I'm pissed off that Infold doesn't care about fixing the lighting issue with melanated players!
The LADS LIs would care!
Caleb only keeps photos of you where he can see all your features, even if he looks a bit wonky in the background. When he's away flying, he wants only the best and brightest pictures to stare at longingly.
Rafayel, the amazing artist that he is, already knows your best angles and how to light your skin juuuuust right. He's got a lighting set up that's only meant for your use; ask and he'll bring it to any place you want.
Xaiver will take as long as necessary to capture how moonlight cups the slope of your face and how starlight reflects in your eyes. He's making sure you glow in every image.
Zayne adores all pictures of you, even the ones you take that you don't like. If it's you, it's divine; simple as that. But worry not, he has no problem doing some editing afterward to bring out your natural charm.
Sylus is buying all the cameras known to mankind (and dragon-kind) to compare which can take the most flattering photos of you. If a perfect camera for you doesn't exist, then he'll make one.
Ღ summary: a moment in time where what affects you, affects him.
Ღ rating: general audiences
Ღ pairing: zayne x reader
Ღ tags: (little bit?) of angst, hurt/comfort, implication of illness & treatment side effects (hair loss), reader has curly and coily hair, black!reader, gn!reader
Ღ a/n: i intended for this to be more comfort than angst but it might be more angst due to the nature of the content (• ᴖ •｡ ) ...sorry❤️🩹 hope you still like. posted to ao3!
please accept my love to all my readers. thank you for reblogging and commenting and liking my word babbles. ♡(ﾐ ᵕ̣̣̣̣̣̣ ﻌ ᵕ̣̣̣̣̣̣ ﾐ)ﾉ
"Oh, look." While you expect your hair to fall out with your treatments, the volume of hair you're losing shocks you. Strands of your hair coil in your de-tangling brush, sticking out in a huge clump. Zayne finishes washing his hands and takes a look at your brush, expression neutral as you pull your hair from it and place it down.
"That's quite a bit." Zayne watches you nod, your expression almost relieved as you put the brush down and look for your hair shears in the storage cabinet next to the sink. "You're ready?"
"I've been waiting for it to start so I have an excuse to chop." You smile back at him, holding the shears up with enthusiasm. Before treatment started you wanted a reset, a different look for your curls and coils but you didn't know what to do. Indecision solved.
"Are we going all the way? Should we make an appointment with your stylist?" Zayne sounds apprehensive, though his expression softens—unable to feel tense when you're beaming with excitement.
"We probably should but I want to do this part here with you." You grab a hair tie out of your basket of hair supplies and tie off the first section of hair, pulling taut to make it as close to your scalp as possible. For a moment you hesitate, contemplating your choices. All your life your hair has been part of your identity, part of the reason people remembered you in some cases. Always 'you and that big hair'. It'll be nice to just be you. It's going to grow back. Slowly, but surely, your hair will come back and you get to go through the fun process of regrowth. A fresh start after this part of life is over.
"Here." Zayne returns with a Ziploc bag, unzipping it for easy access.
"See, this is why I keep you around," you say with a laugh. Zayne laughs with you, shaking his head slightly.
"I'm happy to be of service, my lady." Zayne leans and kisses your forehead. Your eyes close, content as he holds his lips there for a moment, lingering in his connection to you. Warmth blooms in your chest when he presses another few kisses in the same spot, only pulling away to allow you to start the process. Without another moment of hesitation you position the scissors below the hair tie and start sawing away at the strands. A nice sharp shear, the sound of them easily gliding through and your hair giving way to them make this first section done in less than ten seconds.
Holding your hair in your hand, a smile begins to spread across your face. The ends are in desperate need of a trim and the top is smooth and shiny. Countless years of growth in the palm of your hand and now, into the baggie Zayne holds out for you until you decide when you're ready to actually toss them. Maybe you're holding onto them is a novelty. Maybe it's for reflection. Maybe you'll hold on to them until the end of your treatments. However you decide to deal with them, you feel content with your decision.
The next two sections go similarly. Having flat-twisted your hair down the week previous in prep for this inevitability, unraveling them—and seeing the strands fall as you do—means quick work of tying them off and snipping, the sharp sound of your shears by your ear a nice finality. On the last section, you prep it as the others and look to Zayne who has been quietly observing and brushing the falling strands into a trash bin for quick clean up between sections.
Zayne has been a solid and loving support since your diagnosis. On the days where you're hopeful and have a positive outlook, he's there to encourage your mood. On the days where you're unsure and scared, he shares in that too—holds you a little tighter, wipes your tears, shares statistics he's been up researching and importantly, sharing his own fears. An additional layer on top of your protocore syndrome—another disease threatening the lives you want to build together.
…But those are thoughts for another time.
Now, you turn and hold the scissors towards him and he stops incessantly dusting your hair into his palm to toss into the bin. He dusts his hands off and stares at you in mild shock, gingerly wrapping his hand around yours. You trust him with your hair, know he's respectful of your boundaries. He's helped you with countless styles—braids, twists, roller sets—and excelled at all of them. An intimate connection he nurtures with you. It's only right to you he helps in this case as well.
"…Your hair is important to you," Zayne says. It's a matter of fact, always knowing you to take meticulous time with the style, color, and health of your hair. His eyes are on the haphazard and uneven strands on your head, different lengths with uneven cutting and some strands curling back on themselves due to your hair's texture. It's new to see it in such a state of disarray.
On a normal day, a wash day where your hair is in desperate need of care—wash, de-tangle, deep condition, styling, drying—you'd keep him at bay at least until you'd washed it. Now, there's no point and you can't believe how freeing that feels. You can see the melancholy in his eyes and bring your free hand up to cup his cheek, guiding him back to the present.
"Vanity at best, baby." Your thumb caresses his cheek and he leans into your touch, gently nuzzling your palm.
"How can I be upset when you haven't stopped smiling since you started?" A chuckle escapes him when you nod enthusiastically, turning to the side that still needs to be cut and leaving the scissors in his hand. He holds your hair in one hand and positions the scissors, taking a steadying breath before cutting as you'd done before. Once your hair is in his hand, he places the scissors down and you turn to look at the result, watching his thumb brush over the blunt edges—lost in thought as he examines. You hold the bag open and let him take his time, removing the hair tie from your hair and letting your fingers move through the much shorter strands. When you pull your hand back, more of your hair comes out and you snort. A brush is in order.
"May I?" Zayne places your hair in the bag and leaves it on the counter, smiling slightly when you hand him the brush and turn. He shifts you in front of the mirror, leaning down and kissing the top of your head, his hand cupping your chin and holding you there for a moment.
"I'll be okay, you know?" You watch him in the mirror as he nods, his hand squeezing your chin gently as his thumbs traces your jaw.
"Of course." The words strain to make it from his mouth and you swallow around a growing lump in your throat. Seeing you losing your hair is harder for him than for you and you reach up to settle your hand at the base of his neck, carding your fingers at the nape of his neck. He leans into it without thinking, eyes closed. "You're comforting me when I should be comforting you."
"It's called balance," you say with a grin and he chuckles, looking at you through the mirrors.
There's a misty quality in his eyes and it's going to be your undoing but he breaks the moment by standing up straight, gently angling your head as he slowly brings the brush through. The amount of hair that comes out on the brush is unsurprising, pass after another adding to it until he stops to clear the brush. You hold out your hand and he places it in your palm for you to inspect. Zayne is quiet, his focus on his gentle movements distracting enough to keep him from his wistful thoughts. He knows this is par for the course, but he doesn't have to like it.
Once the two of you agree that it's as good as it's going to get, you burst into laughter at the odd angles of your hair from your uneven cut. Zayne slowly joins you as you hold different lengths of your hair, your mirth at the entire situation enough to keep him from being rueful.
"Okay, now we can call my hair stylist," you wipe your eyes from your fit of laughter and Zayne does the same. Whether his tears are of laughter or sadness, you decide not to mention. You'll both get through it. One day at a time.
ᰔ divider credit goes to pixopix ᰔ divider credit goes to pixopix ᰔ
Ღ a/n: this was actually very self-indulgent, as i'm losing hair during treatments 😁 all of the li's would be so great with this but zayne is my comfort. for anyone going through treatments or are having hair loss due to other reasons, just know it's gonna be okay! ᰔ sending you lots of love and strength.
Softer Than Feathers | Sylus x Cat Maid!MC / Black!MC | Prompt: Black Cat
Why is it always like this? I was just doing an undercover mission at the hotel when I ended up in Sylus's room. What was he doing outside of the N109 Zone anyways? And what was that strange candy I had earlier?
This was the 5th room I had to go to and clean up. Even though I was just undercover as a hotel maid, I had to make it seem realistic. I was in the usual black dress with a white apron. Because of the aesthetic of this place, it was also a bit shorter and a lot more ruffled than the traditional and actual maid dress. I had to style my curls downward in order to wear the headpiece they gave me.
The Hunters’ Association got an anonymous tip about illegal Protocore trades happening at this hotel. I was the only one who wasn’t on an important mission, so I went in alone. Though, I could call for backup if needed. Let’s hope I didn’t need it.
It was only the 4th and 5th floors that were completely taken over by guests of the History of Protocores event. I had cleaned all the rooms on the 5th before noon since most guests were out for the first few events. There were no special, inorganic Protocores as far as I or my special Reader could tell. There was one couple who I had interrupted during their use of a Venereum Core.
I think she was trying to get him to fall in love with her. In any case, the man seemed more interested in me. He even handed me a piece of candy. It was in an odd shape, but he assured me it was just an energy booster. The Reader didn’t see anything strange with it, so I did eat the candy. I felt strange in a way I’ve never felt strange before.
All the 4th floor rooms would be empty now that evening events were starting. I kept my head down as a small group of well dressed guests passed by. A petite man smacked the shoulder of a slightly taller man.
“Don’t stare!” He hissed. “She’s just doing her job.”
What did that mean?
Anyways, I went into an empty room after parking my cart out front. Something brushed against my leg, but I decided to ignore it. The bed was barely touched in this suite. The table was full yet clearly organized. Papers and a map of the ship laid out with the hotel’s coffee cups placed in specific spots.
Oh, now this was some information. I just didn’t know the purpose of it. Perhaps looking around the room could give me some more clues. Names were on the plain white paper cups. I recognized a few from the list of attendees Nero had given me. Were these the traders?
“Well well, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” A deep and familiar voice said. “Is the Hunters’ Association not paying you enough that you needed to get a part time job as a maid?”
I looked up from the map and saw Sylus in black and red eveningwear. He was comfortable leaning in the doorway.
“Sylus! You weren’t, I mean, I double checked to make sure--”
He chuckled, “Did you think any of the names on your little list were real? You’ve used an alias before, sweetie.”
“Yes, I have.” I sighed. “And if you must know, this isn’t part time. I am being a hunter right now.”
“With ears like those?” He approached and flicked something above my head.
I felt his touch and flinched, “Huh?”
Sylus looked surprised, “Did you not know?”
“Know what?” I asked.
He took my hands and brought them to my scalp. Past my headband were two furry triangular protrusions. I rushed to the nearest mirror. Ears. I had white cat ears on my head!?!?! And something moved behind me. It was a fluffy white tail that stood out amongst my brown legs. What in the world?
“You really didn’t know about your new features? I’m guessing they weren’t part of your mission then.” He moved behind me.
“N-no. Not at all.” Could it have been that candy?
I touched my throat and then stomach.
Sylus raised a brow, “You ate something strange, didn’t you?”
“Maybe…ok fine. Yes. I was just trying to get out of the way and some guy offered me candy to help my energy. I thought he was being nice.” I looked up at him.
“Well, Kitten,” He smirked, “I guess we’ve learned our lesson about taking strange ingestible items from suspicious people.”
“How do I turn back?” I asked.
“Oh, but you’re so cute like this. Must we really try to get rid of your feline features?” Sylus stretched behind my ears.
I nuzzled his hand and began to purr before catching myself.
“Sylus!” I huffed. “This is serious! I can’t confront him since I’m a maid and I don’t wanna blow my cover before I get any good info.”
“So you want me to do it?” He asked.
“Yes.”
He sat on the couch in front of his table, “And what do I get in return?”
“I’ll be your personal maid for the night or something. You like showing off your treasures. I know you do. Let me be your treasure for the night.” I was thinking about it as I spoke.
Sylus hummed, “True, but I don’t think that’s enough. How about…you can be my personal maid, yes, but we can have a night in instead. I’ll still get the information you need. Deal?”
I folded my arms, “Deal.”
Part of me was glad that I didn’t have to have more people see me like this. The people in the hall must’ve noticed my ears and tail which made that one guy stare. I sighed. I didn’t look ugly. Just a tad…silly. Stereotypical?
“You look adorable, Kitten. Don’t worry.” He stood and caressed my cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t go anywhere else. What did the man look like?”
“Brown hair with a white streak in his bangs. His…partner was a red-head. No facial hair for either of them, but I saw round glasses on the nightstand. I’m not sure who they belonged to.” I replied.
Sylus nodded, “That’s good enough. I’ll be able to piece it together. You just get comfortable. We’re going to have a long night. As for your cart, well, I’m sure some hooligans might take it for a spin. There’s nothing important on it, right?”
He didn’t even wait for an answer before leaving.
When Sylus came back, I was curled up on the couch. I had looked around the room, but I didn’t get any more insight on the war-room setup. So, I instead tried to see if my cat features were purely physical. There were no balls of yarn or bowls of milk to test it, and I had learned agility through Hunter Training. So I had all the lights turned off to test my night vision.
It was leagues better than before. Almost like I hadn’t turned off the lights at all. I was tired from cleaning all day, though. So, I let myself doze off for a minute. I woke up when someone was rubbing my ears. Soft sighs and mewls left my lips.
“Sylus?” I whispered.
“Yes, it’s me.” He spoke gently and then sat next to me.
I yawned, “You turned the lights back on.”
“Yes, it’s still something I require, sweetie. I still have my normal sight.” He smirked. “In any case, I found out what was needed.”
“What’s the cure?” I asked.
“Time.” Sylus replied.
I tilted my head, “What do you mean by time?”
“Whenever that candy leaves your bowls, you will return to normal. There is no cure other than time itself. Usually 3 hours give or take according to the man.” He said.
“Then you have an hour and half for me to be your cat maid.” I replied and stood to curtsey in front of him. “What shall I do for you, M’lord?”
“Aren’t cats and maids supposed to call their owners ‘master’?” He asked.
I squinted my eyes at him and felt my ears go into airplane mode, “I think there’s a very clear reason why I won’t be doing that.”
“Right. My apologies for such a suggestion.” His gaze softened before he leaned forward.
He didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at me. Questions went through his mind, and he decided what whims to fulfill.
Sylus undid his tie, “I just want you to be your usual self, just cuter. I’m sure you can manage that.” He tangled his tie in front of me.
I couldn’t help but swat at it several times. Then, I went in for a bite. He pulled it out of the way. I instinctively jumped to grab at it. He used his Evol to keep it just out of my grasp while I chased after his necktie. Sylus leaned on his fist and watched. I was gonna catch this thing if it was the last thing I--
Huh?
Was he smiling?
“Is that not exciting enough for you, Kitten?” He asked.
“It’s not that, I just…” My nose crinkled and I sneezed.
“Bless you.” Sylus responded.
“Thanks.” I went to lick my hands before realizing I had no paws. “Um, what else can I do for you, M’lord? I’m sure watching me run around like that isn’t all you wanted.”
“What else could a proud cat owner want?” He asked, a bit of teasing in his tone.
“Well…” I matched his cadence. “I know if I had a precious kitten all to myself with such fluffy features, I’d cuddle it quite often.”
He unfolded his legs, “Oh, is my kitten giving me commands now?”
I rubbed myself against his legs, “No, just giving m’lord a suggestion.”
Sylus rubbed the base of my ear and tingles went straight down my spine. I whined slightly and closed my eyes. He rubbed the second one, and my back arched on its own. Whichever hand he wasn’t using went down my back and up my tail.
“What’s all this for?” I looked up at him with pouty eyes and a slight frown. “M’lord?”
“Time’s running short.” He whispered. “I won’t be able to tease you like this tomorrow, so I’m getting my fill now.”
I straddled his lap, “If you pet the wrong spot, I might just claw your eyes out.”
“Such a ferocious kitty.” He rubbed my back again and kissed my ear. “Perhaps I will let you cuddle me. A reward for all of your hard work.”
Sylus held me in both his arms and made us lay down together. I couldn’t help but purr while I was in his embrace.
“What about your Protocores?”
“Do you think asking a strange man a question was all I did when I was gone? You failed your mission, Miss Hunter.” His chuckle reverberated in my skull. “Don’t worry, though. You’ll get another anonymous tip very soon.”
I have 2 requests that I am a little hesitant to finish. Mainly because they are identities that I am not and I don't want to mess it up, so I wanted to ask my followers for some help so I can understand what people want to hear and how they feel.
The requests are for a plus sized MC and a black MC.
The plus sized one also mentioned being an introvert which I can write about, but I just don't know what to say about the other two... or what people are looking for.
I really would like to write these requests I just don't know how to research this information or what exactly to say. Please give me some advice!
You don't have to donate but I would appreciate it if you did!!
my ko-fi
also, when we reach 200,(we are at 180) two of y'all will get a free one shot, one for my biggest supporter which is at this point @starlight1012 (love you bestie) and the other is through a randomiser which I will put everyone's @ and pick a winner!!!!
