demisexuality

Xie Lian found something in himself that he thought was gone—worn away with every mistake he had made. Faith. His arms opened, and the child was hesitant—but eventually, he fell into them, his body trembling with silent sobs. "I remember you," he whispered again, voice breaking as Hong-er clung to him. I remember you. I remember you. I will always, for as long as I live, remember you. (A re-telling of TGCF where Xie Lian has his cursed shackle placed in his eyes, blinding him. And yet, through all of his struggles; there is always someone watching over him.) (MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS AVAILABLE)

Derek has a new neighbor who won't stop looking. Excerpt: “You’re blind,” Derek said flatly, the anger draining from him so suddenly he felt almost woozy. His vision cleared, his claws sliding back into blunt fingernails. “Thanks for the memo, genius,” the kid said acidly. “I can still fucking defend myself, so don’t take another damn step.” “Fuck, I...I’m sorry,” Derek stuttered. “What?!” The kid’s brow crinkled. “I mean — what?! You’re fucking sorry!?” His lips thinned into a harsh line. “What, is this some kinda Hallmark movie where you’re discovering the error of your ways because you don’t want to rob a blind person?! That’s fucking condescending, man. I’ll have you know that —” “Just, wait.” Derek interrupted what was apparently the start of a convincing argument as to why he should rob the kid after all, feeling his head start to spin. “This is — it’s a misunderstanding. I’m — I’m not robbing you. You’re — you’re safe, okay? I’m taking three steps back. Just — just let me explain.” “Explain why you came busting into my apartment? Yeah, go right ahead, man, I can’t wait to hear this epic tale.”

It’s a double blow: the news that not only has Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban, but his loyal pet Remus Lupin will be invited to teach at Hogwarts next term with open arms. Despite everything, Severus brews the Wolfsbane. (That he finds himself teaching the potion to Lupin is something he cannot quite manage to regret.)