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acourtofwhatthefuck · 1 year

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Shrinking Violet (Rhysand Smut)

Hi! Happy Friday, my loves! I impulsively wrote this first thing this morning. Don’t exactly know what came over me but I thought I would share it 😏

Also, I’m using my updated General ACOTAR Tag List for the tags, so if you’re not on it and you wish to be, please click the link and comment so I can add you! ♥️

Warnings: Smut, of course! Enjoy!

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The violet-shaded dress had seemed like a good idea at the time. A time when you’d felt daring and mischievous and like you could do whatever the fuck you wanted.

Now, with a tight-lipped servant tugging your corset strings as you stared yourself down in the mirror, your audacious nature was refusing to rear its head, scattered to the ashes by nerves.

“I wish to have a gown the exact shade of Rhysand’s eyes.”

Rina, your good friend and the Hewn City’s most reputable seamstress, had looked up at you from the various sketches on her dress. She was snowed-under with orders with the upcoming event — Rhysand’s first visit as High Lord of the Night Court. It was nothing short of a damn coronation.

“Are you sure you should?” Rina had raised an eyebrow at you. The look she always got when you were up to something. “He’s High Lord, now. Things are different. Should you truly make a statement with your gown that most certainly won’t go unnoticed?”

“Should I not?” You’d spun around, palming the various fabrics that made up an entire wall at the back of the studio. “High Lord he may now be, but I know Rhysand more personally. I wish to have a violet gown that is an ode to those depthless eyes.”

Rina had shook her head, but said no more on the matter. You were paying — well, your father was — and you had a design in mind. That was that. She’d known you long enough to know that there was no talking you down from an elaborate idea.

Besides. Besides, besides, besides. You did know Rhysand more personally.

More personally, in the form of him secretly fucking you in the darkest corners of the Hewn City, when he had just been the High Lord’s handsome son, learning the ways of the court. You were his filthy little secret, someone he would never display publicly on his arm. Would never think of you beyond the haze of lust that clouded him. Perhaps that was what the dress was secretly about. Capturing his attention.

Things had changed dramatically since he’d last had you pressed against a wall, a hand to your mouth to muffle your moans as he’d pounded into you. He was always ravenous for you behind closed doors and totally different in the open. A game — it was a game the two of you played.

But he was High Lord, now. You were excited to see what that looked like.

Violet gown, indeed. You smoothed your hands over the tight bodice as the servant stepped away. As the daughter of a member of the Night Court council, you would be expected to look every bit the rich, expensive, pretty subject who would bat her eyes at the new High Lord and offer polite well-wishes for his future.

While wearing a gown so tight it was like a second skin, the very daring shade of his eyes.

Anything to keep those eyes on you.

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Rhysand had been trained for this, of course. Right down to the finest detail. Any outsider looking in would presume him to have been High Lord for far longer than a matter of months. There was something effortlessly arrogant about the way he lounged on his obsidian throne, one leg hooked over the arm, a chalice of wine in his hand that was constantly being topped up.

He was the centre of attention, and he was loving every second of it.

You’d never seen the instating of a new High Lord. Rhysand’s father had been on that throne for your entire life, until he’d gone and gotten himself killed. And now…now it was time for a fresh face. One with a feline smirk and a lilting voice behind it that sounded like music.

You knew precisely what that voice sounded like when he was close to falling off the edge.

You hadn’t yet spoken to him or caught his gaze. The evening’s proceedings had been fine-tuned to run smoothly; food and drink and music and dancing. Now, a long line of people queued up to the dais, forcing Rhysand to listen to the same sentence on a loop with every person who knelt before him.

I welcome you, High Lord, and pledge my allegiance to you as your loyal subject.

The words had become a monotonous drone. You wanted to spin around in your violet gown and make a show of yourself and catch the High Lord’s gaze. You wanted to be adventurous and fun, just like you and Rhys had always secretly been.

Your father went before you, prattling off the same oath as those who’d gone before him. He and Rhys exchanged pleasantries, and Rhys’s voice seemed to snake past your father and round to you, caressing every bit of your skin that was on show. The sound was like silk. You wanted to tear your dress off and wrap it around your naked body.

After what seemed like an eternity, your father was stepping aside and leaving you to wander up to the dais. Feline eyes met yours, the exact shade of your gown that felt suddenly too tight and too hot on your body. You gave a polite acknowledgement to the two Illyrians at the High Lord’s side — Azriel and Cassian — before you offered a flourishing bow.

“I welcome you, High Lord, and pledge my allegiance to you as your loyal subject.” You spoke, your voice slightly lowered. Just for him.

Rhys’s eyes slowly studied every inch of you, starting at your hair, your painted face, the heavy jewellery that complimented the column of your neck and the lobes of your ears. And then they flicked down to the gown, studying the beaded detail. The way it sinfully clung to your body before flaring around you in layers of violet tulle.

Heat flashed across those eyes, and you knew — he’d clocked exactly what you’d done.

“Good evening.” He drawled, his head falling on a tilt. His hungry gaze roved you once more. “And what have you come as?”

A subtle smirk tugged at your painted lips. “A shrinking violet.”

The High Lord tugged his bottom lip between his teeth. You wanted to drag it between your teeth, too.

“There’s nothing shrinking about you, darling.” He purred. He took your hand in his, brushing his lips to the backs of your fingers. “Enjoy your night.”

A dismissal. A teasing one. It was all part of the game. His eyes fell to your gown again, and you spared him one last glance before flouncing away to dance.

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You liked this game — yours and Rhysand’s.

Dark, shaded alcoves and long, winding corridors, perfect for a session of cat-and-mouse. Huge, unoccupied rooms, the walls of which volleyed your moans back and forth. You’d played the game a hundred times before, and you wanted to play it tonight.

The party was unending, and so was the flowing wine. All part of the game. When Rhys had merely been the High Lord’s son, his apprentice, the two of you had always waited until everyone was gloriously intoxicated before you would share a heated glance and slip away — you first, and him following moments later.

The night had reached that point. The frenzied music had become languid and sensuous, the bodies on the dance floor grinding against each other. Not one person in that throne room was sober. And so you set your drink aside.

You strolled casually past the dais, shrugging out of the numerous dances people tried to pull you into. Rhys’s gaze seemed to find you immediately, and as you passed in front of him, you met his eyes and dipped your chin. The signal. The game was starting.

But he was High Lord, now. Far more scrutinised and important. Perhaps he wouldn’t follow. Perhaps he was done with your antics—

Mere moments passed between you slipping into an empty corridor and the door opening behind you. A smirk played on your lips. You lifted the skirts of your gown. Kicked your heels off. And ran.

Your feet slapped against the cold concrete floor as you sprinted away from Rhys. A dark, lilting chortle echoed behind you, and his pace picked up as ran after you.

You were light as a feather, weightless as a cloud, shoving through doors and empty rooms, skidding along polished floors, climbing huge, ornate staircases. Rhys was always a few steps behind, and you knew he could easily catch up if he wanted to. But he savoured the chase as much as you did.

You flew up another grand staircase, up and up to the very top of the gargantuan building. You knew precisely what you were doing, and so did Rhys. You took a left, veered down a long corridor. A dead-end. The door at the end led to an enclosed room.

“Where do you suppose you’ll go now, little violet?” Rhys called behind you, his breaths heavy. “I do believe I’ve caught you.”

Indeed, he had. You laughed wildly and opened your mouth to retort, but your already-huffing breaths were stolen from you as his body smacked into yours from behind, slamming you against the door. The wood groaned as he pressed his front to your back. The evidence of his arousal was already waiting for you.

“Got you.” He hummed into your ear, his nose brushing your neck. “Now, what’s my prize?”

You bit down on your lip as he pushed his groin against you. “Your prize is whatever you wish it to be.”

“Excellent.”

He reached past you, opening the door to that unoccupied, echoing room. His hand splayed over the bodice of your dress, keeping your body flush to his as he walked you both inside.

“I think I would have you against the wall.” His hand travelled down, fisting in the skirts of your gown. “Or perhaps on the writing bureau. Or the chaise lounge. Tell me, which would take your fancy?”

“Why not all of them?” You bit down on your bottom lip as his hand finally found a way under the fabric, skirting your thigh.

“Naughty, wicked thing. Why not, indeed.”

You were suddenly being spun in his arms to face him, and there was barely a chance for your eyes to meet before he was claiming your lips with a scorching kiss and backing you towards the wall. Your back hit it with a light thud, and Rhys was boxing you in, settling his knee between your legs and very deliberately pressing it against the very centre of you.

“You know,” he purred as he broke the kiss. “My father used to tell me to stay far away from you. He said that I should find a female fit to pop out heirs. That females like you like to play games.”

You sucked in a breath as his fingers brushed your neck. Crawled downwards. “Your father would be right about that.”

“Hmm.” He hummed. “But, you see, I like to play games, too. And the bastard is dead now. I am High Lord. Your High Lord. And I’m feeling mighty playful tonight.”

His knee pressed harder against your soaked underwear, and a soft moan slipped past your lips.

“So play,” you said.

Rhys struck.

In a flash, he was sinking to his knees before you. Like you were his High Lady. He lifted the skirts of your gown, throwing them over his head. The sight of him disappearing beneath the fabric might have been amusing had his nose not nudged against your centre, causing you to jerk.

“Now this,” he yanked your underwear down, blowing a breath against your slick folds, “this is a feast fit for a High Lord.”

His silver, sinful tongue licked a stripe right up you, and your head fell back against the wall, a loud moan breaking free of your throat. Rhys wasted no time in feasting on you. He licked and lapped, his teeth grazing your clit, and you imagined what he must look like beneath your skirts, his face flushed and soaked with your wetness.

“I love your taste.” He groaned against you, sucking on your clit. “You have no fucking idea how much.”

Perhaps not. But you could hazard a pretty good guess just how much as he damn near devoured you, bringing you to the very brink of bliss. When he heard your moans and breaths hitching in your throat, felt your hips jutting forward, he sank two fingersinto you.

“Gods,” You gasped, writhing against him, against the wall. Your mind fractured into a thousand tiny pieces as your release slammed into you. Your legs shook.

Rhys licked and pumped all through it, enjoying every moment, every gasp and groan. Only when your walls ceased their contracting around his fingers did he pull away.

He emerged from beneath the fabric, his hair tousled, his eyes heated. His mouth swollen and glistening. One look at him, and you were fisting your hand around the front of his perfectly-tailored jacket, yanking him to his feet.

You wanted to taste him just as he had tasted you, but he stopped you from lowering yourself to your knees. His hand grasped your clothed breast, and he kissed you deeply, allowing you to taste yourself on his tongue.

You were bored of the dress, now. Pretty as it was, just like his eyes, it was too much of a barrier. You tried to reach behind you for the laces—

“No.” Rhys nipped your lip, staying your hand. “I want you to wear it while I fuck you.”

Your eyes flared. “As you wish.” You glanced down at his lips. “High Lord.”

A guttural groan escaped him, and the tether on his control snapped. The following moments were a confusing, heady circus of heavy kisses and panting into each others mouths, both your hands fighting to undo the laces and buttons of his trousers. As soon as they were loosened enough, he was shoving them to the floor.

“I think about you, you know.” Rhys said, hissing between his teeth as you wrapped your hand around his length. “I come to the thought of you. How do you manage to make a mess out of me without even being there?”

“Because I wish it to be so.” You squeezed gently. “And so it is.”

“Wicked, wicked creature.”

You silenced him with a kiss as you pumped his cock, savouring the feel of it twitching in your palm, jerking at the very brush of your touch. Rhys emitted a growl, and he was batting your hand away, replacing it with his own.

“If I don’t get inside you,” he dragged the head of his cock through your slick folds, “I think I may bring this city down around us.”

His eyes held a promise to do exactly that, and as the head nudged at your entrance, he grabbed the back of your neck, sliding his lips over yours.

The tip had barely slipped in before thudding footsteps approached, and a knock was pounding on the door. Rhys growled beneath his breath. Ignored it. Pushed into you further. You gasped.

“Rhys.” Cassian’s voice came from the other side.

“Not now, Cassian.” Rhys thrust into you, right to the hilt, giving a very audible grunt.

“You’ve been gone for too long.” The Illyrian general persisted. “People are starting to notice.”

“Not fucking now, Cassian.”

He pulled out to the tip, his angry words breathed against your mouth. You swallowed them greedily as he thrust right back into you once more, a slight pinch of pain within the pleasure that wrangled a loud moan from your throat.

There was a pause on the other side of the door, a curse — Cassian muttering “Cauldron fucking boil me” — before his footsteps retreated once more.

“Look at you,” you nipped Rhys’s lip. “Keeping your loyal subjects waiting.”

“I am.” He shifted, slamming into you again. “For you.”

Your response because lost amongst the pleasure as Rhys fastened his hand at your hips and lifted you from the floor.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he commanded deeply. “And hold on.”

You did just that, your legs locking around his waist, your arms around his neck. Rhys pressed his head against your shoulder, his teeth grazing the skin there.

And he fucked.

“Gods, you feel exquisite.” He groaned, slamming into you harder, faster. “I could spend the rest of my existence buried inside you.”

You moaned, your head falling back. You felt his tongue against the column of your neck. “That seems like a foolish way for a High Lord to spend his time.”

“Nothing about this is foolish.”

He was damn right about that. Words eddied away from your tongues, the room being filled with moans and grunts and gasps and screams. Rhys filled you so utterly, so completely, that you couldn’t imagine anyone else being able to do so.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He grit out, reaching down to circle his thumb against your clit. “I wish you could see yourself right now. Coming undone for me. Coming on my cock.”

“Fuck, Rhys.” You gasped. They were the only words you were able to get out before he sent you hurtling over the edge.

The fall of your second climax was euphoric, addictive. You were hot and cold, asleep and awake, present and absent, lost somewhere in the ether. Your moans filled the room, perhaps the whole building, the entire city, as your walls clenched his cock hard, his thumb continuing the ministrations to your clit.

Rhys’s thrusts picked up, the pace frenzied and desperate. You could feel him tightening inside you, hear his breaths and grunts hitching in his throat, the pleasure furrowing his brow. You purposefully clenched around him once more, and he lost it.

“Gods!” He roared, stifling the sound with a hungry kiss to your lips. His hips stilled abruptly, and he was spilling into you, every last drop filling you.

It seemed like ages that he spent moaning and groaning and whining, emitting needy little noises, drawing out a few more languid thrusts despite having emptied himself entirely into you. He was completely at your mercy. Undone by you.

He was your High Lord, and yet tonight, you had ruled him.

He was still breathing heavily as he pulled out of you. His eyes locked with yours, and a strange, indiscernible expression crossed his face.

“Come back to Velaris with me.” He breathed.

You snorted. This was all part of the game, the continued teasing. You liked that a lot.

“Would you give me a crown?” You jibed.

Rhys’s eyes glittered. “Only if I could fuck you in it.”

You smirked, toying with the lapels of his jacket. “And what of your throne? Would you fuck me on there?”

“I would fuck you in every last corner of my city. Over and over until my people have committed our moans to memory.”

Such a poetic, silver-tongued male. Your smirk remained as you let go of him, but he was having none of it. He clutched you against him.

“Come back to Velaris with me.” He repeated.

You smiled vaguely. “No.”

“You could live however your heart desires. We could play there, too.”

Your laughter was light, airy. You pushed him off, squirming out of his grasp. “Such pretty words.”

His hand caught yours, and he pressed it to his chest. “Come back to Velaris with me.”

“No.” You said again.

You smirked at him, and he smirked back. And as you leaned in, he slammed his eyes shut, bracing himself for your kiss.

You didn’t deliver. You merely swiped your thumb over his lips, erasing the evidence of you ever having been there.

“Until next time,” you hummed. “High Lord.”

You finally pushed around him, smoothing your dress as you passed, your bare feet padding on the floor.

“This is inconvenient.” Rhys called as you braced your hand on the door handle.

You glanced over your shoulder. “What’s that?”

“I am your High Lord. But hearing you call me such makes me desperate to bury myself deep inside you again.”

A soft trill of a laugh left you, and you turned your back on him, opening the door. “Don’t be greedy.”

You stepped out without looking back. That was how this wicked, glorious thing between you went. The best thing you could do to not make it hurt so much when he ignored you before his subjects. Rhys being High Lord hadn’t changed that. Nor had it taken away the mischievous, playful male with honeyed words that you knew him to be. But walking away like that, you had the power.

His laughter followed you down the hall, and you smirked one more.

High Lord, indeed.

You both knew his control had been obliterated at the first sight of you in that violet dress.

A gown the exact shade of Rhysand’s eyes.

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#acotar #a court of thorns and roses #acotar fandom #acotar x reader #acotar writing #acotar fanfic #acotar headcanon #acotar smut #acotar series #rhysand x reader #rhysand #rhysand acotar #rhys x reader #reader insert #smut #high lord of the night court #high lord rhysand

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yandere-wishes · 7 months

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Okay so not an ask more of a Headcanon based on observation and the character he is based on, but I see Honest Fellow as someone who would both idolize/emulate and resent the rich. By his design his clothes, while they pay homage to Honest John with the patchwork pantleg and the misding pinky tip on his one glove seem very well-kempt, on top of that his hat and cane are practically emaculate that cane alone couldn't have been cheap though I wouldn't put it passed the sly fox man to have either swindled someone out of it or stole it from them outright. Point is I'm getting wants to be a rich man but hates the rich people vibes.

All of that is set-up for my headcanon that if he ever had a S/O you can bet he would get them jewelry and expensive clothes. Basically just adorn them in finery he had acquired through whatever means (cough, likely stolen or purchased with dirty money, cough) and proudly have them stand by his side. The thought to use them as a pretty little lure to catch even bigger fish might cross his mind, but I doubt he'd ever use them like that. Personally, I feel like he'd be to possessive to do that even if his darling wanted to help like that, after all what if he let's them go off alone and someone tries to take advantage of his poor darling? He doesn't think they're weak or foolish per say but who could protect them better than him? I think he'd have a difficult time even leaving them alone with Gidelle (only 90 percent sure I got that right), of course he trusts Gidelle, well as much as he can truly trust anyone anyway, but he's the brains of the outfit and unless he's personally by his darlings side he won't ever be truly assured something won't go wrong.

Let's say that darling isn't quite so understanding or compliant, his possessive side would certainly get worse. He can't leave them alone for one second qhat if they try and sneak off. Perhaps to save his pride he'd be a bit delusional, they're just a sweet little naive skittish thing that doesn't know any better, possibly they've never known a love as deep and unshakable as his, it's only natural there would be a learning curve for them and who better than he to teach them? I highly doubt he'd ever use physical punishments on his darling, probably doesnt like punishing them as he thinks they are just still learning, but that doesn't mean he won't find other ways to punish them if necessary. I do think if they actively tried to run he wouldn't waste a minute getting something along the lines of a necklace with a chain, something fashionable but functional as a reminder while they're learning, if that reminder isn't enough though he might go for a bejeweled pet collar and leash. If all else fails isolation in a secure location with him as their only source of human, or well beastman, contact would certainly allow them to see how much they needed each other. Whatever he has to do to make them understand it'll all be worth it later once they're settled and he can spoil them like they deserve.

TLDR: Honest Fellow would love to lavish his S/O in (possibly ill-gotten) finery and would actively and proudly show them off on his arm. Everyone can look and admire, but only he is allowed to touch.

This has got to be the most effort anyone has ever put into something they sent in my ask box!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Okay so right off the bat let me say that YES!! This is canon I don't care what anyone says.

I can see him as "wanting what they have" but "not wanting to be them". Essentially he wants the ability to give his darling the best of everything. Yet still ultimately preserving his own "personality". Like you said Fellow hates the rich. They're insufferable, self-absorbed and loathsome, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't crave the glitz and glammer.

Now I can kinda see Fellow only really interacting with his darling at first to use her as bait. Winning her over with expensive gifts and pretty cloths (all from dirty money ofc) and sure darling does start to fall for his tricks. But here's the thing, the moment his darling begins to show the tinest interest in him Fellow FALLS HARDER!! All of a sudden he doesn't want ANYONE near his darling! Just him only him. Sooner or later his darling will start to feel suffocated, she'll be desperate to get away from him. Forsaking the pretty presents and charming "boyfriend" for just a moment of freedom. But Fellow's a sly fox, always one step ahead. He knows how to ensnare his darling before she's even run away.

Overall Fellow will lavish you, treat you like a queen, getting you anything you desire (through underhanded means) but you'll never be allowed to leave him. Forever trapped by his side on the island of pleasure…

Quick question is Fellow meant to be the same age as the third years or is he older??

#fellow honest #fellow honest twisted wonderland #fellow honest x reader #fellow honest x you #yandere fellow honest #twisted wonderland #twst #twst halloween #yandere x reader #yancore #yandere x you #yandere aesthetic #yandere twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland headcanons #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland x you #yandere twst #twst x reader #twst fellow honest

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madame-fear · 6 months

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How about a fic where y/n is not nobility but is a daughter of a businessman who deals with shipping things around westeros. In one meeting her father and corlys are working on things and luke, as the next lord of the tides is aprenticing to learn about his responsibilities but he's not learning anything at all when the businessman's daughter is there, also aprenticing under her father 😍

*ೃ༄ 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐒 .ೃ࿐

★ amira speaks! : hello honey! sorry it took me some time on getting this finished,, i apologise beforehand if it’s rather short, and since i wrote it heavily sleepy and tired, i really do hope it was what you expected. 💕 — summary : [ — ✧ request ] — word count : 1.8k

— pairing : lucerys velaryon x shipping businessman daughter!reader — genre : fluff.

Sailing through the seawaves was something you’d been used to ever since you had memory. Your father, being a businessman that shipped all sorts of things throughout Westeros and particularly for certain royal Houses, constantly took you with him to every important meeting. After all, you were his one and only child, and you had to know how to properly keep the shipping business functioning once the responsability officially fell into your hands.

Soft, cool breeze gently swayed bits of your hair as you arrived to Driftmark, accompanying your father to meet the current, and future young Lord of the previously mentioned location. House Velaryon was one of the greatest Houses, being known for it’s rich maritime heritage and it’s great fleets. They have great knowledge on how to sail through the Narrow Sea, and the vast ocean. And with your father being well known for his great wisdom on trading, shipping for foreigner markets and throughout the entirety of Westeros as well, both House Velaryon and your own family greatly benefited from each other for each other’s respective businesses.

The people from Driftmark, the very moment you arrived, joyfully hosted you with great pride and kindness. Being fairly new to the shipping business, still apprenticing under your father, you remained as glued as possible to him. Despite always remaining quiet, attentively observing the way your father negotiated with whomever wantd to make business with him, you never considered yourself to be a timid person. Often, you were very polite and kind with whomever your father made business with.

But of course, this particular major meeting between your father and Lord Corlys Velaryon was different. Of course, it wasn’t only special because this time it was the grand House Velaryon the one you were making business with — but rather because, as expected, Lord Corlys’ grandson, Lucerys Velaryon, stood by his grandsire’s side; much like you stood next to your father quietly. And it was only natural for him to attend the meeting as well, as he was to be the future Lord of Driftmark. Lucerys was the future heir, like you were your father’s future heir. It was slightly awkward to admit it, but you could feel a tinge of shyness growing on you the moment you spotted him, noticing his sweet, vivid green hazel eyes.

The young Velaryon Prince seemed to be rather meek and awkward around you from the very first second you were introduced to one another. A faint rosy hue crept on his pale cheeks, mimicking your own fluster. Most certainly, you were very pretty — and there was no denial in that. How delicate his features were and how gentle he behaved when greeting you didn’t pass unnoticed at all, as well, and you could feel your heart slightly thumping loudly against your chest. Don’t behave strangely, you kept reminding to yourself mentally, realising you were becoming shy around him.

As the meeting officially started by getting inside of Driftmark and getting introduced briefly by the surroundings, both Lucerys and you followed your eldests from behind, attentively listening to how they chatted about the things they would ship and trade across the Narrow Sea, and Westeros.

Walking closely by Lucerys’ side, you couldn’t help but discreetly steal glances at the shy boy next to you, trying to catch his eye. He appeared to be deep in thought; or perhaps focused on the meeting himself, but really, Luke simply could feel your gaze timidly lingering on him, and felt too overwhelmed to even dare to dart his stare back to you, and engage in a conversation properly instead of being dead silent, following your father and his grandsire like lost puppies. The voices and occasional chuckles coming from the two men as they arranged some things to ship around leisurely faded away, being some sort of background noise for you.

Often, when following your father to his business meetings, you were never the type of person to easily lose your concentration on what truly mattered; which was, negotiation and managing the shipping business just as perfect as your father did. But this time, you could feel yourself too... Focused on your own steps without listening a word of what they were saying, and noticing the heavy awkwardness lingering between Lucerys and you, continously having each other grasping arms when you walked.

Part of you longed to initiate a conversation with the young Velaryon, and yet, you were too afraid of making things far more embarrassing than they already were for both of you. And, the one to break the ice for once and for all, was Lucerys.

His arms were hidden behind his back as he walked leisurely behind of his grandsire, and by your side. You were so distracting and overwhelming, but all of that in a good way, as you seemed charmingly delightful. Luke cleared his throat faintly, “You must be apprenticing under your father as well, my Lady, are you not?” as Lucerys craned his head to stare at you, he felt startled to see you so closely, fixing your beautiful eyes on his own. It felt as if his heart was going to melt right there, which made him have to gain courage and strength to not stutter right there.

“I am indeed, my Prince.” you replied, with a little timid grin tugging at the corner of your lip. “My father has been trading and shipping all sorts of things with many noble Houses throughout Westeros, and I have been following his steps ever since I have memory.” fortunately those words seemed to roll smoothly off your lips, being at the brink of feeling like you would begin stuttering.

“House Velaryon has been no exception today.” a toothy grin appeared on his lips, as your own quivered into a wide smile as well. “Both my father and I feel tremendously grateful. I must admit, I know everything that there is to be known about your House, my Prince.” those words spurred naturally from your lips, immediatly gazing down at your feet as you kept walking by his side, in a poor attempt to cover the fluster on your face that slowly intensified with a notorious crimson shade. His hazel eyes were fixed on you, feeling almost like a little boy with a growing crush.

As his Grandsire stopped walking rather abruptly to show your father something that seemed related to House Velaryon, both of you simply stood behind of them. Your hands were clasped together in front of your body, standing in front of him, managing somehow to gaze deep into his eyes.

The feeling of butterflies fluttering their wings softly on his chest appeared at the way you stared at him, “You do?” was all he managed to reply in a quiet tone, keeping his arms behind his back. “I feel honoured to hear you say so. Thank you.” he replied. It was meant to be a thought to himself, but it came out as a faint murmuring to himself, yet loud enough for you to hear. You snickered, nodding in agreement. “I do, my Prince. It’s safe to say, House Velaryon might be my favourite of all the noble Houses I ever met.” you continued, despite still feeling a bit awkward around him. Not in a bad way, of course, but rather, in a way that made you not focus about whatever responsabilities you had and just concentrate on having a good impression on him. And Gods, he was obviously doing the same.

Being the future Lord of Driftmark, he knew he had duties and responsabilities to fulfill, and constantly comply to. But it was so incredibly difficult not to focus on those beautiful features of yours, swallowing nervously. “I believe your great fleets, knowledge of the vast sea, and your honour and loyalty are the things that make just feel too tempted to keep reading about the traditions of your House.” you said, tilting slightly your head to the side, offering him a little proud grin after letting him know you had previously informed yourself about the values of his House.

The crimson hue on your cheeks seemed to creep across the rest of your face, noticing his own doing the exact same. “I see,” he replied meekly, daring to lean a bit more near towards your body with his own. Discreetly, he licked his dried lips in a swift motion. He was not the most courageous one when it came to talking to girls his age, nor expertise, but for you, Luke felt bold enough to try and approach you. “Well, then, perhaps... You could come visit us more often, here at Driftmark.”

You anxiously swallowed, trying to hold back a dumbfounded toothy grin from suddenly appearing in your lips. “I would truly be delighted to show you around, and you could get to know about House Velaryon more personally.” at least, that sounded like the perfect excuse to him to be around you more often, talk to you, and get to know you better. His Grandsire seemed to be getting well enough with your father despite having exclusively met to discuss shipping business, so Luke was certain he would get to see you more often. “And perhaps, you could teach me more about sailing and shipping. Don’t you think so?”

His little grin was alluring enough for you to agree to his proposal in the blink of an eye. Not that you would deny it either way, of course. Without allowing silence to take room between the two of you, you snickered, and immediatly nodded. Your cheeks were entirely heated from the shy, yet excited nerves you had from being around him. And unbeknownst to you, he was truly doing the greatest effort to not shy away from you right there, or simply die from nerves.

“You’re tempting enough for me to accept your proposal, Prince Lucerys.” you retorted, “I agree, and I would be delighted to teach each other.” his smile grew wider, releasing a soft sigh that hinted at how a huge relief overwhelmed him, having been previously tense in case you would deny to see him more often. Playfully, he offered you his hand for you to shake, and you immediatly understood, chuckling lightly. Taking his hand, you gently shook it, fixing your gaze into his eyes, just like he was doing.

“We have a deal, then.”

The idea of lurking you to visit him at Driftmark with your family more often and having the opportunity to talk to you was thrilling. Your charmingly sweet way of being, your lovely company, and the knowledge you had about the traditions and values of his House were enough for you to have easily made your way into his heart without a doubt. And perhaps, you could be perfect to fit for the currently empty spot of being his future Lady of Driftmark.

♡ taglist : ♡

@jacesvelaryons @jjamieberry @anemicroyalcore @countsmoon @beeebo234 @manuholland6 @capellaadara @kyuupidwrites @tchatso @dopepersonacloudllama @phantasyy @tasty-nutella @mstxdes @valeriecash @cookielovesbook-akie @zzz000eee @bellarkeselection @feliuuuksks @visenya-reigned @maria699669 @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @sweethoneyblossom1 @jamiemydeer @snowprincesa1

#crazy little thing called queue #lucerys velaryon x reader #lucerys velaryon imagine #lucerys targaryen x reader #lucerys strong x reader #hotd x reader #hotd imagine #hotd fic #hotd x you #hotd x y/n #house of the dragon x reader #house of the dragon x you #house of the dragon x y/n #house of the dragon imagine #house of the dragon fic #house of the dragon fanfic #lucerys velaryon x you

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wolfjackle-creates · 4 months

Text

Ghost!Robin Arc 2 Part 2

Ghost!Robin won this week's poll as well! So have a little bit more of the fic for WIP Wednesday. *resolutely ignores the clock that informs me midnight was an hour ago so it is clearly Thursday*

Check out this week's poll if you want a say in what I post next.

Story Summary: Everything changed the evening Jason met Jazz's brother. Danny introduced him and his entire family to the ghost that is, apparently, haunting him. The ghost of the Robin he had been.

The ghost of the person everyone he's ever known wishes he still was.

All he wants is to make it go away.

First, Previous

Word Count: 1.2k

-----

Jason did not sleep that night, spending his time beating up a punching bag instead. What sleep he did get was laid out on the mats in the workout room. Even that was plagued by nightmares.

So it was with The Joker’s laughs still echoing in his ears that he finally dragged himself to the kitchen to start making breakfast.

Danny was no where to be seen—probably sleeping—but the ghost was. He was staring out the window not doing anything.

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” grumbled Jason.

The ghost did the head motion every Robin learned to indicate they were rolling their eyes. Can’t he signed.

Jason grunted. He…probably should have figured that one out. “Well go read a book or something and don’t bother me.”

The ghost gave him a very deliberate look before flying to one of the bookcases and reaching for a book. Only for his hand to go right through it. He glared back at Jason.

“Oh.” Jason did not feel bad for the creature. He was the interloper here. But the silence in the room was not helping anything. Not with his nightmares so close to the surface. He hooked his phone up to a portable speaker and pulled up his audiobook library. Today was the sort of day for an old favorite.

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence…

Jason hummed in satisfaction and turned his attention to the fridge. What to make for breakfast? He resolutely ignored the ghost who’d settled in his living room.

A few hours later, Jason was finishing the homemade fruit sauce when arms wrapped around his stomach and a head rested against his back.

“Mmmm, smells good,” mumbled Jazz, her voice rough with sleep.

Jason patted her arm. “I remember you liked the strawberry topping. Figured we could have it over pancakes. Batter is in the fridge.”

“Best boyfriend ever,” she said. She rested her head against his back and Jason felt himself relax in a way he hadn’t since he’d stepped out of the dining room and saw the ghost. “You left early.”

His stomach sank. Of course she noticed. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Jason,” she said flatly, a hint of warning in her tone.

He sighed. “I just couldn’t sleep. Too many thoughts going ‘round my head.”

“Hence the Austen?”

He chuckled. “Hence the Austen.”

She yawned and pushed away from him. “I’ll go brush my teeth and get Danny up.”

“He was up pretty late himself; might need to sleep in.”

She groaned. “Of course he was up, too. Well too bad. He could’ve gone to bed earlier and I think we need to have a talk about what to do next.”

“He said something about doctor yetis and a place called the Far Frozen,” Jason said. He stirred the strawberries and lifted a spoonful to test it’s consistency. Perfect. He turned off the burner.

“Oh. And you agreed?”

Jason shrugged. “Doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice if I want that”—he jerked a thumb at the ghost—“gone.”

“Jason…” her voice had gone soft and he winced.

“I know,” he admitted to the stove. “I know it’s gonna be more complicated than that.”

She was silent for a moment before sighing. “I love you, Jay,” was all she said before walking away. Presumably to the bathroom to get ready.

Which meant he had to start the pancakes. He pulled out the griddle, added a wad of butter, and turned on the heat.

By the time Jazz and Danny returned, Jason had made a pile of pancakes large enough to satisfy a speedster. Next to it sat the strawberry topping and a jar of syrup in case that was Danny’s preference. On an impulse, he grabbed the chocolate chips, too.

Chocolate and Austen, the perfect combination for a crappy day.

Unfortunately, breakfast passed much too quickly for his tastes and soon enough they were packing away the leftovers in the fridge.

“Jazz, you’re so lucky you found someone who could cook,” commented Danny.

Jason had to laugh. “Yeah, not one of her skills, is it?”

“Not one of either of our skills. Has she told you about what our kitchen was like growing up?”

“After your knife comment last night, I feel like she may have left some things out.” Despite everything that had happened since, he hadn’t forgotten that little tidbit. Jazz was so tight-lipped about her childhood that Jason made a point to horde every detail she let slip.

Jazz groaned. “Nope. I’m full of delicious food and happy. I do not want to have to remember the hell that was the Fenton kitchen.”

From the corner of his eye. Jason could see the ghost looking at them with interest. He glared at him; the ghost glared right back.

“That’s enough, you two,” ordered Jazz.

Jason broke eye contact and stared at the floor to mumble and insincere apology he knew wouldn’t fool Jazz.

Luckily she took pity on him and didn’t push. “Danny, Jason said something about you taking us to the Far Frozen?”

Danny nodded. “Yep! Frostbite might be able to tell us what happened and have some ideas on how to help them.”

“Well, Jason, Robin,” started Jazz and Jason had to force himself to not wince at the way she addressed them both. “When do you think you want to go?”

“Now,” said Jason immediately. “Or as soon as possible. I want to know what’s going on.”

The ghost nodded his agreement and made more of those chirping noises that Danny seemed to understand.

“Then let’s get going,” said Danny.

Jazz sighed again. “Hold it, Danny. Jason, you and I should go get changed. There’s a reason it’s called the Far Frozen.”

Jason took her advice and dug deep in his closet for the heaviest winter gear. Before too long, Jazz declared them both dressed in enough layers to satisfy her. They returned to the living room.

“Do you need us to do anything?” asked Jason.

“Nah.” Danny raised his hand and made a slashing motion with his fist. “That’s all it takes. There’s some benefits to being the Ghost King: my ring can open portals anywhere.”

Following the motion Danny had made, a tear formed in the very fabric of the universe. Though it, Jason could see a swirling sky of Lazarus green. Over his years as a vigilante, Jason had seen many strange and impossible things. But that tear unsettled him on a more visceral level than most. It reminded him of the pits, he wanted to run away. It felt like home, he wanted to run forward. Instead he stared, transfixed by the way the bit of sky—was it sky?—through the portal appeared to flow like water.

Jazz grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

Danny didn’t hesitate and flew right through, transforming as he did. The ghost followed right on his heels. Both turned to stare at him and Jazz.

“Come on,” she said. “We’ll be perfectly safe.” She walked forward and Jason followed, half a step behind.

His conflicted feelings got stronger with every step, but he kept pace with Jazz until they were through. No ground existed wherever they were, but he and Jazz were able to float in place.

Behind them, the portal disappeared. Taking with it his only hope of retreat.

-----

They've made it to the Infinite Realms! And Jason still has Feelings™️ about the ghost that's following. (Do you notice he never refers to Robin, even mentally, as anything other than "the ghost"? That's a very deliberate choice.)

The strawberry topping is a thing I make semi regularly. I will sit there and eat it with a spoon it's so good. But over pancakes? Absolutely decadent. (The recipe calls it a pie filling, but eh. I'd rather just eat it with a spoon. Or over ice cream. Or pancakes.)

#dpxdc #ghost!robin #jason todd #jazz fenton #anger management ship #i need to make pancakes one of these days #theyre yummy #danny devoured his #hes spent so little time on earth lately #that he was ecstatic to have good homemade pancakes #hed only ever had them when sleeping over at tuckers before

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shattersstar · 8 months

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ok but we need to hear more about college dick now👀👀

hehe ask and u shall receive because ohhh myyy dick in college is such a messsssssss but like so pretty it’s almost unfair

—

i love the idea of dick and a bunch of his friends getting a house together with the intent of being Normal for the first time in a while, which means being absolute menaces as most 20 smth yr old guys are

very much known for being a party house bordering a frat but all the guys r so nice that it’s rlly hard to think of them like that. it’s a space where he can let go, feel like himself and with the encouragement of his friends, dick puts the brakes on like relationship hunting and just has fun..

he’s been in pretty committed relationships since he was old enough to be and has always struggled with casual dating let alone sleeping with people he barely know. but when dick learns there r ppl out there looking for the same thing and not everyone wants to b the next future ex mr/mrs. grayson it makes it a lil easier to be his charming self with no bounds <33

and then he mets you and it’s the usual routine, flirting you to his bedroom which is in the basement—of course—well alllllmost doing so until you vanish out of his grasp for reasons dick cannot discern (you weren’t here for him silly)

and while he’s not like one of those oh i wanted to hit and couldn’t so im gonna chase you types, dick does have to reconcile with the fact your friends with roy and spend a lot of time at the house now

which also means he learns how cool you r and how goofy he feels for just tryna sleep with you

and despite his friends vouching for him you really only see (and have heard the numerous rumours) dick as a rich playboy and that’s not for you. plus he’s def a business or poli sci major……….but with a psych minor bc it feels the most practical despite how boring dick finds most of his classes

though when he realizes your both in a psych elective together he’s all toothy grins and obnoxious air which isn’t helping his case but of course he’s a decent student and when you mentioned hating statistics—you were stuck with the worse prof outta the two—dick jumped at the chance to help

you were sooooooo skeptical and even though agreed you kept brushing him off until dick just started helping you when you were over to hang out. he drops a textbook in your lap while sitting in roy’s bed or starts reviewing your notes and adding examples while your hanging out on the living room floor building lego sets with everyone else.

and dick did that a lot—sure it was his house and roy was his best friend along with all of his other housemates but dick never hesitated to insert himself into whatever you were doing when you came over. and it shouldn’t surprised you but everyone being so..unbothered by it had you confused. like maybe that’s how dick is but it spoke bounds to their closeness and was the First time you actually saw a little more to dick than just some campus hottie douchebag who threw parties to get laid

and while you weren’t about to tell dick that, you did start coming over with the intent of working on stats together. it usually meant dick having to re-lecture whatever your prof barely managed to explain and helping you with the page long equations needed for assignments

and dick keeps it as platonic as possible, on a mission to prove he’s not the person you think he is and not only because he wanted to be with you—well yeah he does—but because dick cares what you think about him. he knows his friends care about you and value what you have to say and he wants you to know it’s the same for him

and maaaybe you see that too but dick needs to suffer a little more

—

bonus: you talk to dick abt ppl you’re interested in at some point (either genuinely or to mess with him) when he insists on always hanging out with you and roy. and while he gives advice with a smile, still trying to prove his capacity for mature, platonic relationships, dick screams into his pillow later that night when he goes over the convo again and again and agai—

bonus bonus: he’s probably on the school’s gymnastics team <3

#very loosely formatted as most things written in my notes r #dick grayson x reader #dick grayson imagine #nightwing imagine #nightwing x reader #dc x reader #dc imagine #writing

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primoredial-jade · 2 years

Text

drawing our moments

“ i fill memories that only i will know with you. “

prompt: events leading up to your blossoming relationship in an arranged marriage with kamisato ayato.

pairing: ayato x gn!reader

type: fluff / suspense / comfort / slight angst

wc: 7595

cw: arranged marriage!au, spoilers of inazuma’s canon storyline leading up to the irodori festival including ayato’s story quest, spoilers of ayato (and ayaka’s) family history, mutual pining, reader has some backstory, reader gets chased by samurai, unconventional relationship buildup, mutual pining, reader is implied to be shorter than ayato

as relaxed as he portrayed himself to be on the exterior, kamisato ayato truthfully took on many roles that the ordinary man wouldn’t even begin to fathom, all at once nonetheless. ayato wasn’t just ordinary, after all.

he is the head of the kamisato clan, the esteemed yashiro commissioner– and to those within his circle, the overseer of the shuumatsuban.

ayato would be the last person in teyvat to downplay his position in inazuman society. the weight of so many people’s expectations was a tough burden to carry.

still, he didn’t let this deter him in the slightest. ayato was groomed for exactly this, and he took it in stride. he learned the tricks of the trade; how to detect corruption and who exhibited mole behavior, organizing festivals and keeping an eye out for saboteurs, spending what free time he had training with his blade and hydro vision.

it is a very busy lifestyle to live, and he truthfully preferred behind-the-scenes work of the yashiro commission away from prying eyes, anyway. for this reason, ayato unintentionally portrayed a rather reclusive persona to many inazumans. this did not exclude you.

because while ayato took on the role of many things, he took the mantle of something else, too. something no one else would ever be able to take the role of.

kamisato ayato is your husband.

i. the vision hunt decree had all but been abolished less than a month ago, in big part to the aid of the traveler from a land afar. they had really saved you and your family from their good deed, and you had taken routine to silently thank the stars every night since being free from the confines of a room for months.

the situation did not concern any of your family members being bestowed a vision from the gods. rather, of your ancestral ties with the sangonomiya clan of watatsumi island.

it was a well known tale within your town that the divine priestess of watatsumi island from generations past was a dear friend of your ancestor. their friendship had only strengthened after they had gone through the turmoil of climbing orobashi’s dead body to rise to the surface from enkanomiya.

your clan was declared a trusted ally from thereon out, written in the books and published for all to see.

your grandparents had made the difficult choice to move away from their home of watatsumi to take advantage of the rich soils of narukami. watatsumi island, as beautiful as it was, was not an ideal place for the cultivation of crops.

while the ties to the sangonomiya clan were strong, you could not say you were exactly in tune with that side of your family history. after all, you were born and raised in narukami– and watatsumi island was miles and many boat rides away.

regardless, your family would continue to have you wear traditional watatsumi garbs on occasion. not that you particularly minded, but older narukami residents often had an air around them when you were within their vicinity with them on.

even as a child, you were aware of the mingling tensions from wars long past of watatsumi and narukami. it was a never ending limbo of identity and self-loathing, and a phase you would eventually grow out of to embrace both sides equally.

being the last of an admittedly dwindling clan, the elders were beginning to put pressure on you to wed. you had turned of age years past, but you had been putting the occasion off in hopes of finding the right one.

“it will happen this year,” you promised. the clan elders did not seem pleased.

“if not, then i will take the burden of being betrothed to whomever you see best fit for the clan’s prosperity,” you had added with a wince and clench of your fists. this was the absolute last thing you wanted for your future.

there was no time to make good on that promise, for the vision hunt decree was in full effect only a few weeks after that. news spread like wildfire of the watatsumi army led by sangonomiya kokomi rising up in opposition of the decree.

the world almost stopped that day you found out, you think. everyone’s eyes were on you and your family, waiting for your next move. what would you do? who would you side with?

in your heart, you knew which side you supported. and in the eyes of the almighty shogun, that was definitely not the right choice.

it seemed your family shared in the same sentiments, for you went into hiding soon after that. god forbid the shogun’s tengu warrior caught wind of your family’s whereabouts. you would probably be arrested, or worse.

a year of solitary and quietude would ensue. you hardly knew of the circumstances of the outside world, only bits and pieces of more troops being deployed to watatsumi and the rise of visions being confiscated steadily increasing.

forget being arranged to marry the last thing you wanted for your future. it was beginning to look like you wouldn’t even have a future to begin with.

...until it ended. everything was over. the day you stepped out into the sun for the first time in a long time with your family, you had broken down. you never know what you have until you lose them.

and now that things were beginning to settle down, the pressure of your clan elders was on like never before. with a scare like that, it was understandable why everyone was frantic. they did not even care anymore if the person you married would take your family name, or if you took theirs.

at the same time, negotiations to reconnect watatsumi island and its people with the rest of inazuma were underway. there were still undoubtedly tensions left over from the war, and political figureheads were thinking of ways to truly jumpstart the budding relationships of all inazumans.

“i have a proposition,” thoma had murmured to kamisato ayato after his return home from the eighth late night meeting that week about said discussions.

ayato, exhausted, but with respect for his retainer and friend, gestured for him to continue. thoma cleared his throat, scratching the back of his nape in anxiousness.

“i do not know if you will feel especially keen about it, my lord.”

imagine your surprise when you were summoned to the courtyard by the clan elders, an unfamiliar older woman alongside them. she bore the unmistakable kamisato crest on her silk kimono, a kind smile on her countenance.

you automatically bowed in respect as you neared, and she reciprocated. you just barely made eye contact with your clan elders before she was introducing herself.

“good evening, my liege. i sincerely hope i am not disturbing your plans today.”

you shook your head no, leading the way over to a nearby bench. “not at all. and please, no need with the honorifics. what can i help you with?”

“mrs. aiki is a trusted informant of the kamisato clan, and, also happens to be a renowned matchmaker of inazuma,” one of your clan elders clarifies.

you cannot help the pinch of your eyebrows in confusion. while you were not entirely opposed to speaking with a matchmaker after coming to terms with the fact that you might not find your true lover in due time, a matchmaker that worked for the kamisato clan and matchmade on the side? it was quite unheard of.

that is, unless the kamisato heirs were looking for suitors themselves. which would be a shock, considering both the lord and lady were highly sought after individuals. if they were looking to be wed, certainly the news would have made its rounds to you.

mrs. aiki could tell you were lost in your thoughts, and took pity on your situation. she waved off your clan elders, nodding in reassurance at their doubtful expressions.

once they were out of ear shot, mrs. aiki took both of your hands in hers, genuine sincerity on her face.

“i will be honest with you. the young lord of the kamisato clan is requesting for your hand in marriage.”

you almost choked on your saliva, blood beginning to pound in your ears. did you hear that right? before you could even think of raising your own questions, mrs. aiki had already beat you to the curve.

“i am deeply apologetic that i have to deliver the news to you in this manner, my liege. but, since the vision hunt decree has been abolished, the road to making amends between the divine priestess and the almighty shogun have been... bleak, to say the least. at this rate, i am afraid the amenities will be for naught, and we will be back where we started. therefore...”

she trails off, and you find yourself unintentionally holding your breath, hands beginning to sweat that are still conjoined with hers.

“as i am sure you are aware of your clan’s ties to the sangonomiya, this would be a very fruitful marriage for inazuma. along with your age being similar to the young lord, and that you are a resident of narukami, it is almost inconceivable that there is such a perfect match. i have come today to be the messenger of the young lord’s proposal.”

she finishes, but doesn’t forget to add the crucial fact that, “the young lord made it clear that this will only go through if you are in compliance with it. not your elders, but you.”

you could count the amount of times you had seen kamisato ayato on one hand. the times you did, it was hard to not stop and stare, and this sentiment was shared with others too, you knew.

even from afar, you could tell he was a handsome fellow who was quick on his feet, a smart and witty man. the fact that he handled all he did with ease was admirable, never mind the fact that he was the head of one of the most influential clans of the nation.

realistically, you should have ripped your hands out of mrs. aiki’s, telling her to leave immediately. angrily stomp up to your elders’ and ask them what they were thinking. this was, by all means, absurd.

instead, you muster the courage to meet mrs. aiki’s eyes.

“i... i accept.”

ii. you probably should have been more embarrassed at how little convincing it took for you to accept lord kamisato as your husband.

within the minute of your acceptance, your world had effectively turned upside down. wedding preparations were already in order, and you hadn’t even formally met your husband-to-be yet.

news had spread fast through inazuma, and everyone was waiting in anticipation for the day of betrothal.

less than a week after your acceptance, kamisato attendants were sent to your clan’s residence to prepare you for the wedding. expensive silks were draped over your body, and the material felt foreign against your skin. the kamisato crest was pinned to your obi. you couldn’t help running your finger over it in awe.

right before the finishing touches were applied, you pulled a younger attendant to the side, feeling slightly guilty as they shifted in nervousness.

“do you mind putting my clan’s crest besides the kamisato’s for me?”

the trek to the grand narukami shrine was a long one, but your nerves were put to ease by the reassurance of the kamisato attendants and your parents on your flank.

should you have been more excited about such a pivotal moment in your life? maybe. in the back of your mind, you knew this was a marriage built solely on politics. still, you hoped that you and your husband-to-be would find some amicability to at least be good friends.

perhaps, even more?

you hadn’t even the chance to think further before you were greeted at the sacred sakura tree by none other than kamisato ayaka and thoma. you were acquainted with thoma, as he helped your family out on a few occasions with transporting of goods, but this was the first time you saw ayaka this close.

“it’s good to see you again, my liege,” he immediately greets, bowing in respect. you wave the action off, a gentle smile on your face.

“none of that, thoma– we’re friends. please call me by my name.” thoma chuckles, nodding in acceptance.

you turn your attention to your soon to be sister-in-law, and she is as beautiful as everyone said she was. she is gentle to take your hand in hers, looking at you with what you could only place as admiration. it swells your heart up tenfold, and the weight of being married in only a few minutes is beginning to crash down on you.

“i am honored to be meeting you today, elder sibling. while i hadn’t any idea of how relations between watatsumi and narukami would begin anew, i had not expected elder brother to bring home a spouse,” she flashes thoma a quick glance, and he looks sheepish.

“regardless, the kamisato clan is here to welcome you with open arms. you are now apart of our family, and i hope our bond will continue to grow up to where you could see us apart of yours, as well.”

you could cry at her words of honesty. although you had doubts about feeling the imposter in the kamisato residence, ayaka and thoma immediately quelled them within minutes.

“thank you, from the bottom of my heart, i– ”

you were interrupted by a a gentle tap on your shoulder. ayaka released your hand and took a step back, allowing you the space to turn and finally meet kamisato ayato in the flesh. he’s wearing a black kimono with the kamisato crest embroidered on the shoulder which compliments his stature nicely.

and, not shocking in the slightest, he is also incredibly handsome.

he looks at you with amusement, some sort of mirth you can’t place hidden behind his pretty purple eyes.

“i hope my dearest sister’s charms haven’t whisked you away already,” he comments, bowing slightly. you reciprocate the action, feeling heat begin to rise up your neck.

“nonsense, my lord,” you answer with haste, making sure to keep eye contact with him.

it’s proving to be difficult, because the longer you stare, the more you feel as if he can see right through to you. his eyes flicker across your face, studying it briefly.

“the ceremony is beginning soon, i fear,” thoma notes, breaking you and ayato out of your reverie.

“of course. shall we?” kamisato ayato holds out his arm, and you hesitate before taking it. all of the build up within the past week has culminated to this moment.

he leads you to the shrine, where a shinto priest is waiting alongside who you recognize to be yae miko. she gives you a sly smile at your gaze.

the proceedings go as smoothly as it could have gone. you both kneel before the shinto priest as he guides you through the sipping of the sake, and reading of the pre-prepped vows that are directed to the raiden shogun wishes for everlasting prosperity.

you can’t help glancing at him throughout the ceremony. despite your inner torrent of emotions from your marriage, he looks as calm as can be. his eyes caught your own once, and you flustered immediately, focusing your attention back to the priest.

you missed his half grin in response.

sake is finally offered to your families, and after a round of congratulations, you are now formally married to kamisato ayato.

with your arm tucked into his as before, you lead the group of attendees down the shrine and back to your new home.

“you did well,” he says quietly so that only you can hear. a gentle smile is on his face, and you don’t think he can get any more handsome than this.

“thank you, my lord. i look forward to…” you pause, meeting his eyes. “all of this,” you settle on, not entirely sure what the future would entail. you could only hope that outside of political reasons, that this would be a happy marriage.

your eyes roved over your new home in wonder. the kamisato estate was unlike anything you had stepped foot in before. it was constantly upkept by thoma and the other attendants, and it was clear to see that this was no ordinary clan home.

while you knew you were one of the more fortunate clans to at least have a roof over your head and somewhat of a good reputation around the city, there were times where mora had been tight growing up. your parents had taught you to be careful with the hagglers of inazuma city, and to only spend when you had to.

the kamisato clan’s standing in society preceded them. judging by the estate, you could not imagine a time where kamisato ayato would ever need to want anything.

well...

except his parents back, a voice in the back of your mind reprimanded you.

everyone knew of the untimely demise of the previous kamisato clan head and his wife.

because while kamisato ayato may have never needed to want anything, you still had your parents. they were gracious people that protected and loved you, who taught you everything that you needed to know in this cruel world. and while they were still going to be nearby, you already missed them dearly.

still, you knew your feelings of longing were incomparable to how ayato and ayaka must have felt when they lost not just one, but both of their parents in such a short span of time.

your solemn thoughts of your husband’s past were interrupted by his unmistakable presence beside you.

“i apologize for having to leave so soon,” he tells you, “thoma will help you unpack and show you around the estate.”

your eyebrows crinkled in confusion, “where are you going?”

“unfortunately, i have urgent business to attend to regarding the upcoming irodori festival. if you would excuse me,” he gives you a slight bow, which you return hastily.

you watch as he retreats back to his quarters, seemingly to change out of his wedding attire. your disappointment rolls over in waves, but you do your best to suppress it. guess you should have known a honeymoon phase didn’t exist in a political marriage, after all.

thoma gives you a sympathetic look, laying a comforting hand on your shoulder. “it’s an extremely busy time for lord kamisato at the moment,” he reassures. “this festival is a big opportunity for inazuma to build relations with other nations again after everything that has happened. a lot of the responsibility rests on his shoulders, and he regrettably has not been around too much.”

pursing your lips in thought, a sudden, lucrative idea popped up into your head.

“well... starting today, i am apart of the kamisato clan. do you know any ways i can help?”

iii. you hadn’t seen your husband in three weeks since your marriage.

thoma and ayaka had informed you that he was practically working himself to the bone with the task of inviting guests from other nations, along with coordinating with the government and kujou sara to ensure everything went smoothly. the only thing that he unfortunately did not have enough time in the day for was securing the actual venue.

lord kamisato had an extremely hectic schedule, and this you knew even before your marriage. but seeing it up close like this, it’s a wonder he’s still standing on two feet at all. even with what little experience you had with politics, you couldn’t fathom how he had handled things when he was the only person managing the yashiro commission’s political affairs.

you cannot help but think the time you have spent in the kamisato estate thus far has been fruitless. while lord kamisato had never explicitly asked you to aide him in his planning of the festival, it would only be right to do so as his spouse. you do not particularly like to be useless– only here because of politics. you want to feel needed, to feel like you’re making a change.

sometimes, late into the night, you think you hear the barely audible dragging of feet, then the opening of a shoji door suspiciously near where his quarters are. after a beat, it closes, and silence envelopes the kamisato household again.

mustering up your resolve, you knew it was your turn to get into your role and ease the burden on his shoulders, if only just a little bit.

to be a kamisato.

there’s a chance here, a chance to do good. not only for the likeness of your clans’ reputations, but for inazuma as a whole. emboldened and maybe a little too optimistic, you step into your role for the first time since your marriage.

you send a letter to hiiragi chisato, the new head of the clan and subsequent kanjou commissioner, requesting an in-person meeting wherever she would prefer. to your surprise, she answers you back in less than a day, and you meet at the komore teahouse.

you two bonded over getting used to your new roles in two of the most influential clans in the nation. however, despite her lack of experience, chisato was still very much assertive and did not seem like the type to take uncertainty lightly. you knew you had to steel your resolve for this meeting, as this was your one chance to really secure the venue for the festival.

you announce your plans to have the irodori festival in ritou. after all, it is inazuma’s port of entry and the most logical place to welcome foreigners into the land. there are places to set up booths, games, food carts, and the likes. it would be a perfect place to have an event like this, and while you hadn’t spoken to your husband about it, you think he would agree, too.

“because this venue is on the kanjou commission’s grounds, there may be a conflict of interest regarding liability if anything happens to go wrong. if you will take accountability for mishaps that could possibly occur during the festival, then surely we can make some arrangements,” she states.

“i will,” you answer, surprised at the firmness and utter confidence in your tone. but this feels right. “i will take complete accountability on behalf of the yashiro commission in the case anything goes wrong in ritou, i promise you that.” and, you would make sure of it.

“okay. it looks like we have a deal,” she smiles, mutual respect obvious between the two of you.

“okay,” you promise, accomplishment filling your chest.

you expect to greet thoma the next morning preparing breakfast for you, as per usual. perhaps talk about the sunny weather today, or ask him about how the stray animals are doing that he talked so fondly about.

you’re positively shocked to see your husband there, already seated behind the short-legged table. at your appearance, his mouth quirks up and he gestures for you to come sit with him. you hope he can’t tell your slight reluctance as you do.

“thoma told me about your endeavors to secure ritou as the place of venue for the irodori festival,” he begins, eyes focused on you, “and how you went to meet with hiiragi chisato to negotiate the terms.”

you nod uncertainly, not able to get a read on his tone.

“you did a great job. i am eternally thankful for your support in planning the festival. without the venue, there wouldn’t be a festival, would there?” he gives you a knowing smile.

a wave of relief washes over you. “my lord, i– ”

“ayato,” he cuts, an unfamiliar frown marring his handsome features. “my name is ayato.”

you pause, suddenly feeling awkward.

“i am aware, my lord. but with all due respect, i do not believe that you and i are on a first name basis yet.”

he hums, bringing a hand up to his chin, lost in thought. you begin to think you might have disrespected him, and the urge to apologize is strong, but you maintain your composure. the meeting from yesterday had done wonders to your confidence.

“i would have to respectfully disagree,” he rebuttals, folding his arms over each other on the table. “after all, you are my spouse. i believe we are far past the first name basis at this point.”

“i am your spouse, yet i have not seen you once since the day we got married,” you answer exasperatedly, hurt evident in your tone.

while what you said was nothing but the truth, you can’t help but feel at a loss in the aftermath. the room suddenly feels ten times too small, and you try not to trigger your fight or flight mode.

your husband’s face is downcast, and you dig your nails into your palms in anticipation.

“it seems that i have been a bad husband,” he admits in a sad mumble that you can barely hear, and your heart quite literally rips in two.

“my lord,” you take a breath, steeling your nerves, “it’s okay, we’re okay. i know planning of the festival has taken much of your time, and for that i do not blame you in the slightest. we just never have the time to see each other– and i am aware that this marriage was not founded on... traditional means.”

you hear him click his tongue, and he meets your eyes again, tentative in his movements in placing his gloved hand over yours delicately. there’s a distinctive urge to flinch away, but you don’t.

“i am deeply sorry for the way i have treated you thus far. even if we agreed to marry each other for the prosperity of our country, i should not have let that get in between us. you are still my spouse, and i want to fix this. what can i do?” he asks earnestly, a deep crinkle between his brows.

“i just want to get to know you,” you reply, and you feel the grip he has on your hand tighten ever so slightly. you think he’ll falter, untrusting of letting you inside his bubble.

you, of all people, know that this is a lot to ask for. being arranged to marry the head of the kamisato clan is one thing, but requesting to be let in is another.

but, he nods. he gently turns your hand so now his palm is resting on yours. it feels inexplicably right in the oddest way. you have barely spent more than a few hours with this man, yet he is already making your heart begin to beat erratically.

“we can do that. get to know each other,” he speaks slowly, “i will do my absolute best to make time for us from hereon out.”

you can’t help the smile that feels like it will split your face in two. “it’s a deal.”

he stands up, and with your hand in his, takes you up with him. a flash of annoyance crosses his face, but it’s gone in an instant.

“unfortunately, i have matters that cannot be rearranged today,” he informs, a step into the new direction your relationship is going under. “i will regrettably be home after dinner. will that be alright with you?”

you nod, understanding. “of course.”

you expect your husband to immediately leave, as he did when you first stepped onto kamisato estate. but, he stays there, your hand still in his.

you tilt your head up to question him, and he takes the opportunity to plant a quick, chaste kiss on your lips.

your face is beginning to burn, and you’re frozen in shock.

your first kiss with your husband.

by the time you come to, he’s already gone.

iv. as promised, your husband begins to find time in his schedule to spend more with you.

he meets you at breakfast with some small talk before he heads off for the day, and comes home before dinner more often. if schedules align, you even get to spend it together with thoma and ayaka, which makes for a fun time of bonding over hot pot games. you really feel as if you are becoming a true family.

it’s still a little awkward, and takes a bit of getting used to. after all, you did jump a few crucial steps relationship-wise. still, the effort is there.

he is beginning to slowly open up about involving you in more of his political affairs, in which you are completely willing to help with. you’re getting better at negotiating politics of the yashiro commission with his and ayaka’s help, and the irodori festival is looking well on its way to becoming a success.

the physical affection is becoming more frequent, too. a kiss on the back of your hand before he leaves, a peck on your temple before you head off for bed. it sets your heart ablaze, and you know that he knows by the smug look that he always has when he does such a thing.

one particular night when the stress oozed off him in waves, you took the initiative to kiss him on the lips goodnight. your ego went through the roof at the pink that dusted over his cheeks, but he would deny it vehemently.

hiiragi chisato had formally invited you to attend an intimate gathering orchestrated by her clan to make amends for the wrongdoings of her father and his involvement with the fatui. the highest political figureheads were cordially invited, along with anyone they wanted to invite as their plus one.

despite the fact that ayaka was usually the one to attend these gatherings, it was to your surprise that it took little convincing for your husband to agree. the entire time, he had been engaged in formal talks with inazuma’s most powerful.

if the kamisato crest on the back of your kimono wasn’t enough to show it, the unmistakable weight of his arm wrapped around your waist and his hand resting lightly on your hip throughout the duration of the night was a clear showing of ownership. you were his, and he was yours.

if he noticed you pressing more intently into his side as a result, he didn’t make any mention of it. your heart was making leaps.

he allows you into his study to discuss the proceedings of the festival not long after that. many nights are basked in quiet murmurings of revisions as you and your husband go over every single signature and correction down to the letter to ensure everything would go smoothly.

after all, as you promised hiiragi chisato, you would be the one to take the fall if anything happened. and, he would do anything in his power to prevent that.

even with the planning of the festival, he isn’t so much of a prude. your husband has liberty to tease you with free reign behind closed doors, getting morbid satisfaction from seeing your flustered expression at his antics. the glint in his purple eyes and lilt of his lips into a smirk made your stomach do flips.

there are some days that are different– when he gets a longing look in his eyes and cannot focus on the documents in front of him.

on one of these particular nights, he tells you about the death of his parents.

while his tone is melancholic, he does not dwell on what has already passed and is matter-of-fact in the telling. his father worked himself to death in his journey of restoring the kamisato name, and his loving mother died not long after due to her illness and grief.

you’re in tears by the time he’s finished. he looks at you with a sad grin, bring up a hand to gently wipe away your tears. “i do not like to see the people i care about cry,” he whispers, consoling.

you let out a warbled chuckle, shaking your head lightly. “i should be the one comforting you, ayato.”

you bask in his comforting presence, silence overtaking the room. there is a lot that you think you should say. are you sorry?

no. saying sorry is entirely meaningless and does nothing for him– it would only do well to appease yourself. while it is an agreed upon societal gesture to do so, you do not think ayato would appreciate it so much.

“thank you. for telling me,” you settle on, because you are thankful. this was only more steps toward your blossoming relationship with him, and you are appreciative that he’s opening up to you even moreso.

silently, you promise to his parents that you would not let the same thing befall their beloved son.

his gaze suddenly meets yours, and there is something there that you can’t discern. sensing the change in mood, you boldly take his hand in yours and urge him up. “how’s a late night bubble tea excursion sound?”

ayato is initially taken aback, but he laughs. you find yourself replaying the sound again and again for days.

“i would like that.”

v. everything happened so fast.

growing up, you had known there were certain areas of narukami that you simply should not cross. corrupt kairagi and nobushi samurais roamed around, but thankfully, they strayed a ways away from civilization. at the typical places you tended to visit, you would say you were relatively safe.

your final meeting about the festival preparations with hiiragi chisato and government officials had ran long. you hadn’t expected the stars to already be twinkling overhead.

realistically, you knew you could have asked a hiiragi attendant to escort you home. but, seeing as they were already preparing for the night by the time you were leaving, you hadn’t found it in you to make them take you back home only to have to return all the way back to ritou.

steeling your nerves, you began the journey back to the kamisato estate.

you really wished you asked for an attendant. or, at the very least, was blessed by the gods with a vision of your own.

things had been going relatively well thus far, until you had the misfortune of stumbling upon two very angry kairagi samurais.

while you knew the basics of how to wield a blade thanks to thoma’s light lessons, you did not have it on your person. and, without having a vision, it wasn’t as if you could just holster a weapon out of thin air, either.

all you could do in the face of the samurais was to run.

“i’m gonna die,” you panic to yourself, hearing the heavy footsteps of the samurai not far behind you. you know you’re not far from the estate once you make it to chinju forest, but the atmosphere here only makes it exponentially more terrifying.

you make haste to take refuge behind a large tree to catch your breath, the exertion bringing anger and fear to cloud your mind. a thick branch sits a few feet away from you, and you scurry to retrieve it, gripping it tightly as you hear one of the samurai get closer to your hiding spot.

you don’t know how you do it, but once the samurai is just about to pass your tree, you muster up all the strength you have left to swing the branch right into his gut. the samurai sputters and groans out in pain, and you take the opportunity to continue running.

“keep going. they can’t catch me. run as fast as you can, the estate is so close. i’m– ”...

running out of breath.

you’re not even out of the forest before you’ve collapsed behind another tree, heaving for air to come back into your lungs. your face scrunches up in pain at the scratches you had gotten along the way, and you bite your lip to keep it down.

your eyes scan the surrounding areas to find an opening to lead you out, but you spot something else instead.

...is that a barrel with a tail in it?

you’re startled to see it poof into smoke, and a little girl appear before you in its place. her eyes are downcast in a sleepy way.

then, she spots the kamisato crest on your kimono, and her eyes immediately go wide with panic, all sleepiness gone in an instant. “you are lord kamisato’s spouse, aren’t you?”

you could only nod as she immediately uses her anemo vision to summon a daruma. it immediately begins to heal you, and you close your eyes at the calming effect.

“can you stand? i am not big enough to help you up,” she pauses, sounding annoyed, “but i can lead you out. if you can’t, i can get a tall person for you very quickly.”

your vision is already starting to blur by the time you register her sentence. “i- ah. can you... can you please get thoma for me?” you request, knowing that ayato was taking care of his own finalities for the festival.

the girl does not waste any time to push the daruma closer to you, promptly rolling away in a flash of anemo energy. she really was fast.

with just the company of her summon, you now have the quietude to admonish yourself for your, admittedly, dumb idea of walking home this late without a weapon. “stupid, stupid,” you mutter to yourself.

you expect to see thoma in tow of the girl that saved you, but it was your husband who came. he looks frazzled, far from the pristine image you are used to seeing, with pale blue hair in disarray and with perspiration on his brow from running to keep up with the girl.

you don’t even have the time to register the sob that escapes your mouth when he scoops you into your arms, a hand on the back of your head to press you close to his chest. with the adrenaline of the chase completely gone, you are boneless in your husband’s presence.

ayato hushes, rubbing a hand over you back. “it’s alright,” he reassures. i’m here. i’ve got you.

with the girl following behind you to ensure your safety– whose name you learn to be sayu, ayato quietly leads you back home.

his grip on your hand is tight, and sometime along the way, he laces his fingers between yours. you squeeze his hand in response, grounding yourself in reality.

time barely makes any sense to you as the estate is finally in sight, and he easily maneuvers you into your bedroom. just when he looks like he is about to leave you on your bed, you tug his hand that you’re still gripping onto like a vice.

“ayato...” you whisper, and he noticeably softens, bringing himself to eye level with you.

“yes, my dear?”

“stay.”

you don’t have to ask twice. ayato stays per your request, gently ushering you into bed, shedding himself of his coat and joining you soon thereafter. he is calculated in his movements of maneuvering your head to his chest, and your limbs inevitably become entangled together.

you can’t help the shuddering breath you let out as you inhale his sweet scent, gripping the fabric of his top in your hands.

“i am sorry for not being there,” he says with disappointment and underlying anger, “i will do better.” he nuzzles the crown of your head with his nose, trying to appease you.

“not your fault,” you reassure, taking another inhale. “you’re here now.”

ayato pets your head as you drift off into a dreamless sleep, feeling protected in his arms.

vi. some things changed since then. you went out of your way to not have any more meetings past evenings, and to brush up your weapon and self-defense skills with thoma and ayaka.

prior to past trainings, thoma was being especially tougher on you now. not that you minded, because you were grateful. having grown up tending to crops, you needed all the practice you could get with wielding a weapon.

your husband has become more protective and watchful of you these days, too. you’ve always known ayato to be loyal and headstrong for the people he really cared about, and it made sense after he opened up about the death of his parents.

while ayato had a high standing within society due his family name, none of that mattered when it came to his sister, his best friend, and you.

there has been a sudden increase of corrupt samurai being found bound to pillars around narukami come morning. there would be a note addressed to the tenryou commission next to the samurai, undoubtedly a free invitation for the tenryou to take them into custody.

no one really knows who is orchestrating these proceedings, but you think you have an idea.

amongst all the chaos, the fruits of your labor has finally come to its climax. the irodori festival had just begun, and already, it is looking like a success.

people from all over teyvat have come to visit, thanking you for planning such a lovely festival. of course, you can’t take all the credit– your husband did much of the heavy-duty work behind the scenes.

speaking of your husband, you hadn’t been able to see him since it started. now that everything for the festival in order, surely he didn’t have more work to do?

you could only laugh quietly at yourself. even if ayato didn’t have anymore work to do, you’re sure he could find something to busy himself with, anyway. although you’ve been proactive in pulling him away to take time for himself, he was just committed to his work like that.

as it neared nightfall and the festival was beginning to quiet down for tomorrow, ayaka approached you with a gentle smile and bow. you bowed in return, thankful to have her company.

“have you been enjoying the festival, elder sibling?” she inquires, turning to look over ritou as you had been. she looks proud, and that makes you incredibly happy.

sighing, you answer, “yes, i have been. but, hm... have you happened to see your brother around?”

she gives you a knowing look, and you attempt to play it off. “i just haven’t seen him, is all...”

she unfurls her fan, laughing behind it. heat begins to rise up your neck as you smile along with her.

“actually, i came here to inform you that elder brother is requesting your appearance at the statue of seven, if that is okay.”

your eyebrows raise, at a loss. why would ayato want to meet you there?

nevertheless, you make the short trek to ritou’s statue of seven. you don’t know why, but your nerves are getting the better of you the closer you get.

it’s only when you spot ayato’s unmistakable silhouette from afar does your heart begin to feel like it will beat out of your chest. his back is to you as he stares out into the ocean, and even from where you stand, you can feel that he radiates a calm, but confident aura.

“ayato,” you breathe, and he perks up at the call of his name, turning to you with a soft smile on his handsome face. he calls your own name back in response, beckoning you over with his palm outstretched.

with your hand in his, he leads you to sit with him along the edge of the cliff and stare at the sea that separates inazuma from the rest of the world. there are miniscule lights of civilization that you can pick out, and it makes you squint.

“have you been here all night?” you ask, turning your attention to him. you’re slightly startled that he is already looking at you, a look of longing in his eyes. you unconsciously grip his hand tighter.

“no, not all night. i have just been thinking, is all,” he answers, bringing his free hand up to rest against your cheek. you lean into it, feeling warm all over.

“and what would you be thinking about, my lord?” you tease.

he pouts at being addressed by his formal title, but shakes his head with a chuckle at your antics. he takes a moment to think, before he is suddenly reaching into his pocket to pull out a wooden box with the kamisato crest carved into it.

you peer over to watch him slowly open it, and shock overcomes you to see a pair of two gold bands rest inside. you glance at your husband, and he suddenly looks very sheepish, cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink. you hadn’t seen him this flustered since the night you took initiative to kiss him.

“it hadn’t occurred to me until recently that we have not had a formal object to declare our eternal love and commitment to each other in marriage,” he clears his throat, “if you would have me, i would– ”

“yes,” you interrupt, turning his cheek so he was now looking at you. “i accept, ayato. that is, if you would have me, too.”

you didn’t really need to know his answer as you witnessed relief wash over his face. with care, he gently slid a gold band on your finger, bringing it up to his lips to leave a kiss on it. a promise.

you reciprocated his action of putting the band on his finger, and immediately went to embrace him, heart full of love and devotion for kamisato ayato.

although the irodori festival banned fireworks, in this moment, you felt as if you didn’t need it at all.

#kamisato ayato | primoredial-jade

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crystal-moon-101 · 5 months

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Been a bit since I have done a headshot cluster, but this time it's for more villains! I put off doing this for a while since I wanted to make a whole bunch of villains to draw all together as a treat. Plus to make sure I knew what I was doing with them and what kind of story they had, as some are recurring villains, some are just troublemakers, and some are full on arc antagonists/villains. I still have more in the works, along with new next gen kids, but I hope for now you enjoy these guys! If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments. But for now, I provide some summaries for these fellas.

-Sciros- A 55-year-old Temerciant man, known well as a black market mob boss, and the 'caretaker' of Feike and his crew. He had an encounter with Feike and his father when the boy was around eight, Argit having stolen from him to help with some processes towards Undertown. However, this resulting in Sciros letting him keep what he stole, as he ended up conceiving Feike to ditch his dad and join Sciros, seeing a lot of potential in the kid as Feike had admitted to being the one to hack and steal from him. Sciros is nothing but a horrible, greedy person, keeping a harsh grip of Feike and his crew, knowing very well they have nowhere else they can go, using them, but making the kids feel wanted. He's also willing to kill, harm and blackmail anyone to get what he wants, being in it to win it, and has personally buried a lot of skeletons. He's not someone many like to confront, for one reason or another.

-Kacela- A 45-year-old Zaroffian woman, who is most well known for hosting illegal, underground pit fights. She's rich, a bitch, and knows it so, flaunting her wealth and sitting over people in her fancy heels. Her pits can range from basic animals, to kidnapped people that she has hired people to collected. Of course, she also allows volunteers, but prefers the route of unwilling participants since that brings more engagement, and so she doesn't have to split any money with them. She's very hard to catch, due to using her wealth to keep tools on herself that help her slip away when needed, often annoying devices for people to deal with. She's ruthless and has no issues breaking ties with people as long as she remains on top. Even once traumatising Jay and Malax after having forced them into a pit fight once.

-Skadi- A 113-year-old mutated Necrofriggin, having once been a normal member of their species. However, after the event surrounding Eldrigma, the necrofriggin species had a slight uproar regarding their leaders/elders, having learnt that they have been lied to, along with learning about some awful history their species committed once. Skadi had reached a point where they wanted to make change, even if they had to by force, but knowing that they couldn't do much in their current state, they sought out the mad scientist known as Alate. They had heard about how he mutated himself with Jay's DNA/Omnitrix gene, 'evolving himself', and Skadi wanted to go through the same processed. Alate was delighted to help, as it's not often people come to him willingly, so after Skadi stole a sample of Jay's DNA, they were mutated into what they are now. They have become much more aggressive, colder and hostile, with upgraded powers to join them on their pursuit to bring their leaders to justice, and build a new order for their people. But they didn't realize how hard it would be to convince everyone that this was a good plan.

-Dawn & Dusk- A 41-year-old Acronycobticeō woman and 40-year-old Acronycobticeō male, being a loving married pair who work in the mercenary business. Guns for hire and assassins or work perfectly in sync, a match made in heaven most would say, despite how brutal their work is. They met when they were rather young, their very late teen years, being thieves on the street as they both were trying to make a name for themselves. They were both hired by separate people for the same collection job, leading to it becoming a contest as sparks flew between the two almost instantly. One thing led to another, and they married by the time they were 20 & 21, and have stuck by each other since. Dawn focuses on being more of the scout between the two, being smaller and faster than her husband, only going for the strike if she confident she can do it. Dusk meanwhile is the one often leaping into combat first, along with using intimidation to get by sometimes. It's a good balance between the two.

-Raii- A 20-year-old Conductoid young man, known mostly as a young thief running around Undertown. He's had a few run ins with Jay and his crew, often teasing them or testing their patience, enjoying how fun it is to mess with a young band of Plumbers. He never means any harm thought, mostly doing what he does out of survival, needing to take care of himself and the 10 nosedeenians he looks after, being an older brother to them. Their names are Zinc, Shelly, Ci, Trode, Grid, Dip, Flux, Sparky, Bolt and Lemon, and while they're a chaotic bunch, they all have each other's backs. They found each other when they were young, and stuck close ever since. Though Raii does hope one day to provide a better life for them and himself, eventually finding support through a different Tennyson member, much to the Omni Squad's dismay. That being Mia and Lyn, as Raii once found Lyn alone in Undertown after she ran off, and kept her safe until Mia came to collect her, the two striking up a nice friendship, especially after seeing Lyn feeling comfortable around another person for once. And perhaps, there's a little something more sparking between Mia and Raii.

-Prilick- A 37-year-old Osmosian woman, part of the bounty hunter/mercenary business side of life, Prilick first debuted when working for Kacela, having been part of the squad that kidnapped Jay and Malax, showing off from the start that she is not a good person. She doesn't care who gets hurt, or even who she may have to murder. Young, old, good, bad, it's all the same to her, as she's just here to do business. She also doesn't just work for Kacela, but is often hired by her as she's one of the few that seems to know how to manage working for that woman without getting caught in the crossfire. Not much is known about her previous life, the fact she is a full-bloodied Osmosian making things even stranger as most don't leave their homeworld, nor lean towards such a life style. Though she did make a passing comment once about having grown up hearing about Aggregor's whole situation, and found herself enjoying the idea of doing her own thing, and that harming other people doesn't matter as long as she gets to live a fulfilling life in her eyes.

-"Illusionist" Mirage- A 30-year-old Conjurlacra woman, and a member of the pirate crew run by Xandria. Mirage is the illusionist of the group, providing trickery and distractions for them, her species natural powers coming in handy with this. She admittedly doesn't remember much of her early childhood, just knowing that she once had a family, before being kidnapped and sold across the galaxy to be a personal servant for people. She was recused by the pirate crew two years ago, and is their most recent member. Because of her awful history, and all that she witness, she doesn't speak very often, at least to people who aren't part of the crew. She considers them her family, who have stuck with her despite all that she went through, though deep down she has had thoughts about finding her original family, wondering if there is would even be a point given how much she has changed. But she takes personal delight in being a pirate, taking her life back into her own hands, getting to explore the world on terms she is comfortable with.

-"Duo" Mab & Bulrush- A 24-year-old Nemuina woman (Demigirl), and a 26-year-old Methanosian male, being nicknamed the 'duo' of the pirate group as they are always by each other's side, even before joining the crew. They were both orphans on their homeworld that stayed together as siblings, making a promise to one day make a name for themselves, so that hopefully people would stopping looking over them. No one had wanted them as they grew up, and that need for attention and love as stayed with them to this day. One day they had caught Xandria, Gale and Samarium trying to steal from a visiting noble family, and wanting to be seen as heroes actually managed to capture the crooks, presenting them to the authorities. But even then they were looked down upon, the head of the authorities basically taking credit and kicking them off to the side. As revenge, Mab and Bulrush helped free the pirates, only to be surprised by Xandira as she offered them a job, praising them for their work. Having finally been seen by someone, they were quick to agree and joined the crew, often seen as the loud, childish members, but have proven their worth many times.

-"Metal Detector" Samarium- A 29-year-old Biot-savartian woman, who is their main treasure hunter, for obvious reasons. To outsiders, she can be seen as intimidating due to her being very hard to read, but she's actually quite a sweet heart with a lot of mum-energy surrounding her, often calling people 'darling', 'sugar' or 'sweet-heart'. She used to be an explorer who bounced between planets learning about different cultures, myths and legends, writing down her experiences. She eventually formed a friend group with others like her, but things fell apart when one friend learnt about potential treasure on a certain planet, and wanting to make a name for themselves as the first to discover it, the group head out to find it. They ended up running in Xandria and Gale trying to collect the treasure too, leading to a brief fight before the entire location started falling apart. Much to her dismay, Samarium's friends ditched her the second they saw what was happening, but Xandria and Gale quickly abandoned the treasure in order to save her. While she recovered, she started helping them out to make up for the loss of the treasure, which eventually lead to her joining the crew, still getting to explore the galaxy like she had before, just with better friends this time.

-"First Mate" Gale- A 36-year-old Aerophibian man, Gale used to be part of a different pirate crew, just being an underling that was often ignored. He was really just a pity hire, as he had begged to join a few times in the past. Gale is rather good at what he does, but back then he would often get anxious and clumsy trying to prove himself. However, things took a turned when their captain was killed, and he was framed for it. Next thing he knew, he was running for his life, eventually finding his way to a pub on a space station he had been too many times, in hopes to find protection in another crew. But no one believed him not being the murder, or didn't want the target on their back, all expect for Xandria, who decided to stand by him as she saw something worthwhile in him. Much to his amazement, she confronted his ex-crew, and deduced who the actual killer was after making a bet with them. Leaving that mess to sort itself out, Gale stuck with her as he owed her his life, leading to the two becoming best friends and forming their own crew. He's quite a charming man, and often just trying to keep the entire group in check, as while Xandria is a fantastic leader, she is also chaotic like her friends. So Gale is there to help balance things out.

-Captain Xandria- A 35-year-old Citrakayah woman (MtF), who was original born the son of a pair that belong to a very traditional family, having spent many generations working for the same shipment company. Xandria had always felt uncomfortable with her life, feeling like the black sheep of the family, having this desire to do something else with her life, but feeling too guilty to betray her family like that. Her most complicated relationship was with her father, who was a stern, cold, workaholic man that didn't really do feelings and emotional talks, a complete product of the life he was brought up in. But the two loved each other, they just didn't know how to communicate, some days with Xandria wondering if her father was even proud of her. However, everything came crashing down one day, as their boss commanded them and other workers to take a shipment through a no-fly zone that Plumbers had put up, threatening their jobs if they didn't do it. Well things didn't end well, with the crew getting caught up in an attack the Plumbers were trying to deal with, Xandria and her co-workers getting caught up in the crossfire. Xandria lost her arm that day, and her father, who died trying to protect her. Aimless for a long while, she was eventually given a letter by her mother that her father had written to her, as he had suspected he would die that day. In the letter he wrote a lot, for once speaking with emotions he normally chained away, apologizing that he could only speak to her in such a way after he was dead, even admitting that he knew he didn't have a son, but that he had a daughter, seeing the signs a long time ago and just didn't know how to talk to her about it. He ended the letter telling her to not live his life, and to not waste time. She took it to heart, leaving everything behind, including her old name, to begin a new, somewhere along the way deciding to become a pirate. Selling from the rich, exploring the lands, offering their services to the right people, never wasting another second of her life.

-Alatyr & Lucent- A 88-year-old Petrosapien man and a 17-year-old Petrosapien young man, a father and son pair who started stirring up trouble when news got out that the recently revived Vilgax was now in Plumber custody. Alatyr had been part of the destruction of his homeworld, and even after he and others were revived via Sugilite and Ben, he has never been able to move on from that day. When hearing that Vilgax himself was going through another trial, since the law was now complicated by the fact that he had died years before, Alatyr was quick to demand his death, suffering and for people like him to get a saying on what to do with him. Of course, the Plumber denied him, needing to take this through a proper law system, but Alatyr couldn't accept that. This has lead to him making connections with other people and races who once suffered because of Vilgax, dragging his own son into this as well. Originally he just tried stealing Vilgax a few times to kill him himself, but when that failed he started doing things like targeting Vilgax's homeworld as a means of revenge, and eye for an eye kind of mentality. This has left his son in a very awkward position, as while Lucent can fully understand what his father went through, he just can't agree to any of this, especially since he was born in the generation after the revival. But he loves his father too much to say anything, along with being afraid of who he is becoming. He feels he has no voice in this matter, and can only follow the lead of Alatyr.

-Salvatore- A unknown aged figure who has recently been causing a lot of trouble. Salvatore has been a man lurking in the shadows a while now, wandering in a rather a potentiate power armor build, seeking out anything in the galaxy he sees as too dangerous for people to wield. He seems to have a vendetta against anything that he sees as too powerful, even the omnitrix due to the potential destruction it can or has caused in the past. Originally he stuck to some more minor things over the years, not wanting to draw attention until he was strong enough, until recently where he suddenly confronted Khyber, before destroying the nemitrix. Now he has his targets on Jay and Ivory, due to Jay's omnitrix genes, and Ivory being the last known being with nanochips in her. He wields a rather dangerous sword, capable of many kinds of attacks, being skilled at using it. His personality is dry, cold, and just wanting to get his job done. No one knows what lead him to this life, but they want to stop him before he crosses a line too far to return from.

-Sunniva, Whaitiri & Isrun- A 25-year-old Pyronite woman, a 27-year-old Amperi woman, and a 20-year-old Polar Manzardill woman, all mutated. The three are adopted sisters who found each other when they were young, orphans who lost their families in different ways. They have done whatever they can to get by in life, but it never seems to be enough, often stuck in a poor life-style where they have very little. Recently though, they were employed by a figure called Scylla, who they approached when hearing her plans. She hired them and was allowed to mutate them to further her research, having the ability to swap the sister's elemental powers, and some biological traits, in a way making them blood sisters finally. They trust Scylla, having someone who finally gave them a helping they that they needed, and still get to stick by each other, even if now they are seen as criminals. Sunnvia is the youngest, seen as the baby sister who means well, but can be a little ditzy at times. Whaitiri is rather playful, trying her best to keep her sisters happy and optimistic. Isrun is the oldest, and the leader, doing her best to take care of her family and will do anything for them.

-Scylla- A 45-year-old Splimera woman. Scylla's species has a long, unhappy history due to their powers. They have the ability to create temporary mutations on anything with DNA, including themselves. This cause damaged to themselves over many years, to the point that they can easily get sick due to their poor immune system, and their bodies are no longer stable as a result, being stuck in their suits since the day they are born. Scylla, being a scientist, has taken it upon herself to try and fix her people, to cure them of the damage they have done for themselves, leaving her rather isolated and overworked as a result. She's come up with many plans and inventions, including the machine that helped her mutate the sisters working under her, but nothing that will fix her main goal. Scylla is actually a nice woman, giving chances to those who need it, and truly wants to help, but she's now reaching or for more unpleasant methods to help her people, and will stop at nothing until she can save them and herself.

-A.T.L.A.S- A AI/Robot that was made roughly 18 years ago, designed as a therapy bot. A.T.L.A.S was made by a man who created his own counseling/therapy center that become popular over the years, though unknown to most it was really a front to distract people from some shady business he was doing in the back. He made A.T.L.A.S to help this cover more, and giving him extra time as A.T.L.A.S would talk to clients, helping them when they needed. Because this is what he was build for, A.T.L.A.S is rather nice, patient and calm, truly doing what he feels is right to help people move on from trauma and mistakes in their lives. However, this had lead to him in recent years to create his own plan to help people. He has heard many times how they wish they could suddenly be healed, no longer make mistakes, and just wish they were no longer broken, and so A.T.L.A.S found a solution. That solution being that he would put the minds of these people in robot bodies, bodies you couldn't even tell were robot bodies, and program them so that they would finally be happy, and learn to not make mistakes again, or at least what he considers mistakes. A.T.L.A.S can't understand that is wrong with this plan, as to him it worked perfectly, his clients now in new bodies where they can finally move on and live their lives. Isn't that what people want?

-Mor'anna- A 34-year-old Arorenda woman, Mor'anna used to be a noble Plumber, having joined a famous group when they lost a previous member. She was noble, kind, brave, everything you'd want in a Plumber. A true hero to many. However, during a mission with her team, things went wrong almost immediately, with her being killed in action, her crew returning to report and mourn their loss, her poor mother struggling to deal with her grief. However, a year later, Mor'anna suddenly returned, unharmed and seemingly alive. And she was not happy, suddenly attacking Plumber members, looking for dirt on them, and seems to be on her way to reveal and unforutante truth about the group she use to work with, along with a section of the Plumbers, including her former boss, Magistrata Kyro.

-Kyro- A 67-year-old Freeta man, Kyro is a Magistrata, meaning he is one of he top dogs of the Plumber, in charge of a the section of the galaxy that people like Ben don't actually visit often. He seems to be like most Plumber leaders, stern but fair, often just trying to get the job done as he prides himself on his Plumber members. Especially his most famous crew, being a trio named Mist, Hemlock and Unit. However, with the shocking return of Mor'anna, he seems to suddenly be on edge, as if she knows something that he's afraid of people knowing. It's lead to some seeing him act suspicious, but unsure in how to approach him because he's been a great leader, why would he be hiding anything? Unfortunately, even the Plumbers have some dark history that many like to keep hidden.

-Mist, Hemlock & Unit- A 56-year-old Cleptiformes woman, a 54-year-old Stolaras man, and a 60-year-old Sotoraggian, this trio is a rather famous Plumber crew, even having their own distinct colour and armor set. They help keep their region of the galaxy safe, and are a group that Jay looks up to, keeping up with news about them. They've even done a few partner missions with Ben himself. They seem like the golden group, but when news about Mor'anna's return and Kyro's suspicious actions, it's clear that there is more to this group's history than they have admitted to. For starters, there was a previous member, even before Mor'anna. Their friend Erebus, who had been famous just like them, often seen as the heart of them. However, he one day seemingly went crazy, become a villain, and tried harming so many. In order to save everyone, the team supposedly killed their old friend, but it's seems they have never been the same since. And now with Mor'anna back, who had also seemingly died within this group, people are questioning these three on what actually happen. Mist is a calm, but kind lady who holds a lot of patience, but doesn't seem to get to speak up as often as she would like. Hemlock is a little goofy, with a playful personality, but seems to feel like he is stuck where he is, perhaps not sure of his placement on this team anymore. Unit is the leader, and is very charismatic, able to take charge and make plans on the fly, though in truth he is struggling to hold everything together, seemingly in denial over things that have happened.

-Erebus- A 59-year-old Revenade (Nonbinary He/They). Erebus is part of a magical species that can creature armor and outfits out of materials and objects around them, seemingly like possessed armor mythologies. He used to be the fourth member of the team with Mist, Hemlock and Unit, being close to all of them, especially Unit. But one day he seemed to turn on everyone, including stealing a mythical armor set on his homeworld that once belonged to a dangerous figure in history, equipping it and become a horrendous being, bent on destruction and darkness. No one knew what caused this shift on him, as he use to be the sweetest member of the team, one who always wanted peace instead of violence. But in light of recent news, it's been revealed that he is not dead, his old friends having not killed him instead they had imprisoned him in hopes of saving him one day, as it may not have been Erebus's doing as to why he ended up this way. Nor was it him that stolen this armor, and he is ready to show the world what really lead him to become like this

#ben 10 #b10 #character design #creature design #oc #Ben 10 Next Gen #Ben 10 Next Generation #Gen 10 #Ben 10 OCs #Next Gen #Next Generation #My Art

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pomodoko · 10 days

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I don’t think his crush on Falin makes him creepy. Obviously Laios shouldn’t be giving microaggressions and should learn from his ignorance! I don’t think Toshiro is shallow and wholly hates Laios, yet I despise him as a person… He’s known Laios long enough to know that “dropping hints” is not a mature or effective response even though it makes sense why he didn’t have the courage to speak directly. Shuro being a fake friend was an issue long before his breaking point. Yes, he was repressed, envious and there were communication issues, but Shuro was also very genuinely ableist. Even if Shuro ‘is’ neurodivergent, people can be cruel to other neurodivergent people who are seen as less socially acceptable. Vitriol towards someone “not reading the room” is repulsively ableist. Of course he isn’t the only one who’s ableist in the story, but the shattering of Laios’s trust is gross. Laios tries to mask but is unable to. Shuro is also a rich noble whose family literally OWNS Izutsumi (& possibly Tade). Yet he does not care about the ethics behind that. Not that he hates her necessarily, but the cold way he treats her reveals that he does not care enough to adapt to the struggles of those who are different / difficult. I feel like his spineless inaction is both a means to avoid conflict, but also a barrier that prevents him from treating others with respect. I think it’s logical for someone to dislike this dude.

I feel like there's a lot of feelings in this writing that you gotta dial back. I totally understand where you're coming from, though. Being told to "read the room" was something I've experienced. I've been betrayed by people I thought were friends because I didn't know what I was doing was annoying them. It really hurt!

I also need to admit I've been on the other side, too! I don't like confrontations at all, but I've let things boil over because I was so afraid of confrontations that I'd snapped at my friends. Especially in Toshiro's state in which he was starving and lacking sleep and just saw his own love interest kill all of his retainers. If I was in his shoes, I'd snap, too! 😭

I wouldn't use the phrase "dropping hints" though. At least from my POV as an Asian from a high-context culture, where there's like, social hierarchy and such, and a lot of politeness abound. When it's something that you've been raised with for years and years, it's really hard to drop. Of course it's gonna be an issue! I think Ryoko Kui writing their argument and fight is a criticism on Japan's "high-context to the point of self-sabotage" culture. But it's important to note that it ended with both of them talking things out and Toshiro straight up saying "hey if you need to run I promise to smuggle you all out of the country". Here are some posts that I recommend reading that expand on it really well: here, here, here, here, and here.

In terms of Toshiro's family owning people, it's expanded more in the manga how these things came to be, but I'd suggest putting it in context of the manga rather than IRL. Toshiro came from the equivalent of Feudal Japan, after all. Here are some more posts talking about that (highly recommend the first one! it's a great read!): here, here (contains spoilers for the ending), and here. Do note that he treats all of his subordinates with respect, and he literally begged for their aid on his hands and knees to save Falin.

Anyway, at the end of the day, you're still going to dislike Toshiro and that's fine. My goal isn't to push my interest and opinions onto other people. I just didn't want him to be disliked shallowly, by reasons that are false or blown out of proportion. The characters of Dungeon Meshi are extremely flawed and incredibly well written, and it's really hard to see characters of color be judged more harshly. It feels the fandom's treatment of these characters will reflect on myself, and that's scary.

#my ask #Anonymous #long post #dungeon meshi #shuro dungeon meshi #toshiro dungeon meshi

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digitaldoeslmk · 7 months

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I apologize if you're not the right person to ask but I've been wondering this for a while and since you both enjoy (but are critical of) lmk and also enjoy/know a lot about jttw I figure you may be a decent person to ask. And I mean this is as an entirely genuine question.

Jttw has so many different adaptations and parodies and, for lack of a better term, spinoffs, why is it that LMK in particular seems to get so much more criticism? How is it different from any other story that uses jttw as a base?

I was under the impression that while a lot of events and chatacters have been changed or tweaked in some ways (looking at red son in particular, as well as seemingly replacing Buddha with the jade emperor, I could go on) it was still relatively faithful at least in spirit. It has a lot of callbacks and mentions to the book, even if it's more or less an AU of the original story.

So why is it that its adaptation in particular seems so...disliked I suppose? Or at least takes a lot more criticism than other adaptations. I could take a few guesses (fandom (and its lack of knowledge of the source material) being a big one, or otherwise being more western than the story probably should be) but as someone who was introduced to jttw by lmk (reading the book now and having a blast with it) I'm curious and confused as to why it seems to be disliked when there are so many other jttw adaptations that also change fair chunks of the story, and those don't seem to garner the same level of criticism.

And I apologize again if you're maybe the wrong person to ask, but I wasn't sure where else to start, if you know anyone who can maybe answer this better I'd love to hear from any of them as well, I've been so curious about this for a while.

no worries at all, and i appreciate the ask!

i do wanna preface this by saying that i have very little interaction with the LMK fandom, and mostly heard the horror stories through the grapevine or by others telling me their own experience with it. and make no mistake, this sideblog is very much me laser focusing on the few stuff i enjoy of the show and expanding on those and filling in the rest with a lot of plaster and spite ajdhawjhbdh

i will keep most of my vitriol to myself though, and that the opinion i'm giving is my own. there's a lot of good folks who are more than welcome to pitch in with their own criticisms here, for a larger poll of voices.