LeaderPinhead

I mostly write for Twisted Wonderland nowadays. (I play the EN version, so I'm not always up to date with the JPN version.) Everything I write is SFW. Longer/ongoing stories can be found on AO3 under the same username.

[leaderpinhead]

LeaderPinhead's TWST Masterlist (and whatnot)

Hello! I'm becoming more comfortable cross-posting my work on here, so I thought it would be a good idea to make a pinned post with some useful links.

The Yuu I write is a character I've developed in my main series, Trails of Memories. If you want more details about her or any other OC you see here, please feel free to check out the "wiki" I've created for my series linked below.

My Ongoing Twisted Memories on AO3

This consists of three different works: The main story is Trails of Memories. Each chapter is a "vignette" from different perspectives and follows the game without retelling it word for word; it started as a fun project to write Yuu attempting to keep her gender hidden from the school population (and everyone figuring it out anyway). It's developed a lot since I started it in 2022, with a growing cast of OCs and drama outside of what the case experiences in the game. Birthday Memories is an excuse to write vignettes for all the boys' birthdays. Birthday interviews for OCs are included along with a little side-plot involving Yuu and Ladnar (an OC). Pocket Sized Memories includes little oneshots for scene that fit into Trails of Memories. I started as an excuse to participate in Twstober 2022, and I've been adding to it ever since.

Twisted Memories Wiki

This is a website I put together for my series. It provides profiles for all of my OCs as well as some worldbuilding tidbits I've worked into my stories, like the Mourning Dove Institute for girls or creatures like the dust bunnies. Everything I write tends to be with the mindset of being set in my Twisted Memories universe, so if you come across the mention of something that's not canon, odds are you'll find it on my wiki (and if you don't, let me know because I can easily add it :)).

Challenges I've Posted Here:

TwstOber 2023

TwstOber 2024

February Ficlet Challenge 2024

Tumblr Only Shorts

#drabblechallenge2024

Fluffcember 2024

Domaystic/drabblechallengemay 2025

[leaderpinhead]

Hey so I just had a quick question about something. you wouldn't happen to have a tiktok account, do you? Cuz I was scrolling and found an account called @torommi that had posted your Butterflies fic with Leona like word for word and I thought, "wait I've read this on Tumblr before"

Like if that's your account then just ignore this but if not then I'd contact them and report them for stealing.

No, I don’t have a TikTok account, so thanks for letting me know! The only places I post anymore (ignore my extended hiatus for the past year 🫠) is my AO3 and this Tumblr. If any of my fics appear on other websites, that’s definitely not me.

[leaderpinhead]

What's in a Latte?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 8 Window Glow Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 7] | [Part 9] -> Masterlists for my other fics

The surprise in Trey’s expression when Jamil entered the bakery was almost insulting. The knowing grin he gave Jamil was even more so. “Would you like to try the peach cobbler while you wait?”

Jamil wanted to say the rainbows created from the angle of the sun hitting the windows just right still didn’t make the clover patterned tablecloths any less gawky. Jamil, however, had learned many socially acceptable manners from a young age thanks to Kalim’s private tutors.  He instead asked, “Do you only sell confectionaries or do you also serve beverages?”

Trey chuckled as if Jamil’s bland question was some type of joke. A shock of blue appearing from beneath the counter startled Jamil back a step. Large golden brown eyes blinked up at him from above a black mask. “That’s my cue! We serve every flavor of latte you could ever want. Topped with your choice of dairy or non-dairy foam. Plus, our patent pending, Foamy Art Blaster can give you any type of foam art you can possibly imagine!”

Trey’s chuckle became an indulgent laugh, which he emphasized with a quick pat to the boy’s spiked blue hair. “Let’s bring it down another notch, Ortho. We don’t want you startling all of our customers today.”

Ortho huffed. If Jamil had to estimate the younger boy’s age, it couldn’t have been much older than fifteen. “I just wanna use the Foamy Art Blaster my big brother made. It’s super cool!”

“And I’d like to keep a few of my regulars,” Trey mumbled just under his breath. Jamil quirked a brow, but Trey simply grinned. “Ortho’s doing part-time during the summer, so I’m sure you’ll both get acquainted with each other soon enough. I have to admit, he is a bit better at making a latte than I am.”

“In that case.” Jamil retrieved his phone and briefly scrolled through his photos. He turned the screen to show Ortho a picture of a cute foam art bear Najma had sent him a few weeks ago. “Can you recreate this?”

Ortho nodded once with determination darkening his eyes. “I’m on it!”

Ortho spun away and seemingly flew towards the small coffee machine unobtrusively tucked into the back corner behind the counter. Trey shook his head and sighed. “I don’t think I even had that type of energy when I was his age, let alone now. Can I get you anything else while you wait? Yuu should be here in the next five minutes, give or take a few minutes if she had to wrangle Grim in his papoose.”

Jamil chose to ignore the man’s continued brazenness. “Since you seem to operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, I would like to purchase one of your curry buns. You should have at least one available.”

Jamil’s thoughtful observation only amused Trey more. “Are you suggesting I give away one of Yuu’s coveted buns?”

“I’m merely suggesting a normal business transaction: my money for one curry bun.”

A high-pitched giggle said Ortho wasn’t as distracted beating foam out of the coffee machine as he seemed. “Even my brother knows not to mess with Yuu’s curry buns.”

Jamil was beginning to feel a little irked by how covetous these buns appeared to be. “Surely one less bun for her won’t be the end of the world.”

“Not for her at least,” Trey agreed with a thoughtful hum. He squinted at Jamil for a brief moment before shaking his head. “I’m afraid it’s still a no though. You see, Yuu’s tab has been covered for the next five years.”

Jamil’s controlled demeanor shattered without his consent. “Five years?”

Trey nodded. He frowned as if the revelation was just as devastating to him. “I know. I’ll be baking two curry buns specifically for her every day until she reaches the end of it. Even then, I have a sneaking suspicion her tab will be further extended.”

“But…five years?”

Jamil realized now he had greatly underestimated Trey. That darkly mischievous glint in the corner of his eye wasn’t one normally found in an unassuming, humble baker. “Yep. Come to find out, Yuu’s got a talent for befriending rich people. Who knew talking to the guy in the trench coat taking pictures of gargoyles would earn her a lifetime supply of curry buns?”

Jamil felt a muscle in his forehead twitch. How many damn friends did Yuu have? “In that case, could I request a special order?”

“No.”

Trey’s sudden aversion to lengthy answers irked Jamil. “Why not? You said you only made enough for Yuu so the rest wouldn’t go to waste.”

Trey still shook his head. “Sorry. You’ll have to convince Yuu to share with you.”

“Denying customers a product is a bold business strategy.”

“Only because I cater to some clientele with deep pockets. I can afford to be picky here and there.”

The bell on the door happily jingled. If Jamil’s mood hadn’t been soured by Trey’s refusal, Jamil might not have scowled at the only skirt Yuu apparently owned. She didn’t appear bothered by his distaste of her checkered skirt, smiling as she stepped through the rainbow window’s glow to stand beside him at the counter. “Good morning!”

At the same time, Ortho placed a wide-rimmed coffee cup on the counter in front of Jamil. “One regular latte with a cute foamy bear!”

Jamil gawked at the amount of foam towering above the coffee cup. The little specks of dusted powder making the bear’s facial features stared up at him with a judgementally mischievous look. “Is there any coffee in the cup?”

“Of course there is,” Ortho assured. He happily squinted when Yuu praised his foam. Trey had conveniently disappeared through the swinging door behind the counter. “The patent pending Foamy Art Blaster is the only tool in existence capable of making foam art over 100 centimeters tall! Do you want me to make you one with a cat, Yuu?”

Jamil decided it wasn’t worth asking who actually wanted foam art that tall on their overpriced coffee because Yuu immediately agreed. He also made no comment when she decapitated her foam cat with zero hesitation and slurped up its foamy innards. And he certainly didn’t glare at the two curry buns she devoured right in front of him.

[leaderpinhead]

What's in a Run?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 7 Whisper Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 6] | [Part 8] -> Masterlists for my other fics

“Has anyone ever told you you’re kinda predictable?”

The question struck Jamil at the oddest times for the next several days. When he was recording notes in business meetings; when he washed his hands in the restroom; when he cooked the same stir fry dish he ate every Wednesday. He would hear it like a faint whisper in his ear, which only worked to spike his natural sense of paranoia.

It didn’t help that he became hyper aware of Kalim’s praises after meeting Yuu at the coffee shop. Kalim’s first reaction to Jamil placing the coffee–after adding an extra dash of vanilla creamer and topped with a swirl of whip cream with a light dusting of cocoa powder–on his desk was a happy sigh. “Thanks Jamil! I can always depend on you for a treat when I need it most!”

The happy praise rubbed against a raw nerve, and Jamil began actively tracking his daily activities. His week days followed a very strict schedule, which he insisted was simply the results of his life being organized, not predictable. He meal-prepped at the start of the week (because one less decision in his routine opened his time for other activities); he scheduled meetings at the same times every day (to make it easier for Kalim to remember); he called his parents every Thursday at exactly six P.M. (because it was convenient to their schedule, of course).

It was perfectly normal for a man his age to be organized. In fact, it was a highly coveted trait in the eyes of potential partners. Jamil was sure of it despite the last time he dated being…did he meet the girl who thought anything that was purple tasted like soap in high school or university?

A voice that sounded dangerously similar to Najma’s compared him to a soggy cardboard box.

To prove he wasn’t predictable, Jamil decided to go on his evening run thirty minutes before his usual scheduled run. And he texted Najma to prove he wasn’t a soggy cardboard box. Her emoji response was like deciphering modern hieroglyphs, so he interpreted the message as the loving encouragement an actual sister would give.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t predicted his usual running path would have more foot traffic half an hour earlier than his usual schedule. The setting sun was still partially visible through the trees of the park, which meant there were more small families cluttering the footpaths. He ducked around a mother with a small child having a screaming fit and a couple taking up half the path to take a selfie together. The nerve above his eye began to tick when he dodged a frisbee that appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Why had he decided to change his schedule again?

He turned the corner and nearly tripped over a leash spanning the width of the footpath. He answered the disgruntled hiss aimed at him with an admittedly biting hiss. A familiar voice chided, “Grim, be nice.”

Jamil jerked upright. The gray cat he had hissed at gave an unhappy grumble before slinking back to circle Yuu’s ankles. She appeared shocked for a moment, her bored frown becoming a slight grimace. Her wide eyes darted up and down his person. “Oh! Jamil. Hi. You look good in a bun.”

Jamil did his own doubletake, not sure if he had heard her correctly over the sudden pounding in his ears. “What?”

“Nothing!” Yuu did a little twirl to untangle her legs from Grim’s leash. Grim stared up at her with the universal haughty stare all cats had for their human slaves before finding a patch of grass more interesting. She tried tucking the short strands of her hair behind her ear, but they immediately fell back into her face. “So, uh, did you enjoy your coffee the other day?”

Jamil frowned. He placed his hands on his hips and tried to catch his breath after the sudden stop in his run. “Huh? Coffee?”

“Yeah.” Yuu tried to sweep her hair from her face again. The motion failed. “The one you bought?”

Some part of Jamil’s mind must have blocked out the episode–and stubbornly clung to the “Has anyone ever told you you’re kinda predictable?” part–because it took him an embarrassingly long moment to catch up. “That coffee wasn’t for me.”

“Oh.” An awkward silence fell between them. A nearby dog barked, sparking a warning hiss from Grim. Yuu’s eyes darted everywhere but Jamil. “So…nice weather, we’re having, right?”

Jamil rubbed the back of his neck. Her comment about buns made more sense when he remembered he had secured his hair in one before going on his run. That made a lot more sense than automatically thinking she was talking about curry buns. (Since when had his thoughts become so obsessed with those stupid curry buns?) “Yes…”

“Was the coffee for your girlfriend?”

Now it was Jamil’s turn to sputter. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Great! I mean…oh.” Yuu reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumbled piece of paper. She smoothed it open, and Jamil could see faint, hastily written scribbles through the paper. Her voice dropped to a mumble Jamil could barely hear over the distant barking of dogs and screaming children. “Crap...she said not to bring up exes. What were the safe topics again?”

Yuu’s mutters trailed off. Another awkward silence compelled Jamil to add. “It was for my…boss. He’s as picky as yours.”

The confession managed to disperse the awkward tension between them. Yuu blinked before she smiled. She tucked the paper away while simultaneously tugging Grim away from a rock he attempted to eat. “Vil loved his coffee so much, he poured it on his temporary seamstress who felt him up with the excuse of getting his measurements before insulting my skirt again.”

Who was this Vil person she worked for? Did he even want to know? The guy sounded like a diva. Jamil made a mental note to do more research when he returned home. “At least he found a use for it then. It’s always a shame when good coffee goes to waste.”

Yuu hummed in agreement. “So do you come here often, or are we mutually stalking each other again?”

Jamil snorted out a laugh. He crossed the footpath to stand next to her when he noticed another runner coming up on them. The tall, broad shouldered man nodded his thanks, but Jamil thought his eyes lingered too long on Yuu before he passed. Jamil studied his short silver hair long enough to determine he couldn’t pull it back in a bun.

(Because Yuu apparently had an interest in buns–noted that disconnected portion of Jamil’s lizard brain.)

“I normally take a run through this park in the evening since it’s so close to my apartment,” Jamil finally answered. “It’s usually later than this, but I thought I would get out a little earlier today.”

Yuu hummed again. “That would explain how we never ran into each other before now. I like to bring Grim out for evening walks too while my friend does his run. He doesn’t think it’s safe for a young woman my age to be out so late alone.” From the way her nose wrinkled and she pitched her voice lower, Jamil assumed those were her friend’s words, not hers. “Nevermind that my uncle insisted I learn some type of self-defense back in middle school, or that I know how to disable a man in point-five seconds.”

Jamil theatrically raised his eyebrows. “And what is your secret to that?”

“Kick them in the balls.” A startled laugh escaped Jamil. Yuu widely grinned. “I’ve had to do it three times now. Four if you count the accidental practice shot. It works perfectly. You should ask Trey the next time you stop by the bakery.”

Despite his amusement, Jamil gave a sympathetic wince for the unassuming baker. He had a feeling he knew who the accidental practice shot had been. “I think I’ll stick to safer topics. Speaking of, is it safe to assume you live nearby too?”

“Yeah.” Yuu turned to point in the direction Jamil had been running, which would eventually lead to another entrance into the park. “I share an apartment with my friend across from the park. It’s why he insists on taking his runs at the same time I walk Grim.”

That explained why they had run into each other at the supermarket too, since it was only two blocks from the park. Funny, now that Jamil thought about it, he had gone shopping earlier than usual that evening too. How many times had they potentially missed each other by half an hour?

…did she just imply she was living with another guy?

A deep grunt startled Jamil out of his revelation. The tall guy who had run past them earlier now stood at Yuu’s elbow. Jamil was pretty confident in his own athleticism and physique, but even he wasn’t much of a match to the thick muscles on the guy's biceps. Granted, he could take a guy down with a bit of quick thinking and maneuvering, but he wouldn’t stay standing if the guy decided to suddenly clock him in the jaw.

The guy scowled down at Jamil, a sharp glint in his golden eyes. “Is this guy messing with you, Yuu?”

Yuu lightly punched the guy in the stomach like it was a normal reaction to have with someone twice as big as you scowling down at you. “Calm down, Jack. You know you don’t have to play the big brother card for every guy who talks to me, right?”

Jack grunted again. His glare didn’t waver from Jamil. He crossed his arms as if to emphasize the size of his muscles. Jamil easily pictured a big wolf baring his canines at him. Guys with that kind of energy had never impressed Jamil, but he wasn’t fool enough not to feel wary. “Better safe than sorry.”

Yuu exhaled a long sigh. Turning her back to Jack, she picked up Grim, who yowled at being separated from the rocks he licked. She dumped the feline into Jack’s arms like she didn’t realize he was too busy intimidating Jamil. Grim latched onto Jack’s arm with a furious growl, making Jack drop his threatening glare to curse under his breath. Jamil expected him to bludgeon Grim into the nearest tree trunk, but he instead tried to carefully extract each of Grim’s claws from his skin without hurting the cat.

Unfazed by both their behavior, Yuu turned her attention back to Jamil. She smiled, her brown eyes dancing in amusement likely for the chaos she had made. “Would you like to meet up in the morning instead of mutually stalking each other again?”

The invitation startled Jamil for a moment, but he nodded as if the question hadn’t sent his heart pounding in a quicker rhythm than his run. “Sure. How about at the bakery? It’s on my way to the office.”

Yuu enthusiastically agreed before grabbing Jack’s elbow to drag him away. With Grim’s angry yowls muffled by Jack’s buffy biceps, Jamil was able to hear her say, “Her advice worked!” with equal enthusiasm before they were out of hearing range. Jamil didn’t realize he was grinning until his cheeks started to hurt. He turned on his heel to return to his apartment too, congratulating himself for his unpredictability.

Then he kicked himself after realizing he hadn’t asked Yuu for her number.

[leaderpinhead]

What's In a Coffee?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 6 "You look happy." Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 5] | [Part 7] -> Masterlists for my other fics

“Are you stalking me?”

The abrupt question made Jamil twist around without stepping out of the long line. He matched the frown Yuu gave him, finding her suspicious glare more offensive than her never-changing skirt. At least she wore a soft yellow cardigan today. “Stalking would entail an amount of forethought.”

Jamil ignored that tiny voice in the back of his head that pointed out this was his third week riding the train to work. There were no trains in coffee shops. Ergo, the logistic factor was moot point.

Yuu huffed, but her gaze softened. She leaned to the side, and Jamil imagined her counting the number of customers between her and the front counter. Mainly because that was what he had been doing before she spoke. “Fair point. This is the first time I’ve been here, so even if you had been stalking me, I guess I can be reassured that you’re not that great at it.”

The implication of him falling short in some aspect made Jamil frown. Before he reminded himself stalking wasn’t an activity he wanted her to believe he often partook in. Researching people was a completely different activity. Which was only difficult when he had no information on the target aside from having a penchant for stealing bell peppers, eating curry buns, and having no fashion sense.

(And Yuu turned out to be a horrifyingly common name in the city. Or at least a common nickname. He doubted she was a rising kendo athlete or the popular social media influencer Kalim followed. The pictures of those Yuus also didn’t match her. Thank the Seven.)

“As it turns out, I regularly frequent this coffee shop,” Jamil said. Which is why he knew the middle-aged woman wearing a bright blond wig at the front of the line would take more than five minutes to make her regular order, weeding out the three people in front of him who frequently checked their watches or phones. The corporate horrors of low-level interns who only had ten viable minutes of lunch before sprinting back to the office to appease their outdated, upper-management overlords with overpriced lattes always worked in his favor. Jamil estimated his current wait time as seven minutes. “If anything, I should accuse you of stalking. This would be our fourth time running into each other, correct?”

Jamil wasn’t sure if he meant his accusation to be a joke or a simple statement of fact. From the way Yuu’s nose wrinkled, it was interpreted as a mix of both. “Two of those four times were you doing.” The wrinkles blended into a smile. “But I guess that would make us even since I was at fault for the other two. That calls for an official introduction.”

Yuu shoved her hand forward. Jamil slightly stepped back, but his surprised shuffle was disguised as a casual one when the frazzled man in front of him jumped out of line and hurried out the door. “I’m Yuu Sato”

Jamil shook her hand, finding the whole situation more awkward than other introductions he’d experienced. “Jamil Viper.”

Yuu almost looked upset as she shook his hand. “Seriously? That’s your name?”

Jamil quirked a brow. “No need to look so happy to hear it. We can’t all be the equivalent of a Jane Doe.”

“It’s just a way cooler name than Jamil Bell Pepper Man.” Her cheeks reddened before Jamil could deliver another quip. She seemed to realize she was still holding his hand at the same time and snatched her hand away, shoving it into her pocket like it was purely at fault for the extended contact. “Not that I ever thought that was your actual name! I was just…what do you recommend from here?”

Jamil smirked at the awkward transition of topic. Another person jumped out of line, and he stepped up into their position. He could almost hear the barista’s tired sigh as he explained–as he routinely did–that no, they did not have imported goat's milk from the Shaftlands, and yes, their scones were baked fresh daily. “Unfortunately, they don’t carry curry buns.”

“That is unfortunate,” Yuu agreed. Her face slowly returned to its paler hue. “But that saves them from the humiliation of coming in second to Trey’s baked goods. I’m actually here to get coffee for my boss. The bougie coffee place he prefers is closed for renovations.”

“I’m assuming they had imported goat’s milk on tap?”

Yuu’s answering grin said she had been listening to the poor barista’s plight. The last person separating him from the picky customer left with an angry huff. “I’m sure they did, but he avoids milk. Swears it’s as bad for his skin as mayonnaise. I just have to be sure the coffee beans were covered in gold foil before they ground them for the espresso.”

Jamil snorted and pretended to read the menu chalkboard behind the counter. He already knew what he was getting, having purchased the same latte for Kalim for nearly two years to avoid any type of allergen related incidents, but he made a show of tapping his chin in contemplation anyway. “I can’t say the coffee beans are gold foiled, but they’re experimenting with a new drink with olive oil infused foam. They call it their golden foam espresso.”

“That sounds absolutely atrocious. Vil will love it.”

The mischievous grin on her face said Vil’s response would be the exact opposite. It was hard not to match her energy, but the effort was made easier by the picky woman in front of him finally completing her order. The barista looked almost relieved to see Jamil. “The usual, right?”

Jamil nodded, and they went through the motions of the usual transaction. A quiet hum made Jamil turn back to Yuu after he stepped away from the counter. Her voice had adopted that same faintly dismissive tone it had at the end of their last meeting. “Has anyone ever told you you’re kinda predictable?”

Jamil didn’t know whether to be offended or not. “What does that mean?”

Yuu shook her head and turned to the barista. “Nothing, I guess. How spicy are your scones?”

Like the barista, Jamil could only stare at the odd woman like she had finally lost her mind.

[leaderpinhead]

What's in a Friend?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 5 Bare feet on warm ground Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 4] | [Part 6] -> Masterlists for my other fics

“Should we report him to the rec center staff for this?”

He should be reported to the nearest psychiatric facility was what Jamil wanted to say. He wiggled his bare toes against the warm asphalt. At least Floyd had chosen a relatively cool day to lose his mind. Again. “You know as well as I do, reporting him to anyone will make him more unbearable.”

Ace shrugged and adjusted his grip on the basketball. He stood in the same state of barefootedness as Jamil. Unlike Jamil, he watched Floyd toss their shoes through the basketball hoops with a grin that nearly rivaled Floyd’s manic giggles. “Guess you’re right. It’s not like we had enough people for a pickup game anyway. I’m starting to think most of the guys in the chat turned off their notifications.”

Jamil agreed. Why else would he, Ace, and Floyd be the only ones to show up after Ace sent out the invite? Jamil wouldn’t be shocked if the other guys had silently made their own group chat and were playing at another court on the other side of the city at this very moment. Not everyone could handle Floyd’s moods, and there was no way to know which Floyd you would get on any given day.

Ace shifted his stance and winced. He lifted one foot and picked a small pebble from between his toes. “He could have at least let us keep our socks.”

“That would throw off the aerodynamics of the shoes,” Jamil drawled. His eyes tracked his socks tied to his shoe strings as the shoe sailed through the air. The shoe fell through the net with a silent swoosh. “If anything, we should compliment Floyd’s grasp of physics.”

“If you say so,” Ace said with a headshake. Ace readjusted the basketball. Again. Jamil ignored the antsy motions and continued watching Floyd play shoe-ball with himself. He silently counted backwards from ten. At exactly one, Ace shifted again. “So…you’ve got a sister, right?”

Jamil sideeyed Ace. “She has a boyfriend.”

That was a lie, but Jamil wasn’t interested in setting Najma up with anyone like Ace. Still, he was slightly offended by the visible disgust wrinkling Ace’s face. “What? Ew! Me dating a girl Jamil? Heck no!”

Jamil turned to glare at Ace. “Are you trying to say something is wrong with my sister?”

Ace opened his mouth before wisely snapping it shut. The basketball switched arms. “No, I’m not saying anything about your sister!”

“Then why did you bring her up?”

“I just–” A cackle from Floyd made them both whip their heads in his direction just to be sure the taller man wasn’t about to bludgeon them with their own shoes. Fortunately, Floyd had found more amusement in an imaginary opponent he shuffled around. Ace heavily sighed. “Look. I’m just looking for advice for a friend. She doesn’t have that many girl friends, so it’s awkward to talk about other guys with her, if you catch my drift.”

“And you think it would be a good idea to introduce her to my sister.”

Ace shrugged. “Better than the advice Deuce was giving her. He was channeling his track club spirit from back in school.” He scratched the back of his head. “Plus, she’s kinda the dude-bro tomboy type. She owns one skirt that’s a total eyesore just to drive her boss insane.”

“Najma’s not the most girly-girl out there either.”

“Still better than Deuce’s fiery spirit callback,” Ace insisted. “She has no idea how to act around guys she might be interested in. I watched it in real time once, and it wasn’t pretty. She wouldn’t talk about pudding for an entire month afterwards.”

Jamil sighed. “I can bring it up the next time I meet up with my sister, but I’m not guaranteeing anything.”

“Cool! Here’s her number.”

Jamil managed to enter the number in his phone before one of his shoes smacked him in the hip. Ace’s grunt told he had received the same treatment. Floyd grinned at them, his teal hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. He juggled Jamil’s second shoe in a very threatening manner. “You two gonna talk all day or actually play?”

Jamil didn’t roll his eyes like Ace did, but he couldn’t help an annoyed huffed that was lost beneath Floyd’s loud cackle.

[leaderpinhead]

What's in a Bakery?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 4 Dappled Sunlight Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 3] | [Part 5] -> Masterlists for my other fics

In Jamil’s unbiased and humble opinion, the quaint brick-and-mortar bakery in front of him was unimpressive. Being Kalim’s shadow for many years, he had been “treated” to the most prestigious eateries in the world. The green and white striped awning above the door matched the lettering spelling out Clover’s Cakes and Cookies on the sign hanging from the window. No amount of dappled sunlight would make the large four-leaf clover painted on the door not appear cliche. The inside of the bakery looked just as unimpressive: a small space cluttered with small bistro tables barely big enough to fit two chairs at once, covered in tablecloths with a gimmicky four-leaf clover pattern. The only empty space was the aisle that led straight from the door to the display counter.

A display counter where a familiar puke green cardigan and blue checkered skirt stood.

What were the actual odds that after two weeks of riding the train (which he only did because his sedan was in the shop) and not seeing the bell-pepper-stealing, curry-bun-eating woman that he would find himself running into her again at a random bakery?

He could hear Najma laughing at his hesitation, and the imagined taunts in her voice compelled him to wrench open the door a little harder than he intended. The loud jangle of the bell on the door made both the woman and the spectacled man behind the counter stare at him. Refusing to feel intimidated by their stares, Jamil casually ambled to the counter. He opened his mouth to acknowledge the woman (he refused to admit he was a little irked not knowing her name when she knew his name) when he noticed the baby carrier strapped to her chest.

He did an embarrassing double-take when he realized it wasn’t a baby strapped in the carrier. “Is that a cat strapped to your chest?”

The man behind the counter coughed out a startled laugh. The woman innocently blinked at him. “We meet again, Bell Pepper Man Jamil.”

“It’s just Jamil.”

“That’s what I said.” She casually patted the gray cat’s head between its ears. It growled like it was unhappy, but Jamil could see it leaned into her head pats. “And yes. I do have a cat strapped to my chest. His name is Grim. I have to air him out every once in a while or he gets a little musty.”

Jamil hated how this woman managed to leave him dumbstruck and mute. He thought he had seen and heard everything thanks to Kalim. Quick thinking was a necessary skill to have around Kalim.

The man finished his coughing fit and smiled at Jamil. “Welcome to Clover’s Cakes and Cookies. We have freshly baked strawberry and blackberry tarts today along with our regular assortment of petit fours and cookies. If you don’t mind waiting another five minutes, I’ll also have an assortment of breakfast pastries ready.”

As if on cue, a loud chiming sounded. With a quick apology, the man grabbed the digital timer beside the register and disappeared through a swinging door behind him. Left alone with the (still) unnamed woman, Jamil quickly assessed the display case. Several trays of baked goods were arranged inside with carefully scripted cards labeling them. His eyes narrowed on a row of perfectly square petit fours. He wasn’t as prolific with sweets compared to savory dishes, but he knew enough to be impressed by the layout.

“I highly recommend the tarts.” Jamil frowned like her recommendation offended him. She didn’t see his frown since she was too busy feeding treats to her cat. “The Twisted Times did an entire article on Trey’s tarts. They’re the top ranked pastries in the city.”

“That is a high praise. I’ll be sure to purchase a dozen of them.” Before he could stop himself, he added, “Do you come here often?”

Her eyelids fluttered in his direction. Her cat glared at Jamil with big blue eyes when she stopped feeding it treats. “It’s a popular place around here.”

Jamil found her vague answer interesting, but he maintained a neutral expression. “I’m afraid to admit I only heard about it today. It was recommended by a business associate.”

“You’re lucky to have heard about it then.” Her tone remained light, but Jamil couldn’t help pick out a faintly dismissive tone. The behavior was oddly contradictory to their previous two meetings. “It would be a shame to never experience Trey’s treats.”

The woman turned from him at the same moment Trey returned through the door. He balanced a tray of steaming pastries in his arms. “Sorry about that wait. I have bacon and egg and sausage and cheese pastries today.”

After placing the tray on top of the display case, Trey carefully transferred two pastries into a brown paper sleeve. He handed them over the case to the woman. “Here you go, Yuu. Enjoy your curry buns.”

Jamil’s attention snapped to the paper sleeve gripped in Yuu’s hand. Ignoring the fact he felt more satisfied having learned her name, Jamil stepped closer to the case. “Could I purchase a curry bun too?”

“Ah,” Trey sighed, hand lifting to adjust his square glasses. “Sorry. I usually only make enough for Yuu since she’s my only customer who regularly purchases them. I try to avoid having leftovers to go to waste.”

Jamil turned to Yuu. He would never do it, but in the moment, he contemplated the foolish desire to ask her for one of her buns. After all, he needed one for comparison’s sake. How else would he know the recipe he had thrown together was better than the original she clearly preferred?

As if sensing his unspoken desire, Yuu reached into the bag for one of the buns. She looked him dead in the eye before taking a large bite. Chewing just enough to swallow, she said, “Enjoy your tarts, Jamil Bell Pepper.”

Jamil felt his brain twinge and watched her leave without a backwards glance.

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What's in a Sister?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 3 "Stay a little longer" Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 2] | [Part 4] -> Masterlists for my other fics

“Not that I’m complaining–”

“She says in the most recalcitrant tone.”

“I thought I told you not to use big words like that in my apartment. Anyway, not that I’m complaining about you insisting on cooking me dinner for the fifth night in a row, using my groceries, and my kitchen, and my dishes–”

Jamil sighed and tried to ignore his sister’s bratty complaints. Without turning from the pan of sizzling meat on the stovetop, he could easily picture her leaning against the countertop island behind him, chin balanced between her hands and slate gray eyes–similar in shade to his–glaring at him with all the bratty little sister energy she could muster.

“My point being,” she continued when Jamil felt like tuning back in to her complaints, “if you insist on making me dinner, I would prefer to eat a food I actually enjoy.”

Jamil checked the dough rising in the towel covered bowl next to the stove. By default, Najma was the only test subject he had for the new dish he worked to perfect. Their parents lived a few hours away from the city, and Kalim would childishly make himself vomit at the smell of the curry. He would have used the guys he joined for weekly basketball meetups, but he already knew what the results would entail. Ace would pretend to have food poisoning for the next month, and Floyd would likely throw it in a bucket of rainwater and call it a milkshake. Or throw it back at Jamil’s face. It really just depended on the mood Floyd was in that day.

Golden brown eyes flashed through his thoughts before he viciously shoved them to the back of his mind.

“Grilled salmon would be nice,” Najma insisted. Jamil absently checked the time on the stove’s clock and realized the sun would set soon. He should really head home before it became too dark. “With a side of nice, fluffy couscous. Slathered in a lemon zest buttery sauce. Oi! Are you listening to me?”

“No,” Jamil said with no remorse. He paused to taste the curry sauce he mixed together before adding it to the meat. A nice tingle covered his tongue, but it wasn’t a numbing type of heat. He added more cumin to the mixture. He glanced over the other spices on the spice rack, finding the collection a dismal selection. “How do you have cumin but no chili flakes?”

“Because I’d like to keep most of my taste buds through my twenties,” Najma snapped back without pause. Jamil muttered under his breath and shuffled over to check his dough again. Najma suddenly appearing at his elbow made him jump before he could repress his surprise. Her lips pursed, her squinting eyes flicking across his face. “Why are you suddenly obsessing over these curry buns? I know you like curry, but you’re not that obsessed over it.”

Jamil huffed and reached around to grab his intended target. “I am not obsessing over anything.”

Najma somehow managed to squint harder. “The last time you did this, it was to impress some whiny heiress in an attempt to marry off Kalim and merge the families’ businesses together.” One eyebrow perfectly arched above one eye. “Are you whoring Kalim out again?”

The attempt at vulgarity made Jamil roll his eyes. “No, I’m not whoring out Kalim. You know I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

Najma’s fingers grasped the hem of his shirt. “Are you whoring yourself out?”

Jamil’s eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head. “Najma…”

“Mom always said your cooking was the best part of your personality.”

“She did not.” Both of Najma’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. Jamil grabbed her wrist to loosen her hold. “She did not.”

Najma blew a raspberry at him but released his shirt before his thumb could pinch the nerve in her hand. “Well, it’s what I’ve always said, and she’s never disagreed.”

“I have a great personality.”

“Sure, sure.” Najma waved a hand in dismissal and leaned her hip against the counter beside him. “Because every girl loves cuddling up with a guy as bland as a soggy cardboard box.”

Jamil dumped the curry mixture into the same pan as the meat. “I think it’s almost past your curfew. I’ll have to take this home with me to finish.”

“No, no!” For all her protest earlier, Najma was quick to grab the risen dough and begin kneading it on the floured cutting board he had prepared earlier. “I’ll permit you to stay a little longer. Kneading this dough has been a great way of burning calories.”

“Thank goodness. I thought you’d suffer the rest of your life with those love handles.”

Jamil hid his grin when Najma gasped in offense. They filled the dough with the curry between playful pinches and shoves. Jamil’s personality went deeper than his chef skills, but he’d be the first to admit he was damn proud when Najma completely wiped her plate clean.

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What's in a Pastry?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 2 Slow Smiles Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 <- [Part 1] | [Part 3] -> Masterlists for my other fics

Jamil suppressed a yawn before he checked the time on his wristwatch. Five minutes felt like five hours as he slowly sipped bitter coffee from a paper cup. The other nine-to-five zombies in their business suits and ties sipped from similar paper cups and blankly stared down the track for the scheduled train to arrive.

Jamil normally avoided the train, but today was a special one. Meaning, when he had turned the key of his modest sedan, the engine had turned over once, twice, before a billow of smoke escaped from beneath the hood. He had stared at the smoke long enough to determine he hadn’t summoned a magical genie by coincidence before making the thirty minute walk to the nearest train station.

Jamil sipped his coffee and vaguely admired the brightening sky from under the station awning. Maybe the hidden sunrise was what he needed to improve his mood. Something to admire before he started pulling his hair out while rescheduling all the meetings Kalim double-booked with his verbal promises. He had already sent out ten apologetic emails before the sun rose this morning.

He felt more than saw the person step under the awning to stand beside him at a polite distance. From his periphery, he noted a cardigan with an unappealing shade of green that clashed horribly with the blue and white checkered skirt. Either would have stood out amongst the sharp business suits–his included–but both together was enough to make his chin tilt to make a subtle second glance. Instead of a paper cup, the woman eagerly shoved a pastry into her mouth, barely chewing or swallowing before taking another huge bite.

Jamil’s sharp memory jolted, and a sudden hiss escaped him before he could bite his tongue. “You.”

The woman glanced in his direction. He refused to fall for the way her brown eyes suddenly twinkled or the slow smile stretching her chipmunk-impersonating cheeks. “So we meet again, Bell Pepper Man.”

Jamil’s mouth twitched. It was surprisingly difficult to maintain his usual facade of neutral politeness. Seeing her smile made him want to scowl, and he didn’t even know the woman’s name. Similarly, she didn’t know his. “It’s Jamil. Not Bell Pepper Man.”

“That’s nice,” was her response along with another large bite. A bead of grease slowly dripped down one of her fingers, and some disconnected part of Jamil’s brain attempted to discern the type of meat and spices hidden inside the pastry. “Have you started any other fights over vegetables lately?”

The abrupt “No” he snapped at her should have been the end of the conversation. That disconnected part of his brain just distinguished the familiar scent of yeast and spices. “Is that a curry bun?”

She hummed and took another bite. Jamil thought she would bite her fingers when she noticed the grease staining them. “Yep. My friend thought I was crazy when I asked him to make them as a breakfast item in his bakery, but I think he makes just enough for me. Apparently, not many people want to eat spicy buns for breakfast.”

The whistle of the train approaching their stop was background noise in his ear. “People eat spicy sausage for breakfast all the time.”

“Exactly!” That slow smile widened, making the corners of her golden brown eyes crease. “You would think I was a certified sociopath for asking him to add a packet of curry spices to the mix. It’s not spicy if it doesn’t make my tongue numb for the next hour.”

Jamil wouldn’t go that far, but he was already mentally deconstructing the bun in her hand to piece together the recipe for later. Kalim would be horrified if he took a bite of a flaky pastry bun only to find a molten curry center. His eyes narrowed. “What exactly is in–”

The loud whistle and shriek of breaks cut him off as the train trudged into the stop. The business zombies around them surged forward with the lurching speed of the undead that conveniently had found enough autonomy to rip out the nearest human throat. One of them shuffled between Jamil and the woman with an unnecessary and forceful shove against Jamil’s shoulder. Jamil managed to catch himself with a soft curse under his breath and glared at the offender's back.

When he turned back to the woman, he found the place where she stood now empty. Another loud whistle signaled the train’s intention to depart, and Jamil hurried onto the nearest car. His gaze darted across the faces around him after grabbing the nearest overhead strap to keep his balance when the train lurched forward.

He told himself he wasn’t disappointed when he realized the woman had entered a different train car.

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What's in a Vegetable?

Prompts: @monthlywritingchallenges July Golden Hour Theme Day 1 Golden Light Rating: T Pairing: Jamil/Yuu Notes: I always feel like I do these monthly challenges "incorrectly," but I had a Jamil/Yuu itch that needs to be scratched. Each prompt of this challenge will be a new chapter in what I've decided to call "What's in a Meet Cute (and the Events That Come After)". Hence my creative titles. 🙃 I'll also cross-post this to AO3 [Part 2] -> Masterlists for my other fics

Years later during her wedding speech, Najma would gush about their adorable “love-at-first-sight Meet Cute.” In the moment, Jamil only saw a disembodied hand snatching the last crucial ingredient for his dinner. The last bright red bell pepper glistening from the misting sprinklers–seized by the pale, crooked fingers of an evil crone plotting his utter torment and dooming him to a meal of incomplete curry.

The disconnected, logical portion of his mind snorted at the dramatic dialogue he conjured, but logic had been shoved to the back of his conscience hours ago. Logic would have fractured his mind when Jamil had to talk Kalim down from purchasing an entire circus of elephants with Asim corporate funds because it would “be fun for when we hold board meetings in the summer!” Logic wasn’t needed to assemble a grocery list for a dinner of curry and rice, which he made often enough to have the recipe and ingredients memorized.

Logic wasn’t present when he pursued the woman attached to the crone hand that had snatched his perfect dinner from him. “Excuse me.”

The woman spun and nearly whacked him with the green plastic basket hanging off her elbow. Large brown eyes silently blinked up at him in confusion. Jamil pointed at the pristine red bell pepper sitting neatly on top of a stack of tuna cans and three bottles of hot sauce. “That’s mine.”

She blinked again before her eyes followed his finger. She lifted her basket to grab the bell pepper. “This?”

“Yes.” Jamil thought the answer was enough to prove his ownership, but a lengthy pause where she simply blinked at him urged him to elaborate. “I was reaching for it when you reached around me and grabbed it.”

Her eyes darted between his face and the vegetable in her hand. “You hadn’t touched it yet.”

That little voice screamed at him not to answer the non-question, but Jamil did anyway. “Not yet, but–”

“And you haven’t paid for it,” she continued. She slowly lowered the bell pepper into her basket. Her brown eyes now drilled into him with a focus that made the back of his neck warm. “And it’s in my basket.”

“Look, I don’t want to start a fight.”

“Good.” The woman turned on her heel and continued through the produce section. She looked over her shoulder. “I hate it when my evening supermarket trips turn into impromptu MMA matches.”

Jamil stood gaping at her back. The little voice in his head snickered at his lack of response. He shoved it back deeper. He retreated in the opposite direction to the beeping registers. He banished the image of her brown eyes looking back at him one last time, twinkling with some kind of internal golden light, and the concerning flip it caused in his chest even as he was counting his change.

All he had wanted was a damn bell pepper.

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Domaystic/Drabble Challenge 2025 Masterlist

Prompt Lists: @domaystic 2025 [X] @thedrabblecollective May 2025 [X]

Summary: To form a political alliance between the Sunset Savanna and Briar Valley, the royal families agree to an arranged marriage between one member of each family. As the unwanted second prince, Leona Kingscholar has already suspected such a fate and planned accordingly. The only thing he couldn't account for was Yuu Draconia being contrary to any other princess in Twisted Wonderland.

An arranged marriage AU told in 100-word drabbles.

Also on AO3

Day 1: Leona - The Arranged Marriage

Day 2: Yuu - The Inn

Day 3: Leona - The Market

Day 4: Yuu - The Reality

Day 5: Leona - The Cursed Child

Day 6: Yuu - The Blessed Child

Day 7: Leona - The Proposition

Day 8: Yuu - The Honeymoon

Day 9: Leona - The Wife

Day 10: Yuu - The Husband

Day 11: Leona - The Prince

Day 12: Yuu - The Princess

Day 13: Leona - The Question

Day 14: Yuu - The Hint

Day 15: Leona - The Aristocrats

Day 16: Yuu - The Ballad

Day 17: Leona - The Miracle

Day 18: Yuu - The Interruption

Day 19: Leona - The In-Laws

Day 20: Yuu - The Brother

Day 21: Leona - The Spotlight

Day 22: Yuu - The Braggart

Day 23: Leona - The Stress

Day 24: Yuu - The Gift

Day 25: Leona - The Warning

Day 26: Yuu - The Farewell

Day 27: Leona - The Smile

Day 28: Yuu - The Invitation

Day 29: Leona - The Capital

Day 30: Yuu - The King

Day 31: Leona - The End?

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Leona - The End?

Prompts: @domaystic 2025 Challenge/@thedrabblecollective May drabble challenge: Day 31 Covering s/o mouth, eyes, or ears (Alt E) & Poppy Rating: T Pairing: Leona/Yuu Notes: I found too many challenges for May I wanted to join, so I'm combining Domaystic and Drabble Challenge prompts. This will be a multi-part AU with each part being a 100 word drabble. My only end goal for this is 31 days of Leona/Yuu fluff. [Part 30] Masterlists for my other fics

“The ship won’t sail until tomorrow. We could check on the nearby village to–”

Leona placed a hand over Yuu’s mouth. “That would defeat everything you said to my brother.”

Yuu licked his palm, Leona barely twitched. She harrumphed into her seat. He pointed at the poppy red sails of the ships. “The honeymoon is over. We’re getting on that ship.”

Leona felt Yuu’s smile beneath his palm. She grabbed his wrist and removed his hand. “Fine. But I will be back to check those wells. All of them.”

Leona clicked his tongue, but a smile ruined his disgruntled visage.

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Yuu - The King

Prompts: @domaystic 2025 Challenge/@thedrabblecollective May drabble challenge: Day 30 Multiple Winking (Alt A) & Hat Rating: T Pairing: Leona/Yuu Notes: I found too many challenges for May I wanted to join, so I'm combining Domaystic and Drabble Challenge prompts. This will be a multi-part AU with each part being a 100 word drabble. My only end goal for this is 31 days of Leona/Yuu fluff. [Part 29] - [Part 31] Masterlists for my other fics

“If your brother winks at me again, I’m scooping his eyes out with this spoon.”

Leona glared in the direction of the king, who gave them an exaggerated wink above the feathered hat of the woman with him. “I’ll do it myself.”

“I think he’s a closet masochist.”

“Considering how much he enjoyed you screeching at him to do his job as a king, I agree.”

“I’m ready to go home.”

“Finally had enough of your honeymoon?”

“No. I prefer my bejewelled hammer when I’m building wells.”

Leona’s unrestrained laughter drew attention, but Yuu’s fierce glare quickly stopped any whispers.

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Leona - The Capital

Prompts: @domaystic 2025 Challenge/@thedrabblecollective May drabble challenge: Day 29 Bowing Profusely (Alt B) & Maelstrom Rating: T Pairing: Leona/Yuu Notes: I found too many challenges for May I wanted to join, so I'm combining Domaystic and Drabble Challenge prompts. This will be a multi-part AU with each part being a 100 word drabble. My only end goal for this is 31 days of Leona/Yuu fluff. [Part 28] - [Part 30] Masterlists for my other fics

“I’m filing for divorce.”

Yuu barely glanced at him. They hadn’t had a moment alone since arriving in Sunrise City. If it wasn’t servants following them with judgmental stares and whispers, it was politicians profusely bowing to garner a foreign princess’s favor. “I wouldn’t allow it.”

Leona sighed. “I hadn’t planned to return.”

“Because you planned to rule my province, right?” Leona found a maelstrom of emotions lighting Yuu’s eyes. “I wouldn’t allow that either.”

Leona grudgingly laughed. “I know.”

“Good.” Yuu grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the throne room. “Be a good husband and wait your turn.”

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Yuu - The Invitation

Prompts: @domaystic 2025 Challenge/@thedrabblecollective May drabble challenge: Day 28 VIP & Mercy Rating: T Pairing: Leona/Yuu Notes: I found too many challenges for May I wanted to join, so I'm combining Domaystic and Drabble Challenge prompts. This will be a multi-part AU with each part being a 100 word drabble. My only end goal for this is 31 days of Leona/Yuu fluff. [Part 27] - [Part 29] Masterlists for my other fics

The letter arrived in the beak of a red-billed hornbill.

Yuu allowed Leona to handle the messenger while she finished packing for their new day of travel. Leona’s scoff made her pause, and she gaped at him tossing the letter back at the bird, much to its squawking distaste. “Leona!”

Leona grumbled and stalked into the nearby brush. Yuu retrieved the crumbled letter to read it. Her eyes slowly narrowed. Should she be impressed by this flowery “VIP invitation?” She penned a quick reply.

Those stuffy aristocrats would learn Merciful and Virtuous were the least accurate descriptors for a Draconia.

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Leona - The Smile

Prompts: @domaystic 2025 Challenge/@thedrabblecollective May drabble challenge: Day 27 Infestation & Transform Rating: T Pairing: Leona/Yuu Notes: I found too many challenges for May I wanted to join, so I'm combining Domaystic and Drabble Challenge prompts. This will be a multi-part AU with each part being a 100 word drabble. My only end goal for this is 31 days of Leona/Yuu fluff. [Part 26] - [Part 28] Masterlists for my other fics

They had been officially married for one month. Leona silently counted the days to be sure. Thirty days–one month. A tenth of his lifetime.

How in all of Twisted Wonderland had this woman–his wife–transformed his reputation from something to avoid and fear to the exact opposite?

Children swarmed him like an infestation of flies. They all screamed at one time, flailing makeshift discs like humming wings. He glared at Yuu speaking with the village’s elder.

Sensing his stare, Yuu faced him. And smiled. He snatched one of the damn discs, telling himself it was only to disperse the little pests.

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Yuu - The Farewell

Prompts: @domaystic 2025 Challenge/@thedrabblecollective May drabble challenge: Day 26 Funeral & Narrow Rating: T Pairing: Leona/Yuu Notes: I found too many challenges for May I wanted to join, so I'm combining Domaystic and Drabble Challenge prompts. This will be a multi-part AU with each part being a 100 word drabble. My only end goal for this is 31 days of Leona/Yuu fluff. [Part 25] - [Part 27] Masterlists for my other fics

Yuu felt guilty for the smile she fought. “You’re leaving?”

Malleus nodded with an air as solemn as a funeral. “I am afraid I must return to Briar Valley.”

“I’ll miss you,” Yuu said sincerely. She gave him a tight hug, which he returned. “But I’m sure mom is missing you too.”

Malleus emitted an awkward cough. Yuu’s eyes narrowed. “Malleus…she does know you left. Right?”

Another cough. “I shall see you upon your return.”

“If you’re not a charred pile of ash.”

“Bring your husband with you.” Malleus smirked. “Mother will enjoy threatening him as much as I have.”