iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

// everyone say thank you mitski and cenmili

011

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

// [ breathes in ] that one had been marinating in my draft and i'm not willing to elaborate but anyway

110

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

"Lighter?" he finally asked after Zero was done. "𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙. That could've gotten you killed in the field," the man offered him the lighter, regardless. Ren accepted it. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥.

020

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

"Lighter," he demanded. The answer was another look of disapproval from his co-worker. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘯... "Zero. Come on." "I'm not done patching you up yet. Stay. Still." There was no regret. They had the goods in hand, all things considered. He only regretted letting a personal target go.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

"I didn't die," Ren muttered defensively as he watched his partner stormed out of the empty bar. He felt the bartender's piercing gaze voicing his disappointment. One hand reached for the cigarette case in his pocket and he put one between his lips.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

"𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙?" The swordsman pinched the bridge of his nose with his good hand and sighed. How many times had he heard the same question in the past week? "Leave him alone, Seven," the man, who tended to his wound, said to his partner.

111

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

// i'll get to things and replies after i'm back home, yeah? yeah... i have an hour long playlist to sing

110

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

// getting muse while going out for karaoke is CRAZY

110

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"Okay," he nodded. A part of him wasn't ready to part with that memory. But if he must... "Okay," he repeated, kissing Joel's forehead again.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"If you meet me here and you're sure that you can keep me in your life," he paused, looking at Joel. He tried to do that as much as he could. "Then, by all means. Though I must warn you, once again, it wouldn't be easy."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"Does it matter?" he asked. "Ultimately, it is your choice. If things change, you will have to hold onto the memory of our first meeting and tell me all about it."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

He could only sigh and lean in to kiss Joel's forehead gently. "I know."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"I don't wish to maim," he replied. "And, yes, the very same dao."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"So you don't want to interfere with what's going on in this timeline, then?" that... seemed like a wise choice.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"Do you?" his hand cupped Joel's cheek, keeping him from looking elsewhere.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"I'm sorry," he repeated quietly. "I can't just do that. There's already one Zhang Xi here—well, Ren," he let out a soft laugh, "and Ma would have no one if I go missing."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"The... what?" he tilted his head in confusion, not sure if he caught what he just said. But sharing intel? "... Show me the way."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

"Okay," he repeated, whispering. "I've said everything I wanted to say before, I... Gods, Joel. I'm so sorry I can't stay."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

His shoulders relaxed as he kissed Joel back, sweet and brief before he pulled away. "Don't mess around, okay? Stay safe, I'm serious."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

"What I mean is... you were always testing my patience, not that I mind," he said, "eight years is a long wait, but that's fine. You're worth the wait."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

"I know," he forced out a chuckle, "it's just that... with you? I never know how patient I should be. Now we're here. It's unbelievable."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

And not for another eight years. He knew that. He thought it was something that he accepted and yet... "Yes," he nodded, squeezing Joel's hand. "you will."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

"I wasn't expecting that," he said, a little impressed. "Can you find a way to break it somehow?"

110

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

"I guess that's a good thing," he mumbled. "... Right? It is... good." Those were the words he used to convince himself too.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

He sat right next to Joel, waiting for him to say something first because he refused to.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

"Splendid. I'm here entertaining myself by staring at a wall because I don't have visuals on what you see."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

"Almost there," he whispered and opened the door, leading Joel back to the bed. Carefully, he helped him sit on the edge of the bed. "Better?"

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

After a moment, Xi unmuted his microphone to ask, "situation?"

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Thank you," he said begrudgingly. "Now that it's all done and taken care of, please excuse me. I have other places to be."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

He was met with silence as Xi muted his microphone and groaned loudly.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Very well, then," he smiled to himself, slowly walking with Joel towards the room.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Unfortunately," he rolled his eyes, placing a hand on Joel's back. He was warm.

110

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"I assume you're already there?" he asked.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Maybe. Wanna try and see?" he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

He just couldn't win against him and had resigned to that fate so long ago. "Whatever," he sighed.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Easy," he muttered, helping Joel stand up. "Good to walk now?"

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Shush, stop talking back to me," he flicked Joel's forehead.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Maybe just a little bit," he said jokingly.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

This man. The myth. Once they had a taste of his skills, no one would dare to cross him. He was lucky that they were always on the same side. "We could do with less blood," he sighed, fingers massaging his temples, "Ghost-Maker."

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Ah, now I need you to shut up again," he groaned in protest.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"We could go with that if it helps you sleep at night," he replied.

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Let's see... Maybe just as simple as not annoying me too much?"

100

Ren, ︖︖ [ARCHIVED] @wistfulwish.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Wow," he said, "surprising. I would think that someone as rich as this person would have better security. But that's a good thing."

100