What the Wind Left, What the Rumors Kept | DilucxReader
Summary: Rumors travel rather quickly here in Mondstadt, especially through taverns as famous as the Angel’s share. A certain runaway lady has been the main interest of topic as of lately. A lady wielding a vision and are often seen fighting off the treasure hoarders and hilichurls on the streets of Mondstadt. Purposely running into Darknight Hero on his nightly patrols was meant to be a simple curiosity and definitely not a rivalry... Right?
Disclaimer: enemies to lovers, reader is from Fontaine, yearning Diluc, slight angst, slow burn one shot, as always english isn't my first language so pardon me. Cross-posted on AO3!
Rumors travel rather quickly here in Mondstadt, especially through taverns as famous as the Angel’s share.
Well, it is hardly surprising, given that there are always people that come in and go at all times, loose tongues from civilians, knights, adventurers, and even bards all gathered under one roof. And Diluc, had grown accustomed to filtering the truth from some baseless rumors, sorting through information from meaningless gossip, and knowing when to ignore when it is hardly significant. He had little interest in them. But every now and then, a rumor would make its way that catches his attention.
But it is definitely not one that came from the mouth of Kaeya Alberich when he's drinking. He had the tendency of adding his own extra little flair when he's telling a story to Diluc. To which Diluc never understands and probably never will.
“A runaway noblewoman,” Kaeya had said casually one evening, swirling his wine on one of his hands, “Apparently she ran away from her family all the way from Fontaine.”
Diluc had barely looked up from polishing a glass.
“But not just a regular noblewoman. From what I've heard, the merchants passing through the city swore they've seen her driving off treasure hoarders and hilichurls on the road.” Kaeya tilted his head slightly, a glint of amusement in his eye, “And I've heard she'll be staying in Mondstadt for quite some time. Makes you wonder why you think she fled Fontaine in the first place, eh?”
Diluc didn't look up from what he was doing and continued to polish another glass after he put the clean one carefully on the side, clearly uninterested in whatever Kaeya was saying.
Kaeya sighed dramatically, “You wound me Diluc. And here I thought tales of a scandalous noble runaway would interest you.”
“I fail to see why it should.” Diluc’s expression remains indifferent.
Kaeya leaned in lazily against the counter, swirling his wine as if he had nothing better to do than to provoke his brother.
“You truly have no curiosity at all?”
Kaeya chuckled, “A noble daughter abandoning her aristocratic life to roam the countryside and more so with a skilled swordsmanship. Quite impressive, really. And from what I've heard from a few people, she even fled from her own engagement.”
Diluc raised a brow, though his expression remained unmoved, “Nobles running away from their responsibilities to Mondstadt is not uncommon.”
He resumed polishing another glass. Kaeya chuckled softly.
“You're terribly cynical, Diluc.” he said as he gulped down the last drop of his drink, “Still, I have a feeling you'll meet her eventually. And if you happen to cross paths with this mysterious runaway during one of your nightly… excursions, do try to be polite. She is still a lady after all.”
And as if Kaeya had a hand in it, their paths crossed as if fate was helping him to make his predictions come true. Diluc moved swiftly through the darkness doing his Darknight hero duties as per usual. But when the sound of steel clashing against something burst across the alley, he was surprised to see someone already fighting. And that someone had ended the fight as he got to the scene.
“You know,” you looked to the place he's been ‘hiding’, “It's rather rude to watch from the shadows.”
He stepped forward to reveal himself under the moonlight.
“You’re late to the party.” you said.
“I was simply observing.” he replied, his tone indifferent.
“That sounds suspiciously like an excuse,” you hummed, “Since the situation is already handled, I suppose there’s no need for you to continue watching.”
Diluc frowned slightly. You've already turned your back at him.
“... You're leaving?”
“Did you want me to stay?” You looked over your shoulder, a quick step onto the nearest crate then another, you jumped upward and suddenly you were already halfway up from Diluc. Your cloak fell down your head, revealing your face under the moonlight.
Diluc has only briefly heard about the descriptions of your physical appearance mostly from the adventurers and merchants that stopped by his tavern occasionally. But the moment he saw you, he knew you were the topic of the recent rumors about a runaway noble lady fleeing her engagement from Fontaine and coming all the way to Mondstadt.
Miss Y/N L/N.
Your eyes gleamed with amusement as you glanced back down at him, “If you feel left out, do try to arrive earlier next time.”
And before Diluc could respond, you had vanished over the top balcony. He shifted his gaze toward the scattered remains of the Abyss creatures. So the rumors were true after all, the runaway noblewoman was a skilled fighter. And if tonight’s encounter was any indication, she was going to be far more troublesome than what the rumors suggested.
It became a routine at some point. You always seemed to arrive and solve the problem before he even got there. He occasionally caught glimpses of your glowing [your vision name] Vision leaving from the corner of his eyes after he arrived at the crime scene. Sometimes, he arrived just as the fight was ending like the first time he encountered you.
For someone who held no official duty to protect Mondstadt, you certainly do like to intervene. You have a habit of appearing exactly where you shouldn’t, stepping into matters he’s already handling as if you have every right to be there. He doesn’t ask for help, doesn’t want it, and most certainly doesn’t need yours. At least, that’s what he tells himself. You move too fast, speak too freely, and refuse to back down even when he tells you to leave. And at some point it became a competition neither of you agreed to, yet refused to let the other win.
Who gets there first, who finishes it cleaner, and who proves the other wrong.
Until one day you just didn't show up. Not the next. And not even the day after that.
At first he assumes you've finally learned your place. It should be a relief after all your constant meddling, now that you’ve chosen to stay out of it for once. It should make things a lot easier. It does, technically. But yet somehow, Diluc found himself expecting to see you there whenever he patrols. Enough that he started to look around just to catch a glimpse of you, eventually. Not because he is concerned, no, he would never. He would never admit that he is, because unfinished matters have a way to become a problem one day. At least that's what he told himself for these last few days.
When he saw you again, it wasn't how he had expected it to be. He had expected you to be there before him like usual, always waiting and ready to tease him for being late once more. Not the sight of you lying barely conscious, blood pooling under your body while you remained unmoving. He could feel his blood run cold as he approached you. For a moment it doesn't make any sense. You were supposed to be someone that was difficult to keep up with and even harder to pin down. How did you end up like that? Why? And who or what did this to you?
The moment you regained your consciousness, the ceiling above you was unfamiliar. Your side ached faintly, though the sharp pain is more manageable now. You can feel the bandages that wrap around your body as you try to move. The scent of grapes drifted through the room.
Diluc had brought you to Dawn Winery to get your wounds treated. The staff told you it was “Master Diluc” who took care of you when you've been unconscious for days and have a high fever. Yet when you're well enough to walk around, you couldn’t find a single trace of him. It was like he purposely left you there, without so much as a single inquiry after your condition.
Diluc had spent days trying to make it make sense. It might have been easier to believe that he simply did not care. Was it the sight of your almost lifeless body that terrified him? Or was it because he's not oblivious to how naturally he had come to expect you whenever he's out on patrol? Or perhaps it was something far less reasonable that he refused to name yet?
Because whatever the reason, it was clear that he chose to keep his distance. Not because you were his rival but because he understood all too well what it would mean if he had stayed by your side to witness your recovery.
Still, he has his staff to report your conditions back to him while he keeps his distance. How your wounds have been healing, how you've been eating and sleeping, how your complexion seems better as day went by, and how you're insisting in helping the maids out to cure your boredom even though they have tried to warn you not to do anything, lest your injuries worsen.
But there were moments where he considered breaking that distance just to check on you with his own eyes. There was a particular kind of frustration in knowing that you were just behind a door down the corridor, a turn that he refused to take. Because he understands, perhaps better than most, how easily attachment could become a weakness. His weakness. Because once he crossed that door to see you and allow himself even a single moment of honesty, he knew there's no way he could pretend that this was nothing.
“You know, you're not very good at staying out of sight.”
The sharp sound of glass shattering cut through the tavern, drawing a few glances but he paid them no mind. You have decided to pay him a surprise visit one day when you're well enough to come to Mondstadt on your own. He had not expected you to come to Angel’s tavern yourself.
“You shouldn't be out yet.” Diluc said as he cleaned the pieces of broken glasses after it slipped out of his hand.
“Is that concern I hear?” you chuckled a bit, teasing him has always been a routine of yours whenever you see him out on patrol.
“The doctor said your ribs aren't fully healed yet. Try breathing without pain if you decided you're recovered.” he grunted, looking at your side.
“...” In turn you only stared at him and blinked. His facial expression shifted to a confused one, trying to guess what you were thinking.
“You seem pretty well-informed for someone who couldn't be bothered to visit.”
“I was informed.” His gaze sharpened.
“Ah,” you hummed, “So you were concerned.”
“... Don't misunderstand.” he sighed.
“I think Kaeya’s right. You're not really the honest type when it comes to feelings.” you tried to suppress a chuckle, “Besides, I couldn't leave without thanking you for saving my life.”
He knew you were now well enough to leave Dawn Winery. He needed to face you, confirm himself there was nothing and be done with it. Because that was what this was, wasn't it? The ending of your encounter, neatly wrapped in gratitude. You were staying in Mondstadt for a while, doesn't mean you're staying here forever.
So why then he had hoped that you were going to stay a little longer?
You were simply… A traveler. A runaway noblewoman was never meant to remain anywhere for long, she still has a whole world lay wide before her, waiting to be explored. You were not made to stay. To ask otherwise would be… Foolish. And he was not a man given to foolishness.
So he let your gratitude stand as it was. Even if for the briefest moment he found himself wondering what it might have been like had you have chosen to stay. After all, the world was wide enough that your paths might never cross again. But yet, not so wide to dismiss the possibility entirely.
“You may leave as you wish.” he said quietly, “But should you ever feel like returning… there will always be a place here that welcomes you.”
Bonus story:
"Oh but I'll still be staying in Mondstadt." you smiled cheekily, "I meant leaving your Dawn Winery. I don’t want to start a rumor that Master Diluc, Mondstadt's most sought after bachelor secretly shelters a mysterious woman. Rumors travel more quickly here in Mondstadt, don't you agree?"
“...and it seems that you are awfully interested in my reputation.” Diluc who had only connected the dots can't help but frown at the teasing. Although the tip of his ears can't really lie.
Summary: A particular memory that you remember from your moments of Ace before he got captured by the Marines. Ace is still alive, this happened before Marine Ford. Reader is a member of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Disclaimer: reader is comforting Ace, slight angst, implied d34th, english is not my first language so I apologize in advance if there are any incorrect grammars 😔 I'm missing Ace, my poor sunshine boy 😔 The reason why it's slight angst... you'll get to it in a minute. Also this is cross-posted on AO3.
“Welp, thanks for listening to me ramble.”
Sitting beside you, Portgas D. Ace let out a quiet breath, somewhat between a sigh and laugh. There were nights when Ace would choose to join you on patrols aboard the Moby Dick. On nights where his thoughts were keeping him awake and he couldn’t bring himself to sleep. And when that happens, he would find himself confiding in you during your nightly watch.
And tonight was one of those nights.
“It’s amazing how you always know what to say.” He flashed you his cheeky grin, a sign that whatever has been on his mind was finally off his chest, “I think you should be the crew’s therapist or something.”
“Should I?” you chuckled at the thought.
“Yeah.” He didn't hesitate, didn't even look at you when he said it. He looked up at the clear starry sky. The ship rocked with the waves beneath you, slow and steady. The lantern lights you brought to the bird nest flickered briefly in his eyes, illuminating his face with a warm glow.
“You know, you're weird you know that?”
“... That's a new one.” You raised a brow, not sure if you should be offended or not since it was Ace who said that.
“Not in a bad way.” he quickly added so you didn't misunderstand it, “ ‘s just, you don't react like other people.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Like…” Ace gave it a brief thought, “Like I'd say something that should probably get a bigger reaction, yeah?”
You nodded once, listening to him. Ace went quiet for a moment.
“You just kinda accept it like it's normal.”
“Well, maybe it is normal.” you blinked, unsure of how to react. Well sure, the other night he just dropped the bomb that he was the son of the Gol D. Roger and he told you just now about how difficult it was living with that kind of burden. He had lived his whole life carrying this secret like a sin he committed, with the belief that his whole existence is a sin just because he was born bearing the same blood as the pirate king.
“Well, I was right, wasn't I? No child gets to choose who they are born from. And besides, I think that shouldn't define your whole existence or who you are just because you're the son of the pirate king.” you replied, “To us, you're just Ace. You're part of the family now.
You had just said it so easily and so… genuine. It wasn't a lie when he told you that you always know the right thing to say to ease his mind. What he wanted to hear for tonight was acceptance for who he really is. And somehow you had become his safe space to confide in whenever he feels like his head is going to explode with thoughts.
He didn't realize it at first. But out of everyone on the ship, you were the only place he ever spoke to like that. Probably because you're not the type of person that would laugh at him or not take him seriously. And maybe that's why he kept coming back.
Ace exhaled, softer this time, “It's not that I haven't heard things like that before. It just… never really stuck with me when other people say it.”
Though Ace might act dumb in certain things, he's not dumb enough to not notice how gazes change when people know the fact that he is the son of the pirate king. Sure, people might tell him kind and reassuring things but the look in their eyes gave them away.
Not with you though. You didn't have that look.
“It's easier to believe it when you're the one saying it. Sounds nice.” he admitted, almost like it surprised him to hear it out loud, “But don't go telling everyone I said that tho.”
“Relax, I won't.” you chuckled at his last comment, “I’d rather not tell myself. I'm not planning on becoming the crew’s therapist anytime soon.”
“Nah, even if you are, they already know how busy you are so I don't think you'll get that many patients. I know being Marco's assistant is no easy task. I heard that old man basically worked you to the bone in the infirmary.” Ace told you the joke about how you never come out from the infirmary and how the crew joked about Marco overworking you in his division.
“I just like making medicine, that’s all.” you laughed.
One moment it would feel quiet and vulnerable. The next, he’d turn it into a light jab or a joke, like it hadn’t meant much at all. It was always like that with Ace, on late nights like this. Although you can feel his sincerity when he thanked you before heading down to finally get some sleep.
As he turned his back, it was such a small and ordinary thing. One that you’d seen a hundred times before, that familiar purple Whitebeard tattoo on his back. And yet this time, you found yourself watching him a little longer than usual, memorizing the line of his shoulders, the freckle details on his back, and the shape of him walking away. And for some reason, your chest tightened as you held onto the sight of his back, like somehow you already know you would miss it.
And that, was the last time you ever saw him walk away from your post. He never returned to tell you another story about his concern.
Bonus story:
The next day, while working in the first division’s infirmary, Marco dropped by to check on the medical supplies.
“So? What did Ace told you this time-yoi?” Marco teased you after knowing that you had nightly patrol last night. He knew Ace would often swing by whenever it’s your shift, much to Marco’s disapproval to not bother you while you were out on night patrol.
“...Nothing.” And like always, you would never tell a single soul what you and Ace have talked about under the open, night starry sky.
I'll explain to you some etiquette you must follow before you begin your tour around the museum ヾ(≡^∇^≡)ノ
Museum Etiquette:
Do not copy, steal, repost any of my works (art and writings) in any other platform.
Be kind to one another and respect other's opinion.
Do not interact if you fit into the basic dni criteria, racist, homophobe, support incest, sexualize minor, any form of discrimination.
About requests!
I am currently not taking any request but if you suggest something I might write them! BUT
I will not write: nsfw, gore, smut, self-harm, suicide, eating disorder, incest, writing imagines of characters who are minors (except for aged up!AU), rape.
My content are usually nsfw free except stated otherwise! I like to write fluff, headcanons, and sometimes a little bit of angst.
That's all for now! Have a great time visiting around!
Rewatching Spy x Family and realizing how far they've come 😭
so I watched the Spy x Family movie Code: White and then after that I rewatched the first episode of SxF and was like wow, Twilight you've really come a long way. Like, he used to be awkward around Anya and didn't know what to do in episode 1 where he cares about the mission more. Comparing that to the movie, you can definitely see that he cares about his family more than the mission.
In the movie you can see that he's definitely disappointed when Handler told him that someone will replace him in Operation Strix. Because if it fails, the family cover will no longer be needed. He wanted to convince the HQ that the Operation Strix is showing progress. Idk about yall but I think it felt like that's just him subconsciously needing a reason to keep his family, to convince himself this could last a little longer. Because when the mission ends, so does the excuse to keep the family. Because he's a spy.
Or perhaps what he's really subconsciously afraid of is what happens when he no longer needs a cover to stay.
Watching the contrast between the first episode and the recent episodes / movie of SxF made me realized that somewhere along the line, Loid started acting like a real father. Cause man went from "this is for the mission" to "standing up for his daughter's Meremere and buying his wife a lipstick just because Yor mentioned that she probably has an allergic reaction to her current lipstick" 😭
And I think if Twilight from episode one when he adopted Anya meets himself from the recent episodes, I'd say he'll judge himself for getting sloppy. Like, "wow, I've really lost my edge" because Twilight was once a man who didn't believe in marriage, family and all that because he had abandoned those things the moment he took the code name Twilight. And seeing him now, he's already attached without him knowing, much softer, more caring.
What used to be strangers playing pretend-family just for the sake of the mission, watching them now, it doesn't feel like a mission anymore. Just a family slowly learning how to be one. Now I really get why people are saying that Twilight has become the mask and Loid Forger became the person. Because Twilight was supposed to be the real one, but now he started to become more comfortable with his life as Loid Forger.
Also the irony of his name... As Twilight, a spy, he spent his life forging fake identities, documents, even lives. He also forged Loid Forger. Yet Loid Forger has become the identity that stopped feeling fake... At least "for the sake of the mission". 😏
Ok so as I'm brainstorming a fanfic I would like to write for Gojo, I keep circling back to the idea of a RealGoddess!Reader x GodComplex!Gojo Satoru dynamic. What I mean by god complex is because he is literally the strongest, and people in the jjk universe practically treat him like a god already. So that's why he's got that confident, cocky, and a sense of untouchable superiority.
But then to flip it on its head, come Y/N or the Reader who is an actual deity, an existence goes far beyond what Gojo even understands. Basically the dynamic is letting the "god" of human, meet a real god.
And just to be clear, by "real god", I don't mean anything tied to real-world beliefs, this is purely fictional work, and more like a celestial or divine being within the JJK Universe. Similar to Sukuna being the King of Curses while Reader is more like a heavenly spirit who descended into the mortal world. Also another quick disclaimer, english is not my first language so pls excuse if there are incorrect grammars and spelling errors T^T also I haven't written in a long time.
Summary: GojoXGoddess!Reader. Gojo woke up from a nightmare of being cut in half. Turns out he regressed back in time by a goddess to the time after Amanai Riko's death. Gojo Satoru was given a second chance to be... Human.
word count: 1.3k, one-shot, sort of angst, slow burn
written and published by orieriee on tumblr. Please do not copy or repost in any other platform.
Gojo Satoru suddenly woke up drenched with cold sweat, his abdomen twisting painfully as he barely made it to the toilet in time.
"Damn it." he muttered, it must've been the spoiled milk he accidentally drank this morning. He knew it tasted off. And now here he was, paying the price like any other normal human being.
Even the strongest sorcerer in the world wasn't immune to something as stupid as spoiled milk. But still, even after the stomach pain has faded, the uneasiness didn't.
It was those same nightmare again. The part where it felt like his body was being cut in half. Fragments of dreams that the sensation of being split apart and burned felt too realistic, as if the world had decided he was done. But he told himself that they were just dreams.
When he finally left the bathroom, Gojo Satoru stepped out of the balcony, letting the cool night air hit his skin. The cicadas were loud tonight and the dark summer sky stretched wide above him.
Amanai Riko is dead.
He knows this because of the empty guilt that at nights like this, weights in his chest. But then again tonight is a little different, as if Gojo felt the lingering certainty that this wasn't his first time standing here.
The world was not meant to rewind. That much is clear for Gojo Satoru who went through the sunny-lit courtyard of Jujutsu High. Not certainty, but just a sense that the world has shifted subtly.
Gojo stood in the open field, practicing his technique with the help of Ieiri Shoko and Geto Suguru. But something about his power felt it responded too easily. And for a moment, just for a moment, Gojo felt like he was reenacting something he had already lived through.
"Suguru, have you lost weight? You okay?" Gojo called from the training grounds, a strange tightness settling in his chest.
"It's just fatigue from the heat." Geto replied, "I'll be fine."
That familiar sense of déjà vu as a chill ran down his spine. As if he had already asked this once. As if he'd heard that answer before.
Gojo forced a grin to his face, laughed it off the way he always did. Because the world hadn't ended. Because Suguru was still there. Because the cicadas still screamed beneath that blue summer sky.
And then one morning, standing beside teacher Yaga during morning briefing, a woman dressed in plain Jujutsu Sorceress attire had appeared.
"Transfer." Yaga said, "She'll be accompanying other students on missions for the time being."
Gojo's six eyes slid over her instinctively, no overwhelming energy, but she became a constant in the background before Gojo ever spoke to her.
A semi-grade one sorceress assigned to assist the students on missions. Nothing flashy but the name kept surfacing in conversation.
She saved Haibara from a fatal blow, Nanami came back with nothing worse than exhaustion. Geto didn't fall, two girls of curse technique users were pulled from the village that should've ended there.
Gojo heard all of this secondhand. In passing, in between missions. But the strongest didn't need saving, so when she was assigned to accompany him in one of the special grade missions, Gojo barely spared her a glance.
"Don't worry missy, you can stay back." he said easily, infinity already humming, "This one's special grade."
She didn't argue, which only makes matter worse.
When the cursed spirit lunged faster than expected, wrong in a way Gojo hadn't accounted for, he was caught off guard.
But then she stepped in.
"HEY!" it was foolish, he thought. A sorcerer of a lower grade than him to jump in front to shield him.
But the special grade cursed spirit gone in an instant blow. The power surged out from her was something not even cursed energy ever did. Her eyes glowed.
For the first time since waking from that impossible dream, the six eyes felt it. It was something older than any jujutsu technique. That presence is no mere semi-grade one sorceress, nor was it something entirely unknown to him.
One that he had felt in his soul before.
After that, he started noticing her a lot more. He stopped pretending not to look for her. He noticed the way she positioned herself, which is never in front of him unless it mattered.
"You don't need to protect me." he said once, lightly when she stepped in, "... Unless that's just a goddess thing."
"I know." she replied quietly.
With her, the silence never demanded anything. She didn't fill it with reassurance or expectations. Just his well-being.
When he came back from a battle or his dreadful family meeting, she brushed dust from his sleeves with an absentminded tenderness.
"You're hurt." she said. Not to heal him with her powers, not to marvel his achievements, but to press her fingers briefly against his wrist, as if checking he was still... Here.
"Oh, it's nothing the strongest can't handle. I-" he replied, half humoring even though his fingers curled a fraction too tightly. She cut him off before he could even finish.
"I know. But you're still hurt." she said, hands still at his sleeves, warm and steady. Something in his chest ache, because whenever she looks at him, there was no awe or fear, or expectation in her eyes, only concern. Like he mattered even though he wasn't useful. Even if he's not the Gojo Satoru.
Because around him, the world sees him as god among men. The world placed a heavy burden on his shoulders to bear and walked away lighter. Gojo Satoru, the strongest weapon of humanity. And in being so, the world forgot to ask whether he was still allowed to be human.
But she saw the way his shoulders sag when no one's watching after a long mission. The way his gaze that looks down whenever he felt lonely. She saw Gojo Satoru, exhausted and alive and trying so hard to protect everyone and not to be alone. How she saw the part of him that held himself together tightly, how human he still was beneath the faith forced upon the strongest.
And quietly, he wanted her.
The goddess who had returned him to life, only to show him what it meant to be human. The goddess who saw him not as the strongest, not the one who tipped the world's balance, but as Gojo Satoru, mortal and alive.
She stood close to him. Like a mentor. Like a friend. Like a constant when the world demanded him to be something unbreakable.
And yet there was a distance he did not dare to cross. A line not drawn by her but by who she was.
A goddess. The real god among men.
Gojo Satoru spends his whole life being desired for what he represented. But with her, he was allowed to hesitate, allowed to be tired, and allowed to be not perfect, allowed to exist just because. And that's why it hurts.
Because Gojo Satoru loved her not for what she was, but for what she let him be.
Human. Imperfect. Unremarkable. Broken inside.
But still, Gojo Satoru knew better than to believe he could ever want this to be something more. Wanting her meant wanting something he couldn't reach without breaking the human part of himself she had taught him to protect.
But yet, when she rested his head briefly against his shoulder, just for a moment, Gojo Satoru closes his eyes and let himself want.
Not as the strongest.
Not as the man who tipped the balance of the world the moment he was born.
Not as a god among men.
But as a man. A human. Who knew this was all he would ever be allowed.
if I have to associate LADS men with an artist(s) or music, it would be:
Disclaimer: these are just my own interpretation! It might not be 100% accurate to their personalities and everyone can have their own interpretation. My version is that every time I listen to these music, I tend to think/associate them with the music! Also not read-proof, I wrote this on a whim because I need to get this idea out of my head ASAP. Still coping with uni-stress. Sosorry if I get any of the grammars wrong, english isn't my first language. I hope you enjoy! If you have any song recommendations that you associate the LADS men with, please let me know!! 💗
Sylus is so lana del rey coded. Especially Salvatore, art deco, and ultraviolence imo. Music that sounds majestic but carries dark, vintage, similar to a dark academia tones. A blend of elegance and somber, a rich atmosphere that's both glamorous and haunting.
Caleb is arctic monkey and cigarettes after s*x coded. Especially with his military persona who yearns to see his wife (aka MC) he got that sort of vibe, and also obsessed/obsessive in keeps-replaying/thinking-of-MC kind of way. Cool, edgy, but also kinda intimate and melancholic. Loving in quiet, longing, is painful, but he holds on to it. Kinda yandere.
Zayne is Hozier with korean RnB vibes, like Dept or The Black Skirts. He's sweet, a gentleman. Hearing their music makes you think how can someone loves someone so much, and that's Zayne! Poetic, romantic, warm, a bit emotional but never overwhelming, kinda mysterious too. Like a confession, ache, tenderness.
Xavier is Indila-coded! Because he's princely but also has a layer of royalty/nobility. Like he walked out of a historical manhwa or out of an old European aristocratic film where love is tragic. He's graceful and screams effortless elegance, yes, in a light academia type of way, but there's also a melancholic air around him.
Rafayel I think is wave to earth coded. Because he reminds me of that first-love, innocent high school love kind of vibe. Music that evokes nostalgia, that captures playful late teenage love, but also like missing who's close, but someone you were never really with, but still think about.
istg like I need more of those "you like [insert LADS love interest] because you're [insert your internal issues] because tell me why ARE THEY SPOT ON??? Like
EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. THEM 🥹
Tell me why I love Caleb more than the others- don't get me wrong, I love all the LIs in Love and Deepspace but with Caleb, I just have a bias towards Caleb... And why is that?
because I want someone who'll love me unconditionally no matter what happens? Heck yeah.
Because I want someone who knows me inside and out and notices every detail about me even the subtle ones or notices whenever I'm feeling a bit down or when I'm feeling stressed out? Absolutely.
I want to be loved, to be noticed, and to have someone who despite knowing our weaknesses and flaws, despite my insecurities, who knows who I really am, what I like and don't like, etc, still chooses to love and care for me unconditionally, fights for me, makes the effort to show up, and have a provider-mindset 🥹
I feel like the song I Love You, I'm Sorry by Gracie Abrams really suits CalebxMC, where the lore is that Caleb confessed to MC but MC rejected him and basically just sees him as a brother figure,, like... awkward
Especially the lyrics goes: I'll be on a boat (MC), you're on a plane (Caleb)
Gaaahh I might write the story based on this, wait as I cook👀
If LADS was a historical royalty manhwa .⋅˚₊‧ ⚜ ‧₊˚ ⋅
Your manhwa harem but with Love and Deepspace boy... What kind of male lead role would they be? 𖤐⭒๋࣭ ⭑
Disclaimer ‼️ This is just for fun and my own interpretation if the LADS boys are in a historical royalty manhwa or if they're in Bridgeton! Also possibly grammar errors, use she/her
Let me know if you want each of the boys' headcanons in a separate blog for a more detailed story!
INTRODUCTION ₊˚⊹♡:
Starting off with you, you are a notorious noble lady in Philos kingdom, particularly the daughter of the only earl in Philos kingdom. As you're coming of age for marriage, your father the Earl is determined to find you a suitable husband. His initial plan was to introduce you to the crown prince of Philos because you deserve the best of the best. However, you believe in true love instead of a union for duty and political purposes. While sorting through the finest candidates, you found out that there are many fine gentlemen in the kingdom, each with their own allure.
Which one will you choose?
Xavier 🌟
We're starting off with Xavier, he's of course, the crown prince of Philos Kingdom
He's the typical main male lead destined to be your fiancé
He may appear innocent on the surface , but he actually likes to poke fun at you
I imagine he's your childhood friend; the two of you played together a few times whenever the your father the Earl had work at the imperial palace
When you were children, Xavier said that he wanted to marry you one day
However, the two of you eventually lost contact as Xavier's schedule grew busier with his duties as crown prince and grew apart
Currently, the king and queen are sorting through the candidates for the crown princess
The king and queen had picked a princess from the neighboring kingdom but Xavier declined, saying that he already had someone in mind
So really, he was actually the mastermind all along (cue to the introduction), determined to make you his bride by secretly sending a marriage proposal to your estate
He even contacted your father first, not the other way around to arrange a meeting with you
Rafayel 🫧
He is said to be the enigmatic prince from the neighboring kingdom, who carries the bloodline of the Lemurian people
He is the son of a Lemurian princess, whose beauty and grace are reflected in Rafayel's face
He is also known for his artistic skills especially in painting and is famous among the greatest artists in the continent
He often holds charity events, raising funds from his paintings to those in need
Many noble ladies fangirls over him, as most of them thinks he's a romantic and very admirable
But he's actually quite shy when it comes to real romance and that's just all his facade
So the story goes like this, one day, you met him at a ball and he tried to get close to you because he wanted to get some information from you on some kind of Lemurian-related case
You two ended up working together to solve the case and he slowly fell in love with you instead
He revealed to you that he's actually the king of the Lemurian kingdom and he wants to take you back to his kingdom and asked you to be his bride
Now, you are his muse, and since then you exist in all of his art
Zayne ❄️
Zayne is the prodigious mage of the magic tower, because you know, foreseer? Tower of secret?
Zayne represents the typical Mage!Male lead
He's the youngest and one of the lead researchers of magic with huge contributions to the kingdom
Rumor has it he's actually of noble birth but that's for another story
Zayne is cold and distant because he's grown up hiding his true identity
And the thing with you is that, in his dreams, he kept seeing glimpses of his own future — and keeps seeing the same person by his side, but doesn’t know if it’s real or just a magical illusion
And ever since that day, somehow you keep crossing paths with him during important meetings or investigations
Magic can be unpredictable around strong emotions — and Zayne finds his powers reacting wildly when he's near you
He tries to do a research on it, and at first "rejects his fate", but every time he does, his magic is getting more unpredictable and out of control
In the end, he learns to embrace it — but the truth is, he had already fallen for you long before he ever understood it
Because the moment you first crossed paths, even before you appeared in his dreams, his heart had already chosen you
Sylus and Caleb under the cut!
Sylus 🐈⬛
Sylus is the archduke/duke renowned for his vast fortune and prosperous land in the north
He's just as famous — or infamous — for the rumors that surround him
He was rumored to be cruel, violent and ruthless by outsiders, but the people in the north think otherwise
People say he has a pet dragon that protects his land
With Sylus, I can definitely see enemies to lovers trope, the fierce and mean northern duke slowly falls in love with an unshaken noble lady
Well, it all happened when you decided to run away from home to avoid being in an arranged marriage to some stranger
After running away, your carriage broke and you stumbled upon the Duke's castle
And Sylus, cold-eyed and ruthless, has no intention of letting a suspicious trespasser go free, thinking you were a spy sent by the neighboring kingdom
But after some negotiations, Duke Sylus agrees to hide you — but only if you work for him
Basically you're just an adorable little scared kitten to him that he basically adopts you
In the end, he convinced your father to marry you to him instead (the people in his castle are overjoyed by the news that the castle will finally have a Duchess)
Caleb 🍎
Prepare for the angst because in LADS his story kinda has the forbidden trope, that makes him so Knight!Male Lead coded
The tension of forbidden love between of a noble lady and her knight, He struggles every day to maintain his self-control, never daring to step over the line drawn by your difference in social status
As your loyal personal knight, he's always there right by your side ever since you two were young
His duty is solely to protect you from harm... Not catch feelings for you
He would watch from the sidelines while the other princes approached you, jealous but unable to do anything expect for clenching his fists behind his back
Because protecting you also means protecting your happiness, even if it breaks his own heart
And yet, every stolen glance, every accidental brush of your hand against his armor, chips away at his carefully built walls
Every time you smile at someone else... At some... Princes and noblemen, it feels like a blade twisting deeper into his chest
Nails digging into his palms, forcing himself to stand still when every instinct screams at him to act — to claim you
But he remains silent
Because loving you was never part of his oath — and even if it costs him everything, he will not be the one to shatter your future for his own selfish heart
So, in conclusion:
🌟 Xavier as the Crown Prince
🫧 Rafayel as the king of Lemurian kingdom, disguised as a Prince from the neighboring kingdom traveling to Philos kingdom
Would My Asian Parents Approve? — Love & Deepspace Boyfriend Edition
Ranking how approvable LADS men by my asian parents if I bring them home for dinner
note: ‼️ This headcanon is just my interpretation of how my Asian parents might react. It’s also a bit of a stereotype, reflecting the typical dynamics of a staple Asian household, but it’s all in good fun so please take this with a grain of salt, this is just my own personal interpretation and meant to be taken light heartedly.
another note: based on their personality and their interaction in Love and Deepspace game when introducing themselves to your parents + my own interpretation! Uses she/her mainly, and also "you" instead of "me"
written and published by orieriee on tumblr. Please do not copy or repost in any other platform.
👑 Number 1 : Zayne ☃️
Zayne is definitely the top number one of most likely to get approved by my asian parents
Heck, he probably has their blessing the moment he sits down for dinner for the first time
It's definitely not because he's a doctor with a stable job
I mean he's a cardiac surgeon at 27! With an award at that! Immediate approve 💯
He's the kind of guy who brings thoughtful souvenirs for your parents when he comes over for dinner
I can already picture him bringing a premium tea gift set that he specifically got according to your parents' taste, beautifully packaged and looks expensive 🍵
Honestly, he's already the son-in-law! Came for dinner, stayed for marriage plans and the future
What can I say? He’s polite, good-looking, and probably smells wonderful—like a hint of jasmine mixed with a bit of antiseptic due to his work
He’s the type to compliment my mom’s cooking, and she'd be so pleased that she'd serve him the best portions instead of giving them to me 😔
"Here, eat more meat! I made plenty just for you,” she would say with a happy smile
Even dad would probably like him immediately, pulling him aside and ask privately, “So, when's the wedding?” — like, dad, chill, it's Zayne's first time coming over for dinner
They know their daughter is in good hands with Zayne as her husband
👑 Number 2 : Caleb 🍎
I'm putting Caleb as my second in the most likely my parents would approve list because he works for the government as a pilot (a stable job)
There is a consideration though: my mom would ask "If he’s a pilot, wouldn’t you be lonely since he’s often up in the air?”
She also worries about the risks associated with being a pilot, given the dangers involved in the profession
But Caleb is the type of guy who immediately gets along with mom and dad, probably because they already knew him as their daughter's childhood friend but coming over for dinner (as a partner) is a different matter
From the very first meeting, he accidentally introduced himself as “son-in-law” as an accidental slip of the tongue
During dinner, he is charming and a great conversationalist, which creates a wonderful atmosphere
He openly expresses that "I adore your daughter very much, you guys did a great job creating her" and reassures parents that he will protect you. He often joking around to ease the mood
He enthusiastically offers to wash the dishes and is a fantastic conversation partner for mom
With dad, he can discuss all the mechanical topics that only fathers understand, which makes sense since he’s a pilot
Relatives probably adore him too, as he easily makes friends with everyone.
He’s the kind of boyfriend who prompts mom to frequently ask about him, like, “When is Caleb coming over for dinner again?”
(The last 3 are under the cut!)
🌟 Number 3: Xavier ✨
Xavier is third because he is the last one with a "real stable job," while the next two would likely be questionable in my Asian parents' eyes
His primary hobby is sleeping, and since that doesn't lead to productivity and is sometimes seen as lazy in a typical Asian household, it could raise some concerns
However, mom really likes him because he looks like a prince
He is the type of boyfriend who makes my Asian mom ask, “How did you manage to attract someone like Xavier?” like, as if he's out of my league because of his prince-ly beauty which I take personally
With his princely, ethereal looks and charm, it raises the question of how I managed to win over such a beautiful man
He is polite, has a soothing voice, and can cook and clean, which is great since their daughter barely tidies up around the house hey
Xavier works in the same field as we do, which reassures parents that he can support their daughter in her career
Although he may appear innocent, the protective Asian dad senses that there might be something “impure” about him
He’s not very talkative but insists on helping around the house, which is a plus
My mom keeps insisting that he stay over, but we all know that it won’t end well
My dad implicitly disapproves of him staying over, as we all understand what might happen ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
And it's something inappropriate
💫 Number 4: Sylus🐉
Ok... Sylus girlies, don't come at me, but man I think Sylus is somewhat awkward at first if he's meeting the parents for the first time
My parents personally might find him intimidating because he is quite the large guy... With silver hair and red eyes and all (but mama I'm in love with a criminal)
He introduced himself as the owner of a family business, which is a relief since it shows he is responsible and established
As he shares more about himself, my mom starts to relax and feel more comfortable with him
However, when he mentions his hobbies of shooting and racing and wanting to ask them to join, I worry because my dad has back problems, which Sylus, honey... I don’t think that helps😭
So yeah, imo I think he is the type of boyfriend that my family needs time to warm up to
But once they start to get to know him, he quickly becomes their favorite
Like in some days, you'd be surprised and ask, "What do you mean you're going to the opera too with Sylus?" showing how much mom enjoys his company by asking him to go with her because he also enjoys music
It surprises me that Sylus even asked my mom to join him for the opera; they’re practically best friends now!
Sylus has a way of showering them with luxury, frequently brings thoughtful gifts when he visits, like gourmet snacks and special treats he got from overseas
Despite his intimidating appearance, he has a gentle side that puts parents at ease, proving that he genuinely cares about their daughter
‼️Number 5: Rafayel
He's a painter, and no, I'm not a Rafayel slander
I mean, a creative job?? In an Asian household??? My parents would definitely question how he could possibly support himself AND their daughter with such work
An artist as a job = no money in the eyes of Asian parents 😭🤡 (trust me)
We'll also hear "You own a home by the sea?? Wouldn't you catch sea sickness? Isn't it a bit dangerous at night?", as they ask in concern
From the very first impression, Rafayel comes off as casual and laid-back with mom and dad, which... Doesn't seem to earn their approval 🤡
However, I think my little sisters and cousins would love him because he's sassy, encourages their creativity since he's an artist, and is a merman
While parents may not approve of him, younger relatives have already declared him their favorite "brother"
But once Rafayel shows them that even an artist can be rich by inviting them to his house
So, once the parents visit his art studio and see the stunning view, they are likely to be amazed by the beauty of his surroundings
His home resembles a vacation house, and he drives expensive cars, which further impresses them
He probably took them on a cruise ride and had the most delicious seafood dinner, which definitely win their hearts
Although my parents might still have some doubts, they will gradually come to accept him once they see how in love we are
I actually have a lot of headcanons ideas and stories to write about LADS men but I just don't have the time to write 😭 they're occupying my head 24/7 just by floating around my head space.
