visual rendition of Pela backbling post from way back

seen from Argentina

seen from Germany

seen from Malaysia
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seen from Germany
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seen from Malaysia

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seen from Malaysia
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seen from United States

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visual rendition of Pela backbling post from way back
▵▿— Hold Me Close
— Jing Yuan, Boothill, Gepard, Sunday, Phainon, Mydei, Anaxa, Jiaoqiu x gn!reader
Category: Actually tooth rotting fluff
Synopsis: what is it like cuddling them?
CW: none :D
A/N: when u don’t know which one character to write for... also pls let me know if past or present tense would work better for drabbles like these I genuinely don’t know AAAA
JING YUAN —▵▿
Be prepared to not be able to breathe for the next few hours.
The Luofu General would lay on top of you, with all the weight and muscles he had, cling onto you like a massive cat. How could he not? You were just so comfortable, a perfect mattress for his afternoon nap.
“Jing Yuan- darling you’re crushing me…”
The man would only hum in response as he shifted on top of you to get a bit more comfortable, pressing the last puff of air from your lungs as he nuzzled into the crook of your neck. His arms looped around your waist as if you’re a pillow. No matter how many times you tried to peel yourself away from him, it was futile.
“Just let me sleep…” He murmured. His voice was deep and gravelly.
You look down to see the man peacefully asleep. His lashes fluttered against his cheek. It was just part of his charm to be able to have you give in to him so easily. You could only sigh in defeat before bringing your hand up to comb through the General’s wild silvery mane, eliciting another content hum from him.
BOOTHILL —▵▿
Despite being 90% metal, the cowboy was oddly comfortable to cuddle with. Boothill enjoyed having you lay on his chest as he gently combed his metal fingers through your hair. One of the best parts about cuddling with you was being about to yap just about anything with you. What he did on the day… how fun it was to gun down IPC guards… how that secret stash of bullets in his pocket always tasted better with you on his mind.
Boothill loved nuzzling his face against you. It was the one way he could feel you, your body heat, and the smoothness of your skin. Somehow, it all made him feel so human.
“Darlin’… yer’s so soft. Wish I could feel ya all over.”
Often times, Boothill would nuzzle his face into the crook of your neck and kiss all the skin he could come in contact with before parting his lips and just gently bite on your skin with his teeth. Nothing sexual, he just wanted to feel and taste you. You were the one who made him feel whole, after all.
GEPARD —▵▿
Great at cuddling, especially after one long, tiring day of work.
The Captain of the Silvermane Guards would just haphazardly remove his armour, not even bothering to change out of his uniform before flopping into bed and cuddling you. With his face buried in your chest and arms wrapped around your waist, the man was finally able to let himself relax in your embrace.
Stroke his hair, pepper him with kisses, whisper sweet nothings to his ear, he’d let you do anything to him while cuddling. No words were needed to be exchanged either. He loved the peaceful silence shared between the two of you. But of course, if you wanted to talk, he would listen. If you asked him how his day went, Gepard would undoubtedly share all the wonderful and not so wonderful things with you.
SUNDAY —▵▿
Although being together for so long, Sunday still couldn’t help but feel flustered and giddy all over whenever receiving attention form you. Cuddling wasn’t an exception.
Sunday would be blushing and everything as you hold him close. His legs were tangled with yours and his face was buried in your chest as you idly groomed his wings. He could feel your fingers gingerly fixing every individual feather. He couldn’t help but let it flinch in your hands, and every time it did, he could hear you snicker softly. It was such a lovely melody, he would listen to your laugh for the rest of his life.
You would sometimes tease him for his adorable blush while you were cuddling, peppering his cheeks and making his cheeks heat up even more until the Oak Family head was all putty in your arms.
“Must you tease me so much? Ah… dear, please, this is so humiliating…”
PHAINON —▵▿
Phainon patiently waited for you on the bed. His armour was already removed. Upon seeing you enter the bedroom, he outstretched his arms, an adorably wide smile hung on his face as he gave you the puppy eyes.
“Cuddle?”
You swore he was going to be the death of your poor heart.
The moment you get into bed, he would cling onto your waist and bury his face in your stomach. You didn’t even get the chance to properly lay down yet and the man would be shamelessly attached to you, molding his body with yours. The feeling of you against him was everything that he could ask for.
The cheeky man would sometimes tease you out of nowhere, pinching your side or tickling you, just to make you flinch and giggle. You weren’t about to let him off the hook so easily. A cuddle session would all of a sudden turn into the two of you rolling around the bed, trying to tickle the living daylights out of one another.
By the time you two laid panting, Phainon would pull you close and bury his face at the crook of your neck before finally letting you fall asleep.
MYDEI—▵▿
Mydei was perfect to lay on top of. His body was broad and warm, your perfect heater. Not to mention, he would let you rest your head against his ‘pillows’ (ahem ahem).
Mydei gently traced random shapes on your back as he felt your chest rise and fall against him with every breath you took. The feeling grounded him. It reminded him of your comforting presence. Mydei let you trace his red markings as you cuddled. Your feather-light touch would send tingles down his spine.
You would sometimes prop you chin in your palm as you silently admire the Kremnoan prince. Your gaze would trace every feature of his handsome face, a smile gracing your lips, until Mydei adverted his gaze to hide his blushing cheeks.
“HKS…” He mumbled.
You could only giggle at his reaction before leaning down to pepper kisses all over his face.
ANAXA —▵▿
Anaxa was never the first to cuddle you, but he would always wait for you.
The moment he felt the mattress dip and your arms wrap around him, he would put away the scroll he had been reading and reciprocate, slipping his arms around your torso, letting you tangle your legs with his, and bury his face in the crook of your neck.
Anaxa lived for the feeling of your hands gingerly combing through his hair. It calmed him from one long day of dealing with his annoying students. The professor would rant on about his new theories, or how his students wouldn’t stop calling him atrociously ridiculous names.
“’Prof ‘Nax?’ Tsk. The sheer audacity of those children.”
Anaxa could feel your chest moving against his as you laughed, and he hugged you closer. The feeling of you by his side grounded him. He let his eyes droop as he relaxed against you. You were his solace, his sanctuary, the only deity he would devote himself to.
JIAOQIU —▵▿
The purpose of a fox’s tail was to keep itself warm. Jiaoqiu’s tail was for letting you hug like a pillow. He didn’t mind as long as he could feel your warmth around him. The two of you would lay side by side, you back against his front and his tail could curl to the front of you for you to hold.
Jiaoqiu wrapped his arms securely around your torso. He tended to slip his hands beneath your clothes to gently trace your skin as you cuddled. He loved how you soft you felt, and he’ll be damned if he wasn’t able to feel you for even a second. He would trace invisible shapes and rub gentle circles on your stomach or waist, or gently massage the muscles of your body.
“Your muscles are too tense… may I help you, my dear?”
The foxian would brush your hair to the side and litter your neck and nape with tender kisses and teasing bites, leaving little red marks over your skin. Every sensation of his lips and fangs on your skin sent shivers down your spine.
“Jiaoqiu… people are gonna see those marks…”
“Hmm…? Was that not the idea?”
OH GOD MY HANDS
۪ ࣪ ۪ ۫ . ℒℴ𝓋ℯ 𝒾𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓌ℴ𝓇𝒹𝓈, 𝒽ℴ𝓃ℯ𝓎. ྀིྀིྀིྀིྀི ' ˖ ᝰ ' . ‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿
꒰ ꪆৎ ┊ 𝒯heme: How does your husband show you love?ˎˊ˗꒱ → 𝒜rgenti ⋮ 𝒜venturine ⋮ ℬoothill ⋮ ℬlade ⋮ 𝒟an ℋeng ⋮ 𝒢epard ⋮ 𝒥ing 𝒴uan ⋮ ℳydeimos ⋮ 𝒫hainon! ၄၃
—If you want, you can listen to “My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski, to Blade and Mydei’s scene, it’s beautiful ♡
𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓—This content is sfw! —English isn’t my native language, I used a translator -w-
𝑨𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉…
𐔌 Words (mostly) ꒱
Argenti showed you his immense love for you in many ways, but the one he uses the most are words and compliments. He is a Knight Of Beauty, he was already obsessed with beauty, and, since he saw you for the first time, he became obsessed with you.
"...The flashes of your beautiful eyes are similar to the stars and..."—He is always such a poet with you. "Your beautiful voice is like a soft melody that dances around me and sings to calm me down..."—Argenti could hear you sing out of tune and would continue to make him love your voice and want to listen to you. "Your delicate hands are made to hold mine and to receive these beautiful roses that I found and reminded me of the soft pink of your precious lips"—He had simply gotten you a huge bouquet of roses (he got all the flowers with his effort, he loves to give you things made by his hands, according to him, it has more real feeling and value in it).
SLEEPING HABITS W/ HSR MEN🤎
HONKAI STAR RAIL | Dan Heng, Sunday, Welt, Sampo, Gepard, Jing Yuan, Aventurine, Mydei, Phainon, Anaxagoras, Ashveill, Blade
[REQUESTED!♡] [DJINX!♡]
DAN HENG
sleeps lightly, never fully surrendering to rest. Years of exile, danger, and watchfulness left him accustomed to waking at the smallest sound. He prefers cool rooms, dim lighting, and the steady hum of the Express. When you struggle to sleep—whether from nightmares, anxiety, overthinking, or simple restlessness—he doesn't overwhelm with advice. Instead, he quietly stays beside you, reading while you settle down. One hand remains within reach if you want it. In either form he will always wrap his tail around your fingers lightly. He speaks in a low, even voice, recounting harmless observations from his travels until you thoughts slow. Only after you're asleep does he finally close his own eyes.
-
SUNDAY
sleeps far less than people realize. Years spent listening to the worries of others left him accustomed to late nights and restless thoughts of his own. He prefers quiet rooms, neatly arranged blankets, and the faint sound of music drifting in the background. When you struggle to sleep he never pushes for answers. Instead, he remains beside you, patient and attentive. One hand gently intertwines with yours if you seek comfort. He speaks in a soft, measured voice, sharing stories, memories, or simple observations until your mind begins to settle. Only once your breathing evens and sleep finally claims you does he allow himself to close his eyes as well.
-
WELT
doesn't sleep very deeply anymore. Not because he expects danger, but because after a lifetime of carrying responsibilities, part of him is always listening for the people he cares about. If you wake in the middle of the night, chances are he's awake too. Quietly reading in the dim light, glasses perched low on his nose as he turns another page. When you can't sleep, he never pushes. He'll simply set his book aside and make room for you against his shoulder. If you want to talk, he'll listen. If you don't, he won't press for answers. Silence has never made him uncomfortable. Sometimes he'll tell you stories about places you've never seen, old films from his home, or memories softened by time. Nothing too heavy. Just enough to pull your thoughts away from whatever is keeping them awake. And somehow, with the steady rhythm of his voice and the quiet certainty he carries, sleep never seems quite so far away.
-
SAMPO
claims he's excellent at sleeping. According to him, it's one of his many talents. In reality, he's usually the last one asleep and the first to notice when you're still awake. If you can't sleep, he'll start talking. Not about anything important. In fact, the more important the problem is, the less directly he'll address it. He'll tell ridiculous stories, make up outrageous business ventures, complain about people who definitely deserved to be scammed, and somehow have you smiling before you realize what he's doing. The whole time, he's watching you from the corner of his eye. Eventually his voice grows quieter, his jokes less frequent, until you're half asleep against him. Only then does he relax, an arm settling around you as if it ended up there by accident. When morning comes, he'll deny being sweet about any of it. But somehow, he's always there on the nights you need him most.
-
GEPARD
sleeps like someone who knows the city never truly rests. Even off duty, years of standing watch over Belobog make him a light sleeper, quick to wake at unusual sounds. He prefers quiet, cold rooms and often falls asleep later than he intends after finishing reports or checking that everything is in order. When you can't sleep, he doesn't immediately try to solve the problem. Instead, he stays beside you, patient and steady, letting you talk through whatever is weighing on your mind. If words don't come easily, that's fine too. He'll rest a hand over yours, gently tracing circles across your knuckles while speaking about simple things—flowers he's trying to grow, stories from patrol, songs Serval used to sing at home. His voice is calm and grounding, carrying the certainty that you're safe. If a nightmare wakes you, he'll be awake in seconds, pulling you close without hesitation. He won't leave until your breathing evens out and sleep finally finds you again.
-
JINGYUAN
sleeps surprisingly well when he finally allows himself to. Years of carrying the weight of the Luofu taught him that exhaustion clouds judgment, so he values rest even if duty constantly tries to steal it away. Still, he often lingers awake, lost in thought, watching the departing starskiffs or quietly playing through old memories. When you have trouble sleeping, he never rushes you toward rest. Instead, he invites you to sit beside him, speaking in that calm, unhurried voice that makes even worries feel less urgent. He'll tell stories from his travels, amusing tales about old friends, or observations that seem pointless until you realize they've distracted you from your spiraling thoughts. If nightmares wake you, he simply draws you closer, one hand resting against your back. No lectures, no questions, no pressure. Just a steady presence, patient as moonlight, remaining awake a little longer so you don't have to face the darkness alone.
-
AVENTURINE
Sleep doesn't come easily to Aventurine. He spends so much of his life calculating odds, reading people, and preparing for every possible outcome that his mind rarely settles the moment his head touches the pillow. Even when he looks relaxed, there's usually a part of him still awake, still watching. When you can't sleep, he notices long before you say anything. Rather than pressing you for answers, he'll quietly draw your attention elsewhere, spinning stories, making harmless wagers about tomorrow, or asking questions he already knows don't need serious answers. It's easier to carry a burden when you're laughing a little. If anxiety keeps you awake, he'll lace his fingers through yours and remind you that not every uncertainty needs to be solved tonight. Beneath the charm and confidence is someone who understands fear far better than he lets on.
-
MYDEI
sleeps the way a warrior stands guard—never completely. Even when exhaustion finally drags him under, years of battle, prophecy, and surviving what should have killed him make rest feel more like a temporary ceasefire than true peace. He prefers your warmth close by, often keeping an arm around you without even realizing it. It's instinctive, like protecting something precious. When you struggle to sleep, his first instinct is action. He wants to fight the problem, defeat it, challenge it outright. But over time, he learns that not every battle can be won with strength. Instead, he stays beside you, listening more than speaking. His presence is solid and grounding, like an ancient stone wall weathering a storm. If nightmares wake you, he's immediately alert, pulling you against his chest before you've fully opened your eyes. He doesn't offer polished words or clever reassurances. He simply reminds you that you're here, alive, and safe. Sometimes he'll tell stories of Kremnos, of festivals, warriors, and fields of flowers waiting beyond hardship. His voice carries the certainty of someone who has stared death in the face countless times and kept walking. Sleep may evade him, but if it means standing watch over you through the night, Mydei considers that a battle worth winning.
-
PHAINON
sleeps as though he is standing watch over a dying flame. Even in rest, there is a quiet tension in him, the habit of someone who has carried hope through too many dark nights to ever set it down completely. He prefers open windows, cool air, and the faint scent of earth after rain. When sleep refuses to come, he doesn't ask what's wrong right away. Instead, he settles beside you with patient ease, speaking of distant wheat fields, old stories, and dreams of worlds yet to be built. His voice is warm and steady, never forcing comfort, only offering it. If nightmares wake you, he'll stay until dawn if needed. To him, no burden is too small when it's carried by someone he cares about.
-
ANAXAGORAS
sleeps reluctantly, as though rest is an argument he has yet to lose. Even when exhaustion finally catches up to him, books remain piled around his bed, papers covered in half-finished notes scattered across every available surface. More than once, he's fallen asleep while researching a question that refused to leave his mind. He prefers silence, dim lighting, and uninterrupted hours where thought can wander wherever it pleases. When you can't sleep, he doesn't immediately ask what's wrong. Instead, he begins talking—about paradoxes, ancient philosophies, absurd academic disputes, or whatever idea currently occupies his attention. Somehow, while trying to follow his reasoning or argue back, the weight on your mind starts to loosen. If sleep still refuses to come, he'll read aloud from one of his books, occasionally stopping to criticize the author's conclusions or propose a better answer himself. Every so often his gaze flickers toward you, checking whether you're still awake, though he'd deny doing so if asked. Once you finally drift off, he quietly returns to his notes. Hours later, long after everyone else is asleep, the faint scratch of a pen can still be heard as he chases another impossible question into the night.
ASHVEIL
sleeps lightly, the way old hunters do. One ear always tuned to the world around him, one hand never too far from his weapon. Years spent chasing criminals, debts, and ghosts have left him with the habit of waking at the slightest disturbance. He claims it's just part of the job, though the truth runs deeper than that. When sleep won't come, he doesn't pry. He'll simply settle nearby, nursing a cup of coffee gone cold hours ago or lazily flipping through old case files. Sometimes he'll tell you stories—not the glamorous kind about heroes saving the galaxy, but small ones. Lost dogs that found their way home. Missing people reunited with family. Ordinary victories that remind people the world isn't entirely cruel. If your thoughts keep spiraling, he'll listen without interruption, offering the occasional joke so terrible it earns an eye roll. He doesn't try to solve every problem. A detective knows some things just need time. And if nightmares wake you in the dark, you'll find him exactly where he was before, still keeping watch. He might grumble about lost sleep or send you an invoice for emotional support afterward, but neither would be serious. As long as you're awake and hurting, he won't be going anywhere. Not yet.
-
BLADE
doesn't sleep often. When he does, it comes in brief stretches between old memories and older scars. Most nights he's awake long before you are, sitting somewhere nearby with his sword within reach and his thoughts somewhere far away. Silence never seems to bother him. When sleep refuses to come for you, he notices before you say anything. He isn't good at comfort in the usual sense. He won't offer soft reassurances or tell you everything will be fine. Instead, he'll quietly make room beside him, wordlessly inviting you to stay. Sometimes he sharpens his blade. Sometimes he tends to old equipment. Sometimes he simply sits there in the dark. If nightmares wake you, his hand settles against yours before you can pull away from them completely. He understands what it means to be haunted. On the rare nights you manage to fall asleep against his shoulder, he remains perfectly still, as if afraid movement might disturb the fragile peace you've found. Only when your breathing finally evens out does he allow himself a moment of rest. And even then, one eye never fully closes.
sponsored by gepard c3r1 on my account
sampard goofin around
jock Mydei, Phainon, Gepard and Caelus and opponent reader ?(。•̀ᴗ-)✧ (any sport !)
ʚɞ No one treats me this way, are all boys out here the same? ʚɞ
Pairings: Mydei x Reader, Phainon x Reader, Gepard x Reader, Caelus x Reader
Summary: Them as your opponent in games who are totally not crushing on you!
Tags: Fluff, modern AU, non-canon settings, jock!Mydei, Phainon, Gepard and Caelus, athlete!Reader, rivals, crushes, they're silly, Reader highkey an idgafer, side characters: Castorice, Hyacine, Anaxa, Serval, Pela, Lynx, Dan Heng and March 7th, this probably has many mistakes, ignore if u find them i wrote this half-asleep 😢
A/N: TYSM FOR THE REQ! I had so many headcanons but the execution is so ass, forgive me 😞 I wanted to write a part for Argenti too but this is already so long, anyways, hope you enjoy!
⚘ Mydei (Rugby):
Mydei is impossible to read. That’s the first thing you learn about him. On the field, he’s all sharp muscle, stoic glares, and heavy footsteps—the kind of athlete other players fear because of how effortlessly he flattens anyone in his way. But when it comes to you, none of that applies. You learn this during the first scrimmage your teams play against each other. You block one of his charges and instead of knocking you aside like he always does, he steadies your arm without thinking.
“You good?” he asks, voice low, neutral.
You pull your arm back. “I’m fine.”
He nods once… but doesn’t look away.
From then on, everything changes. And you end up with a confused lion lingering around you all the time.
----
After a few days of watching you, he's realised one thing. He wants to train with you. Badly.
Mydei begins a strange ritual. After every match, every practice, every cooldown, he approaches you with that same flat tone. “Train with me.”
And every time, you give the same answer. “No.”
He takes it well. Too well. A simple grunt, a shrug, a muttered “Hmph, suit yourself.” He walks away like nothing happened. But Phainon sees his expression every time he turns.
“He’s wilting," Phainon teases, whispering to Castorice. Though his whispers are no different than a bus horn.
Mydei glares. “I do not wilt.”
“You did just now! Look at you—your eyebrows are sad.” He tries to defend himself.
Gorgo, his mother, appears behind them carrying a basket like a judge delivering punishment.
“Mydei, dear,” she says, “you sulk worse than your father ever did.”
“Mother.”
“You follow them around like a confused lion.”
“Mother.”
“And you smile like a fool every time they look at you.”
“Mother!”
You hear none of this. You only see Mydei being... Mydei. Serious. Cold. Cocky. And the way he smirks after winning a match? Absolutely insufferable.
But the truth? He wakes up early on days he thinks he’ll run into you. He eats cleaner. Trains harder. Wears the shirt he thinks makes him look less intimidating (it does not). Just for you.
---
One afternoon, while your team runs drills, you hear the unmistakable sound of Mydei speaking too loudly.
“…my diet boosts stamina. High protein, low fat. It’s efficient.”
You glance over. He’s not talking to anyone—just stretching near you and pretending you’re not his audience.
“And my practice hours are… increased,” he adds, voice rising half a pitch.
You raise an eyebrow. “Who are you talking to?”
“No one.”
“You just listed your entire meal plan out loud.”
“I was thinking.”
“Thinking with your outside voice?”
“Yes— I mean—no. Forget it.”
He turns away, mortified. You shake your head, muttering, “Insufferable.”
Mydei hears that. He pretends it doesn’t affect him. In reality, It affects him deeply.
---
During a match, your teams clash in a high-stakes match. The crowd roars as you sprint across the field—and Mydei cuts you off. You brace for impact, but he softens his stance last moment, catching you by the waist instead of flattening you.
“What the hell, Mydei—just tackle me like you normally do!”
His jaw clenches. “…Don’t want you hurt.”
“I’m your opponent.” You scowl.
“You’re still… you.” He whispers under his breath.
There’s something raw in his eyes. Something he quickly shoves down. He steps back. “Go. Before I change my mind.”
When you dash past him, his heartbeat trips. He hopes you didn’t notice.
---
Your team wins—barely. Mydei approaches with slow, measured footsteps, towel slung around his neck, sweat glistening along his jaw. You expect a harsh comment, a grumble about losing.
Instead, he stops in front of you and mutters, “You played well.”
You blink. “You’re praising me?”
“It is not praise. It is an observation.”
“It sounded like praise.”
“You heard it wrong.”
You narrow your eyes. “Why do you act like you hate me?”
He tenses. “…I don’t.”
“You sure?”
“No,” he blurts—then winces at himself.
You stare at him. He never breaks eye contact—too proud to look away, too vulnerable to hide it anymore.
“…If you want to train together,” you say slowly, “fine. Once.”
His eyes widen a fraction. Mydei never smiles wide—it's always small, subtle—but this one is unmistakably real. He gives himself a pat on the back internally.
“Alright,” he says. “Tomorrow. Sunrise.”
You sigh. “Why so early?”
His ears turn red. “So… we have more time.”
As he walks away, Phainon catches up with him, ready to tease him. "So, our beloved Mydeimos finally earned his desired partner?"
Mydei throws his mouthguard at him. He pretends as if Phainon has spoken blasphemy, utter nonsense when his whole team knows how badly he yearns for you.
⚘ Phainon (Basketball):
Everyone knows Phainon is a show-off.
He’s bright, fast, and loud — like a walking festival firework with too much energy and not enough impulse control. On court, he plays as if the sun handpicked him to represent “athletic chaos.”
Off court? He’s somehow worse.
The day your teams face each other again, Coach barely finishes announcing the match when Phainon shoots up from the bench.
“Let’s gooooo!! Destiny! Fate! Romance arc! Character development—”
Professor Anaxagoras plucks him by the collar. “Stop narrating your delusions.”
“They’re not delusions if destiny agrees.”
Castorice looks up from her notebook. “I’m on chapter twelve. They finally hold hands.”
“Castorice!!!” Phainon sounds close to tears. “Bless you!!”
Hyacine sighs in defeat. “You’re encouraging the disease.”
---
While the team changes, Phainon waits — waits — for the exact moment you pass by the doorway. When he hears your footsteps, he yanks his locker open so hard it bangs against the metal.
“Oh! Didn’t see you there,” he says, shirt halfway over his head like a malfunctioning Greek statue.
You don’t pause. “You texted me ten minutes ago saying ‘come by my locker.’”
He freezes, then laughs sheepishly. “Don’t expose me.”
You keep walking and Phainon, shirtless, absolutely flexes in the mirror before chasing after you. He wants you to see him, admire him. Even the sound of you calling him good-looking would make his year.
“Hey wait—look—look at my shoulders today. They’re bigger, right?”
“No.”
He gasps like you stabbed him. “Okay. Brutal. But fair.”
Once you’re gone, Anaxa mutters, “You’re hopeless.”
Phainon dramatically wipes a fake tear. “Hopelessly in LOVE—”
“No.”
“I said what I said!” he pouts, yet his imaginary dog tail wags just at the mention of you.
---
On the day of the match, you learn how much of a show-off the son of Aedes Elysiae is. The whistle blows. Phainon lights up like the sun; he sees you on the opposite side of the court and it’s over for everyone else.
His teammates know the symptoms: unnecessary tricks, flashy spins, a hundred percent more dramatic leaps, “accidental” shirt adjustments that are not accidental.
At one point he dunks so hard he lands near your bench. He pushes his hair back with a wet hand, sweat dripping down his jaw. He looks directly at you, raises a brow, smirks.
You stare blankly. What is this guy doing in the middle of a match? Planning a humiliation ritual?
Phainon’s soul disintegrates on the spot. He jogs by your side during a brief time-out and whispers, “Rate that dunk. Out of ten.”
“Six.” you answer bluntly.
“SIX?” he gasps in disbelief.
“You kicked the air for no reason.”
“It was ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.”
“It was stupid.”
“…But did you look at me?”
“No.”
You could swear you saw Phainon’s imaginary puppy tail stop wagging and his ears flatten again his head and he looks defeated.
Near the end, you intercept his pass with ridiculous skill. The ball slips from under his fingertips — he freezes, speechless.
You smirk at him for the first time. “Too slow, sunshine.”
Phainon makes an inhuman noise. In his brain, the thoughts only revolve around one thing, you. His mind can't help but load thoughts like, OH MY GOD THEY NOTICED ME I’M DYING!!
But his mouth says something entirely different. “Y-you cheated.”
“You’re just bitter.”
“I’M— I— I’m focused on my craft.”
He’s pink from his ears to his collarbone.
---
You win by three points. Phainon accepts defeat with all the grace of a dramatic stage actor. He limps over — he is not injured — and hands you a cold drink.
“For… the champion,” he says, attempting suave.
You narrow your eyes. “You limped over here. Are you hurt?"
“I thought it would add emotional depth.”
You take the drink anyway and he short-circuits.
“You were good today,” you admit.
Phainon chokes on his own breath. “I—hah—what? Say that again?”
“You were good.”
“Really?? You mean it??" He beams like the sun itself, asking for more praise like a dog. Though, his moment is ruined by the sound of Professor Anaxagoras' voice, calling for him.
You walk away as he practically vibrates with joy. In the distance you hear:
“I’m gonna train so hard I’ll impress them next match—”
Hyacine shakes her head in disagreement. “Or you could confess.”
“No! I must earn their admiration with athletic triumph.”
Castorice quietly scribbles in her notebook:
‘And so, the sun continued to chase the moon across the court…’
⚘ Gepard (Hockey/Ice sports):
Gepard Landau is a fortress.
Six-foot-something of disciplined muscle, straight posture, and perfectly controlled movements. On the ice, he’s a wall. A shield. A captain who commands attention without speaking more than he needs to.
But when it comes to you? He becomes a man held together by determination and anxiety. Everyone on his team knows — except you, of course.
---
Before a game, he sees you walking from the far end of the corridor. Your skates clack lightly on the floor; you adjust your gloves with that concentrated expression he finds… distracting.
He rehearses in his head: Say something normal. Compliment their play style. Don’t stare too long. Smile—no, not too much. Calm. You’re a captain for stars’ sake.
Then you pass by. “Good luck today,” you say casually.
Gepard freezes. Not metaphorically. Literally. He stops moving like someone unplugged him. His brain flatlines.
Serval, leaning against the wall, slaps his shoulder. “Hello? My brother? Respond?”
"I— yes. You… too— good luck—” he stutters out.
You blink at him, confused but amused, then walk on.
When you’re out of earshot, Serval bursts into laughter. “Ohhhh you're GONE. Completely GONE.”
“Serval please,” he mutters, face burning. “Don’t.”
But there’s no stopping her. “You know if you don’t confess soon, I will. For leverage.”
“Please don't.”
---
During the game, It’s almost cute how hard he works to stay composed.
When you’re not looking his way, Gepard plays perfectly. Clean hits, precise shots, disciplined skating, captain-level decisions. But the second your gaze flickers toward him? He nearly trips.
Just once, mid-game, your shoulder collides with his as you both chase the puck. You bounce off him like he’s made of stone—he catches your elbow gently so you don’t slip.
“Sorry,” he murmurs.
You look up. “It’s a contact sport, Gepard.”
“Yes, but— you could’ve— the angle— you might’ve—”
“Are you apologizing for existing?”
He stiffens. “No!”
His teammates exchange knowing glances. Pela whispers, “He’s being gentle again.”
“Embarrassing,” Serval says. “I’m proud of him.”
---
Late in the third period, the match gets intense. One of your teammates skids into you by accident, sending you tumbling across the ice.
Before the crowd even gasps— Gepard is there.
He drops to one knee beside you. “Are you hurt?”
“Just slipped,” you grumble, sitting up.
Gepard offers his hand. With surprising care, he helps you stand, one hand steady at your elbow. His eyes stay locked on yours, worry tightening his jaw.
“You should have someone check your wrist—”
“I’m fine, captain.”
The way you say “captain” nearly kills him. He clears his throat. “Right. Yes. Of course.”
The referee skates over. “Landau, you can’t assist opposing players during the match—”
Gepard blurts, “But they fell.”
You pinch the bridge of your nose. “Gepard, I’m really okay.”
He finally lets go — reluctantly.
---
You win by a small margin. Your team retreats to the bench, laughing, exhausted. You’re removing your helmet when someone steps into your peripheral vision.
It’s Gepard.
Towel over his shoulder. Hair slightly damp. Eyes soft. “I wanted to say…” He hesitates, searching for words. “You played… really well today.”
You smile. “You always say that.”
“Because it’s true.”
Your heart stutters — just a little.
You toss your helmet into your bag. “You didn’t play too bad yourself.”
His face flushes so fast it’s honestly impressive.
“I— thank you,” he mutters, voice cracking just slightly. He coughs to cover it. “I mean—thank you. I appreciate it.”
You laugh softly. “You don’t have to be formal with me.”
He stares at you for a heartbeat too long. “I don’t?”
“No.”
Gepard swallows. Hard. “Alright,” he says quietly. “I’ll try.”
There’s a silence — gentle, comfortable — before you speak again. “You, uh… always show up when I need something.”
Gepard’s ears turn red. “I— I just want to help.”
“You don’t do that for other opponents.”
“…No. I don’t.”
You pause. “…Why me?”
His breath catches. His whole body goes still.
Serval’s voice echoes down the hallway, “Because he likes you!” and Pela clamps her hand over her mouth immediately.
Gepard turns scarlet and he tries to brush off her words. “I— ignore her— she’s exaggerating—” Oh, he'll hears tons from Lynx later.
“She’s not,” you say softly.
Gepard looks at you like he’s been hit with a hockey puck to the soul. “…She’s not?”
“No.”
You step closer, just enough that he feels your warmth. “See you next match, captain.”
He stands there, stunned, cheeks glowing pink, watching you walk away — the quietest man in the world, absolutely overflowing with feelings he can barely contain.
⚘ Caelus (Basketball/ Football):
Caelus hates this. He hates that he likes you.
He can win any match—any.
…Except the mental match he keeps losing every time you walk into the gym with your water bottle tucked under your arm and that focused look on your face.
March 7th has stopped asking if he’s okay. Dan Heng doesn’t even sigh anymore. They simply watch Caelus go from “normal guy” to “feral lovesick racoon” in under three seconds.
This morning is no different. You enter the court. And Caelus instantly combusts.
“Dude,” March whispers behind him, “fix your face. You look like someone threw away your favourite trash bag.”
“I’m fine,” he lies, puffing his chest out. “Just… warming up.”
“You’re staring at them,” Dan Heng adds.
“I am not!"
“You are,” they say at the same time. Caelus only sighs in defeat. Two against one, he can never win.
---
At the courtyard, you and your team— well, it's just you and your coach here, the others backed out, citing it's not necessary for them to attend. The opposing teams should ne announced now.
Caelus, Dan Heng and March 7th are on the other side, chatting away. Their coach finally picks up the mic, announcing the opposing teams, “Next scrimmage— Team Astral Express vs—”
Caelus is already grinning. He doesn’t even let the name finish. He knows. He feels it in his bones. He turns around dramatically, like an anime protagonist about to deliver his final line—
—and sees you tighten your headband, determination in your eyes.
He dies. Why do you have to look so gorgeous all the time? Absolutely unfair for an innocent racoon.
March 7th high-fives Dan Heng. “He’s gone. He’s actually gone.”
---
Before the match, you go to your side of the net. Caelus jogs to his. “You ready to lose?” he smirks.
“You ready to shut up?” you reply.
Dan Heng nearly chokes. He holds his laugh for the sake of his best friend.
Caelus tries to retain dignity. “Wow. Fiery today. Trying to impress me?”
“No. Trying to win.”
“Oh. So… you do want my attention.”
You give him a look. “I want you to stop talking.”
His soul leaves his body. Before he can give a comeback, the whistle blows. The match begins.
He plays well at first—powerful serves, sharp receives, flashy spikes. He keeps glancing at you to see if you’re watching.
Spoiler: you’re not. You’re focused on the game. Focused on winning. Focused on anything except him. It shatters him.
March yells from the sidelines, "Stop looking at them and hit the ball!”
“Don’t rush me—!!”
He rushes. He misses. The ball slams the floor. His pride dies again. Your team earns the point. You smirk. “Nice reflexes.”
He clutches his chest. “Ow. That hurt worse than the ball.”
---
In the end, your team wins—by two points. He acts like you murdered him. He walks over, towel over his shoulders, hair messy, ego broken but trying to appear fine.
“You played well,” you say, wiping sweat from your forehead.
He smiles. Too fast. Too bright. Instant raccoon revival.
“Oh? Oh! I mean—yeah! I—I always play well. You know me.” He flexes. For no reason.
You raise a brow. “What was that accent shift? Are you having a stroke?”
He freezes. “No. That was my… winning voice.”
“You lost.”
“…my learning voice.”
You snort.
He lights up like it’s Christmas. And then he does what he always does—he gambles.
“Hey uh—” he starts, scratching the back of his neck, cheeks red, “you wanna… stay after? Maybe practice receives together? Or serves? Or—”
You blink. “Didn’t you just play three sets? Aren’t you tired?”
“Nope.” He absolutely is dying inside. But he will practice for another six hours if it means standing next to you.
You sigh, but it’s soft. “Fine. But no more trash talk.”
“Ever? But I love trash.” he whispers, horrified.
You smirk. “Okay, once per day.”
He beams. “I can work with that.”
Behind him, March 7th squeals into her hands like an excited aunt.
Dan Heng nods knowingly. “At this rate, he’ll confess in three years.”
Caelus walks away feeling like he won the entire universe. Did he lose the match? Yes. Did he embarrass himself? Absolutely. Did you agree to stay and train with him? He’s ready to propose.