love blindly and freely

[esoteric--lover]

18 • she/her • fic writer and reader

just a sideblog to share some love with writers of any fandoms im interested in! fic rec lists are in the works but i also reblog most things i enjoy with some commentary in the tags.

asks and dms are open for fic recs or just yapping!

please mind any mdni tags!

Love and Deepspace Fic Rec Masterlist

[esoteric--lover]

Love and Deepspace Fic Rec Masterlist

with my commentary :) (i fear it is very easy to tell what i like)

will continue to be updated • please mind any mdni tags!

feel free to recommend any fics to be added! (asks and dms are open!) and please let me know if any links don’t work.

I tried really hard to find a good variety of fics from a lot of authors, but putting together a fic rec list is kind of difficult. There are so many treasures I missed, so please don’t take it to heart if your fic did not get mentioned, and feel free to even recommend it be added!

STARRING: XAVIER SHEN

Sleep Well, Little Star | @loveanddeephistory

As someone who took a minute to warm up to Xavier, this firmly got me in the boat and helped me understand a lot of his characterization, especially because it’s so expertly done. I think the approach to the self aware trope is so incredibly interesting here that I’ve already re-read it a couple times. I absolutely love this fic and really consider this to be the fic that got me obsessed with Xavier.

Random Xavier Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

I think these bring some adorable and hilarious points of view on Xavier that might not seem obvious at first but are so true. Prepare to see xaviersbunny a few more times lol, her random headcanons are perfectly in character and I couldn’t leave them out.

Paper Rings (and All My Dreams) | @starryeyed-knight

The sentimental side of Xavier is one I think we don’t get to see very often, and I cannot express how much I love it whenever I get a glimpse. There’s something so intimate about this fic, it truly feels like a secret whispered between lovers.

Thrown to the Wolves | @xinghuisknight

This hurts in the best way possible. Each line in this fic is so beautifully written, it’s impossible to pick out a favorite quote. Everything about this is just masterfully done, and the emotions are so raw and real. It’s absolutely delicious.

Into the Sun | @starkissedxav

Xavier has such a subtle kind of care that I absolutely love to see. He’s so attentive and observant, and this fic makes sure that that aspect shines through. This fic is so wonderfully soft, it feels like a warm hug with every sentence. It holds a good reminder that although things may get heavy, there’s always someone to help lighten the load.

STARRING: ZAYNE LI

To Come Home | @mythblossoms

So domestic and sweet, this is what Zayne truly deserves. I love the way this fic is written, the subtle care and love feels like it’s woven into each sentence.

Random Zayne Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

These made me laugh so hard and manage to show some (albeit minor) faults in the typically picture-perfect Doctor Zayne. I love seeing different sides of him in these headcanons that aren’t front and center in a lot of the in-game cards.

Love Beyond the Game | @pawpurrin

I really love the self aware turned reverse isekai perspective of this fic, and it really kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved seeing the slow build of the relationship and all the comforting domesticity. The sad ending is so beautifully heartbreaking, and the happy ending is just perfectly warm, I love them both.

Learned by Heart | @deepspacenova

Zayne and his way of loving is captured beautifully here. I live for the domesticity of their love. And his little nerdy side is absolutely adorable (as expected lol). This is certain to make anyone fall in love with him, whether they’re a Zayne main or not.

More than Macarons | @miscellaneous-misty

Zayne is so pathetically in love in this fic, it’s absolutely adorable. Seeing him so unguarded is so much fun, it’s almost as if he’s letting out his inner child that’s never gotten a chance to shine. Even our most stoic doctor deserves a moment of relief <3

Two Halves of a Whole | @snowypi

What can I say, I love the yearning. And this fic might just be the personification of it. Seeing Zayne so (quite honestly) pathetically in love is so heartwarming. This sort of innocent love is hard to come by in the aptly-called Love and Depression, but seeing it here feels so natural. It’s just like a warm embrace.

My Love Mine All Mine | @zaynezone

This almost made me cry. The descriptions of the aftermath of a nightmare were perfect, and Zayne’s comfort was absolutely wonderful. I love seeing his authoritative care throughout, and the his comments about alternate universes really stuck with me. I just love this piece so much.

STARRING: RAFAYEL QI

Masks | @dissociativewriter

There are so many metaphors woven throughout this fic that I absolutely love seeing built upon as it continues. The use of masks to show Rafayel’s struggle to be himself felt so real and the depictions of depression felt so real. This is just such an interesting read that I’ve come back to read a few times.

Vlogger!Rafayel Tries to Survive a Week Without You | @jellyelle

The progression on this is absolutely perfect, it makes this fic such an entertaining read. I love Rafayel slowly descend into that pathetic loverboy who misses his cutie. A perfect amount of dramatization and realness combine to make a perfect characterization.

Precipices | @starryeyed-knight

There’s so much yearning in this fic and I love it so much. Abysswalker!Rafayel is such an interesting character, and being able to see through his nonchalant mask is wonderful. Combine that with beautiful prose, and this fic is just absolutely amazing.

His Hands, Your Sculptor | @soursugarbomb

This fic is just so beautifully poetic. It’s a wonderful examination of Rafayel’s character and the way he loves. His need to have this love last without slipping through his hands is heartbreaking, and the entire fic is just gorgeous. In my opinion, it’s a must-read.

Random Rafayel Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

These are sure to bring a laugh while also being so true to his character. There’s a unique perspective on Rafayel here that I think isn’t seen very often but is so so correct. I think this really shows that chaotic nature of his personality, and the vulnerability hiding not far beneath the surface.

Eye of the Beholder | @dissociativewriter

I really love the perspective on art and beauty here and I think it correctly shows how Rafayel would view it as well. It’s an unexpectedly comforting read with a lot of beauty to be found in such a short fic.

Submerged Devotion | @acaffeinated-constellation

Seeing it go from self aware to reverse-isekai is soooo cool. Lemurian Sea God Rafayel is so beautiful and terrifying to see, and I love the way he appears in this fic. Throughout this entire series, there is such creativity flowing through it that keeps me intrigued and on my toes.

Paparazzi and Parasols | @hirayalia

It’s just so cute to see Rafayel get flustered (I love his little blush!) but I really love the relationship dynamic they have going on here. I don’t see the bodyguard role come into play a lot in fics, and I love seeing it here. Plus Rafayel is so perfectly dramatic, this is just an adorably entertaining read all around.

STARRING: SYLUS QIN

Relentless Conqueror | @dragondelulu

This really captures the strategist part of Sylus’s character, and it perfectly meshes with the softness he holds for his love. Seeing him quickly adapting to life in a new world is so interesting to see, this fic is just perfect.

CEO!Sylus x Secretary!Reader | @souliloqui

Hilariously combining the Y/N & CEO trend with a delusion Y/N makes this one of the funniest fics I’ve read. Even through that humor, there are moments of vulnerability in the series that I love getting glimpses of, however brief. This is a spectacular read all around.

Crow Family Shenanigans | @dissociativewriter

Luke and Kieran as six year olds is something I didn’t know I needed, and yet I’m obsessed. Quiet family life with Sylus is absolutely adorable, and seeing him navigate the possibility of a new relationship even with his trust issues and desire to protect his sons is so interesting and wonderful to see.

Sylus’s Little Twins | @abyssyby

Urs gives Sylus the soft epilogue he truly deserves, and Lucian and Kyros are so insanely adorable, I can’t take it. Managing to make everything so intimate and yet silly is truly a gift, and this is a must-read for anyone, Sylus main or not.

Until You Are Ready | @atzeroo

Sylus’s insistence that his partner recognize their worth is displayed beautifully here, and in a way that is sure to comfort the reader as well. Though it nearly made me cry, this is a fic I’ve reread again and again due to the quiet beauty of it.

To Call | @terriblesoup

Seeing Sylus’s reaction to someone finally trusting him with their vulnerability is somewhat heartbreaking, and yet beautiful at the same time. I love this fic and I think it truly shows Sylus’s tendency to take care of those close to him, it’s all just so so sweet.

The Choices We Make | @thechaoticarchivist

I, unfortunately, have not yet read nearly as much of this series as I would have liked to. However, from the very beginning, it becomes so clear why everyone who reads this fic so highly recommends it. Masterful writing and an intriguing plot line make this an absolutely wonderful read. :)

Doomed | @dissociativewriter

Though some of the gore may be a bit difficult to get through, the raw devotion of this fic is beautiful. It nearly made me cry but it’s so worth it. Poetic throughout, the yearning and heartache makes this a wonderful read.

Sweetness | @terriblesoup

I really love quiet comfort with Sylus, and this fic might just be the personification of that. He always gives his lover the space to be themselves, and this really shows his need to have them come to him first. I think everyone needs an understanding like what Sylus gives here.

Oceans | @blessdunrest-deactivated2026042

Don’t worry, the link still works even though blessdunrest deactivated (I made sure it was a reblog lol). A wonderful snowcrow fic that puts Sylus’s insecurities at the forefront. I love the way it addresses his hesitance and blessdunrest always writes the most beautiful fics.

Random Sylus Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

To me these really let Sylus’s softer side shine through. Giggling at kids movies and being so willing to dote on his lover, it all just makes him seem more endearing. These headcanons seem nothing like the intimidating persona he often puts on, and yet they’re so in-character at the same time.

STARRING: CALEB XIA

Echo | @mythblossoms

This is such a beautifully crafted story. The depression is so real and viscerally depicted, and (without spoiling lol) the feeling that something is wrong follows you through the entire fic. It’s just expertly written and a wonderful read that had my head spinning.

His Hands, Your Gravity | @soursugarbomb

This is so gorgeously written that it honestly hurts. The way Caleb revolves around you, and the way you revolve around him in your own little universe is so beautiful. It’s just beautifully written, I’m afraid I’m at a loss for words.

Random Caleb Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

This really emphasizes Caleb’s different facets, although his habit of not taking care of himself is a moment of heartbreak in the midst of funny headcanons. Either way, Kenn once again nails characterization with some funnier perspectives.

Forget Me Not | @lowkeylaufeysons

Caleb is so disgustingly adorable in this and I am here for it. Seeing him have a naive sort of innocence, however brief, is absolutely wonderful. This is so sweet, seriously.

Making Up After a Fight | @starryeyed-knight

The aftermath of a fight always holds an interesting air, especially with such an intense character as Caleb. His devotion shines through, but even more so is his desperate reliance on MC. A wonderful hurt/comfort dynamic that I think sheds a lot of light on Caleb’s character.

Text Me Back When You Get Home | @someonestopsoren

This hurts so much. The grief, the feeling that something is missing, the regret is all beautifully written. I really enjoy any fics that show MC grieving Caleb, and the loss is so fresh in this fic that each feeling seems so real, like it’s happening to me.

Figured You Out | @deepspacenova

There’s something terrifying about this fic in a way that’s uniquely Caleb. His yandere tendencies dictate such a huge part of his character, and I think this fic expertly puts them front and center. It’s so interesting to read and really kept me on the edge of my seat.

Rely on Me | @mrsqins

I think this perfectly portrays the friction in Caleb and MC’s relationship after his return, as well as Caleb’s desperation to have her rely on him. Every reaction felt raw and real, and the shift from reliance to independence is so interesting to see.

MULTI

Meet Cute Scenarios | @chronosdawn

Each scenario is so cute (as the title suggests) it makes my heart hurt. Each interaction is so different and yet perfectly fits the kind of relationship I think each Love Interest would encourage. It seems like a view into a much softer world than that of the Love and Deepspace universe, and one I would definitely recommend.

Soulmates?! | @starkissedxav

This is absolutely adorable. Little glimpses of vulnerability combined with some flustered-ness makes this so sickeningly sweet. And there are some beautiful lines in here to boot. Just a wonderful read all around.

LADS Men Read Thirst Tweets | @jellyelle

This is so incredibly funny, I love it so much. Zayne misunderstanding everything is hilarious, Rafayel consistently mentioning his bodyguard is so evil of him, Sylus living up to his grandpa nickname is perfect, Xavier being so naive is adorable, and Caleb just feeding into everything is so mischievous. This is just so perfect, I love it.

Falling For You | @heartofafiend

To me, this really is a great examination on how the Love Interests love and what they tend to focus on. Each of them have a tendency to almost worship their significant other, and this fic picks apart how they would go about that. Plus it’s so, so sweet.

Oh, You’re a Disaster, Aren’t You? | @xxfrozenpearlsxx

I think this fic really shows each Love Interest’s desire to take care of their lover and the different ways they go about it. The comfort and subtle authority is just so perfectly in character, I found this to be a wonderfully heartwarming read.

Unnatural Affinity | @dissociativewriter

This is a perspective on isekai that I don’t see very often. I love the feelings of dissociation littered throughout and it truly keeps you on your toes. Heartbreaking at times and comforting in another, this is definitely a unique read that I keep coming back to.

At the Beach | @lunarify

Pure fluff that I think shows the kind of softness the Love Interests deserve in a relationship. I absolutely love seeing them away from the stress and pressure of their normal lives, and what better way to decompress than a day at the beach with their lover? ;)

Thunder Muffin | @gardenialily

This has to be the funniest Love and Deepspace fic I’ve read. The dynamics of each Love Interest combine beautifully here into a dramatically funny AU that I can’t wait to see more of.

What Will Happen to the LADS Men When You Finally Choose? | @snowypi

This is a difficult read, but it is so viscerally true. Each reaction feels so in character and the pain feels so real. I hate that they can’t all be chosen, but I guess that’s just how the story goes. I love seeing this interpretation of their characters. It’s the truth, no matter how bitter it tastes.

[esoteric--lover]

feel free to send any fics you think should be added via dms or asks! please include either a direct link or the fic title and author!

[esoteric--lover]

Love and Deepspace Fic Rec Masterlist

with my commentary :) (i fear it is very easy to tell what i like)

will continue to be updated • please mind any mdni tags!

feel free to recommend any fics to be added! (asks and dms are open!) and please let me know if any links don’t work.

I tried really hard to find a good variety of fics from a lot of authors, but putting together a fic rec list is kind of difficult. There are so many treasures I missed, so please don’t take it to heart if your fic did not get mentioned, and feel free to even recommend it be added!

STARRING: XAVIER SHEN

Sleep Well, Little Star | @loveanddeephistory

As someone who took a minute to warm up to Xavier, this firmly got me in the boat and helped me understand a lot of his characterization, especially because it’s so expertly done. I think the approach to the self aware trope is so incredibly interesting here that I’ve already re-read it a couple times. I absolutely love this fic and really consider this to be the fic that got me obsessed with Xavier.

Random Xavier Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

I think these bring some adorable and hilarious points of view on Xavier that might not seem obvious at first but are so true. Prepare to see xaviersbunny a few more times lol, her random headcanons are perfectly in character and I couldn’t leave them out.

Paper Rings (and All My Dreams) | @starryeyed-knight

The sentimental side of Xavier is one I think we don’t get to see very often, and I cannot express how much I love it whenever I get a glimpse. There’s something so intimate about this fic, it truly feels like a secret whispered between lovers.

Thrown to the Wolves | @xinghuisknight

This hurts in the best way possible. Each line in this fic is so beautifully written, it’s impossible to pick out a favorite quote. Everything about this is just masterfully done, and the emotions are so raw and real. It’s absolutely delicious.

Into the Sun | @starkissedxav

Xavier has such a subtle kind of care that I absolutely love to see. He’s so attentive and observant, and this fic makes sure that that aspect shines through. This fic is so wonderfully soft, it feels like a warm hug with every sentence. It holds a good reminder that although things may get heavy, there’s always someone to help lighten the load.

STARRING: ZAYNE LI

To Come Home | @mythblossoms

So domestic and sweet, this is what Zayne truly deserves. I love the way this fic is written, the subtle care and love feels like it’s woven into each sentence.

Random Zayne Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

These made me laugh so hard and manage to show some (albeit minor) faults in the typically picture-perfect Doctor Zayne. I love seeing different sides of him in these headcanons that aren’t front and center in a lot of the in-game cards.

Love Beyond the Game | @pawpurrin

I really love the self aware turned reverse isekai perspective of this fic, and it really kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved seeing the slow build of the relationship and all the comforting domesticity. The sad ending is so beautifully heartbreaking, and the happy ending is just perfectly warm, I love them both.

Learned by Heart | @deepspacenova

Zayne and his way of loving is captured beautifully here. I live for the domesticity of their love. And his little nerdy side is absolutely adorable (as expected lol). This is certain to make anyone fall in love with him, whether they’re a Zayne main or not.

More than Macarons | @miscellaneous-misty

Zayne is so pathetically in love in this fic, it’s absolutely adorable. Seeing him so unguarded is so much fun, it’s almost as if he’s letting out his inner child that’s never gotten a chance to shine. Even our most stoic doctor deserves a moment of relief <3

Two Halves of a Whole | @snowypi

What can I say, I love the yearning. And this fic might just be the personification of it. Seeing Zayne so (quite honestly) pathetically in love is so heartwarming. This sort of innocent love is hard to come by in the aptly-called Love and Depression, but seeing it here feels so natural. It’s just like a warm embrace.

My Love Mine All Mine | @zaynezone

This almost made me cry. The descriptions of the aftermath of a nightmare were perfect, and Zayne’s comfort was absolutely wonderful. I love seeing his authoritative care throughout, and the his comments about alternate universes really stuck with me. I just love this piece so much.

STARRING: RAFAYEL QI

Masks | @dissociativewriter

There are so many metaphors woven throughout this fic that I absolutely love seeing built upon as it continues. The use of masks to show Rafayel’s struggle to be himself felt so real and the depictions of depression felt so real. This is just such an interesting read that I’ve come back to read a few times.

Vlogger!Rafayel Tries to Survive a Week Without You | @jellyelle

The progression on this is absolutely perfect, it makes this fic such an entertaining read. I love Rafayel slowly descend into that pathetic loverboy who misses his cutie. A perfect amount of dramatization and realness combine to make a perfect characterization.

Precipices | @starryeyed-knight

There’s so much yearning in this fic and I love it so much. Abysswalker!Rafayel is such an interesting character, and being able to see through his nonchalant mask is wonderful. Combine that with beautiful prose, and this fic is just absolutely amazing.

His Hands, Your Sculptor | @soursugarbomb

This fic is just so beautifully poetic. It’s a wonderful examination of Rafayel’s character and the way he loves. His need to have this love last without slipping through his hands is heartbreaking, and the entire fic is just gorgeous. In my opinion, it’s a must-read.

Random Rafayel Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

These are sure to bring a laugh while also being so true to his character. There’s a unique perspective on Rafayel here that I think isn’t seen very often but is so so correct. I think this really shows that chaotic nature of his personality, and the vulnerability hiding not far beneath the surface.

Eye of the Beholder | @dissociativewriter

I really love the perspective on art and beauty here and I think it correctly shows how Rafayel would view it as well. It’s an unexpectedly comforting read with a lot of beauty to be found in such a short fic.

Submerged Devotion | @acaffeinated-constellation

Seeing it go from self aware to reverse-isekai is soooo cool. Lemurian Sea God Rafayel is so beautiful and terrifying to see, and I love the way he appears in this fic. Throughout this entire series, there is such creativity flowing through it that keeps me intrigued and on my toes.

Paparazzi and Parasols | @hirayalia

It’s just so cute to see Rafayel get flustered (I love his little blush!) but I really love the relationship dynamic they have going on here. I don’t see the bodyguard role come into play a lot in fics, and I love seeing it here. Plus Rafayel is so perfectly dramatic, this is just an adorably entertaining read all around.

STARRING: SYLUS QIN

Relentless Conqueror | @dragondelulu

This really captures the strategist part of Sylus’s character, and it perfectly meshes with the softness he holds for his love. Seeing him quickly adapting to life in a new world is so interesting to see, this fic is just perfect.

CEO!Sylus x Secretary!Reader | @souliloqui

Hilariously combining the Y/N & CEO trend with a delusion Y/N makes this one of the funniest fics I’ve read. Even through that humor, there are moments of vulnerability in the series that I love getting glimpses of, however brief. This is a spectacular read all around.

Crow Family Shenanigans | @dissociativewriter

Luke and Kieran as six year olds is something I didn’t know I needed, and yet I’m obsessed. Quiet family life with Sylus is absolutely adorable, and seeing him navigate the possibility of a new relationship even with his trust issues and desire to protect his sons is so interesting and wonderful to see.

Sylus’s Little Twins | @abyssyby

Urs gives Sylus the soft epilogue he truly deserves, and Lucian and Kyros are so insanely adorable, I can’t take it. Managing to make everything so intimate and yet silly is truly a gift, and this is a must-read for anyone, Sylus main or not.

Until You Are Ready | @atzeroo

Sylus’s insistence that his partner recognize their worth is displayed beautifully here, and in a way that is sure to comfort the reader as well. Though it nearly made me cry, this is a fic I’ve reread again and again due to the quiet beauty of it.

To Call | @terriblesoup

Seeing Sylus’s reaction to someone finally trusting him with their vulnerability is somewhat heartbreaking, and yet beautiful at the same time. I love this fic and I think it truly shows Sylus’s tendency to take care of those close to him, it’s all just so so sweet.

The Choices We Make | @thechaoticarchivist

I, unfortunately, have not yet read nearly as much of this series as I would have liked to. However, from the very beginning, it becomes so clear why everyone who reads this fic so highly recommends it. Masterful writing and an intriguing plot line make this an absolutely wonderful read. :)

Doomed | @dissociativewriter

Though some of the gore may be a bit difficult to get through, the raw devotion of this fic is beautiful. It nearly made me cry but it’s so worth it. Poetic throughout, the yearning and heartache makes this a wonderful read.

Sweetness | @terriblesoup

I really love quiet comfort with Sylus, and this fic might just be the personification of that. He always gives his lover the space to be themselves, and this really shows his need to have them come to him first. I think everyone needs an understanding like what Sylus gives here.

Oceans | @blessdunrest-deactivated2026042

Don’t worry, the link still works even though blessdunrest deactivated (I made sure it was a reblog lol). A wonderful snowcrow fic that puts Sylus’s insecurities at the forefront. I love the way it addresses his hesitance and blessdunrest always writes the most beautiful fics.

Random Sylus Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

To me these really let Sylus’s softer side shine through. Giggling at kids movies and being so willing to dote on his lover, it all just makes him seem more endearing. These headcanons seem nothing like the intimidating persona he often puts on, and yet they’re so in-character at the same time.

STARRING: CALEB XIA

Echo | @mythblossoms

This is such a beautifully crafted story. The depression is so real and viscerally depicted, and (without spoiling lol) the feeling that something is wrong follows you through the entire fic. It’s just expertly written and a wonderful read that had my head spinning.

His Hands, Your Gravity | @soursugarbomb

This is so gorgeously written that it honestly hurts. The way Caleb revolves around you, and the way you revolve around him in your own little universe is so beautiful. It’s just beautifully written, I’m afraid I’m at a loss for words.

Random Caleb Headcanons | @xaviersbunny

This really emphasizes Caleb’s different facets, although his habit of not taking care of himself is a moment of heartbreak in the midst of funny headcanons. Either way, Kenn once again nails characterization with some funnier perspectives.

Forget Me Not | @lowkeylaufeysons

Caleb is so disgustingly adorable in this and I am here for it. Seeing him have a naive sort of innocence, however brief, is absolutely wonderful. This is so sweet, seriously.

Making Up After a Fight | @starryeyed-knight

The aftermath of a fight always holds an interesting air, especially with such an intense character as Caleb. His devotion shines through, but even more so is his desperate reliance on MC. A wonderful hurt/comfort dynamic that I think sheds a lot of light on Caleb’s character.

Text Me Back When You Get Home | @someonestopsoren

This hurts so much. The grief, the feeling that something is missing, the regret is all beautifully written. I really enjoy any fics that show MC grieving Caleb, and the loss is so fresh in this fic that each feeling seems so real, like it’s happening to me.

Figured You Out | @deepspacenova

There’s something terrifying about this fic in a way that’s uniquely Caleb. His yandere tendencies dictate such a huge part of his character, and I think this fic expertly puts them front and center. It’s so interesting to read and really kept me on the edge of my seat.

Rely on Me | @mrsqins

I think this perfectly portrays the friction in Caleb and MC’s relationship after his return, as well as Caleb’s desperation to have her rely on him. Every reaction felt raw and real, and the shift from reliance to independence is so interesting to see.

MULTI

Meet Cute Scenarios | @chronosdawn

Each scenario is so cute (as the title suggests) it makes my heart hurt. Each interaction is so different and yet perfectly fits the kind of relationship I think each Love Interest would encourage. It seems like a view into a much softer world than that of the Love and Deepspace universe, and one I would definitely recommend.

Soulmates?! | @starkissedxav

This is absolutely adorable. Little glimpses of vulnerability combined with some flustered-ness makes this so sickeningly sweet. And there are some beautiful lines in here to boot. Just a wonderful read all around.

LADS Men Read Thirst Tweets | @jellyelle

This is so incredibly funny, I love it so much. Zayne misunderstanding everything is hilarious, Rafayel consistently mentioning his bodyguard is so evil of him, Sylus living up to his grandpa nickname is perfect, Xavier being so naive is adorable, and Caleb just feeding into everything is so mischievous. This is just so perfect, I love it.

Falling For You | @heartofafiend

To me, this really is a great examination on how the Love Interests love and what they tend to focus on. Each of them have a tendency to almost worship their significant other, and this fic picks apart how they would go about that. Plus it’s so, so sweet.

Oh, You’re a Disaster, Aren’t You? | @xxfrozenpearlsxx

I think this fic really shows each Love Interest’s desire to take care of their lover and the different ways they go about it. The comfort and subtle authority is just so perfectly in character, I found this to be a wonderfully heartwarming read.

Unnatural Affinity | @dissociativewriter

This is a perspective on isekai that I don’t see very often. I love the feelings of dissociation littered throughout and it truly keeps you on your toes. Heartbreaking at times and comforting in another, this is definitely a unique read that I keep coming back to.

At the Beach | @lunarify

Pure fluff that I think shows the kind of softness the Love Interests deserve in a relationship. I absolutely love seeing them away from the stress and pressure of their normal lives, and what better way to decompress than a day at the beach with their lover? ;)

Thunder Muffin | @gardenialily

This has to be the funniest Love and Deepspace fic I’ve read. The dynamics of each Love Interest combine beautifully here into a dramatically funny AU that I can’t wait to see more of.

What Will Happen to the LADS Men When You Finally Choose? | @snowypi

This is a difficult read, but it is so viscerally true. Each reaction feels so in character and the pain feels so real. I hate that they can’t all be chosen, but I guess that’s just how the story goes. I love seeing this interpretation of their characters. It’s the truth, no matter how bitter it tastes.

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to become friends

Here a some ways on how your characters could become/could've become friends.

"School & Childhood" Friends

Sitting next to each other on the first day of class

Being assigned as lab/project partners

Having the same teacher and complaining together

Sharing school supplies

Being the only two people who don’t know anyone

Riding the same school bus

Getting seated alphabetically near each other every year

Being in detention together

Letting the other cheat off of them

One person defending the other from bullying

Meeting at recess or on the playground

Competing on the same academic team

Being roommates in college

Always sitting next to each other in the library

Staying up late talking in the dorms

Helping each other study before exams

Meeting during orientation week

"Family Connections" Friends

Their mothers/fathers being friends

Being cousins close in age

Growing up as neighbors

Family friends who vacation together

Parents arranging playdates

Siblings introducing them

One family helping another during hard times

Their families attending the same religious or community events

Becoming friends because their kids are friends

Meeting at weddings or family reunions

Dating each others' siblings

"Neighborhood & Everyday Life" Friends

Living in the same apartment building

Seeing each other walking dogs every day

Sharing a fence/backyard

Helping shovel snow or carry groceries

Meeting at a local park regularly

Frequenting the same café

Running into each other during morning commutes

One person helping after a car breakdown

Being regulars at the same store

Sharing a laundry room in their apartment building

"Work & Professional Life" Friends

Starting work on the same day

Complaining about the boss together

Working late on the same project

Covering shifts for each other

Sitting beside each other in the office

Traveling together for work

Bonding during training sessions

Accidentally getting trapped in endless meetings together

One mentoring the other

Quitting the same toxic workplace

"Shared Interests" Friends

Joining the same sports team

Playing in the same band

Meeting in an online game

Joining the same fandom

Taking the same art/music/dance classes

Going to the same gym

Meeting through cosplay or conventions

Attending book clubs

Participating in hobby communities

Posting in the same niche online forum

Volunteering for the same cause

Meeting in a run club

Following each other online

"Through Other Friends" Friends

“You two would get along”

Becoming the last two awake at a party

Mutual friends inviting both people repeatedly

Being added to the same group chat

Becoming friends after a breakup divides the friend group

One friend “adopting” the quieter person

Meeting through double dates

Their two friend groups mixing with each other when two people start dating

Becoming roommates through mutuals

"Random Coincidences" Friends

Missing the same train

Being stranded somewhere together

Wearing the same outfit or shirt

Reaching for the same book in a library

Accidentally texting the wrong number

Dancing next to each other at a concert

Sitting together in the airport during a delayed flight

Sitting next to each other on the train/plane

Getting stuck in an elevator with each other

Meeting on holiday together

One person dropping something and the other helping

Surviving an embarrassing moment together

Laughing at the same thing no one else noticed

"Funny & Unexpected Situation" Friends

Mistaken identity leading to conversation

Fighting first and later becoming close

One stealing the other’s seat

A shared hatred of the same person

Both pretending to understand something they don’t

Meeting because of a lost pet

Becoming friends after a minor car accident

One person overhearing the other say something unhinged and agreeing

Meeting through a heated conversation in a comment section

Accidentally attending the wrong event together

Competing against each other and gaining each other's respect

More: Friendship Masterpost (Prompts & Advice)

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! 🥰

[esoteric--lover]

i really want to lock in and post this fic rec list soon, but idk if ill be able to bc i need to sleep soon :(

[sayuupi]

A little bear 🐻

[esoteric--lover]

“I should shoot you for running away.”

“How about kissing me for coming back?”

as a ship dynamic

[catchymemes]

MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE MANIFESTING A GOOD JUNE

[esoteric--lover]

lowkey im missing a lot of zayne and caleb on my lads fic rec list so please give me some recommendations!!

(tbh i need more of everyone lol)

[esoteric--lover]

hello! i’m currently working on a love and deepspace fic rec masterlist to spread some love with authors so please feel free to share any fics you think should be on the list! ill be checking my dms, asks, and comments! please include either a direct link or the title and author :D

[esoteric--lover]

If you add 3 sentences to your work in progress and show me, I will add 4 sentences to my work in progress and show you.

deal :D

[poorwhayfairingstranger]

If you don't mind me asking, what app do you use for your writing? The Pink looks like it would be gentle on your eyes when you're typing. And I've been Having some troubles with eye strain lately.

[esoteric--lover]

I use ellipsus! They have a lot of different color themes you can pick that I think are very nice and gentle on the eyes, but rn im using the True Valentine :)

[esoteric--lover]

If you add 3 sentences to your work in progress and show me, I will add 4 sentences to my work in progress and show you.

deal :D

[dissociativewriter]

MASKS

though you drown in good intentions, you will never quench the fire

2150 words

rafayel introspective piece, no x reader/mc but it is slightly implied at the end, self destructive behavior, raf wants to tear his skin off, implied violence, depictions of depression, crying, almost hallucinations?, something close to imposter syndrome, everything is a metaphor, raffy needs a hug, loosely based on the stranger by billy joel

taglist: @awionetka @forbidden-sunlight @apainintheasgardiansoul @thechaoticarchivist @orbitraiden @sleepykittyenergy @coffeedragonhobbyist @plzdonutpercieveme @angelkazusstuff @lamogliedizayne @cordidy @iridescentshine @glitterykingdomangel @kingraspberry12-blog @m00nkissedlover

The alarm rang sharply at eight in the morning. Rafayel rolled over, trying to escape the sunlight that seemed to chase him. Always watching. Always taunting.

When the alarm rang out again, Rafayel groaned. He rolled out of bed numbly, not bothering with the blanket that fell at his feet with each step. It tangled in his legs like a fisherman's net. Tight, suffocating, and impossible to ignore. He ripped it off his legs, tossing it back onto his too-big bed.

Rafayel nearly flinched when he entered the bathroom, harsh lights creating shadows in the mirror. In his eyes, he saw his mother. In the slope of his nose, his grandfather. His jawline was his father's. His lips were someone's so long forgotten, they were only his now.

He turned away, the ache too great to bear. How could one live when all that made them up was everything they had lost?

His closet was too big. Half empty, as if he were waiting for someone else to fill the space. Delicate fingers drifted over soft fabrics. Blue or white?

An urgent ringtone echoed from his bedroom, and Rafayel fought the urge to roll his eyes. Thomas, no doubt, calling with another reminder of today's meeting with "very important clients." Clients that would just as soon have him put on display like some taxidermied animal.

Rafayel chose white.

Taking one final glance in the mirror, Rafayel sighed. He looked the part of the artist, sure, but something was wrong. Too much of himself leaked through, too much of what no one wanted to see. He lifted his mask carefully, laying it over his features. Satin. Soft and spoiled, just like they wanted him to be. If a little difficult to work with at times.

The resemblance to his father disappeared, along with his anger.

The meeting was mind numbing, but the mask never slipped. He played along with whatever they wanted him to be, despite the bile bubbling up in his throat.

Waves crashed against the shore, each ebb and flow resounding through the studio. With just Thomas left, Rafayel switched his mask: leather. Firm, but moldable. Sturdy, easily stained. Water molded the form, each droplet creating cursed designs. The older stains had a way of burrowing deep beneath, immovable and easy to spot.

That is, if one knew where to look.

How disgustingly lucky, Rafayel thought, that he had no one who knew where to look.

"You can't keep pushing off this painting!" Thomas groaned. "The exhibition is tonight."

"It'll be done by then," Rafayel shrugged, playing with a seagull's feather.

Thomas huffed. "Are you sure?" He put his hands on his hips. "Because it looks to me like you've barely started!"

Rafayel glared at him with half the heat he wanted to muster. "It's not exactly easy to paint while you're here," he snapped.

With a curt nod and a threat disguised as a reminder, Rafayel was left alone.

Now completely alone, the mask dropped. His shoulders lost their tensions, the pressure on his lungs eased. He glanced out his wall of windows, watching the way the sea churned and the clouds congregated above.

His hand itched for a paintbrush. The waters were wild, untameable. Rafayel painted a hurricane, the art of creation forming destructing. Destruction, Rafayel thought, that came by his hand.

At the eye of the hurricane, he painted a single figure. A woman. About to be consumed by the waves, and yet entirely calm.

He scowled at her peace, but she would not bend to his hand.

She was taunting him, he knew. The thought tasted bitter. He wished the waves would take her, bury her deep in the ocean's depths until she was nothing.

You say you love the sea, she whispered. But do you really?

"Yes!" His voice came out small.

You condemn what you love?

Rafayel felt his throat closing up. He gasped for air, taking shaky steps back.

"I didn't mean to," he choked out.

Intention does not defeat effect, she replied, perfectly still. Your love is poison, Rafayel. It is a thirst for violence disguised as affection.

Red leaked onto the canvas, pooling around the woman.

Rafayel ran. Tripping over his feet, his vision blurred. His hand fell onto the knob on his clawfoot tub, cool metal relief against hot skin. He dropped into the tub, letting the water seep into his clothes and weigh them down.

The plop of each pearl into the water became difficult to ignore.

Pinks and oranges from the setting sun leaked in through the window, the sunlight chasing him again. Shadows cast onto Rafayel's face that softened every harsh line. It hid away the panic and fear and despair until it became a brand new mask, just for Rafayel.

Just so he could pretend, for a time.

The creak of the front door pulled him out of the tub, trudging down the hall in waterlogged pants.

Thomas had his back to Rafayel, leaning into the painting. The woman didn't ridicule him.

"This is beautiful!" Thomas praised. "I think we'll make it the centerpiece of the exhibition tonight."

"It's not beautiful," Rafayel said, voice low and tired. "It's hateful."

Thomas finally turned, eyes widening when they caught sight of Rafayel. His gaze flickered over the artist slowly, taking in the paint splattered shirt, the pearls caught in the folds of the pants, the blood staining his palms.

Understanding dawned on his face like the slow rise of the sun. "I can leave you be," Thomas said quietly. "Or you can let me help you."

"I don't need your help," Rafayel sneered, wanting nothing more than to let every shred of insecurity spill from his cracked and bloodied lips. But the mask wouldn't budge, wouldn't reveal the tear-stained cheeks beneath. "Take the painting and go."

The door slammed shut.

Rafayel didn't move. Silence stretched across the few minutes that passed agonizingly slow. Each tick of the clock felt like a needle stabbing into his arms, deep and stinging, a prick for every sin he'd ever committed.

"You weren't mean to him," he said, small and accusatory.

The woman tilted her head, entirely unbothered. He's not a liar.

Rafayel nodded like he'd expected it, rising to his feet even though they felt unnatural beneath him. His body seemed detached, different parts mangled and shoved together until they resembled something resembling human.

With shaky steps and a shakier heart, Rafayel found himself in front of the mirror again.

His father's jawline has disappeared, replaced with something gentler, something easier to swallow. His grandfather's nose was fading too, stripping his unique beauty piece by piece.

Heaving a sigh, his hand drifted, returning to the masks. Silk, this time. Soft and familiar and pretty. It fit over his features easily, hiding away each bloodied and mangled feature until he was someone entirely different.

Now, he was Rafayel Qi, the famous artist. Charming. Carefree. Loved.

Everything Rafayel, the man, wanted to be.

His coat weighed heavy as he pulled it over his shoulders, something painful twinging in his heart as he traced over the intricate design. Flame lilies, hand embroidery that climbed up his arm and a long his back, stopping just short of his heart.

If he let his eyes fall shut, for a brief moment, he could still feel her hands on his chest as she tied off the final thread.

"What a handsome fishie you are," she'd cooed.

Rafayel's eyes snapped open at the knock on his door. He opened it brashly, hardly paying attention to the shocked face of his guest.

"You know Thomas, if you keep calling me like a dog, I'll bite you—"

His eyes finally landed on the man in front of him, heart sinking. The man nervously wrung his hands, notably not anyone Rafayel recognized.

"Mr. Rafayel?" he stuttered out.

A brief nod.

"I'll be your driver today."

Rafayel's brows drew together. "What about Thomas?"

Surely he wouldn't hold a grudge about what happened earlier, right? Thomas had endured worse, after all, and not just from Rafayel.

"He said, uh, he wouldn't be there to pick you up." The man bowed his head apologetically.

Rafayel nodded a few times, as if the sting might disappear if he kept moving. "I see…"

"I'm sorry to disappoint, sir." The driver frowned.

"Don't be ridiculous." He shook his head. "It's not your fault."

It's all mine, remained lodged in his throat, keeping down the bile that rose up. Each pain of every person close to him was another chain in the imprisonment of his sins.

The car ride was painfully silent. Filled with something awkward, something guilty, something fearful.

The exhibition, though, glistened in the fading sunlight, the guests' boisterous laughter echoing through the space. Rafayel moved through it slowly, almost ghostlike as he glided between columns and canvases.

The mask faltered for a beat when his eyes landed on Thomas, already staring with a somberness Rafayel wanted to ignore.

Rafayel moved on, painting a mask of unbothered ease. His canvases covered the walls, depictions of the sea towering over him until the waves crashed down and tried to sweep the mask away in the tides.

Chatter rose, wrapping tight around Rafayel like an eel. His chest tightened, his jacket felt too itchy, the room too warm. He pushed past patrons and clients, rushing for the door.

Cool night air soaked into his skin, a soothing balm that still wasn't enough. Rafayel tore at his face, ripping off the silk until it tore. Water stains had sunken in, molding and altering the mask. He cast it aside, letting it fall in the dirt until it was filthy, unwanted and unrecognizable.

His heart still pounded, his lungs still constricted. Rafayel clawed at his face, trying to remove this mask until he could finally let the man underneath breathe. Sharp fingernails dug into perfect skin, staining it red. If he could just peel all his skin off, shed this constraining disguise of humanity, maybe he would finally feel like himself again.

Approaching footsteps made him still.

"A pleasant exhibit, I suppose," the man drawled.

Rafayel glanced at him sidelong. An important client Thomas had introduced him to sometime ago. Rich, entitled. Not interesting enough for Rafayel to bother to remember his name.

And clearly, he hadn't noticed Rafayel just yet.

"I simply don't understand all this fuss about the ocean and the sea life," the man said. Rafayel stilled, ears perking. "Why should I care about pollution, or the lives of fish? I'll tell you, the only use we have for the seas is what we can extract from it."

In an instant, a mask slipped on. Steel, hard and impenetrable. His father's jawline grew stronger, and with it, his anger. His mother's softened eyes disappeared, replaced with the eyes of a god, aching to unleash justice.

"You should care for the sea," he said coldly. "Because it is what gives you life."

The man snickered, clearly unimpressed.

Rafayel leaned in, calculated proximity until the man attempted a retreat. "Soon," Rafayel murmured. "The sea will deliver your end." He stepped close, mask gleaming in the moonlight. "Where there is life, there is death. What gives will also take. And for you, who only takes…" Rafayel scoffed. "Well, it's only proper you should have the thing you value most taken from you."

The man stumbled away.

Rafayel wandered back into the exhibition, stiffened and chilled. He found himself in front of his latest piece, situated at the centerpiece and yet notably isolated.

He stared at the woman in the painting, waiting for the sharp words. Her blood bore into his eyes until it felt like it was flooding his mouth.

The words came softer than expected.

"You know, this is really beautiful," a woman whispered.

Rafayel glanced at her, noting her disheveled hair and bag clinking with keychains. It was as if she lacked any embarrassment for who she was. She was aware of her character, of her flaws and her strengths, and she displayed them openly. She wasn't anyone important by the exhibit's standards, and yet she was more deserving of his attention than anyone else.

Rafayel listened, intrigued, even as his hands itched for a paintbrush.

"It's really intense," she continued. "It strips you down and forces you to see who you really are. It's unapologetic."

"Isn't that frightening?" Rafayel asked. "To see what you really are?"

The woman nodded, considering. "It is," she conceded. "But that's where the beauty comes, isn't it? From the truth?"

Rafayel's lips curled, and for a moment, it was just the two of them. For a breath, the paintbrush was still in his hand, the red still smeared his cheeks, and the woman was fresh and brutal and honest on the canvas.

For just a second, Rafayel let the mask drop and found he wasn't disgusted with what lied just underneath.

comments and reblogs appreciated! <3

masterlist

[esoteric--lover]

[shukillz]

happy pride month everymeow!

[esoteric--lover]

hello! i’m currently working on a love and deepspace fic rec masterlist to spread some love with authors so please feel free to share any fics you think should be on the list! ill be checking my dms, asks, and comments! please include either a direct link or the title and author :D

[chronosdawn]

LaDS Meet-cute Scenarios

I'm having thoughts on how you meet the LADs LIs in a modern AU, no evols, no past lives, no mysterious connections to each other, just regular meet-cutes (or perhaps more like meet-ugly in some cases). Please note MC is not a separate character in this scenario, it’s just you and the boys (*^▽^*) Enjoy~

Xavier

You meet Xavier on a blind date your friend set up for you at a hotpot place. It’s been a while since you’ve been out with anyone—thus your friend insisting on you meeting this new guy she’s sure is a perfect fit for you—so you’re a bit nervous and you end up arriving early. Figuring you might as well get the two of you a table, you take a seat while keeping your eyes on the door, anxiously bouncing your leg under the table as you message your date to let him know you’re here.

A man enters, at least 6 feet tall and with a head of blonde hair, which matches the description you were given when this was all set up, so you merrily wave him over. He pauses and seems to look confused for moment—oh God, what if your friend hyped you up too much and now he’s disappointed—but he obligingly comes over and you shove the menu into his hands and usher him to sit down. You pour him some water from the jug on the table as you ask how his journey was, and he replies it was fine, albeit a little stiltedly.

Unfortunately, that makes you even more nervous, and when you’re nervous, you get chatty, like you’re trying to fill an awkward silence before it can form. It’s only the waitress coming over to take your order—which he provides in a soft, smooth voice—that finally gets you to quiet down. There’s a pause after she leaves and you take the moment to apologise for yapping away, explaining that you haven’t been on a date in a while and he’s a lot more handsome than your friend made out, so you’re a little tense.

As you’re nearing the end of this explanation, you get a text pop up on your phone from… your date?

You look up at the man in front of you, who is decidedly not on his phone, and then back down at the message which reads sorry, smth came up, can’t make it.

At this point, the guy across from you is also looking at your phone, and it seems he’s started to put the pieces together himself. You’re not sure you’ve ever been more mortified than when you realise you have effectively forced some poor random man on a date with you. For a while you just stare at him helplessly, as though maybe the truth will un-reveal itself and you can go back to blissful ignorance, until he interrupts by offering to move to a different table.

Looking around, you realise the restaurant has quickly filled up since you arrived, to the point you’re not sure there is another free table, and even if there were, you really don’t think he should be the one to move. You explain as much when you finally come to your senses enough to apologise, offering to pay the bill and leave yourself. After a little back and forth, you eventually decide together that since the order’s been placed you might as well eat while you’re here and you can split the bill later.

Xavier, as you find out his name is, actually turns out to be quite easy to talk to, once you’ve calmed down enough from your mistake to have an actual conversation. It turns out you both like the same comic series as well, and you leave the restaurant with a plan to meet up for lunch again.

Needless to say, you don’t bother trying to rearrange anything with your actual intended date.

Rafayel

You meet Rafayel when you rescue him while working late one night at the University. It’s a Friday and everyone else has long since left to start their weekends but you have a review meeting coming up, and after dealing with some deeply uncooperative cell cultures, you’re grinding to gather as much useable data as you can possibly get. You step out of the lab briefly to grab yourself something with caffeine in it while the centrifuge whirs away, only to stop when you see someone gesticulating wildly while talking loudly into their phone outside the building.

They’re in the courtyard that connects your Biology building and the Art department—why someone had put the two next to each other, you would never know—the very same one with doors that could only be opened via keycard after 6pm and no alternative exit route. You’re just wondering if the young man might be stuck out there when he spots you through the glass door and starts waving at you before pointing at the door’s release button on the inside. Ah, so he is stuck then you think, as you walk over and press it, how long has he been out there?

The doors start to open automatically, and as soon as enough space opens up, the man hurls himself through the gap almost as though he thinks they might change their mind and try to shut him out again. He looks back through the doors like the mere existence of the courtyard is an attack upon his person and asks you if your university makes a regular point of trying to trap its guests. You can only shrug in reply, but he looks put out enough that you feel a bit sorry for him, so you offer him some of the fancy tea and snacks you keep around for when your experiments go to shit and you need some cheering up.

And that’s how you end up entertaining Rafayel, art legend who had been cajoled into doing a guest lecture at your university, in your lab group’s office space over tea at almost 9pm. He regales you with the story of how he’d been kept late by the Dean of the art department talking his ear off, trying to persuade him into taking a fixed-term position, and had then wandered out the wrong exit and ended up in the predicament you’d found him in. You have the sense this venting is much needed, so you let him carry on, offering sympathy when appropriate.

Surprisingly, he then turns the conversation to you and you find yourself prattling away about your research project. You do make something of an effort not to fully nerd out on him, but it’s difficult when he’s a good listener and seems able to pick up on the bits you’re the most passionate about. He manages to wheedle your phone number out of you before he leaves, with the excuse of needing someone to rescue him should he fall victim to the courtyard again—though you struggle to imagine why he’d come back after his first experience with the University.

It catches you rather by surprise then, when you see his name pop up as a new hire in the newsletter that circulates the week after.

Zayne

You meet Zayne while on your way to comfort your friend after a break up. Said break up has been a long time coming—at least, in your opinion as someone who never liked the bastard to begin with—but that doesn’t mean she’s any less upset about it, which is why you step into the elevator of her apartment building with a plastic bag containing a full tub of rocky road ice cream, a box of her favourite truffles and a cheap bottle of wine. You press the button for her floor and then the one to hold the door as you spot a man also walking towards the elevator.

He thanks you politely, reaching the doors in just a few long strides and pressing the button for a different floor before standing on the opposite side to you. The doors close and the elevator starts to rise as you get your phone out to let your friend know you’re here. It’s then that you hear an awful grinding noise and the elevator comes to an abrupt stop, decidedly not at either of your intended floors. For a moment, you hope it’s just stopped to let some other resident of the building in, but several seconds pass with the doors refusing to open and you exchange concerned looks with the only other occupant. It seems, you both agree, that the elevator is stuck.

You do the sensible thing of pressing the call button and alerting the building’s management team to the problem, who promise you they’ll deal with the issue as soon as they can, and you’re then left with the reality of being trapped in an enclosed space with a complete stranger. As you attempt to surreptitiously study the guy, you note that while he’s pretty good-looking and well-dressed, the faint dark lines under his eyes scream of someone who’s had too long of a day to deal with the bullshit of getting stuck in an elevator.

Spreading your old, tired coat on the ground, you sit yourself down and offer the spot next to you to the guy. He initially looks like he’s going to refuse but with a bit of needling, he seats himself next to you with a heavy sigh.  Figuring you might as well try to get comfortable, you offer him a handshake and introduce yourself. You learn his name is Zayne, he works as a doctor at the nearby hospital and the only reason he’s in the building is because he planned to pick up something from a colleague before heading home. As your conversation continues, it’s not too difficult to pick up on the fact that he’s not the most extroverted individual in the world, but there’s nothing like being stuck somewhere with no other source of entertainment aside from your nearly dead phone to spur you into keeping the conversation going.

More time passes with no sign of immediate rescue, so you dig the portable cutlery set out from your workbag and offer to split your rapidly melting ice cream with your new elevator buddy. Once you are finally liberated from your shared confinement—a process that takes over two hours in the end—you’re down one tub of ice cream and a half a box of truffles. Zayne offers to compensate you for both, but you’ve grown fond enough of his dry sense of humour that you propose a counter offer: next time he can treat you to some ice cream, ideally in a nicer location than the floor of a broken down elevator.

He accepts.

Sylus

You meet Sylus during a run in with your miserable, cheating ex. It’s been a rough month all in all, trying to stitch together the tattered edges of your life where they’d previously been entangled with another person. As a treat, you decide to take yourself out shopping, a higher end store than you’d usually frequent, but you feel like you’ve earned it by surviving the last four weeks.

Your nice day out is cut short however, when you spot your ex with the sidepiece he’d been seeing behind your back clinging to his arm and sporting a sizeable diamond ring on her left hand. Unfortunately, they spot you before you have time to process properly that the person you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with is engaged no more than a month after your break up. They approach you and the conversation is as full of petty bullshit as you would expect from the two worst people you know—your ex making sure to mention the expensive honeymoon they’ve got booked after the lavish wedding they’re going to have next spring.

Then the conversation turns to you, and your ex’s new fiancée asks snidely if you’re seeing anyone. It’s obvious from the smug look on her face that she knows the answer is no and something in you just snaps. You’re not thinking straight—you’d never do something like this if you were— when you grab the poor stranger unfortunate enough to be standing close to you and announce him as the new guy you’ve been seeing. All you can tell from your peripheral is that he’s well-dressed and considerably taller than your ex, who always had a bit of a thing about his height.

You see your ex’s expression falter as he looks the guy over and it emboldens you enough that you finally let loose the verbal tirade you wanted to give him the day you found someone else’s nudes on his phone. To say you eviscerate the pair of them would be putting it mildly; by the end of your little speech, half the store has turned to watch and at least one grandmother is clutching at her pearl necklace.

To finish off with the appropriate dramatics, you march away from the pair with your head held high and manage to make it halfway across the shop floor before you realise you’ve dragged the random stranger you grabbed hold of with you. An apology to end all apologies at drawing the poor man into your drama starts to form on your tongue, only to have it wither away the moment you get a proper look at him. The arm you’re hanging onto belongs to one of the most intimidating—and good-looking, but that’s a little beside the point—guys you’ve ever seen.

It’s immediately apparent from his build that the only reason you got this far is because he let you haul him away. And then there’s the way he’s looking at you, like a big cat eyeing up something that wandered into its enclosure, trying to decide whether it’s worth hunting. Suddenly, you are struck by the feeling that you have just done something very, very stupid.

Caleb

You meet Caleb while having the worst day of your life. A failing grade on your latest piece of coursework, your barely acceptable average hanging on by a thread, your best friend for over a decade seems to have decided you’re a poor relation to the new friends she’s made at her own college a city away and you have a rat problem your landlord is refusing to address. In some attempt to try to salvage things, you decide to treat yourself with a beverage from your favourite coffee shop. Do you really have the budget for it? No, but the thought of staying in your shitty rental for the rest of the day is too much to bear.

You go up to counter and order as usual, wincing a little when the number comes up on the till but tapping your card regardless, however it’s when you collect your drink and turn to find your usual seat in the corner that things go horribly wrong. Someone shoulder checks you, hard, and you manage to tip your drink all over yourself as you stagger backwards.

Time seems to freeze for a moment, you can feel the eyes on you, watching as the liquid drips down from your formerly white shirt. Looking down at the contents of your now nearly empty cup, something in you breaks. You start bawling—tears, snot, the works. The arsehole who ran into doesn’t even bother to stop as you burst into hysterics and everyone else seems content to just stare at you like you’re some kind of spectacle.

Then, you feel an arm around your shoulder, guiding you towards a quiet corner at the back of the store as someone takes the cup from your hands and presses a wad of napkins into them instead. You try to thank them through the tears, although you’re not sure anything intelligible comes out and the kind stranger just quietly hushes you in response. They get you to sit down and you look up to see an extremely handsome guy—you think you might have seen him around campus before, although you’re not sure—standing in front of you, blocking the view of you from the rest of the shop with his back.

He lets you cry it out for bit, disappearing only briefly after you’ve started to calm down and coming back with a duplicate of your drink order. That act of kindness is almost enough to make you start back up again, but then he asks what happened and you end up spilling your guts to him. It seems like bad manners to dump all your problems on a stranger, though once you’re done, you do feel more like a person and less like a total walking disaster. He introduces himself as Caleb and he is indeed at the same college as you, just a couple of years ahead. You thank him profusely for his help and try to give him some money for the drink but he waves it off, asking instead if he can borrow your phone quickly. Not seeing any reason to refuse—maybe his has run out of charge, you think—you hand it over and he steps away to make brief call before handing it back to you.

That encounter seems to serve as something of a turning point, as shortly after you say your goodbyes, you receive a message from your landlord promising the rat problem will be dealt with immediately. You also notice that Caleb :) has been added to your contacts list.

A/N: Fun fact, the building thing in Rafayel’s bit sounds made up but is inspired by a genuine set up at one of the Universities I’ve worked at where if you forgot your keycard after hours, you could literally get trapped in a courtyard with no way out other than trying to scale the buildings or calling security. This almost happened to me once and I lived in permanent fear of actually getting stuck out there, so I am passing my trauma onto Raf <3