#256 Bottles

[toastyexistedsomewhere]

bottle caps

[thepenultimateword]

Prompt #256

The henchman was new. A tall, muddy-eyed specimen sent over from Supervillain’s labs to—by Villain’s best estimation—watch them.

Villain had intentionally placed them in their personal security detail to prove that they had nothing to hide—no hidden agendas or plans of mutiny here. Yet, after two weeks, the henchman’s gaze still followed them closely. Even now, as Villain bent over the newest batch of truth serum, checking each bottle for it tell-tale luminescence, their neck prickled under the henchman’s stare.

“Do you need something?” Villain said coldly.

The words reverberated and disappeared into the dark depths of the laboratory. The lack of an immediate reply blanketed the space in even greater quiet.

“Just thinking about how pretty you look in that lighting,” Henchman finally said.

Villain did not react. Responding strongly would only bring on whatever satisfaction Henchman hoped to get out of this exchange. However, they could not help but touch a finger to their temple, the start of the network of pale scars that traversed their entire face. Sometimes they could still feel the sting of the blade under their skin.

“Please refrain from mocking me.” Villain shook another vial, illuminating their face in a burst of spectral green, before placing it in the box of successes. “You might not like the outcome.”

“I’m not making fun,” Henchman said, tone sober. “You are attractive and intelligent and vicious, and if you’d let me, I’d like to take you out.”

“I bet it would make a good story for the barracks.”

“I wouldn’t have to tell.”

“I don’t care what you do.”

“Is that a yes?”

Villain half-turned toward Henchman, a rejection sitting on their tongue. The grunt stood like a solider, hands clasped behind their back, but the look in their eyes was not to protocol. Too rapt. Too longing. Too…intrusive.

Villain’s insides squirmed. Henchman was undeniably lovely: chiseled face, impressive figure, hair your hands could get lost in. Word had it they’d already been invited out by several other henchmen and lab techs. But they’d never asked anyone themselves before. What would it be like to experience romance with such a desirable creature, even as a joke? Romantic intentions from anyone was only a dream they could wake up from.

They clenched their hand at their side before it could wander back to their scars. “Yes.”

[eyneyke]

Videos of Sam being a Happy Face of RBR™

Pairing: Max Verstappen x PewDiePie!sibling Summary: What if Felix had a genius brother who works as a RedBull's engineer and is also secretly dating Max part 19 of A Calm to my Storm Masterlist

1. Video of Sam reacting to Max winning a race

A clip taken during a race watch party with some Red Bull crew in the factory, shared by a fan on Twitter:

In the video, Sam is wearing a Red Bull cap, surrounded by engineers and other team members, all watching the screen intently. The moment Max crosses the finish line to win the race, the entire room erupts in cheers. Sam jumps up from his chair, arms raised, shouting, "Yes, Max, yes! Knew he’d nail it!" He’s high-fiving everyone around him, smiling wide, eyes lit up with excitement. Someone from the back jokingly shouts, "Sam, you need to tell Max it's because of your car magic!" Sam laughs, nodding, "Obviously, it’s all in the setup." Someone adds, “Noo! It's because of hands, guys!!”

Comments:

User 256: "Sam’s energy is EVERYTHING. He’s so proud of Max 🥺"

User 257: "Bro just casually cheering like he didn’t help make that car a rocket."

User 258: "Max’s secret weapon right here."

User 259: "Sam is so wholesome in this. No wonder Max is winning every weekend!"

2. Video of Sam reacting to Max's DNF

A video posted by a fan who works at Red Bull, capturing Sam's reaction during a race when Max had to DNF after a collision:

In the clip, the camera pans to Sam sitting in front of the monitor, brows furrowed, as he watches the crash unfold. His hands cover his face for a moment before he shakes his head, letting out a quiet, "No, no, no." He leans back in his chair, clearly disappointed but calm. "Not Max’s fault at all. Racing incident." Someone asks if Max is okay, and Sam responds with a small smile, "Yeah, he got out just now on his own, it just sucks. Max was on it today. Next one, we go again."

Comments:

User 260: "Sam being all calm but clearly upset for Max 😭"

User 261: "The way he’s so invested in Max doing well is so sweet"

User 262: "Sam: the calm in the storm. He knows Max will come back stronger."

User 263: "Protect Sam at all costs. His disappointment hit me too!"

3. A fan thread of “Sam and Max being besties”

A Twitter thread by a fan compiling several instances of Sam and Max’s friendship moments, titled: “Brothers? More like besties! NO, NO! SOULMATES! Sam and Max moments to live for 🏎️💙”

Pic 1: A candid shot of Sam and Max sitting side by side at a restaurant table, both laughing hard. Max has his head thrown back, and Sam’s wiping a tear from his eye from laughing so hard. Caption: "These two seriously look like they’re having the best time." - Pic 2: A ''behind-the-scenes'' image of Sam and Max at a race track. Sam is crouched next to Max’s car, gesturing to something, while Max listens intently. Caption: "Look at how focused Max is while Sam explains something. Like, he is actually listening to someone." - Pic 3: A selfie Max posted of him and Sam after a race, both of them sweaty but grinning, holding Red Bull can each. Caption: "Sweaty kings! They’re always hanging out after races, love it." - Pic 4: A fan snap of Max handing Sam a bottle of water in the paddock, captioned, “Hydrate your bestie.” Sam is sitting on the floor in the garage, Max's car right behind him, and he has oil smudges on his face and shirt. Sam is looking up at Max, rolling his eyes but with a smile on his face. Caption: "Bestie behaviour. Sam looks so done, but Max always taking care of him!"

Thread comments:

User 264: "Bro, their bond is so pure. I need a friendship like this."

User 265: "The fact Sam is in almost every post-race pic with Max now is so cute???"

User 266: "Max literally brings him everything. It’s adorable."

User 267: "Besties, more like platonic soulmates."

4. Re-post of Sam on a race weekend

A candid clip someone caught of Sam walking through the paddock, wearing his Red Bull team gear, phone in hand, sunglasses on. Someone calls out to him, and he flashes a quick grin and waves before continuing on his way. Shared on Twitter with the caption: “Sam Kjellberg is the chillest guy in the paddock.”

Comments:

User 268: "He’s like a celebrity at this point lmao"

User 269: "I’m sorry, but Sam walking through the paddock like he owns the place is a whole vibe."

User 270: "Red Bull’s secret weapon and Max’s bestie. Love seeing him out there."

User 271: "Man’s too cool for school. He knows everyone loves him."

User 272: "Sam giving off ‘I’m just here for the race, don’t bother me’ energy and I’m here for it."

5. Screenshot from Max’s Twitch stream featuring Sam

A screenshot posted by a fan from one of Max’s recent gaming streams where Sam was on his team. The image shows Sam on the webcam, laughing, while Max is focused on the game. The caption: “Max bringing Sam into his Twitch streams now? The bromance is real.”

Comments:

User 273: "Max and Sam teaming up is everything I never knew I needed."

User 274: "Imagine being Sam, just casually gaming with a two-time world champion like it’s nothing."

User 275: "Their energy on stream is so good. You can tell they’re close."

User 276: "Max talking about how good Sam is at games and I’m like, okay, so he’s not just good with cars??"

User 277: "They need to do more streams together! I’m obsessed."

---

These shared moments of Sam in the F1 world have fans loving his dynamic with Max, not only as colleagues but as close friends, driving the narrative of the "Sam and Max" friendship even further into the spotlight.

[lulublack90]

Prompt 23 - Fidelius Charm

@wolfstarmicrofic October 23, word count 256

Remus stared at the book before him, the words dancing about on the pages as tears dripped freely from his eyes. He had the words memorised by now anyway, so he didn’t need to be able to see to read them. 

‘‘The Fidelius Charm’

This immensely complex spell, when cast correctly, will hide a secret within a living soul. Most commonly used when a dwelling’s location must be concealed. The secret is placed within a ‘Secret Keeper’ protecting the property. It will become entirely impossible to find unless the Secret Keeper reveals the secret. Only the secret keeper is able to tell other individuals the secret, and it must be done voluntarily. Magical coercion such as Veritaserum, Legilimency, or forms of torture would not work. Those who have been told the secret can not repeat it themselves, including more in the secret. Only the primary Secret Keeper is capable of that. 

One must be very careful with who they choose as their Secret Keeper. Choosing the wrong person could have detrimental consequences.’

Sirius had been Lily and James’s Secret Keeper, and now they were gone. 

Remus shoved the book away, the words burned into his retinas. How could Sirius do that to James? To Lily? To Harry? To Peter and all those muggles? To him? How could Sirius have done that to him? Remus picked up the bottle of firewhisky and drank deeply. His world was gone, and all that was left were ashes and himself. The war might be over, but Remus had lost everything.   

[thomawifey]

like what?

pairings: chuuya nakahara x reader

contains: fluff, slight suggestive/smut

wc: 256

a/n: in my entire life i never wrote anything suggestive..

You're sitting on a stool at the bar, accompanied by your boyfriend. Your boyfriend, Chuuya Nakahara. You don't dare to drink too much because if you get drunk and your boyfriend does too, who will take you both home? You saw your boyfriend who was drinking heavily and drunk too. The bar wasn't crowded like usually, every night. You saw Chuuya who was sitting beside you drinking another bottle of alcohol again, again and again, when will he stop drinking? Chuuya brought his glass of alcohol to his lips, looked at your face then smiled like someone who just won the lottery. His gaze made you nervous, because of that you covered your face with your hand and peeking a little.

“Stop looking at me like that, chu..” you whispered, eyes trying to avoid his gaze.

“Like what?” he asked, with a smirk forming on his face.

Before you replied, he suddenly took your hands who were covering your face and kiss you. He starts wrapping his hands around your waist, moving your figure closer to his. The kiss was filled love and passion at first, few seconds later the kiss turns heated, filled with sudden lust. His hands start to caress your body, making you moan on the kiss. You broke the kiss, getting some air. He connected your lips with his again, but making the kiss even deeper. He bit your lower lip where his tongue gain access inside your mouth. You wrapped your arms around his neck, breaking the kiss again, saliva connecting.

[dakogutin]

for @wolfstarmicrofic prompt: cider [256 words]

It doesn’t matter that they’re in the middle of a party. Sirius had chosen to position himself sprawled out on Remus’ lap. It’s not like it’s a rare sight, but then slowly, Remus can feel Sirius snug closer to his neck, before inhaling deeply there. 

Remus laughs. “I think you’ve had way too much already.” 

“I think you haven’t had enough if you’re noticing,” Sirius says to Remus’ ear. It’s too loud for a whisper, and slurred, and thick with the scent of cider. “Come on, bottle’s over there.” 

Sirius was already getting up and tugging on his hand. Remus didn’t have the heart to tell him that he doesn’t feel like drinking anymore– especially since he’ll have to take care of Sirius now. He lets himself be pulled through the crowd, mind afloat as he, too, was rather tipsy. 

It’s that reason that Remus notices too late that they’re already past the crowd– that Sirius doesn’t seem like he’s getting drinks after all.

They’re heading for the toilets.

As soon as the lock clicks behind him, Sirius has his lips on Remus. It’s messy and wet, but it’s immediately making Remus’ head swim with want. 

When Sirius breaks the kiss, it’s to settle on Remus’ neck, and then he feels Sirius inhale him again. “You smell so good,” he moans.

Arousal shocks Remus’ system, but he chuckles. “You’re such a dog.”

Sirius mumbles something to his neck, but Remus didn’t have the chance to ask because a tongue is licking a stripe up his neck. 

[winniemaywebber]

oh bestie those domestic prompts are so sweet!!! Could I request 19 for Jean & Harry and 11 for Olive & Dougie?

hi pookie!!!! sorry for taking so long <3

under the cut to save space. from this prompt list (inbox is still open for these!)

19. I feel so safe and warm in our cozy little nest - Jean x Harry

“I need that heading, Crosby. NOW!”

“Yes, sir, yes, sir,” he shrieks, fumbling with the maps in front of him. “Aaah, fuck!”

“Croz!” Dougie yells. “Come on, man! Figure it out, we're going down fast.”

“I'm trying, Douglass!”

“CROSBY!” It's Kidd this time, his voice coming across as sharp as his features. Crosby jumps; a yelp would have escaped his mouth if he hadn't controlled it.

“256. TWO-FIVE-SIX.”

All Harry can think of is Jean receiving that damn letter. Who would write it? Bubbles? Harding? For a moment, whatever they had to say about him didn't matter. He imagines his wife's sweet face crumpling as her heart breaks, reading the notice of death. He feels his heart drop, the fort hitting an air pocket, Blakely and Kidd keeping the fort level with all their might. Then, a voice.

“Prepare for crash landing. Get in position!”

Harry Crosby ungracefully sits himself on the hard floor, his coccyx taking a hit, the rush of pain making him sick to his stomach. James Douglass sits behind him, tugging him back towards his chest. He hears the small clank of metal, ragged, anxious breathing as Douglass pulls the tags out of his shirt and kisses the one that bears his girl's name. As they tear and scrape through foliage, there is only one thing on Harry's mind. His eyes squeezed shut, tears spilling out, he begins to yell like a lost little boy, his throat tearing.

“JEAN! JEAN! JEAN–”

“Bing! Wake up, my love, shhh. You're at home. You're in our bed, darling.”

A sheen of cold sweat has covered his entire body. His wife's beautiful brown eyes full of concern as she hovers above him, wiping away the hair that has stuck to his head.

“Again?” he groans, taking her hand and kissing it.

“Yes, darling, again. You were calling for me.”

“Damn Bremen,” he sniffs, flipping his pillow as Jean softly wipes at his brow with a cool wash cloth.

“There, Binger. Deep breaths now.”

“Thank you, my little wife. Thank you.”

She smiles softly, her cheeks glowing in the dim light of the room. “Remember what our friend Olive taught us,” she sighs, pulling back the bedsheets to join her husband again. “Count to ten.” She sees him mentally count, breathing much less ragged than a moment before. “Better?”

“Much,” he murmurs, eyes heavy again. He feels Jean pull more blanket around his body, tucking him in and planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, darling.”

“You're welcome. Remember, you are home. And I am right here beside you.”

“I know. I feel so safe and warm in our cozy little nest.”

“Good. Sleep now, my love.”

He lifts his head from the pillow, beginning to nuzzle himself into Jean’s neck. He breathes her in, arms wrapping around her as he feels himself drift off, absolutely cocooned in love.

11. Every morning I fall in love with you all over again - Olive x Dougie

A feeble cry echoes from across the bedroom, shocking Olive out of her unconsciousness. A gasp leaves her, heart pounding from the sudden transition of deep sleep to awake. Beside her, her husband wakes with a shocked snort, head rising from the pillow quickly.

“I've got her,” he sniffs, rubbing his eyes quickly.

“No, it's okay,” Olive replies, rubbing Dougie’s shoulder to soothe him back to sleep. “It's my turn anyway.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, voice muffled by the pillows.

“Yes,” she nods, kissing him on the cheek. “We'll see you when you come downstairs. I'll make coffee as the bottle heats up.”

“You're a dream, Mrs Douglass.”

She giggles, padding over to the small crib at the other end of the room. There, a small swaddled bundle cries mournfully, feeling awful sorry for herself and her gassy, hungry tummy.

“Hello, little chicken,” Olive speaks quietly, scooping the baby up. “Good morning. What a good sleep, hm? Papa swaddled you up good. Cozy girl, huh?” The baby's snuffles are muffled as she snuggles in Olive’s neck, the very same way her father does when he wants to be held. “Come on, little one,” she murmurs. “Let's get breakfast.”

With coffee brewed and baby Sophia’s first bottle of the day warmed to her exact preference, Olive sits in the cozy armchair with her daughter, using one finger to stroke at her face as she drinks heartily.

“Slow down, Sophia,” Olive urges, seeing Sophia's blue eyes - the same sapphire blue as her Papa's - begin to grow heavy.

“There,” Olive coos, feeling herself begin to doze too. “All done now.” She holds the baby to her chest, the warmth of tiredness enveloping her and catching her off guard, willing her eyes to try and stay open so she can properly kiss her husband goodbye before he leaves for work. The inner protestations are useless, Olive asleep with her chin resting on the baby's head.

She feels a blanket being draped around them both, and a soft hand raking through her loose curls. “Hey, mama,” James greets in a soft whisper, the hand now gently stroking his daughter’s deliciously chubby cheeks. “You look cozy.”

“We are,” she breathes. “Didn't even know I was still tired.” Patting the baby's back as she stirs at the sound of Dougie’s voice. The pair shush her gently, both of their hands colliding as they comfort their baby simultaneously. Olive looks up at him, lips pouted for her goodbye kiss when she sees his features begin to soften.

“What is it?” she asks, eyes narrowing comically before reaching up to kiss him.

“Just this. I love it. I see this and every morning I fall in love with you all over again.”

Noses touching, they smile, looking down at the small baby in Olive’s arms.

“I can't believe she's finally here. It's just surreal.”

“It really is. And it's perfect.”

[bookwyrminspiration]

@pippinpaddleopsicopolis09 well I can certainly try! he shows up very sporadically and more often than Gethen, so I may have missed a scene or two, but I've probably got at least 95% of them :)

Book 1: 117-121, Elwin's intro; 199-201, treating Sophie's acid burn; 221-225, splotching incident; 290 (mentioned choice of locker flavor); 295-300, starlight bottling incident; 303-309, nonspeaking, but present at 1st tribunal; 333-340; 1st allergy incident; 406-407, treating everblaze bottling burns; 451-458; treatment post kidnapping

Book 2: 38-40, quick check-up; 253-256, post legal Exile trip (with a few off-page mentions following); 291-293, 296-313, Alden's mind breaks; 356-360, quick check up; 374-378, post Bronte inflicting on her; 398-399, slight fading; 460-463, Lodestar mirror collapse; 483, off-page mentions; 523-534, post reset/attack treatment; 547-548, fixing Alden

Book 3: 141-148, skin melting; 231-233, quick check up; 427-429, post unmapped star leaps; 486-499, ability restrictor is put on; 599-600, post-Everest treatment

Book 4: 424-428, bringing sick gnome to Elwin; 550-555, check-up at Stina's house; 624-637, post Ravagog treatment

Book 5: 492-494, post ogre-attack; 576-577, post fight treatment; 649, off-page mention; 657-658, off-page mention

Book 6: 335-353, post Mercadir spar; 766, 769, off page mentions

Book 7: 110-135, 140-150, 169-220, 234-235, 239-242, 246-247, 252-253, 256-264, 268-271, 282-301, 313-320, 338-346, 379-387, 390-391, 403-404, 410-412, 416, 419, 422, 427-431 (assorted healing center scenes); 486-488, 491-493 house check up; 690-692, healing center check up

Book 8: 472-482, 491, 494, post Loamnore + ability reset; 508-511, 516-517, post reset check up; 586-593 post London trip (non speaking except for 589); 768-774, post Loamnore-fight

Book 8.5: 541-601, Keefe wakes and moves to Elwin's house; 650-657, experimenting w/ stopping Keefe's ability; 671-678, experimenting again; 686-689, Dex call

Book 9: 13-20, Elwin v Ro post Keefe leaving

I hope this is helpful--and if anyone knows ones I missed, feel free to tell me :)

[dannyc393]

Maintaining & Gaining more!

Stuffed myself throughout my work day/eve topped off with boost vhc (8 bottles over 8 hours). So addicted!

Aug 5-252.8 lbs… Aug 10-256 lbs

[kissmyaft]

Moonwake in Venice (Gekko x male reader)

Summary:

(n.) When the moon's reflection on the water seems to follow you as you walk.

With a week passing from your recent adventure another one awaits. With you being pretty new to LA anyways there's a lot for you to experience and Gekko takes it as his chance to show and take you to all sorts of places

Notes:

I made a second part to this as a birthday gift for my friend (and also because he got other people invested and I was bullied into writing another chapter) Again, I'm definitely not a perfect author, but I tried and I hope you guys enjoy it.

@darkdestroyer-256 happy birthday you simp

ao3

---------------------------------------------

"Whoa, slow down!" You yelped as you were practically dragged down a flight of stairs, almost tripping over your half-tied shoelaces. "Come on we're not in a hurry and it's so early too. I barely had time to brush my teeth and shower-!" Complaining was cut short when the sunlight hit your eyes making you slightly cringe from the sudden brightness change.

Going through your pockets to see if you have a pair of sunglasses while trying to ignore how the wind blew over your - already messy - hair, you heard the boot (trunk) of a nearby car open. You looked to see Gekko putting all sorts of things in it, well, trying to, at least. The bags and skateboard easily fit. The surfboards? not so much. You told Gekko before that you guys could rent them, but he insisted it's way better with your surfboards and that they'll fit. They didn't.

You watched as Gekko struggled with the surfboards before sighing and shaking your head with a soft smile before jogging over to go help him. They will fit fine on the roof of the car. Probably. Hopefully.

You soon find yourself in the passenger seat of the car, socks and sneakers discarded on the floor and feet resting on the dashboard waiting for Gekko while he's getting the little crew from the apartment. It's not long until you hear him opening the rear door of the car and the babbling of his pets as they get into the car. However Mosh being Mosh he quickly found his way over into the palms of your hands instead, preferring that over the crowded back. You carefully adjust him into one palm of your hand to put your seatbelt on with the other, having to fight with the seatbelt a little before you finally get it on. Removing your feet from the dashboard and letting Mosh get back comfortable you were ready for this trip.

The sunglasses on your face being snatched from you snapped you out of your thoughts. "Hey-!" You protested. Gekko laughed and slid the sunglasses on his face poking your cheek before sliding the car key into the ignition and putting on his seatbelt.

The car sprung to life, the car's blower motors kicking in to cool the interior of the car - before you turned them off because the cold air was hitting your feet - and opted for having the window down instead. While Gekko reversed out of the parking spot you grabbed his phone with one hand, Mosh comfortably in your other hand, and connected it to the car's aux, putting on the playlist you two specifically made for the trip.

Gekko gently nodded his head along with the beat of the song, eyes intently on the road ahead.

The trip there was chaotic, but when is being with Gekko not chaotic?

You had to stop multiple times because you needed to pee. At first, he'd handed you a bottle and told you to pee in the bottle. That ended with him getting a smack on his leg and you begging him to pull over and that you're 'not pissing in no damn bottle'. Road trips make anyone hungry so you two ended up in a little store at one point too. While you two were picking out snacks and water for the rest of the road, Wingman, Dizzy and Thrash got to stretch their limbs as well. Mosh was content being on your head instead, snoozing away. Gekko may or may not have sneaked a picture or two. But can you really blame him? The sight was just way too cute for him to not take a picture.

By the time you were back in the car, you were trying not to cringe at the feeling of hot leather seats against your bare thighs. You weren't even away from the car for that long, but it being summer and the sun high in the sky heating the car, it sure felt like a damn sauna. You were busy playing with the car blowers to keep you cool when Gekko returned from his own side trip to the shop toilet.

You swore it almost looked like Mosh was going to melt into a puddle right in your hands. Honestly so did everyone else in the car.

Windows down again, music playing and Wingman trying to drink water from the bottle without spilling it all over the back seat. Gekko's hand occasionally reaches over to steal your crisps, despite him having his own bag of sweets right next to him. With you having nothing better to do, you humour him by feeding him the chips so he won't constantly have to reach for them. Of course, also putting a quick video of your trip on his Instagram story is a must. Thrash definitely didn't excitedly shove his face into the phone camera that ended up making both you and Gekko laugh. At some point, you found yourself dozing off, the heat and sitting still making you sleepy. Gekko turned the music down enough for it to not disturb your little nap.

A cold, moist feeling on your face stirred you from your nap, hand coming up to rub your eye before pulling away, suddenly wide awake, "BRO- Why is my face wet?" you squawked at a giggling Gekko and an overly mischievous looking Wingman in the back. "Abd why the fuck is it sticky?? What did you put on my face".

"Well, you see, mi amor. I and Wingman were a little bored." Gekko began in a honey-sweet tone which was quick to leave you suspicious, "And we wanted to see if Kool-aid would leave your face blue when it dries-" you quickly interjected "You two put Kool-aid on my face??? How did you two even come up with something like that?" You blurted, the shock on your face enough to make Wingman snort, of course awkwardly going silent when your sharp gaze found its way over to him.

" I know right? It's so random! Come on you can't be mad, you have to admit it's funny. Even just a little!" Gekko stated. You pouted at him "It's funny when I'm not the victim- Ohhh man, come on I washed my face this morning and now it's all sticky and disgusting!" You cringed and snatched the water bottle from him to wet a towel you pulled from your bag to clean your face. It must have taken a while or maybe the time just flew and you didn't notice the car pull into a parking lot and stop until Gekko pulled your car door open.

"Oh, we arrived?" you asked and Gekko smiled while throwing your socks at you "yep! Anyways hey, how about I take you to that nearby suuuuper awesome food place to make up for the kool-aid thing, eh? sounds good, right??" This caused you to roll your eyes "weren't you supposed to take me there anyways?"

"Well yeah, but-! Uhhhh, then how about…Chick-fil-a?" He inquired giving you those puppy dog eyes, causing you to giggle "I'm kidding, you dumbass. Just get us into our hotel room so we can put our bags there and I can properly wash my face. Also, return my sunglasses and get your own."

The car beeped as it was locked. You and Gekko made your way to the front lobby to check in. Waiting while Gekko was talking to the lady was miserable, the heavy bag slung over your shoulder making it hurt. By the time you two made it to your designated room, you were more than happy to finally go wash your face and then flop on the bed, spread out like a starfish. Gekko smiled at your childish behaviour. He makes his way over to your laying form and basically lets himself fall on top of you making you wheeze. "you're heavy-!" He laughs and rolls off of you. Taking this as your getaway chance you sit up and slide yourself off the bed. Going to rummage through your bags to look for a shirt to change into, the one on you right now being all sweaty from sitting in a hot car. While at it you toss Gekko a new one too before pulling your shirt off. However, you don't notice Gekko sneaking up behind you and before you even have a chance to reach for the fresh shirt you double over in laughter, Gekkos fingers poking and tickling your sides. "S-stop! Gekko!" Your pleas for him to stop only encourage him on and soon you're crying from laughter on the ground with his fingers still running over your body begging him to stop before you end up pissing yourself. Luckily for you, he has mercy on you and stops his relentless tickle attack. More than happy it's finally over you rush to the bathroom to relieve yourself before you actually end up peeing yourself.

While you're busy in the bathroom Gekko takes the stuff out of the bags and places them in their correct places so you wouldn't have to deal with unpacking once you two come back tired afterwards.

With your things unpacked and taken care of you and Gekko take it as your cue to go outside. Gekko tells you all about Venice and gets distracted by excitedly rambling about the times he was here as a kid while dragging you all the way to Linnie Canal park where you spend some time exploring and taking pictures before he drags you to Baja Cantina, a food place. You swore this might become your new favourite place to eat. If you ever return to Venice. A lot of your time was spent at the skate and cycling trail. It was a good place to let Gekko's little crew run about too. You didn't really want to admit it at first, but you ended up loving them just as much as Gekko. He took you around introducing you to a few friends he has in Venice that lived right nearby.

The sun was setting and the sea was calm with minimum waves as you two just sat on your surfboards. Sure, you hoped to try and catch some waves, but this wasn't bad, not at all. Gekko playfully bumped his board against yours before you decided to try and push him off of his board which ended up with both of you in the water instead, laughing and splashing each other.

"Race you back to shore?"

"you're on." You challenged.

You ended up winning, but maybe it was because your lover slipped off his board at one point.

By the time he reached shore, you had already gotten to drying yourself and changing into dry clothes. As Gekko made his way to you, you threw the towel at him. He made quick work of drying himself off and getting on his dry clothes. But he opted to wrap the towel around his head since his hair was still moist, making him look like a diva which you were more than happy to poke fun at while you two put the boards in the lobby and the swimshorts in your room to dry before heading back down.

The beach too had gotten a lot quieter, many of the people returning to their homes or other nightly activities. The calming sound of waves, wind breeze and seagulls made the moment so much better and almost unreal as you two stalked along the shoreline hand in hand. The full moon shone brightly, reflection glimmering on the water, the reflection of the moon following you two. The walk on the beach was filled with quiet jokes, giggles, kisses and sweet words whispered to each other. When you two decided it was time to head back to the hotel and get comfortable for the night. You, Gekko and his crew enjoyed the cool air on the balcony. The two enjoyed a few glasses of dry apple cider and Gekkos buddies munched on their snacks. Having to retreat to your room in silent laughter when Thrash threw a water bottle against the head of the rude hotel resident on the balcony below you. Soon the curtains were closed, and teeth brushed. With you two in bed and the little guys already asleep the room was dark and fell silent.

Well, almost silent. The shuffling of sheets and quiet chuckles filled the room, soon turning into quiet sounds of pleasure, bodies rubbing together and sweet nothings whispered to each other as the night lived on.

The wind picking up and the sounds of waves crashing were promising, perhaps tomorrow will be a good surf day. But for now, maybe you can allow yourself to be a little bit louder.

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 259. brb x oc

a/n: cuteness cuteness uwu (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

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/239/240/241/242/243/244/245/246/247/248/249/250/251/252

/253/254/255/256/257/258

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

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-

Rooster was busy, well,sort of. He had Nicole on his chest, basically sitting on his stomach as she sucked on her bottle. Her father was playing Call of Duty with the guys, it’s been a long while since he did anything of the sort.

Jake and Coyote were the only ones online since everyone else was at the bar.

“I thought you’d go with Bea tonight.” he hears Coyote through the headset, “Since it’s her first night back after giving birth to the kids.”

Rooster leaned back slightly on the couch, trying to get comfortable with Nicole on his chest while still holding the controller. "Yeah," he replied, "And who’d be with Nicole?"

“You could always ask her parents,” Jake adds

“Would you do that? Talk with Cyclone since he is your father in law?” silence, ‘I didn’t think so. Besides, her parents need a break from grandchildren. Plus I don’t mind staying with Nikki.”

“Wait,Nikki is there?”

Rooster looks down at his daughter who’s happily eating - holding the bottle by herself too - while keeping her eye on the…constant shooting going on in front of her, “Yeah, she’s with me.” he frowns, “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Playing a violent war game while she’s here…”

Coyote chuckled on the other end of the headset. "Yeah, probably not the best idea, Rooster," he said, his tone amused. "I mean, she's not even a year old yet, and you've got her witnessing virtual warfare."

Rooster sighed and set down his controller, carefully lifting Nicole from his chest. "You're right," he admitted. "I'll just have to stick to more baby-friendly games when she's around."

Jake chimed in with a grin in his voice. "Or you could give her a controller that's not connected and let her pretend to play. Start training her early!"

Rooster couldn't help but laugh at the suggestion. "Maybe in a few years," he replied but Nicole appeared very interested in that idea. ‘...hm.” he did place the other controller in front of her as she leaned back on the couch, her light green eyes staring down at it before she slapped her hands on it repeatedly.

The clicking and wobbling sound was enough to keep her distracted, so Rooster decided that he could go back to the game after a few seconds. She was just by his left after all. “Alright,” he says, placing the headset back on, “I’m back on it,guys.”

Rooster settled back into the game, the sounds of gunfire and explosions filling his ears as he engaged in virtual warfare with his friends. Nicole, on the other hand, was fascinated by the controller in front of her, her tiny hands batting at the buttons and joysticks. Rooster couldn't help but steal a glance at her every now and then, making sure she was content and safe.

As the game progressed, Rooster's focus shifted entirely to the action on the screen. He was deep in concentration, strategizing with Jake and Coyote as they navigated the game. The headset buzzed with their voices, coordinating their moves and communicating with the rest of their team.

Nicole, on the other hand, had grown tired of the controller and was now happily babbling to herself, seemingly entertained by the sights and sounds of the game. Rooster couldn't help but smile at her antics, even as he continued to play.

The game was intense, and the competition was fierce. Rooster's heart raced as he engaged in virtual battles, his reflexes put to the test. 

At one point, Nicole decided to try her hand at crawling, and Rooster glanced down just in time to see her little hands and knees on the floor. He quickly paused the game and gently scooped her up, placing her back on his lap. "No crawling during game time, little one," he said with a chuckle, earning a gurgling response from Nicole.

Coyote's voice came through the headset. "Everything okay over there, Rooster?"

Rooster nodded, his attention divided between the game and Nicole. "Yeah, just a baby on the move," he replied. "I've got it under control."

Jake laughed. "You're in for a whole new level of multitasking, my friend."

“Why?” he asks, setting Nicole next to him, ‘Jake Jr. being a handful?”

“Still can’t believe you naked your son after you.”

“Shut up,Coyote. Also yes, he’s barely a few weeks old and he’s…loud.” Jake replies just as he shoots a few other enemies “A few days ago he started crying and when I went to check on him, nothing was wrong. He just stopped when Evelyn showed up.”

Rooster chuckled at Jake's comment. "Sounds like he knows how to keep you on your toes," he said, his eyes darting back to the game screen as he resumed playing. "And hey, he's just following in his old man's footsteps, causing a ruckus."

Coyote chimedin. "Must be a family trait, then," he said, his character in the game providing covering fire for Rooster's advance. "Also Jake Jr. is a mama’s boy, that’s obvious.”

“I hate you two.”

“Love you too,Jake.”

With the conversation being so light, Rooster didn’t want to ruin with what he wanted to ask. In fact, he pondered if he should…but what happened between Mark and McAllister bothered him to no end, he really wanted his friends’ opinions on it.

Coyote's character was in the middle of a firefight when Rooster finally broached the topic. "Hey, guys," he began tentatively, "I wanted to talk to you about something."

Coyote glanced at Rooster's character on the screen while still keeping his trigger finger busy. "Shoot, what's on your mind, Rooster?" he snorts “Get it? Shoot,hahah.”

Jake, on the other hand, was fully engaged in the game, tossing grenades and taking down enemies with precision. "Yeah, man, spill the beans," he said, his focus unwavering.

Rooster took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "So, you remember Mark Halton, right?" he began, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Nicole, who was now attempting to stack her building blocks on the couch. 

"Of course," Coyote replied. "Who doesn’t?"

"Well, something weird happened the other day. He invited Bea and me to dinner at his place with his wife, Miranda. It was...odd. But I told you guys about that already, it’s about him trying to befriend McAllister and the other recruits."

Coyote’s character popping out from cover to take out an enemy. "What's the deal with this guy, anyway? There's something fishy going on."

Rooster nodded, his character in the game moving cautiously through a virtual warzone as he continued to explain. "Yeah, that's the thing. It's not just the dinner itself; it's the way he's been acting. And McAllister said that he thought him and I were friends."

Jake snorted over the headset  “Yeah,right," he commented. "Why would he be so interested in McAllister and the others? And what's in it for him?"

"That's what I can't figure out," Rooster admitted, his character's movements mirroring his contemplation, he just kept himself hidden for the time being. "I mean, it could be harmless, but something about it just feels off."

Coyote took a moment to reload his virtual weapon before responding. "I don’t think it’s like that man. Didn’t you also say he was kind of hounding Mav too?"

Rooster leaned back on his couch, rubbing his temples. "Yeah. He was. Mav was…he didn’t like it,” his uncle used other words but wouldn’t be too far behind, “You guys know how he is, he doesn’t like the whole fanfare about his accomplishments.”

Coyote's character moved in-game, expertly dodging enemy fire as he spoke. "Yeah, Mav's always been low-key about stuff. Doesn't like the spotlight."

Jake's character was still dishing out damage left and right. "So, this Halton dude is all over the place, trying to buddy up with Mav and inviting you guys for dinner. What's his game, though?"

"That's the million-dollar question," Rooster replied, his virtual character sneaking up behind an enemy and taking them down with a silent takedown. "He's been acting really friendly, but it feels forced, you know? And he's got this way of making you feel like you owe him something."

Coyote hummed , taking cover behind a virtual crate. "I get it. Like he's buttering you up for something, but you're not sure what."

“I…guess?” Rooster says quietly, “But I don’t get it, he’s been hounding me,Mav and everyone else for weeks now…and Miranda annoys Bea to now end, I have to say, she even talked back to that woman at dinner.”

Coyote's character expertly maneuvered through the warzone, taking down enemies left and right. "Yeah, that Miranda woman sounds like a piece of work," he commented, his voice filled with irritation. "I can't stand people who think they're better than everyone else."

Rooster's character was providing cover fire as he responded, his mind still troubled by the situation. "I don't know, guys. It's all just so strange. He acts like we're old buddies or something, but I barely know the guy."

Jake’s character tossed another  grenade, taking out a group of virtual enemies. "You should be careful, man," he cautioned. "Don’t give them too much ground to maneuver."

Rooster nodded in agreement, his character switching to a sniper rifle as they moved to a vantage point. "Yeah, I've got that feeling too," he admitted. "But what could he possibly want from us? We're just regular people living our lives."

Coyote’s character led the charge again, pushing forward in the game. "Well, we're not just regular people, Rooster. You're a respected officer in the Navy, Mav is a decorated war hero, and we're all part of a tight-knit community. Maybe he's after connections or something."

Jake chimed in after killing a few more people  "That could be it. Maybe he sees us as a way to climb some social or career ladder."

Rooster's character took out an enemy sniper with a well-placed shot. "It's possible, but it still doesn't explain the weird dinner invitation and all the other stuff. And why is he so fixated on McAllister and the other recruits?"

“Hell if I know.”

“Well,” Coyote begins “You lead McAllister’s squad at the last mission when uhhh…Jaws and Raptor fucked up.”

"Yeah," he responded thoughtfully, "I unfortunately remember that day.."

Jake's character managed to kill three people in one go and he couldn’t help the delighted ‘woo!’ before he spoke again. "Doesn’t make a lot of sense honestly.”

“It doesn’t.” Rooster agrees, sighing through his nose while looking over at Nicole. His daughter was still happily playing with her blocks on the couch, with Eleanor coming over to sniff her before she trotted off to bark at the door, “Seems too much, I mean,we both are pilots. We are both in the Navy…what else would there be to talk about? Do you…guys think he’s jealous? 

“Maybe.”

“Yeah,maybe. I mean, I won’t lie Rooster, he did try to talk to everyone at some point,isn’t that right Jake?” Jake hums positively on the headset “And we don’t really know how to talk to the guy, especially since we heard from you that he has family on the higher ups. Do we even know who it could be?’

The virtual battleground around them was a chaotic mix of explosions, gunfire, and shouts, but their discussion carried on uninterrupted through their headsets.

Chaos everywhere it seemed. 

"Yeah, you're right," Rooster replied, his character maintaining a vigilant watch over the battlefield. "It's strange how he's so… fixated is all."

Coyote then asked, “...you guys think he’s going to join us in the coming deployment?”

Silence for a few seconds.

Then Jake replies with “I guess so? I haven’t seen anything in the file though.”

“Lovely.” Rooster mutters while moving the joystick about, “I mean,I’ll be doing my job like I always do but, he better not act how he did at dinner.” he says, “Him and his wife already bothered me and Bea enough.” he then sighs, checking the time and then looking back at Nicole, “Guys, quick break,Nikki has to eat.”

“Yeah,me too man.”

“I have to check on the little man.” Jake says, his voice growing distant but he kept explaining how Jake Jr. was a bit fussy that night. Rooster, once he’s done playing, stretches his arms above his head and groans happily, rubbing his face with both hands before looking back at Nicole.

She was still happily playing, bottle empty and forgotten by her side as she balances the blocks on the futon, only looking back when she felt eyes on her, “Dada!” she giggles, then points at the ‘sculpture’ she just made with pride…and a lot of baby noises.

"Hey there, birdie," Rooster cooed, brushing a lock of hair from Nicole's face. "You're quite the artist, aren't you?Just like mama." He admired the block arrangement she had crafted, feigning astonishment with a playful gasp. Nicole giggled in response, her bright eyes filled with joy.

"Yeah, you've got some serious talent," Rooster continued, grinning as he played along with her. "I think you've outdone Picasso with this one, sweetheart." he frowns, “Did Picasso sculpt? I gotta ask Bea when she gets back. But now-” he picks Nicole up and stands from the couch,”Time for your dinner, baby girl.”

Rooster cradled Nicole in his arms as he made his way to the kitchen, leaving behind the virtual battlefield. 

Rooster gently set Nicole down in her high chair, strapping her in securely. Her small hands reached out, grasping at the colorful toys hanging from the tray of the chair, a little world of her own.

As Rooster prepared Nicole's dinner, he couldn't help but check his phone for any message from Bea. He was aware it was about time for her break, so they could talk a little bit before she got back to work.

Roos (20:08)

Hey :) <3

Roos (20:08)

Just wanted to check on you,gorgeous. Everything good there?

Her message popped a few seconds after

Bea (20:09)

Hi Roos! Everything is great! The bar is packed but I’m not as rusty as I thought i was.I’m still serving people as before ! How are you and Nikki? Everything alright?

Roos (20:10)

We're good over here, gorgeous. Nicole just created a masterpiece with her building blocks, and now she's eagerly waiting for her dinner. How's the crowd at the bar tonight? Any interesting stories?

Bea (20:11)

Haha, sounds like you two are having fun! Oh, you know, the usual mix of characters at the bar. There's a group of regulars playing darts in the corner, and there's this guy who keeps insisting he can sing like Sinatra and trying to touch the piano. It's always entertaining, that's for sure. 

Rooster couldn't help but smile at Bea's response. Even though they were physically apart, it felt like she was right there with him, sharing the little moments of their lives. 

Or maybe,just maybe, he was clingy and needed his wife.

Roos (20:13)

I wish I could be there to hear Sinatra wannabe and tell him to not touch the piano because that’s my thing. Nicole misses her mama, though. She keeps pointing at your picture on the fridge and saying, "Mama."

Bea (20:15)

Aww, my heart! Tell Nicole that Mama misses her too, and I'll be home before she knows it. 

As Rooster finished preparing Nicole's dinner—a small bowl of mashed sweet potatoes and peas— he glanced at Nicole and whispered, "Mama will be home soon, baby girl." Nicole responded with a toothy grin, her eyes still fixated on the colorful toys.

Roos (20:17)

I'll be sure to pass on the message. Can't wait for you to be back home with us. By the way, did Picasso sculpt anything? You are the one with a degree in visual arts and you are smart with that part.

Bea (20:19)

Yes, he had a few done. Why?

Roos (20:21)

I called Nikki Picasso and I didn’t even know if I should,heh.

Bea (20:23)

Haha! Well, Picasso is a pretty cool nickname, I must say. Maybe she'll be the next artistic genius in the family.

Roos (20:25)

Wouldn't be surprised if she was. She's got her mama's talent, that's for sure. 

Bea (20:27)

Flatterer. Anything else going on?

Roos (20:29)

Well, besides Nicole's newfound talent as a block architect, not much happening on my end. Just the usual work stuff, you know how it is. But I just played some Call of Duty with the guys…and yeah that’s it.

Beatrice hummed on the other end and he knew she didn’t believe him, he still had to share about what Mark did at the base when she gets back.

Bea (20:29)

Well,alright…hey,can you come pick me up? Shells is leaving early and she was my ride until then.

Roos (20:29)

Um,yes?Absolutely. I miss you so much :) 

Bea (20:30)

You are too cute…see you soon then?

Roos (20:30)

You bet gorgeous ;)

[delicatebluebirdruins]

the hollow boy reread

27th October 2024

3 is it really the first time though?

7 "I also carried a skull in a jar, so we weren't entirely predictable"

28th Jan 2024

12 dusty ketchup bottle ick

14 It's almost the same thing that happened at Combe Carey

16 I love this introduction of Lucy that I have in my screenshots

19 it must be bad

27 whoo cluster

32 "I'm nervous, and I'm already dead"

34 Lockwood noticing something is wrong with Lucy

39 the necklace

43 "In those days"

44 "We were never good. We were the best. And we never fully realised it until it was too late"

49 Curious George

51 Black Winter is such a fun time

53 Lockwood's faith in Lucy ("expressive lips" why are you focusing on his lips bub?)

56 terrotorial Lucy and George at the idea of a new housemate "Lockwood's proximity made me happy" you don't say? Loyal George

61 homemaker Lucy is not

63 Lucy's raw nerve

64 JAKE!

69 "ancient history"...

71 emotional constipation my name is Lockwood

73 the lavender being a welcome and a caution 🥹🥹🥹

74 Lucy wanting Lockwood to talk to her

76 love this glimpse into the agency colours

85 a big old crush

91 exhaustion leads to sloppiness

96 testing Lucy's talents are great

100 Rotwell's game that is basically surgery

102 Lucy's feelings about her family being impatient and cross, wanting to scream, resigned and thinking they're scared

106 their reaction to seeing Lucy already talked about here

112 how close were they?

122 Holly is very aggravating not through any actions of her own she is hired to do a job and she will be damned if she doesn't do it well

125 Jealousy and Carrot Cake feat. Customer Service Lockwood

29th October 129 I love Holly cutting off Mrs Wintergarden

133 "think nine or ten" that is just a baby

135 Lockwood POV pretty please

136 I love the lyre brooch (I cannot stress enough I love jewellry)

138 assumptions make an ass out of you

140 Berkley Square? what happpened? It's one of Lucy's favourite cases and that's all we get?

142 wondered about here but I really want to know what Lucy was going to say

146 talking about being normal kids Poor Little Tom

155 Lucy do as you're told

159 why the FUCK have you two noticed her footsize?

160 Lucy feeling empathy for the wrong ghost

164 I would rather die then be anywhere near this conversation

168 Poor Kipps and crew

171 You tell them George like the quote about history

174 Lucy you are a prat

176 I know I yelled about this the last time I watched this book but "still smells of him" is an insane comment

182 Lockwood keeping an eye on Holly and Lucy being "hot-eyed"

186 the circle of bloody footprints is so creepy

191 mimicking the breathing is still very creepy and self endangerment ding! ding!

193 impossible leap and I still want Lockwood's POV

200 Solitary on Lambeth walk

203 Lockwood's head in Georges lap (did he want Lucy? Yes or Holly? no)

205 Holly was reorganisation also harrasment?

208 the Skull has a point your know?

218 So many ghosts

221 George is right about not bottling things up Lucy

222 Hampton Wick Hotel cluster?

224 Complimenting Flo "unwashed queen" dismissal's really Lucy?

227 "old mother Thames"

230 Lucy and Lockwood barely seeing each other as Lockwood is isolating himself (Lucy seeing Lockwood's injury as a sign of her failure)

233 Marissa sucks by the way 234 "safely" sure

237 George to the rescue

243 "Pale faces stared up at us from beyond the smoke" a hint of bad things to come

253 Lucy and Lockwood being so in sync and her "swell of joy" despite the exertion they are doing

256 "smiling of crocodiles" Lucy, Lockwood and Sir Rupert after the chase and his underhanded moment with his sword

259 album? I want to see that

263 Lucy is a star well done Lockwood but meeting her eyes and then complimenting Holly like he did is so mean (Holly did deserve praise but it's so mean)

266 Baby Lockwood pictures

268 maybe Holly maybe most likely you

276 Honey-biscuits? nice

283 history of the location

287 "Barnes won't let us down" and let down we are

291 Lucy going against Lockwood here and arguing that joining forces with Kipps' crew is a good idea (and I so want Lockwood's pov for this)

295 Lucy wishing for Holly to fall into the catacombs is karma at work really

296 "our assistant seemed to affect girls that way." does she? or is just you and Kat?

30th October 2024

299 Flo possibly flushing when shaking hands with Holly is great (Bi? Bi)

303 out of touch CEO? ding! ding!

310 "Some people might be tempted" you opened yourself up for that Lucy

312 Lucy and Holly "a token smile"

317 "attract attention of all dark things"... "one of them is hunting you"

319 longing for and missing Lockwood

322 Love this hate this "a human figure crawling on all fours"

327 Poor Kate

330 Lockwood knowing how strong Lucy is but still not seeing how vulnerable she is (his faith in her working against them both)

334 what in the ghost ship nonsense is this?... you were very lucky Bobert

339 All because Holly mentioned Lockwood and Lucy not saying no to him and just Lucy seeing Holly's "superiority" over her and it just all coming to a head in the worst time possible (how much of their relationship would have been changed if Lucy was there and involved in the hiring and interview part)

342 Skull? Bobby? shut up

351 I love the imagery of a snake and i hate it as well

359 Lockwood "grinning that old grin"... "his eyes sparkled; he held out his hand..."

367 I love Lucy going on the bright side i'm closer to the Source but is also understandably very woozy and saying hi to skeletons

370 "They were criminals and they were infected. Who was going to care?"

375 "I gave a cry, bent down to retrieve them - and saw the ghosts come sweeping in towards me. That was the moment the nub of the candle chose to finally go out"

377 are the other ghosts scared of the Fetch???

379 "and all at once my legs buckled with joy. Because I knew it! I knew the voice. It was the one I wanted to hear more than any other"

389 "I didn't trust myself to be with you. I was too anxious about what might happen" meaning? double meaning

390 "I know I don't talk about it, but it's happened to me before. Losing someone dear to me. I can't let it happen again" also who is the biscuit thief?

392 Poor Lockwood "lazy and wilful"... "his carefully neutral tone wavered"... "Under the anger and the sorrow, Lucy I was just left feeling hollow." hey Lockwood is/was a hollow boy. So we have Lockwood blaming himself for Jessica's death AND the newspaper article going "unable to save her" get the boy some therapy (there are two sets of people to blame for Jessica's death the Orpheus Society and whoever made the pot crack in the first place)

also Lockwood compared Lucy to his sister he never said anything about considering Lucy like a sister (@the empty grave wiki page comments section)

399 Poor Barnes where will he get his socks now?

402 Flo and George are also a battle couple in their own right'

406 I love the newspaper article (I want to see the foldable model) like the amount of customer service bullshit coming from both Kipps and Lockwood must have made an ass jealous (also did Lockwood & Co. use the Aickmere Brothers £10 voucher? discuss I say yes because I think it would be funny)

409 Barnes my love is back in my good books, Kipps my love also hilarious

413 so close to meeting the living bad guys of the series

415 George talking about how ghosts experience time like the rest as they say is confetti

417 I love the Skull

419 what are you doing with your glasses Georgie?... I wonder what Lockwood was thinking when he asked "is that really what this is all about?" and I wonder if anyone entertained the idea that the Fetch Lucy saw was Lockwood?

[the-90s-music-colosseum]

The 90s Song Ever - Round 1 Results

Hello y'all it's me again!! We have collectively suffered through the first month of this tournament, slicing the 256-song bracket clean in half and experiencing tremendous pain. Unfortunately it is late now and I'm sleepy, so the anticipated start of Round 2 is postponed til tomorrow - keep your eyes peeled for polls! Until then... good night.

Expand to see the results of Round 1! Songs in green will be moving onto the next stage, songs in red have been banished to the shadow realm.

Side A1

Midlife Crisis vs When You Sleep Emotions vs Barbie Girl Sugar Kane vs Firestarter More Than Words vs Born Slippy Sabotage vs Wonderwall November Rain vs I Want It That Way Losing My Religion vs Kiss Of Life Stratford-On-Guy vs Grace, Too Shitlist vs Freak On A Leash Blue (Da Ba Dee) vs Doll Parts Peaches vs Bulls On Parade All Star vs Flagpole Sitta Push It vs The Distance I Could Fall In Love vs Blue Monday Two Princes vs Bitch End of the Road vs The Private Psychedelic Reel Sour Times vs Sober 1979 vs Constant Craving Now That We Found Love vs Sunburn Loverman vs Wakko's America Around The World vs Lightning Crashes Believe vs Nothing Compares 2 U Pepper vs Windowlicker Fly vs Law & Order Theme Black Hole Sun vs Sex and Candy Animal Nitrate vs Unfinished Sympathy No Rain vs The Rain Free Your Mind vs My Heart Will Go On Du Hast vs The X-Files Theme C'est la Vie vs Fear Of The Dark Supersonic vs Deceptacon Running in the 90s vs The Tourist

Side A2

Beetlebum vs Are You That Somebody Sway vs River Of Deceit Hunger Strike vs Who Will Save Your Soul? Generator vs Bills, Bills, Bills Doo Wop (That Thing) vs Finally Tearin' Up My Heart vs Silence Kid Enter Sandman vs Everybody (Backstreet's Back) Boombastic vs I'll Be There For You Yakko's World vs To Be With You Cotton Eye Joe vs Amish Paradise Nuthin' But A "G" Thang vs Basket Case Dagger vs Seven Rebel Girl vs Groove is in the Heart Baby Got Back vs Hallelujah Only Happy When It Rains vs Say You'll Be There U Can't Touch This vs How Bizarre Nancy Boy vs Cornflake Girl Affirmation vs Don't Walk Away The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air vs The Boy Is Mine Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Dop) vs Juicy Buddy Holly vs Closing Time Pony vs Wynona's Big Brown Beaver Pretend We're Dead vs All I Wanna Do Santeria vs Send Me On My Way Birdhouse In Your Soul vs That Don't Impress Me Much Vogue vs Brain Stew/Jaded Kiss Me vs These Are Days MMMBop vs Black Genie In A Bottle vs Bullet With Butterfly Wings Tank! (Cowboy Bebop opening theme) vs Smells Like Nirvana Mind Playing Tricks On Me vs (Everything I Do) I Do It For You Friday I'm In Love vs Would?

Side B1

Everlong vs Only Wanna Be With You California Love vs Fall At Your Feet Glory Box vs Man In The Box Livin' la Vida Loca vs Are You Gonna Go My Way What's Up vs If Only Personal Jesus vs Everybody Hurts The World I Know vs Glycerine Semi-Charmed Life vs You Get What You Give I'm Too Sexy vs Amor Prohibido Rhythm Of The Night vs Heaven or Las Vegas Heart Shaped Box vs In the Aeroplane over the Sea Everything Must Go vs Insane in the Brain Tornado of Souls vs Rabbit in Your Headlights My Own Summer (Shove It) vs Ice Ice Baby Californication vs Crush On You Clown vs No Scrubs Bitter Sweet Symphony vs Say My Name Waterfalls vs Cowboys from Hell Army of Me vs Tomorrow Adam's Song vs Self Esteem Under The Bridge vs None Of Your Business No More Tears vs Roll The Bones Black Or White vs Pure Morning Stay (I Missed You) vs Lump Girls and Boys vs De Música Ligera Waking Up vs Be Aggressive Can I Kick It? vs You Oughta Know Canned Heat vs Your Woman Cannonball vs Always Be My Baby Painkiller vs Even Flow Goldeneye vs Tubthumping Steal My Sunshine vs I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

Side B2

Closer vs Sorted For E's and Wizz Bring It All Back vs Loser Wannabe vs Jesus Christ Pose Kiss From A Rose vs Nothing Else Matters Killing in the Name vs That's The Way Love Goes Pokemon Theme (Gotta Catch 'Em All) vs Ordinary World Song of Storms vs Estoy Aquí The World Is Not Enough vs I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone Criminal vs Real Love Enjoy the Silence vs Plush This Is Halloween vs Spooky Scary Skeletons Fade Into You vs I Will Always Love You Istanbul (Not Constantinople) vs Iris Been Caught Stealing vs Virtual Insanity I Wish vs No Diggity Torn vs Common People Gangsta's Paradise vs Detachable Penis What Is Love vs The Sign Linger vs Ironic Venus as a Boy vs Lover, You Should've Come Over 100% Pure Love vs Macarena (Bayside Boys remix) Violet vs Sugar Spongebob Squarepants Theme vs ...Baby One More Time Loaded vs Creep The Kids Aren't Alright vs One In A Million Right Here, Right Now vs Bruise Violet Killing Me Softly With His Song vs Lovefool Jump Around vs Jump Don't Speak vs Spit It Out Intergalactic vs Dreams Say It Ain't So vs Smells Like Teen Spirit Poison vs Rid of Me

[smallearthboundfindings]

"now ask about ness for an equally long essay" formally requesting the essay ^__^ unless other people got the same idea to ask about him and in which case go with any other main character you feel like doing (although the more obscure ones have been fun to read/think about)!

Woo, Ness the Bess, let's go!! (Nope, no other Ness requests yet!)

Unfortunately, now I am faced with a new problem: I have TOO much material to work with! (Ness's section alone on my headcanons doc is 5 pages, 12px Times New Roman, Double Spaced.)

But you know what? I’ll just pick the one I can elaborate on the most. It also goes into a larger theory of mine, so here goes: this one's about Ness's homesickness status effects, a few other things, and the implications this has on how PSI works as a whole.

Here's the original snippet from my doc:

"Explaining his homesickness status, [Ness] has a tendency to become overwhelmed under stress, which can either weaken, disable, or throw his powers completely out of his control to spark out randomly by his emotional state. Remembering home is just the most common manifestation of what his brain will try to calm him down with but, ironically, this tends to just make the problem worse due to his sentimentality."

I’ll elaborate upon this because I think it has more to be said.

PSI is clearly heavily linked to its user’s emotions. For one, the magic butterfly that restores it is stated to “make Ness and his friends relax”. This implies that a calm mind is required to use psychic moves. Not only that, but there is also the “Can’t Concentrate” status condition, which, guess what? Disables psychic moves. These combined with the fact that things like homesickness can cause missed attacks show that, yes, emotional state absolutely has an effect on the moves. If you are not stable enough, they simply will not work.

Look at Giygas (corrupted form), for example, who clearly is not controlling any of those moves you cannot comprehend the true form of. They seem almost random and for his clear chaotic state of disarray, it makes sense that the attacks become just as random.

So emotional disarray can either disable your powers, make you use them less efficiently, or throw them at random it seems.

Now, most of the time, Ness is a pretty jolly kid, but you know he is absolutely emotionally driven by his family (has to call both his mom and his dad to do well). And something interesting about the homesickness status, is that it’s only relevant in the middle of the game. See, I’m copy-pasting but the stats on that are as follows:

Level 1-15: 0/256

Level 16-30: 3/256

Level 31-75: 2/256

Level 76-99: 0/256

Here’s what I think is happening here…

At first, he’s very close to home, so no problem! He’s just like, “Yay! Adventure! :D :D”

But once he’s out of Onett, then he starts thinking, “Am I out of my mind? Is this too far? What if?” And it’s clear he thinks these things too if not evidently clear by Lumine Hall’s dialogue. He clearly puts a lot of pressure on himself to keep the others safe at a certain point where it is no longer just fun and games until he has actually and literally fought his inner doubts in Magicant and returns sure of himself and brave (aka. the Lv. 76-99 range).

So yeah, that’s what I think! Ness was not always the best with his powers because he channelled his sentimentality in the wrong way. It’s not that he couldn’t be sentimental, being sweet is part of his character! Look at his Magicant and he’s clearly still trying to justify Porky no matter all he’s done. He has so much optimism in the world, yet doubts in himself, ironically. He seems like the type to mask these doubts in his humor but if becomes too large, he simply cannot bottle it further. It’s just that he had to learn to believe in himself to be able to calm his nerves from the inside.

PSI users also accidentally using PSI under emotional distress is also great for angst. Just imagine one of them clearly trying to hide they feel scared or something but little flecks of colors are just sparking off of them, making it clear to their friends that something’s wrong but they don’t know what? Oh, that’s good for the angst. I could say something really heartbreaking about Claus now. But I won’t! Cause this ain’t about him!

But anyway, there’s your PSI/Ness’s homesickness essay! Hope that was essay-y enough for you! Thanks for asking!

[kimium]

I was tagged by @m34gs in this post HERE. It's a fic writer ask game! I'm so excited to answer this. Let's start!

Tag Game:

Twenty Questions for Fic Writers:

How many works do you have on AO3? I have 256 fics currently posted on AO3.

2. What's your total AO3 word count? My total word count is 2,547,554 words.

3. What fandoms do you write for? I write mostly for: SDR2/Danganronpa, Fire Emblem Awakening/Fates, Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, and Twisted Wonderland. I have some other fandoms (Akudama Drive, Fire Force, D Grayman, Bungou Stray Dogs, and Magi sprinkled in) but they're minor.

4. What are your top five fics by kudos? My top five fics (all SDR2) by kudos are: How Did You Get In Here?, Waking Up in Pieces, Take it All, Your Kindness is a Lie, and Gradients of Colour

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? Yes, I respond to comments. I believe if someone took the time to write me a comment the polite thing to do is reply back. Also, I think it builds a fun community on my fics where some people comment regularly on my fics.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I think majority of my KHR fics have angsty endings simply because Shouichi is trapped with Byakuran no matter what. Not sure which is the most angsty, so it's up to you.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Honestly, I'm not sure. I usually end my fics on a happy note. I suppose the fic ending that has made ME the happiest is The taste of melon and the weight of a plushie fox.

8. Do you get hate on fic? I've had hate on my fics, yes. One of those fics I had the same person pester me twice. It caused me to feel anxious whenever I saw my email notification on my phone. I deleted the fic. You'll never, ever see the fic again.

9. Do you write smut? Yes, I do. It's all private though. I'm not posting it because the idea of posting makes me uncomfortable.

10. Do you write crossovers? I've written several crossovers with some unhinged choices. I have a Danganronpa/Assassination Classroom series, a Danganronpa/Kingdom Hearts fic, a Danganronpa/Bungou Stray Dogs fics: Night Sky and the sequel Unanswered Questions. There are some collaborated crossovers with the Glorious Bar AU (with M34GS) and our Twisted Wonderland/sort of Saw Franchise AU.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I know of. I've locked down my fics due to AI scraping though. Just to be safe.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes, I've had multiple fics translated!

For SDR2: How Do You Get In Here? (Vietnamese), Your Kindness is a Lie (Spanish), The Birthdays (Spanish), Just a Moment (Vietnamese), 1000 Kisses (Spanish), and The taste of melon and weight of a plushie fox (Spanish).

For Akudama Drive: Exhilaration (And the Bottling of It) (I believe Mandarin)

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? I have co-written several fics! First, I've co-written with @someobscurereference! For Fire Emblem Fates we have: Love Finds A Way and our Fates Mafia AU. And, as mentioned already, I'm a co-writer to the Glorious Bar AU and to our Twisted Wonderland Sort of Saw Franchise AU with M34GS.

14. What's your all-time favourite ship? Writing wise? Komahina (SDR2). Reading and in general? Satosugu (JJK).

15. What's a wip you want to finish but probably won't? I have three attempts at a FE Fates Kiznaiver AU that will NEVER be completed and I am sad.

16. What are your writing strengths? Writing scenery. I adore writing scenery and find it easy and fun. I also think I describe food well? M34GS has told me some food I've described in fics sounds like I've eaten it and I haven't.

17. What is your writing weakness? Sometimes I find writing what characters are doing between moments in the scene challenging.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? In general I don't like doing it because of my comfort level with other languages. I'm fine with Japanese (speak a comfortable level) but characters like Rook from Twisted Wonderland are a challenge.

19. First fandom you wrote for? First fandom I ever wrote for was either Inu Yasha or Shaman King. First fandom I ever POSTED is a tie between DMMD and SDR2.

20. Favourite fic you've written? I can't say. I like all my fics for varying reasons and I dislike picking a "favourite". Sorry! But everyone else can tell me their favourites! I'm always so curious which one of my fics draws people in.

There you have it! My answers! I tag: @someobscurereference, @shreedle, and @a-little-harmed-shinra.

[valiantsafariss]

How to Prepare for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: Tips and Tricks

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on the planet. Walking through the lush rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you’ll have the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Preparing for this unique adventure, however, requires thoughtful planning and practical tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.

1. Research and Choose the Best Time to Visit

The best time for gorilla treks in Uganda is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. During these periods, the forest trails are less slippery, making the trek more manageable. However, Uganda’s equatorial climate means occasional rain can occur year-round, so be prepared for wet conditions regardless of your travel date.

2. Obtain Gorilla Trekking Permits in Advance

3. Pack the Essentials

Packing wisely can make or break your gorilla trekking experience. Key items to include are:

Sturdy Hiking Boots: Trails are often steep and muddy. Invest in comfortable, waterproof boots with good grip.

Lightweight Rain Jacket: Rain is a frequent companion in the rainforest, so a quality rain jacket is essential.

Long-Sleeved Shirts and Pants: These protect you from scratches, insect bites, and thorny vegetation.

Gloves: Gardening or hiking gloves can help you grip tree trunks or steady yourself on challenging trails.

Water Bottle and Snacks: Staying hydrated and energized is crucial for the trek.

Camera and Binoculars: Capture your memories, but ensure your camera is silent and flash-free to avoid disturbing the gorillas.

4. Physical Fitness Preparation

Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires a moderate to high level of fitness, as the trails can be steep, muddy, and physically demanding. Prepare by engaging in regular physical activities such as hiking, walking, or light jogging before your trip.

5. Understand Gorilla Trekking Rules

To protect the gorillas and ensure your safety, it’s essential to follow these rules:

Maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke near the gorillas.

Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may startle them.

If you’re unwell, you’ll not be permitted to trek, as gorillas are susceptible to human diseases.

6. Dress for Success

The right attire can significantly enhance your trekking experience. Opt for muted colors like green, brown, or khaki to blend into the forest environment. Avoid bright colors or noisy fabrics that could distract the wildlife.

7. Hire a Porter

Porters are invaluable for carrying your backpack, helping you navigate tricky terrain, and offering support during steep climbs. Hiring a porter also supports the local community, as many are former poachers who now earn a living through tourism.

8. Respect the Local Culture

Uganda is home to diverse cultural communities, especially in areas surrounding the trekking parks. Respect the customs, greet locals warmly, and consider exploring nearby villages to enrich your travel experience.

9. Travel with a Reliable Tour Operator

10. Explore Nearby Attractions

While gorilla trekking may be the highlight of your trip, the nearby areas offer plenty of additional attractions. Consider visiting:

Lake Bunyonyi: A serene retreat for relaxation after your trek.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Famous for its tree-climbing lions and game drives.

Kisoro Town: A cultural hub with local crafts and vibrant markets.

Preparing for gorilla trekking in Uganda requires careful planning, proper gear, and a willingness to embrace adventure. By following these tips, you’ll be ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the majestic mountain gorillas.

For personalized Uganda gorilla trekking safaris and expert assistance, contact Valiant Safaris:

Phone: +256 781 564 639

Email: info@valiantsafaris.com

Embark on your unforgettable journey with Valiant Safaris and explore the beauty of nearby areas like Kisoro and Lake Bunyonyi. Start your adventure today!