#BUT IT S JUST FOR FUN OY

[woodtoc]

Okkk sooo

I hc leo with long lashes and a flat nose, which i wasnt able to draw right here but whatever, and hazel with a rond face

i made leo too sad by accident so i had to make him smile too lol

What i wanted to do didnt really translate so i might do more

And Hazel??? Giiirl how did i do that

Most of my inspo for her was from the amazon's statue in Cotonou, Benin (which was somehow perfect)

In the end it was super fun 🤭 (even if i was so annoyed drawing curly hair ugh, but i cant help it,it seems i only draw ppl with curls)

[thexsilentxwordsmith]

Simon "Ghost" Riley x Fem!reader

Author's Note: I had a comment left on my post HERE. The person who commented brought up this scenario of Simon being dared to kiss you and you think that he won't, but he actually does and sparks end up flying. So, of course, I had to write it because... I mean... Come on... (lol). And here it is.

Fandom: Call of Duty

Character(s): Simon Riley, Reader, Soap

Summary: During a game of Truth or Dare, your lieutenant is dared into giving you a kiss, but something about the way he has been acting lately may mean this is going to be more than a quick ordeal. And the way you have been feeling towards him won't be helping.

Word Count: 4k

Part 2: READ HERE

The night has started innocently enough: you and your fellow officers sit around together in the rec, blowing off a little steam after another successful mission. Some nice, simple fun of playing cards and shooting the shit like you usually do when leaving the base to go down to the bar isn’t an option. Everyone happens to be here tonight, including that brooding, mask-faced lieutenant that you can’t seem to keep your mind from drifting to as he stands against the wall behind you. 

Maybe it’s just your imagination, but you’ve noticed that the lieutenant’s presence has become more and more common lately, especially when you’re around. He keeps mostly to himself, staying on the edge of the fun by just watching, yet you swear that if you are stealthy enough from out of the corner of your eye you can catch his gaze lingering in your direction. 

Whether it’s just a trick of your mind or the truth, either way it makes your pulse race. And tonight is no exception.

All has been pretty calm so far, nothing too rowdy or out of hand. At least, it was until now as the night has waned on and inhibitions have fallen. What was once an innocent bit of fun has turned a bit more risque as Soap decides that cards aren’t enough to keep everyone entertained. What game is it he always seems to pick when everyone is more loose? One where the consequences always end up interesting: Truth or Dare.  

Several rounds have passed already where the truths have consistently gotten more honest and the dares even more spicy. No one is ready to call it quits just yet, but there is one person that hasn’t had a turn after all this time and that just won’t do, not if the Scottish sergeant has anything to say about it. Taking matters into his own hands, Soap turns his attention to the big man standing with his arms crossed, watching quietly. 

“Oy, Lt. Come on, you’re already ‘ere. Ya gotta join us,” Johnny says through the raucous laughter to drag the silent lieutenant into the merriment. “Or are ya chicken, hmm?”

As much as you want Lt. Riley to join in, you would rather him stick around and something like this could get him to walk out; you don’t want that to happen. “Fucking can it, Johnny,” you say as you strike him in the bicep with your fist. “You’re talking out of your ass, alright? Knock it off.”

To everyone’s surprise and yours, after a momentary pause, Lt. Riley steps up closer to the table with his arms still crossed. “ ‘s fine,” he dismisses your concern. “But, one round is all you’re gonna fuckin’ get from me, sergeant, so better make it count.”

Johnny nods his head in agreement, actually caught off guard that he is even able to get this far with the ever stoic and cold-shouldered officer. It all seems a bit too easy, but Soap isn’t going to pass up an opportunity like this to get the lieutenant involved. He’s gotta make this good whatever it is that gets chosen and so he pauses a minute to think of an idea for either scenario before speaking up. “Alright Lt, ye know how it goes. Truth or dare?”

Truth is never going to be an option for Lt. Riley, not with the level of secrecy he keeps to at all times when it concerns his life; he knows if he gives Johnny an inch he will take a goddamn mile. So, there is only one other option and though he tries to hide the fidgeting in his hands, he picks it.  

Maybe it’ll be something that’ll help him strike up a conversation with you later. “Dare,” he says. 

The grin that lights up Soap’s face instantly lets the entire table know that he is up to no good and the words that follow are a testament to that fact. You thought you knew Johnny well enough by now, but not even you could have been prepared for what came out of his mouth then. “Alright, I dare ye ta kiss our sassy little sergeant right here,” he says as he looks at you with an unwavering gaze. 

You meet his blue eyes and hold them in stunned silence. Is he fucking serious? As if Lt. Riley would ever go for something so fucking dumb as this. Johnny has to be out of his goddamn mind to put you in this position; it’s like he knows something he shouldn’t. Again your immediate reaction is to sock him in the arm, this time a bit harder to drive home the point that you are done with his bullshit. 

And yet… shockingly… you hear the lieutenant speak up.

“Fine,” Lt. Riley agrees to everyone’s amazement. 

You turn your attention to face him. “Are you sure? Johnny’s just being a dick, you don’t have to listen to him, sir,” you reassure as you shoot a glare that has the Soap nervously shifting in his seat, worrying about what is going to happen to him later for pulling such a ridiculous stunt.

“Said it’s fine,” he repeats, his gruff tone metered. “But I ain’t doin’ it ‘ere though; you’re not gettin’ a free fuckin’ show if that’s what you’re after Mactavish.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll give ya that,” Johnny concedes. Those blue eyes scan the room for a solution. “How about ‘round tha corner there.”

He points to the bend in the wall a few feet away; far enough from the group that they won’t be able to tell what’s happening behind it. Since there are now stipulations that the lieutenant has set, Johnny is going to add his own as well for good measure. “However,” he pipes up, “since it ain’t in front a us here, ya gotta stay in place for 10 minutes. I doubt ye’ll actually do anything, but might as well make ye both have ta awkwardly stand there for a bit. And don’t think yer gonna pull a fast one; I’m gonna be countin’.”

You look back at the lieutenant and he gives a nod. “Fine,” you agree as well. How you are able to keep your voice so steady when you feel that jolt deep in the pit of your stomach is a mystery, but you pull it off just fine.

With the rules set Lt. Riley stares at you as if waiting for you to get up from your seat first before he moves. You do and he immediately follows close behind as you make your way over to the wall just past the corner amidst the sounds of whistles and whoops. With a quick flip of the bird back over your shoulder to the group, you both vanish around the side and come to a stop a few feet from the edge. 

You lean your back up against the wall as he comes to stand in front of you, watching you intensely through the opening in his thin balaclava. As you wait to see who will speak first, you notice a tension in his broad shoulders that hadn’t been there before. This is the first time you both have ever been this close to one another and you can’t overlook the fact that he seems even bigger now that you are standing so near; you can’t help but admire how small you feel next to him.  

The longer he stares at you with those golden eyes, studying your face as if he is deciding something, the more rapid your heartbeat thumps heavy in your chest. He takes a step closer and then another before coming to a stop again. Now there is less than a foot’s distance between your bodies and suddenly there is a shift in the atmosphere around you both, a thick tension that is growing harder to ignore. 

The sounds of laughter filters over to the both of you, breaking you out of the haze of your thoughts. “You know, we don’t have to do anything. If you want me to lie, it’s fine, sir,” you speak before he has a chance to. “Fuck Johnny for putting us in this situation. We can just stand here in silence until we get called back.”

He clears his throat. “Who said anythin’ ‘bout lyin’?” he asks with a raise of his eyebrow that you can make out through the mask. “Just don’t wanna, is that it?” 

Something in the way he says the statement catches you off guard. Why does he sound slightly disappointed? Did he want to actually do this? You couldn’t really believe that; no, you must be reading this all wrong. “No, that’s not…” you stumble over your words; why is it getting harder to speak? “I just… didn’t think you’d want to… but… if you do then…”

“Yes or no?” he cuts off your string of stammering.

“Yes,” you confirm. 

Nothing else needs to be said other than that. His hand moves to his face, his fingers finding the bottom edge of his mask, and now you can’t breathe as you wait to see what’s under there. This is the first time you’ll be able to see more than just his eyes and that leaves your mind reeling.

Okay, you prepare yourself, it’s just a kiss, right? Nothing to it; you’ve been kissed before. This will be no different. Just breathe and we’ll get through it.

The mask is wrenched up above his nose so that his mouth is revealed and spread across waiting for you is a subtle, cocky smirk. Your cheeks flush as your eyes are drawn to the facial hair covering his jaw and outlining his lips; short, light brown outgrowth from not having shaved today. It accentuates his strong jaw perfectly and though you try, you can’t look away.

Still focused on his face you miss the warning as a strong hand suddenly finds its way onto your waist as he moves against you. His broad chest is pressed up to yours, you can feel it through the thinner fabric of his shirt, and you can’t tell whether it’s your own pounding heartbeat or his that you feel. That tension is suffocating now that he is this close, the air so thick it feels like you can cut it with a knife. You wait impatiently for the moment to finally break.  

It feels like you are holding your breath when after a few more seconds he finally speaks. “Good,” he says with a bit of breathiness to his voice, “cause I’m no liar.”

Leaning his head down slowly to reach you his lips inch ever closer until you can feel their warm, ghostly presence brush over your mouth causing your eyes to flutter shut as the ecstasy from the anticipation of them making contact overwhelms you. They are there, right there, and you plead with the universe to finally let them touch. You feel him inhale sharply and with that they are crashing against yours. It is with such an automatic, visceral intensity that it knocks the wind from your lungs.

Simon had been certain until the second your lips made contact that he could keep himself under control, that this was nothing more than sinless fun, but as he breathes in the hot, moist air from your mouth while he captures it again, he already knows that this is not going to end how he has intended. There is an immediate magnetism that you both cannot pull from and what is supposed to be something quick, turns mind-numbing in an instant.

Time stands still as your lips twine together in that familiar back and forth and what can only be a few short seconds extend out into an eternity. It’s like flicking on a switch how easily you melt into his embrace, like acquainted lovers, like your lips have always meant to be pressed tightly together. 

How can this be the first time you have ever kissed?

The stubble covering the exposed half of his face pricks along your cheeks the more he advances; the skin around your lips and your jaw growing more raw each time he moves, but the way it makes your face burn is far from painful. His breathing has become more strained, muscles tensing as he risks nipping carefully at the skin on your lower lip.

You inhale a sharp breath through your teeth and then it happens: an unconscious reaction to the pleasure surging through your veins like liquid fire. You can’t stop yourself as a sneaky moan creeps up your throat and before you can swallow it back down you hum it into his mouth. 

That low, alluring sound leaves that hulking military officer hungry to hear more. Those large hands of his desperately want to paw at your body, to caress all those silky curves against the coarse skin of his palms, to let his fingertips linger at all that delicately soft flesh for as long as he can. A deep, gnawing ache settles itself in his chest as he takes your lips with more feral aggression; Simon has never craved something more in that moment than to keep you like this entangled with him. 

The longer he goes, the more there is nothing tentative about his movements; he kisses you like he owns you. Lt. Riley steals from you as if your lips are air and he will suffocate without them, his desperation is the kind that feels like this is life or death and he needs you to survive. You are unprepared for the fucking bliss of it all, the raw, unbridled passion that his lips create as the friction abrades the tender skin of your mouth. 

And your thoughts scream for him to keep going.

You match his intensity with your own, kissing him back with everything that you have in you. He opens his mouth slightly and without thinking your tongue moves in and presses against his, trying to shove its way into his mouth. Fuck, he is not prepared for you to be so keen and it throws him off for only a moment before he leans into that passion and comes back with his response.

The lieutenant braces one of his large hands near your hip, pinning you to the wall while his mouth engulfs your own as he slides his tongue in between your teeth to fill the cavity full. It slithers over the surface of your tongue towards the back of your mouth, the taste of you intoxicating so that he cannot get enough. The pleasure is so intense that it severs his connection with reality and everything outside of your joined mouths fades away into background noise. His other hand moves from your waist and is suddenly wrapped around the back of your neck, his thumb holding steadily against your jaw to keep your head securely in his grip so that he can pull you as tight against his face as he can stand. 

Your head is reeling from the potency of those hot, feverish lips that are suck yours into their desperate embrace. Then his knee forcefully pries its way between your thighs and you are sure that you will not come back from this. It’s too much to handle and you’ve lost all control… no, that’s not right. You’ve yielded everything completely to him without even having to think about it and he has taken every single ounce of what he has been given as if it has always been his. 

Leaning up into him, you stand up on the balls of your feet as he guides the movement of your head by tilting it from one side to the other in that natural dance that happens when lips play. You are both insatiable as that carnal need to devour the other makes it impossible to not relinquish yourselves to the ecstasy that overwhelms in that moment. 

Never in your life have you wanted a man to possess you more than you want your superior to right now. Images of him picking you up and slamming your back into the wall, making you encircle his waist with your legs, his cock straining and throbbing between your clothed sex as you plead with him to take you, fill your mind until they make you light-headed. 

Lt. Riley is not faring any better and he has to focus his entire will into keeping his hands engaged so that he can resist the tingling in his fingertips to find the button on your pants and undo them. If you were alone without the threat of interruption, you might already be half undressed by now, but just as that urge reaches its peak and his fingers are moving in, you both hear the words that make your hearts sink.

“Eh, you two,” you hear Soap calling out from a distance, “times up.”

It is torture to pull away from you; Simon is on the verge of combusting from being forced to stop before he is ready.  But he has to or else he might be found out and there is still hesitation to admit that he might actually want more of this. Even after the ecstasy you both had just shared he isn’t sure how far he should let this go and so with a sigh of defeat he releases your lips from his own. 

By the time he lets you go and moves out from between your legs, your stance is unsteady and your mind fuzzy. The sudden lack of pressure against your mouth leaves you feeling empty and you have to stop yourself from whining aloud. As your eyes slowly flutter open you look up into his face and are met with that chocolate brown gaze lingering on you. There is something swimming in the depths of his eyes: a question, a statement, you’re not sure, but he doesn’t say it aloud. The need to say something yourself eats at you, but you close your mouth tight and bite your tongue to keep silent. 

You can’t bring yourself to risk admitting that you don’t want him to stop; what if he doesn’t feel the same? The pressures of putting it all out there at this moment is too much to handle. Instead, you let the moment die away quietly as you breathe deeply through your nose.

“Times up,” Lt. Riley repeats the phrase softly as he situates his balaclava back down under his chin to hide himself from you once again. The others are cheering for your return, giving you no time to collect yourself, so you simply sigh and stride back to the group together.

Heads turn your direction as you reappear back into the main room. “Well?” the heavily accented voice of the bastard that has orchestrated this whole thing questions you both. 

Trying not to stumble back to your seat, you play it off as if you hadn’t just had your soul sucked out through your lips. “Well what?” you return as the lieutenant passes you up and takes his place back behind the group.

Soap’s brow furrows. “Don’t play dumb with us, lass,” he chides. “Was he any good?”  

You cautiously take your seat back where you had been as everyone waits for your answer, trying to give yourself more time to calm your pulse that is still racing like wildfire through your tingling limbs. “It was fine,” you say, hoping you are collected enough to pull off such a bold-faced lie. 

“Oh really?” Johnny asks skeptically as he eyes you up and down to read your body language. Your heart leaps in your chest as you think you’ve been found out, that the bloom in your cheeks is still too noticeable, but he continues like nothing. “I think yer full a shit. Probably didn’t even get a peck, knowin’ LT. I bet ye did nothin’ back there, but stand in silence.”

You snicker at him, carefully adjusting yourself in your seat so you can squeeze your legs together to relieve the throbbing in such a way that it doesn’t draw attention. “Aww... Guess that’s only for us to know and for you to spend all your time worrying about, bitch. It’s gonna eat at you, isn’t it? Gonna lose sleep thinking about me and the lieutenant, hmm?” you pick back, which seems to get him off your case. 

“Ye wanna add anythin’ here?” Soap asks as he turns to the mask officer.

You risk a glance over your shoulder back at your superior, knowing that this could undo all your progress at regaining your composure, and you catch him completely lost in thought, not having heard a word that Soap just said. Quickly he recovers, clearing his throat. “What’re ya on about, Mactavish?” he questions back. 

“I asked if ye had anythin’ to add to her account of events,” Johnny chuckles. “Or are ye too stunned ta speak?”

The lieutenant shoots him a glare before pulling his pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. “Don’t push yer fuckin’ luck, yeah?” he answers it like a threat as he flips open the pack and places a cig in between his fingers.

Soap holds up his hands innocently with palms facing out in agreement not to start any trouble. “Ye must a been terrible, lass,” Soap picks as he turns his attention back to you to keep the jovial atmosphere up. 

You slug him hard enough to make his chair squeak from the force before joining in the others laughter to disguise the heat still burning through your cheeks. Simon takes the opportunity to slip out unnoticed, though you let your eyes follow him one last time. It is a monumental task that he has to perform to actively put one foot in front of the other, to calculatedly focus his breathing to stay calm, and make it out of the door without anyone noticing that his composure is clearly broken. 

Once out of sight he hurriedly steps out into the cool night air and immediately rips up his mask as he lights his cigarette, taking a long, heavy drag off it as he leans up against the brick of the building. The nicotine tingles his throat and he hopes it’ll be enough of a distraction to stop the intense pounding in his chest. Breathing the smoke out in a weighty sigh he adjusts the crotch of his pants as they have suddenly become too tight for his comfort. 

“Fuckin’ hell,” he mutters under his breath as he leans his head back against the wall and closes his eyes, desperately trying to focus on anything in a vain attempt to calm himself, but he already knows its no use.

The second his eyes are shut all he can think about is that kiss: he can still feel his arm around you, detect the ghost of your lips against his, sense the warmth of your breath in his mouth. He tries to push the delectable sensations from his mind, but they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon and he knows it. 

Opening his eyes he stands back up off the wall with a need that compels him, making him move strategically so that he can peek through the door without being seen. Sneakily he stares back into the building, those brown eyes catching the sight of you smiling and laughing, those full lips making his blood pressure rise as he watches them move about as you speak, still red and swollen from being claimed. 

This is a problem, a big fucking problem. Now the only thing that that hardened military man can think about, instead of keeping his distance, is how he can recreate that exact scene with you again.

And maybe, just maybe, take it even further.

[graves4girls]

☆ 18+ me & u | miguel o'hara

✮ wc. 4.4k ⚠︎ warning(s): 18+, unprotected, pre/noncanon, teensy tiny bit of possessive reader, fem!reader i got carried away with this so it's hella long but idgaf cuz i had sm fun writing it so if it gets rambly sorry :(( also if u can't tell by this i'm excited for halloween ⟡ be sure to check out my work on ao3 → gravesforgirls !!

You smear the black gloss across your lips, one arm stabilizing yourself as you stand bent over the vanity, fixing the small imperfections of your makeup. You cap the lipgloss and drop it into your makeup bag, straightening to eye your outfit in the mirror, fixing the ears secured to the top of your head. A knock at your bedroom door pulls you from admiring yourself any further, moving to pull the door open, smiling at the tower of a man behind it.

"You ready?"

"For what?"

Your eyebrows knit together, crossing your arms over your chest. "The costume party! You said you were going." 

His eyes run over your frame, eyebrows raising at the provocative costume. "I decided I don't want to. All it's gonna be is drunk people dry humping and vomiting everywhere."

You frown.

"We were supposed to go together. You can't just back out. You promised."

"I'm breaking it, then. I'm sure you'll have fun without me."

You drop your arms to your sides, sighing. "You're driving me then. And I need to make a pit stop at the party store. I need one more thing for my costume."

He grumbles quietly but nods nonetheless, letting you slip past him and down the hall.

You push the car door open as he shuts the engine off, but you don't get out, looking back at him.

"Aren't you coming in?"

He quirks an eyebrow. "Why would I go in? You're the one who wanted to come here."

"What if I need help getting something off a high shelf?" 

He rolls his eyes at the lame excuse, biting back a grin. "That's what the workers are for."

"Just, come in with me. It'll be quick."

He reluctantly steps out of the car, following close behind you.

You skim through the aisles, eyes locking on the bright red and blue of one particular costume hanging on the wall, and you reach to pull it down, scanning the size. He notices you eyeing the package, stepping closer.

"What do you need that for?"

You hum, giving him a grin. "I don't. But you do. You'd look so cute in this."

He gapes at you for a moment, waving a hand in the air as he shakes his head furiously. 

"You're fucking crazy if you think I'd ever wear that. I'm not ten years old. And I told you I'm not going to the stupid party."

"Come on! I'll pay for it–just come with me. I really want you to go."

He stares at you for a few moments in silence, small scowl etched into his features and his big arms folded over his chest. The way you look up at him with those big, pretty eyes, and the way you're practically begging him to go makes him weak, and you smile when he drops his head with a sigh.

"I can't believe you're actually making me go to a costume party dressed as goddamn Spiderman. Was this the only reason you made me drive you here?"

"No, I still need a cat tail."

You pull him along by his hand through the crowds of people and drag him up the stairs, in search of an empty room.

"What are you guys supposed to be?"

You turn to the voice, smiling at them.

"I'm a black cat. He didn't have time to change yet, but he's gonna be Spiderman." You can tell he's already regretting giving in to your batting eyelashes and pouty lip, not acknowledging the person whatsoever. "Is there anywhere he can change? Bathroom or something?"

"There's one down the hall, to the right. Hopefully nobody's hogging it yet."

You nod and yank him towards the room, knocking before pushing it open when you get no response. You shove the costume against his chest, toothy grin stuck to your face.

"You're way too happy about this. You owe me."

"Whatever, just hurry up. They're gonna have a contest later for best costumes and I'm gonna nominate you."

"¡Oye, no empujes tu suerte-!"

You push him back and slam the door shut, giggling at the way he groans.

"Almost done?"

You can hear shuffling behind the door.

"Uh–yeah. It's just a little…tight. This was the biggest size they had?"

The door creaks open, and he peeks his head around to look at you.

"Yeah. It can't be that bad. Show me." He pulls the door open, and you hide your laugh behind your hand at the sight of him. "See, I told you! You look cute."

"You're laughing. I look ridiculous."

"I'm serious! Give me a spin."

Another incredulous look, but he obliges when he realizes you mean it, popping your hip out as you shift your weight. He turns slowly, and you can't keep your eyes from drifting lower, taking in the way the thin material hugs his ass perfectly, along with the rest of him, really. You whistle at him as he turns back to face you, mischievous and teasing.

"Watch it. I'll ditch your ass if you keep that shit up." He points a finger at you, but you wave him off, pushing his hand down.

"Where's the mask?"

"I'm not wearing it. This is bad enough."

"You're wearing the goddamn mask. You're not Spiderman without the mask. Put it on."

You can't place it, but every girl that ogles at him and feels him up tightens something in your chest. He's not even trying to be the center of attention, yet girls are flocking to get close to him. You're supposed to be dancing with your friends, but you're too busy glaring at the Barbie hanging off his arm to enjoy the music anymore.

"Hey, what's your problem?" One of your friends bumps against your shoulder, eyes following your gaze, and she sighs. "Ignore them. You're here to have fun."

You huff quietly, fixing your cat ears.

"I know, but he's supposed to be my Spiderman. He should be over here, with me."

"Holy shit, you are pathetic. C'mon, let's get some drinks."

You tear your eyes away from the sight, sulking into the kitchen.

"What do you want?"

"Just some juice or something. I'm not in the mood to get drunk anymore."

You take the solo cup from her hands, taking a sip and turning to eye the crowd from the threshold of the kitchen doorway, getting small glimpses of him through the silhouettes of people dancing. His mask is pulled back to show his pretty face, pieces of messy curls falling into his face as he laughs at something you're too far to hear. Honestly, you can't really blame them completely, he does look gorgeous, strong muscles straining against the cheap material of the costume, leaned cooly against the wall with his arms over his chest. You decide to cut his conversation with Harley Quinn short, curating a quick cocktail and leaving your friend to call after you, slipping past inflatable dinosaurs and far too many half-assed skeletons to snake between them.

"Hey! I brought you a drink."

His eyes flicker from the cup to you once, twice, before he squints.

"Why? What'd you do to it?"

You swat at his chest, holding it out further to him. "Nothing, you dick. I'm being nice. I did drag you here."

He takes the cup from you hesitantly, searching the concoction for any sign of foul play, before taking a sip, and you mentally note the absence of the pig-tailed girl that'd been heckling him. 

"You've been getting a lot of attention tonight, huh?"

He glares at you, gently swirling his cup.

"I can't get two seconds alone. I don't know how you like these kinds of things."

"Well, try actually doing something rather than sitting in a corner acting all mysterious. And put the mask on."

You reach out to grab his free hand, gently pulling in an attempt to get him to follow you.

"And where exactly are you bringing me?"

"The dance floor. I know you've got a little something up your sleeve."

He holds a finger up as he takes another sip.

"Let me finish my drink, and I'll meet you out there."

"Promise? And don't break it this time."

"Promise. Ahora déjame en paz."

You drop his hand, smiling as you skip away to find your friends once more.

You jump a bit when you feel big hands catch your hips, and you're about to swing at the person that seems to think it's okay to grab random girls when his deep voice rumbles in your ear.

"Having fun?"

You look over your shoulder to find that big eyed mask staring down at you, nodding with a smile.

"Took you long enough. And you kept your promise."

You turn to face him, but he keeps his hands on your hips, and your face heats up a bit at the contact.

"I got a little held up. And you'll never guess who it was."

You scrunch your face, tilting your head a bit. "Who?"

"Another black cat. But like, Marvel's Black Cat. She had the whole get-up, claws and everything."

You heat up even more.

"Oh, really? That's funny." 

"Yeah, she was trying to get my number and shit."

You suck your teeth. "And shit? What else was she trying to get?" You tease him, wiggling your eyebrows.

"Nothing like that, you weirdo. Are we gonna dance, or what?"

You give him a half-hearted smirk as he clears his throat, brushing his hands away to turn to your friend.

Your friend's hanging off of you, drunkenly babbling and giggling, and you decide to recuperate away from the crowd, patting a hand against Miguel's shoulder.

"Help me bring her somewhere quieter. She needs to sober up."

He picks her from your shoulder with ease, following you away from the loud music and up into an empty bedroom. You retrieve some cold water as he sets her on the bed, and she plops back with a laugh.

"Hey, drink this. You're fucking plastered."

She refuses it at first, but with minimal fighting, she eventually chugs the drink and falls against your shoulder. 

Her boyfriend collects her soon enough, conveniently leaving you and Spiderman to linger in the quiet room.

"You seem to be having a good time. Aren't you happy I made you come?"

He plops onto the bed with a huff, pushing the mask up and raising his eyebrows.

"I wouldn't say happy, but I'm not not happy. I mean, I like seeing you have fun."

You step closer to the mirror hanging on the door, prodding at your makeup.

"Yeah? You looked pretty thrilled out there."

He watches you from his spot, leaning back on one of his palms. "What are you doing?"

"Fixing my makeup. She smudged it when she was grabbing at me."

"You look fine."

You give him a look from the side of your eye, pulling out a small lip gloss from your bra cup and twisting it open. "That's not the compliment you think it is." 

He rolls his eyes. "You know what I meant. You look pretty. You can't even tell it's messed up."

You close the small tube and set it down on the wardrobe, running your hands down your sides to feel the shiny faux leather fabric of the bodysuit. You can feel his eyes on you, running all over your body, and suddenly there's a tight coil in your stomach. 

"Did you ever give that girl your number?"

His eyes snap to your face when you turn to look down at him, brows knit together.

"Who, Black Cat? No, no, she's not my type. And I'm pretty sure she has a boyfriend. I've seen her around campus a few times with the same guy."

You hum quietly.

"What about Harley Quinn? She's cute."

He shrugs. "She's just in my genetics class. She was just asking about an assignment. Nothing nefarious." He sits up, a small smirk working its way onto his lips. "Why are you grilling me all of a sudden? Are you trying to hook me up with someone?"

You shake your head with a grin, cheeks heating up. "No! I'm just wondering. I mean, girls have been hanging off of you all night. Surely you gave one of them your number, or something?"

He chuckles quietly, toying with the fabric on his leg. "No, I don't go handing out my number to random girls."

"Sure."

"What about you? Don't you have guys all over you?"

You scoff, moving to sit next to him.

"Hardly. I'll be lucky if I get one guy asking for my number before I leave. And the clock is ticking. It's already almost midnight."

He's looking at you, staring, and you don't want to look back.

"I think they're just intimidated. They think you'll reject them." His voice is quieter, softer, but it still rumbles deep in his chest.

"Shut up."

He leans closer.

"I'm serious." His hand comes up to tuck some hair behind your ear, lingering before it drops back to his side. "You look stunning. I mean, you're always gorgeous, but you look especially good in black leather."

Your whole body feels like a furnace, scorching with the sudden tension in the air, and you stare down at your lap.

"Thanks."

"Oye. Mírame." His hand comes up once more to grab your chin, turning your head to face him. "I mean it."

Your eyes fall to his lips for a moment, nodding softly. 

"I know." Your own voice betrays you, nearly a whisper as you find his gaze.

He's kissing you before you can say anything else, big hand cupping the side of your face as his nose bumps against yours, and your hands are quick to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer. He leans into you, nearly knocking you over if it weren't for his hold on you, desperate to get more of you. He's hoisting you into his lap, hands grabbing at your hips as your tongue slips into his mouth, and he's letting a low groan fall from his lips. He can't pull you close enough, strong arms constricting around your waist as your hands frame his face, only pulling back when your lungs nearly burn. 

"You should've done that a long time ago."

He chuckles against your lips, brown eyes boring into your own, pupils blown wide. "I was waiting for the right time." 

You drop another heated kiss to his flushed lips, humming into his mouth when he rolls your hips down into his own.

"You really wanna do this here?"

"I don't think I can hold out any longer. I need you, now." 

You rock down against him with another kiss.

"Whatever you say, Spiderman." 

Your hands are moving to tug off his costume, leaving him in tight briefs that leave little to the imagination. He shifts your position to pin you below him, stuffing his face into your neck to let his lips find your throat, and your hands are tangling in his messy hair, black nails massaging his scalp. His fingers crawl down your side to grab one of your thighs, hooking your leg over his hip as he drops his head lower to litter your collarbones with kisses, nipping gently at the exposed skin. 

Your hands fall from his hair to feel along the muscle of his chest, down his abs until they bump into the elastic band of his briefs, stilling against the fabric. His hips roll into your light touch, begging for something to rub against, and your hand drops lower to brush your fingers against him through the thin cotton, earning a quiet groan that melts into your skin. He draws back to take you in for a moment, kissing you, eager and hot, and a big hand snakes between you to delicately pull the zipper of your bodysuit down, shoving open the piece to let the warm air hit your bare chest. 

You slip your hand beneath his briefs to wrap your fingers around him, heavy in your hold, lazily running your fingers up the underside of his shaft. He's tugging at the sleeves of the bodysuit to push it down your arms, trailing kisses down your sternum as he does so, only pulling away to discard the garment beside you on the bed, immediately latching back onto you while one of his hands slowly inches lower to ghost over your cunt. He nudges aside the lacy black panties that just barely conceal you, his thick fingers exploring you, rolling over your clit a few times before they're soaking in your juices, pulling a quiet keen from your plump lips. He muffles your soft noises against his lips, his other hand sliding up your neck to cup the side of your face, and the way he's moving against you so languidly feels far more intimate than just any other fuck. He's being careful with you, taking in every mewl and whine you make, fingers working you perfectly, as if he already knows every part of you and how to touch you just right. 

"You doing okay?" He bumps the tip of his nose to yours, warm breath fanning across your lips. 

You nod, letting a hand come up to nestle in his hair. "I'm doing more than okay. Feels really good."

His thumb rubs circles into your clit, palm pushing against you when your hips begin to lift from the mattress, keeping you in place below him.

You need something else. It's not enough. 

"Mmph–Miguel…" You manage to whimper out his name, teeth tugging at your bottom lip. "I…" Your words melt into another moan, eyelids fighting to stay open.

"Hmm? What is it, gorgeous? Tell me." He caresses the side of your face, calloused thumb brushing over your cheekbone.

"I want you…I want you to fuck me. Please." Your cheeks burn, no doubt scalding to the touch as you stare up at him through your long lashes, gnawing at your bottom lip. 

He seems to short-circuit at your plea for a moment or two before he gives an avid nod, smooshing another kiss to your lips. "I'll give you anything you want if you keep asking like that. God, you are fuckin' perfect." 

His hand slips from between your thighs to grab at your panties, and the sound of the lace tearing apart pulls you out of your mind for a second.

"Miguel! Are you that impatient? Those were my favorite pair!" You can't hide the little giggle that carries your words, hands wrapping around his forearms.

"I'll buy you a new pair." He dismisses your comment with a kiss to your jaw, throwing the pathetic string of lace aside. 

He drags the tip of his cock along your slick folds a couple times before he's stretching you open, big hands catching the back of your knees to push your legs back towards your head, groaning low in his throat at the way your warm walls hug him tight. Your own hands grab at his strong arms, clinging to his wrists as he slowly rolls his hips into your own, and you bite back a moan when he bottoms out, stilling against you. He's big, but the stretch feels so good. Filling you to the hilt, overtaking all your senses as he cages you beneath him, nothing else on your mind but him.

"This alright?" He leans down to press little kisses to your cheek, thumbs absentmindedly rubbing shapes into the back of your knees.

"Mhm." You can't find the strength to conjure up anything intelligible, mind foggy with the little grunts he makes that make you want to squirm. 

His deep moans and hums tickle your skin, nose pressed into your neck as he rocks into you. His hands drop to the mattress, letting your legs hook over his big shoulders instead, and your nails dig into his biceps, clawing at him. His slow thrusts grow more eager, rocking you against the sheets as he lifts his head to look at you, watching your expression pinch and contort whenever he brushes that sweet spot. 

Your eyes water when his hips snap against you, faster and more brutal with every roll of his hips, teeth nearly drawing blood as they sink into your plump bottom lip, swollen from his constant need to be kissing you. One of his hands has snuck between your legs once more to pay special attention to your clit, making you a whimpering, mumbling mess below him. His other hand finds its way up to hold your chin, his thumb slipping between your lips to settle on your warm tongue, and you gently suck on the digit as your eyes find his. 

"Fuck…I'm not gonna last much longer if you keep looking at me like that."

Your eyebrows knit together when he hits that sweet spot inside you, a pathetically loud moan ripping through your vocal chords as your hips jerk. The bedframe screams with every rough slam of his hips, and he revels in every whine and hiccup that leaves your pretty lips, smearing his spit-slick thumb across your jawbone. His hips grow more erratic with every moment that passes, carelessly drilling into you in a desperate attempt to chase that high. His praises have devolved into gravelly mumbles, nose bridge pressed against your jaw as his warm breath hits your sticky skin, and one of your hands fumbles to wrap around his neck, keeping him close to you. His fingers work your clit tirelessly, a silent plea for you to finish, cock bullying your tight walls. 

His hips stutter as he comes, giving one more deep slam of his hips before filling you completely, panting heavy and uneven as he continues to rub circles into the sensitive bud. He slowly tilts his head to stick lazy, hot kisses to the underside of your jaw, urging you on as your legs begin to tremble. He grins against your skin when your thighs shake, coating his fingers in your juices as your orgasm hits you, comforting you with a kiss to the corner of your mouth as you come down. He lets your legs fall to frame his hips as he pulls out of you, bringing his hand up to run along your stomach, over your chest and curling behind your neck, thumbing over your jawline as your eyes tentatively find his.

"There you are, pretty girl. How're we feeling?" He looks almost lovestruck, his expression so tooth-rottingly sweet it makes your stomach do flips.

You hum quietly, leaning into his hold. "Perfect. A little tired, though." 

He smiles at you, dropping a kiss to the tip of your nose that has you smiling right back at him. 

He pulls himself away from you leisurely, running a hand down your side before getting up from the mattress, eyeing the mess of clothes scattered across the room. You sit up, leaning back on the heels of your palms as he moves to pick up his briefs. You both jump at the sudden knock on the door, and you panic when the doorknob twists. 

"Hey, Miguel! You in here? You-!"

His reflexes are quick enough to slam the door shut before whoever it was barging in could catch a glimpse of the filthy scene, eyes wide and head snapping towards you to find your own expression just as alarmed.

"What the fuck, man?! Knock first!"

"I did, dude!"

He growls quietly. "Well, wait for me to respond! You don't go around swinging doors open! I'll be down in a bit! Christ…" He twists the lock on the doorknob, running a hand down his face.

You're already pulling your clothes back on by the time he turns around, pulling the zipper up as he slips on his briefs.

"Sorry. I should've made sure it was locked earlier."

You shake your head, waving him off and pushing him away from the door to look in the mirror, eyes widening at your reflection.

"Holy shit. My makeup is fucked." There's black streaks of dried tears staining your hot cheeks, lip gloss smeared and cat ears askew.

He stands behind you, and you want to disappear. This is what was under him that whole time? Utterly mortifying.

"Here, let me help. Look at me." 

You shamefully spin around, avoiding his eyes as his hands come up to hold your face. His thumbs run over the black marks on your face, gently wiping at them as you sigh.

"What are you sighing about?"

He continues to swipe at the messy makeup, rubbing his finger under your lips to pick up the excess gloss.

"Why didn't you tell me I looked like shit?"

He hums softly, holding you still. "Cause you don't. You look pretty. Some messy makeup isn't gonna change that." He leans closer to your ear, his breath tickling your skin. "And in all honesty, it was really hot."

You push him away with an amused giggle. "Whatever. Let me at least put some more lip gloss on." You grab the tube from the wardrobe, but he picks it from your hand before you can turn back to the mirror. "What the hell-?"

"Shh. Just let me do it." You roll your eyes but let him tilt your head back, smearing the shiny gloss across your lips. "Can I give you one more kiss before we go out there?"

He dips his head to stick one last long kiss to your soft lips when you begrudgingly nod, flattening your hair and fixing your ears when he draws back. You turn back to the mirror, pleasantly surprised at his handiwork.

"Oh my god, the contest! Hurry up and get dressed! I totally forgot about it."

He groans as you stuff your lip gloss back into the cup of your bodysuit, pulling on the tight spandex costume and following you out of the quiet room. The subtle looks you get as you pull him down the stairs makes you both giddy and horrified, keeping your head down as you shove past people. You can hear someone on the stereo system saying something about the runner up winner, and you deflate a bit. 

"Dammit! We missed it."

He nuzzles his face into your neck as he comes up behind you, sighing. "Well, since it's too late for the contest, why don't we get out of here? I think we both could use some sleep"

You hum in a quiet agreement, letting him pull you out the rowdy house and into the cool night air. 

"And don't think you don't still owe me for putting me in this stupid costume."

[bureau-of-mines]

Thoughts on Stalker 2 so far:

It's fucking 155 GB and literally took 8 hours to download at 40 mb/s

I had to literally disable my firewall in order to get it to actually run since somehow portions of the info it needed from steam were getting cockblocked.

It takes a lot of notes from Metro Exodus imo, but not in a bad way. Also not in a good way, it kind of annoys me that they tried to make some things better but couldn't do Metro levels of polish and ended up halfway in between. The controls feel like they were built more around catering to the consolefag market with very limited buttons (ie some item quickmenus are quickpress vs. longpress) and since I really only play PC I find it kind of dampening my ability to operate the controls effectively

My PC is not super old but it was a top of the line gaming computer 6-8 years ago. It runs it OK on medium and better on low.

I wish the voice actors were Ukrainian (or at least Slavic) instead of obviously United Kingdom. Currently have the Voice Audio option set to Ukrainian since the "Oye Mate Bloody Hell didya See that there Bloodsucker" is ruining the immersion. (Kidding, it's not that bad, but I'm really used to the slower, lower tones of Slavic voices when playing Stalker/Metro so it just works better for me, vibe wise).

All this said, it's not bad. It smells like stalker. It tastes like stalker. I'm having fun. Idk what the fuck the plot is, but goddammit, it's STALKER.

Rough personal opinion after 4 hours? It's not a No Mans Sky or Cyberpunk situation, but it's solidly in the spirit of Slavjank. I do not regret buying it.

[daryltwdixon]

Hihi! I’m here with some writer’s asks (sorry if it’s a lot 😅)

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction? 

🕯️ ⇢ on a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you enjoy editing? why is that?

🥑 ⇢ you accidentally killed somebody, which mutual(s) do you text for help?

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

🌻 ⇢ tag someone you appreciate but don't talk to on a regular basis

🐇 ⇢ do you prefer writing original characters, reader inserts, or a mix of both? 

🧃 ⇢ share some personal lore you never posted about before

🧸 ⇢ what's the fastest way to become your mutual?

📚 ⇢ what's the last thing you wrote down in your notes app? 

❄️ ⇢ what's your dream theme/plot for a fic, and who would write it best?

🏜️ ⇢ what's your favourite type of comment to receive on your work?

🍦 ⇢ name three good things about a character you hate

🦴 ⇢ is there a piece of media that inspires your writing? 

☁️ ⇢ what made you choose your username?

🧩 ⇢ what will make you click away from a fanfiction immediately?

Thank you sm for the love 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction? 

when I was part of the 1d fandom in 2012ish I wrote a tonnnn of fanfiction on my blog 😅 I had no business writing and reading so much filth

🕯️ ⇢ on a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you enjoy editing? why is that?

oy vey. Honestly, id give it like a 6, it’s not terrible but rereading the same thing over and over again will make me crazy after awhile LMAO I do like it cause I’ll write a pretty basic outline of a scene out then go in and fill in where I can to add layers and texture!!

🥑 ⇢ you accidentally killed somebody, which mutual(s) do you text for help?

@chockholdsillegal not saying we’d be great at covering our tracks but this my homie right here (and your job might help us be able to get rid of evidence in a way other people don’t have access to 🤔)

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

forever and always will rec @heathermason6060 like holy shit their Matchmaker Merle pt 1??? Serial killer rick and daryl??? 🧑‍🍳💋

🌻 ⇢ tag someone you appreciate but don't talk to on a regular basis

@weirdoneattheparty your internet sleuthing is incredible and more people need to appreciate the work it takes for the shit you are able to dig up

🐇 ⇢ do you prefer writing original characters, reader inserts, or a mix of both? 

I like reader inserts ! Writing them and reading them personally! Like partially yes I am the character but also they are their own character at the same time w a totally different lore than me and putting myself in their shoes is just as fun. Like would I make all the decisions fmc would? No but im not about to complain about a character acting morally gray or making bad decisions cause if they didn’t there would literally be no plot lmao

🧃 ⇢ share some personal lore you never posted about before

speaking of lore hmm you want like normal? I own my own pet sitting business on the east coast in the US :) I’m also a surrogate baby and have a bunch of half sibs that I’m close with now as an adult!

🧸 ⇢ what's the fastest way to become your mutual?

slide into them DMs and let’s be friends OR if you reblog good stories or write interesting stuff! I also follow people who regularly comment on my writing cause I love you sm

📚 ⇢ what's the last thing you wrote down in your notes app? 

here’s a screenshot of something I saved for Heart of Us inspo! I have a long note of drabbles of dialogue / scene ideas and screenshots of things I find so this one was from tik tok

❄️ ⇢ what's your dream theme/plot for a fic, and who would write it best?

god as cliche as it is I love a good and juicy love triangle. I also love when reader/fmc is able to handle herself and is tough as nails. I mean I’m literally writing the fanfic I want to see so idk what else but also I love @heathermason6060 because she writes an amazingly desperate and needy daryl so whenever I need a hit of that to my system I go to her ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

🏜️ ⇢ what's your favourite type of comment to receive on your work?

honestly I love any and all comments when they’re kind! But esp when someone is like “holy shit” lmao or even just a really nice “can’t stop reading this” or “so glad I found this” I’m telling you comments make my day and make me want to keep writing!! I love any and all!! ❤️

🍦 ⇢ name three good things about a character you hate

ooof… well I’m gonna go with a character I hate at this exact moment in my rewatch which is Eugene. Let me complain then I’ll say something nice. EUGENE YOU WERE SO EASY TO MAKE THE FLIP TO NEGAN YOU ASSHOLE WTF. Ok nice things he’s v smart for someone who was a liar / fraud he still knows how to do SO MUCH !!! He also was v kind when he told negan’s wives he knew they were there not of their own volition and didn’t want to take advantage of them. I also understand why he flipped to negan so readily because they treated him so freaking well and he was always being ridiculed and told he wasn’t enough back w his old group!

🦴 ⇢ is there a piece of media that inspires your writing? 

Other than the obvious in watching the show, god I love music. Whenever I hear a good lyric I’m like oh shit I need to base an entire story around that or the feeling music will give I’m like this is how daryl would feel or fmc would feel when this and that happen!! Poetry is also a huge one, as seen above with my recent screenshot to my notes.

☁️ ⇢ what made you choose your username?

when I’ve been on tumblr before I knew short and sweet is usually best, and the fact twd fit so well into Daryl Dixon I said let’s try this lmao and it worked!! So now I am Daryl the walking Dixon lmao

🧩 ⇢ what will make you click away from a fanfiction immediately?

this goes for books/novels as well. You need to show me how a character is feeling, show me the scenery, the atmosphere instead of TELLING me. My favorite example of this comes from Harry Potter which does way better to explain than I could writing out everything:

Instead of “Harry started crying”, in GOF it says “The thing against which [Harry] had been fighting on and off ever since he had come out of the maze was threatening to overpower him. He could feel a burning, prickling feeling in the inner corners of his eyes. He blinked and stared up at the ceiling.”

This goes for atmosphere/scenery too! What the heck are the smells! The sounds! What does it feel like!! So whenever fanfic or books do nothing to embellish any feelings I usually click out or DNF

[local-hyena]

Kid Icarus Uprising is definitly one of oy favorite 3DS games ! I just finished it and loved every second of it. In this game, you play as Pit, an angel. Helped by Lady Palutena, goddess of light, you will fight the armies of the underworld in order to save the world from Hades. I especially enjoyed the characters in this game. But I'll come back to that later.

Each level is composed of two phases : air battle and land battle. Air battle is a rail shotyer while land battle allows you free movement. Similarly to Star Fox 64's levels. Your objectives is to shoot as many ennemies as possible to obtain hearts (some sort of currency) and a high score. At the beginning of each level you will bet hearts : the more hearts you bet, the harder the level will be, but you'll get better rewards.

You also have a variety of weapons to choose from. I personally like the long-range weapon better, as well as fast ones. I especially enjoy playing with the bow, but staffs and blades are good too. I do not like claws, clubs and arms. I haven't played with palms, orbitars and cannons too much.

You can fuse your weapons to get better ones : weapons in this game don't have stats, but they all have effects, and by fusion weapons, you can get a mix of effects that corresponds better to your playstyle.

The story is 25 chapters long. The dialogues and fighting happen at the same time. Thourought the chapters, you will meet a varued cast of chatacters. Mostly gods.

Speaking of characters ! As much as I love Pit, my favorite character is Magnus. He appears in chapter two as an ally, and you fight with hil for most of the level. He's badass as hell and very strong ! He's also mysterious. We don't know much about him or his past. At some point you even play as Magnus ! Which is insanely cool !! Of course, I like Pit too, as well as Dark Pit (I'm sorry but Pittoo is fuckin ridiculous). Pit's cute. Dark Pit is... kinda there ? But cool. And, well, Hades. The big bad guy. He radiates fun. I always like it when villains are joking around while destroying the world like it's nothing.

However, as enjoyable as this game is, it also has a lot of cons :

This game is essentially a twin stick shooter. On a 3DS. See what's wrong ? The console only has one circle pad. In order to control your camera/aiming, you have to use the touch screen. The controls, overall, are a pain in the ass.

The difficulty is something you can easily manipulate in this game. However, the difference between how difficult the level is and how difficult the bosses are is... astounding. The bosses are way too easy compared to the levels. It takes like, about a minut to finish one, whereas the the regular air and land battles are quite difficult. It's a good challenge, but it's unbalanced.

As I said, the dialogues and fighting happen at the same time, and it's really difficult to follow both. While tou can change where the subtitles (if you want them) are displayed, I took way too much damage when trying to follow the story.

I feel like the characters are under-developped. I'm taking back Magnus as an example. We have very little informations about his motivations, and why he is almost as powerful as an angel is never explained. Dark Pit suffers the wame fate : his whole existence is... pointless. He was kinda accidentally created, and by how he was portrayed at first, we would expect him to become an antagonist, or at least a secondary one. But no. Oh, but then, does he become a good guy ? Not exactly either. He is... kinda neutral. The thing I'm the most annoyed by is that his role is... well, he doesn't really have one. His action don't affe t the story too much. I wish he had been more important.

I also wish there was more bonuses when you finish the game. You do get a boss rush challenge, but I wish we'd at least get the option to change the menu's theme : either Palutena's or Viridi's. I would've LOVED a Hades theme. Oh, one small detail I like about the menu is that you can move the buttons around. It's very fun to play with.

One last thing that disappointed me : the vehicles. Don't get me wrong, I love the vehicles. Cherubot is my favorite one. But the game does not use them to their full potential. They are sometimes found in levels. You can do à section with them. But that's all. I wish there were levels dedicated entirely to these vehicles. For example : I don't remember when this happens, but there's a part in which you have to use the motorcycle on a trail, and this was a good use of the motorcycle.

In conclusion, Kid Icarus : Uprising is an excellent game for all people looking for fun ! It does have cons, but hey all games do, and they don't ruin the gameplay or anything, so it's fine. I enjoyed playing this game, and I think you would too !

[mariacallous]

To celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, Max and Sophie, siblings in an interfaith family, bake up a batch of gingerbread dreidels.

That’s the plot of a new children’s book out this year, but it could be a real-life occurrence this month, when the first night of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Day. Among the children’s books released ahead of the holidays are several that nod to the unusual calendar convergence and the increasing share of families that include both Jews and people who are not Jewish.

Other notable new Hanukkah children’s books include one about a unique menorah used at the White House; a compendium of stories and essays for older kids; and picture books featuring a bear, a puppy and a dragon.

Here’s a rundown of the new books on the Hanukkah market in 2024.

“Gingerbread Dreidels” Jane Breskin Zalben; illustrated by Thai My PhuongCharlesbridge; ages 4-7

In Jane Zalben’s new book, Max and Sophie are excited for the start of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, which both begin the next day. The siblings are growing up in an interfaith family and celebrate both holidays with all their grandparents. They bake up a batch of gingerbread dreidels – a blend of each holiday’s traditions. When their grandparents arrive the next morning, they welcome Hanukkah and Christmas with latkes, pudding and holiday stories. My Phuong’s illustrations capture the kids’ joy and the book includes a recipe and instructions for readers to make their own gingerbread dreidels.

“Oy, Santa!: Or, There’s a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah” Joyce Schriebman; illustrated by Gila von MeissnerIntergalactic Afikoman; ages 4-9

In Joyce Schriebman’s humorous story, Oliver Overstreet hits send on an email to Santa to let the jolly North Pole gift-giver know that he is Jewish and that Santa and his reindeer can skip his chimney. As the pages unfold, Oliver sets Santa straight, to make sure he knows the difference between Hanukkah and Christmas and that Santa should never eat potato latkes with ketchup.

“Let It Glow” Marissa Meyer and Joanne LevyFeiwel and Friends; ages 8-12

When two 12-year-old girls, each adopted at birth, meet by chance, they discover that they are identical twins. Aviva Davis, a vivacious Broadway hopeful, is growing up in an interfaith, interracial family and loves to hang out with her Jewish Bubbe. Holly Martin, who is Christian and lives with her mother and grandfather, is a more reserved book nerd. In this coming-of-age story, told in the twins’ alternating voices, the sisters secretly switch places at home just in time for Hanukkah and Christmas. When their mischievous scheme goes too far, Aviva and Holly argue. A family health scare draws the two unsuspecting families together in this Chrismukkah “Parent Trap” mashup, and Aviva and Holly realize the resilience of family bonds and gain a deeper meaning of their faiths.

“My Dreidel” Ann Diament KoffskyApples & Honey Press; ages birth to 1

Young ones will relate to the child-like pup in Ann Koffsky’s cheerful board book when she tries to spin the Hanukkah dreidel with her paws. Her older brother helps out as they spin and dance till they plop like the dreidel.

“Don’t Invite a Bear Inside for Hanukkah” Karen Rostoker-Gruber; illustrated by Carles ArbatApples & Honey Press; ages 3-6

There’s mayhem in this laugh-out-loud story when a young boy invites a Jewish bear into his house for his family’s Hanukkah celebration. But when the fun turns messy, the boy asks his new friend to leave, a decision he instantly regrets after he realizes the bear is sad. All ends well when the thoughtful boy invites the bear back to celebrate together — outside.

“Uri and the King of Darkness: A Hanukkah Story” Nati Bait; illustrated by Carmel Ben Ami; translated by Ilan KurshanKalaniot Books; ages 4-9

As Hanukkah is about to begin, Uri and his sister Shir worry about their father when he is late coming home from work. Uri is frightened by a dark evening shadow cast from outside his window. He musters his courage, and with Shir, they fend off the imagined monster, waving his toy shield and Shir’s child umbrella. When their father arrives home bearing a boxful of sufganiyot, the fried jelly donuts enjoyed at Hanukkah, the family lights the menorah, with a more confident Uri, knowing he can draw on Hanukkah’s power of light to vanquish his fears.

“A Dragon For Hanukkah” Sarah Mlynowski; illustrated by Ariel Landy Orchard Press; ages 3-8

Hannah gets a dragon on the first night of Hanukkah, kicking off a holiday full of imagination, surprise and whimsy. This lavishly illustrated picture book is meant for both experienced celebrators of Hanukkah and people who are just learning about the holiday.

“Beam of Light: The Story of the First White House Menorah” Elisa Boxer; illustrated by Sofia MooreRocky Pond Books; ages 4-8

In 1948, the interior of the White House had to be completely renovated, requiring the “People’s House” to be closed. Some of the original wood was salvaged and put in storage. In this picture book, families discover the little known White House history of how, some 70 years later, a master woodworker transformed one of the pieces of rescued wood into a stunning Hanukkah menorah. In 2022, President Joe Biden kindled the menorah during the White House Hanukkah celebration.

“Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights: A Hanukkah Story” Charlotte Offsay; illustrated by Menahem HalberstadtDoubleday Books for Young Readers; ages 4-7

A multi-generational, racially diverse family gathers in the home of a young girl to celebrate Hanukkah with old and new traditions. They fry up batches of potato latkes, light the menorah and sing and dance.

“Hanukkah (Celebrations & Festivals)” Lesléa Newman; illustrated by Rotem TeplowQuarto Books; ages 5-7

Meet Lior, a young Israeli who’s the perfect, kid-friendly explainer-in-chief for all things Hanukkah. As Lior’s multicultural family gathers to celebrate, he shares the joy of the holiday and gently guides young readers through the hows and whys of the holiday. This engaging read-aloud includes blessings, crafts and Hanukkah greetings from around the world.

“The Festival of Lights: 16 Hanukkah Stories” Edited by Henry HerzAlbert Whitman & Company; ages 9-12

This Hanukkah collection — which includes stories, poetry and a comic — is geared toward older children and independent readers. In Herz’s humorous entry, “Der Verzauberte Löffel,” Caleb, a Jewish seventh-grader, impulsively bets that he’ll win his school’s holiday bake-off against Tyler, the classmate who bullies him. In an unexpected finish, Caleb — and Tyler — learn about forgiveness and second chances. Other works include “A Light in Darkness,”  Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s story set in London during World War II, and Erica Perl’s “The Most Jewish Christmas Song Ever” that will strike a chord with theater lovers.

“The Day I Became A Potato Pancake” Arie Kaplan; illustrated by Beilin XuApples & Honey Press; ages 7-9

In this action-packed, comic-style chapter book, Naomi and Ben use their sleuthing skills to get into Naomi’s mother’s garage-turned-science lab. When the overly-enthusiastic kids set off an unexpected escapade, Ben is transformed into a potato latke. In a race against time, Naomi’s mother tries to reverse the experiment. It’s a page-turning whodunit that takes the friends into outer space and back.

“Rachel Friedman and Eight Not-Perfect Nights of Hanukkah” Sarah Kapit; illustrated by Genevieve KoteHenry Holt and Co.; ages 5-9

In the first chapter book featuring Rachel Friedman, a plucky grade-schooler who has ADHD and a strong Jewish identity, Rachel learned important lessons about when to follow rules — and when to break them. In the second, Rachel returns with high hopes for a festive Hanukkah. Instead, she has to overcome her brother Aaron’s bah-humbug holiday grumpiness.

“The Light From My Menorah: Celebrating Holidays around the World” Robin Heald; illustrated by Andrea BlinickPajama Press; ages 4-7

In this lavishly illustrated picture book, a young boy celebrates Hanukkah with his family. He follows the light of the flickering flames as it travels across the world, where he sees families celebrating Diwali, Kwanzaa and Christmas, winter holidays with their own candle-lighting rituals that shine with the universal hope of light against darkness.

[trivijoy]

﹙ 🎢 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ the reve festival: trivijoy

• as a fun little way to show my appreciation i've decided to host an event! thank u to @y-ves who started this trend and gave me permission to make one of my own<33

﹙ 🎡 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ main event instructions

• there will be a total of 4 activities, to participate in any of them first reblog this post and tag a friend or two, using the hashtag "#the reve festival: trivijoy"

• this event lasts exactly 1 week so don't be shy and join the fun!

﹙ 🎠 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ activity 1: zimzalabim

(for moodboard accounts)

• pick any b-side on this album and dm me the name of the one you've chosen using a format like this

"the reve festival: zimzalabim = parade"

• then based on your answer I'll give you a red velvet member and you'll make a moodboard using that member. there's no requirements to the moodboard other than it must have the member that I assign you with <3

• make sure to @ me in the post and use the hashtag "#the reve festival: zimzalabim"

﹙ 🥤 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ activity 2: milkshake

(also for moodboard accounts)

• head on over to my spotify account, check my following list and pick an artist OR go to my other account @trivij-oy and send me an ask with an emoji and I'll give you an artist.

• then make a moodboard based on said artist's most recent comeback. if the artist you picked/that was given is a group then you can choose whether to do the full group or just use a/some member/s in the moodboard.

• make sure to @ me in the post and use the hashtag "#the reve festival: milkshake"

﹙ 🎪 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ activity 3: bing bing

(anyone can take part)

• i absolutely adore animals! yall do not wanna know how many pets i have 😨 one of my signature marks in my content is animals, i always try to add pictures of animals in whatever i post!

• this activity is pretty much a counting game. your task is to count how many posts on my blog have animals in them in some way, whether it be images, dividers, emojis, anything that has an animal in any of my posts, then dm me the number using a format like this

"the reve festival: bing bing = 123"

• this does not count for any content I post after the challenge has started bc the number will keep changing !!! and if i catch yall giggling at my old posts i'm gon fight 😞

﹙ 🎈 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ activity 4: parade

(anyone can take part) (insp @hearts4pixxie)

• this is a pretty standard basic guess the idol game, to take part dm me with the format

the reve festival: parade = clue?

• then i'll give you a hint and you'll have to guess which idol/idol group i'm talking about. it's the same question for everybody and you get one guess (but you'll get a second hint if you've already taken part in any of the first 3 activities)

﹙ 🩷 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ activity 5: lp

(anyone can take part)

• this one technically isn't an activity just a lil memory keeping thing

• i bought this like mini printer and i've started a scrapbook and i would love to make a section dedicated to my time on tumblr! just type in the comments something random or funny that i can print out and stick in my scrapbook 🫶🏾

﹙ 🍬 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ prizes (activity 1&2)

1st place : 88 reblogs, 10 custom mbs, 3 custom watermark-less fancams, 7 custom flash gifs, custom blog layout, + 7 follows

2nd place : 66 reblogs, 6 custom mbs, 2 custom watermark-less fancams, 4 custom flash gifs, + 5 follows

3rd place : 44 reblogs, 4 custom mbs, 1 custom watermark-less fancam, 2 custom flash gifs, + 3 follows

4th & 5th : 22 reblogs, 2 custom mbs, 1 custom flash gifs, + 2 follows

6th + : participation prize ×2 + custom mb

participation : 12 reblogs + 1 follow (so technically the person who wins 1st gets 100 reblogs and 8 follows)

﹙ 🍭 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ prizes (activity 3)

first 5 to get the correct number : 35 reblogs, + 3 follows

anyone else that gets it correct : 13 reblogs, + 1 follow

﹙ 🚃 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ prizes (activity 4)

first 5 to guess correctly : 25 reblogs, + 3 follows

anyone else that gets it correct : 10 reblogs, + 1 follow

﹙ 🪿 ﹚ ✶ ׅ ࣪ prizes (activity 5)

getting your message stuck in my scrapbook forever (or until i lose it which is more likely 💀)

If you have any questions just dm me !!<3 I hope y'all take part and have fun 🫶🏾

[chiquititaosita]

shikamaru w/ a latina s/o (tóxica edición) PART 2

part one

post type: Headcanon

context: tóxica doesnt necessarily mean a toxic girl who loves toxic relationships. in my eyes tóxica means a girl who has been hurt so many times, to WHERES she’s been giving everyone (that wants to be involved with her romantically) the same treatment she was given, toxicity. A tóxica is someone who is toxic but loves deeply. they have a good heart but can get ugly real quick if you push them to get very mad. Another definition is just a girl who loves deeply, and takes pain to a whole ass other type of crazy..as a Latina, I can tell you we all have tóxica traits within us. I honestly believe since Shikamaru is machismo (misogynistic), tóxica y/n will put this bitch aka my bitch in his place. but honestly she did change him. you can’t prove me otherwise.

- when it comes to women yes shikamaru thought you were easy to get on their bad side. (Hehe ino and temari

-ENEMIES TO FRIENDS TO LOVERS TROUPE I SAID IT I SAID IT! YOURE WELCOME

-“what a drag…you really think you can do that?”

-boy was he wrong

-“shouldn’t you be doing something else? other than fighting?”

-“shouldn’t you be coming up with better strategies, other than being a fucking smart ass and staring at my titties homeboy?”

-MANS WENT QUIET, 😳😨bestie stood up to the the smartest person in all of the hidden village.

- The minute you’re walking into the room he’s always got a smirk on his face.

-“Kiss my ass you know want to papi!”

-this bitch loves teasing you. A LOT

- “Aye that’s my man! Get the fuck away from him!”

-“No I’m not letting it slide! OYE PENDEJA!? YEAH YOU GET YOUR PINCHE ESUKINLA ASS OVER HERE!”

-“¡¿DE VERDAD PENSASTE QUE IBA A DEJAR ESO CUANDO HABLAS MIERDA DE MI HOMBRE?!” the fact you beat a girls ass because she was giving him a stink eye. and slammed her man on the ground too, never underestimate the power of La chancla.

-Shikamaru knew you were strong, he just didn’t see it. he doesn’t like to be proven wrong.

- he loves to fucking push your buttons with his sly tongue.

-“come here mamas.” His love language is quality time and physical touch. He’ll do what he can to make sure you’re alright.

-y’all making fun of each other is y’all’s main love language.

-“I love you.” He’ll bluntly say it even if he doesn’t say as much in public. He’ll say to it you often when y’all are with a couple of friends, or alone together.

- he protects you don’t get me wrong, he just becomes a little bit defensive

-EXTREMELY POSSESSIVE! it’s adorable to watch.

-when everyone’s finds out y’all are together it’s super funny. No one sees it coming.

-his parents love you. I mean literally

-his mom always considers you a daughter she’s never had.

-When you and his mom get on his ass it’s a sight to see for shikaku. Literally he won’t stop laughing til he’s on the floor crying.

-“hmph troublesome woman.”

- in conclusion he’s yours suck it up. Y’all are stuck with eachother

sanjismexicanaesposa.copyright 2023. please do not translate,plagiarize, or take credit. I don’t own any of the characters. neither do you grow tf up

[serendertothesquad]

Seren's Studies: Odd Squad UK -- "Villain of the Year" Episode Followup, Part 2

It's like a subtle reminder telling everyone to vote or something! Hmmmmmmm oh yes I do wonderrrrrrr- below the break.

"villains only care about themselves"

they're voting for other villains

So tell me why they can't vote for themselves, then? Did they try that and it fell through so they gave up voting for themselves as a sacrifice?

I mean...if "Flawed Squad" can do it...

And this, folks, is what we call "having moxie". Clearly Athena saw that one King of Queens episode and it lives in her mind rent-free.

There is exactly one joke I can make here and it's an innuendo I'm not even uttering it but Osgood is FUCKING TEMPTING ME.

It would have been fine if the man elaborated, but hmmmm nooooooooo.

...He...he...hay? He makes hay? That makes people itch?

I don't know. I got nuffin'. I've looked at this damn uniform up and down five times and that's the best my brain-fogged mind has got. Either the man picked a dumbass name or Athena popped a weed gummy and thought the name "Mr. H" was hilarious somehow.

"Don't worry, Bob, we'll get you some cream."

*deep inhale* No. I'm not touching this. No. Not a chance in hell.

Did...did she just say "portholes and popcorn"?

The "portholes" part is relevant, but...fucking "popcorn"?

I don't know about you guys...but it seems a little out-of-character for Captain O to be giving up so easily. Seems like she might've stolen some ideas from Arctic Mr. O in that regard.

SEE???? YOU SEE???? THEY C A N VOTE FOR THEMSELVES SO WHY DON'T THEY?!?!?!?!?!

Oh my God, this is so stupidly convoluted that I have to wonder if this really is some jab at American politics and Athena just moved from America to Britain in recent years.

(I'd say British politics is a more accurate jab, but I don't know their state of politics nor do I know if it's as fucked up as America's.)

But...his mom's not part of the Villain Club, so why does she vote? If she were in the Villain Club it'd be 22 total votes because there are 22 members.

Again, way too convoluted and ass-fucking-backwards.

Okay, this transition with the bubbles and the streamers is cute. I like it.

He gave them bubble tea, sure, but will it send them to the astral plane like with Orla when she tried it?

Spoiler alert: it will not because Athena has never seen OddTube Season 2 in her life.

MMMMMDOYOUGEDDIT.

'CAUSE CAPTAIN O...SHE...SHE HAD A SAMMICH...AND THEY HAD BUBBLE TEA AND NOW THEY'RE FLO- WHY ARE YOU NOT LAUGHING. LAUGH GOD DAMN YOU.

And your credits for this episode. Turns out Osip's name really is spelled with one S.

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

Overall...raising the bar by a few inches was a mistake. It really should have been a few inches lower, not higher. Goopy Gus somehow being there as a mention -- and a very gratuitous one, mind you -- did not save this episode by a long shot. For an election episode, it was far too convoluted and I've watched election episodes of this franchise with simpler terms and conditions, like "Captain Fun".

Though really...given how Athena hasn't written any kids stuff before, I can't say I'm surprised at this point. Lack of kids content in the resume is pretty much a sign the episode's dead in the water before it's even watched, for me anyway.

Oy...well, anyway. Next up is "Planes, Trains and Oddmobiles". I don't know how much better this one will be, but I'll be bracing myself either way.

Seren out!

[metalsongoftheday]

Friday, September 20: Saxon, "The Secret of Flight"

Saxon has been on an especially consistent run since they began working with Andy Sneap on 2013’s Sacrifice, and 2018’s Thunderbolt was yet another blast of aged NWOBHM that kicked ass with grizzled confidence.  A lot of it had to do with comfort and conviction: “The Secret of Flight” could’ve appeared on any Saxon record since at least 2001 (if not 1992), but it didn’t sound formulaic or rote because Biff and the guys remained enthusiastic.  Even if we’d mostly heard all of this before, they played as if this was something new they’d just cooked up, and that made the hooks and energy stickier.  One could laugh at the idea of Biff pondering airplanes and going “oy, I wonder what that’s all about, could be a song there”, but that was also a big part of what made “The Secret of Flight” both charming and fun, and the rest of the band remained a powerhouse as players, so it didn’t take a lot of lifting to just enjoy the tune for what it was, and also to continue appreciating Saxon as an ongoing concern.

[standupcomedyhistorian]

Hi, everyone!

As a huge Black Mirror fan, I was psyched about the new season but had tempered my expectations after season 5's awfulness.

And well...

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

This was legit the best season since season 3! 🙌🏼

I absolutely adored Demon 79 (very Swarm with the awkward murders), and Loch Henry got SO intense with the crazy twist. I also LOVED the mask parallel with the BAFTA statue...so clever!

I'm seeing that people weren't into Mazey Day, but I enjoy any paparazzi takedown, and the early oughts setting was fun (loved seeing Zazie again since Atlanta ended). Very "Britney's New Look" on South Park, and I didn't pick up on the double meaning of "shoot me" until reading the comments (oy!). Loved the use of Muse's "Supermassive Black Hole" as well!

Finally, I was SO impressed by Josh Hartnett's acting in Beyond the Sea. I remember when he was a big teen heartthrob (I had a roommate that was obsessed with him in college), but I hadn't seen him in anything since that abomination Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck. Let's just say...he has aged really well, and him growing a beard in space reminded me of Bo in Inside! Haha

Just noticed the Y in "Beyond" is the symbol from White Bear...nice (I've even made that icon on my Rubik's cube)!

Aaron Paul was also FANTASTIC in that episode. Fun fact: Bo and Aaron had a weird and hilarious interaction on Twitter after Aaron saw what. for the first time. The parenthetical asides are so clever!

My least favorite was definitely Joan Is Awful. Too over-the-top for me, but Salma Hayek was pretty funny in it, and boy did I love the Michael Cera cameo (George Michael!).

What did you think of the newest season of Black Mirror? What's your opinion of Charlie Brooker and his writing—do you think any episodes will be nominated for an Emmy? I could easily see BTS getting a nod, particularly Josh and Aaron.

I'm also now really excited about a "Red Mirror" spinoff if it maintains the campy '70s vibe...reminded me of Hammer horror films ✌🏼

[parachutedreams]

open to: m prefered, f/nb // any that makes sense, taboo welcome, multiple muses welcome as well if you want! // 35+ prefered plot: b*mbofication & free use, anyone? note: rules in source & using beta editor! muse: while written with nora, if you want archie, luna, odessa, or rory are available for this too @indiestarter

Nora did exactly as she was told - show up at the party wearing the dress he'd picked out. She didn't know what kind of party it was, she had been given the smallest bit of instructions, but she was used to that. Since they'd started their little arrangement, she usually wasn't kept in the loop. That was better though. The less she had to think, the better. He did all the thinking, she did all the fun stuff he wanted her to do, or that he wanted to use her for. She was perfectly content playing the perfect little s*ex t*oy if that's what he wanted from her.

She raised her fist and knocked on the door, smiling when he opened the door for her, "Right on time, just like you told me."

[thegoodduckfan]

That's true. I just think "Jesus christ!" has a very mice ring to it as an exclamation. I do also use a lot of "oy vey"s in mild situations, because that's a very fun exclamation too.

Jewish culture is exclaiming, "jesus christ!" at mild inconveniences

[hareofhrair]

Art from the most recent ask in its own post. Shafan has a run in with a clown.

story under the cut

HH: =oh i've had run ins with m=ore'n a few cl=owns, n=one of em pleasant.

HH: best =one was a sweep =or s=o back. i was cruisin this lil shindig a friend =of a friend was thr=owin

HH: m=ost everyb=ody there was a rusty, but tha thing ab=out thr=owin a g=o=od party is

HH: cl=owns will just sh=ow up

HH: they just manifest there =or s=omethin s=o=on as things really kick off

HH: like the way bleatbeasts just show up at metal c=oncerts

HH: anyway everyb=ody kn=ows y=ou thr=ow a big en=ough party yer runnin tha risk a cl=owns deciding ta crash it

HH: but generally speakin cl=owns aint subtle and when they sh=ow up ya kn=ow what's happenin

HH: s=o i'm at this party and havin a real g=o=od time

HH: maybe a lil drunker than I =ought ta be

HH: when i sp=ot this Big B=oy lurkin in a c=orner b=o=oth

HH: and yall kn=ow i like em big

HH: s=o i slide in and intr=oduce myself

HH: i feel it's imp=ortant ta menti=on here that the lightin in this place was n=ot s=o g=o=od

HH: and als=o my eyesight leaves a lil s=omethin ta be desired

HH: by which i mean im blind as tha pr=overbial flyin squeakbeast

HH: s=o between that and bein pretty sl=oshed i d=ont n=otice anythin suspici=ous ab=out this gentleman

HH: i start talkin ta tha fella, and he's a bit quiet, aint sayin much

HH: but that's fine i can run my m=outh en=ough fer tha b=oth a us, and i d=o

HH: lil while later, i get ta askin him if he w=ouldn't like ta walk me h=ome, if ya gather my meanin

HH: he says that s=ounds like fun, and we slip =out tha back a tha j=oint

HH: i'm hangin =off his arm, havin tr=ouble walkin straight, when I l=o=ok up an get my first g=o=od gander at tha guy under a streetlight

HH: and i see greasepaint, and a big =ole grin

HH: that'll s=ober a fella up p=owerful fast let me tell ya

HH: n=ow i mighta just g=one al=ong with tha guy and b=olted at tha first good excuse

HH: but apparently i was t=o=o drunk ta manage my facial expressi=ons, cus he sees h=ow i'm l=o=okin at him and his smile if anythin just gets wider.

HH: finally n=oticed, did ya? he says. that mean i cain't walk ya h=ome n=o m=ore? =oh well, tha =other way w=oulda been m=ore fun, but we can still have a g=o=od time.

HH: and he drags me =off int=o an alley and pulls o=ut a club, ready ta splatter me acr=oss tha pavement like a p=opped water bal=o=on

HH: but i tend ta babble when i'm scared, and all =of a sudden i say

HH: hell nah, y'all can't kill me like this, it ain't even funny!

HH: where's tha w=ordplay? tha creativity?

HH: yer just g=onna smash me with a club in an alleyway?

HH: where's tha fuckin craftsmanship? where's tha art?

HH: and that actually makes him st=op fer a minute

HH: and he just l=o=oks at me fer a bit, an then he says

HH: kn=ow what, yer right. Culls =ought ta be gl=ori=ous in tha sight a tha messiahs =or s=ome shit

HH: and i say hey ya kn=ow what w=ould be funny

HH: im a real fast runner, faster than hell

HH: and there's a train what comes thr=ough here right at sunrise

HH: let's say y=ou challenge me t=o a race with tha train

HH: and if I beat it, y=ou let me g=o

HH: he starts sayin nah i aint just lettin y=ou run =off i aint that dumb

HH: and i say =of c=ourse, that's the funniest part

HH: bef=ore the train c=omes, ya tie my feet t=o tha tracks!

HH: he says h=ot damn yer right that is fuckin funny

HH: gets right giggly imaginin me tryin ta run and gettin flattened like an old penny

HH: so we head =on =over t=o tha train tracks

HH: and i say wait h=old =on, we need s=ome supplies first

HH: supplies, he says?

HH: i say yeah well, we need r=ope =obvi=ously, and an umbrella

HH: he says, an umbrella?

HH: i say =o c=ourse an umbrella, i t=old ya tha train c=omes right at sunrise. ya d=ont want ta be standin there burnin in tha sun iffin tha train is late, d=o ya?

HH: and he says yer right yer right i d=ont care fer sunburns

HH: s=o he gets s=ome r=ope and a big black umbrella and we get =on tha tracks and he start's tyin my feet t=o tha tracks, but he's kinda strugglin because he's h=oldin tha umbrella at tha same time

HH: and i say hang o=n, ya can't tie it like that, it's g=onna slip right o=ff. here, let me sh=ow ya, i learned s=ome sailin kn=ots fr=om a c=obalt that never c=ome l=o=ose

HH: So i start sh=owin him h=ow ta d=o it, but he ain't gettin it, s=o i say here, i'll tie my =own feet, and y=ou watch and practice =on your =own feet.

HH: s=o he starts tyin his =own feet ta tha tracks, but he's still fumblin =on acc=ount =of h=oldin tha umbrella, s=o i say, ya need b=oth hands, here let me h=old that f=or ya

HH: and he says thanks and hands me the umbrella and g=oes back ta tyin his feet ta tha tracks.

HH: n=ow =of c=ourse ab=out that time tha sun starts ta c=ome up, and right =on time the train whistle s=ounds in tha distance

HH: and tha cl=own l=o=oks up

HH: by which p=oint i'm already ab=out half a bl=ock away, runnin like hell itself is =on my heels

HH: but i was still cl=ose en=ough ta hear that m=otherfucker laughin, laughin like ta bust a gut, right up till tha n=oise a tha train dr=owned him =out

[edosianorchids901]

Wanna Take a Train?

@flashfictionfridayofficial prompt - "late night train"

Crowley and Aziraphale had ridden on plenty of trains before the near Apocalypse. Aziraphale loved trains, acted like a kid every time he got near one, and Crowley loved seeing him excited. It was a good way to get around, and not a bad place to take a nap.

Newly free, they’d decided to take a holiday around Europe, visit some of their old haunts. “Wanna take a train?” Crowley had asked, and delighted in the way Aziraphale’s eyes lit up.

Angels and demons didn’t need to sleep, but he got a private cabin anyway. He and Aziraphale had kissed a couple times in the weeks since the world nearly ended, and a bed seemed like a good plan. Could try out snuggling, or maybe even something more intimate.

Crowley couldn’t help the mental images, the romantic scenes that popped into his head. He’d watched and read James Bond stories too often to avoid it. But unfortunately, he couldn’t stop the other thing popping into his head either—an increasingly nasty headache.

He squeezed down the narrow corridor of the train, hauling their luggage. Aziraphale practically skipped along in front of him, brimming with excitement. “Oh, Crowley! Here’s our cabin!”

Wincing at the overhead lights, Crowley slipped into the room. At least he had his sunglasses, but that wasn’t enough to dull the light sensitivity. Which meant this was probably not just a headache. It was a migraine.

“Oh, isn’t this cozy?” Aziraphale rubbed his hands together and let out a long, contented sigh as he looked around the cramped compartment. “It’s just delightful. I’m so glad you suggested this, Crowley.”

“Mm,” Crowley agreed, sinking onto the bed. He should actually stash their luggage under said bed, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it yet. Thudding pain crashed through his head, like he was being hit over and over.

“Crowley?” Aziraphale sat beside him, a warm hand settling on the back of his neck. “What’s wrong, dear fellow? Are your legs troubling you? I know we have done an awful lot of walking today.”

“Nuh, s’ not my legs for once.” They hurt, like usual, and he could ignore it. He couldn’t ignore the crashing headache, or the rising nausea, or the dizziness. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

“I will worry,” Aziraphale said, almost petulant. He massaged Crowley’s neck, slow and gentle. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

There was no denying that soft, pleading voice. “Got a headache. It’s… pretty bad.”

The train lurched into motion, and Crowley groaned. So much for his fantasies of rolling around in bed together. He’d be lucky if he wasn’t puking soon.

“Well, let’s see.” Aziraphale glanced around the compartment and flicked a hand. The lights lowered dramatically, almost out, and that at least soothed the piercing pain. “How about a damp cloth on your neck? Or your forehead?”

Crowley nodded, and immediately regretted the movement. He rubbed his brow and rolled his shoulders, trying to work out the ache in his neck. “Hrgh, this is bloody ridiculous. Can’t my corporation behave for two seconds? We’re trying to take a holiday!”

Aziraphale dampened a cloth with their water bottle, dripping some on the floor, then carefully settled the cloth around the back of Crowley’s neck. “Well, we are succeeding at taking a holiday. It’s perhaps just not the most comfortable for you at the moment.”

“Doesn’t matter if I’m comfortable.” He was never comfortable, not really. Something was always wrong with his corporation, be it pain or sudden bouts of fatigue. That was another good reason to have a bed. “This is your holiday too. I don’t want you to spend it having to nursemaid me.”

At that, Aziraphale frowned and stuck his lower lip out in a dramatic pout. “Now, that’s utter nonsense. You’re my Crowley. It’s not fun to see you in pain, no, but I like being able to take care of you. If our situations were reversed…”

“Oy, stop it,” Crowley grumbled. It was a fair point, but not one he wanted to take.

“And anyway. I’m on a train with my very, very dearest friend, my beloved Crowley.” Cheeks pink, Aziraphale gave him a shy look. He took Crowley’s hand in his, held it gently. “Please don’t feel guilty about needing a bit of extra help from time to time.”

Crowley sighed. He couldn’t really argue against that, especially not when Aziraphale said it with such sincerity. They sat in silence and near-darkness for a bit, the train rolling smoothly over the tracks. Full night shadowed the world outside their compartment window, occasional lights of human habitation sparkling off in the distance.

The headache wasn’t getting much better, but Crowley’s frustration was. He managed a smile. “Thanks for understanding. S’ just that I, well… I was kinda hoping we could take advantage of our compartment.”

Aziraphale gave a little giggle, still gazing out the window into the darkness. He really did love trains, and he looked just as excited as ever. “Well, I don’t suppose we could do anything too active, but we could lie down if you don’t think it would make you queasy.”

After a moment’s contemplation, Crowley nodded. “Yeah. Think I’d like that.”

“Ah, wonderful!” Aziraphale guided him to lie down on the inadequate pillows and snuggled close beside him. There was barely room for them both on the tiny bed, but the angel’s warmth felt amazing. “I love you, you know. And there will be plenty of other train rides.”

He leaned in, a clear invitation. Crowley kissed him, just a quick peck, and then laid back with his head throbbing. “Thanks, angel. Love you too.”

There would indeed be other train rides, hopefully more successful. But despite the migraine, snuggling all night sounded pretty great.