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simdertalia · 1 year ago

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🍁 🍂 ACNH Harvest Set 🍂 🍁

Sims 4, Most items are base game compatible (see notes below) 37 items

It's harvest time! & Thanksgiving is coming up soon the United States (sorry, Canadians, that I didn't have it done in time for yours!) So I wanted to get this set made asap. I didn't make swatch previews this time, as most of the items follow the same orange, brown, and green color scheme. Some items have extra swatches added by me, all info below.

Always suggested: bb.objects ON, it makes placing items much easier. For further placement tweaking, check out the TOOL mod.

Type “acnh harvest" into the search query in build mode to find quickly. You can always find items like this, just begin typing the title and it will appear.

�� Download (SFS, No Ads): HERE

📁 Alt Download (still no ads): HERE

As always, please let me know if you have any issues! Happy Simming!

✨ If you like my work, please consider supporting me

★ Patreon 🎉 ❤️ |★ Ko-Fi ☕️ ❤️ ★ Instagram📷

Thank you for reblogging ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

@sssvitlans @maxismatchccworld @mmoutfitters @coffee-cc-finds @itsjessicaccfinds @gamommypeach @stargazer-sims-finds @khelga68 @suricringe @vaporwavesims @mystictrance15 @public-ccfinds

🦃 More Thanksgiving & Harvest CC

The rest of my CC

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oranos · 8 months ago

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Shirt With Sweater

This clothing was created for male frames! Style your sim and let your fashion speak! If you want to change the colour of the shirt, you have options. [You can find it in the ''Gloves'' category] It has all the maps and compatible all body types. :)

Base Game Compatible

32 Colors + 12 Colors

New Mesh [Completely from scratch!]

LOD0: 4223 LOD1: 3829 LOD2: 2268 LOD3: 468 polygons

Custom thumbnail

Compatible with All Body Types

Download [Patreon - FREE] Public Release : 05 April 2024

#s4 #ts4 #s4cc #sims #thesims #ts4cc #oranos #maxismatch #mm #ts4 maxis match #s4 male #sims maxis match #maxis match cc #male

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alwayslurkinginthebackground · 2 months ago

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Lucky - A Pedrotober Drabble

Day 8 of Pedrotober: Corona Pedrotober hosted by @norththelemon and @alyssamariag. View the full prompt list HERE and view my entire Pedrotober drabble catalog HERE.

Pairing: Frankie Morales x f!reader

Rating: THIS IS FOR EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN LOVE. The briefest of mentions of unwanted advances in a bar setting.

Word Count: 2268

a/n: This is for @alyssamariag and she knows it. I legitimately blacked out writing this one and somehow it's now here.

"You'll find someone eventually, sweetie," your mom reminds you for what feels like the millionth time. "You just have to put yourself out there."

It's exhausting, really, these weekly phone calls where you're reminded time and time again that your brother is getting married. Five years younger and he was beating you to the alter the same way every one of your friends has. But he was lucky. He met his future wife in college when they sat next to one another in class. An organic meet cute that spawned into a flourishing relationship.

Meanwhile, your college boyfriend cheated on you the first chance he got.

"I have to go, Mom," you cut her off as Frankie walks through the front door. He gives you a knowing look when he realizes you're on the phone, moving through your house like he lives there. And these days, he basically does.

As the only single members of your friend group, you spend your time together while the others spend theirs with their partners. It was, at times, perhaps a little concerning how co-dependent the two of you were becoming, but seeing Frankie each evening was much better than the alternative of being alone.

And it wasn't like the two of you hadn't tried to find partners. You'd just never been in the right place at the right time. Frankie was fresh out of a long-term relationship when you met him, and starting a flight school had kept him far too busy for far too long. For you, moving across the country hadn't helped much. You'd had to start fresh. New city, new job, new home, new friends, all built from the ground up. Where the move had done little for your love life, it had brought you a sense of accomplishment, a wealth of new experiences, and, most importantly, your boys.

Which, you suppose, was a bit of good fortune. The way you just happened to walk into the same bar on the same night that they were already seated around a table celebrating Benny's latest win. The way your coworker ditched you early on, leaving you alone at the bar nursing a once-cold bottle of Corona. The way all four of them had jumped to your defense when a man tried to slip his arm around your waist.

But even they had found people to share their lives with while you and Frankie sat on the sidelines, doing your due diligence by downloading dating apps. You even dragged him along to a speed dating event that Santi had signed you up for, but the world wasn't what it once was. You couldn't just attend a cooking class and expect to meet your soulmate while roasting a turkey. And if you did manage to secure your significant other one side dish at a time, it was still because of luck.

"Your Mom again?" Frankie asks when you step into your kitchen, already feeling the urge to rant boiling in your veins.

You nod. "She's on me again. Reminding me that my biological clock is ticking and that I have to get serious about this before she's too old to play with her grandchildren."

Frankie scoffs, "You don't want kids though."

"That's what I keep telling her, but I don't know that it'll ever stick in your brain," you bite out as you help him unbag the Chinese food he's brought you for dinner. "But," you continue, conceding a bit, "she is also kind of right."

He pauses, staring at you with wide eyes until the heat permeating through the thin cardboard of the box of rice he's holding threatens to burn his fingers. He sets it on the counter with a wince and turns to you. "Don't tell me you're letting her get in your head."

You shrug, avoiding his gaze as you grab plates. "I don't know." You exhale heavily as you set the dishes down next to him, turning to lean back against the counter. "I just wish I could skip this whole dating thing and get to the happy ending part. It's just unfair, you know? How we're supposed to put ourselves out there on these apps when all anyone is looking for there is a good fuck. And if you don't rely on the apps, you're not trying hard enough. And if none of that worked, it's entirely up to fate to put you in the right place at the right time."

There's a beat of silence before he responds, his voice dripping with understanding. "I know what you mean." Of course, he does. Of anyone, he's the only one that does.

"It's like playing the lottery and losing every time," you sigh again, scooping rice onto one of the dishes. "Maybe I should just have Benny set me up on that blind date he keeps talking about or something."

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

You hand him his own plate of food. "It's better than not trying, isn't it?"

Frankie says nothing.

If you were serious about the blind date, I have someone I could set you up with. Better than Benny's guy.

His text feels like it comes out of nowhere. You're on your way home from work when you see it pop up on your car's notification system, and you swear you feel your stomach drop a little at the suggestion. You'd mostly been kidding when you said it, overwhelmed by the lecture you'd just been given by your mother, and there's something about Frankie making the offer that doesn't sit right with you. Sitll, you're curious.

Who is it? You text back once you've put the car in park, grabbing your phone as you head inside.

He replies instantly, doesn't that defeat the point of a blind date??

You roll your eyes and call him instead and he picks up on the second ring. "It does not defeat the purpose," you explain, "I just want to know what I'm getting into before I say yes."

Your best friend chuckles on the other end of the line. "It's just someone I work with. Nice guy, recently out of a relationship, tall," Frankie explains, well aware of your type.

"Is he a scruffy-looking nerfherder, too?" you ask, quoting The Empire Strikes Back. You'd once told him that that was your type. Harrison Ford saving Carrie Fisher from an icy planet.

"Maybe."

You ponder your options for a moment. You'd never actually texted Benny about the idea, but having it come out of left field on Frankie's part feels a little like a sign. Maybe this is the stroke of luck you need. A random introduction that would lead to a fairytale romance.

"I'll do it," you tell him, "on one condition. I get to set you up with someone, too."

Frankie's quiet, and you wish you could see his face right now because you can picture the panic you know is written on it. But you aren't about to find your true love and leave him in the dust. "Who is it?" he asks, imitating your earlier questioning.

"A friend from work," you reply sarcastically, even if it isn't a lie. "You'll like her. She's smart, a little quiet, and brunette."

"I really think you'll like her," you explain to Frankie as the two of you walk through the grocery store, a weekly trip you take together. "She works in finance, she actually knows something about how to fix a car, and she loves to travel." He nods along, pushing the cart as you grab things from both of your lists. "But what about my prince charming?" you inquire, setting a box of Cap'n Crunch in the basket. For all you've told him about his date, he's told you very little.

"He...." Frankie pauses for a second, "...he's..."

You tilt your head. "You're really selling him here, Morales."

He shrugs, "What am I supposed to say? He's the most attractive man I've ever met? You'll definitely be satisfied by him? I'm sure he has a big..."

A mother passing by with her daughter in the cart coughs before he can finish the sentence and you struggle to hold in a laugh as he apologizes. The two of you move further down the aisle, "Okay, maybe not that, but what's he like as a person? What does he do for fun?"

Frankie sucks in a breath. "He likes a lot of the same things I do, I guess. He's...nurturing?"

Your eyebrows raise as you lead him down another aisle. "Nurturing?"

"Yeah," he grunts softly. "Nurturing. Like, he's loyal. Cares about the people in his life. The kind of person that will take care of you when you're sick or watch that dumb Tom Hanks movie you love so much."

"You've Got Mail," you supply, causing him to roll his eyes before continuing, but it's obvious that he chooses his next words carefully.

"He's the kind of person who will be there for you even when it's two in the morning and you're up because it's storming. I guess he can be a little stubborn, but it's usually just because he cares too much." He pauses, and you open your mouth to respond, but then he keeps going and you can do nothing but listen, transfixed. "Loves movies and has his pilot's license like me. Quiet sometimes, but he can be a little mischievous, too. It's all in good fun, though. It just means he loves you."

You've stopped next to the pasta and are staring at him, eyes wide. "Is that all?"

He nods. "That good enough for you?"

"Yeah, that's good."

Your date comes faster than you anticipated. Frankie has you set up at a local bar to meet with his coworker, although per your agreement, you didn't even know his name. He'd be sitting, Frankie explained, at a table near the back and would be drinking a Corona. When you insisted that you needed more information, he asked if you'd prefer a rose in a book, but you'd simply hit his arm and grudgingly agreed to his plan.

His date, meanwhile, was set for the following evening. Your coworker hadn't stopped talking about it all week, excited about the prospect of meeting someone new. For someone who was usually quiet, she was obnoxiously loud when it came to Frankie, and you couldn't help but wince every time she brought him up. It wasn't that you were jealous, because you weren't. You and Frankie were never meant to be more than friends, and that was lucky enough.

So why didn't it feel that way?

As you check your makeup in the rearview mirror, you debate driving back home. It would be easy to leave. Easy to call Frankie on the way and tell him you didn't feel a spark and ask if he'd pick up a pizza and come over for a movie night. Cancel the whole thing and go back to your simple single life.

Your phone lights up on the passenger seat with a text from Frankie, as if he's heard your thoughts somehow. Have fun tonight.

Well, now you have to go inside. And maybe this wouldn't work out. Maybe Frankie was wrong and this guy wasn't for you, but you have to go for him. Because your best friend put in the time and effort to set you up with someone he genuinely thought you would like. And you trust his judgement wholeheartedly.

With one last breath, you step from your car, finding your confidence in your heels as you make your way toward the same bar you'd met the boys at all those years ago. It's crowded inside, more so than usual, and you have to apologize a few times as you weave your way through the mass of people. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest and your stomach feels like throwing up might be a preferable activity right now, but you press on until you can see someone sitting at a table near the back.

You try to make out his features through the dim light, but he's turned away from you. You know it's him though because the light above his table illuminates the Corona he's holding with one hand. When the song changes on the radio, Harry Nilsson's Somewhere Over the Rainbow playing through the speakers, you realize you've been standing there for too long.

That, actually, you don't want to go through with this.

What you want is to go home. You want to call Frankie. You want to curl up in his arms. You want...

"Frankie," you breathe out because he's there in front of you as he turns. Like you've summoned him.

He leaves the Corona on the table as he stands and takes a step toward you. He says nothing as he invades your space. You feel like crying, and maybe you are because he tells you not to, wiping the tears from your cheeks with his thumb.

"I wanted it to be you," you say softly, quoting Meg Ryan because, you realize, this is what it feels like to be lucky. "How did you..."

Frankie smiles. "You didn't think I'd actually let you end up with someone else, did you?"

"No," you tell him tearfully, "you're too stubborn for that." It's easy to melt into his embrace as he draws you closer. "And mischievous," you add, repeating what he told you at the grocery store, "but I guess that just means he loves me."

He nods, his lips a breath from yours. "He does."

#pedrotober #pedrotober 2024 #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales #triple frontier #lurking and writing

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sonichedgeblog · 2 months ago

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'Buster's Big Score' (Original Demo) by KevynStott Smoothly combine your acrobatic abilities and novelty gadgets to sneak past guards, and steal your score! https://sonicfangameshq.com/forums/showcase/busters-big-score.2268/ Support us on Patreon

#Buster's Big Score #Original Demo #SEGA #Sonic #Sonic The Hedgehog

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nicksbestie · 7 months ago

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Next Stop - C. Sturniolo

three times chris reminds you that your stop is next, + the time he gets off with you

Summary : You get distracted easily, and almost miss your stop going home from work. Luckily, there's someone who reminds you often.

Warnings : none <3

Word Count : 2268

Pairing : Chris Sturniolo/Reader (eventually romantic)

A/N : i am so excited to write this!

one

You had a long day at work.

That’s why it happened, that’s why you fell asleep on the bus. You didn’t fall asleep on the bus and nearly missed your stop because you were up nearly all night finishing work before its deadline arrived because you have a terrible habit of procrastinating things until the last minute. You were just tired, took the first seat you could find, and in the midst of the happiness of being on the way home, and the relaxation of being able to sit down and not have to focus on any work, you fell asleep. That’s exactly what happened.

You had nearly been late leaving work, something you never were, because the second that you could get out of that hellhole you were gone. It was incredibly rare that you didn’t leave on time, because you worked so hard during the day to make sure that you never had anything that would keep you working overtime. And the longer you were at work, the more chance you had to miss your bus home, and you did not want to make that long, lonely, and honestly, quite scary, walk back to your apartment. You’d done that before, and it was not a night that you cared to remember or relive.

You’d gotten an email about twenty minutes before your shift ended, detailing another document that you needed to complete before you left that day. Your manager was a pain in the ass, as if he got paid for that instead of his job. If he did, he’d probably be rich and could quit. You’d glanced over the document, knowing that you could complete it before you got off, and you did, but you dropped an entire file of papers right as you were leaving. You had to stop and pick them all up to put them in your work bag, and that caused you to miss the elevator down to the first floor. So that caused you to have to wait for the next one, and then it was raining as you got out of the building.

You got to the bus stop with plenty of time before the bus got there, and you got on as quickly as possible, tired of being in the rain. You were simply exhausted in general, and as soon as you sat down in a seat, you set your work bag down in your lap, pulling your headphones out and plugging them in, staring out of the window as you played some music through them. You watched all the other vehicles go by, all of them beginning to blur into one long stream of darkness. You were seated close to the front of the bus, and you were grateful for that, so when your stop came, you could quickly get off. You saw a reflection in the window, across the aisle. It was of a boy, around your age, maybe a year or two older. You didn’t think much more of it, simply enjoying getting to relax, but you relaxed too much.

You jolted awake to see the boy from the reflection standing over you, gently shaking your shoulder. He had an apologetic look on his face, and backed up as soon as he noticed you were awake.

“Sorry, but your stop is next. I didn’t want you to miss it.”

Looking up, you saw that the bus screen clearly displayed your stop next, and without even bothering to think about how this boy had known that, you got up, quietly thanking him, and picking up your stuff so that you could get off of the bus.

two

You’d fallen asleep. You couldn’t believe you’d fallen asleep, at your desk no less. Luckily, you had completed all of your work by that point, but you had dozed off right after. You’d been incredibly tired lately, and you really had no excuse for it. You’d been sleeping a lot, but clearly not getting enough good rest. You just wanted to close your eyes for a couple moments, and somehow you’d ended up falling asleep, and only woken up because the last person in the office had left, and slammed the door way too loudly. Realizing the time, you quickly rushed out of there, luckily right on time today. You managed to get on the bus just as it was about to leave, breathing out a sigh of relief as you threw yourself down into a seat, work bag on the seat next to you.

“Nearly missed it.”

You turned around at the voice, noticing the same boy who had woken you up last week sitting two rows behind, and one aisle over. You smiled a little bit, not being able to find it in you to be annoyed at his comment, given that he had a bright smile on his own face.

“Yeah, almost.”

“Glad you didn’t. Would’ve been a long walk.”

You didn’t know why you were so open to chatting with this complete stranger, but you figured you owed him the politeness. After you had entered the conversation, you found that you were actually enjoying it. You talked for the whole bus ride. You found out the guy’s name was Chris, and that he had three brothers, two of them being his triplet brothers. He worked at a restaurant that was actually quite close to your work, which explained why he was always on the bus when you were. He got on one stop before you, and got off one stop after you. He’d seen you on the bus a lot, and that was how he knew when your stop was.

He actually seemed to be a very nice guy, and the conversation flourished. You shared what you both did for work, a lot about your family and friends, and it really was like you had known each other for ages. You didn’t notice how quickly the bus ride went by until he was pointing towards the bus screen, where the stop before yours was flashing on the lights.

“As lovely as it is talking to you, you have to get off of the bus soon.”

You sighed, smiling, a part of you disappointed in having to leave.

“So I do. I loved talking to you too! I assume I’ll see you on the bus again at some point?”

He returned your smile, handing you your work bag.

“I’m sure you will. Have a safe walk home, okay?”

“I’ll do my best. You too!”

You discovered random photos of Chris in your camera roll when you got home, and they made you laugh. He must have taken a bunch of them while you were putting your headphones back in your work bag. Unbeknownst to him, you favorited them all.

three

You were blaming your tiredness on a bad week. That’s all it was. That had to be all it was because being this tired was completely out of control for you, but you couldn’t deny how the day at work made you want to quit and run away forever. If money weren’t a problem, you would do it.

You got out of there on time today. You weren’t running early, and you weren’t running late either. You left there at five in the evening, on the dot, and you were ready for the day to be done. You were so exhausted that you didn’t feel that much at all, nothing except for the lack of energy in your veins.

Stepping on the bus, you could barely even muster a smile at Chris, sitting in his normal seat. As he saw you, he smiled, but it immediately faded when he saw your face. You looked drained, sad, even, and he wasted no time in getting up to sit next to you, in your usual seat. He looked at you with sadness in his eyes, reflecting your own.

“What’s going on?”

You felt pitiful in your response, and you had no idea why you were even opening up to him. You’d only talked to him once before, but somehow, you felt like you trusted him wholeheartedly already. You felt comfortable speaking to him, even though it was through shared whispers on a semi-crowded bus.

“I’m just so tired.”

He nodded understandingly, and in his head, he was fighting the urge to just hug you, but he knew a lot of people didn’t like to be touched outright without being asked. So, he took a chance, and asked.

“Would a hug help?”

You sighed, nodding.

“A hug would be great.”

You let him wrap an arm around you, and he let you rest your head on his shoulder. His hug was just as comforting as he looked. You couldn’t deny the fact that you felt insanely comfortable with him, and you were so tired that you didn’t have the energy to even think about why that may be. You just let it happen, and so did he. Unbeknownst to you, he was thinking the exact same thing.

He noticed how you didn’t offer up any more information, and he also noticed how your breathing evened out, and your arm around his back relaxed a little bit. Looking down, he noticed that you had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He found it nothing but cute. There was no part of him that could deny the fact that he found you attractive, and he had since the first time he saw you on the bus. He couldn’t believe that he had you asleep on his shoulder, so wholly trusting of him despite barely knowing him, but he had no intentions to disturb you.

He sat there, scrolling on his phone, letting you rest on his shoulder as he waited for the stop before yours to pop up on the screen. He silently begged for the bus to go slower, for the bus to hit every red light possible, for the speed limits to drop, because he wanted to soak in every minute possible that he was getting to spend with you.

Unfortunately, the stop before yours popped up too early for his liking, which meant that it was time to wake you up. As he slowly adjusted you, you woke up, having never been the deepest sleeper, and your face flushed red as you realized that you had fallen asleep on him. You opened your mouth to speak and he cut you off, that same smile back on his face.

“I get the feeling that you’re about to apologize. You don’t have to. Your stop is next, don’t want you to miss it.”

You sighed, getting up, and already missing the comforting feeling of resting against him.

“Thank you. I’ll see you again?”

“Can’t avoid me for long. Walk safe, okay?”

“I will.”

You smiled, waving at him as you got off of the bus, ignoring the happy feeling that went through you when he gave you a huge smile back.

+ one

You got on the bus and were shocked to not see Chris sitting in his normal spot on the bus, and you couldn’t deny that you were slightly sad about it. However, your spirits rose once more when you saw that he was getting on one stop after you. He noticed you, and immediately sat down next to you.

“Thank god you’re here.”

You smiled at his comment.

“Missed me that much?”

“Yes. I did, actually.”

He wrapped an arm around your shoulders, a gentle smile on his face. You talked like you did on the second bus ride you noticed him on, and it felt like a conversation that lasted forever and also lasted just two seconds at the same time. Chris couldn’t deny that he was undeniably attracted to you. You were pretty, funny, and he just loved being in your presence, even though he didn’t have much time with you so far. He really hoped that would change soon, and as the bus approached your spot, he interrupted your conversation.

“This is normally when I tell you to walk home safely, isn’t it?”

You smiled, a thing you did a lot around Chris.

“It is. I suppose you should be saying it?”

“I was actually hoping I could say something different today.”

You raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk on your face, deciding to humor him.

“Oh? And what could that be?”

“I was hoping I could get to walk you home today.”

You had a look of surprise on your face, but not one that displayed that his suggestion was unappealing.

“Are you asking me to let you come back home with me?”

You had a joking tone to your voice, but you were halfway serious about it. You weren’t opposed, though. Chris was incredibly sweet and attractive, and a night with him sounded like fun, even if it was just a night.

“Not necessarily. I could walk you back to my place, but you’d be subjected to meeting the other people who live there and have the same face as me.”

You laughed, standing up, and grabbing your things.

“You can walk me home. And come in, if you’d like to.”

“I would love to.”

You couldn’t deny that things had moved incredibly quickly between the two of you, but years down the line, when you got to tell the story of the way he held your hand the entire way home, made eating microwave food on the couch seem romantic, and even managed to steal a few kisses from you before the night ended, the speed of it didn’t seem to matter.

taglist : @blahbel668 @mattsgirlfrieeend @69isabella69 @mayhem-72 @iculdstealurgf @iluvm4ttsturni0l0 @sturnioloslife @heartsforkarina @nervousrebelglitter @sturniclo @elliegrace-7 @mattsturnioloisbae @strnilo @dazsha19 @patscorner @hailee22sstuff @tworosesblackthorn @sturniolo-fann @h3arts4harry @getosuckers @khxna @scoobydoosnack @tapesmatts @st7rnioioss @st7rnioiossblog @jamiesturniolo @sofie-1

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#chris sturniolo #chris sturniolo x reader #chris sturniolo x you #chris sturniolo fanfic #christopher sturniolo #christopher owen sturniolo #chris sturniolo fluff #chris sturniolo smut #christopher sturniolo smut #sturniolo triplets #sturniolo smut #sturniolo #sturniolo fanfic #the sturniolo triplets #sturniolo triplets fluff

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lostdrarryfics · 7 months ago

Note

This could also be Accompaniment by BiscuitBrunch (93k, E)

Let us know anon!

This fic was on ao3 and post war, i think draco was in the muggle world and i'm pretty sure he and harry met somehow? details o remember is draco was training a kid from a charity event of some sort how to play an instrument (violin, i believe) and there was this weird pervy guy who was like the "villain"

Sorry, we could not find this fic. Maybe one of our followers can help!

#request 2268 #found fic #anon

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exotic-indians · 1 month ago

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#Alia Bhatt (2268×3167)

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alonglistofbirds · 1 year ago

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[2268/11080] Chestnut-crested cotinga - Ampelion rufaxilla

Order: Passeriformes Suborder: Tyranni Family: Cotingidae (cotingas)

Photo credit: John Richardson via Macaulay Library

#birds #Chestnut-crested cotinga #Passeriformes #Tyranni #Cotingidae #Ampelion #birds a to z #undescribed

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strawheart-pirate · 1 year ago

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Drought

Portgas D. Ace x gn!Reader

Words: 2268 CW: Alabasta Setting (spoiler-free), SFW, dehydrated Reader, mention of robbery, passing out, lizard, bonfire, food, talks and cuddles

You were in the middle of the desert in Alabasta. Your water bottle was empty, you were robbed, on the edge of passing out and now a sand storm is coming your way. Could this day get any worse?

Empty. Not a single drop fell on your lips as you lifted your head and turned your open bottle upside down above you. You were on your way to your home in Nanohana but you doubted that you would make it. Every step forward felt like too much, the sweat pouring down your face like a river. The march to Alubarna was familiar since you walked this route twice a week for work without problem, but today was different. Bandits crossed your path halfway and since you forgot to take your weapons with you, they stripped you off your water. Mostly. This last bottle was the only one you could protect before they left your bruised body behind.

Just five more miles. It’s not that far. You tried to convince yourself, but you stumbled and fell into the burning hot sand. You lifted your gaze, slamming your fists into the sand, as tears streamed down your face. Ugly sobs escaped your throat as you thought about your grandma. If you won’t come home today, how will she make it? She was a strong woman but her age was noticeable in her actions, so you helped her. You two shared home and salary ever since your parents died and your bond was strong. She will be worried by now, since the sun was about to set in almost two hours.

You got up with determination. There must be some way to make it. Your body was gathering all the last strength he could find to send your feet forward. Slowly but surely, step by step, regardless of how much your legs we’re shaking. You would make it out of here, your grandma needs you and you won’t let her down. In the distance, the outlines of the city slowly got noticeable and you smiled. You started to walk faster, the joy fueling your system when suddenly everything turned black around you and you fell to the ground.

Cold. As your conscience was back, you could feel the cold, hard ground beneath your back. That was not right. You opened your eyes and sat up quickly to look at your surroundings, leaving your head a bit dizzy. You were in a small but spacious cave with just one exit and in front of you was a small, crackling bonfire, which illuminated the stony walls. It was dark outside. Just how long have I been out cold? I need to get going before my kidnappers return. Gladly you realized, that you were alone with no trace of another living thing and so you stood up and slowly walked towards the entrance without making too much sound.

You were just a few steps away from freedom when you came eye to eye with a big purple lizard. Startled you covered your mouth with your hands and stopped breathing. Not a single movement was giving you away and after minutes that felt like hours, the lizard laid down right in front of the entrance, their back facing you. You exhaled the air you’ve been holding. Crap! Just a moment earlier and you would have been out of here.

You sighed and sat back down, resting your back on the stony wall across the exit as you watched the crackling fire. Whoever brought you here, friend or foe, you would handle them, when they get here. But you could at least enjoy the warmth of the fire and soothe your bruises. You inspected every scratch on your body but found none of them bleeding. As you searched your pockets for any leftover food, you were not lucky and your stomach growled loudly in disapproval.

“Thank you!” the hushed words picked your interest and as you looked towards the entrance, you saw a small flame jumping over the relaxed reptile.

A flame can jump? You wiped your eyes and blinked a few times, but you were not hallucinating things. As the flame hit the ground, it turned into a man and your face shifted into a surprised frown.

“Ah, you’re awake! Finally!” the man said as he stripped off his black coat decorated with red flames and his scarf. Beside he wore combat boots, black shorts and had an orange hat on his head. With a grin on his freckled face, he offered you his hand. “I’m Ace.”

You stared at the hand dumbfounded but quickly gained your posture back. “Who are you?”

“Huh?” he tilted his head to the side and retreated his hand. “I said I’m Ace. Are you dumb?”

“I’m not dumb, you dimwit!” you roared and got into a fighting position. “Are you friend or foe?”

Your body hurt, but you needed to be able to fight back in case he was a bandit or worse, a slave trader. As you waited for his answer, he eyed you from head to toe and broke into laughter.

“What?” you asked, not fooled by his antics.

“You’re hilarious.” He spit out between his laughter.

“I’m not! I will fight you if you dare lay your hands on me!” you cracked your knuckles to strengthen your argument.

“Calm down, I won’t harm you.” His laughter subsided. He sat down at the fire and opened his backpack. “I was out to restock. Bet you’re hungry.”

Your stomach growled at his words and you admitted defeat. You took a seat at the fire across from him and let out a sigh.

“Water?” he asked and offered you a blue bottle.

You grabbed the water bottle and sniffed its contents first. No smell. That was good. You let a few single drops fall onto your finger and licked them off. No taste, either. You were 90% sure this was water, and that was enough for your dehydrated self. You gulped down half the bottle in a rush. A smile appeared on your face and you enjoyed the refreshing feeling of the liquid slowly fueling your body with new power. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He said and grabbed one of the skewers. “Food?” A perfectly barbequed piece of meat was offered to you and you exchanged the bottle for the skewer. As you were hesitant, he grabbed your hand that held the meat, brought it to his mouth and took a bite himself, chewed and swallowed. “It’s not poisoned. I swear.”

You blushed a little at his words, since he recognized your concern right away, and retorted your hand. The first bite was still a bit hesitant, but you soon devoured the tasty meat. It was delicious and outstandingly juicy. “It’s perfect.” You said between bites.

“I’m glad you like it.” He answered and you two enjoyed your meal in a peaceful silence.

You sat back fully stuffed. “Dare to tell me your intentions now?”

“Hm? … Oh, I’m sorry, I have none.” Ace said and laid down on his side, eyeing you from the distance.

“None? Why would you pick up a random unconscious person in the desert if you don't get any benefit from it?”

“As you said, because you were unconscious. I was on my way to Nanohana when I came across you. When I picked you up, a sandstorm surprised us and we took shelter in this cave.”

“…is this a ‘Noble hero saving the damsel in distress’-thing and now I shall praise you? Offer you my heart and soul in exchange? What do I owe you, huh?” You just couldn't figure this man out.

“What?! No, nothing! You are strange.” Ace stuttered, totally taken aback by your words, and added in a low voice. “Although a genuine ‘thank you’ would be nice.”

You buried your head on your knees as you thought about your situation. Ace seemed to be trustworthy and he saved you from certain death, which was a fact. Maybe you should trust him. He was the reason you might make it back to your grandma.

“I’m sorry. Thanks for picking me up, Ace.” You said and bowed your head.

“Ahh, no problem.” A slight red painted on Ace cheeks at your words. “Why were you out in the desert so poorly equipped anyway?”

“I was on the way home from Alubarna when bandits robbed me halfway. I carried on but something knocked me out just before I reached Nanohana.”

“Maybe one of those giant scorpions hit you. They were madly running through the desert, moments before the sandstorm raged.”

“That would make sense. It’s common knowledge that they go batshit crazy right before a storm. They are a natural indication of storms.” You sighed and got up. “Anyway, I need to leave now. My grandma will be terribly worried by now. Thanks again for everything.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Ace said and stood up, too.

“Oh, now you show me your true colors, huh?”

He rolled his eyes and walked past you to the entrance. You followed him until he stopped right in front of the giant lizard.

“Lizzy!” Ace called and the purple giant lizard turned around. You dodged when her huge leg was about to hit you.

“Good girl.” Ace said and patted her leg, which made her happy. “As you can see, it’s dark outside and the sand storm has obliterated any trace of the path. If you go now, there’s a good chance you’ll get stuck in quicksand.”

Your gaze wandered over every grain of sand in the landscape. He was right. No sign of a path and the moon was behind clouds. “Damn it!” Frustrated you went back inside and paced around the fire. There was no way you were going to make it to town alive tonight. Frustrated you slumped down across from the entrance once again. Might at least get some sleep until the sun comes up and I can finally go home. You thought and tried to make yourself as comfortable as possible.

Ace followed you after he left some meat for his lizard. He laid down next to his backpack and put his head on top of his rolled-up coat, shutting his eyes. “Lizzy will guard us, so you can rest assured.”

“Okay.”

“As I said, I’m also on my way to Nanohana. We could keep each other company.”

“I’ll think about it… Ace?”

“Hm?”

“My name’s Y/N.”

“Oh, changed your mind? Am I not the bad guy anymore?” he asked in a cocky tone.

“Don’t get too full of yourself, you’re still a dimwit. Just an acceptable dimwit.” A sly smile spread on your face.

“Thank you for your kind words, your highness.” You both chuckled. “Sweet dreams, Y/N.” Ace said and you heard him shifting.

“Night, Ace.” You said and tried to be comfortable.

Not only your position, but your whole day made you restless and sleep was out of the question. You thought about the bandits, your grandmother, your near-death experience and the man who had saved you. Could this day have been worse? Possibly. You could have been raped, traded as a slave or be even dead. Oh what irony. You snorted. Most bad luck and most good luck happened to you in just one day. You hoped your grandma was okay and got some sleep. Tomorrow you will be with her again and laugh about what happened today. You would tell her about your savior. Your anger and doubt towards him had long since faded and been replaced by gratitude and trust. You had to admit that he was handsome as you thought of his…

“Hey” Ace interrupted your thoughts. He stood right in front of you, his coat in his hands.

“What?” you opened your eyes, looking questioningly at him.

“You’re shaking. Let me sleep beside you.” He said and waited for your approval.

You were about to question his action, when you noticed the strong trembling of your body. Maybe it was the cold or your exhaustion, given all the things that happened today, or maybe it was both, but your body didn't stop. You looked up at him and nodded.

He laid down silently, one arm above his head as a silent offer to lay your head on his bare chest.

You accepted his invitation and moaned a bit as you made contact with his warm skin. When you stopped squirming, he spread the coat above you and wrapped his arm around you.

“You’re half naked, how can you not be cold?”

Ace chuckled. “I’ll show you.” He lifted his finger and a flame appeared on top of it.

You gasped and your eyes sparkled with fascination. “Wow. Is this a real flame?”

“Yeah. I ate the Mera Mera no mi, so I’m basically all flames.” He explained and changed the form of the flame into different shapes.

“Awesome. Does the heat in the desert still affect you even though you are literally on fire?”

“Unfortunately, it does.” He yawned and with a single motion, the flame was gone. “After all I’m still human. You’re in for sleep?”

“I’m in.” Your answer more a mumble than anything else as you shut your eyes and snuggled closer.

Ace adjusted his grip around you and a blissful smile was on his lips. As you struggled where to put your hand, he gripped your wrist and put it onto his chest, resting his hand on top of yours. It felt strange at first, considering how intimate the position was. But the warmth radiating from him wrapped you in a cozy blanket and his trained muscles under your fingers promised protection. The last thing you heard was your name, falling softly from his lips as the slow rise and fall of his chest rocked you to sleep.

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