ensure your own happiness, to place yourself beyond pain and death and fear.

It is an awful thing to know about yourself, but the freedom, Jon, the freedom of it all. I have dedicated my life to handing the world to these Dread Powers all for my own gain, and I feel… nothing but satisfaction in that choice.

I am to be a king of a ruined world, and I shall never die.

I believe there are far more people in this world that would take that bargain than you would ever guess. And I have beaten all of them.

Of course, this desire did not manifest overnight. When RS (87, M) first gathered our little band – L, S, and the rest – to discuss and hypothesize on the nature of the things he had learned from R, I felt what I believe we all felt: curiosity, and fear.

But as he compiled his taxonomy and codified his theories on the grand rituals, I began to develop a very specific concern. RS was so obsessed with his ideas on balance, even as our fellows began to experiment and fall to the service of our patrons.

I began to worry that if one of them successfully attempted their ritual, then I would be as much a victim as any, trapped in the nightmare landscape of a twisted world.

At first, I attempted prevention, but the cause seemed hopeless. The only way to ensure I did not suffer the tribulations of what I believed to be an inevitable transformation was to bring it about myself. So what began as an experiment soon became a race.

Beyond that, I was getting older, and mortality began to weigh more heavily on my mind. How much in this world is done because we fear death, the last and greatest terror?

I convinced RS to work on Millbank, leading him to design it as a temple to all the Fears in equilibrium, such that my own modifications to the design of the Panopticon went… unremarked.

It. Took. Years. for the dread of the prisoners to fully suffuse the place, and I was an old man before I made my first attempt at the Watcher’s Crown, sat in the center of that colossal eye, the great ring of cells encircling me like a coronet.

It was… flawed, of course, as all RS’s rituals were, and none of the inmates survived as the power I attempted to harness shook the building almost to pieces, and the murky swamp upon which the prison was built consumed it.

But it left me a gift: For sat in that watchtower, I could see everything I turned my mind to.

It was a dizzying power, and one I discovered I maintained even as I found vessels to extend my life. Of course, I had to make sure the location was kept under my control while I worked on revising my plans, and so I moved the organization I had founded to assist in my research down to London, and the Institute as you know it was born.

I’ll not bore you with details of my bodies and failures through those intervening years. Suffice to say I kept busy, both planning my own next attempt, and doing my best to stymie those others who tried versions of their own.

Surely my interpretation of the Watcher’s Crown had been incomplete; there had been some element of the ritual I had overlooked.

It was not until I met G (70, F) that things began to really come into focus.

You see, the role of Archivist has been part of the Beholding for as far back as my research can go. This isn’t uncommon for the Powers; most of the beliefs around them are guesswork and fallible human interpretation, but there are certain throughlines and consistencies that can be spotted, regardless of the trappings.

But G was unlike any other Archivist. She simply did not care about compiling experiences or collecting the fears of others. She was driven to stop those who served the Powers.

More than once I thought she must secretly be of the Hunt – but there was never that sick joy in her, that thrill of predator and prey. She had simply decided that this was her position in life, and went about it with a practicality that even I found disconcerting at times.

I once asked her what drove her, what had started her down that path. She told me the Desolation had killed her cat.

I don’t know if she was joking, and, to be honest, I could never bring myself to look into her mind and find out for sure.

In any case, G’s ruthless efficiency in derailing and collapsing rituals threw into stark relief a question that had been bothering me for almost a hundred and fifty years: In the whole span of humanity, why had nobody ever succeeded?

Perhaps there were a long line of G throughout history, but I found that hard to credit. Could it be, then, that there was something in the very concept of the rituals that meant they couldn’t succeed?

She was clearly having similar thoughts in that last year, all of which culminated with the People’s Church.

When I saw that she was making no preparations whatsoever to stop it, I realized she was putting into practice a theory, and one she couldn’t afford to be wrong. She was going to wait, and see if the unopposed ritual succeeded, or if it collapsed under its own strain as mine had all those years ago.

Knowing G, I’m sure she had a backup plan if she had miscalculated – but she had not. The ritual failed. And all at once, I realized what had to be done.

You see, the thing about the Fears is that they can never be truly separated from each other. When does the fear of sudden violence transition into the fear of hunted prey? When does the mask of the Stranger become the deception of the Spiral?

Even those that seem to exist in direct opposition rely on each other for their definition as much as up relies on down.

To try and create a world with only the Buried makes as much sense as trying to conceive a world with only down.

Every ritual tied itself so closely to a single power as to render itself impossible. They could bring their patron close, but never sever it from the others, and eventually it would be violently pulled back into the place next to reality where they dwell.

The solution, then, is simple: A new ritual must be devised which will bring through all the Powers at once. All fourteen, as I had hoped I could complete it before any new powers such as Extinction were able to fully emerge. All under the Eye’s auspices, of course. We mustn’t forget our roots.

And there was only one being that could possibly serve as a lynchpin for this new ritual: The Archivist. A position that had so recently become vacant, thanks to G’s ill-timed retirement plans.

Because the thing about the Archivist is that – well, it’s a bit of a misnomer.

It might, perhaps, be better named: The Archive.

Because you do not administer and preserve the records of fear, Jon. You are a record of fear, both in mind as you walk the shuddering record of each statement, and in body as the Powers each leave their mark upon you.

You are a living chronicle of terror.

Perhaps, then, if I could find an Archivist and have each Power mark them, have them confront each one and each in turn instill in them a powerful and acute fear for their life, they could be turned into a conduit for the coming of this – nightmare kingdom.

Do you see where I’m going, Jon?

It does tickle me, that in this world of would-be occult dynasties and ageless monsters, the Chosen One is simply that – someone I chose. It’s not in your blood, or your soul, or your destiny. It’s just in your own, rotten luck.

I’ll admit, my options were somewhat limited, but My God, when you came to me already marked by the Web, I knew it had to be you. I even held out some small hope you had been sent by the Spider as some sort of implicit blessing on the whole project, and, do you know what, I think it was.

Of course, I had to bide my time, get a measure of you before I began to push, learn how you worked – So I decided I would wait until something came for you, and see how you reacted. Attacks upon the Archives were not uncommon during G’s tenure, and, while she was always prepared, I made sure you would not be.

I reasoned if you couldn’t survive a single encounter, you were unlikely to make it through all fourteen. So, when JP attacked, I watched eagerly, one hand on the gas release from the start.

You acquitted yourself well enough, so I decided to see how far you would get, though I waited until the worms were in you before I pulled the lever. I needed to make sure you felt that fear all the way to your bones.

The discovery that one of the Stranger’s minions had infiltrated the Institute in the aftermath was certainly a pleasant bonus. Even if that sliver of paranoia, that vague wrongness you couldn’t quite place wouldn’t count as a mark, it was only a matter of time before it confronted you in a far more direct and affecting matter.

Admittedly, given the advent of the Unknowing, I needn’t have bothered. But what’s the old saying about hindsight?

More important to me was Sasha’s encounter with the Distortion. If it had taken an interest, then I very much wanted it to cross your path.

So I found one of its current victims and convinced her to make a statement.

Poor H (~20, F). I actually had to put her in a taxi myself, she was getting so lost in those narrow London side streets.

It worked, though.

Between the stabbing and at least two desperate flights into its doors – you’re marked very deeply by the Spiral.

JL (~70, M) was a surprise, of course, and I was forced to improvise. I had no idea how much G would have told him, and he could very easily have derailed everything if you learned too much too fast.

I justified it to myself saying I was going to have to send you out into the world anyway, if you were to encounter more of the Powers, but I can’t honestly pretend it wasn’t a… rather rash move.

Still. I’d requested Detective T (~25, F) be assigned to the case when they found G’s body in the hope that having a Hunter in the mix would eventually lead to a confrontation, and setting you up as a killer certainly hastened that.

Then it was just a matter of feeding you statements to lead you to a few Avatars I thought were likely to harm you – but probably would stop short of actually killing you.

J (27, F) served her purpose exactly as I had hoped, as did our dearly departed Mr. C, marking you for the Desolation and the Vast.

Honestly, I had – nothing to do with M (23, F) and her Slaughter adventure, but when I saw the situation, I made sure to trap her here, so when her rage bubbled over you would be right there, a ready target.

I didn’t foresee the mark coming from surgery gone wrong, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

The Unknowing was a distraction, but not an unwelcome one. For this to work, you needed more than just the marks; you needed power. And that was something the Unknowing served to test, though it posed no actual danger in the grand scheme of things.

And it did serve another purpose, of course. It inadvertently pushed you to confront death, a mark I had been very worried about trying to orchestrate. If I tried too early, you’d just die. Too late, and you might be powerful enough to see the attempt coming, and maybe even understand why.

As it was, it was just right, and once again, you came through with flying colors.

By this point, your abilities were coming along in leaps and bounds, and I was concerned that meeting face-to-face might end up with you – (sigh) – Knowing something you shouldn’t.

I had initially planned to go into hiding, but when your colleagues surprised me with the police, well. It was simple enough to cut a deal.

All that remained, then, were the Dark, the Flesh, the Buried, and the Lonely.

I was a little put out when that idiot JH (???, M) misinterpreted my letters and attacked the Institute too soon, before you were even out of the hospital, but then – Ho, you should have see my face when you voluntarily went to him.

I couldn’t see what happened in there, of course, but given how you came out, I’m very sure it counts as a mark.

I suspected the coffin might turn up again, and once it did, it was simply a matter of getting any, uh… restraining factors you might have had flying off on a wild goose chase, and waiting.

Honestly, Detective T has been proving invaluable through this process. I’d been racking my brains for months about what I could use to lure you in.

And, of course, I knew the Dark Sun was just sitting there waiting. So when it came time, I just whipped up another apocalypse and sent you on your merry way.

Then all that remained was the Lonely.

Poor P (~50, M). He really should have left well enough alone. Or just done what I’d asked in the first place.

Ah well. He knew what I was attempting, and was very unwilling to cooperate until I made him a little wager about M (same age as you, Jon, M).

Of course, he had no way of knowing that, in addition to setting you up for the final mark, he was giving you all the tools you needed to escape from it.

How is M, by the way? He looks well. You will keep an eye on him when all this is over, won’t you? He’s earned that.

And there, I think, we are brought just about up to date. I have enjoyed our little trip down memory lane, but past here lies only impatience.

You are prepared. You are ready. You are marked. The power of the Ceaseless Watcher flows through you, and the time of our victory is here.

Don’t worry, Jon. You’ll get used to it here, in the world that we have made.

Now. Repeat after me.

You who watch and know and understand none. You who listen and hear and will not comprehend. You who wait and wait and drink in all that is not yours by right.

Come to us in your wholeness.

Come to us in your perfection.

Bring all that is fear and all that is terror and all that is the awful dread that crawls and chokes and blinds and falls and twists and leaves and hides and weaves and burns and hunts and rips and bleeds and dies!

Come to us.

I – OPEN – THE DOOR!

#aita #am i the asshole #unreality

[geekforhorror]

you ask for req you receive req

sub!sam but hella bratty and he keeps trying to dominate you just to get a rise out of you so he can be punished harder <3

play with fire

pairing: sam monroe x fem!reader

warning(s): SMUT (DNI IF YOU’RE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT!), dom!reader, sub!sam, dirty talk, degradation, impact play, bdsm, bratty sam, use of handcuffs, etc.

————

Currently, you were on top of your boyfriend who decided that he wasn’t going to obey today. He had been such a whore today and now that he got what he wanted, he decided that wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted more. You knew that’s what he wanted. To get a rise out of you, to push your buttons, to make you give him what he so desperately wanted. Safe to say, you weren’t having it at all. However, in some strange way, you coincidentally gave him exactly what he wanted. But at what cost? Perhaps his dignity.

A prime example of him trying to overpower you was guiding your hips faster back and forth. You smack his hand away the first chance you get and he successfully retreats.

“I don’t think so, slut. You have some nerve trying to make decisions when we both know I’m the only one who knows what’s good for a whore like you,” you grit.

“Can’t wait any longer,” he pleads.

“Trust me, I know, pretty boy. But bad sluts don’t get what they want, do they?” you tut.

“N-No they don’t…” he trails.

“Good to know you haven’t gone completely dumb on me yet, but you will,” you assure him. With that being said, you start to move on the bed, but not to sink on his dick. It was to retrieve the handcuffs resting on the nightstand that you didn’t bother moving from the last time he bratted out because you knew it wouldn’t be long until he misbehaved again. He wasn’t doing himself any favors by proving you right.

His grin widened and you noticed right away. There was a big look of disapproval plastered across your face and you drop the handcuffs faster than you picked them up.

“Oh I see what’s going on here… this is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Maybe,” he muttered under his breath.

“I’m sorry what was that, baby? You’re going to have to speak louder than that.”

“Maybe…” Sam says clearly now.

“That’s what I thought… don’t have to be a bitch about it though,” you say as you roll your eyes.

“What are you going to do about it?” he challenges.

Oh hell no. That was your last straw. You thought he had pushed it before, but this really did it.

“All fours. Now,” you order.

He obliges with your demand for the first time tonight, which was new. Once he can’t see you anymore, you reach for the paddle hidden underneath your guys’ bed and place it onto the bed along with the recently discarded handcuffs. You had a wicked idea. One that would have him begging for your mercy. He would have to earn it after everything he’s done so far tonight.

You open the cuffs and firmly grab his wrists before placing them flush against his lower back and rotating them closed, rendering him helpless.

“Thought you weren’t gonna use those,” Sam says in a tone that you didn’t appreciate.

“Shut the fuck up, Sammy,” you say before you bring the paddle to the flesh of his ass and smack him with it. He stifles a yelp at the sudden stinging sensation. “You’re going to take what I give you and thank me for it, understood?” you say in response to his pathetic attempt to muffle his moan.

“Y-Yes,” he finally answers.

“Much better,” you say. Another harsh blow to his ass has his hips stuttering as he tries to obey his superior.

“Let’s make this a little more interesting, shall we? If you can count every single hit without making a fool out of yourself, I will blow you and you will be able to cum like the slut you are. Sound good, baby?” you ask, already knowing he wouldn’t be able to turn an offer like that down. Not in a million years. He frantically nods his head as expected and a grin spreads across your face.

You slam the wooden paddle once more, indicating the start of this little game with him.

Little did he know, he was in for a long and painful night.

#sam monroe #hayden christensen #sam monroe smut #sam monroe x reader #sam monroe imagine #anakin imagine #life as a house #anakin skywalker #anakin skywalker smut #star wars #anakin skywalker x reader #star wars fanfiction #anakin star wars #star wars fandom #anakin x reader #anakin smut

[melanieph321]

idea for ruben!!!

y/n and ruben are in the same friend group and have never gotten along/hate each other. the group does secret santa for christmas and ruben ends up getting y/n the most thoughtful gift ever and admits he has feelings for her

YOU ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!!!🤭🤭

Ruben Dias x Reader - Secret Santa

Enjoy!

You groaned arriving at your friend's Christmas party.

"Come on, bet it won't be that bad." Your cousin, Sasha, said. She was your plus one for the evening.

"I told you that jerk Ruben is gonna be here."

"So?"

"So...it's gonna be that bad."

The Christmas party was in full motion when you and Sahsa arrived at the restaurant where it was held. Your friend, the host, was a well known chef in the industry. He was known for throwing luxurious parties for the rich and famous. This party however, was a more intimate gathering between close friends. There was a homily feel to the twinkling lights of the festively decorated salon.

"Y/N, you're here!" Your friend exclaimed. Li was his name. "And you brought treats." Li yanked the box of Christmas cookies that you brought, grabbing a cookie, not sparing any for his guests. "Mhmmm, delicious."

"Thanks, I baked them this morning."

"I love your Christmas cookies." He said, spitting crumbs. "Come, come! You and your cousin must have a drink at the bar. It's all on the house."

"I like the sound of that." Your cousin gladly followed Li to the bar. The two of you had become unexpected friends the day he had wandered into your bakery two years ago. Li had praised your talent for baking and your eye for gastronomic detail. After that you got swept into a lifestyle of luxurious parties thrown by Li, who loved to tend to the rich and famous, despite some of them being complete jerks. One know jerk was Ruben Dias, a famous footballer who basically fat-shamed you for making a living baking muffins. It happen at one of Li's dinner parties not too long ago. You wanted to tell Ruben off, call him a jerk to his face. The problem however is that Ruben was a close friend of Li's. His reason for attending this evening's Christmas party.

Scanning the room you spotted him, Ruben, standing by the bar, laughing loudly with a group of well dressed people. Your stomach turned at the sight of him. You quickly excused yourself, telling your cousin and Li to go ahead without you. Instead you made your way to the buffet table, grabbing a plate of hors d'oeuvres. Li could cook for any occasion and Christmas was no exception. But just as you were loading up on mini quiches and cheese and crackers, you felt a tap on your shoulder. It was Ruben, holding out a brightly wrapped present.

"Hey, Y/N! I got you something for Secret Santa," he said, grinning smugly. "You know Li, he thought it'd be funny if we all played the game."

Your heart sank. What could he possibly have gotten you? Something sarcastic and mocking, no doubt. A can of diet coke? Or perhaps a gluten free muffin? God knows there was no sugar in those, a.k.a. Ruben once again indicating that you, compared to him and his rich friends, had a very unhealthy lifestyle.

"Well, aren't you gonna open it?"

He saw your hesitation with his present.

"No. Why would I?"

Ruben's expression faltered as you handed him back the neatly wrapped gift.

"But I'm your Secret Santa? We've never played this game in Portugal where I'm from, but I'm pretty sure this is how it goes, no?"

He sounded unsure, insecure even. You fought not to feel for him, convincing yourself that this was all an act. That behind those pouting lips of his lay a jerk,  ready to pray on his next victim.

"Y/N, please. Accept my gift."

Ruben was the epitome of everything you disliked in a person - arrogant, self-centered, and always trying to one-up everyone else. Your current relationship was strained, to say the least, and you had made it clear that you wanted nothing to do with him after what he said to you about your work. However, seeing Ruben so upset by the fact that you refused to accept his gift did something, even to you.

"Fine." You groaned, unhanding him the present, unwrapping it with the least amount of caution. "Whatta....?" You were surprised to find a beautiful silver necklace inside, adorned with delicate snowflakes and glittering crystals. "Wow, thank you Ruben." You exclaimed. "This gift. It's...it's..." You had no words for it. You were genuinely touched by the thoughtful gift. Ruben looked pleased with himself, which only infuriated you more. How could someone so obnoxious have such good taste in jewelry?

"Here, let me help you put it on." He unhanded you the empty jewelry box, ordering you to turn around for him. Which you did, exposing your naked back to him. Ruben's fingers tips braced your skin as he clasped the necklace around your neck. The brief touching of skin left goosebumps on your forearms.

"Um...thank you." You said, once you and Ruben stood facing each other again. You didn't really know what else to say. You felt too awkward to strike up a meaningful conversation, not that you and Ruben had anything in common.

"You look beautiful." He said.

"I do?"

He chuckled. "You seem suprised. We're you not meant to look beautiful this evening, was it all done by accident?"

You snorted. "No...I guess it wasn't."

Ruben's eyes wandered freely, as if getting a good look at you for the first time.

"I met your cousin." He smiled.

"Sasha?"

"Yes. By the bar. She said that you couldn't wait to see me tonight."

"She did what?"

"Yeah, I was suprised as well."

"That mother fuc..."

"But I must admit that it brought me courage to hand over your Christmas gift myself. For some reason I got the feeling that you didn't like me very much."

"Pause." You said, holding up a hand between yourself and Ruben. To your surprise Ruben did just that, pause at your command. "I thought you were the one who disliked me?"

Ruben's brows furrowed. "Me, dislike you? What made you believe such a thing?"

"Um...maybe because you called me fat for making a living baking muffins?"

"I never..." Ruben paused to think, perhaps rembering the day he told you what he thought to be a funny joke. "Y/N I never said anything like that." He said, denying ever fat-shaming you.

"No, what was it you said then Ruben, that mad everyone at Li's last party glare at me like I was some fucking muffin baking psycho?"

"If I recall correctly Y/N, I told a joke that if I ever owned a bakery I'd be twenty kilos heavier than I am now. It had nothing to do with you, your job, or your eating habits. But I'm sorry if all this time you thought...."

Great, now you were the jerk, you thought. You most definitely felt like one.

"Y/N, I would never..." Ruben stepped up to you, his hand reaching out to touch your arm where goosebumps still lingered. It was all too much.

"I'm sorry Ruben, I have to..."

In the heat of the moment you escaped, leaving Ruben clueless to what he had done to make you despise him so much. The truth was that he had done nothing, it had all been in your head, along with other terrors.

For the rest of the night, you found yourself stealing glances at Ruben, wondering if there was more to him than met the eye. Maybe he wasn't just a selfish jerk after all.

"Y/N? Could we maybe talk...somewhere private?"

It was during the late hours of the party, after several rounds of alcohol, that Ruben approached you. You hadn't had that much to drink, not compared to your cousin. Ruben however, didn't seem drunk at all. His eyes look at you attentively, as if any words coming out of your mouth, would mean somthing to him.

"What is it?" You sighed as the two of you withdrew from the party, ending up near an alcove of some sort.

"I just wanted to say that I feel terrible...."

You wished to be swallowed by a black hole.

"...I would never comment on a girls weight or size of any kind."

Great, he thought of you as a girl now, not a woman.

"The fact that you've believed me capable of this all this time does explain a few things however."

"It does? What things?"

"Well, you've been avoiding me ever since that day, haven't you?"

Heat rose ro your face. Of this you were guilty.

"I still think of that day, of how Li introduced me to this gorgeous looking woman who never gave me a second glance. I figured I must have come off as a fool, I got so nervous around you that I let my mouth run free. I tell terrible jokes when I'm nervous. As you know now."

"Wait, Ruben, are you trying to say that you like me or somthing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He laughed. "I practically begged Li to choose me as your secret Santa. At least then I'd have an excuse to talk to you again. I knew this time I wouldn't be so nervous since I...." Ruben coughed. "I kind of prepared for it....mentally that is."

You were confused. The situation as a whole was very confusing to you.

"But I understand if you don't feel the same way." He said, lowering his head to his feet. "I just thought you should know the truth."

"The truth." You said. Ruben must have heard the hitch in your voice for he looked up to see your glossy eyes. "The truth is Ruben, that I'm very insecure about my weight." You were always a chubby child. Baking is what brought your family together. You were know to eat somthing with glaze on it at least twice a day when you were growing up. It wasn't until recent years that you started making healthier choices, loosing weight. Even so, you felt like the world was judging you in a way. Ruben's comment about your job had definitely triggered some of that fear you still carried. However, perhaps it was time to let it go?

"The funny thing is...." You had to pause to wipe your tears. "I thought you were gorgeous too, that day that Li introduced us."

Ruben perked up "You did?"

"Of course I did." Who wouldn't? Ruben was undoubtedly handsome, actually, as handsome as they come. "But I immediately thought that someone like you could never go for someone like me."

"Someone like what?" He frowned.

"Someone with....curves."

His eyes widened in realization. You instatnly felt vulnerable, having put your deepest insecurities out in the open. Ruben however, took a step forward, reaching for your hand, tugging you to come his way. You stumble forward, tilting your head up to meet his eyes.

"Are we done now?" He smiled.

"Done with what?"

He shrugged. "Lying to ourselves, about how much we want this."

"Want what?"

Ruben bent down and kissed you. You did not see it coming, holding your breath as he captured your lips. They parted,  inviting his tongue to dance around with yours. Ruben's hands lowered to your waist, approaching the shape of your curves, appreciating your hips by squeezing your ass. He wore a smile on his face once your lips parted.

"What?" You asked, his grin still annoying to you.

He chuckled. "Your lips taste like choclate muffins."

You slapped him in the arm.

"Ouch. I'm kidding."

"What do you know about chocolate muffins. Bet you haven't tasted one in years."

"I'd taste your muffins."

Again, you slapped Ruben in the arm.

"Ouch. Hahaha, but I would."

"Oh, I bet you would."

"Don't get me wrong Y/N, I'd take you out first, somewhere nice."

You frowned. "What, like on a date?"

He shrugged.

Although you just kissed, you felt a need to draw a line somewhere. "Just know, I don't hand out free muffins on first dates."

Ruben chuckled, grabbing your hand as it was time for the two of you to return to the party. He brought your knuckles to his lips, kissing them gently. "It's a date then, free of muffins."

#fanfiction #football imagine #ruben dias #man city #manchester city #ruben dias x reader #ruben dias imagine #footballer imagine #footballer x reader #football angst

[spiral-man]

Hey dudes,

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy-

Hello Jon,

Apologies for the deception, but I wanted to make sure you started reading, so I thought it best not to announce myself.

I’m assuming you’re alone; you always did prefer to read your statements in private. (slightly strained) I wouldn’t try too hard to stop reading; there’s every likelihood you’ll just hurt yourself. So just listen.

Now, shall we turn the page and try again?

Statement of Jonah Magnus regarding Jonathan Sims, The Archivist.

Statement begins.

I hope you’ll forgive me the self-indulgence, but I have worked so very hard for this moment, a culmination of two centuries of work. It’s rare that you get the chance to monologue through another, and you can’t tell me you’re not curious.

Why does a man seek to destroy the world?

It’s a simple enough answer: for immortality and power. Uninspired, perhaps, but – my god. The discovery, not simply of the dark and horrible reality of the world in which you live, but that you would quite willingly doom that world and confine the billions in it to an eternity of terror and suffering, all to ensure your own happiness, to place yourself beyond pain and death and fear.

It is an awful thing to know about yourself, but the freedom, John, the freedom of it all. I have dedicated my life to handing the world to these Dread Powers all for my own gain, and I feel… nothing but satisfaction in that choice.

I am to be a king of a ruined world, and I shall never die.

I believe there are far more people in this world that would take that bargain than you would ever guess. And I have beaten all of them.

Of course, this desire did not manifest overnight. When Smirke first gathered our little band – Lukas, Scott, and the rest – to discuss and hypothesize on the nature of the things he had learned from Rayner, I felt what I believe we all felt: curiosity, and fear.

But as he compiled his taxonomy and codified his theories on the grand rituals, I began to develop a very specific concern. Smirke was so obsessed with his ideas on balance, even as our fellows began to experiment and fall to the service of our patrons.

I began to worry that if one of them successfully attempted their ritual, then I would be as much a victim as any, trapped in the nightmare landscape of a twisted world.

At first, I attempted prevention, but the cause seemed hopeless. The only way to ensure I did not suffer the tribulations of what I believed to be an inevitable transformation was to bring it about myself. So what began as an experiment soon became a race.

Beyond that, I was getting older, and mortality began to weigh more heavily on my mind. How much in this world is done because we fear death, the last and greatest terror?

I convinced Smirke to work on Millbank, leading him to design it as a temple to all the Fears in equilibrium, such that my own modifications to the design of the Panopticon went… unremarked.

It. Took. Years, for the dread of the prisoners to fully suffuse the place, and I was an old man before I made my first attempt at the Watcher’s Crown, sat in the center of that colossal eye, the great ring of cells encircling me like a coronet.

It was… flawed, of course, as all Smirke’s rituals were, and none of the inmates survived as the power I attempted to harness shook the building almost to pieces, and the murky swamp upon which the prison was built consumed it.

But it left me a gift: For sat in that watchtower, I could see everything I turned my mind to.

It was a dizzying power, and one I discovered I maintained even as I found vessels to extend my life. Of course, I had to make sure the location was kept under my control while I worked on revising my plans, and so I moved the organization I had founded to assist in my research down to London, and the Institute as you know it was born.

I’ll not bore you with details of my bodies and failures through those intervening years. Suffice to say I kept busy, both planning my own next attempt, and doing my best to stymie those others who tried versions of their own.

Surely my interpretation of the Watcher’s Crown had been incomplete; there had been some element of the ritual I had overlooked.

It was not until I met Gertrude Robinson that things began to really come into focus.

You see, the role of Archivist has been part of the Beholding for as far back as my research can go. This isn’t uncommon for the Powers; most of the beliefs around them are guesswork and fallible human interpretation, but there are certain throughlines and consistencies that can be spotted, regardless of the trappings.

But Gertrude was unlike any other Archivist. She simply did not care about compiling experiences or collecting the fears of others. She was driven to stop those who served the Powers.

More than once I thought she must secretly be of the Hunt – but there was never that sick joy in her, that thrill of predator and prey. She had simply decided that this was her position in life, and went about it with a practicality that even I found disconcerting at times.

I once asked her what drove her, what had started her down that path. She told me the Desolation had killed her cat.

I don’t know if she was joking, and, to be honest, I could never bring myself to look into her mind and find out for sure.

In any case, Gertrude’s ruthless efficiency in derailing and collapsing rituals threw into stark relief a question that had been bothering me for almost a hundred and fifty years: In the whole span of humanity, why had nobody ever succeeded?

Perhaps there were a long line of Gertrude Robinsons throughout history, but I found that hard to credit. Could it be, then, that there was something in the very concept of the rituals that meant they couldn’t succeed?

She was clearly having similar thoughts in that last year, all of which culminated with the People’s Church.

When I saw that she was making no preparations whatsoever to stop it, I realized she was putting into practice a theory, and one she couldn’t afford to be wrong. She was going to wait, and see if the unopposed ritual succeeded, or if it collapsed under its own strain as mine had all those years ago.

Knowing Gertrude, I’m sure she had a backup plan if she had miscalculated – but she had not. The ritual failed. And all at once, I realized what had to be done.

You see, the thing about the Fears is that they can never be truly separated from each other. When does the fear of sudden violence transition into the fear of hunted prey? When does the mask of the Stranger become the deception of the Spiral?

Even those that seem to exist in direct opposition rely on each other for their definition as much as up relies on down.

To try and create a world with only the Buried makes as much sense as trying to conceive a world with only down.

Every ritual tied itself so closely to a single power as to render itself impossible. They could bring their patron close, but never sever it from the others, and eventually it would be violently pulled back into the place next to reality where they dwell.

The solution, then, is simple: A new ritual must be devised which will bring through all the Powers at once. All fourteen, as I had hoped I could complete it before any new powers such as Extinction were able to fully emerge. All under the Eye’s auspices, of course. We mustn’t forget our roots.

And there was only one being that could possibly serve as a lynchpin for this new ritual: The Archivist. A position that had so recently become vacant, thanks to Gertrude’s ill-timed retirement plans.

Because the thing about the Archivist is that – well, it’s a bit of a misnomer.-

It might, perhaps, be better named: The Archive.

Because you do not administer and preserve the records of fear, John. You are a record of fear, both in mind as you walk the shuddering record of each statement, and in body as the Powers each leave their mark upon you.

You are a living chronicle of terror.

Perhaps, then, if I could find an Archivist and have each Power mark them, have them confront each one and each in turn instill in them a powerful and acute fear for their life, they could be turned into a conduit for the coming of this – nightmare kingdom.

Do you see where I’m going, John?

It does tickle me, that in this world of would-be occult dynasties and ageless monsters, the Chosen One is simply that – someone I chose. It’s not in your blood, or your soul, or your destiny. It’s just in your own, rotten luck.

I’ll admit, my options were somewhat limited, but My God, when you came to me already marked by the Web, I knew it had to be you. I even held out some small hope you had been sent by the Spider as some sort of implicit blessing on the whole project, and, do you know what, I think it was.

Of course, I had to bide my time, get a measure of you before I began to push, learn how you worked – So I decided I would wait until something came for you, and see how you reacted. Attacks upon the Archives were not uncommon during Gertrude’s tenure, and, while she was always prepared, I made sure you would not be.

I reasoned if you couldn’t survive a single encounter, you were unlikely to make it through all fourteen. So, when Jane Prentiss attacked, I watched eagerly, one hand on the gas release from the start.

You acquitted yourself well enough, so I decided to see how far you would get, though I waited until the worms were in you before I pulled the lever. I needed to make sure you felt that fear all the way to your bones.

The discovery that one of the Stranger’s minions had infiltrated the Institute in the aftermath was certainly a pleasant bonus. Even if that sliver of paranoia, that vague wrongness you couldn’t quite place wouldn’t count as a mark, it was only a matter of time before it confronted you in a far more direct and affecting matter.

Admittedly, given the advent of the Unknowing, I needn’t have bothered. But what’s the old saying about hindsight?

More important to me was Sasha’s encounter with the Distortion. If it had taken an interest, then I very much wanted it to cross your path.

So I found one of its current victims and convinced her to make a statement.

Poor Helen. I actually had to put her in a taxi myself, she was getting so lost in those narrow London side streets.

It worked, though.

Between the stabbing and at least two desperate flights into its doors – you’re marked very deeply by the Spiral.

Jurgen Leitner was a surprise, of course, and I was forced to improvise. I had no idea how much Gertrude would have told him, and he could very easily have derailed everything if you learned too much too fast.

I… justified it to myself saying I was going to have to send you out into the world anyway, if you were to encounter more of the Powers, but I can’t honestly pretend it wasn’t a… rather rash move.

Still. I’d requested Detective Tonner be assigned to the case when they found Gertrude’s body in the hope that having a Hunter in the mix would eventually lead to a confrontation, and setting you up as a killer certainly hastened that.

Then it was just a matter of feeding you statements to lead you to a few Avatars I thought were likely to harm you – but probably would stop short of actually killing you.

Jude served her purpose exactly as I had hoped, as did our dearly departed Mr. Crew, marking you for the Desolation and the Vast.

Honestly, I had – nothing to do with Melanie and her Slaughter adventure, but when I saw the situation, I made sure to trap her here, so when her rage bubbled over you would be right there, a ready target.

I didn’t foresee the mark coming from surgery gone wrong, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

The Unknowing was a distraction, but not an unwelcome one. For this to work, you needed more than just the marks; you needed power. And that was something the Unknowing served to test, though it posed no actual danger in the grand scheme of things.

And it did serve another purpose, of course. It inadvertently pushed you to confront death, a mark I had been very worried about trying to orchestrate. If I tried too early, you’d just die. Too late, and you might be powerful enough to see the attempt coming, and maybe even understand why.

As it was, it was just right, and once again, you came through with flying colors.

By this point, your abilities were coming along in leaps and bounds, and I was concerned that meeting face-to-face might end up with you – (sigh) – Knowing something you shouldn’t.

I had initially planned to go into hiding, but when your colleagues surprised me with the police, well. It was simple enough to cut a deal.

All that remained, then, were the Dark, the Flesh, the Buried, and the Lonely.

I was a little put out when that idiot Jared Hopworth misinterpreted my letters and attacked the Institute too soon, before you were even out of the hospital, but then – Ho, you should have see my face when you voluntarily went to him.

I couldn’t see what happened in there, of course, but given how you came out, I’m very sure it counts as a mark.

I suspected the coffin might turn up again, and once it did, it was simply a matter of getting any, uh… restraining factors you might have had flying off on a wild goose chase, and waiting.

Honestly, Detective Tonner has been proving invaluable through this process. I’d been racking my brains for months about what I could use to lure you in.

And, of course, I knew the Dark Sun was just sitting there waiting. So when it came time, I just whipped up another apocalypse and sent you on your merry way.

Then all that remained was the Lonely.

Poor Peter. He really should have left well enough alone. (cruel laugh) Or just done what I’d asked in the first place.

Ah well. He knew what I was attempting, and was very unwilling to cooperate until I made him a little wager about Martin.

Of course, he had no way of knowing that, in addition to setting you up for the final mark, he was giving you all the tools you needed to escape from it.

How is Martin, by the way? He looks well. You will keep an eye on him when all this is over, won’t you? He’s earned that.

And there, I think, we are brought just about up to date. I have enjoyed our little trip down memory lane, but past here lies only impatience.

You are prepared. You are ready. You are marked. The power of the Ceaseless Watcher flows through you, and the time of our victory is here.

Don’t worry, John. You’ll get used to it here, in the world that we have made.

Now. (cruel, cruel laugh) Repeat after me.

You who watch and know and understand none. You who listen and hear and will not comprehend. You who wait and wait and drink in all that is not yours by right.

Come to us in your wholeness.

Come to us in your perfection.

Bring all that is fear and all that is terror and all that is the awful dread that crawls and chokes and blinds and falls and twists and leaves and hides and weaves and burns and hunts and rips and bleeds and dies!

Come to us.

I – OPEN – THE DOOR!

#the magnus archives #jonathan sims #jonah magnus #elias bouchard #tma #martin blackwood #jonmartin #mag 160 #the watcher #the watchers crown #the eye #the eye opens

[holdmytesseract]

Football Fever

☆ The Baby Fever AU ☆

Loki x Y/N feat. Ella and Narfi

Summary: Soccer Aid is just around the corner, and the Avengers get asked, if they would compete against team England - for the good cause, of course. The only answer to that question is yes and so you, the kids, Loki and all the other Avengers - including their families are travelling to Manchester. The next mission is clear... Win this game and raise a lot of money.

Warnings: fluff, football things, suggestive smut (yeah, it gets a little steamy as well), thirst - a lot, sickening sweet flirtations... Honestly, this fic has everything. 😂 Let me know if I missed something...

Word Count: 6,9k - I'm sorry. 👀

a/n: The Soccer Aid fic is finally here! 🥳 I had a bit of a hard time writing this. I struggled quite a lot, so I hope it's nevertheless good. 😅 It's a bit messy as well, I think, but yeah... Enjoy it (hopefully)! 😊

Baby Fever Crew: (Trying the comments again...)

Baby Fever Masterlist °☆• Loki Masterlist °☆• Masterlist

"The Avengers agreed to do what?" You asked your husband; honestly quite a bit shocked. The baby laundry you had just folded almost dropping to the floor out of surprise. "The Soccer Aid game? They asked the Avengers to take part in the Soccer Aid game?" You repeated; just to be sure you heard that right. Loki had an amused smile on his lips; nodding. "Yes, love. Team England against The Avengers in this year's Soccer Aid game." Blinking, you stared at Loki. "Wow, just... wow. That's great actually. I mean it's for UNICEF - and with that for a very good cause, so... Amazing!" You smiled and continued to fold Narfi's little t-shirts, hoodies and trousers.

"And you agreed to play?" You then asked; eyeing your husband quite a bit sceptical. The god nodded once more; still smiling. "I did, yes." Loki sensed your surprise and sceptic, of course. "You don't seem to believe me. Why, darling?" You just shrugged your shoulders. "I just thought you didn't like sports. Especially soccer." "Ah, I see. Well..." He started and walked to stand behind you, in order to wrap his arms around you; head resting on your shoulder. "I am perhaps not that interested in Midgardian sports - but it's for children, and since I have my very own babies, I definitely can't say no to that." Your heart skipped a beat at Loki's words; love flooding your veins. What a kind-hearted husband I've got, you thought; swooning. "Babe, that's wonderful." You lifted one hand to cup his cheek, "Truly." and turned your head catch his lips in a sweet kiss. Loki's grip tightened; pulling you closer against him.

"So... When are we leaving? It takes place in the UK, right? Where exactly? Am I even allowed to accompany you and the others? And the kids?" Suddenly, there were a trillion questions running through your mind. Loki chuckled, "Someone's excited." and kissed a line from your ear down your neck. "First of all... Of course, you and our children are allowed to accompany me - if you choose to. But since you're an Avenger as well, I think you could also choose to play."

You really thought about it for a second, but then... "Naaah," you said, scrunching your nose. "I'd rather look after our little whirlwinds and help them to cheer for their daddy and his team." Loki chuckled; a few strands of his raven locks tickling the side of your face. "Very well then. It shall be how my queen desires."

A sudden thought struck you then and you couldn't help the cheeky smile, which spread on your face. Placing the laundry aside and turning in your lover's arms, you bit your lip. "Besides, I think I am going to definitely enjoy the view. Seeing my handsome man run around in tight shorts and a flimsy jersey? Please... I'd be a fool to say no to that." Loki raised an eyebrow at you; smiling even wider, "Now that is very naughty, darling." before he gave you a smouldering look. A look which almost caused your knees to give in. Even after all those years. "No, it's only reasonable, babe. "

Almost three weeks later, after the paperwork had been done and everything was arranged and settled with the officials, it was time to make your way to the United Kingdom. Manchester, to be exactly. Everybody was coming along. Really everybody. Nat, Bruce, Wanda and Vision, Bucky, Sam, Steve, Peter with MJ, Ned and his mom. Tony brought Pepper along and baby Morgan, of course. Clint joined in as well, accompanied by his wife and kids - just like Scott, who took Hope and Cassie with him. Not to forget Thor, Eisa and a very pregnant Jane. Hence, Tony even convinced Stephen to join them. Maria, Phil and Nick were going to be there as well. Yep... The whole squat was going to be a part of this.

Everybody was totally excited about it. Especially the kids. It was an absolute honour for the Avengers to be a part of such a great event...

"Mommy, can I sit beside Eisa in the plane?" Ella asked you with literal doe eyes, as you walked to board the private plane Tony had rented for you all. You squeezed the girl's hand - which was safely locked to yours; nodding. "Of course, sweetheart. I think we can arrange that." You winked at your daughter, before checking on Loki. He walked a bit behind you and Ella; carrying a soundly asleep Narfi. He had his arms curled around his father's neck. His head was buried snugly in the crook of Loki's neck, while his little legs dangled softly with every step the god took.

Well... The sixteen-month-old boy had missed his afternoon nap today - and it showed. No wonder he slept in on the way to the airport...

No ten minutes later, you took your seat in the plane beside Loki. Ella sat beside Eisa - like she wanted and Thor took his place beside Jane. Your husband held Narfi still in his arms; gently swaying him from side to side to keep him asleep. After all, you had to fly for about seven hours...

"I hope it stays that way," you whispered quietly to Loki; gesturing towards your son. Loki ran a hand through the boy's curls and nodded. "I hope so, too, my love, but I highly doubt it." And he was proven right... Only about two hours later, Narfi awoke from his slumber - crying. The sudden change of surroundings gave the toddler quite a small shock. Not waking up where he slept in. Besides, Narfi never had been inside a plane before.

Thick tears were running down his cheeks; eyes already reddened. Loki immediately tried to reassure him, since a lot of the others had dozed off as well. "Shh, little prince, shh. It's alright. Daddy's got you. And mama's not far away either. She just needs to pee." Hearing his father's voice, the boy calmed down rather quickly, but still sobbing. "There you go, sweetie, there you go," Loki cooed and peppered his little cheeks with kisses. "Everything okay, little prince?" Narfi rubbed his eyes, "Uh.Huh." and nodded.

Despite quite a few interruptions, the rest of the flight went smoothly and everyone landed safely in Manchester.

After getting everyone to the hotel and into their rooms, Narfi and Ella crashed immediately on the bed. It was a long day for the kids, without a doubt. Loki and the other soccer players for the Avengers team had to go to the training grounds for further information, their training stuff, getting to know the trainers - and their first training lesson. You looked over to the kids, who slept tightly on the big hotel bed, while you bid your goodbye to your husband. "Have fun, babe." You pressed a kiss on his lips; wrapping both your arms around his neck. "Thank you, darling." "And behave, yes? No fouling Thor because it's fun." Loki nodded obediently, with the slightest glint of mischief in his eyes. "Yes, ma'am." You eyed him critically, before you kissed him again. "Good. And don't make our diva lose his nerves." The god chuckled and let go of you, in order to step into direction room door. "Well, I can't promise you that, but I swear that I'll try."

Once Loki had left, you exchanged the light summer dress you wore with a comfortable t-shirt and sleep shorts. Deciding to unpack a few things, you quietly moved around the hotel room - not to wake anybody. After that, you paid Jane a visit, to make sure she was alright and then somehow ended up sleeping in the bed as well. Actually, you just wanted to take a small nap, but well... Your body said no. Therefore, you didn't notice, when Loki returned back to the hotel room...

"Darling, I'm ba-" As soon as the god closed the door gently behind himself and turned around, he saw what had happened. Smiling, he took off his shoes and tiptoed straight to the bathroom; hoping that the shower he took wouldn't wake any of you up. It didn't. It was already quite late; so he only slipped in a fresh pair of boxershorts and got ready for bed. To complete his mission, he had to manoeuvre both his kids to their beds. He picked up Ella first; knowing that she was a very tight sleeper. Then he carefully took Narfi in his arms - who instinctively held onto his father; cuddling close.

Once those difficult tasks were done, he wrapped you up with the blanket and slipped beside you into the bed.

When strong arms pulled you gently against a warm, familiar chest, you started to wake up. The scent of your husband hit you; causing a pleasant shiver to run down your spine. Home. He was home - no matter where you were. Smiling, still with your eyes closed, you cuddled closer against him. "Finished training?" Unbeknownst to you, the god blinked. He thought you were fast asleep... "Y/N?" He whispered. "Are you awake?" "Mhhh." Guilt shot immediately through his heart like an arrow. Loki hated it when he was the reason you woke up. Especially after such a stressful day. "Apologies, my love. I didn't mean to wake you up..." "'S okay. Don't worry. I've been already sleepin' for quite a while." You felt a few strands of Loki's long raven locks tickling the side of your face, as he leaned over to place a kiss on your cheek. "Good."

"So... How did it go?" You asked once more; slipping your hand in his - which was placed around your middle; keeping you pinned against him. Loki sighed and intertwined your fingers. "I can't deny that it was quite fun - but utterly chaotic. All of them are such amateurs. Well, except me, the Falcon and Coulson. The rest of them?" He took a deep breath and you could swear that he had just rolled his eyes. "Norns give us strength... They have to learn a lot. Unless we're going to lose big time against England." You giggled softly and squeezed his hand. "But isn't it all about the fun and good cause?" "Sure, love, but... You know me. I'm a very ambitious man. I want to win this. I'm a winner."

Well... He wasn't wrong, was he?

"Okay, champ... Tell me. Why are they a chaotic mess? Perhaps I've got a few ideas on how to solve those issues." Another sigh left your husband's lips. "They put Parker in the goal. I don't know if that was a wise decision. Sure, he's got fast reflexes, but, he's a bit... small and... fragile." You raised a playful eyebrow. "Who would you put in that position then?" The god shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know. Laing, perhaps?" You giggled, shaking your head.

"What else is 'wrong'?" "Vision. All he does is calculating how the ball flies, where it lands and how hard he has to kick it to reach the next team mate. And Stark and Rogers are constantly fighting about who is going to be the team captain. It's exhausting." You couldn't help yourself but to giggle once more. "Why can I imagine that so well?" Loki just rolled his eyes. "And my oafish brother just don't want to understand, why the goalkeeper - namely Parker, isn't allowed to leave the eighteen-yard area. I explained it to him several times. Hence, we all did, but he's just too stupid to understand - and utterly confused. It's almost embarrassing, honestly." "Baaabe... Don't be so hard to your brother. He's not that familiar with Midgardian sports. Give him some time, huh?" Loki took a deep breath. "I honestly don't know if time helps..." "We'll see. Rome wasn't built in a day. Remember that, my love."

On the next day, Loki left quite early for the second training session - just like the other Avengers. While your husband was sweating and working, you took the kids together with Jane, Eisa, Pepper and Morgan to a trip into the city. It was everyone's first time here, so there was a lot to explore. Well... Everything that was child-friendly, of course.

You strolled a little bit through a few streets of the big city, before you went to the Manchester Museum. Jane wanted to go there at all costs, of course. She was a scientist after all. No matter if her feet were hurting or not - due to her pregnancy, she wanted to go there. And who were you and Pepper to deny your friend this wish?

It had been quite interesting for the kids, too. Well, at least for Eisa and Ella. Narfi and Morgan were a little too young to understand. But at least the girls had fun.

After that, Jane went back to the hotel, in order to rest, while your niece stayed with the little group.

It was pleasantly warm today; the sun shining bright, so you and Pepper took the kids to Chorlton Water Park, where they could play and enjoy themselves.

All in all, it was a great day, but looking after four kids was quite exhausting at some point - for Pepper as well, so you were happy to be back at the hotel as well. Jane offered to look after the kids tomorrow; take them to her's and Thor's hotel room, so that you and Pepper could do more 'adult' things in Manchester.

Ella and especially Narfi were quite tired as well after that day, but they desperately wanted to stay awake and wait for Loki to return from the training, since they hadn't seen their father even once that day. And to Ella's and Narfi's luck returned Loki only about twenty minutes later...

The door swung open; revealing a tired, sweaty Loki - and before he could even close the door behind himself, Ella and Narfi were already tackling him. "Daddy!" Well, Ella first, 'cause Narfi wasn't that fast yet. He had learned to properly walk just about two months ago...

A big smile spread on Loki's face, and he squatted down; welcoming his children in his arms. "Hello, princess." Ella hugged him even tighter, now that she was taller when he was in a squatting position. "Dada!" Narfi had waddled over as well by now. Ella made room for her baby brother, so that Loki could pick the little boy up. "And hello little prince." You still sat on the floor with some of Narfi's toys in your hands; watching the sweet scenes unfold in front of your eyes with a smile.

After Loki spent some much-needed quality time with Ella and Narfi, he tucked them in (It was getting quite late.) and read a bedtime story until they both fell asleep - which happened quite quickly, given the fact that they were totally worn out after this exciting day.

You opted to go to bed; book in hands and waited for Loki to join you. Yet unbeknownst to you, had the god other plans than joining you in bed...

You heard quiet footsteps approaching you, but didn't bother to put your book aside. "I am going to take a shower now." Loki said in a deep, hushed voice; trying to sound sexy and perhaps to attract your attention. "I unfortunately have to. Can't join my queen in bed, being all stinky and sweaty." You, though, were lost in the story you were reading, so you only nodded; not deigning to look at him. "Alright, babe."

Loki raised a sceptical eyebrow. Obviously, the book was way more interesting than him. That had to change. A quiet snap of Loki's fingers caused his seidr to roll over his entire body. "Care to join me, darling?"

A soft sigh left your lips. "Babe, I am already in bed." You started - and made a huge mistake... You looked up from your book. "Why would I- Oh my gosh..." Loki stood at the edge of the bed. Butt naked. Only wearing his signature cheeky, mischievous smile. Sure, the light was dimmed in the big room, due to the kids sleeping, but you could still see everything.

You swallowed hard; eyes growing wide. Don't look, don't look, don't lo- Too late. You looked. How could you not? Being married to Loki and not look when he was standing nude in front of you was perhaps the most difficult task in all the nine realms.

A small whimper left your lips, as you shifted awkwardly in the bed. A thing which didn't slip Loki's notice, of course. He had you. Almost. "Come on, love. Showering alone is no fun at all... I already had to shower all by myself yesterday night." You swallowed again; tried to stay focused. "B-But the kids, Lokes a-and I'm reading and already in bed and..." Your husband interrupted your sentence with a quiet, smooth chuckle, while running his hands through his sweaty, luscious curls. His abdominal muscles clenched; showing you his abs. "You do keep forgetting that I am a master in using seidr...." He literally purred; giving you a wink. You bit your lip. So hard that you were afraid you drew blood. Don't give in, don't give in. Stay strong, stay strong. The angel on your shoulder tried to spur you on; encouraging you. But the demon... Give in. You didn't have him in almost a week. You want to. I know it. And he's right. He's got his seidr. The kids won't notice.

Your mind raced; forces battling inside of you. "So, my love... You coming now?" He purred; stepping closer to your side of the bed - and when you could clearly look into his blue, wide blown orbs of pure desire, you had made your decision. Fuck it. You literally threw your blanket away and shoot up from the bed. Loki chuckled maliciously in victory, "Thought so." before he moved quickly; grabbed you by your thighs and threw you over his shoulder. You had a hard time suppressing a yelp. "Lokiii!" Another chuckle. "Shush, darling. It's time for me to reclaim what's mine." You almost combusted at that sentence. And of course, you let yourself get carried to the bathroom without another word. The position was perhaps a bit uncomfortable; hanging upside down over a shoulder like a sack of potatoes - but the view was absolutely delicious. Never had looked your husband's gloriously naked ass better, than in that angle.

The last few training days flew by faster than you thought and suddenly you were preparing Ella and Narfi for their father's Soccer Aid game.

"Ella?" You called from the bathroom, while trying to put a really antsy Narfi into a mini jersey. "Sweetie, are you dressed and ready?" No ten seconds later appeared your eldest in the door frame; smiling brightly and already dressed in a miniature version of Loki's jersey and shorts he would wear during the football game. The same kit you were currently trying to dress little Narfi in. Black shorts, white jersey and red flocking. Not your husband's actual colours, but that was what the team decided. Nevertheless, you were sure that Loki would look just as sexy in those colours.

"Yep, mommy! Can we go now? I want to see daddy!" "In a few mins. I need to get your brother ready first, which is- Oh no, no, stay here you little trickster!" You had to lunge forward and catch a giggling Narfi, before he was able to sneak off behind your back. "Alright, mommy. I'll wait and practice some magic." "You do just that, El. I hope I'm soon done here." Ella left with a happy spring in her step then; long raven locks flying.

"Narfi, please..." You pleaded the small boy, as he fled from you once more; halfway dressed in the shorts. The toddler just giggled. Again. He had fun in that game you played. You didn't. "You want to see daddy, don't you?" Narfi stopped, turning to face you; one wild curl falling into his face. "Uh.Huh. Wanna see dada." "Then you need to let me help you getting dressed, because if we don't leave in the next ten minutes, we probably won't be able to see daddy before the game." Your son's eyes went wide, before he literally sprinted towards you to let himself get finally dressed, causing you to sigh in relief. "There you go, sweet boy." You said, pressing a kiss to his chubby cheek. Your ovaries almost exploded when you looked at him; dressed like that.

"See dada now?" You smiled; picking him up, "Yep." and carrying him out of the bathroom. "Ella, you coming?" Your daughter jumped excitedly towards you. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Together, you left the hotel and went for the Old Trafford stadium. Of course, there was a personal taxi waiting just for the three of you to bring you there. To the VIP entrance, to be exactly. You went on full wag mode today; living your best life as the wife of the Avengers Soccer Aid team star Loki Laufeyson. You even bought his jersey as well; combined with short jeans. It was a warm summer day - and you were ready. Just like the kids were.

The VIP entrance was a secluded area, but nevertheless had gathered quite a few fans there, cheering out your name when they saw you. You would've waved at them, but it was a bit difficult; holding Ella's hand (to keep her from just running off) with one and Narfi on your arm with the other. So, you opted for nodding and smiling - which was appreciated as well.

The safety officer greeted you with a smile. "Mrs. Y/L/N." He said with a nod and stepped aside to grant the three of you access. "And hello you two. Enjoy the game!" "Thank you." You stepped past him. "Hewu!" Narfi smiled and waved at the big, bulky man. But Ella was way too excited to notice anything. All she wanted was to see her father.

One of the game coordinators led you and your family through the catacombs of the Old Trafford then, until you reached the main stage... The pitch - on which every Avenger and member of the opposing team already was, warming up. There were already quite a few kids out there, playing around with each other or their mothers and fathers. It was a family event after all, and the stadium was quite filled already; a lot of fans seated on the stands all around you. It was huge and absolutely impressive.

Three pairs of eyes searched for Loki - but he was the one finding his family first. Smiling brightly, he left the ball he was warming up with abandoned and jogged over to the sidelines.

"Where's daddy, Narfi? Can you spot him?" You asked the little boy, while bouncing him up and down. You looked around as well, until you saw him jogging towards you. Not to be over dramatic, but... You almost fainted when you laid eyes upon your husband; all dressed up for the game. His jersey was tight; stuck to his upper body like a second skin. It was definitively a few sizes too small. Just like his shorts. They left not much to imagine - let's put it that way. Red and white football socks covered his strong calves and shins. His raven curls were tied back into a man bun and a thin, black hair band was sitting on his forehead, completing his look - and he looked absolutely, stunningly hot. Your knees almost gave in. If you wouldn't have been around kids and in a crowded stadium, you would've jumped him. But unfortunately, you weren't alone, so you had to compose yourself.

"Well, who do we have here?" You heard his deep voice calling out. "Daddy!" Ella's head snapped to face her dad; a big smile on her face as she stormed into his waiting arms. She may have been over seven years old now, but that didn't stop Loki to scoop his little girl up and hug her tightly. "Ahh, my princess." Narfi squirmed in your arms, so you let him down. Excitedly, he tried on slightly wobbly legs to run to his dad as well. "Dada!" Loki let Ella down again and squatted down. "And my little prince!" The god scooped Narfi up in his arms as well; ruffling the giggling boy's hair.

After thoroughly greeting his children, he made his way to you. "Hello, my love." He leaned down to kiss you; free hand curling around your hip to hold you close. "Hey, babe." You greeted your husband; smiling in the next kiss. "How's my soccer star doing? Ready for the game?" "Oh more than ready, darling." Loki answered with a wink. Before you could continue the conversation, Ella jumped in. "Can Narfi and I train with you, daddy?" "Oh, of course, princess, come on." He started to jog away again; Narfi still in his arms and Ella following him. "I'll be in the VIP area!" You called after them, to which Loki gave you a thumb's up.

You let the kids have some quality time with their father and took a seat besides Jane in the VIP area, where all the 'celebrities' and family members of the players were seated. It was a closed off area.

"Hey, Jane." Your friend looked up at you, smiling. "Y/N, hey. Finally made your way here? I waited in the hotel lobby, but you, nor my niece and nephew could be seen anywhere..." You let out a breath; sitting down on the seat beside her. "Finally, indeed. Yeah, I know, sorry. Narfi was a little too excited and didn't let me dress him. All I did was running around the bathroom to catch him... Now I left them both with Loki." Jane giggled. "I left Eisa with Thor, too."

You watched Loki play with your kids from afar. While Ella tried to mimic every move of her dad, Narfi was seated on his shoulders. First, Loki taught Ella how to properly kick a ball, and then how to pass it to a teammate - his brother in that case. Eisa had found Ella and now they were playing all together. You and Jane giggled at the sight. And even though Loki was sometimes a bit annoyed by his brother's often too strong passes, they all seemed to have fun. It was a very cute thing to watch, without a doubt.

Ella and Eisa tried to perfect their ball game then, Loki went to do warm-ups with Narfi; using him as a weight to lift, for example. The boy liked it. You could tell from afar; seeing his little face all scrunched up in a giggle. It was to die for, honestly - and you were pretty sure that quite a few women witnessing this did.

About fifteen minutes later, your kids joined you in the VIP area. Loki would've loved to play further with them, but there was a little team warm-up now with the trainer giving them last instructions. Before that, he had to do a few short pre-game interviews, so... No time or space for kids.

Ella sat down beside you; totally out of breath but happy, while you took Narfi to sit on your lap.

You let your eyes wander. They drifted through the entire stadium and from one player to the next. Especially to Nat and Wanda, since they left you utterly stunned and amazed at how good they were in playing soccer. At the end, though, your eyes landed on Loki. Gaze lingering on him, you watched his every move; watched him train- No. Watched him putting on a show.

Loki noticed, of course; felt your eyes on him. How could he not? Yes, it was a big stadium with a lot of people on the pitch and a huge crowd, but... All he could see was you (and his babies). It had always been you.

So, being the mischievous, smug god he was, he decided to really give you something to look at. Loki abandoned the ball he was warming up with, discreetly moved closer to where you were seated and started to stretch instead. His too small jersey and shorts were definitely coming in handy now, he thought with a smug smirk. The god stretched his legs first; pulling the fabric up to expose his strong, muscular thighs. He moved his legs in a rotating motion, causing the trained muscles to deliciously bulge. Just how she likes it, your husband thought. Then, he did a lunge - causing your eyes to pop out of your head.

You already were a drooling, thirsting mess by now after those little games he had played and now he was ultimately killing you off with that move. You had a hard time to keep up your composure and not let Narfi slip off your lap... The lunge Loki made showed everything he had. Really everything. Defined shins and thighs, the outlines of what was between his legs, abs, happy trail (kudos to his too short jersey), broad shoulders and muscular arms. You had to suppress a moan, seeing this. Why does he has to be so smokin' hot?, you whined internally. And you weren't the only one who thought that. The lot of the ladies all around the VIP area were either fanning themselves, trying to not faint or screeching. Understandably. You couldn't blame them, could you?

But what really tickled your nerve ends and sent a sizzling spark of arousal through your system was the fact that Loki was yours. Entirely and undoubtedly yours. They all could lust after him as much as they wanted, but at the end of the day, he was messing up your bedsheets. Not theirs.

The game itself started about twenty minutes later. All eyes were on team England and team Avengers. To your surprise was everyone working together. You shortly questioned your eyesight, but it was true. All your friends worked hand in hand to get the win - at least for now.

Ella and Narfi were, of course, enthusiastic about their dad being a soccer star (at least for today) and cheered him on. The others too, but Loki the most. The great atmosphere tickled you as well, and so you were loudly cheering them on, too - until a little whine, coming undoubtedly from the small boy on your lap caused your motherly instincts to intervene. Immediately, you redirected your attention. "Narfi?" You asked, looking down at him. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" Watery ruby eyes looked up at you, as another whine slipped past his small, pouty lips. "Not see dada." He said and tried to wriggle around - but you held him tightly, of course; not risking him to fall. "You can't see daddy? Oh, I'm sorry, baby. Do you want to sit on mommy's shoulders?" Narfi snivelled; a thick tear rolling down his chubby cheek. "Uh.Huh." "Okay. Hold on tight little man."

You were about to lift him up to your shoulders, when Ella stopped you. "I can take him, too, mommy." You blinked; looking at your daughter. "Are you sure?" "Yep," she said; smiling and moved to sit on the free seat in front of you. "Put him on my shoulders." "You want to sit on your sister's shoulders, Narfi?" The boy smiled brightly; nodding. So, you did what Ella suggested and sat your son down on his big sister's shoulders. "That okay, El?" You asked her; keeping a steady hand on Narfi's small back. "Yep. You can let go, I got him." "Sure?" "Sure." So, you did and watched with heart eyes the sweet scenes unfolding in front of your eyes. Both your kids cheering for their father; raven locks flying in the wind. The names 'Lokison' and 'Lokisdóttir' literally shining on the backs of their jerseys in the bright sun. It made you so unbelievably proud; heart pumping pure love through your veins.

Unfortunately, all the cheering didn't help and the Avengers team trailed by two goals at halftime...

During the half-time break, some of the players gave a speech. About UNICEF, what they exactly did, where they were working and so on. Tony and Steve were a part of that as well.

You had sent the kids off with Jane and Eisa to get something to eat and drink - which gave you a small timeframe to check your phone and maybe even answer some work emails. (You were still working as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, since Narfi's birth wasn't that long ago and Loki had asked you to stay away from dangerous and physical draining missions for another while.)

Unfortunately, you didn't get far...

"Hey, pretty lady..." A familiar deep, smooth voice called out, and caused you to look up - but you couldn't see anyone. Frowning, your brain needed a second to figure out what was going on. Then it hit you. The barrier. Biting your lip, you stood up and walked down the few stairs. Luckily were the most seats empty at the moment, because everyone used the break to get drinks and food. Cautiously, you leaned against said barrier and looked down.

A dazzling, smug smile greeted you instantly and caused your legs to almost give in right then and there. Loki was standing just a few meters away from you, but quickly walked over. "There she is... My pretty lady. I already feared for a moment that you didn't hear me." You playfully rolled your eyes at your husband. "I always hear you calling out my name. Even in such a crowded place. Kudos to your seidr, though." Loki just winked; still smirking.

"Did I already tell you, my darling wife, you look incredibly ravishing; wearing this... flimsy jersey with my name printed on." His flirtatious words made you giggle like a love drunken teenager. "Yeah, really?" "Oh, absolutely. I hope this isn't the last time you're going to wear it." You bit your lip; smiling, before you proceeded to lean over the top of the barrier, in order to get a little bit closer to him.

"Babe, I'd wear anything for you."

The sparks were definitely flying between the two of you - even after all those years. Loki's smirk only widened. "Is that a threat, my love?" You shook your head; winking. "A promise." Loki's eyes travelled from your eyes to your cleavage and back. "Naughty." At those words, you had to giggle again. "Lokes, you are definitely not better. I know you put on a show for me while warming up and making me all hot and bothered. Do you know how difficult it is to hide this from our friends?" Loki chuckled. He just chuckled. "Apologies, but I just couldn't help myself. I had to put on a little show for my queen. I thought you'd appreciate it." "You're a naughty, mischievous little scamp, Mr. Laufeyson - but yes, I pretty much appreciated it. Just like very much every other lady in this stadium." "Which is a great ego boost, I have to confess, but I don't care about the others." "I know." You whispered; leaning as far as possible over the barrier to somehow catch your husband's lips. His hands flew up to your shoulders; holding you in a protective grasp and keeping you from falling. Thank the norns he was so fucking tall.

You would've loved to just keep on kissing him, but you forgot for a moment that there were thousands of people around you - presumably watching you, and that the half-time break was almost over. So, heavy heartedly, you untangled yourself from Loki again.

"I hope we can manage to turn the game. I'd love to win this." You winked. "I know. Chin up, babe. You've got forty-five minutes to turn it around."

After you bid your goodbye to your husband, you turned back around, only to look straight into Pepper's face - who had a knowing smirk on her lips. "You two just can't keep your hands off each other, can you?" You felt quite confident today, so you just shrugged your shoulders and casually replied: "It's not my fault that he's walking sex, is it?"

The game was absolutely exciting from the very beginning to the end. Everybody was hanging on the edges of their seat, after the Avengers tied the score. Bucky was the goal scorer. It went back and forth; one goal chance passing after another. It was super thrilling - and in the end, the Avengers really managed to turn the game and win. It made you proud. But what made you ever prouder, was that Loki scored the decisive goal. Ella was cheering so loud, you were afraid that she'd be hoarse tomorrow... Narfi mimicked his big sister; squealing out loud and celebrating his dad's victory - and the whole stadium did, too.

After the final whistle, every player on the pitch was visibly happy; everybody shaking hands and hugging. No matter if winner or 'loser', because after such a great game for such a good cause, everybody was a winner. The earned money would do a lot of good things in this world - and that was worthy enough to celebrate.

Once the 'formalities' were done, the lot of the players picked up their kids and let them run around the pitch, while they talked to others or played with them. Loki was one of them, of course, and Ella and Narfi were more than excited to storm the pitch once more. So, you helped your excited children to climb over the barrier, where their dad waited to pick them up. Sure, you could've chosen the long way round and lead them on the pitch - but it wasn't the fastest way.

"Daddy! Daddy! You scored the winning goal!" Ella literally yelled; voice filled with proudness as she 'jumped' into her father's awaiting arms. Loki chuckled; holding her in a firm grip. "I really did, princess. I never would've seen it coming, though. Uncle Scott is a way better striker than I am." Ella giggled; placing both her hands on her dad's shoulders. "I did, daddy! I did!" "You did?" "Yup!" The god chuckled again and pressed a kiss on her cheek, before she let her down to take little Narfi from your arms into his.

"Come here, Narfi." Loki took the boy and wanted to let him down as well, but Narfi clung to Loki; clearly didn't want to leave his dad's arms. "Do you want daddy to carry you?" Narfi nodded; sucking on his dummy (which you had given him a little while back) and placed his head on Loki's shoulder; rubbing his eyes. "Ohh, I see. My little prince is tired." It was more than understandable after this day. So much for the young man to see, hear and experience.

Smiling, Loki placed a kiss on his son's forehead, while he run a hand through the very curly black hair on the toddler's head. Then he looked around for Ella, but his daughter had run already off to her uncles and aunts; playing football with them. Knowing that she was taken care of, he decided to walk past the fans, to show them his thankfulness for the support and countless donations. And perhaps to raise a bit more money. The god wasn't stupid and knew exactly the effect he had on the women (and even some men). Besides, he had the sweetest toddler in his arms in all the nine realms, so...

He made his way behind the boards, past the goal and up to the barrier, which held the fans back. The people welcomed him with loud cheers and applause; chanting his name. It did something to him. Without a doubt. After all that happened in the past... To now hear people calling out his name caused almost tears to sprinkle in his eyes. He was forgiven. The world had forgiven him. Sure, he knew that the Americans saw him as an Avenger now as well - but the 'rest of the world'? No. He didn't see all of that coming - and it made him incredibly happy. Smiling, he waved at the people; bathing in the attention he got. Narfi, who had almost drifted off in his father's arms, lifted his head at the sudden very loud voices. He looked at the people with big, wide ruby eyes. Loki noticed that, of course. His smile even widened, as he pressed another kiss against the little boy's cerulean cheek. "So much people Narfi, right? Want to say hello and wave at them?" "Narfi say hewo?" He spoke tiredly from behind the dummy. Loki nodded. "Yes, little prince. If you want to." Narfi thought for a moment, but then cuddled back in his father's chest, causing Loki to chuckle and hug his little boy closer.

The god spent another while with the fans, before he joined the remaining players on the pitch.

The rest of the evening was spent celebrating the victory and all the raised money, before the Avengers and their families returned home.

One thing was sure, though... Soccer Aid was an event that would stay unforgotten.

#the baby fever au #loki x reader #loki laufeyson #loki x female reader #loki x you #tom hiddleston x reader #loki #loki fanfiction #loki x y/n #loki fluff #loki laufeyson x reader

[calliesmemes]

A SANCTUARY FOR EVERY SENTIMENT

ASSORTED QUOTES PULLED FROM TUMBLR POSTS, PINTEREST POSTS, AND SONGS.

CHANGE gendered words and in-universe phrases as needed.

SPECIFY muse for multimuses.

“   Fill your mind with knowledge — it is the only kind of power that no one can take away from you. ”

“   I was born knowing you. ”

“   Even if you know what’s coming, you’re never prepared for how it feels. ”

“   Where have I seen you before? ”

“   You are half my soul. ”

“   I thought we hated each other. ”

“   All my life, I have been restless. ”

“   There's a darkness inside your mind. ”

“   I am going to be good this time. ”

“   I forced myself to know you. ”

“   The question you should be asking is not why I push you away, but why you stay. ”

“   To me, you’re sunshine in human form. ”

“   Some wounds never vanish. ”

“   I refuse to let the past find me here. ”

“   The grief is still heavy within me. ”

“   It's like you're so afraid of feeling that you're already dead. ”

“   I want to learn how to be soft again. ”

“   Pride isn’t sinful; it is confidence in yourself. ”

“   I don’t think that there is any truth. There are only points of view. ”

“   Everyone is a monster to someone. ”

“   Some days, I feel everything at once. Other days, I feel nothing at all. ”

“   Without violence, how do I understand my life as meaningful? ”

“   A friend today could be an enemy tomorrow. ”

“   It's always the wrong bits of the past that people want back. ”

“   I must kill memory once and for all. ”

“   A man with nothing left to lose is a very dangerous man. ”

“   I burn for what’s no longer mine. ”

“   Anyone who takes the time to be kind is beautiful. ”

“   It’s better to have a guarded heart than a bleeding one. ”

“   Everyone should love and be loved. ”

“   You’re the reason I know why storms are named after people. ”

“   What have we done to each other? ”

“   Perhaps you were like a candle: created to light up the darkness for an unfairly short amount of time. ”

“   I don’t know what’s wrong with me. ”

“   You were my home. I had no home but you. ”

“   How could you recognize me after all these years? ”

“   I’m always soft for you, that’s the problem. ”

“   Does my sweetness lie so deep within me you need to cut me to find it? ”

“   I want to trust my own joy like that. ”

“   When I bled, I thought I deserved it. ”

“   Do I have to forgive in order to love? ”

“   I will try to disappoint you better than anyone else ever has. ”

“   I’m hell-bent on loving you. ”

“   There are ways of dying that don’t end in funerals. ”

“   I have been fighting since I was very small. ”

“   Love doesn’t conquer everything. Whoever thinks it does is a fool. ”

“   We all have one foot in a fairytale, and the other in an abyss. ”

“   There’s nowhere to run. ”

“   Darkness, once gazed upon, can never be lost. ”

“   I like figuring you out. You are so human and puzzling. ”

“   If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me. ”

“   Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage, not weakness. ”

“   I have longed for people before, I have loved people before. Not like this. It was not this. ”

“   The difference between failure and love is where you draw the incision. ”

“   You never think that the last time is the last time. You think there will be more. You think that you will have forever, but you don’t. ”

“   We tend to talk too much because it’s rare that we are listened to. ”

“   I promise that I shall never give up. ”

“   They may not have loved you, but they did change you. They taught you. They grew you. ”

“   I feel like a part of my soul has loved you since the beginning of everything. ”

“   You didn't deserve what they did to you, how they treated you. It wasn't a lesson. It wasn't meant to happen, and it was never your fault. ”

“   I have always loved everything about you. Even what I don’t understand. ”

“   What’s done is done, but in the future, do better. ”

“   It's a lot easier to be angry at someone than it is to tell them that you’re hurt. ”

“   You don’t have that fire in your eyes anymore and you know it. ”

“   If you are so committed to being perfectly lawful that you cannot see the value of breaking a law to defend yourself or others, you're not good, you're obedient. ”

“   I have survived everything, but I fear that I cannot survive myself. ”

“   No one warns you about the amount of mourning in growth. ”

“   I was looked at, but I wasn’t seen. ”

“   Who's the real you? The person who did something awful, or the one who was horrified by the awful thing that you did? ”

“   I never would have expected you to become my deepest scar yet. ”

“   I fight. I resist. It doesn't even matter what I resist; there is simply something in me that tends to resist things as they are. ”

“   You are not weak just because your heart feels so heavy. ”

“   I want to be with you. It is as simple, and as complicated, as that. ”

“   Why must you push away those who care for you? ”

“   You were treated horribly. You came out on the other end. You were always you. ”

“   I know what it’s like to love what ruins you. ”

“   In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. ”

“   I am the centre of an atrocity. ”

“   You’re my family, and I love you. But you’re terrible. You’re all terrible. ”

“   Desire can be partner to violence. ”

“   It’s been a long time since I’ve been me. ”

“   There is so much love in friendship. People forget that. ”

“   Nothing you become will disappoint me. I have no desire to foresee you, only to discover you. ”

“   What is more unfair than having to choose between being a monster or being a hero? ”

“   Stop being so afraid of everything. ”

“   We must be our own before we can be another’s. ”

“   I’ve found that growing up means being honest. About what I want. What I need. What I feel. Who I am. ”

“   If you’ve been hated, you’ve also been loved. ”

“   Even when I detach, I care. You can be separate from a thing and still care about it. ”

“   Study me as much as you like; you will never know me. ”

“   See how our wants horrify us. ”

“   I feel so lonely, like childhood again. ”

“   Never in my entire childhood did I feel like a child. I felt like a person all along — the same person that I am today. ”

“   You see loving you as such a mortifying ordeal, you feel you owe to anyone who could find the will inside themselves to do it to reciprocate. ”

“   I wish they would only take me as I am. ”

“   We’ll pretend any ending is gentle. ”

“   If I am a sunflower, would you be my sun? ”

“   Being must be felt. It can’t be thought. ”

“   I’m not much, but I’m all I have. ”

“   I think that hell is something you carry around with you, not somewhere you go. ”

“   I want to be wanted more than anything else in the world. ”

“   Don't look away. Look straight at everything. Look it all in the eye, good and bad. ”

“   There must be a point where you’re allowed to be defined by something other than what he did to you. ”

“   There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. ”

“   I would rather break the world than lose you. ”

“   What goes too long unchanged destroys itself. ”

“   We are so accustomed to disguising ourselves to others that, in the end, we become disguised to ourselves. ”

“   Beauty is terror. Whatever they call beauty, we quiver before it. ”

“   Is one part of you allowed to forgive the other? ”

“   No one could ever replace you. You were there at the start; I’ll be there at the end. ”

“   It's a most distressing affliction to have a sentimental heart and a skeptical mind. ”

“   "You're so calm and quiet. But there are things inside you. I see them sometimes, hiding in your eyes. ”

“   Is it foolish to speak of little joys that occur in the middle of tragedy? ”

“   I imagine that one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, that they will be forced to deal with pain. ”

“   Take life as it comes. Take what you can while you still have the desire to take. ”

“   If the moon smiled, she would resemble you. You leave the same impression of something beautiful, but annihilating. ”

“   We’ve been through so much together. I’ve seen you grow into someone you thought you’d never be. I’ve seen you endure challenges most will never see. ”

“   You don't tell a story only to yourself. There's always someone else. Even when there is no one. ”

“   I know that my life is meaningful because I love my friends, and I care about them, and I think I make them happy. ”

“   There is so much stubborn hope in the human heart. ”

“   To live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering. ”

“   It isn’t your life that’s a prison; it’s yourself. ”

“   You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously. ”

“   You knew what you were doing and you knew that it would hurt me, but somehow, that didn’t stop you. ”

“   They would’ve kept lying if you didn’t find out. ”

“   You broke my heart in every way that a heart could be broken. ”

“   Just because I let you go doesn’t mean that I wanted to. ”

“   There is no intensity of love or feeling that does not involve the risk of crippling hurt. It is a duty to take this risk, to love and feel without defense or reserve. ”

“   I’m enjoying my hatred so much more than I ever enjoyed love. ”

“   Become the voice you’ve always needed to hear. ”

#askbox meme #askbox prompt #rp ask meme #ask box #roleplay sentence meme #sentence starters #roleplay prompts #roleplay sentence starters #* sentence meme #rpc help

[youreallyshouldtalkmore]

Experiment in Control

A.N: Alhaitham x Reader. 

Genshin Impact MasterList  

---------------------------------

“Why are you such a distraction? Looking back, when I first met you, I calculated I was only about 15% distracted. That steadily rose in the 2 years we’ve known each other. Now three months before we are officially married and your 15% rose to about 85%.” 

This is what you were greeted with when you opened the door. 

You only smiled and said, “Nice to you see you today, Alhaitham.” 

“Likewise.” he replied as he stared at you. 

You stepped aside to allow him entrance to your small house in Sumeru. He breathed once before stepping in, allowing you to shut the door. But when you turned around, you found his hand next to your head on the door, and him towering over you, trapping you in.  

Green-red eyes stared down at you, “Well, don’t you want to make a case for yourself?” 

You shrugged, “And say what? I’m a little surprised you are telling me this, to be honest.” 

“Am I a distraction to you?” 

You looked away with a small toying on your lips, “Are you? Perhaps the real question is, do you want to be?” 

Two fingers under your chin brought your gaze back to your fiancé. Your breath caught. Why did his eyes look more smoldering than usual?  

“I keep thinking about experiments….” 

“Don’t you always?” 

“Not these kinds….” 

“Such as?” 

His eyes bore into yours, “I have already documented three places where I can get a rise out of you.” 

You felt a shiver down your back that you hoped that Alhaitham didn’t see. 

But you knew he did. 

He reached a hand out, fingertips touching your shoulder, as they grazed down your arm. You couldn’t look away, even if you wanted to, as he gripped your hand and brought it to his lips. Without breaking contact, he lifted the back of your hand to his lips, lingering for a long moment. 

You shifted once. 

“1.” 

You blinked as he lifted his head and leaned closer to you, tilting your chin. You felt your breath caught as his lips hovered over yours. 

Then suddenly, his lips were on your neck. A small groan escaped you. 

“2.” 

Then just as quick, before you could say anything, his lips caught yours in a kiss. You clung to Alhaitham, not being able to do much else. His other hand, not leaning on the door, landed behind your head, guiding your kiss. 

When he pulled back, he whispered, “And that’s 3.” 

You blinked, trying to will away the fog that had descended. When it cleared you saw Alhaitham small smirk as if everything was in his control. 

“That three places I can get a rise out of you, but lately, I’ve been thinking of how many other places I could get a rise out of you. Seems a thrilling experiment, no?” 

You ducked your head, eyelashes fanning your cheek at his words. 

“If you are this responsive now, I can’t quite imagine….” 

His words were muffled by your hand over his mouth, “That’s enough. You need to exercise patience, Alhaitham. We have three months before we are married.” 

Alhaitham gently pried your hands away, “....though I don’t need to imagine when I can get concrete evident to support my theory. I’m guessing there are at least 8-10 more places….” 

You laughed in embarrassment as you tried to clamp your hand over his mouth once again, “Stop it!!” 

He laughed, ducking his face this way and that to avoid your trap. Then he reached out with both hands to grasp your wrist, “Very well. I shall say no more. Unlike most, I know the value of patience. Besides, I believe my experiment will be extremely rewarding when the time comes.” 

You ducked your gaze once more. 

How could he be so matter of fact about this? 

Then suddenly, you were giving him a wolfish smile even as he held your wrist in both hands. One eyebrow steadily rose the longer you gaze at him. You even started cackling under your breath. 

He stared at you without blinking. 

You moved your wrists, in a very feminine gesture, making him let go. Once he did, he had your hand on the back of his head, forcing him to lean over towards you.  To compensate, his hands came on either sided of you, palms pressing into the door. 

Alhaitham took it in stride, almost not batting an eye as he stared unblinkingly at you. 

What exactly was his future wife up to? 

He needed to keep his wits about you, as you were up to something with that knowing look in your eyes. 

“I just realized, I have my own experiments when the time comes….” 

His voice was placid, despite the little distance the two of you were, “Oh, and they are…” 

“You like to be in control, don’t you? Think your way through things well enough, and you can stay out of trouble, I grant you that. But I wonder what it would take to make you lose that control.” 

“As you said, if you think through things, you can avoid such trouble.” 

“Ooooh?” you hummed bringing your lips closer to his, “And when the time comes, you think you will remain so?” 

“Naturally….” 

You giggled, “Even when you aren’t in control now?” 

Alhaitham deadpanned looked at you. 

“Ahh, you do realize, don’t you?” You smiled up at him. 

When you said nothing else, Alhaitham sighed, “Realize what?” 

“I’m glad you asked, my future husband….” 

You could feel the way the words hit his ears, even as he blinked. You had gotten quite good at reading Alhaitham, although he liked to pretend he could not be read. 

“The fact that you came all this way to tell me how distracting I am, means you lost a bit of your control, future husband mine.” 

You could see the gears working in Alhaitham’s head. It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t catch that discrepancy. After all, emotion wasn’t really his strong suit. 

Finally, after a long moment, he replied coolly, “That is an entirely different matter.” 

“Is it?” You slanted your mouth over his as you asked, “How much of a distraction am I now? I hope I made it into at least 95% range.” 

You could feel his lips twitch once. You knew he wanted to kiss you, but by doing so, he would be displaying just how not in control he was. Your eyes laughed at him, as you both stayed in such a tension filled moment. 

But you were ever merciful as you closed the thin distance to kiss him. You were slow, as Alhaitham followed you, wrapping his arms around your frame. 

Then you took a step back, out of his arms, “Now, do us both a favor and hang this experiment for another time. You’ll get us both in trouble.” 

Althaitham groused, turning to walk further into your home, “You are the trouble one. My life was just fine until you waltz into it.” 

“You are welcome, my feeble scholar!!” You chirped as you walked back to your work area. 

Althaitham just grunted before sitting down and pulling out a book. 

Silence drifted as if nothing had ever happened. 

#genshin impact #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact fanfic #alhaitham #alhaitham x reader #sumeru

[saphirered]

for the prompts list - cinnamon sweet with Lucien please and thank you :)

Here you go! Loads of fluff and Lucien being Lucien so I hope you like it! 😘

It’s that time of the year Lucien would love to forget all together. The leaves have turned and fallen, the harvests have passed and all is in a slow state of decay. To think he once lived in a perpetual state of autumn seems a different life altogether, and one he would prefer to keep dead and buried. He’s really grown to hate autumn with a passion and he truly can’t wait until winter comes creeping in. At least frozen wastes haunting shadows bring more comfort than what he endured. Yet here you are, wrapped in your knits, wrapped him in them too, excited for the yellows and reds and oranges, the smell of autumn at its peak, the fresh harvests and festivals that accompany it. Here you are loving everything he’s avoided for so long. He doesn’t have the heart to tell you. If anything he hopes that perhaps through you he can endure and grow to like the season again and not feel like he slips into depression every time he spirals into those dark memories. It’s not your fault and he doesn’t want to spoil your fun. Maybe you can teach him how to love the autumn glow once more. 

“Remind me again why you insist in being here, outside in the cold when we could be warm and cozy inside by the hearth instead?” Lucien asks when you sit him down on the wooden bench in the garden. The majority has wilted, or been prepared to endure the coming winter, and while somewhat eery it is still beautiful in its own way. The wind blows the remaining leaves from the trees bit by bit casting a blanket upon the ground making it impossible to distinguish path from grass and unmarked flowerbeds. You hold two ceramic mugs in your hands when you take a seat next to him. Though your proximity does not quite transfer heat, he still feels warmer with you there. 

“Because, my dear Lucien, I want you to experience this properly.” He raises a questioning eyebrow but you are persistent and push the mugs into his hands. Completely at a loss of what to do with them he holds them. The contents seem to be milk. Just milk. He expected something like a tea maybe but the mugs are cold. 

“What now?” He asks when you look at him as if he’s supposed to know what to do now. 

“I need you to heat them up.” You chirp excitedly. A soft smile graces his lips but quickly turns cocky as it often does. 

“Glad to know you keep me around as your personal heater and servant. Shall it be steaming, boiling or evaporated, my dearest?” You cross your arms. Normally he would flick your nose playfully when you puff but he’s half sure you’ll kill him if he drops this mug so he refrains and instead pecks your nose and does as he’s told. Your crossed arms slack and the flush to your cheeks certainly isn’t because of the cold air.

“You have plenty of other uses too.” You tease back reaching for the box you’d brought. He’s not entirely sure how you managed to carry this all. You open the box and inside reveals two chocolate orbs. “I know you like hot chocolate but this one’s special.” You gently drop the orbs in the steaming hot milk each. Slowly but surely the chocolate begins to melt and inside, fluffy little clouds emerge floating on the surface. Lucien looks confused. 

“Dare I ask what this poison is you’re trying to feed me?” 

“They’re marshmallows. They happen to go very well with hot chocolate but there’s one more secret ingredient-“ You reach into your pocket and take the vial you’d stolen from the pantry. 

“Unconditional love and affection?” Lucien interrupts but you don’t miss a beat.

“-two more secret ingredients.” You correct yourself at his quip much to his amusement. You remove the lid from the vial of brown powder. Carefully you sprinkle a modest amount on top. When you do he catches on. Cinnamon. Curious. 

“So you are trying to cover the smell and taste of poison.” You take one of the mugs from him and clasp  it between your hands, cold fingers instantly warming. You scoff and roll your eyes. 

“While poison is poetic I think a dagger through the heart after a passionate night is far more.” You deadpan taking a sip. Lucien shrugs in agreement. 

“A satisfying end to be sure.” You snort and cough as your nose burns. The amusement in Lucien’s eyes is replaced by concern until you assure him you’re alright. “I think you might have mixed up the poisoned mug, love.” He pats your back as you recover and when you do he simply rubs circles allowing his hand to warm you and offer some relief. 

“One way to find out.” Your voice is still hoarse but you’re alright and take another sip of your drink. Finally he takes his first sip. Closely you study his reaction. First it is intrigue; the way he does a double-take, then a hint of confusion trying to figure out his senses. Next comes consideration. A raised eyebrow as he takes a second sip. Then his shoulders relax and he leans back on the bench. He nods to himself and takes another big sip when he notices you staring. 

“I take it you like it then?” You ask gingerly. He smiles and nods. 

“It reminds me of you so yes.” 

“How so?”

“You remind me of sweet things and cinnamon.” The flush to your cheeks darken. Cute. Of course he has to ruin the moment. Can’t let it get to your head. “You taste like it too.” This time you’re prepared though, unfazed you take another sip, rise to your feet and take a few steps away from him. You look over your shoulder, look him straight in the eye in a way that dares him to move. He knows he’s in trouble. 

“Let’s keep it a special treat then. Wouldn’t want you to get sick of the taste.” Now it’s his time to choke on the sip he took. Not what he was expecting, and certainly not the sultry expression on your face as you sway your hips through the invisible garden path and back to the porch, one there you take one last sip, looking at him over the edge of your mug. You step inside leaving the door open behind you. Lucien does not need to be told twice. He downs the cinnamon hot chocolate, the taste lingering on his tongue and follows your tracks inside.

#acotar x reader #lucien vanserra x reader #lucien x reader #acotar #acotar lucien #lucien vanserra #acotar fanfiction #lucien acotar #sjm fic #a court of thorns and roses

[beekeeperspicnic]

What a nice day to reconceptualise my entire game

Last night I reblogged this lovely post from @inkonice-main talking about Holmes and Watson's relationship as a great love story (whether romantic or platonic), and it's been clanging around in my brain ever since.

Just in case you stumbled across this post randomly, I'm currently making a cosy mystery Sherlock Holmes game set in Sussex, which has Holmes trying to put together a picnic for Watson. My plan is to write them in a close platonic friendship or queerplatonic partnership because that interpretation means a lot to me, but to keep it shipper friendly and leave the possibility open that they are a romantic couple.

The problem I've been toying over for the entire six months of development so far is WHY Holmes has decided to drop everything and make this ultimate picnic for Watson. What's his motivation, dah-ling?

And I've cycled through a few ideas:

He doesn't need a reason, elaborate theatre is how he shows affection. Perhaps true, but that doesn't give much of an emotional base for the game.

It's all sparked off by Watson writing and publishing the Creeping Man, the story with all the "The relations between us in those latter days were peculiar" content. But it never quite flowed for me. If Watson is happy with Holmes in Sussex, why is he writing so discontentedly? It also felt like telling-not-showing for players.

I thought perhaps it could be spurred on by Holmes having a nightmare where he's back on a case everything goes wrong. He realises that both he and Watson are in the twilight of their lives and if he doesn't tell Watson plainly how he feels, he may lose the chance. This is closer to working for me, but I think a dream being a character's primary motivation is silly and lazy, and this anxiety Holmes has doesn't seem reflected in the fact that they're living together happily. To the player it's obvious Watson already knows Holmes loves him, so there's no tension.

Then I read that post, and it all clicked. Because let's look at the Canon: it is a love story, but like most love stories of glorious intensity, things have not always run smoothly.

Holmes has withheld truths. He pretended to be dead for years. He constantly toys with his health and causes Watson pain and anxiety. All the paths Watson laid out for his life have been disrupted by his adoration of this brilliant but challenging man. Years of living together at this frantic, breakneck, head-over-heels pace seem to have taken their toll: Holmes suddenly wants to retreat from the world and take up his beekeeping, and Watson remarries and doesn't follow him, as he needs to live his own life. By His Last Bow, it seems they haven't seen each other for years.

"We heard of you as living the life of a hermit among your bees and your books in a small farm upon the South Downs," says Watson, suggesting he's never visited. But they reconnect, and thankfully the spark between them is still there. War is looming on the horizon, and both fear it may take their lives - "Stand with me here upon the terrace, for it may be the last quiet talk that we shall ever have," says Holmes.

That's where we leave them, looking out over a moonlit sea waiting for the dawn, exchanging words that they fear will be parting ones.

But the reader is left with the hope that perhaps they won't be parted again this time. War can't separate these two, surely? Nothing can.

So. That's where the picnic comes in, as a last coda in this great love story.

The War is over. Holmes and Watson have reunited. Perhaps Watson visits Holmes more often now, widowed once again. And Holmes realises that what both of them need now is to be together.

Except how does he say that, as someone who does not share his innermost thoughts easily?

The picnic represents the one chance that Holmes feels he has to say, I've treated you badly. I've made mistakes. But we can get through them, because we love each other. Let's not be parted ever again. Come and stay with me here.

The picnic isn't just a picnic.

It's a proposal.

So like, no pressure, players. :P

EDIT:

Just to clarify because I think my wording confused some folks - My plan is still to write them in a close platonic friendship or queerplatonic partnership and to keep it shipper friendly and leave the possibility open that they are a romantic couple.

The change is just that in my original storyline Watson had been living with Holmes for years, and now I'm playing with the idea of exploring the picnic being the moment when they commit to living together for the rest of their lives.

#beekeepers picnic #sherlock holmes #his last bow #johnlock #acd johnlock #holmes and watson #sussex retirement #game dev thoughts

[an-ominous-night]

Ominis x MC

Ask Anon, and you shall receive.

Based on my post about Ominis outing his feelings accidentally when muggle born MC distills their own perfume and he thinks it's amortentia. No proof reading, we die like men.

Ominis can hear the clinking of bottles and the fizzle of steam and fire faintly from within the Undercroft as Sebastian brushes past him, on his way out. 

"What are they making?" Ominis asks, trying to catch Sebastian before he exits. 

"Not sure but it smells amazing."

Ominis navigates his way deeper trying to locate a chair though he quickly realizes they have pushed everything out of the way in favor of a long table that he can vaguely sense has tubes and vials littering it as he waves his wand in its direction. 

"Oh, Ominis," they say from their perch half standing half resting on a tall stool. "What brings you in? Hope you're OK with a little distraction. I'm afraid I drove Sebastian away already."

"I'm sure I can manage, so long as you can tell me where all the furniture has run off to," Ominis says leaning against the far end of the table.

"Yes, I pushed it all out over there," they gesture in a direction. There's a pregnant pause and they glance at Ominis's outstretched hand. "Oh bollocks!" They fish a sickle out of their pocket and drop it into his palm. There's the sound of dragging furniture as they lazily cast to bring a couch out of the corner of the room. 

Ominis takes a seat, ear trained on them still trying to deduce what they could be brewing without seeming too interested. He can hear the heat go higher as steam begins to rise from their basin. 

As it brews further, a languid scent starts to fill the room. He hears them cast glacius on some part of the concoction as he tries to place the scent. 

Floral roses and lithe lavender are among the notes, with something a little earthy, a root perhaps. He stays in the comfortable silence for a bit longer before suddenly he is able to place the scent. It's them. It smells like them. A blush creeps up his neck, he can feel the heat crawling across his skin. He can only hope it is not as stark as Sebastian has pointed it out to be in the past. He stretches his arm out across the back of the couch, hoping to hide in the collar of his shirt but this action brings the exact attention he was trying to avoid.

"The scent is pretty strong I imagine, especially since you have such sensitive senses. I suppose I should have done this elsewhere," they say, thinking him uncomfortable. 

"I'm surprised at you really," Ominis says before he can really stop himself. "I do hope you're not planning on selling that to anyone."

"I might, I haven't decided quite yet. Seems a good way to make quick money and my broom could use a repair. Though I might keep it to myself still," they say casually.

"And what use would you have for it? What with half our year enamored with you already," Ominis can feel the heat rising past his neck, burning at the skin of his ears and cheeks. He nearly groans at how jealous he sounds to his own ears.

"I'm sure it's one of the reasons but I like to think it's my charm," they laugh.

"That's wholly irresponsible even for you," Ominis says at their admission, his eyebrows scrunching in disapproval. He makes his way closer, his lecture already brewing. "And to consider selling it even more so!"

He can hear them blinking hard as they try to find words, "Ominis exactly what do you think I'm making?" 

Ominis falters at the playful lilt in their voice. A mistake has been made, he gathers. He must be positively scarlet from the way they laugh again. 

"Its..is it not? It smells just-"

"Just like me?" They laugh again. "It's my perfume Ominis." 

Ominis wishes the ground would swallow him whole as he hears whatever they were holding clink onto the surface of the table. He can hear the grin in their voice as they approach. 

"Did you think I was brewing amortentia, Ominis?" 

Ominis thinks if he died on the spot that might be alright. He tries to stammer an apology but they don't wait for him to find the words.

"Does amortentia smell like me to you, Ominis?" They're so close now he can feel the heat coming off their body and the fragrant steam that had made its home on their skin. 

He presses his lips into a hard line and, though he cannot see them, casts his eyes downward. 

"That's ok," they say quietly, brushing a finger against his hand. "It smells like you for me too."

Ominis lets out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding and leans forward until his forehead is touching theirs, his hand turning to capture their fingers between his own. 

"Well, now I feel like a right git," ominis says, a bashful smile pulling at his lips.

"You're an idiot," they say before quickly pressing their lips to his, their fervor pushing him into the table he'd been leaning against. His left arm quickly comes up to encircle their waist and the other grips the edge of the table as their pushing against him almost causes him to have to sit. 

They pull away, tugging slightly on his bottom lip with their teeth, "sorry." 

But they don't sound sorry at all. 

#hogwarts legacy #ominis gaunt #ominis #ominis x mc #ominis gets a sickle every time someone forgets hes blind #ominis imagine #ominis x reader